Robust Adaptive Intra Refresh for Multiview Video

Transmission error propagation in wireless multimedia communication systems has become a recurring problem. This persistent problem has led to grave consequences on the visual quality of the decoded video. It is against this backdrop that, we present an adaptive intra refresh (AIR) error-resilient coding tool to mitigate the effect of transmission error propagation in 3D video communications. This work utilizes periodic insertion of intra macroblocks in badly error-infected frames temporally as well as related frames in the multi view video scheme. Our objective is to maximize the transmission efficiency while ensuring the transmission robustness of the coded bitstream. The selection of periodic macroblocks is based on areas with high motion above a pre-set threshold. The coding modes of the macroblocks are based on the distortion expectation due to transmission errors. Extensive simulation results show significant improvement in both objective and subjective video quality at different intra refresh rates

Characterization of Doum Palm Seed Kernel as Natural Sorbent for Metal Ions Removal from Gombe Ternary Wastewater

Water pollution is one of the major challenges in cities and industrialized areas of the world. The effluent from Gombe ternary wastewater pollutes the surrounding waters thereby constituting health threat to the populace within its vicinity. In view of the above, a bio-sorption study of zinc and lead ions from Gombe ternary wastewater using doum palm seed kernel was carried out. The wastewater was characterized and was found to contain 0.03 mg/l lead metal ion and 0.81 mg/l zinc ion. The doum palm kernel bio-sorbent was obtained after oil extraction from the seed and processed as contained in the method mentioned in this paper. The kernel residue was characterized for functional groups using FTIR, surface morphology using SEM, surface area using BET, and elemental composition using XRF. The results indicated that the doum palm kernel is harmless, and possesses functional groups on its surface, which may be substituted with the metallic ions present in the wastewater. This gives the kernel the ability to adsorb positively charged ions on its surface by simple chemisorption. This mechanism is supported by the rough surface observed in the scanning electron microscopy. Adsorption and desorption of nitrogen was made at STP and the curve indicated very high correlation of close to unity. The surface area measured by multi BET method was recorded as 13.464 m2/g. This value is not high enough to adsorb metals by physical adsorption

Factors affecting extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) success

Objective: Our aim in this study was to evaluate the predictive properties of success in patients who underwent Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Materials and methods: The medical records of 176 patients, who underwent ESWL for kidney stones were retrospectively reviewed. The study focused on individuals with single kidney stones measuring less than 2 cm. After the ESWL, patients who were not stone-free were evaluated as group 1, and stone free patients as group 2. Results: The study encompassed two distinct groups: Group 1 with 67 participants and Group 2 consisting of 109 participants. In this study, which included 176 patients, the incidence of stone-free was found to be 62% (109/176). Of the patients, 56% (n=99) underwent ESWL once, 31% (n=55) twice, 8% (n=14) three times, 3% (n=5) four times, and 2% (n=3) received the treatment five times. Group 1 stones exhibited an average density of 978±357 HU, contrasting with Group 2's 784±318 HU. The disparity between these groups was significant, with a p-value of <0.001. Group 1 stones averaged 11.7±4.2 mm in size, while those in Group 2 measured 9.4±3.9 mm on average (p<0.001). According to the logistic regression test results, it was determined that stone size (p=0.007, OR: 0.89) and stone density (p=0.002, OR: 0.99) were two important independent predictors affecting the success of ESWL. Using a cut-off value of 1025 HU for stone density, we observed a sensitivity of 50% and a specificity of 82% in predicting the success of ESWL. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.67. Conclusions: ESWL remains a valuable, non-invasive modality for the management of kidney stones. Stone size and density stand out as key predictive parameters for its success

Response to commentary by Klyuev for Factors affecting extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) success

Dear editor, We express our gratitude for the keen interest and critical insights you and the readers of the your journal have provided regarding our manuscript. I am writing this commentarty in response to the commentary article written by Sergey Klyuev on our article

Determination of Potassium in Empty Bunches Palm Oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Using Flame Photometry Method

Research on the determination of potassium in empty bunches palm oil have been done with the flame photometry method. The samples were taken randomly from five areas in Northen Sumatera with various heights in the range of < 25- 400 m above sea level. The first sampling was of Datuk Bandar district at Tanjung Balai < 25 m, Meranti district at Kisaran 50 to 100 m, Bosar Maligas district at Simalungun 150-200 m, Simarimbun district at Pematang Siantar 250 to 300 m, and the last Sari Matondang district at Sidamanik 350-400 m. The sample was digested using concentrated nitric aid and 30% hydrogen peroxide then heated with the addition of nitric acid concentrated. Potassium content was measured with a flame photometer at specific 767.5 nm by using calibration methods. The result obtained that potassium contents in the samples were 11.83%; 17.56%; 21.89%; 24.68%, and 25.14% for Tanjung Balai, Kisaran, Simalungun, Pematang Siantar, and Sidamanik respectively. The data obtained showed the higher area of the sea, the lower the temperature so the content of potassium increased in the palm oil empty bunches

Analysis of Potassium Ion (K+), Sodium Ion (Na+), and Proteins from Coconut Water Variety of Coconut and Hybrid Coconut

Analysis of potassium ion (K+), sodium ion (Na+), and proteins of Dalam coconut varieties water and Hybrid coconut varieties water have been done. The sample is green coconut which was taken simple random from Deli Tua Barat village in the regency of Deli Tua. Analysis of potassium ion (K+) and sodium ion (Na+) was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry method (AAS) and analysis of protein was determined by the Kjeldahl method. From the result analysis of Dalam coconut varieties water contain amount potassium ion 321.60 mg/100 mL + 0,77 mg/100 mL, sodium ion 33.17 mg/100 mL + 1.85 mg/100 mL, and protein 0,18 % + 0.05 %. Whereas Hybrid coconut varieties water contain amount potassium ion 278.67 mg/100 mL + 1.53 mg/100 mL, sodium ion 31.33 mg/100 mL + 0.83 mg/100 mL, and protein 0.48 % + 0.3 %

Evaluating the accuracy of ChatGPT addressing urological questions: A pilot study

Objective: This research aimed to assess the accuracy of the ChatGPT 3.5 model in providing information related to various urological diseases. Materials and methods: Eighty questions regarding urological diseases were presented to ChatGPT in December 2022. Responses were recorded and subsequently cross-referenced with the European Urology Association (EUA) guidelines to determine their correctness. Diseases were categorized into subgroups: Urolithiasis, Bladder cancer, Urethroplasty, Renal cancer, and Andrology. Accuracy percentages were calculated for each disease subgroup and the total dataset. Results: For Urolithiasis, out of 25 responses, 10 (40%) were true and 15 (60%) were false. Bladder cancer had an even distribution, with 50% of the responses (10 out of 20) being true and the remaining 50% being false. Renal cancer showed a higher proportion of true responses, with 14 out of 22 responses (approximately 63.6%) being true and 8 (approximately 36.4%) being false. In the case of Urethroplasty, out of 25 responses, 13 (52%) were true while 12 (48%) were false. Conclusions: ChatGPT showcased varying degrees of accuracy across different urological disease subgroups. While it demonstrates potential utility as a supportive tool for urological questions, the observed accuracy levels highlight the need for cautious interpretation. Sole reliance on the AI model for medical decisions, absent human oversight, is not recommended at this juncture

Post-operative complications of subcoronal hypospadias repair in patients receiving caudal block vs. penil block: A comparative study

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential impact of caudal nerve block anesthesia on the surgical outcomes of hypospadias repair in male patients aged between 6 and 48 months.Materials and methods: The study successfully recruited 75 patients dividing two groups, group 1 (Penil block: PB) and group 2 (Caudal block: CB). The following parameters were assessed for each patient: Age, duration of surgery, analgesia requirements, wound dehiscence, fistula formation, meatal stenosis, urethral diverticula, and urethral stricture.Results: This study involving 75 patients divided into two groups, Group 1 (40 patients) had an average age of 38±23 months and weight of 14.6±4.8 kg, while Group 2 (35 patients) averaged 42±19 months in age and 17.1±8.2 kg in weight. Operative times were comparable between groups. Post-operatively, around 45-49% of participants in both groups required further analgesia within 24 hours. Observations of surgical complications, including fistula, meatal stenosis, urethral stenosis, urethral diverticula, urethral dehiscence, and Chordee, revealed minor variations between groups. However, none of these differences reached statistical significance, indicating similar outcomes for both groups (p>0.05 for each comparison).Conclusions: Both anesthetic techniques appear safe, and the choice should be based on individual clinical judgment and patient-specific factor