Homogeneous Irradiation Research Articles

Compatibility of 3D printing materials and printing techniques with PAGAT gel dosimetry

Polymer gel (PG) dosimetry enables three dimensional (3D) measurement of complex dose distributions. However, PGs are strongly reactive with oxygen and other contaminations, limiting their applicability by the need to use specific container materials. We investigate different 3D printing materials and printing techniques for their compatibility with PG. Suitable 3D printing materials may provide the possibility to perform PG dosimetry in complex-shaped phantoms. 3D printed and PG-filled test vials were irradiated homogenously. The signal response was evaluated with respect to homogeneity and compared to the signal in already validated reference vials. In addition, for the printing material VeroClear™ (StrataSys, Eden Prairie, USA) different methods to remove support material, which was required during the printing process, were investigated. We found that the support material should be used only on the outer side of the container wall with no direct contact to the PG. With the VeroClear™ material a homogenous signal response was achieved with a mean deviation of relative to the reference vials. In addition, the homogeneous irradiation of an irregularly-shaped gel container designed with the same printing material and technique also lead to a homogenous PG response. Furthermore, a small field irradiation of an additional test-vial showed an accurate representation of steep dose gradients with a deviation of the maximum position of relative to the reference vial.

Infrared thermography camera protection in dairy farming management

Infrared thermography as a non-invasive contactless method of temperature distribution is ideal for various types of analyses. Thermal cameras have some protection against direct sprays of water and dust but no deposit on a camera is allowed. Educated camera operators often find themselves in situations where they have to conduct an analysis during which the equipment is exposed to unforeseen working conditions. One such occasion is dairy farming management. Analyzing dairy cows with a thermal camera exposes expensive equipment to faeces and urine. Camera protection is normally carried out by the usage of a thermal window, protective lens or special housing. One of the materials used in lens protection manufacturing is polyethylene used to make plastic bags. The paper elaborates on camera protection in order to support the usage of a plastic bag for camera protection when in unexpected circumstances. Two experiments were performed under controlled conditions and one in real conditions on a dairy farm with and without the usage of a plastic bag. The impact of the bag and its thickness on the results of thermographic analysis of a homogeneous radiation source at ambient temperature did not provide desired information due to thermal equilibrium. The setup analysis with a heat source that have the same temperature difference as a real cow in the farm has shown the influence of bag thickness as well as a different setup on the camera. The importance of a bag being well stretched over the camera lens in order to get homogeneous and minimal influence on the final measurement results was emphasized prior to the final shooting in the farm condition. In the dairy cow analysis, when the plastic bag was mounted over the camera, the temperature difference was observed. It was shown that the difference increases alongside with the increase of the observed object temperature. The plastic bag reduces the registered cow apparent temperature but similarly raises the ambient temperature.

Feasibility Study of a Proton Irradiation Facility for Radiobiological Measurements at an 18 MeV Cyclotron

A feasibility study of an experimental setup for the irradiation of biological samples at the cyclotron facility installed at the National Centre of Accelerators (Seville, Spain) is presented. This cyclotron, which counts on an external beam line for interdisciplinary research purposes, produces an 18 MeV proton beam, which is suitable for the irradiation of mono-layer cultures for the measurement of proton cell damages and Relative Biological Effectiveness (RBE) at energies below the beam nominal value. Measurements of this kind are of interest for proton therapy, since the variation of proton RBE at the distal edge of the Bragg curve may have implications in clinical proton therapy treatments. In the following, the characteristics of the beam line and the solutions implemented for the irradiation of biological samples are described. When dealing with the irradiation of cell cultures, low beam intensities and broad homogeneous irradiation fields are required, in order to assure that all the cells receive the same dose with a suitable dose rate. At the cyclotron, these constraints have been achieved by completely defocusing the beam, intercepting the beam path with tungsten scattering foils and varying the exit-window-to-sample distance. The properties of the proton beam thus obtained have been analysed and compared with Monte Carlo simulations. The results of this comparison, as well as the experimental measurement of the lateral dose profiles expected at the position of samples are presented. Meaningful dose rates of about 2–3 Gy/min have been obtained. Homogeneous lateral dose profiles, with maximum deviations of 5%, have been measured at a distance of approximately 50 cm in air from the exit window, placing a tungsten scattering foil of 200 μm in the beam path.

Black Hole in a Radiation-Dominated Universe

We study a black hole in an expanding Universe during the radiation-dominated stage. In the case when the black hole radius is much smaller than the cosmological horizon, we present a solution of the Einstein equations for the metric, the matter density and velocity distributions. At distances much smaller than the cosmological horizon the solution features quasi-stationary accretion, while at large distances the solution asymptotes the homogeneous radiation dominated FLRW. We discuss how our solution is related to the McVittie solution. The obtained results can be applied, in particular, for the formation of dark matter density spikes around primordial black holes, and for the evolution of dark matter clumps during the radiation-dominated stage.

New geometric and field theoretic aspects of a radiation dominated universe

The homogeneous and isotropic radiation dominated universe, following the inflationary stage, is expressed as a spherically symmetric and inhomogeneous spacetime upon a power-law-type conformal transformation of the null (cosmological) coordinates. This new spacetime metric has many interesting properties. While the static observers, at a fixed position in this new spacetime, do not see any horizon, some nonstatic observers encounter a horizon due to their motion which is analogous to the situation of Rindler observers in Minkowski spacetime. The symmetry of the new metric offers a unitarily inequivalent quantization of the massless scalar field and provides a new example of particle creation. We calculate the particle content of the cosmological vacuum state with respect to the static observer in this new spacetime who, with respect to cosmological time, is freely falling in the asymptotic past and future but accelerated in between.

Influence of 20 MeV electron irradiation on the optical properties and phase composition of SiOx thin films

Homogeneous films from SiO1.3 (250 nm thick) were deposited on crystalline Si substrates by thermal evaporation of silicon monoxide. A part of the films was further annealed at 700 °C to grow amorphous Si (a-Si) nanoclusters in an oxide matrix, thus producing composite a-Si-SiO1.8 films. Homogeneous as well as composite films were irradiated by 20-MeV electrons at fluences of 7.2 × 1014 and 1.44 × 1015 el/cm2. The film thicknesses and optical constants were explored by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The development of the phase composition of the films caused by the electron-beam irradiation was studied by transmission electron microscopy. The ellipsometric and electron microscopy results have shown that the SiOx films are optically homogeneous and the electron irradiation with a fluence of 7.2 × 1014 el/cm2 has led to small changes in the optical constants and the formation of very small a-Si nanoclusters. The irradiation of the a-Si-SiOx composite films caused a decrease in the effective refractive index and, at the same time, an increase in the refractive index of the oxide matrix. Irradiation induced increase in the optical band gap and decrease in the absorption coefficient of the thermally grown amorphous Si nanoclusters have also been observed. The obtained results are discussed in terms of the formation of small amorphous silicon nanoclusters in the homogeneous layers and electron irradiation induced reduction in the nanocluster size in the composite films. The conclusion for the nanoparticle size reduction is supported by infrared transmittance results.

Influence of latitude on the light availability for intercrops in an agroforestry alley-cropping system

Light competition by trees is often regarded as a major limiting factor for crops in alley-cropping agroforestry. Northern latitude farmers are usually reluctant to adopt agroforestry as they fear that light competition will be fiercer in their conditions. We questioned the light availability for crops in alley-cropping at different latitudes from the tropic circle to the polar circle with a process-based 3D model of alley-cropping agroforestry. Two tree densities and two tree line orientations were considered. The effect of the latitude was evaluated with same-sized trees. The relative irradiance of the crops was computed for the whole year or at specific times of the year when crops need more light. The heterogeneity of crop irradiance across the alley was also computed. Surprisingly, crop relative irradiance of summer crops at high latitudes is high, at odds with farmers’ fears. Best designs were highlighted for improving the crop irradiance: North–South tree lines are recommended at high latitudes and East–West tree lines at low latitudes. At medium latitudes, North–South tree lines should be preferred to achieve an homogeneous irradiance of the crop in the alley. If we assume that trees at northern latitudes grow slower when compared to southern latitudes, then alley-cropping agroforestry is highly advisable even at high latitudes with summer crops.

Feasibility of a specialized ground light source for night-time low-light calibration

ABSTRACTThe day/night band (DNB) of the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite can not only identify surface characteristics when illuminated by moonlight, but can also detect night-time radiation from ground active light sources. Accordingly, the low-light sensor can be calibrated by comparing upward active radiation with actual observed digital counts, which has attracted new research interest. In this article, the first attempt to calibrate the high-gain stage of the DNB using a specialized ground light source was introduced. The DNB imaging rule of the target pixel at various observation geometries was analysed based on the long-term monitoring of a light source set in Dunhuang, Gansu Province, China. The radiance caused by emissive radiation varied greatly over time in a 16-day cycle. To solve the major problem of the Dunhuang light source when used for low-light calibration, a light source that emits homogenous radiation intensity in most upward directions was custom designed. Based on this device, a comprehensive low-light calibration scheme was proposed and three verification experiments were performed in Mingguang, Anhui Province, China. The predicted in-band DNB at-aperture radiance values of the 3-day experiments were 3.86 × 10−9, 4.38 × 10−9, and 5.27 × 10−9 W cm−2 sr−1, respectively, while the actual observed DNB radiance values were 4.53 × 10−9, 5.06 × 10−9, and 5.57 × 10−9 W cm−2 sr−1, respectively. With deviations of 14.8%, 13.4%, and 5.4%, respectively, the calibration result based on the specialized light source was generally in good agreement with the operational calibration result, and thus the feasibility of the device for low-light calibration had been preliminarily verified.

Homogenous and Microbeam X-Ray Radiation Induces Proteomic Changes in the Brains of Irradiated Rats and in the Brains of Nonirradiated Cage Mate Rats.

To evaluate microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), for brain tumor treatment, the bystander effect in nonirradiated companion animals was investigated. Adult rats were irradiated with 35 or 350 Gy at the European Synchrotron Research Facility using homogenous irradiation (HR) or MRT to the right brain hemisphere. The irradiated rats were housed with nonirradiated rats. After 48 hours, all rats were euthanized and the frontal lobe proteome was analyzed using 2-dimensional electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. Proteome changes were determined by analysis of variance (P < .05). Homogenous irradiation increased serum albumin, heat shock protein 71 (HSP-71), triosephosphate isomerase (TPI), fructose bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), and prohibitin and decreased dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (DLD) and pyruvate kinase. Microbeam radiation therapy increased HSP-71, FBA, and prohibitin, and decreased aconitase, dihydropyrimidinase, TPI, tubulin DLD, and pyruvate kinase. Cage mates with HR irradiated rats showed increased HSP-71 and FBA and decreased pyruvate kinase, DLD, and aconitase. Cage mates with MRT irradiated rats showed increased HSP-71, prohibitin, and FBA and decreased aconitase and DLD. Homogenous irradiation proteome changes indicated tumorigenesis, while MRT proteome changes indicated an oxidative stress response. The bystander effect of proteome changes appeared antitumorigenic and inducing radioresistance. This investigation also supports the need for research into prohibitin interaction with HSP-70/71 chaperones and cancer therapy.

The effect of Mepitel Film on acute radiation-induced skin reactions in head and neck cancer patients: a feasibility study.

Mepitel Film significantly decreases acute radiation-induced skin reactions in breast cancer patients. Here we investigated the feasibility of using Mepitel Film in head and neck cancer patients (ACTRN12614000932662). Out of a total of 36 head and neck cancer patients from New Zealand (NZ) (n = 24) and China (n = 12) recruited between June 2015 and December 2016, 33 patients complied with protocol. Of these, 11 NZ patients followed a management protocol; 11 NZ patients and 11 Chinese patients followed a prophylactic protocol. An area of the neck receiving a homogenous radiation dose of > 35 Gy was divided into two equal halves; one half was randomized to Film and the other to either Sorbolene cream (NZ) or Biafine cream (China). Skin reaction severity was measured by Radiation Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale and expanded Radiation Therapy Oncology Group toxicity criteria. Skin dose was measured by thermoluminescent dosimeters or gafchromic film. Film decreased overall skin reaction severity (combined Radiation Induced Skin Reaction Assessment Scale score) by 29% and moist desquamation rates by 37% in the Chinese cohort and by 27 and 28%, respectively in the NZ cohort. Mepitel Film did not affect head movements but did not adhere well to the skin, particularly in males with heavy beard stubble, and caused itchiness, particularly in Chinese patients. Mepitel Film reduced acute radiation-induced skin reactions in our head and neck cancer patients, particularly in patients without heavy stubble. Advances in knowledge: This is the first study to confirm the feasibility of using Mepitel Film in head and neck cancer patients.

Effects of LED-Based photodynamic therapy using red and blue lights, with natural hydrophobic photosensitizers on human glioma cell line.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has received high attention in cancer treatment due to its minimal side effects, specific cancer-targeting, non-invasion and low cost. It utilizes a specific group of anti-cancer drugs called photosensitizers (PS), which can be only activated under a certain wavelength light illumination and kills cancer cells. To screen the potential of PS and setup of PDT treatment protocol, it is essential to assess the PDT efficacy in vitro. In this study, a light-emitting diode- (LED-) based illumination system at two wavelengths (red & blue) with homogeneous and stable irradiation, and constant temperature conditions in 96-well plates was provided. The photodynamic effect of curcumin (CUR) and methyl ester of 5-aminolevulinic acid (MAL) using LED light on human glioma cell line was investigated. The obtained results indicate that this homemade LED-based illumination system is a favorable light source for in vitro PDT in 96-well plates. The PDT using CUR and MAL was efficient at final concentrations of 25μM and 2mM, and light doses of 60J/cm2 and 40J/cm2 respectively. The blue PDT efficiency was dependent on the light and PS doses. MAL-PDT and CUR-PDT using blue LED significantly decreased cell viability in the treatment groups compared with control groups. Furthermore, MAL-PDT using blue LEDs was more effective in comparison with conventional red LEDs on the human glioma cell line.

Optimization of beam arrangements in proton minibeam radiotherapy by cell survival simulations.

Proton minibeam radiotherapy using submillimeter beam dimensions allows to enhance tissue sparing in the entrance channel by spatial fractionation additionally to advantageous proton depth dose distribution. In the entrance channel, spatial fractionation leads to reduced side effects compared to conventional proton therapy. The submillimeter sized beams widen with depth due to small angle scattering and enable therefore, in contrary to x-ray microbeam radiation therapy (MRT), the homogeneous irradiation of a tumor. Proton minibeams can either be applied as planar minibeams or pencil shaped with an additional possibility to vary between a quadratic and a hexagonal arrangement for pencil minibeams. The purpose of this work is to deduce interbeam distances to achieve a homogeneous dose distribution for different tumor depths and tumor thicknesses. Furthermore, we aim for a better understanding of the sparing effect on the basis of surviving cells calculated by the linear-quadratic model. Two-dimensional dose distributions are calculated for proton minibeams of different shapes and arrangements. For a tumor in 10-15cm depth, treatment plans are calculated with initial beam size of σ0 =0.2mm in a water phantom. Proton minibeam depth dose distributions are finally converted into cell survival using a linear-quadratic model. Inter proton beam distances are maximized under the constraint of dose homogeneity in the tumor for tumor depths ranging from 4 to 15cm and thickness ranging from 0.5 to 10cm. Cell survival calculations for a 5cm thick tumor covered by 10cm healthy tissue show less cell death by up to 85%, especially in the superficial layers, while keeping the cell death in the tumor as in conventional therapy. In the entrance channel, the pencil minibeams result in higher cell survival in comparison to the planar minibeams while all proton minibeam irradiations show higher cell survival than conventional broadbeam irradiation. The deduced constraints for interbeam distances simplify treatment planning for proton minibeam radiotherapy applications in future studies. The cell survival results indicate that proton minibeam radiotherapy reduces side effects but keeps tumor control as in conventional proton therapy. It makes proton minibeam, especially pencil minibeam radiotherapy a potentially attractive new approach for radiation therapy.

Increased cell survival and cytogenetic integrity by spatial dose redistribution at a compact synchrotron X-ray source.

X-ray microbeam radiotherapy can potentially widen the therapeutic window due to a geometrical redistribution of the dose. However, high requirements on photon flux, beam collimation, and system stability restrict its application mainly to large-scale, cost-intensive synchrotron facilities. With a unique laser-based Compact Light Source using inverse Compton scattering, we investigated the translation of this promising radiotherapy technique to a machine of future clinical relevance. We performed in vitro colony-forming assays and chromosome aberration tests in normal tissue cells after microbeam irradiation compared to homogeneous irradiation at the same mean dose using 25 keV X-rays. The microplanar pattern was achieved with a tungsten slit array of 50 μm slit size and a spacing of 350 μm. Applying microbeams significantly increased cell survival for a mean dose above 2 Gy, which indicates fewer normal tissue complications. The observation of significantly less chromosome aberrations suggests a lower risk of second cancer development. Our findings provide valuable insight into the mechanisms of microbeam radiotherapy and prove its applicability at a compact synchrotron, which contributes to its future clinical translation.

Abstract ID: 60 Monte Carlo simulation and experimental validation of glandular dose coefficients in digital breast tomosynthesis

The mean radiation dose to the glandular tissue and its dependence on the irradiation geometry, beam quality, breast size and composition in digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) exams have been studied extensively via Monte Carlo calculations [1] . On the other hand, there are few comprehensive studies on the dose distribution within the irradiated breast [2] . The distribution of glandular dose for breast irradiation from a plurality of angles, as occurs in DBT, may be of large interest in scanner optimization as well as for developing suitable models for the evaluation of the cancer risk related to the X-ray exposure for non–homogeneous irradiation. For this reason, it is of interest to evaluate the level of homogeneity of the dose spread, via the assessment of 3D dose maps in breast models during a DBT scan. This work aimed at evaluating, via Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and measurements using radiochromic films, the dose distribution within compressed layered breast phantoms during DBT scans. For this purpose, two phantoms were employed: a PMMA homogeneous phantom and a heterogeneous phantom simulating a 50% glandular breast. A series of pre-calibrated (vs free-in-air air kerma) film pieces were inserted between the phantom slices and the 3D dose maps were measured for a set of DBT scans on different commercial units, for different sample thicknesses, at various exposure technique factors. We developed an MC code based on GEANT4 toolkit ver. 10.00, simulating the clinical setup specifications, whose results have been compared to measurements. This project received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 692097 for the MaXIMA project: Three dimensional breast cancer models for X-ray imaging research.

Failure modes and effects analysis of total skin electron irradiation technique.

Total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) is a radiotherapy technique which consists of an homogeneous body surface irradiation by electrons. This treatment requires very strict technical and dosimetric conditions, requiring the implementation of multiple controls. Recently, the Task Group 100 report of the AAPM has recommended adapting the quality assurance program of the facility to the risks of their processes. A multidisciplinary team evaluated the potential failure modes (FMs) of every process step, regardless of the management tools applied in the installation. For every FM, occurrence (O), severity (S) and detectability (D) by consensus was evaluated, which resulted in the risk priority number (RPN), which permitted the ranking of the FMs. Subsequently, all the management tools used, related to the TSEI process, were examined and the FMs were reevaluated, to analyze the effectiveness of these tools and to propose new management tools to cover the greater risk FMs. 361 FMs were identified, 103 of which had RPN ≥80, initially, and 41 had S≥8. Taking this into account the quality management tools FMs were reevaluated and only 30 FMs had RPN≥80. The study of these 30 FMs emphasized that the FMs that involved greater risk were related to the diffuser screen placement and the patient's position during treatment. The quality assurance program of the facility has been adapted to the risk of this treatment process, following the guidelines proposed by the TG-100. However, clinical experience continually reveals new FMs, so the need for periodic risk analysis is required.

Design and validation of a LED-based high intensity photocatalytic reactor for quantifying activity measurements

Ultraviolet light emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) are attracting the interest of researchers for the design of compact photoreactors due to their energy efficiency, life expectancy, design flexibility, and easily tuned intensity and emission wavelength. However, due to the quasi-point source nature and viewing angle dependence of these illumination sources, the light distribution in LED based reactors can be highly inhomogeneous if the locations of the LEDs in the reactor are not carefully designed. This work describes the design of a novel standardized reactor for accurate measurements of the efficiency of photocatalytic materials under well-controlled lighting conditions. For standardized kinetic studies, it is necessary to ensure that a homogeneous radiation distribution is achieved over the catalyst surface. UV irradiation calculations involving rigorous solution of the radiative transport equation have been performed to compute the incident radiation at each point of the reactor geometry. Homogeneity calculations over the catalytic surface have been analysed for a range of LED configurations, diameter and distance of the catalyst surface with excellent agreement with measurements. We demonstrate that for many of the configurations and distances examined a poor homogeneity over the catalyst surface is obtained if the LED configuration is not carefully designed. The optimized reactor was built and predictions of the numerical model were validated against spectrophotometric measurements. The designed reactor can be also operated for the determination of the activity of photocatalytic materials in a slurry under very high radiation fluxes. The reactor model was validated with rigorous inclusion of absorption and scattering phenomena under highly demanding conditions of high incident radiation intensities. The developed design provides a novel route for quantitative assessment of photocatalytic materials and reactions.

Influence of Emission Spectrum and Irradiance on Light Curing of Resin-Based Composites.

This study examined the influence of different emission spectra (single-peak and broad-spectrum) light-curing units (LCUs) delivering the same radiant exposures at irradiance values of 1200 or 3600 mW/cm2 on the polymerization and light transmission of four resin-based composites (RBCs). Two prototype LCUs that used the same light tip, but were either a single-peak blue or a broad-spectrum LED, were used to deliver the same radiant exposures to the top surfaces of the RBCs using either standard (1200 mW/cm2) or high irradiance (3600 mW/cm2) settings. The emission spectrum and radiant power from the LCUs were measured with a laboratory-grade integrating sphere coupled to a spectrometer, and the light beam was assessed with a beam profiler camera. Four RBCs (Filtek Supreme Ultra A2, Tetric EvoCeram A2, Tetric EvoCeram T, and TPH Spectra High Viscosity A2) were photoactivated using four different light conditions: single-peak blue/standard irradiance, single-peak blue/high irradiance, broad-spectrum/standard irradiance, and broad-spectrum/high irradiance. The degree of conversion (N=5) and microhardness at the top and bottom of 2.3-mm-diameter by 2.5-mm-thick specimens (N=5) were analyzed with analysis of variance and Tukey tests. The real-time light transmission through the RBCs was also measured. For all light conditions, the 2.3-mm-diameter specimens received a homogeneous irradiance and spectral distribution. Although similar radiant exposures were delivered to the top surfaces of the RBCs, the amount of light energy emitted from the bottom surfaces was different among the four RBCs, and was also greater for the single-peak lights. Very little violet light (wavelengths below 420 nm) reached the bottom of the 2.5-mm-thick specimens. The degree of conversion and microhardness results varied according to the RBC (p<0.05). The RBCs that included alternative photoinitiators had greater microhardness values at the top when cured with broad-spectrum lights, while at the bottom, where little violet light was observed, the results were equal or higher when they were photoactivated with single-peak blue lights. With the exception of the microhardness at the top of TPH, equivalent or higher microhardness and degree-of-conversion values were achieved at the bottom surface when the standard (1200 mW/cm2) irradiance levels were used compared to when high irradiance levels were used. Considering the different behaviors of the tested RBCs, the emission spectrum and irradiance level influenced the polymerization of some RBCs. The RBCs that included alternative photoinitiators produced greater values at the top when cured with broad-spectrum lights, while at the bottom, results were equal or higher for the RBCs photoactivated with single-peak blue lights.

Permeability of Brain Tumor Vessels Induced by Uniform or Spatially Microfractionated Synchrotron Radiation Therapies

Tocompare the blood-brain barrier permeability changes induced by synchrotron microbeam radiation therapy (MRT, which relies on spatial fractionation of the incident x-ray beam into parallel micron-wide beams) with changes induced by a spatially uniform synchrotron x-ray radiation therapy. Male rats bearing malignant intracranial F98 gliomas were randomized into 3 groups: untreated, exposed to MRT (peak and valley dose: 241 and 10.5Gy, respectively), or exposed to broad beam irradiation (BB) delivered at comparable doses (ie, equivalent to MRT valley dose); both applied by 2 arrays, intersecting orthogonally the tumor region. Vessel permeability was monitored invivo by magnetic resonance imaging 1day before (T-1) and 1, 2, 7, and 14days after treatment start. To determine whether physiologic parameters influence vascular permeability, we evaluated vessel integrity in the tumor area with different values for cerebral blood flow, blood volume, edema, and tissue oxygenation. Microbeam radiation therapy does not modify the vascular permeability of normal brain tissue. Microbeam radiation therapy-induced increase of tumor vascular permeability was detectable from T2 with a maximum at T7 after exposure, whereas BB enhanced vessel permeability only at T7. At this stage MRT was more efficient at increasing tumor vessel permeability (BB vs untreated: +19.1%; P=.0467; MRT vs untreated: +44.8%; P<.0001), and its effects lasted until T14 (MRT vs BB, +22.6%; P=.0199). We also showed that MRT was more efficient at targeting highly oxygenated (high blood volume and flow) and more proliferative parts of the tumor than BB. Microbeam radiation therapy-induced increased tumor vascular permeability is: (1) significantly greater; (2) earlier and more prolonged than that induced by BB irradiation, especially in highly proliferative tumor areas; and (3) targets all tumor areas discriminated by physiologic characteristics, including those not damaged by homogeneous irradiation.

Accurate initial conditions in mixed dark matter–baryon simulations

We quantify the error in the results of mixed baryon--dark-matter hydrodynamic simulations, stemming from outdated approximations for the generation of initial conditions. The error at redshift 0 in contemporary large simulations, is of the order of few to ten percent in the power spectra of baryons and dark matter, and their combined total-matter power spectrum. After describing how to properly assign initial displacements and peculiar velocities to multiple species, we review several approximations: (1) {using the total-matter power spectrum to compute displacements and peculiar velocities of both fluids}, (2) scaling the linear redshift-zero power spectrum back to the initial power spectrum using the Newtonian growth factor ignoring homogeneous radiation, (3) using longitudinal-gauge velocities with synchronous-gauge densities, and (4) ignoring the phase-difference in the Fourier modes for the offset baryon grid, relative to the dark-matter grid. Three of these approximations do not take into account that dark matter and baryons experience a scale-dependent growth after photon decoupling, which results in directions of velocity which are not the same as their direction of displacement. We compare the outcome of hydrodynamic simulations with these four approximations to our reference simulation, all setup with the same random seed and simulated using Gadget-III.

Thermoelectric Properties of Electrodeposited Bismuth Telluride Thin Films by Thermal Annealing and Homogeneous Electron Beam Irradiation

We investigated the effects of thermal annealing and homogeneous electron beam (EB) irradiation on the structural and thermoelectric properties of electrodeposited bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) thin films. Bi2Te3 thin films were prepared by potentiostatic electrodeposition using a standard three-electrode cell. It was found that the thermal annealing contributed to enhance the crystallographic properties, leading to the increase of the thermoelectric properties. The maximum thermoelectric property (power factor) was 6.0 μW/(cm∙K2) by the thermal annealing. In addition, the Bi2Te3 thin films obtained relatively high (1 1 0) crystal orientation. On the other hand, the homogeneous EB irradiation treatment did not contribute to increase the crystallographic properties, so the thermoelectric properties of the EB irradiated thin films were mostly the same as that of the as-deposited thin films.