Socio-demographic profile in purchasing natural and synthetic functional foods in Malaysia

Functional foods represent one of the most interesting areas of research and innovation in the food industry. There are commercialized functional products in Malaysian market presently. Although the consumption of functional foods is increasing, relatively little is known about how consumers perceive these products and their buying frequency towards natural and synthetic functional foods in Malaysia. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between socio-demographic variables and consumers’ knowledge and buying frequency towards Natural and synthetic functional foods. Systematic random sampling was used in this study and 2004 households are interview by using structure questionnaire in Malaysia. Descriptive analysis and chi-square analysis were used in this study. The result shows that education level, area, income level, age and child under 18 years old have significant relationship with their knowledge to differentiate natural and synthetic functional foods.Moreover, the result also shows that marital status, area, education level, household size, age, income level and child under 18 years old have significant relationship with their purchasing behavior towards functional foods

3D based head movement tracking for incorporation in facial expression system

Head movement tracking is a necessary system in our attempt to establish the positioning of the head in an instance of the time. In computer graphics, head positioning sequence must be done in a proper manner so that the rendering will appear realistic. The head role becomes more important when a facial expression is being depicted. As a true facial expression must be accompanied with some motion of the head, rendering the facial expression without any proper description regarding head movement will make the head less realistic. This paper proposed a dual-pivot 3D-based head movement tracking system (DPHT) that enables modeler to capture the movement of the head. By having two pivots in the system, the movement of the neck can be modeled together with the yaw, roll and pitch of the head. This movement of the neck is an integral part of the facial expression depiction as can be attested by someone who 'pulls' his neck in manifestation of disgust. The results in this paper show that having a dual-pivot tracking system, head positioning can be better established hence producing more realistic head movement model

Dual-pivot pose determination of human head based on head movement

The pose determination is very important especially for system such as face tracking, face recognition, face analysis and even face modeling system. Pose determination is a pre-requisite step for establishing face orientation of which will be used in determining the shape and structure of the face. Existing rotation-based pose determination that describes head movement using a single pivot point cannot describe rotation that involves changes in pivot point. In addressing the issue, this paper suggests a pose determination technique via usage of two pivot points. The paper will propose a definition for dual-pivot pose determination, suggest approaches to calculate head movement along these pivots, show a brief application for the dual-pivot and give comment on advantages and disadvantages of dual- pivot points

Smart Home Control for Disabled Using Brain Computer Interface

Electroencephalography (EEG) based smart home control system is one of the major applications of Brain Computer Interface (BCI) that allows disabled people to maximize their capabilities at home. A Brain Computer Interface (BCI) is a device that enables severely disabled people to communicate and interact with their environments using their brain waves. In this project, the scope includes Graphical User Interface (GUI) acts as a control and monitoring system for home appliances which using BCI as an input. Hence, NeuroSky MindWave headset is used to detect EEG signal from brain. Furthermore, a prototype model is developed using Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+, 4 channels 5V relay module, light bulb and fan. The raw data signal from brain wave is being extracted to operate the home appliances. Besides, the results agree well with the command signal used during the experiment. Lastly, the developed system can be easily implemented in smart homes and has high potential to be used in smart automation

Chain coding and pre processing stages of handwritten character image file

In this paper detailed descriptions of the algorithms used in the pre-processing and feature extraction phases of an offline handwritten character are discussed. In classifying handwritten characters, the stages prior to the classification phase play a role as major as the classification itself. There are many pre-processing functions and methods that can be used and different research works will use different methods. This paper discusses in detail some of the algorithms used in the pre-processing stages of an offline handwritten character image file. This paper serves as part of the whole research work that aims at recognizing handwritten characters. The whole research presents a hybrid approach of HMM and Fuzzy Logic in the field of handwritten character recognition. Fuzzy Logic is used in the classification phase while HMM is used in the process of extracting features for the preparation of linguistic variables of the fuzzy rules. However, only the preprocessing stages as employed by the research are described here. The pre-processing phase starts from reading in the input file, the process of binarization, reference line estimation and thinning of the character image for further use in the next stage of the feature extraction and recognition process. Each of the pre-processing stages and the chain coding process will be described in detail giving improvised algorithms, and examples of the processes on existing samples from the database shown. Where comparing experiments with other methods is done, the experimental results are given

Extracting features for the linguistic variables of fuzzy rules using hidden Markov model

In classifying handwritten characters, the stages prior to the classification phase play a role as major as the classification itself. This research work will be classifying the characters using a syntactical classification method namely fuzzy logic but will use the statistical method of Hidden Markov Model as an approach in extracting features for the linguistic variables of the fuzzy rule‐based system. In this paper the feature extraction method will be highlighted and detailed. The HMM Model of a variable to be used in the classification system will be discussed. Experimental results from a few sample images show that the proposed technique is both effective and efficient to be used in extracting features for the linguistic variables of fuzzy rules

Modifying the multicast tree in AMTree protocol using random core selection

One of two approaches used to construct the tree in multicast protocols, either shortest path tree approach, or core based tree approach. In AMTree protocol, the shortest path tree approach is used with incorporation of the idea of core from core based tree approach. In this paper we propose a new technique for constructing the multicast tree using pre-selected nodes to act as cores. The idea of the proposed technique is to reduce the optimization time and the number of nodes invoking for optimization. The experiments show that the number of nodes asking for optimization process is minimized and the optimization time is reduced too. Furthermore, tree efficiency for AMTree using the proposed technique is better than that of AMTree without it

Hybrid of HMM and fuzzy logic for handwritten character recognition

This paper presents a hybrid approach of HMM and Fuzzy Logic in the field of handwritten character recognition. Fuzzy Logic is used in the recognition phase while HMM is used in the process of extracting features for the preparation of linguistic variables of the fuzzy rules. Experimental results from a few sample images give a reasonable recognition rate on a more challenging database of lower-case handwritten characters. This proved the proposed hybrid of the two techniques are compatible and can be used to complement each other effectively

Establishing the straightness of a line for radial distortion correction through conic fitting

Establishing straight lines in plumb-line based radial distortion correction is very important as the straight-line will determine the success of distortion correction operation. Various researches have been made to describe the line using linear fitting or polynomial fitting assuming that these fittings will augur well for distortion correction operation. However linear or polynomial fitting may not work in certain situation such as in vertical line. This research proposes a conic fitting method for establishing a straight-line. Fitting to a conic is more robust in a sense it can accommodate lines of different orientation

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London