Identification Of Individuals Research Articles

Predicting skin cancer risk from facial images with an explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) based approach: a proof-of-concept study

Efficient identification of individuals at high risk of skin cancer is crucial for implementing personalized screening strategies and subsequent care. While Artificial Intelligence holds promising potential for predictive analysis using image data, its application for skin cancer risk prediction utilizing facial images remains unexplored. We present a neural network-based explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) approach for skin cancer risk prediction based on 2D facial images and compare its efficacy to 18 established skin cancer risk factors using data from the Rotterdam Study. The study employed data from the Rotterdam population-based study in which both skin cancer risk factors and 2D facial images and the occurrence of skin cancer were collected from 2010 to 2018. We conducted a deep-learning survival analysis based on 2D facial images using our developed XAI approach. We subsequently compared these results with survival analysis based on skin cancer risk factors using cox proportional hazard regression. Among the 2810 participants (mean Age=68.5±9.3 years, average Follow-up=5.0 years), 228 participants were diagnosed with skin cancer after photo acquisition. Our XAI approach achieved superior predictive accuracy based on 2D facial images (c-index=0.72, 95% CI: 0.70-0.74), outperforming that of the known risk factors (c-index=0.59, 95% CI 0.57-0.61). This proof-of-concept study underscores the high potential of harnessing facial images and a tailored XAI approach as an easily accessible alternative over known risk factors for identifying individuals at high risk of skin cancer. The Rotterdam Study is funded through unrestricted research grants from Erasmus Medical Center and Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands Organization for the Health Research and Development (ZonMw), the Research Institute for Diseases in the Elderly (RIDE), the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, the Ministry for Health, Welfare and Sports, the European Commission (DG XII), and the Municipality of Rotterdam. G.V. Roshchupkin is supported by the ZonMw Veni grant (Veni, 549 1936320).

The Cultural Construction of the Domestic Space in France: Women’s Lived Experience and the Materialization of Customs

This article explores the intersecting processes of construction of the home, social, and individual identities through domestic practices inside French housing. It examines the design and occupation of French homes as crucial moments for the consolidation of subjectivities, beliefs, and ideologies manifested through daily actions that are influenced by normative cultural systems. In specific, it looks at codified domestic behaviours and their aesthetic dimension, focusing on how the French “art of living” has influenced taste, design, appropriation, and decoration of domestic interiors. Architectural treatises along with etiquette manuals are analysed as they both represent—through the written word and architectural drawings—cultural and gender stereotypes as well as societal norms and expectations that inform housing design and domestic practices. These documents directly assist in the cultural construction of the domestic space, uncovering mechanisms of reproduction and representation that inform the use and design of residential architecture. By focusing on women’s lived experiences, this research looks at the consolidation of feminine domestic cultures and how they fostered small-scale physical transformations of dwellings’ interiors through daily negotiations that define self-identity and interpersonal power relations. These dynamics are referred to as “cultural domesticity.” The latter frames this study along with feminist literature, situating women’s contribution to the aesthetic and spatial development of French apartments. What emerges from this study is that the French state historically exercised a regulatory power that impacted daily life and housing design.

Ballistocardial Signal-Based Personal Identification Using Deep Learning for the Non-Invasive and Non-Restrictive Monitoring of Vital Signs

Owing to accelerated societal aging, the prevalence of elderly individuals experiencing solitary or sudden death at home has increased. Therefore, herein, we aimed to develop a monitoring system that utilizes piezoelectric sensors for the non-invasive and non-restrictive monitoring of vital signs, including the heart rate and respiration, to detect changes in the health status of several elderly individuals. A ballistocardiogram with a piezoelectric sensor was tested using seven individuals. The frequency spectra of the biosignals acquired from the piezoelectric sensors exhibited multiple peaks corresponding to the harmonics originating from the heartbeat. We aimed for individual identification based on the shapes of these peaks as the recognition criteria. The results of individual identification using deep learning techniques revealed good identification proficiency. Altogether, the monitoring system integrated with piezoelectric sensors showed good potential as a personal identification system for identifying individuals with abnormal biological signals.

Aspects and outcomes of surveillance for individuals at high-risk of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths and is associated with a poor prognosis. The majority of these cancers are detected at a late stage, contributing to the bad prognosis. This underscores the need for novel, enhanced early detection strategies to improve the outcomes. While population-based screening is not recommended due to the relatively low incidence of PDAC, surveillance is recommended for individuals at high risk for PDAC due to their increased incidence of the disease. However, the outcomes of pancreatic cancer surveillance in high-risk individuals are not sorted out yet. In this review, we will address the identification of individuals at high risk for PDAC, discuss the objectives and targets of surveillance, outline how surveillance programs are organized, summarize the outcomes of high-risk individuals undergoing pancreatic cancer surveillance, and conclude with a future perspective on pancreatic cancer surveillance and novel developments.

Real-Time Video Analysis for Intelligent Traffic Management, Public Safety, and Security: A Deep Learning Approach

This paper proposes a novel centralized traffic management system designed to enhance road safety and streamline law enforcement. The system leverages a network of intelligent sensors and cameras to achieve real-time accident detection, traffic violation identification, and facial recognition. Data collected from these sensors is fed into a centralized hub for processing and analysis. Upon identifying an incident, the system promptly dispatches notifications to patrolling units, enabling faster response times for accidents and violations. Additionally, facial recognition capabilities allow for real-time identification of individuals, potentially aiding in apprehending criminals or locating missing persons. This paper will discuss the system architecture, core functionalities, and potential benefits for improved traffic management and public safety. We will also address the challenges associated with data privacy and security in such a centralized system.

The concept of performative national identity: the theoretical methodological framework

   Modern social and political changes emphasize the particular relevance of the problem of forming national identity in the context of often contradictory sociocultural processes. Leveling out negative social phenomena that exploit the category of national identity and developing its potential for the formation of civic values and harmonization of interethnic relations in Russian society necessitates a deep understanding of this phenomenon, which is considered primarily as a result of its construction by social institutions.   However, this process also takes the form of assimilation of elements of nation-building, passed through the filters of personal attitudes, representation of individual national identity in various social situations, which constitutes the problem of this research.   Based on the study of theoretical data, the author proposed a category of performative national identity based on the application of the approaches of social constructivism and symbolic interactionism. The methods of theoretical research were theoretical analysis and synthesis, induction and modeling. As a result, the category of performative national identity has been developed, which includes technologies, features, resources for construction and conscious and unconscious representation of national identity in everyday practices. The results of the research develop the theory and methodology of constructing national identity, expand the understanding of the process of formation of national identity as a result of the assimilation of collective memory through the prism of personal attitudes, and also allow us to study the features of the representation of national identity in various situations from the point of view of the dramaturgical approach.

PROMOTING BRAIN HEALTH THROUGH MACHINE LEARNING TO PREDICT STROKE RISK

Stroke is a serious disease that can lead to serious consequences if not diagnosed and treated in time. The project focuses on using machine learning algorithms to analyze different types of data, including medical history, lifestyle and physical characteristics, to create powerful predictive models. Methods include preprocessing and data cleaning, product removal, and options to improve model accuracy. Various machine learning algorithms such as decision trees, support vector machines, and neural networks will be applied and compared to determine which is best for batting prediction [1]. The model will be trained with historical data and its performance will be evaluated with metrics such as demand, specificity and accuracy. The potential impact of this study includes early identification of individuals at high risk of stroke and provision of timely intervention and prevention. The development of effective predictive models can help reduce the burden of stroke-related morbidity and mortality. By combining architectural models with health applications, the program demonstrates the collaboration of today's technology in solving important health problems. Key Words: Brain Strokes, Early Detection, Predictive Model, Machine Learning Techniques, Medical Histories, Lifestyle Factors, Physiological Parameters, Preprocessing, Feature Extraction, Feature Selection, ML Algorithms, Healthcare Applications, Engineering Principles, Interdisciplinary Approach.

Life Expectancy at Birth and Infant Mortality Rates of Indigenous Populations in Canada from 2004 to 2016

Life expectancy and infant mortality rates are two important indicators of the well-being of a population. However, it is not possible to compute these indicators for specific Indigenous populations in Canada from vital statistics databases because information about the identity of individuals is lacking. We use alternative data sources, linkages between the long-form census questionnaire and the Canadian Vital Statistics, namely the Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts and the Canadian Birth Census Cohorts, to compute life expectancy at birth and infant mortality rates among Indigenous populations. We describe the data, explain the methodology, and analyze the results to demonstrate the usefulness of these databases for the regular reporting of these health outcomes and monitoring of trends.

Identification and support of autistic individuals within the UK Criminal Justice System: a practical approach based upon professional consensus with input from lived experience

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (hereafter referred to as autism) is characterised by difficulties with (i) social communication, social interaction, and (ii) restricted and repetitive interests and behaviours. Estimates of autism prevalence within the criminal justice system (CJS) vary considerably, but there is evidence to suggest that the condition can be missed or misidentified within this population. Autism has implications for an individual’s journey through the CJS, from police questioning and engagement in court proceedings through to risk assessment, formulation, therapeutic approaches, engagement with support services, and long-term social and legal outcomes.MethodsThis consensus based on professional opinion with input from lived experience aims to provide general principles for consideration by United Kingdom (UK) CJS personnel when working with autistic individuals, focusing on autistic offenders and those suspected of offences. Principles may be transferable to countries beyond the UK. Multidisciplinary professionals and two service users were approached for their input to address the effective identification and support strategies for autistic individuals within the CJS.ResultsThe authors provide a consensus statement including recommendations on the general principles of effective identification, and support strategies for autistic individuals across different levels of the CJS.ConclusionGreater attention needs to be given to this population as they navigate the CJS.

College Faculty Experiences With Student Disclosures of Victimization.

Victimization of college students is widespread, and it is not uncommon for students to disclose these experiences to faculty. Given that how faculty respond to disclosures may have implications for students' psychosocial and academic outcomes, it is key to know more about disclosures to help faculty prepare a supportive response. This study used data from an online survey of members of two U.S.-based professional scholarly associations for criminal justice and criminology (N = 637) to look at the nature of student disclosure of victimization and which faculty are more likely to receive such disclosures. Disclosure to faculty was widespread (87% of faculty had received at least one disclosure of victimization from a student), and disclosures were mostly made in person. Over half the time (52.3%), participants thought the disclosure was prompted by an incident in class or another aspect of the course, and more than a quarter of the time (28.8%), the disclosure came from a student in a course that utilized trigger warnings. A faculty member's individual identities, such as gender or race and ethnicity, did not appear to render them more or less likely to receive student disclosures. However, faculty with victimization experiences who had links to victim services organizations, who were teaching in a Sociology department, or who had been teaching longer were more likely to have received a disclosure. Graduate student instructors were less likely to have received a disclosure, even controlling for years of teaching. This suggests widespread training of college-level instructors in how to respond to a student's disclosure of victimization may be warranted, at least for faculty teaching courses focusing on criminology and criminal justice.

Capturing Recent Mycobacterium tuberculosis Infection by Tuberculin Skin Test vs. Interferon-Gamma Release Assay

Reductions in tuberculosis (TB) incidence require identification of individuals at high risk of developing active disease, such as those with recent Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection. Using a prospective household contact (HHC) study in Kampala, Uganda, we diagnosed new Mtb infection using both the tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA). Our study aimed to determine if the TST adds additional value to the characterization of IGRA converters. We identified 13 HHCs who only converted the IGRA (QFT-only converters), 39 HHCs who only converted their TST (TST-only converters), and 24 HHCs who converted both tests (QFT/TST converters). Univariate analysis revealed that TST-only converters were older. Additionally, increased odds of TST-only conversion were associated with older age (p = 0.02) and crowdedness (p = 0.025). QFT/TST converters had higher QFT quantitative values at conversion than QFT-only converters and a bigger change in TST quantitative values at conversion than TST-only converters. Collectively, these data indicate that TST conversion alone likely overestimates Mtb infection. Its correlation to older age suggests an “environmental” boosting response due to prolonged exposure to environmental mycobacteria. This result also suggests that QFT/TST conversion may be associated with a more robust immune response, which should be considered when planning vaccine studies.

Genetic Variation in the Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul) in Zoo-Managed and Wild Populations

The Pallas’s cat (Otocolobus manul) is one of the most understudied taxa in the Felidae family. The species is currently assessed as being of “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red List, but this assessment is based on incomplete data. Additional ecological and genetic information is necessary for the long-term in situ and ex situ conservation of this species. We identified 29 microsatellite loci with sufficient diversity to enable studies into the individual identification, population structure, and phylogeography of Pallas’s cats. These microsatellites were genotyped on six wild Pallas’s cats from the Tibet Autonomous Region and Mongolia and ten cats from a United States zoo-managed population that originated in Russia and Mongolia. Additionally, we examined diversity in a 91 bp segment of the mitochondrial 12S ribosomal RNA (MT-RNR1) locus and a hypoxia-related gene, endothelial PAS domain protein 1 (EPAS1). Based on the microsatellite and MT-RNR1 loci, we established that the Pallas’s cat displays moderate genetic diversity. Intriguingly, we found that the Pallas’s cats had one unique nonsynonymous substitution in EPAS1 not present in snow leopards (Panthera uncia) or domestic cats (Felis catus). The analysis of the zoo-managed population indicated reduced genetic diversity compared to wild individuals. The genetic information from this study is a valuable resource for future research into and the conservation of the Pallas’s cat.

Genetic characteristics and ancestry inference ability analyses of 57 InDel loci in Hezhou Han population

Abstract The Han nationality is widely distributed in different regions, and it is one of the most populous ethnic groups in China. Han individuals dwelled in Guangxi as a part of Chinese Han population have relatively less research than minorities who live in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. In this study, the genetic polymorphisms of 57 autosomes InDel loci were explored in Hezhou Han (HZH) population. Forensic-related parameters revealed that these 57 InDel loci had high forensic validities, and they could be used in forensic practice research. In addition, the genetic relationships between the HZH population and 30 worldwide reference populations were explored using a variety of analytical methods such as phylogenetic tree, principal component analyses and structure analyses, and the results demonstrated that there were closer genetic relationships between the HZH and nine populations of East Asia. The prediction accuracy rate of five inter-continental cross-validation analyses for individuals from East Asia were higher than 0.9, and the prediction accuracy rate of three inter-continental cross-validation analyses for individuals from East Asia, Europe and Africa were all greater than 0.95. In addition, 24 of the 57 InDel loci were ancestral inferred loci that could well distinguish individuals of East Asia, Europe and Africa. In conclusion, these loci could be used not only as a good tool for individual identification and paternity testing in HZH population, but also as an auxiliary tool for ancestry inference studies.

Hot Iron Branding of Beef Cattle: Process Characterization, Implications for Animal Welfare, and Its Efficiency for Cattle Individual Identification

This study aimed to characterize the hot iron branding (HIB) procedure by assessing its implications for animal welfare and its efficiency for cattle identification. The study was carried out in two stages: First, with 37 Nellore calves, by measuring the skin temperatures in the place of HIB application (ONB) and 10 cm above it (OFFB) immediately after its application and during four consecutive days, the time required for application of each HIB digit and the occurrences of rebranding; second, with two batches of cows (N = 97 and N = 94, respectively, by measuring the time spent to read cattle ID and comparing the efficiency of HIB vs. EET (electronic ear tag) and visual ear tags (VET) vs. EET. Skin temperature was significantly affected by the interaction between the place where the skin temperatures were taken (on and 10 cm above the HIB) and assessment day, with temperatures in ONB on days d0 and d2 being higher than in OFFB (p < 0.05), and 86% of the calves required at least one rebranding. EET reading was faster than HIB and VET (p < 0.001), and fewer errors were made when reading EET than HIB (1/97 vs. 17/97) and VET (2/94 vs. 12/94). We concluded that HIB potentially compromises cattle welfare and has a lower efficiency for cattle identification than EET and VET.

Incipient tuberculosis: a comprehensive overview.

In the context of the evolving global health landscape shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, tuberculosis (TB) is gaining renewed attention as a reemerging threat even in low-endemic countries. Immunological tests such as the tuberculin skin test (TST) and interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) are pivotal in identifying tuberculosis infection (TBI). However, their inability to distinguish between past and ongoing infection poses a diagnostic challenge, possibly leading to the unnecessary treatment of a significant portion of the population with potential side effects. This review delves into the concept of incipient tuberculosis (ITB), a dynamic, presymptomatic stage characterized by heightened Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) metabolic activity and replication that result in minimal radiological changes, signifying a transitional state between TBI and TB. Key focus areas include epidemiological factors, underlying pathogenesis, imaging findings, and the ongoing challenges in the identification of individuals with ITB through the development of new biomarkers and the use of whole-genome sequencing-based analyses to implement early treatment strategies.

Genetic predisposition for negative affect predicts mental health burden during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was accompanied by an increase in mental health challenges including depression, stress, loneliness, and anxiety. Common genetic variants can contribute to the risk for psychiatric disorders and may present a risk factor in times of crises. However, it is unclear to what extent polygenic risk played a role in the mental health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we investigate whether polygenic scores (PGSs) for mental health-related traits can distinguish between four resilience-vulnerability trajectories identified during the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns in 2020/21. We used multinomial regression in a genotyped subsample (n = 1316) of the CovSocial project. The most resilient trajectory characterized by the lowest mental health burden and the highest recovery rates served as the reference group. Compared to this most resilient trajectory, a higher value on the PGS for the well-being spectrum decreased the odds for individuals to be in one of the more vulnerable trajectories (adjusted R-square = 0.3%). Conversely, a higher value on the PGS for neuroticism increased the odds for individuals to be in one of the more vulnerable trajectories (adjusted R-square = 0.2%). Latent change in mental health burden extracted from the resilience-vulnerability trajectories was not associated with any PGS. Although our findings support an influence of PGS on mental health during COVID-19, the small added explained variance suggests limited utility of such genetic markers for the identification of vulnerable individuals in the general population.

Lebegő "otthon": a kínai diaszpóra és az utazás dinamikája

The phenomena of migration and diaspora are becoming more common in the context of globalization, and the idea of “home” has taken on several dimensions and complexity for dispersed populations. In order to investigate how the concept of "home" is recreated in the diaspora, this study focuses on Chinese immigrants. The study examines how culture and geography interact to define “home,” drawing on the idea of “diaspora,” and how travel affects “homemaking” in Chinese Migratory Movements. Additionally, the study discusses maintaining cultural continuity in globalization and reshaping individual and collective identities in the practices of “travelling-in-dwelling, dwelling-in-travelling” (Clifford 1992,108).

Mass spectrometry based proteomics: Changing the impact of protein analysis in forensic science

AbstractMass spectrometry‐based proteomics, born from the invention of soft ionization, has revolutionized protein analysis. In‐depth characterization of complex and variable mixtures of proteins, such as that found at crime‐scenes, is now possible. This capability continues to expand with advancements in mass spectral instrumentation and computational power, allowing for the development of dynamic data acquisition approaches and sophisticated bioinformatics tools for data interpretation. Proteins are the major component of all biological material, as a result they have been of interest to forensic practitioners for centuries. While DNA is the gold standard for identification, proteins are able to provide contextual information about biological material not available through genomic approaches alone. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics has expanded the breadth and ease of forensic protein analysis with several emerging applications that promise to become common place as investigative tools, particularly in forensic serology and toxicology. This includes the targeted analysis of protein biomarkers for the classification of biological tissue and fluids, the detection of protein toxins such as ricin and identification of peptide hormones such as insulin. The ability of protein analysis to leverage information from the genome has been demonstrated to achieve individual identification from biological material, an emerging technology that can be used in the absence of extractable DNA. In recent years, there has been considerable scrutiny of forensic techniques that lack objectivity and a statistical basis, an alternative molecular approach for forensic analysis that utilizes the high specificity of mass spectrometry, is a welcome addition with many potential future applications.This article is categorized under: Forensic Chemistry and Trace Evidence > Trace Evidence

Association of Hematological Parameters with Malaria Positive Patients in District Bannu

Background: Malaria is one of the most widespread parasitic blood infections caused by plasmodium parasite. Well known feature of malaria is change in hematological parameters such as red blood cell, hemoglobin, platelets, white blood cell and differential count are significantly low. This study aim was to find the association of malaria with Complete Blood Count in malaria positive patient. Methods: A six-month cross-sectional research was carried out in the Bannu district. Venous blood samples from 500 individuals were taken and placed in EDTA tubes for smear preparation and total blood counts. The Sysmex Hematology Analyzer was used to evaluate blood counts. Using SPSS-22, all data were calculated. Results: Among total, 60 Malaria positive patient samples were processed for association of malaria with CBC. Out of total, male were 78% and female were 22%. Malaria positive patient with anaemia were found 53% in which male and female were 81% and 18% respectively. Thrombocytopenia were found in 16% in which male were 60% and 40% female patients. Malaria positive with abnormal TLC were observed in 11% patients (male 8%, female 3%). Moreover, Malaria positive with abnormal DLC were found 70% (male 73%, female 26%). Conclusion: This study shows a significant change in hematological parameter in Malaria patients. Thrombocytopenia is second most common hematological abnormality. In TLC abnormality, rare cases of leukocytosis were noted. In malaria-endemic regions, hematological indicators may be a suitable and reliable adjuvant in the early identification of individuals with mild-to-severe parasitemia. 

Analysis of Biometric-Based Cryptographic Key Exchange Protocols—BAKE and BRAKE

Biometric authentication methods offer high-quality mechanisms to confirm the identity of individuals in security systems commonly used in the modern world, such as physical access control, online banking, or mobile device unlocking. They also find their application in cryptographic solutions, which allow the biometrically authenticated exchange of cryptographic keys between users and services on the internet, despite the fuzziness of biometric data. Such solutions are BAKE (biometrics-authenticated key exchange) and BRAKE (biometric-resilient authenticated key exchange) protocols, upon which our work is based. However, the direct application of fuzzy biometrics in cryptography, which relies heavily on the accuracy of single-bit secret values, is not trivial. Therefore, this paper is devoted to analyzing the security of this idea and the feasibility of implementing biometric AKE (authenticated key exchange) protocols, with an emphasis on the BRAKE protocol. As the results of our analysis, we discuss BRAKE’s limitations and vulnerabilities, which need to be appropriately addressed to implement the protocol in modern systems.