Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
DNA Barcodes Can Distinguish Species of Indian Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract Species identification of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) based on morphological characteristics remains often difficult in field-collected mosquito specimens in vector-borne disease surveillance programs. The use of DNA barcodes has been proposed recently as a tool for identification of the species in many diverse groups of animals. However, the efficacy of this tool for mosquitoes remains unexplored. Hence, a study was undertaken to construct DNA barcodes for several species of mosquitoes prevalent in India, which included major vector species. In total, 111 specimens of mosquitoes belonging to 15 genera, morphologically identified to be 63 species, were used. This number also included multiple specimens for 22 species. DNA barcode approach based on DNA sequences of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase gene sequences could identify 62 species among these, in confirmation with the conventional taxonomy. However, two closely related species, Ochlerotatus portonovoensis (Tiwari & Hiriyan) and Ochlerotatus wardi (Reinert) could not be identified as separate species based on DNA barcode approach, their lineages indicating negligible genetic divergence (Kimura two-parameter genetic distance = 0.0043).
Global Artificial Boundary Conditions for Computation of External Flow Problems with Propulsive Jets

We propose new global artificial boundary conditions (ABC''s) for computation of flows with propulsive jets. The algorithm is based on application of the difference potentials method (DPM). Previously, similar boundary conditions have been implemented for calculation of external compressible viscous flows around finite bodies. The proposed modification substantially extends the applicability range of the DPM-based algorithm. In the paper, we present the general formulation of the problem, describe our numerical methodology, and discuss the corresponding computational results. The particular configuration that we analyze is a slender three-dimensional body with boat-tail geometry and supersonic jet exhaust in a subsonic external flow under zero angle of attack. Similarly to the results obtained earlier for the flows around airfoils and wings, current results for the jet flow case corroborate the superiority of the DPM-based ABC''s over standard local methodologies from the standpoints of accuracy, overall numerical performance, and robustness.
Effectiveness and feasibility of virtual reality and gaming system use at home by older adults for enabling physical activity to improve health-related domains: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND use of virtual reality and commercial gaming systems (VR/gaming) at home by older adults is receiving attention as a means of enabling physical activity. OBJECTIVE to summarise evidence for the effectiveness and feasibility of VR/gaming system utilisation by older adults at home for enabling physical activity to improve impairments, activity limitations or participation. METHODS a systematic review searching 12 electronic databases from 1 January 2000-10 July 2012 using key search terms. Two independent reviewers screened yield articles using pre-determined selection criteria, extracted data using customised forms and applied the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool and the Downs and Black Checklist to rate study quality. RESULTS fourteen studies investigating the effects of VR/gaming system use by healthy older adults and people with neurological conditions on activity limitations, body functions and physical impairments and cognitive and emotional well-being met the selection criteria. Study quality ratings were low and, therefore, evidence was not strong enough to conclude that interventions were effective. Feasibility was inconsistently reported in studies. Where feasibility was discussed, strong retention (≥70%) and adherence (≥64%) was reported. Initial assistance to use the technologies, and the need for monitoring exertion, aggravation of musculoskeletal symptoms and falls risk were reported. CONCLUSIONS existing evidence to support the feasibility and effectiveness VR/gaming systems use by older adults at home to enable physical activity to address impairments, activity limitations and participation is weak with a high risk of bias. The findings of this review may inform future, more rigorous research.
A Unified Framework for Tomlinson--Harashima Precoding in MC-CDMA and OFDMA Downlink Transmissions

We consider a unified framework comprising both multicarrier code-division multiple-access (MC-CDMA) and orthogonal frequency-division multiple-access (OFDMA), and discuss nonlinear prefiltering for downlink transmissions based on Tomlinson-Harashima precoding. The base station (BS) is equipped with multiple transmitting antennas and channel state information is assumed to be available at the transmit side. We design the prefiltering matrices so as to minimize the sum of the mean square errors at all mobile terminals when a conventional single-user data detector is employed at the receiver side. In this way, most of the computational burden is moved to the BS, where power consumption and computational resources are not critical requirements. Computer simulations are used to assess the performance of the proposed scheme under different operating scenarios. It turns out that OFDMA outperforms MC-CDMA when the system resources (subcarriers and/or spreading codes) are optimally assigned to the active users according to the channel quality.
GENETIC DIVERSITY AMONG FULANI AND YORUBA ECOTYPE OF NIGERIA INDIGENOUS CHICKEN IN THE DERIVED SAVANNAH ZONE USING MICROSATELLITE MARKERS

Genetic diversity of two different populations of Nigeria Native chickens of was examined by means of microsatellite markers. The populations studied are Fulani Ecotype Chickens (FEC) and Yoruba Ecotype Chickens (YEC). Five di-nucleotide microsatellite markers were investigated to study the genetic diversity and population structure of the two ecotypes. All microsatellite examined were polymorphic across the two populations. A total of 62 alleles were detected across the five loci examined with 32 alleles found in Fulani Ecotype Chicken (FEC) and 30 allele found in Yoruba Ecotype Chickens (YEC). The number of alleles ranged from 4-8 in FEC and 4-10 in YEC. The mean number of alleles (MNA) across all the microsatellite was 6.2 0.696 across the population. While the mean number per population are 6.4 0.784 in FEC and 6.0 1.265 in FEC and YEC respectively. Highest number of allele was found in loci LEI0094 and MCW0216 in FEC and locus LEI0094 in YEC. Private alleles were found in loci LEI0094, ADL0268, MCW0216 and MCW0248 in both populations. The observed heterozygosity (Ho) was between 0.277 to 0.809 in FEC and 0.383 to 0.660 in YEC while the expected heterozygosity (He) was between 0.392 to 0.670 in FEC and 0.290 to 0.727 in YEC. Fis, Fit and Fst of the two populations ranged between -0.051 to 0.0105, -0.043 to 0.110 and 0.003 to 0.008 for respectively across the loci. The percentage of variation among population was 8% while among individual and within individual was 91% and 1% respectively. Nei’s Genetic distance between the two populations (0.015), based on (UPGMA) the two populations are classified as being genetically close to each other. Genetic diversity across the two populations is high. There is low level of genetic differentiation between the two populations which showed absence of clear sub structuring of Nigeria indigenous Chickens from derived savannah zone.
A hands-on-robot for accurate placement of pedicle screws

This paper presents a novel system for accurate placement of pedicle screws. The system consists of a new light-weight (<10 kg), kinematically redundant, and fully torque controlled robot. Additionally, the pose of the robot tool-center point is tracked by an optical navigation system, serving as an external reference source. Therefore, it is possible to measure and to compensate deviations between the intraoperative and the preoperatively planned pose. The robotic arm itself is impedance controlled. This allows for a new intuitive man-machine-interface as the joint units are equipped with torque sensors: the robot can be moved just by pulling/pushing its structure. The surgeon has full control of the robot at every step of the intervention. The hand-eye-coordination problems known from manual pedicle screw placement can be omitted
Helping hand: an anatomically accurate inverse dynamics solution for unconstrained hand motion

We present a realistic skeletal musculo-tendon model of the human hand and forearm. The model permits direct forward dynamics simulation, which accurately predicts hand and finger position given a set of muscle activations. We also present a solution to the inverse problem of determining an optimal set of muscle activations to achieve a given pose or motion; muscle fatigue, injury or atrophy can also be specified, yielding different control solutions that favour healthy muscle. As there can be many (or no) solutions to this inverse problem, we demonstrate how the space of possible solutions can be filtered to an optimal representative. Of particular note is the ability of our model to take a wide array of joint interdependence into account for both forward and inverse problems. Given kinematic postures, the model can be used to validate, predict or fill in missing motion and improve coarsely specified motion with anatomic fidelity. Lastly, we address the visualization and understanding of the dynamically changing and spatially compact musculature using various interaction techniques.
Revisiting communication code generation algorithms for message-passing systems

In this paper, we investigate algorithms for generating communication code to run on distributed-memory systems. We modify algorithms from previously published work and prove that the algorithms produce correct code. We then extend these algorithms to incorporate the mapping of virtual to physical processors and prove the correctness of this extension. This technique can reduce the number of interprocessor messages. In the examples that we show, the total number of messages was reduced from O(N 2) to O(P 2), where N is the input size and P is the number of physical processors. The reason that it is important to revisit communication code generation and to introduce a formal specification of the incorporation of mapping in the communication code generation is so that we can make use of the many scheduling heuristics proposed in the literature. We need a generalized mapping function so that we can apply different mapping and scheduling heuristics proposed in the literature for each input program, therefore improving the average performance.
Static Stability Analysis of Embedded , Autocoded Software

Embedded software-based control systems are commonly constructed using model-based design environments such as MATLAB/SimulinkTMfrom MathWorks. These environments allow the system designer to establish critical properties ensuring the reliability of the system (stability, disturbance rejection, etc.) directly at the model level, using a rich mathematical toolset. However, the software implementation substantially transforms the mathematical model by introducing numerous programming artifacts (aggregate data structures, pointers) and altering the numerical representation (platform-dependent floating/fixed-point arithmetic, and, in the most extreme cases, conversion from continuous-time dynamics to discrete-time dynamics). Verifying that the reliability properties of the system are preserved by the implementation is extremely challenging, yet in many cases critically important. Model-based design environments usually come with an autocoder i.e., a code generation tool that automatically synthesizes an implementation of the embedded controller from the specification of its model. Autocoders are getting increasingly used in practical applications for they greatly simplify the implementation process. In many corporations however, including aerospace and automotive industries, autocoding is essentially precluded because its properties are considered to be not adequately trustworthy.
Optimal design of a linear antenna array using particle swarm optimization

An optimal design of a linear antenna array is presented. The antenna array is optimized using a particle swarm optimization based method in order to produce a radiation pattern that has the minimum possible side lobe level and the maximum possible gain at the desired direction. The method has been applied to collinear wire-dipole arrays and seems to be suitable for improving the radiation patterns in many practical applications.
Localization of the membrane attack complex (MAC) in experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis

The role of the membrane attack complex (MAC) as a mediator of renal tissue injury was evaluated in rats affected by bovine serum albumin (BSA)-induced immune complex glomerulonephritis. Immunofluorescence studies revealed concurrent deposits of IgG, BSA, C3, and the MAC along glomerular capillary walls, although the MAC manifested a more restricted distribution than that observed for immune complexes. Immunoelectron microscopic techniques were utilized to demonstrate immune complexes, C3, and the MAC within dense deposits in the subepithelial aspect of the basement membrane. Visceral epithelial foot processes were fused in areas overlying large dense deposits and exhibited intense staining for the MAC, lesser reactivity for C3 but IgG was absent from the foot process membranes. Smaller granular deposits of immune complexes, C3, and the MAC were observed in the subendothelial region of the lamina rara interna and the lamina densa. Immune complexes may activate the classical complement pathway causing diffuse injury to the glomerular basement membrane (GBM), allowing subepithelial accumulation of complexes. These observations implicate the MAC as a mediator of GBM and juxtaposed podocyte membrane injury, thereby contributing to disruption of the glomerular filtration barrier. IgG and C3 were demonstrated within tubulointerstitial regions on the surface of collagen fibers in close proximity to the tubular basement membrane (TBM) of proximal convoluted tubules. Within the TBM, C3 localization was prominent with diminished reactivity for the MAC, but IgG was not detectable. The demonstration of C3 and scant MAC deposits in the TBM of nonimmunized control rats without evidence of interstitial IgG and C3 deposits suggests that both nonimmune and immune processes play a role in the pathogenesis of extraglomerular lesions. Evidence derived from these morphologic studies indicates that the MAC is associated with injury to the GBM, foot process membranes of visceral epithelium, and the TBM. Further experiments designed to selectively enhance or inhibit the deposition of MAC and assess consequent renal dysfunction are required to substantiate hypotheses concerning the in vivo membranolytic potential of the MAC in experimental immune complex glomerulonephritis.
Does More Finance Lead to More Crises

Economists have argued that finance can facilitate growth and increase stability. There are, however, reasons that finance, especially the quantity of credit, can be a source of instability. While there is a vigorous debate on the benefits and costs of the financial sector, there is no direct evidence of whether more finance is related to a higher probability of future systemic banking crises. By using panel data for 150 countries from 1960 to 2009, I find that a larger quantity of finance measured by the ratio of private credit to GDP is associated with a higher probability of future systemic banking crises, a result that is robust to excluding the recent global financial crisis. This effect is stronger for countries whose quantity of private credit is relatively larger. An increase in the equity market capitalization relative to the outstanding credit is associated with a lower probability of a systemic banking crisis. ∗E-mail address: chen_1002@fisher.osu. edu; I appreciate helpful comments and suggestions from Jack Bao, Kewei Hou, Rene M. Stulz, and Mike S. Weisbach and discussions with Zahi Ben-David, Fousseni Chabi-Yo, Sergey Chernenko, Isil Erel, Anil Makhija, Bernadette Minton, and Berk Sensoy. I thank the participants of the Stephen A. Buser Colloquium Series in Financial Economics and the participants of the Ph.D. student seminar at the Finance Department of the Ohio State University for their comments.
Open Source Development: Coordination by Means of Continuous Integration

Continuous integration is an approach to software development that may be used as a means of coordination, replacing detailed design documentation. We explore the use of continuous integration in two open source projects with the aim of identifying key properties of this approach, presumably also relevant in the context of commercial development. The projects, FreeBSD and Mozilla, both use continuous integration in the sense that nearly all software changes are made as small increments to a single development version, the “trunk”. In addition to help coordination, a major benefit may be motivation of developers (being able to produce quick and visible results) and enhancing developers’ insight into many parts of the software (due to the delegation of responsibility of integration). Possible major costs include the time developers must spend doing integration tests prior to committing to the trunk, and the delay of development and test work due to failed builds on the trunk. A crucial challenge for a project employing continuous integration may be to achieve a balanced definition of the “don't break the build”-rule. Another is to decide whether to isolate the final bug-fixing effort prior to a release on a branch separate from the trunk; this avoids holding back new development on the trunk, but may reintroduce problems akin to “big bang” integration.
Compact stellar systems in the Fornax cluster: a UV perspective

Context. There is increasing evidence for chemical complexity and multiple stellar populations in massive globular clusters (GCs), including extreme horizontal branches (EHBs) and UV excess. Aims. We aim to improve our understanding of the UV excess in compact stellar systems, covering the regime of both ultra-compact dwarf galaxies (UCDs) and massive GCs. Methods. We use deep archival GALEX data of the central Fornax cluster to measure NUV and FUV magnitudes of UCDs and massive GCs. Results. We obtain NUV photometry for a sample of 35 compact objects that cover a range -13.5 < M v < -10 mag. Of those, 21 objects also have FUV photometry. Roughly half of the sources fall into the UCD luminosity regime (M v ≤ - 11 mag). We find that seven out of 17 massive Fomax GCs exhibit a NUV excess with respect to expectations from stellar population models, both for models with canonical and enhanced Helium abundance. This suggests that not only He-enrichment has contributed to forming the EHB population of these GCs. The GCs extend to stronger UV excess than GCs in M 31 and massive GCs in M 87, at the 97% confidence level. Most of the UCDs with FUV photometry also show evidence for UV excess, but their UV colours can be matched by isochrones with enhanced Helium abundances and old ages 12-14 Gyr. We find that Fornax compact objects with X-ray emission detected from Chandra images are almost disjunct in colour from compact objects with GALEX UV detection, with only one X-ray source among the 35 compact objects. However, since this source is one of the three most UV bright GCs, we cannot exclude that the physical processes causing X-ray emission also contribute to some of the observed UV excess.
BayesMix : An R package for Bayesian Mixture Modeling

The R package BayesMix provides the functionality for estimating univariate Gaussian mixture models with MCMC methods. Within a given model class users can modify the prior speciﬁcations and the initial values for developing a suitable model for their data. Furthermore, tools for analyzing the output of the MCMC simulations as, e
Time use of married couples: Bayesian approach

ABSTRACT The living hours data of individuals' time spent on daily activities are compositional and include many zeros because individuals do not pursue all activities every day. Thus, we should exercise caution in using such data for empirical analyses. The Bayesian method offers several advantages in analyzing compositional data. In this study, we analyze the time allocation of Japanese married couples using the Bayesian model. Based on the Bayes factors, we compare models that consider and do not consider the correlations between married couples' time use data. The model that considers the correlation shows superior performance. We show that the Bayesian method can adequately take into account the correlations of wives' and husbands' living hours, facilitating the calculation of partial effects that their activities' variables have on living hours. The partial effects of the model that considers the correlations between the couples' time use are easily calculated from the posterior results.
On the Observability of RFID Data Privacy

In this paper, we discuss the observability of RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) data privacy. RFID is a tech- nology that identifies objects and people with radio frequency. In the literature, a metric and a method for the privacy of RFID data, which is for publication to somewhere, are proposed, named LKC-privacy. Though this method is the first to propose RFID data privacy, there remains a problem that they do not consider a person is linked to multiple RFID tags. This leads to the risks that the published data leaks the information of who has the RFID tags, and the assumption that an adversary knows at most specific length of RFID log is too pessimistic. In this paper, we model a privacy model for representing this, and discuss its compatibility with LKC-privacy. I. INTRODUCTION
The adjustment needs of Chinese immigrant women living in Bristol : a narrative inquiry

According to tradition, Chinese women are submissive; they are neglected in the UK Chinese community and relatively invisible in British society. Whilst there is sufficient evidence to support the view that Chinese women immigrants experience difficulties in their daily lives, little is known about these women as a unique group. This qualitative narrative inquiry sets out the untold stories of three Chinese immigrant women, including the researcher, and explores the influence of their cultural values on their adjustment needs during their settlement in Britain. In response to semi-structured interviews, the women documented and illustrated their adjustment needs since their migration to Britain. The researcher is a Chinese woman migrant from Hong Kong who came to Britain over three years ago. Her experience of numerous personal, cultural and professional changes has left her struggling to locate her identity. During informal conversations with other Chinese women immigrants in different social contexts, the researcher developed an interest in studying Chinese women migrants and their settlement in Britain. The main interest focussed on how they make meaning of their life experiences as people who have crossed multiple geographic, cultural and psychological borders. This produced the main aim of the study which was to learn about the cultural roles these women had been brought up with and how these messages may have affected their adjustment needs since their move to Britain. The life stories of the research participants are interwoven with the autoethnographic narratives of the researcher. The three stories may resonate for readers with similar cultural concerns. The study aims to provide information for local government organisations to enable them to understand the diversity and similarity of these women's experiences since migrating. At the same time the research highlights the urgency of re-enforcing multiculturalism in UK goverm-nent policy(ies) and education reform.