Monte Carlo simulation of the full energy peak efficiency of a WBC.

A whole body counting system is in operation at the Nuclear and Technological Institute, in Portugal. Computational methods were used to determine the detection efficiency; a well-known source of bias in modelling the behaviour of a HPGe detector is the insufficient knowledge regarding the thickness of the lithium dead layer. In order to accurately simulate the detection system and to achieve agreement between the Monte Carlo results and the performed measurements, the value for the dead layer thickness was optimized.

The zinc fingers of the SR-like protein ZRANB2 are single-stranded RNA-binding domains that recognize 5' splice site-like sequences.

The alternative splicing of mRNA is a critical process in higher eukaryotes that generates substantial proteomic diversity. Many of the proteins that are essential to this process contain arginine/serine-rich (RS) domains. ZRANB2 is a widely-expressed and highly-conserved RS-domain protein that can regulate alternative splicing but lacks canonical RNA-binding domains.

Preliminary results of ICF dissemination in primary health care in Mozambique: sharing the Italian experience.

Purpose: To present the preliminary results of training courses on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) prepared by Italian WHO FIC CC and to report on strategies for ICF dissemination among primary health care (PHC) workers in Mavalane Health Area, Maputo, Mozambique.

Methods: A participant-observer description of ICF principles introduction and development of ICF-CY modified checklists in Mavalane health area according to a person-environment interaction classification (PEIC) tree.

Results: The first ICF courses were held at Mavalane hospital and involved 25 health workers and 24 members of the health committee acting in the local area.

Down syndrome: otolaryngological effects of rapid maxillary expansion.

Objective: Phenotypical Down syndrome includes pharyngeal and maxillary hypoplasia and, frequently, constricted maxillary arch with nasal obstruction.

Study Design: This clinical trial assessed the effects of rapid maxillary expansion on ENT disorders in 24 children with Down syndrome randomly allocated to receive either rapid maxillary expansion or not. Each group received ENT and speech therapy assessments before expansion and after the device had been removed.

Intercomparison of active personal dosemeters in interventional radiology.

The use of active personal dosemeters (APD) in interventional radiology was evaluated by Working Group 9 (Radiation protection dosimetry of medical staff) of the CONRAD project, which is a Coordination Action supported by the European Commission within its sixth Framework Programme. Interventional radiology procedures can be very complex and they can lead to relatively high doses to personnel who stand close to the primary radiation field and are mostly exposed to radiation scattered by the patient. For the adequate dosimetry of the scattered photons, APDs must be able to respond to low-energy [10-100 keV] and pulsed radiation with relatively high instantaneous dose rates.

NetB, a new toxin that is associated with avian necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens.

For over 30 years a phospholipase C enzyme called alpha-toxin was thought to be the key virulence factor in necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens. However, using a gene knockout mutant we have recently shown that alpha-toxin is not essential for pathogenesis. We have now discovered a key virulence determinant.

Dose mapping of a 60Co irradiation facility using PENELOPE and MCNPX and its validation by chemical dosimetry.

The Monte Carlo simulation programs PENELOPE and MCNPX have been used for simulating the dose rate distribution in a (60)Co gamma irradiator. The simulated isodose curves obtained for each simulation code were validated comparing them to the dose measurements performed with a Fricke solution, which is a standard dosemeter widely used in radiation processing for calibration purposes. The agreement between the simulated values and the measurements indicates the effectiveness of both codes in performing the dose-mapping simulation for gamma irradiators.

Clinical management of HIV infection in children.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this article is to review recent advances in the clinical care of HIV-infected children.

Recent Findings: Obstacles to diagnosing HIV in children and providing clinical care to those HIV infected relate to a number of technical and operational factors. Most countries now have antiretroviral treatment guidelines and have incorporated co-trimoxazole prophylaxis for infected and exposed infants and children.

Loading and delivery of sertraline using inorganic micro and mesoporous materials.

Sertraline hydrochloride (designated as sertraline from now on) is an antidepressive drug with unpleasant effects in the gastric tract. Therefore, improved means of delivery allowing for a more controlled and efficient release were looked for. Two different porous materials, montmorillonite-K10 and MCM-41, were chosen as hosts.

Characterisation of a neutron beam available at the RPI using a set of Bonner spheres.

The use of Bonner spheres to characterise radiation fields is abundantly documented in the literature. This study, carried out using the state-of-the-art Monte Carlo code MCNPX and the deconvolution program MAXED, aims to characterise the RPI epithermal neutron beam using of a set of Bonner spheres of different radii surrounding a 3He detector. The energy range of interest in this study covers from thermal to 10 MeV.

Noise levels in dental schools.

Objective: To measure and analyse noise levels in the learning-teaching activities at the Dental School of the University of Porto (Portugal).

Materials And Methods: Sound levels were measured in five different practice areas and laboratories, selected as representative of a variety of learning-teaching activities. The noise levels were determined using a precision sound level meter that was positioned at ear level and at 1 m distance from the operator.

Towards the enhancement of the photon/neutron discrimination of C6D6 detectors in the range from 1 to 10 MeV using liquid scintillator materials doped with high-Z elements.

The study on the behaviour of deuterated benzene detectors in the energy range from 1 to 10 MeV has been carried out. It is shown that the photon-to-neutron discrimination, attained with standard detectors, can be improved by doping the C6D6 liquid scintillator with high-Z elements. The motivation for doping the organic scintillator stems from the fact that they should increase the gamma detection efficiencies with no significant changes in the abilities to detect neutrons.

Syntheses, X-ray structures, photochemistry, redox properties, and DFT calculations of interconvertible fac- and mer-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3] isomers containing a flexible SPS-based pincer ligand.

The lithium salt of the anionic SPS pincer ligand composed of a central hypervalent lambda4-phosphinine ring bearing two ortho-positioned diphenylphosphine sulfide side arms reacts with [Mn(CO)5Br] to give fac-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3]. This isomer can be converted photochemically to mer-[Mn(SPS)(CO)3], with a very high quantum yield (0.80+/-0.

C-H...O hydrogen bonding in 4-phenyl-benzaldehyde: a comprehensive crystallographic, spectroscopic and computational study.

The crystal structure of 4-phenyl-benzaldehyde reveals the presence of a dimer linked by the C=O and C9-H groups of adjacent molecules. In the liquid phase, the presence of C-H..

Possible influence of linguistic musical background on perceptual pitch-matching tasks: a pilot study.

Linguistic background has been identified as important in the perception of pitch, particularly between tonal versus nontonal languages. In addition, a link between native language and the perception of musical pitch has also been established. This pilot study examined the perception of pitch between listeners from tonal and nontonal linguistic cultures where two different styles of music originate.

Neutron capture cross section measurement of 151Sm at the CERN neutron time of flight facility (n_TOF).

The151Sm(n,gamma)152Sm cross section has been measured at the spallation neutron facility n_TOF at CERN in the energy range from 1 eV to 1 MeV. The new facility combines excellent resolution in neutron time-of-flight, low repetition rates, and an unsurpassed instantaneous luminosity, resulting in rather favorable signal/background ratios. The 151Sm cross section is of importance for characterizing neutron capture nucleosynthesis in asymptotic giant branch stars.

Predictive factors of virologic success in HIV-1-infected children treated with lopinavir/ritonavir.

Predictive factors of the virologic success of the use of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) in HIV-infected children are unknown, especially in children who have been pretreated with protease inhibitors (PIs). This longitudinal, single-center, observational study included 69 children (21 PI-naive and 48 PI-experienced) who had received LPV/r for at least 3 months. The mean (+/- SD) age was 10.

[HIV-1 infection in children in African countries].

The prognosis of HIV infection is dramatic for children living in poor countries. Over 50% die within two years. The World Health Organization has estimated that 1500 children will be infected daily until large-scale national programs for prevention of mother-to-child transmission are implemented.