• Comparison of IMRT techniques for head and neck cancer treatments based on two different mathematical algorithms Anisotropic analytical algorithm and convolution/superposition

    pg(s) 5-8

    Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) is considered a crucial treatment for Head and Neck cancers for several key reasons related to the complexity of the tumor locations, the proximity to critical structure (organ at risk), and the need for precise dose delivery – distribution. Head and Neck cancer involve areas with highly heterogeneous tissues, which can present significant challenges for traditional radiation therapy techniques. IMRT addresses these challenges by offering highly conformal and precise radiation delivery that targets the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. In the context of IMRT, the mathematical algorithms, AAA (Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm) and Convolution/Superposition part of Monte Carlo Algorithm, are used in different aspects of treatment planning and dose calculation. Both algorithms are designs to compute the dose distribution in the body from radiation beams used IMRT, but they do so in distinct ways, and each has specific, use cases depending on the treatment and patient anatomy. Both algorithms, in IMRT are ultimately concerned with how radiation interacts with matter, specifically hoe energy deposition occurs in tissue as the radiation passes through them. The AAA and C/S algorithm consider tissues heterogeneity, but they model these interactions differently, which affects how they calculate the dose distribution. In our department of radiotherapy, of Amerikan Hospital Tirana we have installed and use both algorithms, in different treatment planning system which are developed by Varian and Elekta production company.

  • Solution of a generalized system of differential equations of intercoupled energy and mass transfer at short-term phase contact

    pg(s) 3-4

    Modern intensification of materials processing technology leads to an increase in the role of non-stationary interconnected exchange processes compared to stationary unconnected interconnected exchange processes compared to stationary unconnected. This fact is still insufficiently reflected in the field of solving energy and mass transfer problems (EMT) at small Fourier numbers (Fourier numbers ≤0.1) at short-term phase contact (SPC). In this article, a generalized mathematical model of interconnected non-stationary irregular energy and mass transfer mode at short-term contact across a boundary with selective permeability of phases is formalized. In vector-matrix form, a conjugate mixed boundary value problem is solved with excitation in each of the phases of flows of substances absent in the other phase. By analogy with heat exchange and mass exchange, matrices of potential assimilation of phases and a contact matrix are introduced, which allows obtaining a uniform solution for a number of special cases and especially simplified the entry for the vector of interphase flow densities. The mathematical notation of the solutions of the considered parabolic system of partial differential equations of the second order for intensive irreversible processes (Fourier numbers ≤0.1) are written in vector-matrix form and are close to the scalar Higbee theory for mass transfer.

  • Enhancement of the Energy Efficiency of Solar Cells Through SiO2/WO3-B5 Self-Cleaning Coated Film

    pg(s) 40-43

    Solar energy is a cornerstone in the transition towards sustainable and renewable energy sources. Enhancing the efficiency of solar cells is critical to maximizing energy capture and utilization. One promising approach to improve solar cell performance is the application of self-cleaning coatings. This research work explores the enhancement of the energy efficiency of solar cells through the application of a SiO2/WO3-B5 self-cleaning coated film. These coatings not only help in maintaining the cleanliness of the solar cell surfaces but also contribute to better light absorption and reduced reflection losses, ultimately leading to higher energy output.

  • Nuclear power plant steam re-heating system – exergy analysis at four different operating regimes

    pg(s) 38-41

    In this paper is performed exergy analysis of steam re-heating system, through all of its components, which operate in nuclear power plant. Analyzed re-heating system consists of the moisture separator (MS) and two re-heaters (RH1 and RH2) and is observed in four different operating regimes. MS has significantly lower exergy destructions and significantly higher exergy efficiencies in comparison to both re-heaters, regardless of the observed operating regime. MS and both re-heaters did not achieve the lowest exergy destructions and the highest exergy efficiencies in the same operating regime which notably complicated possible improvements. Further research of presented re-heating system will be based on operation improvement of RH1 and RH2 – performed exergy analysis shows that MS operation in any operating regime leaves no room for further improvement.

  • Isentropic analysis of entire intermediate pressure steam turbine cylinder and cylinder segments

    pg(s) 3-6

    In this paper is performed an isentropic analysis of the entire Intermediate Pressure Cylinder (IPC) and all of his four Segments. Obtained results show that the first Segment (Seg. 1) is the dominant mechanical power producer of all Segments and it produces 16816.70 kW of mechanical power in the real (polytropic) expansion process. Analyzed IPC produces more than half mechanical power of the entire turbine in which he operates (in real expansion process IPC produces mechanical power equal to 58499.48 kW). Isentropic loss and isentropic efficiency of IPC Segments are reverse proportional – Seg. 3 which has the highest isentropic loss simultaneously has the lowest isentropic efficiency (equal to 82.44%), while Seg. 4 which has the lowest isentropic loss has the highest isentropic efficiency (equal to 87.26%). Entire IPC has an isentropic efficiency equal to 87.78%. Any improvements and modifications which can potentially be performed in the observed IPC should firstly be based on the turbine stages mounted inside Seg. 3.

  • Automatic detection of the REM sleep phase during electrooculography

    pg(s) 36-39

    Sleep is not just a rest; it is a necessary part of the functioning of the cognitive system of people. Studying the role of sleep for effective functioning of the immune system, temperature regulation, memory, emotional regulation, learning and many other physiological and psychological processes is gaining more and more relevance. It attracts the attention of many leading researchers from around the world. The study of sleep by electrooculography (using three electrodes – two on the temples and one on the forehead) to track eye movements has a significant advantage over the more commonly used EEG methods due to its lower cost and the ability to quickly and efficiently collect large databases. A software-implemented algorithm for automatic recognition of the REM sleep phase during sleep is presented. This algorithm is a step of a larger project to create a system for external control of the content of dreams during REM sleep by providing scents and sounds, pre-associated with various stimuli and symbols. This system will allow in the future applying an automatic external influence on the sleeper during the REM phase. The development will have applications at research on the induction of selected elements during dreaming. This can help to people with post-traumatic stress disorder and phobias, as well for a more effective learning.

  • Terahertz emission induced by self-oscillations of current in semiconductor resonant tunneling structures

    pg(s) 7-9

    Based on the simultaneous measurements of radio-frequency intrinsic self-oscillations of current and terahertz (THz) light emission from a 30-period GaAs/AlGaAs weakly-coupled superlattice, it was concluded that self-oscillations of current arise due to the cyclic process of the electric-field domain boundary spatial expansion and shrinkage. The domain boundary expands over several SL periods due to the energy dissipation of tunneling electrons, resulting in the carrier trapping in several SL periods behind the leading edge of the domain boundary. In this region, the charge accumulation gives rise to the resonant detuning of subbands in adjacent quantum wells (QWs), creating the population inversion between the two subbands, which ensure the resonant tunneling along the SL axis. The electrons injected from the cathode restore the resonant coupling of subbands, the lower subband is emptied, and the intersubband radiative transitions allowed. The electroluminescence (EL) spectra of the SL demonstrate the main peak with the left and the right sidebands. The main peak is related to the intersubband electron transition energy, while the sidebands are associated with the resonant detuning energy of subbands in adjacent QWs (~ 4 meV). The two-photon pulsed THz emission (~ 4 meV) from a double-barrier GaAs/AlAs resonant tunneling diode biased into self-oscillation regime confirms the last assertion. There is the same cyclic mechanism of relaxation self-oscillations of current (accumulation and drain type), where the first THz pulse is triggered due to the carrier trapping by miniband states, resulting in the miniband energy shift up to higher energies. After the trap release time, the electrons lost their energy via the second THz pulse emission, and the miniband gets back to its steady state.

  • Complexation of metal cations (mono-, di- and trivalent) to cucurbiturils: Insights from a DFT/SMD study

    pg(s) 3-6

    Recently, supramolecular complexes based on synthetic macrocyclic host molecules have received much attention due to their broad applications as drug delivery carriers, biological and chemical sensors, light-emitting materials, bioimaging agents, etc. Cucurbit[n]urils are cavitands known for their high affinity for various guest molecules, although some aspects of their coordination chemistry remain enigmatic. They are still not tested as metalloenzyme models and not much is known about their metal-binding properties. Furthermore, there is no systematic study on the key factors controlling the processes of metal coordination to these systems. In the
    computational study herein, DFT molecular modeling has been employed in order to investigate the interactions of biologically essential mono- (Na+), di- (Mg2+) and some trivalent (La3+, Lu3+) metal cations to cucurbit[n]urils and evaluate the major determinants shaping the process of recognition. The thermodynamic descriptors (Gibbs energies in the gas phase and in a water medium) of the corresponding complexation reactions have been estimated. The results obtained shed light on the mechanism of host–guest recognition and disclose which factors more specifically affect the metal binding process.

  • Abiogenic Metals in Medicine. Insights from Theoretical Studies of the Mechanisms of Action of Silver (I), Strontium (II), and Gallium (III)

    pg(s) 3-6

    Almost half of all known to date proteins contain metal co-factors. Over the course of 3–4 billion years of organism evolution, several metal species of different oxidation state (Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Fe2+/3+, Co2+/3+, Ni2+ and Cu+/2+) have been chosen to participate in key biological processes. They are known as “native”, or “biogenic” metals. On the other end stand toxins like mercury and lead, which poison the recipient by competing with the natural co-factors for binding the essential proteins. As a third example, however, should be outlined some abiogenic metal species, which exert a curative effect on the host organism, and are, therefore, applied in medicine as novel drugs. Such are silver (Ag+), strontium (Sr2+), and gallium (Ga3+). The current study investigates their ability to compete with the native cuprous (Cu+), calcium (Ca2+), and ferric (Fe3+) cations, respectively, by exploiting the methods of the computational chemistry. Nowadays, silver finds broad application in many areas of medicinal use, e.g. being added to dressings of burn wounds as a concomitant therapy of skin ulcers, as a potential water disinfectant, or even in ophthalmology as an active component in eye drops. Strontium prevents the destruction of bones and contributes to their restoration. Sr2+ salt of ranelic acid is a medication (under the names Protelos, Protos, Strontium ranelate Aristo) used for treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and very elderly patients. Gallium, in its cationic form (Ga3+), is well known for its anticancer activity. Nonetheless, recent experimental studies have considered the employment of gallium as a promising “Trojan horse” strategy against pathogenic microorganisms. Herewith, we set on a quest for deciphering the most acclaimed mechanisms of therapeutic action of the aforementioned metal cations at atomic level. The obtained results shed light on the intimate echanisms of metal recognition, thus revealing key factors governing the processes of native/abiogenic metal rivalry. This approach serves not only for explaining already existing experimental findings, but also as a first step in designing/engineering novel drug molecules of potential therapeutic value.

  • High energy formation of active elements: processes of creation and methods of improvement

    pg(s) 42-44

    Thе paper examines the processes associated with the high-energy formation of active elements. A model of the processes is created and certain relations are derived, which are suitable for practical calculations of the parameters of high -energy systems with directional motion. The processes of movement, deformation and penetration of the active element are studied. Methods and means for influencing the processes of creation and improvement of the active elements are proposed.

  • Recovery of sulfur dioxide from flue gas for sulphuric acid production

    pg(s) 40-41

    The paper presents a review of the literature relative to the flue gas desulfurization methods for sulphuric acid (H2SO4) manufacturing. The covered topics include wet and dry methods. Particular attention has been paid to the desulfurization of the flue gas from the copper smelting industry that can lead to a generation of SOx rich streams resulting in high profitability of H2SO4 production.