The information analysis center concept as developed by the Radiation Shielding Information Center in its computer codes activities

Information analysis center concept and computer codes for calculating radiation transport, and shield design

Raman microscopy to characterize plasma-wall interaction materials: from carbon era to metallic walls

Plasma-wall interaction in magnetic fusion devices is responsible for wall changes and plasma pollution with major safety issues. It is investigated both in situ and ex situ, especially by realizing large scale dedicated post-mortem campaigns. Selected parts of the walls are extracted and characterized by several techniques. It is important to extract hydrogen isotopes, oxygen or other element content. This is classically done by ion beam analysis and thermal desorption spectroscopy. Raman microscopy is an alternative and complementary technique. The aim of this work is to demonstrate that Raman microscopy is a very sensitive tool. Moreover, if coupled to other techniques and tested on well-controlled reference samples, Raman microscopy can be used efficiently for characterization of wall samples. Present work reviews long experience gained on carbon-based materials demonstrating how Raman microscopy can be related to structural disorder and hydrogen retention, as it is a direct probe of chemical bonds and atomic structure. In particular, we highlight the fact that Raman microscopy can be used to estimate the hydrogen content and bonds to other elements as well as how it evolves under heating. We also present state-of-the-art Raman analyses of beryllium- and tungsten-based materials, and finally, we draw some perspectives regarding boron-based deposits.</p

What is new in pediatric cardiac imaging?

Cardiac imaging has had significant influence on the science and practice of pediatric cardiology. Especially the development and improvements made in noninasive imaging techniques, like echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), have been extremely important. Technical advancements in the field of medical imaging are quickly being made. This review will focus on some of the important evolutions in pediatric cardiac imaging. Techniques such as intracardiac echocardiography, 3D echocardiography, and tissue Doppler imaging are relatively new echocardiographic techniques, which further optimize the anatomical and functional aspects of congenital heart disease. Also, the current standing of cardiac MRI and cardiac computerized tomography will be discussed. Finally, the recent European efforts to organize training and accreditation in pediatric echocardiography are highlighted

A Comparative Exploration of Community Pharmacists' Views on the Nature and Management of Over-the-Counter (OTC) and Prescription Codeine Misuse in Three Regulatory Regimes: Ireland, South Africa and the United Kingdom

Misuse of codeine containing preparations is a public health concern given the potential for associated harms and dependence. This study explores the perspectives of community pharmacists in three regulatory regimes on issues of customer misuse of over-the-counter (OTC) and prescribed codeine. A qualitative design comprising six focus groups (n = 45) was conducted in Ireland, United Kingdom, South Africa. Transcripts were analysed using the constant comparative method of content analysis. Pharmacists described popular codeine-containing products and the need for improved medicine information and warning labels. Issues around legitimate availability of codeine and regulatory status; presence of therapeutic need; difficulties in customer–pharmacist communication; business environments and retail focus were raised. Participants also discussed how they identified customers potentially misusing codeine and difficulties in relationships between pharmacists and prescribers. A number of recommendations were put forward as ways to manage the issues. The study highlights the difficulties encountered by community pharmacists operating under various regulatory regimes when supplying codeine containing preparations in negotiating patient awareness and compliance and potential ways to deal with misuse and dependence

Sensitivity study of neutron transport through standard and rebar concrete

An investigation is under way at ORNL to (1) develop a data base pertinent to the transport of neutrons through thick concrete shields, (2) use the data base in an energy group boundary selection and collapsing scheme, and (3) develop a simple methodology to access the data base to provide rapid solutions to practical shielding problems. This paper describes work carried out to fulfill objective (1), the work consisting of calculations of the transport of fission neutrons through 1- and 2-m-thick slabs of standard concrete and rebar (steel-reinforced) concrete, together with calculations of the sensitivities of the results to total, absorption, and elastic cross sections. The transport calculations were performed with the one-dimensional discrete ordinates code ANISN in both forward and adjoint modes. The DLC-41C/VITAMIN-C cross-section library (171 neutron, 36 gamma groups) was employed, with a P/sub 3/ cross-section expansion and an S/sub 16/ angular quadrature. In all cases the fission source was assumed to be distributed within the first 1-cm thickness of the slab and the detector was assumed to occupy the last 1-cm thickness of the slab. For the rebar concrete the slab constituents were homogenized, with the horizontal and vertical No. 11 reinforcing steel rods comprising 7.6 vol. % of the slab. The quantity calculated was the absorbed dose rate, and care was taken in the mesh interval selection and source description to ensure agreement between the forward and adjoint results to within 0.02%

Predictive models based on sensitivity theory and their application to practical shielding problems

Two new calculational models based on the use of cross-section sensitivity coefficients have been devised for calculating radiation transport in relatively simple shields. The two models, one an exponential model and the other a power model, have been applied, together with the traditional linear model, to 1- and 2-m-thick concrete-slab problems in which the water content, reinforcing-steel content, or composition of the concrete was varied. Comparing the results obtained with the three models with those obtained from exact one-dimensional discrete-ordinates transport calculations indicates that the exponential model, named the BEST model (for basic exponential shielding trend), is a particularly promising predictive tool for shielding problems dominated by exponential attenuation. When applied to a deep-penetration sodium problem, the BEST model also yields better results than do calculations based on second-order sensitivity theory

Hydric erosion in Sierra Magina olive groves (Andalusia, Spain). Prospects for sustainable development

ACL(facteur d'impact.)International audienceDer Anbau von Olivenbäumen ist zu einer wahren Monokultur in der andalusischen Gegend von Jaen geworden, insbesondere seitdem Spanien der europäischen Union beigetreten ist. Wir haben mit Hilfe des 137Cs, einem künstlichen Cäsium-Isotop die Abschwemmung der Olivenhaine im Landesbezirk Sierra Maginan untersucht. Das Testgebiet von Villamorena, das sich seit einem halben Jahrhundert nicht verändert hat, bietet eine gute Vergleichsgrundlage, um die anderen Beispiele zu interpretieren. Der Hauptprozess ist die Abtragung: Sie ist maximal (mindestens 25 cm) auf lokaler Ebene, wo sie Baumwurzeln freilegt. Sie ist erhöht (mindestens 10 cm) auf der Ebene der Auffangbecken und beträgt noch 5 cm im Bereich der Parzellen sowie im Bereich der kegelförmigen Akkumulationsformen. Die Akkumulation von mindestens 15 cm lässt sich ausschließlich in den unteren terrassenförmigen Kegelformationen der Auffangbecken beobachten sowie in den Senken am Fuße der Olivenbäume. Die Kombination aus Mittelmeerklima, Höhenlage und Lithologie stellen eine sehr günstige Bedingung für die Abschwemmung dar. Vor allem im Herbst sättigt der Starkregen schnell die Bodenoberfläche und macht diffusen Rinnsalen Platz. Unsere Ergebnisse bestätigen darüber hinaus Studien, die die Rolle des Pflügens bei der Erdabtragung in den Olivenhainen aufzeigen. Unsere Arbeit bringt neue Erkenntnisse in Bezug auf die ausgleichende Wirkung traditioneller Praktiken der Formgebung der Abhänge und den Fortbestand natürlicher Elemente in der Landschaft, was von vorigen Studien vernachlässigt wurde. Diese Ergebnisse eröffnen neue Perspektiven für die Erhaltung des Bodens und die nachhaltige Entwicklung in den ländlichen Bergen des Mittelmeers.L'oléiculture est devenue une véritable monoculture dans la province andalouse de Jaén, en particulier depuis que l'Espagne a rejoint la Communauté Européenne. Nous avons étudié l'érosion hydrique dans les oliveraies du district rural de la Sierra Mágina, en utilisant le 137Cs, un isotope artificiel du césium. Le site test de Villamorena qui est resté stable depuis un demi-siècle constitue une bonne référence pour interpréter les autres exemples. Globalement, le processus principal est l'ablation: elle atteint son maximum (au moins 25 cm) à l'échelle locale avec les oliviers déchaussés. Elle est élevée (au moins 10 cm) à l'échelle des petits bassins versants et atteint encore environ 5 cm à l'échelle des parcelles, y compris dans les formes d'accumulation comme les cônes. L'accumulation, au moins 15 cm, ne s'observe que dans les cônes d'aval des bassins versants façonnés en terrasses et dans les pozas (cuvettes) creusées au pied des oliviers. La combinaison du climat méditerranéen, du relief et de la lithologie constitue une condition très favorable à l'érosion hydrique. Spécialement en automne, les pluies intenses saturent rapidement la surface du sol et permettent l'apparition d'un ruissellement diffus. Nos résultats confirment également les études qui ont démontré le rôle du labour dans l'érosion des sols des oliveraies. Notre travail apporte de nouveaux éléments concernant l'effet modérateur de pratiques traditionnelles de façonnement des pentes et de la persistance d'éléments naturels dans le paysage qui avait été négligé par les études antérieures. Ces résultats tracent de nouvelles perspectives pour la conservation du sol et le développement durable dans les montagnes rurales méditerranéennes

Economic Burden and Cost Determinants of Deep Venous Thrombosis During the Two Years Following Diagnosis a Prospective Evaluation

BACKGROUND: Few studies have evaluated the long-term economic consequences of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). None of them have incorporated prospectively collected clinical data to ensure accurate identification of incident cases of DVT and DVT-related health outcomes of interest, such as post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). OBJECTIVES: To prospectively quantify medical and non-medical resource use and costs related to DVT during 2 years following diagnosis, and to identify clinical determinants of costs. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-five consecutive patients with acute DVT were recruited at seven Canadian hospital centers. Resource use and cost information were retrieved from three sources: weekly patient-completed cost diaries, nurse-completed case report forms, and the Quebec provincial administrative healthcare database (RAMQ). RESULTS: The rate of DVT-related hospitalization was 3.5 per 100 patient-years (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-4.9). Patients reported a mean (standard deviation) of 15.0 (14.5) physician visits and 0.7 (1.2) other healthcare professional visits. The average cost of DVT was $5180 (95$4344-6017) in Canadian dollars, with 51.6% of costs being attributable to non-medical resource use. Multivariate analysis identified four independent predictors of costs: concomitant pulmonary embolism (relative increase in cost [RIC] 3.16; 95% CI 2.18-4.58), unprovoked DVT (RIC 1.65; 95% CI 1.28-2.13), development of PTS during follow-up (RIC 1.35; 95% CI 1.05-1.74), and management of DVT in the inpatient setting (RIC 1.79; 95% CI 1.33-2.40). CONCLUSIONS: The economic burden of DVT is substantial. The use of measures to prevent the occurrence of PTS and favoring outpatient care of DVT has the potential to diminish costs