The practical value of 3-dimensional computed tomography on diagnosis of bladder tumor

Objective To study the practical value of 3-dimensional computed tomography on diagnosis of bladder tumor, Methods Fifteen patients with bladder masses were examined by thin-layer computed tomography. The results of 3-dimensional reconstructed images were compared with the final diagnosis and the pathological stages. Results According to 3-dimensional reconstructed images, among the 15 cases, 12 cases of bladder cancer were diagnosed, and the pathological types were transitional carcinoma. Two cases were diagnosed as benign tumor (leiomyoma), and the other one was colon cancer, which invaded bladder. The accuracy was 100% . The clinical stages were determined. Of the 12 bladder carcinomas,5 was in stage T1, 3 in T2,, 3 in T3 and 1 in T4.The accuracy of staging was up to 83% (10/12) compared with pathological stages. Conclusion The 3-dimensional reconstructed technology may improve the accuracy of staging of bladder carcinoma, and to provide important evidence for surgery options. 3 refs,2 figs.

Use of high-resolution X-ray computed tomography and 3D image analysis to quantify mineral dissemination and pore space in oxide copper ore particles

Mineral dissemination and pore space distribution in ore particles are important features that influence heap leaching performance. To quantify the mineral dissemination and pore space distribution of an ore particle, a cylindrical copper oxide ore sample (I center dot 4.6 mm x 5.6 mm) was scanned using high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT), a nondestructive imaging technology, at a spatial resolution of 4.85 mu m. Combined with three-dimensional (3D) image analysis techniques, the main mineral phases and pore space were segmented and the volume fraction of each phase was calculated. In addition, the mass fraction of each mineral phase was estimated and the result was validated with that obtained using traditional techniques. Furthermore, the pore phase features, including the pore size distribution, pore surface area, pore fractal dimension, pore centerline, and the pore connectivity, were investigated quantitatively. The pore space analysis results indicate that the pore size distribution closely fits a log-normal distribution and that the pore space morphology is complicated, with a large surface area and low connectivity. This study demonstrates that the combination of HRXCT and 3D image analysis is an effective tool for acquiring 3D mineralogical and pore structural data.

Quantification of 3D macropore networks in forest soils in Touzhai valley(Yunnan,China)using X-ray computed tomography and image analysis

The three dimensional （3D） geometry of soil macropores largely controls preferential flow, which is a significant infiltrating mechanism for rainfall in forest soils and affects slope stability. However, detailed studies on the 3D geometry of macropore networks in forest soils are rare. The intense rainfall-triggered potentially unstable slopes were threatening the villages at the downstream of Touzhai valley （Yunnan, China）. We visualized and quantified the 3D macropore networks in undisturbed soil columns （Histosols） taken from a forest hillslope in Touzhai valley, and compared them with those in agricultural soils （corn and soybean in USA; barley, fodder beet and red fescue in Denmark） and grassland soils in USA. We took two large undisturbed soil columns （250 mm^25o mmxsoo mm）, and scanned the soil columns at in-situ soil water content conditions using X-ray computed tomography at a voxel resolution of 0.945 × 0.945 × 1.500o mm^3. After reconstruction and visualization, we quantified the characteristics of macropore networks. In the studied forest soils, the main types of maeropores were root channels, inter-aggregate voids, maeropores without knowing origin, root-soil interfaee and stone-soil interface. While maeropore networks tend to be more eomplex, larger, deeper and longer. The forest soils have high maeroporosity, total maeropore wall area density, node density, and large maeropore volume, hydraulie radius, mean maeropore length, angle, and low tortuosity. The findings suggest that maeropore networks in the forest soils have high inter- connectivity, vertical continuity, linearity and less vertically oriented.

X-ray Computed Tomography Characterization of 3D Tufted Twill Textile Composite for Aerostructures

Damage assessments in three dimensional (3D) textile composites subjected to mechanical loading can be performed by non-destructive and destructive techniques.This paper applies the two techniques to investigate the fracture behavior of 3D tufted textile composites.X-ray computed tomography as a non-destructive evaluation method is appropriate to detect damage locations and identify their progression in 3D textile composites.Destructive methods such as sectioning toward observing damage provide valuable information about damage patterns.The results of this research could be utilized to evaluate the initial cause of rupture in 3D tufted composites used in aerospace structures and analyze fracture modes and damage progression.

X-Ray Computed Tomography for Root Quantification

Soil cores from a field growing barley and barley mutants without root hairs under conventional and minimum tillage were sampled. They were X-ray scanned to produce a 3D image and then the roots were washed out and weight and length were determined by conventional means. Root volume and surface area were then calculated from the 3D images using state of the art software and methodology, and the measured and calculated measures were correlated. The only strong and significant correlation was between measured weight and calculated volume for mutants without root hairs. It is concluded that the software cannot segment out very small roots, but segmentation accuracy also depends on root structure in some unknown way. Any study using X-ray computed tomography to quantify roots as they grow in situ should start with a calibration for the conditions in question.

Effects of dry-wet cycles on three-dimensional pore structure and permeability characteristics of granite residual soil using X-ray micro computed tomography

Due to seasonal climate alterations,the microstructure and permeability of granite residual soil are easily affected by multiple dry-wet cycles.The X-ray micro computed tomography(micro-CT)acted as a nondestructive tool for characterizing the microstructure of soil samples exposed to a range of damage levels induced by dry-wet cycles.Subsequently,the variations of pore distribution and permeability due to drywet cycling effects were revealed based on three-dimensional(3D)pore distribution analysis and seepage simulations.According to the results,granite residual soils could be separated into four different components,namely,pores,clay,quartz,and hematite,from micro-CT images.The reconstructed 3D pore models dynamically demonstrated the expanding and connecting patterns of pore structures during drywet cycles.The values of porosity and connectivity are positively correlated with the number of dry-wet cycles,which were expressed by exponential and linear functions,respectively.The pore volume probability distribution curves of granite residual soil coincide with the χ^(2)distribution curve,which verifies the effectiveness of the assumption of χ^(2)distribution probability.The pore volume distribution curves suggest that the pores in soils were divided into four types based on their volumes,i.e.micropores,mesopores,macropores,and cracks.From a quantitative and visual perspective,considerable small pores are gradually transformed into cracks with a large volume and a high connectivity.Under the action of dry-wet cycles,the number of seepage flow streamlines which contribute to water permeation in seepage simulation increases distinctly,as well as the permeability and hydraulic conductivity.The calculated hydraulic conductivity is comparable with measured ones with an acceptable error margin in general,verifying the accuracy of seepage simulations based on micro-CT results.

3D characterization and analysis of pore structure of packed ore particle beds based on computed tomography images

Methods and procedures of three-dimensional （3D） characterization of the pore structure features in the packed ore particle bed are focused. X-ray computed tomography was applied to deriving the cross-sectional images of specimens with single particle size of 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, 5-6, 6-7, 7-8, 8-9, 9-10 ram. Based on the in-house developed 3D image analysis programs using Matlab, the volume porosity, pore size distribution and degree of connectivity were calculated and analyzed in detail. The results indicate that the volume porosity, the mean diameter of pores and the effective pore size （d50） increase with the increasing of particle size. Lognormal distribution or Gauss distribution is mostly suitable to model the pore size distribution. The degree of connectivity investigated on the basis of cluster-labeling algorithm also increases with increasing the particle size approximately.

Experimental investigation of junction growth of rough contacts using X-ray computed tomography

The real contact area(RCA)of randomly rough contacts has received a great deal of attention because it correlates strongly with friction,lubrication,sealing,and conductivity.Simulations have revealed that the RCA associated with deterministic normal squeezing loads increases when tangential loads are also applied,in a phenomenon called junction growth.However,experimental investigations of the junction growth of randomly rough contacts are rare.Here,we used X-ray computed tomography(CT)to measure junction growth when two aluminum alloy surfaces were in contact.A high-resolution experimental setup was used to apply loads and observe contact behaviors at a resolution of 4μm.The RCA and average contact gaps were computed using a three-dimensional(3D)geometric model constructed from gray CT images using the Otsu thresholding method.The results showed that the RCA increased as the normal load increased.The RCA increased by 22.67%after a tangential load was applied(junction growth),and the average gap decreased by 14.01%after a tangential load was applied.Thus,X-ray CT accurately measured the junction growth as a novel quantitative method.

Evaluation of Airway Obstruction at Soft Palate Level in Male Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea/Hypopnea Syndrome:Dynamic 3-Dimensional CT Imaging of Upper Airway

This study examined the dynamic characteristics of upper airway collapse at soft palate level in patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome（OSAHS） by using dynamic 3-Dimensional（3-D） CT imaging.A total of 41 male patients who presented with 2 of the following symptoms,i.e.,daytime sleepiness and fatigue,frequent snoring,and apnea with witness,were diagnosed as having OSAHS.They underwent full-night polysomnography and then dynamic 3-D CT imaging of the upper airway during quiet breathing and in Muller＇s maneuver.The soft palate length（SPL）,the minimal cross-sectional area of the retropalatal region（mXSA-RP）,and the vertical distance from the hard palate to the upper posterior part of the hyoid（hhL） were compared between the two breathing states.These parameters,together with hard palate length（HPL）,were also compared between mild/moderate and severe OSAHS groups.Association of these parameters with the severity of OSAHS [as reflected by apnea hypopnea index（AHI） and the lowest saturation of blood oxygen（LSaO2）] was examined.The results showed that 31 patients had severe OSAHS,and 10 mild/moderate OSAHS.All the patients had airway obstruction at soft palate level.mXSA-RP was significantly decreased and SPL remarkably increased during Muller＇s maneuver as compared with the quiet breathing state.There were no significant differences in these airway parameters（except the position of the hyoid bone） between severe and mild/moderate OSAHS groups.And no significant correlation between these airway parameters and the severity of OSAHS was found.The position of hyoid was lower in the severe OSAHS group than in the mild/moderate OSAHS group.The patients in group with body mass index（BMI）≥26 had higher collapse ratio of mXSA-RP,greater neck circumference and smaller mXSA-RP in the Muller＇s maneuver than those in group with BMI26（P0.05 for all）.It was concluded that dynamic 3-D CT imaging could dynamically show the upper airway changes at soft palate level in OSAHS patients.All the OSAHS patients had airway obstruction of various degrees at soft palate level.But no correlation was observed between the airway change at soft palate level and the severity of OSAHS.The patients in group with BMI≥26 were more likely to develop airway obstruction at soft palate level than those with BMI26.

New flexible CsPbBr_(3)-based scintillator for X-ray tomography

The evolution of lead halide perovskites used for X-ray imaging scintillators has been facilitated by the development of solution-processable semiconductors characterized by large-area,flexible,fast photoresponse.The stability and durability of these new perovskites are insufficient to achieve extended computed tomography scanning times with hard X-rays.In this study,we fabricated a self-assembled CsPbBr_(3)-based scintillator film with a flexible large-area uniform thickness using a new roomtemperature solution-processable method.The sensitivity and responsivity of X-ray photon conversion were quantitatively measured and showed a good linear response relationship suitable for X-ray imaging.We also demonstrated,for the first time,that the self-assembled CsPbBr_(3)-based scintillator has good stability for hard X-ray microtomography.Therefore,such an inexpensive solution-processed semiconductor easily prepared at room temperature can be used as a hard X-ray scintillator and equipped with flexible CsPbBr3-based X-ray detectors.It has great potential in three-dimensional high-resolution phase-contrast X-ray-imaging applications in biomedicine and material science because of its heavy Pb and Br atoms.

Using X-ray computed tomography and micro-Raman spectrometry to measure individual particle surface area, volume, and morphology towards investigating atmospheric heterogeneous reactions

Heterogeneous reactions on the aerosol particle surface in the atmosphere play important roles in air pollution, climate change, and global biogeochemical cycles. However, the reported uptake coefficients of heterogeneous reactions usually have large variations and may not be relevant to real atmospheric conditions. One of the major reasons for this is the use of bulk samples in laboratory experiments, while particles in the atmosphere are suspended individually. A number of technologies have been developed recently to study heterogeneous reactions on the surfaces of individual particles. Precise measurements on the reactive surface area, volume, and morphology of individual particles are necessary for calculating the uptake coefficient, quantifying reactants and products, and understanding the reaction mechanism better. In this study, for the first time we used synchrotron radiation X-ray computed tomography（XCT） and micro-Raman spectrometry to measure individual CaCO_3 particle morphology, with sizes ranging from 3.5–6.5 μm. Particle surface area and volume were calculated using a reconstruction method based on software threedimensional（3-D） rendering. The XCT was first validated with high-resolution fieldemission scanning electron microscopy（FE-SEM） to acquire accurate CaCO_3 particle surface area and volume estimates. Our results showed an average difference of only 6.1% in surface area and 3.2% in volume measured either by micro-Raman spectrometry or X-ray tomography. X-ray tomography and FE-SEM can provide more morphological details of individual Ca CO3 particles than micro-Raman spectrometry. This study demonstrated that X-ray computed tomography and micro-Raman spectrometry can precisely measure the surface area, volume, and morphology of an individual particle.

Three-dimensional characteristics of Fe-rich intermetal ics in gravity-cast Al-6Si alloys

Fe-rich intermetallics, especially β-Fe phase, usually forming in the microstructure of cast aluminum alloys, are very detrimental to mechanical properties. In the present work, the effects of Fe content on phase transformation and microstructures were analyzed using a 3D X-ray microscope. Based on the highresolution 3D X-ray computed tomography, the 3D characteristics of Fe-rich intermetallics and micropores in the gravity-cast Al-6 Si alloys with different Fe contents were investigated. In addition, the effect of intermetallics on the microporosity was discussed. The results show that with increasing the Fe content from 0.10 wt.% to 0.60 wt.%, the volume fraction of Fe-rich intermetallics and the volume of the largest size Fe-rich intermetallic increased, and the 3D morphology of intermetallics changed from fine flake to network aggregation. As the Fe contents increased, the shrinkage pores were characterized, which were rather complex due to the micropores promoted by the intermetallics interactions.

Permeability differences based on three-dimensional geometrical information of void spaces

In this study,the permeabilities of Berea and Otway sandstones were measured under different confining pressures,and porosity was investigated through mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP).The total porosities of the Berea and Otway sandstones were approximately 17.4%and 25%,respectively.Pore size distributions of each sandstone were almost the same,but the pores in the Otway sandstone were slightly narrower.However,the permeability of the Otway sandstone was smaller than that of the Berea sandstone by one order of magnitude.Three-dimensional(3D)void geometry and geometrical properties of the void spaces relevant to flow were compared to obtain the relation between the permeability differences and porosities of the two sandstones.The 3D geometrical analysis using microfocus X-ray computed tomography(CT)was performed,and the pore geometries of both sandstones were compared using the 3D medial axis(3DMA)method.Pore and throat radii,pore coordination number,tortuosity,number of connecting paths,connecting path volume,and other factors were determined using 3DMA.The Otway sandstone was characterized by a small effective throat/pore radius ratio.Based on the fluid flow mechanism,the lower effective throat/pore radius ratio results in a lower permeability induced by the fluid energy loss,which means that the 3D geometrical shape of void spaces affects the permeability value.

Attention Based Multi-Patched 3D-CNNs with Hybrid Fusion Architecture for Reducing False Positives during Lung Nodule Detection

In lung nodules there is a huge variation in structural properties like Shape, Surface Texture. Even the spatial properties vary, where they can be found attached to lung walls, blood vessels in complex non-homogenous lung structures. Moreover, the nodules are of small size at their early stage of development. This poses a serious challenge to develop a Computer aided diagnosis (CAD) system with better false positive reduction. Hence, to reduce the false positives per scan and to deal with the challenges mentioned, this paper proposes a set of three diverse 3D Attention based CNN architectures (3D ACNN) whose predictions on given low dose Volumetric Computed Tomography (CT) scans are fused to achieve more effective and reliable results. Attention mechanism is employed to selectively concentrate/weigh more on nodule specific features and less weight age over other irrelevant features. By using this attention based mechanism in CNN unlike traditional methods there was a significant gain in the classification performance. Contextual dependencies are also taken into account by giving three patches of different sizes surrounding the nodule as input to the ACNN architectures. The system is trained and validated using a publicly available LUNA16 dataset in a 10 fold cross validation approach where a competition performance metric (CPM) score of 0.931 is achieved. The experimental results demonstrate that either a single patch or a single architecture in a one-to-one fashion that is adopted in earlier methods cannot achieve a better performance and signifies the necessity of fusing different multi patched architectures. Though the proposed system is mainly designed for pulmonary nodule detection it can be easily extended to classification tasks of any other 3D medical diagnostic computed tomography images where there is a huge variation and uncertainty in classification.

Rapid Large Volume 3D Mineral Processing and Liberation Characterization Technique to Sub Micron Resolution

We describe a novel lab based X-ray computed tomography system based on the architecture of X-ray Microscopes (XRM) used in synchrotron radiation facilities to be adapted for mineral processing and mineral liberation analysis. As this is a tomographic technique performed with an XRM, it is non-destructive and does not require complex preparation of polished sections typical of SEM-EDS techniques (such as MLA and QEMSCAN). It complements these existing techniques by providing 3D information and mineral liberation of multi-phase particles with much larger sample volume statistics but at a fraction of the time. In several applications, the technique is superior. These include the characterization of tailing loss in precious minerals; the characterization of porosity, particle size distribution, crack and pore network analysis during comminution, heap leaching and for texture and exposure/lock class analysis for floatation.

Drishti Paint 3.2:a new open-source tool for both 2D and 3D segmentation

X-ray computed tomography(CT)has been an important technology in paleontology for several decades.It helps researchers to acquire detailed anatomical structures of fossils non-destructively.Despite its widespread application,developing an efficient and user-friendly method for segmenting CT data continues to be a formidable challenge in the field.Most CT data segmentation software operates on 2D interfaces,which limits flexibility for real-time adjustments in 3D segmentation.Here,we introduce Curves Mode in Drishti Paint 3.2,an open-source tool for CT data segmentation.Drishti Paint 3.2 allows users to manually or semi-automatically segment the CT data in both 2D and 3D environments,providing a novel solution for revisualizing CT data in paleontological studies.

Image-based numerical study of three-dimensional meso-structure effects on damage and failure of heterogeneous coal-rock under dynamic impact loads

This paper proposes a numerical three-dimensional(3D)mesoscopic approach based on the discrete element method combined with X-ray computed tomography(XCT)images to characterize the dynamic impact behavior of heterogeneous coal-rock(HCR).The dynamic impact loading in three directions was modelled to investigate the effects of the 3D meso-structure on the failure patterns and fracture mechanism,with different impact velocities.The XCT image-based discrete element model of HCR was calibrated through appropriate standard uniaxial compression tests.Numerical simulations were carried out to investigate how the breakage behaviors are affected by different loading directions with different impact velocities.The loading direction,input energy,and spatial distribution of the mineral phase had a remarkable influence on the failure patterns and load-carrying capacities.The shape of the gangue phase and the approximate location of the gangue interfaces are key parameters to consider when investigating the failure patterns and fracture mechanism of heterogeneous rock materials.The damage and fracture tended to propagate from the surfaces to the HCR interior.The gangue phase area contacting the loading wall,growth direction of the strong gangue interfaces,and loading directions greatly influenced the failure patterns of the heterogeneous rock materials.

Remodeling of living human nasal cavity under the assistance of acoustic rhinometry technique

Acoustic rhinometry could numerically describe up- per airway condition of air draft by drawing a graph plotting the distance from the nostril vs. the cross-sectional area. Some decreases on the graph correspond to the typical anatomic structures of human nasal cavity. The 3-dimensional, computing fluid dynamic model of the same person was developed based on computed tomography scans. The veracity of the CFD model was valued by contrasting the relevant areas of stenosis site between the model and the AR graph. The aim in this study is to make clear how to use an AR to help improve and enrich the CFD model with the information of graph acquired from the measurement. The combination of AR and CT can be used to establish a living human nasal cavity model with higher significant information content.

MULTIDETECTOR CT STUDY OF ANATOMICAL VARIANTS OF ETHMOID SINUS

Objective To evaluate the significance of multidetector CT 3D reconstruction technique inshowing anatomy of ethmoid sinus, at the same time, anatomic variations of ethmoid sinus and its clinical significance were also discussed. Methods 250 cases of ethmoid sinuses were scanned transversally by multidetector scaner, coronal and sagittal views were reconstructed. Results Coronal and sagittal views were good enough to make diagnosis. 5 kinds of common ethmoid sinus variations were seen, including pneumatization of ethmoid bulla (56. 5% ) , Onodi air cell(26% ) , Haller cell(6. 5% ) ,low ethmoid foveolas(4. 3% )and over intromigratiny lamella papyracea (6. 5% ). Conclusion The coronal and other special views of ethmoid sinus are showed clearly by 3D reconstruction which can provide detailed image informations for functional endoscopic sinus surgery.

Influence of particulate morphology on microstructure and tribological properties of cold sprayed A380/Al2O3 composite coatings

In this study,three kinds of A380/Al2O3 composite coatings were prepared by cold spray(CS)using spherical,irregular and spherical+irregular shaped Al2O3 particulates separately mixed in the original A380 alloy powders.The influence of Al2O3 particulates’morphology on the microstructural characteristics(i.e.retention of Al2O3 content in coatings,coating/matrix interfacial bonding,pore size distribution and morphology etc.)and wear performance of the coatings was investigated by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray computed tomography(XCT)and 3-D optical profilometry.Results indicated that the spherical Al2O3 showsobvious tamping effect during deposition process.As a result,the interfaceshowedawavy shape while the matrix and particulates were mechanical interlocked with much improved adhesion.In addition,the porosity of the coating was minimized and the pores exhibited curved spherical structure with reduced dimensions.The irregular Al2O3 particles predominantly displayed the embedding effect together with fragmentation of Al2O3 particulates.Consequently,poor coating/matrix interfacial bonding,high porosity and the formation of angular-shaped pores were resulted in the coating.Dry sliding wear tests results revealed that the wear resistance of the coating is directly related with the retained content of Al2O3 in the coating.The coating containing irregular Al2O3 particulates displayed superior wear performance with its wear rate one seventh of that of the pure A380 alloy coating.The coating containing both kinds of Al2O3 particulates showed mixed characteristics of above two kinds of Al2O3 composite coatings.