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S Mascarenhas

Publications and source records attributed to S Mascarenhas.

13 recordsLinked to original sources

Quality assessment of coffee beans with ESR and gamma-ray irradiation.

Peroxy radical formation in raw coffee beans of different qualities and origins from all over the world has been studied with electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis. The gamma-ray equivalent absorbed dose (ED) which creates the same concentration of radicals is obtained by the additive gamma-ray irradiation of the coffee beans. The ED and the cup quality is somewhat inversely related suggesting that the peroxidation of the unsaturated fatty acid is somewhat indicative of the degree of the aromatic decomposition and rancidity.

Coffee↗

Electron spin resonance dosimetric properties of bone.

The characteristics of electron spin resonance (ESR) dosimetry using bovine bone samples are described. The number of paramagnetic centers created by gamma radiation in the inorganic bone matrix was measured as a function of absorbed dose. The minimum detectable dose was 0.5 Gy for 60Co gamma rays. The response was linear up to the maximum dose studied (30 Gy) and independent of dose rate up to the maximum dose rate used (1.67 Gy min-1). For different bone samples the reproducibility was 5%. This method may be valuable for nuclear accident dosimetry.

Animals↗

Experimental model of electric stimulation of pseudarthrosis healing.

The effect of electric stimulation with direct constant current in induced pseudarthrosis was investigated in the radius of adult dogs. Two surgical techniques for inducing nonunion in the lower third of the radius of adult dogs are also described. Results were evaluated by clinical, radiologic, and histologic examinations and by 99mTc scintillation. A total of 57 animals (41 electrically stimulated and 16 control animals) was used. Statistically significant data show activation of endochrondral ossification and bone union by electric stimulation.

Animals↗

Electron spin resonance dating of human bones from Brazilian shell-mounds (Sambaquís).

Electron spin resonance (ESR) signals from bone increase with exposure to radiation. This permits the dating of ancient bone from its exposure to natural radiation over the centuries. The ESR technique was used for dating human bones from Brazilian shell mounds. The results were compared with 14C dates on charcoal found near the bone. The natural radiation dose rate of the bones was about 0.01 Gy/year (1 rad/year), similar to that found in Japanese shell-mounds. Ages of the bone samples dated ranged from 2000-5000 years BP.

Bone and Bones↗

Thermal-stimulated pressure and current studies of bound water in lysozyme.

The state of bound water in crystalized lysozyme was studied by four techniques: electret thermal depolarization currents, thermal-stimulated pressure, isothermal polization decay, and thermogravimetry. Hydration levels ranged from 0 to 40 mg water/g protein. Desorption of bound water dipoles was found to be the main process responsible for electrical depolarization. Two different binding sites for water were identified with long relaxation times at room temperature (order 10(2)s) and activation energies of 0.34 plus or minus 0.02 eV and 0.55 plus or minus 0.04 eV.

Crystallization↗

A photoacoustical radiation dosimeter.

A new type of radiation dosimeter using the photoacoustical effect is described. The photoacoustical radiation dosimeter (PARD) is capable of directly measuring the energy absorbed in the detecting element. For a completely absorbing element, the energy fluence rate in the radiation beam is measured. It is thus a calorimetric dosimeter. Since the energy sensor can be calibrated with another form of energy, it has the potential for being an absolute radiation dosemeter. Measurements were made using 50 to 100 kVp x rays with exposure rates at the detector of 2.6 x 10(-6) C/kg/s (10 mR/s) to 5 x 10(-5) C/kg/s (200 mR/s). The minimum measurable exposure rate at 90 kVp is 5 x 10(-7) C/kg/s (2 mR/s). For a given x-ray spectrum, the PARD has a linear response with radiation intensity and an inverse response with chopping frequency. With appropriate design parameters, we believe the PARD may be used to measure any photon energy or any type of radiation particle.

Acoustics↗

A new radiation dosimeter using a pyroelectric detector.

We describe a new type of radiation dosimeter, for the diagnostic x-ray region, using a pyroelectric detector. It consists of a PZT ceramic crystal thick enough to absorb all the incident radiation at 33 keV. This pyroelectric radiation dosimeter (PERD) produces an electrical signal when exposed to a chopped beam of x-ray photons. The PERD is basically a microcalorimeter. It has the following characteristics: (1) it responds linearly to the energy fluence rate of the radiation; (2) it responds linearly to the radiation intensity for a given radiation spectrum; (3) it has excellent stability; (4) it is simple to construct and inexpensive; and (5) it is rugged.

Electricity↗

Two thermal methods to measure the energy fluence of a brief exposure of diagnostic x rays.

This paper describes two simple thermal methods for measuring the energy fluence in J/cm2 from a diagnostic x-ray exposure. Both detectors absorb essentially 100% of the radiation and give a signal that is directly proportional to the energy fluence of the x-ray beam. One detector measures the thermal effect when a pulse of x rays is totally absorbed in the pyroelectric detector of lead-zirconium-titanate (PZT). The other detector measures the expansion of a gas surrounding a lead disk detector in a photoacoustic chamber. The increased pressure of the gas is transmitted through a 1-mm duct to a sensitive microphone. Both detectors have previously been used to measure the energy fluence rate of continuous x-ray beams in the same energy region using a chopped beam and a lock-in amplifier. Measurement of the energy fluence of a pulse of radiation eliminates the need for the beam chopper and lock-in amplifier and results in a simple, rugged, and inexpensive dosimeter. Either method can be combined with the area of the beam to give an estimate of the imparted energy to the patient from a diagnostic x-ray exposure.

Energy Transfer↗