Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
3D Age Progression Prediction in Children's Faces with a Small Exemplar-Image Set

This work aims to develop a system for predicting age progression in children’s faces from a small exemplar-image set, which is a critical task to assist in the search for missing children. The proposed method consists of a facial component extraction module, a facial component distance measurement module, and a face synthesis module. It is developed based on the assumption that two similar facial components of two children will retain similar when they grow up. Two different distance measures, namely the learning-based Mahalanobis distance and the curvature-weighted plus bending-energy distance, are employed to select similar facial components from an aging database. The growth curve of each facial component is used to predict the shape, size, and location of each component at a different age. The thin plate spline method is applied to synthesize a 3D face model from the predicted components by minimizing the bending energy. Experiments are conducted to test the proposed method with various subjects and the results show that the proposed method yields promising results.
The Relationships between the Differences in the Central Blood Pressure and Brachial Blood Pressure and Other Factors in Patients with Essential Hypertension

Objective The management of blood pressure (BP) in hypertensive patients is the key to preventing a progression of organ damage. The brachial BP (bBP) has been used as the representative method for measuring the BP. The central BP (cBP), which is, different from the bBP due to the propagation and the reflection of the pulse wave in the arterial system, has recently received attention because it can now be estimated non-invasively. We examined the relationships between the difference in the central systolic BP (csBP) and the brachial systolic BP (bsBP) (Δ) and other factors in hypertensive patients. Methods The bsBP and csBP were measured in patients with essential hypertension and the relationships between the bsBP, csBP, or Δ and background factors including age, the brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), flow-mediated vasodilation (an index of vascular endothelial function), the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI, an index of arteriosclerosis), and the carotid intima-media thickness (an index of atherosis) were investigated. Results The data of 191 patients were analyzed. Although there was no significant correlation between the CAVI and the bsBP; positive correlations were observed between the CAVI and the csBP (r=0.249, p=0.001). The Δ value showed significant positive correlations with age, and the BNP, eGFR, and CAVI values. Conclusion The csBP is more strongly associated with arteriosclerosis than the bsBP. Moreover, the Δ value is more strongly associated with cardiac function, renal function, and arteriosclerosis than the bsBP or csBP. These data suggested that the Δ value may have a greater prognostic value than the bsBP or csBP and may be worth calculating in the clinical setting.
Is Gambling an Addiction Like Drug and Alcohol Addiction?: Developing Realistic and Useful Conceptions of Compulsive Gambling

Abstract As compulsive gambling and problem gamblers attract continued and increasing attention — due to state reliance on gambling for revenues and government and private marketing of the gambling experience — conceptions of compulsive, or addictive, gambling have evolved. The disease model of alcoholism and drug addiction, which predominates in the U.S. and North America, has generally been widely adopted for purposes of understanding and addressing gambling problems. However, this model fails to explain the most fundamental aspects of compulsive drinking and drug taking, so it can hardly do better with gambling. For example, people regularly outgrow addictions — often without ever labelling themselves as addicts. Indeed, gambling provides a vivid and comprehensible example of an experiential model of addiction. Elements of an addiction model that gambling helps to elucidate are the cycle of excitement and escape followed by loss and depression, reliance on magical thinking, failure to value or practice.
On maximal ratio diversity with weighting errors for physical layer security

In this letter, we introduce the performance of maximal ratio combining (MRC) with weighting errors for physical layer security. We assume both legitimate user and eavesdropper each equipped with multiple antennas employ non ideal MRC. The non ideal MRC is designed in terms of power correlation between the estimated and actual fadings. We derive new closed-form and generalized expressions for connection and secrecy outage probability. Next, we investigate asymptotic behavior of the outage probability for high signal-to-noise ratio in main channel between the legitimate user and the transmitter. The asymptotic analysis provides new insights about actual diversity provided by MRC with weighting errors. We substantiate our claims with the analytic results and numerical evaluations.
Hippocampal Representational Organization and Spatial Context

The hippocampus appears to undergo continual representational reorganization as animals navigate their environments. This reorganization is postulated to be reflected spatially in terms of changes in the ensemble of place cells activated, as well as changes in place field specificity and reliability for cells recorded in both hilar/CA3 and CA1 regions. The specific contribution of the hilar/CA3 region is suggested to be to compare the expected spatial context with that currently being experienced, then relay discrepancies to CA1. The properties of CA1 place fields in part reflect the spatial comparisons made in the hilar/CA3 area. In addition, CA1 organizes the input received from the hilar/CA3 place cells according to different temporal algorithms that are unique to different tasks. In this way, hippocampus helps to distinguish temporally one spatial context from another, thereby contributing to episodic memories. Hippocampus 1999;9:444–451. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Storkhead box 2 and melanoma inhibitory activity promote oral squamous cell carcinoma progression

Background Storkhead box protein 2 (STOX2) is a transcriptional factor associated with pre-eclampsia with fetal growth restriction. We recently reported that melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA) promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) progression. However, the relationship between STOX2 and MIA remains unknown in malignancies. Methods We used immunohistochemistry and PCR to investigate MIA and STOX2 expression in OSCC. We also performed functional analysis in human OSCC cells. Results MIA and STOX2 mRNA levels were higher in OSCCs than in normal oral epithelial cells, and upregulation of STOX2 was significantly correlated with overexpression of MIA. Immunostaining for STOX2 was associated with nodal metastasis (P = 0.0002) and MIA expression (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, MIA expression (P = 0.0035) and STOX2 expression (P = 0.0061) were associated with poor outcome in OSCCs. In vitro analysis using OSCC cells revealed that MIA increased expression of STOX2 by paracrine manner. Moreover, STOX2 accelerated OSCC cell growth, invasion, suppressed apoptosis, and enhanced resistance to paclitaxel, cisplatin, and 5-FU. Conclusions Our results suggest that MIA-STOX2 signaling may be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic target in OSCCs.
Identify critical branches with cascading failure chain statistics and hypertext-induced topic search algorithm

Capacity expansion for transmission branches is an effective way to reduce the threat of cascading failure. However, decision making for the optimal expansion plan may incur high computational burden. A practical way to address this issue is to find out some critical branches as the candidates. Thus, this paper proposes a novel simulation data based analytical approach to identify those critical transmission branches that have higher importance in the propagation of cascading failures. First, a large number of cascading failure chains are sampled and then partitioned into stages. Second, a comprehensive metric is proposed to quantify the interaction strength among the failure branches in adjacent stages. Then, a directed weighted graph is constructed to depict the statistic features of the interactions among branches. Third, the hypertext-induced topic search (HITS) algorithm is used to rate and rank this graph's vertices, and finally the key branches are identified with this ranking. Case studies on IEEE 118-bus benchmark show that the proposed approach is able to identify the critical branches that are more favorable in the capacity upgrade.
Spatio-ternporal schedulers in IEEE 802.16

With the growing interest in broadband wireless access (BWA) and demand for mobile high-speed connection, there is a need to extend wireless connectivity to passengers travelling in highspeed vehicles. In this paper, we use the IEEE 802.16 standard as a backhaul communication technology for broadband wireless access to railway systems. The proposed architecture uses relay elements located in the vicinity of train track to repeat the signal between the base station and the mobile vehicle. The signal transmitted from the base station is received by repeaters and relayed to the train, and vice versa. We propose spatio-temporal scheduling as a means to increase downlink throughput. The proposed spatio-temporal scheduler distributes data traffic among the repeaters in the vicinity of the train and on the route of the train. Simulation results show that a substantial improvement can be obtained when data are scheduled in both temporal and spatial dimensions.
A Study of Performance Improvement for Video Retrieval System Based on Relevance Feedback

Recently, an effective retrieval system for video data based on its content is required. In such system, queries are given by natural video data or drawing sketches. However, preparing natural video data and drawing sketches require high operating costs for users. Therefore, we proposed novel method that uses "Relevance Feedback(RF)" for creating query. RF is an approach that is used in general information retrieval. RF allows us to give a query to the system by simple operation. Then, we performed an experiment to retrieve video data by using the system that uses the method. The experimental results lead us to conclude that the system is effective at reducing a user’s operating costs. Furthermore, we show the future direction for research.
Backus–Smith Puzzle and the European Union: It's Not Just the Nominal Exchange Rate

The goal of our research is testing of presence and background examination of Backus–Smith puzzle in the EU. The research is based on the technique of econometric analysis of panel data, i.e. on the estimation of one-way/two-way error component models and models without effects. The results of the research have shown that: (a) there is serious evidence on presence of the Backus–Smith puzzle in the EU, (b) its background comprises both nominal exchange rate and inflation differential, and (c) empirical data rejects complete risk sharing assumption strongly and decisively, but this does not explain the Backus–Smith puzzle. The basic conclusion of our research is that nominal exchange rate movements are not the only source of Backus–Smith puzzle in the EU, as is the case in OECD members states.
Oblivious Radix Sort: An Efficient Sorting Algorithm for Practical Secure Multi-party Computation

We propose a simple and efficient sorting algorithm for secure multiparty computation (MPC). The algorithm is designed to be efficient when the number of parties and the size of the underlying field are small. For a constant number of parties and a field with a constant size, the algorithm has O(n log n) communication complexity, which is asymptotically the same as the best previous algorithm but achieves O(1) round complexity, where n is the number of items. The algorithm is constructed with the help of a new technique called “shuffleand-reveal. ” This technique can be seen as an analogue of the frequently used technique of “add random number and reveal. ” The feasibility of our algorithm is demonstrated by an implementation on an MPC scheme based on Shamir’s secret-sharing scheme with three parties and corruption tolerance of 1. Our implementation sorts 1 million 32-bit word secret-shared values in 197 seconds.
A Study of Latent Fingerprint Matching Approaches

Fingerprint based identification is one of the most mature and proven technique compare to the all biometric technique. In crime sense fingerprints have been extensively used for identification of criminals. Fingerprints are classified as rolled, plain and latent fingerprints. Latent fingerprints are lifted from surface of objects that are unintentionally touched by person. Latent means poor quality of images or unclear image i.e. smudgy, blurred, moist, small area or fingerprints that contains fewer amount of minutiae. Matching latent fingerprints over rolled or plain fingerprints that is difficult task. Therefore, it is necessary to extract all fingerprint features that are present in latent fingerprint images for accurate matching. Although tremendous progress has been made AFIS (Auto-mated Fingerprint Identification System), this system works well only in that case where rolled and plain fingerprint images. There-fore, semi-automatic system is feasible for feature extraction of la-tent images i.e. some human intervention is allowed during feature extraction from latent fingerprint images. Before feature ex-traction performed it is necessary to improve the quality of la-tent image because they are lifted from any surface and it is easy to extract features from improved quality of latent images. Then outputs candidates are matched over rolled fingerprint images by using fully automatic system. This paper presents study of various techniques that are useful for latent fingerprint matching. General Terms Biometric, Pattern Matching and Machine Intelligence
HFEA allows women to donate eggs for research

The misuse and trafficking of prescription drugs is growing fast worldwide and is set to become as big a problem as illicit drugs, a report by the International Narcotics Control Board warns. Governments need to step up efforts to stem the problem, it says. The diversion and misuse of narcotic drugs in the form of pharmaceutical preparations, however, also continues to be under-reported, it says. The board recommends that all governments should “promote the rational use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” in accordance with the recommendations of the World Health Organization. The report by the independent, quasi-judicial body, which monitors the implementation of UN drug control conventions, points out that …
The anger–distress model of temper tantrums: associations with emotional reactivity and emotional competence

The goals of this investigation were (a) to assess the structural validity of the anger–distress model of temper tantrums, and (b) to examine the associations among temper tantrums, emotional reactivity and emotional competence in a community sample of preschoolers. A parent-report measure, the Temper Tantrum Grid, was used to measure the frequency of common tantrum behaviours. Laboratory and parent-report measures of emotional reactivity and emotional competence were administered. Confirmatory factor analysis supported the proposal that anger and distress are separate but overlapping tantrum processes. Correlation analyses showed that temper tantrum anger and distress were related to emotional reactivity and emotional competence. There was no evidence to support the notion that emotional competence moderated the effect of emotional reactivity on temper tantrums. In contrast, emotional competence was a significant mediator of the association between emotional reactivity and temper tantrums. Overall, the results support the anger–distress model of temper tantrums. The findings suggest that children's temper tantrums are systematically related to the overall organization of emotion and behaviour in preschool children. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design, Dynamic Modification, and Adaptive Control of a New Biped Walking Robot

Recently, a lot of research has been conducted in the area of biped walking robots that could be compared to human beings. The aim of this article is to control a new planar biped robot by means of an adaptive procedure. The newly designed robot is able to move on its heel like a human. After derivation of dynamic equations of motion for two states of the robot, namely, "supporting leg and trunk" and "swing leg" separately, the stability of robot is achieved by locating the zero moment point (ZMP). A dynamic modification is developed for ZMP positioning. For motion control of the robot, the physical parameters (such as mass, link length and geometry) are estimated (identified) by adaptive methods. A Matlab based software simulation is also conducted.
Generation of marker‐free transgenic hexaploid wheat via an Agrobacterium‐mediated co‐transformation strategy in commercial Chinese wheat varieties

Summary Genotype specificity is a big problem lagging the development of efficient hexaploid wheat transformation system. Increasingly, the biosecurity of genetically modified organisms is garnering public attention, so the generation of marker‐free transgenic plants is very important to the eventual potential commercial release of transgenic wheat. In this study, 15 commercial Chinese hexaploid wheat varieties were successfully transformed via an Agrobacterium‐mediated method, with efficiency of up to 37.7%, as confirmed by the use of Quickstix strips, histochemical staining, PCR analysis and Southern blotting. Of particular interest, marker‐free transgenic wheat plants from various commercial Chinese varieties and their F1 hybrids were successfully obtained for the first time, with a frequency of 4.3%, using a plasmid harbouring two independent T‐DNA regions. The average co‐integration frequency of the gus and the bar genes located on the two independent T‐DNA regions was 49.0% in T0 plants. We further found that the efficiency of generating marker‐free plants was related to the number of bar gene copies integrated in the genome. Marker‐free transgenic wheat plants were identified in the progeny of three transgenic lines that had only one or two bar gene copies. Moreover, silencing of the bar gene was detected in 30.7% of T1 positive plants, but the gus gene was never found to be silenced in T1 plants. Bisulphite genomic sequencing suggested that DNA methylation in the 35S promoter of the bar gene regulatory region might be the main reason for bar gene silencing in the transgenic plants.
The Elements of Foreign Language Teaching

Part 1 The substance or structure of language: section 1 vocabulary - linguistic perspectives, learning vocabulary - implications for teaching, teaching vocabulary at different stages section 2 grammar - the grammar controversy, French grammar, German grammar, the learning of grammar in L1 and L2 as a cognitive skill, other theories of language learning, teaching different kinds of grammar rules in French and German section 3 - pronunciation - learning pronunciation, the pronunciation of French teaching the pronunciation of French the pronunciation of German teaching the pronunciation of German. Part 2 Modes of communication - the four skills: understanding spoken language - the listening skill understanding written language - the reading skill producing language - the speaking skills producing language - the writing skill. Part 3 Educational perspectives: the contributions of foreign language study to education at school.
The Politics of Gender in Uganda: Symbolism in the Service of Pragmatism

Abstract: This essay outlines a realist explanation for an increase in women's participation in formal political processes in Uganda. The essay notes that a variety of factors influence women's participation in formal politics, such as demands for increased participation from women and women's organizations, the influence of the worldwide feminist movement, and Uganda's turbulent political and economic history which has created openings for novel political initiatives. However, the paper's central argument asserts that women's role in formal politics in Uganda is expanding principally because women constitute a potentially influential voting bloc in an era in which the liberalization of African economic and political systems limits politicians' abilities to build electoral support based on patronage. The essay suggests that in this context, politicians will seek to build support around issues that can be addressed with symbolic solutions. In sum, this essay asserts that women's increased role in formal politics in Uganda has been brought about by power-seeking politicians who are sympathetic to feminist issues because (1) electoral strategies are severely limited by liberal political and economic values and (2) politicians can secure support from women with relatively low-cost symbolic political initiatives. The paper concludes with a brief examination of the implications of an expansion of women's influence in formal politics in Uganda, especially concerning the potential for women's political support to “cross-cut” historical Ugandan political allegiances defined by ethnicity, religion, region, and political party affiliation.
Life stories used as evidence for the diagnosis of addiction in group therapy

In this article I study how the life stories of patients are used as evidence in the diagnosis of addiction in Minnesota model group therapy. As part of this therapy, patients have to tell their life story, concentrating on their substance abuse. This story is used by the therapists as a means for getting patients to recognize and accept that they are addicts. For this purpose the therapists use intervening questions. This article concentrates on the placement and the structure of the patients’ responses to these interventions and the kinds of attitudes or standpoints the patients express. I will also discuss ways in which the theory of the Minnesota model informs the therapists’ actions by analysing the places within the patient's story where the therapists choose to intervene and the structure of their intervening turns. The data of the study consist of five 45-minute group therapy sessions and three multi-professional team meetings in a Finnish inpatient clinic. The therapists pose questions when the patient has said something that clearly hints at a symptom of addiction. The questions are designed as (disjunctive) yes/no questions which offer to the patient two alternative formulations of their talk to choose from. The first alternative hints at less problematic use of alcohol, and the latter, often an only implicit alternative, hints at more problematic consumption. This order offers to the patient an opportunity to choose the less problematic version in a preferred manner – if they are to display themselves as not having more problems with consumption than anyone else. The therapists can, then, use the patients’ responses to monitor how they have adopted the treatment and the diagnosis of addiction, that is, whether they are resistant or compliant.
A Highly Sensitive Nonenzymatic Glucose Biosensor Based on the Regulatory Effect of Glucose on Electrochemical Behaviors of Colloidal Silver Nanoparticles on MoS2 †

A novel and highly sensitive nonenzymatic glucose biosensor was developed by nucleating colloidal silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on MoS2. The facile fabrication method, high reproducibility (97.5%) and stability indicates a promising capability for large-scale manufacturing. Additionally, the excellent sensitivity (9044.6 μA·mM−1·cm−2), low detection limit (0.03 μM), appropriate linear range of 0.1–1000 μM, and high selectivity suggests that this biosensor has a great potential to be applied for noninvasive glucose detection in human body fluids, such as sweat and saliva.