A Biometric Approach to Prevent False Use of IDs

What is your username? What is your password? What is your PIN number? These are some of the commonly used key questions users need to answer accurately in order to verify their identity and gain access to systems and their own data. Passwords, Personal Identification Numbers (PINs) and ID cards are different means of tokens used to identify a person, but these can be forgotten, stolen or lost. Currently, University of Hertfordshire (UH) carries out identity checks by checking the photograph on an ID card during exams. Other processes such as attendance monitoring and door access control require tapping the ID card on a reader. These methods can cause issues such as unauthorised use of ID card on attendance system and door access system if ID card is found, lost or borrowed. During exams, this could lead to interruptions when carrying out manual checks. As the invigilator carries out checks whilst the student is writing an exam, it is often difficult to see the student’s face as they face down whilst writing the exam. They cannot be disturbed for the ID check process. Students are also required to sign a manual register as they walk into the exam room. This process is time consuming. A more robust approach to identification of individuals that can avoid the above mentioned limitations of the traditional means, is the use of biometrics. Fingerprint was the first biometric modality that has been used. In comparison to other biometric modalities such as signature and face recognition, fingerprint is highly unique, accepted and leads to a more accurate matching result. Considering these properties of fingerprint biometrics, it has been explored in the research study presented in this thesis to enhance the efficiency and the reliability of the University’s exam process. This thesis focuses on using fingerprint recognition technology in a novel approach to check identity for exams in a University environment. Identifying a user using fingerprints is not the only aim of this project. Convenience and user experience play vital roles in this project whilst improving speed and processes at UH

Case report: Typhoid fever complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis and rhabdomyolysis

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) and rhabdomyolysis are rare complications of typhoid fever from Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. Herein, we describe the clinical features in a 21-year-old female from India who presented to the intensive care unit with fever, severe pancytopenia, and rhabdomyolysis

L’importance de la formation interprofessionnelle dans le domaine de la santé illustrée par un concours de cas interactif à la Faculté des sciences de la santé de l’Université Queen’s

Implication Statement On March 4, 2021, OSLER Kingston and KHealth, student-run organizations at Queen’s Faculty of Health Sciences, hosted a two-hour-long virtual interprofessional case competition called “OSLER x KHealth IPR Case Competition: Homelessness,” focusing on housing insecurity and homelessness. This event demonstrated that integrating interprofessional education (IPE) competencies into educational experiences of health professional students is feasible to organize and implement while also being valuable. Students who participated found IPE to be helpful for their learning. Consequently, we encourage medical school curriculum leaders and student-led groups to prioritize IPE in their preclerkship curricular and extracurricular offerings.  Énoncé des implications de la recherche Le 4 mars 2021, OSLER Kingston et KHealth, deux organisations étudiantes de la Faculté des sciences de la santé de l’Université Queen’s, ont organisé un concours virtuel de cas interprofessionnels d’une durée de deux heures intitulé « OSLER x KHealth IPR Case Competition : Homelessness », qui portait sur l’insécurité du logement et l’itinérance. Cette activité a montré qu’il est non seulement possible, mais aussi utile d’intégrer les compétences en formation interprofessionnelle (FIP) dans le parcours d’apprentissage des étudiants des professions de la santé. Les étudiants qui y ont participé ont trouvé que la FIP était utile à leur apprentissage. Nous encourageons donc les responsables de programme des facultés de médecine et les organisations étudiantes à donner la priorité à la FIP dans leurs activités de prexternat et hors programme

Morbidly adherent placenta: management is real challenge

Background: The objective of the present study was to describe management of morbidly adherent placenta with placenta previa and feto-maternal outcome.Methods: All antenatal USG diagnosed cases of morbidly adherent placenta were analyzed. The cases were managed by elective caesarean hysterectomy and non-separation of placenta at delivery. Amount of blood loss, blood transfused, ICU admission, postnatal complications and hospital stay was recorded.Results: From January 2010 to October 2018, 22 cases of morbidly adherent placenta were diagnosed on gray scale and color Doppler during antenatal ultrasound scan. Scheduled caesarean hysterectomy without attempting placental removal was done. Subtotal hysterectomy was performed in 17(77.2%) cases and total hysterectomy in remaining 5(22.8%) cases. All the patients required blood transfusion.  Seven (31.8%) patients had urinary bladder injury. One case developed DIC and One needed ventilatory support. No patient died in this series.Conclusions: Antenatal diagnosed cases of morbidly adherent placenta, avoidance of placental separation and caesarean hysterectomy results in better maternal outcome

Travel advice for the immunocompromised traveler: prophylaxis, vaccination, and other preventive measures

Immunocompromised patients are traveling at increasing rates. Physicians caring for these complex patients must be knowledgeable in pretravel consultation and recognize when referral to an infectious disease specialist is warranted. This article outlines disease prevention associated with international travel for adults with human immunodeficiency virus, asplenia, solid organ and hematopoietic transplantation, and other immunosuppressed states. While rates of infection may not differ significantly between healthy and immunocompromised travelers, the latter are at greater risk for severe disease. A thorough assessment of these risks can ensure safe and healthy travel. The travel practitioners’ goal should be to provide comprehensive risk information and recommend appropriate vaccinations or prevention measures tailored to each patient’s condition. In some instances, live vaccines and prophylactic medications may be contraindicated

Assessing attitudes toward electronic prescribing adoption in primary care: a survey of prescribers and staff

Background Using survey instruments to assess physicians' attitudes toward electronic health record (EHR) adoption has been an ongoing area of research. No instrument has emerged for widespread use. Objective We used a theoretically-based, 37-question survey instrument to assess attitudes toward electronic (e-) prescribing adoption in the context of an existing EHR. Our objective was to elicit information to informstrategies to maximise adoption. Methods The instrument assesses attitudes in four domains: finesse, intent to use technology, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use. Two additional questions ask about computer use at home and self-assessed computer knowledge. We administered the instrument to prescribers and staff at three primary care sites between 2005 and 2007. Each site represented a unique transition from paper-based or partial (Phase 1) to full (Phase 2) e-prescribing use. Results Fifty-nine prescribers (82% response) and 58 staff (50% response) completed the survey. At the paper-based site, domain scores increased significantly from Phase 1 to Phase 2 for intent to use technology for both prescribers (4.8 to 5; P<0.04) and staff (4 to 5; P<0.03); and for perceived usefulness for staff (3.7 to 4.6; P<0.02). For prescribers, significant associations (P<0.05) were found between computer use at home for professional use and each domain score; and between computer knowledge and three of the four domains. Selfassessed computer knowledge was consistently rated as intermediate, vs novice or expert. Conclusions Domain scores improved. Prescribers' self-assessment of computer use at home and computer knowledge predicted attitudes toward adoption. This instrument may be useful in tailoring strategies for successful adoption