Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Contrasting and Combining Least Squares Based Learners for Emotion Recognition in the Wild

This paper presents our contribution to ACM ICMI 2015 Emotion Recognition in the Wild Challenge (EmotiW 2015). We participate in both static facial expression (SFEW) and audio-visual emotion recognition challenges. In both challenges, we use a set of visual descriptors and their early and late fusion schemes. For AFEW, we also exploit a set of popularly used spatio-temporal modeling alternatives and carry out multi-modal fusion. For classification, we employ two least squares regression based learners that are shown to be fast and accurate on former EmotiW Challenge corpora. Specifically, we use Partial Least Squares Regression (PLS) and Kernel Extreme Learning Machines (ELM), which is closely related to Kernel Regularized Least Squares. We use a General Procrustes Analysis (GPA) based alignment for face registration. By employing different alignments, descriptor types, video modeling strategies and classifiers, we diversify learners to improve the final fusion performance. Test set accuracies reached in both challenges are relatively 25% above the respective baselines.
Antivenoms for Snakebite Envenoming: What Is in the Research Pipeline?

Of the 24 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) and conditions listed by WHO, snakebite is among the top killers [1]. Tens of thousands of people die each year as a result of snakebite envenoming, with close to 50,000 deaths in India alone [2] and up to 32,000 in sub-Saharan Africa [3]. Yet there are few sources of effective, safe, and affordable antivenoms. The regions that bear the highest snakebite burden are especially underserved [4]. The Fav-Afrique antivenom, produced by Sanofi Pasteur (France), is considered safe and effective and is one of the few antivenoms to be approved by a Stringent Regulatory Authority (French National Regulatory Authority), although limited formal evidence has been published [5,6]. It is polyvalent, targeting most of the medically important snake species in sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, it is highly effective in treating envenoming by Echis ocellatus, the West African saw-scaled viper [5–7] that causes great morbidity and mortality throughout the West and Central African savannah. The venom of E. ocellatus may induce systemic haemorrhage, coagulopathy, and shock, as well as extensive local tissue damage. In the absence of treatment, the case fatality rate is 10%–20% [8]. Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) uses Fav-Afrique in its projects in sub-Saharan Africa, notably in Paoua in Central African Republic (CAR), where E. ocellatus envenoming is frequent [9]. Worryingly, MSF has been informed that the production of Fav-Afrique by Sanofi Aventis will be permanently discontinued. The last batch was released in January 2014, with an expiry date of June 2016. All the vials produced have already been sold by Sanofi Pasteur. Although several alternative antivenom products target a similar list of species as Fav-Afrique, there is currently no evidence of their safety and effectiveness. We aimed to review the evidence for the efficacy and safety of existing and in-development snake antivenoms, and to list the alternatives to Fav-Afrique in sub-Saharan Africa.
The 10Cs of project-based learning TESOL curriculum

ABSTRACT Project-based Learning (Project-BL) has become increasingly popular in mainstream education with various models dedicated to the approach, however, there is a need for a Project-BL framework specifically designed for the second language learning context. The model offered here, called the 10Cs of Project-based Learning TESOL Curriculum, tailors Project-BL to the language classroom by utilizing principles from existing models while incorporating elements which specifically emphasise second language development. Further, it positions the target language as both the object and vehicle of learning, meaning students see the project as a meaningful enterprise with which to learn and use English with their peers. The curriculum promotes learner-centred, collaborative engagement, with the teacher acting as a guide throughout the process. The goals of the curriculum are to develop social and affective capacities, linguistic knowledge, communication skills, and to empower students to create projects that are original, purposeful, and rewarding. This article first briefly explains the background of Project-BL then details each stage of the curriculum, using an example project taken from a study conducted with Korean middle-students to exemplify each stage in the process. Finally, the benefits and challenges of the approach are examined through the perspectives of the study’s participants.
Surface Proteome Analysis and Characterization of Surface Cell Antigen (Sca) or Autotransporter Family of Rickettsia typhi

Surface proteins of the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine or endemic typhus fever, comprise an important interface for host-pathogen interactions including adherence, invasion and survival in the host cytoplasm. In this report, we present analyses of the surface exposed proteins of R. typhi based on a suite of predictive algorithms complemented by experimental surface-labeling with thiol-cleavable sulfo-NHS-SS-biotin and identification of labeled peptides by LC MS/MS. Further, we focus on proteins belonging to the surface cell antigen (Sca) autotransporter (AT) family which are known to be involved in rickettsial infection of mammalian cells. Each species of Rickettsia has a different complement of sca genes in various states; R. typhi, has genes sca1 thru sca5. In silico analyses indicate divergence of the Sca paralogs across the four Rickettsia groups and concur with previous evidence of positive selection. Transcripts for each sca were detected during infection of L929 cells and four of the five Sca proteins were detected in the surface proteome analysis. We observed that each R. typhi Sca protein is expressed during in vitro infections and selected Sca proteins were expressed during in vivo infections. Using biotin-affinity pull down assays, negative staining electron microscopy, and flow cytometry, we demonstrate that the Sca proteins in R. typhi are localized to the surface of the bacteria. All Scas were detected during infection of L929 cells by immunogold electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence assays demonstrate that Scas 1–3 and 5 are expressed in the spleens of infected Sprague-Dawley rats and Scas 3, 4 and 5 are expressed in cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Sca proteins may be crucial in the recognition and invasion of different host cell types. In short, continuous expression of all Scas may ensure that rickettsiae are primed i) to infect mammalian cells should the flea bite a host, ii) to remain infectious when extracellular and iii) to infect the flea midgut when ingested with a blood meal. Each Sca protein may be important for survival of R. typhi and the lack of host restricted expression may indicate a strategy of preparedness for infection of a new host.
On off-shell structure of open string sigma model

We analyze several problems related to off-shell structure of open string sigma model by using a combination of derivative expansion and expansion in powers of the fields. According to the sigma model approach to bosonic open string theory, the tachyon effective action $S(T)$ coincides with the renormalized partition function $Z(T)$ of sigma model on a disk, up to a term vanishing on shell. On the other hand, $Z(T)$ is a generating functional of perturbative open string scattering amplitudes. If $S(T) = Z(T)$, then there should be no contribution of exchange diagrams to string amplitudes computed using $S(T)$. We compute the cubic term in the effective action, and show that it vanishes if some but not all external legs are on shell, and, therefore, any exchange diagram involving the cubic term vanishes too. Then, we discuss a problem of turning on nonrenormalizable boundary interactions, corresponding to massive string modes. We compute the quadratic term for a symmetric tensor field, and show that despite nonrenormalizability of the model one can consistently remove all divergent terms, and obtain a quadratic action reproducing the on-shell condition for the field. We also briefly discuss fermionic (NS) sigma model, compute the tachyon quadratic term, and show that it reproduces the correct tachyon mass. We note that turning on a massive symmetric tensor field leads to the appearance of a term linear in it, which can be removed by adding a higher-derivative term to the boundary of the disc.
A Problem with Some Estimations and Interpretations of the Mark-up in Manufacturing Industry

This paper evaluates the methodological foundations of some recent attempts to estimate econometrically the degree of market power and the degree of returns to scale in manufacturing. The method discussed is based on estimating the aggregate production function in growth rate form. It is argued, following an argument made in another context by Phelps Brown, Shaikh & Simon, that as the data used in empirical analyses are in value terms (i.e. monetary values at constant prices), the parameter derived as a mark-up can be reinterpreted simply as a coefficient from the income accounting identity, which takes a value of unity subject to omitted variable bias. Thus, it cannot be unambiguously interpreted as a mark-up. It is also shown that the large estimates of the degree of increasing returns to scale are similarly flawed. The argument also has implications for understanding cyclical fluctuations of the Solow residual, which turns out to be largely the result of the procyclical fluctuations of the profit rate.We conclude by questioning whether the aggregate production function can ever be statistically tested or, in other words, whether it is capable of being refuted, as opposed to its parameters being merely estimated.
A Systematic Approach to Learning Object Segmentation from Motion

This paper describes the initial results of a project to create a self-supervised algorithm for learning object segmentation from video data. Developmental psychology and computational experience have demonstrated that the motion segmentation of objects is a simpler, more primitive process than the detection of object boundaries by static image cues. Therefore, motion information provides a plausible supervision signal for learning the static boundary detection task. A video camera and a background subtraction algorithm can automatically produce a large database of motion-segmented images. The purpose of this work is to use the information in such a database to learn how to detect the object boundaries in novel images using static information, such as color, texture, and shape.
Detection of Nine M8.0-L0.5 Binaries: The Very Low Mass Binary Population and Its Implications for Brown Dwarf and Very Low Mass Star Formation

Use of the highly sensitive Hokupa'a/Gemini curvature wave front sensor has allowed direct adaptive optics (AO) guiding on very low mass (VLM) stars with SpT = M8.0-L0.5. A survey of 39 such objects detected nine VLM binaries (seven of which were discovered for the first time to be binaries). Most of these systems are tight (separation <5 AU) and have similar masses (ΔKs < 0.8 mag; 0.85 < q < 1.0). However, two systems (LHS 2397a and 2M 2331016-040618) have large ΔKs > 2.4 mag and consist of a VLM star orbited by a much cooler L7-L8 brown dwarf companion. On the basis of this flux-limited (Ks < 12 mag) survey of 39 M8.0-L0.5 stars (mainly from the 2MASS sample of Gizis et al.), we find a sensitivity-corrected binary fraction in the range 15% ± 7% for M8.0-L0.5 stars with separations greater than 2.6 AU. This is less than the 32% ± 9% measured for more massive M0-M4 dwarfs over the same separation range. It appears M8.0-L0.5 binaries (as well as L and T dwarf binaries) have a much smaller semimajor axis distribution peak (~4 AU) compared to more massive M and G dwarfs, which have a broad peak at larger ~30 AU separations. We also find no VLM binary systems (defined here as systems with Mtot < 0.185 M☉) with separations greater than 15 AU. We briefly explore possible reasons why VLM binaries are slightly less common, nearly equal in mass, and much more tightly bound compared to more massive binaries. We investigate the hypothesis that the lack of wide (a > 20 AU) VLM/brown dwarf binaries may be explained if the binary components were given a significant differential velocity kick. Such a velocity kick is predicted by current "ejection" theories, where brown dwarfs are formed because they are ejected from their embryonic minicluster and therefore starved of accretion material. We find that a kick from a close triple or quadruple encounter (imparting a differential kick of ~3 km s-1 between the members of an escaping binary) could reproduce the observed cutoff in the semimajor axis distribution at ~20 AU. However, the estimated binarity (≲5%) produced by such ejection scenarios is below the 15% ± 7% observed. Similarly, VLM binaries could be the final hardened binaries produced when a minicluster decays. However, the models of Sterzik & Durisen and Durisen, Sterzik, & Pickett also could not produce a VLM binary fraction of 15% and a G star binary fraction of 57%. The observed VLM binary frequency could possibly be produced by cloud core fragmentation. However, our estimate of a fragmentation-produced VLM binary semimajor axis distribution contains a significant fraction of "wide" VLM binaries with a > 20 AU in contrast to observation. In summary, more detailed theoretical work will be needed to explain these interesting results that show VLM binaries to be a significantly different population from more massive M & G dwarf binaries.
IR)RELEVANCE OF EXISTING CURRENCY CRISES THEORY TO THE EAST ASIAN COLLAPSE

This paper surveys the theoretical literature on currency crises in order to determine the usefulness and limitations of existing models in understanding the recent currency crises, particularly the one in East Asia, which began with the forced devaluation of the Thai baht in July 1997. One may delineate three broad groups of models. The ‘first generation’ models are based on the canonical paper by Krugman (1979). He showed how the presence of rational, forward looking speculators would hasten the breakdown of a fixed exchange rate regime that was inherently unsustainable, due to the government’s attempt at financing a persistent fiscal deficit through monetization. ‘Second generation’ models of currency crises are broadly all those that generate non-unique equilibra, and are therefore commonly referred to as ‘multiple equilibra’ models. Calvo (1995) and Calvo and Mendoza (1996) have recently explicated a model that illustrates how the existence of a number of investment opportunities worldwide could lead to boom-bust cycles in capital flows. While this socalled ‘capital-crisis’ model may be considered a sub-set of the second generation models in that it is ‘self-fulfilling’, we highlight some important conceptual and policy differences between the two, thus possibly warranting a separate classification.
Static earth pressures on a pile supported excavation in Santiago gravel

DOI: 10.7764/RDLC.18. 1.87 Concrete soldier piles anchored in multiple levels are the most common method for supporting deep excavations in gravel. Their static design is based on limit equilibrium principles, although these procedures were originally developed for sheet piles or anchored walls on shallow excavations supporting medium-dense sand. The present study draws on the applicability of current design tools to model the static response of deep excavations in stiff gravels and their implications for design. For this purpose, the static response of an anchored pile system was evaluated with a detailed finite element model of a case study, and the results are compared with simplified hand-calculation procedures. The study unit was the 28 m deep excavation of the Beauchef Poniente building located in the fluvial deposits of the Mapocho River in Santiago. A plain strain model was developed in PLAXIS using the Hardening Soil constitutive model, with parameters determined from large-scale triaxial tests of local gravels, and the computed pile displacement were compared to actual displacement profiles measured with inclinometers. The analysis shows that the simplified procedures provide a reasonably good approximation to the computed earth pressures, internal forces on the piles, and stress in the anchors.
Diverse norovirus genotypes identified in sewage-polluted river water in South Africa

SUMMARY This study aimed to assess norovirus (NoV) contamination and genotype diversity in surface water in Gauteng, South Africa. Between January 2008 and December 2010, three rivers, namely Klip, Suikerbosrant, and Rietspruit were monitored for NoV genogroup (G)I and GII. Viruses were recovered using the glass wool adsorption-elution technique and detected by real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. From 2008 to 2010, NoVs were detected in 66% (70/106) of Klip river samples. The Rietspruit and Suikerbosrant rivers were contaminated with NoV in 95% (20/21) and 21% (5/24) of samples, respectively. NoV-positive samples comprised of 33% GI, 29% GII and 38% of both GI and GII strains. Based on partial capsid gene analysis (region C), 16 NoV genotypes (6 GI, 10 GII) were identified. The major genotypes detected were GI.4, GI.5 and GII.4. These rivers could be a potential source of NoV infection for communities using the water for domestic or recreational purposes.
Conjunctive Adverbs as Elements of Metadiscourse in Research Articles in the Field of Psychology Written by Native and Non-Native Speakers of English

: This paper aims to investigate the role of conjunctive adverbs as resources of academic metadiscourse in research articles from the field of Psychology. The research involved a small specialized corpus that included a total of 124,657 words, and it was comprised of 24 research articles written in English. Half of the articles were written by native speakers of Serbian, and the other half by native speakers of English. The materials were extracted from two leading journals in the field – Psihologija and The Journal of General Psychology. The corpus was analyzed both in quantitative and qualitative terms. Quantitative analyses involved statistical comparisons of mean densities performed via repeated measures ANOVAs and independent samples t-tests, while qualitative analysis was conducted in line with the model of metadiscourse presented in Hyland and Tse (2004), and Hyland (2005). The obtained results showed that native speakers of English used more metadiscourse resources, and did so more consistently compared to native speakers of Serbian. Additionally, conjunctive adverbs identified in the corpus performed the functions of transitions, frame markers, code glosses, and boosters.
Development and test of a model of interdisciplinary competencies

ABSTRACT Interdisciplinary work offers both innovative potential and challenges in collaboration. The present paper summarizes three studies intended to foster a psychological, competency-focused understanding of interdisciplinary work. In a qualitative interview study (Study 1) with expert practitioners of interdisciplinarity, we used the critical incident technique to explore which individual competencies support interdisciplinary collaborations and improve innovative outcomes. Focusing on competencies specific to interdisciplinarity, we derived a four-dimensional model. In Study 2, we tested the model dimensions (1) initiative for exchange, (2) target group-specific communication, (3) knowledge integration, and (4) reflection in a quantitative survey study among N = 315 employees who were experienced in interdisciplinary work using exploratory structural equation modelling. Finally, in Study 3, we studied the convergent and divergent validity of interdisciplinary competencies as well as their role in predicting team outcomes. Here, a dyadic sample of N = 448 target persons and N = 153 interdisciplinary colleagues were surveyed. We discuss possible applications for the new model of interdisciplinary competencies and the developed self-report instrument.
BUILDING COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE UPON MARKET ORIENTATION : CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISMS AND A STRATEGIC SOLUTION

Strategy researchers have challenged themselves to discover the most important tactics to gain and retain industry leadership. Nelson et al. (1982) proposed that successful firms can be understood in terms of a hierarchy of practiced organizational routines, comprised of lower order co-ordination of organizational skills, and related higher order decision procedures. These practiced routines define the set of core organizational capabilities, or those things the firm is capable of doing confidently. However, simply producing a given set of products with a given set of processes does not ensure long-term competitive advantage. Dynamic capabilities are reflected in the firm’s capability to innovate and to profit from innovation (Nelson 1991).
Sampled control design for switched affine systems: robust stabilization

Abstract This paper deals with sampled feedback strategies applied on the class of switched affine systems without common equilibria. A distinctive feature of these systems is a cyclical behavior in steady state. From the existence of a Control Lyapunov Function for a relaxed control problem, a novel procedure enabling to compute global attracting sets for the whole system trajectories is exhibited. This procedure is extended to the case of parameter and/or switching time uncertainties leading to Input-to-State Stability results. An application on a flying capacitor converter is used as an illustrative example.
Real Time Wireless Air Pollution Monitoring system

Air pollution has significant influence on the concentration of constituents in the atmosphere leading to effects like global warming and acid rains. To avoid such adverse imbalances in the nature, an air pollution monitoring system is utmost important. This paper attempts to develop an effective solution for pollution monitoring using wireless sensor networks (WSN) on a real time basis namely real time wireless air pollution monitoring system. Commercially available discrete gas sensors for sensing concentration of gases l ike CO 2 , NO 2, CO and O 2 are calibrated using appropriate calibration technologies. These pre - calibrated gas sensors are then integrated with the wireless sensor motes for field deployment at the campus and the Hyderabad city using multi hop data aggregatio n algorithm. A light weight middleware and a web interface to view the live pollution data in the form of numbers and charts from the test beds was developed and made available from anywhere on the internet. Other parameters like temperature and humidity w ere also sensed along with gas concentrations to enable data analysis through data fusion techniques. Experimentation carried out using the developed wireless air pollution monitoring system under different physical conditions show that the system collects reliable source of real time fine - grain pollution data.