Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust Inlier Feature Tracking Method for Multiple Pedestrian Tracking

This paper proposes a multiple-pedestrian-tracking method that uses robust inlier features. Our system consists of pedestrian detection, data association, a multiple track management method, and particle tracking. This study primarily focuses on robust motion prediction algorithms for particle tracking. The results of the prediction are used for a motion model of a particle filter framework and the assignment cost of data association. Robust feature-based motion tracking algorithms are proposed as a means for predicting the target position. It is important to extract distinguished features and remove outlier features to estimate the region of interest (ROI) in an accurate and reliable manner. Motion prediction should be reliable in order to associate the observation-to-track pairs correctly and update the ROI accurately in a particle filter framework. The results of this study show that our motion tracking algorithm estimates the ROI more accurately than previous methods.
Modelling user retention in mobile games

User activity in five mobile games is found to be accurately described by stochastic processes related to recurrent event models in survival analysis. We specify four simple parametric models and methods to fit them to data which specify this process within day accuracy in the individual user level. This model implies commonly used population level retention metrics: retention, rolling retention and lifetime retention. Furthermore, modelling aids in understanding the underlying phenomena generating these metrics, which is verified visually in five diverse mobile games. The model assists in obtaining analytical insight into frequency and longevity of product use and precipitates predictive modelling by forecasting their evolvement over time.
Differential Metabolite Profiles during Fruit Development in High-Yielding Oil Palm Mesocarp

To better understand lipid biosynthesis in oil palm mesocarp, in particular the differences in gene regulation leading to and including de novo fatty acid biosynthesis, a multi-platform metabolomics technology was used to profile mesocarp metabolites during six critical stages of fruit development in comparatively high- and low-yielding oil palm populations. Significantly higher amino acid levels preceding lipid biosynthesis and nucleosides during lipid biosynthesis were observed in a higher yielding commercial palm population. Levels of metabolites involved in glycolysis revealed interesting divergence of flux towards glycerol-3-phosphate, while carbon utilization differences in the TCA cycle were proven by an increase in malic acid/citric acid ratio. Apart from insights into the regulation of enhanced lipid production in oil palm, these results provide potentially useful metabolite yield markers and genes of interest for use in breeding programmes.
Cardiac Safety of Diclofenac at a Single Dose in Ram

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are frequently prescribed drug group in human and veterinary medicine. However, diclofenac, a traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, related to cardiotoxicity is reported, and blood cardiac damage markers may increase within the first hours after damage. The aim of the current research was to determine the effect of diclofenac on the blood cardiac damage markers. Single dose of diclofenac (2.5 mg/kg, IM) was injected to 6 rams. Blood samples were collected in before (0 hour, control) and 6 hours after injection. Specific (troponin I, and creatine kinase-MB) and nonspecific (lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase) blood cardiac damage marker concentrations, routine biochemical (hepatic damage, renal damage, lipid metabolism, glucose, and phosphorus) parameters, and hemogram values were measured. Diclofenac increased (P < 0.05) specific (troponin I) and nonspecific cardiac (lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase), hepatic (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine aminotransferase), and muscular (creatine kinase) damage markers and high density lipoprotein level, while it decreased (P < 0.05) low density lipoprotein level. Moreover, diclofenac decreased (P < 0.05) white blood cell counts and increased (P < 0.05) red blood cell counts. In conclusion, it may be stated that diclofenac shows slight cardiotoxicity, whereas it may show potent hepatic and muscular damage effects at an intramuscularly single dose in sheep. Thereby, repeated injections of diclofenac may be more harmful in sheep.
Evaluation of technical efficiency and ranking of public sector banks in India: An analysis from cross‐sectional perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the extent of technical efficiency in 27 public sector banks operating in India and to provide strict ranking to these banks.Design/methodology/approach – Two popular data envelopment analysis (DEA) models, namely, CCR model and Andersen and Petersen's super‐efficiency model, were utilized. The cross‐section data for the financial year 2004/2005 were used for obtaining technical efficiency scores.Findings – The results show that only seven of the 27 banks are found to be efficient and thus, defined the efficient frontier; and technical efficiency scores range from 0.632 to 1, with an average of 0.885. Thus, Indian public sector banks, on an average, waste the inputs to the tune of 11.5 percent. Andhra Bank has been observed to be the most efficient bank followed closely by Corporation Bank. Further, the banks affiliated with SBI group turned out to be more efficient than the nationalized banks. The regression results incisively indicate that the exposure .
Automatic Power Factor Correction Based on Alienation Technique

In modern digital protection and control systems, an alienation technique has recently become the workhorse of quantitative research and analysis. In this paper, an alienation technique is developed for calculations of original power factor on-line, active and compensation reactive powers and determination of the required number of capacitor banks to get the desired power factor. Alienation coefficients are calculated between phase voltage and current signals of power supply. These calculations are performed within one-cycle. Thus, the algorithm is well suited for implementation in a digital reactive power control scheme. This scheme is able accurately to identify the required capacitor rating to get the desired power factor under different loading levels. It does not need any extra equipment as it depends only on the voltage and line-current measurements which are mostly available at the relay location. Alternative transient program (ATP) and MATLAB programs are used to implement the proposed technique.
A novel deterministic traffic model based on a two-level analysis of MPEG video sources

Integrated services networks have to support several applications with different quality of service requirements. Applications requiring strong service guarantees must be supported by bounded-delay services based on deterministic traffic models. This paper proposes a deterministic traffic model for video sources that takes advantage of specific MPEG coding characteristics. This model introduces a quality parameter that allows to balance complexity and accuracy. The results show that high accuracy can be obtained with low processing time.
The Role of General Government in Hungary

The objective of this study is to present the changes in the general government’s role in the distribution and generation of income and in the functions of the state. The period under study is 1991-1997, with an emphasis on the fiscal adjustment which occurred during the years 1995-1996. In relation to this, a separate chapter addresses international experiences in fiscal consolidation and its theoretical aspects. In the period under study, the general government had a certain stabilizing impact. Up to 1993, overspending by the government retarded economic decline and following the commencement of economic growth the adjustment program which became necessary owing to the unsustainability of the external and internal equilibrium put the brakes on growth in the short term. Based on international experience, the most important factor for success is to be sought in the structure of the adjustment. This study concentrates on the presentation of structural changes, and particularly the structure of primary expenditures and revenues, even though its point of departure was the changes in the level of total expenditures and revenues of the general government. Between 1990 and 1997, the volume of the primary levels declined by nearly one quarter and the rearrangements which were effected within this were even more significant. It can be established that the decline was most vigorous on the expenditures side, in the case of expenditures on wages and transfers (particularly with respect to households). According to international experience, the savings achieved precisely in this area can be a guarantee for the lasting success of fiscal adjustment. However, the fiscal retrenchment of 1995-1996 in Hungary does not present us with a clear picture. Personal income tax was increased, there were tax increases of a one-off nature and cuts in public investment, too. This kind of measures were identified as less successful ones by international studies. According to statistics using the prime cost approach, the role of the public sector in income generation declined, as wage costs declined. Were it possible to take quality criteria into account when specifying performance, the picture would be different. According to international experience, some public sectors do not contribute to income generation even at prime cost, and in these areas it is possible to reduce spending without suffering any deterioration in performance. A counterexample can be provided by the tax administration, where a very close correlation can be demonstrated between wages and efficiency. The impact of the Hungarian measures, particularly with respect to changes in the number of persons employed, cannot be evaluated negatively in this respect. In addition to an institutional approach to general government, it is also important to take functional aspects into account - that is to say, it is necessary to the fiscal transparency to demonstrate quasi-fiscal activities performed outside the general government. (This study does not undertake to do so.)
The Ethical Teacher

Preface Part one: Moral agency and ethical knowledge Introduction to ethics in teaching The teacher as a moral person The teacher as a moral educator Part two: Challenges to ethical professionalism Dilemmas in teaching Collegial fear the dilemmas within Part three: Ethical directions Standards and codes Learning to create an ethical culture Using ethical knowledge to inform practice Bibliography Index.
Anterior Lamina Cribrosa Insertion in Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma Patients and Healthy Subjects

Purpose To determine using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) whether there are differences in the location of the anterior lamina cribrosa insertion (ALI) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and healthy subjects. Methods Fifty three eyes from 53 patients with POAG, and 53 eyes from 53 age-matched healthy subjects were included prospectively in Seoul National University Bundang Hospital. Twelve radial line B-scans centered on the optic disc in every half-clock-hour meridian were acquired using SS-OCT. The ALI position was assessed by measuring two parameters: (1) ALI distance (ALID)—the distance from the anterior scleral canal opening (ASCO) to the ALI; and (2) marginal anterior lamina cribrosa surface depth (mALCSD)—the perpendicular distance from the ASCO plane to the anterior lamina cribrosa surface. These parameters were compared between the two groups for each meridian. Results Both ALID (256±54 vs. 209±37 µm, mean ± SD, p<0.001) and mALCSD (232±63 vs. 187±40 µm, p<0.001) were significantly greater in the POAG group than in the normal group. The largest difference was observed at the 6.5 o′clock and 11.5 o′clock meridians for both ALID and mALCSD. Multiple regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between age and both ALID and mALCSD in the control group, and a negative correlation between mean deviation of the visual field test and both ALID and mALCSD in the POAG group. Conclusions The ALI was displaced posteriorly in eyes with POAG compared to those of healthy controls. This finding suggests that the posteriorly located lamina cribrosa insertion is an important component of glaucomatous optic nerve excavation.
Malaria Parasites: The Great Escape

Parasites of the genus Plasmodium have a complex life cycle. They alternate between their final mosquito host and their intermediate hosts. The parasite can be either extra- or intracellular, depending on the stage of development. By modifying their shape, motility, and metabolic requirements, the parasite adapts to the different environments in their different hosts. The parasite has evolved to escape the multiple immune mechanisms in the host that try to block parasite development at the different stages of their development. In this article, we describe the mechanisms reported thus far that allow the Plasmodium parasite to evade innate and adaptive immune responses.
HR transformation and shared services: Adoption and adaptation in Swedish organisations

Purpose – This paper seeks to compare Ulrich's model of HR transformation/shared service organisation (the “three‐legged stool”) with the empirical evidence from the research. The aim of the paper is to describe the journey from theory to practice of HR transformation in organisations as they adopt and adapt the model.Design/methodology/approach – An institutional frame of reference is used for case studies of seven Swedish organisations. The respondents in the 192 interviews are HR professionals, line managers and other stakeholders.Findings – All seven of the organisations adopted the HR transformation as a standard blueprint. Management consultants played a leading role in this process. HR service centres were established, the local HR staffs were reduced radically, and the remaining role, the HR business partners, took on lesser importance. During the adaptation process a variety of solutions resulted, some of which were innovations.Research limitations/implications – Because of the small sample size,.
Learning population of spiking neural networks with perturbation of conductances

In this paper a method is presented for learning of spiking neural networks. It is based on perturbation of synaptic conductances. While this approach is known to be model-free, it is also known to be slow, because it applies improvement direction estimates with large variance. Two ideas are analysed to alleviate this problem: First, learning of many networks at the same time instead of one. Second, autocorrelation of perturbations in time. In the experimental study the method is validated on three learning tasks in which information is conveyed with frequency and spike timing.
MORE: Mixed Optimization for Reverse Engineering&#x2014;An Application to Modeling Biological Networks Response via Sparse Systems of Nonlinear Differential Equations

Reverse engineering is the problem of inferring the structure of a network of interactions between biological variables from a set of observations. In this paper, we propose an optimization algorithm, called MORE, for the reverse engineering of biological networks from time series data. The model inferred by MORE is a sparse system of nonlinear differential equations, complex enough to realistically describe the dynamics of a biological system. MORE tackles separately the discrete component of the problem, the determination of the biological network topology, and the continuous component of the problem, the strength of the interactions. This approach allows us both to enforce system sparsity, by globally constraining the number of edges, and to integrate a priori information about the structure of the underlying interaction network. Experimental results on simulated and real-world networks show that the mixed discrete/continuous optimization approach of MORE significantly outperforms standard continuous optimization and that MORE is competitive with the state of the art in terms of accuracy of the inferred networks.
Yin and Yang of disease genes and death genes between reciprocally scale-free biological networks

Biological networks often show a scale-free topology with node degree following a power-law distribution. Lethal genes tend to form functional hubs, whereas non-lethal disease genes are located at the periphery. Uni-dimensional analyses, however, are flawed. We created and investigated two distinct scale-free networks; a protein–protein interaction (PPI) and a perturbation sensitivity network (PSN). The hubs of both networks exhibit a low molecular evolutionary rate (P < 8 × 10−12, P < 2 × 10−4) and a high codon adaptation index (P < 2 × 10−16, P < 2 × 10−8), indicating that both hubs have been shaped under high evolutionary selective pressure. Moreover, the topologies of PPI and PSN are inversely proportional: hubs of PPI tend to be located at the periphery of PSN and vice versa. PPI hubs are highly enriched with lethal genes but not with disease genes, whereas PSN hubs are highly enriched with disease genes and drug targets but not with lethal genes. PPI hub genes are enriched with essential cellular processes, but PSN hub genes are enriched with environmental interaction processes, having more TATA boxes and transcription factor binding sites. It is concluded that biological systems may balance internal growth signaling and external stress signaling by unifying the two opposite scale-free networks that are seemingly opposite to each other but work in concert between death and disease.
An econometric analysis of the impact of Corruption on economic growth in Nigeria

Over the years corruption has received a considerable amount of attention due to some reasons, prominent is the liberalization of press in many parts of the world and increasing awareness that has been created on the detrimental effect of corruption on economic growth. Nigeria is blessed with abundance of resources and particularly known for her wealth of oil, however, this is not evident in the economy due to the presence of corruption in the country. This study empirically investigates the impact of corruption on economic growth in Nigeria on an annual time series data from 1980-2009 using regression analysis. Also, the Granger causality test and impulse response function was carried out. The empirical results reveal that corruption per worker exerts a negative influence on output per worker directly and also indirectly on foreign private investment, expenditure on education and capital expenditure per worker. Furthermore, the study revealed that there is a one-sided causality where the direction of influence runs from output per worker to corruption per worker. This study therefore recommended a strategy that depends excessively on actions in various sectors in combating corruption in the Nigerian economy as against a single action (establishment of anti – corrupt agencies).
Agri-environmental policy development in the European Union

Nature and agriculture both shape the European countryside and one of the main challenges for the years to come will be to strengthen their interaction for the future development of rural areas. In this valuable and highly topical book, the authors demonstrate how economics and ecology can play a critical role in maintaining and sustaining this relationship. The book identifies the dilemmas facing European agriculture and explores their economic and ecological consequences. The authors believe a better understanding of these problems will be crucial in recognising the potential options for the future role of agriculture and nature policy and will guide the identification of suitable policy instruments.
An Examination of the Relationship between Audit-Related Risks and the Second Partner Review

The notion that the second partner review’ (SPR) can be used to reduce “risk” is pervasive in the limited literature relevant to the SPR. For example, Mautz and Matusiak [ l ] believe that the SPR “constitutes a quality control measure whose potential contribution has not yet been fully realized” (p. 63), and that “a CPA firm can further minimize the possibility of audit failure” through strengthening its SPR policies (p. 56). Among others, the National Commission on Fraudulent Financial Reporting (Treadway Commission) [2] also suggests that the SPR is one of several procedures capable of reducing the incidence of fraudulent financial reporting. If the SPR serves as an audit-related risk-reduction technique, it is reasonable to expect more extensive SPRs when there is the expectation that the firm’s normal audit procedures may fail to detect deficiencies in the financial statements or audit report. A number of client and engagement-specific factors contribute to this expectation. Client characteristics that may influence the extent of SPR range from inadequate records to complex reporting requirements. In addition, higher levels of business risk associated with a particular client (as evidenced by deteriorating fi-
Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Deficiency and Cirrhosis Establishment

Cirrhosis represents the final stage of chronic liver damage, which can be due to different factors such as alcohol, metabolic syndrome with liver steatosis, autoimmune diseases, drugs, toxins, and viral infection, among others. Nowadays, cirrhosis is an important health problem and it is an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality, being the 14th most common cause of death worldwide. The physiopathological pathways that lead to fibrosis and finally cirrhosis partly depend on the etiology. Nevertheless, some common features are shared in this complex mechanism. Recently, it has been demonstrated that cirrhosis is a dynamic process that can be altered in order to delay or revert fibrosis. In addition, when cirrhosis has been established, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) deficiency or reduced availability is a common condition, independently of the etiology of chronic liver damage that leads to cirrhosis. IGF-1 deprivation seriously contributes to the progressive malnutrition of cirrhotic patient, increasing the vulnerability of the liver to establish an inflammatory and oxidative microenvironment with mitochondrial dysfunction. In this context, IGF-1 deficiency in cirrhotic patients can justify some of the common characteristics of these individuals. Several studies in animals and humans have been done in order to test the replacement of IGF-1 as a possible therapeutic option, with promising results.
Bleeding-Heart Liberals and Hard-Hearted Conservatives : Subtle Political Dehumanization Through Differential Attributions of Human Nature and Human Uniqueness Traits

This research demonstrated that human nature (HN) and human uniqueness (HU) traits capture the content of Americans’ stereotypes about liberals and conservatives, respectively. Consistent with expectations derived from dehumanization theory, people more strongly associated HN traits with liberals than with conservatives, and more strongly associated HU traits with conservatives than with liberals. A trait × target ideology × perceiver ideology × trait valence interaction suggested that both liberals and conservatives more strongly associated their ingroup with stereotype-consistent positive traits, and their outgroup with stereotype-consistent negative traits. Mediation analyses revealed that outgroup antipathy, but not ingroup liking, explained the relationship between ideology and political outgroup dehumanization. Finally, humanness traits captured subtle differences in political stereotype content not captured with the warmth and competence dimensions derived from the stereotype content model. Together, these results indicate that differential attributions of HN and HU traits capture political stereotype content and function to subtly dehumanize one’s political opponents.