CT Scan Dosimetric Parameters Routine Monitoring: First Results of Radiation Dose Optimization Strategies Promptly Provided by a Multidisciplinary Team

CONCLUSION Radiation dose reduction, while saving image quality could be easily implemented with this approach. Furthermore, the availability of a dosimetric data archive provides immediate feedbacks, related to the implemented optimization strategies. Background JCI Standards and European Legislation (EURATOM 59/2013) require the implementation of patient radiation protection programs in diagnostic radiology. Aim of this study is to demonstrate the possibility to reduce patients radiation exposure without decreasing image quality, through a multidisciplinary team (MT), which analyzes dosimetric data of diagnostic examinations. Evaluation Data from CT examinations performed with two different scanners (Siemens DefinitionTM and GE LightSpeed UltraTM) between November and December 2013 are considered. CT scanners are configured to automatically send images to DoseWatch© software, which is able to store output parameters (e.g. kVp, mAs, pitch ) and exposure data (e.g. CTDIvol, DLP, SSDE). Data are analyzed and discussed by a MT composed by Medical Physicists and Radiologists, to identify protocols which show critical dosimetric values, then suggest possible improvement actions to be implemented. Furthermore, the large amount of data available allows to monitor diagnostic protocols currently in use and to identify different statistic populations for each of them. Discussion We identified critical values of average CTDIvol for head and facial bones examinations (respectively 61.8 mGy, 151 scans; 61.6 mGy, 72 scans), performed with the GE LightSpeed CTTM. Statistic analysis allowed us to identify the presence of two different populations for head scan, one of which was only 10% of the total number of scans and corresponded to lower exposure values. The MT adopted this protocol as standard. Moreover, the constant output parameters monitoring allowed us to identify unusual values in facial bones exams, due to changes during maintenance service, which the team promptly suggested to correct. This resulted in a substantial dose saving in CTDIvol average values of approximately 15% and 50% for head and facial bones exams, respectively. Diagnostic image quality was deemed suitable for clinical use by radiologists.

Investigation of Blast Wave Propagation: Correlating External Pressures to Brain Injury Predictors

Blast-induced Traumatic Brain Injury (bTBI) is the signature injury of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars; however, current understanding of bTBI is insufficient. In this study, novel analysis methods were developed to investigate correlations between external pressures and brain injury predictors. Experiments and simulations were performed to analyze placement of helmet-mounted pressure sensors. A 2D Finite Element model of a helmeted head cross-section was loaded with a blast wave. Pressure time-histories for nodes on the inner and outer surfaces of the helmet were cross-correlated to those inside the brain. Parallel physical experiments were carried out with a helmeted headform, pressure sensors, and pressure chamber. These analysis methods can potentially lead to better helmet designs and earlier detection and treatment of bTBI.

Discussion of "On families of distributions with shape parameters", by M.C. Jones

SCOPUS: ar.j

Characteristics of the biphasic action of androgens and of the potent antiproliferative effects of the new pure antiestrogen EM-139 on cell cycle kinetic parameters in LNCaP human prostatic cancer cells

The most potent steroid in human prostatic carcinoma LNCaP cells, i.e. dihydrotestosterone (DHT), has a biphasic stimulatory effect on cell proliferation. At the maximal stimulatory concentration of 0.1 nM DHT, analysis of cell kinetic parameters shows a decrease of the G0-G1 fraction with a corresponding increase of the S and G2 + M fractions. In contrast, concentrations of 1 nM DHT or higher induce a return of cell proliferation to control levels, reflected by an increase in the G0-G1 fraction at the expense of the S and especially the G2 + M fractions. Continuous labeling for 144 h with the nucleotide analogue 5'-bromodeoxyuridine shows that the percentage of cycling LNCaP cells rises more than 90% after treatment with stimulatory concentrations of DHT, whereas in control cells as well as in cells treated with high concentrations of the androgen, this value remains below 50%. Although LNCaP cells do not contain detectable estrogen receptors, the new pure steroidal antiestrogen EM-139 not only reversed the stimulation of cell proliferation and cell kinetics induced by stimulatory doses of DHT but also inhibited basal cell proliferation.

Biological parameters and glomalin levels as quality indicators in a soil implanted with exotic forest species in Argentine Patagonia

p.83-88

Predicting the relationship between reliability and geometric parameters of cu column bumped flip-chips

Cu column bumping is a novel flip chip packaging technique that allows Cu columns to be bonded directly with the dies. It has eliminated the under-bump-metallurgy (UBM) fonnation step of the traditional flip chip manufacturing process. This bumping technique has the potential benefits of simplifying the flip chip manufacturing process, increasing productivity and the UO counts. In this paper, a study of reliability of Cu column bumped flip chips will be presented. Computer modelling methods have been used to predict the shape of solder joints and the response of flip chips to cyclic thermal-mechanical loading. The accumulated plastic strain energy at the corner solder joints has been used as an indicator of the solder joint reliability. Models with a wide range of design parameters have been compared for their reliability. The design parameters that have been investigated are the copper column height and radius, PCB pad radius, solder volume and Cu column wetting height. The relative importance ranking of these parameters has been obtained. The Lead-free solder material 96.5Sn3.5Ag has been used in this modelling work.