CORE--NEUTRON ACTIVATION FACILITY

核心单元B将为计划项目拨款（PPG）研究人员提供三种服务：高精度的全身体内中子活化（IVNA）分析测量H、C、N、O、Ca、P、Na和C1，以及全身K计数；专家协助解释和分析IVNA结果；为新仪器的设计和开发提供物理咨询。在PPG i期间，IVNA开发了用于高精度测量身体成分的仪器，并配备了最先进的硬件。随后，在PPG II期间，分析策略的改进扩大了研究中包括的受试者范围，IVNA设施的测量精度进一步提高，使用新的和改进的幻影，并通过实施蒙特卡洛代码（MCNP）对不同的身体结构进行广泛的模拟的地位。在此期间，与贝勒大学的研究人员进行了广泛的校准和交叉校准，并与核心单元A的研究人员进行了全身钾（TBK）的校准，并发表了结果。用较新的系统替换旧的计算机可以从早期的软件环境转移到当代的操作系统。这些改进以及基本操作的升级使得每周最多可以对六位患者进行常规测量，并且系统稳定。PPG III临床研究项目的核心支持将继续进行，并将制定重要的新举措，包括：项目3中测量肥胖患者TBK和Ca的新校准；A核部分/区域体氮与总氮的相关性；创建独立的MCNP输入文件，将人体描述为由BOMAB模拟的三个激活设施中的每一个；并设计了用于体内元素成像的伽玛核磁共振吸收测量系统。核心的活动符合能源部的任务，即开发新技术，在开发和测试阶段将这些系统转移到合作实验室，并保持最先进的系统作为国家和内部参考标准。

Core Unit B will provide Program Project Grant (PPG) investigators with three services: high precision whole-body in vivo neutron activation (IVNA) analysis measurements of H, C, N, O, Ca, P, Na, and C1, and whole-body counting for K; expert assistance with interpretation and analysis of IVNA results; and physics consultations for new instrument design and development. Instrumentation for high precision measurements of body composition by IVNA were developed and equipped with state-of-the-art hardware during PPG I. Subsequent improvements in the analytical strategies extended the range of subjects that were included in the studies during PPG II measurement precisions of the IVNA facilities were further improved using new and improved phantoms and by implementing a Monte Carlo code (MCNP) to carry out extensive simulations for different body configurations and stature. During this period extensive calibrations and cross-calibrations with investigators at Baylor for Ca and with investigators at Core Unit A for total body potassium (TBK), were carried out with publication of results. Replacement of older computers with newer systems enabled transfer from an early software environment to contemporary operating systems. These improvements along with basic operations upgrades allowed measurement routinely of up to six patients per week with stabilized systems. Core support during the proposed PPG III for clinical research projects will continue and important new initiatives will be instituted, including: new calibrations for measuring TBK and Ca in obese patients in Project 3; correlation of partial/regional body nitrogen to total body nitrogen with Core A; creation of independent MCNP input files that describe the human body as simulated by a BOMAB phantom for each of the three activation facilities; and design of a Gamma Nuclear Resonance Absorptiometry system for elemental imaging in vivo. The Core's activities are consistent with the Department of Energy's mandate to develop novel technologies, to transfer these systems to cooperating laboratories following their developing and testing phase, and to maintain state-of-the art systems for use as national and internal reference standards.