Evaluation of Chestnut Susceptibility to Cryphonectria parasitica: Screening under Controlled Conditions

Cryphonectria parasitica (Murrill) M.E. Barr (Sordariomycetes, Valsaceae) is the causal agent of chestnut blight. This disease is a major concern for chestnut cultivation in Europe. The fungus colonizes vascular tissues and evolves generating cankers causing severe dieback and the death of the tree. Excised and debarked well-lignified shoots of 28 C. sativa genotypes (assay A) and of 10 progenies (assay B) were inoculated with C. parasitica strain FMT3bc2 (vcg: EU2). Fungal growth was measured along the longitudinal axis on the 3rd and 6th days after inoculation. Results indicated the inoculation methodology works and the results were clear after 6 days. Differences in susceptibility to chestnut blight among C. sativa trees of Montseny have been detected both at the individual genotype level and at the progeny level. Nineteen genotypes and four progenies showed a susceptibility to Blight not significantly different from C. mollissima. The methodology was easy to apply in extensive/preliminary selection screenings to assess the susceptibility of C. sativa materials to the Blight.

Refinement of the characteristics of the aerodynamic resistance to the movement of special wheeled chassis and tractors based on the use of computational gas dynamics methods

An accurate assessment of the characteristics of the aerodynamic resistance to movement is important for the preliminary selection of the parameters of the engine, transmission and chassis of a special wheeled chassis or tractor. The strength of the movement resistance affects the dynamic characteristics of the car. The existing calculation methods allow for a wide variation of the aerodynamic drag coefficient, which complicates the task of preliminary selection of car parameters. The purpose of this article is to clarify and develop the engineering methodology for carrying out traction-dynamic calculations of special wheeled vehicles and tractors based on the results of computer modeling performed using computational fluid and gas dynamics (CFD modeling) methods. The modeling methodology and calculation results of a special wheeled chassis manufactured by JSC «BAZ» are considered.

SELECTION OF POWER LINE COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOL APPLIED TO A WIND TURBINE UNDER SEVERE CLIMATE CONDITIONS

The main purpose of this paper is to study the preliminary selection of one or more Power Line Communications protocols or standards, to be used in a full duplex communication between a wind turbine and a command center powered by this wind turbine. This situation considers that the wind turbine is located in an isolated area in the Patagonia Austral region, working under severe climate conditions.

SELECTION OF FACTORS OF THE LEARNING PROCESS USING THE RANKING METHOD

It is shown that the ranking method allows for a preliminary selection of factors in the study of the learning process

Obsidian from the Neolithic Layers of “Grotta di San Michele Arcangelo di Saracena” (Cosenza), Italy. A Preliminary Report

The paper presents the results obtained by techno-typological analysis of a lithic assemblage from the Neolithic layers of Grotta San Michele Arcangelo di Saracena (Cosenza) together with the results of micro-wear analysis obtained from a preliminary selection of obsidian artifacts with different provenances distinguished by pXRF analysis. The site provides one of the best preserved Neolithic sequences in the area, from the earliest Impressed Wares (or Impresse Arcaiche) (early sixth millennium BC) to the Spatarella pottery style (end fifth – early fourth millennium BC). Along the Neolithic sequence, it is possible to observe some major changes within lithic resources management. In particular, it is possible to notice some techno-typological breakages between the Early Neolithic and the further stages, until the second phase of the Late Neolithic, when another rupture, corresponding to the Spatarella facies, is evident.

BRAZILIAN CONTEMPORARY POETRY: AN OVERVIEW

Although it may seem an impossible task to offer a panorama of contemporary Brazilian poetry, we will discuss a selection of poets who possibly epitomize the most significant current trends. We start with a brief presentation of four well-regarded authors whose works represent major poetic currents: Augusto de Campos, Francisco Alvim, Armando Freitas Filho and Adélia Prado. We then comment on excerpts from a few important younger poets, whose works embrace several different tones and styles, from indigenous symbolic mythology to crude or ironic testimonials of life in the big city, from melodious lyrical intimacy to a more social perspective. For the second part of this article, we have chosen Paulo Henriques Britto, Josely Vianna Baptista, Ricardo Aleixo, Carlito Azevedo, Eucanaã Ferraz and Ana Martins Marques. We hope this preliminary selection may awaken the interest of future readers to the enormous variety and richness of Brazilian poetry.