Dislodgement effect of natural semiochemicals released by disturbed triatomines: a possible alternative monitoring tool

pre-printThe quick detection of domestic and peridomestic triatomines in their environments becomes difficult without the use of dislodgement substances that flush them out from their shelters. At present, tetramethrin 0.2% is being widely used in control programs. Although it is an efficient dislodging agent, its toxicity might affect the health of captured triatomines, of other insects and, to a lesser extent, of other animals, including humans. Here, we tested if semiochemicals released by disturbed adults of Triatoma infestans and/or Rhodnius prolixus can make larvae of the same species exit from their refuges. In a walking olfactometer we found that: 1) larvae of T. infestans were repelled by the odors released by disturbed adults of their own species and of R. prolixus, 2) larvae of R. prolixus did not change their behavior in the presence of odors released by adults of both species, and 3) activity levels were not modulated by these odors in any of both species. Besides, in pseudo-natural conditions we found an increased flushing-out activity of larvae of T. infestans when their shelters were sprayed with isobutyric acid or 3-pentanol, and of larvae of R. prolixus when sprayed with 3-methyl-1-butanol. We succeeded in this work to dislodge larvae of triatomines from artificial shelters using natural volatile compounds, allowing the capture of live bugs for further investigations (e.g., xenodiagnosis or genetic studies) and favoring ecological aspects (e.g., minimizing environmental insecticide-contamination and non-targeted mortality)

Olfactory modulation of pre-flight shivering behavior in male moths

PosterIn nocturnal moths olfaction is the predominant sensory modality shaping many of the adult animal?s activities, including reproduction. A two-component pheromone blend is sufficient to elicit the typical zigzag upwind flight behavior in Helicoverpa zea males. However, before flight can be initiated, the endothermic flight muscles must first be warmed-up by shivering. We investigated the influence of olfactory sensory input on this thermoregulatory behavior. An infrared camera placed above a small wind tunnel was used to record and measure the thoracic temperature changes in free animals that were exposed to odor blends varying in their composition (ranging from an attractive pheromone blend to an unattractive blend containing behaviorally antagonistic odorants). In addition, maximum vertical force per unit muscle mass as a function of thoracic temperature was determined in tethered flight with a force transducer. Male H. zea exposed to the attractive pheromone blend spent less time on the ground when shivering, warmed up at faster rates and took off at lower mean thoracic temperatures than those males exposed to other pheromone blend combinations. Force measurements demonstrated that these lower thoracic temperatures exhibited by males exposed to the attractive pheromone blend, correspond to low maximum vertical force production when compared to the other treatments. Since there is an optimal thoracic temperature for flight, these results indicate that male moths are prepared to compromise optimal flight efficiency with the possibility of being the first to arrive at a receptive female. 2. Introduction Attractive, unattractive and even repulsive scents are environmental cues that allow animals to assess the presence of a particular resource (e.g., food or mates) and how they will react to it. Strong selective pressures act on this olfactory behavior which includes the decision of whether or not to approach the olfactory stimulus and an efficient and successful location of the source. How olfactory stimuli influence motor behavior is an important question of sensory motor integration. In this study, we investigated the warm-up behavior of the moth Helicoverpa zea when sensing different odors based on pheromone blends

Antennal lobe organization in the slender pigeon louse, Columbicola columbae (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera)

Journal ArticleThis study reports on the structure of the antennal lobe of the pigeon louse, Columbicola columbae. Anterograde staining of antennal receptor neurons revealed an antennal lobe with a few diffuse compartments, an organization distinct from the typical spheroidal glomerular structure found in the olfactory bulb of vertebrates and the antennal lobe of many other insects. This anatomical arrangement of neuronal input is somewhat reminiscent of the aglomerular antennal lobe previously reported in psyllids and aphids. As in psyllids, reports on the odor-mediated behavior of C. columbae suggest that the olfactory sense is important in these animals and indicates that a glomerular organization of the antennal lobe may not be necessary to subtend odor-mediated behaviors in all insects. The diffuse or aglomerular antennal lobe organization found in these two Paraneopteran insect orders might represent an independently evolved reduction due to similar ecological constraints

TFM Modalidad A: Formative Assessment as a Strategy to Improve the Teaching and Learning Processes in EFL Secondary Education

TFM aglutinador de todos los conocimientos adquiridos durante el Master de Profesorado en Educación Secundaria y Bachillerato, especialmente centrado en el aspecto de evaluación, dando énfasis a la calidad formativa que ha de tener en las clases de inglés hoy en día

The ant colony metaphor for multiple knapsack problem

This paper presents an Ant Colony (AC) model for the Multiple Knapsack Problem (MKP). The ant colony metaphor, as well as other evolutionary metaphors, was applied successfully to diverse heavily constrained problems. An AC system is also considered a class of multiagent distributed algorithm for combinatorial optimisation. The principle of an AC system is adapted to the MKP. We present some results regarding its performance against known optimum for different instances of MKP. The obtained results show the potential power of this particular evolutionary approach for optimisation problems.Eje: Workshop sobre Aspectos Teoricos de la Inteligencia ArtificialRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

The ant colony metaphor for multiple knapsack problem

This paper presents an Ant Colony Optimisation (ACO) model for the Multiple Knapsack Problem (MKP). The ACO algorithms, as well as other evolutionary metaphors, are being applied successfully to diverse heavily constrained problems: Travelling Salesman Problem, Quadratic Assignment Problem and Bin Packing Problem. An Ant System, the first ACO algorithm that we presented in this paper, is also considered a class of multiagent distributed algorithm for combinatorial optimisation. The principle of an ACO Algorithm is adapted to the MKP. We present some results regardin its perfomance against known optimun for different instances of MKP. The obtained results show the potential power of this particular evolutionary approach for optimisation problems.Facultad de Informátic

Control system design for a high performance in a horizontal two-axis robot arm

[ES] En este trabajo de investigación, se realizaron tareas de I+D+i para empresas del sector industrial del automóvil. El equipo de trabajo implementó una simplificación de un robot SCARA de 4GDL de la compañía Denso, en el que se suprimieron el eslabón prismático y rotacional destinado a la tool, dando una configuración de 2GDL. En este grupo de trabajo se desarrollaron e implementaron varios controladores que suprimieron las frecuencias fundamentales, producidas por la construcción del robot, con el fin de lograr una mejora en la eficiencia y la productividad en líneas de producción. Estas diferentes tipologías de control proporcionaron mayor velocidad y mayor precisión en el posicionamiento, con el fin de cumplir con las especificaciones del cliente, Denso Corporation.[EN] In this research, tasks of I+D+i for companies in the automotive industrial sector were performed. The equipment under test was a simplification of a 4-Axis SCARA robot from Denso Company. The prismatic and the rotation link, destined to the tool, were removed from the robot making in a 2-Axis robot. In this equipment were developed and implemented several controllers which suppressed the fundamental frequencies, produced by the physical construction of the robot, in order to achieve an improvement in work eciency and productivity of the production lines. These dierent typologies of control provided higher speed and higher accuracy in the positioning, in order to accomplish the client specifications, Denso Corporation.Burcio Crespo, Á.; Molina Montalván, UG. (2017). Control system design for a high performance in a horizontal two-axis robot arm. Universitat Politècnica de València. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/140515TFG

"Contra viento y marea". La mediación del Conseil national du Patronat Français en defensa de la entrada de España en el Mercado Común (1976-1986)

Este artículo es una aproximación desde el ámbito historiográfico al estudio de la influencia de los actores no gubernamentales -organizaciones empresariales- en el campo de las relaciones internacionales. De manera particular, aquí se analiza la intervención de la principal organización empresarial de Francia, el Conseil national du patronat français (CNPF), actual MEDEF , en el proceso negociador abierto entre la Comunidad Europea y España para la adhesión de este país a la CEE (1977-1986). La posición favorable del patronato galo a la integración española en un contexto hostil a esta estrategia ofrece una visión alternativa de la política francesa en relación con España en el marco de la segunda ampliación comunitaria.This article seeks to analyse the intervention of the most influential business organization of France, the Conseil national du patronat français (CNPF), current MEDEF, during the negotiations for the accession of Spain into the EEC (1977-1986). The following pages are an approximation from the historiographic perspective to the participation and influence of non-governmental actors -employers organizations- in the field of International Relations. The favourable opinion of the CNPF on Spain's application for accession offers an alternative perspective of France's policy toward Spain in the context of the second Community enlargement

“Against All Odds”. The Mediation of the Conseil National du Patronat Français in Defense of the Spain’s Entry into the Common Market (1976-1986)

This article seeks to analyse the intervention of the most influential business organization of France, the Conseil national du patronat français (CNPF), current MEDEF, during the negotiations for the accession of Spain into the EEC (1977-1986). The following pages are an approximation from the historiographic perspective to the participation and influence of non-governmental actors –employers organizations– in the field of International Relations. The favourable opinion of the CNPF on Spain’s application for accession offers an alternative perspective of France’s policy toward Spain in the context of the second Community enlargement