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This study aims to investigate the impact of lowering fluoroscopic frame rate and increasing collimation on dose area product (DAP) during single-vessel percutaneous coronary interventions. Two patient groups that underwent such procedures were retrospectively reviewed: one treated with a standard practice employing fluoroscopy at 15 frames/s and usual collimation (standard group), and the other with a reduced practice employing fluoroscopy at 7.5 frames/s and increased collimation (reduced group). DAP, patient’s effective dose (ED), fluoroscopy time, and number of cineangiography (cine) frames were compared between groups. Multilinear analysis was performed, with DAP as a primary endpoint, to assess the impact of reduced practice in comparison to that of other variables deemed as key descriptors of radiation, patient, disease, or procedure. Relative to the standard group, the reduced group showed a significant decrease of ~37% in DAP (91.46 ± 45.08 Gy•cm2 vs. 145.23 ± 59.67 Gy•cm2, P < 0.0001) and of ~39% in ED (18.70 ± 9.00 mSv vs. 30.61 ± 12.72 mSv, P < 0.0001). While fluoroscopic time was not statistically different between groups (reduced: 10.3 ± 5.6 min vs. standard: 11.1 ± 5.3 min, P = 0.09), number of cine frames was significantly higher in the reduced (1162 ± 304 vs. 936 ± 363, P < 0.0001) due to interoperator experience variability. Multilinear analysis demonstrated that the adoption of the reduced practice was the most significant contributor to the observed DAP decrease. After adjusting for potential confounders, a reduction of ~39% in DAP was found.

In this paper, we presented a 47.5 in. 8K2K AMOLED MNT employing a low temperature poly‐silicon (LTPS) backplane, top emissive inkjet printing (IJP) OLED devices, and gate driver on array (GOA) supporting independent 32 * 9 zone control and internal compensation driving. By combining printed RGB units with a common evaporative blue stack, we proposed the hybrid tandem IJP devices that improved both device efficiency and operation load balance. In the local boosting GOA design, a novel architecture for independent display partition control was developed. The GOA cascading and timing scheme was carefully considered by reusing several clock signals to support both TFT internal compensation and display zone control. It is so far the first prototype AMOLED MNT integrating inkjet printing process and local high frame rate (up to 960 Hz) driving. Thanks to the 8K2K high resolution, local frame rate data processing, and IJP OLED EL reaching HDR brightness up to 580 nits with superior optical performance, it shows a brand‐new approach to deliver a premium display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we presented a 47.5 inch 8K2K AMOLED MNT employing a LTPS backplane, top emissive inkjet printing (IJP) OLED devices and gate driver on array (GOA) supporting independent 32*9 zone control and internal compensation driving. It is so far the first prototype AMOLED MNT integrating inkjet printing process and local high frame rate (up to 960Hz) driving. Thanks to the high resolution, local frame rate data processing and superior IJP OLED EL, it shows a brand new approach to deliver a premium display. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the lack of theoretical research on the amount of spatio-temporal information in high-speed photography technologies, obtaining an optimized system with the best amount of spatio-temporal information remains a challenge, resulting in insufficient effective information and observation accuracy for ultrafast events. This paper presents an ultrafast raster imaging (URI) system with a large amount of spatio-temporal information based on the all-optical raster principle in single-shot. Specifically, we derive the optimal equation of spatial resolution and the expression for the maximum amount of spatio-temporal information that can achieve excellent performance for a URI system. It serves as a general guideline for obtaining a large amount of information design in the URI system. Compared with the existing URI systems, the advanced URI system exhibits an improvement of nearly one order of magnitude in the amount of spatio-temporal information and more than twofold in spatial resolution. It shows great potential for capturing intricate and non-repetitive ultrafast events on the femtosecond time scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visual feedback normally helps guide movements to their goal. When moving one's hand, such guidance has to deal with a sensorimotor delay of about 100 ms. When moving a cursor, it also has to deal with a delay of tens of milliseconds that arises between the hand moving the mouse and the cursor moving on the screen. Moreover, the cursor is presented at a certain rate, so only positions corresponding with the position of the mouse at certain moments are presented. How does the additional delay and the rate at which cursor positions are updated influence how well the cursor can be guided to the goal? We asked participants to move a cursor to consecutive targets as quickly as they could. They did so for various additional delays and presentation rates. It took longer for the mouse to reach the target when the additional delay was longer. It also took longer when a lower presentation rate was achieved by not presenting the cursor all the time. The fraction of the time during which the cursor was present was more important than the rate at which the cursor's position was updated. We conclude that the way human arm movements are guided benefits from continuous access to recent visual feedback. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Due to the rapid motility of the selected sperm, sperm parameters cannot be accurately determined by the manual method. So, the application of a computer‐assisted sperm analysis system with a high frame rate (HFR‐CASA, 85 Hz) in sperm selection is investigated. Methods: A total of 177 semen samples were collected for sperm selection with density gradient centrifugation. Then, the manual method and HFR‐CASA method will be used to observe and analyze the sperm concentration, motility, and percentage of progressively motile sperm (PR) of the selected sperm samples. The quality control of sperm concentration was performed with microballoons. Two selected sperm samples were analyzed 10 times repeatedly to evaluate the accuracy of the HFR‐CASA. Results: The results of microballoons analyzed with the HFR‐CASA were in control. The coefficients of variation of sperm concentration, motility, and PR from two selected sperm samples were all below 10%. The results of 177 selected sperm samples analyzed by the manual method and HFR‐CASA showed that although there were significant positive correlations in sperm concentration, motility, and PR between them (p < 0.001), the manual method significantly underestimated sperm concentration (p = 0.002) but overestimated sperm motility and PR (p < 0.001). When sperm concentration was below 50 × 106/mL, the manual method significantly overestimated sperm concentration (p < 0.05). However, when sperm concentration was more than 100 × 106/mL, the manual method significantly underestimated sperm concentration (p < 0.001). Regardless of sperm concentration, the manual method consistently overestimated sperm motility and PR (p < 0.001). When sperm concentration was more than 20 × 106/mL, there was no correlation in sperm PR between them (p > 0.05). When sperm concentration was below 50 × 106/mL, the correct rate of captured sperm by the HFR‐CASA was more than 98%. Conclusion: The HFR‐CASA method is more accurate than the manual method in analyzing the selected sperm samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study is to investigate the optimal framerate (FR) and the use of different counting chambers for improving CASA-Mot technology use in Andrology. Images were captured at 500 fps, then segmented and analyzed in several ranges of FRs (from 25 to 250) to define the asymptotic point that as an optimal FR. This work was replicated using counting chambers based in capillarity (disposable) or drop displacement (reusable) to study their effects on the motility results and kinematic values of the samples under the different experimental conditions. The α value (asymptote corresponding to FRo) of the exponential curve was 150.23 fps, corresponding to a VCL of 130.58 mm/s, far from the value of 98.89 mm/s corresponding to 50 fps (the highest FR used by most current CASA-Mot systems). Our results have shown that, when using reusable counting chambers, type and depth have influence. In addition, different results were obtained depending on the area of image captured inside the different counting chamber types. To have reliable results in human sperm kinematic studies, almost 150 fps should be used for capturing and analyzing and differences between chambers should be considered by sampling from different areas, to obtain a representative value of the whole sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) is a key tool in assessing swallowing function. As with any diagnostic procedure, the probable benefits of the study must be weighed against possible risks. The probable benefit of VFSS is an accurate assessment of swallowing function, enabling patient management decisions potentially leading to improved patient health status and quality of life. A possible (though highly unlikely) risk in VFSS is carcinogenesis, arising from the use of ionizing radiation. Clinicians performing videofluoroscopic swallowing studies should be familiar with both sides of the risk benefit equation in order to determine whether the study is medically justified. The intent of this article is to provide the necessary background for conversations about benefit and risk in videofluoroscopic swallowing studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to avoid image degradation caused by rolling shutter distortion, CMOS imager sensors (CISs) with global shutter (GS) function are required to capture a picture of the fast moving scene. However, due to parasitic signal generated at the storage node of the GS CIS, the output of the sensor is degraded, which causes the sensor output varying hugely at the same exposure time but different frame rate. Then, the exclusive relationship between radiation intensity and sensor output cannot be obtained through radiometric calibration. The traditional approach is adding the light-shield structure for the storage node. We present here a new variable operation mode of the GS CIS, which makes it possible to automatically adjust the sequence of the sensor operating state on the basis of the relationship between exposure time and frame rate. This operation mode can ensure that the integrity of the stored signal is not compromised during the memory period. The accuracy of detection can be well improved. Furthermore, this new approach is proved valid by comparing the radiometric calibration results of traditional and new operation modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the lack of theoretical research on the amount of spatio-temporal information in high-speed photography technologies, obtaining an optimized system with the best amount of spatio-temporal information remains a challenge, resulting in insufficient effective information and observation accuracy for ultrafast events. This paper presents an ultrafast raster imaging (URI) system with a large amount of spatio-temporal information based on the all-optical raster principle in single-shot. Specifically, we derive the optimal equation of spatial resolution and the expression for the maximum amount of spatio-temporal information that can achieve excellent performance for a URI system. It serves as a general guideline for obtaining a large amount of information design in the URI system. Compared with the existing URI systems, the advanced URI system exhibits an improvement of nearly one order of magnitude in the amount of spatio-temporal information and more than twofold in spatial resolution. It shows great potential for capturing intricate and non-repetitive ultrafast events on the femtosecond time scale.

Video recording as a product of informational and communication technologies has a specific place in the development of the society. The problem of forensic analysis of video recordings has a long history and transforms along with the development of technical means. Video recordings are a valuable source of factual data on cases involving traffic accidents, when in addition to describing the contentrelated side of the case, it is necessary to make certain calculations of temporal and spatial characteristics.The paper aims to form a unified methodological approach to establishing the temporal characteristics of events recorded on a video as part of forensic analysis of video footage. The authors present a framework for selecting a correct source of data when determining time intervals, describe a step-by-step sequence of actions for an expert to solve the question put to him, and the methods to determine time intervals.

Abstract Background and Aims Due to the rapid motility of the selected sperm, sperm parameters cannot be accurately determined by the manual method. So, the application of a computer‐assisted sperm analysis system with a high frame rate (HFR‐CASA, 85 Hz) in sperm selection is investigated. Methods A total of 177 semen samples were collected for sperm selection with density gradient centrifugation. Then, the manual method and HFR‐CASA method will be used to observe and analyze the sperm concentration, motility, and percentage of progressively motile sperm (PR) of the selected sperm samples. The quality control of sperm concentration was performed with microballoons. Two selected sperm samples were analyzed 10 times repeatedly to evaluate the accuracy of the HFR‐CASA. Results The results of microballoons analyzed with the HFR‐CASA were in control. The coefficients of variation of sperm concentration, motility, and PR from two selected sperm samples were all below 10%. The results of 177 selected sperm samples analyzed by the manual method and HFR‐CASA showed that although there were significant positive correlations in sperm concentration, motility, and PR between them (p 0.05). When sperm concentration was below 50 × 106/mL, the correct rate of captured sperm by the HFR‐CASA was more than 98%. Conclusion The HFR‐CASA method is more accurate than the manual method in analyzing the selected sperm samples.

Methods for patient-specific abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) progression monitoring and rupture risk assessment are widely investigated. Three-dimensional ultrasound can visualize the AAA's complex geometry and displacement fields. However, ultrasound has a limited field of view and low frame rate (i.e., 3-8 Hz). This article describes an approach to enhance the temporal resolution and the field of view. First, the frame rate was increased for each data set by sequencing multiple blood pulse cycles into one cycle. The sequencing method uses the original frame rate and the estimated pulse wave rate obtained from AAA distension curves. Second, the temporal registration was applied to multi-perspective acquisitions of the same AAA. Third, the field of view was increased through spatial registration and fusion using an image feature-based phase-only correlation method and a wavelet transform, respectively. Temporal sequencing was fully correct in aortic phantoms and was successful in 51 of 62 AAA patients, yielding a factor 5 frame rate increase. Spatial registration of proximal and distal ultrasound acquisitions was successful in 32 of 37 different AAA patients, based on the comparison between the fused ultrasound and computed tomography segmentation (95th percentile Haussdorf distances and similarity indices of 4.2 ± 1.7 mm and 0.92 ± 0.02 mm, respectively). Furthermore, the field of view was enlarged by 9%-49%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous axial multifocal imaging (SAMI) using a single acoustical transmission was developed to enhance the depth of field. This technique transmits a superposition of axial multifoci waveforms in a single transmission, thus increasing the frame rate. However, since all the waveforms are transmitted at a constant center frequency, there is a tradeoff between attenuation and lateral resolution when choosing a constant frequency for all the axial depths. In this work, we developed an optimized SAMI method by adding frequency dependence to each axial multifocus. By gradually increasing the frequency as a function of the focal depth, this method makes it possible to compensate for the gradually increasing F-number in order to achieve constant lateral resolution across the entire field of view. Alternatively, by gradually decreasing the axial multifoci frequencies as a function of depth, enhanced penetration depth and contrast are obtained. This method, termed frequency multiplexed SAMI (FM-SAMI), is described analytically and validated by resolution and contrast experiments performed on resolution targets, tissue-mimicking phantoms, and ex vivo biological samples. This is the first real-time implementation of a frequency multiplexing approach for axial multifoci imaging that facilitates high-quality imaging at an increased frame rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Computer Measurement & Control is the property of Magazine Agency of Computer Measurement & Control and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

As the architecture of deep learning-based speech recognizers has recently changed to the end-to-end style, increasing the effective amount of training data has become an important issue. To tackle this issue, various data augmentation techniques to create additional training data by transforming labeled data have been studied. We propose a method called FrameAugment to augment data by changing the speed of speech locally for selected sections, which is different from the conventional speed perturbation technique that changes the speed of speech uniformly for the entire utterance. To change the speed of the selected sections of speech, the number of frames for the randomly selected sections is adjusted through linear interpolation in the spectrogram domain. The proposed method is shown to achieve 6.8% better performance than the baseline in the WSJ database and 9.5% better than the baseline in the LibriSpeech database. It is also confirmed that the proposed method further improves speech recognition performance when it is combined with the previous data augmentation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of China Medical University is the property of Journal of China Medical University Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In recent years, the significant development of echocardiography systems has led to a sharp improvement in echocardiographic images' quality. In parallel with this, computerized technologies are also going far forward, which today make it possible to ensure a high level of transmission, storage, and display of echocardiography studies. Despite this, many cardiologists are not familiar with modern computerized technologies' new possibilities and continue to use the old standards. That is why many echocardiography laboratories with the best echocardiography systems work following the old minimalist approach. In this paper, we will look at some of the most common mistakes that result from the improper transmission, storage, and demonstration of echocardiography studies, and describe possible ways to overcome these problems.

To assess the influence of frame rate settings on longitudinal strain (LS) and mechanical synchrony (SYN) values in Speckle Tracking Echocardiography (STE) of healthy fetuses. In this prospective study, we collected transversal or apical four-chamber-views of 121 healthy fetuses between 20 and 38 weeks of gestation using three different frame rate (FR) settings (≥ 110, 100 ± 10, 60 ± 10 frames per second). We assessed the segmental and the global LS of both ventricles (2C) and of the left ventricle (LV) offline with QLab 10.8 (Philips Medical Systems, Andover, MA, USA). Inter- and intraventricular SYN were calculated as time difference in peak myocardial strain between the mid-segments of left and right ventricle (interventricular, 2C_Syn) and lateral wall and septum of the left ventricle (intraventricular, LV_Syn), respectively. In 84.3% STE was feasible at all three FR settings. The LS increased in both views at higher FRs to a statistically noticeable extent. SYN measurements and the absolute differences at patient level between the FR settings showed no statistically noticeable alterations. STE is feasible at low and high FR settings. SYN emerges to be a robust parameter for fetal STE as it is less affected by the FR. High FRs enable high temporal resolutions and thus an accurate examination of fetal hearts. Future research for the technical implementation of tailored fetal STE software is necessary for reliable clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors investigated the relationship between frame rates and subpopulation structure of bovine sperm divided by their motility analyzed by a computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Kinematic parameters of bovine sperm incubated in Brackett & Oliphant medium with and without calcium ionophore for 0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 min were evaluated by a CASA at 150 frames per second (fps) and analyzed structure of sperm motility subpopulation by cluster analysis. Then, we converted CASA data at 150 fps to 75, 50, and 30 fps and evaluated the structures of sperm motility subpopulation at different fps in each sperm by a discriminant analysis. As the results, the structure of sperm motility subpopulation was affected by frame rate. Sperm were divided into six clusters at 150, 75, and 50 fps; on the other hand, there were five clusters at 30 fps. Straight‐line velocity was similar at all frame rates. However, as the frame rate became higher, curvilinear velocity and beat cross frequency of sperm head increased significantly, whereas lateral sperm head displacement decreased significantly. In conclusion, higher frame rate at 150 fps is recommended to capture the trajectory of sperm accurately by CASA in the present study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article first provides a new Viewport-based OmniDirectional Video Quality Assessment (VOD-VQA) database, which includes eighteen salient viewport videos extracted from the original OmniDirectional Videos (ODVs), and corresponding 774 impaired samples generated by compressing the raw viewports using a variety of combinations of its Spatial (frame size $s$), Temporal (frame rate $t$), and Amplitude (quantization stepsize $q$) Resolutions (STAR). Total 160 subjects have assessed the processed viewport videos rendered on the head mounted display (HMD) when they stabilize their fixations. We then have formulated an analytical model to connect the perceptual quality of a compressed viewport video with its STAR variables, noted as the $Q^{{\mathsf {VP}}}_{\tt {STAR}}$ index. All four model parameters can be predicted using linearly weighted content features, making the proposed metric generalized to various contents. This model correlates well with the mean opinion scores (MOSs) collected for processed viewport videos, having both the Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficient (SRCC) at 0.95 according to an independent validation test, yielding the state-of-the-art performance in comparison to those popular objective metrics (e.g., Weighted to Spherically uniform (WS)-Peak Signal to Noise Ratio (PSNR), WMS-SSIM, Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion (VMAF), Feature SIMilarity Index (FSIM), and Visual Saliency based IQA Index (VSI)). Furthermore, this viewport-based quality index $Q^{{\mathsf {VP}}}_{\tt {STAR}}$ is extended to infer the overall ODV quality, a.k.a., $Q^{{\mathsf {ODV}}}_{\tt {STAR}}$ , by linearly weighing the saliency-aggregated qualities of salient viewports and the quality of quick-scanning (or non-salient) area. Experiments have shown that inferred $Q^{{\mathsf {ODV}}}_{\tt {STAR}}$ can accurately predict the MOS with competitive performance to the state-of-the-art algorithm using another four independent and third-party ODV assessment datasets. All related materials are made publicly accessible at https://vision.nju.edu.cn/20/86/c29466a467078/page.htm for reproducible research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to introduce some new findings toward multimedia and communication aspects of Video-SAR imaging systems. The first suggestion is a modified frame rate computation considering all systematic design, signal, and data processing characteristics. In addition to the conventional radar models, we propose new conditions on how to take the multimedia requirements into account to respond to the radar and multimedia demands simultaneously. Since Video-SAR is eventually used by an end user, the Video-SAR designers must follow the temporal resolution requirements through the frame rate for both aspects of radar and multimedia systems. To do this, an integrated procedure is suggested to include all the required conditions. The second finding of this research is focused on the issue of data aggregation and multisource compression in Video-SAR. The proposed approach is an upper bound for aggregation ability of all the data hiding-based aggregators. This bound is found with using measurement of unoccupied space in the host image/frame. Besides, some numerical examples are provided to explain the computation of frame rate while there are different scenarios in a practical Video-SAR system. Also, we compute the unoccupied space for a radar frame compared to an optical sample to reveal the inherent characteristics of the Video-SAR data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Carotid ultrasonography is a reliable and non-invasive method to evaluate atherosclerosis disease and its complications. B-mode cineloops are widely used to assess the severity of atherosclerosis and its progression; ho- wever, tracking rapid wall motions of the carotid artery is still a challenging issue due the low frame rate. The aim of this paper was to present a new hybrid frame rate up-conversion (FRUC) method that accounts for motion based on manifold learning and optical flow. Methods: In the last decade, manifold learning technique has been used to pseudo-increase the frame rate of carotid ultrasound images, but due to the dependence of this method to the number of recorded cardiac cycles and frames, a new hybrid method based on manifold learning and optical flow was proposed in this paper. Results: Locally linear embedding (LLE) algorithm was first applied to find the relation between the frames of consecutive cardiac cycles in a low dimensional manifold. Then by applying the optical flow motion estimation algorithm, a motion compensated frame was reconstructed. Conclusion: Consequently, a cycle with more frames was created to provide a more accurate consideration of carotid wall motion compared to the typical B-mode ultrasound ima-ges. The results revealed that our new hybrid method outperforms the pseudo-increasing frame rate scheme based on manifold learning.

Two-way dynamic focusing in synthetic transmit aperture (STA) beamforming can benefit high-quality ultrasound imaging with higher lateral spatial resolution and contrast resolution. However, STA requires the complete dataset for beamforming in a relatively low frame rate and transmit power. This paper proposes a deep-learning architecture to achieve high frame rate STA imaging with two-way dynamic focusing. The network consists of an encoder and a joint decoder. The encoder trains a set of binary weights as the apodizations of the high-frame-rate plane wave transmissions. In this respect, we term our network ApodNet. The decoder can recover the complete dataset from the acquired channel data to achieve dynamic transmit focusing. We evaluate the proposed method by simulations at different levels of noise and in-vivo experiments on the human biceps brachii and common carotid artery. The experimental results demonstrate that ApodNet provides a promising strategy for high frame rate STA imaging, obtaining comparable lateral resolution and contrast resolution with four-times higher frame rate than conventional STA imaging in the in-vivo experiments. Particularly, ApodNet improves contrast resolution of the hypoechoic targets with much shorter computational time when compared with other high-frame-rate methods in both simulations and in-vivo experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) for capacitive touch-screen panels (TSPs) employing an amplitude-modulated multiple-frequency excitation (AM-MFE) technique. To prevent charge overflow, which occurs periodically at the beat frequency of the excitation frequencies, the ROIC modulates the amplitude of the excitation voltages at a mixing frequency derived from the excitation frequencies. Thus, the ROIC can sense the charge signal without charge overflow and maximize the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by increasing the amplitude of the excitation voltages up to the sensing range of the readout circuit. The proposed ROIC was fabricated in a 0.13- $\mu \text{m}$ standard CMOS process and was measured with a 32-in 104 $\times $ 64 touch-screen panel using 1 and 10 mm metal pillars. It reduces charge overflow up to 33.9 dB compared to operation without AM-MFE. In addition, the ROIC achieves a frame rate of 2.93 kHz, and SNRs of 41.7 and 61.6 dB with 1 and 10 mm metal pillars, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of resolution and contrast in plane wave imaging (PWI), coherent plane wave compounding (CPWC) was introduced, in which scanning was performed at different angles, which can achieve the desired image quality by combining the images obtained from PWI at different angles. However, the application of this idea reduces the frame rate in proportion to the number of plane waves (PWs) or angles, so that in this modality, when dealing with some applications such as shear wave imaging (SWI) and strain imaging, there is always a compromise between the frame rate and the image quality. Tensor completion (TC) is a powerful technique to recover missing information of a low-rank tensor from limited observations based on rank minimization. In this article, we present an idea based on TC to make this compromise lighter; in other words, with a smaller number of angles, we can achieve the desired quality of the output image. To evaluate the proposed idea, plane wave imaging challenge in medical ultrasound (PICMUS) datasets was used, which were recorded at 75 different angles. The results of the resolution evaluation showed that using 20% of the coherent PWs and reconstructing other 80% by TC, compared with the situation of using only 20% of the coherent PWs provided a resolution improvement of 14.97% and 17.4% in the simulated and experimental point targets, respectively. Also, the results of the contrast investigation showed that the contrast ratio (CR) improved by 72.6%, 62.9%, and 111.4% in the simulated cyst target data, experimental cyst targets, and in vivo carotid cross section, respectively. The results confirmed that using 20% of the coherent PWs and reconstructing other 80% by TC, the image quality is very close to that obtained by considering all 75 angles, so that the difference in resolution is less than 2% and the difference in contrast to noise ratio (CNR) is less than 5 dB. Therefore, with this idea, it can be said that less compromise is needed; in other words, despite having a higher frame rate, an acceptable quality can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the architecture of deep learning-based speech recognizers has recently changed to the end-to-end style, increasing the effective amount of training data has become an important issue. To tackle this issue, various data augmentation techniques to create additional training data by transforming labeled data have been studied. We propose a method called FrameAugment to augment data by changing the speed of speech locally for selected sections, which is different from the conventional speed perturbation technique that changes the speed of speech uniformly for the entire utterance. To change the speed of the selected sections of speech, the number of frames for the randomly selected sections is adjusted through linear interpolation in the spectrogram domain. The proposed method is shown to achieve 6.8% better performance than the baseline in the WSJ database and 9.5% better than the baseline in the LibriSpeech database. It is also confirmed that the proposed method further improves speech recognition performance when it is combined with the previous data augmentation techniques.

Objectives: In this study, we intend to analyze the feasibility and efficacy of very low frame rate fluoroscopy (VLFF) protocol using a combination of 3.8 and 7.5 fps while performing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI).Methods: A retrospective cohort including 193 patients undergoing PCI under the VLFF protocol (Post-VLFF group) was compared with a retrospective cohort of 133 patients, who underwent PCI prior to implementation of VLFF protocol (Pre-VLFF group). In the Pre-VLFF group, all PCIs were performed using fluoroscopy frame rate of 15 fps. In the Post-VLFF group, 3.8 fps was used to guide catheter engagement, coronary lesion wiring, pre-and post-dilation, and 7.5 fps was used for lesion assessment and stent placement. Increasing use of fluoroscopic storage in place of cineangiography was also encouraged. Cine acquisition in both groups was performed at 15 fps. Primary endpoint was radiation exposure measured by Air Kerma. Secondary endpoints were procedure related outcomes and patient related outcomes (Major Adverse Cardiac Events including all-cause mortality, Target Lesion Failure, Myocardial Infarction, and Stroke).RESULTS: Post-VLFF group showed 74.7% reduction in Air Kerma as compared to Pre-VLFF group (433 ± 27 mGy vs. 1,714 ± 140 mGy; p < 0.0001), with no increase in the fluoroscopy time (15.38 ± 0.98 min Post-VLFF vs. 17.06 ± 1.29 min Pre-VLFF; p = 0.529) and contrast volume (116.5 ± 4.9 ml Post-VLFF vs. 116.7 ± 6 ml Pre-VLFF; p = 0.700). Both groups had comparable procedural success and complications rates as well as incidence of MACE.Conclusions: The very low frame rate fluoroscopy protocol is a feasible, effective, and safe method to significantly reduce the radiation exposure during PCI without any compromise on procedural and patient outcomes.