An analytical approach to optimization of isotope production by bremsstrahlung radiation.

Based on analytical description of isotope production by bremsstrahlung (X-ray) radiation, an algorithm is proposed for calculating the optimal dimensions of a cylindrical target of given mass positioned at a given distance from a bremsstrahlung converter to ensure the maximum yield of the isotope product. The expressions are derived for the total activity and its distribution along the target axis. A technique of γ-spectrometric measuring the activity of a thick production target is proposed.

A method of determining the bremsstrahlung flux-weighted average photonuclear cross section.

Based on a developed analytical model, a method is proposed for measuring the photonuclear cross section averaged over bremsstrahlung flux without application of additional target-monitor of photon flux. The method involves the use of a thin isotopic target, that completely overlaps the photon beam (a photonuclear converter), as well as an algorithm for processing the data on the yield of a reaction under study in such a target. The novel technique was validated on the reactions Mo(γ,n)Mo and Ni(γ,n)Ni in the range of photon end-point energy of 40.

Development and validation of an analytical model of isotope production by bremsstrahlung radiation.

An analytical method is used to describe isotope production at an electron accelerator. The key characteristics that determine the total target activity and its distribution have been established. The expressions for the reaction yield depend explicitly on the irradiation regime and parameters of the giant dipole resonance.

Controlling Calcium Carbonate Particle Morphology, Size, and Molecular Order Using Silicate.

Calcium carbonate (CaCO) is one of the most abundant substances on earth and has a large array of industrial applications. Considerable research has been conducted in an effort to synthesize calcium carbonate microparticles with controllable and specific morphologies and sizes. CaCO produced by a precipitation reaction of calcium nitrate and sodium carbonate solution was found to have high polymorphism and batch to batch variability.

Cardiomyocytes facing fibrotic conditions re-express extracellular matrix transcripts.

Pathophysiological conditions, such as myocardial infarction and mechanical overload affect the mammalian heart integrity, leading to a stiffened fibrotic tissue. With respect to the pathophysiology of cardiac fibrosis but also in the limelight of upcoming approaches of cardiac cell therapy it is of interest to decipher the interaction of cardiomyocytes with fibrotic matrix. Therefore, we designed a hydrogel-based model to engineer fibrotic tissue in vitro as an approach to predict the behavior of cardiomyocytes facing increased matrix rigidity.