This book examines non-invasive, electrical-based methods for disease diagnosis and assessment of heart function. In particular, a formalized signal model is proposed since this offers several advantages over methods that rely on measured data alone. By using a formalized representation, the parameters of the signal model can be easily manipulated and/or modified, thus providing mechanisms that allow researchers to reproduce and control such signals. In addition, having such a formalized signal model makes it possible to develop computer tools that can be used for manipulating and understanding how signal changes result from various heart conditions, as well as for generating input signals for experimenting with and evaluating the performance of e.g. signal extraction methods. The work focuses on bioelectrical information, particularly electrical bio-impedance (EBI). Once the EBI has been measured, the corresponding signals have to be modelled for analysis. This requires a structured approach in order to move from real measured data to the model of the corresponding signals. This book proposes a generic framework for this procedure. It can be used as a guide for modelling impedance cardiography (ICG) and impedance respirography (IRG) signals, as well as for developing the corresponding bio-impedance signal simulator (BISS).

Various aspects, including diagnosis, therapy, and prognosis, of two brain tumors (meningioma and schwannoma) , of brain tumors are discussed in this volume. Insights on the understanding of molecular pathways involved in brain tumor biology are explained. For example, the role of E-cadherin gene instability, carbonic anhydrase 11, urokinase plasminogen activator, and Wnt signaling is discussed in detail. Such information will lead to the development of effective aniicancer drugs. The role of molecular genetics and epigenetic mechanisms in schwannomas is explained. Also, is explained the role of cyclin D1 in vestibular schwannoma. The determination of subtypes of meningiomas using perfusion magnetic resonance imaging is explained. Diagnosis of incidentally discovered meningioma and cystic papillary meningioma is also included. Diagnosis of facial nerve schwannoma, vestibular schwannoma, and intermediate nerve schwannoma is explained. Treatments for atypical meningioma, oncocytic meneingioma, intracranial meningioma, and cavernous are presented. Therapeutic methods such as neurosurgery, Gamma knife radiosurgery, and adjuvant radiation for this cancer are included. Large number of other treatments, including radiosurgery, retrosigmoidal craniotomy, and immunotherapy, for vestibular schwannoma patients are detailed.

Advances in Cancer Research provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. Here, once again, outstanding and original reviews are presented on a variety of topics. This volume, number 124, covers emerging applications of molecular imaging to oncology, including molecular-genetic imaging, imaging the tumor microenvironment, tracking cells and vaccines in vivo, and more.

X-ray imaging is a corner stone of breast cancer diagnosis. By exploiting the phase shift of X-rays rather than their attenuation, phase-contrast tomography has the potential to dramatically increase the visibility of small and low contrast features, thus leading to better diagnosis. This thesis presents research on the first synchrotron-based project developing a clinical phase-contrast breast computed tomography (CT) setup at Elettra, the Italian Syncrotron Radiation Facility. This book includes a comprehensive theoretical background on propagation-based phase-contrast imaging, exploring and extending the most recent image formation models. Along with theory, many practical implementation and optimization issues, ranging from detector-specific processing to setup geometry, are tackled on the basis of a large number of experimental evidences. Most of the modelling results and data analysis have general validity, being a valuable framework for optimization of phase-contrast setups. Results obtained at synchrotron are also compared with "real world" laboratory sources: both a first-of-its-kind comparison with one of the few hospital breast CT systems and a state-of-the-art implementation of monochromatic phase-contrast micro-tomography with a conventional rotating anode source are presented. On a more general level, this work sheds a light on the importance of synchrotron-based clinical programs, which are key to trigger the long-anticipated transition of phase-contrast imaging from synchrotrons to hospitals.

Since the early 20th century, medical imaging has been dominated by monochrome imaging modalities such as x-ray, computed tomography, ultrasound, and magnetic resonance imaging. As a result, color information has been overlooked in medical image analysis applications. Recently, various medical imaging modalities that involve color information have been introduced. These include cervicography, dermoscopy, fundus photography, gastrointestinal endoscopy, microscopy, and wound photography. However, in comparison to monochrome images, the analysis of color images is a relatively unexplored area. The multivariate nature of color image data presents new challenges for researchers and practitioners as the numerous methods developed for monochrome images are often not directly applicable to multichannel images. The goal of this volume is to summarize the state-of-the-art in the utilization of color information in medical image analysis.

In the later stages of gestation, fetal functions undergo increasing change and development, preparing the fetus for the transition to its postnatal environment. Rapid maturation is witnessed in breathing, swallowing, sensory functions, sleep, and many other processes, with corresponding behavioral changes. By 35 to 40 weeks of gestation, fetuses are capable of living ex utero without support, but it is increasingly appreciated that even infants born at between 35 and 36 weeks can suffer long-term consequences. This book, which complements the author's previous volume on development of normal fetal movements during the first 25 weeks of gestation, discusses in detail the full range of behavioral phenomena observed during the final 15 weeks of gestation, with careful analysis of their mutual relationships. A key feature is the outstanding photographic material, difficult to obtain at this late stage, and the instructive graphs that are also included. The information provided will alert clinicians to deviations from the norm and to physiologic phenomena that can turn pathologic in infants born prematurely.

The first book to cover the groundbreaking development and clinical applications of Magnetic Resonance Elastography, this book is essential for all practitioners interested in this revolutionary diagnostic modality. The book is divided into three sections. The first covers the history of MRE. The second covers technique and clinical applications of MRE in the liver with respect to fibrosis, liver masses, and other diseases. Case descriptions are presented to give the reader a hands-on approach. The final section presents the techniques, sequence and preliminary results of applications in other areas of the body including muscle, brain, lung, heart, and breast.

Traditional research methodologies in the human respiratory system have always been challenging due to their invasive nature. Recent advances in medical imaging and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have accelerated this research. This book compiles and details recent advances in the modelling of the respiratory system for researchers, engineers, scientists, and health practitioners. It breaks down the complexities of this field and provides both students and scientists with an introduction and starting point to the physiology of the respiratory system, fluid dynamics and advanced CFD modeling tools. In addition to a brief introduction to the physics of the respiratory system and an overview of computational methods, the book contains best-practice guidelines for establishing high-quality computational models and simulations. Inspiration for new simulations can be gained through innovative case studies as well as hands-on practice using pre-made computational code. Last but not least, students and researchers are presented the latest biomedical research activities, and the computational visualizations will enhance their understanding of physiological functions of the respiratory system.

Dr. Leonard Swischuk has revised his outstanding work on imaging the cervical spine in children. He draws upon his extensive experience to provide practitioners with an insightful approach to pediatric cervical spine injuries. The text covers developmental anatomy, normal variants, congenital anomalies, abnormalities of the dens, trauma, and miscellaneous abnormalities of the cervical spine. The book has several strengths that appeal to radiology residents, such as its succinct overview of the topic and helpful reference lists that guide readers to additional resources. Dr. Swischuk illustrates conditions he discusses with excellent plain film examples that help residents identify cases they are likely to encounter during board exams and in practice. Accompanying CT and MR images clarify and qualify the findings. Dr. Swischuk's direct writing style makes the complex content highly accessible, providing imaging residents with an invaluable introduction to pediatric cervical spine radiology.

Systems-level neuronal mechanisms that coordinate the temporally, anatomically, and functionally distributed neuronal activity into coherent cognitive operations in the human brain have remained poorly understood. In humans, neuronal oscillations and synchronization can be recorded non-invasively with electro- and magnetoencephalography (EEG and MEG) that have excellent temporal resolution and an adequate spatial resolution when combined with source-reconstruction methods. In this book, leading authors in the field describe how recent methodological advances have paved the way to several major breakthroughs in the observations of large-scale synchrony from human non-invasive MEG data. This volume also presents the caveats influencing analyses of synchronization. These include the non-homogeneous sensitivity of MEG to superficial cortical sources, and, most importantly, the multitude of consequences of linear mixing. Linear mixing is an immense confounder in the sensor-level analyses of synchronization, but is also present at the source level. Approaches that can be used to avoid or compensate for these issues are then discussed. Thereafter, several authors take up a number of the functional roles that large-scale synchronization has in cognition. The authors assess how the spatio-temporal and -spectral organization and strength of both local and large-scale synchronized networks are associated with conscious sensory perception, visual working memory functions, and attention. These chapters summarize several lines of research showing how the strength of local and inter-areal oscillations in both cortical and subcortical brain structures is correlated with cognitive functions. Together these data suggest that synchronized neuronal oscillations may be a systems-level neuronal mechanism underlying the coordination of distributed processing in human cognition. In line with this argument, other authors go on to describe how oscillations and synchronization are altered in clinical populations, complementing the data presented on healthy subjects. Importantly, this book includes chapters from authors using many different approaches to the analyses of neuronal oscillations, ranging from local oscillatory activities to the usage of graph theoretical tools in the analyses of synchronization. In this way the present volume provides a comprehensive view on the analyses and functional significance of neuronal oscillations in humans. This book is aimed at doctoral and post-doctoral students as well as research scientists in the fields of cognitive neuroscience, psychology, medicine, and neurosciences.

This unique text/reference discusses in depth the two integral components of reconstructive surgery; fracture detection, and reconstruction from broken bone fragments. In addition to supporting its application-oriented viewpoint with detailed coverage of theoretical issues, the work incorporates useful algorithms and relevant concepts from both graph theory and statistics. Topics and features: presents practical solutions for virtual craniofacial reconstruction and computer-aided fracture detection; discusses issues of image registration, object reconstruction, combinatorial pattern matching, and detection of salient points and regions in an image; investigates the concepts of maximum-weight graph matching, maximum-cardinality minimum-weight matching for a bipartite graph, determination of minimum cut in a flow network, and construction of automorphs of a cycle graph; examines the techniques of Markov random fields, hierarchical Bayesian restoration, Gibbs sampling, and Bayesian inference.

An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is a simple test that records the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart. It is commonly used to detect abnormal heart rhythms and investigate the cause of chest pains. It is important for clinicians to recognise and interpret ECG patterns accurately to ensure correct diagnosis and effective treatment. This book is step by step guide to performing and interpreting ECGs. Divided into 11 sections, the text begins with an overview of the history of ECGs and the physiology of the heart and its conduction system. The next chapters discuss the basics of ECG, the leads and their placement, and normal ECG morphology. The following sections cover systematic interpretation of ECGs, arrhythmias, paediatric ECG interpretation and congenital anomalies, and finally, differential diagnosis. The second edition of this practical guide has been fully revised to include the latest advances in the field. Line diagrams and clinical images further enhance learning. Key points Step by step guide to performing and interpreting ECGs Fully revised, second edition covering latest advances in the field Highly illustrated with line diagrams and clinical images Previous edition (9789350900864) published in 2012

This book is a practical guide to imaging techniques in obstetrics and gynaecology. Beginning with an overview of the ultrasound machine, 3D and 4D ultrasound, and examination of the female pelvis, the next chapters cover the role of colour flow and Doppler, and ultrasound, in infertility, and the use of ultrasound for the diagnosis of gynaecological disorders. The following chapters provide in depth discussion on the use of ultrasound in obstetrics, for both general pregnancy progress and health check-ups, and for abnormal conditions such as bleeding, placenta problems, and malformations. The final sections provide guidance on ultrasound report writing and how to train ultrasound techniques. The comprehensive text is further enhanced by ultrasound and Doppler images, diagrams and tables. Key points Practical guide to imaging techniques in obstetrics and gynaecology Clearly explains interpretation of images for accurate diagnosis Includes guidance on ultrasound report writing and ultrasound training techniques Highly illustrated with ultrasound images, diagrams and tables

This book describes the interaction of living matter with photons, neutrons, charged particles, electrons and ions. The authors are specialists in the field of radiation protection. The book synthesizes many years of experiments with external radiation exposure in the fields of dosimetry and radiation shielding in medical, industrial and research fields. It presents the basic physical concepts including dosimetry and offers a number of tools to be used by students, engineers and technicians to assess the radiological risk and the means to avoid them by calculating the appropriate shields. The theory of radiation interaction in matter is presented together with empirical formulas and abacus. Numerous numerical applications are treated to illustrate the different topics. The state of the art in radiation protection and dosimetry is presented in detail, especially in the field of simulation codes for external exposure to radiation, medical projects and advanced research. Moreover, important data spread in different up to date references are presented in this book. The book deals also with accelerators, X-rays facilities, sealed sources, dosimetry, Monte Carlo simulation and radiation regulation. Each chapter is split in two parts depending on the level of details the readers want to focus on. The first part, accessible to a large public, provides a lot of simple examples to help understanding the physics concepts under radiation external exposure. The second part, called "Additional Information" is not mandatory; it aims on explaining topics more deeply, often using mathematical formulations. The book treats fundamental radiometric and dosimetric quantities to describe the interaction in materials under the aspects of absorbed dose processes in tissues. Definitions and applications on limited and operational radiation protection quantities are given. An important aspect are practical engineering tools in industrial, medical and research domains. Source characterization and shielding design are addressed. Also more "exotic" topics, such as ultra intense laser and new generation accelerators, are treated. The state of the art is presented to help the reader to work with the book in a self-consistent way. The basic knowledge necessary to apply Monte Carlo methods in the field of radiation protection and dosimetry for external radiation exposure is provided. Coverage of topics such as variance reduction, pseudo-random number generation and statistic estimators make the book useful even to experienced Monte Carlo practitioners. Solved problems help the reader to understand the Monte Carlo process. The book is meant to be used by researchers, engineers and medical physicist. It is also valuable to technicians and students.

Image Processing and Pattern Recognition covers major applications in the field, including optical character recognition, speech classification, medical imaging, paper currency recognition, classification reliability techniques, and sensor technology. The text emphasizes algorithms and architectures for achieving practical and effective systems, and presents many examples. Practitioners, researchers, and students in computer science, electrical engineering, andradiology, as well as those working at financial institutions, will value this unique and authoritative reference to diverse applications methodologies.
Key Features
* Coverage includes:
* Optical character recognition
* Speech classification
* Medical imaging
* Paper currency recognition
* Classification reliability techniques
* Sensor technology
Algorithms and architectures for achieving practical and effective systems are emphasized, with many examples illustrating the text. Practitioners, researchers, and students in computer science, electrical engineering, and radiology, as wellk as those working at financial institutions, will find this volume a unique and comprehensive reference source for this diverse applications area.

Genitourinary Imaging - A Case Based Approach is a user friendly, portable guide that offers a comprehensive coverage of the subspecialty with an emphasis on all modalities. As subspecialty practice has become the norm in radiology, it becomes increasingly important to keep abreast of the latest information within the specialty that one is practising. The case based nature of this book, with modality independent content, allows the reader to assimilate practice specific information with ease. Full color images with tabular salient points, imaging algorithms and evidence based criterion support the text. Key points provide succinct explanations of the disease and an appropriate differential diagnosis, as well as providing a brief description of therapy and prognosis. Genitourinary Imaging - A Case Based Approach is aimed at residents and training and practicing genitourinary radiologists.

This book reviews the state-of-the-art in multiscale computer modeling, in terms of both accomplishments and challenges. The information in the book is particularly useful for biomedical engineers, medical physicists and researchers in systems biology, mathematical biology, micro-biomechanics and biomaterials who are interested in how to bridge between traditional biomedical engineering work at the organ and tissue scales, and the newer arenas of cellular and molecular bioengineering.

This manual is a comprehensive guide to radiological imaging for the diagnosis of diseases and disorders in children. The fourth edition has been fully revised and features many new topics, providing the latest advances in the field. Divided into 35 chapters, the book covers all the main imaging modalities - CT, MRI, ultrasound and digital radiography, and their use in the diagnosis of disorders in different body systems. Numerous radiological images, tables and boxes further enhance the extensive text. Key points Comprehensive guide to radiological imaging in children Fully revised, fourth edition, featuring many new topics and latest advances Covers all the main imaging modalities accompanied by radiological photographs, tables and boxes Previous edition (9789350252055) published in 2011

The temporal bone is located at the lower sides of the skull and directly underneath the temple. Part of the Clinico Radiological Series, the new edition of this book reviews current techniques in imaging of the temporal bone and associated disorders. Beginning with an introduction to normal anatomy and the various imaging modalities, the following sections discuss various disorders including congenital anomalies and infections of the external and middle ear; inner ear, internal auditory canal and cochlear implant, and tumours. The final sections explore the clinico-radiological approach to hearing loss, vertigo, tinnitus and facial nerve palsy, concluding with an examination section. The second edition has been fully revised to cover the latest advances in the field. Each topic is presented in a step by step format and illustrative cases and reporting templates are provided for each section. Radiological images and tables enhance learning. Key points Comprehensive review of imaging techniques for the temporal bone Fully revised, second edition covering latest advances in the field Each section includes illustrative cases and reporting templates Previous edition (9789385891908) published in 2016

High Resolution NMR provides a broad treatment of the principles and theory of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) as it is used in the chemical sciences. It is written at an "intermediate" level, with mathematics used to augment, rather than replace, clear verbal descriptions of the phenomena. The book is intended to allow a graduate student, advanced undergraduate, or researcher to understand NMR at a fundamental level, and to see illustrations of the applications of NMR to the determination of the structure of small organic molecules and macromolecules, including proteins. Emphasis is on the study of NMR in liquids, but the treatment also includes high resolution NMR in the solid state and the principles of NMR imaging and localized spectroscopy.
Careful attention is given to developing and interrelating four approaches - steady state energy levels, the rotating vector picture, the density matrix, and the product operator formalism. The presentation is based on the assumption that the reader has an acquaintance with the general principles of quantum mechanics, but no extensive background in quantum theory or proficiency in mathematics is required. Likewise, no previous background in NMR is assumed, since the book begins with a description of the basic physics, together with a brief account of the historical development of the field.
This third edition of High Resolution NMR preserves the "conversational" approach of the previous editions that has been well accepted as a teaching tool. However, more than half the material is new, and the remainder has been revised extensively. Problems are included to reinforce concepts in the book.
Key Features
* Uses mathematics to augment, not replace, verbal explanations
* Written in a clear and conversational style
* Follows the successful format and approach of two previous editions
* Revised and updated extensively--about 70 percent of the text is new
* Includes problems and references to additional reading at the end of each chapter

This extensively revised and updated second edition of a widely read classic presents the use of ultrasound in nondestructive evaluation (NDE) inspections. Retaining the first edition's use of wave propagation /scattering theory and linear system theory, this volume also adds significant new material including: the introduction of MATLAB (R) functions and scripts that evaluate key results involving beam propagation and scattering, flaw sizing, and the modeling of ultrasonic systems. elements of Gaussian beam theory and a multi-Gaussian ultrasonic beam model for bulk wave transducers. a new chapter on the connection between ultrasonic modeling and probability of detection (POD) and reliability models. new and improved derivations of ultrasonic measurement models. updated coverage of ultrasonic simulators that have been developed around the world. Students, engineers, and researchers working in the ultrasonic NDE field will find a wealth of information on the modeling of ultrasonic inspections and the fundamental ultrasonic experiments that support those models in this new edition.

This book describes in detail the physical and mathematical foundations of ultrasonic phased array measurements.The book uses linear systems theory to develop a comprehensive model of the signals and images that can be formed with phased arrays. Engineers working in the field of ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation (NDE) will find in this approach a wealth of information on how to design, optimize and interpret ultrasonic inspections with phased arrays. The fundamentals and models described in the book will also be of significant interest to other fields, including the medical ultrasound and seismology communities. A unique feature of this book is that it presents a unified theory of imaging with phased arrays that shows how common imaging methods such as the synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT), the total focusing method (TFM), and the physical optics far field inverse scattering (POFFIS) imaging method are all simplified versions of more fundamental and quantitative imaging approaches, called imaging measurement models.

To enhance learning, this book first describes the fundamentals of phased array systems using 2-D models, so that the complex 3-D cases normally found in practice can be more easily understood.In addition to giving a detailed discussion of phased array systems, Fundamentals of Ultrasonic Phased Arrays also provides MATLAB(r) functions and scripts, allowing the reader to conduct simulations of ultrasonic phased array transducers and phased array systems with the latest modeling technology."

This volume contains the proceedings from two closely related workshops: Computational Diffusion MRI (CDMRI 13) and Mathematical Methods from Brain Connectivity (MMBC 13), held under the auspices of the 16th International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, which took place in Nagoya, Japan, September 2013.

Inside, readers will find contributions ranging from mathematical foundations and novel methods for the validation of inferring large-scale connectivity from neuroimaging data to the statistical analysis of the data, accelerated methods for data acquisition, and the most recent developments on mathematical diffusion modeling.

This volume offers a valuable starting point for anyone interested in learning computational diffusion MRI and mathematical methods for brain connectivity as well as offers new perspectives and insights on current research challenges for those currently in the field. It will be of interest to researchers and practitioners in computer science, MR physics, and applied mathematics.

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This book surveys recent advances in theranostics based on magnetic nanoparticles, ultrasound contrast agents, silica nanoparticles and polymeric micelles. It presents magnetic nanoparticles, which offer a robust tool for contrast enhanced MRI imaging, magnetic targeting, controlled drug delivery, molecular imaging guided gene therapy, magnetic hyperthermia, and controlling cell fate. Multifunctional ultrasound contrast agents have great potential in ultrasound molecular imaging, multimodal imaging, drug/gene delivery, and integrated diagnostics and therapeutics. Due to their diversity and multifunctionality, polymeric micelles and silica-based nanocomposites are highly capable of enhancing the efficacy of multimodal imaging and synergistic cancer therapy. This comprehensive book summarizes the main advances in multifunctional nanoprobes for targeted imaging and therapy of gastric cancer, and explores the clinical translational prospects and challenges. Although more research is needed to overcome the substantial obstacles that impede the development and availability of nanotheranostic products, such nontrivial nanoagents are expected to revolutionize medical treatments and help to realize the potential of personalized medicine to diagnose, treat, and follow-up patients with cancer. Zhifei Dai is a Professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Peking University, China.