X-Ray Phase Contrast Imaging (XPCI) has been arguably the hottest topic in X-ray imaging research over the last two decades, due to the significant advantages it can bring to medicine, biology, ...material science and many other areas of application. Considerable progress has recently been achieved, in terms of the first in vivo implementations at synchrotrons (notably at Elettra in Trieste), and of new XPCI methods working with conventional sources. Among the latter, edge-illumination (EI) is possibly one of the most promising in terms of mainstream translation, due to set-up simplicity, scalability and flux efficiency compared to other approaches. EI is indeed the only method working with a completely incoherent source: however, it was recently demonstrated that neither the ability to perform quantitative phase retrieval, nor the method's phase sensitivity are affected by the source's incoherence. Here its implementation with different detector technologies is discussed.
Diffraction enhanced imaging (DEI) uses refraction of x-rays at edges, which allows pronounced visualization of material borders and rejects scattering which often obscures edges and blurs images. ...Here, the first evidence is presented that, using DEI, a destruction-free evaluation of the quality of integration of metal implants into bone is possible. Experiments were performed in rabbits and sheep with model implants to investigate the option for DEI as a tool in implant research. The results obtained from DEI were compared to conventional histology obtained from the specimens. DE images allow the identification of the quality of ingrowth of bone into the hydroxyapatite layer of the implant. Incomplete integration of the implant with a remaining gap of less than 0.3 mm caused the presence of a highly refractive edge at the implant/bone border. In contrast, implants with bone fully grown onto the surface did not display a refractive signal. Therefore, the refractive signal could be utilized to diagnose implant healing and/or loosening.
Weevils (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are identified by the external structure (dorsal, ventral and lateral features) and also by internal structure. The genitalia can be used to distinguish the sex ...and to identify the insects when the external structure appears identical. For this purpose, a destructive dissecting microscopy procedure is usually employed. In this paper, phase contrast X-ray imaging (radiography and tomography) is employed to investigate the internal structure (genitalia) of two entire species of weevils that presents very similar external structures (
Sitophilus oryzae and
Sitophilus zeamais). The detection of features, which looks like the genital structure, shows that such non-destructive technique could be used as an alternative method for identification of insects. This method is especially useful in examining the internal features of precious species from museum collections, as already described in the recent literature.
A double -layer “edge-on” silicon microstrip detector has been designed and realized in the frame of the PICASSO (Phase Imaging for Clinical Application with Silicon detector and Synchrotron ...radiatiOn) project at the SYRMEP (SYnchrotron Radiation for MEdical Physics) beamline of Elettra (Trieste, Italy). The detector meets the requirements for synchrotron radiation mammography with patients inregarding: (a) size, since it covers the full beam width (210
mm); (b) spatial resolution, determined by the 0.05
mm
strip pitch; (c) single-photon counting capabilities, because it is able to handle more than 10
6 photons/(pixel×s); (d) contrast resolution, thanks to a threshold trim DAC that equalizes the channel sensitivity; (e) efficiency, due to the high absorption in the 15–20
mm sensor depth. Experimental measurements evidence charge sharing, though not compromising the spatial resolution.
Diffraction Enhanced Imaging (DEI) is an X-ray imaging method to provide additional contrast and diminish untoward image signals by reducing scattering. Previous reports demonstrated its ...applicability in soft and hard tissue imaging. Here we provide further evidence for the improved overall image quality and for the option to discriminate various tissue-specific properties, such as collagen fiber elements or mineralization. Comparative ex vivo data to medical MRI and to medical ultrasound are shown, utilizing human ankle and hip specimens.
Over the last decade different phase contrast approaches have been exploited at the medical beamline SYRMEP of the synchrotron radiation facility Elettra in Trieste, Italy. In particular special ...focus has been drawn to analyzer based imaging and the associated imaging theory and processing. Analyzer based Imaging (ABI) and Diffraction Enhanced Imaging (DEI) techniques have been successfully applied in several biomedical applications. Recently it has been suggested to translate the acquired knowledge in this field towards a Thomson Backscattering Source (TBS), which is presently under development at the Frascati National Laboratories of INFN (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare) in Rome, Italy. Such source is capable of producing intense and quasi-monochromatic hard X-ray beams. For the technical implementation of biomedical phase imaging at the TBS a grating interferometer for differential phase contrast imaging has been designed and successfully tested at SYRMEP beamline.
Context
. Consistent modeling of protoplanetary disks requires the simultaneous solution of both continuum and line radiative transfer, heating and cooling balance between dust and gas and, of ...course, chemistry. Such models depend on panchromatic observations that can provide a complete description of the physical and chemical properties and energy balance of protoplanetary systems. Along these lines, we present a homogeneous, panchromatic collection of data on a sample of 85 T Tauri and Herbig Ae objects for which data cover a range from X-rays to centimeter wavelengths. Datasets consist of photometric measurements, spectra, along with results from the data analysis such as line fluxes from atomic and molecular transitions. Additional properties resulting from modeling of the sources such as disk mass and shape parameters, dust size, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) properties are also provided for completeness.
Aim
. The purpose of this data collection is to provide a solid base that can enable consistent modeling of the properties of protoplanetary disks. To this end, we performed an unbiased collection of publicly available data that were combined to homogeneous datasets adopting consistent criteria. Targets were selected based on both their properties and the availability of data.
Methods
. Data from more than 50 different telescopes and facilities were retrieved and combined in homogeneous datasets directly from public data archives or after being extracted from more than 100 published articles. X-ray data for a subset of 56 sources represent an exception as they were reduced from scratch and are presented here for the first time.
Results
. Compiled datasets, along with a subset of continuum and emission-line models are stored in a dedicated database and distributed through a publicly accessible online system. All datasets contain metadata descriptors that allow us to track them back to their original resources. The graphical user interface of the online system allows the user to visually inspect individual objects but also compare between datasets and models. It also offers to the user the possibility to download any of the stored data and metadata for further processing.
A single-photon counting detector read-out system for mammography with synchrotron radiation has been developed with the aim to meet the needs of the mammographic imaging station of the SYRMEP ...beamline at ELETTRA. The system called PICASSO (Phase Imaging for Clinical Application with Silicon detector and Synchrotron radiatiOn) is a modular detector that implements a read-out system with MYTHENII ASICs, an embedded Linux-based controller board and a Scientific Linux acquisition workstation. The system architecture and characteristics are herein presented. The system was tested at the SYRMEP beamline and achieved a frame rate of 33 Hz for 8448 channels at 24-bit dynamic range, and it is capable of continuously acquiring up to 2000 frames. Standard mammographic phantoms were imaged and good quality images were obtained at doses comparable with what is delivered in conventional full field mammographic systems.
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•Velvetbean caterpillar is a destructive foliage feeding pest of soybeans.•Naturally parasitized moth eggs can stop the velvetbean caterpillar growth.•Moth eggs were non-destructively ...inspected by Phase contrast X-ray radiography (PBR).•Computer vision was used for automatic inspection of parasitized moth eggs.•High accuracy score results encourage us for future real-time in-loco measurements.
The use of a non-destructive technique, such as the propagation-based X-ray phase contrast radiography (PBR) can be an innovative method for automatic parasitism analysis, especially if it presents standard structures. Herein, an artificial intelligence (AI) model is applied in order to establish a computer vision of egg parasitoids in PBRs of parasitized moth eggs acquired at the Synchrotron Radiation for Medical Physics (SYRMEP) beamline at ELETTRA. PBRs of eggs parasitized in four different stages of parasitism (0 days, 3 days, 5 days and 7 days) have been tested. The AI model performance was evaluated by using different metrics. Average Precision (AP), which measures the accuracy of object detection, was found to be 0.866 and 0.741 for the moth eggs and for the parasites, respectively. Additionally, we found that as stage of parasitism becomes longer, the accuracy of parasitism detection also increases (76 % at 7 days).
Abstract We have developed an X-ray imaging protocol that permits 3D visualisation of a small number of implanted cells within bulk tissue. The cells are marked using natural endocytosis of inert ...gold nano-particles. The resulting local increase in electron density allows high imaging contrast to be obtained from small clusters of these marked cells. Using this technique we have imaged C6 glioma cells within the brain of a model animal. The cells were marked by exposing them to colloidal gold incorporated in the growth media. Gold-loaded glioma cells were implanted into the brains of adult male Wistar rats. After tumours had been allowed to develop for up to 2 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and images of the intact cranium were acquired at the SYRMEP imaging station on the Elettra synchrotron in Italy. Computed tomography was performed using mixed absorption and phase contrast techniques at an X-ray energy of 24 keV. In the resulting volume datasets the tumour bulk is clearly visible and the infiltrating nature of the malignant growth is well demonstrated. Although the protocol was developed using this particular model of malignant brain tumour, it is believed that it will be possible to use it with other cell lines.
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