Facial Expression Synthesis Based on Imitation

[[abstract]]It is an interesting and challenging problem to synthesise vivid facial expression images. In this paper, we propose a facial expression synthesis system which imitates a reference facial expression image according to the difference between shape feature vectors of the neutral image and expression image. To improve the result, two stages of postprocessing are involved. We focus on the facial expressions of happiness, sadness, and surprise. Experimental results show vivid and flexible results.[[incitationindex]]SCI[[incitationindex]]EI[[booktype]]紙本[[booktype]]電子

Efficacy of purchasing activities and strategic involvement: an international comparison

The purchasing function plays a strategic role in a company’s ability to compete. As globalization continues to increase, what becomes interesting is the effect that national culture may have on purchasing activities and, ultimately, manufacturing competitiveness. This study examines the effects of purchasing activities and the purchasing function’s involvement with corporate strategy on manufacturing competitiveness as it is affected by national differences. In particular, we are interested in the research question: Do purchasing theories built on samples from mainly North American and Western European countries apply in other countries with different cultural contexts? The statistical results provide evidence that the engagement and efficacy of purchasing activities and strategic involvement within companies vary by national culture. Moreover, a particular cultural dimension, Long-term orientation, is significantly related to the efficacy of purchasing activities and strategic involvement. This finding has important implications from the perspective of purchasing decision-making in global operations. Specifically, top managers from different nations could adopt and implement similar purchasing activities, but those activities could lead to different outcomes depending on the culture. The paper concludes by reviewing research limitations and suggests further examination of operations management theories

Two distinct topological phases in the mixed valence compound YbB6 and its differences from SmB6

We discuss the evolution of topological states and their orbital textures in the mixed valence compounds SmB6 and YbB6 within the framework of the generalized gradient approximation plus onsite Coulomb interaction (GGA+U) scheme for a wide range of values of U. In SmB6, the topological Kondo insulator (TKI) gap is found to be insensitive to the value of U, but in sharp contrast, Kondo physics in isostructural YbB6 displays a surprising sensitivity to U. In particular, as U is increased in YbB6, the correlated TKI state in the weak-coupling regime transforms into a d-p-type topological insulator phase with a band inversion between Yb-5d and B-2p orbitals in the intermediate coupling range, without closing the insulating energy gap throughout this process. Our theoretical predictions related to the TKI and non-TKI phases in SmB6 and YbB6 are in substantial accord with recent angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) experiments.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figures URL: http://link.aps.org/doi/10.1103/PhysRevB.91.15515

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke and Risk of Tuberculosis: Prospective Cohort Study

Background: Prospective evidence on the association between secondhand-smoke exposure and tuberculosis is limited. Methods: We included 23,827 never smokers from two rounds (2001 and 2005) of Taiwan National Health Interview Survey. Information on exposure to secondhand smoke at home as well as other sociodemographic and behavioral factors was collected through in-person interview. The participants were prospectively followed for incidence of tuberculosis through cross-matching the survey database to the national tuberculosis registry of Taiwan. Results: A total of 85 cases of active tuberculosis were identified after a median follow-up of 7.0 years. The prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke at home was 41.8% in the study population. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazards analysis, secondhand smoke was not associated with active tuberculosis (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.03; 95% CI, 0.64 to 1.64). In the subgroup analysis, the association between secondhand smoke and tuberculosis decreased with increasing age; the adjusted HR for those = 18 and = 40 and = 60 years old was 8.48 (0.77 to 93.56), 2.29 (0.75 to 7.01), 1.33 (0.58 to 3.01), and 0.66 (0.35 to 1.23) respectively. Results from extensive sensitivity analyses suggested that potential misclassification of secondhand-smoke exposure would not substantially affect the observed associations. Conclusions: The results from this prospective cohort study did not support an overall association between secondhand smoke and tuberculosis. However, the finding that adolescents might be particularly susceptible to secondhand smoke's effect warrants further investigation

Application of the SUSTAIN Model to a Watershed-Scale Case for Water Quality Management

[[abstract]]Low impact development (LID) is a relatively new concept in land use management that aims to maintain hydrological conditions at a predevelopment level without deteriorating water quality during land development. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) developed the System for Urban Stormwater Treatment and Analysis Integration model (SUSTAIN) to evaluate the performance of LID practices at different spatial scales; however, the application of this model has been limited relative to LID modeling. In this study, the SUSTAIN model was applied to a Taiwanese watershed. Model calibration and verification were performed, and different types of LID facilities were evaluated. The model simulation process and the verified model parameters could be used in other cases. Four LID scenarios combining bioretention ponds, grass swales, and pervious pavements were designed based on the land characteristics. For the SUSTAIN model simulation, the results showed that pollution reduction was mainly due to water quantity reduction, infiltration was the dominant mechanism and plant interception had a minor effect on the treatment. The simulation results were used to rank the primary areas for nonpoint source pollution and identify effective LID practices. In addition to the case study, a sensitivity analysis of the model parameters was performed, showing that the soil infiltration rate was the most sensitive parameter affecting the LID performance. The objectives of the study are to confirm the applicability of the SUSTAIN model and to assess the effectiveness of LID practices in the studied watershed.[[notice]]補正完畢[[incitationindex]]SCI[[booktype]]電子

Accumulation of epicardial fat rather than visceral fat is an independent risk factor for left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis

BACKGROUND: Symptoms of heart failure with preserved left ventricular systolic function are common among patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Epicardial fat (EpF) is an ectopic fat depot with possible paracrine or mechanical effects on myocardial function. The aim of our current study is to assess the association between EpF and Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) in patients undergoing PD and to clarify the relationships among EpF, inflammation, and LVDD in this population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 149 patients with preserved left ventricular systolic function who were undergoing PD. LVDD was diagnosed (according to the European Society of Cardiology guidelines) and EpF thickness measured by echocardiography. The patients without LVDD were used as controls. The serum inflammatory biomarker high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) was measured. The location and amount of adipose tissue were assessed by computed tomography (CT) at the level of the fourth lumbar vertebra. RESULTS: Subjects with LVDD had higher levels of hsCRP, more visceral and peritoneal fat, and thicker EpF (all p < 0.001) than controls. Visceral adipose tissue, hsCRP, and EpF all correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with LVDD. Multivariate regression analysis rendered the relationship between visceral adipose tissue and LVDD insignificant, whereas EpF was the most powerful determinant of LVDD (odds ratio = 2.41, 95% confidence interval = 1.43–4.08, p < 0.01). EpF thickness also correlated significantly with the ratio of transmitral Doppler early filling velocity to tissue Doppler early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E/e’; r = 0.27, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: EpF thickness is significantly independently associated with LVDD in patients undergoing PD and may be involved in its pathogenesis

翡翠水庫蓄水範圍保護帶設置對水庫水質改善影響

翡翠水庫係為大臺北地區民生用水重要來源，其污染來源以非點源污染為主。保護帶設置為非點源污染最佳管理作業 (BMP)，也是目前翡翠水庫管理策略之一。本研究應用地理資訊系統 (GIS) 以及暴雨管理模式 (SWMM)，模擬保護帶 (Buffer Strips) 設置後對翡翠水庫集水區非點源污染削減量，模擬水質項目包含懸浮固體 (SS)、總磷 (TP) 及生化需氧量 (BOD)。研究結果顯示，在蓄水範圍四周設置50 公尺保護帶時，設置保護帶的子集水區SS 輸出削減率超過80%，TP 削減率超過50%，BOD 削減率達到70%。另外利用Vollenweider 模式模擬保護帶設置對水庫水質影響，此總磷削減率最高可達6.1%。若以水庫總磷濃度10μg/L為目標值，則集水區總磷污染量尚需削減19.0%~22.2%。設置50 公尺保護帶可削減總磷每年約800 公斤，佔目標削減量1/3~1/4。除了設置保護帶外，尚需透過其他非點源污染控制措施才能達到此削減量。The Feitsui reservoir is the drinking water source for the Taipei metropolis, and nonpoint source pollution in this reservoir has been considered as an important issue. Buffer Strips are one of the best management practices (BMPs) and are used in Feitsui reservoir management. In this study, we integrate geographic information systems (GIS) and Stormwater Management Model (SWMM) to assess the effects of buffer strips in Feitsui reservoir. The major water quality items contain suspended solids (SS), total phosphorus (TP) and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). The results show placing buffer strips 50 m in width around the reservoir can reduce 80% of SS, 50% of TP, and 70% of COD for the subwatersheds with buffer strips. In addition, the Vollenweider model is utilized to assess water quality in the reservoir and the results show that a 19-22% pollution reduction rate is required to achieve the goal of 10μg/L of TP. Buffer strips 50m in width contributed 1/3-1/4 reduction loads, which is 800 kgTP/yr. In addition to buffer strips, more BMPs are necessary in the watershed management of Feitsui reservoir

The complex refractive indices of the liquid crystal mixture E7 in the terahertzfrequencyrange

We have used terahertz time-domain spectroscopy to investigate the complex optical constants and birefrin-gence of a widely used liquid crystal mixture E7 in both nematic and isotropic phases (26°C–70°C).The ex-tinction coefficient of E7 at room temperature is less　than　0.035　and　without　sharp　absorption　features　in　the　frequency　range　of　0.2–2.0　THz.　The　extraordinary　(ne)and ordinary (no)indices of refraction at 26°C are 1.690–1.704 and 1.557–1.581, respectively, giving rise to a birefringence of 0.130–0.148 in this frequency range. The temperature-dependent(26°C–70°C)order parameter extracted from the birefringence data agrees with that in the visible region quite well. Further, the temperature gradients of the terahertz optical constants of E7 are also determined. The optical constants of E7 in the terahertz or sub-millimeter wave range are found to deviate significantly from values predicated by the usual extended Cauchy equations used in the visible and near-infrared