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A significant part of cereal production is intended for agri-food processing, which implies a necessity to search for and implement modern storage systems for this product. Stored grain is exposed to many unfavorable factors, particularly caryopsis macro-damage caused mainly by grain weevil (Sitophilus granarius L.). This triggers a substantial decrease in the value of the stored material, thus resulting in serious economic losses. Due to this fact, it is necessary to take steps to effectively detect this pest’s presence when grain is delivered to storage facilities. The purpose of this work was to identify the representative physical characteristics of wheat caryopsis affected by grain weevil. An automated visual system was developed to ease the detection of damaged kernels and adult weevils. In order to obtain the empirical data, a decision was made to take advance of SKCS 4100 (the Perten Single Kernel Characterization System). The measurements obtained were used to build the training sets necessary in the process of ANN (artificial neural network) learning with digital neural classifiers. Next, a set of identifying neural models was created and verified, and then the optimal topology was selected. The utilitarian goal of the research was to support the decision-making process taking place during grain storage.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced the number of orthopedic surgeries worldwide. The main reason for this was an introduction of numerous restrictions in the field of mobility, which resulted in reduction of circumstances predisposing to injuries. This had a positive impact on the overall readiness of the health system to fight the pandemic, thanks to saving human and material resources that could be successfully allocated in order to fight a new, previously unknown threat. On the other hand, such aimed administration of the system was not indifferent in terms of care quality directed towards traumatized patients, often requiring immediate measures (risk of infection transmission). This study aims to evaluate in-hospital mortality in patients with COVID-19 operated on proximal femur fractures. An attempt was also made to determine predictors influencing mortality rate among patients operated over the analyzed period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this article is to describe surgical technique and early results of Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) from lateral approach using Zimmer TM prosthesis. The study uses theoretical knowledge which is the result of research conducted by other authors, and practical knowledge due to the fact that our center performs that type of operation. Arthrodesis as the current standard in the treatment of advanced degenerative ankle disease, apart from its advantages, also has many disadvantages. The relative durability and reduction of the patient’s pain have been achieved at the expense of the adjacent joints. Their accelerated arthrosis is the result of compensatory loads as a consequence of change in foot biomechanics. That determined implementation of solutions that will guarantee elimination of pain in the ankle joint, preserve its motor function and improve gait, while having no negative impact on the mobility of adjacent joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]