Effects of Pre-exposure Mouse Pituitary with Low-dose ^60Co γ-ray on Growth Hormone （GH） and Body Mass Induced by Subsequent High-dose Irradiation

The pituitary of the B6C3F1 hybrid strain mice were irradiated with 0.05 Gy of ^60Co γ-ray as the pre-exposure dose (D1), and were then irradiated with 2 Gy of ^60Co γ-ray as challenging irradiation dose (D2) at 4h after per-exposure. Body weight and serum growth hormone (GH) were measured at 35th day after irradiation. The results showed that irradiation of mouse testes with 2 Gy of ^60Co γ-ray significantly diminished mousebody weight and level of serum GH (Table). Pre-exposure with a low-dose (0.05 Gy) of ^60Co γ-ray significantly alleviated reductions of mouse body weight and level of serum GH induced by subsequent a high-dose (2 Gy) irradiation (Table). The data suggested that low-dose ionizing irradiation can induce adaptive responses to the harmful effects of pituitary by subsequent high-dose exposure.     

Effects of Pre-exposure of Mouse Pituitary with Low-dose ^60Co γ-ray on Male Reproductive Endocrine Capacity Induced by Subsequent High-dose Irradiation

To investigate the effects of pre-exposure of mouse pituitary with low-dose ^60Co γ-ray on male reproductive endocrine capacity induced by subsequent high-dose irradiation, the pituitary of the B6C3F1 hybrid strain male mice were irradiated with 0.05 Gy of ^60Co γ-ray as the pre-exposure dose (D1), and were then irradiated with 2 Gy of ^60Co γ-ray as challenging irradiation dose (D2) at 4 h after per-exposure. Pituitary gonadotroping hormones --follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luterinzing hormone (LH), serum testosterone, testis weight and sperm count were measured at 35th day after irradiation.     

Gamma—Ray and Multiwaveband Emission from Gamma—Ray—Long BL Lacertae Objects

We have collected 18γ-ray-loud BL Lac with observed data in multiwavedand,we find that γ-ray flux densities correlate better with the near-IR flux densities than those with the optical or x-ray flux densities.There is no correlation between γ-ray and radio flux densities.Possible constraints on the γ-ray emission mechanism are discussed.We suggest that the main γ-ray radiation mechanism is probably the synchrotron self-Compton process.The inverse Compton scattering of the radiation from hot circumscribe dust.by beamed ultrarelativistic electrons,is likely to be an important complementary mechanism.     

Influence of thyroid volume reduction on absorbed dose in 131I therapy studied by using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation

A simulation study has been performed to quantify the effect of volume reduction on the thyroid absorbed dose per decay and to investigate the variation of energy deposition per decay due to β- and γ-activity of 131I with volume/mass of thyroid, for water, ICRP- and ICRU-soft tissue taken as thyroid material. A Monte Carlo model of the thyroid, in the Geant4 radiation transport simulation toolkit was constructed to compute the β- and γ-absorbed dose in the simulated thyroid phantom for various values of its volume. The effect of the size and shape of the thyroid on energy deposition per decay has also been studied by using spherical, ellipsoidal and cylindrical models for the thyroid and varying its volume in 1-25 cm3 range. The relative differences of Geant4 results for different models with each other and MCNP results lie well below 1.870%. The maximum relative difference among the Geant4 estimated results for water with ICRP and ICRU soft tissues is not more than 0.225%. S-values for ellipsoidal, spherical and cylindrical thyroid models were estimated and the relative difference with published results lies within 3.095%. The absorbed fraction values for beta particles show a good agreement with published values within 2.105% deviation. The Geant4 based simulation results of absorbed fractions for gammas again show a good agreement with the corresponding MCNP and EGS4 results （±6.667%） but have 29.032% higher values than that of MIRD calculated values. Consistent with previous studies, the reduction of the thyroid volume is found to have a substantial effect on the absorbed dose. Geant4 simulations confirm dose dependence on the volume/mass of thyroid in agreement with MCNP and EGS4 computed values but are substantially different from MIRD8 data. Therefore, inclusion of size/mass dependence is indicated for 131I radiotherapy of the thyroid.     

Influence of thyroid volume reduction on absorbed dose in ~(131)I therapy studied by using Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation

A simulation study has been performed to quantify the effect of volume reduction on the thyroid absorbed dose per decay and to investigate the variation of energy deposition per decay due to β- and γ-activity of ~(131)I with volume/mass of thyroid,for water,ICRP- and ICRU-soft tissue taken as thyroid material.A Monte Carlo model of the thyroid,in the Geant4 radiation transport simulation toolkit was constructed to compute the β- and γ-absorbed dose in the simulated thyroid phantom for various values of its volume.The effect of the size and shape of the thyroid on energy deposition per decay has also been studied by using spherical,ellipsoidal and cylindrical models for the thyroid and varying its volume in 1-25 cm~3 range.The relative differences of Geant4 results for different models with each other and MCNP results he well below 1.870%.The maximum relative difference among the Geant4estimated results for water with ICRP and ICRU soft tissues is not more than 0.225%.S-values for ellipsoidal,spherical and cylindrical thyroid models were estimated and the relative difference with published results lies within3.095%.The absorbed fraction values for beta particles show a good agreement with published values within 2.105%deviation.The Geant4 based simulation results of absorbed fractions for gammas again show a good agreement with the corresponding MCNP and EGS4 results(±6.667%) but have 29.032%higher values than that of MIRD calculated values.Consistent with previous studies,the reduction of the thyroid volume is found to have a substantial effect on the absorbed dose.Geant4 simulations confirm dose dependence on the volume/mass of thyroid in agreement with MCNP and EGS4 computed values but are substantially diiferent from MIRD8 data.Therefore,inclusion of size/mass dependence is indicated for ~(131)I radiotherapy of the thyroid.     

Analysis of proton and γ-ray radiation effects on CMOS active pixel sensors

Radiation effects on complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor(CMOS) active pixel sensors(APS) induced by proton and γ-ray are presented. The samples are manufactured with the standards of 0.35 μm CMOS technology. Two samples have been irradiated un-biased by 23 MeV protons with fluences of 1.43 × 10~(11) protons/cm~2 and 2.14 × 10~(11) protons/cm~2,respectively, while another sample has been exposed un-biased to 65 krad(Si) ~(60)Co γ-ray. The influences of radiation on the dark current, fixed-pattern noise under illumination, quantum efficiency, and conversion gain of the samples are investigated. The dark current, which increases drastically, is obtained by the theory based on thermal generation and the trap induced upon the irradiation. Both γ-ray and proton irradiation increase the non-uniformity of the signal, but the nonuniformity induced by protons is even worse. The degradation mechanisms of CMOS APS image sensors are analyzed,especially for the interaction induced by proton displacement damage and total ion dose(TID) damage.     

Total dose radiation and annealing responses of the back transistor of Silicon-On-Insulator pMOSFETs

The total dose radiation and annealing responses of the back transistor of Silicon-On-Insulator(SOI)pMOSFETs have been studied by comparing them with those of the back transistor of SOI n MOSFETs fabricated on the same wafer. The transistors were irradiated by60 Co γ-rays with various doses and the front transistors were biased in a Float-State and Off-State, respectively, during irradiation. The total dose radiation responses of the back transistors were characterized by their threshold voltage shifts. The results show that the total dose radiation response of the back transistor of SOI pMOSFETs, similar to that of SOI n MOSFETs, depends greatly on their bias conditions during irradiation. However, with the Float-State bias rather than the Off-State bias, the back transistors of SOI pMOSFETs reveal a much higher sensitivity to total dose radiation, which is contrary to the behavior of SOI n MOSFETs. In addition, it is also found that the total dose radiation effect of the back transistor of SOI pMOSFETs irradiated with Off-State bias, as well as that of the SOI n MOSFETs, increases as the channel length decreases. The annealing response of the back transistors after irradiation at room temperature without bias, as characterized by their threshold voltage shifts, indicates that there is a relatively complex annealing mechanism associated with channel length, type, and bias condition during irradiation. In particular, for all of the transistors irradiated with Off-State bias, their back transistors show an abnormal annealing effect during early annealing. All of these results have been discussed and analyzed in detail by the aid of simulation.     

Ionizing radiation effect on single event upset sensitivity of ferroelectric random access memory

The impact of ionizing radiation effect on single event upset(SEU) sensitivity of ferroelectric random access memory(FRAM) is studied in this work. The test specimens were firstly subjected to ~(60)Co γ-ray and then the SEU evaluation was conducted using ~(209)Bi ions. As a result of TID-induced fatigue-like and imprint-like phenomena of the ferroelectric material, the SEU cross sections of the post-irradiated devices shift substantially. Different trends of SEU cross section with elevated dose were also found, depending on whether the same or complementary test pattern was employed during the TID exposure and the SEU measurement.     

One-Dimensional Electric Field Structure of an Outer Gap Accelerator

We re-study the one-dimensional electric field structure of an outer gap accelerator by considering the physical limit of trans-field height. Inside the outer gap, the charge depletion creates a large electric field along the magnetic field lines. Electrons and/or positrons are accelerated to ultra-relativistic energies by this longitudinal electric field, and then radiate γ-ray photons by curvature radiation. The collision of these γ-rays and ambient x-ray photons further produce radiating particles, resulting in a stationary gap. We solve the structure of this longitudinal electric field together with the distributions of electrons and positrons and γ-ray photons for an aligned rotator. Our results indicate that the outer gap can extend to the light cylinder using reasonable parameters.     

Investigation of the Elasticity of Polymer Nanoparticle by Vibrating Scanning Polarization Force Microscopy

The elasticity of an individual polymer nanoparticle may be greatly different from that of the bulk one. Understanding the properties of individual particles such as elasticity and deformation under external forces is of great importance in controlling the final structures and functions of bulk materials. We study the compression properties of single polyethylenimine （PEI） particles using vibrating scanning polarization force microscopy. By controllably imaging PEI particles at different vibration amplitude set-point values, it is demonstrated that we can compress the single PEI nanoparticle with an atomic force microscopy tip in different loads. Based on the force-height and force-strain curves obtained, Young＇s moduli of PEI （5-160 MPa） in three force regions are estimated according to the Hertz model The results indicate that PEI has excellent elasticity, which may contribute to its high efficiency as vectors in gene transfection.     

Using Gamma-Radiation for Drug Releasing from MWNT Vehicle

A drug delivery system via multi-walled carbon nanotube （MWNT） vehicle was synthesized in aqueous solution. MWNTs were first noncovalently functionalized with chitosan oligomers （CS） with a molecule weight of 4000-6000, making MWNTs water-soluble, and then a cancer ancillary drug tea polyphenols （TP） was conjugated mainly via the hydrogen bond between CS and TP molecules, making MWNTs efficient vehicle for drug delivering. The release of drug molecules can be realized by pH variation and γ-radiation, leading to new methods for controlling drug release from carbon nanotubes carrier. Due to the high penetrability of γ-rays, γ-radiation shows up new opportunities in controlled drug release, possibly facilitating the future cancer treatment in vivo.     

Hadronic Scenarios for Gamma-Ray Emission from Three Supernova Remnants Interacting with Molecular Clouds

GeV γ-rays detected with the large area telescope on board the Fermi Gamma-ray space telescope in the direc- tion of HB21, MSH 17-39 and G337.0-0.1 have been recently reported. The three supernova remnants （SNRs） show interactions with molecular clouds, and they are effective gamma-ray emitters as the relativistic protons accelerated by the SNR shocks inelastically colliding with the dense gas in the clouds. The origin of the observed γ-rays for the three remnants is investigated in the scenario of the diffusive shock acceleration. In the model, a part of the SNR shock transmits into the nearby molecular clouds, and the shock velocity is greatly reduced. As a result, a shock with a relatively low Alfven Mach number is generated, and the spectra of the accelerated protons and thee＇γ-ray photons produced via proton-proton interaction can be obtained. The results show that the observed γ-ray spectra for the three SNRs interacting with the molecular clouds can be reproduced. It can be concluded that the hadronic origin of the γ-rays for the three SNRs is approved, and the ability of SNR shocks to accelerate protons is also supported.     

Active Loss of Light Yield of PbWO4：Y Scintillation Crystals After Irradiation

PWO crystals doped with yttrium were grown with the Bridgman method in platinum crucible and by using an indigenously developed resistive heating furnace. After an exposure of γ-ray from a ^60Co source, with the dose rate of lS rad/h for 20h, the light output increases for about 15%, accompanied with vanishing of an optical absorption band at 420 nm. The excitation and emission spectra of PWO crystals were measured before and after irradiation with different dose rates. The optical absorption band at 420nm was also found in the PWO sample annealed in oxygen-rlch atmosphere. It is suggested that the absorption band at 42Onm is related to Pb^3 point defects existing in the PWO crystal. The unusual change of light output after irradiation probably results from the transformation of lead ions from Pb^3 to Pb^2 .     

Pre-irradiation with low-dose ~(12)C~(6+) beam significantly enhances the efficacy of AdCMV-p53 gene therapy in human non-small lung cancer

The combination of ionizing radiation and gene therapy has been investigated. However, there are very few reports about the combination of heavy-ion irradiation and gene therapy. To determine if the pre-exposure to low-dose heavy ion beam enhances the suppression of AdCMV-p53 on non-small lung cancer (NSLC), the cells pre-irradiated or non-irradiated were infected with 20, 40 MOI of AdCMV-p53. Survival fraction and the relative biology effect (RBE) were determined by clonogenic assay. The results showed that the proportions of p53 positive cells in 12C6+ beam induced AdCMV-p53 infected cells were more than 90%, which were signifi-cantly more than those in γ-ray induced AdCMV-p53 infected cells. The pre-exposure to low-dose 12C6+ beam significantly prevented the G0/G1 arrest and activated G2/M checkpoints. The pre-exposure to 12C6+ beam significantly improved cell to apoptosis. RBEs for the 12C6+ + AdCMV-p53 infection groups were 30%-60%, 20%-130% and 30%-70% more than those for the 12C6+-irradiated only, AdCMV-p53 infected only, and γ-irradiation induced AdCMVp53 infected groups, respectively. The data suggested that the pre-exposure to low-dose 12C6+ beam significantly promotes exogenous p53 expression in NSLC, and the suppression of AdCMV-p53 gene therapy on NSLC.     

Effect of Gamma-Ray Beaming on the Fluxes of Gamma-Ray Pulsars

We study the effect of γ-ray beaming on γ-ray emission of the pulsars in a self-sustained outer gap model. In this model, averaged γ-rav flux is a function of period, magnetic field, magnetic inclination angle and solid angle of γ-ray beaming for a γ-ray pulsar. We generate a sample of γ-ray pulsars with their ages less than 10^6 ears by using the Monte Carlo method, and then study the γ-ray beaming effect. The comparison of distributions of periods, magnetic fields, distances, γ-ray energy fluxes and period derivatives of the simulated γ-ray pulsars with those of observed γ-ray pulsars by the detector EGRET shows that γ-ray beaming has an important role on the detection of γ-ray pulsars. Furthermore, possible γ-ray pulsars observed by the detector GLAST are predicted.     

Pre-irradiation with low-dose <Superscript>12</Superscript>C<Superscript>6+</Superscript> beam significantly enhances the efficacy of <Emphasis Type="Italic">AdCMV-p53</Emphasis> gene therapy in human non-small lung cancer

The combination of ionizing radiation and gene therapy has been investigated. However, there are very few reports about the combination of heavy-ion irradiation and gene therapy. To determine if the pre-exposure to low-dose heavy ion beam enhances the suppression of AdCMV-p53 on non-small lung cancer (NSLC), the cells pre-irradiated or non-irradiated were infected with 20, 40 MOl of AdCMV-p53. Survival fraction and the relative biology effect (RBE) were determined by clonogenic assay. The results showed that the proportions of p53 positive cells in 12C6 beam induced AdCMV-p53 infected cells were more than 90%, which were significantly more than those in γ-ray induced AdCMV-p53 infected cells. The pre-exposure to low-dose 12C6 beam significantly prevented the G0/G1 arrest and activated G2/M checkpoints. The pre-exposure to 12C6 beam significantly improved cell to apoptosis. RBEs for the 12C6 AdCMV-p53 infection groups were 30%-60%, 20% -130% and 30%-70% more than those for the 12C6 -irradiated only, AdCMV-p53 infected only, and γ-irradiation induced AdCMVp53 infected groups, respectively. The data suggested that the pre-exposure to low-dose 12C6 beam significantly promotes exogenous p53 expression in NSLC, and the suppression of AdCMV-p53 gene therapy on NSLC.     

Laser wakefield electron acceleration for γ-ray radiography application

An electron beam is obtained using laser wakefield electron accelerator, and converted into a γ-ray source after undergoing bremsstrahlung radiation in a dense material. A quasi-monoenergetic structure is observed when the length of the plasma channel was modified. The structure has a 58-MeV peak energy, 15mrad (full-width at half-maximum) divergence angle, and 340-pC charge. The γ-ray source generated by this high-quality electron beam is brighter and has higher spatial and temporal resolutions than other conventional sources. A γ-ray radiography demonstrational experiment is performed. Pictures of a ball with different layers made of different materials are taken. The results show a clear structure and density resolution.     

Specific absorbed fractions of electrons and photons forRad-HUMAN phantom using Monte Carlo method

The specific absorbed fractions (SAF) for self- and cross-irradiation are effective tools for the internal dose estimation of inhalation and ingestion intakes of radionuclides. A set of SAFs of photons and electrons were calculated using the Rad-HUMAN phantom, which is a computational voxel phantom of a Chinese adult female that was created using the color photographic image of the Chinese Visible Human (CVH) data set by the FDS Team. The model can represent most Chinese adult female anatomical characteristics and can be taken as an individual phantom to investigate the difference of internal dose with Caucasians. In this study, the emission of mono-energetic photons and electrons of 10 keV to 4 MeV energy were calculated using the Monte Carlo particle transport calculation code MCNP. Results were compared with the values from ICRP reference and ORNL models. The results showed that SAF from the Rad-HUMAN have similar trends but are larger than those from the other two models. The differences were due to the racial and anatomical differences in organ mass and inter-organ distance. The SAFs based on the Rad-HUMAN phantom provide an accurate and reliable data for internal radiation dose calculations for Chinese females.     

STUDIES ON THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE STRUCTURE AND THE LOCALIZED ENERGY STATES OF POLY (ETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE) ELECTRETS

A series of poly(ethytene terephthalate) (PET) films with different degrees of planar orientation [Δ(xy)z], crystallinity (X_c) and molecular weights were prepared by drawing biaxially, annealing at 110℃ and γ-imadiation of 0.5-4MGy. The peaks of localized energy states were separated from the detrapping cur-rent curves by means of poling temperature scanning method of themally stimulated current. The depth of localized energy levels enlarged with the rise of Δ(xy)z, X_c and γ-inadiation dose. The kinds of structural defects increased because of the changes of orientation structure of chains, crystalline structure and molecular chain structure, which caused the number of localized states to increase from 2 to 6 and the distribution width of the depth of localized levels to broaden.