Reduce User Interaction Research Articles

Automated registration of hip and spine for longitudinal QCT studies: Integration with 3D densitometric and structural analysis

To eliminate user interaction in longitudinal quantitative computed tomography (QCT) measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) and geometry, we have developed and optimized an automated registration algorithm for QCT images of the hip and spine and integrated it with a previously developed 3D densitometric and structural analysis program. With registration, the follow-up images are automatically aligned with respect to the baseline scans, and the bone quantification of the aligned follow-up scan is initiated based on the bone morphometric features defined on the baseline scan. To validate the algorithm, we analyzed 20 pairs of repeat QCT images (10 hip pairs and 10 spine pairs) acquired on a modern multi-slice CT scanner, with repositioning between each scan pair to simulate repeat visits. Bone measurements obtained with automatic registration achieved comparable or improved precision errors compared to those obtained by careful manual analysis of the follow-up scans. The algorithm we have developed was based on the mutual information approach, with simplex optimization under a multi-resolution scheme. The average registration time was 2.3 min for a hip pair and 1.1 min for a vertebra pair using a standard desktop computer. Based on the reduced user interaction, high degree of precision, and short execution time, this is a promising technique for monitoring therapy in patients and clinical trials.

Isolation of genomic DNA from blood using a novel filter-based DNA purification technology.

A novel DNA purification technology is described that enables the purification of pure dsDNA from blood. When compared to existing DNA purification methods, the Whatman BioScience Purification System (WBPS) offers a fast and convenient way to recover high yields of DNA. WBPS is based on a unique filter system that entraps DNA within a matrix. This allows the process to be performed in a single unidirectional reaction vessel, reducing user interaction and multiple centrifugation steps.

Automated system for capture and detection of nucleic acids.

A fully automated nucleic acid analysis system is described, which offers positive sample identification, improved sensitivity and reduced user interaction compared to conventional techniques. The system relies on the sequence-specific capture of DNA onto solid-phase particles, confirming product identity without the problems of interpretation and lack of sequence information inherent in gel-based analyses. The system can be used for sequence confirmation, mutation analysis and semiquantitative detection of PCR products.

Distributed system for processing 3D medical images

Three-dimensional (3D) image data generated by radiological imaging modalities such as CT and MRI can provide detailed structural insight. Automating the analysis of these images can improve the consistency of the results and reduce user interaction time, but introduces a tremendous computational burden. To address this problem, we have designed a distributed processing environment for the rapid processing of 3D medical images. Our system allows a user to perform automatic 3D filtering, segmentation, and measurement on a 3D image using a heterogeneous network of processors and the PVM protocol.

Using programming expertise for controlling software synthesis

Achieving efficient software implementations requires a great deal of knowledge, intelligence, and expertise on the part of programmers. One way to enhance software productivity is to incorporate the knowledge and skills of expert programmers into software synthesis systems to automate software development processes. Although many software synthesis systems have been developed, automatic control of synthesis remains a difficult problem. Understanding the role of expertise in software synthesis, and making it more explicit, can help us not only to gain autonomy in controlling the synthesis processes but also to better justify the design, implementations, selection of data structures or algorithms employed in constructing code. Our project aims at making synthesis as autonomous as possible by advances in intelligent control mechanisms to reduce user interaction in the synthesizer. In our earlier work, a blackboard control framework for controlling synthesis processes was introduced. This paper describes how...

A knowledge-based framework for automated software synthesis

Automated software synthesis is one of the central techniques used in knowledge-based software engineering to enhance the quality and efficiency of software development. Although many software synthesis systems have been developed, automatic control of these systems remains a difficult problem. Our goal is to reduce user interaction in transformational and schema-based synthesizers by means of significant advances in control mechanisms.

COMPARISON OF METHODS FOR SOLVING NONLINEAR FINITE-ELEMENT EQUATIONS IN HEAT TRANSFER

Abstract We have developed two new methods for solving the finite-element heat-transfer equations with highly nonlinear boundary conditions and material properties. When compared with the more commonly employed successive substitution and Newton-Raphson procedures, the new methods speed convergence rates, increase the radius of convergence, or reduce user interaction. The first method accelerates the standard Newton-Raphson technique when the degree of the nonlinearity is known (for example, radiation boundary conditions or a prescribed temperature dependence in the thermal conductivity). The accelerated Newton-Raphson can reduce the computational time by more than 80% when compared with the standard Newton-Raphson technique. The second method employs feedback to regulate the solution algorithm during execution. Comparisons of these methods are given for several practical examples.