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Biomedical subjects

W E Cox

Publications and source records attributed to W E Cox.

5 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Steam generator hand hole shielding.

Seabrook Station is an 1198 MWE Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) that began commercial operation in 1990. Expensive and dose intensive Steam Generator Replacement Projects among PWR operators have led to an increase in steam generator preventative maintenance. Most of this preventative maintenance is performed through access ports in the shell of the steam generator just above the tube sheet known as secondary side hand holes. Secondary side work activities performed through the hand holes are typically performed without the shielding benefit of water in the secondary side of the steam generator. An increase in cleaning and inspection work scope has led to an increase in dose attributed to steam generator secondary side maintenance. This increased work scope and the station goal of maintaining personnel radiation dose ALARA led to the development of the shielding concept described in this article. This shield design saved an estimated 2.5 person-rem (25 person-Smv) the first time it was deployed and is expected to save an additional 50 person-rem (500 person-mSv) over the remaining life of the plant.

Computer Simulation↗
PubMed1992

A computer aided approach to electron energy loss spectroscopy and imaging.

In this paper we present the design and configuration of an imaging system for electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and electron spectrographic imaging (ESI). The interfacing of commercial off-the-shelf hardware, custom software and a transmission electron microscope containing integrated spectrographic capabilities produces results that are well suited for clinical applications. The custom design and integration of this system allows for full control over all of the methods and procedures employed. This full control and knowledge of the procedures used is not always possible with commercial packages. This custom software allowed for the definition and testing of a new procedure for the determination of the theoretical background image, and hence the ability to refine the overall sensitivity for elemental detection. To further the proof of elemental detection, a procedure for continuous scan of an area of interest while varying delta E can also be performed with this system.

Computers↗
PubMed1991

Delayed growth and maturation of astrocytic cultures following exposure to ethanol: electron microscopic observations.

This investigation examined the effects of ethanol on the morphologic features of cultured rat astrocytes using a treatment paradigm that provided consistent exposure to ethanol at concentrations of 0.2%, 0.5%, or 1.0% (w/v). Cultures were assessed between 4 and 8 days in vitro during the logarithmic phase of growth; differences in culture growth, cell profile area and ultrastructural configuration were found. A dose-dependent inhibition of culture growth was observed after 48 and 96 h of ethanol exposure. In control cultures, the consequences of culture growth included the progressive crowding of cells, a concomitant reduction in the cell profile area, and increased cell-cell contact. On culture day 8, electron microscopic examination of control cultures demonstrated a complex stratified cellular layer, the junction of cells by puncta adhaerentia and the acquisition of intermediate filament bundles. In contrast, the impaired growth in ethanol-exposed cultures was associated with the retention of an extensive cell profile area suggesting restrained morphologic development. At the electron microscopic level, ethanol-exposed cultures showed a dose-dependent attenuation in both the depth and complexity of the cell layer. These findings indicated that the growth kinetics and morphologic development of astrocytic cultures are vulnerable to ethanol exposure at moderate and high levels. These findings were attributed to both ethanol cytotoxicity and a deprivation of cellular interaction resulting from the restricted population size.

Animals↗