In this article the authors build on their past attempts to reconstruct a 3D, time-varying bolus of radiotracer from first-pass data obtained by the dynamic SPECT imager, FASTSPECT, built by the University of Arizona. The object imaged is a CardioWest total artificial heart. The bolus is entirely contained in one ventricle and its associated inlet and outlet tubes. The model for the radiotracer distribution at a given time is a closed surface parameterized by 482 vertices that are connected to make 960 triangles, with nonuniform intensity variations of radiotracer allowed inside the surface on a voxel-to-voxel basis. The total curvature of the surface is minimized through the use of a weighted prior in the Bayesian framework, as is the weighted norm of the gradient of the voxellated grid. MAP estimates for the vertices, interior intensity voxels and background count level are produced. The strength of the priors, or hyperparameters, are determined by maximizing the probability of the data given the hyperparameters, called the evidence. The evidence is calculated by first assuming that the posterior is approximately normal in the values of the vertices and voxels, and then by evaluating the integral of the multi-dimensional normal distribution. This integral (which requires …

This paper presents the results of a pilot study whose primary objective was to further substantiate the efficacy of front-end data reduction in computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) of mammograms. This concept is realized by a preprocessing module that can be utilized at the front-end of most mammographic CAD systems. Based on fractal encoding, this module takes a mammo-graphic image as its input and generates, as its output, a collection of subregions called focus-of-attention regions (FARs). These FARs contain all structures in the input image that appear to be different from the normal background tissue. Subsequently, the CAD systems need only to process the presented FARs, rather than the entire input image. This accomplishes two objectives simultaneously: (1) an increase in throughput via a reduction in the input data, and (2) a reduction in false detections by limiting the scope of the detection algorithms to FARs only. The pilot study consisted of using the preprocessing module to analyze 80 mammographic images. The results were an average data reduction of 83% over all 80 images and an average false detection reduction of 86%. Furthermore, out of a total of 507 marked microcalcifications, 467 fell within FW, representing a coverage rate of 92%.

Semiweekly newspaper from Gilmer, Texas that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

It is well known that the fluid phase equilibria can be represented by a number of {gamma}-models , but unfortunately most of them do not function well under high temperature. In this calculation, we mainly investigate the performance of UNIQUAC and NRTL models under high temperature, using temperature dependent parameters rather than using the original formulas. the other feature of this calculation is that we try to relate the excess Gibbs energy G{sup E}and enthalpy of mixing H{sup E}simultaneously. In other words, we will use the high temperature and pressure G{sup E} and H{sup E}data to regress the temperature dependant parameters to find out which model and what kind of temperature dependant parameters should be used.

A one-page letter to Leadership Lambda Seminar Series Participants, 20 February 1999. The letter acts as an invitation with directions and contact information.

Ecologic U.S. county data suggest negative associations between residential radon exposure and lung cancer mortality (LCM)-inconsistent with clearly positive associations revealed by occupational data on individual miners, but perhaps explained by competing effects of cell killing vs. mutations in alpha-exposed bronchial epithelium. To assess the latter possibility, a biologically based �cytodynamic 2-stage� (CD2) cancer-risk model was fit to combined 1950-54 age- specific person-year data on lung cancer mortality (LCM) in white females of age 40+ y in 2,821 U.S. counties (-90% never-smokers), and in 5 cohorts of underground miners who never smoked. New estimates of household annual average radon exposure in U.S. counties were used, which were found to have a significant negative ecologic association with 1950-54 LCM in U.S. white females, adjusted for age and all subsets of two among 21 socioeconomic, climatic and other factors considered. A good CD2 fit was obtained to the combined residential/miner data, using biologically plausible parameter values. Without further optimization, the fit also predicted independent inverse dose-rate effects shown (for the first time) to occur in nonsmoking miners. Using the same U.S. county-level LCM data, a separate study revealed a positive ecologic association between LCM and bituminous coal use in the U.S., in …

Video footage of the One O'Clock Lab band, wind symphony with grand chorus, and symphony orchestra with grand chorus performing at the Murchison Performing Arts Center opening gala. The video ends with a fireworks display.

Semiweekly newspaper from Pawhuska, Oklahoma that includes local, state, and national news along with advertising.

Ticket for the performance of Jazz Explosion '99 hosted by the Junior Black Academy of Arts and Letters on February 20, 1999 at the Dallas Convention Center Theatre.