Real-time periodic motion detection and background estimation

Motion detection is a process to detect a changing in position of an object based on its surroundings. This paper, therefore, will present a periodic motion detection and background estimation. This method focussed on outdoor illumination condition. The method used is sturdy to illumination change effect, change in background and noise. Background subtraction is used in this method and the background image is estimated every 0.8 second using timer if the sum of absolute different (SAD) is less than the motion threshold. The input image is uminance normalize before the background subtraction. The results were converted into a binary image by autothreshold and the results were enhanced with dilation and erosion. The blobs were created for each motion object. Experimental results of using a background image estimated by periodic background estimation demonstrated their sturdiness and effectiveness in real-time background subtraction

Clinical and Demographic Factors Associated with COVID-19, Severe COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Adults: A Secondary Cross-Protocol Analysis of 4 Randomized Clinical Trials

Importance: Current data identifying COVID-19 risk factors lack standardized outcomes and insufficiently control for confounders. Objective: To identify risk factors associated with COVID-19, severe COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Design, Setting, and Participants: This secondary cross-protocol analysis included 4 multicenter, international, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, COVID-19 vaccine efficacy trials with harmonized protocols established by the COVID-19 Prevention Network. Individual-level data from participants randomized to receive placebo within each trial were combined and analyzed. Enrollment began July 2020 and the last data cutoff was in July 2021. Participants included adults in stable health, at risk for SARS-CoV-2, and assigned to the placebo group within each vaccine trial. Data were analyzed from April 2022 to February 2023. Exposures: Comorbid conditions, demographic factors, and SARS-CoV-2 exposure risk at the time of enrollment. Main Outcomes and Measures: Coprimary outcomes were COVID-19 and severe COVID-19. Multivariate Cox proportional regression models estimated adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% CIs for baseline covariates, accounting for trial, region, and calendar time. Secondary outcomes included severe COVID-19 among people with COVID-19, subclinical SARS-CoV-2 infection, and SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results: A total of 57692 participants (median [range] age, 51 [18-95] years; 11720 participants [20.3%] aged ≥65 years; 31058 participants [53.8%] assigned male at birth) were included. The analysis population included 3270 American Indian or Alaska Native participants (5.7%), 7849 Black or African American participants (13.6%), 17678 Hispanic or Latino participants (30.6%), and 40745 White participants (70.6%). Annualized incidence was 13.9% (95% CI, 13.3%-14.4%) for COVID-19 and 2.0% (95% CI, 1.8%-2.2%) for severe COVID-19. Factors associated with increased rates of COVID-19 included workplace exposure (high vs low: aHR, 1.35 [95% CI, 1.16-1.58]; medium vs low: aHR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.21-1.65]; P <.001) and living condition risk (very high vs low risk: aHR, 1.41 [95% CI, 1.21-1.66]; medium vs low risk: aHR, 1.19 [95% CI, 1.08-1.32]; P <.001). Factors associated with decreased rates of COVID-19 included previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (aHR, 0.13 [95% CI, 0.09-0.19]; P <.001), age 65 years or older (aHR vs age <65 years, 0.57 [95% CI, 0.50-0.64]; P <.001) and Black or African American race (aHR vs White race, 0.78 [95% CI, 0.67-0.91]; P =.002). Factors associated with increased rates of severe COVID-19 included race (American Indian or Alaska Native vs White: aHR, 2.61 [95% CI, 1.85-3.69]; multiracial vs White: aHR, 2.19 [95% CI, 1.50-3.20]; P <.001), diabetes (aHR, 1.54 [95% CI, 1.14-2.08]; P =.005) and at least 2 comorbidities (aHR vs none, 1.39 [95% CI, 1.09-1.76]; P =.008). In analyses restricted to participants who contracted COVID-19, increased severe COVID-19 rates were associated with age 65 years or older (aHR vs <65 years, 1.75 [95% CI, 1.32-2.31]; P <.001), race (American Indian or Alaska Native vs White: aHR, 1.98 [95% CI, 1.38-2.83]; Black or African American vs White: aHR, 1.49 [95% CI, 1.03-2.14]; multiracial: aHR, 1.81 [95% CI, 1.21-2.69]; overall P =.001), body mass index (aHR per 1-unit increase, 1.03 [95% CI, 1.01-1.04]; P =.001), and diabetes (aHR, 1.85 [95% CI, 1.37-2.49]; P <.001). Previous SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with decreased severe COVID-19 rates (aHR, 0.04 [95% CI, 0.01-0.14]; P <.001). Conclusions and Relevance: In this secondary cross-protocol analysis of 4 randomized clinical trials, exposure and demographic factors had the strongest associations with outcomes; results could inform mitigation strategies for SARS-CoV-2 and viruses with comparable epidemiological characteristics

EPIdemiology of Surgery-Associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) : Study protocol for a multicentre, observational trial

More than 300 million surgical procedures are performed each year. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication after major surgery and is associated with adverse short-term and long-term outcomes. However, there is a large variation in the incidence of reported AKI rates. The establishment of an accurate epidemiology of surgery-associated AKI is important for healthcare policy, quality initiatives, clinical trials, as well as for improving guidelines. The objective of the Epidemiology of Surgery-associated Acute Kidney Injury (EPIS-AKI) trial is to prospectively evaluate the epidemiology of AKI after major surgery using the latest Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) consensus definition of AKI. EPIS-AKI is an international prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study including 10 000 patients undergoing major surgery who are subsequently admitted to the ICU or a similar high dependency unit. The primary endpoint is the incidence of AKI within 72 hours after surgery according to the KDIGO criteria. Secondary endpoints include use of renal replacement therapy (RRT), mortality during ICU and hospital stay, length of ICU and hospital stay and major adverse kidney events (combined endpoint consisting of persistent renal dysfunction, RRT and mortality) at day 90. Further, we will evaluate preoperative and intraoperative risk factors affecting the incidence of postoperative AKI. In an add-on analysis, we will assess urinary biomarkers for early detection of AKI. EPIS-AKI has been approved by the leading Ethics Committee of the Medical Council North Rhine-Westphalia, of the Westphalian Wilhelms-University Münster and the corresponding Ethics Committee at each participating site. Results will be disseminated widely and published in peer-reviewed journals, presented at conferences and used to design further AKI-related trials. Trial registration number NCT04165369

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Population structure of the striped piggy Pomadasys stridens in the Gulf of Suez

The striped piggy Pomadasys stridens is a commercial species in the trawl catch of the Suez Gulf. The lengths of collected species ranged from 6.6 to 19.0 cm and showed positive allometric growth W = 0.0074L3.2466. The determination of age derived from the otolith reading revealed that the life span of this species is seven year, which is considered relatively short. The von Bertalanffy equation was calculated as Lt = 20.4 (1−e−0.29(t+1.36)). The estimated size at 50% sexual maturity corresponded to an age close to 1 year, where 9.7 and 11.0 cm were sizes for males and females respectively. The highest Gonado-somatic index (GSI) values were recorded in April and May. The relative yield per recruit (Y’/R) and the estimated biological reference points showed that the species is heavily overexploited which may lead to recruitment overfishing. However, the fishing mortality rate was greater than the target and limit reference points. Also the percentage of the relative biomass per recruit values (which correlated to F0.1 and Fmax) to the virgin biomass was 20.45% and 37.00% respectively, which exceed the percentage of the current biomass per recruit to the virgin biomass (15.49%). The fishery of this species needs some management regulations for the development of its production. Keywords: Pomadasys stridens, Ageing, Mortalities, Yield per recruit, Gulf of Sue

ECONOMICS OF IRRIGATION SYSTEMS IN SHARKIA GOVERNORATE

Water resources are among the most important determinants of horizontal expansion in Egyptian agriculture. Given the scarcity of these resources on the one hand and the fact that they are relatively stable over time, the widening gap between supply and demand of those resources is increasing and the population is increasing and meeting their needs from various sectors. The problem of rationalizing water consumption and preserving its quality is an urgent national endeavor. As the Egyptian agriculture consumes most of the water resources, the problem of rationalizing the use of water in agriculture has become difficult to achieve in order to achieve the objectives of horizontal agricultural expansion. In this sense, the search for the most appropriate ways to exploit water resources has to be taken into account. The study aimed to identify the method of restructuring some of the irrigation systems in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate and the most important economic and environmental impacts it has caused in the study area through water transfer and distribution systems outside and inside the field through the canal and improved channels. With the aim of working on the best use of water as a rare economic element needs to rationalize its use over time, which helps to achieve the highest possible economic return and the lowest environmental loss possible and maximize the effects of economic and envir onmental positive and minimize the negative effects in areas developed irrigation systems.      It was also found that the net yield of cultivated acres of land using traditional surface irrigation amounted to about LE 5108, whereas in the land used, the surface irrigation developed was about 7258 pounds, an increase of about 2150 pounds, which is about 42.1% compared to land using traditional surface irrigation. It was found that the marginal income of the wheat crop cultivated in the land using traditional surface irrigation was about LE 3288, whereas the marginal income of the wheat Used for irrigation developer surface about 4227 pounds, an increase of about 939 pounds, with an average of about 22.2% compared Ppalarad used for traditional surface irrigation  and the net yield of cultivated rice fed in land using traditional surface irrigation was about LE 2270, while the ratio of land used for developed irrigation reached LE 4948, an increase of about LE 2678 representing about 117.9% compared to land using tradetional surface irrigation. For the rice crop of the land used for conventional surface irrigation was LE 1635, while the marginal income in land used for surface irrigation was LE 2282, an increase of LE 647, or 39.6% compared to land using conventional surface irrigation.  The increase in net income to average variable costs from about 71.94% for the rice crop cultivated in the land used for traditional surface irrigation was shown to be about 100.92% for the cultivated land used for advanced surface irrigation, an increase of about 29% at a rate of about 68.7 compared to land using traditional surface irrigation

Influences of annealing temperature on sprayed CuFeO2 thin films

Delafossite CuFeO2 thin films were successfully prepared onto quartz substrates using simple spray pyrolysis technique. Post annealing under nitrogen atmosphere for 2 h was necessary to form delafossite CuFeO2 phase. The effect of alteration in annealing temperature (TA) 800, 850 and 900 °C was study on structural, morphology and optical properties. The XRD results for thin film annealed at TA = 850 °C show single phase CuFeO2 with rhombohedral crystal system and R3¯m space group with preferred orientation along (0 1 2). The prepared copper iron oxide thin films have an optical transmission ranged ∼40% in the visible region. The optical direct optical band gap of the prepared thin films was ranged ∼2.9 eV. Keywords: P-type oxides, Chemical spray pyrolysis, CuFeO2, Delafossite, Structure properties, Optical propertie

Prevalence and risk factors for asymptomatic intestinal microsporidiosis among aboriginal school children in Pahang, Malaysia

The epidemiology and environmental factors affecting transmission of human microsporidiosis are poorly understood. We conducted the present study to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with asymptomatic intestinal microsporidiosis among aboriginal school children in the Kuala Krau District, Pahang State, Malaysia. We collected stool samples from 255 school children and examined the samples using Gram-chromotrope Kinyoun stain. We also collected demographic, socioeconomic, environmental and personal hygiene information using a pre-tested questionnaire. Sixty-nine of the children was positive for microsporidia: 72.5% and 27.5% were low (1+) and moderate (2+) excretions of microsporidia spores, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed being aged ≥10 years (p = 0.026), using an unsafe water supply as a source for drinking water (p = 0.044) and having close contact with domestic animals (p = 0.031) were all significantly associated with microsporidial infection among study subjects. Our findings suggest asymptomatic intestinal microsporidiosis is common in the study population, more than previously reported. In the study population, control measures need to be implemented, such as good personal hygiene, proper sanitation and safe drinking water supply

Seroprevalencia de la brucelosis en ovejas y aislamiento del biovar 6 de Brucella abortus en el estado de Kassala (Sudán oriental)

Brucellosis is one of the important zoonotic diseases among livestock. This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis and isolate Brucella spp. in sheep in Kassala State in the east of Sudan. Two thousand and five serum samples were randomly collected from nine different localities. All serum samples were examined by the Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT) and the modified RBPT (mRBPT). Forty-three (2.15%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6, 3.0) and 68 (3.4%, 95% CI: 2.6, 4.2) samples were positive with the RBPT and the mRBPT, respectively. According to a known diagnostic sensitivity of 86.6% and a known diagnostic specificity of 97.6% for the mRBPT, the true prevalence was estimated to be 1.2% (95% CI: 0.3, 2.2). Different tissue samples were collected from 41 mRBPT seropositive animals. Brucella abortus biovar 6 was isolated from a pyometra of a seropositive ewe. It is important to note that B. abortus biovar 6 cannot be differentiated from Brucella melitensis biovar 2 by routine bacteriology. Only phage typing performed in reference laboratories will allow accurate identification of the strain. The fact that B. abortus biovar 6 does not require CO2 for growth, combined with the fact that it has been isolated from a small ruminant in this study, could easily have led to misidentification (as B. melitensis biovar 2), to wrong epidemiological inferences and to the implementation of inappropriate control measures. The results presented here suggest that sheep are spillover hosts, as previously described for camels, and that the actual reservoir of B. abortus biovar 6 is cattle in Kassala State, Eastern Sudan. This study highlights the importance of isolating and identifying Brucella spp. in different livestock species in order to accurately decipher brucellosis epidemiology in sub-Saharan Africa.La brucellose est l’une des maladies zoonotiques les plus graves affectant le bétail dans le monde. Les auteurs rapportent les résultats d’une étude visant à estimer la prévalence de la brucellose et à isoler les espèces de Brucella chez les ovins dans l’État de Kassala, Soudan oriental. Au total, 2005 échantillons de sérum ont été prélevés de manière aléatoire dans neuf localités différentes. Les échantillons sériques ont été soumis à l’épreuve au rose Bengale sur plaque (RBPT) et à l’épreuve RBPT modifiée (mRBPT). Les résultats positifs se sont répartis comme suit : 43 échantillons positifs au RBPT (2,15 %, intervalle de confiance [IC] à 95 % compris entre 1,6 et 3,0) et 68 échantillons positifs au mRBPT (3,4 %, IC à 95 % compris entre 2,6 et 4,2). Compte tenu du fait que le mRBPT a démontré posséder une sensibilité diagnostique de 86,6 % et une spécificité diagnostique de 97,6 %, la prévalence réelle a été estimée à 1,2 % (IC à 95 % compris entre 0,3 et 2,2). Différents tissus ont été prélevés à partir des 41 animaux ayant donné des résultats positifs au mRBPT. Brucella abortus biovar 6 a été isolée à partir de fluides utérins d’une brebis séropositive atteinte de pyomètre. Il est important de remarquer que les méthodes bactériologiques courantes ne permettent pas de distinguer B. abortus biovar 6 de B. melitensis biovar 2. Seule une lysotypie réalisée par un laboratoire de référence permet d’identifier la souche avec exactitude. Le fait que B. abortus biovar 6 ne nécessite pas de CO2 pour sa croissance et qu’elle ait été isolée chez un petit ruminant lors de l’étude aurait facilement pu entraîner une erreur d’identification (en tant que B. melitensis biovar 2), aboutissant à des conclusions épidémiologiques erronées et à la mise en oeuvre de mesures de contrôle inappropriées. Les résultats présentés ici semblent indiquer que les ovins sont des hôtes incidents, comme cela a déjà été constaté chez les chameaux, et que l’espèce bovine constitue le véritable réservoir de B. abortus biovar 6 dans l’État de Kassala au Soudan oriental. Cette étude souligne l’importance d’isoler et d’identifier les Brucella spp. dans différentes espèces d’animaux d’élevage afin d’élucider avec exactitude l’épidémiologie de la brucellose en Afrique subsaharienne.La brucelosis es una de las enfermedades zoonóticas de importancia que afectan al ganado. Los autores exponen un estudio encaminado a estimar la prevalencia de esta afección y aislar las brucelas presentes en ovejas del estado de Kassala, en la parte oriental del Sudán. Tras la obtención aleatoria de 2005 muestras séricas en nueve localidades distintas, todas ellas fueron sometidas a las pruebas de aglutinación en placa de rosa de Bengala (APRB) y APRB modificada (APRBm). De esas muestras, 43 (2,15%, intervalo de confianza [IC] 95%: 1,6-3,0) y 68 (3,4%, IC 95%: 2,6-4,2) resultaron positivas con las pruebas de APRB y APRBm, respectivamente. Atendiendo a los parámetros descritos para la prueba de APRBm, a saber, una sensibilidad de diagnóstico del 86,6% y una especificidad de diagnóstico del 97,6%, se calculó que la prevalencia real era del 1,2% (IC 95%: 0,3-2,2). Después se extrajeron diferentes muestras tisulares de los 41 animales positivos a la APRBm. En muestras de exudado piométrico de una oveja seropositiva se aisló el biovar 6 de Brucella abortus. Es importante señalar que las técnicas bacteriológicas habituales no permiten distinguir entre el biovar 6 de B. abortus y el biovar 2 de B. melitensis. El único método para identificar la cepa con exactitud es el de la tipificación por fagos que llevan a cabo los laboratorios de referencia. El hecho de que el biovar 6 de B. abortus no necesite CO2 para crecer y de que en este estudio fuera aislado en un pequeño rumiante podría haber llevado fácilmente a identificarlo (erróneamente) como el biovar 2 de B. melitensis, y a partir de ahí a extraer conclusiones epidemiológicas equivocadas e instituir medidas de lucha inadecuadas. Los resultados aquí presentados dejan suponer que las ovejas son hospedadores no preferentes, función ya descrita en los camellos, y que en el estado de Kassala (Sudán oriental) el verdadero reservorio del biovar 6 de B. abortus es el ganado vacuno. Este estudio pone de manifiesto la importancia de aislar e identificar a las brucelas en distintas especies ganaderas para desentrañar con precisión la epidemiología de la brucelosis en el África subsahariana.http://www.oie.int/en/publications-and-documentation/scientific-and-technical-review-free-accessam2016Veterinary Tropical Disease