A note on quasiconformal maps with Holder-continuous dilatation

Here we give an alternate proof of a sufficient condition due to J. Mateu, J. Orobitg, and J. Verdera for a quasiconformal map of the plane with dilatation supported in a smooth domain to be bi-Lipschitz. We also extend this theorem to cover boundaries with certain types of corners.Comment: 13 pages, 2 figure

Non-deterministic approximation of photon number discriminating detectors using non-discriminating detectors

We present a scheme for non-deterministically approximating photon number resolving detectors using non-discriminating detectors. The model is simple in construction and employs very few physical resources. Despite its non-determinism, the proposal may nonetheless be suitable for use in some quantum optics experiments in which non-determinism can be tolerated. We analyze the detection scheme in the context of an optical implementation of the controlled-NOT gate, an inherently non-deterministic device. This allows the gate's success probability to be traded away for improved gate fidelity, assuming high efficiency detectors. The scheme is compared to two other proposals, both deterministic, for approximating discriminating detectors using non-discriminating detectors: the cascade and time division multiplexing schemes.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures (published version

Efficient Coordination in Weakest-Link Games

Existing experimental research on behavior in weakest-link games shows overwhelmingly the inability of people to coordinate on the efficient equilibrium, especially in larger groups. We hypothesize that people will be able to coordinate on efficient outcomes, provided they have sufficient freedom to choose their interaction neighborhood. We conduct experiments with medium sized and large groups and show that neighborhood choice indeed leads to coordination on the fully efficient equilibrium, irrespective of group size. This leads to substantial welfare effects. Achieved welfare is between 40 and 60 percent higher in games with neighborhood choice than without neighborhood choice. We identify exclusion as the simple but very effective mechanism underlying this result. In early rounds, high performers exclude low performers who in consequence ‘learn’ to become high performers.efficient coordination, weakest-link, minimum effort, neighborhood choice, experiment

Conservation Genetics of a Declining Bumble Bee in Western North America; The Influence of Geography, Dispersal Limitation, and Anthopogenic Activity

Conservation biology addresses the problem of species loss by identifying species in need of protection. Conservation biology has subfields to address different aspects of biodiversity loss, including genetics and sociology. I used genetic approaches to assess the conservation status of western bumble bees, a bumble bee species of conservation concern. The western bumble bee is a bumble bee species that ranges from Alaska to New Mexico and as far east as Wyoming and Colorado. This species is disappearing in some places. It may soon be listed as endangered in the United States and is already listed as endangered in parts of its Canadian distribution. To complicate the problem further, the western bumble bee might really be two cryptic species. Recent genetic analyses indicate that there might be a northern species (Mckay’s bumble bee) and a southern species (the western bumble bee). I used DNA from specimens collected across the range and ran genetic analyses to estimate the relationships between western bumble bees and Mckay’s bumble bees. This study provided enough evidence to conclude that they are, in fact, two species. Next, I compared patterns of genetic diversity in the two species to environmental variables to determine how the environment influences how the bees to move across the landscape. I compared patterns of genetic diversity in bees that were collected between 1960 through 2020. Western bumble bees showed patterns of slightly decreasing genetic diversity through time from 1960 to 2019, but Mckay’s bumble bee did not. For both species, nighttime temperatures during the spring and proximity to a native fungal parasite were important predictors of differences in genetic diversity among samples. The distance from parasites is probably important because specimens that are near infections are more likely to be infected themselves. Although we found decreases in genetic diversity for western bumble bees, there is still enough genetic diversity in present-day populations for the species to recover if the effects of the drivers of the declines are managed. Finally, I surveyed 974 conservationists from diverse backgrounds to measure their understanding, trust, and motivation to action from conservation genetic studies. This is important because molecular methods provide important insight into the conservation status of at-risk species, but they are not used very often when land managers make conservation decisions. The results indicate that lack of understanding, but not trust, may be a barrier to increased use of molecular methods in conservation actions

The Relationship between Access to Healthcare and Civil Conflict

This paper explores the role of health in explaining the onset and severity of civil conflict. Whereas most research in this field focuses primarily on the impact that conflict has on health, or that disease and overall population health has on state stability and growth, I propose a new variable for consideration in this discussion: access to healthcare. This paper is the first in this field to explore the relationship between access to healthcare and the associated number and intensity of conflict events within states. I examine correlations between several healthcare and conflict indicators from ninety-four administrative regions within African states, spanning a period from 1997 to 2013. I find that results are mixed, but there are statistically significant relationships between accessibility, acceptability, accommodation, and social access elements of “access to healthcare” and the number and intensity of civil conflicts

Young poultryman's flock

February, 1938"Prepared by C. E. Rohde, Extension Specialist in Poultry, in collaboration with T. T. Martin and E. T. Itschner, State Club Agents.

Applying Machine Learning to Catalogue Matching in Astrophysics

We present the results of applying automated machine learning techniques to the problem of matching different object catalogues in astrophysics. In this study we take two partially matched catalogues where one of the two catalogues has a large positional uncertainty. The two catalogues we used here were taken from the HI Parkes All Sky Survey (HIPASS), and SuperCOSMOS optical survey. Previous work had matched 44% (1887 objects) of HIPASS to the SuperCOSMOS catalogue. A supervised learning algorithm was then applied to construct a model of the matched portion of our catalogue. Validation of the model shows that we achieved a good classification performance (99.12% correct). Applying this model, to the unmatched portion of the catalogue found 1209 new matches. This increases the catalogue size from 1887 matched objects to 3096. The combination of these procedures yields a catalogue that is 72% matched.Comment: 8 Pages, 5 Figure

DEVELOPMENT OF A TL-3 F-SHAPE TEMPORARY CONCRETE MEDIAN BARRIER

A temporary concrete median barrier (CMB) was designed and tested for compliance under the Test Level 3 (TL-3) guidelines specified in the Recommended Procedures for the Safety Performance Evaluation of Highway Features, National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Report No. 350. The barrier is built to the new metric standards and has a traditional pin and loop configuration for interconnection. The objective of this research project was to develop and evaluate a standardized, temporary concrete barrier design while addressing the concerns for safety, economy, structural integrity, constructability, ease of installation, and maintenance. The resulting F-shape barrier segment is 3,800-mm long, a length that reduced the number of connections while limiting the weight of the barriers to ease handling. Full-scale crash testing demonstrated several critical design features. First, the connections need to be tight initially as practicable to limit deformation and rotation of the barriers,. Secondly, the pin needs to restrain the longitudinal barrier forces. Full-scale compliance testing of the final design demonstrated that the barrier was capable of successfully redirecting the 2000-kg vehicle. The vehicle demonstrated significant roll after contact with the barrier, which is evidenced in a majority of other concrete barrier tests. This barrier provides economical work zone protection applicable in a variety of situations, where TL-3 test criteria is warranted