Three component laser Doppler measurements in an axisymmetric jet

A three-component laser Doppler anemometer (LDA) was used to acquire a detailed set of three-dimensional mean and fluctuating velocity measurements in a low-speed air jet entering a stagnant ambient, over the first 20 jet exit diameters along the jet trajectory. These data are physically consistent with previous measurements in axisymmetric jets. The relative difficulty of obtaining three-dimensional and two-dimensional LDA data is briefly discussed

Valuation bases for generalized algebraic series fields

We investigate valued fields which admit a valuation basis. Given a countable ordered abelian group G and a real closed, or algebraically closed field F, we give a sufficient condition for a valued subfield of the field of generalized power series F((G)) to admit a K-valuation basis. We show that the field of rational functions F(G) and the field F(G) of power series in F((G)) algebraic over F(G) satisfy this condition. It follows that for archimedean F and divisible G the real closed field F(G) admits a restricted exponential function

Prediction of service life of polymeric sealant compositions for fuel tanks in aerospace structures from measurements of viscoelastic properties Annual report

Prediction of service life of polymeric sealers for fuel tanks from viscoelastic measurement

Special issue highlighting research presented at the 25th IWGO Conference, Chicago 2014

The two most destructive insect pests of maize in Europe and the USA are the western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera, and the European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis. In Asia, these are represented by similar species, the two-spotted leaf beetle, Monolepta hieroglyphica, and the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis, and there is great concern that D. v. virgifera could be introduced there as well. South America has recently undergone an invasion by the Old World corn earworm, Helicoverpa armigera, adding to a devastating complex of lepidopteran pests of maize such as fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, that are increasingly difficult for farmers to manage

Estudo para determinação da frequência de deformidade do mento em Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera: chironomidae) em cultura de laboratório

The midge Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera: Chironomidae) has been used in ecotoxicological tests because it is sensitive to a variety of inorganic pollutants. Among the parameters used to evaluate the toxicity of a substance is the frequency of mentum deformity, which is part of the oral system of this organism. However, there is still no consensus on the baseline level (percentage) of acceptable deformities in laboratory cultures not exposed to pollutants. The determination of this variable is important to ensure the validity of bioassays and to compare cultures from different research and teaching institutions. Once this value is established, it will also be used to monitor the quality of organisms cultured, since factors such as inbreeding could increase the frequency of mentum deformity. Thus, the objective of this study was to quantify the percentage of mentum deformity in the fourth instar of C. sancticaroli larvae from the culture of the Laboratory of Aquatic Ecosystems, at Embrapa Meio Ambiente. The average frequency of mentum deformity obtained was 6,63%. It is believed that factors such as the renewal of the culture with the inclusion of spawns from the laboratories of other institutions, as well as the control of the quality of the dilution water and the sediment of the breeding may have contributed to a low frequency of mentum deformity of the culture observed in this study.142sensível a uma variedade de poluentes inorgânicos. Um dos parâmetros utilizados para avaliar a toxicidade de uma substância é a frequência de deformidade do mento, que faz parte do sistema oral deste organismo. Entretanto, ainda não há consenso a respeito do nível basal (porcentagem) de deformidade aceitável em culturas de laboratório não expostas a poluentes. A determinação desta variável é importante para assegurar a validade de bioensaios e comparar culturas de diferentes instituições de pesquisa e ensino. Uma vez estabelecido, este número também será usado para o controle da qualidade dos organismos criados, já que fatores como o endocruzamento poderiam aumentar a frequência de deformidade do mento. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar a porcentagem de deformidade do mento em larvas de quarto instar de C. sancticaroli de cultura do Laboratório de Ecossistemas Aquáticos da Embrapa Meio Ambiente. A média de frequência de deformidade obtida para a cultura foi de 6,63%. Acredita-se que fatores como a renovação da cultura com a inclusão de desovas de laboratórios de outras instituições, assim como o controle da qualidade da água de diluição e do sedimento da criação, podem ter contribuído para uma baixa frequência de deformidade do mento da cultura

Mesoscale theory of grains and cells: crystal plasticity and coarsening

Solids with spatial variations in the crystalline axes naturally evolve into cells or grains separated by sharp walls. Such variations are mathematically described using the Nye dislocation density tensor. At high temperatures, polycrystalline grains form from the melt and coarsen with time: the dislocations can both climb and glide. At low temperatures under shear the dislocations (which allow only glide) form into cell structures. While both the microscopic laws of dislocation motion and the macroscopic laws of coarsening and plastic deformation are well studied, we hitherto have had no simple, continuum explanation for the evolution of dislocations into sharp walls. We present here a mesoscale theory of dislocation motion. It provides a quantitative description of deformation and rotation, grounded in a microscopic order parameter field exhibiting the topologically conserved quantities. The topological current of the Nye dislocation density tensor is derived from a microscopic theory of glide driven by Peach-Koehler forces between dislocations using a simple closure approximation. The resulting theory is shown to form sharp dislocation walls in finite time, both with and without dislocation climb.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Phenotypic trait changes in laboratory - reared colonies of the maize herbivore, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera

The North American and European maize pest Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) was used to assess whether conditions of the natal field, subsequent laboratory rearing, or genetic population origin affect phenotypic traits of fitness, activity, or morphometrics. Standardized laboratory bioassays with large sample sizes revealed that none of the 16 tested traits, except crawling behaviours, appeared consistently stable across all seven tested colonies. Environmental conditions in the natal field of the F 0 generation affected trait averages of the subsequently reared F 1 generation in laboratory in ca. 47% of cases, and trait variability in 67% of cases. This was apparent for fitness and morphometrics, but less obvious for activity traits. Early generation laboratory rearing affected trait averages in ca. 56% of cases: morphometrics changed; fecundity and egg survival increased from F 1 to F 2. Trait variability increased or decreased in 38% of cases. Laboratory rearing for over more than 190 generations affected the trait averages in 60% of cases, reflected by decreases in flight activity and increases in body size, weight, and fecundity to some extent. It had little effect on trait variability, especially so for morphometric variability. The genetic population origin affected average levels of 55% and variability of 63% of phenotypic traits. A comparison among D. v. virgifera studies might be difficult if they use different populations or laboratory colonies. It is advised to consider possible effects of original field conditions, laboratory rearing, and population genetics when planning comparative studies targeting fitness, activity, or morphometric questions regarding Diabrotica specie