Optimization of a range of 2D and 3D bulk forming processes by a meta-model assisted evolution strategy

International audienceAfter decades of developing efficient software, FORGE, for bulk metal forming simulation, its coupling with an optimization algorithm is considered in order to solve the actual engineering problem, the design problem, using the meta-model assisted evolution strategy proposed by Emmerich et al. The first application regards the shape optimization of a cylindrical preform to produce a crankshaft by closed die forging. It aims at minimizing the volume of the material while satisfying the filling of the dies. In the second application, the open die forging of an axisymmetric thick plate is considered. The objective is to optimize the initial geometry in order to minimize the material weight while overlapping a prescribed geometry at the end of forging. The third example regards a four-stepped wire drawing sequence. In order to prevent the formation of cracks, it is desired to minimize a damage criterion while keeping the targeted diameter of the final wire. The geometries of the four dies are optimized: reduction ratio, die angle and die length. The necessary calculations are run in parallel, by using both the parallel version of the software and by evaluating several designs at the same time

Impact of mechanical anisotropy on flat-rolled wires geometry

International audienceA precise final geometry of flat-rolled wires is required in view of their industrial applications. However, comparison between experimental and computed cross-sections shows a gap of 10%. This difference might originate in the anisotropy introduced by wire drawing. Coefficients of an anisotropic constitutive model (Hill 48) have been identified from transverse compression tests. Then Lam3®, a finite element software, has been used to simulate rolling passes. The anisotropic law previously established significantly improves the estimation of the final width: yet the underestimation of the experimental width is 5% instead of 10%. Possible ways for further improvement are discussed

Planeamiento estratégico de la industria de la música en el Perú

La música es una valiosa forma de expresión del sentimiento humano y un aporte fundamental para la identidad, la convivencia y la cohesión social de un país. Además, en la actualidad, es un componente principal de las industrias culturales y uno de las mayores aportantes del PBI, así como de la creación de fuentes de trabajo en los países más desarrollados, ello se refleja en el interés mostrado en la Organización Mundial de Comercio y las exigencias al cumplimiento de mayor protección a la propiedad intelectual antes de las firmas de tratados de libre comercio (TLC). Sin embargo, en el Perú y América Latina desde siempre, se le ha atribuido a la cultura sólo un carácter social e ideológico, y se ha dejado en un segundo plano su valía como sector productivo de elevada trascendencia en términos económicos. De este modo, mientras que las industrias culturales (prensa, literatura, radio, televisión, software, publicidad, música y publicidad) durante el año 1998 aportaron el 7.8% del PBI en los Estados Unidos, en el Perú, el aporte de las industrias culturales fue tan sólo de 0.40%. En el 2011, la Industria de la Música en el Perú por sí misma, tuvo una aportación al valor agregado (VA) según el presente estudio de sólo 0.091% sin considerar el efecto sombra. Esta cifra es muy preocupante por los siguientes motivos principales: (a) la gran desventaja comparativa del Perú con respecto a las economías similares de la región; (b) la pérdida de oportunidad en la generación de fuentes de trabajo, y (c) la amenaza de la alienación cultural extranjera sobre las generaciones jóvenes y venideras. El propósito de esta tesis, es señalar los aspectos estratégicos que impulsen, mediante una visión a largo plazo, el desarrollo de la Industria de la Música en el Perú, y su aporte al desarrollo sostenido del país. En la presente tesis se utilizó el modelo de D’Alessio (2008), planteándose soluciones objetivas y mesurables para el año 2018Music is a valuable form of expression of the human feeling and an important contribution to the identity, coexistence and social cohesion of a nation. Moreover, at present, it is a basic component of the cultural industries and one of the mayor contributors of GDP as well as the creation of jobs in developed countries. This is reflected in the interest shown in global trading and the compliance requirements to protect intellectual property prior to the signatures of free trade agreements. Nevertheless, In Peru and Latin America, culture has always been attributed a social and ideological character, leaving at a second level its value as a productive sector of high significance in economic terms. In this way, while the cultural industries (press, literature, radio. television, software, publicity, music and politics) provide 7.8% of the GDP of the United States in 1998, while in Peru the contribution of the cultural industries, was 0.40%. In 2011, Peruvian Music Industry itself, according to this research, had a contribution of only 0.91% of value added. This figure is very worrying for the following main reasons: (a) the large Peru comparative disadvantage relative to similar economies of the region, (b) loss of opportunity in generating jobs, and (c) the threat of foreign cultural alienation of young people and future generations. The purpose of this thesis is to identify strategic issues that drive through a long-term, the development of Peruvian Music Industry, and its contribution to sustainable development of Peru. In this thesis we used D'Alessio model (2008), considering objective and measurable solutions for 2018Tesi

Marine Strategy Framework Directive - Descriptor 2, Non-Indigenous Species, Delivering solid recommendations for setting threshold values for non-indigenous species pressure on European seas

Marine Non-Indigenous Species (NIS) are animals and plants introduced accidently or deliberately into the European seas, originating from other seas of the globe. About 800 marine non-indigenous species (NIS) currently occur in the European Union national marine waters, several of which have negative impacts on marine ecosystem services and biodiversity. Under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Descriptor 2 (D2), EU Member States (MSs) need to consider NIS in their marine management strategies. The Descriptor D2 includes one primary criterion (D2C1: new NIS introductions), and two secondary criteria (D2C2 and D2C3). The D2 implementation is characterized by a number of issues and uncertainties which can be applicable to the Descriptor level (e.g. geographical unit of assessment, assessment period, phytoplanktonic, parasitic, oligohaline NIS, etc.), to the primary criterion D2C1 level (e.g. threshold values, cryptogenic, questionable species, etc), and to the secondary criteria D2C2 and D2C3. The current report tackles these issues and provides practical recommendations aiming at a smoother and more efficient implementation of D2 and its criteria at EU level. They constitute a solid operational output which can result in more comparable D2 assessments among MSs and MSFD regions/subregions. When it comes to the policy-side, the current report calls for a number of different categories of NIS to be reported in D2 assessments, pointing the need for the species to be labelled/categorised appropriately in the MSFD reporting by the MSs. These suggestions are proposed to be communicated to the MSFD Working Group of Good Environmental Status (GES) and subsequently to the Marine Strategy Coordination Group (MSCG) of MSFD. Moreover, they can serve as an input for revising the Art. 8 Guidelines

La gestion de l'eau et des milieux aquatiques en zone humide littorale endiguée : une dimension multi-usages à affirmer et de nouvelles démarches à mettre en oeuvre. Exemple du marais Breton / The management of water and aquatic environments in dyked coastal marshes ; in support of view and multi-user approaches ; the case of the "marais Breton" in France

Most reports refer to a large decrease of wetland zones, despite the increasing awareness of the necessity of their protection. An important factor explaining this contradiction would be the failure to appreciate the importance of water and aquatic biotopes in rural planning and management. Dyked marshes of the Atlantic coast are no exception to this rule. The necessity of water management on a watershed scale in a new multiuser context must lead to new rules for wetlands management. The Life-Norspa programme developed on the Marais Breton as part ot the "Schéma de mise en valeur de la baie de Bourgneuf" aims to define some indicators of the condition of these wetlands and to estimate the constraints resulting from their protection. Some pilot-schemes have been implemented to put these concepts of integrated water management into practice.La plupart des bilans font état d’une forte régression des surfaces des zones humides, malgré une prise de conscience croissante de la nécessité de leur sauvegarde. L'absence de prise en compte significative de l'eau et des milieux aquatiques dans les démarches développées sur ces territoires pourrait expliquer un tel décalage. Les marais endigués de la façade atlantique, en position intermédiaire entre continent et bande côtière, n'échappent pas à cette règle ; la nécessaire gestion de l'eau à l'échelle des bassins versants, dans un nouveau contexte de multi-usages, doit susciter une évolution notable des structures et des modes de gestion de ces territoires et de leurs milieux aquatiques. Le programme Life-Norspa engagé sur le marais Breton dans le cadre du Schéma de mise en valeur de la baie de Bourgneuf vise à déterminer des indicateurs d’état des zones humides et à préciser les contraintes liées à leur sauvegarde, en particulier sous l’aspect des peuplements piscicoles. Des aménagements témoins ont été réalisés pour mettre en application ces principes de gestion intégrée.Merle Valérie, Rigaud Christian, Massé Jacques. La gestion de l'eau et des milieux aquatiques en zone humide littorale endiguée : une dimension multi-usages à affirmer et de nouvelles démarches à mettre en oeuvre. Exemple du marais Breton / The management of water and aquatic environments in dyked coastal marshes ; in support of view and multi-user approaches ; the case of the "marais Breton" in France. In: Cahiers du Centre nantais de recherche pour l'aménagement régional, n°47-48, 1997. Littoral 95 - Actes du Colloque International Continuités et ruptures sur les littoraux européens. pp. 275-280

How artificial feeding for tourism-watching modifies black bear space use and habitat selection

Artificial feeding stations often are established to attract and habituate wildlife species to facilitate their observation, but this activity is controversial because of its potential negative impact on wildlife and, in some cases, threat to human safety. Bear managers have few empirical data to establish guidelines for bear-watching sites. The objective of our study was to compare behaviors of black bear (Ursus americanus) with access to a highly-predictable artificial food source established for tourist-watching purposes (n = 11) and control bears (n = 16) in the boreal forest of Quebec, Canada. We hypothesized that fed bears would have lesser movement rates and smaller home-range sizes than control bears, and that they would exhibit lower selection of habitat types providing abundant natural food resources (agricultural lands, regenerating, and disturbed stands) because they visit fewer food patches to meet their energy requirements. We also predicted that behavioral differences between fed and control bears would be most obvious during the period of hyperphagia (late summer and fall) when bears increase their food intake. Between 2008 and 2011, we located fed bears <1 km away from the feeding station 22.3 ± 3.7%, 48.5 ± 6.2%, and 55.9 ± 5.0% of the time in spring, summer, and fall seasons. Annual and seasonal ranges of control bears were 2.1 to 7.1 times larger than fed bears, except during the spring when bears often increased travel to access females for reproduction. Moreover, fed bears modified their movement pattern and selected vegetation types with abundant natural food resources to a lower degree, especially in the fall. Our results show that a well-supplied feeding station can attract and sustain many bears, even in relatively poor bear habitat, leading to a local increase in bear density that might exceed the social carrying capacity. Considering the use of space by fed bears, we recommend avoiding establishing feeding stations <11.5 km from locations where human-bear interactions should be limited (i.e., recreation sites, cabins, etc.). Behaviors adopted by fed bears were energetically profitable as evidenced by their approximately 40% greater body masses compared to control bears, suggesting the potentially positive influence of a feeding station on local population dynamics. We hope our results will increase awareness of wildlife managers about the impacts of feeding bear for tourism purposes

Comparaison de deux méthodes de mesure de flux de nutriments à l'interface eau-sédiment:méthode des peepers et méthode des chambres benthiques

International audienc

Influence of habitat features and hunter behaviour on white-tailed deer harvest

Sport hunting may help in controlling cervid populations over large areas. As with natural predators, several environmental factors can influence sport harvest. A better understanding of the environmental variables that limit the efficiency of sport hunting could provide guidelines for more efficient wildlife management using hunting. We studied white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) hunting on a high deer density island where hunting was the sole form of predation. Our objective was to study the behavior of sport hunters and determine the habitat characteristics (e.g., abundance of deer forage, visibility of the deer from the hunter's point of view, and accessibility of the territory to hunters) that are associated with a successful harvest. We collected movements and harvest site location data from 477 hunters equipped with handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) units. Harvest sites were visited and characterized, along with a paired random site, to determine the environmental conditions associated with a successful hunt. We also developed a model to predict the daily number of deer seen by hunters considering weather conditions, hunter characteristics (e.g., age, experience), and date of hunting. We used the mean number of deer seen per hunter per day as a relative index of local density in each hunted territory. At both the site and landscape scales, the combination of visibility and access had a positive effect on the distribution of harvested deer. Habitat types with less visual obstruction from vegetation enabled hunters to see more deer in a given day. At the site scale, harvested deer were located in areas with a lower density of access routes compared to areas where hunters travelled throughout the day. Using an innovative approach of studying hunter behavior with GPS technology, digital maps, and questionnaires, we highlighted the factors associated with hunter success. Our study suggests that habitat characteristics could be modified to increase harvest by improving accessibility and visibility near roads. Creating openings in mature and regenerating forest near access roads could make sport hunting a more efficient management tool, but the potential impact of increased forage availability in forest openings should not be overlooked. © 2012 The Wildlife Society