The flight of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Archaeopteryx</Emphasis>

The origin of avian flight is often equated with the phylogeny, ecology, and flying ability of the primitive Jurassic bird, Archaeopteryx. Debate persists about whether it was a terrestrial cursor or a tree dweller. Despite broad acceptance of its arboreal life style from anatomical, phylogenetic, and ecological evidence, a new version of the cursorial model was proposed recently asserting that a running Archaeopteryx could take off from the ground using thrust and sustain flight in the air. However, Archaeopteryx lacked both the powerful flight muscles and complex wing movements necessary for ground takeoff. Here we describe a flight simulation model, which suggests that for Archaeopteryx, takeoff from a perch would have been more efficient and cost-effective than from the ground. Archaeopteryx may have made short flights between trees, utilizing a novel method of phugoid gliding.     

Do birds sleep in flight?

The following review examines the evidence for sleep in flying birds. The daily need to sleep in most animals has led to the common belief that birds, such as the common swift (Apus apus), which spend the night on the wing, sleep in flight. The electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings required to detect sleep in flight have not been performed, however, rendering the evidence for sleep in flight circumstantial. The neurophysiology of sleep and flight suggests that some types of sleep might be compatible with flight. As in mammals, birds exhibit two types of sleep, slow-wave sleep (SWS) and rapid eye-movement (REM) sleep. Whereas, SWS can occur in one or both brain hemispheres at a time, REM sleep only occurs bihemispherically. During unihemispheric SWS, the eye connected to the awake hemisphere remains open, a state that may allow birds to visually navigate during sleep in flight. Bihemispheric SWS may also be possible during flight when constant visual monitoring of the environment is unnecessary. Nevertheless, the reduction in muscle tone that usually accompanies REM sleep makes it unlikely that birds enter this state in flight. Upon landing, birds may need to recover the components of sleep that are incompatible with flight. Periods of undisturbed postflight recovery sleep may be essential for maintaining adaptive brain function during wakefulness. The recent miniaturization of EEG recording devices now makes it possible to measure brain activity in flight. Determining if and how birds sleep in flight will contribute to our understanding of a largely unexplored aspect of avian behavior and may also provide insight into the function of sleep.     

A new Jurassic theropod from China documents a transitional step in the macrostructure of feathers

Genuine fossils with exquisitely preserved plumage from the Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous of northeastern China have recently revealed that bird-like theropod dinosaurs had long pennaceous feathers along their hindlimbs and may have used their four wings to glide or fly. Thus, it has been postulated that early bird flight might initially have involved four wings (Xu et al. Nature 421:335–340, 2003; Hu et al. Nature 461:640–643, 2009; Han et al. Nat Commun 5:4382, 2014). Here, we describe Serikornis sungei gen. et sp. nov., a new feathered theropod from the Tiaojishan Fm (Late Jurassic) of Liaoning Province, China. Its skeletal morphology suggests a ground-dwelling ecology with no flying adaptations. Our phylogenetic analysis places Serikornis, together with other Late Jurassic paravians from China, as a basal paravians, outside the Eumaniraptora clade. The tail of Serikornis is covered proximally by filaments and distally by slender rectrices. Thin symmetrical remiges lacking barbules are attached along its forelimbs and elongate hindlimb feathers extend up to its toes, suggesting that hindlimb remiges evolved in ground-dwelling maniraptorans before being co-opted to an arboreal lifestyle or flight.     

Coherent array of branched filamentary scales along the wing margin of a small moth

In butterflies and moths, the wing margins are fringed with specialized scales that are typically longer than common scales. In the hindwings of some small moths, the posterior margins are fringed with particularly long filamentary scales. Despite the small size of these moth wings, these scales are much longer than those of large moths and butterflies. In the current study, photography of the tethered flight of a small moth, Phthorimaea operculella, revealed a wide array composed of a large number of long filamentary scales. This array did not become disheveled in flight, maintaining a coherent sheet-like structure during wingbeat. Examination of the morphology of individual scales revealed that each filamentary scale consists of a proximal stalk and distal branches. Moreover, not only long scales but also shorter scales of various lengths were found to coexist in each small section of the wing margin. Scale branches were ubiquitously and densely distributed within the scale array to form a mesh-like architecture similar to a nonwoven fabric. We propose that possible mechanical interactions among branched filamentary scales, mediated by these branches, may contribute to maintaining a coherent sheet-like structure of the scale array during wingbeat.     

飞机颤振试飞操纵面脉冲激励响应仿真方法研究

目的实现颤振试飞操纵面脉冲激励响应仿真,预测操纵面脉冲激励结构响应。方法提出一种飞机颤振试飞操纵面脉冲激励响应仿真方法。该方法以飞机结构动力学有限元模型为基础,建立颤振试飞气动力模型和操纵面脉冲激励力模型。结果以上述模型为基础建立的飞机颤振试飞操纵面脉冲激励响应仿真模型,实现了颤振试飞操纵面脉冲激励响应仿真。首先建立了带副翼单机翼模型操纵面脉冲激励响应仿真模型,并实现了激励响应仿真分析,得到了结构响应幅值。结论开展了全机模型操纵面脉冲激励响应仿真分析,并将仿真结果与飞行试验结果进行对比,两者结果基本一致,验证了该方法的有效性。     

Functional roles of neuropeptides in the insect central nervous system

 With the completion of the Drosophila genome sequencing project we can begin to appreciate the extent of the complexity in the components involved in signal transfer and modulation in the nervous system of an animal with reasonably complex behavior. Of all the different classes of signaling substances utilized by the nervous system, the neuropeptides are the most diverse structurally and functionally. Thus peptidergic mechanisms of action in the central nervous system need to be analyzed in the context of the neuronal circuits in which they act and generalized traits cannot be established. By taking advantage of Drosophila molecular genetics and the presence of identifiable neurons, it has been possible to interfere with peptidergic signaling in small populations of central neurons and monitor the consequences on behavior. These studies and experiments on other insects with large identifiable neurons, permitting cellular analysis of signaling mechanisms, have outlined important principles for temporal and spatial action of neuropeptides in outputs of the circadian clock and in orchestrating molting behavior. Considering the large number of neuropeptides available in each insect species and their diverse distribution patterns, it is to be expected that different neuropeptides play roles in most aspects of insect physiology and behavior.     

A comparative analysis of colour preferences in temperate and tropical social bees

The spontaneous occurrence of colour preferences without learning has been demonstrated in several insect species; however, the underlying mechanisms are still not understood. Here, we use a comparative approach to investigate spontaneous and learned colour preferences in foraging bees of two tropical and one temperate species. We hypothesised that tropical bees utilise different sets of plants and therefore might differ in their spontaneous colour preferences. We tested colour-naive bees and foragers from colonies that had been enclosed in large flight cages for a long time. Bees were shortly trained with triplets of neutral, UV-grey stimuli placed randomly at eight locations on a black training disk to induce foraging motivation. During unrewarded tests, the bees’ responses to eight colours were video-recorded. Bees explored all colours and displayed an overall preference for colours dominated by long or short wavelengths, rather than a single colour stimulus. Naive Apis cerana and Bombus terrestris showed similar choices. Both inspected long-wavelength stimuli more than short-wavelength stimuli, whilst responses of the tropical stingless bee Tetragonula iridipennis differed, suggesting that resource partitioning could be a determinant of spontaneous colour preferences. Reward on an unsaturated yellow colour shifted the bees’ preference curves as predicted, which is in line with previous findings that brief colour experience overrides the expression of spontaneous preferences. We conclude that rather than determining foraging behaviour in inflexible ways, spontaneous colour preferences vary depending on experimental settings and reflect potential biases in mechanisms of learning and decision-making in pollinating insects.     

气动热效应对某红外导引头影响分析

导弹高速飞行时所产生的气动热,将影响探测器正常成像质量,从而影响导弹的命中精度和导引头的作用距离.由于新型隔热材料的采用,气动热对导引头性能影响减小很多.采用ANSYS软件对某导弹的气动热效应进行仿真,为高速导弹气动性能分析及其环境失效研究提供参考.     

基于直升机耦合分析的振动响应预测研究

目的预测直升机振动响应。方法采用中等变形梁理论建立直升机旋翼桨叶结构有限元模型,以准定常气动力模型及Pitt动态入流理论模拟旋翼上的气动作用力,结合旋翼结构及气动模型形成旋翼动力学分析模型,并以旋翼动力学试验结果验证模型的正确性。基于Patran建立直升机机体动力学模型,根据旋翼动力学分析结果,筛选并提取机体模态信息。结果耦合旋翼动力学及机体动力学模型,形成直升机全机耦合动力学分析模型,采用时间有限元方法求解耦合模型,以此模型进行直升机机体振动响应预测及与试验对比分析研究。结论该方法机体振动响应计算值与试验值变化规律相同。     

Using taphonomy to infer differences in soft tissues between taxa: an example using basal and derived forms of Solnhofen pterosaurs

In fossilised vertebrates, the presence of soft tissues is the most obvious way to determine aspects of anatomy and functional morphology; however, occurrences are rare and other lines of evidence must be sought to indicate its extent and strength. For example, pterosaurs possessed a large wing membrane that enabled powered flight but other tissues are not widely preserved. A semi-quantitative analysis comparing skeletal articulation and completeness of the pterodactyloid Pterodactylus and non-pterodactyloid pterosaur Rhamphorhynchus from Solnhofen-type deposits implies there were anatomical differences between soft-tissue structure and attachments articulating skeletal joints of each. Typically, skeletons of Pterodactylus disarticulate to a greater extent than those of Rhamphorhynchus, which in turn suggests decay progressed to more advanced states in the former. However, this generalisation masks a mosaic of differences between different body parts, for example Rhamphorhynchus tends to lose the wings as complete units but retains a complete and still articulated tail in a greater number of specimens than Pterodactylus.     

再入环境测量火箭测试平台总体设计与关键技术

目的研究弹头再入飞行时表面的脉动压力等参数特征及变化规律,借助火箭测试平台飞行试验,同步获取自由飞行状态下载荷段外部脉动压力、时均压力、温度与内部结构振动、冲击响应数据,认识和预测脉动压力载荷与结构响应的相关性,同时为结构响应等效的数值模拟验证提供支撑。方法根据飞行试验测试的目的和要求,计算火箭测试平台的总体参数和设计系统组成,开展总体设计技术、测试系统设计技术、防热设计技术、气动弹道设计技术等关键技术研究。结果设计了再入环境测量火箭测试平台,并完成了地面试验验证,用于开展飞行试验,获取典型再入环境下的气动力热数据、弹道参数和结构响应数据。结论通过地面试验,验证了再入环境测量火箭测试平台总体设计的正确性和系列关键技术的有效性。     

Caudal fin allometry in the white shark Carcharodon carcharias: implications for locomotory performance and ecology

Allometric scaling analysis was employed to investigate the consequences of size evolution on hydrodynamic performance and ecology in the white shark Carcharodon carcharias. Discriminant analysis using the power equation y=ax^b was negative for caudal fin span (S) versus fork length (FL) in C. carcharias. In contrast in two delphinid species, Delphinus capensis and Tursiops aduncus, the span of the flukes versus fork length rises in positive allometric fashion, and strong positive allometry of S versus A (area) was also recorded. The latter reflects a high lift/drag ratio. S versus A in C. carcharias displays negative allometry and consequently a lower lift/drag ratio. A lower aspect ratio (AR) caudal fin in C. carcharias compared to that of the delphinids (mean 3.33 and 4.1, respectively) and other thunniform swimmers provides the potential for better maneuverability and acceleration. The liver in sharks is frequently associated with a buoyancy function and was found to be positively allometric in C. carcharias. The overall findings suggest that the negatively allometric caudal fin morphometrics in C. carcharias are unlikely to have deleterious evolutionary fitness consequences for predation. On the contrary, when considered in the context of positive liver allometry in C. carcharias it is hereby suggested that buoyancy may play a dominant role in larger white sharks in permitting slow swimming while minimizing energy demands needed to prevent sinking. In contrast hydrodynamic lift is considered more important in smaller white sharks. Larger caudal fin spans and higher lift/drag ratio in smaller C. carcharias indicate greater potential for prolonged, intermediate swimming speeds and for feeding predominantly on fast-moving fish, in contrast to slow-swimming search patterns of larger individuals for predominantly large mammalian prey. Such data may provide some answers to the lifestyle and widespread habitat capabilities of this still largely mysterious animal.An erratum to this article can be found at     

基于弹性模型的飞机操纵动响应分析

目的 更好地研究飞机在操纵情况下的机体载荷和机体响应,同时验证动态响应分析模型和方法。方法 以某型飞机突风载荷分析用的动气弹仿真模型为基础,考虑机体弹性修正和气动模型修正,梳理试验试飞的舵偏数据,利用MSC软件的动气弹仿真分析模块,将试飞的舵偏数据作为输入信号,开展舵面操纵情况下的机体响应仿真,并将飞机操纵情况下的机体响应分析结果与试验试飞结果进行对比。结果 经过仿真和对比分析可以发现,分析数据和试飞数据整体吻合较好,能够较好地表征飞机的气动特性和结构动力学特性,同时在分析数据和试飞数据中均有比较明显的机体弹性响应成分。对于弹性飞机而言,除操纵造成的机体刚体响应外,机体弹性会带来额外的振动响应,对于特定的部位,这种振动可能是不可忽略的,需要根据具体情况进行详细分析。结论 这种振动响应对飞机操纵、乘客舒适性是否会产生不利影响,需要进一步开展研究工作。     

Vision-independent odometry in the ant Cataglyphis cursor

In contrast to flying insects, in which distance estimation is visually mediated, self-induced image motion and use of familiar landmarks are known to play a minor role in ants. Here we show that strictly diurnal Cataglyphis cursor ants can gauge with accuracy the distance they have travelled even in complete darkness in the absence of any other cues, i.e. chemical or protocounting information. Thus, an ants odometer is a vision-independent system based on proprioceptive cues, implicating some form of step counting, which remain to be elucidated.     

机翼带外挂高阶高频颤振特性研究

目的研究机翼带多外挂物引起的高阶高频颤振的特性,为类似事例提供参考。方法基于某飞机带多外挂物构形进行结构动力学建模与修正、颤振计算分析和低速颤振风洞试验,最终进行颤振飞行试验验证。结果颤振计算分析和低速颤振风洞试验,可以得出明显的以副翼旋转和机翼二扭为主的高阶高频颤振,颤振飞行试验随着速度的增加,频谱分析图中低频峰值逐渐减小,高频峰值不断明显,与风洞试验规律基本一致,有高阶高频颤振迹象。结论各种研究方法均可得出高阶高频颤振现象及其特点,基本证实高阶高频颤振的存在。     

Analysis of coordinated circling and linear flights of a lycaenid butterfly species

Circling and linear flights of a hairstreak Chrysozephyrus smaragdinus were recorded in natural habitat with a high-speed video camera. Circling flight paths were resolved into rotation and shift components; values on X- and Y-coordinates of the butterfly position were separately extracted against time and fitted with a regression line composed of a sinusoidal curve and a linear line. From the obtained parameters, diameter, rotation number, and flight velocity were calculated. Flapping movements were also analyzed. Two types of circling flights, horizontal and vertical, were discriminated. In both flights, the rotation diameter was about 10 cm, rotation number of 3/s, flight velocity of 0.9 m/s, and wing-beat frequency of 20/s. The coordination of paired butterflies in circling flight showed a higher correlation in the horizontal circling flight. In the vertical circling flight, butterflies accelerated the downstroke speed of the wing in the ascending phase. They flew about four times faster in linear flights than in circling flights due to the higher frequency of wing beats.     

高超声速飞行器翼前缘射流降热研究

目的获得高超声速飞行器翼前缘射流降热机理。方法通过计算流体力学(CFD)方法,针对典型高超声速带翼飞行器开展飞行马赫数为15条件下的射流干扰热环境规律研究,分析无射流翼前缘气动加热特性,确定热流严酷射流开孔区域,分别在翼前缘激波干扰及翼后段布置射流孔,并设计射流流动参数,开展射流总压与来流总压比率在0.002～0.02范围内的流场仿真计算,获得局部流动及表面热流分布特性,针对计算结果进行对比分析。结果随着总压比率逐渐增大,激波干扰以及机翼后段射流孔区域热流均显著降低,降幅达76%～99%。翼中段无射流典型位置总压比率为0.002时热流增高,增幅为11%～24%,随着射流总压增大热流降低,降幅达68%～86%。高射流总压比率局部射流孔前热流增大2倍以上。结论射流影响下降热机理是射流将高温气体推离壁面,局部表面热流显著降低。低射流总压比率亚音速射流作用区域向下游延伸距离短,不会引起局部再附热流增大。高射流总压比率音速射流降热影响向下游明显延伸,增强射流强度可以增加延伸区长度,同时会诱导局部射流孔前再附热流显著增大。     

Serial Elastic Elements in the Damselfly Wing: Mobile Vein Joints Contain Resilin

 Two main types of joints occur in the damselfly wing: mobile and immobile. Some longitudinal veins (RP2^–, RP3&4^–, and MP^–) are elastically joined with cross veins, whereas other longitudinal veins (IR1⁺, IR2⁺, MA⁺, CuA'⁺) are firmly joined with cross veins. In this study we mapped the distribution of serial elastic elements in the wing. The occurrence of resilin, a rubberlike protein, in mobile joints suggests that the automatic twisting mechanism of the leading edge by aerodynamic force works not by flexibility but by the elasticity of these joints. First, it should result in elastic energy storage in the distal areas of the wing. Second, serial elastic elements of wing presumably act as dampers of an aerodynamic force, which are responsible for gradual twisting of the leading edge. Received: 16 March 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 26 August 1999     

Mating flights select for symmetry in honeybee drones (Apis mellifera)

Males of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) fly to specific drone congregation areas (DCAs), which virgin queens visit in order to mate. From the thousands of drones that are reared in a single colony, only very few succeed in copulating with a queen, and therefore, a strong selection is expected to act on adult drones during their mating flights. In consequence, the gathering of drones at DCAs may serve as an indirect mate selection mechanism, assuring that queens only mate with those individuals having a better flight ability and a higher responsiveness to the queen’s visual and chemical cues. Here, we tested this idea relying on wing fluctuating asymmetry (FA) as a measure of phenotypic quality. By recapturing marked drones at a natural DCA and comparing their size and FA with a control sample of drones collected at their maternal hives, we were able to detect any selection on wing size and wing FA occurring during the mating flights. Although we found no solid evidence for selection on wing size, wing FA was found to be significantly lower in the drones collected at the DCA than in those collected at the hives. Our results demonstrate the action of selection during drone mating flights for the first time, showing that developmental stability can influence the mating ability of honeybee drones. We therefore conclude that selection during honeybee drone mating flights may confer some fitness advantages to the queens.     

The Use of Low-Level Jets by Migrating Birds

 Birds flying at high altitudes have occasionally been observed above mountain areas and the open sea. For the first time the regular occurrence of migrating birds flying within a low-level jet at heights of 5000 to almost 9000 m asl. have now been verified by radar above the Negev desert in southern Israel. Tracks of rather large birds with wing-beat frequencies of 5–6 Hz were measured to have horizontal flight speeds up to 50 m/s. Visual observations, seasonal occurrence, and wing-beat frequencies allowed to associate them with small species of the order Ciconiiformes (mainly Ardeidae) and possibly with members of the Laro-Limicolae group. These wading birds seem prone to continuing nocturnal migration into daytime under favorable conditions and to make use of high wind speeds at sometimes extreme altitudes. Received: 21 June 1999 / Accepted in revised form: 26 August 1999