Effects of packaging SrI2(Eu) scintillator crystals

Recent renewed emphasis placed on gamma-ray detectors for national security purposes has motivated researchers to identify and develop new scintillator materials capable of high energy resolution and growable to large sizes. We have discovered that SrI₂(Eu) has many desirable properties for gamma-ray detection and spectroscopy, including high light yield of ∼90,000 photons/MeV and excellent light yield proportionality. We have measured <2.7% FWHM at 662 keV with small detectors (<1 cm³) in direct contact with a photomultiplier tube, and ∼3% resolution at 662 keV is obtained for 1 in.³ crystals. Due to the hygroscopic nature of SrI₂(Eu), similar to NaI(Tl), proper packaging is required for field use. This work describes a systematic study performed to determine the key factors in the packaging process to optimize performance. These factors include proper polishing of the surface, the geometry of the crystal, reflector materials and windows. A technique based on use of a collimated ¹³⁷Cs source was developed to examine light collection uniformity. Employing this technique, we found that when the crystal is packaged properly, the variation in the pulse height at 662 keV from events near the bottom of the crystal compared to those near the top of the crystal could be reduced to <1%. This paper describes the design and engineering of our detector package in order to improve energy resolution of 1 in.³-scale SrI₂(Eu) crystals.     

Molecular subtyping of Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum

PURPOSE: Psychosocial distress and patient attitude towards psychosocial support as well as the correlations with clinical and sociodemographic characteristics should be assessed. METHODS: The stress due to cancer was measured in a consecutive sample of tumor patients at the start of radiotherapy (n = 117) by use of the Hornheide Questionnaire. In addition, the interest of these patients in professional psychosocial support was assessed with the help of the Questionnaire for Psychosocial Support. RESULTS: Patients in the course of radiotherapy and patients with a poor prognosis and advanced disease were more strongly distressed. 32.7% of patients wished professional psychosocial support from the oncologist treating them, 40.6% of the patients wished support from the oncologist and additionally from a psychotherapist or social worker. Interest in professional psychosocial support correlated with the amount of distress, but not with sociodemographic variables. CONCLUSIONS: Results stress the importance of training programs for oncologists in order to improve their ability to detect psychosocial distress in cancer patients and to offer adequate emotional support to them.     

Correlation of glucose consumption and tumor cell density in astrocytomas. A stereotactic PET study

To determine histological correlates of the variability of glucose consumption in astrocytomas, the authors performed positron emission tomography (PET) with 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) and matched the PET scans three-dimensionally with computerized tomography scans obtained in a stereotactic frame before biopsy. Ten patients with astrocytomas of World Health Organization Grade 2 or 3 were studied; patients with glioblastomas, oligodendrogliomas, or oligoastrocytomas were excluded from the study to avoid any confounding effects of different cell types and necroses. In samples of pure tumor, glucose consumption correlated significantly with cell density, but not with nuclear polymorphism. It is concluded that tumor cell density is a major determinant of glucose consumption in astrocytomas. The use of PET with FDG may help to locate the highest cell density and thus improve the diagnostic yield of stereotactic biopsy.     

Behavioral interventions to increase HPV vaccination acceptability among mothers of young girls.

Objective: To determine the most effective ways to present human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine risk and benefit information to mothers in Hispanic, African American, and White communities, to increase mothers’ intentions to vaccinate their daughters against HPV. Design: The study used a 3 × 2 between-subjects factorial design, involving 3 different risk presentation formats (graphical HPV statistics, nongraphical HPV statistics, or no-statistics control) and the presence or absence of rhetorical questions (RQ). Data were collected from a national sample of 471 mothers of girls ages 11–16. Main Outcome Variables: The primary outcome variable was mothers’ intention to vaccinate their daughters against HPV. Secondary outcomes included mothers’ self-reported message comprehension and perceptions of daughters’ vulnerability to HPV infection, infection severity, vaccine efficacy, and obstacles to immunization. Results and Conclusion: Results showed that both risk presentation format and RQs had an overall positive effect on mothers’ intention to vaccinate their daughters. However, the interventions appear to be more effective when used separately than when used in combination. Each of these interventions is brief and could easily be implemented by health care providers as well as in patient health communication literature. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The behaviour of WB 35 piping material under dynamic loading in the high speed tensile test

For the determination of the strength-, deformation- and fracture behaviour of the material 17 MnMoV 6 4 (WB 35) which is used for piping components, tensile tests were carried out at different loading rates (monotonic and impact-type) on smooth and notched pipe strip specimens over a temperature range extending from − 30°C to 250°C.For the conduct of the tests a hydraulic high speed tensile machine having a free motion device was used; the velocity of impact was preset at ca. 7 m/s.With impact-type (dynamically) loaded specimens in general higher strength and deformation values were obtained than with monotonic (statically) loaded ones. In all of the specimens having low deformation values which were investigated microfractographically, ductile portions were found adjacent to the notch on the fracture surface.     

Electrokinetic phosphorus recovery from packed beds of sewage sludge ash: yield and energy demand

The static lifetime of primary phosphate stocks is estimated as one century. Thus, the exploitation of secondary phosphorus sources becomes increasingly important. This study focussed on the feasibility of an electrokinetic phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge ash (P-content ~5 wt%). Packed bed experiments were conducted under varied electric conditions with and without acid pre-treatment and employing porous and ion exchange materials as electrode wells. Maximum values of phosphate concentration obtained in all experiments were around 2.5 g L⁻¹. Galvanostatic conditions were superior to potentiostatic conditions and acid pre-treatment is preferable over packed bed saturation with water. Ion-exchange membranes improved the product quality but increased the energy demand. Phosphorus recovery below 1% of the initial contents shows that the recovery setup must be improved in view of a marketable application.     

Family planning services in developing countries: an opportunity to treat asymptomatic and unrecognised genital tract infections?

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic and unrecognised genital tract infections among women attending a family planning clinic in rural South Africa. METHODS: 189 consecutive women had genital samples taken to diagnose infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Trichomonas vaginalis, Candida albicans, Treponema pallidum, and HIV, and to diagnose bacterial vaginosis. RESULTS: Mean age was 25 years; 155 (82%) were unmarried, 156 (83%) were currently using contraception, and 41 (22%) reported having an STD treated in the preceding 12 months. Although none volunteered abnormal urogenital symptoms, 74 (39%) had at least one elicited by direct questioning. 119 women (63%) had at least one genital infection: N gonorrhoeae (eight; 4%), C trachomatis (14; 8%), T vaginalis (26; 14%), C albicans (56; 30%), active syphilis (15; 8%), HIV (44; 24%), and bacterial vaginosis (29; 15%). 49 women (26%) had multiple infections. Most infections (71; 60%) were asymptomatic. Symptomatic women failed to recognise and report their symptoms, and routine services failed to detect the infections. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of genital tract infection is high among these women, most infections are asymptomatic, and symptomatic infections are frequently not recognised. Women attending family planning clinics in such settings should be screened for syphilis and offered testing for HIV infection. Strategies to detect and treat other genital infections need to be developed.     

The psychologist in the Problem-Oriented Record (POR).

The Problem-Oriented Record is a system developed by L. L. Weed for rendering the patient's treatment record more powerful and professionally useful. The POR can be seen as (a) fostering a continuing scientific and educative attitude in clinical work (a summary of the POR is provided), and (b) facilitating adherence to formal standards of record keeping in mental health and psychological practice. The POR may be considered (a) adaptable not only to behavioral methods but to other theoretical approaches (examples from psychological reports are provided) and (b) able to demonstrate its adequacy in the face of several kinds of inquiry. Consideration of the POR by applied psychologists is recommended. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)