A joint shape evolution approach to medical image segmentation using expectation-maximization algorithm

This study proposes an expectation–maximization (EM)-based curve evolution algorithm for segmentation of magnetic resonance brain images. In the proposed algorithm, the evolution curve is constrained not only by a shape-based statistical model but also by a hidden variable model from image observation. The hidden variable model herein is defined by the local voxel labeling, which is unknown and estimated by the expected likelihood function derived from the image data and prior anatomical knowledge. In the M-step, the shapes of the structures are estimated jointly by encoding the hidden variable model and the statistical prior model obtained from the training stage. In the E-step, the expected observation likelihood and the prior distribution of the hidden variables are estimated. In experiments, the proposed automatic segmentation algorithm is applied to multiple gray nuclei structures such as caudate, putamens and thalamus of three-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging in volunteers and patients. As for the robustness and accuracy of the segmentation algorithm, the results of the proposed EM-joint shape-based algorithm outperformed those obtained using the statistical shape model-based techniques in the same framework and a current state-of-the-art region competition level set method.     

On the Coefficients of Several Classes of Bi-Univalent Functions

In this paper, we investigate the bounds of the coefficients of several classes of bi-univalent functions. The results presented in this paper improve or generalize the recent works of other authors.     

Condition-based maintenance optimization considering improving prediction accuracy

Condition-based maintenance (CBM) aims to reduce maintenance cost and improve equipment reliability by effectively utilizing condition monitoring and prediction information. It is observed that the prediction accuracy often improves with the increase of the age of the component. In this research, we develop a method to quantify the remaining life prediction uncertainty considering the prediction accuracy improvement, and an effective CBM optimization approach to optimize the maintenance schedule. Any type of prognostics methods can be used, including data-driven methods, model-based methods and integrated methods, as long as the prediction method can produce the predicted failure time distribution at any given inspection point. Furthermore, we develop a numerical method to accurately and efficiently evaluate the cost of the CBM policy. The proposed approach is demonstrated using vibration monitoring data collected from pump bearings in the field as well as simulated degradation data. The proposed policy is compared with two benchmark maintenance policies and is found to be more effective.     

一类单调算子的新不动点定理

利用单调迭代法、数学归纳法以及序差距的性质,在半序Banach空间中探究不具有紧性、连续性以及任何凹凸性的单调算子不动点存在以及惟一性问题,得出其新不动点定理,这些结果对相关结论进行了推广,使其适用范围更广,同时将该结论应用于求解Volterra型积分方程组问题中.     

Unrelated parallel-machine scheduling with deteriorating maintenance activities to minimize the total completion time

Wang et al. (J Operat Res Soc 62: 1898–1902, 2011) studied the m identical parallel-machine and unrelated parallel-machine scheduling with a deteriorating maintenance activity to minimize the total completion time. They showed that each problem can be solved in O(n ^2m+3) time, where n is the number of jobs. In this note, we discuss the unrelated parallel-machine setting and show that the problem can be optimally solved by a lower order algorithm.     

次可分解算子的不变子空间格的丰富性

证明了一类次可分解算子的不变子空间格是丰富的,并举例说明存在Hilbert空间上的有界线性算子T,它有无穷多个不变子空间,但是它的不变子空间格Lat(T)不丰富．     

A NECESSARY AND SUFFICIENT CONDITION FOR CONVERGENCE OF ERROR PROBABILITY ESTIMATES IN K-NN DISCRIMINATION

Let(X,θ)be R~d×{1,…,s}valued random vector,(X_j,θ_j),j=1,…,n,be its observedvalues, be the K-nearest neighbor estimate of θ_j,R~((K)) be the limit of error probabilityand be the error probability estimate.In this paper it is shown thatA_ε>0, constants α>0,c<∞ such thatif add only if there is no unregular atom of(X,θ)defined below and the various conver-gences R_(nk)→R~(k) are equivalent.     

Polypropylene/poly(butyl methacrylate) blends prepared by diffusion and subsequent polymerization of butyl methacrylate in isotactic polypropylene pellets

Polypropylene/poly(butyl methacrylate)(PP/PBMA) blends were prepared by diffusion and subsequent polymerization of butyl methacrylate(BMA) in commercial isotactic polypropylene(iPP) pellets.The diffusion kinetics,diametrical distribution of PBMA in a pellet and phase morphology of a typical PP/PBMA blend were investigated.     

Study of the effect of Wuzhi tablet (Schisandra sphenanthera extract) on tacrolimus tissue distribution in rat by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method

A liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS) method was developed and validated for determining tacrolimus (FK506) in rat tissues to study the effect of Schisandra sphenanthera extract on FK506 tissue distribution. After a liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate, FK506 and ascomycin (IS) were subjected to LC‐MS/MS analysis using positive electrospray ionization under multiple reactions monitoring mode. Chromatographic separation of FK506 and ascomycin was achieved on a Hypersil BDS C₁₈ column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol‐water (containing 2 mM ammonium acetate, 95 : 5, v/v). The intra‐ and inter‐batch precision of the method were less than 8.8 and 9.8%, respectively. The intra‐ and inter‐batch accuracies ranged from 97.5 to 104.0%. The lowest limit of quantification for FK506 was 0.5 ng/mL. The method was applied to a FK506 tissue distribution study with or without a dose of Wuzhi (WZ) tablet. Most of the FK506 tissue concentrations were slightly increased after a concomitant WZ tablet dose, but the whole blood concentration of FK506 was dramatically increased 3‐fold after a concomitant WZ tablet dose. These results indicated that the LC‐MS/MS method was rapid and sensitive enough to quantify FK506 in different rat tissues, and strict drug monitoring is recommended when co‐administering WZ tablet in clinical use. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.