Attenuation coefficients of gamma and X-rays passing through six materials

The aim of this study was to determine the attenuation of gamma and X-rays with different energies caused by passage through different materials.To this end,different materials with a range of atomic numbers were chosen to measure gamma and X-ray attenuation coefficients and to explore the mechanisms of interaction of gamma and X-rays with matter of various kinds.It is shown that the attenuation coefficients first decrease and then increase with increase in the radiation(photon)energy.The attenuation of gamma and X-rays passing through materials with high atomic number is greater than that in materials with low atomic number.The attenuation minimum is related to the atomic number of the irradiated materials.The larger the atomic number is,the lower the energy corresponding to attenuation minimum is.Photoelectric and Compton effects are the main processes when gamma rays pass through individual materials with high and low atomic numbers,respectively.Therefore,for radiotherapy and radiation protection,different methods should be considered and selected for the use of gamma and X-rays of different energies for use in different materials.

SUMMARY OF CHINA-MADE X-RAY THICKNESS GAUGES FOR STEEL INDUSTRIES

There are two kinds of China- made X- ray thickness gaugemeters i.e. dual beam- dual detector system and single beam- single detector system- SM series, the latter is used dominantly in Chinese steel industries. The performance comparison between domestic and foreign instruments as well as its developments and applications is presented in this paper.

Measurement and analysis of defects in high-performance concrete with three-dimensional micro-computer tomography

In order to investigate the effects of two mineral admixtures （i. e., fly ash and ground slag）on initial defects existing in concrete microstructures, a high-resolution X-ray micro-CT（ micro-focus computer tomography）is employed to quantitatively analyze the initial defects in four series of highperformance concrete （HPC）specimens with additions of different mineral admixtures. The nigh-resolution 3D images of microstructures and filtered defects are reconstructed by micro- CT software. The size distribution and volume fractions of initial defects are analyzed based on 3D and 2D micro-CT images. The analysis results are verified by experimental results of watersuction tests. The results show that the additions of mineral admixtures in concrete as cementitious materials greatly change the geometrical properties of the microstructures and the spatial features of defects by physical-chemistry actions of these mineral admixtures. This is the major cause of the differences between the mechanical behaviors of HPC with and without mineral admixtures when the water-to-binder ratio and the size distribution of aggregates are constant.

Characterization of Ga NAs/ Ga As and Ga In NAs/ Ga As Quantum Wells Grown by Plasma-Assisted Molecular Beam Epitaxy: Effects of Ion Damage

The effects of ion damage on Ga NAs/Ga As and Ga In NAs/Ga As quantum wells ( QWs) grown by plas- ma- assisted molecular beam epitaxy have been investigated. Itis found thation damage is a key factor affecting the quality of Ga NAs and Ga In NAs QWs. Obvious appearance of pendello¨ sung fringes in X- ray diffraction pattern and remarkable im provement in the optical properties of the samples grown with ion removal magnets are observed.By removing nitrogen ions,the PL intensity of the Ga In NAs QW is improved so as to be comparable with that of Ga In As QW. The stronger is the magnetic field,the m ore obvious the PL intensity im provement would be.

Chemical and molecular characterization of Hong Dangshen,a unique medicinal material for diarrhea in Hong Kong

Aim To investigate the plant origin and the identity of the red substance on the surface of Hong Dangshen, a unique medicinal material for diarrhea in Hong Kong. Methods The HPLC fingerprints and 5S rRNA gene spacer sequences of Hong Dangshen were obtained and compared with those of genuine species of Radix Codonopsis. The X-ray diffraction spectrum of the red substance was analyzed and compared with that of Halloysitum fingerprints to the Codonopsis species and the highest similarity to Rubrum. Results Hong Dangshen showed very similar HPLC Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta in terms of 5S rRNA gene spacer sequences. The X-ray diffraction spectrum of the red substance was consistent with that of Halloysitum Rubrum. Conclusion The source plant of Hong Dangshen was suggested to be Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta, one of the genuine original plants of Radix Codonopsis （Dangshen） in the China Pharmacopoeia （2005 edition）. The red substance on the surface of Hong Dangshen was indicated to be Halloysitum Rubrum, a traditional medicinal mineral for chronic diarrhea. Our data suggest that Hong Dangshen is derived from the roots of Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta which has been processed with Halloysitum Rubrum, and the name is suggested to be Radix Codonopsis Praeparata Halloysita Rubra.

X-ray spectra induced in highly charged 40Ar^q+ interacting with Au surface

By use of optical spectrum technology, the spectra of X-ray induced by highly charged 40Arq+ ions interacting with Au surface have been studied. The results show that the argon Kα X-ray were emitted from the hollow atoms formed below the surface. There is a process of multi-electron exciting in neutralization of the Ar16+ion, with electronic con-figuration 1s2 in its ground state below the solid surface. The yield of the projectile Kα X-ray is related to its initial electronic configuration, and the yield of the target X-ray is related to the projectile kinetic energy.

NON-DESTRUCTIVE MEASUREMENTS OF LEAD AND BARIUM IN ARCHAEOLOGICAL BONE SAMPLES USING XRF

The lead and barium contents in sixteen archaeological bone samples from 10 persons buried in Dalsby, Sweden, were determined by means of X- ray fluorescence analysis using two "Co sources for excitation and a planar Ge detector for registration of the X- rays. The lead concentrations were found to be less than 168μ g/g, and the barium concentrations were in the range of 15- 97μg/g.

Study of (Ga, Mn)N prepared by Mn-ion implantation using optical techniques

This paper reports that （Ga, Mn）N is prepared using implantation of 3at.% Mn Ions into undoped GaN. Structural characterization of the crystals was performed using x-ray diffraetion（XRD）. Detailed XRD measurements have revealed the characteristic of Mn-ion implanted GaN with a small contribution of other compounds. With Raman spectroscopy measurements, the spectra corresponding to the intrinsic GaN layers demonstrate three Raman active excitations at 747, 733 and 566 cm-1 identified as EI（LO）, A1 （LO） and E~, respectively. The Mn-doped GaN layers exhibit additional excitations at 182, 288, 650 725, 363, 506cm^-1 and the vicinity of E~ mode. The modes observed at 182, 288, 650 725em 1 are assigned to macroscopic disorder or vacancy-related defects caused by Mn-ion implantation. Other new phonon modes are assigned to Mnx-Ny, Gax-Mny modes and the local vibrational mode of Mn atoms in the （Ga, Mn）N, which are in fair agreement with the standard theoretical results.

Psoriasis treatment: Unconventional and non-standard modalities in the era of biologics

Psoriasis is a potentially debilitating inflammatory dermatosis affecting 0.2%-4.8% of the population worldwide causing a significant occupational, personal or psychosocial morbidity to these patients for life. The basic aim of psoriasis therapy is to control the disease to maximum possible extent and improve the patient's quality of life. Management of triggers for flareups, lifestyle modifications, and dietary supplements are often recommended. Intermittent or rotational therapy with frequent alterations in treatment options is usually needed to reduce toxicity of anti-psoriatic drugs in the absence of safer alternatives. Currently, several biological agents categorized as either T-cell targeted(e.g., Alefacept, Efalizumab) or cytokine modulating(e.g., Adalimumab, Infliximab, Etanercept) are available for treating severe psoriasis. However, their high cost is often precluding for most patients. The usefulness of systemic(methotrexate, cyclosporine, acitretin or several other therapeutic agents) or topical(tar, anthralin, corticosteroids or calcipotriol ointments, phototherapy with or without psoralens) therapies has been well established for the management of psoriasis. The literature is also replete with benefits of less used non-standard and unconventional treatment modalities(hydroxycarbamide, azathioprine, leflunomide, mycophenolate mofetil, isotretinoin, fumarates, topical calcineurin inhibitors, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors agonists, statins, sulfasalazine, pentoxifylline, colchicine, grenz ray therapy, excimer laser, climatotherapy and balneophototherapy, peritoneal dialysis, tonsillectomy, ichthyotherapy, etc.). These can be used alternatively to treat psoriasis patients who have mild/minimal lesions, are intolerant to conventional drugs, have developed side effects or achieved recommended cumulative dose, where comorbidities pose unusual therapeutic challenges, or may be as intermittent, rotational or combination treatment alternatives.

OBSERVATION ON THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF ACUPOINT APPLICATION OF FAR-INFRARED ASTHMA-RELIEVING PLASTER FOR ASTHMA

Objective To observe the clinical effect of acupoint application of Yuanhongwai Xiaochuankang Plaster （Far-infrared Asthma-relieving Plaster, FIRARP） for prevention and treatment of asthma. Methods Three hundred and sixty-six cases of bronchial asthma were randomly divided into treatment group （n = 185） and control group （n = 181 ）. Patients of treatment group were treated with FIRARP and those of control group treated with external application of traditional ＂Sonfu （Dog-days） moxibustion＂ （herbal-paste-cake separated moxibustion） and acupoints used were Dazhui（大椎 GV14）, Feishu（肺俞BL13）, Tiantu （天突 CV22）, etc. which were given to the patients. Forced expiratory volume in 1 second （FEV1） and peak expiratory flow （PEF） of the pulmonary function were determined and the changes of main symptoms and signs were observed before and after the treatment. Results The pulmonary functions were effectively improved, the symptoms were controlled, and the asthma attack was reduced in the two groups with no significant difference between the two groups （P 〉0.05）. Conclusion There is no significant difference between Yuanhongwai Xiaochuonkong Plaster and traditional ＂Sanfu moxibustion＂ on bronchial asthma. It may substitute for traditional ＂Sonfu moxibustion＂.

Preliminary observation on effect of cupping on the skin surface temperature of patients with back pain

Objective To preliminarily observe the effects of cupping on localized skin temperature of patients with back pain.Methods A total of 43 patients with back pain were included in this study.They were treated with medium-sized cups with a volume of 260 mL The randomly selected Xinshu（心俞 BL 15）on one side（37 cases） was given cupping treatment while that on the other side as the control.And Shenshu（肾俞 BL 23）（6 cases） was treated in the same way.The thermal infrared imager was used to record the changes in localized skin temperature before and after cupping（for 10 minutes）,and then comparison was made with that of the control side.Results After cupping,the localized skin temperature fell and then rose.When the cup was removed after retaining for 10 minutes,the localized skin temperature was（0.4±0.9） ℃（P=0.004） lower than that before cupping;10 minutes after cupping off,the localized skin temperature was（0.4±1.1） ℃（P=0.016） higher than that before cupping while（0.8±0.9） ℃ higher than that when cupping off.The skin surface temperature on the control side declined steadily.Conclusion After cupping treatment,the localized skin temperature fell and then rose while that of the control side declined steadily.It might be related to therapeutic effects.

Assessment of Heat-sensitization at Guanyuan （CV4） in Patients with Primary Dysmenorrhea： A Comparative Study between Moxibustion Sensation and Infrared Thermography

Objective： To compare moxibustion sensation and infrared thermography by the assessment of heat-sensitization on Guanyuan （CV4） in patients with primary dysmenorrhea, and to prove the possibility of adopting infrared thermography as an objective demonstration of acupoints heat-sensitization. Methods： Seventy-one patients with primary dysmenorrhea were enrolled to receive moxibustion and infrared to detect the heat-sensitization of Guanyuan （CV 4）. The results were then analyzed and compared. Results： The infrared radiation showed a lower temperature when the acupoint Guanyuan （CV4） was sensitized in patients with primary dysmenorrhea. Compared with moxibustion sensation, its sensitivity rate （real positive rate） was 76.6%, divergence rate （real negative rate） was 70.1%, and the accuracy rate was 74.6%. After giving moxibustion to Guanyuan （CV4）, the infrared radiation area was significantly expanded longitudinally and transversely. Compared with moxibustion test, the sensitivity rate （real positive rate） of infrared test was 78.7%, divergencerate （real negative rate） was 83.3%, and the accuracy rate was 80.3%. Conclusion： To a certain extent, the heat-sensitization of the acupoint Guanyuan （CV4） in patients with primary dysmenorrhea can be revealed by infrared thermography. The acupoint heat-sensitization phenomena （heat extension or transmission） after giving moxibustion to the heat-sensitized acupoints can also be demonstrated objectively by infrared thermography, besides experienced subjectively by the receivers.

Surface Modification of Titanium by Producing Ti/TiN Surface Composite Layers via FSP

In this paper, we report the use of blowing nitrogen gas for the successful fabrication of a composite layer composed of Ti/TiN on a substrate of commercially pure titanium （cp-2） using the friction stir processing technique. The prepared composite layer was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The maximum microhardness of the Ti/TiN composite reached 1024 HV, which is 6.4 times higher than that of the titanium substrate. The results of wear test indicated that the Ti/TiN composite layer possesses excellent abrasive and adhesive wear resistance because of the formation of the TiN and its high hardness.

Evaluation of the clinical efficacy of muscle regions of meridians needling method for refractory facial paralysis based on infrared thermal imaging technology

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of muscle regions of meridians needling method for refractory facial paralysis affecting different locations.Methods A total of 110 participants were randomized into an observation group and a control group,with 55 cases in each group.The observation group was treated with muscle regions of meridians needling method,and the control group was treated with conventional facial three-line needling method.The clinical efficacy was evaluated four weeks after the treatment.And the infrared imaging spectra of the two groups were examined.Results The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05),and its curative effect for refractory facial paralysis located above the geniculate ganglion was better than that of the control group(P<0.05).The color scale distribution of different disease locations in the two groups varied significantly(P<0.05),the higher the disease location,the higher the occurrence rate of cool zone and low temperature zone.After treatment,the reductions of the facial and periotic temperature difference between the healthy side and the affected side in the observation group were statistically different from those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Muscle regions of meridians needling method has a better effect than facial three-line needling method for refractory facial paralysis.It can promote the microcirculation of the affected side of the face,improve the blood and oxygen supply to local tissues,and thus promote the repair of the peripheral facial nerve.