Efficient, Optimal kk-Leader Selection for Coherent, One-Dimensional Formations

We study the problem of optimal leader selection in consensus networks with noisy relative information. The objective is to identify the set of $k$ leaders that minimizes the formation's deviation from the desired trajectory established by the leaders. An optimal leader set can be found by an exhaustive search over all possible leader sets; however, this approach is not scalable to large networks. In recent years, several works have proposed approximation algorithms to the $k$-leader selection problem, yet the question of whether there exists an efficient, non-combinatorial method to identify the optimal leader set remains open. This work takes a first step towards answering this question. We show that, in one-dimensional weighted graphs, namely path graphs and ring graphs, the $k$-leader selection problem can be solved in polynomial time (in both $k$ and the network size $n$). We give an $O(n^3)$ solution for optimal $k$-leader selection in path graphs and an $O(kn^3)$ solution for optimal $k$-leader selection in ring graphs.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, submitted to ECC1

Vampires, Slashers, Or Zombies: Opening Weekends Favorite Box Office Monster

This paper examines the determinants of opening weekend box office revenue of movies from the horror genre.  The sample consists of 225 films released during 1978-2010.  Regression results indicate the primary determinants of opening weekend box office revenue for horror movies are number of theatres showing the movie during the opening weekend of release, holiday release, critical rating, sequels, restricted rating, production budget, and theme.  Specific results include the observation that within the horror movie genre, the vampire and slasher themes add approximately four to eleven million dollars to opening weekend box office revenue, while the comedic theme stalls at the box office with earnings totaling as much as four million dollars less than other movies in the genre.  Nudity and the zombie theme are not statistically significant determinants

REGIONAL COLLABORATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LIVESTOCK COST AND RETURN ESTIMATES

Livestock Production/Industries,

The Effect of Ischemic Preconditioning on Repeated Sprint Cycling Performance

Purpose: Ischemic preconditioning enhances exercise performance. We tested the hypothesis that ischemic preconditioning would improve intermittent exercise in the form of a repeated sprint test during cycling ergometry.Methods: In a single-blind, crossover study, 14 recreationally active men (mean ± SD age, 22.9 ± 3.7 yr; height, 1.80 ± 0.07 m; and mass, 77.3 ± 9.2 kg) performed twelve 6-s sprints after four 5-min periods of bilateral limb occlusion at 220 mm Hg (ischemic preconditioning) or 20 mm Hg (placebo).Results: Ischemic preconditioning resulted in a 2.4% ± 2.2%, 2.6% ± 2.7%, and 3.7% ± 2.4% substantial increase in peak power for sprints 1, 2, and 3, respectively, relative to placebo, with no further changes between trials observed for any other sprint. Similar findings were observed in the first three sprints for mean power output after ischemic preconditioning (2.8% ± 2.5%, 2.6% ± 2.5%, and 3.4% ± 2.1%, for sprints 1, 2, and 3, respectively), relative to placebo. Fatigue index was not substantially different between trials. At rest, tissue saturation index was not different between the trials. During the ischemic preconditioning/placebo stimulus, there was a -19.7% ± 3.6% decrease in tissue saturation index in the ischemic preconditioning trial, relative to placebo. During exercise, there was a 5.4% ± 4.8% greater maintenance of tissue saturation index in the ischemic preconditioning trial, relative to placebo. There were no substantial differences between trials for blood lactate, electromyography (EMG) median frequency, oxygen uptake, or rating of perceived exertion (RPE) at any time points.Conclusion: Ischemic preconditioning improved peak and mean power output during the early stages of repeated sprint cycling and may be beneficial for sprint sports

A new approach to high resolution, high contrast electron microscopy of macromolecular block copolymer assemblies

Determining the structure of macromolecular samples is vital for understanding and adapting their function. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is widely used to achieve this, but, owing to the weak electron scattering cross-section of carbon, TEM images of macromolecular samples are generally low contrast and low resolution. Here we implement a fast and practically simple routine to achieve high-contrast imaging of macromolecular samples using exit wave reconstruction (EWR), revealing a new level of structural detail. This is only possible using ultra-low contrast supports such as the graphene oxide (GO) used here and as such represents a novel application of these substrates. We apply EWR on GO membranes to study self-assembled block copolymer structures, distinguishing not only the general morphology or nanostructure, but also evidence for the substructure (i.e. the polymer chains) which gives insight into their formation mechanisms and functional properties

Eccentricity Growth Rates of Tidally Distorted Discs

We consider discs that orbit a central object and are tidally perturbed by a circular orbit companion. Such discs are sometimes subject to an eccentric instability due to the effects of certain resonances. Eccentric instabilities may be present in planetary rings perturbed by satellites, protostellar discs perturbed by planets, and discs in binary star systems. Although the basic mechanism for eccentric instability is well understood, the detailed response of a gaseous disc to such an instability is not understood. We apply a linear eccentricity evolution equation developed by Goodchild and Ogilvie. We explore how the eccentricity is distributed in such a disc and how the distribution in turn affects the instability growth rate for a range of disc properties. We identify a disc mode, termed the superhump mode, that is likely at work in the superhump binary star case. The mode results from the excitation of the fundamental free precession mode. We determine an analytic expression for the fundamental free mode precession rate that is applicable to a sufficiently cool disc. Depending on the disc sound speed and disc edge location, other eccentric modes can grow faster than the superhump mode and dominate.Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures to be published on MNRA

Paleosalinity History of Middle Holocene Lagoonal and Lacustrine Deposits in the Enriquillo Valley, Dominican Republic Based on Pore Morphometrics and Isotope Geochemistry of Ostracoda

The southwestern region of the Dominican Republic (Enriquillo Valley) contains exceptionally well-preserved, relict marine and saline lake deposits of mid-Holocne age. Abundant euryhaline ostracodes found in this deposit include Cyprideis salebrosa, C. mexicana, C. similis, and C. edentata. Morphometric and geochemical analyses performed on Cyprideis spp. provide high δ18O and δ13C values that are coincident with relative abundances of irregularly shaped pores that permeate the ostracode carapace. We recognize three stratigraphic intervals with distinct ostracode pore shape and stable isotope trends: (I) a 4.5-5.0m interval that contains ostracodes with highly irregular shaped pores (multiradiate) and high amplitude variability in δ18O and δ13C values; (II) a 5.0-5.6m interval comprised of ostracodes with circular pores and an overall trend towards low δ18O and δ13C values; and (III) a 5.6-6.5m interval containing ostracodes with an upward increasing abundance of circular pore shapes coincident with decreasing δ18O and δ13C values. When the Enriquillo lagoon was first separated from the Caribbean Sea approximately 4.3 ka, an arid and evaporative climate led to hypersaline water in a restricted lagoon environment. By the middle to late-Holocene, increased precipitation in the valley resulted in a coastal lake system that became progressively oligohaline. Moderate to small amplitude variability in the salinity proxy data (δ18O) suggest short-term oscillations in the precipitation-evaporation budgets at that time. At least two marine incursions likely contributed to the ob- served variability in ostracode δ18O and δ13C values. Evidence for abrupt changes in base level indicate that climatic factors or also tectonic activity may have contributed to the observed paleoenvironmental trends recorded in these deposits