ABSTRACT
We have developed a pixellated high energy X-ray detector instrument to be used in a variety of imaging applications. The instrument consists of either a Cadmium Zinc Telluride or Cadmium Telluride (Cd(Zn)Te) detector bump-bonded to a large area ASIC and packaged with a high performance data acquisition system. The 80 by 80 pixels each of 250 µm by 250 µm give better than 1 keV FWHM energy resolution at 59.5 keV and 1.5 keV FWHM at 141 keV, at the same time providing a high speed imaging performance. This system uses a relatively simple wire-bonded interconnection scheme but this is being upgraded to allow multiple modules to be used with very small dead space. The readout system and the novel interconnect technology is described and how the system is performing in several target applications.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To determine if 1) there is cross contamination between odours tested on thresholds achieved, 2) a delay period is necessary between testing different odours. METHODS: Thirty-five subjects underwent threshold testing with phenethyl alcohol (PEA), ethylmercaptan (MER), acetic acid (ACE), and eucalyptol (EUC) using serial logarithmic dilutions. On separate occasions subjects were exposed to high concentrations of PEA, ACE and EUC in random order for two minutes, and thresholds for all four odours re-tested. Pre- and post-high concentration odour thresholds were compared. RESULTS: Exposure to high concentrations of PEA, ACE and EUC does not alter olfactory thresholds by more than 10-2 for the other odours except in specific circumstances with ACE and EUV. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited cross contamination with ACE and EUC, which is avoided by specifying presentation order as: PEA, MER, ACE, EUC. Odours PEA, MER, ACE and EUC are recommended for olfactory testing.
Subject(s)
Odorants , Sensory Thresholds/physiology , Smell/physiology , Acetic Acid , Adult , Aged , Cyclohexanols , Eucalyptol , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Monoterpenes , Phenylethyl Alcohol , Statistics, Nonparametric , Sulfhydryl CompoundsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Body sprays and perfumes are commonly worn by patients attending ENT out-patients clinics. Their effect on performance in olfactory testing is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether olfactory thresholds are altered by the presence of such fragrances. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and sixty healthy volunteers, aged 18 to 65 years, underwent olfactory thresholds testing. Each was then exposed to one of four strong perfumes, applied in a facemask for two minutes, and the thresholds were retested. RESULTS AND ANALYSIS: All olfactory thresholds worsened after being exposed to the strong perfumes of Lynx and Impulse body sprays, with the strongest effect being on olfactory detection of phenylethyl alcohol (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Strong perfumes can have a negative effect on olfactory thresholds. SIGNIFICANCE: Patients attending olfactory threshold testing need to be advised not to wear body sprays or perfumes.
