Multiple phase transitions in an agent-based evolutionary model with neutral fitness

Null models are crucial for understanding evolutionary processes such as speciation and adaptive radiation. We analyse an agent-based null model, considering a case without selection—neutral evolution—in which organisms are defined only by phenotype. Universal dynamics has previously been demonstrated in a related model on a neutral fitness landscape, showing that this system belongs to the directed percolation (DP) universality class. The traditional null condition of neutral fitness (where fitness is defined as the number of offspring each organism produces) is extended here to include equal probability of death among organisms. We identify two types of phase transition: (i) a non-equilibrium DP transition through generational time (i.e. survival), and (ii) an equilibrium ordinary percolation transition through the phenotype space (based on links between mating organisms). Owing to the dynamical rules of the DP reaction–diffusion process, organisms can only sparsely fill the phenotype space, resulting in significant phenotypic diversity within a cluster of mating organisms. This highlights the necessity of understanding hierarchical evolutionary relationships, rather than merely developing taxonomies based on phenotypic similarity, in order to develop models that can explain phylogenetic patterns found in the fossil record or to make hypotheses for the incomplete fossil record of deep time

Using a multifrontal sparse solver in a high performance, finite element code

We consider the performance of the finite element method on a vector supercomputer. The computationally intensive parts of the finite element method are typically the individual element forms and the solution of the global stiffness matrix both of which are vectorized in high performance codes. To further increase throughput, new algorithms are needed. We compare a multifrontal sparse solver to a traditional skyline solver in a finite element code on a vector supercomputer. The multifrontal solver uses the Multiple-Minimum Degree reordering heuristic to reduce the number of operations required to factor a sparse matrix and full matrix computational kernels (e.g., BLAS3) to enhance vector performance. The net result in an order-of-magnitude reduction in run time for a finite element application on one processor of a Cray X-MP

LaRC Aerothermodynamic Ground Tests in Support of BOLT Flight Experiment

A review is provided of recent aerothermodynamic ground-test contributions by NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) to the BOLT flight test program. Several test entries into the Langley Aerothermodynamic Laboratory 20-Inch Mach 6 Air Tunnel are discussed. These entries were intended to support the development and design of flight hardware and instrumentation. Some trends and observations from these entries are provided. Also, a comparison of two different global heat transfer test techniques is included and discussed

Wave and Tidal Controls on Embayment Circulation and Headland Bypassing for an Exposed, Macrotidal Site

Headland bypassing is the transport of sediment around rocky headlands by wave and tidal action, associated with high-energy conditions and embayment circulation (e.g., mega-rips). Bypassing may be a key component in the sediment budget of many coastal cells, the quantification of which is required to predict the coastal response to extreme events and future coastal change. Waves, currents, and water levels were measured off the headland of a sandy, exposed, and macrotidal beach in 18-m and 26-m depths for 2 months. The observations were used to validate a Delft3D morphodynamic model, which was subsequently run for a wide range of scenarios. Three modes of bypassing were determined: (i) tidally-dominated control during low–moderate wave conditions [flux O (0–102 m3 day−1)]; (ii) combined tidal- and embayment circulation controls during moderate–high waves [O (103 m3 day−1)]; and (iii) multi-embayment circulation control during extreme waves [O (104 m3 day−1)]. A site-specific bypass parameter is introduced, which accurately (R2 = 0.95) matches the modelled bypass rates. A 5-year hindcast predicts bypassing is an order of magnitude less than observed cross-shore fluxes during extreme events, suggesting that bypassing at this site is insignificant at annual timescales. This work serves a starting point to generalise the prediction of headland bypassing

Autonomous system identification and control of MACE II using the Frequency Domain Expert algorithm

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/77122/1/AIAA-1999-4586-175.pd

Home Ranges and Habitat Use of Brown Pelicans (\u3ci\u3ePelecanus occidentalis\u3c/i\u3e) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Little is known about movements and habitat use of Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We attached satellite transmitters to 18 adult Brown Pelicans (nine males, nine females) that were captured on Grand Isle along the Louisiana coast during 31 August-2 September 2010. Their movements and habitat use were tracked between September 2010 and March 2012. Nine of the Brown Pelicans remained proximate to the Louisiana coast; four ranged along the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana; three moved from Louisiana to Texas; and two migrated across the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula. Annual 99% home range estimates varied widely ( = 10,611 km2, SE = 2,370), and males had larger ranges ( = 15,088 km2, SE = 2,219) than females ( = 6,133 km2, SE = 1,764). Habitats used by Brown Pelicans were primarily open water, estuarine emergent wetland, grassland, unconsolidated shore, and deep water habitat types

TBS (Trabecular Bone Score) Expands Understanding of Spaceflight Effects on the Lumbar Spine of Long Duration Astronauts

Background: Bone loss due to long-duration spaceflight has been characterized by both DXA and QCT serial scans. It is unclear if these spaceflight-induced changes in bone mineral density and structure result in increased fracture incidence. NASA astronauts currently fly on 5-6-month missions on the International Space Station (ISS) and at least one 12-month mission is planned. While NASA has measured areal BMD (by DXA) and volumetric BMD (by QCT), and has estimated hip strength (by finite element models of QCT data, no method has yet been used to examine bone microarchitecture from lumbar spine (LS). DXA scans are routinely performed pre- and post-flight on all ISS astronauts to follow BMD changes associated with space flight. Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) is a relatively new method that measures grey-scale-level texture information extracted from lumbar spine DXA images and correlates with 3D parameters of bone micro-architecture. We evaluated the ability of LS TBS to discriminate changes in astronauts who have flown on ISS missions and to determine if TBS can provide additional information compared to DXA. Methods: LS (L1-4) DXA scans from 51 astronauts (mean age, 47 +/- 4) were divided into 3 groups based on the exercise regimes performed while onboard the ISS. Pre-ARED (exercise using a load-limited resistive exercise device, <300lb), ARED (exercise with a high-load resistive exercise device, up to 600lb) and a Bisphos group (ARED exercise and a 70-mg alendronate tablet once a week before and during flight, starting 17 days before launch). DXA scans were performed and analyzed on a Hologic Discovery W using the same technician for the pre- and postflight scans. LSC for the LS in our laboratory is 0.025 g/cm2. TBS was performed at the Mercy Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio on a similar Hologic computer. TBS precision was calculated from 16 comparable test subjects (0.0XX g/cm2). Data were preliminary analyzed using a paired, 2-tailed t-test for the difference between pre- and postflight means

Impact of the new definition for pulmonary hypertension in patients with lung disease: an analysis of the United Network for Organ Sharing database

The implications of the recent change in the definition of pulmonary hypertension on epidemiology and outcomes are not known. We sought to determine the percentage of patients with the two most common lung diseases that would be reclassified regarding the presence/absence of pulmonary hypertension with the revised definition. A query of the United Network for Organ Sharing database was performed. The percentage of patients meeting the current and previous definition of pulmonary hypertension was described. Outcomes of patients stratified by the current and previous definitions were compared. There were 15,563 patients with right heart catheterization data analyzed. Pulmonary hypertension was more prevalent in both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis under the new definition at 52.4% versus 82.4%, and 47.6% versus 73.6%, respectively. 'Pre-capillary' pulmonary hypertension by the new definition was lower at 28.1% for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and 36.8% for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Of the patients with pulmonary hypertension by the old definition, 23.9% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and 18.7% of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients were not classified as pulmonary hypertension by the new definition. Conversely, 15.9% of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients and 15.1% of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients who did not meet diagnostic criteria for pulmonary hypertension by the old definition did have pulmonary hypertension by the new definition. Patients in both disease categories had shorter transplant-free waitlist survival in the presence of pulmonary hypertension by both the new and old definitions. There was a trend toward the new definition of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension better discerning outcomes compared to the old definition of pulmonary hypertension in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients. Most patients with advanced lung disease who are listed for lung transplantation have pulmonary hypertension, but fewer have pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension than pulmonary hypertension by the old definition. Both the old and new definition of precapillary pulmonary hypertension appear to discern outcomes among the two groups of lung disease analyzed, with some evidence to suggest that the new definition performs slightly better in the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis population

Home Ranges and Habitat Use of Brown Pelicans (\u3ci\u3ePelecanus occidentalis\u3c/i\u3e) in the Northern Gulf of Mexico

Little is known about movements and habitat use of Brown Pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis) in the northern Gulf of Mexico. We attached satellite transmitters to 18 adult Brown Pelicans (nine males, nine females) that were captured on Grand Isle along the Louisiana coast during 31 August-2 September 2010. Their movements and habitat use were tracked between September 2010 and March 2012. Nine of the Brown Pelicans remained proximate to the Louisiana coast; four ranged along the coasts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana; three moved from Louisiana to Texas; and two migrated across the Gulf of Mexico to the Yucatan Peninsula. Annual 99% home range estimates varied widely ( = 10,611 km2, SE = 2,370), and males had larger ranges ( = 15,088 km2, SE = 2,219) than females ( = 6,133 km2, SE = 1,764). Habitats used by Brown Pelicans were primarily open water, estuarine emergent wetland, grassland, unconsolidated shore, and deep water habitat types