1,380 research outputs found
2D Face Recognition System Based on Selected Gabor Filters and Linear Discriminant Analysis LDA
We present a new approach for face recognition system. The method is based on
2D face image features using subset of non-correlated and Orthogonal Gabor
Filters instead of using the whole Gabor Filter Bank, then compressing the
output feature vector using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The face image
has been enhanced using multi stage image processing technique to normalize it
and compensate for illumination variation. Experimental results show that the
proposed system is effective for both dimension reduction and good recognition
performance when compared to the complete Gabor filter bank. The system has
been tested using CASIA, ORL and Cropped YaleB 2D face images Databases and
achieved average recognition rate of 98.9 %
Irregular Egyptian migration of unaccompanied minors to Italy: a journey of death or salvation?
The irregular migration of Egyptian unaccompanied minors to Italy is a recent development within the migration flow between the two countries. The alarming rate of increase since 2007 of Egyptian boys under the age of 18 arriving in Italy unaccompanied and the lack of information explaining this phenomenon necessitated research in the field. The study reviews the reasons behind this type of migration, recent policy developments in both countries, the problems experienced by the social workers and managers of the boys in Italy, and the dilemmas facing the boys because of this migration. The study relied mainly on primary sources for its findings. Literature on unaccompanied minors in other parts of the world and studies on irregular Egyptian migration to Italy provided the background context. The main objective was to provide an analysis of this recent and largely undocumented phenomenon. The study reviews the official policies on both sides of the Mediterranean from the perspectives of both policy makers and implementers. In addition, the study looks into push/pull factors that encourage the irregular migration of both adults and minors alike. In relation to the Egyptian minors themselves, the study focuses on how they perceive their circumstances; why and how they ended up in their circumstances in Italy; what hurdles they faced and how they managed to overcome them; and last, what both the Egyptian and Italian governments have been doing to manage this phenomenon
Classical Analogue of the Ionic Hubbard Model
In our earlier work [M. Hafez, {\em et al.}, Phys. Lett. A {\bf 373} (2009)
4479] we employed the flow equation method to obtain a classic effective model
from a quantum mechanical parent Hamiltonian called, the ionic Hubbard model
(IHM). The classical ionic Hubbard model (CIHM) obtained in this way contains
solely Fermionic occupation numbers of two species corresponding to particles
with \up and \down spin, respectively. In this paper, we employ the
transfer matrix method to analytically solve the CIHM at finite temperature in
one dimension. In the limit of zero temperature, we find two insulating phases
at large and small Coulomb interaction strength, , mediated with a gap-less
metallic phase, resulting in two continuous metal-insulator transitions. Our
results are further supported with Monte Carlo simulations.Comment: 12 figure
A Radio Determination of the Time of the New Moon
The detection of the New Moon at sunset is of importance to communities based
on the lunar calendar. This is traditionally undertaken with visual
observations. We propose a radio method which allows a higher visibility of the
Moon relative to the Sun and consequently gives us the ability to detect the
Moon much closer to the Sun than is the case of visual observation. We first
compare the relative brightness of the Moon and Sun over a range of possible
frequencies and find the range 5--100\,GHz to be suitable. The next
consideration is the atmospheric absorption/emission due to water vapour and
oxygen as a function of frequency. This is particularly important since the
relevant observations are near the horizon. We show that a frequency of GHz is optimal for this programme. We have designed and constructed a
telescope with a FWHM resolution of 0.6 and low sidelobes to
demonstrate the potential of this approach. At the time of the 21 May 2012 New
Moon the Sun/Moon brightness temperature ratio was in agreement
with predictions from the literature when combined with the observed sunspot
numbers for the day. The Moon would have been readily detectable at from the Sun. Our observations at 16\,hr\,36\,min UT indicated that
the Moon would have been at closest approach to the Sun 16\,hr\,25\,min
earlier; this was the annular solar eclipse of 00\,hr\,00\,min\,UT on 21 May
2012.Comment: 11 pages, 15 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA
Isolation of avian influenza H5N1 virus from vaccinated commercial layer flock in Egypt
Uninterrupted transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV)
H5N1 of clade 2.2.1 in Egypt since 2006 resulted in establishment of two main
genetic clusters. The 2.2.1/C group where all recent human and majority of
backyard origin viruses clustered together, meanwhile the majority of viruses
derived from vaccinated poultry in commercial farms grouped in 2.2.1.1 clade.
In the present investigation, an HPAIV H5N1 was isolated from twenty weeks old
layers chickens that were vaccinated with a homologous H5N1 vaccine at 1, 7
and 16 weeks old. At twenty weeks of age, birds showed cyanosis of comb and
wattle, decrease in egg production and up to 27% mortality. Examined serum
samples showed low antibody titer in HI test (Log2 3.2 ± 4.2). The
hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the isolated virus were
closely related to viruses in 2.2.1/C group isolated from poultry in live bird
market (LBM) and backyards or from infected people. Conspicuous mutations in
the HA and NA genes including a deletion within the receptor binding domain in
the HA globular head region were observed. Despite repeated vaccination of
layer chickens using a homologous H5N1 vaccine, infection with HPAIV H5N1
resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. In endemic countries like
Egypt, rigorous control measures including enforcement of biosecurity, culling
of infected birds and constant update of vaccine virus strains are highly
required to prevent circulation of HPAIV H5N1 between backyard birds,
commercial poultry, LBM and humans
Measurements of Flux and Dose Distributions of Neutrons in Graphite Matinees Using LR-115 Nuclear Track Detector
Electrohydrodynamic Instability of Two Superposed Viscous Dielectric Fluids Flowing down an Inclined Plane with Thermal Conductivity Variation
The linear electrohydrodynamic instability of two superposed viscous dielectric fluids flowing down an inclined plane in the presence of thermal conductivity variation and applied electric fields is investigated. Using long-wavelength approximation, a new instability is presented. It is shown that when there is a variation in thermal conductivity in the fluid even in absence of electric fields or when applied electric fields are present even in absence of thermal conductivity variation, instability can occur under a longitudinal gravitational field. The effects of various parameters as Prandtl number, Reynolds number, electric field, inclination angle, and thermal conductivity variation on the stability of the system are discussed analytically and numerically in detail. The presence of electric field is important to prevent the drop out of the analysis when there is no stratification in thermal conductivity. Key words: Hydrodynamic stability; Viscous fluids; Flows down an inclined plane; Thermal conductivity; Electro-hydrodynamic
Poultry Production and Sustainability in Developing Countries under the COVID-19 Crisis: Lessons Learned
Poultry farming is a significant source of revenue generation for small farmers in developing countries. It plays a vital role in fulfilling the daily protein requirements of humans through meat and eggs consumption. The recently emerged pandemic Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) impacts the poultry production sector. Although the whole world is affected, these impacts may be more severe in developing countries due to their dependency on exporting necessary supplies such as feed, vaccines, drugs, and utensils. In this review, we have discussed poultry production in developing countries under the COVID-19 crisis and measures to regain the loss in the poultry industries. Generally, due to the lockdown, trade limitations have negatively impacted poultry industries, which might exacerbate global poverty. Coordinated activities have to be taken at the private and government levels to arrange soft loans so that these farms can restore their production and marketing to normal levels. In addition, here, we have focused on the supply of farm input, feed, other raw materials, management system, improved breeding efficiency, veterinary services, and marketing of egg and meat, which have to be ensured to secure a sustainable poultry production chain
Measurements of Flux and Dose Distributions of Neutrons in Graphite Matinees Using LR-115 Nuclear Track Detector
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