Abstract: Instruments in the flute family, unlike most wind instruments, are played with the input of the
instrument open to the atmosphere. Consequently, they operate at minima in the spectrum of acoustic
input impedance. Detailed examination of these minima requires measurements with large dynamic
range, which is why the flute has not been hitherto investigated in detail. We report the application of
a technique with high precision and large dynamic range to measurements of the impedance spectra of
flutes. We compare the acoustical impedance spectra of two examples of the modern orchestral flute
and an example of the classical flute. For each instrument, we measured several dozen of the most
commonly used different acoustic configurations or fingerings. The results are used to explain
features of the spectra of the sound produced, to explain performance features and difficulties of the
instruments, and to explain the differences between the performances of the classical and modern
instruments. Some hundreds of spectra and sound files are given in JSV+ to allow further
examination.
Abstract: We have developed a sensitive optical technique that allows twoâdimensional mapping of subsurface inhomogeneities of semiconductors. Using this contactless, room temperature technique, which is based on differential reflectance spectroscopy, we have been able to generate relief maps which show the spatial distribution of damage/defects in a number of IIIâV compounds and Si
Abstract: The optical generation of surface plasmons in palladium/nickel alloys is used to construct a reliable hydrogen sensor. Absorption of hydrogen by the palladium alloy results in large changes in reflected light intensity (6.6% per 1% change in H2 concentration) from a reflection off an alloy/glass interface. The palladium alloy is found to be far more suited than pure palladium for use in the sensor, owing to its greater mechanical strength and resistance to poisoning by other chemical species. The sensor performance is not effected by the presence of common atmospheric constituents, such as CO and CH4, or by lack of oxygen in the atmosphere (unlike many catalytic sensors).
Abstract: We have demonstrated a temperature switch based on an optically bistable device integrated with an optical fibre. The principle demonstrated here might lead to the development of new types of all-optical temperature sensors.
Abstract: Laser desorption Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance positive- and negative-ion mass spectra are presented for dimethyl 8-acetyl-3,7,12,17-tetramethylporphyrin-2,18-dipropanoate. The 248-nm laser ionization thresholds for both positive and negative ions are observed to be about 2.5 MW cmâ2. The M+Ë molecular ion is assigned to the base peak in the low-power spectra whereas it is the MâË ion for the corresponding anion spectra. Increased intensities of [M + H]+ and [M â H]â are observed with increased laser fluences of up to 38 MW cmâ2. At high laser powers the negative-ion results reveal that a series of carbon-nitrogen cumulene and polyacetylene cluster ions are formed. Laser evaporation/multiphoton ionization/ and thermal evaporation/electron impact ionization/collision-induced dissociation experiments carried out on the porphyrin M+Ë and [M + H]+ ions over a range of translational kinetic energies and delay times after acceleration are compared and used to obtain mechanistic and structural information. In contrast to the electron impact experiments, which show only side-chain cleavage, the laser-based collision-induced dissociation experiments reveal that, in addition to side-chain cleavage, it is possible to cleave the porphyrin ring to various extents depending on the ion translational energy selected.
Abstract: Roomâtemperature optical bistability has been demonstrated in hydrogenated amorphous silicon at wavelengths greater than about 700 nm. Switching powers as low as 0.8 mW (switching intensities 1.7 kW/cm2) are observed. The measured switching times are found to be compound, with time constants from 50 μs to 1 ms.
Abstract: Ceramic powders have been produced by the photodecomposition of chloromethylsilanes using a pulsed excimer laser operating at 193 nm. These feedstocks are cheaper and easier to handle than SiH4, the main feedstock used in earlier work using continuousâwave CO2 lasers as the irradiation source. Powders were produced from photolysis of silanes containing methyl groups without the addition of any coreagents, while the two silanes tested containing only chlorine and hydrogen ligands, SiCI3H and SiCI4, required the addition of H2 as a coreagent for significant yields of powder to be produced. The powders produced were found to be low in chlorine, with amorphous Si powders or β-SiC being produced depending on feedstock. Particle sizes measured from electron micrographs varied from less than 10 nm to 1.5 μm.
Abstract: The photoreflectance (PR) spectra of epitaxial GaAs layers were studied, with emphasis on the sharp ââspikeââ that has been previously observed in the PR spectra of some GaAs samples. By chemically etching the surface of our samples, we were able to separate the ââspikeââ from the rest of the line shape. We conclude that this ââspikeââ is associated with doping inhomogeneities in the samples.
Abstract: We have described a number of new, broadâlinewidth emission bands in the photoluminescence spectrum of strained InGaAsâGaAs singleâquantum wells. The variation of the luminescence intensity as a function of layer thickness and excitation intensity suggests that these bands are caused by interface defects, most likely misfit dislocations at the InGaAs/GaAs interface.
Abstract: Variation in the magnitude and sign of the strain in GaAs/InGaAs/GaAs single quantum wells are studied as a function of layer thickness using photoluminescence spectroscopy. It is found that as the compressively strained ternary layer relaxes with increasing thickness, a tensile strain is introduced in the GaAs capping layer. This reduces the GaAs band gap and lifts the degeneracy of the valence band, which becomes light hole in character.
Abstract: Seasonal variations in radiative and turbulent f1uxes at the surface of, and in the heat transfer within, sea ice are discussed from results of energy balance studies at a site of annual ice cover near Mawson, Antarctica. In mid-summer, the open water gains heat mostly by radiation but by early February the ocean is cooling predominantly by strong turbulent losses, with some radiative heat loss occurring also by March. When an ice cover forms, turbulent f1uxes decrease from several 100 W m-2 over open water to only 40 W m-2 over ice less than 0.2 m thick and even less over thicker ice. Net radiative losses over mature ice in mid-winter are balanced mostly by conduction through the ice cover but with some turbulent heat gain at the surface. By midspring, there is a net radiative gain, the turbulent fluxes are again outgoing, and there is little total heat transfer through the ice. At break-out, the albedo increase from ice to open water causes a large increase in the net radiative gain.
At the lower boundary of the ice, the oceanic heat flux provides an important contribution. A net advection of heat into the region is shown from temperature profiles in the water under the ice. Salinity changes in the water during the period of ice melt are also discussed.
Abstract: Differential reflectance (DR) spectroscopy, applied to semiconductors, is shown to beequivalent in some cases to a contactless electro-reflectance technique. DR spectra are achieved bymodifying one half of the sample surface or, in the case of semiconductor alloys, just relying on theinhomogeneities present. Our DR spectra of GaAs reveal sharp critical point structures and arecomparable to the known electro-reflectance data. The DR spectra show a marked improvement insignal to noise ratio over photoreflectance spectra of the same samples. This new technique has alsobeen used to characterize 111-V quantum well structures.
Abstract: This is a report of a brief survey of the current situation of digital scientific research records within the Australian Museum. Also presented are examples of what other Australian institutions are doing, their policies and procedures.
⢠Scientists are keen for their research data to be managed for the long-term.
⢠Australian Museum Management is aware that the long-term care of datasets is a concern, however in order to put resources towards this they would need to be sure it was worthwhile.
⢠Long-term storage is technically complex, with standards still to be adopted and problems of obsolescence to be solved.
⢠Medium-term management of some datasets and other research data is feasible with some groundwork readily achievable.
⢠Some research data, such as scientific publications and genomic sequences, are already held in long-term repositories. Further work may be warranted to assess whether these are acceptable to the Australian Museum as valid archives.
⢠ANDS, the Australian National Data Service, and TERN, the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, are examples of projects that are setting up tools and processes for the long-term storage of research data. At this stage ANDS is inaccessible to Australian Museum researchers. The long-term future of these infrastructure projects is uncertain.
⢠Some institutions have been developing policies and procedures for archiving digital data. The National Library of Australia is keen to work with others who are preserving Australiaâs digital information.
Abstract: This report addresses a barrier to sharing biodiversity information â sensitive data, data that might cause harm if made public.
⢠Managers of biodiversity data face a significant difficulty when preparing their datasets for shared access. They are concerned that some of their data may be considered sensitive; however, currently there is no straightforward way to find out.
o Data may be sensitive for different reasons: conservation status, quarantine, biosecurity, trade, taxonomy, privacy
⢠Each State and Territory conservation agency treats the sensitivity of information about threatened species in their jurisdiction differently
o Each agency uses a different method to determine which species are sensitive
o Each agency restricts sensitive information in different ways
o No State or Territory agency promotes its sensitive criteria in a form that can be readily discovered or used by others
⢠Flora and fauna specialists are aware of sensitivities associated with the organisms with which they work. Their fields of expertise extend beyond the regulations of conservation agencies, and they can recognise species distributions not constrained by political boundaries. They can also respond rapidly to new information.
⢠Information about specific plant pests and diseases of quarantine concern is highly sensitive. Australian trade depends on the belief that certain pests are not present in the country. The perception of a particular pest being present could trigger commercially difficult, international trade problems.
⢠Information about some microorganisms can be sensitive for security or trade reasons. Legal obligations apply to organisms that carry a high risk to animals and humans. As with plant pests, the perception that exotic animal pathogens or diseases are present in Australia may cause considerable trade problems.
⢠Sensitivities to data can be locally determined or confidential, and include such information as personal identities, unpublished work, uncorrected data, and data owned by others. Identifying and separating this information from other data before it is released publicly can be difficult.
⢠Currently no register is available of sensitive taxa that is applicable at a national level. Restricting public access to specific information only makes sense if those restrictions are also followed by others with similar information.
Key recommendations
The Atlas of Living Australia should develop and implement a suite of appropriate tools and services so that data managers could apply those tools to their institutional data to filter and flag sensitive records. The ALA should:
1. Develop and implement a rules-based National Register of Sensitive Species, which will include sensitive threatened species, quarantine-sensitive species and sensitive microorganisms. The rules for sensitivity would be determined by interested agencies and specialists concerned with the consequences of releasing sensitive data. The rules will vary depending on geographic area, time, species, authority, and so on.
2. Develop and implement a Sensitive Data Service to enable data managers and custodians to determine which of their records refer to sensitive species. This service will use as its reference standard, the National Register of Sensitive Species.
3. Develop and implement a support service for data managers. Include standards, schemas, tools for managing data sharing, and checklists to help detect locally sensitive information.
Proposed national policy
A national policy is proposed to create a framework for incorporating these recommendations. The policy will apply to data managers and custodians as well as those agencies and specialists who can determine sensitivity rules.
Abstract: The Atlas of Living Australia needs to be responsive to opportunities to make biodiversity data available and relevant for different user groups. This user needs analysis has been conducted to support this goal and to help the ALA establish priorities.
This user needs analysis conducted:
⢠an email survey with 242 responses from a broad cross-section of people working with biodiversity data across Australia
⢠3 workshops in Sydney and Brisbane for people from diverse backgrounds to share ideas and discuss individual and common themes
⢠20 in-depth interviews in regional Australia to appreciate their workflow and reveal each userâs needs and difficulties
⢠a natural resource assessment longitudinal study in southern Western Australia documenting the difficulties and obstacles to data use and discovery in an environmental assessment process
⢠6 discussion sessions at TDWG 2008 Annual Conference in Fremantle, WA, engaging experts and specialists to explore essential identified tasks
Identified major tasks of importance to users
⢠Distribution analysis â determining or applying the likely range for any given species
⢠Identification â determining the name or taxonomic group for a particular organism
⢠Site Assessment â reporting the list of species known, or expected to occur at a particular site
⢠Habitat management planning â how to best manage an area for conservation
⢠Managing references â maintaining a database or collection as a current information resource
⢠Community engagement â producing materials to educate the public
⢠Fact-finding â general research to find out information for any species
⢠Synecology / food-web analysis â exploring the interactions and dependencies between organisms
⢠Biosecurity â understanding introduced organisms, wildlife diseases and biological control
Areas of significance for users
⢠Amateur observations and ad hoc data â how best to assist and encourage the capture of observational data from amateur naturalists and other independent specialists, and manage issues of quality
⢠Sensitive data â how to manage the many forms of sensitive and restricted data to meet the needs of users while maintaining safeguards to the satisfaction of data providers
⢠Names â correct and current names are highly important. How best to deal with this lack of a well-maintained and authoritative name service which addresses the needs of the many who use biodiversity data.
Common subjects of importance to users
⢠Currency â knowing that the data they are accessing is current â particularly in relation to names data
⢠Accuracy â an understanding of data accuracy â particularly in relation to geography and taxonomy
⢠Comprehensiveness â access to complete datasets â not just portions of what was potentially available
⢠Validation â having some measure of validation of data â to enable judgements of data suitability
⢠Documentation â good documentation of each data record as well as each dataset
⢠Ease of access â data that is easy to access and to understand its nature
⢠A reliable and authoritative source â trust can only come from a reliable and authoritative source of data
This user needs analysis has identified workflows, key difficulties and the expressed needs of people who use biodiversity data in their work and study. The results presented here will help guide the early planning and implementation of the Atlas of Living Australia.
Abstract: This is a report of an attempt to speed up the capture of information on the labels of specimens held by the Australian Museum.
A trial was conducted using volunteers with a camera to photograph specimen labels and transcribe that data into a spreadsheet. Location information was georeferenced. The data in the resulting spreadsheet was then entered into EMu by a museum technician. Times and costs were compared to direct data entry, as well as with a previous trial using an off-shore data transcription service.
The outcome of the trial was successful in clarifying the following:
Importing data into EMu is not straightforward and is a specialist task. Having the data transcribed into a spreadsheet before import into EMu does not help. Errors, misspellings, and uncertainties on many of the labels meant that a spreadsheet of data became a clumsy and inefficient method of data entry.
Photographing a label has advantages â a photograph becomes a verbatim record in the database of the label for later referral, and makes the data entry process quicker by about 20%, as well as easier and more convenient.
Recommendations
The Australian museum could train and use a small team of volunteers to photograph specimen labels. These photographs would be saved on EMu as a record of the label, and subsequently used for data entry by AM technical staff.
Investigate the EMu inline toolset as a possible route for engaging volunteers for accurate and reliable data entry.
Abstract: This report presents a review of available software tools that could be used to support the Atlas of Living Australia.
These software tools include both desktop and online applications and searchable databases.
This is not an exhaustive list. Further tools can potentially be added through the Atlas of Living Australia Tools Wiki.
In preparing this review we have investigated the following significant areas for appropriate tools:
⢠Data cleaning, validation and manipulation â eg spelling, misnaming, georeferencing, validation
⢠Visualisation â eg maps, graphs, images, tables etc
⢠Georeferencing â eg gazetteers
⢠Data analysis â eg environmental niche modelling; survey gap analysis
⢠Data Capture (of non-electronic data )â eg literature, digitisation of specimen data
⢠Taxonomy â eg identification
⢠Name resolution â eg name servers
⢠Provider interaction â eg building and preparing datasets, accepting feedback, communication
⢠Metadata â eg creation, collating, data discovery
⢠Environmental data â eg GIS layers, site specific data
⢠Bibliography â references
⢠Feedback â eg for errors, additions, alterations, quality
⢠User interface â personal or institutional, visual presentation or raw data, portable devices
Tools for database interaction were not investigated as part of the review, as these were considered to be intrinsic to the system architecture, a feature not yet determined. This included access protocols, data formats, metadata standards, and data exchange schema.
The software tools reviewed here will interact with the ALA in a variety of ways. There are examples of software tools that can be used as stand-alone applications, virtually independent of ALA architecture. Some tools lie firmly embedded inside other applications or websites, examples of potential for the ALA; or may possibly be able to be adapted specifically for the ALA. Many databases offer access to the public through a personal front-end. These databases may better benefit the ALA by a direct interaction, machine to machine. Other tools, such as desktop modelling tools, may use the ALA only as a vast source of data.
Comments for individual tools are encouraged. Personal experience, concerns, criticisms, difficulties, and comparisons can be extremely helpful. Comments on any of the tools can be added to the Atlas of Living Australia Tools Wiki
