Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Face identification based bio-inspired algorithms

Most biometric identification applications suffer from the curse of dimensionality as the database size becomes very large, which could negatively affect both the identification performance and speed. In this paper, we use Projection Pursuit (PP) methods to determine clusters of individuals. Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers are then applied on each cluster of users separately. PP clustering is conducted using Friedman and Kurtosis projection indices optimized by Genetic Algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization methods. Experimental results obtained using YALE face database showed improvement in the performance and speed of face identification system
A National Evaluation of the Effect of Trauma-center Care on Mortality

h REVIEWER INTRODUCTION B designated as a Level 1 trauma center means that the facility serves as a regional resource for patients and communities by providing comprehensive care for every aspect of traumatic injury including, but not limited to, prevention and rehabilitation. Providing this type of care to patients is expensive, and in order to establish the need for Level 1 trauma centers, one must ascertain the quality and effectiveness of care rendered to patients at these facilities versus nontrauma hospitals.
Géochimie (Géochronologie) Datation 40 Ar/ 39 Ar de la province magmatique de l'Atlantique central dans le Sud-Ouest algérien

Ar/ 39 Ar dating of the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province (CAMP) in southwestern Algeria. 40 Ar/ 39 Ar step-heating analyses performed on plagioclase separates from seven doleritic basalts (four sills, one dyke and two lava flows) from southwestern Algeria display disturbed age spectra, reflecting various contributions of alteration by sericite and/or excess argon. Weighted mean ages corresponding to the less altered plagioclase fractions yielded minimum ages ranging from 192.7 3.0 to 197.9 2.0 Ma and a minimum date of 198.9 1.8 Ma was obtained on a saddle-shaped age spectrum (excess argon). These ages are in accordance with those previously obtained on the CAMP province and partly in agreement with the peak activity of the CAMP at 198 Ma, highlighted in the neighbouring Taoudenni basin (Mali). In Algeria, the eastern boundary of the CAMP seems to coincide with the Pan-African suture zone. To cite this article: M.C. Chabou et al., C. R. Geoscience 339 (2007). # 2007 Academie des sciences. Publie par Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves. Mots cles : Datation 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ; Province magmatique de l'Atlantique central (CAMP) ; Dolerites ; Algerie
Influenza A (H1N1) Pneumonia: A Review and Update

Pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus emerged in Mexico during the spring of 2009 and spread rapidly and caused significant strain on health systems worldwide. The clinical picture of the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus ranges from a self-limiting afebrile infection to a rapidly progressive pneumonia. Cases of infection occurred mostly in children and young adults. The characteristics associated with adults were the presence of less comorbidity, more extensive respiratory compromise, and intensive care unit admission. These were key features of the clinical presentation of patients with novel H1N1-associated pneumonia, compared with other viruses, and in particular seasonal influenza pneumonias. Bacterial coinfections, particularly Streptococcus pneumoniae, increased the severity of illness and consumption of health resources. On December 5, 2009, 208 countries had reported cases and over 10,000 deaths had been registered. On August 10, 2010 the World Health Organization announced that the H1N1 pandemic had moved into the postpandemic period and reported a total of 18,500 confirmed deaths worldwide. Patients from the postpandemic period had an unexpectedly higher mortality rate and showed a trend toward affecting a more vulnerable population, in keeping with more typical seasonal viral infection. Early use of noninvasive ventilation in less severe cases of acute lung injury showed an increasing rate of success and required shorter ventilation time, shorter intensive care unit stay, and shorter hospital stay.
CULTURAL ADAPTATION AND PERSONAL CAPITAL FORMATION — REVISIT THE LIVED EXPERIENCE OF CHINESE STUDENTS IN UK HIGHER EDUCATION

This paper explores Chinese students’ experience through investigating their learning journey in UK higher education: how they went through the process of acculturation, overrode the English language barrier, and finally completed their international education and formed personal cultural capital. It scruitinises two groups of students: the first one consisted of 23 students who joined the UK postgraduate taught programme after completing their 1-year pre-Master’s course in China; the second group was 12 past students (including one visiting academic) who either remained to work in the UK or returned to China for work after completing their doctoral research. This study draws on qualitative data of in-depth interviews and focus group studies and combines the quantitative data of ‘closed-questions’, English test scores and longitudinal learning outcomes. It concludes that the Chinese students, though challenged in their academic study and social lives, achieved academic success and formed personal cultural capital while receiving UK higher education, which contributes significantly to their career development. The combination of qualitative and quantitative data in the paper improved the reliability and validity of the research.
Which exercise is the most effective to contract the core muscles: abdominal drawing-in maneuver, maximal expiration, or Kegel exercise?

PURPOSE: There are several methods, such as the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM), maximal expiration (ME), and Kegel exercise, to strengthen the core muscles. However, to date no study has been conducted to compare the effects of the ADIM, ME, and Kegel exercise on the transverses abdominis (TrA), internal oblique (IO), external oblique (EO), and pelvic floor muscles (PFMs). The purpose of this study was to find out which of the three aforementioned exercises is most effective for contracting the core muscles. METHODS: The thickness of the TrA, IO, EO and PFMs was measured by ultrasonographic imaging during the ADIM, ME and Kegel exercise in 34 healthy participants.
Systematic review of innovative ablative therapies for the treatment of locally advanced pancreatic cancer

Locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) is associated with a very poor prognosis. Current palliative (radio)chemotherapy provides only a marginal survival benefit of 2–3 months. Several innovative local ablative therapies have been explored as new treatment options. This systematic review aims to provide an overview of the clinical outcomes of these ablative therapies.
Gallery-Free Methods for Detecting and Recognizing People and Groups of Interest in the Wild

by Jeremiah R. Barr The 2013 Boston Marathon investigation presented an ample opportunity to apply advanced face recognition technology. Unfortunately, the crowded scenes proved too difficult for existing facial biometrics methods and databases. In this dissertation, we identify some of the limitations of this technology and present approaches for overcoming these deficiencies. These approaches underlie a suite of novel algorithms for detecting faces in unconstrained imagery; clustering images of faces into identity groups; finding people who appear frequently across a collection of scenes; and detecting groups of individuals who often appear together. Face detection typically serves as the first step in a facial analysis pipeline. We elucidate the difficulties encountered on uncontrolled imagery by a simple yet strong-performing face detector. Although pose has traditionally been the focus of much of the research on face detection, we show that occlusion and blur have at least as significant of an impact for data collected from natural scenes. The results also indicate that classifiers with distinct error modes can result from blur-based perturbations of a detector training set, enabling the successful application of fusion techniques. Identity clustering plays a similar role to face detection insofar as it can drive automatic ”pattern of life” analyses. We introduce an active clustering scheme, the Framework for Active Clustering with Ensembles (FACE), with an emphasis on clustering face
A multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of three preparations of low-dose oral α-interferon in HIV-infected patients with CD4+ counts between 50 and 350 cells/mm3

To evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose oral alpha-interferon (alpha-IFN), 247 HIV-infected study subjects received placebo, Alferon LDO, Veldona, or Ferimmune in a randomized, double-blind trial. Subjects had CD4+ counts between 50 and 350 cells/mm3 and HIV-related symptoms at entry. Study subjects rated the severity of eight symptoms using a symptom burden index (SBI). Study endpoints included changes in SBI, weight, CD4+ count, and Karnofsky score between baseline and the 24-week visit. The SBI outcome and weight were measured in 99 and 106 study subjects, respectively, at both the baseline and 24-week visits. Baseline SBI scores ranged from 5.4 to 7.9 in the four arms. No clinically important or statistically significant differences were found among the four arms with regard to SBI or weight change over the 24-week period. There were also no significant differences among the arms for CD4+ cell count and Karnofsky score. Few adverse reactions were noted in any arm, and there were no significant differences between arms. Although the trial was designed to enroll 560 study subjects and was prematurely terminated because of slow accrual and discontinuations of participants, the small differences among the arms in the primary and secondary endpoints do not support claims of efficacy for the measures studied.
Along Line

We present a new electromagnetic mode that forms at the interface between two planar surfaces laid side by side in free space, effectively guiding energy along an infinitesimal, one-dimensional line. It is shown that this mode occurs when the boundaries have complementary surface impedances, and it is possible to control the mode confinement by altering their values correspondingly. The mode exhibits singular field enhancement, broad bandwidth, direction-dependent polarization, and robustness to certain defects. As a proof of concept, experimental results in the microwave regime are provided using patterned conducting sheets. Our proposed effective-medium-based approach is general, however, thus allowing for potential implementation up to optical frequencies. Our system is promising for applications including integrated photonics, sensing, switching, chiral quantum coupling, and reconfigurable waveguides.
Development of Seismic Safety During Pre- and Co-Seismic Periods

Since the year 2000 a large number of earthquakes have taken place. But despite advances in disaster management and seismology, till now it has not been possible to save a single life during earthquake. Issue of forewarning based on reliable seismic precursors has not been considered. Large magnitude earthquakes in India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran, China, Italy, and Peru etc were unexpected jolts to the disaster managers. Practically each earthquake has taken heavy death toll in India, Pakistan, Iran, and China etc. If some precursory warning were issued, it would help in saving at least some lives. The issue of earthquake prediction is tricky and considering the present status of the subject, no government would predict earthquake. Whether the government predicts or not, after the occurrence of a destructive earthquake, the administration would always be in the dock. To overcome the situation, earthquake education for the masses should be so powerful that they would draw their own inference about occurrence or nonoccurrence of an earthquake.
Age-Specific Influenza-Related Emergency Department Visits and Hospitalizations in 2010–2011 Compared With the Pandemic Year 2009–2010

BackgroundDuring the 2009–2010 influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 pandemic, influenza-associated encounters had an unusual age distribution, with relative sparing of older adults. In postpandemic 2010–2011, influenza A(H3N2), A(H1N1)pdm09, and B cocirculated. PurposeTo compare influenza-associated encounter rates in pandemic and postpandemic years. MethodsWe enrolled and tested patients with acute respiratory illness (ARI) at selected Middle Tennessee hospitals. Age-specific proportions of influenza-positive patients were multiplied by the number of ARI encounters during influenza season to estimate the numbers of influenza encounters. These were divided by the respective populations to estimate rates. ResultsIn pandemic and postpandemic years, overall influenza-associated emergency department (ED) visits, 10.2 (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.6–14.0) and 10.3 (CI, 8.0–13.4) per 1000 residents, were similar. Overall hospitalizations increased from 0.9 (CI, 0.6–1.4) to 1.2 (CI, 0.8–1.6) per 1000 residents. For residents 0.5 to 17 years, influenza encounter rates declined, 13.2 (CI, 9.0–19.1) versus 11.9 (CI, 9.6–14.5) ED visits and 0.3 (CI, 0.2–0.5) versus 0.2 (CI, 0.1–0.3) hospitalizations. For residents 65 years or older influenza encounter rates increased, 1.6 (CI, 0.3–8.7) versus 6.7 (CI, 2.4–16.5) ED visits and 1.0 (CI, 0.3–2.7) versus 4.5 (CI, 3.1–6.5) hospitalizations. During 2010–2011, influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 accounted for 26%, 55%, and 13% of influenza-associated ARI in those aged 0.5 to 17, 18 to 64, and 65 years or older, respectively; influenza B accounted for 62%, 33%, and 54% and influenza A(H3N2) accounted for 12%, 12%, and 33%, respectively. ConclusionsOverall influenza-associated ED rates were similar in both years, but hospitalizations increased modestly in the postpandemic year. Higher encounter rates in older adults in the postpandemic year were associated with the circulation of 2 nonpandemic influenza viruses.
Inflammasome‐associated cell death: Pyroptosis, apoptosis, and physiological implications

Inflammasomes are innate immune mechanisms that promote inflammation by activating the protease caspase‐1. Active caspase‐1 induces pyroptosis, a necrotic form of regulated cell death, which facilitates the release of intracellular proinflammatory molecules, including IL‐1 family cytokines. Recent studies identified mediators of inflammasome‐associated cell death and suggested that inflammasomes induce not only pyroptosis, but also apoptosis. Caspase‐1 has the potential to induce pyroptosis and apoptosis in a manner that is dependent on the expression of the pyroptosis mediator gasdermin D. Caspase‐1‐induced apoptosis is mediated by Bid and caspase‐7. Caspase‐8 is also activated following the formation of inflammasomes and may induce apoptosis. Because inflammasomes contribute to the pathogenesis of inflammatory disorders and host defenses against microbial pathogens, a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying inflammasome‐associated cell death may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for inflammasome‐related diseases. Pyroptosis has been implicated in inflammasome‐related diseases, and compounds that inhibit this process have been reported. The molecular mechanisms of inflammasome‐associated cell death and its physiological implications are discussed herein.
Morphological characterization of newborns in Kinshasa, DR Congo: Common variants, minor, and major anomalies

The evaluation of minor physical variation is crucial in a dysmorphological examination. Currently, data on the spectrum and incidence of minor physical variants in Central African newborns is lacking. We therefore conducted a cross‐sectional descriptive study of 722 newborns recruited within the first 24 hr of life, in two large maternities in Kinshasa, DR Congo. Minor anomalies were defined according to the series of articles in AJMG Part A and coded as human phenotype ontology terms. A total of 97 different morphological variants were recorded of which 13 were common. About 34.8% of the newborn carried one minor anomaly, 11.6% had two, and 4.3% had three minor anomalies. No gender differences were observed, but the incidence of specific anomalies appeared to vary with the geographical origin of parents within the DR Congo. The results of this study will aid clinicians to interpret morphological variation in Central African newborns.
Fast quantitative time lapse displacement imaging of endothelial cell invasion

In order to unravel rapid mechano-chemical feedback mechanisms in sprouting angiogenesis, we combine selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) and tailored image registration algorithms — further referred to as SPIM-based displacement microscopy — with an in vitro model of angiogenesis. SPIM successfully tackles the problem of imaging large volumes while upholding the spatial resolution required for the analysis of matrix displacements at a subcellular level. Applied to in vitro angiogenic sprouts, this unique methodological combination relates subcellular activity — minute to second time scale growing and retracting of protrusions — of a multicellular systems to the surrounding matrix deformations with an exceptional temporal resolution of 1 minute for a stack with multiple sprouts simultaneously or every 4 seconds for a single sprout, which is 20 times faster than with a conventional confocal setup. Our study reveals collective but non-synchronised, non-continuous activity of adjacent sprouting cells along with correlations between matrix deformations and protrusion dynamics.
Dexmedetomidine Post-Conditioning Alleviates Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Rats by Inhibiting High Mobility Group Protein B1 Group (HMGB1)/Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)/Nuclear Factor kappa B (NF-κB) Signaling Pathway

Background Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury is a pivotal cause of deaths due to cerebrovascular accident. Increased research efforts are needed to reveal the mechanism underlying its aggravation or alleviation. In this study, the effects of dexmedetomidine post-conditioning on the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats was explored. Material/Methods Ninety rats were randomly divided into 5 groups – a sham group (Sham), a model group (I/R), a dexmedetomidine post-conditioning group (Dex), a recombinant high mobility group protein B1 group (rHMGB1), and a recombinant HMGB1+dexmedetomidine post-conditioning group (rHMGB1+Dex) – with 18 rats in each group. Longa grading, wet-dry weighing, TTC staining, HE staining, and immunohistochemical staining were used to assess brain damage. ELISA, RT-PCR, and Western blot analyses were performed to assess expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, HMGB1, TLR4, and NF-κB. Results Compared with the I/R group, the neurological function score, brain water content, infarction area, and the number of COX-2- and IBA-1-positive cells in the Dex group were significantly lower, accompanied by downregulated expression of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB pathway, alleviated inflammation, and oxidative stress injury in brain tissue. These trends were mostly reversed in the rHMGB1 group and rHMGB1+Dex group, but not in the Dex group. Furthermore, when compared to the Dex group, there were significant increases of H2O2, MDA, NO, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, HMGB1, TLR4, and p-P65 in the rHMGB1 group and rHMGB1+Dex group, in which a significant decrease of T-AOC, SOD, and p-IκBα was also detected. Conclusions Dexmedetomidine post-conditioning can alleviate cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.
A worldwide overview of regulatory frameworks for tissue-based products.

Over the past decades, a wide range of tissue-based products (TBPs) have emerged as new therapeutic alternatives to conventional approaches, giving an opportunity to treat pathologies that have not been cured yet. TBPs are constituted by living/non-living and genetically/non-genetically modified cells or tissues, which might be combined with materials that support their structure, molecules that favor the cellular environment and even medical devices to create functional substitutes. These medicinal products are used for the repair, replacement, restoration or regeneration of a damaged tissue in the patient. The clinical translation of these innovative products has led to the establishment of new and comprehensive regulatory schemes by regulatory bodies. The knowledge and adaptation to these regulatory shifts is essential for the pharmaceutical industries and academia, as it promotes the development of TBPs and their approval and marketing. TBPs follow different regulatory approaches depending on the jurisdiction in which the product is intended to be marked. The European Union and United States of America have developed a clear and specific regulatory pathway for TBPs. However, in other jurisdictions the oversight of these products remains still challenging. This review describes and updates the main legal considerations which must be implemented throughout the marketing authorization application process of a TBP, defining the regulatory framework of the main health agencies and outlining the major differences between them.
Accuracy of a smartwatch based single-lead electrocardiogram device in detection of atrial fibrillation

Objective The AliveCor KardiaBand (KB) is an Food and Drug Administration-approved smartwatch-based cardiac rhythm monitor that records a lead-Intelligent ECG (iECG). Despite the appeal of wearable integrated ECG devices, there is a paucity of data evaluating their accuracy in diagnosing atrial fibrillation (AF). We evaluated whether a smartwatch-based device for AF detection is an accurate tool for diagnosing AF when compared with 12-lead ECG. Methods A prospective, multi-centre, validation study was conducted in an inpatient hospital setting. The KB paired with a smartwatch, generated an automated diagnosis of AF or sinus rhythm (SR). This was compared with a 12-lead ECG performed immediately after iECG tracing. Where an unclassified or no-analysis tracing was generated, repeat iECG was performed. Results 439 ECGs (iECGs (n=239) and 12-lead ECG (n=200)) were recorded in 200 patients (AF: n=38; SR: n=162) from three tertiary centres. Sensitivity and specificity using KB was 94.4% and 81.9% respectively, with a positive predictive value of 54.8% and negative predictive value of 98.4%. Agreement between 12-lead ECG and KB diagnosis was moderate when unclassified tracings were included (κ=0.60, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.72). Combining the automated device diagnosis with blinded electrophysiologists (EP) interpretation of unclassified tracings improved overall agreement (EP1: κ=0.76, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.87; EP2: κ=0.74, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.86). Conclusion The KB demonstrated moderate diagnostic accuracy when compared with a 12-lead ECG. Combining the automated device diagnosis with EP interpretation of unclassified tracings yielded improved accuracy. However, even with future improvements in automated algorithms, physician involvement will likely remain an essential component when exploring the utility of these devices for arrhythmia screening. Clinical trial registration URL: https://www.anzctr. org.au/ Unique identifier: ACTRN12616001374459.