Learning to Detect Cracks on Damaged Concrete Surfaces Using Two-Branched Convolutional Neural Network.

Image sensors are widely used for detecting cracks on concrete surfaces to help proactive and timely management of concrete structures. However, it is a challenging task to reliably detect cracks on damaged surfaces in the real world due to noise and undesired artifacts. In this paper, we propose an autonomous crack detection algorithm based on convolutional neural network (CNN) to solve the problem. To this aim, the proposed algorithm uses a two-branched CNN architecture, consisting of sub-networks named a crack-component-aware (CCA) network and a crack-region-aware (CRA) network. The CCA network is to learn gradient component regarding cracks, and the CRA network is to learn a region-of-interest by distinguishing critical cracks and noise such as scratches. Specifically, the two sub-networks are built on convolution-deconvolution CNN architectures, but also they are comprised of different functional components to achieve their own goals efficiently. The two sub-networks are trained in an end-to-end to jointly optimize parameters and produce the final output of localizing important cracks. Various crack image samples and learning methods are used for efficiently training the proposed network. In the experimental results, the proposed algorithm provides better performance in the crack detection than the conventional algorithms.

Massive hemoperitoneum with splenic infarction in Evans syndrome.

Evans syndrome is a very rare hematologic autoimmune disease, characterized by a direct Coombs' positive hemolytic anemia and immune thrombocytopenic purpura without a known underlying etiology. The clinical course is generally chronic with frequent relapses and remissions. Evans syndrome usually is complicated by hemolytic or thrombocytopenic symptoms. This is seldom associated with thrombosis or infarction. Reported here is a case with massive hemoperitoneum because of splenic infarction with rupture, in an 18-month-old male patient with Evans syndrome, and the embolization of splenic artery. This article also carries clinical and imaging features and the review of medical literature.

Rapidly growing bilateral pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia of the breast.

A tumoral pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH) that causes huge breast enlargement is very rare. Only two cases of huge tumoral PASHs have been reported in the English medical literature. We report here on a surgically confirmed case of bilateral huge tumoral PASH in a 47-year-old woman, and we present the imaging and histopathology findings. We also review the relevant medical literature.