Date palm waste, abundant in lignocellulose, presents a sustainable and promising source of cellulosic material for various applications. This study explores an innovative approach to cellulose extraction from date palm...Date palm waste, abundant in lignocellulose, presents a sustainable and promising source of cellulosic material for various applications. This study explores an innovative approach to cellulose extraction from date palm fibers by introducing gamma radiation into the separation process. The effects of gamma radiation on the biomass's chemical composition and the quality of the extracted cellulose were thoroughly examined. Characterization techniques, including fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Differential Thermal analysis and Thermogravimetric analysis (DTA-TGA), were employed to assess the material. The findings demonstrate that gamma irradiation enhances the biomass's degradability, resulting in a notable increase in alpha cellulose content following delignification. However, a decline in alpha cellulose content was observed following bleaching, which is likely attributable to a post-irradiation effect. Physico-chemical analyses confirm that gamma radiation improves the quality of the extracted cellulose, indicating its potential as an effective pre-treatment method. This approach could produce cellulose of competitive quality and cost, compared to cellulose derived from other biomass sources.
In Algeria, the issue of water availability is a major concern, and great efforts are made in order to ensure water allocation to people as the resource becomes scarcer with time. In this socio-economic and climatic cont...In Algeria, the issue of water availability is a major concern, and great efforts are made in order to ensure water allocation to people as the resource becomes scarcer with time. In this socio-economic and climatic context, groundwater resources in the Saharan Atlas remain poorly understood, particularly with regard to the processes controlling mineralization, the identification of recharge areas, the origin of groundwater, and timing of recharge. Environmental isotopes and hydrochemistry are combined for the sake of identifying the mechanisms controlling hydrochemistry. Moreover, it is sought to identify natural or anthropogenic processes affecting groundwater quality, as well as the source, the origin, and the timing of recharge. 18O, 2H, and 3H are constituents of the water molecule and have a great significance in isotope hydrology as ideal tracers for describing the water cycle phenomena. Environmental tritium is widely used in hydrology as an age indicator for groundwaters. In our study, special emphasis is given to tritium as a radioactive tracer, given its significance for groundwater dating and its relevance to environmental radiation monitoring. Tritium concentrations are determined using electrolytic enrichment followed by liquid scintillation counting, with detection limits appropriate for assessing low-level environmental radioactivity.
A systematic investigation of the nuclear structure and decay properties of $Z=122$ superheavy nuclei in the range of $160\leq N \leq 200$ is carried out within the framework of the self-consistent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubo...A systematic investigation of the nuclear structure and decay properties of $Z=122$ superheavy nuclei in the range of $160\leq N \leq 200$ is carried out within the framework of the self-consistent Hartree-Fock-Bogoliubov approach, based on a Skyrme energy density functional. Ground-state properties, including binding energies, separation energies, nuclear radii, and nuclear deformations, are evaluated to explore possible signatures of shell closures and magic numbers in this region. Additionally, $\alpha $-decay half-lives using the Unified Fission Model, incorporating a modified Woods-Saxon potential for the nuclear interaction and the spontaneous fission half-lives are also calculated for comparison. The theoretical predictions exhibit good agreement with previous studies, supporting the validity of the adopted approach.
BACKGROUND: X-rays can cause mutations in the DNA and, therefore, might lead to cancer later in life. For this reason, X-rays are classified as a carcinogen by WHO. However, the benefits of X-ray technology far outweigh...BACKGROUND: X-rays can cause mutations in the DNA and, therefore, might lead to cancer later in life. For this reason, X-rays are classified as a carcinogen by WHO. However, the benefits of X-ray technology far outweigh the potential negative consequences of using them. Exposure of the human body to doses >1 Gy at relatively high dose rates of 0.05 Gy/h or higher results in a range of clinical syndromes known as acute radiation syndromes (ARS). PURPOSE: The study aimed to investigate the effects of single dose exposure techniques using X-rays at low dose rate (35.44 ± 7.5 μSv/hr) and high dose rate (323.66 ± 23.7 μSv/hr) on the haematological parameters have been investigated for male albino Rats. METHODS: A total of 10 groups were formed from the rats with the same biological and physiological characteristics, one of which was the control group (Group I) and the others were the experimental group (increasing time of irradiation from 10 min to 50 min for low and high irradiation doses), with those with similar body weights in the same group. Blood samples were taken from the heart directly anesthetized rats 48 hr after irradiation. Complete blood cells (CBC), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were determined using an automated hematology analyzer. RESULTS: The results obtained showed that the complete blood counts of the rats varied according to the time of irradiation and irradiation dose (high or low dose). Significant differences were observed between the groups in all hematologic parameters of red blood cell counts, platelets (PLTs), Hemoglobin (Hb), White Blood Cell Counts (WBCs), Lymphocyte Count (LYM) and Granulocytes (GRAN) (P < .001). While the irradiation of low and high dose regarding the time of irradiation not affect relativity. The decrease in PLT parameters in rats exposed to high dose rate radiation was 24.4% and 36.30% for low and high single irradiation dose, respectively. CONCLUSION: The study found that in vivo exposure of male rats to low and high doses of exposure has a relatively significant impact on haematological parameters. The duration of exposure to X-ray radiation is the most important factor in determining the biological risks associated with X-ray expo. The time of exposure had more effects on complete blood cells rather than erythrocyte sedimentation rate.
Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique commonly used in Radiation Oncology clinics. Accurately determining the specific stochastic risks associated with low-dose ionizing radiation is challenging, so estimating...Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging technique commonly used in Radiation Oncology clinics. Accurately determining the specific stochastic risks associated with low-dose ionizing radiation is challenging, so estimating the radiation dose is sometimes necessary. Various computer codes have been employed for this purpose, including the National Cancer Institute dosimetry system (NCICT) used in this study. The NCICT code combines International Commission on Radiation Protection reference pediatric and adult voxel phantoms with Monte Carlo simulation of the reference CT scanner to calculate organ doses for CT patients. This study aimed to investigate the effect of body mass index (BMI) on organ dose and effective dose. The doses received by certain organs were calculated using the NCICT code by varying the mass of a male phantom while keeping the height constant. As a result, changes in doses to the lung, kidney, liver, spinal cord, and the effective dose with respect to BMI were analyzed. It was found that the doses to the lung, kidney, liver, spinal cord, and the overall effective dose decreased as BMI increased.
This study presents the development of an in-house immunoradiometric assay kit for the quantification of human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), focusing on the preparation of two key reagents: calibrated TSH standards...This study presents the development of an in-house immunoradiometric assay kit for the quantification of human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), focusing on the preparation of two key reagents: calibrated TSH standards and a monoclonal anti-TSH antibody labeled with iodine-125 (125I). The radioiodinated tracer demonstrated a labeling efficiency of 96.8% and a radiochemical purity above 99%. The in-house standards showed excellent correlation with those of a commercial kit (R2 = 0.9996). These results support the potential use of locally developed reagents as cost-effective and reliable alternatives to commercial kits, pending further clinical validation.
Radiotherapy, a major cancer treatment, remains constrained by the collateral damage of gamma radiation to healthy cells. This study evaluated crude rosemary extract (CRE) as a potential radioprotective agent against DNA...Radiotherapy, a major cancer treatment, remains constrained by the collateral damage of gamma radiation to healthy cells. This study evaluated crude rosemary extract (CRE) as a potential radioprotective agent against DNA damage in Vero cells exposed to 2 Gy of gamma radiation. MTT (Bromure de 3-(4,5-diméthylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphényltétrazolium assays showed that CRE was non-toxic, with IC50 values of 13.08 mg/ml at 24 h and 13.75 mg/ml at 48 h. The optimal dose (1 mg/ml) preserved 92% cell viability post-irradiation. Immunofluorescence revealed a significant decrease in γ-H2AX foci, indicating reduced DNA double-strand breaks. Flow cytometry further confirmed that CRE lowered apoptosis to 6.4%, compared to 81.1% in irradiated controls. These findings highlight the potential of rosemary extract as a natural radioprotector capable of limiting radiation-induced cellular damage.
The preferred treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer, classified as IB2-IVA in Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics staging, has been external radiotherapy to the pelvis, cervix, uterus, and parametrium, comb...The preferred treatment for locally advanced cervical cancer, classified as IB2-IVA in Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics staging, has been external radiotherapy to the pelvis, cervix, uterus, and parametrium, combined with an additional dose of intracavitary brachytherapy (BRT). Occasionally, the treatment team may encounter patients who refuse treatment, large cervical tumours with extensive lateral parametrial involvement that are inaccessible for interstitial implant, or medical conditions that completely prevent the use of BRT. These challenging situations call for an alternative approach to deliver the intended therapeutic dose without adhering strictly to the belief that BRT is indispensable. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) as a substitute for BRT by comparing 3D BRT and VMAT-generated stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plans, particularly for patients with advanced cervical cancer and large tumour sizes. Based on dosimetric data, SBRT may be a viable alternative to BRT if necessary.
This study evaluates the potential health risk posed by radon (222Rn) emissions from the marble walls of a closed room. Six marble samples (three local and three imported), representing the most commonly used marble type...This study evaluates the potential health risk posed by radon (222Rn) emissions from the marble walls of a closed room. Six marble samples (three local and three imported), representing the most commonly used marble types, were selected for this study, were analyzed using gamma spectrometry to determine their radon emission rates. The estimated radon concentrations in a modeled room, based on typical regional dimensions and construction practices (a 14 m3 closed room with 2 cm thick marble walls) ranged from 2.68 to 20.867 Bq m-3, significantly below the International Commission on Radiological Protection safety limit of 300 Bq m-3. Only 0.15% of the total radon activity was emitted into the air, indicating minimal health impact. These findings confirm that the studied marbles are safe for unrestricted use in construction applications.
In radiological emergency scenarios, the rapid distinction between individuals exposed below or above the 1 Gy triage threshold is essential for effective medical sorting and optimized resource allocation. This study pro...In radiological emergency scenarios, the rapid distinction between individuals exposed below or above the 1 Gy triage threshold is essential for effective medical sorting and optimized resource allocation. This study proposes a binary classification framework at the 1 Gy threshold that combines Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) measurements of commercial magnesium-based dietary supplements with supervised machine learning (ML) algorithms, including Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machines, Decision Trees, Random Forest, and XGBoost. A dataset of 355 samples exposed to different radiation doses was analyzed, and model performance was evaluated using cross-validation and multiple statistical metrics. The resulting framework was implemented into a lightweight, browser-based application to provide real-time predictions and support decision-making in field operations. The findings demonstrate that integrating physical dosimetry with ML enables rapid and scalable classification relative to the 1Gy threshold and offers a practical tool to enhance public health response during radiological incidents.
Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM), such as uranium, radium, and thorium, can lead to elevated radon exposure among workers and the public. In certain mineral processing facilities-such as those handling zi...Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM), such as uranium, radium, and thorium, can lead to elevated radon exposure among workers and the public. In certain mineral processing facilities-such as those handling zirconium and titanium-exceptionally high concentrations of uranium and thorium are present, necessitating field surveys and radon exposure assessments from a radiation protection management perspective. This study investigated three typical factories in Qinzhou, southern China. Measurements were conducted in workplaces for gamma dose rates, radon and thoron progeny concentrations, and key physical characteristic parameters of radon-thoron progeny. Dose conversion factors (DCFs) for radon and thoron were calculated using the TAURUS software. Results indicate an average radon activity concentration of 14.67 ± 0.39 Bq/m3, while the average equilibrium equivalent radon concentration (EERC) and equilibrium equivalent thoron concentration (EETC) were 2.64 ± 0.09 Bq/m3 and 2.45 ± 0.07 Bq/m3, respectively. Elevated gamma dose rates were observed in some workplaces. For characteristic parameters, the average activity median diameter of attached radon/thoron progeny (AMDa) was 218 nm and 206 nm, with geometric standard deviations (GSDa) of 1.7 and 1.8, respectively. The average activity median diameter of unattached progeny (AMDu) was 1.32 and 2.18 nm, with GSDu values of 1.3 and 1.2. The DCF for radon progeny was calculated as 32.5 nSv/(Bq·m-3·h), and for thoron progeny as 149 nSv/(Bq·m-3·h). In workplaces, the estimated annual effective dose for workers primarily stems from gamma radiation and thoron exposure, with contributions of 0.67 and 0.44 mSv, respectively. In contrast, radon exposure contributed only 0.11 mSv. When both workplaces and dwellings are considered, the total estimated annual effective dose was 3.59 mSv, with gamma radiation, radon, and thoron making comparable contributions on average.
This study presents the first systematic assessment of dietary radiation exposure among the southeastern coastal population of India using Market Basket Survey (MBS), Canteen Meal Survey (CMS) methodologies. Locally cons...This study presents the first systematic assessment of dietary radiation exposure among the southeastern coastal population of India using Market Basket Survey (MBS), Canteen Meal Survey (CMS) methodologies. Locally consumed food items collected over a decade were analyzed using high-resolution gamma spectrometry to determine the activity concentrations of 226Ra, 228Ra, 40K, and 137Cs. As the ingestion dose from 40K remains relatively constant due to homeostatic regulation and 137Cs levels were negligible, the annual effective ingestion dose was evaluated based on 226Ra and 228Ra using measured concentrations and regional adult consumption rates. The estimated annual doses were 0.019 ± 0.01 mSv (MBS) and 0.007 mSv (CMS), with the higher MBS value reflecting its conservative nature. Comparison with similar studies from India and other regions indicates that the estimated doses lie within the global range reported for normal background radiation areas. These results provide a site-specific baseline for chronic ingestion exposure and support regional radiological risk assessment and long-term environmental monitoring.
This pilot study evaluated the educational and behavioural effects of a real-time radiation dose visualization system during upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy. Fifty-one procedures (pre-intervention, n = 26; post-interv...This pilot study evaluated the educational and behavioural effects of a real-time radiation dose visualization system during upper gastrointestinal fluoroscopy. Fifty-one procedures (pre-intervention, n = 26; post-intervention, n = 25) by seven radiologists were analysed. Occupational dose Hp(10) showed no detectable difference after implementation [median 27 vs 26 μSv; median difference -2.0 μSv, 95% confidence intervals (CI) -11.0 to +7.0; P = .637]. The normalized index Hp(10)/cumulative air kerma (C-AK) was similarly unchanged (median 446.5 vs 450.9 μSv/Gy; difference +22.9 μSv/Gy, 95% CI -108.8 to +147.9; P = .785). Procedural metrics showed no significant variation (C-AK: P = .385; fluoroscopy time: P = .487; images: P = .084). Post-intervention questionnaires indicated increased awareness of radiation exposure and reinforcement of protective behaviour. The large-screen interface provided immediate, intuitive feedback and functioned as a behavioural safety tool aligned with experiential learning principles. Real-time visual feedback may enhance radiation protection education by improving awareness and promoting reflective behavioural learning, even when immediate reductions in measured dose are not observed.
In the past, little attention was given to measuring the radiation dose received by the lens of the eye. It was assumed that limiting the total body dose to 20 mSv per year provided adequate protection for the lens in al...In the past, little attention was given to measuring the radiation dose received by the lens of the eye. It was assumed that limiting the total body dose to 20 mSv per year provided adequate protection for the lens in all practical workplace situations. However, after the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) issued a statement proposing to reduce the limit for occupational exposure from 150 to 20 mSv per year, the importance of eye-lens photon dosimetry increased. This work proposes a new operational quantity D(6)water as an alternative to Hp (3) for evaluating the dose received by the lens of the eye. The proposed quantity is a physical one, which means it can be measured directly. Fluence-to-D(6)water conversion coefficients are calculated for photon energies ranging from 0.02 to 10 MeV using the Monte Carlo transport code EGSnrc without resorting to the kerma approximation, meaning a more accurate and realistic radiation dose assessment. Comparison of the conversion coefficients with those of the absorbed dose to the lens of the eye (Dlens), published by the ICRP shows that D(6)water can adequately represent Dlens over the entire considered energy range.
Despite neonatal radiosensitivity, accurate lens dose assessments in computed tomography (CT) are lacking. We assessed the neonatal head CT eye lens dose under various scanning conditions, including vertical table displa...Despite neonatal radiosensitivity, accurate lens dose assessments in computed tomography (CT) are lacking. We assessed the neonatal head CT eye lens dose under various scanning conditions, including vertical table displacement and organ-based exposure modulation (OEM), using the GAFCHROMIC LD-V1 (LD-V1), which can measure two-dimensional dose distributions, and we evaluated the limitations of conventional dose indices. The lens dose decreased with increasing distance from the isocentre for the Canon 320. Whereas, for the Canon 80 and Siemens, the dose peaked at +25 mm and then decreased. For the OEM, the dose reduction effect decreased at 30°. The CT dose index volume remained consistent. Spatially resolved dosimetry using the LD-V1 reveals beam overlap and positioning-related dose anomalies that cannot be captured by point dosimeters or conventional indices. The LD-V1 can effectively evaluate superficial dose distributions and guide dose optimization in neonatal imaging.
Occupational dose records in Japan are retained by employers, with no national registry, complicating epidemiological exposure assessments. In the Epidemiological Study on Occupational Radiation Exposure in Medical Staff...Occupational dose records in Japan are retained by employers, with no national registry, complicating epidemiological exposure assessments. In the Epidemiological Study on Occupational Radiation Exposure in Medical Staff, the feasibility of a mailed dose record review was evaluated among participants who underwent occupational radiation health surveillance (ORHS) at six annual conferences (November 2020-October 2024). Dose information was obtained for 182 individuals (44.9% of eligible participants). The median cumulative effective dose was 2.3 [25th, 75th percentile: 0.3, 11.7] mSv, and median cumulative duration was 8.5 [3.8, 19.8] years. For the fiscal year prior to ORHS, annualized median values were 0.1 mSv for effective dose (E), 0.6 mSv for equivalent dose to the lens of the eye (Heye), and 0.6 mSv for equivalent dose to the skin (Hskin) (values below the detection limit were set to 0.0 mSv), presented descriptively to characterize data properties in this feasibility study. Interventional radiology physicians tended to show higher cumulative and annualized doses than neuro-spine physicians in this descriptive feasibility analysis.
This investigation assessed the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (Th-232, Ra-226, and K-40) within soil matrices across Gansu Province, China. A total of 115 soil specimens were gathered from agricultural...This investigation assessed the activity concentrations of natural radionuclides (Th-232, Ra-226, and K-40) within soil matrices across Gansu Province, China. A total of 115 soil specimens were gathered from agricultural lands and uncultivated sites. Samples were analyzed by a low-background and high-purity germanium (HPGe) γ-ray spectrometer. The activity concentration of Th-232, Ra-226, and K-40 ranged from 9.7 to 56.0 Bq/kg, 19.4 to 99.3 Bq/kg, 349.5 to 713.1 Bq/kg, with mean values of 27.4 ± 6.3 Bq/kg, 45.9 ± 10.5 Bq/kg, 566.7 ± 64.8 Bq/kg, respectively. Derived radiological parameters included external hazard index (Hex) of 0.37, absorbed gamma dose rate (D) of 63.8 nGy/h, and annual effective dose rate (E) of 78.5 μSv/a. This is the first time to evaluate the risk of natural radionuclides in soil in this area and provides essential information on the levels of background radiation in Gansu. The results indicate that the radioactivity level in the soil of Gansu is similar to that in Sichuan province, which borders Gansu and shares similar characteristics with the area. The natural radionuclide measurement and radioactivity assessment of soil samples in Gansu province show that they will not cause a significant threat to local residents.
With expanding indications for interventional neuroradiology, patient radiation exposure remains a significant concern. This study aimed to identify predictors of high peak skin dose and left lens doses using directly me...With expanding indications for interventional neuroradiology, patient radiation exposure remains a significant concern. This study aimed to identify predictors of high peak skin dose and left lens doses using directly measured patient radiation data. We retrospectively analyzed patient doses and performed multivariate logistic regression. Treatment of a posterior circulation aneurysm [odds ratio (OR) = 7.491; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.217-46.110] and stent use (OR = 5.516; 95% CI, 1.318-23.085) were identified as independent predictors of peak skin dose exceeding 1.0 Gy. Stent use was also a significant predictor of left lens dose exceeding 100 mGy (OR = 3.141; 95% CI, 1.488-7.851). These findings provide a robust, evidence-based framework for identifying high-risk patients preprocedurally. This knowledge is crucial for enhancing the informed consent process and justifying the timely implementation of dose-reduction strategies to minimize the risk of radiation-induced injuries.