Use Of Sections Research Articles

Nursing home residents’ perspectives on oral health: An in-depth interview study

BackgroundOral health is associated with general health and care dependency, but is often neglected in nursing homes. Integration of oral care into general care is necessary, but is hampered by multiple barriers at different levels. This study is part of research into the implementation of the new Oral Health Section for use within the interRAI Long-Term Care Facilities instrument, which is used to assess care needs of nursing home residents. This new Oral Health Section evaluates nine aspects of oral health and results in two Collaborative Action Points. ObjectiveTo identify residents' perspectives on oral health, oral care, and on the assessment of their oral health using the new Oral Health Section DesignQualitative design using in-depth interviews. Setting(s)Three nursing homes ParticipantsResidents were selected using purposeful sampling in nursing homes participating in research evaluating the use of the new Oral Health Section. The selection was based on their oral status for maximum variation and on their cognitive performance score. Twenty-two residents from three Flemish nursing homes agreed to participate. MethodsResidents’ oral health was assessed using the new Oral Health Section and dental indices. In-depth interviews were conducted, including the validated short-form Oral Health Impact Profile to evaluate the impact of oral conditions on residents’ well-being. The interviews were coded and analysed by three researchers and mapped into a model to understand participants’ oral health behaviours. ResultsLow Oral Health Impact Profile scores indicated a low impact of oral health issues on participants’ lives. However, despite 77.3 % of the participants reporting satisfaction with their oral health, 86.4 % had poor oral hygiene and 68.2 % required referral to a dentist, suggesting a tendency to overestimate their oral health. Their oral health behaviour was determined by a lack of oral health knowledge (Capability), positive attitudes towards oral health and autonomy (Motivation), upbringing and social support (Opportunity). Participants considered assessments with the new Oral Health Section acceptable. ConclusionsThis study shows how older people perceive their oral health and oral healthcare. Understanding their wishes and needs will not only facilitate their involvement in their oral care, but is also likely to enable the improvement of their oral hygiene and the development of effective oral care strategies for the future. Policy makers and managers of care organisations may use these results to foster integration of oral care guidelines into care protocols within nursing homes, including collaboration with dentists and dental hygienists. Tweetable abstractOral health assessments with the new Oral Health Section for use within interRAI were positively perceived by nursing home residents.

Deep Learning for Multigroup Cross-Section Representation in Two-Step Core Calculations

We investigate using deep learning, a type of machine-learning algorithm employing multiple layers of artificial neurons, for the mathematical representation of multigroup cross sections for use in the Griffin reactor multiphysics code for two-step deterministic neutronics calculations. A three-dimensional fuel element typical of a high-temperature gas reactor as well as a two-dimensional sodium-cooled fast reactor lattice are modeled using the Serpent Monte Carlo code, and multigroup macroscopic cross sections are generated for various state parameters to produce a training data set and a separate validation data set. A fully connected, feedforward neural network is trained using the open-source PyTorch machine-learning framework, and its accuracy is compared against the standard piecewise linear interpolation model. Additionally, we provide in this work a generic technique for propagating the cross-section model errors up to the keff using sensitivity coefficients with the first-order uncertainty propagation rule. Quantifying the eigenvalue error due to the cross-section regression errors is especially practical for appropriately selecting the mathematical representation of the cross sections. We demonstrate that the artificial neural network model produces lower errors and therefore enables better accuracy relative to the piecewise linear model when the cross sections exhibit nonlinear dependencies; especially when a coarse grid is employed, where the errors can be halved by the artificial neural network. However, for linearly dependent multigroup cross sections as found for the sodium-cooled fast reactor case, a simpler linear regression outperforms deeper networks.

Mechanical and Thermal Analysis of an HTS Superconducting Magnet for an Achromatic Gantry for Proton Therapy

The mechanical and thermal analysis of the superconducting magnets, forming an innovative fixed-field bending section for use in a proton therapy gantry, is presented here. The design concept has a large momentum acceptance, covering the full proton energy range of 70 to 220 MeV with fixed field in the superconducting magnets, and uses a simple magnet geometry based on double-pancake high temperature superconductor coils. The main planned steps for the assembly and fabrication of the magnets are discussed. The mechanical analyses of the magnet, with emphasis on the stress state of the conductor during the powering of the magnet, is here described. The thermal analysis investigating the adequacy of the copper structure surrounding the conductor to extract the heat deposited in the conductor during powering is also discussed in detail.

Abstract 3871: Solid tumor analytical validation of a T-regulatory immunohistochemistry multiplex for clinical studies

Abstract While classic, chromogenic immunohistochemistry (IHC) remains a mainstay in clinical diagnostics, it can be limiting in the era of immuno-oncology. In the field of immuno-oncology, where access to tissue samples may be limited, there is a need for an accurate interpretation of the sociology and in-depth phenotyping of the cells in the tumor microenvironment that requires a higher level of targets to investigate. Cytotoxic T cells are the main effector cells against tumors. Conversely, T-regulatory cells play a more pro-tumor role by suppressing cytotoxic T cell activation. The importance of the balance and tumor infiltration of these two cell populations has repeatedly been demonstrated in the literature. Due to this, Cerba Research was driven to develop an immunofluorescent multiplex to allow cytotoxic and regulatory T cells detection on the same tissue section for use in solid tumor clinical trials. Following our standard workflow, we developed a CD3-CD8-FoxP3 IHC multiplex (Histoprofile®- T-reg light). This panel allows for analysis of cytotoxic T-cells (CD3+/CD8+/FoxP3-), T helper cells (CD3+/CD8-/FoxP3-) and T regulatory cells (CD3+/CD8-/FoxP3+). Then following our standard process, we performed an analytical validation on a range of formalin fixed paraffin embedded solid tumors (including but not limited to Non Small Cell Lung Cancer, Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Colorectal Cancer and Breast Cancer). Specificity was verified by a pathologist on control tonsil tissue. The robustness of the protocol on a range of solid tumors was verified by the pathologist on tissue blocks and tumor microarrays. Precision tests (intra- and inter-assay) demonstrated a high level of panel reproducibility in solid tumor tissues - CD3 (CV 21.24%), CD8 (CV 19.5%), FoxP3 (CV 13.13%). Using Halo® software (Indica Labs), spatial analysis of the populations of interest can be appreciated in the tumor and stroma compartments. Cerba Research’s Histoprofile®- T-reg light panel passed all the analytical validation criteria for use in clinical studies. Cerba Research can provide this off the shelf panel in solid tumor clinical studies, allowing an elevated analysis of multiple immune biomarkers on a single tissue slide. Citation Format: Marie Gérus-Durand, Elena Baranova, Maroua Tliba, Sabine Iglesias, Manon Motte, Renaud Burrer, Amanda Finan-Marchi. Solid tumor analytical validation of a T-regulatory immunohistochemistry multiplex for clinical studies [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2022; 2022 Apr 8-13. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2022;82(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 3871.

A Review, Tabulation, and Parameterization of M-Series X-Ray Production Cross Sections for Proton and Helium Ion Impact

In the present work, the experimental total and line resolved M-series x-ray production cross sections (XRPCSs) for different elements with Z = 59–92 for 0.05–39.34 MeV proton and 0.2–6.0 MeV He ion (3He/4He) impact reported by different research groups until December 2020 have been compiled in tabular form. A status of different physical parameters, namely, the ionization cross sections, x-ray emission rates, fluorescence yields, and Coster–Kronig and super Coster–Kronig yields, required to calculate the theoretical M-series XRPCSs have been reviewed. The tabulated experimental total M-series XRPCSs for different elements are found to exhibit universal scaling similar to that shown by the theoretical cross sections. These tabulated experimental cross sections for different elements have been parameterized in order to provide empirical cross sections for use in different applications.

Wood-cement-composite behaviour of beech circular hollow sections

Beech laminated veneer lumber (LVL) circular hollow sections for use as nails in temporary geotechnical soil nailing systems were developed within this research. For the soil wall stability, beside a sufficient load carrying capacity of the nail cross section, a load carrying connection between the cement annulus and the nail is necessary. As cement grout ensures the bond between the nails and soil for the mobilisation of a soil reinforcement effect, a reliable connection between cement and wood surface is required. Occurring shear forces must be transferred from the nail into the soil through the wood-cement interface similar to reinforced concrete. Pull-off tests on clear LVL specimens with different cement and wood surface modifications as well as the results of large-scale push-out tests are presented. The results reveal a sufficient short-term bonding strength between the cement annulus and the wooden member to transfer the geotechnical loads, but also highlight the necessity of further research on long-term behaviour.

A High-Frequency Model of a Rectilinear Beam with a T-Shaped Cross Section

This paper derives an analytical model of a straight beam with a T-shaped cross section for use in the high-frequency range, defined here as approximately 1 to 35 kHz. The web, the right part of the flange, and the left part of the flange of the T-beam are modeled independently with two-dimensional elasticity equations for the in-plane motion and Mindlin flexural plate equation for the out-of-plane motion. The differential equations are solved with unknown wave propagation coefficients multiplied by circular spatial domain functions. These algebraic equations are then solved to yield the wave propagation coefficients and thus produce a solution to the displacement field in all three directions. An example problem is formulated and compared with solutions from fully elastic finite element modeling, a previously derived analytical model, and Timoshenko beam theory. It is shown that the accurate frequency range of this new model is significantly higher than that of the analytical model and the Timoshenko beam model, and, in the frequency range up to 35 kHz, the results compare very favorably to those from finite element analysis.

Assessment of PD-L1 mRNA and protein expression in non-small cell lung cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and urothelial carcinoma tissue specimens using RNAScope and immunohistochemistry.

Four immunohistochemistry (IHC) diagnostic assays have been approved for tumour PD-L1 protein assessment in the clinic. However, mRNA detection by in situ hybridisation (ISH) could be utilised as an alternative to protein detection. Detecting spatial changes in gene expression provides vital prognostic and diagnostic information, particularly in immune oncology where the phenotype, cellular infiltration and immune activity status may be associated with patient survival. Translation of mRNA expression to a clinically relevant cut off or threshold is challenging due to variability between assays and the detection of different analytes. These studies aim to confirm the suitability of formalin fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue sections for use with RNA ISH. A comparison of mRNA expression and protein expression may inform the suitability of mRNA as a patient selection biomarker in a similar manner to IHC and provide evidence of a suitable scoring algorithm. Ninety patient samples, thirty for each indication of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and urothelial carcinoma (UC), previously assessed using the VENTANA PD-L1 (SP263) Assay were chosen to represent a wide dynamic range of percentage tumour cell staining (TCIHC). Expression of mRNA was assessed by ISH using the RNAScope 2.5 assay and probe CD274/PD-L1 (Advanced Cell Diagnostics) including kit provided positive and negative control probes. Brightfield whole slide images of tissues were captured. The percentage of tumour cells with PD-L1 mRNA expression (%TCmRNA) and mean punctate dots/tumour cell were determined using image analysis. Differences in RNA expression between the IHC derived TCIHC≥25% and <25% groups were assessed using t-tests. For each indication, a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analysis identified thresholds for patient classification using %TCmRNA and dots/tumour cell, with reference to TCIHC≥25%. Eighty-six samples were successfully tested; 3 failed due to insufficient control probe staining, 1 due to lack of tumour. Percent TCmRNA staining using RNAScope demonstrated statistical significance (at α = 0.05) in the PD-L1 high (TCIHC ≥25%) vs the PD-L1 low (TCIHC <25%) groups for NSCLC, HNSCC, and UC. The number of punctate dots/tumour cell was significantly higher in the PD-L1 high vs the PD-L1 low groups for NSCLC and HNSCC but not UC. For %TCmRNA; ROC analysis identified thresholds of: NSCLC 18.0%, HNSCC 31.8%, UC 25.8%. For dots/tumour cell, thresholds were: NSCLC 0.26, HNSCC 0.53, UC 0.45. Routine tissue fixation and processing is suitable for RNA detection using RNAScope. PD-L1 mRNA extent and level is associated with PD-L1 status determined by IHC. Threshold optimisation for %TCmRNA and mean dots/tumour cell results in high specificity to IHC PD-L1 classification, but only moderate sensitivity.

A High-Frequency Model of a Circular Beam with a T-Shaped Cross Section

This paper derives an analytical model of a circular beam with a T-shaped cross section for use in the high-frequency range, defined here as approximately 1 to 50 kHz. The T-shaped cross section is composed of an outer web and an inner flange. The web in-plane motion is modeled with two-dimensional elasticity equations of motion, and the left portion and right portion of the flange are modeled separately with Timoshenko shell equations. The differential equations are solved with unknown wave propagation coefficients multiplied by Bessel and exponential spatial domain functions. These are inserted into constraint and equilibrium equations at the intersection of the web and flange and into boundary conditions at the edges of the system. Two separate cases are formulated: structural axisymmetric motion and structural non-axisymmetric motion and these results are added together for the total solution. The axisymmetric case produces 14 linear algebraic equations and the non-axisymmetric case produces 24 linear algebraic equations. These are solved to yield the wave propagation coefficients, and this gives a corresponding solution to the displacement field in the radial and tangential directions. The dynamics of the longitudinal direction are discussed but are not solved in this paper. An example problem is formulated and compared to solutions from fully elastic finite element modeling. It is shown that the accurate frequency range of this new model compares very favorably to finite element analysis up to 47 kHz. This new analytical model is about four magnitudes faster in computation time than the corresponding finite element models.

A high-frequency model of a circular beam with a T-shaped cross section

This paper derives an analytical model of a circular beam with a T-shaped cross section for use in the high-frequency range, defined here as approximately 1 to 50 kHz. The T-shaped cross section is composed of an outer web and an inner flange. The web in-plane motion is modeled with two-dimensional elasticity equations of motion, and the left portion and right portion of the flange are modeled separately with Timoshenko shell equations. The differential equations are solved with unknown wave propagation coefficients multiplied by Bessel and exponential spatial domain functions. These are inserted into constraint and equilibrium equations at the intersection of the web and flange and into boundary conditions at the edges of the system. Two separate cases are formulated: structural axisymmetric motion and structural non-axisymmetric motion and these results are added together for the total solution. The axisymmetric case produces 14 linear algebraic equations and the non-axisymmetric case produces 24 linear algebraic equations. These are solved to yield the wave propagation coefficients, and this gives a corresponding solution to the displacement field in the radial and tangential directions. The dynamics of the longitudinal direction are discussed but are not solved in this paper. An example problem is formulated and compared to solutions from fully elastic finite element modeling. It is shown that the accurate frequency range of this new model compares very favorably to finite element analysis up to 47 kHz. This new analytical model is about four magnitudes faster in computation time than the corresponding finite element models.

Adhesive properties of laminated veneer lumber poles for use in temporary soil nailing: development and evaluation of a test method for curved structures in a high-alkaline environment

Innovative circular, hollow, laminated veneer lumber (LVL) beech sections for use as temporary geotechnical soil reinforcement members are currently being developed. Appropriate surface gluing quality between the veneers is fundamental to this subsoil application of the permanently cement-embedded, engineered timber product. The circular cross-section geometry and the permanently high-alkaline environment of the structural member is not covered by presently standardized testing and conditioning methods for examining LVL surface bond line quality. The sample conditioning and tensile shear test method compliant with EN 302-1 (Adhesives for load-bearing timber structures—test methods—part 1: determination of longitudinal tensile shear strength, European Committee for Standardization, Brussels, 2013) was modified to determine bonding parameters for circular, hollow LVL sections. Bond line curvature, groove cutting depth and sample geometry were found to greatly influence stress distribution, percentage of wood failure and tensile shear strength. Short-term alkaline treatment of test samples did not significantly influence the bonding performance, wood failure percentage, tensile shear strength and fracture patterns. To improve tensile shear strength, adhesives with different material rigidities were used and compared. An orthotropic, elastic numerical analysis revealed a greater influence of adherent elasticity than adhesive elasticity on the stress distribution within the bond line. With regard to determining the bond line integrity of curved veneer poles, a sample geometry compliant with EN 302-1 (2013) was developed and numerically evaluated.

Pulse article: Survey on the current usage of the International Standards for the Assessment of Autonomic Function after Spinal Cord Injury (ISAFSCI).

Online questionnaire. To identify the awareness, and current use, of the International Standards for the Assessment of Autonomic Function after SCI (ISAFSCI) and suggest necessary revisions. An international collaboration of committee members. A survey was drafted and consensus achieved among members of the International Standards Committee of the ASIA. The questionnaire was posted on SurveyMonkey for 2 months. A survey link was posted on the ASIA and ISCoS websites, and committee members circulated the survey to colleagues with the goal of obtaining a wide-spread international response. A total of 173 providers responded. About half (n = 84) of the respondents used the standards in some form. Forty-four percent (n = 72) felt they knew the difference between the standards and the data sets. Among 135 responses on the usefulness of the ISAFSCI, the bladder, bowel, and sexual function sections, and the heart rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and sudomotor sections for use in patients with tetraplegia were reported as most useful. Comments revealed that respondents would like more explanation regarding specific definitions of components of the standards, how/when to use the ISAFSCI, and how the ISAFSCI may assist in clinical care. The ISAFSCI is used by a subset of SCI clinicians. Some find the standards useful, while others are unaware of the utility of the ISAFSCI to prevent morbidity and assist in documentation of autonomic recovery post SCI. Further clarification regarding the definition of various disorders, and how and why to use the ISAFSCI in the SCI population, is needed.

Design of a bubble collecting section in a high speed water tunnel for ventilated supercavitation experiments

The main objective of the present study is to design a bubble collecting section for use in ventilated supercavitation experiments. The large amounts of air ventilated around a cavitator split into small bubbles that follow the water’s passage through the water tunnel. The presence of these bubbles in the test section of the water tunnel prevents effective observation of supercavitation. To enable the clear observation of cavitation shape, a bubble collecting section with large volume is necessary upstream of the test section to collect bubbles. The buoyancy of bubbles provides a simple means for their collection. However, the bubbly flows in such systems have rather high velocities and a non-uniform velocity distribution, which degrades the buoyancy effect. In the present study, a bubble collecting section with three porous plates that produce a uniformly low velocity distribution is designed and analyzed with numerical methods. The effectiveness of this approach is assessed experimentally with the 1/10 miniature model. The reduction of the void fraction downstream of the bubble collecting section was also assessed in the test section. The bubble collecting section in the full-scale water tunnel was also eventually found to be well designed through flow speed measurements and bubble visualization in the test section.

04.02: Plastic behaviour of polygonal hollow sections in bending

ABSTRACTSteel poles of polygonal sections are an economic alternative to circular hollow sections for use as lighting towers or transmission line pylons. Especially for transmission lines, the design of the poles is intended to become more compact to avoid land usage and to obtain an inconspicuous appearance. If the pole diameter is reduced, the slenderness of the sections needs to be reduced as well to achieve the desired resistance, but an increasing wall thickness disproportionately reduces the cost‐effectiveness of the structure. The European design rules for overhead electrical lines [1] do not allow using the plastic behaviour of stocky sections, which reduces the advantages of compact sections.In modern standards for steel structures, such as Eurocode 3 (EC3) [2], activating plastic reserves is generally acknowledged state of the art. According to EC3‐1‐1, the slenderness of the profile decides on the allocation to cross section class 1 or 2, where plastic design is allowed, class 3, where only elastic behaviour is used or class 4, where local buckling is assumed. When changing from class 2 to class 3 sections, this standard provides a sudden drop in resistance, which has long been recognised to be unjustified. Research has been done to overcome this mismatch for circular hollow sections [3].In this paper the transition between the plastic bending moment capacity and the limit state of buckling is investigated to identify the ultimate load of polygonal sections. The investigated polygon of 16 edges can be treated as a collection of plate strips using the plate buckling design rules EC3‐1‐5 for cross sections class 4. Detailed examinations illustrate the inconsistency of EC3 in the bending capacity of compact sections right before the start of stability problems.On the basis of experimental data gained from full‐scale bending tests, along with imperfection measurements via laser scanning, numerical investigations have been performed. These results suggest that the bending moment capacity can be increased above the calculated elastic capacity with more compact sections, but might be overestimated when calculating the full plastic capacity according to EC3‐1‐1.

Use of maxillofacial laboratory materials to construct a tissue-equivalent head phantom with removable titanium implantable devices for use in verification of the dose of intensity-modulated radiotherapy

The dose of radiotherapy is often verified by measuring the dose of radiation at specific points within a phantom. The presence of high-density implant materials such as titanium, however, may cause complications both during calculation and delivery of the dose. Numerous studies have reported photon/electron backscatter and alteration of the dose by high-density implants, but we know of no evidence of a dosimetry phantom that incorporates high density implants or fixtures. The aim of the study was to design and manufacture a tissue-equivalent head phantom for use in verification of the dose in radiotherapy using a combination of traditional laboratory materials and techniques and 3-dimensional technology that can incorporate titanium maxillofacial devices. Digital designs were used together with Mimics® 18.0 (Materialise NV) and FreeForm® software. DICOM data were downloaded and manipulated into the final pieces of the phantom mould. Three-dimensional digital objects were converted into STL files and exported for additional stereolithography. Phantoms were constructed in four stages: material testing and selection, design of a 3-dimensional mould, manufacture of implants, and final fabrication of the phantom using traditional laboratory techniques. Three tissue-equivalent materials were found and used to successfully manufacture a suitable phantom with interchangeable sections that contained three versions of titanium maxillofacial implants. Maxillofacial and other materials can be used to successfully construct a head phantom with interchangeable titanium implant sections for use in verification of doses of radiotherapy.

Helping Dementia Caregivers Through Technology.

It is estimated there are between 43.5 and 65.7 million caregivers in the United States who provide unpaid care for older adults. Although the number of informal caregivers is expected to continue to increase, few programs have been established in home healthcare agencies to support these caregivers. This article describes a project that used a unique Web site to connect caregivers of people with dementia in a geographic region with an interprofessional group of healthcare providers and caregiver peers. Virtual Healthcare Neighborhood (VHN) was developed and maintained by an interprofessional group of healthcare providers from nursing, physical therapy, clinical counseling, and dental hygiene. The VHN provided weekly information on topics relevant to caring for a loved one with dementia at home as well as Question and Answer and Social Support Blogging sections for use by participants. This project was viewed as a positive and helpful method to provide support for caregivers of homebound older adults that could be easily replicated by home healthcare agencies.

Numerical study of atmospheric ice accretion on rotating geometric cross sections with fins

This paper describes the numerical study of atmospheric ice accretion on rotating geometric cross sections, circular, hexagon and square, all having fins, to select an optimum geometric cross section for use as a rotating part of a newly-proposed designed icing sensor. Computational fluid dynamics-based numerical analyses were carried out in this research work to understand and analyse the atmospheric ice growth on these rotating cross sections at varying operating and geometric parameters. A comparison of accreted ice profile shapes from numerical analysis was also made with the experiments, carried out at cryospheric environment simulator (CES), Shinjo Japan. A good agreement was found between numerical and experimental results.

Quantitative Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Analysis of Catalyst Nanoparticles Using a Partial Cross Section Approach.

The new generation of energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) detectors with higher count rates than ever before, paves the way for a new approach to quantitative elemental analysis in the scanning transmission electron microscope. Here we demonstrate a method of calculating partial cross sections for use in quantifying EDX data, beneficial especially because of the simplicity of its implementation. Applying this approach to acid-leached PtCo catalyst nanoparticles leads to quantitative determination of the Pt surface enrichment.

Optimization of Poincaré sections for discriminating between stochastic and deterministic behavior of dynamical systems

This paper studies the problem of finding optimal parameters for a Poincaré section used for determining the type of behavior of a time series: a deterministic or stochastic one. To reach that goal optimization algorithms are coupled with the Poincaré & Higuchi (P&H) method, which calculates the Higuchi dimension using points obtained by performing a Poincaré section of a certain attractor. The P&H method generates distinctive patterns that can be used for determining if a given attractor is produced by a deterministic or a stochastic system, but this method is sensitive to the parameters of the Poincaré section. Patterns generated by the P&H method can be characterized using numerical measures which in turn can be used for finding such parameters for the Poincaré section for which the patterns produced by the P&H method are the most prominent. This paper studies several approaches to parameterization of the Poincaré section. Proposed approaches are tested on twelve time series, six produced by deterministic chaotic systems and six generated randomly. The obtained results show, that finding good parameters of the Poincaré section is important for determining the type of behavior of a time series. Among the tested methods the evolutionary algorithm was able to find the best Poincaré sections for use with the P&H method.

Numerical computation of discrete differential scattering cross sections for Monte Carlo charged particle transport

We investigate a method for numerically generating discrete scattering cross sections for use in charged particle transport simulations. We describe the cross section generation procedure and compare it to existing methods used to obtain discrete cross sections. The numerical approach presented here is generalized to allow greater flexibility in choosing a cross section model from which to derive discrete values. Cross section data computed with this method compare favorably with discrete data generated with an existing method. Additionally, a charged particle transport capability is demonstrated in the time-dependent Implicit Monte Carlo radiative transfer code, Milagro. We verify the implementation of charged particle transport in Milagro with analytic test problems and we compare calculated electron depth–dose profiles with another particle transport code that has a validated electron transport capability. Finally, we investigate the integration of the new discrete cross section generation method with the charged particle transport capability in Milagro.