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The discovery of preclinical Alzheimer's disease (preAD) provides a wide time window for the early intervention of AD. The coupling relationships between glucose and oxygen metabolisms from hybrid PET/MRI can provide complementary information on the brain's physiological state for preAD. In this study, we purpose to explore the change of coupling relationship among 27 normal controls (NCs), 20 preADs, and 15 cognitive impairments (CIs). For each subject, we calculated the Spearman partial correlation between the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) and the regional homogeneity (ReHo) from functional image (fMRI), and the standard uptake value ratio (SUVR) from [18F] fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18 F-FDG PET), in the whole-brain and default mode network (DMN) as a novel potential biomarker. The diagnostic performance of this biomarker was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic analysis. Significant Spearman correlations between the FDG SUVR and the fALFF/ReHo were found in 98% of subjects. For the DMN-based biomarker, there was a significant decreasing trend for the preAD and CI groups compared to the NC group, whereas no significant difference in preAD based on whole-brain. The correlation ρ value for the FDG SUVR/ReHo showed the highest area under curve of the preAD classification (0.787). The results imply the coupling relationship changed during the preAD stage in the DMN area.

RECIST v1.1 has limitations in evaluating progression. We assessed Dynamic Constrast Enhanced Computed Tomography (DCE-CT) identified Blood Volume (BV) for the evaluation of progressive disease (PD) in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC). BV was quantified prospectively at baseline, after one month, then every three months until PD. Relative changes (ΔBV) were assessed at each timepoint compared with baseline values. The primary endpoint was Time to PD (TTP), the secondary endpoint was Time to the scan prior to PD (PDminus1). Cox proportional hazard models adjusted ΔBV for treatments and International mRCC Database Consortium factors. A total of 62 patients had analyzable scans at the PD timepoint. Median BV was 23.92 mL × 100 g−1 (range 4.40–399.04) at PD and 26.39 mL × 100 g−1 (range 8.70–77.44) at PDminus1. In the final multivariate analysis higher ΔBV was statistically significantly associated with shorter Time to PD, HR 1.11 (95% CI 1.07–1.15, P P = 0.031). In conclusion, DCE-CT identified BV is a new image-based biomarker of therapy progression in patients with mRCC.

Medical imaging is one of the important sources of clinical diagnostic information. According to the information connotation provided by medical images, medical images can be divided into two categories: anatomical structure images (CT, MRI, B-ultrasound, etc.) and functional images (SPECT, PET, etc.). The development of medical imaging technology and the practice of clinical application tell us that there is no single way to solve the complex clinical problems, and each imaging technology has its own advantages and disadvantages, including its own. In order to improve the automation and reliability of medical image fusion, this paper proposes a fully automatic medical CT image fusion method based on knowledge model. This method provides a general model for medical image fusion. This method improves the automation and reliability of medical image fusion. Because of its extensibility, this method provides a general model for medical image processing based on knowledge.

Intravital fluorescence microscopy is a tool used widely to study multicellular dynamics in a live animal. However, it has not been successfully used in the taste sensory organ. By integrating microfluidics into the intravital tongue imaging window, the µTongue provides reliable functional images of taste cells in vivo under controlled exposure to multiple tastants. In this paper, a detailed step-by-step procedure to utilize the µTongue system is presented. There are five subsections: preparing of tastant solutions, setting up of a microfluidic module, sample mounting, acquiring functional image data, and data analysis. Some tips and techniques to solve the practical issues that may arise when using the µTongue are also presented.

Antes de que los europeos fueran "conmocionados" por la magnitud de la extensión del espacio americano abierto por los descubrimientos, el Nuevo Mundo fue pensado -reensamblado y deconstruido- dentro de los marcos constrictivos del pensamiento medieval. La primera imagen funcional que permitió "componer mentalmente" estos nuevos espacios fue la insularidad. Dicha imagen se adecuaba perfectamente a la matriz tradicional de la doctrina jurídica sustentada por el papado romano que dará por resultado las llamadas Bulas Alejandrinas de Partición de 1493. La potestas omninsular -desarrollada durante toda la Baja Edad Media en el Occidente europeo- constituye el basamento jurídico que otorga sentido a esta donación. Before Europeans were "shocked" by the sheer extent of American space opened up by discovery and conquest, the New World was thought -assembled and deconstructed- within the constricting frames of medieval thought. The first functional image that made it possible to "mentally compose" these new spaces was insularity. This image was perfectly suited to the traditional matrix of legal doctrine upheld by the roman papacy that will result in the so- called Alexandrian Bulls of Partition of 1493. The potestas omninsu-lar -developed throughout the Late Middle Ages in Western Europe- constitutes the legal basis that gives meaning to this donation. Fil: Pereyra, Osvaldo Víctor. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educación. Instituto de Investigaciones en Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales (UNLP-CONICET); Argentina.

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common disorders of childhood and youth. The diagnosis of ADHD remains essentially clinical, based on history and questionnaires for symptom assessment, therefore, a biomarker can be of great value to reduce the inherent uncertainty of clinical diagnosis. In recent years, several studies have been carried out to assess the usefulness of neurophysiological (electroencephalography - EEG)and functional image data to assist in the process of diagnosing ADHD. Previous researches have revealed evidences that microstates are selectively affected by ADHD, indicating that their analysis may be a useful tool in methods of automatic disease identication. In this paper is proposed a new methodology for the detection of ADHD using EEG microstate analysis and graph theory. The proposed method allows modeling and interpreting each microstate as a complex network, which permits to identify the effect of ADHD on some characteristics of the built networks. In addition, it provides useful information to identify ADHD and subtypes patients with an accuracy around 99%, indicating that the proposed method is promising.

Objective Spatial normalization of brain MR images is highly dependent on the choice of target brain template. Morphological differences caused by factors like genetic and environmental exposures, generates a necessity to construct population specific brain templates. Brain image analysis performed using brain templates from Caucasian population may not be appropriate for non-Caucasian population. In this study, our objective was to construct an Indian brain template from a large population (N = 157 subjects) and compare the morphometric parameters of this template with that of Chinese-56 and MNI-152 templates. In addition, using an independent MRI data of 15 Indian subjects, we also evaluated the potential registration accuracy differences using these three templates. Methods Indian brain template was constructed using iterative routines as per established procedures. We compared our Indian template with standard MNI-152 template and Chinese template by measuring global brain features. We also examined accuracy of registration by aligning 15 new Indian brains to Indian, Chinese and MNI templates. Furthermore, we supported our measurement protocol with inter-rater and intra-rater reliability analysis. Results Our results showed that there were significant differences in global brain features of Indian template in comparison with Chinese and MNI brain templates. The results of registration accuracy analysis revealed that fewer deformations are required when Indian brains are registered to Indian template as compared to Chinese and MNI templates. Conclusion This study concludes that population specific Indian template is likely to be more appropriate for structural and functional image analysis of Indian population.

With primitive approaches, the diagnosis and therapy were operated at the cellular, molecular, or even at the genetic level. As the diagnostic techniques are more concentrated towards molecular level, multi modal imaging becomes specifically essential. Multi-modal imaging has extensive applications in clinical as well as in pre-clinical studies. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has flourished in the field of nuclear medicine, which has motivated it to fuse with Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) for PET/CT and PET/MRI respectively. However, the challenges in PET/CT are due to the inability of simultaneous acquisition and reduced soft tissue contrast, which has led to the development of PET/MRI. Also, MRI offers the better soft tissue contrast over CT. Hence, fusion of PET and MRI results in combining structural information with functional image from PET. Yet, it has many technical challenges due to the interference between the modalities. Also, it must be resolved with various approaches for addressing the shortcomings of each system and improvise on the image quantification system. This review elaborates on the various challenges in the present PET/MRI system and the future directions of the hybrid modality. Also, the different data acquisition and analysis techniques of PET/MRI system are discussed with enhanced details on the software tools.

International audience; Photoacoustic imaging is a hybrid modality that is used to image biological tissues. Using multispectral optical excitation, a functional image is obtained due to the tissue specific optical absorption that depends on the wavelengths. To classify multispectral photoacoustic images, supervised methods are classically used. However, definition of the reference spectra is often difficult, and this choice can have a large impact on the classification results. A possible approach to build relevant reference spectra is to use spectrophotometry. This study aims at comparing absorbance measured by a spectrophotometer and multispectral photoacoustic signals of various coloured phantoms. We compare qualitatively the shape of the spectra obtained, using these two modalities for each sample. Our data suggest that spectrophotometry is a promising way to define reference spectra for classification of multispectral photoacoustic datasets.

Purpose This study aimed to generate a functional image of the liver using dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) and a functional-image-based stereotactic body radiation therapy plan to minimize the dose to the volume of the functional liver (Vfl). Material and methods A normalized iodine density (NID) map was generated for fifteen patients with liver tumors. The volume of liver with an NID Results FLR showed a significantly strong correlation with FIB-4 (r = −0.71, p 0.05). For Vfl, F-VMAT plans achieved lower V5Gy (122.4 ± 31.7 vs 181.1 ± 57.3 cc), V10Gy (44.4 ± 22.2 vs 98.2 ± 33.3 cc), V15Gy (22.6 ± 20.3 vs 49.8 ± 33.7 cc), V20Gy (11.6 ± 14.1 vs 24.9 ± 25.1 cc), and Dmean (3.9 ± 2.3 vs 5.8 ± 3.0 Gy) values than the C-VMAT plans (p Conclusions The functional image derived from DECT was successfully used, allowing for a reduction in the dose to the Vfl without compromising target coverage.

Functional MRI (fMRI) studies have traditionally relied on intersubject normalization based on global brain morphology, which cannot establish proper functional correspondence between subjects due to substantial intersubject variability in functional organization. Here, we reliably identified a set of discrete, homologous functional regions in individuals to improve intersubject alignment of fMRI data. These functional regions demonstrated marked intersubject variability in size, position, and connectivity. We found that previously reported intersubject variability in functional connectivity maps could be partially explained by variability in size and position of the functional regions. Importantly, individual differences in network topography are associated with individual differences in task-evoked activations, suggesting that these individually specified regions may serve as the “localizer” to improve the alignment of task-fMRI data. We demonstrated that aligning task-fMRI data using the regions derived from resting state fMRI may lead to increased statistical power of task-fMRI analyses. In addition, resting state functional connectivity among these homologous regions is able to capture the idiosyncrasies of subjects and better predict fluid intelligence (gF) than connectivity measures derived from group-level brain atlases. Critically, we showed that not only the connectivity but also the size and position of functional regions are related to human behavior. Collectively, these findings suggest that identifying homologous functional regions across individuals can benefit a wide range of studies in the investigation of connectivity, task activation, and brain-behavior associations., Author summary No two individuals are alike. The size, shape, position, and connectivity patterns of brain functional regions can vary drastically between individuals. While interindividual differences in functional organization are well recognized, to date, standard procedures for functional neuroimaging research still rely on aligning different subjects’ data to a nominal “average” brain based on global brain morphology. We developed an approach to reliably identify homologous functional regions in each individual and demonstrated that aligning data based on these homologous functional regions can significantly improve the study of resting state functional connectivity, task-fMRI activations, and brain-behavior associations. Moreover, we showed that individual differences in size, position, and connectivity of brain functional regions are dissociable, and each can provide nonredundant information in explaining human behavior.

The aim of the current planning study is to evaluate the ability of gadoxetate disodium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (EOB-MRI)–guided stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) planning by using intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) techniques in sparing the functional liver tissues during SBRT for hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study, 20 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were enrolled. Functional liver tissues were defined according to quantitative liver-spleen contrast ratios ≥ 1.5 on a hepatobiliary phase scan. Functional images were fused with the planning computed tomography (CT) images; the following 2 SBRT plans were designed using a “step-and-shoot” static IMRT technique for each patient: (1) an anatomical SBRT plan optimization based on the total liver; and (2) a functional SBRT plan based on the functional liver. The total prescribed dose was 48 gray (Gy) in 4 fractions. Dosimetric parameters, including dose to 95% of the planning target volume (PTV D 95% ), percentages of total and functional liver volumes, which received doses from 5 to 30 Gy (V5 to V30 and fV5 to fV30), and mean doses to total and functional liver (MLD and fMLD, respectively) of the 2 plans were compared. Compared with anatomical plans, functional image-guided SBRT plans reduced MLD (mean: plan A, 5.5 Gy; and plan F, 5.1 Gy; p p

Biomedical signal and image processing establish a dynamic area of specialization in both academic as well as research aspects of biomedical engineering. The concepts of signal and image processing have been widely used for extracting the physiological information in implementing many clinical procedures for sophisticated medical practices and applications. In this paper, the relationship between electrophysiological signals, i.e., electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), electroencephalogram (EEG) and functional image processing and their derived interactions have been discussed. Examples have been investigated in various case studies such as neurosciences, functional imaging, and cardiovascular system, by using different algorithms and methods. The interaction between the extracted information obtained from multiple signals and modalities seems to be very promising. The advanced algorithms and methods in the area of information retrieval based on time-frequency representation have been investigated. Finally, some examples of algorithms have been discussed in which the electrophysiological signals and functional images have been properly extracted and have a significant impact on various biomedical applications. Keywords: Biomedical signals and images, Processing, Analysis

The medical image can be divided into two major classes: anatomical image and functional image. Magnetic resonance image (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) belong to the anatomical image, which can show an outline of an organ and a tissue clearly. The functional image can show the image of the organ and the tissue metabolism situation. Positron emission tomography (PET) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are also part of the functional image. In this paper, we use 4-[[Formula: see text]F]-ADAM to measure serotonin transporter changes and find the relation with major depressive disorder in CT/PET three-dimensional image. In clinical diagnosis, based on the video imaging methods can be divided into the anatomy and function of these two categories. Therefore, the combination of anatomical and functional imaging can provide more useful information. In the study, we use the CT image to get the reference position and combine it with the isotope metabolic situation from PET. We use the fused image to construct 3D image and count serotonin transporter with different times, and measure the variance about serotonin transporter changes in the organization of the metabolism and distribution. We use the variance to find the relation and compare the score using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale by experienced psychiatrists. After the test cases, we measure the serotonin transporter distribution of depressed patients can do a preliminary classification. We can get the gray-level value changes in major depressive disorder patients at different times. The advantage of this method is to offer more information to diagnose or analyze the difference between the brain organs, such as pons, midbrain, thalamus, corpus striatum, and prefrontal cortex.

Imaging techniques have significantly developed in recent years. The rather relevant morphological image has evolved into a physiological and functional image capable of providing valuable additional information for a better understanding of disease processes.

The treatment of locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LAHNSCC) in Denmark has improved significantly during the recent decades [1–3] due to a gradually developed treatment strate...

Growing environmental awareness has made customers change their attitudes andincreasingly demand that the hospitality industry provides products and services thatare environmentally friendly. This sector faces increasing pressure to operate in amore ecofriendly manner given its negative influence on the natural environment.Extant research demonstrates that sustainable tourism can be promoted throughenvironmental certifications. However, little attention has been paid to the relevanceof customer perceptions about these schemes and their influence on customerbehavioral intentions. So that, this study attempts to explore the conditions underwhich perceived green image leads to favorable customer behavioral intentionstowards environmentally certified hotels by considering the mediating effects offunctional and emotional images. A structured questionnaire was used to collect datafrom hotel customers in Spain. The results indicate that green image serves as apredictor of functional image, which in turn is linked to customer behavioralintentions. This shows that the evaluation of environmental issues influences theassessment of cognitive aspects, although not the direct evaluation of affectiveaspects. Consequently, green image associations directly influence the cognitiveresponses of consumers but not their emotions. Therefore, consumers will evaluatea hotel's functional image not only by considering traditional attributes but also bytaking into account environmental issues. These findings suggest that hotelcompanies should work to develop a green positioning strategy developing productsand services possessing both greenness and high?value attributes.

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to study the formation of denomination of origin brand image in two different Spanish wine regions. Design/methodology/approach – A sample of wine consumers was selected in two denominations of origin (DOs): Rioja and La Mancha. Partial least squares method was used to estimate the measurement and the proposed structural model. A multi-group analysis was also employed to determine the main differences between both wine umbrella brands. Findings – The main components that contribute to the creation of brand image were tested: functional image and reputation, and affective image. The comparison found that the values obtained for La Mancha are significantly inferior to those of Rioja as regards affective image. Research limitations/implications – The choice of two Spanish wine regions and the analysis of wine consumers who were purchasing in wine shops suggest future research works that will consider not only extending the number of wine brands studied, but will also cover other kinds of commercial establishments, differentiating the place of consumption or suggesting a variety of wine styles. Practical implications – The results obtained suggest the relevance of DOs in the commercialisation of wines, and consequently the activities and alliances that should be developed to improve the main components of brand image. Originality/value – A multi-group analysis focused on two Spanish DOs has been used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of each umbrella brand. The basis used for this has been the study of functional and affective aspects in one of the most traditional wine countries in Europe, Spain. This research is of value to academics, wineries and public institutions, as it may allow them to design marketing and commercialisation strategies.

I like to tell my students a story about a time back in the “olden days” of the early 1990s when I was a newly minted postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Our laboratory conducted brain imaging studies using positron emission tomographic imaging and would routinely obtain 6–12 functional image volumes per subject in our experiments. The director of our neuroimaging laboratory asked me to explore the purchase of a new computer hard drive capable of storing our growing collection of brain imaging data files. At that time, we had already accumulated quite a number of subjects and wanted to easily access their data for a variety of different statistical analyses—and we expected to obtain much more data.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: In order to increase local tumour control by radiotherapy without increasing toxicity, it appears promising to harness functional imaging (FI) to guide dose to sub-volumes of the target with a high tumour load and perhaps de-escalate dose to low risk volumes, in order to maximise the efficiency of the deposited radiation dose.METHODS AND MATERIALS: A number of problems have to be solved to make focal dose escalation (FDE) efficient and safe: (1) how to combine ambiguous information from multiple imaging modalities; (2) how to take into account uncertainties of FI based tissue classification; (3) how to account for geometric uncertainties in treatment delivery; (4) how to add complementary FI modalities to an existing scheme. A generic optimisation concept addresses these points and is explicitly designed for clinical efficacy and for lowering the implementation threshold to FI-guided FDE. It combines classic tumour control probability modelling with a multi-variate logistic regression model of FI accuracy and an uncomplicated robust optimisation method.RESULTS: Its key elements are (1) that dose is deposited optimally when it achieves equivalent expected effect everywhere in the target volume and (2) that one needs to cap the certainty about the absence of tumour anywhere in the target region. For illustration, an example of a PET/MR-guided FDE in prostate cancer is given.CONCLUSIONS: FDE can be safeguarded against FI uncertainties, at the price of a limit on the sensible dose escalation.

Multichannel analysis of lung sounds (LSs) has enabled the generation of a functional image for the temporal and spatial study of LS intensities in healthy and diseased subjects; this method is known as respiratory acoustic thoracic imaging (RATHI). This acoustic imaging technique has been applied to diverse pulmonary conditions, but it is important to contribute to the understanding of RATHI characteristics, such as acoustic spatial distribution, dependence on airflow and variability. The purpose of the current study is to assess the intra-subject and inter-subject RATHI variabilities in a cohort of 12 healthy male subjects (24.3+/-1.5 years) using diverse quantitative indices. The indices were obtained directly from the acoustic image and did not require scores from human raters, which helps to prevent inter-observer variability. To generate the acoustic image, LSs were acquired at 25 positions on the posterior thoracic surface by means of airborne sound sensors with a wide frequency band from 75up to 1000Hz under controlled airflow conditions at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0L/s. To assess intra-subject variability, the degree of similitude between inspiratory acoustic images was evaluated through quadratic mutual information based on the Cauchy-Schwartz inequality (I"C"S). The inter-subject variability was assessed by an image registration procedure between RATHIs and X-ray images to allow the computation of average and variance acoustic image in the same coordinate space. The results indicated that intra-subject RATHI similitude, reflected by I"C"S"-"g"l"o"b"a"l, averaged 0.960+/-0.008, 0.958+/-0.008 and 0.960+/-0.007 for airflows of 1.0, 1.5, and 2L/s, respectively. As for the inter-subject variability, the variance image values for three airflow conditions indicated low image variability as they ranged from 0.01 to 0.04. In conclusion, the assessment of intra-subject and inter-subject variability by similitude indices indicated that the acoustic image pattern is repeatable along different respiratory cycles and across different subjects. Therefore, RATHI could be used to explore different aspects of spatial distribution and its association with regional pulmonary ventilation.

With environmental pollution becoming a serious problem, recently there has been increased interest in the environment and health. In addition, the development of materials for environmentally friendly and functional clothing has increased. Environmentally friendly products that use bark fibers of the mulberry(dak) tree are expressed in terms of dak fiber and Hanji yarn. This research analyzed consumer's perceived images of Hanji and Hanji yarn infant clothing. The research results are as follows. Based on analyzing images of Hanji and Hanji yarn, Hanji was categorized into four images that can be described as natural, pure, decorative, and functional, and Hanji yarn infant clothing was categorized into three images that can be described as natural, decorative, and functional. Based on the analysis of well-being elements in subjects' lifestyles, the following four inclinations were found: environmental friendliness, pursuit of novelty, life care, and environmental protection. On this basis, the subjects were categorized into three groups: the trend-pursuing group, the life-care group, and the social responsibility group. Subjects' perceived images of Hanji and Hanji yarn infant clothing were investigated, and these products were found to have a strong image of being Korean, traditional, and natural, while being weakly perceived as comfortable, functional, and practical. Analyzing the correlation between images of Hanji and Hanji yarn infant clothing and lifestyle groups revealed that these products were not perceived differently according to group. This study showed that Hanji and Hanji yarn are terms that are commonly associated with positive clothing material. However, both Hanji and Hanji yarn are perceived negatively in terms of functional image, which is an important factor in clothing material. In addition, even among consumers who pursue a lifestyle based on well-being, the functional image of Hanji yarn was not perceived highly. Hence, it is necessary to further examine the effect of terms such as Hanji and Hanji yarn on consumer choices. Therefore, caution is considered needed when using such terms in the marketing of related products.Keywords: dak fiber(닥섬유), Hanji(한지), well-being lifestyle(웰빙 라이프스타일), perceived image(지각된 이미지)