Non-destructive dendrochronology with X-ray computed tomography: The influence of different conservation methods for waterlogged archaeological wood

In this study, the influence of different conservation methods for waterlogged archaeological wood (WAW) on non-destructive dendrochronological dating by micro-computed tomography (µCT) was evaluated. For this purpose, samples of different wood species were conserved using the following methods: alcohol-ether-resin, Kauramin 800®, lactitol/trehalose, saccharose, silicone oil and different polyethylene glycol (PEG) treatments with subsequent freeze-drying. The tree ring measurements of all samples in the digital µCT data were compared with the measurements on an analog linear measuring table in terms of the total number of rings per sample and the mean ring width. The year-to-year ring width measurements in the µCT data agreed very well overall with the corresponding microscopic measurements. It was possible to detect the rings in the samples with µCT in all cases. A dendrochronological cross dating with regional absolutely dated ring width chronologies was successful in two cases. However, the different influence of the conservation agents on the quality of the µCT data was clearly visible. In order to assess this influence, the contrast in the µCT data was determined using grey-scale profiles. A decrease in contrast in the µCT data was detectable for all conservation agents. A particular strong influence is observed for the conservation methods using silicone oil, lactitol/trehalose, PEG and saccharose. Overall, the study performed confirms that µCT is a powerful and accurate method for non-destructive dendrochronology of conserved archaeological objects.     

Dependency of prescribed CT dose on table height,patient size,and localizer acquisition for one clinical MDCT

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to quantify the effect that table height, patient size, and localizer acquisition order may have on AEC prescribed dose.Method and materialsThree phantoms were used for this study: the Mercury Phantom, acrylic sheets, and an anthropomorphic phantom. A lateral (LAT) and a posterior-anterior (PA) localizer was acquired for each phantom at different table heights on a MDCT scanner (GE Discovery CT750 HD). AEC scan acquisitions were prescribed for each combination of phantom, localizer orientation, and table height ±4 cm with the center position; the displayed CTDI_vol was recorded. Based on the institutional dose monitoring program, the relationship between change in CTDI_vol and change in table height were studied for LAT and AP localizers for clinical exams.ResultsFor all phantom scans based on the PA localizer, the percent change in ranged between −18% and 42% for table heights 4 cm below and above proper centering; while for the LAT localizer, the percent change in CTDI_vol from ideal were no greater than 12% different for ±4 cm differences in table height. Change in CTDI_vol and change in table height displayed a strong linear relationship for AP localizer exams (P = 0.002), and weak correlation for LAT localizer exams (P = 0.12).ConclusionsSince uncertainty in vertical patient positioning is inherently greater than lateral positioning, the LAT localizer should be utilized to precisely and reproducibly deliver the intended amount of radiation prescribed by CT protocols.     

Adaptive bolus chasing computed tomography angiography: Control scheme and experimental results

In this paper, a new adaptive bolus-chasing control scheme is proposed to synchronize the bolus peak in a patient's vascular system and the imaging aperture of a computed tomography (CT) scanner. The proposed control scheme is theoretically evaluated and experimentally tested on a modified Siemens SOMATOM Volume Zoom CT scanner. The first set of experimental results is reported on bolus-chasing CT angiography using realistic bolus dynamics, real-time CT imaging and adaptive table control with physical vasculature phantoms. The data demonstrate that the proposed control approach tracks the bolus propagation well, and clearly outperforms the constant-speed scheme that is the current clinical standard.     

Iterative reconstruction methods in X-ray CT

Iterative reconstruction (IR) methods have recently re-emerged in transmission x-ray computed tomography (CT). They were successfully used in the early years of CT, but given up when the amount of measured data increased because of the higher computational demands of IR compared to analytical methods. The availability of large computational capacities in normal workstations and the ongoing efforts towards lower doses in CT have changed the situation; IR has become a hot topic for all major vendors of clinical CT systems in the past 5 years.This review strives to provide information on IR methods and aims at interested physicists and physicians already active in the field of CT. We give an overview on the terminology used and an introduction to the most important algorithmic concepts including references for further reading. As a practical example, details on a model-based iterative reconstruction algorithm implemented on a modern graphics adapter (GPU) are presented, followed by application examples for several dedicated CT scanners in order to demonstrate the performance and potential of iterative reconstruction methods. Finally, some general thoughts regarding the advantages and disadvantages of IR methods as well as open points for research in this field are discussed.     

Principles and applications of dual source CT

This article describes the technical principles and clinical applications of dual source CT. A dual source CT (DSCT) is a CT system with two x-ray tubes and two detectors at an angle of approximately 90°. Both measurement systems acquire CT scan data simultaneously at the same anatomical level of the patient (same z-position). DSCT provides temporal resolution of approximately a quarter of the gantry rotation time for cardiac, cardio-thoracic and pediatric imaging. Successful imaging of the heart and the coronary arteries at high and variable heart rates has been demonstrated. DSCT systems can be operated at twice the spiral pitch of single source CT systems (up to pitch 3.2). The resulting high table speed is beneficial for pediatric applications and fast CT angiographic scans, e. g. of the aorta or the extremities. Operating both X-ray tubes at different tube potential (kV) enables the acquisition of dual energy data and the corresponding applications such as monoenergetic imaging and computation of material maps. Spectral separation can be improved by different filtration of the X-ray beams of both X-ray tubes. As a downside, DSCT systems have to cope with some challenges, among them the limited size of the second measurement system, and cross-scattered radiation.     

亲和层析法纯化霍乱毒素及其B亚单位

利用GM1偶联活化的Sephadex G50或扰CT IgG偶联活化的Sepharose 4B,我们已成功地建立了两种亲和层析纯化CT和CT-B的方法,获得了纯化产品。受体亲和柱对CT-B和CT的分离效率分别为71.6％或48.3％,抗体亲和柱分别为50％或51.7％。纯化产物经SDSPAGE、PAGE分析表明均达到亲和层析电泳纯级。GM1-ELISA、CHO细胞测毒加间接免疫荧光检测、家兔肠段结扎试验和家兔免疫保护试验结果提示纯化产物具有良好的生物学活性。这种有效而简单的方法可推广应用于CT或CT相关毒素的纯化。     

CT dosimetry considerations in non typical conditions: The effect of scan field of view and table height selection

PurposeTo experimentally investigate the effect of the scan field of view (SFOV) selection and table height settings on the Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) and the implications concerning patient effective and skin dose.MethodsAir-kerma length product (AKLP) measurements were carried out in a helical CT scanner using a pencil type dosimeter positioned in air and inside the holes of a head and a body phantom, using all available SFOV selections and different table height settings. Furthermore, using radiotherapy verification films placed on the CT table surface, the entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) profiles were derived with different SFOV and table height selections, both with and without a phantom on top of the films.ResultsThe AKLP is strongly dependent on the SFOV selection and the table height settings. Different SFOV selections correspond to the selection of different bowtie filters that shape the X-ray beam intensity, resulting in different ESAK values at the isocenter and at the other points within the scanning plane. With the off-center positioning the calculated CTDI values within the center and the periphery of the phantom change also, as a result of the different intensity and width of the X-ray beam to which are exposed to.ConclusionsThe existing protocols for calculating effective dose are limited to only two patient anatomy-SFOV combinations and cannot account for off-center positioning. Therefore, more work will be required to estimate the effective and skin dose for non-standard SFOV-patient anatomy combinations and off-center patient positioning.     

Computed tomography in the diagnosis of pathological states of the lumbar diaphragm. 1: general data. Developmental defects and traumatic disorders]

CT was employed for investigation of 94 patients with pathological changes of the diaphragm. Congenital defects and unilateral aplasia of the diaphragm were observed in 5 of them. A new symptom of a pathological line of the diaphragm was recognized, characteristic for this type of patients. Teratodermoid formations with a typical CT picture were found in 3 patients. A tumor growth source was undetectable by CT. The results of investigation of 5 patients with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia have shown no particular advantages of CT over traditional radiation methods. In one case, a traumatic diaphragmatic cyst was correctly diagnosed by CT. CT was shown to be a method of choice in the diagnosis of congenital and traumatic diaphragmatic lesions.     

水资源投入产出方法研究进展

从扩展建模技术、系数调整2条线索回顾国内外的水资源投入产出研究进展, 并讨论水资源的投入产出研究的不足和发展趋势。因为水资源投入产出表反映的是水资源与经济结构的关系,如果研究人员自己编制一张水资源投入产出表是不容易的事情。通常情况下都是以研究地域的投入产出表为基础,与其他模型相结合来研究水资源投入产出,但是水资源投入产出建模技术因为数据的限制而只能建立年度模型,具有很强的前提假定,使得投入产出建模技术缺乏灵活性,因而在运用中有对模型改进的必要。水资源投入产出扩展建模技术在这些方面就分别形成了与地区投入产出表结合的投入产出建模技术、与水资源供给相结合的投入产出扩展建模技术、与延长表结合的投入产出扩展建模技术。时效性缺乏一直就成为影响IO模型研究的最主要的瓶颈之一,为此,对各种用于建立新的 IO 表技术的研究一直受到普遍的重视。目前, IO 表系数调整方法已从消耗系数不变的系数调整方法、以RAS为代表的比例法, 发展到多种手段相结合的优化法。算法的改进和求解非线性规划问题的大量计算机软件的出现使得非线性优化模型得到了广泛的应用。     

Magnetic resonance tomography, computed tomography and ultrasonic diagnosis of hemangiomas of the liver

The paper is concerned with the potentialities of modern radiation methods in the diagnosis of liver hemangiomas. USI, CT, angiography and MR-tomography (MRT) were used for investigation of 64 patients with liver hemangiomas. The diagnostic potentialities and the role of each of the above methods in the diagnostic algorithm in liver hemangiomas were studied. The results of the investigation have shown that MRT possesses a higher informative value than USI and CT in the diagnosis of liver hemangiomas and can even replace angiography in the verification of diagnosis.     

Identification of the avian homologues of mammalian CD4 and CD8 antigens

Two mAb were produced against chicken T cells. The CT4 antibody precipitated a polypeptide of Mr 64,000 under both reducing and non-reducing conditions. The CT8 antibody precipitated a molecule of Mr 63,000 under non-reducing conditions and polypeptide chains of Mr 34,000 under reducing conditions, suggesting that the CT8 molecule is a disulfide-linked homodimer. Tissue distribution studies by immunofluorescence revealed that the CT4 and CT8 Ag were expressed by the majority of thymocytes and by subpopulations of CT3+ cells in peripheral tissues. The CT4 reactive molecule was found on approximately 70% of thymocytes, 10% splenocytes, and 45% of lymphoid cells in blood. The CT8 reactive molecule was expressed on approximately 80% of thymocytes, 50% of spleen cells, and 15% of blood lymphocytes. Two-color immunofluorescence indicated that the CT4 and CT8 Ag were expressed together on most thymocytes and on mutually exclusive subsets of cells in the spleen and blood. Ontogenic studies revealed a sharp increase in the frequencies of CT4+ and CT8+ cells in the thymus between days 13 and 16 embryonic life. Both CT4 and CT8 antibodies inhibited PHA- and Con A-induced proliferative responses of splenocytes, and the degree of inhibition correlated with the frequencies of CT4+ and CT8+ lymphoblasts. Treatment of spleen cells with CT4 antibody and inhibited PWM-induced IL-2 production, and removal of CT8+ cells inhibited the cytolytic activity induced by allogeneic lymphocyte stimulation. Macrophages did not express detectable CT4 reactivity. These results suggest that the CD4 and CD8 molecules and their tissue-restricted patterns of expression are highly conserved in birds and mammals.     

A novel method for CT dosimetry with a suspended phantom setup

PurposeThis work presents a method for estimating CT dosimetric indices with a prototype designed for suspending the phantom/ion chamber system fixed at the CT isocenter. The purpose of this study was to validate the proposed methodology, which can be used to provide a direct assessment of dosimetric indices in helical scans.MethodsThe method is based on a reference setup in which the measuring system for CT dosimetry is in a stationary configuration, i.e. not bound to the CT table, and on a mathematical formalism developed for the proposed reference system. The reliability of the method was demonstrated through a set of experimental measurements. Firstly, dosimetric indices were measured with the new method and compared with the indices obtained with the procedure currently used for CT dosimetry (measuring system bound to the CT table). Secondly, dosimetric indices measured with the new method were compared with those displayed on the CT console.ResultsThere is good agreement between the dosimetric indices obtained with the standard setup and those obtained with the suspended phantom setup, within the expected range of errors. The difference between dosimetric indices estimated with the proposed method and those displayed on the CT console is below 2%.ConclusionsThe method enables CT dosimetry to be performed with the dose detector in a stationary longitudinal position thanks to the newly introduced suspended phantom setup. Using this approach, CT dose can be assessed for high pitch helical scans, acquisitions without complete tube rotation and for cases where dynamic collimation is used.     

CT-guided percutaneous fixation of pelvic fractures. Case reports

Unstable pelvic fractures are usually associated with high impact energy trauma. As to surgical procedures the most frequently used methods are open reduction and inner fixation (ORIF), the other methods of stabilizing the unstable posterior pelvic ring are percutaneous iliosacral screw fixation under fluoroscopic control and CT-guided percutaneous fixation. The last mentioned procedure eliminates some of the problems associated with surgical treatment: prevents excessive blood loss during manipulation of the fracture hematom, lowers the possibility of infection, allows more accurate screw placement with direct measuring of the screw length and decreases the possibility of nerve injury. The CT-guided fixation is a delicate procedure and its result depends among others on the cooperation between operating room and CT room personnel. The radiologist and CT technologist have to know the operation technique and have to understand surgeon's requirements. In the available literature only a little was written and mentioned about the exact role of radiologist and CT technologist in the team. The aim of this article is to present the operation technique according to authors' own experience with two operated patients and to mention the surgeon's requirements on CT team.     

Sitting height: An analysis of five measurement techniques

Five methods of obtaining sitting height were compared by taking triple trials of each. Three methods required that the subjects be seated on a table, the fourth had them sitting on the floor against a wall, and the fifth placed them in a recumbent position. Three trials of the first method were obtained without stretching and with the feet unsupported. These were followed by stretching techniques with subjects seated on the table, first with the feet unsupported and then with them supported, then with the subjects sitting on the floor, and finally with the subjects in the recumbent position. All methods were shown to be precise, with the smallest absolute measurements and highest technical error of measurement noted in the floor seated method. There was a tendency for females to yield greater values from being stretched, and for males to have greater values in the recumbent position.     

A Periodic Table of Coiled-Coil Protein Structures

Coiled coils are protein structure domains with two or more α-helices packed together via interlacing of side chains known as knob-into-hole packing. We analysed and classified a large set of coiled-coil structures using a combination of automated and manual methods. This led to a systematic classification that we termed a “periodic table of coiled coils,” which we have made available at http://coiledcoils.chm.bris.ac.uk/ccplus/search/periodic_table. In this table, coiled-coil assemblies are arranged in columns with increasing numbers of α-helices and in rows of increased complexity. The table provides a framework for understanding possibilities in and limits on coiled-coil structures and a basis for future prediction, engineering and design studies.     

Intraoperative computer tomography control within the scope of maxillofacial traumatology using a mobile scanner]

Advances in intra-operative imaging and the development of new minimally invasive techniques are having an ever greater impact on modern surgery. Mobile CT scanners in the operating room is a new technique that permits image-guided surgery, and helps minimize postoperative complications. We report on our initial experience with intraoperative CT scanning during surgery on patients suffering lateral midface trauma. A mobile CT unit, the Tomoscan M (Philips, Utrecht, Netherlands) set up in the operating room, was evaluated in 6 patients with zygomatic bone fractures. The patients were placed on the CT scanner table, which is detachable from the gantry. The unit is powered by batteries charged from an ordinary ring mains supply via a conventional plug. The CT images obtained were of good quality in all cases. No technical problems were observed during surgery. Using repeat CT scans, the procedure also permits accurate intraoperative monitoring of the anatomical repositioning of the bone fragments, and accurate implantation. No intraoperative or early postoperative complications were observed. This new technical aid ensures highly accurate reduction of the bone fragments, and minimizes the need for reoperation. High-quality intraoperative imaging with surgical navigation increase surgical outcome, and expand the spectrum of minimally invasive surgery.     

A detection method for streak artifacts and radiological noise in a non-uniform region in a CT image

By using the CT images obtained by subtracting two CT images acquired under the same conditions and slice locations, we have devised a method for detecting streak artifacts in non-uniform regions and only radiological noise components in CT images. A chest phantom was scanned using 16- and 64-multidetector row helical CT scanners with various mAs values at 120 kVp. The upper lung slice image was employed as a target image for evaluating the streak artifacts and radiological noise. One hundred parallel line segments with a length of 80 pixels were placed on the subtracted CT image, and the largest CT value in each CT value profile was employed as a feature variable of the streak artifacts; these feature variables were analyzed with the extreme value theory (Gumbel distribution). To detect only the radiological noise, all CT values contained in the 100 line profile were plotted on normal probability paper and the standard deviation was estimated from the inclination of its fitted line for the CT value plots. The two detection methods devised in this study were able to evaluate the streak artifacts and radiological noise in the CT images with high accuracy.     

Nano‐based methods for novel coronavirus 2019 (2019‐nCoV) diagnosis: A review

Today, tremendous attention has been devoted to a new coronavirus, SARS‐CoV‐2 (2019‐nCoV), due to severe effects on the global public in all over the world. Rapid and accurate diagnosis of 2019‐nCoV are important for early treatment and cutting off epidemic transmission. In this regard, laboratory detection protocols, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and computed tomography (CT) examination, have been utilized broadly for 2019‐nCoV detection. Recently, nano‐based methods for 2019‐nCoV diagnoses are rapidly expanding and declaring comparable results with PCR and CT. In this review, recent advances in nano‐based techniques have been highlighted and compared briefly with PCR and CT as well‐known methods for 2019‐nCoV detection.     

Prediction of β-sheets in immunoglobulin chains. Comparison of various methods and an expanded 20 × 20 table for evaluation of the effects of nearest-neighbors on conformations of middle amino acids in proteins

The extraordinarily large number of immunoglobulins renders them an intriguing class of molecules for attempts to predict their conformations. The predictive method applied, using a 20 × 20 table of the observed effects of nearest-neighboring amino acids on the conformation (Φ,Ψ angles) of the middle residue in known proteins, indicates positions of tri-peptides that tend to break α-helices or regular β-sheets. This 20 × 20 table is derived from data on 19 proteins, as compared with the earlier version based on 12 proteins, and includes a separate listing of residues of β-turns that have helical Φ,Ψ values. Secondary conformations predicted by methods of Chou and Fasman, Lim and Burgess, Ponnuswamy, and Scheraga have also been compared; for all three methods, wrong predicitons of residues in β-sheet conformation exceed correct ones. Better predictions are obtained when there is agreement with two or three of the methods. If there is consistent overprediction of β-structure, as with the Chou and Fasman method, the use of the β-sheet-breaking tripeptides can improve pre-dictability somewhat.     

High-resolution computed tomography for the comparative study of fossil and extant bone

Special methods have been developed to use computed tomography (CT) for 3-dimensional imaging of both fossil and extant bones. Most commercial CT scanners cannot display the internal structure of fossils because the very high density is beyond the upper limits of the normal CT number scale (Hounsfield scale) of the scanners. X-ray projections from CT scans of fossils were modified by scaling the data to provide an expanded CT number scale, allowing the internal structure of highly fossilized objects to be visualized. These images were compared with state-of-the-art, high-resolution CT images of extant bone. Special image reformatting software was used to provide qualitative and quantitative 3-dimensional imaging. The recent rapid advances in CT technology have made this imaging modality the procedure of choice in much of diagnostic radiology. Use of this tool in paleoanthropology has been limited in the past by restricted access to scanners. However, new developments in CT will make this technique available to many researchers in the near future.