Statistical bias control in typology

In this paper, we propose two new statistical controls for genealogical and areal bias in typological samples. Our test case being the effect of VO-order effect on affix position (prefixation vs. suffixation), we show how statistical modeling including a phylogenetic regression term (phylogenetic control) and a two-dimensional Gaussian Process (areal control) can be used to capture genealogical and areal effects in a large but unbalanced sample. We find that, once these biases are controlled for, VO-order has no effect on affix position. Another important finding, which is in line with previous studies, is that areal effects are as important as genealogical effects, emphasizing the importance of areal or contact control in typological studies built on language samples. On the other hand, we also show that strict probability sampling is not required with the statistical controls that we propose, as long as the sample is a variety sample large enough to cover different areas and families. This has the crucial practical consequence that it allows us to include as much of the available information as possible, without the need to artificially restrict the sample and potentially lose otherwise available information.

Miniature Ultralight Deformable Squama Mechanics and Skin Based on Piezoelectric Actuation

A miniature deformable squama mechanics based on piezoelectric actuation inspired by the deformable squama is proposed in this paper. The overall size of the mechanics is 16 mm × 6 mm × 6 mm, the weight is only 140 mg, the deflection angle range of the mechanical deformation is −15°~45°, and the mechanical deformation is controllable. The small-batch array processing of the miniature deformable squama mechanics, based on the stereoscopic process, laid the technological foundation for applying the deformed squama array arrangement. We also designed and manufactured a small actuation control boost circuit and a mobile phone piezoelectric control assistant application that makes it convenient to perform short-range non-contact control of the deformation of the squama. The proposed system arranges the deformed squamae into groups to form the skin and controlls the size and direction of the signals input to each group of the squama array, thereby making the skin able to produce different shapes to create deformable skin.

The Effect of Demonstrator Social Rank on the Attentiveness and Motivation of Pigs to Positively Interact with Their Human Caretakers

In this study, we addressed the social attentiveness, as well as the phenomenon of social facilitation and inhibition in the context of a positive human–pig relationship. Specifically, we investigated whether the social rank of an experienced pig (termed “demonstrator”) has an effect on the attentiveness of the remaining pen mates (N = 40) when they observe the demonstrator being gently handled by a stockperson from behind an acrylic panel. We found that pigs preferentially attended to dominant demonstrators rather than subordinate demonstrators during their gentle handling sessions with the stockperson. Additionally, we also examined whether the presence of a demonstrator pig of different social rank, who previously established a positive relationship with the stockperson in presence of conspecifics, affects the behavior and motivation of their pen mates to positively interact with the stockperson. To test for the effect of the presence and demonstrator’s social rank on pen mate interactions with the stockperson, we evaluated the behavior of domestic pigs (N = 65) toward the stockperson using a human-approach test in their home-pen. Pigs showed a decrease in their motivation to positively interact with the stockperson when a socially dominant demonstrator was present, behaving similarly to animals receiving minimal human contact (control group). Overall, they exhibited a greater latency to physical contact, a lower acceptance of stroking, and spent more time looking at the stockperson compared to pigs exposed to subordinate demonstrators. Taken together, these findings expand our current understanding of pigs’ cognition and social behavior, and the nature of social attention bias in farm animals. Our findings indicate that positive handling of previously selected subordinate demonstrators seems to be the best strategy to reduce the level of fear in large groups of pigs.

TRENDS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEVICES FOR CONTROL OR GEOMETRIC PARAMETERS OF CONTACT LENSES

The article shows the relevance of the control of the geometric parameters of contact lenses. The types of lenses, their advantage over glasses, as well as devices for monitoring the radii of curvature of the concave surface of the lens are considered. The shortcomings of the available devices and methods for monitoring contact lenses are revealed. The principle and features of operation of an optoelectronic device for non-contact control of geometric parameters of contact lenses are proposed.

Particularities of metrological control of non-contact systems for measuring the geometric dimensions of metal products.

OJSC “BSW–Management Company of the Holding “BMC”, non-contact systems for measuring the outer diameters of products are widely used for measuring geometric dimensions. Diameter measurement systems are used to obtain reliable, true and accurate measurements. The method that provides continuous and non – contact control of these systems is the light -and – dark method of measuring the diameter.To ensure the reliability of the measurement results, the diameter measurement systems must undergo metrological control – calibration. Calibration is carried out according to the developed methodology, which specifies the order of work, requirements for standards, processing of measurement and evaluation results, and registration of calibration results. To assess the extended uncertainty, a mathematical model is created that takes into account all the corrections that affect the result of the assessment, each of which is subjected to a thorough analysis.Calibration of diameter measurement systems allows to evaluate their real deviations in operating conditions, which allows to ensure the accuracy and reliability of measuring the geometric dimensions of metal products at all stages of its production.

Effects of Positive Human Contact during Gestation on the Behaviour, Physiology and Reproductive Performance of Sows

Previous positive interactions with humans may ameliorate the stress response of farm animals to aversive routine practices such as painful or stressful procedures, particularly those associated with stockpeople. We studied the effects of positive handling by providing younger (parity 1–2) and older (parity 3–8) sows housed in pens of fifteen (n = 24 pens in total) with either positive human contact (+HC) or routine human contact (control) during gestation. The +HC treatment involved a familiar stockperson patting and scratching sows and was imposed at a pen-level for 2 min daily. Measurements studied included behavioural, physiological and productivity variables. The +HC sows showed reduced avoidance of the stockperson conducting pregnancy testing and vaccination in the home pens, however the behavioural and cortisol responses of sows in a standard unfamiliar human approach test did not differ. There were no effects of +HC on aggression between sows, serum cortisol or serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor concentrations during gestation, or on the behavioural and cortisol response to being moved to farrowing crates. There were also no effects of +HC on the maternal responsiveness of sows, farrowing rate or the number of piglets born alive, stillborn or weaned. Sows in the +HC pens reduced their physical interaction with the stockpeople imposing the treatment after 2 weeks, which suggests the sows may have habituated to the novel or possible rewarding elements of the handling treatment. This experiment shows that regular positive interaction with stockpeople does reduce sows’ fear of stockpeople, but does not always confer stress resilence.