Investigation into facial expression recognition methods: a review

Facial expression recognition (FER) is a rapidly emerging topic in computer vision that has gotten a lot of interest because of its numerous applications in fields including psychology, sociology, human-computer interaction (HCI), and security. FER seeks to recognise and analyse human facial expressions in order to determine emotions and other mental states. Several strategies, including feature-based, kernel-based, and deep learning-based methods, have been developed and implemented in FER in recent years. FER’s major goal is to extract and identify the most discriminating elements that accurately represent the emotions expressed by facial expressions. The literature reviewed in this field shows that deep learning-based methods have outperformed traditional feature-based and kernel-based methods in terms of accuracy and robustness in recognizing facial expressions. However, these deep learning-based methods also pose several challenges, such as the need for large labeled-data-sets, robustness to different facial poses and illumination conditions, and generalization to unseen data. Despite these challenges, the field of FER is expected to continue growing, and future research will likely focus on addressing these challenges and improving the accuracy and robustness of FER systems

Developing A Hexapod Walking Machine

This project deals with the walking machines. A brief history and the evolution of the walking machines which are classified based on their legs, different walking mechanisms exists out of which Theo Jansen’s walking mechanism was considered as it has single degree of freedom, walking mechanism is theoretically simple and efficient. Vigorous endeavours were encountered in applying the mechanism and toiled in enhancing various parameters to redefine the stability of the model and improving the total efficiency of the model using an optimization technique which is Genetic Algorithm. The first part of this thesis deals with the basic introduction of the walking machines. Like the classification operation and advantages of the walking machines. The criteria’s for the adaption of Theo Jansen mechanism Over The Other mechanism are discussed. Secondly the problems encountered in the application of the mechanism to the prototype design, the implementation of the Genetic Algorithm and the code to optimize the mechanism were discussed with sample results are showcased. Thirdly Justification of the results that were obtained from the genetic algorithm is done using CAD software solid works. The various design parameters like the stresses developed due to various forces applied on the mechanism while walking are analyzed the stresses and strains on each link are evaluated Velocity and acceleration plots for each joint and legs are also plotted. A Prototype was developed to validate the Kinetic and kinematics models of the walking mechanism and the practical constraints that are encountered were discussed in the final part of the thesis. The thesis concludes by discussing the various aspects that need to be considered for the future prototypes based on the Theo Jansen mechanism and the core idea of building a scalable machine which can be used like a transport walking machine in rugged and harsh conditions

Impact of Acute Rejection on Kidney Allograft Outcomes in Recipients on Rapid Steroid Withdrawal

Background. Our aim was to study the impact of clinical acute rejection (CR) and subclinical rejection (SR) on outcomes in kidney transplant recipients treated with rapid steroid withdrawal (RSW). Methods. All patients who received a living or deceased donor kidney transplant and were treated with RSW were included. The primary outcome was death-censored graft survival. Biopsies with Banff borderline changes were included with the rejection groups. Results. 457 kidney transplant recipients treated with RSW were included; 46 (10%) experienced SR, and 36 (7.8%) had CR. Mean HLA mismatch was significantly higher in the CR group. The Banff grade of rejection was higher in the CR group. There was a larger proportion of patients in both rejection groups with the combination of IFTA and persistent inflammation on the follow-up protocol biopsy done at 1 year. The estimated 5-year death-censored graft survival was 81% in SR, 78% in CR, and 97% in the control group (P < .0001). Significant differences were observed in allograft survival between the CR and control group (HR 9.06, 95% CI 3.39–24.2) and between the SR and control group (HR 4.22, 95% CI 1.30–13.7). Conclusion. Both SR and CR are associated with an inferior graft survival in recipients on RSW

Temperature-dependent structural properties, phase transition behavior, and dynamic properties of a benzene derivative in the solid state

We report the solid-state structural properties and phase transition behavior of 1,4-dibromo-2,3,5,6-tetramethylbenzene, demonstrating that this material undergoes an order–disorder phase transition below ambient temperature (at ca. 154 K on cooling and ca. 160 K on heating). In both the high-temperature and low-temperature phases, the crystal structure is based on π-stacking of the molecules. In the crystal structure of the high-temperature phase, the bromine occupancy in each substituent site is ca. 1/3 and the methyl group occupancy in each substituent site is ca. 2/3, consistent with statistical orientational disorder of the molecule between six distinct orientations. Natural-abundance solid-state 2H NMR spectroscopy confirms that, at ambient temperature, this disorder is dynamic via rapid molecular reorientation about an axis perpendicular to the aromatic ring. In the low-temperature phase, the bromine and methyl substituents occupy preferred sites within the crystal structure, with the distribution of site occupancies becoming progressively more ordered on decreasing temperature

Computational Modelling of Tissue-Engineered Cartilage Constructs

Cartilage is a fundamental tissue to ensure proper motion between bones and damping of mechanical loads. This tissue often suffers damage and has limited healing capacity due to its avascularity. In order to replace surgery and replacement of joints by metal implants, tissue engineered cartilage is seen as an attractive alternative. These tissues are obtained by seeding chondrocytes or mesenchymal stem cells in scaffolds and are given certain stimuli to improve establishment of mechanical properties similar to the native cartilage. However, tissues with ideal mechanical properties were not obtained yet. Computational models of tissue engineered cartilage growth and remodelling are invaluable to interpret and predict the effects of experimental designs. The current model contribution in the field will be presented in this chapter, with a focus on the response to mechanical stimulation, and the development of fully coupled modelling approaches incorporating simultaneously solute transport and uptake, cell growth, production of extracellular matrix and remodelling of mechanical properties.publishe

Effects of alirocumab on types of myocardial infarction: insights from the ODYSSEY OUTCOMES trial

Aims  The third Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (MI) Task Force classified MIs into five types: Type 1, spontaneous; Type 2, related to oxygen supply/demand imbalance; Type 3, fatal without ascertainment of cardiac biomarkers; Type 4, related to percutaneous coronary intervention; and Type 5, related to coronary artery bypass surgery. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) reduction with statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin–kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors reduces risk of MI, but less is known about effects on types of MI. ODYSSEY OUTCOMES compared the PCSK9 inhibitor alirocumab with placebo in 18 924 patients with recent acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and elevated LDL-C (≥1.8 mmol/L) despite intensive statin therapy. In a pre-specified analysis, we assessed the effects of alirocumab on types of MI. Methods and results  Median follow-up was 2.8 years. Myocardial infarction types were prospectively adjudicated and classified. Of 1860 total MIs, 1223 (65.8%) were adjudicated as Type 1, 386 (20.8%) as Type 2, and 244 (13.1%) as Type 4. Few events were Type 3 (n = 2) or Type 5 (n = 5). Alirocumab reduced first MIs [hazard ratio (HR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.77–0.95; P = 0.003], with reductions in both Type 1 (HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77–0.99; P = 0.032) and Type 2 (0.77, 0.61–0.97; P = 0.025), but not Type 4 MI. Conclusion  After ACS, alirocumab added to intensive statin therapy favourably impacted on Type 1 and 2 MIs. The data indicate for the first time that a lipid-lowering therapy can attenuate the risk of Type 2 MI. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction below levels achievable with statins is an effective preventive strategy for both MI types.For complete list of authors see http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz299</p