A hybrid method using kinect depth and color data stream for hand blobs segmentation

The recently developed depth sensors such as Kinect have provided new potential for human-computer interaction (HCI) and hand gesture are one of main parts in recent researches. Hand segmentation procedure is performed to acquire hand gesture from a captured image. In this paper, a method is produced to segment hand blobs using both depth and color data frames. This method applies a body segmentation and an image threshold techniques to depth data frame using skeleton data and concurrently it uses SLIC super-pixel segmentation method to extract hand blobs from color data frame with the help of skeleton data. The proposed method has low computation time and shows significant results when basic assumption are fulfilled

Entomologic investigation of Plasmodium knowlesi vectors in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, Malaysia

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The first natural infection of Plasmodium knowlesi in humans was recorded in 1965 in peninsular Malaysia. Extensive research was then conducted and it was postulated that it was a rare incident and that simian malaria will not be easily transmitted to humans. However, at the turn of the 21st century, knowlesi malaria was prevalent throughout Southeast Asia and is life threatening. Thus, a longitudinal study was initiated to determine the vectors, their seasonal variation and preference to humans and macaques. METHODS: Monthly mosquito collections were carried out in Kuala Lipis, Pahang, peninsular Malaysia, using human-landing collection and monkey-baited traps at ground and canopy levels. All mosquitoes were identified and all anopheline mosquitoes were dissected and the gut and gland examined for oocysts and sporozoites. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on positive samples, followed by sequencing of the csp gene. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Anopheles cracens was the predominant mosquito biting humans as well as the macaques. It comprised 63.2 of the total collection and was the only species positive for sporozoites of P. knowlesi. It was exophagic and did not enter houses. Besides An. cracens, Anopheles kochi was also found in the monkey-bait trap. Both species preferred to bite monkeys at ground level compared to canopy. CONCLUSION: Anopheles cracens, which belongs to the Dirus complex, Leucosphyrus subgroup, Leucosphyrus group of mosquitoes, has been confirmed to be the only vector for this site from Pahang during this study. It was the predominant mosquito at the study sites and with deforestation humans and villages are entering deeper in the forests, and nearer to the mosquitoes and macacques. The close association of humans with macaques and mosquitoes has led to zoonotic transmission of malaria

Rhododendron lowii

Rhododendron lowii is a small tree, endemic to Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 72 km2 and 11,266 km2, respectively. Although the AOO is calculated from known existing records, it is considered that the actual AOO may be considerably larger than this due to under sampling. It is known from at least six protected areas and currently there is no threat to the population. Hence, it is assessed as Least Concern. Rhododendron lowii is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia

Rhododendron cuneifolium

Rhododendron cuneifolium is a small tree, endemic to Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 120 km2 and 2,837 km2, respectively. It is known from at least four protected areas and currently does not have any major threat to its population. Hence, it is assessed as Least Concern. Rhododendron cuneifolium is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia

Rhododendron suaveolens

Rhododendron suaveolens is a small tree, endemic to Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 108 km2 and 6,590.8 km2, respectively. Although the AOO is calculated from known existing records, it is considered that the actual AOO may be considerably larger than this due to under sampling. Commonly found on western mountain ranges in Sabah, mostly within protected areas. Hence, assessed as Least Concern. Rhododendron suaveolens is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia

Melastoma collinum

Melastoma collinum is a small tree, endemic to Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 36 km2 and 6,782.7 km2, respectively. Although the AOO is calculated from known existing records, it is considered that the actual AOO may be considerably larger than this due to under sampling. It is a secondary species that can grow well in disturbed forest and, therefore, it is not considered to be affected by major threats. The species is known from several localities. Hence, it is assessed as Least Concern. Melastoma collinum is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is known to occur in several districts, Beaufort, Keningau, Pensiangan and Tawau

Microcos kinabaluensis

Microcos kinabaluensis is a tree, endemic to Sabah. Due to land use change, it is suspected that the population declined by at least 80% (based on reduction analysis in GeoCAT). Habitat loss has been caused by agricultural and ecotourism development over the last three generations of the species. There is no recent collection for this species. The remaining estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are both 8 km2, although with greater collection effort these may be larger. The species remains in a protected area, and threats are not considered to be continuing. This tree is assessed as Critically Endangered. Microcos kinabaluensis is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is known from Mount Kinabalu and vicinity

Rhododendron retivenium

Rhododendron retivenium is a small tree, endemic to Sabah. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 68 km2 and 328.6 km2, respectively. Although the AOO is calculated from known existing records, it is considered that the actual AOO may be considerably larger than this due to under sampling. It is known from at least three protected areas and no major threat to the population of the species. Hence, it is assessed as Least Concern. Rhododendron retivenium is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia

Melastoma ansowii

Melastoma ansowii is a treelet endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is only known from Mount Kinabalu and vicinity. The estimated area of occupancy (AOO) and extent of occurrence (EOO) are 20 km2 and 27.3 km2, respectively. The most plausible threats that could affect the population of this species are climate change and land use change. Montane species are more susceptible to extreme climate, while individuals outside of protected areas are threatened by land use changes. This species can withstand disturbance but not land clearing. If these were to occur, they could drive the species towards Critically Endangered or Extinct in the near future. Hence, it is assessed as Vulnerable. Melastoma ansowii is endemic to Sabah, Malaysia. It is confined to Mount Kinabalu and vicinity