Transfinite mean value interpolation in general dimension

AbstractMean value interpolation is a simple, fast, linearly precise method of smoothly interpolating a function given on the boundary of a domain. For planar domains, several properties of the interpolant were established in a recent paper by Dyken and the second author, including: sufficient conditions on the boundary to guarantee interpolation for continuous data; a formula for the normal derivative at the boundary; and the construction of a Hermite interpolant when normal derivative data is also available. In this paper we generalize these results to domains in arbitrary dimension

Transfinite mean value interpolation in general dimension

AbstractMean value interpolation is a simple, fast, linearly precise method of smoothly interpolating a function given on the boundary of a domain. For planar domains, several properties of the interpolant were established in a recent paper by Dyken and the second author, including: sufficient conditions on the boundary to guarantee interpolation for continuous data; a formula for the normal derivative at the boundary; and the construction of a Hermite interpolant when normal derivative data is also available. In this paper we generalize these results to domains in arbitrary dimension

The effect of antimicrobial resistance plasmids carrying BlaCMY-2 on biofilm formation by escherichia coli from the broiler production chain

Extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli (ESCR E. coli) with plasmids carrying the blaCMY-2 resistance gene have been isolated from the Norwegian broiler production chain through the Norwegian monitoring program for antimicrobial resistance in animals, food and feed, NORM-VET. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biofilm forming abilities of these strains, and in particular to see whether these might be influenced by the carriage of blaCMY-2 plasmids. The ESCR E. coli from the broiler production chain displayed relatively low biofilm forming abilities in the crystal violet biofilm assay as compared to quinolone-resistant E. coli (QREC) from the same population (mean ± SD = 0.686 ± 0.686 vs. 1.439 ± 0.933, respectively). Acquisition of two different blaCMY-2 plasmids by QREC strains reduced their biofilm production in microtiter plates, but not their biofilm production on Congo Red agar plates. Furthermore, motility was reduced, but not planktonic growth. We hypothesize that genes carried by these plasmids may have caused the observed reduction in biofilm formation, possibly mediated through changes in flagellar expression or function. Furthermore, this may help explain the different biofilm forming abilities observed between ESCR E. coli and QREC. The results also indicate that the risk of biofilm reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant E. coli on in the broiler production is lower for ESCR E. coli than for QREC.publishedVersio

The environmental drag on long-term economic performance. Evidence from Norway

The environmental drag is the cost to society of environmental constraints. This paper estimates the long-run environmental drag on the Norwegian economy. We employ a model called DREAM (dynamic resource / environmental applied model). This is an applied general equilibrium model extended to include important environmental linkages. After having explained the structure of our model, the paper presents macroeconomic effects, and impacts on growth and welfare of environmental constraints. To check robustness we perform a number of sensitivity analyses. Most of our results are remarkably robust to alternative assumptions. Contrary to widespread opinion, a low discount rate increases the environmental drag on welfare. Reducing the rate of technological progress will have similar effects.publishedVersio

The environmental drag on long-term economic performance. Evidence from Norway

The environmental drag is the cost to society of environmental constraints. This paper estimates the long-run environmental drag on the Norwegian economy. We employ a model called DREAM (dynamic resource / environmental applied model). This is an applied general equilibrium model extended to include important environmental linkages. After having explained the structure of our model, the paper presents macroeconomic effects, and impacts on growth and welfare of environmental constraints. To check robustness we perform a number of sensitivity analyses. Most of our results are remarkably robust to alternative assumptions. Contrary to widespread opinion, a low discount rate increases the environmental drag on welfare. Reducing the rate of technological progress will have similar effects

The environmental drag on long- term economic performance: Evidence from Norway

The environmental drag is the cost to society of environmental constraints. This paper estimates the long-run environmental drag on the Norwegian economy. We employ a model called DREAM (dynamic resource / environmental applied model). This is an applied general equilibrium model extended to include important environmental linkages. After having explained the structure of our model, the paper presents macroeconomic effects, and impacts on growth and welfare of environmental constraints. To check robustness we perform a number of sensitivity analyses. Most of our results are remarkably robust to alternative assumptions. Contrary to widespread opinion, a low discount rate increases the environmental drag on welfare. Reducing the rate of technological progress will have similar effects.Environmental drag; dynamic CGE model; Norway.

Modeling The Behavior Of A Hierarchy Of Command Agents With Context-Based Reasoning

Context-based reasoning is a paradigm for modeling agent behavior that is based on the idea that humans only use a small portion of their knowledge at any given time. It was specially designed to represent human tactical behavior and has been successfully implemented in systems with single agents or two agents working together. In this paper, we apply this idea in a hierarchical multi-agent system of command agents, where the agents’ actions are to command and coordinate subordinates, send reports to their superiors, and communicate with other agents at the same level. We focus on how contexts and actions can be defined for these higher level command agents and how the contexts and actions for the different command agents are related. The proposed methodology is implemented and tested for a hierarchy of command agents that are interpreting and planning an operational order at a battalion level and carrying it out in a computer generated forces environment

The effect of antimicrobial resistance plasmids carrying BlaCMY-2 on biofilm formation by escherichia coli from the broiler production chain

Extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli (ESCR E. coli) with plasmids carrying the blaCMY-2 resistance gene have been isolated from the Norwegian broiler production chain through the Norwegian monitoring program for antimicrobial resistance in animals, food and feed, NORM-VET. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biofilm forming abilities of these strains, and in particular to see whether these might be influenced by the carriage of blaCMY-2 plasmids. The ESCR E. coli from the broiler production chain displayed relatively low biofilm forming abilities in the crystal violet biofilm assay as compared to quinolone-resistant E. coli (QREC) from the same population (mean ± SD = 0.686 ± 0.686 vs. 1.439 ± 0.933, respectively). Acquisition of two different blaCMY-2 plasmids by QREC strains reduced their biofilm production in microtiter plates, but not their biofilm production on Congo Red agar plates. Furthermore, motility was reduced, but not planktonic growth. We hypothesize that genes carried by these plasmids may have caused the observed reduction in biofilm formation, possibly mediated through changes in flagellar expression or function. Furthermore, this may help explain the different biofilm forming abilities observed between ESCR E. coli and QREC. The results also indicate that the risk of biofilm reservoirs of antimicrobial resistant E. coli on in the broiler production is lower for ESCR E. coli than for QREC