Effects Of Ionizing Radiation Research Articles

Space- and Time-Defined Monte Carlo Dosimetry Explains Ovarian Cancer Cell Viability in Targeted α-Particle Therapy With Astatine 211-ParaThanatrace.

In situ investigations of swift heavy ion irradiation effects: Luminescence of Al2O3 by swift heavy ions

Abstract Exploring novel plasma-facing materials (PFMs) with exceptional irradiation resistance is a pivotal and challenging endeavor for applications in the harsh environment of energetic ion irradiation in future fusion reactors. In this work, tungsten-containing WTaTiVCr refractory high-entropy alloy (RHEA) featuring nano-columnar crystalline structures were subjected to irradiation with 60 keV helium ion (He+) beams at the fluence ranging from 1×1016 cm-2 to 2×1017 to elucidate fundamental mechanisms governing He behavior and superficial swelling height. After irradiation, the WTaTiVCr RHEAs demonstrated remarkable micro-structural stability, exhibiting only minimal grain growth while maintaining their characteristic of columnar architecture. At the highest fluence (2×1017 cm-2), detailed characterization revealed the preferential formation of distinctive ribbon-like He bubbles along grain boundaries, confirming these interfacial regions as favorable nucleation sites. While the overall phase structure remained stable throughout the irradiation process, advanced micro-structural analysis detected localized elemental segregation phenomena. This segregation behavior appears directly correlated with the development of highly-pressurized bubbles and associated micro-crack formation within the columnar grain boundaries. Meanwhile, the study provides comprehensive insights into the complex interactions between internal bubble formation and surface blister development, revealing these mechanisms collectively contribute to the observed irradiation induced swelling behavior.

Abstract Rare-earth barium copper oxide (REBCO) coated conductors (CCs) are regarded as promising candidates for next-generation superconducting technologies operating in photon-rich environments, such as particle accelerators, fusion reactors, and high-field radio-frequency (RF) systems. Although the effects of ion and neutron irradiation on the superconducting properties of REBCO have been partially investigated, particularly in the context of enhancing vortex pinning, the radiation environments relevant to emerging applications require more thorough studies. This also includes photon-induced degradation, which remains less explored, particularly in the low-energy hard x-ray regime. In this study, the influence of synchrotron-generated photons in the 2-30 keV range on the superconducting performance of commercially available REBCO-CCs is investigated. The evolution of critical current density, critical temperature, and surface impedance is examined through in-situ measurements of DC and RF properties conducted during irradiation at the NOTOS beamline (ALBA Synchrotron). The findings reveal that photon exposure within this energy range showed no evidence of irreversible radiation-induced changes under the conditions tested. At higher power levels, reversible perturbations in superconducting properties were observed, primarily due to thermal effects, underscoring the importance of thermal management. These effects are influenced by the experimental setup and may be mitigated in practical applications by ensuring sufficient thermal contact with a cold sink or through direct cooling using refrigerated gases or liquids. Nevertheless, these results emphasise the importance of considering thermal management and photon-induced effects when implementing REBCO-based systems in radiation-rich environments.

This study investigates the effects of Ar ion irradiation on the mechanical properties and microstructure of SA508 Grade 3 Class 1 and Class 2 reactor pressure vessel steels. Three different fluence levels of Ar ion irradiation were applied to simulate accelerated irradiation damage conditions. Charpy impact and tensile tests conducted before and after irradiation showed no significant changes in bulk mechanical properties. Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) and Transport of Ions in Matter (TRIM) simulations revealed that Ar ion irradiation produces a shallow penetration depth of approximately 2.5 µm, highlighting the limitations of conventional macro-mechanical testing for evaluating irradiation effects in such a thin surface layer. To overcome this limitation, nano-indentation tests were performed, revealing a clear increase in indentation hardness after irradiation. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis using STEM–BF imaging confirmed a higher density of irradiation-induced defects in the irradiated specimens. The findings demonstrate that while macro-mechanical properties remain largely unaffected, micro-scale testing methods such as nano-indentation are essential for assessing irradiation-induced hardening in shallowly damaged layers, providing insight into the behavior of SA508 reactor pressure vessel steels under accelerated irradiation conditions.

No toxicity to the tropical marine microalgae Tisochrysis lutea from gamma radiation.

A review of radiation-induced damage to quantum dots.

Effect of ion irradiation on the surface electrical conductivity of CuCrZr at high frequencies

The objective of the study was to explore the biochemical and immunological indicators in experimentally irradiated animals. Goup I - intact, group II - exposed to γ-radiation with a dose 6 Gy. The parameters characterizing the body's immune system were studied, lipid peroxidation outputs and antioxidant protective enzymes activity in blood lymphocytes were identified. The results of the study showed that exposure to a sublethal dose of radiation entails a reduction in cellular immunity, especially T-lymphocytes and their subpopulation, as well as to a decrease in the functional activity of the body's non-specific defense. Leukopenia and lymphopenia were observed in irradiated animals. The same pattern was revealed for T-lymphocytes: the number decreased by 20.25%, leading to fell off in CD4+ cells. It was also found that T-suppressors number declined by 14.28%. Ionizing radiation effect led to an increase in the level of DC and MDA, inhibition of the activity of glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase and catalase enzymes, as a result of which the oxidative stress formation in the body was observed. Suppression of cellular and humoral immunity, non-specific protection of the body and imbalance of LPO-AOP create preconditions for the emergence of immune pathological state of radiation origin, indicating the necessity to develop promising for adaptation correcting methods.

Investigation of H2 ions irradiation effects on Zr63.5Cu23Al9Fe4.5 amorphous and crystalline alloys

Hybrid biomaterials-based radiosensitizers: Preparations and their applications in enhancing tumor radiotherapy

We demonstrated the possibility of using the microring resonators based on the slot waveguide for measuring the absorbed dose of ionizing radiation. In order to increase the sensitivity of the waveguide guiding properties to ionizing radiation effects, the slots are filled with hyperlinked fluoropolymer. The optimization of the parameters of the slot waveguides to achieve the maximum detector sensitivity to the ionizing radiation effect has been carried out. The sensitivity of the detector on the base of double-slot waveguides with optimized parameters and a radius of the waveguide bend equal to 67.8 µm is 103.5 µA/kGy (1.035 µA/krad), the measuring range is 85 kGy (8.5 Mrad), and the detector resolution is 0.2 Gy (20 rad).

The results of a study on the effect of ion irradiation (O+ ions, E = 20 keV) in radiation defect generation modes on the critical temperature and current of high-temperature superconducting magnesium diboride (MgB₂) composites are presented. An analysis was performed, including both the integral critical current derived from sample magnetization measurements and the determination of the critical temperature from vibrating sample magnetometry data. It is shown that at an ion fluence of 1·10¹³ ions/cm², a 3.5-fold increase in the critical current density (Jc) is observed in the radiation defect generation regime. In contrast, at a fluence of 1·10¹⁴ ions/cm², a slight decrease in Jc is observed, along with the absence of a Meissner phase in the superconductor bulk, as indicated by vibrating sample magnetometry.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a heterogeneous and a highly aggressive type of breast cancer. Standard of care for TNBC patients includes surgery, radio-, chemo- and immunotherapy, depending on the stage of the disease. Immunotherapy is ineffective as monotherapy but can be enhanced with taxane chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Radiation can stimulate the immune system by activating the type I interferon (IFN-I) response through cGAS-STING signaling, which recognizes cytosolic double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Cytosolic dsDNA can be cleared by autophagy, thereby preventing activation of cGAS-STING signaling. Autophagy inhibition was therefore proposed to potentiate the immunostimulatory effects of radiation. Here we show that different molecular features of TNBC cell lines influence the effect of X-ray and carbon ion (C-ion) irradiation and autophagy inhibition on immunogenic signaling. MDA-MB-468, with low basal autophagy and high cytosolic dsDNA, activates the IFN-I response after radiation. In contrast, MDA-MB-231, characterized by high autophagy rates and low cytosolic dsDNA, induces NF-κB signaling and CXCL10 expression upon autophagy inhibition with the VPS34 inhibitor SAR405. Autophagy inhibition in TNBC cells triggers a stronger activation of innate immune cells (monocytes, natural killer cells and dendritic cells) compared to radiation. In BRCA1-mutated MDA-MB-436 cells, C-ion irradiation was more potent compared to X-rays in inducing the NF-κB-driven immunogenic response but failed to activate immune cells. Upregulation of PD-L1 by X-rays, and especially C-ions, may contribute to reduced immune cell activation, underscoring the need for combination strategies with immune checkpoint blockade. Collectively, our study highlights the NF-κB-driven immunostimulatory effects of autophagy inhibition and the importance of understanding the molecular heterogeneity in TNBC with regard to autophagy rates, IFN-I and NF-κB signaling when designing effective treatments that target these pathways.

Space ionizing radiation is a major risk factor for astronauts, yet its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study employs an integrative approach to investigate the effects of space ionizing radiation on molecules, modules, biological functions, associated diseases, and potential therapeutic drugs. Using paired samples from five donors subjected to acute ex vivo 2Gy gamma-ray irradiation, we analyzed miRNA and gene expression profiles in human peripheral blood lymphocytes collected 24 h post-exposure, combined with heterogeneous network analysis, identifying 179 key molecules (23 transcription factors, 10 miRNAs, and 146 genes) and 5 key modules. Functional enrichment analysis revealed associations with processes such as cell cycle regulation, cytidine deamination, cell differentiation, viral carcinogenesis, and apoptosis. Radiation was also significantly linked to neoplasms and digestive system diseases. Furthermore, we predicted 20 potential therapeutic compounds, including small molecules (e.g., Navitoclax) and Traditional Chinese Medicine ingredients (e.g., Genistin, Saikosaponin D), which may alleviate radiation-induced damage such as pulmonary fibrosis and oxidative stress. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of space ionizing radiation and may contribute to developing effective strategies to protect astronaut health during space missions.

In the management of solid tumors, ionizing radiation is a critical therapeutic modality, particularly when surgical intervention is impractical due to patient-related factors, such as compromised health or elevated mortality risk. However, its non-selective action can cause serious side effects that negate the therapeutic benefits. Efforts have thus been made to identify pharmacological agents that can selectively protect normal tissues from exposure to ionizing radiation. Seven decades of study, however, have shown that the desired success has not been achieved in obtaining an ideal radioprotective agent. Moreover, even at optimal doses, the FDA-approved drug, amifostine (also known as WR-2721 [S-2- (3-aminopropyl-amino) ethyl phosphorothioic acid], exhibits significant toxicity. An ideal radioprotective agent can also be beneficial in environments where individuals are exposed to prolonged, low-dose radiation. Considering this, there is a pressing need to develop methods of shielding cells and patients from the deleterious effects of radiation, and a non-toxic radioprotective drug can be useful in both clinical and occupational contexts. Studies have shown that the fruits of Emblica officinalis and its cardinal phytochemicals, such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, quercetin, geraniin, corilagin, and kaempferol, have been demonstrated to mitigate radiationinduced side effects. Research has also demonstrated that fruits can reduce the severity of radiationinduced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients undergoing curative treatment. Currently, there are no clinically effective non-toxic medications that are beneficial in mitigating radiation-induced ill effects. In lieu of this, for the first time, this review compiles the positive effects of fruits, phytochemicals, and their byproducts, chyawanprash and triphala, on radiation-induced damage, the mechanisms by which these effects occur, and the gaps that must be filled in order for future research to help people and the agricultural and nutraceutical industries.

Effect of He ions irradiation at 650 °C on microstructural evolution, chemical bonding changes and hardening of pressureless solid-state sintered SiC

In this study, variations in the crystal structure and improvements in the superconducting properties of MgB₂ films were investigated. The almost pure crystal MgB₂ films, about 800 nm thick, were successfully created using the hybrid physical vapor deposition (HPCVD) method. The irradiations of Nb and Ni ions were carried out by using the accelerator. The irradiated conditions were set up to have an ion energy of 2 MeV and an ion dose of 5 × 1013 ions/cm2. Crystallinity of the pristine and ion-irradiated MgB₂ films was examined by using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique. The temperature-dependent magnetization results showed the degradation of the critical temperature (Tc) of the ion-irradiated MgB₂ films. Interestingly, the flux pinning properties of both Ni- and Nb-irradiated MgB₂ films were found to improve compared to that of the pristine one; those were revealed by the increases in value of irreversibility field (Hirr) and the enlargements of the area enclosed by the half of hysteresis loops of the ion-irradiated MgB₂ films. The value of critical current density (Jc) deduced from the hysteresis loop of the ion-irradiated MgB₂ films was clearly enhanced, especially at high-field regions. The drop in Tc and the increase in Jc might be due to the creation of disorder defects caused by the ion tracing that happens during ion irradiations.

Cocrystals are promising modular materials that can containaromaticsas coformers with the ability to fluoresce upon radiation exposurefor use in scintillation and dosimetry. The materials must be ableto endure significant exposures to ionizing radiation, and there iscurrently a minimal understanding of atomistic criteria to enhancethe structural stabilities of organic materials for such applications.The current study examines four cocrystals with a common molecularcomponent as a naphthalene backbone-dipyridyl-naphthalenediimide (NDI) that interact with the halogen-bond (XB) donors I2, diiodobenzene (DIB), and diiodotetrafluorobenzene (DITFB). Powder X-raydiffraction was used to assess changes in crystallinity upon gamma(γ) irradiation and was combined with density functional theorycalculations that provide atomistic-level differences in bond lengths,packing, and electrostatic energy surfaces. The presence of the aromaticgroups did not affect the structural integrity of cocrystals; rather,the combination of both stronger primary and secondary interactionsinvolving the XB systems ((NDI)·(X-donor), where X-donor = I2, DIB, or DITFB) supported an increasein structural integrity. The results provide likely trends (involvingfactors such as aromaticity, secondary interactions, and packing)that impact the design of multicomponent scintillators and/or radiationshielding materials. Importantly, this study found that aromaticityis not necessary to increase structural stability; rather, the primaryand secondary interactions that hold the organic molecules togetherare of importance.

Ion Radiation Effects on the Stability of Hafnium Oxide-Based Ferroelectric Thin Films: Mechanisms and Regulation