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This paper proposes a novel approach to initial lesion detection in ultrasound breast images. The objective is to automate the manual process of region of interest (ROI) labeling in computer‐aided diagnosis (CAD). We propose the use of hybrid filtering, multifractal processing, and thresholding segmentation in initial lesion detection and automated ROI labeling. We used 360 ultrasound breast images to evaluate the performance of the proposed approach. Images were preprocessed using histogram equalization before hybrid filtering and multifractal analysis were conducted. Subsequently, thresholding segmentation was applied on the image. Finally, the initial lesions are detected using a rule‐based approach. The accuracy of the automated ROI labeling was measured as an overlap of 0.4 with the lesion outline as compared with lesions labeled by an expert radiologist. We compared the performance of the proposed method with that of three state‐of‐the‐art methods, namely, the radial gradient index filtering technique, the local mean technique, and the fractal dimension technique. We conclude that the proposed method is more accurate and performs more effectively than do the benchmark algorithms considered.PACS numbers: 87.57.Nk

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Asset management is a process of identification, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of physical assets (Wenzler, 2005). An asset-centric approach is vital for the success of an asset intensive organisation as the effective management of assets is a major determinant of organisational success. One key issue in asset information management is the availability of information at the right time, in the right format, before the right person, against the right query, and at the right level. This paper provides a comprehensive and in-depth critical analysis from literature which fulfils an identified need of fusing asset information for predictive maintenance so that decision making can be improved. The critical literature review included also highlights the need for an expert system which integrates reliable information with effective decision-support, under the umbrella of Asset Management. Various elements of asset management were critically reviewed, highlighting the need for more robust Predictive maintenance management for assets. We argue that this is best achieved by a system that, in particular, incorporates Expert System to enhance the quality of predictive maintenance through accurate decision analysis. In addition, it should have fuzzy logic reasoning ability that assists in the decision-making process. Our analysis leads us to propose that Expert System when combined with fuzzy logic provides a better way of decision making in predictive maintenance management of assets.

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