Systematic experimental exploration of bifurcations with non-invasive control

We present a general method for systematically investigating the dynamics and bifurcations of a physical nonlinear experiment. In particular, we show how the odd-number limitation inherent in popular non-invasive control schemes, such as (Pyragas) time-delayed or washout-filtered feedback control, can be overcome for tracking equilibria or forced periodic orbits in experiments. To demonstrate the use of our non-invasive control, we trace out experimentally the resonance surface of a periodically forced mechanical nonlinear oscillator near the onset of instability, around two saddle-node bifurcations (folds) and a cusp bifurcation.Comment: revised and extended version (8 pages, 7 figures

Effects of Exogenous Female Sex Hormones on Food Intake, Macronutrients and Body Weight in the Ovariectomized Postbreeder Female Rat.

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is chosen by a growing segment of the postmenopausal population. Mid-life body weight gain is perceived to increase further with exogenous HRT. To examine hormonal effects on caloric intake (CI), carbohydrate (CHO), FAT, protein (PRO), chocolate and body weight (BW) in a female model, Sprague-Dawley postbreeder (n = 55) rats (10 mos., 10 litters of pups) were ovariectomized (OV) and implanted with 17 $\beta$ estradiol (E) and/or progesterone (P), or placebo in three separate studies (phases) of 10 days each. Uterine weights (p =.0001) and radioimmunoassay confirmed hormonal bioactivity. The sham (S) group with placebo implant was used for comparison. In phase I, 3 food cups containing CHO, FAT, and PRO were presented ad libitum to all treatments. Estrogen decreased the rate of body weight gain (p =.001) compared to OV, P, and S with no significant differences in caloric intake (trend of estrogen p =.052). In phase II, all except S received 4 food cups; 2 CHO choices, (sweet, AIN 76 and nonsweet AIN 93), FAT and PRO. The body weight of the P and S groups compared to OV (p =.009) in phase II did not continue to increase. OV produced a carbohydrate appetite for both SW & NSW (p =.007), E&P chose 3 times more SW than NSW (p =.001). For phase III 4 caloric levels of chocolate were added (except for S). Chocolate was consumed at 40% to 53% of total caloric intake with or without HRT with reduced nutrient dense macronutrient consumption. Thus access to chocolate eliminated both the reduced rate of weight gain caused by E (phase I) and the body weight adaptation by P in phase II. Variations in % fate intake (40% to 60%) did not result in treatment differences in body composition (p =.095). The OV group which consumed the most calories from carbohydrate (p =.001), gained the most overall BW (p =.001). The rats consuming the most fat (S 57%) gained the least amount of body weight (p =.001). Caloric conversion ratios (weight gain/by caloric intake $\times$ 1000) varied among treatments (p =.003). Additional research on the metabolism of the postmenopausal female taking hormone replacement therapy is needed

What are the current challenges facing Central Europe?

Dne 24. dubna 2013 se na Filozofické fakultě Univerzity Karlovy v Praze konal třetí ročník mezinárodní konference “Naše společná přítomnost” (Our Common Present). Letos byly tématem této interdisciplinární konference “Současné výzvy Střední Evropy”. Článek představuje hlavní přednášející, jejich příspěvky a závěry z konference.This was the theme of the third annual international interdisciplinary conference Our Common Present which took place at Charles University’s Philosophical Faculty on 24 April 2013 in cooperation between the University of South Bohemia’s Economics Faculty, the Charles University Environment Center, and the University of Hradec Králové’s Education Faculty

Marine protected areas of the central Victoria bioregion

Along Victoria&rsquo;s coastline there are 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that have been established to protect the state&rsquo;s significant marine environmental and cultural values. These MPAs include 13 Marine National Parks (MNPs), 11 Marine Sanctuaries (MSs), 3 Marine and Coastal Parks, 2 Marine Parks, and a Marine Reserve, and together these account for 11.7% of the Victorian marine environment. The highly protected Marine National Park System, which is made up of the MNPs and MSs, covers 5.3% of Victorian waters and was proclaimed in November 2002. This system has been designed to be representative of the diversity of Victoria&rsquo;s marine environment and aims to conserve and protect ecological processes, habitats, and associated flora and fauna. The Marine National Park System is spread across Victoria&rsquo;s five marine bioregions with multiple MNPs and MSs in each bioregion, with the exception of Flinders bioregion which has one MNP. All MNPs and MSs are &ldquo;no-take&rdquo; areas and are managed under the National Parks Act (1975) - Schedules 7 and 8 respectively.This report updates the first Marine Natural Values Study (Plummer et al. 2003) for the MPAs in the Central Victoria bioregion on the central coast of Victoria and is one of a series of five reports covering Victoria&rsquo;s Marine National Park System. It uses the numerous monitoring and research programs that have increased our knowledge since declaration and aims to give a comprehensive overview of the important natural values of each MNP and MS.<br /

Marine protected areas of the Otway bioregion

Along Victoria&rsquo;s coastline there are 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that have been established to protect the state&rsquo;s significant marine environmental and cultural values. These MPAs include 13 Marine National Parks (MNPs), 11 Marine Sanctuaries (MSs), 3 Marine and Coastal Parks, 2 Marine Parks, and a Marine Reserve, and together these account for 11.7% of the Victorian marine environment. The highly protected Marine National Park System, which is made up of the MNPs and MSs, covers 5.3% of Victorian waters and was proclaimed in November 2002. This system has been designed to be representative of the diversity of Victoria&rsquo;s marine environment and aims to conserve and protect ecological processes, habitats, and associated flora and fauna. The Marine National Park System is spread across Victoria&rsquo;s five marine bioregions with multiple MNPs and MSs in each bioregion, with the exception of Flinders bioregion which has one MNP. All MNPs and MSs are &ldquo;no-take&rdquo; areas and are managed under the National Parks Act (1975) - Schedules 7 and 8 respectively.This report updates the first Marine Natural Values Study (Plummer et al. 2003) for the MPAs in the Otway bioregion on the west coast of Victoria and is one of a series of five reports covering Victoria&rsquo;s Marine National Park System. It uses the numerous monitoring and research programs that have increased our knowledge since declaration and aims to give a comprehensive overview of the important natural values of each MNP and MS.<br /

Marine protected areas of the Flinders and Twofold Shelf bioregions

Along Victoria&rsquo;s coastline there are 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that have been established to protect the state&rsquo;s significant marine environmental and cultural values. These MPAs include 13 Marine National Parks (MNPs), 11 Marine Sanctuaries (MSs), 3 Marine and Coastal Parks, 2 Marine Parks, and a Marine Reserve, and together these account for 11.7% of the Victorian marine environment. The highly protected Marine National Park System, which is made up of the MNPs and MSs, covers 5.3% of Victorian waters and was proclaimed in November 2002. This system has been designed to be representative of the diversity of Victoria&rsquo;s marine environment and aims to conserve and protect ecological processes, habitats, and associated flora and fauna. The Marine National Park System is spread across Victoria&rsquo;s five marine bioregions with multiple MNPs and MSs in each bioregion, with the exception of Flinders bioregion which has one MNP. All MNPs and MSs are &ldquo;no-take&rdquo; areas and are managed under the National Parks Act (1975) - Schedules 7 and 8 respectively.This report updates the first Marine Natural Values Study (Plummer et al. 2003) for the MPAs in the Flinders and Twofold Shelf bioregions on the east coast of Victoria and is one of a series of five reports covering Victoria&rsquo;s Marine National Park System. It uses the numerous monitoring and research programs that have increased our knowledge since declaration and aims to give a comprehensive overview of the important natural values of each MNP and MS.<br /

Marine protected areas of the Victorian embayments bioregion part 2 : Western Port Bay and Corner inlet

Along Victoria&rsquo;s coastline there are 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that have been established to protect the state&rsquo;s significant marine environmental and cultural values. These MPAs include 13 Marine National Parks (MNPs), 11 Marine Sanctuaries (MSs), 3 Marine and Coastal Parks, 2 Marine Parks, and a Marine Reserve, and together these account for 11.7% of the Victorian marine environment. The highly protected Marine National Park System, which is made up of the MNPs and MSs, covers 5.3% of Victorian waters and was proclaimed in November 2002. This system has been designed to be representative of the diversity of Victoria&rsquo;s marine environment and aims to conserve and protect ecological processes, habitats, and associated flora and fauna. The Marine National Park System is spread across Victoria&rsquo;s five marine bioregions with multiple MNPs and MSs in each bioregion, with the exception of Flinders bioregion which has one MNP. All MNPs and MSs are &ldquo;no-take&rdquo; areas and are managed under the National Parks Act (1975) - Schedules 7 and 8 respectively.This report updates the first Marine Natural Values Study (Plummer et al. 2003) for the MNPs in the Western Port Bay (WP) and Corner Inlet (CI) areas of the Victorian Embayments bioregion. It covers Yaringa, French Island, Churchill Island and Corner Inlet MNPs. This report is one of a series of five reports covering Victoria&rsquo;s Marine National Park System. It uses the numerous monitoring and research programs that have increased our knowledge since declaration and aims to give a comprehensive overview of the important natural values of each MNP.<br /

Marine protected areas of the Victorian embayments bioregion part 1 : Port Phillip Bay

Along Victoria&rsquo;s coastline there are 30 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) that have been established to protect the state&rsquo;s significant marine environmental and cultural values. These MPAs include 13 Marine National Parks (MNPs), 11 Marine Sanctuaries (MSs), 3 Marine and Coastal Parks, 2 Marine Parks, and a Marine Reserve, and together these account for 11.7% of the Victorian marine environment. The highly protected Marine National Park System, which is made up of the MNPs and MSs, covers 5.3% of Victorian waters and was proclaimed in November 2002. This system has been designed to be representative of the diversity of Victoria&rsquo;s marine environment and aims to conserve and protect ecological processes, habitats, and associated flora and fauna. The Marine National Park System is spread across Victoria&rsquo;s five marine bioregions with multiple MNPs and MSs in each bioregion, with the exception of Flinders bioregion which has one MNP. All MNPs and MSs are &ldquo;no-take&rdquo; areas and are managed under the National Parks Act (1975) - Schedules 7 and 8 respectively.This report updates the first Marine Natural Values Study (Plummer et al. 2003) for the MPAs in the Port Phillip Bay area of the Victorian Embayments bioregion and is one of a series of five reports covering Victoria&rsquo;s Marine National Park System. It uses the numerous monitoring and research programs that have increased our knowledge since declaration and aims to give a comprehensive overview of the important natural values of each MNP and MS.<br /