253 research outputs found
Development of a method for automating effective patient diameter estimation for digital radiography
Galaxy gas ejection in radio galaxies: the case of 3C 35
We report results from XMM-Newton and Chandra observations of the nearby (z =
0.067) giant radio galaxy 3C 35. We find evidence for an X-ray emitting gas
belt, orthogonal to and lying between the lobes of 3C 35, which we interpret as
fossil-group gas driven outwards by the expanding radio lobes. We also detect
weak emission from a second, more extended group-type environment, as well as
inverse-Compton X-ray emission from the radio lobes. The morphological
structure of the radio lobes and gas belt point to co-evolution. Furthermore,
the radio source is powerful enough to eject galaxy-scale gas out to distances
of 100kpc, and the ages of the two features are comparable (tsynch~140Myr,
tbelt~80 Myr). The destruction of 3C 35's atmosphere may offer clues as to how
fossil systems are regulated: radio galaxies need to be of power comparable to
3C 35 to displace and regulate fossil-group gas. We discuss the implications of
the gas belt in 3C 35 in terms of AGN fuelling and feedback.Comment: 18 pages, accepted to MNRA
The use of a thyroid shield for intra-oral anterior oblique occlusal views - a risk based approach
Determining paediatric patient thickness from a single digital radiograph – a proof of principle
Objective: This work presents a proof of principle for a method of estimating the thickness of an attenuator from a single radiograph using the image, the exposure factors with which it was acquired and a priori knowledge of the characteristics of the X-ray unit and detector used for the exposure. It is intended this could be developed into a clinical tool to assist with paediatric patient dose audit, for which a measurement of patient size is required. Methods: The proof of principle used measured pixel value and effective linear attenuation coefficient to estimate the thickness of a Solid Water attenuator. The kerma at the detector was estimated using a measurement of pixel value on the image and measured detector calibrations. The initial kerma was estimated using a lookup table of measured output values. The effective linear attenuation coefficient was measured for Solid Water at varying kVp. 11 test images of known and varying thicknesses of Solid Water were acquired at 60, 70 and 81 kVp. Estimates of attenuator thickness were made using the model and the results compared to the known thickness. Results: Estimates of attenuator thickness made using the model differed from the known thickness by 3.8 mm (3.2%) on average, with a range of 0.5–10.8 mm (0.5–9%). Conclusion: A proof of principle is presented for a method of estimating the thickness of an attenuator using a single radiograph of the attenuator. The method has been shown to be accurate using a Solid Water attenuator, with a maximum difference between estimated and known attenuator thickness of 10.8 mm (9%). The method shows promise as a clinical tool for estimating abdominal paediatric patient thickness for paediatric patient dose audit, and is only contingent on the type of data routinely collected by Medical Physics departments. Advances in knowledge: A computational model has been created that is capable of accurately estimating the thickness of a uniform attenuator using only the radiographic image, the exposure factors with which it was acquired and a priori knowledge of the characteristics of the X-ray unit and detector used for the exposure. </jats:sec
Interaction between the intergalactic medium and central radio source in the NGC 4261 group of galaxies
Using observations from the Chandra and XMM-Newton X-ray observatories, we
examine the interaction between the intra-group medium and central radio source
in the nearby NGC 4261 galaxy group. We confirm the presence of cavities
associated with the radio lobes and estimate their enthalpy to be ~2.4x10^58
erg. The mechanical power output of the jets is >=10^43 erg/s, at least a
factor of 60 greater than the cooling luminosity in the region the lobes
inhabit. We identify rims of compressed gas enclosing the lobes, but find no
statistically significant temperature difference between them and their
surroundings, suggesting that the lobe expansion velocity is approximately
sonic (Mach<=1.05). The apparent pressure of the radio lobes, based on the
synchrotron minimum energy density argument, is a factor of 5 lower than that
of the intra-group medium. Pressure balance could be achieved if entrainment of
thermal gas provided additional non-radiating particles in the lobe plasma, but
the energy required to heat these particles would be ~20 per cent. of the
mechanical energy output of the radio source. NGC 4261 has a relatively compact
cool core, which should probably be categorised as a galactic corona. The
corona is capable of fuelling the active nucleus for considerably longer than
the inferred source lifetime, but can be only inefficiently heated by the AGN
or conduction. The expansion of the radio lobes has affected the structure of
the gas in the galaxy, compressing and moving the material of the corona
without causing significant shock heating, and expelling gas from the immediate
neighbourhood of the jets. We discuss the possible implications of this
environment for the duration of the AGN outburst, and consider mechanisms which
might lead to the cessation of nuclear activity.Comment: Accepted for publication in MNRAS, 17 pages, 6 figure
New insights into the evolution of the FR I radio galaxy 3C 270 (NGC 4261) from VLA and GMRT radio observations
We present Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) 240 MHz observations of the
nearby luminous FR I radio source 3C 270, in the group-central elliptical NGC
4261. Combining these data with reprocessed Very Large Array (VLA) 1.55 and 4.8
GHz observations, we produce spectral index maps that reveal a constant
spectral index along the jets and a gradual steepening from the ends of the
jets through the lobes towards the nucleus. A Jaffe & Perola (JP) model fitted
to the integrated spectrum of the source gives an asymptotic low-frequency
index of , while JP models fitted to the
observed spectral index trend along the lobes allow us to estimate radiative
ages of Myr and Myr for the west and east lobes respectively.
Our age estimates are a factor of two lower than the 75-Myr upper limit derived
from X-ray data (O'Sullivan et al. 2011). We find unlikely the scenario of an
early supersonic phase in which the lobe expanded into the ISM at approximately
Mach 6 (3500 km s), and suggest that either the source underwent
multiple AGN outbursts with possible large changes in jet power, or possibly
that the source age that we find is due to a backflow that transports young
electrons from the jet tips through the lobes toward the nucleus relatively
quickly. We calculate that in the lobes the energy ratio of non-radiating to
radiating particles is indicating significant gas entrainment. If
the lobes are in pressure balance with their surroundings, the total energy
required to heat the entrained material is erg, 40% of the
total enthalpy of the lobes.Comment: 14 pages, 11 figures, 8 tables. Accepted for publication by MNRAS.
Revised throughout in response to referee's comment
Anodic dissolution growth of metal-organic framework HKUST-1 monitored:Via in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy
In situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy (ec-AFM) is utilised for the first time to probe the initial stages of metal-organic framework (MOF) coating growth via anodic dissolution. Using the example of the Cu MOF HKUST-1, real time surface analysis is obtained that supports and verifies many of the reaction steps in a previously proposed mechanism for this type of coating growth. No evidence is observed however for the presence or formation of Cu2O, which has previously been suggested to be both key for the formation of the coating and a potential explanation for the anomalously high adhesion strength of coatings obtained via this methodology. Supporting in situ electrochemical Raman spectroscopy also fails to detect the presence of any significant amount of Cu2O before or during the coating's growth process
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