Inclusion-exclusion Research Articles

PERCEPTION OF FIRST YEAR MBBS STUDENTS TOWARDS ECE (EARLY CLINICAL EXPOSURE) IN PHYSIOLOGY.

Introduction : Early Clinical Exposure is a teaching learning method which enables student to learn basic sciences effectively and retain the information which benets patient and promotes better patient care. Methodology : Hundred students selected after applying inclusion exclusion criteria divided into 2 groups A and B taught basal ganglia and thyroid physiology in conventional method and other in ECE integrated method respectively and after interchanging groups, demonstrating the clinical features of parkinsonism and hypothyroidism for ECE group. A pretest and post-test were conducted preceding and following lecture in both settings. Results : The results obtained were interpreted using excel. The mean of pre-test marks for Traditional teaching and ECE integrated teaching are 5.62±2.42 and 4.58±2.33 respectively and the post-test scores of Traditional and ECE teaching are 10.62±2.52 and 12.8±2.46 respectively. Discussion : Majority considered that the synchronisation of classroom learning with clinical experiences was benecial, and the majority believed that integrated teaching improved understanding of the practical applications of physiology. Conclusion : Through this study we conclude that ECE integrated teaching is more effective in imparting knowledge in rst MBBS students as the gap of imagination was bridged by live demonstration with help of patient which is reected in the Likert scale and in the scores. Though the ECE integration is a tough job for the teacher, it is a great learning tool for students.

Sparse polynomial prediction

In numerical analysis, sparse grids are point configurations used in stochastic finite element approximation, numerical integration and interpolation. This paper is concerned with the construction of polynomial interpolator models in sparse grids. Our proposal stems from the fact that a sparse grid is an echelon design with a hierarchical structure that identifies a single model. We then formulate the model and show that it can be written using inclusion–exclusion formulæ. At this point, we deploy efficient methodologies from the algebraic literature that can simplify considerably the computations. The methodology uses Betti numbers to reduce the number of terms in the inclusion–exclusion while achieving the same result as with exhaustive formulæ.

Ultrasound-guided microwave, radiofrequency, and high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in treating uterine leiomyoma: A systemic review and meta-analysis of retrospective studies

ABSTRACT To retrospectively evaluate the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided microwave (MWA), radiofrequency (RF), and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation in the treatment of uterine leiomyoma and to provide a suggestion for the selection of clinical treatment of uterine leiomyoma. The retrospective cohort studies on the efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound in treating uterine leiomyoma was collected through a literature search in Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane library, Scopus, and Web of Science, and selected according to the specified inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Evaluate the study quality, extract relevant data, and RevMan 5.4.1 was used to conduct this meta-analysis. Compared with HIFU therapy, the complete or partial ablation rate and recurrence rate of uterine leiomyoma treated with RFA/MWA were statistically different (P < 0.05). Compared with RF, the overall efficacy of HIFU in treating uterine leiomyoma was not as good as that of RF. There was no significant difference between the RFA therapy and the MWA. HIFU still has mild and short-term complications, such as abdominal pain, bloody vaginal discharge, sacral pain, and fever. Although myomectomy is usually the first choice for uterine preservation, RFA/MWA and HIFU have also been shown to relieve clinical symptoms significantly, shorten treatment time, reduce complications, and improve prognosis.

Quantitative analysis of multiple forest disturbances and their compound influences on tree growth in the western U.S.

As the frequencies of extreme weather increase, forest ecosystems experience stronger influences from various disturbances. Previous research focuses on single disturbances or qualitative analysis of overlaid effects from two disturbances. Studies rarely explored the interactions between three or more disturbances, especially mechanisms behind the multiple disturbances. Our study covered four states (Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah) in the U.S. which shared similar climate patterns and vegetation distributions. We collected 241 chronologies from the International Tree-Ring Data Bank (ITRDB) and our own field expeditions. We assigned each tree ring to eight possible disturbance combinations. From the correlations between tree indices and climate (monthly temperature and total precipitation), the radial growth of tree rings showed a significant positive correlation with summer precipitation and a negative correlation with summer temperature. With three-factor ANOVA and one-way ANOVA, we ranked the impacts of each disturbance and combination of disturbances on tree growth based on tree-ring index; control (1.038) > insect (1.029) > fire (1.008) > fire & insect (0.963) > drought & insect (0.918) > drought (0.890) > drought, fire & insect (0.803) > drought & fire (0.784). We found that in most cases, the combined impact from two disturbances was larger than the impacts from single disturbances with the inclusion-exclusion principle. This research quantitatively revealed the interactions between disturbances and evaluated the effects from a combination of multiple disturbances.

Trans-olecranon fracture posterior dislocation: a novel type of elbow injury

BackgroundBased on our experiences, we found that a kind of elbow injury is characterized by an olecranon fracture accompanied by elbow joint posterior dislocation with the proximal radioulnar joint intact. The aim of this study was to better define this kind of severe elbow instability, which has not been previously reported.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed all patients with olecranon fractures who were treated at our institution from January 2013 to April 2021. Data on these patient demographics, injury characteristics, preoperative and postoperative imaging, surgical management, and outcomes were recorded and analyzed. We also made the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria.ResultsA total of 309 patients were diagnosed olecranon fractures in our institution, and ten patients met the inclusion criteria, 9 males and 1 female, with an average age of 40.6 ± 12.7 years (26–68 years). Eight patients (80%) were comminuted, and two were oblique olecranon fracture. Nine patients (90%) suffered coronoid process fractures, eight fractures were type III, and one was type II. Eight patients (80%) suffered radial head fractures, seven fractures were type II, and one was type III. All patients suffered lateral collateral ligament complex injury. All patients underwent surgical management and were followed up on average for 15.8 ± 3.2 months (12–20 months). The motion of the elbow and functional outcome were evaluated with several methods. The mean arc of the elbow movement was 131.6° ± 6.0° (124°–140°), and the mean arc of the forearm rotation was 158.5° ± 17.8° (128°–180°). Nine patients’ functional results according to the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) were excellent with a mean score of 96.5 ± 5.3 points (85–100 points), and another was good. The mean score according to the Broberg and Morrey functional rating index was 98.8 ± 2.5 points (92–100 points), nine patients were excellent, and another was good. The mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score was 0.75 ± 1.2 points (0–3.3 points).ConclusionsTrans-olecranon fracture posterior dislocation is a rare injury and has unique characteristics, and it is a kind of complex elbow instability involving the coronoid process and radial head fractures. After bony structure is restored, the repairment of lateral collateral ligament complex is also important to the stability of the elbow joint. Correct understanding of this kind of injury and reasonable treatment plan can achieve good function.

On the Hadamard-Fischer inequality, the inclusion-exclusion formula, and bipartite graphs

The classical Hadamard-Fischer-Koteljanskii inequality is an inequality between principal minors of positive definite matrices. In this work, we present an extension of the Hadamard-Fischer-Koteljanskii inequality, that is inspired by the inclusion-exclusion formula for sets. We formulate necessary and sufficient conditions for the inequality to hold. We describe general structures of the collection of index sets involved. In analyzing these structures, a graph-theoretical property that applies to bipartite graphs is found. We establish that if the vertices of a bipartite graph satisfy simple conditions, then the bipartite graph contains a vertex subgraph which is a cycle or a complete subgraph missing a matching. This result is reminiscent of the Hall's marriage theorem for bipartite graphs.

Investigating the making of organizational social responsibility as a polyphony of voices: A ventriloquial analysis of practitioners’ interactions

Though studies increasingly suggest nurturing a polyphonic and conflict-centered understanding of organizational social responsibility—referred to as CSR here—little is known about which voices make a difference (how and with what effect) when practitioners discuss CSR matters. Similarly, more work is needed on what and how tensions emerge in CSR planning, and how conflicts are addressed. By analyzing conversations with a ventriloquial framework, this research shows that CSR unfolds as different elements of a situation voice themselves as concerns. As the voices of these elements support seemingly incompatible actions, visibility, coherence, and performance tensions surface in interactions. Given that doing CSR consists in responding to concerns and conflicts originating from them, the needs practitioners experience may prompt them to (re)negotiate alternatives for action, balance diverging requests, and/or silence pressing issues to benefit other interests. This study enriches the understanding of CSR as polyphony by unveiling the centrality of voice inclusion–exclusion dynamics in how practitioners try to respond to the (ethical) value of the many conflict- and uncertainty-causing courses of action that manifest in interactions. It also provides insights on the nature of voice mobilization processes, which boost the ventriloquial perspective on organizing. Ultimately, by identifying the making of CSR as unfolding in interplays of voice invitation, mitigation, and shelving, it enhances CSR research by inviting scholars to spotlight more the variability and poly-dimensionality of doing CSR.

U-shaped association between serum IGF2BP3 and T2DM: A cross-sectional study in Chinese population.

To clarify the expression of N6-methyladenosine (m6 A) modulators involved in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We further explored the association of serum insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding proteins 3 (IGF2BP3) levels and odds of T2DM in a high-risk population. The gene expression data set GSE25724 was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus, and a cluster heatmap was generated by using the R package ComplexHeatmap. Differential expression analysis for 13 m6 A RNA methylation regulators between nondiabetic controls and T2DM subjects was performed using an unpaired t test. A cross-sectional design, including 393 subjects (131 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM, 131 age- and sex-matched subjects with prediabetes, and 131 healthy controls), was carried out. The associations between serum IGF2BP3 concentrations and T2DM were modeled by restricted cubic spline and logistic regression models. Two upregulated (IGF2BP2 and IGF2BP3) and 5 downregulated (methyltransferase-like 3 [METTL3], alkylation repair homolog protein 1 [ALKBH1], YTH domain family 2 [YTHDF2], YTHDF3, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein [HNRNPC]) m6 A-related genes were found in islet samples of T2DM patients. A U-shaped association existed between serum IGF2BP3 levels and odds of T2DM according to cubic natural spline analysis models, after adjustment for body mass index, waist circumference, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and triglyeride. Multivariate logistic regression showed that progressively higher odds of T2DM were observed when serum IGF2BP3 levels were below 0.62 ng/mL (odds ratio 3.03 [95% confidence interval 1.23-7.47]) in model 4. Seven significantly altered m6 A RNA methylation genes were identified in T2DM. There was a U-shaped association between serum IGF2BP3 levels and odds of T2DM in the general Chinese adult population. This study provides important evidence for further examination of the role of m6 A RNA methylation, especially serum IGF2BP3 in T2DM risk assessment.

EARLY SURGICAL OUTCOMES OF OPERABLE BREAST CANCER PATIENTS BASED ON MOLECULAR SUBTYPING – A SINGLE-CENTRE STUDY

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess patients belonging to four main molecular subtypes (Luminal A, Luminal B, HER2 neu positive and Triple negative) and their treatment plans with a view to compare their early surgical complications and the final outcomes specific to the surgical procedure adopted and molecular subtype. Methods: A Cross-sectional observational study at a Tertiary care center in central UP in a two-year period with Inclusion Criteria and Exclusion Criteria. Data Collection was carried out from the patients, diagnostic confirmation to rule out any exclusion criteria was performed. Clinical staging was done using the standard TNM criteria. All the specimens were subjected to immune-histochemical evaluation for surrogate molecular subtyping to see later the early surgical outcomes. Results: Mean age ranged from 47.57±9.57 (Group III) to 50.67±8.08 (Group II) years and BMI ranged from 23.71 (Group IV) to 26.38 kg/m2 (Group II). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy use was reported in 15.6% of Luminal A group, 33.3% of Luminal B group, 40% of Her2 negative and 52.2% of Triple negative group cases. Statistically, there was a significant difference among groups with respect to use of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Breast conservation therapy was the preferred surgical intervention in majority of cases with Luminal A (60%) and Luminal B subtype (66.7%) whereas MRM was preferred in 54.3% of Her2 negative and 65.2% of Triple negative cases. MRM was performed in 36% of Luminal A cases. Primary surgical intervention failure (BCS) was seen in 1 (4%) case with Luminal A subtype. In this patient, mastectomy was performed as the corrective measure. Surgical site infection was noted in 1 (4%) case in Luminal A group only. Seroma formation was noted in 4 (16%) of Luminal A, 8 (22.9%) of Her2 negative and 2 (8.7%) of Triple negative patients. No case of flap necrosis was noted. Follow-up duration ranged from 15 days to 36 months. Median duration of follow-up was 6 months. No mortality was noticed in any group. Conclusion: Different surgical management strategies suggested that breast conservative surgery was more feasible in Luminal A cases whereas MRM was the preferred mode of surgery in other molecular subtypes. Within the limitations of short duration of follow-up, there was no significant difference among different molecular subtypes with respect to late complications and survival. Further studies with longer duration of follow-up and larger sample size are recommended.

Soft Wearable Rehabilitation Robots with Artificial Muscles based on Smart Materials: A Review

Wearables robots have gained attention for the rehabilitation of people with physical disabilities. However, the current technology relies on heavy and bulky actuation components, making it hard to use outside clinical settings. Artificial muscles based on smart materials are trending for soft wearable rehabilitation robots as they present advantages of compliance, are lightweight, and do not require external components. Nevertheless, they present challenges that remain unresolved, preventing widespread adoption. This work reviews the current state of soft wearable rehabilitation robots with artificial muscles based on smart materials (AMSMs). A literature search is conducted utilizing Web of Science and Scopus. Based on the inclusion–exclusion criteria, 15 devices are found using four different smart materials. This study attempts to provide an insight into the distinct biomechanical requirements, the use of smart materials, their limitations, their designs, and possible future research directions, which can provide helpful guidance on the implementation and development of advanced soft wearable rehabilitation robots with AMSMs.

Effectiveness of the Range of Motion Excercise on Levels of Heamoglobin Among End Stage Renal Disease Pateints Receiving Heaodialysis , Sbmch at Chennai

Design adopted for this study was true experimental research (2021 ) study was conducted at Haemodialysis’ Unit at Sree Balaji Medical College and Hospital among End stage renal disease patients receiving haemodialysis to explore the level of Haemoglobin (Hb)among End stage renal disease patients receiving haemodialysis by using purposive sampling technique ,the estimated sample size was 240 ,in that 120 from experimental group and 1o from control group were selected for the study based on inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Selected demographic and clinical variables data were collected by using interview schedule method and the Haemoglobin levels were assessed by laboratory method as routine test was taken by the hospital norms. Range of motion exercise (ROM) was performed by the Experimental group, pre and post test was done among two groups. The calculated value for haemoglobin pre test mean score for Experimental group as follows 9.44 with SD of 2.09 post test mean 10.43 with SD of 1.89 ,the calculated t value was 17.54 ,p value was 0.001 shows the significance .

REMR: A Reliability Evaluation Method for Dynamic Edge Computing Network Under Time Constraint

Computation and/or communication-intensive collaborative services accompanied by several distributed tasks/components, such as the services in Internet of Things, can be anywhere nowadays. These services are usually used by users at the Internet edge, making cloud computing struggles with the high end-to-end latency. Thanks to edge computing which pushes resources to the edge, the goals with lower latency can be well satisfied. However, in actual scenarios especially under dynamic edge computing networks, changes exist in resources, including computing, bandwidth, and nodes. Meanwhile, data packets (or flow) among collaborative tasks/components of a service can also not be conserved. These characteristics lead the service reliability hard to be guaranteed and make existing reliability evaluation methods no longer accurate. To study the effect of distributed and collaborative service deployment strategies under such background, we propose a reliability evaluation method (REMR). We first look for the solution set which can meet the time constraints. Then, we calculate the reliability of service supported by the solution set based on the principle of inclusion–exclusion with distributions of available transmission bandwidth and computing resources. Finally, we provide an illustrative example with several real-world data sets to make REMR easy to follow. To make REMR more reliable, we also propose and implement a Monte Carlo simulation method. Experiments prove that the reliability calculated by REMR is nearly the same as the simulation results and both the latencies and the jitters are also at a lower level.

Efficacy analysis of multidisciplinary treatment for Wilms tumor in a single center.

To analyze the efficacy of multidisciplinary treatment for Wilms tumor (WT) in Kunming Children's Hospital, and investigate the risk factors affecting the prognosis of WT. The clinic-pathological data were collected and analyzed in patients with unilateral WT treated in Kunming Children's Hospital from January 2017 to July 2021. Research subjects were selected according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. The risk factors and independent risk factors that affect the prognosis of patients with WT were determined by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards model, respectively. A total of 68 children were included in this study, and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rate was 87.4%. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis results showed that ethnicity (P = 0.020), the tumor volume of resection (P = 0.001), histological type (P < 0.001), and postoperative recurrence (P < 0.001) were the riskfactors affecting the prognosis of children with WT. The results of the Cox proportional hazards model showed that only the histological type (P = 0.018) was the independent risk factor for the prognosis of WT. The efficacy of multidisciplinary treatment for WT was satisfying. The histological type has important predictive value for the prognosis of WT, and the patient with unfavorable histology has a poor prognosis.

Trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures irreducible by closed reduction: a retrospective study

AimTo explore the preoperative radiographic features and reduction methods of irreducible trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures of the femur and to compare the perioperative characteristics and prognoses of irreducible and reducible fractures.MethodsThe data of 1235 patients with femoral trochanteric fractures surgically treated in our hospital between January 2010 and January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria, 1163 cases of femoral trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures were included in this study. Fractures in which good or acceptable reduction could not be reached by closed manipulation were defined as irreducible fractures. The preoperative radiographic features, fracture displacement patterns after closed manipulation and intraoperative reduction methods used to treat irreducible fractures were analyzed, and the perioperative characteristics and prognoses of irreducible fractures and reducible fractures were compared.ResultsThere were 224 patients in the irreducible group and 939 patients in the reducible group. According to the radiographic features of fractures, irreducible fractures could be divided into four types: those with interlocking of the fracture, sagging of the femoral shaft, splitting of the lateral wall or medial wall, and comminution of the subtrochanteric area. Various kinds of reduction techniques were needed for different types.ConclusionsThe incidence of irreducible trochanteric fractures was 15.4%, while the incidence of irreducible subtrochanteric fractures was 84.6%. According to the radiographic features of fractures, they can be divided into four types. It is important to identify irreducible fractures preoperatively and make comprehensive plans to the greatest extent possible to shorten the operation time, reduce intraoperative blood loss, and reduce the incidence of complications.

Literature Review: The Effect of Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique Therapy on Patients with Depression

Depression is a disorder of a person's feelings, emotions and behavior negatively which can make a person feel lost, empty and have no zest for life. To treat depression, you can use Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique (SEFT) therapy which aims to change feelings, thoughts to become calmer and relaxed. and willingly accept trials. The purpose of this study was to analyze a journal entitled the effect of SEFT therapy on patients with depression. The research design used a literature review with a data collection strategy using inclusion-exclusion in the PICOS format. The search method in this study used the Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar databases by entering the words "SEFT Therapy" OR "Depression". Search articles were limited to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. The inclusion criteria in this study were SEFT therapy in depression, the pre-experimental and quasy-experimental research designs, while the exclusion criteria was the management of depression without SEFT therapy. The results of the analysis of this study found that there was an effect before and after the Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique therapy was carried out in patients with depression. The use of Spiritual Emotional Freedom Technique therapy must be done properly, from the therapeutic steps to the pronunciation of the therapy, because it is very influential in patients with depression.

PROFILE OF HYPERTENSION IN THE ELDERLY AT THE MOJO PUBLIC HEALTH CENTER, SURABAYA, EAST JAVA, NOVEMBER 2022

Background: Hypertension is the leading cause of premature death worldwide. The condition of hypertension occurs when the systolic blood pressure is more than 135-140 mmHg, and the diastolic pressure is more than 90 mmHg. Hypertension is common in society, especially among the elderly. Hypertension in the elderly is caused by physiological changes in the body. This happens because blood pressure tends to increase with increasing time. The risk factors for hypertension in the elderly are age, gender, physical activity, diet, level of education, smoking habits, salt consumption, medication adherence, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disease. Objective: To describe the profile of hypertension in the elderly at the Mojo Health Center, considering that an increase in age is also followed by an increase in blood pressure. Methods: The cross-sectional study design used a sample of elderly people suffering from hypertension according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria at the Mojo Health Center in November 2022. The sample used was 155 respondents. Data collection by interview using a questionnaire containing the variables to be studied, namely gender, education level, smoking habits, adherence to taking antihypertensive drugs, obesity, history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and history of kidney disease. The results will be presented in the form of tables and pie charts. Result: Of the total elderly who suffer from hypertension, there are 155 elderly, 115 elderly women and 40 elderly men, the results obtained were 110 elderly with low education level while 45 elderly with high education level, 4 elderly smoke while 151 elderly do not smoke, 84 elderly regularly take medication while 71 elderly do not routinely take medication, 40 elderly are obese while 115 elderly are not obese, 15 elderly have a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus while 140 elderly do not have a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, 1 elderly has a history of kidney disease while 154 elderly do not have a history of kidney disease. Conclusion: Characteristics that are often found in the elderly who suffer from hypertension at the Mojo Health Center, Surabaya are women, low education level, no smoking, regularly taking antihypertensive medication, no obesity, no history of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and no history of kidney disease.

Indoor and outdoor air pollutants as emerging public health threat in Latin America and the Caribbean: a systematic review

PurposeThis systematic review examined the emerging threat of indoor and outdoor pollutants to public health in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC).Design/methodology/approachPollutants and pollution levels are becoming an increasing cause for concern within the LAC region, primarily because of the rapid increase in urbanization and the use of fossil fuels. The rise in indoor and outdoor air pollutants impacts public health, and there are limited regional studies on the impact of these pollutants and how they affect public health. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, Web of Science and ScienceDirect databases. Significant search terms included “indoor air pollution,” “outdoor air pollution,” “pollution,” “Latin America,” “Central America,” “South America” and “Caribbean was used.” The systematic review utilized the Rayyan systematic software for uploading and sorting study references.FindingsDatabase searches produced 1,674 results, of which, after using the inclusion–exclusion criteria and assessing for bias, 16 studies were included and used for the systematic review. These studies covered both indoor and outdoor pollution. Various indoor and outdoor air pollutants linked to low birth weight, asthma, cancer and DNA impairment were reported in this review. Even though only some intervention programs are available within the region to mitigate the harmful effects of pollution, these programs need to be robust and appropriately implemented, causing possible threats to public health. Significant gaps in the research were identified, especially in the Caribbean.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of the study include limited available research done within LAC, with most of the research quantifying pollutants rather than addressing their impacts. Additionally, most studies focus on air pollution but neglect water and land pollution’s effects on public health. For this reason, the 16 studies included limited robustness of the review.Originality/valueAlthough available studies quantifying pollution threats in LAC were identified in this review, research on the adverse impacts of pollution, especially concerning public health, is limited. LAC countries should explore making cities more energy-efficient, compact and green while improving the transportation sector by utilizing clean power generation. In order to properly lessen the effects of pollution on public health, more research needs to be done and implemented programs that are working need to be strengthened and expanded.

WMCP-EM: An integrated dehazing framework for visibility restoration in single image

Adopting local patches for varying haze conditions is crucial for optimizing the performance in single image dehazing. We propose a novel two-fold method with a prime focus on self-adaptive prior named Weighted Median Channel Prior (WMCP) to resolve the problems introduced by using a fixed size local-patch in the dehazing process. WMCP works by leveraging the spatially changing haze statistics such as inclusion–exclusion of related pixels for estimating depth-map in varying haze conditions. It is a scale-invariant technique that retains most of the information present in the local neighbourhood of the hazy input image for estimating scene depth, which traditional methods generally fail to preserve. In addition, an unsharp-masking based technique called edge-modulation (EM) promotes hidden or missing details such as microscopic edges and textures lost due to haze, making this scheme beneficial in ensuring a visually aesthetic and realistic dehazed image. This research also includes a set of ablation tests to assess the contributions of each module engaged in the dehazing process. We performed a comparative evaluation of our method with several state-of-the-art techniques, revealing its superiority in terms of visibility improvement and edge preservation, especially when the dense haze regions are taken into consideration.

Efficient numerical evaluation of weak restricted compositions

We propose an algorithm to calculate the number of weak compositions, wherein each part is restricted to a different range of integers. This algorithm performs different orders of approximation up to the exact solution by using the Inclusion-Exclusion Principle. The great advantage of it with respect to the classical generating function technique is that the calculation is exponentially faster as the size of the numbers involved increases.

Irreversible Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Post Covid-19 Patients-An Institutional Prospective Study.

SARS-CoV-2 virus could damage the hearing by several mechanisms, it could damage the auditory centre in the temporal lobe and direct peripheral injury to the sensory cells of the cochlear due to neurotropism of the virus. A Prospective hospital-based observational study was carried out at a tertiary care centre for a period of 22months from January 2021 to October 2022. A total of 100 patients were selected according to inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) was done as a screening test; patients were followed up till 6months. Among those patients who had hearing loss, repeat audiological profile (PTA) was done after 1month, 13(65%) patients were found to have normal hearing. After 3months, repeat PTA was done, 18 patients (90%) found to have normal hearing and the remaining 2 patients followed up till 6months and again PTA was done where only 1 patient continued to have sensorineural hearing loss.