Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Topology and convexity in the space of actions modulo weak equivalence

We analyze the structure of the quotient $\text{A}_{{\sim}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ of the space of measure-preserving actions of a countable discrete group by the relation of weak equivalence. This space carries a natural operation of convex combination. We introduce a variant of an abstract construction of Fritz which encapsulates the convex combination operation on $\text{A}_{{\sim}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ . This formalism allows us to define the geometric notion of an extreme point. We also discuss a topology on $\text{A}_{{\sim}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ due to Abért and Elek in which it is Polish and compact, and show that this topology is equivalent to others defined in the literature. We show that the convex structure of $\text{A}_{{\sim}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ is compatible with the topology, and as a consequence deduce that $\text{A}_{{\sim}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ is path connected. Using ideas of Tucker-Drob, we are able to give a complete description of the topological and convex structure of $\text{A}_{{\sim}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ for amenable $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ by identifying it with the simplex of invariant random subgroups. In particular, we conclude that $\text{A}_{{\sim}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ can be represented as a compact convex subset of a Banach space if and only if $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ is amenable. In the case of general $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4}$ we prove a Krein–Milman-type theorem asserting that finite convex combinations of the extreme points of $\text{A}_{{\sim}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ are dense in this space. We also consider the space $\text{A}_{{\sim}_{s}}(\unicode[STIX]{x1D6E4},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ of stable weak equivalence classes and show that it can always be represented as a compact convex subset of a Banach space. In the case of a free group $\mathbb{F}_{N}$ , we show that if one restricts to the compact convex set $\text{FR}_{{\sim}_{s}}(\mathbb{F}_{N},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})\subseteq \text{A}_{{\sim}_{s}}(\mathbb{F}_{N},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ consisting of the stable weak equivalence classes of free actions, then the extreme points are dense in $\text{FR}_{{\sim}_{s}}(\mathbb{F}_{N},X,\unicode[STIX]{x1D707})$ .
Conformal transformation applied to plasmonics beyond the quasistatic limit

A general strategy has been proposed recently to design and study analytically plasmonic devices, such as kissing nanowires, which show unprecedented broadband and nanofocusing properties. These nanostructures result from a conformal transformation applied to infinite plasmonic systems. The conformal transformation tool is powerful since the whole problem is solved in the original frame under the quasistatic approximation. However, this strategy is quite restrictive in perspective of applications since it can only apply to nanostructures of a few tens of nanometers typically 20 nm. In this study, we extend the range of validity of this approach by taking into account radiation damping. The radiative losses are shown to map directly onto the power dissipated by a fictive absorbing particle in the original frame. Whereas only the surface plasmon mode was considered in previous studies, here lossy surface waves are also taken into account. Their counterpart in the transformed frame is shown to contribute predominantly to the radiative losses. The radiative reaction is then taken into account to predict the optical response of the nanostructure beyond the quasistatic limit. Radiative losses are shown to limit the light harvesting process but improve its broadband feature. The field enhancement induced by the nanostructure decreases with the structure dimension but remains significant 10 3 over a major part of the near-infrared and visible spectra. Our analytical model is compared to numerical simulations and a quantitative agreement is found for dimension up to 200 nm.
The influence of geographical concentration and structural characteristics on the survival chance of textile firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the contribution of location (geographical concentration) and firm structure (age and subsector) to the risk of business failure.Design/methodology/approach – The Markov's regression analysis was made for a sample of over 11,700 Spanish textile‐clothing firms.Findings – The results obtained from the analysis suggest that the risk of business failure is increased by some risk factors relative to the structural characteristics of the firms (younger firms and specialization in low‐tech activities), and under determined locational circumstances.Research limitations/implications – Our conclusions have been obtained starting from a sample of manufacturing firms in the Spanish textile sector. An extension of this work would be to test its robustness in other countries (for example, Italy or Portugal) and/or for other industries such as footwear and furniture.Practical implications – Explaining the different levels of risk business failure shown by firms in an in.
Tropical Atlantic climate response to low‐latitude and extratropical sea‐surface temperature: A Little Ice Age perspective

Proxy reconstructions and model simulations suggest that steeper interhemispheric sea surface temperature (SST) gradients lead to southerly Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) migrations during periods of North Atlantic cooling, the most recent of which was the Little Ice Age (LIA; ∼100–450 yBP). Evidence suggesting low‐latitude Atlantic cooling during the LIA was relatively small (<1°C) raises the possibility that the ITCZ may have responded to a hemispheric SST gradient originating in the extratropics. We use an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM) to investigate the relative influence of low‐latitude and extratropical SSTs on the meridional position of the ITCZ. Our results suggest that the ITCZ responds primarily to local, low‐latitude SST anomalies and that small cool anomalies (<0.5°C) can reproduce the LIA precipitation pattern suggested by paleoclimate proxies. Conversely, even large extratropical cooling does not significantly impact low‐latitude hydrology in the absence of ocean‐atmosphere interaction.
Environmental drivers of growth and predicted effects of climate change on a commercially important fish, Platycephalus laevigatus

Human-driven climate change and habitat modification are negatively impacting coastal ecosystems and the species that reside within them. Uncovering how individuals of key species respond to environmental influences is crucial for effective and responsive coastal resource and fisheries management. Here, using an otolith based analysis, we recreated the growth history of rock flathead Platycephalus laevigatus from Corner Inlet, Victoria, Australia, over a 32 yr timeframe and related growth variation to changes in key environmental variables. Growth increased with higher temperatures during the fish growing season (December−May) and also increased with higher freshwater flow during the period important for seagrass growth (July− February). We hypothesise that fish are responding to enhanced productivity in the seagrass food web, driven by increased nutrient input from freshwater flows. Fish also appear to be responding to higher temperatures via a direct physiological pathway. We then predicted fish growth under 3 plausible climate change scenarios. Growth is predicted to increase across all our projections, because any predicted decrease in river flow will likely be offset by rapid predicted increases in temperature. Our results highlight the value of understanding the drivers of long-term growth variation in harvested fishes as this allows for the prediction of future productivity under a range of environmental and management scenarios.
Log files as a tool for improving Internet dictionaries

In their advertisements, dictionary publishers often praise their dictionaries for taking into account the exact needs of the users. Until the beginning of the 1980s, however, no theoretical contributions on dictionary use were available, neither in the form of purely theoretical considerations nor in the form of empirical research. Since then, the situation has changed completely. Such a large number of user surveys have been carried out that it is no longer possible to give a complete overview. Nevertheless, this has led to no signiﬁcant improvement of the situation as the majority of these surveys are not related to concrete examples of dictionary use. The surveys, which have always been concerned with printed dictionaries, have therefore not contributed to substantial improvements of dictionary conception. In the case of internet dictionaries, on the other hand, technical possibilities enable lexicographers to monitor user behaviour in a different and much more precise way. Analyses of log ﬁles reveal exactly which lemmas and which types of information have been requested, and, perhaps more signiﬁcantly, which lemmas and which types of information have been requested but were not found in the dictionary. Furthermore, log ﬁles allow lexicographers to see the types of information which have not, or not yet, been searched for. All in all, log ﬁles may thus be used as a tool for improving internet dictionaries – and perhaps also printed dictionaries – quite considerably.
Chemicapacitors as a versatile platform for miniature gas and vapor sensors

Recent years have seen the rapid growth in the need for sensors throughout all areas of society including environmental sensing, health-care, public safety and manufacturing quality control. To meet this diverse need, sensors have to evolve from specialized and bespoke systems to miniaturized, low-power, low-cost (almost disposable) ubiquitous platforms. A technology that has been developed which gives a route to meet these challenges is the chemicapacitor sensor. To date the commercialization of these sensors has largely been restricted to humidity sensing, but in this review we examine the progress over recent years to expand this sensing technology to a wide range of gases and vapors. From sensors interrogated with laboratory instrumentation, chemicapacitor sensors have evolved into miniaturized units integrated with low power readout electronics that can selectively detect target molecules to ppm and sub-ppm levels within vapor mixtures.
Maize core collection for increased grain quality

Formation of the maize (Zea mays L) core collection for increased macronutrient content is presented. Among 3,443 populations from Maize Research Institute (MRI), Zemun Polje (ZP), a total of 352 accessions (around 10.2%) were chosen for the core collection. The criteria were increased protein, oil and/or starch content in the kernel of the accessions, as well as good combining ability (CA) that was tested with two Lancaster and one each BSSS and Iodent testers. Average values for protein, oil and starch content for the whole collection were 11.5%, 4.2% and 68.9%, respectively. On the other hand, averages for the core collection were 13.6% for proteins, 7.7% for oil and 74.1% for starch, and they were significantly higher than for the whole collection (p<0.001). Small negative, but highly significant correlations were found for protein content and latitude (-0.119; p<0.01), as well as for starch content and altitude (-0.090; p<0.01) of the collection sites for Western Balkan landraces. Positive small significant correlations were obtained for oil and altitude (0.069; p<0.05) and starch and latitude of (0.077; p<0.05) collection site, while medium highly significant positive correlation was found for protein content and altitude of collection site (0.237; p<0.01). Eighteen populations with increased protein and/or oil content and with good universal com- bining ability (with Lancaster, BSSS, and Iodent testers) were chosen to form the mini-core collection for grain quality, and they are planned for further detailed biochemical, phenotypic and genetic characterisation.
Culture, participative decision making and job satisfaction

This study explores the impact of culture on participatory decision making (PDM) and job satisfaction (JS) using data obtained from the European Values Study (EVS). We parameterise two different cultural variables using principal components analysis: first a continuum based on survival versus self-expression values and second a continuum based on traditional versus secular-rational values. Application of ordered logistic regression to Likert scales of PDM and JS suggests that greater self-expression in the survival versus self-expression variable enhances both PDM and JS; and more traditional values in the traditional versus secular-rational continuum have the same effect.
An Experimental Study on the Adsorption and Desorption of Cu(II) in Silty Clay

Heavy metals such as Cu(II) are widespread in the environment, and the impact of heavy metals on the environment of soils depends on the ability of soils to immobilize these pollutants. It is necessary to investigate the mechanism of interaction between heavy metal and soil from a soil remediation perspective. In this study, a series of experiments were conducted to investigate the adsorption and desorption behavior of Cu(II) in silty clay. Several impact factors such as pH, organic matter, temperature, and coexisted ions Zn(II) were considered. It was found that the adsorption process reached equilibrium after 4 hours of the experiment, and the data can be fitted well by the Elovich model and the double-constant model for the kinetic sorption process. The isothermal adsorption results showed that the adsorption rate reached a peak value when the initial concentration was about 20 mg L−1. The decrease of H+ can increase the adsorption activity of Cu(II) and reduce the ability of the desorption of Cu(II) ions. The adsorption capacity of Cu(II) is less than the desorption capacity under the condition of strong acidity and low concentration of Cu(II). In addition, the adsorption capacity of the native soil on Cu(II) was larger than that of the soil with the removal of organic matter, while the opposite was true for the desorption capacity on Cu(II). The maximum adsorption of Cu(II) occurred at 35°C for this study, and the binding energy increased as the temperature increased. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption process of Cu(II) was spontaneous and endothermic. The Freundlich, Langmuir, Temkin, and Henry adsorption models were used for analyzing the adsorption isotherm of Cu(II), and it was found that the Freundlich model agreed the best with the experimental data compared with other three models. The results of the competitive adsorption experiments indicated that the competitive capacity of Cu(II) was greater than that of Zn(II) in low-permeability media such as silty clay, and the existence of binary metals can weaken the adsorption force between the single metal and the soil surface.
Technological Catch-Up and Indigenous Institutional Infrastructures in Latecomer Natural Resource-Related Industries: An Exploration of the Role of EMBRAPA in Brazil's Soybean and Forestry-Based Pulp and Paper Industries

This article reports the results of an exploratory study on the role of indigenous institutional infrastructures in the accumulation of world-leading innovative capabilities (technological catch-up) in natural resource-related industries in the context of developing/emerging economies. These issues are examined from the perspective of the Brazilian Corporation for Agricultural Research (EMBRAPA) and Brazil’s soybeans and forestry-based pulp and paper industries. This article suggests that: (1) EMBRAPA has been providing, in different ways, an effective contribution to technological catch-up and international competitiveness of these two industries over the past decades; (2) One important aspect of EMBRAPA’s effectiveness has been its research orientation to specific local needs and demands; (3) However, the innovative process led by EMBRAPA is far from linear but based on systemic interactions with diverse components of the indigenous institutional infrastructure and industry partners; (4) In the case of the soybeans industry, there is a growing need for EMBRAPA to work on the basis of networked partnerships, especially with subsidiaries of multinational enterprises (MNEs); (5) Innovative activities that have been generating significant impact on productivity growth do not necessarily reflect only RD (6) Finally, the article challenges negative and pessimistic views on the contribution of natural resource-related industries to industrial development by demonstrating some benefits that can be achieved from efforts on consistent innovative activities in these industries. The emulation of Brazil’s experience with innovation and competitiveness in the soybeans and forestry-based industries by African developing/emerging economies will depend on the manner in which they will develop their industry-level technological capabilities with systemic institutional infrastructures.
Examining User Comments for Deliberative Democracy: A Corpus-driven Analysis of the Climate Change Debate Online

The public perception of climate change is characterized by heterogeneity, even polarization. Deliberative discussion is regarded by some as key to overcoming polarization and engaging various publics with the complex issue of climate change. In this context, online engagement with news stories is seen as a space for a new “deliberative democratic potential” to emerge. This article examines aspects of deliberation in user comment threads in response to articles on climate change taken from the Guardian. “Deliberation” is understood through the concepts “reciprocity”, “topicality”, and “argumentation”. We demonstrate how corpus analysis can be used to examine the ways in which online debates around climate change may create or deny opportunities for multiple voices and deliberation. Results show that whilst some aspects of online discourse discourage alternative viewpoints and demonstrate “incivility”, user comments also show potential for engaging in dialog, and for high levels of interaction.
The Determinants of European Coco Spreads

Contingent Convertible (Coco) bonds are hybrid capital securities that absorb losses when the capital of the issuing bank falls below a certain level. Previous research has mainly been focusing on the pricing of such instruments and this paper contributes to the field by empirically examining the determinants of Coco bond spreads for European banks. By examining different samples, this study will search for differences between Cocos with different characteristics such as rating and regulatory capital designation. The sample covers a set of 71 currently traded Cocos issued by listed European banks, accounting for over 30,000 panel observations. Firm specific credit risk variables, initially identified by Merton (1974), are found to explain the largest part of the variations in Coco spreads. Individual bond liquidity and market wide variables are shown to complement the Merton variables in explaining Coco spread movements.
Classification of ulcer images using convolutional neural networks

The use of artificial intelligence has increased within a variety of different fields the last decade, including the area of health care. Machine learning algorithms have already been successfully used in e.g. skin cancer detection in images, indicating its potential for being applied to wound treatment by automatically classifying wound images. In addition to reducing patient discomfort, a machine learning based solution for wound image classification could lower the costs for treatment of wounds. Today, this cost corresponds to the third biggest health care cost for Västra Götalandsregionen, the health care sector in Västra Götaland. This master thesis is a collaboration between the electronics and software development company QRTECH and Västra Götalandsregionen with the aim of creating an image-based aid to be used in the diagnosis of venous leg ulcers. A total of 300 manually annotated images depicting various ulcers for training a network have been provided by Alexandra Forssgren, specialist in dermatology and head of the dermatology department at Skaraborg Hospital. A deep learning based algorithm, using a pre-trained version of the VGG19 convolutional neural network, has been implemented to perform automated binary classification in order to separate venous leg ulcers from other ulcers. Since the annotated ulcer data set was limited, transfer learning was used by pre-training on ImageNet as well as on a set of dermoscopic skin images. The network was implemented in Python using the deep learning library Keras with TensorFlow as backend. To improve performance and reduce overfitting, methods such as dropout, L1/L2 regularisation and data augmentation were applied. Augmentation included rotation, flipping, contrast enhancement as well as added noise and modified brightness. The best set-up was selected based on the performance metrics accuracy, precision and recall. For the test set, the final network reached an accuracy, precision and recall of approximately 85 %, 82 % and 75 %, respectively. Most certainly, the limited size of the data set affected the results negatively and a larger data set would increase the variety of the training examples, possibly leading to better performance. However, the performance metrics are still promising considering the small data set which proves the potential of a machine learning based solution for ulcer image classification.
On the accuracy of one-point and two-point statistics measured via high-speed PIV

Spatial and temporal velocity gradients as well as one-point and two-point statistical quantities like space-time correlations are of great interest for many fields of research in fluid dynamics in general. The here presented study is motivated by an approach to investigate and contribute to the understanding of aeroacoustic theory, where the knowledge of such quantities is needed. Flow measurements via high-speed particle image velocimetry (PIV) provide a non intrusive method to obtain temporal and spatial resolved velocity fields and Wernet already calculated two-point statistics from high-speed PIV data. One goal of the here presented study is to investigate the accuracy of the described quantities determined via the PIV technique while a special attention is turned on the influence of the interrogation window size for the PIV analysis. High speed PIV measurements with a sample frequency of 20 kHz are conducted in order to characterize the temporal and spatial response of such a system. The limits and drawbacks associated with the PIV measurement technique regarding one-point and two-point statistical quantities like the space-time correlations of the obtained velocity time series are investigated. Hot wire measurements are performed for comparison. As a test case, the near wake behind a cylinder at a Reynolds number of Re = 10; 000 is chosen for the here presented study. The spatial filter effect which is inherent in the PIV method due to the averaging over the interrogation window was experimentally investigated by Foucaut et al. . They considered the wave-number spectrum of a turbulent flow and evaluated how the spectrum depends on the size of the interrogation window. Previous studies have shown that the measurement noise, which is part of the PIV-process chain, can be formally split in two parts. The first part is assumed to consist of random fluctuations which are uniformly distributed in space and simply added to the actual flow field. These fluctuations appear as white noise in the wave-number spectrum and are attenuated by the PIV averaging like the fluctuations in the flow field. The second part of the noise is assumed to be additional white noise which is not affected by the spatial filter.