Machine-to-Machine Transfer Function in Deep Learning-Based Quantitative Ultrasound

A Transfer Function approach was recently demonstrated to mitigate data mismatches at the acquisition level for a single ultrasound scanner in deep learning (DL) based quantitative ultrasound (QUS). As a natural progression, we further investigate the transfer function approach and introduce a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) Transfer Function, which possesses the ability to mitigate data mismatches at a machine level, i.e., mismatches between two scanners over the same frequency band. This ability opens the door to unprecedented opportunities for reducing DL model development costs, enabling the combination of data from multiple sources or scanners, or facilitating the transfer of DL models between machines with ease. We tested the proposed method utilizing a SonixOne machine and a Verasonics machine. In the experiments, we used a L9-4 array and conducted two types of acquisitions to obtain calibration data: stable and free-hand, using two different calibration phantoms. Without the proposed calibration method, the mean classification accuracy when applying a model on data acquired from one system to data acquired from another system was approximately 50%, and the mean AUC was about 0.40. With the proposed method, mean accuracy increased to approximately 90%, and the AUC rose to the 0.99. Additional observations include that shifts in statistics for the z-score normalization had a significant impact on performance. Furthermore, the choice of the calibration phantom played an important role in the proposed method. Additionally, robust implementation inspired by Wiener filtering provided an effective method for transferring the domain from one machine to another machine, and it can succeed using just a single calibration view without the need for multiple independent calibration frames.Comment: 8 pages, 3 Figure

Higher Twist Effects in Proton-Proton Collisions

In this article, we investigate the contribution of the high twist Feynman diagrams to the large-$p_T$ pion production cross section in proton-proton collisions and we present the general formulae for the high and leading twist differential cross sections. The pion wave function where two non-trivial Gegenbauer coefficients $a_2$ and $a_4$ have been extracted from the CLEO data, two other pion model wave functions, $P_2$, $P_3$, the asymptotic and the Chernyak-Zhitnitsky wave functions are used in the calculations. The results of all the calculations reveal that the high twist cross sections, the ratios $R$, $r$, the dependence transverse momentum $p_T$ and the rapidity $y$ of pion in the $\Phi_{CLEO}(x,Q^2)$ wave function case is very close to the $\Phi_{asy}(x)$ asymptotic wave function case. It is shown that the high twist contribution to the cross section depends on the choice of the meson wave functions.Comment: 28 pages 18 figures RevTex

Modeling the impact of Hurricane Maria on Puerto Rico with an eco-hydrological landslide model

This study proposes an advanced hydrologic/landslide modeling application to assess the spatial distribution of rainfall-induced landslides for a sub-basin in central Puerto Rico. The framework implements a stability component into a spatially distributed physically-based hydrological model coupled to a model of plant physiology. Puerto Rico is an ideal study site to assess the performance of landslide modeling efforts due to the availability of thousands of catalogued landslides triggered by Hurricane Maria (HMA) during September 19-22, 2017. The main objective of the study is to simulate the observed landslide events forcing a coupled eco-hydrological-stability model, the tRIBS-VEGGIE-Landslide, with weather data of HMA. The tRIBS-VEGGIE-Landslide model has the advantage of accounting for the vegetation dynamics that affect the soil moisture patterns at an hourly scale and for the soil-water characteristic curve and the saturated shear strength parameters (cohesion and friction angle) to assess the factor of safety (FS) in space and time, using an infinite slope model. The modeling application focuses on two small sub-basins of the Rio Saliente watershed, each smaller than 1 km2. The small study area allows for the use of a 5m DEM resolution topography, which has been derived from a 1m resolution LiDAR measurements. Since many radar and ground stations were destroyed during the hurricane, the hourly time series of the HMA event has been reconstructed by using the NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) – Environmental Modeling Center (EMC) gridded Stage IV data, produced by NOAA National Weather Service. The precipitation data resulted in a maximum hourly intensity of 64.52 mm/hr, maximum daily intensity of 294.56 mm/day, and rainfall total of 332.15 mm, consistent with other daily reconstructions. Preliminary results demonstrate the importance of the spatial computational mesh and accurate characterization of soil parameters, which play an essential role in simulating landslides with mechanistic models

Computer Vision Techniques for Background Modeling in Urban Traffic Monitoring

Jose Manuel Milla, Sergio Luis Toral, Manuel Vargas and Federico Barrero (2010). Computer Vision Techniques for Background Modeling in Urban Traffic Monitoring, Urban Transport and Hybrid Vehicles, Seref Soylu (Ed.), ISBN: 978-953-307-100-8, InTech, DOI: 10.5772/10179. Available from: http://www.intechopen.com/books/urban-transport-and-hybrid-vehicles/computer-vision-techniques-for-background-modeling-in-urban-traffic-monitoringIn this chapter, several background modelling techniques have been described, analyzed and tested. In particular, different algorithms based on sigma-delta filter have been considered due to their suitability for embedded systems, where computational limitations affect a real-time implementation. A qualitative and a quantitative comparison have been performed among the different algorithms. Obtained results show that the sigma-delta algorithm with confidence measurement exhibits the best performance in terms of adaptation to particular specificities of urban traffic scenes and in terms of computational requirements. A prototype based on an ARM processor has been implemented to test the different versions of the sigma-delta algorithm and to illustrate several applications related to vehicle traffic monitoring and implementation details

Incisional hernia treatment with polypropylene graft: results of 10 years

Purpose: To report herein our results of tension-free repair of large incisional hernia with polypropylene mesh using a modification of the method that was described by Usher. Method: Two hundred ninety-one patients who were operated on between January 1994 and December 2004 were studied. Two hundred thirty-two patients were female (79.7%), and 59 were male (20.3%). The average follow-up period was 55 months. The patients were evaluated for infection, recurrences, hematoma and seroma formation, sinuses and enterocutaneous fistula formation. Results: Infection was observed in eight patients (2.7%). Graft removal due to infection was encountered only in two patients (0.6%). Recurrence was observed in six patients (2.1%). Two patients (0.6%) developed hematoma while another two developed seroma. No patient developed enterocutaneous fistula. Conclusion: By using our modified technique wecan decrease the expected complications after tension-free repair of large incisional hernias. © Springer-Verlag 2006

Big five, self-regulation, and coping strategies as predictors of achievement emotions in undergraduate students

The study focused on the analysis of linear relations between personality, self-regulation, coping strategies and achievement emotions. The main objective was to establish a model of linear, empirical, associative to infer needs and proposals for intervening in emotional health in the dierent profiles of university students. A total of 642 undergraduate students participated in this research. Evidence of associative relations between personality factors, self-regulation and coping strategies was found. The neuroticism factor had a significant negative associative relationship with Self-Regulation both globally and in its factors; especially important was its negative relation to decision making, and coping strategies focused in emotion. The results of Structural Equation Model showed an acceptable model of relationships, in each emotional context. Results and practical implications are discussed

Clinicopathological Profile and Surgical Treatment of Abdominal Tuberculosis: A Single Centre Experience in Northwestern Tanzania.

Abdominal tuberculosis continues to be a major public health problem worldwide and poses diagnostic and therapeutic challenges to general surgeons practicing in resource-limited countries. This study was conducted to describe the clinicopathological profile and outcome of surgical treatment of abdominal tuberculosis in our setting and compare with what is described in literature. A prospective descriptive study of patients who presented with abdominal tuberculosis was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC) in northwestern Tanzania from January 2006 to February 2012. Ethical approval to conduct the study was obtained from relevant authorities. Statistical data analysis was performed using SPSS version 17.0. Out of 256 patients enrolled in the study, males outnumbered females. The median age was 28 years (range = 16-68 years). The majority of patients (77.3%) had primary abdominal tuberculosis. A total of 127 (49.6%) patients presented with intestinal obstruction, 106 (41.4%) with peritonitis, 17 (6.6%) with abdominal masses and 6 (2.3%) patients with multiple fistulae in ano. Forty-eight (18.8%) patients were HIV positive. A total of 212 (82.8%) patients underwent surgical treatment for abdominal tuberculosis. Bands /adhesions (58.5%) were the most common operative findings. Ileo-caecal region was the most common bowel involved in 122 (57.5%) patients. Release of adhesions and bands was the most frequent surgical procedure performed in 58.5% of cases. Complication and mortality rates were 29.7% and 18.8% respectively. The overall median length of hospital stay was 32 days and was significantly longer in patients with complications (p < 0.001). Advanced age (age ≥ 65 years), co-morbid illness, late presentation, HIV positivity and CD4+ count < 200 cells/μl were statistically significantly associated with mortality (p < 0.0001). The follow up of patients were generally poor as only 37.5% of patients were available for follow up at twelve months after discharge. Abdominal tuberculosis constitutes a major public health problem in our environment and presents a diagnostic challenge requiring a high index of clinical suspicion. Early diagnosis, early anti-tuberculous therapy and surgical treatment of the associated complications are essential for survival

Experimental study of high-lying states in ²⁸Mg using the resonant elastic scattering of α particles

International audienceThe excitation function of Mg28 above the α-decay threshold has been measured for the first time using the resonant scattering of α particles with the technique of a thick target in inverse kinematics. Thirteen new states are reported between Ex=15.5 and Ex=20.5 MeV, and suggestions for spin-parity assignments are given for two of these. Calculations of the branching ratio to α decay for these states as well as comparison of the measured cross sections to calculations suggest that α+Neg.s.24 clustering is not dominant in this energy regime

Time course of collagen peak in bile duct-ligated rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>One of the most useful experimental fibrogenesis models is the "bile duct-ligated rats". Our aim was to investigate the quantitative hepatic collagen content by two different methods during the different stages of hepatic fibrosis in bile duct-ligated rats on a weekly basis. We questioned whether the 1-wk or 4-wk bile duct-ligated model is suitable in animal fibrogenesis trials.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Of the 53 male Wistar rats, 8 (Group 0) were used as a healthy control group. Bile duct ligation (BDL) had been performed in the rest. Bile duct-ligated rates were sacrificed 7 days later in group 1 (10 rats), 14 days later in group 2 (9 rats), 21 days later in group 3(9 rats) and 28 days later in group 4 (9 rats). Eight rats underwent sham-operation (Sham). Hepatic collagen measurements as well as serum levels of liver enzymes and function tests were all analysed.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The peak level of collagen was observed biochemically and histomorphometricly at the end of third week (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05). Suprisingly, collagen levels had decreased with the course of time such as at the end of fourth week (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We have shown that fibrosis in bile duct-ligated rats is transient, i.e. reverses spontaneously after 3 weeks. This contrasts any situation in patients where hepatic fibrosis is progressive and irreversible as countless studies performed by many investigators in the same animal model.</p

Ontology-based end-user visual query formulation: Why, what, who, how, and which?

Value creation in an organisation is a time-sensitive and data-intensive process, yet it is often delayed and bounded by the reliance on IT experts extracting data for domain experts. Hence, there is a need for providing people who are not professional developers with the flexibility to pose relatively complex and ad hoc queries in an easy and intuitive way. In this respect, visual methods for query formulation undertake the challenge of making querying independent of users’ technical skills and the knowledge of the underlying textual query language and the structure of data. An ontology is more promising than the logical schema of the underlying data for guiding users in formulating queries, since it provides a richer vocabulary closer to the users’ understanding. However, on the one hand, today the most of world’s enterprise data reside in relational databases rather than triple stores, and on the other, visual query formulation has become more compelling due to ever-increasing data size and complexity—known as Big Data. This article presents and argues for ontology-based visual query formulation for end-users; discusses its feasibility in terms of ontology-based data access, which virtualises legacy relational databases as RDF, and the dimensions of Big Data; presents key conceptual aspects and dimensions, challenges, and requirements; and reviews, categorises, and discusses notable approaches and systems