Tomography refers to the cross-sectional imaging of an object from either transmission or reflection data collected by illuminating the object from many different directions. Classical tomography fails to reconstruct the optical properties of thick scattering objects because it does not adequately account for the scattering component of the neutron beam intensity exiting the sample. We proposed a new method of computed tomography which employs an inverse problem analysis of both the transmitted and scattered images generated from a beam passing through an optically thick object. This inverse problem makes use of a computationally efficient, two-dimensional forward problem based on neutron transport theory that effectively calculates the detector readings around the edges of an object. The forward problem solution uses a Step-Characteristic (SC) code with known uncollided source per cell, zero boundary flux condition and Sn discretization for the angular dependence. The calculation of the uncollided sources is performed by using an accurate discretization scheme given properties and position of the incoming beam and beam collimator. The detector predictions are obtained considering both the collided and uncollided components of the incoming radiation. The inverse problem is referred as an optimization problem. The function to be minimized, called an objective function, is calculated as the normalized-squared error between predicted and measured data. The predicted data are calculated by assuming a uniform distribution for the optical properties of the object. The objective function depends directly on the optical properties of the object; therefore, by minimizing it, the correct property distribution can be found. The minimization of this multidimensional function is performed with the Polack Ribiere conjugate-gradient technique that makes use of the gradient of the function with respect to the cross sections of the internal cells of the domain. The forward and inverse models have been successfully tested against numerical results obtained with MCNP (Monte Carlo Neutral Particles) showing excellent agreements. The reconstructions of several objects were successful. In the case of a single intrusion, TNTs (Tomography Neutron Transport using Scattering) was always able to detect the intrusion. In the case of the double body object, TNTs was able to reconstruct partially the optical distribution. The most important defect, in terms of gradient, was correctly located and reconstructed. Difficulties were discovered in the location and reconstruction of the second defect. Nevertheless, the results are exceptional considering they were obtained by lightening the object from only one side. The use of multiple beams around the object will significantly improve the capability of TNTs since it increases the number of constraints for the minimization problem.

The permeability of hot mix asphalt (HMA) is of special interest to engineers and researchers due to the effects that water has on asphalt pavement performance. Significant research has been done to study HMA permeability. However, most of the studies primarily focused on relating permeability to the average percent air voids in the mix. Such relationships cannot predict permeability accurately due to the different distributions of air void structures at a given average percent of air voids. Air void distribution is a function of many factors such as mix design, compaction method, and aggregate properties. Recent advances in X-ray computed tomography and image analysis techniques offer a unique opportunity to better quantify the air void structure and, consequently, predict HMA permeability. This study is focused on portraying permeability as a function of air void size distribution by using a probabilistic approach that was previously developed by Garcia Bengochea for soils. This approach expresses permeability as a function of the probability density function (pdf) of the air void size distribution. Equations are derived in this thesis to describe this relationship for laboratory specimens compacted using the linear kneading compactor (LKC) and Superave^TM gyratory compactor (SGC) as well as for field cores (labeled as MS). A good correlation exists between permeability and the pdf of the air voids that formed the flow paths (i.e. connected voids). The relationship between moisture damage, air void structure, and cohesive and adhesive bond energy is also investigated in this study. Moisture damage is evaluated by monitoring changes in mechanical properties due to moisture conditioning. The influence of air void structure on pore pressure is studied using a recently developed program at Texas A&M University that simulates fluid flow and pore pressure in a porous medium. The surface free energy of the aggregates and asphalt are calculated from laboratory measurements using the Universal Sorption Device (USD) and the Wilhelmy Plate method, respectively, in order to test the compatibility of the aggregates with the asphalt in the presence of water.

Pointe du Hoc overlooking the English Channel in Normandy, France was host to one of the most important military engagements of World War II. While the site is a valuable historic cultural resource, it is vulnerable to cliff collapses that already have endangered the observation post and Rudder?s command post. The observation post has been closed to visitors for some time due to safety concerns. Geophysical techniques have been used increasingly in recent years for slope stability investigation purposes. The objective of this study is to apply advanced 3?D resistivity tomography toward a detailed site stability assessment with special attention to the two at-risk buildings. 3?D resistivity tomography datasets at Pointe du Hoc in the presence of extreme topography and dense cultural clutter have been successfully acquired, inverted, and interpreted. The cliff stability in the areas around the two at?risk buildings has been analyzed. A hazard assessment scheme has been designed in which regions of high resistivity are interpreted as zones of open, dry fractures with a moderate mass movement potential. Regions of low resistivity are zones of wet, clay?filled fractures with a high mass movement potential. The observation post tomography results indicate that the highest mass movement hazard appears to be associated with the marine caverns at the base of the cliff that are positioned at the point of strongest wave attack. These caverns likely occupy the future site of development of a sea arch which will definitely threaten the observation post building. A high probability of a soil wedge failure is on the east?facing cliff edge close to the observation post that could damage or destroy the building. The mass movement potential at the Rudder?s command post area is low to moderate. The greatest risk is associated with soil wedge failures at the top of the cliffs. The resistivity geophysical data add great value to the natural geohazard assessment at Pointe du Hoc and constitute an integral component of an interdisciplinary approach to the problem of cultural resource preservation at the site. Geophysics is a non?invasive and relatively inexpensive technology that provides unique constraints which are unobtainable using traditional engineering geology methods for site characterization. However, the technology is difficult to master and the inherent limitations must be carefully understood to ensure a reliable geotechnical interpretation.

Several computer-aided diagnostic (CAD) methods for solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) have been proposed, which can be divided into two major categories: (1) the morphometric CT method, and (2) the perfusion CT method. The first goal of this work is to introduce a neural network-based CAD method of lung nodule diagnosis by combining morphometry and perfusion characteristics by perfusion CT. The proposed approach has the following distinctive features. Firstly, this work develops a very efficient semi-automatic procedure to segment entire nodules. Secondly, reliable nodule classification can be achieved by using only two time-point perfusion CT feature measures (precontrast and 90 s). This greatly reduces the amount of radiation exposure to patients and the data processing time. As demonstrated in previous work, classification tuberculomas from malignancies has been considered to be a challenging task. However the diagnosis accuracy for tuberculomas reaches 92.9% by applying the proposed CAD method. Another goal of this work is, by investigating the relative merits of 2D and 3D methods, to develop a two-stage approach that combines the simplicity of 2D and the accuracy of 3D methods. Experimental results show statistically significant differences between the diagnostic accuracy of 2D and 3D methods. The results also show that with a very minor drop in diagnostic performance the two-stage approach can significantly reduce the number of nodules needed to be processed by the 3D method and thus alleviates the computational demand.

In the conventional diffraction tomography a linear array is used to receive forward scattered field. Then a standard algorithm like back propagation or Fourier domain interpolation is used for reconstruction of the object. A circular array which captures both forward and backward scattered field has been proposed. A new theorem is proposed, which states that the scattered field measured with a large circular array surrounding the object is proportional to the Fourier transform of the object profile taken on the circumference of a circle of radius equa1 to the wave number and centered at (-k0 cosZO, -k0 sin Z0). The circular array outperforms in two counts. Firstly, a larger bandwidth of Fourier transform is used for reconstruction. Secondly, in circular array since the scattered field itself is related to the object Fourier transform, the reconstruction is free from the errors induced by finite array size. The effect of broad band illumination has been studied. A fewer number of illuminations appear to produce a reconstruction which is possible only with a large number of illuminations but narrow band illumination. Thus a trade off between the number of illumination angles and the bandwidth of the source exists.

At the Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt a therapy unit for heavy ion cancer treatment has been established in collaboration with the Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg, the Radiologische Universitätsklinik Heidelberg and the Forschungszentrum Rossendorf. For quality assurance the dual-head positron camera BASTEI (Beta Activity meaSurements at the Therapy with Energetic Ions) has been integrated into this facility. It measures ß+-activity distributions generated via nuclear fragmentation reactions within the target volume. BASTEI has about 4 million coincidence channels. The emission data are acquired in a 3D regime and stored in a list mode data format. Typically counting statstics is two to three orders of magnitude lower than those of typical PET-scans in nuclear medicine. Two iterative 3D reconstruction algorithms based on ISRA (Image Space Reconstruction Algorithm) and MLEM (Maximum Likelihood Expectation Maximization), respectively, have been adapted to this imaging geometry. The major advantage of the developed approaches are run-time Monte-Carlo simulations which are used to calculate the transition matrix. The influences of detector sensitivity variations, randoms, activity from outside of the field of view and attenuation are corrected for the individual coincidence channels. Performance studies show, that the implementation based on MLEM is the algorithm of merit. Since 1997 it has been applied sucessfully to patient data. The localization of distal and lateral gradients of the ß+-activity distribution is guaranteed in the longitudinal sections. Out of the longitudinal sections the lateral gradients of the ß+-activity distribution should be interpreted using a priori knowledge.

<p>Successful treatment of myocardial infarction requires anearly and accurate diagnosis. Recent studies have shown thatacute myocardial scintigraphy has a high predictive value forprognosis of myocardial events. Three dimensional (3D)perfusion data obtained with SPECT are however very rare in theemergency department (ED).</p><p>We have developed a mobile tomographic system for myocardialscintigraphy, which can be used in the ED. The objectives ofthe studies presented were:</p><p>    To develop software and hardware for a mobile tomographicgamma camera system: the Cardiotom</p><p>    To demonstrate that a mobile tomographic system can beused in a clinical situation</p><p>    To evaluate the limitations of Ectomography when usingfiltered back projection for reconstruction</p><p>    To develop a method of reconstruction that compensatesfor the incomplete data acquisition associated with theacquisition geometry of Ectomography</p><p>Three prototypes of a mobile tomographic gamma camera systemhave been designed and built at the Division of MedicalEngineering, which all have been used in a clinical setting.The systems are based on Ectomography, a limited view anglemethod, also developed by us. Instead of rotating the entiregamma camera detector around the patient as in SPECT, a slanthole collimator is rotated in front of a stationary detector.Since short imaging times are important in the ED and the heartonly occupies a small area of the detector, system sensitivityhas been increased by dividing the collimator into segmentswith different projection directions. In myocardial imaging, 4segments are used and within 10 minutes from the start ofacquisition, reconstructed short axis view sections areavailable for interpretation.</p><p>Using the Cardiotom in an experimental animal study, weverified that the system could be used to quantify myocardialarea at risk and final infarct size. This conclusion was madefrom a comparison of images obtained from the Cardiotom andpathological staining of the myocardium, analysedpost-mortem.</p><p>Inherent limitations of Ectomography were evaluated withboth phantom studies and computer simulated data, reconstructedusing filtered back-projection Results show that moderatedeviation from optimal position of the detector with respect tothe myocardium will have little or no influence on thediagnostic information when assessed from short axis sectionimages and polar tomograms. However, long axis section imagesappear elongated when reconstructed using filteredback-projection.</p><p>We have shown that this elongation distortion can besuppressed using iterative reconstructions techniques, and wehave implemented such an algorithm, called three-dimensionalTotal Variation Expectation Maximisation (3DTV-EM). Resultswere that elongation distortion was reduced and depthresolution improved. The reconstruction technique was alsoevaluated for SPECT reconstruction and was found to decreasethe noise in reconstructed images, when compared to thetwo-dimensional TV-EM algorithm. Noise pattern were also foundto be more uniform for the 3DTV-EM algorithm compared totwo-dimensional TV-EM.</p><p>In conclusion, we have shown that the Cardiotom may beuseful in a clinical acute setting, providing valuablediagnostic information. Rapid positioning is possible, sincemoderate deviation from optimal positioning will cause few orno artefacts. Image quality can be improved if iterativetechniques are used for image reconstruction instead offiltered back-projection.</p><p><b>Keywords</b>: acute studies, myocardial infarction,scintigraphy, mobile gamma camera, tomography.</p>

Seizures are thought to arise primarily from the cerebral cortex. However, the propagation and behavioral manifestations of seizures involve a network of both cortical and subcortical structures. The medial thalamus and upper brainstem reticular formation are crucial areas for the maintenance of normal consciousness. Bilateral involvement of these structures may be responsible for loss of consciousness during partial seizures. Therefore, we sought to investigate the role of the medial thalamus and brainstem in seizures. We performed SPECT ictal-interictal difference imaging co-registered with high-resolution MRI scans to localize regions of cerebral blood flow changes in patients undergoing inpatient monitoring for epilepsy. Ictal-interictal SPECT scans from 43 seizures in 40 patients were analyzed. The medial thalami showed SPECT difference imaging changes of >20% in 18 patients. Of patients with medial thalamic changes, the majority (13 of 18) had seizure onset in the temporal lobe, while only 1 had confirmed onset in extratemporal structures, and the remainder were non-localized. In contrast, in the 22 patients without >20% SPECT changes in the medial thalami, 6 had extratemporal onset, 6 had temporal onset, and the remainder were non-localized. In patients with temporal lobe seizures, the side of greater medial thalamic and brainstem reticular formation involvement was strongly related to SPECT injection timing such that there was a sequential pattern of ipsilateral followed by contralateral changes. Brainstem structures showed >20% SPECT changes in 27 of 43 seizures with no clear relation to temporal or extratemporal onset. We conclude that the medial thalamus is preferentially involved in seizures arising from the temporal lobes, possibly reflecting the strong connections between limbic temporal structures and the medial thalamus. Sequential involvement of ipsilateral followed by contralateral structures in the medial thalamus and upper brainstem may explain how seizures produce peri-ictal loss of consciousness despite incomplete involvement of the cerebral cortex.

Over the last decade, physicians have noted a rise in the prevalence of plagiocephaly. This sudden increase combined with the variability in presentation of infant head deformities makes the management of these cases often difficult. Currently, assessment for treatment is solely based largely on subjective determination of the severity of the patients skull malformation. Existing cephalometric techniques, such as external caliper measurements are commonly used, however these technique still contain inaccuracies, due to movement of an infant during measurement, soft tissue compression by the calipers, and lack of precise defined landmarks. (10) Given that no type of normalized measurement exists to identify objectively the severity of a patients skull deformity, the grading and selection of treatment modality has been relegated largely to experienced plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons. We report of a novel measurement that utilizes both CT scan and digital images combined with basic geometry to determine, objectively, the severity of an infants skull deformity, enabling all physicians to better decide what therapeutic intervention to employ.

Thesis (M.S. in Electrical Engineering)--Naval Postgraduate School, September 1990. / Thesis Advisor(s): Miller, James H. Second Reader: Tummala, Murali. "September 1990." Description based on title screen as viewed on December 17, 2009. DTIC Identifier(s): Acoustic tomography, inverse problems, Fast Hadamard Transforms, theses. Author(s) subject terms: Acoustic tomography, Fast Hadamard Transform, maximal-length sequences, Doppler processing. Includes bibliographical references (p. 95-96). Also available in print.