Clinical usefulness of a dual photon absorptiometry system using X-ray for peripheral bone--comparison with a single photon absorptiometric system

A newly developed dual photon absorptiometry system (DCS-600, ALOKA Co., LTD.) using two monochromatic X-rays for the determination of bone mineral in the peripheral bone was fundamentally studied, in comparison to single photon absorptiometry system (SPA). The accuracy and precision in DCS-600 were equal to or better than SPA system. Furthermore, in DCS-600 the forearm could be imaged, and the manipulation was easy. Thus DCS-600 was found to be a good instrument as a quantifying system of bone mass.     

Comparison of the determination of body calcium by in-vivo neutron activation analysis (IVNAA) and dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA)

The measurement of total body calcium is an important tool in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases associated with bone. This measurement is done by IVNAA or DEXA. A knowledge of normal bone mineral mass for a given person, is necessary to determine whether or not a measured quantity is normal or low. The factors that determine bone mineral mass in a person are not clearly known. IVNAA indicates that bone mineral mass is a function of height but not the age whereas the reverse is indicated by DEXA. In this work, we have measured the bone mineral mass of over 200 normal volunteers by IVNAA and DEXA and have developed a methametical model for DEXA (for lumbar spine and femoral neck) as a function of height, age, weight and years after menopause. In determining the bone mineral mass, height is the predominant factor under 20 years of age and age appers to be the dominant factor for over 20 years. The equation derived is useful in calculating the normal bone mineral mass in a patient against which the measured value can be compared.     

Global variations in peak bone mass as studied by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

In 1994, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) initiated a 5-year Co-ordinated Research Project (CRP) to determine geographical and racial differences in peak bone mineral density (BMD) in men and women aged 15-49 years. The study demonstrates that there are distinct global differences in BMD at the hip and spine in both men and women approximating to one population standard deviation between populations with the highest and lowest BMD. These differences persist following adjustments for age, sex and body size. Such information is valuable in understanding the reasons for global differences in fracture rate and predicting future trends in fracture incidence. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Skeletal calcium/phosphorus ratio measuring techniques by neutron activation and X-ray absorptiometry

Summary An approach to the problem of bone disorders is the measurement of the skeletons’ static and dynamic strength, an estimate of the bone mineral density. A decrease in the bone density may be due to the decrease in either Ca or P content, or to dissimilar decreases in both. Consequently, the determination of the Ca/P ratio may provide a sensitive measure of bone mineral changes and may add to our understanding of the changes occurring in bone diseases. This paper reviews the instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) and X-ray absorptiometry techniques, which have been developed for the in vitro or in vivo assessment of the Ca, P content and the Ca/P ratio in bones, respectively. Their main aspects and results are presented, regarding the referred values.     

Neutron activation analysis: Criterion method for evaluation of dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measurements in infants

Total body neutron activation analysis (NAA) was used to examine the elemental composition of 22 piglets in the weight range 0.7 kg to 3.4 kg. The accuracy of the NAA technique, compared to direct chemical carcass analysis, established it as an equivalent chemical criterion (reference) method. The body composition of 14 human infant cadavers was also examined by NAA and by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The DXA-derived lean, fat, and bone compartments were compared with an NAA chemical model of composition. Each of the three compartments was significantly correlated (r=0.85–0.95,p<0.001) for the two independent assays, although there were substantial differences for the estimated size of the compartments for individual infants.     

A high-performance X-ray system for medical device irradiation

A new concept of X-ray irradiator for low-density products on pallets is proposed. Monte Carlo simulations are applied to predict the performance of this system. The Monte Carlo predictions reveal in good agreement with experimental data obtained using products of different densities.     

Biomedical applications of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence

An X-ray fluorescence method for in vitro analysis of trace elements in biological samples is presented. The method is characterised by the use of an X-ray tube with secondary targets as a monoenergetic radiation source, and by thin specimens. The method has been applied to the analysis of blood serum samples, gunshot residue and urinary calculi.     

How well does dual photon absorptiometry predict osteoporosis? A comparison between neutron activation analysis and DEXA

The accuracy of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for measurement of bone mass carried out by quantitative digital radiography (Hologic Inc.) was compared to results with neutron activation analysis (NAA) on 106 subjects. The accuracy with DEXA was further investigated by measurements on aluminium samples of known composition. DEXA measured 4 lumbar vertebrae by spine scan. The central third of the skeleton also was measured by whole body scan to obtain data on the same large part of the skeleton as measured by NAA. Results suggested that DEXA spine scans were more reliable than whole body scans. In addition, the measurement of total mineral content (BMC) was more reliable than the normalization of BMC to bone surface area (BMC/Area) or bone mineral density (BDM). Since the proportion of bone below detection would increase with development of osteoporosis, with osteoporosis the BMC would be increasingly underestimated, but to only a small extent, while the BMD would be more significantly overestimated.     

A dual frequency addressed polymer stabilized pi-cell liquid crystal device

Dual frequency addressing of nematic pi-cell devices produces submillisecond switching times since the liquid crystal can be driven both parallel and perpendicular to the applied field and there is no kick-back of the director during switching. The nucleation of the V state in devices containing dual frequency liquid crystal materials is much slower than that in conventional pi-cells, however. Polymer stabilization of the V state eliminates the need for nucleation each time the device is used. In this paper we present a polymer stabilized pi-cell containing a dual frequency liquid crystal material, and show that the presence of the polymer network significantly influences the switching of the device. Some optimization of the addressing scheme is required when switching the polymer stabilized device in order to avoid transient formation of the twisted state. Using this optimization, the switching time is under 3 ms across a wide range of addressing voltages.     

Precision measurement of Fe concentration in dolomites using radioisotope X-ray fluorescence

A series of dolomite bore hole samples have been analyzed for their iron content using radioisotope X-ray fluorescence. A precision of ±0.1%, as specified for oil and gas exploration, has been met using a non-destructive sample preparation technique, energy dispersive detector,¹⁰⁹Cd source and a micro-computer based data acquisition and reduction system. Sample and standard preparation procedures are discussed.     

Nanoscale energy deposition by X-ray absorbing nanostructures

Here we wish to demonstrate a unique property of nanomaterials: energy deposition with nanometer precision from low-energy electrons released from these nanostructures interacting with hard X-ray radiation in aqueous solution. Three effects combine to cause this phenomenon: (1) localized absorption of X-rays by nanostructures, (2) effective release of low-energy electrons from small nanostructures, and (3) efficient deposition of energy in water in the form of radicals and electrons. This combination creates localized X-ray absorption and localized energy deposition of nanometer precision. We confirmed the theoretically predicted nanoscale energy deposition distribution by measuring hydroxyl radical-induced DNA strand breaks, and observed enhanced damage to a 5600-bp DNA molecule from approximately 10 chemically conjugated small gold nanoparticles under X-ray radiation. These results provide a general guidance to applications of this new concept in many fields including radiation chemistry, radiology, radiation oncology, biochemistry, biology, and nanotechnology.     

Chemometric methods in energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence

Chemometric methods like principal component regression (PCR) are an excellent tool for the determination of matrix parameters from scattered radiation. PCR is used for the determination of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen from water and oil-based samples. This information is used in combination with fundamental parameters to determine zink in liquid samples. The method allows an accurate prediction of element concentrations in strong varying matrices.     

能量色散X射线荧光光谱背景扣除方法的探讨

能量色散X射线荧光分析使得特征X射线的全能峰叠加在背景之上,针对能量色散X射线荧光谱线背景扣除算法的研究,简述了剥峰法和小波变换法扣除背景的原理,并将这两种方法用于对实际谱线的处理,取得了良好的效果.同时对两种方法的算法和处理效果进行了对比研究,表明剥峰法相对简单,而小波变换法需要考虑小波基和分解层次等的影响,但是对整个谱线的综合处理效果相对要好一些.     

Quantitative energy dispersive X-ray analysis of submicrometric particles using a scanning electron microscope

The quantitative scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) analysis of a horneblende and two augite prismatic samples reduced to submicrometric particles was performed, and error due to the particle effects ("absent mass" and the "reduced absorption" effect) was minimized. Correction factors as a function of fragment size were obtained for O, Na, Mg, Si, Ca, and Fe. In addition, the influence of chemical composition of the samples used as standards (the matrix effect) on correction factors was evaluated. The results indicate that the absent mass effect is dominant for all elements except for the light elements O and Na, for which the reduced absorption effect is dominant. No significant matrix effect has been observed. By using corrected SEM-EDX data, the error on quantification of the element concentration has been estimated to be 3% relative for light elements and below 2% relative for heavy elements (notably, about 1% relative for Fe).     

Single and dual beam optical switching of resonance energy transfer

Through photonic mechanisms based on near-field coupling, laser radiation can engage with resonant energy transfer in a variety of suitably designed materials and molecular structures. Energy that has been acquired, through the initial absorption of resonant laser light, undergoes transfer between chromophores only on the throughput of off-resonant light, the process known as laser-assisted resonance energy transfer. The comprehensive results that are presented here extend and generalize the theory for both single and dual beam configurations, producing results that are applicable to media of various types including doped crystals, heterogeneous multichromophore solids, and solutions. The detailed principles, here explained in terms of both energetics and optical selection rule criteria, are specifically illustrated for a variety of materials. It is shown how general application of the theory can facilitate the elucidation of experiments, by clearly interpreting the effects of laser polarization manipulation. On further analysis of the photophysical mechanisms it is also demonstrated that such effects represent an entirely practicable basis for optical switching and logic gate operation. The additional polarization selectivity afforded by a two-beam setup proves to allow the most complete system control. With such a configuration, there is considerable promise for the realization of new optically driven logic and molecular devices.     

Extension of measurable range of film dosimetry by a low energy X-ray absorption method

The availability of an X-ray absorption technique employing a very low power X-ray tube was examined to extend measurable range for photographic film dosimetry. The X-ray tube having titanium target was operated at 8 kV and 0.2 microA to emit Ti KX-rays of moderate intensity. The degree of the Ti KX-ray absorption, defined as similar to photographic density, was measured for the two kinds of badge film, Fuji gamma-ray badge film and Kodak personal monitoring film, type 2 exposed for 60Co or 137Cs gamma-rays and developed by the respective standard procedures. The experimental results show that the dosimetric range of 0.01-100 R for the Fuji film and 0.03-1,000 R for the Kodak film may be easily measured by 1 minute counting with the relative statistical error (sigma) of 10%.     

X-ray energy dependence of the properties of the focused beams produced by polycapillary X-ray lens

We investigated X-ray energy distribution in an X-ray microbeam produced by a polycapillary X-ray lens in combination with a sealed-type X-ray tube. This polycapillary X-ray lens has an output focal distance (OFD) of approximately 15 mm. The size of the X-ray microbeam and its OFD were estimated by using a wire scanning method. In our case, the sizes of the X-ray microbeams at the output focal distance were 49 microm for Mo L(alpha), 36 microm for W L(alpha), and 28 microm for Mo K(alpha). The spot sizes depend on the energy of the X-ray fluorescence. The reason for the energy dependence is that X-ray capillary optics is based on the principle of propagation through glass capillaries by means of X-ray total external reflection. The evaluated OFD values of Mo L(alpha) and Mo K(alpha) were slightly changed in 17 microm. However, a deviation of 100 microm from the OFD caused only a 3% increase of the focal spot size. Therefore, we concluded that the OFD showed no significant dependence on X-ray energy.     

Multilayer characterization by energy dispersive X-ray reflectivity technique

An experimental setup was developed to verify the feasibility of silicon drift detector to be used for the multilayer characterization by means of multilayer energy dispersive X-ray reflectivity. Such a detector allows high count rates up to 3 × 10⁵ cps and can be used in principle for the direct beam intensity measurement, which is to be done for the X-ray multilayer reflectivity patterns obtaining. A series of measurements were performed for Mo/B₄C multilayer sample. A quality of the experimentally obtained data turns out to be enough to perform a sample structure exploration using a numerical procedure of experimental data fitting. Due to low cost and short time, required for the measurements, an experimental technique proposed has a good perspective to be used for some practical applications in industry.     

X-ray chemical shift determination by energy dispersive detection

X-ray energy shifts due to differences in the chemical states of the emitting elements were investigated. The centroids of the Kα and Kβ characteristic lines produced from chromium and manganese compounds were measured and compared with the centroids of X-ray lines produced from the corresponding metals. Excitation was carried out using a ¹⁰⁹Cd radioactive source, and the X-rays were detected with use of a Si(Li) energy dispersive semiconductor detector. solver, a program included in Microsoft Excel for Windows, was used to approximate the form of the X-ray lines with a gaussian function. The results showed that energy dispersive X-ray detection can be used for chemical shift determinations.