Learning to Complete 3D Scenes from Single Depth Images

Building a complete 3D model of a scene given only a single depth image is underconstrained. To acquire a full volumetric model, one typically needs either multiple views, or a single view together with a library of unambiguous 3D models that will fit the shape of each individual object in the scene. In this thesis, we present alternative methods for inferring the hidden geometry of table-top scenes. We first introduce two depth-image datasets consisting of multiple scenes, each with a ground truth voxel occupancy grid. We then introduce three methods for predicting voxel occupancy. The first predicts the occupancy of each voxel using a novel feature vector which measures the relationship between the query voxel and surfaces in the scene observed by the depth camera. We use a Random Forest to map each voxel of unknown state to a prediction of occupancy. We observed that predicting the occupancy of each voxel independently can lead to noisy solutions. We hypothesize that objects of dissimilar semantic classes often share similar 3D shape components, enabling a limited dataset to model the shape of a wide range of objects, and hence estimate their hidden geometry. Demonstrating this hypothesis, we propose an algorithm that can make structured completions of unobserved geometry. Finally, we propose an alternative framework for understanding the 3D geometry of scenes using the observation that individual objects can appear in multiple different scenes, but in different configurations. We introduce a supervised method to find regions corresponding to the same object across different scenes. We demonstrate that it is possible to then use these groupings of partially observed objects to reconstruct missing geometry. We then perform a critical review of the approaches we have taken, including an assessment of our metrics and datasets, before proposing extensions and future work

A Review on Self-Determination Factors and Knowledge Sharing Behavior with Perceived Organizational Support as Moderating Effect

Knowledge sharing behavior has been acknowledged as a vital element in knowledge management in an organization. Baby boomers are the individuals within the organizations who recognized the importance of knowledge management for the success of their day to day organization function.  Past studies have shown that individuals are still not interested to participate in knowledge sharing. The purpose of this review is to discuss the impact of self-determination factors toward knowledge sharing behavior among baby boomers in the public sector. A rigorous review of literature regarding knowledge sharing behaviour was undertaken. This review unveiled the preliminary self-determination conceptual framework which suggests a relationship among knowledge sharing behavior and four other individual factors.  These factors are personality traits, intrinsic motivation, emotional intelligence, and sense of belonging.   The outcome of this review is expected to provide the insights on the moderating effect of perceived organizational support which will be part of the main study. Keywords:Knowledge Sharing Behavior; Self-determination Factors; Perceived Organizational Suppor

Quality management concept based on Islamic worldview

This paper focused on analyzing the concept of quality management based on Islamic Worldview (Tasawwur Islam). The discussion centred on three important areas.Firstly, the analysis on the principle of Islamic Worldview.Secondly, discussing the concept of quality according to Islamic perspective.Finally, this paper analyzed critically the concept of quality management based on Islamic Worldview.This discussion is important because of the role of quality management is critical in the current business environment where the issue oh Halal is pertinent. However, based on the literature analysis, there are still few studies that discuss the concept of quality according to Islamic perspective.This study is base on literature review analysis from published literatures, al-Quran and as-Sunnah.The result of discussion in this paper expected to produce a concept of quality based on Islamic perspective

Kualiti perkhidmatan antara pengurusan kontemporari dan perspektif Islam: kajian perbandingan

Kertas kerja ini bertujuan untuk mencadangkan satu rangka kerja teori untuk kualiti perkhidmatan menurut perspektif Islam.Bagi membincangkan tentang konsep ini, maka akan dibincangkan beberapa perkara yang berkaitan dengan tema utama. Pertama, konsep kualiti perkhidmatan menurut perspektif Barat.Kedua, konsep perkhidmatan menurut Islam dan ketiga mengetengahkan konsep baru mengenai kualiti perkhidmatan berteraskan tasawwur Islam.Perbincangan ini penting kerana kualiti dalam perkhidmatan merupakan satu konsep perniagaan yang paling mencabar untuk dilaksanakan oleh setiap organisasi. Namun masih sedikit kajian yang secara menyeluruh membincangkan konsep kualiti perkhidmatan menurut perspektif Islam. Justeru, tulisan ini cuba menganalisis konsep kualiti perkhidmatan dari perspektif Islam dengan merujuk kepada sumber autentik dalam Islam serta sorotan kepustakaan yang berkaitan. Hasil daripada perbincangan dalam kertas kerja ini, dijangkakan satu rangka kerja teori kualiti perkhidmatan menurut perspektif Islam yang boleh dijadikan pendekatan baru oleh organisasi-organisasi berteraskan Islam

Medium-term outcomes of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation survivors and family screening: a multicentre experience

Aims: Early repolarization (ER) has been linked to poorer outcomes in idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF). The role of family screening in IVF is not clear. Our aim was to review predictors for poorer outcomes and evaluate the role of family screening in IVF. Methods and results: This was a retrospective multicentre cohort study including all patients diagnosed with IVF. Data were collected on baseline characteristics, ECG findings, and recurrence of ventricular arrhythmia (VA) during follow-up. Electrocardiogram findings were reviewed in first-degree relatives that were screened. A total of 66 patients were included with male predominance (42/66, 64%) and Caucasian ethnicity (47/66, 71%). Mean age at cardiac arrest was 38 years ± 11. Thirty-one patients had ER (47%) predominantly with J-point amplitude ≥2 mm and horizontal ST segments (18/31, 58%). Recurrent VA was seen in 13 patients (20%). Horizontal ST segments were associated with increased rates of VA recurrence (OR 11, 95% CI 2.7–43.7; P = 0.0007). Early repolarization was seen in 20% of the 72 first-degree relatives and was more common if the proband had persistent ER pattern (OR 10.7, 95% CI 2.2–51.5; P = 0.003). Conclusion: Ventricular arrhythmia recurrence was lower than previously reported. Early repolarization was common in this IVF cohort, and horizontal ST segments were suggestive predictor for poorer outcomes. Persistent ER in proband was associated with ER in first-degree relatives. With better understanding of its predictive value and the relationship to IVF, this information could potentially be used to guide family screening and identify new mutations using family members with persistent ER

Motor step size and ATP coupling efficiency of the dsDNA translocase EcoR124I

The Type I restriction-modification enzyme EcoR124I is an archetypical helicase-based dsDNA translocase that moves unidirectionally along the 3′–5′ strand of intact duplex DNA. Using a combination of ensemble and single-molecule measurements, we provide estimates of two physicochemical constants that are fundamental to a full description of motor protein activity—the ATP coupling efficiency (the number of ATP consumed per base pair) and the step size (the number of base pairs transported per motor step). Our data indicate that EcoR124I makes small steps along the DNA of 1 bp in length with 1 ATP consumed per step, but with some uncoupling of the ATPase and translocase cycles occurring so that the average number of ATP consumed per base pair slightly exceeds unity. Our observations form a framework for understanding energy coupling in a great many other motors that translocate along dsDNA rather than ssDNA

Identification of ejaculated proteins in the house mouse (Mus domesticus) via isotopic labeling

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Seminal fluid plays an important role in successful fertilization, but knowledge of the full suite of proteins transferred from males to females during copulation is incomplete. The list of ejaculated proteins remains particularly scant in one of the best-studied mammalian systems, the house mouse (<it>Mus domesticus</it>), where artificial ejaculation techniques have proven inadequate. Here we investigate an alternative method for identifying ejaculated proteins, by isotopically labeling females with ¹⁵N and then mating them to unlabeled, vasectomized males. Proteins were then isolated from mated females and identified using mass spectrometry. In addition to gaining insights into possible functions and fates of ejaculated proteins, our study serves as proof of concept that isotopic labeling is a powerful means to study reproductive proteins.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We identified 69 male-derived proteins from the female reproductive tract following copulation. More than a third of all spectra detected mapped to just seven genes known to be structurally important in the formation of the copulatory plug, a hard coagulum that forms shortly after mating. Seminal fluid is significantly enriched for proteins that function in protection from oxidative stress and endopeptidase inhibition. Females, on the other hand, produce endopeptidases in response to mating. The 69 ejaculated proteins evolve significantly more rapidly than other proteins that we previously identified directly from dissection of the male reproductive tract.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study attempts to comprehensively identify the proteins transferred from males to females during mating, expanding the application of isotopic labeling to mammalian reproductive genomics. This technique opens the way to the targeted monitoring of the fate of ejaculated proteins as they incubate in the female reproductive tract.</p

Sperm competition and the evolution of sperm design in mammals

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The influence of sperm competition upon sperm size has been a controversial issue during the last 20 years which remains unresolved for mammals. The hypothesis that, when ejaculates compete with rival males, an increase in sperm size would make sperm more competitive because it would increase sperm swimming speed, has generated contradictory results from both theoretical and empirical studies. In addition, the debate has extended to which sperm components should increase in size: the midpiece to accommodate more mitochondria and produce more energy to fuel motility, or the principal piece to generate greater propulsion forces.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study we examined the influence of sperm competition upon sperm design in mammals using a much larger data set (226 species) than in previous analyses, and we corrected for phylogenetic effects by using a more complete and resolved phylogeny, and more robust phylogenetic control methods. Our results show that, as sperm competition increases, all sperm components increase in an integrated manner and sperm heads become more elongated. The increase in sperm length was found to be associated with enhanced swimming velocity, an adaptive trait under sperm competition.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that sperm competition has played an important role in the evolution of sperm design in mammals, and discuss why previous studies have failed to detect it.</p

Sperm Competition, Sperm Numbers and Sperm Quality in Muroid Rodents

Sperm competition favors increases in relative testes mass and production efficiency, and changes in sperm phenotype that result in faster swimming speeds. However, little is known about its effects on traits that contribute to determine the quality of a whole ejaculate (i.e., proportion of motile, viable, morphologically normal and acrosome intact sperm) and that are key determinants of fertilization success. Two competing hypotheses lead to alternative predictions: (a) sperm quantity and quality traits co-evolve under sperm competition because they play complementary roles in determining ejaculate's competitive ability, or (b) energetic constraints force trade-offs between traits depending on their relevance in providing a competitive advantage. We examined relationships between sperm competition levels, sperm quantity, and traits that determine ejaculate quality, in a comparative study of 18 rodent species using phylogenetically controlled analyses. Total sperm numbers were positively correlated to proportions of normal sperm, acrosome integrity and motile sperm; the latter three were also significantly related among themselves, suggesting no trade-offs between traits. In addition, testes mass corrected for body mass (i.e., relative testes mass), showed a strong association with sperm numbers, and positive significant associations with all sperm traits that determine ejaculate quality with the exception of live sperm. An “overall sperm quality” parameter obtained by principal component analysis (which explained 85% of the variance) was more strongly associated with relative testes mass than any individual quality trait. Overall sperm quality was as strongly associated with relative testes mass as sperm numbers. Thus, sperm quality traits improve under sperm competition in an integrated manner suggesting that a combination of all traits is what makes ejaculates more competitive. In evolutionary terms this implies that a complex network of genetic and developmental pathways underlying processes of sperm formation, maturation, transport in the female reproductive tract, and preparation for fertilization must all evolve in concert

Measuring motion on DNA by the type I restriction endonuclease <i>Eco</i>R124I using triplex displacement

The type I restriction enzyme EcoR124I cleaves DNA following extensive linear translocation dependent upon ATP hydrolysis. Using protein-directed displacement of a DNA triplex, we have determined the kinetics of one-dimensional motion without the necessity of measuring DNA or ATP hydrolysis. The triplex was pre-formed specifically on linear DNA, 4370 bp from an EcoR124I site, and then incubated with endonuclease. Upon ATP addition, a distinct lag phase was observed before the triplex-forming oligonucleotide was displaced with exponential kinetics. As the distance between type I and triplex sites was shortened, the lag time decreased whilst the displacement reaction remained exponential. This is indicative of processive DNA translocation followed by collision with the triplex and oligonucleotide displacement. A linear relationship between lag duration and inter-site distance gives a translocation velocity of 400 ± 32 bp/s at 20°C. Furthermore, the data can only be explained by bi-directional translocation. An endonuclease with only one of the two HsdR subunits responsible for motion could still catalyse translocation. The reaction is less processive, but can ‘reset’ in either direction whenever the DNA is released