鳞毛蕨属的生物系统学研究

At the outset the paper begins with a brief discussion of the geographical origin of the genus Dryopteris. With the cytological data so far available the author presumed that the No- rthern Hemisphere and possibly Eurasia is the geographical origin of the genus and that the Eastern Himalayas, China and Japan is the centre of speciation of the genus, and thence has spread to other continents along several routes. He is also of the opinion that the genus  tends to evolve the highest grade of polyploidy where it has existed longest. On the other hand, he pointed out that the production of polyploids may occur most frequently in response to pressures which a group meets in the course of its migration in space and time, with  the  majority  of diploids persisting as relics close to the original centre of diversification.       He then described the progress of the biosystematics of the European and North American Dryopteris, which has been undertaken through a close cooperation among botanists, cytologists and phytochemists of different nations. This team is also looking forward to a cooperation with the Chinese botanists in the study of East Asian species of Dryopteris, so that the relationships of Chinese species and those of other floras can be understood.       The term biosystematics had been invented to mean experimental studies of breeding sy- stems of the species concerned in order to ellucidate their evolutionary relationships.  It stems from the early researches of Professor Irene Manton whose classical book “Problems of Cytology and Evolution in the Pteridophyta” (1950) laid the foundation of Biosystematics. Manton was also the first to introduce the acetocarmine squash  method for staining  chromosomes  in  the spore-mother-cells at meiosis.       The lecture was illustrated with diagrams showing in detail the pairing behaviour of the chromosomes at the metaphase in meiosis and the formation of the polyploidies of different levels.       Besides cytological approach two other techniques have been also applied to the systematic studies of Dryopteris. The first is the comparison of sporoderms  using the scaning  electron microscope, revealing different ornamentations on the pericine. The second is the study of plant chemistry, in particular, that of the phloroglucinoles by thinlayer chromatography.       The remaining far greater part of the paper is devoted to analysing cytologically the Eu- ropean and North American species of Dryopteris in three groups, showing the lines of experi-mental work that has resulted in the understanding of their evolutional relationships.     

Aerodynamic drag and biomechanical power of a track cyclist as a function of shoulder and torso angles

The speed attained by a track cyclist is strongly influenced by aerodynamic drag, being the major retarding force in track events of more than 200 m. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of changes in shoulder and torso angles on the aerodynamic drag and power output of a track cyclist. The drag of three competitive track cyclists was measured in a wind tunnel at 40 kph. Changes in shoulder and torso angles were made using a custom adjustable handlebar setup. The power output was measured for each position using an SRM Power Meter. The power required by each athlete to maintain a specific speed in each position was calculated, which enabled the surplus power in each position to be determined. The results showed that torso angle influenced the drag area and shoulder angle influenced the power output, and that a low torso angle and middle shoulder angle optimised the surplus power. However, the lowest possible torso angle was not always the best position. Although differences between individual riders was seen, there was a strong correlation between torso angle and drag area.     

Determining optimal pacing strategy for the track cycling individual pursuit event with a fixed energy mathematical model

Competitive track cycling races are won by milliseconds, and the regulation of an athlete’s power output is an important factor in performance. The aim of this study was to use a mathematical model to predict finishing times for different pacing strategies for the individual pursuit (IP), to identify the optimal strategy in terms of fastest finishing time. Power profiles were generated for a number of common pacing strategies used in cycling, which were based on actual SRM power data for an elite, male, IP cyclist for whom the average power, maximum power, total work done and actual finishing time were known. The total work output was the same for all strategies and the finishing time was predicted using a mathematical model developed previously. The results showed that, of the strategies tested, an initial “all-out” high power acceleration phase followed by a lower constant power output produced the fastest finishing time for a 4,000 m IP event, and that the time spent in the initial high power acceleration phase had a significant effect on performance.     

A variable drag coefficient,spatially extended numerical model of hammer throws and new wind tunnel data on current hammers

The maximum distance a hammer can be thrown depends on its mass, length and aerodynamic drag, meaning that record hammer throws performed before and after a rule change (for example, if the minimum mass is changed) cannot be compared directly. However, if all factors affecting the flight of a hammer are fully understood, and the range travelled by a hammer thrown with a given initial speed, angle and release height can be predicted, records thrown under different rules can be compared. In this work, a numerical model is developed, which includes the effects of atmospheric pressure, altitude, Coriolis Effect, gravitational variation, wind speed, ambient temperature, linear drag, torsional drag, hammer size and hammer orientation. It is based on the model of Mizera and Horvath (J Biomech 35:785–796, 2002). Two refinements are made: the drag coefficient varies with Reynolds number, and the hammer is represented as a spatially extended object with nonzero moment of inertia. New wind tunnel data on the drag of the three main components of the hammer (ball, cable and handle) are presented. This data are incorporated into the model which is then used to predict throws made at the IAAF 2011 World Athletics Championships (Daegu, Korea). The model is shown to be capable of predicting to within 1 % the distance of hammer throws where the air density, latitude, release height, release angle and release velocity are known. It is more accurate than numeric and analytic models which assume a constant drag coefficient. This may be because it does not require the user to choose the drag coefficient and automatically uses an appropriate drag coefficient regardless of conditions. With a good biomechanical model or good assumptions about release speeds, throws with different implements can be compared to compare records thrown before and after rule changes. Further work is needed to develop a biomechanical model capable of predicting the release speed an athlete can achieve with a range of different implements.     

Optimal handlebar position for track cyclists

Wind tunnel tests were carried out on seven male and seven female track cyclists and the drag measured for their current favoured racing position and for different handlebar height and separation combinations deviating from their current favoured position. The handlebars were raised or lowered using spacers on the stem, and the elbow pads were placed wider apart or closer together using the adjustment slots on the pads. The degree to which adjustments were made was dependent on the equipment used, as not all handlebars had the same amount of adjustment. The drag area was calculated from the measured drag force and the results for drag area plotted for each athlete in each position to identify the optimal handlebar position for each athlete. The results showed that the handlebar height had a greater influence on the drag area compared to handlebar separation, but that there was a high degree of variability between athletes as to the optimal handlebar position.