Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Fast Census of Moth Diversity in the Neotropics: A Comparison of Field-Assigned Morphospecies and DNA Barcoding in Tiger Moths

The morphological species delimitations (i.e. morphospecies) have long been the best way to avoid the taxonomic impediment and compare insect taxa biodiversity in highly diverse tropical and subtropical regions. The development of DNA barcoding, however, has shown great potential to replace (or at least complement) the morphospecies approach, with the advantage of relying on automated methods implemented in computer programs or even online rather than in often subjective morphological features. We sampled moths extensively for two years using light traps in a patch of the highly endangered Atlantic Forest of Brazil to produce a nearly complete census of arctiines (Noctuoidea: Erebidae), whose species richness was compared using different morphological and molecular approaches (DNA barcoding). A total of 1,075 barcode sequences of 286 morphospecies were analyzed. Based on the clustering method Barcode Index Number (BIN) we found a taxonomic bias of approximately 30% in our initial morphological assessment. However, a morphological reassessment revealed that the correspondence between morphospecies and molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) can be up to 94% if differences in genitalia morphology are evaluated in individuals of different MOTUs originated from the same morphospecies (putative cases of cryptic species), and by recording if individuals of different genders in different morphospecies merge together in the same MOTU (putative cases of sexual dimorphism). The results of two other clustering methods (i.e. Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery and 2% threshold) were very similar to those of the BIN approach. Using empirical data we have shown that DNA barcoding performed substantially better than the morphospecies approach, based on superficial morphology, to delimit species of a highly diverse moth taxon, and thus should be used in species inventories.
Implementing the MyFEM Embedded Domain-specific Language

Mython, an extensible variant of the Python programming language, exposes the tools and libraries of its implementation to users. This kind of reflection allows domain-specific language implementations to reuse parts of Mython. This paper looks at the MyFEM domain-specific language, showing how MyFEM reuses the tools of Mython. MyFEM is a language for describing partialdifferential equations and boundary conditions as a part of the finite element method. Using MyFEM as a high-level interface, users can generate fast, scalable scientific codes using very compact source programs. This paper also discusses plans for further automation, where MyFEM and Mython act as a seamless front end. These plans involve not just hiding the target code from the user, but also any necessary build details, including linkage and foreign function interfaces.
Relativistic stars with a linear equation of state: analogy with classical isothermal spheres and black holes

We complete our previous investigations concerning the structure and the stability of “isothermal” spheres in general relativity. This concerns objects that are described by a linear equation of state, P = q� , so that the pressure is proportional to the energy density. In the Newtonian limit q → 0, this returns the classical isothermal equation of state. We specifically consider a self-gravitating radiation (q = 1/3), the core of neutron stars (q = 1/3), and a gas of baryons interacting through a vector meson field (q = 1). Inspired by recent works, we study how the thermodynamical parameters (entropy, temperature, baryon number, mass-energy, etc.) scale with the size of the object and find unusual behaviours due to the non-extensivity of the system. We compare these scaling laws with the area scaling of the black hole entropy. We also determine the domain of validity of these scaling laws by calculating the critical radius (for a given central density) above which relativistic stars described by a linear equation of state become dynamically unstable. For photon stars (self-gravitating radiation), we show that the criteria of dynamical and thermodynamical stability coincide. Considering finite spheres, we find that the mass and entropy present damped oscillations as a function of the central density. We obtain an upper bound for the entropy S and the mass-energy M above which there is no equilibrium state. We give the critical value of the central density corresponding to the first mass peak, above which the series of equilibria becomes unstable. We also determine the deviation from the Stefan-Boltzmann law due to self-gravity and plot the corresponding caloric curve. It presents a striking spiraling behaviour like the caloric curve of isothermal spheres in Newtonian gravity. We extend our results to d-dimensional spheres and show that the oscillations of mass-versus-central density disappear above a critical dimension dcrit(q). For Newtonian isothermal stars (q → 0), we recover the critical dimension dcrit = 10. For the stiffest stars (q = 1), we find dcrit = 9 and for a self-gravitating radiation (q = 1/d )w e fi nddcrit = 9.96404372. very close to 10. Finally, we give simple analytical solutions of relativistic isothermal spheres in two-dimensional gravity. Interestingly, unbounded configurations exist for a unique mass Mc = c 2 /(8G).
Decrease in Prosaposin in the Dystrophic mdx Mouse Brain

Background Duchenne muscular dystrophy caused by a mutation in the X-linked dystrophin gene induces metabolic and structural disorders in the brain. A lack of dystrophin in brain structures is involved in impaired cognitive function. Prosaposin (PS), a neurotrophic factor, is abundant in the choroid plexus and various brain regions. We investigated whether PS serves as a link between dystrophin loss and gross and/or ultrastructural brain abnormalities. Methodology/Principal Findings The distribution of PS in the brains of juvenile and adult mdx mice was investigated by immunochemistry, Western blotting, and in situ hybridization. Immunochemistry revealed lower levels of PS in the cytoplasm of neurons of the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, cerebellum, and choroid plexus in mdx mice. Western blotting confirmed that PS levels were lower in these brain regions in both juveniles and adults. Even with low PS production in the choroids plexus, there was no significant PS decrease in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). In situ hybridization revealed that the primary form of PS mRNA in both normal and mdx mice was Pro+9, a secretory-type PS, and the hybridization signals for Pro+9 in the above-mentioned brain regions were weaker in mdx mice than in normal mice. We also investigated mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling. Stronger activation of ERK1/2 was observed in mdx mice, ERK1/2 activity was positively correlated with PS activity, and exogenous PS18 stimulated both p-ERK1/2 and PS in SH-SY5Y cells. Conclusions/Significance Low levels of PS and its receptors suggest the participation of PS in some pathological changes in the brains of mdx mice.
Capital expenditures and corporate earnings: Evidence from the Taiwan Stock Exchange

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between capital expenditures and corporate earnings for 357 manufacturing firms listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange over the sample period 1992-2002. Design/methodology/approach -The sample period of 11 years is divided into capital investment period and performance period. The sample firms are first grouped into eight portfolios ranked by capital investment ratio estimated from the investment period. Corporate earnings in the performance period for the eight portfolios are examined to see if any positive association exists. Regressions are then estimated to test the relationship between capital expenditures and corporate earnings. Findings - The results indicate a significantly positive association between capital expenditures and future corporate earnings even after controlling for current corporate earnings. Practical implications - The results indicate that the unexpected announcements of capital expenditures are good news for investors in the investment practice. Originality/value - Previous studies on the relationship between capital expenditures and corporate earnings are based mainly on developed countries. Empirical evidence from the manufacturing firms listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange would provide further insights regarding this important issue.
SOD2 V16A SNP in the Mitochondrial Targeting Sequence is Associated with Noise Induced Hearing Loss in Chinese Workers

Objective: To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the Mn-superoxide dismutase gene (SOD2) underlie the susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Methods: Audiometric data from 2400 Chinese Han workers who exposed to occupational noise were analyzed. DNA samples were collected from the 10% most susceptible and the 10% most resistant individuals, and five SNPs (SOD2 rs2842980, rs5746136, rs2758331, rs4880 and rs5746092) were genotyped by Taqman SNP Genotyping Kits. The SNP main effects and interactions between noise exposure and SNP were analyzed using logistic regression. Haplotypes were analyzed by using Haploview software. Results: The CT genotype of rs4880 (SOD2 V16A SNP) was associated with a higher risk of NIHL (covariates-adjusted OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.34–3.54, P = 0.002). Haplotype analysis revealed that the frequency of AGCCG at the five SNP loci was significantly higher in the susceptible group (P = 0.020). With AGCTG as the reference, the OR (95% CI) was 2.63 (1.14, 6.06). The rs4880 polymorphisms imposed larger effects when the carriers were exposed to higher levels of noise, indicating the interaction between SNP and noise exposure. Conclusions: Our results suggest that SOD2 V16A SNP in the mitochondrial targeting sequence is associated with noise induced hearing loss in Chinese workers, and this effect was enhanced by higher levels of noise exposure.
Task Engagement Selectively Modulates Neural Correlations in Primary Auditory Cortex

Noise correlations (rnoise) between neurons can affect a neural population's discrimination capacity, even without changes in mean firing rates of neurons. rnoise, the degree to which the response variability of a pair of neurons is correlated, has been shown to change with attention with most reports showing a reduction in rnoise. However, the effect of reducing rnoise on sensory discrimination depends on many factors, including the tuning similarity, or tuning correlation (rtuning), between the pair. Theoretically, reducing rnoise should enhance sensory discrimination when the pair exhibits similar tuning, but should impair discrimination when tuning is dissimilar. We recorded from pairs of neurons in primary auditory cortex (A1) under two conditions: while rhesus macaque monkeys (Macaca mulatta) actively performed a threshold amplitude modulation (AM) detection task and while they sat passively awake. We report that, for pairs with similar AM tuning, average rnoise in A1 decreases when the animal performs the AM detection task compared with when sitting passively. For pairs with dissimilar tuning, the average rnoise did not significantly change between conditions. This suggests that attention-related modulation can target selective subcircuits to decorrelate noise. These results demonstrate that engagement in an auditory task enhances population coding in primary auditory cortex by selectively reducing deleterious rnoise and leaving beneficial rnoise intact.
Liquidity and the Value at Risk

Summary We introduce an intuitive method of enhancing low-frequency volatility measures used to compute Value-at-Risk (VaR) by incorporating intradaily liquidity information from the limit order book. Using the quote slope of Hasbrouck and Seppi (2001), a compound liquidity measure comprising the dimensions of bid-ask spread and log depths, as a proxy for latent liquidity, we assign states of liquidity that the asset instantaneously resides in to allow only extremal liquidity shocks to influence volatility. To forecast the liquidity states, we use the autoregressive conditional multinomial model of Liesenfeld et al. (2006). We test the method on a number of stocks and find that (1) for stocks in financial and technological sectors, only the extremal shocks to liquidity affect volatility significantly and such a liquidity-state adjusted volatility is likely to improve VaR forecasts; (2) the volatility of stock returns in most other sectors are less affected by extremal shocks to liquidity but the continuous liquidity proxy is able to explain some of the dynamics of volatility and (3) the inclusion of liquidity in VaR becomes increasingly important as the quantile under consideration becomes more extreme.
A Framework for Assessing E-commerce Adoption at Firm Level

Many organizations lack a framework to assist managers in assessing e-commerce adoption. There has been limited literature to guide the development of a framework. The purpose of this exploratory study is to build a framework with less computation and easy application in e-commerce assessment by analyzing the actual state of e-commerce activities implemented in firms. Quantitative research is conducted using the approach of empirical study. A theoretical framework is developed based on the past studies and the related theories. Data is collected and analyzed in order to test and validate the framework, which is developed to aid managers to in decision-making process for the allocation of appropriate e-commerce conditions and healthy environment in favor of e-commerce
PTTG1/securin modulates microtubule nucleation and cell migration

PTTG1 is associated with the cis face of the Golgi apparatus and the centrosome, forming a complex with proteins involved in microtubule nucleation. PTTG1 depletion produces a delay in centrosomal and noncentrosomal microtubule nucleation and causes defects in both cell polarization and migration.
The Swift Affair and the Global Politics of European Security*

This article examines the ‘SWIFT affair’, whereby United States security authorities acquired access to financial data of European citizens, and argues that it is a powerful lens through which to understand current shifts in European security governing. The affair demonstrates the institutional challenges produced by the deployment of private, commercial data for security, and analyzes the ad hoc innovations produced in European Union (EU) governing as a result. Furthermore, the SWIFT affair has allowed the EU to position itself in the global security landscape as a normative power that promotes the values of privacy and data protection. However, the development of a European Terrorism Financing Tracking System, coupled with the way in which the EU itself is keenly implementing risk-based and data-led internal security measures, means that critical attention to the EU's own security practices remains urgent.
A multi-cue approach for stereo-based object confidence estimation

In this contribution we present an approach to compute object confidences for stereo-vision-based object tracking schemes. Meaningful object confidences help to reduce false alarm rates of safety systems and improve the downstream system performance for modules such as sensor fusion and situation analysis. Several cues from stereo vision and from the tracking process are fused in a Bayesian manner. An evaluation on a 38,000 frames urban drive shows the effectiveness of the approach compared to the same object tracking scheme with simple heuristics for the object confidence. Within the evaluation, also the relevance of occurring phantoms is considered by computing the collision risk. The proposed confidence measures reduce the number of predicted imminent collisions from 86 to 0 maintaining almost the same system availability.
Kinetics of oxygenation in inactive forearm muscle during ramp leg cycling.

This study was carried out to determine whether hemodynamics in inactive forearm muscle during ramp leg cycling is affected from the ventilatory threshold (VT) and respiratory compensation point (RCP), at which the rate of increase in ventilation (VE) against power output begins to increase abruptly. Change in hemodynamics was evaluated by change in oxygenation index (difference between concentrations of oxygenated hemoglobin and deoxygenated hemoglobin, HbD) measured using near-infrared spectrometry (NIRS). Each subject (n=9) performed 4-min constant-work-rate leg cycling and subsequent ramp leg cycling at an increasing rate of 10 watts.min(-1) in power output. The work rates at VT, RCP and peak oxygen uptake (VO(2 peak)) were 107 +/- 11, 172 +/- 21 and 206 +/- 20 watts, respectively. The rates of increase in VE between 10-watt leg cycling, VT, RCP and VO(2 peak) were 0.19 +/- 0.03, 0.44 +/- 0.07 and 1.32 +/- 0.47 l.min(-1). watts(-1), respectively. In one subject, HbD started to decrease during ramp exercise from the VT, and the rate of decrease increased at a high intensity of exercise. In eight subjects, although no decrease in HbD from the VT was observed, HbD showed a sudden drop at a high intensity of exercise. The work rate at which HbD began to decrease at a high intensity of exercise was 174 +/- 23 watts. This work rate was not significantly different from that at the RCP and was significantly correlated with that at the RCP (r=0.72, P<0.05). The results suggest that the abrupt increase in VE from the RCP affects hemodynamics, resulting in a decrease in HbD in inactive forearm muscle.
The Challenge of Hegemony: Grand Strategy, Trade, and Domestic Politics

Second image reversed plus a second image -- Liberal contenders and Britain's grand strategy of cooperation, 1889-1912 -- Imperial contenders and Britain's grand strategy of restrained punishment, 1932-1939 -- Imperial contenders and Spain's grand strategy of punishment, 1621-1640 -- Great power tenure.
Heterogeneous Specular and Diffuse 3-D Surface Approximation for Face Recognition Across Pose

This paper proposes a novel heterogeneous specular and diffuse (HSD) 3-D surface approximation which considers spatial variability of specular and diffuse reflections in face modelling and recognition. Traditional 3-D face modelling and recognition methods constrain human faces with either the Lambertian assumption or the homogeneity assumption, resulting in suboptimal shape and texture models. The proposed HSD approach allows both specular and diffuse reflectance coefficients to vary spatially to better accommodate surface properties of real human faces. From a small number of face images of a person under different lighting conditions, 3-D shape and surface reflectivity property are estimated using a localized stochastic optimization method. The resultant personalized 3-D face model is used to render novel gallery views under different poses for recognition across pose. The proposed approach is evaluated on both synthetic and real face datasets and benchmarked against the state-of-the-art approaches. Experimental results demonstrated that it can achieve a higher level of performances in modelling accuracy, algorithm reliability, and recognition accuracy, which suggests that face modelling and recognition beyond the Lambertian and homogeneity assumptions is a feasible and better solution towards pose-invariant face recognition.
Run-time compilation of bytecode in wireless sensor networks

Recent work on virtual machines for wireless sensor networks has demonstrated the benefits of using a Java programming paradigm for resource constrained sensor networks. Results have shown that a virtual machine approach greatly suffers from interpretation overheads. We present run-time compilation of bytecode which leverages from a compact platform independent bytecode application encoding as well as an efficient program execution platform by converting bytecode to native code in situ.
The dynamics of assessment center validity: results of a seven year study

We investigated temporal trends in the validity of an assessment center consisting of a group discussion and an analysis/presentation exercise, for predicting career advancement as measured by average salary growth over a 7-year period, for a sample of 679 academic graduates. The validity of the overall assessment rating (OAR) for persons with tenure of 7 years, corrected for initial differences in starting salaries, restriction in range, was . 39. There was a considerable time variation in the validity of both the OAR and assessment center dimensions. In accordance with findings from research in managerial effectiveness and development, the dimension interpersonal effectiveness only became valid after a number of years, while the dimension firmness was predictive in the whole period and increased in time. For comparison, validity trends for two types of interviews and a mental test were also studied.
Reconfigurable magnetologic computing using MRAM cells

A simple hardware concept for a programmable logic element based on a single magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell is presented. It combines the inherent advantage of a non-volatile output with flexible functionality which has to be selected at run-time. A single MRAM cell can represent one out of up to ten logic functions, among them the four elementary functions AND, OR, NAND and NOR and the two more complex functions XOR and XNOR if bipolar currents are used. Based on recent developments of the MRAM technology, which uses the toggled switching mode, alternative concepts for real MRAM devices will be discussed. As a first application example, which takes advantage of the reprogrammability and non-volatility of the logic elements, a compact design of a magnetologic full adder is presented.
A SoPC architecture for nearest-neighbor based learning and recognition

This paper proposes an efficient and flexible nearest-neighbor-based learning and recognition system on a programmable chip. The nearest neighbor search (NNS), which is a common computational problem in pattern recognition, is to find the minimal distance among all distances between an unknown sample and the complete set of the often high-dimensional reference database. In this paper, a reference optimization learning stage based on NNS is used to reduce the storage space of references and to speed-up the recognition. For efficiently solving the NNS computational problem, we present a specialized hardware implementation with p-component-parallel word-serial pipelined architecture based on the DSP blocks in Stratix FPGA device, used as NNS co-processor. For flexibility, the FPGA embedded processor, Altera's Nios II processor, is used for reference optimization which is the higher level part in the learning stage. Due to the hardware and embedded software cooperation, high-speed learning and recognition based on NNS can be carried out on a programmable FPGA.