422 research outputs found
Group-level Emotion Recognition using Transfer Learning from Face Identification
In this paper, we describe our algorithmic approach, which was used for
submissions in the fifth Emotion Recognition in the Wild (EmotiW 2017)
group-level emotion recognition sub-challenge. We extracted feature vectors of
detected faces using the Convolutional Neural Network trained for face
identification task, rather than traditional pre-training on emotion
recognition problems. In the final pipeline an ensemble of Random Forest
classifiers was learned to predict emotion score using available training set.
In case when the faces have not been detected, one member of our ensemble
extracts features from the whole image. During our experimental study, the
proposed approach showed the lowest error rate when compared to other explored
techniques. In particular, we achieved 75.4% accuracy on the validation data,
which is 20% higher than the handcrafted feature-based baseline. The source
code using Keras framework is publicly available.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication at ICMI17 (EmotiW Grand
Challenge
CentralNet: a Multilayer Approach for Multimodal Fusion
This paper proposes a novel multimodal fusion approach, aiming to produce
best possible decisions by integrating information coming from multiple media.
While most of the past multimodal approaches either work by projecting the
features of different modalities into the same space, or by coordinating the
representations of each modality through the use of constraints, our approach
borrows from both visions. More specifically, assuming each modality can be
processed by a separated deep convolutional network, allowing to take decisions
independently from each modality, we introduce a central network linking the
modality specific networks. This central network not only provides a common
feature embedding but also regularizes the modality specific networks through
the use of multi-task learning. The proposed approach is validated on 4
different computer vision tasks on which it consistently improves the accuracy
of existing multimodal fusion approaches
Probing thermal expansion of graphene and modal dispersion at low-temperature using graphene NEMS resonators
We use suspended graphene electromechanical resonators to study the variation
of resonant frequency as a function of temperature. Measuring the change in
frequency resulting from a change in tension, from 300 K to 30 K, allows us to
extract information about the thermal expansion of monolayer graphene as a
function of temperature, which is critical for strain engineering applications.
We find that thermal expansion of graphene is negative for all temperatures
between 300K and 30K. We also study the dispersion, the variation of resonant
frequency with DC gate voltage, of the electromechanical modes and find
considerable tunability of resonant frequency, desirable for applications like
mass sensing and RF signal processing at room temperature. With lowering of
temperature, we find that the positively dispersing electromechanical modes
evolve to negatively dispersing ones. We quantitatively explain this crossover
and discuss optimal electromechanical properties that are desirable for
temperature compensated sensors.Comment: For supplementary information and high resolution figures please go
to http://www.tifr.res.in/~deshmukh/publication.htm
An experiment in hurricane track prediction using parallel computing methods
The barotropic model is used to explore the advantages of parallel processing in deterministic forecasting. We apply this model to the track forecasting of hurricane Elena (1985). In this particular application, solutions to systems of elliptic equations are the essence of the computational mechanics. One set of equations is associated with the decomposition of the wind into irrotational and nondivergent components - this determines the initial nondivergent state. Another set is associated with recovery of the streamfunction from the forecasted vorticity. We demonstrate that direct parallel methods based on accelerated block cyclic reduction (BCR) significantly reduce the computational time required to solve the elliptic equations germane to this decomposition and forecast problem. A 72-h track prediction was made using incremental time steps of 16 min on a network of 3000 grid points nominally separated by 100 km. The prediction took 30 sec on the 8-processor Alliant FX/8 computer. This was a speed-up of 3.7 when compared to the one-processor version. The 72-h prediction of Elena's track was made as the storm moved toward Florida's west coast. Approximately 200 km west of Tampa Bay, Elena executed a dramatic recurvature that ultimately changed its course toward the northwest. Although the barotropic track forecast was unable to capture the hurricane's tight cycloidal looping maneuver, the subsequent northwesterly movement was accurately forecasted as was the location and timing of landfall near Mobile Bay
Improved burn wound healing by the antimicrobial peptide LLKKK18 released from conjugates with dextrin embedded in a Carbopol gel
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are good candidates to treat burn wounds, a major cause of morbidity, impaired life quality and resources consumption in developed countries. We took advantage of a commercially available hydrogel, Carbopol, a vehicle for topical administration that maintains a moist environment within the wound site. We hypothesized that the incorporation of LLKKK18 conjugated to dextrin would improve the healing process in rat burns. Whereas the hydrogel improves healing, LLKKK18 released from the dextrin conjugates further accelerates wound closure, and simultaneously improving the quality of healing. Indeed, the release of LLKKK18 reduces oxidative stress and inflammation (low neutrophil and macrophage infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels). Importantly, it induced a faster resolution of the inflammatory stage through early M2 macrophage recruitment. In addition, LLKKK18 stimulates angiogenesis (increased VEGF and microvessel development in vivo), potentially contributing to more effective transport of nutrients and cytokines. Moreover, collagen staining evaluated by Massons Trichrome was visually much more intense after treatment with LLKKK18, suggesting higher collagen deposition.
Overall, we generated an effective, safe and inexpensive formulation that maintains a moist environment in the wound, easy to apply and remove, and with potential to prevent infection due to the presence of an antimicrobial peptide. These findings propel us to further study this LLKKK18-containing formulation, setting the foundations towards a potential therapeutic approach for burn wound treatment.Fundação Para a Ciência e Tecnologi
Association of metabolic syndrome and change in Unified Parkinson\u27s Disease Rating Scale scores.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between metabolic syndrome and the Unified Parkinson\u27s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) scores and, secondarily, the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT).
METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of data from 1,022 of 1,741 participants of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Exploratory Clinical Trials in Parkinson Disease Long-Term Study 1, a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of creatine. Participants were categorized as having or not having metabolic syndrome on the basis of modified criteria from the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. Those who had the same metabolic syndrome status at consecutive annual visits were included. The change in UPDRS and SDMT scores from randomization to 3 years was compared in participants with and without metabolic syndrome.
RESULTS: Participants with metabolic syndrome (n = 396) compared to those without (n = 626) were older (mean [SD] 63.9 [8.1] vs 59.9 [9.4] years; p \u3c 0.0001), were more likely to be male (75.3% vs 57.0%; p \u3c 0.0001), and had a higher mean uric acid level (men 5.7 [1.3] vs 5.3 [1.1] mg/dL, women 4.9 [1.3] vs 3.9 [0.9] mg/dL, p \u3c 0.0001). Participants with metabolic syndrome experienced an additional 0.6- (0.2) unit annual increase in total UPDRS (p = 0.02) and 0.5- (0.2) unit increase in motor UPDRS (p = 0.01) scores compared with participants without metabolic syndrome. There was no difference in the change in SDMT scores.
CONCLUSIONS: Persons with Parkinson disease meeting modified criteria for metabolic syndrome experienced a greater increase in total UPDRS scores over time, mainly as a result of increases in motor scores, compared to those who did not. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.
CLINICALTRIALSGOV IDENTIFIER: NCT00449865
A vaccine that prevents pregnancy in women
We report here results of clinical trials on a birth control vaccine, consisting of a heterospecies dimer of the beta subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) associated noncovalently with the alpha subunit of ovine luteinizing hormone and conjugated to tetanus and diphtheria toxoids as carriers, that induces antibodies of high avidity (K(a) approximately 10(10) M-1) against hCG. Fertile women exposed to conception over 1224 cycles recorded only one pregnancy at antibody titers of > 50 ng/ml (hCG bioneutralization capacity). The antibody response declines with time; fertility was regained when titers fell to < 35 ng/ml. This study presents evidence of the feasibility of a vaccine for control of human fertility
Assessment of burn wound tissue in situ by multiphoton microscopy employing fluorescence and second harmonic generation contrasts in live animals
Current assessment of burn wound depth and progression of healing for proper
choice of treatment is based on time-consuming and invasive techniques that may
interfere with the healing process. One way to overcome these problems is to use
noninvasive techniques. We use multiphoton microscopy (MPM) that employs
fluorescence and second harmonic generation (SHG) contrasts to noninvasively
follow the burn healing process in situ as healing progresses in live animals. Healing
progression was followed in a partial thickness burn wound made on the dorsum of
anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats with a 2.8 cm diameter brass cylinder heated at
80oC for 60 seconds and pressed against the shaved rat skin for 6 seconds. During
the first five days, burn healing was characterized by changes in the organization of
collagen into a compact, mat-like assembly, suggesting progressive degradation of
collagen within the injury site.We also detected increased follicular cell damage and
a strong auto-fluorescence signal from cellular debris. Deposition of new collagen
was seen after the scab fell off and gradually increased thereafter as detected with
an increase in the SHG signal intensity. A great increase in the density of cells was
observed as well. From day 21 on, a network of capillaries with blood flow was
observed. The epidermal cell layer and the blood vessel network became progressively
more organized. At day 29, fibrillar collagen had SHG signal levels and
morphology of the nearly preburn state. These findings were corroborated by
histology/histochemistry. In conclusion, MPM technology that employs fluorescence
and SHG contrasts is instrumental in following the healing process, in particular
during the early stages of healing. The degree and rate with which these
events occur early after burning could help clinicians make treatment decisions. The
outcomes of healing at later times would be indicative of the effectiveness of the
treatment applied
No Sex Differences in Use of Dopaminergic Medication in Early Parkinson Disease in the US and Canada - Baseline Findings of a Multicenter Trial
Background: Sex differences in Parkinson disease clinical features have been reported, but few studies have examined sex influences on use of dopaminergic medication in early Parkinson disease. The objective of this study was to test if there are differences in the type of dopaminergic medication used and levodopa equivalent daily dose between men and women with early Parkinson disease enrolled in a large multicenter study of Creatine as a potential disease modifying therapy – the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Exploratory Trials in Parkinson Disease Long-Term Study-1. Methods: Baseline data of 1,741 participants from 45 participating sites were analyzed. Participants from the United States and Canada were enrolled within five years of Parkinson Disease diagnosis. Two outcome variables were studied: type of dopaminergic medication used and levodopa equivalent daily dose at baseline in the Long-Term Study-1. Chi-square statistic and linear regression models were used for statistical analysis. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of use of different types of dopaminergic medications at baseline between men and women with Parkinson Disease. A small but statistically significant difference was observed in the median unadjusted levodopa equivalent daily dose at baseline between women (300 mg) and men (325 mg), but this was not observed after controlling for disease duration (years since Parkinson disease diagnosis), disease severity (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Motor and Activities of Daily Living Scores), and body weight. Conclusions: In this large multicenter study, we did not observe sex differences in the type and dose of dopaminergic medications used in early Parkinson Disease. Further research is needed to evaluate the influence of male or female sex on use of dopaminergic medication in mid- and late-stage Parkinson Disease
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