Infrared imaging of sub-retinal structures in the human ocular fundus

The interaction of infrared light with the human ocular fundus, particularly sub-retinal structures, was studied in vivo. Visible and infra-red wavelengths and a scanning laser ophthalmoscope were used to acquire digital images of the human fundus. The contrast and reflectance of selected retinal and sub-retinal features were computed for a series of wavelengths or modes of imaging. Near infrared light provides better visibility than visible light for sub-retinal features. Sub-retinal deposits appear light and thickened; the optic nerve head, retinal vessels, and choroidal vessels appear dark. Contrast and visibility of features increases with increasing wavelength from 795 to 895 nm. Optimizing the mode of imaging improves the visibility of some structures. This new quantitative basis for near infrared imaging techniques can be applied to a wide range of imaging modalities for the study of pathophysiology and treatment in diseases affecting the retinal pigment epithelium and Bruch's membrane, such as age-related macular degeneration.     

Gangliocytoma--magnetic resonance imaging characteristics

An atypical presentation of a temporal lobe gangliocytoma in an adult female with headaches is reported. Computed tomography showed a hypodense enhancing mass in the right temporal lobe with vasogenic oedema and mass effect. MRI demonstrated a well demarcated mass of low signal on T1W, intermediate signal on PDW, high signal on T2W and homogeneous enhancement on post-gadolinium scan. This case is an addition to the current literature for the characteristic MR features of a ganglion cell tumour.     

Magnification as a variable in subminiature work.

2 experiments are reported concerning the effects of magnification on the motor skills involved in subminiature work. In 1 study dealing with the interaction of magnification and object size, Ss used a tweezers to pick up spherical metal dots of 2 different sizes under 2 magnifications. In another study dealing with the effects of varying magnification on duration of travel movements under differing precision conditions, Ss performed a repetitive wire positioning operation. In both experiments, Ss viewed their task through a stereoscopic microscope. Results indicated that: the optimum magnification for pickup varied with the size of the object manipulated, there was no interaction between magnification and task precision, and travel movements were slower when performed under higher magnifications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Dilated fallopian tubes: MR imaging characteristics

A complex of four proteins isolated from neuronal membranes has ligand binding sites for N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor agonists and antagonists and forms NMDA-activated ion channels upon reconstitution into lipid membranes. In this study, the cDNA of a subunit of this complex containing binding sites for the competitive antagonists of NMDA receptors was cloned. The cDNA clone coded for a protein of 719 amino acids (78.9 kDa). The expressed protein had binding activity for the agonists l-[3H]glutamate and [3H]glycine, the antagonist (+/-)-[3H]-(E)-2-amino-4-propyl-5-phosphonopentanoic acid ([3H]CGP 39653), but not the ion channel inhibitors. The cloned cDNA had no homology to other cloned cDNAs. Northern blot analyses indicated high expression of an 3.8 kb poly(A+) RNA in brain, but not in other tissues. These findings indicate that proteins that have recognition sites for NMDA receptor activators and inhibitors and that differ from the well-characterized NMDA receptor proteins NR1-3 are expressed in mammalian brain.     

Bounds on null functions of linear digital imaging systems

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to quantitatively assess abnormally low attenuation of the lung by use of three-dimensional volumetric reconstructions from routine helical CT and to assess their correlation with pulmonary function tests. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Helical CT was performed in 100 patients in full inspiration. Examination was also performed in full expiration in 53 of these patients. Three-dimensional volumetric reconstructions were performed for total lung volumes at inspiration and at expiration, with a threshold of -896 H on inspiratory CT and -790 H on expiratory CT, to quantify emphysematous change. Correlation was made with pulmonary function tests in 79 patients. RESULTS: CT volumetric assessments of abnormally low attenuation of the lung at inspiration and expiration had a high correlation (r2 = .84, p < or = .0001). In comparison with pulmonary function tests, both inspiratory low attenuation of the lung and expiratory low attenuation of the lung correlated well with the logarithm of the ratio of the forced expiratory volume in 1 sec (FEV1) to the forced vital capacity (r2 = .74, p < or = .0001 and r2 = .74, p < or = .0001, respectively) and with the percentage of predicted ratio of the FEV1 to the forced vital capacity (r2 = .69, p < or = .0001 and r2 = .69, p < or = .0001, respectively). Linear correlations were also seen with FEV1, residual volume, and forced residual capacity. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional volumetric reconstructions of hypoattenuating lung correlate well with pulmonary function tests. In addition, inspiratory and expiratory data are also correlative, suggesting that a dedicated expiratory examination is not needed. This easily obtainable information will prove useful for patients with obstructive lung disease from emphysema, providing a measure of pulmonary function status in this population.     

Dosimetric characteristics of a liquid-filled electronic portal imaging device

PURPOSE: To determine the characteristics of a commercial electronic portal imaging device (EPID), based on a two-dimensional matrix of liquid-filled ionization chambers, for transmission dose measurements during patient treatment. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Electronic portal imaging device measurements were performed in a cobalt-60 beam and two accelerator x-ray beams, and compared with measurements performed with a Farmer-type ionization chamber in air in a miniphantom and in an extended water phantom. RESULTS: The warming up time of the EPID is about 1 h. The long-term stability of the detector is better than 1% under reference conditions for a period of about 3 months. The signal of the ionization chambers follows approximately the square root of the dose rate, although the relation becomes more linear for larger (> 1 Gy/min) dose rates. The signal can be transformed to dose rate with an accuracy of 0.6% (1 SD). The short-term influence of integrated dose on the sensitivity of the ionization chambers is small. The sensitivity increases about 0.5% for all ionization chambers after an absorbed dose of 8 Gy and returns to its original value in less than 5 min after stopping the irradiation. This small increase in sensitivity can be ascribed to the electrode distance of the ionization chambers in commercial EPIDs, which is 0.8 +/- 0.1 mm. The sensitivity increase depends on the electrode distance and is 4% for a 1.4 mm electrode distance. The scattering properties of the EPID ionization chambers were between those of an ionization chamber in a miniphantom and in a water phantom. CONCLUSION: The matrix ionization chamber EPID has characteristics that make it very suitable for dose rate measurements. It is therefore a very promising device for in vivo dosimetry purposes.     

Clinical applications of fundus reflection densitometry

Fundus reflection densitometry or retinal densitometry is a non-invasive technique to examine the visual photopigment kinetics in living eyes. The technique is based on the comparison of the reflected light from the fundus in a fully light adapted eye (when all visual photopigment has been bleached) with the reflected light following complete dark adaptation (when the retina contains its maximum amount of visual photopigment). The technique provides a measure of the density of visual photopigment, its time constant of regeneration, its distribution and spectral characteristics if measured at a series of wavelengths. Fundus reflection densitometry in the human eye was introduced 40 years ago. Presently, it is the only available technique from which direct and objective insight can be obtained into visual photopigment. This knowledge is particularly relevant in eyes where abnormalities of photoreceptor function are suspected. This paper summarizes the current knowledge of fundus reflection densitometry in the diseased and in the aging human retina, gathered over the last 30 years. Considerable improvements of the instrument for clinical purposes have been obtained, and are also discussed.     

Performance characteristics of a chemical imaging time-of-flight mass spectrometer

A chemical imaging time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer is described. It consists of a liquid metal ion gun, medium energy resolution reflectron mass analyzer, liquid nitrogen cooled sample stage, preparation chamber and dual stage entry port. Unique features include compatibility with laser postionization experiments, large field of view, cryogenic sample handling capability and high incident ion beam current. Instrument performance is illustrated by the characterization of scanning electron microscopy grids, silver and functionalized polystyrene beads and the postionization of an organic overlayer on a gold substrate.     

Production and some structural characteristics of ultrafine systems

Conclusions All the methods examined enable ultrafine materials to be produced, generally characterized by a crystallite size of 100–200 Å. X-ray diffraction spectra indicate that such systems have atomic crystal structures with short-range order and a limited long-range order extending over distances commensurable with the size of coherent-scattering regions.Translated from Poroshkovaya Metallurgiya, No. 9 (225), pp. 10–14, September, 1981.     

Magnification renal scintigraphy in the differential diagnosis of septa of Bertin

Eight consecutive patients, referred because intravenous urography (IVP) raised the question of hypertrophied septum of Bertin versus a pathologic mass, were examined using 99mTc labeled radiopharmaceuticals with magnification renal scintigraphy. The areas of concern showed a spectrum of activity, from normal to markedly increased, as compared to surrounding tissue. The activity correlated with the size of the mass effect on IVP. Increased resolution provided by pinhole magnification was important in evaluating these patients. We feel that magnification renal scintigraphy is valuable in the evaluation of intrarenal masses.     

金相显微镜物镜放大倍数的测量不确定度评定

利用分度值为0.01,不确定度为0.5μm,k为2的测微尺,对显微镜物镜放大率的不确定度进行评定,分析测量不确定度的来源,计算标准不确定度,最终得出扩展不确定度。     

Relative characteristics of MR angiography and competing vascular imaging modalities

This article reviews the general characteristics of several vascular imaging modalities with the purpose of identifying the distinguishing features of magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. Brief discussions of conventional x-ray film angiography, intravenous and intraarterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA), duplex and color Doppler flow ultrasound (US), computed tomographic (CT) angiography, transesophageal and intravascular US, angioscopy, and MR angiography are presented. The advantages and disadvantages of each are discussed. The general attributes and image quality features of MR angiography, intraarterial DSA, CT angiography, and US are compared. It is concluded that no single imaging modality will presently suffice for all purposes. Because of its noninvasiveness, rapidly improving image quality, and ability to directly provide velocity information, MR angiography is likely to play a role in an increasing number of clinical applications.     

Static and dynamic characteristics of fluid-filled esophageal manometry systems

Esophageal manometric systems with water-filled catheters have been characterized by the use of model experiments. The examined parameters have been: catheter dimension, catheter compliance, catheter resistance, pump type, pump compliance, and perfusion flow. Accurate static pressure measurements have been obtained for perfused systems independently of the investigated parameters. The dynamic characteristics vary with catheter diameter and perfusion flow. For catheters with low diameter, a narrow bandwidth is obtained for the investigated perfusion flows. The results have been expressed in terms of an electric model of the measurement system. Perfusion pumps with low compliance are recommended to improve the dynamic properties of the measurement system.