The purpose of this study was to identify the functional fields activated in relation to the NO-GO decision. Nine healthy subjects participated in the study which consisted of two test positron emission tomography (PET) scans (GO/NO-GO task and response selection task) and one control scan. In the response selection task, subjects were asked to flex their thumb of the right hand when a light emitting diode (LED) placed 60 cm from their eyes turned on red and to flex their index finger of the right hand when LED turned on green. In the GO/NO-GO task, subjects were asked to flex their thumb when the LED turned on red, however, they were asked not to move their fingers when LED turned on green. In the control state, they were asked simply to look at the LED without any movement of finger during the course of the scan. The mean regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) change images for each task minus control and task minus task were calculated and fields of significant rCBF changes were identified. Several fields in the prefrontal cortex of the right hemisphere were specifically activated in relation to the GO/NO-GO task. The results indicate that the prefrontal cortex of the right hemisphere may be a key structure to make a decision not to move.

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For the developement of bio-PIXE, two problems remain to be solved; one in accelerator availability and the other in data analysis. To improve the former, a method of applying baby cyclotrons to PIXE has been developed. To solve the latter, the computer program SAPIX for x-ray spectrum analysis ,which runs on ordinary personal computers and is fairly easy to operate has been developed. Examples of spectral fitting by the SAPIX and a description of the program are given. Further, the two-detector measuring system which we have employed for the simultaneous determination of all elements is reported.

No abstract

The construction and the fundamental studies of a repetitive flash x-ray generator having a simple diode with an energy-selective function are described. This generator consisted of the following components: a constant high-voltage power supply, a high-voltage pulser, a repetitive high-energy impulse switching system, a turbo molecular pump, and a flash x-ray tube. The circuit of this pulser employed a modified two-stage surge Marx generator with a capacity during main discharge of 425pF. The x-ray tube was of the demountable-diode type which was connected to the turbo molecular pump and consisted of the following major devices: a rod-shaped anode tip made of tungsten, a disk cathode made of graphite, an aluminum filter, and a tube body made of glass. Two condensers inside of the pulser were charged from 40 to 60 kV, and the output voltage was about 1.9 times the charging voltage. The peak tube voltage was primarily determined by the anode-cathode (A-C) space, and the peak tube current was less than 0.6 kA. The peak tube voltage slightly increased when the charging voltage was increased, but the amount of change rate was small. Thus, the maximum photon energy could be easily controlled by varying the A-C space. The pulse width ranged from 40 to 100 ns, and the x-ray intensity was less than 1.0 μC/kg at 0.3 m per pulse. The repetitive frequency was less than 50 Hz, and the effective focal spot size was determined by the diameter of the anode tip and ranged from 0.5 to 3.0 mm in diameter.