(C) 2011 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.”
“The arrangement of atoms and bonds in a molecule influences its

physical and chemical properties. The scanning tunneling microscope can provide electronic and vibrational signatures of single molecules. However, these signatures do not relate simply to the molecular structure and bonding. We constructed an inelastic tunneling probe based on the scanning tunneling microscope to sense the local potential energy landscape of an adsorbed molecule with a carbon monoxide (CO)-terminated tip. The skeletal U0126 structure and bonding of the molecule are revealed from imaging the spatial variations of a CO vibration as the CO-terminated tip probes the core of the interactions between

adjacent atoms. An application of the inelastic tunneling probe reveals the sharing of hydrogen atoms among multiple centers in intramolecular and extramolecular bonding.”
“To evaluate optimal monoenergetic dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) settings for artefact reduction of posterior spinal fusion implants of various vendors and spine levels.\n\nPosterior spinal fusion implants of five vendors for cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine were examined ex vivo with single-energy (SE) CT (120 kVp) and DECT (140/100 kVp). Extrapolated monoenergetic DECT images at 64, 69, 88, 105 keV and individually adjusted monoenergy for optimised image quality (OPTkeV) were generated. Two independent radiologists assessed quantitative and qualitative image parameters for each device and spine level.\n\nInter-reader agreements of quantitative and qualitative parameters were high (ICC = Sonidegib manufacturer 0.81-1.00, kappa = 0.54-0.77). HU values of spinal fusion implants were significantly different among vendors (P < 0.001), spine levels (P < 0.01) and among SECT, monoenergetic DECT of 64, 69, 88, 105 keV and OPTkeV (P < 0.01). Image quality GSI-IX was significantly (P < 0.001) different between datasets and improved with higher monoenergies

of DECT compared with SECT (V = 0.58, P < 0.001). Artefacts decreased significantly (V = 0.51, P < 0.001) at higher monoenergies. OPTkeV values ranged from 123-141 keV. OPTkeV according to vendor and spine level are presented herein.\n\nMonoenergetic DECT provides significantly better image quality and less metallic artefacts from implants than SECT. Use of individual keV values for vendor and spine level is recommended.\n\naEuro cent Artefacts pose problems for CT following posterior spinal fusion implants.\n\naEuro cent CT images are interpreted better with monoenergetic extrapolation using dual-energy (DE) CT.\n\naEuro cent DECT extrapolation improves image quality and reduces metallic artefacts over SECT.\n\naEuro cent There were considerable differences in monoenergy values among vendors and spine levels.\n\naEuro cent Use of individualised monoenergy values is indicated for different metallic hardware devices.