Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Price of Local Fairness in Multistage Selection

The rise of algorithmic decision making led to active researches on how to define and guarantee fairness, mostly focusing on one-shot decision making. In several important applications such as hiring, however, decisions are made in multiple stage with additional information at each stage. In such cases, fairness issues remain poorly understood. In this paper we study fairness in k-stage selection problems where additional features are observed at every stage. We first introduce two fairness notions, local (per stage) and global (final stage) fairness, that extend the classical fairness notions to the k-stage setting. We propose a simple model based on a probabilistic formulation and show that the locally and globally fair selections that maximize precision can be computed via a linear program. We then define the price of local fairness to measure the loss of precision induced by local constraints; and investigate theoretically and empirically this quantity. In particular, our experiments show that the price of local fairness is generally smaller when the sensitive attribute is observed at the first stage; but globally fair selections are more locally fair when the sensitive attribute is observed at the second stage – hence in both cases it is often possible to have a selection that has a small price of local fairness and is close to locally fair.
Political Efficacy and the Use of Local and National News Media among Undecided Voters in a Swing State: A Study of General Population Voters and First-time College Student Voters

Repository Citation Ha, Louisa; Wang, Fang; Fang, Ling; Yang, Chen; Hu, Xiao; Yang, Liu; Yang, Fang; and Xu, Ying, "Political Efficacy and the Use of Local and National News Media among Undecided Voters in a Swing State: A Study of General Population Voters and First-time College Student Voters" (2012). School of Media and Communication Faculty Publications. 4. https://scholarworks.bgsu. edu/smc_pub/4
Mask Based Unsupervised Content Transfer

We consider the problem of translating, in an unsupervised manner, between two domains where one contains some additional information compared to the other. The proposed method disentangles the common and separate parts of these domains and, through the generation of a mask, focuses the attention of the underlying network to the desired augmentation alone, without wastefully reconstructing the entire target. This enables state-of-the-art quality and variety of content translation, as shown through extensive quantitative and qualitative evaluation. Furthermore, the novel mask-based formulation and regularization is accurate enough to achieve state-of-the-art performance in the realm of weakly supervised segmentation, where only class labels are given. To our knowledge, this is the first report that bridges the problems of domain disentanglement and weakly supervised segmentation. Our code is publicly available at this https URL.
Designing Test Information and Test Information in Design.

DeGroot (1962) developed a general framework for constructing Bayesian measures of the expected information that an experiment will provide for estimation. We propose an analogous framework for measures of information for hypothesis testing. In contrast to estimation information measures that are typically used for surface estimation, test information measures are more useful in experimental design for hypothesis testing and model selection. In particular, we obtain a probability based measure, which has more appealing properties than variance based measures in design contexts where decision problems are of interest. The underlying intuition of our design proposals is straightforward: to distinguish between models we should collect data from regions of the covariate space for which the models differ most. Nicolae et al. (2008) gave an asymptotic equivalence between their test information measures and Fisher information. We extend this result to all test information measures under our framework. Simulation studies and an application in astronomy demonstrate the utility of our approach, and provide comparison to other methods including that of Box and Hill (1967).
Practical and robust $t$-test based inference for synthetic control and related methods

This paper proposes a practical and robust method for making inference on average treatment effects estimated by synthetic control and related methods. We develop a $K$-fold cross-fitting procedure for bias-correction. To avoid the difficult estimation of the long-run variance, inference is based on a self-normalized $t$-statistic, which has an asymptotically pivotal $t$-distribution. Our procedure only requires consistent (in $\ell_2$-norm) estimation of the parameters, which can be verified for synthetic control and many other popular estimators. The proposed method is easy to implement, provably robust against misspecification, more efficient than difference-in-differences, valid with non-stationary data, and demonstrates an excellent small sample performance.
On the recent measurement of 2s-4p transition frequency in hydrogen atom: evidence for importance of nonresonant corrections for description of atomic spectra

We demonstrate that the present superaccurate measurements of transition processes between atomic states in hydrogen atom reached the limit of accuracy when transition frequency can not be defined any more in a unique way. This was predicted earlier and is due to the necessity to include in the description of resonant processes the nonresonant corrections. The experimental spectral line profile becomes asymmetric and it becomes not possible to extract the value of transition frequency from this profile in a unique way. Nonresonant corrections depend on the type of experiment, on the experimental arrangement etc. However, the line profile itself for any resonant process can be defined with any desired level of accuracy. A popular modern search for the atomic frequency standards and atomic clocks is the search for transitions where the nonresonant corrections are negligible. In this paper we present closed expressions for the resonant photon scattering cross sections on an atomic level with dependence on all atomic quantum numbers including fine and hyperfine structure. These expressions are given for different types of experiments with fixation of the initial (final) photon propagation directions and initial (final) photon polarization. Using these expressions we demonstrate that the transition frequencies in particular cases cannot be derived uniquely if the accuracy of measurement reaches the level quoted in {\it Science} 358, 79 (2017). Our interpretation of the results of the this experiment is alternative to the interpretation given by the authors of {\it Science} 358, 79 (2017).
Making Fast Graph-based Algorithms with Graph Metric Embeddings

Graph measures, such as node distances, are inefficient to compute. We explore dense vector representations as an effective way to approximate the same information. We introduce a simple yet efficient and effective approach for learning graph embeddings. Instead of directly operating on the graph structure, our method takes structural measures of pairwise node similarities into account and learns dense node representations reflecting user-defined graph distance measures, such as e.g. the shortest path distance or distance measures that take information beyond the graph structure into account. We demonstrate a speed-up of several orders of magnitude when predicting word similarity by vector operations on our embeddings as opposed to directly computing the respective path-based measures, while outperforming various other graph embeddings on semantic similarity and word sense disambiguation tasks.
Probing the origin of the off-pulse emission from the pulsars B0525+21 and B2045−16

Pulsars typically exhibit radio emission in the form of narrow pulses originated from confined regions of their magnetospheres. A potential presence of magnetospherically originated emission outside this region, the so-called off-pulse emission, would challenge the existing theories. Detection of significant off-pulse emission has been reported so far from only two pulsars: B0525+21 and B2045−16 at 325 and 610 MHz, respectively. However, the nature of this newly uncovered off-pulse emission remains unclear. To probe its origin we conducted very-high-resolution radio observations of B0525+21 and B2045−16 with the European VLBI Network (EVN) at 1.39 GHz. Whereas the pulsed emission is detected at a level consistent with previous observations, we report an absence of any off-pulse emission above 42 and 96 μJy beam−1 (three times the rms noise levels) for B0525+21 and B2045−16, respectively. Our stringent upper limits imply the off-pulse emission to be less than 0.4 and 0.3% of the period-averaged pulsed flux density, i.e., much fainter than the previously suggested values of 1−10%. Since the EVN data are most sensitive to extremely compact angular scales, our results suggest a non-magnetospheric origin for the previously reported off-pulse emission. The presence of extended emission that is resolved out to these milliarcsecond scales still remains plausible. In this case, we constrain the emission to arise from structures with sizes of ∼(0.61−19) × 103 au for B0525+21 and ∼(0.48−8.3) × 103 au for B2045−16. These constraints might indicate that the two pulsars are accompanied by compact bow-shock pulsar wind nebulae. Future observations probing intermediate angular scales (∼0.1−5 arcsec) will help to clarify the actual origin of the off-pulse emission.
Perspective-taking as an organizational capability

This article proposes perspective-taking as an organizational capability to facilitate the knowledge integration that is widely posited as crucial to organizational learning and innovation. Building on psychological research at the individual level, the article examines how perspective-taking might be scaled to an organizational capability that can vary in strength and character. The article discusses how individual-level antecedents can be shaped to produce perspective-taking at the organizational level, and shows how perspective-taking capability might be a useful concept for strategic management by examining how it adds to absorptive capacity and ambidexterity research.
Structure, kinematics, and ages of the young stellar populations in the Orion region

We present a study of the three dimensional structure, kinematics, and age distribution of the Orion OB association, based on the second data release of the Gaia satellite (Gaia DR2). Our goal is to obtain a complete picture of the star formation history of the Orion complex and to relate our findings to theories of sequential and triggered star formation. We selected the Orion population with simple photometric criteria, and we constructed a three dimensional map in galactic Cartesian co-ordinates to study the physical arrangement of the stellar clusters in the Orion region. The map shows structures that extend for roughly 150 pc along the line of sight, divided in multiple sub-clusters. We separated different groups by using the density-based clustering algorithm DBSCAN. We studied the kinematic properties of all the groups found by DBSCAN first by inspecting their proper motion distribution, and then by applying a kinematic modelling code based on an iterative maximum likelihood approach, which we used to derive their mean velocity, velocity dispersion, and isotropic expansion. We derived ages and extinction values for all the groups by using an isochrone fitting procedure. We confirm the presence of an old population (∼15 Myr) towards the 25 Ori region, and we find that groups with ages of 12 − 15 Myr are present also towards the Belt region. We notice the presence of a population of ∼10 Myr also in front of the Orion A molecular cloud. Our findings suggest that star formation in Orion does not follow a simple sequential scenario, but instead consists of multiple events, which caused kinematic and physical sub-structure. To fully explain the detailed sequence of events, specific simulations and further radial velocity data are needed.
Robust Federated Learning in a Heterogeneous Environment

We study a recently proposed large-scale distributed learning paradigm, namely Federated Learning, where the worker machines are end users' own devices. Statistical and computational challenges arise in Federated Learning particularly in the presence of heterogeneous data distribution (i.e., data points on different devices belong to different distributions signifying different clusters) and Byzantine machines (i.e., machines that may behave abnormally, or even exhibit arbitrary and potentially adversarial behavior). To address the aforementioned challenges, first we propose a general statistical model for this problem which takes both the cluster structure of the users and the Byzantine machines into account. Then, leveraging the statistical model, we solve the robust heterogeneous Federated Learning problem \emph{optimally}; in particular our algorithm matches the lower bound on the estimation error in dimension and the number of data points. Furthermore, as a by-product, we prove statistical guarantees for an outlier-robust clustering algorithm, which can be considered as the Lloyd algorithm with robust estimation. Finally, we show via synthetic as well as real data experiments that the estimation error obtained by our proposed algorithm is significantly better than the non-Byzantine-robust algorithms; in particular, we gain at least by 53\% and 33\% for synthetic and real data experiments, respectively, in typical settings.
Approximations of Countably Infinite Linear Programs over Bounded Measure Spaces

We study a class of countably-infinite-dimensional linear programs (CILPs) whose feasible sets are bounded subsets of appropriately defined weighted spaces of measures. We show how to approximate the optimal value, optimal points, and minimal points of these CILPs by solving finite-dimensional linear programs. The errors of our approximations converge to zero as the size of the finite-dimensional program approaches that of the original problem and are easy to bound in practice. We discuss the use of our methods in the computation of the stationary distributions, occupation measures, and exit distributions of Markov~chains.
Petrogenesis of mantle peridotites from the South of Jazmourian, Makran accretionary prism, Iran

Mantle peridotites exposed in south Jazmourian comprise of lherzolite and porphyroclastic Cpx-bearing harzburgite in the lower part with chromitite lenses in the upper parts. Petrography and microprobe studies shows evidence of melt-peridotite interactions; post melting processes and subsolidus interactions, which has been associated with appearance of two generations of deformed primary pyroxene-olivine and fine-grained pyroxene-olivine-amphibole neoblasts. Second generation of minerals formed as inclusion, interstitial and fine-grain. These two groups of minerals have different geochemical characteristics, So that, the first group are comparable with abyssal peridotites and second group are comparable to suprasubduction (SSZ) peridotites. Thus, the chemical compositions of different generations minerals show different petrogenesis for ultramafic rocks in south Jazmourian. Whole rock chemical data indicate south Jazmourian peridotites have a depleted MORB mantle source which undergoing 10-20% partial melting. Thus this peridotites have experienced multistage evolution and show characteristics of the abyssal environment to suprasubduction zone. We are belived that peridotites transition from the abyssal environment to suprasubduction and affected by fluids derived from the subducted slab.
SPHERE view of the jet and the envelope of RY Tauri

Context. Jets are rarely associated with pre-main sequence intermediate-mass stars. This contrasts with the frequent detection of jets in lower mass or younger stars. Optical and near-IR observations of jet-driving sources are often hindered by the presence of a natal envelope. Aims. Jets around partly embedded sources are a useful diagnostic to constrain the geometry of the concealed protoplanetary disk. We intend to clarify how the jet-driving mechanisms are affected by both spatial anisotropies and episodic variations at the (sub-)au scale from the star. Methods. We obtained a rich set of high-contrast VLT/SPHERE observations from 0.6 to 2.2 μm of the young intermediate-mass star RY Tau. Given the proximity to the Sun of this source, our images have the highest spatial resolution ever obtained for an atomic jet (down to ~4 au). Results. Optical observations in polarized light show no sign of the protoplanetary disk detected by ALMA. Instead, we observed a diffuse signal resembling a remnant envelope with an outflow cavity. The jet is detected in the Hα, [S II] at 1.03 μm, He I at 1.08 μm, and [Fe II] lines in the 1.25 μm and 1.64 μm. The jet appears to be wiggling and its radial width increasing with the distance is complementary to the shape of the outflow cavity suggesting a strong interaction with jet and envelope. Through the estimated tangential velocity (~100 km s−1), we revealed a possible connection between the launching time of the jet substructures and the stellar activity of RY Tau. Conclusions. RY Tau is at an intermediate stage toward the dispersal of the natal envelope. This source shows episodic increases of mass accretion and ejection similarly to other known intermediate-mass stars. The amount of observed jet wiggle is consistent with the presence of a precessing disk warp or misaligned inner disk that would be induced by an unseen planetary or sub-stellar companion at sub- or few-au scales respectively. The high disk mass of RY Tau and of two other jet-driving intermediate-mass stars, HD 163296 and MWC480, suggests that massive, full disks are more efficient at launching prominent jets.
Diversity, variation and fairness: Equivalence in national level language assessments

The post-1994 South African constitution proudly affirms the language diversity of the country, as do subsequent laws, while ministerial policies, both at further and higher education level, similarly promote the use of all 11 official languages in education. However, such recognition of diversity presents several challenges to accommodate potential variation. In language education at secondary school, which is nationally assessed, the variety being promoted immediately raises issues of fairness and equivalence. The final high-stakes examination of learners’ ability in home language at the exit level of their pre-tertiary education is currently contentious in South Africa. It is known, for example, that in certain indigenous languages, the exit level assessments barely discriminate among learners with different abilities, while in other languages they do. For that reason, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education, Umalusi, has commissioned several reports to attempt to understand the nature of the problem. This article will deal with a discussion of a fourth attempt by Umalusi to solve the problem. That attempt, undertaken by a consortium of four universities, has already delivered six interim reports to this statutory body, and the article will consider some of their content and methodology. In their reconceptualisation of the problem, the applied linguists involved first sought to identify the theoretical roots of the current curriculum in order to articulate more sharply the construct being assessed. That provides the basis for a theoretical justification of the several solutions being proposed, as well as for the preliminary designs of modifications to current, and the introduction of new assessments. The impact of equivalence of measurement as a design requirement will be specifically discussed, with reference to the empirical analyses of results of a number of pilots of equivalent tests in different languages.
Removal of Natural Organic Matter (NOM), Turbidity, and Color of Surface Water by Integration of Enhanced Coagulation Process and Direct Filtration

This work assesses the efficiency of integrated enhanced coagulation and direct filtration processes for the removal of color, turbidity, and natural organic matter (NOM) from surface water. The processes were conducted in a simulated pilot. The operating conditions of the treatment process, including pH, FeCl3 dose, and influent flow, were investigated. Following that, its efficiency was evaluated by measuring specific water quality parameters in the output stream including NOM, turbidity, and color. The results showed that under optimum conditions (pH, FeCl3 dose, and influent flow of 6.2, 95 L/h, and 40 mg/l, respectively), the color and turbidity were removed 96% and 95% respectively. According to factors analysis by the Taguchi method, the influence of these factors on the removal of pollutants decreased as follows: pH → FeCl3 dose → influent flow. The results revealed that the integrated enhanced coagulation process and direct filtration can improve the efficiency of colors, turbidity, and NOM removal in water treatment plants.
Extension property in the tridisc

Motivated by works on extension sets in standard domains we introduce a notion of the Carath\'eodory set that seems better suited for the methods used in proofs of results on characterization of extension sets. A special stress is put on a class of two dimensional submanifolds in the tridisc which not only turns out to be Carath\'eodory but also provides examples of two dimensional domains for which the celebrated Lempert Theorem holds. Additionally, a recently introduced notion of universal sets for the Carath\'eodory extremal problem is studied and new results on domains admitting (no) finite universal sets are given.
Impulse control disorders in Parkinson s disease Impulsivity and impulse control disorders in Parkinson s disease – A pilot study of assessment instruments in a clinic population

Objectives: to contribute to the awareness of impulse control disorders (ICDs) as a potential problem in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and to investigate possible tools and their utility in assessing this problem within a specialised neurologic policlinic in Norway. Material and methods: The Questionnaire for Impulse-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease (QUIP) and the Barrat Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) was distributed to a convenience sample of patients in the context of routine clinical care for their Parkinson’s disease or as part of the diagnostics of a parkinsonistic disorder. Results: Utility: Practical considerations regarding the completion of the QUIP and the BIS11: First, patients need to be able to read and write. Second, the presence of a close relative or an assistant might be associated with embarrassment and thus underreporting of socially unacceptable behaviours. Third, the time requirement might be a problem. Numbers: Sixteen (39.0%) patients reported an ICD. Two (4.9%) patients reported more than one ICD. There was a significant correlation between reported ICD and the patient’s score on the BIS-11 (linear regression; adjusted r 0,40 and p<0,0001). Conclusions: A substantial portion of Parkinson patients may have an ICD. The assessment of ICDs poses some problems both in clinical practice and in research. The QUIP is a useful tool in the assessment of such disorders, but a general impulsiveness scale as BIS-11 may also function as a screening tool, although both instruments need thorough validation of their Norwegian translations before a potential national implementation is recommended.