Derivation and validation of a sensitivity formula for slit-slat collimation.

An analytic formula is derived for the sensitivity of collimators achieving transverse collimation with a slit and axial collimation with a slat assembly whose septa may be parallel or focus on a line. The formula predicts sin(3) phi dependence on the incidence angle and, in the particular case of parallel slats, 1/h dependence on the distance from the slit. More complex expressions for sensitivity that do not diverge at points near the slit or the focal line of the slat assembly are also derived. The predictions of the formulas are checked against simple cases for which solutions are available from direct calculation as well as against Monte Carlo simulation and published experimental data. Agreement is good in all cases analyzed. An approximate penetration model is also introduced: it involves the use of a sensitivity-effective slit width and septal length. Its predictions are compared to simulation results. Agreement was found to be compatible with statistical fluctuation (+/- 0.3%) for geometric sensitivity and better than 3% of total sensitivity in the worst case of septa designed for high-energy (364.5 keV) photons.

Verification of the sensitivity and resolution dependence on the incidence angle for slit-slat collimation.

Single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) can be performed with various collimator types, which have an inherent tradeoff between the properties of sensitivity, resolution, field of view and complete sampling. Slit-slat collimation, which has seen recent interest in the literature, combines a slit parallel to the axis of rotation of a gamma camera with a set of septa perpendicular to the slit. This collimator geometry exhibits properties that may enhance some SPECT imaging applications, specifically imaging of the breast, limbs and medium-sized animals. However, a complete description of its system response is critical for a comparison to other collimator types and for accurate reconstruction of projection data. Herein, experimental and Monte Carlo methods are used to determine the sensitivity and transaxial and axial resolutions as a function of the incidence angle theta, which is the angle formed by the line from the photon source to the center of the slit and the plane of the slit, to compare to theoretical expectations. Four configurations are investigated by varying the slit width, septal spacing and septal height. Monte Carlo sensitivity data not modeling penetration and scatter exhibit a sin(3)theta dependence. Experimental and Monte Carlo-derived sensitivity data modeling scatter and penetration are consistent with each other and have a sin(x)theta dependence, where x is greater than 3. Transaxial resolution data show a small dependence on theta, and axial resolution data are consistent with no angular dependence.

B(E2) values in 150Nd and the critical point symmetry X(5).

Lifetimes of states in 150Nd were measured using the recoil distance method following Coulomb excitation of 150Nd by a 132 MeV 32S beam. The experiment was performed at the Yale Tandem accelerator, employing the SPEEDY gamma-ray detector array and the New Yale Plunger Device. Reduced transition probabilities in 150Nd are compared to the predictions of the critical point symmetry X(5) of the phase/shape transition that occurs for the N = 90 rare earth isotones. Very good agreement was observed between the parameter-free (apart from scale) X(5) predictions and the low-spin level scheme of 150Nd, revealing this as the best case thus far for the realization of the X(5) symmetry.

Crossing of shears bands in (197)Pb: B(M1) values and semiclassical description.

Subpicosecond lifetimes of states in shears band 1 in (197)Pb were measured by means of the recoil distance method employing Gammasphere and the New Yale Plunger Device. The extracted reduced matrix elements, B(M1), show a clear sensitivity to the crossing of different shears configurations reflecting the closing and reopening of the shears blades. The energies and B(M1) values in the band crossing region are successfully described in the framework of the semiclassical model of the shears bands. The relevance of core rotation contributions are shown. The results point to the existence of shears states with an angular momentum coupling angle larger than 90 degrees.

Demineralized bone matrix as a biological scaffold for bone repair.

Experimental models were created in rat fibula to represent impaired bone healing so that biological deficiencies that cause bone repair to fail or to be delayed may be investigated. These models consist of a 4-mm-long segmental defect, created in rat fibula by osteotomy, and fitted with a 7-mm-long tubular specimen of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) over the cut ends of the fibula. The experiments in this study involved various modifications of the DBM scaffold designed to reduce its osteoinductive activity: steam sterilization (sDBM), ethylene oxide sterilization (eoDBM), trypsin digestion (tDBM), and guanidine hydrochloride extraction (gDBM). Bone healing was evaluated by bending rigidity of the fibula and mineral content of the repair site at 7 weeks post-surgery. The sDBM scaffolds resorbed completely by 7 weeks and hence this model was a nonhealing negative control. Rigidities in the unmodified DBM and tDBM groups were comparable, whereas in the gDBM and eoDBM groups it was significantly reduced. Histologically, in the 4-mm defects repaired with unmodified DBM, direct and endochondral bone formation in the scaffold and the defect resulted in a neocortex consisting of woven and lamellar bone uniting the broken bone by 7 weeks post-surgery. We conclude that the eoDBM and gDBM groups represent failure or delay of the bone repair process when compared with the unmodified DBM group in which the process is analogous to normal bone healing.

Chiral doublet structures in odd-odd n = 75 isotones: chiral vibrations.

New sideband partners of the yrast bands built on the pi(h11/2)nu(h11/2) configuration were identified in 55Cs, 57La, and 61Pm N = 75 isotones of 134Pr. These bands form with 134Pr unique doublet-band systematics suggesting a common basis. Aplanar solutions of 3D tilted axis cranking calculations for triaxial shapes define left- and right-handed chiral systems out of the three angular momenta provided by the valence particles and the core rotation, which leads to spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking and the doublet bands. Small energy differences between the doublet bands suggest collective chiral vibrations.

Repair of segmental bone defects in the rat: an experimental model of human fracture healing.

Bone repair models in animals may be considered relevant to human fracture healing to the extent that the sequence of events in the repair process in the model reflect the human fracture healing sequence. In the present study, the relevance of a recently developed segmental defect model in rat fibula to human fracture healing was investigated by evaluating temporal progression of rigidity of the fibula, mineral content of the repair site, and histological changes. In this model, a surgically created 2-mm-long defect was grafted with a 5-mm-long tubular specimen of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) by inserting it over the cut ends of the fibula. The temporal increase in rigidity of the healing fibula demonstrated a pattern similar to biomechanical healing curves measured in human fracture healing. This pattern was characterized by a short phase of rapidly rising rigidity during weeks 4-7 after surgery, associated with a sharp increase in the mineral content of the repair tissue. This was preceded by a phase of nearly zero rigidity and followed by a phase of slow rate of increase approaching a plateau. Histologically, chondroblastic and osteoblastic blastema originating from extraskeletal and subperiosteal (near fibula-graft junction) regions, infiltrated the DBM graft during the first 2 weeks. The DBM graft assumed the role of a "bridging callus." By weeks 6-8, most of the DBM was converted to new woven and trabecular bone with maximal osteoblastic activity and minimal endochondral ossification. Medullary callus formation started with direct new bone formation adjacent to the cortical and endosteal surfaces in the defect and undifferentiated cells in the center of the defect at 3 weeks. The usual bone repair process in rodents was altered by the presence of the DBM graft to recapitulate the sequential stages of human fracture healing, including the formation of a medullary callus, union with woven and lamellar bone, and recreation of the medullary canal.

Magnetic field induced inhibition of human osteosarcoma cells treated with adriamycin.

Morbidity resulting from the toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs suggests that novel approaches are worthy of investigation. Development of the use of low intensity magnetic fields as an adjuvant to current treatment regimens to prevent metastatic disease may prove to be efficacious. Using a cell culture model, we have developed a magnetic field (MF) treatment that offers the possibility of lowering the therapeutic dose of these drugs and thereby reducing morbidity. Our studies have found that a low intensity (approximately 2 gauss) MF signal and a relatively low dose (0.1 microg/ml) of Adriamycin (ADR) inhibited proliferation of human osteosarcoma cells by 82%, whereas the MF and ADR acting individually caused only 19% and 44% inhibition, respectively.

Excited singlet absorption in 1,2-benzanthracene by the use of nanosecond laser photolysis and spectroscopy.

Using the technique of laser photolysis and spectroscopy, we have observed excited singlet state absorption bands in 1,2-benzanthracene at 560 and 520 nanometers. The bands decay in less than 50 nanoseconds and are replaced by the known absorption spectrum of the lowest triplet state.