Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Model-driven indoor scenes modeling from a single image

In this paper, we present a new approach of 3D indoor scenes modeling on single image. With a single input indoor image (including sofa, tea table, etc.), a 3D scene can be reconstructed using existing model library in two stages: image analysis and model retrieval. In the image analysis stage, we obtain the object information from input image using geometric reasoning technology combined with image segmentation method. In the model retrieval stage, line drawings are extracted from 2D objects and 3D models by using different line rendering methods. We exploit various tokens to represent local features and then organize them together as a star-graph to show a global description. Finally, by comparing similarity among the encoded line drawings, models are retrieved from the model library and then the scene is reconstructed. Experimental results show that, driven by the given model library, indoor scenes modeling from a single image could be achieved automatically and efficiently.
Revisiting the Effects of Enhanced Flexibility on the Italian Labour Market

In this paper, we assess the effects of the Italian labour market reforms which began in 2001 and which led to widespread deployment of temporary work contracts. Using a hitherto unexploited administrative dataset of work histories for the period 2003-2010, we estimate transition probabilities in the states of non-employment and employment and find a small positive effect on job creation, imputed to the reforms. Estimates also indicate a large increase in transitions to temporary contracts, which offset the reduction in permanent employment flows, although transition probabilities for men and women explain little heterogeneity. While we do find a substitution effect of the reforms on the transition between temporary and permanent contracts, the increased probability of being employed in temporary jobs mostly involved young people and workers in the depressed areas of the south of Italy.
Auditors’ ethical sensitivity and the assessment of the likelihood of fraud

Describes the objectives herein as examining auditors’ ethical sensitivity to assess risk of fraud in financial reporting. Gives background literature as the opening section, and this is followed by a section in which the investigation method is described, study results are then discussed, followed by a summary and conclusions. Looks at case studies of bribery scandals, etc. and discusses ethics and auditing. Sums up that ethical scenarios examined herein, perhaps, contain external economies ‐ but not external diseconomies.
A Prospective PCR-Based Screening for the EML4-ALK Oncogene in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Purpose: EML4-ALK is a lung cancer oncogene, and ALK inhibitors show marked therapeutic efficacy for tumors harboring this fusion gene. It remains unsettled, however, how the fusion gene should be detected in specimens other than formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. We here tested whether reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR)-based detection of EML4-ALK is a sensitive and reliable approach. Experimental Design: We developed a multiplex RT-PCR system to capture ALK fusion transcripts and applied this technique to our prospective, nationwide cohort of non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in Japan. Results: During February to December 2009, we collected 916 specimens from 853 patients, quality filtering of which yielded 808 specimens of primary NSCLC from 754 individuals. Screening for EML4-ALK and KIF5B-ALK with our RT-PCR system identified EML4-ALK transcripts in 36 samples (4.46%) from 32 individuals (4.24%). The RT-PCR products were detected in specimens including bronchial washing fluid (n = 11), tumor biopsy (n = 8), resected tumor (n = 7), pleural effusion (n = 5), sputum (n = 4), and metastatic lymph node (n = 1). The results of RT-PCR were concordant with those of sensitive immunohistochemistry with ALK antibodies. Conclusions: Multiplex RT-PCR was confirmed to be a reliable technique for detection of ALK fusion transcripts. We propose that diagnostic tools for EML4-ALK should be selected in a manner dependent on the available specimen types. FISH and sensitive immunohistochemistry should be applied to formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue, but multiplex RT-PCR is appropriate for other specimen types. Clin Cancer Res; 18(20); 5682–9. ©2012 AACR.
On Russell index reconstitution

This paper investigates whether abnormal returns permanently exist in transparent U.S. Russell index reconstitution and provides evidence to disentangle the competing hypotheses associated with the index effect in the literature. Additions to Russell 1000 generate cumulative excess returns of 10.9% from 2 days before May 31 to June 30 while stocks deleted from Russell 2000 Growth Index suffer cumulative loss of 6.6%. The effect of index reconstitution on stocks in the style switching groups is moderate while it is much smaller for stocks in the retention groups. Based on daily trading volume, there is evidence that money managers tied to Russell style indexes tend not to rebalance their portfolios actively until the time of index reconstitution to avoid tracking error. However, for stocks generating large excess returns, money managers trade them actively prior to the reconstitution. This study is supportive of the imperfect substitutes hypothesis in explaining the index effect, given the absence of complete reversal of the event period abnormal returns and of consistent improvement in liquidity for the index additions. In the joint test, the price pressure hypothesis and the liquidity hypothesis explain the marginal index effect at most by 0.12% and 3.05%, respectively, while the imperfect substitutes hypothesis explains it at least by 9.21%. Furthermore, the index effect is not purely driven by individual stock price momentum.
An Approximate Auction

This paper presents an auction procedure which is of particular interest when short execution times are of importance. It is based on a method for approximating the bidders' preferences over two types of items when complementarity between the two may exist. In particular, linear approximations of the bidders' indifference curves are made. The resulting approximated preference relation is shown to be complete and transitive at any given price vector. It is shown that an approximated Walrasian equilibrium always exists if the approximated preferences of the bidders comply with the gross substitutes condition. Said condition also ensures that the set of approximated equilibrium prices forms a complete lattice. A process is proposed which is shown to always reach the smallest approximated Walrasian price vector.
ATP-binding Cassette (ABC) Transporters Mediate Nonvesicular, Raft-modulated Sterol Movement from the Plasma Membrane to the Endoplasmic Reticulum*

Little is known about the mechanisms of intracellular sterol transport or how cells maintain the high sterol concentration of the plasma membrane (PM). Here we demonstrate that two inducible ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters (Aus1p and Pdr11p) mediate nonvesicular movement of PM sterol to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. This transport facilitates exogenous sterol uptake, which we find requires steryl ester synthesis in the ER. Surprisingly, while expression of Aus1p and Pdr11p significantly increases sterol movement from PM to ER, it does not alter intracellular sterol distribution. Thus, ER sterol is likely rapidly returned to the PM when it is not esterified in the ER. We show that the propensity of PM sterols to be moved to the ER is largely determined by their affinity for sterol sphingolipid-enriched microdomains (rafts). Our findings suggest that raft association is a primary determinant of sterol accumulation in the PM and that Aus1p and Pdr11p facilitate sterol uptake by increasing the cycling of sterol between the PM and ER.
Decentralisation and Political Business Cycle: Fund Utilization of the MP-LADS in India

The Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MP-LADS) came in effect in 1993, closely followed by the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution, along with the wave of democratic decentralisation process in India. The MP-LADS allows for a fixed amount, non-lapsable Rs. 2 crores per year for each Member of the Parliament (MP), at the discretion of the MPs to carry out developmental works of capital nature in their respective constituencies. In last 14 years, more than 8 times of the annual expenditure on higher education by the central government has been spent on the MP-LADS. This paper examines whether there is any political business cycle in spending funds under the MP-LADS, its extent, and determinants. We find that there are political business cycles in spending by the MPs, and its extent varies across Lok Sabha constituencies. The extent of political business cycle is lower in case of leftist MPs compared to that in case of centrist and rightist MPs. Higher degree of competition faced in the last election by an MP induces him/her to misuse the scheme more severely, and younger MPs seems to be less inclined to generate political business cycle in spending. We also find that higher level of awareness of general citizens and better law and order conditions in states restricts MPs from misusing funds to gain political mileage.
Investigating subtypes of reward processing deficits as trait markers for depression

Background Anhedonia, the loss of pleasure in usually enjoyable activities, is a central feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). The aim of the present study was to examine whether young people at a familial risk of depression display signs of anticipatory, motivational or consummatory anhedonia, which would indicate that these deficits may be trait markers for MDD. Methods The study was completed by 22 participants with a family history of depression (FH+) and 21 controls (HC). Anticipatory anhedonia was assessed by asking participants to rate their anticipated liking of pleasant and unpleasant foods which they imagined tasting when cued with images of the foods. Motivational anhedonia was measured by requiring participants to perform key presses to obtain pleasant chocolate taste rewards or to avoid unpleasant apple tastes. Additionally, physical consummatory anhedonia was examined by instructing participants to rate the pleasantness of the acquired tastes. Moreover, social consummatory anhedonia was investigated by asking participants to make preference-based choices between neutral facial expressions, genuine smiles, and polite smiles. Results It was found that the FH+ group’s anticipated liking of unpleasant foods was significantly lower than that of the control group. By contrast, no group differences in the pleasantness ratings of the actually experienced tastes or in the amount of performed key presses were observed. However, controls preferred genuine smiles over neutral expressions more often than they preferred polite smiles over neutral expressions, while this pattern was not seen in the FH+ group. Conclusion These findings suggest that FH+ individuals demonstrate an altered anticipatory response to negative stimuli and show signs of social consummatory anhedonia, which may be trait markers for depression.
A proposal of radio ultrawideband systems for precision indoor localization

Indoor localization systems have been used in many divers application of commercial, public service and military sectors. This paper presents a proposal of system for ultra-wideband (UWB) radio system allowing Real Time Localization (RLTS) in indoor environment. Accurately tracking people in indoor locations is a very difficult technical problem that has not yet been completely solved. UWB transmission technology is primary attractive in GPS denied environments such as buildings. In this paper will be described important parameters of ultra-wideband radio system that depends on complicated conditions especially in buildings. Another goal of this paper is to examine the basic positioning principle and various approach of realizations of UWB systems which would be used for tracking people in complex indoor environments. This application has been recently researched in many scientific papers and experimentally studied. The UWB localization system is especially suitable in this context because it allows centimeters accuracy in ranging, as well as low-power and low-cost implementation.
Fast dynamics of supercoiled DNA revealed by single-molecule experiments

The dynamics of supercoiled DNA play an important role in various cellular processes such as transcription and replication that involve DNA supercoiling. We present experiments that enhance our understanding of these dynamics by measuring the intrinsic response of single DNA molecules to sudden changes in tension or torsion. The observed dynamics can be accurately described by quasistatic models, independent of the degree of supercoiling initially present in the molecules. In particular, the dynamics are not affected by the continuous removal of the plectonemes. These results set an upper bound on the hydrodynamic drag opposing plectoneme removal, and thus provide a quantitative baseline for the dynamics of bare DNA.
Nonresponse in the National Survey of Children's Health, 2007.

OBJECTIVES For random-digit-dial telephone surveys, the increasing difficulty in contacting eligible households and obtaining their cooperation raises concerns about the potential for nonresponse bias. This report presents an analysis of nonresponse bias in the 2007 National Survey of Children's Health, a module of the State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics. METHODS An attempt was made to measure bias in six key survey estimates using four different approaches: comparison of response rates for subgroups, use of sampling frame data, study of variation within the existing survey, and comparison of survey estimates with similar estimates from another source. RESULTS Even when nonresponse-adjusted survey weights were used, the interviewed population was more likely to live in areas associated with higher levels of home ownership, lower home values, and greater proportions of non-Hispanic white persons when compared with the nonresponding population. Bias was found (although none greater than 3%) in national estimates of the proportion of children in excellent or very good health, those with consistent health insurance coverage, and those with a medical home. However, the level and direction of the bias depended on the approach used to measure it. There was no evidence of significant bias in the proportion of children with preventive medical care visits, those with families who ate daily meals together, or those living in safe neighborhoods.
Gamification for crowdsourced data collection in mobile usability field studies

Larger smartphones have become increasingly commonplace, sometimes blurring the boundaries between phones and tablets. Most UI guidelines and usability studies are rarely updated and are still based on smaller screens or one-handed operations, which can be tiresome on large devices that may require different, or even two-handed postures. Past usability studies have successfully proposed crowd-sourced data collection systems, using mobile applications published on app stores. This work aims to investigate how similar systems can benefit from gamification elements in order to accelerate data collection and to produce accurate results over relatively short periods. An Android game is presented, which challenges users in short 30-second games, collecting performance of users operating the touchscreen using different device grips and postures. The preliminary analysis of the first 60.000 touch interactions is discussed and shown to be coherent with expected results.
SuperENC: MPEG-2 video encoder chip

Thanks to increased market acceptance of applications such as digital versatile disks (DVDs), HDTV, and digital satellite broadcasting, the MPEG-2 (Moving Picture Experts Group-2) standard is becoming widely used. The MPEG-2 video standard, established in 1934, provides for a high-quality video compression format that, through high bit rates and frame rates, yields high-resolution video images. Emerging multimedia applications, such as digital versatile disk and high-definition television, demand higher quality video than ever before. In response, our MPEG-2 video encoder chip supports multiple profiles and levels.
Exchange Rate Volatility and Exports for Selected East Asian Countries: Evidence from Error Correction Model

This paper examines the relationship between exchange rate volatility and exports of the five selected East Asian economies. A measure of the quantitative proxy of the exchange rate risk is constructed, focusing on the role of moving-average in smoothing the persistence of the risk measure. Vector autoregressive (VAR) model, error correction modelling (ECM), and variance decomposition (VD) are applied to characterize the joint dynamics of variables in both the short and long run. The Johansen results indicate a stable long-run relation between exports and exchange rate. Results show that a great fluctuation of exchange rate volatility has significantly impacted the volume of exports for the economies concerned. To this end, the forecast error VD shows that the innovations of exchange rate volatility have minor impact on export patterns in the study.
Characterization of macrophage sensitivity and resistance to anthrax lethal toxin

Anthrax lethal toxin, which consists of two proteins, protective antigen and lethal factor, is cytolytic for macrophages. Macrophages from different mouse strains were found to vary in their sensitivities to toxin. C3H mouse macrophages lysed by lethal factor concentrations of 0.001 micrograms/ml were 100,000 times more sensitive than those from resistant A/J mice. We analyzed various stages of the intoxication process to determine the basis for this resistance. Direct binding studies with radioiodinated protective antigen revealed that the affinity (Kd, approximately 0.5 nM) and number of receptors per cell (25,000 to 33,000) were the same in sensitive and resistant cells. Proteolytic activation of protective antigen by a cell surface protease and subsequent binding of lethal factor were also the same in both sensitive and resistant macrophages. Resistant A/J macrophages were not cross-resistant to other toxins and a virus which, like lethal toxin, require vesicular acidification for activity, implying that resistance is not due to a defect in vesicular acidification. When introduced into the cytosol by osmotic lysis of pinosomes, lethal factor in the absence of protective antigen was cytolytic for the sensitive macrophages while resistant cells were unaffected. Thus, lethal factor by itself possesses the toxic activity of lethal toxin. These results suggest that macrophage resistance is due to a defect at a stage occurring after toxin internalization. A/J macrophages may lack the putative lethal factor target in the cytosol or be defective in the further processing or activation of lethal factor in the cytosol or in endocytic vesicles.
Sequential Decision Analysis of the Traditional Deterrence Game

We examine the traditional deterrence game between Challenger and Defender. We treat two variations of the game – the complete information game and the one-sided information game where the first mover, Challenger, is the uncertain player. We employ sequential decision theory to analyze the game of incomplete information. The analysis is basic in that we employ a simplifying assumption, specifically that Challenger’s valuation of the status quo is fixed at zero. We examine the behavior of Challenger using both a von-Neumann-Morgenstern decision rule and a Kahneman-Tversky decision rule. The formal results show that given the right combination of outcome valuations and probability values and weightings, Challenger can make choices under the von Neumann-Morgenstern decision rule that are reversed from those made under the Kahneman-Tversky decision rule. We then relate these reversals to the concept of misperception found in the International Relations and Peace Science literatures. Finally, we comment on extensions of the ensuing analysis.
Size effect in crack shear strength of wood

It is known for long time that the size of a structure has an important effect on its fracture stress. This phenomenon is called size effect and it seems that it can be attributed to the influence of a damaged zone which develops around the fracture area. Investigations have been made on size effect in shear fracture on two species of wood : Maritime Pine (Pinus pinaster) and Norway Spruce (Picea abies). The experimental fracture stresses and energy release rates of geometrically similar specimens of different sizes are analysed according to the size effect law of Bazant. This theoretical model allows an estimation of the evolution of fracture stress and energy release rate in terms of structural size but also an estimation of the dimensional validity areas respectively attributed to non-linear fracture mechanics and to linear elastic fracture mechanics. A comparison of the results was made in order to determine the relative brittleness of Pine and Spruce.
The heat shock protein 40 family of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum

Few diseases have had such a profound influence on human evolution and history as malaria. Despite intense efforts malaria infection continues to be a major killer. The causative agent of malaria, the unicellular eukaryote Plasmodium, displays a fascinating biology in which ubiquitous cellular concepts are modified to serve the particular needs of the malaria parasite. In this review, we explore how Plasmodium utilizes the heat shock protein 40 system, a chaperone system that ensures correct protein folding under normal and stress conditions. We highlight the peculiarities of the Plasmodium system and discuss whether any components of the system might be exploited for intervention strategies against this debilitating disease. © 2011 IUBMB IUBMB Life, 63(12): 1081–1086, 2011.
An intelligent charging control method for electric vehicle charging system

In this paper, an intelligent double closed loop controller for electric vehicle (EV) charging system in smart grid (SG) is proposed, in which it can perform seamless changeover from constant current (CC) to constant voltage (CV) charging stage. Moreover, it can perform CC and CV charging control separately without adding in an external logic. Experimental results will be provided in full paper submission in order to verify the proposed controller in comparison to the conventional one.
Incorporating performance and testability constraints during binding in high-level synthesis

Module and register binding during high-level synthesis is one of the most important steps in generating an RTL design from a behavioral description. The binding phase determines the structure of the final design, and hence issues related to area, performance and testability of the RTL design have to be addressed in this step. In this paper, we present algorithms for module and register binding which generate RTL designs having high performance and/or high testability. The binding problem is decomposed into a sequence of subproblems, each of which is modeled as a minimum-cost network flow problem. The relative impact of the possible bindings is expressed in terms of the costs associated with the edges of the network. The model is simple and can be solved quickly to obtain a low cost flow solution. Putting together the solutions to the subproblems gives low cost bindings. We also propose cost functions that can be used with varying emphasis on delay and testing. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm; the final designs produced by the algorithms require a smaller clock cycle or are easier to test as compared to designs generated without the performance or testability constraints.