Street Crossing Aid Using Light-weight CNNs for the Visually Impaired

In this paper, we address an issue that the visually impaired commonly face while crossing intersections and propose a solution that takes form as a mobile application. The application utilizes a deep learning convolutional neural network model, LytNetV2, to output necessary information that the visually impaired may lack when without human companions or guide-dogs. A prototype of the application runs on iOS devices of versions 11 or above. It is designed for comprehensiveness, concision, accuracy, and computational efficiency through delivering the two most important pieces of information, pedestrian traffic light color and direction, required to cross the road in real-time. Furthermore, it is specifically aimed to support those facing financial burden as the solution takes the form of a free mobile application. Through the modification and utilization of key principles in MobileNetV3 such as depthwise seperable convolutions and squeeze-excite layers, the deep neural network model achieves a classification accuracy of 96% and average angle error of 6.15 degrees, while running at a frame rate of 16.34 frames per second. Additionally, the model is trained as an image classifier, allowing for a faster and more accurate model. The network is able to outperform other methods such as object detection and non-deep learning algorithms in both accuracy and thoroughness. The information is delivered through both auditory signals and vibrations, and it has been tested on seven visually impaired and has received above satisfactory responses.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, 7 tables, ICCV 2019 - 7th International Workshop on Assistive Computer Vision and Robotics (ACVR 2019

Damage control resuscitation in children

Damage control resuscitation is a relatively new resuscitative strategy for patients with severe traumatic hemorrhage. This strategy consists of permissive hypotension and early balanced transfusion, and transfers the patients to subsequent surgery. There is growing evidence on harms of excessive fluids. Since 2013, survival benefit of massive transfusion protocol has been proven in adults. Despite insufficient evidence, pediatric massive transfusion protocols are widely used in North American trauma centers. This review focuses on the concept of damage control resuscitation, and summarizes the relevant pediatric evidence

Pheochromocytoma Presenting with Hypertensive Encephalopathy in a 12-Year-Old Boy

Although pheochromocytoma is rare in children, it could result in hypertensive emergency. We describe the case of a 12-year-old boy with pheochromocytoma. His clinical manifestations indicated hypertensive encephalopathy; however, there were no space-occupying lesion in the brain and definitive evidence of secondary cause of hypertension. Knowing that he had extremely high blood pressure, headache, palpitation, and perspiration rendered sympathetic crisis a presumptive diagnosis. Subsequently, pheochromocytoma was diagnosed by computed tomography and catecholamine assay. After stabilizing the blood pressure with antihypertensive medications, such as phenoxybenzamine, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was performed, and he was discharged without residual discomfort. We would like to highlight expeditious diagnosis and proper management of pheochromocytoma with hypertensive encephalopathy