Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Remote person authentication in different scenarios based on gait and face in front view

To predict criminal acts and to assure more security, the biometric remote recognition of people has lately been getting much interest among researchers. We propose in this paper to use biometric modalities that may be acquired remotely, which are the gait and the face. The gait is explored at 11 different angles of view with different styles of clothes using the CASIA Gait Datasets A and B. For the front view, we fuse the gait with hard and soft facial biometrics. Tested on both public databases, the gait-based recognition has yielded interesting results in different cases compared to the existing results in the literature. The system based on the fusion of the gait with the face has led to better results.
FORWARD SCATTERING PROPERTIES OF HUMAN EPIDERMAL LAYERS

Abstract From an optical point of view the outermost skin layers contain numerous structures by which penetrating radiation may be scattered as well as absorbed. The nature and strength of this scattering may strongly influence the extent of penetration. We illuminated samples of stratum corneum and full‐thickness epidermis with collimated radiation and measured the angular intensity distribution of the transmitted radiation; we did this in the ultraviolet for several angles of incidence, and in the visible for perpendicular incidence only. Skin samples were obtained from the skin of the lower back and upper leg of Caucasian volunteers. Epidermis and subsequently stratum corneum were separated by chemical methods. In the case of stratum corneum, the angular intensity distribution of the transmitted radiation peaks strongly at all wavelengths, in approximately the direction of the incident radiation, that has been refracted at the surface of the sample. With full‐thickness epidermis, the distribution of the transmitted radiation also peaks, though less strongly than with stratum corneum. These features suggest a forward oriented scattering mechanism. Both in the case of stratum corneum and full‐thickness epidermis, the angular distribution flattens towards the shorter wavelengths and with increasing thickness. The wavelength dependence suggests that both scattering and absorption increase towards the shorter wavelengths. The existence of a thickness dependence indicates that volume scattering occurs. Hydration of stratum corneum is found to influence its scattering properties. Dry samples scatter less than hydrated samples. The consequences of our findings for modelling skin optics are briefly discussed.
Adaptive detection and diversity order in multistatic radar

We derive the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) for multistatic space-time radar where each sensor platform has a coherent multi-channel array. A multistatic version of the adaptive matched filter (AMF) detector is also developed and its performance results compared with that of the GLRT. Results show that the multistatic GLRT outperforms the multistatic AMF and that the performance advantage increases with the number of radars in the system. The concepts of geometry gain and diversity gain for multistatic STAP are defined in terms of asymptotic properties of the system's probability of miss.
ResearchWomen ' s breastfeeding experiences following a significant primary postpartum haemorrhage : A multicentre cohort study

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a significant and increasing contributor to maternal mortality and morbidity. Following a PPH, women may have difficulties initiating and sustaining breastfeeding, although little has been published on this issue. The aim of this study was to describe breastfeeding experiences in a cohort of women following a significant PPH. Methods: This is a descriptive study based on quantitative and qualitative data collected via questionnaires completed in the first week postpartum and at two and four months postpartum, by 206 women participating in a multicentre study of women's experiences of a significant primary postpartum haemorrhage (blood loss of 1500 mL or more in the 24 hours following childbirth, and/or a peripartum fall in haemoglobin (Hb) concentration to 7g/dL or less, or of ≥ 4g/
THE EFFECTS OF SODIUM-FREE SOLUTIONS ON THE FAST ACTION POTENTIALS OF VIVIPARUS CONTECTUS (MILLET) (GASTROPODA: PROSOBRANCHIA)

1. A 2 h exposure of connectives of Viviparus contectus to sodium-free Ringer, in which dextran maintains osmolarity, results in a decline in the conduction velocity of the fast axons to 50% of the value obtained in normal Ringer. 2. The changes in conduction velocity of the fast axons in response to the replacement in stages of the sodium salts of normal Ringer correspond to those exhibited by conventional excitable cells when tris is the substitute, but depart considerably from this behaviour when dextran is the substitute. 3. Experiments employing mannitol, sucrose, raffinose, inulin and dextran to replace the sodium salts of normal Ringer reveal that dextran alone of these non-electrolytes maintains fast action potentials in the absence of sodium. 4. Weight losses of connectives under sodium-free (isosmotic) conditions are greatest and are most rapidly achieved when dextran (of the range of non-electrolytes studied) replaces the sodium salts of normal Ringer. Adjusting to isotonic conditions (8 mM dextran) does not diminish the ability of this non-electrolyte to maintain fast action potentials. 5. During prolonged perfusion of connectives by tris Ringer brief(5 min) exposures to dextran Ringer at 15 min intervals rapidly restore fast action potentials. The decline of conduction velocity in these restored fibres closely follows the normal pattern of decline when function is maintained continuously in dextran Ringer.
Did Government Regulations Lower Credit Rating Quality?

SEC regulations in 1975 gave select ratings agencies increased market power by increasing barriers to entry and increasing reliance on ratings for regulations. We test whether these regulations led to lower ratings quality. We find that defaults and other negative credit events are more likely for firms given the same rating if the rating was assigned after the SEC action compared to before. The default likelihood is also stronger for smaller firms, as these firms are less visible and less likely to harm reputational capital. These results indicate that the market power derived from the SEC led to ratings inflation. JEL Classification: G18, G24, G28, G32
Beam range estimation by measuring bremsstrahlung

We describe a new method for estimating the beam range in heavy-ion radiation therapy by measuring the ion beam bremsstrahlung. We experimentally confirm that the secondary electron bremsstrahlung process provides the dominant bremsstrahlung contribution. A Monte Carlo simulation shows that the number of background photons from annihilation gamma rays is about 1% of the bremsstrahlung strength in the low-energy region used in our estimation (63–68 keV). Agreement between the experimental results and the theoretical prediction for the characteristic shape of the bremsstrahlung spectrum validates the effectiveness of our new method in estimating the ion beam range.
Maximum-likelihood estimation of the angular position and extent of a target

The maximum-likelihood estimates of the angular position and angular extent of a target relative to the boresight of a monopulse radar system is derived, and the statistics of the estimates are determined. It is shown that the moments of the estimates do not exist when the thermal noise power in the receiver is nonzero. However, conditional moments are determined which do exist, as well as conditional density and/or distribution functions.
Effect of extracellular magnesium on platelet activation and intracellular calcium mobilization.

A dose-dependent effect of magnesium on the inhibition of platelet aggregation and release of ATP from dense granules was observed in human platelets (in whole blood, platelet-rich plasma, or washed platelets) against various aggregation agents (ADP, U46619, collagen, or thrombin). The synthesis and release of the proaggregatory cyclooxygenase (CO) and lipoxygenase (LO) products, thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (12-HETE), respectively, in platelets were also inhibited by Mg in a dose-dependent manner (IC50 4 to 6 mmol/L). These Mg-mediated activities were further enhanced when platelets were preincubated with insulin (100 microU/mL). The effect of extracellular Mg on the change of intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) was assessed using Fura-2/AM loaded cells in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca. Thrombin-stimulated influx of Ca ions decreased from 194 +/- 30 nmol/L to 156 +/- 21 nmol/L in the presence of 5 mmol/L Mg and to 111 +/- 16 nmol/L in 10 mmol/L Mg. However, the intracellular Ca release (as determined in the presence of 5 mmol/L EGTA) was not affected by Mg. The intracellular Ca-dependent protein kinase C and myosin light chain kinase activities on the phosphorylation of endogenous p47 and p20 proteins studied after 2 min of thrombin addition decreased only 10 to 25% in the presence of 5 to 10 mmol/L Mg. Similar results were obtained when EGTA was added prior to the initiation of protein phosphorylation. We conclude that Mg can dose dependently inhibit a wide variety of agonists on platelet aggregation. Furthermore, insulin can potentiate the inhibitory effects of Mg on platelet activation. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Localization dose and time of antigens determine immune reactivity.

Two models to explain patterns of immune reactivity of T and B cells are compared: the two-signal theories and the antigen-localization-dose-time and structure concept. The two-signal theory states that signal 1 (= antigen alone signalling via specific T or B cell receptor) turns T and B cells off, signal 1 plus co-stimulatory signals 2 induces them. Our model employs immuno-reactivity antigen parameters, i.e. localization-dose-time kinetics and structure of antigen in determining T and B cell reactivity. Both concepts have in common that immune reactivity is somatically learned and not germline defined and that there is nothing unique to the antigenic structure itself that could distinguish self from nonself antigens. While two-signal theories base positive versus negative reactivity on the presence or absence of co-stimulatory signals anywhere in the body, our alternative model proposes that besides antigen structure, dose and time it is the localization of antigen--vis-à-vis the organized lymphoid tissues--that determines reactivity patterns as follows. First, antigen that does not reach secondary lymphoid organs in minimum doses or for sufficiently long time periods, is immunologically ignored. Second, antigen that either usually exists in the lymphoid system or reaches it and persists in excessive amounts for long periods deletes T cells. Third, antigen that is transported to secondary lymphoid organs in sufficient (but not excessive) amounts and for a sufficient time period (but does not persist) induces an effective immune response. B cell responses are also induced exclusively in lymphoid tissues. Short-term B cell responses are T independent against antigens linked to bacterial lipopolysaccharides or against highly repetitive and strictly ordered antigens; thus, B cells are pattern recognizers (monomeric antigens usually accessible to B cells are in general likely to be self-antigens. Strictly ordered repetitive antigens are virtually by definition infectious agents). Long-term (switched) B cell responses against mono- and polymorphic antigens are T cell dependent regulated by time dose and localization of antigen.
Citation Context Versus the Frequency Counts of Citation Histories

Over 200 papers produced by a multidisciplinary institute in a ten-year period were analyzed for the context of the citations they received during the 21-year period since their publication. They were grouped into 28 research topics from physics, chemistry, to biology, some half a dozen papers per topic on the average. Eleven percent of all the citing papers comprised the sample for the context analysis: one citing per each cited paper. Sets of citing papers of each research topic were taken as units in the analysis. The context of citation was defined by (i) a structural factor, i.e., the location at which the citations occurred within the citing articles, and (ii) an intensity factor, i.e., the level of citing, which was recorded as either low or high. From (i) solely, a ranking scale was devised by arbitrary ponders, whereas from (ii) another arbitrary scale was constructed by a 2:1 ratio for high-to-low citing. The two approaches, citing location (i) and intensity (ii), were also combined into an ordinal scale without any arbitrary numerical pondering. The 28 research topics were ranked by Z-scores within each of the three scales and separately for the first and the second decade of citation recordings. The congruence of the ranking was very satisfactory between the three scales for each of the two decades of citing. However, very definite trends in the rankings are noted between the two decades, the trends being quite similar irrespective of the ranking scale applied. The ranking is believed to be a function of the importance of the cited papers for those citing them. When these citation-context-ranking results were compared with the ranking of the research topics by citation frequency counts, no congruence was observed. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Epidemiological Surveillance of Some Avian Respiratory Viral Diseases in Broiler Chickens

The present study aimed to specify the most important respiratory viral diseases affecting broiler chickens under Egyptian conditions. Forty four broiler chicken flocks were investigated in three governorates (Alexandria, El-Behera and Kafr El-sheikh) that showed high mortality rate with respiratory manifestations and/or diarrhea. The collected samples (trachea and lungs homogenates) were examined for Avian Influenza viruses (AIv) (H5&H9), Newcastle Disease virus (NDv) and Infectious Bronchitis virus (IBv) through isolation in specific pathogen free (SPF) eggs and identification by slide hemagglutination test and Real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR). The results revealed that the highest detection rate was NDv (20/44) with positivity percent (45.46%), 7 flocks out of 44 were positive for AI H9 (15.90%), while 3 flocks (3/44) were positive for AI H5 (6.82%), on the other hand 4 flocks (4/44) were positive for IBv (9.10%). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of F gene of selected 8 NDv isolates, they were related to genotype VII, also sequencing for haemagglutinin (HA) gene of selected AIv isolates showed that two isolates belonged to H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) (clade 2.3.4.4.b) and one isolate belonged to H5N1 HPAI clade 2.2. 1.2, while two selected H9 isolates were related to H9N2 low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) group B. on the other hand, sequencing of S1 gene for one selected IBv isolate was related to EGY variant II. So, continuous surveillance of different respiratory diseases that represent a large economic threat for poultry industry should be maintained to facilitate the possible protocols to prevent and control these diseases.
A decade of drug metabolite safety testing: industry and regulatory shared learning

Many drugs are cleared from the body via biotransformation, thereby generating circulating and/or excreted drug metabolites. These metabolites are usually more hydrophilic than the parent drug as a result of oxidative metabolism, reduction, or conjugation with sugars or amino acids. In some cases, hydrolysis or oxidative dealkylation of the drug can result in cleavage into a number of fragments of the native parent drug. In each of these cases, the resultant metabolite may possess a similar or unique safety profile relative to the parent drug. Because of species-specific expression and homology of many drug-metabolizing enzymes, metabolism profiles can vary between species. Differences in metabolite abundance are often observed between animals and humans. Less commonly, humans may generate a novel metabolite that is not present in any nonclinical test species. A critical component of the drug development process is the nonclinical safety assessment of a new chemical entity in relevant animal species. These nonclinical studies are conducted at doses in excess of the intended therapeutic dose in humans in order to establish safety margins to undesirable effects. Consequently, the safety of such novel metabolite(s) would not be adequately explored in animals by toxicology studies conducted with the parent drug even at much higher doses [1,2]. The Guidance for Industry on Safety Testing of Drug Metabolites published by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2008 (and recently revised in 2016), as well as the ICH M3(R2) guidance, collectively provide recommendations on how and when to characterize the nonclinical safety of drug metabolites of so-called small molecule (i.e. MW <900 g/mol) investigational agents [3–5]. The topic has been reviewed in depth from an industry perspective [6–10]. The currently accepted prevalence threshold for a metabolite of interest is ≥10% of estimated total drug-related exposure at steady state. In addition, while pharmacologic activity of the metabolite is an important factor for safety coverage, pharmacologically inactive metabolites can still be associated with toxicity and must be considered as well in the overall safety evaluation. Given that 2017 began the tenth year of implementation of the recommendations outlined in the Guidance for Industry on Safety Testing of Drug Metabolites across the pharmaceutical industry, it seems timely to revisit some key concepts of the metabolite safety guidance and share learning from both industry and regulatory perspectives.
Centrally Mediated Ocular Hypotension: Potential Role of Imidazoline Receptors fn1

These experiments sought to: (1) determine if alpha 2/I1 agonists that are topically active on the eye have similar effects on intraocular pressure when applied to the CNS and (2) ascertain whether these agents lower IOP, in part, via central alpha 2 receptors and/or imidazoline (I1) receptors. New Zealand White rabbits were fitted with chronic indwelling stainless-steel guide cannulas in several brain regions including the lateral ventricle, third ventricle (3V), or medullary intermediate reticular zone. Animals were allowed 5 days' recovery time prior to experiments measuring the effects of drugs on IOP via applanation pneumatonometry. Some animals were also pretreated with 400 micrograms of 6-hydroxydopamine injected into the lateral ventricle to determine the site of action of these alpha 2/I1 agonists. In initial experiments involving microinjection into the lateral ventricle, UK-14,304-18 evoked ocular hypotension that was inhibited by the alpha 2-antagonist rauwolscine but not by the I1-receptor antagonist efaroxan. Conversely, moxonidine and oxymetazoline were preferentially inhibited by efaroxan rather than by rauwolscine. Subsequently, experiments have shown that moxonidine and oxymetazoline, but not UK-14,304-18 will lower intraocular pressure when microinjected into the medullary intermediate reticular zone region and that efaroxan, but not rauwolscine, will inhibit ocular hypotension induced by moxonidine and oxymetazoline. Pretreatment with 6-hydroxydopamine (48 hours) completely eliminated the ocular hypotension induced by moxonidine. These preliminary data demonstrate that alpha 2- and I1-receptors in the brain mediate ocular hypotension induced by UK-14,304-18 and moxonidine/oxymetazoline, respectively. Moreover, the medullary intermediate reticular zone area of the brain stem is the probable presynaptic site mediating ocular hypotension induced by moxonidine and oxymetazoline.
Effects of the dopamine D3 receptor agonist 7‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐N‐propylamino) tetralin in hyperthyroidism‐induced premature ejaculation rat model

Various factors are involved in the aetiology of premature ejaculation (PE). Hyperthyroidism is one of the causes of acquired PE, but the exact mechanism by which it causes the disorder is not yet understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of the dopaminergic system in hyperthyroidism‐induced PE by the intracerebroventricular microinjection of the preferentially active dopamine receptor agonist 7‐hydroxy‐2‐(di‐N‐propylamino) tetralin (7‐OH‐DPAT) in a rat model of this disorder. Wistar rats were randomly divided into hyperthyroid and control groups, and ejaculation was induced by the ICV administration of 7‐OH‐DPAT. To evaluate the emission and expulsion phases of ejaculation, measurements of seminal vesicle pressure (SVP) and electromyographic recordings of the bulbospongiosus muscle were taken. The interval between the 7‐OH‐DPAT administration and the first ejaculation was significantly less in the hyperthyroid group (p < .01) than in the control group, and the maximum amplitude of the SVP values revealed a statistically significant difference between the groups (p < .01). The intervals between contractions of the seminal vesicle and bulbospongiosus muscles were also significantly less in the hyperthyroid group (p = .0187) than in the control group. No other results differed significantly between the groups. This study determined that hyperthyroidism altered only the emission phase of ejaculation.
Endocrine Characterization of the Reproductive Axis in Highly Prolific Lacaune Sheep Homozygous for the FecLL Mutation1

A prolific allele named FecLL is known to segregate in the meat breed of the French Lacaune sheep on the basis of ovulation rate record. To gain more knowledge about the physiological effects of FecLL, ewes homozygous for FecLL (L/L) were compared to wild-type ewes (+/+) for ovarian phenotype and reproductive endocrine profiles. At the ovarian level, the increased ovulation rate in L/L ewes was associated with an increased number of antral follicles of greater than 3 mm and with preovulatory follicles being, on average, 1 mm smaller. Intrafollicular estradiol and testosterone concentrations were not significantly different between the two genotypes. In contrast, L/L large follicles (≥6 mm) had lower intrafollicular progesterone concentration. At the molecular level, expressions of ovarian markers, such as CYP19A1, CYP11A1, CYP17A1, LHR, and INHA, were not significantly different between the two genotypes. In contrast, FSHR and STAR mRNA levels increased in granulosa cells from L/L ewes. Plasma concentrations of estradiol, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and progesterone measured across a synchronized estrous cycle revealed a significant increase in estradiol levels during the follicular phase, a precocious LH surge, and an increase in progesterone level during the luteal phase of L/L ewes compared to +/+ ewes. Circulating concentrations of FSH were not different between the two genotypes. The precocious LH surge was associated with an increase in frequency of LH pulsatility during the follicular phase. At the pituitary level, mRNA levels for LHB, FSHB, GNRHR, and ESR1 were not significantly different between the two genotypes. In contrast, ESR2 mRNA expression was decreased in L/L ewes compared to +/+ ewes. Based on ovarian phenotype and endocrine profiles, these findings suggest that the mutation in the FecL gene affects ovarian function in a different way compared to other known prolific mutations affecting the bone morphogenetic protein signaling system in the ovine species.