Implementation of Shock Filter for Digital X-Ray Image Processing

X-ray image might be corrupted by noise or blurring because of signal transmission or the bad X- ray lens. This paper presents a two-stage shock filter based on Partial Differential Equations (PDE) to restore noisy blurred X-ray image. Shock filters are popular morphological methods. They are used for noise removal, edge enhancement and image segmentation. Our experimental results show that the performances of shock filter are excellent in X-ray image. The peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) values are 38 dB at least in restoring the noisy X-ray image. The sharpness of image’s edges increase in enhancing the blurred X-ray image. Furthermore, this paper proposes a VLSI architecture for accelerating the high-definition (HD) X-ray image (944 p) process. This paper implements the architecture in FPGA. The hardware cost is low because the computation of shock filter is low complex. To achieve the real-time processing specification, this paper uses a 5-series shock filter architecture to implement computation of HD X-ray image. This paper demonstrates a 944 p, 43.1-fps solution on 100 MHz with 133 k gate counts in Design Compiler, and with 2904 logic elements in FPGA.

Anisotropy of Trabecular Bone from Ultra-Distal Radius Digital X-Ray Imaging: Effects on Bone Mineral Density and Age

Background: When applied to trabecular bone X-ray images, the anisotropic properties of trabeculae located at ultra-distal radius were investigated by using the trabecular bone scores (TBS) calculated along directions parallel and perpendicular to the forearm. Methodology: Data from more than two hundred subjects were studied retrospectively. A DXA (GE Lunar Prodigy) scan of the forearm was performed on each subject to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) value at the location of ultra-distal radius, and an X-ray digital image of the same forearm was taken on the same day. The values of trabecular bone score along the direction perpendicular to the forearm, TBSx, and along the direction parallel to the forearm, TBSy, were calculated respectively. The statistics of TBSx and TBSy were calculated, and the anisotropy of the trabecular bone, which was defined as the ratio of TBSy to TBSx and changed with subjects’ BMD and age, was reported and analyzed. Results: The results show that the correlation coefficient between TBSx and TBSy was 0.72 (p BMD and age was reported. The results showed that decreased trabecular bone anisotropy was associated with deceased BMD and increased age in the subject group. Conclusions: This study shows that decreased trabecular bone anisotropy was associated with decreased BMD and increased age.

Method for evaluation of geological strength index of carbonate cliff rocks:Coupled hyperspectral-digital borehole image technique

The deterioration of unstable rock mass raised interest in evaluating rock mass quality.However,the traditional evaluation method for the geological strength index(GSI)primarily emphasizes the rock structure and characteristics of discontinuities.It ignores the influence of mineral composition and shows a deficiency in assessing the integrity coefficient.In this context,hyperspectral imaging and digital panoramic borehole camera technologies are applied to analyze the mineral content and integrity of rock mass.Based on the carbonate mineral content and fissure area ratio,the strength reduction factor and integrity coefficient are calculated to improve the GSI evaluation method.According to the results of mineral classification and fissure identification,the strength reduction factor and integrity coefficient increase with the depth of rock mass.The rock mass GSI calculated by the improved method is mainly concentrated between 40 and 60,which is close to the calculation results of the traditional method.The GSI error rates obtained by the two methods are mostly less than 10%,indicating the rationality of the hyperspectral-digital borehole image coupled evaluation method.Moreover,the sensitivity of the fissure area ratio(Sr)to GSI is greater than that of the strength reduction factor(a),which means the proposed GSI is suitable for rocks with significant fissure development.The improved method reduces the influence of subjective factors and provides a reliable index for the deterioration evaluation of rock mass.

Simulation of Fracture Process of Lightweight Aggregate Concrete Based on Digital Image Processing Technology

The mechanical properties and failure mechanism of lightweight aggregate concrete(LWAC)is a hot topic in the engineering field,and the relationship between its microstructure and macroscopic mechanical properties is also a frontier research topic in the academic field.In this study,the image processing technology is used to establish a micro-structure model of lightweight aggregate concrete.Through the information extraction and processing of the section image of actual light aggregate concrete specimens,the mesostructural model of light aggregate concrete with real aggregate characteristics is established.The numerical simulation of uniaxial tensile test,uniaxial compression test and three-point bending test of lightweight aggregate concrete are carried out using a new finite element method-the base force element method respectively.Firstly,the image processing technology is used to produce beam specimens,uniaxial compression specimens and uniaxial tensile specimens of light aggregate concrete,which can better simulate the aggregate shape and random distribution of real light aggregate concrete.Secondly,the three-point bending test is numerically simulated.Thirdly,the uniaxial compression specimen generated by image processing technology is numerically simulated.Fourth,the uniaxial tensile specimen generated by image processing technology is numerically simulated.The mechanical behavior and damage mode of the specimen during loading were analyzed.The results of numerical simulation are compared and analyzed with those of relevant experiments.The feasibility and correctness of the micromodel established in this study for analyzing the micromechanics of lightweight aggregate concrete materials are verified.Image processing technology has a broad application prospect in the field of concrete mesoscopic damage analysis.

Assessment and Visualization of Ki67 Heterogeneity in Breast Cancers through Digital Image Analysis

The Ki67 index (KI) is a standard clinical marker for tumor proliferation;however, its application is hindered by intratumoral heterogeneity. In this study, we used digital image analysis to comprehensively analyze Ki67 heterogeneity and distribution patterns in breast carcinoma. Using Smart Pathology software, we digitized and analyzed 42 excised breast carcinoma Ki67 slides. Boxplots, histograms, and heat maps were generated to illustrate the KI distribution. We found that 30% of cases (13/42) exhibited discrepancies between global and hotspot KI when using a 14% KI threshold for classification. Patients with higher global or hotspot KI values displayed greater heterogenicity. Ki67 distribution patterns were categorized as randomly distributed (52%, 22/42), peripheral (43%, 18/42), and centered (5%, 2/42). Our sampling simulator indicated analyzing more than 10 high-power fields was typically required to accurately estimate global KI, with sampling size being correlated with heterogeneity. In conclusion, using digital image analysis in whole-slide images allows for comprehensive Ki67 profile assessment, shedding light on heterogeneity and distribution patterns. This spatial information can facilitate KI surveys of breast cancer and other malignancies.

Enhancing transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt procedure efficiency with digital subtraction angiography image overlay technology in esophagogastric variceal bleeding

BACKGROUND Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is a pivotal intervention for managing esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with chronic hepatic schistosomiasis.AIM To evaluate the efficacy of digital subtraction angiography image overlay tech-nology(DIT)in guiding the TIPS procedure.METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent TIPS at our hospital,comparing outcomes between an ultrasound-guided group and a DIT-guided group.Our analysis focused on the duration of the portosystemic shunt puncture,the number of punctures needed,the total surgical time,and various clinical indicators related to the surgery.RESULTS The study included 52 patients with esophagogastric varices due to chronic hepatic schistosomiasis.Results demonstrated that the DIT-guided group expe-rienced significantly shorter puncture times(P<0.001)and surgical durations(P=0.022)compared to the ultrasound-guided group.Additionally,postoperative assessments showed significant reductions in aspartate aminotransferase,B-type natriuretic peptide,and portal vein pressure in both groups.Notably,the DIT-guided group also showed significant reductions in total bilirubin(P=0.001)and alanine aminotransferase(P=0.023).CONCLUSION The use of DIT for guiding TIPS procedures highlights its potential to enhance procedural efficiency and reduce surgical times in the treatment of esophagogastric variceal bleeding in patients with chronic hepatic schistoso-miasis.

The Application of Digital Optical 3D Image Analyzer Evaskin in The Evaluation of Wrinkles

To verify the effectiveness of digital optical 3D image analyzer EvaSKIN in the objective and quantitative evaluation of wrinkles.A total of 115 subjects were recruited,the facial images of the subjects were collected by digital optical 3D image analyzer and manual camera,the changes of crow’s feet with age were analyzed.Pictures obtained by manual photography can be directly used for observation and preliminary grading of wrinkles.However,the requirements for evaluators are high,and the results are prone to errors,which will affect the accuracy of the evaluation.Therefore,skilled raters are needed.Compared with the manual photography method,the digital optical 3D image analyzer EvaSKIN can realize three-dimensional extraction of wrinkles,and obtain the change trend of crow’s feet with age.20~30 years old,wrinkles begin to appear slowly;wrinkles will increase rapidly at the age of 30~50;The length of 50~60 year old wrinkles is basically fixed,the wrinkles develop longitudewise,gradually widen and deepen,and the area,depth and volume increase is obvious,and the skin aging condition is intensified.the digital optical 3D image analyzer EvaSKIN realizes the 3D extraction of wrinkles,quantifies the circumference,area,average depth,maximum depth and volume of wrinkles,realizes the objective and quantitative evaluation of wrinkle state,is more accurate in the measurement of wrinkles,and provides a new instrument and method for the evaluation of wrinkles.it is a perfect and supplement to the traditional evaluation methods,and to a certain extent,it helps the research and development and evaluation institutions of cosmetics to obtain more abundant and three-dimensional data support.

Rice Crop Digital Image Compression Technology Based on Discrete Fourier Transform

[Objective] To study the digital image compression technology in rice monitoring system. [Method] A digital image compression technology program based on the discrete Fourier transform was proposed, and simulation experiments were carried out to compress the image at different compression ratios. [Result] When com- pression ratios were less than 30, the compression ratio, image entropy, average codeword length, coding efficiency and redundancy which reflected the quality of the coding, and the parameter PSNR which estimated the fidelity of the compressed im- age were all achieved good results that human eye could barely percept the differ- ence between the original image and decompressed image; and when the compres- sion ratios were more than 30, there was a certain distortion in the decompressed image. And when the compression ratio was 91.516 3, although the image had some distortion, the PSNR was still achieved to 21.528 2, and human eye could accept the decompressed image intuitively within the acceptable error range. [Conclusion] The results show that the proposed image compression program is a viable, effective, and better image compression technology which can satisfy the requirements of the crop monitoring system on image storage, transforming and transporting.

Method for eliminating zero-order image in digital holography

For eliminating the zero-order image in digital holography, a new method using the differential of the hologram intensity instead of the hologram itself for numerical reconstruction is proposed. This method is based on digital image processing. By analyzing the spatial spectrum of the off-axis digital hologram, it theoretically proves that the zero-order image can be effectively eliminated by differential before reconstruction. Then, the detected hologram is processed in the program with differential and reconstruction. Both the theoretical analysis and digital reconstruction results show that it can effectively eliminate the large bright spot in the center of the reconstructed image caused by the zero-order image, improve the image quality significantly, and render a better contrast of the reconstructed image. This method is very simple and convenient due to no superfluous optical elements and requiring only one time record.

The Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)on the SMILE Mission

The Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)is part of the scientific payload of the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)mission.SMILE is a joint science mission between the European Space Agency(ESA)and the Chinese Academy of Sciences(CAS)and is due for launch in 2025.SXI is a compact X-ray telescope with a wide field-of-view(FOV)capable of encompassing large portions of Earth’s magnetosphere from the vantage point of the SMILE orbit.SXI is sensitive to the soft X-rays produced by the Solar Wind Charge eXchange(SWCX)process produced when heavy ions of solar wind origin interact with neutral particles in Earth’s exosphere.SWCX provides a mechanism for boundary detection within the magnetosphere,such as the position of Earth’s magnetopause,because the solar wind heavy ions have a very low density in regions of closed magnetic field lines.The sensitivity of the SXI is such that it can potentially track movements of the magnetopause on timescales of a few minutes and the orbit of SMILE will enable such movements to be tracked for segments lasting many hours.SXI is led by the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom(UK)with collaborating organisations on hardware,software and science support within the UK,Europe,China and the United States.

Using restored two-dimensional X-ray images to reconstruct the three-dimensional magnetopause

Astronomical imaging technologies are basic tools for the exploration of the universe,providing basic data for the research of astronomy and space physics.The Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)carried by the Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)aims to capture two-dimensional(2-D)images of the Earth’s magnetosheath by using soft X-ray imaging.However,the observed 2-D images are affected by many noise factors,destroying the contained information,which is not conducive to the subsequent reconstruction of the three-dimensional(3-D)structure of the magnetopause.The analysis of SXI-simulated observation images shows that such damage cannot be evaluated with traditional restoration models.This makes it difficult to establish the mapping relationship between SXIsimulated observation images and target images by using mathematical models.We propose an image restoration algorithm for SXIsimulated observation images that can recover large-scale structure information on the magnetosphere.The idea is to train a patch estimator by selecting noise–clean patch pairs with the same distribution through the Classification–Expectation Maximization algorithm to achieve the restoration estimation of the SXI-simulated observation image,whose mapping relationship with the target image is established by the patch estimator.The Classification–Expectation Maximization algorithm is used to select multiple patch clusters with the same distribution and then train different patch estimators so as to improve the accuracy of the estimator.Experimental results showed that our image restoration algorithm is superior to other classical image restoration algorithms in the SXI-simulated observation image restoration task,according to the peak signal-to-noise ratio and structural similarity.The restoration results of SXI-simulated observation images are used in the tangent fitting approach and the computed tomography approach toward magnetospheric reconstruction techniques,significantly improving the reconstruction results.Hence,the proposed technology may be feasible for processing SXI-simulated observation images.

SMILE soft X-ray Imager flight model CCD370 pre-flight device characterisation

Throughout the SMILE mission the satellite will be bombarded by radiation which gradually damages the focal plane devices and degrades their performance.In order to understand the changes of the CCD370s within the soft X-ray Imager,an initial characterisation of the devices has been carried out to give a baseline performance level.Three CCDs have been characterised,the two flight devices and the flight spa re.This has been carried out at the Open University in a bespo ke cleanroom measure ment facility.The results show that there is a cluster of bright pixels in the flight spa re which increases in size with tempe rature.However at the nominal ope rating tempe rature(-120℃) it is within the procure ment specifications.Overall,the devices meet the specifications when ope rating at -120℃ in 6 × 6 binned frame transfer science mode.The se rial charge transfer inefficiency degrades with temperature in full frame mode.However any charge losses are recovered when binning/frame transfer is implemented.

A New CMOS Image Sensor with a High Fill Factor and the Dynamic Digital Double Sampling Technique

A single CMOS image sensor based on a 0.35μm process along with its design and implementation is introduced. The architecture of an active pixel sensor is used in the chip. The fill factor of a pixel cell can reach 43%,higher than the traditional factor of 30%. Moreover, compared with the conventional method whose fixed pattern noise （FPN） is around 0.5%, a dynamic digital double sampling technique is developed, which possesses simpler circuit architecture and a better FPN suppression outcome. The CMOS image sensor chip is implemented in the 0.35μm mixed signal process of a Chartered by MPW. The experimental results show that the chip operates welt,with an FPN of about 0.17%.

Imaging Analysis of Trabecular Bone Texture Based on the Initial Slope of Variogram of Ultra-Distal Radius Digital X-Ray Imaging: Effects on Bone Mineral Density and Age

Background: When applied to trabecular bone X-ray images, a method for analyzing trabecular bone texture based on the initial slope of variogram (ISV) was used to assess the trabecular bone health. Methodology: Data from more than two hundred subjects were retrospectively studied. For each subject, a DXA (GE Lunar Prodigy) scan of the forearm was performed, and bone mineral density (BMD) value was measured at the location of ultra-distal radius, X-ray digital image of the same forearm was taken on the same day, and ISV value over the same location of ultra-distal radius was calculated. Pearson’s correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the correlation between BMD and ISV of the trabecular bones located at the same ultra-distal radius. ISV values changed with subjects’ age were also reported. Results: The results show that ISV value was highly correlated with the DXA-measured BMD of the same trabecular bone located at the ultra-distal radius. The correlation coefficient between ISV and BMD with the 95% confident was 0.79 ± 0.09. They also demonstrated that the age-related changes in trabecular bone health and differentiated age patterns in males and females, respectively. The results showed that the decrease in BMD was accompanied by a decrease in the initial slope of variogram (ISV). Conclusions: This study suggests that ISV might be used to quantitatively evaluate trabecular health for osteoporosis and bone disease diagnosis.

Simulation of the SMILE Soft X-ray Imager response to a southward interplanetary magnetic field turning

The Solar wind Magnetosphere Ionosphere Link Explorer(SMILE)Soft X-ray Imager(SXI)will shine a spotlight on magnetopause dynamics during magnetic reconnection.We simulate an event with a southward interplanetary magnetic field turning and produce SXI count maps with a 5-minute integration time.By making assumptions about the magnetopause shape,we find the magnetopause standoff distance from the count maps and compare it with the one obtained directly from the magnetohydrodynamic(MHD)simulation.The root mean square deviations between the reconstructed and MHD standoff distances do not exceed 0.2 RE(Earth radius)and the maximal difference equals 0.24 RE during the 25-minute interval around the southward turning.

Automated Algorithms for Detecting and Classifying X-Ray Images of Spine Fractures

This paper emphasizes a faster digital processing time while presenting an accurate method for identifying spinefractures in X-ray pictures. The study focuses on efficiency by utilizing many methods that include picturesegmentation, feature reduction, and image classification. Two important elements are investigated to reducethe classification time: Using feature reduction software and leveraging the capabilities of sophisticated digitalprocessing hardware. The researchers use different algorithms for picture enhancement, including theWiener andKalman filters, and they look into two background correction techniques. The article presents a technique forextracting textural features and evaluates three picture segmentation algorithms and three fractured spine detectionalgorithms using transformdomain, PowerDensity Spectrum(PDS), andHigher-Order Statistics (HOS) for featureextraction.With an emphasis on reducing digital processing time, this all-encompassing method helps to create asimplified system for classifying fractured spine fractures. A feature reduction program code has been built toimprove the processing speed for picture classification. Overall, the proposed approach shows great potential forsignificantly reducing classification time in clinical settings where time is critical. In comparison to other transformdomains, the texture features’ discrete cosine transform (DCT) yielded an exceptional classification rate, and theprocess of extracting features from the transform domain took less time. More capable hardware can also result inquicker execution times for the feature extraction algorithms.

Pulmonary Edema and Pleural Effusion Detection Using Efficient Net-V1-B4 Architecture and AdamW Optimizer from Chest X-Rays Images

This paper presents a novelmulticlass systemdesigned to detect pleural effusion and pulmonary edema on chest Xray images,addressing the critical need for early detection in healthcare.A new comprehensive dataset was formed by combining 28,309 samples from the ChestX-ray14,PadChest,and CheXpert databases,with 10,287,6022,and 12,000 samples representing Pleural Effusion,Pulmonary Edema,and Normal cases,respectively.Consequently,the preprocessing step involves applying the Contrast Limited Adaptive Histogram Equalization(CLAHE)method to boost the local contrast of the X-ray samples,then resizing the images to 380×380 dimensions,followed by using the data augmentation technique.The classification task employs a deep learning model based on the EfficientNet-V1-B4 architecture and is trained using the AdamW optimizer.The proposed multiclass system achieved an accuracy(ACC)of 98.3%,recall of 98.3%,precision of 98.7%,and F1-score of 98.7%.Moreover,the robustness of the model was revealed by the Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)analysis,which demonstrated an Area Under the Curve(AUC)of 1.00 for edema and normal cases and 0.99 for effusion.The experimental results demonstrate the superiority of the proposedmulti-class system,which has the potential to assist clinicians in timely and accurate diagnosis,leading to improved patient outcomes.Notably,ablation-CAM visualization at the last convolutional layer portrayed further enhanced diagnostic capabilities with heat maps on X-ray images,which will aid clinicians in interpreting and localizing abnormalities more effectively.

Evaluation of fatigue property of asphalt mixtures based on digital image correlation method

In order to evaluate the accumulative of tensile strain in the process of fatigue failure, the digital image correlation（DIC） method was utilized to characterize the tensile strain development of asphalt mixtures in the indirect tensile（IDT）fatigue test. Three typical hot mix asphalt（HMA） mixtures with varying nominal maximum aggregate sizes were tested at four stress levels. During the tests, a digital camera was mounted to capture the displacement/strain fields on the surface of the specimen by recording the real-time change of speckle position. The results indicate that the vertical deformation curve can barely evaluate the fatigue performance accurately due to the non-negligible local deflection near the loading point. However, based on the analysis of strain fields,the optimal fatigue cracking zone is determined as a 40mm×40mm rectangle in the middle of the specimens. Also, a reasonable fatigue model based on the tensile strain curves calculated by DIC is proposed to predict the fatigue lives of asphalt mixtures.

Specimen aspect ratio and progressive field strain development of sandstone under uniaxial compression by three-dimensional digital image correlation

The complete stress-strain characteristics of sandstone specimens were investigated in a series of quasistatic monotonic uniaxial compression tests.Strain patterns development during pre-and post-peak behaviours in specimens with different aspect ratios was also examined.Peak stress,post-peak portion of stress-strain,brittleness,characteristics of progressive localisation and field strain patterns development were affected at different extents by specimen aspect ratio.Strain patterns of the rocks were obtained by applying three-dimensional(3D) digital image correlation(DIC) technique.Unlike conventional strain measurement using strain gauges attached to specimen,3D DIC allowed not only measuring large strains,but more importantly,mapping the development of field strain throughout the compression test,i.e.in pre-and post-peak regimes.Field strain development in the surface of rock specimen suggests that strain starts localising progressively and develops at a lower rate in pre-peak regime.However,in post-peak regime,strains increase at different rates as local deformations take place at different extents in the vicinity and outside the localised zone.The extent of localised strains together with the rate of strain localisation is associated with the increase in rate of strength degradation.Strain localisation and local inelastic unloading outside the localised zone both feature post-peak regime.

Uniaxial experimental study of the acoustic emission and deformation behavior of composite rock based on 3D digital image correlation(DIC)

In this paper, uniaxial compression tests were carried out on a series of composite rock specimens with different dip angles, which were made from two types of rock-like material with different strength. The acoustic emission technique was used to monitor the acoustic signal characteristics of composite rock specimens during the entire loading process. At the same time, an optical non-contact 3 D digital image correlation technique was used to study the evolution of axial strain field and the maximal strain field before and after the peak strength at different stress levels during the loading process. The effect of bedding plane inclination on the deformation and strength during uniaxial loading was analyzed. The methods of solving the elastic constants of hard and weak rock were described. The damage evolution process, deformation and failure mechanism, and failure mode during uniaxial loading were fully determined. The experimental results show that the θ = 0?–45?specimens had obvious plastic deformation during loading, and the brittleness of the θ = 60?–90?specimens gradually increased during the loading process. When the anisotropic angle θincreased from 0?to 90?, the peak strength, peak strain,and apparent elastic modulus all decreased initially and then increased. The failure mode of the composite rock specimen during uniaxial loading can be divided into three categories:tensile fracture across the discontinuities(θ = 0?–30?), slid-ing failure along the discontinuities(θ = 45?–75?), and tensile-split along the discontinuities(θ = 90?). The axial strain of the weak and hard rock layers in the composite rock specimen during the loading process was significantly different from that of the θ = 0?–45?specimens and was almost the same as that of the θ = 60?–90?specimens. As for the strain localization highlighted in the maximum principal strain field, the θ = 0?–30?specimens appeared in the rock matrix approximately parallel to the loading direction,while in the θ = 45?–90?specimens it appeared at the hard and weak rock layer interface.