High-pressure, high-temperature molecular doping of nanodiamond

The development of color centers in diamond as the basis for emerging quantum technologies has been limited by the need for ion implantation to create the appropriate defects. We present a versatile method to dope diamond without ion implantation by synthesis of a doped amorphous carbon precursor and transformation at high temperatures and high pressures. To explore this bottom-up method for color center generation, we rationally create silicon vacancy defects in nanodiamond and investigate them for optical pressure metrology. In addition, we show that this process can generate noble gas defects within diamond from the typically inactive argon pressure medium, which may explain the hysteresis effects observed in other high-pressure experiments and the presence of noble gases in some meteoritic nanodiamonds. Our results illustrate a general method to produce color centers in diamond and may enable the controlled generation of designer defects.

Use and characteristics of nocturnal habitats of the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfocensis) in Australian temperate woodlands

In Australian temperate woodlands, most squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) habitats exist outside formal conservation reserves, often in highly fragmented agricultural landscapes. To conserve squirrel glider populations in such woodlands it is essential to define important habitats and understand how they are used. This study examines the nocturnal habitat use of squirrel gliders across five sites within an agricultural landscape in south-eastern Australia. Over a five-month period we radio-tracked 32 gliders to 372 nocturnal locations. We quantify characteristics of key nocturnal habitats and describe their use. Gliders were more likely to use large eucalypt trees, particularly yellow box (Eucalyptus melliodora) and mugga ironbark (E. sideroxylon). Nocturnal activity mostly took place high in the canopy of eucalypts, accounting for 74% of fixes. Multiple regression models revealed that feeding was more likely to occur in large, healthy trees close to drainage lines, with a preference for E. melliodora, when eucalypts were not flowering. Flowering trees were preferentially sought and were strongly associated with being large healthy trees that occur on ridges and upper slopes. Showing that the squirrel glider utilises key feeding structures (large healthy Eucalyptus trees) in different parts of the landscape at different times has direct management implications in the conservation and restoration of squirrel glider habitat, particularly in fragmented temperate woodland.

The characteristics of den trees used by the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) in temperate Australian woodlands

Being able to recognise critical habitat features such as nesting and denning sites is essential for wildlife conservation. It is particularly true for the den trees of species threatened by habitat loss, such as the squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis). Measurements of 146 den trees of the squirrel glider were made in fragmented woodlands of the South-west Slopes of New South Wales and data compared with random trees to quantify the key characteristics of den sites. The likelihood of use as a den tree increased with increasing numbers of visible tree hollows and tree size. Dieback was also a positive indicator of den use. However, when visible hollows within a tree are abundant, dieback-free trees were preferred. Measures of den tree context such as basal area, the number of neighbouring large trees and distance to the next nearest tree, were also found to be important determinants of the likelihood of usage. The above variables were combined into a multiple regression model. The squirrel glider favoured particular Eucalyptus species and some broader eucalypt groups. We believe such variations were most likely due to interspecific differences in hollow development and dieback among the various groups, rather than bark type, a factor previously cited as an important determinant of den tree usage. The ‘best’ model had high negative predictive power, suggesting it would be useful for identifying (1) trees that could be felled without a loss of this critical habitat resource (e.g. at development sites) and (2) areas unsuitable for potential squirrel glider relocation or habitat enhancement. Squirrel gliders show preference for a combination of tree and tree context features in selecting den trees. Understanding these features will help managers enhance and protect denning resources for this species.

The diagnosis and management of maternal and congenital syphilis

A clinical update is presented regarding the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of maternal and congenital syphilis. Syphilis is reemerging as an endemic disease among minority heterosexual populations of the United States; the widespread use of crack cocaine has been identified as a major contributing factor. The dramatic nationwide increase of primary and secondary syphilis in women has precipitated a dramatic rise in congenital syphilis. The key to prevention of syphilitic stillbirths and congenitally infected infants is early diagnosis and treatment of syphilis in infected pregnant women.