Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
L'or du monde: La France et la stabilité du systéme monétaire international 1848–1873. By Marc Flandreau. Etudes d'economie politique. Paris: Editions L'Harmattan, 1995. Pp. 367. 190FF

Bonapartist regime's perceptions of an uncontrollable "midi rouge" originated in the very revolutionary moment in which Louis Napoleon himself had emerged as the "guarantor of property and social order. " At this juncture, Johnson's main argument is crisply demonstrated. The politics of industrial decline is inseparable from the politics of industrialization. Whereas recent scholarship in the field has emphasized the role of local struggles in shaping investment pattern and the organization of production, Johnson reminds us that a fuller explanation is not possible unless we consider how regional class politics connects with the national. During the Second Empire, the state, working with powerful networks of private financiers, defined a new geography of industrial growth and economic power in France. Parisian bureaucrats called on market forces to discipline a regional bourgeoisie without ever acknowledging their own role in defining credit risk and investment "climate. " As southern elites lost access to the center of power, the entire region was relegated to the margins. Whereas local merchant families could retreat to their country estates, workers were forced to migrate. The social and personal costs of deindustrialization were borne by those with few resources. When local capital finally turned to viticulture, the vineyards hired mostly migrant workers from Spain. Johnson tells his powerful and moving story of southern Languedoc with the American industrial heartland in mind. Throughout the text, the author draws parallels to present-day Detroit. These references are tantalizing but frustrating as well. Perhaps the fallacy is our yearning to make the past reveal patterns that inform current policies and strategies. Yet readers who share Johnson's intellectual and political commitments will want to press him for more. Telling the story of industrial decline as the result of political conflict is important for framing debates over solutions and alternatives. Johnson's analysis specifically highlights the significance of struggles over image and representations. Southern Languedoc elites may have failed to counter the image of "midi rouge," but surely the other defeat was the radical vision of the "democ-soc" in 1848. If the analogy holds, the challenge before us is to formulate a populist industrial vision that could capture the political center. Even as readers ponder the immensity of the task, we still must congratulate Johnson for posing the hard political questions.
Rate-compatible turbo product codes with non-symmetry block codes for satellite return link transmission technology

Soft-based linear block codes combined with linear modulation cannot obtain coding gains by increasing the number of iterations. In this paper, we propose rate-compatible turbo product codes with extended BCH codes using zero padding and shortening the row and/or column to adapt a next-generation (NG) Digital Video Broadcasting-Return Channel by Satellite (DVB-RCS) system. In addition, in order to make various coding rates for the required standard, we used different coding rates between row and column codes. At a bit error rate (BER) of 10-4 the performance is better at around 1.5-2 dB compared to soft-based extended BCH codes at the same coding rates.
Tensor Contraction Layers for Parsimonious Deep Nets

Tensors offer a natural representation for many kinds of data frequently encountered in machine learning. Images, for example, are naturally represented as third order tensors, where the modes correspond to height, width, and channels. In particular, tensor decompositions are noted for their ability to discover multi-dimensional dependencies and produce compact low-rank approximations of data. In this paper, we explore the use of tensor contractions as neural network layers and investigate several ways to apply them to activation tensors. Specifically, we propose the Tensor Contraction Layer (TCL), the first attempt to incorporate tensor contractions as end-to-end trainable neural network layers. Applied to existing networks, TCLs reduce the dimensionality of the activation tensors and thus the number of model parameters. We evaluate the TCL on the task of image recognition, augmenting popular networks (AlexNet, VGG). The resulting models are trainable end-to-end. We evaluate TCL's performance on the task of image recognition, using the CIFAR100 and ImageNet datasets, studying the effect of parameter reduction via tensor contraction on performance. We demonstrate significant model compression without significant impact on the accuracy and, in some cases, improved performance.
Küresel finansal riskler karşısında Türkiye’de reel sektörün finansal yapısı ve borç dolarizasyonu

Bu calismada, TCMB Sektor Bilancolari ve TCMB Risk Merkezi sirket duzeyi verileri kullanilarak, Turkiye’de reel sektorun, temelde kuresel dengesizliklerin intibakiyla uluslararasi faiz oranlarindaki artis veya ozellikle gelismekte olan ulkelere olan sermaye girislerindeki ani durus veya tersine donus biciminde gerceklesebilecek dissal kuresel risklere karsi finansal kirilganliklari tartisilmaktadir. Dissal soklar sonucundaki olasi reel kur veya faiz artislarinin etkisinin boyutunda, ekonomideki temel sektorlerin finansal durumlari, borc yapilari ve aralarindaki finansal kirilganlik kanallari temel oneme sahiptir. Reel kur artislari, yuksek duzeyde borc dolarizasyonu gibi finansal kirilganliklarin varliginda, ekonomiyi daraltici olabilecektir. Calisma, borcluluk orani ve faiz riski gibi degiskenlerde 2001 krizi sonrasinda olumlu gelismelere isaret etmektedir. Ancak, borc dolarizasyonu ve kisa vadeli borclanma yapisi, son yillarda gozlenen goreli iyilesmeye ragmen, Turkiye’de reel sektor sirketlerinin dissal finansal soklara karsi temel icsel kirilganlik kaynaklari olarak degerlendirilmektedir. Ozellikle kucuk olcekli veya dusuk ihracat payina sahip sirketlerin kriz sonrasinda borc dolarizasyonu karsisinda daha temkinli olduklari gozlemlenmektedir. Borc dolarizasyonunun sirket olcek buyuklugu ve ihracat paylariyla olan ve son donemde guclenme egilimi gosteren positif iliskisi, finansal piyasalara erisim ve borc-gelir para cinsi bilesimi tutarliligi cercevesinde, risk sinirlayici olgular olarak degerlendirilmektedir.
Clinical characterization of polymorphisms in the sulphonylurea receptor 1 gene in Japanese subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus

To assess the association of polymorphisms at the sulphonylurea receptor (SUR1) gene with the development of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, 456 subjects, 236 with Type 2 diabetes and 220 non‐diabetic controls, were analysed for variants at exon 7, exon 22 and intron 24 of the SUR1 gene by the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The T761T substitution in exon 22 of the SUR1 gene was not found in either diabetic patients or non‐diabetic controls. Both the exon 7 variant and the intron 24 variant were present in both groups at similar frequencies. No significant association was seen between either variant and obesity. Diabetic patients homozygous for the ‐3C allele of intron 24 had a higher ratio of positive family history than patients homozygous for the ‐3T allele (p = 0.03). We conclude that these polymorphisms are not major determinants of diabetes and obesity in the Japanese population. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
LRP 2 gene variants and their haplotypes strongly influence the risk of developing neural tube defects in the fetus : a family-triad study from South India

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the leading cause of infant deaths worldwide. Lipoprotein related receptor 2 (LRP2) has been shown to play a crucial role in neural tube development in mouse models. However, the role of LRP2 gene in the development of human NTDs is not yet known. In view of this, family-based triad approach has been followed considering 924 subjects comprising 124 NTD case-parent trios and 184 control-parent trios diagnosed at Institute of Genetics and Hospital for Genetic Diseases, Hyderabad. Blood and tissue samples were genotyped for rs3755166 (−G759A) and rs2544390 (C835T) variants of LRP2 gene for their association with NTDs. Assessment of maternal-paternal genotype incompatibility risk for NTD revealed 3.77-folds risk with a combination of maternal GA and paternal GG genotypes (GAxGG=GA,p < 0.001), while CT genotypes of both the parents showed 4.19-folds risk for NTDs (CTxCT = CT,p = 0.009). Haplotype analysis revealed significant risk of maternal A-T (OR = 4.48,p < 0.001) and paternal G-T haplotypes (OR = 5.22,p < 0.001) for NTD development. Further, linkage analysis for parent-of-origin effects (POE) also revealed significant transmission of maternal ‘A’ allele (OR = 2.33,p = 0.028) and paternal ‘T’ allele (OR = 6.00,p = 0.016) to NTDs. Analysis of serum folate and active-B12 levels revealed significant association with LRP2 gene variants in the causation of NTDs. In conclusion, the present family-based triad study provides the first report on association of LRP2 gene variants with human NTDs.
The Diversity Of Modern Capitalism

This book considers why institutional forms of modern capitalist economies differ internationally, and proposes a typology of capitalism based on the theory of institutional complementarity. Different economic models are not simply characterized by different institutional forms, but also by particular patterns of interaction between complementary institutions which are the core characteristics of these models. Institutions are not just simply devices which would be chosen by 'social engineers' in order to perform a function as efficiently as possible; they are the outcome of a political economy process. Therefore, institutional change should be envisaged not as a move towards a hypothetical 'one best way', but as a result of socio-political compromises. Based on a theory of institutions and comparative capitalism, the book proposes an analysis of the diversity of modern economies - from America to Korea - and identifies five different models: the market-based Anglo-Saxon model; Asian capitalism; the Continental European model; the social democratic economies; and the Mediterranean model. Each of these types of capitalism is characterized by specific institutional complementarities. The question of the stability of the Continental European model of capitalism has been open since the beginning of the 1990s: inferior macroeconomic performance compared to Anglo-Saxon economies, alleged unsustainability of its welfare systems, too rigid markets, etc. The book examines the institutional transformations that have taken place within Continental European economies and analyses the political project behind the attempts at transforming the Continental model. It argues that Continental European economies will most likely stay very different from the market-based economies, and caat political strategies promoting institutional change aiming at convergence with the Anglo-Saxon model are bound to meet considerable opposition.
Developing parsimonious ensembles using ensemble diversity within a reinforcement learning framework

Heterogeneous ensembles built from the predictions of a wide variety and large number of diverse base predictors represent a potent approach to building predictive models for problems where the ideal base/individual predictor may not be obvious. Ensemble selection is an especially promising approach here, not only for improving prediction performance, but also because of its ability to select a collectively predictive subset, often a relatively small one, of the base predictors. In this paper, we present a set of algorithms that explicitly incorporate ensemble diversity, a known factor influencing predictive performance of ensembles, into a reinforcement learning framework for ensemble selection. We rigorously tested these approaches on several challenging problems and associated data sets, yielding that several of them produced more accurate ensembles than those that don't explicitly consider diversity. More importantly, these diversity-incorporating ensembles were much smaller in size, i.e., more parsimonious, than the latter types of ensembles. This can eventually aid the interpretation or reverse engineering of predictive models assimilated into the resultant ensemble(s).
Crowdsourcing: a comprehensive literature review

– The purpose of this paper is to explore the development of crowdsourcing literature. , – This study is a comprehensive review of 346 articles on crowdsourcing. Both statistical and contents analyses were conducted in this paper. , – ISI listed journal articles, non-ISI listed journal articles and conference articles have had nearly the same contribution in crowdsourcing literature. Articles published in non-ISI listed journals have had an essential role in the initial theory development related to crowdsourcing. Scholars from the USA have authored approximately the same number of articles as scholars from all the European countries combined. Scholars from developing countries have been more relatively active in authoring conference articles than journal articles. Only very recently, top-tier journals have engaged in publishing on crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing has proven to be beneficial in many tasks, but the extant literature does not give much help to practitioners in capturing value from crowdsourcing. Despite understanding that the motivations of crowds are crucial when planning crowdsourcing activities, the various motivations in different contexts have not been explored sufficiently. A major concern has been the quality and accuracy of information that has been gathered through crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing bears a lot of unused potential. For example, it can increase employment opportunities to low-income people in developing countries. On the other hand, more should be known of fair ways to organize crowdsourcing so that solution seekers do not get a chance to exploit individuals committing to provide solutions. , – The literature included in the study is extensive, but an all-inclusive search for articles was limited to only nine selected publishers. However, in addition to the articles retrieved from the nine selected publishers, 52 highly cited articles were also included from other publishers. , – Crowdsourcing has much unused potential, and the use of crowdsourcing is increasing rapidly. The study provides a thematic review of various applications of crowdsourcing. , – The study is the first of its kind to explore the development of crowdsourcing literature, discussing the loci and foci of extant articles and listing applications of crowdsourcing. Successful applications of crowdsourcing include idea generation, microtasking, citizen science, public participation, wikies, open source software and citizen journalism.
Targeting the Yin and the Yang: Combined Inhibition of the Tyrosine Kinase c-Src and the Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP-2 Disrupts Pancreatic Cancer Signaling and Biology In Vitro and Tumor Formation In Vivo

Objectives Although c-Src (Src) has emerged as a potential pancreatic cancer target in preclinical studies, Src inhibitors have not demonstrated a significant therapeutic benefit in clinical trials. The objective of these studies was to examine the effects of combining Src inhibition with inhibition of the protein tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 in pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Methods SHP-2 and Src functions were inhibited by siRNA or small molecule inhibitors. The effects of dual Src/SHP-2 functional inhibition were evaluated by Western blot analysis of downstream signaling pathways; cell biology assays to examine caspase activity, viability, adhesion, migration, and invasion in vitro; and an orthotopic nude mouse model to observe pancreatic tumor formation in vivo. Results Dual targeting of Src and SHP-2 induces an additive or supra-additive loss of phosphorylation of Akt and ERK-1/2 and corresponding increases in expression of apoptotic markers, relative to targeting either protein individually. Combinatorial inhibition of Src and SHP-2 significantly reduces viability, adhesion, migration, and invasion of pancreatic cancer cells in vitro and tumor formation in vivo, relative to individual Src/SHP-2 inhibition. Conclusions These data suggest that the antitumor effects of Src inhibition in pancreatic cancer may be enhanced through simultaneous inhibition of SHP-2.
Regulation of High-Affinity Nitrate Uptake in Roots of Arabidopsis Depends Predominantly on Posttranscriptional Control of the NRT2.1/NAR2.1 Transport System1[W][OA]

In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), the NRT2.1 gene codes for the main component of the root nitrate (NO3−) high-affinity transport system (HATS). Due to the strong correlation generally found between high-affinity root NO3− influx and NRT2.1 mRNA level, it has been postulated that transcriptional regulation of NRT2.1 is a key mechanism for modulation of the HATS activity. However, this hypothesis has never been demonstrated, and is challenged by studies suggesting the occurrence of posttranscriptional regulation at the NRT2.1 protein level. To unambiguously clarify the respective roles of transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulations of NRT2.1, we generated transgenic lines expressing a functional 35S::NRT2.1 transgene in an atnrt2.1 mutant background. Despite a high and constitutive NRT2.1 transcript accumulation in the roots, the HATS activity was still down-regulated in the 35S::NRT2.1 transformants in response to repressive nitrogen or dark treatments that strongly reduce NRT2.1 transcription and NO3− HATS activity in the wild type. In some treatments, this was associated with a decline of NRT2.1 protein abundance, indicating posttranscriptional regulation of NRT2.1. However, in other instances, NRT2.1 protein level remained constant. Changes in abundance of NAR2.1, a partner protein of NRT2.1, closely followed those of NRT2.1, and thus could not explain the close-to-normal regulation of the HATS in the 35S::NRT2.1 transformants. Even if in certain conditions the transcriptional regulation of NRT2.1 contributes to a limited extent to the control of the HATS, we conclude from this study that posttranscriptional regulation of NRT2.1 and/or NAR2.1 plays a predominant role in the control of the NO3− HATS in Arabidopsis.
Quid pro quo? Examining talent management through the lens of psychological contracts

Purpose – The present paper aims to explore the direct and indirect linkages between HRM practices and human capital within a talent management framework. The study extends previous research on the direct effects of HRM to examine how employee responses to HRM practices mediate the linkage between HRM and human capital.Design/methodology/approach – The paper applies psychological contract theory as a lens to assess employee perceptions of the extent to which talent qualities are rewarded and the effect of such perceptions on employee‐felt obligations to develop skills.Findings – The results indicate that HRM practices are positively related to employee‐perceived talent inducements and that talent inducements fully mediate the direct relationship between skill‐enhancing HRM and human capital. What is more, psychological contract obligations to develop skills partially mediated the relationship between talent inducements and human capital. These results imply that the differential treatment of employees bas.
Psychometric properties and utility of the problem severity summary for adults with serious mental illness.

OBJECTIVE The authors studied the psychometric properties and utility of the Problem Severity Summary (PSS), a 13-item instrument that assesses symptom severity and functioning among adults with severe and persistent mental illness. METHODS Case managers rated the PSS among more than 1,000 adults with severe and persistent mental illness who were receiving services at either mainstream community mental health centers or specialty community mental health centers (serving various minority groups) in one county in Washington State. A subsample of clients was used to assess the concurrent validity of the PSS with the Psychiatric Symptom Assessment Scale. RESULTS Interrater reliability was adequate for ten of the 13 PSS items. Four meaningful factors were derived, each with adequate internal consistency: community functioning, negative social behavior, affective distress, and psychotic disturbance. The PSS demonstrated adequate concurrent and predictive validity. Sensitivity of the PSS factors to change showed that scores on three of the four scales changed significantly over one year. Discriminant validity indicated that the PSS is generally unbiased in terms of demographic characteristics. CONCLUSIONS The PSS is a brief, easily administered instrument that shows psychometric promise for use in clinical contexts, such as treatment planning, concurrent review of care, and guidance for level-of-care decisions, as well as for quality management purposes.
Computerized detection of retina blood vessel using a piecewise line fitting approach

Retina vessels are important landmarks in fundus images, an accurate segmentation of the vessels may be useful for automated screening for several eye diseases or systematic diseases, such as diebetes. A new method is presented for automated segmentation of blood vessels in two-dimensional color fundus images. First, a coherence filter and a followed mean filter are applied to the green channel of the image. The green channel is selected because the vessels have the maximal contrast at the green channel. The coherence filter is to enhance the line strength of the original image and the mean filter is to discard the intensity variance among different regions. Since the vessels are darker than the around tissues depicted on the image, the pixels with small intensity are then retained as points of interest (POI). A new line fitting algorithm is proposed to identify line-like structures in each local circle of the POI. The proposed line fitting method is less sensitive to noise compared to the least squared fitting. The fitted lines with higher scores are regarded as vessels. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, a public available database DRIVE with 20 test images is selected for experiments. The mean accuracy on these images is 95.7% which is comparable to the state-of-art.
Region-based multi-step optic disk and cup segmentation from color fundus image

Retinal optic cup-disk-ratio (CDR) is a one of important indicators of glaucomatous neuropathy. In this paper, we propose a novel multi-step 4-quadrant thresholding method for optic disk segmentation and a multi-step temporal-nasal segmenting method for optic cup segmentation based on blood vessel inpainted HSL lightness images and green images. The performance of the proposed methods was evaluated on a group of color fundus images and compared with the manual outlining results from two experts. Dice scores of detected disk and cup regions between the auto and manual results were computed and compared. Vertical CDRs were also compared among the three results. The preliminary experiment has demonstrated the robustness of the method for automatic optic disk and cup segmentation and its potential value for clinical application.