ABSTRACT Understanding movements of animals and people in modern or historic contexts is hindered by limited animal tissue proxies to indicate regional origins. On North America’s east coast, stable oxygen and hydrogen isoscapes provide broad latitudinal proxies, but more nuanced geographical proxies are lacking. This study examines oxygen, strontium, and sulfur isotopes in deer bone bioapatite and collagen from Virginia, USA, which reflects grazing location, to create the first robust δ34Scollagen distribution in this region, contribute new 87Sr/86Srbone data to a currently small regional dataset, consider δ18Obioapatite values on a more nuanced scale, determine which isotope systems best indicate particular regions, and especially consider the efficacy of δ34Scollagen for geographic location. Random forest models show longitudinal trends in δ18Obioapatite and 87Sr/86Srbone data; δ34Scollagen values were more variable across Virginia with unique values in specific areas. Model results suggest δ18Obioapatite values are most affected by geomorphic and meteorological controls, specifically altitude effects of the Appalachian Mountains, aridity, and mean annual temperature. The 87Sr/86Srbone ratios are controlled largely by underlying bedrock geology, allochthonous dust and sea spray deposition, and surface source mixing. The western coal-bearing formations of the Appalachian Plateau showed relatively low δ34Scollagen values; the eastern Coastal Plains showed relatively high δ34Scollagen resulting from dust and sea spray deposition. Modeled proxies for modern anthropogenic inputs of these elements (e.g. fossil fuels) notably were not strong controlling factors for these isotope systems; therefore, the models produced here are suitable for identification of geographic location using bone isotope values from modern, historic, or paleontological samples. Linear discriminant analysis suggests A multi-isotope approach using δ18Obioapatite, 87Sr/86Srbone, and δ34Scollagen data provides a more nuanced geographic prediction than one isotope system alone in this region. The δ34Scollagen values in particular are emerging as a potential new proxy to indicate broad east–west movements of animals and people.

ABSTRACT Nuclear medicine has witnessed revolutionary progress, spurred by advances in radiopharmaceuticals, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence. These advances have not only improved cancer diagnosis and treatment but also broadened nuclear medicine’s application in the treatment of cardiovascular, neurological, and infectious diseases. The current research presents an in-depth review of radiotracers, encompassing production processes, market trends, and India’s strategic initiatives towards improving nuclear medicine infrastructure. Emphasis on four key isotopes, 131I, 99mTc, 18F, and 11C, featuring their changing clinical use, ranging from high-resolution imaging to targeted radiopharmaceuticals treatments. The inclusion of radiopharmaceuticals with organic-based molecules has also improved drug delivery effectiveness by providing better specificity and lower toxicity. In addition, a comprehensive review of the central role of Geant4 in simulating radiation interactions and dose distribution, highlighting its complementarity with computational human phantoms to achieve higher accuracy in radiation dosimetry, has been discussed. Moreover, the emergence of artificial intelligence-based methods in medical imaging and treatment planning has brought new avenues for automation, diagnostic accuracy, and individualized therapy, notwithstanding issues related to interpretability, data bias, and regulatory issues. The review also discusses fundamental limitations of computational modeling and artificial intelligence implementation, suggesting areas of future research. As new technologies evolve continuously to influence nuclear medicine, interdisciplinary advances are set to redefine diagnostics, enhance therapeutic success, and propel the field towards more individualized, streamlined, and accessible healthcare solutions.

ABSTRACT The commencement of the Industrial Revolution has resulted in an unprecedented increase in the concentration of atmospheric CO2 (pCO2). It is, therefore, important to understand how plant communities respond to increased levels of CO2 levels in the environment. To this end, we examined the effects of spatial variation in pCO2 on plant physiology using carbon isotope ratios (δ13C values) and stomatal index (SI) in C3 plant leaves along a transect from the central Ganga Plain to the foothills of the Himalayas with industrial and non-industrial zones. Our study shows that the plants adjacent to the industrial areas have much lower δ13C values (avg. −31.8 ‰) and absorbed more fossil fuel-derived carbon (ca. 18 %) than those growing in non-industrial areas (−28.3 ‰). We also observed ca. 25 % lower SI values from the industrial area, suggesting that the increase in CO2 concentration (for a given water budget) led to high photosynthetic rates with low stomatal conductivity. Therefore, a long-term increase in pCO2 would lead to higher water-use efficiency in C3 plants, which would allow them to function better in low moisture conditions. We also suggest that the δ13C and SI values can be used for mapping carbon sequestration by plants growing in industrialized regions.

ABSTRACT After the Gulf Wars in 1991 and 2003, as well as ISIS, Iraq's environment has experienced significant pollution and degradation, earning it a dubious classification as one of the world's most polluted areas, according to the World Pollution Review. This poses serious health risks to the local population, including a significant increase in female infertility. In this study, uranium concentrations were measured in blood samples collected from three groups: a healthy group (n = 20), primary infertile females (n = 29) and secondary infertile females (n = 11). Uranium concentration was determined by irradiating blood samples with a thermal neutron source (Am-Be) (3.024 × 109 n cm–2). Hormone concentrations in serum blood were measured using a Snibe Maglumi 800 (CLIA); the concentration of uranium in healthy females was at the rate of 0.712 ppb less than 0.810 ppb limit recommended by ICRP/WHO, while they were high for females suffering from primary and secondary infertility, at a rate of 1.149 and 1.148 ppb, respectively. The effect of uranium on female fertility hormones is of biological significance, especially when exposed to toxic or radioactive levels of uranium, this is a negative indicator of the toxic effect of uranium on female hormones, as there is a clear hormonal imbalance in the concentration of FSH, LH, β-hCG, E2 and progesterone, resulting the inability to get pregnant. One of the most common causes in recent years is the problem of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is a high ratio in infertile females (primary infertility 16 % and secondary infertility 21 %) as a result of abnormalities in hormonal levels due to the radiological toxicity effect of uranium.

ABSTRACT The uranium levels were investigated in 350 drinking water samples from different aquifers (alluvium, quartzite, limestone, slate, phyllite and schist, hornstone breciss, and granite) in northeastern Rajasthan, India. The LED Fluorimeter (model: LF-2a) technique was employed to determine the uranium levels in the drinking water samples. The uranium concentrations range from 0.62 to 128.63, 0.58 to 99.35, 0.79 to 54.40, 0.61 to 41.35, 2.63 to 3.30, 0.57 to 46.24, and 1.01 to 11.98 µg/L, with mean values of 15.95, 9.14, 14.90, 9.70, 2.97, 12.72, and 4.96 µg/L, respectively, for the alluvium, quartzite, limestone, slate, phyllite and schist, hornstone breciss, and granite aquifers. Uranium concentrations across the studied area varied between 0.57 and 128.63 µg/L, with an average of 13.68 µg/L. About 11.14 % of the samples surpassed the World Health Organization’s recommended limit (30 µg/L). The radiation dose was calculated by considering the water intake of various age groups, and found infants received the highest calculated dose. On the radiological aspect, two groundwater samples from an alluvium aquifer exceeded the prescribed level (1.67 × 10−4) recommended by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board of India. The average daily dose of uranium from drinking water ranged from 0.02 to 3.68 µg/kg/day. Approximately 8.3 % of the samples from different aquifers surpassed hazard quotient values of unity and indicated chemical toxicity risks. Uranium levels showed no correlation with physicochemical parameters in all the aquifers.

ABSTRACT This study aims to evaluate the radiation doses from building materials, including sand, cement, brick, faience, plaster and marble, collected from different sites in eastern Algeria. The specific activities of natural radionuclides, mainly represented by the natural radioactive series 238U, 232Th and primordial 40K, were determined using a gamma spectrometry system equipped with a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Radiological hazard parameters (Raeq, Hex, Hin, Iγ and Iα) associated with these activities were calculated to determine the suitability of the construction materials. To assess their radiological risks to human health, an analysis of absorbed dose rate (D), annual effective dose (AED) and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) was performed and the results examined and compared with those reported elsewhere. The findings obtained for these samples are within the limits of internationally recommended values.

ABSTRACT Rare earth element (REE) surface deposits containing primordial radionuclides such as uranium (238U), thorium (232Th), and potassium (40K) were identified in the Dong Pao region, northern Vietnam. As the area is inhabited, an in-depth investigation assessed environmental radioactivity, radiation doses, radiobiological parameters, and DNA alterations to evaluate health risks. Investigations were conducted in the REE deposit area and a control area 20 km away. Soil, water, and locally produced foods were analysed by gamma spectrometry to determine concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, and ⁴⁰K, allowing estimation of annual effective doses from external gamma radiation. Ambient dose equivalent was measured with a survey meter and compared with dose estimates based on soil activity concentrations. Effective doses from ingestion were calculated from radionuclide concentrations in food and water. Inhalation doses were estimated from indoor ²²²Rn and ²²⁰Rn concentrations measured by solid-state nuclear track detectors in dwellings of both areas. Hematological parameters were analysed in blood samples using ADVIA2120 equipment. Peripheral blood counts of both groups were within normal ranges. t-tests revealed significant differences in neutrophil and lymphocyte counts in white blood cells of females from the REE area compared to controls. Neutrophil-to-platelet and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios in adult females from the ore deposits area were significantly higher, indicating possible inflammation, an early sign of cancer. TP53 gene sequencing showed significantly higher genotype frequencies of rs137852793 and c.701 + 25 variants in individuals from the REE area. Results clearly indicate that ionising radiation from REE ore deposits poses a health hazard to the local population, particularly females. Polymorphism of the TP53 gene may serve as a biomarker for radiation exposure.

ABSTRACT Invasive plants pose a significant threat to ecosystems by disrupting the ecological balance, which includes the alteration of biogeochemical processes. Among the most aggressive invaders is Fallopia japonica, a species that thrives in riparian zones – critical interfaces between aquatic and terrestrial environments – where it significantly impacts biodiversity and ecosystem functions. Despite its success as an invader, the mechanisms that drive both the impact and success of F. japonica upon ecosystem processes remain poorly understood. Prior studies have suggested that F. japonica may exhibit traits such as a unique preference for ammonium over nitrate, potentially altering nitrogen availability for native plants like Urtica dioica. Additionally, it has been proposed that the species leverages phenolic compounds to influence soil biogeochemistry and nitrogen cycling. However, these processes lack comprehensive investigation. Using stable isotope labelling (15N and 13C), we found that, contrary to prior assumptions, F. japonica showed an overall lower uptake of both ammonium and nitrate relative to the native competitor, U. dioica. Although we expected a preference for ammonium, F. japonica instead exhibited a slight preference for nitrate. In addition, F. japonica demonstrated higher nitrogen-use efficiency and allocated more freshly assimilated carbon and nitrogen to root growth than U. dioica. These findings suggest that traits such as efficient nitrogen use and strategic root allocation may contribute to F. japonica's ability to establish itself in nitrogen-variable environments like riparian zones. By prioritising belowground biomass during early development, F. japonica may gain a competitive advantage that enables it to disrupt native plant communities and alter ecosystem dynamics. This study underscores the value of stable isotopes in understanding plant–soil interactions and informs strategies for managing invasive species in sensitive ecosystems.

ABSTRACT This study investigates the natural radioactivity levels of 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples using a NaI (Tl) gamma-ray spectrometer. The primary objective was to determine the activity levels of radionuclides such as 238U, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples and to assess the related radiological risk. Based on these measurements, several radiological parameters, including radium equivalent activity (Raeq), outdoor absorbed dose rate (ADRout), annual effective dose equivalent (AEDEout), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCRout), external hazard indices (Hex), and annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), were calculated. Additionally, the effective radiation dose to specific body organs (Dorgan) was estimated to evaluate the potential biological impact of external gamma radiation exposure. The results indicate that the activity level of 238U slightly exceeds the world recommended limit of (35 Bq kg−1), while the calculated radiological variables such as ADRout (101 ± 13 nGy h−1), AEDEout (0.12 ± 0.02 mSv y−1), ELCRout (0.43 ± 0.08), and AGDE (366 ± 48 µSv y−1) were slightly higher than the internationally recommended safety limits. Multivariate statistical analysis was performed, helping to identify potential sources and interrelationships among the measured radionuclides and radiological variables.

ABSTRACT To assess the natural radioactivity levels and associated health risks in beach sand from Kuakata Sea Beach, this study performed a comprehensive radiological analysis of systematically collected sand samples using high-purity germanium (HPGe) γ-ray spectroscopy. The average (range) radioactivity levels of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in the examined sand samples were 57 (37–105), 121 (76–231), and 210 (181–270) Bq kg−1, respectively, thus markedly higher than the world average values of 30, 35, and 400 Bq kg–1 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. The evaluation of different radiological risk parameters indicates values (maximum radium equivalent activity of 449.27 Bq kg–1, maximum outdoor absorbed dose rate of 205.58 nGy h–1, and maximum external hazard index of 1.21) much higher than the recommended levels, signifying that heavy minerals rich sands could pose a substantial health risk to individuals. The current findings have the potential to generate interest and exploration in rare-earth resources, particularly for their applications in the electronics industry, and thorium based nuclear fuel cycle resources for the next generation nuclear energy industry.