Bayesian Approximate Kernel Regression with Variable Selection

Nonlinear kernel regression models are often used in statistics and machine learning because they are more accurate than linear models. Variable selection for kernel regression models is a challenge partly because, unlike the linear regression setting, there is no clear concept of an effect size for regression coefficients. In this paper, we propose a novel framework that provides an effect size analog of each explanatory variable for Bayesian kernel regression models when the kernel is shift-invariant --- for example, the Gaussian kernel. We use function analytic properties of shift-invariant reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces (RKHS) to define a linear vector space that: (i) captures nonlinear structure, and (ii) can be projected onto the original explanatory variables. The projection onto the original explanatory variables serves as an analog of effect sizes. The specific function analytic property we use is that shift-invariant kernel functions can be approximated via random Fourier bases. Based on the random Fourier expansion we propose a computationally efficient class of Bayesian approximate kernel regression (BAKR) models for both nonlinear regression and binary classification for which one can compute an analog of effect sizes. We illustrate the utility of BAKR by examining two important problems in statistical genetics: genomic selection (i.e. phenotypic prediction) and association mapping (i.e. inference of significant variants or loci). State-of-the-art methods for genomic selection and association mapping are based on kernel regression and linear models, respectively. BAKR is the first method that is competitive in both settings.Comment: 22 pages, 3 figures, 3 tables; theory added; new simulations presented; references adde

Bionomics of the Clover Leaf Weevil, Hypera Punctata (Fabr.), in Utah

The clover leaf weevil, Hypera punctata (Fabr.), is a foreign pest introduced from Europe into New York, which first became noticeable in 1881. The insect has rapidly spread westward reaching Utah at least by 1912. Since this time several outbreaks have occured. In 1927 the injury to alfalfa, Medicago sativa, was severe in limited areas in Hooper, Weber County, and in 1927 and 1928 the infestation was very pronounced in certain parts of Salt Lake City

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State of Harmonization of 24 Serum Albumin Measurement Procedures and Implications for Medical Decisions

BACKGROUND: Measurements of serum and plasma albumin are widely used in medicine, including as indicators of quality of patient care in renal dialysis centers. METHODS: Pools were prepared from residual patient serum (n = 50) and heparin plasma (n = 48) from patients without renal disease, and serum from patients with kidney failure before hemodialysis (n = 53). Albumin was measured in all samples and in ERM-DA470k/IFCC reference material (RM) by 3 immunochemical, 9 bromcresol green (BCG), and 12 bromcresol purple (BCP) methods. RESULTS: Two of 3 immunochemical procedures, 5 of 9 BCG, and 10 of 12 BCP methods recovered the RM value within its uncertainty. One immunochemical and 3 BCG methods were biased vs the RM value. Random error components were small for all measurement procedures. The Tina-quant immunochemical method was chosen as the reference measurement procedure based on recovery and results of error analyses. Mean biases for BCG vs Tina-quant were 1.5% to 13.9% and were larger at lower albumin concentrations. BCP methods\u27 mean biases were -5.4% to 1.2% irrespective of albumin concentration. Biases for plasma samples were generally higher than for serum samples for all method types. For most measurement procedures, biases were lower for serum from patients on hemodialysis vs patients without kidney disease. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences among immunochemical, BCG, and BCP methods compromise interpretation of serum. albumin results. Guidelines and calculations for clinical management of kidney and other diseases must consider the method used for albumin measurement until harmonization can be achieved

Bulletin No. 472 - Nutritive Value of Seasonal Ranges

Considerable information has been presented on the nutritive value of domestic crops but little is known about the nutritive content of range forage. Such information is fundamental to the management of ranges for effective livestock production. The shortage of suitable spring range in the Intermountain region has caused increased interest in seeding depleted foothill areas to supply more spring forage. Many native foothill ranges with established stands of perennial grasses sufficient to show rapid response to conservative use may be more economically developed through better management practices. In any event, knowledge of forage production, palatability, and nutritive value of both native foothill species and introduced species is needed. It is generally believed that mountain ranges furnish adequate nutrients for the normal requirements of livestock throughout the summer except perhaps late in the season. Desert ranges normally used for winter grazing are composed primarily of grass and browse species in varying quantities. Since these species arc generally dormant during the winter, the nutritive value may be deficient in some essential nutrients

Bulletin No. 344 - The Nutritive Value of Range Forage as Affected by Vegetation Type, Site, and State of Maturity

Native ranges of Utah are extremely heterogeneous. Pronounced variations exist in soil, seasonal rainfall, temperatures, and altitude on most grazing areas. Rough topography and micro-climates on even individual grazing allotments present variable vegetation types and site conditions. Such variations account for the comparatively large number of species and variable nutritive content found in range forage

Crystallization dynamics of a single layer complex plasma

We report a series of complex (dusty) plasma experiments, aimed at the study of the detailed time evolution of the re-crystallisation process following a rapid quench of a two dimensional dust liquid. The experiments were accompanied by large-scale (million particle) molecular dynamics simulations, assuming Yukawa type inter-particle interaction. Both experiment and simulation show a $\propto t^\alpha$ (power law) dependence of the linear crystallite domain size as measured by the bond-order correlation length, translational correlation length, dislocation (defect) density, and a direct size measurement algorithm. The results show two stages of order formation: on short time-scales individual particle motion dominates; this is a fast process characterized by $\alpha=0.93\pm0.1$. At longer time-scales, small crystallites undergo collective rearrangement, merging into bigger ones, resulting in a smaller exponent $\alpha=0.38\pm0.06$.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures. Submitted to PR

Bulletin No. 385 - Comparitive Nutritive Value and Palatability of Some Introduced and Native Forage Plants for Spring and Summer Grazing

From 1952 to 1954 studies were conducted on foothill ranges of central Utah to determine the forage production, palatability, and nutritive value of some of the more important native and introduced species used for spring and summer grazing. Plants studied were four introduced wheatgrasses (crested, tall, pubescent, and intermediate) , four native grasses (western wheatgrass, beardless wheatgrass, squirreltail grass, and Indian ricegrass), and two introduced annual forbs (Russian-thistle, and smother weed). Field digestibility trials were conducted to determine the nutrient content by the lignin-ratio technique. In addition, both sheep and cattle preferences were studied on areas where both introduced and native species were planted

Introdução à dossiê especial: Perspectivas históricas e contemporâneas sobre avaliação educacional

Most special issues on evaluation focus on one form or type of evaluation (e.g., program evaluation, personnel evaluation, and, increasingly, educational system evaluation. This special issue is unique in that there are papers on system evaluation, program evaluation, teacher evaluation, and student evaluation. Some papers are primarily conceptual, others are empirical, and still others are a little of each. Some papers are more historical, some contemporary, and some a little of each. The authors represent four countries: Canada, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States, providing an international perspective on key issues. The final paper contains six recommendations concerning the future of educational evaluation based on an analysis of commonalities across the papers.La mayoría de los números especiales sobre evaluación se centra en una forma o tipo de evaluación (por ejemplo, evaluación del programa, evaluación del personal y, cada vez más, evaluación de los sistemas educativos. Esta edición especial es única porque hay artículos sobre evaluación de los sistemas, evaluación de programas, evaluación, y evaluación de los alumnos Algunos trabajos son primariamente conceptuales, otros son empíricos, y otros todavía son un poco de cada uno. Algunos artículos son más históricos, algunos contemporáneos, y algunos un poco de cada uno. los autores representan cuatro países: Canadá, México, Sudáfrica y Estados Unidos, proporcionando una perspectiva internacional sobre cuestiones clave. El informe final contiene seis recomendaciones sobre el futuro de la evaluación educativa sobre la base de un análisis de similitudes entre los artículos.A maioria das dossiês especiais sobre avaliação se concentra em uma forma ou tipo de avaliação (por exemplo, avaliação de programa, avaliação de pessoal e, cada vez mais, avaliação de sistemas educacionais. Essa edição especial é única porque há artigos sobre avaliação de sistemas, avaliação de programas, avaliação, e avaliação dos alunos Alguns trabalhos são primariamente conceituais, outros são empíricos, e outros ainda são um pouco de cada um.Alguns artigos são mais históricos, alguns contemporâneos, e alguns um pouco de cada.Estes autores representam quatro países: Canadá, México, África do Sul, e Estados Unidos, proporcionando uma perspectiva internacional sobre questões-chave O relatório final contém seis recomendações sobre o futuro da avaliação educacional com base em uma análise de semelhanças entre os artigos