Improvement of ultrasound speckle image velocimetry using image enhancement techniques

Ultrasound-based techniques have been developed and widely used in noninvasive measurement of blood velocity. Speckle image velocimetry (SIV), which applies a cross-correlation algorithm to consecutive B-mode images of blood flow has often been employed owing to its better spatial resolution compared with conventional Doppler-based measurement techniques. The SIV technique utilizes speckles backscattered from red blood cell (RBC) aggregates as flow tracers. Hence, the intensity and size of such speckles are highly dependent on hemodynamic conditions. The grayscale intensity of speckle images varies along the radial direction of blood vessels because of the shear rate dependence of RBC aggregation. This inhomogeneous distribution of echo speckles decreases the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a cross-correlation analysis and produces spurious results. In the present study, image-enhancement techniques such as contrast-limited adaptive histogram equalization (CLAHE), min/max technique, and subtraction of background image (SB) method were applied to speckle images to achieve a more accurate SIV measurement. A mechanical sector ultrasound scanner was used to obtain ultrasound speckle images from rat blood under steady and pulsatile flows. The effects of the image-enhancement techniques on SIV analysis were evaluated by comparing image intensities, velocities, and cross-correlation maps. The velocity profiles and wall shear rate (WSR) obtained from RBC suspension images were compared with the analytical solution for validation. In addition, the image-enhancement techniques were applied to in vivo measurement of blood flow in human vein. The experimental results of both in vitro and in vivo SIV measurements show that the intensity gradient in heterogeneous speckles has substantial influence on the cross-correlation analysis. The image-enhancement techniques used in this study can minimize errors encountered in ultrasound SIV measurement in which RBCs are used as flow tracers instead of exogenous contrast agents.     

一种改进的模糊阈值选取方法

提出了一种改进的模糊阈值选取方法。针对传统的模糊阈值法隶属函数窗宽不容易确定的出发点，结合传统的易于实现的阈值选取方法，巧妙的绕过了确定窗宽的问题，能够结合模糊阈值法和该传统阈值法各自所能达到的优点，并且方法非常简单，明了。实践证明，这种方法是行之有效的，并具有较强的场景适应能力。     

分割图像插值的一种局部算法

对于医学序列切片，图像上像素之间的间隔常常小于切片之间的距离，而在图像处理中，常常需要它们有一致的分辨率。对于已分割的切片图像，插入的切片图像也应是分割的图像。本文提出了一种图像插值的局部算法，该算法在产生新插入图像每点的分割信息与颜色信息时，计算只与相邻切片图像的局部像素值有关。因此既保持了相邻切片的物体形态过渡自然，又具有良好的数值稳定性。应用该算法于医学序列切片进行插值时，可达到良好的视觉效果。算法已成功应用于医学数据的三维重建系统。     

结合DEM的红边-近红外植被指数提取城市植被信息

随着生活水平的不断提高,城市植被已成为衡量城市宜居性的重要标准之一,对城市生物多样性评估和保护起到非常重要的作用。因此,合理规划城市植被是解决环境问题和提高生活质量的重要手段。因此,城市植被的提取和监测成为重中之重的任务。目前,城市植被提取一方面受到地域和物种的影响,另一方面也受到地形和建筑物阴影的影响。为解决上述问题,提出了一种结合数字高程模型(DEM)的红边-近红外植被指数模型（RENVI）。首先选取了3景经过辐射定标和大气校正的具有红边波段、且光谱和空间分辨率较高的Worldview-3遥感影像;然后,根据红边波段对于植被具有较高的敏感性,且红边范围内的光谱数据与反映植被生长状况的参数有较好的相关关系原理,采用DEM模型和红边波段光谱差异,有效去除地形和建筑物阴影;最后,在可见光波段范围内建立红边光谱-近红外光谱构建特征空间,构建了红边-近红外植被指数模型,同时与归一化植被指数（NDVI）和增强型植被指数（EVI）进行城市植被提取的定性和定量对比分析。定性分析是利用真实植被影像参考图与模型提取植被影像进行视觉分析;后者是采用用户精度、生产者精度、总体精度和Kappa系数进行量化分析。定性分析表明：NDVI和EVI提取城市植被,由于建筑和道路像元混淆在植被中,产生了错分和漏分的问题。RENVI较好地消除了阴影像元与植被像元混淆问题,能准确的提取城市植被,减少了冗余度,增加了植被指数的信息量。定量分析表明：RENVI模型较NDVI和RVI能够准确提取城市植被,3景影像总体精度分别为89%,81.4%和91.8%,Kappa系数分别为0.852 8,0.791 3和0.905 2。综上所述,该方法有效提高了城市植被提取精度,并取得了较好的提取视觉效果。     

Segmentation of Pulmonary Nodule Images Using 1-Norm Minimization

Total variation minimization (in the 1-norm) has edge preserving and enhancing properties which make it suitable for image segmentation. We present Image Simplification, a new formulation and algorithm for image segmentation. We illustrate the edge enhancing properties of 1-norm total variation minimization in a discrete setting by giving exact solutions to the problem for piecewise constant functions in the presence of noise. In this case, edges can be exactly recovered if the noise is sufficiently small. After optimization, segmentation is completed using edge detection. We find that our image segmentation approach yields good results when applied to the segmentation of pulmonary nodules.     

Middle-school students’ concept images of geometric translations

This study explored sixth grade students’ concept images of geometric translations and the possible sources of their conceptions in a non-technological environment. The data were gathered through a written instrument, student and teacher interviews and document analyses. Analyses of student responses revealed two major concept images of geometric translations: (a) translation as translational motion, and (b) translation as both translational and rotational motion. Students who held these conceptions showed various levels of understanding, such as conceiving translations as undefined motion, partially-defined motion, and defined-motion of a single geometric figure on the plane. The findings of the study suggested, in general, consistencies between students’ concept images and their concept definitions. However, most of the students’ concept definitions were inconsistent with the formal concept definition of geometric translations.Data analyses also revealed five interpretations of a translation vector: (a) vector as a reference line, (b) vector as a symmetry line, (c) vector as a direction indicator, (d) vector as a parameter, and (e) vector as an abstract tool. Furthermore, classroom instruction, mathematics and science textbooks, real-life examples and everyday language were the major sources of students’ concept images of geometric translations.     

应用LSI实现WEB图片的索引和查询

应用奇异值分解方法，分析相关文本词条和图片语义的关系，构造了一个图片“潜在语义索引”模型，用于缓解传统的许多WEB图片检索系统在索引和查询中遇到的同义词和多义词问题，实现语义索引和查询实验表明，该模型能有效地改善图片的索引和查询性能。     

An exact, linear solution to the problem of imaging through turbulence

We show how, in principle, to solve the ‘blind deconvolution' problem. This is in the context of the problem of imaging through atmospheric turbulence. The approach is digital but not iterative, and requires as input data but two short-exposure intensity images, without the need for reference point sources. By taking the Fourier transform of each image and dividing, a set of linear equations is generated whose unknowns are sampled values of the two random point spread functions that degraded the images. An oversampling by 50% in Fourier space equalizes the number of unknowns and independent equations. With some prior knowledge of spread function support, and in the absence of added noise of image detection, the inverted equations give exact solutions. The two observed images are then inverse filtered to reconstruct the object.     

Spectroscopic information retained in screen photo-assisted techniques

The computer screen photo-assisted technique (CSPT), a recently reported method for characterization of colorimetric assays, has been modeled and the ability of the technique to retain key spectral features has been determined.The robustness of CSPT to operate with different kind of screens is demonstrated and a physical explanation of the result is provided.Simulated CSPT transmittances corroborate experimental results, and enable comparison with standard methods for qualitative and quantitative evaluation.     

多帧融合处理技术在运动模糊图像复原中的应用

运动模糊图像是电视监控中常见的退化图像 ,也是图像处理和检验工作中的难题。针对电视摄像的特点 ,多帧融合处理技术从图像时间序列中提取景物的运动信息 ,构造复原滤波器 ,通过频率域反转滤波方式复原模糊图像。这项技术能够有效地增强电视监控中存在的运动模糊图像 ,并且适用于数字视频图像处理