Kissing numbers and transference theorems from generalized tail bounds

We generalize Banaszczyk's seminal tail bound for the Gaussian mass of a lattice to a wide class of test functions. From this we obtain quite general transference bounds, as well as bounds on the number of lattice points contained in certain bodies. As applications, we bound the lattice kissing number in $\ell_p$ norms by $e^{(n+ o(n))/p}$ for $0 < p \leq 2$, and also give a proof of a new transference bound in the $\ell_1$ norm.Comment: Previous title: "Generalizations of Banaszczyk's transference theorems and tail bound

How to make a comet

The primary mandate of NASA is the study of the nature and origin of the solar system. The study of the comets provide information about conditions and processes at the beginning of the solar system. Short period comets and their relatives, the near Earth asteroids may prove to be second only to the sun in importance to the long term survival of civilization for two reasons. The short period comets and the near Earth asteroids are a possible candidate for the cause of mass extinctions of life on Earth; and they may provide the material means for the expansion of civilization into the solar system and beyond. The comets and near Earth asteroids almost certainly represent the most primitive material of the solar system, still tantalizingly unavailable until spacecraft bring first-hand information. In the meantime comets must be studied by remote means. Laboratory investigations using synthetic cometary materials may add to the knowledge of these interesting objects. Experimentation on comet synthesis is briefly discussed

Modeling the ballistic-to-diffusive transition in nematode motility reveals variation in exploratory behavior across species

A quantitative understanding of organism-level behavior requires predictive models that can capture the richness of behavioral phenotypes, yet are simple enough to connect with underlying mechanistic processes. Here we investigate the motile behavior of nematodes at the level of their translational motion on surfaces driven by undulatory propulsion. We broadly sample the nematode behavioral repertoire by measuring motile trajectories of the canonical lab strain $C. elegans$ N2 as well as wild strains and distant species. We focus on trajectory dynamics over timescales spanning the transition from ballistic (straight) to diffusive (random) movement and find that salient features of the motility statistics are captured by a random walk model with independent dynamics in the speed, bearing and reversal events. We show that the model parameters vary among species in a correlated, low-dimensional manner suggestive of a common mode of behavioral control and a trade-off between exploration and exploitation. The distribution of phenotypes along this primary mode of variation reveals that not only the mean but also the variance varies considerably across strains, suggesting that these nematode lineages employ contrasting ``bet-hedging'' strategies for foraging.Comment: 46 pages, 18 figures, 6 table

Projecting a High-School Quarterback’s Performance at the Collegiate Level: A Comparison of the Rivals, 247 Sports, and ESPN Recruiting Ratings

We examine recruiting ratings for high-school quarterbacks over the period 2006-2012 from Rivals, 247 Sports, and ESPN.&nbsp; Using Lee &amp; Preacher’s (2013) test of the difference between two dependent correlations with one variable in common and ordinary least squares regression, we determine that the Rivals ratings have the strongest correlation with quarterback performance over the time-period examined.&nbsp; The 247 Sports ratings follow closely behind the Rivals ratings; however, the ESPN ratings correlate more weakly with a quarterback’s career performance in college

THE CAREER INFORMATION LITERACY LEARNING FRAMEWORK: A CASE STUDY OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING CAPSTONE UNITS OF AN AUSTRALIAN UNIVERSITY

Universities worldwide are under increasing pressure to ensure graduate work-readiness upon degree completion. However, the linkage between employability enhancement and disciplinary learning is problematic for many academics. To address this, a conceptual framework of student learning and career development is required. We propose the development of a Career Information Literacy Learning Framework (CILLF) by integrating three key theoretical frameworks, namely experiential learning, career development and information literacy. This study uses the CILLF to investigate capstone units, which are final year subjects. These units’ aim is to combine disciplinary knowledge and skills whilst preparing students for the next phase transitions (work, future studies or other life plans). We examine capstone units in three disciplines specifically: Information Systems, Information Technology and Engineering in an Australian university. Academic and professional staff involved in these capstone units participated in semi-structured interviews to share their insights in five areas: unit aims, current practices and resources, student outcomes, needs/concerns, and assessment/measurement. We adopted a phenomenographic approach and found patterns using SAS analysis. Our findings support the conceptualisation of the CILLF, uniting the dimensions of learning approaches, career development and information literacy. We address limitations of the research and identify further research directions

X-ray photoelectron and infrared spectroscopies of quartz samples of contrasting toxicity

An exploratory XPS and FTIR investigation of the surfaces of bulk quartz powders widely used in toxicological studies (DQ12 and Min-U-Sil 5) was carried with the aim of correlating surface features with toxicity as reflected by indicators of biological response. Some patches of amorphous silica were identified as well as varying amounts of calcium but none of these features correlated with biological response. No evidence of widely-quoted surface silanol (SiOH) structures was found in this investigation and the possibility that FTIR artefacts have been previously misidentified as silanol structures is discussed

Review of UK biodiversity indicators that provide status and trends for species

The quality assurance panel was convened to provide advice on improvements that could be made to a suite of UK biodiversity indicators that are used to assess the status and trends of a range of species, and which are linked in turn to a range of biodiversity targets

Exploring Cognitive States: Methods for Detecting Physiological Temporal Fingerprints

Cognitive state detection and its relationship to observable physiologically telemetry has been utilized for many human-machine and human-cybernetic applications. This paper aims at understanding and addressing if there are unique psychophysiological patterns over time, a physiological temporal fingerprint, that is associated with specific cognitive states. This preliminary work involves commercial airline pilots completing experimental benchmark task inductions of three cognitive states: 1) Channelized Attention (CA); 2) High Workload (HW); and 3) Low Workload (LW). We approach this objective by modeling these "fingerprints" through the use of Hidden Markov Models and Entropy analysis to evaluate if the transitions over time are complex or rhythmic/predictable by nature. Our results indicate that cognitive states do have unique complexity of physiological sequences that are statistically different from other cognitive states. More specifically, CA has a significantly higher temporal psychophysiological complexity than HW and LW in EEG and ECG telemetry signals. With regards to respiration telemetry, CA has a lower temporal psychophysiological complexity than HW and LW. Through our preliminary work, addressing this unique underpinning can inform whether these underlying dynamics can be utilized to understand how humans transition between cognitive states and for improved detection of cognitive states

Biodiversity Mainstreaming in South Africa’s Production Landscapes: Lessons and Achievements

South Africa’s grasslands are critically threatened and many biodiversity priority areas lie in production landscapes. This is a challenge best addressed by an approach aimed at strengthening the enabling environment, and innovating, piloting and mainstreaming new models for biodiversity management into production sectors, namely agriculture, forestry, urban development and coal mining. The Grassland Programme (a 20-year partnership between government, conservation agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector) has implemented this approach to sustain and secure grassland biodiversity and ecosystem services for the benefit of current and future generations. In five years of implementation, notable achievements have been in shaping policies and regulations, improving existing institutional capacity, and implementing pilot projects demonstrating biodiversity gains across sectors. Particularly significant is experience from the mining sector, where deeper engagement is enabling the development of integrated tools and products that help to ensure: biodiversity issues are consistently incorporated into decision-making processes for mining projects; high priority wetlands (of global importance) are avoided; residual impacts are offset; and proactive stewardship secures landscapes of high importance for biodiversity, energy and water provisioning. The sector demand for these tools and the leveraged finance raised from industry bodies is evidence of achievements earned in the face of lessons learnt as regards policy engagement, market-based incentives, and communicating the value offering of biodiversity using sector appropriate language. Technically proficient, cross-disciplinary teams able to develop integrated, accessible decision-support tools and guidelines in partnership with sector stakeholders, has been critical to the gains made in this multi-million dollar mainstreaming programme