Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Molecular phylogeny and habitat diversification of the genus Farfugium (Asteraceae) based on nuclear rDNA and plastid DNA.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS Farfugium (Asteraceae) is a small genus that contains the two species F. japonicum and F. hiberniflorum and is distributed along a long archipelago in east Asia. The common taxon, F. japonicum, includes three varieties associated with a wide range of habitats, including forest understorey (sciophytes), coastal crag (heliophytes) and riverbed (rheophytes). Leaf shape is an important taxonomic character within this genus and is associated with the habitat. METHODS Twenty populations that included all Farfugium taxa were collected throughout its range. Leaf morphology was measured to determine differences amongst the taxa. Phylogenetic analyses based on sequences of the internal transcribed spacer of nuclear rDNA and four plastid DNA regions (matK, trnL-trnF, trnH-psbA and rpl20-rps12) were conducted separately. KEY RESULTS Leaf morphology was significantly different amongst taxa, but morphological variations were partly explained by adaptation to certain environmental conditions that each population inhabited. Molecular phylogenies for the nDNA internal transcribed spacer and cpDNA were consistent in classifying F. hiberniflorum and the Taiwanese var. formosanum, whilst suggesting polyphyletic origins for the rheophyte, sciophyte and heliophyte taxa. All samples from the southern Ryukyus (Japan) and Taiwan clustered into a monophyletic group, which corroborates the land configuration theory involving Quaternary land-bridge formation and subsequent fragmentation into islands. The incongruence between the two DNA datasets may imply traces of introgressive hybridization and/or incomplete lineage sorting. CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of rheophyte, sciophyte and heliophyte plants within Farfugium may be attributable to their isolation on islands and subsequent adaptation to the riparian, coastal crag and forest understorey environments, following their migration over the Quaternary land-bridge formation along their distribution range. Nearly identical DNA sequences coupled with highly divergent morphologies amongst these taxa suggest that diversification was rapid.
Morphing 3D Mesh Models Based on Spherical Parameterization

Based on spherical parameterization, we in this paper present an algorithm to naturally morph a mesh model to another. Our algorithm first adjusts poses of both the models to align them in 3D space. Then, the two normalized models are parameterized onto a common spherical parametrical domain. Subsequently, the algorithm matches a group of given features of the models on spherical domain via a re-parameterizing procedure. As a result, the correspondence of two models' vertices are obtained. Finally, our algorithm interpolates original coordinates of the source model to their corresponding coordinates on the target model to create morphing.
Speech Quality Measurement Methods with Applying PLC Algorithms on Real-time Transmission Control Scheme for VoIP Service

According to the discovery of available and suitable audiovisual services over IP, researches on the Quality of Service (QoS) for various multimedia application services are required. This paper presents evaluation of speech quality applying improved Packet Loss Concealment (PLC) algorithms with an end-to-end bidirectional transmission control scheme. We propose real-time transmission control scheme to perform better quality monitoring of VoIP service. In order to evaluate the newly proposed RTCP-XR scheme for VoIP services, we measure in real-time the quality degree of the received speech signal while applying our improved Packet Loss Concealment (PLC) algorithms in G.711 and G.729A codecs using an implemented Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)- based SoftPhone and a 1-port gateway systems. Overall, for the evaluation with scientific exactitude of speech quality applied our PLC algorithms we examine with made phone-calls through the heterogeneous network systems. The experimental results confirm the applied PLC algorithms for improvement of speech quality over IP in real environments with the QoSfactor transmission control mechanism.
Understanding the meaning of bug attributes and prediction models

Software bug is a buzz word now a day. A software bug has many attributes, some of which are filled at the time of reporting and others are filled during the process of fixing. Some attributes are qualitative in nature but some are quantitative. A clear understanding of bug attributes, their interdependence and their contribution in predicting the other attributes will help in improving the quality of software. In the literature, prediction models based on linear regression have been proposed to predict the bug attributes and to determine their linear relationships. cc list (manpower involved in monitoring the progress of bug fix) is an important bug attribute for which no prediction model has been developed in literature. We investigated the contribution of bug attributes in predicting the bug cc list i.e. the manpower involved in monitoring the progress of bug fix based on multiple linear regression (MLR), support vector regression (SVR) and fuzzy linear regression (FLR). We conducted the experiments to develop prediction models for 21,424 bug reports of Firefox, Thunderbird, Seamonkey, Boot2Gecko, Add-on SDK, Bugzilla, Webtools and addons.mozilla. org products of the Mozilla open source project. We have also investigated a linear relation among bug attributes. The empirical results conclude that the value of R2 in predicting cc list across all datasets lies in the range of 0.31 to 0.70, 0.54 to 0.88, 0.25 to 0.68 and 0.69 to 0.93 for multiple linear regression, support vector regression, fuzzy linear regression(robust off) and fuzzy linear regression (robust bisquare) respectively.
Towards a respecification of L2 Communicative competence : interactional fluency and L2 instruction /

The concept of “communicative competence” has generated a litany of theoretical models that formulate what are involved in competent language use and predict L2 development. Nonetheless, the analytic literature has yet to represent adequately the realities of language use that are infested with an unforeseen range of variants and occasional contingencies. I contend that theoretical formulations of communicative competence always rely on the pre-given theoretical constructs and analytic categories, which naturally gloss over actual practices of competent language use embedded in talkin-interaction. What we need are more procedural accounts o f communicative competence, looking into actual occasions of language use, questioning what occurrences of language behavior would count as a competent case of language use, before subjecting them to conceptual formula. Following the analytic policies of ethnomethodology, the present study finds communicative competence in practical details of L2 interaction. Rather than relying on the general accounts of language phenomena that the competence theories propose, the present study focuses on fiimishing descriptive accounts of the members’ own undertaking of what goes on. Retrieving the member’s own undertaking of their own discourse is pursued by looking into the sequential order and production of their actions. Given that interactional exchanges consist of sequences of actions, the investigation of how one action is made relevant to another within a sequential and temporal domain makes it possible for analysts to describe the members’ methods of talking and order of activities through which the teacher and her students accomplish their classroom activities.
Maximizing Gender Equality by Minimizing Course Choice Options? Effects of Obligatory Coursework in Math on Gender Differences in STEM

Math achievement, math self-concept, and vocational interests are critical predictors of STEM careers and are closely linked to high school coursework. Young women are less likely to choose advanced math courses in high school, and encouraging young women to enroll in advanced math courses may therefore bring more women into STEM careers. We looked at a German statewide educational reform that required all students to take advanced math courses and examined differential effects of the reform on young men and women’s math achievement, math self-concept, vocational interests, and field of study at university. We compared data from 4,730 students before the reform and 4,715 students after the reform. We specified multiple regression models and tested main effects of gender and cohort as well as the effect of the Cohort × Gender interaction on all outcomes. All outcomes showed clear gender differences favoring young men before the reform. However, the reform was associated with different effects for young men and women: Whereas gender differences in math achievement were smaller after the reform, differences between young men and women in math self-concept and realistic and investigative vocational interests were larger after the reform than before. Gender differences in the field of study at university did not differ between before and after the reform. Results suggest that reducing course choice options in high school does not automatically increase gender equality in STEM fields.
Multilevel lattices based on spatially-coupled LDPC codes with applications

We propose a class of lattices constructed using Construction D where the underlying linear codes are nested binary spatially-coupled low-density parity-check codes (SC-LDPC) codes with uniform left and right degrees. By leveraging recent results on the optimality of spatially-coupled codes for binary input memoryless channels and Forney et al.'s earlier results on the optimality of construction D, we show that the proposed lattices achieve the Poltyrev limit under multistage belief propagation decoding. Lattice codes constructed from these lattices are shown to provide excellent performance for the three user symmetric interference channel. They can also be naturally used in applications such as integer-forcing and compute-and-forward.
SMICTS: A Simulation Based Approach to Understand and Manage Service Quality

In this paper a novel simulation framework SIMCTS (Simulation Modelling and Analysis of Customer Satisfaction Patterns for Telecommunication Service Providers) for ISP business process modelling is described. It is shown that simulation technology can tackle a wide range of operational challenges in telecommunication service industry. The lack of very specific building blocks for functional service quality simulation has made the development SIMCTS simulation framework an absolute necessity. The paper introduces service quality framework that could transform a conceptual service quality model in to computer simulation model using the available service quality data in a fast and a effective way. The framework defines the structural data that is required to simulate service quality attributes using building block concepts. The framework can be used to develop various break even simulation models that helps providers to build flexibility in to service process design. Visual Basic Application (VBA) is used in the model to enhance flexibility and maintainability of model.
Relationship Between Grip, Pinch Strengths and Anthropometric Variables, Types of Pitch Throwing Among Japanese High School Baseball Pitchers

Background: Grip and pinch strength are crucially important attributes and standard parameters related to the functional integrity of the hand. It seems significant to investigate normative data for grip and pinch strength of baseball players to evaluate their performance and condition. Nevertheless, few reports have explained the association between grip and pinch strength and anthropometric variables and types of pitch throwing for baseball pitchers. Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure and evaluate clinical normative data for grip and tip, key, palmar pinch strength and to assess the relationship between these data and anthropometric variables and types of pitch throwing among Japanese high-school baseball pitchers. Materials and Methods: One hundred-thirty three healthy high school baseball pitchers were examined and had completed a self-administered questionnaire including items related to age, hand dominance, throwing ratio of type of pitch. A digital dynamometer was used to measure grip strength and a pinch gauge to measure tip, key and palmer pinch in both dominant and nondominant side. Body composition was measured by the multi frequency segmental body composition analyzer. Results: Grip strength and tip and palmer pinch strength in dominant side were statistically greater than them in nondominant side (P < 0.05). There were significant associations between grip strength and height (r = 0.33, P < 0.001), body mass (r = 0.50, P < 0.001), BMI (r = 0.37, P < 0.001), muscle mass of upper extremity (r = 0.56, P < 0.001), fat free mass (r = 0.57, P < 0.001), fat mass (r = 0.22, P < 0.05) in dominant side. A stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that fat free mass and tip, palmer, key pinch strength were predictors of grip strength in dominant side. No statistical significant correlations were found between the throwing ratio of types of pitches thrown and grip strength and tip, key, palmar pinch strength. Conclusions: Our result provides normative values and evidences for grip and pinch strengths in high school baseball pitchers.
Fake finger detection using an electrotactile display system

Fingerprint recognition is the most popular biometrics but the current fingerprint authentication system can still be easily circumvented by fake fingers. In this paper, we propose a novel method to detect fake finger using tactile sensation. It relies on an additional ability of a live finger, the sense of touch. Such tactile perception capability is absent in the dead or a totally fake finger. Based on this concept, an electrotactile display system capable of presenting tactile pattern is developed. This is then correlated with the pattern shown visually to the user. The system does not produce any visible, auditory or other clues and as such, its strength is only dependent on the number of visible patterns available for the user to select. Preliminary result obtained from the prototype system shows that the proposed approach is indeed able to detect gelatin fake finger worn over live fingers, even when the gelatin is only 1mm thick.
Elementary Quantum Gate Realizations for Multiple-Control Toffoli Gates

A new method for determining elementary quantum gate realizations for multiple-control Toffoli (MCT) gates is presented. The realization for each MCT gate is formed as a composition of realizations of smaller MCT gates. A marking algorithm which is more effective than the traditional moving rule is used to optimize the final circuit. The main improvement is that the resulting circuits make significantly better use of ancillary lines than has been achieved in earlier approaches. Initial results are also presented for circuits with nearest-neighbour communication. These results show that the overall approach is not as effective for that problem indicating that research on direct synthesis of nearest-neighbour quantum circuits should be considered. While, the results presented are for the NCV quantum gate library (i.e. for quantum circuits composed of NOT gates, controlled-NOT gates, and controlled-V=V+ gates), the approach can be applied to other libraries of elementary quantum gates.
Formal modeling and analysis of XML firewall for service-oriented systems

As more businesses deploy web services over the Internet, the issue of how to secure them from intruders and possible threats becomes more important. Firewalls have been designed as a major component to protect a network or a server from being attacked. However, since conventional firewalls emphasize on packet filtering at the transport and session layer, rather than verifying user permissions and examining packet contents at the application layer, they are not suitable for protecting service providers from unauthorized web service invocations. In this paper, we propose a formal XML firewall security model using role-based access control (RBAC) mechanisms. Our proposed formal model supports user authentication and role-based user authorization according to policy rules stored in a policy database that can be updated dynamically. The formal model is designed compositionally using colored Petri nets (CPN), which can serve as a high-level design for XML firewall implementation. The major components of our compositional XML firewall security model are the application model and the XML firewall model. We analyze the application model and the XML firewall model separately using an existing Petri net tool, and demonstrate how key properties of our formal models can be verified, and how a design error can be detected and corrected at an early design stage.
Stabilin-1 and -2 constitute a novel family of fasciclin-like hyaluronan receptor homologues.

MS-1, a high-molecular-mass protein expressed by non-continuous and angiogenic endothelial cells and by alternatively activated macrophages (Mphi2), and the hepatic sinusoidal endothelial hyaluronan clearance receptor are similar with respect to tissue distribution and biochemical characteristics. In the present study we purified these proteins by immuno- and hyaluronan-affinity chromatography respectively, sequenced tryptic peptides and generated full-length cDNA sequences in both mouse and human. The novel genes, i.e. stabilin-1 and stabilin-2, code for homologous transmembrane proteins featuring seven fasciclin-like adhesion domains, 18-20 epidermal-growth-factor domains, one X-link domain and three to six B-(X(7))-B hyaluronan-binding motifs. Northern-blotting experiments revealed the presence of both stabilins in organs with predominant endothelial sinuses such as liver, spleen and lymph node: stabilin-1 mRNA was also detected in organs with predominant Mphi2 cells, such as placenta, and in interleukin-4/glucocorticoid-stimulated Mphi2 cells in vitro. A polyclonal antibody made against human recombinant stabilin-1 confirmed the expression of stabilin-1 protein in splenic sinus endothelial cells in vivo and in Mphi2 in vitro. On the basis of high similarity at the protein level and the unique domain composition, which differs from that of all other known fasciclin-like proteins and hyaluronan receptors, stabilin-1 and stabilin-2 define a novel family of fasciclin-like hyaluronan receptor homologues that might play a role in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions in vascular function and inflammatory processes.
Interaction between Hydrogenase Maturation Factors HypA and HypB Is Required for [NiFe]-Hydrogenase Maturation

The active site of [NiFe]-hydrogenase contains nickel and iron coordinated by cysteine residues, cyanide and carbon monoxide. Metal chaperone proteins HypA and HypB are required for the nickel insertion step of [NiFe]-hydrogenase maturation. How HypA and HypB work together to deliver nickel to the catalytic core remains elusive. Here we demonstrated that HypA and HypB from Archaeoglobus fulgidus form 1:1 heterodimer in solution and HypA does not interact with HypB dimer preloaded with GMPPNP and Ni. Based on the crystal structure of A. fulgidus HypB, mutants were designed to map the HypA binding site on HypB. Our results showed that two conserved residues, Tyr-4 and Leu-6, of A. fulgidus HypB are required for the interaction with HypA. Consistent with this observation, we demonstrated that the corresponding residues, Leu-78 and Val-80, located at the N-terminus of the GTPase domain of Escherichia coli HypB were required for HypA/HypB interaction. We further showed that L78A and V80A mutants of HypB failed to reactivate hydrogenase in an E. coli ΔhypB strain. Our results suggest that the formation of the HypA/HypB complex is essential to the maturation process of hydrogenase. The HypA binding site is in proximity to the metal binding site of HypB, suggesting that the HypA/HypB interaction may facilitate nickel transfer between the two proteins.
Learning Is Better with the Hands Free: The Role of Posture in the Memory of Manipulable Objects

Grounded cognition proposes that memory shares processing resources with sensorimotor systems. The aim of the present study was to show that motor simulation participates in the conceptual representation of manipulable objects in long-term memory. In two experiments, lists of manipulable and nonmanipulable objects were presented. Participants were instructed to memorize the items while adopting different postures. In the control condition, they had to keep their hands at rest in front of them. In the interference condition, participants had to keep their hands crossed behind their back to make their hands less free for action. After each list, participants had to perform first a distractive task, and then an oral free recall. The results showed that the interfering posture produced a specific decrease in the recall of manipulable objects, but not of nonmanipulable ones. This decrease was similar when the items were presented as pictures (Experiment 1) or as words (Experiment 2), thus excluding a purely visual effect. These results provide strong evidence that the motor simulation plays a role in the memory trace of the object.
Tracking Categorical Surface Colour Across Illuminant Changes In Natural Scenes

How well can categorical colour perception be maintained in natural environments with varying illuminants? To address this question, a colour-naming experiment was performed with colour-monitor images of natural scenes simulated under two different daylights of correlated colour temperature 6500 K and 25000 K. Images were obtained from a set of hyperspectral data to enable the accurate control of illuminant and reflectance spectra. Each scene contained a spherical test surface whose digitally manipulated spectral reflectance coincided with that of a sample drawn randomly from approximately 430 Munsell reflectances grouped into eight colour categories, namely, red, green, blue, yellow, pink, purple, brown, and orange. Observers had to name the colour of the test surface in each image, presented for 1 s, by pressing one of nine computer keys corresponding to the eight categorical colour names and a neutral category. Focal colours were estimated from the peaks of the smoothed distributions of observers? naming responses in the CIE 1976 (u? , v? ) chromaticity diagram. The effect of the illuminant change was quantified by a focal colour constancy index, with values 0 and 1 corresponding to no constancy and perfect constancy. Average levels of focal colour constancy were close to those from traditional measures of colour constancy, but with variation across categories and surface lightness. For blue and purple surfaces levels approached 0.9. For many surface colours, colour naming seems to be robust under illuminant changes and may help to anchor non-categorical judgements of arbitrary surface colours in natural scenes.
Who Buys and Sells Options: The Role and Pricing of Options in an Economy with Background Risk

In this paper, we derive an equilibrium in which some investors buy call/put options on the market portfolio while others sell them. Since investors are assumed to have similar risk-averse preferences, the demand for these contracts is not explained by differences in the shape of utility functions. Rather, it is the degree to which agents face other, non-hedgeable, background risks that determines their risk-taking behavior in the model. We show that investors with low or no background risk have a concave sharing rule, i.e., they sell options on the market portfolio, whereas investors with high background risk have a convex sharing rule and buy these options.