Uncertainty Detection as Approximate Max-Margin Sequence Labelling

This paper reports experiments for the CoNLL 2010 shared task on learning to detect hedges and their scope in natural language text. We have addressed the experimental tasks as supervised linear maximum margin prediction problems. For sentence level hedge detection in the biological domain we use an L1-regularised binary support vector machine, while for sentence level weasel detection in the Wikipedia domain, we use an L2-regularised approach. We model the in-sentence uncertainty cue and scope detection task as an L2-regularised approximate maximum margin sequence labelling problem, using the BIO-encoding. In addition to surface level features, we use a variety of linguistic features based on a functional dependency analysis. A greedy forward selection strategy is used in exploring the large set of potential features. Our official results for Task 1 for the biological domain are 85.2 F1-score, for the Wikipedia set 55.4 F1-score. For Task 2, our official results are 2.1 for the entire task with a score of 62.5 for cue detection. After resolving errors and final bugs, our final results are for Task 1, biological: 86.0, Wikipedia: 58.2; Task 2, scopes: 39.6 and cues: 78.5

Enhanced Cooperation under the Lisbon Treaty

Enhanced cooperation is often regarded as being a way out of EU decision-making deadlock and as a major possibility of proceeding with European integration in selected areas. Although the mechanism has been in place since the Treaty of Amsterdam, enhanced cooperation has only recently become a reality, in two policy fields: divorce law and the single EU patent. Using these two cases, in this paper the pros and cons of enhanced cooperation (as compared to unitary integration and alternative integration) are analyzed. The paper concludes by pointing out some possible weaknesses of the enhanced cooperation mechanism

The Elusive Antitrust Standard on Bundling in Europe and in the United States at the Aftermath of the Microsoft Cases

We analyze and contrast the US and EU antitrust standards on mixed bundling and tying. We apply our analysis to the US and EU cases against Microsoft on the issue of tying new products (Internet Explorer in the US, and Windows Media Player in the EU) with Windows as well as to cases brought in Europe and in the United States on bundling discounts. We conclude that there are differences between the EC and US antitrust law on the choice of the relevant analogy for bundled rebates (predatory price standard or foreclosure standard) and the implementation of the distinct product and coercion test for tying practices. The second important difference between the two jurisdictions concerns the interpretation of the requirement of anticompetitive foreclosure. It seems to us that in Europe, consumer detriment is found easily and it is not always a requirement for the application of Article 82, or at least that the standard of proof of a consumer detriment for tying cases is lower than in the US.

Logical openness in Cognitive Models

It is here proposed an analysis of symbolic and sub-symbolic models for studying cognitive processes, centered on emergence and logical openness notions. The Theory of logical openness connects the Physics of system/environment relationships to the system informational structure. In this theory, cognitive models can be ordered according to a hierarchy of complexity depending on their logical openness degree, and their descriptive limits are correlated to Gödel-Turing Theorems on formal systems. The symbolic models with low logical openness describe cognition by means of semantics which fix the system/environment relationship (cognition in vitro), while the sub-symbolic ones with high logical openness tends to seize its evolutive dynamics (cognition in vivo). An observer is defined as a system with high logical openness. In conclusion, the characteristic processes of intrinsic emergence typical of “bio-logic” - emerging of new codes-require an alternative model to Turing-computation, the natural or bio-morphic computation, whose essential features we are going here to outline

The Elusive Antitrust Standard on Bundling in Europe and in the United States at the Aftermath of the Microsoft Cases

We analyze and contrast the US and EU antitrust standards on mixed bundling and tying. We apply our analysis to the US and EU cases against Microsoft on the issue of tying new products (Internet Explorer in the US, and Windows Media Player in the EU) with Windows as well as to cases brought in Europe and in the United States on bundling discounts. We conclude that there are differences between the EC and US antitrust law on the choice of the relevant analogy for bundled rebates (predatory price standard or foreclosure standard) and the implementation of the distinct product and coercion test for tying practices. The second important difference between the two jurisdictions concerns the interpretation of the requirement of anticompetitive foreclosure. It seems to us that in Europe, consumer detriment is found easily and it is not always a requirement for the application of Article 82, or at least that the standard of proof of a consumer detriment for tying cases is lower than in the US.tying, bundling, foreclosure, requirement contracts, monopolization, Microsoft, predatory pricing

The Social Dimensions of Idea Work in Haute Cuisine: A Bourdieusian Perspective

This paper analyzes idea work in haute cuisine through three case studies. Mobilizing Bourdieu’s praxeology, we consider idea work as a practice, an activity that takes sense and meaning in the social world. Thus, idea work reflects the position of the agent in the field and the struggles to maintain or improve this position. In grand restaurants, the chefs play a key role in idea work, even if they involve other people. Idea work is rooted in their personal experience, but is also shaped by the restaurant’ style and haute cuisine rules. Idea work relates to chefs’ reflection as well as emotions and feelings.Bourdieu; Creativity; Field; Habitus; Haute Cuisine; Gastronomy; Practice

COMPETITIVE FOOD POLICY IMPLEMENTATION IN KENTUCKY SCHOOLS

This study was designed to explore the literature on competitive food policy implementation (CFPI); examines demographic and school factors associated with CFPI; and explores the experiences of school leaders and staff in CFPI using a proposed theoretical framework to guide the research. Competitive foods are those sold in vending machines, a la carte settings, fundraisers, class parties and other venues which compete with foods offered through the national school lunch and breakfast programs. Competitive foods have traditionally been of low nutritional value and high energy density. CFPI may be effective in reducing student calorie intake and BMI. However, evaluation of competitive food policy effectiveness is difficult due to variability in policy implementation. A theoretical framework is needed to guide research on CFPI. This research was a mixed methods study including a review of the literature, quantitative secondary analysis, and a qualitative content analysis of transcripts from semi-structured interviews with school personnel to understand their experience with CFPI. First, a systematic review of the research literature on CFPI was conducted. Demographic and school factors, policy features, and school and parent/community-level factors that impact CFPI were identified. Second, the association of multiple demographic and school factors with CFPI scores was examined. CFPI scale (overall) and sub-scales (“inside” and “outside” school) were developed and validated to evaluate CFPI effectiveness in Kentucky middle and high schools (N=640, grades 5-12). The scales were based on responses to 8 questions on competitive food practices from a 2011 School Tobacco and Wellness Policy biannual survey conducted by the University Of Kentucky College Of Nursing Tobacco Policy Research Program. Student BMI tracking and presence of a written wellness policy predicted higher scores on the overall CFPI scale (BMI OR=2.06, p=0.001; Wellness OR=1.74, p=0.02), inside subscale scores (BMI OR=2.46, p\u3c0.0001; Wellness OR=1.58, p=0.05), and outside subscale scores (BMI OR=2.27, p=0.03; Wellness OR=1.54, p=0.0005). Greater county-level adult obesity rates predicted lower overall CFPI scores (OR=0.93, p=0.02). Private school status predicted lower scores on inside CFPI subscale scores (OR=0.47, p=0.004). Third, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 23 school personnel to explore CFPI. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and content analysis was conducted. Kentucky schools were stratified into four groups based on school level (middle or high) and CFPI scores (high or low). Sixteen schools were randomly selected for each of the four groups. A total of eight schools, two from each group, agreed to participate. The interview guide was based on a proposed CFPI framework based on implementation science, educational and organizational theory research. Six key themes emerged: internal/external forces enabling CFPI; internal and external obstacles to CFPI; key organizational values; organization value of CFPI; methods that organizations use to communicate organizational values; and CFPI policies and procedures. Findings were discussed in the context of the proposed theoretical framework. Implications for policy, practice and future research are presented

The Social Dimensions of Idea Work in Haute Cuisine: A Bourdieusian Perspective

Nous proposons de définir la production d'idées comme une pratique, c'est-à-dire comme une activité qui prend son sens et sa valeur dans un contexte social, pour analyser le travail créatif dans les cuisines de trois grands restaurants.Créativité ; Gastronomie ; Idées ; Pratique

Introduction à la reconstruction 3D par lumière structurée

Ce mémoire porte sur la reconstruction 3D active par la lumière structurée et se veut une introduction au travers d'une vue d'ensemble du domaine. L'accent est mis sur une compréhension des différents aspects du scan 3D, en commençant par l'acquisition du matériel et en allant jusqu'au calcul d'un modèle 3D. Les défis techniques les plus fréquents dans un contexte de scan 3D avec de l'équipement à faible coût sont abordés, de façon à donner une idée générale des problèmes à anticiper à quelqu'un qui souhaiterait se lancer dans la conception ou l'utilisation de ce type de scanneur. Afin d'aider à peser les forces et faiblesses de chaque algorithme formant l'état de l'art actuel en lumière structurée, une revue des différentes stratégies existantes est également donnée. L'étude du domaine a mené à une contribution sous la forme d'un article, qui a été intégré dans le chapitre 6. Cet article propose une amélioration en ce qui concerne la performance et la précision d'un algorithme de scan 3D existant et a été publié dans la International Virtual Conference on 3D Vision en novembre 2020.This thesis focuses on active 3D reconstruction with structured light and is intended to be an introduction through an overview of the field. It is focused on understanding the different aspects of a 3D scanner, from the acquisition of the material to the final mesh reconstruction. The most common technical difficulties that arise in the context of low-cost 3D scanning are addressed, to give a general idea of the potential technical problems that may occur when using a DIY 3D scanner built from scratch. To help assess the strengths and weaknesses of each algorithm of the current state of the art in structured light, a review of the different strategies is also proposed. The study of this domain led to the contribution of a paper, presented here in its entirety in chapter 6. This paper describes an improvement of an existing algorithm, both in terms of performance and precision, and was published in the International Virtual Conference on 3D Vision in November 2020