Koolen, B. B., Vidal-Sicart, S., Benlloch, J. M., & Olmos, R. A. V. (2014). Evaluating heterogeneity of primary tumor 18 F-FDG uptake in breast cancer with a dedicated breast PET ( MAMMI): a feasibility study based on correlation with PET/CT. Nucl. Med. Commun., 35(5), 446–452.
Abstract: PurposeThe aim of the study was to evaluate the heterogeneity of primary tumor F-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (F-18-FDG) uptake in breast cancer patients using a dedicated breast PET.Patients and methodsA positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) of the thorax was performed 60 min after administration of 180-240 MBq of F-18-FDG in patients with breast cancer. Subsequently, 110 min after injection, a scan was taken with a dedicated high-resolution breast PET [MAMmography with Molecular Imaging (MAMMI)]. Both procedures were performed with the patients in the prone position. Four-point scores were used to compare the intensity (0: none; 1: mild; 2: moderate; 3: high) and heterogeneity (0: none; 1: mild; 2: moderate; 3: high) of F-18-FDG uptake between PET/CT and MAMMI images.ResultsThirty-five patients in whom the primary tumor was visualized on both scans were included in this analysis. The mean primary tumor size was 35.1 mm (range 10-108 mm). The mean intensity score was similar on both devices (2.4 for PET/CT and 2.3 for MAMMI; P=0.439), but the mean heterogeneity score on MAMMI images was significantly higher (PET/CT 1.9 vs. MAMMI 2.3; P=0.005). MAMMI showed a higher heterogeneity score in 11 (31%) of 35 patients, especially in tumors with moderate or high intensity. Significantly higher heterogeneity scores on both PET/CT and MAMMI were seen in large tumors (P=0.005 and 0.014, respectively) and in tumors with high intensity scores (P=0.012 and P<0.001, respectively).ConclusionHeterogeneous tumor F-18-FDG uptake in breast cancer is frequently observed, particularly in large tumors with intense F-18-FDG uptake. It is more often seen on MAMMI PET than on conventional PET/CT. Although the observed heterogeneity should be proven histopathologically, this finding offers a rationale for F-18-FDG-guided biopsies.
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Pujades, M. C., Granero, D., Vijande, J., Ballester, F., Perez-Calatayud, J., Papagiannis, P., et al. (2014). Air-kerma evaluation at the maze entrance of HDR brachytherapy facilities. J. Radiol. Prot., 34(4), 741–753.
Abstract: In the absence of procedures for evaluating the design of brachytherapy (BT) facilities for radiation protection purposes, the methodology used for external beam radiotherapy facilities is often adapted. The purpose of this study is to adapt the NCRP 151 methodology for estimating the air-kerma rate at the door in BT facilities. Such methodology was checked against Monte Carlo (MC) techniques using the code Geant4. Five different facility designs were studied for Ir-192 and Co-60 HDR applications to account for several different bunker layouts. For the estimation of the lead thickness needed at the door, the use of transmission data for the real spectra at the door instead of the ones emitted by Ir-192 and Co-60 will reduce the lead thickness by a factor of five for Ir-192 and ten for Co-60. This will significantly lighten the door and hence simplify construction and operating requirements for all bunkers. The adaptation proposed in this study to estimate the air-kerma rate at the door depends on the complexity of the maze: it provides good results for bunkers with a maze (i.e. similar to those used for linacs for which the NCRP 151 methodology was developed) but fails for less conventional designs. For those facilities, a specific Monte Carlo study is in order for reasons of safety and cost-effectiveness.
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MoEDAL Collaboration(Acharya, B. et al), Bernabeu, J., Garcia, C., King, M., Mitsou, V. A., Vento, V., et al. (2014). The physics programme of the MoEDAL experiment at the LHC. Int. J. Mod. Phys. A, 29(23), 1430050–91pp.
Abstract: The MoEDAL experiment at Point 8 of the LHC ring is the seventh and newest LHC experiment. It is dedicated to the search for highly-ionizing particle avatars of physics beyond the Standard Model, extending significantly the discovery horizon of the LHC. A MoEDAL discovery would have revolutionary implications for our fundamental understanding of the Microcosm. MoEDAL is an unconventional and largely passive LHC detector comprised of the largest array of Nuclear Track Detector stacks ever deployed at an accelerator, surrounding the intersection region at Point 8 on the LHC ring. Another novel feature is the use of paramagnetic trapping volumes to capture both electrically and magnetically charged highly-ionizing particles predicted in new physics scenarios. It includes an array of TimePix pixel devices for monitoring highly-ionizing particle backgrounds. The main passive elements of the MoEDAL detector do not require a trigger system, electronic readout, or online computerized data acquisition. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the MoEDAL physics reach, which is largely complementary to the programs of the large multipurpose LHC detectors ATLAS and CMS.
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Oset, E., Albaladejo, M., Xie, J. J., & Ramos, A. (2014). Recent developments on hadron interaction and dynamically generated resonances. Int. J. Mod. Phys. E, 23(7), 1461008–8pp.
Abstract: In this talk I report on the recent developments in the subject of dynamically generated resonances. In particular I discuss the gamma p -> K-0 Sigma+ and gamma n -> K-0 Sigma(0) reactions, with a peculiar behavior around the K*(0)Lambda threshold, due to a 1/2(-) resonance around 2035 MeV. Similarly, I discuss a BES experiment, J/psi -> eta K*(0) (K) over bar*(0) decay, which provides evidence for a new h(1) resonance around 1830 MeV that was predicted from the vector-vector interaction. A short discussion is then made about recent advances in the charm and beauty sectors.
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Andrews, H. L., Taheri, F. B., Barros, J., Bartolini, R., Bharadwaj, V., Clarke, C., et al. (2014). Reconstruction of the time profile of 20.35 GeV, subpicosecond long electron bunches by means of coherent Smith-Purcell radiation. Phys. Rev. Spec. Top.-Accel. Beams, 17(5), 052802–13pp.
Abstract: We have used coherent Smith-Purcell radiation (cSPr) in order to determine the temporal profile of sub-ps long electron bunches at the Facility for Advanced Accelerator Experimental Tests, at SLAC. The measurements reported here were carried out in June 2012 and April 2013. The rms values for the bunch length varied between 356 to 604 fs, depending on the accelerator settings. The resolution of the system was limited by the range of detectable wavelengths which was, in turn, determined by the choice of the grating periods used in these experiments and the achievable beam-grating separation. The paper gives the details of the various steps in the reconstruction of the time profile and discusses possible improvements to the resolution. We also present initial measurements of the polarization properties of cSPr and of the background radiation.
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