The operator dose assessment of landmine detection systems using the neutron backscattering method

Personal safety issue is one of the major limitations in landmine detection by nuclear techniques. In this paper, the dose rate received by the operator of different hand-held landmine detection systems using the neutron backscattering method was investigated. Monte Carlo method was used to simulate a computational model of the body, instruments with different shielding configurations and soil with various moisture contents. The effective dose received by the different organs of the operator has been estimated by using two different approximation methods including average equivalent dose and dose equivalent assessment. The results obtained by these two methods were compared. The common results showed that the operator dose rate depends on the facility shielding, soil moisture level, and source-to-operator distance. Also, although the absorbed dose received by most organs generally decreases as a function of source to operator distance, for some organs such as kidneys and lungs it firstly increases when source-to-operator distance increases up to 0.7–1.2 m and after that the absorbed dose decreases. Furthermore, the results showed that the effective dose received by the operator has its maximum value when the source to operator distance is 0.60 m.     

Radiation effects on the immiscible polymer blend of nylon1010 and high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) I: Gel/dose curves,mathematical expectation theorem and thermal behaviour

This paper studies the radiation properties of the immiscible blend of nylon1010 and HIPS. The gel fraction increased with increasing radiation dose. The network was found mostly in nylon1010, the networks were also found in both nylon1010 and HIPS when the dose reaches 0.85 MGy or more. We used the Charleby–Pinner equation and the modified Zhang–Sun-Qian equation to simulate the relationship with the dose and the sol fraction. The latter equation fits well with these polymer blends and the relationship used by it showed better linearity than the one by the Charleby–Pinner equation. We also studied the conditions of formation of the network by the mathematical expectation theorem for the binary system. Thermal properties of polymer blend were observed by DSC curves. The crystallization temperature decreases with increasing dose because the cross-linking reaction inhibited the crystallization procession and destroyed the crystals. The melting temperature also reduced with increasing radiation dose. The dual melting peak gradually shifted to single peak and the high melting peak disappeared at high radiation dose. However, the radiation-induced crystallization was observed by the heat of fusion increasing at low radiation dose. On the other hand, the crystal will be damaged by radiation. A similar conclusion may be drawn by the DSC traces when the polymer blends were crystallized. When the radiation dose increases, the heat of fusion reduces dramatically and so does the heat of crystallization.     

湖北省国控点天然γ辐射空气吸收剂量率研究

使用我国新一代X-γ剂量率测量仪对湖北省9个国控点进行了天然γ辐射空气吸收剂量率的测量,建立了剂量率与剂量当量的数学模型,计算了9个国控点地区人均年有效剂量当量。结果表明,9个国控点地区的剂量率在59.336～141.638 nGy/h,天然γ辐射致公众人均年有效剂量当量为0.390～0.931 mSv;9个国控点地区天然γ辐射均属正常天然本底水平。     

Exposure dose assessment and discussion on radioisotope production and application

The exposure dose status on radioisotope production and application in China has been assessed in the paper. The average annual occupational exposure dose received by workers in the radioisotope production is about one tenth of the annual dose limit in normal situation. It is less than one twentieth for workers in the radioisotope applications. However, the annual collective dose for the latter is higher than the former by one oder of magnitude due to the larger number of workers in the application field. Although the output of radioisotopes increased doubly in 1980's as compared with 1970's, the increase on the annual collective dose was not obvious. For exposure to the public,¹³¹I for example, the collective dose in the radioisotope production decreased by one to two orders of magnitude and the releasing factor reduced by two orders of magnitude. Therefore, the exposure dose received by workers in radioisotope production and application is lower in normal situation. However, the facts worth paying attention to are that there were many events and accidents which happened in the radioisotope applications, especially at the irradiation facilities. The probability of fatal accident was as high as 10^–3 per irradiator year. In order to improve the radiation safety situation, it is imperative to conduct the safety assessment for irradiation facilities, to enhance management of the radioactive wastes and spent sources and to establish the experience feedback system.     

Use of CT scans and treatment planning software for validation of the dose component of food irradiation protocols

The challenging problem of estimating the dose delivered to heterogeneous products by radiation modalities of limited penetration can be readily handled by using technologies developed for, and widely used in, radiation therapy applications. In particular, combining CT scanning with radiation treatment planning programs can simulate radiation processing with either photons or electrons, and can provide detailed, high resolution and accurate dose maps for any arbitrary product and package configuration. Such dose maps are an essential part of process validation. Comparison of the simulated dose distributions with measured dose maps verifies the soundness of this approach. The present communication presents results obtained with the simulation technique for a variety of common food items which are likely candidates for radiation processing.     

D.C.-electrical conductivity as a method for monitoring radiation curing of unsaturated polyester resins-II. Influence of electrical field and dose rate

The course of radiation crosslinking of unsaturated polyester resins was followed by measuring electrical conductivity change. Both the electrical field strength and dose rate influenced the crosslinking. The electrical field somewhat increased the reaction rate possibly due to the orientation of a polar polyester chains. To investigate the effect of electrical field, the samples were irradiated to different doses at different field strengths, from 2.5 to 250 kV/m and then extracted in benzene to determine the extent of crosslinking. The extraction analysis of irradiated samples confirmed the influence of electrical field observed in conductivity measurements. The electrical field effect depended on the dose rate. Three dose rates were applied 3.05, 0.354 and 0.096 kGy/h. The medium dose rate gave the highest reaction rate (on dose scale). Faster decrease of free styrene content with radiation dose than increase of gel content at higher dose rate implies partial styrene graftng or homopolymerization. The higher the electrical field the more pronounced were the effects of dose rate.     

THE THEORY OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY DOSIMETRY: CONSEQUENCES OF PHOTO-DESTRUCTION OF SENSITIZER

Photodynamic dose is defined as the area under the curve of sensitizer level plotted as a function of light dose. This is a photochemical definition of dose. We will show that this definition is useful in predicting photobiological response. The photodestruction of sensitizer during photodynamic therapy is shown to result in an upper limit on the photodynamic dose which can be delivered by an unlimited light dose. This limit results in the opportunity to make total photodynamic dose uniform to considerable depths (one to two centimeters). The existence of thresholds for permanent tissue damage allows protection of normal tissue from the large light doses required to achieve this limiting dose deep in the tissue. Higher sensitizer levels in the tumor permit tumor destruction while the normal tissues are protected. A clinical trial to determine the proper level of injected dose necessary for these results is required. This theory of photodynamic therapy (PDT) dosimetry is tested in the DBA-SMT experimental mouse tumor system. Combinations of drug and light which are not reciprocal but are nearly equal by this theory are shown to give equivalent tumor control at seven days post treatment. Reciprocal combinations of drug and light fail to give equivalent results when they ae selected using the theory to choose a combination where reciprocity should fail.     

Electron beam crosslinking of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/clay nanocomposites

Effect of electron beam irradiation on the thermal and mechanical properties of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA)/clay nanocomposites prepared by melt blending method has been investigated. The hot set test results show that elongation at high temperature under static load decreased with the increase of irradiation dose. The tensile modulus increased continuously with increasing dose. While the tensile strength increased up to 100 kGy, it decreased with further increase in dose. The elongation at break decreased continuously with increasing dose. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that thermal stability of the EVA/clay nanocomposites improved with increasing dose. The improvement in the mechanical and thermal properties is attributed to the formation of radiation-induced crosslinking as evidenced by the gel content results.     

DOSE RESPONSE BEHAVIOUR FOR POLAROTROPISM OF THE CHLORONEMA OF THE FERN DRYOPTERIS FILIX-MAS (L.) SCHOTT

Abstract— The dose response behaviour for polarotropism of the chloronema of the fern Dryopteris filix-mas was studied in detail. By varying the two factors, time and intensity, dose response curves were obtained, which consisted of as many as two maxima and minima or no maxima and minima at all. Furthermore, the effects of red light and dark, given before polarotropic induction, were compared, and the influence of temperature on the dose response behaviour was examined. There are two main results: (1) Under all conditions tested, the dose response behaviour in far-red, red, blue, and near U.V. apparently is the same. (2) In this one system, the chloronema of Dryopteris , all types of dose response curves, which have been described previously for tropic responses mediated by light, could be obtained simply by varying the conditions. The variable and complex dose response behaviour is discussed in connection with other photoresponses in lower and higher plants.     

Solar UVB Dosimetry by Amplification of Short and Long Segments in Phage LD DNA

Abstract— DNA UVB dosimeters, consisting of minidots of dried bacteriophage DNA placed on a UV-transparent polymer film, were analyzed by polymerase chain reactions (PCR). Ultraviolet-B dosimetry obtained with amplification of phage LD DNA of segments of 1.08 kilobase pairs (kbp) and 2.24 kbp was compared with that obtained with amplification of a 0.5 kbp segment (H. Yoshida and J. D. Regan, 66, 82-88, Photochem. Photobiol 1997). The number of lesions in each segment induced by UV radiation is proportional to the size of the amplified segments; thus, the average lesion frequency per unit dose was greatest in the 2.24 kbp and least in the 0.5 kbp segment. The average lesion frequency per unit dose was 3.5 times 10_-2 and 11.9 times 10_-2 m₂ kJ_-1 for 1.08 kbp and 2.24 kpb, respectively, compared to that for 0.5 kbp of 1.7 times 10_-2 m₂ kJ_-1 at 50 ng DNA. Dependability of DNA dosimeters, containing 50 ng and 100 ng, was tested by placing the DNA dosimeters for a time period of either 1 or 2 days outdoors on 8-12 January at Melbourne, FL. The daily dose was obtained directly with amplification of the 2.24 kbp segment and the 2 day continuous dose was obtained with amplification of the 1.08 kbp segment. Although the average lesion frequencies were different, both 50 ng and 100 ng DNA dosimeters provided about the same UVB dose, equivalent to the dose applied with a solar UVB simulator. The total UVB dose for 4 days obtained by amplification of the 1.08 and 2.24 kbp segments was 19.4-20.8 kJ m_-2, which is within experimental error with the 4 day continuous dose obtained with 0.5 kbp segments. The average daily dose obtained by 0.5 kbp and 1.08 kbp agreed with the average daily dose directly obtained with 2.24 kbp.     

Vulcanization of polybutadiene latex induced by 60Co γ radiation

Polybutadiene latex (PBL) vulcanization induced by ⁶⁰Co radiation and the influence of dose on crosslinking were investigated. Morphology and particle size distribution were examined by AFM and a particle size analyzer. The casting films were characterized for their swelling and mechanical properties as a function of dose. The particle size, swelling and tensile properties decreased with dose, while gel fraction and storage modulus increased. The PBL fits well with the Charlesby–Pinner equation in the radiation dose, up to 200 kGy.     

Comparative study of effect of low and medium dose rate of γ irradiation on microporous polysulfone membrane using spectroscopic and imaging techniques

The effect of low (LDR) and medium dose rate (MDR) of γ irradiation at low doses (0-100 kGy) on the structural and chemical changes of microporous polysulfone (PSf) membrane has been studied using UV-vis, FTIR, SEM and dead-end filtration techniques. PSf membrane was cast by phase inversion method. Irradiation was done at room temperature in air media. The doses chosen were 0-100 kGy for LDR and 0-50 kGy for MDR; they were below and above sterilization dose. Analysis of UV-vis and IR spectra and SEM images obtained suggested that chain scissions and crosslink had occurred simultaneously in the irradiated membranes in both cases. This radio-oxidation effects observed start at a very low dose i.e. 1.66 kGy and increase with increase in dose. It is supported by the flux values obtained; it is increased with increase in dose. The results indicate that a very low dose γ irradiation was able to change the physicochemical characteristics of microporous PSf membrane which depend on dose rate of exposure.     

Investigation on the electron-beam curing of vinylester resin

A typical vinylester resin, Derakane 411-350, was electron-beam (EB) cured without initiators. The curing process was investigated by gel-fraction testing, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies. Both dynamic numerical analysis and positron annihilation life spectroscopy were utilized to analyze the microstructure of resin samples irradiated with different doses and dose rates. Resin irradiated with the same dose at a low dose rate achieved a higher degree of cure than those samples irradiated with a high dose rate. Resin irradiated with low dose rates had a lower free-volume fraction with smaller interstices and a more uniform microstructure. The glass-transition temperature of the resin increased with increasing irradiation dose. The mechanical properties of the EB-cured resin confirmed the analysis of changes in microstructure arising from irradiation.     

Radiation polymerization of thermo-sensitive poly (N-vinylcaprolactam)

Temperature-sensitive poly (N-vinylcaprolactam) both in water-soluble state and in gel was prepared by γ-radiation polymerization. The effects of radiation dose, radiation dose rate and monomer concentration on polymerization and the low critical solution temperature characteristics of the polymer were studied. The results show that the polymer prepared within certain radiation dose (beyond 2 kGy) and dose rate range (2–14 Gy/min) has good temperature sensitivity and uniformity.     

Changes of porous poly(ε-caprolactone) bone grafts resulted from e-beam sterilization process

The most important mechanical feature of poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) foams applied in bone tissue engineering as a scaffold, has been investigated as a function of irradiation dose. Radiation is proposed for the sterilization of the polymer before the implantation. Polycaprolactone scaffold foams were obtained by combination of compression molding and particulate leaching techniques. The porogen was changed in the range 74–96 w% and the irradiation dose was varied from 25 to 150 kGy. Our results show that yield strength is not a function of radiation dose, but is rather influenced by the porosity, while the critical strain is mainly dependent on the dose. All these together mean that the modulus of the elasticity of PCL foams is dependent on both the porosity and the dose.     

Natural indoor gamma background in Coonoor environment of South India

Indoor natural radiation dose existing in dwellings of Coonoor have been estimated using thermoluminescent dosimeters. TLDs are displayed in indoors and are replaced after three-month period. The seasonal averages of the dose rate and the annual effective dose equivalent are calculated from the measured results. Geographical and seasonal variations as well as the differences between indoor to outdoor dose rates have also been studied. Very good correlation exists between the indoor dose rates measured by TLD and environmental radiation dosimeter with correlation coefficient of 0.91. The annual effective dose equivalent to the Coonoor population due to indoor gamma radiation was estimated to be 970 mSv/y for the period of 1997–1998.     

Radiation Emulsion Polymerization of n-Butyl Acrylate,Glycidyl Methacrylate,and Methacrylic Acid

The rate of emulsion polymerization of N-butyl acrylate and glycidyl methacrylate is influenced by the irradiation dose rate and the emulsifier type. With regard to the rate of polymerization and the stability of polymer emulsion, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) is found to be a better emulsifier than Tween 20. Irradiation dose, in order to obtain 90% conversion, is about 50 krd using SDBS emulsifier, compared to about 160 krd using Tween 20 emulsifier, both with an irradiation dose rate of about 80 krd/h. Irradiation dose, in order to obtain the same conversion, decreases with a decrease in irradiation dose rate. Thermal analysis showed that the glycidyl methacrylate content greatly influences the thermal stability of the polymer film.     

Effects of low dose 3H contamination on bone marrow cells of rat

Changes induced in the bone marrow cells of rats internally contaminated with tritiated water were studied by intracellular thymidine incorporation, the reduced glutathione content and the peroxide level, for the low dose irradiation domain: 0–35 cGy with dose rates in the range of 0.03–4 cGy/day. For doses below 10 cGy, the DNA precursor incorporation decreased but the reduced glutathione content and the lipoperoxides level were preserved at the control level, no matter what dose rate was used. For doses higher than 10 cGy, the thymidine incorporation has decreased irrespective of the dose rate, while the peroxides content increased with increasing dose rate.     

Rapid In-Situ Effective Dose Equivalent Measurement Using the Superheated-Liquid-Droplet Technique

This study performs a rapid in-situ effective dose equivalent evaluation using SLD. The effective dose equivalent recommended by ICRP-26 allows the direct calculation of the primary personnel limiting quantity by measuring the dose equivalent in various internal organs or tissues. Therefore, an indigenous multislab phantom coupled with the SLD multicounting system is set up to evaluate the effective dose equivalent, H _E . Moreover, MCNP computational results are also compared. Comparisons indicate that underestimation of practical evaluations (within –15%) may be largely attributed to the insensitive nature of SLD in measuring the -ray induced dose.     

Estimation of indoor radon and the annual effective dose from building materials by ionization chamber measurement

Indoor radon and its annual effective dose from the building materials commonly used in Thailand were reported. Radon emission from samples collected in the closed chamber was measured by an ionization chamber. Indoor radon and the annual effective dose were calculated from radon concentration in the closed chamber. Granite yields the highest annual effective dose. Three samples of granite shown the annual effective dose higher than the annual exposure limit for the general public of 1 mSv year^?1 recommended by the International Commission on Radiological Protection. Applying appropriate surface coating, the radon emission from some building materials has decreased substantially.