Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of human and machine based facial expression classification

Facial expressions are most commonly used for interpretation of human emotion. Over the last few decades, major advances in understanding and analysis of facial expression was achieved by application of computer vision, image processing, and machine learning techniques. In this paper we propose a method to classify facial expression in two classes using the Zernike moments. The proposed system consists of two parts: facial feature extraction and facial expression classification. The facial features were extracted using higher order Zernike moments and the features were classified by an ANN based classifier. The facial expressions were classified into groups that represented either positive or non-positive emotion. The system was tested on Cohn-Kanade (CK) dataset and 69% accuracy was achieved. Also a survey was conducted where human subjects were asked to classify a given facial image (of the same dataset) as having positive or non-positive emotion. The results from the survey shows that the human subjects could classify expressions with 78% accuracy. Comparison of these two studies show that machine based facial expression classification can be performed with similar accuracy as achieved by human operators.
Discovery of Inhibitors of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase as Cognitive Enhancers

The hexapeptide angiotensin IV (Ang IV) is a metabolite of angiotensin II (Ang II) and plays a central role in the brain. It was reported more than two decades ago that intracerebroventricular injection of Ang IV improved memory and learning in the rat. Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain the positive effects of Ang IV and related analogues on cognition. It has been proposed that the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) is the main target of Ang IV. This paper discusses progress in the discovery of inhibitors of IRAP as potential enhancers of cognitive functions. Very potent inhibitors of the protease have been synthesised, but pharmacokinetic issues (including problems associated with crossing the blood-brain barrier) remain to be solved. The paper also briefly presents an overview of the status in the discovery of inhibitors of ACE and renin, and of AT1R antagonists and AT2R agonists, in order to enable other discovery processes within the RAS system to be compared. The paper focuses on the relationship between binding affinities/inhibition capacity and the structures of the ligands that interact with the target proteins.
Renewable Energy and Socio-economic Development in the European Union

The main objectives of the manuscript are the monitoring and measurement of economic and social development, as well as assessment of renewable energy development in EU countries from the perspective of sustainable development. EU STRATEGY 2020 has basic objectives related to energy development, which implies significant changes in overall development. Energy exploitation represents significant factor of economic, environmental and social development in separate countries, as in EU as a whole. The article will present sample methodology for energy strategy assessment, through analysis of basic economic, social and environmental indicators in EU27 countries. This research includes inter alia analysis of energy production in the EU27 countries, energy import dependency, quantity of pollution as result of energy production and consumption, and human development index (HDI). The countries with the greatest values of Total GDP (eg. Germany, France, United Kingdom and Italy) are positioned in the first ten countries in the total emission of CO2, SOx and NOx. The leading countries in the values of GDP per capita (eg. Luxemburg, Denmark, Sweden and Netherlands) have the middle values of pollution as result of energy production and consumption, except Luxemburg which is at the leading place. The relation between energy export and energy import in EU27 region reflects energy dependency in EU27 region and represents essential energy related problem. The country with the best export-import ratio is Denmark.
Plato : A Platform For Virtual Machine Services

Virtual machines are being used to add new services to system level software. One challenge these virtual machine services face is the semantic gap between VM services and the machine-level interface exposed by the virtual machine monitor. Using the virtual machine monitor interface, VM services have access to hardware-level events like Ethernet packets or disk I/O. However, virtual machine services also benefit from guest software (software running inside the virtual machine) semantic information, like sockets and files. These abstractions are specific to the guest software context and are not exposed directly by the machine-level virtual machine
Spreadsheet-based complex data transformation

Spreadsheets are used by millions of users as a routine all-purpose data management tool. It is now increasingly necessary for external applications and services to consume spreadsheet data. In this paper, we investigate the problem of transforming spreadsheet data to structured formats required by these applications and services. Unlike prior methods, we propose a novel approach in which transformation logic is embedded into a familiar and expressive spreadsheet-like formula mapping language. Popular transformation patterns provided by transformation languages and mapping tools, that are relevant to spreadsheet-based data transformation, are supported in the language via formulas. Consequently, the language avoids cluttering the source spreadsheets with transformations and turns out to be helpful when multiple schemas are targeted. We implemented a prototype and evaluated the benefits of our approach via experiments in a real application. The experimental results confirmed the benefits of our approach.
Coordinated modulations in rat hind limb muscles Coordinated modulations of markers of energy metabolism and contractile apparatus in rat hind limb muscles following physiological activity changes

Although plasticity is a well-known property of skeletal muscle, we still have little understanding of the underlying mechanisms. To characterise at molecular level the coordinated modulations occurring in adapting striated muscles, we have examined two types of rat models resulting in opposite physiological neuromuscular changes: disuse and physical training. We observed that increased muscle activity induces modifications towards an increased oxidative phenotype visible only in slow muscles. Conversely, following muscle disuse, modifications occur towards an increased glycolytic phenotype of slow-oxidative muscles. Our novel observation of muscle-specific enolase increased expression, in the soleus muscle following three-week hind limb suspension, contributes to the demonstration that a global activation of glycolysis, in slow-twitch muscle, accompanies muscle disuse. Our results also indicate that the fast-glycolytic muscle undergoes a transition towards a less oxidative phenotype. In this muscle disuse model, micro methods allowed to obtain data on changes occurring in expression of transcripts and when possible proteins, for twelve chosen markers from one single muscle sample. Among them were two transcription factors implicated in the maintenance of the cellular metabolic balance, HIF-1α and PGC-1α. In conclusion, we have analysed changes in markers of gene modules including enzymes of energy metabolism and isoforms of contractile proteins. In every case, despite the complexity of generated results, our observations imply, but far from prove, the occurrence of coordinated changes in gene expressions of metabolic enzymes and contractile proteins. Furthermore, our data point to two sensitive indicators of complementary metabolic changes: β enolase (glycolysis) and HAD (lipid oxidation).
Understanding the nature of institutionalization for children in Russia

There is an ongoing debate in contemporary international literature about how state care provision is ‘failing’ children and young people in care. In Russia, institutional care is the most widespread with this type of child care placement representing 98 per cent of all out-of-home care facilities for children after kinship care (Groark et al., 2008; Human Rights Watch, 1998). However, since Soviet times institutional care in Russia has rarely been the focus of research or welfare policy debates aiming to explore and potentially improve the existing infrastructure of the child care system. Clear cut gaps in understanding of how institutional care in Russia operates include unawareness of basic everyday experiences of children and young people. This fact severely hinders the development of effective changes in policy and practice. Since Russia is currently facing record numbers of children and young people entering care, it is easy to see how the topic of institutionalization has become one of the pressing priorities on the national agenda (Philanthropy, 2011 ). This thesis aims to improve the understanding of institutionalization in Russia through a systematic exploration of a range of experiences within institutional care as well as an in-depth investigation of key factors and characteristics which define institutional being. Drawing on the philosophical underpinning of critical realism, this research challenges the global conceptualization of the institutional care focusing on how the institutionalization comes to be as it is. The data is obtained from a combination of two methods namely questionnaires with care leavers and care givers followed by ethnographic participant observation conducted in four child care institutions in Russia. The results of the study suggest that the process of institutionalization plays a role of a large family for children in care as well as for those who left care. Having both positive and negative experiences of care, institutionalization is informed and shaped by the factors of power, collectivism, distance and intimacy in relationships, suppressed individuality and wider society. Developed in response to provision of protection and safety of children, the imbalance in these practices often contributes to the bleak picture of care. This study addresses the substantial gap in the literature providing an in-depth portrait of institutional care and institutionalization in Russia. The thesis highlights that institutional being is the product of a complex interplay among individuals and a network of contextual, cultural, organisational, social and individual factors and characteristics. These factors and aspects need to be acknowledged and addressed where possible to support institutional being of children and young people.
Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Hormozgan Province of Iran Based on 15-Locus MIRU-VNTR and Spoligotyping

Background. Considering that Hormozgan province in Iran (southern part of Iran on the Persian Gulf) is among the areas with high prevalence of MDR-MTB and attracts so many sailors and tourists, genetic diversity of MTB isolates circulating in this part of Iran was evaluated. Pattern of TB transmission was also examined. Methods and Material. A total of 38 isolates of MTB were cultured from TB patients from Hormozgan province of Iran and standard MIRU-VNTR typing and spoligotyping were applied to genotype these isolates. Drug susceptibility testing was performed using proportion method. Results. There were 28 VNTR profiles comprising 5 clusters and 23 unique isolates compared to 21 spoligotyping profiles, which contained 9 clusters and 12 unique isolates. Latin American-Mediterranean (n = 9, 23.6%) was found to be the most predominant lineage. MIRU-VNTR analysis, with an HGDI of 0.975, was more discriminating than spoligotyping, which had an HGDI of 0.955. The estimated proportion of TB cases due to recent transmission was 26.3% and 44.7% by MIRU-VNTR and spoligotyping, respectively. The rates of monodrug resistance and MDR were 15.8% and 7.9%, respectively. Two of 3 MDR strains were found to be related to MIRU-VNTR and belonged to the same spoligotyping cluster characterized with T1/SIT53 genotype. Conclusions. The high genetic diversity among MTB isolates suggests that transmission occurred from different sources to this area. Reactivation of a priori, latent MTB infection was found to contribute mainly to TB cases in this geographic region.
Complementary Effects of Genetic Variations in LEPR on Body Composition and Soluble Leptin Receptor Concentration after 3-Month Lifestyle Intervention in Prepubertal Obese Children

In obese individuals, weight loss might be affected by variants of the adipokine-encoding genes. We verified whether selected functional single nucleotide polymorphisms in LEP, LEPR and ADIPOQ are associated with changes in serum levels of the respective adipokines and weight loss in 100 prepubertal obese (SDS-BMI > 2) Caucasian children undergoing lifestyle intervention. Frequencies of the -2548G > A LEP, Q223R LEPR, K656N LEPR, -11377C > G and -11426A > G ADIPOQ polymorphisms were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Serum adipokine and soluble leptin receptor (sOB-R) concentrations were measured using the ELISA method. Among the analyzed polymorphisms, only LEPR polymorphisms were associated with changes of SDS-BMI or sOB-R concentrations in children after therapy. Carriers of the wild-type K665N and at least one minor Q223R allele had the greatest likelihood of losing weight (OR = 5.09, p = 0.006), an increase in sOB-R (ptrend = 0.022) and decrease in SDS-BMI correlated with the decrease of fat mass (p < 0.001). In contrast, carrying of the wild-type Q223R and at least one minor K665N allele were associated with a decrease in sOB-R concentrations and a decrease in SDS-BMI correlated with a decrease in fat-free mass (p = 0.002). We suggest that the combination of different LEPR variants, not a single variant, might determine predisposition to weight loss in the prepubertal period.
Assessing the competitiveness and comparative advantage of broiler production in Johor using policy analysis matrix.

Malaysian poultry policy aims to provide remunerative prices for producers and to guarantee a steady supply of poultry products at stable and affordable prices to consumers. Broiler meat is the most important and the cheapest protein source in Malaysia and trade protection could stimulate the local industry and enhance food security. The study attempts to evaluate the competitiveness and comparative advantage of three different scales of broiler production in Johor using policy analysis matrix (PAM). The existing protection and the level of comparative advantage are ascertained through PAM indicators. The results show that Malaysia has strong competitiveness position in every scale of broiler production especially the largest scale. But, the protection through import curtailment resulted in higher domestic prices than the world price. To increase competitiveness, the broiler industry should reduce the dependence on expensive and unstable cost of corn based feed.
Structure and star formation in disk galaxies III. Nuclear and circumnuclear Hα emission

From Hα images of a carefully selected sample of 57 relatively large, Northern spiral galaxies with low inclination, we study the distribution of the Hα emission in the circumnuclear and nuclear regions. At a resolution of around 100 parsec, we find that the nuclear Hα emission in the sample galaxies is often peaked, and significantly more often so among AGN host galaxies. The circumnuclear Hα emission, within a radius of two kpc, is often patchy in late-type, and absent or in the form of a nuclear ring in early-type galaxies. There is no clear correlation of nuclear or circumnuclear Hα morphology with the presence or absence of a bar in the host galaxy, except for the nuclear rings which occur in barred hosts. The presence or absence of close bright companion galaxies does not affect the circumnuclear Hα morphology, but their presence does correlate with a higher fraction of nuclear Hα peaks. Nuclear rings occur in at least 21% (±5%) of spiral galaxies, and occur predominantly in galaxies also hosting an AGN. Only two of our 12 nuclear rings occur in a galaxy which is neither an AGN nor a starburst host. We confirm that weaker bars host larger nuclear rings. The implications of these results on our understanding of the occurrence and morphology of massive star formation, as well as non-stellar activity, in the central regions of galaxies are discussed.
Electrostatic atomisation of conducting liquids using AC superimposed on DC fields

The possibility of using electrostatic atomization to produce fine ceramic particles starting from highly conducting ceramic precursor solutions was investigated. The production of uniform droplets formed by the breakup of a permanent jet extending from the capillary nozzle was studied experimentally. To control the atomization process, an AC field was superimposed on the DC field. For given parameters of superimposed on the DC field. For given parameters of electrostatic field, capillary diameter, resistivity of the liquid, and flow rate, the jet formation and breakup process were investigated, using optical techniques. Several regimes were observed to be in synchronization with the applied potentials and frequencies. In these regimes uniform droplets were produced. <<ETX>>
Are solar neutrino oscillations robust

The robustness of the large mixing angle (LMA) oscillation (OSC) interpretation of the solar neutrino data is considered in a more general framework where non-standard neutrino interactions (NSI) are present. Such interactions may be regarded as a generic feature of models of neutrino mass. The 766.3 ton-yr data sample of the KamLAND collaboration are included in the analysis, paying attention to the background from the reaction ^13C(\alpha,n) ^16O. Similarly, the latest solar neutrino fluxes from the SNO collaboration are included. In addition to the solution which holds in the absence of NSI (LMA-I) there is a 'dark-side' solution (LMA-D) with sin^2 theta_Sol = 0.70, essentially degenerate with the former, and another light-side solution (LMA-0) allowed only at 97% CL. More precise KamLAND reactor measurements will not resolve the ambiguity in the determination of the solar neutrino mixing angle theta_Sol, as they are expected to constrain mainly Delta m^2. We comment on the complementary role of atmospheric, laboratory (e.g. CHARM) and future solar neutrino experiments in lifting the degeneracy between the LMA-I and LMA-D solutions. In particular, we show how the LMA-D solution induced by the simplest NSI between neutrinos and down-type-quarks-only is in conflict with the combination of current atmospheric data and data of the CHARM experiment. We also mention that establishing the issue of robustness of the oscillation picture in the most general case will require further experiments, such as those involving low energy solar neutrinos.
Interpreting Educational Research: An Introduction for Consumers of Research. Second Edition.

This book provides the basic knowledge and skills to read, interpret, evaluate, and write about quantitative and qualitative Through electronic databases and it's fast all educators whether consumers. Of updating information about education teachers reading interpreting. In any and content he directed learning. Dertinger university and practices of, chapter with resources as producers. In a glossary of research concepts this revision.
Complementary variable- and person-centred approaches to the dimensionality of work engagement: a longitudinal investigation

ABSTRACT This study illustrates complementary variable- and person-centred approaches to the investigation of the underlying dimensionality of the work engagement construct. A sample of 730 participants completed a questionnaire twice across a four-month period. The results showed that employees’ ratings of their work engagement simultaneously reflected a global overarching work engagement construct, which co-existed with three specific dimensions (vigour, dedication, and absorption). Relying on factor scores from this initial measurement model, the present study examined latent profiles of employees defined based on their global (work engagement) and specific (vigour, dedication, and absorption) levels of work engagement. The results revealed five distinct work engagement profiles, which proved to be fully identical, and highly stable, across the two time points. These profiles characterized disengaged-vigorous, normative, totally disengaged, vigorously absorbed, and engaged yet distanced employees. These profiles were also showed to be meaningfully related to employees’ levels of stress, intentions to leave the organization, health, and job satisfaction.
Why They Stay: Alternate Route Teachers' Perspectives on Their Decisions To Continue Teaching after the Induction Period.

This study examined key factors contributing to the persistence of urban teachers who entered teaching through alternative certification programs. It explored how they constructed meanings from the processes, events, and relationships they experienced. Data came from a 1991-92 cohort of alternatively certified teachers who received tenure in 1994 or 1995 and were still in education in 1997-98. Teacher surveys and interviews indicated that teacher preparation factors contributing to teacher persistence included each component of the alternative route program consisting of pre-internship coursework and the internship experience. Participants recalled coursework as relevant and practical, transferred into short-term and long-term practice. They felt well-prepared and competent. As interns, participants forged strong relationships with their on-site mentors and each other. These relationships were critical in their development of professional skills and identity. Mentoring ensured daily contact with experienced teachers, who provided the emotional and technical support essential for developing competence and professional identity. The cohort relationship was particularly important in sustaining their commitment to the program. Relationships between cohort members were so strong that they continued into the inservice years, and several of the teachers reported continuing bonds with others in their cohorts 6 years into their teaching careers. (Contains 42 references.) (SM) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Why They Stay: Alternate Route Teachers' Perspectives on Their Decisions To Continue Teaching after the Induction Period. Kathleen Topolka Jorissen University of Minnesota jorissen@rconnect.com Presentation for the Annual Conference of the American Educational Research Association (New Orleans, LA, April 2, 2002) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy. rapsT raDV Al/A It A r o.rwl I nvruLnoLC 2 PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY