Characterization of In-Body to On-Body Wireless Radio Frequency Link for Upper Limb Prostheses

Wireless implanted devices can be used to interface patients with disabilities with the aim of restoring impaired motor functions. Implanted devices that record and transmit electromyographic (EMG) signals have been applied for the control of active prostheses. This simulation study investigates the propagation losses and the absorption rate of a wireless radio frequency link for in-to-on body communication in the medical implant communication service (MICS) frequency band to control myoelectric upper limb prostheses. The implanted antenna is selected and a suitable external antenna is designed. The characterization of both antennas is done by numerical simulations. A heterogeneous 3D body model and a 3D electromagnetic solver have been used to model the path loss and to characterize the specific absorption rate (SAR). The path loss parameters were extracted and the SAR was characterized, verifying the compliance with the guideline limits. The path loss model has been also used for a preliminary link budget analysis to determine the feasibility of such system compliant with the IEEE 802.15.6 standard. The resulting link margin of 11 dB confirms the feasibility of the system proposed.

Predicting temperature increase through local SAR estimation by B1 mapping: a phantom validation at 7T

It has been shown that Electrical Properties d(EPs) of biological tissues can be derived from MR-based B1 measurement. A strong appeal for these `Electrical Property Tomography' (EPT) methods is to estimate real-time and subject-specific local specific absorption rate (SAR) induced by RF transmission. In order to investigate the feasibility of EPT-based local SAR estimation, following previously proposed EPT protocols, induced local SAR has been firstly estimated under one B1 shim setting for a heating sequence at 7T; whereas with the same acquired B1 information, induced local SAR under a different B1 shim setting has been further predicted. Both of the SAR results have been compared to measured temperature changes using MRI Thermometry based on the proton chemical shift.

Taxonomic and ecological relevance of the chlorophyll a fluorescence signature of tree species in mixed European forests

The variability of chlorophyll a fluorescence (ChlF) parameters of forest tree species was investigated in 209 stands belonging to six European forests, from Mediterranean to boreal regions. The modifying role of environmental factors, forest structure and tree diversity (species richness and composition) on ChlF signature was analysed. At the European level, conifers showed higher potential performance than broadleaf species. Forests in central Europe performed better than those in Mediterranean and boreal regions. At the site level, homogeneous clusters of tree species were identified by means of a principal component analysis (PCA) of ChlF parameters. The discrimination of the clusters of species was influenced by their taxonomic position and ecological characteristics. The species richness influenced the tree ChlF properties in different ways depending on tree species and site. Tree species and site also affected the relationships between ChlF parameters and other plant functional traits (specific leaf area, leaf nitrogen content, light-saturated photosynthesis, wood density, leaf carbon isotope composition). The assessment of the photosynthetic properties of tree species, by means of ChlF parameters, in relation to their functional traits, is a relevant issue for studies in forest ecology. The connections of data from field surveys with remotely assessed parameters must be carefully explored.

Heat equation inversion framework for average SAR calculation from magnetic resonance thermal imaging

Deposition of radiofrequency (RF) energy can be quantified via electric field or temperature change measurements. Magnetic resonance imaging has been used as a tool to measure three dimensional small temperature changes associated with RF radiation exposure. When duration of RF exposure is long, conversion from temperature change to specific absorption rate (SAR) is nontrivial due to prominent heat-diffusion and conduction effects. In this work, we demonstrated a method for calculation of SAR via an inversion of the heat equation including heat-diffusion and conduction effects. This method utilizes high-resolution three dimensional magnetic resonance temperature images and measured thermal properties of the phantom to achieve accurate calculation of SAR. Accuracy of the proposed method was analyzed with respect to operating frequency of a dipole antenna and parameters used in heat equation inversion. Bioelectromagnetics. 37:493-503, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Breastdosimetry of 99mTc-balloon in complementary radiotherapy

Dose reinforcement in primary tumor cavity can complement conventional radiotherapy in patients with early breast cancer. In this study, a dosimetric analysis was conducted by pertechnetate-^99mTc-filled balloon brachytherapy (TBB).

METHODS

Dosimetry based on radiochromic films and on a computational voxel thorax model was performed. Calibration protocol achieved a mathematical relationship between dose and optical density in films placed on the surface at a distance of 0-9cm, 1cm between them, in which dose values were provided by MCNP® code. Moreover, experimental spatial dose distribution was prepared. A female thorax voxel model was developed in the SISCODES®/MCNP® codes. Additionally, experimental and computational doses at 8-10mm from balloon surface were compared.

RESULTS

Dose from ^99mTc-balloon, with 16mm diameter, 32.22GBq activity, and 24h exposure time, achieved 8.08±0.42 (Ue) and 8.82±1.76 (Ue) Gy, at a distance of 10mm from the balloon surface for the experimental data and computational modeling, respectively, thus showing nonsignificant difference. The spatial dose distribution in the chest wall, glandular tissue, breast skin, and lung was presented. The dosimetric findings supported the TBB modality presenting a suitable spatial dose distribution in the tumor bed and preserving the adjacent health tissues.

CONCLUSION

TBB is a viable adjuvant brachytherapy modality for breast cancer in patients who have an appropriate indication.

Robust time-shifted spoke pulse design in the presence of large B0 variations with simultaneous reduction of through-plane dephasing, B1+ effects, and the specific absorption rate using parallel transmission

PURPOSE

To design parallel transmission spokes pulses with time-shifted profiles for joint mitigation of intensity variations due to B1+ effects, signal loss due to through-plane dephasing, and the specific absorption rate (SAR) at 7T.

METHODS

We derived a slice-averaged small tip angle (SA-STA) approximation of the magnetization signal at echo time that depends on the B1+ transmit profiles, the through-slice B0 gradient and the amplitude and time-shifts of the spoke waveforms. We minimize a magnitude least-squares objective based on this signal equation using a fast interior-point approach with analytical expressions of the Jacobian and Hessian.

RESULTS

Our algorithm runs in less than three minutes for the design of two-spoke pulses subject to hundreds of local SAR constraints. On a B0/B1+ head phantom, joint optimization of the channel-dependent time-shifts and spoke amplitudes allowed signal recovery in high-B0 regions at no increase of SAR. Although the method creates uniform magnetization profiles (ie, uniform intensity), the flip angle varies across the image, which makes it ill-suited to T1-weighted applications.

CONCLUSIONS

The SA-STA approach presented in this study is best suited to T2*-weighted applications with long echo times that require signal recovery around high B0 regions. Magn Reson Med 76:540-554, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Allocation of Absorbed Light Energy in Photosystem II in NPQ Mutants of Arabidopsis

To analyze changes of energy allocation in PSII at non-steady state photosynthesis, the induction and relaxation of non-photochemical quenching of Chl fluorescence was re-evaluated with the use of Arabidopsis thaliana mutants in which the ability to induce non-photochemical quenching was either enhanced (npq2) or suppressed (npq1 and npq4). When dark-treated leaves of the wild type (WT) were illuminated, very high Φ_f,D, which represents the loss of excitation energy via non-regulated dissipation, at the beginning of light illumination was gradually decreased to the steady-state level. In contrast, Φ_NPQ, representing regulated energy dissipation in PSII, was relatively constant after a significant change in the first 10 min. In npq1 and npq4 mutants, lower Φ_NPQ resulted in much higher Φ_f,D than in the WT. Comparison of npq1 and npq4 mutants showed a kinetic difference of two types of non-photochemical quenching. Because non-photochemical quenching calculated as NPQ = F_m - F_m')/F_m' was determined by the interplay between Φ_NPQ and Φ_f,D, NPQ and Φ_NPQ, both of which represent regulatory heat dissipation, were not linearly correlated. We showed that the kinetics of NPQ formation in the light and relaxation in the dark were affected by drastic changes in Φ_f,D We discuss the nature of a high level of Φ_f,D at the dark-light transition. We also point out an unavoidable problem of applying the energy allocation model when the F_v/F_m value changes during a photoinhibiotry illumination.

Transmission of Curing Light through Moist, Air-Dried, and EDTA Treated Dentine and Enamel

Objective. This study measured light transmission through enamel and dentin and the effect of exposed dentinal tubules to light propagation. Methods. Light attenuation through enamel and dentin layers of various thicknesses (1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm) was measured using specimens that were (1) moist and (2) air-dried (n = 5). Measurements were repeated after the specimens were treated with EDTA. Specimens were transilluminated with a light curing unit (maximum power output 1869 mW/cm(2)), and the mean irradiance power of transmitting light was measured. The transmission of light through teeth was studied using 10 extracted intact human incisors and premolars. Results. Transmitted light irradiance through 1 mm thick moist discs was 500 mW/cm(2) for enamel and 398 mW/cm(2) for dentin (p < 0.05). The increase of the specimen thickness decreased light transmission in all groups (p < 0.005), and moist specimens attenuated light less than air-dried specimens in all thicknesses (p < 0.05). EDTA treatment increased light transmission from 398 mW/cm(2) to 439 mW/cm(2) (1 mm dentin specimen thickness) (p < 0.05). Light transmission through intact premolar was 6.2 mW/cm(2) (average thickness 8.2 mm) and through incisor was 37.6 mW/cm(2) (average thickness 5.6 mm). Conclusion. Light transmission through enamel is greater than that through dentin, probably reflecting differences in refractive indices and extinction coefficients. Light transmission through enamel, dentin, and extracted teeth seemed to follow Beer-Lambert's law.

A Large and Phylogenetically Diverse Class of Type 1 Opsins Lacking a Canonical Retinal Binding Site

Opsins are photosensitive proteins catalyzing light-dependent processes across the tree of life. For both microbial (type 1) and metazoan (type 2) opsins, photosensing depends upon covalent interaction between a retinal chromophore and a conserved lysine residue. Despite recent discoveries of potential opsin homologs lacking this residue, phylogenetic dispersal and functional significance of these abnormal sequences have not yet been investigated. We report discovery of a large group of putatively non-retinal binding opsins, present in a number of fungal and microbial genomes and comprising nearly 30% of opsins in the Halobacteriacea, a model clade for opsin photobiology. We report phylogenetic analyses, structural modeling, genomic context analysis and biochemistry, to describe the evolutionary relationship of these recently described proteins with other opsins, show that they are expressed and do not bind retinal in a canonical manner. Given these data, we propose a hypothesis that these abnormal opsin homologs may represent a novel family of sensory opsins which may be involved in taxis response to one or more non-light stimuli. If true, this finding would challenge our current understanding of microbial opsins as a light-specific sensory family, and provides a potential analogy with the highly diverse signaling capabilities of the eukaryotic G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), of which metazoan type 2 opsins are a light-specific sub-clade.

EYE LENS DOSIMETRY FOR FLUOROSCOPICALLY GUIDED CLINICAL PROCEDURES: PRACTICAL APPROACHES TO PROTECTION AND DOSE MONITORING

Doses to the eye lenses of clinicians undertaking fluoroscopically guided procedures can exceed the dose annual limit of 20 mSv, so optimisation of radiation protection is essential. Ceiling-suspended shields and disposable radiation absorbing pads can reduce eye dose by factors of 2-7. Lead glasses that shield against exposures from the side can lower doses by 2.5-4.5 times. Training in effective use of protective devices is an essential element in achieving good protection and acceptable eye doses. Effective methods for dose monitoring are required to identify protection issues. Dosemeters worn adjacent to the eye provide the better option for interventional clinicians, but an unprotected dosemeter worn at the neck will give an indication of eye dose that is adequate for most interventional staff. Potential requirements for protective devices and dose monitoring can be determined from risk assessments using generic values for dose linked to examination workload.

Parallel transmission pulse design with explicit control for the specific absorption rate in the presence of radiofrequency errors

PURPOSE

A new framework for the design of parallel transmit (pTx) pulses is presented introducing constraints for local and global specific absorption rate (SAR) in the presence of errors in the radiofrequency (RF) transmit chain.

METHODS

The first step is the design of a pTx RF pulse with explicit constraints for global and local SAR. Then, the worst possible SAR associated with that pulse due to RF transmission errors ("worst-case SAR") is calculated. Finally, this information is used to re-calculate the pulse with lower SAR constraints, iterating this procedure until its worst-case SAR is within safety limits.

RESULTS

Analysis of an actual pTx RF transmit chain revealed amplitude errors as high as 8% (20%) and phase errors above 3° (15°) for spokes (spiral) pulses. Simulations show that using the proposed framework, pulses can be designed with controlled "worst-case SAR" in the presence of errors of this magnitude at minor cost of the excitation profile quality.

CONCLUSION

Our worst-case SAR-constrained pTx design strategy yields pulses with local and global SAR within the safety limits even in the presence of RF transmission errors. This strategy is a natural way to incorporate SAR safety factors in the design of pTx pulses. Magn Reson Med 75:2493-2504, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

EFFECTIVE DOSE TO PATIENTS FROM THORACIC SPINE EXAMINATIONS WITH TOMOSYNTHESIS

The purposes of the present work were to calculate the average effective dose to patients from lateral tomosynthesis examinations of the thoracic spine, compare the results with the corresponding conventional examination and to determine a conversion factor between dose-area product (DAP) and effective dose for the tomosynthesis examination. Thoracic spine examinations from 17 patients were included in the study. The registered DAP and information about the field size for each projection radiograph were, together with patient height and mass, used to calculate the effective dose for each projection radiograph. The total effective doses for the tomosynthesis examinations were obtained by adding the effective doses from the 60 projection radiographs included in the examination. The mean effective dose was 0.47 mSv (range 0.24-0.81 mSv) for the tomosynthesis examinations and 0.20 mSv (range 0.07-0.29 mSv) for the corresponding conventional examinations (anteroposterior + left lateral projection). For the tomosynthesis examinations, a conversion factor between total DAP and effective dose of 0.092 mSv Gycm(-2) was obtained.

INFLUENCE OF LOCALIZER AND SCAN DIRECTION ON THE DOSE-REDUCING EFFECT OF AUTOMATIC TUBE CURRENT MODULATION IN COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of the localizer and scan direction on the dose-reducing efficacy of the automatic tube current modulation (ATCM) in computed tomography (CT). Craniocaudal and caudocranial chest CT scans, based on anterior-posterior (AP), posterior-anterior (PA), lateral (LAT) or dual AP/LAT localizers, of an anthropomorphic phantom containing thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLDs), were made on three Siemens systems. TLD readings were converted to lung and thyroid doses. A second dose estimation was performed based on Monte Carlo simulations. In addition, the ATCM behaviour of GE and Toshiba was evaluated based on AP, PA and LAT localizers. Compared with AP, tube currents of PA and AP/LAT scans were on average 20 % higher and 40 % lower, respectively, for the Siemens systems. Consequently, thyroid and lung doses increased with 60 % with a PA instead of an AP/LAT scan, with significant differences in image noise. Moreover, the thyroid dose halves by taking the scan in caudocranial direction. Noise values were not significantly different when changing scan direction.

RETROSPECTIVE ESTIMATION OF PATIENT DOSE-AREA PRODUCT IN THORACIC SPINE TOMOSYNTHESIS PERFORMED USING VOLUMERAD

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of a recently developed method of retrospectively estimating the patient dose-area product (DAP) of a chest tomosynthesis examination, performed using VolumeRAD, in thoracic spine tomosynthesis and to determine the necessary field-size correction factor. Digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) data for the projection radiographs acquired during a thoracic spine tomosynthesis examination were retrieved directly from the modality for 17 patients. Using the previously developed method, an estimated DAP for the tomosynthesis examination was determined from DICOM data in the scout image. By comparing the estimated DAP with the actual DAP registered for the projection radiographs, a field-size correction factor was determined. The field-size correction factor for thoracic spine tomosynthesis was determined to 0.92. Applying this factor to the DAP estimated retrospectively, the maximum difference between the estimated DAP and the actual DAP was <3 %. In conclusion, the previously developed method of retrospectively estimating the DAP in chest tomosynthesis can be applied to thoracic spine tomosynthesis.

Charge-transfer optical absorption mechanism of DNA:Ag-nanocluster complexes

Optical properties of DNA:Ag-nanoclusters complexes have been successfully applied experimentally in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Nevertheless, the mechanisms behind their optical activity remain unresolved. In this work, we present a time-dependent density functional study of optical absorption in DNA:Ag_{4}. In all 23 different complexes investigated, we obtain new absorption peaks in the visible region that are not found in either the isolated Ag_{4} or isolated DNA base pairs. Absorption from red to green are predominantly of charge-transfer character, from the Ag_{4} to the DNA fragment, while absorption in the blue-violet range are mostly associated to electronic transitions of a mixed character, involving either DNA-Ag_{4} hybrid orbitals or intracluster orbitals. We also investigate the role of exchange-correlation functionals in the calculated optical spectra. Significant differences are observed between the calculations using the PBE functional (without exact exchange) and the CAM-B3LYP functional (which partly includes exact exchange). Specifically, we observe a tendency of charge-transfer excitations to involve purines bases, and the PBE spectra error is more pronounced in the complexes where the Ag cluster is bound to the purines. Finally, our results also highlight the importance of adding both the complementary base pair and the sugar-phosphate backbone in order to properly characterize the absorption spectrum of DNA:Ag complexes.

1H, 15N, and 13C chemical shift assignments of cyanobacteriochrome NpR6012g4 in the red-absorbing dark state

Cyanobacteriochrome (CBCR) photosensory proteins are phytochrome homologs using bilin chromophores for light sensing across the visible spectrum. NpR6012g4 is a CBCR from Nostoc punctiforme that serves as a model for a widespread CBCR subfamily with red/green photocycles. We report NMR chemical shift assignments for both the protein backbone and side-chain resonances of the red-absorbing dark state of NpR6012g4 (BMRB no. 26582).

1H, 13C, and 15N chemical shift assignments of cyanobacteriochrome NpR6012g4 in the green-absorbing photoproduct state

Cyanobacteriochromes (CBCRs) are cyanobacterial photosensory proteins with a tetrapyrrole (bilin) chromophore that belong to the phytochrome superfamily. Like phytochromes, CBCRs photoconvert between two photostates with distinct spectral properties. NpR6012g4 from Nostoc punctiforme is a model system for widespread CBCRs with conserved red/green photocycles. Atomic-level structural information for the photoproduct state in this subfamily is not known. Here, we report NMR backbone chemical shift assignments of the light-activated state of NpR6012g4 (BMRB no. 26577) as a first step toward determining its atomic resolution structure.

A High Affinity Red Fluorescence and Colorimetric Probe for Amyloid β Aggregates

A major challenge in the Alzheimer's disease (AD) is its timely diagnosis. Amyloid β (Aβ) aggregates have been proposed as the most viable biomarker for the diagnosis of AD. Here, we demonstrate hemicyanine-based benzothiazole-coumarin (TC) as a potential probe for the detection of highly toxic Aβ42 aggregates through switch-on, enhanced (~30 fold) red fluorescence (Emax = 654 nm) and characteristic colorimetric (light red to purple) optical outputs. Interestingly, TC exhibits selectivity towards Aβ42 fibrils compared to other abnormal protein aggregates. TC probe show nanomolar binding affinity (Ka = 1.72 × 10(7) M(-1)) towards Aβ42 aggregates and also displace ThT bound to Aβ42 fibrils due to its high binding affinity. The Aβ42 fibril-specific red-shift in the absorption spectra of TC responsible for the observed colorimetric optical output has been attributed to micro-environment change around the probe from hydrophilic-like to hydrophobic-like nature. The binding site, binding energy and changes in optical properties observed for TC upon interaction with Aβ42 fibrils have been further validated by molecular docking and time dependent density functional theory studies.

Dispersion in silica microbubble resonators

We explore the scope for engineering dispersion in whispering gallery mode silica microbubbles for nonlinear applications, such as optical frequency comb generation. In particular, the zero dispersion wavelength is shown to be highly tunable by changing the thickness of the shell. Using a small diameter and small wall thickness, dispersion equalization within the visible is predicted. This opens up the possibility of realizing visible frequency combs for a range of different applications.

Gold nanobipyramids as saturable absorbers for passively Q-switched laser generation in the 1.1 μm region

We demonstrated that gold nanobipyramids (Au-NBPs) can be used as saturable absorbers for ultrafast pulsed-laser application, for the first time. Au-NBPs are prepared through a seed-mediated growth method, and performance is investigated in a passively Q-switched Nd:YVO4 laser. In the Q-switched operation the maximum average output power that can be achieved is 151 mW. The minimum pulse width is 396 ns at a pulse repetition rate of 90.6 kHz.

Quantification of Adaptive Protection Following Low-dose Irradiation

The question whether low doses and low dose-rates of ionizing radiation pose a health risk to people is of public, scientific and regulatory concern. It is a subject of intense debate and causes much fear. The controversy is to what extent low-dose effects, if any, cause or protect against damage such as cancer. Even if immediate molecular damage in exposed biological systems rises linearly with the number of energy deposition events (i.e., with absorbed dose), the response of the whole biological system to that damage is not linear. To understand how initial molecular damage affects a complex living system is the current challenge.

A comparison of methods to estimate photosynthetic light absorption in leaves with contrasting morphology

Accurate temporal and spatial measurements of leaf optical traits (i.e., absorption, reflectance and transmittance) are paramount to photosynthetic studies. These optical traits are also needed to couple radiative transfer and physiological models to facilitate the interpretation of optical data. However, estimating leaf optical traits in leaves with complex morphologies remains a challenge. Leaf optical traits can be measured using integrating spheres, either by placing the leaf sample in one of the measuring ports (External Method) or by placing the sample inside the sphere (Internal Method). However, in leaves with complex morphology (e.g., needles), the External Method presents limitations associated with gaps between the leaves, and the Internal Method presents uncertainties related to the estimation of total leaf area. We introduce a modified version of the Internal Method, which bypasses the effect of gaps and the need to estimate total leaf area, by painting the leaves black and measuring them before and after painting. We assess and compare the new method with the External Method using a broadleaf and two conifer species. Both methods yielded similar leaf absorption estimates for the broadleaf, but absorption estimates were higher with the External Method for the conifer species. Factors explaining the differences between methods, their trade-offs and their advantages and limitations are also discussed. We suggest that the new method can be used to estimate leaf absorption in any type of leaf independently of its morphology, and be used to study further the impact of gap fraction in the External Method.

Determining organ dose conversion coefficients for external neutron irradiation by using a voxel mouse model

A set of fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients has been calculated for neutrons with energies <20 MeV using a developed voxel mouse model and Monte Carlo N-particle code (MCNP), for the purpose of neutron radiation effect evaluation. The calculation used 37 monodirectional monoenergetic neutron beams in the energy range 10(-9) MeV to 20 MeV, under five different source irradiation configurations: left lateral, right lateral, dorsal-ventral, ventral-dorsal, and isotropic. Neutron fluence-to-dose conversion coefficients for selected organs of the body were presented in the paper, and the effect of irradiation geometry conditions, neutron energy and the organ location on the organ dose was discussed. The results indicated that neutron dose conversion coefficients clearly show sensitivity to irradiation geometry at neutron energy below 1 MeV.

Calculation of Blood Dose in Patients Treated With 131I Using MIRD, Imaging, and Blood Sampling Methods

Radioiodine therapy is known as the most effective treatment of differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) to ablate remnant thyroid tissue after surgery. In patients with DTC treated with radioiodine, internal radiation dosimetry of radioiodine is useful for radiation risk assessment. The aim of this study is to describe a method to estimate the absorbed dose to the blood using medical internal radiation dosimetry methods. In this study, 23 patients with DTC with different administrated activities, 3.7, 4.62, and 5.55 GBq after thyroidectomy, were randomly selected. Blood dosimetry of treated patients was performed with external whole body counting using a dual-head gamma camera imaging device and also with blood sample activity measurements using a dose calibrator. Absorbed dose to the blood was measured at 2, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 96 hours after the administration of radioiodine with the 2 methods. Based on the results of whole body counting and blood sample activity dose rate measurements, 96 hours after administration of 3.7, 4.62, and 5.55 GBq of radioiodine, absorbed doses to patients' blood were 0.65 ± 0.20, 0.67 ± 0.18, 0.79 ± 0.51 Gy, respectively. Increasing radioiodine activity from 3.7 to 5.55 GBq increased blood dose significantly, while there was no significant difference in blood dose between radioiodine dosages of 3.7 and 4.62 GBq. Our results revealed a significant correlation between the blood absorbed dose and blood sample activity and between the blood absorbed dose and whole body counts 24 to 48 hours after the administration of radioiodine.

Determination of true optical absorption and scattering coefficient of wooden cell wall substance by time-of-flight near infrared spectroscopy

The true absorption coefficient (μa) and reduced scattering coefficient (μ´s) of the cell wall substance in Douglas fir were determined using time-of-flight near infrared spectroscopy. Samples were saturated with hexane, toluene or quinolone to minimize the multiple reflections of light on the boundary between pore-cell wall substance in wood. μ´s exhibited its minimum value when the wood was saturated with toluene because the refractive index of toluene is close to that of the wood cell wall substance. The optical parameters of the wood cell wall substance calculated were μa = 0.030 mm(-1) and μ´s= 18.4 mm(-1). Monte Carlo simulations using these values were in good agreement with the measured time-resolved transmittance profiles.