Analysis of the Relevance of Evaluation Criteria for Multicomponent Image Segmentation

Image segmentation is an important stage in many applications such as image, video and computer processing. Gener-ally image interpretation depends on it. The materials and methods used to demonstrate are described. The results are presented and analyzed. Several approaches and algorithms for image segmentation have been developed, but it is dif-ficult to evaluate the efficiency and to make an objective comparison of different segmentation methods. This general problem has been addressed for the evaluation of a segmentation result and the results are available in the literature. In this work, we first presented some criteria of evaluation of segmentation commonly used in image processing with reviews of their models. Then multicomponent synthetic images of known composition are applied to these criteria to explore the operation and evaluate its relevance. The results show that choosing an assessment method depends on the purpose, however the criterion of Zeboudj appears powerful for the evaluation of region segmentations for properly separated classes, on the contrary the criteria of Levine-Nazif and Borsotti are adapted to the methods of classification and permit to build homogeneous regions or classes. The values of the Rosenbeger criterion are generally low and similar, so hard to make a comparison of segmentations with this criterion

Facility and community results-based financing to improve maternal and child nutrition and health in The Gambia

In 2013, the Government of The Gambia implemented a novel results-based financing (RBF) intervention designed to improve maternal and child nutrition and health through a combination of community, facility and individual incentives. In a mixed-methods study, we used a randomized 2 x 2 study design to measure these interventions' impact on the uptake of priority maternal health services, hygiene and sanitation. Conditional cash transfers to individuals were bundled with facility results-based payments. Community groups received incentive payments conditional on completion of locally-designed health projects. Randomization occurred separately at health facility and community levels. Our model pools baseline, midline and endline exposure data to identify evidence of the interventions' impact in isolation or combination. Multivariable linear regression models were estimated. A qualitative study was embedded, with data thematically analyzed. We analyzed 5,927 household surveys: 1,939 baseline, 1,951 midline, and 2,037 endline. On average, community group interventions increased skilled deliveries by 11 percentage points, while the facility interventions package increased them by seven percentage points. No impact was found, either in the community group or facility intervention package arms on early ANC. The community group intervention led to 49, 43 and 48 percentage point increases in handwashing stations, soaps at station and water at station, respectively. No impact was found on improved sanitation facilities. The qualitative data help understand factors underlying these changes. No interaction was found between the community and facility interventions. Where demand-side barriers predominate and community governance structures exist, community group RBF interventions may be more effective than facility designs

Dynamics of agricultural land and the risk to food insecurity in the <i>Niayes</i> region of Diamniadio, West Senegal

Food security is a serious challenge facing West African countries because most croplands are being degraded. Consequently, agricultural production is being exceeded by rapid population growth. This study relates the dynamics of agricultural lands to the level of capacity building for resilience in response to low productivity and hence to food insecurity in the Niayes region, Senegal, where lands are presumably suitable for crop production. Factors influencing changes in surface areas, soil quality and level of resilience were examined using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Findings showed strong relationships between a significant decrease (65.25% – 35.54%) in productive agricultural lands with a range of soil physical and chemical properties (clay to loamy soil texture; soil pH: 7.0–8.0; soil organic carbon [SOC]: 5.0 g kg−1 – 25.0 g kg−1; effective cations exchangeable capacity [ECEC]: 4.5 Cmol kg−1 – 39.0 Cmol kg−1; cation exchange capacity [CEC]: 8.0 Cmol kg−1 – 34.0 Cmol kg−1) and food insecurity levels. In the last 5 years, urbanisation and industrialisation processes have reduced the farmlands by about 26.51% through uncontrolled construction of buildings and companies, leading to a disappearance of lands. Such dynamics raises the issue of a risk to food security in a region that usually provides more than 70% of fruits and vegetables demand for consumption. These results underline a need for a greater understanding of resilience for a better management design with a risk prevention plan to ensure food security

Emphysème sous cutané et pneumomédiastin compliquant une adéno-amygdalectomie

L’adéno-amygdalectomie est fréquemment réalisée en ORL. Cette intervention chirurgicale se complique exceptionnellement d’emphysème cervico-facio-thoracique et de pneumomédiastin. Cette évolution rare peut engager rapidement le pronostic vital. Nous rapportons le cas d’une fillede 4 ans ayant présenté un emphysème thoracocervico-facial massif avec pneumomédiastin dans les suites d’une chirurgie adéno-amygdalienne. La découverte d’un emphysème suite à une adénoamygdalectomie, quoique rare, impose un diagnostic précoce, un bilan radiologique précis et un traitement énergique pour éviter l’issue fatale. Mots clés : Emphysème sous cutané, pneumomédiastin, adénoïdectomie, amygdalectomie, complications. Adenotonsillectomy is frequently performed in children. This common surgical procedure is exceptionally complicated by cervico-facio-thoracic emphysema and pneumomediastinum. Praticians should be aware of this rare but potentially lifethreatening condition. We report a 4-year-old girlcase presenting massive thoraco-cervicofacial emphysema with pneumomediastinum following adenotonsillar surgery. Discovering an emphysemaafter adenotonsillectomy, although rare, requires early diagnosis, accurate radiological assessment and aggressive treatment to avoid fatal&nbsp; outcome. Keywords : Subcutaneaius emphysema,pneumomediastinum, tonsillectomy, complications

Bayonet-shaped language development in autism with regression: a retrospective study.

Language delay is one of the major referral criteria for an autism evaluation. Once an autism spectrum diagnosis is established, the language prognosis is among the main parental concerns. Early language regression (ELR) is observed by 10-50% of parents but its relevance to late language level and socio-communicative ability is uncertain. This study aimed to establish the predictive value of ELR on the progression of language development and socio-communicative outcomes to guide clinicians in addressing parents' concerns at the time of diagnosis. We used socio-communicative, language, and cognitive data of 2,047 autism spectrum participants from the Simons Simplex Collection, aged 4-18 years (mean = 9 years; SD = 3.6). Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the effect of ELR on language milestones and the probability of using complex and flexible language, as defined by the choice of ADOS module at enrollment. Linear models were then used to evaluate the relationship of ELR and non-verbal IQ with socio-communicative and language levels. ELR is associated with earlier language milestones but delayed attainment of fluent, complex, and flexible language. However, this language outcome can be expected for almost all autistic children without intellectual disability at 18 years of age. It is mostly influenced by non-verbal IQ, not ELR. The language and socio-communicative level of participants with flexible language, as measured by the Vineland and ADOS socio-communicative subscales, was not affected by ELR. This study is based on a relatively coarse measure of ultimate language level and relies on retrospective reporting of early language milestones and ELR. It does not prospectively document the age at which language catches up, the relationship between ELR and other behavioral areas of regression, nor the effects of intervention. For autistic individuals with ELR and a normal level of non-verbal intelligence, language development follows a "bayonet shape" trajectory: early first words followed by regression, a plateau with limited progress, and then language catch up

Harmonization service and global library of models to support country-driven global information on salt-affected soils

Abstract Global distribution of salt-affected soils (SAS) has remained at about 1 billion hectares in the literature over the years despite changes in climate, sea levels, and land use patterns which influence the distribution. Lack of periodic update of input soil data, data gaps, and inconsistency are part of the reasons for constant SAS distribution in the literature. This paper proposes harmonization as a suitable alternative for managing inconsistent data and minimizing data gaps. It developed a new harmonization service for supporting country-driven global SAS information update. The service contains a global library of harmonization models for harmonizing inconsistent soil data. It also contains models for identifying gaps in SAS database and for showing global distribution where harmonization of available data is needed. The service can be used by countries to develop national SAS information and update global SAS distribution. Its data availability index is useful in identifying countries without SAS data in the global database, which is a convenient way to identify countries to mobilize when updating global SAS information. Its application in 27 countries showed that the countries have more SAS data than they currently share with the global databases and that most of their data require SAS harmonization