Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Cross-modal Graph Matching Network for Image-text Retrieval

Image-text retrieval is a fundamental cross-modal task whose main idea is to learn image-text matching. Generally, according to whether there exist interactions during the retrieval process, existing image-text retrieval methods can be classified into independent representation matching methods and cross-interaction matching methods. The independent representation matching methods generate the embeddings of images and sentences independently and thus are convenient for retrieval with hand-crafted matching measures (e.g., cosine or Euclidean distance). As to the cross-interaction matching methods, they achieve improvement by introducing the interaction-based networks for inter-relation reasoning, yet suffer the low retrieval efficiency. This article aims to develop a method that takes the advantages of cross-modal inter-relation reasoning of cross-interaction methods while being as efficient as the independent methods. To this end, we propose a graph-based Cross-modal Graph Matching Network (CGMN), which explores both intra- and inter-relations without introducing network interaction. In CGMN, graphs are used for both visual and textual representation to achieve intra-relation reasoning across regions and words, respectively. Furthermore, we propose a novel graph node matching loss to learn fine-grained cross-modal correspondence and to achieve inter-relation reasoning. Experiments on benchmark datasets MS-COCO, Flickr8K, and Flickr30K show that CGMN outperforms state-of-the-art methods in image retrieval. Moreover, CGMM is much more efficient than state-of-the-art methods using interactive matching. The code is available at https://github.com/cyh-sj/CGMN.
Comparison of electro-optical, spectral, and spatial beam parameters of 785 nm DBR tapered lasers with different grating lengths

In this contribution, the properties of 4 mm long DBR-tapered lasers with different DBR grating lengths and different ridge waveguide lengths will be investigated. For the different device designs, the influence of the ridge waveguide current on the spectral and spatial parameters will be presented. The vertical layer structure of the devices is based on a GaAsP single quantum well in a large optical cavity. Three different grating lengths, i.e., 500 μm, 750 μm, and 1 mm, were manufactured using e-beam lithography. For the first two gratings, the tapered section has a length of 2.5 mm, for the latter 2.0 mm. All devices have a full tapered angle of 6°. The devices having the longer tapered sections reach output powers up to 7 W with a narrow spectral width. Increasing the ridge waveguide current increases the optical output power up to a saturation level. At saturation level, although the output remains approximately stable, differences in the spectral behavior and the beam quality occur. The dependence of spectral properties and beam parameters on the ridge waveguide current will be discussed. A correlation between spectral properties and lateral beam profile measured at beam waist position can be supposed. The measured emission width amounts to 19 pm, which is limited by the resolution of the used spectrometer. In best cases, at an output power of 5 W the lateral beam propagation ratio is below 3.5 (1/e2) and 8.4 (2nd moments). These lasers are well-suited as pump lasers for Tm:YAG lasers and as excitation light sources in Raman spectroscopic experiments with large excitation areas.
Off to a Good Start: Dynamic Contribution Patterns and Technical Success in an OSS Newcomer’s Early Career

Attracting and retaining newcomers are critical aspects for OSS projects, as such projects rely on newcomers’ sustainable contributions. Considerable effort has been made to help newcomers by identifying and overcoming the barriers during the onboarding process. However, most newcomers eventually fail and drop out of their projects even after successful onboarding. Meanwhile, it has been long known that individuals’ early career stages profoundly impact their long-term career success. However, newcomers’ early careers are less investigated in SE research. In this paper, we sought to develop an empirical understanding of the relationships between newcomers’ dynamic contribution patterns in their early careers and their technical success. To achieve this goal, we compiled a dataset of newcomers’ contribution data from 54 large OSS projects under three different ecosystems and analyzed it with time series analysis and other statistical analysis techniques. Our analyses yield rich findings. The correlations between several contribution patterns and technical success were identified. In general, being consistent and persistent in newcomers’ early careers is positively associated with their technical success. While these correlations generally hold in all three ecosystems, we observed some differences in detailed contribution patterns correlated with technical success across ecosystems. In addition, we performed a case study to investigate whether another type of contributions, i.e., documentation contribution, could potentially have positive correlations with newcomers’ technical success. We discussed the implications and summarized practical recommendations to OSS newcomers. The insights gained from this work demonstrated the necessity of extending the focus of research and practice to newcomers’ early careers and hence shed light on future research in this direction.
An Experimental Study on the Effect of Temperature on the Shear Strength Behavior of a Silty Clay Soil

In this paper, we report on the results of an experimental study of the yielding and shear strength behavior of a normally consolidated silty clay soil from eastern Germany. The shear strength tests were performed on remolded forms of the soil using a triaxial cell which can regulate the temperature of the specimen. The experimental program comprised a series of pressure stepping compression consolidated drained (CD) triaxial tests at temperatures of 20, 40 and 60 °C. Overall, although the volume change behavior of the soil was found to exhibit some variations with changes in temperature, possibly due to changes in the double layer thickness of the clay fraction of the soil upon heating, the shear strength behavior (in terms of effective angle of internal friction) of the silty clay soil was found to exhibit minor changes with variations in temperature and can be assumed to be independent of temperature for the range considered in this study.
Ablation behavior of electrode materials during high power and high repetition rate laser structuring

Laser structuring is introduced to homogenize the wetting of electrodes with liquid electrolyte, to avoid or significantly shorten the process time of warm ageing, and to reduce the lithium-ion diffusion overpotential that occurs during highperformance operation or when thick-film electrodes are applied. For the integration of the laser structuring process into the cell production line, the process speed must be adapted to the electrode coating speed. Various strategies, including increasing the repetition rate and laser power, beam shaping, where the Gaussian beam is formed into a rectangular intensity profile (1D top-hat), and multibeam processing by beam splitting, are pursued here. In the presented study, a laser system providing an average pulse duration of 600 fs, repetition rates in the MHz range, and a maximum power of 300 W, was applied. The ablation results are compared to those of a ps laser system that operates at lower repetition rates. The ablation depth and width as well as the appearance of the structures depending on the applied maximum energy density, repetition rate, and structuring speed, were evaluated, while the pulse overlap was kept constant. It was shown that the use of very high repetition rates leads to a decrease in ablation depth as well as a widening of the manufactured grooves, as the developing of material vapor plasma and ejected particles modify the absorption of subsequent laser pulses. A maximal scanning speed of 1.7 m/s could be achieved for the laser structuring applying a Gaussian beam.
COVID-19 and Corporate Cash Holdings in Indonesia

The COVID-19 outbreak highly affected the continuity of public firms. Cash holding decisions are one of the captivating issues in the corporate finance area during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examines the difference in cash holding levels before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. Public firms included in the LQ45 index are examined. By employing a paired-samples t-test, the results show a significant difference in cash holding level before and after the COVID-19 pandemic exists. This result supports the precautionary motive for saving cash amid the COVID-19. This study implies that the managers should increase the cash holding level during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Evidence of Risk Factors Associated with Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease in Newly Diagnosed Adult Hypertensive Patients in NAUTH Nnewi, Nigeria

Aims & objectives: Due to other chronic diseases that are associated with hypertension and kidney disease, little or no attention has been paid to the existence of polycystic kidney disease in Nigeria. The present study aimed at assessing the prevalence of some risk factors of ADPKD among hypertensive adult patients in NAUTH, Nnewi, Anambra State, Nigeria Study design: A cross-sectional and prospective study Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Medical out-patient, cardiology and nephrology units of NAUTH Nnewi between February and June, 2019. Methodology: A total of 160(80 newly diagnosed hypertensive and 80 normotensive subjects) aged between 25-75 years were randomly selected. Estimation of serum electrolytes, urea, creatinine, total calcium, eGFR and total protein, BMI and waist-hip ratio of the subjects were taken were done using standard laboratory methods. Results: 12.5% of the hypertensive subjects have undergone dialysis, 7.5% had kidney transplant, 13.8% had hematuria, 20% had proteinuria, 27.5% had recurrent kidney infection, 15% had kidney stone, 43.8% experienced abdominal/side pain, 20% have had abdominal hernias and 46.3% had elevated urea/creatinine. Mean values of age, BMI and WHR were significantly higher in hypertensive than control subjects (p =.05). Similarly, serum creatinine, urea, sodium and chloride were significantly higher with lower eGFR in hypertensive when compared with control group (p =.05). eGFR in female was significantly lower compared with male hypertensive (p = .05). The mean SBP and DBP were significantly higher in hypertensive compared with control group (p = .05). Conclusion: 30% of the hypertensive subjects had multiple signs and symptoms of ADPKD, suggesting evidence of high prevalence of ADPKD in the hypertensive patients. Routine screening of family members with hypertension and symptomatic cases of hypertension using ultrasound imaging is strongly recommended for confirmation of presence PKD.
Magmatism at Passive Margins: Effects of Depth‐Dependent Wide Rifting and Lithospheric Counterflow

Rifted passive margins exhibit a large variety in the timing, distribution, and amount of magmatism. The factors controlling magmatism during rifted margin formation, remain, however, incompletely understood, partly owing to the complex rifting styles. In this study, we use 2‐Dimensional numerical models to investigate the effects of depth‐dependent wide rifting and lithospheric counterflow on magmatism during rifted margin formation. Results show that a strong crust promotes narrow margins with a sharp transition to normal thickness oceanic crust whereas a weak crust promotes depth‐dependent wide rifting, with preferential removal of mantle lithosphere, leading to formation of wide margins with over‐thickened (>18 km) igneous crust in the distal margin. Counterflow of depleted lithospheric mantle, in contrast, may delay syn‐rift magmatism, and result in exhumed a‐magmatic continental mantle at narrow margins. The combination of wide rifting and lithospheric counterflow results in magma‐poor wide margins, with in some cases a transition to excess magmatic activity at breakup. Our models provide an explanation for the contrasting magmatic productivity at narrow and wide rifted margins, such as observed in the Lofoten‐Vesterålen, Newfoundland, Kwanza Basin, and Orange Basin margins.
Dual Banking System Stability Index in the Shadow of COVID-19 Pandemic

The financial system is categorized as stable if there is no excessive volatility from financial pressures or crises. The IMF indicates that the crisis is not only related to one element but more than two or three elements of the crisis. The banking system's stability is measured by the banking stability index, gauging the effectiveness of monetary policy and financial risk. This study aims to measure the stability of the Indonesian banking system in the dual banking system model. The indicator to measure banking stability used the Z-score statistic based on fluctuations of Return on Assets for each type of bank. The Markov Switching Vector Autoregressive (MSVAR) model method was used to analyze the volatility of banking stability. Independent variables used included credit risk (NPL), Loan to Deposit Ratio, Liquidity Risk, Net Interest Margin, Capital Adequacy Ratio, Money Market Rate, Inflation, Gross Domestic Product, Federal Reserve rate, and Exchange Rate. The results of the regime switch analysis concluded that Indonesia's banking stability experienced a structural break due to the effects of the pandemic in April 2020. Based on the average Z-score value, the Islamic banking stability index was higher than conventional banking. In other words, Islamic banking was more stable than the conventional banking system. The Islamic banking stability index (iZscore) was significantly influenced by the level of Net Operating Margin, Financing to deposit ratio, Potential Loss Profit Sharing, Islamic Money Market Rate, and Exchange Rate. However, non-performing financing did not affect Islamic banking stability since the profit-sharing system implemented by Islamic banking stability was more influenced by the ratio of potential loss and profit-sharing system.
A Workflow Architecture for Cloud-based Distributed Simulation

Distributed Simulation has still to be adopted significantly by the wider simulation community. Reasons for this might be that distributed simulation applications are difficult to develop and access to multiple computing resources are required. Cloud computing offers low-cost on-demand computing resources. Developing applications that can use cloud computing can be also complex, particularly those that can run on different clouds. Cloud-based Distributed Simulation (CBDS) is potentially attractive, as it may solve the computing resources issue as well as other cloud benefits, such as convenient network access. However, as possibly shown by the lack of sustainable approaches in the literature, the combination of cloud and distributed simulation may be far too complex to develop a general approach. E-Infrastructures have emerged as large-scale distributed systems that support high-performance computing in various scientific fields. Workflow Management Systems (WMS) have been created to simplify the use of these e-Infrastructures. There are many examples of where both technologies have been extended to use cloud computing. This article therefore presents our investigation into the potential of using these technologies for CBDS in the above context and the WORkflow architecture for cLoud-based Distributed Simulation (WORLDS), our contribution to CBDS. We present an implementation of WORLDS using the CloudSME Simulation Platform that combines the WS-PGRADE/gUSE WMS with the CloudBroker Platform as a Service. The approach is demonstrated with a case study using an agent-based distributed simulation of an Emergency Medical Service in REPAST and the Portico HLA RTI on the Amazon EC2 cloud.
An integrated entangled photons source for mid-infrared ghost spectroscopy

In this work, we investigate the application of intermodal spontaneous four wave mixing (SFWM) to ghost spectroscopy in the mid-infrared (MIR) spectral region. This technique is of great interest for MIR sensing, being able to overcome the limitations faced by MIR detectors in terms of background noise and dark counts. Through intermodal SFWM in a Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) waveguide, two temporally correlated photons are generated: using a standard C-band pump, the idler photon is in the near-infrared (NIR) and the signal photon is in the MIR. The integrated source, with a coincidence to accidental ratio (CAR) of 114 ± 4, is used to demonstrate that, in situations of environmental noise, ghost spectroscopy yields advantages with respect to the traditional absorption spectroscopy. The time-energy entanglement of the photon pairs is used to enhance the visibility of the measurement against noisy background conditions and to increase the spectral resolution in the MIR by spectral filtering the NIR photons. Modeling and experimental data support these improvements.
Functional Deficits in Juveniles Evaluated for Adjudicative Competence

Evaluations of juvenile adjudicative competence (AC) are frequently ordered, yet significant gaps remain in the field’s understanding of referred youth. Using a sample of 277 court-ordered evaluations of juvenile AC, this study provides further support for the relationship of age and intelligence with competence, but other factors remain inconsistent. In the current study, developmental immaturity was associated with competence. Youth showed highest rates of deficits in the functional capacities of rational appreciation, ability to assist counsel, and decision-making. Within factual understanding, the highest rates of deficits were seen for the understanding of charges, plea bargains, the trial purpose, and juvenile justice commitment. This study provides the first empirical estimate of the proportion of youth (9%–30%) who demonstrate factual, but not rational understanding, and highlights areas that may be underreported in reports to the court. Implications for evaluations and research are described, including a focus on mental health symptoms and rational appreciation.
Adaptation Process of the Mathematic Self-Efficacy Survey (MSES) Scale to Mexican-Spanish Language

Trained professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are needed for a robust, science-based economy that incorporates various technologies’ design, construction, and commercialization to address societal problems. However, keeping students interested in STEM subjects and achieving optimal performance is a challenging task. Math self-efficacy has shown to be one of the most important factors affecting students’ interest in STEM majors and assessing this factor has been a great challenge for education researchers around the world due to the lack of calibrated and culturally adapted instruments. Observing this need, this seminal study conducted psychometric validation tests and cultural adaptations to the Mathematic Self-Efficacy Survey (MSES) aiming to measure this instrument in Spanish-speaking students in different STEM areas in Mexico. Data collected from 877 students were tested for validity using sequential exploratory factor analyses, and contextual modifications were performed and analyzed aiming to achieve cultural equivalency. Suggestions for continuing the adaptation and validation process of the MSES to Spanish language and STEM students’ context are presented with the results of the exploratory factor analyses.
Type 2 diabetes mellitus and its effect on quality of life in adolescents: A retrospective cohort study in Saudi Arabia

Introduction Quality of life (QoL) in adolescent patients suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has not been thoroughly explored in Saudi Arabia. Herein, we aimed to measure the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in adolescent patients suffering from T2DM and explore the correlation between adolescents' self- and parent-reporting of QoL scores, and glycaemic control (HbA1c). Material and methods A retrospective multi-centre cohort study was conducted at 4 hospitals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The Paediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQLTM) Diabetes Module 3.0 was completed by children and their parents in a confidential and anonyms manner through a phone interview. Results We recruited 49 paediatric patients for this study (mean age: 18.45 years; male: 55%). Both children and parents reported low cumulative mean scores for PedsQL™ (58.65 and 57.38, respectively) as compared to previous international studies. The lowest obtained score was noted for the diabetes symptoms domain (53.4). Comparing the magnitude of discrepancy between the adolescents’ and parents' subscale scores revealed a non-significant difference, except for the ‘worry’ subscale, in which parents reported significantly higher mean scores (76.73 vs. 60.54, p = 0.02). Comparison of mean scores reported by adolescents who met the target HbA1c goal (<7%) and their counterparts revealed a non-significant difference, suggesting an irrelevant impact of this parameter on their perspectives or experiences. Conclusions The study findings emphasized the need to initiate further intensive awareness programs concerning this disease and its clinical implications in T2DM children to improve treatment adherence and symptoms, and consequently improve the perception of the patient and the family for HRQoL.
Clinicopathologic Predictors of Pathologic Complete Response after Neoadjuvant Systemic Therapy and Impact on Surgical Management

Neoadjuvant systemic therapy previously given for inoperable breast cancer is increasingly being administered in early breast cancer especially in triple negative and HER2 positive molecular subtypes. It is associated with an increased rate of complete pathologic response (PCR) which is a surrogate marker for good survival outcomes and has role in de escalation of surgical management. We conduct this study to identify clinical and pathologic factors and systemic treatment regimens that predict PCR among Pakistan’s breast cancer patients and its impact on surgical management. Materials and Methods: Patients with clinical stage I-III who received Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NST) and underwent surgical intervention at Liaquat national hospital were included. The clinicopathologic factors included age, menopausal status, clinical tumor size, nodal status, stage, pathologic type, grade, molecular subtype, PR status, pathologic response, and treatment in terms of systemic therapy. The surgery underwent and pathologic stage(ypTN) were recorded. The association between these factors and PCR was analyzed with the chi-square test. Univariate analysis was performed to evaluate the influence of clinicopathologic factors on PCR. Results: PCR was achieved in 174(19.6%) out of the 889 patients. There was a significant association (P-value <0.001) with molecular subtype as follows PCR percentage for HER 2 enriched-39% and luminal B HER 2 positive-31%, triple negative-25% ,Luminal A-6.5% and Luminal B-9.6%, progesterone receptors negative tumors (PCR-26.9%) and chemotherapy regime-Anthracycline and taxane PCR-28%. The predictive value of the three factors remains significant on univariate analysis. The breast conservative surgery rate was 34%, sentinel node biopsy was 60% and axillary PCR is seen in 20% of the patients (cN+ 60% to ypN+ 40%). Conclusion: NST has a good overall impact in terms of achieving PCR and downsizing for breast-conserving surgery with better cosmetic outcome and de-escalation of axillary surgery. The positive predictive factors include molecular subtype, Her2 positive tumors being the most sensitive, progesterone receptor-negative tumors, and anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy.