A thermo-fluid analysis in magnetic hyperthermia

In the last years, hyperthermia induced by the heating of magnetic nanoparticles （MNPs） in an alternating magnetic field received considerable attention in cancer therapy. The thermal effects could be automatically controlled by using MNPs with selective magnetic absorption properties. In this paper, we analyze the temperature field determined by the heating of MNPs, injected in a malignant tissue, subjected to an alternating magnetic field. The main parameters which have a strong influence on temperature field are analyzed. The temperature evolution within healthy and tumor tissues are analyzed by finite element method （FEM） simulations in a thermo-fluid model. The cooling effect produced by blood flow in blood vessels from the tumor is considered. A thermal analysis is conducted under different distributions of MNP injection sites. The interdependence between the optimum dose of the nanoparticles and various types of tumors is investigated in order to understand their thermal effect on hyperthermia therapy. The control of the temperature field in the tumor and healthy tissues is an important step in the healing treatment.     

Spontaneous Decay of a Quadrupole between Two Parallel Plates, One or Both Infinitely Permeabled

We present the explicit expression of the spontaneous decay rate of a quadrupole placed between two parallel plates （one or both the plates have infinite permeability, i.e.μ→∞）. It is found that the spontaneous decay rate displays oscillations with the position of the quadrupole, and the oscillations exhibit a symmetric profile with respect to the central plane of the plates for the symmetric models and lack the symmetry for the asymmetric model.     

大分割碳离子放射治疗中相对生物学效应与剂量依赖关系的研究

应用碳离子束进行大分割放射治疗从而缩短治疗周期是碳离子束治疗的优势之一。为研究大分割放疗增加单次照射剂量后,碳离子束相对生物学效应（RBE）的变化,应用细胞存活线性平方（LQ）模型推导出RBE与剂量的依赖关系。基于此关系研究了具有不同辐射敏感性的肿瘤细胞和正常组织细胞RBE随剂量的变化。结果表明,在0~20 Gy范围内,不论肿瘤细胞与正常组织细胞具有怎样的辐射敏感性,肿瘤细胞的RBE值始终大于正常组织细胞。此外,基于理论推导和对相关实验数据的分析,证实了RBE随剂量增加而递增现象的存在。这些结果对应用碳离子束进行大分割放射治疗具有重要的指导作用。Short treatment course due to the suitability of hypofractionated regimen for carbon ion beam is one of the advantages of carbon ion radiotherapy. To study the dependence of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) on dose, the relationship between RBE and dose was deduced through the linear-quadratic (LQ) model. Based on the relationship, the change of RBE of tumor cells and normal tissue cells with different radiosensitivities with dose was studied. The results showed that the RBE value of tumor cells was always greater than that of normal tissue cells in the dose range of 0~20 Gy, regardless of the radiosensitivity of tumor and normal tissue cells. In addition, based on theoretical deduction and analysis of the relevant experimental data, the existence of RBE increase with increasing dose was verified. These results are of great significance for conducting hypofractionated radiotherapy with carbon ion beam.     

Microstructure evolution of zircaloy-4 during Ne ion irradiation and annealing: An in situ TEM investigation

The microstructural evolution of zircaloy-4 was studied, including the amorphization and recrystallization of Zr（Fe, Cr）2 precipitates, and the density of dislocations under in situ Ne ion irradiation and post annealing. The results show that irradiation at a relatively high temperature and dose induces the formation of nanocrystals in pre-amorphized Zr（Fe, Cr）2 precipitates. The recrystallized nanocrystals also have the structure of hcp-Zr（Fe, Cr）2. The formation of the nanocrystals is thought to be the consequence of competition between atomistic disordering and the recrystallization of precipitates under ion irradiation. The free energy of the nanocrystal is lower than that of the amorphous state, which is another reason for the recrystallization of the precipitates. With increased annealing temperature, the density of the nanocrystals is increased. The dislocation density sharply decreases with the increase in the annealing temperature, and its size increases.     

Modelling of spall damage in ductile materials and its application to the simulation of the plate impact on copper

A statistical model of dynamic spall damage due to void nucleation and growth is proposed for ductile materials under intense loading, which takes into account inertia, the elastic-plastic effect, and initial void size. To some extent, void interaction could be accounted for in this approach. Based on this model, the simulation of spall experiments for copper is performed by using the Lagrangian finite element method. The simulation results are in good agreement with experimental data for the free surface velocity profile, stress record behind copper target, final porosity, and void concentrations across the target. The influence of elastic-plastic effect upon the damage evolution is explored. The correlation between the damage evolution and the history of the stress near the spall plane is also analyzed.     

Stochastic responses of tumor-immune system with periodic treatment

We investigate the stochastic responses of a tumor–immune system competition model with environmental noise and periodic treatment. Firstly, a mathematical model describing the interaction between tumor cells and immune system under external fluctuations and periodic treatment is established based on the stochastic differential equation. Then, sufficient conditions for extinction and persistence of the tumor cells are derived by constructing Lyapunov functions and Ito's formula. Finally, numerical simulations are introduced to illustrate and verify the results. The results of this work provide the theoretical basis for designing more effective and precise therapeutic strategies to eliminate cancer cells, especially for combining the immunotherapy and the traditional tools.     

Effect of ionizing radiation on dual 8-bit analog-to-digital converters （AD9058） with various dose rates and bias conditions

The radiation effects on several properties （reference voltage, digital output logic voltage, and supply current） of dual 8-bit analog-to-digital （A/D） converters （AD9058） under various biased conditions are investigated in this paper. Gamma ray and 10-MeV proton irradiation are selected for a detailed evaluation and comparison. Based on the measurement results induced by the gamma ray with various dose rates, the devices exhibit enhanced low dose rate sensitivity （ELDRS） under zero and working bias conditions. Meanwhile, it is obvious that the ELDRS is more severe under the working bias condition than under the zero bias condition. The degradation of AD9058 does not display obvious ELDRS during 10-MeV proton irradiation with the selected flux.     

Cavity-Induced Enhancement of Squeezing in Resonance Fluorescence of a V-Type Three-Level Atom

The quadrature squeezing spectra in the resonance fluorescence of a V-type three-level atom driven by a coherent field and coupled to a single-mode cavity is investigated. For weak excitation, the fluorescence field exhibit squeezing in the out-of-phase quadrature. The coupling between the atom and the cavity mode can greatly enhance the squeezing centred at the laser frequency. More importantly, for strong excitation, under the effect of the cavity-atom coupling, the in-phase quadrature of fluorescence can exhibit two-mode squeezing at the two inner sideband frequencies. By working in the dressed-state representation and hiring secular approximation, we give an analytical explanation for the effect. The result shows, under appropriate conditions, the squeezing can be greatly enhanced by appropriately tuning the cavity resonant frequency.     

Fractal Analysis of Surface Roughness of Particles in Porous Media

A fractal dimension for roughness height （RH） is introduced to characterize the degree of roughness or disorder of particle surface characters which significantly influence physical-chimerical processes in porous media. An analytical expression for the fractal dimension of RH on statistically self-similar fractal surfaces is derived and is expressed as a function of roughness parameters. The specific surface area （SSA） of porous materials with spherical particles is also derived, and the proposed fractal model for the SSA of particles with rough surfaces is expressed as a function of fractal dimension for RH and fractal dimension for particle size distribution, relative roughness of particle surface, and ratio of the minimum to the maximum particle diameters of spherical particles.     

Geometric phases and quantum phase transitions in inhomogeneous XY spin-chains:Effect of the Dzyaloshinski-Moriya interaction

We study geometric phases of the ground states of inhomogeneous XY spin chains in transverse fields with Dzyaloshinski--Moriya (DM) interaction, and investigate the effect of the DM interaction on the quantum phase transition (QPT) of such spin chains. The results show that the DM interaction could influence the distribution of the regions of QPTs but could not produce new critical points for the spin-chain. This study extends the relation between geometric phases and QPTs.     

ZnO半导体电导型X射线探测器件研究

本文制备了基于ZnO纳米线阵列和ZnO薄膜的Ag-ZnO-Ag电导型X射线探测器件,研究了它们对X射线的响应特性.薄膜器件在100 V偏置时的响应度达到0.12μC/Gy,纳米线阵列器件在50 V偏压下的响应度达到0.17μC/Gy.器件工作机理研究表明,器件的响应过程与表面氧吸附与解吸附效应有关,氧气吸附与解吸附过程使得X射线辐照下的载流子寿命大幅度增加,从而使得器件对X射线具有较高的响应度.本文研究结果表明ZnO薄膜和纳米线阵列器件在X射线剂量测量领域具有应用前景.     

Fast neutrons: Inexpensive and reliable tool to investigate high-LET particle radiobiology

Radiation therapy with carbon ions as well as missions into outer space have boosted the interest for high-LET particle radiobiology. Optimization of treatments in accordance with technical developments, as well as the radioprotection of cosmonauts during long missions require that research in these domains continue. Therefore suitable radiation fields are needed. Fast neutrons and carbon ions exhibit comparable LET values and similar radiobiological properties. Consequently, the findings obtained with each radiation quality could be shared to benefit knowledge in all concerned domains. The p(66+Be) neutron therapy facilities of iThemba LABS (South Africa) and the p(65)+Be neutron facility of Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium) are in constant use to do radiobiological research for clinical applications with fast neutrons. These beams – which comply with all physical and technical requirements for clinical applications – are now fully reliable, easy to use and frequently accessible for radiobiological investigations. These facilities thus provide unique opportunities to undertake radiobiological experimentation, especially for investigations that require long irradiation times and/or fractionated treatments.     

High‐Z Nanostructured Ceramics in Radiotherapy: First Evidence of Ta2O5‐Induced Dose Enhancement on Radioresistant Cancer Cells in an MV Photon Field

This article pioneers a study into the use of the tantalum pentoxide nanoceramics as novel candidates for dose enhancement radiotherapy. It is revealed that a significant induced dose enhancement on radioresistant cancer cells expose to tantalum pentoxide nanoparticles and irradiated with 10 MV. In this study, in vitro experiments are performed. The radiobiological endpoint is clonogenic survival. We exposed 9L gliosarcoma cells to the nanoparticles at 50–500 μg mL^?1 range and observed concentration‐dependent toxicity. Irradiation of the exposed and unexposed cells with 10 MV X‐ray photons reveals a sensitization enhancement ratio of 1.33. The associated cell survival curves demonstrate a significant change in shape, indicative of increased lethality of the local radiation environment. We postulate that this enhancement is primarily due to secondary electrons produced from photoelectric interaction and pair production, with backscattering on nanoparticle aggregates leading to increased radiobiological effectiveness.     

The 24Na Induced Activity as a Neutron Dosimeter for Radiobiologial Experiments

Measurement of the ²⁴Na induced activity as a part of a dosimetric system for radiobiological experiments was found to be an approach characterized by its proper reliability, reproducibility (relative error less than 8-5%) and high sensitivity (activities of about 0-01 μCi may be detected).     

Fast-neutron dose evaluation in BNCT with Fricke gel layer detectors

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a cancer radiotherapy that uses epithermal and thermal neutron beams. The determination of the absorbed dose in healthy tissue, separating the various dose contributions having different radiobiological effectiveness (RBE) is of great importance for therapy planning. However, a standard code of practice has not yet been established because suitable methods for dosimetry in BNCT are still in progress.A study about the characterization of the epithermal column of the LVR-15 research reactor in ?e? (CZ) has been performed, in particular concerning the fast-neutron dose. This dose is not negligible and its determination is important owing to its high RBE. Fast-neutron and photon dose distributions in a water phantom have been measured by means of Fricke gel layer dosimeters. Even if gel layer dosimetry is not yet standardized, it is presently the only method for obtaining images of each dose contribution in BNCT neutron fields.The results were compared with values measured with thermoluminescence detectors, twin ionization chambers data taken from literature and Monte Carlo simulations.     

Tracks to therapy

Studies of the structure of particle tracks have led to models of track effects based on radial dose and radiobiological target theory that have been very successful in describing and predicting track effects in physical, chemical, and biological systems. For describing mammalian cellular inactivation two inactivation modes are required, called gamma-kill and ion-kill, the first due to synergistic effects of delta rays from adjacent ion paths thus resembling the effects from gamma rays, and the second to the effects of single ion transits through a cell nucleus. The ion-kill effect is more severe, where the fraction of cells experiencing ion kill is responsible for a decrease in the oxygen enhancement ratio, and an increase in relative biological effectiveness, but these are accompanied by loss of repair, hence to a reduction in the efficiency of fractionation in high LET therapy, as shown by our calculations for radiobiological effects in the “spread out Bragg Peak”.     

Incident contamination lepton doses measured using radiochromic film in radiotherapy

Measurement of lepton contamination is achieved across a radiotherapy photon beam and peripheral doses using radiochromic film. An extrapolation technique is used where several layers are suspended in air to measure incident contamination without the effects of phantom scatter. Surface dose was measured as 11% of D_max for 6 MV beams at central axis and 9% for 10 MV photons for a 10×10 cm field size. Peripheral lepton doses were found to decrease compared to central, however, were still measurable. Peripheral lepton dose was found to increase with field size and was 12% and 15%, 2 cm outside the geometric field edge of a 30×30 cm field size at 6 and 10 MV respectively. Radiochromic film is a suitable dosimeter for measurement of lepton contamination absorbed dose to surface layers of skin.     

Variations of work function and corrosion behaviors of deformed copper surfaces

Surface work function (WF) and the corrosion behavior of copper under influence of plastic strain were investigated using experimental and computational approaches. It was observed that both the corrosion potential (Ecorr) and the WF decreased while the corrosion rate increased with an increase in plastic strain, indicating that the strained surface layer became more electrochemically active. Ecorr and WF eventually became stable when the plastic strain reached a certain level. However, the corrosion rate continuously increased. It was demonstrated that this continuous increase in corrosion rate could be dominated by the dislocation density rather than the corrosion potential. The study has shown that the WF is closely related to the corrosion potential and could thus be a sensitive parameter for investigating mechanisms responsible for corrosive wear. The investigation of the effects of plastic deformation on the corrosion behavior would help to fundamentally understand the synergism of wear and corrosion.     

平台式和斜坡式表面放电辐射源放电特性的比较

 介绍了平台式和斜坡式两种结构的表面放电辐射源，研究了在1.0 μF和1.5 μF储能电容、15~30 kV充电电压等实验条件下两种辐射源的放电特性，并对实验结果进行了比较分析。得到如下结论：对于斜坡式辐射源，增加电极间距可导致放电回路面积增大，因此等效电阻和等效电感也将增加；在相同电压及电容值条件下，斜坡式辐射源的放电电流、平均沉积功率均小于平台式辐射源的相应值，但放电沉积效率略大；电压升高使放电周期、电流达到峰值时间及放电沉积效率呈减小趋势，对于同一种辐射源，使用1.5 μF电容时放电回路参数更加匹配，放电沉积效率得到提高。     

Analysis of radiation environmental safety for China's Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS)

The China Spallation Neutron Source(CSNS)is going to be located in Dalang Town,Dongguan City in the Guangdong Province.In this paper we report the results of the parameters related with environment safety based on experiential calculations and Monte Carlo simulations.The main project of the accelerator is an under ground construction.On top there is a 0.5 m concrete and 5.0 m soil covering for shielding,which can reduce the dose out of the tunnel's top down to 0.2 μSv/h.For the residents on the boundary of the CSNS,the dose produced by skyshine,which is caused by the penetrated radiation leaking from the top of the accelerator,is no more than 0.68 μSv/a.When CSNS is operating normally,the maximal annual effective dose due to the emission of gas from the tunnel is 2.40×10-3 mSv/a to the public adult,and 2.29×10-3 mSv/a to a child,both values are two orders of magnitude less than the limiting value for control and management.CSNS may give rise to an activation of the soil and groundwater in the nearest tunnels,where the main productions are 3H,7Be,22Na,54Mn,etc.But the specific activity is less than the exempt specific activity in the national standard GB13376-92.So it is safe to say that the environmental impact caused by the activation of soil and groundwater is insignificant.To sum up,for CSNS,as a powerful neutron source device,driven by a high-energy high-current proton accelerator,a lot of potential factors affecting the environment exist.However,as long as effective shieldings for protection are adopted and strict rules are drafted,the environmental impact can be kept under control within the limits of the national standard.