Incidence of Agro-Climate Variability over Grass-Fed Cattle Markets.

The marginal contribution of each of the selected variables was quantified in terms of premiums and discounts and mapped as dynamic iso-price regions that illustrate geographic and seasonal permanent price patterns for feeder cattle, as well as changing market conditions derived from unexpected climate and weather variability. The graphic representation of how price patterns may change with climate variability allows for a better understanding of short term market disequilibrium derived from this type of variability. This may help cattle operators and producers improve farm management and making informed decisions.cattle prices, climate variability, agro-ecological conditions, seasonal effects, price formation, differentiated products, Demand and Price Analysis, Livestock Production/Industries,

Exploratory analysis of textual data streams

In this paper, we address exploratory analysis of textual data streams and we propose a bootstrapping process based on a combination of keyword similarity and clustering techniques to: (i) classify documents into fine-grained similarity clusters, based on keyword commonalities; (ii) aggregate similar clusters into larger document collections sharing a richer, more user-prominent keyword set that we call topic; (iii) assimilate newly extracted topics of current bootstrapping cycle with existing topics resulting from previous bootstrapping cycles, by linking similar topics of different time periods, if any, to highlight topic trends and evolution. An analysis framework is also defined enabling the topic-based exploration of the underlying textual data stream according to a thematic perspective and a temporal perspective. The bootstrapping process is evaluated on a real data stream of about 330.000 newspaper articles about politics published by the New York Times from Jan 1st 1900 to Dec 31st 2015

Cognitive consequences of perceiving social exclusion

Although a great deal is now known about how people mentally represent individuals and groups, less attention has been paid to the question of how interpersonal relationships are represented in memory. Drawing on principles of categorization, this paper reports an investigation into how we mentally represent the relationships of others. In three experiments, evidence for assimilation effects following social exclusion (and subsequent categorization) is found. Experiment 1 uses a judgment paradigm to demonstrate that social exclusion influences the perception of interpersonal closeness. Experiments 2 and 3 employ a memory confusion paradigm to establish that representations of relationship partners are assimilated following the exclusion of a third party. © 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Project SHRED - Surfing Hydrodynamic Reseach using Engineernig Design

The project entails the design and wind tunnel testing of surfboard fins through the application of aerospace industry practices. To obtain the most efficient fin with qualities desirable to the surfer, aerodynamic efficiency must be maximized to obtain directional stability, maximize velocity, and avoid stalling. In Phase I of the project, five fins were manufactured and tested in the Micaplex Low-Speed Wind Tunnel, in which the saltwater conditions wherein surfboard fins operate were mimicked using the principle of dynamic similarity. The Winglet Fin was selected for further analysis in Phase II, in which surface oil flow visualization was utilized to inspect the surface flow over a range of angles of attack (α) to understand how fin geometry affects hydrodynamic performance. The modern winglet is a common performance-enhancing device developed to overcome aerodynamic losses due to wingtip vortices. This motivated winglet implementation on the surfboard fin, which possesses similar characteristics to an aircraft wing. Force measurements were collected for a 2:1 scale surfboard fin model to verify estimated forces and stall angle. Surface flow patterns were qualitatively observed via oil streaklines. From the data, instantaneous surface flow qualities were observed over the α range. The locations of open and closed separation points were detected, as well as three-dimensional flow effects and pre- and post-stall vortex behavior. Flow characteristics were analyzed to identify regions of turbulence and high surface shear stress. By applying technology normally reserved for aerospace applications, this project hopes to bring a more innovative culture to the surfing industry

Switching of +/-360deg domain wall states in a nanoring by an azimuthal Oersted field

We demonstrate magnetic switching between two $360^\circ$ domain wall vortex states in cobalt nanorings, which are candidate magnetic states for robust and low power MRAM devices. These $360^\circ$ domain wall (DW) or "twisted onion" states can have clockwise or counterclockwise circulation, the two states for data storage. Reliable switching between the states is necessary for any realistic device. We accomplish this switching by applying a circular Oersted field created by passing current through a metal atomic force microscope tip placed at the center of the ring. After initializing in an onion state, we rotate the DWs to one side of the ring by passing a current through the center, and can switch between the two twisted states by reversing the current, causing the DWs to split and meet again on the opposite side of the ring. A larger current will annihilate the DWs and create a perfect vortex state in the rings.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure