2D Face Recognition System Based on Selected Gabor Filters and Linear Discriminant Analysis LDA

We present a new approach for face recognition system. The method is based on 2D face image features using subset of non-correlated and Orthogonal Gabor Filters instead of using the whole Gabor Filter Bank, then compressing the output feature vector using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA). The face image has been enhanced using multi stage image processing technique to normalize it and compensate for illumination variation. Experimental results show that the proposed system is effective for both dimension reduction and good recognition performance when compared to the complete Gabor filter bank. The system has been tested using CASIA, ORL and Cropped YaleB 2D face images Databases and achieved average recognition rate of 98.9 %

Revisiting Egypt's Energy Policy

Egypt's oil and gas sector is one of the most strategic sectors in the economy being the single largest industrial activity in the economy, with exports of crude oil and petroleum products constituting 40% of Egypt's export revenues and 20% of its GDP. However, Egypt is currently trapped between dwindling oil production and increasing domestic consumption, a fact which threatens the country to become a net importer of crude oil as well as deprive it of strongly needed foreign exchange. Yet, Egypt has proven natural gas reserves and its future energy outlook seems to be more affiliated with natural gas especially for future export potential. Given these conditions, a restructuring of the sector is necessary for sustainable development. Suggested strategies in line with Egypt's development efforts are outlined including gradual reduction of energy subsidies and their expected impacts on the economy

Economic Growth And Information Technology: A Note

The usage of information technology (IT) towards sustainable economic growth is found to yield three main effects: (1) an efficiency effect , (2) a scale effect, and (3) a capital utilization effect. The first two effects are multiplicative whereas the third effect is additive on aggregate output productivity. In essence, this paper suggests that  IT is more productive only if the economy is capable of replacing its sustainable capital resources at a rate exceeding that of consumption sacrifice

Monopoly: The Case Of Egyptian Steel

The local steel industry in Egypt has been protected by high tariffs which were relaxed lately. The market is segmented according to steel type and there is a dominant steel producer acting as a monopoly in the market. Due to barriers to entry in the short run and the dominant market position of the monopoly, price elasticity became more demand inelastic. However, the dominant market player carries an innovative edge over its competitors. 

Robust visualization and discrimination of nanoparticles by interferometric imaging

Single-molecule and single-nanoparticle biosensors are a growing frontier in diagnostics. Digital biosensors are those which enumerate all specifically immobilized biomolecules or biological nanoparticles, and thereby achieve limits of detection usually beyond the reach of ensemble measurements. Here we review modern optical techniques for single nanoparticle detection and describe the single-particle interferometric reflectance imaging sensor (SP-IRIS). We present challenges associated with reliably detecting faint nanoparticles with SP-IRIS, and describe image acquisition processes and software modifications to address them. Specifically, we describe a image acquisition processing method for the discrimination and accurate counting of nanoparticles that greatly reduces both the number of false positives and false negatives. These engineering improvements are critical steps in the translation of SP-IRIS towards applications in medical diagnostics.R01 AI096159 - NIAID NIH HHSFirst author draf

Implications of WTO Agreements and Domestic Trade Policy Reforms for Poverty in Bangladesh: Short vs. Long Run

We examine the impacts of WTO agreements and domestic trade policy reforms on production, welfare and poverty in Bangladesh. A sequential dynamic computable general equilibrium (CGE) model, which takes into account accumulation effects, is used allowing for long run analysis. The study is based on 2000 SAM of Bangladesh including fifteen production sectors, four factors of production (skilled and unskilled labour, agricultural and non-agricultural capital) and mine household groups (five in rural areas and four in urban areas) based on the year 2000 household survey. To examine the link between the macro effects and micro effects in terms of poverty we use the representative household approach with actual intra-group income distributions. The study presents five simulations for which the major findings are: (1) the Doha scenario has negative implications for the overall macro economy, household welfare and poverty in Bangladesh. Terms of trade deteriorate and consumer prices, particularly food prices, increase more than nominal incomes, especially among poor households; (2) Free world trade has similar, but larger, impacts; (3) Domestic trade liberalisation induces an expansion of agricultural and light manufacturing sectors, favourable changes in the domestic terms of trade. Although the short run welfare and poverty impacts are negative, these turn positive in the long run when capital has adjusted through new investments. Rising unskilled wage rates make the poorest household the biggest winners in terms of welfare and poverty reduction; (4) Domestic liberalisation effects far outweigh those of free world trade when these scenarios are combined; (5) Remittances constitute a powerful poverty-reducing tool given their greater importance in the income of the poor.Dynamic CGE model, International trade, Poverty, Bangladesh