Connected Component Algorithm for Gestures Recognition

This paper presents head and hand gestures recognition system for Human Computer Interaction (HCI). Head and Hand gestures are an important modality for human computer interaction. Vision based recognition system can give computers the capability of understanding and responding to the hand and head gestures. The aim of this paper is the proposal of real time vision system for its application within a multimedia interaction environment. This recognition system consists of four modules, i.e. capturing the image, image extraction, pattern matching and command determination. If hand and head gestures are shown in front of the camera, hardware will perform respective action. Gestures are matched with the stored database of gestures using pattern matching. Corresponding to matched gesture, the hardware is moved in left, right, forward and backward directions. An algorithm for optimizing connected component in gesture recognition is proposed, which makes use of segmentation in two images. Connected component algorithm scans an image and group its pixels into component based on pixel connectivity i.e. all pixels in connected component share similar pixel intensity values and are in some way connected with each other. Once all groups have been determined, each pixel is labeled with a color according to component it was assigned to

Single fault detection in combinational logic circuits

The material in this paper is divided into the following four chapters for convenience. Chapter 1 explains, how the idea of fault testing changed from testing the machine instructions to testing the hardware in logic circuits. Chapters 2, 3 and 4 present the different approaches considered, namely: 1. Path sensitizing and D-Algorithm method. 2. Tabular method. 3. Boolean difference method

Correlation of Human Height with Hand Dimensions: A Study among Medical students

Background: Anthropometry is widely used for Identification of an individual. Height is one of the most important parameters of anthropometry. It is strongly correlated with the individual’s hand dimensions and if either of the measurements are known, the other can be calculated. Aim and Objective: To know correlation between the hand dimensions and Height of an individual and to apply the regression line of height on hand dimension of the person. Methods and Material: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the medical students. Anthropometric indices were recorded after obtaining written consent and institutional approval using standard equipments. Linear regression and Pearson coefficient were calculated to study the correlation and arrive at the equation to calculate Height from Hand length. Results: Age of the study participants who consented for study (150) ranged between 18-24 years.  Mean height was 165.91 cm. Mean right hand length was 17.71 cm and 17.69 cm on left hand. Mean hand width was 7.79 cm on right side and 7.56 cm on left side. A statistically significant positive correlation was observed between height and the hand dimensions. Conclusions: There was a statistically significant positive correlation between hand dimensions and height. Forensic investigation, body identification and triage can be facilitated through calculating Height from hand dimensions when only mutilated body remains are received during disasters

An analysis of GAVI, the Global Fund and World Bank support for human resources for health in developing countries

Shortages, geographic imbalances and poor performance of health workers pose major challenges for improving health service delivery in developing countries. In response, multilateral agencies have increasingly recognized the need to invest in human resources for health (HRH) to assist countries in achieving their health system goals. In this paper we analyse the HRH-related activities of three agencies: the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI); the Global Fund for Aids, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (the Global Fund); and the World Bank. First, we reviewed the type of HRH-related activities that are eligible for financing within each agency. Second, we reviewed the HRH-related activities that each agency is actually financing. Third, we reviewed the literature to understand the impact that GAVI, Global Fund and World Bank investments in HRH have had on the health workforce in developing countries. Our analysis found that by far the most common activity supported across all agencies is short-term, in-service training. There is relatively little investment in expanding pre-service training capacity, despite large health worker shortages in developing countries. We also found that the majority of GAVI and the Global Fund grants finance health worker remuneration, largely through supplemental allowances, with little information available on how payment rates are determined, how the potential negative consequences are mitigated, and how payments are to be sustained at the end of the grant period. Based on the analysis, we argue there is an opportunity for improved co-ordination between the three agencies at the country level in supporting HRH-related activities. Existing initiatives, such as the International Health Partnership and the Health Systems Funding Platform, could present viable and timely vehicles for the three agencies to implement this improved co-ordinatio

Economic and Social Implications and Sustainability of Call Center Jobs in India

India is an important Information Technology Enabled Services (ITES) destination and undisputed leader in the world with respect to Call Center industry. Since call center forms an important constituent of ITES, the paper presents a brief account of ITES in the first part while a detailed analysis of economic and social implications and sustainability of call center jobs have been discussed in the latter part. In spite of the hefty salary and other service benefits in the call center jobs, there exists high rate of attrition in call center industry. The study aims to understand why the call centers jobs are not sustainable and what may be the probable reasons for it. The paper is based on the perception of call center employees. For this purpose, the data was generated through a field survey which was carried out in call centers located in the National Capital Region of Delhi. The study reveals that the monotonous and stressful nature of work, disruption in social and family life and lack of career growth may be held major factors for low sustainability in call center jobs in India

A study to assess prevalence of obesity among medical students of G.R. medical college, Gwalior, M. P., India

Background: Obesity is emerging as a serious problem throughout the world, not only among adults but also children, teenagers and young adults. Medical education is stressful throughout the whole course of training. Overweight and obesity is one of the preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. The social implications of obesity are a major problem that is often neglected. Objectives of current study were to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in medical students and to assess the factors influencing the development of overweight and obesity.Methods:The present study was a cross sectional study of IInd semester medical students in which, a total of 131 students were included. The study involved administration of a pretested questionnaire to the students and their anthropometric measurements.Results:In a batch of 150 students 131 participated in the study in which 90 (68.70%) were males and 41 (31.30%) were females. The prevalence of overweight was 13 (9.93%) and the prevalence of obesity was 2 (1.53%).  Conclusion:The study showed a high prevalence of overweight and obesity among the medical students. At the time of anthropometric measurements awareness was created for their weight and for the promotion of physical activity among medical students.

microRNAs Orchestrate Pathophysiology of Breast Cancer Brain Metastasis: Advances in Therapy

Brain metastasis (BM) predominantly occurs in triple-negative (TN) and epidermal growth factor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer (BC) patients, and currently, there is an unmet need for the treatment of these patients. BM is a complex process that is regulated by the formation of a metastatic niche. A better understanding of the brain metastatic processes and the crosstalk between cancer cells and brain microenvironment is essential for designing a novel therapeutic approach. In this context, the aberrant expression of miRNA has been shown to be associated with BM. These non-coding RNAs/miRNAs regulate metastasis through modulating the formation of a metastatic niche and metabolic reprogramming via regulation of their target genes. However, the role of miRNA in breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM) is poorly explored. Thus, identification and understanding of miRNAs in the pathobiology of BCBM may identify a novel candidate miRNA for the early diagnosis and prevention of this devastating process. In this review, we focus on understanding the role of candidate miRNAs in the regulation of BC brain metastatic processes as well as designing novel miRNA-based therapeutic strategies for BCBM