Aggregation Behavior of a Willow Flea Beetle, \u3ci\u3eAltica Subplicata\u3c/i\u3e (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

This study examined the aggregation behavior of a specialist insect herbivore, Altica subplicata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), on its host plant, Salix cordata. Mark-recapture experiments were conducted in patches of S. cordata growing along the shores of Lake Huron. Beetles aggregated on individual host plants, but did not aggregate in larger areas containing many host plants. Plants colonized by marked beetles had significantly higher abundances of unmarked beetles than did plants that were not colonized by marked beetles. Experimental manipulations of the number of beetles present on plants showed that colonization rates by marked beetles were higher on plants with conspecifics than on plants which had all beetles removed the previous day. The sex of beetles, however, did not influence colonization behavior; both male and female beetles colonized plants regardless of the sex of beetles already present on plants. These results are discussed with respect to possible explanations for aggregation, and the role of aggregation and movement in influencing insect distributions

A finite difference solution for the cylindrical expansion of a gas cloud into vacuum

Finite difference method for solution of cylindrical expansion of gas cloud into vacuu

Network Lasso: Clustering and Optimization in Large Graphs

Convex optimization is an essential tool for modern data analysis, as it provides a framework to formulate and solve many problems in machine learning and data mining. However, general convex optimization solvers do not scale well, and scalable solvers are often specialized to only work on a narrow class of problems. Therefore, there is a need for simple, scalable algorithms that can solve many common optimization problems. In this paper, we introduce the \emph{network lasso}, a generalization of the group lasso to a network setting that allows for simultaneous clustering and optimization on graphs. We develop an algorithm based on the Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) to solve this problem in a distributed and scalable manner, which allows for guaranteed global convergence even on large graphs. We also examine a non-convex extension of this approach. We then demonstrate that many types of problems can be expressed in our framework. We focus on three in particular - binary classification, predicting housing prices, and event detection in time series data - comparing the network lasso to baseline approaches and showing that it is both a fast and accurate method of solving large optimization problems

Coexistence of Antiferromagnetism and Superconductivity in Electron-doped High-Tc Superconductors

We present magnetotransport evidence for antiferromagnetism in films of the electron-doped cuprates Pr$_{2-x}$Ce$_x$CuO$_4$. Our results show clear signature of static antiferromagnetism up to optimal doping x=0.15, with a quantum phase transition close to x=0.16, and a coexistence of static antiferromagnetism and superconductivity for 0.12$\le$x$\le$0.15

A Statewide Survey Of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Kiwi je naziv za manipulatora tipa SCARA, konfiguracije RRTR. Kiwi-jem se upravlja iz Matlab-a, odnosno Simulink-a putem CAN-a, preko Real-Time Linux ciljnog racunala. Modelsko prediktivno upravljanje (MPC) se zasad uglavnom koristi za upravljanje sporim i relativno linearnim sustavima. U ovom radu MPC je upotrebljen za upravljanje pozicijom prvog zgloba Kiwi-ja. Izrađen je nelinearan dinamicki model prvog zgloba koji dobro opisuje njegovo vladanje. Razvijen je optimizacijski algoritam koji omogućuje implementaciju nelinearnog MPC-a u stvarnom vremenu. Dana je usporedba s uobičajenim metodama upravljanja te smjernice za daljnji razvoj i poboljšanja.Kiwi is a SCARA robot, set up as an RRTR configuration. Kiwi is controlled via Matlab, Simulink, using CAN and a Real-Time Linux target computer. Model predictive control (MPC) is nowadays mainly used in the control of linear systems with slow dynamics. In this paper, the MPC is used to control the position of the Kiwi’s first joint. A nonlinear dynamical model was made, describing the system dynamics well. An optimization algorithm was developed to implement the nonlinear MPC in real-time. Comparison with commonly used control methods was given, as well as the guidelines for further development and improvement

Federal Estate Tax - Marital Deduction - Annuity for Life with Guaranteed Certain Payments Not Divided Into Two Properties by Insurer\u27s Accounting Treatment

Plaintiff, executor of decedent\u27s estate, brought suit to recover an overpayment of federal estate tax. Decedent had purchased a life insurance policy and had elected an option under which proceeds would be paid to his wife in monthly payments for her life; however, the option also guaranteed a minimum of 240 payments. In the event the wife died before 240 payments were made, payments were to continue to decedent\u27s daughter, or on the death of both wife and daughter, the commuted value of the remaining guaranteed payments would be paid in lump sum to the estate of the survivor. The insurers made book entries allocating $17,956.41 of the total proceeds to fund the 240 guaranteed payments- or annuity certain - and$7,231.09 to fund the annuity payable to the wife to the extent that she might live longer than 240 months - contingent life annuity. No division of the proceeds was made by the terms of the policy. The federal estate tax was paid on the value of both the annuity certain and the contingent life annuity. Plaintiff then brought suit for a refund of the tax on the value of the contingent life annuity claiming that the separate accounting treatment of this annuity made it separate property, and that it therefore qualified for the marital deduction since the wife\u27s interest in the contingent annuity was exclusive. The district court accepted this theory, and allowed the refund, but was reversed by the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. On certiorari to the United States Supreme Court, held, affirmed, three Justices dissenting. Because separate book entries by the insurer allocating portions of the total insurance proceeds to fund the contingent and certain payments of an annuity are not sufficient to divide this annuity into separate properties, the proceeds constituted one property in which the widow had a terminable, and therefore a non-deductible, interest. Meyer v. United States, 364 U.S. 410 (1960)

Constitutional Law- Freedom of Religion- Tuition Payments to Parochial Schools Violate Fourteenth Amendment

Because defendant school district did not maintain a high school within the school district, tuition payments were made, as provided by statute, to the high schools attended by pupils residing within the district. The parents of each student selected the high school to be attended. As a result of this program, some tuition payments were made to high schools operated by the Roman Catholic Church. Plaintiff taxpayer sought in a declaratory judgment a determination of the validity of tuition payments made to Catholic high schools under the United States Constitution and the Constitution of Vermont. The court of chancery held the payments unconstitutional. On appeal, held, affirmed. The payment of tuition to a religious denominational school by a public entity constitutes an establishment of religion in violation of the fourteenth amendment of the United States Constitution. Swart v. South Burlingon Town School Dist., 167 A.2d 514 (Vt. 1961)