Design and thermal-hydraulic analysis of multi-target system with 100 MeV proton linear accelerator for the production of 67Cu and 68Ge radioisotopes.

Radioisotopes are widely used in the fields of medicine, science, and industry. The growing demand for medical radioisotopes has driven research on alternative production methods. In particular, both isotopes of 67Cu and 68Ge play vital roles in the medical environment in many countries to be used in the radio-immunotherapy and the positron emission tomography imaging, respectively. This study designed a multi-target system consisting of two Zn and one Ga2O3 plates to enable simultaneous production of the medical radioisotopes 67Cu and 68Ge using 100 MeV proton beams. To understand the thermal effect on the multi-targets, we examined the distribution of energy absorbed in each solid plate target when exposed to an accelerated proton beam through the thermal-fluid analysis based on ANSYS simulation. For confirming thermal stability for two Zn targets and one Ga2O3 target, the modified water flow path inside the multi-target system was designed effectively with the controlled distribution of multiple sub-holes between main inlet and the following four channels. It was confirmed that the newly designed multi-target system of Zn and Ga2O3 solid plates shows higher thermal stability than the case of uniform distribution of water inlet, which means it could be exposed to a higher current beam of 7.57% to decrease the processing time.

Cross-section measurements for 68Zn(p,2p)67Cu and 68Zn(p,2n)67Ga reactions using a newly developed separation method for the superposed [Formula: see text]-ray spectra.

We have developed a new analytical peak separation analysis for superposed [Formula: see text]-ray peaks on [Formula: see text]Cu and [Formula: see text]Ga to measure the [Formula: see text]Zn(p,2p)[Formula: see text]Cu and [Formula: see text]Zn(p,2n)[Formula: see text]Ga reactions, unlike in most previous works that were employing a radiochemical separation to measure them. Based on the nuclear data such as the [Formula: see text]-ray intensity and the half-life for each nuclide, we may develop a new analytical method that enables us to estimate the respective counts arising from each nuclide, thereby obtaining the nuclear reactions. The newly developed analytical method can universally be applied to separate the superposed [Formula: see text]-ray spectra of any two nuclides, especially superior in separating the nuclides with different half-lives. In comparison with the data in the literature, the two reactions in the present work are in good agreement with those of some previous works. In addition, we compared the present [Formula: see text]Zn(p,2n)[Formula: see text]Ga reaction without the peak separation to the data in the literature without the chemical separation, and find that a good agreement is evident, enhancing the reliability of the [Formula: see text]Zn(p,x)[Formula: see text]Zn and [Formula: see text]Zn(p,3n)[Formula: see text]Ga reactions, which are further measured in the present work.

Chelator-Free Copper-64-Incorporated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for PET/MR Imaging: Improved Radiocopper Stability and Cell Viability.

We have developed chelator-free copper-64-incorporated iron oxide (IO) nanoparticle (NPs) which have both magnetic and radioactive properties being applied to positron emission tomography (PET)-magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We have found that the IO nanoparticles composed of radioactive isotope 64Cu may act as a contrast agent being a diagnostic tool for PET as well as a good T2 MRI nanoprobe due to their good r2/r1 ratio. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the 64Cu incorporation at the core of core-shell-structured IO NPs exhibits a good in vivo stability, giving us an insightful strategy for the design of a contrast agent for the PET-MRI system.

Enhanced anomalous magnetization in carbonyl iron by Ni+ ion beam irradiation.

We investigate the magnetic properties in carbonyl iron (CI) particles before and after Ni[Formula: see text] and H[Formula: see text] ion beam irradiation. Upon increasing temperatures, the saturation magnetization ([Formula: see text]) in hysteresis loops exhibits an anomalous increase at a high temperature for the unirradiated and the Ni[Formula: see text]-beam-irradiated samples, unlike in H[Formula: see text]-beam-irradiated sample. Moreover, the magnetization values at low and high temperatures are more intense after Ni[Formula: see text] beam irradiation, whereas after H[Formula: see text] beam irradiation those are remarkably suppressed. Hematite ([Formula: see text]-Fe[Formula: see text]O[Formula: see text]) phase introduced on the surface of our CI particles undergoes the Morin transition that was observed in our magnetization-temperature curves. The Morin transition causing canted antiferromagnetism above the Morin temperature was found in the unirradiated and Ni[Formula: see text]-beam-irradiated samples, but not in H[Formula: see text]-beam-irradiated sample. It is thus revealed that the CI particles undergoing the Morin transition cause the anomalous increase in [Formula: see text]. We may suggest that Ni[Formula: see text] ion beam increases uncompensated surface spins on the CI particles resulting in a more steep Morin transition and the intensified [Formula: see text]. Ion-beam irradiation may thus be a good tool for controlling the magnetic properties of CI particles, tailoring our work for future applications.

A mechanism of surface hardness enhancement for H+ irradiated polycarbonate.

H+ irradiation increases the surface hardness of polycarbonate. Nano indentation measurement shows that the hardness increases up to 3.7 GPa at the dose of 5 × 1016 # cm-2 and at the irradiation energy of 150 keV. In addition, the hardness increases with the dose and the energy of H+ irradiation. In accordance with the nano indentation measurement, the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) depends on the dose and energy of H+ irradiation. The peak at ∼1500 cm-1 for the aromatic ring and the peak at ∼1770 cm-1 for the C[double bond, length as m-dash]O stretch decrease with increasing dose and energy, while the increase of the dose and energy develops a new C[double bond, length as m-dash]O stretch vibration at ∼1700 cm-1 and forms aromatic hydrocarbons at ∼1600 cm-1. X-ray diffraction experiments are also consistent with the nano indentation measurement and FTIR spectra. Based on the experiments, we discuss a possible mechanism of the surface hardness enhancements by ion beam irradiation.

The change of pain and lumbosacral sagittal alignment after sling exercise therapy for patients with chronic low back pain.

[Purpose] This study was conducted to quantify the effect of sling exercise therapy in the recovery of lumbosacral sagittal alignment (LSA) and in the control of low back pain. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 102 chronic low back pain patients were divided into two groups, a physical therapy group and a sling exercise group. In both groups, programs were conducted thrice a week for twelve weeks. With respect to LSA, pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), and pelvic incidence (PI) were measured with plain radiography. Pain was measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS). [Results] Differences were found in visual analogue scale, delta score of visual analogue scale, pelvic tilt, delta score of pelvic tilt, and delta score of pelvic incidence between sling exercise therapy and physical therapy groups. VAS, pelvic tilt, and pelvic incidence was positively changed after sling exercise. However, only the visual analogue scale was found to be improved after physical therapy. [Conclusion] Sling exercise therapy and physical therapy were effective in reducing pain. However, pelvic tilt and pelvic incidence were positively changed after sling exercise therapy for Lumbosacral Sagittal Alignment, but were unchanged after physical therapy. Therefore, sling exercise therapy is more effective than physical therapy for the recovery of Lumbosacral Sagittal Alignment in patients with chronic low back pain.

The effect of sling exercise on sagittal lumbosacral angle and intervertebral disc area of chronic low back pain patients.

The purpose of this study was to observe the change of lumbosacral angle and intervertebral disc (IVD) area. The study was conducted on chronic low back pain (CLBP) female patients for 12 weeks by operating sling exercise and general physical therapy. The 57 CLBP were divided into 2 groups which, sling exercise group (SEG, n=34) and general physical therapy group (PTG, n=23). The experiment was conducted three times a week for 12 weeks. The lumbosacral angle, which means the angle between the L1-L2 lumbar was measured by plain radiography. The IVD area, which means the IVD height and volume was measured by magnetic resonance imaging. The pain was measured by visual analogue scale (VAS). As a result, after 12-week exercise, VAS had decreased in all groups. The angle of L3-4 and L4-5 and the height of IVD had increased in SEG. Also, IVD height and volume has more improved in SEG compare the PTG. Therefore, the sling exercise is proper treatment for CLBP patients' recovery because It improve the lumbosacral angle and IVD area.

Highly Flexible and Planar Supercapacitors Using Graphite Flakes/Polypyrrole in Polymer Lapping Film.

Flexible supercapacitor electrodes have been fabricated by simple fabrication technique using graphite nanoflakes on polymer lapping films as flexible substrate. An additional thin layer of conducting polymer polypyrrole over the electrode improved the surface conductivity and exhibited excellent electrochemical performances. Such capacitor films showed better energy density and power density with a maximum capacitance value of 37 mF cm(-2) in a half cell configuration using 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte, 23 mF cm(-2) in full cell, and 6 mF cm(-2) as planar cell configuration using poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/phosphoric acid (H3PO4) solid state electrolyte. Moreover, the graphite nanoflakes/polypyrrole over polymer lapping film demonstrated good flexibility and cyclic stability.

F and Ti doped silicate nanocomposite thin films for antimicrobial and easy clean applications.

Titanium isopropoxide (TIPO), tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and Fluoroalkylsilane (FAS) silane precursor were employed to coat transparent thin film on the glass substrate and these effectively prevents pollution on the glass from microorganisms. The each nanocomposition film was prepared by sol-gel method, the solution of nanocomposite was coated by spin coater with 1200 rpm for 30 sec and cured by thermal at 100 degrees C on glass which surface treated with Piranha solution. The nanocomposite films with highly self cleaning efficacy were fabricated and studied for various molar compositions of TEOS, TIPO and FAS. TEOS/TIPO film in glass substrate shows an optical transparency over 90% up to 30 mol% of TIPO in TEOS/TIPO composite films and also FAS incorporated up to 4 mol% onto TEOS/TIPO films. The anti-microbial efficiency of the nanocomposite film was improved 30% when it was exposed under UV light radiation than that in ambient condition.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of pyrazolodiazepine derivatives as human P2X7 receptor antagonists.

Screening of library compounds has yielded pyrazolodiazepine derivatives with P2X7 receptor antagonist activity. To explore the structure-activity relationships (SAR) of these pyrazolodiazepines as human P2X7 receptor antagonists, derivatives were synthesized by substitutions at positions R2 and R3 of the pyrazolodiazepine skeleton. Using a 2'(3')-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)ATP (BzATP)-induced fluorescent ethidium uptake assay, the activities of these derivatives were tested in HEK-293 cells stably expressing human P2X7 receptors. Moreover, the effect of these derivatives was assessed by measuring their effect on IL-1beta release induced by BzATP-induced activation of differentiated THP-1 cells. A 2-phenethyl pyrazolodiazepine derivative with a 1-methyl-1H-3-indolyl group at position R2 had fivefold greater activity than the derivative with a 5-isoquinolinyl at R2. Moreover, a benzyl moiety at R3 had fivefold greater activity than a bicyclic moiety. The stereochemical effect at C-6 showed a preference for the (R)-isomer. Among the series of active derivatives, compound 23b, with a phenethyl group at R1, a 3-methyl indole at R2, and a benzyl at R3, exhibited activity similar to that of the positive control, KN-62, as shown by the inhibitory effects of IL-1beta release.