42 research outputs found
Maldi-TOF analysis of hydroxy-containing polytetrahydrofuran chains (Poster by L. Van Renterghem)
No full textMaldi-Tof analysis of hydroxy-containing polytetrahydrofuran chains (Poster by L. Van Renterghem)
No full textMultiscale investigation of quasi-brittle fracture characteristics in a 9Cr-1Mo ferritic-martensitic steel embrittled by liquid lead-bismuth under low cycle fatigue
No full textLiquid metal embrittlement (LME) induced quasi-brittle fracture characteristics of a 9Cr–1Mo ferritic–martensitic steel (T91) after fatigue cracking in lead–bismuth eutectic (LBE) have been investigated at various length scales. The results show that the LME fracture morphology is primarily
characterized by quasi-brittle translath flat regions partially covered by nanodimples, shallow secondary
cracks propagating along the martensitic lath boundaries as well as tear ridges covered by micro dimples.
These diverse LME fracture features likely indicate a LME mechanism involving multiple physical processes,such as weakening induced interatomic decohesion at the crack tip and plastic shearing induced nano/micro voiding in the plastic zone.sponsorship: The work is financially supported by the MYRRHA project, SCK.CEN, Belgium and partly funded by the European Atomic Energy Community's (Euratom) Seventh Framework Programme FP7/2007-2013 under grant agreement No. 604862 (MatISSE project) and in the framework of the EERA (European Energy Research Alliance) Joint Programme on Nuclear Materials. Dr. Tom Van der Donck (KU Leuven) is acknowledged for the EBSD measurements. The authors are grateful to Dr. Van Renterghem Wouter (SCK.CEN) for fruitful discussion of the TEM results. Xing Gong sincerely acknowledges valuable suggestions from Dr. S.P. Lynch (Defence Science and Technology Organisation and Monash University, Melbourne, Australia). (MYRRHA project, SCK.CEN, Belgium, European Atomic Energy Community's (Euratom) Seventh Framework Programme FP7|604862)status: Publishe
Tritium Desorption Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of Beryllium Irradiated at Low Temperature Up to High Neutron Dose in BR2 Reactor
No full textThe present study investigated the release of tritium from beryllium irradiated at 323 K to a neutron fluence of 4.67 × 1026 m−2 (E > 1 MeV), corresponding up to 22,000 appm helium and 2000 appm tritium productions. The TPD tests revealed a single tritium release peak during thermal desorption tests, irrespective of the heating mode employed. The tritium release peaks occurred at temperatures ranging from 1031–1136 K, depending on the heating mode, with a desorption energy of 1.6 eV. Additionally, the effective tritium diffusion coefficient was found to vary from 1.2 × 10−12 m2/s at 873 K to 1.8 × 10−10 m2/s at 1073 K. The evolution of beryllium microstructure was found to be dependent on the annealing temperature. No discernible differences were observed between the as-received state and after annealing at 473–773 K for 5 h, with a corresponding porosity range of 1–2%. The annealing at temperatures of 873–1373 K for 5 h resulted in the formation of large bubbles, with porosity increasing sharply above 873 K and reaching 30–60%
Correction: Chakin et al. Tritium Desorption Behavior and Microstructure Evolution of Beryllium Irradiated at Low Temperature Up to High Neutron Dose in BR2 Reactor. J. Nucl. Eng. 2023, 4, 552–564
No full textThe authors would like to make the following corrections to the published paper [...
New insights into the innervation of the levator ani muscle
No full textIntroduction: There is still controversy about the innervation of the levator ani muscle (LAM). We investigated whether recent analysis yielded complete consensus among experts.
Methods: An extensive search of the current literature was performed.
Results: In the past, the pudendal nerve (PN) was considered as the sole nerve innervating the LAM. However, several studies reported no contribution of the PN to the LAM innervation but emphasized the existence of the levator ani nerve (LAN) as a separate nerve branching directly from the sacral plexus and running on the superior surface of the pelvic floor to the LAM. This theory is in contrast with several cadaver studies which reported contributions of branches of the PN to the innervation of the LAM. A recent study in human foetuses confirms that the LAM has a dual somatic innervation in all cases but the contribution of the LAN to the innervation of the LAM is greater than that of the PN. The PN runs inferior to the pelvic floor muscles and its contributions to the innervation of the LAM are variable in both individuals and between both sides of the same pelvis. Furthermore, a communicating branch between the LAN and the PN was found in 56% of the specimens. Nevertheless, recently, authors confirm dual LAM innervation in 58.8% of cases but demonstrate exclusive LAM innervation from the PN or LAN in 23.5% and 5.9% of cases, respectively.
Conclusion: Although studies confirm dual somatic innervation of the LAM exceptions in its neuronal supply exist
Nodal counts and the extent of lymphadenectomy in colorectal cancer: a systematic review
No full textIntroduction: Controversy persists on the use of lymph node counts as a quality indicator in colorectal cancer (CRC), and on the extent of lymphadenectomy. Here, we performed a systematic literature review on this topic.
Methods: A systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE, Web of Knowledge and Ovid. Search terms were: [colo* AND nod* AND (adenocarcinoma or cancer)].
Results: The biology of lymphatic tumour spread in colorectal cancer suggests that, rather than a late stepwise phenomenon, lymphatic spread can occur early in the course of tumourigenesis. Lymph node harvest is subject to a range of confounding variables, which can be classified into 5 major groups involving the patient, the tumour, the surgeon, the hospital, and the pathologist. The relation between nodal counts, nodal positivity rate, and survival is inconsistent. Extensive surgical lymphadenectomy such as in total mesocolic excision has no proven effect on survival. Recently, the ratio of positive nodes over total number examined (lymph node ratio, LNR) was introduced as a more precise prognostic marker compared to positive node count in stage III disease.
Conclusions: The use of a nodal count threshold as a quality indicator in CRC is questionable. The aim of lymph node resection and examination should be conceived in terms of diagnosis, staging, prognosis and regional control and has no or little therapeutic value. The benefit of extensive lymphadenectomy in CRC remains undefined and should be the subject of prospective comparative trials
Lifelike revascularization of embalmed kidneys: a promising new surgical training model?
No full textIntroduction: Patient safety and limited working hours for surgical trainees necessitate a growing use of surgical training tools, of which human bodies are the most realistic. Currently, a revascularized human training model mimicking reality, however, has been lacking.
Objectives: To install a lifelike prolonged circulation in embalmed kidneys.
Material/Patients and methods: The renal artery and vein of 13 goat kidneys and 8 pig kidneys were cannulated. Thiel embalming fluid was injected via the artery. Seven kidneys were additionally immersed in a Thiel embalming bath. To lose weight, 19 kidneys were afterwards brined. Then, again, both vessels were cannulated and connected to a roller pump, which installed a circulation using liquid paraffin or polyethylene glycol. Reperfusion time, flow rate and weight were measured.
Results: Embalming resulted in a substantial weight gain (mean: 31.4%). Brining efficiently dehydrated the kidneys (mean weight loss: 13.3%) and was most successful if no embalming bath was used. Pump driven circulation was installed in every specimen at flow rates of 15-30 cc per minute during 15-120 minutes. Polyethylene glycol mixed with water enabled the longest reperfusion with least weight gain and acceptable preservation of pliability.
Conclusions: Sole use of Thiel perfusion fluid adequately embalms kidneys and subsequent brining efficiently diminishes swelling enabling recovery of original weight. Pump-driven reperfusion based on polyethylene glycol was installed during longtime without obvious change of the constitution of the kidneys. This realistic model has promising properties, however, further elaboration is needed to eventually develop the most realistic surgical training tool ever
