Fused Classification For Differential Face Morphing Detection

Face morphing, a sophisticated presentation attack technique, poses significant security risks to face recognition systems. Traditional methods struggle to detect morphing attacks, which involve blending multiple face images to create a synthetic image that can match different individuals. In this paper, we focus on the differential detection of face morphing and propose an extended approach based on fused classification method for no-reference scenario. We introduce a public face morphing detection benchmark for the differential scenario and utilize a specific data mining technique to enhance the performance of our approach. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of our method in detecting morphing attacks.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures, 2 table

Personalization through a proactive live chat in an e-commerce: The case of Byside’s client, a multinational retail company

Retail e-commerce companies currently struggle in managing and optimizing the performance of a proactive live chat software application. It is assumed by companies present in the sector that providing personalized assistance to online visitors brings positive outcomes, however, there is no scientific evidence in this field to prove this assumption. This research aims to bring new insights into the contribution personalization can have regarding the performance of this app. Specifically, it investigates whether increasing personalization on the provided assistance to the online visitor has an impact on the number and value of influenced checkouts. To test the hypothesis that providing more personalized assistance to the online visitor through this application leads to increased sales, the performance results of this app in the Croatian market of a multinational retail client were analyzed. Two five-month periods were observed, one providing nonpersonalized assistance and the other with personalized assistance for online visitors, the results of both periods were analyzed using three independent samples t-tests. The outcomes showed a statistically significant positive effect of the personalized assistance in the application performance results. These results suggest that online visitors who received personalized assistance are more likely to proceed to the checkout funnel and complete the purchase and to perform checkouts with a higher value. On this basis, personalization should be considered when managing or optimizing proactive live chat campaigns in retail e-commerce. The thesis is finalized by outlining its limitations and proposing new avenues of research

Impact of Image Context for Single Deep Learning Face Morphing Attack Detection

The increase in security concerns due to technological advancements has led to the popularity of biometric approaches that utilize physiological or behavioral characteristics for enhanced recognition. Face recognition systems (FRSs) have become prevalent, but they are still vulnerable to image manipulation techniques such as face morphing attacks. This study investigates the impact of the alignment settings of input images on deep learning face morphing detection performance. We analyze the interconnections between the face contour and image context and suggest optimal alignment conditions for face morphing detection.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 4 table

Evaluation of marginal discrepancy on all-ceramic crowns manufactured by CAD/CAM versus conventional methods

Tese de mestrado, Medicina Dentária, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Medicina Dentária, 2015Introduction: The marginal integrity of a dental prosthesis can determine longevity and predictability. This gap is important because the amount of space will determine the amount of possible cement dissolution. Margin inaccuracy can lead to the accumulation of plaque and bacteria, the dissolution of luting material, and the introduction of unfavorable inflammation or the periodontal tissues. With the introduction of new technologies to fabricate dental ceramic crowns (CAD/CAM), marginal fit is a valuable way to determine the prognosis of the restoration in comparison to the more conventional methods. Objectives: The objective of this work was to review the current literature in regards of the marginal gap/fit of all-ceramic crowns manufactured by conventional methods (Heat-Pressing and Slip-Casting) versus digital methods (CAD/CAM). Materials and Methods: A research on PubMed electronic database was conducted for articles with the following combination of key words: (discrepancy or fit or gaps or adaptation) and (disilicate or ceramic) and (copings or crowns). The studies considered for this research were in English from peer-reviewed publications that focused on the evaluation of the marginal fit in ceramic single crowns. Results: An overall review of the data retrieved for marginal gap showed that 86.8% of the values measured were less than or equal to 120 μm described by McLean and Von Fraunhofer. The widest marginal gap measured was 180 μm, and the smallest was 17 μm. CAD/CAM ceramic crowns showed, an overall, better marginal fit than conventional crowns. Conclusion: Based on the results obtained, the digital method seems to be a legitimate alternative to the traditional methods. Analysis of the results of this study suggested that the digital method exceeds the standards of clinical acceptability and can sometimes surpass the vertical marginal fit of conventionally fabricated crowns

Waist-to-height ratio is independently related to whole and central body fat, regardless of the waist circumference measurement protocol, in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients

This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Pimenta N.M., Cortez-Pinto H., Melo X., Silva-Nunes J., Sardinha L.B. & Santa-Clara H. (2017) Waist-to-height ratio is independently related to whole and central body fat, regardless of the waist circumference measurement protocol, in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease patients. J Hum Nutr Diet. 30, 185–192, which has been published in final form atdoi: 10.1111/jhn.12410. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.Background: Waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) has been reported as a prefer-able risk related body fat (BF) marker, although no standardised waistcircumference measurement protocol (WCmp) has been proposed. Thepresent study aimed to investigate whether the use of a different WCmpaffects the strength of relationship between WHtR and both whole andcentral BF in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients.Methods: BF was assessed with dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in28 NAFLD patients [19 males, mean (SD) 51 (13) years and nine females,47 (13) years]. All subjects also underwent anthropometric evaluationincluding height and waist circumference (WC) measurement using fourdifferent WCmp (WC1, minimal waist; WC2, iliac crest; WC3, mid-distancebetween iliac crest and lowest rib; WC4, at the umbilicus) and WHtR wascalculated using each WC measurements (WHtR1, WHtR2, WHtR3 andWHtR4, respectively). Partial correlations were conducted to assess the rela-tion of WHtR and DXA assessed BF.Results: All WHtR were particularly correlated with central BF, includingabdominal BF (r = 0.80, r = 0.84, r = 0.84 and r = 0.78, respectively, forWHtR1, WHtR2, WHtR3 and WHtR4) and central abdominal BF (r = 0.72,r = 0.77, r = 0.76 and r = 0.71, respectively, for WHtR1, WHtR2, WHtR3and WHtR4), after controlling for age, sex and body mass index. There wereno differences between the correlation coefficients obtained between allstudied WHtR and each whole and central BF variable.Conclusions: Waist-to-height ratio was found a suitable BF marker in thepresent sample of NAFLD patients and the strength of the relationshipbetween WHtR and both whole and central BF was not altered by usingdifferent WCmp in the present sample of NAFLD patients.FUNDING SOURCES The first author of this paper was supported by a research grant (PhD scholarship) from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Ministry of Education and Science of Portugal (grant: SFRH/ BD/ 70515/ 2010). The present study was funded by: the Centre for the Study of Human Performance, Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, Lisbon, Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Analysing the effects of different types of exercise on dyspnoea and fatigue in adults through COPD - systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous lung condition, the main symptoms of which are dyspnoea and fatigue. Though exercise has been recommended for subjects with COPD, its benefits remain unclear. The aim of this study was to summarise, through a systematic review and meta-analysis, the available evidence on the effects of aerobic, resistance, stretching, and combined exercise on the main symptoms of COPD. Methods: Search was performed using the electronic databases PubMed and Web of Science. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with interventions based on aerobic, resistance and/or combined exercise published until July 2022 were identified. The effects were summarised based on standardised mean differences (95% confidence intervals) using random and fixed effect models. Results: Eight studies were selected, including a total of 375 subjects. The results obtained showed that resistance exercise, aerobic exercise and combined exercise seem to improve dyspnoea and fatigue symptoms in COPD subjects. Conclusions: In general, we can conclude that exercise-based interventions appear to improve the main COPD symptoms and may benefit quality of life in this population.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Waist-to-Hip Ratio is Related to Body Fat Content and Distribution Regardless of the Waist Circumference Measurement Protocol, in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Patients

Central accumulation and distribution of body fat (BF) is an important cardiometabolic risk factor. Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), commonly elevated in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, has been endorsed as a risk related marker of central BF content and distribution, but no standardized waist circumference measurement protocol (WCmp) has been proposed. We aimed to investigate whether using different WCmp affects the strength of association between WHR and BF content and distribution in NAFLD patients. BF was assessed with Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) in 28 NAFLD patients (19 males, 51 ± 13 yrs, and 9 females, 47 ± 13 yrs). Waist circumference (WC) was measured using four different WCmp (WC1: minimal waist; WC2: iliac crest; WC3: mid-distance between iliac crest and lowest rib; WC4: at the umbilicus) and WHR was calculated accordingly (WHR1, WHR2, WHR3 and WHR4, respectively). High WHR was found in up to 84.6% of subjects, depending on the WHR considered. With the exception of WHR1, all WHR correlated well with abdominal BF (r=0.47 for WHR1; r=0.59 for WHR2 and WHR3; r=0.58 for WHR4) and BF distribution (r=0.45 for WHR1; r=0.56 for WHR2 and WHR3; r=0.51 for WHR4), controlling for age, sex and body mass index (BMI). WHR2 and WHR3 diagnosed exactly the same prevalence of high WHR (76.9%). The present study confirms the strong relation between WHR and central BF, regardless of WCmp used, in NAFLD patients. WHR2 and WHR3 seemed preferable for use in clinical practice, interchangeably, for the diagnosis of high WHR in NAFLD patients.co-financed by national funds through the Programa Operacional do Alentejo (ALENT-07-0262-FEDER-001883)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio