Cone-beam reconstruction for Micro-CT
X-ray micro-CT has been a focus in the CT/Micro-CT Lab, the University of Iowa. In this paper, some recent progress we made on cone-beam micro-CT is described. First, we address approximation reconstruction using Feldkamp-type algorithms with multiple X-ray sources and displaced detector configurations. Then, we explain three types of artifacts associated with exact reconstruction in the Grangeat framework. Finally, we report the convergence of a generalized block-iterative Landweber scheme. Representative images from simulation and experiments are also given.

title: Convergence of the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART)
abstract: In 1984, the simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) was developed as a major refinement of the algebraic construction technique (ART). Since then, the SART approach remains a powerful tool for iterative image reconstruction. However, the convergence of the SART has never been established. This long-standing conjecture is proven under the condition that coefficients of the linear imaging system are non-negative. It is shown that from any initial value the sequence generated by the SART converges to a weighted least square solution. The importance of the SART and several relevant issues are also discussed.

title: Convergence of iterative algorithms for image reconstruction
abstract: We introduce a general iterative scheme for image reconstruction based on Landweber's method. Within our configuration, the block-iterative (BI) version can be formulated from its simultaneous version easily, and vice versa. This provides the mechanism to formulate new algorithms from known algorithms. It can be shown that some of the widely used iterative algorithms, such as the ART, SART, Cimmino's Algorithm and recently designed DWE and CAV, are special examples of the general scheme or its BI version. By applying the convergence results of the general scheme, the corresponding convergence in the consistent or inconsistent cases, for the block-iterative or simultaneous versions, of those specific algorithms can be established under mild conditions on the relaxation parameters.

title: Blind deblurring of spiral CT images
abstract: To discriminate fine anatomical features in the inner ear, it has been desirable that spiral computed tomography (CT) may perform beyond their current resolution limits with the aid of digital image processing techniques. In this paper, we develop a blind deblurring approach to enhance image resolution retrospectively without complete knowledge of the underlying point spread function (PSF). An oblique CT image can be approximated as the convolution of an isotropic Gaussian PSF and the actual cross section. Practically, the parameter of the PSF is often unavailable. Hence, estimation of the parameter for the underlying PSF is crucially important for blind image deblurring. Based on the iterative deblurring theory, we formulate an edge-to-noise ratio (ENR) to characterize the image quality change due to deblurring. Our blind deblurring algorithm estimates the parameter of the PSF by maximizing the ENR, and deblurs images. In the phantom studies, the blind deblurring algorithm reduces image blurring by about 24%, according to our blurring residual measure. Also, the blind deblurring algorithm works well in patient studies. After fully automatic blind deblurring, the conspicuity of the submillimeter features of the cochlea is substantially improved.

title: Global Exponential Stability of Cohen-Grossberg Neural Networks with Time-Varying Delays and Continuously Distributed Delays
abstract: In this paper, we investigate the global exponential stability for a class of Cohen-Grossberg neural networks (CGNN) with time-varying delays and continuously distributed delays. CGNN herein is a general neural networks model which includes some well-known neural networks as its special cases. Firstly, applying the homeomorphism theory, we establish the new sufficient condition of existence and uniqueness of the equilibrium point to CGNN. Then, the sufficient criteria of global exponential stability of CGNN, which are easy to verify, are given by M-matrix. Our results imply and generalize some existed ones in previous literature. Furthermore, it is convenient to estimate the exponential convergence rates of the neural networks by using the criteria. Compared with the previous methods, our method does not resort to any Lyapunov functions or functionals. Finally, a example is given to illustrate the effective of our results.

title: Updating Views Over Recursive XML
abstract: We study the problem of updating XML views defined over XML documents. A view update is performed by finding the base updates over the underlying data sources that achieve the desired view update. If such base updates do not exist, the view update is said to be untranslatable and rejected. In SQL, determining whether a view update is translatable is performed using schema level analysis, where the view definition and the base schema are used. XML schemas are more complex than SQL schemas, and can specify recursive types and cardinality constraints. In this paper, we propose a solution based on schema level analysis for determining whether an update over XML views is translatable and for finding the translation if one exists, while considering the features of XML schemas.

title: Feature Mining Paradigms for Scientific Data
abstract: Numerical simulation is replacing experimentation as a means to gain insight into complex physical phenomena. Analyzing the data produced by such simulations is extremely challenging, given the enormous sizes of the datasets involved. In order to make efficient progress, analyzing such data must advance from current techniques that only visualize static images of the data, to novel techniques that can mine, track, and visualize the important features in the data. In this paper, we present our research on a unified framework that addresses this critical challenge in two science domains: computational fluid dynamics and molecular dynamics. We offer a systematic approach to detect the significant features in both domains, characterize and track them, and formulate hypotheses with regard to their complex evolution. Our framework includes two paradigms for feature mining, and the choice of one over the other, for a given application, can be determined based on local or global influence of relevant features in the data.

title: Quantitative steganalysis of binary images
abstract: We propose a quantitative steganalysis method to detect hidden information embedded by flipping pixels along boundaries in binary images. We model steganographic embedding as an additive noise process and use compression rate as a distinguishing statistic that aids in discriminating between stego-images and cover-images. We specifically use the JBIG 2 binary image compression algorithm to derive a quantitative relation between compression rate and embedding rate. Based on this relationship, a practical steganalysis technique is proposed by examining the change of compression rate as embedding rate increases. Experiments conducted show that the proposed technique can reliably detect a steganographic embedding process that flips boundary pixels. Furthermore, it can estimate embedding rate with reasonable accuracy.

title: Positive Periodic Solutions of Nonautonomous Lotka-Volterra Dispersal System with Delays
abstract: In this paper, a general class of nonautonomous Lotka-Volterra dispersal system with discrete and continuous infinite delays is investigated. This class of Lotka-Volterra systems model the diffusion of a single species into n patches by discrete dispersal. By using Schauder's fixed point theorem, we prove the existence of positive periodic solutions of system. The global asymptotical stability of positive periodic solution is discussed and the sufficient conditions for exponential stability are also given. we give an example to illustrate the validity of the results in the end. The conditions we obtained are more general and it can be extended to several special systems.