Sterilization by gamma radiation of antibiotic impregnated polymethylmethacrylate and plaster of Paris beads. A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Ethylene oxide is currently recommended for sterilization of antibiotic impregnated beads; however this method carries health risks to personnel and is becoming less available. OBJECTIVE: To perform a pilot study of the effect of radiation for sterilization of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and plaster of Paris (POP) beads impregnated with amikacin, enrofloxacin, and ceftiofur. HYPOTHESIS: Radiation would effectively sterilize the beads without affecting the efficacy of the antibiotic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Beads of PMMA and POP were prepared in a clean but non-sterile manner with one of the three antibiotics (amikacin, enrofloxacin, ceftiofur) or no antibiotic. Beads were then exposed to radiation for a total dose of 0 kiloGray (kGy), 10 kGy and 25 kGy. Beads were incubated on Mueller-Hinton agar plates seeded with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa for 24 hours or cultured in brain-heart infusion broth for 48 hours. Zones of inhibition were measured on the agar plates and statistics were performed on the diameters of the zones of inhibition using an analysis of variance. RESULTS: There were no differences in the diameters of inhibition for all levels of radiation for all PMMA beads. The same was true with POP beads with the exception of enrofloxacin which had a significantly decreased zone of inhibition with increased levels of radiation, though the clinical significance of this finding was not assessed. Only beads without antibiotics and not exposed to radiation had bacterial growth. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Radiation may be an effective method of sterilization for antibiotic impregnated beads.

Utilization of waste phosphogypsum to prepare hydroxyapatite nanoparticles and its application towards removal of fluoride from aqueous solution.

In the present study, waste phosphogypsum (PG) was utilized firstly to prepare hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (nHAp) via microwave irradiation technology. The nHAp derived from PG exhibited a hexagonal structure with the particle size about 20 nm × 60 nm and high purity. Meanwhile, the adsorption behaviour of fluoride onto the nHAp derived from PG was investigated to evaluate the potential application of this material for the treatment of the wastewater polluted with fluoride. The results indicate that the nHAp derived from PG can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of fluoride from aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacities calculated from Langmuir-Freundlich model were 19.742, 26.108, 36.914 and 40.818 mg F(-)/g nHAp for 298, 308, 318 and 328 K, respectively. The pseudo-second order kinetic model was found to provide the best correlation of the used experimental data compared to the pseudo-first order and the adsorption isotherm could be well defined by Langmuir-Freundlich equation. The adsorption mechanism investigation shows that electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bond are the main driving force for fluoride uptake onto nHAp derived from waste PG.

EPR-TL correlation studies on Bi co-doped CaSO4:Dy phosphor.

CaSO(4):Dy, CaSO(4):(Dy, Bi) and CaSO(4):Bi phosphors were prepared through re-crystallization method. Thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of these phosphor samples were investigated. The radiation induced radical ions formed in these phosphors were investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The main signals observed in both CaSO(4):(Dy, Bi) and CaSO(4):Bi were identified as SO(4)(-) (II), SO(4)(-) (⊥) and SO(3)(-) (isotropic) with "g" values 2.023, 2.0089 and 2.004, respectively. In order to understand the TL mechanism, CaSO(4):(Dy, Bi) phosphor samples were annealed between 100 and 250 °C and their EPR spectra were studied. It was observed that EPR signal intensities reduce drastically in 250 °C annealed phosphor confirming the role of SO(4)(-) and SO(3)(-) types of defect centers in the dosimetric peak. The reduction in the TL sensitivity with increase in Bi(3+) co-dopant in the phosphor samples was correlated with quenching of TL by Bi(3+) ions rather than the reduction in the concentration of the above defect centers. An effort was also made to use the Bi(3+) co-doped CaSO(4):Dy phosphor for dosimetry of chilled or frozen food irradiation.

[The posibility of usage microwave energy as an alternative method of disinfection for silicone impressions in orthopaedic dentistry].

In this experimental investigation estimated the effect of microwave disinfection on the alteration of dimensional stability of silicone impressions and gypsum casts poured from them comparing to an invariable parameters of metal die. In this article uncovers the main point of origin, spreading and influence according to the classical theory of electro-magnetic waves (EMW) as an example was used the model M745R Samsung microwave oven. We evaluated possibilities and advantages of use the auxiliary plant for flowing regulation of the power of microwave radiation that calls "microUndaDent". It was designed, developed and installated by us in the department of orthopaedic dentistry.

Optically stimulated luminescence dosimetry with gypsum wallboard (drywall).

Gypsum wallboard (drywall) represents an attractive target for retrospective dosimetry by optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) in the event of a radiological accident or malicious use of nuclear material. In this study, wallboard is shown to display a radiation-induced luminescence signal (RIS) as well as a natural background signal (NS), which is comparable in intensity to the RIS. Excitation and emission spectra show that maximum luminescence intensity is obtained for stimulation with blue light-emitting diodes (470 nm) and for detection in the ultraviolet region (290-370 nm). It is necessary to decrease the optical stimulation power dramatically in order to adequately separate the RIS from the interfering background signal. The necessary protocols are developed for accurately measuring the absorbed dose as low as 500 mGy and demonstrate that the RIS decays logarithmically with storage time, with complete erasure expected within 1-4 d.

Modeling the thermoluminescent response of CaSO4:Dy by the MCNPX method.

This work describes an algorithm for absorbed dose evaluation in the region of X-ray diagnostic energy based on the response of CaSO(4):Dy thermoluminescence powder detectors. The absorbed dose was calculated using Monte Carlo simulation code (MCSC) and then compared to the experimental TLD results for X-rays effective energies (60)Co gamma radiation. In order to study the photon interaction in the matter, a cylindrical model of 1 cm(3) was used. The gamma radiation source was placed at 100 cm to the object; the source is considered as an isotropic source of (60)Co. The energy deposited into the cylindrical model was determined by the Monte Carlo N-particle (MCNPX) method. Measurements of the TL phosphors were obtained by irradiating the powder by gamma radiation. TL glow curve of CaSO(4):Dy after gamma irradiated at a 1 Gy of absorbed dose was then obtained.

Preparation of CaSO4:Dy by precipitation method to gamma radiation dosimetry.

This paper presents the results of the preparation and characterization of dysprosium-doped calcium sulfate (CaSO(4):Dy) phosphor, which was obtained by homogeneous precipitation from calcium acetate Ca(CH(3)COO(-))(2). Structural and morphological characteristics were studied using a scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The structure of all compounds was determined by X-ray diffraction method too. Thermoluminescence (TL) emission properties of CaSO(4):Dy under gamma radiation effects were studied. This phosphor powder presented a TL glow curve with two peaks (Tmax) centered at around of 180 and 300 degrees C, respectively. The TL response of CaSO(4):Dy as a function of gamma absorbed dose was linear in a wide range. Both emission and excitation spectra were also obtained. Results showed that this new preparation method of CaSO(4):Dy TL phosphor is less expensive, cleaner and safer than the conventional preparation method.

High-sensitive CaSO4:Dy thermoluminescent phosphor synthesis by co-precipitation technique.

This paper describes the successful development of the co-precipitation technique for the preparation of a high-sensitive dysprosium-doped calcium sulphate (CaSO(4):Dy) thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) phosphor with dosimetric glow peak at approximately 230 degrees C which is a desired development in the field of radiation protection dosimetry. The main advantages of this co-precipitation technique over the conventional recrystallisation technique of phosphor preparation are: (i) preparation time is very less; (ii) quantity of sulphuric acid evaporated is insignificant; (iii) higher TL sensitivity -20% more than the present material; (iv) better glow curve structure; (v) lesser glow peak shift and better linearity to gamma and (vi) uniform crystal morphology and lower grain size-all grains are mostly cuboidal in shape, quite uniform and small (average size about 25 microm), suitable for manufacturing teflon discs in as-prepared form. Optimum values of various parameters in the method of preparation for a batch of 20 g CaSO(4):Dy phosphors to obtain maximum TL sensitivity, with favourable glow curves are studied.

The laser-induced discoloration of stonework; a comparative study on its origins and remedies.

For understanding the phenomena associated with the discoloration observed in some cases of infrared laser cleaned stonework surfaces, a comparative study of three different types and morphologies of pollution encrustation and stone substrates was undertaken. Fragments originating from monuments with historic and/or artistic value, bearing homogeneous thin soiling on Pentelic marble (Athens, Greece), thick encrustation on Hontoria limestone (Burgos, Spain) and compact thin crust on gypsum decorations (Athens, Greece), have been studied on the basis of their composition and origin, together with the conditions that may induce yellowing effects upon their laser cleaning with IR wavelengths. While irradiation in the UV (i.e. at 355 nm) could not effectively remove the encrustations studied, irradiation at 1,064 nm was found efficient to remove all the studied pollution accumulations. Discoloration towards yellow was evident in all cases and at different levels, including the samples with intentional patination layer. To the limit of Raman detection no chemical alterations were detected on the irradiated areas while the presence of yellow polar compounds in all the pollution crusts studied supports the argument that the discoloration of the stone surfaces upon their IR irradiation may be due to the uncovering of existing yellow layers as result of the migration of these compounds inwards to the original stone surface. To correct and/or prevent such undesired coloration the use of IR and UV radiation both in sequential and synchronous mode was considered, with positive results.

Preliminary dosimetric characterisation of thermoluminescent materials for beta radiation monitoring at nuclear medicine services.

Beta emitters are widely used in nuclear medicine for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The critical groups exposed to a radioactive patient include the staff, other patients and members of the public accompanying the patient. The aim of this work is to characterise thermoluminescent (TL) materials for the staff monitoring of nuclear medicine services that manipulate beta radiation solutions of (153)Sm. This study was performed using CaSO(4):Dy + Teflon pellets, produced at IPEN, with different dimensions. For the dosimetric characterisation, these TL dosemeters were exposed to gamma source ((60)Co) and to beta sealed sources ((90)Sr + (90)Y, (204)Tl and (147)Pm) and to a non-sealed source ((153)Sm). Results were obtained related to reproducibility, lower detection limits, calibration curves, angle and energy dependence of response. All tested materials show usefulness for monitoring of workers exposed to beta radiation.

Defect centres and thermoluminescence in CaSO4:Dy,Ag phosphor.

The defect centres formed in the TL phosphor CaSO4:Dy,Ag are studied using the technique of Electron Spin Resonance. The Ag co-doped phosphor exhibits three glow peaks around 130, 220 and 375 degrees C in contrast with the two glow peaks observed in the CaSO4:Dy phosphor at 130 and 220 degrees C at a gamma ray dose of 1Gy. ESR studies show that the additional peak at 375 degrees C correlates with a Ag2+ centre formed due to gamma irradiation and observable only below -170 degrees C. The Ag2+ centre is characterised by an axial g-tensor with principal values g(parallel) = 2.38 and g(perpendicular) = 2.41. ESR studies further indicate that the precursor to a centre observable at low temperature (-170 degrees C) appears to act as the recombination centre for the TL peak at 375 degrees C; this radical is characterised by the g-values g(parallel) = 2.0023 and g(perpendicular) = 2.0038 and is assigned to SO3- radical. It is observed that there is more incorporation of Ag in the CaSO4:Dy system as compared with that in pure CaSO4 system.

Correlation of phase transition with the change in TL characteristics in CaSO4:Dy phosphor--effect of thermal treatment.

The study is aimed at optimising the glow curve structure of CaSO4:Dy phosphor for dosimetric purpose and also to understand the observed changes owing to thermal treatment in the thermoluminescence (TL) sensitivity and glow curve structure. The reversible changes in the intensities of the lower temperature satellite peak and the main dosimetric glow peak with temperature of thermal treatment in the temperature range 400-700 degrees C indicates the interconversion of defect complexes responsible for the glow peaks in CaSO4:Dy. Phosphor samples subjected to thermal treatment in temperature range beyond 800 degrees C, showed irreversible changes in the intensities of the lower temperature and dosimetric peaks. The changes in TL characteristics of the phosphor for thermal treatments >800 degrees C are attributed to the partial phase transition in the phosphor as confirmed by the XRD and TG/DTA analysis of the phosphor.

Glow peak temperature, supralinearity and LET dependence of TLDs--correlation studies.

The study of the well separated low and high temperature glow peaks in CaSO4:Dy and CaF2:Tm was undertaken to develop comparative data on supralinearity of low and high temperature glow peaks for their use in the estimation of elapsed time of exposure and to analyse their responses to low and high-linear energy transfer (LET) radiation. In CaSO4:Dy, unlike its dosimetric peak, the structure of glow peaks at approximately 140 and 400 degrees C remains unchanged (peak position changes within 4 degrees C) with 60Co gamma-ray exposure up to 1 kGy air kerma. The glow peaks at 140 degrees C exhibited higher supralinearity than that of the peaks at 240 and 400 degrees C. In CaF2:Tm, 110 degrees C glow peak exhibited higher supralinearity and higher response to high-LET radiation as compared with 150 degrees C glow peak. No correlation between glow peak temperature and supralinearity or the LET response was observed.

Radiological properties of a wax-gypsum compensator material.

In this paper the radiological properties of a compensator material consisting of wax and gypsum is presented. Effective attenuation coefficients (EACs) have been determined from transmission measurements with an ion chamber in a Perspex phantom. Measurements were made at 80 and 100 cm source-to-skin distance (SSD) for beam energies of 6, 8, and 15 MV, for field sizes ranging from narrow beam geometries up to 40 x 40 cm2, and at measurement depths of maximum dose build-up, 5 and 10 cm. A parametrization equation could be constructed to predict the EAC values within 4% uncertainty as a function of field size and depth of measurement. The EAC dependence on off-axis position was also quantified at each beam energy and SSD. It was found that the compensator material reduced the required thickness for compensation by 26% at 8 MV when compared to pure paraffin wax for a 10 x 10 cm2 field. Relative surface ionization (RSI) measurements have been made to quantify the effect of scattered electrons from the wax-gypsum compensator. Results indicated that for 80 cm SSD the RSI would exceed 50% for fields larger than 15 x 15 cm2. At 100 cm SSD the RSI values were below 50% for all field sizes used.

Performance of different thermoluminescence dosimeters in 90SR+90Y radiation fields.

The dosimetry of beta radiation is a difficult process especially because of the low penetration of beta particles in matter. The dosemeter utilised for this kind of procedure needs to approximate an ideal point-like detector: it should be as thin as possible, and its area should be small. The thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs) meet with these requirement properties. The aim of this work was to study the dosimetric characteristics of different TLDs to verify the possibility of their use for the calibration of 90Sr+90Y plane applicators. The response reproducibility, calibration curves, TL response as a function of the source-detector distance, the transmission factors and the linearity of the sample response were obtained for several types of dosimetric pellets.

Development of a TL detector for neutron measurement by CaSO4:Dy phosphors.

Personal neutron dosimetry is quite a difficult area because a neutron is always accompanied with gamma radiation, which is required of a capability for mixed field dosimetry. CaSO4:Dy phosphor is known to have a very high sensitivity to gamma radiation, but the neutron capture cross section of the constituents of CaSO4:Dy are so small that the interactions between the thermal neutron and the phosphor are rare. One method to improve the neutron interaction is by introducing an impurity ion with a large thermal neutron captures cross section into the phosphor to act as a neutron target centre such as 6Li. In neutron-gamma mixed radiation fields, if two detectors for the 6Li-7Li compounds embedded CaSO4:Dy thermoluminescent (TL) pellets are used, a 6Li-compound embedded pellet can detect the neutron and gamma radiations together, and the other pellet can only detect the gamma radiation. Recently, the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) has developed a new type of CaSO4:Dy TL materials embedded with phosphorous (KCT-300) to detect beta and gamma radiation with a very high sensitivity. This paper presents the development of CaSO4:Dy TL pellets embedded with 6Li compound for a thermal neutron measurement, and the detection method of the neutron and gamma dose in mixed fields with CaSO4:Dy TL pellets embedded with a 6Li compound (KCT-306) and CaSO4:Dy TL pellets embedded with a 7Li compound (KCT-307) is introduced. The net neutron sensitivity of CaSO4:Dy TL pellets embedded with 6Li compound developed in this study is about two times higher than that of the TLD-600 (Harshaw Chemical) dosemeter which is available commercially.

Neutron absorbed dose determination by calculations of recoil energy.

The aim of this work is to calculate the absorbed dose to matter due to neutrons in the 5-150 MeV energy range. Materials involved in the calculations are Al2O3, CaSO4 and CaS, which may be used as dosemeters and have already been studied for their luminescent properties. The absorbed dose is assumed to be mainly due to the energy deposited by the recoils. Elastic reactions are treated with the ECIS code while for the non-elastic ones, a Monte Carlo code has been developed and allowed to follow the nucleus decay and to determine its characteristics (nature and energy). Finally, the calculations show that the absorbed dose is mainly due to non-elastic process and that above 20 MeV this dose decreases slightly with the neutron energy.

Effectiveness of compensating filters in the presence of tissue inhomogeneities.

CT based 3D treatment planning systems (3DTPS) can be used to design compensating filters that, in addition to missing tissue compensation, can account for tissue inhomogeneities. The use of computer-driven systems provides a practical, convenient, and accurate method of fabricating compensating filters. In this work, we have evaluated a commercially available PAR Scientific DIGIMILL milling machine linked with FOCUS 3DTPS. Compensating filters were fabricated using refined gypsum material with no additives. Thus, filters were of manageable dimensions and were not sensitive to common machining errors. Compensating filters were evaluated using a homogeneous step phantom and step phantoms containing various internal inhomogeneities (air, cork, and bone). The accuracy of two planning algorithms used to design filters was experimentally evaluated. The superposition algorithm was found to produce better agreement with measurements than the Clarkson algorithm. Phantom measurements have demonstrated that compensating filters were able to produce a uniform dose distribution along the compensation plane in the presence of tissue inhomogeneity. However, the dose variation was greatly amplified in planes located beyond the inhomogeneity when a single compensated beam was used. The use of parallel-opposed compensated beams eliminated this problem. Both lateral and depth-dose uniformity was achieved throughout the target volume.

Microwave drying of high strength dental stone: effects on dimensional accuracy.

High-strength dental stone is widely used to produce dies for the fabrication of restorations with the lost-wax technique. It is normal to wait at least 24 hours for casts to dry and gain sufficient strength prior to initiating laboratory procedures. This waiting time may be greatly reduced by using microwave drying. This study determined the optimum microwave energy density for preserving working die accuracy of a Type IV high-strength dental stone (Silky Rock; Whipmix). Cylindrical die specimens were fabricated according to manufacturer's instructions and allowed to set for one hour. The specimens were subsequently treated as follows: Group I (Control group)--air dried; Group II--microwaved at 700W for 40 seconds; Group III--microwaved at 490W for 60 seconds. The percentage weight loss of cylindrical specimens (n = 6) and the percentage dimensional change (n = 7) of die specimens in three axes (x, y and z) were determined at 30 minutes, 1 hour and 24 hours after air drying/microwaving. Weight loss was measured using an electronic digital balance, while dimensional changes were assessed using image analysis software. Data was subject to ANOVA/Scheffe's tests at significance level 0.05. No significant difference in percentage weight loss was observed between air drying for 24 hours and microwaved specimens at all time intervals. Although no significant difference in percentage dimensional changes was observed between specimens microwaved at 490W for 60 seconds and specimens air dried for 24 hours, significant changes in x, y and z dimensions were observed after microwaving at 700W for 40 seconds at various time intervals. Microwave radiation at 490W for 60 seconds is recommended for drying Type IV high-strength dental stone. Further investigations are required to determine changes in physical properties associated with the aforementioned microwave power density.

Refined gypsum effective attenuation coefficients for Co-60, 6 MV, 10 MV and 18 MV x-rays.

We report new effective linear attenuation coefficients (mueff) for refined gypsum for Co-60 and 18 MV x-rays. 6 MV and 10 MV mueff agree with published data. For a 100 cm2 field size (FS), tissue defect x = 1.35 cm, target depth d = 1.65 cm beneath the tissue defect x, mueff is 0.123 cm(-1) (Co-60) and 0.0934 cm(-1) (6 MV). For 100 cm2, x = 1.35 cm, and d = 5.65 cm beneath x, mueff is 0.072 cm(-1) (10 MV), and 0.0614 cm(-1) (18 MV). Ford, mueff decreases about 10% from 25 to 400 cm2. For a given FS, mueff decreases with d by 3%-5% for Co-60, and 3% for 6 MV, 10 MV and 18 MV, but depends on (d - x). For d, when x is large (8 cm), depending on energy and FS, mueff is 2%-4% less than when x is small (2 cm). These data were used in a treatment-planning computer to design compensator filters for a step phantom. Compensation was to within 10% in the compensation plane (CP). Above and below CP, computer-calculated ratios of doses with and without filters were 0.75-1.13. Chamber dose ratios with and without filters were 0.75-1.12.