Search for ambient superconductivity in the Lu-N-H system.

Motivated by the recent report of room-temperature superconductivity at near-ambient pressure in N-doped lutetium hydride, we performed a comprehensive, detailed study of the phase diagram of the Lu-N-H system, looking for superconducting phases. We combined ab initio crystal structure prediction with ephemeral data-derived interatomic potentials to sample over 200,000 different structures. Out of the more than 150 structures predicted to be metastable within ~50 meV from the convex hull we identify 52 viable candidates for conventional superconductivity, for which we computed their superconducting properties from Density Functional Perturbation Theory. Although for some of these structures we do predict a finite superconducting Tc, none is even remotely compatible with room-temperature superconductivity as reported by Dasenbrock et al. Our work joins the broader community effort that has followed the report of near-ambient superconductivity, confirming beyond reasonable doubt that no conventional mechanism can explain the reported Tc in Lu-N-H.

Superconductivity in Te-Deficient ZrTe2.

We present structural, electrical, and thermoelectric potential measurements on high-quality single crystals of ZrTe1.8 grown from isothermal chemical vapor transport. These measurements show that the Te-deficient ZrTe1.8, which forms the same structure as the nonsuperconducting ZrTe2, is superconducting below 3.2 K. The temperature dependence of the upper critical field (H c2) deviates from the behavior expected in conventional single-band superconductors, being best described by an electron-phonon two-gap superconducting model with strong intraband coupling. For the ZrTe1.8 single crystals, the Seebeck potential measurements suggest that the charge carriers are predominantly negative, in agreement with the ab initio calculations. Through first-principles calculations within DFT, we show that the slight reduction of Te occupancy in ZrTe2 unexpectedly gives origin to density of states peaks at the Fermi level due to the formation of localized Zr-d bands, possibly promoting electronic instabilities at the Fermi level and an increase at the critical temperature according to the standard BCS theory. These findings highlight that the Te deficiency promotes the electronic conditions for the stability of the superconducting ground state, suggesting that defects can fine-tune the electronic structure to support superconductivity.

Trophic ecology of Hemigrammus marginatus Ellis, 1911 (Characiformes, Characidae) in a conserved tropical stream / Ecologia trófica do Hemigrammus marginatus Ellis, 1911 (Characiformes, Characidae) em um riacho tropical conservado

Abstract The trophic ecology of ichthyofauna in a stream can be related to the presence or absence of riparian and aquatic vegetation, and mainly resource availability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the seasonal and ontogenetic variations for the trophic ecology of Hemigrammus marginatus in the Beija-Flor stream located at the Jataí Ecological Station in the municipality of Luiz Antônio-SP, Brazil. In order to attain this objective, the data collections were carried out on a monthly basis from August, 2011 to July, 2012. Fish were collected using a trawl net and bait traps from three collection stations distributed along the Beija-Flor stream. The quality of the water was evaluated by the chemical variables: ammonia, nitrate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and physical temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and conductivity, obtained by using a Yellow Springs sonde. The collected specimens were fixed in 10% formalin in the field and were subjected to biometric measurements in the laboratory. The stomachs were weighed and transferred to 70% alcohol and the stomach contents were analysed using a stereomicroscope at the lowest possible taxonomic level. The species was considered insectivorous and the autochthonous food items were the most important during the dry season, mainly from the orders Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera, while allochthonous items from the order Hymenoptera were more important in the wet season. The young individuals' diet was based on the consumption of zooplankton, and insofar as the fish develops, there was a decrease in this item in the diet showing that the species has ontogenetic shifts in its diet. The conservation state of the Beija-Flor stream, as well as the flexibility of using food and food resources provided by aquatic macrophytes and riparian vegetation are key factors for the high abundance of the H. marginatus species.

Resumo A ecologia trófica da ictiofauna em um riacho pode estar relacionada à presença ou ausência de mata ciliar e vegetação aquática, e principalmente pela disponibilidade de recursos no ambiente. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as variações sazonais e ontogenéticas na ecologia trófica de Hemigrammus marginatus no córrego Beija-Flor, localizado na Estação Ecológica de Jataí, localizada no município de Luiz Antônio-SP, Brasil. Para atender esse objetivo as coletas de dados foram realizadas mensalmente no período de agosto de 2011 a julho de 2012. Os peixes foram coletados utilizando rede de arrasto e armadilhas iscadas, em três estações de coleta distribuídas ao longo do córrego Beija-Flor. A qualidade da água foi avaliada pelas variáveis químicas amônia, nitrato, nitrogênio total, fósforo total, e físicas temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, turbidez e condutividade, obtidas com auxilio de uma sonda Yellow Springs. Os espécimes coletados foram fixados em formalina a 10% no campo e em laboratório foram submetidos a medidas biométricas. Os estômagos foram pesados e transferidos para álcool a 70%, e o conteúdo estomacal analisado em estereomicroscópio até o menor nível taxonômico possível. A espécie foi considerada insetívora, sendo os itens alimentares de origem autóctone de maior importância no período de seca, principalmente das ordens Ephemeroptera e Trichoptera, enquanto os itens de origem alóctone, da ordem Hymenoptera, tiveram maior importância no período de cheia. A dieta dos indivíduos jovens foi baseada no consumo de zooplâncton, à medida que os peixes se desenvolvem/ crescem ocorre uma diminuição deste item na dieta, evidenciando que a espécie possui variações ontogenéticas na sua dieta. O estado de conservação do córrego Beija-Flor, associado à flexibilidade no uso do alimento e os recursos alimentares proporcionadas pelas macrófitas aquáticas e mata ciliar são fatores fundamentais para a elevada abundância da espécie H. marginatus.

Trophic ecology of Hemigrammus marginatus Ellis, 1911 (Characiformes, Characidae) in a conserved tropical stream / Ecologia trófica do Hemigrammus marginatus Ellis, 1911 (Characiformes, Characidae) em um riacho tropical conservado

The trophic ecology of ichthyofauna in a stream can be related to the presence or absence of riparian and aquatic vegetation, and mainly resource availability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the seasonal and ontogenetic variations for the trophic ecology of Hemigrammus marginatus in the Beija-Flor stream located at the Jataí Ecological Station in the municipality of Luiz Antônio-SP, Brazil. In order to attain this objective, the data collections were carried out on a monthly basis from August, 2011 to July, 2012. Fish were collected using a trawl net and bait traps from three collection stations distributed along the Beija-Flor stream. The quality of the water was evaluated by the chemical variables: ammonia, nitrate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and physical temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and conductivity, obtained by using a Yellow Springs sonde. The collected specimens were fixed in 10% formalin in the field and were subjected to biometric measurements in the laboratory. The stomachs were weighed and transferred to 70% alcohol and the stomach contents were analysed using a stereomicroscope at the lowest possible taxonomic level. The species was considered insectivorous and the autochthonous food items were the most important during the dry season, mainly from the orders Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera, while allochthonous items from the order Hymenoptera were more important in the wet season. The young individuals diet was based on the consumption of zooplankton, and insofar as the fish develops, there was a decrease in this item in the diet showing that the species has ontogenetic shifts in its diet. The conservation state of the Beija-Flor stream, as well as the flexibility of using food and food resources provided by aquatic macrophytes and riparian vegetation are key factors for the high abundance of the H. marginatus species.(AU)

A ecologia trófica da ictiofauna em um riacho pode estar relacionada à presença ou ausência de mata ciliar e vegetação aquática, e principalmente pela disponibilidade de recursos no ambiente. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar as variações sazonais e ontogenéticas na ecologia trófica de Hemigrammus marginatus no córrego Beija-Flor, localizado na Estação Ecológica de Jataí, localizada no município de Luiz Antônio-SP, Brasil. Para atender esse objetivo as coletas de dados foram realizadas mensalmente no período de agosto de 2011 a julho de 2012. Os peixes foram coletados utilizando rede de arrasto e armadilhas iscadas, em três estações de coleta distribuídas ao longo do córrego Beija-Flor. A qualidade da água foi avaliada pelas variáveis químicas amônia, nitrato, nitrogênio total, fósforo total, e físicas temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, pH, turbidez e condutividade, obtidas com auxilio de uma sonda Yellow Springs. Os espécimes coletados foram fixados em formalina a 10% no campo e em laboratório foram submetidos a medidas biométricas. Os estômagos foram pesados e transferidos para álcool a 70%, e o conteúdo estomacal analisado em estereomicroscópio até o menor nível taxonômico possível. A espécie foi considerada insetívora, sendo os itens alimentares de origem autóctone de maior importância no período de seca, principalmente das ordens Ephemeroptera e Trichoptera, enquanto os itens de origem alóctone, da ordem Hymenoptera, tiveram maior importância no período de cheia. A dieta dos indivíduos jovens foi baseada no consumo de zooplâncton, à medida que os peixes se desenvolvem/ crescem ocorre uma diminuição deste item na dieta, evidenciando que a espécie possui variações ontogenéticas na sua dieta. O estado de conservação do córrego Beija-Flor, associado à flexibilidade no uso do alimento e os recursos alimentares proporcionadas pelas macrófitas aquáticas e mata ciliar são fatores fundamentais para a elevada abundância da espécie H. marginatus.(AU)

Trophic ecology of Hemigrammus marginatus Ellis, 1911 (Characiformes, Characidae) in a conserved tropical stream.

The trophic ecology of ichthyofauna in a stream can be related to the presence or absence of riparian and aquatic vegetation, and mainly resource availability. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse the seasonal and ontogenetic variations for the trophic ecology of Hemigrammus marginatus in the Beija-Flor stream located at the Jataí Ecological Station in the municipality of Luiz Antônio-SP, Brazil. In order to attain this objective, the data collections were carried out on a monthly basis from August, 2011 to July, 2012. Fish were collected using a trawl net and bait traps from three collection stations distributed along the Beija-Flor stream. The quality of the water was evaluated by the chemical variables: ammonia, nitrate, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and physical temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and conductivity, obtained by using a Yellow Springs sonde. The collected specimens were fixed in 10% formalin in the field and were subjected to biometric measurements in the laboratory. The stomachs were weighed and transferred to 70% alcohol and the stomach contents were analysed using a stereomicroscope at the lowest possible taxonomic level. The species was considered insectivorous and the autochthonous food items were the most important during the dry season, mainly from the orders Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera, while allochthonous items from the order Hymenoptera were more important in the wet season. The young individuals' diet was based on the consumption of zooplankton, and insofar as the fish develops, there was a decrease in this item in the diet showing that the species has ontogenetic shifts in its diet. The conservation state of the Beija-Flor stream, as well as the flexibility of using food and food resources provided by aquatic macrophytes and riparian vegetation are key factors for the high abundance of the H. marginatus species.