Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A New Approach of Human Segmentation from Photo Images

This paper focuses on segmenting human from photo images. It has found several applications like album making, photo classification and image retrieval. The result can be further applied to many useful applications like part recognition which can be further applied to gesture analysis as well as in tracking. Segmenting human from photo images is still a challenge because of numerous real world factors like shading, image noise, occlusions, and background clutter and also because of great variability of shapes, poses, clothes etc. Previous works on human segmentation requires shape-matching processes. In this paper, we propose a simple method to automatically recover human bodies from photos. We use some haar cascades to detect human body that is haar cascade_upperbody and haar cascade_lowerbody which helps in performing upperbody and lower body segmentation. We need to perform CT (coarse torso) detection using MCTD algorithm for accurate upper body segmentation. Lower body is then extracted accurately using MOH based graph-cut algorithm. Experimental results show that, the proposed algorithm works well on VOC 2006 and VOC 2010 data set for segmenting person with various poses. Thus achieving high performance compared to conventional methods.
Mechanical and energetic consequences of reduced ankle plantar-flexion in human walking

ABSTRACT The human ankle produces a large burst of ‘push-off’ mechanical power late in the stance phase of walking, reduction of which leads to considerably poorer energy economy. It is, however, uncertain whether the energetic penalty results from poorer efficiency when the other leg joints substitute for the ankle's push-off work, or from a higher overall demand for work due to some fundamental feature of push-off. Here, we show that greater metabolic energy expenditure is indeed explained by a greater demand for work. This is predicted by a simple model of walking on pendulum-like legs, because proper push-off reduces collision losses from the leading leg. We tested this by experimentally restricting ankle push-off bilaterally in healthy adults (N=8) walking on a treadmill at 1.4 m s−1, using ankle–foot orthoses with steel cables limiting motion. These produced up to ∼50% reduction in ankle push-off power and work, resulting in up to ∼50% greater net metabolic power expenditure to walk at the same speed. For each 1 J reduction in ankle work, we observed 0.6 J more dissipative collision work by the other leg, 1.3 J more positive work from the leg joints overall, and 3.94 J more metabolic energy expended. Loss of ankle push-off required more positive work elsewhere to maintain walking speed; this additional work was performed by the knee, apparently at reasonably high efficiency. Ankle push-off may contribute to walking economy by reducing dissipative collision losses and thus overall work demand. Summary: Ankle push-off plays an important role of the energy expenditure of human walking, which can be explained by the mechanical work performed by the lower extremity joints.
A unified analysis of security-constrained OPF formulations considering uncertainty, risk, and controllability in single and multi-area systems

This paper presents a variety of different Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow formulations addressing four power system operation and planning problems: (a) forecast uncertainty of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in-feed and load, (b) security criteria based on contingency risk, (c) corrective control offered through High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) lines and flexible demand, (d) operation of multi-area systems with limited data exchange. A comprehensive probabilistic Security Constrained Optimal Power Flow (SCOPF) framework based on scenario-based methodologies is presented. This approach provides a-priori guarantees regarding the probability of the constraint satisfaction. In this paper, we show how HVDC lines, flexible demand, and novel risk-based operational paradigms can be used to handle outage uncertainty and the fluctuating in-feed from RES. Our analysis is extended by introducing a distributed probabilistic SCOPF algorithm for multi-area systems involving different levels of data exchange. The applicability of the methods is demonstrated on the three-area Reliability Test System (RTS-96). Results are compared based on operating costs and maximum wind power penetration.
Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas Globalization and Monetary Policy Institute Country-specific Oil Supply Shocks and the Global Economy: a Counterfactual Analysis

This paper investigates the global macroeconomic consequences of country-specific oil-supply shocks. Our contribution is both theoretical and empirical. On the theoretical side, we develop a model for the global oil market and integrate this within a compact quarterly model of the global economy to illustrate how our multi-country approach to modelling oil markets can be used to identify country-specific oil-supply shocks. On the empirical side, estimating the GVAR-Oil model for 27 countries/regions over the period 1979Q2 to 2013Q1, we show that the global economic implications of oil-supply shocks (due to, for instance, sanctions, wars, or natural disasters) vary considerably depending on which country is subject to the shock. In particular, we find that adverse shocks to Iranian oil output are neutralized in terms of their effects on the global economy (real outputs and financial markets) mainly due to an increase in Saudi Arabian oil production. In contrast, a negative shock to oil supply in Saudi Arabia leads to an immediate and permanent increase in oil prices, given that the loss in Saudi Arabian production is not compensated for by the other oil producers. As a result, a Saudi Arabian oil supply shock has significant adverse effects for the global economy with real GDP falling in both advanced and emerging economies, and large losses in real equity prices worldwide. for constructive comments and suggestions. The views in this paper are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas or the Federal Reserve System.
Persistence of viscous effects in the overlap region, and the mean velocity in turbulent pipe and channel flows

We expand on our previous argument (Sreenivasan 1987) that important elements of the dynamics of wall-bounded flows reside at the wall-normal position yp corresponding to the peak of the Reynolds shear stress. Specializing to pipe and channel flows, we show that the mean momentum balance in the neighborhood of yp is distinct in character from those in the classical inner and outer layers. We revisit empirical data to confirm that yp = O((h�/U�) 1/2 ) and show that, in a neighborhood of order R 1/2 � around yp, only the viscous effects balance pressure-gradient terms. Here, R� = hU�/�, h is � + ∗ ,
Truckies and health promotion: using the ANGELO framework to understand the workplace’s role

Purpose Workplaces are challenging environments which place workers at the risk of obesity. This is particularly true for Australian road transport industry workplaces. The Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework is a public health tool which can be used to conceptualise obesogenic environments. It suggests that workplaces have a variety of roles (in the physical, economic, political and sociocultural domains) in responding to obesity in transport industry workplaces. The purpose of this paper is to present the findings which explore this idea. Design/methodology/approach The project used a mixed-methods approach located within a participatory action research framework, to engage workplace managers and truck drivers in the implementation and evaluation of workplace health promotion strategies. The project involved six transport industry workplaces in Queensland, Australia. Findings This study found that transport industry workplaces perceive themselves to have an important role in addressing the physical, economic, political and sociocultural aspects of obesity, as per the ANGELO framework. However, transport industry employees – specifically, truck drivers – do not perceive workplaces to have a major role in health; rather, they consider health to be an area of personal responsibility. Practical implications Balancing the competing perceptions of truck drivers and workplace managers about the workplace’s role in health promotion is an important consideration for future health promotion activities in this hard-to-reach, at-risk population. Originality/value The use of the ANGELO framework allows the conceptualisation of obesity in a novel workplace context.
A General Theory of Turbulence-regulated Star Formation, from Spirals to Ultraluminous Infrared Galaxies

We derive an analytic prediction for the star formation rate in environments ranging from normal galactic disks to starbursts and ULIRGs in terms of the observables of those systems. Our calculation is based on three premises: (1) star formation occurs in virialized molecular clouds that are supersonically turbulent; (2) the density distribution within these clouds is lognormal, as expected for supersonic isothermal turbulence; and (3) stars form in any subregion of a cloud that is so overdense that its gravitational potential energy exceeds the energy in turbulent motions. We show that a theory based on this model is consistent with simulations and with the observed star formation rate in the Milky Way. We use our theory to derive the Kennicutt-Schmidt law from first principles and make other predictions that can be tested by future observations. We also provide an algorithm for estimating the star formation rate that is suitable for inclusion in numerical simulations.
Genome-Wide Association of Familial Late-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Replicates BIN1 and CLU and Nominates CUGBP2 in Interaction with APOE

Late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly. The National Institute of Aging-Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease Family Study and the National Cell Repository for Alzheimer's Disease conducted a joint genome-wide association study (GWAS) of multiplex LOAD families (3,839 affected and unaffected individuals from 992 families plus additional unrelated neurologically evaluated normal subjects) using the 610 IlluminaQuad panel. This cohort represents the largest family-based GWAS of LOAD to date, with analyses limited here to the European-American subjects. SNPs near APOE gave highly significant results (e.g., rs2075650, p = 3.2×10−81), but no other genome-wide significant evidence for association was obtained in the full sample. Analyses that stratified on APOE genotypes identified SNPs on chromosome 10p14 in CUGBP2 with genome-wide significant evidence for association within APOE ε4 homozygotes (e.g., rs201119, p = 1.5×10−8). Association in this gene was replicated in an independent sample consisting of three cohorts. There was evidence of association for recently-reported LOAD risk loci, including BIN1 (rs7561528, p = 0.009 with, and p = 0.03 without, APOE adjustment) and CLU (rs11136000, p = 0.023 with, and p = 0.008 without, APOE adjustment), with weaker support for CR1. However, our results provide strong evidence that association with PICALM (rs3851179, p = 0.69 with, and p = 0.039 without, APOE adjustment) and EXOC3L2 is affected by correlation with APOE, and thus may represent spurious association. Our results indicate that genetic structure coupled with ascertainment bias resulting from the strong APOE association affect genome-wide results and interpretation of some recently reported associations. We show that a locus such as APOE, with large effects and strong association with disease, can lead to samples that require appropriate adjustment for this locus to avoid both false positive and false negative evidence of association. We suggest that similar adjustments may also be needed for many other large multi-site studies.
In Black South Africans from Rural and Urban Communities, the 4G/5G PAI-1 Polymorphism Influences PAI-1 Activity, but Not Plasma Clot Lysis Time

Data on genetic and environmental factors influencing PAI-1 levels and their consequent effect on clot lysis in black African populations are limited. We identified polymorphisms in the promoter area of the PAI-1 gene and determined their influence on PAI-1act levels and plasma clot lysis time (CLT). We also describe gene-environment interactions and the effect of urbanisation. Data from 2010 apparently healthy urban and rural black participants from the South African arm of the PURE study were cross-sectionally analysed. The 5G allele frequency of the 4G/5G polymorphism was 0.85. PAI-1act increased across genotypes in the urban subgroup (p = 0.009) but not significantly in the rural subgroup, while CLT did not differ across genotypes. Significant interaction terms were found between the 4G/5G polymorphism and BMI, waist circumference and triglycerides in determining PAI-1act, and between the 4G/5G polymorphism and fibrinogen and fibrinogen gamma prime in determining CLT. The C428T and G429A polymorphisms did not show direct relationships with PAI-1act or CLT but they did influence the association of other environmental factors with PAI-1act and CLT. Several of these interactions differed significantly between rural and urban subgroups, particularly in individuals harbouring the mutant alleles. In conclusion, although the 4G/5G polymorphism significantly affected PAI-1act, it contributed less than 1% to the PAI-1act variance. (Central) obesity was the biggest contributor to PAI-1act variance (12.5%). Urbanisation significantly influenced the effect of the 4G/5G polymorphism on PAI-1act as well as gene-environment interactions for the C428T and G429A genotypes in determining PAI-1act and CLT.
Probing the Coevolution of Supermassive Black Holes and Quasar Host Galaxies

At low redshift, there are fundamental correlations between the mass of supermassive black holes (ℳBH) and the mass (ℳbulge) and luminosity of the host galaxy bulge. We investigate the same relation at z ≳ 1. Using virial mass estimates for 11 quasars at z ≳ 2 to measure their black hole mass, we find that black holes at high z fall nearly on the same ℳBH versus R-band magnitude (MR) relation (to ~0.3 mag) as low-redshift active and inactive galaxies, without making any correction for luminosity evolution. Using a set of conservative assumptions about the host galaxy stellar population, we show that at z ≳ 2 (10 Gyr ago), the ratio of ℳBH/ℳbulge was 3-6 times larger than today. Barring unknown systematic errors on the measurement of ℳBH, we also rule out scenarios in which moderately luminous quasar hosts at z ≳ 2 were fully formed bulges that passively faded to the present epoch. On the other hand, five quasar hosts at z ≈ 1 are consistent with the current-day ℳBH-MR relationship after taking into account evolution that is appropriate for E/S0 galaxies. Therefore, z ≈ 1 host galaxies appear to fit the hypothesis that they are fully formed early-type galaxies. We also find that most quasar hosts with absolute magnitudes brighter than MR = -23 cannot fade below L* galaxies today, regardless of their stellar population makeup, because their black hole masses are too high and they must arrive at the local ℳBH-MR relationship by z = 0.
Cooperation between HMGA1 and HIF-1 Contributes to Hypoxia-Induced VEGF and Visfatin Gene Expression in 3T3-L1 Adipocytes

The architectural transcription factor high-mobility group AT-hook 1 (HMGA1) is a chromatin regulator with implications in several biological processes, including tumorigenesis, inflammation, and metabolism. Previous studies have indicated a role for this factor in promoting the early stages of adipogenesis, while inhibiting adipocyte terminal differentiation, and decreasing fat mass. It has been demonstrated that hypoxia – through the hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) – plays a major role in triggering changes in the adipose tissue of the obese, leading to inhibition of adipocyte differentiation, adipose cell dysfunction, inflammation, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. To examine the possible cooperation between HMGA1 and HIF-1, herein, we investigated the role of HMGA1 in the regulation of Visfatin and VEGF, two genes normally expressed in adipose cells, which are both responsive to hypoxia. We demonstrated that HMGA1 enhanced Visfatin and VEGF gene expression in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells in hypoxic conditions, whereas HMGA1 knockdown in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes reduced these effects. Reporter gene analysis showed that Visfatin and VEGF transcriptional activity was increased by the addition of either HMGA1 or HIF-1 and even further by the combination of both factors. As demonstrated by chromatin immunoprecipitation in intact cells, HMGA1 directly interacted with the VEGF gene, and this interaction was enhanced in hypoxic conditions. Furthermore, as indicated by co-immunoprecipitation studies, HMGA1 and HIF-1 physically interacted with each other, supporting the notion that this association may corroborate a functional link between these factors. Therefore, our findings provide evidence for molecular cross-talk between HMGA1 and HIF-1, and this may be important for elucidating protein and gene networks relevant to obesity.
Remaining useful performance analysis of batteries

A method for remaining useful performance (RUP) analysis for lithium-ion batteries is presented using Dempster-Shafer theory (DST) and Bayesian Monte Carlo (BMC). First, an empirical model is developed, which can provide a good fit to the battery fade data. Then, the parameters of the empirical model are initialized by combining sets of training data based on DST. When data become available through battery monitoring, the model parameters are updated by the BMC to manage the uncertainties in the degradation process. Once the model converges to the observed degradation process, it can be propagated to the acceptable performance threshold to predict the RUP of batteries. The proposed approach is validated using experimental data.
A Change Management Model for the Adoption of Chain of Custody Certification in the British Columbia Value-added Wood Products Sector

ABSTRACT With sustainability being a major driver in the global competitiveness of businesses, organizations have adopted third-party certification as a strategic tool to facilitate integration between their businesses and environmental strategies. One such initiative is chain of custody (CoC) certification, which allows tracking of finished products back to the sources of the raw materials. Despite a large body of research on CoC adoption, so far no efforts have been made to view this process from the point of view of organizational change management. An online survey of the value-added wood products sector in British Columbia (BC), Canada was conducted to determine the composition of the sector and adoption level of CoC certification. Change management constructs were measured using the ADKAR (Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability and Reinforcement) framework and taking CoC certification as an example. The results indicated that the BC value-added wood products sector mostly comprises small- and medium-sized enterprises largely based in the urban areas of BC. The sector was found to have limited support for CoC certification. Key barriers in adopting CoC certification include a lack of resources and a lack of certified raw materials. Actions to facilitate a change process in the BC value-added sector are proposed.
A Comparison of Structural Productivity Levels in the Major Industrialised Countries

Hourly labour productivity, along with average hours worked, the employment rate and the working-age population as a share of the total population, is one of the accounting aggregates that determine per capita GDP. Yet according to many analyses, hourly labour productivity in several European countries is much the same as or even higher than in the United States, while per capita GDP is markedly lower (see Cette 2004, 2005 for a summary of this work).
The Epstein-Barr Virus-Encoded MicroRNA MiR-BART9 Promotes Tumor Metastasis by Targeting E-Cadherin in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a family of small RNA molecules that negatively regulate the expression of protein-coding genes and play critical roles in orchestrating diverse cellular processes. This regulatory mechanism is also exploited by viruses to direct their life cycle and evade the host immune system. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is an oncogenic virus that is closely associated with multiple human diseases, including nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), which is a highly metastatic type of tumor and is frequently reported in South Asia. Several viral proteins have been found to promote the migration and invasiveness of NPC cells. However, not all tumor tissues express these viral oncoproteins, suggesting that other mechanisms may contribute to the aggressive behavior of NPC tumor cells. A previous sequencing study by our group revealed that the EBV miRNA miR-BART9 was expressed at high levels in all EBV-positive NPC tissues. In the present study, we used gain- and loss-of-function approaches to investigate the effect of miR-BART9 in EBV-negative and EBV-positive NPC cells. We discovered that miR-BART9 promotes the migration and invasiveness of cultured NPC cells. The promigratory activity observed in vitro was manifested as an enhanced metastatic ability in vivo. Computational analysis revealed that miR-BART9 may target E-cadherin, a membrane protein that is pivotal in preserving cell-cell junctions and the epithelial phenotype. Through biochemical assays and functional rescue analysis, we confirmed that miR-BART9 specifically inhibits E-cadherin to induce a mesenchymal-like phenotype and promote the migration of NPC cells. These results indicated that miR-BART9 is a prometastatic viral miRNA and suggested that high levels of miR-BART9 in EBV-positive NPC cells may contribute to the aggressiveness of tumor cells.
Measuring New Zealand's GDP 1865-1933: A Cointegration-Based Approach

Official and semi-official estimates of New Zealand's national income are available on an annual basis for the years since 1932. Retrospective, non-official, estimates are available from 1859. Chiefly these are constructed following Doblin's (1951) pioneering use of money stock data, velocity, and the implications of the Quantity Theory of Money, and include the estimates of Hawke (1975), Rankin (1992) and Cashin (1995). This paper estimates New Zealand real GDP per capita with monetary data using valid, intervention-free, cointegration methods. The new measures avoid the ad hoc adjustments found in Rankin (1992), yet unlike Cashin (1995), they incorporate specific New Zealand monetary features. The new time series conform well with independent benchmarks and the historiography of the pre-1914 period. Alternatively, they suggest an interpretation of New Zealand's growth experience for years around World War One which differs from that of Australia, and from the findings of Rankin (1992) and Cashin (1995). Copyright 2000 by The International Association for Research in Income and Wealth.