Measuring and simulating haemodynamics due to geometric changes in facial expression

The human brain has evolved to be very adept at recognising imperfections in human skin. In particular, observing someone’s facial skin appearance is important in recognising when someone is ill, or when finding a suitable mate. It is therefore a key goal of computer graphics research to produce highly realistic renderings of skin. However, the optical processes that give rise to skin appearance are complex and subtle. To address this, computer graphics research has incorporated more and more sophisticated models of skin reflectance. These models are generally based on static concentrations of skin chromophores; melanin and haemoglobin. However, haemoglobin concentrations are far from static, as blood flow is directly caused by both changes in facial expression and emotional state. In this thesis, we explore how blood flow changes as a consequence of changing facial expression with the aim of producing more accurate models of skin appearance. To build an accurate model of blood flow, we base it on real-world measurements of blood concentrations over time. We describe, in detail, the steps required to obtain blood concentrations from photographs of a subject. These steps are then used to measure blood concentration maps for a series of expressions that define a wide gamut of human expression. From this, we define a blending algorithm that allows us to interpolate these maps to generate concentrations for other expressions. This technique, however, requires specialist equipment to capture the maps in the first place. We try to rectify this problem by investigating a direct link between changes in facial geometry and haemoglobin concentrations. This requires building a unique capture device that captures both simultaneously. Our analysis hints a direct linear connection between the two, paving the way for further investigatio

An evaluation of earth banked tanks for slurry storage

End of project reportThis study examines the feasibility of using earth-banked tanks (EBT’s) as an alternative and economical means of winter storage for animal and other farmyard wastes. The study contains a detailed literature review on the subject, the results of a series of laboratory-scale experiments, field studies and a predictive model of the transport process through the soil liner of an earth-banked tank

La institucionalización de los sistemas de partido en la América Latina

[ES] Estos autores señalan que la institucionalización de un sistema de partidos es importante en el proceso de consolidación democrática en la mayoría de los países latinoamericanos. Un sistema de partidos institucionalizado implica estabilidad en la competición intrapartidista, la existencia de partidos con raíces estables en la sociedad, la legitimidad de partidos, elecciones e instituciones, y unas organizaciones partidistas con reglas y estructuras razonablemente estables. También establecen diferencias en el grado de institucionalización y tratan de caracterizar los distintos sistemas de partidos en América Latina.[EN] These authors argue that institutionalizing a party system is important to the process of democratic consolidation in mast of Latin American countries. An institutionalized party system implies stability in interparty competition, the existence of parties that have stablee roots in society, the legitimacy of parties elections and institutions and party organizations with reasonably stablee rules and estructures. They also establish differences in the degree of institutionalization and try to charaterize the district party systems in Latin America

Cutaneous glucocorticoid receptor sensitivity and proinflammatory cytokine levels in antidepressant-resistant depression

ABSTRACT Background. There is evidence to indicate that peripheral glucocorticoid receptor (GR) function is reduced in major depression, and a possible molecular explanation for this is the impact of raised pro-inflammatory cytokines. The topical steroid vasoconstriction assay provides a convenient probe of peripheral GR function. The present study sought to assess the sensitivity of peripheral GRs in antidepressant-resistant major depressives and investigate the association between GR sensitivity and circulating plasma cytokines. Method. Nineteen antidepressant-resistant depressives together with age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent the steroid vasoconstriction assay using three commercial preparations of corticosteroids containing clobetasol propionate 0.05%, betamethasone valerate 0.1%, and clobetasone butyrate 0.05%, corresponding to very potent, potent, and moderately potent steroid creams respectively. The pro-inflammatory cytokines, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The severity of the depressive episode was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). Results. Depressed subjects had a significantly reduced vasoconstriction response across all three strengths of steroid. They also had significantly higher concentrations of TNF-a and IL-6. There was a significant inverse correlation between TNF-a concentration and vasoconstriction response and also between the HAMD score and vasoconstriction response. Conclusions. These findings suggest that cutaneous GR function is abnormal in antidepressantresistant depression, that circulating TNF-a may play a significant role in this abnormality and that the efficacy of topical steroids in antidepressant-resistant depressives is reduced