The emergence of remote sensing images with high spatial resolution has increased the advancement of image-based information extraction methods. One of the rapidly developing approaches for mapping and analyzing high spatial resolution images is the object-based approach, also known as geographic object-based image analysis (GEOBIA). This development makes it possible to quickly and accurately distinguish between vegetated and non-vegetated objects in vegetation study. This study aims to (1) create a ruleset to discriminate vegetated and non-vegetated objects from a high spatial resolution image, (2) apply the GEOBIA approach to map vegetated and non-vegetated objects, and (3) calculate the accuracy of the mapping results. The GEOBIA approach was applied to a WorldView-2 image (2 m pixel size and eight multispectral bands) of the Clungup Mangrove Conservation area, Malang, East Java, Indonesia. We assessed the ability of all of the WorldView-2 image bands for discriminating the targeted objects. The segmentation process in GEOBIA used a multi-resolution segmentation algorithm using the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and the image classification used a rule-based classification technique. The green, red, and near-infrared bands can effectively distinguish the targeted objects based on the developed ruleset. The classification result shows that the vegetated and non-vegetated classes fall within their corresponding objects on the image. We implemented an area-based accuracy assessment that assesses both positional and thematic accuracy of the mapping result, based on the visual interpretation of the pansharpened WV-2 image (0.5 m pixel size) as a reference for the accuracy assessment. This process results in a 74,06% accuracy, meaning that the combination of GEOBIA and WorldView-2 image produces high accuracy of vegetated and non-vegetated objects map.

Background Pediatric Rheumatology (PR) is a young specialty that has not yet gained momentum in Algeria. The aim of this study is the assessment of the perception of PR by pediatric residents in Algeria and the current practice of this young sub-specialty in our country. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study evaluating the perception of PR by pediatric residents was created on Google forms and distributed via email and Facebook to be taken as a self-administered online survey. The survey is composed of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics of the participant, current practice of PR and perspectives of PR training. Results Seventy-seven residents responded to the online questionnaire, with an average age of 30.40 ± 3.13 years and 65% of participants being female. Participation included different regions of Algeria (Batna, Annaba, Setif, Constantine, Algiers and Oran) and different levels of training (from the first year to the fifth year of residency) Ninety-two percent (92%) of participants had managed PR consultations, with a frequency of once a week in 75.3% of cases and twice a week in 15.6% of cases. In 81% of cases, it was not the initial presentation. The patients were mainly referred by a general practitioner or a general pediatrician. The Management of these patients was provided by a general pediatrician in 69.4% of cases and only in 37.7% by a specialized pediatrician. In 71.4% of cases, there was no pediatric rheumatologist in the establishment where the resident was being trained. The level of knowledge in PR was admitted to be poor by 59.7% of the respondents. Seventy-five percent of the residents wanted to have rotations dedicated to this sub-specialty during their training. Seventy percent thought that PR is equally as important to know as the other subspecialties in pediatrics (pediatric endocrinology, pediatric pneumology ...). Interest in further PR training was expressed by 80.5% of participants, given the chance. Conclusion This survey reinforces the perception that PR training needs to be improved in Algeria, especially as the number of PR consultations is on the rise. The creation of specialized training in PR is becoming a necessity.

Background Pediatric Rheumatology (PR) is a young specialty that has not yet gained momentum in Algeria. The aim of this study is the assessment of the perception of PR by pediatric residents in Algeria and the current practice of this young sub-specialty in our country. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study evaluating the perception of PR by pediatric residents was created on Google forms and distributed via email and Facebook to be taken as a self-administered online survey. The survey is composed of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics of the participant, current practice of PR and perspectives of PR training. Results Seventy-seven residents responded to the online questionnaire, with an average age of 30.40 ± 3.13 years and 65% of participants being female. Participation included different regions of Algeria (Batna, Annaba, Setif, Constantine, Algiers and Oran) and different levels of training (from the first year to the fifth year of residency) Ninety-two percent (92%) of participants had managed PR consultations, with a frequency of once a week in 75.3% of cases and twice a week in 15.6% of cases. In 81% of cases, it was not the initial presentation. The patients were mainly referred by a general practitioner or a general pediatrician. The Management of these patients was provided by a general pediatrician in 69.4% of cases and only in 37.7% by a specialized pediatrician. In 71.4% of cases, there was no pediatric rheumatologist in the establishment where the resident was being trained. The level of knowledge in PR was admitted to be poor by 59.7% of the respondents. Seventy-five percent of the residents wanted to have rotations dedicated to this sub-specialty during their training. Seventy percent thought that PR is equally as important to know as the other subspecialties in pediatrics (pediatric endocrinology, pediatric pneumology ...). Interest in further PR training was expressed by 80.5% of participants, given the chance. Conclusion This survey reinforces the perception that PR training needs to be improved in Algeria, especially as the number of PR consultations is on the rise. The creation of specialized training in PR is becoming a necessity.

Background Pediatric Rheumatology (PR) is a young specialty that has not yet gained momentum in Algeria. The aim of this study is the assessment of the perception of PR by pediatric residents in Algeria and the current practice of this young sub-specialty in our country. Methods Descriptive cross-sectional study evaluating the perception of PR by pediatric residents was created on Google forms and distributed via email and Facebook to be taken as a self-administered online survey. The survey is composed of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics of the participant, current practice of PR and perspectives of PR training. Results Seventy-seven residents responded to the online questionnaire, with an average age of 30.40 ± 3.13 years and 65% of participants being female. Participation included different regions of Algeria (Batna, Annaba, Setif, Constantine, Algiers and Oran) and different levels of training (from the first year to the fifth year of residency) Ninety-two percent (92%) of participants had managed PR consultations, with a frequency of once a week in 75.3% of cases and twice a week in 15.6% of cases. In 81% of cases, it was not the initial presentation. The patients were mainly referred by a general practitioner or a general pediatrician. The Management of these patients was provided by a general pediatrician in 69.4% of cases and only in 37.7% by a specialized pediatrician. In 71.4% of cases, there was no pediatric rheumatologist in the establishment where the resident was being trained. The level of knowledge in PR was admitted to be poor by 59.7% of the respondents. Seventy-five percent of the residents wanted to have rotations dedicated to this sub-specialty during their training. Seventy percent thought that PR is equally as important to know as the other subspecialties in pediatrics (pediatric endocrinology, pediatric pneumology ...). Interest in further PR training was expressed by 80.5% of participants, given the chance. Conclusion This survey reinforces the perception that PR training needs to be improved in Algeria, especially as the number of PR consultations is on the rise. The creation of specialized training in PR is becoming a necessity.