Rapid visual screening of soft-story buildings from street view images using deep learning classification

Rapid and accurate identification of potential structural deficiencies is a crucial task in evaluating seismic vulnerability of large building inventories in a region. In the case of multi-story structures, abrupt vertical variations of story stiffness are known to significantly increase the likelihood of collapse during moderate or severe earthquakes. Identifying and retrofitting buildings with such irregularities—generally termed as soft-story buildings—is, therefore, vital in earthquake preparedness and loss mitigation efforts. Soft-story building identification through conventional means is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process. In this study, an automated procedure was devised based on deep learning techniques for identifying soft-story buildings from street-view images at a regional scale. A database containing a large number of building images and a semi-automated image labeling approach that effectively annotates new database entries was developed for developing the deep learning model. Extensive computational experiments were carried out to examine the effectiveness of the proposed procedure, and to gain insights into automated soft-story building identification.

Oral Cancer:Health Promotion and Visual Screening—A Study Report

Background: Oral cancer presents a heterogeneous geographic incidence. Annually, more than 275,000 new cases are diagnosed worldwide. In spite of the easy accessibility of oral cavity during physical examination, most malignancies are not diagnosed until late stages of disease. Methods: Oral health promotion was our main objective, risk factors were identified and oral cavity self-examination was promoted. The population considered (n = 1117) was divided in two main age groups—a youngest (individuals under 25 years old) mostly targeted for oral cancer awareness and oral cavity self examination promotion, and an older group having accumulated potential risk exposure. Results: The results obtained revealed smoking habits and fruits-vegetables consumption deficit as the highest risks factors found. Considering a Risk Factor Exposure Index analysis, individuals with secondary level of instruction and living in sub-urban areas assumed the highest risk exposure. Alcohol consumption had also contributed as a significant risk exposure. Conclusions: Some of these risk factors work as biological reward of quality of life deficit. A wide comprehension of the problem requires a multidisciplinary approach necessarily involving Health and Social Sciences in order to target the core of oral cancer health promotion. An effective epidemiological strategy must thus support three major aspects: population knowledge, sensitization and visual screening.

Evaluation of the red reflex: An overview for the pediatrician

BACKGROUND Red reflex test(RRT)is a simple,non-invasive method that can be performed easily by pediatricians during the clinical examination in neonatal period,infancy and childhood.Abnormal reflexes can lead to prompt diagnosis of several ocular disorders,with potentially severe consequences on patient’s vision,cognitive function and even life.AIM To underline the contribution of pediatricians to early detection of vision and life threatening diseases by using RRT effectively.METHODS For the present systematic review,PubMed searches were performed using the key words“red reflex and newborn”;“red reflex and neonate”;“red reflex and complications”;“red reflex and necessity”;“red reflex and retinoblastoma”;“red reflex and congenital cataract”;“red reflex and glaucoma”;“red reflex and prematurity”;“red reflex and leukocoria”;“red reflex and blindness”;“red reflex sensitivity and specificity”;“red reflex and differential diagnosis”;“red reflex and guidelines”.The relevant articles were selected without language restrictions.When a full-text publication was not available,their English abstracts were used.In some cases,studies from the reference lists of the selected articles provided useful information.The research took place in September 2020,in the Ophthalmology Department of University Hospital of Alexandroupolis.RESULTS A total of 45 articles were selected according to the used key words.After reviewing data from these articles,it is supported that red reflex remains an effective tool of undeniable importance for early detection of severe eye conditions,such as cataract,retinoblastoma,retinopathy of prematurity and glaucoma.Although literature reports some limitations of RRT,including a notable percentage of false positive tests,the inability to detect small,peripheral retinoblastomas and the lower sensitivity for posterior segment pathology,it is widely accepted that the benefits from the regular evaluation of the test on public health are significant.Therefore,RRT has been established by international guidelines and should be an essential component of pediatricians clinical practice.Red reflex implementation should be incorporated in pediatricians educational programs,so that they would be able to provide quality services and safe diagnoses.CONCLUSION The implementation of RRT should be encouraged in all neonatal/pediatric departments.Prompt education of pediatricians should be empowered in order to achieve careful vision screening,according to current guidelines.