Translating Neuralese

Several approaches have recently been proposed for learning decentralized deep multiagent policies that coordinate via a differentiable communication channel. While these policies are effective for many tasks, interpretation of their induced communication strategies has remained a challenge. Here we propose to interpret agents' messages by translating them. Unlike in typical machine translation problems, we have no parallel data to learn from. Instead we develop a translation model based on the insight that agent messages and natural language strings mean the same thing if they induce the same belief about the world in a listener. We present theoretical guarantees and empirical evidence that our approach preserves both the semantics and pragmatics of messages by ensuring that players communicating through a translation layer do not suffer a substantial loss in reward relative to players with a common language.Comment: Fixes typos and cleans ups some model presentation detail

Experimental study of the force transfer mechanism in transition zone between composite column and reinforced concrete column

[EN] The current EN 1992 provides structured information related to the design of reinforced concrete columns or reinforced concrete column beam connections. On the other hand, EN 1994 gives enough information on the design of composite columns but none of the current codes provide details about a possible transfer zone in the case of usage of RC and composite column solution. The current study tends to fill the gap between these two norms. In the current experimental campaign, carried out in the frame of the European research program SmartCoCo, it is presented as a calibration method for a tentative design method which has been elaborated by one of the authors based on theoretical strut and tie reasoning. The objective of the current paper is to present the results of the experiments and aims to validate the theoretical approach for calculating the force transfer mechanism in the transfer zone. The experimental campaign comprises of 4 columns and 4 column-beam connections, all of them being composed by a RC part and a composite. The tests are performed on vertical column, simply supported with a width of 350mm, length of 380 mm and a height of 3850 mm with a regular concrete quality (C25/30). This contribution describes the test specimens, summarizes their design, presents a selection of the most relevant results from analog and digital measurements and a short interpretation of the obtain results. We concluded from this set of tests that the new design method is able to explain the force transfer mechanism with a good accuracy and can therefore be considered as a suitable solution for designing practical cases.Dragan, D.; Plumier, A.; Degee, H. (2018). Experimental study of the force transfer mechanism in transition zone between composite column and reinforced concrete column. En Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Advances in Steel-Concrete Composite Structures. ASCCS 2018. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 315-321. https://doi.org/10.4995/ASCCS2018.2018.7028OCS31532

Increase of BOF Converter Life by Own Slag Coating

This paper presents a method for the improvement of the lining life of the BOF converter by slag coating, under nitrogen pressure. Own slag coating of converter lining is put in practice after steel tapping. Dolomite blocks are used like standard wear converter lining. Nitrogen blowing for own slag coating is carried out by oxygen lance. After steel tapping without slag, the converter is tilt in blowing position and the oxygen lance is let down in the lowest position. The nitrogen is blown under 10-12 barr pressure and 450-500 Nm3/min rate, for 3 minutes. By this slag coating technology the performance of refractories has been improved from about 370 heats per campaign in reference year to about 800 heats per campaign at the end of two years of experiments, and therefore refractory consumption decreased from 5.25 kg/t under 3.00 kg/t and the cost of converter refractories decreased by 0.24 $/t. Another variant for improvement of the BOF converter lining life was the use of magnesia bricks for selective lining areas (trunion rings area and charging mouth). The own slag coating technology has been used also. In the case of this variant, the lining life of converter has been improved to about 800 heats per campaign at the end of two years of experiments and so the refractories consumption decreased under 2.45 kg/t. Because of the higher price of magnesia bricks and of the lower price of dolomite blocks, the cost for converter refractories has decreased only by 0.02$/t

Preliminary study regarding the positioning of the bathymetric system on a research ship

The topic of this preliminary study comes from the need to analyze the positioning of the multi-beam bathymetric system on a research vessel on the Danube River. Starting from the variants of bathymetric echo sound systems, they were discussed in advance with the supplying company and the construction shipyard to ensure the most advantageous cases of positioning the bathymetric equipment. The results of this preliminary study provide the researchers and the shipyard with several options for positioning the bathymetric system to choose a constructive solution that will ensure the requested operation conditions for recording the most relevant waterways bathymetric data regarding the safety of navigable channels on the Danube River

The Question-driven Dashboard: How Can We Design Analytics Interfaces Aligned to Teachers’ Inquiry?

One of the ultimate goals of several learning analytics (LA) initiatives is to close the loop and support students’ and teachers’ reflective practices. Although there has been a proliferation of end-user interfaces (often in the form of dashboards), various limitations have already been identified in the literature such as key stakeholders not being involved in their design, little or no account for sense-making needs, and unclear effects on teaching and learning. There has been a recent call for human-centred design practices to create LA interfaces in close collaboration with educational stakeholders to consider the learning design, and their authentic needs and pedagogical intentions. This paper addresses the call by proposing a question-driven LA design approach to ensure that end-user LA interfaces explicitly address teachers’ questions. We illustrate the approach in the context of synchronous online activities, orchestrated by pairs of teachers using audio-visual and text-based tools (namely Zoom and Google Docs). This study led to the design and deployment of an open-source monitoring tool to be used in real-time by teachers when students work collaboratively in breakout rooms, and across learning spaces

ESVM Guideline on peripheral arterial disease

International audienc

Data for "Drivers of species knowledge across the Tree of Life"

Columns are described in the read_me file. See also the associated GitHub repository for the analysis pipeline: https://github.com/StefanoMammola/Mammola_et_al_ToL_research_interestN

ESVM guidelines:the diagnosis and management of Raynaud's phenomenon

Regarding the clinical diagnosis of Raynaud's phenomenon and its associated conditions, investigations and treatment are substantial, and yet no international consensus has been published regarding the medical management of patients presenting with this condition. Most knowledge on this topic derives from epidemiological surveys and observational studies; few randomized studies are available, almost all relating to drug treatment, and thus these guidelines were developed as an expert consensus document to aid in the diagnosis and management of Raynaud's phenomenon. This consensus document starts with a clarification about the definition and terminology of Raynaud's phenomenon and covers the differential and aetiological diagnoses as well as the symptomatic treatment

Uncovering the complex genetics of human character

Human personality is 30-60% heritable according to twin and adoption studies. Hundreds of genetic variants are expected to influence its complex development, but few have been identified. We used a machine learning method for genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to uncover complex genotypic-phenotypic networks and environmental interactions. The Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) measured the self-regulatory components of personality critical for health (i.e., the character traits of self-directedness, cooperativeness, and self-transcendence). In a discovery sample of 2149 healthy Finns, we identified sets of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that cluster within particular individuals (i.e., SNP sets) regardless of phenotype. Second, we identified five clusters of people with distinct profiles of character traits regardless of genotype. Third, we found 42 SNP sets that identified 727 gene loci and were significantly associated with one or more of the character profiles. Each character profile was related to different SNP sets with distinct molecular processes and neuronal functions. Environmental influences measured in childhood and adulthood had small but significant effects. We confirmed the replicability of 95% of the 42 SNP sets in healthy Korean and German samples, as well as their associations with character. The identified SNPs explained nearly all the heritability expected for character in each sample (50 to 58%). We conclude that self-regulatory personality traits are strongly influenced by organized interactions among more than 700 genes despite variable cultures and environments. These gene sets modulate specific molecular processes in brain for intentional goal-setting, self-reflection, empathy, and episodic learning and memory.Peer reviewe