[en] Swedish Exergy AB commercialised superheated steam drying technology – an invention from Chalmers University of Technology. New application for drying and valorisation of DWGS has been successfully developed and deployed at one of the sites in Europe. The technology has been adapted to this application. Key development includes novel and innovative concept of back-mixing in pressurised loop. (Author)

[en] A sensitive radioimmunoassay for measurement of norethindrone (N) in blood plasma has been developed. The coefficient of variation within the assay and between assays was 7 and 13.5 percent respectively. The procedural blanks were negligible, and recovery was approximately 81.8 percent. Blood plasma levels of N in 20 normotensive and 6 hypertensive women who were ingesting oral contraceptives (OCs) were measured, and the results indicate that the subjects who became hypertensive while taking OCs had significantly higher levels of N compared with normotensive OC users (p less than 0.001)

[en] The charged particle trajectories are evaluated in the presence of constant magnetic field and an electromagnetic wave. The perturbed velocities are derived for the resonant and non-resonant particles. The possible applicabilities of the theory have been also pointed out. (author). 16 refs

[en] This paper deals with an extension of the theory of mid-latitude blanketing sporadic E layer formation to the same phenomenon observed close to the geomagnetic equator. Generally the effect of the equatorial electrojet alone is considered for studying the sporadic E layer at the equator. The mid-latitude blanketing sporadic E, on the other hand, has been explained by the neutral wind shear theory. In the present study, a theory is developed to take account of both the electric field and the neutral wind effects. Models of the relevant parameters, both empirical and observational, have been used to solve the coupled equations of continuity and motion for a series of dip angles, ranging from 0.5⁰ to 20⁰. The effects of the electric field and the neutral wind are comparable within the range +-1⁰. However, for angles greater than 1⁰ the neutral wind effects become dominant and the effect of the electric field falls off rapidly

[en] Close loop gas recirculation system (CLS) is designed to overcome problems. The present system is a pilot unit catering to about 12 RPC detectors of 2m ÃâĂŤ 2m size. The gas mixture is prepared in required concentration, in-situ, and circulated throughout the loop at controlled flow rates. The pressure band is adjusted to be within 20mm of water column. A Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) keeps track of pressure and flow rates, process sequence and safety conditions. The loss of gas is continuously monitored to assess effectiveness of CLS. The concentration of gas components in the mixtures is monitored by sampling through Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA). The RPC performance parameters, such as leakage current, noise rate, efficiency and cross-talk are monitored vis-a-vis CLS parameters. It has been found that RPC parameters respond in coordination with CLS functioning. Room pressure and temperature also seem to have influence on both of them

[en] The aim of the present work was radiolabeling and in-vivo evaluation of NODAGA-RGD(y)K2 with ⁶⁸Ga3+ eluted from a commercial ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga generator and used clinically for tumor imaging (thyroid cancer). Targeting tumor cells or tumor vasculature by peptides is a promising strategy for delivering cytotoxic drugs for cancer therapy. The Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) dimeric sequence has been known to bind effectively with the αvβ3 integrin receptors expressed on the surface of angiogenic blood vessels or tumour cells. This study deals with preparation of ⁶⁸Ga-NODAGA-RGD dimer, its physicochemical and preclinical study in normal rat and clinical evaluation in follicular thyroid carcinoma patient. The NODAGA-RGD(y)K2 (ABX) was used (25 μg) for labeling with ⁶⁸Ga obtained from ⁶⁸Ge/⁶⁸Ga (50 mCi/1850 MBq, itG/itM) generator. The synthesis was carried out aseptically using Eckert & Ziegler automated module as per the RPC approved protocol. The products were evaluated for physicochemical characteristic, stability and biodistribution in normal rat using PET camera. In vivo study was done in 50 years old male with follicular thyroid carcinoma and comparing ⁶⁸Ga-RGD uptake with ¹⁸FDG PET study in the same patient. Full scale automated synthesis of ⁶⁸Ga-RGD dimer was done with more than 70 % product yield using acetate buffer (1.0M) of pH 4.0, at 95℃ heating for 400 sec. More than 60 % injected activity in rat was excreted in 1 hr which is correlating with the reported study. In vivo administration of ⁶⁸Ga-RGD in a patient with carcinoma thyroid revealed avid uptake in multiple metastatic skeletal lesions with associated soft tissue component (right scapular lesions, right sided second rib, vertebrae, sternum, and bilateral iliac bones) correlating with FDG PET/CT findings. Conclusion: The physicochemical and other quality control data was found in compliance with the standard guidelines of the ⁶⁸Ga-based preparations. ⁶⁸Ga-RGD showed good avidity in the patient with thyroid carcinoma and thus, can be used for tumor imaging. However, further studies with larger number of patients are required to substantiate our findings. (author)

[en] Necrotizing fasciitis is a rapidly progressive infection of the deep soft tissue with a high mortality rate. Establishing the diagnosis is challenging and requires a high index of clinical suspicion. Patients may present with signs and symptoms of sepsis, including high fever, hypotension, and multi organ failure. The main clinical challenge is distinguishing superficial from deep soft-tissue involvement. This was a retrospective analysis of 4 patients (4 males; age range 38-64 years; mean age 50.25 years) presenting with pain, fever and soft tissue inflammatory signs on clinical examination in a specific region with a differential diagnosis of osteomyelitis, cellulitis and necrotizing fasciitis. They were referred for ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT scan to evaluate the site of infection and well as to look for any occult sites of infection in the rest of the body. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT findings were compared to the clinical examination findings and follow up. The patients were given the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis based on clinical and imaging findings. They were managed conservatively with antibiotics according to culture sensitivity evaluation, daily dressing and followed up regularly. FDG PET/CT of 4 patients revealed 9 lesions in total (2 lesions per patient for 3 patients and 3 lesions in the 4th patient). Two of these were not seen in initial clinical evaluation and were closely followed up. The lesions showed FDG uptake with mean SUV max 5.1 (range 1.51-7.77) and involved soft tissue in inter muscular and intramuscular planes with air foci and surrounding fat stranding and extending to overlying skin. Necrotizing fasciitis is a rare life threatening disease that requires immediate attention. Due to the vague presentation and rarity of the condition, it may go undiagnosed in early stages. The differential diagnosis is cellulitis, osteomyelitis or any other local inflammatory pathology. FDG PET CT imaging can be used to enhance the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of Necrotising fasciitis. FDG PET CT allows whole body scan and so it is possible to detect lesions in other areas and evaluate them. It may also potentially be used for treatment response in these patients. (author)

[en] The determination of fluoride from diverse matrices at front and back end of nuclear technology and some studies from this laboratory on optimizations of different experimental parameters differing with multiple fuels and reactor materials, have been reviewed. The most useful techniques such as fluoride ion selective electrode (F-ISE) and ion-chromatography (IC) widely adopted as routine methods for fluoride determination in nuclear industry have been discussed. The effect of various buffer strengths on the response of the fluoride ion selective electrode has been examined. The ion chromatographic studies on mobile phase concentration, medium of sample, sample injection volume etc. to get distinct fluoride peak within optimum time in presence of other anionic species in diverse concentrations have been reported. The results of various sample matrices such as UO₂, PuO₂, (U,Pu)O₂, Pu-alloy, thoria, zircaloy, slag, HLLW, LLLW etc., analyzed after matrix separation using pyrohydrolysis setup, for both solid and liquid samples and without matrix separation by masking potentially interfering ions of liquid samples, have been presented. (orig.)

[en] We have studied symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases (V Shape, and U Shape) magnitude ≥ 2.0%, observed at Oulu super neutron monitor, during the period of 1986-2006 with coronal mass ejections CMEs), interplanetary shocks and disturbances in solar wind plasma parameters (solar wind temperature, velocity, density). We have found that 76.92% V shape symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases are associated with halo and partial halo coronal mass ejections (CMEs). The association rate between halo and partial halo coronal mass ejections are found 40.00% and 60.00% respectively. Most of the V Shape symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases are related to interplanetary shocks (61.53%) and the related shocks are forward shocks. We have also found positive co-relation with co-relation co-efficient 0.54 between magnitude of V shape symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases and speed of associated coronal mass ejections. From the further study it is concluded that V shape symmetric cosmic ray decreases are strongly related to the disturbances in solar wind plasma parameters. Negative co-relation has been found between magnitudes of V Shape symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases and magnitude of jump in solar wind plasma density of associated JSWD events with co-relation co-efficient -0.152 between these two events. Negative co-relation has also been found between magnitude of V Shape asymmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases and magnitude of jump in solar wind plasma velocity of the associated JSWV events with co-relation co-efficient -0.48 between these two events. From the study of U Shape symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases and disturbances in solar wind plasma parameters, we found negative co-relation with correlation coefficient, -0.473 between magnitude of U shape symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases and magnitude of jump in solar wind plasma temperature of associated JSWT events, -0.468 between magnitude of U shape symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases and magnitude of jump in solar wind plasma density of associated JSWD events and -0.26 between U shape symmetric cosmic ray intensity decreases and magnitude of jump in solar wind plasma velocity of associated JSWV events.

[en] Full text: Glyoxalase system is a central pillar of electronic theory of cancer (Szent-Gyorgyi, 1973). It is well established that sensitivity of cells is directly proportional to the rate of cell division and inversely proportional to degree of differentiation. Several studies have shown the involvement of glyoxalase system in regulation of cell division and differentiation. This system consists of two enzymes Glyoxalase I (Gly I) and Glyoxalase II (Gly II), converts hemithioacetal to D-lactate and GSH with S-D lactoylglutathione as an intermediate. Reduced glutathione (GSH) determines inherent radio sensitivity of the cells. In actual radio therapeutic practice, the total dose of radiation is not chosen on basis of tumor control. It is based primarily on maximum dose tolerated by normal tissue. This suggests the importance of understanding the radio response of normal tissue. Since glyoxalase system regulates cell division and differentiation it is expected to play important role in outcome of radiotherapy of cancer. However, the radio-response of glyoxalase system is not well understood in normal as well as transformed cells. Considering the possible significance of the glyoxalase system from radiation therapy point of view, an attempt has been made to understand its response in terms of its activity and expression in liver of Swiss albino mice. Since Gly I is a key enzyme of this system its radio response was examined. In the present work animals (Swiss albino mice) were irradiated with different dose (0-7 Gy) and dose rates (0.063, 0.025 and 1 Gy/sec) of gamma radiation. Expression of Gly I gene was found to increase up to 5 Gy and then declines thereafter beyond 5Gy) in the liver of mouse. Similar pattern was also found in case of its specific activity. At total dose of 3 and 7 Gy, both expression and activity of Gly I was seen to increase with dose rate. In addition, specific activities of different antioxidant enzymes were examined. Moreover radiation induced oxidative damage has also been studied. Our findings suggest the possible link between methyl glyoxalase and radio sensitivity of the cells and intern with the radiation therapy of cancer