The exploration of celestial bodies has recently advanced from rovers to rotorcraft. This includes the recent flights of Mars Ingenuity and the upcoming Dragonfly mission to explore the terrain of Saturn’s moon Titan as part of NASA’s New Frontiers Program. Flight-based landers can travel quickly to sites kilometers apart and land in complex terrain. Although cruise conditions for these rotorcrafts are well understood, studies are necessary to understand take-off and landing. In ground effect conditions, a rotor wake impinges and reflects off the ground, creating changes in aerodynamics such as increased lift. Additionally, operating over loose surfaces, the rotors can create clouds of dust obscuring the vehicle’s sensors, a hazard termed “brownout” from rotorcraft landing in sandy and snowy conditions on Earth. Take-off and landing events involve interactions between the rotor wake, fuselage, and ground, and lead to a multi-phase interface between the fluid atmosphere and the dispersed dust particles. The objective of this study is to computationally model and evaluate ground effect aerodynamic forces on the Dragonfly rotorcraft lander. A calculation of sediment distribution across the surface of the vehicle will provide insight to which components might be most affected by brownout.

Resilin is an almost perfect elastic protein found in many insects. It can be stretched up to 300% of its resting length and is not affected by creep or stress relaxation. While much is known about the static mechanical properties of resilin, it is most often used dynamically by insects. Unfortunately, the dynamic mechanical properties of resilin over the biologically relevant frequency range are unknown. Here, nearly pure samples of resilin were obtained from the dragonfly, Libellua luctuosa, and dynamic mechanical analysis was performed with a combination of time-temperature and time-concentration superposition to push resilin through its glass transition. The tensile properties for resilin were found over five different ethanol concentrations (65, 70, 82, 86 and 90% by volume in water) between temperatures of -5°C and 60°C, allowing for the quantification of resilin's dynamic mechanical properties over the entire master curve. The glass transition frequency of resilin in water at 22°C was found to be 106.3 Hz. The rubber storage modulus was 1.6 MPa, increasing to 30 MPa in the glassy state. At 50 Hz and 35% strain over 98% of the elastic strain energy can returned each cycle, decreasing to 81% at the highest frequencies used by insects (13 kHz). However, despite its remarkable ability to store and return energy, the resilin tendon in dragonflies does not act to improve the energetic efficiency of flight or as a power amplifying spring. Rather, it likely functions to passively control and stabilize the trailing edge of each wing during flight. / Master of Science

O comportamento animal associado a características morfológicas fornece evidências para um melhor entendimento de como o comportamento sexual tem evoluído, e como os organismos podem maximizar seu sucesso reprodutivo. Fatores como tamanho, reservas de energia e outros caracteres sexuais como a coloração são essenciais para o melhor desempenho em relação a outros indivíduos da mesma espécie. Estes podem transmitir informação da qualidade do macho para outros machos co-específicos como também para às fêmeas. Esta qualidade, guarda relação com a condição física (reservas de energia) que possuem, e é necessária para ter sucesso na reprodução. Sendo a reprodução uma das mais custosas em términos energéticos em comparação a outras atividades, é de se esperar que os animais invistam a maioria das reservas no comportamento reprodutivo, o qual influencia no tipo de estratégia que eles adotam e à duração em tempo das interações relacionadas a reprodução, entre outras. Portanto indivíduos com características melhor desenvolvidas ou com boa condição física, terão uma vantagem na reprodução que os outros indivíduos da comunidade. Zenithoptera lanei é uma espécie neotropical presente no Brasil, da qual se tem poucos estudos sobre sua ecologia comportamental, sendo uns dos mais importante o realizado por Guillermo-Ferreira no 2015, para descrever as estruturas que conformam esta pruinosidade e sua função na comunicação intraespecífica. Neste estudo, descrevemos o comportamento sexual de Z. lanei (Libellulidae), com a hipótese que nesta espécie apresentam machos territoriais, e que a coloração de suas asas, o tamanho corporal e a reserva de energia (gordura) devem desempenham um papel importante na condição territorial. Assim, os machos com maior quantidade de energia e maior tamanho deveriam ganhar disputas, defender territórios e, portanto, manter a condição territorial. Além, avaliamos também se essa condição de territorialidade poderia influenciar o tempo de duração das cópulas e a oviposição pelas fêmeas. Os resultados mostraram que machos são territoriais, e esta territorialidade está relacionada com a condição física e tamanho. Sendo que, machos com maior tamanho corporal e maior quantidade de reservas de energia ganharam mais disputas e mantiveram um território. Apesar dos machos serem territoriais, não houve diferença entre a duração do tempo das interações reprodutivas para machos vencedores em comparação aos machos perdedores, indicando que o tempo de duração das interações reprodutivas não são influenciadas pela condição de territorialidade do macho. / Animal behavior associated with morphological characteristics supplies evidence for a better understanding of how sexual behavior has evolved, and how organisms can maximize their reproductive success. Factors such as size, fat reserves and other sexual characters such as coloration are essential to individual better performance in relation to conspecifics. These factors? Can bring information of the male quality to other conspecifics and females. This quality keeps relation with the physical condition (energy reserves) that they have which is required to succeed in breeding, as reproduction is one of the most expensive activity in energy cost in relation to other activities. The reproductive behavior is related to the individual fat reserves that influences, among other factors, in the condition that they adopt and to the duration in time of the related interactions to reproduction. Therefore, individuals with more developed characteristics or with better physical conditions will have an advantage in the reproduction comparing with other individuals of the community. The dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei is a Neotropical species present in Brazil, only studied so far by Guillermo-Ferreira in 2015, when structures that conform this pruinosity and his function in the intraspecific communication were described. In this study, describe the sexual behavior of Z. lanei (Libellulidae). Was hypothesized that in this species males present territorial behavior, and that the coloration of wings, body size and the energy reserves (fat) may play an important role in territorial condition and reproductive success. Thus, males with higher quantity of energy and larger size should win more disputes, defend territories and, therefore, maintain the territorial condition. In addition, was also assessed whether this condition of territoriality may influence the duration of the copulation and oviposition by females. The results showed that males are territorial, and its territoriality keeps relation with size and the physical condition. In other words, males with larger body and higher energy reserves have won more disputes and maintained a territory. Although males were territorial, there was no difference between the duration of reproductive interactions, winning males and losers, thus indicating that the reproductive interactions are not influenced by the condition of territoriality of the male.

Predation and prey responses to predators in aquatic environment are reviewed with emphasis on non-lethal effect of predators on prey life history, antipredator behavior and related mechanisms. The review focuses on dragonfly larvae and other groups of prey with complex life histories, mainly anurans. The review is complemented by laboratory experiments examining the effects of varied food availability and predation risk on a selected species of dragonfly, Sympetrum vulgatum.

O comportamento animal associado a características morfológicas fornece evidências para um melhor entendimento de como o comportamento sexual tem evoluído, e como os organismos podem maximizar seu sucesso reprodutivo. Fatores como tamanho, reservas de energia e outros caracteres sexuais como a coloração são essenciais para o melhor desempenho em relação a outros indivíduos da mesma espécie. Estes podem transmitir informação da qualidade do macho para outros machos co-específicos como também para às fêmeas. Esta qualidade, guarda relação com a condição física (reservas de energia) que possuem, e é necessária para ter sucesso na reprodução. Sendo a reprodução uma das mais custosas em términos energéticos em comparação a outras atividades, é de se esperar que os animais invistam a maioria das reservas no comportamento reprodutivo, o qual influencia no tipo de estratégia que eles adotam e à duração em tempo das interações relacionadas a reprodução, entre outras. Portanto indivíduos com características melhor desenvolvidas ou com boa condição física, terão uma vantagem na reprodução que os outros indivíduos da comunidade. Zenithoptera lanei é uma espécie neotropical presente no Brasil, da qual se tem poucos estudos sobre sua ecologia comportamental, sendo uns dos mais importante o realizado por Guillermo-Ferreira no 2015, para descrever as estruturas que conformam esta pruinosidade e sua função na comunicação intraespecífica. Neste estudo, descrevemos o comportamento sexual de Z. lanei (Libellulidae), com a hipótese que nesta espécie apresentam machos territoriais, e que a coloração de suas asas, o tamanho corporal e a reserva de energia (gordura) devem desempenham um papel importante na condição territorial. Assim, os machos com maior quantidade de energia e maior tamanho deveriam ganhar disputas, defender territórios e, portanto, manter a condição territorial. Além, avaliamos também se essa condição de territorialidade poderia influenciar o tempo de duração das cópulas e a oviposição pelas fêmeas. Os resultados mostraram que machos são territoriais, e esta territorialidade está relacionada com a condição física e tamanho. Sendo que, machos com maior tamanho corporal e maior quantidade de reservas de energia ganharam mais disputas e mantiveram um território. Apesar dos machos serem territoriais, não houve diferença entre a duração do tempo das interações reprodutivas para machos vencedores em comparação aos machos perdedores, indicando que o tempo de duração das interações reprodutivas não são influenciadas pela condição de territorialidade do macho. / Animal behavior associated with morphological characteristics supplies evidence for a better understanding of how sexual behavior has evolved, and how organisms can maximize their reproductive success. Factors such as size, fat reserves and other sexual characters such as coloration are essential to individual better performance in relation to conspecifics. These factors? Can bring information of the male quality to other conspecifics and females. This quality keeps relation with the physical condition (energy reserves) that they have which is required to succeed in breeding, as reproduction is one of the most expensive activity in energy cost in relation to other activities. The reproductive behavior is related to the individual fat reserves that influences, among other factors, in the condition that they adopt and to the duration in time of the related interactions to reproduction. Therefore, individuals with more developed characteristics or with better physical conditions will have an advantage in the reproduction comparing with other individuals of the community. The dragonfly Zenithoptera lanei is a Neotropical species present in Brazil, only studied so far by Guillermo-Ferreira in 2015, when structures that conform this pruinosity and his function in the intraspecific communication were described. In this study, describe the sexual behavior of Z. lanei (Libellulidae). Was hypothesized that in this species males present territorial behavior, and that the coloration of wings, body size and the energy reserves (fat) may play an important role in territorial condition and reproductive success. Thus, males with higher quantity of energy and larger size should win more disputes, defend territories and, therefore, maintain the territorial condition. In addition, was also assessed whether this condition of territoriality may influence the duration of the copulation and oviposition by females. The results showed that males are territorial, and its territoriality keeps relation with size and the physical condition. In other words, males with larger body and higher energy reserves have won more disputes and maintained a territory. Although males were territorial, there was no difference between the duration of reproductive interactions, winning males and losers, thus indicating that the reproductive interactions are not influenced by the condition of territoriality of the male.

The majority of colours in the natural world are produced via the wavelength selective absorption of light by pigmentation. Some species of both flora and fauna, however, are particularly eye-catching and visually remarkable as a result of the sub-micron, light-manipulating architecture of their outer-integument material. This thesis describes detailed investigations of a range of previously unstudied photonic structures that underpin the creation of the interesting visual appearances of several such species of flora and fauna. These structures were examined using a variety of methods, including optical microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, focused ion-beam milling and atomic force microscopy. This enabled detailed characterisation of the species’ photonic systems. The degree of order discerned in the species’ photonic structures ranged from: ‘ordered’ systems, where multiple layers of two materials produces metallic and often mirror-like reflections; to ‘quasi-ordered’ systems, where an average periodicity of the structure in all directions gives rise to diffuse, coloured scatter; to disordered systems, where no discernible order is observed, which results in a diffuse, broad-band, white appearance. In addition to this, the range of systems also encompassed: periodicities in one-dimension in the form of multilayering; ‘quasi-two-dimensional’ structures in the form of aligned fibres; and three-dimensional structures formed from arrangements of spherical particles. Alongside this experimental characterisation, an in-depth series of supporting theoretical analyses were undertaken. For the one-dimensional systems studied here, the models’ theoretical reflectance was calculated using analytical methods. For other systems, with more complex structural-geometries, theoretical simulations of their electromagnetic response to incident radiation were carried out using finite-difference-time-domain and finite-element-method numerical modelling approaches. Theoretical modelling results were compared to experimental measurements of each sample's optical properties. These were primarily reflectance measurements, which were taken using a range of techniques appropriate for each specific investigation. In addition to this, a synthetic sample, mimicking the white-appearance and remarkable polarisation-dependant reflectance of one insect’s photonic structure, was created using polymer electrospinning. Using these experimental measurements and theoretical simulation predictions, the structural colour production mechanisms adopted by several species of flora and fauna were elucidated.

No description available.

Background: The rapid diffusion of Novel Psychoactive Substances (NPS) constitutes an important challenge in terms of public health and a novelty in clinical settings, where these compounds may lead to erratic symptoms, unascertained effects and multi-intoxication scenarios, especially in emergency situations. The number of NPS available on the illicit drug market is astonishing: official reports suggest the appearance of a new drug every week. NPS may be enlisted in many different families such as synthetic phenethylamines, tryptamines, cathinones, piperazines, ketamine-like compounds, cannabimimetics and other plant-derived, medical products and derivatives. Therefore, healthcare services and professionals are often called to face this unknown 'galaxy' where NPS users seem to perceive traditional services 'unfitting' for their needs, requiring an attention which is quite different from known classic drug abusers. In this context, the Recreational Drugs European Network (ReDNet), a research project funded the European Commission and led by the University of Hertfordshire, aimed to explore the NPS galaxy and develop information tools for vulnerable individuals and professionals working with them. This initiative reported specific Technical Folders on new drugs and disseminated the collected information through innovative communication technologies (e.g. multimedia tools, social networking and mobile phone services) internationally. Aim and objectives: The aim of this work is to evaluate and contribute to expand the knowledge of health professionals on NPS. The key objectives are: 1) to assess the level of knowledge on NPS amongst a sample of Italian healthcare professionals; 2) to evaluate the effectiveness of dissemination tools developed by ReDNet, including an SMS-Email/mobile service (SMAIL); 3) to understand the clinical impact of NPS by providing four Technical Folders and collecting two clinical cases on NPS. Methodology: According to the objectives, the methodological approach has been articulated in the following three phases. Phase 1: investigating knowledge and preferred channels of information via an online survey among health professionals in Italy. This first Italian study on NPS awareness had been online from February to July 2011, recruiting participants from Departments of Addiction, Psychiatry and other services. Phase 2: evaluating the ReDNet initiative. An evaluation questionnaire was designed and disseminated online to assess the various resources provided by ReDNet project; it had been online from April to July 2013, targeting professionals registered to ReDNet services. This phase also investigated the SMAIL service, a mobile application that was the latest technological tool developed by ReDNet team. Phase 3: promoting evidence based work in clinical practice through the preparation of four Technical Folders and two case reports. Technical Folders followed the methodology optimised during the ReDNet experience, organising NPS data under specific headings, measured for the need of health professionals. Case reports were collected in a Dual Diagnosis Unit in Italy ('Casa di Cura Parco dei Tigli'); assessed patients revealed for the first time the use of NPS; clinical interviews were conducted to collect a full anamnesis while for the first time psychopathological characteristics were measured in NPS abusers, using a psychometric instrument (MMPI-2). Results: In Phase 1 Italian services, in particular interviewees (n=243) from Departments of Psychiatry and Addiction, showed a strong interest for the subject but a poor understanding of NPS: 26.7% of respondents did not know if their patients ever used NPS; at the same time they considered this phenomenon as very relevant to their profession (e.g. psychomotor agitation [75.7%], errors in the assessment [75.7%], management of the clients [72%]); in addition less of a quarter of them had reliable information on new substances. Interviewees also reported the need for easily accessible channels of information to expand their expertise in the field (including emails [70%] and dedicated websites [51.9%]). The ReDNet initiative (Phase 2) reached professionals (n=270) from European countries and various other regions; they appreciated the website above all (48.5%), which provided access to other information (in form of academic papers, news, technical folders, etc.). The integration of technological-based and classic educational resources was used to self-educate professionals (52.6%) and supply information for research (33.7%) with up-to-date and 3 reliable information; in the same Phase the SMAIL service was analysed in its first 557 searches: in the pilot period 122 professionals used SMS inquiries (95%), asking information on NPS while highlighting the increasing number of NPS available on the market. Technical folders (Phase 3) described two new phenethylamines (Bromo-dragonfly and 25I-NBOMe), a novel ethno drug (Kratom) and a new synthetic cathinone (alpha-PVP) whose severe effects were also described in one of the clinical cases. The first case report (Alice) involved a clubber who used mephedrone and other NPS with a severe worsening of her psychiatric disturbances; the second one (Marvin) described a patient who was referred by a psychiatric service and revealed himself as a 'psychonaut' with an intense abuse of alpha-PVP. Conclusions: The exploration of the NPS galaxy is a new challenge for healthcare professionals. In this study, Italian services seemed to be unprepared to face the emergency and requested rapid access to reliable information; the ReDNet project provided both technology-based and traditional resources to expand knowledge on NPS, making professionals more aware of emerging issues and helping especially clinicians working in the field (e.g. via SMAIL service and Technical Folders). Overall, it can be observed that effective information services on NPS targeted at professionals initiatives should include an online interface integrating up-to-date information, describing NPS through specific Technical Folders and disseminating scientific literature; the use of technological tools, including mobile applications, is an important strategy to support health professionals in their activity. Finally, more 'visual' guidelines, possibly in the form of a 'map' of these heterogeneous compounds, could be a useful framework to describe NPS to physicians and other professionals who are often unprepared and unconfident to face such an expanding galaxy.

Small-scale wind turbines were not considered viable in the past due to their poor efficiencies, mainly because of their aerodynamic effects around the irfoil shape. Recently researchers have renewed interest in enhancing the aerodynamic performances of the blades’ designs inspired by the aerodynamic pattern of biological characteristics of insects and marine mammals such as locusts, dragonflies, damselflies, Humpback Whales etc. Bioinspired wing designs have advantages compared to conventional smooth irfoil blades as they can counter the bending forces that the wings experience during flapping. Bio-inspired corrugated airfoil based on dragonfly wing geometries have been reported to perform well compared to conventional airfoil at low Reynolds numbers. Corrugated airfoils reduce flow separation and enhance aerodynamic performance by trapping vortices in the corrugations thus drawing flow towards the airfoil’s surface. This results in the higher lift whilst incurring only marginally higher drag. Such airfoils also have an advantage when it comes to span-wise structural stiffness due to the corrugated cross-sections. Replacing conventional turbine blades by tubercles or corrugated blades could enhance turbine performance by reducing the pressure gradient along the leading edge; however, the aerodynamic effects at the leading edge will depend on the variations of wavelength and amplitude. In this study, two types of computational studies were investigated: Optimising a corrugated airfoil and investigating the aerodynamic effects of a sinusoidal shape at the leading edge of a blade. Previous studies used an idealized geometry based on the dragonfly wing cross-section profile but did not attempt to optimize the geometry. In the present study: a two-dimensional CFD model is constructed using ANSYS Fluent Workbench-Design Explorer to determine the optimal corrugated blade profile for four angles of attack (AOA) from 5° to 20° corresponding to typical AOA of small-scale wind turbine blades. Two modified blades with variations of wavelength and amplitude at the leading edge were studied to investigate the aerodynamic effects. Three-dimensional models were constructed using Qblade software and 3D points were exported to AutoCAD Inventor to generate the CAD model. The governing equations used are continuity and Navier-Stokes equations written in a frame reference rotating with the blade. The CFD package used is ANSYS FLUENT 19.0. The simulation was run under steady-state, using SST-k omega turbulence model. The modifications have improved the aerodynamic performance. The optimised corrugated blade produced a maximum increase of CL and L/D. Both modified blades (1 and 2) had their performances measured separately and compared to that of baseline blade SG6042 (Conventional blade). Modified blade 1 had a lower wavelength and amplitude at the leading edge of 14.3 % and 4 % respectively of the chord. It was noted that the aerodynamic performance decreased by 6%. Modified model 2, on the other hand had a higher wavelength and amplitude at the leading edge. of 40.4 % and 11.9 % respectively of the chord. It was also noted the aerodynamic performance increased by 6%. From the empirical evidence highlighted above, it can be observed that there is a direct correlation between wavelength, amplitude, and aerodynamic performance of the blade. / Electrical and Mining Engineering / M. Tech. (Engineering)

This thesis discusses the motivation, origin, history, design guidelines, API, the device drivers and userland utilities of the hardware sensors framework available in OpenBSD. The framework spans multiple utilities in the base system and the ports tree, is utilised by over 75 drivers, and is considered to be a distinctive and ready-to-use feature that sets OpenBSD apart from many other operating systems, and in its root is inseparable from the OpenBSD experience. The present framework, however, is missing the functionality that would allow the user to interface with the fan-controlling part of the hardware monitors. We therefore discuss the topic of fan control and introduce sysctl-based interfacing with the fan-controlling capabilities of microprocessor system hardware monitors. The discussed prototype implementation reduces the noise and power-consumption characteristics in fans of personal computers, especially of those PCs that are designed from off-the-shelf components. We further argue that our prototype is easier, more intuitive and robust compared to solutions available elsewhere.