Octavius 4D characterization for flattened and flattening filter free rotational deliveries

Purpose: In this study the Octavius detector 729 ionization chamber (IC) array with the Octavius 4D phantom was characterized for flattening filter (FF) and flattening filter free (FFF) static and rotational beams. The device was assessed for verification with FF and FFF RapidArc treatment plans.

Methods: The response of the detectors to field size, dose linearity, and dose rate were assessed for 6 MV FF beams and also 6 and 10 MV FFF beams. Dosimetric and mechanical accuracy of the detector array within the Octavius 4D rotational phantom was evaluated against measurements made using semiflex and pinpoint ionization chambers, and radiochromic film. Verification FF and FFF RapidArc plans were assessed using a gamma function with 3%/3 mm tolerances and 2%/2 mm tolerances and further analysis of these plans was undertaken using film and a second detector array with higher spatial resolution.

Results: A warm-up dose of >6 Gy was required for detector stability. Dose-rate measurements were stable across a range from 0.26 to 15 Gy/min and dose response was linear, although the device overestimated small doses compared with pinpoint ionization chamber measurements. Output factors agreed with ionization chamber measurements to within 0.6% for square fields of side between 3 and 25 cm and within 1.2% for 2 x 2 cm(2) fields. The Octavius 4D phantom was found to be consistent with measurements made with radiochromic film, where the gantry angle was found to be within 0.4. of that expected during rotational deliveries. RapidArc FF and FFF beams were found to have an accuracy of >97.9% and >90% of pixels passing 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm, respectively. Detector spatial resolution was observed to be a factor in determining the accurate delivery of each plan, particularly at steep dose gradients. This was confirmed using data from a second detector array with higher spatial resolution and with radiochromic film.

Conclusions: The Octavius 4D phantom with associated Octavius detector 729 ionization chamber array is a dosimetrically and mechanically stable device for pretreatment verification of FF and FFF RapidArc treatments. Further improvements may be possible through use of a detector array with higher spatial resolution (detector size and/or detector spacing). (C) 2013 American Association of Physicists in Medicine.

Characterisation of a two-dimensional liquid-filled ion chamber detector array using flattened and unflattened beams for small fields, small MUs and high dose-rates

In this study, the PTW 1000SRS array with Octavius 4D phantom was characterised for FF and FFF beams. MU linearity, field size, dose rate, dose per pulse (DPP) response and dynamic conformal arc treatment accuracy of the 1000SRS array were assessed for 6MV, 6FFF and 10FFF beams using a Varian TrueBeam STx linac. The measurements were compared with a pinpoint IC, microdiamond IC and EBT3 Gafchromic film. Measured dose profiles and FWHMs were compared with film measurements. Verification of FFF volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) clinical plans were assessed using gamma analysis with 3%/3 mm and 2%/2 mm tolerances (10% threshold). To assess the effect of cross calibration dose rate, clinical plans with different dose rates were delivered and analysed. Output factors agreed with film measurements to within 4.5% for fields between 0.5 and 1 cm and within 2.7% for field sizes between 1.5 and 10 cm and were highly correlated with the microdiamond IC detector. Field sizes measured with the 1000SRS array were within 0.5 mm of film measurements. A drop in response of up to 1.8%, 2.4% and 5.2% for 6MV, 6FFF and 10FFF beams respectively was observed with increasing nominal dose rate. With an increase in DPP, a drop of up to 1.7%, 2.4% and 4.2% was observed in 6MV, 6FFF and 10FFF respectively. The differences in dose following dynamic conformal arc deliveries were less than 1% (all energies) from calculated. Delivered VMAT plans showed an average pass percentage of 99.5(±0.8)% and 98.4(±3.4)% with 2%/2 mm criteria for 6FFF and 10FFF respectively. A drop to 97.7(±2.2)% and 88.4(±9.6)% were observed for 6FFF and 10FFF respectively when plans were delivered at the minimum dose rate and calibrated at the maximum dose rate. Calibration using a beam with the average dose rate of the plan may be an efficient method to overcome the dose rate effects observed by the 1000SRS array.

4D GPR tracking of water infiltration in fractured high-porosity limestone

Three thousand liters of water were infiltrated from a 4 m diameter pond to track flow and transport inside fractured carbonates with 20-40 % porosity. Sixteen time-lapse 3D Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys with repetition intervals between 2 hrs and 5 days monitored the spreading of the water bulb in the subsurface. Based on local travel time shifts between repeated GPR survey pairs, localized changes of volumetric water content can be related to the processes of wetting, saturation and drainage. Deformation bands consisting of thin sub vertical sheets of crushed grains reduce the magnitude of water content changes but enhance flow in sheet parallel direction. This causes an earlier break through across a stratigraphic boundary compared to porous limestone without deformation bands. This experiment shows how time-lapse 3D GPR or 4D GPR can non-invasively track ongoing flow processes in rock-volumes of over 100 m3.

4D deformation modeling of cortical disease progression in Alzheimer's dementia

This work describes the development of a model of cerebral atrophic changes associated with the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Linear registration, region-of-interest analysis, and voxel-based morphometry methods have all been employed to elucidate the changes observed at discrete intervals during a disease process. In addition to describing the nature of the changes, modeling disease-related changes via deformations can also provide information on temporal characteristics. In order to continuously model changes associated with AD, deformation maps from 21 patients were averaged across a novel z-score disease progression dimension based on Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. The resulting deformation maps are presented via three metrics: local volume loss (atrophy), volume (CSF) increase, and translation (interpreted as representing collapse of cortical structures). Inspection of the maps revealed significant perturbations in the deformation fields corresponding to the entorhinal cortex (EC) and hippocampus, orbitofrontal and parietal cortex, and regions surrounding the sulci and ventricular spaces, with earlier changes predominantly lateralized to the left hemisphere. These changes are consistent with results from post-mortem studies of AD.

A 4D automatic simulation tool for construction resource planning: A case study

Purpose Traditional construction planning relies upon the critical path method (CPM) and bar charts. Both of these methods suffer from visualization and timing issues that could be addressed by 4D technology specifically geared to meet the needs of the construction industry. This paper proposed a new construction planning approach based on simulation by using a game engine. Design/methodology/approach A 4D automatic simulation tool was developed and a case study was carried out. The proposed tool was used to simulate and optimize the plans for the installation of a temporary platform for piling in a civil construction project in Hong Kong. The tool simulated the result of the construction process with three variables: 1) equipment, 2) site layout and 3) schedule. Through this, the construction team was able to repeatedly simulate a range of options. Findings The results indicate that the proposed approach can provide a user-friendly 4D simulation platform for the construction industry. The simulation can also identify the solution being sought by the construction team. The paper also identifies directions for further development of the 4D technology as an aid in construction planning and decision-making. Research limitations/implications The tests on the tool are limited to a single case study and further research is needed to test the use of game engines for construction planning in different construction projects to verify its effectiveness. Future research could also explore the use of alternative game engines and compare their performance and results. Originality/value The authors proposed the use of game engine to simulate the construction process based on resources, working space and construction schedule. The developed tool can be used by end-users without simulation experience.

3d and 4d core level X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy of mixed-valence CePd3

3d and 4d core-level XPS spectra for CePd3, a mixed-valence system, have been measured. Each spectrum exhibits two sets of structures, each corresponding to one of the valence states of cerium. Thus the usefulness of XPS, which has so far not been used extensively to investigate the mixed-valence cerium systems, is pointed out.

A variant in LIN28B is associated with 2D:4D finger-length ratio, a putative retrospective biomarker of prenatal testosterone exposure

The ratio of the lengths of an individual's second to fourth digit (2D:4D) is commonly used as a noninvasive retrospective biomarker for prenatal androgen exposure. In order to identify the genetic determinants of 2D:4D, we applied a genome-wide association approach to 1507 11-year-old children from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) in whom 2D:4D ratio had been measured, as well as a sample of 1382 12- to 16-year-olds from the Brisbane Adolescent Twin Study. A meta-analysis of the two scans identified a single variant in the LIN28B gene that was strongly associated with 2D:4D (rs314277: p = 4.1 x 10(-8)) and was subsequently independently replicated in an additional 3659 children from the ALSPAC cohort (p = 1.53 x 10(-6)). The minor allele of the rs314277 variant has previously been linked to increased height and delayed age at menarche, but in our study it was associated with increased 2D:4D in the direction opposite to that of previous reports on the correlation between 2D:4D and age at menarche. Our findings call into question the validity of 2D:4D as a simplistic retrospective biomarker for prenatal testosterone exposure.

K -shell diagram and hypersatellite spectra of 4d transition elements

The K-shell diagram (K alpha(1,2) and K beta(1,3)) and hypersatellite (HS) (K-h alpha(1,2)) spectra of Y, Zr, Mo, and Pd have been measured with high energy-resolution using photoexcitation by 90 keV synchrotron radiation. Comparison of the measured and ab initio calculated HS spectra demonstrates the importance of quantum electrodynamical (QED) effects for the HS spectra. Phenomenological fits of the measured spectra by Voigt functions yield accurate values for the shift of the HS from the diagram lines, the splitting of the HS lines, and their intensity ratio. Good agreement with theory was found for all quantities except for the intensity ratio, which is dominated by the intermediacy of the coupling of the angular momenta. The observed deviations imply that our current understanding of the variation of the coupling scheme from LS to jj across the periodic table may require some revision.

Analysis of the Gd 4d-XY Auger spectrum using synchrotron radiation

We report the 4d-XY (X, Y = 5p, 4f, and the conduction band) Auger spectra of clean Gd using a monochromatic photon source with energies above and below the 3d threshold. The spectra with higher hv show the existence of intense spectator-hole Auger transitions. Comparison of these spectra with those obtained with a primary electron source allows detailed interpretation of the various features and explains the unusual spin polarization of the electron-induced spectrum reported earlier.

Route to high Neel temperatures in 4d and 5d transition metal oxides

There are very few magnetic members among the 4d and 5d transition metal oxides. In the present work, we examine the recent observation of a high Neel temperature T-N in the 4d oxides SrTcO3 and CaTcO3. Considering a multiband Hubbard model, we find that T-N is larger in the limit of a large bandwidth and vanishingly small intra-atomic exchange interaction strength, contrary to our conventional understanding of magnetism. This is traced to specific aspects of the d(3) configuration at the transition metal site and the study reveals additional examples with high T-N.

Real-time block flow tracking of atrial septal defect motion in 4D cardiac ultrasound

Real-time cardiac ultrasound allows monitoring the heart motion during intracardiac beating heart procedures. Our application assists atrial septal defect (ASD) closure techniques using real-time 3D ultrasound guidance. One major image processing challenge is the processing of information at high frame rate. We present an optimized block flow technique, which combines the probability-based velocity computation for an entire block with template matching. We propose adapted similarity constraints both from frame to frame, to conserve energy, and globally, to minimize errors. We show tracking results on eight in-vivo 4D datasets acquired from porcine beating-heart procedures. Computing velocity at the block level with an optimized scheme, our technique tracks ASD motion at 41 frames/s. We analyze the errors of motion estimation and retrieve the cardiac cycle in ungated images. © 2007 IEEE.

氯对硅中4d过渡杂质的钝化

于2010-11-23批量导入

GaAs中4d过渡杂质Mo与Pd的光电行为

4d过渡杂质Mo、Pd在GaAs中分别引入E（0．42eV）、H（0．61eV）和E（0．66eV）、H（0．69eV）等能级。根据过渡杂质Mo和Pd在GaAs中的光电行为, 推测这些杂质在GaAs中不起有效复合中心的作用。图4参3

Theoretical study of the 4d photoabsorption of the Cs+ ion

Calculations of the 4d absolute photoabsorption cross sections of the Xe-like Cs+ ion covering the energy region from 80 to 190 eV have been performed by using the multi-configuration Dirac-Fock method. The calculated cross sections are compared with the absolute experimental photoabsorption cross-section spectrum (Kjeldsen et al 2002 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 35 2845) and other available theoretical results. In the 80-90 eV region, the discrete structure resulting from photoexcitation of a 4d electron into nf and np orbits are successfully identified. Above the 4d threshold, i.e. in the 90-190 eV energy region, a reasonable agreement between experiment and computations is found for the intense 4d -> epsilon f shape resonance.