Depth coding using depth discontinuity prediction and in-loop boundary reconstruction filtering

This paper presents a depth coding strategy that employs K-means clustering to segment the sequence of depth images into K clusters. The resulting clusters are losslessly compressed and transmitted as supplemental enhancement information to aid the decoder in predicting macroblocks containing depth discontinuities. This method further employs an in-loop boundary reconstruction filter to reduce distortions at the edges. The proposed algorithm was integrated within both H.264/AVC and H.264/MVC video coding standards. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed scheme outperforms the state of the art depth coding schemes, where rendered Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR) gains between 0.1 dB and 0.5 dB were observed.peer-reviewe

CT Scan Value Of Temporal Bone In Assessment Of Congenital Deafness

Background:. Computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bone is the first-line recommended imaging modality for SNHL. Because it can identify inner ear malformations that may be responsible for hearing impairment. Objectives: To demonstrate CT abnormalities encountered in children with congenital deafness and to assess the value of CT in the prediction for cochlear implantation. Also to evaluate the incidence and types of inner ear abnormalities in children with congenital deafness identified with CT scan for implantation difficulties. Patients & Methods: This is a cross sectional study carried out during the period from October 2009 to October 2010 at Baghdad medical city complex on children patients who are suffering from congenital deafness. The study included 60 patients (120 ears), 27 males and 33 females, were evaluated by CT scan of temporal bone before cochlear implants. Results: Most of the cases undergo CT scan examination were normal (80%). Enlargement of the vestibular aqueduct is most common (10% ) causes of congenital inner ear malformations, followed by cochlear malformation (8.3%) while dysplasia of lateral semicircular canal found in (3.3%) of cases. Conclusion: High resolution CT scan is recommended in all patient for pre implant analysis of temporal bone morphology due to its reliability and easy availability. CT scan is the modality provided critical information on abnormalities of the otic capsule, pneumatisation of the mastoid, middle ear abnormalities, cochlear ducts patency and vascular abnormalities- thus helping to assess the suitability of the ear for implantation, determine the side to be implanted and to find any associated abnormality which could adversely influence the surgery or post operative period

Case study #4 : Strait of Sicily - Malta : Western Mediterreanean

The definition of spatial limits for the Strait of Sicily - Malta Case Study have been elaborated considering needs and priorities emerged from the Initial Assessment, as well as existing knowledge on: (i) maritime uses and economic domains; (ii) ecological features; (iii) legal jurisdictions and borders and (iv) transboundary issues. The definition of the case study area’s spatial limits constitute boundaries for the purpose to foster a proper analysis on human uses, ecological processes, synergies and conflicts, governance continuity, and define recommendations to establish appropriated strategies and plans. The boundaries have been drawn according to the scope of the project (e.g. to support the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in EU Member States with a concrete cross-border initiative) and the activities to be developed therefore on one hand they are representative of local conditions and policies and, on the other, they take in account potential transboundary and cross-border issues of MSP. The SIMWESTMED case study for Malta is focused on the Malta-Sicily marine waters, bordering the south of Sicily and the north of the Maltese Islands and including part of the continental shelves of Italy and Malta.Grant Agreement: EASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/02/SI2.742101peer-reviewe

Develop a basin scale analysis/initial assessment strongly MSP oriented for the Western Mediterranean

This Report has been created thanks to the collaboration of all the Member States involved in the SIMWESTMED project (Figure 1) that have been invited to complete the Country Fiche (CF), a document that has leaded to the development of shared knowledge regarding the marine area considered in the project. Thus, the aim of this Report is to entail a collection of information across the European countries of the Western Mediterranean region and the Strait of Sicily, including Malta waters. The Initial Assessment (IA), in fact, provides an initial overview of the area’s characteristics and this report is the harmonized output of all available information including the description of marine environment, maritime activities, key sectoral and socio-economic trends and emerging pressures, legal and transboundary issues, and governance aspects. The assessment uses existing information by organizing them in a comparable way in order to carry out a previous analysis on the main driver and issues that need to be considered for future MSP processes. The IA is based mainly on desk-based reviews, in order to build a shared synthetic view on the Western Mediterranean region, identifying key issues (main activities and priority conservation issues) and data gaps that are synthesized in the following report.peer-reviewe

Priorities for Mediterranean marine turtle conservation and management in the face of climate change

As climate-related impacts threaten marine biodiversity globally, it is important to adjust conservation efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change. Translating scientific knowledge into practical management, however, is often complicated due to resource, economic and policy constraints, generating a knowledge-action gap. To develop potential solutions for marine turtle conservation, we explored the perceptions of key actors across 18 countries in the Mediterranean. These actors evaluated their perceived relative importance of 19 adaptation and mitigation measures that could safeguard marine turtles from climate change. Of importance, despite differences in expertise, experience and focal country, the perceptions of researchers and management practitioners largely converged with respect to prioritizing adaptation and mitigation measures. Climate change was considered to have the greatest impacts on offspring sex ratios and suitable nesting sites. The most viable adaptation/mitigation measures were considered to be reducing other pressures that act in parallel to climate change. Ecological effectiveness represented a key determinant for implementing proposed measures, followed by practical applicability, financial cost, and societal cost. This convergence in opinions across actors likely reflects long-standing initiatives in the Mediterranean region towards supporting knowledge exchange in marine turtle conservation. Our results provide important guidance on how to prioritize measures that incorporate climate change in decision-making processes related to the current and future management and protection of marine turtles at the ocean-basin scale, and could be used to guide decisions in other regions globally. Importantly, this study demonstrates a successful example of how interactive processes can be used to fill the knowledge-action gap between research and management.This work was conducted under FutureMares EU project that received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 869300. The Mediterranean Marine Turtle Working Group was established in 2017 and is continuously supported by MedPAN and the National Marine Park of Zakynthos. The work of AC was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “First Call for H.F.R.I. Research Projects to support Faculty members and Researchers and the procurement of high-cost research equipment grant” (Project Number: 2340).Peer reviewe

ASPECTS MORPHOLOGIQUES DE LA CROISSANCE CRISTALLINE D'UN CALCUL RÉNAL

Nous proposons de classer les calculs rénaux en trois catégories correspondantes à trois mécanismes possibles de croissance des calculs en se basant sur des études morphologiques faites à l'aide d'un microscope électronique à balayage (MEB).Using morphological studies done on a scanning electron microscope (SEM), We propose to divide kidney Stones in three catégories corresponding to three possible associated growth mechanisms