Soft tissue differentiation using multiband signatures of high resolution ultrasonic transmission tomography

In this paper, we are interested in soft tissue differentiation by multiband images obtained from the High-Resolution Ultrasonic Transmission Tomography (HUTT) system using a spectral target detection method based on constrained energy minimization (CEM). We have developed a new tissue differentiation method (called "CEM filter bank") consisting of multiple CEM filters specially designed for detecting multiple types of tissues. Statistical inference on the output of the CEM filter bank is used to make a decision based on the maximum statistical significance rather than the magnitude of each CEM filter output. We test and validate this method through three-dimensional interphantom/intraphantom soft tissue classification where target profiles obtained from an arbitrary single slice are used for differentiation over multiple other tomographic slices. The performance of the proposed classifier is assessed using receiver operating characteristic analysis. We also apply our method to classify tiny structures inside a bovine kidney and sheep kidneys. Using the proposed method we can detect physical objects and biological tissues such as styrofoam balls, chicken tissue, calyces, and vessel-duct successfully.     

Multielectrode microprobes for deep-brain stimulation fabricated with a customizable 3-D electroplating process

Although deep-brain stimulation (DBS) can be used to improve some of the severe symptoms of Parkinson's disease (e.g., Bradykinesia, rigidity, and tremors), the mechanisms by which the symptoms are eliminated are not well understood. Moreover, DBS does not prevent neurodegeneration that leads to dementia or death. In order to fully investigate DBS and to optimize its use, a comprehensive long-term stimulation study in an animal model is needed. However, since the brain region that must be stimulated, known as the subthalamic nucleus (STN), is extremely small (500 microm x 500 microm x 1 mm) and deep within the rat brain (10 mm), the stimulating probe must have geometric and mechanical properties that allow accurate positioning in the brain, while minimizing tissue damage. We have designed, fabricated, and tested a novel micromachined probe that is able to accurately stimulate the STN. The probe is designed to minimize damage to the surrounding tissue. The probe shank is coated with gold and the electrode interconnects are insulated with silicon nitride for biocompatibility. The probe has four platinum electrodes to provide a variety of spatially distributed stimuli, and is formed in a novel 3-D plating process that results in a microwire like geometry (i.e., smoothly tapering diameter) with a corresponding mechanically stable shank.     

Raman spectroscopic analysis of biochemical changes in individual triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the pre- and postprandial state

Individual triglyceride-rich lipoprotein (TGRL) particles derived from human volunteers are nondestructively analyzed by laser tweezers Raman microspectroscopy, and information on their composition and distribution is obtained. The Raman signature of single optically trapped very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), a subclass of TGRL, which play an important role in cardiovascular disease, exhibits distinct peaks associated with molecular vibrations of fatty acids, proteins, lipids, and structural rearrangements of lipids. Our analysis of pre- and postprandial VLDL exhibits the signature of biochemical changes in individual lipoprotein particles following the consumption of meals. Interaction of VLDL with endothelium leads to the breakdown of complex triacylglycerols and the formation of a highly ordered core of free saturated fatty acids in the particle. A particle distribution analysis reveals trends in the degree to which this process has occurred in particles at different times during the postprandial period. Differences in particle distributions based on the different ratios of polyunsaturated to saturated fats in the consumed meals are also easily discerned. Individual lipoprotein particles hydrolyzed in vitro through addition of lipoprotein lipase (LpL) exhibit strikingly similar changes in their Raman spectra. These results demonstrate the feasibility of monitoring the dynamics of lipid metabolism of individual TGRL particles as they interact with LpL in the endothelial cell wall using Raman spectroscopy.     

Design of radiation shielding for the proton therapy facility at the National Cancer Center in Korea

The design of radiation shielding was evaluated for a proton therapy facility being established at the National Cancer Center in Korea. The proton beam energy from a 230 MeV cyclotron is varied for therapy using a graphite target. This energy variation process produces high radiation and thus thick shielding walls surround the region. The evaluation was first carried out using analytical expressions at selected locations. Further detailed evaluations have been performed using the Monte Carlo method. Dose equivalent values were calculated to be compared with analytical results. The analytical method generally yielded more conservative values. With consideration of adequate occupancy factors annual dose equivalent rates are kept <1 mSv y(-1) in all areas. Construction of the building is expected to be completed near the end of 2004 and the installation of therapy equipment will begin a few months later.     

A step-by-step procedure to aid the assessment of intake and doses from measurement data

The interpretation of bioassay data to assess intakes and doses depends not only on the biokinetic model used but also on the choice of parameter values made by the assessor. Therefore, it is understandable that different assessors will draw different conclusions from the same datasets even if the same models are used. A systematic step-by-step procedure is proposed for the assessment of cases with comprehensive data in which the time of intake is known. The aims are to promote harmonisation of dose assessments and to assist in obtaining the best available assessment of intake and dose from the monitoring data. The procedure is illustrated by means of an example reported recently in the literature. The case which involves a 6 y follow-up of a subject who inhaled (241)Am, is somewhat unusual in that there are comprehensive in vivo measurements, but few excretion data. The rate at which activity is absorbed from lungs to blood can be one of the largest sources of uncertainty in any inhalation assessment, and significantly improved fits to the measurement data were obtained by choosing appropriate values for the relevant parameters. 'The best estimate' of the resulting effective dose in this case was higher by a factor of approximately 2 or 3, respectively, than those obtained assuming ICRP default values for Type M or Type S.     

Application of a new electrolyte circulation method for the ex situ electrokinetic bioremediation of a laboratory-prepared pentadecane contaminated kaolinite

Ex situ electrokinetic (EK) bioremediation of a laboratory-prepared pentadecane-contaminated kaolinite was carried out. Extraneous bacteria and ionic nutrients were continuously supplied to the soil specimen by a new electrolyte circulation method, which controlled electrical pH change of electrolyte solution to keep bacterial activity. During the EK bioremediation the anode region showed the highest colony forming unit (CFU) due to electrical attraction between anode and bacteria. Simultaneous increases of CFU and uniform pentadecane removal in most soil regions demonstrated that electro-osmosis as well as electrophoresis affected the bacterial transport in soil. At 3.13 mA/cm2, increase in soil temperature to above 45 degrees C inhibited bacterial activity, which caused the decrease of removal efficiency. The removal amount of pentadecane increased with initial pentadecane concentration at the same current densities (0.63 and 1.88 mA/cm2) because of the increased amount of weakly bound pentadecane onto the soil surface. The highest removal efficiency (77.6%) was obtained at 0.63 mA/cm2 for 1000 mg/kg pentadecane after 14 days. Consequently, the present methods of EK bioremediation demonstrated superiority over the conventional bioremediation, which had inherent demerits of slow degradation and low removal efficiency.     

Computer-controlled microcirculatory support system for endothelial cell culture and shearing

Endothelial cells (ECs) lining the inner lumen of blood vessels are continuously subjected to hemodynamic shear stress, which is known to modify EC morphology and biological activity. This paper describes a self-contained microcirculatory EC culture system that efficiently studies such effects of shear stress on EC alignment and elongation in vitro. The culture system is composed of elastomeric microfluidic cell shearing chambers interfaced with computer-controlled movement of piezoelectric pins on a refreshable Braille display. The flow rate is varied by design of channels that allow for movement of different volumes of fluid per variable-speed pump stroke. The integrated microfluidic valving and pumping system allowed primary EC seeding and differential shearing in multiple compartments to be performed on a single chip. The microfluidic flows caused ECs to align and elongate significantly in the direction of flow according to their exposed levels of shear stress. This microfluidic system overcomes the small flow rates and the inefficiencies of previously described microfluidic and macroscopic systems respectively to conveniently perform parallel studies of EC response to shear stress.     

GaPO4 sensors for gravimetric monitoring during atomic layer deposition at high temperatures

The quartz crystal microbalance is extremely useful for in situ monitoring of thin-film growth by atomic layer deposition (ALD) in a viscous flow environment. Unfortunately, conventional AT-quartz sensors are limited to growth temperatures below approximately 300 degrees C. Gallium orthophosphate (GaPO4) is an alternative piezoelectric material offering much greater high-temperature frequency stability than AT-quartz (SiO2). Our measurements reveal that the temperature coefficient for Y-11 degrees GaPO4 decreases linearly with temperature reaching 3 Hz/ degrees C at 450 degrees C. In contrast, the temperature coefficient for the SiO2 sensor increases as the cube of the sensor temperature to 650 Hz/ degrees C at 390 degrees C. To examine the effect of temperature fluctuations on the sensor frequency, we exposed the SiO2 and GaPO4 sensors to helium pulses at 400 degrees C. The resulting frequency change measured for the SiO2 sensor was approximately 40 times greater than that of the GaPO4 sensor. Next, we performed Al2O3 ALD using alternating tri-methylaluminum/water exposures at 400 degrees C and monitored the growth using the SiO2 and GaPO4 sensors. The GaPO4 sensor yielded well-defined pulse shapes in agreement with predictions, while the SiO2 pulses were severely distorted. Measurements during TiO2 ALD using alternating titanium tetrachloride/water exposures at 450 degrees C with the GaPO4 sensor also showed well-defined ALD mass steps.     

Improved interferometric detection of scattered light with a 4f imaging system

We analyze the performance of three imaging systems to detect near-forward scattered light interferometrically by using a Mach-Zehnder geometry. The alignment of each system is demonstrated by measurement of the heterodyne efficiency and correlation of the angular width and field 1/e radius measurements of the sample beam. Measurements of angular-scattering data demonstrate the range of angles over which each system is effective. Of the three systems analyzed, the 4f imaging system is determined to be most effective, because it accurately reproduces both the phase and the amplitude of the scattered field at the detector.