Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Automatic Vehicle Detection Using Local Features—A Statistical Approach

This paper develops a novel statistical approach for automatic vehicle detection based on local features that are located within three significant subregions of the image. In the detection process, each subregion is projected onto its associated eigenspace and independent basis space to generate a principal components analysis (PCA) weight vector and an independent component analysis (ICA) coefficient vector, respectively. A likelihood evaluation process is then performed based on the estimated joint probability of the projection weight vectors and the coefficient vectors of the subregions with position information. The use of subregion position information minimizes the risk of false acceptances, whereas the use of PCA to model the low-frequency components of the eigenspace and ICA to model the high-frequency components of the residual space improves the tolerance of the detection process toward variations in the illumination conditions and vehicle pose. The use of local features not only renders the system more robust toward partial occlusions but also reduces the computational overhead. The computational costs are further reduced by eliminating the requirement for an ICA residual image reconstruction process and by computing the likelihood probability using a weighted Gaussian mixture model, whose parameters and weights are iteratively estimated using an expectation-maximization algorithm.
G Δσ -games

We elucidate the complexity of strategies for Σ 3 0 (also called G δσ) games played on polish spaces of the form ω X. From previous work (9]) it had been known that strong comprehension principles of the form Π 3 1 were sufficient , but Π 2 1 were not, to establish these amounts of determinacy. We charac-terise the first ordinal β 0 where such strategies are to be found in the con-structible hierarchy for trees T ⊆ <ω X for X = 2 or N (thus for Cantor or Baire space) in L β0 as the first ordinal where L γ admits certain kinds of end extensions. Secondly we give a conjecture for it to be characterised as a certain closure ordinal for a class of monotone inductive operators.
Physical property and antioxidant activity of spread product from Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) tubers

Tubers of Jerusalem artichoke ( Helianthus tuberosus L. ) or Kaentawan (Thai name) are produced worldwide and mainly cultivated in North America, Northern Europe, Australia, China as well as Thailand. It contained high fructans (inulin and fructo-oligosaccharides), moderate protein and dietary fiber, and very low fat and sugar. Fructans are acts as two major functions as soluble dietary fiber and prebiotic. It has been increasingly used as a versatile ingredient in processed functional foods. This study aimed to develop Kaentawan spread product and to determine its physical properties and antioxidant activity. The developed spread product was made from different levels of Kaentawan tubers; 100% (F1), 75% (F2), and 50% (F3). The results showed that formula F1 and F2 found significantly higher water activity (a w ) than formula F3. The higher amount of Kaentawan tuber, the lower pH value was observed. For total soluble solid content, there were significantly increased when decreased the level of added Kaentawan tuber (F1<F2<F3). Brightness (L * ) of spread products were decreased when decreased level of added Kaentawan tuber whereas values of redness (a * ) and yellowness (b * ) significantly increased. The viscosities measured by Bostwick consistomerter of all three formulas were very high. Total phenolic content in formula F1 had highest value (6.97 mgGAE/100g fresh weight, FW) and there were no significant differences between formulas F2 and F3 (5.31 and 5.42 mgGAE/100g FW respectively). In addition, antioxidant activity by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay in formula F1 showed the highest value (16.53 mmolTE/g FW) compared to formulas F2 and F3 (13.11 and 10.02 mmolTE/g FW respectively). The amount of Kaentawan in spread product of formula F3 was achieved acceptable to consumers. Thus, Kaentawan tubers had capability to be developed for the spread product and could become a commercial product.
Paxos Replicated State Machines as the Basis of a High-Performance Data Store

Conventional wisdom holds that Paxos is too expensive to use for high-volume, high-throughput, data-intensive applications. Consequently, fault-tolerant storage systems typically rely on special hardware, semantics weaker than sequential consistency, a limited update interface (such as append-only), primary-backup replication schemes that serialize all reads through the primary, clock synchronization for correctness, or some combination thereof. We demonstrate that a Paxos-based replicated state machine implementing a storage service can achieve performance close to the limits of the underlying hardware while tolerating arbitrary machine restarts, some permanent machine or disk failures and a limited set of Byzantine faults. We also compare it with two versions of primary-backup. The replicated state machine can serve as the data store for a file system or storage array. We present a novel algorithm for ensuring read consistency without logging, along with a sketch of a proof of its correctness.
Oxygen versus Reactive Oxygen in the Regulation of HIF-1α: The Balance Tips

Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) is known as the master regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia and is of pivotal importance during development as well as in human disease, particularly in cancer. It is composed of a constitutively expressed β subunit (HIF-1β) and an oxygen-regulated α subunit (HIF-1α and HIF-2α), whose stability is tightly controlled by a family of oxygen- and iron-dependent prolyl hydroxylase enzymes. Whether or not mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in the regulation of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α has been a matter of contention for the last 10 years, with equally compelling evidence in favor and against their contribution. A number of recent papers appear to tip the balance against a role for ROS. Thus, it has been demonstrated that HIF prolyl hydroxylases are unlikely to be physiological targets of ROS and that the increase in ROS that is associated with downregulation of Thioredoxin Reductase in hypoxia does not affect HIF-1α stabilization. Finally, the protein CHCHD4, which modulates cellular HIF-1α concentrations by promoting mitochondrial electron transport chain activity, has been proposed to exert its regulatory effect by affecting cellular oxygen availability. These reports are consistent with the hypothesis that mitochondria play a critical role in the regulation of HIF-1α by controlling intracellular oxygen concentrations.
Innovation and Catching-Up

The history of capitalism from the industrial revolution onwards is one of increasing differences in productivity and living conditions across different parts of the globe. According to historian David Landes, for instance, 250 years ago the difference in income per head between the richest and poorest country in the world was approximately 5:1, today this difference has increased to 400:1. However, in spite of this long run trends towards divergence in productivity and income, there are many examples of (initially) backward countries that – at different times – have managed to defy the trend by narrowing the gap in productivity and income between themselves and the frontier countries, that is, by “catching up”. How did they do it? What was the role of policy in the process? These are among the questions that we are going to discuss in this paper.
Should owners of firms delegate location decisions ?

This paper analyzes whether owners of firms have incentives to delegate firms’ location decisions to managers or not. The result arising from our analysis shows that owners do have incentives to keep their long-run decisions (the location of the firms) to themselves. In this context we show that the delegation of short-run decisions (prices) to the managers leads to an increase in the degree of product differentiation with regard to the case in which firms do not hire managers. JEL classification: D43; L13; L20
Systematic Review of the Performance of Rapid Rifampicin Resistance Testing for Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis

Introduction Rapid tests for rifampicin resistance may be useful for identifying isolates at high risk of drug resistance, including multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). However, choice of diagnostic test and prevalence of rifampicin resistance may both impact a diagnostic strategy for identifying drug resistant-TB. We performed a systematic review to evaluate the performance of WHO-endorsed rapid tests for rifampicin resistance detection. Methods We searched MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library through January 1, 2012. For each rapid test, we determined pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates using a hierarchical random effects model. Predictive values of the tests were determined at different prevalence rates of rifampicin resistance and MDR-TB. Results We identified 60 publications involving six different tests (INNO-LiPA Rif. TB assay, Genotype MTBDR assay, Genotype MTBDRplus assay, Colorimetric Redox Indicator (CRI) assay, Nitrate Reductase Assay (NRA) and MODS tests): for all tests, negative predictive values were high when rifampicin resistance prevalence was ≤ 30%. However, positive predictive values were considerably reduced for the INNO-LiPA Rif. TB assay, the MTBDRplus assay and MODS when rifampicin resistance prevalence was < 5%. Limitations In many studies, it was unclear whether patient selection or index test performance could have introduced bias. In addition, we were unable to evaluate critical concentration thresholds for the colorimetric tests. Discussion Rapid tests for rifampicin resistance alone cannot accurately predict rifampicin resistance or MDR-TB in areas with a low prevalence of rifampicin resistance. However, in areas with a high prevalence of rifampicin resistance and MDR-TB, these tests may be a valuable component of an MDR-TB management strategy.
Modulation of Viewpoint Effects in Object Recognition by Shape and Motion Cues

In three experiments, we examined the role of structural similarity and different types of motion on the efficiency of performing same – different shape judgments across changes in viewpoints. In all experiments, participants judged whether two novel, multi-part objects were structurally identical, and they were to ignore any viewpoint or motion differences between the objects. In experiment 1, participants were affected by viewpoint differences more for structurally similar than structurally distinct objects, but this interaction was mitigated by rigid motion. In experiments 2 and 3, we used only structurally similar objects that moved only some of their parts, either in a similar way between objects within a pair or in distinctive ways. Participants' recognition performance was facilitated by this articulated motion relative to both static and scrambled controls. We conclude that coherent motion facilitates generalisation across different views of dynamic objects under some conditions.
The Role of IL-17 in a Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Rhinitis Model

Purpose Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a cell wall component of Gram-negative bacteria and important for pro-inflammatory mediators. This study aimed to establish a rhinitis model using ovalbumin (OVA) and LPS in order to evaluate the role of interleukin (IL)-17 in the pathogenesis of an LPS-induced non-eosionophilic rhinitis model. Methods Mice were divided into 4 groups and each group consisted of 10 mice (negative control group, allergic rhinitis model group, 1-µg LPS treatment group, and 10-µg LPS treatment group). BALB/c mice were sensitized with OVA and 1 or 10 µg of LPS, and challenged intranasally with OVA. Multiple parameters of rhinitis were also evaluated to establish the LPS-induced rhinitis model. IL-17 knockout mice were used to check if the LPS-induced rhinitis model were dependent on IL-17. Eosinophil and neutrophil infiltration, and mRNA and protein expression profiles of cytokine in nasal mucosa or spleen cell culture were evaluated using molecular, biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistological methods. Results In the LPS-induced rhinitis model, neutrophil infiltration increased in the nasal mucosa, and systemic and nasal IL-17 and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels also increased as compared with the OVA-induced allergic rhinitis model. These findings were LPS-dose-dependent. In IL-17 knockout mice, those phenotypes (neutrophil infiltration, IL-17, and IFN-γ) were reversed, showing IL-17 dependency of LPS-induced rhinitis. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an important mediator for inflammation and angiogenesis, decreased in IL-17 knockout mice, showing the relationship between IL-17 and VEGF. Conclusions This study established an LPS-induced rhinitis model dependent on IL-17, characterized by neutrophil infiltration and increased expression of IL-17.
``Old'' locked inflation

In this paper, we revisit the idea of locked inflation, which does not require a potential satisfying the normal slow-roll condition, but suffers from the problems associated with ``saddle inflation''. We propose a scenario based on locked inflation, however, with an alternative evolution mechanism of the ``waterfall field'' . Instead of rolling down along the potential, the field will tunnel to end the inflation stage like in old inflation, by which the saddle inflation could be avoided. Further, we study a cascade of old locked inflation, which can be motivated by the string landscape. Our model is based on the consideration of making locked inflation feasible so as to give a working model without slow roll; It also can be seen as an effort to embed the old inflation in string landscape.
EACS: Effective Avoidance Combination Strategy

When navigating in crowds, humans are able to move efficiently between people. They look ahead to know which path would reduce the complexity of their interactions with others. Current navigation systems for virtual agents consider long‐term planning to find a path in the static environment and short‐term reactions to avoid collisions with close obstacles. Recently some mid‐term considerations have been added to avoid high density areas. However, there is no mid‐term planning among static and dynamic obstacles that would enable the agent to look ahead and avoid difficult paths or find easy ones as humans do. In this paper, we present a system for such mid‐term planning. This system is added to the navigation process between pathfinding and local avoidance to improve the navigation of virtual agents. We show the capacities of such a system using several case studies. Finally we use an energy criterion to compare trajectories computed with and without the mid‐term planning.
Investigating adolescent family violence in Victoria: understanding experiences and practitioner perspectives

This project, Investigating adolescent family violence in Victoria, draws on the insights of 120 people who have experienced adolescent family violence and 45 Victorian experts, service providers, general practitioners and health service providers to provide new insights into the nature and impact of adolescent family violence, the adequacy of current criminal justice, service and therapeutic responses, and the needs for future practice and policy reform. While primarily Victorian focused, the findings are relevant to all Australian jurisdictions and comparative countries.
Near-Infrared, Adaptive Optics Observations of the T Tauri Multiple-Star System

With high angular resolution, near-infrared observations of the young stellar object T Tauri at the end of 2002, we show that, contrary to previous reports, none of the three infrared components of T Tau seem to coincide with the compact radio source that has apparently been ejected recently from the system (Loinard, Rodríguez, & Rodríguez). The compact radio source and the infrared object it has previously been identified with, T Tau Sb, have distinct paths that departed from orbital or uniform motion between 1997 and 2000, perhaps indicating that their interaction led to the ejection of the radio source. The path that T Tau Sb took between 1997 and 2003 may indicate that this star is still bound to the presumably more massive southern component, T Tau Sa. The radio source (if indeed distinct from T Tau Sb) is absent from our near-infrared images and must therefore be fainter than K = 10.2 (if located within 100 mas of T Tau Sb, as the radio data would imply), still consistent with an identity as a low-mass star or substellar object.
A Novel ICI Self-Cancellation Scheme for OFDM Systems

Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is a promising technique for fourth-generation (4G) broadband wireless communication systems. However, it suffers from inter-carrier interference (ICI) due to its sensitivity to the frequency offset caused by Doppler frequency drift. In this paper, we investigate the self-cancellation techniques to mitigate ICI for OFDM systems and a novel ICI self-cancellation scheme is proposed to mitigate the ICI effects. The performances of ICI self-cancellation schemes are analyzed in terms of the carrier-to-interference ratio (CIR) and bit error rate (BER). Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed ICI self-cancellation scheme outperforms other existing self-cancellation methods and robustness to large frequency offset.
HIV-1 Diversity and Drug-Resistant Mutations in Infected Individuals in Changchun, China

Objectives Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has been detected in all provinces of China. Although epidemiological and phylogenetic studies have been conducted in many regions, such analyses are lacking from Jilin province in northeastern China. Method Epidemiological and phylogenetic analyses, as well as detection of drug-resistant mutations, were conducted on 57 HIV-1 infected patients from Changchun city identified and confirmed through annual surveillance by local Centers for Disease Control in Jilin province of northeastern China in 2012. Results Sexual contact was determined to be the major pathway for HIV-1 transmission in Jilin, where hetero- and homosexual activities contributed almost equally. Phylogenetic analyses detected multiple subtypes of HIV-1 including subtype G circulating in Jilin, with multiple origins for each of them. Both subtype B and CRF01_AE were dominant, and evidence of subtype B transmitting between different high-risk groups was observed. Mutations in the viral protease at position 71 indicated the presence of a selective pressure. Several drug-resistant mutations were detected, although they were predicted with low-level resistance to antiviral treatments. Conclusions Information from this study fills the gap in knowledge of HIV-1 transmission in Changchun city, Jilin province, China. By revealing the origin and evolutionary status of local HIV-1 strains, this work contributes to ongoing efforts in the control and prevention of AIDS.
Displaced at “home”: 1.5-Generation immigrants navigating membership after returning to Mexico

In the context of heightened enforcement, hundreds of thousands of immigrants have returned to their countries of birth by force, and others have left by (constrained) choice. Drawing on interviews with 1.5-generation return migrants in Mexico, this article examines how young adults navigate incorporation in various states and localities on both sides of the border. After facing barriers in the US because of unauthorized immigration status, return migrants continue to face challenges in Mexico due to social stigmas associated with immigrant populations and bureaucratic obstacles that block access to educational institutions and labor market opportunities. The data suggest that exclusionary immigration laws have enduring and transnational impacts over the experiences of both “voluntary” return migrants and deportees.
Introduction of a LIDAR-based obstacle detection system on the LineScout power line robot

This paper is a sequel of an earlier paper that featured a thorough characterization of the Hokuyo UTM-30LX laser range finder, which showed promise for a specific application: allowing a power line robot to detect obstacles in its path. After a quick summary of the earlier conclusions, this paper pushes the validation farther by assessing for the first time this popular LIDAR's performance when subjected to the particularly challenging, outdoor, power line environmental conditions: large temperature range, changes in lighting, strong magnetic fields, and oscillating or vibrating targets. Use of return signal intensity, predictably affected by the angle of incidence on the target and by target surface finish, is also investigated as a means to detect variations due to an obstacle. Scanning results with LineScout traveling at maximum speed on a full-scale power line span are then analyzed to validate the proposed detection thresholds.
Initial trust and the adoption of B2C e-commerce: The case of internet banking

A possible reason for the delayed acceptance of the Internet as a retail distribution channel may be the lack of trust consumers have in the electronic channel and in the Web merchants. Few prior studies on the adoption of business-to-consumer e-commerce have considered trust in information technology as an important determinant of adoption behavior. This research explicitly encompasses the electronic channel and the merchant as objects to be trusted in a specific e-commerce application, i.e. Internet banking.Our conceptual model posits that initial trust in the electronic channel as a banking medium and trust in bank are the major determinants of adoption behavior. Based on social network theory and trust theory, determinants of trust in the electronic channel such as propensity-to-trust, word-of-mouth (WOM) referrals, structural assurances, are included in the research model.The analyses of independent variables indicated that propensity-to-trust, structural assurances, and relational content of WOM were significant predictors of initial trust in the electronic channel. Our findings also indicated that a significant relationship exists between initial trust in the electronic channel and the adoption of Internet banking. However, further analysis revealed that trust could be a necessary but not a sufficient condition for the adoption of Internet banking.
Orthogonal bundles, theta characteristics and the symplectic strange duality

A basis for the space of generalized theta functions of level one for the spin groups, parameterized by the theta characteristics (the even theta characteristcs for the odd spin groups) on a curve, is shown to be projectively flat over the moduli space of curves (for Hitchin's connection). The symplectic strange duality conjecture, conjectured by Beauville is shown to hold for all curves of genus at least two, by using Abe's proof of the conjecture for generic curves, and the above monodromy result.
Modeling Kicks from the Merger of Nonprecessing Black Hole Binaries

Several groups have recently computed the gravitational radiation recoil produced by the merger of two spinning black holes. The results suggest that spin can be the dominant contributor to the kick, with reported recoil speeds of hundreds to even thousands of kilometers per second. The parameter space of spin kicks is large, however, and it is ultimately desirable to have a simple formula that gives the approximate magnitude of the kick given a mass ratio, spin magnitudes, and spin orientations. As a step toward this goal, we perform a systematic study of the recoil speeds from mergers of black holes with mass ratio q ≡ m1/m2 = 2/3 and dimensionless spin parameters of a1/m1 and a2/m2 equal to 0 or 0.2, with directions aligned or antialigned with the orbital angular momentum. We also run an equal-mass a1/m1 = -a2/m2 = 0.2 case, and find good agreement with previous results. We find that, for currently reported kicks from aligned or antialigned spins, a simple kick formula inspired by post-Newtonian analyses can reproduce the numerical results to better than ~10%.