Predicting Uber and Lyft Fares Using Linear Regression

The goal of this research is to create a fare prediction model for ride hailing companies Uber and Lyft in the Greater Boston area. We create multiple linear regression models for the two companies and compare the difference in their pricing strategies. Uber and Lyft have made commute reliable and convenient, especially for individuals who do not own personal vehicles. Regular consumers of these services often experience unusual price fluctuations for a given source and destination. Finding a model that accurately predicts fares can help consumers decide the best choice for commute. To build our models, we use a sample dataset available in Kaggle for Uber and Lyft price pings collected in Boston, MA. The dataset contains 110,190 data points for UberX and UberXL, and 102,470 data points for Lyft and LyftXL. We dropped rows with information regarding any other type of Uber/Lyft

Asymptotic Quantization for a Condensation System Associated with a Discrete Distribution

Let P := (1/3)P ○ S1–1 + (1/3)P ○ S2–1 + (1/3)v be a condensation measure on R, where S1(x) = (1/5)x, S2(x) = (1/5)x + 4/5 for all x ∈ R , and v is a discrete distribution on R with the support of v equals C := {(2/5), (3/5)}. For such a measure P we determine the optimal sets of n–means and the nth quantization errors for all n ≥ 2. In addition, we show that the quantization dimension of the condensation measure P exists and equals κ,where κ is the unique number given by ((1/3)(1/5)2)(κ/(2 + κ)) + ((1/3)(1/5)2) (κ/(2 + κ)) = 1, the quantization coefficient for P does not exist, and the D( P)-dimensional lower and upper quantization coefficients for P are finite and positive

Effects of 17β Estradiol in the Metabolism and Morphology of Bluegill Sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus)

Fish natural habitats are increasingly contaminated with various estrogenic compounds, including 17β estradiol (E2). This compound causes adverse effects on the reproductive system of male fish; however, the effects of E2 on other aspects of fish metabolism, morphology and histopathological changes in internal organs are not well known. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of E2 exposure on the basal and stressed metabolic rate, morphological changes in body shapes, and histological changes in the liver tissues of sunfish species. Fish were held individually in ten gallon tanks under two treatments of 40 and 80 ng/L and one control treatment (no E2). The duration of E2 exposure was 21 days, with E2 being replenished every week based on its half-life. Basal and maximum aerobic scopes were measured using closed respirometry and a chase protocol at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. Lateral pictures of the fish were also taken at these two time points. My working hypotheses are that (1) fish subjected to E2 exposure would experience stress and thus increased oxygen consumption, (2) male dimorphic characters would become less noticeable in exposed fish, and (3) there would be alterations in the structure of liver hepatocytes after E2 exposure. I found that the basal metabolic rate decreased after 21 days in the control group but not in the estradiol exposed groups. In terms of morphological changes, I observed reduction in operculum size and decrease in head size in exposed individuals but not in the control. Some morphological changes in male-related characters in sunfish which eroded male dimorphic characters were caused by E2 exposure. Preliminary histological examination of liver tissues showed that there was a disintegration of hepatocytes in the E2-exposed liver tissues. My research highlights negative effects of estradiol that are more widespread than simple gonadal alterations which warrant close monitoring of estradiol contamination in the natural water system

The experiences of rural British Columbians accessing surgical and obstetrical care

The attrition of small volume surgical and maternity services in rural Canada over the past three decades has made access to these services especially challenging for rural citizens. While many of these closures have occurred as consequences of regionalization, a strategy to regionally centralize healthcare services, many studies investigating outcomes of regionalization have focused on costs and medical endpoints rather than the direct experiences of the rural patients affected. In this study, we aimed to understand and document the experiences of rural residents accessing procedural and maternity care both locally and away from home. This study is part of a larger evaluation framework which prioritizes the insight of rural residents regarding healthcare issues. We conducted focus groups and interviews with 54 participants in six communities across British Columbia’s southeastern and northern regions. Thematic analysis showed that rural residents experienced unique challenges when leaving their communities to access care. This included logistics of travel, poor coordination of care between multiple providers, and financial and psychosocial issues. Despite being mostly content with the medical care received, participants expressed needing more attention to their unique needs and preferences as patients leaving their home communities for care. Understanding these challenges facilitates the planning of healthcare services in a more equitable manner. Our findings suggest that we need increased patient-centered healthcare planning that aims to alleviate the financial and psychosocial strain on rural residents. Experience Framework This article is associated with the Policy & Measurement lens of The Beryl Institute Experience Framework. (https://www.theberylinstitute.org/ExperienceFramework). Access other PXJ articles related to this lens. Access other resources related to this lens

Dynamic Optimization of Nitrogen in Plateau Cotton Yield Functions with Nitrogen Carryover Considerations

This study utilizes a dynamic programming decision model, considering an intertemporal nitrogen carryover function, combined with both linear stochastic and deterministic plateau response functions to evaluate optimal nitrogen fertilizer decision rules and net present values (NPVs) in Texas High Plains cotton production. Nitrogen recommendations and NPVs are influenced by response function choice and nitrogen-to-cotton price ratios. Results indicate the stochastic plateau function better describes the data; the optimum nitrogen recommendation is to apply approximately 40 lb. of nitrogen for each bale of cotton production when considering nitrogen carryover information

Computer Model for Simulating Population Dynamics of the Predator \u3ci\u3eLyctocoris campestris\u3c/i\u3e (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in Stored Shelled Corn

A computer model for simulating population dynamics of Lyctocoris campestris (F.), a predator of stored-product insects, was developed using data from the literature and newly collected data for adult longevity and fecundity. Immature development time and survival, adult longevity, fecundity, and cannibalism were simulated. The model was validated at ambient environmental conditions during three seasons in Wisconsin. The model accurately simulated development of the predator feeding on larvae of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in the validation studies. The model will be useful in optimizing mass-rearing and augmentative releases of this predator for biological control of stored-product insect pests

Computer Model for Simulating Population Dynamics of the Predator \u3ci\u3eLyctocoris campestris\u3c/i\u3e (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae) in Stored Shelled Corn

A computer model for simulating population dynamics of Lyctocoris campestris (F.), a predator of stored-product insects, was developed using data from the literature and newly collected data for adult longevity and fecundity. Immature development time and survival, adult longevity, fecundity, and cannibalism were simulated. The model was validated at ambient environmental conditions during three seasons in Wisconsin. The model accurately simulated development of the predator feeding on larvae of the Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), in the validation studies. The model will be useful in optimizing mass-rearing and augmentative releases of this predator for biological control of stored-product insect pests

Strip Cropping: A Potential IPM Tool for Reducing Whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae) Infestations in Cassava

Insect pests and diseases are a major limiting factor to cassava production in Africa. The cassava mosaic virus disease (CMVD), caused by cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) (Geminiviridae: Begomovirus) and transmitted by whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, threatens the production of the crop in Africa, causing an estimated annual yield loss of over 1.5 billion US dollars. A 6-month field experiments were conducted to explore the potential of using strip cropping to reduce whitefly infestations in cassava, Manihot esculenta Crantz (Euphorbiaceae). Five rows each of cassava, Jatropha and cotton were grown around a 10-row (1 m row width) × 25 m cassava plots in a randomized complete block design. At weekly intervals, the levels of whiteflies infestations (number of eggs, nymphs and adults) per plot were determined. A significantly lower numbers of immature (egg and nymph) and adult Bemisia tabaci were found in cassava plots surrounded on all sides by five rows of both cotton and Jatropha curcas, clearly demonstrating the potential of strip cropping as a management option for the suppression of Bemisia tabaci populations

Sheet Music Transcriber

Undergraduate Engineering students are required to complete a group-based, two-course capstone sequence: ENSC 405W and ENSC 440.  Groups form company structures and create an innovative product that potentially acts as a solution to a real-life problem.  This collection archives the following assignments: proposal, design specifications, requirements specifications, and proof of concept

USING THE CUMULATIVE-SIZE MECHANISTIC MODEL FOR ANALYZING INSECT DATA

Two data sets of aphid abundance are analyzed using a new cumulative-size based mechanistic model. The first data set pertains to the cotton aphid, and its analysis demonstrates the power of the mechanistic model-based approach. The second data set pertains to greenbug populations, and its analysis shows the key role that birth and death rate coefficients may play in predicting the peak and the cumulative population sizes