MAXIMUM PHISH BAIT: TOWARDS FEATURE BASED DETECTION OF PHISING USING MAXIMUM ENTROPY CLASSIFICATION TECHNIQUE

Several antiphishing methods have been employed with the primary task of automatically apprehending and ruling out or preventing phishing e-mail from users’ mail stream. Phishing attacks pose great threat to internet users and the extent can be enormous if unchecked. Two major category techniques that have been shown to be useful for classifying e-mail messages automatically include the rule based method which classifies email by using a set of heuristic rules and the statistical based approach which model e-mails statistically usually under a machine learning framework. The statistical based methods have been found in literature to outperform the rule based method. This study proposes the use of the Maximum Entropy Model, a generative model and show how it can be used in antiphishing tasks. The model based feature proposed by Bergholz et al (2008) will also be adopted. This has been found to outperform basic features proposed in previous studies. An experimental comparison of our approach with other generative and non-generative classifiers is also proposed. This approach is expected to perform comparably better than others method especially in the elimination of false positives

mPD-APP: a mobile-enabled plant diseases diagnosis application using convolutional neural network toward the attainment of a food secure world

The devastating effect of plant disease infestation on crop production poses a significant threat to the attainment of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG2) of food security, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. This has been further exacerbated by the lack of effective and accessible plant disease detection technologies. Farmers' inability to quickly and accurately diagnose plant diseases leads to crop destruction and reduced productivity. The diverse range of existing plant diseases further complicates detection for farmers without the right technologies, hindering efforts to combat food insecurity in the region. This study presents a web-based plant diagnosis application, referred to as mobile-enabled Plant Diagnosis-Application (mPD-App). First, a publicly available image dataset, containing a diverse range of plant diseases, was acquired from Kaggle for the purpose of training the detection system. The image dataset was, then, made to undergo the preprocessing stage which included processes such as image-to-array conversion, image reshaping, and data augmentation. The training phase leverages the vast computational ability of the convolutional neural network (CNN) to effectively classify image datasets. The CNN model architecture featured six convolutional layers (including the fully connected layer) with phases, such as normalization layer, rectified linear unit (RELU), max pooling layer, and dropout layer. The training process was carefully managed to prevent underfitting and overfitting of the model, ensuring accurate predictions. The mPD-App demonstrated excellent performance in diagnosing plant diseases, achieving an overall accuracy of 93.91%. The model was able to classify 14 different types of plant diseases with high precision and recall values. The ROC curve showed a promising area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.946, indicating the model's reliability in detecting diseases. The web-based mPD-App offers a valuable tool for farmers and agricultural stakeholders in Sub-Saharan Africa, to detect and diagnose plant diseases effectively and efficiently. To further improve the application's performance, ongoing efforts should focus on expanding the dataset and refining the model's architecture. Agricultural authorities and policymakers should consider promoting and integrating such technologies into existing agricultural extension services to maximize their impact and benefit the farming community

Abdominal ultrasonography in HIV/AIDS patients in southwestern Nigeria

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Though the major target of the HIV-virus is the immune system, the frequency of abdominal disorders in HIV/AIDS patients has been reported to be second only to pulmonary disease. These abdominal manifestations may be on the increase as the use of antiretroviral therapy has increased life expectancy and improved quality of life. Ultrasonography is an easy to perform, non invasive, inexpensive and safe imaging technique that is invaluable in Africa where AIDS is most prevalent and where sophisticated diagnostic tools are not readily available. Purpose: To describe the findings and evaluate the clinical utility of abdominal ultrasonography in HIV/AIDS patients in Ibadan, Nigeria</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A Prospective evaluation of the abdominal ultrasonography of 391 HIV-positive patients as well as 391 age and sex-matched HIV-negative patients were carried out at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the 391 cases studied, 260 (66.5%) were females; the mean age was 38.02 years, (range 15–66 years). The disease was most prevalent in the 4th decade with an incidence of 40.4%. Compared with the HIV-negative individuals, the HIV+ group of patients had a significantly higher proportion of splenomegaly (13.5% vs. 7.7%; p < 0.01), lymphadenopathy (2.0% vs. 1.3%; p < 0.70), and renal abnormalities (8.4% vs. 3.8%; p < 0.02). There were no differences in hepatic and pancreatic abnormalities between the HIV+ and HIV- groups. There were significantly fewer gallstones in the HIV+ group (1.4% vs. 5.1%; p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>AIDS is a multi-systemic disease and its demographic and clinical pattern remains the same globally. Ultrasonography is optimally suited for its clinical management especially in Africa. Its accuracy and sensitivity may be much improved with clinico-pathologic correlation which may not be readily available in developing countries; further studies may provide this much needed diagnostic algorithms.</p

Misoprostol in addition to routine treatment of postpartum hemorrhage: A hospital-based randomized-controlled trial in Karachi, Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) remains a major killer of women worldwide. Standard uterotonic treatments used to control postpartum bleeding do not always work and are not always available. Misoprostol's potential as a treatment option for PPH is increasingly known, but its use remains ad hoc and available evidence does not support the safety or efficacy of one particular regimen. This study aimed to determine the adjunct benefit of misoprostol when combined with standard oxytocics for PPH treatment.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A randomized controlled trial was conducted in four Karachi hospitals from December 2005 – April 2007 to assess the benefit of a 600 mcg dose of misoprostol given sublingually in addition to standard oxytocics for postpartum hemorrhage treatment. Consenting women had their blood loss measured after normal vaginal delivery and were enrolled in the study after losing more than 500 ml of blood. Women were randomly assigned to receive either 600 mcg sublingual misoprostol or matching placebo in addition to standard PPH treatment with injectable oxytocics. Both women and providers were blinded to the treatment assignment. Blood loss was collected until active bleeding stopped and for a minimum of one hour after PPH diagnosis. Total blood loss, hemoglobin measures, and treatment outcomes were recorded for all participants.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Due to a much lower rate of PPH than expected (1.2%), only sixty-one patients were diagnosed and treated for their PPH in this study, and we were therefore unable to measure statistical significance in any of the primary endpoints. The addition of 600 mcg sublingual misoprostol to standard PPH treatments does, however, suggest a trend in reduced postpartum blood loss, a smaller drop in postpartum hemoglobin, and need for fewer additional interventions. Women who bled less overall had a significantly smaller drop in hemoglobin and received fewer additional interventions. There were no hysterectomies or maternal deaths among study participants. The rate of transient shivering and fever was significantly higher among women receiving misoprostol</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>A 600 mcg dose of misoprostol given sublingually shows promise as an adjunct treatment for PPH and its use should continue to be explored for its life-saving potential in the care of women experiencing PPH.</p> <p>Trial Registration</p> <p>Clinical trials.gov, Registry No. NCT00116480</p

INVESTIGATE-I (INVasive Evaluation before Surgical Treatment of Incontinence Gives Added Therapeutic Effect?): study protocol for a mixed methods study to assess the feasibility of a future randomised controlled trial of the clinical utility of invasive urodynamic testing

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Urinary incontinence is an important health problem to the individual sufferer and to health services. Stress and stress predominant mixed urinary incontinence are increasingly managed by surgery due to advances in surgical techniques. Despite the lack of evidence for its clinical utility, most clinicians undertake invasive urodynamic testing (IUT) to confirm a functional diagnosis of urodynamic stress incontinence before offering surgery for this condition. IUT is expensive, embarrassing and uncomfortable for women and carries a small risk. Recent systematic reviews have confirmed the lack of high quality evidence of effectiveness.</p> <p>The aim of this pilot study is to test the feasibility of a future definitive randomised control trial that would address whether IUT alters treatment decisions and treatment outcome in these women and would test its clinical and cost effectiveness.</p> <p>Methods/design</p> <p>This is a mixed methods pragmatic multicentre feasibility pilot study with four components:-</p> <p>(a) A multicentre, external pilot randomised trial comparing basic clinical assessment with non-invasive tests and IUT. The outcome measures are rates of recruitment, randomisation and data completion. Data will be used to estimate sample size necessary for the definitive trial.</p> <p>(b) Qualitative interviews of a purposively sampled sub-set of women eligible for the pilot trial will explore willingness to participate, be randomised and their overall trial experience.</p> <p>(c) A national survey of clinicians to determine their views of IUT in this context, the main outcome being their willingness to randomise patients into the definitive trial.</p> <p>(d) Qualitative interviews of a purposively sampled group of these clinicians will explore whether and how they use IUT to inform their decisions.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>The pilot trial will provide evidence of feasibility and acceptability and therefore inform the decision whether to proceed to the definitive trial. Results will inform the design and conduct of the definitive trial and ensure its effectiveness in achieving its research aim.</p> <p>Trial registration number</p> <p>Current Controlled Trials <a href="http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN71327395">ISRCTN71327395</a> assigned 7^thJune 2010.</p

A clinical, radiological and biochemical study of recurrent anterior vaginal compartment prolapse : (the Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery - POPS Study)

EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Correlation between transabdominal ultrasound features of ectopic gestation and surgical findings at the university college hospital, Ibadan: A preliminary review

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy in Sub‑Saharan Africa has an incidence of 1%‑5% of all deliveries and 5%‑10% of all gynaecological admissions. The fallopian tube is the most common site of occurrence of an ectopic pregnancy and ruptured ectopic is the commonest variety seen in low resource settings.Materials and Method: This is a 2‑year retrospective diagnostic accuracy test of transabdominal ultrasonographic findings in ectopic pregnancy, using surgical findings as the gold‑standard. The study was conducted at the Radiology Department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2014. Radiological request cards of 41 women who were clinically suspected to have an ectopic pregnancy and had a transabdominal ultrasound scan were retrieved, however, only 34 were suitable for analysis. Data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 (Chicago, IL, USA). A P value of &lt;0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.Results: The ages of the women ranged between 20 and 40 years with a mean age of 29.94 ± 5.06 years. The mean gestational age at time of scan was 44.8 days (6 weeks + 3 days). Out of 34 patients reviewed in this study, 29 had surgical interventions in the course of their management and 26 had ectopic gestation confirmed at surgery. This study found a Sensitivity of 88.4%, Specificity of 37.5% and Positive and Negative predictive values of 82.1% and 50%, respectively.Conclusion: This preliminary study suggests that transabdominal ultrasonography is a useful and reliable means of diagnosing ectopic pregnancy particularly in low‑resource settings where availability and or technical skill for transvaginal ultrasonography is not readily available.Keywords: Correlation; ectopic gestation; surgical findings; transabdominal ultrasoun

Effects of High Intensity Interval Training (Hiit) on Cardiovascular Diseases

High-intensity interval training is easier to stick with and perform in cardiac rehabilitation due to its short-term high oxygen-consumption activity interphased with intervals of low-intensity training or rest for recovery. Time-efficient high-intensity interval training (HIIT), rather than guideline-based moderate-intensity continuous training, has been studied as an exercise training program in complete cardiac rehabilitation. According to research, high-intensity exercise improves aerobic and metabolic performance by stimulating the cardiopulmonary system and skeletal muscles more. In this small study, we looked at the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, improving cardiovascular health through exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and heart failure and HIIT. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been identified as an effective exercise protocol for general health and primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention using short exercise sessions. Given the variety of HIIT protocols, which can be divided into aerobic HIIT and anaerobic HIIT [usually referred to as sprint interval training (SIT)], health-care professionals such as primary care physicians and cardiologists may struggle to select an appropriate protocol for their patients. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a potentially beneficial alternative, involving brief bursts of high-intensity exercise interspersed with periods of rest, with the goal of increasing cardiovascular exercise intensity in a time-efficient manner. Understanding HIIT protocols and implementing the appropriate type for each participant would result in better VO+ peak improvements with higher adherence and lower risk

Effects of High Intensity Interval Training (Hiit) on Cardiovascular Diseases

High-intensity interval training is easier to stick with and perform in cardiac rehabilitation due to its short-term high oxygen-consumption activity interphased with intervals of low-intensity training or rest for recovery. Time-efficient high-intensity interval training (HIIT), rather than guideline-based moderate-intensity continuous training, has been studied as an exercise training program in complete cardiac rehabilitation. According to research, high-intensity exercise improves aerobic and metabolic performance by stimulating the cardiopulmonary system and skeletal muscles more. In this small study, we looked at the risk factors for cardiovascular disease, improving cardiovascular health through exercise and high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and heart failure and HIIT. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been identified as an effective exercise protocol for general health and primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention using short exercise sessions. Given the variety of HIIT protocols, which can be divided into aerobic HIIT and anaerobic HIIT [usually referred to as sprint interval training (SIT)], health-care professionals such as primary care physicians and cardiologists may struggle to select an appropriate protocol for their patients. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a potentially beneficial alternative, involving brief bursts of high-intensity exercise interspersed with periods of rest, with the goal of increasing cardiovascular exercise intensity in a time-efficient manner. Understanding HIIT protocols and implementing the appropriate type for each participant would result in better VO+ peak improvements with higher adherence and lower risk