Angular Dependence of the MatriXX Evolution

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the angular response to dose of the MatriXX Evolution, manufactured by IBA Dosimetry, a 2-dimensional ion chamber array used for patient specific quality assurance of advanced radiotherapy techniques such as IMRT and VMAT. Investigations were made to characterize the angular response of the MatriXX and describe any differences from the Philips Pinnacle3 Treatment Planning System (TPS) used at the Juravinski Cancer Centre. A comparison was made between the gantry angle dependent correction factors supplied by the manufacturer and those derived by measurement. Gantry angle dependent correction factors were derived, with the MatriXX under 5cm polystyrene build-up and without any build-up, for the 5 x 5 cm2, 10 x 10 cm2 and 20 x 20 cm2 field sizes. For gantry angles ranging from 320o to 40o the maximum difference between the derived gantry angle dependent correction factors and those provided by the manufacturer is 1.5%, at a gantry angle of 320o, a 5 x 5 cm2 field and without build-up. The differences for the 10 x 10 cm2 and 20 x 20 cm2 fields within this gantry angle range are less than 1%. Between gantry angles of 50o and 130o the largest difference is 4.9% at 100o, for the 5 x 5 cm2field without build-up. The other field sizes show similar differences; 4.7% at gantry angle of 120o for 10 x 10 cm2 with build-up and 4.0% at a gantry angle of 80o without build-up. Between gantry angles of 140o to 220o the greatest discrepancy is for the 5 x 5 cm2 field with build-up, a difference of 3.0%. The 10 x 10 cm2 has a maximum difference of 2.4% at gantry angles of 180o and 200o, both when the MatriXX has build-up. The maximum discrepancy for gantry angle dependent correction factors for the 20 x 20 cm2 fields is at a gantry angle of 140o, when the MatriXX has build-up. Between the gantry angles of 230o to 310o the largest discrepancy occurs between the derived gantry angle dependent correction factors and those supplied by the manufacturer. For the 5 x 5 cm2, 10 x 10 cm2 and 20 x 20 cm2 fields respectively the largest differences are 5.9%, 4.5% and 4.9%. All three occur when there is no build-up.Master of Science (MSc

The Influence of Spin-Labeled Fluorene Compounds on the Assembly and Toxicity of the Aβ Peptide

The deposition and oligomerization of amyloid β (Aβ) peptide plays a key role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aβ peptide arises from cleavage of the membrane-associated domain of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β and γ secretases. Several lines of evidence point to the soluble Aβ oligomer (AβO) as the primary neurotoxic species in the etiology of AD. Recently, we have demonstrated that a class of fluorene molecules specifically disrupts the AβO species. Methodology/Principal Findings To achieve a better understanding of the mechanism of action of this disruptive ability, we extend the application of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy of site-directed spin labels in the Aβ peptide to investigate the binding and influence of fluorene compounds on AβO structure and dynamics. In addition, we have synthesized a spin-labeled fluorene (SLF) containing a pyrroline nitroxide group that provides both increased cell protection against AβO toxicity and a route to directly observe the binding of the fluorene to the AβO assembly. We also evaluate the ability of fluorenes to target multiple pathological processes involved in the neurodegenerative cascade, such as their ability to block AβO toxicity, scavenge free radicals and diminish the formation of intracellular AβO species. Conclusions Fluorene modified with pyrroline nitroxide may be especially useful in counteracting Aβ peptide toxicity, because they posses both antioxidant properties and the ability to disrupt AβO species

Characterization of the structure, stratigraphy and CO2 storage potential of the Swedish sector of the Baltic and Hanö Bay basins using seismic reflection methods

An extensive multi-channel seismic dataset acquired between 1970 and 1990 by Oljeprospektering AB (OPAB) has recently been made available by the Geological Survey of Sweden (SGU). This thesis summarizes four papers, which utilize this largely unpublished dataset to improve our understanding of the geology and CO2 storage capacity of the Baltic and Hanö Bay basins in southern Sweden. A range of new processing workflows were developed, which typically provide an improvement in the final stacked seismic image, when compared to the result obtained with the original processing. A method was developed to convert scanned images of seismic sections into SEGY files, which allows large amounts of the OPAB dataset to be imported and interpreted using modern software. A new method for joint imaging of multiples and primaries was developed, which is shown to provide an improvement in signal to noise for some of the seismic lines within the OPAB dataset. For the first time, five interpreted regional seismic profiles detailing the entire sedimentary sequence within these basins, are presented. Depth structure maps detailing the Outer Hanö Bay area and the deeper parts of the Baltic Basin were also generated. Although the overall structure and stratigraphy of the basins inferred from the reprocessed OPAB dataset are consistent with previous studies, some new observations have been made, which improve the understanding of the tectonic history of these basins and provide insight into how the depositional environments have changed throughout time. The effective CO2 storage potential within structural and stratigraphic traps is assessed for the Cambrian Viklau, När and Faludden sandstone reservoirs. A probabilistic methodology is utilized, which allows a robust assessment of the storage capacity as well as the associated uncertainty. The most favourable storage option in the Swedish sector of the Baltic Basin is assessed to be the Faludden stratigraphic trap, which is estimated to have a mid case (P50) storage capacity of 3390 Mt in the deeper part of the basin, where CO2 can be stored in a supercritical phase

Converting scanned images of seismic reflection data into SEG-Y format

Archives across the world contain vast amounts of old or "vintage" seismic reflection data, which are largely inaccessible for geo-scientific research, due to the out-dated media on which they are stored. Despite the age of these data, they often have great potential to be of use in modern day research. It is often the case that seismic reflection data within these archives are only available as a processed stacked section, printed on paper or film. In this study, a method for the conversion (vectorization) of scanned images of stacked reflection seismic data to standard SEG-Y format is presented. The method addresses data displayed with a line denoting the waveform, where areas on one side of the baseline are shaded (i.e. wiggle trace, variable fill). The method provides an improvement on other published methods utilized within currently available academic software. Unlike previous studies, the method used to detect trace baselines and to detect and remove timelines on the seismic image is described in detail. Furthermore, a quantitative analysis of the performance of the method is presented, showing that an average trace-to-trace correlation coefficient of between 0.8 and 0.95 can be achieved for typical plotting styles. Finally, a case study where the method is applied to vectorize over 1700 km of land seismic data from the island of Gotland (Sweden) is presented

Geophysical well log-motifs, lithology, stratigraphical aspects and correlation of the Ordovician succession in the Swedish part of the Baltic Basin

The geophysical characteristics of the carbonate-dominated Ordovician succession is described using wire-line logging data from exploration wells located within the Swedish part of the Baltic Basin, both offshore and from the island of Gotland. The petrophysical properties and log-motifs are compared and correlated with the lithology of cores from the Hamra-10, Skåls-1 and Grötlingbo-1 wells on southern Gotland. The 80–125-m-thick Ordovician succession is divided into five log stratigraphic units O a –O e , which are correlated throughout the study area. The proposed log stratigraphy and wire-line log characteristics are evaluated and compared with the established Ordovician stratigraphy from the adjacent areas of Öland, Östergötland and South Estonia. The newly established log stratigraphy is also linked to the existing seismic stratigraphic framework for the study area and exemplified with a selection of interpreted seismic type sections from Gotland and the south Baltic Sea. The presented characterization, division and correlation provide a basis for understanding the lateral and vertical variation of the petrophysical properties, which are essential in assessing the sealing capacity of the Ordovician succession, in conjunction with storage of CO 2 in the underlying Cambrian sandstone reservoir

Processing and interpretation of vintage 2D marine seismic data from the outer Hanö Bay area, Baltic Sea

AbstractA grid of previously unpublished, vintage 2D marine seismic lines has been processed and interpreted to the east of Hanö Bay, SW Baltic Sea. The 3200km2 study area lies on the transition between the Hanö Bay Basin to the West and Baltic Synelcise to the East, NE of the Tornquist intra shield tectonic zone.Data from the NA79, NA80 and RW84 surveys were selected for this study from the extensive Oljeprospektering AB (OPAB) Baltic Sea dataset. New processing workflows have been developed for the data which focus on suppressing two significant forms of noise, namely multiple and side scattered noise. Deconvolution in the tau-p domain, parabolic radon demultiple and post stack deconvolution are shown to be effective at attenuating multiple noise, while FK filtering in shot and receiver gathers is effective at removing side scattered noise.The newly processed data were interpreted and a series of maps detailing the structure of the basement, Cambrian and Silurian/Paleozoic horizons were constructed. These maps differ significantly to previously published interpretations of the area. Within the study area, a region of significant Late Carboniferous/Early Permian transtensional faulting and Late Cretaceous inversion is mapped in detail. This structure would have exhibited normal offsets of up to 600m before inversion with later inverted displacements of up to approximately 200m in places. This feature appears to extend some 20km to the SW of the study area to the major fault bounding the Christiansø High. Based on the seismic interpretation, the area appears to have had a similar overall geological history as the adjacent Tornquist Zone to the SW

Seismic stratigraphy of the Klints Bank east of Gotland (Baltic Sea): a giant drumlin sealing thermogenic hydrocarbons

This work analyses six high-resolution multi-channel seismic profiles across the Klints Bank east of Gotland. The Klints Bank consists of a drop-shaped increase of the Quaternary thickness and is oriented in an approximately north-southern direction with a length of over 50 km, a width of about 15 km and a maximum thickness of 150 m. The glacial origin of the Klints Bank can be verified with the dataset presented in this study. We classify the feature as a (giant) drumlin due to its steep up-ice and tapered down-ice face in combination with an orientation parallel to the ice-flow direction of the Weichselian glaciation. The seismic image of the internal structure of the Quaternary unit shows no uniform stratification or deformation patterns; instead, local sub-parallel reflection patterns interlayered with transparent units are observed. The averaged seismic velocity of this unit is about 2000 m/s, which is interpreted as an autochthonous deposition of glaciogenic sediments. Signs of overprinting are interpreted based on the geometry of the flanks of the structure, which appear mostly in the form of collapse structures and lifted blocks due to compressional thrust faulting. Phase-reversed events within and beneath the Quaternary are perceived as strong evidence of fluid (hydrocarbon) presence within the Klints Bank. Organically enriched Palaeozoic shales in south-easterly direction of the Klints Bank presumably give the origin of these thermogenic hydrocarbons.Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/50110000165