Research and development for accuracy improvement of neutron nuclear data on minor actinides

To improve accuracy of neutron nuclear data on minor actinides, a Japanese nuclear data project entitled “Research and development for Accuracy Improvement of neutron nuclear data on Minor ACtinides (AIMAC)” has been implemented. Several independent measurement techniques were developed for improving measurement precision at J-PARC/MLF/ANNRI and KURRI/LINAC facilities. Effectiveness of combining the independent techniques has been demonstrated for identifying bias effects and improving accuracy, especially in characterization of samples used for nuclear data measurements. Capture cross sections and/or total cross sections have been measured for Am-241, Am-243, Np-237, Tc-99, Gd-155, and Gd-157. Systematic nuclear data evaluation has also been performed by taking into account the identified bias effect. Highlights of the AIMAC project are outlined

The Usefulness of Peroral Cholangioscopy for Intrahepatic Stones

Peroral cholangioscopy (POCS) is believed to be effective in treating intrahepatic stones; however, reports on its efficacy are few. We reviewed the results of intrahepatic stones treated with fluoroscopic guidance or POCS. This study included 26 patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for intrahepatic stones at our institution between January 2017 and December 2021. We retrospectively evaluated the procedure time and adverse events in the first session and the rate of complete stone removal. Complete stone removal was achieved in 92% (24/26); POCS was required in 16 of 26 (62%) procedures and the complete stone removal was achieved in 15 of 16 (94%) of these procedures. The POCS group had a significantly longer procedure time than the fluoroscopy group. Cholangitis incidence was high; however, no difference was noted between patients with and without POCS, and all cases were mild and treated conservatively. Endoscopic treatment for intrahepatic stones may lead to an increase in the incidence of cholangitis, requires specialized devices such as a cholangioscope, and should be performed in an established institution by experienced staff. POCS is useful for intrahepatic stones formed upstream of the stenosis and intrahepatic stones piled in the bile duct

Objective Methods of 5-Aminolevulinic Acid-Based Endoscopic Photodynamic Diagnosis Using Artificial Intelligence for Identification of Gastric Tumors

Positive diagnoses of gastric tumors from photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) images after the administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid are subjectively identified by expert endoscopists. Objective methods of tumor identification are needed to reduce potential misidentifications. We developed two methods to identify gastric tumors from PDD images. Method one was applied to segmented regions in the PDD endoscopic image to determine the region in LAB color space to be attributed to tumors using a multi-layer neural network. Method two aimed to diagnose tumors and determine regions in the PDD endoscopic image attributed to tumors using the convoluted neural network method. The efficiencies of diagnosing tumors were 77.8% (7/9) and 93.3% (14/15) for method one and method two, respectively. The efficiencies of determining tumor region defined as the ratio of the area were 35.7% (0.0–78.0) and 48.5% (3.0–89.1) for method one and method two, respectively. False-positive rates defined as the ratio of the area were 0.3% (0.0–2.0) and 3.8% (0.0–17.4) for method one and method two, respectively. Objective methods of determining tumor region in 5-aminolevulinic acid-based endoscopic PDD were developed by identifying regions in LAB color space attributed to tumors or by applying a method of convoluted neural network

Efficacy and Safety of a Novel Mouthpiece for Esophagogastroduodenoscopy: A Multi-Center, Randomized Study

This randomized trial aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of the GAGLESS mouthpiece for esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) with that of the conventional mouthpiece. In all, 90 participants were divided into the GAGLESS mouthpiece and conventional mouthpiece groups. The primary endpoint was the severity of pain using the visual analog scale (VAS), and secondary endpoints were examination time, past history of endoscopy, success of the procedure, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, oxygen saturation, pulse rate before and after EGD, and adverse events. Endoscopy was completed in all cases, and no complications were observed. VAS, when passing the scope through the pharynx, was 2.5 ± 2.4 and 2.0 ± 1.9 cm (p = 0.24) in the conventional and GAGLESS groups, respectively, and that, throughout the examination, was 2.5 ± 2.4 and 1.7 ± 1.5 cm (p = 0.06), respectively. The difference in blood pressure between the GAGLESS and conventional groups was not significant for SBP (p = 0.08) and significant for DBP (p = 0.03). The post-EGD difference in DBP was significantly lower in the GAGLESS group than in the conventional group. The results indicate that GAGLESS mouthpieces had a lower VAS during endoscopy than the conventional mouthpieces, and the changes in blood pressure were smaller with the GAGLESS mouthpiece

Research and development for accuracy improvement of neutron nuclear data on minor actinides

To improve accuracy of neutron nuclear data on minor actinides, a Japanese nuclear data project entitled “Research and development for Accuracy Improvement of neutron nuclear data on Minor ACtinides (AIMAC)” has been implemented. Several independent measurement techniques were developed for improving measurement precision at J-PARC/MLF/ANNRI and KURRI/LINAC facilities. Effectiveness of combining the independent techniques has been demonstrated for identifying bias effects and improving accuracy, especially in characterization of samples used for nuclear data measurements. Capture cross sections and/or total cross sections have been measured for Am-241, Am-243, Np-237, Tc-99, Gd-155, and Gd-157. Systematic nuclear data evaluation has also been performed by taking into account the identified bias effect. Highlights of the AIMAC project are outlined

Accuracy Improvement of Neutron Nuclear Data on Minor Actinides

Improvement of accuracy of neutron nuclear data for minor actinides (MAs) and long-lived fission products (LLFPs) is required for developing innovative nuclear system transmuting these nuclei. In order to meet the requirement, the project entitled as “Research and development for Accuracy Improvement of neutron nuclear data on Minor ACtinides (AIMAC)” has been started as one of the “Innovative Nuclear Research and Development Program” in Japan at October 2013. The AIMAC project team is composed of researchers in four different fields: differential nuclear data measurement, integral nuclear data measurement, nuclear chemistry, and nuclear data evaluation. By integrating all of the forefront knowledge and techniques in these fields, the team aims at improving the accuracy of the data. The background and research plan of the AIMAC project are presented

Accuracy Improvement of Neutron Nuclear Data on Minor Actinides

Improvement of accuracy of neutron nuclear data for minor actinides (MAs) and long-lived fission products (LLFPs) is required for developing innovative nuclear system transmuting these nuclei. In order to meet the requirement, the project entitled as “Research and development for Accuracy Improvement of neutron nuclear data on Minor ACtinides (AIMAC)” has been started as one of the “Innovative Nuclear Research and Development Program” in Japan at October 2013. The AIMAC project team is composed of researchers in four different fields: differential nuclear data measurement, integral nuclear data measurement, nuclear chemistry, and nuclear data evaluation. By integrating all of the forefront knowledge and techniques in these fields, the team aims at improving the accuracy of the data. The background and research plan of the AIMAC project are presented