Discovering Regression Rules with Ant Colony Optimization

The majority of Ant Colony Optimization (ACO) algorithms for data mining have dealt with classification or clustering problems. Regression remains an unexplored research area to the best of our knowledge. This paper proposes a new ACO algorithm that generates regression rules for data mining applications. The new algorithm combines components from an existing deterministic (greedy) separate and conquer algorithm—employing the same quality metrics and continuous attribute processing techniques—allowing a comparison of the two. The new algorithm has been shown to decrease the relative root mean square error when compared to the greedy algorithm. Additionally a different approach to handling continuous attributes was investigated showing further improvements were possible

Stone tools and the linguistic capabilities of earlier hominids

The evolution of human manipulative abilities may be clearly linked to the evolution of speech motor control Both creativity and complexity in vocal and manipulative gestures may be closely linked to a single dimension of brain evolution — the evolution of absolute brain size. Inferring the linguistic capabilities of earlier hominids from their lithic artefacts, however, required us to take account of domain-specific constraints on manipulative skill In this article we report on a pilot flint-knapping experiment designed to identify such constraints ‘in action’

Unitary groups over local rings

Structural properties of unitary groups over local, not necessarily commutative, rings are developed, with applications to the computation of the orders of these groups (when finite) and to the degrees of the irreducible constituents of the Weil representation of a unitary group associated to a ramified extension of finite local rings

Characterization of Power-to-Phase Conversion in High-Speed P-I-N Photodiodes

Fluctuations of the optical power incident on a photodiode can be converted into phase fluctuations of the resulting electronic signal due to nonlinear saturation in the semiconductor. This impacts overall timing stability (phase noise) of microwave signals generated from a photodetected optical pulse train. In this paper, we describe and utilize techniques to characterize this conversion of amplitude noise to phase noise for several high-speed (>10 GHz) InGaAs P-I-N photodiodes operated at 900 nm. We focus on the impact of this effect on the photonic generation of low phase noise 10 GHz microwave signals and show that a combination of low laser amplitude noise, appropriate photodiode design, and optimum average photocurrent is required to achieve phase noise at or below -100 dBc/Hz at 1 Hz offset a 10 GHz carrier. In some photodiodes we find specific photocurrents where the power-to-phase conversion factor is observed to go to zero

Hydrology and Water Quality in the Central Kentucky Karst: Phase II Part A: Preliminary Summary of the Hydrogeology of the Mill Hole Sub-Basin of the Turnhole Spring Groundwater Basin

Water from upland areas flows to small ephemeral and perennial springs that feed sinking streams that are tributary to low-order cave streams. These cave streams, also recharged by diffuse percolation, are part of a dendritic network in which intermediate-order streams join high-order streams that flow to major trunk streams. The trunk in the Mill Hole Sub-basin flows across the bottom of a large karst window, Mill Hole, and joins the trunk of the Patoka Creek Sub-basin. Their combined discharge bifurcates, flows around the collapsed central core of a larger karst window, Cedar Sink, and re-joins to flow as one to Turnhole Spring, along the south bank of Green River. The location of the major trunk streams can be inferred from the position and orientation of well-defined troughs in the piezometric surface. Flow velocities over the same 5-mile distance, erroneously assuming a straight path from Parker Cave to Mill Hole, range from 60 to 1100 ft per hour--depending on whether discharge is at flood or base flow conditions. Actual velocity extremes are probably lower and higher

Hydrology and Water Quality in the Central Kentucky Karst: Phase 1

Study of springs and cave streams has shown that heavy metal-rich effluent from a wastewater treatment plant can be traced to Hidden River Cave (beneath the city of Horse Cave) and thence 4 to 5 miles north to a group of 39 springs at 14 locations along a 5-mile reach of Green River. Nickel, chromium, copper and zinc in these effluent-bearing springs are in concentrations of as much as 30 times greater than other springs upstream and downstream from this reach, 20 times greater than the Green River, and 60 times greater than in shallow domestic wells between Horse Cave and the river. Mean concentration ratios, based on samples taken during moderate to flood flow, are considerably lower. Although the heavy metal content of the effluent-bearing stream in Hidden River Cave greatly exceeds various maximum concentrations set by current standards, the concentrations in the effluent-bearing springs do not exceed current maximums allowed for public water supplies. None of the domestic shallow wells between the cave and the river intercept this effluent-rich water. The distributary system that was postulated to feed the 39 springs was entered by digging in June 1975; 14.6 miles of this floodwater maze has been mapped. Water tracing over distances of as much as 15 miles has made it possible to delineate thirteen groundwater basins, eleven of them characterized by distributary flow. Study of the water quality· of five adjacent groundwater basins showed that they could be geochemically differentiated. One of these, the Three-Springs Groundwater Basin, has a distributary complex that is 2.4 miles wide and its discharge is believed to be affected by brines released by drilling. Dendritic flow paths, identified by dye-traces to and from caves (and mapping of these caves), have been recognized in the Turnhole Spring Groundwater Basin (Quinlan, 1976) and the Graham Springs Groundwater Basin. Flow converges to trunk streams as much as 40 ft wide that may rise and fall as much as 100 ft in response to heavy rains. Groundwater velocities in the upper part of the principal aquifer range from 30 ft per hour to 1300 ft per hour, depending upon the duration and intensity of rains. Recommendations are made for: 1) the use of drainage basin maps for regional planning and protection of water supplies, 2) protection of other water supplies, and 3) development of specific springs as potential public water supplies

Real Lives: findings from the All-Ireland Gay Men’s Sex Surveys, 2003 and 2004

Duration: March 2000 - September 2010 Sigma Research has been working with Ireland's Gay Health Network (GHN) since 2000. GHN is an umbrella organisation working towards gay men's health and HIV prevention. GHN instigated a community-based, self-completion survey to take place across The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland during the summer of 2000 and commissioned Sigma Research to work with them. This large-scale community research project was the third such survey among gay men in Ireland, and built on previous findings. After the development and piloting of the survey, recruitment commenced at Dublin Pride in June 2000 and continued throughout the summer at similar events in Belfast, Derry, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. Recruitment in bars and clubs took place in Dublin and Cork, and social groups in more rural area were sent copies of the questionnaire and a request to distribute them to their members. 1,290 questionnaires were returned by gay men (81%), bisexual men (11%) and other homosexually active men living in Ireland. 19% of all respondents lived in Northern Ireland. A full survey report, including implications for HIV prevention planning is available to download. Since 2003 Gay Health Network members - particularly The Gay Men's Health Service (Health Services Executive) and the Rainbow Project, Northern Ireland - have collaborated with our online UK version of the Gay Men’s Sex Survey (Vital Statistics) by promoting it to men in Ireland via community websites and postcards distributed on the gay scene