Comparison between two packages for pectoral muscle removal on mammographic images

Background: Pectoral muscle removal is a fundamental preliminary step in computer-aided diagnosis systems for full-field digital mammography (FFDM). Currently, two open-source publicly available packages (LIBRA and OpenBreast) provide algorithms for pectoral muscle removal within Matlab environment. Purpose: To compare performance of the two packages on a single database of FFDM images. Methods: Only mediolateral oblique (MLO) FFDM was considered because of large presence of pectoral muscle on this type of projection. For obtaining ground truth, pectoral muscle has been manually segmented by two radiologists in consensus. Both LIBRA’s and OpenBreast’s removal performance with respect to ground truth were compared using Dice similarity coefficient and Cohen-kappa reliability coefficient; Wilcoxon signed-rank test has been used for assessing differences in performances; Kruskal–Wallis test has been used to verify possible dependence of the performance from the breast density or image laterality. Results: FFDMs from 168 consecutive women at our institution have been included in the study. Both LIBRA’s Dice-index and Cohen-kappa were significantly higher than OpenBreast (Wilcoxon signed-rank test P < 0.05). No dependence on breast density or laterality has been found (Kruskal–Wallis test P > 0.05). Conclusion: Libra has a better performance than OpenBreast in pectoral muscle delineation so that, although our study has not a direct clinical application, these results are useful in the choice of packages for the development of complex systems for computer-aided breast evaluation

Corneal ulcerative disease in dogs under primary veterinary care in England: epidemiology and clinical management

Abstract Background Corneal ulcerative disease (CUD) has the potential to adversely affect animal welfare by interfering with vision and causing pain. The study aimed to investigate for the first time the prevalence, breed-based risk factors and clinical management of CUD in the general population of dogs under primary veterinary care in England. Results Of 104,233 dogs attending 110 clinics participating within the VetCompass Programme from January 1st to December 31st 2013, there were 834 confirmed CUD cases (prevalence: 0.80%, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.75–0.86). Breeds with the highest prevalence included Pug (5.42% of the breed affected), Boxer (4.98%), Shih Tzu (3.45%), Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (2.49%) and Bulldog (2.41%). Purebred dogs had 2.23 times the odds (95% CI 1.84–2.87, P < 0.001) of CUD compared with crossbreds. Brachycephalic types had 11.18 (95% CI 8.72–14.32, P < 0.001) and spaniel types had 3.13 (95% CI 2.38–4.12, P < 0.001) times the odds for CUD compared with crossbreds. Pain was recorded in 385 (46.2%) cases and analgesia was used in 455 (54.6%) of dogs. Overall, 62 (7.4%) cases were referred for advanced management and CUD contributed to the euthanasia decision for 10 dogs. Conclusions Breeds such as the Pug and Boxer, and conformational types such as brachycephalic and spaniels, demonstrated predisposition to CUD in the general canine population. These results suggest that breeding focus on periocular conformation in predisposed breeds should be considered in order to reduce corneal disease

Emigration, remittances, and the subjective well-being of those staying behind

© 2018, The Author(s). We offer the first global perspective on the well-being consequences of emigration for those staying behind using several subjective well-being measures (evaluations of best possible life, positive affect, stress, and depression). Using the Gallup World Poll data for 114 countries during 2009–2011, we find that having family members abroad is associated with greater evaluative well-being and positive affect, and receiving remittances is linked with further increases in evaluative well-being, especially in poorer contexts—both across and within countries. We also document that having household members abroad is linked with increased stress and depression, which are not offset by remittances. The out-migration of family members appears less traumatic in countries where migration is more common, indicating that people in such contexts might be able to cope better with separation. Overall, subjective well-being measures, which reflect both material and non-material aspects of life, furnish additional insights and a well-rounded picture of the consequences of emigration on migrant family members staying behind relative to standard outcomes employed in the literature, such as the left-behind’s consumption, income, or labor market outcomes

Prevalence of hallux valgus in the general population: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus (HV) is a foot deformity commonly seen in medical practice, often accompanied by significant functional disability and foot pain. Despite frequent mention in a diverse body of literature, a precise estimate of the prevalence of HV is difficult to ascertain. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate prevalence of HV in the overall population and evaluate the influence of age and gender. METHODS: Electronic databases (Medline, Embase, and CINAHL) and reference lists of included papers were searched to June 2009 for papers on HV prevalence without language restriction. MeSH terms and keywords were used relating to HV or bunions, prevalence and various synonyms. Included studies were surveys reporting original data for prevalence of HV or bunions in healthy populations of any age group. Surveys reporting prevalence data grouped with other foot deformities and in specific disease groups (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes) were excluded. Two independent investigators quality rated all included papers on the Epidemiological Appraisal Instrument. Data on raw prevalence, population studied and methodology were extracted. Prevalence proportions and the standard error were calculated, and meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model. RESULTS: A total of 78 papers reporting results of 76 surveys (total 496,957 participants) were included and grouped by study population for meta-analysis. Pooled prevalence estimates for HV were 23% in adults aged 18-65 years (CI: 16.3 to 29.6) and 35.7% in elderly people aged over 65 years (CI: 29.5 to 42.0). Prevalence increased with age and was higher in females [30% (CI: 22 to 38)] compared to males [13% (CI: 9 to 17)]. Potential sources of bias were sampling method, study quality and method of HV diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Notwithstanding the wide variation in estimates, it is evident that HV is prevalent; more so in females and with increasing age. Methodological quality issues need to be addressed in interpreting reports in the literature and in future research

Disegni di Roberto Burle Marx allo Iuav

La mostra ha presentato 12 dei 27 disegni donati nel 1991 da Roberto Burle Marx all’Università Iuav di Venezia. In occasione dell’assegnazione del Premio Scarpa, ricevuto nel 1990 presso la Fondazione Benetton di Treviso, il paesaggista brasiliano visita anche l’Istituto universitario di Architettura e decide di donare alcuni suoi disegni perché questi siano messi a disposizione degli studenti. Si tratta di copie eliografiche firmate in originale che l’architetto Laura Biondi, recatasi presso lo studio di Burle Marx a Rio de Janeiro, prende in consegna per affidarle all’Archivio Progetti dello Iuav. L’intero fondo è costituito da elaborati appartenenti a nove progetti, tra cui quelli per il Ministero dell’Esercito e per il Ministero della Giustizia a Brasilia (1970-71), il progetto per la Fazenda Vargem Grande a San Paolo (1979), i progetti per il parco Moça Bonita a Bangu (1979-80) e per il parco della residenza di Raul de Souza Martins a Petropolis di Rio de Janeiro (1983). A questi si riferiscono le tavole esposte, accompagnate da due disegni del 1938 per i giardini della residenza di J. Louis Wallenstein a Rio de Janeiro, da immagini dei parchi più noti e da due modelli di studio realizzati da L. Murmora

Progetto di concorso per la “Realizzazione di un polo di formazione sui beni e le attività culturali a Benevento. Progettare nella storia”

In queste pagine viene presentato un progetto di concorso - redatto con l’architetto portoghese Manuel Aires Mateus - finalizzato alla realizzazione di un polo di formazione sui beni e le attività culturali nell’area ex-Metalplex a Benevento. Il progetto si pone come parte di una stratificazione che assimila i tempi e gli elementi più significativi dell’area d’intervento, dove gli archeologi hanno parzialmente riportato alla luce i resti dell’anfiteatro romano. La storia qui emerge dalle tracce che testimoniano la stratificazione nella forma urbana e l’architettura si mostra alla stregua di un’archeologia della trasformazione, dove l’uomo scompone e usa quanto resta di una civiltà precedente per costruire il proprio presente. L’interpretazione del luogo si fonde con quella della città e dell’articolazione tra volumi e spazi aperti, tra pieni e vuoti che ricompongono figure significative e riconoscibili. Quello che è considerato sfondo assume così senso e forma per configurarsi in rapporto ai limiti del costruito. Il nuovo assume le forme di un “calco” che oltre alla geometria definisce anche qualità specifiche del vuoto ad esso corrispondente, collocando il volume dedicato ad accogliere il polo di formazione nello spazio compreso tra l’anfiteatro e i retri degli edifici che prospettano su via Torre Catena. Il volume compatto proposto dal progetto, assorbe sui due lati principali i calchi delle realtà più significative dell’area: da un lato l’impronta semiellittica dell’anfiteatro, estesa nel suo sviluppo verticale seguendo le ipotesi ricostruttive; dal lato opposto il recupero di spazi disponibili in un rapporto omotetico con il costruito esistente e la configurazione di vuoti che ritrovano nella massa l’impronta degli stessi edifici. Nel suo attacco a terra, si scavano alcuni percorsi e spazi pubblici che collegano l’area archeologica con il fronte urbano, mentre il programma funzionale dell’edificio si sviluppa soprattutto ai piani superiori. L’articolazione di pieni e vuoti, con vari gradi di permeabilità genera una suggestiva relazione tra gli spazi interni e quella parte di città che il progetto di architettura accoglie per continuarne la trasformazione, interpretando nel presente la sua complessità storica, insediativa e culturale

PIEZOELECTRIC BONE SURGERY IN THE TREATMENT OF AN OSTEOMA ASSOCIATED WITH AN IMPACTED INFERIOR THIRD MOLAR: A CASE REPORT

In the present case the assessment of wound healing and neurosensory function of the inferior alveolar nerve and of the lingual nerve in the immediate postoperative period and at one year follow up was totally satisfactory. Besides, when compared to surgery performed by using traditional rotation instruments, it is reasonable to speculate that the surgical trauma was markedly reduced in this case due to the intrinsic features of the Piezoelectric device, as described above, in conjunction to the specific morphology of the device inserts. We therefore promote the use of Piezoelectric device in surgical cases where risk for noble soft tissue damage is high. In particular, the issue of inferior alveolar nerve injury during the removal of lower third molars is a well known clinical and medico-legal problem so any technique that can reduce the possibility of this damage is worthy of exploration