Observational Learning in the Jumping Spider \u3ci\u3ePhidippus audax\u3c/i\u3e

Observational learning is a complex form of learning most frequently studied in social vertebrates. However, evidence for social learning exists in several invertebrate species Evidence of invertebrate observational learning also exists, though to a lesser extent. This study addresses observational learning in a jumping spider (Phidippus audax) through video playback. My results suggest that while observational learning is occurring, the exact mechanism in use remains unclear. Spiders that saw a conspecific satiate itself on a prey item readily attacked a similar prey item when exposed to a live prey item. However, spiders exposed to a conspecific rejecting or in the absence of a prey item were much more cautious when exposed to a live prey item. While virtually all spiders did eventually attack, a significant increase was found in the latency to the attack. No other groups demonstrated deviated from the behavior of the control group. My data suggest that observational learning may be present in a more diverse array of taxa than is held in traditional views of social learning, including highly asocial invertebrates such as spiders. Advisor: Rick A. Bevin

Flutter suppression using eigenspace freedoms to meet requirements

A constrained optimization methodology has been developed which allows specific use of eigensystem freedoms to meet design requirements. A subset of the available eigenvector freedoms was employed. The eigenvector freedoms associated with a particular closed-loop eigenvalue are coefficients of basis vectors which span the subspace in which that closed-loop vector must lie. Design requirements are included as a vector of inequality constraints. The procedure was successfully applied to develop an unscheduled controller which stabilizes symmetric flutter of an aeroelastic vehicle to a dynamic pressure 44 percent above the open-loop flutter point. The design process proceeded from full-state feedback to the inclusion of a full-order observer to the selection of an eighth-order controller which preserved the full-state sensitivity characteristics. Only a subset of the design freedoms was utilized (i.e., assuming full-state feedback only four out of 26 eigenvectors were used, and no variations were made in the closed-loop eigenvalues). Utilization of additional eigensystem freedoms could further improve the controller

EFFECTS OF EEP ON CANADIAN/UNITED STATES WHEAT TRADE

Agricultural and Food Policy, International Relations/Trade,

Market Power in Outputs and Inputs: An Empirical Application to Banking

This paper provides evidence on the empirical separability of input and output market imperfections. We specify a model of banking competition and simultaneously estimate bank conduct in output (loan) and input (deposit) markets. Our results suggest that firms display some degree of noncompetitive behavior in both the loan and the deposit markets. Moreover, we find that the input side and the output side are empirically separable, that is the measurement of market power on one side of the market is not affected by assuming that the other side of the market is perfectly competitive. Our results suggest that empirical studies of market power that concentrate on either the input side or the output side, are not subject to significant misspecification error. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG - (Marktmacht auf Input- und Outputmärkten: Eine Empirische Anwendung auf den Bankensektor) Der Aufsatz untersucht den Zusammenhang von Unvollkommenheiten auf Input- und auf Outputmärkten. Im Rahmen eines Wettbewerbsmodells für den Bankensektor wird die Wechselwirkung zwischen Outputmarkt, d.h. bei der Kreditvergabe, und Inputmarkt (Geldanlage) empirisch untersucht. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass Banken auf beiden Seiten des Marktes eine gewisse Marktmacht ausüben können. Allerdings ist die Wechselwirkung begrenzt, sodass eine separate Betrachtungsweise von Input- und Outputmärkten möglich ist. Dies bedeutet wiederum, dass empirische Untersuchungen, die jeweils nur eine Seite des Marktes analysieren, keinen signifikanten Verzerrungen unterliegen.Measuring Market Power, Banking

Uncertainties around the implementation of a clearing-control policy in a unique catchment in Northern Australia: exploring equity issues and balancing competing objectives

Land use change is the most significant driver linked to global species extinctions. In Northern Australia, the landscape is still relatively intact with very low levels of clearing. However, a re-energized political discourse around creating a northern food bowl means that currently intact ecosystems in northern Australia could be under imminent threat from increased land clearing and water extraction. These impacts are likely to be concentrated in a few regions with suitable soils and water supplies. The Daly River Catchment in the Northern Territory is an important catchment for both conservation and development. Land use in the Daly catchment has been subject to clearing guidelines that are largely untested in terms of their eventual implications for the spatial configuration of conservation and development. Given the guidelines are not legislated they might also be removed or revised by subsequent Territory Governments, including the recently-elected one. We examine the uncertainties around the spatial implications of full implementation of the Daly clearing guidelines and their potential effects on equity of opportunity across land tenures and land uses. We also examine how removal of the guidelines could affect conservation in the catchment. We conclude that the guidelines are important in supporting development in the catchment while still achieving conservation goals, and we recommend ways of implementing the guidelines to make best use of available land resources for intensified production

APPLICATION OF A BIO-ECONOMIC-ENGINEERING MODEL FOR SHRIMP MARICULTURE SYSTEMS

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

Computation of nucleation of a non-equilibrium first-order phase transition using a rare-event algorithm

We introduce a new Forward-Flux Sampling in Time (FFST) algorithm to efficiently measure transition times in rare-event processes in non-equilibrium systems, and apply it to study the first-order (discontinuous) kinetic transition in the Ziff-Gulari-Barshad model of catalytic surface reaction. The average time for the transition to take place, as well as both the spinodal and transition points, are clearly found by this method.Comment: 12 pages, 10 figure

A Stochastic Analysis of Proposals for the New US Farm Bill

Most of the large scale modeling systems used in the analysis of agricultural policies produce deterministic projections. In reality, however, the agricultural sector is subject to a high degree of uncertainty as a result of fluctuations in exogenous factors such as the weather or macroeconomic variation. A stochastic approach can provide additional information to policy makers regarding the implications of this uncertainty, through the use of stochastically generated projections. This paper also shows how deterministic analysis may result in systematic errors in the projection of some variables. As an applied example, the FAPRI model of the US agricultural sector is simulated stochastically to analyse the impact of proposals for the new US farm bill.Stochastic simulation, US Farm Bill, policy analysis, Agricultural and Food Policy,