Four-dimensional couplings among BF and matter theories from BRST cohomology

The local and manifestly covariant Lagrangian interactions in four spacetime dimensions that can be added to a ``free'' model that describes a generic matter theory and an abelian BF theory are constructed by means of deforming the solution to the master equation on behalf of specific cohomological techniques.Comment: 45 pages, no figure

Geometric Formulation for Partially Massless Fields

The manifestly gauge invariant formulation for free symmetric partially massless fields in $(A)dS_d$ is given in terms of gauge connections and linearized curvatures that take values in the irreducible representations of $(o(d-1,2)) o(d,1)$ described by two-row Young tableaux, in which the lengths of the first and second row are, respectively, associated with spin and depth of partial masslessness.Comment: LaTeX, 42 pages. Published in Nucl. Phys.

Gauge invariant Lagrangian construction for massive bosonic higher spin fields in D dimentions

We develop the BRST approach to Lagrangian formulation for massive higher integer spin fields on a flat space-time of arbitrary dimension. General procedure of gauge invariant Lagrangian construction describing the dynamics of massive bosonic field with any spin is given. No off-shell constraints on the fields (like tracelessness) and the gauge parameters are imposed. The procedure is based on construction of new representation for the closed algebra generated by the constraints defining an irreducible massive bosonic representation of the Poincare group. We also construct Lagrangian describing propagation of all massive bosonic fields simultaneously. As an example of the general procedure, we derive the Lagrangians for spin-1, spin-2 and spin-3 fields containing total set of auxiliary fields and gauge symmetries of free massive bosonic higher spin field theory.Comment: 27 page

A new procedure for automatic path planning in bronchoscopy

Virtual bronchoscopy is often used for planning a real bronchoscopy procedure. Software applications are developed for virtual bronchoscopy, involving usually segmentation of the tracheobronchial tree from the medical image scan, which is a difficult operation, both conceptually and from the computer implementation and running time point of view. That is why in this paper, a new method for bronchoscopy procedure planning that does not require such a segmentation is presented. The proposed procedure involves automatic path generation between the starting and ending points, skin removal, an algorithm for detection and resolution of collision with the airways walls and validation of the automatically created path. Results are presented for two datasets – one being the representation of a theoretical lungs model, with six levels of branches and the other one being the image scan of a real patient. Together with a system for tracking the bronchoscope during the real procedure, the proposed method can improve the diagnostic success rate of lung cancer using bronchoscopy and decrease the discomfort perceived by the patient.acceptedVersio

Preoperative Planning for Superior Mesenteric Artery Aneurysm

Surgical procedures on various artery aneurysms are difficult to perform and require careful preparation. We have developed and now present in this paper a software platform, CardioCTNav, that can help in planning such procedures. The planning consists of a 3D rendering of the area of interest, virtual angiography, automated measurements, and virtual stent simulation

A new procedure for automatic path planning in bronchoscopy

Virtual bronchoscopy is often used for planning a real bronchoscopy procedure. Software applications are developed for virtual bronchoscopy, involving usually segmentation of the tracheobronchial tree from the medical image scan, which is a difficult operation, both conceptually and from the computer implementation and running time point of view. That is why in this paper, a new method for bronchoscopy procedure planning that does not require such a segmentation is presented. The proposed procedure involves automatic path generation between the starting and ending points, skin removal, an algorithm for detection and resolution of collision with the airways walls and validation of the automatically created path. Results are presented for two datasets – one being the representation of a theoretical lungs model, with six levels of branches and the other one being the image scan of a real patient. Together with a system for tracking the bronchoscope during the real procedure, the proposed method can improve the diagnostic success rate of lung cancer using bronchoscopy and decrease the discomfort perceived by the patient