Abstract This paper presents the characterization of dielectric properties (dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss factor) of Tommy Atkins mango (Mangifera indica L), a fruit produced in several regions of Brazil, of great economic importance. The fruits were characterized according to their maturation index, by probe method, and identified by the yellowish tone in their bark. The results allowed correlating the dielectric characteristics of the fruit with the physicochemical transformations that occurred in the maturation process of the mango Tommy. It was also verified a greater variation in the frequencies below 1 GHz, with the maturation indicated by the dielectric signature on the fifth day after the harvest. From these results, we can observe the use of electromagnetic materials and techniques in the solution and optimization of processes in agriculture can improve the quality of products consumed or suggesting best practices to the productive sector.

This work presents a laboratory study on the behavior of turbulent boundary layers over steep topographic elevations. Two main topics of interest are addressed here: (i) to investigate and characterize the separated flow region that is formed on the leeside of a steep elevation, and (ii) to evaluate the effects of flow stability conditions on the properties of boundary layers also subject to surface changes in elevation. To carry out this task, water channel and wind-tunnel investigations were conducted. For the former research topic, a neutrally stratified boundary layer was simulated in the water-channel of the Hydraulics Laboratory of FEUP. Mean and turbulent velocities were measured through laser-Doppler anemometry. Results provided a thorough description of the inner layers along the hill and inside the recirculation region. The refined near-wall data has contributed to the calculation of the friction velocity along the hill through different methods. For the latter topic, neutral, stable and unstable boundary layers were simulated in a wind-tunnel in the Laboratory of Turbulence Mechanics of COPPE/UFRJ. Simultaneous velocity and temperature fields were measured with the aid of thermal anemometry. These results allowed the characterization of the effects of the stratification on the speed-up factor, i.e. the maximum acceleration of the flow on hilltop. The present paper has introduced the concept of the heat up/down factor, in order to study the behaviour of the temperature field on the crest of the elevation.

Occurence of Dentocarpus silvai silvai, Dusbabek & Cruz, 1966 (Acari: Chirodiscidae) on two molossids (Mammalia: Chiroptera) species in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil - In 2001 mites from three bats were collected, Molossus ater at Silva Jardim municipality and from Molossus molossus at Rio de Janeiro municipality, both in the Rio de Janeiro state. The mites where identified as Dentocarpus silvai silvai (Acari: Chirodiscidae), this being the first report of this mite species in Brazil.

The complex mobility of electrons in 3C - and 6H-SiC subjected to intense high frequency electric fields is calculated taking into account effects of band nonparabolicity. The electric field, given by a dc component plus an ac component in the frequency range 0.1-100 THz, is applied along the [0001] ([111]) direction in the hexagonal (cubic) polytype. The real electron mobility presents a characteristic maximum peaking around 6-8 THz, while the imaginary electron mobility is structured, with characteristic minimum and maximum around 2-3 THz and 20{30 THz, respectively. These mobilities are seen to smooth down for higher temperatures in both polytypes.

A study of the subpicosecond high-field electron transport transient in 3C- and 6H-SiC polytypes at high lattice temperatures is performed. Electric field intensities up to 1000 kV/cm and lattice temperatures of 300, 673, and 1073 K are considered. It is shown that the transient regime behavior depends on the electric field intensity as well as on the lattice temperature, but it is always shorter or of the order of 0.3 ps. For the lowest lattice temperature, an electron velocity overshoot can always occur when the electric field intensity is higher than 300 kV/cm, but it decreases and can even disappear when the lattice temperature is raised.