Influence of cassette type on the DQE of CR systems.

In our recent paper by Monnin et al. [Med. Phys. 33, 411-420 (2006)], an objective analysis of the relative performance of a computed radiography (CR) system using both standard single-side (ST-VI) and prototype dual-side read (ST-BD) plates was reported. The presampled modulation transfer function (MTF), noise power spectrum (NPS), and detective quantum efficiency (DQE) for the systems were determined at three different beam qualities representative of paediatric chest radiography, at an entrance detector air kerma of 5 microGy. Experiments demonstrated that, compared to the standard single-side read system, the MTF for the dual-side read system was slightly reduced, but a significant decrease in image noise resulted in a marked increase in DQE (+40%) in the low spatial frequency range. However, the DQE improvement for the ST-BD plate decreased with increasing spatial frequency, and, at spatial frequencies above 2.2 mm(-1), the DQE of the dual-side read system was lower than that of the single-side one.

Hollow sphere as a detector of gravitational radiation

The most important features of the proposed spherical gravitational wave detectors are closely linked with their symmetry. Hollow spheres share this property with solid ones, considered in the literature so far, and constitute an interesting alternative for the realization of an omnidirectional gravitational wave detector. In this paper we address the problem of how a hollow elastic sphere interacts with an incoming gravitational wave and find an analytical solution for its normal mode spectrum and response, as well as for its energy absorption cross sections. It appears that this shape can be designed having relatively low resonance frequencies (~ 200 Hz) yet keeping a large cross section, so its frequency range overlaps with the projected large interferometers. We also apply the obtained results to discuss the performance of a hollow sphere as a detector for a variety of gravitational wave signals.

A comparison of the performance of modern screen-film and digital mammography systems.

This work compares the detector performance and image quality of the new Kodak Min-R EV mammography screen-film system with the Fuji CR Profect detector and with other current mammography screen-film systems from Agfa, Fuji and Kodak. Basic image quality parameters (MTF, NPS, NEQ and DQE) were evaluated for a 28 kV Mo/Mo (HVL = 0.646 mm Al) beam using different mAs exposure settings. Compared with other screen-film systems, the new Kodak Min-R EV detector has the highest contrast and a low intrinsic noise level, giving better NEQ and DQE results, especially at high optical density. Thus, the properties of the new mammography film approach those of a fine mammography detector, especially at low frequency range. Screen-film systems provide the best resolution. The presampling MTF of the digital detector has a value of 15% at the Nyquist frequency and, due to the spread size of the laser beam, the use of a smaller pixel size would not permit a significant improvement of the detector resolution. The dual collection reading technology increases significantly the low frequency DQE of the Fuji CR system that can at present compete with the most efficient mammography screen-film systems.

Correlations between negative-induced cerebral dynamics and idiopathic intellectual disability: an EEG study

Intellectual disability has long been associated with deficits in socio-emotional processing. However, studies investigating brain dynamics of maladaptive socio-emotional skills associated with intellectual disability are scarce. Here, we compared differences in brain activity between low intelligence quotient (I.Q.<75, N=13) and normal controls (N=15) while evaluating their subjective emotions. Positive (P) and negative (N) valenced pictures were presented one at a time to participants of both groups, at a rate of ¾. The task required that each participant evaluate their subjective emotion and press a predefined push-button when done, alternatively P and N. Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals were continuously recorded, and the 1000ms time window following each picture was analyzed offline for power in frequency domain. Alpha low (8-10Hz) and upper (10-13Hz) frequency bands were then compared for both groups and for both P and N emotions in 12 distributed scalp electrodes. The qualitative evaluation of emotions was similar between both groups, with constant longer reaction times for the low IQ participants. The EEG signal comparison shows marked power decrease in upper alpha frequency range for N emotions in low intelligence group. Otherwise no significant difference was noticed between low and normal IQ. Main findings of the present study are (1) results do not support the hypothesis that impairment in developmental intelligence roots in maladaptive emotional processing; (2) the strong alpha power suppression during negative-induced emotions suggests the involvement of an extended neural network and more effortful inhibition processes than positive ones. We call for further studies with a larger sample.

3D noise power spectrum applied on clinical mdct scanners: effects of reconstruction algorithms and reconstruction filters

The noise power spectrum (NPS) is the reference metric for understanding the noise content in computed tomography (CT) images. To evaluate the noise properties of clinical multidetector (MDCT) scanners, local 2D and 3D NPSs were computed for different acquisition reconstruction parameters.A 64- and a 128-MDCT scanners were employed. Measurements were performed on a water phantom in axial and helical acquisition modes. CT dose index was identical for both installations. Influence of parameters such as the pitch, the reconstruction filter (soft, standard and bone) and the reconstruction algorithm (filtered-back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR)) were investigated. Images were also reconstructed in the coronal plane using a reformat process. Then 2D and 3D NPS methods were computed.In axial acquisition mode, the 2D axial NPS showed an important magnitude variation as a function of the z-direction when measured at the phantom center. In helical mode, a directional dependency with lobular shape was observed while the magnitude of the NPS was kept constant. Important effects of the reconstruction filter, pitch and reconstruction algorithm were observed on 3D NPS results for both MDCTs. With ASIR, a reduction of the NPS magnitude and a shift of the NPS peak to the low frequency range were visible. 2D coronal NPS obtained from the reformat images was impacted by the interpolation when compared to 2D coronal NPS obtained from 3D measurements.The noise properties of volume measured in last generation MDCTs was studied using local 3D NPS metric. However, impact of the non-stationarity noise effect may need further investigations.

cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I is implicated in the regulation of the timing and quality of sleep and wakefulness.

Many effects of nitric oxide (NO) are mediated by the activation of guanylyl cyclases and subsequent production of the second messenger cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP activates cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PRKGs), which can therefore be considered downstream effectors of NO signaling. Since NO is thought to be involved in the regulation of both sleep and circadian rhythms, we analyzed these two processes in mice deficient for cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I (PRKG1) in the brain. Prkg1 mutant mice showed a strikingly altered distribution of sleep and wakefulness over the 24 hours of a day as well as reductions in rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS) duration and in non-REM sleep (NREMS) consolidation, and their ability to sustain waking episodes was compromised. Furthermore, they displayed a drastic decrease in electroencephalogram (EEG) power in the delta frequency range (1-4 Hz) under baseline conditions, which could be normalized after sleep deprivation. In line with the re-distribution of sleep and wakefulness, the analysis of wheel-running and drinking activity revealed more rest bouts during the activity phase and a higher percentage of daytime activity in mutant animals. No changes were observed in internal period length and phase-shifting properties of the circadian clock while chi-squared periodogram amplitude was significantly reduced, hinting at a less robust oscillator. These results indicate that PRKG1 might be involved in the stabilization and output strength of the circadian oscillator in mice. Moreover, PRKG1 deficiency results in an aberrant pattern, and consequently a reduced quality, of sleep and wakefulness, possibly due to a decreased wake-promoting output of the circadian system impinging upon sleep.

Computed tomography commissioning programmes: how to obtain a reliable MTF with an automatic approach?

The purpose of this study was to assess the spatial resolution of a computed tomography (CT) scanner with an automatic approach developed for routine quality controls when varying CT parameters. The methods available to assess the modulation transfer functions (MTF) with the automatic approach were Droege's and the bead point source (BPS) methods. These MTFs were compared with presampled ones obtained using Boone's method. The results show that Droege's method is not accurate in the low-frequency range, whereas the BPS method is highly sensitive to image noise. While both methods are well adapted to routine stability controls, it was shown that they are not able to provide absolute measurements. On the other hand, Boone's method, which is robust with respect to aliasing, more resilient to noise and provides absolute measurements, satisfies the commissioning requirements perfectly. Thus, Boone's method combined with a modified Catphan 600 phantom could be a good solution to assess CT spatial resolution in the different CT planes.

A comparison of the imaging characteristics of the new Kodak Hyper Speed G film with the current T-MAT G/RA film and the CR 9000 system.

Three standard radiation qualities (RQA 3, RQA 5 and RQA 9) and two screens, Kodak Lanex Regular and Insight Skeletal, were used to compare the imaging performance and dose requirements of the new Kodak Hyper Speed G and the current Kodak T-MAT G/RA medical x-ray films. The noise equivalent quanta (NEQ) and detective quantum efficiencies (DQE) of the four screen-film combinations were measured at three gross optical densities and compared with the characteristics for the Kodak CR 9000 system with GP (general purpose) and HR (high resolution) phosphor plates. The new Hyper Speed G film has double the intrinsic sensitivity of the T-MAT G/RA film and a higher contrast in the high optical density range for comparable exposure latitude. By providing both high sensitivity and high spatial resolution, the new film significantly improves the compromise between dose and image quality. As expected, the new film has a higher noise level and a lower signal-to-noise ratio than the standard film, although in the high frequency range this is compensated for by a better resolution, giving better DQE results--especially at high optical density. Both screen-film systems outperform the phosphor plates in terms of MTF and DQE for standard imaging conditions (Regular screen at RQA 5 and RQA 9 beam qualities). At low energy (RQA 3), the CR system has a comparable low-frequency DQE to screen-film systems when used with a fine screen at low and middle optical densities, and a superior low-frequency DQE at high optical density.

Mikroliuskarakenteisen T-resonaattorin käyttö piirilevyn eristeominaisuuksien määrityksessä

Tässä diplomityössä tutkittiin ja kehitettiin edelleen mikroliuskarakenteisen T-resonaattorin käyttöä laajakaistaisessa piirilevylaminaattien dielektrisyysvakion ja häviökertoimen määrityksessä. Työssä perehdyttiin eristeominaisuuksien määrityksessä tarvittaviin laskentamenetelmiin sekä T-resonaattorin toimintaan. T-resonaattorin suunnittelu ja käyttöä varten valitut laskentamenetelmät on esitelty. Työssä suunniteltiin ja valmistettiin mikroliuskarakenteinen T-resonaattorimittausrakenne, jolla määritettiin erään FR-4 -tyyppisen piirilevylaminaattimateriaalin dielektrisyysvakio sekä häviökerroin mittausten ja laskennan avulla taajuuskaistalla 0,5 - 10 GHz. Tuloksia verrattiin muilla käytössä olevilla menetelmillä määritettyihin tuloksiin. Tulosten perusteella voitiin osoittaa, että mikroliuskarakenteinen T-resonaattori soveltuu hyvin piirilevylaminaattien eristeominaisuuksien määritykseen, ja käytetyt laskenta-menetelmät antavat realistisia tuloksia.

Mikroaaltoresonaattorin mittauselektroniikan kehittäminen

Tässä diplomityössä on kehitetty kapeakaistaisten mikroaaltoresonaattoreiden mittaukseen soveltuvaa elektroniikkaa 400 MHz taajuusalueelle. Työn teoriaosuudessa on tutustuttu RF- ja mikroaaltotaajuuksilla käytettävien resonaattoreiden ominaisuuksiin sekä tarkasteltu erilaisia mahdollisia mittauselektroniikkatoteutuksia. Tarkastelujen perusteella on valittu toteutettavan mittauselektroniikan periaate. Toteutettu mittauselektroniikka hyödyntää suoraa digitaalista taajuussynteesiä hyvän taajuusresoluution saavuttamiseksi. Mittauselektroniikkaa on kehitetty prototyyppien avulla. Työssä on myös vertailtu resonaattoreiden mittaustuloksia käytettäessä kehitettyä mittauselektroniikkaa ja piirianalysaattoria. Kehitetyllä mittauselektroniikalla saadut tulokset vastaavat hyvin piirianalysaattorimittauksen tuloksia.

Johdinhäviöiden määrittäminen mikroliuskarakenteessa

Tässä diplomityössä on käsitelty mikroliuskarakenteen johdinhäviöiden määrittämistä kokeellisin ja analyyttisin menetelmin. Työssä on käyty läpi mikroliuskarakenteen ominaisuudet sekä esitetty tärkeimmät kirjallisuudessa esitellyt menetelmät johdinhäviöiden laskemiseksi. Mikroliuskarakenteen häviöitä mallinnettiin modernilla momenttimenetelmään perustuvalla kenttälaskentasimulaattorilla. Simulaattorin toimintaperiaate on esitelty ja sen soveltaminen mikroliuskarakenteen simuloimiseen on käyty läpi. Eräs mikroliuskarakenne mallinnettiin taajuusalueella 1-10 GHz ja simuloituja johdinhäviöitä verrattiin analyyttisesti määritettyihin. Mikroliuskarakenteen vaste mitattiin ja sitä verrattiin mallinnetun mikroliuskarakenteen vasteeseen. Tulosten perusteella on pohdittu simulaattorin soveltuvuutta mikroliuskarakenteen johdinhäviöiden mallintamiseen. Mikroliuskarakenteen johdinhäviöiden määrittämiseen mittausten avulla on esitetty ideoita jatkotutkimusta varten.

A study of electromagnetic shielding properties of Ni79Fe16Mo5/copper films

The plane wave electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties of DC sputtered Ni79Fe16Mo5 and copper layers were studied according to ASTM D 4935-89 on frequency range of 50 MHz – 2.5 GHz and RF magnetic shielding effectiveness by shielded magnetic loop probes. Results show that Ni79Fe16Mo5 provides better RF magnetic shielding above the layer thickness of approximately 120 nm. Copper provides better plane wave shielding effectiveness. The effect of shield internal interfaces was studied by depositing thin multilayer structures with and without a dielectric spacer layer.

Developing of AC magnetometer and investigation of magnetic properties of LSMO

In this work AC magnetometer was developed and primary test measurements were performed for temperature range from 77 K up to 350 K in frequency range from 1 kHz up to 20 kHz. In the course of the present work dependencies of magnetization on temperature for Lao7Sr03Mni _yFeyO3 with y = 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 were obtained in DC magnetic field using SQUID magnetometer and in AC magnetic field using the developed AC magnetometer. Lai.XSrXMnO3 (LSMO) compounds belong to the class of Mn perovskites, which demonstrate very high degree of spin polarization. These materials are of great importance for nowadays applications in spintronics, where spin polarized electron transport is used. Spin glass like behavior was found as a characteristic feature of these solid solutions with the freezing temperature in the range 65 — 210 K.

A hybrid feature selection approach for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease

Objective. Recently, significant advances have been made in the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease from EEG. However, choosing suitable measures is a challenging task. Among other measures, frequency Relative Power and loss of complexity have been used with promising results. In the present study we investigate the early diagnosis of AD using synchrony measures and frequency Relative Power on EEG signals, examining the changes found in different frequency ranges. Approach. We first explore the use of a single feature for computing the classification rate, looking for the best frequency range. Then, we present a multiple feature classification system that outperforms all previous results using a feature selection strategy. These two approaches are tested in two different databases, one containing MCI and healthy subjects (patients age: 71.9 ± 10.2, healthy subjects age: 71.7 ± 8.3), and the other containing Mild AD and healthy subjects (patients age: 77.6 ± 10.0; healthy subjects age: 69.4± 11.5). Main Results. Using a single feature to compute classification rates we achieve a performance of 78.33% for the MCI data set and of 97.56 % for Mild AD. Results are clearly improved using the multiple feature classification, where a classification rate of 95% is found for the MCI data set using 11 features, and 100% for the Mild AD data set using 4 features. Significance. The new features selection method described in this work may be a reliable tool that could help to design a realistic system that does not require prior knowledge of a patient's status. With that aim, we explore the standardization of features for MCI and Mild AD data sets with promising results.

Magnetic properties of ZnGeP2:Mn

In this work magnetic properties of ZnGeP2:Mn were investigated in DC magnetic field with SQUID magnetometer in the temperature range from 3 K up to 400 K and in AC magnetic field with AC magnetometer in the temperature range from 77 K up to 350 K in frequency range from 500 Hz up to 18 KHz. Three ZnGeP2:Mn samples were studied with Mn concentration c = 1.5 % mass, 3 % mass and 3.5 % mass.