Comparative study of depth-dose distributions for beams of light and heavy nuclei in tissue-like media

We study the energy deposition by beams of light and heavy nuclei in tissue-like media for their possible application in charged-particle cancer therapy. The depth-dose distributions for protons, ³He, ¹²C, ²⁰Ne and ⁵⁸Ni nuclei are calculated within a Monte Carlo model based on the GEANT4 toolkit. These distributions are compared with each other and with available experimental data. It is demonstrated that nuclear fragmentation reactions essentially reduce the peak-to-plateau ratio of the dose profiles for deeply penetrating energetic ions heavier than ³He. On the other hand, the shapes of depth-dose profiles for all projectiles up to ⁵⁸Ni were found similar at low penetration depths.     

Errors in heart measurements and main requirements for metrological support of heat-energy metering devices

This article examines metrological aspects of the problem of improving the accuracy of measurement of heat energy and reducing the imbalances between suppliers and consumers. Metrological requirements are formulated for different blocks of a measurement system along with standards for their substantiation. The metrological characteristics of the components that meter heat, energy are calculated by computer programs on the basis of the actual systematic errors of the corresponding blocks. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 1, pp. 36–39, January, 1999.     

Procedure for Determining Heat Losses Through the Insulation of Hot-Water Pipes

A procedure is described for determining heat losses. The procedure establishes the content of work on determining heat losses through the insulation of hot-water pipes and the way of carrying it out and is extended to all steam and water-filled hot-water pipes (above and below ground) employed in heat-distribution, housing-block, and main-line heating networks.     

Metrological maintenance of junctions for metering heat energy and hot water

A new approach to estimating the error in measuring heat energy and the flow rate of hot water at metering junctions is proposed. The results of the analysis enable one to determine the sources of systematic errors, to formulate the require-ments imposed on the metrological characteristics of the units which form part of the heat meters, and on the conditions and aims of the check, and also enable the idea of “metrological maintenance” to be introduced. The need to develop new standard documents which regulate the approach to error estimates is pointed out. Translated from Izmeritel'naya Tekhnika, No. 11, pp. 54–56, November, 1998.     

Study of Deep Levels in a HIT Solar Cell

The results of studying a HIT (heterojunction with an intrinsic thin layer) Ag/ITO/a-Si:H(p)/a-Si:H(i)/c-Si(n)/a-Si:H(i)/a-Si:H(n⁺)/ITO/Ag solar cell by the capacitance–voltage characteristic and current deep-level relaxation transient spectroscopy methods are presented. The temperature dependence of the capacitance–voltage characteristics of the HIT structure and deep-energy-level parameters are studied. The results of comprehensive studies by the above methods are used to determine the features of the energy-band diagram of actual HIT structures.     

Analysis and refinement of mathematical tools for modified time-of-flight method

The modified time-of-flight method for direct measuring of the electric field profile in the space-charge region of the Schottky-type contacts is theoretically substantiated. A technique is developed for disordered semiconductors, such as hydrogenated amorphous silicon. The mathematical tools for calculation of the field profile are refined, the obtained results are analyzed, and applicability limits of the modified time-of-flight technique are demonstrated.     

Binocular optical electronic complex for venous diagnostics

We consider the structure of a binocular optical electronic diagnostic complex, distinguish the main stages of image preprocessing and analysis of investigated objects, and describe how the complex may be used for diagnostics of deep venous thrombosis of lower extremities. Miroshnichenko Sergey Yur’evich. Born 1983. 5th-year student at the Kursk State Technical University. Scientific interests: systems of technical vision, images pre-processing and pattern recognition. Mishustin Vladimir Nikolaevich. Born 1964. Graduated from the Kursk State Medical University in 1989. Received his candidate’a degree in 1994. Author of 30 scientific publications including 26 papers and 4 publications in proceedings of conferences. Has 3 patents of the Russian Federation. Awarded medals of the Russian Academy of Science and the Ministry of Education. Scientific interests: diagnostics and prognosis of thromboembolic coplications of patients with injuries. Shirabakina Tamara Alexandrovna Born 1955. Graduated from the Tomsk Polytechnical Institute in 1978. Received her candidate’s degree in 1983. Author of 7 books and courses, 75 scientific publications. Scientific interests: machine vision, image analysis and robotics.