RAW Image Reconstruction Using a Self-contained sRGB-JPEG Image with Small Memory Overhead.

Most camera images are saved as 8-bit standard RGB (sRGB) compressed JPEGs. Even when JPEG compression is set to its highest quality, the encoded sRGB image has been significantly processed in terms of color and tone manipulation. This makes sRGB-JPEG images undesirable for many computer vision tasks that assume a direct relationship between pixel values and incoming light. For such applications, the RAW image format is preferred, as RAW represents a minimally processed, sensor-specific RGB image that is linear with respect to scene radiance. The drawback with RAW images, however, is that they require large amounts of storage and are not well-supported by many imaging applications. To address this issue, we present a method to encode the necessary data within an sRGB-JPEG image to reconstruct a high-quality RAW image. Our approach requires no calibration of the camera's colorimetric properties and can reconstruct the original RAW to within 0.5% error with a small memory overhead for the additional data (e.g., 128 KB). More importantly, our output is a fully self-contained 100% compliant sRGB-JPEG file that can be used as-is, not affecting any existing image workflow-the RAW image data can be extracted when needed, or ignored otherwise. We detail our approach and show its effectiveness against competing strategies.

Is cerebral palsy a preventable disease?

The causes of cerebral palsy in 96 young patients were analyzed. Potentially avoidable situations including inappropriate obstetric management and inappropriate neonatal care occurred in 38%. There should be a shift in emphasis from the rehabilitation of cerebral palsy to its prevention by improving services for reproductive care. Prevention can be undertaken by 1) identification and referral of the mother with a high-risk pregnancy to a perinatal center for her confinement; 2) fetal monitoring and appropriate resuscitation at delivery; and 3) early transfer of compromised infants to a neonatal care unit under good supervision.

The Ilizarov method for correction of complex deformities. Psychological and functional outcomes.

We reviewed the psychological profile and functional ability of forty-five children (fifty-two extremities) who had had correction of deformities of the lower extremities with the Ilizarov method. Psychological changes were evaluated with the Post-Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire and the Children's Depression Inventory, and the functional status was measured with the Children Health Information Service Rand Scale. The over-all satisfaction of the patient with regard to the outcome of the operation was assessed as well. The operations were performed between 1988 and 1992. The average age at the time of the operation was twelve years (range, three to eighteen years), and the average duration of follow-up was thirty-six months (range, twenty-four to seventy-two months). The lengthening index, duration of lengthening, and average number of complications were similar to those reported in other studies. All of the children had a normal psychological score, forty-two had no limitations in daily activities, and thirty-seven were satisfied with the over-all result.

Thoracic kyphosis associated with a thymic cyst.

Cystic masses of the thymus are usually asymptomatic. Any symptoms are usually related to fluid accumulation and the cyst's accompanying increase in size. The authors report a case presenting with kyphosis and late recognition of the associated thymic cyst. We found no reports in the literature of a thymic cyst preceded by or associated with kyphosis and the mechanisms of this association are unknown.

Fractures and sprains.

Everyone knows that some fractures in children have a great capacity for remodeling and require minimal care. Likewise, everyone knows that some growth-plate injuries have great potential for disaster. The skill comes in knowing which is which.

Treatment of femoral fracture in the child with head injury.

The outcome of various types of treatment for femoral fracture in children with head injury was studied retrospectively in 51 patients with 56 fractures. Of these, 36 patients (71 per cent) were in deep coma and scored 5 to 7 on the Glasgow scale. Forty-three children (84 per cent) were eventually able to walk freely. Open reduction and internal fixation proved an attractive solution for femoral fractures in children with head injury who could tolerate general anaesthesia: intramedullary nailing was safe and gave satisfactory results in 16 fractures but infection complicated three of the five fractures which were plated.

Forearm fractures in children. Cast treatment with the elbow extended.

Fractures of the proximal forearm in young children may be unstable with the elbow flexed but stable with it in extension. Fifteen such fractures were managed by immobilisation in long-arm casts with the elbow extended. Only one patient had more than 15 degrees angulation at the time of bony union. All obtained normal elbow movement at two weeks and full forearm rotation at follow-up. No casts fell off. The extended elbow cast is awkward but it provides an alternative to internal fixation for some unstable fractures.

Paraplegia in osteogenesis imperfecta. A case report.

Paraplegia occurred in an adolescent girl with osteogenesis imperfecta after chiropractic manipulation. The child had been able to walk freely out of doors. Complete motor paralysis with sensory sparing resulted due to anterior compression of the cord by spondyloptotic cervical vertebrae. Reconstructed computerised tomography was very helpful in demonstrating the abnormality. Anterior and then posterior decompression relieved the tethered spinal cord and were supplemented with bone grafting. Early diagnosis and surgical treatment will prevent similar neurological accidents.

Observations concerning fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children.

From an anatomical study and clinical review of fractures of the lateral humeral condyle in children, the following conclusions are drawn. The mechanism of injury is a violent varus force with the elbow in extension, the condyle being avulsed by the lateral ligament and the extensor muscles. If the fracture is incomplete, with an intact hinge of pre-osseous cartilage medially, the fragment will not be displaced. If the fracture is complete the fragment may be displaced, and open reduction with internal fixation is mandatory. The results of open reduction more than three weeks after the fracture are no better than those of no treatment at all, and may kill the lateral condylar fragment by damaging its blood supply. The major problem of a neglected fracture is tardy ulnar nerve palsy; to avoid this, immediate anterior transposition of the nerve is recommended, operation for the fracture itself being of no benefit.

The myth of muscle balance. A study of relative strengths and excursions of normal muscles about the foot and ankle.

The lower limbs of five cadavers were dissected and the lengths of the muscle fibres and the weights of all the muscles below the knee were measured. From this information the relative strength and excursion of each muscle was determined. We found that the plantarflexors of the ankle were six times as strong as the dorsiflexors. We have therefore discarded the concept of "muscle balance" in tendon transfer surgery and propose that task appropriateness should be the guide. The constant relationship between muscle fibre length and muscle excursion means that contractures are accompanied by decreased excursion. Tendon lengthening improves deformity but does not improve the decreased active range of movement.

Dislocation of the hip in trisomy 21.

Almost one child in twenty with trisomy 21 will develop spontaneous dislocation of the hip between learning to walk and the age of 10 years. After the age of two years spontaneous habitual dislocation may occur. If left untreated, acute dislocation, subluxation and fixed dislocation follow in sequence. The natural history of the condition is described and the clinical and radiological features of 45 dislocations in 28 patients are presented. Nineteen had received no treatment. The most effective treatment was found to be pelvic or femoral osteotomy, combined with capsular plication, carried out in the phase of habitual dislocation. Once subluxation or fixed dislocation was present, the results of operation were poor and it is not recommended. All patients, even if left untreated, remain mobile. Pain is not a prominent feature.

The problem of Monteggia fracture-dislocations in children.

When a Monteggia fracture is recognized and treated immediately, the results are excellent. Poor results are mostly caused by initially missing the diagnosis. Operative intervention is usually required for those fractures that are unstable after manipulation or recognized too late after injury.

Fractures of the olecranon and radial neck in children.

Over one half of radial neck fractures are associated with other injuries about the elbow. Most radial neck fractures can be treated with closed reduction or with percutaneous probing, even if the other associated injuries require open reduction. The results are good, although radiologic imperfections may be seen after healing. In the older child, olecranon fractures that have significant displacement usually require open reduction with internal fixation.

Preventive pediatric orthopedics.

Prevention programs for pediatric orthopedic disorders are deficient in the United States today primarily due to a lack of knowledge about their incidence and ultimate disability. Open neural tube defects, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, spastic dislocation of the hip, congenital dislocation of the hip, and idiopathic scoliosis are common problems with preventable aspects. These facts should be known by all physicians involved in the care of children.