Biology and Behaviour

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the families Steinernematidae and Heterorhabditidae are lethal pathogens of insects. These pathogens contribute to the regulation of natural populations of insects, but the main interest in them is as an inundatively applied biocontrol agent. Their success in this role can be attributed to the unique partnership between a host-seeking nematode and a lethal insect-pathogenic bacterium. Because of their biocontrol potential, considerable attention has been directed over the past few decades to Heterorhabditis and Steinernema and their respective bacterial partners, Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus

Sliding Wear Study on the Valve-Seat Insert Contact

The aim of this work was to investigate the sliding wear coefficient k, using an experimental sliding wear study on the valve-seat insert contact. Commercial inlet valve and seat inserts were used as test specimens. The tests were performed at room temperature and at 200℃, using test duration of 72,000 cycles and 18,000 cycles, respectively, and both in dry sliding conditions. A load of 5 N, an average speed of 22 mm/s and sliding distance of 2.2 mm were used for all tests. The sliding wear coefficients were calculated using experimental and analytical methods. The wear volume was higher in the tests at 200℃ both in valve and seat insert specimens. The principal wear mechanisms observed in valve specimen were oxidation and abrasion

Sensitivity study of a valve recession model

The aim of this work was to carry out a sensitivity analysis of a valve recession model. For the sensitivity study, the effects of the param eters on the valve recession mode l were investigated, for both, light duty and heavy duty engines. It was seen that for light duty engines, the impact component parameters had the gr eatest effect on valve recession and for heavy duty engines the sliding wear component p arameters have an increasing con- tribution to the overall valve recession

Anisotropic scattering in the variational nodal simplified spherical harmonics formulation

Under the assumption of isotropic scattering, the simplified spherical harmonics method (SP{sub N}) was recently formulated in variational nodal form and implemented successfully as an option of the VARIANT code. The authors here remove the isotopic scattering restriction. The variational nodal form of the SPN approximation is formulated and implemented with both within-group and group-to-group anisotropic scattering. Results are presented for a model problem previously utilized with the standard P{sub N} variational nodal method

Comparison of simplified and standard spherical harmonics in the variational nodal method

Recently, the variational nodal method has been extended through the use of the Rumyantsev interface conditions to solve the spherical harmonics (P{sub N}) equations of arbitrary odd order. In this paper, the authors generalize earlier x-y geometry work to fit the corresponding simplified spherical harmonics (SP{sub N}) equations into the variational nodal framework. Both P{sub N} and SP{sub N} approximations are implemented in the multigroup VARIANT code at Argonne National Laboratory in two and three dimensional Cartesian and hexagonal geometries. The availability of angular approximations through P{sub 5} and SP{sub 5}, and of flat, linear and quadratic spatial interface approximations allows investigation of both spatial truncation and angular approximation errors. Moreover, the SP{sub 3} approximation offers a cost-effective method for reducing transport errors

Variational nodal perturbation calculations using simplified spherical harmonics

The simplified spherical harmonics (SP{sub N}) method has been used as an approximation to the transport equation in a number of situations. Recently, the SP{sub N} method has been formulated within the framework of the variational nodal method (VNM). Implementation in the VARIANT code indicated that for many two and three dimensional problems, near P{sub N} accuracy can be obtained at a fraction of the Cost. Perturbation methods offer additional computational cost reduction for reactor core calculations and are indispensable for performing a variety of calculations including sensitivity studies and the breakdown by components of reactivity worths. Here, we extend the perturbation method developed for the VNM in the full P{sub N} approximation to treat simplified spherical harmonics. The change in reactivity predicted by both first order and exact perturbation theory using the SP{sub N} approximation is demonstrated for a benchmark problem and compared to diffusion and full P{sub N} estimates

Characterization and wear performance of boride phases over tool steel substrates

This research work was conducted to characterize boride phases, obtained from the powder-pack process, on AISI H13 and D2 steel substrates, and investigate their tribological behavior. The boriding was developed at a temperature of 1273 K with an exposure time of 8 h. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were conducted on the borided material to characterize the presence of the FeB, Fe2B, and CrB phases and the distribution of heavy elements on the surface of the substrates. The adherence of the boride layers was evaluated, in a qualitative form, through the Daimler-Benz Rockwell-C indentation technique. Sliding wear tests were then performed using a reciprocating wear test machine. All tests were conducted in dry conditions at room temperature. A frequency of 10 Hz and 15-mm sliding distance were used. The applied Hertzian pressure was 2.01 GPa. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe and analyze the wear mechanisms. Additionally, the variation of the friction coefficient versus the number of cycles was obtained. Experimental results showed that the characteristic wear mechanism for the borided surface was plastic deformation and mild abrasive wear; for unborided substrates, cracking and spalling were observed

Methodology to resolve the transport equation with the discrete ordinates code TORT into the IPEN/MB-01 reactor

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in International Journal of Computer Mathematics in 2014, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/00207160.2013.799668Resolution of the steady-state Neutron Transport Equation in a nuclear pool reactor is usually achieved by means of two different numerical methods: Monte Carlo (stochastic) and Discrete Ordinates (deterministic). The Discrete Ordinates method solves the Neutron Transport Equation for a set of selected directions, obtaining a set of directional equations and solutions for each equation which are the angular flux. In order to deal with the energy dependence, an energy multi-group approximation is commonly performed, obtaining a set of equations depending on the number of energy groups. In addition, spatial discretization is also required and the problem is solved by sweeping the geometry mesh. However, special cross-sections are required due to the energy and directional discretization, thus a methodology based on NJOY99 code capabilities has been used. Finally, in order to demonstrate the capability of this method, the 3D discrete ordinates code TORT has been applied to resolve the IPEN/MB-01 reactor.The authors wish to thank Departamento de Engenharia Nuclear da UFMG and Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares for all data and support.Bernal García, Á.; Abarca Giménez, A.; Barrachina Celda, TM.; Miró Herrero, R. (2014). Methodology to resolve the transport equation with the discrete ordinates code TORT into the IPEN/MB-01 reactor. International Journal of Computer Mathematics. 91(1):113-123. doi:10.1080/00207160.2013.799668S113123911Rhoades, W. A., & Simpson, D. B. (1997). The TORT three-dimensional discrete ordinates neutron/photon transport code (TORT version 3). doi:10.2172/58226

Movement of Heterorhabditis amazonensis and Steinernema arenarium in search of corn fall armyworm larvae in artificial conditions

Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith, 1797) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered to be the main pest of maize crops in Brazil. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN) may be used to control this pest and exhibit different, unique abilities to search for their hosts. The movement of EPN in relation to S. frugiperda was evaluated. To test for horizontal movement, a styrofoam enclosure filled with sand was divided into segments, nematodes were placed at the entrance to the enclosure and a larva was placed at the end of each division. The same approach was used to evaluate vertical movement; however, PVC pipes were used in this case. In general, the mortality was inversely proportional to the initial distance between host and nematodes. In the vertical displacement test, both nematodes were able to kill the larvae up to a distance of 25 cm. Therefore, the infective juveniles of H. amazonensis and S. arenarium can search out, infect and kill larvae of S. frugiperda at distances of up to 60 cm and 25 cm of horizontal and vertical displacement, respectively