Verification of gamma knife based fractionated radiosurgery with newly developed head-thorax phantom

ObjectivePurpose of the study is to verify the Gamma Knife Extend™ system (ES) based fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery with newly developed head-thorax phantom.MethodsPhantoms are extensively used to measure radiation dose and verify treatment plan in radiotherapy. A human upper body shaped phantom with thorax was designed to simulate fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery using Extend™ system of Gamma Knife. The central component of the phantom aids in performing radiological precision test, dosimetric evaluation and treatment verification. A hollow right circular cylindrical space of diameter 7.0 cm was created at the centre of this component to place various dosimetric devices using suitable adaptors. The phantom is made of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA), a transparent thermoplastic material. Two sets of disk assemblies were designed to place dosimetric films in (1) horizontal (xy) and (2) vertical (xz) planes. Specific cylindrical adaptors were designed to place thimble ionization chamber inside phantom for point dose recording along xz axis. EBT3 Gafchromic films were used to analyze and map radiation field. The focal precision test was performed using 4 mm collimator shot in phantom to check radiological accuracy of treatment. The phantom head position within the Extend™ frame was estimated using encoded aperture measurement of repositioning check tool (RCT). For treatment verification, the phantom with inserts for film and ion chamber was scanned in reference treatment position using X-ray computed tomography (CT) machine and acquired stereotactic images were transferred into Leksell Gammaplan (LGP). A patient treatment plan with hypo-fractionated regimen was delivered and identical fractions were compared using EBT3 films and in-house MATLAB codes.ResultsRCT measurement showed an overall positional accuracy of 0.265 mm (range 0.223 mm–0.343 mm). Gamma index analysis across fractions exhibited close agreement between LGP and film measured dose with ≥90% (max 93%) pixel pass rate at 1 mm of spatial and 1% of dosimetric tolerances. The focal precision test showed the variation of 0.465 mm between radiological and planned iso-centre.ConclusionsThe study demonstrated the suitability of newly developed head-thorax phantom for dosimetric verification of fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery using Extend™ system of Gamma Knife.     

Determining nonuniformities of core-shell nanoparticle coatings by analysis of the inelastic background of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy survey spectra

Most real core-shell nanoparticle (CSNP) samples deviate from an ideal core-shell structure potentially having significant impact on the particle properties. An ideal structure displays a spherical core fully encapsulated by a shell of homogeneous thickness, and all particles in the sample exhibit the same shell thickness. Therefore, analytical techniques are required that can identify and characterize such deviations. This study demonstrates that by analysis of the inelastic background in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) survey spectra, the following types of deviations can be identified and quantified: the nonuniformity of the shell thickness within a nanoparticle sample and the incomplete encapsulation of the cores by the shell material. Furthermore, CSNP shell thicknesses and relative coverages can be obtained. These results allow for a quick and straightforward comparison between several batches of a specific CSNP, different coating approaches, and so forth. The presented XPS methodology requires a submonolayer distribution of CSNPs on a substrate. Poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(tetrafluoroethylene)-polystyrene polymer CSNPs serve as model systems to demonstrate the applicability of the approach.     

Influence of the preparation conditions of Pd‐ZrO2 and AuPd‐ZrO2 nanoparticle–decorated functionalised MWCNTs: Electron spectroscopy study aided with the QUASES

The Pd, AuPd, and ZrO₂ nanoparticle–decorated functionalised multiwalled carbon nanotubes (f‐MWCNTs) were reported as efficient catalysts of formic acid (FA) electro‐oxidation. Different preparation conditions influence their chemical and structural properties analysed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy aided with the quantitative analysis of surfaces by electron spectroscopy. Different reduction procedures such as NaBH₄, a polyol microwave‐assisted method (PMWA), and a high pressure microwave reactor (HPMWR) were applied for decorating ZrO₂/f‐MWCNTs with Pd and AuPd nanoparticles. The ZrO₂ nanoparticles are attached through oxygen groups to the surface of f‐MWCNTs. In NaBH₄ and HPMWR procedures, Pd nanoparticles precipitate predominantly on ZrO₂ of nearly nominal stoichiometry, whereas in PMWA procedure, Pd and AuPd nanoparticles precipitate predominantly on the surface of f‐MWCNTs, bridging with oxygen groups and ZrO_x (x < 2) and leading to Pd‐O‐Zr phase formation. Strong reducing procedures (NaBH₄ and FA) led to smaller Pd nanoparticle size, Pd oxide content, and PdO_x overlayer thickness in contrary to weak reduction procedures (HPMWR and PMWA). The highest content of Pd‐O‐Zr phase appeared for Pd predominant precipitation on ZrO₂ nanoparticles (HPMWR) in contrary to Pd and AuPd predominant precipitation on surface of f‐MWCNTs (NaBH₄ ~ FA > PMWA). Larger content of Pd‐O‐Zr phase in AuPd‐decorated ZrO₂/f‐MWCNTs in contrary to Pd‐decorated sample (PMWA) could be justified by different electronic properties of nanoparticles. The FA treatment of Pd and AuPd‐ZrO₂/f‐MWCNTs samples provided decreasing Pd oxide content, overlayer thickness, nanoparticle size, increasing nanoparticle surface coverage and density, amount of Pd‐O‐Zr, what results from reduction of oxygen groups bridging with Pd and ZrO_x nanoparticles, also through Pd‐O‐Zr phase.     

Isothermal phase (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data for binary mixtures of propene (R1270) with either 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoro-1-propene (R1216) or 2,2,3-trifluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)oxirane in the temperature range of (279 to 318) K

Isothermal (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data (P–x–y) are presented for the 1-propene 1,1,2,3,3,3-hexafluoro-1-propene and the 1-propene + 2,2,3-trifluoro-3-(trifluoromethyl)oxirane binary systems. Both binary systems were studied at five temperatures, ranging from (279.36 to 318.09) K, at pressures up to 2 MPa. The experimental (vapour + liquid) equilibrium data were measured using an apparatus based on the “(static + analytic)” method incorporating a single movable Rapid On-Line Sampler-Injector to sample the liquid and vapour phases at equilibrium. The expanded uncertainties are approximated on average as T = 0.07 K, 0.008 MPa, and 0.007 and 0.009 for the temperature, pressure, and the liquid and vapour mole fractions, respectively. A homogenous maximum-pressure azeotrope was observed for both binary systems at all temperatures studied. The experimental data were correlated with the Peng–Robinson equation of state using the Mathias–Copeman alpha function, paired with the Wong–Sandler mixing rule and the Non-Random Two Liquid activity coefficient model. The model provided satisfactory representation of the phase equilibrium data measured.