Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology - Volume 18, issue 4

Authors: Brunetti, A. | Bailo, D. | Albertini, V. Rossi

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Accurate and precise estimates of X-Ray diffraction peak parameters is mandatory, when small dynamic changes of lattice parameters have to be quantitatively analyzed. To follow in real time such changes, a large set of patterns must be usually collected, so that the position of certain peaks of interest can be tracked. To calculate the positions, a fitting procedure of the peaks is required and several algorithms are reported in the literature for this purpose. However, these …algorithms are mainly focused on the determination of parameters based on a model of the cell geometry. Here, we present a new algorithm allowing to carry out the fitting procedure on a portion only of the pattern, with neither tight constraints on the dataset, nor restrictive hypotheses on the sample structure. In our case, a coarse estimate of the detector resolution and of the positions of the peaks to fit are the only initial conditions required. This method can be regarded as a hybrid technique, as it makes use of a genetic algorithm approach, mixed with an intensive multiple random generation of the population, that makes it similar to a Monte Carlo technique. Moreover, adaptive genetic operators have been implemented in the data processing code. These properties result in a fast and efficient algorithm, a fundamental requirement when, as in the present case, the Energy Dispersive X-ray Diffraction method is applied to observe structural changes, which implies the acquisition of many patterns in a relatively short time. The result of this application is shown by some practical examples. Show more

Keywords: GA, EDXRD, fit, background

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0264

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 339-352, 2010

Authors: Zeng, Li | Zou, Xiaobing

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: This paper is about inspecting large and long object using dual helical cone-beam computed tomography (CT) and Katsevich-type reconstruction algorithm. Conventional cone-beam helical industrial CT imaging is based on the assumption that the entire cross-section of an object is illuminated with x-rays at each view angle. The field of view is limited by the width of planar detector. As an alternative, this paper developed a dual-helical scanning. When scanning at each helix, part of cross-section …is covered by x-ray at each view angle. During reconstruction, Katsevich-type algorithm is applied, which does not rebin projection data. The algorithm is approximate, as it applies Hilbert transform on truncated projection. The reconstruction result is better than extended FDK algorithm, especially for large helical pitch. Show more

Keywords: Industrial CT, cone beam, dual helical scanning, Katsevich-type algorithm

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0266

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 353-367, 2010

Authors: Li, Xiezhang | Zhu, Jiehua

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The amalgamated projection method for convex feasibility and optimization problems has recently been proposed and the stable convergence under summable perturbations has been derived. As an application in computerized tomography (CT), the accuracy and the rate of convergence of the cyclic projection method and Cimmino algorithm incorporated with total variation minimization under certain conditions are significantly improved based on the theory of compressed sensing. In this paper, a varying block cyclic projection …method and a block Cimmino's algorithm in the compressed sensing framework are proposed and their convergence are derived with an application of the convergence theorem of the amalgamated projection methods. An example is given to illustrate the convergence behavior of new algorithms. Show more

Keywords: Computerized tomography (CT), compressed sensing, total variation, amalgamated projection methods, block cyclic projection method, block Cimmino's algorithm

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0267

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 369-379, 2010

Authors: Yang, Xiaoquan | Meng, Yuanzheng | Luo, Qingming | Gong, Hui

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: A high-resolution in vivo micro-CT system for combining with fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT), was constructed and applied in small animal imaging. The fast scanning micro-CT system designed to provide high-resolution anatomic information and reconstruction priors, consisted of a flat panel detector (FPD) based on amorphous silicon (a-Si) and a micro-focus x-ray tube. The Feldkamp algorithm was adopted in image reconstruction with graphic processing unit (GPU). The system spatial resolution of 13 lp/mm …was achieved when the diameter of image field was 6 cm with the system magnification factor of 4. No obvious beam hardening artifact was observed in transaxial image of a water phantom after correction. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) study of various tissue phantoms was also presented. The in-vivo imaging of an anesthetic mouse was performed to demonstrate the feasibility of our system. Show more

Keywords: Micro-CT, amorphous silicon, small animal imaging

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0269

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 381-392, 2010

Authors: De La Fuente Herman, Tania | Ahmad, Salahuddin | Vlachaki, Maria T.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Treatment of glioblastoma results in a median survival of 12 months. Radiation dose escalation trials for high grade gliomas have resulted in modest improvements in survival in selected patients with small peripheral tumors at the expense of normal brain toxicity. Neurotoxicity includes radiation necrosis but it is increasingly recognized that long-term survivors may develop neuro-cognitive deficits. Tumor control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) are radiobiological models used to predict …treatment outcomes. This study assesses the impact of radiation dose escalation from 59.6 Gy to 90 Gy on TCP and NTCP in ten patients planned with Three Dimensional Conformal Therapy (3DCRT) and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT). No difference in TCP was observed between 3DCRT and IMRT at doses of 59.4 Gy and 90 Gy. However, dose escalation to 90 Gy resulted in about 25% relative TCP increase. Compared to 3DCRT, dose escalation with IMRT significantly reduced NTCP by 70% (10.75% v. 3.75%, respectively). As a result, highly conformal techniques are recommended to obviate radiation exposure of normal brain especially when radiation dose escalation is used. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying neurotoxicity will allow the development of more precise radiobiological predictive models and of approaches to prevent or treat radiation-induced brain damage. Show more

Keywords: High grade glioma, dose escalation, radiobiological modeling

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0270

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 393-402, 2010

Authors: Wang, Jing | Xing, Lei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The presence of metals in patients causes streaking artifacts in X-ray CT and has been recognized as a problem that limits various applications of CT imaging. Accurate localization of metals in CT images is a critical step for metal artifacts reduction in CT imaging and many practical applications of CT images. The purpose of this work is to develop a method of auto-determination of the shape and location of metallic object(s) in the image space. The …proposed method is based on the fact that when a metal object is present in a patient, a CT image can be divided into two prominent components: high density metal and low density normal tissues. This prior knowledge is incorporated into an objective function as the regularization term whose role is to encourage the solution to take a form of two intensity levels. A computer simulation study and four experimental studies are performed to evaluate the proposed approach. Both simulation and experimental studies show that the presented algorithm works well even in the presence of complicated shaped metal objects. For a hexagonally shaped metal embedded in a water phantom, for example, it is found that the accuracy of metal reconstruction is within sub-millimeter. Show more

Keywords: Computed tomography, metal artifacts, gradient-controlled penalty, and iterative image reconstruction

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0271

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 403-414, 2010

Authors: Xiao, Jiaying | Yuan, Zhen | He, Jishan | Jiang, Huabei

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: We describe a reconstruction method that allows direct recovery of tissue chromophore concentrations and acoustic velocity using tomographic multi-spectral photoacoustic measurements. The method is tested in detail using extensive simulated data. Criteria for choosing optimum wavelength sets are analyzed for simultaneous reconstruction of tissue functional and acoustic properties.

Keywords: Photoacoustic tomography, multispectral photoacoustic imaging, osteoarthritis, finger joints, inverse problem, image reconstruction techniques

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0272

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 415-427, 2010

Authors: Rack, A. | Garcia-Moreno, F. | Schmitt, C. | Betz, O. | Cecilia, A. | Ershov, A. | Rack, T. | Banhart, J. | Zabler, S.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Time-resolved imaging with penetrating radiation has an outstanding scientific value but its realisation requires a high density of photons as well as corresponding fast X-ray image detection schemes. Bending magnets and insertion devices of third generation synchrotron light sources offer a polychromatic photon flux density which is high enough to perform hard X-ray imaging with a spatio-temporal resolution up to the μm-μs range. Existing indirect X-ray image detectors commonly used at synchrotron …light sources can be adapted for fast image acquisition by employing CMOS-based digital high speed cameras already available on the market. Selected applications from life sciences and materials research underline the high potential of this high-speed hard X-ray microimaging approach. Show more

Keywords: Synchrotron radiation, X-ray imaging, radioscopy, CMOS, cineradiography, microtomography, scintillator, X-ray phase contrast, X-ray detector, real time experiment, digital radiography

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0273

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 429-441, 2010

Authors: Liu, Su-Wen | Li, Jia-Min | Chang, Joe-Yujiao | Yu, Jin-Ming | Chen, Qing | Jiang, Qian-An | Mu, Xiang-Kui | Zhao, Mei-Hong | Tian, Ying | Wei, Qing-Long

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background and purpose: A comparative treatment planning study was undertaken between proton beam therapy (PBT) and intensity-modulated x-ray therapy (IMXT) for patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), to assess the potential benefits and limitations of the two treatment modalities. Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed seven patients with recurrent NPC treated at our proton center with PBT from 2004 to 2007. Eclipse proton treatment planning system and Eclipse inverse treatment planning system for IMXT were …employed. For each patient, the IMXT plan was optimized with nine evenly spaced coplanar fields. Three coplanar beams and passive scattering mode were used for PBT. The dose prescription in cobalt Gray equivalent (CGE) for gross tumor volume (GTV) was 66CGE and for planning target volume (PTV), 62.7CGE. Dose-volume histograms (DVH) were used to evaluate the difference in dosimetric distributions for the target volume and the organs at risk (OARs). Results: Optimal target volume coverage and similar target conformation were achieved in both PBT and IMXT. Median conformity index was 0.72 and 0.75 (p=0.15) and median inhomogeneity coefficient was 0.14 and 0.10 (p=0.08) for PBT and IMXT, respectively. Dose to OARs was significantly lower in PBT plans than IMXT. Median maximal dose to the brainstem was 27.89CGE(cobalt Gray equivalent) and 42.45Gy (p< 0.01), and the dose to 5% of the brainstem(D5) was 12.83CGE and 19.47Gy (p< 0.001 ), for PBT and IMXT, respectively. Median maximal dose to the spinal cord was 8.38CGE and 22.91Gy (p< 0.004), and the dose to 5% of the spinal cord was 2.18CGE and 13.62Gy (p< 0.001), for PBT and IMXT, respectively. Conclusions: The use of PBT, when compared with IMXT, resulted in similar levels of tumor conformation. PBT, however, exposed the OARs to a significantly lower dose, effectively sparing the brainstem, spinal cord, optic nerve and chiasm, temporal lobes and parotid glands. The superior dose distributions possible with PBT should translate into reduced morbidity and improved quality of life. Show more

Keywords: Recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma, proton beam therapy, intensity-modulated x-ray therapy, comparative treatment planning, conformity index, inhomogeneous coefficient

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0265

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 443-450, 2010

Authors: Dierick, M. | Van Loo, D. | Masschaele, B. | Boone, M. | Van Hoorebeke, L.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: UGCT, the Centre for X-ray tomography at Ghent University (Belgium) does research on X-ray tomography and its applications. This includes the development and construction of state-of-the-art CT scanners for scientific research. Because these scanners are built for very different purposes they differ considerably in their physical implementations. However, they all share common principle functionality. In this context a generic software platform was developed using LabVIEW® in order to provide the same interface and …functionality on all scanners. This article describes the concept and features of this software, and its potential for tomography in a research setting. The core concept is to rigorously separate the abstract operation of a CT scanner from its actual physical configuration. This separation is achieved by implementing a sender-listener architecture. The advantages are that the resulting software platform is generic, scalable, highly efficient, easy to develop and to extend, and that it can be deployed on future scanners with minimal effort. Show more

Keywords: X-ray tomography, software, LabVIEW

DOI: 10.3233/XST-2010-0268

Citation: Journal of X-Ray Science and Technology, vol. 18, no. 4, pp. 451-461, 2010