Statistical characterization of diffuse scattering in ultrasound images

The marginal statistics for the diffused ultrasound speckle echo has been postulated as exhibiting circularly symmetric Gaussian behavior similar to the laser speckle for monochromatic illumination under the assumption of a large number of unresolvable scatterers per resolution cell. This is known in the literature as the Rayleigh scattering condition. This paper presents a formal statistical test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov nonparametric goodness of fit statistical test, to test the hypothesis that the unresolvable part (diffuse part) of the backscatter echo follows a Rayleigh scattering condition, and obtain numerical values for the scatterer concentration required for the Rayleigh condition to be valid. In addition, it presents a formal statistical test, the Kolmogorov-Smirnov nonparametric homogeneity statistical test, to compare two regions of interest with different scattering concentrations without prior knowledge of the nature of the scattering conditions (Rayleigh or non-Rayleigh scattering). Unlike all previous parametric testing methods that treat the A-scan or B-scan echo as a random sample, the authors' method presents formal tests based on the colored nature of the diffuse backscattered echo which is a more realistic model of the diffuse scattering component. The tests are demonstrated on simulations of RF scans with different scatterer concentrations per resolution cell as well as on phantom data which mimic tissue.     

The Inverse Problem of Analytic Interpolation With Degree Constraint and Weight Selection for Control Synthesis

The minimizers of certain weighted entropy functionals are the solutions to an analytic interpolation problem with a degree constraint, and all solutions to this interpolation problem arise in this way by a suitable choice of weights. Selecting appropriate weights is pertinent to feedback control synthesis, where interpolants represent closed-loop transfer functions. In this paper we consider the correspondence between weights and interpolants in order to systematize feedback control synthesis with a constraint on the degree. There are two basic issues that we address: we first characterize admissible shapes of minimizers by studying the corresponding inverse problem, and then we develop effective ways of shaping minimizers via suitable choices of weights. This leads to a new procedure for feedback control synthesis.      

A Decomposition Scheme for System Optimal Dynamic Traffic Assignment Models

In this paper, a Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition based solution algorithm is developed for the linear programming formulation introduced by Ziliaskopoulos (2000) for System Optimal Dynamic Traffic Assignment problem. The algorithm takes advantage of the network structure in the constraint set of the formulation: the sub-problem is formulated as a minimum-cost-flow problem and the master as a simpler linear programming problem, which allows DTA to be solved more efficiently on meaningful networks. The algorithm is tested on an example network and its performance is analyzed.     

Spectral analysis based on the state covariance: the maximum entropy spectrum and linear fractional parametrization

Input spectra, which are consistent with a given state covariance of a linear filter, correspond to solutions of an analytic interpolation problem. We derive an explicit formula for the power spectrum with maximal entropy, and provide a linear fraction parametrization of all solutions.     

Noninvasive estimation of tissue temperature via high-resolution spectral analysis techniques

We address the noninvasive temperature estimation from pulse-echo radio frequency signals from standard diagnostic ultrasound imaging equipment. In particular, we investigate the use of a high-resolution spectral estimation method for tracking frequency shifts at two or more harmonic frequencies associated with temperature change. The new approach, employing generalized second-order statistics, is shown to produce superior frequency shift estimates when compared to conventional high-resolution spectral estimation methods Seip and Ebbini (1995). Furthermore, temperature estimates from the new algorithm are compared with results from the more commonly used echo shift method described in Simon et al. (1998).     

Entrance radiation doses during paediatric cardiac catheterisations performed for diagnosis or the treatment of congenital heart disease

The purpose of this study was to estimate the radiation exposure of children, during cardiac catheterisations for the diagnosis or treatment of congenital heart disease. Radiation doses were estimated for 45 children aged from 1 d to 13 y old. Thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLDs) were used to estimate the posterior entrance dose (DP), the lateral entrance dose (DLAT), the thyroid dose and the gonads dose. A dose-area product (DAP) meter was also attached externally to the tube of the angiographic system and gave a direct value in mGy cm2 for each procedure. Posterior and lateral entrance dose values during cardiac catheterisations ranged from 1 to 197 mGy and from 1.1 to 250.3 mGy, respectively. Radiation exposure to the thyroid and the gonads ranged from 0.3 to 8.4 mGy to 0.1 and 0.7 mGy, respectively. Finally, the DAP meter values ranged between 360 and 33,200 mGy cm2. Radiation doses measured in this study are comparable with those reported to previous studies. Moreover, strong correlation was found between the DAP values and the entrance radiation dose measured with TLDs.     

Identification of OmpT as the protease that hydrolyzes the antimicrobial peptide protamine before it enters growing cells of Escherichia coli

The influence of extracytoplasmic proteases on the resistance of Escherichia coli to the antimicrobial peptide protamine was investigated by testing strains with deletions in the protease genes degP, ptr, and ompT. Only DeltaompT strains were hypersusceptible to protamine. This effect was abolished by plasmids carrying ompT. Both at low and at high Mg2+ concentrations, ompT+ strains cleared protamine from the medium within a few minutes. By contrast, at high Mg2+ concentrations, protamine remained present for at least 1 h in the medium of an ompT strain. These data indicate that OmpT is the protease that degrades protamine and that it exerts this function at the external face of the outer membrane.     

Dose area product reference levels in dental panoramic radiology

The purpose of this study was to measure DAP (Dose Area Product) values in panoramic radiology with the use of a DAP meter, to determine corresponding reference levels, and to compare DAP between panoramic and intraoral radiology. DAP was measured in 62 panoramic X-ray units for 3 types of exposure (male, female and child) and in 20 intraoral X-ray units of 50, 60 and 70 kVp. DAP reference levels were 117 mGy cm2, 97 mGy cm2 and 77 mGy cm2 for exposure of a male, female and child respectively. Results showed that DAP from a panoramic dental examination is approximately twice that from a single intraoral examination. DAP meter is a very convenient and easy to use tool for patient dosimetry and for the establishment of reference levels in dental panoramic radiology.     

Star polymers for gene delivery

Star polymers are hyperbranched polymers with fascinating properties and exhibiting self‐assembly behaviour that have recently attracted a lot of interest in the field of gene delivery. This perspective aims to summarize the latest studies of star polymers as gene delivery vectors. Specifically, the aim is to identify and discuss the main synthetic methodologies that are used to fabricate star polymers and which structural characteristics affect their ability to be used as gene delivery agents. © 2014 Society of Chemical Industry