MTF-Based Performance Comparison of Techniques for Deblurring Optical Satellite Imagery

Blurring is a significant concern in electro-optical satellite imagery due to its negative effect on image quality, which is caused by an undesirable loss of bandwidth.Blurred images and compromised image quality may result from atmospheric distortions, camera aberrations, and relative motion during the imaging process. Deblurring is thus a process used to restore deteriorated images, reduce blur, and recover the original image. The major type of blur explored in this study is Gaussian blur, and its effects on the image are investigated by applying the blur in equal proportions. Furthermore, influence of blur on the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) of an electro-optic satellite image as well as the impacts of deblurring techniques, namely the Richardson-Lucy Deconvolution Algorithm, the Regularization Filter, and the Blind Deconvolution Algorithm on MTF values, wereexplored

Türkiye'de koroner yoğun bakım ünitelerindeki hastane içi mortalite (MORCOR-TURK) çalışmasında hasta temel karakteristikleri ve öngördürücüleri

OBJECTIVE: The MORtality in CORonary Care Units in Türkiye (MORCOR-TURK) trial is a national registry evaluating predictors and rates of in-hospital mortality in coronary care unit (CCU) patients in Türkiye. This report describes the baseline demographic characteristics of patients recruited for the MORCOR-TURK trial. METHODS: The study is a multicenter, cross-sectional, prospective national registry that included 50 centers capable of 24-hour CCU service, selected from all seven geographic regions of Türkiye. All consecutive patients admitted to CCUs with cardiovascular emergencies between September 1-30, 2022, were prospectively enrolled. Baseline demographic characteristics, admission diagnoses, laboratory data, and cardiovascular risk factors were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 3,157 patients with a mean age of 65 years (range: 56-73) and 2,087 (66.1%) males were included in the analysis. Patients with arterial hypertension [1,864 patients (59%)], diabetes mellitus (DM) [1,184 (37.5%)], hyperlipidemia [1,120 (35.5%)], and smoking [1,093 (34.6%)] were noted. Non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) was the leading cause of admission [1,187 patients (37.6%)], followed by ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in 742 patients (23.5%). Other frequent diagnoses included decompensated heart failure (HF) [339 patients (10.7%)] and arrhythmia [272 patients (8.6%)], respectively. Atrial fibrillation (AF) was the most common pathological rhythm [442 patients (14%)], and chest pain was the most common primary complaint [2,173 patients (68.8%)]. CONCLUSION: The most common admission diagnosis was acute coronary syndrome (ACS), particularly NSTEMI. Hypertension and DM were found to be the two leading risk factors, and AF was the most commonly seen pathological rhythm in all hospitalized patients. These findings may be useful in understanding the characteristics of patients admitted to CCUs and thus in taking precautions to decrease CCU admissions

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

Summary Background Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality. Methods We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung’s disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis. Findings We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung’s disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middleincome countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36–39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3–3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in lowincome countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88–4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59–2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04–1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4–5 vs ASA 1–2, 1·82 [1·40–2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1–2, 1·58, [1·30–1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02–1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41–2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05–1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47–0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50–0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48–1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality. Interpretation Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between lowincome, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030

Parameters and methods used in flood susceptibility mapping: a review

A correct understanding of the parameters and methods used in flood susceptibility mapping (FSM) is critical for identifying the strengths and limitations of different mapping approaches, as well as for developing methodologies. In this study, we examined scientific publications in the literature using WoS. Although the number of methods used is quite high, the number of parameters used in these methods varies, with a maximum of 21 and a minimum of 5 parameters preferred. It was found that the most commonly used parameter has a preference rate of 97%, but there is no common parameter in 100% of the studies. The methods used for determining flood susceptibility include multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) methods, physically based hydrological models, statistical methods, and various soft computing methods. Although the use of traditional statistical methods and MCDM methods is already high among researchers, the methods used in flood susceptibility analysis have evolved over the years from traditional human judgments to statistical methods based on big data and machine learning. In the reviewed studies, it was observed that machine learning, fuzzy logic, metaheuristic optimization algorithms, and heuristic search algorithms, which are soft computing methods, have been widely used in FSM in recent years. HIGHLIGHTS Determination of the methods used in the literature for susceptibility mapping used to identify flood-prone areas for sustainable flood management (more than 150 methods have been found to be used). Also, creating master classes for these methods.; Interpreting the interchangeability of the parameters used in the FSM methods in the literature and creating master classes for these parameters for researchers.

Predicting flood plain inundation for natural channels having no upstream gauged stations

Flow hydrographs are one of the most important key elements for flood modelling. They are recorded as time series; however, they are not available in most developing countries due to lack of gauged stations. This study presents a flood modelling method for rivers having no upstream gauged stations. The modelling procedure involves three steps: (1) predicting upstream hydrograph by the reverse flood routing method which requires information about channel geometric characteristics, downstream flow stage and downstream flow hydrographs; (2) modelling flood wave spreading using HEC-RAS. The hydrograph predicted by the reverse flood routing in the first step becomes an inflow for the HEC-RAS model; (3) delineating the flood-risk areas by overlapping the Geographical Information System (GIS)-based flood maps produced by the HEC-RAS to the related orthophoto images. The developed model is applied to Guneysu Basin in Rize Province in Eastern Black Sea Region of Turkey. The model-produced flood map is compared to the observed one with success

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and auricular hypoplasia: associated with juvenile colloid milium or ligneous conjunctivitis?

The exact nature of amyloid-like hyaline material deposits in the skin is not well understood in some disorders. Three of those - ligneous conjunctivitis, ligneous periodontitis and colloid milium - have been rarely reported in a same patient. We report a case of mucosal and skin deposits of an amyloid-like homogeneous material associated with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and congenital auricular hypoplasia. We discussed and reviewed the literature on these unique associations to determine whether these are the same pathological process. We also noted whether this case represents a new syndrome or a coincidental association

Ethnic identification and relationship satisfaction in Chinese, Western, and intercultural Chinese-Western couples

Rates of international migration and intercultural marriage are rising. Migrants and intercultural partners may experience challenges in defining their ethnic identity relative to their own heritage culture, their partner's heritage culture, and the majority culture of their country of residence. The current study examined Chinese and Western ethnic identification and relationship satisfaction in four cultural combinations of couples: Western-Western (Western male-Western female), Chinese-Chinese (Chinese male-Chinese female), Western male-Chinese female, and Chinese male-Western female. All couples were residing in Brisbane, Australia, a multicultural city with a majority Western culture. Intracultural couples (Western-Western and Chinese-Chinese) reported the strongest ethnic identification with their heritage culture and weakest ethnic identification with their nonheritage culture, whereas intercultural couples (Western male-Chinese female and Chinese male-Western female) demonstrated intermediate identification. Greater similarity between partners on ethnic identification with the majority Western culture of Australia predicted greater relationship satisfaction, but there was no association of relationship satisfaction with partner similarity on Chinese ethnic identification. We discuss patterns of ethnic identification in terms of acculturation of immigrants, the selection of partners who are similar in ethnic identification, and accommodation of individuals' ethnic identification toward their partner's ethnic identification

Ethnic identification and relationship satisfaction in Chinese, Western, and intercultural Chinese–Western couples

Rates of international migration and intercultural marriage are rising. Migrants and intercultural partners may experience challenges in defining their ethnic identity relative to their own heritage culture, their partner’s heritage culture, and the majority culture of their country of residence. The current study examined Chinese and Western ethnic identification and relationship satisfaction in four cultural combinations of couples: Western–Western (Western male–Western female), Chinese–Chinese (Chinese male–Chinese female), Western male–Chinese female, and Chinese male–Western female. All couples were residing in Brisbane, Australia, a multicultural city with a majority Western culture. Intracultural couples (Western–Western and Chinese–Chinese) reported the strongest ethnic identification with their heritage culture and weakest ethnic identification with their nonheritage culture, whereas intercultural couples (Western male–Chinese female and Chinese male–Western female) demonstrated intermediate identification. Greater similarity between partners on ethnic identification with the majority Western culture of Australia predicted greater relationship satisfaction, but there was no association of relationship satisfaction with partner similarity on Chinese ethnic identification. We discuss patterns of ethnic identification in terms of acculturation of immigrants, the selection of partners who are similar in ethnic identification, and accommodation of individuals’ ethnic identification toward their partner’s ethnic identification. (APA PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved