| Sensors, Vol. 12, Pages 4324-4338: Integrating Iris and Signature Traits for Personal Authentication Using User-SpecificWeighting Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT Biometric systems based on uni-modal traits are characterized by noisy sensor data, restricted degrees of freedom, non-universality and are susceptible to spoof attacks. Multi-modal biometric systems seek to alleviate some of these drawbacks by providing multiple evidences of the same identity. In this paper, a user-score-based weighting technique for integrating the iris and signature traits is presented. This user-specific weighting technique has proved to be an efficient and effective fusion scheme which increases the authentication accuracy rate of multi-modal biometric systems. The weights are used to indicate the importance of matching scores output by each biometrics trait. The experimental results show that our biometric system based on the integration of iris and signature traits achieve a false rejection rate (FRR) of 0.08% and a false acceptance rate (FAR) of 0.01%. |
| Remote Sensing, Vol. 4, Pages 911-933: Segmentation of Shadowed Buildings in Dense Urban Areas from Aerial Photographs Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT Segmentation of buildings in urban areas, especially dense urban areas, by using remotely sensed images is highly desirable. However, segmentation results obtained by using existing algorithms are unsatisfactory because of the unclear boundaries between buildings and the shadows cast by neighboring buildings. In this paper, an algorithm is proposed that successfully segments buildings from aerial photographs, including shadowed buildings in dense urban areas. To handle roofs having rough textures, digital numbers (DNs) are quantized into several quantum values. Quantization using several interval widths is applied during segmentation, and for each quantization, areas with homogeneous values are labeled in an image. Edges determined from the homogeneous areas obtained at each quantization are then merged, and frequently observed edges are extracted. By using a "rectangular index", regions whose shapes are close to being rectangular are thus selected as buildings. Experimental results show that the proposed algorithm generates more practical segmentation results than an existing algorithm does. Therefore, the main factors in successful segmentation of shadowed roofs are (1) combination of different quantization results, (2) selection of buildings according to the rectangular index, and (3) edge completion by the inclusion of non-edge pixels that have a high probability of being edges. By utilizing these factors, the proposed algorithm optimizes the spatial filtering scale with respect to the size of building roofs in a locality. The proposed algorithm is considered to be useful for conducting building segmentation for various purposes. |
| IJMS, Vol. 13, Pages 4153-4167: Labeling of Anti-MUC-1 Binding Single Chain Fv Fragments to Surface Modified Upconversion Nanoparticles for an Initial in Vivo Molecular Imaging Proof of Principle Approach Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT In vivo optical Imaging is an inexpensive and highly sensitive modality to investigate and follow up diseases like breast cancer. However, fluorescence labels and specific tracers are still works in progress to bring this promising modality into the clinical day-to-day use. In this study an anti-MUC-1 binding single-chain antibody fragment was screened, produced and afterwards labeled with newly designed and surface modified NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles as fluorescence reporter constructs. The MUC-1 binding of the conjugate was examined in vitro and in vivo using modified state-of-the-art small animal Imaging equipment. Binding of the newly generated upconversion nanoparticle based probe to MUC-1 positive cells was clearly shown via laser scanning microscopy and in an initial proof of principal small animal optical imaging approach. |
| Minerals, Vol. 2, Pages 85-99: Biochemical Change at the Setting-up of the Crossed-Lamellar Layer in Nerita undata Shell (Mollusca, Gastropoda) Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT Nerita undata is a marine gastropod, the shell of which consists of an external layer composed of very fine, long and undulating calcite prisms, and of an internal aragonite crossed-lamellar layer. As for any Ca-carbonate shell, both layers are composite materials, resulting from the sub-micrometric association of organic macromolecules with the mineral phase. But at the transition between the two layers, in situ synchrotron-based mapping using μ-XANES spectroscopy performed at the S K-edge and SR-FTIR spectroscopy reveals that biochemical compositions change correlatively with the mineral phase, such as displayed by the distribution of sulfur-containing organic compounds (S-polysaccharides or S-amino acids) and organic molecular groups (amide I and II bands). These results highlight the complex change of secretory activity operated by the mineralizing tissue (the mollusk mantle) between these two parts of the shell, which is suspected to minutely control the setting-up of the crossed-lamellar microstructural pattern over the calcite prisms—A not so straightforward feature. |
| Bans urged on pokies Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:36 AM PDT POKER machine venues should be banned from displaying dollar signs, gold coins and treasure-chest symbols to reduce the attraction of gambling, Greens gaming spokesman Kim Booth said yesterday. |
| Fez: The game XBLA has been waiting for finally gets release date and sweet price Posted: 29 Mar 2012 02:04 AM PDT  We've been wanting to play Fez for nearly half a decade. Now, at last, it's got an actual official XBLA release date. This is a happy day.
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| 13 Days After Posted: 29 Mar 2012 01:57 AM PDT  The world is filled with creepy zombies and your only chance is reaching the safe haven on Liberty City.  |
| Marine Drugs, Vol. 10, Pages 793-811: Fucanomics and Galactanomics: Marine Distribution, Medicinal Impact, Conceptions, and Challenges Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT Glycomics turned out to be a very extensive project where its subdivision is consequently emerging. This is seen by the growing number of terminologies used to define subprojects concerning particular classes of bioactive carbohydrates. Sulfated fucans (SFs) and sulfated galactans (SGs) are relatively new classes of sulfated polysaccharides (SPs) that occur mostly in marine organisms, and exhibit a broad range of medicinal effects. Their structures are taxonomically dependent, and their therapeutic actions include benefits in inflammation, coagulation, thrombosis, angiogenesis, cancer, oxidation, and infections. Some red algae, marine angiosperm and invertebrates express SPs of unique structures composed of regular repeating oligomeric units of well-defined sulfation patterns. This fine pattern of structural regularity is quite rare among any naturally occurring long SPs, and enables accurate structure-biofunction correlations. Seeing that, fucanomics and galactanomics may comprise distinguished glycomics subprojects. We hereby discuss the relevance that justifies the international recognition of these subprojects in the current glycomics age associated with the beneficial outcomes that these glycans may offer in drug development. |
| Molecules, Vol. 17, Pages 3858-3865: Synthesis and Characterization of Fullerene Nanowhiskers by Liquid-Liquid Interfacial Precipitation: Influence of C60 Solubility Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT Fullerene nanowhiskers (FNWs) composed of C60 fullerene molecules were prepared using the liquid–liquid interfacial precipitation (LLIP) method in the carbon-disulfide (CS2) and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) system. The electron microscopic images reveal the formation of non-tubular FNWs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern studies indicate the presence of fcc crystalline structure and unusual triclinic structure in the FNWs. The selected area electron diffraction pattern (SAED) analysis demonstrates the existence of triclinic and electron beam assisted fcc to tetragonal crystalline phase transformation. The formation of triclinic structure might be validated due to the partial polymerization of FNWs at C60 saturated CS2-IPA interface. The high solubility of C60 in CS2 solvent system results in partial polymerization of FNWs. The polymerization of fullerene molecules in the FNWs has been further confirmed using Raman spectroscopy. |
| Sustainability, Vol. 4, Pages 531-542: Socioeconomic Assessment of Meat Protein Extracts (MPE) as a New Means of Reducing the U.S. Population’s Salt Intake Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT Excessive salt intake causes a number of cardiovascular diseases, such as strokes and hypertension. This is a burden on the individual as well as on society, because these diseases are fatal and costly to treat and live with. Much of the salt comes from processed meat such as sausages, ham, and bacon and has, so far, been hard to avoid because of consumer taste preference as well as the technological benefits. Meat protein extract (MPE) is a broth of hydrolyzed protein which can reduce the salt in processed meat by more than one third without compromising on taste and functionality. This study estimates the socioeconomic impacts of implementing MPE widely across the United States (US) by relating the national salt intake reduction potential of MPE (5%) to a broad range of health, societal, and individual factors derived from the literature. Results show that benefits for society are substantial and MPE could be part of the solution for the problem of excessive salt intake. MPE could deliver 25% of the U.S. 'National Salt Reduction Initiative' goals, avoid approximately 1 million hypertension cases and save around USD 1.6 billion in annual direct healthcare costs. Verification indicates that these estimates are conservative. |
| Genes, Vol. 3, Pages 248-260: Heritability of Radiation Response in Lung Cancer Families Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT Radiation sensitivity is assumed to be a cancer susceptibility factor due to impaired DNA damage signalling and repair. Relevant genetic factors may also determine the observed familial aggregation of early onset lung cancer. We investigated the heritability of radiation sensitivity in families of 177 Caucasian cases of early onset lung cancer. In total 798 individuals were characterized for their radiation-induced DNA damage response. DNA damage analysis was performed by alkaline comet assay before and after in vitro irradiation of isolated lymphocytes. The cells were exposed to a dose of 4 Gy and allowed to repair induced DNA-damage up to 60 minutes. The primary outcome parameter Olive Tail Moment was the basis for heritability estimates. Heritability was highest for basal damage (without irradiation) 70% (95%-CI: 51%–88%) and initial damage (directly after irradiation) 65% (95%-CI: 47%–83%) and decreased to 20%–48% for the residual damage after different repair times. Hence our study supports the hypothesis that genomic instability represented by the basal DNA damage as well as radiation induced and repaired damage is highly heritable. Genes influencing genome instability and DNA repair are therefore of major interest for the etiology of lung cancer in the young. The comet assay represents a proper tool to investigate heritability of the radiation sensitive phenotype. Our results are in good agreement with other mutagen sensitivity assays. |
| IJMS, Vol. 13, Pages 4141-4152: Comparison of Ultrasonic and CO2 Laser Pretreatment Methods on Enzyme Digestibility of Corn Stover Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT To decrease the cost of bioethanol production, biomass recalcitrance needs to be overcome so that the conversion of biomass to bioethanol becomes more efficient. CO2 laser irradiation can disrupt the lignocellulosic physical structure and reduce the average size of fiber. Analyses with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, specific surface area, and the microstructure of corn stover were used to elucidate the enhancement mechanism of the pretreatment process by CO2 laser irradiation. The present work demonstrated that the CO2 laser had potential to enhance the bioconversion efficiency of lignocellulosic waste to renewable bioethanol. The saccharification rate of the CO2 laser pretreatment was significantly higher than ultrasonic pretreatment, and reached 27.75% which was 1.34-fold of that of ultrasonic pretreatment. The results showed the impact of CO2 laser pretreatment on corn stover to be more effective than ultrasonic pretreatment. |
| IJMS, Vol. 13, Pages 4124-4140: Antimicrobial, Antiproliferative and Proapoptotic Activities of Extract, Fractions and Isolated Compounds from the Stem of Erythroxylum caatingae Plowman Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT In the study, we have examined the antitumor and antimicrobial activities of the methanol extract, the fractions, a fraction of total alkaloids and two alkaloids isolated from the stem of Erythroxylum caatingae Plowman. All test fractions, except the hexane fractions, showed antimicrobial activity on gram-positive bacteria and fungi. The acetate: methanol (95:5), acetate, chloroform and hexane fractions show the highest cytotoxicity activity against the NCI-H292, HEp-2 and K562 cell lines using MTT. The absence of hemolysis in the erythrocytes of mice was observed in these fractions and 6β-Benzoyloxy-3α-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoyloxy) tropane (catuabine B). Staining with Annexin V-FITC and JC-1 was used to verify the mechanism of action of the compounds of E. caatingae that showed cytotoxicity less than 30 μg/mL in leukemic cells. After 48 h of incubation, we observed that the acetate: methanol (95:5), acetate, and chloroform fractions, as well as the catuabine B, increased in the number of cells in early apoptosis, from 53.0 to 74.8%. An analysis of the potential of the mitochondrial membrane by incorporation of JC-1 showed that most cells during incubation of the acetate: methanol (95:5) and acetate fractions (63.85 and 59.2%) were stained, suggesting the involvement of an intrinsic pathway of apoptosis. |
| Micromachines, Vol. 3, Pages 279-294: A Digitally Controllable Polymer-Based Microfluidic Mixing Module Array Posted: 29 Mar 2012 12:00 AM PDT This paper presents an integrated digitally controllable microfluidic system for continuous solution supply with a real-time concentration control. This system contains multiple independently operating mixing modules, each integrated with two vortex micropumps, two Tesla valves and a micromixer. The interior surface of the system is made of biocompatible materials using a polymer micro-fabrication process and thus its operation can be applied to chemicals and bio-reagents. In each module, pumping of fluid is achieved by the vortex micropump working with the rotation of a micro-impeller. The downstream fluid mixing is based on mechanical vibrations driven by a lead zirconate titanate ceramic diaphragm actuator located below the mixing chamber. We have conducted experiments to prove that the addition of the micro-pillar structures to the mixing chamber further improves the mixing performance. We also developed a computer-controlled automated driver system to control the real-time fluid mixing and concentration regulation with the mixing module array. This research demonstrates the integration of digitally controllable polymer-based microfluidic modules as a fully functional system, which has great potential in the automation of many bio-fluid handling processes in bio-related applications. |
| Fez landing on Xbox Live April 13 Posted: 28 Mar 2012 06:43 PM PDT Polytron's multidimensional platformer heading to Xbox Live Arcade next month; game will retail for 800 Microsoft points. 
Polytron has announced a release date for its long-awaited platformer, Fez. The game will be released on Microsoft's Xbox Live Arcade on Friday, April 13, and will cost 800 Microsoft points. The game was submitted to Microsoft for certification last month, three years after it was initially announced back in 2009. At the time, Polytron expected the title to be out in 2010, a date that was later rescheduled to early 2012. Last month, Fez won the Seumas McNally Grand Prize award at the 2012 Independent Games Festival. Fez designer Phil Fish was also one of the developers featured in the upcoming Indie Game: The Movie documentary. Fez is a 2D platformer built entirely using Microsoft's XNA tools in an 8-bit pixel art style. The game also adds a third dimension, and allows players to rotate the gameworld around the protagonist, Gomez. Read and Post Comments | Get the full article at GameSpot
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| Gaming Meme 101: The Cake is a Lie Posted: 28 Mar 2012 06:28 PM PDT |
| MLG Day 3 Wrap Up - Halo: Reach 4v4 Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:33 PM PDT |
| Interview - iGotUrPistola Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:30 PM PDT |
| A beautifully hand-drawn indie game, The Banner Saga Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:10 PM PDT Once we saw this beautiful trailer, we knew you would want to check out this hand-drawn story-driven indie game, The Banner Saga. Check it out! Get the full article at GameSpot
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| XAtomic Lite Screens Posted: 28 Mar 2012 05:08 PM PDT |
