Instrumentations to investigate magnetoreception in homing pigeons (Columba livia)

Seasonal migration of birds from one place to another is a very complex phenomenon investigated by researchers for many years. Birds move from one area to other often covering thousands of kilometres, and some species even fly only at night. In order to find the proper direction and their way to specific areas, birds use many cues, which can vary, for example objects that can be seen, smell or the perception of other environmental features. The type of cue depends upon whether the birds have to travel a short distance or if they have to travel to distant locations. The cues for birds, which migrate at day time, are rather different from those who travel at night. The first chapter of this thesis covers details of the strategies that pigeons use when homing and the interplay of the various navigation cues used. Various experiments have been carried out on pigeons but the results are quite complex. However, previous experiments have demonstrated that pigeons have the ability to use geomagnetism as a reference in order to find their way. The inclination and intensity of the field vector are both used as references. In this PhD research, I mainly focused on getting an answer whether homing pigeons are able to sense the Earth's magnetic field, which could then be used as a navigational cue in order to navigate and migrate. I have designed a 3D Helmholtz coil setup to a create variety of artificial magnetic fields and tried to evaluate the bird’s horizontal head movements recorded by a camera located above the coils. The effect of different fields has been examined, such as sweeping, null, steady and flipping fields. Evidence was found that homing pigeons are able to distinguish a flipping field from a steady field, and this can be observed by changes in their head movement. Homing pigeons have also been shown to distinguish different frequencies of flipping inclination field conditions. Data analysis has revealed that the pigeons respond more obviously to a field rotating in both directions, clockwise and counter clockwise. This response has been seen whether compared to a natural baseline or artificial baseline. However, the pigeons' response to the other magnetic field conditions varied significantly depending on the baseline type. III Noor Aldoumani Content Also, I focused on developing a head tracking system in order to extract pigeon's head saccades more accurately while the pigeons are experiencing the various field conditions. The main aim of the new tracking system is to investigate a pigeon's response to the Earth's magnetic field, which requires 3D monitoring of its motor responses to various stimuli. Conventional video analysis (VTA) involves tracking a 2D image, and the resulting data can be noisy and limited to a single field of view (one rotational angle)

Human factors in instructional augmented reality for intravehicular spaceflight activities and How gravity influences the setup of interfaces operated by direct object selection

In human spaceflight, advanced user interfaces are becoming an interesting mean to facilitate human-machine interaction, enhancing and guaranteeing the sequences of intravehicular space operations. The efforts made to ease such operations have shown strong interests in novel human-computer interaction like Augmented Reality (AR). The work presented in this thesis is directed towards a user-driven design for AR-assisted space operations, iteratively solving issues arisen from the problem space, which also includes the consideration of the effect of altered gravity on handling such interfaces.Auch in der bemannten Raumfahrt steigt das Interesse an neuartigen Benutzerschnittstellen, um nicht nur die Mensch-Maschine-Interaktion effektiver zu gestalten, sondern auch um einen korrekten Arbeitsablauf sicherzustellen. In der Vergangenheit wurden wiederholt Anstrengungen unternommen, Innenbordarbeiten mit Hilfe von Augmented Reality (AR) zu erleichtern. Diese Arbeit konzentriert sich auf einen nutzerorientierten AR-Ansatz, welcher zum Ziel hat, die Probleme schrittweise in einem iterativen Designprozess zu lösen. Dies erfordert auch die Berücksichtigung veränderter Schwerkraftbedingungen

Engineering derivatives from biological systems for advanced aerospace applications

The present study consisted of a literature survey, a survey of researchers, and a workshop on bionics. These tasks produced an extensive annotated bibliography of bionics research (282 citations), a directory of bionics researchers, and a workshop report on specific bionics research topics applicable to space technology. These deliverables are included as Appendix A, Appendix B, and Section 5.0, respectively. To provide organization to this highly interdisciplinary field and to serve as a guide for interested researchers, we have also prepared a taxonomy or classification of the various subelements of natural engineering systems. Finally, we have synthesized the results of the various components of this study into a discussion of the most promising opportunities for accelerated research, seeking solutions which apply engineering principles from natural systems to advanced aerospace problems. A discussion of opportunities within the areas of materials, structures, sensors, information processing, robotics, autonomous systems, life support systems, and aeronautics is given. Following the conclusions are six discipline summaries that highlight the potential benefits of research in these areas for NASA's space technology programs

Evaluating consumer grade UAVs and their potential applications and implications in Ontario consulting archaeology

Archaeological investigation is an inherently destructive process that threatens permanent data loss if archaeological sites are inadequately recorded. While archaeologists strive to develop innovative methods to ensure adequate data capture, they are often inhibited by funding and training in new methodologies. Limited funding is exacerbated in a consulting archaeology framework in Ontario where budgets are competitively determined and offer little flexibility or incentive to exceed the minimum standards enforced by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport (MTCS). This thesis critically examines consumer-grade unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as a potential site recording and prospecting tool. Through four case studies, the UAVs efficacy is evaluated and UAV-derived data products are outlined to determine whether the aerial platform is a suitable technological innovation that increases data capture while remaining affordable for Ontario consultant archaeologists

Research and technology, 1992

Selected research and technology activities at Ames Research Center, including the Moffett Field site and the Dryden Flight Research Facility, are summarized. These activities exemplify the Center's varied and productive research efforts for 1992

Aerospace medicine and biology: A continuing bibliography with indexes (supplement 405)

This bibliography lists 225 reports, articles and other documents introduced into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information System during Sep. 1995. Subject coverage includes: aerospace medicine and physiology, life support systems and man/system technology, protective clothing, exobiology and extraterrestrial life, planetary biology, and flight crew behavior and performance

Spatial Displays and Spatial Instruments

The conference proceedings topics are divided into two main areas: (1) issues of spatial and picture perception raised by graphical electronic displays of spatial information; and (2) design questions raised by the practical experience of designers actually defining new spatial instruments for use in new aircraft and spacecraft. Each topic is considered from both a theoretical and an applied direction. Emphasis is placed on discussion of phenomena and determination of design principles

Research and Technology, 1989

Selected research and technology activities at Ames Research Center, including the Moffett Field site and the Dryden Flight Research Facility, are summarized. These accomplishments exemplify the Center's varied and highly productive research efforts for 1989

A right hemisphere advantage for processing blurred faces

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