45 research outputs found
Mediapipe based Preprocessed VGGFace2 Dataset
No full textVGGFace2 Dataset and Face Mesh PreprocessingIntroductionThe VGGFace2 dataset is a large-scale face recognition dataset containing over 3.31 million images of 9,131 identities, with an average of 362 images per identity. The dataset is designed to include extensive variations in pose, age, illumination, ethnicity, and profession, making it one of the most diverse and challenging face recognition datasets available. For more details, please refer to the original publication:VGGFace2: A dataset for recognizing faces across pose and age - DOI: 10.48550/arXiv.1710.08092
Preprocessing Using MediaPipe 3D Face MeshOn this dataset, we applied the MediaPipe-based 3D face mesh algorithm to accurately detect faces while removing all background elements, including hair. Our preprocessing strictly retained facial landmarks, ensuring that only the essential facial features were preserved. This approach significantly enhanced the accuracy and generalization of our model, as the model was trained exclusively on landmark-based facial data.
Training and PerformanceThe preprocessed data was utilized to train Xception model, which resulted in remarkably accurate outcomes due to the strictly landmark-based facial representation. The model demonstrated robust performance including explainable-AI, proving that eliminating unnecessary background elements contributed positively to its efficiency and reliability.
CitationIf you use this dataset or the preprocessed version in your work, please cite both of the following:
VGGFace2 Dataset:
@article{Cao2018VGGFace2, title={VGGFace2: A dataset for recognizing faces across pose and age}, author={Cao, Qiong and Shen, Li and Xie, Weidi and Parkhi, Omkar M and Zisserman, Andrew}, journal={arXiv preprint arXiv:1710.08092}, year={2018}}
DOI: [10.48550/arXiv.1710.08092](https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1710.08092) Preprocessed Dataset using MediaPipe:@dataset{Shah2025_MediaPipe_FaceMesh, title={MediaPipe-based 3D Face Mesh Preprocessed VGGFace2 Dataset}, author={Shah, Syed Taimoor Hussain and Shah, Syed Adil Hussain and Zamir, Ammara and Qayyum, Kainat and Shah, Syed Baqir Hussain and Fatima, Syeda Maryam and Deriu, Marco Agostino}, year={2025}, doi={10.5281/zenodo.15078557}} DOI: [10.5281/zenodo.15078557](https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15078557)
ContactFor any questions or further details, please feel free to contact us.Syed Taimoor Hussain ShahPolitoBIOMed Lab, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Politecnico di Torino, Turin, ItalyEmail: [email protected]: 0000-0002-6010-677
Approaches in considering cultural issues in South Asian people with learning disabilities and their families : the experiences of Pakistani Muslim maternal carers of adults with learning disabilities
Get PDFThis thesis is divided into three sections: Section 1- Literature Review: Approaches in Considering Cultural Issues in South Asian People with Learning Disabilities and their Families This review focuses on two areas of the literature, highlighting service issues surrounding South Asian people with learning disabilities and their families, and considering the perceptions and experiences of people with learning disabilities and their carers. It concludes by reflecting on the cross-cultural implications of the research and identifying deficits within service provision for this population. Section 2- Research Report: The Experiences of Pakistani Muslim Maternal Carers of Adults with Learning Disabilities This study aimed to detail the experience of maternal carers of South Asian descent living in Britain who care for an adult with a learning disability. Eight Pakistani Punjabi or Mirpuri speaking mothers or maternal carers of adults with learning disability were interviewed. Interviews were translated into English and Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was employed to explore experiences and examine beliefs surrounding learning disabilities within this population in order form interpretations of the participants' experiences. Three super-ordinate or master themes emerged from the data. These are `Faith, Destiny and Understandings', `Maternal Obligation' and ‘Stereotypes and Assumptions'. These themes and corresponding subordinate themes are explored with detailed extracts from participant interviews. Insight into the multi- dimensional experiences of the participants has been gained in order to increase the knowledge base in this under-researched area. Clinical and further research implications are discussed. Section 3- Critical Appraisal The critical appraisal includes commentary and reflection on the process of conducting this research taken from a research diary written during the course of this study. It includes initial ideas, planning and negotiating issues, difficulties and overall learning from the research process
Methodological and Contextual Considerations in Assessing Internet Addiction and Eating Disorder Risk Among Bangladeshi Adolescents
No full textABSTRACT Background Internet addiction and eating disorders are emerging public health concerns among adolescents, particularly in South Asia. A recent study by Siddik et al. explored these issues among Bangladeshi adolescents but contained several methodological and theoretical limitations. Objective To critically evaluate Siddik et al.'s study on internet addiction and eating disorders among Bangladeshi adolescents, identifying methodological oversights and providing recommendations for future research. Methods A critical appraisal approach was applied to review the study's design, data interpretation, and theoretical grounding. Specific focus areas included BMI classification, gender imbalance, psychosocial variables, and adherence to established behavioral models. Results The critique revealed methodological shortcomings such as inappropriate BMI classification, lack of gender balance, omission of key psychosocial determinants, and absence of a guiding theoretical framework. These limitations may reduce the study's interpretive validity and cultural relevance. Conclusion Future research should strengthen methodological rigor, ensure inclusion of relevant psychosocial factors, and incorporate robust theoretical models to enhance understanding of adolescent digital behavior and its mental health implications
Prevalence and Predictors of Willingness and Attitudes towards Organ Donation among Medical and Non-Medical University Students in Karachi
No full textBackground: Even though organ transplants save thousands of lives globally, there exists a wide mismatch between an increasing demand for organ transplants and limited number of organ donors. The aim of the study was to assess the reasons and inspect differences between donors and non-donors in both students of medical and non-medical universities.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 6 months (May 2018-March 2021). Sample of 400 participants enrolled from three medical colleges, two business/social sciences institutions and one engineering university of Karachi. Categorical variables were compared using the Chi-squared test. Continuous variables were compared using a student t-test. Variables with a univariate p-value ≤ 0.10 were included in multiple logistic regression models. Adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval were reported.
Results: With a very high response rate 383(96%) for knowledge about organ donation, a subdued response 201(52.3%) for willingness to donate. Most common source of knowledge regarding organ donation was social media 249(65%), followed by university 207(54%), family/friends 184(48%) and television 172(45%). Multiple logistic regression model identified being comfortable discussing organ donation as a positive predictor of willingness to donate (OR: 2.71, p=0.005), and the belief that organ donation disfigures the body as a negative predictor (OR: 0.40, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Attitude towards organ donation was not up to the mark among the participants (201/383=52.3%). Better knowledge may ultimately yield into the act of donation. Valuable measures should be taken to teach young people with significant information with the contribution of social media, institutions and families.
Keywords: Organ Donation; Donor Card; Organ Transplants; Ethics
SARCOPENIC OBESITY – A CLINICAL REVIEW
No full textPurpose of review: Sarcopenic obesity is a chronic condition, which is due to progressively aging populations, the increasing incidence of obesity, and lifestyle changes. The increasing prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in elderly has augmented interest in identifying the most effective treatment. This article aims at highlighting potential pathways to muscle impairment in obese individuals, the consequences that joint obesity and muscle impairment may have on health and disability, recent progress in management with attention on lifestyle management and pharmacologic therapy involved in reversing sarcopenic obesity. Recent findings: It has been suggested that a number of disorders affecting metabolism, physical capacity, and quality of life may be attributed to sarcopenic obesity. Excess dietary intake, physical inactivity, low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance and hormonal changes may lead to the development of sarcopenic obesity. Weight loss and exercise independently reverse sarcopenic obesity. Optimum protein intake appears to have beneficial effects on net muscle protein accretion in older adults. Myostatin inhibition causes favourable changes in body composition. Testosterone and growth hormone offer improvements in body composition but the benefits must be weighed against potential risks of therapy. GHRH-analog therapy is effective but further studies are needed in older adults. Summary: Lifestyle changes involving both diet-induced weight loss and regular exercise appear to be the optimal treatment for sarcopenic obesity. It is also advisable to maintain adequate protein intake. Ongoing studies will determine whether pharmacologic therapy such as myostatin inhibitors or GHRH-analogs have a role in the treatment of sarcopenic obesity.Corresponding Author: Dr. S. P. Srinivas Nayak
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Pharmacy Practice, Sultan-ul-Uloom College of Pharmacy, JNTUH, Telangana, India – 50007
Author Correction: Comprehensive analysis of chromothripsis in 2,658 human cancers using whole-genome sequencing
No full textauthor correctio
Author Correction: Bioinformatics approach for the construction of multiple epitope vaccine against omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2
No full textAn overview of water desalination systems integrated with renewable energy sources
No full textNowadays, the growing world population, climate change, pollution, rising consumer demand, and resource exploitation have contributed to a freshwater shortage. Hence, water desalination is heavily used for freshwater production. Meeting water demands in a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally friendly manner requires the right combination of renewable energy and desalination technology. In this paper, an extensive review of various renewable energy-based desalination technologies is presented. The different types of energy like wind, solar thermal and photovoltaic, geothermal, wave and pressure retarded osmosis are explained. These renewable energies can be used in different desalination techniques such as reverse osmosis, electrodialysis, mechanical vapour compression, multi-effect desalination, membrane distillation, etc. It is noted that the most effective desalination systems consisted of a combination of these renewable energy sources, and some had an energy storage device to maintain a uniform energy flow in the system. The prospects of using renewable energy resources for water desalination were also explored in the scope of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The costs of the renewable energy desalination process are presented, along with the related challenges and outlook. It is noted that the correct combination of renewable energy and desalination technologies is the key to meeting water demand in a cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner.The authors would like to acknowledge the support of NPRP grant NPRP13S-0205-200263 . The findings achieved herein are solely the responsibility of the author[s]
