title: How effective is Cauchy-EDA in high dimensions?

authors: Sanyang, Momodou L.

subjects: Machine learning

abstract: We consider the problem of high dimensional blackbox optimisation via Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDA) and the use of heavy-tailed search distributions in this setting. Some authors have suggested that employing a heavy tailed search distribution, such as a Cauchy, may make EDA better explore a high dimensional search space. However, other authors have found Cauchy search distributions are less effective than Gaussian search distributions in high dimensional problems. In this paper, we set out to resolve this controversy. To achieve this we run extensive experiments on a battery of high-dimensional test functions, and develop some theory which shows that small search steps are always more likely to move the search distribution towards the global optimum than large ones and, in particular, large search steps in high-dimensional spaces nearly always do badly in this respect. We hypothesise that, since exploration by large steps is mostly counterproductive in high dimensions, and since the fraction of good directions decays exponentially fast with increasing dimension, instead one should focus mainly on finding the right direction in which to move the search distribution. We propose a minor change to standard Gaussian EDA which implicitly achieves this aim, and our experiments on a sequence of test functions confirm the good performance of our new approach.

text: How effective is Cauchy-EDA in high dimensions? We consider the problem of high dimensional blackbox optimisation via Estimation of Distribution Algorithms (EDA) and the use of heavy-tailed search distributions in this setting. Some authors have suggested that employing a heavy tailed search distribution, such as a Cauchy, may make EDA better explore a high dimensional search space. However, other authors have found Cauchy search distributions are less effective than Gaussian search distributions in high dimensional problems. In this paper, we set out to resolve this controversy. To achieve this we run extensive experiments on a battery of high-dimensional test functions, and develop some theory which shows that small search steps are always more likely to move the search distribution towards the global optimum than large ones and, in particular, large search steps in high-dimensional spaces nearly always do badly in this respect. We hypothesise that, since exploration by large steps is mostly counterproductive in high dimensions, and since the fraction of good directions decays exponentially fast with increasing dimension, instead one should focus mainly on finding the right direction in which to move the search distribution. We propose a minor change to standard Gaussian EDA which implicitly achieves this aim, and our experiments on a sequence of test functions confirm the good performance of our new approach.

year: 2016

title: From soil to groundwater:  Assessing the leaching potential of cadmium across gradients of soil types and land-uses

authors: Mohammadi, Amir

subjects: Fertiliser

abstract: The problem: The productivity of agriculture, the mainstay of New Zealand’ economy, relies on millions tons of fertiliser to maintain soil fertility. These fertilisers contain contaminants, including cadmium (Cd) which pose risks to the environment and human health. The assessment of the bioavailability, mobility, and fate of fertiliser-derived contaminants is therefore important in protecting the environment and human health. In order to manage fertiliser inputs accurately, authorities and protection agencies have struggled with tracing the Cd fluxes between fertilised soil, shallow groundwater and the biomass of plants. A number of analytical and experimental challenges hinder the application of conventional methods in these systems.

Proposed research: A realistic assessment of the environmental impact of fertiliser-derived contaminants requires non-perturbing and sensitive sampling techniques for detecting contaminants of interest. Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) is an established in-situ technique that can provide information on the concentrations and bioavailability of diverse contaminants in soil, sediment and groundwater. The DGT method has rarely been applied to relatively slowly moving groundwater systems, where the increased length of the diffusive boundary layer (DBL) needs to be taken into account. Three different DGT approaches were tested to overcome the limitations associated with the direct application of DGTs to groundwater systems a static DGT suspension, a DGT shaker, and a pumped flow-cell unit coined the “universal DGT monitoring system” (UDMS). The analysis of stable isotope ratios was used to investigate the Cd cycle in agricultural systems. The isotope data enabled us to trace fertiliser-derived Cd in soil−pasture−groundwater systems across gradients of soil types and land-uses. Additionally, the effects of farm management strategies (urine and farm dairy effluent) on the transport of metals and nutrients from soil to groundwater were determined through testing archived samples from the Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) lysimeter trial. The hydrogeochemical properties of soils and different treatments may enhance metal leaching and transport. Through a statistical analysis of the data, this study aimed to test the hypotheses that the leaching potential of metals and nutrients in soils varies depending on the type of soil and farm management strategies.

Research outcome: The Universal DGT Monitoring System (UDMS)-a pumped flow-cell setup was developed to overcome stagnant conditions and reducing diffusive boundary layer thicknesses by fourfold. The UDMS method is particularly suitable for monitoring low-level contaminants like Cd and conditions with frequent fluctuations in shallow aquifer concentrations. Coupling UDMS and stable isotope ratio methods demonstrated that Cd isotopes are significantly and systematically fractionated in groundwater, soil, and pasture systems. Fractionation patterns in these systems provide insight into hydrogeochemical processes controlling the mobilisation of contaminants in the subsurface. According to the results of the study, soil types and hydraulic properties of soils are probably more important factors than farm treatments and strategies for the leaching of metals and nutrients. The intrinsic degree of leaching, however, could not be determined without control treatments. To understand the driving factors of high mobilisation events, further study is necessary to determine how amended versus unamended soils differ.

text: From soil to groundwater:  Assessing the leaching potential of cadmium across gradients of soil types and land-uses The problem: The productivity of agriculture, the mainstay of New Zealand’ economy, relies on millions tons of fertiliser to maintain soil fertility. These fertilisers contain contaminants, including cadmium (Cd) which pose risks to the environment and human health. The assessment of the bioavailability, mobility, and fate of fertiliser-derived contaminants is therefore important in protecting the environment and human health. In order to manage fertiliser inputs accurately, authorities and protection agencies have struggled with tracing the Cd fluxes between fertilised soil, shallow groundwater and the biomass of plants. A number of analytical and experimental challenges hinder the application of conventional methods in these systems.

Proposed research: A realistic assessment of the environmental impact of fertiliser-derived contaminants requires non-perturbing and sensitive sampling techniques for detecting contaminants of interest. Diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) is an established in-situ technique that can provide information on the concentrations and bioavailability of diverse contaminants in soil, sediment and groundwater. The DGT method has rarely been applied to relatively slowly moving groundwater systems, where the increased length of the diffusive boundary layer (DBL) needs to be taken into account. Three different DGT approaches were tested to overcome the limitations associated with the direct application of DGTs to groundwater systems a static DGT suspension, a DGT shaker, and a pumped flow-cell unit coined the “universal DGT monitoring system” (UDMS). The analysis of stable isotope ratios was used to investigate the Cd cycle in agricultural systems. The isotope data enabled us to trace fertiliser-derived Cd in soil−pasture−groundwater systems across gradients of soil types and land-uses. Additionally, the effects of farm management strategies (urine and farm dairy effluent) on the transport of metals and nutrients from soil to groundwater were determined through testing archived samples from the Lincoln University Dairy Farm (LUDF) lysimeter trial. The hydrogeochemical properties of soils and different treatments may enhance metal leaching and transport. Through a statistical analysis of the data, this study aimed to test the hypotheses that the leaching potential of metals and nutrients in soils varies depending on the type of soil and farm management strategies.

Research outcome: The Universal DGT Monitoring System (UDMS)-a pumped flow-cell setup was developed to overcome stagnant conditions and reducing diffusive boundary layer thicknesses by fourfold. The UDMS method is particularly suitable for monitoring low-level contaminants like Cd and conditions with frequent fluctuations in shallow aquifer concentrations. Coupling UDMS and stable isotope ratio methods demonstrated that Cd isotopes are significantly and systematically fractionated in groundwater, soil, and pasture systems. Fractionation patterns in these systems provide insight into hydrogeochemical processes controlling the mobilisation of contaminants in the subsurface. According to the results of the study, soil types and hydraulic properties of soils are probably more important factors than farm treatments and strategies for the leaching of metals and nutrients. The intrinsic degree of leaching, however, could not be determined without control treatments. To understand the driving factors of high mobilisation events, further study is necessary to determine how amended versus unamended soils differ.

year: 2022

title: He pūrongo whakahokinga kōrero a te akomanga rūmaki o Te Tohu Paetahi

authors: Nock, Sophie

subjects: Reo Māori

abstract: Ko te whāinga matua o tēnei rangahau he whakakaokao, he wetewete āno hoki i ngā whakahokinga kōrero a te hunga uiui i kake atu ai ki runga i te waka o Te Tohu Paetahi i te tau 2008, i raro i te kōawa o Rehutai, i raro anō hoki i te maru o Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. Ka aro atu ki ngā urupare a te hunga tekau mā ono mō te kaupapa nei o Te Tohu Paetahi, ka mutu, ka matapakihia ngā kōrero me ngā whakaaro o taua hunga kia āta kitea ai, āe rānei e tika ana te whakahaere, te mahi whakaako i te reo, te tautoko mai hoki a ngā kaiwhakaako me te kura. I te mutunga iho tautoko katoa te hunga uiui ki aua mea katoa.

text: He pūrongo whakahokinga kōrero a te akomanga rūmaki o Te Tohu Paetahi Ko te whāinga matua o tēnei rangahau he whakakaokao, he wetewete āno hoki i ngā whakahokinga kōrero a te hunga uiui i kake atu ai ki runga i te waka o Te Tohu Paetahi i te tau 2008, i raro i te kōawa o Rehutai, i raro anō hoki i te maru o Te Whare Wānanga o Waikato. Ka aro atu ki ngā urupare a te hunga tekau mā ono mō te kaupapa nei o Te Tohu Paetahi, ka mutu, ka matapakihia ngā kōrero me ngā whakaaro o taua hunga kia āta kitea ai, āe rānei e tika ana te whakahaere, te mahi whakaako i te reo, te tautoko mai hoki a ngā kaiwhakaako me te kura. I te mutunga iho tautoko katoa te hunga uiui ki aua mea katoa.

year: 2012-05