We report a measurement of the branching fractions of the decays B→D(*)πℓν. The analysis uses 772×106 BB¯ pairs produced in e+e−→ϒ(4S) data recorded by the Belle experiment at the KEKB ...asymmetric-energy e+e− collider. The tagging B meson in the decay is fully reconstructed in a hadronic decay mode. On the signal side, we reconstruct the decay B→D(*)πℓν(ℓ=e,μ). The measured branching fractions are B(B+→D−π+ℓ+ν)=4.55±0.27 (stat.)±0.39 (syst.)×10−3, B(B0→D¯0π−ℓ+ν)=4.05±0.36 (stat.)±0.41 (syst.)×10−3, B(B+→D*−π+ℓ+ν)=6.03±0.43 (stat.)±0.38 (syst.)×10−3, and B(B0→D¯*0π−ℓ+ν)=6.46±0.53 (stat.)±0.52 (syst.)×10−3. These are in good agreement with the current world-average values.
Argument coding splits such as differential (= split) object marking and split ergative marking have long been known to be universal tendencies, but the generalizations have not been formulated in ...their full generality before. In particular, ditransitive constructions have rarely been taken into account, and scenario splits have often been treated separately. Here I argue that all these patterns can be understood in terms of the usual association of role rank (highly ranked A and R, low-ranked P and T) and referential prominence (locuphoric person, animacy, definiteness, etc.). At the most general level, the role-reference association universal says that deviations from usual associations of role rank and referential prominence tend to be coded by longer grammatical forms. In other words, A and R tend to be referentially prominent in language use, while P and T are less prominent, and when less usual associations need to be expressed, languages often require special coding by means of additional flags (case-markers and adpositions) or additional verbal voice coding (e.g., inverse or passive markers). I argue that role-reference associations are an instance of the even more general pattern of form-frequency correspondences, and that the resulting coding asymmetries can all be explained by frequency-based predictability and coding efficiency.
Inter‐animal communication allows signals released by an animal to be perceived by others. Scent‐marking is the primary mode of such communication in giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). Signal ...detection theory propounds that animals choose the substrate and location of their scent marks so that the signals released are transmitted more widely and last longer. We believe that pandas trade‐off scent‐marking because they are an energetically marginal species and it is costly to generate and mark chemical signals. Existing studies only indicate where pandas mark more frequently, but their selection preferences remain unknown. This study investigates whether the marking behavior of pandas is consistent with signal detection theory. Feces count, reflecting habitat use intensity, was combined with mark count to determine the selection preference for marking. The results showed that pandas preferred to mark ridges with animal trails and that most marked tree species were locally dominant. In addition, marked plots and species were selected for lower energy consumption and a higher chance of being detected. Over 90% of the marks used were the longest‐surviving anogenital gland secretion marks, and over 80% of the marks were oriented toward animal trails. Our research demonstrates that pandas go out of their way to make sure their marks are found. This study not only sheds light on the mechanisms of scent‐marking by pandas but also guides us toward more precise conservation of the panda habitat.
This study provides a more rigorous approach to the study of scent marking in giant pandas and concludes that it is indeed consistent with signal detection theory.
Scent‐marking is an important form of communication for solitary species, as the information remains for the receiver after the sender has left the area. Individuals of different demographic or ...dominance classes (ranks) need to provide different information to conspecifics. Therefore, the use of scent‐marking sites is of particular value for solitary species, but their functional role may vary between demographic classes. Using camera traps, we video‐recorded the behaviour of cheetahs at scent‐marking sites, assessing how individuals of different sex and social rank use the sites for different roles. We tested hypotheses that these sites are for territorial marking, reproductive signalling and information gathering. We found that females visit the sites infrequently, apparently to signal oestrous events, while males visit the sites frequently for territorial marking and information gathering. Among males, dominant individuals scent‐marked the most and reacted to female visitation by vocalizing. In contrast, subordinate males, although also visiting the sites, were not recorded scent‐marking nor vocalizing. These differences in the functional use of scent‐marking sites among sex and social rank support the hypotheses that cheetahs use these scent‐marking sites for both territorial and reproductive signalling, as well as to gather information.
Dominant male cheetahs visit scent‐marking sites to mark territories, whereas subordinate male cheetahs do not scent‐mark at sites they visit. Female cheetahs visit scent‐marking sites to signal oestrous status to males and the dominant males respond by vocalizing.
In laparoscopic colorectal surgery, preoperative tumor-site marking is important to determine transection lines, where the accuracy and the safety are required. Intraoperative endoscopy or ink ...injection method has commonly been used. This paper deals with a case of sigmoid colon cancer in which we performed preoperative marking using fluorescent marking clips (ZEOCLIP FS®, Zeon Medical, Tokyo), identified the tumor location by near infrared camera intraoperatively, and conducted laparoscopic sigmoidectomy.A 71-year-old man presented with a sigmoid colon polyp at a screening test with lower gastrointestinal endoscopy and was diagnosed with sigmoid colon cancer following EMR with pathological study. As he was found having submucosal invasion with the size of 2400μm, he was referred to our hospital for the purpose of undergoing additional resection. On the day before surgery, we placed four fluorescent marking clips in the vicinity of the anal side of the tumor to make marking of the lesion. During surgery, we could easily confirm these clips by direct vision through the serosa by near infrared camera. No adverse episodes occurred at clipping with the fluorescent clips nor escaping of the clips, and no intraoperative complications occurred. The safety of this method was proved.
The Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) preprocessing algorithm is considered "de facto" standard in the framework of learning from imbalanced data. This is due to its simplicity in the ...design of the procedure, as well as its robustness when applied to different type of problems. Since its publication in 2002, SMOTE has proven successful in a variety of applications from several different domains. SMOTE has also inspired several approaches to counter the issue of class imbalance, and has also significantly contributed to new supervised learning paradigms, including multilabel classification, incremental learning, semi-supervised learning, multi-instance learning, among others. It is standard benchmark for learning from imbalanced data. It is also featured in a number of different software packages - from open source to commercial. In this paper, marking the fifteen year anniversary of SMOTE, we reflect on the SMOTE journey, discuss the current state of affairs with SMOTE, its applications, and also identify the next set of challenges to extend SMOTE for Big Data problems.
The documentation of roadway factors (such as roadway geometry, lane marking retroreflectivity/classification, and lane width) through the inventory of lane markings can reduce accidents and ...facilitate road safety analyses. Typically, lane marking inventory is established using either imagery or Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data collected by mobile mapping systems (MMS). However, it is important to consider the strengths and weaknesses of both camera and LiDAR units when establishing lane marking inventory. Images may be susceptible to weather and lighting conditions, and lane marking might be obstructed by neighboring traffic. They also lack 3D and intensity information, although color information is available. On the other hand, LiDAR data are not affected by adverse weather and lighting conditions, and they have minimal occlusions. Moreover, LiDAR data provide 3D and intensity information. Considering the complementary characteristics of camera and LiDAR units, an image-aided LiDAR framework would be highly advantageous for lane marking inventory. In this context, an image-aided LiDAR framework means that the lane markings generated from one modality (i.e., either an image or LiDAR) are enhanced by those derived from the other one (i.e., either imagery or LiDAR). In addition, a reporting mechanism that can handle multi-modal datasets from different MMS sensors is necessary for the visualization of inventory results. This study proposes an image-aided LiDAR lane marking inventory framework that can handle up to five lanes per driving direction, as well as multiple imaging and LiDAR sensors onboard an MMS. The framework utilizes lane markings extracted from images to improve LiDAR-based extraction. Thereafter, intensity profiles and lane width estimates can be derived using the image-aided LiDAR lane markings. Finally, imagery/LiDAR data, intensity profiles, and lane width estimates can be visualized through a web portal that has been developed in this study. For the performance evaluation of the proposed framework, lane markings obtained through LiDAR-based, image-based, and image-aided LiDAR approaches are compared against manually established ones. The evaluation demonstrates that the proposed framework effectively compensates for the omission errors in the LiDAR-based extraction, as evidenced by an increase in the recall from 87.6% to 91.6%.
Remote monitoring of communal marking sites, or latrines, provides a unique opportunity to observe undisturbed scent marking behaviour of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus). We used remote camera trap ...observations in a natural experiment to test behavioural scent mark responses to rivals (either familiar neighbours or unfamiliar strangers), to determine whether wild dogs exhibit the “dear enemy” or “nasty neighbour” response. Given that larger groups of wild dogs represent a greater threat to smaller groups, including for established residents, we predicted that the overarching categories “dear enemy” vs. “nasty neighbour” may be confounded by varying social statuses that exists between individual dyads interacting. Using the number of overmarks as a metric, results revealed an interaction between sender and receiver group size irrespective of familiarity consistent with this prediction: in general, individuals from large resident packs overmarked large groups more than they overmarked smaller groups, whereas individuals from smaller packs avoided overmarking larger groups, possibly to avoid detection. Monitoring a natural system highlights variables such as pack size that may be either overlooked or controlled during scent presentation experiments, influencing our ability to gain insights into the factors determining territorial responses to rivals.
Using camera traps to generate behavioural data to act as a “natural experiment” to determine African wild dog responses to rivals (unfamiliar strangers vs. familiar neighbours). Authors found that group size impacts behavioural responses, and highlights shortcomings of scent presentation experiments in determining territorial responses to rivals.
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