Vibration Analysis at Castello Ursino Picture Gallery (Sicily, Italy) for the Implementation of Self-Generating AlN-MEMS Sensors.

This work explores the potential of self-powered MEMS devices for application in the preventive conservation of cultural heritage. The main objective is to evaluate the effectiveness of piezoelectric aluminum nitride MEMS (AlN-MEMS) for monitoring vibrations and to investigate its potential for harvesting energy from vibrations, including those induced by visitors. A preliminary laboratory comparison was conducted between AlN-MEMS and the commercial device Tromino®. The study was then extended to the Picture Gallery of Ursino Castle, where joint measurements with the two devices were carried out. The analysis focused on identifying natural frequencies and vibrational energy levels by key metrics, including spectral peaks and the Power Spectral Density (PSD). The results indicated that the response of the AlN-MEMS aligned well with the data collected by the commercial device, especially observing high vibrational energy around 100 Hz. Such results validate the potential of AlN-MEMS for effective vibration measurement and for converting kinetic energy into electrical power, thereby eliminating the need for external power sources. Additionally, the vibrational analysis highlighted specific locations, such as the measurement point Cu4, as exhibiting the highest vibrational energy levels. These points could be used for placing MEMS sensors to ensure efficient vibration monitoring and energy harvesting.

Bubble Sensors for Temperature Measurements through a Colorimetric Approach.

This paper introduces an innovative sensor utilizing bubbles coated with thermochromic paint, aiming to facilitate temperature measurements in challenging-to-reach locations without the requirement of an external power source. The research conducted is innovative in terms of both methodology and application. The characterization of the thermochromic properties of paints was, in fact, performed using spectroradiometric measurements by selecting a temperature range useful for applications in various fields including preventive conservation. The study encompasses two main objectives: (1) analyzing the color characteristics of thermochromic paint and plastic resin that forms the bubbles, and (2) assessing a temperature sensor comprising a thermochromic paint-coated bubble subjected to temperature variations. The thermochromic paint exhibits reversible color modifications in response to temperature changes, making it an ideal candidate for applications of this nature. The color characterization phase involves measurements using a spectroradiometer to compare the spectral reflectance factor (SRF%) of the colored plastic resin spread on canvas with that of the inflated bubbles. The sensor characterization entails evaluating color changes of the thermochromic paint on the bubble surface with varying temperatures. Experimental results indicate that the combination of a red (R) bubble and blue (B) thermochromic paint produces quantifiable color variations suitable for the proposed applications, whereas the alternative combination under examination, namely a blue bubble and red thermochromic paint, yields less accurate results. Considering that for both thermochromic paints the color change temperature is 35 °C, it is possible to see how, for B bubble with R thermochromic paint, the chromatic coordinates change value: C* = 3.14 ± 0.14 and h = 289.54 ± 11.58 at room temperature, while C* = 2.96 ± 0.12 and h = 304.20 ± 12.17 at 35 °C. The same is true for R bubble with B thermochromic paint where C* = 25.31 ± 1.01 and h* = 285.05 ± 11.40 at room temperature, while C* = 20.87 ± 0.85 and h = 288.37 ± 11.53 at 35 °C. The study demonstrates the potential of the approach and suggests further investigations into reproducibility and expanded color combinations. The results provide a promising basis for future improvements in temperature monitoring with thermochromic bubble sensors.

Solid Lipid Nanoparticles Containing Morin: Preparation, Characterization, and Ex Vivo Permeation Studies.

In recent years, bioactive compounds have been the focus of much interest in scientific research, due to their low toxicity and extraordinary properties. However, they possess poor solubility, low chemical stability, and unsustainable bioavailability. New drug delivery systems, and among them solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs), could minimize these drawbacks. In this work, morin (MRN)-loaded SLNs (MRN-SLNs) were prepared using a solvent emulsification/diffusion method, using two different lipids, Compritol® 888 ATO (COM) or Phospholipon® 80H (PHO). SLNs were investigated for their physical-chemical, morphological, and technological (encapsulation parameters and in vitro release) properties. We obtained spherical and non-aggregated nanoparticles with hydrodynamic radii ranging from 60 to 70 nm and negative zeta potentials (about -30 mV and -22 mV for MRN-SLNs-COM and MRN-SLNs-PHO, respectively). The interaction of MRN with the lipids was demonstrated via µ-Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and DSC analysis. High encapsulation efficiency was obtained for all formulations (about 99%, w/w), particularly for the SLNs prepared starting from a 10% (w/w) theoretical MRN amount. In vitro release studies showed that about 60% of MRN was released within 24 h and there was a subsequent sustained release within 10 days. Finally, ex vivo permeation studies with excised bovine nasal mucosa demonstrated the ability of SLNs to act as a penetration enhancer for MRN due to the intimate contact and interaction of the carrier with the mucosa.

Organ dose in CT: Comparison between measurements and computational methods.

PURPOSE: This study aims to compare two methods for the organ dose evaluation in computed tomography (CT) in the head- and thorax regions: an experimental method, using radiochromic films, and a computational one, using a commercial software. METHODS: Gafchromic® XR-QA2 and EBT-3 were characterized in terms of energetic, angular, and irradiation configurations dependence. Two free-in-air irradiation calibration configurations were employed using a CT scanner: with the sensitive surface of the film orthogonal (OC) and parallel (PC) to the beam axis. Different dose-response curves were obtained by varying the irradiation configurations and the beam quality (BQ). Subsequently, films were irradiated within an anthropomorphic phantom using CT-thorax and -head protocols, and the organ dose values obtained were compared with those provided by the commercial software. RESULTS: At different configurations, an unchanged dose response was achieved with EBT-3, while a dose response of 15% was obtained with XR-QA2. By varying BQ, XR-QA2 showed a different response below 10%, while EBT-3 showed a variation below 5% for dose values >20 mGy. For films irradiation angle equal to 90°, the normalized to 0° relative response was 41% for the XR-QA2 model and 83% for the EBT-3 one. Organ dose values obtained with EBT-3 for both configurations and with XR-QA2 for OC were in agreement with the DW values, showing percentage discrepancies of less than 25%. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results showed the potential of EBT-3 in CT patient dosimetry since the lower angular dependence, compared to XR-QA2, compensates for low sensitivity in the diagnostic dose range.

HyperArcTM Dosimetric Validation for Multiple Targets Using Ionization Chamber and RT-100 Polymer Gel.

Multiple brain metastases single-isocenter stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatment is increasingly employed in radiotherapy department. Before its use in clinical routine, it is recommended to perform end-to-end tests. In this work, we report the results of five HyperArcTM treatment plans obtained by both ionization chamber (IC) and polymer gel. The end-to-end tests were performed using a water equivalent Mobius Verification PhantomTM (MVP) and a 3D-printed anthropomorphic head phantom PseudoPatient® (PP) (RTsafe P.C., Athens, Greece); 2D and 3D dose distributions were evaluated on the PP phantom using polymer gel (RTsafe). Gels were read by 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Comparison between calculated and measured distributions was performed using gamma index passing rate evaluation by different criteria (5% 2 mm, 3% 2 mm, 5% 1 mm). Mean point dose differences of 1.01% [min −0.77%−max 2.89%] and 0.23% [min 0.01%−max 2.81%] were found in MVP and PP phantoms, respectively. For each target volume, the obtained results in terms of gamma index passing rate show an agreement >95% with 5% 2 mm and 3% 2 mm criteria for both 2D and 3D distributions. The obtained results confirmed that the use of a single isocenter for multiple lesions reduces the treatment time without compromising accuracy, even in the case of target volumes that are quite distant from the isocenter.

IoT-Based Microclimate and Vibration Monitoring of a Painted Canvas on a Wooden Support in the Monastero of Santa Caterina (Palermo, Italy).

The main objective of this work is the characterization and observation of the performance of an IoT measurement and monitoring system in the field of cultural heritage conservation for assessing the health condition of artworks. This article also describes the application of this system to the monitoring of a canvas painting applied on a wooden support, an artwork from the 19th century by the painter Giuseppe Patricolo depicting The Deposition, placed inside a niche in the Santa Caterina Monastery in Palermo (Italy). Considering the presence of the wooden structure, it is useful to measure not only microclimatic parameters such as temperature and humidity, but also vibrations that can in fact cause degradation phenomena in these artworks. This is a first step towards the development of mimetic systems integrated in the work of art without causing physical, mechanical or chemical alterations and ensuring that the level of microclimatic parameters is below the threshold values whose exceeding could compromise the entire artefact.

SBRT/SRS patient-specific QA using GAFchromicTM EBT3 and FilmQATM Pro software.

The aim of this work is to verify the potential use of GAFchromicTM EBT3 and FILMQATM pro software for patient specific quality assurance (QA) for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatment plans in clinical routine use. In particular, encephalic, pulmonary and lymph node treatments plans were selected for this study. The agreement between the calculated and measured dose distributions were evaluated in terms of ɣ index with 3%3mm, 2%2mm, 1.5%1.5mm and 3%1.5mm criteria. The obtained results were then compared to the routine pre-treatment verification method which uses electronic portal imaging device (EPID) and EPIQA analysis software. EBT3-FilmQA method results show a mean ɣ index passing rate >95% with 2%1.5mm analysis criteria and an improvement of about 7% compared with EPID-EPIQA method results.

Cutting efficiency of heat-treated nickel-titanium single-file systems at different incidence angles.

Cutting efficiency of Reciproc R25 (REC) and Reciproc blue R25 (REB) at different inclinations was evaluated. Sixty new files were tested at 90°, 70° and 45° of inclination in relation to the sample (n = 10), using a customised machine. All files were activated in reciprocation against standardised gypsum blocks for 120 s. Cutting efficiency was determined by measuring the block weight loss with an analytical balance and measuring the length of the block surface cut using a digital calliper. Data were statistically analysed (two-way ANOVA, Bonferroni t-test) with the significance level set at P < 0.05. There was no difference for REC among the tested angles. REB had no statistical difference between 90° and 70°; however, its cutting efficiency significantly increased at 45°. There was a significant difference between REC and REB at 45° only. Under these conditions, increased file inclination to 45° and blue heat treatment improved cutting efficiency of reciprocating files.

Safety Profile of the New Harmonic Focus: Different Emissivity and Temperature Behavior Between the Active and the Inactive Blade.

Ultrasonic devices disperse less energy in the tissues. The new Harmonic Focus+ (HF+) seems to be more efficient but thermal damages have been reported. This study examined the temperature and the emissivity profile of the active and passive blades of the HF+, on a pig tissue model at different power settings. The FLIR System B series thermal imaging camera has been used on various biological pig tissues to evaluate the emissivity of the ultrasonic device. The active blade heats up faster than the passive one and the increase in power increases the speed of the temperature raising only on the active blade. Increasing the power setting reduces the dissection time and the temperature of both blades. Active blade temperatures of <60°C are obtained with cutting times close to 5 seconds; with these cutting times, the inactive blade does not exceed 30°C. The HF+ emissivity profiles demonstrate that the behavior of the inactive blade is significantly different from the active one. To prevent thermal damages, keep the active blade toward the operator, do not exceed 5 seconds of activation, use the maximum power, and avoid the use of the instrument as a dissector immediately after its activation.

Dosimetric changes with computed tomography automatic tube-current modulation techniques.

The study is aimed at a verification of dose changes for a computed tomography automatic tube-current modulation (ATCM) technique. For this purpose, anthropomorphic phantom and Gafchromic® XR-QA2 films were used. Radiochromic films were cut according to the shape of two thorax regions. The ATCM algorithm is based on noise index (NI) and three exam protocols with different NI were chosen, of which one was a reference. Results were compared with dose values displayed by the console and with Poisson statistics. The information obtained with radiochromic films has been normalized with respect to the NI reference value to compare dose percentage variations. Results showed that, on average, the information reported by the CT console and calculated values coincide with measurements. The study allowed verification of the dose information reported by the CT console for an ATCM technique. Although this evaluation represents an estimate, the method can be a starting point for further studies.

Characterization of phenolic pellets for ESR dosimetry in photon beam radiotherapy.

This work deals with the dosimetric features of a particular phenolic compound (IRGANOX 1076®) for dosimetry of clinical photon beams by using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy. After the optimization of the ESR readout parameters (namely modulation amplitude and microwave power) to maximise the signal without excessive spectrum distortions, basic dosimetric properties of laboratory-made phenolic dosimeters in pellet form, such as reproducibility, dose-response, sensitivity, linearity and dose rate dependence were investigated. The dosimeters were tested by measuring the depth dose profile of a 6 MV photon beam. A satisfactory intra-batch reproducibility of the ESR signal of the manufactured dosimeters was obtained. The ESR signal proved to increase linearly with increasing dose in the investigated dose range 1-13 Gy. The presence of an intrinsic background signal limits the minimum detectable dose to a value of approximately 0.6 Gy. Reliable and accurate assessment of the dose was achieved, independently of the dose rate. Such characteristics, together with the fact that IRGANOX 1076® is almost tissue-equivalent, and the stability of the ESR signal, make these dosimeters promising materials for ESR dosimetric applications in radiotherapy.

Influence of the X-ray beam quality on the dose increment in CT with iodinated contrast medium.

BACKGROUND: In computed tomography (CT), the image contrast is given by the difference in X-ray attenuation in the various tissues of the patient and contrast media are used to enhance image contrast in anatomic regions characterized by similar attenuation coefficients. OBJECTIVE: Aim of the present work is to enlarge the range of applicability of the method previously introduced for organ dosimetry in contrast-enhanced CT, by studying the effects of X-ray beam quality on the parameters of the model. Furthermore, an experimental method for the evaluation of the attenuation properties of iodinated solutions is proposed. METHODS: Monte Carlo simulations of anthropomorphic phantoms were carried out to determine a bi-parametrical (a and b) analytical relationship between iodine concentration and dose increase in organs of interest as a function of the tube kilo-voltage peak potential (kVp) and filtration. Experimental measurements of increments in Hounsfield Units (HU) were conducted in several CT scanners, at all the kVp available, in order to determine the parameter γ which relates the HU increment with the iodine mass fraction. A cylindrical phantom that can be filled with iodine solutions provided with an axial housing for a pencil ionization chamber was designed and assembled in order to measure the attenuation properties of iodine solutions under irradiation of a CT scanner and to obtain a further validation of Monte Carlo simulations. RESULTS: The simulation-derived parameters of the model, a and b, are only slightly dependent upon the tube kilo-voltage peak potential and filtration, while such scanner-dependent features influence mainly the experimentally-derived γ parameter. Relative dose variations registered by the ionization chamber inside the iodine-filled cylindrical phantom decrease when the X-ray mean energy increases, and reaches about 50% for 10 mg/ml of iodine. CONCLUSIONS: The dosimetric method for contrast-enhanced CT can be applied to all CT scanners by adopting average simulative parameters and by carrying out a simple measurement with a series of iodine contrast solutions. The novel experimental methodology introduced can provide a direct measurement of iodine attenuation properties.

Validation of the CT-MRI image registration with a dedicated phantom.

PURPOSE: The present study was aimed at verifying the automatic registration of the Focal (Elekta) platform with a dedicated phantom. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A phantom that simulates the pelvis region in a stylised way and finalised to the registration of computed tomography-magnetic resonance images was designed and realised. After acquiring the two sets of images, the registration was performed both in automatic and manual mode to verify whether they were comparable. To test the repeatability of the automatic registration, some known rigid transformations were imposed to the original images. If the registration method works correctly, parameters which bring the images into alignment must always be the same. RESULTS: Automatic registration performed by the software did not prove satisfactory, whereas if a specific tool [volume of interest (VOI) tool] allowing the calculation to be limited to the landmark region was used, the registration parameters were comparable with those of the manual registration. Regarding the repeatability of the automatic registration, the software brought the images in the correct alignment performing translations and rotations along the longitudinal axis up to 40°, while it was not satisfactory for rotations along the transverse axes. CONCLUSION: The experimental results showed that in clinical application automatic registration is reliable if the VOI tool that includes visible landmarks in both studies is used. However, because the algorithm did not prove sensitive to rotations along the transverse axes, the position of the patient during the examinations plays a crucial role.