Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Modelling facial dynamics change as people age

In the recent years, increased research activity in the area of facial ageing modelling has been recorded. This interest is attributed to the potential of using facial ageing modelling techniques for a number of different applications, including age estimation, prediction of the current appearance of missing persons, age-specific human-computer interaction, computer graphics, forensic applications, and medical applications. This thesis describes a general AAM model for modelling 4D (3D dynamic) ageing and specific models to map facial dynamics as people age. A fully automatic and robust pre-processing pipeline is used, along with an approach for tracking and inter-subject registering of 3D sequences (4D data). A 4D database of 3D videos of individuals has been assembled to achieve this goal. The database is the first of its kind in the world. Various techniques were deployed to build this database to overcome problems due to noise and missing data. A two-factor (age groups and gender) analysis of variance (MANOVA) was performed on the dataset. The groups were then compared to assess the separate effects of age on gender through variance analysis. The results show that smiles alter with age and have different characteristics between males and females. We analysed the rich sources of information present in the 3D dynamic features of smiles to provide more insight into the patterns of smile dynamics. The sources of temporal information that have been investigated include the varying dynamics of lip movements, which are analysed to extract the descriptive features. We evaluated the dynamic features of closed-mouth smiles among 80 subjects of both genders. Multilevel Principal Components Analysis (mPCA) is used to analyse the effect of naturally occurring groups in a population of individuals for smile dynamics data. A concise overview of the formal aspects of mPCA has been outlined, and we have demonstrated that mPCA offers a way to model the variations at different levels of structure in the data (between and within group levels).
Cooperative Spectrum Sensing for Cognitive Radio-Wireless Sensors Network Based on OR Rule Decision to Enhance Energy Consumption in Greenhouses

Wireless sensors networks (WSNs) combined with cognitive radio have developed and solved the limited space of the frequency spectrum. In this paper, we propose different types of spectrums sensing and their own decisions depend on the probabilities that applied into fusion center, and how these probabilities’ techniques help to enhance the energy consumption of WSNs. In the same way, the importance of designing balanced distribution between the wireless sensors networks and their own sinks. This research also provides an overview of security issues in CR-WSN, especially in Spectrum Sensing Data Falsification (SSDF) attacks that enforces harmful effects on spectrum sensing and spectrum sharing. We adopt OR rule as four types of CRSN sensing protocolin greenhouses application by using Matlab and Netsim simulators. Our results show that the designing balanced wireless sensors and their sinks in greenhouses are very significant to decrease the energy, which is due to the traffic congestion in the sink range area. Furthermore, by applying OR rule has enhanced the energy consumption, and improved the sensors network lifetime compared to cognitive radio network.
Toward All-Optical Layered Encryption: A Feasibility Analysis of Optical Stream Cipher

We study whether the layered encryption and, thus, anonymity of communication can be implemented all-optically, granting ultra-high speed communication and processing. To this end, we evaluate the feasibility of the state-of-the-art all-optical components, including optical linear feedback shift register (oLFSR) and optical XOR (oXOR), for implementing an all-optical stream cipher (oSC). Just like the function of key expansion in today’s electronic ciphers, we use pRNGs and oLFSRs to expand short bit sequences of the secret key, thus enabling the transmission and en-/decryption at line rate; oXOR is used for the actual all-optical encryption. Using the principles of information-theoretical entropic security, we evaluate the key uncertainty (entropy and equivocation) and, thus, the computational complexity of various guessing attacks. We also analyze the maximum length of optical key stream and show that oSC can be designed as secure as in today’s systems while operating all-optically at higher line rates.
Research on Scoreboard Detection and Localization in Basketball Video

With the development of multimedia technology and the appearance of information highway, the storage and transmission of digital video has become a less difficult issue. Various sport games bring the explosive expanding of sport video, therefore, efficient analysis of sport video is necessary. An algorithm of detection and location for scoreboard is proposed. Firstly, the template of scoreboard is built using multi-dimensional correlation, it involves the location and the detection parameter. Then the scoreboard is located by the template matching.
Research on New and Traditional Energy Sources in OECD Countries

To mitigate the problems associated with climate change, the low-carbon economy concept is now being championed around the world in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure sustainable economic growth. Therefore, to reduce the dependence on traditional energy sources, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has been actively promoting the use of renewable energy. Past research has tended to neglect the influence of other pollutants such as fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) and have mainly been based on static analyses. To make up for these research gaps, this study examined OECD country data from 2010–2014, with labor, fixed assets, new energy, and traditional energy as the inputs, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP), carbon dioxide (CO2), and PM2.5 as the outputs, from which it was found: (1) the overall efficiency of the individual countries varied significantly, with nine countries being found to have efficiencies of 1 for all five years, but many others having efficiencies below 0.2; (2) in countries where there was a need for improvements in traditional energy (which here refers to coal, petroleum and other fossil energy sources), there was also a significant need for improvement in new energy sources (which here refers to clean energy which will produce pollutant emissions and can be directly used for production and life, including resources like nuclear energy and “renewable energy”); (3) countries with poor traditional energy and new energy efficiencies also had poor CO2 and PM2.5 efficiencies; (4) many OECD countries have made progress towards sustainable new energy developments
Ultrasound Tissue Characterization of Carotid Plaques Differs Between Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Subjects without Diabetes

The aim of the study was to investigate ultrasound tissue characterization of carotid plaques in subjects with and without diabetes type 1 (T1D). B-mode carotid ultrasound was performed to assess the presence and type of plaque in a group of 340 subjects with and 304 without T1D, all of them without cardiovascular disease. One hundred and seven patients with T1D (49.5% women; age 54 ± 9.8 years) and 67 control subjects without diabetes who had at least one carotid plaque were included in the study. The proportion of subjects who had only echolucent plaques was reduced in the group of patients with T1D (48.6% vs. 73.1%). In contrast, the proportion with only echogenic (25.2% vs. 7.5%) and calcified plaques (9.4% vs. 1.5%) was increased compared with subjects without diabetes. Moreover, having at least one echogenic plaque was more frequent in T1D patients compared with subjects without diabetes (49.5% vs. 26.9% p = 0.005). In addition to diabetes (OR 2.28; p = 0.026), age (OR 1.06, p = 0.002) was the other variable associated with echogenic plaque existence in multiple regression analysis. Patients with T1D exhibit a differential pattern of carotid plaque type compared with subjects without diabetes, with an increased frequency of echogenic and extensively calcified plaques.
Validity of guided inquiry-based modules on digestive system to improve argumentation skill

Students tend to be passive in learning activities if the media is less supportive. Module development as a learning medium can overcome the passivity of students. The purpose of this research was to determine the validity and feasibility of the guided inquiry-based module on Human Digestive System materials to improve students' argumentation skill. This research is Research and Development. The research was conducted at class VIII of state junior high school 3 Surakarta. The module comprised of into three parts, namely the introduction, content, and closing. The contents section consisted of three sub-materials, namely: 1) food substances; 2) food digestion organs and processes; and 3) food digestive system disorders. The module feasibility was tested through the assessments of media, subject matter, learning experts and linguists. The results of experts’ evaluation toward the module showed that the module was feasible with the percentages were 88.28% (media design), 90.125% (material), 91.15% (learning aspect), and 94.8% (language). Therefore, the module is feasible to be used as a learning medium to improve students' argumentation skill.
Inhibition of Oncogenic Kinases: An In Vitro Validated Computational Approach Identified Potential Multi-Target Anticancer Compounds

Tumorigenesis in humans is a multistep progression that imitates genetic changes leading to cell transformation and malignancy. Oncogenic kinases play a central role in cancer progression, rendering them putative targets for the design of anti-cancer drugs. The presented work aims to identify the potential multi-target inhibitors of oncogenic receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and serine/threonine kinases (STKs). For this, chemoinformatics and structure-based virtual screening approaches were combined with an in vitro validation of lead hits on both cancerous and non-cancerous cell lines. A total of 16 different kinase structures were screened against ~739,000 prefiltered compounds using diversity selection, after which the top hits were filtered for promising pharmacokinetic properties. This led to the identification of 12 and 9 compounds against RTKs and STKs, respectively. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were carried out to better comprehend the stability of the predicted hit kinase-compound complexes. Two top-ranked compounds against each kinase class were tested in vitro for cytotoxicity, with compound F34 showing the most promising inhibitory activity in HeLa, HepG2, and Vero cell lines with IC50 values of 145.46 μM, 175.48 μM, and 130.52 μM, respectively. Additional docking of F34 against various RTKs was carried out to support potential multi-target inhibition. Together with reliable MD simulations, these results suggest the promising potential of identified multi-target STK and RTK scaffolds for further kinase-specific anti-cancer drug development toward combinatorial therapies.
Effects of Feeding Frequency on the Lying Behavior of Dairy Cows in a Loose Housing with Automatic Feeding and Milking System

Simple Summary Feeding management in modern dairy farms is becoming increasingly important economically and technologically as well as concern for the comfort and welfare of dairy cows. Automatic feeding systems enable more frequent delivery of fresh feed to dairy cows compared to conventional feeding systems and, in combination with automatic milking systems, provide cows more freedom to determine individual critical behavioral activities (feeding, lying, and milking). This study examined the effects of feed delivery frequency on behavior of lactating dairy cows in an automatic feeding and milking system. The results highlight a potential negative effect of high frequency (11 times per day) feed delivery compared to low frequency (six times per day) on lying behavior. This indication can improve feeding management and the productivity and welfare of lactating dairy cows. Abstract Management systems in modern dairy farms is an important issue in relation to animal comfort and welfare. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of feed delivery frequency on the behavior patterns, visits to an automatic milking system (AMS) and on milk production of lactating dairy cows. The study was conducted on a commercial dairy farm with automatic feeding and milking systems. Feeding treatments consisted of two different frequencies, high feed delivery frequency (11 deliveries per day) and low feed delivery frequency (six deliveries per day). Lying behavior of 20 dairy cows was electronically monitored. The results obtained showed that 11 deliveries per day feed delivery frequency decreases the number of long-duration lying bouts, which may indicate that a very high feeding frequency disturbs the cows during their resting periods and thus influences both animal comfort and milk production. High feeding frequency may disturb the duration of lying bouts and alter the pattern of lying behavior throughout the day, affecting mainly the lying time during the 60 min before and following the provision of fresh feed. Delivering feed at a low frequency allow cows to distribute more evenly their lying time over the course of the day and improve their utilization of an AMS.
Predictive Models of Student Learning

In this dissertation, several approaches I have taken to build upon the student learning model are described. There are two focuses of this dissertation. The first focus is on improving the accuracy with which future student knowledge and performance can be predicted by individualizing the model to each student. The second focus is to predict how different educational content and tutorial strategies will influence student learning. The two focuses are complimentary but are approached from slightly different directions. I have found that Bayesian Networks, based on belief propagation, are strong at achieving the goals of both focuses. In prediction, they excel at capturing the temporal nature of data produced where student knowledge is changing over time. This concept of state change over time is very difficult to capture with classical machine learning approaches. Interpretability is also hard to come by with classical machine learning approaches; however, it is one of the strengths of Bayesian models and aids in studying the direct influence of various factors on learning. The domain in which these models are being studied is the domain of computer tutoring systems, software which typically uses artificial intelligence to enhance computer based tutorial instruction. These systems are growing in relevance. At their best they have been shown to achieve the same educational gain as one on one human interaction. They have also received the attention of White House, which mentioned a tutor called ASSISTments in its National Educational Technology Plan. With the fast paced adoption of computer tutoring systems it is important to learn how to improve the educational effectiveness of these systems by making sense of the data that is being generated from them. The studies in this proposal use data from these educational systems which primarily teach topics of Geometry and Algebra but can be applied to any domain with clearly defined sub-skills and dichotomous student response data. One of the intended impacts of this work is for these knowledge modeling contributions to facilitate the move towards computer adaptive learning in much the same way that Item Response Theory models facilitated the move towards computer adaptive testing.
Molecular insights into cancer drug resistance from a proteomics perspective

ABSTRACT Introduction: Resistance to chemotherapy and development of specific and effective molecular targeted therapies are major obstacles facing current cancer treatment. Comparative proteomic approaches have been employed for the discovery of putative biomarkers associated with cancer drug resistance and have yielded a number of candidate proteins, showing great promise for both novel drug target identification and personalized medicine for the treatment of drug-resistant cancer. Areas covered: Herein, we review the recent advances and challenges in proteomics studies on cancer drug resistance with an emphasis on biomarker discovery, as well as understanding the interconnectivity of proteins in disease-related signaling pathways. In addition, we highlight the critical role that post-translational modifications (PTMs) play in the mechanisms of cancer drug resistance. Expert opinion: Revealing changes in proteome profiles and the role of PTMs in drug-resistant cancer is key to deciphering the mechanisms of treatment resistance. With the development of sensitive and specific mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomics and related technologies, it is now possible to investigate in depth potential biomarkers and the molecular mechanisms of cancer drug resistance, assisting the development of individualized therapeutic strategies for cancer patients.
Electrochemical Biosensors for Detection of Foodborne Pathogens

Foodborne safety has become a global public health problem in both developed and developing countries. The rapid and precise monitoring and detection of foodborne pathogens has generated a strong interest by researchers in order to control and prevent human foodborne infections. Traditional methods for the detection of foodborne pathogens are often time-consuming, laborious, expensive, and unable to satisfy the demands of rapid food testing. Owing to the advantages of simplicity, real-time analysis, high sensitivity, miniaturization, rapid detection time, and low cost, electrochemical biosensing technology is more and more widely used in determination of foodborne pathogens. Here, we summarize recent developments in electrochemical biosensing technologies used to detect common foodborne pathogens. Additionally, we discuss research challenges and future prospects for this field of study.
Antidiabetic, Anticholinesterase and Antioxidant Activity vs. Terpenoids and Phenolic Compounds in Selected New Cultivars and Hybrids of Artichoke Cynara scolymus L.

The aim of the study was to analyze the chemical composition of new artichoke cultivars and hybrids and to assess their potential health-promoting properties. Polyphenols, carotenoids and chlorophylls were identified by liquid chromatography-photodiode detector-mass spectrometry/quadrupole time of flight (LC-PDA-MS/QTof) and quantified by ultra performance liquid chromatography-photodiode detector (UPLC-PDA). Sugar and organic acid profiles were prepared, and antioxidant capacity (ABTS, FRAP and ORAC) and in vitro antidiabetic (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase) and anticholinesterase (inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE)) potentials were evaluated. The analyses revealed a highly varied content of bioactive compounds and great health-promoting potential significantly depending on a cultivar. The content of polyphenolic compounds ranged from 1681.49 (“Sambo”) to 3638.91 (“Symphony”) mg/100 g of dry weight (DW). “Blanca de Tudela” contained the highest amounts of carotenoids and chlorophylls (3761.91 mg/100 g DW) and exhibited high ABTS and ORAC capacity. Inhibition of antidiabetic enzymes was significant in cvs. “Symphony” and “Calico”. Additionally, all tested cultivars and hybrids turned out to be effective inhibitors of neurodegenerative enzymes.
Effect of Lignocaine and a Topical Vapocoolant Spray on Pain Response during Surgical Castration of Beef Calves

Simple Summary Ensuring a good state of welfare in farm animals is important for ethical reasons and sustainability of livestock industries. Addressing pain in farm animals during and following surgical husbandry procedures is a significant component of animal welfare. Until recently, practical constraints associated with delivery of traditional forms of analgesia have prevented widespread uptake by producers, especially in large, extensively managed animal production systems. In recent years, novel anaesthetic and analgesic products have been developed to facilitate practical delivery of post-operative pain relief to livestock. However, the issue of intra-operative pain during husbandry procedures remains unaddressed. Therefore, this study investigated the efficacy of pre-operative injected lignocaine and peri-operative topical vapocoolant spray, administered as most practical for incorporation into routine procedures, for pain relief during castration of calves. Results from this study provide no evidence that lignocaine or vapocoolant spray reduced pain during castration of calves. Pulling of the spermatic cords appeared to be the most painful component of the castration procedure. This finding may assist in clarifying what methods for relieving procedural pain associated with castration of calves merit future research. Abstract This study assessed the efficacy of pre-operative injected lignocaine and peri-operative topical vapocoolant spray, administered as most practical for incorporation into routine calf castration procedures. Calves were randomly allocated to: (1) sham castration (SHAM); (2) surgical castration (CAST); (3) surgical castration with lignocaine (LIG); and (4) surgical castration with vapocoolant spray (VAPO). Calf behavioural responses were scored at different stages of the sham castration or castration procedure. Maximum ocular temperatures were measured at three time-points relative to restraint and treatment. There were significant effects of treatment (p < 0.001) and stage of procedure (p < 0.001) on calf behavioural response. SHAM calves were more likely to display less severe responses compared to all other calves and LIG calves were more likely to display less severe responses compared to VAPO calves. Calves were more likely to display more severe responses to extrusion of the first spermatic cord compared to all other stages of castration, and to extrusion of the second spermatic cord compared to severing of the second spermatic cord. There was a significant effect of time (p < 0.001) on ocular temperature, with ocular temperature being greater following sham castration or castration. In this study, there was no evidence of pain reduction during castration of calves by either lignocaine or vapocoolant spray.