The CMU pose, illumination, and expression database

In the Fall of 2000, we collected a database of more than 40,000 facial images of 68 people. Using the Carnegie Mellon University 3D Room, we imaged each person across 13 different poses, under 43 different illumination conditions, and with four different expressions. We call this the CMU pose, illumination, and expression (PIE) database. We describe the imaging hardware, the collection procedure, the organization of the images, several possible uses, and how to obtain the database.     

IFI60/ISG60/IFIT4, a new member of the human IFI54/IFIT2 family of interferon-stimulated genes

1. Disturbances in cortisol secretory patterns and excessive secretion of cortisol after a variety of neuroendocrine stimulation tests indicate excessive activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical axis in depression. 2. Peripheral indicators of hypercortisolemia have also been observed (e.g. enlarged adrenal glands, glucocorticoid insensitivity and insulin intolerance). 3. Excessive cortisol production may also result in altered bone metabolism and bone architecture, and a recent study by Michelson et al. (1996) found slightly lower bone density in depressed women with hypercortisoluria versus healthy controls. 4. In this study, the authors examined bone mineral density (BMD) using dual energy radiographic absorptometry (DEXA) technique in 6 depressed patients (3 with and 3 without hypercortisoluria) with a mean (+/- SD) age of 41 +/- 13 years, and in 5 healthy, controls with mean age 38 +/- 4 years). 5. DEXA images of the lumbar vertebrae (L1 to L4) for BMD were acquired over a 5-minute interval. 6. Overall, the authors observed no difference in mean BMD values between patients and controls, nor were differences observed between patients with and without hypercortisoluria.     

Numb chin syndrome as the initial manifestation of HIV infection

Numb chin syndrome, which consists of focal sensory loss and paresthesias of the chin, occurs with malignant diseases. We report a patient with numb chin syndrome, caused by Burkitt's lymphoma, occurring as the initial manifestation of HIV infection.     

A compliant end-effector coupling for vertical assembly: design and evaluation

Many manipulation tasks require compliance, i.e. the robot's ability to comply with the environment and accomplish force as well as position control. Examples are constrained motion tasks and tasks associated with touch or feel in fine assembly. Few compliance-related tasks have been automated, and usually by active means of active compliance control: the need for passive compliance offered by the manipulator itself has been recognized and has led to the development of compliant end-effectors and/or wrists. In this paper we present a novel passively compliant coupling, the compliant end-effector coupling (CEEC), which aids automated precision assembly. It serves as a mechanical interface between the end of the robot arm and the end-effector. The coupling has 6 degrees of freedom. The design of the coupling is based on a “lock and free” assembly idea. The coupling is locked and behaves like a stiff member during robot motion, and is free (compliant) during constrained motion. It features an air bearing, a variable stiffness air spring and a center-locking mechanism. The end-effector assembly, being centrally unlocked, will float within the designed compliance limits assisted by the air bearing. These frictionless and constraint-free conditions facilitate a fast correction of any initial lateral and angular misalignments. In a peg insertion assembly, such accommodation is possible provided that the tip of the peg is contained within the chamfer of the hole. A variable stiffness air spring was incorporated in the design to allow variable and passive vertical compliance. This vertical compliance allows the accommodation of angular and vertical errors. The center-locking mechanism will return the end-effector assembly to its initial position upon an error correction. In a robot application program, the CEEC can be locked during rapid motion to securely transport a part or be set free during assembly or disassembly processes when the motions are constrained.     

An extension of the group contribution model for thermodynamic and transport properties of dilute gases

Earlier work of the group contribution method presented by Oh and Campbell [Oh and Campbell, 1997] for prediction of second virial coefficients and dilute gas transport properties has been repeated with a new set of normal alkane second virial coefficient data (methane, ethane, propane, and normal pentane critically compiled by Dymond and Smith [1980], normal hexane recommended by Dymond et al. [1986], and the recommendation for normal butane, heptane and octane updated by Tsonopoulos and Dymond [1997]). This method has been extended to molecular linear gases (carbon monoxide, oxygen and hydrogen) and to alkanes-gases mixtures. The functional group parameters were revised from the simultaneous regression of second virial coefficient and viscosity data. Group parameters values (CH₀, CH₁, CH₂, CH₃, CH₄, double-bonded CH₁ double-bonded CH₂, N₂, and CO₂ groups) and 8 binary group interaction parameters (k_N2-CH0,GC,k_N2-CH1,GC, k_N2-CH2,GC, k_N2-CH3,GC,;k_CO2-CH0,GC,k_CO2-CH1,GC,;k_CO2-CH2,GC, andK _CO2-CH3,GC were revised. New group parameter values are given for gases beyond those presented earlier (CO, O₂ and H₂) and 19 group binary interaction parameter ValueS (k_{N2-CH1D, GC},k_N2-CH2D,GC;k_CO2-CH1D,GCk_CO2-CH2D,GC;k_CO-CH1,GC,k_CO2-CH2,GC,k_CO-CH3,GC, k_CO-CH1D,GC,k_CO-CH2D,GC,k_O2-CH0,GC,k_O2-CH1,GC,k_O2-CH2,GC,k_O2-CH2,GC,k_O2-CH3,GC,k_H2-CH0,GC,k_H2-CH1,GC, k_H2-CH2,GC,k_H2-CH3,GC,k_H2-CH1D,GC,k_H2-CH2D,GC are presented for hydrocarbon mixtures with gases. Application of the model shows that second virial coefficient data can be represented with results comparable to those obtained by Oh and Campbell [1997] and by the corresponding states method of Tsonopoulos [ 1974]. The accuracy of the model in viscosity and diffusion coefficient predictions of dilute gases is comparable to the methods of Lucas [1980] and of the Fuller method [Fuller et al., 1966].     

Prolonged enhancement of REM sleep produced by carbachol microinjection into the amygdala

The effect on sleep organization of carbachol microinjected into different amygdaloid nuclei was analysed in 12 cats. Single carbachol doses of 8 micrograms in 0.50 microliter saline were delivered unilaterally or bilaterally into the central, basal, lateral or basolateral amygdaloid nucleus. Carbachol administration into the central nucleus induced a prolonged (5 days) enhancement of both REM sleep and its preceeding slow wave sleep episodes with PGO waves (sommeil phasique a ondes lentes, SPHOL), which was more pronounced following bilateral than unilateral carbachol administration. However, neither SPHOL nor REM sleep changes were produced by administration of carbachol into the other amygdaloid nuclei. We conclude that cholinergic activation of the central amygdaloid nucleus produces a long-term facilitation of REM sleep occurrence.     

Monolithically integrated external cavity wavelength tunable laser using beam steering controller

A Littrow-configured grating-coupled external cavity wavelength tunable laser monolithically integrated with a semiconductor optical amplifier, an etched grating, and a beam steering controller (BSC) is demonstrated. Using incidence angle variation induced by current injection into the BSC region, 7 nm of wavelength tuning range and over 35 dB side-mode suppression ratio is obtained.     

Complications of vertebral metastasis surgery

The objective of the study was to evaluate the crown-rump length (CRL) in high-order multifetal pregnancies (three or more fetuses). The records of patients who underwent multifetal pregnancy reduction were reviewed. The following parameters were defined: the mean CRL (CRLMEAN) and the difference between the largest and smallest CRL (CRLRANGE) for each pregnancy. CRLMEAN was plotted versus gestational age (GA) and the line of best fit was derived. The residual for each CRL (CRLRES) was calculated by subtracting the value predicted by the regression line from the individual CRL (CRLIND). Regression lines for single-tons with confirmed GA from four previously reported studies were used for comparison. A total of 82 patients were included (29 triplets, 38 quadruplets and 15 quintuplets; mean GA 10.7 +/- 0.78 weeks). CRLMEAN correlated with GA (CRLMEAN = 38.88 - 8.78(GA) + 0.82(GA)2; R = 0.83; R2 = 0.70). This second-degree polynomial remained within the range for singletons. No significant differences in maternal age, GA and CRLMEAN were noted between the patients with different numbers of fetuses. The median CRLRANGE was largest in quintuplets, followed by quadruplets and triplets. The CRLRANGE correlated poorly with GA. The mean CRL in multifetal pregnancies increases with GA similarly to that in singletons. The variability of individual measurements increases with the number of fetuses and CRLs are lower in quintuplets.