Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advanced local motion patterns for macro and micro facial expression recognition

In this paper, we develop a new method that recognizes facial expressions, on the basis of an innovative local motion patterns feature, with three main contributions. The first one is the analysis of the face skin temporal elasticity and face deformations during expression. The second one is a unified approach for both macro and micro expression recognition. And, the third one is the step forward towards in-the-wild expression recognition, dealing with challenges such as various intensity and various expression activation patterns, illumination variation and small head pose variations. Our method outperforms state-of-the-art methods for micro expression recognition and positions itself among top-rank state-of-the-art methods for macro expression recognition.
The random walk versus unbiased efficiency: can we separate the wheat from the chaff?

Abstract: In the issue under investigation the wheat cannot be separated from the chaff because all we have is chaff. The random walk and unbiased efficiency are equally bad forecasters that should not be used as benchmarks for measuring forecasting accuracy. The simulation and econometric results show that when two forecasters are not independent they produce forecasts of similar quality, in which case it is erroneous to use the forward rate as a forecaster and the spot rate as a benchmark. Theoretical and intuitive explanations are presented for why the random walk and unbiased efficiency produce poor-quality forecasts that are almost identical. The failure of unbiased efficiency is explained primarily in terms of the post Keynesian view of the forward exchange rate.
Official flows, export revenue, volatility and domestic investment in Cameroon

We examine the impact of aid and export revenue; and their volatilities on domestic private and public investment in Cameroon. Our results show that export revenue is almost three times more volatile than aid. Export has a significant positive impact on both private and public investment, while aid has a positive influence only on public investment. Both export and aid volatilities hurt both types of investment. Through the use of interaction variables, we show that export revenue can completely eliminate the impact of aid volatility on investment, but aid is unable to do same with export volatility. Reducing export volatility is more of a priority for Cameroon than aid volatility.
The Transcriptional Repressor ID2 Can Interact with the Canonical Clock Components CLOCK and BMAL1 and Mediate Inhibitory Effects on mPer1 Expression*

ID2 is a rhythmically expressed HLH transcriptional repressor. Deletion of Id2 in mice results in circadian phenotypes, highlighted by disrupted locomotor activity rhythms and an enhanced photoentrainment response. ID2 can suppress the transactivation potential of the positive elements of the clock, CLOCK-BMAL1, on mPer1 and clock-controlled gene (CCG) activity. Misregulation of CCGs is observed in Id2−/− liver, and mutant mice exhibit associated alterations in lipid homeostasis. These data suggest that ID2 contributes to both input and output components of the clock and that this may be via interaction with the bHLH clock proteins CLOCK and BMAL1. The aim of the present study was to explore this potential interaction. Coimmunoprecipitation analysis revealed the capability of ID2 to complex with both CLOCK and BMAL1, and mammalian two-hybrid analysis revealed direct interactions of ID2, ID1 and ID3 with CLOCK and BMAL1. Deletion of the ID2 HLH domain rendered ID2 ineffective at inhibiting CLOCK-BMAL1 transactivation, suggesting that interaction between the proteins is via the HLH region. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed overlapping localization of ID2 with CLOCK and BMAL1 in the cytoplasm. Overexpression of CLOCK and BMAL1 in the presence of ID2 resulted in a significant reduction in their nuclear localization, revealing that ID2 can sequester CLOCK and BMAL1 to the cytoplasm. Serum stimulation of Id2−/− mouse embryonic fibroblasts resulted in an enhanced induction of mPer1 expression. These data provide the basis for a molecular mechanism through which ID2 could regulate aspects of both clock input and output through a time-of-day specific interaction with CLOCK and BMAL1.
Study of the Entrepreneurship in Universities as Learning Organization Based on Senge Model.

Learning organization and entrepreneurship are the most important issues that are focused on different themes in management. The purpose of present research was to study the relationship between learning organization elements and entrepreneurship among academic faculty members of the West Azarbaijan State Universities. The research method was descriptive-survey. Research instruments were two questionnaires. The first one, learning organization elements’ questionnaire, which was built by Park (2008), and the second survey questionnaire collected information on the entrepreneurship that was built by Kordnaiej et al. (2005). Both questionnaires validities were confirmed by Cronbach’s alpha. The research results indicated that there was a positive and significant relationship between personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, team learning, the systems thinking, and the entrepreneurship. Along with these findings, some key practical suggestions are proposed: Creating a learning atmosphere and a safe environment for creative scientific competition, considering the issues and their various applications in relationship with each other and systematically that causes a deep relationship between the university academic faculty members which leads to the entrepreneurship.
Environmental exposure to xylenes in drivers and petrol station workers by urinary methylhippuric Acid.

BACKGROUND The aims of this study were evaluation of exposed to xylenes in low concentration and compare urinary level of methyl hippuric acid in taxi drivers and petrol stations workers in West of Iran. METHODS This observation study was carried out on samples of the exposed men to xylenes in two occupational groups in Hamadan City (west of Iran) from March 2003 to March 2004. Subjects included 45 taxi drivers and 25 petrol station workers. The study group was selected from 54 workers at petrol stations and 300 drivers by simple random sampling. Xylenes was analyzed using gas chromatography equipped with a Flame Ionization Detector (FID). The urinary methyl hippuric acid (MHA) was analyzed with High performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) equipped with an ultraviolet (UV) detector. RESULTS Total xylene exposure was 1.05±0.55 ppm (mean±SD) with a range of 0.20-2.55 ppm that was about 4 times more than taxi drivers' exposure. The poor correlation coefficient was seen between xylenes concentration and urinary MHA for drivers (r2= 0.09 to 0.42) but significant associations were noted between urinary MHA and xylene in the breathing zone of petrol station workers (r2= 0.69 to 0.77; P< 0.05). CONCLUSION High xylenes levels are emitted in petrol stations at Iran. Urinary MHA level has a poor correlation with exposure to xylenes in drivers but has good correlation in petrol station workers.
The Causes of Volatility in a Small Internationally Integrated Stock Market: Ireland, July 1975 - June 1994

I examine the causes of conditional volatility in a small, internationally integrated stock market using the Irish stock market as an example. I relate Irish stock market conditional volatility to British stock market conditional volatility and business cycle variables from July 1975 to May 1994. Exchange rate volatility is a more significant determinant of volatility in a small, internationally integrated stock market than is interest rate volatility. It follows that a potential benefit of membership in the European Monetary System may be reduced stock market volatility in the smaller member countries.
LVIS553 Transcriptional Regulator Specifically Recognizes Novobiocin as an Effector Molecule*

In this study we aimed to identify small molecules with high affinity involved in the allosteric regulation of LVIS553, a MarR member from Lactobacillus brevis ATCC367. Using high throughput screening, novobiocin was found to specifically bind LVIS553 with a KD = 33.8 ± 2.9 μm consistent with a biologically relevant ligand. Structure guided site-directed mutagenesis identified Lys9 as a key residue in novobiocin recognition. The results found in vitro were correlated in vivo. An increased tolerance to the antibiotic was observed when LVIS553 and the downstream putative transport protein LVIS552 were either expressed in a low copy plasmid in L. brevis or as a single copy chromosomal insertion in Bacillus subtilis. We provide evidence that LVIS553 is involved in the specific regulation of a new mechanism of tolerance to novobiocin.
Collagenase clostridium histolyticum for the treatment of Peyronie's disease: a prospective Italian multicentric study

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a common condition which results in penile curvature making sexual intercourse difficult or impossible. Collagenase clostridium histolyticum (CCH) is the first licensed drug for the treatment of PD and is indicated in patients with palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30° of curvature. However, only few monocentric studies are available in the current literature and this is the first national multicentric study focusing on this new treatment. In five Italian centres, 135 patients have completed the treatment with three injections of CCH using Ralph's shortened modified protocol. The protocol consisted of three intralesional injections of CCH (0.9 mg) given at 4‐weekly intervals in addiction to a combination of home modelling, stretching and a vacuum device on a daily basis. An improvement in the angle of curvature was recorded in 128/135 patients (94.8%) by a mean (range) of 19.1 (0–40)° or 42.9 (0–67)% from baseline (p < 0.001). There was also a statistically significant improvement in all IIEF and PDQ questionnaires subdomains (p < 0.001 in all subdomains). This prospective multicentric study confirms that the three‐injection protocol is effective enough to achieve a good result and to minimize the cost of the treatment.
Physiopathological significance of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions at 2f1-f2 produced by high- versus low-level stimuli.

Distortion product otoacoustic emissions emitted by the cochlea at 2f1-f2 in response to pairs of pure tones at f1 and f2 (DPOAE) form a class of otoacoustic emissions and as such, are viewed as a reliable tool for screening outer hair cell (OHC) dysfunctions on a pass/fail basis. However, the persistence of residual DPOAEs from impaired cochleae at high stimulus levels has suggested that above 60-70 dB SPL, instead of reflecting "active" cochlear motion, DPOAEs might represent another "passive" modality: they would thus become unsuitable for analyzing cochlear function. The present work reports the consequences on high- vs low-level DPOAEs of three types of cochlear impairments involving OHCs: progressive OHC degeneration of genetic origin in CD1 mice, complete cochlear ischemia in gerbils, and furosemide injection vs ischemia-reperfusion in gerbils. An alternative to the "active-passive" model was used wherein regardless of stimulus level, cubic DPOAEs are produced by N (probably OHC-borne) nonlinear elements driven by input I and modulated by a function F3 of their operating point o; thus, DPOAE proportional to NI3F3(o). When OHCs degenerated, thereby implying a decrease of N, DPOAE levels also decreased regardless of the stimulus level up to 80 dB SPL, in line with the previous formula but at variance with the prediction of the active-passive concept. Instead of affecting N, the other two experiments impaired the efficiency of the cochlear feedback loop as a result of its electrical drive being decreased by strial dysfunction. As it is well accepted that the impaired basilar-membrane motion, although greatly reduced at low levels, tends to catch up with a normal one at higher levels, it was assumed the same was true with I so that DPOAE levels had to be, and indeed were little affected at high levels while plummeting at low levels, without any need for invoking two modalities for DPOAE generation. Finally, comparisons of furosemide vs ischemia effects revealed additional influences on DPOAEs, possibly accounted for by function F3(o). These results lead to the proposal that although high-level DPOAEs are expected to be poor audiometric indicators, they seem well adapted to assessing the functional integrity of nonlinear elements in OHCs, i.e., presumably their mechanoelectrical transduction channels.
Structural and functional brain connectivity in presymptomatic familial frontotemporal dementia

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether cognitive deficits and structural and functional connectivity changes can be detected before symptom onset in a large cohort of carriers of MAPT (microtubule-associated protein tau) or GRN (progranulin) mutations. Methods: In this case-control study, 75 healthy individuals (aged 20–70 years) with 50% risk of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) underwent DNA screening, neuropsychological assessment, structural MRI, and fMRI. We used voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics for voxel-wise analyses of gray matter volume and diffusion tensor imaging measures. Using resting-state fMRI scans, we assessed whole-brain functional connectivity to frontoinsular, anterior midcingulate, and posterior cingulate cortices. Results: Carriers (n = 39) and noncarriers (n = 36) had similar neuropsychological performance, except for lower Letter Digit Substitution Test scores in carriers. Worse performance on Stroop III, Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test, and Happé Cartoons correlated with higher age in carriers, but not controls. Reduced fractional anisotropy in the right uncinate fasciculus was found in carriers compared with controls. Reductions in functional connectivity between anterior midcingulate cortex and frontoinsula and several other brain regions were found in carriers compared with controls and correlated with higher age in carriers, but not controls. We found no significant differences or age correlations in posterior cingulate cortex connectivity. No differences in regional gray matter volume were found, except for a small cluster of higher volume in the precentral gyrus in carriers. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that alterations in structural and functional connectivity develop before the first symptoms of FTD arise. These findings suggest that diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state fMRI may have the potential to become sensitive biomarkers for early FTD in future clinical trials.
MPC for Tracking Periodic References

In this technical note, a new model predictive controller for tracking arbitrary periodic references is presented. The proposed controller is based on a single layer that unites dynamic trajectory planning and control. A design procedure to guarantee that the closed loop system converges asymptotically to the optimal admissible periodic trajectory while guaranteeing constraint satisfaction is provided. In addition, the constraints of the optimization problem solved by the controller do not depend on the reference, allowing for sudden changes in the reference without loosing feasibility. The properties of the proposed controller are demonstrated with a simulation example of a ball and plate system.
The Future of the New Issues Market

Every MBA program that I have taught in has some Asian students, and in some Asian societies, such as Korea, it is common for a student to give a gift to a teacher at the end of the year. Some Korean students continue this practice when they are students in the U.S., and over the years I have received a number of gifts from students. Most of these gifts fall into the category of trinkets and knick-knacks, and I would guess that the average value of these gifts has been about twenty dollars. I typically accept these gifts when offered, and sometimes I even remember the student’s name. I don’t think that many people would consider my acceptance of these gifts after the end of a semester as unethical behavior. I haven’t been faced with the decision, but what would I do if I was offered a gift of a work of art, a gift worth $200? And what if I could sell this gift (I would wait until after the student graduated and left town, of course), and pocket the $200? Would accepting this gift be unethical? Would it change my behavior? What if the work of art was worth $10,000, but the Korean student let me know in advance of the final exam that he or she only gave gifts to professors in classes where an ‘A’ was received? Would this affect my decisions on what grade to give this student, especially if it turned out the student was right on the borderline between an A and a B when I was making up the grade distribution? What if the student didn’t tell me this in advance, but I had learned from experience that I would receive much more valuable gifts from Korean students if they received high grades? Would it be OK for me to accept significant gifts from students who received high grades if other professors were doing so? In other words, if it was “standard industry practice? ” Because this article is about the new issues market, I will not discuss further the ethical problems associated with professors who give high grades to students and receive gifts in return. This article will focus mainly on the initial public offerings (IPOs) of equity securities. I will focus on equity IPOs mainly because this is where almost all of the controversy lies. In particular, there are controversies associated with underwriters who allocate hot IPOs to hedge funds and receive commission business in return. After presenting some statistics concerning IPOs and discussing controversies, the article ends with some policy recommendations.
Post Keynesian modeling: where are we, and where are we going to?

This paper presents the current "state of the art" of Post Keynesian modeling, as well as the most important issues raised by it. We first present a new formal statement of Keynes's model. We then analyze the three most important classes of Post Keynesian contemporary models: the Kaleckian models of growth, the Minskian models showing the destabilizing effects of financial variables on the economy, and the path-dependent models insisting on the nature of time in economics, and on the absence of any "natural" anchor. We argue that, whereas the current Post Keynesian models have a lot in common with Keynes's model, none of them encompass all its rich and realistic properties, and a synthetic dynamic Post Keynesian model is desirable, and has still to be framed.
Partisan Strength and Nonpartisanship Among Asian Americans

Relatively little is known about partisan identification among immigrant-dominated ethnic groups in the United States. In this article we build on the work of Lien, Conway, and Wong (2004) to explore patterns of partisan strength and nonpartisanship among Asian Americans. We note that more than one third of Asian Americans do not identify themselves on the standard seven-point partisan identification scale, indicating that they either have no party attachment (denoted no-party nonpartisans) or are not sure of their partisanship (denoted unsure nonpartisans). Using data from the 2000-2001 Pilot National Asian American Political Survey, we estimate separate models of (a) partisan acquisition (i.e., partisan vs. nonpartisan), (b) strength of partisanship, and (c) type of nonpartisanship. As expected, we find significant differences in this Asian American sample between partisans and nonpartisans and among strong partisans, weak or independent-leaning partisans, and pure independents. In our nonpartisanship model, we also find discernible differences among pure independents, no-party nonpartisans, and unsure nonpartisans. Our findings address questions about how one should test models of party strength in Asian American samples, particularly given the relatively large percentage of nonpartisans among Asian Americans in comparison to samples drawn from the general population.
The Effect of Water Quality on Rural Nonfarm Residential Property Values

The past decade has seen a phenomenal increase in public awareness and concern over environmental quality. The desire to consume larger amounts of environmental quality has been difficult to satisfy because many of the natural resources involved do not lend themselves to market allocation. This failure of markets to solve the major environmental quality problems has been well documented (Bator, Mishan, Samuelson, Turvey), and generally can be attributed to externalities imposed by use of the environment and the public goods nature of many natural resources. The failure of markets to perform the allocation function to the satisfaction of most people has caused us to turn to other institutions for solutions.
[Toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in patients with AIDS and neurotoxoplasmosis].

PURPOSE Neurotoxoplasmosis is the most common central nervous system disorder in patients with AIDS. The occurrence of ocular toxoplasmosis in neurotoxoplasmosis is not well studied. The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of typical or probable toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis in patients with AIDS and neurotoxoplasmosis. METHODS A prospective case series was performed, including 70 patients of both genders, aged from 20 to 63 years, hospitalized in three public hospitals in Recife, Pernambuco, with such diagnosis according to the CDC criteria (1992), from January to October, 2008. RESULTS Patients were characterized by first neurotoxoplasmosis episode (65, 92.9%) or relapse (5, 7.1%), ignorance of AIDS diagnosis (23, 32.9%), mean CD4 T lymphocytes count of 139.8 +/- 3.04 cells/mm(3) and mean viral load of 137,080 +/- 39,380 copies/mL. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination, consisting of ocular inspection, visual acuity measurement, investigation of ocular extrinsic muscle function and fundoscopy, using binocular indirect ophthalmoscope (model OHN 3.5 (Eyetec) and 20 diopters external lens (Volk). Four (5.7%) patients presented retinochoroiditis scar lesions, characteristic of ocular toxoplasmosis, typical in 3 (75%) of them and bilateral in one. There was no case of typical or probable active retinochoroiditis. Active ocular lesions were rare compared to scarring, which are associated with the presence of retinal cysts. CONCLUSION Scarring lesions should be valued in patients with AIDS.