Global and National Declines in Life Expectancy: An End-of-2021 Assessment

Timely, high-quality mortality data have allowed for assessments of the impact of Covid-19 on life expectancies in upper-middle- and high-income countries. Extant data, though imperfect, suggest that the bulk of the pandemic-induced mortality might have occurred elsewhere. This article reports on changes in life expectancies around the world as far as they can be estimated from the evidence available at the end of 2021. The global life expectancy appears to have declined by .92 years between 2019 and 2020 and by another .72 years between 2020 and 2021, but the decline seems to have ended during the last quarter of 2021. Uncertainty about its exact size aside, this represents the first decline in global life expectancy since 1950, the first year for which a global estimate is available from the United Nations. Annual declines in life expectancy (from a 12-month period to the next) appear to have exceeded two years at some point before the end of 2021 in at least 50 countries. Since 1950, annual declines of that magnitude had only been observed in rare occasions, such as Cambodia in the 1970s, Rwanda in the 1990s, and possibly some sub-Saharan African nations at the peak of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

Tuning as convex optimisation: a polynomial tuner for multi-parametric combinatorial samplers

Combinatorial samplers are algorithmic schemes devised for the approximate- and exact-size generation of large random combinatorial structures, such as context-free words, various tree-like data structures, maps, tilings, RNA molecules. They can be adapted to combinatorial specifications with additional parameters, allowing for a more flexible control over the output profile of parametrised combinatorial patterns. One can control, for instance, the number of leaves, profile of node degrees in trees or the number of certain sub-patterns in generated strings. However, such a flexible control requires an additional and nontrivial tuning procedure. Using techniques of convex optimisation, we present an efficient tuning algorithm for multi-parametric combinatorial specifications. Our algorithm works in polynomial time in the system description length, the number of tuning parameters, the number of combinatorial classes in the specification, and the logarithm of the total target size. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our method on a series of practical examples, including rational, algebraic, and so-called Pólya specifications. We show how our method can be adapted to a broad range of less typical combinatorial constructions, including symmetric polynomials, labelled sets and cycles with cardinality lower bounds, simple increasing trees or substitutions. Finally, we discuss some practical aspects of our prototype tuner implementation and provide its benchmark results.

A workflow for low-cost automated image analysis of myxomycete spore numbers, size and shape

Measuring spore size is a standard method for the description of fungal taxa, but in manual microscopic analyses the number of spores that can be measured and information on their morphological traits are typically limited. To overcome this weakness we present a method to analyze the size and shape of large numbers of spherical bodies, such as spores or pollen, by using inexpensive equipment. A spore suspension mounted on a slide is treated with a low-cost, high-vibration device to distribute spores uniformly in a single layer without overlap. Subsequently, 10,000 to 50,000 objects per slide are measured by automated image analysis. The workflow involves (1) slide preparation, (2) automated image acquisition by light microscopy, (3) filtering to separate high-density clusters, (4) image segmentation by applying a machine learning software, Waikato Environment for Knowledge Analysis (WEKA), and (5) statistical evaluation of the results. The technique produced consistent results and compared favorably with manual measurements in terms of precision. Moreover, measuring spore size distribution yields information not obtained by manual microscopic analyses, as shown for the myxomycete Physarum albescens. The exact size distribution of spores revealed irregularities in spore formation resulting from the influence of environmental conditions on spore maturation. A comparison of the spore size distribution within and between sporocarp colonies showed large environmental and likely genetic variation. In addition, the comparison identified specimens with spores roughly twice the normal size. The successful implementation of the presented method for analyzing myxomycete spores also suggests potential for other applications.

Residual Stresses Distribution Posterior to Welding and Cutting Processes

Welding is a joining process that leads to considerable change in the local material and the formation of welding residual stresses (RS). Welding residual stresses can be compressive (beneficial for the fatigue life) or tensile (harmful for the fatigue life). In this chapter, a probabilistic analysis of residual stresses distribution posterior to welding processes is carried out. Several researchers stated that the type of the introduced stresses either compressive or tensile depends on several factors. Some of these factors are listed in this chapter. Welding of mega-structures is carried out in the workshops, then a cutting process takes place to construct the exact size of the structural components. This cutting process has a significant effect on the weld residual stresses re-distribution. A study of the re-distribution of the weld residual stress after cutting was performed. It was found that independent of the weld seam length, the residual stresses re-distributed up to 60 % of the weld seam length.

Greig Cephalopolysyndactyly Contiguous Gene Syndrome: Case Report and Literature Review

Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS) is a rare genetic disorder (about 200 cases reported), characterized by macrocephaly, hypertelorism, and polysyndactyly. Most of the reported GCPS cases are the results of heterozygous loss of function mutations affecting the GLI3 gene (OMIM# 175700), while a small proportion of cases arise from large deletions on chromosome 7p14 encompassing the GLI3 gene. To our knowledge, only 6 patients have been reported to have a deletion with an exact size (given by genomic coordinates) and a gene content larger than 1 Mb involving the GLI3 gene. This report presents a patient with Greig cephalopolysyndactyly contiguous gene syndrome (GCP-CGS) diagnosed with a large, 18 Mb deletion on chromosome 7p14.2-p11.2. Similar cases are reviewed in the literature for a more accurate comparison between genotype and phenotype.

Complex revision hip arthroplasty for aseptic implant instability with 3D-modeling

The increasing number of hip replacement surgeries in the worldwide practice causes the progressive increase in revision cases. The treatment of patients with instability of the hip implants requires the individual approach, taking into account the size of the defect, the loss of bone mass and the structural state of the bone in each case. Objective. To show the technical opportunities of the revision cementless implants in combination with 3D-modeling for the treatment of acetabulum massive defects. Methods. It was shown the cli­nical case of hip replacement surgery of the patient with the aseptic instability of endoprosthesis components. A 3D-model of the pelvis and femur was created on the basis of the СT scan in order to make an analysis of bone tissue defects and to select the exact size of implant components for revision surgery. Results. It was suggested a standardized methodology of the preoperative examination to make the high-tech operation easier and maximally effective. It is necessary not only to take into account the results of the X- ray analysis, but also to pay attention to all changes in the damaged segments. It was shown that the real plastic model make the work of the surgeon easier during all steps of the treatment. The opportunity to use the standard revision components for the restoration of the complex geometrically shaped bone was demonstrated with the good nearest clinical and radiological and functional results. Conclusions. The success of the revision arthroplasty depends on the carefully preoperative planning, the maximum approximation of the parameters of the artificial joint to the anatomical parameters of the patient and biomechanics of the hip join. No less important is the individual recovery program during the postoperative period.

Morphological Characteristics of the Cysts of the Maxillary Sinuses

Today, there are several diagnostic methods that allow you to determine the exact size and nature of periapical formations. In addition, there are studies that describe the thickening of the sinus mucosa in patients with periapical lesions and show a causal relationship. Objectives: This study was to study the morphological changes in the cysts of the maxillary sinus. Methods: 50 patients with maxillary sinus cysts were evaluated. A total of 50 maxillary sinuses (13 men and 12 women) were analyzed taking into account changes in density in the sinus cavity. The thickening of the sinus mucosa and periapical lesions was measured in the caudal-cephalic direction. The axial and sagittal axes were taken as a basis on the sagittal and coronal sections. The presence of opacities was not directly related to periapical lesions. Conclusions. Lesions of the maxillary sinus floor have been associated with chronic periapical lesions larger than 4 mm. Clouding or thickening of the sinus mucosa was not associated with periapical lesions.

Morphological Characteristics of the Cysts of the Maxillary Sinuses

Today, there are several diagnostic methods that allow you to determine the exact size and nature of periapical formations. In addition, there are studies that describe the thickening of the sinus mucosa in patients with periapical lesions and show a causal relationship. Objectives: This study was to study the morphological changes in the cysts of the maxillary sinus. Methods: 50 patients with maxillary sinus cysts were evaluated. A total of 50 maxillary sinuses (13 men and 12 women) were analyzed taking into account changes in density in the sinus cavity. The thickening of the sinus mucosa and periapical lesions was measured in the caudal-cephalic direction. The axial and sagittal axes were taken as a basis on the sagittal and coronal sections. The presence of opacities was not directly related to periapical lesions. Conclusions. Lesions of the maxillary sinus floor have been associated with chronic periapical lesions larger than 4 mm. Clouding or thickening of the sinus mucosa was not associated with periapical lesions.

Analysis of Environmental Factors for Mobile Software Development Focused on Korean Companies

Software should be a product that can be used easily and accurately by the user and should be improved quickly and accurately when problems arise. In many software development projects, software requirements are frequently modified during the design or development phase, which tests the development of specific designers’ or developers’ capabilities. Software development environmental factors (SDEFs), such as differences in mutual work recognition among users, developers, and testers or knowledge differences, can hinder communication, which may lead to faulty development owing to erroneous job definition. Because the exact size and scope of the software cannot be calculated, the risk of excessive requirements, such as schedule, cost, and manpower, may increase. This study aims to investigate 32 SDEFs to examine the influence of factors affecting the reliability of software developed by Korean companies to identify factors with high influence and compare differences with previous studies. Moreover, we found whether any new SDEFs from the top 10 rankings only affected Korean companies, and also US companies included in previous studies. A factor analysis revealed several potential factors to identify the mutually independent characteristics of the factors. Through statistical analysis methods, the difference between the group means and the impact on improving the software reliability were found in Korean companies. These findings can provide useful benefits to software developers and managers working in countries with different or similar cultures and help increase working efficiency, i.e., work versus time investment and software reliability improvement.

Classical and Modern Remote Mapping Methods for Vegetation Cover

Plant classification is quite complex and multilevel. All living organisms are divided into domains, kingdoms, types, classes, ranks, families, tribes, and species. This classification complexity is also reflected in the classification of biogeographic maps, which is much simpler. Based on floristic dependence, vegetation is grouped by connecting it into spatial (territorial) complexes. This paper presents the interfaces of mapping methods with taxonomic vegetation types at different hierarchical levels. At the same time, examples of vegetation mapping techniques from national and thematic atlases of different countries are presented in this article. UAV aerial photographs are widely used for local mapping of vegetation areas. The authors of this article propose a new methodology that can be used to assess the ecological condition of young trees and the volume of mature forest wood. The methodology is based on the separation of tree crown areas in UAV aerial photographs and photo color analysis. For automated area calculation of young trees, a PixRGB software has been developed to determine the area of pixels of the same color in aerial photographs. The software is based on the comparison of young tree crown area calculations in AutoCAD software and area measurements of individual color spectrum pixels. In the initial stage, aerial photographs are transformed to the exact size of the photographed area. Transformations were performed with an error of less than 2–3 cm. The transformation of the spectrum of aerial photographs allowed to concentrate the color of the image of young trees in a relatively narrow color range. Studies performed in 2019–2020 to assess the ecological condition of trees and the amount of wood using UAV INSPIRE 1 and PixRGB color analysis software showed the effectiveness of the applied methodology.