Abstract: An iterative image reconstruction method used with an imaging system that generates projection data, the method comprises: collecting the projection data; choosing a polar or cylindrical image definition comprising a polar or cylindrical grid representation and a number of basis functions positioned according to the polar or cylindrical grid so that the number of basis functions at different radius positions of the polar or cylindrical image grid is a factor of a number of in-plane symmetries between lines of response along which the projection data are measured by the imaging system; obtaining a system probability matrix that relates each of the projection data to each basis function of the polar or cylindrical image definition; restructuring the system probability matrix into a block circulant matrix and converting the system probability matrix in the Fourier domain; storing the projection data into a measurement data vector; providing an initial polar or cylindrical image estimate; for each iteration; reca

Abstract: Provided is a method for the use of a bradykinin B1 receptor antagonist of formula I: X-CO-Aaa0-Aaa1-Aaa2-Aaa3-Gly-?(Me)Phe-Ser-D-?Nal-Aaa8-OH (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate thereof wherein: X is CnH2n+1 or CiH2i—C6H5, where n is an integer from 1 to 3, and i is an integer from 0 to 3; Aaa0 is Lys, Orn or Cit; Aaa1 is Arg or Cit, and preferably Arg; Aaa2 is Oic, Hyp or Pro, and preferably Oic; Aaa3 is Pro or Oic, and preferably Pro; and Aaa8 is Ile, Leu or Nle, and preferably Ile, for the treatment of metastases, cancers and/or chemotherapy-induced neuropathies, comprising the administration of the compound to a patient in need of such treatment. Also provided are compositions containing such antagonists and their thereof.

Abstract: A digital method and system allowing crystal identification in radiation detector machines is described. The crystal identification is based on recognition of radiation detector signal shape through discrimination of detector signal's dynamic characteristics. The digital method is based on recursive and non-recursive algorithms, such as adaptive filtering combined or not with quantization methods. These digital algorithms, commonly used in other engineering applications, were modified and tailored for radiation detection. Although the method was specially designed for crystal identification measurement, which is exemplified here, it can effectively recognize the detector signal shape in any radiation detection context.

Abstract: A method for single photon counting transmission computed tomography (CT) is described. The method is based on an apparatus consisting of a radiation source and detectors on an opposite side of the subject from the source. The radiation source is for example an X-ray tube. The detectors are independently connected to parallel, fast, low-noise processing electronics capable of recording and counting individual X-ray photons at very high rate. In one embodiment of the invention, said detector is made of a scintillator coupled to a photodetector. The photodetector can be an avalanche photodiode (APD).