Landmark memories are more robust when acquired at the nest site than en route: experiments in desert ants

Foraging desert ants, Cataglyphis fortis, encounter different sequences of visual landmarks while navigating by path integration. This paper explores the question whether the storage of landmark information depends on the context in which the landmarks are learned during an ant's foraging journey. Two experimental set-ups were designed in which the ants experienced an artificial landmark panorama that was placed either around the nest entrance (nest marks) or along the vector route leading straight towards the feeder (route marks). The two training paradigms resulted in pronounced differences in the storage characteristics of the acquired landmark information: memory traces of nest marks were much more robust against extinction and/or suppression than those of route marks. In functional terms, this result is in accord with the observation that desert ants encounter new route marks during every foraging run but always pass the same landmarks when approaching the nest entrance.     

Inter and intra-population variation in shoaling and boldness in the zebrafish (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Danio rerio</Emphasis>)

Population differences in anti-predator behaviour have been demonstrated in several species, although less is known about the genetic basis of these traits. To determine the extent of genetic differences in boldness (defined as exploration of a novel object) and shoaling within and between zebrafish (Danio rerio) populations, and to examine the genetic basis of shoaling behaviour in general, we carried out a study that involved laboratory-raised fish derived from four wild-caught populations. Controlling for differences in rearing environment, significant inter-population differences were found in boldness but not shoaling. A larger shoaling experiment was also performed using one of the populations as the basis of a North Carolina type II breeding design (174 fish in total) to estimate heritability of shoaling tendency. A narrow-sense heritability estimate of 0.40 was obtained, with no apparent dominance effects.     

Mitigation of the Impact of Tropical Cyclones in Northern Australia through Community Capacity Enhancement

Community mitigation of hazard impact requires hazard knowledge and preparedness on the part of the members of diverse and complex communities. Longitudinal research in the tropical cyclone prone north of Australia has gathered extensive datasets on community awareness, preparedness and knowledge, in order to contribute to education campaigns and mitigation strategies. Data have been used to identify issues of vulnerability to cyclones and capacity to deal with the hazard. This has been developed as a community vulnerability and capacity model that may be applied to diverse communities in order to assess levels of capability to mitigate and deal with the cyclone hazard. The model is presented here in a simplified form as its development is evolving and ongoing.     

薄壁厚内螺纹的冷挤压

薄壁厚内螺纹的冷挤压成形是道难题,通过采用有效的工艺措施,确保了产品质量,拓宽了内螺纹冷挤压成形的适用范围。     

Analysis of the Henze precipitate from the blood cells of the ascidian<Emphasis Type="Italic"> Phallusia mammillata</Emphasis>

The Henze precipitate, a peculiar blue-green microparticulate obtained by lysis of the blood cells of the ascidian Phallusia mammillata (Protochordata), was investigated with atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray microanalysis. The precipitate was collected from the Henze solution, an unstable red-brown product obtained by treating blood with distilled water, whose degradation yields a characteristic blue-green product. The microparticulates measured 50–100 µm in diameter and appeared irregular in shape. SEM examination showed smooth, roughly round boundaries. The microparticulate surface examined with AFM appeared as an irregular matrix formed by 70–320-nm-wide mammillate composites, including and embedding small (500–800 nm wide) crystal-like multilayered formations. X- ray analysis showed that the elements present in these same precipitates were mainly C, Si, Al and O. The microparticulate composition appeared close to those of natural waxes or lacquers, embedding amorphous silicates and/or other Si–Al components. The unusual occurrence of Si in ascidian blood and its role are discussed.     

旋压变形数值模拟中局部加载卸载问题的处理

此文介绍了旋压加工数值模拟中遇到的局部加载卸载问题的处理方法,并对筒形件强力旋压过程进行了数值模拟,求得了变形区应力应变的分布,理论计算结果与变形实际和实测结果完全吻合.     

约束求解的数据模型及算法

此文针对参数化造型系统中约束方程组的求解问题,深入分析了匹配求解的核心思想,提出了一种简单实用的约束网络建模方法,并且围绕该数据模型介绍了与其相关的算法.     

城郊道路交通污染个例分析

为建立和研究适合地面道路的宽路幅、高等级、支路多等特点的大城市城郊道路交通大气污染扩散模式,选取了受环境外来源影响较小的上海市沪青平公路的徐泾段,作交通大气污染实测和相关气象因子项目的观测。在获得详细实测结果的基础上,以NOx为例分析了大气稳定度、风向、风速、交通量对城郊地面道路交通污染扩散的影响。