A comparative study of indoor radon level measurements in the dwellings of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, India

The LR-115 type-II plastic track detector has been used for measuring the indoor radon levels in the dwellings of some villages of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. In Punjab, the villages surveyed are Rampura Phul, Lehra Mahabat and Pitho (villages in Bathinda district), and Amritsar city. The average indoor radon levels in these areas are found to vary from 64 to 152 Bq/m³, which are quite within the safe limits recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (Ann. ICRP 23(2)). The indoor radon levels have also been measured in the dwellings of Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. The villages surveyed in this area are Nukhel, Badarn, Galore-Khas, Har-Upper, Tikker Brahamana and Awah-Lower where radon concentration has been found to vary from 261 to 724 Bq/m³. These values are higher than the recommended limit.     

Study of uranium, radium and radon exhalation rate in soil samples from some areas of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India using solid-state nuclear track detectors

LR-115 plastic track detectors have been used for the measurement of radon exhalation rate and radium concentration in soil samples collected from some villages of Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh, India. Uranium concentration has also been determined in these soil samples using fission track technique. Radium concentration in soil samples has been found to vary from 11.54 to 26.71 BqKg⁻¹, whereas uranium concentration varies from 0.75 to 2.06 ppm. The radon exhalation rate in these samples has been found to vary from 15.16 to 35.11 mBqKg⁻¹ h⁻¹ (502.12 to 1162.64 mBqm⁻² h⁻¹).     

Radon exhalation and gamma radioactivity levels in soil and radiation hazard assessment in the surrounding area of National Thermal Power Corporation,Dadri (U.P.), India

In the present study soil samples were collected from the region around a National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at Dadri (U.P.), India. Radon activity and radon exhalation rates were measured by using “sealed can technique” using LR 115-type II nuclear track detectors. Radon activities are found to vary from 177.5 ± 23.1 to 583.4 ± 4.9 Bq m⁻³ with an average value of 330.5 ± 30.4 Bq m⁻³. Surface exhalation rates in these samples vary from 63.9 ± 8.3 to 210.2 ± 15.1 mBq m⁻² h⁻¹ with an average value of 119.1 ± 11.1 mBq m⁻² h⁻¹, whereas mass exhalation rates vary from 2.5 ± 0.3 to 8.1 ± 0.6 mBq kg⁻¹ h⁻¹ with an average of 4.6 ± 0.4 mBq kg⁻¹ h⁻¹.Activity concentrations of naturally occurring radionuclides (²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K) were also measured in these soil samples using high resolution γ–ray spectroscopic system. Activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th, and ⁴⁰K vary from 32.2 ± 6.0 to120.9 ± 4.5 Bq kg⁻¹, 19.3 ± 0.9 to 44.6 ± 1.5 Bq kg⁻¹ and 195.4 ± 2.8 to 505.4 ± 6.3 Bq kg⁻¹ with overall mean values of 70.0 ± 8.9 Bq kg⁻¹, 34.8 ± 1.2 Bq kg⁻¹ and 436.1 ± 5.6 Bq kg⁻¹ respectively. From the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra, ²³²Th and ⁴⁰K, radium equivalent activity (Ra_eq) and the external hazard index (H_ex) were calculated and found to vary from 73.4 to 214.7 Bq kg⁻¹ and from 0.2 to 0.6 respectively.     

Baseline studies of radon/thoron concentration levels in and around the Lambapur and Peddagattu areas in Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh, India

Studies conducted by Atomic Minerals Directorate of Exploration and Research (AMD) of Hyderabad, India had established the presence of higher concentrations of uranium in Lambapur and Peddagattu areas of Nalgonda district, AP, India and it was estimated that it could be a viable source for commercial extraction. The envisaged extraction process involves dispersion of radioactive particulate matter into atmosphere. Environmental radioactive studies in and around proposed mining areas at this point of time will be extremely useful for establishing base line data before a large scale uranium extraction process comes into existence. To this end, Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors were installed to evaluate indoor radon and thoron concentration levels in the dwellings of the area. The geometric means of radon and thoron concentration levels were found to be (7.1±0.2)×10¹ and (6.7±0.3)×10¹ Bq/m³, respectively. Simultaneously, natural background radiation measurements were also made and these levels are found to vary from 770 to 3995 μGy/y in the spatial distribution.     

Soil radon concentration and effective stress variation at Mt. Etna (Sicily) in the period January 2003–April 2005

In this study we discuss the relationship between the in-soil radon concentration and the effective stress variation at Mt. Etna volcano in the period January 2003–April 2005. The acquired radon concentration trend was compared with the one obtained by the b-value variation analysis in the frequency–magnitude relationship for earthquakes that occurred at Mt. Etna volcano (Sicily) during the investigation period. The b-value calculated using both the maximum likelihood and the least square methods shows a similar trend and, in particular, an increase starting a few months before the 7th September 2004 eruption and a decrease during the following 9 months. A similar trend was recorded during 2003 when a recharging magma phase of the volcano occurred. Results obtained by studying the b-value trend and the comparison with in-soil radon concentration are also discussed.     

Isomeric cross-section ratios in (n,t) reactions on some medium- and heavy-mass nuclei at 14.6 MeV

Cross sections were measured for the first time for the reactions ⁷⁹Br(n, t)^77mSe, ⁸⁸Sr(n, t)(^86mRb, ¹¹³In(n, t)^111mCd, ¹²⁷I(n, t)^125mTe, ¹⁴¹Pr(n, t) ^139mCe, ¹⁶⁹Tm(n, t)^167mEr and ¹⁸¹Ta(n, t)^179mHf at 14.6±0.4 MeV using the activation technique, wherever necessary radiochemical separations, and high-resolution γ-ray spectroscopy. The data lie between 10 and 120 μb. A brief review of isomeric cross-section ratios measured in (n, t) reactions is given, and the ratios are compared qualitatively with those obtained in low-energy (n, γ) reactions as well as in high-energy (n, 2n) processes. The isomeric cross-section ratios are influenced by the reaction energy available and are dependent on the spin of the isomeric state. In (n, t) reactions nuclear states with spins between $\text{3}\text{2}$ and 3 seem to be preferentially populated.     

Investigation of (n,t) reactions at 14.6 MeV and an analysis of some systematic trends in the cross-section data

Cross sections for (n, t) reactions at 14.6 ±0.4 MeV on ⁴⁶Ti, ⁵⁶Fe, ^58,60Ni, ⁸⁸Sr, ⁹⁰Zr, ¹⁴¹Pr and ²⁰⁴Pb have been measured by the activation technique in combination with specific radiochemical methods. Some systematic trends in the cross-section data have been observed. An analysis of the gross trend and isotope effect is given.     

Maximum permissible noise levels at the workplace in the EEC,Spain, Portugal and Turkey (as at 1981)

The aim of this paper is to update a survey made in 1975 on scientific standards and legislation for the protection of workers from hazardous levels of noise in the workplace.This paper covers the present ten member states of the EEC and the prospective member states of Spain, Portugal and Turkey.     

Power ultrasound in the meat industry (freezing,cooking and fermentation): Mechanisms,advances and challenges

High intensity ultrasound (HIUS) has a wide range of applications in different sectors of food processing. It is a promising and emerging technology demonstrating the potential to promote food processes without or at least damage to the quality of products. Among the processes of the meat industry, freezing, thawing, cooking and fermentation are very sensitive and important, because they have significant effects on product quality and are also very energy and time consuming. This review paper provides an interpretation of high intensity ultrasound (HIUS) applications, a summary of recent outstanding published research and an overview of the freezing/thawing, cooking/frying and fermentation processes in meat and its products assisted by HIUS. The effects, benefits and drawbacks as well as the challenges ahead in the commercialization of this technology in the meat industry are studied. The research results confirmed that the use of HIUS in the meat freezing/thawing, cooking/frying and fermentation in combination with the corresponding processing methods demonstrates a great potential to promote the process, improve the general quality of the final product and reduce the time and energy required. However, many issues remain that require further research to address these challenges. These challenges and subsequent research that is useful for developing and increasing the efficiency of this technology have been reviewed. After the literature review, it is concluded that HIUS may be a useful technology for meat processing because of its significant effects on the quality factors and related process variables that leads to the preservation of the initial nutritional and sensory properties of meat and its products. Of course, research must be continued to eliminate the disadvantages or minimize the undesirable effects of this technology on the final product and to remove barriers to commercialization and optimization of this method.     

Multipolarity of some transitions in the96Zr(p,n γ e)96Nb reaction

The conversion electron andγ-ray spectra of the⁹⁶Zr(p, n γ)⁹⁶Nb reaction were measured with Ge(Li) and superconducting magnet transporter Si(Li) spectrometers respectively, at 4MeV bombarding proton energy. The multipolarities of some transitions were determined and conclusions were drawn on the spins and parities of the excited states of⁹⁶Nb.     

Solar wind protons,alpha particles and electrons in the shock wave and the potential barrier (The intershock project)

The paper discusses the dynamics of solar wind proton,-particle and electron fluxes near the Earth's bow shock front. In subsequently developed events, deceleration and deflection of ion components and electron heating are observed. The velocity distributions of protons and-particles behind the shock front have a strongly inhomogeneous structure that is gradually smoothing out in the magnetosheath. Unlike protons,-particles behind the front do not generate beams with energy exceeding that of the solar wind.Presented at the Colloquium on Plasma physics Topics Common to the Laboratory and the Space Plasma Research, September 21–25, 1987, Skalsky Dvr, Czechoslovakia.     

The measurement of the magnetic susceptibility of some elements (Fe,Co, Ni,Ge, Sn,Te) in the liquid state

A magnetic balance was used for measuring the susceptibility of metals and alloys, in an atmosphere of purified argon, up to 1800°c.

Comparison of the susceptibilities of liquid Fe, Co and Ni gives information on the liquid state. The changes in the susceptibilities of Ge, Sn and Te on melting are typical of semi-metallic elements and semiconductors, but their behaviour differs according to the degree of symmetry in the solid state.     

Ultrastructural analysis of the nucleolar aspects at spermiogenesis in triatomines (Heteroptera,Triatominae)

In this study the ultrastructural technique was used to analyze seminiferous tubule cells of the triatomine species Panstrongylus megistus, Rhodnius pallescens and Triatoma infestans. The data obtained provided evidence of the phenomenon known as persistence of the nucleolar material in initial spermatids at early differentiation. Our results confirmed the presence of the nucleolus and its products during spermiogenesis up to the formation of the axoneme and during spermatid elongation in all three species studied, similar to the process that takes place during cell division. In early spermatids, the nucleoli had a reticulate appearance and a well defined nucleolonema in P. megistus; showed a clear distinction between the fibrillar and the granular component in T. infestans; and had a compact aspect in R. pallescens. In this study, ultrastructural analyses at spermiogenesis indicated that these nucleolar products may represent RNP complexes that will probably be needed at early spermiogenesis when important changes such as chromatin condensation and acrosome and flagellum formation take place. Therefore, it was concluded from the ultrastructural analysis that the triatomine nucleolus does not totally disappear but remains as corpuscles that gather to form the next nucleolar cycle that in the case of meiosis, will be completed if fertilization occurs and a zygote is formed.     

On the reaction118Sn(γ,p)117in at intermediate energies

A refined analytical calculation of the (γ, p) cross section on¹¹⁸Sn in the energy region 150–750 MeV has been performed, taking into account the contributions of single pion photoproduction. The result is in good agreement with experimental data.     

Measurement of the beam-helicity asymmetry in the p((-->)e,e'p)pi(0) reaction at the energy of the Delta(1232) resonance

In a p((-->)e,e'p)pi(0) out-of-plane coincidence experiment at the three-spectrometer setup of the Mainz Microtron MAMI, the beam-helicity asymmetry has been precisely measured around the energy of the Delta(1232) resonance and Q(2) = 0.2(GeV/c)(2). The results are in disagreement with three up-to-date model calculations. This is interpreted as a lack of understanding of the nonresonant background, which in dynamical models is related to the pion cloud.     

Polarisation effects in the 12C(3He,pp) reaction at 33MeV

Differential cross sections and analysing powers were measured for the ¹²C(³He, pp)¹³C reaction induced by a 33 MeV polarised ³He beam at many combinations of detection angles of the coincident protons in both coplanar and out-of-plane configurations. Data characterised by low relative proton energies were successfully described by the sequential breakup model while at higher relative energies other reaction mechanisms become important.     

A singularity in E1 matrix elements at the neutron threshold: Evidence from (d,p)-(n, γ) correlations

There are several independent effects which tend to suppres correlations of (d, p)-(n, γ) type. When a near-perfect correlation is found, as in the case ³⁷Cl with thermal capture, it follows that all the effects are small. This has important implications, such as showing that the dominant thermal capture process can be ‘direct’, thereby settling a long debate. Further, the data establishes the E_γ^?1 singularity in E1 matrix elements for thermal capture that was derived theoretically in 1960.