Runaway electrons and their interaction with tungsten wall: a comprehensive study of effects.

Runaway electrons are a notable phenomenon occurring during the operation of a tokamak. Proper material selection for the tokamak's first wall structure and plasma facing components, particularly in large sizes tokamaks like ITER and DEMO, is crucial due to the energy deposition of runaway electrons on plasma facing components during collision events, resulting in severe heat transfer and material damage in the form of melting, corrosion, and fracture. These runaway electrons also contribute to the production of photoneutrons through (γ, n) nuclear reactions, lead to material activation and require remote handling. In this study, using a Monte Carlo code and simulating the collision of runaway electrons with a tungsten target exposed to their radiation, the electron transport is investigated, and the energy deposition spectrum resulting from these collisions on the target is analyzed. The influence of incident angle and magnetic field on the energy deposition spectrum and the energy deposition per particle in the target is examined. With an increase in the incident angle of incoming electrons, the amount of energy deposited in the target rises and the energy deposition spectrum broadens. Moreover, applying a magnetic field, results the most significant increase in energy deposition for electrons with energies below 1 MeV in the tangential radiation case. The energy deposition spectrum resulting from each collision event in these interactions is determined. For electrons with energies below 5 MeV, multiple scattering and ionization processes are the primary contributors to energy deposition in the target. However, as the incident electron energy increases, the significance of multiple scattering and ionization diminishes, and the bremsstrahlung process becomes the most effective reaction in energy deposition. The energy deposition profile of electrons in the tungsten target indicates that higher incident electron energies lead to a shift of the maximum energy deposition location towards the inner layers of the target, and the energy deposition peak broadens. Analyzing the electrons transport inside the tungsten target reveals that a substantial portion of electrons with energies of 50-100 MeV passes through the wall and may exit from the back surface, potentially causing damage to equipment behind the tungsten wall. Additionally, secondary products of the reaction, such as photons, secondary electrons, and neutrons and their energy profiles are thoroughly studied. These secondary products can penetrate the target and activate materials in the equipment behind the plasma-facing components. For primary electrons below 1 MeV hitting tungsten, reflection process is significant. Analysis of primary and secondary runaway electrons in the tokamak's tungsten wall shows that electrons with energies of 0.1, 0.2, and 0.5 MeV predominantly interact within a first 0.1 mm layer, without passing through it. The secondary electrons can escape the tungsten target and impact other components, which making them an important consideration in runaway electron collisions with the tokamak wall. Produced photons, as one of the secondary products, also linearly increase with the rising energy of primary electrons. Also, the photoneutrons are produced only when runaway electrons with energies of 10 MeV and above collide with the target. These secondary products can penetrate the target and activate materials in the equipment behind the plasma-facing components.

Variability of 137Cs inventory at a reference site in west-central Iran.

137Cs technique has been widely used for the evaluation rates and patterns of soil erosion and deposition. This technique requires an accurate estimate of the values of 137Cs inventory at the reference site. This study was conducted to evaluate the variability of the inventory of 137Cs regarding to the sampling program including sample size, distance and sampling method at a reference site located in vicinity of Fereydan district in Isfahan province, west-central Iran. Two 3 × 8 grids were established comprising large grid (35 m length and 8 m width), and small grid (24 m length and 6 m width). At each grid intersection two soil samples were collected from 0 to 15 cm and 15-30 cm depths, totally 96 soil samples from 48 sampling points. Coefficients of variation for 137Cs inventory in the soil samples was relatively low (CV = 15%), and the sampling distance and methods used did not significantly affect the 137Cs inventories across the studied reference site. To obtain a satisfactory estimate of the mean 137Cs activity in the reference sites, particularly those located in the semiarid regions, it is recommended to collect at least four samples along in a grid pattern 3 m apart.

ELISA reader does not interfere by mobile phone radiofrequency radiation.

BACKGROUND: The increasing number of mobile phones can physically cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) in medical environments; can also cause errors in immunoassays in laboratories. The ELISA readers are widely used as a useful diagnostic tool for Enzymun colorimetric assay in medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the ELISA reader could be interfered by the exposure to the 900 MHz cell phones in the laboratory. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Human serum samples were collected from 14 healthy donors (9 women and 5 men) and each sample was divided into four aliquots and was placed into four batches for the in-vitro quantitative determination of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). During colorimetric reading of the first, second, and third batches, the ELISA reader (Stat Fax 2100, Awareness Technology, Inc., USA) was exposed to 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 W exposure of 900 MHz radiation, respectively. For the forth batch (control group), no radiation was applied. All experiments were performed comparing ELISA read out results of the I, II, and III batches with the control batch, using the Wilcoxon test with criterion level of P = 0.050. RESULTS: The final scores in the exposed batches I, II, and III were not statistically significant relative to the control batch (P > 0.05). The results showed that 900 MHz radiation exposure did not alter the ELISA measured levels of hCG hormone in I (P = 0.219), II (P = 0.909), and III (P = 0.056) batches compared to the control batch. CONCLUSION: This study showed that ELISA reader does not interfere by mobile phone RF radiation at a closed contact (less than 5 cm distance). However, we recommend that medical institutions discuss these issues in the context of their specific use of technologies and frame a policy that is clear and straightforward to guide staff, patients, and visitors.

Potential health concerns of trace elements and mineral content in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the potential health concerns of trace elements and mineral content of commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six kinds of greenhouse vegetables namely; Raphanus sativus (Radish), Cucumis sativus (Cucumber), Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato), green Capsicum annuum (Green bell pepper), yellow C. annuum (Yellow bell pepper), and red C. annuum (Red bell pepper) were collected from Isfahan greenhouses, between December 2012 and March 2013. The vegetables were analyzed in order to determine the concentrations of trace elements and trace minerals using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). RESULTS: The results of INAA showed that the concentrations of aluminum, bromine, cobalt, rubidium and strontium of these vegetables were varied from 7.2 to 28.4 mg/kg, 0.6-11.7 mg/kg, 0.1-0.5 mg/kg, 4.2-8.4 mg/kg, and 12.0-141.0 mg/kg, respectively. The trace mineral concentrations of As, Cr, Cs, Sc, Th, and U in all of the samples were less than the defined tolerable upper intake level. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that considering the measured trace elements and mineral content levels, Isfahan greenhouse vegetables do not impose any serious health harmful effects for individuals in the studied area due to their meal consumptions.

The evaluation of trace elements of interest in kidney disease in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran: preliminary results.

Trace elements play a significant role in biological processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trace elements of interest in kidney disease in commonly consumed greenhouse vegetables in Isfahan, Iran. Six kinds of greenhouse vegetables namely; Raphanus sativus (Radish), Cucumis sativus (Cucamber), Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato), green Capsicum annuum (Green bell pepper), yellow Capsicum annuum (Yellow bell pepper) and red Capsicum annuum (Red bell pepper) were collected from Isfahan greenhouses, between December 2012 to March 2013. The vegetables were analyzed in order to determine the concentrations of trace elements and trace minerals using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA). The results of INAA showed that, the concentrations of Fe (Iron), Mn (Manganese) and Zn (Zinc) were varied from <10-50.0 mgkg(-1), 6.8-15.0 mgkg(-1) and 10.0-23.0 mgkg(-1), respectively. The elemental concentration of Fe, Mn and Zn in all of the samples were less than the defined tolerable Upper Intake Level (UIL). The results of this study revealed that, considering the measured trace elements and mineral content levels, Isfahan greenhouse vegetables do not impose any serious health harmful effects for individuals in the studied area due to their meal consumptions.

(226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K contents in water samples in part of central deserts in Iran and their potential radiological risk to human population.

BACKGROUND: The radiological quality of (226)Ra, (232)Th and (40)K in some samples of water resources collected in Anarak-Khour a desertic area, Iran has been measured by direct gamma ray spectroscopy using high purity germanium detector in this paper. RESULT: The concentration ranged from ≤0.5 to 9701 mBq/L for (226)Ra; ≤0.2 to 28215 mBq/L for (232)Th and < MDA to 10332 mBq/L for (40)K. The radium equivalent activity was well below the defined limit of 370Bq/L. The calculated external hazard indices were found to be less than 1 which shows a low dose. CONCLUSION: These results can be contributed to the database of this area because it may be used as disposal sites of nuclear waste in future.

235U, 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs activity concentrations in marine sediments along the northern coast of Oman Sea using high-resolution gamma-ray spectrometry.

The natural radioactivity levels in sediment samples of the northern coast of Oman Sea, covering the coastal strip from Hormoz canyon to Goatr seaport, as the first time has been determined. The results of measurements will serve as background reference level for Oman Sea coastlines. Sediments from 36 coastal and near shore locations were collected for analysis. Analysis on the collected samples were carried out to determine (235)U, (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs using two high purity germanium detectors with 38.5% and 55% relative efficiencies. The concentration of (235)U, (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs in sediment samples ranged between 1.01 and 2.87 Bq/kg, 11.83 and 22.68 Bq/kg, 10.7 and 25.02 Bq/kg, 222.89 and 535.07 Bq/kg and 0.14 and 2.8 Bq/kg, respectively. The radium equivalent activity was well below the defined limit of 370 Bq/kg. The external hazard indices were found to be less than 1, indicating a low dose.

Relationships of 137Cs inventory with magnetic measures of calcareous soils of hilly region in Iran.

Erosion is a natural process, but it has been dramatically increased by human activities; and this adversely influences soil productivity and environmental quality. For quantification of soil erosion, several techniques including the use of Cs-137 have been employed. This study was conducted to explore the relationships of Cs-137 inventory with magnetic properties in calcareous soils in western Iran. Ten transects were selected in the hilly region in Chelgerd district of Iran. Soil samples from 0 to 30 and 30-50 cm depths were collected from fifty points to determine Cs-137 inventory, magnetic measures and selected physico-chemical properties (in total there were 100 soil samples). The results showed that simple mass balance model (SMBM) estimated a gross erosion rate of 29.6 t ha(-1) yr(-1) and a net soil deposition of 21.8 t ha(-1) yr(-1); hence, a net soil loss of 9.6 t ha(-1) yr(-1) and a sediment delivery ratio of 31.4%. Simple linear regression and non-linear regression analysis showed that mass magnetic susceptibility (χ(lf)) explained only 33.64% and 45% of variability in Cs-137 in the transects studied. The results of multiple linear regression analysis of (137)Cs with magnetic parameters and physico-chemical properties indicated that extractable potassium and χ(lf) explained approximately 61% of the total variability in (137)Cs in the area studied. Overall, the results suggest that further research is needed for the use of magnetic characteristics as an alternative technique in place Cs-137 methodology for calcareous soils.

Distribution of heavy metals in surface sediments from the South China Sea ecosystem, Malaysia.

The concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, copper, mercury, nickel, lead and zinc in surface sediments collected from the east coast of peninsular Malaysia, along the South China Sea, were measured by two methods instrumental neutron activation analysis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. The obtained results were use to determine the areal distribution of the metals of in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia and potential sources of these metals to this environment. The geochemical data propose that most of the metals found in the east coast of peninsular Malaysia constitute a redistribution of territorial materials within the ecosystem. Then, the metal concentrations can be considered to be present at natural background levels in surface sediments.

238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs activity concentrations along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea, Iran.

The determination of activity concentrations of the radioactive elements (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs was performed on grab samples taken from a polluted environment. The samples were sliced into strata from 5 cm depth, dried and ground to sieved through a 170 mesh size prior to the analysis. Activity concentration was quantified using gamma spectroscopy. The results showed that the concentrations of activity in the sediment samples are 177+/-12.4, 117+/-11.5, 1085+/-101.6 and 131+/-4.8 Bq kg(-1) for (238)U, (232)Th, (40)K and (137)Cs, respectively. In general, the distribution of activity concentrations along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea area exceeded international limits. The hazard index of the samples was 0.19-0.88, with an average of 0.49. The mean values of radium equivalent activity and dose rate are 176 Bq kg(-1) and 63 nGy h(-1), respectively.

Distribution of radioactive pollution of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs in northwestern coasts of Persian Gulf, Iran.

A reconnaissance study has been made of the distribution of 238U, 232Th, 40K and 137Cs and geochemical features in soils and sediments samples at various locations in the northwestern coast of Persian Gulf. Activity concentration levels due to radionuclides were measured in 30 soil and sediment samples collected from this region. From the measured spectra, activity concentrations were determined for 40K (range from 146 to 500 Bq kg(-1)), 137Cs (from 5 to 20 Bq kg(-1)), 238U (from 21 to 65 Bq kg(-1)) and 232Th (from 15 to 45 Bq kg(-1)) with lowest limit detection (LLD) of 68, 3.2, 4.3 and 4.3 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The dose rate from ambient air at the soil ranges was between 19 and 58 nGy h(-1) with an average of 37.41+/-9.66 nGy h(-1).