Purpose: Determination of X-ray fluoroscopy radiation dose and contrast with angiographic system automatically depending on the objects, and to control setting manually, which is difficult for the measurement of characteristics. Therefore, we examined the method to adjust the conditions of fluoroscopy and measured the input-output characteristics. Method: To adjust and fix the condition of fluoroscopy, the exposure adjustment area at the center of the irradiation field was moved to the left side and attached the copper plates to regulate the exposure dose. The area to measure the digital value was selected at the center of the irradiation field, and the dosimeter was placed at the right side of the area, which was selected to measure the digital value. To regulate the entrance dose progressively, the acryl plates were inserted into the irradiation field except for the exposure adjustment area. We obtained a characteristic curve from the measured dose and the digital value. Difference of lookup table (LUT), dose dependency, and tube voltage dependency were checked by the digital characteristic curves. Result: Each LUT showed different curves, but they all saturated with 4095, which is the maximum value of 12 bits. Dose dependency was measured as an increase in the permitted dose level with an increase in the setting dose. Tube voltage dependency improved with the tube voltage rises. Each characteristic curve became same by converting the relative exposure dose. As a result, measuring the shape of LUT would be possible. Conclusion: The method is useful for measuring the characteristic curve with the X-ray fluoroscopy of angiographic system.

本論文では，地中熱ヒートポンプ(GSHP)システムにおいて，一次側の循環ポンプに変流量制御を，二次側にビルマルチシステムを採用した，少水量対応地中熱ヒートポンプ(LF-GSHP)ビルマルチシステムの搬送動力削減効果を予測できるシミュレーションツールを開発した．まず，システムを構成する水冷ビルマルチヒートポンプの計算モデルと，変流量制御に対応した循環ポンプの計算モデルについて示した．次に，開発した性能予測ツールをフィールド試験結果によって検証した．さらには，負荷変動の大きい中規模の病院建物を対象として，LF-GSHP ビルマルチシステムと従来のGSHP システムの年間の運転シミュレーションを行った．一次側・二次側共に定流量の循環ポンプを導入した従来のGSHP システムと比較した場合の，LF-GSHP システムの循環ポンプの消費電力量削減効果は，暖房期間で約91％，冷房期間で約92％となり，これにより搬送動力低減効果を確認することができた．

  Recently, opportunities for the utilization of X-ray tomography techniques in industry and scientific research are increasing. These techniques are applied in various ways for the assessment of the performance, quality, reliability, dimensions, and inner morphology of casting products. However, the lack of fundamental knowledge and understanding for these applications have sometimes led to the unsuccessful use of X-ray tomography techniques in industry. With this in mind, the fundamentals of two important keywords, spatial resolution and contrast, are described in detail in this paper in order to arouse the attention of readers on the importance of these two issues to effectively utilize X-ray tomography. This review was written for foundry engineers in the industry on quality assurance, development and component design relating to various casting defects of aluminum and cast iron castings, as well as engineers/researchers involved in the development and research of cast materials and cast components. In this sense, it intends to introduce various examples of objects of observations such as casting defects and component design. Finally, new functions of X-ray tomography techniques for in-line inspection devices and coordinate measuring machines are described to open up new possibilities in industry.

コルチコステロイドは，脂溶性であるため細胞膜を容易に通過し，細胞内の特異的受容体と結合し，多彩な作用を発揮する．コルチコステロイド受容体の細胞内局在について，これまでに様々な方法で調べられてきたが，その詳細は未だ完全には解明されていない．近年，GFP（green fluorescent protein）という緑色蛍光タンパクとの融合蛋白を用いることによって，生細胞内での受容体の動きをリアルタイムに可視化して解析することが可能となり，これまでの固定した細胞内では見られなかった新しい知見が得られるようになってきた．本解説においては，glucocorticoid receptor（GR）とmineralocorticoid receptor（MR）に焦点を置き，これらとGFPあるいはそれらの色変異体との融合蛋白を培養細胞に発現させ，蛍光イメージング法による受容体の生細胞内における動態の解析について概説する．

Some radiologic patient positioning techniques that can be used for X-ray examinations can be difficult to apply. One method involves using ultra-low-dose X-ray images to confirm positioning. These positioning images are typically discarded and not used for diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in diagnostic imaging by including these ultra-low-dose positioning images rather than discarding them. To add two images together, we devised a method in which one image is multiplied by the coefficient calculated from its SNR before the addition. The images were dichotomized into a high SNR group and a low SNR group. The images in the high SNR group and the low SNR group were summed. When doing so, the images of the low SNR group were multiplied. There was one maximum SNR point while the SNR was being changed. The maximum SNR of the synthesized images was equal to the value of the square root of the sum of the squares of the two images. The multiplication coefficient, in the case of the maximum SNR, was near 1 when an image agreed with the Poisson distribution; when it did not, it was far from 1. The difference between the calculated values of the hypothetical measurement of the multiplication coefficient was small. In this study, we showed that improving SNR of a diagnostic image could be achieved by adding a positioning image. The multiplication coefficient in the case of the SNR maximum of a synthesized image is calculable. The measurement of a Wiener spectrum is needed for noise evaluation. There can be problems where there is motion after a positioning image is exposed.

The acute micro cerebral infarction phantom was created to evaluate the detectability of acute micro cerebral infarction and optimize scan conditions in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations. The creation of the brain parenchyma phantom requires a hot stirrer that can be heated and stirred simultaneously. However, few hospitals and facilities have hot stirrers. The aim of our study was to use a microwave oven instead of a hot stirrer for the creation of a brain parenchyma phantom. Five phantoms using a hot stirrer and five phantoms using a microwave oven were created. The phantom creation time, T₂ value, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value, uniformity, and reproducibility of MR images were compared between the two creation methods. The phantom creation time, when using a microwave oven was 108±8 minutes, which was significantly shorter than that of 213± 48 minutes when using a hot stirrer. T₂ values, ADC values, uniformity, and reproducibility were not significantly different. Therefore, it is easier to create an acute micro cerebral infarction phantom using a microwave oven compared to a hot stirrer.

Purpose: To calculate the quantitative values in bone single-photon emission computed tomography, it is necessary to measure the amount of syringe radiation before and after the administration of a radiopharmaceutical. We proposed a method to omit the measurement of radioactivity. In this study, we clarified the effects of adopting this method and calculated its influence on quantitative values in a clinical setting. Methods: We derived a relational expression of the administration time and dose of radioactivity from the measured value and the administration time of the syringe dose before and after the administration in each patient. Next, we determined the differences for radioactivity calculated from this relational expression (estimated dose) and actual administered radioactivity (actual dose). Furthermore, we calculated the differences in the quantitative values of a normal region (the fourth lumbar vertebra) on adopting these data. Results: No significant differences between the estimated dose and actual dose were noted. Additionally, no significant differences in the quantitative values were observed. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that adoption of the estimated dose does not affect the quantitative value. When the estimated dose is adopted, it can be administered with an accuracy of 0.80%. Thus, it is possible to omit the actual measurement of radioactivity by using our proposed method.