Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Scaling the consequences of interactions between invaders from the individual to the population level

Abstract The impact of human‐induced stressors, such as invasive species, is often measured at the organismal level, but is much less commonly scaled up to the population level. Interactions with invasive species represent an increasingly common source of stressor in many habitats. However, due to the increasing abundance of invasive species around the globe, invasive species now commonly cause stresses not only for native species in invaded areas, but also for other invasive species. I examine the European green crab Carcinus maenas, an invasive species along the northeast coast of North America, which is known to be negatively impacted in this invaded region by interactions with the invasive Asian shore crab Hemigrapsus sanguineus. Asian shore crabs are known to negatively impact green crabs via two mechanisms: by directly preying on green crab juveniles and by indirectly reducing green crab fecundity via interference (and potentially exploitative) competition that alters green crab diets. I used life‐table analyses to scale these two mechanistic stressors up to the population level in order to examine their relative impacts on green crab populations. I demonstrate that lost fecundity has larger impacts on per capita population growth rates, but that both predation and lost fecundity are capable of reducing population growth sufficiently to produce the declines in green crab populations that have been observed in areas where these two species overlap. By scaling up the impacts of one invader on a second invader, I have demonstrated that multiple documented interactions between these species are capable of having population‐level impacts and that both may be contributing to the decline of European green crabs in their invaded range on the east coast of North America.
Facial Expression Intensity Estimation Using Ordinal Information

Previous studies on facial expression analysis have been focused on recognizing basic expression categories. There is limited amount of work on the continuous expression intensity estimation, which is important for detecting and tracking emotion change. Part of the reason is the lack of labeled data with annotated expression intensity since expression intensity annotation requires expertise and is time consuming. In this work, we treat the expression intensity estimation as a regression problem. By taking advantage of the natural onset-apex-offset evolution pattern of facial expression, the proposed method can handle different amounts of annotations to perform frame-level expression intensity estimation. In fully supervised case, all the frames are provided with intensity annotations. In weakly supervised case, only the annotations of selected key frames are used. While in unsupervised case, expression intensity can be estimated without any annotations. An efficient optimization algorithm based on Alternating Direction Method of Multipliers (ADMM) is developed for solving the optimization problem associated with parameter learning. We demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed method by comparing it against both fully supervised and unsupervised approaches on benchmark facial expression datasets.
Modeling human newspaper readers: The Fuzzy Believer approach

Abstract The growing number of publicly available information sources makes it impossible for individuals to keep track of all the various opinions on one topic. The goal of our Fuzzy Believer system presented in this paper is to extract and analyze statements of opinion from newspaper articles. Beliefs are modeled using the fuzzy set theory, applied after Natural Language Processing-based information extraction. The Fuzzy Believer models a human agent, deciding what statements to believe or reject based on a range of configurable strategies.
An Empirical Examination of the Associations Among Crystal Methamphetamine Use History, Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity, and Perceived Social Support

Social support functions as a protective factor against the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Crystal methamphetamine use, however, is associated with a decrease in social functioning. This is noteworthy as people with PTSD endorse elevated rates of crystal methamphetamine use. The current study proposed to look at perceived social support as it relates to crystal methamphetamine use among individuals endorsing a wide range of posttraumatic stress symptoms. Questionnaires measuring perceived social support and posttraumatic stress symptom severity were administered to 98 traumatic event-exposed adults (Mage = 48.5, SD =7.74) recruited from the San Francisco bay area who were participating in a larger study focused on human immunodeficiency virus treatment adherence. Regression analyses were employed to test three interrelated hypotheses based on the general prediction that posttraumatic stress and crystal methamphetamine use will evidence unique and combined relations with perceived social support. While posttraumatic stress symptom severity was negatively related to perceived social support (B = -.145, β = -.322, sr = .104, t(93) = -3.299, p = . 001), neither the extent of previous crystal methamphetamine use, nor the interaction between posttraumatic stress symptom severity and crystal methamphetamine use were associated with decreased levels of perceived social support. Secondary analyses revealed a significant interaction between avoidance symptoms and crystal methamphetamine use, but upon further investigation, it appears that this relationship is only significant for those who deny previous crystal methamphetamine use. Similarly, an analysis of marital status indicated no significant relation between PTSD, crystal methamphetamine use, and marital status. Taken together, these results replicated research linking PTSD symptoms to social support, but do not suggest that crystal methamphetamine use further impact social support level.
MODERN SOFTWARE RENDERING

The computer visualization process, under continuous changes has reached a major milestone. Necessary modifications are required in the currently applied physical devices and technologies because the possibilities are nearly exhausted in the field of the programming model. This paper presents an overview of new performance improvement methods that today CPUs can provide utilizing their modern instruction sets and of how these methods can be applied in the specific field of computer graphics, called software rendering. Furthermore the paper focuses on GPGPU based parallel computing as a new technology for computer graphics where a TBR based software rasterization method is investigated in terms of performance and efficiency.
Multiple infections of Anaplasma platys variants in Philippine dogs

Aim: Anaplasma platys, the causative agent of infectious canine cyclic thrombocytopenia, is a tick-borne pathogen that also has been implicated as potentially zoonotic. To provide molecular evidence on the multiple infections of A. platys variants in Philippine dogs. Materials and Methods: DNA fragments of A. platys from infected dogs in the Philippines were molecularly characterized. For screening, 25 dogs suspected to have canine anaplasmosis were tested using a 16S rRNA-based nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Infection was confirmed by sequencing of positive amplicons. Second round PCR targeting a longer 16S rRNA fragment was subsequently performed on the first round PCR amplicons of the positive samples. Further characterization using the heat-shock operon (groEL) gene was also performed on the A. platys-positive samples. Results: 10 16S rRNA sequences were obtained and found 99.6-100% identical to each other and 99.6-99.7% identical to the closest registered A. platys sequences. On the other hand, 36 groEL clone sequences were obtained and found to be 85.1-99.8% identical with each other and 85.0-88.9% identical to the closest previously registered A. platys sequences. Four dogs were found coinfected with 2-3 groEL variant sequences. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the detected A. platys in the Philippines may represent unique variants. Conclusion: A. platys variants were detected in Philippine dogs. Coinfection of different A. platys variants in dogs was also demonstrated. The present study may indicate the potential genetic diversity of A. platys in the country.
Dual-polarized channel characterization based on measurements in in-service UMTS networks

In this contribution, the measurements conducted in an in-service Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) network in the Minghang campus of Shanghai Jiaotong University, China, are reported. The outdoor measurement data collected in 205 locations in the coverage of a NodeB (NB) is applied to investigate the narrowband characteristics of ±45°-polarized 2×2 channels. The results show that under the empirical configurations, the cross-correlation of differently polarized channels at the user equipment (UE) side is stronger than at the NB side; the distributions of largest and second largest eigenvalues of the 4 × 4 polarized channel covariance matrix are well-fitted by lognormal distributions, and for the other eigenvalues Beta distributions are more appropriate. Furthermore, the statistics of the decay constant of the eigenvalues with respect to the eigenvalue indices is presented. Finally, the dependence of the capacity of a polarized channel on the condition number of the polarization correlation matrix, and inter-dependence between the condition number and the channel cross-polarization discrimination (XPD) are investigated.
Affine Calibration from Dynamic Scenes

In [9] the authors introduced a linear algorithm for determining the affine calibration between two camera views of a dynamic scene. In this paper, we expand upon the algorithm and investigate its performance experimentally. The algorithm computes affine calibration directly from the fundamental matrices associated with various moving objects in the scene, as well as from the fundamental matrix for the static background if the cameras are at different locations. A minimum of two fundamental matrices are required, but any number of additional fundamental matrices can be incorporated into the linear system to improve computational stability. The technique is demonstrated on both real and synthetic data. This work is sponsored by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. IIS-9530985 and by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Rome Laboratory, Air Force Materiel Command, USAF, under agreement number F30602-97-1-0138.
Interactions in engaged work teams: a qualitative study

Purpose The aim of this study is to describe work-engaged teams in terms of interpersonal interaction. Design/methodology/approach Six teams (N = 31 individuals) were videotaped during a decision-making task, for one hour. Based on a priori defined categories, the authors coded the videos in terms of the degree of interaction between team members, the physical distance between members, the degree of team’s activation and the valence of their interaction. The videos were also coded in terms of motivational and affective processes. Team work engagement was assessed using questionnaires. Findings Highly engaged team members work physically close and have an increment on their interactions up until the task’s temporal midpoint. They have an initial peak of activation and show more positive emotional valence in the first and the last moments of the task. The most interpersonal processes used are affective. The worst performing team had the highest initial interaction levels followed by an abrupt decrease both in their levels of interaction and in their levels of activation. Simultaneously, they present higher peaks of positive emotional valence. Practical implications Although engaged teams are essentially characterized by the presence of positive interactions, it is fundamental to alternate more “exited” and fun moments with more task focused ones and collective interaction moments with individual work. Originality/value This study answers to Kozlowski and Chao’s (2012) call for studying emergence in a more direct way, using qualitative analysis of video data.
Challenges to Common Core State Standards Implementation: Views From Six States

The implementation of the Common Core State Standards has posed a number of challenges for school leaders. This study applies a policy implementation conceptual framework to analyze data gathered from 46 interviews in six states. Findings suggest the existence of multiple barriers to Common Core State Standards implementation. To promote implementation, states need to increase local capacity, build will to implement, and engage in information campaigns that promote the Common Core beyond an audience of educators and to the public at large.
Genes critical for muscle development and function in Caenorhabditis elegans identified through lethal mutations

By taking advantage of a lethal phenotype characteristic of Caenorhabditis elegans embryos that fail to move, we have identified 13 genes required for muscle assembly and function and discovered a new lethal class of alleles for three previously known muscle-affecting genes. By staining mutant embryos for myosin and actin we have recognized five distinct classes of genes: mutations in four genes disrupt the assembly of thick and thin filaments into the myofilament lattice as well as the polarized location of these components to the sarcolemma. Mutations in another three genes also disrupt thick and thin filament assembly, but allow proper polarization of lattice components based on the myosin heavy chain isoform that we analyzed. Another two classes of genes are defined by mutations with principal effects on thick or thin filament assembly into the lattice, but not both. The final class includes three genes in which mutations cause relatively minor defects in lattice assembly. Failure of certain mutants to stain with antibodies to specific muscle cell antigens suggest that two genes associated with severe disruptions of myofilament lattice assembly may code for components of the basement membrane and the sarcolemma that are concentrated where dense bodies (Z- line analogs) and M-lines attach to the cell membrane. Similar evidence suggests that one of the genes associated with mild effects on lattice assembly may code for tropomyosin. Many of the newly identified genes are likely to play critical roles in muscle development and function.
How to measure CMB power spectra without losing information

A new method for estimating the angular power spectrum C_l from cosmic microwave background (CMB) maps is presented, which has the following desirable properties: (1) It is unbeatable in the sense that no other method can measure C_l with smaller error bars. (2) It is quadratic, which makes the statistical properties of the measurements easy to compute and use for estimation of cosmological parameters. (3) It is computationally faster than rival high-precision methods such as the nonlinear maximum-likelihood technique, with the crucial steps scaling as n^2 rather than n^3, where n is the number of map pixels. (4) It is applicable to any survey geometry whatsoever, with arbitraty regions masked out and arbitrary noise behaviour. (5) It is not a "black-box" method, but quite simple to understand intuitively: it corresponds to a high-pass filtering and edge softening of the original map followed by a straight expansion in truncated spherical-harmonics. It is argued that this method is computationally feasible even for futute high-resolution CMB experiments with n=10^6-10^7. It is also shown that C_l computed with this method is useful not merely for graphical presentation purposes, but also as an intermediate (and arguably necessary) step in the data analysis pipeline, reducing the data set to a more manageable size before the final step of constraining Gaussian cosmological models and parameters - while retaining all the cosmological information that was present in the original map.
New Very Low Mass Binaries in the Taurus Star-forming Region

We surveyed 13 very low mass (VLM; M ≲ 0.2 M☉) objects in the Taurus star-forming region using near-infrared diffraction-limited imaging techniques on the W. M. Keck I 10 m telescope. Of these 13 objects, five were found to be binary, with separations ranging from 0.04'' to 0.6'' and flux ratios from 1.4 to 3.7. In all cases, the companions are likely to be physically associated with the primaries (probability ≳ 4 σ). Using the theoretical models of Baraffe et al. (1998), we find that all five new companions, as well as one of the primaries, are likely brown dwarfs. The discovery of these systems therefore increases the total number of known, young VLM binaries by ~50%. These new systems, along with other young VLM binaries from the literature, have properties that differ significantly from older field VLM binaries in that the young systems have wider separations and lower mass ratios, supporting the idea that VLM binaries undergo significant dynamical evolution ~5-10 Myr after their formation. The range of separations of these binaries, four of which are over 30 AU, argues against the ejection scenario of brown dwarf formation. While several of the young, VLM binaries discovered in this study have lower binding energies than the previously suggested minimum for VLM binaries, the apparent minimum is still significantly higher than that found among higher mass binaries. We suggest that this discrepancy may be due to the small mass of a VLM binary relative to the average perturbing star, leading to more substantial changes in their binding energy over time.
A transparent and evolvable licensing object service

If we put aside any controversy that could surround the issue of licensing a piece of software, we are faced with actual technical problems to solve in order to regulate the use of protected software in a non-intrusive way. A licensing service allows software producers to control the access and use of their products, and enables the customers to pay only for the software functionalities they use. In this paper we present a CORBA licensing service that is transparent to the end-users and that can easily evolve to adapt to changing licensing policies. Design and implementation issues are discussed. Experimental results are provided.
Unsupervised Trajectory Modelling Using Temporal Information via Minimal Paths

This paper presents a novel methodology for modelling pedestrian trajectories over a scene, based in the hypothesis that, when people try to reach a destination, they use the path that takes less time, taking into account environmental information like the type of terrain or what other people did before. Thus, a minimal path approach can be used to model human trajectory behaviour. We develop a modified Fast Marching Method that allows us to include both velocity and orientation in the Front Propagation Approach, without increasing its computational complexity. Combining all the information, we create a time surface that shows the time a target need to reach any given position in the scene. We also create different metrics in order to compare the time surface against the real behaviour. Experimental results over a public dataset prove the initial hypothesis' correctness.
Secondary instability of crossflow vortices: validation of the stability theory by direct numerical simulation

Detailed comparison of spatial direct numerical simulations (DNS) and secondary linear stability theory (SLST) is provided for the three-dimensional crossflow-dominated boundary layer also considered at the DLR-Göttingen for experiments and theory. Secondary instabilities of large-amplitude steady and unsteady crossflow vortices arising from one single primary mode have been analysed. SLST results have been found to be reliable with respect to the dispersion relation and the amplitude distribution of the modal eigenfunction in the crosscut plane. However, significant deviations have been found in the amplification rates, the SLST results being strongly dependent on the necessarily simplified representation of the primary state. The secondary instability mechanisms are shown to be local, i.e. robust with respect to violations of the periodicity assumption made in the SLST for the wall-parallel directions. Perturbations associated with different local maxima of the spanwise periodic eigenfunctions develop independently from each other interacting only with the primary vortices next to them. Characteristic structures induced by different secondary instability modes have been analysed and an analogy with the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability mechanism has been highlighted.
Fuzzy Maintainability Model for Object Oriented Software System

In recent years for achieving considerable success in software system, maintainability plays a very crucial role and it is considered as an important quality characteristics. In this paper a maintainability model has been proposed to compare maintainability of object-oriented software system. Attempts have been made on software developed in different programming languages to make comparison of maintainability pattern using AHP and Fuzzy Index method.
Assessment and Prediction of the Water Quality in Shrimp Culture Using Signal Processing Techniques

In recent years, artificial intelligence methods have demonstrated to be appropriated for treatment of environmental problems. This paper presents a novel work for assessment and prediction of the water quality in shrimp aquaculture based on environmental pattern processing. Water quality studies are based on analyzing negative concentrations of compounds in shrimp ponds that inhibit the good growing and reproduction of organism. The physical-chemical variables are classified basing on the negative ecological impact using the Gamma (Γ) classifier, which calculates the frequency and the deviation of the measurements from a specific level. A fuzzy inference system processes the level classifications using a reasoning process that determines when a specific concentration is good or harmful for the organism, and providing a water quality index, which describe the condition of the ecosystem: excellent, good, regular and poor. An autoregressive model (AR) predicts a section of an environmental signal using historical information, the set of predicted variables are assessed in order to estimate future water quality conditions in the system. This methodology emerges as a suitable and alternative tool to be used in the developing effective water management plans.