Two Monte Carlo-based simulators for imaging-system modeling and projection simulation of flat-panel X-ray source

The advantages of a flat-panel X-ray source(FPXS)make it a promising candidate for imaging applications.Accurate imaging-system modeling and projection simulation are critical for analyzing imaging performance and resolving overlapping projection issues in FPXS.The conventional analytical ray-tracing approach is limited by the number of patterns and is not applicable to FPXS-projection calculations.However,the computation time of Monte Carlo(MC)simulation is independent of the size of the patterned arrays in FPXS.This study proposes two high-efficiency MC projection simulators for FPXS:a graphics processing unit(GPU)-based phase-space sampling MC(gPSMC)simulator and GPU-based fluence sampling MC(gFSMC)simulator.The two simulators comprise three components:imaging-system modeling,photon initialization,and physical-interaction simulations in the phantom.Imaging-system modeling was performed by modeling the FPXS,imaging geometry,and detector.The gPSMC simulator samples the initial photons from the phase space,whereas the gFSMC simulator performs photon initialization from the calculated energy spectrum and fluence map.The entire process of photon interaction with the geometry and arrival at the detector was simulated in parallel using multiple GPU kernels,and projections based on the two simulators were calculated.The accuracies of the two simulators were evaluated by comparing them with the conventional analytical ray-tracing approach and acquired projections,and the efficiencies were evaluated by comparing the computation time.The results of simulated and realistic experiments illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed gPSMC and gFSMC simulators in the projection calculation of various phantoms.

Small-angle X-ray scattering investigation of aging behavior of Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys using synchrotron radiation

The aging behavior of Al-Cu-Mg-Ag alloys with high Cu/Mg was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) using synchrotron radiation. TEM study reveals that the major strengthening phases of the alloy after aging at 160?C for 10 h are Ω and less θ′. SAXS study shows that the scattering patterns are composed of several concentric circles at the beginning of aging process, which is replaced by the butterfly-wings scattering patterns with the increase of aging time. The butterfly-wings scattering patterns are composed of several branches. The angles between the branches are roughly equal to that between the habit planes of precipitates. The evolution of Guinier radius with aging time indicates the good coarsening resistance of the precipitates. The evolution of integrated intensity is consistent with the classical two-step precipitation process.

Small Angle X-ray Scattering Study of Precipitation Kinetics in Al-Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys

The evolution of microstructure parameters （precipitate size and volume fraction） for two types of Al-Zn-Mg-Cu alloys （7075 and 7055） during aging has been studied by synchrotron-radiation small angle X-ray scattering （SAXS）.The results show that the precipitates are only a few nanorneters for both alloys ageing even at higher temperature of 160℃ for 72 h （4.44 and 5.82 nm, respectively）. The maximum of the precipitate volume fraction increases with in creasing Zn content and is about 0.023-0.028 and 0.052-0.054, respectively. The coarsening of precipitate is consistent with LSW （Lifshitz-Slyozov-Wagner） model even at the initial stage where volume fraction is still varying.The activation energy of coarsening regime has been determined to be about 1.22±0.02 eV and 1.25±0.02 eV for alloys 7075 and 7055, respectively.

Detection of tracheal branching with computerized tomography:The relationship between the angles and age-gender

BACKGROUND The data obtained on the anatomical knowledge of the tracheobronchial system can be used for diagnosis,treatment and interventional interventions in areas such as anesthesia,thoracic surgery,pulmonary physiology.AIM To determine the tracheobronchial branching angles in pediatric and adult populations by using the multislice computed tomography(CT)and minimum intensity projection(MinIP)technique,which is a non-invasive method.METHODS Our study was carried out retrospectively.Patients who underwent contrast and non-contrast CT examination,whose anatomically and pathophysiologically good tracheobronchial system and lung parenchyma images were obtained,were included in the study.Measurements were made in the coronal plane of the lung parenchyma.In the coronal plane,right main bronchus-left main bronchus angle,right upper lobe bronchus-intermedius bronchus angle,right middle lobe bronchus-right lower lobe bronchus angle,left upper lobe bronchus-left lower lobe bronchus angle were measured.RESULTS The study population consisted of 1511 patients,753 pediatric(mean age:13.4±4.3;range:1-18 years)and 758 adults(mean age:54.3±17.3;range:19-94 years).In our study,tracheal bifurcation angle was found to be 73.3°±13.7°(59.6°-87°)in the whole population.In the pediatric group,the right-left main coronal level was found to be higher in boys compared to girls(74.6°±12.9°vs 71.2°±13.9°,P=0.001).In the adult group,the right-left main coronal level was found to be lower in males compared to females(71.9°±12.9°vs 75.8°±14.7°,P<0.001).CONCLUSIONS Our study,with the number of 1511 patients,is the first study in the literature with the largest number of patient populations including pediatric and adult demographic data,measuring the angle values of the tracheobronchial system using multislice CT and MinIP technique.Study data will not only be a guide during invasive procedures,but it can also guide studies to be done with imaging methods.

Growth Kinetics of Nanocrystals and Nanorods by Employing Small-angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS) and Other Techniques

In this article, we report the results of our detailed investigations of the growth kinetics of zero-dimensional nanocrystals as well as one-dimensional nanorods by the combined use of small angel X-ray scattering （SAXS）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） along with other physical techniques. The study includes growth kinetics of gold nanocrystals formed by the reduction of HAuCl4 by tetrakis（hydroxymethyl） phosphonium chloride in aqueous solution, of CdSe nanocrystals formed by the reaction of cadmium stearate and selenium under solvothermal conditions, and of ZnO nanorods formed by the reaction of zinc acetate with sodium hydroxide under solvothermal conditions in the absence and presence of capping agents. The growth of gold nanocrystals does not follow the diffusion-limited Ostwald ripening, and instead follows a Sigmoidal rate curve. The heat change associated with the growth determined by isothermal titration calorimetry is about 10 kcal·mol^-1 per I nm increase in the diameter of the nanocrystals. In the case of CdSe nanocrystals also, the growth mechanism deviates from diffusion-limited growth and follows a combined model containing both diffusion and surface reaction terms. Our study of the growth kinetics of uncapped and poly（vinyl pyrollidone） （PVP）-capped ZnO nanorods has yielded interesting insights. We observe small nanocrystals next to the ZnO nanorods after a lapse of time in addition to periodic focusing and defocusing of the width of the length distribution. These observations lend support to the diffusion-limited growth model for the growth of uncapped ZnO nanorods. Accordingly, the time dependence on the length of uncapped nanorods follows the L3 law as required for diffusion-limited Ostwald ripening. The PVP-capped nanorods, however, show a time dependence, which is best described by a combination of diffusion （L^3） and surface reaction （L^2） terms.

Small Angle X-ray Scattering Study of PS Conformation in Tetrahydrofuran Solvent with Gas Anti-solvent

Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) was used to study the effect of dissolved CO2 on the conformation of polystyrene (PS) in PS/tetrahydrofuran(THF) solution at 308.15 K and at pressures up to 3 MPa. The cloud pressure and the expansion curve of the solution were also determined. The dependence of the conformation on pressure was discussed.

Microfibril angle variability in Masson Pine (Pinus massoniana Lamb.) using X-ray diffraction

The microfibril angle of fiber walls is an ultra-mieroscopic feature affecting the performance of wood products. It is therefore essential to get more definitive information to improve selection and utilization. X-ray diffraction is a rapid method for measuring microfibril angles. In this paper, the variability of microfibril angle in plantation-grown Masson pine was investigated by peak-fitting method. This method was compared with the traditional hand-drawn method, 40% peak height method and half peak height method. X-ray diffraction measurements indicated that the microfibril angle changed as a function of the position in the tree. The mean microfibril angle decreased more gradually as the distance increased from the pith and reached the same level in mature wood. The microfibril angle also seemed to decrease clearly from the base upward. Differences of angle-intensity curves between heartwood and sapwood were also examined.

Quantification of projection angle in fragment generator warhead

Tactical Ballistic Missile(TBM) class target neutralization by the fragment spray of a Fragment Generator Warhead(FGW) calls for quantification of fragment projection angle scatter to finalize the end game engagement logic.For conventional axi-symmetric warhead,dispersion is assumed to be normal with a standard deviation of 3~O.However,such information is not available in case of FGW.Hence,a set of experiments are conducted to determine the dispersion of fragments.The experiments are conducted with a specific configuration of FGW in an identical arena to quantify the scatter and then verified its applicability to other configurations having a range of L/D and C/M ratios,and contoured fragmenting discs.From the experimental study,it is concluded that the scatter in projection angle follows normal distribution with a standard deviation of 0.75° at Chi-square significance level of 0.01(x_(0.99)~2).

Projections,Birkhoff Orthogonality and Angles in Normed Spaces

Let X be a Minkowski plane, i.e., a real two dimensional normed linear space. We use projections to give a definition of the angle Aq（x, y） between two vectors x and y in X, such that x is Birkhoff orthogonal to y if and only if Aq（x,y）=π/2. Some other properties of this angle are also discussed.

Scanning Microfocus Small Angle X-ray Scattering Study of the Avian Eggshell

Synchrotron microfocus small angle X-ray scattering was used to investigate the nanostructure and microscopic variation of eggshells. It uses a microbeam allowing the ability to probe interactions between the organic and inorganic components at nanometer level and is ideal for mapping over small areas to obtain a detailed analysis of structural variations. Thin sections of eggshells were scanned from the shell membrane （inner） to the cuticle （outer） surface. The data collected was used to produce two-dimensional maps showing microscopic changes within the different layers of the eggshell. The structural alterations ap- parently could have implications at the macroscopic level of the resulting eggshell. As the organic matrix is embedded within the eggshell this may contribute to the variations observed in calcite crystal form and texture, Structural information obtained about a biomaterial at different length scales is important in relating the structure to its functional properties. This knowledge and the principles behind the formation of biomaterials could be used in the attempt of bioengineering new systems.

Characteristics of AOT Microemulsion Structure: a Small Angle X-ray Scattering Study

The method of synchrotron radiation small-angle X-ray scattering (SR-SAXS) has been used to obtain structural information on the system of bis (2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT)/H2O/isooctane. By using the Guinier plot (Ln I (q) versus q(2)) on the data sets in a defined small q range (0.03-0.06 Angstrom (-1)), the gyration radius at different water/surfactant molar ratio, W-0, was obtained. With the increase of W-0, the gyration radius (R-g) increased at the range of 23.2 similar to 52.7 Angstrom.

Probing Nanoscale Morphology of PS/PMMA/CdS &PS/PVC/CdS Polymeric Nanocomposites through Small Angle X-Ray Scattering Analysis

Polymeric nanocomposites of PS/PMMA/CdS and PS/PVC/CdS samples have been synthesized through dispersion solution casting technique. The nanoparrticles of CdS were prepared by simple chemical method using CdCl2 and H2S gas produced from thiourea. The nanoscale morphology of the prepared polymeric nanocomposite samples is probed through small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The SAXS study reveals that CdS nanoparticles take place at voids position in the respective plymer blend matrix and exhibit their nano nature with very little tendency to agglomerates.

Variation of microfibril angle and its correlation to wood properties in poplars

The microfibril angle of seven poplar clones was determined by using X-ray diffraction technique. Microfibril angle, wood basic density, fiber length, fiber width and cellulose content were assessed for every growth ring at breast height for all sample trees. Significant variation in microfibril angle was observed among growth rings. Mean microfibril angle (MFA) at breast height varied from 7.8?to 28?between growth rings with cambial age and showed a consistent pith-to-bark trend of decline an-gles. Analysis of variance also indicated that there were significant differences in wood basic density, fiber length, fiber width and cellulose content between the growth rings, which had an increasing tendency from pith to bark. Correlations between MFA and examined wood properties were predominantly large and significant negative (?0.01), and the coefficients were -0.660 for cellulose content, -0.586 for fiber length, -0.516 for fiber width and -0.450 for wood basic density, respectively. Regression analysis with linear and curve estimation indicated that a quadratic function showed the largest R2 and the least standard error for describing the relationships between microfibril angle and measured wood properties, and the correlation coefficients were over -0.45 (n=125). The results from this study suggested that microfibril angle would be a good characteristic for improvement in the future breeding program of poplars.

Assessment on the Water Resources Carrying Capacity in Karst Area Based on the Cosine Vector Included Angle

[Objective] The research aimed to assess the water resources carrying capacity in Guizhou Province based on the cosine vector included angle method. [Method] By using the cosine vector included angle method, the index weight was determined. The projection value of water resources carrying capacity in Guizhou Province was counted by using the multi-objective gray relational projection method. Moreover, the projection value which was counted by the index weight determined by the mean-variance method was as the control. [Result] The projection values which were obtained by two kinds of methods were very close, and the ordering result was consistent. [Conclusion] In the assessment of water resources carrying capacity, it was feasible to use the cosine vector included angle method to determine the index weight.

Stability of the Dividing Distribution Function Method for ParticleSize Distribution Analysis in Small Angle X－Ray Scattering

The Dividing Distribution Function (DDF) method is one of the methods by which the particle size distribution of ultrafine powder can be evaluated from its small angle X-ray scattering data. In this paper, the stability of the solution obtained from DDF method has been investigated through optimizing the coefficient matrix, introducing a damping factor and a least square treatment. All calculations were accomplished with a microcomputer. It was shown that the average deviations of the size distribution obtained are not larger than the assigned random errors to the scattering intensities as long as the corresponding requirements are satisfied.

Optimum Design of Tilt Angle and Horizontal Direction of Solar Collectors under Obstacle’s Shadow for Building Applications

Solar collectors can provide clean, renewable, and domestic energy. The tilt angle and horizontal direction of solar collectors significantly affect its efficiency. There are many good methods to search the optimum tilt angle and horizontal direction to realize the maximum total radiation on the solar collector within a particular day or a specific period. However, it is hard to realize it when solar collectors are placed under obstacle’s shadows;especially when some obstacles, such as trees, have irregular shapes. This paper presents algorithms to achieve the best tilt angle and horizontal direction for solar collector’s performance under the free-form surfaces 3D obstacle’s shadow. The solution process is composed of 4 steps. First, it creates a 3D scene, in which a unique color is given to the solar collector. Second, it employs orthographic projection from the point of view to get an image of the scene. Third, the number of pixels is used to represent the efficiency of the solar collector by counting the pixels of the unique color. Fourth, the efficiency of solar collector in each direction in a period of time is calculated with many images to further select the best direction.

制氢厂房氢泄漏激光检测光路布置优化研究

氢气扩散能力强、燃烧速度快、可燃范围广的特点使其泄漏易发生爆炸事故。对比基于可调谐半导体激光吸收光谱技术的激光传感器布置方式,以降低对氢泄漏的检测时间,获得最佳光路布置间距和角度。利用数值模拟研究了氢气在制氢厂房内的泄漏逸散规律,通过光学仿真确定了激光传感器的最短布置距离,分析了相邻光路间距及光路投影角度两种因素对氢泄漏检测的影响,得到了检测时间短、经济成本相对较低的布置方式。结果表明:相邻光路间距为0.4 m、光路与地面夹角为45°时,检测氢气泄漏时间优于其他方式并且所需激光传感器数量最少。

口腔临床诊疗中数字牙片影像技术的应用价值

目的探讨口腔临床诊疗中数字牙片影像技术的应用价值。方法选择2022年1月至2023年5月期间在本院口腔科就诊且需要拔牙治疗的50例正畸患者作为研究对象。患者在治疗前,完成数字化牙片摄影和传统牙片摄影。记录投照上、下颌牙齿X线倾斜的垂直平均角度,并统计牙齿根尖片的曝光时间,对比两种摄影技术对牙齿长度的测量结果。结果传统牙片摄影时,上颌和下颌切牙位、单尖牙、双尖牙位、第一磨牙位、第二及三磨牙位(足侧倾斜)选择投射角度低于数字化牙片摄影(P<0.05)。数字化牙片摄影投照上颌和下颌切牙位、单尖牙位、双尖牙位、第三磨牙位及第一、二磨牙位牙齿根尖片的曝光时间低于传统牙片摄影(P<0.05)。数字化牙片摄影对待拔除牙齿单根、双根颊和双根腭测量结果与游标卡尺测量结果相比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);传统牙片摄影对待拔除牙齿单根、双根颊和双根腭测量结果低于游标卡尺测量结果,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);以游标卡尺测量结果为依据,数字化牙片摄影和传统牙片摄影对待拔除牙齿单根、双根颊和双根腭测量结果相比,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论数字牙片影像技术投照条件宽容度相对较大,投射时曝光时间短,对牙齿根尖的测量准确度较高,便于细致观察牙齿,应用于口腔临床诊疗的价值较高。

基于投影光瞳分布的星地激光通信波前探测

为了解决星地自由空间光学通信系统中的提前角问题,采用了一种基于光强传输的新型波前探测技术——投影光瞳面分布(Projected Pupil Plane Pattern,PPPP),并通过实验室实验验证了该技术的可行性。PPPP基于TIE光强传输公式,根据不同传输距离下光强分布的变化反解出大气湍流引起的波前畸变。由于PPPP采用的是上行通信激光本身的后向瑞利散射,其测量的大气湍流方向与通信卫星方向一致,因此可以有效解决星地激光通信中的提前角问题。实验模拟了1 m口径的地基望远镜作为上行激光发射装置和后向散射光斑成像设备,通过等效高度分别为10 km和17 km的上行激光后向散射光斑图像来实现对10 km以下大气湍流的波前探测。实验采用的波前畸变模拟装置包括空间光调制器和透明塑料片,实验结果表明,对不同的波前畸变PPPP和通用的夏克-哈特曼波前探测器可以实现相似的波前重构,两者重构相位的残差约为初始相位的30%。

风电场道路加宽设计的运动学理论模型

针对现有风电场道路加宽设计取值较大且有时不满足运输需求的问题,该文以理论力学中的刚体运动学原理为基础,利用速度投影定理,结合设计速度、圆曲线半径、路线转角值等因素,构建风电场道路加宽设计理论模型;基于该模型,结合风电场常用运输车辆参数,定量分析圆曲线半径、转角值、车辆尺寸对加宽值的影响;并与现行技术标准中的加宽参数进行对比分析,结果表明基于运动学理论加宽设计模型能有效减小道路加宽值。该文研究成果旨在为风电场道路及具有类似特殊运输需求的道路设计提供理论依据。