Comparison of 3D OS-EM and 4D MAP-RBI-EM reconstruction algorithms for cardiac motion abnormality classification using a motion observer

Using a heart motion observer, we compared the performance of two image reconstruction techniques, a 3D OS-EM algorithm with post Butterworth spatial filtering and a 4D MAP-RBI-EM algorithm. The task was to classify gated myocardial perfusion (GMP) SPECT images of beating hearts with or without regional motion abnormalities. Noise-free simulated GMP SPECT projection data was generated from two 4D NCAT beating heart phantom models, one with normal motion and the other with a 50% motion defect in a pie-shaped wedge region-of-interest (ROI) in the anterior-lateral left ventricular wall. The projection data were scaled to clinical GMP SPECT count level before Poisson noise was simulated to generate 40 noise realizations. The noise-free and noisy projection data were reconstructed using the two reconstruction algorithms, parameters chosen to optimize the tradeoff between image bias and noise. As a motion observer, a 3D motion estimation method previously developed was applied to estimate the radial motion on the ROI from two adjacent gates. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were computed for radial motion magnitudes corresponding to each reconstruction technique. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was calculated as an index for classification of regional motion. The reconstructed images with better bias and noise tradeoff were found to offer better classification for hearts with or without regional motion defects. The 3D cardiac motion estimation algorithm, serving as a heart motion observer, was better able to distinguish the abnormal from the normal regional motion in GMP SPECT images obtained from the 4D MAP-RBI-EM algorithm than from the 3D OS-EM algorithm with post Butterworth spatial filtering.     

A complete analytical solution to the equationTA - FT = LCand its applications

In this note, a complete, analytical, and restriction-free solution with complete and explicit freedom of the matrix equationTA - FT = LCis proposed. Here(A, C)is given and is observable, andFis in the Jordan form with arbitrary given eigenvalues. This solution appears to be new because it can be applied directly to obtain significantly better solutions to the following three basic design problems: 1) 2-D system eigenvalue assignment; 2) function observer design; and 3) state feedback eigenstructure design, as shown in this note.     

A Breath Ammonia Sensor Based on Conducting Polymer Nanojunctions

We present an ammonia sensor for human breath analysis based on electrically conducting polymer nanojunctions. Each nanojunction is formed by bridging a pair of gold nanoelectrodes on a silicon chip separated by a small gap (<60 nm) with electrodeposited polyaniline. The signal transduction mechanism of the sensor is the change in the nanojunction conductance as a result of polymer dedoping by ammonia. The sensor response to human breath is validated by comparison with a reference method for detection of ammonium ion combined with an optimized breath ammonia trapping system. The nanojunction sensor is capable of in situ detection of parts per billion (ppb) levels of ammonia in human breath.     

Intravascular lymphomatosis: a case presenting with encephalomyelitis and reactive haemophagocytic syndrome diagnosed by renal biopsy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency of characteristics associated with unprotected heterosexual intercourse in HIV infected adults in an urban area. DESIGN: Retrospective comparison of sexual risk transmission behaviour between HIV infected men and women from a drug treatment site and between women from the drug site and HIV infected women from an urban medical centre. METHODS: HIV infected women and men were asked questions on sexual behaviour for a 1 year period before enrollment. The outcome variable was heterosexual risk behaviour (HRB) defined as having vaginal sex at least once in the previous year and not always using condoms. RESULTS: 73% of the drug clinic females, 72% of the drug clinic males, and 42% of the medical centre female engaged in HRB. Using logistic regression analysis, women and men in drug treatment engaged in similar rates of HRB; however, women in drug treatment were four times (95% CI = 2.0-8.3) more likely to engage in HRB risk behaviour than women from the medical centre. CONCLUSION: The data suggest that a surprisingly large portion of HIV infected patients under treatment engaged in HRB, especially former drug users. Without specifically targeted interventions, the heterosexual spread of HIV in urban areas will continue to be a serious problem.     

On the solution to the state failure detection problem

Studies the problem formulated by Ge and Feng (Int. J. Contr., vol.47, p.581-600 (1988)), which is to design a set of observers which can detect and locate unknown system failure to any first-order state component. The present paper proposes a much simpler solution to this problem with less restrictions. Based on this solution, an extended study of the required number of observers and their orders is also provided     

Simple, polarisation-independent, and dispersion-insensitive SCMsignal extraction technique for optical switching systems applications

A dispersion- and polarisation-insensitive all-optical method for transmitting and extracting a subcarrier multiplexed (SCM) signal using a fibre Bragg grating filter without a conventional SCM circuitry is demonstrated. Fibre transmission experiments conducted on standard singlemode fibres of varying lengths up to 80 km showed excellent sensitivity with no apparent fading effects     

Frozen-in birefringence and anisotropic shrinkage in optical moldings: II. Comparison of simulations with experiments on light-guide plates

The thermally-, flow-induced and total birefringence components and anisotropic shrinkages in LGP moldings were simulated by using a combination of a CV/FEM/FDM technique nonlinear viscoelastic and photoviscoelastic constitutive equations and orientation functions, as described in Part I of this study. The simulated results were compared with measurements on LGP moldings of a polystyrene (PS) and two optical grade polycarbonates (PCs) OQ1030 and OQ3820 having low and high molecular weights. The thermally-induced birefringence was simulated by a combination of constrained and free cooling during molding. In LGP moldings of PS, the simulated thermally-induced birefringence indicated a minor variation with location in the mold plane, a parabolic shape in the core region and an increase towards the wall. Compared to the flow-induced birefringence, the thermal birefringence provided a minor contribution to the total transverse birefringence Δn₁₂. In LGP moldings of PCs, the simulated thermally-induced birefringence showed a significant variation with location in the mold plane, nearly constant value in the core region and high value in the wall region. In LGP moldings of both PCs, the contributions of the thermally- and flow-induced birefringence to the total transverse birefringence Δn₁₂ were significant. The effect of processing conditions on the development of the normal birefringence in LGP moldings of PCs was ranked from most to least: the packing pressure, mold temperature, melt temperature, injection speed and packing time. However, in LGP moldings of PS the packing time effect was significant due to a longer gate freezing time. Simulated and measured normal birefringence along the flow direction was in fair agreement, but simulations were unable to describe the observed birefringence maximum arising near the gate. The averaged luminance of LGP moldings exhibited some correlation with the averaged normal birefringence. LGP moldings of PC OQ1030 indicated a pronounced maximum in the simulated transverse flow birefringence in the core but a low value near the wall. In contrast, the LGP molding of PC OQ3820 showed a high simulated birefringence near the wall and a low value of maximum in the core. The simulated and measured total transverse birefringence in LGP moldings was in fair agreement. LGP molding of both PCs showed similar tendency in shrinkage variation with processing conditions. However, the thickness shrinkage was higher in LGP moldings of PC OQ3820. The effect of processing conditions on the development of shrinkage in LGP moldings of both PCs was ranked from most to least: the packing pressure, melt temperature, mold temperature, injection speed and packing time. In LGP moldings of PS, the thickness shrinkage slightly increased with increasing melt temperature and significantly increased with reducing packing time. A good agreement between the simulated and measured anisotropic shrinkages in LGP moldings at various processing conditions was observed.     

IMPACT MODELS FOR SITING UNDESIRABLE FACILITIES

ABSTRACT Location models continue to be recognized as valuable tools for providing insights to decision makers regarding the impacts and relative attributes of potential planning alternatives. An important area of current location modeling research has been devoted to issues associated with siting undesirable facilities. A number of approaches for addressing equity and community impact in locating these facilities are reviewed and developed in this article. Application results for the planning models presented in this article demonstrate their relative benefits and solution characteristics.     

Derivation of Varying Specific Heat Gasdynamic Functions,Normal Shock Analytical Solution and its Improvements

A set of new gasdynamic functions with varying specific heat are derived for the first time.An original analyticalsolution of normal shock waves is worked out therewith.This solution is thereafter further improved by notinvolving total temperature.Illustrative examples of comparison are given,including also some approximatesolutions to show the orders of their errors.