Computer Vision for the Humanities: An Introduction to Deep Learning for Image Classification (Part 1)

This is the first of a two-part lesson introducing deep learning based computer vision methods for humanities research. Using a dataset of historical newspaper advertisements and the fastai Python library, the lesson walks through the pipeline of training a computer vision model to perform image classification

de Sitter Vacua in Type IIB String Theory: Classical Solutions and Quantum Corrections

We revisit the classical theory of ten-dimensional two-derivative gravity coupled to fluxes, scalar fields, D-branes, anti D-branes and Orientifold-planes. We show that such set-ups do not give rise to a four-dimensional positive curvature spacetime with the isometries of de Sitter spacetime. We further argue that a de Sitter solution in type IIB theory may still be achieved if the higher-order curvature corrections are carefully controlled. Our analysis relies on the derivation of the de Sitter condition from an explicit background solution by going beyond the supergravity limit of type IIB theory. As such this also tells us how the background supersymmetry should be broken and under what conditions D-term uplifting can be realized with non self-dual fluxes

Effects of prosodically modulated sub-phonetic variation on lexical competition

Eye movements were monitored as participants followed spoken instructions to manipulate one of four objects pictured on a computer screen. Target words occurred in utterance-medial (e.g., Put the cap next to the square) or utterance-final position (e.g., Now click on the cap). Displays consisted of the target picture (e.g., a cap), a monosyllabic competitor picture (e.g., a cat), a polysyllabic competitor picture (e.g., a captain) and a distractor (e.g., a beaker). The relative proportion of fixations to the two types of competitor pictures changed as a function of the position of the target word in the utterance, demonstrating that lexical competition is modulated by prosodically conditioned phonetic variation

Studies of MCP-PMTs in the miniTimeCube neutrino detector

This report highlights two different types of cross-talk in the photodetectors of the miniTimeCube neutrino experiment. The miniTimeCube detector has 24 $8 \times 8$-anode Photonis MCP-PMTs Planacon XP85012, totalling 1536 individual pixels viewing the 2-liter cube of plastic scintillator

Teleology and Realism in Leibniz's Philosophy of Science

This paper argues for an interpretation of Leibniz’s claim that physics requires both mechanical and teleological principles as a view regarding the interpretation of physical theories. Granting that Leibniz’s fundamental ontology remains non-physical, or mentalistic, it argues that teleological principles nevertheless ground a realist commitment about mechanical descriptions of phenomena. The empirical results of the new sciences, according to Leibniz, have genuine truth conditions: there is a fact of the matter about the regularities observed in experience. Taking this stance, however, requires bringing non-empirical reasons to bear upon mechanical causal claims. This paper first evaluates extant interpretations of Leibniz’s thesis that there are two realms in physics as describing parallel, self-sufficient sets of laws. It then examines Leibniz’s use of teleological principles to interpret scientific results in the context of his interventions in debates in seventeenth-century kinematic theory, and in the teaching of Copernicanism. Leibniz’s use of the principle of continuity and the principle of simplicity, for instance, reveal an underlying commitment to the truth-aptness, or approximate truth-aptness, of the new natural sciences. The paper concludes with a brief remark on the relation between metaphysics, theology, and physics in Leibniz

A gene-tree test of the traditional taxonomy of American deer: the importance of voucher specimens, geographic data, and dense sampling

The taxonomy of American deer has been established almost entirely on the basis of morphological data and without the use of explicit phylogenetic methods; hence, phylogenetic analyses including data for all of the currently recognized species, even if based on a single gene, might improve current understanding of their taxonomy. We tested the monophyly of the morphology-defined genera and species of New World deer (Odocoileini) with phylogenetic analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences. This is the first such test conducted using extensive geographic and taxonomic sampling. Our results do not support the monophyly of Mazama, Odocoileus, Pudu, M. americana, M. nemorivaga, Od. hemionus, and Od. virginianus. Mazama contains species that belong to other genera. We found a novel sister-taxon relationship between “Mazama” pandora and a clade formed by Od. hemionus columbianus and Od. h. sitkensis, and transfer pandora to Odocoileus. The clade formed by Od. h. columbianus and Od. h. sitkensis may represent a valid species, whereas the remaining subspecies of Od. hemionus appear closer to Od. virginianus. Pudu (Pudu) puda was not found sister to Pudu (Pudella) mephistophiles. If confirmed, this result will prompt the recognition of the monotypic Pudella as a distinct genus. We provide evidence for the existence of an undescribed species now confused with Mazama americana, and identify other instances of cryptic, taxonomically unrecognized species-level diversity among populations here regarded as Mazama temama, “Mazama” nemorivaga, and Hippocamelus antisensis. Noteworthy records that substantially extend the known distributions of M. temama and “M.” gouazoubira are provided, and we unveil a surprising ambiguity regarding the distribution of “M.” nemorivaga, as it is described in the literature. The study of deer of the tribe Odocoileini has been hampered by the paucity of information regarding voucher specimens and the provenance of sequences deposited in GenBank. We pinpoint priorities for future systematic research on the tribe Odocoileini.Eliécer E. Gutiérrez, Kristofer M. Helgen, Molly M. McDonough, Franziska Bauer, Melissa T.R. Hawkins, Luis A. Escobedo-Morales, Bruce D. Patterson, Jesus E. Maldonad

Speciation within Bonneted Bats (Genus \u3ci\u3eEumops\u3c/i\u3e): The Complexity of Morphological, Mitochondrial, and Nuclear Data Sets in Systematics

We phylogenetically analyze 705 base pairs of the cytochrome-b gene and 351 amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) bands from populations of the karyotypically variable Wagner’s bonneted bat, Eumops glaucinus, and the Florida bonneted bat, Eumops floridanus (Chiroptera: Molossidae). Three karyotypes have been documented across the range of E. glaucinus, and we report that the karyotype from Cuba is morphologically similar to that from Jamaica. A 4th karyotype is present in specimens from western Ecuador. Three distinct lineages are present in both the cytochrome-b and AFLP trees. One lineage is restricted to western Ecuador and exhibits cytochrome-b divergence values comparable to the values seen between recognized species of Eumops, suggesting that this lineage represents a distinct species. The other 2 lineages are distributed in disjunct areas: Paraguay and Venezuela; and Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States. Specimens of E. floridanus are morphologically distinct from E. glaucinus, but cannot be distinguished by examination of cytochrome-b or AFLP DNA data. We conclude that there are 4 species in the E. glaucinus complex— E. glaucinus (South America east of the Andes), E. ferox (Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America), E. floridanus in south Florida, and an unnamed taxon in western Ecuador. Speciation is a complex process and no single mechanism, model, concept, or definition is likely to cover all the diverse patterns observed

Speciation within bonneted bats (genus Eumops): The complexity of morphological, mitochondrial, and nuclear datasets in systematics

We phylogenetically analyze cytochrome-b gene sequences and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) from populations of the karyotypically variable Wagner’s bonneted bat, Eumops glaucinus, and the Florida bonneted bat, Eumops floridanus (Chiroptera: Molossidae). Three karyotypes have been documented previously across the range of E. glaucinus, and we report that the karyotype from Cuba is morphologically similar to that found in specimens from Jamaica. A 4th karyotype (described herein) is present in specimens from western Ecuador. DNA sequence variation within 705 base pairs of the cytochrome-b gene from 47 specimens from Florida, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Paraguay were examined and analyzed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian analyses. Additionally, 351 AFLP bands from 23 specimens were phylogenetically analyzed. Three distinct lineages are present in both the cytochrome-b and AFLP trees. One clade is restricted to western Ecuador and has a 7-8% cytochrome b sequence divergence from all other haplotypes of the species complex. The other 2 lineages have cytochrome-b divergences > 3–4% and are distributed in disjunct areas: 1) Paraguay and Venezuela; and 2) Mexico, the Caribbean, and the United States. The cytochrome b divergence between populations of E. glaucinus west of the Andes and all other populations of E. glaucinus is comparable to that between recognized species of Eumops, suggesting that the Ecuadorian bonneted bats represent a distinct species. Specimens of E. floridanus are morphologically distinct from E. glaucinus, but cannot be distinguished by cytochrome-b or AFLP DNA data. We conclude that there are 4 species in the Eumops glaucinus complex—Eumops glaucinus (in South America east of the Andes), E. ferox (in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America), E. floridanus in south Florida, and an unnamed taxon in western Ecuador. Speciation is a complex process and no single mechanism, model, concept, or definition is likely to cover all the diverse patterns observed