New Techniques in Diagnostic X-ray Imaging: A Simulation Tool and Experimental Findings

AbstractAbsorption X-ray imaging is a well-established technique. However it is still a challenging task in its search for a compromise between the need for high spatial resolution and high contrast and the request to keep the dose delivered to the patient within acceptable values. New imaging techniques are under investigation, like the use of new X-ray sources, phase contrast imaging or K-edge imaging. Monte Carlo or analytic simulations are often the best way to test and predict the effectiveness of these techniques. A new simulation tool for X-ray imaging will be presented together with some applications to the characterization of new X-ray sources, in-line phase contrast effect and angiographic K-edge imaging. Simulation results will be compared also with experimental dat

GPCALMA, a mammographic CAD in a GRID connection

6 pages, 4 figures, to appear in CARS 2003 Proceedings, Computer Assisted Radiology and Surgery 17th International Congress and Exhibition, London, June 25-28, 2003Purpose of this work is the development of an automatic system which could be useful for radiologists in the investigation of breast cancer. A breast neoplasia is often marked by the presence of microcalcifications and massive lesions in the mammogram: hence the need for tools able to recognize such lesions at an early stage. GPCALMA (Grid Platform Computer Assisted Library for MAmmography), a collaboration among italian physicists and radiologists, has built a large distributed database of digitized mammographic images (at this moment about 5500 images corresponding to 1650 patients). This collaboration has developed a CAD (Computer Aided Detection) system which, installed in an integrated station, can also be used for digitization, as archive and to perform statistical analysis. With a GRID configuration it would be possible for the clinicians tele- and co-working in new and innovative groupings ('virtual organisations') and, using the whole database, by the GPCALMA tools several analysis can be performed. Furthermore the GPCALMA system allows to be abreast of the CAD technical progressing into several hospital locations always with remote working by GRID connection. We report in this work the results obtained by the GPCALMA CAD software implemented with a GRID connection

Computer Aided Diagnosis of Thalassaemias: An Overview

The distribution of thalassaemias is global, with particular incidence in areas affected by malaria as the Mediterranean area (Italy, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus) and in southeast Asia (India, Vietnam, Cambodia). Screening of the heterozygous population is fundamental for keeping thalassaemic pathology diffusion under control. Thalassaemia recognition is based on a first-level analysis performed with haemochromocytometric data and a second-level examination (HbA2 quantification, globin chain synthesis, and genetic analysis). Many of the latter techniques are finalised to a secure diagnosis of the genetic defect and they are time-consuming and expensive, therefore it would be important to have a Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) support based mainly on the haemochromocytometric data and on the simple HbA2quantification. Such classification through CAD systems would contribute to the selection of cases that need further examination and could be helpful in laboratory quality control. Several automated expert systems have been proposed to detect thalassaemias. There are different types of α-thalassaemia resulting from different gene mutations and their distribution is dissimilar in different geographic areas. The CAD systems are often optimized on the α-Thalassaemia and β-Thalassaemia types of the area where the software is built. In this work an overview of some automated systems used for supporting the diagnosis of different Thalassaemia traits is presented

A Cognitive Neural Model of Executive Functions in Natural Language Processing

AbstractAlthough extensive research has been devoted to cognitive models of human language, the role of executive functions in language processing has little been explored. In this work we present a neural-network-based cognitive architecture which models the development of the procedural knowledge that underpin language processing. The large scale organization of the architecture is based on a multi-component working memory model, with a central executive that controls the flow of information among the slave systems through neural gating mechanisms. The system was validated, starting from a tabula rasa condition, on a on a corpus of five datasets, each devoted to a thematic group, based on literature on early language assessment, at the level of a preschool child. The results show that the system is capable of learning different word classes, and to use them in expressive language, through an open-ended incremental learning process, expressing a broad range of language processing functionalities

Real time detection of driver attention: Emerging solutions based on robust iconic classifiers and dictionary of poses

Real time monitoring of driver attention by computer vision techniques is a key issue in the development of advanced driver assistance systems. While past work mostly focused on structured feature-based approaches, characterized by high computational requirements, emerging technologies based on iconic classifiers recently proved to be good candidates for the implementation of accurate and real-time solutions, characterized by simplicity and automatic fast training stages.In this work the combined use of binary classifiers and iconic data reduction, based on Sanger neural networks, is proposed, detailing critical aspects related to the application of this approach to the specific problem of driving assistance. In particular it is investigated the possibility of a simplified learning stage, based on a small dictionary of poses, that makes the system almost independent from the actual user.On-board experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of the approach, even in case of noise and adverse light conditions. Moreover the system proved unexpected robustness to various categories of users, including people with beard and eyeglasses. Temporal integration of classification results, together with a partial distinction among visual distraction and fatigue effects, make the proposed technology an excellent candidate for the exploration of adaptive and user-centered applications in the automotive field

MAGIC-5: an Italian mammographic database of digitised images for research

The implementation of a database of digitised mammograms is discussed. The digitised images were collected beginning in 1999 by a community of physicists in collaboration with radiologists in several Italian hospitals as a first step in developing and implementing a computer-aided detection (CAD) system. All 3,369 mammograms were collected from 967 patients and classified according to lesion type and morphology, breast tissue and pathology type. A dedicated graphical user interface was developed to visualise and process mammograms to support the medical diagnosis directly on a high-resolution screen. The database has been the starting point for developing other medical imaging applications, such as a breast CAD, currently being upgraded and optimised for use in a distributed environment with grid services, in the framework of the Instituto Nazionale di Fisicia Nucleare (INFN)-funded Medical Applications on a Grid Infrastructure Connection (MAGIC)-5 project

Percutaneous management of bone metastases: state of the art, interventional strategies and joint position statement of the Italian College of MSK Radiology (ICoMSKR) and the Italian College of Interventional Radiology (ICIR)

Interventional radiology provides local management of bone metastases (BM) with a palliative intent in most cases, or with a curative intent in selected patients. Its role has rapidly expanded in the last decade, offering new treatment solutions often in combination with surgery, radiation therapy and medical treatments. The aim of the present paper is to increase awareness, acceptance and adoption of interventional radiology procedures for the treatment of BM; and to present the joint position of the Italian College of Musculoskeletal Radiology and the Italian College of Interventional Radiology

The FIRST experiment for nuclear fragmentation measurements at GSI

International audienceNuclear fragmentation processes are relevant in different fields of physics concerning both basic research and applications. FIRST (Fragmentation of Ions Relevant for Space and Therapy) is an experiment aimed at the measurement of double differential cross sections (DDCS), with respect to kinetic energy and scattering polar angle, of nuclear fragmentation processes relevant for hadron therapy and for space radiation protection applications, in the energy range between 100 and 1000 MeV/u. The experiment was mounted at the GSI laboratories of Darmstadt, in Germany. A first data taking was performed in August 2011, using 400 MeV/u 12C on carbon and gold targets. In this work we present a description of the experimental apparatus and some figures from the data acquisition and from the preliminary work on data analysis