SIRIS-Lab/unlabelled-sti-corpus huggingface dataset:
Coupled marginal discriminant mappings for low-resolution face recognition

Abstract This study develops a novel efficient coupled distance metric learning algorithm called coupled marginal discriminant mappings (CMDM). It can provide a low-resolution face recognition method with coupled mappings, making the data points in the original high and low resolution features projected into a unified space, where classification is implemented. At the same time, it makes samples from the same class gather more closely while makes samples of distinct class disperse more separately with a large margin. Thus, for the low-resolution face recognition issue, the proposed method can be leveraged to avoid dimensional mismatch problem and fill different-resolution data gap. The experimental evaluation based on the AR and FERET face databases demonstrates that CMDM can achieve highly competitive performance comparing favorably with the existing state-of-the-art low-resolution face recognition methods.
Herbs Used in Dentistry

The sole purpose of any branch of medicine is to strive to make human life happier and healthier with the available resources. Herbs are having a comeback and herbal 'renaissance' is happening all over the world. Herbal products symbolize safety when compared to synthetics which are unsafe to humans & environment. An herb is a plant part other than woody tissues, which serve as an effective source of treatment for various diseases. Herbal extracts have been used in dentistry as antimicrobial, antiseptics, antibacterial. Herbal extracts have been used in controlling plaque in case of gingivitis, periodontitis. The purpose of this article is to review the herbs which is readily available for curing dental diseases
Green supplier development program selection using NGT and VIKOR under fuzzy environment

We investigate the problem of green supplier development program evaluation.The approach can be applied under limited or no quantitative data.Program evaluation uses linguistic ratings (fuzzy numbers) obtained from experts.An integrated approach based on NGT and fuzzy VIKOR is proposed.Sensitivity analysis is performed. Developing environmental performance of suppliers is critical for green supply chain management. Organizations are nowadays investing in various green supplier development programs to enhance their supplier performances. The decision to select the right program for green supplier development is often a challenging decision due to lack of prior experience, limited quantitative information, specific context of the organization, and varying supplier backgrounds. This paper addresses the problem of evaluating green supplier development programs and proposes a fuzzy NGT (Nominal Group Technique)-VIKOR (VlseKriterijumska Optimizacija I Kompromisno Resenje) based solution approach. NGT is used to identify criteria for evaluating green supplier development programs. Fuzzy theory is used to address qualitative (linguistic) ratings for the alternatives and the selected criteria used under lack of quantitative information. VIKOR is used to generate green supplier development program rankings and recommend the best program(s) for implementation. Sensitivity analysis is performed to determine the influence of modeling parameters on ranking results of alternatives. A numerical application is provided.
Exploring Visitors' Attitude towards Green Practices and Revisit Intentions of a Tourist Destination

The study seeks to explore the relationship between attitude towards green practices and the revisit intentions among visitors in a tourist destination in Malaysia. It has been argued that revisit intentions may result in financial sustainability and profitability to the industry. Total useable questionnaires were 85 with a response rate of 27 percent. The result revealed that there is a no significant relationship between attitude towards green practices and the revisit intentions. However, descriptive statistics reveal that high percentage of visitors are in agreement that green initiatives is important and also it should be visibility communicated to the society at large. This study implies to the policy makers they should focus green destination in Malaysia. Future study should consider alternative modes of enquires such as employing the longitudinal method of data collection design and a nationwide survey covering samples from other tourist destinations in Malaysia that would be more significant in making generalizations.
Margaret McCartney: Daily drug shortages place avoidable pressure on primary care

There’s no clobetasone, ferrous fumarate, gentisone ear drops, metoprolol, valsartan, or mefenamic acid. These are not rare, esoteric drugs but workhorses of daily prescribing. Every day work is interrupted by news of what’s not available. Pharmacists with no stock phone the practice receptionists to tell them that patients need alternative prescriptions.

The prescription for the unavailable drug must be destroyed and an alternative generated for the next best drug. Pharmacies have different stockists, so a pharmacy further away might have what is lacking on shelves nearby. Is it fair to make patients traipse around several outlets looking for something that may not exist?

Everyone knows about the pressure on primary care. Instability of …
Genome-wide Evidence Reveals that African and Eurasian Golden Jackals Are Distinct Species

The golden jackal of Africa (Canis aureus) has long been considered a conspecific of jackals distributed throughout Eurasia, with the nearest source populations in the Middle East. However, two recent reports found that mitochondrial haplotypes of some African golden jackals aligned more closely to gray wolves (Canis lupus), which is surprising given the absence of gray wolves in Africa and the phenotypic divergence between the two species. Moreover, these results imply the existence of a previously unrecognized phylogenetically distinct species despite a long history of taxonomic work on African canids. To test the distinct-species hypothesis and understand the evolutionary history that would account for this puzzling result, we analyzed extensive genomic data including mitochondrial genome sequences, sequences from 20 autosomal loci (17 introns and 3 exon segments), microsatellite loci, X- and Y-linked zinc-finger protein gene (ZFX and ZFY) sequences, and whole-genome nuclear sequences in African and Eurasian golden jackals and gray wolves. Our results provide consistent and robust evidence that populations of golden jackals from Africa and Eurasia represent distinct monophyletic lineages separated for more than one million years, sufficient to merit formal recognition as different species: C. anthus (African golden wolf) and C. aureus (Eurasian golden jackal). Using morphologic data, we demonstrate a striking morphologic similarity between East African and Eurasian golden jackals, suggesting parallelism, which may have misled taxonomists and likely reflects uniquely intense interspecific competition in the East African carnivore guild. Our study shows how ecology can confound taxonomy if interspecific competition constrains size diversification.
Monetization and Services on a Real Online Social Network Using Social Network Analysis

Large social networks provide many services to their users for free. To be able to do so, these sites need to monetize their audience, in order to increase the level of services offered to their users and develop their business. Monetization of a social network platform comes not only from efficient advertising features but also from all features which would contribute in increasing the audience. In this paper, we focus on 3 monetization axes: community management, personalized advertising, and recommendation. We propose for each of these axes several features we can implement using social network analysis. These features were tested on the data of a real French social blog platform Skyrock.com, the second largest social network in France.
European training network on  grey-box models for safe and reliable intelligent mobility systems

The GREYDIENT innovative training network aims at training a next generation of Early Stage Researchers (ESR) to fully sustain the ongoing transition of European personal mobility towards safe and reliable intelligent mobility systems via the recently introduced framework of grey-box modelling approaches. One of the main challenges that we currently face in this context is the integration of the data captured from the plenitude of sensors that are involved in a particular road-traffic scenario, ranging from monitoring car-component loading situations to power network-reliability estimations. The aim is to fully exploit the potential of merging these data with advanced computational models of components and systems that are widely available in industry in order to fully assess the momentarily safety. Grey box models are an answer to this pressing issue, as they are aimed at optimally integrating (black-box) data driven machine learning tools with (white-box) simulation models to greatly surpass the performance of either framework separately. However, the training of professional profiles in Europe who combine knowledge and experience in state-of-the-art data-driven black box and numerical white box approaches with expertise in methods for reliability and safety estimation is scarce. Therefore, GREYDIENT will train its ESR’s in a wide spectrum of fields, including the modelling, propagation and quantification of the relevant variabilities, the application of big data and machine learning methods, as well as the optimal combination of data-driven approaches with numerical models. All our ESR’s will obtain a PhD from an internationally respected University, build experience in communicating and disseminating their work, applying their research skills in a non-academic context and receive in-depth training in transferable skills such commercialization, collaboration and entrepreneurship. This training will be organized in close cooperation with key industry stakeholders.
Thermoelectricity in metal-organic perovskites: recycling waste energy heat as electricity

Thermoelectric materials convert thermal and electrical energy, and performant thermoelectric devices could be used to recover waste heat in manufacturing, cogeneration, and heavy transportation - reducing both energy requirements and greenhouse gases' footprint.
Solid-state cooldown would also change refrigeration technologies, in both efficiency and maintenance. Broadly speaking, a materials' breakthrough in thermoelectrics would have an impact on energy efficiency similar to nitride LEDs for lightning technologies.

Optimal thermoelectrics need to balance the contrasting requirements of good electrical conductivity and low thermal conductivity; nowadays the best bulk thermoelectric approaching the desired efficiency is SnSe. However, large-scale production is too expensive, and applications remain limited to niche markets.

The goal of this project is to find efficient thermoelectrics in the class of metal-organic single and double halide perovskites.
These are intensely studied for their photovoltaic efficiency, thanks also to their good electrical properties; they can be manufactured inexpensively at scale; and their lattice vibrations are very anharmonic and tunable, allowing to engineer low thermal conductivity.
Since the overall number of possible compounds is above 500, there is wide chemical tunability of their properties. However, due to both theoretical and experimental difficulties, thermoelectric efficiency has been investigated only in very few compounds. Thanks to the unique capabilities I have developed during my PhD to study from first-principles materials with very large anharmonic distortions, I will investigate the full chemical space of these perovskites in the quest for the most efficient thermoelectric. Success in the project would bring major advantages to the industrial and economic EU ecosystem, but will also cement my leadership in characterizing and designing electrical and thermal properties of far from equilibrium materials.
Application of a decision support tool for municipal solid waste open dumps remediation in Cape Verde

Open dumps are places where solid waste is disposed directly on the ground, without any environmental assessment, resulting in environmental, societal and economic damages.  In Cape Verde, most of the municipalities dispose their solid waste on open dumps. Cape Verde's new policies on solid waste management determined the closure and the remediation of all the dumps around the country. In this context, this research diagnosed the conditions of tree dumps in Santiago Island and one dump in Fogo Island, in order to rank them for remediation priorities. Also, remediation scenarios and actions for each of the dumps were proposed, using Decision Support Tools (DST). Data were collected by visiting the dumps and applying field questionnaires. The results demonstrated a similarity between Santiago’s open dumps (Santa Cruz, Santa Catarina and Praia Municipal Dumps), having a Medium impact level. Sao Felipe Municipal Dump located in Fogo Island has the highest impact level and it is the priority for remediation actions. The decision support tool usage proved to be an important instrument to aid decision making for managing areas contaminated by Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in Cape Verde.

	 

	Key words: Open dumps, diagnosis, remediation scenarios.
Oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation products: effect of pinealectomy or exogenous melatonin injections on biomarkers of tissue damage during acute pancreatitis.

Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytripta-mine) is a free radical scavenger and a strong antioxidant, secreted by the pineal gland. In this study, we evaluated the effects of decreasing and increasing serum melatonin levels on malonyldialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels in pancreatic tissue from rats with experimental acute pancreatitis.Experimental acute pancreatitis was induced in three groups of Wistar albino rats (10 animals per group) by pancreatic ductal ligation. The first group had only acute pancreatitis and served as the control. Surgical pinealectomy was added to acute pancreatitis in the second group, removing the source of endogenous melatonin (low melatonin levels group). The third group was given 0.1 ml daily intraperitoneal injections of 20 mg/ml melatonin solution for one week (high melatonin levels group). The effects of melatonin levels were evaluated by comparison of the levels of MDA, SOD, and GS in pancreatic tissue.We found that intraperitoneal melatonin injections decreased the levels of MDA and increased the levels of SOD and GSH in pancreatic tissue.Exogenous melatonin has a preventive effect on lipid peroxidation and oxidative damage in acute pancreatitis.
AQUAPONIC EASY FARM 4.0

THE PROJECT AQUAPONIC EASY FARM 4.0 TO UNAWIDATIVA IN THE FIELD OF GROUND-BREAKING, INNOVATIVE SPACE AND ENERGY AGRICULTURE, IN A HIGHLY SUSTAINABLE WAY, IN ORDER TO PRODUCE FOOD AND SERVICES WITH VERY LOW ECOLOGICAL AND HIGH IMPACT
THE FACTORS INFLUENCING RELIABILITY OF POLE AND TOWER STRUCTURES

Because the application of UHV transmission line is still in exploration stage worldwide,there are no national codes and professional technical regulations of design for such structures. Based reliability theory, referencing design method of technical regulation now in use,the factors which influencing the reliability of the structure were investigated. The reliability of the structure designed according to current technical regulations is assessed by JC method. Depending on the design files of an UHV transmission line in practice,the influences of the importance factor of the structure and design wind load on the reliability of poles and tower structures were researched. There are some results proposed such as the reliability of the structure in different wind load would not be the same by current technical regulations,etc. The analysis results can be benifit for code of UHV transmission line establishment.
Histological Effects of Smokeless Tobacco on the Endometrial Glands of the Orally Treated Female Swiss Albino Rats

Tobacco use is the leading cause of mortality all over the world. Smokeless tobacco contains higher quantities of nicotine than most cigarettes. Over the past few decades the use of tobacco among women of reproductive ages has increased. Exposure to the toxins present in the tobacco interferes with the endometrial receptivity, endometrial angiogenesis and uterine blood flow.Material and Methods: 30 adult female Swiss albino rats were randomly selected. They were divided into three groups (n=10 each). Group A was kept as control. Experimental groups B and C consisted of rats which were given 5 % and 10% of smokeless tobacco in their feed respectively. Feed and water were given ad libitum. On 31stday the animals were sacrificed. Uterus of all the animals were removed and weighed. The tissues were processed for histological examination under light microscopy using H and E and Trichrome stains.Results: A significant decrease in the weight of the uterus was observed (P value &lt;= 0.001). The histological changes in the uterus of experimental groups revealed severe cystically dilated sub mucosal glands. Endometrial glands also showed marked atrophy (P value &lt;= 0.001).Conclusion: From this study it can be concluded that the smokeless form of tobacco causes adverse effects on the endometrium of the female Swiss albino rats. Long term use of this form of tobacco may lead to adverse reproductive outcomes or other pathological conditions of uterus.
SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE MARINE AND RIVER INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MONITORING THE TRANSPORTATION OF DANGEROUS GOODS

The SEE area is a sea and river transit space of vessels carrying hazardous freight which constitutes many potential environmental risks for coasts and inland waterways. Economic development and a strong growth of transport and increased traffic in the SEE area aggravate the already increased threats of pollution and thus require a good management and high performance of observation, communication and monitoring response systems. The SEE MARINER project is focusing on mitigating environmental risks arising from the transportation of dangerous goods in marine areas and rivers by applying an integrated system for the joint prevention and response procedures, enhanced monitoring of maritime and river traffic and increased coordination capacity for the mobilization of the relevant authorities and stakeholder groups. SEE MARINER will achieve a measurable improvement in the interoperability of monitoring activities in the prevention of environmental risks. The much needed exchange of knowledge and the analysis of existing good practices in systems for monitoring the transport of dangerous goods will consequently lead to the key outcome of SEE MARINER, the development and implementation of a innovative, transferable and replicable system and the foundation of the SEE MARINER Network offering tools and services to improve the interoperability of monitoring activities and increase the effectiveness of operations for the joint prevention of environmental risks arising in cases of emergency. All partners participate in trainings, working groups and seminars and will apply the SEE MARINER system in their own locality. Cross sectoral evaluation and high level policy recommendations will highlight the gateway for potential followers in the SEE area and will build the basis for long term sustainability.
Accurate Determination of Equivalent Modulus of Nonlinear Anisotropic Granular Base Layer

A variety of mechanistic models have been proposed to characterize the resilient behavior of unbound granular materials as a function of applied stress states including confinement and shear effects. However, significant computation effort is needed to implement the nonlinear stress-dependent modulus in the pavement structure response analysis. In this study, an equivalent modulus of granular base layer was developed to represent the nonlinear anisotropic behavior of aggregate base layer using three-dimensional finite element modeling analysis. The analysis results indicate that the equivalent modulus is not a constant value but changes with temperature, vehicle speed, and load. The equivalent modulus increases as the temperature increases but decreases as the vehicle speed increases due to the viscoelastic nature of asphalt surface layer. The equivalent modulus results in comparable results in the prediction of critical pavement responses, compared to the responses predicted using the real nonlinear anisotropic model for the granular base. The developed equivalent modulus can be used as an alternative approach when the sophisticated model is not available or the analysis needs to be conducted in a quick manner.
POLYURETHANE SOLUTION AND USE THEREOF

Disclosed herein is a polyurethane solution comprising a polyurethane solute dissolved in a trialkyl phosphate solvent. The polyurethane solution, in certain aspects of the invention, is used to coat a substrate, e.g., a textile substrate, to form a polyurethane coated substrate. A method of preparing the polyurethane solution is also provided. Finally, there is also provided herein a method of preparing a thermoplastic polyurethane coated substrate.
A new species of <i>Micromaldane</i> (Polychaeta: Maldanidae) from the Falkland Islands, southwestern Atlantic, with notes on reproduction

Micromaldane shackletoni n. sp. is described from the Falkland Islands in the southwest Atlantic. It is only the eighth species of Micromaldane to be recognized worldwide and is a new record of the genus for the Falkland Islands. The main characters of the new species are: up to 23 chaetigerous segments; nuchal organs as rounded ciliated pits with small central grooves anteriorly; two kinds ofnotochaetae: lancet-shaped chaetae and fine capillaries; neurochaetae as a single row of strongly curved, avicular uncini; a single pre-anal achaetigerous segment and anal plaque funnel-shaped with a crenated edge. This new species is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, only the second report of this reproductive mode in the genus along with Micromaldane androgyne Rouse, 1990. The stages of larval development from internal gametes to external in-tube development are also discussed.