g.,

by fission and fusion reactors. An obvious requirement for such an application is neutron irradiation hardness. This is why diamond based neutron detectors are currently under test in some of these facilities. In this paper the damaging effects induced in chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond based detectors by a neutron fluence of similar to 2 x 10(16) neutrons/cm(2) have been studied and significant changes in spectroscopic, electrical, and optical properties have been observed. The detectors are fabricated using high quality synthetic CVD single crystal diamond using the p-type/intrinsic/Schottky metal/(LiF)-Li-6 layered structure recently proposed by Marinelli Selleckchem LY2090314 et al. [Appl. Phys. Lett. 89, 143509 (2006)], which Bioactive Compound Library allows simultaneous detection of thermal and fast neutrons. Neutron radiation hardness up to at least 2 x 10(14) n/cm(2) fast

(14 MeV) neutron fluence has been confirmed so far [see Pillon et al., (Fusion Eng. Des. 82, 1174 (2007)]. However, at the much higher neutron fluence of similar to 2 x 10(16) neutrons/cm(2) damage is observed. The detector response to 5.5 MeV Am-241 alpha-particles still shows a well resolved alpha-peak, thus confirming the good radiation hardness of the device but a remarkable degradation and a significant instability with time of charge collection efficiency and energy resolution arise. Symmetric, nearly Ohmic I-V (current-voltage) characteristics have been recorded ACY-738 order from the metal/intrinsic/p-doped diamond layered structure, which before neutron irradiation acted as a Schottky barrier diode with a strong rectifying behavior. The nature and the distribution of the radiation induced damage have been deeply examined by means of cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. A more heavily damaged area into the intrinsic diamond at the same position and with the same extension

of the (LiF)-Li-6 layer has been found, the increased damage being ascribed to the highly ionizing particles produced in the (LiF)-Li-6 layer by thermal neutrons through the nuclear reaction Li-6(n, alpha)T. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3224869]“
“We report the case of a 38-year-old neurologically impaired woman with continuous urinary incontinence as a result of a chronic indwelling catheter for neurogenic bladder. Long-term catheter resulted in dilatation of urethra and pressure necrosis of urethra, with subsequent incontinence despite the catheter. She also had a stage 3 uterovaginal prolapse. She underwent cystoscopy, closure of urethra and bladder neck by transvaginal route (Feneley procedure), insertion of a suprapubic catheter, sacrospinous fixation and posterior colporrhaphy with prolene mesh (Apogee (TM)). Vaginal hysterectomy was declined by the patient and her family. She remained dry at follow-up visit and is happy with the outcome.