Shape discrimination by wasps ( Paravespula germanica ) at the food source: generalization among various types of contrast

Wasps (Paravespula germanica) were trained and tested at an artificial feeding site, using convex shapes that produced colour contrast, luminance contrast, or motion contrast against the background. With each of the three types of contrast, we tested the wasps' capacity to discriminate the learned shape from novel shapes. In addition, in each experiment we tested the wasps' capability to recognize the learned shape when it offered a different type of contrast than that it had during the training. With the coloured shapes, a side-glance at the colour discrimination performance of the wasps was possible in addition. Wasps are found to discriminate between a variety of convex shapes regardless of the type of contrast that they produce against the background. Mainly, they discriminate the learned shape from novel shapes even if the colour of the shapes or the type of contrast they produce against the background is altered in the test. Thus, wasps generalize the learned shape from one colour to another, as well as between colour contrast, luminance contrast, and motion contras

TUNING TO ROAD AND LOAD PASSIVE SUSPENSIONS MULTI-MODELLING AND OPTIMISATION

This work explores the ability to apply multi-modeling technique of new suspension system based on a shock absorber model VZN (European Patent 1190184/20052). Here are presented the results of their own scientific research on the multi-modelling a auto vehicles suspension systems based on passive hydraulic shock absorbers with variable damping characteristics depending on the position of the sprung mass and road conditions. For such a system was proposed and verified by in Matlab-Simulink simulation, a procedure for optimizing the damping characteristics of the road conditions and load given. Suspension system is represented by a quarter-car multi-model with one degree of freedom and representative way perturbation by white noise. Proposed new criterion function in optimisation self-adaptive passive suspension

MERCATOR: Methods and Realization for Control of the Attitude and the Orbit of spacecraft

Since 1974, CNES has been involved in geostationary positioning. Among different entities participating in operations and their preparation, the Flight Dynamics Center (FDC) is in charge of performing the following tasks: orbit determination; attitude determination; computation, monitoring, and calibration of orbit maneuvers; computation, monitoring, and calibration of attitude maneuvers; and operational predictions. In order to fulfill this mission, the FDC receives telemetry from the satellite and localization measurements from ground stations (e.g., CNES, NASA, INTELSAT). These data are processed by space dynamics programs integrated in the MERCATOR system which is run on SUN workstations (UNIX O.S.). The main features of MERCATOR are redundancy, modularity, and flexibility: efficient, flexible, and user friendly man-machine interface; and four identical SUN stations redundantly linked in an Ethernet network. Each workstation can perform all the tasks from data acquisition to computation results dissemination through a video network. A team of four engineers can handle the space mechanics aspects of a complete geostationary positioning from the injection into a transfer orbit to the final maneuvers in the station-keeping window. MERCATOR has been or is to be used for operations related to more than ten geostationary positionings. Initially developed for geostationary satellites, MERCATOR's methodology was also used for satellite control centers and can be applied to a wide range of satellites and to future manned missions

Data Anonymization: K-anonymity Sensitivity Analysis

These days the digitization process is everywhere, spreading also across central governments and local authorities. It is hoped that, using open government data for scientific research purposes, the public good and social justice might be enhanced. Taking into account the European General Data Protection Regulation recently adopted, the big challenge in Portugal and other European countries, is how to provide the right balance between personal data privacy and data value for research. This work presents a sensitivity study of data anonymization procedure applied to a real open government data available from the Brazilian higher education evaluation system. The ARX k-anonymization algorithm, with and without generalization of some research value variables, was performed. The analysis of the amount of data / information lost and the risk of re-identification suggest that the anonymization process may lead to the under-representation of minorities and sociodemographic disadvantaged groups. It will enable scientists to improve the balance among risk, data usability, and contributions for the public good policies and practices.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rock engravings in the northern section of Pali Aike volcanic field, Province of Santa Cruz, Argentina: Variability in the "style Río Chico"

En el marco de investigaciones en curso, se reconocieron tres localizaciones con grabados rupestres, clase de manifestación visual que no cuenta con precedentes en la cuenca del río Gallegos. Estas fueron identificadas en la estancia Bella Vista, en las laderas de una colada basáltica que enmarca una cuenca endorreica de grandes dimensiones conocida localmente como ?Bajo El Cóndor?. Si bien se trata de una única colada basáltica, los soportes utilizados no son los mismos y corresponden a dos cuevas de pequeñas dimensiones y una pared rocosa contigua a una cueva.The first record of rock engravings of the “Río Chico style” is presented. This record expands the variability of techniques attributable to this style. The rock engravings are located in the middle course of the Gallegos river, in the northern sector of Pali Aike Volcanics Field -CVPA- (province of Santa Cruz, Argentina). The co-ocurrence of paintings and rock engravings in relation to large water bodies (Laguna Potrok Aike and Bajo El Cóndor) reinforces a recurrent human use of these areas in relation to the rest of the Gallegos basin.Fil: Manzi, Liliana Mabel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Saavedra 15. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Historia y Ciencias Humanas; ArgentinaFil: Carballo Marina, Flavia Elena. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Unidad Académica Río Gallegos; ArgentinaFil: Campan, Patricia Alejandra. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia Austral. Unidad Académica Río Gallegos; Argentin

Late Holocene guanaco hunting grounds in southern Patagonia: blinds, tactics and differential landscape use

Research in two distinct steppe landscapes in southern Patagonia-the western basaltic plateaux and the central Deseado Massif-compares hunter-gatherer strategies in the two environments, focusing on the use of hunting blinds and associated tactics in the hunting of guanaco. The evidence obtained brings this region into discussions about the use of rocky structures and the recognition of tactics used for hunting ungulates in a global perspective. The authors also emphasise the importance of highland settings as major and reliable sources of critical resources for foraging peoples, a topic still not fully appreciated in archaeological studies of hunter-gatherers.Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Muse

Etude de la répartition du grillon des bois Nemobius sylvestris (Rosc) dans un habitat naturel — I. les larves

The spatial distribution of a larval population of wood- crickets (Nemobius sylvestris) has been studied into two obser vation quadrats, located close to the edges of an oak wood near Toulouse (fig. 1). In both study areas, population density varied seasonally, with peak numbers during summer and autumn, depending upon climatic conditions. Whereas larval distribution was clumped all the year round in quadrat A located near the E-W edge of the wood, the situation was different in quadrat B located near the NNe-SSw border of the same wood. The observed difference in larval distribution pattern between the two quadrats can be explained by the effect of forest border orientation upon the aggregation of wood-cricket larvae. At any time of the year, their numbers increased progressively, from the edge of the wood to 15 metres inside, in quadrat A. The situation was different in quadrat B, except in winter time. Larval distribution was also influenced by the proximity of trees. In quadrat A, the wood-cricket larvae were more numerous close to the base of the trees. This also occured in quadrat B, but only during the summer and the autumn. The various factors influencing the spatial distribution of Nemobius sylvestris larvae can act synergically or antagonistically, according to local conditions. However the proximity of a forest border and its orientation appear to play the major roles