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At least 1,621 records · Page 90

Photo-reconnaissance applications of computer processing of images.

Discussion of imaging processing techniques for enhancement and calibration of Jet Propulsion Laboratory imaging experiment pictures returned from NASA space vehicles such as Ranger, Mariner and Surveyor. Particular attention is given to data transmission, resolution vs recognition, and color aspects of digital data processing. The effectiveness of these techniques in applications to images from a wide variety of sources is noted. It is anticipated that the use of computer processing for enhancement of imagery will increase with the improvement and cost reduction of these techniques in the future.

Billingsley, F. C.↗

The effect of averaging adjacent planes for artifact reduction in matrix inversion tomosynthesis

Purpose: Matrix inversion tomosynthesis (MITS) uses linear systems theory and knowledge of the imaging geometry to remove tomographic blur that is present in conventional backprojection tomosynthesis reconstructions, leaving in-plane detail rendered clearly. The use of partial-pixel interpolation during the backprojection process introduces imprecision in the MITS modeling of tomographic blur, and creates low-contrast artifacts in some MITS planes. This paper examines the use of MITS slabs, created by averaging several adjacent MITS planes, as a method for suppressing partial-pixel artifacts. Methods: Human chest tomosynthesis projection data, acquired as part of an IRB-approved pilot study, were used to generate MITS planes, three-plane MITS slabs (MITSa3), five-plane MITS slabs (MITSa5), and seven-plane MITS slabs (MITSa7). These were qualitatively examined for partial-pixel artifacts and the visibility of normal and abnormal anatomy. Additionally, small (5 mm) subtle pulmonary nodules were simulated and digitally superimposed upon human chest tomosynthesis projection images, and their visibility was qualitatively assessed in the different reconstruction techniques. Simulated images of a thin wire were used to generate modulation transfer function (MTF) and slice-sensitivity profile curves for the different MITS and MITS slab techniques, and these were examined for indications of partial-pixel artifacts and frequency response uniformity. Finally, mean-subtracted, exposure-normalized noise power spectra (ENNPS) estimates were computed and compared for MITS and MITS slab reconstructions, generated from 10 sets of tomosynthesis projection data of an acrylic slab. The simulated in-plane MTF response of each technique was also combined with the square root of the ENNPS estimate to yield stochastic signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) information about the different reconstruction techniques. Results: For scan angles of 20 Degree-Sign and 5 mm plane separation, seven MITS planes must be averaged to sufficiently remove partial-pixel artifacts. MITSa7 does appear to subtly reduce the contrast of high-frequency 'edge' information, but the removal of partial-pixel artifacts makes the appearance of low-contrast, fine-detail anatomy even more conspicuous in MITSa7 slices. MITSa7 also appears to render simulated subtle 5 mm pulmonary nodules with greater visibility than MITS alone, in both the open lung and regions overlying the mediastinum. Finally, the MITSa7 technique reduces stochastic image variance, though the in-plane stochastic SNR (for very thin objects which do not span multiple MITS planes) is only improved at spatial frequencies between 0.05 and 0.20 cycles/mm. Conclusions: The MITSa7 method is an improvement over traditional single-plane MITS for thoracic imaging and the pulmonary nodule detection task, and thus the authors plan to use the MITSa7 approach for all future MITS research at the authors' institution.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Spectroscopic setup for submicrometer-resolution mapping of low-signal absorption and luminescence using photothermal heterodyne imaging and photon-counting techniques

A spectroscopic setup that enables one to map the absorption and photoluminescence with submicrometer spatial resolution and high sensitivity is described. Here a photothermal heterodyne imaging pump/probe technique is employed for absorption mapping, and low-signal, spatially resolved photoluminescence is recorded using photon counting. High-spatial-resolution mapping is accomplished by using high-numerical-aperture microscope objective focusing laser beams (pump and probe) into a submicrometer spot and raster-scanning sample mounted on the nanopositioning translation stage. Performance of the setup is illustrated by mapping absorption and luminescence of the hafnium oxide film with embedded hafnium nanoparticles and multilayer dielectric grating. In both cases submicrometer spatial resolution is demonstrated and possible physical mechanisms leading to image contrast on a submicrometer scale is discussed

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗

Variability in GRMHD Simulations of Sgr A{sup ∗}: Implications for EHT Closure Phase Observations

Closure phases along different baseline triangles carry a large amount of information regarding the structures of the images of black holes in interferometric observations with the Event Horizon Telescope. We use long time span, high cadence, GRMHD+radiative transfer models of Sgr A* to investigate the expected variability of closure phases in such observations. We find that, in general, closure phases along small baseline triangles show little variability, except in the cases when one of the triangle vertices crosses one of the small regions of low visibility amplitude. The closure phase variability increases with the size of the baseline triangle, as larger baselines probe the small-scale structures of the images, which are highly variable. On average, the funnel-dominated MAD models show less closure phase variability than the disk-dominated SANE models, even in the large baseline triangles, because the images from the latter are more sensitive to the turbulence in the accretion flow. Our results suggest that image reconstruction techniques need to explicitly take into account the closure phase variability, especially if the quality and quantity of data allow for a detailed characterization of the nature of variability. This also implies that, if image reconstruction techniques that rely on the assumption of a static image are utilized, regions of the u–v space that show a high level of variability will need to be identified and excised.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Fabricating Sub-collimating Grids for an X-ray Solar Imaging Spectrometer using LIGA Techniques

This paper describes fabrication of sub-collimating X-ray grids that are used in an instrument for the High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager ( HESSI ), a proposed NASA mission that will promote understanding of solar particle acceleration and explosive energy release in the magnetized plasmas at the Sun. The HESSI comprises 12 rotating pairs of high-aspect-ratio, high-Z grids; each pair is separated by 1.7 meters and backed by a single Ge detector.

x-ray↗

WE-A-BRF-01: Dual-Energy CT Imaging in Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy

The quantification accuracy of dual-energy imaging is influenced by the fundamentals of x-ray physics, system geometry, data acquisition hardware/protocol, system calibration, and image processing technique. This symposium will provide updates on the following advanced application areas: Mammography. Volumetric breast density techniques based on standard mammograms require estimation of breast thickness, which is difficult to accurately measure. By comparison, calculation of breast density using dual energy mammography does not require measurement of breast thickness. Dual energy mammography has been implemented using both energy integrating flat panel detectors in conjunction with beam energy switching and energy resolved photon counting detectors. These techniques have been optimized using simulation studies and validated using physical phantoms and postmortem breasts. Chemical decomposition was used as the gold standard for volumetric breast density measurement in postmortem breasts. Breast density measurements have also been compared with results from four-category BI-RADS density rankings, standard image thresholding and Fuzzy k-mean clustering techniques. These studies indicate that dual energy mammography can be used to accurately measure volumetric breast density. Cardiovascular CT. The predicative accuracy of risk models for recurrent stroke and cardiac arrest depends heavily on accurate differentiation of thrombus or calcium from iodine in left atrial appendage or coronary arteries. The amount of energy separation is constrained by image noise; therefore, optimal kVp, beam filtration, and balanced flux are essential for the quantification accuracy of iodine and calcium. The basis materials are combined linearly to generate monochromatic energy images, where CT# accuracy and CNR are energy dependent. With optimal monochromatic energy, the mean iodine concentration for the thrombus, circulatory stasis, and control groups are significantly different. Risk classification based on calcium scores shows excellent agreement with classification on the basis of conventional coronary artery calcium scoring. These studies demonstrate dual-energy cardiovascular CT can potentially be a noninvasive and sensitive modality in high risk patients. On-board KV/MV Imaging. To enhance soft tissue contrast and reduce metal artifacts, we have developed a dual-energy CBCT technique and a novel on-board kV/MV imaging technique based on hardware available on modern linear accelerators. We have also evaluated the feasibility of these two techniques in various phantom studies. Optimal techniques (energy, beam filtration, # of overlapping projections, etc) have been investigated with unique calibration procedures, which leads to successful decomposition of imaged material into acrylic-aluminum basis material pair. This enables the synthesis of virtual monochromatic (VM) CBCT images that demonstrate much less beam hardening, significantly reduced metal artifacts, and/or higher soft tissue CNR compared to single-energy CBCT. Adaptive Radiation Therapy. DECT could actually contribute to the area of Dose-Guided Radiation Therapy (or Adaptive Therapy). The application of DECT imaging using 80kV and 140 kV combinations could potentially increase the image quality by reducing the bone or high density material artifacts and also increase the soft tissue contrast by a light contrast agent. The result of this higher contrast / quality images is beneficial for deformable image registration / segmentation algorithm to improve its accuracy hence to make adaptive therapy less time consuming in its recontouring process. The real time re-planning prior to per treatment fraction could become more realistic with this improvement especially in hypofractional SBRT cases. Learning Objectives: Learn recent developments of dual-energy imaging in diagnosis and radiation therapy; Understand the unique clinical problem and required quantification accuracy in each application; Understand the different approaches to optimize dual-energy imaging techniques for different applications.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

Feasibility of an image planning system for kilovoltage image-guided radiation therapy

Purpose: Image guidance has become a standard of care for many treatment scenarios in radiation therapy. This is most typically accomplished by use of kV x-ray devices mounted onto the linear accelerator (Linac) gantry that yield planar, fluoroscopic, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images. Image acquisition parameters are chosen via preset techniques that rely on broad categorizations in patient anatomy and imaging goal. However, the optimal imaging technique results in detectability of the features of interest while exposing the patient to minimum dose. Herein, the authors present an investigation into the feasibility of developing an image planning system (IPS) for radiotherapy.Methods: In this first phase, the authors focused on developing an algorithm to predict tissue contrast produced by a common radiotherapy planar imaging chain. Input parameters include a CT dataset and simulated planar imaging technique settings that include kV and mAs. Energy-specific attenuation through each voxel of the CT dataset was calculated in the algorithm to derive a net transmitted intensity. The response of the flat panel detector was integrated into the image simulation algorithm. Verification was conducted by comparing simulated and measured images using four phantoms. Comparisons were made in both high and low contrast settings, as well as changes in the geometric appearance due to image saturation. Results: The authors studied a lung nodule test object to assess the planning system's ability to predict object contrast and detectability. Verification demonstrated that the slope of the pixel intensities is similar, the presence of the nodule is evident, and image saturation at high mAs values is evident in both images. The appearance of the lung nodule is a function of the image detector saturation. The authors assessed the dimensions of the lung nodule in measured and simulated images. Good quantitative agreement affirmed the algorithm's predictive capabilities. The invariance of contrast with kVp and mAs prior to saturation was predicted, as well as the gradual loss of object detectability as saturation was approached. Small changes in soft tissue density were studied using a mammography step wedge phantom. Data were acquired at beam qualities of 80 and 120 kVp and over exposure values ranging from 0.04 to 500 mAs. The data showed good agreement in terms of the absolute value of pixel intensities predicted, as well as small variations across the step wedge pattern. The saturation pixel intensity was consistent between the two beam qualities studied. Boney tissue contrast was assessed using two abdominal phantoms. Measured and calculated values agree in terms of predicting the mAs value at which detector saturation, and subsequent loss of contrast occurs. The lack of variation in contrast over mAs values lower than 10 suggests that there is wide latitude for minimizing patient dose. Conclusions: The authors developed and tested an algorithm that can be used to assist in kV imaging technique selection during localization for radiotherapy. Phantom testing demonstrated the algorithm's predictive accuracy for both low and high contrast imaging scenarios. Detector saturation with subsequent loss of imaging detail, both in terms of object size and contrast were accurately predicted by the algorithm.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

Lewis Acid-Assisted Isotopic 18 F- 19 F Exchange in BODIPY Dyes: Facile Generation of Positron Emission Tomography/Fluorescence Dual Modality Agents for Tumor Imaging

Positron emission tomography (PET) is a powerful technique for imaging biological pathways in vivo, particularly those that are key targets in disease processes. In contrast, fluorescence imaging has demonstrated to be a superior method for image-guided surgery, such as tumor removal. Although the integration of PET and optical imaging could provide an attractive strategy for patient management, there is a significant shortage of established platforms/methods for PET/optical probe construction. In this study, various reaction conditions were explored to develop a simple and fast method allowing for the introduction of [ 18 F]-fluoride into BODIPY dyes. Through a systematic optimization of the reaction conditions, we found that BODIPY dyes, including commercial amine-reactive BODIPY succinimidyl esters, may be converted into their radioactive analogues in the matter of minutes via a 18 F- 19 F isotopic exchange reaction promoted by a Lewis acid such as SnCl 4 . An integrin-targeting RGD peptide was also conjugated with [ 18 F]BODIPY® R6G , derived from the commercially available BODIPY® R6G fluorescent tag, to provide a [ 18 F]-RGD conjugate in 82% yield. In vivo evaluation of this imaging probe showed a discernible tumor uptake in the U87MG xenograft model. The dual modality imaging properties of the probe was confirmed by ex vivo fluorescence and microPET imaging experiments. In summary, in the matter of minutes, BODIPY dyes were converted into their “hot” radioactive analogues via a 18 F- 19 F isotopic exchange reaction promoted by a Lewis acid. This approach, which can be applied to commercial BODIPY dyes, provides easy access to positron emission tomography/fluorescence dual modality imaging agents.

18F-19F exchange↗

Optical and Near-Infrared Coronagraphy of the Quasar 3C 273

We present preliminary results of our observations of the ultraluminous quasar 3C 273 using the HST/STIS coronagraph and the Keck/NIRC2 vortex coronagraph to provide high-contrast imaging of the inner regions of the host galaxy in the optical and near-infrared. We use reference star differential imaging (RDI) techniques developed for high-contrast imaging of exoplanets and circumstellar disks to observe the morphology of features down to the inner few tenths of arcseconds (inner few 100s of pc) around the quasar point source. Broadband optical (50CORON) coronagraphy with STIS reveals the inner structure of jets and shocks, while Ks-band coronagraphy with NIRC2 suggests the presence of a candidate kpc-scale circumnuclear disk. If confirmed, this disk plays a potentially important role in driving the extreme feedback state of 3C 273 by up-regulating accretion, and its presence is consistent with recent observations of atomic and molecular gas in this system at larger spatial scales. We conclude by discussing potential applications of the observing techniques we applied to 3C 273 to other PSF-dominated systems at moderate redshifts to detect features such as circumnuclear disks and multiple nuclei with direct imaging.

Kevin Fogarty↗

Towards Misregistration-Tolerant Change Detection using Deep Learning Techniques with Object-Based Image Analysis

Co-registrating is a common pre-processing step for existing change detection algorithms, but registering bi-temporal images is nontrivial. The use of image patch as input for deep learning techniques provides a natural avenue to apply them in the OBIA framework, and have shown successful performance in the object-based land cover mapping and change detection applications. Even though attempts of applying deep learning techniques for change detection applications have been made with varying success, its application under OBIA framework for change detection have not been conducted and its tolerance for misregistration among temporal images are neither known. This study performed change detection under OBIA framework using deep learning techniques for the first time, and evaluated its performance regarding their tolerance of image misregistration on training and testing dataset. Our results demonstrate the proposed change detection scheme is surprisingly robust to image misregistration on the testing dataset, while classifiers trained with the training dataset containing image misregistration errors suffer from slight decrease of overall accuracy.

Liu, Tao↗

LANDSAT-4 Radiometric and Geometric Correction and Image Enhancement Results

Techniques were developed or improved to calibrate, enhance, and geometrically correct LANDSAT-4 satellite data. Statistical techniques to correct data radiometry were evaluated and were found to minimize striping and banding. Conventional techniques cause striping even with perfect calibration parameters. Intensity enhancement techniques were improved to display image data with large variation in intensity or brightness. Data were geometrically corrected to conform to a 1:100,000 map reference and image products produced with the map overlay. It is shown that these products can serve as accurate map products. A personal computer was experimentally used for digital image processing.

Bernstein, R.↗

Remote sensing of surface hemispherical reflectance (albedo) using pointable multispectral imaging spectroradiometers

Remote techniques for determining albedo are examined in terms of the range of view angles required in the use of string techniques with the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the High Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (HIRIS). Ground data are used to compute full and half strings out to 15, 30, 45, and 60 degrees for various sun angles and ground cover types. A knowledge-based system is employed to evaluate both the visible and near-IR bands, and the results indicate errors of up to 7 percent for the MODIS data, HIRIS data, and the full-string +/- 60 degrees. In the cases of large extrapolations greater ranges of error are noted indicating that 60-deg systems are most effective. The error is increased in the case of sensor systems that only view in the fore or aft direction, and the MODIS full string for +/- 45 deg is also considered a good system.

Kimes, D. S.↗

Compression Response Of Notched Composite Stiffened Panels: Analyses And Experiments

An experimental and analytical evaluation of the compressive response of two notched composite stiffened panels representative of primary composite wing structure is presented. A three-dimensional full-field image correlation technique is used to measure the three displacement components over global and local areas of the test panels. Full-field displacement results obtained using the image correlation technique are presented and compared to experimental results and analytical results obtained using nonlinear finite element analysis. Both global and global-local image correlation results are presented and discussed.

Ambur, Damodar R.↗

Vortex-Body Interactions: A Critical Assessment. Coupled Gap-Wake Instabilities/Turbulence: A Source of Noise

This program has involved, first of all, a critical state-of-the-art assessment of vortex-body interactions. Then, efforts were focused on experimental investigation on coupled-wake instabilities and turbulence occurring in a two-cylinder system. An extensive review was undertaken on the effect of incident vortices on various types of bodies. These incident vortices have a length scale of the same order of magnitude as the scale of the body. The body can take on various forms, including, for example, a circular cylinder, a blade or a wing. The classes of vortex-body interaction that were critically assessed include: (1) Periodic distortion of the incident (primary) vortex and shedding of secondary vorticity from the surface of the body. (2) Modulated vortex distortion and shedding at a leading-edge or surface due to incidence of a complex system of vortices. (3) Vortex distortion and shedding in presence of body oscillation. (4) Three-dimensional vortex interaction and shedding. For all of these classes of vortex-body interaction, quantitative topologies of the vorticity distributions and streamline patterns were found to be central to a unified description of mechanisms of vortex distortion and shedding. In most cases, it was possible to define relationships between vortex interactions and unsteady loading at the body surface. This phase of the program was an experimental investigation of a two-cylinder system, which simulated a central aspect of a four-wheel bogie on a large-scale commercial aircraft. The overall aim of this experimental research program was to determine the crucial elements of the unsteadiness in the gap and near-wake regions as a function of time using cinema-based techniques. During the research program, various image evaluation techniques were employed. They involved assessment of instantaneous velocity fields, streamline topology and patterns of vorticity. Experiments were performed in a large-scale water channel using a high-resolution version of digital particle image velocimetry. The program has focused on acquisition of images of velocity and vorticity for varying gap widths between the two-cylinder system. As a result of analysis of a relatively large number of images, it is demonstrated that low frequency instabilities can occur in the gap region between the cylinder. These low frequency instabilities are hypothesized to influence the near-wake structure of the entire two-cylinder system. The nature of the unstable shear layers in the gap region involves generation of small-scale Kelvin-Helmholtz instabilities. These unsteady shear layers then impinge upon the upper and lower surfaces of the cylinders, thereby influencing both the unsteady structure and the time-averaged patterns of the near-wake. Initial efforts have focused on characterization of the patterns of instantaneous and averaged streamlines using topological concepts. The end result of this investigation is a series of documented instantaneous images. They will serve as a basis for various types of post-processing, which will lead to a fuller understanding of the instantaneous and time-averaged unstable-turbulent fields in the gap region and downstream of the two-cylinder system. This further assessment is the focus of a subsequent program.

Rockwell, Donald↗

DETECTING ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEI USING MULTI-FILTER IMAGING DATA. II. INCORPORATING ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS

This is the second paper of the series Detecting Active Galactic Nuclei Using Multi-filter Imaging Data. In this paper we review shapelets, an image manipulation algorithm, which we employ to adjust the point-spread function (PSF) of galaxy images. This technique is used to ensure the image in each filter has the same and sharpest PSF, which is the preferred condition for detecting AGNs using multi-filter imaging data as we demonstrated in Paper I of this series. We apply shapelets on Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Legacy Survey Wide Survey ugriz images. Photometric parameters such as effective radii, integrated fluxes within certain radii, and color gradients are measured on the shapelets-reconstructed images. These parameters are used by artificial neural networks (ANNs) which yield: photometric redshift with an rms of 0.026 and a regression R-value of 0.92; galaxy morphological types with an uncertainty less than 2 T types for z ≤ 0.1; and identification of galaxies as AGNs with 70% confidence, star-forming/starburst (SF/SB) galaxies with 90% confidence, and passive galaxies with 70% confidence for z ≤ 0.1. The incorporation of ANNs provides a more reliable technique for identifying AGN or SF/SB candidates, which could be very useful for large-scale multi-filter optical surveys that also include a modest set of spectroscopic data sufficient to train neural networks.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗

Applications of LIF to Document Natural Variability of Chlorophyll Content and Cu Uptake in Moss

Chlorophyll has long been used as a natural indicator of plant health and photosynthetic efficiency. Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) is an emerging technique for understanding broad spectrum organic processes and has more recently been used to monitor chlorophyll response in plants. Previous work has focused on developing a LIF technique for imaging moss mats to identify metal contamination with the current focus shifting toward application to moss fronds and aiding sample collection for chemical analysis. Two laser systems (CoCoBi a Nd:YGa pulsed laser system and Chl-SL with two blue continuous semiconductor diodes) were used to collect images of moss fronds exposed to increasing levels of Cu (1, 10, and 100 nmol/cm 2 ) using a CMOS camera. The best methods for the preprocessing of images were conducted before the analysis of fluorescence signatures were compared to a control. The Chl-SL system performed better than the CoCoBi, with dynamic time warping (DTW) proving the most effective for image analysis. Manual thresholding to remove lower decimal code values improved the data distributions and proved whether using one or two fronds in an image was more advantageous. A higher DTW difference from the control correlated to lower chlorophyll a/b ratios and a higher metal content, indicating that LIF, with the aid of image processing, can be an effective technique for identifying Cu contamination shortly after an event.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Advanced Characterization of Rare Earth Elements in Coal Utilization Byproducts

Rare earth elements (REE) in various forms (e.g., crystalline mineral phases; adsorbed/absorbed state on and into organic macerals, neoformed glass from flyash or bottom ash) from domestic feedstocks such as coal deposits to coal utilization byproducts (CUB) have the potential to reduce foreign REE dependence and increase domestic resource security. Characterization is critical for understanding environmental risks related to their fate and transport as well as determining the most practical and economical techniques for concentrating the REE and converting them into chemical stocks for manufacturing. Several complementary electron microscopy (SEM-EDS, EPMA-WDS, FIB-SEM, cathodoluminescence, and XRD) and post image processing techniques were used to understand REE transition from coal to CUB. Sites of interest were identified and imaged and respective elemental x-ray maps acquired and montaged. Pixel classification of SEM imagers was completed using image analysis techniques to quantify the distribution of REE associated features. Quantitative elemental analysis of phases were completed using EMPA-WDS followed by FIB-SEM. The FIB-SEM results were reconstructed into 3D volumes and features of interest (e.g. monazite) were analyzed to determine the structure and volumetric estimation of REEs and thus predict detrital REE phases to ICP-MS results. Trace minerals were identified as pyrite, zircon, REE-phosphates' (monazite, xenotime), and barite within the coal tailings. In CUB, amorphous aluminosilicates, iron oxide cenospheres, and calcium oxides were present; monazite appear to be unaltered and unaffected by the combustion process in these samples. Thermal decomposition may have occurred due to presence of detrital zircon and xenotime and subsequent thin Ca-oxide coating enriched in trace REEs.

Verba, Circe↗

SU-E-J-02: 4D Digital Tomosynthesis Based On Algebraic Image Reconstruction and Total-Variation Minimization for the Improvement of Image Quality

Purpose: In this paper, we implemented the four-dimensional (4D) digital tomosynthesis (DTS) imaging based on algebraic image reconstruction technique and total-variation minimization method in order to compensate the undersampled projection data and improve the image quality. Methods: The projection data were acquired as supposed the cone-beam computed tomography system in linear accelerator by the Monte Carlo simulation and the in-house 4D digital phantom generation program. We performed 4D DTS based upon simultaneous algebraic reconstruction technique (SART) among the iterative image reconstruction technique and total-variation minimization method (TVMM). To verify the effectiveness of this reconstruction algorithm, we performed systematic simulation studies to investigate the imaging performance. Results: The 4D DTS algorithm based upon the SART and TVMM seems to give better results than that based upon the existing method, or filtered-backprojection. Conclusion: The advanced image reconstruction algorithm for the 4D DTS would be useful to validate each intra-fraction motion during radiation therapy. In addition, it will be possible to give advantage to real-time imaging for the adaptive radiation therapy. This research was supported by Leading Foreign Research Institute Recruitment Program (Grant No.2009-00420) and Basic Atomic Energy Research Institute (BAERI); (Grant No. 2009-0078390) through the National Research Foundation of Korea(NRF) funded by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning (MSIP)

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗