Collective control of spacecraft swarms for space exploration

Swarms are characterized in nature by a dynamic behaviour which is quite appealing for researchers involved in numerous fields of study, like robotics, computer science, pure mathematics and space sciences. Global group organization acquired in absence of centralized control is the feature of natural swarms which is most interesting to reproduce. This study proposes to make use of some evolutionary robotics findings in order to obtain the autonomous group organization in the framework of a deeper knowledge of the astrodynamics. The main task which will be accomplished is the implementation of the control laws for the single satellite. A careful tuning of the parameters at member level is necessary in order to gain an autonomously evolving global behaviour in a number of space missions of immediate interest. In remote sensing missions, for example, trains of a small number of satellites are already orbiting and integrating their collected data: in near future entire swarms of agents could accomplish this task, and should be controlled in order to acquire and maintain the desired leader-follower configuration. Another example can be seen in deep space exploration of unknown celestial bodies, where the migration of the entire swarm from a reference orbit to a (previously unknown) targeted one is an issue; the same group migration is of interest in Earth orbit, when transferring from parking to operational orbit. Finally, self-assembly of rigid-like virtual structures is also simulated. This paper shows that all these cases are autonomously performed by the swarm by correctly implementing four simple rules at individual level, which assess the primal needs for any satellite: avoid collision, remain grouped, align to the neighbor, reach a goal.     

Effect of consolidation on strain localization of soft clays

A finite element formulation developed by Belytschko and his coworkers [1] is used to examine localized deformation as it exists for laboratory specimens of compressible Chicago clays. The element is based on an assumed strain formulation wherein localized and non-localized zones are embedded into an element when material based bifurcation is detected. A plane strain compression test of a natural clay specimen in which deformations localized into a single shear band during undrained shear is simulated using this element. Localization is initiated by imposing a non-uniform applied displacement consistent with that measured experimentally. Results indicate that to insure localization to a single band, considerations must be made for non-uniformities developed during the consolidation phase.     

Effects of sewage pollution and bacterial load on growth and oxidative balance in the freshwater mussel Diplodon chilensis

The effect of chronic exposure to Escherichia coli on morphometrical parameters, different antioxidant defenses, lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation has been studied in digestive gland of the freshwater mussel Diplodon chilensis in the laboratory during 6 weeks. In, a parallel field study, we evaluated morphometrical and oxidative stress parameters in digestive glands of mussels collected from a sewage polluted area (SMA) and from a pristine area (control). Both sites were characterized by analyzing bacteriological and physic-chemical parameters. In the laboratory D. chilensis was able to filter bacteria at high concentrations with a clearing rate of 0.510 ± 0.036 L/h per gram of dry soft tissue mass. The digestive gland mass to shell length ratio (DGM/SL), reduced glutathione (GSH), lipid peroxidation, as concentration of thiobartituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activity of mussels fed with bacteria were significantly higher than those of control mussels after the fourth week. Fecal bacteria in lake water samples were undetectable in the control, and higher than 24,000 MPN (most probable number)/100 mL in SMA. DGM/SL was higher in SMA. No differences between sites were observed in total lipid and protein content, neither in superoxide dismutase activity. GSH content was higher in SMA, with no difference in the oxidized form. GST activity and MDA were significantly higher in SMA but protein oxidation was not affected.     

A revaluation of the Co/Ni ratio in pyrite as geochemical tool in ore genesis problems

On the basis of a sound evaluation of literature's data, the Co/Ni ratio in pyrite proves a more reliable indicator in ore genesis than previously retained. This is particularly true for volcanogenic pyritic ores which are constantly characterized by Co/Ni values (>5 but more often >10) definitely higher than those attained by sedimentary or hydrothermal pyrites. Moreover, once stated that an appropriate sampling has been performed, such geochemical studies, extended to as many deposits as possible from a same area, may provide relevant insights into the metallogenic history of the given area. On the basis of their Co/Ni ratios the Southern Tuscany ores fit in a two-stage metallogenic model: a primary (Paleozoic) emplacement of volcanogenic massive-sulfide deposits, in a sub-marine volcanic-exhalative environment, followed by later (Mio-Pliocenic) deposition of smaller, prevalently replacement deposits through hydrothermal partial mobilization of the older ones. The research of new ores may benefit from these geochemical studies too.