This paper describes the data processing scheme for the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) array developed for the mullti-sensor mine detection system DEMAND. The GPR sensor make use of a densely sampled array able to supply data suitable for Three Dimensional (3D) focusing and for the evaluation of the full polarization matrix. A processing scheme based on a low threshold approach followed by feature extraction will be described. Such scheme uses 3D focalization, geometrical features and polarimetric ones to both maximize probability detection and reduce false alarm rate. The results will be illustrated using data from tests carried out in a realistic site in Sarajevo (Bosnia- Herzegovina)

The Ground Penetrating Radar inspection of road pavement is actually becoming a standard technique for monitoring and maintenance programming. The evaluation of pavement layer thickness is the most common application. Electronic problems rises in thin layer detection and in layer tracking. The first one is mostly related to the resolution of low frequencies signals. Otherwise the second one is related to the algorithm capability in signal processing. This is the reason why a pavement expert advisor is usually required. By the way, the layer thickness evaluation is strategic for the road pavement rehabilitation programming. The automatic evaluation of layer thickness is crucially strategic in order to reduce the duration of radar road inspection and to improve the reliability of the pavement status diagnosis. New software is here theoretically discussed and experimentally validated. In this work the outcomes of on road surveys are shown. The statistically based analysis of the automatic evaluation of layer thickness suggests promising application of the algorithm.

We report a case of aortocaval fistula demonstrated with gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Specific radiographic features of this rare complication, such as early and intense enhancement of the inferior vena cava, are underlined with MR imaging. The exact location of the fistula can also be assessed with this noninvasive imaging technique. Moreover, the absence of iodinated contrast media makes it particularly suited for stable patients with renal insufficiency. A complete preoperative assessment of abdominal aortic aneurysm can be performed with MR imaging.

The authors consider the problem of motion compensation in the inverse synthetic aperture radar (ISAR) imaging technique. A novel autofocusing technique based on maximum-likelihood (ML) estimation of the focusing parameters is proposed. The likelihood function is computed by using as observed data samples of the instantaneous frequency (IF) of the received signal. A statistical analysis of the IF is performed, both to determine the likelihood function and to define a criterion for the choice of IF samples to be processed. The effectiveness of the autofocusing algorithm is shown by presenting and discussing some simulation results.

We examined 166 patients with advanced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treated with long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in order to evaluate the prognostic factors of such patients. The mean observation period was 24 months (range 2-50 months) and the following variables were considered: age, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), arterial oxygen tension (PaO2), arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO2), hematocrit, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP; evaluated by Doppler echocardiography), number of hospitalizations in the 2 years prior to prescription of LTOT and body mass index. The overall survival rate was 78.3% at 24 months and 67.1% at 36 months. A univariate analysis identified three variables as significant predictors of survival: FEV1, PaO2 and RVSP. A multivariate analysis, using Cox's model, showed an independent predictive power for RVSP, age and FEV1. RVSP higher than 35 mm Hg, age greater than 70 years and FEV1 lower than 30% of the predicted value were associated with shortened survival. The importance of pulmonary hypertension as a predictor of death suggests that LTOT could be prescribed earlier for COPD patients with cor pulmonale, as oxygen has been shown to be the only effective therapy for improving the survival probability of these patients.

Abmact-This paper describes the data processing scheme for the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) array developed for the mullti-sensor mine detection system DEMAND. The GPR sensor make use of a densely sampled array able to supply data suitable for Three Dimensional (3D) focusing and for the evaluation of the full polarization matrix. A processing scheme based on a low threshold approach followed by feature extraction will be described. Such scheme uses 3D focalization, geometrical features and polarimetric ones to both maximize probability detection and reduce false alarm rate. The results will be illustrated using data from tests carried out in a realistic site in Sarajevo (BosniaHerzegovina). Radar processing; Focalization; Polarimetry; Mine detection; Groivnd Penetrating Radar.