Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Robust face recognition using computationally efficient features

Face recognition has received enormous fame in the field of pattern recognition and computer vision. Being a demanding area intensive research has been done by many researchers for more than a decade. However no standard technique exists for extracting the significant features of facial images in different categories. Techniques found in literature produces high accuracy but are computationally expensive which are not applicable in real time applications. In this paper, two well known methods, Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Weber Local Descriptor (WLD) are used to extract the face discriminative features. First for both types of features, the recognition accuracy is separately measured. In the next step, both types of features are fused using the concatenation method to improve the accuracy rate. To select more discriminative features and reduce data dimensions, computationally efficient algorithm (Kruskal-Wallis) is used. In the last step, three classifiers (SVM, KNN and BPNN) ensemble to improve the accuracy rate. Proposed technique is more efficient in terms of time complexity as compared to GA and PSO. Yale face database is used for all experiments. The proposed technique is highly robust to facial variations like occlusion, illumination and expression change and computationally efficient as compared to existing methods.
Association between p34cdc2 levels and meiotic arrest in pig oocytes during early growth

Summary The molecules involved in determining meiotic competence were determined in porcine oocytes isolated from preantral and antral follicles of different sizes. Oocytes isolated from preantral follicles had a mean diameter of 78 μm, contained diffuse filamentous chromatin in the germinal vesicle and were incapable of progressing from the G2 to the M phase of the cycle even after 72 h in culture. Oocytes from early antral follicles had a mean diameter of 105 μm, showed a filamentous chromatin configuration and about half resumed meiosis but arrested at metaphase I (MI) when cultured. Oocytes from mid-antral (3–4 mm) and large antral follicles (5–6 mm) had mean oocyte diameters of 115 and 119 μm respectively, contained condensed chromatin around the nucleolus and progressed to metaphase II (MII) in 48% and 93% of instances respectively. Analysis of p34cdc2, the catalytic subunit of maturation promoting factor (MPF), by immunoblotting indicates that the inability of small (78 μm) oocytes to resume meiosis is due, at least in part, to inadequate levels of the catalytic subunit of MPF. On the other hand, the inability of intermediate-sized (105 μm) oocytes from antral follicles to complete the first meiotic division by progressing beyond MI appears not to be limited by levels of p34cdc2, which are maximal by this stage. We postulate that an inadequacy of molecules other than p34cdc2 limits progression of MI to MII; the acquisition of these molecules during the final stages of growth may be correlated with the formation of the perinucleolar chromatin rim in the germinal vesicle.
Pilot Contamination Effect in Massive MIMO and Analysis of Mitigation Techniques

Pilot contamination is the major factor to limit the performance of massive MIMO systemsdue to degraded channel estimation. In this paper, we have tried to provide an extensive survey on pilot contamination, and identify all possible sources causing it. We mostly cover the theoretical aspect and review the established theories that have analyzed the effect of pilot contamination on the performance of massive MIMO systems. We studied about a pilot pattern design where zero pilot symbols are inserted into the pilot sequence to reduce the pilot contamination impact on uplink channel estimate and bit error rate performance. We evaluate the achievable rate in forward link with maximum-ratio and zero-forcing precoding at the BS. We analyze spectral efficiency when employing maximum ratio transmission or zero forcing precoding at the base station. We investigate the performance of simple least-squares channel estimator with the higher-complexity minimum mean square error estimator. A brief analysis of mitigation techniques based on existing long term evolution (LTE) measurements - open loop power control (OLPC) and pilot sequence reuse schemes, that avoid PC within a group of cells has been done. Finally, some open problems are highlighted and concluded with broader perspective and a look at future trends in pilot contamination inmassive MIMO systems.nbsp
Precise Timing of Expression of a Plasmodium falciparum-derived Transgene in Plasmodium berghei Is a Critical Determinant of Subsequent Subcellular Localization*

The development of transfection technology for malaria parasites holds significant promise for a more detailed characterization of molecules targeted by vaccines or drugs. One asexual blood stage vaccine candidate, apical membrane antigen-1 (AMA-1) of merozoite rhoptries has been shown to be the target of inhibitory, protective antibodies in both in vitro andin vivo studies. We have investigated heterologous (trans-species) expression of the human malaria Plasmodium falciparum AMA-1 (PF83/AMA-1) in the rodent parasitePlasmodium berghei. Transfected P. bergheiexpressed correctly folded and processed PF83/AMA-1 under control of both pb66/ama-1 and dhfr-ts promoters. Timing of expression was highly promoter-dependent and was critical for subsequent subcellular localization. Under control ofpb66/ama-1, PF83/AMA-1 expression and localization inP. berghei was limited to the rhoptries of mature schizonts, similar to that observed for PF83/AMA-1 in P. falciparum. In contrast the dhfr-tspromoter permitted PF83/AMA-1 expression throughout schizogony as well as in gametocytes and gametes. Localization was aberrant and included direct expression at the merozoite and gamete surface. Processing from the full-length 83-kDa protein to a 66-kDa protein was observed not only in schizonts but also in gametocytes, indicating that processing could be mediated outside of rhoptries by a common protease. Trans-species expressed PF83/AMA-1 was highly immunogenic in mice, resulting in a response against a functionally critical domain of the molecule.
Uncertainty of Moisture Measurements Methods for Grains

It is important for food scientists to be able to reliably measure moisture content as it is one of the most commonly measured properties of food materials especially grains. In addition, the moisture monitoring techniques will provide for better control of processing for value added applications and improved end product quality. They will provide more precise moisture information that can be used in optimizing grain drying with resulting higher quality products and significant energy savings in grain drying operations. A number of techniques and electronic meters have been developed for this purpose, which vary in their accuracy, cost, speed, sensitivity, specificity, ease of operation, etc.The uncertainty in the moisture content measured by drying method, which is the highest standard method in grain moisture measurements, was evaluated. The uncertainties for other electronics meters to be used as secondary standard for determination of moisture in grain, which are very fast and easy to be used, were calculated and its traceability to Inter-National System of units(SI) was established.
Job Creation in the United States: Good Jobs or Bad?

Despite a record of sustained growth in employment in the United States, there is longstanding concern that the new jobs are of poor quality, implying that the quality of the stock of jobs in the economy is deteriorating. In fact, it is difficult to define a new job, much less identify such jobs and evaluate their quality. In this study, I define new jobs operationally as worker-firm matches that have begun within the last year (i.e., tenure less than one year), and I investigate the extent to which the quality of new (low tenure) jobs relative to old (higher tenure) jobs has changed over the period from 1979-1996. I consider three dimensions of quality: real wages, the rate of part-time employment, and the rate of coverage by employer-provided health insurance. The empirical analysis relies on data from eight mobility and benefit supplements to the Current Population Survey over the period studied. The results are clear cut. Real hourly wages on new jobs have deteriorated slightly relative to wages on older jobs, but the general patterns of the wage distribution on new jobs have changed in ways similar to the overall wage distribution (a large increase in the return to education driven by a large decline in wages for less-skilled workers). There is no evidence of an increase in the rate of part-time employment on either new jobs or old jobs so that the quality of new jobs has not changed absolutely or relative to the quality of older jobs in this dimension. The quality of new jobs has deteriorated substantially for some workers in the provision of employer-provided health insurance. Less-educated workers have become substantially less likely to be covered by or offered health insurance by their employer, and the decline is particularly large on new jobs. There has been a smaller decline in employer-provided health insurance coverage for more-educated workers on both old and new jobs, but the decline is no larger on new jobs than on old jobs. On balance, there has been a decline in the quality of jobs for less-skilled workers, as measured by the availability of a key fringe benefit, that is especially severe for new jobs and that reinforces the well-known deterioration of the labor market for less-skilled workers more generally. There has been relatively little change in the quality of jobs available to more highly-skilled workers, either on new or on old jobs.
Extending the Interaction Repertoire of FHA and BRCT Domains

Dbf4 and the FHA1 domain of Rad53. Helix α0 is an integral part of the fold as it anchors itself to the BRCT core through hydrophobic interactions, thereby introducing the idea of BRCT domains being building blocks that can be decorated to form super-structures with broader binding specificities.
A Description of a Web-Based Educational Tool for Understanding the PICO Framework in Evidence-Based Practice With a Citation Ranking System

Asking a well-defined clinical question has revealed itself as a learned skill. Asking a "good" question is not an innate response to a clinical problem or clinical case but a task that requires insight, critical thinking, and evaluation, as well as grounding in subject-specific background information. To aid in the proficiency of asking an answerable clinical question, a Web-based tool named Accessing and Assessing the Evidence was developed to tutor students in asking such questions. The tool, consisting of two modules, presents the principles of evidence-based practice question formulation in the first module and permits users to compare their critical opinions of article citations and abstracts to those of their peers and experts in the second module. Initial findings suggest that the Accessing and Assessing the Evidence tool may be a valuable independent learning tool for undergraduate nursing students by providing question structure guidance with practical learning scenarios.
Determinants of Bone Loss from the Femoral Neck in Women of Different Ages

An age‐stratified sample of 304 women from Rochester, Minnesota, aged 30–94 years (median 60 years) at baseline underwent measurement of femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) over a follow‐up period extending to 16 years. The average rate of change in femoral neck BMD was −1.0% per year (range −10.0% to +13.4%) and did not vary significantly with age. Because there was no marked increase in the rate of loss around the time of menopause, nor convincing evidence of there being a subset of fast losers, there was fairly good tracking of individual values over time; the correlation of baseline with femoral neck BMD values 16 years later was 0.83. Although a large number of potential determinants was assessed, the only consistent predictor of femoral neck bone loss in women of different ages was baseline femoral neck BMD (r = −0.15; p = 0.023). Otherwise, different sets of risk factors were identified for premenopausal women, women within 20 years of menopause, and women 20 years or more postmenopausal, but the predictive power of these different multivariate models was modest. Nonetheless, these data indicate that femoral neck BMD is quite predictable for extended periods of time. This is reassuring with respect to the use of statistical models that incorporate such data to estimate future fracture risk.
TAX CONSOLIDATION AND THE STRUCTURE OF CORPORATE GROUPS: EVIDENCE FROM THE JAPANESE TAX REFORM 2002

A consolidated filing of corporate income tax may induce firms to manipulate ownership interests in subsidiaries but no study has systematically examined such behavioral responses. This paper examines empirically inclusions/exclusions of subsidiaries to/from consolidation groups in a quasi-experiment that utilizes the Japanese tax reform of 2002. The identification of tax effects is based on a difference-in-difference strategy that exploits disincentives to consolidate subsidiaries with losses carried forward. The data consists of 37,000-40,000 subsidiary-time observations spanning biennially over 1988-2006. The result shows that losses carried forward significantly reduced the propensity to include subsidiaries to consolidation groups. No evidence on tax-motivated exclusion is found. This result suggests that the forced consolidation regime is preferable.
Psychosocial Adjustment in School-age Girls With a Family History of Breast Cancer

OBJECTIVE: Understanding how young girls respond to growing up with breast cancer family histories is critical given expansion of genetic testing and breast cancer messaging. We examined the impact of breast cancer family history on psychosocial adjustment and health behaviors among >800 girls in the multicenter LEGACY Girls Study. METHODS: Girls aged 6 to 13 years with a family history of breast cancer or familial BRCA1/2 mutation (BCFH+), peers without a family history (BCFH–), and their biological mothers completed assessments of psychosocial adjustment (maternal report for 6- to 13-year-olds, self-report for 10- to 13-year-olds), breast cancer–specific distress, perceived risk of breast cancer, and health behaviors (10- to 13-year-olds). RESULTS: BCFH+ girls had better general psychosocial adjustment than BCFH– peers by maternal report. Psychosocial adjustment and health behaviors did not differ significantly by self-report among 10- to 13-year-old girls. BCFH+ girls reported higher breast cancer–specific distress (P = .001) and were more likely to report themselves at increased breast cancer risk than BCFH– peers (38.4% vs 13.7%, P < .001), although many girls were unsure of their risk. In multivariable analyses, higher daughter anxiety was associated with higher maternal anxiety and poorer family communication. Higher daughter breast cancer–specific distress was associated with higher maternal breast cancer-specific distress. CONCLUSIONS: Although growing up in a family at risk for breast cancer does not negatively affect general psychosocial adjustment among preadolescent girls, those from breast cancer risk families experience greater breast cancer–specific distress. Interventions to address daughter and mother breast cancer concerns and responses to genetic or familial risk might improve psychosocial outcomes of teen daughters.
Space-Vector-Based Hybrid Pulsewidth Modulation Techniques for Reduced Harmonic Distortion and Switching Loss

Novel switching sequences can be employed in space-vector-based pulsewidth modulation (PWM) of voltage source inverters. Different switching sequences are evaluated and compared in terms of inverter switching loss. A hybrid PWM technique named minimum switching loss PWM is proposed, which reduces the inverter switching loss compared to conventional space vector PWM (CSVPWM) and discontinuous PWM techniques at a given average switching frequency. Further, four space-vector-based hybrid PWM techniques are proposed that reduce line current distortion as well as switching loss in motor drives, compared to CSVPWM. Theoretical and experimental results are presented.
Estimation of Tuberculosis Risk and Incidence under Upper Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation in a Waiting Room in a Hypothetical Scenario

Environmental control measures (ventilation, high‐efficiency particulate air filtration, and upper room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation [UVGI]) are recommended to effectively control tuberculosis (TB) transmission from unsuspected TB patients in high‐risk settings, but the effectiveness of their use is not often clear. This study presents a simulation model for a hypothetical hospital waiting room, in which the number of susceptible immunocompetent people in the waiting room follows a Poisson distribution (M= 5) in either low (annual number of TB patients = 5) or high TB risk settings (annual number of TB patients = 50), and used the model to evaluate the reduction of TB transmission risk by upper room UVGI. An exponential dose‐response model was used for TB transmission and a two‐zone model was used for evaluating the effect of upper room UVGI. Upper room UVGI reduced TB risk by 1.6‐fold at 3 μW/cm2 UV irradiance in the upper room in the low TB risk setting and by 4.1‐fold at 15 μW/cm2 UV irradiance in the upper room in the high TB risk setting. Use of upper room UVGI also reduced the mean annual new infection rate from 2.2 to 1.3 infections per year at 3 μW/cm2 and to 0.6 infections per year at 15 μW/cm2 in our hypothetical high‐risk settings. The effect of upper room UVGI was sensitive to both vertical air velocity (air mixing) and UV irradiance level. Results from partitioning variability indicate that most variability of TB transmission risk came from waiting time in our hypothetical hospital.
Subprime Mortgage Lending in New York City: Prevalence and Performance

Subprime mortgage lending expanded in New York City between 2004 and mid-2007, and delinquencies on these subprime loans have been rising sharply. We use a rich, loan-level data set of the city's outstanding subprime loans as of January 2009 to describe the main features of this lending and to model the performance of these loans. These subprime loans represent a smaller share of total housing units in the city than is true nationwide. In addition, they are found to be clustered in neighborhoods where average borrower credit quality is low and, unlike prime mortgage loans, where African-Americans and Hispanics constitute relatively large shares of the population. We estimate a model of the likelihood that these loans will become seriously delinquent and find a significant role for credit quality of borrowers, debt-to-income and loan-to-value ratios at the time of loan origination, and estimates of the loss of home equity.
EXTENDED CONSTITUTIVE LAWS FOR LAMELLAR PHASES

Classically, stress and strain rate in linear viscoelastic materials are related by a constitutive relationship involving the viscoelastic modulus G(t). The same constitutive law, within Linear Response Theory, relates currents of conserved quantities and gradients of existing conjugate variables, and it involves the autocorrelation functions of the currents in equilibrium. We explore the consequences of the latter relationship in the case of a mesoscale model of a block copolymer, and derive the resulting relationship between viscous friction and order parameter diffusion that would result in a lamellar phase. We also explicitly consider in our derivation the fact that the dissipative part of the stress tensor must be consistent with the uniaxial symmetry of the phase. We then obtain a relationship between the stress and order parameter autocorrelation functions that can be interpreted as an extended constitutive law, one that offers a way to determine them from microscopic experiment or numerical simulation.
The hippocampus is essential for completely unconscious as well as conscious flexible memories.

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Unconscious relational encoding depends on hippocampus’ by Duss et al. (doi: 10.1093/brain/awu270). Several beliefs about the nature of organic amnesia were deeply entrenched by the early 1990s. It was believed that damage to the medial temporal lobe or its connections in the midline diencephalon and basal forebrain did not disrupt intelligence, perception, processing of information at input and immediate (short-term) memory, but selectively disrupted—following even a brief distraction—recall and recognition of recently encountered personal events or facts/concepts. In other words, amnesia was thought to affect only episodic and semantic memory, whether for pre-morbid events (retrograde amnesia) or post-morbid events (anterograde amnesia). With these kinds of memory, not only is the remembered information consciously apprehended at input and at retrieval, but the person remembering is also consciously aware that the information is a memory. That is, the person feels that the information has been encountered before, often in a particular context. In contrast, it was believed that amnesics acquired and retained other kinds of memory, such as habits and skills, normally. Although these latter types of non-declarative memory are functionally heterogeneous, they all lack the conscious feeling of memory that accompanies episodic and semantic memory. Since the late 1990s, several of these entrenched beliefs have been challenged. On the one hand, it has been argued that amnesia is not functionally unitary: while disruption of the hippocampal, fornix and anterior thalamic system impairs recall of flexible (relational) associative memories, disruption of the perirhinal cortex or its dorsomedial thalamic projection impairs inflexible item familiarity (for a review, see Montaldi and Mayes, 2010). Relational memory representations have components linked to each other as well as to other representations, which allows flexible access through multiple cues both to the representation and from it to other representations (Cohen and Eichenbaum, …
Absence of systems consolidation of fear memories after dorsal, ventral, or complete hippocampal damage

We examined the effects of dorsal, ventral, or complete damage to the hippocampus on long‐term retention of a Pavlovian conditioned fear response to a tone and a context paired with foot shock. Rats received a fear conditioning episode, in which a tone and context or context‐alone were paired with foot shock. Two days or 12 weeks later, they received sham, dorsal, ventral, or complete NMDA‐induced damage of the hippocampus. During a retention test conducted 2 weeks after surgery, the sham control rats exhibited high levels of freezing in the context and in the presence of the tone. Rats with dorsal, ventral, or complete hippocampal damage displayed very little freezing in the context at either learning‐surgery intervals. Partial hippocampal damage tended to cause a smaller but consistent deficit in conditioned responding to context at the shorter (2 day) learning‐surgery interval. Rats with hippocampal damage did not display less severe retrograde amnesia for more remote (12 weeks) memories. A similar pattern of results was observed for freezing to the tone. We find that the severity of retrograde amnesia for fear conditioning is related to the extent of the damage and that there is consistent and severe retrograde amnesia for remote contextual and cued fear memories. These findings support the idea that the hippocampal formation plays an essential and possibly permanent role in fear memories. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.