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PurposeTo report an image analysis pipeline, DDLSNet, consisting of a rim segmentation (RimNet) branch and a disc size classification (DiscNet) branch to automate estimation of the disc damage likelihood scale (DDLS).DesignRetrospective observational.ParticipantsRimNet and DiscNet were developed with 1208 and 11 536 optic disc photographs (ODPs), respectively. DDLSNet performance was evaluated on 120 ODPs from the RimNet test set, for which the DDLS scores were graded by clinicians. Reproducibility was evaluated on a group of 781 eyes, each with 2 ODPs taken within 4 years apart.MethodsDisc damage likelihood scale calculation requires estimation of optic disc size, provided by DiscNet (VGG19 network), and the minimum rim-to-disc ratio (mRDR) or absent rim width (ARW), provided by RimNet (InceptionV3/LinkNet segmentation model). To build RimNet's dataset, glaucoma specialists marked optic disc rim and cup boundaries on ODPs. The "ground truth" mRDR or ARW was calculated. For DiscNet's dataset, corresponding OCT images provided "ground truth" disc size. Optic disc photographs were split into 80/10/10 for training, validation, and testing, respectively, for RimNet and DiscNet. DDLSNet estimation was tested against manual grading of DDLS by clinicians with the average score used as "ground truth." Reproducibility of DDLSNet grading was evaluated by repeating DDLS estimation on a dataset of nonprogressing paired ODPs taken at separate times.Main outcome measuresThe main outcome measure was a weighted kappa score between clinicians and the DDLSNet pipeline with agreement defined as ± 1 DDLS score difference.ResultsRimNet achieved an mRDR mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.04 (± 0.03) and an ARW MAE of 48.9 (± 35.9) degrees when compared to clinician segmentations. DiscNet achieved 73% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70%, 75%) classification accuracy. DDLSNet achieved an average weighted kappa agreement of 0.54 (95% CI: 0.40, 0.68) compared to clinicians. Average interclinician agreement was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.49, 0.56). Reproducibility testing demonstrated that 96% of ODP pairs had a difference of ≤ 1 DDLS score.ConclusionsDDLSNet achieved moderate agreement with clinicians for DDLS grading. This novel approach illustrates the feasibility of automated ODP grading for assessing glaucoma severity. Further improvements may be achieved by increasing the number of incomplete rims sample size, expanding the hyperparameter search, and increasing the agreement of clinicians grading ODPs.

PurposeAccurate neural rim measurement based on optic disc imaging is important to glaucoma severity grading and often performed by trained glaucoma specialists. We aim to improve upon existing automated tools by building a fully automated system (RimNet) for direct rim identification in glaucomatous eyes and measurement of the minimum rim-to-disc ratio (mRDR) in intact rims, the angle of absent rim width (ARW) in incomplete rims, and the rim-to-disc-area ratio (RDAR) with the goal of optic disc damage grading.DesignRetrospective cross sectional study.ParticipantsOne thousand and twenty-eight optic disc photographs with evidence of glaucomatous optic nerve damage from 1021 eyes of 903 patients with any form of primary glaucoma were included. The mean age was 63.7 (± 14.9) yrs. The average mean deviation of visual fields was -8.03 (± 8.59).MethodsThe images were required to be of adequate quality, have signs of glaucomatous damage, and be free of significant concurrent pathology as independently determined by glaucoma specialists. Rim and optic cup masks for each image were manually delineated by glaucoma specialists. The database was randomly split into 80/10/10 for training, validation, and testing, respectively. RimNet consists of a deep learning rim and cup segmentation model, a computer vision mRDR measurement tool for intact rims, and an ARW measurement tool for incomplete rims. The mRDR is calculated at the thinnest rim section while ARW is calculated in regions of total rim loss. The RDAR was also calculated. Evaluation on the Drishti-GS dataset provided external validation (Sivaswamy 2015).Main outcome measuresMedian Absolute Error (MAE) between glaucoma specialists and RimNet for mRDR and ARW.ResultsOn the test set, RimNet achieved a mRDR MAE of 0.03 (0.05), ARW MAE of 31 (89)°, and an RDAR MAE of 0.09 (0.10). On the Drishti-GS dataset, an mRDR MAE of 0.03 (0.04) and an mRDAR MAE of 0.09 (0.10) was observed.ConclusionsRimNet demonstrated acceptably accurate rim segmentation and mRDR and ARW measurements. The fully automated algorithm presented here would be a valuable component in an automated mRDR-based glaucoma grading system. Further improvements could be made by improving identification and segmentation performance on incomplete rims and expanding the number and variety of glaucomatous training images.

PurposeTo evaluate the feasibility of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for measuring anterior chamber (AC) cells in children with uveitis and to compare different AS-OCT acquisition modes.DesignValidity and reliability analysis.MethodsWe enrolled children younger than 18 years who had uveitis involving the anterior segment and children without eye disease as controls. All underwent clinical grading of AC cells. AC images of each eye were obtained using the Optovue Avanti RTVue XR AS-OCT. Two acquisition modes were used: a single cross-sectional line scan and an 8-line radial scan in an asterisk pattern. Two independent, masked graders counted cells manually on AS-OCT images. Rater agreement was assessed using intraclass correlation (ICC).ResultsIncluded were 30 children (59 eyes) with uveitis (median age 13.0 years, range 3-17 years) and 20 control children (40 eyes, median age 10.5 years, range 4-17 years). The number of eyes assigned each clinical grade of cells were as follows: none, 32 (54%); 0.5+, 12 (20.3%); 1+, 5 (8.5%); 2+, 8 (13.6%); 3+, 2 (3.4%). ICC of graders for line and radial scan protocols were 0.87 and 0.90. There was no significant difference between acquisition modes for pooled grader results (95% CI for difference: -0.04 to 0.14). ICC of cell counts between line and radial scan protocols was 0.85 (95% CI: 0.69-0.90). No control eyes had cells on AS-OCT images.ConclusionsQuantification of AC cell in children with uveitis is feasible with AS-OCT and has excellent reliability between different graders and acquisition modes.

To report the availability and activity of online uveitis support groups. An online search was conducted for support groups for uveitis. Member count and activity were recorded. Posts and comments were graded along five themes: emotional or personal story sharing, information seeking, offer of outside information, emotional support, and expressions of gratitude. An online search resulted in 32 support groups for uveitis. Across all groups, there was a median membership of 725 (IQR 1410.5). Of the 32 groups, five were active and accessible at the time of study. In these five groups, 337 posts and 1406 comments were made within the past year. The most prevalent theme in posts consisted of information seeking (84%) while the most prevalent theme in comments consisted of emotion or personal story sharing (65%). Online uveitis support groups provide a unique space for emotional support, information sharing, and community building.Abbreviations: OIUF – Ocular Inflammation and Uveitis Foundation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofluids represent a novel heat transfer liquid, making them an efficient medium for enhancing energy transmission. Nevertheless, significant knowledge gaps still exist concerning current strategies for improving heat transfer in nanofluids, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive research on these fluid systems. Therefore, this study considered theoretical analysis retrieves the influence of radiative two‐dimensional stagnation point flow of second‐grade micropolar fluid flow about an elongated channel surface implanted in porous media with magnetic effect, and modified heat and mass flux is under consideration. The major novel effect of the current study is to analyze the activation energy and thermal aspect of the system in the presence of nonlinear radiation effects that are considered in the revised mathematical framework by utilizing the boundary layer theory. The resulting set of coupled partial differential equations is further reduced and transformed into a dimensionless system of ordinary differential equations through appropriate scaling invariants. We initiate the RKF‐45 investigation scheme to numerically analyze the transformed dimensionless system, considering relevant parameters. The computational algorithm is implemented using MATLAB programming syntax. Plotted visuals are revealed for leading parameters against pertinent flow profiles graphically and with numerical data. Additionally, the convergence analysis of the numerical results for various flow profiles of the fluids were compared to establish the authenticity of the proposed flow problem. These research findings play a significant role in controlling heat transfer rates and fluid velocities in diverse manufacturing processes and industrial applications, ultimately aiding in achieving the desired product quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper related to thin film flows of two immiscible third grade fluids past a vertical moving belt with slip conditions in the presence of uniform magnetic field. Immiscible fluids we mean superposed fluids of different densities and viscosities. The basic governing equations of continuity, momentum and energy are incorporated. The modeled coupled equations are solved analytically by using Adomian Decomposition Method (ADM) along with Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM). The residual errors show the authentication of the present work. For comparison, numerical method (ND-Solve) is also applied and good agreement is found. The effects of model parameters on velocity, skin friction and temperature variation have been studied. At the end, the present study is also compared with single layer flow and revealed in close agreement with the result available in the literature.

The most important plastic resins used in wire coating are high/low density polyethylene (LDPE/HDPE), plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), nylon and polysulfone. To provide insulation and mechanical strength, coating is necessary for wires. Simulation of polymer flow during wire coating dragged froma bath of Oldroyd 8-constant fluid incompresible and laminar fluid inside pressure type die is carried out numerically. In wire coating the flow depends on the velocity of the wire, geometry of the die and viscosity of the fluid.The non-dimensional resulting flow and heat transfer differential equations are solved numerically by Ruge-Kutta 4th-order method with shooting technique. Reynolds model and Vogel’s models are encountered for temperature dependent viscosity. The numerical solutions are obtained for velocity field and temperature distribution. The solutions are computed for different physical parameters.It is observed that the non-Newtonian propertis of fluid were favourable, enhancing the velocity in combination with temperature dependent variable. The Brinkman number contributes to increase the temperature for both Reynolds and Vogel’smodels. With the increasing of pressure gradient parameter of both Reynolds and Vogel’s models, the velocity and temperature profile increases significantly in the presence of non-Newtonian parameter. Furthermore, the present result is also compared with published results as a particular case.

The effect of magnetic field on the flow of the UCMF (Upper-Convected-Maxwell Fluid) with the property of a heat source/sink immersed in a porous medium is explored. A shrinking phenomenon along with the permeability of the wall are considered. The governing equations for the motion and transfer of heat of the UC MF along with boundary conditions are converted into a set of coupled nonlinear mathematical equations. Appropriate similarity transformations are used to convert the set of nonlinear partial differential equations into nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The modeled ordinary differential equations have been solved by the Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM). The convergence of the series solution is established. For the sake of comparison, numerical (ND-Solve method) solutions are also obtained. Special attention is given to how the non-dimensional physical parameters of interest affect the flow of the UCMF. It is observed that with the increasing Deborah number the velocity decreases and the temperature inside the fluid increases. The results show that the velocity and temperature distribution increases with a porous medium. It is also observed that the magnetic parameter has a decelerating effect on velocity while the temperature profiles increases in the entire domain. Due to the increase in Prandtl number the temperature profile increases. It is also observed that the heat source enhance the thermal conductivity and increases the fluid temperature while the heat sink provides a decrease in the fluid temperature.

Water scarcity is the lack of fresh water resources to meet the standard water demand. For human needs the amount of fresh water on earth is very low. The quality and quantity of water are important for human survival. Water is one of the most valuable natural resource on earth. The present study has been made to explore social implications of water scarcity on local community of tehsil Murree district Rawalpindi. Sample size of 100 respondents were selected through simple random sampling technique. Data was collected through interview guide, case study method and Focus Group Discussions. The study showed that poor and marginalized groups are on the frontline of water scarcity crisis, impacting their ability to maintain good health, protect their families and earn a living. For many women and girls, water scarcity means more laborious, timeconsuming water collection, putting them at increased risk of attack and often precluding them from education or work. It was found that women had to cover long distances on foot carrying heavy pitchers on their heads to fetch water from locally available water resources in the region. Due to this heavy pitchers' pregnant women face many difficulties and, in some cases, even had to lose their babies. It was also found that water fetching activity provided a platform for women to share all types of informal, formal and personal gossips. It was also observed that the lack of access to water can create social disparities in communities and it also affect the education of children because children must fetch water instead of going to school. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulations have been carried out for a multi-body launch vehicle configuration using CFD code 'PARAS-3D'. PARAS-3D is a Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes equations (RANS) solver with k-ε turbulence model. The transonic regime is a critical regime for any launch vehicle configuration because of its typical aerodynamic characteristics such as shock wave disturbances. CFD flow simulations are done at zero degree angle of attack for various strap-on nose cone angle, nose radius and Mach numbers 0.8, 0.9, 0.95, 1.05. For different positions of strap-on obtained through forward and backward shift from its original position, the influence of strap-on on fore body of the core of launch vehicle is investigated. In this article, the results pertaining to the pressure distribution and Mach contour over launch vehicle configuration is presented.

The polyethene coating is frequently functionalized to cables or pipes for corrosion prevention, voltage differential, mechanical characteristics, and environmental legislation. The metal coating technique, in particular, is important in a variety of commercial applications. Coaxial extrusion, immersion, and electromagnetic application are examples of wire surface treatments. The wire coating procedure necessitates an increase in thermal performance. As a result, this research aims to determine how floating nanoparticles affect the mass and heat transport mechanisms of non-Newtonian fluid in the posttreatment for cable coating processes. For nanofluids, the Buongiorno model is used, including variable viscosity. The original mathematical formulation in terms of nonlinear ODEs for bvph2 is altered to first-order ODEs using similarity transformation. The data collection for the projected bvph2 is developed for variables related to the proposed model manipulating the velocity consuming the explicit bvph2 technique. The exercise, confirmation, and analysis processes of the ND-solve method are utilized to appraise the attained results of bvhp2 for numerous cases, and an assessment of the achieved consequences is executed with available statistics set to pattern the correctness and efficiency of the suggested algorithm for the scrutiny of non-Newtonian fluid problem connected bvph2. The prevailing uniformity of recommended conclusions with published findings designates the legitimacy of the structure, and the accurateness of 10−6 is also accomplished. The analytical findings of this investigation revealed that within the Reynolds modeling, the stress on the whole wire surface combined with shear forces at the surface predominates Vogel's model. The contribution of nanomaterials upon force on the entire surface of wire and shear forces at the surface appears positive. A non-Newtonian feature can increase the capping substance's velocity. This research could aid in the advancement of wire coating technologies. For the first instance, the significance of nanotechnology during wire coating evaluation is explored by utilizing Brownian motion with generation/absorption slip processes. For time-dependent viscosity, two alternative models are useful. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

I have Well aware of the importance which involved gifting from creators of poets and Story writers, to their fellow critics. And I sensed a question sometimes implicit, and sometimes explicit from the presence of poets and storytellers; that: Is what Is given to the critics have some a portion of their time to read and we reflect? Or that books take a road passable for the inclusion of the library? And aware to the same extent; bone responsibility that delivered That is gifting the critic, as the critic expected Mahdi that opens in front of a window on a new idea, and a new title appropriated by repetition at the level of Adresses, ideas, and perhaps the question that arises is always (Where Monetary day) of the vast amount of versions? The new cash was motivated Adresses which readies a collection of poems one; narrowing in the hands of the critic sometimes, because of how much of the previous Go acquired from objectors preceded the subsequent Adresses, and perhaps critical writings that do not meet new cash idea, let reproduces the same question, that is issue also figured. And down when estimating al-Mahdi, the Mahdi of literary productions, the study material will be ten collections of poetry poets Arabs and Kurds, which is what I dedicate to Clauaz in the nuclei of the second Forum (1) and what I got from books and distributed on the occasion.