I ain’t afraid of no ghost

This paper criticizes the traditional philosophical account of the quantization of gauge theories and offers an alternative. On the received view, gauge theories resist quantization because they feature distinct mathematical representatives of the same physical state of affairs. This resistance is overcome by a sequence of ad hoc modifications, justified in part by reference to semiclassical electrodynamics. Among other things, these modifications introduce ”ghosts”: particles with unphysical properties which do not appear in asymptotic states and which are said to be purely a notational convenience. I argue that this sequence of modifications is unjustified and inadequate, making it a poor basis for the interpretation of ghosts. I then argue that gauge theories can be quantized by the same method as any other theory. On this account, ghosts are not purely notation: they are coordinates on the classical configuration space of the theory—specifically, on its gauge structure. This interpretation does not fall prey to the standard philosophical arguments against the significance of ghosts, due to Weingard. Weingard’s argumentative strategy, properly applied, in fact tells in favor of ghosts’ physical significance.     

Studies on induction hardening of powder-metallurgy-processed Fe-Cr/Mo alloys

Induction hardening of dense Fe-Cr/Mo alloys processed via the powder-metallurgy route was studied. The Fe-3Cr-0.5Mo, Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo, and Fe-0.85Mo pre-alloyed powders were mixed with 0.4wt%, 0.6wt%, and 0.8wt% C and compacted at 500, 600, and 700 MPa, respectively. The compacts were sintered at 1473 K for 1 h and then cooled at 6 K/min. Ferrite with pearlite was mostly observed in the sintered alloys with 0.4wt% C, whereas a carbide network was also present in the alloys with 0.8wt% C. Graphite at prior particle boundaries led to deterioration of the mechanical properties of alloys with 0.8wt% C, whereas no significant induction hardening was achieved in alloys with 0.4wt% C. Among the investigated samples, alloys with 0.6wt% C exhibited the highest strength and ductility and were found to be suitable for induction hardening. The hardening was carried out at a frequency of 2.0 kHz for 2-3 s. A case depth of 2.5 mm was achieved while maintaining the bulk (interior) hardness of approximately HV 230. A martensitic structure was observed on the outer periphery of the samples. The hardness varied from HV 600 to HV 375 from the sample surface to the interior of the case hardened region. The best combination of properties and hardening depth was achieved in case of the Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo alloy with 0.6wt% C.     

Guide for Authors

<正>The journal of"Progress in Natural Science:Materials International(PROG NAT SCI-MATER)"sponsored and organized by both Chinese Materials Research Society(C-MRS)and Inter national Union of Materials Research Societies(IUMRS)started to publish     

Whence the eigenstate–eigenvalue link?

David Wallace has recently argued that the eigenstate–eigenvalue (E–E) link has no place in serious discussions of quantum mechanics on the grounds that, as he claims, the E–E link is an invention of philosophers rather than the community of practicing physicists. This raises an historical question regarding the origin of the link. This paper aims to answer this question by tracing the historical development of the link through six key textbooks of quantum mechanics. In light of the historical evidence from these textbooks, it is argued that Wallace provides insufficient grounds for dismissing the E–E link from discussions of quantum mechanics.     

You are what you eat: native versus exotic Crotalaria species (Fabaceae) as host plants of the Ornate Bella Moth,Utetheisa ornatrix (Lepidoptera: Erebidae: Arctiinae)

Crotalaria plants and Utetheisa ornatrix are closely linked to each other: the larvae destroy the seeds, while the moth depends on hostplants for alkaloids. To better understand the ongoing co-evolution, the present study examines how native hostplants compare to exotic ones. Leaf-feeding on Crotalaria pumila, C. rotundifolia, and C. incana, native to the moth’s range, led to faster larval development than on the exotic C. lanceolata, C. spectabilis, and C. pallida. Seed-feeding on all species of Crotalaria led to accelerated larval development and a resultant larger adult moth, and correlates with a higher nitrogen content in the plant tissues. These results add a novel dimension to the previous studies of reproductive biology of this model organism. In controlled settings, mature larvae showed preference for leaves of C. spectabilis over those of other species, perhaps due to the higher alkaloid content. Differences in morphology and phenology of Crotalaria determine the ecology of U. ornatrix populations in Florida. The introduction of novel hostplants, on which U. ornatrix can have a significant negative effect and which are of concern to humans as invasive toxic weeds, has greatly expanded the niche occupied by this moth. Possible co-evolution of Utetheisa sensu lato and plant defences in the genus Crotalaria is discussed.     

A new feather mite genus of the family Psoroptoididae (Acari: Analgoidea) from cassowaries

A new feather mite genus Hexacaudalges gen. n. (Psoroptoididae: Psoroptoidinae) is established based on the type species Megninia casuaricola Proctor, 2001 Proctor, H. C. 2001. Megninia casuaricola sp. n. (Acari: Analgidae), the first feather mite from a cassowary (Aves: Struthioniformes: Casuariidae).. Australian Journal of Entomology, 40: 335–341. [Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar], which was originally described from the southern cassowary Casuarius casuarius (Struthioniformes: Casuariidae). Morphological peculiarities of this genus, its taxonomic position within the family Psoroptoididae and possible origin are discussed. We also present a clarification of setal nomenclature for this family of mites.     

Radiolarians from the British North‐Polar Expedition (1875–1876): re‐examination of the H. B. Brady (1878) collection

The earliest report on radiolarians from the Arctic Ocean (north of the Arctic Circle) was provided by H. B. Brady (1878 Brady, H. B. 1878. On the reticularian and radiolarian Rhizopoda (Foraminifera and Polycystina) of the North‐Polar Expedition of 1875–76.. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, Series 5, 1: 425–440. [Taylor & Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]). He documented the occurrences of 10 genera from soundings in northern Baffin Bay and north of Greenland, but he did not illustrate any specimens in his report. We have re‐examined Brady's original slide collection, housed at the Natural History Museum, London (NHM), in order to refine his radiolarian identifications to species level. We have identified 11 radiolarian taxa in his slides, but some are definitely more characteristic of tropical oceans rather than high northern latitudes. We conclude that this is most likely due to sample contamination or misidentification of samples. Therefore, the actual occurrence of tropically affiliated radiolarians recorded from the Arctic is uncertain and should be regarded with suspicion.     

Indirect and direct acoustic aggression in cicadas: first observations in the Palaearctic genus Tibicina Amyot (Hemiptera: Cicadomorpha: Cicadidae)

Tibicina Amyot is a cicada genus of the Palaearctic biogeographical region with seven taxa (species and subspecies) distributed in France. As in other cicadas, the sound production by tymbal vibration is restricted to males. In Tibicina, males are attracted by conspecific calling songs and tend to form groups of several individuals which maintain a minimal distance between each other. Observations based upon male–male interactions in such aggregations and on some preliminary experiments conducted with males kept in captivity revealed for the first time both indirect and direct aggression. Spacing and chorusing are interpreted as a by-product of indirect aggression mediated through the calling song. Direct aggression occurred when spacing is not respected. It is achieved through a ritualistic sequence that involves mainly the production of the rivalry song, an acoustic signal previously reported in the literature for two cicada species only. In addition, satellite males and male–male courting are reported. These preliminary results suggest that the sound social organization in the genus Tibicina is more elaborate than first suspected and should be reconsidered in terms of lek behaviour and sexual selection.     

The host-plant range of twig-girdling beetles (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Lamiinae: Onciderini) of the Atlantic rainforest in southeastern Brazil

In this study, the host-plant range of Onciderini beetles was investigated during 4 years in an Atlantic rainforest of southeastern Brazil. Twelve species of Onciderini beetles girdled thirty-six plant species in the study site. In total, 1046 plants were girdled by Onciderini beetles as follows: 44.6% were Vochysiaceae, 15% were Mymosaceae, 12% were Melastomataceae, 9% were Lauraceae, 4% were Anacardiaceae and 15% were distributed among Meliaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Bombacaceae, Fabaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Cecropiaceae, Myrtaceae, Lecythidaceae, and Myrsinaceae. Onciderini beetles did not select hosts randomly. Most of the associations (70%) with host plants were caused by polyphagous beetles and different plant families showed different ratios of polyphagous, oligophagous and monophagous Onciderini in the study site.     

The atyid shrimp (Crustacea: Decapoda: Atyidae) rostrum: phylogeny versus adaptation,taxonomy versus trophic ecology

Cave shrimps of the subgenus Troglocaris (Atyidae), exhibit high variability in rostral length and dentition. In shrimp populations that co-occur with the amphibian predator Proteus anguinus, longer rostra armed with more numerous teeth are recorded. These shrimps are also larger than those living in a presumably Proteus-free environment. Discrepancies between molecularly established phylogenetic relationships and distributions of rostral length, as well as body size, directed our search towards possible environmental influences. These discrepancies suggest that rostral shape is not a reliable taxonomic character in some generic and many specific diagnoses in Atyidae. We discuss some taxonomic consequences of sexual and ontogenetic rostral differences with regard to the molecular phylogenetic tree. In preliminary laboratory observations, no frontal attack by Proteus was successful on shrimps with long rostra. Proteus also needed more time to swallow shrimps with long rostra.