Hand geometry recognition: an approach for closed and separated fingers

Hand geometry has been a biometric trait that has attracted attention from several researchers. This stems from the fact that it is less intrusive and could be captured without contact with the acquisition device. Its application ranges from forensic examination to basic authentication use. However, restrictions in hand placement have proven to be one of its challenges. Users are either instructed to keep their fingers separate or closed during capture. Hence, this paper presents an approach to hand geometry using finger measurements that considers both closed and separate fingers. The system starts by cropping out the finger section of the hand and then resizing the cropped fingers. 20 distances were extracted from each finger in both separate and closed finger images. A comparison was made between Manhattan distance and Euclidean distance for features extraction. The support vector machine (SVM) was used for classification. The result showed a better result for Euclidean distance with a false acceptance ratio (FAR) of 0.6 and a false rejection ratio (FRR) of 1.2

GPT Models in Construction Industry: Opportunities, Limitations, and a Use Case Validation

Large Language Models(LLMs) trained on large data sets came into prominence in 2018 after Google introduced BERT. Subsequently, different LLMs such as GPT models from OpenAI have been released. These models perform well on diverse tasks and have been gaining widespread applications in fields such as business and education. However, little is known about the opportunities and challenges of using LLMs in the construction industry. Thus, this study aims to assess GPT models in the construction industry. A critical review, expert discussion and case study validation are employed to achieve the study objectives. The findings revealed opportunities for GPT models throughout the project lifecycle. The challenges of leveraging GPT models are highlighted and a use case prototype is developed for materials selection and optimization. The findings of the study would be of benefit to researchers, practitioners and stakeholders, as it presents research vistas for LLMs in the construction industry.Comment: 58 pages, 20 figure

Índices hemato-bioquímicos e população microbiana intestinal de frangos de corte alimentados com dieta suplementada com óleo essencial de Prosopis africana (Mesquita Africana)

The objective of this present study was to investigate the haemato-biochemical indices and intestinal microbial population of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Prosopis africana (African mesquite) essential oil (PAEO). A total of 540 one-day old broiler chicks of Ross 302 strain were allotted to six treatments with 6 replicates consisting of 15 birds each in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were given ad libitum, and all necessary management practices were strictly observed throughout the experiment, which lasted for 8 weeks. The birds in treatment 1 (T1) was fed a basal diet with no PAEO, T2 was fed basal diet plus 1.2 g kg-1 Oxytetracycline, T3, T4, T5 and T6 were fed basal diet plus PAEO at 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg and 800 mg kg-1 respectively. All haematological parameters and intestinal microbial population were influenced by the dietary treatments (p ˂ 0.05). Total protein, triglycerides, cholesterol and urea were significantly different (p < 0.05) across the dietary treatments and are within the physiological ranges reported for healthy chicken. However, serum tryglycerides, low density lipoprotein, high density lipoprotein, magnesium and chloride ion values were not affected by PAEO (p ˃ 0.05). It was concluded PAEO possess several properties – antioxidant, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, immune-stimulatory, anti-inflammatory and physiological amongst others all of which are vital for the health enhancing effects in birds. Prosopis africana essential oil can be supplemented up to 800 mg kg-1 in the diets of broiler chickens without causing any deleterious effect on their blood profile.El objetivo del presente estudio fue investigar los índices hemato-bioquímicos y la población microbiana intestinal de pollos de engorde alimentados con dietas suplementadas con aceite esencial de Prosopis africana (mezquite africano) (PAEO). Un total de 540 pollos de engorde de un día de edad de la cepa Ross 302 se asignaron a seis tratamientos con 6 repeticiones de 15 aves cada una en un diseño completamente al azar. El alimento y el agua se administraron ad libitum, y todas las prácticas de manejo necesarias se observaron estrictamente durante todo el experimento, que duró 8 semanas. Las aves del tratamiento 1 (T1) recibieron dieta basal sin PAEO, T2 dieta basal más 1,2 g kg-1 de oxitetraciclina, T3, T4, T5 y T6 recibieron dieta basal más PAEO a 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg y 800 mg kg-1 respectivamente. Todos los parámetros hematológicos y la población microbiana intestinal fueron influenciados por los tratamientos dietéticos (p ˂ 0.05). Las proteínas totales, los triglicéridos, el colesterol y la urea fueron significativamente diferentes (p < 0,05) entre los tratamientos dietéticos y se encuentran dentro de los rangos fisiológicos informados para pollos sanos. Sin embargo, los valores de triglicéridos séricos, lipoproteínas de baja densidad, lipoproteínas de alta densidad, magnesio e iones de cloruro no se vieron afectados por PAEO (p ˃ 0,05). Se concluyó que PAEO posee varias propiedades: antioxidante, antimicrobiana, hepatoprotectora, inmunoestimuladora, antiinflamatoria y fisiológica, entre todas las demás, que son vitales para los efectos de mejora de la salud en las aves. El aceite esencial de Prosopis africana se puede complementar hasta en 800 mg kg-1 en las dietas de pollos de engorde sin causar ningún efecto nocivo en su perfil sanguíneo.O objetivo do presente estudo foi investigar os índices hemato-bioquímicos e a população microbiana intestinal de frangos de corte alimentados com dietas suplementadas com óleo essencial de Prosopis africana (Mesquita Africana) (PAEO). Um total de 540 pintos de corte de um dia da linhagem Ross 302 foram distribuídos em seis tratamentos com 6 repetições, consistindo 15 aves cada, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado. Ração e água foram fornecidas ad libitum, e todas as práticas de manejo necessárias foram rigorosamente observadas durante todo o experimento, que durou 8 semanas. As aves do tratamento 1 (T1) receberam dieta basal sem PAEO, T2 receberam dieta basal mais 1,2 g kg-1 de Oxitetraciclina, T3, T4, T5 e T6 receberam dieta basal mais PAEO a 200 mg, 400 mg, 600 mg e 800 mg kg-1, respectivamente. Todos os parâmetros hematológicos e população microbiana intestinal foram influenciados pelos tratamentos dietéticos (p ˂ 0,05). Proteína total, triglicerídeos, colesterol e uréia foram significativamente diferentes (p < 0,05) entre os tratamentos dietéticos e estão dentro das faixas fisiológicas relatadas para frangos saudáveis. Entretanto, os valores séricos de triglicerídeos, lipoproteína de baixa densidade, lipoproteína de alta densidade, magnésio e íons cloreto não foram afetados pela PAEO (p ˃ 0,05). Concluiu-se que o PAEO possui várias propriedades – antioxidante, antimicrobiana, hepatoprotetora, imunoestimulante, anti-inflamatória e fisiológica, entre outras, todas vitais para os efeitos benéficos à saúde das aves. O óleo essencial de Prosopis africana pode ser suplementado até 800 mg kg-1 na dieta de frangos de corte sem causar qualquer efeito deletério em seu perfil sanguíneo

GPT models in construction industry: Opportunities, limitations, and a use case validation

Large Language Models (LLMs) trained on large data sets came into prominence in 2018 after Google introduced BERT. Subsequently, different LLMs such as GPT models from OpenAI have been released. These models perform well on diverse tasks and have been gaining widespread applications in fields such as business and education. However, little is known about the opportunities and challenges of using LLMs in the construction industry. Thus, this study aims to assess GPT models in the construction industry. A critical review, expert discussion and case study validation are employed to achieve the study's objectives. The findings revealed opportunities for GPT models throughout the project lifecycle. The challenges of leveraging GPT models are highlighted and a use case prototype is developed for materials selection and optimization. The findings of the study would be of benefit to researchers, practitioners and stakeholders, as it presents research vistas for LLMs in the construction industry

Protocol for process evaluation of integration of mental health into primary healthcare in two states in Nigeria: the mhSUN programme.

BACKGROUND: Current international recommendations to address the large treatment gap for mental healthcare in low- and middle-income countries are to scale up integration of mental health into primary care. There are good outcome studies to support this, but less robust evidence for effectively carrying out integration and scale-up of such services, or for understanding how to address contextual issues that routinely arise. AIMS: This protocol is for a process evaluation of a programme called Mental Health Scale Up Nigeria. The study aims are to determine the extent to which the intervention was carried out according to the plans developed (fidelity), to examine the effect of postulated moderating factors and local context, and the perception of the programme by primary care staff and implementers. METHOD: We use a theoretical framework for process evaluation based on the Medical Research Council's Guidelines on Process Evaluation. A Theory of Change workshop was carried out in programme development, to highlight relevant factors influencing the process, ensure good adaptation of global normative guidelines and gain buy-in from local stakeholders. We will use mixed methods to examine programme implementation and outcomes, and influence of moderating factors. RESULTS: Data sources will include the routine health information system, facility records (for staff, medication and infrastructure), log books of intervention activities, supervision records, patient questionnaires and qualitative interviews. CONCLUSIONS: Evidence from this process evaluation will help guide implementers aiming to scale up mental health services in primary care in low- and middle-income countries

Nonprofit Fundraising Study: Covering Charitable Receipts At Nonprofit Organizations in the United States and Canada in 2013

Findings from a survey of more than 500 nonprofit organizations examining changes in charitable receipt amounts and types of fundraising methods used

A structured approach to integrating mental health services into primary care: development of the Mental Health Scale Up Nigeria intervention (mhSUN).

BACKGROUND: The treatment gap for mental illness in Nigeria, as in other sub-Saharan countries, is estimated to be around 85%. There is need to prioritise mental health care in low and middle income countries by providing a strong body of evidence for effective services, particularly with a view to increasing international and government confidence in investment in scaling up appropriate services. This paper lays out the processes by which a programme to integrate evidence-based mental health care into primary care services in Nigeria was designed, including a research framework to provide evidence from a robust evaluation. METHODS: This paper forms the first step in the overall process evaluation of the mhSUN intervention, where standard research practice indicates that the intervention, and its development, is clearly documented prior to subsequent evaluation. The report covers the period of programme development and evaluation design, and study site and design was chosen to allow generalisability and practical conclusions to be drawn for service development in Nigeria. In order to design an intervention that was informed by evidence and took into account local context and input of stakeholders, a structured process was followed, including: (1) Engagement of relevant stakeholders for information gathering and buy-in; (2) Literature review and gathering of pertinent evidence; (3) Situation analysis at a national and local level; (4) Model development (using Theory of Change); (5) Ongoing consultation, recognising the iterative nature of Theory of Change, and need for ongoing refinement of complex interventions. RESULTS: The different sections of the structured approach resulted in outputs that built the necessary components (literature review, situation analysis) for informing the Theory of Change. A Theory of Change map is presented, which includes transparent documentation of the assumptions and logic behind the activities to drive the desired change. In addition, it documents the indicators necessary to measure fidelity and draw conclusions as to hypothesised effects of different mechanisms of action in subsequent evaluation. CONCLUSION: In addition to the details of ensuring robust evaluation design, there are a number of considerations that are particular to the context that must be taken into account in programme development, including the relationships between ultimate beneficiaries, implementers, host government and institutions, donors, and programme evaluators. Structured methods from existing frameworks can be drawn upon to use and collate relevant information to maximise the local applicability of a generic evidence base. Theory of Change, with its documented assumptions can form the basis of subsequent evaluation and iterative programme refinement, contributing to a more scientifically valid means of developing mental health programmes for scale up

Phase I Trial of Arginine Deprivation Therapy with ADI-PEG 20 Plus Docetaxel in Patients with Advanced Malignant Solid Tumors

PURPOSE: This phase I study examined the toxicity and tolerability, of pegylated arginine deiminase (ADI-PEG 20) in combination with docetaxel in patients with advanced solid malignancies. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Eligible patients had histologically proven advanced solid malignancies, with any number of prior therapies, zubrod performance status 0–2 and adequate organ function. Patients received ADI-PEG 20 weekly intramuscular injection ranging from 4.5–36 mg/m(2), and up to ten doses of docetaxel 75 mg/m(2) every three weeks. Primary endpoints were safety, toxicity and a recommended phase II dose. Circulating arginine levels were measured prior to each cycle. Tumor response was measured as a secondary endpoint every six weeks on study. RESULTS: Eighteen patients received a total of 116 cycles of therapy through four dose levels of ADI-PEG 20. A single dose-limiting toxicity (grade 3 urticarial rash) was observed at the 1(st) dose level, with no additional dose-limiting toxicities observed. Hematologic toxicities were common with 14 patients experiencing at least one grade 3–4 leukopenia. Fatigue was the most prevalent toxicity reported by 16 patients. Arginine was variably suppressed with ten patients achieving at least a 50% reduction in baseline values. In 14 patients with evaluable disease, four partial responses (including two patients with PSA response) were documented and seven patients had stable disease. CONCLUSIONS: ADI-PEG 20 demonstrated reasonable toxicity in combination with docetaxel. Promising clinical activity was noted and expansion cohorts are now accruing for both castrate resistant prostate cancer and non-small cell lung cancer at a recommended phase II dose of 36 mg/m(2)

Effects of hospital facilities on patient outcomes after cancer surgery: an international, prospective, observational study

Background Early death after cancer surgery is higher in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) compared with in high-income countries, yet the impact of facility characteristics on early postoperative outcomes is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine the association between hospital infrastructure, resource availability, and processes on early outcomes after cancer surgery worldwide.Methods A multimethods analysis was performed as part of the GlobalSurg 3 study-a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study of patients who had surgery for breast, colorectal, or gastric cancer. The primary outcomes were 30-day mortality and 30-day major complication rates. Potentially beneficial hospital facilities were identified by variable selection to select those associated with 30-day mortality. Adjusted outcomes were determined using generalised estimating equations to account for patient characteristics and country-income group, with population stratification by hospital.Findings Between April 1, 2018, and April 23, 2019, facility-level data were collected for 9685 patients across 238 hospitals in 66 countries (91 hospitals in 20 high-income countries; 57 hospitals in 19 upper-middle-income countries; and 90 hospitals in 27 low-income to lower-middle-income countries). The availability of five hospital facilities was inversely associated with mortality: ultrasound, CT scanner, critical care unit, opioid analgesia, and oncologist. After adjustment for case-mix and country income group, hospitals with three or fewer of these facilities (62 hospitals, 1294 patients) had higher mortality compared with those with four or five (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 3.85 [95% CI 2.58-5.75]; p<0.0001), with excess mortality predominantly explained by a limited capacity to rescue following the development of major complications (63.0% vs 82.7%; OR 0.35 [0.23-0.53]; p<0.0001). Across LMICs, improvements in hospital facilities would prevent one to three deaths for every 100 patients undergoing surgery for cancer.Interpretation Hospitals with higher levels of infrastructure and resources have better outcomes after cancer surgery, independent of country income. Without urgent strengthening of hospital infrastructure and resources, the reductions in cancer-associated mortality associated with improved access will not be realised