Amphibia, Anura, Cycloramphidae, Macrogenioglottus alipioi Carvalho, 1946: Distribution extension, state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil

At the present work, the poorly known cycloramphid frog Macrogenioglottus alipioi Carvalho, 1946 is registered in a large Atlantic forest fragment at the state of Alagoas, northeastern Brazil. The new record extends the geographical distribution of M. alipioi in approximately 100 km to the northeast

DC-powered Fe3+:sapphire Maser and its Sensitivity to Ultraviolet Light

The zero-field Fe3+:sapphire whispering-gallery-mode maser oscillator exhibits several alluring features: Its output is many orders of magnitude brighter than that of an active hydrogen maser and thus far less degraded by spontaneous-emission (Schawlow-Townes) and/or receiving-amplifier noise. Its oscillator loop is confined to a piece of mono-crystalline rock bolted into a metal can. Its quiet amplification combined with high resonator Q provide the ingredients for exceptionally low phase noise. We here concentrate on novelties addressing the fundamental conundrums and technical challenges that impede progress. (1) Roasting: The "mase-ability" of sapphire depends significantly on the chemical conditions under which it is grown and heat-treated. We provide some fresh details and nuances here. (2) Simplification: This paper obviates the need for a Ka-band synthesizer: it describes how a 31.3 GHz loop oscillator, operating on the preferred WG pump mode, incorporating Pound locking, was built from low-cost components. (3) "Dark Matter": A Siegman-level analysis of the experimental data determines the substitutional concentration of Fe3+ in HEMEX to be less than a part per billion prior to roasting and up to a few hundred ppb afterwards. Chemical assays, using different techniques (incl. glow discharge mass spectra spectroscopy and neutron activation analysis) consistently indicate, however, that HEMEX contains iron at concentrations of a few parts per million. Drawing from several forgotten-about/under-appreciated papers, this substantial discrepancy is addressed. (4) Excitons: Towards providing a new means of controlling the Fe3+:sapph. system, a cryogenic sapphire ring was illuminated, whilst masing, with UV light at wavelengths corresponding to known electronic and charge-transfer (thus valence-altering) transitions. Preliminary experiments are reported.Comment: pdf only; submitted to the proceedings of the 24th European Frequency and Time Forum, 13-15th April, 201

La compétition et la motivation aux études en milieu universitaire

Cette recherche de type corrélationnel, menée auprès de cinq cents étudiants de niveau universitaire, s'inspire de la théorie de l'évaluation cognitive et de l'intégration organismique de Deci et Ryan (1985). Elle vise à élucider la nature de la relation entre la compétition et la motivation en situation d'apprentissage. Les résultats démontrent que la compétition est plutôt perçue comme étant contrôlante; elle a un effet négatif sur le sentiment d'autodétermination des étudiants et semble favoriser leur motivation extrinsèque. La discussion porte sur les implications théoriques et pratiques et débouche sur des perspectives d'applications ainsi que sur des indications pour de futures recherches.Within the theoretical frame of Deci and Ryan's (1985) motivational theory, specifically their theory of cognitive evaluation and organismic integration, the authors propose to investigate the relationship between competition and motivation in a learning situation. This research reports on a correlational study of 500 university level students. The results show that competition is perceived as a controlling factor, producing a negative effect on students' feeling of self-determination and increasing their extrinsic motivation. The discussion explores theoretical and practical implications and proposes directions for pedagogical applications and future research.Este estudio correlativo, en el que participaron 500 estudiantes universitarios, se inspira de la teorfa de la evaluacion cognoscitiva y de la integration organizacional de Deci y Ryan ( 1985). Su objetivo es dilucidar la naturaleza de la relation entre capacidad y motivacion en situation de aprendizaje. Los resultados demuestran que la primera es percibida mas bien como un elemento de control, con efectos negativos sobre el sentimiento de autodétermi- nation de los estudiantes y pareciendo favorecer la motivacion extrinseca de éstos. La discusion de las implicaciones teôricas y prâcticas del estudio nos conduce a plantear perspectivas de aplicacion asi como algunas pistas para trabajos futuros.Folgende Korrelationsforschung, die mit fiinmundert Universitatsstudenten unternommen wurde, geht von der von Deci und Ryan (1985) vorgeschlagenen Théorie der Kenntnisbewertung und der organismushaften Integration aus. Sie versucht, die Natur des Verhâltnisses zwischen Konkurrenz und Motivation wâhrend des Studiums besser zu verstehen. Den Ergebnissen nach wird die Konkurrenz eher fur eine kontrollierende Kraft gehalten; sie scheint die âufêere Motivation zu fôrdern. Die Verfasser erôrtern die theoretischen und praktischen Voraussetzungen dieser Forschung und deuten an, zu welchen Folgen dies in der Praxis und in der Forschung fiihren konnte

Limiting the Nitrogen Losses by N-tax and Bioenergy Support: A Quantitative Analysis of Environmental Policy Mix Impacts in the North of France

This paper is devoted to assessment of policy mix impacts regarding nitrogen pollutants. The analysed policy combines a tax on the nitrogen input and incentives promoting perennial crops assumed to be low input ones. We show that perennial crop subsidy increases significantly the tax efficiency, compatible with the balanced budget of the Regulatory Agency in charge of the environment. Based on a MILP agricultural supply model, quantitative analysis provides assessment of impacts regarding land use, farmers income, and N losses at the North France level.Bio-economic model, mathematical linear programming, environmental policy mix, N-fertilizer tax, bio-energy support, Environmental Economics and Policy,