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Abstract Collecting samples is a challenging task for face recognition, especially for some real-world applications such as law enhancement and ID card identification, where there is usually single sample per person (SSPS) used to train a face recognition system. To extract discriminative features from the small size samples, in this paper we propose virtual samples via bidirectional feature selection with global and local structure preservation (VS-BFS-GL) to augment the number of training samples. In VS-BFS-GL, bidirectional feature selection is developed, which introduces L 2,1 norm to explore the face variations from both horizontal and vertical directions. Further, to include more variations in the virtual images, the global structure information and sample-specified local structure information of the SSPP training set are considered. By integrating bidirectional feature selection, global and local structure, the limited training samples are fully utilized and more knowledge are mined. To further improve the effectiveness of VS-BFS-GL, an auxiliary database containing different face variations can be used to explore the local structure information. We extensively evaluated the proposed approach on AR and FERET database. The promising recognition results demonstrate that VS-BFS-GL is robust to expression, pose and partial occlusion variations in the faces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Objective To assess the availability of long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods in Los Angeles County through providers participating in a California State Medicaid State Plan Amendment Program called Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (Family PACT). Study design This was a cross-sectional telephone survey utilizing "secret shopper" methodology. From 855 Family PACT providers in Los Angeles County in 2015, a representative sample of 400 providers was selected for study. Young female researchers posing as potential patients called each sampled clinic to ask a scripted series of questions about LARC availability for Family PACT patients in that practice. Results All but one eligible practice (99.7%) responded to our questions. Among the 336 responding practices, 284 said they accepted Family PACT. Of those accepting Family PACT, staff answering the telephone call at 61% said they did not provide any LARC method onsite, 2% provided all currently available LARC methods, and 6% provided same-day placement of any LARC. Conclusion The majority of Family PACT practices surveyed said that they did not provide any LARC onsite, and very few provided same-day LARC placement despite easy patient enrollment procedures, relatively reasonable reimbursement and concerted efforts to increase LARC use. Substantial barriers to greater uptake may rest at the provider level with either actual unavailability of LARC or staff perception of unavailability. Implications Only a minority of Family PACT practices said that LARC methods were available onsite, which imposes substantial restriction to access for women who are entitled to have access without cost. Other states developing programs should be aware of this challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper a method is presented based on the use of active infrared thermography for the detection of subsurface graphical features in artworks. A theoretical model for the thermographic signal describing the physical mechanisms which allow the identification of the buried features has been proposed and thereafter it has been applied to the analysis of the results obtained on specifically made test samples. It is shown that the proposed model predictions adequately describe the experimental results obtained on the test samples. A comparative analysis between the proposed technique and infrared reflectography is also presented. The comparison shows that active thermography can be more effective in the detection of features buried below infrared translucent layers and, in addition, that it can provide information about the depth of the detected features, particularly in highly IR diffusing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumers demonstrated bivariate conceptualization, which resulted in an independent relationship between their liking and disliking ratings using the liking and disliking unidirectional scales (LDUS) from our previous consumer test studies. Although this provided the rationale for the use of the LDUS in consumer tests, the additional time and resources required for separate measurements of liking and disliking may prevent widespread adoption of the LDUS. The objective of this study was to compare the sample discrimination performance and reliability of one-sample measurement using the evaluative space grid (ESG) and consecutive scale presentation (CSP) to the performance of the originally published two-sample measurement scheme using the monadic scale presentation (MSP). Similar distribution fit was found for each sample by Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance with 10,000 simulations across the MSP, ESG and CSP ( P > 0.05). Significantly higher liking ratings for 6 out of 10 samples were observed for the ESG compared to the ratings for the MSP and/or CSP. No significant difference was found in either the liking ratings between the MSP and CSP, or in the disliking ratings among the MSP, ESG and CSP. The subjects were more consistent in their disliking ratings across the three scale presentations compared to their liking ratings. Based on the results, the ESG had a similar discrimination performance, but the liking rating was consistently higher than those of the MSP and CSP due to the interaction of liking and disliking measurements. Reliable sample discrimination performance with no significant differences was observed in liking and disliking ratings by the CSP when compared to the MSP. Therefore, measuring consumers’ liking and disliking percepts with one-sample presentation using the CSP is deemed to be a method that is comparable to the two-sample presentation of the MSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Total 170 samples of chillies (chilli sauce, crushed chilli and powdered chilli) were analyzed by HPLC coupled with fluorescence detector. AFs were detected in 39, 59 and 56% of chilli sauce, crushed chilli and chilli powder samples from open market compared with 29, 54 and 58% samples respectively, from food restaurants. OTA was found 5 (19%), 11 (38%) and 13 (38%), in chilli sauce, crushed chilli and chilli powder from open market compared to 4 (17%), 14 (50%), and 12 (41%) samples respectively, from food restaurants. About 12, 27 and 35% chilli sauce, crushed chilli and powdered chilli samples from open market were found above the European Union (EU) limit for total AFs compared to 8, 32, and 41% samples from food restaurants. The daily intakes of AFs and OTA were 3.3 and 2 μg/kg, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work describes a quantitative multiplex real-time PCR method optimized for the detection of maize MON810 and GA21. The use of specific primers and of labeled probes by real-time PCR allowed for the simultaneous detection and confirmation of amplicon identity and increased the reliability of the technique and the number of PCR applications to food analysis. Two different endogenous genes, Zein and Adh1, were evaluated for quantitative use as accountable for continuous development of maize traits. The quantification is based on a calibration standard curve obtained with the DNA extracted from Certified Reference Materials (CRMs). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the triplex assays developed was set at 3 and 36 copy numbers respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We explore empirically the relevance of positional concerns in France. Unlike previous literature, we use two types of surveys, one addressed to a convenience sample, and the other to a random sample of French households living in the metropolitan area of Montpellier. Surveys are composed of a set of hypothetical questions related to several domains (income, education, vacation time, etc.). We also investigate whether individuals consider themselves more or less positional than others in society. Moreover, a set of variables that could potentially explain why people give positional answers is considered, such as being positional on a domain in which the individual excels. In addition to more conventional findings, we show that (i) the percentage of positional answers for each domain is about the same in the random and convenience samples, (ii) people consider others as more positional than themselves, and (iii) excelling in a given domain is not necessarily a good predictor of positional preferences in this domain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We develop quality control charts for attributes using the maxima nomination sampling (MNS) method and compare them with the usual control charts based on simple random sampling (SRS) method, using average run length (ARL) performance, the required sample size in detecting quality improvement, and non-existence region for control limits. We study the effect of the sample size, the set size, and nonconformity proportion on the performance of MNS control charts using ARL curve. We show that MNS control chart can be used as a better benchmark for indicating quality improvement or quality deterioration relative to its SRS counterpart. We consider MNS charts from a cost perspective. We also develop MNS attribute control charts using randomized tests. A computer program is designed to determine the optimal control limits for an MNS p-chart such that, assuming known parameter values, the absolute deviation between the ARL and a specific nominal value is minimized. We provide good approximations for the optimal MNS control limits using regression analysis. Theoretical results are augmented with numerical evaluations. These show that MNS based control charts can yield substantial improvement over the usual control charts based on SRS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: To examine readability and formatting characteristics of consumer medication information (CMI) accompanying prescription medication samples. Methods: We collected the most commonly used prescription medication samples (n =100) from four out-patient clinics at a large teaching hospital in the Southeastern US. Seventeen percent of samples were not pills/tablets and of such diverse nature (e.g., injections, drops, and creams) that there were not enough in any category to draw conclusions. Therefore, our analyses were limited to 83pill/tablet samples, belonging to 11 drug classes (e.g., cardiovascular, and psychiatric). We noted if CMI was present, and if so we assessed it for how instructions were presented, reading level, text size, format/layout, and comprehensibility. Results: No CMI was present in 39 (46.9%) samples. In 19 (22.9%), CMI was contained in a package insert and in 25 (30.2%) it was printed on the medication package. Average reading difficulty of CMI was at the 10th grade level (range=6–15) using the Fry formula, and text point size was small (mean 9.9±2.2 on package inserts and 9.4±2.6 when printed on packages). Conclusions: Almost half of samples did not include any type of CMI. For those that had CMI, it was often written at a reading difficulty level higher than the average reading skills of American adults, and the format of most CMI was not optimal for comprehensibility. It is likely that many patients do not understand the instructions accompanying medication samples they receive from clinicians. Practice implications: Clinicians should be cognizant of the shortcomings of CMI accompanying medication samples and thereby, distribute them to patients with caution. Manufacturers too should consider revising CMI to comply with low-literacy guidelines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We report the main characteristics of ‘Brevibacterium ihuae’ strain cv3 T isolated from a stool sample of a healthy 25-year-old woman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]