We have reviewed the case of residents of Styria, Austria, who are reported to have consumed large quantities of arsenic oxide (300–400 mg per dose) and remained in good health.
Conventional cytogenetic analysis is often hampered by its dependency on the evaluation of dividing cells. When the mitotic index is low, or the cytogenetic preparation suboptimal, an accurate ...diagnosis often cannot be achieved using standard GTG banding. Molecular cytogenetics using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) can be extremely useful in such a situation because it can be performed on nondividing interphase nuclei, and can usually be carried out on existing slides without requiring an additional specimen. The present paper presents two case histories to illustrate the utility of FISH in the clinical setting.
The TESLA nine-cell SC cavities need a fast tuning system, which will be able to adjust its shape during the pulse operation. The first attempts were focused on the compensation of the repetitive and ...periodic distortion. The algorithms were implemented in Matlab and allow compensating only the Lorentz force detuning. However, the previous solution was too slow to be able to compensate the microphonics. The paper presents recent development in this field. The previously worked out algorithms are implemented in the FPGA-based control system. The SIMCON board is used, which allows to perform parallel, deeply pipelined calculations. The new approach allows integrating the algorithm dedicated for cavity shape control with the LLRF system used for vector sum control. Moreover, the new algorithm for online detuning calculation which is based on the electromechanical model of the cavity is presented. The system is tested with Module Test Stand (MTS) at DESY with the high gradient cavities (up to 37 MV/m). Two type of active elements are investigated the NOLIAC's and PI's - both multilayer, low voltage piezostacks. The paper will present the first results from carried out measurements.
The lymphocytes of 25 hospital workers exposed to ethylene oxide and of a standardized control group were investigated for DNA damage (measured by alkaline filter elution) and sister chromatid ...exchange (SCE) frequencies. Additionally, the excretion of hydroxyethyl mercapturic acid (HEMA) in the 24-h urine of ten workers and ten control persons was determined. The peak levels of ethylene oxide in air during the first 8 min after opening of the sterilization unit were measured. Peak levels of ethylene oxide in the air of up to 417 ppm after opening of the sterilization unit were detected. In the alkaline filter elution assay we found significantly reduced elution rates in the exposed workers, indicating DNA-protein cross-links. The reduction of the elution rates through HVLP filters correlated significantly with the exposure classification (low, medium, high) (r = -0.45, P < 0.05) and the ethylene oxide peak level after opening of the sterilization unit (r = -0.42, P < 0.05). The SCE frequencies in the standardized control group were significantly elevated. With respect to (n = 78) historic control SCE values of our institute, the SCE values of the disinfectors were not significantly elevated (6.54 vs 6.27). The ethylene oxide-exposed workers did not have a greater percentage of high-frequency SCE cells. The mean HEMA concentration in the urine of the exposed workers was significantly elevated, but there were wide variations in HEMA concentrations and no correlation to ethylene oxide exposure. We conclude that the alkaline filter elution assay may be a sensitive parameter for ethylene oxide-exposed workers.
The paper describes achievements in LLRF based tests preparation for superconducting cryo-modules evaluation for European X-ray Free Electron Laser. The software for automatic cryo-modules ...characterization at the Accelerator Module Test Facility (AMTF) will be presented. In order to identify fundamental working parameters of the eight TESLA cavities cryomodules the scenario of several tests sequence has been proposed and implemented in AMTF. Main parameters like: cavities quenching levels verification, cavities Pi modes identification, slow and fast frequency tuners performance, fundamental power coupler performance, etc are evaluated. Basing on achieved data the decision about module acceptance for work in the linac is done. In this solution the MTCA.4 based LLRF system is used to control and verify cryo-string performance. Middle layer client servers implemented in this environment are responsible for providing tests initial conditions, testing and results archiving in the dedicated data base. Results of described tests are not only vital for module acceptance but are also important for future LLRF system set-up and configuration concerning module work in the accelerator tunnel.
Radiation can cause malfunctions and limited life on the electronic systems. For that reason radiation monitoring system plays a key role in estimating the danger and life time of the electronic ...systems operating in the radiation environment. The neutron radiation online monitoring system based on the bubble dosimeter is presented. Device was tested at DESY research centre in Hamburg with americium-beryllium ( 241 AmBe) neutron source.
