Influence of model selection and data structure on the estimation of genetic parameters in honeybee populations

Estimating genetic parameters of quantitative traits is a prerequisite for animal breeding. In honeybees, the genetic variance separates into queen and worker effects. However, under data paucity, parameter estimations that account for this peculiarity often yield implausible results. Consequently, simplified models which attribute all genetic contributions to either the queen (queen model) or the workers (worker model) are often used to estimate variance components in honeybees. However, the causes for estimations with the complete model (colony model) to fail and the consequences of simplified models for variance estimates are little understood. We newly developed the necessary theory to compare parameter estimates that were achieved by the colony model with those of the queen and worker models. Furthermore, we performed computer simulations to quantify the influence of model choice, estimation algorithm, true genetic parameters, rates of controlled mating, apiary sizes, and phenotype data completeness on the success of genetic parameter estimations. We found that successful estimations with the colony model were only possible if at least some of the queens mated controlledly on mating stations. In that case, estimates were largely unbiased if more than 20% of the colonies had phenotype records. The simplified queen and worker models proved more stable and yielded plausible parameter estimates for almost all settings. Results obtained from these models were unbiased when mating was uncontrolled, but with controlled mating, the simplified models consistently overestimated heritabilities. This work elucidates the requirements for variance component estimation in honeybees and provides the theoretical groundwork for simplified honeybee models.

Super-Resolution Range and Velocity Estimations for SFA-OFDM Radar

Sparse frequency agile orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (SFA-OFDM) signal brings excellent performance to electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) and reduces the complexity of the radar system. However, frequency agility makes coherent processing a much more challenging task for the radar, which leads to the discontinuity of the echo phase in a coherent processing interval (CPI), so the fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based method is no longer a valid way to complete the coherent integration. To overcome this problem, we proposed a novel scheme to estimate both super-resolution range and velocity. The subcarriers of each pulse are firstly synthesized in time domain. Then, the range and velocity estimations for the SFA-OFDM radar are regarded as the parameter estimations of a linear array. Finally, both the super-resolution range and velocity are obtained by exploiting the multiple signal classification (MUSIC) algorithm. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Recursive State and Parameter Estimation of COVID-19 Circulating Variants Dynamics

COVID-19 pandemic response with non-pharmaceutical interventions is an intrinsic control problem. Governments balance social distancing policies to avoid overload on health system without major economic impact. A control strategy requires reliable predictions to be efficient on long-term. SARS-CoV-2 mutability, vaccination coverage and time-varying restrictive measures change virus evolution dynamics frequently. State and parameter estimations are an option do deal with these uncertainties. In this paper, a SIR-based model is proposed considering data available and feedback corrections over time. State and parameter estimations were done on state estimators with augmented states. Three observers were implemented: Constrained Extended Kalman Filter (CEKF), CEKF and Smoother (CEKF&S) and Moving Horizon Estimator (MHE). The parameters estimated therein are based on vaccine efficacy studies regarding transmissibility, severeness of disease and lethality. Social distancing is a measured disturbance calculated with Google mobility data. Six federative units from Brazil are used to evaluate proposed strategy: Amazonas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. State and parameter estimations were realized from October 1 st 2020 to July 1 st 2021 during which Zeta and Gamma variants emerged. Results showed an efficient detection of circulating variants from proposed parameter estimation. In addition, it asserted dynamics related to virus mutations. Zeta mutations increase lethality between 19 and 45%, and increased transmissibility between 20 and 38%. Gamma mutations, on the other hand, increased lethality between 62 and 110% while increasing transmissibility between 52 and 107%. Furthermore, parameter estimation indicated existence and temporal change of subnotification on hospitalized and deceased individuals. Overall, dynamics estimated were within expectations and are applicable to control theory.

On detecting stellar binary black holes via the LISA-Taiji network

The detection of gravitational waves (GWs) by ground-based laser interferometer GW observatories (LIGO/Virgo) reveals a population of stellar binary black holes (sBBHs) with (total) masses up to ∼ 150M ⊙, which are potential sources for space-based GW detectors, such as LISA and Taiji. In this paper, we investigate in details on the possibility of detecting sBBHs by the LISA-Taiji network in future. We adopt the sBBH merger rate density constrained by LIGO/VIRGO observations to randomly generate mock sBBHs samples. Assuming an observation period of 4 years, we find that the LISA-Taiji network may detect several tens (or at least several) sBBHs with signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) > 8 (or > 15), a factor 2 − 3 times larger than that by only using LISA or Taiji observations. Among these sBBHs, no more than a few that can merge during the 4-year observation period. If extending the observation period to 10 years, then the LISA-Taiji network may detect about one hundred (or twenty) sBBHs with SNR> 8 (or > 15), among them about twenty (or at least several) can merge within the observation period. Our results suggest that the LISA-Taiji network may be able to detect at least a handful to twenty or more sBBHs even if assuming a conservative SNR threshold (15) for “detection”, which enables multi-band GW observations by space and ground-based GW detectors. We also further estimate the uncertainties in the parameter estimations of the sBBH systems “detected” by the LISA-Taiji network. We find that the relative errors in the luminosity distance measurements and sky localization are mostly in the range of 0.05 − 0.2 and 1 − 100deg2, respectively, for these sBBHs.

LAMOST Time-Domain survey: first results of four K2 plates

From Oct. 2019 to Apr. 2020, LAMOST performed a time-domain (TD) spectroscopic survey of four K2 plates with both low- and medium-resolution observations. The low-resolution spectroscopic survey acquired 282 exposures ( ≈ 46.6 h) over 25 nights, yielding a total of about 767 000 spectra, and the medium-resolution survey took 177 exposures ( ≈ 49.1 h) over 27 nights, collecting about 478 000 spectra. More than 70%/50% of low-resolution/medium-resolution spectra have signal-to-noise ratio higher than 10. We determine stellar parameters (e.g., T eff, log g, [Fe/H]) and radial velocity (RV) with different methods, including LASP, DD-Payne and SLAM. In general, these parameter estimations from different methods show good agreement, and the stellar parameter values are consistent with those of APOGEE. We use the Gaia DR2 RV values to calculate a median RV zero point (RVZP) for each spectrograph exposure by exposure, and the RVZP-corrected RVs agree well with the APOGEE data. The stellar evolutionary and spectroscopic masses are estimated based on the stellar parameters, multi-band magnitudes, distances and extinction values. Finally, we construct a binary catalog including about 2700 candidates by analyzing their light curves, fitting the RV data, calculating the binarity parameters from medium-resolution spectra and cross-matching the spatially resolved binary catalog from Gaia EDR3. The LAMOST TD survey is expected to represent a breakthrough in various scientific topics, such as binary systems, stellar activity, stellar pulsation, etc.

Suppressing of Power Line Artifact From Electroencephalogram Measurements Using Sparsity in Frequency Domain

Electroencephalogram (EEG) plays an important role in brain disease diagnosis and research of brain-computer interface (BCI). However, the measurements of EEG are often exposed to strong interference of power line artifact (PLA). Digital notch filters (DNFs) can be applied to remove the PLA effectively, but it also results in severe signal distortions in the time domain. To address this problem, spectrum correction (SC) based methods can be utilized. These methods estimate harmonic parameters of the PLA such that compensation signals are produced to remove the noise. In order to ensure high accuracy during harmonic parameter estimations, a novel approach is proposed in this paper. This novel approach is based on the combination of sparse representation (SR) and SC. It can deeply mine the information of PLA in the frequency domain. Firstly, a ratio-based spectrum correction (RBSC) using rectangular window is employed to make rough estimation of the harmonic parameters of PLA. Secondly, the two spectral line closest to the estimated frequency are calculated. Thirdly, the two spectral lines with high amplitudes can be utilized as input of RBSC to make finer estimations of the harmonic parameters. Finally, a compensation signal, based on the extracted harmonic parameters, is generated to suppress PLA. Numerical simulations and actual EEG signals with PLA were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the improved approach. It is verified that this approach can effectively suppress the PLA without distorting the time-domain waveform of the EEG signal.

Robust Static Structural System Identification Using Rotations

Deflections are commonly measured in the static structural system identification of structures. Comparatively less attention has been paid to the possibility of measuring rotations for structural system identification purposes, despite the many advantages of using inclinometers, such as a high resolution and being reference free. Although some work using rotations can be found in the literature, this paper, for the very first time, proposes a statistical analysis that justifies the theoretical advantage of measuring rotations. The analytical expressions for the target parameters are obtained via static structural system identification using the constrained observability method first. Combined with the inverse distribution theory, the probability density function of the estimations of the target parameters can be obtained. Comparative studies on a simply supported bridge and a frame structure demonstrate the advantage of measuring rotations regarding the unbiasedness and the extent of variation in the estimations. To achieve robust parameter estimations, four strategies to use redundant rotations are proposed and compared. Numerical verifications on a bridge structure and a high-rise building have shown promising results.

The simulation experiment description markup language (SED-ML): language specification for level 1 version 4

Computational simulation experiments increasingly inform modern biological research, and bring with them the need to provide ways to annotate, archive, share and reproduce the experiments performed. These simulations increasingly require extensive collaboration among modelers, experimentalists, and engineers. The Minimum Information About a Simulation Experiment (MIASE) guidelines outline the information needed to share simulation experiments. SED-ML is a computer-readable format for the information outlined by MIASE, created as a community project and supported by many investigators and software tools. The first versions of SED-ML focused on deterministic and stochastic simulations of models. Level 1 Version 4 of SED-ML substantially expands these capabilities to cover additional types of models, model languages, parameter estimations, simulations and analyses of models, and analyses and visualizations of simulation results. To facilitate consistent practices across the community, Level 1 Version 4 also more clearly describes the use of SED-ML constructs, and includes numerous concrete validation rules. SED-ML is supported by a growing ecosystem of investigators, model languages, and software tools, including eight languages for constraint-based, kinetic, qualitative, rule-based, and spatial models, over 20 simulation tools, visual editors, model repositories, and validators. Additional information about SED-ML is available at https://sed-ml.org/.

Application of Machine Learning Methods to Well Completion Optimization: Problems with Groups of Interactive Inputs

In unconventional reservoirs, optimal completion controls are essential to improving well productivity and reducing costs. In this article, we propose a statistical model to investigate associations between shale oil production and completion parameters (e.g., completion lateral length, total proppant, number of hydraulic fracturing stages), while accounting for the influence of spatially heterogeneous geological conditions on hydrocarbon production. We develop a non-parametric regression method that combines a generalized additive model with a fused LASSO regularization for geological homogeneity pursuit. We present an alternating augmented Lagrangian method for model parameter estimations. The novelty and advantages of our method over the published ones are a) it can control or remove the heterogeneous non-completion effects; 2) it can account for and analyze the interactions among the completion parameters. We apply our method to the analysis of a real case from a Permian Basin US onshore field and show how our model can account for the interaction between the completion parameters. Our results provide key findings on how completion parameters affect oil production in that can lead to optimal well completion designs.