Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Visual product recommendation using neural aggregation network and context gating

In this paper we focus on the problem of user interests’ classification in visual product recommender systems. We propose the two-stage procedure. At first, the visual features are learned by fine-tuning the convolutional neural network, e.g., MobileNet. At the second stage, we use such learnable pooling techniques as neural aggregation network and context gating in order to compute a weighted average of image features. As a result we can capture the relationships between the products images purchased by the same user. We provide an experimental study with the Amazon product dataset. It was shown that our approach achieves a F1-score of 0.90 for 15 recommendations, which is much higher when compared to 0.66 F1-measure classification of traditional averaging of the feature vector.
Corporate Social Responsibility and Stock Returns during the Financial Crisis: Evidence from Europe

Firms with high social capital, as measured by corporate social responsibility (CSR) enjoyed 6-7% higher excess returns compared to low-CSR firms in Europe during the financial crisis of 20082009. Regional and industry trust are also positively related to firm’s CSR activities and excess crisis-period returns, and the effectiveness of CSR on excess returns varies substantially across the Europe and industries. I also find that external stakeholder activities targeted to environmental issues were most appreciated by investors during the crisis, while other CSR activities had insignificant effect on crisis-period returns. The evidence suggests that social capital and trust, built through CSR activities, serve as an insurance policy for negative events which benefits when overall trust in the economy declines.
Sequential Universal Compression for Non-Binary Sequences with Constrained Distributions

Sequential probability assignment and universal compression go hand in hand. We propose a sequential probability assignment for non-binary (and large alphabet) sequences with empirical distributions whose parameters are known to be bounded within a limited interval. Sequential probability assignment algorithms are essential in many applications that require fast and accurate estimation of the maximizing sequence probability. These applications include learning, regression, channel estimation and decoding, prediction, and universal compression. On the other hand, constrained distributions introduce interesting theoretical twists that must be overcome in order to present efficient sequential algorithms. Here, we focus on universal compression for memoryless sources, and present precise analysis for the maximal minimax and the average minimax for constrained distributions. We show that our sequential algorithm based on modified Krichevsky-Trofimov (KT) estimator is asymptotically optimal up to O(1) for both maximal and average redundancies. This paper follows and addresses the challenge presented in [10] that suggested “results for the binary case lay the foundation to studying larger alphabets”.
Strength Characteristics of Concrete Using Paper Sludge Ash and Foundry Sand

The Rapid Construction activities has increased in the demand for concrete, which leads to overuse of natural resource in the manufacture of cement. Hence, conservation of natural resources is necessary. Among the wastes generated by the various industries it is presumed that 10%-15% of wastes are hazardous and increasing at the rate of 2% 5% per year, resulting in environmental pollution and effect to living beings. The present work is focused on the use of wastes such as paper sludge (from Paper Mill Industry) which can be utilized as alternative construction material, so that it would be one of the consistent ways of disposal. The study also incorporates the use of foundry sand as a partial replacement for sand. Experiments were performed to understand the strength parameters such as compressive and tensile strength of Paper Sludge Ash (5%, 10%, and 15%) as a partial replacement of cement and Foundry Sand (20%, 40% and 60%) as a partial replacement of fine aggregate. From the study it can be observed that replacement of cement with 40% foundry sand 8.12% increase in compressive strength was obtained. Mix with 40% replacement of foundry sand and 5% replacement of Paper Sludge Ash gave the maximum Flexural Strength compared to other mix.
Variability of A Subterranean Prey-Predator Community in Space and Time

Subterranean habitats are characterized by buffered climatic conditions in comparison to contiguous surface environments and, in general, subterranean biological communities are considered to be relatively constant. However, although several studies have described the seasonal variation of subterranean communities, few analyzed their variability over successive years. The present research was conducted inside an artificial cave during seven successive summers, from 2013 to 2019. The parietal faunal community was sampled at regular intervals from outside to 21 m deep inside the cave. The community top predator is the cave salamander Speleomantes strinatii, while invertebrates, mainly adult flies, make up the rest of the faunal assemblage. Our findings indicate that the taxonomic composition and the spatial distribution of this community remained relatively constant over the seven-year study period, supporting previous findings. However, different environmental factors were shaping the distribution of predators and prey along the cave. Invertebrates were mainly affected by the illuminance, while salamanders were influenced by both illuminance and distance from the cave’s entrance. The inter-annual spatial distribution of the salamander population was highly repeatable and age specific, confirming a gradual shift towards the deeper parts of the cave with an increasing age. In general, the spatial distribution along the cave of this prey-predator system remained relatively constant during the seven-year study, suggesting that strong selective constraints were in action, even in this relatively recent subterranean ecosystem.
Mechanisms and Drivers for the Establishment of Life Cycle Complexity in Myxozoan Parasites

It is assumed that complex life cycles in cnidarian parasites belonging to the Myxozoa result from incorporation of vertebrates into simple life cycles exploiting aquatic invertebrates. However, nothing is known about the driving forces and implementation of this event, though it fostered massive diversification. We performed a comprehensive search for myxozoans in evolutionary ancient fishes (Chondrichthyes), and more than doubled existing 18S rDNA sequence data, discovering seven independent phylogenetic lineages. We performed cophylogenetic and character mapping methods in the largest monophyletic dataset and demonstrate that host and parasite phylogenies are strongly correlated, and that tectonic changes may explain phylogeographic clustering in recent skates and softnose skates, in the Atlantic. The most basal lineages of myxozoans inhabit the bile of chondrichthyans, an immunologically privileged site and protective niche, easily accessible from the gut via the bile duct. We hypothesize that feed-integration is a likely mechanism of host acquisition, an idea supported by feeding habits of chimaeras and ancient sharks and by multiple entries of different parasite lineages from invertebrates into the new host group. We provide exciting first insights into the early evolutionary history of ancient metazoan parasites in a host group that embodies more evolutionary distinctiveness than most other vertebrates.
Two Case Studies of Precision Horticulture Approaches in Citrus Production

In the age of information technology, process-oriented data analysis is the focus of emerging science and is predicted to form the basis for economic growth. The general consensus is that, especially in agronomy, new innovative approaches are needed for a future process management. Because citrus is economically a very important fruit crop worldwide, two case studies of in-situ analysis of plant and fruit with prominent importance in the citrus production are reviewed targeting site-specific production measures. In the first approach, the review provides a background of the measurable plant response to oxygen shortage in the root zone by means of non-destructive methods and gives an outlook of the applications in citrus. In a second case study the quality analysis of citrus fruit at the tree level is discussed. The feasibility of the spatio-temporally resolved data recording in the harvest management is pointed out. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Family ofControllers forAttitude Synchronization on the Sphere ?

In this paper we study a family of controllers that guarantees attitude synchronization for a network of agents in the unit sphere domain, i.e., S. We propose distributed continuous controllers for elements whose dynamics are controllable, i.e., control with torque as command, and which can be implemented by each individual agent without the need of a common global orientation frame among the network, i.e., it requires only local information that can be measured by each individual agent from its own orientation frame. The controllers are constructed as functions of distance functions in S, and we provide conditions on those distance functions that guarantee that i) a synchronized network of agents is locally asymptotically stable for an arbitrary connected network graph; ii) a synchronized network is asymptotically achieved for almost all initial conditions in a tree network graph. When performing synchronization along a principal axis, we propose controllers that do not require full torque, but rather torque orthogonal to that principal axis; while for synchronization along other axes, the proposed controllers require full torque. We also study the equilibria configurations that come with specific types of network graphs. The proposed strategies can be used in attitude synchronization of swarms of under actuated rigid bodies, such as satellites.
An Atomic Faraday Filter as a Beam Splitter for Photon Pairs

The generation of heralded single photons in hot atomic vapours via a four-wave mixing (FWM) process has been demonstrated. Other efforts to increase yield in such systems involve the use of hollow-core micro-structured fibres. This method delivers a significantly higher efficency. However, the two photons overlap due to their generation in the fibre and are very close in frequency to each other. Therefore it is difficult to spatially separate them with common tools such as interference filters. For this purpose a scheme was identified using an atomic vapour in the hyperfine Paschen-Back regime as a highly dispersive beam splitter for the photon pairs. In the scope of this thesis, ElecSus and an optimisation module of Scipy are used to find the most favourable working conditions for the scheme. The required high magnetic fields in the order of 7 kG made it necessary to use two custom designed top head magnets with opposing polarisation in close proximity to the cell. The effects of inhomogeneity in the magnetic field on the resulting spectra are briefly discussed and shown to be negligible. The resulting beam splitter is characterised in terms of stability and shows high performance with a wide range of tunability. This makes it an interesting tool for other narrow band applications and where low loss components are essential.
How Do Firms Finance Non-Core Investments? Evidence from REITs

Using a large sample of commercial property acquisitions by real estate investment trusts (REITs), we show that property investment characteristics affect financing. Specifically, REITs are 4-8% less likely to use secured (mortgage) debt when investing in core market properties. The evidence points to a demand-side explanation for the relation between investment characteristics (core vs. non-core) and project financing. Moreover, our analysis provides support for the hypothesis that firms avoid mortgage financing in core markets to preserve operational flexibility in these markets. JEL Classifications: G21, G31,G32, R3
A Near-Linear Time Approximation Scheme for Geometric Transportation with Arbitrary Supplies and Spread

The geometric transportation problem takes as input a set of points $P$ in $d$-dimensional Euclidean space and a supply function $\mu : P \to \mathbb{R}$. The goal is to find a transportation map, a non-negative assignment $\tau : P \times P \to \mathbb{R}_{\geq 0}$ to pairs of points, so the total assignment leaving each point is equal to its supply, i.e., $\sum_{r \in P} \tau(q, r) - \sum_{p \in P} \tau(p, q) = \mu(q)$ for all points $q \in P$. The goal is to minimize the weighted sum of Euclidean distances for the pairs, $\sum_{(p, q) \in P \times P} \tau(p, q) \cdot ||q - p||_2$. We describe the first algorithm for this problem that returns, with high probability, a $(1 + \epsilon)$-approximation to the optimal transportation map in $O(n\:\text{poly}(1 / \epsilon)\:\text{polylog}{n})$ time. In contrast to the previous best algorithms for this problem, our near-linear running time bound is independent of the spread of $P$ and the magnitude of its real-valued supplies.
Appendix to Technological Opportunity , Long-Run Growth , and Convergence

Example 1. In 1814, Joseph Niépce invented the first photo camera. It took 8 hours to take one picture. This certainly must be viewed as a radical innovation but it was not yet a useful technology for increasing the productivity of the economy. However, in 1851 the exposure time was reduced to 2-3 seconds, in 1888 the first roll-film was developed, and in 1941 – the color film. One and a half century later, we have digital cameras which are available at prices accessible to the general public and pictures can be printed at home. It is clear that the small improvements to the photo camera, in our terminology the incremental innovations, ought to be viewed as the crucial steps for spreading the technology into the economy, 1∗Institute of Econometrics, Warsaw School of Economics, Poland, and Economic Institute, National Bank of Poland; e-mail: jakub.growiec@sgh.waw. pl. †IPAG Business School, 184 boulevard Saint-Germain, 75006 Paris, France, and Department of Economics, Ecole Polytechnique, Paris, France; e-mail: ingmar.schumacher@ipag.fr.
University of Groningen Optimal antithrombotic treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Patients with atrial fibrillation who undergo a coronary intervention are eligible for both anticoagulation and (dual) antiplatelet therapy ((D)APT). An optimal balance has to be found to reduce the thromboembolic risk (i.e. stroke, systemic embolism and myocardial infarction) and to minimise the increased risk of bleeding with concomitant use of an anticoagulant and (D)APT. Owing to a lack of evidence, the guideline recommendations are predominantly based on expert opinion. Current evidence indicates that the combination of a non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) and clopidogrel is safer than vitamin-K oral antagonists plus DAPT, which increases the risk of bleeding, without clear advantages in regard to efficacy. Concerning whether (N)OACs should be combined with single APT rather than DAPT, the findings of the WOEST, PIONEER AF-PCI and RE-DUAL PCI trials seem to favour a combination with clopidogrel only, thus omitting aspirin. Choosing the optimal treatment strategies for individual patients on NOACs and (D)APT will remain a challenge for clinicians, though triple therapy seems to be the less favourable option owing to the increased risk of bleeding.
Effectiveness of Interventions for Managing Acute Malnutrition in Children under Five Years of Age in Low-Income and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Childhood malnutrition is a major public health concern, as it is associated with significant short- and long-term morbidity and mortality. The objective of this review was to comprehensively review the evidence for the management of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) according to the current World Health Organization (WHO) protocol using facility- and community-based approaches, as well as the effectiveness of ready-to-use therapeutic food (RUTF), ready-to-use supplementary food (RUSF), prophylactic antibiotic use, and vitamin A supplementation. We searched relevant electronic databases until 11 February 2019, and performed a meta-analysis. This review summarizes findings from a total of 42 studies (48 papers), including 35,017 children. Limited data show some benefit of integrated community-based screening, identification, and management of SAM and MAM on improving recovery rate. Facility-based screening and management of uncomplicated SAM has no effect on recovery and mortality, while the effect of therapeutic milk F100 for SAM is comparable to RUTF for weight gain and mortality. Local food and whey RUSF are comparable to standard RUSF for recovery rate and weight gain in MAM, while standard RUSF has additional benefits to CSB. Prophylactic antibiotic administration in uncomplicated SAM improves recovery rate and probably improves weight gain and reduces mortality. Limited data suggest that high-dose vitamin A supplementation is comparable with low-dose vitamin A supplementation for weight gain and mortality among children with SAM.
1 Random Point Patterns and the Poisson Process

This chapter introduces and details the mathematical and statistical framework underpinning our conflict modeling strategy. It is intended to be self-contained as much as possible, but it does rest on some mathematical prerequisites, chiefly in probability theory and real analysis. There is a large literature in mathematics, statistics and engineering covering these mathematical foundations in great detail; we highlight in particular the books by da Prato and Zabczyk (1993); Anderson et al. (1979); Jazwinski (1970); Ross (2006), but this list is by no means comprehensive. Our modeling approach exploits the Bayesian paradigm, which combines prior knowledge with observations to quantify uncertainty in predictions. We therefore start by discussing the observation model (likelihood) we employ. As discussed in the introduction, the data type we are primarily concerned with consists of event logs, spatial and temporal coordinates of conflict events. Point processes are a convenient mathematical framework to describe event data, and Sect. 2.1 provides a simple and self-contained introduction to the main features of this class of stochastic processes. Of particular importance is the concept of the Cox process since it enables us to incorporate prior knowledge through a secondary stochastic process governing the intensity of the conflict. Section 2.2 then describes the class of stochastic dynamical processes we employ to model conflict intensity. We focus in particular on stochastic partial differential equations and stochastic integro-difference equations, explaining how these two approaches are related to each other and how they provide a flexible framework to describe complex spatio-temporal behaviors. Our aim is not to provide a comprehensive introduction to this rich field of mathematics, but to explain in an operational way how these models can be used in the context of conflict modeling. With this in mind, we describe in some detail finite-dimensional reductions of SPDEs/SIDEs, leading to an algorithmically convenient state-space form. Following this, Sect. 2.3 outlines the field and parameter estimation components of the state-space framework. In particular, we employ standard message-passing and iterative algorithms for implementing quick and efficient recursive routines.
A New Diagnostic Approach for Periprosthetic Acetabular Fractures Based on 3D Modeling: A Study Protocol

Periprosthetic acetabular fractures after total hip arthroplasty (THA) are mostly related to low energy trauma reduced bone quality. CT-scan is widely used to evaluate acetabular fractures, however, metal artifacts produced prosthetic implants limit the visualization of the articular surface and bone loss assessment. 3D modeling software allows us to creating tridimensional images of the bony surface, removing the metallic implants trough image segmentation. We highlight the use of 3D modeling and rapid prototyping (3D printing) for the diagnostic process of periprosthetic acetabular fracture around THA. 3D modeling software was used to improve the assessment of fracture morphology and bone quality. Moreover, the 3D images were printed in a real-life size model and used for preoperative implant templating, sizing and surgical simulation.
Pelvic Imaging using Sonography and Hysterosonography in the Female Patient

This chapter will focus on the use of ultrasonography and sonohysterography (SIS) as screening tools for the assessment of normal and abnormal female pelvic anatomy. An overview of the principles of ultrasound, the technique of both and normal and abnormal findings will be discussed. Further, a focus on SIS and its newer diagnostic applications will be reviewed and compared to traditional modalities including hysterosalpingogram (HSG) and ultrasonography.
Contribution of Thoracic Angioscanner in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism: About 90 Cases at the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital of Dakar

Objective: to assess the contribution of angioscanner in suspected pulmonary embolism and compare the results with clinical scores. Patients and methods: this was a retrospective, cross-sectional study over 12 months (October 1, 2016 to September 30, 2017) in the imaging department of Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, including 90 patients. The average age was 48 years (extreme: 17 years and 86 years). The clinical probability of PE was intermediate in 52.2% of patients and low in 45.5% according to the revised Geneva score; intermediate in 26.6% of patients and low in 73.3% according to the Wells score. The examinations were performed with a Siemens 64 bar scanner with a Medrad Stellant automatic injector. Results: an endoluminal defect was found in 36 patients (40%), truncular topography in 11%, segmentary in 50% and lobar in 39%. PAH was noted in 58% of these patients with reversal of the VD/VG ratio in 27.7%. Pulmonary infarction was noted in 50% of patients with PE with pleural effusion in 36.1%. Alternative diagnoses found in 60% of patients were dominated by pulmonary emphysema with 35.18% of cases. For a low clinical probability according to the revised Geneva and Wells, angioscanner was positive in 24.39% and 37.87% respectively, compared to 53.19% and 45.23% for an intermediate score. Conclusion: angioscanning made it possible to diagnose PE in 40% of patients and to assess the prognosis by studying the cardiac impact.
12515 Unions and Firms ’ Investments : A Unified View JULY 2019

IZA DP No. 12515 JULY 2019 Unions and Firms’ Investments: A Unified View* In this paper, we present a simple model in which a unionized and non-unionized firm optimally make investment decisions given their labor productivity. By allowing workers’ organizations to have positive effects on labor effort, we find that the classic hold-up problem does not necessarily survive. We also derive conditions under which rent-seeking by unions may actually encourage firms’ investments. JEL Classification: J51, O31, O32