Between-Site Variation in Suitability of \u3ci\u3eSalix Cordata\u3c/i\u3e as a Host for \u3ci\u3eAltica Subplicata\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

To investigate local adaptation of insect herbivore populations to host plant populations, willow flea beetles (Altica subplicata) were collected from two distant sites in northern Michigan (Grass Bay, GB; Pte. Aux Chenes, PAC) and reared on host plants (Salix cordata) collected from each of the sites. Larval development (measured by molt frequency and length of larval stage) was significantly faster on PAC plants than on GB plants but did not differ for the two beetle populations. For both populations of beetles, mean pupal weight was also greater on PAC plants than on GB plants. Thus, there was no evidence for adaptation of beetle populations to local host plant populations. The greater performance of A. subplicata on PAC plants most likely resulted from a lower trichome density on leaves of plants from that site

Two-site dynamical mean field theory for the dynamic Hubbard model

At zero temperature, two-site dynamical mean field theory is applied to the Dynamic Hubbard model. The Dynamic Hubbard model describes the orbital relaxation that occurs when two electrons occupy the same site, by using a two-level boson field at each site. At finite boson frequency, the appearance of a Mott gap is found to be enhanced even though it shows a metallic phase with the same bare on-site interaction $U$ in the conventional Hubbard model. The lack of electron-hole symmetry is highlighted through the quasi-particle weight and the single particle density of states at different fillings, which qualitatively differentiates the dynamic Hubbard model from other conventional Hubbard-like models.Comment: 13 pages, 15 figure

Feeding Patterns and Attachment Ability of \u3ci\u3eAltica Subplicata\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on Sand-Dune Willow

To investigate feeding patterns of a specialist herbivore, Altica subplicata, larvae and adults were caged separately on host plants, Salix cordata, and leaf damage was estimated. Young, relatively more pubescent leaves near the tops of the shoots were consumed more than older leaves. Larvae clearly preferred the young, pubescent leaves and avoided the oldest leaves. Adults showed a stronger preference for the first five young leaves, but amount of consumption did not differ among the older leaves. Attachment ability on smooth and pubescent leaves was examined as a possible factor influencing feeding patterns. Scanning electron microscopy of tarsal adhesive structures and leaf surfaces was conducted to investigate how A. subplicata attaches to its host. Adhesive setae on the tarsi of adults may be effective for attachment on the older, smooth leaves and their tarsal claws are likely used to cling to trichomes of pubescent leaves. Larvae have fleshy adhesive pads for attachment. Laboratory experiments on attachment of larvae and adults to smooth and pubescent leaves under various wind conditions showed that wind caused difficulty in attachment and movement, but leaf pubescence did not affect the number of beetles that fell off leaves. However, larvae fell off more quickly when placed on pubescent leaves. Thus, other factors such as nutritional quality and microclimate provided by trichomes may be responsible for the preference for pubescent leaves exhibited by A. subplicata

An O(M(n) log n) algorithm for the Jacobi symbol

The best known algorithm to compute the Jacobi symbol of two n-bit integers runs in time O(M(n) log n), using Sch\"onhage's fast continued fraction algorithm combined with an identity due to Gauss. We give a different O(M(n) log n) algorithm based on the binary recursive gcd algorithm of Stehl\'e and Zimmermann. Our implementation - which to our knowledge is the first to run in time O(M(n) log n) - is faster than GMP's quadratic implementation for inputs larger than about 10000 decimal digits.Comment: Submitted to ANTS IX (Nancy, July 2010

Blade loss transient dynamics analysis, volume 1. Task 1: Survey and perspective

An analytical technique was developed to predict the behavior of a rotor system subjected to sudden unbalance. The technique is implemented in the Turbine Engine Transient Rotor Analysis (TETRA) computer program using the component element method. The analysis was particularly aimed toward blade-loss phenomena in gas turbine engines. A dual-rotor, casing, and pylon structure can be modeled by the computer program. Blade tip rubs, Coriolis forces, and mechanical clearances are included. The analytical system was verified by modeling and simulating actual test conditions for a rig test as well as a full-engine, blade-release demonstration

SUPPLY RESPONSE, DEMAND AND STOCKS FOR SOUTHERN AFRICAN BEEF

Livestock Production/Industries,

Is 0716+714 a superluminal blazar?

We present an analysis of new and old high frequency VLBI data collected during the last 10 years at 5--22 GHz. For the jet components in the mas-VLBI jet, two component identifications are possible. One of them with quasi-stationary components oscillating about their mean positions. Another identification scheme, which formally gives the better expansion fit, yields motion with $\sim 9$ $c$ for $H_0=65$ km s$^{-1}$ Mpc$^{-1}$ and $q_0=0.5$. This model would be in better agreement with the observed rapid IDV and the expected high Lorentz-factor, deduced from IDV.Comment: 2 pages, 3 figures, appears in: Proceedings of the 6th European VLBI Network Symposium held on June 25th-28th in Bonn, Germany. Edited by: E. Ros, R.W. Porcas, A.P. Lobanov, and J.A. Zensu

Analyzing and Predicting Verification of Data-Aware Process Models – a Case Study with Spectrum Auctions

Verification techniques play an essential role in detecting undesirable behaviors in many applications like spectrum auctions. By verifying an auction design, one can detect the least favorable outcomes, e.g., the lowest revenue of an auctioneer. However, verification may be infeasible in practice, given the vast size of the state space on the one hand and the large number of properties to be verified on the other hand. To overcome this challenge, we leverage machine-learning techniques. In particular, we create a dataset by verifying properties of a spectrum auction first. Second, we use this dataset to analyze and predict outcomes of the auction and characteristics of the verification procedure. To evaluate the usefulness of machine learning in the given scenario, we consider prediction quality and feature importance. In our experiments, we observe that prediction models can capture relationships in our dataset well, though one needs to be careful to obtain a representative and sufficiently large training dataset. While the focus of this article is on a specific verification scenario, our analysis approach is general and can be adapted to other domains

Blade loss transient dynamics analysis, volume 2. Task 2: Theoretical and analytical development. Task 3: Experimental verification

The component element method was used to develop a transient dynamic analysis computer program which is essentially based on modal synthesis combined with a central, finite difference, numerical integration scheme. The methodology leads to a modular or building-block technique that is amenable to computer programming. To verify the analytical method, turbine engine transient response analysis (TETRA), was applied to two blade-out test vehicles that had been previously instrumented and tested. Comparison of the time dependent test data with those predicted by TETRA led to recommendations for refinement or extension of the analytical method to improve its accuracy and overcome its shortcomings. The development of working equations, their discretization, numerical solution scheme, the modular concept of engine modelling, the program logical structure and some illustrated results are discussed. The blade-loss test vehicles (rig full engine), the type of measured data, and the engine structural model are described

Ground State and Resonances in the Standard Model of Non-relativistic QED

We prove existence of a ground state and resonances in the standard model of the non-relativistic quantum electro-dynamics (QED). To this end we introduce a new canonical transformation of QED Hamiltonians and use the spectral renormalization group technique with a new choice of Banach spaces.Comment: 50 pages change