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OBJECTIVES This study aims to identify the essential characteristics of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 and to discuss the limitations of currently available tests and their impact on the test selection process. METHODOLOGY The current study was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex (MMC). One hundred nasopharyngeal-positive samples were collected from February to March 2021. Oropharyngeal swab OPS, sputum, and blood samples were collected from the participants to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA. RNA extraction of SARS-CoV-2 was done using a BigFish auto extractor. A Qiagen Thermal Cycler was used for genome amplification. Five different molecular assays, namely COVSIGN (N gene) Spain, BGI (ORF1ab gene) China, Maccura(ORF1ab, E and N gene) China, R-GENE (RdRp and N genes) France and Genuru (N gene, S gene and ORF ab/1) were used. RESULTS100 % positivity was recorded in the sputum of all individuals, followed by 91 % OPS and 21% blood. The highest positivity rate for different genes was observed. ROC (Receiver operating characteristic curve) was developed through SPPS version 26.00 to compare the sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION By comparing the results of different diagnostic kits, it was found that BGI and Maccura are the most sensitive and specific for diagnostic purposes against COVID-19.

Dense depth information can be reconstructed from stereo images using conventional hand-crafted as well as deep learning-based approaches. While deep-learning methods often show superior results compared to hand-crafted ones, they commonly learn geometric principles underlying the matching task from scratch and neglect that these principles have already been intensively studied and were considered explicitly in various models with great success in the past. In consequence, a broad range of principles and associated features need to be learned, limiting the possibility to focus on important details to also succeed in challenging image regions, such as close to depth discontinuities, thin objects and in weakly textured areas. To overcome this limitation, in this work, a hybrid technique, i.e., a combination of conventional hand-crafted and deep learning-based methods, is presented, addressing the task of dense stereo matching. More precisely, the input RGB stereo images are supplemented by a fourth image channel containing feature information obtained with a method based on expert knowledge. In addition, the assumption that edges in an image and discontinuities in the corresponding depth map coincide is modeled explicitly, allowing to predict the probability of being located next to a depth discontinuity per pixel. This information is used to guide the matching process and helps to sharpen correct depth discontinuities and to avoid the false prediction of such discontinuities, especially in weakly textured areas. The performance of the proposed method is investigated on three different data sets, including studies on the influence of the two methodological components as well as on the generalization capability. The results demonstrate that the presented hybrid approach can help to mitigate common limitations of deep learning-based methods and improves the quality of the estimated depth maps.

OBJECTIVES This study aims to identify the essential characteristics of diagnostic tests for SARS-CoV-2 and to discuss the limitations of currently available tests and their impact on the test selection process. METHODOLOGY The current study was conducted at Mardan Medical Complex (MMC). One hundred nasopharyngeal-positive samples were collected from February to March 2021. Oropharyngeal swab OPS, sputum, and blood samples were collected from the participants to detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA. RNA extraction of SARS-CoV-2 was done using a BigFish auto extractor. A Qiagen Thermal Cycler was used for genome amplification. Five different molecular assays, namely COVSIGN (N gene) Spain, BGI (ORF1ab gene) China, Maccura(ORF1ab, E and N gene) China, R-GENE (RdRp and N genes) France and Genuru (N gene, S gene and ORF ab/1) were used. RESULTS100 % positivity was recorded in the sputum of all individuals, followed by 91 % OPS and 21% blood. The highest positivity rate for different genes was observed. ROC (Receiver operating characteristic curve) was developed through SPPS version 26.00 to compare the sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSION By comparing the results of different diagnostic kits, it was found that BGI and Maccura are the most sensitive and specific for diagnostic purposes against COVID-19.

Jingning Yang,1 Rashid Menhas,2 Jianhui Dai,1 Tehmina Younas,3 Usama Anwar,4 Waseem Iqbal,4 Rizwan Ahmed Laar,5 Muhammad Muddasar Saeed6 1School of Physical Education, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 2Research Center of Sports Social Sciences, School of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Social Security Hospital Gujrat, Punjab, Islamic Republic of Pakistan; 4School of Energy, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 5College of Physical Education, Hubei Normal University, Huangshi, Hubei Province, People’s Republic of China; 6International Education College Chinese and Western Medicine Clinic, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, Liaoning Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Rashid MenhasResearch Center of Sports Social Sciences, School of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail menhas.r@yahoo.comJianhui DaiSchool of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail sddjh@suda.edu.cnBackground: During the COVID-19 pandemic, cellphone health apps and virtual reality fitness for treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s were beneficial. Virtual reality has been used to treat PTSD, depression, anxieties, dementia, ADHD, dyslexia, and pain control in various settings. Virtual reality exercise has been studied for its effects on biological, mental, rehabilitation, behavior, and attitude management.Purpose: This research aimed to find out the role of virtual reality fitness (VRF) for behavior management during the COVID-19 pandemic concerning the demographic characteristics of the study participants and the use of fitness and health apps.Methods: The population for the current study was Chinese residents across China who wer

Rashid Menhas,1 Jianhui Dai,2 Muhammad Azeem Ashraf,3 Sohail M Noman,4 Sumaira Khurshid,5 Sajid Mahmood,6 Yu Weng,2 Rizwan Ahmad Laar,7 Xuehui Sang,2 Muhammad Kamran,8 Babar Shahzad,9 Waseem Iqbal9 1Research Center of Sports Social Sciences, School of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Physical Education and Sports, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China; 3Research Institute of Educational Science, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, Guangdong, 515041, People’s Republic of China; 5School of Education and Science, Neijiang Normal University, Neijiang, Sichuan Province, People’s Republic of China, 641112; 6Department of Zoology, Hazara University, Mansehra, 21120, Pakistan; 7School of Sports Science and Physical Education, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, People’s Republic of China; 8NRSP Microfinance Bank Shorkot City Branch, Shorkot, 35050, Punjab, Pakistan; 9School of Energy, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Muhammad Azeem AshrafResearch Institute of Educational Science, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, People’s Republic of ChinaEmail azeem20037@gmail.comBackground: China has the world’s largest population, going under health transition due to industrialization, urbanization, and a sedentary lifestyle. About 82% of China’s disease burden is due to the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Physical activity (active travel) is the best preventive measure against NCDs. The Chinese government has introduced several steps to improve national fitness and overcome NCDs among the aging population. Exercise and sports play a vital role in promoting

This paper focuses on the techno-economic feasibility of a grid-tied hybrid microgrid system for local inhabitants of Kallar Kahar near Chakwal city of Punjab province in Pakistan and investigates the potential for electricity generation through hybrid wind, photovoltaic and biomass system. The comprehensive resource assessment of wind, biomass and solar energy is carried out for grid integration. Homer Pro software is used to model a hybrid microgrid system. Optimization results and sensitivity analysis is carried out to ensure the robustness and cost-effectiveness of the proposed hybrid microgrid system. The total load has been optimally shared among generated power through wind, photovoltaic and biomass resources and surplus power is supplied to the national grid in case of low local demand of the load. The results of techno-economic feasibility study show that hybrid power system can generate more than 50 MW. The cost of energy based on peak load demand profiles are considered for both residential and commercial sectors. The cost of hybrid system for peak load of 73.6 MW is 180.2 million USD and levelized cost of energy is 0.05744 $/kWh.

The traditional methods used for the identification of individuals such as personal identification numbers (PINs), identification tags, etc., are vulnerable as they are easily compromised by the hackers. In this paper, we aim to focus on the existing multibiometric systems that use hand based modalities for the identification of individuals. We cover the existing multibiometric systems in the context of various feature extraction schemes, along with an analysis of their performance using one of the performance measures used for biometric systems. Later, we cover the literature on template protection including various cancelable biometrics and biometric cryptosystems and provide a brief comment about the methods used for multibiometric template protection. Finally, we discuss various open issues and challenges faced by researchers and propose some future directions that can enhance the security of multibiometric templates.