Digitized by Kansas Correctional Industries

In this work, we take a look at the connection of gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) and ultra-high-energy cosmic rays (UHECR) as well as the possibilities how to verify this connection. The currently most promising approach is based on the detection of high-energy neutrinos, which are associated with the acceleration of cosmic rays. We detail how the prompt gamma-ray emission is connected to the prediction of a neutrino signal. We focus on the interactions of photons and protons in this regard. At the example of the current ANTARES GRB neutrino analysis, we show the differences between numerical predictions and older analytical methods. Moreover, we discuss the possibilities how cosmic ray particles can escape from GRBs, assuming that UHECR are entirely made up of protons. For this, we compare the commonly assumed neutron escape model with a new component of direct proton escape. Additionally, we will show that the different components, which contribute to the cosmic ray flux, strongly depend on the burst parameters, and test the applicability on some chosen GRBs. In a further step, we continue with the considerations regarding the connection of GRBs and UHECR by connecting the GRB source model with the cosmic ray observations using a simple cosmic ray propagation code. We test if it is possible to achieve the observed cosmic ray energy densities with our simple model and what the consequences are regarding the prompt GRB neutrino flux predictions as well as the cosmogenic neutrinos. Furthermore, we consider the question of neutrino lifetime and how it affects the prompt GRB neutrino flux predictions. In a final chapter, we show that it is possible to apply the basic source model with photohadronic interactions to other types of sources, using the example of the microquasar Cygnus X-3. / In dieser Arbeit beschäftigen wir uns mit dem Zusammenhang von Gammablitzen (GRBs) und ultra-hochenergetischer kosmischer Strahlung (UHECR) sowie mit den Möglichkeiten, wie dieser Zusammenhang überprüft werden kann. Der zur Zeit erfolgsversprechendste Ansatz basiert auf der Detektion von hochenergetischen Neutrinos, die mit der Beschleunigung von kosmischer Strahlung assoziiert werden. Wir zeigen detailliert, wie die prompte Emission im Bereich der Gammastrahlung mit der Voraussage eines Neutrinosignals zusammenhängt. Ein besonderes Augenmerk legen wir hierbei auf die Wechselwirkung von Photonen und Protonen. Am Beispiel der aktuellen Analyse des ANTARES Neutrinoteleskops zu Neutrinos von Gammablitzen zeigen wir, wie sich numerische Voraussagen von älteren analytischen Methoden unterscheiden. Des Weiteren diskutieren wir Möglichkeiten, wie die Teilchen der kosmischen Strahlung aus einem Gammablitz entkommen können, wenn die ultra-hochenergetische kosmische Strahlung nur aus Protonen bestehen würde. Wir vergleichen dazu das meistens angenommene Entkommen in Form von Neutronen mit einer neuen Komponente von direkt ausströmenden Protonen. Auch zeigen wir, dass die unterschiedlichen Komponenten, die zur kosmischen Strahlung beitragen, stark von den verwendeten Parametern der Gammablitze abhängen, und uberprüfen die Modelle an einigen ausgewählten Gammablitzen. In einem weiteren Schritt führen wir die Überlegungen zu dem Zusammenhang von Gammablitzen und ultra-hochenergetischer kosmischer Strahlung fort, in dem wir mittels eines einfachen Propagationscodes für kosmische Strahlung eine Verbindung zwischen dem Quellmodell für Gammablitze und den Beobachtungsdaten der kosmischen Strahlung herstellen. Wir überprüfen, inwieweit sich die beobachteten Energiedichten der kosmischen Strahlung mittels unseres einfachen Modells realisieren lassen und welche Konsequenzen dies für die Voraussagen der prompten Neutrinoemission von Gammablitzen sowie den kosmogenischen Neutrinos hat. Außerdem gehen wir der Frage nach, wie die vorausgesagten prompten Neutrinoflüsse von einer endlichen Lebenszeit der Neutrinos beeinflusst werden würden. In einem letzten Kapitel übertragen wir das verwendete grundlegende Quellmodell mit photohadronischen Wechselwirkungen auf eine andere Klasse von Quellen, am Beispiel von Voraussagen fürden Mikroquasar Cygnus X-3.

<p>In order to monitor a nuclear boiling water reactor fixed and movable detectors are used, such as the neutron sensitive LPRM (Local Power Range Monitors) detectors and the gamma sensitive TIP (Traversing Incore Probe) detectors. These provide a mean to verify the predictions obtained from core simulators, which are used for planning and following up the reactor operation. The core simulators calculate e.g. the neutron flux and power distribution in the reactor core. The simulators can also simulate the response in the LPRM and TIP detectors. By comparing with measurements the accuracy of the core simulators can be quantified. The core simulators used in this work are PHOENIX4 and POLCA7. Because of the complexity of the calculations, each fuel assembly is divided axially into typically 25 nodes, which are more or less cubic with a side length of about 15 cm. Each axial segment is simulated using a 2D core simulator, in this work PHOENIX4, which provides data to the 3D code, in this case POLCA7, which in turn perform calculations for the whole core. The core simulators currently use both radial pin weights and axial node weights to calculate the gamma TIP detector signal. A need to bring forward new weight factors has now been identified because of the introduction of new fuel designs. Therefore, the gamma TIP detector response has been simulated using a Monte Carlo code called MCNPX for a modern fuel type, SVEA-96 Optima2, which is manufactured by Westinghouse. The new weights showed some significant differences compared to the old weights, which seem to overestimate the radial weight of the closest fuel pins and the axial weight of the node in front of the detector. The new weights were also implemented and tested in the core simulators, but no significant differences could be seen when comparing the simulated detector response using new and old weights to authentic TIP measurements.</p>

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Oregon State University, 2007. / Printout. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-113). Also available on the World Wide Web.

La radiochirurgie par Gamma Knife constitue une modalité thérapeutique reconnue de certaines affections cérébrales. Le traitement se base sur l’administration d’un rayonnement focalisé au niveau d’une cible intracrânienne. L’efficacité de ce traitement repose sur la délivrance d’une dose d’irradiation efficace au sein d’un volume-cible associé à la délivrance d’une dose d’irradiation négligeable à l’extérieur de ce même volume-cible. En pratique, la dose d’irradiation administrée à l’intérieur du volume-cible n’est pas distribuée de manière homogène, et la dose d’irradiation reçue par les tissus situés en-dehors du volume-cible n’est pas nécessairement faible. Notre travail est basé sur l’hypothèse que l’imperfection de la distribution de la dose d’irradiation au sein du volume-cible et en-dehors de celui-ci peut être responsable des échecs et des complications rencontrées en radiochirurgie. Dans deux modèles cliniques de traitement radiochirurgical, le schwannome vestibulaire et la névralgie du trijumeau, nous avons montré qu’il existait une relation entre les paramètres de distribution de dose d’irradiation et certains résultats du traitement radiochirurgical par Gamma Knife de ces pathologies. Nous avons développé deux modèles expérimentaux d’irradiation radiochirurgicale de rats, l’un ciblé sur le striatum et l’autre sur le nerf trijumeau, permettant d’analyser les conséquences histologiques des variations de la distribution de dose à l’intérieur du volume-cible ainsi qu’à distance de celui-ci. Nous avons démontré que la réponse radiobiologique des tissus irradiés était fortement dépendante de ce paramètre dosimétrique, et que ce dernier constituait une donnée de la planification chirurgicale aussi importante que la dose de prescription. Nous avons corrélé ces résultats avec certaines observations réalisées dans d’autres indications de traitement radiochirurgical ainsi que dans l’analyse histologique de tumeurs traitées par Gamma Knife. Ces études mettent en évidence le rôle important joué par l’optimalisation de la distribution de la dose d’irradiation dans l’amélioration des résultats cliniques du traitement radiochirurgical. Les valeurs optimales de la distribution de dose dans les différentes indications de traitement radiochirurgical doivent être recherchées, et les différentes méthodes mises à notre disposition lors de la planification dosimétrique pour améliorer la distribution de dose doivent être utilisées avec discernement pour obtenir la dosimétrie radiochirurgicale la plus parfaite possible.

<p><font face="Arial"> <p align="left">In this study, the capabilities of Neutron Radiography (NRad) and -Tomography (NTomo), as well as X-ray Radiography (XRad) to investigate chlorides and chlorides corrosion effects within steel reinforced laboratory concrete samples are practically explored. Capabilities of Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA), Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE), Small-Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS), Neutron Diffraction (NDIFF) and X-ray Diffraction (XDIFF) analytical techniques are also explored through review of literature.</p> </font></p>

Im Rahmen eines vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung geförderten Projektes (Förderkennzeichen 02NUK010A) wurden an einem senkrechten, mit Flüssigkeit umströmten und beheizten Stabbündel gammadensitometrische Gasgehaltsmessungen durchgeführt. Es wurden zwei Messpositionen, zwei Volumenstromraten des umströmenden Fluides, zwei Unterkühlungswerte und elf Wärmestromdichten zur Messung gewählt. Der Bericht umfasst die Beschreibung des Versuchsstandes, die Messmethodik, Ergebnisse und deren Interpretation. Im Detail wird ebenfalls die Messunsicherheit bewertet.

Background: Gamma oscillations (30-80 Hz) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) are associated with working memory; a process involving the maintenance and manipulation of information on line (Baddeley, 1986). Gamma oscillations are supported by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory interneurons in the DLPFC. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive method in which to stimulate the cortex that has been shown to modify oscillations, cognition and GABAergic mechanisms. Patients with schizophrenia have severe deficits in working memory that may be related to impairments in GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission underlying gamma oscillations in the DLPFC. Objective: First, to evaluate gamma oscillatory activity in patients with schizophrenia during working memory compared to healthy subjects. Second, to examine the effect of rTMS applied over the DLPFC on gamma oscillations generated during working memory in healthy subjects. Third, to examine the effect of rTMS applied to the DLPFC on gamma oscillations in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy subjects. Hypotheses: First, it was hypothesized that patients with schizophrenia would exhibit an alteration in gamma oscillatory activity. Second, it was hypothesized that rTMS would be effective in enhancing gamma oscillations in healthy subjects. Third, it was hypothesized that rTMS would be effective in inhibiting gamma oscillations in patients with schizophrenia. Results: The first study found that patients with schizophrenia generate excessive gamma oscillations during working memory compared to healthy subjects. The second experiment found that rTMS over the DLPFC resulted in the potentiation of gamma oscillations in healthy subjects during working memory. The third experiment demonstrated that rTMS inhibited excessive gamma oscillations in patients with schizophrenia while an opposite effect was found in healthy subjects. Conclusions: rTMS applied over the DLPFC modulates frontal gamma oscillatory in healthy subjects and in patients with schizophrenia depending on baseline levels of activity, a finding that may ultimately translate into a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to cognitive improvement in this disorder.

Background: Gamma oscillations (30-80 Hz) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) are associated with working memory; a process involving the maintenance and manipulation of information on line (Baddeley, 1986). Gamma oscillations are supported by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory interneurons in the DLPFC. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non-invasive method in which to stimulate the cortex that has been shown to modify oscillations, cognition and GABAergic mechanisms. Patients with schizophrenia have severe deficits in working memory that may be related to impairments in GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission underlying gamma oscillations in the DLPFC. Objective: First, to evaluate gamma oscillatory activity in patients with schizophrenia during working memory compared to healthy subjects. Second, to examine the effect of rTMS applied over the DLPFC on gamma oscillations generated during working memory in healthy subjects. Third, to examine the effect of rTMS applied to the DLPFC on gamma oscillations in patients with schizophrenia compared to healthy subjects. Hypotheses: First, it was hypothesized that patients with schizophrenia would exhibit an alteration in gamma oscillatory activity. Second, it was hypothesized that rTMS would be effective in enhancing gamma oscillations in healthy subjects. Third, it was hypothesized that rTMS would be effective in inhibiting gamma oscillations in patients with schizophrenia. Results: The first study found that patients with schizophrenia generate excessive gamma oscillations during working memory compared to healthy subjects. The second experiment found that rTMS over the DLPFC resulted in the potentiation of gamma oscillations in healthy subjects during working memory. The third experiment demonstrated that rTMS inhibited excessive gamma oscillations in patients with schizophrenia while an opposite effect was found in healthy subjects. Conclusions: rTMS applied over the DLPFC modulates frontal gamma oscillatory in healthy subjects and in patients with schizophrenia depending on baseline levels of activity, a finding that may ultimately translate into a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to cognitive improvement in this disorder.

El objetivo de esta tesis fue estudiar el efecto de las manipulaciones farmacológicas y genéticas sobre el complejo gamma-secretasa. El estudio de estos cambios en el complejo gamma-secretasa es un buen modelo de las alteraciones proteicas que ocurren durante el avance de la enfermedad de Alzheimer. Se ha sugerido que los niveles de colesterol celular pueden modular el metabolismo de la proteína precursora de amiloide (APP). Estudios epidemiológicos han mostrado una menor incidencia y prevalencia de Enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) en individuos tratados con estatinas. En el presente trabajo, investigamos en detalle la relación existente en la reducción de los niveles de colesterol, el procesamiento de APP y la función de &#947;-secretasa en cultivos celulares. Nuestros resultados indican que la disminución de los niveles de colesterol reduce la asociación de APP a los rafts lipídicos e interrumpe la interacción APP-PS1. En conjunto, nuestros resultados muestran que una reducción leve del colesterol de membrana altera el procesamiento de APP en los pasos previos al procesamiento por &#947;-secretasa. Esta alteración puede ser debida a cambios en el tráfico de APP y su distribución en los rafts lipídicos. Mutaciones en el gen de la APP son una de las principales causas de EA familiar hereditaria. Estas mutaciones alteran el procesamiento de APP y la generación de &#946;-amiloide. Recientemente nuestro grupo describió el hallazgo de una mutación en APP I716F en una familia con dos portadores. El probando presentaba un EA de inicio precoz (31 años) y murió a los 36 años de edad. El análisis neuropatológco muestra abundantes placas difusas compuestas de &#946;-amiloide (A&#946;) 42 y ovillos neurofibrilares extensos. Se observaron cuerpos de Lewy localizados en la amígdala. El estudio de esta alteración se llevó a cabo en una línea celular a la cual transfectamos la mutación de interés. Estos datos sugieren que la mutación provoca una menor proteólisis de la proteína APP por &#947;-secretasa. En conjunto, nuestros resultados indican que la mutación APP I716F está asociada con la edad de inicio más temprana de la enfermedad y muestra la correlación inversa existente entre la ratio A&#946;42/ A&#946;40 y la edad de inicio de la EA. Esta pérdida de función puede representar un mecanismo adicional mediante el cual, algunas mutaciones localizadas alrededor del lugar de procesamiento de la &#947;-secretasa provocan EA familiar.