Perdita Considers Dessert

Eat dessert first.

Bayesian Optimization for a Better Dessert

We present a case study on applying Bayesian Optimization to a complex real-world system; our challenge was to optimize chocolate chip cookies. The process was a mixed-initiative system where both human chefs, human raters, and a machine optimizer participated in 144 experiments. This process resulted in highly rated cookies that deviated from expectations in some surprising ways – much less su...

Association of the female of Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes (Cresson), and a replacement name for Perdita bohartorum Parker (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae).

The monotypic Perdita subgenus Xeromacrotera Timberlake is currently known only from the male sex. Here, the female of Perdita (Xeromacrotera) cephalotes (Cresson, 1878) is associated, resulting in two new junior synonyms of P. (X.) cephalotes: Perdita (Procockerellia) excellens Timberlake, 1958, new synonym and Perdita (Cockerellia) autumnalis Timberlake, 1977, new synonym. The true number of ...

CMS considers expanding reimbursement for carotid stenting.

On January 25, 2012, Medicare (CMS) held a meeting to consider issues related to the current management of carotid arterial disease. One of the most important of these issues is whether or not Medicare should expand reimbursement for carotid artery stenting (CAS) to include patients with asymptomatic and low or standard surgical risk symptomatic carotid stenosis. Opinions vary widely regarding ...

Male Polymorphism and Polyethism in Perdita texana (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)

Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 85(5): 616-626 (1992) ABSTRACT Males of Perdita texana (Cresson), a communal, ground nesting, univoltine bee, show striking variation in head size and shape; larger males have disproportionately large heads and disproportionately undersized thoraces. As body size increases, the components of head shape that increase most strongly allometrically are the dimensions of the s...