Efficient deformable motion correction for 3-D abdominal MRI using manifold regression

We present a novel framework for efficient retrospective respiratory motion correction of 3-D abdominal MRI using manifold regression. K-space data are continuously acquired under free breathing using the stack-of-stars radial gold-en-angle trajectory. The stack-of-profiles (SoP) from all temporal positions are embedded into a common manifold, in which SoPs that were acquired at similar respiratory states are close together. Next, the SoPs in the manifold are clustered into groups using the k-means algorithm. One 3-D volume is reconstructed at the central SoP position of each cluster (a.k.a. key-volumes). Motion fields are estimated using deformable image registration between each of these key-volumes and a reference end-exhale volume. Subsequently, the motion field at any other SoP position in the manifold is derived using manifold regression. The regressed motion fields for each of the SoPs are used to deter-mine a final motion-corrected MRI volume. The method was evaluated on realistic synthetic datasets which were generated from real MRI data and also tested on an in vivo dataset. The framework enables more accurate motion correction compared to the conventional binning-based approach, with high computational efficiency

Deep learned triple-tracer multiplexed PET myocardial image separation

IntroductionIn multiplexed positron emission tomography (mPET) imaging, physiological and pathological information from different radiotracers can be observed simultaneously in a single dynamic PET scan. The separation of mPET signals within a single PET scan is challenging due to the fact that the PET scanner measures the sum of the PET signals of all the tracers. The conventional multi-tracer compartment modeling (MTCM) method requires staggered injections and assumes that the arterial input functions (AIFs) of each tracer are known.MethodsIn this work, we propose a deep learning-based method to separate triple-tracer PET images without explicitly knowing the AIFs. A dynamic triple-tracer noisy MLEM reconstruction was used as the network input, and dynamic single-tracer noisy MLEM reconstructions were used as training labels.ResultsA simulation study was performed to evaluate the performance of the proposed framework on triple-tracer ([ 18F]FDG+ 82Rb+[ 94mTc]sestamibi) PET myocardial imaging. The results show that the proposed methodology substantially reduced the noise level compared to the results obtained from single-tracer imaging. Additionally, it achieved lower bias and standard deviation in the separated single-tracer images compared to the MTCM-based method at both the voxel and region of interest (ROI) levels.DiscussionAs compared to MTCM separation, the proposed method uses spatiotemporal information for separation, which improves the separation performance at both the voxel and ROI levels. The simulation study also demonstrates the feasibility and potential of the proposed DL-based method for the application to pre-clinical and clinical studies

High-resolution self-gated dynamic abdominal MRI using manifold alignment

We present a novel retrospective self-gating method based on manifold alignment (MA), which enables reconstruction of free-breathing, high spatial and temporal resolution abdominal MRI sequences. Based on a radial golden-angle (RGA) acquisition trajectory, our method enables a multi-dimensional self-gating signal to be extracted from the k-space data for more accurate motion representation. The k-space radial profiles are evenly divided into a number of overlapping groups based on their radial angles. MA is then used to simultaneously learn and align the low dimensional manifolds of all groups, and embed them into a common manifold. In the manifold, k-space profiles that represent similar respiratory positions are close to each other. Image reconstruction is performed by combining radial profiles with evenly distributed angles that are close in the manifold. Our method was evaluated on both 2D and 3D synthetic and in vivo datasets. On the synthetic datasets, our method achieved high correlation with the ground truth in terms of image intensity and virtual navigator values. Using the in vivo data, compared to a state-of-the-art approach based on centre of k-space gating, our method was able to make use of much richer profile data for self-gating, resulting in statistically significantly better quantitative measurements in terms of organ sharpness and image gradient entropy

Spectral properties of anomalous X-ray pulsars

In this paper, the spectra of the persistent emission from anomalous X-ray pulsars (AXPs) and their variation with spin-down rate $\dot{\Omega}$ is considered. Firstly, based on an accretion-powered model, the influences of both magnetic field and mass accretion rate on the spectra properties of AXPs are addressed. Subsequently, the relation between the spectral property of AXPs and mass accretion rate $\dot{M}$ is investigated. The result shows that there exists a linear correlation between the photon index and mass accretion rate, and the spectral hardness increases with increasing $\dot{M}$. A possible emission mechanism for the explanation of spectral properties of AXPs is also discussed.Comment: 11pages, 3 figures, Chin. J. Astron. Astrophys. in pres

Feasibility of simultaneous PET-MR perfusion using a novel cardiac perfusion phantom

Abstract Background PET-MR scanners are beginning to be employed for quantitative myocardial perfusion imaging. In order to examine simultaneous perfusion calculations, this work describes a feasibility study of simultaneous PET-MR of gadolinium-based contrast agent (GBCA) and PET radiotracer in a novel cardiac perfusion phantom. Results [18F]F− and GBCA were injected simultaneously into a cardiac phantom using a range of ground-truth myocardial perfusion rates of 1 to 5 ml/g/min. PET quantification of K 1 (ml/g/min) was performed using a single tissue compartment model. MR perfusion was calculated using a model-independent signal deconvolution technique. PET and MR signal traces from the phantom aorta and myocardial sections show true simultaneous PET and MR arterial input functions (AIF) and myocardial uptake respectively at each perfusion rate. Calculation of perfusion parameters showed both K 1 and h(t = 0) (PET and MR perfusion parameters respectively) to be linearly related with the ground truth perfusion rate (P T ), and also linearly related to each other (R2 = 0.99). The highest difference in perfusion values between K 1 and P T was 16% at 1 ml/g/min, and the mean difference for all other perfusion rates was <3%. Conclusions The perfusion phantom allows accurate and reproducible simulation of the myocardial kinetics for simultaneous PET-MR imaging, and may find use in protocol design and development of PET-MR based quantification techniques and direct comparison of quantification of the two modalities

The P2X3 receptor antagonist filapixant in patients with refractory chronic cough: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND: P2X3 receptor antagonists seem to have a promising potential for treating patients with refractory chronic cough. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, we investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of the novel selective P2X3 receptor antagonist filapixant (BAY1902607) in patients with refractory chronic cough. METHODS: Following a crossover design, 23 patients with refractory chronic cough (age: 60.4 ± 9.1 years) received ascending doses of filapixant in one period (20, 80, 150, and 250 mg, twice daily, 4-days-on/3-days-off) and placebo in the other. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 24-h cough frequency on Day 4 of each dosing step. Further, subjective cough severity and health-related quality of life were assessed. RESULTS: Filapixant at doses ≥ 80 mg significantly reduced cough frequency and severity and improved cough health-related quality of life. Reductions in 24-h cough frequency over placebo ranged from 17% (80 mg dose) to 37% (250 mg dose), reductions over baseline from 23% (80 mg) to 41% (250 mg) (placebo: 6%). Reductions in cough severity ratings on a 100-mm visual analog scale ranged from 8 mm (80 mg) to 21 mm (250 mg). No serious or severe adverse events or adverse events leading to discontinuation of treatment were reported. Taste-related adverse events occurred in 4%, 13%, 43%, and 57% of patients treated with filapixant 20, 80, 150, and 250 mg, respectively, and in 12% treated with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Filapixant proved to be efficacious, safe, and-apart from the occurrence of taste disturbances, especially at higher dosages-well tolerated during the short therapeutic intervention. Clinical trial registration EudraCT, eudract.ema.europa.eu, 2018-000129-29; ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03535168

Studying Fake News via Network Analysis: Detection and Mitigation

Social media for news consumption is becoming increasingly popular due to its easy access, fast dissemination, and low cost. However, social media also enable the wide propagation of "fake news", i.e., news with intentionally false information. Fake news on social media poses significant negative societal effects, and also presents unique challenges. To tackle the challenges, many existing works exploit various features, from a network perspective, to detect and mitigate fake news. In essence, news dissemination ecosystem involves three dimensions on social media, i.e., a content dimension, a social dimension, and a temporal dimension. In this chapter, we will review network properties for studying fake news, introduce popular network types and how these networks can be used to detect and mitigation fake news on social media.Comment: Submitted as a invited book chapter in Lecture Notes in Social Networks, Springer Pres

Breadwinners and Homemakers: Migration and Changing Conjugal Expectations in Rural Bangladesh

The literature on marriage norms and aspirations across societies largely sees the institution as static – a tool for the assertion of masculinities and subordination of women. The changing meanings of marriage and conjugality in the contemporary context of globalisation have received scant attention. Based on research in rural Bangladesh, this article questions the usefulness of notions of autonomy and dependence in understanding conjugal relations and expectations in a context of widespread migration for extended periods, especially to overseas destinations, where mutuality is crucial for social reproduction, though in clearly genderdemarcated domains

Angiosperm symbioses with non-mycorrhizal fungal partners enhance N acquisition from ancient organic matter in a warming maritime Antarctic

In contrast to the situation in plants inhabiting most of the world’s ecosystems, mycorrhizal fungi are usually absent from roots of the only two native vascular plant species of maritime Antarctica, Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis. Instead, a range of ascomycete fungi, termed dark septate endophytes (DSEs), frequently colonise the roots of these plant species. We demonstrate that colonisation of Antarctic vascular plants by DSEs facilitates not only the acquisition of organic nitrogen as early protein breakdown products, but also as non-proteinaceous D-amino acids and their short peptides, accumulated in slowly-decomposing organic matter, such as moss peat. Our findings suggest that, in a warming maritime Antarctic, this symbiosis has a key role in accelerating the replacement of formerly dominant moss communities by vascular plants, and in increasing the rate at which ancient carbon stores laid down as moss peat over centuries or millennia are returned to the atmosphere as CO2.Additional co-authors: Richard D Bardgett, David W Hopkins and Davey L Jone