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T J Beck

Publications and source records attributed to T J Beck.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

Theoretical analysis of error propagation in triple-energy absorptiometry: application to measurement of lead in bone in vivo.

We propose a three component tissue decomposition for quantifying lead in bone from a mixture of bone and muscle in vivo using a triple-energy absorptiometric method. The theoretical optimization of this method, by relating signal uncertainty to radiation dose, requires an expression of the signal variance. The error propagation was therefore theoretically modeled for a counting detector, assuming noise dominance by quantum statistics and neglecting covariance between energy levels. A final expression for the lead signal variance at each energy level was obtained via a Jacobian matrix. The Jacobian was maximized by choosing the first energy as low as permissible by dose constraints below the lead K edge. A second optimum was achieved when the upper energy was just above and the middle energy was just below the lead K edge. While the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) had similar behavior to that of the Jacobian as a function of middle and upper energies, the SNR was almost constant as a function of lower energy in the 40-60 keV range. Hence, dose could be reduced without SNR loss. A simulated clinical measurement on an adult tibia using a 50 mCi 155Eu source and a 10 min acquisition time resulted in a standard deviation of 4 micrograms Pb/g bone mass. This approach can be applied to other systems containing three components, provided there is a K edge within the counting energy range.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1996

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry derived structural geometry for stress fracture prediction in male U.S. Marine Corps recruits.

A total of 626 U.S. male Marine Corps recruits underwent anthropometric measurements and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the femoral midshaft and the distal third of the tibia prior to a 12 week physical training program. Conventionally obtained frontal plane DXA scan data were used to measure the bone mineral density (BMD) as well as to derive the cross-sectional area, moment of inertia, section modulus, and bone width in the femur, tibia, and fibula. During training, 23 recruits (3.7%) presented with a total of 27 radiologically confirmed stress fractures in various locations in the lower extremity. After excluding 16 cases of shin splints, periostitis, and other stress reactions that did not meet fracture definition criteria, we compared anthropometric and bone structural geometry measurements between fracture cases and the remaining 587 normals. There was no significant difference in age (p = 0.8), femur length (p = 0.2), pelvic width (p = 0.08), and knee width at the femoral condyles (p = 0.06), but fracture cases were shorter (p = 0.01), lighter (p = 0.0006), and smaller in most anthropometric girth dimensions (p < 0.04). Fracture case bone cross-sectional areas (p < 0.001), moments of inertia (p < 0.001), section moduli (p < 0.001), and widths (p < 0.001) as well as BMD (p < 0.03) were significantly smaller in the tibia and femur. After correcting for body weight differences, the tibia cross-sectional area (p = 0.03), section modulus (p = 0.05), and width (p = 0.03) remained significantly smaller in fracture subjects. We conclude that both small body weight and small diaphyseal dimensions relative to body weight are factors predisposing to the development of stress fractures in this population. These results suggest that bone structural geometry measurements derived from DXA data may provide a simple noninvasive methodology for assessing the risk of stress fracture.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1996

Curved beam model of the proximal femur for estimating stress using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry derived structural geometry.

The investigation of individual differences in hip strength requires a method to measure structural geometry in vivo and a valid analytical approach to calculate mechanical stress. We developed a method for deriving structural geometry of the femur from the proximal shaft through the femoral neck, using data from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The geometric properties are employed in a two-dimensional curved beam model of the proximal femur to estimate stresses on the lateral and medial bone surfaces. Stresses calculated by this method are compared with those from the conventional flexure formula and with results produced from a cadaver femur with use of three-dimensional finite element analysis of computed tomography data. Loading conditions simulating a one-legged stance and a fall on the greater trochanter are employed. Stresses calculated by curved beam theory are in much better agreement with three-dimensional finite element analysis than are those for which the conventional straight beam formula was used. In simulation of a fall on the greater trochanter, all three methods show peaks of stress at the femoral neck but only the curved beam and finite element analysis methods show an additional peak at the medial intertrochanteric margin. Both neck and trochanter regions correspond to common failure sites for hip fractures in the elderly. The curved beam treatment of hip structure derived from dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry provides an approach for the in vivo engineering analysis of hip structure that is not practical by other methods.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1993

Age-related changes in female femoral neck geometry: implications for bone strength.

Bone strength is a function of both bone mass and its geometric distribution, a factor that is obscured in the conventional bone mineral analysis. Structural geometry is particularly important in areas such as the femoral neck that are exposed to bending loads in vivo. Here we present results of a study examining age changes in the structural geometry of the female femoral neck derived from dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) data. In a previous study, differences in the aging patterns of males and females over the entire adult age range were demonstrated. In that study, only males showed "compensatory" geometric restructuring of the femoral neck which tended to offset loss of bone mineral with age. In the present study, femoral neck structural properties from 1044 women were examined for aging trends before and after the approximate age of menopause (50 years). Women in the premenopausal age range showed a 4% decline per decade in femoral neck BMD, but no change in the femoral neck cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI). This aging pattern is similar to that of males in our earlier study, and in both cases resulted in little or no increase in femoral neck bending stresses. After age 50, however, women show a more rapid decline in femoral neck BMD (7% per decade) accompanied by a decline in CSMI of 5% per decade. These changes result in increases in femoral neck stresses of 4-12% per decade due to the apparent lack of compensatory restructuring to offset the loss of bone mineral.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1992

Sex differences in geometry of the femoral neck with aging: a structural analysis of bone mineral data.

The greater hip fracture rate among elderly women is generally ascribed to differences in femoral neck strength between the sexes. Strength of a given bone is a function of both its material properties and the magnitudes of mechanical stresses within it. This study examined the hypothesis that these apparent strength differences between the sexes are due to dissimilarities in the restructuring of the femoral neck with age, which result in higher stresses in elderly women. Using Hip Strength Analysis, a computer program developed by the authors, femoral neck cross-sectional geometric properties for stress analyses were derived from bone mineral image data of 409 community living, white subjects ranging from 19 to 93 years of age. Though both sexes show declines in femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD) and cross-sectional area with age, only females show a decline in the cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI, a geometric index of bone rigidity). The lack of decline in male CSMI appears to be a result of a small but significant increase in femoral neck girth. Similar age-related changes have been observed in the femoral shaft by others. The net effect of these observed changes is that mechanical stresses in the femoral neck of females appear to increase at three times the rate per decade of those of males. These results lend support to the hypothesis that the higher fracture rate in elderly women is due, at least in part, to elevated levels of mechanical stress, resulting from a combination of greater bone loss and less compensatory geometric restructuring with age.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Supplementation of ammoniated wheat straw: performance and forage utilization characteristics in beef cattle receiving energy and protein supplements.

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate performance and forage utilization characteristics of beef cattle fed ammoniated wheat straw (AWS) unsupplemented except for minerals or supplemented with energy and protein. In Exp. 1, 194 crossbred beef cows (BW = 472 kg) in late gestation were allotted by weight, breed type, and age during two consecutive winters to 12 drylot pens (three pens/treatment) for a 60-d feeding trial. The AWS (3% NH3 wt/wt) was tubground through a 7.6-cm screen, and cows were allowed ad libitum access to the AWS. In Exp. 2, 16 ruminally fistulated Angus x Hereford steers (BW = 300 kg) were blocked by weight and randomized to treatments in a 35-d intake-digestion trial. Daily supplementation treatments in both experiments were Control, no supplemental energy or protein; LSG, 1.36 kg of sorghum grain (SG); HSG, 2.72 kg of SG; and SG + SBM, 1.02 kg of SG + .34 kg of soybean meal (SBM). All animals received .23 kg of mineral mixture formulated to meet a pregnant cow's mineral requirements. Supplements LSG and SG + SBM were fed to provide the same daily ME, and HSG and SG + SBM were fed to provide the same daily CP. Cows were managed as one group during and after calving. In Exp. 1, all supplements increased gain (P less than .01) vs Control, and cows fed SG + SBM had higher (P = .05) gains than those fed LSG. The SG + SBM supplement increased (P less than .01) change in cow body condition score compared with LSG.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗
PubMed1990

Image quality and radiation levels in videofluoroscopy for swallowing studies: a review.

Inexpensive video recording equipment coupled to conventional x-ray fluoroscopes is now in widespread use by clinicians for the evaluation of patients with swallowing disorders. The prevalence and simplicity of this apparatus have encouraged its use by clinical specialists who are often not specifically trained in the safe use of x-ray equipment, and this may not be in the best interest of either the patient or the examiner. This has prompted an overview of the operating principles of videofluorescopy equipment. The factors governing image quality are discussed as well as potential hazards and protective measures for both patients and operator. A method of estimating the radiation dose to sensitive tissues from a typical swallowing study is included.

Cineradiography↗
PubMed1990

Predicting femoral neck strength from bone mineral data. A structural approach.

An interactive computer program was developed to derive femoral neck geometry from raw bone mineral image data for an estimate of hip strength using single plane engineering stress analysis. The program, which we call Hip Strength Analysis (HSA), was developed as an attempt to improve the predictive value of hip bone mineral data for osteoporosis fracture risk assessment. We report a series of experiments with an aluminum phantom and with cadaver femora, designed to test the accuracy of derived geometric measurements and strength estimates. Using data acquired with both Lunar DP3 (DPA) and Hologic QDR-1000 (x-ray) scanners, HSA computed femoral neck cross-sectional areas (CSA) and cross-sectional moments of inertia (CSMI) on an aluminum phantom were in excellent agreement with actual values (r greater than .99). Using Lunar DP3 data, CSA and CSMI measurements at mid-femoral necks of 22 cadaver specimens were in good general agreement with literature values. HSA computed cross-sectional properties of three of these specimens were compared with measurements derived from sequential CT cross-sectional images. Discrepancy between the two methods averaged less than 10% along the length of the femoral neck. Finally, breaking strengths of 20 of the femora were measured with a materials testing system, showing better agreement with HSA predicted strength (r = .89, percent standard of the estimate (%SEE) = 21%) than femoral neck bone mineral density (r = .79, %SEE = 28%).

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1986

Sequential computed tomographic imaging of a transplantable rabbit brain tumor.

The accuracy of CT imaging in evaluating VX-2 tumor growth in the rabbit brain was assessed. CT scanning was performed in 5 outbred New Zealand white male rabbits before and at 4, 7, 9 and 13 (in 3 animals) days after surgical implantation of 3 X 10(5) viable VX-2 tumor cells in the frontoparietal lobes. The CT studies were correlated with gross pathology in each. The tumor was visualized with CT in all 5 rabbits by the 9th day post implantation when the tumor ranged in size from 4-6 X 3-4 X 2-3 mm. Between the 9th and 13th day, the tumor increased 6-fold in two rabbits and 12-fold in the third rabbit. CT is a useful technique to evaluate brain tumor growth in this model and should be valuable in documenting the efficacy of chemotherapy on tumor growth.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Monitoring radiation exposure to medical personnel during percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

To ascertain radiation exposure to medical personnel during percutaneous nephrolithotomy, lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs) were utilized for the radiographic monitoring of 7 consecutive patients. Average fluoroscopy time per procedure was 27.8 minutes of which 15.1 minutes were for nephrostomy tube insertion and 12.7 minutes were for calculi extraction. The 2 radiologists received 4.5 and 5.1 mrad per procedure, while the 2 urologists received 2.5 and 3.7 mrad. All other ancillary personnel received less than 2.1 mrad per procedure except the anesthesiologists whose mean exposure was 4.7 mrad. By taking appropriate precautions and using the proper equipment, percutaneous nephrolithotomy can be performed with a low level of radiation exposure for all involved physicians and personnel.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Orbital computed tomography: technical aspects.

Computed tomographic scanning has revolutionized the diagnosis and management of orbital disease. The best use of this methodology requires knowledge of the principles and appropriate attention to scanning protocols. Computed tomographic scanning of the orbit is a demanding technique requiring thin sections through planes precisely positioned from the topographical anatomy. Ideally, orbital CT should include both transverse axial and coronal sections: The pathological condition and its plane of growth will influence the selection of the optimal plane or section. Coronal sections may be obtained either directly or indirectly by computer reconstruction from contiguous transverse images. Sagittal or oblique sections or both also are useful and may be obtained directly or indirectly. Difficulty in patient positioning may preclude direct sagittal imaging, however. The use of intravenous contrast enhancement is not necessary as a routine technique unless a mass is identified or suspected. Where surgical resection or biopsy of a space-occupying lesion is contemplated, contrast enhancement can be valuable in assessing relative vascularity and aiding diagnostic specificity. It should be continually emphasized that CT is a powerful technology which, in orbital diagnosis, produces the highest yield when clinician and radiologist collaborate in the radiodiagnostic workup. The clinical information supplied by the referring ophthalmologist is used by the radiologist both in the selection of the appropriate techniques for investigation and in striving to achieve the most specific conclusion.

Contrast Media↗