Standard Identification Research Articles

The Prevalence of Aeromonas Species in Salad Vegetables Sourced from Four Local Government Areas of Plateau State

The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Aeromonas species in five salad vegetables, namely lettuce, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, and green pepper, in four local government areas of Plateau state. Aeromonas species have been linked to a number of gastroenteritis outbreaks connected to the consumption of contaminated fresh vegetables and fruits. In Nigeria, the use of untreated wastewater in irrigation is often regarded as an unavoidable alternative for compensating for water scarcity. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Aeromonas species in salad vegetables from four local government areas of Plateau State. 800 lettuce samples, including 160 lettuces, 160 cabbages, 160 carrots, 160 cucumbers and 160 green peppers, were analyzed for the presence of Aeromonas species using standard isolation, identification and characterization methods. Of the 800 samples, 202 samples were positive. Aeromonas spp. was isolated from 60(7.50%) lettuce samples, 52(6.50%) cabbage samples, 35(4.38%) carrot samples, 30(3.77%) cucumber samples and 25(3.12%) green pepper samples making lettuce the vegetable with the highest prevalence of the organism. According to the findings, samples of salad vegetables from Lamingo had the highest percentage prevalence of Aeromonas species, at 45 (6.25%), followed by samples from Miango, at 42 (5.25%), and samples from Vom, at 37 (4.64%) had the lowest percentage prevalence of the organism. According to the statistical analysis's findings, the prevalence of the organism in various vegetable types with relation to the study locations did not differ significantly (p>0.05) at the 95% confidence level. The incidence of Aeromonas species isolated from the various study regions varied significantly depending on the season, with the organism being more prevalent during the wet season (3.7%) than during the dry season (1.35%).

The New Hampshire Hospital Screening and Referral Algorithm (NHHSRA) for Substance Use in People With Serious Mental Illness

Objective: Substance use is a common co-occurrence among psychiatrically hospitalized adults, yet it is especially difficult to identify in those with serious mental illness. Existing screening instruments are not feasible for individuals with serious mental illness, as they rely heavily on subjective self-report. This study aimed to develop and validate an objective substance use screening instrument for use in seriously mentally ill patient populations.Methods: Objective elements were extracted from existing substance use screening instruments and used to develop a new, data-driven referral tool, the New Hampshire Hospital screening and referral algorithm (NHHSRA). Descriptive statistics were employed to compare NHHSRA summed score and individual patient data elements in a convenience sample of patients who were referred to the Addiction Services by expert addiction psychiatrist evaluation to those who were not referred. Pearson correlation coefficients and logistic regression models assessed the association between patient referral and the overall NHHSRA score and individual items. The NHHSRA was then piloted in a smaller convenience sample of patients against the standard clinical-based identification for substance use treatment needs.Results: The instrument consists of 5 objective items. These were tested in a sample of 302 sequentially admitted adults with serious mental illness. Three of the items were significantly associated with likelihood of benefitting from referral for substance use interventions (maximum likelihood estimate and standard deviation [SD] for positive non-tetrahydrocannabinol [non-THC] toxicology screen or > 0% blood alcohol level = 3.61 [0.6]; diagnosis of a substance use disorder = 4.89 [0.73]; and medication-assisted treatment or relapse prevention = 2.78 [0.67]), and these were prioritized in building a decision tree algorithm. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for the NHHSRA was 0.96, indicating that the NHHSRA has high overall sensitivity and the algorithm was capable of distinguishing between patients needing substance use intervention versus those who do not with 96% accuracy. In the pilot implementation study of another 20 patient admissions, the NHHSRA accurately identified 100% (n = 6) of patients deemed to benefit from substance use interventions by expert addiction psychiatric evaluation. The standard clinical-based referral process identified only 33% (n = 2) and erroneously identified another 4 for referral to substance use intervention that would not have been warranted.Conclusions: The NHHSRA holds promise in its ability to improve objective and timely identification of substance use in a seriously mentally ill inpatient population, helping to facilitate treatment.

A preference-based theory unifying monetary and non-monetary poverty measurement

Multidimensional poverty measures are increasingly used in practice even though they face criticism and generate long-lasting debates. These contentions primarily find their origin in the divergence between standard poverty identification practices and a preference-based definition of the poor. This paper fills this gap by proposing a poverty measurement theory that (i) adopts a preference-based definition of the poor, (ii) acknowledges that the relevant preference is only partially known and (iii) encompasses both market and non-market dimensions of well-being. A preference-based definition satisfying two mild substitutability assumptions implies that two types of individuals are poor: individuals who experience an extremely low outcome in at least one dimension (“extremors”) and individuals who cumulate moderately low outcomes in several dimensions (“cumulators”). The paper shows that standard identification practices are not flexible enough to properly identify both types of poor individuals and proposes a simple refinement that improves on this issue. The theory provides a conceptual foundation from which practitioners may derive guidance for the many choices they face.

The myometrial-cervical ratio: Can a simple sonographic measurement improve diagnosis of adenomyosis in a regional setting?

Adenomyosis is histologically defined by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma in the myometrium. Ultrasound findings of adenomyosis are being redefined to better diagnose adenomyosis pre-operatively. A single-centre retrospective study was performed at a regional hospital. The myometrial-cervical ratio was calculated on pre-operative ultrasounds, and histopathology reviewed for each case. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between the myometrial-cervical ratio and adenomyosis confirmed on histopathology, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was calculated. Comparisons were performed based on the presence of fibroids on ultrasound. Complete data were available for 136 benign hysterectomies between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020. When the myometrial-cervical ratio was treated as a continuous variable in a logistic regression of adenomyosis on histopathology, there was no statistical evidence (χ2(1) < 0.01, p = 0.98) of an association. When cases including fibroids in the myometrial-cervical ratio were excluded, there was a non-significant association between myometrial-cervical ratio and adenomyosis on histopathology (odds ratio = 3.435, 95% confidence interval = 0.964, 12.235; χ2(1) = 3.62, p = 0.057); area under the receiver operating characteristic = 0.637 (95% confidence interval = 0.504, 0.770). The optimal myometrial-cervical ratio cutpoint was 1.875 (95% confidence interval = 1.698, 2.051), which achieved 71.43% sensitivity and 60.00% specificity. There was strong statistical evidence (χ2(1) = 9.02, p = 0.003) that the myometrial-cervical ratio outperformed standard pre-operative ultrasound identification of adenomyosis. While accuracy remains suboptimal, the myometrial-cervical ratio outperformed standard ultrasound diagnostic features of adenomyosis in a regional setting. The myometrial-cervical ratio may offer a simple imaging measurement for adenomyosis in inexperienced hands when fibroids are absent.

A process model representation of the end-of-life phase of a product in a circular economy to identify standards needs

The development of secondary sources as industrial feedstocks is important to creating resilient supply chains that contribute towards diverting resources away from landfills, mitigating deleterious environmental impacts, and minimizing market volatility. A major challenge to develop secondary feedstocks is the coordination and digitalization of the large quantities of generated information at each phase of a product’s life cycle. This paper builds upon earlier work that illustrates a top-level model of the activities and information needs to integrate product manufacturing with circular practices. This paper extends the initial work to explore the cyclical nature of Circular Economy (CE) information flows specifically related to product End-of-life. Using the Integrated Definition 0, IDEF0, modeling technique this paper examines the End-of-life function envisioned under a CE manufacturing model [ISO, 2012]. This function is decomposed into subsequent child functions and is analyzed relative to other product life cycle phases. The paper reviews the current global product EoL practices and in the context of the developed IDEF0 model. The proposed framework contributes a detailed description and presentation of information flows and the drivers of change (i.e., feedback loops) that are essential for creating secondary material streams based on the critically analyzing the reviewed literature. The novelty of this study includes the identification of standards and metrics gaps to facilitate quantitative assessment and evaluation in a CE. The study further elucidates the discussion around CE in terms of resource regeneration by ‘designing out waste’ and decoupling economic growth from resource depletion.

Prevalence of resistance and virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolates from diarrheic dogs

The current study was designed to determine the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Escherichia coli isolated from canine diarrheal cases. Fecal samples were collected from 77 dogs with clinical diarrhea and 10 non-diarrheic dogs. Breed, age and sex, and clinical manifestations were recorded. Samples were plated on MacConkey and EMB agars, followed by standard isolation procedures and identification of E. coli. An antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disc diffusion method was performed against Ampicillin, Tetracycline, Trimethoprim, Gentamicin, and Streptomycin. PCR was used to determine if the isolates carry virulence intimin adherence protein (eaeA) and antimicrobial resistance genes. Body temperature, respiratory, and heart rates in dogs with diarrhea were significantly higher than in non-diarrheic dogs. PCR detected the eaeA virulence gene in 44(69.8%) of 63 isolates from diarrheic dogs. All isolates were resistant to ampicillin, and 55(87.3%), 47(74.6%), 29(46.0%), and 19(30.2%) of these were resistant to tetracycline, trimethoprim, gentamicin, and streptomycin, respectively. The frequency of antimicrobial resistance genes in the 63 isolates was 81.0, 52.4, 41.3, 33.3, 23.8 and 9.5% for CITM, tet (B), dfrA1, aac (3)-IV, aadA1 and tet (A), respectively. Overall, 6(9.4%), 16(25.4%), and 41(65.1%) were positive for one, two, three, or four resistance genes, respectively. In conclusion, the high prevalence of virulence (69.8%) and resistance 9.5-81.0% genes in E. coli isolates could be responsible for the diarrhea episodes, which may have posed therapeutic implications in affected dogs.

The Pharmacognostic Study of Leaves and Stems of Plant Clematis hedysarifolia DC.

Objective: To set up quality control limitations of a vernacular medicinal plant, Clematis hedysarifolia DC this is exploited as traditional medicine by Maharashtra tribes. Methods: Pharmacognostic estimations were carried out which focused on microscopic, macroscopic, organoleptic, and physicochemical evaluations of leaves and stems. Organoleptically Macroscopic characterization performed. Qualitative and quantitative Microscopic study performed using microscopy. Stems and leaves qualitatively evaluated for type of stomata, epidermal cells, trichomes, palisade cells, spongy parenchyma, vascular system, epidermis and pith. In Quantitative evaluations leaf constants determined. In physicochemical evaluations ash value, moisture constant and extractive value determined. This study provides the scientific data for the proper identification and establishment of standards for the use of Clematis hedysarifolia DC.

Occurrence and Distribution of Dengue-Causing Mosquito in Iligan City and Its Implication to Environmental Management

The occurrence and geographic distribution of Aedesaegypti mosquito was assessed in different barangays of Iligan City. This mosquito species is known to be the carrier of dengue virus that cause deaths among the constituents of Iligan City. Standard collection and identification of mosquito larval specimens were done at Iligan City Sanitary Inspector’s laboratory. Results showed that majority of dengue-carrying mosquito species, Aedesaegypti were collected and identified apart from Aedesalbopictus, known as a secondary dengue virus carrier. Overall, larval specimens ofA.aegypti had the highest number with a total of 240 individuals per sample collected in the six sampling barangays, whereas A.albopictus had a total of 90 individuals. This number of individuals of dengue-carrying species of mosquitoes might put the barangays of Iligan City at potential risks of dengue occurrence and eventual adverse impacts to the constituents. Hence, it is imperative to increase the level of awareness among the constituents and do some preventive measures such as regular clean up and other concerted efforts of the health authorities, government, private sector, academe and other sectors.

Recent Advances in Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Ultrasound Scanning

Ultrasound (US) is a flexible imaging modality used globally as a first-line medical exam procedure in many different clinical cases. It benefits from the continued evolution of ultrasonic technologies and a well-established US-based digital health system. Nevertheless, its diagnostic performance still presents challenges due to the inherent characteristics of US imaging, such as manual operation and significant operator dependence. Artificial intelligence (AI) has proven to recognize complicated scan patterns and provide quantitative assessments for imaging data. Therefore, AI technology has the potential to help physicians get more accurate and repeatable outcomes in the US. In this article, we review the recent advances in AI-assisted US scanning. We have identified the main areas where AI is being used to facilitate US scanning, such as standard plane recognition and organ identification, the extraction of standard clinical planes from 3D US volumes, and the scanning guidance of US acquisitions performed by humans or robots. In general, the lack of standardization and reference datasets in this field makes it difficult to perform comparative studies among the different proposed methods. More open-access repositories of large US datasets with detailed information about the acquisition are needed to facilitate the development of this very active research field, which is expected to have a very positive impact on US imaging.

Intra Operative Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Monitering During Thyroid Surgery - Is It Worth?

The basic principle of head and neck surgery is based on the identification and preservation of important structures, rather than avoidance. Thyroid surgeries are the most frequently performed endocrine procedures worldwide. Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy after thyroid surgery is a serious postoperative complication that can diminish the quality of life. While it is generally accepted that direct visualisation of the nerve is the gold standard, intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) is being used increasingly as an adjuvant to help identify the nerve. This study was carried out in Mahatma Gandhi medical college and hospital, Jaipur, Rajasthan from June 2018 to March 2020. 100 patients were enrolled in the study. RLN is identified & visualized in Beahr's triangle or in Lore's triangle. We have randomly selected the patient and use IONM as an adjunct to standard visual identification of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) to prevent nerve lesion. 8 out of 108 nerves which were at risk during thyroid surgery were found injured. 2 of 50 (4%) nerves at risk were injured with IONM that caused temporary paresis. Without IONM, 5 of 58 (8.6%) nerves at risk suffered temporary paresis and 1of 58(1.72%) had paralysis. Visual nerve identification alone remains the gold standard of recurrent laryngeal nerve management in thyroid surgery and one can use operating microscope for magnification. Neuromonitoring helps to identify the RLN particularly in difficult cases, but it does not decrease the injury to RLN as compared to visualization alone.

A method for determining the ductile damage parameters of high strength steels and weld metal

The microvoid based Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) model is a powerful tool for predicting ductile fracture behavior, and application of such model to steels and welds needs the identification of microvoid related damage parameters. Currently, there is no standard damage parameter identification method available. In this study the previously proposed complete Gurson model (CGM) where a physical void coalescence mechanism is incorporated into the GTN model is revisited. According to the CGM, the void nucleation process dictates ductile fracture. By adopting the cluster nucleation model with an effective initial void volume fraction as the only controlling parameter, a method is proposed to explicitly determine the effective initial void volume fraction from the strain at maximum load and strain at fracture of a specially designed notched tensile specimen. The proposed equation has been experimentally verified by applying to three high strength materials, including a X80 pipeline steel and associated weld metal, and a 15CrMo steel. A general procedure for damage parameter identification is also suggested. It is argued that the obtained effective initial void volume fraction can be treated as a type of material ductility indicator.

Research on process-oriented standard requirements generation technique for equipment research &amp; development

Standard requirement generation method is a core technique of standard formation. Due to the lack of systems approach, missing of standard technical elements, weak correlation between standards and research and development(R &amp; D) activities are appeared frequently. Deficiencies in integrity, applicability and traceability of standards can be observed noticeably, which makes the equipment standards cannot bring into full play of cost reduction and efficiency improvement, cannot promote the equipment technology development effectively. According to the positive development requirements of independent and controllable standards, an activity-based standard requirement capture scene model is defined, a mechanization of standard requirement identification is described, a standard configuration, standard element definition and standard requirement integration methods are provided, a mapping matrices of activities, tools, database and standard requirement are established, a process-oriented standard requirements generation method for equipment R &amp; D is finally proposed. By applying in aircraft engine compressor aerodynamic design field, the proposed method shows that the effectiveness of the building relationships between the standards and equipment R &amp; D activities, which can ensure the integrity, availability and uniqueness of standard requirements, support equipment standard systems independent and controllable development.

Monogeneans from Catfishes in Lake Tanganyika. II: New Infection Site, New Record, and Additional Details on the Morphology of the Male Copulatory Organ of Gyrodactylus transvaalensis Prudhoe and Hussey, 1977.

The ichthyofauna of Lake Tanganyika consists of 12 families of fish of which five belong to Siluriformes (catfishes). Studies on Siluriformes and their parasites in this lake are very fragmentary. The present study was carried out to help fill the knowledge gap on the monogeneans infesting the siluriform fishes of Lake Tanganyika in general and, more particularly, Clarias gariepinus. Samples of gills of Clarias gariepinus (Clariidae) were examined for ectoparasites. We identified the monogenean Gyrodactylus transvaalensis (Gyrodactylidae). This is the first time this parasite was found infecting gills. We are the first to observe a large spine in the male copulatory organ of this species and to provide measurements of its genital spines; this completes the description of the male copulatory organ, which is important in standard monogenean identification. This is the first monogenean species reported in C. gariepinus at Lake Tanganyika and the third known species on a representative of Siluriformes of this lake. It brings the total number of species of Gyrodactylus recorded in Lake Tanganyika to four. Knowing that other locations where this species has been reported are geographically remote from Lake Tanganyika, we propose a "failure to diverge" phenomenon for G. transvaalensis.

Phenotypic Detection of AmpC \(\beta\)-lactamase Producing Escherichia coli among Patients in Hospital Wards

Background and Objectives: AmpC β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli has emerged in hospital environments as an important health issue that is of a global health concern as drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria that has evolved into strains that are resistant to many classes of antibiotics. However, awareness of the prevalence of AmpC β-lactamase producing microorganisms such as E. coli could be very valuable for achieving more accurate epidemiological results, as well as controlling their spread in the different hospital wards.&#x0D; Methodology: A total of four hundred (400) clinical samples comprising of two hundred and seventy-nine (279) urine samples and one hundred and Twenty-one (121) wound samples were collected from patients in different ward at AE-FUTHA. The clinical samples were analyze using standard microbiological culture and identification of Escherichia coli. Detection of phenotypic AmpC β-lactamases production was performed using Cefoxitin-Cloxacillin Double-Disk Synergy Test (CC-DDST). Antibiotic susceptibility studies of AmpC β-lactamases producing Escherichia coli was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method and the results were construed using the Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) zone diameter breakpoints.&#x0D; Results: Phenotypic AmpC β-lactamases producing E. coli accounted overall prevalence rate of 94.1%. The frequency of AmpC β-lactamases producing E. coli in urine samples were 57(93.4%) comprising of high occurrence rate in Surgical ward 15(100%) followed by medical ward 24(88.9%) but also accounted for overall prevalence rate of 38(95.0%) in wound samples consisting of 9(100 %) from children ward and medical ward 10(100%) followed by Orthopedic ward 13(86.7%) with the least prevalence rate. The AmpC β-lactamases producing E. coli exhibited high percentage of resistance within the range of 50-100% against ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefepime, azetronam, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Ticarcillin-clavulanic acid but were susceptible to ofloxacin 70.0%, Imipenem 83.3% and amikacin 100%.&#x0D; Conclusion: The findings of this study is a proof of the occurrence of AmpC β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli among patients admitted to hospital wards and there’s an urgent need for controlling and managing the development of MDR genotype strain. Moreover, to prevent the spread of resistance among AmpC β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli to other strains and improve the effectiveness of antibiotics, it is suggested to establish a precise schedule for antibiotic use in each region based on their antibiotic resistance pattern.

Comparative study of algal community in African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus, Burchell 1822) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758) farming ponds

AbstractIn subsistence and small‐scale fish farming, algae are an important food source for fish. Therefore, understanding their distribution and diversity in fish ponds is essential. This study aimed at characterising algae species in African sharptooth catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) farming ponds and their contribution to these species’ diet. Water samples were collected from different points of the farming pond: in rearing pond, evacuation canal of each species and decantation pond. Samples were also collected from fish stomachs and intestines. Afterwards, they were analysed with a photonic microscope for species identification using standard identification keys. The highest species richness (S) and Shannon index (H) were observed in fish rearing ponds (S = 73, H = 2.98–3.84) and the lowest in fish stomachs and intestines (S = 41, H = 1.88‐3.07). Jaccard's similarity index, ranging from 0.17 to 0.55, shows a high specific diversity of alga in the different sampling points. During the experimental period, water physicochemical parameters were within the optimum growth for algae and fish species. Since some algae species recorded are consumed by both fish species, this study recommends to select and cultivate them for fish food production.

Serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates among adult and elderly population before and after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in Casablanca, Morocco

BackgroundStreptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae), remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the trends of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) in adult and elderly population in Casablanca (Morocco) before and after introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) by determining the distribution of pneumococcal serotypes and antibiotic resistance profile of isolated strains.MethodThe proposed study is a retrospective laboratory-based surveillance of IPD in hospitalized adult (15–59 years old) and elderly (≥ 60 years old) patients in Ibn Rochd University Hospital Centre from 2007 to 2019 (13 years). All the 250 non-duplicate clinical invasive isolates from adult and elderly patients, confirmed as S. pneumoniae according to the laboratory standard identification procedures, are included in this study.ResultsA significant decrease of the overall incidence in IPD was observed only in adults from 0.71 to 0.54/100000 populations (P = 0.02) and to 0.47/100000 populations (P = 0.0137) in the early and mature post-vaccine period respectively compared to the pre-vaccine period. Our results also showed a significant reduction in the overall prevalence of vaccine serotypes from 28.17 to 6.90% (P = 0.0021) for the PCV-10 serotypes, and from 46.48 to 25.86% (P = 0.0164) for the PCV-13 serotypes only in the mature post-vaccine period (2015–2019). In parallel, the rate of non-vaccine serotypes did not significantly change in the early post-vaccine period (2011–2014) while it increased considerably from 54 to 74.14% (P = 0.0189) during the mature post-vaccine period. The rate of penicillin non-susceptible pneumococcal isolates decreased significantly from 23.94 to 8.77% (P = 0.02) in adult patients, and the rate of cotrimoxazole non-susceptible pneumococcal isolates significantly decreased from 29.58 to 8.77% in the early post-vaccine period (P = 0.003) and to 7.24% in the mature post-vaccine period (P = 0.0007).ConclusionAlthough childhood vaccination has considerably reduced the incidence of IPD in adult population through the herd effect, IPD remain a real public health problem due to the alarming increase in non-vaccine serotypes (NVS) and the lack of herd effect among elderly population. The rate of antibiotic resistance was relatively low. Nevertheless, resistance constitutes a serious problem to the therapeutic arsenal due to the known capacity for genetic dissemination in the pneumococcus.

Black box: Attenders with psychosocial needs in the emergency department

The aims are (a)assessment of the prevalence of psychosocial emergencies in the emergency department (ED), (b)determination of the proportion of cases not coded as diagnosis (unreported cases), and (c)characterization of identified patients. In aretrospective study, psychosocial emergencies in one week were identified from routine documentation of the central ED of theCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM). After exclusion of planned admitted cases, 862patients were included in the study. The identified psychosocial emergencies were descriptively analyzed with regard to their sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and compared with other emergencies. The prevalence of psychosocial emergencies in the reported period was 11.9% (n = 103). Alarge proportion of psychosocial emergencies were not coded (35.9%) or not fully coded (20.4%) as an ICD diagnosis (unreported cases). There was astatistically relevant difference in gender distribution with asignificantly higher proportion of males among psychosocial emergencies (70.9%) compared to other emergencies (50.7%; p < 0.0001). The two most common treatment causes among psychosocial emergencies were substance abuse (66.0%) and homelessness (20.4%). This study shows arelevant proportion of psychosocial emergencies among all treatments in ED routine data and ahigh proportion of cases not captured in the coded diagnoses. EDs thus represent an important point of contact for vulnerable patient groups but standardized screening and identification are still lacking.

Two image quality assessment methods based on evidential modeling and uncertainty: application to automatic iris identification systems

The performance of an Automatic iris Identification System is impacted by both the poor quality of iris images and the uncertainty of information. Assessing image quality and rejecting poor-quality images can substantially improve the performances of the current biometric systems. The main idea behind our proposed Image Quality Assessment approaches is to take advantage, firstly, of the texture of iris images and, secondly, of the uncertainty of these information. This is achieved by defining a set of Contextual Quality Indicators extracted from the image texture and transforming them into Quality Assessment Criteria in the evidential framework, taking into account the information uncertainty degree. The Contextual Quality Indicators are defined based on a priori analysis of the context of the application. We use ‘iris’ as the context of application. Generally, only the normalized iris image is saved, i.e. the acquired iris image is not always available. So, the main advantage of our approaches over other related methods is that it can act in the normalization level of the processing chain to reject poor-quality images. So that, the subsequent Automatic iris Identification System can process only good-quality images, which result in better recognition rate performance. The functioning of our evidential approaches is illustrated using image samples from CASIA 1.0 database. The performance of over the proposed image quality assessment approaches is compared with the standard iris identification system without an image quality assessment step. A statistical test, based on 95% confidence interval, is used to assess if there is a statistically significant difference between the performances of the proposed approaches. The CASIA 1.0 has been used to make the comparison. The comparison results highlight the effectiveness of the proposed approaches for iris domain of applications. The source code of our paper is available at https://github.com/Sonda09/IIQA

Adherence to Good Pharmacy Practices by Community Pharmacies in Lebanon and Opportunities for Quality Improvement: It is Time to Act.

Good pharmacy practice is an important standard that highlight the quality of services in community pharmacies. In 2018, The Order of Pharmacists in Lebanon (OPL) published their own good pharmacy practices (GPP) guidelines. The need exists for investigational studies to assess GPP implementation status and the professional conduct of on-site staff towards these standards. Data collection was carried out between February and August 2020 using a questionnaire covering: Socio-demographic variables; Indicator A (Attitude of the Community Pharmacists); Indicator B (Services and Facilities); Indicator C (Dispensing); Indicator D (Storage). Data analysis were performed on SPSS version 25, T-Test and ANOVA were used. A significant p value of <0.001, 95% confidence interval and variables with missing data counting less than 10% were considered. A total of 211 staffers from pharmacies were enrolled in the study, each representing one community pharmacy. The mean percent of adherence to GPP standards by community pharmacies in the South of Lebanon was below the recommended threshold of 75%. Only 65.09% adhered to all tested indicators (27% to Indicator A, 56.91% to Indicator B, 68.61% to Indicator C, 66.31% to Indicator D). Higher indicators were seen among providers who were aware of OPL standards (OR = 4.021), female (OR= 2.011) and being a licensed pharmacist (OR=3.506). Cronbach alpha of the overall score was 0.615. Further steps shall be taken to improve the compliance to GPP standards. Steps shall include, identification of the core standards, such as dispensing, provision of adequate information, monitoring of storage conditions, and ensuring the presence of a licensed pharmacist. It is highly recommended that the OPL and the Ministry of Public Health develop a "Self-assessment tool" and an efficient training program to increase community Pharmacists' awareness status. Regular assessment shall be carried to monitor the progress overtime.

Research on Personal Credit Risk Assessment Based on Data Fusion

In recent years, the domestic emphasis on systemic risk prevention has continued to increase. Chinese credit department, which is a crucial department to avoid significant systemic risks, has a particular responsibility to manage and control personal credit risks related to the lives of the public. Therefore, strengthening the management of the individual credit department, especially to guard against personal credit risks, build a data-driven quantitative model for scoring applicants’ credit, and improve the personal credit identification and evaluation methods on this basis is a vital part of individual credit risk prevention and systemic financial risk. In this paper, we first study the index system of personal credit risk identification, standard personal credit risk identification models, and some data fusion techniques. Then, we build an individual credit risk identification model based on the data fusion method on the above theoretical basis. After that, the selection of indicators was carried out among 20 variables of German credit data. Finally, an empirical study was conducted to compare the effect of the two data fusion methods on the performance of the individual credit risk identification model. The defects of single models in the personal credit risk problem domain are apparent. However, data fusion technology can help classification models to gain better uniformity in accuracy and robustness, but it also needs to be improved in terms of interpretability and promotion.