Electret Production and Applications with Special Regard to Health Physics Dosimetry: A Review.

An electret detector is a piece of dielectric material film charged or polarized by a specific charging method to induce a quasi-permanent electric field. Electret films perform unique characteristics for production and applications in many areas of science and technology, especially in health physics dosimetry. A charged electret detector, when placed in an ionized environment, collects negative or positive ions depending on its original charging state, which reduces its original charge.

Six Weeks to Wellness: The Role of Breathing Exercises Based on Motor Development Pattern in Improving Fitness and Quality of Life in Overweight Elderly Women.

Being overweight is a major global health epidemic of the 20th and 21st centuries, which can affect the movement system function of older adult women. This study evaluated the effects of a breathing exercise based on motor development patterns on functional fitness and quality of life in overweight older adult women. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 40 community-dwelling women aged 65-75.

Breakthrough electroneutron multi-response miniature dosimetry/spectrometry in medical accelerator.

Breakthrough multi-response miniature dosimetry/spectrometry of electroneutrons (EN) was made on surface and in-depths of whole-body polyethylene phantom under 10 cm × 10 cm electron beam of 20 MV Varian Clinac 2100C electron medical accelerator commonly applied for prostate treatment. While dosimetry/spectrometry of photoneutrons (PN) has been well characterized for decades, those of ENs lagged behind due to very low EN reaction cross section and lack of sensitive neutron dosimeters/spectrometers meeting neutron dosimetry requirements. Recently, Sohrabi "miniature neutron dosimeter/spectrometer" and "Stripe polycarbonate dosimeter" have broken this barrier and determined seven EN ambient dose equivalent (ENDE) (µSv.

Enhancing electrostatic charge stability of corona charged Teflon electret films for radiation dosimetry by optimizing metal electrode backing material.

Metal electrode backing (MEB) material was found to have a significant role on the electrostatic surface charge stability of Teflon polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) electret films. PTFE films of different thicknesses were positively and negatively charged by using our home-made modified point-to-plane corona poling rotating systems. Different MEB materials and thicknesses; aluminum, copper, stainless steel, zinc, silver, and gold were applied.

Optimizing some parameters of air-filled ion pulse ionization chambers for effective radon detection.

Air-filled ionization chambers in pulse ion mode can provide precise low-level detection of indoor/outdoor radon. However, it suffers from relatively high collection duration of positive and negative charges as well as environmental changes. In order to overcome these shortcomings, the Garfield++ software which is a powerful toolkit to develop a realistic simulation framework for radiation detectors was applied.

Spectrometry of leakage photoneutrons of 18 MV medical accelerator head by Sohrabi passive multi-directional spherical neutron spectrometry system.

Purpose: Spectrometry of leakage photoneutrons (PN) of a Siemens ONCOR medical linear accelerator head by applying recently invented Sohrabi passive multi-directional multi-detector neutron spherical spectrometry system; measurements of scientific interest and of importance for meeting the regulatory and safety standards.

Methods: The neutron spectrometry system applied consists of 6 polycarbonate/B detectors mounted on 6 sides of a polyethylene cube used as bare and also embedded at center of 8 PE spheres of different diameters. Multi-directional and mean PN spectra at isocenter as well as at the left and right sides of head at 100 cm distance from the X-ray target on its plane of 10x10 cm 18-MV X-ray beams were determined applying Multisphere Neutron Spectrometry Unfolding Code (MNSU + ).

Discovery of Third Possible Ion Generating Source in 4π Plasma Focus Device Space.

Discovery of a possible third source of ion generation in 4π Plasma Focus Device (PFD) space is reported. Unexpected observation of dense ion tracks, called "On Shadow Ion Tracks" (OSIT), on the "ion cathode shadows" (ICS) was discovered. These ions were formed on panorama mega-size cylindrical polycarbonate ion image detectors placed behind the cathodes in the PFD space on PFD wall, where no ion tracks are expected to exist.

Whole-body photoneutron 360° angular distribution dosimetry by novel "Sohrabi neutron dosimetry methods".

Purpose: Whole-body photoneutron (PN) energy-specific dosimetry on phantom surfaces and 360°angular fast PN distribution dosimetry on and around polyethylene (PE) phantom organs for prostate cancer in 10 cm × 10 cm and 20 cm × 20 cm field sizes of 18 MV X-rays of Varian Clinac 2100C linear accelerator.

Methods: Novel "Sohrabi neutron dosimetry methods" including "miniature passive neutron dosimeter/spectrometer" and "strip polycarbonate neutron dosimeters" were applied. Energy-specific PN dose equivalents on surface as well as 360°fast PN dose equivalent angular distributions on and around PE phantom organs; head, neck, thorax, arms, pelvis, thighs and legs were determined.

Breakthrough whole body energy-specific and tissue-specific photoneutron dosimetry by novel miniature neutron dosimeter/spectrometer.

Breakthrough whole body energy-specific photoneutron (PN) dosimetry was made in/out-of-field in polyethylene phantom organ surface/depths remote from isocenter of 10 × 10 cm field prostate cancer therapy in 18 MV X-rays Varian Clinac 2100C medical linear accelerator for PN tissue-specific second primary cancer (PN-SPC) risk estimation. A novel miniature neutron dosimeter/spectrometer with polycarbonate/B/cadmium inserts was invented and applied. Each dosimeter determines seven tissue-specific dose equivalent (mSv)/Gy X-ray dose at each measurement point providing seven major energy-specific responses for beam thermal, albedo thermal, total thermal, total epithermal, total fast, sum of totals (thermal + epithermal) and sum of totals (thermal + epithermal + fast) PNs dose equivalents.

Variability and coordination patterns of walking with different speeds in active and non-active children with Down syndrome: A cross-sectional case-control study.

Children with Down syndrome (DS) have multiple difficulties in gait pattern. So, the effect of the activity level and speed on the gait coordination and variability was investigated. In this case-control observational study, 24 participants in three groups of active and non-active children with DS, and the control group without intellectual disability were asked to walk on a treadmill with two speeds of 0.

Photoneutron spectrometry by novel multi-directional spherical neutron spectrometry system.

Neutron spectrometry in science and technology applications in general and accurate exotic photoneutron (PN) dosimetry of cancer patients undergoing high-dose high-energy X-rays therapy in medical accelerators in particular is of vital need. In this study, a novel passive multi-directional multi-detector neutron spectrometry system was developed and home-made using 6 polycarbonate/B detectors on 6 sides of polyethylene (PE) cubes used bare and also embedded at center of PE spheres of 8 different diameters. The system provided well-resolved unfolded directional PN spectra showing thermal and fast PN peaks of 6 sides and mean spectrum in 5 field sizes at isocenter and other locations in 18 MV Siemens ONCOR medical linear accelerator bunker.

Effects of virtual reality training intervention on predictive motor control of children with DCD - A randomized controlled trial.

It has been hypothesised that deficits in the functions of predictive motor control and internal modeling may contribute to motor control issues of children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD). Virtual reality (VR) technologies have great potential to provide opportunity for Motor observation and motor imagery (MI) which could enhance learning and development of motor skills in children with DCD. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the benefits of a VR training intervention to improve predictive motor control functions of children with DCD.

A New Application of Sohrabi Albedo Neutron Dosimeters around a Plasma Focus Device.

A new application of the Sohrabi albedo neutron dosimeters is reported for the first time for determination of very low-level neutron ambient dose equivalents on and around a 3.5 kJ plasma focus device (PFD). The Sohrabi dosimeters basically use a polycarbonate track detector as bare and/or in contact with B convertor(s) under special cadmium cover arrangements.

NOVEL 'PHOTONEUTRON VOLUME DOSE EQUIVALENT' HYPOTHESIS AND METHODOLOGY FOR SECOND PRIMARY CANCER RISK ESTIMATION IN HIGH-ENERGY X-RAY MEDICAL ACCELERATORS.

A novel 'photoneutron (PN) volume dose equivalent' methodology was hypothesized and applied for the first time for estimating PN second primary cancer (PN-SPC) risks in high-energy X-ray medical accelerators. Novel position-sensitive mega-size polycarbonate dosimeters with 10B converter (with or without cadmium covers) were applied for determining fast, epithermal and thermal PN dose equivalents at positions on phantom surface and depths. The methodology was applied to sites of tumors such as brain, stomach and prostate in 47 patients.

Is visuomotor training an effective intervention for children with autism spectrum disorders?

Purpose: Investigation of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is somewhat dependent on addressing main core features of ASD. But it is not clear which kind of investigation can effect on more difficulties features. So, this study examines the effect of the visuomotor, motor, and computer-based training programs on social behavior, motor skills, and repetitive behaviors of children with ASD.

Pre-programming in overhand throwing of children with Down syndrome: role of the generalized motor program.

Objective: It is unclear whether slowness and higher reaction time of individuals with Down syndrome (DS) are because of inability to pre-program and using the generalized motor program (GMP) or not. So, the purpose of this study was to examine the consistency of relative timing as a fixed feature of a GMP in overhand throwing with changing the distance to target as a varied feature.

Methods: Fifteen individuals with DS (age = 13 ± 2 y) and a control group of 12 individuals without intellectual disability (ID; age = 13 ± 2 y) were asked to throw a tennis ball to a fixed target from three distances of 2, 2.

The effect of training on variability and accuracy of overhand throwing in children with Down syndrome.

Objective: People with Down syndrome (DS) have higher variability in their motor skills compared to other counterparts without intellectual disability. Given that the effect of physical training on the variability and accuracy is unclear, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of nine sessions of overhand throwing training on the variability and accuracy of overhand throwing in children with DS.

Methods: Twenty-seven children with DS randomly assigned to experimental and control groups.

Effects of Physical and Observational Practice on Intermanual Transfer.

Some studies have shown that different coordinate systems in the coding of movement sequences develop during observational and physical practice. According to Newell's (Newell, 1986) constraintsled approach, such contradictions could possibly depend on task characteristics. Accordingly, in the present study, two experiments were designed using a five-segment sequence timing task, in which the instructions on how to perform the sequence were different.

Effects of a Motor Intervention Program on Motor Skills and Executive Functions in Children With Learning Disabilities.

This study examined the effect of a motor intervention based on the attention, balance, and coordination (ABC) learning approach on motor proficiency and executive functions in children with learning disabilities (LD). Forty-five male elementary school students with LD aged 7-9 years were recruited and randomly assigned into one of three groups: two experimental groups and one control group. Experimental Group A received only the motor intervention.

Comparison of the effects of perceptual-motor exercises, vitamin D supplementation and the combination of these interventions on decreasing stereotypical behavior in children with autism disorder.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the combined effects of perceptual-motor exercises and vitamin D supplementation on the reduction of stereotypical behavior in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Methods: In this study, 100 eligible children with age ranging from 6 to 9 years were randomly selected and divided into four groups: Group A-perceptual-motor exercises ( = 25); Group B-25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25 (OH) D) ( = 25); Group C-perceptual-motor exercises and 25 (OH) D ( = 25); and Group D-control ( = 25).

Results: The stereotypes decreased from elementary level, 17% in Group A, 13% in Group B and 28% in Group C among the participants.