Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Reducing Disparate Exposure in Ranking: A Learning To Rank Approach

Ranked search results have become the main mechanism by which we find content, products, places, and people online. Thus their ordering contributes not only to the satisfaction of the searcher, but also to career and business opportunities, educational placement, and even social success of those being ranked. Researchers have become increasingly concerned with systematic biases in data-driven ranking models, and various post-processing methods have been proposed to mitigate discrimination and inequality of opportunity. This approach, however, has the disadvantage that it still allows an unfair ranking model to be trained. In this paper we explore a new in-processing approach: DELTR, a learning-to-rank framework that addresses potential issues of discrimination and unequal opportunity in rankings at training time. We measure these problems in terms of discrepancies in the average group exposure and design a ranker that optimizes search results in terms of relevance and in terms of reducing such discrepancies. We perform an extensive experimental study showing that being “colorblind” can be among the best or the worst choices from the perspective of relevance and exposure, depending on how much and which kind of bias is present in the training set. We show that our in-processing method performs better in terms of relevance and exposure than a pre-processing and a post-processing method across all tested scenarios.
Trust, Satisfaction and Online Repurchase Intention: The Moderating Role of Perceived Effectiveness of E-commerce Institutional Mechanisms

The effects of e-commerce institutional mechanisms on trust and online purchase have traditionally been understood in the initial online purchase context. This study extends this literature by exploring the role of e-commerce institutional mechanisms in the online repurchase context. In doing so, it responds to the emerging call for understanding the institutional context under which customer trust operates in an e-commerce environment. Specifically, this study introduces a key moderator, perceived effectiveness of e-commerce institutional mechanisms (PEEIM) to the relationships between trust, satisfaction and repurchase intention. Drawing on the theory of organizational trust, and based on a survey across 362 online returning customers, we find that PEEIM negatively moderates the relationship between trust in an online vendor and online customer repurchase intention, as it decreases the importance of trust to promoting repurchase behavior. We also find that PEEIM positively moderates the relationship between customer satisfaction and trust as it enhances the customers’ reliance on past transaction experience with the vendor to reevaluate their trust in the vendor. Consistent with the predictions made in the literature, PEEIM does not directly affect trust or repurchase intention. Academic and practical implications and future research directions are discussed.
Healthy Suspicion

This study investigates the team processes that transmit the effect of trust on team performance. Building on the motivated information processing in groups model, we propose that low swift trust increases team members’ motivation to process information elaborately, which in turn beneﬁts performance in nonroutine situations. Using a mixed repeated measure design with 40 teams performing routine and nonroutine decision- making tasks under manipulated conditions of low and high swift trust, we ﬁnd that teams receiving the low swift trust manipulation, processed information more elabo- rately than teams in the high swift trust condition. This in turn, increased performance in nonroutine tasks but did not inﬂuence performance when performing routine tasks. This study extends past individual level research on trust and strategic thinking to the team level and identiﬁes information processing as an important mediator in the trust-team performance relation.
Customer Satisfaction with Retail Banking Services in Ghana

Recent studies indicate high competitiveness of the Ghanaian banking industry, making it difficult for banks to satisfy and retain customers. However, little empirical knowledge exists on the determinants of customer satisfaction toward the services delivered by the banks. This article reports a study of the determinants of customer satisfaction of retail bank services in Ghana. An extensive review of the extant literature was used to identify the theoretical determinants of customer satisfaction in retail banking and their measurement scales. These were adapted to build a conceptual framework for the empirical investigation conducted. Data were collected using a questionnaire administered through personal interviews to 650 customers of retail banks, and the results were factor analyzed and regressed. The empirical results indicated that relational, core, and tangible dimensions of service were positively associated with customer satisfaction in retail banks in Ghana. The study discusses the strategic implications of the findings for the management of customer satisfaction for retail banks operating in Ghana. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Continuous Distributed Representation of Biological Sequences for Deep Proteomics and Genomics

We introduce a new representation and feature extraction method for biological sequences. Named bio-vectors (BioVec) to refer to biological sequences in general with protein-vectors (ProtVec) for proteins (amino-acid sequences) and gene-vectors (GeneVec) for gene sequences, this representation can be widely used in applications of deep learning in proteomics and genomics. In the present paper, we focus on protein-vectors that can be utilized in a wide array of bioinformatics investigations such as family classification, protein visualization, structure prediction, disordered protein identification, and protein-protein interaction prediction. In this method, we adopt artificial neural network approaches and represent a protein sequence with a single dense n-dimensional vector. To evaluate this method, we apply it in classification of 324,018 protein sequences obtained from Swiss-Prot belonging to 7,027 protein families, where an average family classification accuracy of 93%±0.06% is obtained, outperforming existing family classification methods. In addition, we use ProtVec representation to predict disordered proteins from structured proteins. Two databases of disordered sequences are used: the DisProt database as well as a database featuring the disordered regions of nucleoporins rich with phenylalanine-glycine repeats (FG-Nups). Using support vector machine classifiers, FG-Nup sequences are distinguished from structured protein sequences found in Protein Data Bank (PDB) with a 99.8% accuracy, and unstructured DisProt sequences are differentiated from structured DisProt sequences with 100.0% accuracy. These results indicate that by only providing sequence data for various proteins into this model, accurate information about protein structure can be determined. Importantly, this model needs to be trained only once and can then be applied to extract a comprehensive set of information regarding proteins of interest. Moreover, this representation can be considered as pre-training for various applications of deep learning in bioinformatics. The related data is available at Life Language Processing Website: http://llp.berkeley. edu and Harvard Dataverse: http://dx.doi. org/10.7910/DVN/JMFHTN.
A Precision Medicine Approach to the Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders

Due to a lack of clarity about the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, short and long-term treatment outcomes continue to be very inconsistent, and the prescribing of multiple medications that can have unpredictable, conflicting, and sometimes paradoxical effects continues to be more the rule than the exception in modern psychiatric practice. Dosing is also an issue, as standard doses of psychotropic drugs are often too high, thus causing some patients to incur unnecessary side effects, which in turn can lead to poor compliance or even discontinuation of treatment. Worse yet, these negative outcomes can cause disappointed patients to dissuade other would-be patients from seeking treatment. Recognizing these concerns and the fact that most persons with mental illness never seek treatment to begin with, the need for greater precision and fewer side effects in the prescribing of psychotropic drugs cannot be overstated. Based on an emerging hypothesis on the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, this article will discuss a promising new approach to psychopharmacotherapy that has the potential to simplify drug selection, reduce dosing requirements, and minimize side effects. By targeting the core physiological abnormality in psychiatric disorders, the use of medications that have unpredictable, conflicting, and sometimes paradoxical effects can be minimized, and the lowest doses of the most appropriate drugs can be used to achieve faster, more consistent, and more enduring therapeutic effects in a group of disorders that are now considered to be a public health crisis.
Marine biodiversity survey in the Northern Red Sea: a large-scale monitoring carried out in collaboration with volunteer divers

Concerns over global change and its effect on coral reef survivorship have highlighted the need for long-term datasets and proxy records, to interpret environmental trends and inform policymakers. Citizen science programs have showed to be a valid method for collecting data, reducing financial and time costs for institutions. This study is based on the elaboration of data collected by recreational divers and its main purpose is to evaluate changes in the state of coral reef biodiversity in the Red Sea over a long term period and validate the volunteer-based monitoring method. Volunteers recreational divers completed a questionnaire after each dive, recording the presence of 72 animal taxa and negative reef conditions. Comparisons were made between records from volunteers and independent records from a marine biologist who performed the same dive at the same time. A total of 500 volunteers were tested in 78 validation trials. Relative values of accuracy, reliability and similarity seem to be comparable to those performed by volunteer divers on precise transects in other projects, or in community-based terrestrial monitoring. 9301 recreational divers participated in the monitoring program, completing 23,059 survey questionnaires in a 5-year period. The volunteer-sightings-based index showed significant differences between the geographical areas. The area of Hurghada is distinguished by a medium-low biodiversity index, heavily damaged by a not controlled anthropic exploitation. Coral reefs along the Ras Mohammed National Park at Sharm el Sheikh, conversely showed high biodiversity index. The detected pattern seems to be correlated with the conservation measures adopted. In our experience and that of other research institutes, citizen science can integrate conventional methods and significantly reduce costs and time. Involving recreational divers we were able to build a large data set, covering a wide geographic area. The main limitation remains the difficulty of obtaining an homogeneous spatial sampling distribution.
LETS Act Locally: The Growth of Local Exchange Trading Systems

History pioneers and principles - case study: small town, Stroud nuts and bolts - case study: outer London borough, Hounslow the benefits - case study: Banbridge, Northern Ireland the problems - case study: Glasgow, Scotland getting the business - case study: South Powys, Wales legal matters - case study: Beara Peninsula, Republic of Ireland help from outside - case study: rural county, Suffolk branching out - case study: the inner-city suburbs, Manchester the way ahead.
Static knee alignment measurements among Caucasians and African-Americans: The Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project

Objective— To determine if knee alignment measures differ between African Americans and Caucasians without radiographic knee osteoarthritis (rOA). Methods— A single knee was randomly selected from 175 participants in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project without rOA in either knee. Anatomic axis, condylar, tibial plateau, and condylar plateau angles were measured by one radiologist; means were compared and adjusted for age and body mass index (BMI). Results— There were no significant differences in knee alignment measurements between Caucasians and AfrAm among men or women. Conclusions— Observed differences in knee rOA occurrence between AfrAm and Caucasians are not explained by differences in static knee alignment. Static malalignment contributes to osteoarthritis (OA) progression at the knee, with varus alignment leading to increased odds of medial compartment progression, and valgus alignment to more lateral progression (1). The extent of malalignment is related to magnitude of joint space narrowing (JSN), accelerated functional decline, and increased pain, over 18 months of follow up (1). There may be an association between malalignment and incident radiographic knee OA (knee rOA), although data are inconsistent (2–4).
Variations inter journalières dans la structure des communautés de poissons : implications pour le développement de modèles de qualité d'habitats

Habitat quality models (HQM) are relationships between biological attributes and habitat characteristics. HQM are often developed by sampling a large number of sites over a large spatial extent. This approach permits the representation of the complete range of environmental conditions found in a survey area. In order to achieve this objective, sampling sites are often sampled only once. However, fish distribution may vary over time. Among-day variations of the association between fish and their habitat may decrease the explanatory power of HQM. The purpose of this study was to assess the magnitude of among-day variations of descriptors of fish community structures in rivers, to evaluate the effect of such variations on HQM capacity to 1) explain variance of among sampling sites density and 2) select adequate explanatory variables. To achieve these goals, 18 sites of the watersheds of the Rivière Rouge and the Rivière du Nord were surveyed. 24 species were encountered in the se sites. Our results suggest that, ev en within a relatively sm ail timeframe of 7 weeks, sorne fish species displayed enough changes in their distribution to change HQM results. The use of several samplings to represent the ecological value of each site seems to present, in certain cases, advantages in terms of performance of the MQH. The study of methodologies suited for the development of valid and reliable MQH thus seems to be
Combining insecticide treated bed nets and indoor residual spraying for malaria vector control in Africa

Background: Insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are the preferred techniques for malaria vector control in Africa, where their application has already contributed to significant reductions in the burden of the disease. Even though both methods are commonly used together in the same households, evidence of greater health benefits due to these combinations as opposed to use of either ITNs or IRS alone has been minimal and inconclusive. Objectives and methods: The main aim of this research was therefore to contribute to this essential evidence, by way of experimental hut studies and mathematical simulations. I investigated whether there would be any added protective advantages when any of three selected long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are combined with any of three selected IRS chemicals, as opposed to using any of the treatments alone. Data generated from the experimental but studies was then input into an optimised deterministic mathematical model, simulating a typical malaria endemic village. Results and conclusions: Both the field studies and the simulations showed that any synergies or redundancies resulting from LLIN/IRS combinations are primarily a function of modes of action of active ingredients used in the two interventions. Where LLINs are already present, addition of IRS would be redundant unless the IRS chemical is highly toxic, but where IRS is the pre-existing intervention, these combinations always confer improved protection. Therefore, IRS households should always be supplemented with nets, preferably LLINs, which not only protect house occupants against mosquito bites, but also kill additional mosquitoes. Finally, where resources are limited, priority should be given to providing everybody with LLINs and ensuring that these nets are consistently and appropriately used, rather than trying to implement both LLINs and IRS in the same community at the same time.
LOOKING BEYOND THE OBVIOUS : Uncovering the Features of Natural Resource Conflicts in Uganda

Disputes over land, water, forests, rangelands, and other resources, both privately and commonly-held, are omnipresent across Africa and increasing in number due to the socioeconomic and environmental changes happening on microand macrolevels. Communities in Africa have a variety of mechanisms rooted in customary and statutory institutions to deal with disputes. This paper uses community-level survey data from Uganda to investigate the determinants of natural resource conflicts and the type of institutions people turn to for conflict resolution. The findings identify four primary types of conflicts (over private land boundaries, common-pool resources other than water, water resources, and conflicts over other resources) and reveal that several factors such as agroecological potential, poverty level, population density, and proximity to roads and markets affect the likelihood of a resource-related conflict. The results also show that even though most people turn to the local government (a formal institution) for arbitration, customary institutions still play an important role in conflict management, especially for the poorer communities where formal institutions are weak. The type of conflict also matters for the type of institution chosen to resolve it with the conflicts over commons being mediated through customary institutions, while all the others are usually channeled though the local government. The findings point to the importance of both customary and formal institutions for conflict resolution options in Uganda, highlighting the need to examine their potential complementarities.
Prevalence of canine atopic dermatitis and distribution of causative allergens in Bangkok

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a pruritic allergic skin disease caused by an overreaction to environmental allergens. The diagnosis of CAD is made on the basis of the patient's history, physical examination, and exclusion of other pruritic skin diseases. Allergen-specific IgE serology (ASIS) is one of the most frequently recommended tests in veterinary dermatology for identifying causative allergens. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CAD and the types of allergens that cause it in atopic dogs using ASIS in the Bangkok metropolitan area. The study was divided into two sections. Between 2015 and 2019, 383 dogs were diagnosed with CAD by a veterinarian at the Small Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, We collected data on the sexes, breeds, distribution of lesions, housing environment, and concurrent disease in CAD dogs. Among these dogs, 28 CAD dogs were tested using the HESKA veterinary diagnostic laboratory's Canine ALLERCEPT? (environmental panel). Canine ALLERCEPT? panel results were classified into six allergen groups (Yeast, Flea saliva, House dust mite, Grass, Weed, and Tree). The prevalence of canine atopic dermatitis was found to be 1.16 percent in this study. The allergens responsible for CAD were house dust mite (75.00%), grass (62.14%), tree (46.43%), weed (47.45%), yeast (39.39%) and flea saliva (21.43%). The findings indicate that CAD is the most prevalent skin disease and is frequently encountered in general practice. The diagnosis of canine atopic dermatitis is quite complicated, but lesion distribution and recurrent concurrent disease may provide diagnostic clues. The ASIS is the most effective method for identifying allergens that cause pruritus and plan to do immunotherapy.
The Comparison Models of Earning Management, CSR, and Intellectual Capital on Firm Value Moderated by Performance

Objective – This study aims to compare the effect of earnings management, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and intellectual capital on firm value moderated by performance in two different periods, 2015-2019 (before COVID-19 pandemic) and 2015-2020 (9 months of pandemic). Design/methodology – This Study used two data year groups, from 2015-2019 and 2015-2020 with purposive sampling technique. The population of 5 sectors and 2 sub-sectors of companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange which consists of basic and chemical industry, consumer goods, mining, Infrastructure, Utilities Transportation, various industries (excluding textile and automotive) sector and the Automotive Components, Textile Garment sub-sector.Results – The results show, even though the pandemic lasted 9 months in 2020, the average return on assets (ROA) of the 2015-2020 group decreased, turns out it doesn't have much effect on the strength of ROA to moderate the variable x to y. For 2015-2019 (before COVID-19 pandemic), performance moderates the effect of earnings management, CSR, and intellectual capital on firm value in the textile, automotive and components sub-sectors, various industries, consumer goods sectors and infrastructure and for 2015-2020 (9 months of the pandemic) only textile, automotive and components sub-sectors, various industries, and infrastructure. Partially for 2015-2019, value added intellectual coefficient (VAIC) has a significant effect moderated by performance in the consumer goods infrastructure sector, and automotive, then CSR has a significant effect moderated by performance in the basic industry and textile. Earning management has a significant effect moderated by performance in the basic industry, infrastructure and automotive. The same results for 2015-2020, for earning management. VAIC has a significant effect moderated by performance in consumer goods and infrastructure sector and CSR has a significant effect moderated by performance in textile, basic industry and various industries.Research limitations/implications – This study only uses secondary data for 2015-2019 and 2015-2020 and only uses 5 sectors from 9 sectors and does not compare each sub-sector.Novelty/Originality – This study obtained a comparison of the model of the influence of earnings management, intellectual capital, and CSR on firm value moderated by performance for 5 sectors and 2 sub-sectors.