The maximum values of I-131/Cs-134 activity ratio corresponding to thyroid uptake factors of 0.3, 0.1 and 0.03 were evaluated to be 0.9, 2.6 and 8.7, respectively. The maximum value of the I-131/Cs-134 activity ratio was used to obtain the

most conservative thyroid equivalent dose estimation. The maximum internal exposure of the thyroid to (131I) on the basis of Cs-134 accumulated in the body measured by the whole body counter was estimated to be 18 mSv. This value was much smaller than 50 mSv that selleck screening library the International Atomic Energy Agency recommends as the dose at which exposed persons should take stable iodine tablets. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Historically, surgical competence has been evaluated subjectively. Fundamental changes in surgical technology and training have focused attention on the use of objective measurement of performance to improve patient safety Nepicastat supplier and reduce errors. Surgical performance can be measured using a variety of tools, both in the clinical and simulated environments. Objective assessments can play a role in training by improving the evaluation and feedback. At the end of training or when a new skill is acquired, objective assessments may be used to ensure that a proficiency level has been reached and potentially as a condition for independent practice. When assessments are used for

high-stakes evaluations like certification, they must be demonstrably reliable and valid. The definition of HDAC inhibitor assessment, and the necessary components of a valid instrument, will be summarized. An overview of practical applications of objective assessment as it applies to training, selection,

and certification of surgeons will be presented. (C) 2010 Published by Elsevier Ltd.”
“We experimentally investigate the isothermal amorphous-to-fcc polycrystalline phase transition process in amorphous Ge2Sb2Te5 thin films prepared by sputtering. The amorphous layers were either as deposited or formed by Ar+ ion implantation after crystallization at 300 degrees C. The kinetics of the amorphous-to-polycrystal transition are analyzed through electrical measurements, in which the Johnson-Mehl-Avrami-Kolmogorov theory is employed. The procedure to extract the kinetics of the phase transition from conductivity versus time data is carefully discussed and compared to data of cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy images versus anneal time. By following this proposed procedure, the nucleation and growth parameters, and the activation energies have been determined. Results indicate that the process of isothermal crystallization in Ge2Sb2Te5 takes place in two stages, in which the Avrami exponent changes in the range from 3 to 1. These results are understood in terms of modifications in the kinetics of the phase transition.