Parallel stable compactification for ODE with parameters and multipoint conditions

Many algorithms for solving ordinary dierential equations with parameters and multipoint side conditions give rise to systems of linear algebraic equations in which the coecient matrices have a bordered block diagonal structure. In this paper, we show how these problems can be solved by using parallel algorithms based on stabilized compactication.

Phylogenetic comparisons reveal mosaic histories of larval and adult shell matrix protein deployment in pteriomorph bivalves

Molluscan shells are organo-mineral composites, in which the dominant calcium carbonate is intimately associated with an organic matrix comprised mainly of proteins and polysaccharides. However, whether the various shell matrix proteins (SMPs) date to the origin of hard skeletons in the Cambrian, or whether they represent later deployment through adaptive evolution, is still debated. In order to address this issue and to better understand the origins and evolution of biomineralization, phylogenetic analyses have been performed on the three SMP families, Von Willebrand factor type A (VWA) and chitin-binding domain-containing protein (VWA-CB dcp), chitobiase, and carbonic anhydrase (CA), which exist in both larval and adult shell proteomes in the bivalves, Crassostrea gigas and Pinctada fucata. In VWA-CB dcp and chitobiase, paralogs for larval and adult SMPs evolved before the divergence of these species. CA-SMPs have been taken as evidence for ancient origins of SMPs by their presumed indispensable function in biomineralization and ubiquitous distribution in molluscs. However, our results indicate gene duplications that gave rise to separate deployments as larval and adult CA-SMPs occurred independently in each lineage after their divergence, which is considerably more recent than hitherto assumed, supporting the "recent heritage and fast evolution" scenario for SMP evolution

Phylogenetic Relationships Within the Batagur Complex (Testudines: Emydidae: Batagurinae)

Relationships between 10 species of the batagurine genera Batagur, Callagur, Kachuga, Hardella, and Morenia are discussed based on a cladistic analysis of 35 morphological characters. Ocadia sinensis (Emydidae: Batagurinae) was used as the outgroup species. Four cladograms were produced with a length of 59.0 steps and a 0.75 consistency index. In contrast with previous studies, Hardella and Morenia do not appear as a monophyletic clade. Instead, Hardella is included with the remaining ingroup taxa (exclusive of Morenia) based on five synapomorphies. The present genus Kachuga was determined to be paraphyletic, having excluded the present genera Batagur and Callagur. The pangshura subgroup of the genus (consisting of the smaller members of the genus – K. smithi, K. tecta, and K. tentoria) is distinguished by six synapomorphies and appears to be a sister group of the clade formed by an unresolved polychotomy including Batagur, Callagur, and the kachuga subgroup (consisting of the larger members of the genus --K. dhongoka, K. kachuga, and K. trivittata). Batagur and Callagur are included with the kachuga subgroup based on two synapomorphies. A possible taxonomic revision suggested is to elevate the pangshura group to generic rank and include Batagur, Callagur, and the remaining Kachugas as a separate genus Batagur

A Time Series Model with Qualitative Variables

This paper considers a distributed lag model in which the dependent variable is observed qualitatively. The relation of our "lagged index" model to other models that have appeared in the literature is discussed and a computationally tractable method of obtaining consistent estimates is presented. The model is applied to data on party identification in the United States. The results obtained indicate that party identification is responsive to changes in individual opinions, especially regarding the performance of an incumbent president

A Global Human Settlement Layer from optical high resolution imagery - Concept and first results

A general framework for processing of high and very-high resolution imagery for creating a Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) is presented together with a discussion on the results of the first operational test of the production workflow. The test involved the mapping of 24.3 millions of square kilometres of the Earth surface spread over four continents, corresponding to an estimated population of 1.3 billion of people in 2010. The resolution of the input image data ranges from 0.5 to 10 meters, collected by a heterogeneous set of platforms including satellite SPOT (2 and 5), CBERS-2B, RapidEye (2 and 4), WorldView (1 and 2), GeoEye-1, QuickBird-2, Ikonos-2, and airborne sensors. Several imaging modes were tested including panchromatic, multispectral and pan-sharpened images. A new fully automatic image information extraction, generalization and mosaic workflow is presented that is based on multiscale textural and morphological image features extraction. New image feature compression and optimization are introduced, together with new learning and classification techniques allowing for the processing of HR/VHR image data using low-resolution thematic layers as reference. A new systematic approach for quality control and validation allowing global spatial and thematic consistency checking is proposed and applied. The quality of the results are discussed by sensor, by band, by resolution, and eco-regions. Critical points, lessons learned and next steps are highlighted.JRC.G.2-Global security and crisis managemen