Real time Face Detection and Optimal Face Mapping for Online Classes

Abstract The main objective of this paper is to provide a web-based tool for identifying faces in a real-time environment, such as Online Classes. Face recognition in real-time is now a fascinating field with an ever-increasing challenge such as light variations, occlusion, variation in facial expressions, etc. During the current pandemic scenario of COVID-19, the demand for online classrooms has rapidly increased. This has escalated the need for a real-time, economic, simple, and convenient way to track the attendance of the students in a live classroom. This paper addresses the aforementioned issue by proposing a real-time online attendance system. Two alternative face recognition algorithms are perceived in order to develop the tool for realtime face detection and recognition with improved accuracy. The algorithms adopted are Local Binary Pattern Histogram(LBPH) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) for face recognition as well as Haar cascade classifier with boosting for face detection. Experimental results show that CNN with an accuracy of 95% is better in this context than LBPH that yields an accuracy of 78%.</jats:p

Sphingosine-1-phosphate is a missing cofactor for the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRAF2

Tumour-necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) is a key component in NF-κB signalling triggered by TNF-α1, 2. Genetic evidence indicates that TRAF2 is necessary for the polyubiquitination of receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1)3 that then serves as a platform for recruitment and stimulation of IκB kinase, leading to activation of the transcription factor NF-κB. Although TRAF2 is a RING domain ubiquitin ligase, direct evidence that TRAF2 catalyses the ubiquitination of RIP1 is lacking. TRAF2 binds to sphingosine kinase 1 (SphK1)4, one of the isoenzymes that generates the pro-survival lipid mediator sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) inside cells. Here we show that SphK1 and the production of S1P is necessary for lysine-63-linked polyubiquitination of RIP1, phosphorylation of IκB kinase and IκBα, and IκBα degradation, leading to NF-κB activation. These responses were mediated by intracellular S1P independently of its cell surface G-protein-coupled receptors. S1P specifically binds to TRAF2 at the amino-terminal RING domain and stimulates its E3 ligase activity. S1P, but not dihydro-S1P, markedly increased recombinant TRAF2-catalysed lysine-63-linked, but not lysine-48-linked, polyubiquitination of RIP1 in vitro in the presence of the ubiquitin conjugating enzymes (E2) UbcH13 or UbcH5a. Our data show that TRAF2 is a novel intracellular target of S1P, and that S1P is the missing cofactor for TRAF2 E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, indicating a new paradigm for the regulation of lysine-63-linked polyubiquitination. These results also highlight the key role of SphK1 and its product S1P in TNF-α signalling and the canonical NF-κB activation pathway important in inflammatory, antiapoptotic and immune processes.Fil: Alvarez, Sergio Eduardo. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados Unidos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico San Luis. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Investigaciones Biológicas de San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Harikumar, Kuzhuvelil B.. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Hait, Nitai C.. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Allegood, Jeremy. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Strub, Graham M.. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Kim, Eugene Y.. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Maceycka, Michael. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Jiang, Hualiang. Chinese Academy of Sciences. Shangai Institute of Materia Medica. State Key Laboratory of Drug Research; ChinaFil: Lu, Cheng. Chinese Academy of Sciences. Shangai Institute of Materia Medica. State Key Laboratory of Drug Research; ChinaFil: Kordula, Tomasz. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Milstien, Sheldon. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Spiegel, Sarah. Virginia Commonwealth University. School of Medicine; Estados Unido

Distribution, mobility, and pollution assessment of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Fe in intertidal surface sediments of Sg. Puloh mangrove estuary, Malaysia

Sungai Puloh mangrove estuary supports a large diversity of macrobenthic organisms and provides social benefits to the local community. Recently, it became a major recipient of heavy metals originating from industries in the hinterland as a result of industrialization and urbanization. This study was conducted to evaluate mobility and pollution status of heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Fe) in intertidal surface sediments of this area. Surface sediment samples were collected based on four different anthropogenic sources. Metals concentrations were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS). Results revealed that the mean concentrations were Zn (1023.68 ± 762.93 μg/g), Pb (78.8 ± 49.61 μg/g), Cu (46.89 ± 43.79 μg/g), Ni (35.54 ± 10.75 μg/g), Cd (0.94 ± 0.29 μg/g), and Fe (7.14 ± 0.94 %). Most of the mean values of analyzed metals were below both the interim sediment quality guidelines (ISQG-low and ISQG-high), except for Pb concentration (above ISQG-low) and Zn concentration (above ISQG-high), thus suggesting that Pb and Zn may pose some environmental concern. Cadmium, Pb, and Zn concentrations were above the threshold effect level (TEL), indicating seldom adverse effect of these metals on macrobenthic organisms. Pollution load index (PLI) indicated deterioration and other indices revealed the intertidal surface sediment is moderately polluted with Cd, Pb, and Zn. Therefore, this mangrove area requires urgent attention to mitigate further contamination. Finally, this study will contribute to data sources for Malaysia in establishing her own ISQG since it is a baseline study with detailed contamination assessment indices for surface sediment of intertidal mangrove area

Dietary chalcones with chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential

Chalcones are absorbed in the daily diet and appear to be promising cancer chemopreventive agents. Chalcones represent an important group of the polyphenolic family, which includes a large number of naturally occurring molecules. This family possesses an interesting spectrum of biological activities, including antioxidative, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, cytotoxic, and immunosuppressive potential. Compounds of this family have been shown to interfere with each step of carcinogenesis, including initiation, promotion and progression. Moreover, numerous compounds from the family of dietary chalcones appear to show activity against cancer cells, suggesting that these molecules or their derivatives may be considered as potential anticancer drugs. This review will focus primarily on prominent members of the chalcone family with an 1,3-diphenyl-2-propenon core structure. Specifically, the inhibitory effects of these compounds on the different steps of carcinogenesis that reveal interesting chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic potential will be discussed