Kyungmin Ham

Dose-response curve of EBT, EBT2, and EBT3 radiochromic films to synchrotron-produced monochromatic x-ray beams

PURPOSE This work investigates the dose-response curves of GAFCHROMIC(®) EBT, EBT2, and EBT3 radiochromic films using synchrotron-produced monochromatic x-ray beams. EBT2 film is being utilized for dose verification in photoactivated Auger electron therapy at the Louisiana State University Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices (CAMD) synchrotron facility. METHODS Monochromatic beams of 25, 30, and 35 keV were generated on the tomography beamline at CAMD. Ion chamber depth-dose measurements were used to determine the dose delivered to films irradiated at depths from 0.7 to 8.5 cm in a 10 × 10 × 10-cm(3) polymethylmethacrylate phantom. AAPM TG-61 protocol was applied to convert measured ionization into dose. Films were digitized using an Epson 1680 Professional flatbed scanner and analyzed using the net optical density (NOD) derived from the red channel. A dose-response curve was obtained at 35 keV for EBT film, and at 25, 30, and 35 keV for EBT2 and EBT3 films. Calibrations of films for 4 MV x-rays were obtained for comparison using a radiotherapy accelerator at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center. RESULTS The sensitivity (NOD per unit dose) of EBT film at 35 keV relative to that for 4-MV x-rays was 0.73 and 0.76 for doses 50 and 100 cGy, respectively. The sensitivity of EBT2 film at 25, 30, and 35 keV relative to that for 4-MV x-rays varied from 1.09-1.07, 1.23-1.17, and 1.27-1.19 for doses 50-200 cGy, respectively. For EBT3 film the relative sensitivity was within 3% of unity for all three monochromatic x-ray beams. CONCLUSIONS EBT and EBT2 film sensitivity showed strong energy dependence over an energy range of 25 keV-4 MV, although this dependence becomes weaker for larger doses. EBT3 film shows weak energy dependence, indicating that it would be a better dosimeter for kV x-ray beams where beam hardening effects can result in large changes in the effective energy.

Millifluidics for Time-resolved Mapping of the Growth of Gold Nanostructures

Innovative in situ characterization tools are essential for understanding the reaction mechanisms leading to the growth of nanoscale materials. Though techniques, such as in situ transmission X-ray microscopy, fast single-particle spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, etc., are currently being developed, these tools are complex, not easily accessible, and do not necessarily provide the temporal resolution required to follow the formation of nanomaterials in real time. Here, we demonstrate for the first time the utility of a simple millifluidic chip for an in situ real time analysis of morphology and dimension-controlled growth of gold nano- and microstructures with a time resolution of 5 ms. The structures formed were characterized using synchrotron radiation-based in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy, 3-D X-ray tomography, and high-resolution electron microscopy. These gold nanostructures were found to be catalytically active for conversion of 4-nitrophenol into 4-aminophenol, providing an example of the potential opportunities for time-resolved analysis of catalytic reactions. While the investigations reported here are focused on gold nanostructures, the technique can be applied to analyze the time-resolved growth of other types of nanostructured metals and metal oxides. With the ability to probe at least a 10-fold higher concentrations, in comparison with traditional microfluidics, the tool has potential to revolutionize a broad range of fields from catalysis, molecular analysis, biodefense, and molecular biology.

High resolution three-dimensional visualization and characterization of coronary atherosclerosis in vitro by synchrotron radiation x-ray microtomography and highly localized x-ray diffraction

Human atherosclerotic plaques in both native and bypass arteries have been visualized using microtomography to provide additional information on the nature of coronary artery disease. Plaques contained within arteries removed from three white males aged 51, 55 and 70 are imaged in three-dimensions with monochromatic synchrotron x-ray radiation. Fields of view are 658 x 658 x 517 voxels. with cubic voxels ranging from 12 to 13 microm on a side. X-ray energies range from 11 to 15 keV (bandpass approximately 10 eV). At lower energies, high local absorption tends to generate reconstruction artefacts, while at higher energies the arterial wall is scarcely visible. At all energies, calcifications are clearly visible and differences are observed between plaques in native arteries (lifetime accumulations) versus bypass arteries (plaques developing in the interval between the heart bypass operation and the autopsy). In order to characterize coronary calcification, a microfocused, 50 microm2, 25 keV x-ray beam was used to acquire powder diffraction data from selected calcifications. Also, large calcifications were removed from the native arteries and imaged with 25 keV x-ray energy. Calcifications are composed of hydroxyapatite crystallites and an amorphous phase. In summary, native calcifications are larger and have a higher fraction of hydroxyapatite than calcifications from the bypass arteries.

Improved algorithm for processing grating-based phase contrast interferometry image sets

Grating-based X-ray and neutron interferometry tomography using phase-stepping methods generates large data sets. An improved algorithm is presented for solving for the parameters to calculate transmissions, differential phase contrast, and dark-field images. The method takes advantage of the vectorization inherent in high-level languages such as Mathematica and MATLAB and can solve a 16 × 1k × 1k data set in less than a second. In addition, the algorithm can function with partial data sets. This is demonstrated with processing of a 16-step grating data set with partial use of the original data chosen without any restriction. Also, we have calculated the reduced chi-square for the fit and notice the effect of grating support structural elements upon the differential phase contrast image and have explored expanded basis set representations to mitigate the impact.

Lead uptake in diverse plant families: a study applying X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy.

The chemical environment of lead in roots and leaves of plants from four different plant families and a lichen from a former lead mining site in the Eifel Mountains in Germany was determined by Pb L3-edge XANES measurements using solid reference compounds and also aqueous solutions of different ionic strength simulating the plant environment. Pb(2+) ions in the plants were found to have two major coordinations, one with nine oxygen atoms in the first coordination shell similar to outer-sphere complexation and a second coordination with just three oxygen atoms similar to inner-sphere complexation. This can be interpreted assuming that lead is sorbed on the surface of cell walls depending on the concentration of lead in the soil solution. Pb L3-edge XANES spectra of dried and fresh plant samples are very similar because sorption does not change with removal of water but only because of the initial ionic strength. No bonding to biologically important groups (-S, - N) or precipitation (-PO4) was found.

The structure of the cornified claw sheath in the domesticated cat ( Felis catus ): implications for the claw-shedding mechanism and the evolution of cornified digital end organs

The morphology of cornified structures is notoriously difficult to analyse because of the extreme range of hardness of their component tissues. Hence, a correlative approach using light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, three‐dimensional reconstructions based on x‐ray computed tomography data, and graphic modeling was applied to study the morphology of the cornified claw sheath of the domesticated cat as a model for cornified digital end organs. The highly complex architecture of the cornified claw sheath is generated by the living epidermis that is supported by the dermis and distal phalanx. The latter is characterized by an ossified unguicular hood, which overhangs the bony articular base and unguicular process of the distal phalanx and creates an unguicular recess. The dermis covers the complex surface of the bony distal phalanx but also creates special structures, such as a dorsal dermal papilla that points distally and a curved ledge on the medial and lateral sides of the unguicular process. The hard‐cornified external coronary horn and proximal cone horn form the root of the cornified claw sheath within the unguicular recess, which is deeper on the dorsal side than on the medial and lateral sides. As a consequence, their rate of horn production is greater dorsally, which contributes to the overall palmo‐apical curvature of the cornified claw sheath. The external coronary and proximal cone horn is worn down through normal use as it is pushed apically. The hard‐cornified apical cone horn is generated by the living epidermis enveloping the base and free part of the dorsal dermal papilla. It forms nested horn cones that eventually form the core of the hardened tip of the cornified claw. The sides of the cornified claw sheath are formed by the newly described hard‐cornified blade horn, which originates from the living epidermis located on the slanted face of the curved ledge. As the blade horn is moved apically, it entrains and integrates the hard‐cornified parietal horn on its internal side. It is covered by the external coronary and proximal cone horn on its external side. The soft‐cornified terminal horn extends distally from the parietal horn and covers the dermal claw bed at the tip of the uniguicular process, thereby filling the space created by the converging apical cone and blade horn. The soft‐cornified sole horn fills the space between the cutting edges of blade horn on the palmar side of the cornified claw sheath. The superficial soft‐cornified perioplic horn is produced on the internal side of the unguicular pleat, which surrounds the root of the cornified claw sheath. The shedding of apical horn caps is made possible by the appearance of microcracks in the superficial layers of the external coronary and proximal cone horn in the course of deformations of the cornified claw sheath, which is subjected to tensile forces during climbing or prey catching. These microcracks propagate tangentially through the coronary horn and do not injure the underlying living epidermal and dermal tissues. This built‐in shedding mechanism maintains sharp claw tips and ensures the freeing of the claws from the substrate.

Dosimetry intercomparison using a 35-keV x-ray synchrotron beam

The purpose of this study was to compare dose measurements using ion chamber and radiochromic film dosimetry for a 35-keV synchrotron beam useful for Auger electron therapy. A 1.3-GeV electron beam, transported through a 3-pole superconducting wiggler magnet, produced a polychromatic photon beam from which a 35-keV beam (3.3 mm Al HVL) was selected using a monochromator. A 2.8 cm x 2.5 cm field was produced by vertically oscillating a polymethylmethacrylate phantom in which dose to water was measured as a function of depth. Charge, measured using a 0.23-cm(3) cylindrical, air-equivalent ionization chamber, was converted to dose using American Association of Physicists in Medicine TG-61 protocol for 40-300 kV X-ray beam dosimetry with minor assumptions. Optical density of radiochromic film (Gafchromic EBT) was converted to dose using a 125 kVp X-ray beam (2.9 mm Al HVL) calibration curve. Fractional depth-dose curves measured using ion chamber and film agreed well with each other, the maximum difference being 4.5% at 8.85 cm. Both agreed well with that predicted by MCNP5 Monte Carlo calculations. At 2.0-cm depth, film doses from five independent measurements predicted 0.952+/-0.022 of dose measured using the ion chamber. Dose measurements using two independent methods, ionization chamber and radiochromic film dosimetry, showed good agreement and should be suitable for future dosimetry necessary for cell and small animal irradiations. Improving agreement will require additional investigations of methods for converting ionization and film optical density to dose.

Monochromatic beam characterization for Auger electron dosimetry and radiotherapy

Dosimetry for Auger electron radiotherapy using monochromatic photon beams requires knowledge of beam characteristics. This study characterized a 35-keV photon beam generated at the LSU/CAMD synchrotron. Beam energy was measured by Compton spectroscopy and Si640c powder diffraction. Photon spatial distribution and virtual source position were measured using radiochromic film. Central-axis fluence was determined from Compton scattering measurements and application of the Klein-Nishina cross-section with percent polarization fit to results at 2-4 scattering angles. Broad-beam fluence was combined with MCNP5 Monte Carlo dose per fluence calculations to generate dose versus depth in a polymethylmethacrylate phantom, which was compared to ionization chamber and radiochromic film depth-dose measurements. For 22-41 keV beams, diffraction-based and Compton-based energy measurements agreed to within -0.1+/-0.3 and 0.6+/-0.3 keV, respectively, of monochromator calibrated energies. At 35 eV and 0.66 cm depth, dose uniformity over 80% of the 2.8 cm x 2.5 cm beam varied from 105 to 78% of the central-axis value horizontally and from 90 to 100% vertically. Narrow-beam divergence yielded vertical and horizontal virtual source-to-surface distances of 3.8+/-0.2 and 15.7+/-1.0m, respectively. Incident fluence rates for a 35-keV beam (100 mA ring current) ranged from 1.181+/-0.011 x 10(11) to 3.053+/-0.004 x 10(11)photons cm(-2)s(-1) with approximately 100% polarization in the horizontal plane. Ion chamber and film dose measurements underestimated MCNP5-based dose by an average of 6.4+/-0.8 and 9.1+/-0.8%, respectively, over measured depths. These practical beam characterization methods should allow subsequent Monte Carlo dose calculations needed for planning future radiotherapy studies. Although simulated and measured depth-dose curves agree well in shape, improvement in absolute dose is desirable.

Analysis of Flame Retardancy in Polymer Blends by Synchrotron X-ray K-edge Tomography and Interferometric Phase Contrast Movies

Underwriters Laboratories 94 test bars have been imaged with X-ray K-edge tomography between 12 and 32 keV to assess the bromine and antimony concentration gradient across char layers of partially burnt samples. Phase contrast tomography on partially burnt samples showed gas bubbles and dark-field scattering ascribed to residual blend inhomogeneity. In addition, single-shot grating interferometry was used to record X-ray movies of test samples during heating (IR and flame) intended to mimic the UL 94 plastics flammability test. The UL 94 test bars were formulated with varying concentrations of a brominated flame retardant, Saytex 8010, and a synergist, Sb2O3, blended into high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). Depending on the sample composition, samples will pass or fail the UL 94 plastics flammability test. Tomography and interferometry imaging show differences that correlate with UL 94 performance. Key features such as char layer, gas bubble formation, microcracks, and dissolution of the flame retardant in the char layer regions are used in understanding the efficiency of the flame retardant and synergist. The samples that pass the UL 94 test have a thick, highly visible char layer as well as an interior rich in gas bubbles. Growth of gas bubbles from flame-retardant thermal decomposition is noted in the X-ray phase contrast movies. Also noteworthy is an absence of bubbles near the burning surface of the polymer; dark-field images after burning suggest a microcrack structure between interior bubbles and the surface. The accepted mechanism for flame retardant activity includes free radical quenching in the flame by bromine and antimony species. The imaging supports this as well as provides a fast inspection of other parameters, such as viscosity and surface tension.

A microtomography beamline at the Louisiana State University Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices synchrotron

A microtomography beamline has been recently assembled and is currently operating at the Louisiana State University’s Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices synchrotron (CAMD). It has been installed on a bending magnet white-light beamline at port 7A. With the storage ring operating at 1.5 GeV, this beamline has a maximum usable x-ray energy of ∼15 keV. The instrumentation consists of computer-controlled positioning stages for alignment and rotation, a CsI(Tl) phosphor screen, a reflecting mirror, a microscope objective (1:1, 1:4), and Linux/LabVIEW-controlled charge coupled device. With the 1:4 objective, the maximum spatial resolution is 2.25 μm. The positioning and image acquisition computers communicate via transfer control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP). A small G4/Linux cluster has been installed for the purpose of on-site reconstruction. Instrument, alignment and reconstruction programs are written in MATLAB, IDL, and C. The applications to date are many and we present several examples. Several biological samples have been studied as part of an effort on biological visualization and computation. Future improvements to this microtomography station include the addition of a double-multilayer monochromator, allowing one to evaluate the three-dimensional elemental composition of materials. Plans also include eventual installation at the CAMD 7 T wiggler beamline, providing x rays in excess of 50 keV to provide better penetration of higher mass-density materials.