Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Everyday Eye Contact Detection Using Unsupervised Gaze Target Discovery

Eye contact is an important non-verbal cue in social signal processing and promising as a measure of overt attention in human-object interactions and attentive user interfaces. However, robust detection of eye contact across different users, gaze targets, camera positions, and illumination conditions is notoriously challenging. We present a novel method for eye contact detection that combines a state-of-the-art appearance-based gaze estimator with a novel approach for unsupervised gaze target discovery, i.e. without the need for tedious and time-consuming manual data annotation. We evaluate our method in two real-world scenarios: detecting eye contact at the workplace, including on the main work display, from cameras mounted to target objects, as well as during everyday social interactions with the wearer of a head-mounted egocentric camera. We empirically evaluate the performance of our method in both scenarios and demonstrate its effectiveness for detecting eye contact independent of target object type and size, camera position, and user and recording environment.
Comparison of Three Different Nickel-Titanium Endodontic Rotary Systems in Shaping Simulated S-Shaped Canals

COMPARISON OF THREE DIFFERENT NICKEL-TITANIUM ENDODONTIC ROTARY SYSTEMS IN SHAPING SIMULATED S-SHAPED CANALS Elineida Perez, D.D.S. Marquette University, 2015 Introduction: Preparation error may result during mechanical instrumentation because of the complex anatomy of the root canal. Thus, flexibility and resistance to fracture are ideal properties that endodontic instruments should have. The aim of the study was to compare the shaping ability of three different nickel-titanium rotary instruments in simulated S-shape root canals by measuring transportation and canal volume change CVC. Materials and Methods: A total of 60 S-shaped canals in resin blocks were randomly allocated into 3 groups (n=20): Vortex Blue (Dentsply-Tulsa Dental Specialties), HyFlex CM (Coltene/Whaledent) and EndoSequence (Brasseler USA). Canals were filled with dye and secured in a jig for instrumentation stabilization and imaging standardization. After patency was confirmed using a size 10 K-file, groups were instrumented using a crown down technique from size 40 to 20/. 04 and then apically enlarged to size 30/. 04 using constant sterile water as an irrigant. Preand post instrumentation images were taken and layered for evaluation. Transportation and the CVC at the cervical, middle, and apical levels were measured/computed. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using a one-way ANOVA test and Tukey post hoc test. Results: Instrumentation with HyFlex CM resulted in significantly (p 0.05) were observed between the files for apical transportation. Conclusion: HyFlex CM showed better shaping ability than Vortex Blue and Endosequence but similar apical transportation. `
Prevention effect of LED blue light irradiation on the settlement of cyprids

We applied blue LEDs to the prevention of the settlement of cyprids. The relatively strong intensity of the irradiation of ca. 500 (W m−2) could prevent the settlement of cyprids on the area of the bottom of a tub, above which the light source was adjusted. On the other hand, cyprids settled on the area on which the relatively weak intensity of the irradiation, < 100 (W m−2), was reached. In the field experiments, however, the number of cyprids settled on the adhesion plate, on which the relatively weak irradiation of blue light was reached from the relatively strong light source located 40 cm far from the adhesion plate, was reduced. Moreover, the surface of the transparent acrylic plate used for the LEDs cover was prevented from biofouling in the field. These results indicate that the relatively strong intensity of irradiation of blue light is actually useful for the prevention of biofouling on a ship's bottom.
Studies on Perceived Breast Milk Insufficiency A Prospective Study in a Group of Swedish Women

A prospective investigation of the course of breast‐feeding was carried out in a group of 51 healthy, well educated Swedish women during the period three days to 18 months after delivery. The aims were to investigate the incidence, causes and consequences of perceived breast milk insufficiency (transient lactation crises), by relating this phenomenon to the infant's breast milk consumption and growth, and to the course of breast‐feeding.
Hfq assists small RNAs in binding to the coding sequence of ompD mRNA and in rearranging its structure

The bacterial protein Hfq participates in the regulation of translation by small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs). Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the role of Hfq in the regulation by sRNAs binding to the 5′-untranslated mRNA regions. However, it remains unknown how Hfq affects those sRNAs that target the coding sequence. Here, the contribution of Hfq to the annealing of three sRNAs, RybB, SdsR, and MicC, to the coding sequence of Salmonella ompD mRNA was investigated. Hfq bound to ompD mRNA with tight, subnanomolar affinity. Moreover, Hfq strongly accelerated the rates of annealing of RybB and MicC sRNAs to this mRNA, and it also had a small effect on the annealing of SdsR. The experiments using truncated RNAs revealed that the contributions of Hfq to the annealing of each sRNA were individually adjusted depending on the structures of interacting RNAs. In agreement with that, the mRNA structure probing revealed different structural contexts of each sRNA binding site. Additionally, the annealing of RybB and MicC sRNAs induced specific conformational changes in ompD mRNA consistent with local unfolding of mRNA secondary structure. Finally, the mutation analysis showed that the long AU-rich sequence in the 5′-untranslated mRNA region served as an Hfq binding site essential for the annealing of sRNAs to the coding sequence. Overall, the data showed that the functional specificity of Hfq in the annealing of each sRNA to the ompD mRNA coding sequence was determined by the sequence and structure of the interacting RNAs.
Nonprofit Fund-Raising in Competitive Donor Markets

Fund-raising expenditures represent an important strategic decision for nonprofit managers in the face of scarced on or resources. Privately, nonprofit managers weigh the trade-off between reaching new donors and increasing the implicit price of output to its constituents. Socially, competition among nonprofit firms for donations may produce an excessive level of fund-raising. This article empirically examines nonprofit fund-raising decisions, privately and socially, under varying market conditions. Analysis of financial data reveals that as markets become more competitive, nonprofits follow their private incentives by reducing their fund-raising expenditures. However, the author finds evidence that, collectively, nonprofits may spend an inefficiently high share of their revenues on fund-raising. As such, the author offers alternatives to the common practice of collective fund-raising through institutions such as the United Way. Implications of the study include increasing price transparency to improve market discipline or raising legal and financial barriers to entry.
Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: Anticholinergics, Glucocorticotherapy, Leukotriene Antagonists, Omalizumab and Specific-Allergen Immunotherapy

Jesus Jurado-Palomo1, Irina Diana Bobolea2, Maria Teresa Belver Gonzalez2, Alvaro Moreno-Ancillo1, Ana Carmen Gil Adrados3 and Jose Manuel Morales Puebla4 1Department of Allergology, Nuestra Senora del Prado General Hospital, Talavera de la Reina 2Department of Allergology, Hospital La Paz Health Research Institute (IdiPAZ), Madrid 3Centro de Salud La Solana, Talavera de la Reina 4Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University General Hospital, Ciudad Real Spain
Going Public in the European Union

As a result of the Europeanization of politics and the increasing role of the public sphere, political actors in Western Europe are currently facing a double strategic challenge. Based on data from seven West European countries and the European Union, the authors analyze how state actors, political parties, interest groups, and social movement organizations cope with this double challenge at both the national and the supranational level. Results indicate that the classic repertoire of inside strategies at the national level is still the most typical for all actors, but media-related strategies are also prominent at the national level. The Europeanization of repertoires is mainly determined by institutional factors and by the actors’ power, whereas the public arena plays an equally important role for all types of actors, in all countries and at both the national and the EU level.
Moderating our Expectations on Livelihoods in ICM: Experiences from Thailand, Nicaragua, and Tanzania

Livelihood development is often integrated into coastal management projects as a strategy for increasing project success. This strategy is taken because it is known that livelihood development increases the interest, support, and trust of the community in coastal and marine ecosystem conservation. The research described in this article explores what factors contribute to enterprise success and whether livelihood interventions lead to other benefits in addition to employment and income generation. A learning portfolio approach was used that draws on the field sites and projects supported by the USAID-funded Sustainable Coastal Communities and Ecosystem (SUCCESS) Program. Our experience suggests that key factors that influence livelihood enterprise success (revenue generation) include: the type of enterprise supported, the form of extension support provided, community context, and enterprise ownership (i.e., group or individual). The results also confirm the idea that there are important benefits from livelihood development not related to profitability, which can improve the impact of coastal management programs. We found benefits that include increased resilience, community and gender empowerment, stronger social ties, and improved coordination with local government.
Differential expression of LAMPs and ubiquitin in human thymus

Lysosome‐associated membrane proteins 1 and 2 (LAMP‐1 and LAMP‐2) are implicated in a variety of normal and pathological processes. LAMP‐2 is proposed to participate in chaperone‐mediated autophagy. Autophagy regulates T‐lymphocyte homeostasis by promoting both survival and proliferation. The biological importance of this process in the thymic gland and especially the involvement of LAMPs are far from being elucidated. The aim of the study was to examine the parallel expression of LAMPs and ubiquitin, a key molecule in autophagy, in normal human thymic glands and thymomas. The immunohistochemical expression of both markers was compared with that of cyclin D1 – an important regulator of cell cycle progression. Novel evidence for differential expression of LAMPs and ubiquitin is presented. Most Hassal's corpuscules in thymoma were negative for LAMPs, but positive in normal thymus. Both lymphocytes and epithelial cells in pathological thymus showed higher intensity for LAMP‐2 compared with LAMP‐1. In thymoma, ubiquitin was more intensively positive in these cell types compared with the normal thymus, suggesting activated autophagy in the course of this pathological state. A deregulation in cyclin D1 expression in thymoma is also reported. The functional importance of these molecules in autoghagy accompanying normal and pathological processes in the thymic gland is reviewed.
[Expression of cathepsins B and L in early gestational decidua and chorionic villi].

OBJECTIVE To study the expression of cathepsins B and L in first-trimester gestational decidua and chorionic villi. METHODS The decidua and chorionic villi in the first trimester of gestation were obtained from 30 women undergoing induced abortion, 25 with spontaneous abortion, 10 with normal endometrium in secretory phase, and 15 with bydatidiform mole in whom the expression of cathepsins B and L was determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Positive staining for cathepsins B and L were mainly detected in the trophoblasts and decidual cells. The positive expression rate of cathepsin B in the normal endometrium of secretory phase, decidua in the first trimester of gestation and spontaneous abortion were 10% (1/10), 83.3% (25/30), and 32.0% (8/25), respectively, and the rate of cathepsin L expression in the endometrium in secretory phase, decidua of induced abortion and spontaneous abortion were 0.0%, 63.3% (19/30), and 32.0% (8/25) respectively, showing significant difference in the expression rates of cathepsins B and L between the 3 groups (P<0.05). Strong positive expression of cathepsin B in chorionic villi of induced abortion, spontaneous abortion and hydatidiform mole were detected at the rates of 10.0% (3/30), 0.0%, and 66.7% (10/15), respectively, and cathepsin L at the rates of 26.7% (8/30), 4.0% (1/25), and 80.0% (12/15), respectively, with significant difference in strong cathepsins B and L expressions between the 3 groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The expression of cathepsins B and L differs in normal and abnormal deciduas and chorionic villi of early pregnancy, suggesting that the cathepsins may play important roles in the process of implantation.
Government spending in education and economic growth in Cameroon. A Vector error Correction Model approach

This study aims at assessing the effect of government spending in education on economic growth in Cameroon over the period 1980-2012 using a vector error correction model. The estimated results show that these expenditures had a significant and positive impact on economic growth both in short and long run. The estimated error correction model shows that an increase of 1% of the growth rate of private gross fixed capital formation and government education spending led to increases of 5.03% and 10.145 % respectively in the long-run on economic growth . Education spending thus appears as one of the main driving force of the economic growth process in Cameroon.
Selective Association of Sterol Regulatory Element-binding Protein Isoforms with Target Promoters in Vivo*

The mRNAs for all three members of the sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) family are widely expressed, and the proteins are highly similar. They have potential to both hetero- and homodimerize through their bHLHLZ domains, so it has been difficult to definitively study the role of each one apart from the other two. In the current study, we have utilized cell lines that express only one functional SREBP and the chromatin immunoprecipitation technique to analyze individual SREBP binding to three specific target genes: hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA reductase (Red), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and squalene synthase (SQS). Our studies show that SREBP-2 binds to promoters for all three genes, and in agreement with the original report using these cells, all three mRNAs are also induced. In the line expressing only SREBP-1a, mRNAs for Red and FAS are induced, but SQS is not. Chromatin immunoprecipitation also shows that SREBP-1a is recruited efficiently to Red and FAS promoters but not to SQS. This observation indicates SREBP-2 selectively binds the SQS promoter and is sufficient to explain the lack of SQS mRNA induction in the SREBP-1a-expressing cells. SREBP-1c protein was not stably recruited to any SREBP target promoter despite being fully active in DNA binding when purified from extracts of the corresponding cells. This is also sufficient to explain the lack of SREBP target gene induction by the singular expression of SREBP-1c. We also show that whereas SREBP-1a and -2 proteins interact efficiently with transcriptional co-activators that modify cellular chromatin, SREBP-1c does not. Taken together, our data support a model suggesting that chromatin modification is required during the initial stage of specific site recognition by SREBPs in native chromatin in vivo.
Variable peroxisomal and mitochondrial targeting of alanine: Glyoxylate aminotransferase in mammalian evolution and disease

Under the putative influence of dietary selection pressure, the subcellular distribution of alanine:glyoxylate aminotransferase 1 (AGT) has changed on many occasions during the evolution of mammals. Depending on the particular species, AGT can be found either in peroxisomes or mitochondria, or in both peroxisomes and mitochondria. This variable localization depends on the differential expression of N‐terminal mitochondrial and C‐terminal peroxisomal targeting sequences by the use of alternative transcription and translation initiation sites. AGT is peroxisomal in most humans, but it is mistargeted to the mitochondria in a subset of patients suffering from the rare herediatry disease primary hyperoxaluria type 1. Mistargeting is due to the unlikely combination of a normally occurring polymorphism that generates a functionally weak mitochondrial targeting sequence and a disease‐specific mutation which, in combination with the polymorphism, inhibits AGT dimerization. The mechanisms by which AGT can be targeted differentially to peroxisomes and/or mitochondria highlight the different molecular requirements for protein import into these two organelles.
The Effect of All-mail Elections on Voter Turnout

Proponents of all-mail elections argue that this type of election facilitates participation such that elevated levels of turnout occur. The research tests this assumption by analyzing 48 statewide elections from the state of Oregon. This analysis suggests that the all-mail format is a major stimulus to voter participation, second only to the impact of a presidential contest.
COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS OF CLIQUE PROBLEM

MAXIMUM CLIQUE PROBLEM the most relevant problem in Graph theory, known for years still do not have its polynomial time solution. Many algorithms have been proposed, still the problem lie the same i.e. to find the Clique in the polynomial time. The Clique problem is to figure out the sub graph with the maximum cardinality. Maximum clique in a random graph is NP-Hard problem, actuated by many prominent problems such as mobile networks, computer vision, & social network analysis. The paper is focused to serve an absolute review on Maximum Clique Problem. This paper encompass the survey done on the most studied algorithms of the Clique Problem with their results showing the best, average, and worst timing algorithms of Clique Problem. Though capturing the complete research in this regard is over the latitude of this paper, still it is tried to capture most of the ideal paper from similar approaches.
Multinationals, Linkages, and Economic Development

This paper explores how multinationals affect underdeveloped regions through the generation of linkages. It is shown that the linkage effect of multinationals on the host country is more likely to be favorable when the good that multinationals produce uses intermediate goods intensively, when there are large costs of communication between the headquarters and the production plant, and when the home and host countries are not too different in terms of the variety of intermediate goods produced. If these conditions are reversed, then multinationals could even hurt the developing economy, formalizing the idea that multinationals may create enclave economies within developing countries. Copyright 1996 by American Economic Association.
Base realignment and closure: Guiding principles for Peru

In this paper, we examine the prospects for base realignment and closure in Peru and develop an initial strategy for the realignment and closure process. While previous research has focused primarily on the realignment and closure process in developed countries, we instead focus on the need for the realignment and closure process to complement the government’s objectives of democratic governance and economic growth. Given concerns about the reemergence of internal threats, most notably the Shining Path, and significant constraints on public finances, realignment and closure may have to proceed at a significant pace in the near term. We argue that transparency, accountability, and improved civil-military relations should not be sacrificed for the sake of expediency.
An indoor stereo map completion dataset and a novel corresponding method

It is a common issue to remove undesirable objects during reconstruction. The holes left behind are then needed to be given plausible information for the integrity. To complete the missing part of a 3D map generated from stereo inputs, the task can be separated into two operations which are repairing the color image and the depth map. In this paper, we design and release a specialized stereo dataset for testing and benchmarking 3D map completion algorithms. Different from previous datasets, we give the initial photos and damaged images and disparities by manually taking targets out of the picture. An indoor 3D map completion method is proposed in this paper with the dataset. The proposed method combines an image inpainting method and the planarity knowledge of depth maps. Several real-world examples are presented in the experiment to demonstrate the performance of our 3D map completion technique.
A novel time-sharing dual-mode control strategy in cascaded sinusoidal inverter

Considering the distinct characteristic-differences and uneven working conditions of solar PV cells, a new solution of cascaded PV modules with time-sharing dual-mode control strategy for PV power system is proposed for achieving high power conversion efficiency, generating high output voltages. Each cascaded module contains three solar cells in series, N strings in parallel, and a time-sharing dual-mode power unit. The modular power unit depends mainly on diminishing the electrolytic DC capacitor, reducing the influence of uneven working conditions and using a bypass diode-assisted boost chopper to increase the boosting ratio. Owing to the (2M+1) level output voltage and unique selective time-sharing dual-mode control strategy, harmonic components of the output voltage and switching losses can be diminished. The unique operating principle of this novel power conditioner and its dual-mode PWM time-sharing control strategy are evaluated and verified based on simulation results.
Sub-xyphoid pleural drain as a determinant of functional capacity and clinical results after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES The aim of this trial was to compare functional capacity, pulmonary shunt fraction and clinical outcomes between patients undergoing pleurotomy with a pleural drain inserted in the sub-xyphoid position and patients with a pleural drain placed in the intercostal position after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery. METHODS Patients were randomized into two groups according to the pleural drain site: Group II (n = 33 intercostal pleural drain); and Group SI (n = 35 sub-xyphoid pleural drain). Functional capacity was assessed by the distance covered on the 6-min walking test performed preoperatively and on postoperative day (POD) 5; in addition, pulmonary function test was determined preoperatively and on POD 1 and 5. Pulmonary shunt fraction was evaluated preoperatively and on POD 1, and clinical outcomes were recorded throughout the study. RESULTS Group SI had better preservation of lung volumes and capacities in POD compared with Group II (P <0.05). Pulmonary shunt fraction increased in both groups postoperatively; however, Group SI showed a smaller pulmonary shunt fraction (0.26 ± 0.04 vs 0.21 ± 0.04%; P = 0.0014). Functional capacity was significantly reduced in both groups on POD 5; however, Group SI showed better preservation of functional capacity (P = 0.0001). Group SI had better postoperative clinical results, with lower incidence of atelectasis and pleural effusion (P <0.05), lower pain scores (P <0.0001), and shorter orotracheal intubation and hospitalization lengths (P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS Sub-xyphoid pleural drain determined better functional capacity and exercise tolerance with a smaller pulmonary shunt fraction and improved clinical outcomes compared with intercostal pleural drainage after off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.