This paper introduces a novel approach for contour-based shape matching named as Constructive Relaxation Matching (CRM). In image matching relying on a particular modeling method, apparently similar images can be judged as being quite distant, according to the nature of the modeling process. In the proposed CRM, the modeling stage for a novel input image contour, commonly done in the same proce...

UNLABELLED BACKGROUND Increasing demands for podiatry combined with workforce shortages due to attrition, part-time working practices and rural healthcare shortages means that in some geographic areas in Australia there are insufficient professionals to meet service demand. Although podiatry assistants have been introduced to help relieve workforce shortages there has been little evaluation ...

in intrinsic sinus node function 5 6 7 Mark R. Boyett, Yanwen Wang, Shu Nakao, Jonathan Ariyaratnam, George Hart, 8 Oliver Monfredi and Alicia D’Souza 9 10 11 Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, UK 12 13 14 Corresponding author: Professor Mark Boyett, Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, 15 46 Grafton Street, Manchester M13 9NT, UK 16 Phone: +44-161-2751192 Email: m...

Performances of biometric recognition systems can degrade quickly when the input biometric traits exhibit substantial variations compared to the templates collected during the enrolment stage of system’s users. On the other hand, a lot of new unlabelled biometric data, which could be exploited to adapt the system to input data variations, are made available during the system operation over the ...

OBJECTIVE To identify the reasons why interns would not choose a surgical career. METHODS This qualitative study used semi-structured telephone interviews to explore the future career choices of 41 junior doctors (14 men, 27 women). Doctors were asked to identify specialties they would not take up, and state why this was the case. RESULTS Thirty (73.2%) of the 41 interns nominated surgery a...

INTRODUCTION Police officers frequently come into contact with individuals with mental health problems. Specialist training in this area for police officers may improve how they respond to individuals with mental health problems; however, evidence to support this is sparse. This study evaluated the effectiveness of one bespoke mental health training package for frontline police officers relativ...

Having well-trained staff is key to ensuring good quality autism services, especially since people affected with autism generally tend to have higher support needs than other populations in terms of daily living, as well as their mental and physical health. Poorly-trained staff can have detrimental effects on service provision and staff morale and can lead to staff burn-out, as well as increase...

Medical education in Australia is currently entering a new era, including support for the significant extension of medical students and general practitioner (GP) registrars' training programs in rural communities. This commitment to rural medical student and general practitioner recruitment and retention has made the provision of accommodation in rural communities a vital issue. This study has ...

BACKGROUND The problem of antimicrobial resistance requires common strategies at the European level. METHODS We report on an EU initiative fostering antibiotic (AB) stewardship (ABS) in hospitals. RESULTS The project 'ABS International: implementing antibiotic strategies for appropriate use of antibiotics in hospitals in member states of the EU' started in September 2006 in Austria, Belgium...

BACKGROUND Simulation has been shown to be effective in teaching complex emergency procedural skills. However, the retention of these skills for a period of up to 1 yr has not been studied. We aimed to investigate the 6 month and 1 yr retention of the complex procedural skill of cricothyroidotomy in attending anaesthetists using a high-fidelity-simulated cannot intubate, cannot ventilate (CICV)...