Facial Geometry Identification through Fuzzy Patterns with RGBD Sensor

Automatic human facial recognition is an important and complicated task; it is necessary to design algorithms capable of recognizing the constant patterns in the face and to use computing resources efficiently. In this paper we present a novel algorithm to recognize the human face in real time; the systems input is the depth and color data from the Microsoft KinectTM device. The algorithm recognizes patterns/shapes on the point cloud topography. The template of the face is based in facial geometry; the forensic theory classifies the human face with respect to constant patterns: cephalometric points, lines, and areas of the face. The topography, relative position, and symmetry are directly related to the craniometric points. The similarity between a point cloud cluster and a pattern description is measured by a fuzzy pattern theory algorithm. The face identification is composed by two phases: the first phase calculates the face pattern hypothesis of the facial points, configures each point shape, the related location in the areas, and lines of the face. Then, in the second phase, the algorithm performs a search on these face point configurations

Recidivism and neighborhood institutions: evidence from the rise of the evangelical church in Chile

Rehabilitating convicted criminals is challenging; indeed, an important share of them return to prison only a few years after their release. Thus, finding effective ways of encouraging crime desistance, particularly among young individuals, has become an important policy goal to reduce crime and incarceration rates. This paper provides causal evidence that the local institutions of the neighborhood that receives young individuals after prison matter. Specifically, we show that the opening of an Evangelical church reduces twelve-months re-incarceration rates among property crime offenders by more than 10 percentage points. This effect represents a drop of 16% in the probability of returning to prison for this group of individuals. We find smaller and less precise effects for more severe types of crime. We discuss two classes of mechanisms that could explain our results: religiosity and social support. We provide evidence that the social support provided by evangelical churches is an important driver of our findings. This suggests that non-religious local institutions could also play an important role in the rehabilitation of former inmates

PSO-PARSIMONY: A method for finding parsimonious and accurate machine learning models with particle swarm optimization. Application for predicting force–displacement curves in T-stub steel connections

[EN]We present PSO-PARSIMONY, a new methodology to search for parsimonious and highly accurate models by means of particle swarm optimization. PSO-PARSIMONY uses automatic hyperparameter optimization and feature selection to search for accurate models with low complexity. To evaluate the new proposal, a comparative study with multilayer perceptron algorithm was performed with public datasets and by applying it to predict two important parameters of the force–displacement curve in T-stub steel connections: initial stiffness and maximum strength. Models optimized with PSO-PARSIMONY showed an excellent trade-off between goodness-of-fit and parsimony. The new proposal was compared with GA-PARSIMONY, our previously published methodology that uses genetic algorithms in the optimization process. The new method needed more iterations and obtained slightly more complex individuals, but it performed better in the search for accurate models

Active learning and social commitment projects as a teaching-learning intervention in engineering degrees

[EN] The purpose of universities, apart from produce qualified professionals with problem-solving capabilities and soft-skills, should be to develop the social responsibility sense on their students. In this context, our proposal combines project based learning (PBL) and service based learning (SBL) along with gamming and the use of open-source machines, with the aim to increase student’s motivation and their social commitment with an affordable budget. The strategy, from now on named OS-PBL-SR (Open-Source-based PBL projects with Social Responsibility), mainly includes three important aspects: (i) assignment with projects orientated towards a social benefit; (ii) development of the projects using open-source Do It Yourself desktop machines (DIY-DkM); and (iii) include gamming in the evaluation method. The strategy was applied in the subject Manufacturing Technology but it might be easily exportable to other technical subjects. The results from the last academic year are presented. Also, a new OS-PBL-SR proposal aimed to the design and fabrication of autonomy-oriented products for people in a dependency situation is presented. The results showed the beneficial impact on undergraduate students by keeping high levels of motivation reflected on excellent success rates and scores. In addition, essential advantages in the use of DIY-DkM were found regarding the implementation of this kind of PBL strategy.The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support received from the University of La Rioja through the programs ‘Proyectos de Innovación Docente 2018/2019’. The authors also want to express their gratitude to the Instituto de Estudios Riojanos (IER). One of the authors, A.S.G., would also like to acknowledge the financial support from the Academy of Finland No. 273689.Pernía-Espinoza, A.; Sanz-Garcia, A.; Martinez-De-Pison-Ascacibar, FJ.; Peciña-Marqueta, S.; Blanco-Fernandez, J. (2019). Active learning and social commitment projects as a teaching-learning intervention in engineering degrees. En HEAD'19. 5th International Conference on Higher Education Advances. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 281-288. https://doi.org/10.4995/HEAD19.2019.9605OCS28128

Preparation of magnetic latexes using styrene monomer

The preparation of magnetic latexes using styrene monomer was carried out via the miniemulsion polymerization technique. Magnetite (Fe3O4), with an average size of 12 nmwas used as magnetic particles. An organic phasewas prepared dispersing the magnetite in styrene where bis(2-ethyl, hexyl) sulphosuccinate (AOT) was used as dispersant. The dispersion was then miniemulsified in water using cethyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) as second emulsifier forming a stable emulsion. The miniemulsion polymerization was carried out at 60 ◦C and was initiated with 2,2-Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN). The latexes obtained were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), magnetometry and transmission electron microscopy

Makerspaces in Higher Education : the UR-Maker experience at the University of La Rioja

Nowadays, in addition to the expected technical knowledge, labor markets demand engineers with personal, interpersonal and system building skills, according to the CDIO (Conceive-Design-Implement-Operate) syllabus. But the current higher education systems are mostly teaching theoretical concepts rather than practical or applied cases. Makerspaces could become a bridge between universities and industry, particularly in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers. Makerspaces, also known as hackerspaces, hack labs, and fab labs, are open-access spaces where tools, machines and knowledge are shared with the purpose of implementing an idea. This communication evaluates the current status of the makerspaces at the world's top 10 universities in engineering and three of the most well-known Spanish ones, as well as the new campus makerspace created at the University of La Rioja. All the information was collected from universities' websites. Most of these reviewed universities have created outstanding makerspaces generally for the entire academic community. The Spanish 'Maker UPV' has been exceptionally successful promoting activities and projects in spite of the lack of resources reported. Lastly, the implementation of a new makerspace at the University of La Rioja (UR-Maker) is described with information about its organization, funding sources and activities already performed. This experience can represent an attractive guide for the academic community as other universities can explore the creation of new makerspaces on their own campus.Peer reviewe

El derecho a la vida y a la libertad: un estudio de la esclavitud moderna en Venezuela.

La esclavitud moderna, un crimen que priva de su libertad y dignidad a millones de personas en todo el mundo, se manifiesta a través de la explotación, la violencia, el engaño y el abuso de poder. En América Latina, Venezuela se ha convertido en uno de los focos más críticos de este delito, donde la crisis humanitaria ha generado las condiciones perfectas para la proliferación de redes de trabajo forzado y prácticas esclavizantes. A través de una perspectiva sistémica y un enfoque cualitativo, este artículo aborda la problemática de la esclavitud moderna en Venezuela, analizando sus causas, consecuencias y los desafíos para su erradicación. Los hallazgos evidencian cómo la crisis económica, la pobreza, la inestabilidad política, la debilidad del marco legal vigente y las dificultades en la judicialización interactúan de manera compleja, generando un entorno propicio para este delito. Las causas subyacentes a este fenómeno se encuentran en la interconexión de factores como la pobreza, la desigualdad, la corrupción y la debilidad institucional; así mismo, la falta de oportunidades laborales, sumada a la impunidad y la falta de acceso a la justicia, facilita la proliferación de redes criminales que se lucran de este crimen. Se concluye que, para dar solución a la esclavitud moderna en Venezuela, se requieren acciones urgentes a nivel nacional e internacional para fortalecer el marco legal, mejorar la coordinación entre las instituciones, promover programas de prevención y sensibilización y fomentar el desarrollo sostenible

Height and timing of growth spurt during puberty in young people living with vertically acquired HIV in Europe and Thailand.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe growth during puberty in young people with vertically acquired HIV. DESIGN: Pooled data from 12 paediatric HIV cohorts in Europe and Thailand. METHODS: One thousand and ninety-four children initiating a nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor or boosted protease inhibitor based regimen aged 1-10 years were included. Super Imposition by Translation And Rotation (SITAR) models described growth from age 8 years using three parameters (average height, timing and shape of the growth spurt), dependent on age and height-for-age z-score (HAZ) (WHO references) at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Multivariate regression explored characteristics associated with these three parameters. RESULTS: At ART initiation, median age and HAZ was 6.4 [interquartile range (IQR): 2.8, 9.0] years and -1.2 (IQR: -2.3 to -0.2), respectively. Median follow-up was 9.1 (IQR: 6.9, 11.4) years. In girls, older age and lower HAZ at ART initiation were independently associated with a growth spurt which occurred 0.41 (95% confidence interval 0.20-0.62) years later in children starting ART age 6 to 10 years compared with 1 to 2 years and 1.50 (1.21-1.78) years later in those starting with HAZ less than -3 compared with HAZ at least -1. Later growth spurts in girls resulted in continued height growth into later adolescence. In boys starting ART with HAZ less than -1, growth spurts were later in children starting ART in the oldest age group, but for HAZ at least -1, there was no association with age. Girls and boys who initiated ART with HAZ at least -1 maintained a similar height to the WHO reference mean. CONCLUSION: Stunting at ART initiation was associated with later growth spurts in girls. Children with HAZ at least -1 at ART initiation grew in height at the level expected in HIV negative children of a comparable age

Optoelectronic generation of bio-aqueous femto-droplets based on the bulk photovoltaic effect

"© 2020 Optical Society of America. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic reproduction and distribution, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modifications of the content of this paper are prohibited"The generation and manipulation of small aqueous droplets is an important issue for nano- and biotechnology, particularly, when using microfluidic devices. The production of very small droplets has been frequently carried out by applying intense local electric fields to the fluid, which requires power supplies and metallic electrodes. This procedure complicates the device and reduces its versatility. In this work, we present a novel and flexible, to the best of our knowledge, electrodeless optoelectronic method for the production of tiny droplets of biologically friendly aqueous fluids. Our method takes advantage of the photoinduced electric fields generated by the bulk photovoltaic effect in iron-doped lithium niobate crystals. Two substrate configurations, presenting the polar ferroelectric axis either parallel or perpendicular to the active surface, have been successfully tested. In both crystal geometries, small droplets on the femtoliter scale have been obtained, although with a different spatial distributions correlated with the symmetry of the photovoltaic fields. The overall results demonstrate the effectiveness of the optoelectronic method to produce femtoliter droplets, both with pure water and with aqueous solutions containing biological materialMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades of Spain (MAT2017-83951-R); Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action COFUND (713366-InterTalentum

Microvesicles released from Giardia intestinalis disturb host-pathogen response in vitro

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a published work that appeared in final form in European Journal of Cell Biology, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcb.2017.01.005.Giardia intestinalis (G.I), is an anaerobic protozoan and the aetiological agent of giardiasis, a diarrhoea present worldwide and associated with poverty. G.I has a simple life cycle alternating between cyst and trophozoite. Cysts are transmitted orally to the stomach and transform to trophozoites in the intestine by a multifactorial process. Recently, microvesicles (MVs) have been found to be released from a wide range of eukaryotic cells. We have observed a release of MVs during the life cycle of G.I., identifying MVs from active trophozoites and from trophozoites differentiating to the cyst form. The aim of the current work was to investigate the role of MVs from G.I in the pathogenesis of giardiasis. MVs from log phase were able to increase the attachment of G. intestinalis trophozoites to Caco-2 cells. Moreover, MVs from G. intestinalis could be captured by human immature dendritic cells, resulting in increased activation and allostimulation of human dendritic cells. Lipid rafts participate in the MV biogenesis and in the attachment to Caco-2 cells. Nevertheless, proteomic analysis from two types of MVs has shown slight differences at the protein levels. An understanding of biogenesis and content of MVs derived from trophozoites might have important implications in the pathogenesis of the disease.Peer reviewe