Pigmentation pattern formation in butterflies: experiments and models

Butterfly pigmentation patterns are one of the most spectacular and vivid examples of pattern formation in biology. They have attracted much attention from experimentalists and theoreticians, who have tried to understand the underlying genetic, chemical and physical processes that lead to patterning. In this paper, we present a brief review of this field by first considering the generation of the localised, eyespot, patterns and then the formation of more globally controlled patterns. We present some new results applied to pattern formation on the wing of the mimetic butterfly Papilio dardanus. To cite this article: H.F. Nijhout et al., C. R. Biologies 326 (2003)

Wave Field Synthesis in a listening room

This thesis investigates the influence of the listening room on sound fields synthesised by Wave Field Synthesis. Methods are developed that allow for investigation of the spatial and timbral perception of Wave Field Synthesis in a reverberant environment using listening experiments based on simulation by binaural synthesis and room acoustical simulation. The results can serve as guidelines for the design of listening rooms for Wave Field Synthesis.Diese Dissertation untersucht den Einfluss des Wiedergaberaums auf Schallfelder, die mit Wellenfeldsynthese synthetisiert werden. Es werden Methoden zur Untersuchung von räumlicher und klangfarblicher Wahrnehmung von Wellenfeldsynthese in einer reflektierenden Umgebung mittels Hörversuchen entwickelt, die auf Simulation mit Binauralsynthese und raumakustischer Simulation beruhen. Die Ergebnisse können als Richtlinien zur Gestaltung von Wiedergaberäumen für Wellenfeldsynthese dienen

Local sound field synthesis

This thesis investigates the physical and perceptual properties of selected methods for (Local) Sound Field Synthesis ((L)SFS). In agreement with numerical sound field simulations, a specifically developed geometric model shows an increase of synthesis accuracy for LSFS compared to conventional SFS approaches. Different (L)SFS approaches are assessed within listening experiments, where LSFS performs at least as good as conventional methods for azimuthal sound source localisation and achieves a significant increase of timbral fidelity for distinct parametrisations.Die Arbeit untersucht die physikalischen und perzeptiven Eigenschaften von ausgewählten Verfahren zur (lokalen) Schallfeldsynthese ((L)SFS). Zusammen mit numerischen Simulationen zeigt ein eigens entwickeltes geometrisches Modell, dass LSFS gegenüber konventioneller SFS zu einer genauere Synthese führt. Die Verfahren werden in Hörversuchen evaluiert, wobei LSFS bei der horizontalen Lokalisierung von Schallquellen eine Genauigkeit erreicht, welche mindestens gleich der von konventionellen Methoden ist. Für bestimmte Parametrierung wird eine signifikant verbesserte klangliche Treue erreicht

Reverberation: models, estimation and application

The use of reverberation models is required in many applications such as acoustic measurements, speech dereverberation and robust automatic speech recognition. The aim of this thesis is to investigate different models and propose a perceptually-relevant reverberation model with suitable parameter estimation techniques for different applications. Reverberation can be modelled in both the time and frequency domain. The model parameters give direct information of both physical and perceptual characteristics. These characteristics create a multidimensional parameter space of reverberation, which can be to a large extent captured by a time-frequency domain model. In this thesis, the relationship between physical and perceptual model parameters will be discussed. In the first application, an intrusive technique is proposed to measure the reverberation or reverberance, perception of reverberation and the colouration. The room decay rate parameter is of particular interest. In practical applications, a blind estimate of the decay rate of acoustic energy in a room is required. A statistical model for the distribution of the decay rate of the reverberant signal named the eagleMax distribution is proposed. The eagleMax distribution describes the reverberant speech decay rates as a random variable that is the maximum of the room decay rates and anechoic speech decay rates. Three methods were developed to estimate the mean room decay rate from the eagleMax distributions alone. The estimated room decay rates form a reverberation model that will be discussed in the context of room acoustic measurements, speech dereverberation and robust automatic speech recognition individually

Physical phenomena of thin surface layers

This thesis explores different physical phenomena observed in, or involving thin surface films. Thin surface layers are ubiquitous. Found in nature and used in almost every aspect of daily life, thin surface films are invaluable. While the applications and roles may be varied, to be used effectively, the physical properties of these films and the factors influencing their stability need to be well understood. Surfaces can have a strong effect on the stability of thin films. In thin films of polymer blends, wetting layers rich in one component often form at the film interface prior to phase separation. Here the formation of these wetting layers are seen to result in destabilisation of the film, even when the blend is far from phase coexistence. A spinodal like instability with a characteristic wavelength is shown to form. A theoretical model is developed, which describes the observed behaviour in terms of coupled height and composition fluctuations in the wetting layer. Spin coating is a common technique for the formation of thin polymer films. Films formed in this way however, are often seen to exhibit anomalous properties, which strongly differ from that of the bulk behaviour of the material. Here the rheological properties and stored stresses in spin cast films are explored, with focus on the role that the casting solvent plays in the properties of the film. The results suggest that the observed deviation comes from a lowered density of chain entanglements. The effective viscosity and residual stresses in the as-spun film are seen to strongly depend on the casting solvent properties and the solvent-polymer interactions. The use of organometallic polymers as precursors for the formation of magnetic ceramics is investigated. Emphasis is placed on doping the polymers with metallic compounds prior to pyrolysis, allowing for the formation of technologically interesting metallic alloys, without the need for new polymers to be synthesised. The formation of iron-palladium alloys is demonstrated using this method. These are highly desirable due to their potential use in hard-disk drive technologies. Thin films can be used to influence the optical signature of a material and are widely used in nature to produce vibrant, pure, iridescent colours. Here the optical properties of the tropical plant Selaginella willdenowii are explored. The bright blue colouration is seen to arise from a multilayer lamella structure on the upper surface of the leaves. Light is important to plants, who use it both as an energy source and an environmental signal. Blue iridescence occurs in a wide range of plant species, suggesting that it has some adaptive benefit. These are considered and discussed

A biologically relevant rapid quantification of physical and biological stress profiles on rocky shores.

Different combinations and intensities of physical (e.g. thermal) and biological (e.g.competition or predation) stress operate on organisms in different locations. Variation in these stresses can occur over small to medium spatial scales (cm to 10s m) in heterogeneous environments such as rocky shores, due to differences in sun and wave exposure, shore topography and/or recruitment. In this study we demonstrate how simple measurements can be taken that represent physical and biological stresses (stress profiles)in a given location. Using a bootstrapped principal component analysis, we identified significantly different stress profiles at four sites separated by only 10s to 100s of metres on the Shek O peninsula in Hong Kong. We then measured response to thermal stress, as determined by detachment temperature, in the limpet Cellana grata (which is known to be a sensitive indicator species to thermal stress) from each location. Significant differences in stress profile between locations were also seen in thermal stress tolerance of limpets from those locations. At locations where the major stresses are likely to be more physical or less biological in nature (e.g. southerly facing aspect or lower density of grazers), the mean detachment temperature was higher, whereas detachment temperature was lower at sites with more biological or less physical stress. This method is, therefore, able to determine biologically meaningful differences in stress profiles over small to medium spatial scales, and demonstrates that localised adaptation (i.e. post planktonic settlement) or acclimation of species may occur in response to these different stress profiles. The technique can be adapted to different environments and smaller or larger spatial scales as long as the stress experienced by the study species is relevant to these scales

Plio-Pleistocene Drainage Evolution of The Vera Basin, SE Spain

Merged with duplicate record 10026.1/1289 on 14.03.2017 by CS (TIS)The Vera Basin is used as a case study to examine the structural evolution and sedimentary response of a basin undergoing uplift and inversion during the Plio-Pleistocene. Particular emphasis is placed on the drainage evolution during that period. Located within the Internal zone of the Betic Cordilleras, the Vera Basin is defined within a large left-lateral shear zone and has evolved as a reponse to isostatic uplift from nappe emplacement during the Oligocene, and by regional compressive tectonics. Since basin formation during the Seravallian, sedimentary fill has been dominantly marine. During the Plio-Pleistocene a switch from marine to continental conditions occurred. These sediments (Cuevas, Espiritu Santo and Salmcr6n Formations) represent the final stages of basin fill and form the focus of this study. The Cuevas Formation represents an early Pliocene marine transgression within the Vera Basin. Early sedimentation infilled a pronounced submarine topography produced by a rapid laie Miocene fall in sca- level. A broad, shallow shelf platform area existed which opened out to the Pliocene Mediterranean Sea towards the east. Along the northern and western basin margins, wave dominated shorelines were formed. Structural activity was confined to low amounts of basin subsidence and limited left lateral strike-slip movement along the Palomares Fault Zone. The Espiritu Santo Formation marks a major palaeogcographic reorganisation and the final marine phases of the Vera Basin during the mid to late Pliocene. Unsteady strike-slip movement along the Palomarcs fault zone on the eastern basin margin partially enclosed the Vera Basin by northwards movement of a structurally detached landmass. Gilbert-type fan-delta bodies prograded westwards from the landmass (Sierra Almagrera), infilling the central region of the basin. Early fan-delta sediments were reworked into shoreline areas along the western and northern basin margins. Western margin shorelines retreated northwards as a response to partial enclosure and a gradual lowering of sea-level. Late stages of the Espiritu Santo Formation, saw a fan-delta body prograde from the northern basin margins. Interaction between the basinal and marginal fan-delta bodies enclosed the northern region of the Vera Basin. A swamp/mangrove environment developed within the enclosed northern basin area suggesting a humid, sub-tropical climntc. Continental conditions were established during Salmer6n Formation times in the late Pliocene. Along the western and northern basin margins, the retreating Pliocene shorelines provided a topography onto which the primary consequent drainage network developed. Three separate drainage systems can be identified on the basis of clast assemblages, palaeocurrents, depositional style and morphological expression. Early deposition was characterised by the progradation of alluvial fans of two drainage systems (Cuevas & Jauro), sourced from the northern and western basin margins. Distal areas of the northern fan system intercalated with an evaporitic playa lake. A third drainage system in the northwest of the basin (Salmeron) developed within a topographic low between the two fan systems. An increase in structural activity towards the end of the Salmeron Formation was characterised by a basin wide phase of north-south compression. Uplift and extensional faulting lead to abandonment of the primary drainage network. Fan entrenchment and minor rerouting of sediment supplies marked the establishment of a new secondary consequent drainage network during the Pleistocene. The Pleistocene drainage network records the progressive dissection of the Vera Basin as a response to ongoing regional epeirogenic uplift. During this post-inversion phase the Rios Antas, Almanzora and Aguas developed respectively along the western, northern and southern basin margins as a series of braided streams. Distal, coastal areas of this drainage network are recorded by a series of Pleistocene shoreline sequences which developed as a response to fluctuating sea-level during the Pleistocene glacial and inlerglacial periods. Early Pleistocene proximal parts of the drainage network are well preserved. Distal parts of the Pleistocene fluvial system display limited evidence for interaction between the drainage network and shoreline sequences. This lack of preservation relates to the high energy, wave dominated deposilional setting of the Pleistocene shoreline areas which reworked fluvial sediment inputs into the shoreline environment. The Plio-Pleistocene evolution of the Vera Basin, and in particular the development of the fluvial system during this period has been highly complex. Despite the importance of sea-level and climatic controls, tectonic activity during this period of basin inversion has been the dominant control on the positioning of the drainage networks, depositional styles and sediment supply

Review on Extraction and Application of Natural Dyes

With the improvement of living standards, everybody is very much conscious about the environmental protection and health safety. Natural dyes have attracted more attention to the industry due to exhibiting better biodegradability and more compatibility with the environment. Characteristic colours that are gathered from common assets can be categorized as either plant, creature, mineral, or microbial colours and can be used for colouring a wide range of regular filaments. Late examination shows that it can likewise be utilized to colour a portion of the manufactured filaments too. Normal colours are not just utilized in the shading of material filaments, they are also utilized for food, prescriptions, handiwork articles, and leather preparing. Extraction and purification play a vital role in the processing of natural dyes. There are different types of extraction process currently available for these natural dyes, such as solvent extraction, aqueous extraction, enzymatic extraction and fermentation, extraction with microwave or ultrasonic energy, supercritical fluid extraction, and alkaline or acid extraction. All these extraction processes have their own advantages as well as some drawbacks depending on the parameters that need to be maintained during the extraction process. Appropriate extraction can be beneficial for specific types of such dyes. In this paper, the classification, characteristics, extraction methods, and the application of natural dyes are introduced in an organized manner