Performances of proposed normalization algorithm for iris recognition

Iris recognition has very high recognition accuracy in comparison with many other biometric features. The iris pattern is not the same even right and left eye of the same person. It is different and unique. This paper proposes an algorithm to recognize people based on iris images. The algorithm consists of three stages. In the first stage, the segmentation process is using circular Hough transforms to find the region of interest (ROI) of given eye images. After that, a proposed normalization algorithm is to generate the polar images than to enhance the polar images using a modified Daugman’s Rubber sheet model. The last step of the proposed algorithm is to divide the enhance the polar image to be 16 divisions of the iris region. The normalized image is 16 small constant dimensions. The Gray-Level Co-occurrence Matrices (GLCM) technique calculates and extracts the normalized image’s texture feature. Here, the features extracted are contrast, correlation, energy, and homogeneity of the iris. In the last stage, a classification technique, discriminant analysis (DA), is employed for analysis of the proposed normalization algorithm. We have compared the proposed normalization algorithm to the other nine normalization algorithms. The DA technique produces an excellent classification performance with 100% accuracy. We also compare our results with previous results and find out that the proposed iris recognition algorithm is an effective system to detect and recognize person digitally, thus it can be used for security in the building, airports, and other automation in many applications

Cognitive Restoration Design: A Psychological Intervention for Stress Mitigation in Neighbourhood Park

Numerous research studies have revealed the landscape’s positive effects on human health and well-being. While prior research underscores landscapes' positive impact on well-being, a gap still needs to be in comprehending their influence on psychological and cognitive aspects. This research focuses on how landscape attributes, specifically those seen in neighbourhood parks, may serve as a stress-relieving cognitive stimulus. In this study, we utilised qualitative research design by employing an in-depth expert interview method to explore what causes stress in urban communities and how specific landscape attributes can improve mental health and well-being. A total of 12 experts consisting of clinical psychologists, counsellors, neuropsychologists, therapists, landscape professionals and academia have consented to participate in this interview. The results illuminate a conceptual framework illustrating how psychological and cognitive landscape attributes can effectively promote cognitive restoration. The findings indicate that the design must be human centred as people are born with innate sense, intuition, and preference, all of which should be considered while designing for their psychological needs. Particularly to stimulate the cognitive part, providing landscape design elements that could inspire enthusiasm is important. This could encourage people to go to the park and interact with various stress-relieving landscape stimuli. Hence, designing for user comfort, safety, social interaction, and pleasurable experiences is critical for achieving cognitive restoration goals

A protocol for Enhanced imaging and Quantification of Cervical Cell Under Scanning electron Microscope

The application of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy Dispersive X-Ray (FE-SEM/EDX) for the characterization of biological samples can produce promising results for classification purpose. The limitations of the established sample preparation technique of cervical cells for FE-SEM/EDX study that differentiate between normal and abnormal cells prompted the development of a proposed protocol for the preparation of cervical cells. The proposed protocol was conducted by a McDowell-Trump fixative prepared in 0.1M phosphate buffer without osmium tetroxide at 4°C for 2 h in the fixation process. Morphologically, the cervical cells scanned under the FE-SEM/EDX did not present blackening effects, and the structure of the cells was not broken based on the FE-SEM images. Quantitatively, the possible elemental distributions in the cells, such as carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and sodium, are detected in samples prepared by the proposed protocol. The analysed elements were validated using the Attenuated Total Reflection and Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR/FTIR) spectroscopy. Moreover, by avoiding osmium tetroxide fixation, the time required for sample preparation decreased significantly. This sample preparation protocol can be used for normal and abnormal cervical cells in achieving better results in terms of morphological, detected elemental distribution, and rapid in time

Salutogenic Landscape Design with Cognitive Restoration Stimuli for Stress Intervention

This study explores the potential of neighbourhood parks in reducing stress and promoting mental well-being in urban settings. Through in-depth interviews with experts in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, and landscape architecture, landscape attributes influencing psychological well-being were identified. Thematic analysis revealed the importance of human-centred design and incorporating elements that inspire enthusiasm for cognitive restoration. The study resulted in a salutogenic and cognitive landscape framework that integrating cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) into the park design. This framework offers valuable insights and practical guidance for creating healing spaces in neighbourhood parks, catering to physical and psychological needs in urban environments

Examining SPeCTRUM as an e-learning platform to empower students' learning among five faculties in University of Malaya

This study alms at examining SPcCTRUM to empower students' learning among five faculties(Business & Accountancy, Education, Engineering, Medicine and Science) in UM. The study used a quantitative research design and the data were analyzed using both descriptive and Inferential statistical methods to define the relationship between the variables. The population of the study comprises of undergraduate and Master students from the five selected faculties In University of Malaya and random sampling technique was used to select the respondents. This gives every member of the population equal chance of being selected. A total of 750 questionnaires were distributed to students over a period of 2 months across the selected faculties. Out of these, 541 were returned. The research Instrument for this study is a combination of adapted and self-developed survey questionnaire, consists of nine sections of A to I consisting; Demographic Information, Self-Efflcacy, Attitude, Perceived value, Behavioral intention, Faci litating condition, Skills and knowledge, Challenges and barriers and Usage pattern of SPeCTRUM among the students of University of Malaya. Pearson correlation coefficient, Independent sample T-Test and Two-way Analysis of Variance were used In analyzing the result gathered from the respondents In the study. The result shows that there exists significant relationship between demographic Information in relation to level and pattern of SPeCTRUM usage and learn Ins outcome of students In the five selected faculties In UM. Also, there Is a positive relationship between SPeCTRUM usage and students learning outcome In the five faculties. In addition, the level of students' skills, knowledge, attitude, perceived platform more functional and responsive to needs of students, staff and university there is need to enhance the usage among staffs and students in University of Malaya

Changes in the electroencephalogram MU rhythm during hand movements / Ng Siew Cheok

The electroencephalogram (EEG) mu rhythm for four types of actual and imagined hand movements (grabbing, key pinch, tip to tip pinch and tripod pinch) were studied for the cases of the eyes opened and closed. The EEG signals were obtained from 16 healthy subjects using a 40 channels Medelec Profile EEG data acquisition equipment. Their ages were between 19 and 28. For the present study, the results from the C3 electrode that was placed at the contralateral motor cortex region that corresponds with the right hand movement are of. particular interest. The EEG signals at the frequencies that correspond to the mu rhythm were analysed using the Fourier Analysis and Event Related Desynchronisation (ERD) methods. From the Fourier Analysis study, the attenuation of the mu rhythm for actual hand movement was found to be of a longer duration than those of the corresponding imagined hand movement. The durations of the attenuation of the mu rhythm for actual hand movement for tripod pinch (complex movement) and grabbing movement (more muscles involved) were longer than those for the key pinch and tip to tip pinch (simple movements which involved fewer muscles). A similar trend was also observed for the imagined hand movements. The results obtained from the ERD method are similar to those obtained using the Fourier Analysis method. The ERD method has the advantage of requiring less computational time and it is not constrained by the Uncertainty Principle as in the case ofthe Fourier Analysis method. Coherence Analysis was used to correlate the EEG signals obtained from two different locations of the scalp. The coherence of the mu rhythm for two electrodes placed at the contralateral hemisphere during actual hand movement was found to be almost zero (<0.05), while those for the imagined hand movement showed a reduction of coherence to the level of 0.2. The coherence of the mu rhythm for two electrodes placed at the ipsilateral hemisphere showed a reduction to the level of0.55 during actual hand movement, while the coherence of the mu rhythm for the imagined hand movement was similar to those of the resting state (0.85)

Intelligent Screening Systems for Cervical Cancer

Advent of medical image digitalization leads to image processing and computer-aided diagnosis systems in numerous clinical applications. These technologies could be used to automatically diagnose patient or serve as second opinion to pathologists. This paper briefly reviews cervical screening techniques, advantages, and disadvantages. The digital data of the screening techniques are used as data for the computer screening system as replaced in the expert analysis. Four stages of the computer system are enhancement, features extraction, feature selection, and classification reviewed in detail. The computer system based on cytology data and electromagnetic spectra data achieved better accuracy than other data

Brain Functional Network and Amino Acid Metabolism Association in Females with Subclinical Depression

This study aimed to investigate the association between complex brain functional networks and the metabolites in urine in subclinical depression. Electroencephalography (EEG) signals were recorded from 78 female college students, including 40 with subclinical depression (ScD) and 38 healthy controls (HC). The phase delay index was utilized to construct functional connectivity networks and quantify the topological properties of brain networks using graph theory. Meanwhile, the urine of all participants was collected for non-targeted LC-MS metabolic analysis to screen differential metabolites. The global efficiency was significantly increased in the &alpha;-2, &beta;-1, and &beta;-2 bands, while the characteristic path length of &beta;-1 and &beta;-2 and the clustering coefficient of &beta;-2 were decreased in the ScD group. The severity of depression was negatively correlated with the level of cortisone (p = 0.016, r = &minus;0.40). The metabolic pathways, including phenylalanine metabolism, phenylalanine tyrosine tryptophan biosynthesis, and nitrogen metabolism, were disturbed in the ScD group. The three metabolic pathways were negatively correlated (p = 0.014, r = &minus;0.493) with the global efficiency of the brain network of the &beta;-2 band, whereas they were positively correlated (p = 0.014, r = 0.493) with the characteristic path length of the &beta;-2 band. They were mainly associated with low levels of L-phenylalanine, and the highest correlation sparsity was 0.11. The disturbance of phenylalanine metabolism and the phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine biosynthesis pathways cause depressive symptoms and changes in functional brain networks. The decrease in the L-phenylalanine level may be related to the randomization trend of the &beta;-1 frequency brain functional network

Investigation of CPD and HMDS Sample Preparation Techniques for Cervical Cells in Developing Computer-Aided Screening System Based on FE-SEM/EDX

This paper investigated the effects of critical-point drying (CPD) and hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) sample preparation techniques for cervical cells on field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray (FE-SEM/EDX). We investigated the visualization of cervical cell image and elemental distribution on the cervical cell for two techniques of sample preparation. Using FE-SEM/EDX, the cervical cell images are captured and the cell element compositions are extracted for both sample preparation techniques. Cervical cell image quality, elemental composition, and processing time are considered for comparison of performances. Qualitatively, FE-SEM image based on HMDS preparation technique has better image quality than CPD technique in terms of degree of spread cell on the specimen and morphologic signs of cell deteriorations (i.e., existence of plate and pellet drying artifacts and membrane blebs). Quantitatively, with mapping and line scanning EDX analysis, carbon and oxygen element compositions in HMDS technique were higher than the CPD technique in terms of weight percentages. The HMDS technique has shorter processing time than the CPD technique. The results indicate that FE-SEM imaging, elemental composition, and processing time for sample preparation with the HMDS technique were better than CPD technique for cervical cell preparation technique for developing computer-aided screening system