Supervised Hashing for Retrieval of Multimodal Biometric Data

Biometric systems commonly utilize multi-biometric approaches where a person is verified or identified based on multiple biometric traits. However, requiring systems that are deployed usually require verification or identification from a large number of enrolled candidates. These are possible only if there are efficient methods that retrieve relevant candidates in a multi-biometric system. To solve this problem, we analyze the use of hashing techniques that are available for obtaining retrieval. We specifically based on our analysis recommend the use of supervised hashing techniques over deep learned features as a possible common technique to solve this problem. Our investigation includes a comparison of some of the supervised and unsupervised methods viz. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Locality Sensitive Hashing (LSH), Locality-sensitive binary codes from shift-invariant kernels (SKLSH), Iterative quantization: A procrustean approach to learning binary codes (ITQ), Binary Reconstructive Embedding (BRE) and Minimum loss hashing (MLH) that represent the prevalent classes of such systems and we present our analysis for the following biometric data: Face, Iris, and Fingerprint for a number of standard datasets. The main technical contributions through this work are as follows: (a) Proposing Siamese network based deep learned feature extraction method (b) Analysis of common feature extraction techniques for multiple biometrics as to a reduced feature space representation (c) Advocating the use of supervised hashing for obtaining a compact feature representation across different biometrics traits. (d) Analysis of the performance of deep representations against shallow representations in a practical reduced feature representation framework. Through experimentation with multiple biometrics traits, feature representations, and hashing techniques, we can conclude that current deep learned features when retrieved using supervised hashing can be a standard pipeline adopted for most unimodal and multimodal biometric identification tasks.</p

Labour mobility in marine fisheries sector: A case study from Odisha State, eastern India

This paper presents an insight into the mobility of the marine fishers of Pentakota area of Puri District of Odisha, migrated from various parts of Andhra Pradesh in search of sustainable livelihood and better socio-economic conditions. The study relied on primary data collected from 147 migrant fishermen households selected through random sampling method. The study attempts to examine the pros and cons of labour mobility in the marine fisheries sector. Analysis on the socio-economic profile of the migrant fishers revealed that 64% of migrant populations are in the age group 31-50 years and most of them belong to Christian and Hindu religions and 87% of them are from other backward castes (OBC). The prime reasons for migration included low income, debts and financial commitments and disguised unemployment. The analysis indicated that consequent to migration, the fishers augmented their income besides increased savings, construction of house and possession of personal assets along with an elevation to their social status. The expenditure pattern of the migrants including clothing, shelter, food and education of dependents were also analysed. The major problems confronted during migration are language barrier, cultural lag and conflicts with established migrant labourers. Even though the labour mobility has contributed much to the marine fishery economy of the region, the ecological and social changes might impact occasional conflict between the migrants and native fishers for the scarce marine fishery resources. Hence, sufficient steps have to be taken for skill development and improvement of socio-economic conditions of the migrant fishers as well as for better management of conflicts among fishers

DC-SIGN on B Lymphocytes Is Required For Transmission of HIV-1 to T Lymphocytes

Infection of T cells by HIV-1 can occur through binding of virus to dendritic cell (DC)-specific ICAM-3 grabbing nonintegrin (DC-SIGN) on dendritic cells and transfer of virus to CD4(+) T cells. Here we show that a subset of B cells in the blood and tonsils of normal donors expressed DC-SIGN, and that this increased after stimulation in vitro with interleukin 4 and CD40 ligand, with enhanced expression of activation and co-stimulatory molecules CD23, CD58, CD80, and CD86, and CD22. The activated B cells captured and internalized X4 and R5 tropic strains of HIV-1, and mediated trans infection of T cells. Pretreatment of the B cells with anti–DC-SIGN monoclonal antibody blocked trans infection of T cells by both strains of HIV-1. These results indicate that DC-SIGN serves as a portal on B cells for HIV-1 infection of T cells in trans. Transmission of HIV-1 from B cells to T cells through this DC-SIGN pathway could be important in the pathogenesis of HIV-1 infection

Increasing the fungicidal action of Amphotericin B by inhibiting the Nitric Oxide-Dependent tolerance pathway

Amphotericin B (AmB) induces oxidative and nitrosative stresses, characterized by production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, in fungi. Yet, how these toxic species contribute to AmB-induced fungal cell death is unclear. We investigated the role of superoxide and nitric oxide radicals in AmB's fungicidal activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, using a digital microfluidic platform, which enabled monitoring individual cells at a spatiotemporal resolution, and plating assays. The nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NAME was used to interfere with nitric oxide radical production. L-NAME increased and accelerated AmB-induced accumulation of superoxide radicals, membrane permeabilization, and loss of proliferative capacity in S. cerevisiae. In contrast, the nitric oxide donor S-nitrosoglutathione inhibited AmB's action. Hence, superoxide radicals were important for AmB's fungicidal action, whereas nitric oxide radicals mediated tolerance towards AmB. Finally, also the human pathogens Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were more susceptible to AmB in the presence of L-NAME, pointing to the potential of AmB-L-NAME combination therapy to treat fungal infections.Kim Vriens acknowledges the receipt of a predoctoral grant from the Flanders Innovation & Entrepeneurship Agency (IWT-SB 111016); Karin Thevissen acknowledges the receipt of a mandate of Industrial Research Fund (KU Leuven). In addition, the research leading to these results has received funding from the Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO G086114N and G080016N) and the KU Leuven (OT 13/ 058 and IDO 10/012, IOF KP/12/009 Atheromix, IOF KP/ 12/002 Nanodiag). This work was partially developed under the scope of the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, supported by the Northern Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Belém Sampaio-Marques is supported by the fellowship SFRH/BPD/90533/2012 funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Compensatory Mutation Provides Resistance to Disparate HIV Fusion Inhibitor Peptides and Enhances Membrane Fusion

Fusion inhibitors are a class of antiretroviral drugs used to prevent entry of HIV into host cells. Many of the fusion inhibitors being developed, including the drug enfuvirtide, are peptides designed to competitively inhibit the viral fusion protein gp41. With the emergence of drug resistance, there is an increased need for effective and unique alternatives within this class of antivirals. One such alternative is a class of cyclic, cationic, antimicrobial peptides known as θ-defensins, which are produced by many non-human primates and exhibit broad-spectrum antiviral and antibacterial activity. Currently, the θ-defensin analog RC-101 is being developed as a microbicide due to its specific antiviral activity, lack of toxicity to cells and tissues, and safety in animals. Understanding potential RC-101 resistance, and how resistance to other fusion inhibitors affects RC-101 susceptibility, is critical for future development. In previous studies, we identified a mutant, R5-tropic virus that had evolved partial resistance to RC-101 during in vitro selection. Here, we report that a secondary mutation in gp41 was found to restore replicative fitness, membrane fusion, and the rate of viral entry, which were compromised by an initial mutation providing partial RC-101 resistance. Interestingly, we show that RC-101 is effective against two enfuvirtide-resistant mutants, demonstrating the clinical importance of RC-101 as a unique fusion inhibitor. These findings both expand our understanding of HIV drug-resistance to diverse peptide fusion inhibitors and emphasize the significance of compensatory gp41 mutations. © 2013 Wood et al

Does minimizing seabed contact alleviate the impacts of bottom trawling? an experimental study on bycatch from North-Western Bay of Bengal

In light of the ecological concerns associated with bottom trawling in tropical multispecies fisheries, an attempt was undertaken to implement operational modifications in experimental trawling practices aimed at reducing bottom contact. This endeavour was pursued to investigate the resulting effects on bycatch biomass and diversity along the north-western Bay of Bengal. The average total catch rate and bycatch rate in 66 hauls from January 2017 to December 2019 were 35.46 kg/h and 9.70 kg/h respectively. Bycatch biomass was mainly contributed by Teleostei (77.90%), of which the dominant species was Equuilites lineolatus. Temporal variations in bycatch composition were recorded, and average seasonal dissimilarity ranged between 35.03% and 59.61%. Juvenile percentages varied among six commercial species from 1.42 to 28.0, and their occurrences were related to their peak spawning seasons. The trophic index of bycatch calculated was 3.65. Species diversity and richness in bycatch were higher during post-monsoon and summer seasons. Biomass and abundance plots indicated the bycatch fauna to be relatively unstressed during most seasons. Trawling marginally above the bottom had improved ecological outcomes; as evident from the decreased proportion of bycatch to total trawl catch, reduced growth overfishing from lower juvenile proportions and within optima for various diversity indicators

The Formulated Microbicide RC-101 Was Safe and Antivirally Active Following Intravaginal Application in Pigtailed Macaques

Background: RC-101 is a congener of the antiretroviral peptide retrocyclin, which we and others have reported is active against clinical HIV-1 isolates from all major clades, does not hemagglutinate, and is non-toxic and non-inflammatory in cervicovaginal cell culture. Herein, film-formulated RC-101 was assessed for its antiviral activity in vitro, safety in vivo, retention in the cervix and vagina, and ability to remain active against HIV-1 and SHIV after intravaginal application in macaques. Methodology/Principal Findings: RC-101 was formulated as a quick-dissolving film (2000 μg/film), retained complete activity in vitro as compared to unformulated peptide, and was applied intravaginally in six pigtailed macaques daily for four days. At one and four days following the final application, the presence of RC-101 was assessed in peripheral blood, cervicovaginal lavage, cytobrushed cervicovaginal cells, and biopsied cervical and vaginal tissues by quantitative western blots. One day following the last film application, cervical biopsies from RC-101-exposed and placebo-controlled macaques were collected and were subjected to challenge with RT-SHIV in an ex vivo organ culture model. RC-101 peptide was detected primarily in the cytobrush and biopsied cervical and vaginal tissues, with little to no peptide detected in lavage samples, suggesting that the peptide was associated with the cervicovaginal epithelia. RC-101 remained in the tissues and cytobrush samples up to four days post-application, yet was not detected in any sera or plasma samples. RC-101, extracted from cytobrushes obtained one day post-application, remained active against HIV-1 BaL. Importantly, cervical biopsies from RC-101-treated animals reduced RT-SHIV replication in ex vivo organ culture as compared to placebo-treated animals. Conclusions/Significance:Formulated RC-101 was stable in vivo and was retained in the mucosa. The presence of antivirally active RC-101 after five days in vivo suggests that RC-101 would be an important molecule to develop further as a topical microbicide to prevent HIV-1 transmission. © 2010 Cole et al