Low energy electron beam irradiator using sprayed double walled carbon nanotubes

We fabricated a prototype of an e-beam irradiator which is low energy and diode type by using sprayed double walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs). The diode type e-beam irradiator consisted of a grounded e-beam window which was made of thin Havar foil and a negatively charged cathode where carbon nanotubes were sprayed on titanium coated aluminum rod. Synthesized DWCNTs which were purified through the chemical processes and then mixed with ethanol were sprayed several hundred times on the surface area of 2×300 mm². A phosphor screen located on the e-beam window and a CCD camera was used to observe the emitted electron beams directly from the cathode to the air with an increase of the voltage. The measured e-beam current was 1.5 mA at −95 kV.     

Chemical, sensory and microbiological changes of gamma irradiated coconut cream powder

A study was carried out to determine optimum decontamination dose for a locally manufactured coconut cream powder. Samples were gamma irradiated (0–15 kGy) and ageing process was achieved using GEER oven at 60 °C for 7 days, which is equivalent to one-year storage at room temperature. Iodine value (IV), ranging from 4.8 to 6.4, was not affected by radiation doses and storage, however peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) generally increased with radiation doses. In most samples, peroxide value (meq/kg) reduced after storage, whilst the TBA (mg malonaldehyde/kg), indicator for product quality, slightly increased. The sensory evaluation conducted using 25 taste panellists indicated that scores on odour, creamy taste and overall acceptance for all irradiated samples at more than 5 kGy were significantly lower (P<0.05) than the control. However, the panellists could not detect any significant differences among the irradiation doses (P>0.05). All stored products were significantly different in colour, creamy taste, odour and overall acceptance (P<0.05) when compared to the non-stored non-irradiated control. Microbiological count of the samples prior to irradiation was in the range of 1×10²–1.7×10³ cfu/g with no detection of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli. No microbial colonies were detected after irradiation. Based on the TBA and overall sensory acceptance, gamma irradiation of 5 kGy was found to be the optimum dose and lower doses can be considered to decontaminate coconut cream powder.     

Effect of the glycosylation of flavonoids on interaction with protein

In this paper, two flavonoid aglycones (baicalein, quercetin) and their glycosides (baicalin, quercitrin) were studied for their ability to bind protein by quenching the protein intrinsic fluorescence. From the spectra obtained, the bimolecular quenching constants, the apparent static binding constants, and binding sites values were calculated. The glycosylation of flavonoids decreases the binding affinity with protein. For quercetin and quercitrin, the binding constants for BSA were 3.65 × 10⁷ and 6.47 × 10³ L mol⁻¹, respectively. For baicalein and baicalin, the binding constants were 4.54 × 10⁸ and 1.63 × 10⁶ L mol⁻¹, respectively.     

Effect of mercerization and gamma irradiation on the dyeing behaviour of cotton using stilbene based direct dye

The dyeing behaviour of mercerized and gamma irradiated cotton fabric using stilbene based direct dye has been investigated. The fabric was treated with different concentrations of alkali to optimize the mercerization. The optimum mercerized cotton fabric was irradiated to absorbed doses of 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 kGy using Cs-137 gamma irradiator. Dyeing was performed using irradiated and un-irradiated cotton with dye solutions. The dyeing parameters such as temperature, time of dyeing, pH of dyeing solutions and salt concentration were optimized. The colour strength values of dyed fabrics were evaluated by comparing irradiated and un-irradiated cotton in CIE Lab system using Spectra flash SF650. Methods suggested by International Standard Organization (ISO) were employed to study the effect of gamma irradiation on the colourfastness properties of dyed fabric. It was found that mercerized and irradiated cotton have not only improved the colour strength but enhanced the rating of fastness properties also.     

Comparison of the effects of visible femtosecond laser pulses and continuous wave laser radiation of low average intensity on the clonogenicity of Escherichia coli

To evaluate the contribution of local pulsed heating of light-absorbing microregions to biochemical activity, irradiation of Escherichia coli was carried out using femtosecond laser pulses (λ = 620 nm, τ_p=3 × 10⁻¹³ s, f_p = 0.5 Hz, E_p = 1.1 × 10⁻³J cm⁻², I_av = 5.5 × 10⁻⁴ W cm⁻², I_p = 10⁹ W cm⁻²) and continuous wave (CW) laser radiation (λ = 632.8 nm, I = 1.3 W cm⁻²). The irradiation dose required to produce a similar biological effect (a 160%–190% increase in the clonogenic activity of the irradiated cells compared with the non-irradiated controls) is a factor of about 10³ lower for pulsed radiation than for CW radiation (3.3 × 10⁻¹ and 7.8 × 10² J cm⁻² respectively). The minimum size of the microregions transiently heated on irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses is estimated to be about 10 Å, which corresponds to the size of the chromophores of hypothetical primary photoacceptors—respiratory chain components.     

Semi-micro size-exclusion chromatography of polymers : Calibration of columns and comparison with conventional columns

Stainless-steel tubes having inside diameters of 1.5 mm and 1.8 mm were packed with polystyrene gels of particle diameter 10 ± 2 μm. Two 50 cm × 1.8 mm I.D. packed columns, connected in series, were calibrated and molecular-weight averages of polystyrene NBS 706 were measured, the results coinciding with the data of the National Bureau of Standards. The peak widths of polystyrenes of narrow molecular-weight distributions in both semi-micro column (four 25 cm × 1.5 mm I.D.) and conventional column (two 50 cm × 8 mm I.D.; packed by the manufacturer) systems were determined at different mobile-phase velocities, and the minimum peak width in the latter system was obtained at the velocity of 0.2 mm/sec, which was higher than that for the semi-micro system. The interstitial volume was higher and the inner volume was lower for the semi-micro column system (1.8 mm I.D.) than those for the conventional one, which means that semi-micro columns were packed less densely, resulting in a steep calibration curve. The peak height of a solute was proportional to the cell length of an ultraviolet detector if the sample load was proportional to the cross-sectional areas of columns having the same column efficiency. Although conventional size-exclusion chromatography has many advantages in respect of velocity, calibration curtve and sample peak height, semi-micro size-exclusion chromatography still holds some merits such as low consumption of gels and of mobile-phase solvents.     

Production of high melt strength polypropylene by gamma irradiation

High melt strength polypropylene (HMS-PP) has been recently developed and introduced in the market by the major international producers of polypropylene. Therefore, BRASKEM, the leading Brazilian PP producer, together with EMBRARAD, the leading Brazilian gamma irradiator, and the IPEN (Institute of Nuclear Energy and Research) worked to develop a national technology for the production of HMS-PP. One of the effective approaches to improve melt strength and extensibility is to add chain branches onto polypropylene backbone using gamma radiation. Branching and grafting result from the radical combinations during irradiation process. Crosslinking and main chain scission in the polymer structure are also obtained during this process. In this work, gamma irradiation technique was used to induce chemical changes in commercial polypropylene with two different monomers, Tri-allyl-isocyanurate (TAIC) and Tri-methylolpropane-trimethacrylate (TMPTMA), with concentration ranging from 1.5 to 5.0 mmol/100 g of polypropylene. These samples were irradiated with a ⁶⁰Co source at dose of 20 kGy. It used two different methods of HMS-PP processing. The crosslinking of modified polymers was studied by measuring gel content melt flow rate and rheological properties like melt strength and drawability. It was observed that the reaction method and the monomer type have influenced the properties. However, the concentration variation of monomer has no effect.     

The effect of γ rays upon monohydrated asparagine. A DSC study

Crystalline non-irradiated and irradiated monohydrated asparagine was investigated by means of DSC. The samples were irradiated at room temperature with gamma radiations using a ¹³⁷Cs source. The exposure doses ranged between 1 and 12 kGy. All samples were scanned in non-sealed pans, from room temperature to a temperature beyond the melting point. The change of registered DSC thermograms for the irradiated samples compared to those of non-irradiated ones and the variation of the parameters associated to dehydration and melting—decomposition with the cumulative dose were analyzed. The study has put in evidence transformations related to the values of characteristic temperatures of peaks and to the thermal effects. The diffusion and desorption of water molecules is hindered by the free radicals formed by irradiation. The most stable free radical species is formed by the extraction of a hydrogen atom from the methylene group of the amino acid chain, done by another hydrogen atom, probably derived from a water molecule.     

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.     

A new Tb-selective fluorescent sensor based on 2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-1-ylsulfonyl)-N-henylhydrazinecarbothioamide

A novel fluorescent chemosensor 2-(5-(dimethylamino)naphthalen-1-ylsulfonyl)-N-phenylhydrazinecarbothioamide (L) has been synthesized, which revealed an emission of 530 nm and when excited at 360 nm. The fluorescent probe undergoes a fluorescent emission intensity quenching upon binding to terbium ions in MeCN solution. The fluorescence quenching of L is attributed to the 1:1 complex formation between L and Tb(III) which has been utilized as the basis for the selective detection of Tb(III). The linear response range covers a concentration range of Tb(III) from 4.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ M and the detection limit is 1.4 × 10⁻⁷ M. The association constant of the 1:1 complex formation for L–Tb⁺³ was calculated to be 6.01 × 10⁶ M⁻¹, and the fluorescent probe exhibits high selectivity over other common metal ions mono-, di-, and trivalent cations indicate good selectivity for Tb(III) ions over a large number of interfering cations.     

Study on the interaction between nucleic acid and Eu3+-oxolinic acid and the determination of nucleic acid using the resonance light scattering technique

At pH 9.75, the resonance light scattering (RLS) intensity of OA–Eu³⁺ system is greatly enhanced by nucleic acid. Based on this phenomenon, a new quantitative method for nucleic acid in aqueous solution has been developed. Under the optimum condition, the enhanced RLS is proportional to the concentration of nucleic acid in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g/ml for herring sperm DNA, 8.0 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g/ml for calf thymus DNA and 1.0 × 10⁻⁹ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ g/ml for yeast RNA, and their detection limits are 0.020, 0.011 and 0.010 ng/ml, respectively. Synthetic samples and actual samples were satisfactorily determined. In addition, the interaction mechanism between nucleic acid and OA–Eu³⁺ is also investigated.     

Dosimetric calibration of an annular60Co gamma-ray source

Precise dosimetric calibration of the radiation field of the Gammacell irradiator has been carried out. For measuring spatial dose distribution a cavity ionization chamber in conjuction with a Farmer dosimeter and CaF₂ thermoluminescent dosimeters were used. The results make possible the calculation of doses received by samples of different sizes and shapes.     

Study of the spatial distribution of the absorbed dose in blood volumes irradiated using a teletherapy unit

Blood irradiation can be performed using a dedicated blood irradiator or a teletherapy unit. A thermal device providing appropriate storage conditions during blood components irradiation with a teletherapy unit has been recently proposed. However, the most appropriated volume of the thermal device was not indicated. The goal of this study was to indicate the most appropriated blood volume for irradiation using a teletherapy unit in order to minimize both the dose heterogeneity in the volume and the blood irradiation time using these equipments. Theoretical and experimental methods were used to study the dose distribution in the blood volume irradiated using a linear accelerator and a cobalt-60 therapy machine. The calculation of absorbed doses in the middle plane of cylindrical acrylic volumes was accomplished by a treatment planning system. Experimentally, we also used cylindrical acrylic phantoms and thermoluminescent dosimeters to confirm the calculated doses. The data obtained were represented by isodose curves. We observed that an irradiation volume should have a height of 28 cm and a diameter of 28 cm and a height of 35 cm and a diameter of 35 cm, when the irradiation is to be performed by a linear accelerator and a cobalt-60 teletherapy unit, respectively. Calculated values of relative doses varied from 93% to 100% in the smaller volume, and from 66% to 100% in the largest one. A difference of 5.0%, approximately, was observed between calculated and experimental data. The size of these volumes permits the irradiation of blood bags in only one bath without compromising the homogeneity of the absorbed dose over the irradiated volume. Thus, these irradiation volumes can be recommend to minimize the irradiation time when a teletherapy unit is used to irradiate blood.     

Characterization of a new photo-fluorescent film dosimeter for high-radiation dose applications

Characterization studies on one of the first versions of the Sunna fluorescent dosimeter™ have been published by Kovács and McLaughlin. This present study describes testing results of a newer version of the dosimeter (Model γ, batch 0399-20). This dosimeter is a 1-cm×3-cm polymeric film of 0.5 mm thickness that emits a green fluorescence component at intensities almost linear with dose. The manufacturing method (injection molding) allows potential batch sizes on the order of a million while maintaining a signal precision on the order of ±1%. Studies include dose response, dose rate dependence, energy dependence, post-irradiation stability, environmental effects, and variation of response within a batch. Data for both food irradiation and sterilization dose levels were obtained. The results indicate that the green signal (0.3–250 kGy) works well for food irradiation dose levels, especially in refrigerated facilities that maintain tight temperature control. The green signal also works well in sterilization facilities because its irradiation temperature coefficient above room temperature is minimal at sterilization doses. If the user requires readout results in < 22 h after room temperature irradiation, the user can either calibrate for a specific post-irradiation readout time(s) or simply heat the dosimeters in a small laboratory oven to quickly stabilize the signal.     

Theoretical evaluation of dose distribution in product in radiation processing plants

An analytical method has been developed for the computation of dose rates at any number of points in the product material in a radiation processing plant in which radioactive source pencils are arranged in a rectangular vertical frame. Exposures from each individual source pencil and the movement of the product box was taken into consideration for the evaluation of absorbed dose. The validity of the computational method was tested for one of the existing irradiator already in operation. Excellent agreement was achieved between the computation and measured values of doses received by the product material. The method was then applied in the design of a new irradiator and was found very useful to arrive at optimum source size and target size. Hence, this method is being adopted for the design of all forthcoming ⁶⁰Co irradiation plants in India.     

Influence of empty hole on crack running in PMMA plate under dynamic loading

The influence of original prefabricated empty hole on dynamic crack propagation was studied. The dynamic behavior of crack propagation due to the impacting of drop hammer on the defective PMMA medium of manufactured hole defect (different extent of left shift, respectively, for L = 110 mm, L = 111.25 mm and L = 112.5 mm) was conducted using the test system of digital laser dynamic caustics (DLDC). The stress intensity factor and velocity at the running crack tip were analyzed. Moreover, the recently developed distinct lattice spring model (DLSM) was validated using the experimental data. It was found that the numerical modeling can reproduce the experimentally observed phenomena. Combining the experimental and numerical results, it can be concluded that the influence of empty hole defects of brittle materials on dynamic fracturing is great.     

Application of laser photoacoustic spectroscopy for the detection of water vapor near 1.38 μm

Laser photoacoustic (PA) spectroscopy is applied for the determination of the trace content of water vapor using a differential Helmholtz resonant (DHR) cell and a narrow bandwidth diode laser operating near 1380 nm. The PA spectroscopy revealed a rich absorption spectra in this wavelength region and the observed result was compared with the HITRAN database. A multipass optical system was also developed by adopting one aluminum-coated flat mirror with a small uncoated spot for the laser introduction to the detection chamber and one aluminum-coated concave mirror. The multipass optical system enabled the enhancement of the PA signal up to eight times when compared to the single pass case. The calibration curve was plotted by measuring PA signals for various pressures of the water vapor. The sensitivity of the PA detection system is estimated as 7.3×10¹² molecules cm⁻³ with a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 1.     

Combined effect of γ-irradiation and bacterial-fermented dextrose on microbiological quality of refrigerated pork sausages

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a concentrated fermented dextrose (FD), a natural antimicrobial product, combined with low dose γ-irradiation (1.5 kGy) on the microbiological quality of fresh pork sausages. Fresh pork sausages containing the FD (0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75%) were prepared in a meat pilot plant and were irradiated using a UC-15A irradiator equipped with a ⁶⁰Cobalt source. The γ-irradiation treatment alone was able to reduce the initial psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria by more than 2 log CFU/g and kept the lactobacillus population under the detection limit (100 CFU/g). Results also showed that the FD alone was able to extend the shelf life of the sausages from 5 days up to 13 days. At day 13, the FD or irradiation alone showed 2 log CFU/g less mesophilic bacteria than the control. After combining FD and irradiation another reduction of the microbial count of 1 log CFU/g was observed. When combining the irradiation treatment with the FD results it showed a reduced growth rate of the psychrophilic and mesophilic bacteria compared to both treatments alone. This study demonstrated that FD with low dose gamma irradiation act in synergy to reduce the multiplication of the total bacterial flora in fresh sausages.     

Effects of humidity and temperature during irradiation on the response of blue PMMA dosimeter

Effects of relative humidity conditions in the irradiation chamber and of temperature of the chamber on the response of 3 mm thick light blue poly (methyl methacrylate) sheets have been studied. The response was measured spectrophotometrically at 402, 450, 596 and 612 nm. The response of the dosimeter is independent of the relative humidity (12–97%) during irradiation if the response is measured within 24 h of irradiation. If the response is measured after longer storage time, the absorbance at 402 and 450 nm increases significantly. At these two wavelengths the response of the dosimeter is also independent of the temperature of the irradiation chamber in the range of 0 to 40 °C. However, at higher temperatures (60, 80 °C), the response is not uniform.     

Effect of a Weak Electrolyte on the Critical Micellar Concentration of Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate

The critical micellar concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate is strongly altered bytris(hydroxy-methyl)methylammonium ions. The effect of buffer solutions containing this weak electrolyte as the counterion source has been studied using various concentrations of the acid–base system as well as modifying the pH. Results show that counterion concentrations ranging from 0 to 340 × 10⁻³M induce an appreciable diminution of the critical micellar concentration from 8 to 0.7 × 10⁻³M. The analysis of data suggests that the critical micellar concentration of sodium dodecyl sulfate depends on the concentration of weak electrolytes in a way very similar to that of strong electrolytes.