Segmentation of Pulmonary Nodules in Computed Tomography Using a Regression Neural Network Approach and Its Application to the Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative Dataset

We present new pulmonary nodule segmentation algorithms for computed tomography (CT). These include a fully-automated (FA) system, a semi-automated (SA) system, and a hybrid system. Like most traditional systems, the new FA system requires only a single user-supplied cue point. On the other hand, the SA system represents a new algorithm class requiring 8 user-supplied control points. This does increase the burden on the user, but we show that the resulting system is highly robust and can handle a variety of challenging cases. The proposed hybrid system starts with the FA system. If improved segmentation results are needed, the SA system is then deployed. The FA segmentation engine has 2 free parameters, and the SA system has 3. These parameters are adaptively determined for each nodule in a search process guided by a regression neural network (RNN). The RNN uses a number of features computed for each candidate segmentation. We train and test our systems using the new Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative (LIDC–IDRI) data. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first nodule-specific performance benchmarks using the new LIDC–IDRI dataset. We also compare the performance of the proposed methods with several previously reported results on the same data used by those other methods. Our results suggest that the proposed FA system improves upon the state-of-the-art, and the SA system offers a considerable boost over the FA system

Segmentation of Pulmonary Nodules in Computed Tomography using a Regression Neural Network Approach and its Application to the Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative Dataset

We present new pulmonary nodule segmentation algorithms for computed tomography (CT). These include a fully-automated (FA) system, a semi-automated (SA) system, and a hybrid system. Like most traditional systems, the new FA system requires only a single user-supplied cue point. On the other hand, the SA system represents a new algorithm class requiring 8 user-supplied control points. This does increase the burden on the user, but we show that the resulting system is highly robust and can handle a variety of challenging cases. The proposed hybrid system starts with the FA system. If improved segmentation results are needed, the SA system is then deployed. The FA segmentation engine has 2 free parameters, and the SA system has 3. These parameters are adaptively determined for each nodule in a search process guided by a regression neural network (RNN). The RNN uses a number of features computed for each candidate segmentation. We train and test our systems using the new Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative (LIDC–IDRI) data. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first nodule-specific performance benchmarks using the new LIDC–IDRI dataset. We also compare the performance of the proposed methods with several previously reported results on the same data used by those other methods. Our results suggest that the proposed FA system improves upon the state-of-the-art, and the SA system offers a considerable boost over the FA system

Continual improvement: A bibliography with indexes, 1992-1993

This bibliography lists 606 references to reports and journal articles entered into the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Database during 1992 to 1993. Topics cover the philosophy and history of Continual Improvement (CI), basic approaches and strategies for implementation, and lessons learned from public and private sector models. Entries are arranged according to the following categories: Leadership for Quality, Information and Analysis, Strategic Planning for CI, Human Resources Utilization, Management of Process Quality, Supplier Quality, Assessing Results, Customer Focus and Satisfaction, TQM Tools and Philosophies, and Applications. Indexes include subject, personal author, corporate source, contract number, report number, and accession number

Structure and neutralization mechanism of a human antibody targeting a complex Epitope on Zika virus

We currently have an incomplete understanding of why only a fraction of human antibodies that bind to flaviviruses block infection of cells. Here we define the footprint of a strongly neutralizing human monoclonal antibody (mAb G9E) with Zika virus (ZIKV) by both X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy. Flavivirus envelope (E) glycoproteins are present as homodimers on the virion surface, and G9E bound to a quaternary structure epitope spanning both E protomers forming a homodimer. As G9E mainly neutralized ZIKV by blocking a step after viral attachment to cells, we tested if the neutralization mechanism of G9E was dependent on the mAb cross-linking E molecules and blocking low-pH triggered conformational changes required for viral membrane fusion. We introduced targeted mutations to the G9E paratope to create recombinant antibodies that bound to the ZIKV envelope without cross-linking E protomers. The G9E paratope mutants that bound to a restricted epitope on one protomer poorly neutralized ZIKV compared to the wild-type mAb, demonstrating that the neutralization mechanism depended on the ability of G9E to cross-link E proteins. In cell-free low pH triggered viral fusion assay, both wild-type G9E, and epitope restricted paratope mutant G9E bound to ZIKV but only the wild-type G9E blocked fusion. We propose that, beyond antibody binding strength, the ability of human antibodies to cross-link E-proteins is a critical determinant of flavivirus neutralization potency

Suvremeni izazovi i prijetnje nacionalnoj sigurnosti: okolišni i pravni aspekti

The article is devoted to the analysis of environmental and legal problems caused by the war in Ukraine, which should be considered comprehensively, as environmental security issues can easily transform into social threats. The article proves that the pollution caused by the war has a significant negative transboundary impact, in particular, the Russian invasion has not only damaged the environment of Ukraine, but also threatened the achievement of climate goals and even the world\u27s ability to adapt to climate change. The purpose of the study is a comprehensive study and analysis of national and international environmental, humanitarian and criminal law through the prism of modern environmental challenges and threats. In this regard, the methodological basis of the article is a set of general philosophical, general scientific, special scientific and legal methods. The paper also analyzes the impact of modern threats in the field of environmental security on the state of national security, as well as the state of implementation of measures in the field of environmental security. Based on their own conclusions and generalizations, the authors\u27 proposals and recommendations for improving the current national legislation and greening the sectoral components of national policy are presented.Članak je posvećen analizi problema povezanih sa zaštitom okoliša te pravnih problema koje je izazvao rat u Ukrajini. Ova tematika zahtijeva sveobuhvatno razmatranje jer se problemi zaštite okoliša lako mogu pretvoriti u društvene ugroze. U članku se dokazuje da zagađenje izazvano ratom ima značajan negativni učinak koji prelazi granice ugroženih područja, tj. da ruska invazija nije rezultirala samo onečišćenjem okoliša u Ukrajini, već je zaprijetila ostvarenju ciljeva povezanih s usporavanjem klimatskih promjena, kao i sposobnosti svijeta da se prilagodi tim promjenama. Svrha ove studije jest provedba sveobuhvatne analize legislative u sferama zaštite okoliša te humanitarnog i kaznenog prava na nacionalnoj i međunarodnoj razini kroz prizmu izazova i ugroza koji se pojavljuju u području zaštite okoliša. Metodologija provedbe analize osniva se na skupu općih filozofskih i znanstvenih metoda, kao i specifičnih metoda iz područja znanosti i prava. Analiziran je i utjecaj suvremenih ugroza u području zaštite okoliša na opće stanje nacionalne sigurnosti, kao i trenutno stanje u primjeni mjera zaštite okoliša. Na temelju zaključaka provedene analize predložene su preporuke za poboljšanje trenutno važeće nacionalne legislative te za ozelenjavanje sektorskih komponenata nacionalne politike