Two-headed eye-segmentation approach for biometric identification

Iris-based identification systems are among the most popular approaches for person identification. Such systems require good-quality segmentation modules that ideally identify the regions for different eye components. This paper introduces the new two-headed architecture, where the eye components and eyelashes are segmented using two separate decoding modules. Moreover, we investigate various training scenarios by adopting different training losses. Thanks to the two-headed approach, we were also able to examine the quality of the model with the convex prior, which enforces the convexity of the segmented shapes. We conducted an extensive evaluation of various learning scenarios on real-life conditions high-resolution near-infrared iris images

TRD tracking using the cellular automaton algorithm for compressed baryonic matter experiment

The paper describes implementation details of the Cellular Automaton Algorithm (CAA) [I. Abt, D. Emeliyanov, I. Gorbounov, I. Kisel, Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. A490, 546 (2002)] for reconstruction of the particles’ tracks in Transition Radiation Detector (TRD), designed for Compressed Baryonic Experiment (CBM) which will operate at the future Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research (FAIR) in Darmstadt, Germany. The application and performance of cellular automaton method for standalone track finding and first level event selection are presented

Magnetic anisotropy of epitaxial (Ga,Mn)As on (113)A GaAs

The temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy in (113)A (Ga,Mn)As layers grown by molecular beam epitaxy is studied by means of superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry as well as by ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) and magnetooptical effects. Experimental results are described considering cubic and two kinds of uniaxial magnetic anisotropy. The magnitude of cubic and uniaxial anisotropy constants is found to be proportional to the fourth and second power of saturation magnetization, respectively. Similarly to the case of (001) samples, the spin reorientation transition from uniaxial anisotropy with the easy along the [-1, 1, 0] direction at high temperatures to the biaxial anisotropy at low temperatures is observed around 25 K. The determined values of the anisotropy constants have been confirmed by FMR studies. As evidenced by investigations of the polar magnetooptical Kerr effect, the particular combination of magnetic anisotropies allows the out-of-plane component of magnetization to be reversed by an in-plane magnetic field. Theoretical calculations within the p-d Zener model explain the magnitude of the out-of-plane uniaxial anisotropy constant caused by epitaxial strain, but do not explain satisfactorily the cubic anisotropy constant. At the same time the findings point to the presence of an additional uniaxial anisotropy of unknown origin. Similarly to the case of (001) films, this additional anisotropy can be explained by assuming the existence of a shear strain. However, in contrast to the (001) samples, this additional strain has an out-of-the-(001)-plane character.Comment: 13 pages, 9 figure

Biophysical and structural investigation of bacterially expressed and engineered CCR5, a G protein-coupled receptor

The chemokine receptor CCR5 belongs to the class of G protein-coupled receptors. Besides its role in leukocyte trafficking, it is also the major HIV-1 coreceptor and hence a target for HIV-1 entry inhibitors. Here, we report Escherichia coli expression and a broad range of biophysical studies on E. coli-produced CCR5. After systematic screening and optimization, we obtained 10mg of purified, detergent-solubilized, folded CCR5 from 1L culture in a triply isotope-labeled (2H/15N/13C) minimal medium. Thus the material is suitable for NMR spectroscopic studies. The expected α-helical secondary structure content is confirmed by circular dichroism spectroscopy. The solubilized CCR5 is monodisperse and homogeneous as judged by transmission electron microscopy. Interactions of CCR5 with its ligands, RANTES and MIP-1β were assessed by surface plasmon resonance yielding KD values in the nanomolar range. Using size exclusion chromatography, stable monomeric CCR5 could be isolated. We show that cysteine residues affect both the yield and oligomer distribution of CCR5. HSQC spectra suggest that the transmembrane domains of CCR5 are in equilibrium between several conformations. In addition we present a model of CCR5 based on the crystal structure of CXCR4 as a starting point for protein engineerin

Information as ontological category of nature and its diversity

PURPOSE: The main purpose of the article is to highlight diversity and ontology of information and next its the role and impact on modern management of natural processes of knowledge about their connections with information.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors accepted the thesis that complex processes which contemporary management encounters should be solved with the use of complex formal tools.This is not possible without the proper use of categories of information appropriate to a given problem.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Thanks to the new and formal paradigms of modern science we are able to penetrate deeper into the nature of the real processes (economic, social, banking and even into our- human mind, it is in our information thinking) and their complexity (structure). All this is possible thanks to the knowledge gained through the information received about it. Even physicists are increasingly inclined to consider information as a state of matter. And this is where its practical role comes from.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The originality of the content of the article lies in the combination of theoretical(especially formal approaches) concept of information related to the research on soft structures dealt with in the humanities.peer-reviewe

Organization and decisions in process management in the aspect of diversity ontology : science methodology approach

PURPOSE: The main purpose of the article is to highlight the role and impact on modern management of natural processes of knowledge about their nature expressed through their diversity implied by the ontology of Nature. Demonstrating the validity of using ontology in management to explain the basics of management in relation to its functions. This management derives the knowledge of fundamental science, which is based on the study of the ontology of Nature.DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The authors accepted the thesis that complex processes which contemporary management encounters should be solved with the use of complex formal tools. Thus, both approaches must be related by a specific cognitive resonance (application of adequate theory methods to a given form of system diversity). The paper consists of ten points, preceded by an introduction. It demonstrates the structures of diversity based on fundamental scientific works related to the issue of diversity of reality. The objective goal of the article was achieved by referring to the concept of coherence – coherent participation, even of concepts different in terms of quality, related to the studied process in which these concepts (factors) function.PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Thanks to the new and formal paradigms of modern science we are able to penetrate deeper into the nature of the real processes (economic, social, and even into the nature of our mind) - which was studied) and their complexity (structure). It can be said that every structure (especially a process) is its ontology. If I know the structure, I can manage it practically. Knowledge is acquired by examining the structure of processes, their dimensions (the degree of complexity), behavior, and then through the process of explaining why this and other objects (processes) behave this way and not otherwise. Ideally, it would be possible to put all this together and explain why a given process behaves differently from another and at the same time answer the question of its nature – complexity, i.e., the structure of reality. The authors have tried to indicate in the text to what extent is possible to solve the above problems.ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The originality of the content of the article lies in the combination of theoretical concepts related to the research on the nature of some reality processes with transferring knowledge about objects and processes to a practical dimension, i.e. applying the acquired knowledge in Management Theory and Organization Theory. The authors tray to present how a new approach to the analysis of the systems theory of organization and management is possible from the perspective of knowledge about the diversity of reality presented in the paper.peer-reviewe

Computer tomography guided transthoracic periaortic abscess needle biopsy in late mediastinitis after heart surgery

Mediastinitis is a well-known complication of open heart surgery. Abscess as late complication, presenting years after heart surgery, is adegnotical. Transthoracic needle biopsies of lung parenchyma guided by computer tomography are widely accepted. The puncture of periaortic masses is not routinely performed. We report the case of an encapsulated mediastinal abscess localized next to ascending vascular graft. The febrile 47-year-old white male patient with history of Bentall operation was admitted to Cardiac Surgery Department. He was transferred for urgent chest tomography after International Normalization Ratio was reversed by prothrombin complex concentrate. Tomography revealed 7 × 5 × 4 cm mass between the sternum and ascending aorta, that was punctured by the needle. After biopsy specimen was sent for microbiology, the patient was transferred for surgery. There was no vascular graft invasion by the mass. The surgery was limited to abscess removal with postoperative drainage of periaortic area. The 6-week antibiotic therapy was applied. Patient recovered uneventfully