Hummingbird wing efficacy depends on aspect ratio and compares with helicopter rotors

Hummingbirds are the only birds that can sustain hovering. This unique flight behaviour comes, however, at high energetic cost. Based on helicopter and aeroplane design theory, we expect that hummingbird wing aspect ratio (AR), which ranges from about 3.0 to 4.5, determines aerodynamic efficacy. Previous quasi-steady experiments with a wing spinner set-up provide no support for this prediction. To test this more carefully, we compare the quasi-steady hover performance of 26 wings, from 12 hummingbird taxa. We spun the wings at angular velocities and angles of attack that are representative for every species and measured lift and torque more precisely. The power (aerodynamic torque × angular velocity) required to lift weight depends on aerodynamic efficacy, which is measured by the power factor. Our comparative analysis shows that AR has a modest influence on lift and drag forces, as reported earlier, but interspecific differences in power factor are large. During the downstroke, the power required to hover decreases for larger AR wings at the angles of attack at which hummingbirds flap their wings (p < 0.05). Quantitative flow visualization demonstrates that variation in hover power among hummingbird wings is driven by similar stable leading edge vortices that delay stall during the down- and upstroke. A side-by-side aerodynamic performance comparison of hummingbird wings and an advanced micro helicopter rotor shows that they are remarkably similar.     

The Influence of the Coating Deposition Process on the Interdiffusion Behavior Between Nickel-Based Superalloys and MCrAlY Bond Coats

In this work, interdiffusion between two nickel-based superalloys and two MCrAlY bond coats is investigated. The MCrAlY bond coats were applied using two different spraying processes, high velocity oxygen fuel spraying (HVOF) and low-pressure plasma spraying. Of primary interest is the evolution of Kirkendall porosity, which can form at the interface between substrate and bond coat and depends largely on the chemical compositions of the coating and substrate. Experimental evidence further suggested that the formation of Kirkendall porosity depends on the coating deposition process. Formation of porosity at the interface causes a degradation of the bonding strength between substrate and coating. After coating deposition, the samples were annealed at 1050 °C for up to 2000 h. Microstructural and compositional analyses were performed to determine and evaluate the Kirkendall porosity. The results reveal a strong influence of both the coating deposition process and the chemical compositions. The amount of Kirkendall porosity formed, as well as the location of appearance, is largely influenced by the coating deposition process. In general, samples with bond coats applied by means of HVOF show accelerated element diffusion. It is hypothesized that recrystallization of the substrate material is a main root cause for these observations.     

Residual errors in ASTER temperature and emissivity standard products AST08 and AST05

Land surface temperature and emissivity? are independent variables, and the thermal-infrared spectral radiance measured in remote sensing is dependent on both. Therefore the inverse Planck equation is under-determined, with two unknowns and a single measurement. Practical inversion algorithms designed to calculate temperature and emissivity from the measurements cannot do a perfect job of separation, and recovered temperature and emissivity may co-vary. For ASTER images, validation studies of recovered temperature and emissivity, regarded individually, have shown that they are within the precision and accuracy limits predicted in designing the ASTER TES algorithm used to calculate the standard products AST05 and AST08. Nevertheless, a closer look at emissivity recovered for water targets shows that emissivity appears to vary, incorrectly, as a function of temperature. One cause of this is electronic striping; another is incomplete characterization of atmospheric temperature and humidity profiles used in compensation for atmospheric absorption and path radiance. The linkage varies from band to band, with the greatest emissivity effect of − 0.0003 K^− 1 for ASTER band 12 (9.1 μm) relative to band 13 (10.6 μm). Although this inaccuracy in emissivity is small, it can approach or exceed the inaccuracy prediction of ± 0.015 for the standard product when the entire gamut of terrestrial water and land temperatures is examined. Therefore, spatial filtering and upgrading the atmosphere compensation algorithm to use water-vapor scaling should be considered in making AST05 and AST08.     

Microwave‐assisted extraction in goji berries: effect on composition and bioactivity,evaluated through conventional and nonconventional methodologies

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of microwave‐assisted extraction (MAE) parameters on the composition and bioactivity of goji (Lycium barbarum) extracts. Extracts were obtained under a central composite design combination of experimental conditions, and characterised through HPLC‐DAD; their bioactive capacity was ascertained for antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity, the later by spectrophotometric [2,2‐azinobis (3‐ ethylbenzothiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid) diammonium salt‐radical scavenging activity assay – 413–748 mg ascorbic acid equivalents/100 g DW and oxygen radical absorbance capacity – 1901–2292 mg trolox equivalents/100 g DW] and electrochemical (DNA‐based sensor – 3571–6602 mg ascorbic acid/100 g DW) methods. The quantitative profile of phenolic compounds was strongly dependent on MAE conditions. Significant correlations were found between the presence of several flavonoids and solvent composition, as well as between phenolic acids with methoxy group and the response to DNA‐based sensor. Results may improve targeted extractions for specific compounds, leading to the achievement of extracts richer in antioxidant capacity, as well as in the tailoring of the biosensor response sensitivity to the composition of the extracts under analysis.     

Chloramphenicol residues found in milk processed in Northern Parana,Brazil

Antibiotic residues in products of animal origin are of great concern to regulatory agencies and consumers worldwide. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics has promoted the development of bacterial resistance, which has become an international issue. The occurrence of chloramphenicol (CAP) was evaluated in 84 raw milk samples from the reception platform of a dairy industry at Northern Parana, Brazil and this rate of occurrence was used to estimate the extent of exposure of CAP to the consumer. In the present study CAP determination was carried out by ELISA and found in 28.6 % of the samples. Levels ranged from not detected to 3953.39 ng/L. Despite prohibition of CAP by Brazilian Legislation, residues of CAP were detected in milk. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of CAP was evaluated, and the average intake ranged from 0.092 ng/kg body weight (b.w.) for adolescents to 0.084 ng/kg b.w. for the elderly. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on estimated CAP dietary exposure from Parana, Brazil.