Three-dimensional face recognition in the presence of facial expressions: an annotated deformable model approach

In this paper, we present the computational tools and a hardware prototype for 3D face recognition. Full automation is provided through the use of advanced multistage alignment algorithms, resilience to facial expressions by employing a deformable model framework, and invariance to 3D capture devices through suitable preprocessing steps. In addition, scalability in both time and space is achieved by converting 3D facial scans into compact metadata. We present our results on the largest known, and now publicly available, face recognition grand challenge 3D facial database consisting of several thousand scans. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest performance reported on the FRGC v2 database for the 3D modality     

Reinforcement Learning Based Algorithms for Average Cost Markov Decision Processes

This article proposes several two-timescale simulation-based actor-critic algorithms for solution of infinite horizon Markov Decision Processes with finite state-space under the average cost criterion. Two of the algorithms are for the compact (non-discrete) action setting while the rest are for finite-action spaces. On the slower timescale, all the algorithms perform a gradient search over corresponding policy spaces using two different Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (SPSA) gradient estimates. On the faster timescale, the differential cost function corresponding to a given stationary policy is updated and an additional averaging is performed for enhanced performance. A proof of convergence to a locally optimal policy is presented. Next, we discuss a memory efficient implementation that uses a feature-based representation of the state-space and performs TD(0) learning along the faster timescale. The TD(0) algorithm does not follow an on-line sampling of states but is observed to do well on our setting. Numerical experiments on a problem of rate based flow control are presented using the proposed algorithms. We consider here the model of a single bottleneck node in the continuous time queueing framework. We show performance comparisons of our algorithms with the two-timescale actor-critic algorithms of Konda and Borkar (1999) and Bhatnagar and Kumar (2004). Our algorithms exhibit more than an order of magnitude better performance over those of Konda and Borkar (1999).

Continuous relaxation and local maxima selection: conditions for equivalence

Relaxation labeling processes are a class of iterative algorithms for using contextual information to reduce local ambiguities. This paper introduces a new perspective toward relaxation-that of considering it as a process for reordering labels attached to nodes in a graph. This new perspective is used to establish the formal equivalence between relaxation and another widely used algorithm, local maxima selection. The equivalence specifies conditions under which a family of cooperative relaxation algorithms, which generalize the well-known ones, decompose into purely local ones. Since these conditions are also sufficient for guaranteeing the convergence of relaxation processes, they serve as stopping criteria. We feel that equivalences such as these are necessary for the proper application of relaxation and maxima selection in complex speech and vision understanding systems.     

Bathymetric study of Lake Hayq,Ethiopia

The generation of scientific information for improved understating of the physical dynamics of a lake is fundamental for guiding lake stakeholders and managers at the local level to implement best management practices and help design effective management strategies and policies at higher levels. Multitemporal bathymetric information on lakes is very important in hydrology and sediment studies to more clearly indicate environmental changes and to understand the effects of land processes on the hydrology of lakes. Accordingly, the purpose of this study was to map bathymetric charts of Lake Hayq ¹ in Ethiopia and to derive morphometric parameters, including depth, volume, area, width and length, and to plot curves illustrating the relationships between these parameters. The bathymetric survey was carried out using a combination of a SonarLite Portable Echo Sounder and Global Positioning System (GPS) to generate three‐dimensional (XYZ) hydrographic data. Surfer 8.01 and ArcGIS 9.3 software program were used for surface, gridding and morphometric analyses. Comparison of the results of this study with a previous study conducted in 1941 indicated the lake has experienced changes in depth and surface area. To reduce the negative impacts of human‐induced activities on the ecohydrology of the lake, and to maintain its ecological integrity, appropriate and integrated lake management practices must be adopted. This will necessitate policy formulation, active lake basin stakeholder involvement and implementation of basin‐wide lake management to ensure sustainable use of the lake and its basin resources.     

Monte Carlo simulation on tensile failure process of unidirectional carbon fiber reinforced nano-phased epoxy

This paper presents an analytical approach which combines the modified shear-lag model and Monte Carlo simulation technique to simulate the tensile failure process of unidirectional T700 carbon reinforced composite. Two kinds of matrix were investigated in the present paper, one is neat epoxy and the other one is SiC nano-particle filled epoxy. In the model, the strength of the fiber elements is randomly allocated by the Monte Carlo method, the elastic properties of the matrix elements and the friction after the interfaces breakage are definitely allocated. Using this model, the deformation, damage and failure process of the composite are simulated on the microscopic level, the tensile stress–strain relationship is well predicted. The relationship between mechanical properties of the fiber, matrix and composites was discussed. The analysis also shows that, compared with the neat system, nano-phased composite exhibits 10% improvement in tensile strength, which agrees with the experimental data.     

Characteristics of Metal Droplets in Slag Tapped from the Blast Furnace

Slag samples, hot‐metal samples and hot‐metal temperatures were obtained during tapping of two blast furnaces. Sampling was carried out at different time points during tapping of three separate heats. The size distribution and composition of metal droplets found in the slag were determined using scanning electron microscopy. Only metal droplets above 0.75 μm could be counted and analysed. All droplets were below 8 μm in diameter and the great majority of these droplets were found to be between 0.75 and 2 μm. The size distribution did not differ significantly for different slag samples. Iron was the main droplet component. Electron probe microanalysis showed that the droplets contained small amounts of carbon. The percentage of the area in a studied cross‐section that was covered with metal droplets varied between 0.01 and 0.07%. Calculations based on Stoke's law showed that the distance droplets travel in the slag is in the micron range. Slag samples taken in the beginning of slag tapping contained more droplets than those taken in the middle of slag tapping, an indication that most droplets can be found in the area near the furnace wall. Some droplets were determined to have magnesium enrichment at the external surface.     

Impact of the Boeing 767 Aircraft into the World Trade Center

A numerical simulation of the aircraft impact into the exterior columns of the World Trade Center (WTC) was done using LS-DYNA. For simplification, the fuselage was modeled as a thin-walled cylinder, the wings were modeled as box beams with a fuel pocket, and the engines were represented as rigid cylinders. The exterior columns of the WTC were represented as box beams. Actual masses, material properties and dimensions of the Boeing 767 aircraft and the exterior columns of the WTC were used in this analysis. It was found that about 46% of the initial kinetic energy of the aircraft was used to damage columns. The minimum impact velocity of the aircraft to just penetrate the exterior columns would be 130?m/s. It was also found that a Boeing 767 traveling at top speed would not penetrate exterior columns of the WTC if the columns were thicker than 20?mm.     

Proteomics Unveils Post-Mortem Changes in Beef Muscle Proteins and Provides Insight into Variations in Meat Quality Traits of Crossbred Young Steers and Heifers Raised in Feedlot

Proteomics has been widely used to study muscle biology and meat quality traits from different species including beef. Beef proteomics studies allow a better understanding of the biological processes related to meat quality trait determination. This study aimed to decipher by means of two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), mass spectrometry and bioinformatics the changes in post-mortem muscle with a focus on proteins differentially expressed in the Longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle of immunocastrated young heifers and steers. Carcass traits, chemical composition, pH, instrumental color (L*, a*, b*), cooking loss and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) of meat from F1 Montana-Nellore cattle were also evaluated. Backfat thickness (BFT) and intramuscular fat content (IMF) were 46.8% and 63.6% higher in heifers (p < 0.05), respectively, while evaporation losses (EL) were 10.22% lower compared to steers. No differences (p > 0.05) were observed for tenderness evaluated by WBSF (3, 10, and 17 days post-mortem), pH, and color traits (L*, a* and b*) between the experimental groups. The study revealed several proteins to be differentially expressed proteins in heifers compared steers (p < 0.05). In heifers, proteins involved in nutrient transport (TF, ALB, and MB), energy metabolism (ALDOA, GAPDH, and PKM), and oxidative stress and response to stress (HSPA8 and CA3) were associated with a greater BFT and IMF deposition. The higher expression of these proteins indicated greater oxidative capacity and lower glycolytic activity in the LT muscle of heifers. In steers, there was greater abundance of protein expression related to muscle contraction and proteins of structure (ACTA1, TPM2 and TNNT3), energy metabolism (ENO1, ENO3, PYGM, PGM1 and TPI1) and ATP metabolism (ATP5F1B, PEBP1 and AK1), indicating greater glycogenolysis in LT muscle, suggesting a shift in the glycolytic/oxidative fibers of steers.     

Nontoxic and Naturally Occurring Active Compounds as Potential Inhibitors of Biological Targets in Liriomyza trifolii

In recent years, novel strategies to control insects have been based on protease inhibitors (PIs). In this regard, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations have been extensively used to investigate insect gut proteases and the interactions of PIs for the development of resistance against insects. We, herein, report an in silico study of (disodium 5′-inosinate and petunidin 3-glucoside), (calcium 5′-guanylate and chlorogenic acid), chlorogenic acid alone, (kaempferol-3,7-di-O-glucoside with hyperoside and delphinidin 3-glucoside), and (myricetin 3′-glucoside and hyperoside) as potential inhibitors of acetylcholinesterase receptors, actin, α-tubulin, arginine kinase, and histone receptor III subtypes, respectively. The study demonstrated that the inhibitors are capable of forming stable complexes with the corresponding proteins while also showing great potential for inhibitory activity in the proposed protein-inhibitor combinations.     

Estimation of SPIO Nanoparticles Uptakes by Macrophages Using Transmission Electron Microscopy

Due to their interesting size-dependent magnetic characteristics and relative biocompatibility, magnetic superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles have been widely exploited as probes for cell and subcellular structure identification, as well as medication and gene delivery. A thorough understanding of the mechanics of the interaction between nanoparticles and macrophages is vital in managing dynamic processes in nanomedicine. In this study, the interaction behavior and uptake of SPIO nanoparticles by M1- and M2-type macrophages were investigated. Mice monocytes were differentiated into M1 and M2 macrophages, and the uptake of SPIO nanoparticles was studied using a TEM microscope. A high resolution image of 1 nm resolution, an image processing technique, was developed to extract the SPIO-NPs from tomographic TEM microscopic images. Lysosomes appear to be the zones of high concentrations of SPIO inside macrophages. Lysosomes were first selected in each image, and then segmentation by the Otsu thresholding method was used to extract the SPIO-NPs. The Otsu threshold method is a global thresholding technique used to automatically differentiate SPIOs from the background. The SPIO-NPs appear in red colors, and the other pixels in the image are considered background. Then, an estimation of the SPIO-NP uptakes by lysosomes is produced. Higher uptake of all-sized nanoparticles was observed in M1- and M2-type macrophages. An accurate estimation of the number of SPIO-NPs was obtained. This result will help in controlling targeted drug delivery and assessing the safety impact of the use of SPIO-NPs in nanomedicine for humans.