Population structure of breeding Harlequin Ducks and the influence of predation risk

2006 ◽  
Vol 84 (6) ◽  
pp. 855-864 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.P. Heath ◽  
G.J. Robertson ◽  
W.A. Montevecchi
Keyword(s):  
Prey Availability ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
High Density ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Avian Predators ◽  
Harlequin Ducks ◽  
Local Measurements ◽  
Demographic Processes ◽  
Regional Population

Landscape features can have an important influence on the characteristics of populations, often resulting in heterogeneity in demographic processes. Therefore, local measurements of population parameters may not reflect regional characteristics. We studied populations of Harlequin Ducks ( Histrionicus histrionicus L., 1758) breeding in 11 river canyons in northern Labrador in relation to biophysical habitat characteristics and abundance of avian predators. Density and stability of Harlequin Duck populations varied among river canyons and were positively related (mean of 4.7 survey years per river). Both density and stability were negatively related to densities of raptorial birds. Raptor density was related to availability of suitable cliff ledges for nesting. Comparison of rivers with stable, high-density Harlequin Duck populations and those with variable, low-density populations revealed no detectable differences in habitat or prey availability. In a high-density population, observed stability but positive projected growth suggested the system was at carrying capacity and a source of emigrants. In contrast, unstable, low-density populations approached local extinction in some years, while large increases in subsequent years were suggestive of immigration. These findings demonstrate that breeding aggregations in different river canyons could represent an important unit of demographic structure. The abundance of raptors appears to be an important factor influencing local characteristics of Harlequin Duck populations. We discuss the potential influence of local demographic differences on regional population dynamics and their importance for conservation management strategies for migratory species.

Differential use of similar habitat by Harlequin Ducks: trade-offs and implications for identifying critical habitat

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (5) ◽  
pp. 419-426 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joel P. Heath ◽  
William A. Montevecchi
Keyword(s):  
Predation Risk ◽  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Careful Consideration ◽  
Habitat Characteristics ◽  
Habitat Availability ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Trade Offs ◽  
Harlequin Ducks ◽  
Source And Sink

Interactions between ecological processes operating at different scales are critical aspects of habitat suitability requiring careful consideration in conservation planning. Our previous research indicated that local abundance and demographics of subpopulations of Harlequin Ducks ( Histrionicus histrionicus (L., 1758)), structured in 11 river canyons in northern Labrador, were influenced by predation risk from nest-site-limited raptors. At demographic extremes, where raptors were absent, Harlequin Ducks were stable at high densities, with positive-projected growth, suggesting that they were at carrying capacity and a source of emigrants. In contrast, where raptors were abundant, low density, highly variable populations of ducks approached local extinction in some years, with subsequent increases suggestive of immigration rescue effects. A comparison of resources for Harlequin Ducks indicated no differences in habitat availability among these putative “source” and “sink” subpopulations. In the present study, we used multivariate analysis to identify habitat characteristics important for home-range use within these river canyons and to develop habitat suitability indices (HSI). Despite similar habitat availability, different characteristics were locally important. In a sink where predation risk was high, only danger-reducing habitat characteristics (i.e., overhang vegetation) were identified as important, whereas invertebrates was a predominant characteristic of the source HSI. Despite similar habitat availability, HSI developed in source and sink habitats would, respectively, over- and under-estimate regional habitat availability. Informed conservation and management strategies will therefore require integrating individual trade-offs about predation risk and resources into a multiscale context.

Quantitative defect studies in semiconductor TEM samples prepared by low angle ion milling

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 512-513
Author(s):  
L. Mulestagno ◽  
J.C. Holzer ◽  
P. Fraundorf
Keyword(s):  
Sample Preparation ◽  
Milling Time ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Ion Milling ◽  
High Quality ◽  
Variable Angle ◽  
Major Disadvantage ◽  
Induced Defects

Due to the wealth of information, both analytical and structural that can be obtained from it TEM always has been a favorite tool for the analysis of process-induced defects in semiconductor wafers. The only major disadvantage has always been, that the volume under study in the TEM is relatively small, making it difficult to locate low density defects, and sample preparation is a somewhat lengthy procedure. This problem has been somewhat alleviated by the availability of efficient low angle milling.Using a PIPS® variable angle ion -mill, manufactured by Gatan, we have been consistently obtaining planar specimens with a high quality thin area in excess of 5 × 104 μm2 in about half an hour (milling time), which has made it possible to locate defects at lower densities, or, for defects of relatively high density, obtain information which is statistically more significant (table 1).

Scanning Electron Microscopic and Electrophoretic Observations on Barium Sulphate Used to Adsorb Clotting Factors

1975 ◽  
Vol 33 (02) ◽  
pp. 256-270
Author(s):  
R. M Howell ◽  
S. L. M Deacon
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Barium Sulphate ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Factor X ◽  
Clotting Factors ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Complementary Techniques ◽  
Scanning Electron

SummaryElectron microscopy and particle electrophoresis were found to be complementary techniques with which to complete the physical data from an earlier study on barium sulphates used to adsorb clotting factors from serum. The differences revealed by scanning electron microscopy (S. E. M.) in the physical shape of low and high density grades of barium sulphate particles appear to be of greater significance than charge as expressed by electrophoretic mobility, in determining whether or not precursor or preformed factor Xa is eluted.This conclusion was based on the finding that at pH values close to 7, where the adsorption from serum occurs, all samples with the exception of natural barytes were uncharged. However as the high-density, or soil-grade, was found by S. E. M. to consist of large solid crystals it was suggested that this shape might induce activation of factor X as a result of partial denaturation and consequent unfolding of the adsorbed protein. In contrast, uptake of protein into the centre of the porous aggregates revealed by S. E. M. pictures of low-density or X-ray grade barium sulphate may afford protection against denaturation and exposure of the enzyme site.The porous nature of particles of low-density barium sulphate compared with the solid crystalline forms of other grades accounts not only for its lower bulk density but also for its greater surface/gram ratio which is reflected by an ability to adsorb more protein from serum.Neither technique produced evidence from any of the samples to indicate the presence of stabilising agents sometimes used to coat particles in barium meals.

scholarly journals Low-Temperature Mechanical Properties of High-Density and Low-Density Polyethylene and Their Blends

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1821
Author(s):  
Ildar I. Salakhov ◽  
Nadim M. Shaidullin ◽  
Anatoly E. Chalykh ◽  
Mikhail A. Matsko ◽  
Alexey V. Shapagin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Impact Strength ◽  
Relative Elongation ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Density Polyethylene ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Elongation At Break ◽  
Subzero Temperatures ◽  
Izod Impact

Low-temperature properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), and their blends were studied. The analyzed low-temperature mechanical properties involve the deformation resistance and impact strength characteristics. HDPE is a bimodal ethylene/1-hexene copolymer; LDPE is a branched ethylene homopolymer containing short-chain branches of different length; LLDPE is a binary ethylene/1-butene copolymer and an ethylene/1-butene/1-hexene terpolymer. The samples of copolymers and their blends were studied by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), 13С NMR spectroscopy, and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) using testing machines equipped with a cryochamber. It is proposed that such parameters as “relative elongation at break at −45 °C” and “Izod impact strength at −40 °C” are used instead of the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature to assess frost resistance properties because these parameters are more sensitive to deformation and impact at subzero temperatures for HDPE. LLDPE is shown to exhibit higher relative elongation at break at −45 °C and Izod impact strength at −20 ÷ 60 °C compared to those of LDPE. LLDPE terpolymer added to HDPE (at a content ≥ 25 wt.%) simultaneously increases flow properties and improves tensile properties of the blend at −45 °C. Changes in low-temperature properties as a function of molecular weight, MWD, crystallinity, and branch content were determined for HDPE, LLDPE, and their blends. The DMA data prove the resulting dependences. The reported findings allow one to understand and predict mechanical properties in the HDPE–LLDPE systems at subzero temperatures.

scholarly journals High-density Néel-type magnetic skyrmion phase stabilized at high temperature

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hee Young Kwon ◽  
Kyung Mee Song ◽  
Juyoung Jeong ◽  
Ah-Yeon Lee ◽  
Seung-Young Park ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Temperature ◽  
High Density ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Memory Devices ◽  
Magnetic Multilayer ◽  
Multilayer Systems ◽  
Micromagnetic Simulations ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Ultrahigh Density ◽  
Lorentz Transmission Electron Microscopy

AbstractThe discovery of a thermally stable, high-density magnetic skyrmion phase is a key prerequisite for realizing practical skyrmionic memory devices. In contrast to the typical low-density Néel-type skyrmions observed in technologically viable multilayer systems, with Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we report the discovery of a high-density homochiral Néel-type skyrmion phase in magnetic multilayer structures that is stable at high temperatures up to 733 K (≈460 °C). Micromagnetic simulations reveal that a high-density skyrmion phase can be stabilized at high temperature by deliberately tuning the magnetic anisotropy, magnetic field, and temperature. The existence of the high-density skyrmion phase in a magnetic multilayer system raises the possibility of incorporating chiral Néel-type skyrmions in ultrahigh-density spin memory devices. Moreover, the existence of this phase at high temperature shows its thermal stability, demonstrating the potential for skyrmion devices operating in thermally challenging modern electronic chips.

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