Beam collimation and bolusing material optimizations for 10boron neutron capture enhancement of fast neutron (BNCEFN): definition of the optimum irradiation technique.

PURPOSE: In boron-10 neutron capture enhancement of fast neutron irradiation (BNCEFN), the dose enhancement is correlated to the 10B concentration and thermal neutron flux. A new irradiation technique is presented to optimize the thermal neutron flux. METHODS AND MATERIALS: The coupled FLUKA and MCNP-4A Monte Carlo codes were used to simulate the neutron production and transport for the Nice and Orleans facilities. RESULTS: The new irradiation technique consists of a 20-cm lead blocks additional collimator, placed close to the patient's head, which is embedded in a pure graphite cube. A 24-fold thermal neutron flux increase is calculated between a 5 x 5 cm2 primary collimated field, with the patient's head in the air, and the same field size irradiated with the optimum irradiation technique. This increase is more important for the p(60)+Be Nice beam than for the p(34)+Be Orleans one. The thermal neutron flux is 2.1 x 10(10) n(th)/Gy for each facility. Assuming a 100 microg/g 10B concentration, a physical dose enhancement of 22% is calculated. Moreover, the thermal neutron flux becomes independent of the field size and the phantom head size. CONCLUSION: This technique allows conformal irradiation of the tumor bed, while the thermal neutron flux is enhanced, and spreads far around the tumor.

[The fluorosis problem in Senegal: data evaluation and presentation of a new method for defluoridating the water supply]. / Sur le problème de la fluorose au Sénégal: bilan des connaissances et présentation d'une nouvelle méthode de défluoruration des eaux de boisson.

Fluoride intoxication is a serious public health problem in Senegal. The concentration of fluoride ions in underground water in Senegal is higher than the acceptable standard (0.7 mg/l at 25 degrees C) varying between 5 and 15 mg/l according to the season. The hydrological pattern of fluoride ions in Senegalese water is presented. The high levels of fluoride ions are due to the presence of phosphate ores. The health problems associated with the ingestion of toxic doses (about 4 mg/l) are discussed. Epidemiological investigation shows that the intoxication in Senegal is serious. In addition to fluoride in drinking water, high levels are also found in food, particularly tea and vegetables. Nanofiltration is a low cost membrane-based process which can be used to eliminate fluoride from drinking waters. Also known as low pressure reverse osmosis, this process is selective for small molecules and ions. It can thus sterilize and partially demineralize water. Furthermore, it can require only small amounts of energy, such that it can be run from photoelectric cells.