Evaluation and Applying Feature Extraction Techniques for Face Detection and Recognition

Detecting the image and identifying the face has become important in the field of computer vision for recognizing and analyzing, reconstructing into 3D, and labelling the image. Feature extraction is usually the first stage in detection and recognition of the image processing and computer vision. It supports the conversion of the image into a quantitative data. Later, this converted data can be used for labelling, classifying and recognizing a model. In this paper, performance of such feature extraction techniques viz. Local Binary Pattern (LBP), Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) technique is applied to detect and recognize the face. The experiments conducted with a data set addressing the issues like pose variation, facial expression and intensity of light. The efficiency of the algorithms were evaluated based on the computational time and accuracy rate

Spatial variability of biochemical composition in coral reef sediments of Kavaratti and Pitti islands, Lakshadweep archipelago

369-378In this study, variability of biochemical composition in the surficial coral reef sediments of Kavaratti and Pitti islands in Lakshadweeep archipelago was investigated. Biochemical composition of sedimentary organic matter from the study area was characterized by the dominance of proteins in Pitti and carbohydrates in Kavaratti over lipids. The percentage ratio of the labile to total organic matter indicated that most of the deposited organic matter was refractory in both environments. The higher PRT:CHO ratios in Pitti sediments compared to that of Kavaratti indicated that in the former there was low dead organic matter accumulation. The lower LPD:CHO ratios estimated for sediments in both islands indicated low quality of labile organic matter to support benthic fauna

Metabolism disrupting chemicals and metabolic disorders

The recent epidemics of metabolic diseases, obesity, type 2 diabetes(T2D), liver lipid disorders and metabolic syndrome have largely been attributed to genetic background and changes in diet, exercise and aging. However, there is now considerable evidence that other environmental factors may contribute to the rapid increase in the incidence of these metabolic diseases. This review will examine changes to the incidence of obesity, T2D and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the contribution of genetics to these disorders and describe the role of the endocrine system in these metabolic disorders. It will then specifically focus on the role of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in the etiology of obesity, T2D and NAFLD while finally integrating the information on EDCs on multiple metabolic disorders that could lead to metabolic syndrome. We will specifically examine evidence linking EDC exposures during critical periods of development with metabolic diseases that manifest later in life and across generations

CD84 leukocyte antigen is a new member of the Ig superfamily

Producción CientíficacDNA isolated from a human B-cell line Raji library was ana- (CD48 and HumLy9) have been mapped. CD84 monoclonal lyzed and shown to encode the full-length cDNA sequence antibodies (MoAbs) were shown to react with cells transof a novel cell-surface glycoprotein, initially termed HLy9-b. fected with the cloned cDNA. These MoAbs were further The predicted mature 307-amino acid protein was composed used to show that CD84 is expressed as a single chain cellof two extracellular Ig-like domains, a hydrophobic trans- surface glycoprotein of Mr 64,000 to 82,000, which was membrane region, and an 83-amino acid cytoplasmic do- highly glycosylated. CD84 had a unique pattern of expresmain. The extracellular Ig-like domains presented structural sion, being found predominantly on lymphocytes and monoand sequence homology with a group of members of the Ig cytes. Thus, the glycoprotein HLy9-b is recognized by MoAbs superfamily that included CD2, CD48, CD58, and Ly9. North- previously clustered as CD84 and represents a newly identiern blot analysis showed that the expression of HLy9-b was fied member of the Ig superfamily that may play a significant predominantly restricted to hematopoietic tissues. Chromo- role in leukocyte activation

A Case Study: Women in Highway Patrol Group in Ilocos Norte

(PNP) under the Highway Patrol Group of Ilocos Norte. It aimed to determine the challenges encountered by female police officers, including the effects and the coping mechanisms to overcome these challenges associated with their role. This qualitative research method utilized the descriptive case study where personal and online interviews were conducted with three (3) participants working at the Philippine Highway Patrol Team of Laoag City, Abra and Ilocos Sur. Purposive sampling method was used in choosing the participants of the study. Findings showed that the participants of the study encountered challenges in the Highway Patrol Group as revealed in their answers to questions that revolved around nine (9) themes: (a) challenges encountered by women in the PNP Highway Patrol Group, (b) effects of the challenges faced in their job performance and (c) coping mechanisms used to overcome the challenges encountered. Themes that emerged based on these questions are: “shortlisted recruitment opportunity,” “financial inadequacy,” “doubt in competence,” “feeling of discouragement,” “burnout,” “destruction of family connection,” “self-growth,” “coping through faith,” and “mind over body.” On the bases of the data gathered and analyzed, this study revealed that the challenges experienced by women in the Highway Patrol Group include not only organizational challenges but also personal problems which both positively and negatively affect their life and job performances. Moreover, after experiencing these challenges, it was revealed that the participants resorted to practices of spirituality through faith by praying as a way to deal with feelings of anxiety, stress and exhaustion. Also, they focused on thoughts of mind rather than the body to cope or manage challenges and help them to do more than they are capable of

Concern about the human health implications of marine biodiversity loss is higher among less educated and poorer citizens: Results from a 14-country study in Europe

IntroductionMarine biodiversity loss has direct and indirect effects on human health and wellbeing. Recent European data suggest that the public is aware of this, identifying marine biodiversity protection as its top research priority in terms of oceans and human health, rated higher than issues such as plastic, chemical, and microbial pollution.MethodsThe current study aimed to better understand key sociodemographic and personality predictors of concern about marine biodiversity loss and the desire for more research into marine biodiversity protection, in an attempt to support communication efforts targeting specific sectors in society. Data were drawn from nationally representative samples of 14 European countries (n = 14,167).ResultsResults show greater concern about marine biodiversity loss and support for more research into marine biodiversity protection by older adults, females, and individuals: (i) without (vs. with) a university degree; (ii) with lower (vs. middle) incomes; (iii) who identified as politically left-wing; (iv) who visited the coast more often; and (v) those with more open, agreeable and conscientious personalities.DiscussionThese results suggest that, although concern and research support are generally high among European citizens, policy makers and communicators need to take into consideration individual-level variation

Trematodes of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia: emerging patterns of diversity and richness in coral reef fishes

The Great Barrier Reef holds the richest array of marine life found anywhere in Australia, including a diverse and fascinating parasite fauna. Members of one group, the trematodes, occur as sexually mature adult worms in almost all Great Barrier Reef bony fish species. Although the first reports of these parasites were made 100 years ago, the fauna has been studied systematically for only the last 25 years. When the fauna was last reviewed in 1994 there were 94 species known from the Great Barrier Reef and it was predicted that there might be 2,270 in total. There are now 326 species reported for the region, suggesting that we are in a much improved position to make an accurate prediction of true trematode richness. Here we review the current state of knowledge of the fauna and the ways in which our understanding of this fascinating group is changing. Our best estimate of the true richness is now a range, 1,100–1,800 species. However there remains considerable scope for even these figures to be incorrect given that fewer than one-third of the fish species of the region have been examined for trematodes. Our goal is a comprehensive characterisation of this fauna, and we outline what work needs to be done to achieve this and discuss whether this goal is practically achievable or philosophically justifiable

Quantitative pulmonary imaging using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging

Measurements of lung function, including spirometry and body plethesmography, are easy to perform and are the current clinical standard for assessing disease severity. However, these lung functional techniques do not adequately explain the observed variability in clinical manifestations of disease and offer little insight into the relationship of lung structure and function. Lung imaging and the image-based assessment of lung disease has matured to the extent that it is common for clinical, epidemiologic and genetic investigation to have a component dedicated to image analysis. There are several exciting imaging modalities currently being used for the non-invasive study of lung anatomy and function. In this review, we will focus on two of them; X-ray computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Following a brief introduction of each method, we detail some of the most recent work being done to characterize smoking-related lung disease and the clinical applications of such knowledge