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Conventional neutron radiography can be strongly enhanced by obtaining Bragg‐edge information spatially correlated with the attenuation coefficient. This can now be achieved through time‐of‐flight techniques at pulsed neutron sources, utilising a neutron counting detector with high‐spatial and high‐temporal resolution. In these measurements, the positions of Bragg edges can in principle be obtained for each 55 × 55 μm2 pixel of the radiographic image. The combination of both Bragg‐edge and attenuation information enables high spatial resolution studies to be carried out on material composition, phase transitions, texture variations, as well as residual strain mapping. In this article, we present the results of high‐resolution strain maps of a ferritic steel cantilever sample measured at different loads by both transmission and conventional diffraction modes, as well as strains in an austenitic steel compact‐tension (CT) crack sample. The proof of principle experiments performed on the ENGIN‐X beamline on a bent cantilever arrangement resulting in a uni‐axial stress field verified that the strain values measured in diffraction and transmission mode are in good agreement. The characteristics of the transmission mode detector as well as the measured strain maps and future possibilities of this technology are discussed.

BackgroundChronic kidney disease (CKD) is becoming a serious health problem; the number of people with impaired renal function is rapidly rising, especially in industrialized countries. A major complication of CKD is cardiovascular disease. Accelerated atherosclerosis has been observed in early stages of renal dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the degree of renal insufficiency and both the prevalence and intensity of coronary artery disease (assessed on the basis of number of vessels with stenosis).Methods446 individuals with both serum creatinine >120 μmol/l (men) or >96 μmol/l (women) and acute coronary syndrome were included in the study. All patients included in this analysis underwent urgent coronarography. Data concerning glomerular filtration rate (GFR), number of vessels with stenosis, hypertension, lipid disorders, creatinine concentration, C-reactive protein, glucose and lipid profile were analyzed.ResultsThis study confirmed that moderate to severe renal impairment is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis. Moreover, patients with GFR values below 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 are predisposed to accelerated, multivessel cardiovascular disease.ConclusionsGFR seems to be an independent risk factor for multivessel cardiovascular disease. Due to the fact that patients with renal dysfunction are at high risk of cardiovascular events, they should obtain optimal treatment resulting not only in kidney protection but also in the elimination of cardiovascular risk factors.

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