Model Reduction of Descriptor Systems by Interpolatory Projection Methods

In this paper, we investigate interpolatory projection framework for model reduction of descriptor systems. With a simple numerical example, we first illustrate that employing subspace conditions from the standard state space settings to descriptor systems generically leads to unbounded H2 or H-infinity errors due to the mismatch of the polynomial parts of the full and reduced-order transfer functions. We then develop modified interpolatory subspace conditions based on the deflating subspaces that guarantee a bounded error. For the special cases of index-1 and index-2 descriptor systems, we also show how to avoid computing these deflating subspaces explicitly while still enforcing interpolation. The question of how to choose interpolation points optimally naturally arises as in the standard state space setting. We answer this question in the framework of the H2-norm by extending the Iterative Rational Krylov Algorithm (IRKA) to descriptor systems. Several numerical examples are used to illustrate the theoretical discussion.Comment: 22 page

HB 1150: Freedom to Farm Act

The Act protects agricultural facilities, agricultural operations, and forest landowners from nuisance lawsuits after two years of operation. If a facility converts to a confined animal feeding operation, the two-year time period restarts

A Framework for Thinking About Transferring Teaching Innovations into New Settings

As a result of health science educators’ shift to more active formats of teaching and learning, many educators are implementing innovative teaching strategies that were designed in other educational contexts. In some cases, this transfer from one context to another is smooth and unproblematic, but in others, educators must make informed decisions about how to adjust the innovation or incoming context to fit their needs. This paper presents a framework that draws on principles of design-based research to guide educators in analyzing and adapting teaching tools to fit new contexts

Identifying Community College Transfer Student Characteristics Associated with Graduation from a Four-Year Institution

Transfer students represent a rapidly growing subgroup in higher education. Increasingly, students are beginning their degree-seeking journeys at community colleges with the intention of transferring to a four-year institution. However, the number of students successfully transferring is much lower than the number of students that had goals to transfer upon matriculation to community college (Jenkins & Fink, 2015). Empirical evidence indicates a discontinuation in education after students depart community colleges. In effort to remedy this decline in transfer matriculation rates, both community colleges and four-year universities are developing supports to streamline the transfer process; however, to create strong supports for transfer students, institutions must first understand the barriers faced by the transfer student population. Despite this increase in community college enrollment, there is little literature to explain poor matriculation rates from community colleges to four-year institutions. To begin to address this gap in the literature, this study explored the characteristics among community college to four-year institution transfer students associated with graduation, using data from a sample of college students from a 2013 cohort from a community college system in Oklahoma. Findings reveal that community college students transferring to 4-year institutions were more likely to complete their bachelor’s degree in 6 years and more likely to have earned an associate’s degree while at community college. Furthermore, enrollment intensity, earning an associate’s in 3 years or less, and total semesters spent in higher education were are positively related to bachelor’s degree completion while enrollment intensity, semesters enrolled in community college, and enrollment in development education courses were are positively related to associate’s degree completion. Implications for policy and practice are discussed

Transgenic plants with increased calcium stores

The present invention provides transgenic plants over-expressing a transgene encoding a calcium-binding protein or peptide (CaBP). Preferably, the CaBP is a calcium storage protein and over-expression thereof does not have undue adverse effects on calcium homeostasis or biochemical pathways that are regulated by calcium. In preferred embodiments, the CaBP is calreticulin (CRT) or calsequestrin. In more preferred embodiments, the CaBP is the C-domain of CRT, a fragment of the C-domain, or multimers of the foregoing. In other preferred embodiments, the CaBP is localized to the endoplasmic reticulum by operatively associating the transgene encoding the CaBP with an endoplasmic reticulum localization peptide. Alternatively, the CaBP is targeted to any other sub-cellular compartment that permits the calcium to be stored in a form that is biologically available to the plant. Also provided are methods of producing plants with desirable phenotypic traits by transformation of the plant with a transgene encoding a CaBP. Such phenotypic traits include increased calcium storage, enhanced resistance to calcium-limiting conditions, enhanced growth and viability, increased disease and stress resistance, enhanced flower and fruit production, reduced senescence, and a decreased need for fertilizer production. Further provided are plants with enhanced nutritional value as human food or animal feed

Investigating organic control methods for bronze beetle (Eucolaspis sp.) in New Zealand organic apple production : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Horticultural Science at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand

Bronze beetle (Eucolaspis sp.), an insect native to New Zealand (NZ), is one of the most prevalent threats to the NZ organic apple industry. In organic orchards, bronze beetle can potentially damage or destroy 40-50% of the crop. At Bostock New Zealand, a large organic company that produces approximately 90% of NZ’s organic apples, the beetle causes losses of approximately ‡6 million per year. The lack of effective control methods available for use in organic production systems exacerbates the population numbers and severity of this pest. Two separate experiments were carried out to help alleviate this problematic pest. The first was a laboratory bioassay trial comparing the efficacy of three conventional insecticides with three organic insecticides containing the active ingredients spinosad (Entrust™ SC Naturalyte™ 240), pyrethrin (PYNZ28 EC), and azadirachtin (NeemAzal-T/S™ 40 EC). The objective of this experiment was to determine if any of the organic insecticides had the potential to provide an acceptable level of control in controlled conditions. If so, they should be investigated commercially. The organic insecticide Entrust SC Naturalyte (commonly called Entrust) provided over 90% control five days after application to leaves, a level of control similar to all three conventional insecticides trialled (Vayego® 200 SC, Calypso® 480 SC, and Avaunt® 300 WDG). NeemAzal-T/S, the organic insecticide containing azadirachtin, also showed some potential but at a lower level compared to Entrust, as the control achieved was over 80% seven days after direct application to leaves. The second experiment investigated the host plant attraction of bronze beetle, as it is known that they use plant volatiles to locate host plants. Based on this, apple, plum, and blackberry leaves were compared (with a clean air control) to identify which of these crops was the most attractive to bronze beetle. The purpose of this was to investigate the possibility of using these crops as attractants in a potential organic control programme. However, there were few responses to treatments, and all four treatment options appeared equally attractive to bronze beetle during this experiment, with any differences attributed to random variability