Replicability of data collected for empirical estimation of relative pollen productivity

The effects of repeated survey and fieldwork timing on data derived from a recently proposed standard field methodology for empirical estimation of relative pollen productivity (RPP) have been tested. Seasonal variations in vegetation and associated pollen assemblages were studied in three contrasting cultural habitat types; semi-natural ancient woodlands, lowland heaths, and unimproved, traditionally managed hay meadows. Results show that in woodlands and heathlands the standard method generates vegetation data with a reasonable degree of similarity throughout the field season, though in some instances additional recording of woodland canopy cover should be undertaken, and differences were greater for woodland understorey taxa than for arboreal taxa. Large differences in vegetation cover were observed over the field season in the grassland community, and matching the phenological timing of surveys within and between studies is clearly important if RPP estimates from these sites are to be comparable. Pollen assemblages from closely co-located moss polsters collected on different visits are shown to be variable in all communities, to a greater degree than can be explained by the sampling error associated with pollen counting, and further study of moss polsters as pollen traps is recommended

A case for oil?

Petroleum products - Prices ; Petroleum industry and trade

A Knowledge-Based Optimization Method for Aerodynamic Design

A new aerodynamic design method, CODISC, has been developed that combines a legacy knowledge-based design method, CDISC, with a simple optimization module known as SOUP. The primary goal of this new design system is to improve the performance gains obtained using CDISC without adding significant computational time. An additional objective of this approach is to reduce the need for a priori knowledge of good initial input variable values, as well as for subsequent manual revisions of those values as the design progresses. Several test cases illustrate the development of the process to date and some of the options available at transonic and supersonic speeds for turbulent flow designs. The test cases generally start from good baseline configurations and, in all cases, were able to improve the performance. Several new guidelines for good initial values for the design variables, as well as new design rules within CDISC itself, were developed from these cases

Development of a Knowledge-Based Optimization Method for Aerodynamic Design

A new aerodynamic design method, CODISC, has been developed that combines an existing knowledgebased design method, CDISC, with a simple optimization module known as SOUP. The primary goal of this new design system is to improve the performance gains obtained using CDISC without adding significant computational time. An additional benefit of this approach is a reduction in the need for a priori knowledge of good initial input variable values as well as for subsequent manual revisions of those values as the design progresses. A series of 2D and 3D test cases are used to illustrate the development of the process and some of the options available at transonic and supersonic speeds for both laminar and turbulent flow. The test cases start from good baseline configurations and, in all cases, were able to improve the performance. Several new guidelines for good initial values for the design variables, as well new design rules within CDISC itself, were developed from these cases

Application of a Knowledge-Based Optimization Method for Aerodynamic Design

The current research is investigating the application of an optimization technique to an existing knowledge-based design tool. The optimization method, referred to as CODISC, helps improve the results from a knowledge-based design by eliminating the required advanced design knowledge, or help fine-tune a well-performing vehicle. Three CODISC designs are presented using a generic transonic transport, the Common Research Model (CRM). One design optimizes the baseline CRM to demonstrate the ability to improve a well-performing vehicle. Another design is performed from the CRM with camber and twist removed, which highlights the ability to use CODISC in the conceptual design phase. The final design implements laminar flow on the CRM, showing how CODISC can optimize the extent of laminar flow to find the best aerodynamic performance. All three CODISC designs reduced the vehicle drag compared to the baseline CRM, and highlight the new optimization techniques versatility in the aircraft design industry

On a generalization of Lie(kk): a CataLAnKe theorem

We define a generalization of the free Lie algebra based on an $n$-ary commutator and call it the free LAnKe. We show that the action of the symmetric group $S_{2n-1}$ on the multilinear component with $2n-1$ generators is given by the representation $S^{2^{n-1}1}$, whose dimension is the $n$th Catalan number. An application involving Specht modules of staircase shape is presented. We also introduce a conjecture that extends the relation between the Whitehouse representation and Lie($k$).Comment: 14 page

Effect of 405 nm high-intensity narrow-spectrum light on osteoblast function

A significant portion of medical devices fail due to acquired infection, with infection rates after arthroplasty surgery between 1-4%, and considerably higher after revision surgery. To reduce the associated costs of infection, a new preventative method is required. High intensity narrow spectrum (HINS) 405 nm light is a new technology shown to have bactericidal effects on a range of medically important bacteria[1]. The effect of HINS-light on osteoblasts and bacteria were investigated to determine the potential of this technology to contribute to infection prevention in operating theatres, during surgery and postoperative dressing changes