Scalarizing Functions in Bayesian Multiobjective Optimization

Scalarizing functions have been widely used to convert a multiobjective optimization problem into a single objective optimization problem. However, their use in solving (computationally) expensive multi- and many-objective optimization problems in Bayesian multiobjective optimization is scarce. Scalarizing functions can play a crucial role on the quality and number of evaluations required when doing the optimization. In this article, we study and review 15 different scalarizing functions in the framework of Bayesian multiobjective optimization and build Gaussian process models (as surrogates, metamodels or emulators) on them. We use expected improvement as infill criterion (or acquisition function) to update the models. In particular, we compare different scalarizing functions and analyze their performance on several benchmark problems with different number of objectives to be optimized. The review and experiments on different functions provide useful insights when using and selecting a scalarizing function when using a Bayesian multiobjective optimization method

Subterranean Biodiversity of Arkansas, Part 1: Bioinventory and Bioassessment of Caves in the Sylamore Ranger District, Ozark National Forest, Arkansas

Inventory and assessment of subterranean ecosystems of the Sylamore Ranger District (within Baxter, Marion, Searcy, and Stone counties) Ozark National Forest, was performed 2000 to 2002. The Sylamore District, completely underlaid in karst topography (occurring in Mississippian to Ordovician carbonates), contains approximately 10% of the known caves in Arkansas. Thirty-five sites were inventoried, six of which were sampled for environmental quality. These were combined and analyzed with previous studies, creating a database of 1,238 total species occurrences, 230 species, and 61 total sites. Most common were cave crickets, pipistrelle bats, woodrats, mosquitoes, and spiders. Fourteen species obligate to coves or groundwater were found, including four new to science, although a collector’s curve showed that sampling effort to date has not reached maximum species richness. Richness was significantly great in caves developed in Ordovician carbonates, in caves with organic inputs (especially bat guano), and as cave passage length increased. Richness was not significant between watersheds (Buffalo versus White Rivers), nor by water resource, nor by degree of recreational use. Caves were ranked by passage length, total and obligate richness, and overall biological significance. Blanchard Springs Caverns ranked highest and is the most biologically rich cave in Arkansas with 96 total and nice obligate species. Recommendations include continuation of physical and biological inventories, increased protection of high-ranked sites, and increased public education/outreach. The US Forest Service has invest 0.6 million dollars in cave research, monitoring, and protection on the Sylamore District to date

Habitat Features Predict the Distribution of Recreational Shooters in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area

The Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA) is a popular destination of many Treasure Valley residents. There, recreationists participate in various pastimes such as target shooting, recreational shooting/hunting, and wildlife viewing. However, these activities have the potential to interfere with one another. Recreational shooting of Piute ground squirrels (Urocitellus mollis) could affect prey availability and scavenging opportunities for associated raptor species, most notably local golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) populations. To assess possible interactions among shooters, prey and raptors, the spatial density and habitat preference of human shooters must be determined. We hypothesized that higher shooter density would be correlated with proximity to high-use roads and habitat with high visibility. To test this hypothesis, the spatial density and habitat preference of human shooters was determined. First, three routes of approximately 16 km each were established throughout the northwest section of the NCA through “hunter hotspots” of various habitat types. Routes were driven on weekends, starting in the morning, from February 28 to March 21, 2015. Data was collected opportunistically on all shooters observed including group size, demographics, location, and the habitat characteristics (e.g. proximity to roads and visibility) of shooting sites. These data were used to determine which habitat features best predicted shooting locations. This study may directly inform future research on golden eagle scavenging ecology, competition between hunters and eagles, and the potential for lead entry into the ecosystem through use of lead ammunition

Effects of Gamification on Speed and Accuracy on an Interdependent Paper Sorting Task

This study examined the effects of gamification, i.e. (what makes games challenging, engaging and fun), and its effects on speed and accuracy on an interdependent paper sorting task. Undergraduate students (N=42) at the University of Central Florida participated by working interdependently in groups to sort numbered pieces of paper into piles before and after either playing video games or doing back-to-back drawing(basic team building exercises). It was hypothesized that participants who played video games would sort pieces of paper into the piles faster and more accurate than those who did back-to-back team exercises. Results showed that playing video games was not better than doing basic team exercises, but that the two tasks were relatively equal. Although groups were formed and dissolved quickly, there was improvement between the pre and posttests. While the experiment did not yield significant results, it is possible that using different video games or different interdependent tasks could foster increases in speed and accuracy compared to back-to-back drawing

Rainbows in my Head

What is “Making Good Trouble?” Well, for Meredith, it’s doing little things that you’re “not supposed to do” but aren’t wrong either. It’s taking every paint sample in the hardware store, carrying around a rubber dinosaur with you everywhere you go, having rainbow jell-o for breakfast, etc. “Making good trouble” is sticking up for what you believe in. For Meredith, that means advocating to save the US Postal Service and challenging what fine art in academia is. Making good trouble means sticking up for others, no matter what ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, religion, or economic status a person has

Other People Think

What is “Making Good Trouble?” Well, for Meredith, it’s doing little things that you’re “not supposed to do” but aren’t wrong either. It’s taking every paint sample in the hardware store, carrying around a rubber dinosaur with you everywhere you go, having rainbow jell-o for breakfast, etc. “Making good trouble” is sticking up for what you believe in. For Meredith, that means advocating to save the US Postal Service and challenging what fine art in academia is. Making good trouble means sticking up for others, no matter what ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, religion, or economic status a person has

Collective modes and correlations in one-component plasmas

The static and time-dependent potential and surface charge correlations in a plasma with a boundary are computed for different shapes of the boundary. The case of a spheroidal or spherical one-component plasma is studied in detail because experimental results are available for such systems. Also, since there is some knowlegde both experimental and theoretical about the electrostatic collective modes of these plasmas, the time-dependent correlations are computed using a method involving these modes.Comment: 20 pages, plain TeX, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Population Structure And Effective Size Of A Lizard Population

Peer Reviewedhttps://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/137629/1/evo03334.pd