Transformer-based language models for semantic search and mobile applications retrieval

Search engines are being extensively used by Mobile App Stores, where millions of users world-wide use them every day. However, some stores still resort to simple lexical-based search engines, despite the recent advances in Machine Learning, Information Retrieval, and Natural Language Processing, which allow for richer semantic strategies. This work proposes an approach for semantic search of mobile applications that relies on transformer-based language models, fine-tuned with the existing textual information about known mobile applications. Our approach relies solely on the application name and on the unstructured textual information contained in its description. A dataset of about 500 thousand mobile apps was extended in the scope of this work with a test set, and all the available textual data was used to fine-tune our neural language models. We have evaluated our models using a public dataset that includes information about 43 thousand applications, and 56 manually annotated non- exact queries. The results show that our model surpasses the performance of all the other retrieval strategies reported in the literature. Tests with users have confirmed the performance of our semantic search approach, when compared with an existing deployed solution.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

USA: returning from China?

Nowadays, countries are fighting more than ever for international investments, and they have to provide interesting conditions for companies. Many international companies recognized China as very competitive place to install their factories. Often companies are now considering that the reduced costs (principally wages) in China are not anymore so attractive as before. These companies are returning back from China, finding domestically low wage costs making many investments interesting in their countries. An analysis of this new international scenario is made in this paper as much as a perspective for the future and the implications resulting from companies’ investment movements.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Application of fractional algorithms in control of a quad rotor flight

This paper studies the application of fractional algorithms in the control of a quad-rotor rotorcraft machine. The main contribution of this paper focuses in the development a flight simulator to provide the evaluation model of the quad-rotor. Several basic maneuvers are investigated, namely the elevation and the position control.N/

Surface functionalization of cuttlefish bone-derived biphasic calcium phosphate scaffolds with polymeric coatings

Cuttlefish bone (CB) has been explored as biomaterial in the bone tissue-engineering field due to its unique porous structure and capacity of the aragonite mineral to be hydrothermally converted into calcium phosphates (CaPs). In the present study, undoped and ion (Sr2+, Mg2+ and/or Zn2+) doped biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) scaffolds were prepared by hydrothermal transformation (HT, 200 °C, 24 h) of CB. The obtained scaffolds were sintered and then coated with two commercial polymers, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) or poly(DL-lactide) (PDLA), and with two synthesized ones, a poly(ester amide) (PEA) or a poly(ester urea) (PEU) in order to improve their compressive strength. The scaffolds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) coupled with structural Rietveld refinement, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrate that CB could be entirely transformed into BCPs in the presence or absence of doping elements. The initial CB structure was preserved and the polymeric coatings did not jeopardize the interconnected porous structure. Furthermore, the polymeric coatings enhanced the compressive strength of the scaffolds. The in vitro bio-mineralization upon immersing the scaffolds into simulated body fluid (SBF) demonstrated the formation of bone-like apatite surface layers in both uncoated and coated scaffolds. Overall, the produced scaffolds exhibit promising properties for bone tissue engineering applications.publishe

Biological control of banana black Sigatoka disease with Trichoderma.

A Sigatoka-negra causada por Mycosphaerella fijiensis é a doença mais destrutiva da bananeira em termos mundiais. O patógeno está em uma fase invasiva no Brasil e já se encontra distribuído na maior parte dos Estados do país. O potencial de 29 isolados de Trichoderma spp. para o controle da Sigatoka-negra foi estudado sob condições de campo. Quatro isolados foram capazes de reduzir significativamente a severidade da doença e foram selecionados para um segundo experimento de campo. O isolado 2.047 apresentou os melhores resultados e foi utilizado em testes de sensibilidade a fungicidas e produção massal. Esse isolado foi identificado como Trichoderma atroviride por meio do sequenciamento de fragmentos da regiões ITS do rDNA e tef-1? da RNA polymerase. Trichoderma atroviride foi tão efetivo no controle da Sigatoka-negra quanto o fungicida Azoxystrobin, que é recomendado para o controle da doença. O agente de controle biológico tem potencial para o controle da Sigatoka-negra e pode ser produzido em massa em arroz autoclavado para aplicações no campo

Simulating data envelopment analysis using neural networks: a new paradigm of efficiency measurement.

This article studies the creation of efficiency measurement structures of Decision-Making Units (DMUs) by using high-speed optimisation modules, inspired in the idea of an unconventional Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and numerical methods. In addition, the Linear Programming Problem (LPP) inherent in the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology is transformed into an optimisation problem without constraints, by using a pseudo-cost function, including a penalty term, causing high cost every time one of the constraints is violated. The LPP is converted into a differential equations system. A non-standard ANN implements a numerical solution based on the gradient method

Application of fractional algorithms in the control of a twin rotor multiple input-multiple output system

This paper presents the modelling and control of a laboratory helicopter twin rotor MIMO system using the MatLab package. Firstly, we provide an overview of the system model, secondly, we compare the behaviour of fractional and integer order controllers used a PSO algorithm for the controller optimization in order to obtain the minimum error. Finally, we analyse the system performance and the results obtained with the real helicopter show that fractional algorithms are smoother than conventional PID. Both controllers reveal good output responses but the PID needs more energy to perform the same task.N/

Spores in fabrics: resistance to disinfection by UVC radiation and ozone

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Aplication of fractional algoritms in the control of an helicopter system

This paper compares the application of fractional and integer order controllers for a laboratory helicopter twin rotor MIMO system using the MatLab package.N/