Model of the "biometry-code" converter based on artificial neural networks for analysis of facial thermograms

Existing asymmetric encryption algorithms involve the storage of a secret private key, authorized access to which, as a rule, is carried out upon presentation of a password. Passwords are vulnerable to social engineering and human factors. Combining biometric security techniques with cryptography is seen as a possible solution to this problem, but any biometric cryptosystem should be able to overcome the small differences that exist between two different implementations of the same biometric parameter. This is especially true for dynamic biometrics, when differences can be caused by a change in the psychophysiological state of the subject. The solution to the problems is the use of a system based on the "biometrics-code" converter, which is configured to issue a user key after presentation of his/her biometric image. In this case, the key is generated in advance in accordance with accepted standards without the use of biometric images. The work presents results on using thermal images of a user for reliable biometric authentication based on a neural network "biometrics-code" converter. Thermal images have recently been used as a new approach in biometric identification systems and are a special type of biometric images that allow us to solve the problem of both the authentication of the subject and the identification of his psychophysiological state. The advantages of thermal imaging are that this technology is now becoming available and mobile, allowing the user to be identified and authenticated in a non-contact and continuous manner. In this paper, an experiment was conducted to verify the images of thermograms of 84 subjects and the following indicators of erroneous decisions were obtained: EER = 0.85 % for users in the "normal"state.

Size/Age Models for Monitoring of the Pink Sea Fan Eunicella verrucosa (Cnidaria: Alcyonacea) and a Case Study Application

The pink sea fan Eunicella verrucosa is a habitat-forming octocoral living in the East Atlantic and in the Mediterranean Sea where, under proper circumstances, it can form large populations known as coral forests. Although these coral forests represent vulnerable marine ecosystems of great importance, these habitats are still poorly known, and their monitoring is almost non-existent to date. For this reason, we compared two different models to infer the age of E. verrucosa based on nondestructive measurements of the colonies’ size, in order to highlight strengths and weaknesses of the existing tools for a potential application in long-term monitoring. We also applied the two models on a case-study population recently found in the northwest Mediterranean Sea. Our results showed which model was more reliable from a biological point of view, considering both its structure and the results obtained on the case study. However, this model uses solely the height of the colonies as proxy to infer the age, while the total branch fan surface area could represent a more appropriate biometric parameter to monitor the size and the growth of E. verrucosa.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of the Fetal Transverse Cerebellar Diameter (TCD) Measurement for Prediction of Gestational Age in 2nd and 3rd Trimesters of Pregnancy

Prediction of gestational age based on sonographic fetal parameters is perhaps the cornerstone in modern obstetrics. The transverse cerebellar diameter serves as a reliable predictor of GA in the fetus and is a standard against which abnormalities in other fetal parameters can be compared. A variety of sonographic fetal biometric parameters can be used to assess gestational age in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. The TCD is an additional biometric parameter against which aberrations in other fetal parameters can be compared. Objective: To assess the predictability of GA calculated by fetal TCD measured in 2nd & 3rd trimester of pregnancy on ultrasound. Methods: This was an cross-sectional study with a sample size 371 healthy, pregnant females with a normal fetus included aged 18 to 40 years, conducted in Gilani ultrasound center ferozpur road lahore. A standard 2nd and 3rd trimester ultrasound examination was done. In addition to the standard biometric parameters, the transcerebellar diameter was also measured. The collected data was subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient method was applied at a significance level of 1% (α = 0.01).using statistical software SPSS version 23.0. It was observed that BPD and TCD had a statistically significant, strong, linear correlation (r=0.976), GA of FL (r=0.978), LMP (r=0.976) P value (0.000) were considered significant. Conclusion: The TCD is a reliable parameter for the determination of GA in the 2nd & 3rd trimesters of pregnancy. Int. J. Appl. Sci. Biotechnol. Vol 6(4): 379-385

Efficacy of transverse cerebellar diameter/abdominal circumference ratio: a gestational age independent parameter in assessing fetal growth restriction

Background: It is important to identify fetal growth restriction (FGR) antenatally because it is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. There is difficulty in diagnosis of fetal growth restriction using standard ultrasonographic parameters as they are gestational age related and are not reliable in cases of symmetrical growth restriction. Therefore, there is a need for gestational age independent biometric parameter, which can diagnose fetal growth restriction in unknown gestational age and can diagnose both symmetric and asymmetric fetal growth restriction. In this study transverse cerebellar diameter (TCD)/abdominal circumference (AC) ratio used to diagnose fetal growth restriction. Objectives of the study were to evaluate the validity of TCD/AC ratio in diagnosing fetal growth restriction and to find out the cut-off value of TCD/AC ratio for diagnosis of fetal growth restriction.Methods: This study was carried out for 12 months and sample size was 100. Transverse cerebellar diameter, abdominal circumference measured between 20-22wks and 32-34weeks of gestation and transverse cerebellar diameter and abdominal circumference ratio calculated.Results: TCD/AC ratio was fairly constant throughout the pregnancy. Fetuses with TCD/AC ratio more than 2SD of the mean were found growth restricted on examination. The TCD/AC ratio more accurate in diagnosing fetal growth restriction (FGR).Conclusions: As the TCD/AC ratio is constant, it is a gestational age - independent parameter, can diagnose FGR in antenatal women with unknown gestational age. Hence, TCD/AC ratio can be a screening test to diagnose FGR in the antenatal period.

Determination of gestational age: correlation between foetal biometry and transverse cerebellar diameter in women with uncomplicated pregnancy

Background: Transverse Cerebellar Diameter (TCD) serves as a reliable predictor of gestational age in foetus and is a standard against which aberrations in other foetal parameters can be compared, especially when the GA cannot be determined by the date of last menstrual period or early pregnancy scan, TCD is one foetal parameter that has remained consistently superior in predicting gestational age in both singleton and twin gestation. Aim of the study was to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of transverse cerebellar diameter by using ultrasonography for determining the gestational age of the foetus.Methods: A cross-sectional study was done in 100 uncomplicated pregnant patients between the 15th week of gestation to term referred from routine antenatal clinic in outpatient and in-patient department of Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Vinayaka Mission Krupananda Variyar medical college and hospital, Salem during study period April 2015-March 2016. TCD is obtained in the axial plane in the cerebellar view i.e. with a slight rotation of the transducer approximately 30° from the conventional thalamic plane where the biparietal diameter is measured using the cavum septi pellucidi, third ventricle and thalami as landmarks.Results: The correlation of transcerebellar diameter (TCD) with that of BPD (bi-parietal diameter) had shown a perfect positive correlation (r = 0.978) and a similar type of correlation was also seen with HC (head circumference) (r = 0.979), AC (abdominal circumference) (r = 0.966), FL (femur length) (r = 0.976) and USG GA (ultrasonogram gestational age) (r = 0.983).Conclusions: In the normally developing foetus, the TCD increases in a linear fashion with advancing gestational age. The data of this study suggest foetal TCD on ultrasound is a reliable predictive biometric parameter of gestational age.

Accuracy of transverse cerebellar diameter by ultrasonography in the evaluation gestational age of fetus

Background & Objectives: Estimation of the length of gestation is of paramount importance to obstetricians. The fetal cerebellum grows progressively along gestational period and transverse cerebellar diameter can be used as a new biometric parameter to assess the gestational age of fetus. This study was done to evaluate the accuracy transverse cerebellar diameter against other regularly measured parameters like biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length in pregnant women between 15 to 40 weeks of gestation.Materials & Methods: In this study of 60 pregnant women between 15-40 weeks of gestation, all the parameters like biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference, femur length and transverse cerebellar diameter were measured with ultrasonography. The measured values were then correlated with gestational age using regression coefficient.Results: Gestational age estimated by transverse cerebellar diameter (R2 = 0.989; p < 0.001) had good predictive value which was comparable to gestational age estimated by biparietal diameter (R2 =0.929; P < 0.01), head circumference (R2 =0.964; P < 0.01), abdominal circumference (R2 =0.931; P < 0.01) and fetal length (R2 = 0.966; P < 0.01). Conclusion: Transverse cerebellar diameter has a good predictive accuracy for gestational age estimation which is comparableto other routinely used parameters and can be used as an alternative parameter to predict the gestational age.

Prediction of Gestational Age in Osmanabadi Goats by Ultrasonic Measurement of Crown-Rump Length

The objective of this study was to predict gestational age of Osmanabadi goats by realtime ultrasonography using measurements of Crown Rump Length (CRL). CRL was measured in 15 Osmanabadi goats, by transabdominal ultrasonography carried out on days 35, 42, 49, 56, 63 and 70 of gestation, those became pregnant after oestrus detection and natural mating following oestrus synchronization in 30 does using double PGF2α injections 11 days apart. Gestational age was calculated by using gestational equations derived from the linear regression analysis. Results clearly demonstrated that biometric parameter CRL was significantly (P ios less than 0.01) correlated with gestational age (r= 0.988) and was a reliable index to predict gestational age in Osmanabadi goats.