Magnetic resonance image enhancement using stochastic resonance in Fourier domain

Objective

In general, low-field MRI scanners such as the 0.5- and 1-T ones produce images that are poor in quality. The motivation of this study was to lessen the noise and enhance the signal such that the image quality is improved. Here, we propose a new approach using stochastic resonance (SR)-based transform in Fourier space for the enhancement of magnetic resonance images of brain lesions, by utilizing an optimized level of Gaussian fluctuation that maximizes signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Materials and Methods

We acquired the T1-weighted MR image of the brain in DICOM format. We processed the original MR image using the proposed SR procedure. We then tested our approach on about 60 patients of different age groups with different lesions, such as arteriovenous malformation, benign lesion and malignant tumor, and illustrated the image enhancement by using just-noticeable difference visually as well as by utilizing the relative enhancement factor quantitatively.

Results

Our method can restore the original image from noisy image and optimally enhance the edges or boundaries of the tissues, clarify indistinct structural brain lesions without producing ringing artifacts, as well as delineate the edematous area, active tumor zone, lesion heterogeneity or morphology, and vascular abnormality. The proposed technique improves the enhancement factor better than the conventional techniques like the Wiener- and wavelet-based procedures.

Conclusions

The proposed method can readily enhance the image fusing a unique constructive interaction of noise and signal, and enables improved diagnosis over conventional methods. The approach well illustrates the novel potential of using a small amount of Gaussian noise to improve the image quality.     

Metal–insulator transition in boron-doped amorphous carbon films

Boron-doped amorphous graphite-like carbon (GLC) films have been prepared with different boron concentrations. Electrical transport measurements in the temperature range 1.3–300?K on the films shows a doping-induced metal–insulator (MI) transition. On the metallic side of the transition, the experimental data are interpreted in terms of weak localization and the effect of electron–electron interactions. Data on the insulator side of transition are analyzed in terms of hopping conduction. Critical behaviour is observed near the transition, with the resistivity obeying a power-law temperature dependence.     

Analysis of a plankton–fish model with external toxicity and nonlinear harvesting

Ricerche di Matematica - In this paper, we consider a three species plankton–fish system that incorporates external toxicity and nonlinear harvesting. We consider that the growth of species...     

Spectral analysis of uranium glasses

A Taylor-series expansion of the intermediate coupling energy levels for the U⁴⁺(5f²) has been developed for the first time by using the mathematical procedures of Racah. The partial derivatives, eigenvalues and eigenfunctions reported in this paper will be of great use in analysing the optical spectral properties of the tetravalent uranium doped crystalline or non-crystalline materials. The usefulness of the Taylor serier expansion has been verified by examining the optical absorption results of the U⁴⁺ doped fluoride glasses. The physical properties, namely the refractive index and density, were also determined.Our thanks are due to Prof. S. V. J. Lakshman for his kind cooperation and support in the present work. We are also thankful to the technical staff of the Hull University, Physics Department, UK in the preparation and measurement of various physical properties of the U⁴⁺ doped alkali mixed heavy metal based fluoride glass systems.     

Thermal transpiration and rotational relaxation in some polyatomic gases

The maximum thermomolecular pressure differences across a capillary tube whose ends are held at 195 K and 298 K have been measured for CF₄, SF₆, SiF₄ and BF₃. These results have been used to predict the collision numbers for rotational relaxation in these gases.     

Cascade reactions of substituted 1,2,4-triazines: rapid access to nitrogen-containing polycycles

A new and straightforward methodology for the construction of complex nitrogen-containing polycycles has been developed. This methodology exploits easily prepared 1,2,4-triazines as substrates for a pericyclic reaction cascade, forming the polycycles in good to excellent yield in a single operation.     

Synthesis,spectral characterization and bioactivity evaluation of novel α-aminophosphonates

A facile synthesis of novel α-aminophosphonates 5a-j was accomplished by condensation of imines (3a-j) with diethyl phosphite (4) in ethanol at 50–60°C using easily recoverable and reusable catalyst, tetramethyl guanidine (TMG) via pudovik reaction in high yields. All the title compounds were characterized by spectral and elemental analysis. They were further screened for their abilities towards in vitro antibacterial, antifungal and antioxidant activities. The compounds 5g, 5d, 5f exhibited good antibacterial and antifungal activities compared to the standard bactericide, Penicillin and fungicide, Griseofulvin, respectively. The compounds 5h, 5i, 5g, and 5c exhibited good antioxidant activity compared to the standard ascorbic acid.     

Total synthesis of cyclosporin O by convergent approach employing Fmoc-amino acid chlorides mediated by zinc dust

An epimerization free and efficient total synthesis of immunosuppressant cyclosporin O (CsO) by step-by-step assembly of amino acids in solution phase is reported. The couplings were performed by employing Fmoc-amino acid chlorides and were mediated by zinc dust under neutral conditions. The yield and purity of the coupling of sterically hindered N-methylamino acids to N-methylamino acids at positions 8, 9, 10, and 11 were enhanced by repeating the coupling thrice at these particular junctures. All the 10 intermediate peptides pertaining to CsO and the final CsO were isolated and completely characterized through IR, 1H NMR, mass spectrometry, and HPLC techniques.     

Aldehyde und Ketone

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