Texture classification using invariant ranklet features

A novel invariant texture classification method is proposed. Invariance to linear/non-linear monotonic gray-scale transformations is achieved by submitting the image under study to the ranklet transform, an image processing technique relying on the analysis of the relative rank of pixels rather than on their gray-scale value. Some texture features are then extracted from the ranklet images resulting from the application at different resolutions and orientations of the ranklet transform to the image. Invariance to 90°-rotations is achieved by averaging, for each resolution, correspondent vertical, horizontal, and diagonal texture features. Finally, a texture class membership is assigned to the texture feature vector by using a support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Compared to three recent methods found in literature and having being evaluated on the same Brodatz and Vistex datasets, the proposed method performs better. Also, invariance to linear/non-linear monotonic gray-scale transformations and 90°-rotations are evidenced by training the SVM classifier on texture feature vectors formed from the original images, then testing it on texture feature vectors formed from contrast-enhanced, gamma-corrected, histogram-equalized, and 90°-rotated images

A New Approach to Image Reconstruction in Positron Emission Tomography Using Artificial Neural Networks

This study investigates the possibility of using an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for reconstructing Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images. The network is trained with simulated data which include physical effects such as attenuation and scattering. Once the training ends, the weights of the network are held constant. The network is able to reconstruct every type of source distribution contained inside the area mapped during the learning. The reconstruction of a simulated brain phantom in a noiseless case shows an improvement if compared with Filtered Back-Projection reconstruction (FBP). In noisy cases there is still an improvement, even if we do not compensate for noise fluctuations. These results show that it is possible to reconstruct PET images using ANNs. Initially we used a Dec Alpha; then, due to the high data parallelism of this reconstruction problem, we ported the learning on a Quadrics (SIMD) machine, suited for the realization of a small medical dedicated system. These results encourage us to continue in further studies that will make possible reconstruction of images of bigger dimension than those used in the present work (32 × 32 pixels)

SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC DETECTION OF CLUSTERED MICROCALCIFICATIONS IN DIGITAL MAMMOGRAMS

In this paper, we investigate the performance of a Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) system for the detection of clustered microcalcifications in mammograms. Our detection algorithm consists of the combination of two different methods. The first, based on difference-image techniques and gaussianity statistical tests, finds out the most obvious signals. The second, is able to discover more subtle microcalcifications by exploiting a multiresolution analysis by means of the wavelet transform. We can separately tune the two methods, so that each one of them is able to detect signals with similar features. By combining signals coming out from the two parts through a logical OR operation, we can discover microcalcifications with different characteristics. Our algorithm yields a sensitivity of 91.4% with 0.4 false positive cluster per image on the 40 images of the Nijmegen database

Experimental equation of state in proton-proton and proton-antiproton collisions and phase transition to quark gluon plasma

We deduce approximate equations of state from experimental measurements in proton-proton and proton-antiproton collisions. Thermodynamic quantities are estimated combining the measure of average transverse momentum vs pseudorapidity density dN/deta with the estimation of the interaction region size from measures of Bose Einstein correlation, or from a theoretical model which relates dN/deta to the impact parameter. The results are very similar to theory predictions in case of crossover from hadron gas to quark gluon plasma. According to our analysis, the possible crossover should start at dN/deta about 6 and end at dN/deta about 24.Comment: 26 pages, 6 figure

Surface-antigen expression profiling of B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: from the signature of specific disease subsets to the identification of markers with prognostic relevance

Studies of gene expression profiling have been successfully used for the identification of molecules to be employed as potential prognosticators. In analogy with gene expression profiling, we have recently proposed a novel method to identify the immunophenotypic signature of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia subsets with different prognosis, named surface-antigen expression profiling. According to this approach, surface marker expression data can be analysed by data mining tools identical to those employed in gene expression profiling studies, including unsupervised and supervised algorithms, with the aim of identifying the immunophenotypic signature of B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia subsets with different prognosis. Here we provide an overview of the overall strategy employed for the development of such an "outcome class-predictor" based on surface-antigen expression signatures. In addition, we will also discuss how to transfer the obtained information into the routine clinical practice by providing a flow-chart indicating how to select the most relevant antigens and build-up a prognostic scoring system by weighing each antigen according to its predictive power. Although referred to B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, the methodology discussed here can be also useful in the study of diseases other than B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia, when the purpose is to identify novel prognostic determinants

Differential cross section measurements for the production of a W boson in association with jets in proton–proton collisions at √s = 7 TeV

Measurements are reported of differential cross sections for the production of a W boson, which decays into a muon and a neutrino, in association with jets, as a function of several variables, including the transverse momenta (pT) and pseudorapidities of the four leading jets, the scalar sum of jet transverse momenta (HT), and the difference in azimuthal angle between the directions of each jet and the muon. The data sample of pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV was collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 5.0 fb[superscript −1]. The measured cross sections are compared to predictions from Monte Carlo generators, MadGraph + pythia and sherpa, and to next-to-leading-order calculations from BlackHat + sherpa. The differential cross sections are found to be in agreement with the predictions, apart from the pT distributions of the leading jets at high pT values, the distributions of the HT at high-HT and low jet multiplicity, and the distribution of the difference in azimuthal angle between the leading jet and the muon at low values.United States. Dept. of EnergyNational Science Foundation (U.S.)Alfred P. Sloan Foundatio

Juxtaposing BTE and ATE – on the role of the European insurance industry in funding civil litigation

One of the ways in which legal services are financed, and indeed shaped, is through private insurance arrangement. Two contrasting types of legal expenses insurance contracts (LEI) seem to dominate in Europe: before the event (BTE) and after the event (ATE) legal expenses insurance. Notwithstanding institutional differences between different legal systems, BTE and ATE insurance arrangements may be instrumental if government policy is geared towards strengthening a market-oriented system of financing access to justice for individuals and business. At the same time, emphasizing the role of a private industry as a keeper of the gates to justice raises issues of accountability and transparency, not readily reconcilable with demands of competition. Moreover, multiple actors (clients, lawyers, courts, insurers) are involved, causing behavioural dynamics which are not easily predicted or influenced. Against this background, this paper looks into BTE and ATE arrangements by analysing the particularities of BTE and ATE arrangements currently available in some European jurisdictions and by painting a picture of their respective markets and legal contexts. This allows for some reflection on the performance of BTE and ATE providers as both financiers and keepers. Two issues emerge from the analysis that are worthy of some further reflection. Firstly, there is the problematic long-term sustainability of some ATE products. Secondly, the challenges faced by policymakers that would like to nudge consumers into voluntarily taking out BTE LEI

Penilaian Kinerja Keuangan Koperasi di Kabupaten Pelalawan

This paper describe development and financial performance of cooperative in District Pelalawan among 2007 - 2008. Studies on primary and secondary cooperative in 12 sub-districts. Method in this stady use performance measuring of productivity, efficiency, growth, liquidity, and solvability of cooperative. Productivity of cooperative in Pelalawan was highly but efficiency still low. Profit and income were highly, even liquidity of cooperative very high, and solvability was good

Search for stop and higgsino production using diphoton Higgs boson decays

Results are presented of a search for a "natural" supersymmetry scenario with gauge mediated symmetry breaking. It is assumed that only the supersymmetric partners of the top-quark (stop) and the Higgs boson (higgsino) are accessible. Events are examined in which there are two photons forming a Higgs boson candidate, and at least two b-quark jets. In 19.7 inverse femtobarns of proton-proton collision data at sqrt(s) = 8 TeV, recorded in the CMS experiment, no evidence of a signal is found and lower limits at the 95% confidence level are set, excluding the stop mass below 360 to 410 GeV, depending on the higgsino mass