Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Identifying Early Warning Indicators for Real Estate-Related Banking Crises

This Occasional Paper presents a formal statistical evaluation of potential early warning indicators for real estate-related banking crises. Relying on data on real estate-related banking crises for 25 EU countries, a signalling approach is applied in both a non-parametric and a parametric (discrete choice) setting. Such an analysis evaluates the predictive power of potential early warning indicators on the basis of the trade-off between correctly predicting upcoming crisis events and issuing false alarms. The results in this paper provide an analytical underpinning for decision-making based on guided discretion with regard to the activation of macro-prudential instruments targeted to the real estate sector. After the publication of the ESRB Handbook and the Occasional Paper on the countercyclical capital buffer, it represents a next step in the ESRB’s work on the operationalisation of macroprudential policy in the banking sector. This Occasional Paper highlights the important role of both real estate price variables and credit developments in predicting real estate-related banking crises. The results indicate that, in addition to cyclical developments in these variables, it is crucial to monitor the structural dimension of real estate prices and credit. In multivariate settings macroeconomic and market variables such as the inflation rate and short-term interest rates may add to the early warning performance of these variables. Overall, the findings indicate that combining multiple variables improves early warning signalling performance compared with assessing each indicator separately, both in the non-parametric and the parametric approach. Combinations of the abovementioned indicators lead to lower probabilities of missing crises while at the same time not issuing too many false alarms. In addition to EU level, they also perform relatively well at individual country level. Even though the best performing indicators have relatively good signalling abilities at the individual country level, national authorities are encouraged to perform their own complementary analyses in abroader framework of systemic risk detection, which augments potential early warning indicators and methods with other relevant inputs and expert judgement. JEL Classification: G21, G18, E58
Evolutionary Metric-Learning-Based Recognition Algorithm for Online Isolated Persian/Arabic Characters, Reconstructed Using Inertial Pen Signals

The development of sensors with the microelectromechanical systems technology expedites the emergence of new tools for human-computer interaction, such as inertial pens. These pens, which are used as writing tools, do not depend on a specific embedded hardware, and thus, they are inexpensive. Most of the available inertial pen character recognition approaches use the low-level features of inertial signals. This paper introduces a Persian/Arabic handwriting character recognition system for inertial-sensor-equipped pens. First, the motion trajectory of the inertial pen is reconstructed to estimate the position signals by using the theory of inertial navigation systems. The position signals are then used to extract high-level geometrical features. A new metric learning technique is then adopted to enhance the accuracy of character classification. To this end, a characteristic function is calculated for each character using a genetic programming algorithm. These functions form a metric kernel classifying all the characters. The experimental results show that the performance of the proposed method is superior to that of one of the state-of-the-art works in terms of recognizing Persian/Arabic handwriting characters.
Excess weight in preschool children with a history of severe bronchiolitis is associated with asthma

The relationship between excess weight gain and asthma in childhood remains inadequately defined. The aim of this study was to evaluate, as part of a prospective post‐bronchiolitis follow‐up, whether there is a link between earlier or current overweight or obesity and asthma or asthma symptoms at 5–7 years of age.
Study of relationship between the organizational structure and market orientation from the viewpoint of nurse managers

Background: Considering globalization of health care and quality improvement trend to respond to competition and customer orientation, attention to organizational structure and its relationship with market orientation is essential. Therefore, this study reviews the relationship between organizational structure and market orientation in selected hospitals of Isfahan (Iran). Materials and Methods: This study was a descriptive survey. The study population comprised nurse managers from selected hospitals (n = 80). Data collection tools were two questionnaires (market orientation questionnaire and organizational structure) that the validity and reliability were confirmed (r = 0.83 for market orientation questionnaire and r = 0.87 for organizational structure). SPSS (Ver. 16) software was used for the analyses. Results: The mean score of organizational structure was 65.4 (11.2) and total mean of market orientation was 51.14 (17.6). All aspects of the organizational structure (Organization Centralization, Formalization in Organization, and Organization Complication) and market orientation (responding to competition, accountability, customer satisfaction, intelligent organization)—except by responding to clients with Formalization in Organization—as well as all aspects of the Systemic attitude (the system of internal coordination and communication systems_ and market orientation (responding to competition, accountability, customer satisfaction, intelligent organization), there was a meaningful relationship (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Market orientation and its dimensions have a significant relationship with organizational structure and can lead managers’ view to the analysis and recognizing elements of success and achievement to goals. With increasing competition in markets, globalization of health services, and presence in international markets and more attention to patients’ satisfaction, hospitals need to understand and use of market orientation in order to promote quality and services in the health care system.
Euro area imbalances: How much could an expansion in the North help the South?

We run simulations of current account rebalancing scenarios in the Euro Area and the European Union based on a closed multi-country input-output model. The spillover effects of domestic demand booms in the Northern European surplus countries are non-negligible, but not large. While they cannot on their own create a meaningful upswing in the former Southern European deficit countries, they could be an important element thereof. In particular, a Northern expansion can create the necessary policy space for a domestic demand-driven expansion in the European South by relaxing the balance of payments constraint. Then, a coordinated asymmetric expansion in the Euro Area could alleviate the unemployment crisis in the European South.
Simplistic Simulation-Based Device-VT-Targeting Technique to Determine Technology High-Density LELE-Gate-Patterned FinFET SRAM in Sub-10 nm Era

For the first time, we present complete device threshold voltage (VT)-targeting methodology for FinFET SRAM in 10-nm technology, considering capacitance due to metal pattering and device variability to set target read current for different variants of SRAM architecture to determine technology high-density (HD) SRAM cell. The VT-targeting methodology brings into play the worst case read and write margins available for SRAM cell to determine nominal device VT by tuning the work function of metal gate. Analysis shows that for minimum leakage current, 112 SRAM cell is optimum, whereas for the same area of 0.0546 μm2 with 50% higher leakage, 122 SRAM outperform by 5% and 20% improved read and write margins, respectively. The 122 SRAM as HD cell reduces the cost of the technology by sharing P-channel field effect transistor (PFET) and N-channel field effect transistor (NFET) VT mask with the high threshold voltage logic devices, whereas the 112 SRAM device shares only NFET VT mask. The 111 SRAM can achieve target performance at lesser area of 0.048 μ2 by compromising read stability, which will result in lower yield. At 64-nm pitch, litho-etch litho-etch (LELE) double-patterned gate impacts device performance and alleviates variability; hence the read margin of SRAM cell should consider an additional 1σrsnm margin to retain the same yield in 10-nm-technology era.
The contested terrain of food sovereignty construction: toward a historical, relational and interactive approach

This contribution puts forward a historical, relational and interactive (HRI) approach to food sovereignty research. A historical lens allows us to understand the social structures and institutions that condition the politics of food over time and the ways in which the agency of relevant state and societal actors has been, and continues to be, enhanced and exercised, or not, in the political contestation over the food system. A relational lens allows us to capture the process-oriented nature of food sovereignty – the ways in which the very meanings and attempted practices of food sovereignty are being dynamically and contentiously shaped and reshaped over time. An interactive lens allows us to analyze how actors within the state and in society are dialectically linked, molding the construction of food sovereignty through their interactions. Rather than an enquiry into food sovereignty per se, this piece is about efforts toward food sovereignty, partly to address a tendency in the literature and political debates to conflate the two. This is thus an investigation into food sovereignty construction, meaning how food sovereignty is being articulated and attempted, as well as contested – including resisted, refracted or reversed – in a given setting. The case of Venezuela is examined as one of a growing number of countries where food sovereignty has been adopted into state policy and among the longest-running experiments in its attempted construction. Concluding reflections are shared on the extent to which the HRI framework can help us understand the current conjunctural crisis facing Venezuela’s food system, and implications for food sovereignty research and activism more broadly.
Brassinosteroid Regulates Seed Size and Shape in Arabidopsis1[W][OPEN]

Brassinosteroid regulates Arabidopsis seed size and shape by transcriptionally modulating specific seed developmental pathways. Seed development is important for agriculture productivity. We demonstrate that brassinosteroid (BR) plays crucial roles in determining the size, mass, and shape of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) seeds. The seeds of the BR-deficient mutant de-etiolated2 (det2) are smaller and less elongated than those of wild-type plants due to a decreased seed cavity, reduced endosperm volume, and integument cell length. The det2 mutant also showed delay in embryo development, with reduction in both the size and number of embryo cells. Pollination of det2 flowers with wild-type pollen yielded seeds of normal size but still shortened shape, indicating that the BR produced by the zygotic embryo and endosperm is sufficient for increasing seed volume but not for seed elongation, which apparently requires BR produced from maternal tissues. BR activates expression of SHORT HYPOCOTYL UNDER BLUE1, MINISEED3, and HAIKU2, which are known positive regulators of seed size, but represses APETALA2 and AUXIN RESPONSE FACTOR2, which are negative regulators of seed size. These genes are bound in vivo by the BR-activated transcription factor BRASSINAZOLE-RESISTANT1 (BZR1), and they are known to influence specific processes of integument, endosperm, and embryo development. Our results demonstrate that BR regulates seed size and seed shape by transcriptionally modulating specific seed developmental pathways.
Measuring the Impact of Consumption Tax on the Cost-of-Living Index from Japanese Household Survey

Japanese households experienced both the introduction of price consumption tax and two tax hikes from 1989 to 2014. According to a Bank of Japan report, the consumption tax hike (from 5% to 8%) in April 2014 was expected to increase the consumer price index by about two percentage points. In this study, we measure the impact of the consumption tax hike on the cost-of-living index, using the panel cointegrated demand system. We find that two consumption tax hikes in both 1997 and 2014 effectively raised the cost-of-living index. That is, it seems that the timing of two tax hikes was appropriate for Japanese households.
Disruption of an intermonomer salt bridge in the p53 tetramerization domain results in an increased propensity to form amyloid fibrils

We describe in molecular detail how disruption of an intermonomer salt bridge (Arg337–Asp352) leads to partial destabilization of the p53 tetramerization domain and a dramatically increased propensity to form amyloid fibrils. At pH 4.0 and 37°C, a p53 tetramerization domain mutant (p53tet‐R337H), associated with adrenocortical carcinoma in children, readily formed amyloid fibrils, while the wild‐type (p53tet‐wt) did not. We characterized these proteins by equilibrium denaturation, 13Cα secondary chemical shifts, {1H}‐15N heteronuclear NOEs, and H/D exchange. Although p53tet‐R337H was thermodynamically less stable, NMR data indicated that the two proteins had similar secondary structure and molecular dynamics. NMR derived pKa values indicated that at low pH the R337H mutation partially disrupted an intermonomer salt bridge. Backbone H/D exchange results showed that for at least a small population of p53tet‐R337H molecules disruption of this salt bridge resulted in partial destabilization of the protein. It is proposed that this decrease in p53tet‐R337H stability resulted in an increased propensity to form amyloid fibrils.
A NURBS Facial Model Based on MPEG-4

In this paper, a NURBS approach based on MPEG-4 standard for facial modeling is presented. In this method, human face is simulated by using a piece of NURBS surface, and the model points of NURBS surface are affected by MPEG-4 feature points. The method combines the superiorities of NURBS and MPEG-4. For individual object, by means of capture of the MPEG-4 feature points and a mapping relationship, individual facial model is constructed. In some non-continuous region such as eyes, a partition algorithm of NURBS surface is implemented and some necessary aided models such as eyeballs are constructed. Due to the low data quantity of MPEG-4 and the local support property of NURBS, the model can be extended to dynamic modeling of facial expressions. The result of simulation is satisfying
Low-cost 3D surface reconstruction using Stereo camera for small object

3D data needs in various fields has increased along with the development of simulation and modeling technology. The current technology makes interaction with 3D data becomes easier and interesting. The existence of virtual reality and 3D printers provide ease to create and display 3D objects. The existence of a 3D scanner to reconstruct a real object into a 3D digital object is one of the practical solutions to facilitate the creation of 3D data. The methods to perform 3D object reconstruction process also began to be found, such as using a single camera, stereo camera, laser beam, structured light, and the combination of these methods with various algorithms. In this study, we create a prototype of low-cost 3D surface reconstruction system with a stereo camera. The Stereo camera using image processing to generate point cloud of the object with displacement and disparity mapping process. The point of cloud from the object then connected to produce 3D surface. Reconstruction is done by applying texture from object photograph to the surface of 3D point cloud that has been reconstructed. The system made by using a low-cost web camera to test the ability to reconstruct 3D objects surface with inexpensive equipment. Testing is done by giving structured light variable using the projector. The results of this study indicate that the calibration process camera position and light conditions will determine the outcome of reconstruction where the dual camera system is very dependent on the calibration process to produce a proper reconstruction.
Adoption of System of Rice Intensification and its Impact on Rice Yields and Household Income: An Analysis for India

Natural resource management (NRM) technologies, such as the system of rice intensification (SRI) are recognized as a promising systemic approach to enhance rice production at affordable costs without harming the environment. Yet there is no consensus in the literature with respect to the factors influencing the adoption as well as the welfare outcomes of adoption. This paper identifies the factors that affect farmers’ decisions to adopt SRI in major rice producing States of India and its impact on rice yield and household income. The multinomial endogenous treatment effects model adopted in the present study analyses the factors influencing the adoption and the impact of adoption in a joint framework. Results suggest that household assets, irrigation, access to information etc. increased the likelihood of household adopting SRI whereas the size of landholding, the number of years household stayed in rice cultivation, fear of poor yield, etc. decreased the likelihood of adopting SRI. The welfare impacts of SRI adoption revealed that all combinations of SRI individually and as a group (plant management, water management and soil management) had an impact on yield. However, the impact of SRI adoption on household income was quite mixed.
Risk Factors for Osteoporotic Fractures in Elderly Men

Osteoporosis is recognized as an important cause of morbidity and mortality in aging women, but there have been few epidemiologic studies in men. Potential risk factors for osteoporotic fractures were assessed in 820 elderly men aged 60 years or above in the city of Dubbo (Australia). During the follow-up period of 1989-1994, the overall incidence of fractures (determined from x-ray reports) was 220 fractures per 10,000 person-years. Higher risk of fracture was associated with lower femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD), quadriceps weakness, higher body sway, falls in the preceding 12 months, a history of fractures in the previous 5 years, lower body weight, and shorter current height. Use of thiazide diuretics, higher physical activity, and moderate alcohol intake were protective against fracture. In multivariate analysis (Cox's proportional hazards model), femoral neck BMD (odd ratio (OR) = 1.47, 95% confidence interval (Cl) 1.25-1.73 per 0.12 g/cm), quadriceps strength (OR = 1.43, 95% Cl 1.18-1.73 per 10 kg), and body sway (OR = 1.25, 95% Cl 1.07-1.45 per 5.15 cm) were independent risk factors. Preventive measures for bone loss and maintaining a physically active, healthy life-style and modification of risk factors for falls in the elderly could yield beneficial effects in the reduction of the incidence of osteoporotic fracture and hence improve the survival among men. Am J Epidemiol 1996; 144:255-63.
Pre-Service Science Teachers' Opinions about Using the Feedback Process in the Preparation of Teaching Materials.

Practical courses are very important in teachers’ professional training. It is important that teachers learn professional knowledge and skills by personal experience, and it can increase the quality of their teaching. The accuracy of the practice should be considered for the practical studies of pre-service teachers. When the practices do not include feedback, the connection between theoretical information and practice is not successfully established, which leads to performances to be taught adequately, but in fact insufficiently. The aim of this study is to determine pre-service science teachers’ opinions about the use of feedback during the preparation of teaching materials. This is a case study, a qualitative research method. The study data were collected using an Asia-Pacific Forum on Science Learning and Teaching, Volume 17, Issue 1, Article 11 (Jun., 2016) Özlem KORAY Pre-service science teachers’ opinions about using the feedback process in the preparation of teaching materials Copyright (C) 2016 EdUHK APFSLT. Volume 17, Issue 1, Article 11 (Jun., 2016). All Rights Reserved. opinion form which included open-ended questions as well as interview questions. Pre-service teachers’ written explanations to the open-ended questions were analyzed using content analysis, a qualitative analysis method. In addition, the study used descriptive analysis to assess the data that were collected during interviews with the purpose of obtaining further information. The research results show that a majority of teachers had positive opinions about feedback. They stated that feedback helped them to recognize and correct their mistakes and deficiencies, enabled meaningful and permanent learning, contributed to in-class communication and could be useful in all stages of formal education.
Arterial stiffness, metabolic syndrome and inflammation amongst Asian ischaemic stroke patients

Background and purpose: Arterial stiffness and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are risk factors for ischaemic stroke. We studied the association of arterial stiffness, measured by carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and MetS amongst ischaemic stroke patients. We also investigated the role of inflammation measured by serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in the metabolic syndrome–arterial stiffness relationship.
The Document Spectrum for Page Layout Analysis

Page layout analysis is a document processing technique used to determine the format of a page. This paper describes the document spectrum (or docstrum), which is a method for structural page layout analysis based on bottom-up, nearest-neighbor clustering of page components. The method yields an accurate measure of skew, within-line, and between-line spacings and locates text lines and text blocks. It is advantageous over many other methods in three main ways: independence from skew angle, independence from different text spacings, and the ability to process local regions of different text orientations within the same image. Results of the method shown for several different page formats and for randomly oriented subpages on the same image illustrate the versatility of the method. We also discuss the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of the docstrum with respect to other lay-out methods. >
Equally to All? The Significance of Collectively Negotiated Sickness Benefits in Cross-Nordic Social Policy Analysis

Most previous research on social welfare has focused on the statutory part of welfare delivery. By examining collectively-negotiated sickness benefits, this article introduces occupational welfare into cross-national analyses of social policy and explores how this changes the Nordic welfare model. Instead of limiting its focus to one average worker wage, the article examines five different occupations representing both low-skilled and high-skilled workers, as well as public and private sector employees. Using the stylised case method and examining three different durations of sickness, the study shows that employees in different occupations have different rights in relation to occupational benefits during sickness. Although the results found by the analysis vary with length of sickness, the article concludes that, in general, occupational welfare has a reinforcing effect on the existing differences between occupations generated by public benefits. The analysis presents evidence of not-so-equal aspects of the Nordic welfare model.