Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Creative Transformations of Personal Photographs

The popularity of mobile photography paves the way to create new ways of viewing, interacting and enabling a user's creative expression with personal media. In this paper, we describe an instantaneous and automatic method to localize the camera and enable segmentation of foreground objects such as people from an input image, assuming knowledge of the environment in which the image was taken. Camera localization is performed by comparing multiple views of the 3D environment against the uncalibrated input image. Following localization, selected views of the 3D environment are aligned, color-mapped and compared against the input image to segment the foreground content. We demonstrate results using our proposed system in two illustrative applications: a virtual game played between multiple users involving virtual projectiles and a group shot of multiple people who may not be available simultaneously at the same time or place created against a background of their choice.
Secrecy outage probability of dual-hop DF cognitive relay networks under interference constraints

We study the secrecy outage performance of a dual-hop multiple relay decode-and-forward (DF) cognitive relay network under the interference constraints in this paper, where all relays and the destination are equipped with K antennas. All channels we considered in the proposed system experience the Nakagami-m fading, and the selection combining technique is employed at the antennas of all the main link receiving nodes. An eavesdropper with single antenna could wiretap the information at each hop, and the transmit power at the main link is limited by the interference constraints of the primary user receiver. We derive the exact system secrecy outage probability to evaluate the system secrecy performance, and the Monte-Carlo simulation results are also given to validate the veracity of the numerical analytical results.
Mineralization of three‐dimensional osteoblast cultures is enhanced by the interaction of 1α,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3 and BMP2 via two specific vitamin D receptors

1α,25‐Dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1α,25(OH)2D3] and bone morphogenetic protein‐2 (BMP2) are both used to stimulate osteoblastic differentiation. 1α,25(OH)2D3 regulates osteoblasts through classical steroid hormone receptor mechanisms and through rapid responses that are mediated by two receptors, the traditional vitamin D receptor (VDR) and protein disulphide isomerase family A member 3 (Pdia3). The interaction between 1α,25(OH)2D3 and BMP2, especially in three‐dimensional (3D) culture, and the roles of the two vitamin D receptors in this interaction are not well understood. We treated wild‐type (WT), Pdia3‐silenced (Sh‐Pdia3) and VDR‐silenced (Sh‐VDR) pre‐osteoblastic MC3T3‐E1 cells with either 1α,25(OH)2D3, or BMP2, or with 1α,25(OH)2D3 and BMP2 together, and measured osteoblast marker expression in 2D culture and mineralization in a 3D poly(ε‐caprolactone)–collagen scaffold model. Quantitative PCR showed that silencing Pdia3 or VDR had a differential effect on baseline expression of osteoblast markers. 1α,25(OH)2D3 + BMP2 caused a synergistic increase in osteoblast marker expression in WT cells, while silencing either Pdia3 or VDR attenuated this effect. 1α,25(OH)2D3 + BMP2 also caused a synergistic increase in Dlx5 in both silenced cell lines. Micro‐computed tomography (μCT) showed that the mineralized volume of untreated Sh‐Pdia3 and Sh‐VDR 3D cultures was greater than that of WT. 1α,25(OH)2D3 reduced mineral in WT and Sh‐VDR cultures; BMP2 increased mineralization; and 1α,25(OH)2D3 + BMP2 caused a synergistic increase, but only in WT cultures. SEM showed that mineralized matrix morphology in 3D cultures differed for silenced cells compared to WT cells. These data indicate a synergistic crosstalk between 1α,25(OH)2D3 and BMP2 toward osteogenesis and mineral deposition, involving both VDR and Pdia3. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A requiem for the use of the geometric mean in evaluating portfolio performance

Although the geometric mean procedure is very popular among financial analysts, it is shown that when it is applied on rates of returns for evaluating portfolio performance it does not produce efficient results. Valuable past performance information is ignored since the geometric mean procedure applied on rates of returns uses only three specific pieces of information, namely the initial value, the terminal value and the total number of time periods under evaluation.
Five challenges to virtual team success: Lessons from Sabre, Inc.

Executive Summary Advances in communications and information technology create new opportunities for organizations to build and manage virtual teams. Such teams are composed of employees with unique skills, located at a distance from each other, who must collaborate to accomplish important organizational tasks. Based on a comprehensive set of interviews with a subset of team members, team leaders, general managers, and executives on 65 virtual teams at Sabre, Inc.—an innovative organization in the travel industry—we identify five challenges that organizations can expect to encounter in establishing, maintaining, and supporting virtual teams, e.g., building trust, cohesion, and team identity, and overcoming isolation among virtual team members. Both leaders and members of virtual teams face particular difficulties in selecting team members who have the balance of technical and interpersonal skills and abilities required to work virtually and in evaluating the performance of individuals and teams working in.
Calculation of the Approaches to Cycle Service Level in Continuous Review Policy: A Tool for Corporate Entrepreneur

This paper presents two new approximations to compute the Cycle Service Level (CSL) in a continuous review policy, as a tool for corporate entrepreneur. These approximations are not only for the backordering case but also for the lost sales one. In order to develop it we focus on transforming a form of periodic review policy in a model of continuous review policies. As a result, the analogy and the transformation proposed in this paper are different from Silver classical model. Due to huge complexity of the exact CSL calculus the aproximate methods are needed. The entrepreneurial dimension, based on internal reorganization and innovation, is an inherent, indispensable part of the discovery and creation of opportunities. Accordingly, this article contributes to the firms´ pursuit of competitive advantages by presenting methods of internal management for corporate entrepreneurship. Efficient stock-taking is a key issue for lowering production cost and boosting competitive advantages, and, by examining this area, this paper makes a significant contribution to the study of corporate entrepreneurship.
Use of Postmortem Temperature Decay Response Surface Plots of Heat Transport in the Human Eye to Predict Time of Death

A finite element heat transfer model of the human eye was previously constructed and applied to experimental postmortem temperature decay curves collected in eyeballs of ten human bodies. The model was applied in the early postmortem period of 0–24 h under conditions of natural convection–radiation. Based upon this previous model, response surfaces for postmortem temperature decay were constructed based upon variable ranges of the natural convective–radiation heat transfer coefficient from 7–13 W/m2 K, ambient temperatures of 10–33°C, and times of 0–24 h. Mathematical equations to describe these response surfaces have been developed. This response surface method is demonstrated for use by coroners/medical personnel to estimate time of death from recorded field temperature data collected over a 30‐min period. Sensitivity of the model to small changes in the key variable of ambient temperature is explored. The response surface model is applied to two cases of previously collected experimental eyeball temperature data. This response surface model method is only valid for constant surrounding temperatures, conditions of natural convection, no radiation effects, and postmortem times of 0–24 h.
Entry to Home-ownership in Germany: Some Comparisons with the United States

New research on migration, mobility and housing tenure choice using the concept of the life-course is providing an enriched analysis of the context within which housing choices are made and of the demographic and economic variables which are critical determinants of the decisions to move and to change tenures. The availability of panel series data for the US and Germany allows cross-national comparisons of the migration and tenure choice processes. There are substantial differences in the rates of mobility and the rates of moves of households from the rental sector to ownership, especially for couples, but the results confirm the overall similarities in the mobility and tenure choice processes despite the differing government commitments to housing policy. The models show that it is primarily couples and families who make the transition to ownership and that income and number of earners are important in both contexts and German households have even higher incomes before they make the transition to ownership. At the same time, the tax benefits in Germany have also made it possible for families with relatively lower incomes to move to the ownership sector.
New insight into motor adaptation to pain revealed by a combination of modelling and empirical approaches

Movement changes in pain. Unlike the somewhat stereotypical response of limb muscles to pain, trunk muscle responses are highly variable when challenged by pain in that region. This has led many to question the existence of a common underlying theory to explain the adaptation. Here, we tested the hypotheses that (1) adaptation in muscle activation in acute pain leads to enhanced spine stability, despite variation in the pattern of muscle activation changes; and (2) individuals would use a similar ‘signature’ pattern for tasks with different mechanical demands.
Assessment of genetic diversity in the critically endangered Australian corroboree frogs, Pseudophryne corroboree and Pseudophryne pengilleyi, identifies four evolutionarily significant units for conservation

The iconic and brightly coloured Australian northern corroboree frog, Pseudophryne pengilleyi, and the southern corroboree frog, Pseudophryne corroboree are critically endangered and may be extinct in the wild within 3 years. We have assembled samples that cover the current range of both species and applied hypervariable microsatellite markers and mitochondrial DNA sequences to assess the levels and patterns of genetic variation. The four loci used in the study were highly variable, the total number of alleles observed ranged from 13 to 30 and the average number of alleles per locus was 19. Expected heterozygosity of the four microsatellite loci across all populations was high and varied between 0.830 and 0.935. Bayesian clustering analyses in structure strongly supported four genetically distinct populations, which correspond exactly to the four main allopatric geographical regions in which the frogs are currently found. Individual analyses performed on the separate regions showed that breeding sites within these four regions could not be separated into distinct populations. Twelve mtND2 haplotypes were identified from 66 individuals from throughout the four geographical regions. A statistical parsimony network of mtDNA haplotypes shows two distinct groups, which correspond to the two species of corroboree frog, but with most of the haplotype diversity distributed in P. pengilleyi. These results demonstrate an unexpectedly high level of genetic diversity in both species. Our data have important implications for how the genetic diversity is managed in the future. The four evolutionarily significant units must be protected and maintained in captive breeding programmes for as long as it is possible to do.
Preferences for Public Lands Management under Competing Uses: The Case of Yellowstone National Park

We examine snowmobile use conflict in Yellowstone National Park to assess the effect of different winter management policies on heterogeneous visitors’ welfare. Using a stated preference choice experiment we quantify welfare changes for snowmobile riders and non-riders under different snowmobile restrictions. A key determinant of welfare change is visitors’ willingness to trade-off reduced snowmobile access for improved ambient conditions in the park. Our findings support the notion that welfare losses to snowmobile riders could be offset by welfare gains to non-riders, but net benefits will depend on the number of riders and non-riders and the specifics of the policy. (JEL Q26, Q51)
Unique Combination of 22q11 and 14qter Microdeletion Syndromes Detected Using Oligonucleotide Array-CGH

We report an infant with a unique combination of 22q11 deletion syndrome and 14q terminal deletion syndrome. The proband had clinical symptoms compatible with diagnosis of 22q11 deletion syndrome: microcephaly, micrognathia, high-arched palate, hypertelorism, short palpebral fissures, square nasal root, prominent tubular nose, hypoplastic nasal alae, bulbous nasal tip, dysplastic low-set ears, short philtrum, and heart defect, but no cell-mediated immunodeficiency typical for the syndrome. G-banding and fluorescence in situ hybridization analyses revealed a karyotype 45,XY,der(14)t(14;22)(q32.3;q11.2),-22.ish del(14)(q32.33)(D14S1420-),del(22)(q11.2q11.2)(N25-). Subsequent analyses disclosed a translocation between chromosomes 14 and 22 in the proband’s mother with a deleted 14q telomere. Using comparative genome hybridization on oligonucleotide-based microarray (array-CGH), the deletion at 22q11.21 in the size of ∼4.25 Mb was revealed in the proband as well as the deletion of the telomeric area at 14q32.33qter (∼3.24 Mb) in the proband and his mother. However, both the proband and his mother showed mild symptoms (microcephaly, thin lips, carp-shaped mouth) typical for patients with the described terminal 14q deletion syndrome.
Export Response to Liberalisation: The Sri Lankan Experience

The driving forces behind export expansion in the context of liberalisation reforms in developing countries remain a matter of debate. This article aims to contribute to this debate through a case study of the Sri Lankan experience following the policy reforms initiated in 1977. The results point to the importance of sound macroeconomic policy, policies to promote export oriented foreign direct investment and revamping the overall policy setting in favour of private sector activities for achieving export success. Direct export subsidies are a poor substitute for genuine trade, investment and macroeconomic policy reforms. There is little support for the hypothesis that an import-substitution phase is a prerequisite for the successful transition of domestic manufacturing to export orientation.
Clast5/Stra13 is a negative regulator of B lymphocyte activation.

CD40 is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family and mediates a variety of functions of B cells, including B cell survival, proliferation, immunoglobulin gene class switching, memory B cell formation, and regulation of Fas-mediated apoptosis. To begin to elucidate the molecular mechanism governing such diverse functions of CD40, we have isolated a gene from mouse splenic B cells, termed Clast5, whose expression is strongly repressed during B cell activation. Clast5 is identical with Stra13, a recently identified member of the basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors. Clast5/Stra13 is highly expressed in unstimulated, resting B cells and is rapidly downregulated by a variety of stimuli that activate B cells, including CD40 ligand, anti-IgM antibodies, lipopolysaccharides and interleukin-4. Forced expression of Clast5/Stra13 in B cells delayed the cell cycle progression into S phase and strongly suppressed Fas-mediated apoptosis. Moreover, Clast5/Stra13 inhibited the colony formation in fibroblasts. Our results suggest that Clast5/Stra13 functions as a negative regulator of B cell activation by inhibiting cell cycle progression and cell growth.
Sibling recurrence and the genetic epidemiology of autism.

OBJECTIVE Although the symptoms of autism exhibit quantitative distributions in nature, estimates of recurrence risk in families have never previously considered or incorporated quantitative characterization of the autistic phenotype among siblings. METHOD The authors report the results of quantitative characterization of 2,920 children from 1,235 families participating in a national volunteer register, with at least one child clinically affected by an autism spectrum disorder and at least one full biological sibling. RESULTS A traditionally defined autism spectrum disorder in an additional child occurred in 10.9% of the families. An additional 20% of nonautism-affected siblings had a history of language delay, one-half of whom exhibited autistic qualities of speech. Quantitative characterization using the Social Responsiveness Scale supported previously reported aggregation of a wide range of subclinical (quantitative) autistic traits among otherwise unaffected children in multiple-incidence families and a relative absence of quantitative autistic traits among siblings in single-incidence families. Girls whose standardized severity ratings fell above a first percentile severity threshold (relative to the general population distribution) were significantly less likely to have elicited community diagnoses than their male counterparts. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that, depending on how it is defined, sibling recurrence in autism spectrum disorder may exceed previously published estimates and varies as a function of family type. The results support differences in mechanisms of genetic transmission between simplex and multiplex autism and advance current understanding of the genetic epidemiology of autism spectrum conditions.
Adoption and benefits of management accounting practices: an Australian study

This paper uses a survey to identify the extent to which Australian manufacturing firms have adopted certain traditional and recently-developed management accounting practices, the benefits received from those practices and the intentions to emphasise certain management accounting practices in the future. The findings indicate that, overall, the rates of adoption of traditional management accounting practices were higher than recently-developed techniques. However, newer techniques, such as activity-based costing, were more widely adopted than found in prior surveys. Also, the benefits obtained from traditional management accounting techniques were higher than those of newer techniques. The evidence suggests that the majority of large Australian firms have adopted a range of management accounting techniques that emphasise non-financial information, and take a more strategic focus.
Time, discounting, and value

The discount factor inflation - red herring or paper tiger internal rate of return the general rate of return investibility the capital market pure time preference social time preference and government choice in search of the negative exponential physical change over time variability mortality and generations choice and flexibility taste and adaptations individual income aesthetic resources natural resource scenarios the basket of consumption intertemporal weighting investment allocation discounting resuscitated.
Estimating Technical Efficiency Under Unobserved Heterogeneity with Stochastic Frontier Models: Application to Northern German Dairy Farms

This article uses panel data estimation techniques to examine technical efficiency of individual dairy farms in northern Germany. To the extent that agricultural production is characterised by heterogeneous production conditions, estimation techniques that do not account for unobserved heterogeneity produce biased efficiency estimates. We therefore estimate a number of conventional panel data models and Greene's recently proposed true random-effects model, as well as an extension of the model to ascertain the effects of different specification on the production function and efficiency estimates. Our results appear to support theoretical expectations and previous findings according to which a specification that is both time-variant and also controls correlations between unobserved heterogeneity and the explanatory variables avoids heterogeneity bias and thus ensures consistent efficiency estimates.
Has the tourism-led growth hypothesis been validated? A literature review

Over 10 years have passed since the first paper on the tourism-led growth hypothesis (TLGH) was published in 2002. Since then, a wave of studies has appeared trying to understand the temporal relationship between tourism and economic growth. Hence, it is possible to provide an assessment in terms of econometric methods used and main empirical findings achieved so far. This paper presents an exhaustive review of approximately 100 peer-reviewed published papers on the TLGH. An overview on the economic theoretical framework behind the TLGH is also provided. Notably, the results present an increasing diversification in the econometric modelling used. With a few exceptions, the empirical findings suggest that overall international tourism drives economic growth.
Employment systems in small firms: A multilevel analysis

This exploratory study draws upon the perspectives of employees and managers from 50 small Australian firms to build a more complete and nuanced view of the interaction of human resources and capabilities with firm performance. Specifically, it uses a mixed methods multilevel design that elicits employee perspectives of employment systems and chief executive officer (CEO) assessments of firm performance. Results show that higher performing firms had better rated employment systems, with a cluster of human resource practices which included greater informality, employee engagement and participation. The views of employees were more discriminating and diagnostic than those of CEOs. The article discusses the implications of these findings for the study of employment systems and human resource management in small firms.
Gentrification and the Middle-class Remaking of Inner London, 1961-2001

This paper reviews the debates over the explanation of gentrification and argues that gentrification is best explained as the social and spatial manifestation of the transition from an industrial to a post-industrial economy based on financial, business and creative services, with associated changes in the nature and location of work, in the occupational class structure, earnings and incomes and the structure of the housing market. The paper sets out the links between these changes in the London context. It also examines the evidence for gentrification-induced displacement in London, arguing that it may be more appropriate to view the process partly as one of replacement.