Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
ON FACE RECOGNITION USING DIFFERENT PRE-PROCESSING METHODS IN IMAGES CAPTURED UNDER VARIOUS ILLUMINATION AND POSING CONDITIONS

The aim of this paper is to implement facial recognition for a dataset that has different illuminated images with variant poses for the purpose of human authentication using an low resolution camera available on the day-to-day electronic gadgets such as mobile phones, tablets and other hand-held devices The basic step in the face recognition from an image is to acquire only the face portion. The acquired image is then taken to the next process called feature extraction. After feature extraction of the image, the face recognition will be performed. The process of face recognition requires many very important aspects to be considered, i.e., the illumination and poses and angle. To accomplish this task, lighting controllers must tactically be employed to ensure that the correct current and timing controls are applied to obtain the probable lighting. A combination of the latest feature extraction and illumination compensation algorithm are used to encode micro-patterns giving an efficient description for face recognition, i.e., Oriented Local Histogram Equalization (OLHE), which has proven to perform exceptionally high under extreme lighting conditions along with the previous stateof-the-art algorithms such as Bit Plane Slicing, Gabor Filter, Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and Local Gradient Oriented Binary Patterns (LGOBP) at the same time as they encode micro-patterns which gives an efficient description for face recognition. The goal is to explore and analyze the performance of the following face Recognition algorithms, namely PCA (Principal Component Analysis), LDA (Linear Discriminate Analysis), CCA (Canonical Correlation Analysis), AAM (Active Appearance Model) and SVM. (Support Vector Machine). It has been proposed that the illumination compensation algorithm OLHE for face recognition is to be utilized. The combination of CCA and OLHE will give the highest recognition rates among the five feature extraction and face recognition algorithms taken into consideration. Upon analysing their performance on the datasets such as FERET, ORL, CMU-PIE, EXTENDED YALE B and newly created VIT DATABASE, this combination is found to be the handpicked illuminated compensation algorithm. These images from the VIT dataset along with the other images from the various open-source databases are subjected to various pre-processing and post-processing methods of feature extraction and the results are tabulated and they are compared.
Cultural adaptation and validation of the Swedish VEINES-QOL/Sym in patients with venous insufficiency

Objectives To translate and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Studies (VEINES) questionnaire, divided into two subscales; symptoms (VEINES-Sym) and quality of life (VEINES-QOL), in a Swedish cohort of patients with venous disease. Methods The original questionnaire was translated into Swedish with forward–backward translation and administered to 112 patients who were consecutively recruited and had varying degrees of chronic venous disease. Mean age was 54.5 ± 15.2 years (range: 19–83) and 75% of the participants were female. All patients completed the RAND 36-item health survey and the VEINES-QOL/Sym. Results The results showed excellent internal consistency for both VEINES-QOL (Cronbach's alpha (α) = 0.93) and VEINES-Sym (α = 0.89). Both the VEINES-QOL and VEINES-Sym correlated well to all the RAND-36 domains, demonstrating good construct validity. Exploratory factor analysis confirmed both subscales of the VEINES-QOL/Sym. Conclusions The Swedish VEINES-QOL/Sym is a valid health-related quality of life instrument for chronic venous disease, both for research purposes and for clinical evaluation.
An Explicit PV String Model Based on the Lambert  $W$  Function and Simplified MPP Expressions for Operation Under Partial Shading

In this paper, a reformulation of the widely used one-diode model of the photovoltaic (PV) cell is introduced, employing the Lambert W function. This leads to an efficient PV string model, where the terminal voltage is expressed as an explicit function of the current, resulting in significantly reduced calculation times and improved robustness of simulation. The model is experimentally validated and then used for studying the operation of PV strings under partial shading conditions. Various shading patterns are investigated to outline the effect on the string I-V and P-V characteristics. Simplified formulae are then derived to calculate the maximum power points of a PV string operating under any number of irradiance levels, without resorting to detailed modeling and simulation. Both the explicit model and the simplified expressions are intended for application in shading loss and energy yield calculations.
Fast Heuristics for Designing Integrated E-Waste Reverse Logistics Networks

This paper investigates a mixed-integer linear programming model that solves an integrated facility location and configuration problem for recycling electronic waste (e-waste). Since different recycled e-waste consume different levels of recycling processes and resources, the capability of processing only one or more categories of recycled e-waste for each candidate facility is considered in addition to its location to maximize the total revenue. Computational experiments based on proposed heuristics are conducted using data collected from Taiwan's recycled e-waste market and show our proposed methods give a high-quality near-optimal solution in a promising time shorter than previous solution methods and CPLEX.
An Approach Based on Neural Networks for Identification of Fault Sections in Radial Distribution Systems

The main objective involved with this paper consists of presenting the results obtained from the application of artificial neural networks and statistical tools in the automatic identification and classification process of faults in electric power distribution systems. The developed techniques to treat the proposed problem have used, in an integrated way, several approaches that can contribute to the successful detection process of faults, aiming that it is carried out in a reliable and safe way. The compilations of the results obtained from practical experiments accomplished in a pilot radial distribution feeder have demonstrated that the developed techniques provide accurate results, identifying and classifying efficiently the several occurrences of faults observed in the feeder.
RECOGNITION ANDTRACKINGMOVING OBJECTSUSINGMOVINGCAMERA IN COMPLEX SCENES

In this paper, we propose a method for effectively tracking moving objects in videos captured using a moving camera in complex scenes. The video sequences may contain highly dynamic backgrounds and illumination changes. Four main steps are involved in the proposed method. First, the video is stabilized using affine transformation. Second, intelligent selection of frames is performed in order to extract only those frames that have a considerable change in content. This step reduces complexity and computational time. Third, the moving object is tracked using Kalman filter and Gaussian mixture model. Finally object recognition using Bag of features is performed in order to recognize the moving objects.
A new adaptive marker for bandwidth fairness between TCP and UDP traffic in DiffServ

The current DiffServ proposal suffers from an unfair distribution of excess network bandwidth among aggregates and also between TCP and UDP flows. To alleviate this problem, in this paper a new time sliding window based marker has been proposed. The improvement in fairness among TCP aggregates is proved to be over a large range of provision level (20% to 90%) compared to the recently proposed Improved TSW based Three Color Marker (ItswTCM) and the Enhanced TSW based Three Color Marker (I2tswTCM) where the range is between 20% to 70% only. This improvement has been achieved by introducing an adaptive factor based on which the yellow packets are marked. The adaptive factor is proportional to CIR and the availability of network resource. In addition to this, the proposed algorithm helps in achieving fairness between TCP and UDP also. The NS-2 simulation results for different network scenarios are furnished. Further, the results confirm insensitiveness to the number of flows in the aggregate.
Pyrrolidonyl peptidase in bacteria: a new colorimetric test for differentiation of enterobacteriaceae.

SUMMARY: A simple and rapid colorimetric test has been developed for the detection of pyrrolidonpl peptidase (PLP) activity in bacteria. Of 2354 strains belonging to various groups of enteric bacteria tested, 451 were PLP-positive. These included Citrobacter, 223 out of 226 strains, Klebsiella (178/188), Enterobacter (49/52), and one strain of Serratia. Pyrrolidonyl peptidase was not detected in 1146 Shigella strains, 354 Salmonella strains, 333 Escherichia strains, 21 Arizona strains, nor in 33 strains of Proteus, Providencia and Hafnia. In addition, 56 cultures of various Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were tested for PLP. Enzyme activity was found in strains belonging to the genera Bacillus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, Sarcina, Neisseria and Pseudomonas. The possibility of employing the PLP test for differentiation within the family Enterobacteriaceae is discussed.
Functionalized 2PP structures for the BioPhotonics Workstation

In its standard version, our BioPhotonics Workstation (BWS) can generate multiple controllable counter-propagating beams to create real-time user-programmable optical traps for stable three-dimensional control and manipulation of a plurality of particles. The combination of the platform with microstructures fabricated by two-photon polymerization (2PP) can lead to completely new methods to communicate with micro- and nano-sized objects in 3D and potentially open enormous possibilities in nano-biophotonics applications. In this work, we demonstrate that the structures can be used as microsensors on the BWS platform by functionalizing them with silica-based sol-gel materials inside which dyes can be entrapped.
Enhanced prokaryotic expression of dengue virus envelope protein.

PURPOSE To highlight the expression and purification of the recombinant dengue virus type-1 antigen exploiting the codon optimized full length envelope for increased yield in E. coli. METHODS A 6x His tag was inserted at the C terminus to facilitate purification. The purified protein was recognized in Western blot by Monoclonal antibody specific for the tag. The in vitro refolded recombinant protein was used to immunize mice for the development of hybridomas and also analyzed for its biological functionality with heparan sulfate binding assay. RESULTS The polyclonal anti-sera from the immunized mice were found to recognize the envelope protein thereby establishing the immunogenicity of the protein. CONCLUSION The purified envelope protein could potentially be used towards dengue diagnostics and vaccine development efforts. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.
What influences a sustainable implementation of evidence-based interventions in community mental health services? Development and pilot testing of a tool for mapping core components

Abstract Background: An important aspect of research regarding the implementation of evidence-based practice is the sustainability and long-term stability of a programme. There is a need to measure these critical components for establishing successful programmes. Aim: The aim was to develop and pilot test the sustainable implementation scale (SIS) for measuring the critical components in the sustainable implementation of community mental health services. Method: The scale was based on implementation research and consisted of three subscales regarding (1) the organisational level, (2) the team level and (3) continuous support. Data from interviews and documents were collected from 14 programmes implementing the Individual Placement and Support model of supported employment. Results: Internal consistency was acceptable for all subscales and for the scale as a whole. Regarding the scale, an analysis of the differences between fully established programmes and the programmes that were not established or were or only partially established after three years showed statistically significant differences, indicating that a greater number of implementation components were present in the fully established programmes. Conclusions: SIS showed both good reliability and acceptable internal consistency as well as the ability to predict programme survival.
Estudo do efeito de pontes térmicas em estruturas de concreto armado no desempenho energético de edifício hoteleiro para 6 zonas bioclimáticas brasileiras

The main objective of this paper is to analyze the influence of thermal bridges in reinforced concrete structural system in thermo energetic performance of a hotel building located in the Brazilian bioclimatic zones 1 to 4 using computer simulation. The method applied to achieve the goal is characterized by the following steps: 1) definition and configuration the base case; 2) Definition and configuration of the reference model; 3) optimization of computational simulations and 4) Simulation and comparison of the annual energetic consume of the base case and the reference model. As main results showed that thermal bridges in reinforced concrete impact is related with the window-to-wall ratio (WWR) of the building. For buildingswith 30% and 45% WWR, thermal bridges imply a decrease in the estimated consumption, which, depending on the climatic zone, can reach 10%. In the case of 60% WWR not considering the thermal bridge can represent up to 4 % of estimated consumption depending on the Brazilian bioclimatic zone.
Do Family Physicians Choose Self‐Assessment Activities Based on What They Know or Don't Know?

Introduction: Maintenance of Certification (MOC) for Family Physicians (MC‐FP) includes clinical Self‐Assessment Modules (SAMs). Whether family physicians choose SAMs that reflect their aptitudes or knowledge gaps has not been studied. Method: Secondary analysis of demographic data, 2009 certification examination scores, and 2009–2012 SAM participation data. We computed disease‐specific scores for asthma, diabetes, and hypertension from the examination. We ran unadjusted logistic and adjusted conditional logistic regression models of score quintiles, matched on the number of SAMs completed and controlling for physician demographics and area‐level social deprivation. Results: In 2009, 9 610 physicians passed the exam. Mean scores were 591.4 (SD ± 308.5) for asthma, 558.6 (SD ± 216.1) for diabetes, and 533.3 (± 226.7) for hypertension. Average scores on hypertension and diabetes were higher for physicians who subsequently completed related SAMs but not for those who completed the asthma SAM. The percentage of physicians in each quintile of scaled score who completed each SAM increased for diabetes (32.3%‐40.9%) and hypertension (33.0%‐36.9%). For asthma, logistic regression analyses found no statistically significant associations. For diabetes, there was a consistent association in both models between higher score quintile and likelihood of taking the SAM. For hypertension, an association of higher score and higher likelihood of taking the SAM was significant only in the third quintile (OR = 1.20 (1.03, 1.39)). Discussion: We found inconsistent relationships between physician knowledge and SAM selection. For MOC to better impact quality, boards should consider directing physicians toward MOC activities that fill knowledge gaps rather than areas of strength.
A Validation Study of the Fitbit One in Daily Life Using Different Time Intervals

Purpose Accelerometer-based wearables can provide the user with real-time feedback through the device's interface and the mobile platforms. Few studies have focused on the minute-by-minute validity of wearables, which is essential for high-quality real-time feedback. This study aims to assess the validity of the Fitbit One compared with the ActiGraph GT3x + for assessing physical activity (i.e., steps, time spent in moderate, vigorous, and moderate–vigorous physical activity) in young adults using traditional time intervals (i.e., days) and smaller time intervals (i.e., minutes and hours). Methods Healthy young adults (N = 34) wore the ActiGraph GT3x+ and a Fitbit One for 1 wk. Three aggregation levels were used: minute, hour, and day. Mixed models analyses, intraclass correlation coefficients, Bland–Altman analyses, and absolute error percentage for steps per day were conducted to analyze the validity for steps and minutes spent in moderate, vigorous, and moderate–vigorous physical activity. Results As compared with ActiGraph (mean = 9 steps per minute, 509 steps per hour and 7636 steps per day), the Fitbit One systematically overestimated physical activity for all aggregation levels: on average 0.82 steps per minute, 45 steps per hour, and 677 steps per day. Strong and significant associations were found between ActiGraph and Fitbit results for steps taken (B = 0.72–0.89). Weaker but statistically significant associations were found for minutes spent in moderate, vigorous, and moderate–vigorous physical activity for all time intervals (B = 0.39–0.57). Conclusions Although the Fitbit One overestimates the step activity compared with the ActiGraph, it can be considered a valid device to assess step activity, including for real-time minute-by-minute self-monitoring. However, agreement and correlation between ActiGraph and Fitbit One regarding time spent in moderate, vigorous, and moderate–vigorous physical activity were lower.
Retinoblastoma Protein Knockdown Favors Oxidative Metabolism and Glucose and Fatty Acid Disposal in Muscle Cells

Deficiency in the retinoblastoma protein (Rb) favors leanness and a healthy metabolic profile in mice largely attributed to activation of oxidative metabolism in white and brown adipose tissues. Less is known about Rb modulation of skeletal muscle metabolism. This was studied here by transiently knocking down Rb expression in differentiated C2C12 myotubes using small interfering RNAs. Compared with control cells transfected with non‐targeting RNAs, myotubes silenced for Rb (by 80–90%) had increased expression of genes related to fatty acid uptake and oxidation such as Cd36 and Cpt1b (by 61% and 42%, respectively), increased Mitofusin 2 protein content (∼2.5‐fold increase), increased mitochondrial to nuclear DNA ratio (by 48%), increased oxygen consumption (by 65%) and decreased intracellular lipid accumulation. Rb silenced myotubes also displayed up‐regulated levels of glucose transporter type 4 expression (∼5‐fold increase), increased basal glucose uptake, and enhanced insulin‐induced Akt phosphorylation. Interestingly, exercise in mice led to increased Rb phosphorylation (inactivation) in skeletal muscle as evidenced by immunohistochemistry analysis. In conclusion, the silencing of Rb enhances mitochondrial oxidative metabolism and fatty acid and glucose disposal in skeletal myotubes, and changes in Rb status may contribute to muscle physiological adaptation to exercise. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 708–718, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Differential Reprogramming Based on Constructive Interference for Wireless Sensor Network

To improve the performance of reprogramming in wireless sensor network, we present a novel reprogramming structure and constructive interference-based dissemination protocol (CIDP) to transmit the patch through out the network fast and reliability. CIDP disseminates the patch, which is divided into several packets, to the network exploiting constructive interference. We evaluate our implementation of CIDP using simulation under different number of nodes. Our results show that CIDP disseminates the patch less than 4 milliseconds. In general, the probability of a node receives the complete patch as high as 99.99%.
Diazepam affects both level and amplitude of rat locomotor activity rhythm but has no effect on core body temperature

The present study investigates the effects of a chronic administration of diazepam, a benzodiazepine widely used as an anxiolytic, on locomotor activity and body core temperature rhythms in male Wistar rats housed under 12∶12 light∶dark (LD) cycle conditions. Diazepam was administered subcutaneously for 3 wks in a dosage of 3 mg/kg body weight/day, 1 h before the onset of darkness. Diazepam increased the level of locomotor activity from the first day until the end of treatment, and also increased the amplitude of the activity circadian rhythm, but only on the third wk of treatment. Diazepam exerted no effects on the length of the period and did not affect the phase of the locomotor activity rhythm. The body temperature rhythm of rats was affected neither by short‐term (a single injection) nor by long‐term (every day for 3 wks) diazepam treatment. Diazepam lacked effect on body core temperature even on the first day of administration, thereby ruling out the possibility of drug tolerance development. The fact that diazepam affects locomotor activity, but not core body temperature, suggests that different mechanisms mediate the actions of diazepam on locomotor activity and on core body temperature.
Ethanolic Extract of Leaves of Newbouldia laevis Attenuates Glycosylation of Hemoglobin and Lipid Peroxidation in Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is one of the major health problems around the world and the incidence of this metabolic disorder is on the increase. Current therapeutic interventions have not done much in preventing complications of diabetes. Therefore this study investigated the effect of ethanolic extract of Newbouldia laevis leaves (NLet) on lipid peroxidation and glycosylation of hemoglobin, which are pathological indicators of diabetes mellitus. Diabetes was induced in Wistar rats by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (60 mg kg-1). Diabetic rats were then treated orally with NLet for 28 days. After the treatment, the concentration of Malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver, kidney and pancreas of the rats was estimated. Fasting blood glucose was determined and oral glucose tolerance test was also carried out. Other groups of STZ-diabetic rats were treated for 8 weeks and percentage glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured. Fasting blood glucose of treated diabetic rats significantly (p
Statistical analyses in the physiology of exercise and kinanthropometry

Research into the physiology of exercise and kinanthropometry is intended to improve our understanding of how the body responds and adapts to exercise. If such studies are to be meaningful, they have to be well designed and analysed. Advances in personal computing have made available statistical analyses that were previously the preserve of elaborate mainframe systems and have increased opportunities for investigation. However, the ease with which analyses can be performed can mask underlying philosophical and epistemological shortcomings. The aim of this review is to examine the use of four techniques that are especially relevant to physiological studies: (1) bivariate correlation and linear and non-linear regression, (2) multiple regression, (3) repeated-measures analysis of variance and (4) multi-level modelling. The importance of adhering to underlying statistical assumptions is emphasized and ways to accommodate violations of these assumptions are identified.