The NRL Cyclotron Beam Control and Handling System

The beam handling apparatus and its associated remote control arrangements are described for the NRL Cyclotron Beam Transport System. The need for reducing duplication of controls and power supplies for such a multi-beam-path facility resulted in the development of a rapid master selector system which can be programmed to accommodate the different beam path requirements. All ion optics and beam sensing components along any particular beam path can be activated from a single selector panel, and then individually controlled. The beam transport display, vacuum control display, and control console, are laid out in graphic form wherever feasible in an effort to present readout and control information concisely and continuously. Precision, versatility, modular construction, and ease of maintenance guided the mechanical and electrical design criteria. Design details and prototypes of beam stops, scanners, viewers, collimators, probes, and pumping stations, are discussed.     

Comparison of technetium 99m nanocolloid and indium 111 leucocytes in the diagnosis of orthopaedic infections

It has been suggested that technetium 99m nanocolloid is as effective an inflammatory radiopharmaceutical as indium 111 leucocytes. This study compares the efficacy of 99Tcm nanocolloid and 111In leucocytes in the detection of orthopaedic infection in 19 patients with a high clinical suspicion of infection. The two scintigrams were performed within 24 h of each other. A scintigram was considered positive where there was an increase in tracer uptake at the site of interest. Concordance rate of 73% was achieved. The numbers of false positives with 111In leucocytes and 99Tcm nanocolloid were three and six respectively. The single false negative in both was of a patient with tuberculous spondylodiscitis. Sensitivity was 75% in both. Specificities were 79% and 60% for 111In leucocytes and 99Tcm nanocolloid respectively. Positive Predictive Value was only 33% with 99Tcm nanocolloid and 50% with 111In leucocytes. 99Tcm nanocolloid also proved less reliable in accurately detecting infected prostheses. We conclude that 99Tcm nanocolloid cannot replace 111In leucocytes in the diagnosis of orthopaedic infections.     

Selection of proper mounting media for examining heterogeneous copolymers with the phase microscope

A technique for examining heterogeneous copolymers with the phase microscope is described. This method is based on the use of a mounting medium that displays selective solubility toward the constituent materials, thereby masking one or more phases in order to provide suitable phase contrast and isolation of the constituent to be examined.     

Perception of form by the human infant.

Presents a review of research on the young infant's responses to visual patterns, emphasizing what these responses indicate about the capacity of form perception in the infant. Both visual scanning patterns and discrimination data are treated. A presentation of theoretical positions and a consideration of some of the problems and techniques involved in this research are included. It is concluded that there seems to be no evidence to date which necessitates rejection of the prevailing view that the perception of the infant is qualitatively similar to that of the adult. (85 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Clinical significance of thyrotropin measurement by immunoradiometric assay and thyrotropin-releasing hormone test

The levels of serum TSH were measured by a sensitive immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) method and the responses of TSH to TRH stimulation were observed in three groups of hyperthyroidism, primary hypothyroidism and secondary hypothyroidism. The levels of serum TSH were found to be undetected in 98% (1/51) of the patients with hyperthyroidism, very high in 100% (35/35) of the patients with primary hypothyroidism and normal in 91% (30/33) of the patients with secondary hypothyroidism. TRH test showed no responses of TSH in all patients with hyperthyroidism, high responses in all patients with primary hypothyroidism and blunt responses in 69% (11/16) of patients with secondary hypothyroidism. The results indicate that the measurement of serum TSH by IRMA is a sensitive index in the diagnosis of hyperthyroidism and primary hypothyroidism, but can not be differentiated the secondary hypothyroidism from normal conditions. TRH test may be helpful in the differential diagnosis between secondary hypothyroidism and normal conditions.     

Ultrastructure and immunoreactivity of dystrophic axons indicate a different pathogenesis of Hallervorden-Spatz disease and infantile neuroaxonal dystrophy

Mitochondria fulfill important functions in photosynthetic cells not only in darkness but also in light. Mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation is probably the main mechanism to supply ATP for extrachloroplastic functions in both conditions. Furthermore, during photosynthesis mitochondrial electron transport is important for regulation of the redox balance in the cell. This makes mitochondrial function an integral part of a flexible metabolic system in the photosynthetic cell. This flexibility is probably very important in order to allow the metabolism to override disturbances caused by the changing environment which plants are adapted to.