2,848 research outputs found
Density regulation in strictly metric-free swarms
There is now experimental evidence that nearest-neighbour interactions in
flocks of birds are metric free, i.e. they have no characteristic interaction
length scale. However, models that involve interactions between neighbours that
are assigned topologically are naturally invariant under spatial expansion,
supporting a continuous reduction in density towards zero, unless additional
cohesive interactions are introduced or the density is artificially controlled,
e.g. via a finite system size. We propose a solution that involves a
metric-free motional bias on those individuals that are topologically
identified to be on an edge of the swarm. This model has only two primary
control parameters, one controlling the relative strength of stochastic noise
to the degree of co-alignment and another controlling the degree of the
motional bias for those on the edge, relative to the tendency to co-align. We
find a novel power-law scaling of the real-space density with the number of
individuals N as well as a familiar order-to-disorder transition
The Role of Projection in the Control of Bird Flocks
Swarming is a conspicuous behavioural trait observed in bird flocks, fish
shoals, insect swarms and mammal herds. It is thought to improve collective
awareness and offer protection from predators. Many current models involve the
hypothesis that information coordinating motion is exchanged between neighbors.
We argue that such local interactions alone are insufficient to explain the
organization of large flocks of birds and that the mechanism for the exchange
of long-ranged information necessary to control their density remains unknown.
We show that large flocks self-organize to the maximum density at which a
typical individual is still just able to see out of the flock in many
directions. Such flocks are marginally opaque - an external observer can also
just still see a substantial fraction of sky through the flock. Although
seemingly intuitive we show that this need not be the case; flocks could easily
be highly diffuse or entirely opaque. The emergence of marginal opacity
strongly constrains how individuals interact with each other within large
swarms. It also provides a mechanism for global interactions: An individual can
respond to the projection of the flock that it sees. This provides for faster
information transfer and hence rapid flock dynamics, another advantage over
local models. From a behavioural perspective it optimizes the information
available to each bird while maintaining the protection of a dense, coherent
flock.Comment: PNAS early edition published online at
http://www.pnas.org/cgi/doi/10.1073/pnas.140220211
Roadway Related Tort Liability and Risk Management: 5th Edition
This training material has been prepared to address the tort liability problems faced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky local governments. The manual defines the problem by reviewing the national picture of generally growing numbers of suits and escalating financial losses from suits against highway agencies.
The manual also sets out solutions, and reviews actions, which can decrease the exposure of highway agencies to these suits. This risk management concept is emphasized throughout the manual
Roadway Related Tort Liability and Risk Management: 3rd Edition
This training material has been prepared to address the tort liability problems faced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky local governments. The workbook defines the problem by reviewing the national picture of growing numbers of suits and escalating financial losses from suits against highway agencies.
The workbook also sets out solutions, and reviews actions which can decrease the exposure of highway agencies to these suits. This risk management concept is emphasized throughout the workbook
Roadway Related Tort Liability and Risk Management: 4th Edition
This training material has been prepared to address the tort liability problems faced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky local governments. The workbook defines the problem by reviewing the national picture of growing numbers of suits and escalating financial losses from suits against highway agencies.
The workbook also sets out solutions, and reviews actions which can decrease the exposure of highway agencies to these suits. This risk management concept is emphasized throughout the workbook
Roadway Related Tort Liability and Risk Management: 2nd Edition
This training material has been prepared to address the tort liability problems faced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky local governments. The workbook defines the problem by reviewing the national picture of growing numbers of suits and escalating financial losses from suits against highway agencies.
The workbook also sets out solutions, and reviews actions which can decrease the exposure of highway agencies to these suits. This risk management concept is emphasized throughout the workbook
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