Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Bold, Silent Type: Predictors of Ultrasonic Vocalizations in the Genus Peromyscus

An ongoing question related to the evolution of monogamy is how behavioral traits that characterize individuals in monogamous species evolve, and whether monogamy influences the evolution of these traits. One of the most important models for the study of monogamy in mammals is the California mouse (Peromyscus californicus) that uses ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) in multiple behavioral contexts, including pair-bonding and courtship. Because the genus Peromyscus has many species that both use USVs and express a variety of mating systems, we were able to examine the relationship among USVs, and other ecological (e.g., xeric habitat), physiological (testosterone), and behavioral (e.g., boldness) traits across species. We measured USVs from seven species at the Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center and derived character traits associated with the species' ecology, physiology, and behavior from published studies, including those that had used stocks from the Peromyscus Genetic Stock Center. We determined whether there were USV traits that were particular to monogamous species or whether traits other than mating system best predicted USVs. The trait that best predicted USVs was not related to mating system, but rather, species boldness. Bold species produced few aggressive barks (likely a defensive agonistic USV type) at a higher mean fundamental frequency than less bold species. In relation to mating system, the barks in monogamous species were shorter in duration than the barks in non-monogamous species. Our results suggest that boldness of a species has a higher selection on USVs than the species mating system, ecology, or physiology and that selection has acted on agonistic acoustic signals. Because another type of USV, the sustained vocalization or SV type, did not differ among species in spite of mating system differences, and because all species produced bark types, we suggest that the USVs in rodents evolved as general signals that have generally been co-opted for particular functions within the mating system context that differs across species, as opposed to signals that have been shaped by mating system type.
Kernel-based Multi-Task Contextual Bandits in Cellular Network Configuration

Cellular network configuration plays a critical role n network performance. In current practice, network configuration depends heavily on field experience of engineers and often remains static for a long period of time. This practice is far from optimal. To address this limitation, online-learning-based approaches have great potentials to automate and optimize network configuration. Learning-based approaches face the challenges of learning a highly complex function for each base station and balancing the fundamental exploration-exploitation tradeoff while minimizing the exploration cost. Fortunately, in cellular networks, base stations (BSs) often have similarities even though they are not identical. To leverage such similarities, we propose kernel-based multi-BS contextual bandit algorithm based on multi-task learning. In the algorithm, we leverage the similarity among different BSs defined by conditional kernel embedding. We present theoretical analysis of the proposed algorithm in terms of regret and multi-task-learning efficiency. We evaluate the effectiveness of our algorithm based on a simulator built by real traces.
“Pick And Write”: Learning through PicLits

21 st century educational pedagogy emboldens the facilitation of learning with a range of digital technologies. Integration of technology encourages and provides opportunities for learners to think critically and creatively. Thus, language teaching is also employing initiatives to be part of the technological advancement especially in teaching ESL. In line to that, emergence of various digital tools requires educators to identify the suitability and acceptance among the learners to ensure the effectiveness of the integration. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the students’s acceptance of using Piclits as a digital tool to help them enhance their writing skill. Hence, this study employed a survey design distributed to 32 Year 4 pupils in a primary school in Selangor. Data were gathered using a questionnaire containing 10 items to obtain perceptions from the respondents on the usage of Piclits. The collected data were then analysed and reported using frequencies and percentages. The analysis of the questionnaire survey reflected most of the pupils having a positive feedback on integrating Piclits in their writing activity. The findings would be beneficial to ESL language teachers as it could be an added resource to assist them in teaching the writing skill and encourage pupil’s interest towards getting them to write. However, it is suggested that teachers may also look into error correction feedback while using this tool as a means of enhancing writing skills among students.
Sexual dimorphism modifies habitat‐associated divergence: Evidence from beach and creek breeding sockeye salmon

Studies of parallel or convergent evolution (the repeated, independent evolution of similar traits in similar habitats) rarely explicitly quantify the extent of parallelism (i.e. variation in the direction and/or magnitude of divergence) between the sexes; instead, they often investigate both sexes together or exclude one sex. However, differences in male and female patterns of divergence could contribute to overall variation in the extent of parallelism among ecotype pairs, especially in sexually dimorphic traits. Failing to properly attribute such variation could lead to underestimates of the importance of environmental variation in shaping phenotypes. We investigate the extent of parallelism in the body shape of male and female beach and creek spawning sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) from two lake systems in western Alaska that were colonized independently after the last ice age. Although both sexes showed some degree of parallelism, patterns of beach‐creek body shape divergence vary between the sexes and between lake systems. Phenotypic change vector analyses revealed highly parallel aspects of divergence between males from different lake systems (males from beaches had deeper bodies than males from creeks) but weaker parallelism in females and high parallelism between the sexes in one lake system but not the other. Body shape also had population‐specific components, which were mostly, but not entirely, explained by environmental variation in the form of creek depth. Our results highlight the importance of explicitly considering the extent of parallelism between the sexes and environmental variation among sites within habitat types.
Report: A comparative study of loratidine physiochemical properties from different brands.

Loratidine is a piperidine derivative resemble to azatadine long acting non sedating commonly used for the treatment of allergic condition like watery or itchy eyes, runny nose, chronic urticaria or throat itching. In the present study different brands of loratidine were evaluated for the weight variation, hardness, friability, disintegration time and dissolution. Dissolution release study performed by using paddle method (USP 2) in 900 ml of 0.1N HCl at 50 rpm. The physicochemical of loratidine did not give any variation. By this study we conclude that all parameter for physicochemical properties like weight variation, hardness of tablets, friability, their disintegration time and the dissolution release study for all the brands of loratidine that are available in Karachi meet the British pharmacopoeia (BP) and United State pharmacopoeia (USP) specification for quality control analysis.Weight variation, hardness and friability value requirement was complied by all brands . Disintegration time for all brands was less than 15 minutes complying the BP/USP recommendation. All brands showed more than 80% drug release within 45 minutes. The present findings suggest that almost all the brands of loratidine meet the BP/USP specification for QC analysis.
Modeling of Piercing Based on DEFORM-3D and the Ensemble OSC-PLS-ELM Method

The seamless tube, being widely used in the automobile, aviation, petroleum, chemical, building, boiler, and military industries, is called the “blood vessel of industry. ” The demands for high-quality seamless tubes are increasing continuously. Piercing is the first deformation process in seamless tube production and has great influence on the quality of the product. This paper takes the Diescher piercer as the object of study and builds the DEFORM finite-element model of piercing process. The DEFORM model of piercing process can substitute for practical production and serve as a simulation platform of the production process. The DEFORM model can be used for the optimization of the process parameters and the prediction of quality, and it also greatly reduces the debugging time and the production cost. Therefore, the model has great theoretical significance and is of great value in practical use. Finally, by combining the DEFORM finite-element model with the ensemble OSC-PLS-ELM mathematical model, we build the hybrid model, which further increases the precision of the quality forecast. The ensemble OSC-PLS-ELM method has the advantages of both the PLS and ELM, i.e., the characteristics of robustness and feature extraction of the PLS method and the quick nonlinear processing capability of ELM.
A novel approach for image segmentation

Image segmentation is the problem of finding the homogeneous regions (segments) in an image. Applications of image segmentation range from filtering of noisy images to problems of feature extraction and recognition. In this work we present a novel approach for image segmentation problems. The proposed technique is based on the idea of splitting the original image segmentation problem in two subproblems with lower computational complexity. First, a preliminary estimate of the segmented image gradient is found by solving a number of one-dimensional segmentation problems. In a second step, the results are merged together by enforcing that the obtained vector field is irrotational. At the cost of obtaining a "sub-optimal" solution, the computational advantage coming from the proposed decomposition can allow the implementation of sophisticated strategies that would be practically impossible to implement in a unique step. The results obtained on real and simulated image confirm the validity of the proposed approach.
Practical Design of a Band-Pass Filter using EBG SIW Technology

Periodic structures have proved to be useful for the practical design of waveguide filters. Starting from the dispersion diagram of a unit cell, it is possible to generate a finite structure with very similar pass- and stop-bands (gaps). In this work, the design of a band-pass filter, based on an Electromagnetic Band-Gap (EBG) waveguide in SIW technology periodically perforated with rectangular holes, is successfully addressed. The effect of the dimensions of the rectangular perforations in the different characteristics of the filter (lower cutoff frequency, and center frequency and bandwidth of the rejection-band) is analized through the dispersion diagram of the infinitely periodic structure with different unit cells. Additionally, the number of periodic cells in the finite implementation of the filter is shown to be directly related to the depth of the rejection band, and also to the number of poles of the filter.
Adaptive control of robot manipulators via velocity estimated feedback

An approach for designing robust controllers via state-space feedback is presented. The robot model parameters are assumed to be unknown and velocity measurements are assumed to be unavailable. State observation and parameter adaptation are performed simultaneously. The adaptation law, the observer gains and the control law are designed on the reduced-order manifold which results from the invariance of the switching surface. With respect to the authors' previous work, the asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system resulting from the approach presented is not conditioned by a particular type of inertia matrix variations. On the other hand, the introduction of an adaptation loop may also be motivated by a reduction of chattering at control law level since the control law only depends on the estimated state and parameter vectors, and hence contains no terms proportional to discontinuities. <<ETX>>
Fine-Grained Overhead Analysis Utilizing Atomic Instructions for Cross-ISA Dynamic Binary Translation on Multicore Processor

Modern software processing often involving other apps while running active apps to fulfill task requirements, which have caused the increment of program processing time inside heterogeneous multicore system-on-chip (SoC) processor. For available core usage efficiency improvement, concurrent compilation techniques has been applied into mix modes of statically and dynamically Dynamic Binary Translation and Optimisation (DBTO) process, to better service the combined applications processing. This research deep dived into finer-grained DBTO overhead analysis, to provide categorization and characterization of overhead sources in breakdown stages during concurrent instruction processing. A dual-engine of translation and optimization architecture is constructed for finer management of start-up overheads. Helper functions, i.e. LoadLink/StoreCondition (LL/SC) are derived from atomic instructions, to create multiple helper thread supported by multiple host cores, for better instruction translation and optimization operation concurrently. Our experiment platform, evaluated through PARSEC-3.0 benchmark suite, showed performance improvement approaching 2.0x for apps based programs and 1.25x for kernel based programs, for x86 to X86-64 emulation. This technique explore performance beyond hardware and software only limitations, and possess great potential for future parallel program processing improvement.
A comparative evaluation of the performance of the Viroseq HIV-1 genotyping system v2.0 against an in-house assay using specimens from the national HIV drug resistance monitoring survey, in Zimbabwe.

This study was carried out to assess the performance of the Viroseq HIV-1 genotyping system v2.0 (Celera, Alameda, California, USA) on Zimbabwean samples at the National Microbiology Reference Laboratory (NMRL) in Harare and to compare the results obtained with those obtained at a World Health Organization accredited genotyping laboratory in Entebbe, Uganda, which genotyped the same samples using an in-house method. Study samples: Thirty eight (38) plasma samples were used in this study. They were selected from samples stored at NMRL, which had been collected from patients eligible for commencement on antiretroviral therapy just prior to taking antiretroviral drugs at sentinel sites for the National HIV Drug Resistance Monitoring Survey in Zimbabwe. Results: Viral RNA extraction and RT-PCR reactions were successful at first attempt for all the 38 study samples. The success rates of cycle sequencing reactions using the 7 proprietary Viroseq sequencing primer mixes on the 38 samples, at first attempt were: Primer A (81.6%), primer B (86.8), primers C and G (84.2%), Primer D (10.5%), Primer F (73.7%) and Primer H (94.7%). Thirty seven out of the 38 samples (97.4%) were successfully genotyped. However, 14 (37.8%) of these pol region consensus sequences obtained were unidirectional. Thirty two out of the 37 (86.5%) Viroseq genotyped samples clustered in pairs with their corresponding sample sequences generated in Uganda with bootstrap support values â‰¥70 (median bootstrap support value, 97.5: range 31-99) on neighbour joining tree phylogenetic analysis. All of the genotyped study samples were found to be HIV-1 subtype C (n=37). Nineteen of the 37 (48.6%) genotyped samples had at least one drug resistance mutation detected by either Viroseq or the Ugandan in-house assay. The detected mutations as reported by the two genotyping systems were fully concordant in 11/19 (57.9%), partially concordant in 2/19 (10.5%) and discordant in 6/19 (31.6%) of these specimens with drug resistance mutations. Overall, all the reports generated by the two systems with or without any mutations were 78.4% fully concordant, 16.2% partially concordant and 5.4% discordant. Conclusions: The Viroseq system can be reliably used to genotype Zimbabwean samples by adequately trained operators at NMRL. Sequencing Primer D is not suitable for sequencing Zimbabwean subtype C isolates due to its high sequencing reaction failure rate.
Modern Processor Design: Fundamentals of Superscalar Processors

Modern Processor Design: Fundamentals of Superscalar Processors is an exciting new first edition from John Shen of Carnegie Mellon University & Intel and Mikko Lipasti of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This book brings together the numerous microarchitectural techniques for harvesting more instruction-level parallelism (ILP) to achieve better processor performance that have been proposed and implemented in real machines. These techniques, as well as the foundational principles behind them, are organized and presented within a clear framework that allows for ease of comprehension. This text is intended for an advanced computer architecture course or a course in superscalar processor design. It is written at a level appropriate for senior or first year graduate level students.
A Guide to Statistical and Data Analysis Using JMP and JMP IN Software

Part I: JMPing IN with both feet: 1. Jump Right In. First Session. Modelling Type. Analyze and Graph. Getting Help: The JMP Help System. 2. JMP Data Tables. The Ins and Outs of a JMP Data Table. Moving Data and Results Out of JMP. Juggling Data Tables. The Group/Summary Command. 3. Calculator Adventures. The Calculator Window. A Quick Example. Calculator Pieces and Parts. Terms Functions. Conditional Expressions and Comparison Operators. Summarize Down a Column or Summarize Across Rows. Random Number Functions. Parameters. Tips on Building Formulas. Caution and Error Messages. Part II Statistical sleuthing: 4. What are Statistics? Ponderings. Preparations. Statistical Terms. 5. Univariate Distribution: One Variable, One Sample. Looking at Distributions. Review: Probability Distributions. Describing Distributions of Values. Statistical Inference on the Man. Special Topic: Testing for Normality. Special Topic: Simulating the Central Limit Theorem. 6. Differences Between Two Means. Two Independent Groups. Testing Means for Matched Pairs. Review. A Nonparametric Approach. 7. Comparing Many Means: One-Way Analysis of Variance. What is a One-Way Layout? Comparing and Testing Means. Special Topic: Adjusting for Multiple Comparisons. Special Topic: Power. Special Topic: Unequal Variances. Special Topic: Nonparametric Methods. 8. Fitting Curves Through Points: Regression. Regression. Why Graphics are Important. Why It's Called Regression. Curiosities. 9. Categorical Distributions. Categorical Situations. Categorical Responses and Count Data: Two Outlooks. A Simulated Categorical Response. The Chi-Square Pearson Chi-Square Test Statistic. The G-Square Likelihood Ratio Chi-Square Test Statistic. Univariate Categorical Chi-Square Tests. 10. Categorical Models. Fitting Categorical Responses to Categorical Factors. Correspondence Analysis: Looking at Data with Many Levels. Continuous Factors for Categorical Responses: Logistic Regression. Special Topics. Surprise: Simpson's Paradox: Aggregate Data versus Grouped Data. 11. Multiple Regression. Parts of a Regression Model. A Multiple Regression Example. Special Topic: Collinearity. Special Topic: The Case of the Hidden Leverage Point. Special Topic: Mining Data with Stepwise Regression. 12. Fitting Linear Models. The General Linear Model. Two-Way Analysis of Variance and Interactions. Optional Topic: Random Effects and Nested Effects. 13. Bivariate and Multivariate Relationships. Bivariate Distributions. Correlations and the Bivariate Normal. Three and More Dimensions. 14. Design of Experiments. Introduction. Generating and Experimental Design in JMP. Two-Level Screening Designs. Screening for Main Effects: The Flour Paste Experiment. Screening for Interactions. Response Surface Designs. 15. Statistical Quality Control. Control Charts and Shewhart Charts. The Control Chart Dialog. Pareto Charts. 16. Time Series Analysis. Introduction. Graphing and Fitting by Time. Lagging and Autocorrelation.
Inverse kinematics of planar redundant manipulators using virtual link and displacement distribution schemes

A method for the inverse kinematic problem of planar manipulators with multiple degrees of redundancy is proposed. The method starts by decomposing a redundant arm into a series of the local arms which are either two-link or three-link planar manipulator modules and by connecting the conjunction points between local arms with virtual links. In addition to virtual links, a displacement distribution scheme where the displacement of an end-effector is allocated to those of local arms according to displacement distribution criteria is also proposed. To effectively guide the proposed schemes, a dexterity index called the configuration index is utilized. Computer simulations of redundant manipulators using the proposed method are demonstrated as numerical examples. <<ETX>>
The syntax of voiced palatals in Spanish

The properties of Voiced Palatal Simplification (VPS) are of interest to any theory which investigates how linguistic elements match and what effects their matching triggers. This analysis supports models in cognitive linguistics where the selection for production is derived from the effects of an inhibitory process which lowers activation levels in one of the two matched linguistic items (Green, 1998; I'oulisse, 1997). It is argued on empirical grounds that VPS fails to be analysed as the movement of a Voiced Palatal (VP) in Phonetic Form (PF) to a site S where its voiced palatality is checked against that (>1 another VP in S, and its PF is subsequently deleted. Instead it is argued that the matching of VPs is a sufficient but not a necessary condition or VI'ti. Soune specific matchings do not flag their matching. VP matching is a local syntactic operation in the minimalist sense (Chomsky, 1995) Suhicct to operating in a c-command domain. VP matching cannot be activated inside an adjoined structure. It is suggested that all VP matchings fire activation of the matched sites in the form of a transcription. This transcription reaps all the Non-Phonetic Form (NPF) features of a matched VP onto a Phonetic Form (PF) which will be available for production. The activation levels of transcription are lowered or dampened by an inhibitory process in all sites where a successful matching has been initiated and flagged. These findings are relevant for theories of language development.