Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrasting patterns of sexual size dimorphism in the grasshoppers Dichroplus vittatus and D. pratensis (Acrididae, Melanoplinae)*

Abstract Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) can be the result of sexual selection (SS) or natural selection (NS). Due to male-male competition for access to females, SS could favor an increase in male body size. On the other hand, larger size in females could be favored by NS, since egg production is directly correlated with body size. Rensch`s rule states that SSD increases with increasing body size in animals, where males are the larger sex, and decreases when females are larger than males. Thus, Rensch's rule predicts that in those insects where females are larger than males, SSD should decrease with increasing body size, when comparing populations and species. We analyzed SSD in 19 Argentine populations of the grasshoppers Dichroplus vittatus and 25 of D. pratensis. Both species show latitudinal and altitudinal variation in body size, following the converse to Bergmann's rule: body size decreases with increasing latitude and decreasing ambient temperature. SSD occurs in both species across their geographical distribution ranges, also involving differences in allometry and shorter developmental times in males. In D. vittatus, the degree of SSD increased significantly with general body size, whereas in D. pratensis SSD decreased as body size increased. A plausible explanation of SSD is that SS favors a differential increase in female body size related to a preference by males for more fecund females. Given the close phylogenetic relationship between both species, the differences in SSD between them may be the result of differential natural and sexual selective pressures. In D. vittatus both sexes could be reacting differently to environmental conditions regarding body size, while in D. pratensis protandry could be the main factor behind SSD.
Assessment of sweet potato [Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam] for bioethanol production in southern Italy

The potential of sweet potato as an alternative crop for bioethanol production has been assessed. We evaluated the amount of soluble sugars, starch and cell wall polysaccharides in tubers of three sweet potato cultivars characterized by different pulp and peel colouration: “Yellow yam” with yellow flesh and brown peel, “White yam” with white flesh and white peel and “Orange yam” with orange flesh and brown peel. The results confirm the high concentration of carbohydrates in sweet potato tubers, especially “Yellow yam”, mainly in the form of starch (67%) and soluble sugars (26%). “Yellow yam”, which is the most widespread cultivar in Salento, appeared the best choice as biomass for bioethanol production. It is characterized by high productivity (20–40 tons/ha year). Results also suggest that “Yellow yam” cultivar has great potential as a bioethanol source in southern Italy with an estimated agroindustrial production yield higher than 2032 l/ha year.
Sperm traits of masculinized fish relative to wild‐type males: a systematic review and meta‐analyses

Environmental sex reversal (ESR), whereby environmental effects (e.g. exogenous chemicals) override genetic sex determination, is a commonly used technique in aquaculture and physiology research. We performed a systematic review and metaanalyses of the literature that compares the sperm characteristics of masculinized genotypic females to wild-type males. We detected no mean differences between the ejaculate volume, sperm motility, duration or linearity of each type of male. We found some large mean differences in sperm concentration (d = 2.541, CI = ! 0.004 to 5.086), reproductive success (d = ! 1.400, CI = ! 2.943 to 0.142), semen osmolality (d = 1.850, CI = 0.622 to 3.077) and sperm velocity (d = ! 0.933, CI=! 1.426 to ! 0.441); in the case of the latter two traits, the mean effect was statistically significant. However, any significance did not stand up to a more conservative analysis. Additionally, heterogeneity was high and we found that where large differences between the sperm of sex-reversed and wild-type males are reported, these effects are attributable to sperm sampling methodology. Overall, we found little evidence for large systematic differences between the sperm produced by masculinized and wild-type male fish. Thus, masculinized genotypic females may enjoy reproductive success comparable to genotypic males. This conclusion leads to two potential implications: (i) sex-reversed fish may influence the dynamics of wild populations and (ii) aquaculture practices may use ESR to produce males with sperm quality similar to that of genotypic males. Most studies appear to have been performed in aquaculture species (i.e. Salmonidae); thus future experiments in non-model organisms may provide important insights in to the uniformity of the effects described.
Comment

The main challenge of volatility estimation using highfrequency data, be it parametric or nonparametric, is to deal effectively with market microstructure noise. Therefore, the authors should be congratulated with this very interesting and thought-provoking article, which marks a significant step toward a better understanding of the statistical properties of the noise process and its implications for calculating realized variance. My comments center on the specification and estimation of the noise process. For ease of exposition, I adopt, as much as possible, the same notation as the authors and concentrate on the unit time interval (i.e., a = 0, b = 1). I make the simplifying assumptions that the noise is Gaussian and the efficient price volatility is constant (i.e., IV = σ 2). I also condition on σ 2 in all calculations, but suppress this in the notation. Further, I let M denote the total number of available quotes or transactions over the interval of interest and redefine the noise ratio, or “noise-to-signal” parameter, as
Reply

work well just as CFR15’s inequality (4) indicates that n has to be small relative to p for the ad hoc estimate to work well. Another asymptotic model considered by Cook, Forzani, and Rothman (2013) is when n − p > 0 remains constant, in which case f = 1. In this case, the variance ratio limit is indeterminant when we also have Rp → 1. But if Rp is bounded below 1 (CFR15’s h(p) is bounded), the ad hoc estimate dominates asymptotically. Alas, this is only a first approximation. Estimating the first moments makes things considerably more complicated. Estimates of the regression surface (predictions) actually have the form ȳ + (xN − x̄)′β̂ and ȳ + (xN − x̄)′β̃∗. Under multivariate normality, (s2 y , ̂xy , ̂x ) (ȳ, x̄) with xN ∼ N (μx , x ) independent of all of them. If β̆ is an arbitrary unbiased estimate and is a function of s2 y , ̂xy , and ̂x , it follows from independence that
Cranial morphology of Archaeopteryx: evidence from the seventh skeleton

ABSTRACT Most of the cranial bones are preserved in the seventh skeleton of Archaeopteryx. Whereas most of the braincase bones and the quadrates are crushed against one another as a result of sediment compaction, the displaced bones lying apart are nearly intact. In contrast with the predominantly reptilian postcranial skeleton, the skull of Archaeopteryx shows a few specifically avian traits. The palatine has a maxillary (=premaxillary) process, a hookshaped choanal process, and a long pterygoid wing, which makes it distinctively avian and different from the tetraradiate palatine of archosaurs. The mandible lacks the coronoid bone. Being unrelated to locomotion, the avian features of the skull demonstrate that Archaeopteryx is a bird rather than a feathered nonavian archosaur. The interdental plates, ectopterygoid, a big rostroventral wing of the prootic that contacted the laterosphenoid rostra1 to the trigeminal foramen, and the postorbital and quadratojugal processes of the squamosal add to the evidenc.
Variation in nuclear DNA content at the species level in Armeria maritima

Intraspecific variation in nuclear DNA content in 19 populations of Armeria maritima was investigated. Significant differences in DNA amount among ecogeographic groups and among populations were observed. These differences are related to geographic origin, with Californian populations having 7 % more DNA than their European counterparts. Within Europe, the four ecogeographic groups tested are not distinct, whatever their geographic origin (maritime versus continental) and their ecological characteristics (heavy-metal polluted versus non-toxic soils). However, significant differences in DNA amount appeared among population clusters identified from biochemical classification of European populations based on flavonoid compounds and isozyme markers. Variation in genome size among populations was found to be significantly correlated to variation in pollen size. Weak interpopulational variation has been detected for the nucleotidic base ratio, but was not correlated to variation in DNA amount.
Interest-Rate Arbitrage in Currency Baskets: Forecasting Weights and Measuring Risk

We use a time series modeling approach to address two related questions of interest to foreign-exchange market participants and policy makers dealing with basket currencies. First, how are unknown weights appropriately extracted from basket currencies? Second, how does one correctly account for the risk—in terms of conditional variance of expected profits—that time-varying weights add to the standard basket-hedge position? We suggest a methodology that can provide answers to these questions and apply it to the heavily traded Thai baht currency basket.
PROVISIONING RATES BY GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLERS

Abstract We studied parental provisioning rates and nestling body condition in an introgressed population of Golden-winged Warblers (Vermivora chrysoptera) in eastern Ontario. Twelve nests were monitored until the young fledged; six nests were parented by phenotypically pure Golden-winged Warbler males and females, and six were parented by pure Golden-winged Warbler males mated with introgressed hybrid females. Nestlings that had a hybrid parent did not show differences in body condition from nestlings with two Golden-winged Warbler parents. Provisioning patterns were examined for potential relationships with several different factors: gender of the parent (male vs. female), nestling age, pair type (pure vs. hybrid), and the proportion of extra-pair young in the brood. Both males and females increased their provisioning rates as nestlings grew, and males consistently provisioned at higher rates than females. Golden-winged Warbler parents and hybrid parents did not show significant differences in provisioning rates. Females significantly increased provisioning rates with increasing levels of extra-pair paternity. Our results suggest that hybrid nestlings are not at a disadvantage in terms of body condition, and that hybrid parents are equally adept at provisioning their young as are phenotypic Golden-winged Warbler parents.
Partition Maps

Tree ensembles, notably Random Forests, have been shown to deliver very accurate predictions on a wide range of regression and classification tasks. A common, yet maybe unjustified, criticism is that they operate as black boxes and provide very little understanding of the data beyond accurate predictions. We focus on multiclass classification and show that Homogeneity Analysis, a technique mostly used in psychometrics, can be leveraged to provide interesting and meaningful visualizations of tree ensemble predictions. Observations and nodes of the tree ensemble are placed in a bipartite graph, connecting each observation to all nodes it belongs to. The graph layout is then chosen by minimizing the sum of the squared edge lengths under certain constraints. We propose a variation of Homogeneity Analysis, called Partition Maps, and analyze advantages and shortcomings compared with multidimensional scaling of proximity matrices. Partition Maps have as potential advantages that (a) the influence of the original nodes and variables is visible in the low-dimensional embedding, similar to biplots, (b) new test observations can be added very easily, and (c) the test error is very similar to the original tree ensemble when using simple nearest-neighbor classification in the two-dimensional Partition Map embedding. Class boundaries, as found by the original tree ensemble algorithm, are thus reflected accurately in Partition Maps. Subgroups and outliers can furthermore be identified in the low-dimensional visualizations, allowing meaningful exploratory analysis of tree ensembles. An R-package partitionMap is provided as a supplementary material.
Logistic Regression Using the SAS® System

Berenson, M. , and Levine, D. (1999), Basic Business Statistics (7th ed.), Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Berk, K. , and Carey, P. (1998), Data Analysis With Microsoft@ Excel, Pacific Grove, CA: Duxbury. Mendenhall, W. , and Sincich, T. (I 995), Statistics for Engineering (4th ed.), Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. ~ (1996), A Second Course in Statistics: Regression Analysis (5th ed.), Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall. Ziegel, E. (1999), Data Analysis with Microsoft@ Excel, by K. Berk and P. Carey, Tecknometrics, 4 1, 380.
Comment

Brettschneider, Collin, Bolstad, and Speed reviewed and discussed quality assessment (QA) for short oligonucleotide microarray data. Although the quality of microarray data can be assessed at different levels, following the authors we focused on posthybridization raw and statistically preprocessed data. We performed QA and evaluated quality control criteria (QCC) on a very large microarray experiment with 2,519 Affymetrix chips. We found that the commonly used QCC should be adjusted for systematic biological effects when used to identify outlier chips. By using several performance indicators from the high-level analysis, we found that outlier chips can cause significant biases when included in the data analysis.
Bayesian inference in non-replicated ecological studies

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Seasonal variation in root hardiness of container-grown Scots pine, Norway spruce, and lodgepole pine seedlings

Roots of containerized seedlings of Scots pine (PinussylvestrisL.), Norway spruce (Piceaabies (L.) Karst. ), and lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl.) grown for one season were experimentally frozen during autumn, winter, and spring. After freezing, root growth capacity and seedling survival were determined by growing the seedlings for 3 weeks in a growth chamber. Root vitality was also tested with the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride method. The seedlings showed a progressive increase in root hardiness towards midwinter and a dehardening as spring approached. Scots pine and lodgepole pine roots were more sensitive to low temperatures than Norway spruce roots. Northern provenances of Scots pine and Norway spruce had the hardiest roots during the autumn. During winter and spring, provenance differences became less clear. Northern Scots pine and lodgepole pine seedlings sown in July tended to be more sensitive to low root temperatures than older seedlings sown in May. No age effects were found in southern Scot.
Comment

Permutation tests (Holmes et al. 1996; Raz et al. 1999) provide frequentist inference that does not require the difficult task of modeling (and checking the model of) the temporal and spatial dependence. On the other hand, Genovese’s Bayesian inference provides answers to a much wider range of scientific questions. The linear B-spline model allows formal inference concerning the response amplitudes through inference concerning the B-spline coefficients. Genovese’s nonlinear model has a neater and more interpretable form, because there is a single positive amplitude parameter for each condition. I believe that flexible and simple models of fMRI time series are essential. Flexibility is required because, in my opinion, we do not know the true parametric form of the hemodynamic response. Simplicity helps with the serious computational difficulties involved in fitting a model to every one of thousands of voxels. Despite the many advantages of Genovese’s approach, I am concerned that the model might be too complicated and too restrictive, and the estimation procedure might be too computationally intensive.
Handbook of Applied Economic Statistics

Economic statistics and social welfare comparisons - a review measurement of inequality poor areas the demand for health services in a developing country - the role of prices, service quality and reporting of illnesses on mobility aggregation and econometric analysis of demand and supply spatial dependence in linear regression models with an introduction to spatial econometrics panel data methods econometric analysis in complex surveys information recovery in simultaneous equations' statistical models diagnostic testing in econometrics - variable addition, RESET and Fourier approximations applications of the bootstrap in econometrics and economic statistics detection of unusual observations in regression and multivariate data union-intersection and sample-split methods in econometrics with applications to MA and SURE models modelling economic relationships with smooth transition regressions modelling seasonality in economic time series nonparametric and semiparametric econometrics of panel data on calibration.
Ensemble Graphics

ABSTRACT One graphic can convey a lot of information and several graphics linked together in a coherent ensemble can convey even more. This article describes the principles underlying ensemble graphics, their key dimensions, and where they are of most use. Ensemble graphics must have strong common themes and carefully constructed layouts. Appropriate interactive tools are important. Ensembles can be used flexibly for EDA or in a more structured fashion for supporting modeling and for presentations.
Truncated power laws: a tool for understanding aggregation patterns in animals?

Statistical distributions like the negative binomial distribution are commonly used to describe aggregation patterns in animals. However, recently it has been suggested that truncated power laws (TPLs) may also be used for this kind of analysis. A TPL consists of two power functions separated by a cut-off size (C*). The cut-off size and the slope of power function one (β1) for the smallest group sizes have been suggested to have a biological explanatory value. We applied TPLs to aggregation data of tephritid seed predators on a composite plant, aphids on willows and grey seals on a haulout site. β1 varied between 0.60 and and −0.72, which is higher than predicted. In addition, resource distribution and animal density influenced β1 and C*. This indicates that environmental dimensionality suggested to affect β1 is masked by ecological factors. We conclude that TPLs are useful due to their simplicity and, in comparison with traditional methods, provide additional biologically relevant information. Truncated power laws can therefore prove to be useful in studies of animal behaviour and population dynamics.
Comment

The authors are to be congratulated for a timely and important contribution. The article proposes a novel principal volatility component (PVC) technique based on a generalized kurtosis matrix in a time series context. The proposed test statistics allow deep insight into higher moments and tail behavior of multivariate time series. The article considers a weak stationary multivariate time series yt (k × 1) with finite fourth moments, the lag l generalized kurtosis matrix is defined as
Comment

some of them could be located by additional matching steps using some of the name and SSN information for blocking. Is it possible that some matches might be located that do not agree on SEIN? Using more compute-intensive matching, it is still possible to match on name? Abowd and Vilhuber observe that some companies may have high turnover that causes many one-quarter job histories. A concern in some of the highturnover industries (and others) is whether a group of onequarter job histories may be due to high SSN error rates in certain companies that can greatly increases job loss and creation statistics. Abowd and Vilhuber have demonstrated that basic coding errors in identifiers such as SSN in seemingly straightforward files can have a profound effect on employment statistics. Their ideas and methods have substantial implication toward improving the quality of data in files that are used for evaluating employment statistics. It seems that many other projects in which files are linked could suffer from significantly larger errors, because some entities are not linked that should be linked. In situations where records are correctly linked, some of the economic data from one file might be used to locate potential errors in data from the other file.
In vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics and methane production differ in selected key pasture species in Australia

Abstract. Thirteen current and potential pasture species in southern Australia were examined for differences in their nutritive values and in vitro rumen fermentation profiles, including methane production by rumen microbes, to assist in selection of pasture species for mitigation of methane emission from ruminant livestock. Plants were grown in a glasshouse and harvested at 7 and 11 weeks after sowing for in vitro batch fermentation, with nutritive values assessed at 11 weeks of growth. The pasture species tested differed significantly (P < 0.001) in methane production during in vitro rumen fermentation, with the lowest methane-producing species, Biserrula pelecinus L. , producing 90% less methane (4 mL CH4 g–1 dry matter incubated) than the highest methane-producing species, Trifolium spumosum L. (51 mL CH4 g–1 dry matter incubated). Proxy nutritive values of species were found not to be useful predictors of plant fermentation characteristics or methane production. In conclusion, there were significant differences in fermentative traits, including methane production, among selected pasture species in Australia, indicating that the choice of fodder species may offer a way to reduce the impact on the environment from enteric fermentation.
Species Identification on a Small Sample Size of RNA Sequences by Combined Method of Noise Filtering with L2-Norm

This paper proposed a noise filter with L2-norm distance method to design a classification of RNA sequences for the species identification, included of the small sample size of the nucleic acid sequence. This method amended and expanded the study by Hu et al. in 2011 [1]. We verified this method with the biological sample "slipper orchids" and its hybrid for biological species identification test. The result is showed that after applied our method, we can distinguish the paternity of a hybrid among a set of samples of "slipper orchids".