Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Age and gender classification using local appearance descriptors from facial components

Face analysis and recognition systems have shown to be a valuable tool for forensic examiners. Particularly, the automatic estimation of age and gender from face images, can be useful in a wide range of forensic applications. In this work we propose to use a local appearance descriptor in a component-based way, to classify age and gender from face images. We subdivide a face image into regions of interest based on automatically detected landmarks, and represent them by using Histograms of Oriented Gradient (HOG). The representations obtained from different face regions are feeded to Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers to estimate the age and gender of the person in the image. Experimental analysis show the good results of this component-based approach, and its additional benefits when face images are affected by occlusions.
Genetic Algorithms for Energy-Aware Scheduling in Computational Grids

Because of its sheer size, Computational Grids (CGs) require advanced methodologies and strategies to efficiently schedule users tasks and applications to resources. Scheduling becomes even more challenging when energy efficiency, classical make span criterion and user perceived Quality of Service (QoS) are treated as first-class objectives in CG resource allocation methodologies. In this paper we approach the independent batch scheduling in CG as a biobjective minimization problem with make span and energy consumption as the scheduling criteria. We use the Dynamic Voltage Scaling (DVS) methodology for reducing the cumulative power energy utilized by the system resources. We develop two Genetic Algorithms (GAs) with elitist and struggle replacement mechanisms as energy-aware schedulers. The proposed algorithms were experimentally evaluated for four CG size scenarios in static and dynamic modes. The simulation results showed that our proposed GA-based schedulers fairly reduce the energy usage to a level that is sufficient to maintain the desired quality level(-s)
The "goose neck" of the endocardial cushion defect: anatomic basis.

The “goose neck” deformity as seen In left ventriculograms in the endocardial cushion defect persists after surgical treatment in which the subaortic deficiency of the ventricular septum is built up with prosthetic material and the natural mitral valve is replaced by a prosthesis. Anatomic studies indicate that the diaphragmatic (inflow) aspect of the left ventricle and the ventricular septum are short relative to the outflow length of the ventricular septum. In addition, there is a deficiency in the subaortic aspect of the ventricular septum. The study suggests that the term “goose neck” deformity following correction of the deficiency of the ventricular septum appears to be related to the short nature of the inflow part of the left ventricular wall at its diaphragmatic aspect. The study suggests that the term “goose neck” deformity is better replaced by “goose” deformity, since the deficient posterior wall of the left ventricle outlines the curvature of the back of the “goose” which persists in spite of correction at operation.
Wave-equation MVA: Born, Rytov and beyond

The linearized wave-equation MVA operator can be used for velocity analysis using both Born and Rytov approximations. The distinction arises from the method used to compute the image perturbations. Both approximations suffer from limitations that limit their practicality: the Born approximation is usable only for small anomalies, while the Rytov approximation requires phase unwrapping. Differential image perturbations can be used for arbitrarily large slowness anomalies and do not require phase unwrapping, but their accuracy decreases with increasing deviation from the background image. For simple cases, the differential image perturbation method is equivalent with phase-unwrapped Rytov.
EU FP 7 AMARSi Adaptive Modular Architectures for Rich Motor Skills ICT-248311 D 3 . 1 October 2011 ( 18 months ) Report on theoretical model of morphological computation

This deliverable reports on the theoretical model of morphological computation, which is a requirement in Workpackage 3. The application of the concept of morphological computation has already been demonstrated for a variety of complex robot control problems. Nevertheless, a theoretical basis for understanding the capabilities and limitations of morphological computation has been missing so far. In this deliverable, we report on a model for morphological computation, where a precise mathematical characterization of the potential computational contribution of a complex physical body is feasible. The model explains how complexity and nonlinearity, typically unwanted properties of robots, can provide computational power for robot control. The viability of this theory has been demonstrated in computer simulations for simple but nonlinear generic models of physical bodies, based on mass-spring systems. By adding a simple readout, which is static and linear, such devices are able to emulate complex mapping of input to output streams over continuous time. Hence, by outsourcing the computation to the physical body, the difficult problem of learning to control a complex body, could be reduced to a simple and perspicuous linear learning task, which cannot get stuck in local minima of an error function.
Widespread Correlations Between Dominance and Homozygous Effects of Mutations: Implications for Theories of Dominance

The dominance of deleterious mutations has important consequences for phenomena such as inbreeding depression, the evolution of diploidy, and levels of natural genetic variation. Kacser and Burns' metabolic theory provides a paradigmatic explanation for why most large-effect mutations are recessive. According to the metabolic theory, the recessivity of large-effect mutations is a consequence of a diminishing-returns relationship between flux through a metabolic pathway and enzymatic activity at any step in the pathway, which in turn is an inevitable consequence of long metabolic pathways. A major line of support for this theory was the demonstration of a negative correlation between homozygous effects and dominance of mutations in Drosophila, consistent with a central prediction of the metabolic theory. Using data on gene deletions in yeast, we show that a negative correlation between homozygous effects and dominance of mutations exists for all major categories of genes analyzed, not just those encoding enzymes. The relationship between dominance and homozygous effects is similar for duplicated and single-copy genes and for genes whose products are members of protein complexes and those that are not. A complete explanation of dominance therefore requires either a generalization of Kacser and Burns' theory to nonenzyme genes or a new theory.
Does the mid‐Atlantic United States sea level acceleration hot spot reflect ocean dynamic variability?

To test a hypothesized faster‐than‐global sea level acceleration along the mid‐Atlantic United States, I construct a Gaussian process model that decomposes tide gauge data into short‐term variability and longer‐term trends, and into globally coherent, regionally coherent, and local components. While tide gauge records indicate a faster‐than‐global increase in the rate of mid‐Atlantic U.S. sea level rise beginning ∼1975, this acceleration could reflect either the start of a long‐term trend or ocean dynamic variability. The acceleration will need to continue for ∼2 decades before the rate of increase of the sea level difference between the mid‐Atlantic and southeastern U.S. can be judged as very likely unprecedented by 20th century standards. However, the difference is correlated with the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation, and Gulf Stream North Wall indices, all of which are currently within the range of past variability.
Attitudes to mental illness: the effects of labels and symptoms.

OBJECTIVES To investigate the effects of different Chinese terms for mental illness and related symptoms on the attitudes of adolescents towards sufferers of a mental illness. METHODS A survey of 578 secondary school students attending 4 schools in Macao was conducted. Each student read a short passage about a new student with a mental illness joining their class. Different versions used different labels to refer to the illness of the new student. The symptoms describing the new student also varied: either describing positive symptoms of schizophrenia or mild negative symptoms only. The attitudes of participants to the new student described were measured. RESULTS There were significantly more negative attitudes towards the sufferer of a mental illness referred to with a psychiatric label, compared with a general label 'illness'. Participants also expressed significantly more negative attitudes when positive symptoms of schizophrenia were used to describe the new student. The results are discussed in terms of the influence of labels and symptoms on attitudes towards mental illness. CONCLUSIONS These results supported the existence of 2 additive costs in terms of negative attitudes towards sufferers of mental illness, one associated with the label and the other associated with the symptoms.
Avian Retrovirus pp32 DNA-Binding Protein I. Recognition of Specific Sequences on Retrovirus DNA Terminal Repeats

The avian retrovirus pp32 protein possesses a DNA-nicking activity which prefers supercoiled DNA as substrate. We have investigated the binding of pp32 to avian retrovirus long terminal repeat (LTR) DNA present in both supercoiled and linear forms. The cloned viral DNA was derived from unintegrated Schmidt-Ruppin A (SRA) DNA. A subclone of the viral DNA in pBR322 (termed pPvuII-DG) contains some src sequences, tandem copies of LTR sequences, and partial gag sequences in the order src-U3 U5:U3 U5-gag. Binding of pp32 to supercoiled pPvuII-DG DNA followed by digestion of this complex with a multicut restriction enzyme (28 fragments total) permitted pp32 to preferentially retain on nitrocellulose filters two viral DNA fragments containing only LTR DNA sequences. In addition, pp32 also preferentially retained four plasmid DNA fragments containing either potential promoters or Tn3 “left-end” inverted repeat sequences. Mapping of the pp32 binding sites on viral LTR DNA was accomplished by using the DNase I footprinting technique. The pp32 protein, but not the avian retrovirus αβ DNA polymerase, is able to form a unique protein-DNA complex with selected regions of either SRA or Prague A LTR DNAs. Partial DNase I digestion of a 275-base pair SRA DNA fragment complexed with pp32 gives upon electrophoresis in denaturing gels a unique ladder pattern, with regions of diminished DNase I susceptibility from 6 to 10 nucleotides in length, in comparison with control digests in the absence of protein. The binding of pp32 to this fragment also yields enhanced DNase I-susceptible sites that are spaced between the areas protected from DNase I digestion. The protected region of this unique complex was a stretch of 170 ± 10 nucleotides that encompasses the presumed viral promoter site in U3, which is adjacent to the src region, extends through U5, and proceeds past the joint into U3 for about 34 base pairs. No specific protection or DNase I enhancement by pp32 was observed in experiments with a 435-base pair SRA DNA fragment derived from a part of U3 and the adjacent src region or a 55-base pair DNA fragment derived from another part of U3. The DNA sequence of Prague A DNA at the fused LTRs differs from that of SRA DNA. The alteration in the sequence at the juncture of the LTRs prevented pp32 from forming a stable complex in this region of the LTR. Our results are relevant to two aspects of the interaction between pp32 and LTR DNA. First, the pp32 protein in the presence of selected viral DNA restriction fragments possibly forms a higher order oligomer analogous to Escherichia coli DNA gyrase-DNA complexes or eucaryotic nucleosome structures. Second, the specificity of the binding suggests a role for pp32 and the protected DNA sequences in the retrovirus life cycle. The preferred sequences to which pp32 binds include two adjacent 15-base pair inverted terminal repeats at the joint between U5 and U3 in SRA DNA. This region is involved in circularization of linear DNA and is perhaps the site that directs integration into cellular DNA.
Unified forward+inverse transform architecture for HEVC

The upcoming HEVC video coding standard supports many transform sizes ranging from 4-point to 32-point in square and rectangular form. Multiple transform sizes improve coding efficiency, but also increase the implementation complexity. Furthermore both forward and inverse transforms need to be supported in various consumer devices. This paper presents a unified forward+inverse transform architecture for HEVC. The unified architecture makes use of symmetry properties that exist in the HEVC forward and inverse transform matrices to achieve hardware sharing across different transform sizes and also between forward and inverse transforms. It uses 43-45% less area than separate forward and inverse core transform implementations.
Eradication of hepatitis C infection: The importance of targeting people who inject drugs

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects ~170 million people worldwide and causes significant morbidity and mortality.1 In high-income countries, people who inject drugs (PWID) are at greatest risk of HCV infection.2 Until recently HCV eradication seemed unlikely, but recent advances in HCV treatment and improved understanding of the effectiveness of harm-reduction intervention effectiveness give reason for optimism. Current HCV treatments can cure ~75% of patients and new drugs will further improve effectiveness (over 90% cure) and improve tolerability.3 If HCV treatment can be delivered effectively to those at highest risk of onward transmission, significant reductions in future HCV cases are possible. The feasibility of disease eradication must be assessed on both scientific criteria (e.g., epidemiological susceptibility, effective and practical intervention available, and demonstrated feasibility of elimination) and political criteria (e.g., burden of disease, cost of intervention). 4 With effective, curative treatment now available, HCV meets these criteria.
MicroRNA expression profile helps to distinguish benign nodules from papillary thyroid carcinomas starting from cells of fine-needle aspiration.

OBJECTIVE MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small endogenous noncoding RNAs that pair with target messengers regulating gene expression. Changes in miRNA levels occur in thyroid cancer. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) with cytological evaluation is the most reliable tool for malignancy prediction in thyroid nodules, but cytological diagnosis remains undetermined for 20% of nodules. DESIGN In this study, we evaluated the expression of seven miRNAs in benign nodules, papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), and undetermined nodules at FNA. METHODS The prospective study included 141 samples obtained by FNA of thyroid nodules from 138 patients. miRNA expression was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR and statistical analysis of data was performed. Genetic analysis of codon 600 of BRAF gene was also performed. RESULTS Using data mining techniques, we obtained a criterion to classify a nodule as benign or malignant on the basis of miRNA expression. The decision model based on the expression of miR-146b, miR-155, and miR-221 was valid for 86/88 nodules with determined cytology (97.73%), and adopting cross-validation techniques we obtained a reliability of 78.41%. The prediction was valid for 31/53 undetermined nodules with 16 false-positive and six false-negative predictions. The mutated form V600E of BRAF gene was demonstrated in 19/43 PTCs and in 1/53 undetermined nodules. CONCLUSIONS The expression profiles of three miRNAs allowed us to distinguish benign from PTC starting from FNA. When the assay was applied to discriminate thyroid nodules with undetermined cytology, a low sensitivity and specificity despite the low number of false-negative predictions was obtained, limiting the practical interest of the method.
Cellulose nanofibril nanopapers and bioinspired nanocomposites: a review to understand the mechanical property space

Cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) emerge as a renewable and sustainable feedstock for future biobased high-performance materials with environmentally friendly character. They allow for the formation of pure nanopapers or can be integrated into bioinspired nanocomposites leading to excellent multifunctional properties. CNFs feature outstanding intrinsic mechanical properties due to their high crystallinity (high specific stiffness and strength), attractive nanoscale dimensions, and high surface areas suitable for chemical functionalization. The focus of this review is to discuss the current state of the art and understanding of mechanical performance, and to derive general implications for developing future CNF-based nanopapers, as well as nanocomposites with high fractions of reinforcements featuring rationally designed and improved property profiles. We discuss the influence of various intercorrelated parameters: fibril chemistry, crystallinity, aspect ratio, degree of polymerization, colloidal stability and film formation, as well as integration with different counterions, polymers and nanoclays. We attempt to dissect these factors by focusing on the most comprehensive studies that allow deriving rational design criteria based on thoroughly validated experimental protocols.
Settling the Complexity of Computing Approximate Two-Player Nash Equilibria

We prove that there exists a constant ε > 0 such that, assuming the Exponential Time Hypothesis for PPAD, computing an ε-approximate Nash equilibrium in a two-player (n × n) game requires quasi-polynomial time, nlog1-o(1) n. This matches (up to the o(1) term) the algorithm of Lipton, Markakis, and Mehta [54]. Our proof relies on a variety of techniques from the study of probabilistically checkable proofs (PCP), this is the first time that such ideas are used for a reduction between problems inside PPAD. En route, we also prove new hardness results for computing Nash equilibria in games with many players. In particular, we show that computing an ε-approximate Nash equilibrium in a game with n players requires 2Ω(n) oracle queries to the payoff tensors. This resolves an open problem posed by Hart and Nisan [43], Babichenko [13], and Chen et al. [28]. In fact, our results for n-player games are stronger: they hold with respect to the (ε,δ)-WeakNash relaxation recently introduced by Babichenko et al. [15].
Efficacy of Several Serological Tests and Antigens for Diagnosis of Bovine Brucellosis in the Presence of False-Positive Serological Results Due to Yersinia enterocolitica O:9

ABSTRACT Yersinia enterocolitica O:9 bears a smooth lipopolysaccharide (S-LPS) of Brucella sp. O-chain A + C/Y epitopic structure and is a cause of false-positive serological reactions (FPSR) in standard tests for cattle brucellosis. Brucella S-LPS, cross-reacting S-LPSs representing several O-chain epitope combinations, Brucella core lipid A epitopes (rough LPS), Brucella abortus S-LPS-derived polysaccharide, native hapten polysaccharide, rough LPS group 3 outer membrane protein complexes, recombinant BP26, and cytosolic proteins were tested in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) and precipitation tests to detect cattle brucellosis (sensitivity) and to differentiate it from FPSR (specificity). No single serological test and antigen combination showed 100% sensitivity and specificity simultaneously. Immunoprecipitation tests with native hapten polysaccharide, counterimmunoelectrophoresis with cytosolic proteins, and a chaotropic ELISA with Brucella S-LPS were 100% specific but less sensitive than the Rose Bengal test, complement fixation, and indirect ELISA with Brucella S-LPSs and native hapten or S-LPS-derived polysaccharides. A competitive ELISA with Brucella S-LPS and M84 C/Y-specific monoclonal antibody was not 100% specific and was less sensitive than other tests. ELISA with Brucella suis bv. 2 S-LPS (deficient in C epitopes), Escherichia hermannii S-LPSs [lacking the contiguous α-(1-2)-linked perosamine residues characteristic of Y. enterocolitica S-LPS], BP26 recombinant protein, and Brucella cytosolic fractions did not provide adequate sensitivity/specificity ratios. Although no serological test and antigen combination fully resolved the diagnosis of bovine brucellosis in the presence of FPSR, some are simple and practical alternatives to the brucellin skin test currently recommended for differential diagnosis.
Environmental implications of plastic debris in marine settings—entanglement, ingestion, smothering, hangers-on, hitch-hiking and alien invasions

Over the past five or six decades, contamination and pollution of the world’s enclosed seas, coastal waters and the wider open oceans by plastics and other synthetic, non-biodegradable materials (generally known as ‘marine debris’) has been an ever-increasing phenomenon. The sources of these polluting materials are both land- and marine-based, their origins may be local or distant, and the environmental consequences are many and varied. The more widely recognized problems are typically associated with entanglement, ingestion, suffocation and general debilitation, and are often related to stranding events and public perception. Among the less frequently recognized and recorded problems are global hazards to shipping, fisheries and other maritime activities. Today, there are rapidly developing research interests in the biota attracted to freely floating (i.e. pelagic) marine debris, commonly known as ‘hangers-on and hitch-hikers’ as well as material sinking to the sea floor despite being buoyant. Dispersal of aggressive alien and invasive species by these mechanisms leads one to reflect on the possibilities that ensuing invasions could endanger sensitive, or at-risk coastal environments (both marine and terrestrial) far from their native habitats.
An approach to visualizing the 3D empirical attainment function

When analyzing the performance of a bi-objective optimization algorithm, the empirical attainment function (EAF) is often used to visualize the attained parts of the objective space. Similarly, when comparing two algorithms, the differences in EAF values can be used to show the parts of the objective space in which the first algorithm outperforms the second one, and vice versa. This paper proposes to visualize the EAF values and differences also when assessing algorithms that optimize three criteria. This can be achieved by cutting through the 3D EAFs using multiple cutting planes and presenting the resulting intersections in 2D. The approach is described in detail and demonstrated on two artificial Pareto front approximations.