Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Design and implementation of a head-pose estimation system used with large-scale screens

In this paper, we propose a novel head-pose estimation system for use with a large-scale screen to provide intelligent interaction with content. The head image of the user is captured from a RGB-D (red, green, blue pixel value, and depth data) camera connected to a large-scale display system. The head orientation of the user is then estimated from the RGB-D data by using the random regression forest algorithm. The random regression forest algorithm is a very powerful tool for generalization problems that does not suffer from overfitting. By using the head-pose estimation system, the user's region-of-interest (ROI) is found in a large-scale screen. After the ROI is found, various intelligent interactions with content can be possible. As future work, a hand gesture recognition system will be jointly connected with this head-pose estimation system in order to control the user's gestures more precisely in the ROI.
Is the Information Deficiency in Real Estate Evident in Public Market Trading

This paper examines the summary informativeness of trading in real estate securities. Prior literature on publicly traded real estate securities suggests that the information deficiency associated with local economies and unique rent dynamics will manifest itself as severe information asymmetry. To date, most studies concerned with these issues have focused on the conventional measures of liquidity (serial correlations, bid-ask spreads, etc.). However, the conventional measures have several shortcomings as pure measures of trading information. To address this issue, we use a vector autoregressive methodology pioneered by Hasbrouck. We examine the empirical proposition that information-gathering activities are related to trade informativeness. The evidence is consistent with a theoretical model in which traders are risk-averse and the number of information gatherers is small. Copyright American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association.
Paying the price for reconciling work and family life: Comparing the wage penalty for women's part-time work in Britain, Germany and the United States

Abstract A comparison of the institutional context of part-time employment in Britain, Germany and the United States forms the backdrop for this study of women's part-time work and wage penalties in each country. Results using panel data and fixed-effects wage estimates show three distinct “part-time regimes”. Germany has the lowest female labour force participation rates, and the smallest penalties for part-time employment. The United States and Britain each have steep penalties for part-time work, but part-time work is much more prevalent in Britain. We conclude that family policy, welfare state provision and labour market structure behave jointly to determine distinct models of work-family balance and the financial consequences associated with them.
Budgetary Control and Performance Evaluation Systems in Corporations in Bahrain

This study examines some aspects of budgetary control and performance valuation systems by utilising data based on a questionnaire survey of 42 medium and large size companies located in the State of Bahrain. The study finds that the onventional form of budget controllability principle is practised to a great extent; managers end to create slack to meet future uncertainty; the focus is on short‐term performance evaluation; a mixed type of performance evaluation style is followed; budget variances are used to evaluate managers' ability, and for cost control purposes. Bonus is affected by budget performance along with new assignments, but not salary.
Sustainable manufacturing: trends and research challenges

Sustainability is and will be a crucial issue for the present and future generations. The current assumption that natural resources are infinite and that the regenerative capacity of the environment is able to compensate for all human action is no longer acceptable. Hence, sustainability issues will influence all organisational aspects of the human life, from the economical, political, social and environmental points of view. The reason is simple: until now, all human activities have been based on the paradigm of unlimited resources and unlimited world's capacity for regeneration; from now on, the awareness of the termination of this assumption means that all related behavioural models must be changed. This is a very impressive objective embracing all fields of culture, economy, technology and much more. A continuing effort, together with a reasonable time span, will be required to pursue this goal. Fortunately, nature and the environment are capable of self-regulation and will give man a chance to recover from the damage he is causing to the earth mother, provided that the will to do so is firmly established. Manufacturing, as the main pillar of the civilised lifestyle, will be strongly affected by the sustainability issues and it will play an important role in establishing a sustainable way ahead. Today, nearly all manufacturing models are based on the old paradigm. Technology, on which the manufacturing is largely based, is asked, together with culture and economy, to give the tools and options for building new solutions towards a sustainable manufacturing concept. Generally speaking, new technology, new business models and new lifestyle models will be the cornerstones of the new sustainable world and this will be particularly true for what concerns the manufacturing sector. Impressive constraints and requirements will affect the industrial sector on the way ahead towards sustainability. Research and development will play a crucial role to this concern, having the responsibility to offer appropriate options to the society for answering the above-mentioned needs. The main evidences on researches challenges expected for sustainable manufacturing are outlined by the authors that have been involved in the IMS international project ‘IMS2020: Supporting Global Research for IMS2020 Vision’, promoted by the European Commission to prepare a roadmap for future (2020) manufacturing research.
Differential Regulation of Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ERK1/2 and ERK5 by Neurotrophins, Neuronal Activity, and cAMP in Neurons

Activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 by neurotrophins, neuronal activity, or cAMP has been strongly implicated in differentiation, survival, and adaptive responses of neurons during development and in the adult brain. Recently, a new member of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase family, ERK5, was discovered. Like ERK1 and ERK2, ERK5 is expressed in neurons, and ERK5 stimulation by epidermal growth factor is blocked by the MAP kinase/ERK kinase 1 (MEK1) inhibitors PD98059 and U0126. This suggests the interesting possibility that some of the functions attributed to ERK1/2 may be mediated by ERK5. However, the regulatory properties of ERK5 in primary cultured neurons have not been reported. Here we examined the regulation of ERK5 signaling in primary cultured cortical neurons. Our data demonstrate that, similar to ERK1/2, ERK5 is activated by neurotrophins including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and NT-4. BDNF stimulation of ERK5 required the activity of MEK5. Surprisingly, ERK5 was not stimulated by cAMP or neuronal activity induced by glutamate or membrane depolarization. In contrast to ERK1/2, ERK5 strongly activated the transcriptional activity of myocyte enhancer factor 2C (MEF2C) in pheochromocytoma 12 (PC12) cells and was required for neurotrophin stimulation of MEF2C transcription in both PC12 cells and cortical neurons. Furthermore, ERK1/2, but not ERK5, induced transcription from Elk1 and the cAMP/ Ca2+ response element in PC12 cells. Our data suggest that mechanisms for regulation of ERK5 and downstream transcriptional pathways regulated by ERK5 are distinct from those of ERK1/2 in neurons. Furthermore, ERK5 is the first MAP kinase identified whose activity is stimulated by neurotrophins but not by neuronal activity.
Determining Good and Bad Credit Risks among High- and Low-Income Families

At present the many low-income families who cannot obtain credit from the large retailers must pay the extremely high credit charges of ghetto merchants-charges that typically are buried in the price of the goods purchased. ' Several large retailers use credit scoring systems to identify the relatively good risks among their credit applicants. Insofar as these credit scoring systems are based on samples of current customers which underrepresent low-income families, the criteria derived may not be accurate predictors of the risk class of a low-income credit applicant. There is no strong a priori reason that the variables correlated with high-income goodrisk families should be correlated with low-income good-risk families, given possible social or cultural differences. This investigation was an attempt to discover criteria that can identify relatively good credit risks among low-income families.
Renal artery stenosis: a cardiovascular perspective.

BACKGROUND Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is an important clinical entity that can lead to uncontrolled hypertension and progressive renal failure. The most common causes of RAS are atherosclerosis and fibromuscular dysplasia. Because the diagnosis of renovascular hypertension is established only when revascularization of a stenosed renal artery results in cure or improvement in patients hypertension, establishment of a causal relationship between RAS and hypertension continues to present a challenge. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is essential in the diagnosis of this condition. METHODS Multiple tests, both invasive and noninvasive, are available as screening methods. Angiography remains the gold standard for diagnosis of RAS. Besides its value in establishing the diagnosis, it provides anatomic information regarding the site and severity of stenoses and appropriate revascularization strategies. Magnetic resonance angiography and duplex ultrasonography are the most promising and accurate noninvasive screening tests available, even in the presence of renal insufficiency. With advances in percutaneous transluminal angioplasty techniques, including renal artery stenting, many more patients are eligible for less invasive and effective revascularization strategies compared with the traditional surgical procedures. RESULTS Revascularization of a stenosed renal artery is associated with preservation of renal function and better control of hypertension, unstable angina, and congestive heart failure. Because atherosclerotic RAS is associated with generalized atherosclerosis, aggressive risk factor modification and antiplatelet therapy are integral in the management of RAS regardless of the revascularization strategy.
Are Exports of China, Japan and Korea Diverted in the Major Regional Trading Blocs?

In recent years China, Japan and Korea, the three major economies in East Asia, have been gearing up their efforts to sign free trade agreements with many different regions and countries. One of the main reasons for this is that they fear that with a regionalism movement rising in every corner of the world, their exports are discriminated against and diverted in the trading blocs of other nations. The main purpose of this paper is to investigate whether this is a real fear. We utilise the gravity equation augmented with dummy variables for regional trading blocs in three different specifications. One is the static, standard gravity model to examine the effect of regional blocs on the ‘level’ of exports from these three countries in 2003; the second is the fixed effects and random effects panel models for the period 1993–2003; and the third is the dynamic, partial-adjustment model to examine the effect of blocs on the ‘changes’ in exports between 1993 and 2003. The results show that trade diversion is observed only for China's exports in EU, EFTA and EAEC, but no diversion effect is observed for Japan's and Korea's exports in any of the major trading blocs. On the other hand, trade creation is observed for exports from China in ASEAN, for exports from Japan in ASEAN, CACM, CARICOM, EAEC, EU and NAFTA, and for exports from Korea in ASEAN, CACM, EAEC and MERCOSUR. Thus, Japan's and Korea's fear of discrimination and trade diversion is ungrounded, while China's fear is grounded only to a limited extent.
The relationship of the -5, -8, and -24 variant alleles in African Americans to triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) enzyme activity and to TPI deficiency.

In 424 African-American and 75 white subjects, we found that the -5 (TPI 592 A-->G), -8 (TPI 589 G-->A), and -24 (TPI 573 T-->G) variants in the triosephosphate isomerase (TPI) gene occurred frequently (41.0%) in the African-American subjects but did not occur in the whites. These data suggest that this set of polymorphisms may turn out to be one of the higher-incidence molecular markers of African lineage, a surprising finding because others had reported that these nucleotide substitutions were restricted to a small subset of African Americans who had been characterized as TPI-deficiency heterozygotes. Additionally, we investigated the relationship of these variants to TPI-enzyme activity. Although the variant substitutions (occurring in three haplotypes: -5 alone, -5 -8, and -5 -8 -24) were associated with moderate reduction in enzyme activity, severe-deficiency heterozygotes could not be identified with certainty, and none of the haplotypes were restricted to subjects with marked reduction of enzyme activity. Three subjects were homozygous for the -5 -8 haplotype, a finding inconsistent with the putative role of this haplotype as the cause of a null variant incompatible with life in homozygotes. Despite these findings, the possibility remains that the -5 -8 or -5 -8 -24 haplotypes may in some instances contribute to compound heterozygosity and clinical TPI deficiency.
Stress, self-esteem and well-being among female health professionals: A randomized clinical trial on the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses

Background Stress levels are evident among health professionals. However, there are few studies on sensory-based self-care aimed at stress management, self-esteem and subjective well-being in this group of professionals. Objective To assess the impact of a self-care intervention mediated by the senses on the stress levels, self-esteem and well-being of health professionals in a hospital environment. Methods A total of 93 health professionals participated in an unblinded clinical trial, randomized into four groups: 1) control (no intervention); 2) Monosensory—daily body moisturizing (DBM) with odorless cream; 3) Bisensory—DBM with scented cream; 4) Multisensory—DBM with scented cream associated with audiovisual material. Participants answered specific questionnaires to assess stress, self-esteem and well-being and cortisol samples were collected at baseline, 15 and 30 days following intervention, and at the 30-day follow-up. Results Self-care was characterized as neglected, with most participants reporting inadequate hours of sleep (74%), irregular physical activity (68%), and inadequate nutrition (45%). Compared to the other groups, the Bisensory group had lower stress on all three assessments (p = 0.017; 0.012; 0.036), a life satisfaction 8% higher at follow-up than at baseline (95% CI: 2% to 15%, p = 0.016), a 10% increase in positive affect (95% CI: 2% to 19%, p = 0.011) and a 12% reduction in negative affect (95% CI: 3% to 21% less, p = 0.014) after 30 days. The Multisensory group showed improvement in self-esteem (p = 0.012) and reduced cortisol (p = 0.036) after 30 days of intervention. The control group showed no changes in the variables studied, except for cortisol: an increase at the 15-day evaluation (denoting higher risk for stress, p = 0.009) and a reduction at follow-up (p = 0.028), which was nevertheless within normal levels. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02406755
Search Frictions in Physical Capital Markets as a Propagation Mechanism

We build a Dynamic General Equilibrium model with search frictions for the allocation of physical capital and investigate its implications for the business cycle. While the model is in principle capable of generating substantial internal propagation to small exogenous shocks, the quantitative effects are modest once we calibrate the model to fit firm-level capital flows. We then extend the model with credit market frictions that lead to countercyclical default and countercyclical risk premia as in the data. Countercyclical default directly affects capital reallocation and has important general equilibrium income effects on labor supply. Yet, for calibrations in line with observed consumption dynamics, we find that even in this extended model, search frictions in physical capital markets play only a small role for business cycle fluctuations.
Structural basis of membrane disruption and cellular toxicity by α-synuclein oligomers

A structural look at α-synuclein oligomers Fibrillar aggregates of the protein α-synuclein (αS) are the major constituents of Lewy bodies in Parkinson's disease. However, small oligomers that accumulate during the process of fibril formation are thought to cause the neuronal toxicity associated with the onset and progression of Parkinson's disease. Little is known about the detailed structural properties of αS oligomers and the molecular mechanisms that lead to their toxicity. Fusco et al. report the structural characterization of two forms of αS oligomers, which elucidates the fundamental structural elements giving rise to neuronal toxicity. Science, this issue p. 1440 Oligomers of α-synuclein generate neuronal damage when insertion of a highly structured core disrupts membrane integrity. Oligomeric species populated during the aggregation process of α-synuclein have been linked to neuronal impairment in Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders. By using solution and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance techniques in conjunction with other structural methods, we identified the fundamental characteristics that enable toxic α-synuclein oligomers to perturb biological membranes and disrupt cellular function; these include a highly lipophilic element that promotes strong membrane interactions and a structured region that inserts into lipid bilayers and disrupts their integrity. In support of these conclusions, mutations that target the region that promotes strong membrane interactions by α-synuclein oligomers suppressed their toxicity in neuroblastoma cells and primary cortical neurons.
Simulation and experimental results for a photovoltaic system formed by polycrystalline solar modules

This paper focuses on the comprehensive modeling, simulation and experimental validation for a photovoltaic system formed by polycrystalline solar modules. The performance of the equivalent circuit model for a solar cell is validated by data measured parameters of photovoltaic modules. Also, this paper brings a novel iterative procedure to find the value of diode ideality factor, series and equivalent shunt resistances.
Combination of Novelty Search and Fitness-Based Search Applied to Robot Body-Brain Co-Evolution

Evolutionary algorithms are a frequently used technique for designing morphology and controller of a robot. However, a significant challenge for evolutionary algorithms is premature convergence to local optima. Recently proposed Novelty Search algorithm introduces a radical idea that premature convergence can be avoided by ignoring the original objective and searching for any novel behaviors instead. In this paper, we apply novelty search to the problem of body-brain co-evolution. We show that novelty search significantly outperforms fitness-based search in a deceiving barrier avoidance task. Furthermore, we demonstrate an unexpected result that switching from novelty search to fitness-based search after the deceptive barrier is overcome does not significantly improve overall search performance.
UNRAVELLING INSTITUTIONAL COMPLEXITY: Actors and Rules Negotiating Water in Indian Himalayas

Institutions integrate in a complex manner across levels in shaping and reshaping water resource management. Unraveling the complex interaction among institutions requires identifying the role of actors and rules in managing water resource. New institutionalisms across social sciences are critically evaluated for a framework to analyse interactions and the relationship between land, water and societies. The paper aims to analyse the interactive nature of actors and rules (i) influencing water policy and administration; (ii) building capability of actors to manage water crisis; and (iii) building capability of agents to negotiate towards seeking alternatives for a desired change. These objectives are examined to a core water-related issue applicable in each of the four socio-economically and hydrologically distinct hamlets selected from two watersheds in Himachal Pradesh, India. Different research investigations (primary, lead, follow-up and check) were carried by combining different research methods. The study adopts a systematic approach to identify actors and rules integrating at various arenas to manage water. These arenas representing adaptive cycle of resource management are obscure, not clearly represented, but are hierarchically interlinked forming a ‘Panarchy’. The study evaluates institutions in these arenas in four phases of adaptive cycle: policy formulation, implementation, attempts to overcome water crisis; and ability of agents to seek institutional alternatives. This helps in identifying rules that can enable actors to consciously design and self-organise towards integrating water management. The study reveals diverse actors in shaping water policies, but the absence of scope and information rules constrains these actors in taking informed decisions for a sustainable future. Implementation of these policies is controlled by statutory public actors who provide boundary rules for other actors in the watershed well endowed with infrastructure facilities, while it is socially embedded actors in remote watershed. However, it is statutory public actors who provide authority rules thereby knowingly or unknowingly facilitating inequitable distribution of water. Socially embedded actors provide all the rules required for actors to build their capability to manage water. Each of these actions is facilitated by agents who are located at various levels in space and time to integrate various actors and rules to institute change. In brief the study highlights the importance of infrastructure development for poverty alleviation, information sharing and importance of sectoral agencies to remain interactive. The findings question some of the contemporary understanding of decentralisation, resilience, collective action and participatory management providing new theoretical grounds for analysing water resource institutions. Relevance to Conference Sub-themes: Contemporary analytical tools and theoretical questions
The Doha Trade Round and Mozambique

This paper considers the potential implications of the Doha Development Agenda, as well as other trade liberalization scenarios, for Mozambique. An applied general equilibrium model, which accounts for high marketing margins and home consumption in the Mozambique economy, is linked to results from the GTAP model of global trade. In addition, a microsimulation module is used to consider the subsequent implications of trade liberalization for poverty. The implications of trade liberalization, particularly the Doha scenarios, are found to be relatively small. Presuming that a more liberal trading regime will positively influence growth in Mozambique, an opportunity exists to put in place such a regime without imposing significant adjustment costs.