Wing Width Research Articles

Automated Assessment of Pelvic Longitudinal Rotation Using Computer Vision in Canine Hip Dysplasia Screening

Canine hip dysplasia (CHD) screening relies on accurate positioning in the ventrodorsal hip extended (VDHE) view, as even mild pelvic rotation can affect CHD scoring and impact breeding decisions. This study aimed to assess the association between pelvic rotation and asymmetry in obturator foramina areas (AOFAs) and to develop a computer vision model for automated AOFA measurement. In the first part, 203 radiographs were analyzed to examine the relationship between pelvic rotation, assessed through asymmetry in iliac wing and obturator foramina widths (AOFWs), and AOFAs. A significant association was found between pelvic rotation and AOFA, with AOFW showing a stronger correlation (R2 = 0.92, p < 0.01). AOFW rotation values were categorized into minimal (n = 71), moderate (n = 41), marked (n = 37), and extreme (n = 54) groups, corresponding to mean AOFA ± standard deviation values of 33.28 ± 27.25, 54.73 ± 27.98, 85.85 ± 41.31, and 160.68 ± 64.20 mm2, respectively. ANOVA and post hoc testing confirmed significant differences in AOFA across these groups (p < 0.01). In part two, the dataset was expanded to 312 images to develop the automated AOFA model, with 80% allocated for training, 10% for validation, and 10% for testing. On the 32 test images, the model achieved high segmentation accuracy (Dice score = 0.96; Intersection over Union = 0.93), closely aligning with examiner measurements. Paired t-tests indicated no significant differences between the examiner and model’s outputs (p > 0.05), though the Bland–Altman analysis identified occasional discrepancies. The model demonstrated excellent reliability (ICC = 0.99) with a standard error of 17.18 mm2. A threshold of 50.46 mm2 enabled effective differentiation between acceptable and excessive pelvic rotation. With additional training data, further improvements in precision are expected, enhancing the model’s clinical utility.

The influence of canard wing parameters on the vertical water entry of a vehicle

Flow control techniques are beneficial for changing the flow and motion characteristics of a vehicle during water entry. Combined with high-speed photography and inertial measurement unit, this paper investigated the cavity evolution and vehicle kinematics during water entry by varying the length, height, and width of a single canard wing. Research indicates that changing the wing length minimally affects the shape and size of fore-end cavity. For the attached cavity on the wing, increasing wing length promotes the formation of the cloudy flow characterized by violent air–water mixing, destroying the integrity of it. As wing height increases, the fore-end cavity profile approaches a rectangle, while the attached cavity on the wing evolves from an ellipse to a triangle. Increasing the wing width shifts the fore-end cavity profile from a rectangle to a trapezoid. There is an impact on the vehicle when the fore-end cavity occurs pinch-off. The impact peak rises with the increase in wing height and width, while the impact duration decreases. Changing wing length has little effect on peak value of pinch-off. Increasing the wing length and height reduces deflection of the vehicle, while increasing the wing width promotes the deflection of the trajectory and attitude.

Design and characteristic analysis of a high-performance deformable piezoelectric wind energy harvester based on coupled vibrations

The current vortex-induced vibration piezoelectric wind energy harvesters have a narrow operating wind speed range, while galloping piezoelectric energy harvesters are at risk of damage from excessive amplitude at high wind speeds, a novel high-performance deformable piezoelectric wind energy harvester based on coupled vibrations (DPWEH) has been proposed. The alteration of the compound blunt body shape effectively modifies the shedding characteristics and intensity of vortices, subsequently influencing the vibration mode and output voltage of the system. The vibration mode transitions from galloping to coupled vibration, ultimately to vortex-induced vibration. The rigid wing and long elastic beam suppress galloping at high wind speeds. A thinner flexible wing can extend the duration of coupled vibration. A smaller wing width ratio and larger Y-type base wing width are beneficial for increasing the output voltage. By optimizing the parameters of the compound blunt body, the onset wind speed can be effectively reduced, the effective wind speed bandwidth can be expanded, and the DPWEH can undergo coupled vibration for an extended duration while stably generating electricity. The peak output power is 0.36 mW at a load of 150 kΩ. Moreover, the energy harvester demonstrates the prolonged power generation capability of signal transmitters and 100 LED lights.

The rush to the poles and the role of magnetic buoyancy in the solar dynamo

The butterfly diagram of the solar cycle shows a poleward migration of the diffuse magnetic field resulting from the decay of trailing sunspots. It is one component of what is sometimes referred to as the `rush to the poles' and is responsible for the reversal and buildup of the polar cap fields. We investigated under which conditions the rush to the poles can be reproduced in flux-transport Babcock-Leighton dynamo models. We also considered other observational consequences of the different mechanisms that reproduce the rush to the poles. We identified three main ways to achieve the rush to the poles: a flux emergence probability that decreases rapidly with latitude; a threshold for the sub-surface toroidal field strength below which the toroidal flux emerges only slowly and above which the emergence rate is high; and an emergence rate that depends on the mean magnetic field squared, mimicking magnetic buoyancy. We implemented these three mechanisms in a 2D Babcock-Leighton flux transport dynamo model that incorporates toroidal flux loss and deep downward turbulent pumping. Moreover, we directly compared the observational sunspot zone migration law with what our models predict. We find that all three mechanisms lead to solar-like butterfly diagrams, but with notable differences. The shape of the butterfly diagram is very sensitive to model parameters for the threshold prescription, while most models that incorporate magnetic buoyancy converge to very similar butterfly diagrams, with butterfly wing widths of $ in very good agreement with observations. With turbulent diffusivities above $35 km s $ but below about $40 km s $, buoyancy models are strikingly solar-like. The threshold and magnetic buoyancy prescriptions make the models non-linear and as such they can saturate the dynamo through latitudinal quenching; during this process, emergences at higher latitudes are less efficient at transporting fields across the equator and hence less efficient in reversing the polar fields -- although only the magnetic buoyancy prescription can saturate the dynamo when emergence loss is turned off. The period of the models that involve buoyancy is independent of the source term amplitude, but emergence loss increases it by $ 60<!PCT!>$. The models with the right advection amplitude and turbulent diffusivity match the observational equatorward migration law very well. For the rush to the poles to be visible, a mechanism suppressing (enhancing) emergences at high (low) latitudes must operate. It is not sufficient that the toroidal field be stored at low latitudes for emergences to be limited to low latitudes. Magnetic buoyancy appears to be the most promising non-linearity as models that incorporate it produce the most solar-like butterfly diagrams, with the exact width of the butterfly wings being roughly independent of model parameters. Dynamo saturation is achieved by a competition between latitudinal quenching and a quenching due to the tilt of the mean bipolar magnetic region. From these models we infer that the Sun is not in the advection-dominated regime, but nor is it in the diffusion-dominated regime. The cycle period is set through a balance between advection, diffusion, and flux emergence in accordance with the observational sunspot zone migration law. This accordance seems to imply that the toroidal field is indeed stored in the equatorial region of the lower convection zone.

WingAnalogy: a computer vision-based tool for automated insect wing asymmetry and morphometry analysis

WingAnalogy is a computer tool for automated insect wing morphology and asymmetry analysis. It facilitates project management, enabling users to import pairs of wing images obtained from individual insects, such as left and right, fore- and hindwings. WingAnalogy employs image processing and computer vision to segment wing structures and extract cell boundaries, and junctions. It quantifies essential metrics encompassing cell and wing characteristics, including area, length, width, circularity, and centroid positions. It enables users to scale and superimpose wing images utilizing Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). WingAnalogy computes regression, Normalized Root Mean Square Error (NRMSE), various cell-based parameters, and distances between cell centroids and junctions. The software generates informative visualizations, aiding researchers in comprehending and interpreting asymmetry patterns. WingAnalogy allows for dividing wings into up to five distinct wing cell sets, facilitating localized comparisons. The software excels in report generation, providing detailed asymmetry measurements in PDF, CSV, and TXT formats.

Seed morphology of species of Spergula and Spergularia (Caryophyllaceae) occurring in Ukraine and its taxonomic significance

The micro- and macromorphological characteristics of seeds of species of the genera Spergula and Spergularia in the flora of Ukraine were studied in order to identify new diagnostic characters useful for solving taxonomic issues. The ultrastructure of the seed surface was studied using a scanning electron microscope. Seeds of some species of these genera are similar in appearance (especially with a wide wing — Spergula morisonii and Spergularia marina), which can be one of the confirmations of the close taxonomic affinity of these genera. The results of our study showed that the ultrastructure patterns of the surface of seeds of Spergula and Spergularia species differ among themselves within these genera but for some species can be used as diagnostic characters for their identification. The data obtained confirm the results of our previous research on the taxonomic status of some representatives of the studied taxa (Fedoronchuk, 2023). In particular, taking into account the similarity of seed ultrastructure and other characteristics that have been proposed previously, we consider Spergula vulgaris a synonym of Spergula arvensis subsp. arvensis, S. vernalis — a synonym of S. morisonii, Spergularia media — a synonym of Spergularia marina, and Spergularia salina — a synonym of Spergularia marina. Differences in the surface ultrastructure of Spergula sativa and Spergula arvensis subsp. arvensis, which is consistent with our understanding of the taxon (Fedoronchuk, 2023) as Spergula arvensis subsp. sativa, as well as between Spergula maxima and Spergula arvensis subsp. arvensis, accordingly we propose — Spergula arvensis subsp. maxima. Compiled descriptions of the surface ultrastructure of seeds of Spergula and Spergularia species collected in the territory of Ukraine can be used as a model for assessing the possible variability of the morphological characters of these species in other regions of the world.

Long-term spectral variations of V Sagittae: Two spectroscopic states with red- or blue-shifted emission wings of H i and He ii

Abstract The spectral variation in the optical region of a peculiar variable star V Sagittae was monitored in the recent three decades. The main aim of this article is to report several interesting phenomena discovered in the monitoring; we briefly discuss interpretations of them. Emission lines of H i and He ii were decomposed into narrow components and wide wings. The radial velocities of the wings were related to the orbital motion of the hot primary, but did not reflect it directly. Widely red-shifted sinusoidal variations according to the orbital period were detected in 1993–2005 (e.g., $K = 195$ km s$^{-1}$ and $\gamma = +252$ km s$^{-1}$ for He ii 4686). Sporadic blue-shifts were also observed. The mode of the radial velocity variation drastically changed between 2005 and 2007. Red-shifted sinusoidal variations ($K = 224$ km s$^{-1}$ and $\gamma = +260$ km s$^{-1}$ idem) or blue-shifted ones ($K =206$ km s$^{-1}$ and $\gamma = -289$ km s$^{-1}$ idem) appeared alternately in 2007–2019. One red- or blue-shift state lasted several years. The radial velocities of O iii 5592 and the doublet C iv 5805 exhibited sinusoidal variations without large red- or blue-shifts (e.g., $K =215$ km s$^{-1}$ and $\gamma = -18$ km s$^{-1}$ for C iv 5805). The widths of emission lines He ii 5412 and C iv in the doublet 5805 suggest that helium and carbon ions contained nearly the same kinetic energy, because the former line was wider than the latter by a factor of about $\surd {3}$ on most spectra. It is probable that there was no large-scale mass motion in such a thermal-equilibrium-like condition. The C iv lines and He ii 5412 had roughly same widths, like the spectra of Wolf–Rayet stars, only three times in 2007–2019 on which there were likely large-scale mass outflows.

Evaluation of Symmetry of Ventrodorsal Pelvic Radiographs in Dogs; A Retrospective Study

Pelvic radiographs in dogs have been used for assessments of pelvic bone, hip joint, and sacral bone in orthopaedic examinations. Thus, symmetric radiographs must be a goal to minimise medical errors. Despite the importance of symmetric radiographs, ventrodorsally pelvic radiographs are routinely evaluated using the symmetric appearance of the obturator foramen and wing of the ilium. This retrospective study was performed to evaluate the symmetry of pelvic radiographs in dogs. For this purpose, 100 pelvic radiographs were reevaluated by linear, area, and circumference measurements. The differences in percentages were remarkable for width and area values for both the ilium and obturator foramen between the left and right sides. In terms of the difference in the percentage of iliac wing width, two-thirds of radiographs showed asymmetry up to 20% and higher in the remaining one-third of radiographs. The findings of this research indicate that completely symmetrical positioning on pelvic radiographs is often not obtained.

Ophiorrhiza paralatiflora (Rubiaceae), a new species from limestone areas in Guangxi, China

Ophiorrhiza paralatiflora, a new species of Rubiaceae from limestone areas of Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is morphologically similar to O. alatiflora, but differs from the latter by having an inflorescence that is erect from the youngest developmental stage (versus initially drooping then gradually erect), subulate bract (versus linear or linear‐lanceolate) absent or shorter than 3 mm (versus obvious, 5–15 mm long). It also resembles O. cantonensis, but can be distinguished from the latter by the same characters as from O. alatiflora, plus by having a corolla tube with ca 1 mm (versus 0.3 mm) wide wings outside along its entire length (versus from near apex to the middle part). The conservation status was assessed as ‘Least Concern' (LC) according to the IUCN Red List categories and criteria.

Three-Dimensional Examination of Humerus and Antebrachium Bones in the Red hawk (Buteo Rufinus) with Computed tomography (CT)

The red hawk (Buteo Rufinus) is a medium-sized bird of prey with wide wings, belonging to the order Falconiformes and a member of the Accipitridae family. The Red hawk is a wild bird species and is easily recognized by its black feathers and red color on its wing feathers. In poultry, the thoracic extremity is developed as a wing. Techniques such as radiography, computed tomography and magnetic resonance contribute significantly to the evaluation of biological data in endangered species and wildlife because they provide the best view of anatomical structures and organs, are non-invasive, and allow sensitive diagnoses. The aim of this study was to create 3D models of the humerus and antebrachium bones of the Red hawk, an important bird of prey, with multi-detector computer tomography and to examine the bones mentioned morphologically and morphometrically through the models obtained. Humerus and antebrachium bones of a total of 6 dead adult Red hawks, 3 females and 3 males, were used as materials. When the morphometric results were examined, the average humerus length, average ulna length and average radius length in Red hawks were expressed in mm for the left and right extremities, regardless of gender. Moreover morphometric measurements of the humerus, ulna and radius bones were compared statistically between the right and left wings, and it was concluded that there was a significant difference between some values with a value of p

Morphological diversity and evolutionary changes of pollinaria in Hoya (Marsdenieae: Apocynaceae)

Abstract The pollinarium morphologies of 85 species and four subspecies of Hoya were investigated in the present study. The longest pollinium was found in Hoya multiflora, the widest in H. archboldiana, and the smallest in H. bilobata. Pollinium shape showed the widest variation range of all palynological characters, and nine shapes were distinguished in this study. A pellucid margin was present in the pollinium of 84 taxa, and absent in five species. In total, 10 types of pollinarium were recognized based on the following characters: presence/absence of a pellucid margin and the caudicle wing, the ratio of corpusculum/pollinarium length, width/length of pollinium, and curving orientation of the caudicle wings. Types V and X were found in a greater number of taxa compared with the other eight types. Type V is a combination of obliquely elongate or oblong pollinium, presence of a pellucid margin and caudicle wing, and corpusculum length less than half of the pollinium. Type X combines pollinium with variable shapes, a pellucid margin, unwinged and twisted caudicle, and corpusculum with obvious lateral extensions. The characters of 46 taxa with a resolved position in the latest phylogeny of Hoya were mapped and ancestral reconstruction analysis was carried out, indicating that the presence of a pellucid margin in the pollinium, corpusculum length less than half of the pollinium, and rhomboid-shaped corpusculum with lower extensions represent the ancestral state of the genus. Clade II is characterized by the absence of a pellucid margin and twisted caudicles. Loss of the pellucid margin occurring in Clade II and sometimes in other clades is considered independent reversals to the plesiomorphic state. The presence of a pellucid margin and rhomboid corpusculum, and absence of caudicle wings characterizes Clade IV. Ancestral reconstruction analysis revealed that pollinarium type V was the ancestral state of the core lineage Clade V. The species in this clade share presence of both a pellucid margin and caudicle wing, straight caudicle, and pollinium width of 201–300 µm. Clade VI (the largest lineage) as well as Clades I and III have diverse palynological characters, but pollinarium type X and type V is probably the ancestral state of Clades VI and I, respectively.

Understanding the Impact of Sheep Digestion on Seed Germination in the Cold Desert Annual Diptychocarpus strictus with Emphasis on Fruit and Seed Heteromorphism.

This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of fruits and seeds from Diptychocarpus strictus, a plant species inhabiting the cold desert pastoral area of China. Furthermore, this study sought to evaluate the germination potential of these seeds following digestion by sheep. This study employed the sheep rumen fistula method to simulate rumen digestion at various time intervals. Subsequently, an in vitro simulation method was utilized to simulate true gastric and intestinal digestion after rumen digestion. Paper germination tests were then conducted to assess the impact of the digestive process on the heteromorphic seed morphology and germination. During rumen digestion, the seeds were protected by wide wings. The results revealed a highly significant negative correlation (p < 0.01) between seed wing length and digestion time. Post-rumen digestion, variations in the germination rate among seeds from fruits at different locations were observed. Indicators, such as germination rate, exhibited a highly significant negative correlation with rumen digestion time (p < 0.01). In vitro simulated digestion tests demonstrated that Diptychocarpus strictus seeds retained their ability to germinate even after complete digestion within the livestock's digestive tract. The polymorphic nature of Diptychocarpus strictus seeds, coupled with their capacity to survive and germinate through the digestive tract, facilitates the spread of these seeds. This finding has implications for mitigating desert grassland degradation and promoting sustainable ecological development.

The GUDplay technique: A shift of paradigm in glans reconstruction for midshaft and penoscrotal hypospadias with moderate chordee. A proposal of a new approach

After 5 years experience with the GUD (glandular urethral disassembly) technique for distal hypospadias, we present the GUDplay technique, incorporating Thiersch-Duplay tubularization of the plate till the coronal area, disassembling the glans aggressively and refurbishing the glans. We defined the urethral plate and designed an inverted Y incision to open the glans in two wings. The glans was entirely detached from the corpora to gain a great mobility that allowed minor cranial mobilization of the urethra and caudal rotation of the wings. In sequence, there are well-known steps: Duplay urethroplasty, spongioblasts and a Dartos flap to cover the neourethra. The glans was connected to the urethra by 6.0 PDS sutures except in the ventral meatus and the glans wings are joined in the midline. The 5-year-old patient had midshaft hypospadias without previous surgery. The catheter was removed after a week and the healing appears to be good. We combined principles of total glans deconstruction in association to Duplay tubularization and then lifted it up to the tip of the glans divided in two wide and mobile wings. We have treated a small series of 6 cases without complications and mean follow-up of 6.2 months.

Spore variability in Hepaticae: a case study on four short-lived Riccia L. species

ABSTRACT Introduction In the present study, we tested the variability of spore morphology in freshly collected plants of Riccia bifurca Hoffm., R. glauca L., R. sorocarpa Bisch. and R. warnstorfii Limpr. ex Warnst. at the individual and population scale, and examined the taxonomical power of distinct characters that are used in the literature for species delimitation in the genus Riccia. Methods Spore size, number of areolae across the distal spore side, and wing width were determined from permanent preparations of spores, using three individuals of each of the four tested species. Statistical analyses, including power analyses, were carried out, in addition to evaluation using light microscopy images. Key results Our results suggest that individual spore characteristics are subject to high variability at the individual and population level. Owing to the high dispersion of the collected data, the boundaries for these characteristics are obscured across different species. Conclusions Generally, although the specific morphology of the spores does differ across Riccia species, several characters are too strongly specified in the literature and should be used only in a statistical context and in combination with additional, often qualitative, characters.

混秸带翼凿式犁关键部件扰动规律的研究

Understanding the soil-straw disturbance pattern of the key component parameters of the straw mixing winged chisel plow is the key to designing and optimizing the straw mixing winged chisel plow (a chisel plow for mixing and mulching straw). In this study, a straw-soil-winged chisel plow interaction model was established, and the working principle, key components of the winged chisel plow were determined based on soil bin experiment and theoretical analysis. Discrete element method (DEM) was used to study the influence of disturbance pattern of key components of the winged chisel plow on soil-straw displacement, straw mixing rate and draught force. The results show that the main components of the winged chisel plow that affect the operating efficiency of the implement are the soil lifting plate height, the wing mounting height and the wing width. The height of the soil lifting plate affects the efficiency of the winged chisel plow in secondary disturbance of soil-straw and its own performance in turning over soil, with an optimal range of 110 mm-170 mm. The installation height of the wing mounting mainly affects the position of the soil lifting plate in the soil layer. In order to achieve the best operating effect, the position of the soil lifting plate needs to meet the "lower lifting and upper turning" requirement. The optimal installation height of the wing mounting is 95 mm-145 mm. The width of the wing mainly affects the working width of the implement, and its optimal value is 180 mm-220 mm. The width of the wing mainly affects the working width of the implement, and its optimal value is 180 mm-220 mm. The established simulation relative error is within 12.60%, which can better study the disturbance pattern of soil-straw. This study may provide a reference for optimizing and designing wing-type chisel plows and subsoil shovels.

Evaluation of body weight and morphometric characteristics of the young queen of Apis cerana javana at different queen cup cell sizes

Abstract. Masyithoh D, Kentjonowaty I, Salleh SM, Ustadi, Agussalim, Nastain FS. 2023. Evaluation of body weight and morphometric characteristics of the young queen of Apis cerana javana at different queen cup cell sizes. Biodiversitas 24: 5626-5633. This study investigates body weight and morphometric characteristics of Apis cerana javana queen rearing based on differences in the queen cup sizes. The queen cell sizes were divided into three categories; the first group was a small category (T1) with a height of 0.75 cm, top diameter of 0.65 cm, and bottom diameter of 0.44 cm. The second treatment was medium category (T2) with a height of 0.85 cm, a top diameter of 0.71 cm, and a bottom diameter of 0.54 cm. The third treatment was a large category (T3) with a height of 1.00 cm, a top diameter of 0.71 cm, and a bottom diameter of 0.62 cm. The morphometrics investigated consisted of hatch weight, pupae length, body length, head, abdomen, wing, and hind leg morphometrics. The results showed that the differences in the queen cup size had no effect (P&gt;0.05) on the hatch weight, body length, width, and length of the head, thorax, fore and hind wing (length and width), and abdomen (length and height). The different queen cell sizes did not affect the wing morphometrics (P&gt;0.05). In addition, the leg morphometrics consisting of femur, tibia, tarsus, and metatarsus were also not affected (P&gt;0.05) by the different queen cup sizes. These results revealed that the different queen cup sizes did not negatively impact the morphometric characteristics of A. cerana javana queen’s.

Design of special vacuum fan for use in the ship scraping process

The outer surfaces of ships should be smooth for efficiency and safety. With the scraping process, the performance of the ship is increased and the possible negative effects are minimized. One of the biggest causes of corrosion (abrasion) that may occur over time is rough surfaces. The scraping process, which is one of the most important processes in shipyards, is very laborious, and at the same time, the dust and chemical wastes that occur during the process reveal extremely harmful results for the environment. Thus in this work the optimum design and operating parameters (best efficiency) of the fan specially designed for the removal of dust and solid wastes from the environment with a closed system, which is generated during the surface cleaning process using abrasive blasting materials were obtained. Taguchi experimental design method was applied. Afterwards, the effect of which parameter on the results was determined with the Anova Statistical Analysis method. The same values were obtained in the results obtained by using both the experimental studies obtained by the classical method and the statistical data of the fans designed within the scope of the study, of which 9 prototypes were manufactured. The values of 100 Hz frequency, suction pipe diameter of 110 mm and wing width of 650 mm were determined as the most optimum results.

The influence of vegetation structure on lift-off velocity of diaspores during secondary wind dispersal

Lift-off velocity, the wind speed at which a diaspore starts moving during secondary wind dispersal, representing diaspore mobile capacity, may greatly depend on vegetation where dispersal takes place. However, how vegetation structure influences lift-off velocity and which is the most important vegetation attribute remain unknown. The vegetation with various attributes (four coverages-0, 10 %, 20 % and 30 %, three life-form compositions-herb, shrub and herb + shrub, two vertical patterns-one and two layers, and two horizontal patterns-uniform and aggregated) were set up for the wind tunnel experiment. Diaspores of 30 species varied in wing loading, terminal velocity, mass, projected area, length, width, height, and shape index were selected to measure their lift-off velocity within various vegetation structures. Lift-off velocity significantly increased with the increasing vegetation coverage, in the case of any life-form composition, vertical pattern and horizontal pattern of vegetation. For the vertical pattern of vegetation, the lift-off velocity in one-layer vegetation was significantly higher than that in two-layer vegetation, but only for 10 % vegetation coverage. Both the life-form composition and the horizontal pattern of vegetation had no influences on lift-off velocity. The correlation between lift-off velocity and diaspore attributes (length, width, height, projected area, mass and wing loading) increased with vegetation coverage and the correlation in two-layer vegetation was larger than that in one-layer vegetation. Our results indicate that vegetation coverage is the key vegetation attribute determining lift-off velocity during secondary wind dispersal. Lift-off velocity is also influenced by diaspore traits, but their relationships tend to be regulated by vegetation attributes, especially the coverage and vertical pattern of vegetation. Our study demonstrates the important role of vegetation coverage in determining the second dispersal capacity, which is helpful to understand the dispersal strategies of plants in response to vegetation structure and succession.

Effect of environmental integrity on the functional composition of the Odonata (Insecta) community in streams in the Eastern Amazon

Anthropic activities affect the dynamics of aquatic communities and can influence the reproductive behavior of many species. In addition, functional diversity is expected to be influenced by the environment. In this context, we evaluated how the biological functional characteristics of the Odonata adult community respond to impacts caused by human action on streams in the Eastern Amazon, using bionomic characteristics as response variables. Concomitantly, we analyzed which characteristics are responsible for the presence of species in the environment. We sampled adults of Odonata in 98 preserved and altered streams in the Eastern Amazon. We used as functional characteristics: oviposition, thermoregulation and body size, and as morphological characteristics: width of the thorax, width of the wing at the base, length of the abdomen and length of the thorax. We recorded 80 species, distributed in 16 functional groups and three categories: present in all environments, present only in preserved environments, and present only in altered environments. There was variation in the functional characteristics studied between the environments (PerMANOVA; F = 15,655; P &amp;lt; 0.01), with a significant difference in the composition of attributes between the environments studied. Although PCoA did not find a strong relationship between the functional attributes and the level of integrity, the individuals found in altered areas are heliothermic, exophytic oviposition, with a wider wing width at the base and larger size. Individuals with smaller body size and endophytic and epiphytic oviposition, and thermal and endothermic conformators are found in preserved areas. Our study provides evidence that functional attributes are determining factors for the occurrence of species in the environment. The high quality of environment has a significant effect on the composition of functional groups. Exophytic and heliothermic species are favored by altered environments, while in preserved environments, the species that are best adapted are those that present epiphytic and endophytic oviposition and ectothermic thermoregulation (thermal conformers). As for morphology, altered environments favor medium to large individuals, with greater thorax length and abdomen size, preserved environments may favor the smaller and/or specialized species.

Effect of wing plate structure on uplift resistance capacity of marine aquaculture anchor piles

As the main component of the anchorage system in marine aquaculture facilities, the anchor pile is key to ensuring safety and stability. However, conventional monopiles have limited capacity to withstand uplift forces, thus rendering them susceptible to deviations and potentially causing damage to facility structures. Hence, a new winged monopile is proposed to improve and optimize the anchor pile. In this study, laboratory experiments are conducted to investigate the effect of load inclination angle (θ = 0°, 30°, 45°, and 60°), wing length (L = 30, 50, and 70 mm), and wing width (W = 10, and 20 mm) on the uplift resistance capacity of anchor piles in silty clay. The results show that: the winged monopile exhibits at least a 15% improvement in uplift performance compared with the conventional monopile (without wings) when the smallest wing plate parameters are selected (W = 10 mm, L = 30 mm). Additionally, the effect of the wing width on the uplift resistance under an oblique load is more evident than that of the wing plate length. As the area of the wing plate increases, the range of improved wing plate efficiency first increases, and then gradually decreases. This study can be used as a reference for the design optimization of uplift piles and the construction of marine aquaculture.