Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Deterministic Learning Approach Based on Discrepancy

The general problem of reconstructing an unknown function from a finite collection of samples is considered, in case the position of each input vector in the training set is not fixed beforehand, but is part of the learning process. In particular, the consistency of the Empirical Risk Minimization (ERM) principle is analyzed, when the points in the input space are generated by employing a purely deterministic algorithm (deterministic learning). When the output generation is not subject to noise, classical number-theoretic results, involving discrepancy and variation, allow to establish a sufficient condition for the consistency of the ERM principle. In addition, the adoption of low-discrepancy sequences permits to achieve a learning rate of O(1/L), being L the size of the training set. An extension to the noisy case is discussed.
Objective Reduction Based on the Least Square Method for Large-Dimensional Multi-objective Optimization Problem

In the real-world applications, many multi-objective optimization involve a large number of objective, however, existing evolutionary multi-objective optimization algorithms are applied only to a few number of objective. Because of inconvenience in handling large number of objective, researchers start to deal with how to reduce the redundant objectives. In this paper, we firstly introduce some existing algorithms on transforming high-dimensional to low-dimensional, and then propose a new algorithm, namely large dimensionality reduction based on the least square method. This method fits every objective function to a line, and compares the slope differences between each two lines, finally makes certain which one is redundancy and further reduces this one. This experiment shows, on one hand, there are some redundant objective functions in certain large dimensionality multi-objective optimization problems, and the objective space of non-redundant objective function is accordant with the low-dimensional true Pareto front. On other hand, the experiment result with other similar algorithm shows our algorithm is competitive and the efficacy of the procedure is demonstrated.
The Effects of Dementia and Long-Term Care Services on the Deterioration of Care-needs Levels of the Elderly in Japan

AbstractTo investigate the associations between dementia, the use of long-term care (LTC) services, and the deterioration of care-needs levels of elderly persons in Japan.Using a retrospective cohort study, we analyzed 50,268 insurance beneficiaries aged 65 years and older who had utilized LTC services between 2010 and 2011 in Kyoto prefecture, Japan. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify predictors of care-needs level deterioration.Dementia, facility care services, the male sex, older age, and lower baseline care-needs levels were associated with care-needs level deterioration. The disparity between odds ratios of home care services, dementia diagnoses, and facility care services on care-needs level deterioration diminished with increasing baseline care-needs levels. The other risk factors of care-needs level deterioration showed stronger associations as care-needs levels and age increased.The effects of baseline care-needs levels and dementia should be considered when developing LTC policies.
Planets in Stellar Clusters Extensive Search. IV. A Detection of a Possible Transiting Planet Candidate in the Open Cluster NGC 2158

We have undertaken a long-term project, Planets in Stellar Clusters Extensive Search, to search for transiting planets in open clusters. In this paper we present the results for NGC 2158, an intermediate-age, populous cluster. We have monitored the cluster for over 260 hours, spread over 59 nights. We have detected one candidate transiting low-luminosity object, with an eclipse depth of 3.7% in the R band. If the host star is a member of the cluster, the eclipse depth is consistent with a 1.7RJ object. Cluster membership of the host is supported by its location on the cluster main sequence and its close proximity to the cluster center (2′). We have discovered two other stars exhibiting low-amplitude (4%-5%) transits, V64 and V70, but they are most likely blends or field stars. Given the photometric precision and temporal coverage of our observations and the current best estimates for the frequency and radii of short-period planets, the expected number of detectable transiting planets in our sample is 0.13. We have observed four outbursts for the candidate cataclysmic variable V57. We have discovered 40 new variable stars in the cluster, bringing the total number of identified variables to 97, and present for them high-precision light curves, spanning 13 months.
Training a Piecewise{linear Sigmoid Node Is Hard

This paper proves that computing the optimal weights for a piecewise{linear sigmoid node under the L1 regression norm is NP{Hard. This result parallels that for the one{node pattern recognition problem, namely that determining the optimal weights for a threshold logic node is also intractable. Our result has important consequences for constructive algorithms that build a regression model one node at a time. It suggests that although such methods are (in principle) capable of producing e cient size representations (e.g. see [2, 9]), nding such representations may be computationally intractable. This result holds only in the deterministic sense, that is it does not exclude the possibility that such representations may be found e ciently with high probability. In fact it motivates the use of heuristic and/or randomized algorithms for this problem.
ON THE SOCIAL VALUATION OF TRAVEL TIME SAVINGS.

In this paper we propose a method to compute the social values of users' travel time savings within a cost -benefit framework. It is shown that the resulting values are related to three main factors: the travellers' subjective valuation of time savings, the taxpay- ers' valuation of the money paid, and a value judgement about individual welfare made by the political authorities. As a general result, the method yields social values of time which are group specific, with a single value representing a particular case. The proposed method hopefully puts an end to the old discussion between subjective and equity values of time. It isolates what is really a political decision (the social weight of individual welfare) from what is a technical issue (the measure of subjective valuations). A numerical example illustrates the method.
Heavy metals affect the microbial populations and their activities

The effect of heavy metals on natural microbial communities have attracted increased attention. Heavy metal pollution resulting from human industrial and agricultural activities affects biological system. This pollution affect the growth, morphology and metabolism of microorganism in soil, through functional disturbance, protein denaturation or the destruction of the integrity of cell membranes. Microorganisms are far more sensitive to heavy metal stress than soil animals or plant growing on the same soils. microbial parameters appear very useful in monitoring soil pollution by heavy metals. Microbial parameer than can be used as indicators in monitoring soil pollution by heavy metals fall into two main groups the first is those that measure the activity of the whole microbial population. The second type measure the size of the microbial population. Some of these parameters are repiration, C and N mineralization, biological nitrogen fixation, microbial biomass C and some soil enzymes. Introduction Heavy metals enter soil from several sources, including wastes from mines and smelters, atmospherric deposition (following release of metal into the atmosphere from metal smelting or other industries), animal manures, and sewage sludge and, in some circumstances inorganic fertilizer (Kinkle et al., 1986). In recent decades there has been increasing interest in heavy metals, not only because of toxicity to animals, plant, and other living organisms, but also because they can not be removed from the soils, as they become irreversibly immobilised within different soil components (humidified organic matter, Fe and Al oxides and hydroxides, clay particles, etc.). There is concern about the long-term effect of these elements at high concentration in the environment as they can persist in the soil for tens of thousands of years (McGrath, 1986). Mandatory European Union (EU) limits restrict the amounts of permitted to accumulate in agricultural soils. The limits are based upon known effect of metals on plant uptake and animal health. They take no acount of effects on soil microorganisms or important microbial processes, e.g., organic matter or soil N dynamics (Table 1). The soil microbial ecosystem is functionally complex. It contains key groups of microorganism which have an integral role in maintaining soil fertility in relation to plant nutrition. However, due to natural variability in soil types, soil organic matter contents and management, it is difficult to identify measurable factors which specifically represent
Effects of Common Mycorrhizal Network on Plant Carbohydrates and Soil Properties in Trifoliate Orange–White Clover Association

Common mycorrhizal network (CMN) allows nutrients and signals to pass between two or more plants. In this study, trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and white clover (Trifolium repens) were planted in a two-compartmented rootbox, separated by a 37–μm nylon mesh and then inoculated with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Diversispora spurca. Inoculation with D. spurca resulted in formation of a CMN between trifoliate orange and white clover, whilst the best AM colonization occurred in the donor trifoliate orange–receptor white clover association. In the trifoliate orange–white clover association, the mycorrhizal colonization of receptor plant by extraradical hyphae originated from the donor plant significantly increased shoot and root fresh weight and chlorophyll concentration of the receptor plant. Enzymatic activity of soil β-glucoside hydrolase, protease, acid and neutral phosphatase, water-stable aggregate percentage at 2–4 and 0.5–1 mm size, and mean weight diameter in the rhizosphere of the receptor plant also increased. The hyphae of CMN released more easily-extractable glomalin-related soil protein and total glomalin-related soil protein into the receptor rhizosphere, which represented a significantly positive correlation with aggregate stability. AMF inoculation exhibited diverse changes in leaf and root sucrose concentration in the donor plant, and AM colonization by CMN conferred a significant increase of root glucose in the receptor plant. These results suggested that CMN formed in the trifoliate orange–white clover association, and root AM colonization by CMN promoted plant growth, root glucose accumulation, and rhizospheric soil properties in the receptor plant.
THE INFLUENCE OF FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT ON THE GROWTH OF GDP, ON EMPLOYMENT AND ON EXPORT IN CROATIA

S obzirom na velike iznose inozemnih investicija per capita koje je Hrvatska privukla, cilj rada je utvrditi da li i na koji nacin FDI utjecu na odabrane (problematicne) makroekonomske pokazatelje hrvatskog gospodarstva. U radu se istražuje utjecaj primljenih izravnih inozemnih ulaganja na gospodarski rast, izvoz i zaposlenost. Ekonometrijskom analizom (analiza vremenskih nizova, kointegracijske analize i VEC model, dekompozicija varijanci prognostickih pogresaka, impulsne reakcije varijabli) izrađena su dva paralelna VAR modela koja su u kointegracijskom prostoru identificirala vrlo stabilnu i znacajnu dugorocnu Cobb-Douglasovu funkciju proizvodnje. Utvrđeno je da priljev FDI ne utjece na rast BDP-a i izvoz, dok na zaposlenost utjece s negativnim predznakom. Zakljucuje se da su zbog malog udjela greenfield ulaganja izostali ocekivani pozitivni efekti.
The Persistence of Mutual Fund Performance

This paper analyzes how mutual fund performance relates to past performance. These tests are based on a multiple portfolio benchmark that was formed on the basis of securities characteristics. The authors find evidence that differences in performance between funds persist over time and that this persistence is consistent with the ability of fund managers to earn abnormal returns. Copyright 1992 by American Finance Association.
Monetary Policy Transmission and Macroeconomic Policy Coordination in Pacific Island Countries

During the global financial crisis, central banks in Pacific island countries eased monetary policy to stimulate economic activity. Judging by the ensuing movements in commercial bank interest rates and private sector credit, monetary policy transmission appears to be weak. This is confirmed by an empirical examination of interest rate pass‐through and credit growth. Weak credit demand and under‐developed financial markets seem to have limited the effectiveness of monetary policy, but the inflexibility of exchange rates and rising real interest rates have also served to frustrate the central banks' efforts despite a supporting fiscal policy. While highlighting the importance of developing domestic financial markets in the long run, this experience also points to the need to coordinate macroeconomic policies and to use all macroeconomic tools available in conducting countercyclical policies, including exchange rate flexibility.
The leap of faith : creating trust on professional service markets

As freelancers and consultants become more common, this is a question asked with increasing frequency, not least in professional services. Similarly, organizations increasingly face the dilemma of having to find and choose a suitable service provider. Given the often uncertain and complex nature of knowledge-intensive services, this is to a large extent a matter of being able to create trust – for the buyer to dare the leap of faith, for the seller to entice the buyer to trust them with a project.This thesis studies the question of trust creation on two markets: management consulting and theatre direction, discussing the significance of social context on the opportunities for trust creation By dividing the social context into three interrelated arenas, the market level, the organizational level, and the interindividual level, it becomes possible to distinguish how and where trust is created, unveiling how and on what basis decisions are made. The study thereby provides both an in depth account for how management consultants and theatre directions are chosen, and a contribution to research on professional service markets, highlighting the impact of the visibility of the service in question on the mechanisms of the market.Lovisa Naslund is a researcher at the Department of Management and Organization at the Stockholm School of Economics. She combines her research on knowledge intensive work in business and the arts with teaching service marketing and consulting projects in Swedish film and theater. Previously, she has worked as a production assistant at Teater Brunnsgatan Fyra and Teater Tribunalen in Stockholm.
NSAID and Antioxidant Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease: Lessons from In Vitro and Animal Models

Abstract: Both oxidative damage and inflammation are elevated in brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, but their pathogenic significance remains unclear. The reduced AD risk associated with high intake of both nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antioxidants suggests causal roles, but clinical trials in AD patients have yielded only limited or negative results. To test the potential efficacy and mechanisms of candidate approaches, we have explored conventional and unconventional NSAIDs, antioxidants, and combined NSAID/antioxidants in cell culture and animal models for AD (including aging APPsw transgenic mice and soluble Aβ rodent infusion models). The conventional NSAID ibuprofen has the strongest epidemiological support. At sustainable doses designed to mimic protective consumption in the epidemiology, ibuprofen reduces amyloid accumulation but suppresses a surprisingly limited subset of inflammatory markers in APPsw transgenic mice. Both Ab production (APP, β‐ and γ‐secretases) and post‐production pathways (those affecting Aβ aggregation or clearance: e.g., IL‐1 or α1ACT) are potentially involved in ibuprofen and other NSAID anti‐AD activities. The post‐production pathways are predictably shared with other seemingly protective NSAIDs, including naproxen that do not lower Aβ42 in vitro. Using clinically feasible dosing, brain levels of NSAIDs appear too low to implicate a number of pharmacological dose targets that have been demonstrated in vitro. Ibuprofen did not suppress microglial markers related to phagocytosis. The putative anti‐inflammatory omega‐3 fatty acid DHA had a profound impact on pathogenesis but did not lower inflammation, while vitamin E was surprisingly ineffective in reducing oxidative damage or amyloid in the aged APPsw mouse. In contrast, the unconventional NSAID/antioxidant curcumin was effective, lowering oxidative damage, cognitive deficits, synaptic marker loss, and amyloid deposition. Curcumin proved to be immunomodulatory, simultaneously inhibiting cytokine and microglial activation indices related to neurotoxicity, but increasing an index of phagocytosis. Curcumin directly targeted Aβ and was also effective in other models, warranting further preclinical and clinical exploration.
Decay at infinity of caloric functions within characteristic hyperplanes

It is shown that a function u satisfying, |�u+@tu| ≤ M (|u| + |∇u|), |u(x, t)| ≤ Me M|x| 2 in R n × (0, T) and |u(x,0)| ≤ Cke k|x| 2 in R n and for all
A Videobandwidth Analog Median Circuit

An analog median circuit has been designed and built in a 2pm CMOS process. The active area is 0.18mm2, and the circuit dissipates 1 ImW from a single 5V supply. The design trade-off between speed and accuracy allows for about lOmV of “corner” errors, while the circuit settles in less than loons, making it suitable for video applications.
Monetary Policy and Price Responsiveness to Aggregate Shocks under Rational Inattention

This paper studies a general equilibrium model that is consistent with recent empirical evidence showing that the U.S. price level and ination are much more responsive to aggregate technology shocks than to monetary policy shocks. Speci cally, we show that the fact that aggregate technology shocks are more volatile than monetary policy shocks induces rms to pay more attention to the former than to the latter. However, most important, this work adds to the literature by analytically showing how monetary policy feedback rules a¤ect the incentives faced by rms in allocating attention. A policy rule responding more actively to ination uctuations induces rms to pay relatively more attention to more volatile shocks, helping to rationalize the observed behavior of prices in response to technology and monetary policy shocks. JEL Codes: E31, E4, C11, C3
A z = 0.9 Supercluster of X-Ray Luminous, Optically Selected, Massive Galaxy Clusters

We report the discovery of a compact supercluster structure at z = 0.9. The structure comprises three optically selected clusters, all of which are detected in X-rays and spectroscopically confirmed to lie at the same redshift. The Chandra X-ray temperatures imply individual masses of ~5 × 1014 M☉. The X-ray masses are consistent with those inferred from optical-X-ray scaling relations established at lower redshift. A strongly lensed z ∼ 4 Lyman break galaxy behind one of the clusters allows a strong-lensing mass to be estimated for this cluster, which is in good agreement with the X-ray measurement. Optical spectroscopy of this cluster gives a dynamical mass in good agreement with the other independent mass estimates. The three components of the RCS 2319+00 supercluster are separated from their nearest neighbor by a mere <3 Mpc in the plane of the sky and likely <10 Mpc along the line of sight, and we interpret this structure as the high-redshift antecedent of massive (~1015 M☉) z ∼ 0.5 clusters such as MS 0451.5–0305.
Classical information capacity of a quantum channel.

We consider the transmission of classical information over a quantum channel. The channel is defined by an ``alphabet'' of quantum states, e.g., certain photon polarizations, together with a specified set of probabilities with which these states must be sent. If the receiver is restricted to making separate measurements on the received ``letter'' states, then the Kholevo theorem implies that the amount of information transmitted per letter cannot be greater than the von Neumann entropy H of the letter ensemble. In fact the actual amount of transmitted information will usually be significantly less than H. We show, however, that if the sender uses a block coding scheme consisting of a choice of code words that respects the a priori probabilities of the letter states, and the receiver distinguishes whole words rather than individual letters, then the information transmitted per letter can be made arbitrarily close to H and never exceeds H. This provides a precise information-theoretic interpretation of von Neumann entropy in quantum mechanics. We apply this result to ``superdense'' coding, and we consider its extension to noisy channels. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Smoking and Colorectal Cancer: Different Effects by Type of Cigarettes?

Although smoking is suggested to be a risk factor for colorectal cancer, the evidence to date is conflicting and may be confounded. Moreover, the effect of tobacco smoke may vary by time since initiation, type of tobacco product, anatomic subsites, and among ethnic groups. Data were derived from two consecutive population-based case-control studies conducted among Caucasians, Japanese, Native Hawaiians, Filipinos, and Chinese in Hawaii, including 1,959 ethnicity-, sex-, and age-matched case-control pairs. A lifetime history of smoking for different tobacco products and information on other risk factors were obtained by in-person interviews. Odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using conditional logistic regression models with adjustment for potential confounders. Subjects who ever smoked were at an increased risk of colorectal cancer compared with never smokers (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 0.99-1.52 for men and OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.01-1.59 for women). Increasing quartiles of pack-years over all tobacco products showed a clear dose-dependent association in men [for the highest quartile, Q4 (>40 pack-years) versus never smokers: OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.12-1.96; Ptrend = 0.002]. The dose-response trend was also present in women [for the highest quartile, Q4 (>30 pack-years) versus never smokers: OR, 1.38; 95% CI, 0.91-1.95; Ptrend = 0.04] and each ethnic group. There was a suggestion of a difference in risk with type of tobacco product. Non-filtered cigarettes increased risk of both colon and rectal cancer [for Q4 versus never smokers: OR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.15-2.21; Ptrend = 0.001 and OR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.18-2.86; Ptrend = 0.02, respectively], whereas filtered cigarettes seemed to increase risk of rectal but not colon cancer (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 0.88-2.13; Ptrend = 0.06 and OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 0.79-1.39; Ptrend = 0.98, respectively). The effect of smoking was not limited to the distant past, and accumulated pack-years of smoking seemed to be more important than the time in which smoking occurred. The data from this large study corroborate previous reports of a positive association between smoking and colorectal cancer and suggest that the association may vary by type of cigarette. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2007;16(7):1341–7)