Partial-Data Interpolation During Arcing of an X-Ray Tube in a Computed Tomography Scanner

X-ray tubes are used in computed tomography (CT) scanners as the energy source for generation of images. These tubes occasionally tend to arc, an undesired phenomenon where high current surges through the tube. During the time that the x-ray tube recovers to full voltage after an arc, image data is being collected. Normally this data, acquired at less than full voltage, is discarded and interpolation is performed over the arc duration. However, this is not ideal and some residual imperfections in images, called artifacts, still remain. Proposed here is an algorithm that corrects for improper tube voltage, allowing previously discarded data to be used for imaging. Instead of throwing away all data during the arc period, we use some of the data that is available as the voltage is rising back to its programmed value. This method reduces the length of the interpolation period, thus reducing artifacts. Results of implementation on a CT scanner show that there is an improvement in image quality using the partial-data interpolation method when compared to standard interpolation and that we can save up to 30 of data from being lost during an arc. With the continuous drive from the imaging field to have faster scanners with short image acquisition times, adverse effects due to arcing are becoming more significant and the improvement proposed in this research is increasingly relevan

Improving the Lower Bound for the Reliability when the Strength Distribution is Gamma and the Stress Distribution in Chi-Square

A research paper written by Lloyd R. Jaisingh of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Morehead State University in August of 1987

Impact of Piracy on Innovation at Software Firms and Implications for Piracy Policy

A Business software alliance (BSA) commissioned study in 2006, found that $34 billion was lost due to piracy of software in 2005. The BSA and its members invest significant resources in educating users about copyright, its value, and enforcing copyright laws. However, does effort spent in educating users about the harmful aspects of piracy, and taking action against end-users using pirated software always result in higher quality software? In this paper, we look at how innovation in the presence of piracy is affected by the policy choice of alliances such as the BSA. Surprisingly, we find that a stricter piracy policy, that increases the perceived cost to using pirated software for end-users, may in some cases lead to an increase in piracy (demand for pirated products), and a decrease in product quality. Thus an active BSA that tries to educate consumers and takes legal action against consumers, may actually be promoting piracy and hurting innovation in some cases. An intuitive rationale for this is that, in some regions, quality choice by the firm and the policy choice by the BSA are strategic substitutes in the fight against piracy. Thus an increase in the policy variable by the BSA, makes the firm choose a lower quality. Depending on the likelihood that the pirated product is functional, the BSA would choose a piracy policy ranging from an inactive to a very active policy

Partial-Data Interpolation During Arcing of an X-Ray Tube in a Computed Tomography Scanner

X-ray tubes are used in computed tomography (CT) scanners as the energy source for generation of images. These tubes occasionally tend to arc, an undesired phenomenon where high current surges through the tube. During the time that the x-ray tube recovers to full voltage after an arc, image data is being collected. Normally this data, acquired at less than full voltage, is discarded and interpolation is performed over the arc duration. However, this is not ideal and some residual imperfections in images, called artifacts, still remain. Proposed here is an algorithm that corrects for improper tube voltage, allowing previously discarded data to be used for imaging. Instead of throwing away all data during the arc period, we use some of the data that is available as the voltage is rising back to its programmed value. This method reduces the length of the interpolation period, thus reducing artifacts. Results of implementation on a CT scanner show that there is an improvement in image quality using the partial-data interpolation method when compared to standard interpolation and that we can save up to 30 of data from being lost during an arc. With the continuous drive from the imaging field to have faster scanners with short image acquisition times, adverse effects due to arcing are becoming more significant and the improvement proposed in this research is increasingly relevan

Competing Risks in Parallel and Series Systems

A research paper written by Lloyd R. Jaisingh of the Department of Mathematical Sciences at Morehead State University on November 24, 1987

Worthiness of Developmental Math Courses: A study into the development math courses Math 091, Math 093 and Math 152 offered at Morehead State University

https://scholarworks.moreheadstate.edu/student_scholarship_posters/1117/thumbnail.jp

Partial-Data Interpolation Method for Arc Handling in a Computed Tomography Scanner

X-ray tube arcing in computed tomography scanners causes poor image quality. During the time that the X-ray tube recovers to full voltage after an arc, image data is being collected. Normally this data, acquired at less than full voltage, is discarded and interpolation is performed over the arc duration. We have developed an algorithm that corrects for improper tube voltage, allowing previously discarded data to be used for imaging. The use of voltage corrected data provides improved image quality compared to simple interpolation methods. This improvement is relevant today as the imaging field uses faster scanners with shorter sampling times