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The present study was aimed at preparing stable dry adsorbed nanoparticles (DANs) of olanzapine (OLZ) loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) for sustained release. OLZ SLNs were prepared by hot melt emulsification and ultrasonication using Precirol ATO 5 (PRE) as a solid lipid, combination of Kolliphor ELP (KELP) and Tween 80 (T80) as surfactants, after optimising formulation and process variables. The SLN system was subjected to evaluation of particle size, zeta potential, entrapment efficiency (EE), in-vitro drug release and ex-vivo intestinal permeability studies using the chicken intestinal segments (jejunum). Further, these SLNs were converted into stable DANs by adsorbing onto a Neusilin US2 (NUS2) and Avicel CL 611 (ACL) carriers using the granulation-evaporative drying method. The DANs were characterised for redispersion properties, in-vitro drug release, thermal behaviour, crystallinity, and morphology. The SLN and DAN had a particle size of 238.0 nm [0.274 polydispersity index (PdI)] and 302.4 [0.494 PdI] respectively. The zeta potentials of SLN and DAN were found to be −29.3 mV and −26.3 mV, respectively. The SLN had 67% EE, and showed a sustained drug release in various media. The highest permeability of SLNs was observed in ex-vivo permeation model compared to the OLZ suspension, indicating that SLNs have the potential to bypass hepatic metabolism. The adsorption of SLNs onto carriers was confirmed by surface morphology. The DAN had good flow properties and sustained drug release similar to that of SLNs. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and endothermic peaks confirmed the complete encapsulation of actives in lipid matrices. The encapsulating of OLZ in SLNs and converting it into DAN showed a sustained release and adsorption technique that can be used for improving the stability of NLC dispersion. The DANs can be offered in dosage forms such as filling into sachets, capsules and compressed into tablets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Alcohol consumption contributes to the development of numerous diseases and is a big organizational burden on emergency departments (EDs). (2) We examined data on alcohol-related ED admissions in Poznan, Poland between 1 April 2019 and 31 March 2022. A total of 2290 patients' records were collected and analysed. The main goal was to determine the impact that these visits had on the functioning of the ED and the hospital. (3) The alcohol-related admission rate was significantly higher in males (78.95% vs. 21.05%), and the median blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level was 2.60 (1.78–3.38) ‰. Most of the visits took place at weekends and in the evening. Patients with higher BAC tended to stay longer in the ED, but had a lower chance of being admitted. A majority of patients required radiology and laboratory testing, 20.44% needed psychiatric examination, and 19.69% suffered trauma, mainly to the head. (4) Injuries and mental problems were the most common medical emergencies. This study presents trends in alcohol-related ED attendances, examines reasons for visits, and makes an attempt to assess overall burden on EDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acritus sutirca sp. nov. is described and illustrated from Eocene Baltic amber on the basis of one adult male specimen. As the first extinct member of the subfamily Abraeinae (Histeridae) and the smallest known fossil histerid specimen, this material was examined using a combination of light microscopy and X-ray micro-computed tomography (µ CT). Internal features of the abdomen are well preserved, allowing us to study sclerotized parts of the aedeagus and illustrate these structures in detail. The current finding expands the range of known Histeridae diversity from the Eocene (48–34 Ma) "amber forests" of Europe. The absolute size limits and the probable average size for Baltic amber coleopteran inclusions are also briefly discussed (urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:A2B17479-8628-47C7-A8D4-3E0789BF088B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the solar flare effects on ionospheric absorption with the systematic analysis of ionograms measured at midlatitude and low-latitude ionosonde stations under different solar zenith angles. The lowest recorded ionosonde echo, the minimum frequency (fmin , a qualitative proxy for the "nondeviative" radio wave absorption occurring in the D-layer), and the d fmin parameter (difference between the value of the fmin and the mean fmin for reference days) have been considered. Data were provided by meridionally distributed ionosonde stations in Europe and South Africa during eight X - and M -class solar flares in solar cycle 23. Total and partial radio fade-out was experienced at every ionospheric station during intense solar flares (> M 6). The duration of the total radio fade-out varied between 15 and 150 min and it was highly dependent on the solar zenith angle of the ionospheric stations. Furthermore, a solar-zenith-angle-dependent enhancement of the fmin (2–9 MHz) and d fmin (1–8 MHz) parameters was observed at almost every station. The fmin and d fmin parameters show an increasing trend with the enhancement of the X-ray flux. Based on our results, the d fmin parameter is a good qualitative measure for the relative variation of the "nondeviative" absorption, especially in the case of the less intense solar flares, which do not cause total radio fade-out in the ionosphere (class < M 6). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Spectroscopic information such as production, identification, half-lives, decay modes and possible excited states for experimentally known nuclides of mass numbers 266, 270, 274, 278, 282, 286, 290, 294, and 298 are presented together with the recommended values, superseding information and data in the previous ENSDF and NDS evaluation by 2005Gu33. No nuclides have yet been identified for A=302. In the last 14 years, large amounts of new and definitive data on the superheavy nuclides (SHN) have become available, thus changing almost entirely the landscape of nuclear data in this mass region, as also indicated by a number of recent review articles: 2017Og01, 2016Ho09, 2016Ho06 (for fission barriers), 2015Og05, 2015Og07, 2015Mo25, 2015OgZX, 2013Th02, and 2011Og07. See 2016Ka49 for IUPAC technical discussions for the discovery of Z=117 (Ts), Z=115 (Mc), Z=113 (Nh), 2001Ka70 and 2003Ka71 for Z=110-112, 2011Ba54 for Z≥113, 2009Ba62 for Z=112, and 2016Ka50 for Z=118 (Og). A special issue of Nuclear Physics A444 (2015) is devoted to research on superheavy elements (SHE) with 27 articles. In particular, see article by 2015Ko20 on mass spectrometric searches for superheavy elements in terrestrial matter. See also Proceedings of Nobel Symposium NS160 'Chemistry and Physics of Heavy and Superheavy Elements' published in Eur. Phys. Jour. Web of Conferences 131 (2016), in particular 2016UtZZ, 2016DmZZ and 2016HoZY. See also 2016DuZX for future prospects of discovery of elements beyond Z=118 A = 266 : 266Db, 266Sg, 266Bh, 266Hs and 266Mt are the experimentally identified nuclides with A=266. Identification of 266Lr from α decay of 270Db has been proposed by 2014Kh04 from experiments at GSI, but complete details and analyses of all the four decay chains reported in this experiment have not yet been published, and discussion in 2015Og05 review article considering their work from Dubna (2013Og04, 2011Og04) and from GSI (2014Kh04) still concluded that 270Db decayed dominantly by SF mode, in contrast with dominant α decay mode proposed by 2014Kh04. Experiments carried out at FLNR-JINR-Dubna in collaboration with LLNL and ORNL, GSI-SHIP facility, RIKEN, and LBNL facilities: 266Db from the α -decay of 282Nh in two correlated decay chains at Dubna; 266Sg as α -daughter of 270Hs in 12 correlated decay chains at Dubna and GSI; 266Bh in α decay of 278Nh in three correlated decay chains observed at RIKEN, and also directly with one event in 249Bk(22Ne,5n) at LBNL, and with four events in 243Am(26Mg,3n) at HIRFL-Lanzhou; 266Hs as α -daughter of 270Ds at GSI in two different experiments, six correlated decays in the first, and 25 decay chains in the second experiment, the analysis of which has not been fully reported as yet; and 266Mt directly in 209Bi(58Fe,n) reaction at GSI in two different experiments, observing three events in the first experiment and 12 events in the second, also produced in 208Pb(59Co,n) reaction at LBNL, observing five correlated decay chains. See also 2000Ho27 for discussion on 266Sg and 266Mt. A = 270 : 270Db, 270Bh, 270Hs, 270Mt and 270Ds are the experimentally identified nuclides with A=270 are presented. Experiments carried out at FLNR-JINR-Dubna in collaboration with LLNL and ORNL, GSI-SHIP facility, and RIKEN: 270Db from the decay of 294Ts in six correlated decay chains at Dubna and GSI; 270Bh as α great-granddaughter of 282Nh in two correlated decay chains observed at Dubna; 270Hs directly in 248Cm(26Mg,4n) reaction at GSI, and in 226Ra(48Ca,4n) reaction at Dubna; 270Mt as granddaughter of 278Ts in three correlated decay chains at RIKEN; and 270Ds directly in 207Pb(64Ni,n) at GSI in 33 correlated decay chains. A = 274 : 274Bh, 274Mt and 274Rg are the experimentally identified nuclides with A=274. Search for 274Ds in 238U(40Ar, 4n),E=5.7 MeV/nucleon reaction and subsequent α decays at GSI (1990Sc11) proved negative. Experiments carried out at FLNR-JINR-Dubna in collaboration with LLNL and ORNL, GSI-SHIP facility, and RIKEN: 274Bh from the decay of 294Ts in six correlated decay chains at Dubna and GSI, 274Mt produced as α daughter of 282Nh in two correlated decay chains observed at Dubna, and 274Rg as α daughter of 278Nh produced in three correlated decay chains at RIKEN. A = 278 : 278Mt, 278Rg and 278Nh are the experimentally identified nuclides with A=278. A very tentative evidence is provided for 278Bh and 278Hs from a chain originally observed and assigned to 289Fl by 1999Og10, but later reassigned by 2004Og10 to 290Fl, and further discussed in detail by 2016Ho09, where, based on systematics of α decays and SF half-lives, 290Fl is proposed to decay via ε mode to 290Nh, which then decays by an α chain, ending in 278Bh that decays by SF mode. Experiments carried out at FLNR-JINR-Dubna in collaboration with LLNL and ORNL labs in the USA, GSI-SHIP facility, and RIKEN: 278Mt from the decay of 294Ts in six correlated decay chains at Dubna and GSI, 278Rg produced as α daughter of 282Nh in two correlated decay chains observed at Dubna, and 278Nh produced directly in three correlated decay chains at RIKEN. A = 282 : 282Rg, 282Cn and 282Nh are the experimentally identified nuclides with A=282. A very tentative evidence is provided for 282Mt and 282Ds from a chain originally observed and assigned to 289Fl by 1999Og10, but later reassigned by 2004Og10 to 290Fl, and further discussed in detail by 2016Ho09, where, based on systematics of α decays and SF half-lives, 290Fl is proposed to decay via ε mode to 290Nh, which then decays by an α chain, ending in 278Bh that decays by SF mode. Experiments carried out at FLNR-Dubna, in collaboration with LLNL and ORNL labs in the USA, and at GSI-SHIP facility confirm the identification of these isotopes, 282Rg in α decay chain of 294Ts in six correlated decay chains at Dubna and GSI, 282Cn produced in four ways at Dubna: independently in one correlated decay chain, as α daughter of 286Lv in 11 correlated decay chains, as α grand-daughter of 290Lv in 12 correlated decay chains, as α great-grand daughter of 294Og in four correlated decay chains, and 282Nh produced at Dubna directly in two correlated decay chains. A = 286 : 286Nh and 286Fl are the only experimentally identified nuclides with A=286. A very tentative evidence is provided for 286Rg and 286Cn from a chain originally observed and assigned to 289Fl by 1999Og10, but later reassigned by 2004Og10 to 290Fl, and further discussed in detail by 2016Ho09, where, based on systematics of α decays and SF half-lives, 290Fl is proposed to decay via ε mode to 290Nh, which then decays by an α chain, ending in 278Bh that decays by SF mode. 2017Ka66 in experiments at RIKEN using GARIS separator interpret one correlated decay chain in three different ways, one involving possible production of 294Lv in 248Cm(48Ca,2n),E=261.6 MeV, and α decay to 290Fl which further decays to 286Cn. Experiments carried out at FLNR-Dubna, in collaboration with LLNL and ORNL labs in the USA, and at GSI-SHIP facility confirm the identification of these isotopes, 286Nh as α grand-daughter of 294Ts in six correlated decay chains, and 286Fl produced in three ways: independently in 11 correlated decay chains, as α daughter of 290Lv in 12 correlated decay chains, and as α grand-daughter of 294Og in four correlated decay chains. A = 290 : 290Mc and 290Lv are the only experimentally identified nuclides with A=290. A tentative evidence is provided for 290Nh and 290Fl from a chain originally observed and assigned to 289Fl by 1999Og10, but later reassigned by 2004Og10 to 290Fl, and further discussed in detail by 2016Ho09, where, based on systematics of α decays and SF half-lives, 290Fl is proposed to decay via ε mode to 290Nh, which then decays by an α chain, ending in 278Bh that decays by SF mode. 2017Ka66 in experiments at RIKEN using GARIS separator interpret one correlated decay chain in three different ways, one involving possible production of 294Lv in 248Cm(48Ca,2n),E=261.6 MeV, and α decay to 290Fl. Experiments carried out at FLNR-Dubna, in collaboration with LLNL and ORNL labs in the USA, and at GSI-SHIP facility confirm the identification of these isotopes, 290Mc as α daughter of 294Ts in six correlated decay chains, and 290Lv produced in two ways, independently in 14 correlated decay chains, and as α daughter of 294Og in four correlated decay chains. A = 294 : 294Ts and 294Og are the only experimentally identified nuclides with A=294. Experiments carried out at FLNR-Dubna, in collaboration with LLNL and ORNL labs in the USA, and at GSI-SHIP facility confirm the identification of these isotopes, with a total of six EVR- α -SF correlated decay chains observed for 294Ts and four for 294Og. Tentative identification of 294Lv is provided by 2017Ka66 from the observation one correlated event using GARIS-RIKEN facility, where this event is interpreted in three possible ways, two interpretations lead to production of 293Lv and successive odd-A nuclides of 289Fl, 285Cn and 281Ds, whereas the third prediction starts with the production of 294Lv and successive 290Fl and 286Cn nuclides. Search for 294Rg in natural gold materials (2011De03), and for 294Ds, 294Fl and 294Mc in natural Pt, Pb and Bi samples (2011De21) using accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS) proved negative, with extremely low upper limits established. Also 1980St05 did not see any evidence for 294Ds in natural Pt sample using AMS. A = 298 : Search for 298120 through fusion-evaporation reaction at Dubna, and for 298Fl and 298Mc in natural Pt, Pb and Bi samples using accelerator mass spectroscopy (AMS) proved negative. Tentative assignment of three α - α - α decay chains by 2016Ho09 to 299120 in 248Cm(54Cr,3n)299120 at GSI was refuted by 2017He11, assigning these correlations to random events, instead. A = 302 : Fluorescent x rays from Z=120 element were observed by 2012Fr03 from compound nucleus 302120 produced in 238U(64Ni,X),E=6.6 MeV/nucleon at GANIL, and x-ray yields were measured, together with minimum average time deduced from x-ray multiplicity. The compound nucleus could decay by 3n- or 4n-channels to produce 299120 or 298120. 2012He05 and 2016Ho09 also produced 302120 compound nucleus in 248Cm(54Cr, xn)302120*,E=6.035 MeV/nucleon; and 238U(64Ni,xn)302120*,E=5.53 MeV/nucleon reactions using UNILAC at GSI. Three α - α - α correlated decays from 248Cm(54Cr,xn)302120* reaction were tentatively assigned by 2016Ho09 to 299120 decay, however, a detailed analysis by 2017He11 refuted this claim, ascribing these events to random sequences. There are no data tables for A=302. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of tuberculosis (TB), the number needed to screen (NNS), and the diagnostic accuracy of chest X-ray (CXR) screening to detect active pulmonary TB during the 2015 European refugee crisis.Materials and Methods: We evaluated data of all refugees who underwent CXR screening in a single-centre of one German metropolitan area in 2015. We determined the prevalence of TB, NNS, and accuracy of CXR to detect active pulmonary TB. Reference method for active TB was the database of all definite TB cases registered at the Department of Public Health.Results: A total of 17,487 immigrants underwent single-centre CXR screening in 2015; prevalence of definite pulmonary TB was 0.103%. The NNS for detecting one case of active pulmonary TB was 1749. CXR had a sensitivity of 55.6% [95% confidence interval (CI) 30.8-78.5%) and a specificity 98.3% (CI 98.1-98.5%) to reveal one case of active TB.Conclusion: Our single-centre study indicates that chest X-ray screening for TB during the 2015 European refugee crisis was of low yield due the low prevalence of TB and high number needed to screen, thus implicating the need for improved screening algorithms adapted to the overwhelming number of refugees.Key Points: • Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) among refugees in 2015 was low (0.103%). • The number needed to screen to detect one case of active pulmonary TB was 1749. • Tuberculosis X-ray screening resulted in a low sensitivity and high specificity. • Tuberculosis X-ray screening during the European refugee crisis is of low yield. • Improved screening algorithms are needed due to the overwhelming the number of refugees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population doses from radiodiagnostic (X-ray and nuclear medicine) procedures in Europe were estimated based on data collected from 36 European countries. For X-ray procedures in EU and EFTA countries (except Liechtenstein) the collective effective dose is 547 500 man Sv, resulting in a mean effective dose of 1.06 mSv per caput. For all European countries included in the survey the collective effective dose is 605 000 man Sv, resulting in a mean effective dose of 1.05 mSv per caput. For nuclear medicine procedures in EU countries and EFTA (except Liechtenstein) countries the collective effective dose is 30 700 man Sv, resulting in a mean effective dose of 0.06 mSv per caput. For all European countries included in the survey the collective effective dose is 31 100 man Sv, resulting in a mean effective dose of 0.05 mSv per caput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first absorption spectra recorded in Europe using synchrotron radiation as the X-ray source were the K-edge of Al and the LIII-edge of Cu taken at Frascati electron synchrotron in May 1963 by the French-Italian group comprised of Y. Cauchois, C. Bonnelle and G. Missoni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast screening campaign in Macedonia started in the end of 2007 and 19 national mammography departments were included. Contrary to the European Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Mammography Screening, the quality assurance activities were not implemented before the start of the campaign, except at the University Clinic of Radiology, Skopje. The quality control tests were performed for the very first time at 13 mammography units under a licence-obtaining procedure. One of the machines was suspended from clinical and screening practice due to heavy malfunction of the generator, X-ray tube and automatic exposure control (AEC) system. Only 3 of the 13 mammography machines met the criteria for tube voltage (kV) accuracy. Two of the seven AEC systems were calibrated in the optimal optical density (OD) range (OD >1.4). AEC settings corresponded to the recommendations at eight units, while nine units met basic overall image quality criteria. Mean glandular dose (MGD) was higher than the recommended level of 2.5 mGy in four departments. Mean gradient of the film G0.25–2.0 was below 2.8 at four units. Only two light boxes had a luminance of >1700 cd m−2 and six rooms had an ambient light level of <50 lx. The findings of this work clearly suggest that the performance of the mammography equipment involved in the campaign in almost 50 % do not supply basic quality criteria for a breast screening programme. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

In a multi-centre study more than 600 patient measurements of patients receiving thorax radiography were performed in five European cities. Participating centres were Fulda, Liverpool, Nicosia, Passau and Sofia. The dose quantities measured were the air kerma-area product (AKAP), incident air kerma and entrance surface air kerma (ESAK). In addition, for each patient sex, age, weight, height, focus-to-film distance, focus-to-skin distance, patient thickness, kV, mAs, field size and the nominal film speed were registered. Different X-ray machines were used in the participating centres—Thoravision, flat panel detector and film screen combinations in two centres (analogue system). The tube voltages employed varied between 60 and 150 kV and the nominal film speed between 200 and 400/800. All mean dose values (ESAK and AKAP) for the different centres showed a different value for female and male populations. The differences were up to 100 % and always higher for the mean AKAP. For a thorax posteroanterior examination, the mean ESAK varied between 0.06 and 0.46 mGy and the mean AKAP varied between 60 and 690 mGy cm2. The differences in the results obtained as well as the methodologies for multi-national, multi-centre studies will be discussed. Future perspectives for this type of study within the framework of radiation protection and quality assurance in Europe will also be discussed as well as the role and function of multi-national radiological data sets including patient dose values. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The current standard of care for Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters (PICCs) is radiological confirmation of terminal tip location. Tip location practices in Europe have used electrocardiographic (EKG) guided positioning for central venous catheters for more than twenty years with tip positioning safely confirmed over thousands of insertions (Madias, 2003). The goal of this group was to confirm the findings of a study performed by Pittiruti and his team; and to establish safe function in the use of EKG guidance for verification of terminal tip position with PICCs placed at McKenzie Willamette Medical Center. Methods: In 2008/2009 McKenzie Willamette Medical Center conducted a study to determine whether or not EKG guidance can be used as a reliable means to accurately place and confirm terminal tip location of PICCs. A group of trained nurses performed PICC placement using EKG guidance followed by radiological confirmation of SVC position. All PICCs placed from October 2008 to December 2009 were included in the study. Tip location was confirmed using either radiological confirmation alone, EKG plus radiological confirmation, or EKG alone. Results: A total of 417 PICCs were placed during the study period. EKG guidance alone was used in the placement and confirmation of 168 PICCs. Both EKG and chest x-ray confirmation were used in the placement of 82 of the PICCs; 240 of the PICCs were placed with the use of EKG and then position correlated using the traditional chest x-ray procedure. Discussion: EKG guided PICC placement proved accurate in consistently guiding the terminal tip to the superior vena cava (SVC). The procedure was easily taught and duplicated by members of the PICC team. The study demonstrated a definite correlation between the height (size) of the P-wave and the location of the terminal tip within the SVC. With knowledge of this correlation, transition from placing PICCs using EKG guidance with chest x-ray confirmation to confirmation of tip placement using just EKG guidance without chest x-ray confirmation was attained. Application of EKG placement/confirmation performed during insertion saves time previously spent waiting for x-ray confirmation readings, saves cost of chest x-ray, prevents patient exposure to radiation and saves time required for tip repositioning of malpositioned tips found after the end of the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the idea of an X-ray absorption spectrometer in dispersive geometry was initially conceived for the study of transient phenomena, the instrument at the European Synchrotron Radiation facility has been increasingly exploited for studies at extreme conditions of pressure using diamond anvil cells. The main results of investigations at high pressure obtained at beamline ID24 are reviewed. These concern not only fundamental topics, such as the local and the electronic structure as well as the magnetic properties of matter, but also geological relevant questions such as the behaviour of Fe in the main components of the Earth's interior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multiple-analyser-crystal spectrometer for non-resonant inelastic X-ray scattering spectroscopy installed at beamline 1D16 of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility is presented. Nine analyser crystals with bending radii R = I m measure spectra for five different momentum transfer values simultaneously. Using a two-dimensional detector, the spectra given by all analysers can be treated individually. The spectrometer is based on a Rowland circle design with fixed Bragg angles of about 88°. The energy resolution can be chosen between 30-2000 meV with typical incident-photon energies of 6-13 keV. The spectrometer is optimized for studies of valence and core electron excitations resolving both energy and momentum transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Europe has a very rich and diversified cultural heritage of art works, including buildings, monuments and objects of all sizes, involving a great variety of materials. The continuous discovery of new art works opens the problem of their authentication. Advanced analytical techniques can be fundamental to understand the way of life, the culture and the technical and intellectual know-how of the artists. Indeed, the authentication of an art work involves the identification of the used materials, their production techniques and procedures used for the work realization. It is possible to know the origin and provenance of materials, including the location of the natural sources. Advanced analytical techniques also help one to understand degradation processes, corrosion, weathering, and preservation-conservation protocols. In this paper we present a painting attributed to Domenico Ghirlandaio. Ghirlandaio is a well-known artist of fifteenth century who contributes to the apprenticeship of Michelangelo Buonarroti. The study of the pigments used in this painting, which belongs to a private collection, has been supported mainly by means of laboratory two-dimensional X-ray microdiffraction (μXRD2). The possibility to obtain information about not only the phase, but also microstructure allows one to extract interesting consideration and to obtain evidence of the painter’s style and intention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the guidelines for proper practice of dental radiography developed from the U.S. and Europe. It cites the deterministic and stochastic effects of X-ray exposure on the human body. It states the importance of posterior bitewing radiograph as an adjunct tool to clinical diagnosis. Also noted is the need for thyroid protection in cephalometric radiography if the beam collimation does not remove the thyroid gland.

In interventional cardiology, a wide variation in patient dose for the same type of procedure has been recognised by different studies. Variation is almost due to procedure complexity, equipment performance, procedure protocol and operator skill. The SENTINEL consortium has performed a survey in nine european centres collecting information on near 2000 procedures, and a new set of reference levels (RLs) for coronary angiography and angioplasty and diagnostic electrophysiology has been assessed for air kerma-area product: 45, 85 and 35 Gy cm², effective dose: 8, 15 and 6 mSv, cumulative dose at interventional reference point: 650 and 1500 mGy, fluoroscopy time: 6.5, 15.5 and 21 min and cine frames: 700 and 1000 images, respectively. Because equipment performance and set-up are the factors contributing to patient dose variability, entrance surface air kerma for fluoroscopy, 13 mGy min-1, and image acquisition, 0.10 mGy per frame, have also been proposed in the set of RLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luxembourg has been conducting a breast cancer screening programme since 1992, like a large number of other European countries, as early detection and treatment of breast cancer have been proven to reduce mortality. The majority of these screening programmes are based on analogue X-ray technology and have optimised their organisation of transporting, archiving and reading with respect to films. Last decade is marked by enormous developments in digital mammography. Different technologies such as flat panel-, computed radiography- and scanning systems became available. Digital mammography is expected to have a major impact on quality and organisation of breast cancer screening programmes. Screening programmes are now faced with a huge challenge of incorporating the digital technology, including implementation of electronic image exchange, conception of new electronic workflow, establishing adapted quality assurance programmes and training of radiologists and technical personnel. Initial experiences of the Luxembourg approach in organising digital mammography screening and its quality assurance are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim was to develop clinical guidelines for multidetector computed tomography urography (CTU) by a group of experts from the European Society of Urogenital Radiology (ESUR). Peer-reviewed papers and reviews were systematically scrutinized. A summary document was produced and discussed at the ESUR 2006 and ECR 2007 meetings with the goal to reach consensus. True evidence-based guidelines could not be formulated, but expert guidelines on indications and CTU examination technique were produced. CTU is justified as a first-line test for patients with macroscopic haematuria, at high-risk for urothelial cancer. Otherwise, CTU may be used as a problem-solving examination. A differential approach using a one-, two- or three-phase protocol is proposed, whereby the clinical indication and the patient population will determine which CTU protocol is employed. Either a combined nephrographic-excretory phase following a split-bolus intravenous injection of contrast medium, or separate nephrographic and excretory phases following a single-bolus injection can be used. Lower dose (CTDIvol 5–6 mGy) is used for benign conditions and normal dose (CTDIvol 9–12 mGy) for potential malignant disease. A low-dose (CTDIvol 2–3 mGy) unenhanced series can be added on indication. The expert-based CTU guidelines provide recommendations to optimize techniques and to unify the radiologist’s approach to CTU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We found that river water is acidified not only in the first stage but also in the later stage of the snowmelt season in Japan, which differs from the so called acid shock occurring in the first stage of the snowmelt in the northern Europe. The acid shocks depend on the regional characteristics of the melt-refreeze processes forming the internal distribution of acid materials within snow crystals under the warm metamorphism. In a warm climatic region like the central Japan, there are possibilities to have the complicated distribution structure of acid materials within granular-snow crystals due to the repeated melt-refreeze processes even in midwinter. Consequently, the pH value of meltwater does not always increase as the snowmelt proceeds. Then, we showed the possibility by using the X-ray computed tomography that the domains with the acid materials exist in the inner parts of snow crystals. So, the acidification of the river water may occur even in the later stage of the snowmelt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the findings from acceptance testing and routine quality control (QC) of general radiographic X-ray equipment in Ireland during 2006 and early 2007, including mobile X-ray units and film/screen fixed systems. Acceptance testing and routine QC of the diagnostic X-ray imaging equipment are requirements of European and Irish legislation. One hundred general radiographic X-ray systems were tested within Ireland, 73'/o of them failed to meet the required QC guide- lines, whereby one or more faults were identified. The majority of these failures were minor ones, requiring attention by the suppliers at the next routine service. Significant faults were only identified in seven systems. The suppliers were requested to investigate these issues as soon as possible and take the necessary corrective action. A review of the QC results highlights the need to perform comprehensive acceptance and routine testing of the systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) for X-ray examinations have been introduced in many countries, among others in most European countries, as a consequence of the Directive on Medical Exposures from 1997. The concept seems to be straight forward, but when implementing it into practice a number of problems arise. The results are dependent on how the dose data are measured and assessed. The interpretation of the results must be performed with great care giving due consideration to the fact that X-ray examinations are very complex and hence not very well characterised by a single figure. In this presentation the various parameters influencing the patient dose are discussed and suggestions are given on how these are managed so as to get the best outcome. When these intentions are followed diagnostic reference levels will be a powerful tool for the optimisation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Explosives detection systems (EDS) based on X-ray are used at airports to screen baggage for the presence of explosives. In Europe and the United States, EDS equipment is tested extensively by specialist test centres prior to approval for operational use in airports. Once EDS are installed in airports, however, it can be challenging to test the EDS equipment and verify that it continues to perform at the highest level, because of the impracticality of introducing bulk explosives into civil aviation airports. We have developed inert, non-toxic polymer-bonded simulants and validated them against real explosives using EDS equipment. The accuracy of our simulants is within 1% of the target bulk density, and within 2% of the target effective atomic number, and the materials have a stability of at least 4 years, with an uncertainty of 0.5%. The simulants generate alarms in almost 100% of cases on a wide range of commercial EDS models, and we consider the simulants fit for purpose for use during testing of EDS equipment at airports.

Focuses on the import of the European synchrotron radiation ring. Selection of the site for installation; Introduction of the 5.6-Ge V Doris ring; Insertion of undulator and wiggler sources of hard x-ray beams.

Deformation experiments with concurrent X-ray microtomography are used to characterize the mechanical properties of a high-porosity carbonate rock from Central Europe (the Tuffeau de Maastricht). Evidence of deformation behavior and pressure-dependent strain localization for this rock are taken into account to define the parameters of an elastoplastic constitutive law with competing hardening and softening mechanisms. Full-field data regarding the compaction localization regime have been used to identify a compromise between compaction hardening and structure deterioration. It was shown that by placing emphasis on the destructuration behavior it was possible to reproduce features such as the elongation of the deformation plateau emerging during compaction band formation, as well as the pressure-dependent inclination of the ensuing compaction bands. Most notably, the comparison between measurements and simulations showed that the strategy here used to constrain the model parameters allows a satisfactory depiction of both the macroscopic deformations and the portion of sample volume across which the compaction zones develop and propagate. These results point out the major benefits of parameter calibration strategies accounting synergistically for global measurements and spatially-distributed deformations, especially in the presence of constitutive laws meant to replicate compaction localization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European X-ray Free-Electron Laser (European XFEL) (Altarelli et al., 2006; Tschentscher et al., 2017), the world's largest and brightest X-ray free-electron laser (Saldin et al., 1999; Pellegrini et al., 2016), went into operation in 2017. This article describes the as-built realization of photon diagnostics for this facility, the diagnostics commissioning and their application for commissioning of the facility, and results from the first year of operation, focusing on the SASE1 beamline, which was the first to be commissioned. The commissioning consisted of pre-beam checkout, first light from the bending magnets, X-rays from single undulator segments, SASE tuning with many undulator segments, first lasing, optics alignment for FEL beam transport through the tunnel up to the experiment hutches, and finally beam delivery to first users. The beam properties assessed by photon diagnostics throughout these phases included per-pulse intensity, beam position, shape, lateral dimensions and spectral properties. During this time period, the machine provided users with up to 14 keV photon energy, 1.5 mJ pulse energy, 300 FEL pulses per train and 4.5 MHz intra-bunch train repetition rate at a 10 Hz train repetition rate. Finally, an outlook is given into the diagnostic prospects for the future.

X-ray photon beam diagnostic imagers are located at 24 positions in the European XFEL beam transport system to characterize the X-ray beam properties, and to give feedback for tuning and optimization of the electron acceleration and orbit, the undulators, and the X-ray optics. One year of commissioning allowed experience to be gained with these imagers, which will be reported here. The sensitive Spontaneous Radiation imager is useful for various investigations in spontaneous radiation mode: for undulator adjustments and for low-signal imaging applications. The high-resolution Free-Electron Laser imager, 10 µm spatial resolution, is extensively used for the monitoring of beam position, spot size and shape, gain curve measurements, and also for beam-intensity monitoring. The wide field-of-view pop-in monitors (up to 200 mm) are regularly used for alignment and tuning of the various X-ray optical components like mirrors, slits and monochromators, and also for on-line beam control of a stable beam position at the instruments. The Exit Slit imager after the soft X-ray monochromator provides spectral information of the beam together with multi-channel plate based single-pulse gating. For particular use cases, these special features of the imagers are described. Some radiation-induced degradation of scintillators took place in this initial commissioning phase, providing useful information for better understanding of damage thresholds. Visible-light radiation in the beam pipe generated by upstream bending magnets caused spurious reflections in the optical system of some of the imagers which can be suppressed by aluminium-coated scintillating screens.

Commissioning and first operation of an angle-resolved photoelectron spectrometer for non-invasive shot-to-shot diagnostics at the European XFEL soft X-ray beamline are described. The objective with the instrument is to provide the users and operators with reliable pulse-resolved information regarding photon energy and polarization that opens up a variety of applications for novel experiments but also hardware optimization.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in sarcoidosis. We established a multi-national registry of sarcoidosis associated PH (SAPH) patients., Methods: Sarcoidosis patients with PH confirmed by right heart catheterization (RHC) were studied. Patients with pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) of 15 mmHg or less and a mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) ≥ 25 Hg were subsequently analyzed. Data collected included hemodynamics, forced vital capacity (FVC), diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DL CO ), chest x-ray, and 6-min walk distance (6MWD)., Results: A total of 176 patients were analyzed. This included 84 (48%) cases identified within a year of entry into the registry and 94 (53%) with moderate to severe PH. There was a significant correlation between DL CO percent predicted (% pred) andmPAP (Rho = -0.228, p = 0.0068) and pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) (Rho = -0.362, p < 0.0001). PVR was significantly higher in stage 4 disease than in stage 0 or 1 disease (p < 0.05 for both comparisons). About two-thirds of the SAPH patients came from the United States (US). There was a significant difference in the rate of treatment between US (67.5%) versus non-US (86%) (Chi Square 11.26, p = 0.0008) sites., Conclusions: The clinical features of SAPH were similar across multiple centers in the US, Europe, and the Middle East. The severity of SAPH was related to reduced DLCO. There were treatment differences between the US and non-US centers., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

A single-bounce capillary with an ellipsoidal shape has been used for two-step focusing in combination with a Fresnel zone plate (FZP). The FZP serves as a first microfocusing element and produces a demagnified micrometer image of the source, before the elliptical capillary makes a last final compression of the beam. With 15 keV X-rays from the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility BM5 bending magnet, the two-step demagnification system produced a focus of about 250 nm with a gain of more than 1000. The use of an ellipsoidal capillary as a micro-mirror under off-axis illumination using micro-prefocusing optics might open up new opportunities in nanofocusing developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discovery of X-rays in 1895 by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen transformed our understanding of both the physical world and our understanding of ourselves. Traditional anatomy as shown by Andreas Vesalius was learnt from dissection of the supine deceased body. Radiology showed anatomy in the living in a manner previously not possible, and has transformed our anatomical understanding, particularly of human growth and variation.

Purpose: To conduct a feasibility study on the application of the γ-H2AX foci assay as an exposure biomarker in a prospective multicentre paediatric radiology setting., Materials and Methods: A set of in vitro experiments was performed to evaluate technical hurdles related to biological sample collection in a paediatric radiology setting (small blood sample volume), processing and storing of blood samples (effect of storing blood at 4°C), the reliability of foci scoring for low-doses (merge γ-H2AX/53BP1 scoring), as well as the impact of contrast agent administration as potential confounding factor. Given the exploratory nature of this study and the ethical constraints related to paediatric blood sampling, blood samples from adult volunteers were used for these experiments. In order to test the feasibility of pooling the γ-H2AX data when different centres are involved in an international multicentre study, two intercomparison studies in the low-dose range (10-500 mGy) were performed., Results: Determination of the number of X-ray induced γ-H2AX foci is feasible with one 2 ml blood sample pre- and post-computed tomography (CT) scan. Lymphocyte isolation and fixation on slides is necessary within 5 h of blood sampling to guarantee reliable results. The possible enhancement effect of contrast medium on the induction of DNA DSB in a patient study can be ruled out if radiation doses and the contrast agent concentration are within diagnostic ranges. The intercomparison studies using in vitro irradiated blood samples showed that the participating laboratories, executing successfully the γ-H2AX foci assay in lymphocytes, were able to rank blind samples in order of lowest to highest radiation dose based on mean foci/cell counts. The dose response of all intercomparison data shows that a dose point of 10 mGy could be distinguished from the sham-irradiated control (p = 0.006)., Conclusions: The results demonstrate that it is feasible to apply the γ-H2AX foci assay as a cellular biomarker of exposure in a multicentre prospective study in paediatric CT imaging after validating it in an in vivo international pilot study on paediatric patients.

Features several products duly patented and recognized by the European patent laws and legislation. Hearing aid from Micro Ear Technologies; X-ray calibration from Eastman Kodak; Insect repellent from Ciba Specialty Chemicals.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) does not have a specific publication or recent detailed advice on acceptability criteria and suspension levels for medical radiological equipment. However, a number of the Commission's publications clearly stress the need to carry out acceptance testing of radiological equipment. Such general recommendations are frequent in earlier and recent reports related to external radiation therapy. Over 30 y ago, the ICRP even included some examples of parameter accuracies concerning acceptance levels in connection with radiotherapy units. Later more general advices related to acceptability tests as important parts of various quality assurance programs were formulated for radiation therapy as well as for radiodiagnostics without going into details to give values for specific parameters. In the radiodiagnostic field, there are such general recommendations in reports related to equipment for X-ray interventional procedures, digital radiology and computed tomography. The ICRP highly supports the elaboration of detailed and clear acceptability and suspension criteria for equipment used in medical radiology carried out by organisations like International Atomic Energy Agency, International Electrotechnical Commission, European Commission, National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA, USA) and others and consider such criteria as important parts of the quality programmes to guarantee good radiation safety conditions for patients in radiation therapy as well as in radiodiagnostics.

In a working group of the Belgian Hospital Physicists Association (BHPA), a new protocol has been developed for comprehensive testing of computed tomography scanners. The tests were selected to verify if the scanner is technically adequate, if preprogrammed patient protocols are up-to-date, and if exposure values displayed at the console are sufficiently correct. In addition, they will ensure that the participating medical physics expert (MPE) gets a full understanding of the system to enable him/her to guide optimization processes and allow automated patient dosimetry. Several new test procedures had to be developed. The tests go beyond the criteria identified in the EC guidance document radiation protection (RP) 91 and its successor RP 162. The results of the tests of the BHPA protocol are discussed in the light of the acceptability criteria in RP 91 and RP 162. It is concluded that the ensemble of tests in the BHPA protocol and in RP 162 provide very useful information on the scanner and, more importantly, how the scanner is being used on patients. It is expected that major optimization studies will be triggered by annual testing based on the new documents.

Radiological equipment must be assessed against criteria for acceptability to ensure that it meets the minimum standards for patient safety. This assessment is typically led by a medical physicist with input from radiology staff and the equipment supplier. Equipment that does not meet the criteria requires action and may be suspended from clinical use. European Commission report RP 91 will be revised and replaced as RP 162. It has been drawn up to aid medical physicists with the assessment process and provide guidance on suspension levels. This paper details several cases where the criteria in the proposed RP 162 were applied in general radiography, computed radiography, digital radiography and fluoroscopy. The factors considered by the medical physicist and the outcome of each case are presented. The proposed RP 162 report improves on its predecessor and provides a robust set of criteria for ensuring that patient safety within the EU medical exposures framework is optimised.

Half value layer (HVL) was measured for 226 general radiographic X-ray tube assemblies at 80 kV and for 53 dental X-ray tube assemblies at 70 kV, and evaluated by the previous (1997) and the new draft of European acceptability criteria (2009) for HVL as adopted from the IEC collateral standards. Fourteen per cent of the tested general radiography X-ray tube assemblies were subject to readjustment by the new criteria. In routine quality control tests, receptor entrance dose was estimated for 54 AEC systems by using post-exposure mAs values, taking into account the measured tube output at different tube potentials, HVL and estimated scattering for 10, 15 and 21 cm PMMA phantom. Receptor dose (third quartile) varied from 6.4 μGy at 60 kV to 3.8 μGy at 125 kV. The results correspond well to the draft criteria for maximum receptor dose of 10 μGy and for the patient thickness compensation.

The European Medical Exposures Directive 97/43/Euratom aims to ensure that measures are put in place to guarantee that X-ray equipment is suitable for clinical use. The Directive was transposed into Irish legislation in Statutory Instruments 478 of 2002 and 2010. This study presents the quality assurance (QA) assessment results for 187 intra-oral and 37 orthopantomogram (OPG) dental X-ray systems from a range of nine different manufacturers. The equipment was assessed over a 24- month period. Testing was performed based on the methodologies and tolerances from Irish and other international guidelines and standards.  Analysis of the results which was undertaken in recent months with a focus on the suspension tolerances proposed in the Criteria for Acceptability of Medical Radiological Equipment (RP 162) are presented in this paper.

As found in studies of aircraft structural inspection, the time used for judging if a part of an aircraft shows tiny cracks is composed of search time, used for actively scanning, and non-search time, used for matching and decision while fixating a region of interest (Drury et al. 1997). These findings can be applied to detection of threats by X-ray screening of passenger bags at airports. To investigate whether search time and non-search time change when an experienced screener is given additional training in recognising threat objects in passenger bags, data from a European airport were analysed. A comparison of detection performance and reaction time between two large groups of screeners, one trained for 6 months, shows a large impact of training on overall performance and on both search and non-search components of the task. There was also a small but consistent decline in performance measures with screener age. This study shows a way to localise the effect of training on threat detection performance for aviation security screening. Analysis of the time needed for screening each passenger bag showed that training had a significant effect, particularly on the non-search part of the searching process (i.e. identification, recognition, decision, response execution, etc.).

The implementation of an X-ray Quality Assurance (QA) program is a legal requirement in Europe as stipulated in the EU Council Directive 97/43/EURATOM (MED). A review of the literature has identified that European countries are performing some level of QA testing of their dental X-ray equipment, although the type and level to which testing is performed can differ. The European SENTINEL co-ordination action proposed to collate a survey of equipment data for both conventional and digital dental X-ray installations among the SENTINEL partners. The European QA results confirm that systems can be operated below tolerance, and in some cases significantly so, while still in clinical use. This can occur despite servicing of equipment. The results have emphasised the fact that there is a requirement for the medical physics/engineering professions to become more closely involved in the management of dental radiology equipment. This also includes their involvement in the development and delivery of appropriate training courses for dentists and suppliers of dental radiology equipment.

Interventional Radiology (IR) procedures are minimally invasive, targeted treatments performed using imaging for guidance. Needle puncture using ultrasound, x-ray, or computed tomography (CT) images is a core task in the radiology curriculum, and we are currently developing a training simulator for this. One requirement is to include support for physically-based simulation of x-ray images from CT data sets. In this paper, we demonstrate how to exploit the capability of today's graphics cards to efficiently achieve this on the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and compare performance with an efficient software only implementation using the Central Processing Unit (CPU).

The development of the capability to engineer the surface properties of materials to match specific requirements demands high quality surface characterization techniques. The ideal tool should provide chemically specific structural characterization as well as surface sensitivity and depth profiling. Ideally the characterization method should also be applicable to systems both with and without long range order. X-ray absorption spectroscopy fine structure, when using the standard transmission detection system, provides all this information with the significant exception of surface sensitivity. In contrast, by detecting the reflected instead of the transmitted beam, it encompasses all these requirements because when the incident beam impinges onto a sample surface at glancing angles, in conditions close to the total reflection, only the outermost regions of the system under study are sampled. Such a technique provides information about the local structure as a function of depth as well as thin layer structure in the case of layered samples. Although it is potentially the ideal tool to study surface modified materials, experimental difficulties have hampered its widespread use in the fields of surface and materials sciences. As a solution to the experimental challenges, we provide a detailed description of an appropriate experimental station, the sample requirements, the measuring protocols, and software routines needed to optimize the collection of the data. To illustrate the capabilities of the technique the results obtained for a model multilayer sample are presented and analyzed under the total external reflection approximation.