Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Realism in Facial Image Transformation: Results of a Wavelet MRF Method

The ability to transform facial images between groups (e.g. from young to old, or from male to female) has applications in psychological research, police investigations, medicine and entertainment. Current techniques suffer either from a lack of realism due to unrealistic or inappropriate textures in the output images, or a lack of statistical validity, e.g. by using only a single example image for training. This paper describes a new method for improving the realism and effectiveness of facial transformations (e.g. ageing, feminising etc.) of individuals. The method aims to transform low resolution image data using the mean differences between the two groups, but converges on more specific texture features at the finer resolutions. We separate high and low resolution information by transforming the image into a wavelet domain. At each point we calculate a mapping from the original set to the target set based on the probability distributions of the input and output wavelet values. These distributions are estimated from the example images, using the assumption that the distribution depends on the values in a local neighbourhood of the point (the Markov Random Field (MRF) assumption). We use a causal neighbourhood that spans multiple coarser scales of the wavelet pyramid. The distributions are estimated by smoothing the histogram of example values. By increasing the smoothing of the histograms at coarser resolutions we are able to maintain perceived identity across the transforms while producing realistic fine-scale textures. We use perceptual testing to validate the new method, and the results show that it can produce more accurate shifts in perceived age and an increase in realism.
Transmission of primary nocturnal enuresis and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) is a prevalent disorder among children with a complex mode of inheritance. Family, twin, and linkage studies have provided evidence that genetic factors underlie the familiarity of PNE. Linkage investigations support the hypothesis that PNE is heterogeneous, and the genetic heterogeneity may be reflected in co‐morbid clinical conditions such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study used a family study method and examined the transmission of PNE in relatives of PNE and control probands with and without ADHD, to determine if these disorders co‐occur due to common genetic susceptibilities or other, i.e. non‐genetic, reasons. This study concluded that the pattern of inheritance found is consistent with the independent transmission of PNE and ADHD.
Comparison study of low-cost obstacle sensing solutions for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles in wildlife scenery

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for a wide variety of applications has been increasing during the latest years. For safe flying of UAVs, different types of obstacle sensing solutions towards collision avoidance have been presented. These solutions combine various types of on-board perception sensors to realize obstacle perception. Such sensors include optical cameras, infrared sensors, laser scanners, and ultrasonic sensors. The sensing capacity of these sensors determines the overall performance of the obstacle sensing solution. As a result, the selection of perception sensors becomes critical to achieving safe UAVs flights. This paper addresses a comparison overview study on the available low-cost obstacle sensing solutions for UAVs in wildlife environments. The cost, latency, precision, reliability, and performance across obstacles of different shapes, size, surfaces, and state (static or dynamic) in wildlife flying environments are of major concern. The main contribution of the paper includes the comparison on these critical aspects, followed by valuable recommendations on determining obstacle sensing solutions towards collision avoidance for wildlife UAVs.
Cell Surfaces in Plant-Microorganism Interactions : IV. Fungal Glycopeptides Which Elicit the Synthesis of Ethylene in Plants.

The production of ethylene by melon (Cucumis melo cv Cantaloup charentais) tissues is stimulated during incubation in the presence of fungal glycopeptides extracted from Colletotrichum lagenarium, a pathogen of melon. These glycopeptides, called elicitors of ethylene, are found in the mycelium, the cell wall, and the culture filtrate. Elicitation of ethylene is a relatively early phenomenon and lasts for several hours. Upon purification of the crude elicitor extract by gel filtration and ion exchange chromatography, three elicitors were isolated. The three elicitors contained amino acid, sugar, and phosphate residues, and they have a decreased activity after partial chemical degradation of their sugar moiety.Elicitation of ethylene is not fungal species specific. Elicitors of phytoalexins, obtained from three Phytophtora species, enhanced ethylene biosynthesis in melon tissues.
DEVELOPMENT OF MUCOADHESIVE BUCCAL PATCHES FOR CONTROLLED DELIVERY OF ANTI DIABETIC DRUG

The aim of the present investigation was to develop a controlled release drug delivery device of anti-diabetic drug i.e., Glipizide to maintain its bioavailability over an extended period of time and to circumvent the hepatic first pass effect. To achieve this object, Drugcoat and HPMC were used as a polymer for the preparation primary and secondary layer respectively, of controlled release bilayerd buccoadhesive patches of drug. The prepared patches were evaluated for various in vitro and in vivo studies. From the study it was concluded that the developed bilayered buccoadhesive delivery system bears potential to deliver the drug in a controlled manner over an extended period of time.
An industrial case study of the verification and validation activities

The aim of verification and validation is to ensure the quality of a software product. The main fault detection techniques used are software inspections and testing. Software inspections aim at finding faults in the beginning of the software life-cycle and testing in the end. It is, however, difficult to know what kind of faults that are found, the severity of these, how much time it will take to correct them etc. Hence, it is important for a software organization to know what faults that can be found in inspections and testing, respectively. We report on a case study over 2 years in a large project. The purpose of the case study is to investigate the trade-off between inspections and testing. A measure of goodness is introduced, which measures if faults could have been found earlier in the process. The measure was successfully used to illustrate the effect on when faults are found concerning a process change, a project decision, and extensions of developed test cases. An increased focus on the development of low level design specifications before the coding activity, and testing improvements in early phases were concluded to be important process improvements for the organization. The results also concern how much resources that are used in the various development phases, from requirements development to system verification, and the severity of faults that are found in the various phases. The results will be used as input to a quality improvement program in the company.
Minería de Opiniones basada en características guiada por Ontologías

The boom of the Social Web has had a big impact on a number of different research topics. In particular, the possibility to extract various kinds of added-value, informational elements from users’ opinions has attracted researchers from the information retrieval and computational linguistics fields. However, current approaches to so-called opinion mining suffer from a series of drawbacks. In this paper we propose an innovative methodology for opinion mining that brings together traditional natural language processing techniques with sentimental analysis processes and Semantic Web technologies. The main goals of this methodology is to improve feature-based opinion mining by employing ontologies in the selection of features and to provide a new method for sentimental analysis based on vector analysis.
The Effects of Circadian Rhythmicity and Time‐Awake on a Simple Motor Task

The aim of the study was to assess if a simple motor task, one that required muscle contractions well below maximum, showed evidence of circadian changes and time‐awake. The task consisted of using a larger counter to flick a number of smaller counters to land as near as possible to the center of a target. The closer a counter landed next to the center of the target, the higher the score obtained. Two distances from the target were used (long and short), and 20 counters were flicked at each distance. The task was performed by 72 diurnally active healthy participants at six test sessions distributed every 4 h throughout the day (08:00 h, 12:00 h, … , 04:00 h), so covering a circadian cycle. When performing the sessions, subjects had been awake for about 1, 4, … , 20 h. Before each test session, sublingual temperature was measured, and estimates of the individual's fatigue and alertness were made. Clear normally phased circadian rhythms (p<0.0001) in oral temperature and alertness with mean peak time (i.e., acrophases of 17.2 h and 15.9 h, respectively) and fatigue (i.e., mean acrophase of 3.4 h) were detected. The total scores for both the long and short distances also showed circadian rhythms that peaked slightly before the temperature rhythm (by 2.31±0.91 h and 1.77±0.77 h, mean±SE, respectively), and the number of occasions that the target was missed altogether showed rhythms that were in anti‐phase (mean acrophases=3.8 h and 4.1 h for the long and short distances, respectively) to that of total scores (mean acrophases=16.0 h and 15.2 h for the long and short distances, respectively). With the long and, particularly, short distances, there were generally significant correlations (r<0.0005) between both the measures of accuracy (total score and number of misses) and body temperature and time‐awake. The accuracy of performance at this task seems to show circadian and time‐awake effects, and so makes it of potential value in protocols where repetitive measurements during the course of a day are required.
Total Domination in K5- and K6-covered graphs

LetG be a simple graph with vertex set V (G) and edge setE(G). We use [6] for terminology and notation which are not defined here. The open neighborhood NG(v) of a vertex v ∈ V (G) is the set of all vertices adjacent to v. Its closed neighborhood is NG[v] = NG(v) ∪ {v}. If S is a set of vertices of G, then N(S) = ∪u∈SN(u) and N [S] = N(S) ∪ S. For the sake of simplicity we write N(u, v) instead of N({u, v}). For each nonempty set S of vertices, the subgraph induced by S is denoted by G[S]. For an integer p ≥ 3, a multitriangle of order p is the graph consisting of p − 2 triangles sharing one edge. A multitriangle of order 3 is thus a triangle. A setD ⊆ V is a total dominating set if every vertex in V is adjacent to a vertex ofD. Obviously every graph without isolated vertices has a total dominating set. The total domination number, γt(G), is the minimum cardinality of a total dominating set. If G has q components Gi, then γt(G) = ∑q i=1 γt(Gi). As for the domination number, the determination of the total domination number of a graph is NP-hard and it is interesting to determine good upper bounds on γt(G). Conditions on the density of the graph allow us to lower such bounds. Here we consider the condition that every vertex is contained in a sufficiently large clique. A Kr−component of G is a component isomorphic to a clique Kr. A graph G is Kr-covered, r ≥ 2, if every vertex of G is contained in a clique Kr, and minimally Kr-covered if it is Kr−covered but G − e is not Kr−covered for any edge of G. These properties were already considered by Henning and Swart in [5] under the terms “with noKr−isolated vertex” or “Property C(1, r)”, and “Property C(2, r)”, respectively.
Optimization of an Ammonia Synthesis Converter

A scheme that optimizes the converter of an ammonia synthesis plant to determine optimal inlet temperatures of the catalyst beds has been developed. The optimizer maximizes an objective function—The fractional conversion of nitrogen on the four catalyst beds of the converter subject to variation of the inlet temperature to each catalyst bed. An iterative procedure was used to update the initial values of inlet temperature thus ensuring accurate results and quick convergence. Converter model results obtained with optimized operating conditions showed significant increase in fractional conversion of 42.38% (from 0.1949 to 0.2586), increased rate of reaction evident in a 13.18% (0.5317 to 0.4616) and 23.84% (0.1946 to 0.1482) reduction in reactants (hydrogen and nitrogen) concentration respectively and a 56.48% increase (from 0.1181 to 0.1838) in ammonia concentration at the end of the fourth catalyst bed compared to results obtained with industrial operating conditions.
Improvement in Performance and Emission Characteristics of a Single Cylinder S.I. Engine Operated on Blends of CNG and Hydrogen

— This paper presents the experimental results of a single cylinder Enfield engine using an electronically controlled fuel injection system which was developed to carry out exhaustive tests using neat CNG, and mixtures of hydrogen in compressed natural gas (HCNG) as 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% by energy. Experiments were performed at 2000 and 2400 rpm with wide open throttle and varying the equivalence ratio. Hydrogen which has fast burning rate, when added to compressed natural gas, enhances its flame propagation rate. The emissions of HC, CO, decreased with increasing percentage of hydrogen but NOx was found to increase. The results indicated a marked improvement in the brake thermal efficiency with the increase in percentage of hydrogen added. The improved thermal efficiency was clearly observed to be more in lean region as compared to rich region. This study is expected to reduce vehicular emissions along with increase in thermal efficiency and thus help in reduction of further environmental degradation.
HPMC supplementation reduces abdominal fat content, intestinal permeability, inflammation, and insulin resistance in diet-induced obese mice.

SCOPE The effects of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), a highly viscous nonfermentable soluble dietary fiber, were evaluated on adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet supplemented with either HPMC or insoluble fiber. METHODS AND RESULTS DIO C57BL/6J mice were fed a HF diet supplemented with 6% HPMC or 6% microcrystalline cellulose (MCC). Gene expression analyses of epididymal adipose tissue by exon microarray and real-time PCR along with glucose and insulin tolerance and intestinal permeability were assessed. HPMC-fed mice exhibited significantly reduced body weight gain and adipose tissue weight as well as reduced areas under the curve for 2-h insulin and glucose responses. HPMC significantly decreased HF diet-induced intestinal permeability. Overall, HPMC enhanced insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism and downregulated genes related to inflammation and immune response, adipogenesis, and oxidative stress markers. Pathway analysis of microarray data identified lipid metabolism, inflammatory disease, and acute phase response pathways as being differentially regulated by HPMC. CONCLUSION These results suggest HPMC consumption ameliorates HF diet effects on obesity-induced insulin resistance, adipose tissue inflammatory and immune responses, weight gain, as well as intestinal permeability.
Multimodality tumor imaging targeting integrin α v β 3

The cell adhesion molecule integrin αvβ3 is an important player in the process of tumor angiogenesis and metastasis. Antibodies, peptides, peptidomimetics, and small molecule antagonists against integrin αvβ3 have been shown to induce endothelial apoptosis, to inhibit tumor angiogenesis, and to increase endothelial permeability. The ability to quantitatively image integrin αvβ3 expression in vivo in a noninvasive manner may shed new light into the mechanism of angiogenesis and antiangiogenic treatment efficacy based on integrin antagonism. Tumor integrin expression imaging will also aid in lesion detection, patient stratification, new anti-integrin drug development/validation, as well as treatment monitoring and optimization. This review summarizes the recent advances in multimodality imaging of tumor integrin αvβ3 expression using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), and positron emission tomography (PET).
N,N′-Bis[2-(methoxycarbonyl)ethyl]ethane-1,2-diammonium dichloride

In the crystal structure of the title compound, C(10)H(22)N(2)O(4) (2+)·2Cl(-) or (H(2)Me(2)eddp)Cl(2) (H(2)Me(2)eddp(2+) is the dimethyl N,N'-di-3-propane-carboxylato-ethane-1,2-diyldiimin-ium cation), the packing is stabilized by an infinite two-dimensional ⋯Cl⋯H-N-H⋯Cl⋯ hydrogen-bonding network. In addition, short C-H⋯Cl contacts are observed.
Monitoring Cell Culture Media Degradation using Surface 1 Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) Spectroscopy.

: 15 The quality of the cell culture media used in biopharmaceutical manufacturing is a crucial 16 factor affecting bioprocess performance and the quality of the final product. Due to their 17 complex composition these media are inherently unstable, and significant compositional 18 variations can occur particularly when in the prepared liquid state. For example photo- 19 degradation of cell culture media can have adverse effects on cell viability and thus process 20 performance. There is thus, from quality control, quality assurance and process management 21 view points, an urgent demand for the development of rapid and inexpensive tools for the 22 stability monitoring of these complex mixtures. Spectroscopic methods, based on 23 fluorescence or Raman measurements, have now become viable alternatives to more time- 24 consuming and expensive (on a unit analysis cost) chromatographic and/or mass 25 spectrometry based methods for routine analysis of media. Here we demonstrate the 26 application of Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy for the simple, fast, 27 analysis of cell culture media degradation. Once stringent reproducibility controls are 28 implemented, chemometric data analysis methods can then be used to rapidly monitor the 29 compositional changes in chemically defined media. SERS shows clearly that even when 30 media are stored at low temperature (2-8 °C) and in the dark, significant chemical changes 31 occur, particularly with regard to cysteine/cystine concentration.
Stem cell antigen‐1+ cell‐based bone morphogenetic protein‐4 gene transfer strategy in mice failed to promote endosteal bone formation

This study assessed whether a Sca‐1+ cell‐based ex vivo gene transfer strategy, which has been shown to promote robust endosteal bone formation with a modified fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF2) gene, can be extended to use with bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)2/4 hybrid gene.
Understanding the Relationship between Integration Architecture and Enterprise Architecture: the Canonical Model as a Governance Resource - a Case Study in a Telecommunications Company

The Total Architecture concept is increasingly present at a time when organizations are consolidating plans for the implementation of SOA. The assumption that the integration of heterogeneous systems must be planned is undeniable. Enterprise Architecture has been advocated as a first new step towards systems integration. The nature of its attributes - namely the holistic vision of the organization as the Information System itself and its orientation towards the business process - seems to fit well with the characteristics of EAI. This article summarizes the research performed in an organization implementing SOA. It sought not only to validate the existence of a relationship between Enterprise Architecture and Integration Architecture as expressed in literature, but also to understand its nature more deeply. The result demonstrated the importance of the Canonical Model as a Governance artifact in the regulation of the relationship between the two architectures. The Canonical Model seems to serve in addition as a tool for knowledge sharing between the actors involved in the problem of alignment between business and information systems. A conceptual model is proposed in order to express the logical flow and patterns identified in the relationship. Key Words: Enterprise Architecture, Integration Architecture, Canonical Model, Governance
Evaluating Chaco migration scenarios using dynamic social network analysis

Migration was a key social process contributing to the creation of the ‘Chaco World’ between AD 800 and 1200. Dynamic social network analysis allows for evaluation of several migration scenarios, and demonstrates that Chaco’s earliest ninth-century networks show interaction with areas to the west and south, rather than migration to the Canyon from the Northern San Juan. By the late eleventh century, Chaco Canyon was tied strongly to the Middle and Northern San Juan, while a twelfth-century retraction of networks separated the Northern and Southern San Juan areas prior to regional depopulation. Understanding Chaco migration is important for comprehending both its uniqueness in U.S. Southwest archaeology and for comparison with other case studies worldwide.
A new structure of low-power and low-voltage double-edge triggered flip-flop

In this paper a novel low-power double-edge triggered flip-flop is introduced. Double-edge triggered Flip-Flops have the data signal changes on both the clock edges. Thus, low swing clock results in lower power consumption and the data throughout are preserved. Today, the leakage current has become a critical feature for integrated circuit (IC) designers because it leads to more power consumption. So in this paper some methods have been presented to control the leakage current. The proposed circuit is simulated in 0.35 μm CMOS technology with the power supply of 1.5V. The simulations are carried out by applying HSPICE software. The results of the proposed circuit show 180nW power dissipation. The number of clock transistors decrease which in turn results in lower leakage current, hence the power consumption reduces.
Experiments in synthetic psychology for tactile perception in robots: steps towards implementing humanoid robots

A robotic system which imitates the development process of stable grasping in infants is presented. The sensing devices of the system are tactile and visual sensors based on anthropomorphic design. The sensory data are processed and fused by the internal learning system based on artificial neural networks implementing the psychological aspects of the reinforcement learning paradigm. The design of the robotic system is modelled on the principles of synthetic psychology in order to obtain a human-like behavior, an important step towards "humanoids". Experiments show that the robot is able to find the best procedure to hold an object using the learned force with an average of 9 successful grasps over 10 trials.
Intelligent Systems for Analog Circuit Design Automation: A Survey

Analog circuits play an important role in modern electronic systems, since they are irreplaceable for interfacing with the external, analog world. More and more new products also rely on analog circuitry to improve speed and decrease power consumption. Even though analog circuit design automation began four decades ago it is still in its infancy compared to digital design automation. Given the challenges of analog design problems and the shortages of analog design engineers, there are strong, renewed economic pressures to develop new techniques for automating the analog design process. Many of these techniques have been based on intelligent systems, such as simulated annealing, fuzzy logic, neural networks, and evolutionary computation. This paper gives an overview of intelligent systems techniques for analog circuit design automation and discusses the possible future research work.