BXCOM: A software for computation of radiation sensing

WOS: 000469740700001The main objective of this work is to develop user-friendly software, called BXCOM, for computation of the exposure build-up factor (EBF) and the energy absorption build-up factor (EABF), using geometric progression (G-P) fitting method for element, compound or mixture in the energy region 0.015-15 MeV, and for penetration depths up to 40 mean free path (mfp). Furthermore, BXCOM can generate the equivalent atomic number and five fitting parameters used in the G-P method for mixtures and compounds over an interval of photon energies extended from 0.015 to 15 MeV. In addition, the program is designed to calculate the effective atomic number and effective electron number via the direct method. BXCOM program has been verified by comparing its results with approved data by American National Standards Institute. BXCOM runs under MS Windows (R) operating system. It has an improved user interface that provides examination of material's radiation interaction parameters. Finally, BXCOM allows rapid and reliable calculation of many gamma-ray interaction parameters such as , , , G-P fitting parameters and build-up factors that are essential in a wide range of applications such as radiation shielding, radiotherapy, technology and so on.Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu [2015-115F311]This work was supported by Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu [Grant Number 2015-115F311]

Radiation interaction parameters for blood samples of breast cancer patients: an MCNP study

The main goal of this study was to determine radiation interaction parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic numbers, and effective electron densities depending on element concentrations (Na, K, Cu, Zn, Al, Ca, Mg Cr, Fe, Se) in blood samples of patients with breast cancer. Eighty blood samples were collected and analyzed in this study (40 from breast cancer patients and 40 from healthy patients). The determination of element concentrations of the samples was performed with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) after which the element concentrations were normalized to percentage. Mass attenuation coefficients were calculated by Monte Carlo simulation method. In addition, effective atomic numbers and effective electron density values of the blood samples were calculated with the ZXCOM program. One of the most important results of this study is that differences in radiation interaction parameters between the two groups were observed. More specifically, the mass attenuation coefficients of the healthy group's blood samples were higher than those of the cancerous group at photon energies of 50 keV, 100 keV, 250 keV and 500 keV, while they were lower at 1 MeV. All the MCNP results were consistent with the results obtained from ZXCOM. As the main result of this study it is concluded that photon atomic parameters such as mass attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number and electron density may be considered in cancer diagnosis or treatment modalities.Türkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Araştırma KurumuBAP Yildiz Technical Universit

Determination of Se, Cr, Mn, Zn, Co, Na, and K in blood samples of breast cancer patients to investigate their variation using ICP-MS and ICP-OES

The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration changes of Se, Mn, Cr, Zn, Co, Na and K in blood samples of breast cancer patients. Determination of the elements was performed using ICP-MS and ICP-OES instruments. Kolmogorov- Smirnov normality tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, Independent sample T tests and Spearman’s rank correlation tests were performed for statistical comparisons. It was found that the concentrations of Na and K in breast cancer patients were higher than for healthy people. The Se, Mn, and Cr concentrations were found to be lower in patients with breat cancer. No increase/decrease in Zn concentrations between the two groups was observed. A positive correlation was found between the distribution of Zn and K elements. Independent sample t and Mann- Whitney U tests demonstrated that statistical differences were observed between patients having the diagnosis of breast cancer and healthy people in terms of the concentrations of Se, Cr and Na. The results presented in this study will contribute to the literature by showing the relationship between breast cancer and element concentrations.2210C 2015-01-01-YL04, 832Yildiz Technical Universit

Correlation between Na/K ratio and electron densities in blood samples of breast cancer patients

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the electron densities and Na/K ratio which has important role in breast cancer disease. Determinations of sodium and potassium concentrations in blood samples performed with inductive coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry. Electron density values of blood samples were determined via ZXCOM. Statistical analyses were performed for electron densities and Na/K ratio including Kolmogorov-Smirnov normality tests, Spearman's rank correlation test and Mann-Whitney U test. It was found that the electron densities significantly differ between control and breast cancer groups. In addition, statistically significant positive correlation was found between the electron density and Na/K ratios in breast cancer group