Hybrid Deep Neural Network for Facial Expressions Recognition

Facial expressions are critical indicators of human emotions where recognizing facial expressions has captured the attention of many academics, and recognition of expressions in natural situations remains a challenge due to differences in head position, occlusion, and illumination. Several studies have focused on recognizing emotions from frontal images only, while in this paper wild images from the FER2013 dataset have been used to make a more generalizing model with the existence of its challenges, it is among the most difficult datasets that only got 65.5 % accuracy human-level. This paper proposed a model for recognizing facial expressions using pre-trained deep convolutional neural networks and the technique of transfer learning. this hybrid model used a combination of two pre-trained deep convolutional neural networks, training the model in multiple cases for more efficiency to categorize the facial expressions into seven classes. The results show that the best accuracy of the suggested models is 74.39%  for the hybrid model, and 73.33% for Fine-tuned the single EfficientNetB0 model, while the highest accuracy for previous methods was 73.28%. Thus, the hybrid and single models outperform other state of art classification methods without using any additional, the hybrid and single models ranked in the first and second position among these methods. Also, The hybrid model has even outperformed the second-highest in accuracy method which used extra data. The incorrectly labeled images in the dataset unfairly reduce accuracy but our best model recognized their actual classes correctly

Distribution of heavy metals around the Barakah nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates

© 2017, Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. Inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy was used to measure the concentrations of heavy metals in 58 samples collected from the Barakah nuclear power plant (BNPP) area, UAE. The grain size distribution was symmetric, but the samples ranged from fine to coarse sand. The inverse relationship between grain size and heavy metal contaminations was validated. The pre-operational average heavy metal contaminations around the BNPP were 0.03, 0.40, 1.2, 2.05, 1.66, 1.6, 5.9, 7.3, 7, 8.8, 60, and 2521 ppm for Cd, Mo, Co, Cu, Pb, As, Zn, Ni, V, Cr, Mn, and Fe, respectively. The spatial distribution was more compact in the south compared to the north, with less severe contaminations in the east and west. The negative geoaccumulation indices suggest an uncontaminated area, and the BNPP has minor enrichments. All concentrations were significantly below the safe limits set by the Dutch guidelines. The levels of heavy metals reported in the UAE were lower than levels reported in countries around the world

Characterization of the Inlet Port Flow under Steady-State Conditions Using PIV and POD

The current study demonstrates an experimental investigation of the tumble flow structures using Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) under steady-state conditions considering the central vertical tumble plane. The experiments were carried out on a four-valve, pent-roof Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine head at different valve lifts and with a pressure difference of 150 mmH2O across the intake valves. Furthermore, the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) analytical technique was applied to PIV-measured velocity vector maps to characterize the flow structures at various valve lifts, and hence the different rig tumble values. The results show that at low valve lifts (1 to 5 mm), 48.9 to 46.6% of the flow energy is concentrated in the large (mode 1) eddies with only 8.4 to 11.46% in mode 2 and 7.2 to 7.5 in mode 3. At high valve lifts, it can be clearly seen that some of the energy in the large eddies of mode 1 is transferred to the smaller flow structures of modes 2 and 3. This can be clearly seen at valve lift 10 mm where the values of the flow energy were 40.6%, 17.3%, and 8.0% for modes 1, 2, and 3, respectively

Spectroscopic properties, molecular structure, anticancer and antimicrobial evaluation of some new moxifloxacin metal complexes in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline

New series of Y(III), Zr(IV), Pd(II), La(III) and U(VI) complexes with moxifloxacin (MOX) and 1,10-phenanthroline (Phen) were synthesized and the chelation behaviours have been investigated. The complexes were characterized using elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic properties, thermal studies and various spectral techniques such as FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H NMR and mass spectra. The kinetic and thermodynamic parameters (E*, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG*) were calculated using Coats-Redfern and Horowitz-Metzeger methods. The bond length and force constant, F(U=O), for the uranyl complex was calculated. The DFT calculations were carried out to understand the optimized molecular geometry for the compounds. The calculated data indicated that Pd(II) complex with smaller energy gap value (∆E = 0.136 au) is more reactive than all compounds and La(III) complex with greater energy gap (∆E = 0.192 au) is less reactive. All studied compounds are treated as soft (η = 0.068-0.096) except MOX treated as hard (η = 0.16). The HOMO of all complexes is localized on MOX (100%) without any density on the Phen (0%) except Pd(II) complex, the HOMO is localized on Phen (61%). The LUMO in U(VI) complex is localized mainly on the U(VI) ion (63%), and in the Y(III) complex is localized mainly on Phen (89%). The cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, HCT-116 and the antimicrobial activity were tested.                     KEY WORDS: Moxifloxacin, 1,10-Phenanthroline, Spectroscopy, Thermal analysis, DFT, Antitumor agents   Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2020, 34(2), 295-312 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v34i2.

Viral respiratory infections at the Hajj: comparison between UK and Saudi pilgrims

ABSTRACTA high incidence of respiratory infection, including influenza, has been reported at the Hajj in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Reported rates of influenza have been higher among UK than among domestic pilgrims, but this could be explained by methodological differences among studies. Accordingly, the present study compared the frequencies of respiratory viruses among UK and Saudi pilgrims using the same study design. Pilgrims with upper respiratory tract symptoms were recruited from Mecca and the neighbouring valley Mina during the Hajj 2006. Nasal swabs were used for point-of-care influenza testing and real-time RT-PCR (rtRT-PCR) tests for influenza virus, rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus, human metapneumovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. Of 260 pilgrims investigated, 150 were from the UK and 110 were Saudi; of these, 38 (25%) UK pilgrims and 14 (13%) Saudi pilgrims had respiratory infections detectable by rtRT-PCR (p 0.01). In the UK group, there were 19 (13%) cases of rhinovirus infection, 15 (10%) cases of influenza virus infection, two (1%) cases of dual infections with influenza virus and rhinovirus, one (3%) case of parainfluenza virus infection, and one (1%) case of respiratory syncytial virus infection. Fifty-six (37%) UK pilgrims had been vaccinated against influenza virus, with the rates of influenza in the vaccinated and unvaccinated group being 7% and 14%, respectively (p 0.19). In the Saudi group, there were three (3%) cases of rhinovirus infection and 11 (10%) cases of influenza. Only four (4%) Saudi pilgrims had been vaccinated against influenza virus, and none of these was infected with influenza virus. Overall, a significantly higher proportion of the UK pilgrims had detectable respiratory infections (25% vs. 13%, p 0.01). Influenza rates were similar in both groups, but the reported rates of influenza vaccination differed

Effect of Boost Pressure on the In-Cylinder Tumble-Motion of GDI Engine under Steady-State Conditions using Stereoscopic-PIV

This paper experimentally investigates the effect of boost pressure on the in-cylinder flow field under steady-state conditions using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (Stereo-PIV) through increasing the pressure difference across the intake valves. The FEV steady-state flow bench was modified to provide an optical access into the cylinder region. The stereoscopic PIV measurements were carried out at various pressure differences viz., 300, 450, and 600 mmH2O across the intake valves of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) head for the mid cylinder vertical tumble-plane. Ensemble average velocity vectors were used to characterize the tumble flow structure and for the calculation of tumble ratio and average turbulent kinetic energy. Moreover, the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) technique was conducted on the PIV measured velocity vector maps to identify the most energetic structures generated at different valve lifts and pressure differences. The results of stereoscopic PIV measurements showed that the overall in-cylinder flow structures were mainly dependent on the valve lift irrespective of the applied pressure difference. However, the level of the turbulence kinetic energy increased as the boost pressure increased

Effect of boost pressure on the in-cylinder tumble- motion of GDI engine under steady-state conditions using Stereoscopic-PIV

This paper experimentally investigates the effect of boost pressure on the in-cylinder flow field under steady-state conditions using stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (Stereo-PIV) through increasing the pressure difference across the intake valves. The FEV steady-state flow bench was modified to provide an optical access into the cylinder region. The stereoscopic PIV measurements were carried out at various pressure differences viz., 300, 450, and 600 mmH2O across the intake valves of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) head for the mid cylinder vertical tumble-plane. Ensemble average velocity vectors were used to characterize the tumble flow structure and for the calculation of tumble ratio and average turbulent kinetic energy. Moreover, the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) technique was conducted on the PIV measured velocity vector maps to identify the most energetic structures generated at different valve lifts and pressure differences. The results of stereoscopic PIV measurements showed that the overall in-cylinder flow structures were mainly dependent on the valve lift irrespective of the applied pressure difference. However, the level of the turbulence kinetic energy increased as the boost pressure increased

Fractional Action Cosmology with Power Law Weight Function

Motivated by an earlier work on fractional-action cosmology with a periodic weight function [1], we extend it by choosing a power-law weight function in the action. In this approach, we obtain a varying gravitational coupling constant. We then model dark energy in this paradigm and obtain relevant cosmological parameters.Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, Contributed talk published in the proceedings of "3rd Italian-Pakistani Workshop on Relativistic Astrophysics

Repurposing of metformin and colchicine reveals differential modulation of acute and chronic kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a major health problem affecting millions of patients globally. There is no effective treatment for AKI and new therapies are urgently needed. Novel drug development, testing and progression to clinical trials is overwhelmingly expensive. Drug repurposing is a more cost-effective measure. We identified 2 commonly used drugs (colchicine and metformin) that alter inflammatory cell function and signalling pathways characteristic of AKI, and tested them in models of acute and chronic kidney injury to assess therapeutic benefit. We assessed the renoprotective effects of colchicine or metformin in C57BL/6 mice challenged with renal ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI), treated before or after injury. All animals underwent analysis of renal function and biomolecular phenotyping at 24 h, 48 h and 4 weeks after injury. Murine renal tubular epithelial cells were studied in response to in vitro mimics of IRI. Pre-emptive treatment with colchicine or metformin protected against AKI, with lower serum creatinine, improved histological changes and decreased TUNEL staining. Pro-inflammatory cytokine profile and multiple markers of oxidative stress were not substantially different between groups. Metformin augmented expression of multiple autophagic proteins which was reversed by the addition of hydroxychloroquine. Colchicine led to an increase in inflammatory cells within the renal parenchyma. Chronic exposure after acute injury to either therapeutic agent in the context of reduced renal mass did not mitigate the development of fibrosis, with colchicine significantly worsening an ischemic phenotype. These data indicate that colchicine and metformin affect acute and chronic kidney injury differently. This has significant implications for potential drug repurposing, as baseline renal disease must be considered when selecting medication