Cerebral Autoregulation Real-Time Monitoring.

Cerebral autoregulation is a mechanism which maintains constant cerebral blood flow (CBF) despite changes in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Assessing whether this mechanism is intact or impaired and determining its boundaries is important in many clinical settings, where primary or secondary injuries to the brain may occur. Herein we describe the development of a new ultrasound tagged near infra red light monitor which tracks CBF trends, in parallel, it continuously measures blood pressure and correlates them to produce a real time autoregulation index. Its performance is validated in both in-vitro experiment and a pre-clinical case study. Results suggest that using such a tool, autoregulation boundaries as well as its impairment or functioning can be identified and assessed. It may therefore assist in individualized MAP management to ensure adequate organ perfusion and reduce the risk of postoperative complications, and might play an important role in patient care

optical and acoustic properties of the phantom and the tissue[32, 33].

<p>optical and acoustic properties of the phantom and the tissue[<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0161907#pone.0161907.ref032" target="_blank">32</a>, <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0161907#pone.0161907.ref033" target="_blank">33</a>].</p

Cerebral Autoregulation Real-Time Monitoring - Fig 5

<p>Left—MAP and CFI data over time throughout the study. MAP was increased to 140mmHg followed by a return to baseline and a decrease to 40mmHg. Dashed green lines represent initial injections of Phnylephrine and Nitroprusside respectively. Blue points represent all MAP values. Red points are associated with periods in which the algorithm identified a significant MAP change and a correlation index (ARI) can be calculated. Right—Scatter plot of CFI versus MAP revealing two distinct slopes obtained for values under of over 100mmHg. This point was defined as the upper limit of autoregulation (ULA).</p

Boxplot for autoregulation index values calculated for the two to cFLOW-AR sensors.

<p>Pink astrics represent averaged ARI for each condition. A distinct separation between the conditions is apparent.</p

Averaged CFI values obtained in <i>in-vitro</i> experiment.

<p>Averaged CFI values obtained in <i>in-vitro</i> experiment.</p

Reactions along the astrophysical s-process path and prospects for neutron radiotherapy with the Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT) at the Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF)

Neutrons play a dominant role in the stellar nucleosynthesis of heavy elements and the quest for accurate experimental determinations of neutron-induced reaction cross sections becomes more stringent with the refinement of nuclear and astrophysical models. We review here an experimental nuclear-astrophysics program using a high-intensity neutron source based on the 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction with a Liquid-Lithium Target (LiLiT) at the Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility (SARAF) Phase I. The quasi-Maxwellian neutron spectrum with effective thermal energy $kT \approx 30$ keV, characteristic of the thick-target 7Li(p, n) yield at proton energy $E_p \approx 1.92$ MeV close to its neutron threshold, is well suited for laboratory measurements of neutron capture reactions along the astrophysical s -process path. The high-intensity proton beam (in the mA range) of SARAF and the high power (few kW) dissipation of LiLiT result in the most intense source of neutrons available today at stellar-like energies. The principle, design and properties of the LiLiT device and recent measurements of Maxwellian Averaged Cross Sections (MACS) based on activation of targets of astrophysical interest are described. Decay counting or atom counting methods (accelerator mass spectrometry, atom-trap trace analysis) are used for the detection of short-lived or long-lived activation products, respectively. In a different realm of applications, the 7Li(p, n) reaction is a leading candidate as an accelerator-based neutron source for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT). The high neutron yield achievable from a liquid-lithium target, its sustainability of operation under kW-power incident beams and the recent availability of small-size high-intensity accelerators are compatible with a hospital-based clinical facility. An effort towards the characterization and realization of a liquid-lithium target for BNCT is reviewed. Perspectives of pending and future developments towards SARAF Phase II, based on a 40MeV, 5mA CW proton/deuteron superconducting linear accelerator, are summarized