Recognition Of Anomalies Research Articles

Neuro-fuzzy modelling in mining geochemistry: Identification of geochemical anomalies

Local and mine scale exploration models for anomaly recognition within known ore fields are discussed. Traditional geochemical exploration methods are based on multivariate statistical analysis, metallometry, vertical geochemical zonality and criteria of natural field geochemical associations, which suffer several shortcomings, including lack of a geostatistical generalised approach for separating anomalies from background. These shortcomings make the interpretation process time consuming and costly. Fuzzy set theory, fuzzy logic and neural network techniques seem very well suited for typical mining geochemistry applications. The results, obtained from applying the proposed technique to a real scenario, reveals significant improvements, comparing the results obtained from applying multivariate statistical analysis. Computationally, the introduced technique makes possible, without exploration drilling, the distinction between blind mineralisation and zone of dispersed ore mineralisation. The methodology developed in this research study has been verified by testing it on various real-world mining geochemical projects.

Rare Case of Renal Cell Carcinoma with Double Inferior Vena Cava with Venous Thrombosis

Double inferior vena cava is a rare congenital anomaly. Recognition of such venous anomalies is important in the evaluation and surgical treatment of retroperitoneal disease. Newer radiological modalities such as three-dimensional reconstruction of spiral computed tomography help to define such anomalies and avoid significant morbidity during surgical exploration. We present a case of renal cell carcinoma involving left kidney with tumor thrombus extending into both venae cavae, treated by left radical nephrectomy with vena caval thrombectomy.

Recognition of anomalies from time series by fuzzy logic methods

[1] This paper is devoted to the detection of anomalies by the fuzzy comparison algorithm for recognition of signals (FCARS). The algorithm is a result of soft (based on fuzzy mathematics) modeling of interpreter’s logic and continues in this direction the difference recognition algorithm for signals (DRAS) and the fuzzy logic algorithm for recognition of signals (FLARS), previously developed by the authors. A characteristic feature of FCARS is a more comprehensive use of the so-called fuzzy comparisons introduced by the authors. This makes FCARS more versatile and adaptive than DRAS and FLARS.

Assessing university research: a plea for a balanced approach

The use of quantitative performance measures to assess the quality of university research is being introduced in Australia and the UK. This paper presents the case for maintaining a balanced approach. It argues that ‘metrics’ have their place, and can make the process more efficient and cost-effective, but that peer review must be retained as a central element in any research assessment exercise. The role of metrics is as ‘a trigger to the recognition of anomalies’, rather than as a straight replacement for peer review. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.

S215: The Evaluation and Management of Medically Acquired Dentofacial Deformities

Advances in medical technology have allowed many young patients with often debilitating medical conditions to lead long productive lives. However, the effects that some diseases have on facial growth may result in significant functional deficits created by developmental dentofacial deformities. The probability that the oral surgeon involved in the care of dentofacial deformities will come across this patient population is significant. Recognition of multiple minor anomalies of the face and body can give a clue as to the possibility of major organ anomalies. One must be able to recognize the impact of the medical conditions present on the ability to have a safe orthognathic surgical event. If one utilizes these diagnostic tools to learn about their patients, then corrective jaw surgery in this patient population is a predictable treatment modality. Correction of these functional deficits created by misaligned skeletal bases will have significant impact on the patient’s functional rehabilitation and quality of life. The medical conditions, such as chronic anemias, radiation induced micrognathia, rheumatoid arthritis, myotonic conditions, and ectodermal dysplasias often lead to the development of significant dentofacial deformities. The impact of these medical conditions on the surgical treatment plan as well as perioperative anesthetic management, and postoperative care will be reviewed. Evaluation and Management of Medically Acquired Dentofacial Deformities I. Review of Medical Conditions that cause Dentofacial Deformities Chronic Anemias Myotonias Ectodermal Dysplasias Radiation induced micrognathia Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment planning for corrective jaw surgery Orthodontic considerations Osteotomy design Anesthetic Considerations Long-term issues Stability of correction Need for prosthetic management and timing References

Response to Malaria Epidemics in Africa

Malaria epidemics affect nonimmune populations in many highland and semi-arid areas of Africa. Effective prevention of these epidemics is challenging, particularly in the highlands where predictive accuracy of indicators is not sufficiently high to allow decisions involving expensive measures such as indoor residual spraying of insecticides. Advances in geographic information systems have proved useful in stratification of areas to guide selective targeting of interventions, including barrier application of insecticides in transmission foci to prevent spread of infection. Because rainfall is associated with epidemics in semi-arid areas, early warning methods based on seasonal climate predictions have been proposed. For most areas, response measures should focus on early recognition of anomalies and rapid mass drug administration. Vector control measures are useful if abnormal transmission is highly likely and if they can be selectively implemented at the early stages of an outbreak.

Operators of mutation and crossover in a genetic algorithm for construction of axiomatic systems

In this paper, the problem of automated recognition of anomalies in the behavior of complicated dynamical systems is solved by means of analyzing trajectories obtained from sensors surrounding the system. A specific feature of the problem consists in the fact that, depending on the individual properties of the system and conditions of its operation, trajectories that contain anomalies may significantly differ from each other in amplitude and length. The algorithm employed here for solving the problem of recognition of anomalies in the behavior of the system under investigation is based on the idea of applying the algebraic approach to the labeling of time series. This algorithm can be adjusted to peculiarities of a particular dynamical system; such adjustment can be performed with the help of an algorithm belonging to the class of genetic algorithms.

ASDM Clinical Case Focus: Persistent Left Superior Vena Cava: Diagnosis and Implications for the Interventional Nephrologist

AbstractAwareness and recognition of anatomic anomalies of the great vessels of the neck and chest are important for the interventional nephrologist, as central venous catheter placement is a common procedure. A persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is the most common thoracic venous anomaly (0.3–0.5% of the population), and can present difficulty during internal jugular or subclavian vein catheter insertion, as well as pose a diagnostic dilemma. In this report, two cases of PLSVC are described, and the clinical significance and diagnosis of PLSVC are reviewed.

P02.94: Consequences of late recognition of major congenital anomalies

P02.94: Consequences of late recognition of major congenital anomalies

Complex venous anomalies: magnetic resonance imaging findings in a 5-year-old boy

We report magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of a very unusual venous anomaly case. A 5-year-old boy who had surgical repair of coarctation of the thoracic aorta was referred to our department for evaluation of an enlarged venous structure anterior to the aorta, which had been noted during the surgery. Contrast enhanced dynamic MRI revealed partial anomalous pulmonary venous return to the left azygos vein, double inferior and superior vena cava with the left azygos continuation of the left superior vena cava. The recognition of venous anomalies allows correct planning of surgical and interventional procedures. MRI is a valuable imaging tool providing detailed anatomical information.

Opportunistic Screening for Cardiovascular Problems in Rural and Remote Health Settings

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Australia and the United States. It is not known if routine electrocardiogram (ECG) assessment at the community level could identify a significant proportion of people with clinically relevant ECG anomalies who could benefit from intervention. This study aimed to elucidate the use of 3-lead ECG assessment by community nurses in rural and remote health settings. We report the findings obtained from 20-minute, lead II ECG recordings of 71 people who participated in a diabetes screening study. Seven participants reported cardiac anomalies before screening. One or more ECG abnormalities were found in 45 participants. Of these, nine people who were otherwise asymptomatic showed abnormal ECG characteristics that warranted further investigation. Although further research is needed, incorporating routine 3-lead ECG testing in rural and remote communities may improve general health in the community by providing early recognition of cardiac anomalies in otherwise asymptomatic individuals who may be amenable to treatment. This study has implications for community nurses on two levels: opportunistic screening, monitoring and evaluation.

Correction of coronary arterial anomalies at surgical repair of common arterial trunk with ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction

Common arterial trunk is frequently associated with anomalies of coronary arterial origin and distribution. We describe two infants in whom coronary intervention was performed during the repair of common arterial trunk, with reversal of ischaemic left ventricular dysfunction. We discuss the surgical implications of recognition of the coronary arterial anomalies during the repair of common arterial trunk.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Situs Inversus Totalis

Situs inversus totalis refers to a mirror-image reversal of the normal position of the internal organs. The recognition of concomitant anomalies, such as in the cardiac, venous, gastrointestinal, and urinary systems, is extremely important because these anomalies may disturb the surgical procedure for the concurrent disease in situs inversus totalis. The authors describe a case of successfully repaired abdominal aortic aneurysm with a false aneurysm of the right external iliac artery in situs inversus totalis. The coexistence of abdominal aortic aneurysm has been seldom encountered. The presence of anatomical anomalies significantly increases operative risk. The surgical management of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm in situs inversus totalis is discussed.

Mining of an electrocardiogram

The widespread use of medical information systems and rapid growth of medical databases require methods of efficient computer-assisted analysis. In this paper we focus on the QRS complex detection in electrocardiogram but, the idea of further recognition of anomalies in QRS complexes based on the immunology approach is described, as well. In order to detect QRS complexes, a neural network ensemble is proposed. It consists of three neural networks. The details of this solution are described and the results of the experimental study are shown.

Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction Is Associated with Pancreatic Duct Anomalies

Purpose: Sphincter of Oddi dysfunction is known to be associated with pancreas divisum but other types of pancreatic ductal anomalies (PDA) have not been well studied. Duct toruosity and tight angulation can make deep guidewire cannulation difficult or impossible. Recognition of ductal anomalies is important in patients with suspected SOD because of the need for deep pancreatic cannulation and stent placement for prophylaxis of post-ERCP pancreatitis. Methods: Data form 1428 consecutive ERCP procedures performed on 1032 patients between 1999 and 2005 were collected prospectively. Two subsets of patients were then extracted from the database: those diagnosed with sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD) and patients with PDA. Each PDA was independently reviewed and classified by a radiologist trained in reading ERCP studies. PDAs were classified as looping above main duct (upper ansa), looping below main duct (lower ansa), tightly angulated (switchback), dorsal dominant, or mixed PDA. Results: Of the 1032 patients included in our study, 270 (26%) were identified as having SOD of which 27 (10%) had PDAs. There were 762 without SOD of which 7 (0.9%) had PDAs. Thus PDAs occurred more frequently in patients with SOD than without SOD (p<0.0001). Of the 34 total patients with PDAs, there were 9 (26%) upper ansa loops, 10 (29%) lower ansa loops, 10 (29%) switchback loops, 1 (3%) dorsal dominant, and 4 (12%) mixed PDAs. Conclusions: PDAs occur much more frequently in patients with SOD compared to patients without SOD. Recognition of PDAs is important in patients with suspected SOD because the potential difficulty to achieve deep guidewire cannulation and subsequent pancreatic stent placement. An association between SOD and PDA may imply a congenital etiology for SOD.Table: Correlation of PDAs with SOD

OC15.05: Impact of training in the prenatal recognition of major cardiac anomalies

The objective of our project was to evaluate the impact of specialist training of ultrasonographers in the prenatal identification of major cardiac anomalies. We reviewed all the cases of congenital heart disease (CHD) reported to our regional congenital anomalies database from 1994 to 2004. The information from the database was checked against the admissions at the regional centre for paediatric cardiology and post-mortem data from the regional neonatal and paediatric pathology centre for the same time. We defined as major cardiac anomalies those cases that needed intervention by either surgery or catheterisation within the first month of life. Prior to 1998 most ultrasonographers would be trained to examine the 4 chamber view of the heart. In 1998 we introduced a course that included hand's on training in examination of the outflow tracts and demonstrating videos of common abnormalities. We have retrospectively examined detection rates and correlated these with the introduction of the regional training scheme. During the study period there were 951 cases with CHD. The incidence of CHD was 0.33% for the study population. The overall prenatal detection rate for CHD was 40.3%. For anomalies usually seen at the 4 chamber view the detection rate improved from 47.2% to 65.4% after the training courses (p < 0.005). This improvement was also evident for anomalies that require the cardiac outflow tracts to be visualised (from 20.2% to 32% p < 0.005). The biggest gain was in cases with isolated CHD where detection rates improved from 33%–54% and from 8%–19% respectively (p < 0.005). Improved training of the ultrasonographers, particularly enabling them to identify the outflow tracts with confidence, can help to increase prenatal detection of major cardiac defects.

Associated anomalies in children with congenital solitary functioning kidney

Congenital solitary functioning kidney (CSFK) is a relatively common renal malformation and in children is frequently complicated by anomalies of the ipsilateral genital organs and occasionally by anomalies of other organs. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of associated urological, cardiac, gastrointestinal, hematological, neurological, skeletal, and other congenital malformations in children with CSFK. We retrospectively reviewed 87 consecutive cases of CSFK diagnosed at our hospital between 1995 and 2003. There were 45 boys and 42 girls, whose ages at diagnosis ranged from newborn to 16 years (mean 4.67+/-4.48 years). In all patients, CSFK was diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound and confirmed by radionuclide studies. In 46 patients (53%) the left kidney was absent, and in 41 patients (47%) the right kidney was absent. Overall associated anomalies were detected in 52 of the 87 children (60%) with CSFK. Urological anomalies were most common, with an incidence of 37% (32/87). Nonurological anomalies were detected in 38 children (44%) with CSFK; these included cardiac anomalies in 13, gastrointestinal anomalies in eight, hematological anomalies in five, neurological anomalies in three, and other organ anomalies in nine. In our study, more than half of the patients with CSFK had associated anomalies. For this reason we recommend abdominal ultrasound and voiding cystourethrogram for early recognition of urological anomalies and a careful physical examination for other organ anomalies in patients with CSFK.

Automatic fuzzy-logic recognition of anomalous activity on long geophysical records: Application to electric signals associated with the volcanic activity of La Fournaise volcano (Réunion Island)

For the mitigation of natural hazards, geophysicists install more and more sensors in the field to enlarge the monitoring networks. In volcanic and seismogenic areas unambiguous results can be obtained only if many parameters are continuously recorded and processed over very long time series (several years) overlapping an eruption or an earthquake. On the other hand recent research has led to a sharp increase in the sampling rate of the data acquisition systems. Therefore, manual data processing with a first-step visual expertise becomes more and more difficult, time consuming and at the same time less objective. This paper introduces an alternative to manual signal recognition. It includes the development of a specific anomaly recognition algorithm called Difference Recognition Algorithm for Signals (DRAS) and its application to self-potential (SP) records obtained on the 10 channels of the electric stations located on La Fournaise volcano before, during and after the eruption of March 9, 1998. The algorithm starts with the construction of “rectification functionals” (examples are energy, length, zero crossing rate) from the data over a running characteristic time-window. Application of fuzzy set measures over the calculated functionals allows DRAS to identify, in particular, well spaced and time-organised SP oscillations observed on the volcano up to 2 weeks before the March 9, 1998 eruption. Based on the results obtained one can conclude that electric signals in the ULF band (frequency < 10 Hz) can be generated by the volcanic activity. The morphology and the distribution with time before the eruption can give some information on the location of the future vents.

3D ultrasound vs Sonohysterography for the diagnosis of uterine anomalies: A prospective blinded study of 1000 consecutive women

Sonohysterography (SHG) is widely used for the diagnosis of intrauterine pathology. We investigated, as a prospective blinded study, the accuracy of SHG, compared to three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US), in detecting uterine anomalies. A prospective blinded study. 1000 consecutive women who were referred for SHG because of infertility (n=591), or for the investigation of irregular uterine bleeding or abnormal endometrial appearance (control, n=409), also underwent 3D US for the diagnosis of uterine anomalies. 3D ultrasounds and SHGs were performed by experienced reproductive sonographers. 3D ultrasounds were preformed using General Electric (GE) Voluson 730 Experts, and the SHGs by GE Logiq 400 Pros. Uterine anomalies were defined by the American Society of Reproductive Medicine criteria. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive powers of SHG compared to 3D US were measured. Cohen’s Kappa was used to analyze the extent to which the two tests agree, correcting for chance agreement. 23.9% of women (n=239) were diagnosed by 3D US to have uterine anomalies. Arcuate uterus was the most frequent anomaly (n=186) and the others were partial (n= 25), or complete (n= 20), septated uterus, bicornuate (n= 2), didelphys (n= 1), hypoplastic (n= 1), unicornuate (n= 1), and borderline septate/arcuate (n= 3). The prevalence of anomalies was significantly higher in the infertile group (29.8%) compared to the non-infertile group (15.4 %; p < 0.0001). Using the 3D US as the gold standard, the SHG had sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive powers of 61.9%, 97.8%, 92.4%, and 85.8% for the infertile women (Kappa = 0.618; p < 0.001), and 57.1%, 99.1%, 92.3%, and 92.7% for the non-infertile group (Kappa = 0.655; p < 0.001), respectively. SHG diagnoses most uterine anomalies. When a uterine anomaly is suspected, 3D US should be recommended first. 3D US allows precise recognition of uterine anomalies by visualizing both the uterine cavity and the fundal uterine contour in the coronal plane. 3D US should become the gold standard for diagnosing uterine anomalies, instead of laparoscopy with hysteroscopy, or with a hysterosalpingogram. 3D US may become routine for the investigation of the infertile women.

Relationship between magnetic anomalies and hydrocarbon microseepage above the Jingbian gas field, Ordos basin, China

In this study, soil magnetic measurements (susceptibility and hysteretic parameters) and soil hydrocarbon analyses were conducted on samples from three profiles (profiles I and II run across, and profile III runs parallel to the trend of the Jingbian gas field in the Ordos basin, central China) to determine the relationship between the magnetic anomalies (e.g., volume-specific magnetic susceptibility k) and the hydrocarbon seepage environments. The results document a strong correlation between magnetic susceptibility and soil-gas hydrocarbon concentration. Furthermore, the spatial distribution of k and hydrocarbon anomalies correlate with those of the gas field. In addition, magnetic minerals in the soils with higher susceptibility are predominantly magnetite, with little or no substitution of titanium compared to that of samples with lower susceptibility (7 105 SI [International Unit of susceptibility]). These results provide strong evidences for the formation of highly magnetic minerals in close association with hydrocarbon seepage. Recognition of such seepage-induced magnetic anomalies can be used to facilitate the exploration for oil and gas in China and elsewhere.