Smooth Outline Research Articles

3Doodle: Compact Abstraction of Objects with 3D Strokes

While free-hand sketching has long served as an efficient representation to convey characteristics of an object, they are often subjective, deviating significantly from realistic representations. Moreover, sketches are not consistent for arbitrary viewpoints, making it hard to catch 3D shapes. We propose 3Dooole, generating descriptive and view-consistent sketch images given multi-view images of the target object. Our method is based on the idea that a set of 3D strokes can efficiently represent 3D structural information and render view-consistent 2D sketches. We express 2D sketches as a union of view-independent and view-dependent components. 3D cubic Bézier curves indicate view-independent 3D feature lines, while contours of superquadrics express a smooth outline of the volume of varying viewpoints. Our pipeline directly optimizes the parameters of 3D stroke primitives to minimize perceptual losses in a fully differentiable manner. The resulting sparse set of 3D strokes can be rendered as abstract sketches containing essential 3D characteristic shapes of various objects. We demonstrate that 3Doodle can faithfully express concepts of the original images compared with recent sketch generation approaches. 1

VIRTUAL RESTORATION OF STONE INSCRIPTIONS BASED ON IMAGE ENHANCEMENT AND EDGE DETECTION

Abstract. A method of virtual restoration of inscribed texts is proposed for blurred inscriptions. Firstly, the image enhancement method is used to enhance the image of the current topos, and the optimal method is selected to highlight the text information. Secondly, the extracted text outline is extracted from the enhanced image, and the extracted text outline is partially processed to obtain a smooth outline, and finally the fill function is used to fill the text outline to complete the virtual restoration of the inscribed text. The experimental results prove that the method can restore for blurred text and retain the original stele text writing style. The results of this experiment can provide a reference basis for the virtual restoration of other inscriptions on the central axis.

Calcifying odontogenic cyst – A three dimensional radiological evaluation by cone beam computed tomography

Calcifying odontogenic cysts is an odontogenic cyst that gives rise to painless swelling which expand and occasionally perforate bone. Most of them are between 2 to 4 cm in diameter. Approximately 75% occur in anterior canine-incisor region. The highest incidence of occurence is between 10 and 29 years. Radiographically they appear as well-circumscribed, unilocular cyst like areas with scattered radiopacities which range from mere flecks to large masses. The related tooth usually gets displaced. Radiopaque flecks occur in radiographic features of some lesions which undergo osteolysis during their development. They occur as a result of dystrophic calcifications in long standing chronic mature lesions. The location of such entities whether pericoronal or periapical is also crucial in narrowing the diagnosis. Such flecks in radiographs occur near the pericoronal region in calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumour, ameloblastic fibro-odontoma, whereas in calcifying odontogenic cyst, they appears small, discrete, pebble-like with a smooth outline in periapical region. Such pebbles of radiopaque specks were incidentally seen in cone beam computed tomography in a 20-year-old male evaluated radiographically in orthogonal planes in coronal, axial, sagittal slices and three-dimensional reconstructed view and treated by surgical enucleation was described here.

Assessment of the Clinical Presentations and Ultrasonographic Features of Uterine Fibroids in Adult Africans: A Retrospective Study.

We sought to determine the clinical presentations and ultrasonographic features of uterine fibroids in adult Ghanaians. Between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2021, 4279 ultrasound-confirmed cases of uterine fibroids were retrieved. The data obtained, which included age, clinical presentations, and sonographic features were analyzed. A chi-squared test was done to assess for possible associations between the clinical indications, age distribution, and ultrasonographic features of uterine fibroids. The mean age of the patients diagnosed with uterine fibroids was 37.1±11.5 years (range = 16-69 years). Routine checkup (n = 1310, 28.1%), menorrhagia (n = 1104, 23.7%), and lower abdominal mass (n = 801, 17.2%) were the leading clinical indications. Dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, menorrhagia, and routine checkup were significantly noted in the younger patients (p ≤ 0.001). The majority of the fibroid nodules had smooth regular outline (n = 4125, 96.4%) and were mostly heterogeneous (n = 3282, 76.7%). The echo pattern of the nodules was predominantly hypoechoic (n = 3358, 51.1%) followed by hyperechoic nodules (n = 2554, 38.9%). Degenerative changes accounted for less than one-third of the total fibroid nodules, with the least recorded degenerative change being nodules with cystic areas (n = 55, 5.4%) and the most observed degenerative feature being nodules with rim of calcification and areas of calcified degeneration (n = 965, 94.6%). Almost all the sonographic features were significantly seen in the 30-44 years age category. Sonographically, uterine fibroids were mostly hypoechoic heterogeneous nodules with a smooth regular outline with a predominant occurrence within women in the fourth to fifth decade of life.

Pubic Accessory Scrotum: a Case Report of a Rare Position

Scrotum shows multiple congenital anomalies which could be explained by embryological abnormalities in migration of labioscrotal swelling. Our case was a neonate who had an accessory scrotum in the pubic area at delivery which is a rare position. Ultrasound scan and voiding cystourethrography showed adequate capacity, shouldering and smooth outline with insignificant mild residual urine of bladder, and dilated posterior urethra. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a pubic accessory scrotum with thickened skin and subcutaneous tissue with no detectable internal contents or pelvic connection; however, pelvicalyceal system was dilated suggesting pelviureteric junction obstruction. Excision of accessory scrotum was discussed with parents but they refused. Ultrasound follow-up of the associated congenital hydronephrosis revealed improvement of hydronephosis.

Excurve and Emit Lobular Endocervical Glandular Hyperplasia

Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia of uterine cervix is a benign, exceptional lesion with a characteristic proliferation of miniature, spherical glands accompanied by gastric type differentiation. The discrete lobules incriminate upper endocervical canal of predominantly premenopausal women. Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia and gastric subtypes of cervical glandular lesions appear non concurrent to persistent infection with high risk variants of human papilloma virus (HPV). Cytological examination depicts mono-layered sheets of tall, columnar, mucinous cells demonstrating smooth nuclear outline with absent cellular or nuclear atypia or mitotic figures. Papanicolaou stained smears exemplify extracellular or intracellular, golden yellow mucin, indicative of gastric subtype of cellular differentiation. The well-defined lobular or acinar lesion is comprised of a centric crypt with circumscribing glandular articulations and miniature, spherical cysts which configure a floret-like pattern. Centric and peripheral glands are layered with columnar epithelial cells pervaded with pale, eosinophilic cytoplasm, bland, miniature, basal nuclei with mild nuclear atypia. Atypical cytological and architectural features may progress into the malignant ‘atypical lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia’, currently contemplated as a category of gastric type adenocarcinoma in situ (GAIS). The lesion is immune reactive to pyloric gland mucin (HIK1083), MUC6, PAX2 or chromogranin A. Lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia of uterine cervix requires segregation from neoplasms such as human papilloma virus (HPV) independent endocervical adenocarcinoma, gastric type, pyloric type metaplasia, gastric type adenocarcinoma in situ, type A tunnel clusters, micro glandular hyperplasia and mesonephric remnants or mesonephric hyperplasia of uterine cervix. Lesions detected upon surgical tissue sampling, cervical loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) or conisation may be optimally managed with total abdominal hysterectomy

Postoperative serum hyperamylasemia (POH) predicts additional morbidity after pancreatoduodenectomy: It is not all about pancreatic fistula

Adenosquamous carcinoma of the pancreas (ASC) is a rare malignant neoplasm of the pancreas, exhibiting both glandular and squamous differentiation. However, little is known about its imaging features. This study examined the imaging features of pancreatic ASC.We evaluated images of contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS). As controls, solid pancreatic neoplasms matched in a 2:1 ratio to ASC cases for age, sex and tumor location were also evaluated.Twenty-three ASC cases were examined, and 46 solid pancreatic neoplasms (43 pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, two pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors and one acinar cell carcinoma) were matched as controls. Univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in the outline and vascularity of tumors on contrast-enhanced CT in the ASC and control groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively). A smooth outline, cystic changes, and the ring-enhancement pattern on contrast-enhanced CT were seen to have significant predictive powers by stepwise forward logistic regression analysis (P = 0.044, P = 0.010, and P = 0.001, respectively). Of the three, the ring-enhancement pattern was the most useful, and its predictive diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for diagnosis of ASC were 65.2%, 89.6%, 75.0% and 84.3%, respectively.These results demonstrate that presence of the ring-enhancement pattern on contrast-enhanced CT is the most useful predictive factor for ASC.

A Finite Element Analysis of Tunnel Lining Demolition by Blasting for Subway Tunnel Expansion

In this paper, a practical project of subway tunnel lining demolition via blasting for the construction of a subway station under the action of the blasting load and the weight of collapsed rock mass was proposed. The tunnel overbreak and underbreak quality, the failure mechanism of the tunnel lining structure, the particle peak velocity (PPV), and the stress evolution law of the surrounding rock caused by tunnel blasting were researched using LS-DYNA. Firstly, the results show that the blasting parameters presented in this paper can maintain the cross-section of a smooth outline of tunnel excavation and the overbreak or underbreak quality in control. Secondly, the tensile stress in the existing tunnel lining caused by blasting exceeded the concrete tensile strength, and the radius of the burst fracture was 0.86 m, which is greater than the thickness of the tunnel lining (0.7 m). Thirdly, the blasting stress in the surrounding rock peaked within 0.1 × 10−3 s after the blasting, and failure of the surrounding rock occurred. Moreover, the relationship between the PPV and the distance from the blasting center shows that the blasting parameters used in this paper can effectively control the PPV. Therefore, this study reveals that the expansion of existing tunnels into subway stations using this method can improve the efficiency of construction.

First report of Colletotrichum scovillei causing anthracnose fruit rot on Eriobotrya japonicain in Zhejiang province, China.

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl.) is a fruit tree of high economic impotance in China. In May 2021, fruit rot on cv. "Baozhu" was observed in Yuhang district (119°40'E, 30°09'N), Zhejiang province, at an incidence of more than 30% within five orchards (the total affected area were about 121, 000 m2). Early symptoms of naturally affected fruits were dark brown, necrotic lesion (Fig. 1 A). Lesions subsequently expanded, and orange conidia were observed (Fig. 1 B). Conidia were transferred using a sterilized needle into sterile water, diluted to several conidia (approximately 10 conidia/µL) in the field of light microscope, and spread onto potato dextrose agar (PDA). After 24 h, single colonies were transferred, and six single-spore strain isolated from different fruits or locations were obtained. Six-day old colonies grown on PDA at 27°C had gray-green centers with white edges, and on the reverse side, the centers were brown (Fig. 1 C). Isolate PPGS2 was selected for further characterization. Conidia were unicellular, smooth-walled, hyaline, cylindrical with one rounded and one acute end, or with both ends rounded and they (n = 30) measured 11.1 to 16.0 µm (mean = 13.3 µm) × 3.0 to 4.6 µm (mean = 4.1) (Fig. 1 D). Appressoria were single or in smalln groups, light brown to dark brown, ovoid or elliptical with a smooth or undulate outline, and measured (n = 30) 4.6 to 8.7 µm (mean = 6.5 µm) × 4.0 to 5.6 µm (mean = 4.9 µm) (Fig. 1 H). These features of PPGS2 were consistent with species of the Colletotrichum acutatum species complex (Damm et al. 2012). For species identification, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), beta-tubulin (TUB), chitin synthase (CHS-1), calmodulin (CAL), and actin (ACT) genes were sequenced (O'Donnell et al. 2000; Weir et al. 2012). The five sequences were deposited in GenBank (OK054581, OK077960, OK077987, OK077988 and OK077989, respectively). A BLAST search of these sequences showed 99% identity with sequences of the ex-holotype C. scovillei CBS126529 (Damm et al. 2012). The evolutionary tree shown that PPGS2 and C. scovillei CBS126529 were clustered in a branch (SH-aLRT/approximate Bayes test/bootstrap support = 88.6/0.999/96). Combining morphological characteristics with phylogenetic analysis, PPGS2 was identified as C. scovillei. To fulfill Koch's postulates, E. japonica fruit were disinfected with 75% alcohol and air-dried for 5 mins to allow the alcohol to volatilize. A conidial suspension (10 mL of 1 × 106 conidia/ml) of PPGS2 was sprayed onto six fruits, and six fruit sprayed with sterilized water served as controls. The experiment was repeated three times. Fruits were kept on a mist bench at 27°C and 80% relative humidity for 5 days. Inoculated fruit developed dark brown necrotic lesions that later fused and expanded (Fig. 1, E-G), whereas control fruit remained symptomless. C. scovillei was re-isolated from lesions of inoculated fruit. C. scovillei has been reported from fruit of Capsicum sp., Musa sp., Mangifera indica, and Clausena lansium in China (Farr and Rossman 2021). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. scovillei causing anthracnose fruit rot of E. japonica in China. This disease results in severe economic losses both in the field and after harvest, and it is necessary to develop more effective prevention and control strategies.

Data-driven optimization design of a novel pressure hull for AUV

The design of the pressure hull, one of the most important components, has great significance for improving the performance of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). In this paper, a novel ring-stiffened arched cylindrical (RAC) hull is presented based on the traditional ring-stiffened cylindrical hull, which has the advantages of smooth outline, large compressibility, and small buoyancy factor. Then, a data-driven approach for efficiently designing the pressure hull with an irregular structure is proposed based on the finite element simulation, and its framework is introduced in detail. With the data-driven approach, the optimization design of the RAC structure for AUV is performed, which considers the effect of temperature variation on the deformation. The optimization results indicate that the mass of the pressure hull can be reduced by 10.3% by replacing the traditional ring-stiffened cylindrical hull with the RAC hull proposed in this paper. Finally, some pressure tests are carried out to verify the proposed approach, which is also appropriate for designing irregular structures in other engineering fields.

Physicochemical and functional properties of native starch from seeds of Pterocarpus santalinoides

In order to enhance the value of the seeds of P. santalinoides, consumed like peanut seeds by certain populations of Côte d'Ivoire, studies on a few physicochemical and functional properties have been carried out on the starch extracted from these seeds. Indeed, the humidity rate, the percentage of amylose and amylopectin as well as the non-carbohydrate composition (proteins, lipids, ash) were evaluated. In addition to these parameters, the shape and size of the grains, the water absorption capacity, the clarity, the swelling and solubility power as well as the percentage of syneresis were investigated at -15 and 4 °C for 4 weeks. The results obtained indicate that the starch grains exhibited spherical shapes for some and polyhedral shapes with a smooth outline for others. Also, the average starch grain diameter was 10.30 µm. The rate of amyloidosis was 27.40% and 65.01% for amylopectin. The low humidity rate (6.72%) observed gave the starch long-lasting preservation. The non-carbohydrate composition for its part gave 0.87%. In addition, the in vitro digestibility study revealed that the starch of P. santalinoides was digestible. The recorded water absorption capacity was 117.34% with a percentage clarity that ranged from 5.84 to 0.62% transmittance in four weeks. The swelling ranged from 1.33 at 50 °C to 19.22 ge / gms at 90 °C. In contrast, the solubility was 0.50 at 50 °C and then intensified to reach 20.14% at 90 °C. These values for swelling and solubility reflect a possible use of this starch in food technology. The syneresis study indicated a value of 59.41% for storage at -15 °C compared to 52.72% at 4 °C. This study, which revealed interesting properties of the native starch of the seeds of P. santalinoides, thus suggests some areas of use of these seeds.

DEVELOPMENT AND ANALYSIS OF CONTROL STRATEGY FOR BATTERY TO ENHANCE THE LIFE OF THE BATTERY WITH THE APPLICATION OF ULTRA CAPACITOR

The present scenario, in the automobile industries, due to the battery revolution in the vehicle, the need of the hour is most important today, the battery used in the vehicles and the life of the battery, which shows how efficient the battery used makes your vehicle. The main requirement of today's industrial era is the efficiency and safe operation of the battery system. To fulfil the requirements of battery conditions, a control strategy designed for the management of energy strategy. In this control strategy, a fuzzy logic controller used with a rate limiter and this strategy implemented on a storage system for hybrid energy with the use of the bidirectional multi-input converter. The strategy shows the performance of the battery with the smooth power outline; also standardize the state of charge of the ultracapacitor. The system analyzed experimentally by the hybridization of the battery-ultra capacitor with the enhancement of the life cycle of the battery.

Nonlinear dynamic topology optimization with explicit and smooth geometric outline via moving morphable components method

Nonlinear dynamic topology optimization with explicit and smooth geometric outline via moving morphable components method

One-year follow-up ultrasonographic study of the subchondral bone surface of the distal femoral epiphysis in children aged 9-11 years.

The aim of this study was to investigate the subchondral bone surface of the distal femoral epiphysis and monitor the morphologic changes on ultrasonography (US) in growing children. A total of 160 football players aged 9-11 years underwent ultrasonographic examination of both knees. The regularity of the subchondral bone surface of the femoral condyles was classified as grade 0 (smooth), 1 (focal semilunar depression or indentation) or 2 (broad irregularity). The relationship between age and frequency of irregularity was analyzed. Children with a grade 2 were referred for radiography and MRI to check for osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). All players underwent repeat examination 1 year later. On initial examination, 82/320 knees (25.6%) were categorized as grade 0, 237/320 (74.1%) as grade 1 and 1 (0.3%) as grade 2. Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of increasing age with decreased irregularity of subchondral bone in the lateral and medial condyles (P = 0.019 and P < 0.001 for trend, respectively). One year later, logistic regression analysis showed that increasing age was significantly associated with decreased appearance of subchondral bone irregularity in the medial condyle (P = 0.005 for trend) and a greater likelihood of disappearance of irregularity in both condyles (P < 0.001 for trend). Of five knees classified as grade 2, four had evidence of OCD on radiography and MRI. Subchondral bone surface irregularity of the distal femoral epiphysis was more common on US in growing children aged 9-11 years, and transition from an irregular to a smooth outline accelerated after age 10 years. US is a reliable method for assessing the morphology of the distal femoral epiphysis and could be a useful screening tool for detecting OCD.

A Rare Case of Infantile Hemangioma Requiring Ear Reconstruction

A Rare Case of Infantile Hemangioma Requiring Ear Reconstruction

Analysis of diagnosis and treatment of 100 patients with Hürthle cell adenoma

Objective To summarize and analyze the clinical data and prognosis of the patients with Hurthle cell tumor (HCT) in order to raise the clinicians' awareness of the disease. Methods The clinical data on patients with histopathologically proven HCT, without other thyroid carcinomas, were collected retrospectively in Peking University First Hospital from January 2001 to February 2017. All the patients underwent surgery due to thyroid nodules. The follow-up information was also collected. Results A total of 100 patients were enrolled in the current study. All of them were diagnosed with Hurthle cell adenoma (HCA). There were 77 females and 23 males, with the male-to-female ratio of 1 : 3.3. The average age of these patients was (52±14) years at the time of operation. Fifty-one patients were found their thyroid nodules accidentally by ultrasonography during their health check-ups. 69.4% of the 49 symptomatic patients presented with painless cervical nodules. 83.0% HCA patients were combined with multinodular goiters (MNGs). 88.4% (76/86) patients were euthyroid and 53.8% (21/39) had increasing thyroglobulin levels. The mean longest diameter of HCAs was (3.2±1.5) cm (range: 0.9-7.3 cm) on ultrasonography. There were a series of sonographic features of HCA, such as larger, solidity, hypoecho, a smooth outline, intranodular vascularization, perinodular vascularization, absence of calcification in nodules and absence of enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Compared with the histological diagnosis, the diagnostic accuracy by frozen section (FS) during operation was 97.4%. Twenty-nine patients were followed up with an average period of (49.2±22.1) months and none of them had local recurrence or cervical lymph node metastasis. Six patients accepted thyroid hormone replacement treatment and one had thyrotoxicosis due to over-dose. Conclusion HCA is more common in women. It is often found accidentally by ultrasonography during their health check-ups or presented with painless cervical nodules. It is combined with MNG frequently. HCA exhibits numerous sonographic features but not unique. FS during operation is a reliable method to identify HCA with high diagnostic accuracy. Patients with thyroid hormone administration should be monitored for thyroid function after thyroid surgery.

Topical application of nanoparticles integrated supramolecular hydrogels for the potential treatment of seborrhoeic dermatitis

The current application was aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of selenium and ketoconazole nanoparticles loaded hyaluronic acid gel against seborrhoeic dermatitis (SD). Amalgamation of ketoconazole (antifungal medication) and selenium (pro-oxidant) in an optimized formulation setting may help in the treatment of SD. In this study, selenium and ketoconazole nanoparticles loaded hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel was prepared by mechanical mixing followed by sonication. Results of the optimized batch showed a mean particle size of 121 ± 12 nm for ketoconazole and 51 ± 7 nm for selenium. SEM and TEM study revealed the prepared nanoparticles are of nanoscale dimension, with smooth spherical outline. Finally, the optimized nanoparticles were incorporated into HA hydrogel. Hydrogel exhibits desirable physical, mechanical and rheological characteristics appropriate for topical application. Optimized gel formulation exhibited an enhanced permeability with better antifungal, and anti-inflammatory activities, compared with the plain drug suspension. The optimized hydrogel with ketoconazole and selenium in nanotemplate could offer a potential strategy for the treatment of SD.

EFFECT OF FLUOXETINE ON THE STRUCTURE OF ALVEOLAR BONE IN RATS WITH DEPRESSION

INTRODUCTION: Depression is one of the most prevalent psychological disorders. It affects all body systems including endocrinal,neurological and immune system. Additionally, it is thought to affect bone homeostasis. Antidepressants are the most commonly prescribeddrugs. They are classified into tricyclic and tetra cyclic antidepressants (TCAs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and selectiveserotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Fluoxetine, which is a selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor, is used for the treatment of depression byselectively acting on serotonin (5-HT). Fluoxetine plays a major role in bone apposition and in maintaining the bone homeostasis.OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (fluoxetine) on the structure of alveolar bone in rats withinduced depression.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty adult male rats were divided as follows: Group I: (control group) which consists of 10 rats, Group II: (depression group) 10 rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to induce depression, Group III: (fluoxetine group) 10 ratswere exposed to chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) to induce depression and at the same time they were orally supplied with 10 mg/kg/day offluoxetine. After 3 months, the mandibles were dissected out and prepared for histological analysis using light microscope, scanning electronmicroscope (SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis (EDX).RESULTS: In the control group, the alveolar bone surface showed a regular and smooth outline. In the depression group, there was a significantdisturbance in the bone architecture. The bone surface showed an irregular outline with multiple osteoclasts lying in How ship's lacunae. Deeplystained incremental lines were also evident. In the fluoxetine group, the bone surface restored its regular outline with multiple osteoblasts andosteocytes. The bone showed incremental lines indicating bone formation.CONCLUSIONS: Depression can lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Fluoxetine is an effective drug in enhancing the bone condition andrestoring the normal architecture of the alveolar bone.

Forecast of short-term wind power based on a novel hybrid method

Short-term wind power forecasting plays an important role in power generation, because it prevents the power system operation from its uncertain and intermittent nature. This article proposes a novel method for short-term wind power forecasting, which combines the wavelet transform, particle swarm optimization dynamic gray model and Lyapunov exponent prediction method. First, the approach decomposes the wind power curve into the high-frequency and low-frequency curves by wavelet transform, which represent the detail and tendency signals, respectively. Then, we use the proposed particle swarm optimization dynamic gray model to forecast the low-frequency curve with its smooth and periodic outline. Moreover, Lyapunov exponent prediction method is used to predict high-frequency curves, which possess the chaos characteristics. Finally, we obtain the wind power forecasting result from the combination of the predicted low and high frequencies. The experiment of four seasons in an US wind farm validates that the proposed method is effective in solving the short-term wind power forecasting problem. The obtained results, discussed comprehensively, show that the hybrid method has better prediction accuracy than the other methods, such as artificial neural network, persistence, and autoregressive integrated moving average model, with the lowest average mean absolute percentage error is 8.07% and the average root mean square error is 0.8164 over four seasons.

Evaluating the performance of convolutional neural networks with direct acyclic graph architectures in automatic segmentation of breast lesion in US images

BackgroundOutlining lesion contours in Ultra Sound (US) breast images is an important step in breast cancer diagnosis. Malignant lesions infiltrate the surrounding tissue, generating irregular contours, with spiculation and angulated margins, whereas benign lesions produce contours with a smooth outline and elliptical shape. In breast imaging, the majority of the existing publications in the literature focus on using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for segmentation and classification of lesions in mammographic images. In this study our main objective is to assess the ability of CNNs in detecting contour irregularities in breast lesions in US images.MethodsIn this study we compare the performance of two CNNs with Direct Acyclic Graph (DAG) architecture and one CNN with a series architecture for breast lesion segmentation in US images. DAG and series architectures are both feedforward networks. The difference is that a DAG architecture could have more than one path between the first layer and end layer, whereas a series architecture has only one path from the beginning layer to the end layer. The CNN architectures were evaluated with two datasets.ResultsWith the more complex DAG architecture, the following mean values were obtained for the metrics used to evaluate the segmented contours: global accuracy: 0.956; IOU: 0.876; F measure: 68.77%; Dice coefficient: 0.892.ConclusionThe CNN DAG architecture shows the best metric values used for quantitatively evaluating the segmented contours compared with the gold-standard contours. The segmented contours obtained with this architecture also have more details and irregularities, like the gold-standard contours.