Automatic Face Recognition System Based on Local Fourier-Bessel Features

We present an automatic face verification system inspired by known properties of biological systems. In the proposed algorithm the whole image is converted from the spatial to polar frequency domain by a Fourier-Bessel Transform (FBT). Using the whole image is compared to the case where only face image regions (local analysis) are considered. The resulting representations are embedded in a dissimilarity space, where each image is represented by its distance to all the other images, and a Pseudo-Fisher discriminator is built. Verification test results on the FERET database showed that the local-based algorithm outperforms the global-FBT version. The local-FBT algorithm performed as state-of-the-art methods under different testing conditions, indicating that the proposed system is highly robust for expression, age, and illumination variations. We also evaluated the performance of the proposed system under strong occlusion conditions and found that it is highly robust for up to 50% of face occlusion. Finally, we automated completely the verification system by implementing face and eye detection algorithms. Under this condition, the local approach was only slightly superior to the global approach.Comment: 2005, Brazilian Symposium on Computer Graphics and Image Processing, 18 (SIBGRAPI

Certifying and reasoning about cost annotations of functional programs

We present a so-called labelling method to insert cost annotations in a higher-order functional program, to certify their correctness with respect to a standard compilation chain to assembly code including safe memory management, and to reason on them in a higher-order Hoare logic.Comment: Higher-Order and Symbolic Computation (2013

Fourth generation head fracture in ceramic-on-polyethylene bearing after hip revision surgery: a case report

Fourth generation ceramic bearings (BIOLOX delta, CeramTec AG; Phlochingen, Germany) were developed to reduce wear debris and improve fracture resistance. A case of a fourth generation head fracture in ceramic-on-polyethylene (COP) coupling after hip revision surgery is reported. A 58-year-old man was admitted to our department for increasing hip pain following a direct trauma which occurred during skiing activity 4 months before. Six years earlier, he had undergone a right cementless revision surgery with a 36-mm BIOLOX delta femoral head on polyethylene liner for metallosis and foreign body reaction after primary total hip replacement for hip osteoarthritis. At admission, radiological evaluation revealed a fracture of ceramic femoral head requiring a new revision surgery. Extensive synovectomy, lavage and capsulectomy were performed. Both acetabular cup and femoral stem were well fixed with no damage of trunnion, and therefore they were retained. A 36-mm internal diameter polyethylene acetabular liner was inserted along a 36-mm BIOLOX delta head with a BioBall adapter XL. The postoperative course was uncomplicated. At 1-year follow-up, the patient had a complete functional recovery. To our knowledge, BIOLOX delta ceramic femoral head fracture after COP hip revision surgery has not been previously reported

Anticorpos anti-célula-endothelial e envolvimento do sistema nervoso central na moléstia de Behçet

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have detected the presence of anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA) in patients with Behçet's disease (BD). However, no real evidence exists whether these antibodies exert any influence on clinical presentation and/or activity of this disease. OBJECTIVES: To determine the frequency of AECA in patients with BD and analyze possible clinical associations. METHODS: 50 patients with BD who fulfilled diagnostic criteria were selected. Thirty-seven patients were females, and 13 were males; the mean age was 44 ± 9 years with a mean follow-up time of 10 ± 7.5 years. AECA were assayed by ELISA using ECV-304 cells as the antigenic substrate. The prevalence of AECA was determined, and their possible relationships with present and past clinical features were investigated. RESULTS: AECA were detected in the sera of 38% of the patients (IgG in 13, IgM in four, and IgG plus IgM in two). An association was observed between AECA and a previous history of central nervous system involvement (OR= 5.4, p= 0.03). This association was more evident for IgG-AECA (OR= 6.0, p= 0.02). A trend of an increased risk of aneurysms was also observed in patients with IgG-AECA (OR= 2.58, p= 0.77). None of the other clinical characteristics showed a relevant association with these antibodies. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that IgG-AECA may be a marker of more severe lesions in patients with BD based on the higher frequency of previous central nervous system manifestations in patients who presently display circulating AECA.INTRODUÇÃO: Estudos anteriores detectaram a presence de anticorpos anti-célula endotelial (AACE) em pacientes com doença de Behçet, porém não há nenhuma evidência se a presença destes anticorpos exerce alguma influência na apresentação clínica ou atividade da doença. OBJETIVOS: Determinar a freqüência de AACE em pacientes com doença de Behçet e analisar possíveis associações clínicas. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 50 pacientes que preencheram corretamente os critérios diagnósticos para a doença de Behçet. Trinta e sete pacientes eram do sexo feminino e 13 do sexo masculino, média de idade de 44 ± 9 anos e tempo médio de seguimento de 10 ± 7,5 anos. O AACE foram analisados por ELISA utilizando células ECV-304 como substrato antigênico. A prevalência de AACE foi determinada e foram investigadas possíveis relações com características clínicas atuais e pregressas. RESULTADOS: Os AACE foram detectados no soro de 38% dos pacientes (13 na forma IgG, 4 IgM e 2 nas formas IgG e IgM). Observamos uma associação entre o AACE e história pregressa de envolvimento de sistema nervoso central (OR=5,4; p=0,03). Esta associação era mais evidente para o AACE na forma IgG (OR=6,0; p=0,02). Observamos também uma tendência de risco aumentado de aneurismas em pacientes com AACE na forma IgG (OR=2,58; p=0,77). Nenhuma outra característica clínica mostrou-se relevante com o anticorpo estudado. CONCLUSÃO: Nossos dados sugerem que o AACE na forma IgG pode ser uma marcador de lesão mais grave em pacientes com doença de Behçet baseado no fato de encontrarmos uma maior freqüência de história pregressa de manifestação de sistema nervoso central em pacientes com AACE circulante

Analysis of carbides in multi-component cast iron design based on high entropy alloys concepts

Nowadays, the concept of high entropy alloys (HEAs) has expanded the limits of metallurgy and high-quality metallurgical HEAs ingots have already been successfully obtained on an industrial scale. High Chromium Cast Irons (HCCI) and Multi-Component Cast Irons (MCCI) are known to be a useful material for applications when abrasion resistance is required. Inspired by the concepts of high-entropy alloys, a base HCCI was modified, by adding other carbide-forming elements, at concentrations higher than what is currently used, in order to develop a new class of white cast iron, High Entropy White Cast Iron (HEWCI). The characterization of carbides precipitated during the HEWCI solidification was performed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electron backscattered diffraction (SEM/EDS/EBSD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). With the characterization techniques employed, the as-cast microstructure obtained of HEWCI is composed of approximately 50% of austenite matrix and 50% of different types of carbides, MC, M7 C3 and M2 C carbides

DESENVOLVIMENTO DE BIBLIOTECA PARA REPRODUÇÃO SINTETIZADA DE VALORES NUMÉRICOS DECIMAIS EM LINGUA PORTUGUESA IMPLEMENTÁVEL EM SISTEMAS EMBARCADOS DE ARQUITETURA OITO BITS.

Esse artigo apresenta o trabalho de desenvolvimento de uma biblioteca em Linguagem C++ para sistemas embarcados que permite sintetizar frases, em língua portuguesa, com o auxilio de fonemas pré-gravados em um cartão de memória do tipo Secure Digital (SD Card), permitindo a reprodução de números decimais inteiros ou fracionários por meio da fala tomando como base uma variável de ponto flutuante de um programa principal. Serão apresentadas uma introdução aos sistemas embarcados, a teoria da reprodução de áudio em sistemas digitais, o as características da plataforma eletrônica escolhida para desenvolvimento e validação do projeto, a utilização de mostradores em projetos, a inserção da reprodução de áudio na acessibilidade, as soluções similares já desenvolvidas e suas limitações, o funcionamento da modulação por largura de pulsos, como o sinal de áudio é gerado por meio da modulação de código de pulso, a integração com cartão de memória, os resultados e testes experimentais. O sistema é demonstrado através da utilização da biblioteca em um programa gerado na plataforma Arduino, que reproduz sequencialmente valores numéricos inteiros de zero a vinte em ordem crescente. Ao final desse trabalho são apresentadas potenciais aplicações dessa biblioteca em projetos diversos substituindo os tradicionais mostradores numéricos e em soluções de tecnologia assistiva

Brazilian Pediatric Reference Data For Quantitative Ultrasound Of Phalanges According To Gender, Age, Height And Weight

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Aims To establish normative data for phalangeal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measures in Brazilian students. Methods The sample was composed of 6870 students (3688 females and 3182 males), aged 6 to 17 years. The bone status parameter, Amplitude Dependent Speed of Sound (AD-SoS) was assessed by QUS of the phalanges using DBM Sonic BP (IGEA, Carpi, Italy) equipment. Skin color was obtained by self-evaluation. The LMS method was used to derive smoothed percentiles reference charts for AD-SoS according to sex, age, height and weight and to generate the L, M, and S parameters. Results Girls showed higher AD-SoS values than boys in the age groups 7-16 (p<0.001). There were no differences on AD-SoS Z-scores according to skin color. In both sexes, the obese group showed lower values of AD-SoS Z-scores compared with subjects classified as thin or normal weight. Age (r(2) = 0.48) and height (r(2) = 0.35) were independent predictors of AD-SoS in females and males, respectively. Conclusion AD-SoS values in Brazilian children and adolescents were influenced by sex, age and weight status, but not by skin color. Our normative data could be used for monitoring AD-SoS in children or adolescents aged 6-17 years.106Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [2006/01978-0, 2011/23460-1, 2002/13021-1, 2012/16778-8

Austempering in Zamak bath : influence of austempering time and austenitizing temperature on ductile cast iron properties

The combination of the austempered ductile iron mechanical properties strongly depend on the parameters used on the austempering cycle. On this study, the influence of austempering time and austenitizing temperature on the properties of a ductile iron were evaluated. A metallic bath of Zamak at 380°C was used as an austempering mean. A set of ductile iron blocks were austenitized at 900°C for 90 minutes and submitted to different austempering times in order to determine the best combination of microstructural and mechanical properties. After the definition of the time of austempering, the reduction of the austenitizing temperature was evaluated. The best combination of properties was obtained with austenitizing at 860°C and austempering during 60 minutes

Resistance to Meloidogyne enterolobii in sweet potatoes

The present work was designed to select for sweet potatoes clones (Ipomoea batatas) resistant to Meloidogyne enterolobii (Syn. M. mayaguensis) as well as evaluate the efficiency of the selection methods used by estimating their genetic (VCg) and environmental (VCe) variation coefficients as well as broad sense heritability. A total of 142 sweet potato genotypes were tested, including four commercial varieties (Brazlândia Rosada, Brazlândia Roxa, Brazlândia Branca, and Palmas) as well as the Santa Clara tomato cultivar (utilized as a susceptibility standard). The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, in two repetitions of six plants each. Resistance levels were classified according to the numbers of eggs per gram of roots, the reproduction factor (RF), and the reproduction index (RI) relative to the Santa Clara tomato cultivar. The b= VCg/VCe ratio and broad sense heritability were high in terms of the numbers of eggs per gram of roots, as well as in terms of the reproduction factor and reproduction index, demonstrating the efficiency of the methodology used in the selection of resistant genotypes. Thirty-one sweet potato genotypes resistant to M. enterolobii were identified as having significant potential for continuing the breeding program.The present work was designed to select for sweet potatoes clones (Ipomoea batatas) resistant to Meloidogyne enterolobii (Syn. M. mayaguensis) as well as evaluate the efficiency of the selection methods used by estimating their genetic (VCg) and environmental (VCe) variation coefficients as well as broad sense heritability. A total of 142 sweet potato genotypes were tested, including four commercial varieties (Brazlândia Rosada, Brazlândia Roxa, Brazlândia Branca, and Palmas) as well as the Santa Clara tomato cultivar (utilized as a susceptibility standard). The experimental design was completely randomized blocks, in two repetitions of six plants each. Resistance levels were classified according to the numbers of eggs per gram of roots, the reproduction factor (RF), and the reproduction index (RI) relative to the Santa Clara tomato cultivar. The b= VCg/VCe ratio and broad sense heritability were high in terms of the numbers of eggs per gram of roots, as well as in terms of the reproduction factor and reproduction index, demonstrating the efficiency of the methodology used in the selection of resistant genotypes. Thirty-one sweet potato genotypes resistant to M. enterolobii were identified as having significant potential for continuing the breeding program