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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024Underwater optical imaging for information acquisition has always been an innovative and crucial research direction. Unlike imaging in the air medium, the underwater...
Underwater optical imaging for information acquisition has always been an innovative and crucial research direction. Unlike imaging in the air medium, the underwater optical environment is more intricate. From an optical perspective, natural factors such as turbulence and suspended particles in the water cause issues like light scattering and attenuation, leading to color distortion, loss of details, decreased contrast, and overall blurriness. These challenges significantly impact the acquisition of underwater image information, rendering subsequent algorithms reliant on such data unable to function properly. Therefore, this paper proposes a method for underwater image restoration using Stokes linearly polarized light, specifically tailored to the challenges of underwater complex optical imaging environments. This method effectively utilizes linear polarization information and designs a system that uses the information of the first few frames to calculate the enhanced images of the later frames. By doing so, it achieves real-time underwater Stokes linear polarized imaging while minimizing human interference during the imaging process. Furthermore, the paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the deficiencies observed during the testing of the method and proposes improvement perspectives, along with offering insights into potential future research directions.
PubMed: 38474902
DOI: 10.3390/s24051367 -
MedRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Dec 2023The Green Heart Project is a community-based trial to evaluate the effects of increasing greenery on urban environment and community health. The study was initiated in...
The Green Heart Project is a community-based trial to evaluate the effects of increasing greenery on urban environment and community health. The study was initiated in 2018 in a low-to-middle-income mixed-race residential area of nearly 28,000 residents in Louisville, KY. The 4 square mile area was surveyed for land use, population characteristics, and greenness, and assigned to 8 paired clusters of demographically- and environmentally matched "target" (T) and adjacent "control" (C), clusters. Ambient levels of ultrafine particles, ozone, oxides of nitrogen, and environmental noise were measured in each cluster. Individual-level data were acquired during in-person exams of 735 participants in Wave 1 (2018-2019) and 545 participants in Wave 2 (2021) to evaluate sociodemographic and psychosocial factors. Blood, urine, nail, and hair samples were collected to evaluate standard cardiovascular risk factors, inflammation, stress, and pollutant exposure. Cardiovascular function was assessed by measuring arterial stiffness and flow-mediated dilation. After completion of Wave 2, more than 8,000 mature, mostly evergreen, trees and shrubs were planted in the T clusters in 2022. Post planting environmental and individual-level data were collected during Wave 3 (2022) from 561 participants. We plan to continue following changes in area characteristics and participant health to evaluate the long-term impact of increasing urban greenery.
PubMed: 38105951
DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.05.23299461 -
International Journal of Infectious... Mar 2024
Topics: Humans; Onchocerciasis; Elephantiasis, Filarial; Africa; Disease Eradication; Neglected Diseases
PubMed: 38280664
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2024.01.016 -
Military Medicine Dec 2023Research suggests women are more likely to fail their military physical fitness assessment in the immediate postpartum period than in the prenatal period. In 2015, the...
INTRODUCTION
Research suggests women are more likely to fail their military physical fitness assessment in the immediate postpartum period than in the prenatal period. In 2015, the United States Air Force physical fitness postpartum testing dwell time increased from 6 months to 12 months postpartum. The primary aim of this study was to assess if Air Force active duty women's physical readiness, as indicated by individual physical fitness test results, was impacted by this change. The secondary aim was to determine the postpartum duration for active duty Air Force women to return to their prenatal anthropometric measurements.
METHODS
All active duty Air Force women who gave birth from 2011-2019 in the military medical system were considered for analysis. A total of 6,726 women meeting inclusion criteria were grouped to 6 month testers (delivery between 2011-February 2015) and 12 month testers (delivery between March 2015 and 2019). Logistic regression and general linear models were used to assess the associations and predictability of the various fitness and anthropometric components of the physical fitness testing requirements (6 vs. 12 month testers), controlling for covariates (age, military rank, marital status, and ethnicity).
RESULTS
Those testing at 12 months had decreased odds (odds ratio = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.32-0.49, P < .0001) of failing their initial postpartum fitness test than those testing at 6 months. The prevalence of test failure at the first exam postpartum was 10.4% among 6 month testers and 4% among 12 month testers. Women who tested at 6 months retained relatively more weight (2.7 ± 5.0 kg, 4.2% increase), body mass index (1.0 ± 2.1 kg/m2, 4.5% increase), and abdominal circumference (2.4 ± 4.9 cm, 3.5% increase) than their counterparts testing at 12 months (1.8 ± 5.4 kg, 2.8% increase; 0.7 ± 2.2 kg/m2, 3.0% increase; and 1.8 ± 5.0 cm, 2.7% increase; respectively) (P < .0001). When comparing those with prenatal fitness status of "excellent," "pass," or "fail," no group attained prenatal weight status in the 24 months monitored. Average weight and abdominal circumference retention for all groups at 24 months postpartum were 2.8 kg and 1.3 cm, respectively. Among initial postpartum fitness testing failures, the component most failed was sit-ups (34.5%), followed by the 1.5-mile run (29.8%). Six month testers were more likely, across all prenatal fitness categories ("fail," "pass" and "excellent") to fail postpartum fitness testing compared to 12 month testers (26.1%, 17.7%, and 5.6% vs.19.4%, 7.3% and 2%, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS
The decision of the Air Force to increase the minimal required time between childbirth and postpartum physical fitness testing for women has positively impacted fitness test failure rates and anthropometric measure changes. Additional policy should be implemented to support postpartum holistic health interventions.
PubMed: 38079464
DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usad456 -
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and... Feb 2024The diagnosis and management of Achilles tendon ailments continue to be widely discussed by the scientific community. Also, the nomenclature used to describe the... (Review)
Review
The diagnosis and management of Achilles tendon ailments continue to be widely discussed by the scientific community. Also, the nomenclature used to describe the tendinopathic lesion in patients changed over the last decades together with the evolution in the knowledge of the physiopathology of Achilles tendinopathy, and unfortunately, through ignorance and possibly laziness, confusion still abounds. To emerge from these foggy paths, some clarifications are still necessary. The present Editorial tries to clarify some of these issues.
Topics: Humans; Achilles Tendon; Tendinopathy; Scotland
PubMed: 38336789
DOI: 10.1186/s13018-024-04560-y -
Clinical Liver Disease Dec 20231_w9e6nk43Kaltura. (Review)
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IEEE Journal of Translational... 2023People with blindness and low vision face substantial challenges when navigating both indoor and outdoor environments. While various solutions are available to...
OBJECTIVE
People with blindness and low vision face substantial challenges when navigating both indoor and outdoor environments. While various solutions are available to facilitate travel to and from public transit hubs, there is a notable absence of solutions for navigating within transit hubs, often referred to as the "middle mile". Although research pilots have explored the middle mile journey, no solutions exist at scale, leaving a critical gap for commuters with disabilities. In this paper, we proposed a novel mobile application, Commute Booster, that offers full trip planning and real-time guidance inside the station.
METHODS AND PROCEDURES
Our system consists of two key components: the general transit feed specification (GTFS) and optical character recognition (OCR). The GTFS dataset generates a comprehensive list of wayfinding signage within subway stations that users will encounter during their intended journey. The OCR functionality enables users to identify relevant navigation signs in their immediate surroundings. By seamlessly integrating these two components, Commute Booster provides real-time feedback to users regarding the presence or absence of relevant navigation signs within the field of view of their phone camera during their journey.
RESULTS
As part of our technical validation process, we conducted tests at three subway stations in New York City. The sign detection achieved an impressive overall accuracy rate of 0.97. Additionally, the system exhibited a maximum detection range of 11 meters and supported an oblique angle of approximately 110 degrees for field of view detection.
CONCLUSION
The Commute Booster mobile application relies on computer vision technology and does not require additional sensors or infrastructure. It holds tremendous promise in assisting individuals with blindness and low vision during their daily commutes. Clinical and Translational Impact Statement: Commute Booster translates the combination of OCR and GTFS into an assistive tool, which holds great promise for assisting people with blindness and low vision in their daily commute.
Topics: Humans; Vision, Low; Mobile Applications; Transportation; Blindness; Self-Help Devices
PubMed: 38059065
DOI: 10.1109/JTEHM.2023.3293450 -
Journal of Pediatric Surgery Sep 2023Pediatric pedestrian injuries (PPI) are a major public health concern. This study utilized geospatial analysis to characterize the risk and injury severity of PPI.
BACKGROUND
Pediatric pedestrian injuries (PPI) are a major public health concern. This study utilized geospatial analysis to characterize the risk and injury severity of PPI.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review of PPI patients (age < 18) from a level 1 trauma center was performed (2013-2020). A geographic information system geocoded injury location to home and other public landmarks. Incidents were aggregated to zip codes and the Local Indicators of Spatial Association statistic tested for spatial clustering of injury rates per 10,000 children. Predictors for increased injury severity were assessed by logistic regression.
RESULTS
PPI encompassed 6% (n = 188) of pediatric traumas. Most patients were black (54%), male (58%), >13 years (56%), and with Medicaid insurance (68%). Nine zip codes comprised a statistically significant cluster of PPI. Nearly half (40%) occurred within a quarter mile of home; 7% occurred at home. Most (65%) PPI occurred within 1 mile of a school, and 45% occurred within a quarter mile of a park. Nearly all (99%) PPI occurred within a quarter mile of a major intersection and/or roadway. Using admission to ICU as a marker for injury severity, farther distance from home (OR 1.060, 95% CI 1.001-1.121, p = 0.045) and age <13 years (3.662, 95% CI 1.854-7.231, p < 0.001) were independent predictors of injury severity.
CONCLUSIONS
There are significant sociodemographic disparities in PPI. Most injuries occur near patients' homes and other public landmarks. Multidisciplinary injury prevention collaboration can help inform policymakers, direct local safety programs, and provide a model for PPI prevention at the national level.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level IV.
Topics: Child; Humans; Male; Adolescent; Pedestrians; Retrospective Studies; Hospitalization; Geographic Information Systems; Trauma Centers; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 37121883
DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.03.017 -
General and Comparative Endocrinology Nov 2023In starfish, a relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) acts as a gonadotropin that triggers gamete maturation and spawning. In common with other relaxin/insulin...
In starfish, a relaxin-like gonad-stimulating peptide (RGP) acts as a gonadotropin that triggers gamete maturation and spawning. In common with other relaxin/insulin superfamily peptides, RGP consists of an A- and a B-chain, with cross-linkages mediated by one intra- and two inter-chain disulfide bonds. In this study, a second relaxin-like peptide (RLP2) was identified in starfish species belonging to the orders Valvatida, Paxillosida, and Forcipulatida. Like RGP, RLP2 precursors comprise a signal peptide and a C-peptide in addition to the A- and B-chains. However, a unique cysteine motif [CC-(3X)-C-(10X)-C] is present in the A-chain of RLP2, which contrasts with the cysteine motif in other members of the relaxin/insulin superfamily [CC-(3X)-C-(8X)-C]. Importantly, in vitro pharmacological tests revealed that Patiria pectinifera RLP2 (Ppe-RLP2) and Asterias rubens RLP2 (Aru-RLP2) trigger shedding of mature eggs from ovaries of P. pectinifera and A. rubens, respectively. Furthermore, the potencies of Ppe-RLP2 and Aru-RLP2 as gonadotropic peptides were similar to those of Ppe-RGP and Aru-RGP, respectively, and the effect of RLP2 exhibited partial species-specificity. These findings indicate that two relaxin-type peptides regulate spawning in starfish and therefore we propose that RGP and RLP2 are renamed RGP1 and RGP2, respectively.
Topics: Animals; Starfish; Relaxin; Cysteine; C-Peptide; Asterias; Asterina; Insulin
PubMed: 37611673
DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2023.114369 -
The Science of the Total Environment Aug 2023The presence of pollutants like uranium and arsenic in the groundwater can have a terrible impact on people's health (both radiologically and toxicologically) and their... (Review)
Review
The presence of pollutants like uranium and arsenic in the groundwater can have a terrible impact on people's health (both radiologically and toxicologically) and their economic conditions. Their infiltration into groundwater can occur through geochemical reactions, natural mineral deposits, mining and ore processing. Governments and scientists are working to address these issues, and significant progress has been achieved, but it's challenging to deal with and mitigate without adequately understanding the different chemical processes and the mobilization mechanism of these hazardous chemicals. Most of the articles and reviews have focused on the particular form of contaminants and specific sources of pollution, such as fertilizers. However, no literature report exists explaining why particular forms appear and the possible basis of their chemical origins. Hence, in this review, we tried to answer the various questions by devising a hypothetical model and chemical schematic flowcharts for the chemical mobilization of arsenic and uranium in groundwater. An effort has been made to explain how chemical seepage and excessive groundwater use resulted in the change in aquifers' chemistry, as evidenced by their physicochemical parameters and heavy metal analysis. Many technological advancements have taken place to mitigate these issues. Still, in low-middle-income countries, especially in the Malwa region of Punjab, also known as Punjab's cancer belt, paying a high amount for installing and maintaining these technologies is an unviable option. In addition to working to improve people's access to sanitary facilities and clean water to drink, the policy-level intervention would focus on increasing community awareness and continued research on developing better and more economical technologies. Our designed model/chemical flowcharts will help policymakers and researchers better understand the problems and alleviate their effects. Moreover, these models can be utilized in other parts of the globe where similar questions exist. This article emphasises the value of understanding the intricate issue of groundwater management through a multidisciplinary and interdepartmental approach.
PubMed: 37146810
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163885