One-Shot Learning using Mixture of Variational Autoencoders: a Generalization Learning approach

Deep learning, even if it is very successful nowadays, traditionally needs very large amounts of labeled data to perform excellent on the classification task. In an attempt to solve this problem, the one-shot learning paradigm, which makes use of just one labeled sample per class and prior knowledge, becomes increasingly important. In this paper, we propose a new one-shot learning method, dubbed MoVAE (Mixture of Variational AutoEncoders), to perform classification. Complementary to prior studies, MoVAE represents a shift of paradigm in comparison with the usual one-shot learning methods, as it does not use any prior knowledge. Instead, it starts from zero knowledge and one labeled sample per class. Afterward, by using unlabeled data and the generalization learning concept (in a way, more as humans do), it is capable to gradually improve by itself its performance. Even more, if there are no unlabeled data available MoVAE can still perform well in one-shot learning classification. We demonstrate empirically the efficiency of our proposed approach on three datasets, i.e. the handwritten digits (MNIST), fashion products (Fashion-MNIST), and handwritten characters (Omniglot), showing that MoVAE outperforms state-of-the-art one-shot learning algorithms

THE FINANCIAL EQUILIBRIUM AND COMPETITIVENESS WITHIN AGRICULTURAL HOLDINGS

The paper refers to traditional methods of appreciating the financial equilibriumof the agricultural company, methods based on the study of the company’s financialstatements. As far as financial equilibrium is concerned, we consider that there’s no specificindicator to be analyzed in order to appreciate financial equilibrium due to differentperception the stakeholders have on the enterprise equilibrium. In real life we often see thesame indicator calculated differently according to the objective pursued by the analyst. Thispaper shows the calculation method of the static financial equilibrium indicators, theevolution and the factors leading to the alteration of these indicators, their financialmanagement. It also determines financial equilibrium by financing rates method and assessesfinancial equilibrium using profitableness rates for agricultural holding companies. Itconcludes with the specific factors that affect the financial equilibrium in agriculturalholdings.financial equilibrium, competitiveness, agricultural holdings, indicator

TRENDS AND CHALLENGES OF ROMANIAN BROKERAGE INSURANCE MARKET

The distribution of insurance products represents a key aspect regarding theattainment of positive results by insurers. Insurance brokers represent one of the majordistribution channels in some national markets, including Romania. The present paper aimsat highlighting the importance of insurance brokerage on the Romanian market, analyzing theevolution of brokers in quantitative terms and also grasping the main characteristics of therecent evolution of this market. Based on the official statistics, the paper emphasizes the mainmanagerial aspects that have guided and will guide the Romanian brokerage market, as wellas the challenges brokers will have to solve in order to have a positive development.insurance, brokers, distribution channels

Assessing Financial Equilibrium of the Romanian Companies Traded at Bucharest Stock Exchange

This paper presents a model of financial equilibrium analysis. The model is based on relation between net working capital, necessary of working capital and net treasury of the firm. Based on the Pearson correlation coefficient and rank Spearman correlation coefficient, we have determined the intensity of the connection between the stability level, which is an expression of long term equilibrium, and different financial indicators yearly adjusted. Its applicability on Romanian companies traded at Bucharest Stock Exchange is limited by the insufficient amount of information. The list of indicators related to stability should be completed with some more indicators, such as the added value, the expenses profitableness, the financial result and so on.net assets, net working capital, net working capital required, net treasury, financial rates, stability.

Rhetorical Critic's Role and Mission in Communication

AbstractThe Classical Greco-Roman rhetoric is considered to be the humanist basis of the Western cultures. This study aims to highlight the importance of the rhetorical tradition in the study of human communication. Rhetorical criticism of the communication sciences is one of the main approaches to qualitative textual analysis. In a meta-theoretic approach our work tries to establish the specific rhetorical criticism as a qualitative, interpretative and subjective discourse research method in our contemporary communicative society. We argue that the teacher who teaches his students rhetorical criticism provides a range of methodological and educational clues such as: understanding other people, clarification of the values, aesthetic appeal, community consensus and changing of the society. After all, the rhetorical critic's role is to internalize and propose a humanist alternative opposed to the dominant objective paradigm. Rhetorical critic's mission is to come up with his own discursive voice which is meant to communicate about the contemporary social and political challenges. In the spirit of the methodological pluralism we consider that in the field of communication, the practitioners of quantitative and qualitative methods should enjoy recognition and mutual respect

NEW CONCEPTS IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT

Modern society is subject to particular pressures caused by climate change agrolimentară reduce output and population growth that increases the demand for food, fiber and bioenergy. This contradiction requires changing patterns of production and consumption by developing new concepts on global economic management.These concepts bioeconomy offers solutions to improve the efficiency of biomass through full utilization of renewable natural resources.

AGRICULTURAL INSURANCE IN ROMANIA

Production risks, meaning weather and climate related risks, affecting agricultural activities could be managed through agricultural insurance. First, the paper presents the specific production risk in agriculture and the tools that are used to manage itrisk, insurance, agriculture, catastrophe, climate

USING WEB TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE THE ACCOUNTING OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES. AN ACADEMIC APPROACH TO IMPLEMENTATION OF IFRS

One way of supporting the accounting standard-setting process and to facilitatethe access to those standards is through the implementation of modern accounting reportingmethods using web technology. In this regard SMEs are under stress of two major factors:implementation of accounting standards and revolution in IT technology. The purpose of thispaper is to define the web accounting, explain the implications of web accounting for IFRSand discuss the key features in implementing this form of accounting for Small and MediumEnterprises(SME‘s). Web accounting is accounting software based on XML technology thatstores records and processes accounting transactions using HTTP as its primarycommunications protocol, and delivers web based information in HTML format and thentranslated in other formats. Web based accounting, will provide the benefit of cost savingsand increasing efficiency. It also will allows employees and external users (suppliers,customers and investors) a real time access to accounting data, translating reports in XBRLformat and facilitate adoption of IFRS.Web Accounting, SMEs, Web Technology, XML, XBRL, IFRS