title: Calculation of absorbed fractions to human skeletal tissues due to alpha particles using the Monte Carlo and 3-D chord-based transport techniques.
abstract: Absorbed fraction (AF) calculations to the human skeletal tissues due to alpha particles are of interest to the internal dosimetry of occupationally exposed workers and members of the public. The transport of alpha particles through the skeletal tissue is complicated by the detailed and complex microscopic histology of the skeleton. In this study, both Monte Carlo and chord-based techniques were applied to the transport of alpha particles through 3-D microCT images of the skeletal microstructure of trabecular spongiosa. The Monte Carlo program used was 'Visual Monte Carlo--VMC'. VMC simulates the emission of the alpha particles and their subsequent energy deposition track. The second method applied to alpha transport is the chord-based technique, which randomly generates chord lengths across bone trabeculae and the marrow cavities via alternate and uniform sampling of their cumulative density functions. This paper compares the AF of energy to two radiosensitive skeletal tissues, active marrow and shallow active marrow, obtained with these two techniques.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Radiation Protection and Dosimetry, Av. Salvador Allende s/n, Recreio, Rio de Janeiro, CEP 22780-160, Brazil. john@ird.gov.br
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Hunt
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Watchman
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Bolch
mesh_terms: D000512:Alpha Particles; D001681:Biological Assay / Q000379:methods; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D007700:Kinetics; D008954:Models, Biological; D009010:Monte Carlo Method; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D012062:Relative Biological Effectiveness; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013045:Species Specificity; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D014915:Whole-Body Counting / Q000379:methods*