Bunch-Kaufman factorization for real symmetric indefinite banded matrices

The Bunch-Kaufman algorithm for factoring symmetric indefinite matrices was rejected for banded matrices because it destroys the banded structure of the matrix. Herein, it is shown that for a subclass of real symmetric matrices which arise in solving the generalized eigenvalue problem using Lanczos's method, the Bunch-Kaufman algorithm does not result in major destruction of the bandwidth. Space time complexities of the algorithm are given and used to show that the Bunch-Kaufman algorithm is a significant improvement over LU factorization

The use of Lanczos's method to solve the large generalized symmetric definite eigenvalue problem

The generalized eigenvalue problem, Kx = Lambda Mx, is of significant practical importance, especially in structural enginering where it arises as the vibration and buckling problem. A new algorithm, LANZ, based on Lanczos's method is developed. LANZ uses a technique called dynamic shifting to improve the efficiency and reliability of the Lanczos algorithm. A new algorithm for solving the tridiagonal matrices that arise when using Lanczos's method is described. A modification of Parlett and Scott's selective orthogonalization algorithm is proposed. Results from an implementation of LANZ on a Convex C-220 show it to be superior to a subspace iteration code

An Analysis of the EQIP program for Lesser Prairie Chickens in the Northern Texas Panhandle

The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for the Lesser Prairie Chicken provides monetary compensation to agricultural producers for species habitat development. The advantages and disadvantages of program enrollment, as well as the overall economic impact are evaluated for a typical ranch operation in the Northern Texas Panhandle from 2009-2013.Prairie Chicken, FARM Assistance, EQIP, Environmental Economics and Policy,

The mythical speech of Janine Antoni

The confrontation of societal myths has been a major concern of many female artists since the 1960s. However, confronting the ideological construction of myth is not enough to discredit it. The semiology of myth, according to Roland Barthes (1915-1980), simply absorbs this confrontation by placing the artist in the position of a signifier of the myth itself. Paradoxically, in order to discredit myth the artist must speak the myth, in order to empty the ideological content of the myth through the adoption of mythical speech. This produces a counter-myth. Language as a vehicle of feminist expression has been a permeating issue central to 20th century women artists. However, their voices have often been silenced through the semiological structure of myth, unable to speak the myth. .;This paper addresses several works of art by Janine Antoni (b. 1964, Freeport, Bahamas) who is able to overcome the powerful semiological construction of myth through the use of mythical speech and the creation of the counter-myth. She does this through a pluralistic approach that often combines performance and the object, which historicizes the work of art, semiologically mythologizing the myth. In order to fully examine Antoni\u27s approach, a comparative analysis is necessary to determine the nature of myth and its relationship to visual art. Therefore, this paper begins by discussing three postmodern female artists: Sherrie Levine (b. 1947), Cindy Sherman (b. 1954) and Marina Abramovic (b. 1946). This approach establishes historical precedents of feminist art of the 20th century and attempts to reveal the various ways in which the semiological system of myth is able to distort the speaker, through authorship and the body politic

(re)construct: exploring objecthood in a digital age

The following paper describes the conceptual framework and several works in the exhibition: (re)construct: exploring objecthood in a digital age, which was on view at the Laura Mesaros Gallery at the College of Creative Arts, West Virginia University. The exhibition ran from November 30th through December 11th, 2009. The exhibition consisted of both oil paintings on clear acrylic and ink jet photographs. The question which this paper and the exhibition attempts to address is: what are the ontology and the limits of hyperreality in contemporary society? The following paper and the exhibition is epistemologically based and asks the following questions: Are we in a continuous state of the hyperreal, as theorist Jean Baudrillard (1929--2009) suggested, or are we in a state of flux between the real and the hyperreal? And further, what place does the handmade play in contemporary society and art making? The work and the paper assert that the handmade, the sense of objecthood and physical manipulation in the works, dislocates the digital referent, which is suggested through both process and image

Economic Considerations for Playa Management Alternatives

Playa lakes are very important to the Texas High Plains. They provide habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, and are the Ogallala Aquifer’s primary recharge source. Plowing and sedimentation have caused substantial damage to the overall health of many playas. A need exists to protect this resource for future generations. Several government programs are available to assist landowners with playa preservation including CP23A, the Wetlands Reserve Program, and the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. This study evaluates each conservation program and weighs the economic benefits and costs of program implementation.Southern Great Plains, Playa Lakes, CP23A, Conservation Reserve Program, Wetlands Reserve Program, Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, Environmental Economics and Policy,

A language comparison for scientific computing on MIMD architectures

Choleski's method for solving banded symmetric, positive definite systems is implemented on a multiprocessor computer using three FORTRAN based parallel programming languages, the Force, PISCES and Concurrent FORTRAN. The capabilities of the language for expressing parallelism and their user friendliness are discussed, including readability of the code, debugging assistance offered, and expressiveness of the languages. The performance of the different implementations is compared. It is argued that PISCES, using the Force for medium-grained parallelism, is the appropriate choice for programming Choleski's method on the multiprocessor computer, Flex/32

Using the PUMA System

This document describes the operation of the Lisp Machine interface to the Unimation Puma 600 Robot Arm. The interface is evolved from a system described in an earlier paper, and much is the same. However, the under-lying interface between the Lisp Machine and the Puma has changed and some enhancements have been made. VAL has been replaced with a PDP-11/23, communicating with the Lisp Machine over the Chaosnet. The purpose of this document is to provide instruction and information in the programming of the Puma arm from the Lisp Machine. The network protocol is not described here, nor are the internals of the implementation. These details are provided in separate documentation. The reader will find in this paper both a tutorial section and a reference section. The tutorial will lead the reader through a sample session using the Puma by directly calling the primitive operations, and will provide an introduction to programming using the primitives. The reference section provides an overview of the network protocol and describes all of the primitive operations provided. Please note that this document corresponds to the version of the Puma system in use on 11 March, 1985. The system is still undergoing development and enhancement, and there may be additional features, if you are running a newer system. The authors welcome reports of errors, inaccuracies, or suggestions for clarification or improvement in either the documentation or the code for the Puma system. Please send electronic mail to [email protected] Artificial Intelligence Laborator

Puma/Cougar Implementor's Guide

This document is intended to be a guide to assist a programmer in modifying or extending the Lisp Puma system, the Puma PDP-11 system, or the Cougar PDP-11 system. It consists mostly of short descriptions or hints, and is not intended to be a polished manual. The reader is expected to be familiar with the use of the Puma system, as described in "Using the PUMA System," and the Lisp flavor system, as described in the Lisp Machine Manual.MIT Artificial Intelligence Laborator