Engineering medium-range order and polyamorphism in a nanostructured amorphous alloy

Like crystalline materials, the properties of amorphous materials can be tailored by tuning the local atomic-to-nanoscale structural configurations. Polyamorphism is evident by the coexistence of kinetically stabilized amorphous structures with tailorable short-to-medium-range orders, providing a viable means to engineer the degree of local order and heterogeneity. Here, we report experimental evidence of the coexistence of liquid-like and solid-like amorphous phases in a Ni82P18 amorphous alloy with enhanced thermal stability and plasticity prepared by pulsed electrodeposition. The two amorphous phases, of comparable volume fraction of ~50% each, have similar short-range order but are distinguished by packing at the medium-range length scale (>6 Å). Upon heating, a structure crossover at ~450 K was observed, where the liquid-like structure transforms to the solid-like structure, as evidenced by the enthalpy release and an anomalous contraction of atomic structure over the medium-range length scale, due to the metastable nature of the liquid-like structure.

A New Life

The chapter compares Hildegard’s new life at Rupertsberg with her previous time at Disibodenberg, with emphasis on the Opus dei component of monastic life, the limited opportunities for musical performance while at Disibodenberg, and her newfound freedom at Rupertsberg. It examines music possibly used in connection with the rededication of the Rupertsberg church, including O orzchis ecclesia and the musical play Ordo virtutum (The Play of the Virtues). It discusses the play’s plot and structure; musical characterization; performing forces; the range, length, and mode of individual parts (including Victory and Chastity); costuming possibilities; Hildegard’s likely role as Humility; possible reasons for the play’s genesis; and Hildegard’s ongoing interest in the virtues, especially in Scivias.

Convoluted shorelines confound diel-range estimates of radio-tracked fish

Understanding the spatial ecology of animals is an important part of conserving biodiversity. In this context, manual radio‐tracking is a primary means for understanding the movement of freshwater fish. Our aim was to determine the suitability of using linear or area‐based estimates to quantify diel use of space by Macquarie perch, Macquaria australasica (Percichthyidae), in a reservoir. Area‐based estimates were calculated as minimum convex polygons (MCPs). Four‐hourly radio‐tracking of 23 adults within diel periods resulted in 136 pairs of linear and area‐based estimates. We encountered problems with MCPs that were not associated with outlying radio‐fixes. MCPs were more likely to overlap with land as the extent of an individual’s range increased. Corrections were applied to account for land intersecting with MCPs (33.1% of cases); however, underestimates of diel range occurred in most of these cases. MCPs were also small despite substantial movement along one dimension if individuals occupied only straight‐edged sections of the reservoir and did not traverse bays or peninsulas (8.1% of estimates). Mean (±s.e.) diel‐range length was 516 ± 89 m (n = 23) and records varied from 6 to 1972 m. In waterways with convoluted shorelines, linear estimates of diel range are more reliable than area‐based estimates derived from manual radio‐tracking.

Home ranges and movements of the Chinese stripe-necked turtle (Ocadia sinensis) in the Keelung River, northern Taiwan

We investigated home ranges and movements of 13 adult Ocadia sinensis by radio-tracking in a narrow and disturbed riverine habitat of the Keelung River, northern Taiwan from January 2001 to April 2002. Our results indicated that individuals of this turtle were sedentary, with home range length averaging 703 m (range 170-1460 m). Home range length did not differ between the sexes. Movement patterns of radio-tracked turtles were highly variable, with no apparent seasonal patterns. The daily movement distances ranged from 5-245 m, equalling 0.3 to 47.1% of their home range length. Usually, O. sinensis moved into a new pool during flooding or after a longer period of low water level. This turtle was seldom relocated terrestrially, showing its highly aquatic nature. Ocadia sinensis used the riverine habitat unevenly, preferring the deep and slow-current pools and avoiding highly modified river sections. Our results raise conservation concern about loss of deeper, slow-current pools in many river management projects, which was important habitat for O. sinensis in their home ranges.