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We study the problem of video shot boundary detection using an adaptive edge-oriented framework. Our approach is distinct in its use of multiple multilevel features in the required processing. Adaptation is provided by a careful analysis of these multilevel features, based on shot variability. We consider three levels of adaptation: at the feature extraction stage using locally-adaptive edge maps, at the video sequence level, and at the individual shot level. We show how to provide adaptive parameters for the multilevel edge-based approach, and how to determine adaptive thresholds for the shot boundaries based on the characteristics of the particular shot being indexed. The result is a fast adaptive scheme that provides a slightly better performance in terms of robustness, and a five fold efficiency improvement in shot characterization and classification. The reported work has applications beyond direct video indexing, and could be used in real-time applications, such as in dynamic monitoring and modeling of video data traffic in multimedia communications, and in real-time video surveillance. Experimental results are included.

Haules Robbins Zaniku,1,2 Emilia Connolly,3– 5 Moses Banda Aron,6,7 Beatrice Lydia Matanje,8 Myness Kasanda Ndambo,9 George Complex Talama,10 Fabien Munyaneza,11 Todd Ruderman,8 Jamie Rylance,12,13 Luckson Wandani Dullie,14 Rejani Lalitha,15 Ndaziona Peter Kwanjo Banda,16,&ast; Adamson S Muula17,&ast; 1Department of Physiotherapy, Ministry of Health, Neno District Health Office, Neno, Lilongwe, Malawi; 2Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Lilongwe, Malawi; 3Department of Partnerships and Policy, Partners in Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU), Neno, Lilongwe, Malawi; 4Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA; 5Division of Hospital Medicine, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45529, USA; 6Monitoring and Evaluation Department, Partners in Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU), Neno, Lilongwe, Malawi; 7Snakebite Envenoming Department, Research Group Snakebite Envenoming, Bernhard Nocht Institute for Tropical Medicine, Hamburg, Germany; 8Clinical Department, Partners in Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU), Neno, Lilongwe, Malawi; 9Department of Health Systems and Policy, Training and Research Unit of Excellence (TRUE), Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Lilongwe, Malawi; 10Programs Directorate, Partners in Hope, Lilongwe, Malawi; 11Research Department, Partners in Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU), Neno, Lilongwe, Malawi; 12Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre, Malawi; 13Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK; 14Global Leadership Ecosystem, Partners in Health/Abwenzi Pa za Umoyo (PIH/APZU), Neno, Lilongwe, Malawi; 15Pulmonary Division, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda; 16Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Oral Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Lilongwe, Malawi; 17Community and Environmental Health Department, School of Global and Public Health, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Lilongwe, Malawi&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Haules Robbins Zaniku, Neno District Health Office, P.O. Box 52, Neno, Malawi, Tel +265-994-922-140, Email hrzanikuh@gmail.comIntroduction: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) continues to pose a global public health challenge. However, literature is scarce on the burden of COPD in Malawi. We assessed the prevalence and risk factors for COPD among adults in Neno, Malawi.Methodology: We conducted a population-based analytical cross-sectional study in Neno District between December 2021 and November 2022. Using a multi-stage sampling technique, we included 525 adults aged≥ 40 years. All participants underwent spirometry according to the American Thoracic Society (ATS) guidelines and were interviewed using the IMPALA questionnaire. For this study, we utilized the definition of COPD as a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.70. We collected data using Kobo collect, exported to Microsoft Excel, and analysed using R software. We used descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis; a p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: Out of 525 participants, 510 participants were included in the final analysis. Fifty-eight percent of the participants were females (n=296), and 62.2% (n=317) were between 40 and 49 years with a median (IQR) age of 46 (40– 86). For patient characteristics, 15.1% (n=77) were current smokers, and 4.1% (n=21) had a history of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Cough was the most commonly reported respiratory symptom (n=249, 48.8%). The prevalence of COPD was 10.0% (n=51) and higher (15.0%) among males compared to females (6.4%). Factors significantly associated with COPD were age 60 years and above (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 3.27, 95% CI: 1.48– 7.34, p< 0.004), ever smoked (aOR = 6.17, 95% CI:1.89– 18.7, p< 0.002), current smoker (aOR = 17.6, 95% CI: 8.47– 38.4, p< 0.001), and previous PTB (aOR = 4.42, 95% CI: 1.16– 15.5, p< 0.023).Conclusion: The cross-sectional prevalence of COPD in rural Malawi is high, especially among males. Factors significantly associated were older age (60 years and above), cigarette smoking, and previous PTB. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand disease etiology and progression in this setting.Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prevalence, spirometry, associated factors, Malawi

Aceh is the leading province in Indonesia, where the marine protection area for juvenile sharks and rays was first established, precisely in Aceh Jaya waters. Rigaih is the fishing port located closest to Aceh Jaya waters, where the angler fish closely with the marine protected area and even intersect with the juvenile’s habitat. This study aimed to examine shark and ray catches in Aceh Jaya before and after establishing the marine protection area. We conducted landing monitoring from 2017 to 2019 (before establishing a conservation area) and monitored in 2020 when the conservation area was established. We recorded that 73% of sharks and ray caught on set gill net. The composition of sharks and rays landed at PPI Rigaih consisted of Sphyrna lewini (75%, n=1783), Chiloscyllium punctatum (8%), Neotrygon caeruleopunctata (7%, n =175), and other species (10%). This study aimed to provide scientific recommendations to support shark conservation action in Aceh Jaya Waters. We found that Aceh Jaya waters are an important area for the life stages of several threatened species, including Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks (S.lewini) and Bottlenose Wedgefish (R.australiae) that are listed in Critically Endangered and listed in Appendix II CITES. Management to support the conservation action needs to be strengthened not only limited to Marine Protected Areas but also fisheries management to reduce the incidental catch of threatened sharks and ray species. Further studies need to be conducted to delineate the habitat range of threatened shark and ray species and identify fishing behaviours that pose a risk for incidental catches of sharks and rays.

BACKGROUND: Application of high resolution synchrotron micro-imaging in microdefects studies of restored dental samples. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the defects in restorations done by two different resin systems on teeth samples using synchrotron based micro-imaging techniques namely Phase Contrast Imaging (PCI) and micro-computed tomography (MCT). With this aim acquired image quality was also compared with routinely used RVG (Radiovisiograph). METHODS: Crowns of human teeth samples were fractured mechanically involving only enamel and dentin, without exposure of pulp chamber and were divided into two groups depending on the restorative composite materials used. Group A samples were restored using a submicron Hybrid composite material and Group B samples were restored using a Nano-Hybrid restorative composite material. Synchrotron based PCI and MCT was performed with the aim of visualization of tooth structure, composite resin and their interface. RESULTS: The quantitative and qualitative comparison of phase contrast and absorption contrast images along with MCT on the restored teeth samples shows comparatively large number of voids in Group A samples. CONCLUSIONS: Quality assessment of dental restorations using synchrotron based micro-imaging suggests Nano-Hybrid resin restorations (Group B) are better than Group A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]