Pulsar-wind nebulae and magnetar outflows: observations at radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray wavelengths

We review observations of several classes of neutron-star-powered outflows: pulsar-wind nebulae (PWNe) inside shell supernova remnants (SNRs), PWNe interacting directly with interstellar medium (ISM), and magnetar-powered outflows. We describe radio, X-ray, and gamma-ray observations of PWNe, focusing first on integrated spectral-energy distributions (SEDs) and global spectral properties. High-resolution X-ray imaging of PWNe shows a bewildering array of morphologies, with jets, trails, and other structures. Several of the 23 so far identified magnetars show evidence for continuous or sporadic emission of material, sometimes associated with giant flares, and a few possible "magnetar-wind nebulae" have been recently identified.Comment: 61 pages, 44 figures (reduced in quality for size reasons). Published in Space Science Reviews, "Jets and Winds in Pulsar Wind Nebulae, Gamma-ray Bursts and Blazars: Physics of Extreme Energy Release

Biomechanics and control of vocalization in a non-songbird

The neuromuscular control of vocalization in birds requires complicated and precisely coordinated motor control of the vocal organ (i.e. the syrinx), the respiratory system and upper vocal tract. The biomechanics of the syrinx is very complex and not well understood. In this paper, we aim to unravel the contribution of different control parameters in the coo of the ring dove (Streptopelia risoria) at the syrinx level. We designed and implemented a quantitative biomechanical syrinx model that is driven by physiological control parameters and includes a muscle model. Our simple nonlinear model reproduces the coo, including the inspiratory note, with remarkable accuracy and suggests that harmonic content of song can be controlled by the geometry and rest position of the syrinx. Furthermore, by systematically switching off the control parameters, we demonstrate how they affect amplitude and frequency modulations and generate new experimentally testable hypotheses. Our model suggests that independent control of amplitude and frequency seems not to be possible with the simple syringeal morphology of the ring dove. We speculate that songbirds evolved a syrinx design that uncouples the control of different sound parameters and allows for independent control. This evolutionary key innovation provides an additional explanation for the rapid diversification and speciation of the songbirds

Processamento da casca de mandioca na alimentação de ovinos: desempenho, características de carcaça, morfologia ruminal e eficiência econômica Processing of cassava peel in sheep feeding: performance, carcass characteristics, ruminal morphology and economic efficiency

Avaliou-se o efeito de diferentes formas de processamento da casca de mandioca na alimentação sobre o desempenho e as características de carcaça, a morfologia ruminal e a viabilidade técnico-econômica da criação de ovinos. Foram utilizados 20 ovinos machos da raça Santa Inês, desmamados, com peso inicial de 19,02±0,21 kg e 90 dias de vida. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com cinco repetições por dieta. Durante o período experimental de 84 dias, incluindo 14 dias de adaptação, os animais foram mantidos em sistema de semiconfinamento em pastagem de Brachiaria decumbens. Foram avaliadas quatro formas de processamento da casca de mandioca: desidratada triturada em peneira de 12 ou de 5 mm; úmida triturada e ensilada; e úmida triturada e hidrolisada com 0,5% de cal virgem (óxido de cálcio - CaO). O peso médio ao abate foi 30,72±1,46 kg. Não houve influência do tipo de processamento da casca sobre as características de desempenho analisadas, as características quantitativas de carcaça e a morfologia ruminal, sendo influenciado somente o rendimento de paleta. A casca de mandioca hidrolisada foi a que promoveu melhor eficiência econômica. Os tipos de processamento da casca de mandioca não alteram o desempenho, as características de carcaça, os rendimentos de corte e a morfologia ruminal dos ovinos Santa Inês.<br>The objective of this trial was to evaluate the effect of different forms of processing of cassava peel in sheep feeding on performance traits, carcass, morphology and rumen and economic technical feasibility. Twenty non-castrated male Santa Ines lambs of 19.02±0.21 kg of initial body weight and 90 days of age at the beginning of the study were used in this trial. The design was completely randomized design with five replications per treatment. During the experimental period of 84 days, including 14 days of adaptation, animals were kept in semi-confinement on Brachiaria decumbens. Four forms of cassava peel processing were evaluated: dried cassava peel ground through 12-mm sieve; dried cassava peel ground through 5-mm sieve; ground and ensiled cassava peel, and wet, ground hydrolyzed with 0.5% lime (calcium oxide - CaO). The average weight at slaughter was 30.72±1.46 kg. There was no influence of the type of processing on the performance variables analyzed, quantitative carcass characteristics or ruminal morphology; only the values of width and leg yield palette were influenced. Hydrolyzed cassava peel showed the best economic efficiency between treatments. The different methods of processing cassava peel do not affect performance, carcass characteristics, yield cuts or rumen morphology of Santa Ines sheep