Characterizing optimal hierarchical policy inference on graphs via non-equilibrium thermodynamics

Hierarchies are of fundamental interest in both stochastic optimal control and biological control due to their facilitation of a range of desirable computational traits in a control algorithm and the possibility that they may form a core principle of sensorimotor and cognitive control systems. However, a theoretically justified construction of state-space hierarchies over all spatial resolutions and their evolution through a policy inference process remains elusive. Here, a formalism for deriving such normative representations of discrete Markov decision processes is introduced in the context of graphs. The resulting hierarchies correspond to a hierarchical policy inference algorithm approximating a discrete gradient flow between state-space trajectory densities generated by the prior and optimal policies.Comment: NIPS 2017 Workshop on Hierarchical Reinforcement Learning. 8 pages, 1 figur

Stwierdzenie rysia Lynx lynx w Puszczy Białej na podstawie materiału z fotopułapki

<p>On the 21st June 2021 at 10:17 PM, one lynx individual was recorded in the area of the Wyszków Forest District by a camera trap (Browning Spec Ops Advantage). The device was set up as part of a study on the behaviour of predators at the crossing of forest roads. The camera trap was one of nine devices operating in the area from June 1st, 2019 to September 30th, 2021 (853 working days). The Wyszków Forest District is located in the Biała Forest between two known lynx populations in the Kampinos Forest and the Eastern Baltic population. This record is the first report of a lynx sighting in the Biała Forest north of the Bug river.</p&gt

Human Decision-Making as a Key Factor in the Risk of Wolf–Dog Interactions during Outdoor Activities

As a result of species protection in Poland, wolves now appear in places that are attractive for human recreation, increasing their exposure to dogs. This creates a risk of spontaneous direct interactions between these two canine species. Aggressive interactions between the gray wolf and the domestic dog lead to human–large predator conflicts. This study examined wolf–dog interactions using data collected in an online questionnaire and included questions related to factors that might influence the likelihood of interactions between these canines. One of the most important factors affecting the likelihood of interaction between a dog and a wolf was the distance between the dog and the human. The number of wolves was also important—the more wolves, the more likely they were to interact with dogs. The risk of interaction also significantly increases with decreasing distance to human settlements. There were also statistical differences in terms of the type of outdoor activity being engaged in. Hunting was seven times more likely to result in a wolf–dog interaction than normal walk. We postulate that the choices made by the human (dog control and type of recreation) caring for the dog are an important factor that can reduce the risk of direct contact between dogs and wolves

Human and the beast—Flight and aggressive responses of European bison to human disturbance - Fig 1

<p>Influence of sex (A), habitat (B), and supplementary feeding intensity (C) on FID of European bison in Białowieża Forest.</p

Averaged parameter estimates for the gamma generalized linear models of whole year data and winter data (Table 1), which describe the effects of different factors* on the flight initiation distance of individuals in the bison population in Białowieża Forest (2009–2013).

<p>Averaged parameter estimates for the gamma generalized linear models of whole year data and winter data (<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0200635#pone.0200635.t001" target="_blank">Table 1</a>), which describe the effects of different factors* on the flight initiation distance of individuals in the bison population in Białowieża Forest (2009–2013).</p

Human and the beast—Flight and aggressive responses of European bison to human disturbance - Fig 2

<p>Reasons (A), seasonal distribution (B), habitat distribution (C), and victims (D) of European bison aggressive responses in Białowieża Forest.</p

Model selection (based on the AICc criteria) for the considered gamma generalized linear models for data covering both the whole year and winter (December-March) exclusively.

<p>The models aim to assess the effects of different factors^{<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0200635#t001fn001" target="_blank">*</a>} on the flight initiation distance of individuals in the bison population in Białowieża Forest (only models whose cumulative weights (ω<i>i</i>) were below 0.95 and intercept models are presented). For both datasets (whole year and winter data) model averaging (cumulative weights ≤ 0.95) was applied.</p

Types of signalling by European bison when warning before attack.

<p>Types of signalling by European bison when warning before attack.</p

Genetic support for the current discrete conservation unit of the Central European wolf population.

Article number: wlb.00809The gray wolf Canis lupus range in central Europe is dynamically expanding, reconnecting previously isolated populations. Thus, a recent paper has proposed to merge the current Baltic and Central European (CE) wolf management units, which are no longer isolated by distance. However, recent genetic findings indicate that these two populations are not genetically homogenous. Here we review the most recent data on wolf genetic structure in central Europe and show that even though the CE and Baltic wolves represent the same phylogeographic lineage, their demographic history has resulted in significant genetic structure between these two populations. While the groups are interconnected by moderate gene flow, it is not high enough to reduce the strong founder signal observed in the CE population, suggesting that population dynamics within the CE wolf range are largely independent from those of its source (Baltic) population. Consequently, a management unit combining the CE and Baltic wolves would not form a demographically coherent entity. Thus, we recommend that conservation management units maintain their separate statusMiškų ir ekologijos fakultetasUniversity of Veterinary MedicineVytauto Didžiojo universiteta