Patent Portfolio Analysis of the Synergy between Machine Learning and Photonics

Machine learning in photonics has potential in many industries. However, research on patent portfolios is still lacking. The purpose of this study was to assess the status of machine learning in photonics technology and patent portfolios and investigate major assignees to generate a better understanding of the developmental trends of machine learning in photonics. This can provide governments and industry with a resource for planning strategic development. I used data-mining methods (correspondence analysis and K-means clustering) to explore competing technological and strategic-group relationships within the field of machine learning in photonics. The data were granted patents in the USPTO database from 2019 to 2020. The results reveal that patents were primarily in image data processing, electronic digital data processing, wireless communication networks, and healthcare informatics and diagnosis. I assessed the relative technological advantages of various assignees and propose policy recommendations for technology development.

Ichthyosaurs from the Upper Triassic (Carnian–Norian) of the New Siberian Islands, Russian Arctic, and their implications for the evolution of the ichthyosaurian basicranium and vertebral column

ABSTRACT The first ichthyosaurian specimens discovered from the Upper Triassic of the Russian Arctic (Kotelny Island, New Siberian Islands) are described herein. They include the remains of large- to small-bodied ichthyosaurians originating from six stratigraphic levels spanning the lower Carnian to middle Norian. The material is mostly represented by isolated vertebrae and ribs, which are not possible to accurately diagnose, but also includes specimens comprising associated vertebrae and a fragmentary skeleton that preserves cranial remains (parabasisphenoid, fragmentary quadrate, partial mandible and hyoids). Based on vertebral and rib morphology, we identify the specimens as representatives of the following taxonomic groups: large-bodied shastasaurids, medium-sized indeterminate ichthyosaurians with a single rib facet in the presacral centra, and small euichthyosaurians with double rib facets present throughout the presacral vertebrae that likely represent toretocnemids and/or basal parvipelvians. In addition, the cranial and mandibular remains preserved in one of the specimens, ZIN PH 5/250, were studied using micro-computed tomography. Its mandible is highly similar to that of toretocnemids, whereas the parabasisphenoid demonstrates a peculiar combination of both plesiomorphic and derived character states, providing the first detailed data on this cranial element in a Late Triassic ichthyosaurian. Furthermore, the specimen also demonstrates a distinctive condition of rib articulation in the anteriormost presacral (cervical) vertebrae, which together with other features allows for the erection of a new taxon – Auroroborealia incognita gen. et sp. nov. Although the phylogenetic position of this taxon is uncertain due to its fragmentary nature, its anatomy, indicating toretocnemid or parvipelvian affinities, further supports the previously hypothesised sister-group relationships between these two clades. The morphology of the parabasisphenoid and vertebral column of the new taxon is discussed in broader contexts of the patterns of evolution of these skeletal regions in ichthyosaurs.

Socially Complex Breeding Interactions in Humpback Whales Are Mediated Using a Complex Acoustic Repertoire

Intraspecific conflict can be costly; therefore, many species engage in ritualized contests composed of several stages. Each stage is typically characterized by different levels of aggression, arousal, and physical conflict. During these different levels of “intensity,” animals benefit from communicating potential information related to features such as resource holding potential, relative fighting ability, level of aggression, intent (i.e., fight or flight), and whether or not the competitor currently holds the resource (e.g., a receptive female). This information may be conveyed using both visual displays and a complex acoustic repertoire containing fixed (e.g., age, sex, and body size) and flexible information (e.g., motivation or arousal). Calls that contain fixed information are generally considered “discrete” or stereotyped, while calls that convey flexible information are more “graded,” existing along an acoustic continuum. The use of displays and calls, and the potential information they convey, is likely dependent on factors like intensity level. The breeding system of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) involves intense male competition for access to a relatively limited number of breeding females (the resource). Here, we investigated the behavior and acoustic repertoire of competitive groups of humpback whales to determine if an increase in intensity level of the group was correlated with an increase in the complexity of the vocal repertoire. We categorized the behavior of humpback whales in competitive groups into three mutually exclusive stages from low to high intensity. While discrete calls were infrequent compared to graded calls overall, their use was highest in “low” and “moderate” intensity groups, which may indicate that this stage of contest is important for assessing the relative resource holding potential of competitors. In contrast, visual displays, call rates, and the use of graded call types, were highest during “high intensity” competitive groups. This suggests that flexible information may be more important in “high intensity” levels as males continue to assess the motivation and intent of competitors while actively engaged in costly conflict. We have shown that the relatively complex social call repertoire and visual displays of humpback whales in competitive groups likely functions to mediate frequently changing within-group relationships.

Ethnic conflict in Ethiopia: Federalism as a cause and solution

Adopted in 1991, ethnic federalism indeed paved the way for the recognition, accommodation, and institutionalization of ethnocultural diversity for the first time in the country’s history since its modern existence. What is equally important is, the practice of ethnic federalism complicated state-society and inter-group relationships creating a favorable environment for ethnic confrontation and conflict to take place in the country threatening national unity, eroded century-old values of coexistence, a hard ethnic boundary where administrative boundaries are served as political and ethnic differentiators like the Oromo and Somali conflict over contested boundaries. Territorial recognition, and institutionalization of ethnicity gave room for the emergence of ‘ethnic like and ethnic others’ thinking, made minorities in different regions victims of politics and failed to provide sound accommodation mechanisms from them, severely restricted people’s constitutional rights including the right to mobility and right to work, created room for the re-emergence of secessionist tendency. Hence, ethnic federalism while solving old problems of ethnic inequality and injustice; has created new problems of ethnic tensions and conflict across Ethiopia. It is the purpose of this study to investigate how and why federalism is being considered as the source of ethnic conflicts in the Ethiopian context. The study adopted a qualitative comparative approach while FGDs and key informant interviews were used to gather data. The finding of the study shows that though multinational federation plays an irreplaceable role to accommodate and institutionalize ethnocultural diversity, the notion and implementation of federalism instigate ethnic conflict in the Ethiopian context.

A Systematic Revision of the New Zealand Gekkonidae

<p>ln this species I recognise 21 species of New Zealand brown geckos (Hoplodactylus), and 7 species of green gecko (Naultinus), bringing the total New Zealand gecko fauna to 28. The only previous comprehensive revision of the New Zealand Gekkonidae was that of McOann (1955), who recognised 4 species of brown geckos (Hoplodactylus), 6 species of South lsland green geckos (Heteropholts), and one species of North lsland green gecko (Naultinus). Bauer (1990) synonymised Heferopholis with Naulftnus. In this thesis I interpret the results of allozyme electrophoresis and morphological examination of specimens of all known taxa, using phylogenetic computer analysis and an Evolutionary Species Concept. Allozyme results were obtained for 686 specimens from 235 populations. I resolved 27 allozyme loci from each of these specimens, using 2 tissue types and 5 buffer systems. The following species are recognised as a result of this study. Newly proposed species are indented below the species to which they have previously been referred: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus, H. duvaucelii, H. granulatus, H. nebulosus, H. kahutarae, H. maculatus, H. brunneus, H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", H. "Marlborough mini", H. "Southern Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", H. "Otago", H. "Southern mini", H. pacificus, H. "Matapia", H. "Poor Knights" H. "Three Kings" H. rakiurae, H. stephensi (H. delcourfi - probably from New Zealand; presumed extinct), Naultinus elegans (subspecies N. e. elegans and N. e. punctatus), N. gemmeus, N. grayii, N. manukanus, N. rudis, N. stellatus, N. tuberculatus. Hoplodacfylus will include 21 extant species. Apart from one synonymy suggested by examination of type specimens, I suggest no formal changes to Naultinus, because morphological support for the status quo is strong, but allozymes identify only 5 groups (2 within N.'gemmeus) rather than the 8 currently recognised. I provide a key for the identification of all known New Zealand species. Phylogenetic analysis of allozyme and morphological results suggests 4 major groups in the New Zealand gecko fauna: Naultinus ; a narrow toed group of Hoplodactylus species, including H. granulatus, H. nebulosus, H. kahutarae, H. rakiurae, and H. stephensi ; the H. pacificus complex, including H. pacificus, H. "Matapia", H. "Poor Knights", and H. "Three Kings" ; the H. maculatus complex, including H. chrysosireticus, H. duvaucelii, H. maculatus, H. brunneus, H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", H. "Marlborough mini", H. "Southem Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", H. "Otago", and H. "Southem mini". However, Naultinus is closely related to the narrow-toed group of Hoplodactylus, and falls between H. stephensi and the rest of the narrowtoed group of Hoplodactylus in some analyses. Within the H. maculatus complex, there are 3 species groups: H. chrysosireficus and H, "Southem mini" ; H. maculatus. H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", and H. "Marlborough mini" ; H. duvaucelii, H. brunneus, H. "Southem Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", and H. "Otago". H. pacificus is paraphyletic with respect to the sympatric new species H. "Matapia" in all analyses, and H. granulatus is paraphyletic with respect to H. kahutarae in some analyses. I disagree with many character states Bauer (1990) assigned to the New Zealand species in his morphological data matrix for the Carphodactylini. His resulting cladogram is shown to lack strong support, and alternative phylogenetic, and by inference biogeographical, relationships are possible. Some genetically widely divergent species are so morphologically similar that traditional taxonomies had difficulty distinguishing them (e.9., H. stephensi, all species of the H. pacificus complex, and all species of the H. maculatus complex except H. duvaucelfisubsumed under H. pacificusby McCann 1955). Conversely, some morphologically highly distinct species have genetically close, previously unsuspected sister group relationships. Rates of change in allozymes and morphology therefore appear poorly correlated. In the southern group of the H. maculafus complex, the overall pattem of allozyme variation is a stepped or fragmented cline, which continues across species boundaries. There is a marked absence of diagnostic derived allozyme characters in well-defined species. These allele distributions suggest parapatric speciation, with the shared polymorphisms being older than the speciation event. On Matapia island, the sympatry of 2 morphologically distinct and reproductively isolated species, both of which fall within H. pacificus in trees suggest a double colonisation of the i6land, followed.by morphological divergence. There are at least 5 independent cases of coastal populations of very small H. maculafus-complex geckos with larger inland sister-groups, suggesting strong directional selection on body size. There is strong circumstantial evidence for most evolution and speciation having happened in the South lsland, and for all North lsland species except for the H. pacificus complex being geologicalty recent colonists with South lsland ancestors. The Three Kings and Poor Knights lsland groups are the only islands occupied by New Zealand geckos which are believed not to have been connected to the mainland during Pleistocene glacial periods of low sea level, and also the only islands with genetically distinct local endemics. The recognition of these new species will alter conseruation priorities, as some have very restricted known distributions.</p>

A Systematic Revision of the New Zealand Gekkonidae

<p>ln this species I recognise 21 species of New Zealand brown geckos (Hoplodactylus), and 7 species of green gecko (Naultinus), bringing the total New Zealand gecko fauna to 28. The only previous comprehensive revision of the New Zealand Gekkonidae was that of McOann (1955), who recognised 4 species of brown geckos (Hoplodactylus), 6 species of South lsland green geckos (Heteropholts), and one species of North lsland green gecko (Naultinus). Bauer (1990) synonymised Heferopholis with Naulftnus. In this thesis I interpret the results of allozyme electrophoresis and morphological examination of specimens of all known taxa, using phylogenetic computer analysis and an Evolutionary Species Concept. Allozyme results were obtained for 686 specimens from 235 populations. I resolved 27 allozyme loci from each of these specimens, using 2 tissue types and 5 buffer systems. The following species are recognised as a result of this study. Newly proposed species are indented below the species to which they have previously been referred: Hoplodactylus chrysosireticus, H. duvaucelii, H. granulatus, H. nebulosus, H. kahutarae, H. maculatus, H. brunneus, H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", H. "Marlborough mini", H. "Southern Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", H. "Otago", H. "Southern mini", H. pacificus, H. "Matapia", H. "Poor Knights" H. "Three Kings" H. rakiurae, H. stephensi (H. delcourfi - probably from New Zealand; presumed extinct), Naultinus elegans (subspecies N. e. elegans and N. e. punctatus), N. gemmeus, N. grayii, N. manukanus, N. rudis, N. stellatus, N. tuberculatus. Hoplodacfylus will include 21 extant species. Apart from one synonymy suggested by examination of type specimens, I suggest no formal changes to Naultinus, because morphological support for the status quo is strong, but allozymes identify only 5 groups (2 within N.'gemmeus) rather than the 8 currently recognised. I provide a key for the identification of all known New Zealand species. Phylogenetic analysis of allozyme and morphological results suggests 4 major groups in the New Zealand gecko fauna: Naultinus ; a narrow toed group of Hoplodactylus species, including H. granulatus, H. nebulosus, H. kahutarae, H. rakiurae, and H. stephensi ; the H. pacificus complex, including H. pacificus, H. "Matapia", H. "Poor Knights", and H. "Three Kings" ; the H. maculatus complex, including H. chrysosireticus, H. duvaucelii, H. maculatus, H. brunneus, H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", H. "Marlborough mini", H. "Southem Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", H. "Otago", and H. "Southem mini". However, Naultinus is closely related to the narrow-toed group of Hoplodactylus, and falls between H. stephensi and the rest of the narrowtoed group of Hoplodactylus in some analyses. Within the H. maculatus complex, there are 3 species groups: H. chrysosireficus and H, "Southem mini" ; H. maculatus. H. "Mount Arthur", H. "Kaikouras", and H. "Marlborough mini" ; H. duvaucelii, H. brunneus, H. "Southem Alps", H. "Danseys Pass", H. "Cromwell Gorge", and H. "Otago". H. pacificus is paraphyletic with respect to the sympatric new species H. "Matapia" in all analyses, and H. granulatus is paraphyletic with respect to H. kahutarae in some analyses. I disagree with many character states Bauer (1990) assigned to the New Zealand species in his morphological data matrix for the Carphodactylini. His resulting cladogram is shown to lack strong support, and alternative phylogenetic, and by inference biogeographical, relationships are possible. Some genetically widely divergent species are so morphologically similar that traditional taxonomies had difficulty distinguishing them (e.9., H. stephensi, all species of the H. pacificus complex, and all species of the H. maculatus complex except H. duvaucelfisubsumed under H. pacificusby McCann 1955). Conversely, some morphologically highly distinct species have genetically close, previously unsuspected sister group relationships. Rates of change in allozymes and morphology therefore appear poorly correlated. In the southern group of the H. maculafus complex, the overall pattem of allozyme variation is a stepped or fragmented cline, which continues across species boundaries. There is a marked absence of diagnostic derived allozyme characters in well-defined species. These allele distributions suggest parapatric speciation, with the shared polymorphisms being older than the speciation event. On Matapia island, the sympatry of 2 morphologically distinct and reproductively isolated species, both of which fall within H. pacificus in trees suggest a double colonisation of the i6land, followed.by morphological divergence. There are at least 5 independent cases of coastal populations of very small H. maculafus-complex geckos with larger inland sister-groups, suggesting strong directional selection on body size. There is strong circumstantial evidence for most evolution and speciation having happened in the South lsland, and for all North lsland species except for the H. pacificus complex being geologicalty recent colonists with South lsland ancestors. The Three Kings and Poor Knights lsland groups are the only islands occupied by New Zealand geckos which are believed not to have been connected to the mainland during Pleistocene glacial periods of low sea level, and also the only islands with genetically distinct local endemics. The recognition of these new species will alter conseruation priorities, as some have very restricted known distributions.</p>

Quality Relationships between Superiors and Subordinates as Well as Fellow Colleagues at the Sweetener and Fiber Research Centre in 2010-2019

Recurring organizational communication problems, lack of communication between superiors and subordinates, and also conflict at the employee level make the basis for researchers to conduct research and try to provide recommendations to improve conditions that occur in the Balittas organization. This study will focus on quality of relationships between superiors and subordinates as well as colleagues in organization. This study aims to describe and analyze the quality of the relationship between superiors and subordinates. This research was conducted using the Action Research method with the aim of being in Balittas from 2010 to 2019. Departing from the constructivism paradigm, this study carried out data collection by structured interviews and analyzed using the action research cycle from Coghland & Brannick. The quality of the relationship between superiors and subordinates, between colleagues for each period of each leader based on the LMX theory is dominated by the quality of the out group. This is because the relationship is only a contractual one. Subsequent research can develop the application of LMX theory in other government work units and create efforts to build quality in group relationships within Balittas. Based on LMX theory (low relationship quality) because the exchange of behavior of organizational members is limited to contractual ties and the low level of support and trust in each other.