Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model Level Ensemble for Facial Action Unit Recognition at the 3rd ABAW Challenge

In this paper, we present our latest work on Action Unit Detection, which is a part of the Affective Behavior Analysis in-the-wild (ABAW) 2022 Competition [15]. Our pro-posed network is based on the IResnet100 [6]. First of all, We utilize feature pyramid networks (FPN) [25] and single stage headless (SSH) [29] to enlarge the receptive field and extract more facial texture features. Then we employ the ML-ROS data balancing [4] and the BCE Loss plus Multi-label Loss to solve the multi-label imbalance problem. We also use three different models as the base model to fine-tune the Aff-Wild2 dataset. The pre-train backbones are the AU detection model, expression model and face recognition model. Finally, we adopt an ensemble methodology to get the final result. Our f1 score achieved 49.82 on the AU test set and ranked second in this challenge with a very small difference from the first team 49.89.
Impact of income shock on children’s schooling and labor in a West African country

This study measures the impact of a flood in 2010 in Benin on children’s schooling and labor. The data used are the National Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) of 2006 and 2012. The difference in differences estimates points out a significant decrease in income between farm households and non-farm households following the shock. Enrollment has also significantly decreased by 5.99% for girls in rural areas, by 4.45% for boys in rural areas, by 7.76% for girls in urban areas and by 6.17% for boys in urban areas. The likelihood to be a domestic worker or a farmer has also significantly increased. Robustness checks, on different other groups, are in concordance with the results. Despite the removal of school fees in 2006, households still withdrew their children from school after this income shock. These results imply that income shocks could be a threat to the Universal Primary Education.
Horizontal contracts in a dominant firm-competitive fringe model

This paper offers a rationale for production subcontracting by a market power firm from smaller firms despite the latter’s ability to sell the good for themselves. Particularly, in a dominant firm (DF) model in which the good can be sold through linear pricing or through nonlinear two-part tariff (2PT) contracts, we demonstrate that the DF finds it optimal, whenever it sells its own production plus outsourced production, to subcontract production from fringe firms by setting nonlinear 2PT contracts.
Gaugings and other aspects in supergravity

We discuss various topics in supergravity: gaugings, double field theory and $N=2$ $D=4$ BPS multicenter black holes. We introduce the main features of supergravity, focusing on the aspects of gauged supergravities. We study the embedding-tensor formalism as a tool that facilitates the construction of gauged supergravities due to its covariant formulation as well as its relevance in the description of the magnetic higher-rank field potentials. In particular, we present a full study of the general gaugings of maximal $d=9$ as an example in which this formalism is applied. We obtain all the possible gaugings of the theory and its extended field content. We also classify the orbits of gaugings of maximal and half-maximal $d=9,8,7$ supergravity and study their (non-)geometric origins by means of double field theory. By performing a generalized Scherk-Schwarz dimensional reduction of this T-duality-invariant formalism, we reproduce the orbits found by means of the embedding-tensor formalism. Finally, we study a formalism to describe BPS multicenter solutions for $N=2$, $D=4$ theories with quadratic prepotentials. Based on the charge vector space, this approach allows for the treatment of these solutions in a more general way.
Single-Shot End-to-end Road Graph Extraction

Automatic road graph extraction from aerial and satellite images is a long-standing challenge. Existing algorithms are either based on pixel-level segmentation followed by vectorization, or on iterative graph construction using next move prediction. Both of these strategies suffer from severe drawbacks, in particular high computing resources and incomplete outputs. By contrast, we propose a method that directly infers the final road graph in a single pass. The key idea consists in combining a Fully Convolutional Network in charge of locating points of interest such as intersections, dead ends and turns, and a Graph Neural Network which predicts links between these points. Such a strategy is more efficient than iterative methods and allows us to streamline the training process by removing the need for generation of starting locations while keeping the training end-to-end. We evaluate our method against existing works on the popular RoadTracer dataset and achieve competitive results. We also benchmark the speed of our method and show that it outperforms existing approaches. Our method opens the possibility of in-flight processing on embedded devices for applications such as real-time road network monitoring and alerts for disaster response.
Bonding to the Improved Disclosure Environment in the US: Firms Listing Choices and their Capital Market Consequences

This paper examines whether the current reporting and disclosure requirements for foreign registrants in the United States affect foreign firms’ decisions to list on a U.S. exchange. We find that while firms from a weak disclosure environment are more likely to cross-list and either trade over-the-counter or be placed privately among institutional investors, they are less likely to list on an exchange in which firms are required to comply with U.S. GAAP. This is consistent with the idea that the decrease in the potential private control benefits accruing to managers discourages them from listing on an organized exchange. We further conduct pricing tests to investigate whether the choice relating to the mode of listing has capital market consequences. These tests indicate that: (1) exchange-listing firms receive a higher valuation (i.e., Tobin’s q) than non-exchangelisting firms; and (2) exchange-listing firms domiciled in a higher disclosure regime, who incur lower costs of U.S. GAAP compliance, generally receive a higher valuation than exchange-listing firms from a lower-disclosure regime. Overall, the lower tendency of firms domiciled in a lower disclosure regime to list on an organized exchange appears to be consistent with the smaller valuation benefit they receive from the listing. JEL Classification Codes: G12; G15; M40
Introduction to statistical relational learning

Handling inherent uncertainty and exploiting compositional structure are fundamental to understanding and designing large-scale systems. Statistical relational learning builds on ideas from probability theory and statistics to address uncertainty while incorporating tools from logic, databases and programming languages to represent structure. In Introduction to Statistical Relational Learning, leading researchers in this emerging area of machine learning describe current formalisms, models, and algorithms that enable effective and robust reasoning about richly structured systems and data. The early chapters provide tutorials for material used in later chapters, offering introductions to representation, inference and learning in graphical models, and logic. The book then describes object-oriented approaches, including probabilistic relational models, relational Markov networks, and probabilistic entity-relationship models as well as logic-based formalisms including Bayesian logic programs, Markov logic, and stochastic logic programs. Later chapters discuss such topics as probabilistic models with unknown objects, relational dependency networks, reinforcement learning in relational domains, and information extraction. By presenting a variety of approaches, the book highlights commonalities and clarifies important differences among proposed approaches and, along the way, identifies important representational and algorithmic issues. Numerous applications are provided throughout.Lise Getoor is Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Maryland. Ben Taskar is Assistant Professor in the Computer and Information Science Department at the University of Pennsylvania.
Characterization and classification of red soils from Hasegaonwadi of Latur district

The investigation entitled “Characterization and classification of red soils for land use planning from Hasegaonwadi of Latur district” was conducted during the year 2018-2019. The study area is located in Hasegaonwadi village in Ausa tahsil of Latur district situated at 18 0 16' 51” N latitude and 76 0 37' 31” E longitudes. The study area was surveyed and four soil profiles and forty surface soil samples (0-30cm) were collected for laboratory analysis. The soils of Hasegaonwadi were shallow to moderately deep (53 to 85 cm), dark reddish brown (5 YR 3/4) to reddish brown (5YR 4/4) in colour, granular to sub-angular blocky in structure, sandy clay in texture. The saturated hydraulic conductivity of these soils varied from 17.23 to 49.16 cm hr -1 . These soils were neutral to moderately alkaline in reaction (6.76 to 8.17). The electrical conductivity of these soils was < 1.0 dSm -1 . The organic carbon content was low to moderate and varied from 0.22 to 0.94 per cent. The calcium carbonate content varied from 6.8 to 13.8 per cent indicated that these soils were calcareous in nature. The CEC varied from 13.10 to 40.36 cmol(p + )kg -1 . Calcium was the dominated cation followed by magnesium, sodium and potassium in all profiles. The base saturation per cent varied from 81.68 to 96.42 per cent. These soils belongs to two soil orders viz. Entisols and Inceptisols and at subgroup level classified as Typic Ustorthents and Typic Haplustepts, respectively.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MICRORNA 196A-2 POLYMORPHISM AND SERUM TYROSINASE LEVEL AND ITS INFLUENCE ON TREATMENT OF VITILIGO PATIENTS

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are discovered family of endogenous, noncoding RNA molecules. miRNAs modulate the gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to complementary sequences in the coding or 3' untranslated region of target mRNAs. It was demonstrated also that miRNAs are the key regulators of a variety of biological processes such as cell proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis. The miR-196a-2 could also potentially target genes such as platelet-derived growth factor receptor, alpha-polypeptide (PDGFRα), IL2, and mannose-binding lectin (protein C) 2 (MBL2) that are likely candidates of several oxidative stress-mediated diseases. In addition, miR-196a-2 was also demonstrated to target tyrosinase, which plays an important role in melanin synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between a functional SNP of rs 11614913 in microRNA 196a-2 and the serum tyrosinase level in vitiligo patients, evaluate the effect of microRNA 196a-2 polymorphism on the response to treatment in vitiligo patients, as well as to explore this polymorphism in first degree relatives of vitiligo patients. Methods: The current study was a prospective case-control interventional study that was conducted on 100 participants. Fifty of them were patients with vitiligo, and they were located in group 1. Group 2 contained 50 control participants, half of them were 1st-degree relatives for vitiligo patients (group 2a), while the rest had a negative family history. In group 1, determination of the miRNA 196a-2 polymorphism as well as assay of the level of serum Tyrosinase. Then, they were treated for 4 months by NB-UVB. Then after the end of the treatment course, serum tyrosinase level was remeasured and the response of the treatment was evaluated. Group 2 was tested also for the type of polymorphism and the level of serum Tyrosinase. Results: The level of serum tyrosinase is higher in patients with vitiligo. And the levels of the enzyme were significantly higher in cases suffering from early onset vitiligo. Patients with higher serum Tyrosinase level tended to be more resistant to treatment. And the treatment course of vitiligo failed to record a significant reduction in the serum Tyrosinase levels. T allele of miRNA 196a-2 polymorphism was found to have a significant relation with the development of vitiligo. And presence of TT genotype could predict the early age of onset and poor response to treatment, while C allele is associated with lower level of serum Tyrosinase level. Conclusion: MiRNA 196a-2 polymorphism could be used as a predictive marker for the expected development of vitiligo.
Comparison of Desroziers and Three-Cornered Hat Methods for Estimating COSMIC-2 Bending Angle Uncertainties

We compare two seemingly different methods of estimating random error statistics (uncertainties) of observations, the three-cornered hat (3CH) method and Desroziers method and show several examples of estimated uncertainties of COSMIC-2 (C2) radio occultation (RO) observations. The two methods yield similar results, attesting to the validity of both. The small differences provide insight into the sensitivity of the methods to the assumptions and computational details. These estimates of RO error statistics differ considerably from several RO error models used by operational weather forecast centers, suggesting that the impact of RO observations on forecasts can be improved by adjusting the RO error models to agree more closely with the RO error statistics. Both methods show RO uncertainty estimates that vary with latitude. In the troposphere, uncertainties are higher in the tropics than subtropics and middle latitudes. In the upper stratosphere-lower mesosphere, we find the reverse, with tropical uncertainties slightly less than in the subtropics and higher latitudes. The uncertainty estimates from the two techniques also show similar variations between a 31-day period during Northern Hemisphere tropical cyclone season (16 August to 15 September 2020) and a month near the vernal Equinox (April 2021). Finally, we find a relationship between the vertical variation of the C2 estimated uncertainties and atmospheric variability, as measured by the standard deviation of the C2 sample. The convergence of the error estimates and the standard deviations above 40 km indicates a lessening impact of assimilating RO above this level.
Crop growth rate, yield attributes, yield, profitability and quality of basmati rice varieties as influenced by efficient zinc management practices

Field experiment conducted during rainy ( kharif ) seasons of 2018 and 2019 at Crop Research Centre (Campus), Vallabhbhai University of Agriculture and Technology, Modipuram, Meerut, to evaluate the crop growth rate, yield attributes, yield, profitability and quality of basmati rice varieties as influenced by zinc management practices. In general, among the varieties Pusa Basmati-1121 had the highest CGR, yield attributes and yield, quality and economics which were statistically superior over rest of the varieties during both the years. As compared to Pusa-1401 and Pusa Basmati-1121 about 7.6, 8.7% and 2.6%, 2.1% yield increase was observed in Pusa Basmati-1509 during both the years. On the other hand, the rice grain yield was increased by 9.9% and 10.9% in Pusa Basmati-1121 as compared to Pusa-1401 during 2018 and 2019. The highest test weight (27.4 and 27.3g), biological yield (140.0 and 138.2q/ha), amylose content (24.7 and 24.4%), and grain breadth (279 and 2.79mm) was recorded with Pusa Basmati-1121, while highest panicle length (101.1 and 100.6cm), fertility ratio (4.84 and 4.79) and rough grain length (0.356 and 0.350mm) was noted in Pusa Basmati-1509 during both the years. Pusa-1401 showed the lowest values of growth parameters, yield attributing characters and yield during both the years. Among the zinc management practices, seedling dipping in 2% ZnSO 4 + foliar spray @ 0.5% at T and PI stage was found to be the best for the growth parameters, yield attributes, yield and quality. However, soil applied zinc @ 15kg/ha also proved to be second best in this regard, besides the maximum net return/rupee investment.
Rethinking Illumination for Person Re-Identification: A Unified View

As a fundamental problem in video surveillance, person re-identification (re-ID) contributes a lot to the development of modern metro city. Recently, learning from synthetic data on re-ID task, which benefits from the popularity of synthetic data engine, has achieved remarkable performance in both supervised and unsupervised manner. However, previous researches mainly lay emphasis on employing synthetic data to achieve the state-of-the-art performance with a strong backbone, while neglects to perform quantitative studies on how visual factors affect re-ID system. To facilitate the research in this field, firstly, we manually construct a large-scale synthetic dataset named SynPerson, which has diversified human characters and distinguished attributes with accurate annotations. Secondly, we quantitatively analyze the influence of illumination on re-ID system. To our best knowledge, this is the first attempt to explicitly dissect person re-ID from the aspect of illumination on synthetic dataset. Comprehensive experiments help us have a deeper understanding of the fundamental problems in person re-ID. Furthermore, we will release SynPerson to the community, as part of efforts to alleviate the shortage of large-scale pedestrian dataset of future works1.
Isolation of Genes Associated with Developmentally Competent Bovine Oocytes and Quantitation of Their Levels During Development1

We have performed suppressive subtraction hybridization (SSH) of populations of developmentally competent and incompetent bovine oocytes from large ($5-mm) and small (#2-mm) follicles to isolate messenger RNA associated with the attainment of developmental competency. RNA was amplified in a linear fashion and then subjected to the SSH procedure to produce a library enriched for genes associated with competency. One thousand clones of this library were subjected to a differential screening approach to identify 31 potentially upregulated isolates. Sequencing revealed these to represent 21 genes. To rigorously identify the degree of upregulation and reproducibility thereof, we examined the expression of these genes in three separate pools of developmentally competent and incompetent oocytes by quantitative real-time PCR. Results indicated that upregulation varied from zero to threefold, showing that accurate quantification is essential for the interpretation of such differential screening experiments. Furthermore, it appears that the molecular causes for poor developmental capacity may be highly complex and be reliant on many small changes. We further characterized a selection of these novel and known maternally expressed genes for their absolute expression levels during maturation in the presence or absence of an inhibitor of transcription and during preattachment development. Last, the effect of nuclear transfer on the levels of these genes was assayed. Nuclear transfer was found to differentially affect transcript levels of genes expressed after embryonic genome activation but did not prevent the degradation of maternal transcripts or result in activation of maternal genes that are silent at blastocyst stages. bovine, development, early development, embryo, oocyte, oocyte development, subtractive hybridization, transcription
Fertility Patterns and Reproductive Behaviours in the Lutheran and Catholic Populations from Historical Poland *

Many variables of biological, ecological and cultural nature affect the biological dynamics of human populations. A religious denomination was an element of the cultural system which had an impact on the attitude towards birth control and sexuality. The aim of this paper is to show how religion shaped the fer- tility figures in the Catholic and Lutheran populations of historical Poland. Two methods were used to characterize fertility. One uses reconstructed individual histories of families to assess fertility figures on the basis of the length of protogenetic and intergenetic intervals. In the second method fertility measures were estimated from mortality and natural increase data. Using life-table parameters estimated for both stationary and stable population models the following fertility figures were calculated: crude birth rate, net reproductive rate R 0 , mean family size, mean birth interval, total fertility rate, and mean age-specific fertility rate. It has been found that the analyzed Catholic and Protestant populations from the territory of historical Poland were characterized by a rather high reproductive potential.
PROFILE CHANGES OF ROCK SLOPES BY IRREGULAR WAVES

Experimental data has been obtained to test the abilities and limitations of existing and new empirical predictive methods for breakwater profile changes under random waves. The thirty data points obtained within this study describe a structure that is neither solely statically nor dynamically stable, and have indicated the difficulties of empirical formulas in accounting for the complex wave and structural interactions affecting breakwater profile development. Data analyses have indicated that current empirical formulas are not able to predict the profile changes very accurately for the data obtained herein. However, qualitative understanding can be obtained based upon the application and adjustment of the formulas to the structure tested herein.
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms Title: To what extent have changes in channel capacity contributed to flood hazard trends in England and Wales?

The frequency of floods has been projected to increase across Europe in the coming decades due to extreme weather events. However, our understanding of how flood frequency is affected by geomorphic changes in river channel capacity remains limited. This paper seeks to quantify the influence of trends in channel capacity on flood hazards. Measuring and predicting the effect of geomorphic changes on freshwater flooding is essential to mitigate the potential effects of major floods through informed planning and response. Hydrometric records from 41 stream gauging stations were used to measure trends in the flood stage (i.e. water surface elevation) frequency above the 1% annual exceedance threshold. The hydrologic and geomorphic components of flood hazard were quantified separately to determine their contribution to the total trend in flood stage frequency. Trends in cross-sectional flow area and mean flow velocity were also investigated at the same flood stage threshold. Results showed that a 10% decrease (or increase) in the channel capacity would result in an increase (or decrease) in the flood frequency of approximately 1.5 days per year on average across these 41 sites. Widespread increases in the flood hazard frequency were amplified through both hydrologic and geomorphic effects. These findings suggest that overlooking the potential influence of changing channel capacity on flooding may be hazardous. Better understanding and quantifying the influence of geomorphic trends on flood hazard will provide key insight for managers and engineers into the driving mechanisms of fluvial flooding over relatively short timescales.