774 research outputs found
Performance of three-photon PET imaging: Monte Carlo simulations
We have recently introduced the idea of making use of three-photon positron
annihilations in positron emission tomography. In this paper the basic
characteristics of the three-gamma imaging in PET are studied by means of Monte
Carlo simulations and analytical computations. Two typical configurations of
human and small animal scanners are considered. Three-photon imaging requires
high energy resolution detectors. Parameters currently attainable by CdZnTe
semiconductor detectors, the technology of choice for the future development of
radiation imaging, are assumed. Spatial resolution is calculated as a function
of detector energy resolution and size, position in the field of view, scanner
size, and the energies of the three gamma annihilation photons. Possible ways
to improve the spatial resolution obtained for nominal parameters: 1.5 cm and
3.2 mm FWHM for human and small animal scanners, respectively, are indicated.
Counting rates of true and random three-photon events for typical human and
small animal scanning configurations are assessed. A simple formula for minimum
size of lesions detectable in the three-gamma based images is derived.
Depending on the contrast and total number of registered counts, lesions of a
few mm size for human and sub mm for small animal scanners can be detected
Electronic Structures of N-doped Graphene with Native Point Defects
Nitrogen doping in graphene has important implications in graphene-based
devices and catalysts. We have performed the density functional theory
calculations to study the electronic structures of N-doped graphene with
vacancies and Stone-Wales defect. Our results show that monovacancies in
graphene act as hole dopants and that two substitutional N dopants are needed
to compensate for the hole introduced by a monovacancy. On the other hand,
divacancy does not produce any free carriers. Interestingly, a single N dopant
at divacancy acts as an acceptor rather than a donor. The interference between
native point defect and N dopant strongly modifies the role of N doping
regarding the free carrier production in the bulk pi bands. For some of the
defects and N dopant-defect complexes, localized defect pi states are partially
occupied. Discussion on the possibility of spin polarization in such cases is
given. We also present qualitative arguments on the electronic structures based
on the local bond picture. We have analyzed the 1s-related x-ray photoemission
and adsorption spectroscopy spectra of N dopants at vacancies and Stone-Wales
defect in connection with the experimental ones. We also discuss characteristic
scanning tunneling microscope (STM) images originating from the electronic and
structural modifications by the N dopant-defect complexes. STM imaging for
small negative bias voltage will provide important information about possible
active sites for oxygen reduction reaction.Comment: 40 pages, 2 tables, 16 figures. The analysis of Clar sextets is
added. This version is published on PHYSICAL REVIEW B 87, 165401(2013
Pickoff and spin-conversion quenchings of ortho-positronium in oxygen
The quenching processes of the thermalized ortho-positronium(o-Ps) on an
oxygen molecule have been studied by the positron annihilation age-momentum
correlation techinique(AMOC). The Doppler broadening spectrum of the 511 keV
gamma-rays from the 2gamma annihilation of o-Ps in O_2 has been measured as a
function of the o-Ps age. The rate of the quenching, consisting of the pickoff
and the spin-conversion, is estimated from the positron lifetime spectrum. The
ratio of the pickoff quenching rate to the spin-conversion rate is deduced from
the Doppler broadening of the 511 keV gamma-rays from the annihilation of the
o-Ps. The pickoff parameter ^1Z_eff, the effective number of the electrons per
molecule which contribute to the pickoff quenching, for O_2 is determined to be
0.6 +- 0.4. The cross-section for the elastic spin-conversion quenching is
determined to be (1.16 +- 0.01) * 10^{-19} cm^2.Comment: 4 pages with 5 eps figures, LaTeX2e(revtex4
The effectiveness of mouthwashes in alleviating radiation-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancer patients: A systematic review
Objective The aim of the study was to perform a systematic literature search and meta-analysis to reveal the most effective mouthwash for head and neck cancer patients who are experiencing radiation therapy-induced mucositis. Methods Using two electronic databases, a literature search and data interpretation were systematically performed as follows: (i) problem specification, (ii) devising of a literature search plan, (iii) literature search and retrieval of publications, and (iv) meta-analysis and data interpretation. The main problem was specified as follows: what mouthwash is effective in alleviating oral mucositis for head and neck cancer patients who are undergoing radiotherapy? Results The literature search yielded 354 titles and abstracts. After reviewing the extracted literature, 25 publications met the inclusion criteria for this study and 17 of 25 were eventually evaluated in the meta-analysis. Conclusion The results of the meta-analysis indicated that the use of a mouthwash that includes anti-inflammatory properties contributes the most to alleviating oral mucositis in patients who are undergoing radiotherapy to treat head and neck cancer
Nonpolar optical scattering of positronium in magnesium fluoride
We report the results of the analysis of the temperature broadening of the
momentum distribution of delocalized Positronium (Ps) in Magnesium Fluoride in
terms of optical deformation-potential scattering model (long-wavelength
optical phonons). The Ps optical deformation-potential coupling constant
in MgF has been determined to be eV/cm.
We also show that the Ps momentum distribution is sensitive to second-order
phase transitions in those crystals where optical deformation-potential
scattering is allowed in one and forbidden in another crystalline phase
Microscopic black hole detection in UHECR: the double bang signature
According to recent conjectures on the existence of large extra dimensions in
our universe, black holes may be produced during the interaction of Ultra High
Energy Cosmic Rays with the atmosphere. However, and so far, the proposed
signatures are based on statistical effects, not allowing identification on an
event by event basis, and may lead to large uncertainties. In this note, events
with a double bang topology, where the production and instantaneous decay of a
microscopic black hole (first bang) is followed, at a measurable distance, by
the decay of an energetic tau lepton (second bang) are proposed as an almost
background free signature. The characteristics of these events and the
capability of large cosmic ray experiments to detect them are discussed.Comment: revised version, 5 figure
Prognostic factors for lymph node metastasis from upper gingival carcinomas
This study sought to identify tumor characteristics that associate with regional lymph node metastases in squamous cell carcinomas originating in the upper gingiva
Very High Energy Gamma Rays from PSR1706-44
We have obtained evidence of gamma-ray emission above 1 TeV from PSR1706-44,
using a ground-based telescope of the atmospheric \v{C}erenkov imaging type
located near Woomera, South Australia. This object, a -ray source
discovered by the COS B satellite (2CG342-02), was identified with the radio
pulsar through the discovery of a 102 ms pulsed signal with the EGRET
instrument of the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory. The flux of the present
observation above a threshold of 1 TeV is 1 10
photons cm s, which is two orders of magnitude smaller than the
extrapolation from GeV energies. The analysis is not restricted to a search for
emission modulated with the 102 ms period, and the reported flux is for all
-rays from PSR1706-44, pulsed and unpulsed. The energy output in the
TeV region corresponds to about 10 of the spin down energy loss rate of
the neutron star.Comment: 13 pages, latex format (article), 2 figures include
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