Calibration standars of nuclear microprobes

El Micro-haz de iones Pesados (MiP) del laboratorio Tandar constituye un instrumento de características únicas en el país, pues puede proveer haces de iones pesados de dimensiones micrométricas acelerados hasta decenas de MeV de energía. La búsqueda de tamaños de haz más pequeños ha creado la necesidad de contar con estándares de calibración de elevada calidad de resolución. En el presente trabajo se desarrollaron los primeros prototipos para calibrar la focalización del haz: estructuras metálicas de cobre o niquel en forma de grilla con orificios cuadrados. Se emplearon dos métodos de fabricación. En el primero se utilizaron técnicas de fotolitografía convencional sobre un sustrato de silicio con foto-resina, mientras que en el segundo se utilizó el MiP para micro-mecanizar sustratos de Niobato de Litio (LiNbO3). En ambos casos se finalizó el proceso de fabricación del patrón con electrodeposición de cobre o níquel sobre la matriz desarrollada. Mediante la técnica fotolitográfica se fabricaron grillas de níquel que varían entre 130 y 180 mesh**. Mediante micro-mecanizado con el MiP se fabricaron grillas de cobre de entre 500 y 2000 mesh sobre sustratos de LiNbO3.The Micro-heavy ion beam (MiP) at Tandar’s Lab is a unique instrument in the country, as it can provide heavy ion beams at micrometer-scale accelerated to tens of MeV energy. The quest for smaller beam sizes has created the need for calibration standards of high resolution quality. In this paper we developed the first prototypes to calibrate the beam focusing: metal structures of copper or nickel shaped grid with square holes. We used two methods of manufacture. Were used in the first conventional photolithography techniques on a silicon substrate with photoresin while the second was used for micromachining with MiP substrates of lithium niobate (LiNbO3). In both cases the process for the manufacture was finished with electro-deposition of copper or nickel on the matrix developed. By photolithographic technique nickel grids were manufactured varying between 130 and 180 mesh. By MiP micromachining copper grids were produced between 500 and 2000 mesh on LiNbO3 substrates.Fil: Arena, S.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Faya, T.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Lell, J.. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes. Gerencia de Investigación y Aplicaciones; ArgentinaFil: Vega, N.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; ArgentinaFil: Davidson, Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Nesprias, Francisco Jose Gabriel. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes. Gerencia de Investigación y Aplicaciones; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Debray, M.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes. Gerencia de Investigación y Aplicaciones; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de San Martín. Escuela de Ciencia y Tecnología; Argentin

Die Computertomographie bei der Bildgebung von Kindern mit kongenitalen Herzvitien

Zusammenfassung: Kongenitale Herzfehler sind die häufigsten kongenitalen Fehlbildungen. Echokardiographie und Katheterangiographie gelten allgemein als Goldstandard zur Abklärung angeborener Herzerkrankungen. Die Magnetresonanztomographie ist aufgrund ihrer Fähigkeit, Herzvitien morphologisch und funktionell zu charakterisieren, als ein wichtiges ergänzendes Verfahren anzusehen. Durch mehr und mehr dosissparende Untersuchungsprotokolle der neuesten Gerätegenerationen und eine gleichzeitig bessere zeitliche und räumliche Auflösung findet die Computertomographie zunehmend Eingang in die Abklärung kongenitaler Herzfehler. In der präoperativen Planung und der postoperativen Kontrolle erlaubt sie eine übersichtliche Darstellung komplexer Fehlbildung nicht nur des Herzens, sondern auch der pulmonalvenösen und -arteriellen Zirkulation sowie des systemischen Kreislaufs. Dieser Beitrag gibt eine Übersicht über die technischen Aspekte der kardialen CT und die Anpassung des Untersuchungsprotokolls an die zu erwartende Pathologie und das Alter des Kindes. Zudem werden die Möglichkeiten und Limitationen der unterschiedlichen dosissparenden Protokolle erläuter

Determination of optimal core fissile loadings in the TREAT Upgrade reactor

The TREAT Upgrade (TU) reactor design is presently nearing completion. The reactor will be used to test LMFBR fuel under simulated accident conditions. The physics of the TU core is complicated by a number of factors related to the planned application of the facility. In this paper the design approach used to produce the core fissile loading spatial distribution needed to satisfy the requirement to test a number of different test clusters in various test loops in a transient operating mode is described. The TU core consists of a driver comprised of the pre Upgrade Zircaloy-clad TREAT fuel assemblies and a central converter region of new Inconel-clad fuel assemblies surrounding the test loop location. Separating the two concentric zones is a buffer zone that is made up of new Inconel clad assemblies operating at lower temperatures than the converter region

Orbital swelling as a first symptom in breast carcinoma diagnosis: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>The frequency of intra-orbital metastasis in systemic cancer is a controversial topic. Of all metastatic tumors to the orbit of the eye, breast carcinoma is considered to be the most prevalent. Orbital findings typically present themselves after the diagnosis of the primary tumor, with an average delay of three to six years. In spite of that, this study reports a case in which orbital manifestation was the initial symptom in breast carcinoma diagnosis.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 66-year-old Italian Caucasian woman presented with a swelling located on the lower orbit of her right eye.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Previous cases report orbital manifestations discovered secondary to breast cancer. This case demonstrates that orbital symptoms may be the primary presentation of the disease. Orbital metastasis originating from breast cancer predicts widespread metastatic disease in other organs. In the presence of an ambiguous infiltrative orbital process, diagnostic examination of the breast is recommended.</p

A longitudinal study of allergy and intestinal helminth infections in semi urban and rural areas of Flores, Indonesia (ImmunoSPIN Study)

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of asthma and atopic disease has been reported to be low in low income countries, however helminth infections are likely to be high among these communities. The question of whether helminth infections play a role in allergic diseases can best be addressed by intervention studies. None of the studies so far have been based on a large scale placebo-controlled trial. METHOD/DESIGN: This study was designed to assess how intestinal helminth infections can influence the immune response and atopic and allergic disorders in children in Indonesia. The relations between allergic outcomes and infection and lifestyle factors will be addressed. This study was set up among school-age children in semi urban and rural areas, located in Ende District of Flores Island, Indonesia. A randomized placebo-controlled anthelmintic treatment trial to elucidate the impact of helminth infections on the prevalence of skin prick test (SPT) reactivity and symptoms of allergic diseases will be performed. The children living in these semi-urban and rural areas will be assessed for SPT to allergens before and after 1 and 2 years of treatment as the primary outcome of the study; the secondary outcome is symptoms (asthma and atopic dermatitis); while the tertiary outcome is immune responses (both antibody levels to allergens and cellular immune responses). DISCUSSION: The study will provide information on the influence of helminth infections and anthelmintic treatment on immune response, atopy and allergic disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN: ISRCTN8383081

Socio-economic status is inversely related to bed net use in Gabon

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Licens

NCF1 gene and pseudogene pattern: association with parasitic infection and autoimmunity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neutrophil cytosolic factor 1, p47^phox(NCF1) is a component of the leukocyte NADPH oxidase complex mediating formation of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) which play an important role in host defense and autoimmunity. An individual genomic pattern of <it>ncf1 </it>and its two types of pseudogenes (reflected by the ΔGT/GTGT ratio) may influence the individual capacity to produce ROI.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>NCF1ΔGT/GTGT ratios were correlated with clinical parameters and ROI production during <it>Plasmodium falciparum </it>malaria and with susceptibility to the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis (MS).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Among Gabonese children with severe malaria, ROI production from peripheral blood tended to be higher in individuals with a ΔGT/GTGT ratio ≤ 1:1. ΔGT/GTGT ratios were not associated with susceptibility to MS, but to age-of-onset among MS patients.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The genomic pattern of <it>NCF1 </it>and its pseudogenes might influence ROI production but only marginally influence susceptibility to and outcome of malaria and MS.</p

High-pitch dual-source CT angiography of the aortic valve-aortic root complex without ECG-synchronization.

PURPOSE: To compare image quality and radiation dose of high-pitch computed tomography angiography(CTA) of the aortic valve-aortic root complex with and without prospective ECG-gating compared to a retrospectively ECG-gated standard-pitch acquisition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 120 patients(mean age 68 +/- 13 years) were examined using a 128-slice dual-source CT system using prospectively ECG-gated high-pitch(group A; n = 40), non-ECG-gated high-pitch(group B; n = 40) or retrospectively ECG-gated standard-pitch(C; n = 40) acquisition techniques. Image quality of the aortic root, valve and ascending aorta including the coronary ostia was assessed by two independent readers. Image noise was measured, radiation dose estimates were calculated. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement was good(kappa = 0.64-0.78). Image quality was diagnostic in 38/40 patients(group A), 37/40(B) and 38/40(C) with no significant difference in number of patients with diagnostic image quality among all groups (p = 0.56). Significantly more patients showed excellent image quality in group A compared to groups B and C(each, p < 0.01). Average image noise was significantly different between all groups(p < 0.05). Mean radiation dose estimates in groups A and B(each; 2.4 +/- 0.3 mSv) were significantly lower compared to group C(17.5 +/- 4.4 mSv; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: High-pitch dual-source CTA provides diagnostic image quality of the aortic valve-aortic root complex even without ECG-gating at 86% less radiation dose when compared to a standard-pitch ECG-gated acquisition