Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Software Platform for Online Exam Administration

This paper describes eTAP (electronic Test Administration Platform), an innovative software system that is designed to facilitate the administration of Web-based tests and exams. The purpose of the paper is to share the success of the approach, and to promote its further development and use in the e-learning milieu. The eTAP system has been developed by the author for use in his own multi-section, Web-based course in response to his perceived needs in this setting. The software addresses issues of monitoring and attendance, academic honesty (e-cheating), and activity logging in the electronic testing environment. The testing platform provided by eTAP uses a software sandbox approach to exam integrity. That is, once the program is started, the user is limited to specific sanctioned computer functionality and is restricted to a well-defined, relevant region of the Web.
Semi-Supervised Learning for Training CNNs with Few Data

Courant Intitute of Mathematical Sciences Center for Data Science, NYU Semi-Supervised Learning for Training CNNs with Few Data by Víctor Garcia Satorras Although Deep Learning has successfully been applied to many fields, it relies on large amounts of data. In this work we focus on two different research lines within the context of image classification that try to deal with this problem. a) The first part of the project is focused on Active Learning (AL), which is an extensive field within Machine Learning that tries to reduce the amount of labeling work by interactively querying the most informative samples from a large dataset. Most of the AL literature is based on uncertainty sampling methods which do not perform so well when applied to neural networks. In this project we present a density estimation approach for Active Learning that overcomes some of the sampling limitations related to the uncertainty-based methods. b) The second part of the project is focused on a very recent field within deep learning called one-shot learning, which aims to correctly classify samples by just seeing one or few training samples from each class. In this work we present a simple non-linear learnable metric for one-shot learning that overcomes most of the state of the art results obtained with simple methods and is competitive in terms of accuracy to more complex ones. We also present a meta-learner architecture based on Graph Neural Networks for one-shot learning.
Rising Protectionism and Global Value Chains: Quantifying the General Equilibrium Effects

Quantifying the effects of trade policy in the age of 'global value chains' (GVCs) requires an enhanced analytical framework that takes the observed international input-output relations in due account. However, existing quantitative general equilibrium models generally assume that industry-level bilateral final and intermediate trade shares are identical, and that the allocation of imported inputs across sectors is the same as the allocation of domestic inputs. This amounts to applying two proportionality assumptions, one at the border to split final goods and inputs, and another behind the border to allocate inputs across industries. In practice, neither assumption holds in available input-output data sets. To overcome this limitation of existing models, we consider a richer input-output structure across countries and sectors that we can match with the actual structure reported in input-output tables. This allows us to investigate the relation between the effects of changes in trade policies and GVCs. When we apply the enhanced quantitative general equilibrium model to the assessment of the effects of Brexit, we find trade and welfare losses that are substantially larger than those obtained by previous models. This is due to the close integration of UK-EU production networks and implies that denser GVCs amplify the adverse effects of protectionist trade policies.
1 Speed of Trade and Liquidity May 2011

We investigate whether increasing the speed of order execution affects investor trading strategy and market liquidity. With the new trading platform Arrowhead, the Tokyo Stock Exchange has eliminated the three-second matching cycle, executes orders immediately, and instantaneously updates the limit order book, rendering computerized trading strategies more powerful. Since Arrowhead’s introduction, there have been an increase in execution frequency and a reduction in trade size, leading to declines in effective spread and increases in adverse selection costs. Both of these trends are more pronounced for large-cap stocks characterized by high-frequency trading. These changes are consistent with previous research on US markets; however, unlike in US markets, high-frequency trading has remained unchanged for small-cap stocks. JEL Classification: G10,G12,G14
Limited Internationalization of Capital Market and Corporate Finance: Evidence from Chinese B-Share Firms

Due to the segmentation into markets for domestic and foreign investors, China has had a unique stock market. This paper examines what determines Chinese firms' decision to undertake initial public offerings (IPOs) in the B-share market. The empirical results are as follows. First, it is found that the purpose of IPOs in the B-share market is to relieve the borrowing constraint and strengthen bargaining power with banks in determining the cost of credit. Second, the size of Chinese firms is positively related to both IPOs and the number of capital stock issued in the B-share market. Third, a firm’s profitability positively influences the IPO decision in the B-share market, but reverses after additional issuances are made. Fourth, A-share firms that have better growth opportunities and higher stock prices go to B-share market. JEL Classification Code: G32; O16; O23 Keyword: Corporate Finance, Capital Market, Chinese Firm, Financial Deregulation, Initial Public Offering 1 Senior Economist, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. 2-3-6 Otemachi Chiyoda-ku Tokyo 100-8141, Japan, Email: nagano@mri.co.jp Tel: +813-3277-0594, Fax; +813-3277-0521
Impact of Change Orders in Construction Sector in The West Bank

The nature of construction projects is complex where many of factors and variables play significant roles. So, when change orders occur all projects performance is strongly affected. This research aims to investigate the impact of change orders on project performance in the West Bank, in order to take proactive measures to minimize changes during construction. The main objectives of the paper are to identify the main causes of changes occur in construction projects in the West Bank and to highlight the potential effects of change orders on the Palestinian construction industry. In addition, to assess the current practices of change orders management within the construction companies in the West Bank. Results from the study show that change orders in construction industry occurred more frequently for adding new items and works. Also, results show that the main source of changes in construction projects is the owner. It was found that project owners initiated change orders due to financial problems, changing in mind or noncompliant design with owners' requirements. Consultant initiated change orders due to errors and omissions in designs, specifications or due to conflict in contract documents. Cost and time overrun are the two main effects being noted for change orders. Keywords—Construction Industry, Change Order, Causes, Impact
A Computational Environment for Rapid CFD Ship Resistance Analyses

A reliable estimation of the total resistance in the early design phase becomes of more importance due to the need of a ship design for higher efficiency. With continuously increasing computational power the use of modern CFD methods like RANS play a common role in the resistance prediction. Still these methods, even more precise, are more time-consuming in preand post-processing due to their complexity. Hence they have to be soundly integrated into the design and computational environment for an efficient usage and reduction of turnaround times. This paper discusses how RANS methods can be embedded into a design infrastructure. Possibilities to automatize the steps of CAD and computational case preparation including the mesh generation step are introduced and discussed. Special attention is given to the application of open-source software and the discrepancy between automatism and user interaction. As a conclusion an example implementation for CFD ship resistance analyses with OpenFOAM and Numeca Hexpress into an existing computational infrastructure is presented. Based on example CFD resistance calculations, this is discussed according to accuracy in results, user flexibility and turnaround times. The developed procedure proves to be efficient and flexible in performing CFD resistance predictions and is able to support the decision making process in early design.
The Predictive Ability of Commodities Currencies Volatility Risk Premium

This article evaluates if the Volatility Risk Premium – the difference between an implied volatility and a realized volatility – of the so-called commodities currencies is able to predict future commodities returns. Empirical results show a positive and statistically significant relationship between Volatility Risk Premium of commodities currencies and future commodities indexes returns. This result holds not only for the main broad spot commodity index, but also for sub-indexes like Energy, Metals and Agriculture. Results hold for forecast horizons ranging from one to ten weeks. Results are robust also to the inclusion of control variables like the past returns of commodities and currencies. The predictive ability of the commodities currencies extends to the returns of other asset classes, such as currencies and equities. The intuition behind is that, when risk aversion sentiment increases, the market quickly discounts the risky asset (e.g., equity, currency or commodity), and latter this discount is “accrued”, leading to subsequent positive returns over a period.
BRACHIOPODS FROM THE MIDDLE TO UPPER JURASSIC STRATA OF GANGTA BET IN THE KACHCHH BASIN

Gangta Bet, situated between the Wagad Uplift and Khadir Island in the Kachchh Basin, is composed of Callovian to Oxfordian fossiliferous sedimentary rocks, in which brachiopods are an important component, especially in a local marker horizon (the Brachiopod Bed). In total, six taxa are discussed here: Bihendulirhynchia brevicostata, Kallirhynchia versabilis, Mycerosia rostellata, Somalithyris jhalarensis, and two Kutchithyris species, K. euryptycha and K. ingluviosa. The genera Mycerosia and Bihendulirhynchia are new records from Kachchh and the occurring species have been previously known from the Middle to Upper Jurassic of Somalia, the Sinai Peninsula, Arabia, and the Northwest Frontier Province (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) of Pakistan. Somalithyris, previously recorded from the Tithonian of Kachchh, is also present in the Callovian-Oxfordian Gangta member. This is the oldest record of the genus globally and the presence of the same species in Kachchh and Pakistan is also significant. These new descriptions from Kachchh are therefore of high palaeobiogeographic importance as they strengthen the existence of free faunal exchange between Kachchh, East Africa and Arabia during the CallovianOxfordian, and reveal a midway position of the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.
Does Hypercoagulability Exist in CAPD Patients?

Blood levels of fibrinogen degradation products (FDP), factor VIII (antigen and coagulant), plasminogen and antithrombin III, as well as fibrinogen half-life were studied in 15 patients on CAPD from 3–24 months; the daily loss of these factors in the dialysate was also determined. Fibrinogen and factor VIII levels were above (p < 0.05), fibrinogen half-life was below (p < 0.05) and AT III was within the normal range. The average daily protein loss in the dialysate was 7.74: t 2.42 g; fibrinogen loss was 48.14:t 41.66 mg;FDP241.37 :t 185.19 mg; plasminogen 11.16 :t 6.94, and AT IIl64.96 :t 37.67 mg. These findings suggest that patients on CAPD have a state of hypercoagulability similar to that observed in patients with the nephrotic syndrome. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is accompanied by protein losses, which may lead to protein depletion (1). The situation is similar in the nephrotic syndrome (NS), which, in addition, has the features of a hypercoagulability state (2, 3). After observing the appearance of thrombotic events in some CAPD patients, we set out to determine whether patients undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis also have a hypercoagulability state and this paper presents our findings.
Factors Associated With Stunting And Its Prevalence Among Children Below 5 Years Old In Musanze District Of Rwanda

Stunting among children below five years old affected 44% in Rwanda and more than 61% in Musanze District in 2012. The main objective was to establish the prevalence of stunting and its associated factors among children below five years old in Musanze District of Rwanda. A cross sectional study was carried out in Musanze District where a multi-cluster sampling was applied to select 529 children systematically from 30 clusters. Data were collected using structured questionnaire. SPSS and WHO Anthro computer software were used for data analysis. A binary logistic regression was used to find out the model of contributing factors. The level of statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The prevalence of stunting was found at 41%. An increased risk of stunting was associated with household headed by female (OR=1.370, P≤0.001), absence of kitchen garden (OR=1.436, P≤0.001), nonuse of industrial fertilizer (OR=1.228, P≤0.001), mother aged between 20 and 34 years old (OR=2.036, P≤0.001), less than four times prenatal consultations (OR=1.477, P≤0.001), children aged 6-23 years old (OR=3.358, P≤0.001), not exclusively breastfed (OR=2.319, P≤0.001), not continued to breastfeed (OR=1.507, P≤0.001), low dietary diversity (OR=1.981, P≤0.001), and absence of hand washing facility (OR=2.742, P≤0.001). The present study showed that the following factors were found to be reducing risks of stunting. These are monogamous households (OR=0.430, P≤0.001), high wealth index (OR=0.478, P≤0.001), education of the mother from primary to the university (OR=0.256; P≤0.001), (OR=0.356; P≤0.001), (OR=0.357, P≤0.001), (OR=0.124, P≤0.001), revenue productive activities of the mother such as trading, art craft and salaried jobs (OR=0.442, P≤0.001) (OR=0.359, P≤0.001), (OR=0.620, P≤0.001), female child (OR=0.418, P≤0.001), use of safe water (OR=0.597, P≤0.001), household without open defecation (OR=0.810, P≤0.001), and no waste lying around (OR=0.287, P≤0.001). The prevalence of stunting among children below five years old in Musanze District of Rwanda was 41%. The factors associated with stunting are polygamy, food insecurity, education and occupation of the mother, poor hygiene, poor care giving and poor feeding practices. The stakeholders should focus on above mentioned factors to fight against stunting. Key words: Children below five years old, Stunting, Nutrition, Factors, Musanze District
Oleate Epoxidation in a Confined Matrix of Hydrotalcite

Oleate ion was intercalated into a hydrotalcite obtained using a conventional precipitation method and an alternative, novel method involving microwave-assisted ion exchange. The latter method gave a more crystalline hydrotalcite with better textural properties than the former. The spacing between layers in the hydrotalcites was used to epoxidize the double bond in oleate ion. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that the layered structure of the hydrotalcites was not altered by the reaction. The epoxidation of oleate ion with m-chloroperbenzoic acid (mCPBA) was monitored using Raman spectroscopy. The results of this work testify to the high potential of hydrotalcites as molecular reactors for reactions in confined spaces.
Comparison of the Efficacy of Tibolone and Transdermal Estrogen in Treating Menopausal Symptoms in Postmenopausal Women

Objectives This study aimed to compare the efficacy of tibolone and transdermal estrogen in treating menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with an intact uterus. Methods Overall, 26 women consumed tibolone orally and 31 women received transdermal estrogen gel mixed with progestogen. The menopause rating scale (MRS) was used to assess their menopausal symptoms at their first outpatient visit and 6 months later. Results The transdermal estrogen group showed significant improvements in more items of the MRS questionnaire. There was a favorable change in body weight in the transdermal estrogen group compared with that in the tibolone group. Depressive mood, irritability, physical and mental exhaustion, sexual and bladder problems, and joint and muscular discomfort improved only in the transdermal estrogen group, whereas heart discomfort and vaginal dryness improved only in the tibolone group. Nevertheless, the intergroup differences in each item were insignificant after adjusting for body mass index and hypertension, which differed before treatment. Conclusions Both the therapeutic options improved menopausal symptoms within 6 months of use. However, transdermal estrogen appeared to be more effective in preventing weight gain in menopausal women than tibolone.
The impact of repeated vaccination using 10-year vaccination history on protection against influenza in older adults: a test-negative design study across the 2010/11 to 2015/16 influenza seasons in Ontario, Canada

Introduction Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for older adults, but evidence regarding the impact of repeated vaccination has been inconclusive. Aim We investigated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza and the impact of repeated vaccination over 10 previous seasons on current season VE among older adults. Methods We conducted an observational test-negative study in community-dwelling adults aged > 65 years in Ontario, Canada for the 2010/11 to 2015/16 seasons by linking laboratory and health administrative data. We estimated VE using multivariable logistic regression. We assessed the impact of repeated vaccination by stratifying by previous vaccination history. Results We included 58,304 testing episodes for respiratory viruses, with 11,496 (20%) testing positive for influenza and 31,004 (53%) vaccinated. Adjusted VE against laboratory-confirmed influenza for the six seasons combined was 21% (95% confidence interval (CI): 18 to 24%). Patients who were vaccinated in the current season, but had received no vaccinations in the previous 10 seasons, had higher current season VE (34%; 95%CI: 9 to 52%) than patients who had received 1–3 (26%; 95%CI: 13 to 37%), 4–6 (24%; 95%CI: 15 to 33%), 7–8 (13%; 95%CI: 2 to 22%), or 9–10 (7%; 95%CI: −4 to 16%) vaccinations (trend test p = 0.001). All estimates were higher after correcting for misclassification of current season vaccination status. For patients who were not vaccinated in the current season, residual protection rose significantly with increasing numbers of vaccinations received previously. Conclusions Although VE appeared to decrease with increasing numbers of previous vaccinations, current season vaccination likely provides some protection against influenza regardless of the number of vaccinations received over the previous 10 influenza seasons.
Prognostic characteristics and body mass index in patients with pulmonary embolism: does size matter?

Objective The aim of this study was to explore the impact of body mass index (BMI) on prognostic indicators and clinical outcomes in patients with pulmonary embolism. Methods Patients with pulmonary embolism from the Hokusai venous thromboembolism (VTE) randomised clinical trial that compared two anticoagulant regimens were followed-up for 1 year (n=1911). Patients were analysed with regard to World Health Organization (WHO) BMI categories at baseline (underweight (<18.5), normal (18.5 to <25), overweight (25 to <30), obese I (30 to <35), obese II (35 to <40), and obese III (≥40)). Clinical and radiological prognostic characteristics for right ventricular dysfunction and adverse events were assessed with normal weight as a reference. Clinical outcomes were mortality, recurrent VTE, hospitalisation, bleeding and overall adverse events. Results The relationship between BMI categories and both prognostic parameters and clinical outcomes showed U-shaped curves. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were highest in patients who were grade III obese for both clinical parameters (N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) >600 and simplified pulmonary embolism severity index (sPESI)≥1; 2.9 and 1.6), and radiological parameters (pulmonary trunk>29 mm, right-to-left-ventricular ratio>1.0, and central emboli; aOR=4.3, 2.1 and 2.3). Bleeding was observed more frequently in the higher categories of obesity. In patients who were underweight, for NT-proBNP>600 and sPESI≥1 the aORs were 2.6 and 2.5, respectively; however, no major bleeding occurred in this category. Conclusion Several clinical and radiological prognostics characteristics and right ventricular dysfunction in pulmonary embolism are not evenly distributed among BMI categories. This is reflected in a trend towards worse outcomes in patients who are overweight and underweight. Overweight patients with pulmonary embolism have a higher risk of heart dysfunction and worse outcomes http://bit.ly/2Pwtln0
Co-Prodrugs of 7-Ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin and Vorinostat with in Vitro Hydrolysis and Anticancer Effects

7-Ethyl-10-hydroxycamptothecin (SN38) and vorinostat (SAHA) are quite promising combination therapy agents applied to the clinical treatment of cancer. In this study, we designed and synthesized a series of novel SN38-SAHA co-prodrugs, which were conjugated by four different amino acids including glycine, alanine, aminobutyric acid, and 6-aminocaproic acid. The hydrolytic reconversion rate to SN38 and SAHA critically depended on the carbon chain length, which were evaluated in PBS (pH 6.0/7.4) and plasma (human/mouse). With decreasing amino acid chain length, the hydrolytic reconversion rate increased gradually. The in vitro cytotoxicity test was evaluated by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay on the human lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549 and human colorectal cancer cell line HCT116. With the evaluation of stability and in vitro cytotoxicity, an appropriate linker was found, and the active drug can be released efficiently from compound 3a, which exhibited strong antiproliferative activity in A549 and HCT-116 cell lines correspondingly. These results indicated that the well-designed co-prodrug 3a and this kind of strategy can be a promising approach for anticancer therapy.