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A framework for facial age progression and regression using exemplar face templates
Get PDFYesTechniques for facial age progression and regression have many applications and a myriad of challenges. As such, automatic aged or de-aged face generation has become an important subject of study in recent times. Over the past decade or so, researchers have been working on developing face processing mechanisms to tackle the challenge of generating realistic aged faces for applications related to smart systems. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to try and address this problem. We use template faces based on the formulation of an average face of a given ethnicity and for a given age. Thus, given a face image, the target aged image for that face is generated by applying it to the relevant template face image. The resulting image is controlled by two parameters corresponding to the texture and the shape of the face. To validate our approach, we compute the similarity between aged images and the corresponding ground truth via face recognition. To do this, we have utilised a pre-trained convolutional neural network based on the VGG-face model for feature extraction, and we then use well-known classifiers to compare the features. We have utilised two datasets, namely the FEI and the Morph II, to test, verify and validate our approach. Our experimental results do suggest that the proposed approach achieves accuracy, efficiency and possess flexibility when it comes to facial age progression or regression
Edge-based blockchain enabled anomaly detection for insider attack prevention in Internet of Things
Get PDFYesInternet of Things (IoT) platforms are responsible for overall data processing in the IoT System. This ranges from analytics and big data processing to gathering all sensor data over time to analyze and produce long-term trends. However, this comes with prohibitively high demand for resources such as memory, computing power and bandwidth, which the highly resource constrained IoT devices lack to send data to the platforms to achieve efficient operations. This results in poor availability and risk of data loss due to single point of failure should the cloud platforms suffer attacks. The integrity of the data can also be compromised by an insider, such as a malicious system administrator, without leaving traces of their actions. To address these issues, we propose in this work an edge-based blockchain enabled anomaly detection technique to prevent insider attacks in IoT. The technique first employs the power of edge computing to reduce the latency and bandwidth requirements by taking processing closer to the IoT nodes, hence improving availability, and avoiding single point of failure. It then leverages some aspect of sequence-based anomaly detection, while integrating distributed edge with blockchain that offers smart contracts to perform detection and correction of abnormalities in incoming sensor data. Evaluation of our technique using real IoT system datasets showed that the technique remarkably achieved the intended purpose, while ensuring integrity and availability of the data which is critical to IoT success.Petroleum Technology Development Fund(PTDF) Nigeria, Grant/Award Number:PTDF/ED/PHD/TYM/858/1
Comparative genomics shows differences in the electron transport and carbon metabolic pathways of Mycobacterium africanum relative to Mycobacterium tuberculosis and suggests an adaptation to low oxygen tension
Get PDFYesThe geographically restricted Mycobacterium africanum lineages (MAF) are primarily found in West Africa, where they account for a significant proportion of tuberculosis. Despite this phenomenon, little is known about the co-evolution of these ancient lineages with West Africans. MAF and M. tuberculosis sensu stricto lineages (MTB) differ in their clinical, in vitro and in vivo characteristics for reasons not fully understood. Therefore, we compared genomes of 289 MAF and 205 MTB clinical isolates from the 6 main human-adapted M. tuberculosis complex lineages, for mutations in their Electron Transport Chain and Central Carbon Metabolic pathway in order to explain these metabolic differences. Furthermore, we determined, in silico, whether each mutation could affect the function of genes encoding enzymes in these pathways.
We found more mutations with the potential to affect enzymes in these pathways in MAF lineages compared to MTB lineages. We also found that similar mutations occurred in these pathways between MAF and some MTB lineages.
Generally, our findings show further differences between MAF and MTB lineages that may have contributed to the MAF clinical and growth phenotype and indicate potential adaptation of MAF lineages to a distinct ecological niche, which we suggest includes areas characterized by low oxygen tension.European Research CouncilINTERRUPTB starting grant nr. 311725 (to BdJ, FG, CM, LR, BO, MA) and The UK Medical Research Council and the European & Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP) Grant No. CB. 2007. 41700.007.Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, January 2020
Judicial attitudes towards the enforcement of annulled awards
Get PDFYesThis chapter explores the issue of the enforcement of annulled awards under the regime of the
Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards, New York
1958 (New York Convention) through an analysis of recent decisions from the courts of the
United States, England and France, to suggest the attitude courts in African States should
adopt when required to enforce an annulled award. These three jurisdictions have robustly
engaged with this question and their courts have proffered different reasons for the positions
they take on the issue, which may be instructive to the courts in Africa. The issue is set out in
14.01; and the theoretical and practical effects of annulled awards are briefly discussed in
14.02. The approach adopted by the English courts is briefly examined in 14.03; the US
courts in 14.04; and the French courts in 14.05; and a conclusion
An evolutionary Pentagon Support Vector finder method
Get PDFYesIn dealing with big data, we need effective algorithms; effectiveness that depends, among others, on the ability to remove outliers from the data set, especially when dealing with classification problems. To this aim, support vector finder algorithms have been created to save just the most important data in the data pool. Nevertheless, existing classification algorithms, such as Fuzzy C-Means (FCM), suffer from the drawback of setting the initial cluster centers imprecisely. In this paper, we avoid existing shortcomings and aim to find and remove unnecessary data in order to speed up the final classification task without losing vital samples and without harming final accuracy; in this sense, we present a unique approach for finding support vectors, named evolutionary Pentagon Support Vector (PSV) finder method. The originality of the current research lies in using geometrical computations and evolutionary algorithms to make a more effective system, which has the advantage of higher accuracy on some data sets. The proposed method is subsequently tested with seven benchmark data sets and the results are compared to those obtained from performing classification on the original data (classification before and after PSV) under the same conditions. The testing returned promising results
Analysis of the Born in Bradford birth cohort - Authors' reply
No full textNoEster Garne and Joan Morris are correct that the Born in Bradford birth cohort data for congenital anomalies do not include pregnancies that terminated before 28 weeks: the data we report refer to liveborn and stillborn infants only. We reported a protective effect of education on anomaly rates but we did not propose any theory to account for the finding because we had no further data that related to this observation
Advancing the Understanding of Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Resilience using Complex Adaptive System (CAS) Theory
Get PDFYesPurpose
The objective of this study was to advance our knowledge of pharmaceutical supply chain resilience using Complex Adaptive System theory (CAS).
Design/methodology/approach
An exploratory research design which adopted a qualitative approach was used to achieve the study’s research objective. Qualitative data were gathered through 23 semi-structured interviews with key supply chain actors across the PSC in the United Kingdom (UK).
Findings
The findings demonstrate that CAS, as a theory, provides a systemic approach to understanding PSC resilience by taking into consideration the various elements (environment, PSC characteristics, vulnerabilities and resilience strategies) that make up the entire system. It also provides explanations for key findings, like the impact of power, conflict and complexity in the PSC, which are influenced by the interactions between supply chain actors and as such increase its susceptibility to the negative impact of disruption. Furthermore, the antecedents for building resilience strategies were the outcome of the decision-making process referred to as co-evolution from a CAS perspective.
Originality/value
Based on the data collected, the study was able to reflect on the relationships, interactions and interfaces between actors in the PSC using the CAS theory, which supports the proposition that resilience strategies can be adopted by supply chain actors to enhance this service supply chain. This is a novel empirical study of resilience across multiple levels of the PSC and as such adds valuable new knowledge about the phenomenon and the use of CAS theory as a vehicle for exploration and knowledge construction in other supply chains
Can We Create a Circular Pharmaceutical Supply Chain (CPSC) to Reduce Medicines Waste?
Get PDFYesThe increase in pharmaceutical waste medicines is a global phenomenon and financial burden. The Circular Economy, as a philosophy within the pharmaceutical supply chain, aims to promote waste reduction, maximise medicines value, and enable sustainability within this supply chain (increasing circularity). Circularity strategies for pharmaceuticals are not currently implemented in many countries, due to quality and safety barriers. The aim of this study was to determine whether the application of circular economy principles can minimise pharmaceutical waste and support sustainability in the pharmaceutical supply chain; Methods: a detailed narrative literature review was conducted in order to examine pharmaceutical waste creation, management, disposal, and the application of circular economy principles; Results: the literature scrutinised revealed that pharmaceutical waste is created by multiple routes, each of which need to be addressed by pharmacists and healthcare bodies through the Circular Economy 9R principles. These principles act as a binding mechanism for disparate waste management initiatives. Medicines, or elements of a pharmaceutical product, can be better managed to reduce waste, cost, and reduce negative environmental impacts through unsafe disposal.
the study findings outline a Circular Pharmaceutical Supply Chain and suggests that it should be considered and tested as a sustainable supply chain proposition
Aldehyde Dehydrogenases and Prostate Cancer: Shedding Light on Isoform Distribution to Reveal Druggable Target
Get PDFYesProstate cancer represents the most common malignancy diagnosed in men, and is the second-leading cause of cancer death in this population. In spite of dedicated efforts, the current therapies are rarely curative, requiring the development of novel approaches based on innovative molecular targets. In this work, we validated aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A1 and 1A3 isoform expressions in different prostatic tissue-derived cell lines (normal, benign and malignant) and patient-derived primary prostate tumor epithelial cells, demonstrating their potential for therapeutic intervention using a small library of aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors. Compound 3b, 6-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-phenylimidazo [1,2-a]pyridine exhibited not only antiproliferative activity in the nanomolar range against the P4E6 cell line, derived from localized prostate cancer, and PC3 cell lines, derived from prostate cancer bone metastasis, but also inhibitory efficacy against PC3 colony-forming efficiency. Considering its concomitant reduced activity against normal prostate cells, 3b has the potential as a lead compound to treat prostate cancer by means of a still untapped molecular target
Scottish soldiers from the Battle of Dunbar 1650: a prosopographical approach to a skeletal assemblage
Get PDFYesAfter the Battle Dunbar between English and Scottish forces in 1650, captured Scottish soldiers were imprisoned in Durham and many hundreds died there within a few weeks. The partial skeletal remains of 28 of these men were discovered in 2013. Building on previous osteological work, here we report wide-ranging scientific studies of the remains to address the following questions: Did they have comparable diet, health and disease throughout their lives? Did they have common histories of movement (or lack of movement) during their childhoods? Can we create a collective biography of these men?
Strontium and oxygen isotope analysis of tooth enamel investigated childhood movement. Carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of incrementally sampled dentine addressed childhood diet and nutrition. Metaproteomic analysis of dental calculus investigated oral microbiomes and food residues; this was complemented by microscopic analysis of debris in calculus from ingested materials. Selected individuals were examined for dental microwear. The extent of hydroxylation of proline in collagen was examined as a potential biomarker for scurvy. An osteobiography for each man was created using the full range of data generated about him, and these were synthesised using an approach based on the historical method for a collective biography or prosopography.
The childhood residences of the men were primarily within the Midland Valley of Scotland, though some spent parts of their childhood outside the British Isles. This is concordant with the known recruitment areas of the Scottish army in 1650. Their diets included oats, brassicas and milk but little seafood, as expected for lowland rather than highland diets of the period. Childhood periods of starvation or illness were almost ubiquitous, but not simultaneous, suggesting regionally variable food shortages in the 1620s and 1630s. It is likely there was widespread low-level scurvy, ameliorating in later years of life, which suggests historically unrecorded shortages of fruit and vegetables in the early 1640s. Almost all men were exposed to burnt plant matter, probably as inhaled soot, and this may relate to the high proportion of them with of sinusitis. Interpersonal violence causing skeletal trauma was rare. Based on commonalities in their osteobiographies, we argue that these men were drawn from the same stratum of society.
This study is perhaps the most extensive to date of individuals from 17th century Scotland. Combined with a precise historical context it allows the lives of these men to be investigated and compared to the historical record with unprecedented precision. It illustrates the power of archaeological science methods to confirm, challenge and complement historical evidence.The excavation and post-excavation
programme was primarily funded by Durham
University, with the palaeoproteomic analysis
funded through the Wellcome Trust www.
wellcome.ac.uk (108375/Z/15/Z to CFS)