Fluence Response Research Articles

Atmospheric moisture controls far-red irradiation: a probable impact on the phytochrome

Abstract It is commonly accepted that an important role of the phytochrome lies in signalling the proximity of competing plants. However, not all photoresponses conveyed by the phytochrome can be explained by the competition only. Because a better description of the natural variability of solar spectral irradiance is necessary to recognize the other roles of the phytochrome, long-lasting spectroradiometric measurements have been performed. Special attention has been paid to the relations between the far-red and red bands of the solar spectrum, which have an impact on the phytochrome. The effect of atmospheric moisture on far-red irradiance (attenuated in the 720 nm band of water vapour absorption) is described. The far-red irradiance, active in the ‘high irradiance response’ of the phytochrome, and the red/far-red ratio, important for the ‘low fluence response’, may vary very strongly relative to the atmospheric moisture. Together with other facts known from photophysiology, the results of the measurements enabled us to formulate a thesis that the phytochrome monitors the amount of water vapour and opens appropriate metabolic pathways to cope with the danger of drought. The recognition of this novel role of the phytochrome might broaden the knowledge in the area of plant photomorphogenesis and ecology.

SU‐E‐T‐35: A General Fill Factor Definition Serving to Characterise the MLC Misalignment Detection Capabilities of Two‐Dimensional Detector Arrays

Purpose:To present a general definition of the fill factor realistically characterizing the “field coverage”, i.e. the MLC misalignment detection capabilities of a detector array.Methods:According to Gago‐Arias et al.1 the fill factor of a 2D array is defined as the ratio of the area enclosed by the FWHM of the fluence response function KM(x) of a single detector and its cell area defined by the detector spacing. More generally ‐ accounting also for the possible overlap between FWHM's of neighboured detectors ‐ the fill factor is here defined as that fraction of the sum of the detector cell areas in which a defined MLC misalignment is detectable when the induced percentage signal changes exceed a detection threshold d. Ideally the generalized fill factor may reach 100 %. With user code EGS_chamber and a 2 MeV photon slit beam 0.25 mm wide, both types of the fill factor were calculated for an array with total cell area 100 cm2 for chamber widths 1–9 mm, using =1mm, d=5%.Results:For single chamber width 5 mm, fill factors were 0.49 (FWHM) and 0.61 (generalized). For chamber width 2 mm the FWHM fill factor was 0.13 whereas the generalized fill factor was 0.32. For chamber widths above 7 mm, the FWHM fill factor exceeds unity, and the general fill factor is exactly 1.00.Conclusions:An updated fill factor definition is introduced which, as a generalization of the FWHM‐based definition, more closely estimates the performance of small array chambers and gives a realistic value in the case of overlapping sensitive areas of neighboured chambers.

Research on the Combined Effects of Ionization and Displacement Defects in NPN Transistors Based on Deep Level Transient Spectroscopy

The properties of the combined effect between ionization and displacement defects have been researched on the base-collector junctions of 3DG110 silicon NPN bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) irradiated by 6 MeV carbon (C) ions with different fluence. The Gummel curve is used to characterize the degradation of the current gain at a given fluence. Nonlinear relationship, induced by 6 MeV C ions with lower fluence, between irradiation fluence and BJT radiation response can be observed, which is attributed to the combined effect. Evolution of deep level centers is characterized by the deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) with various biases. An unusual discovery is that the deep level centers decrease in the amplitude of DLTS peaks with increasing the biases. Based on the results of DLTS measurement, interface traps caused by 6 MeV C ions produce apparent enhanced effect to displacement defects in the base-collector junction of NPN BJT. Meanwhile, two factors, including bias used in DLTS measurement and irradiation fluence, can influence characteristics of DLTS signals caused by oxide-trapped charge. With increasing the bias or the irradiation fluence, both the height and the temperature of the defect peaks induced by the oxide charge in DLTS spectra will increase, illustrating concentration and energy level of the defects are enhanced.

Negative phototropism is seen in Arabidopsis inflorescences when auxin signaling is reduced to a minimal level by an Aux/IAA dominant mutation, axr2

Inflorescences of a dominant mutant of Arabidopsis Aux/IAA7, axr2, showed negative phototropism with a similar fluence response curve to the positive phototropism of wild-type stems. Application of a synthetic auxin, NAA, and an inhibitor of polar auxin transport, NPA, increased and decreased respectively the magnitude of the phototropic response in the wild type, while in axr2 application of NAA reduced the negative phototropic response and NPA had no effect. Decapitation of the apex induced a small negative phototropism in wild-type stems, and had no effect in axr2 plants. Inflorescences of the double mutants of auxin transporters, pgp1 pgp19, showed no phototropic response, while decapitation resulted in a negative phototropic response. These results suggest that negative phototropism can occur when the level of auxin or of auxin signaling is reduced to a minimal level, and that in plant axial organs the default phototropic response to unilateral blue light may be negative. Expression of axr2 protein by an endodermis-specific promoter resulted in agravitropism of inflorescences in a similar way to that of axr2, but phototropism was normal, confirming that the endodermis does not play a critical role in phototropism.

International key comparison of thermal neutron fluence measurements—CCRI(III)-K8

After more than thirty years a new key comparison of thermal neutron fluence measurements was organized by section III of CCRI. The comparison was carried out by rotating four transfer instruments among the four participants (CIAE, PTB, NMIJ and NPL).The stability of the detectors was repeatedly verified by the pilot laboratory between the measurements. Each of the four transfer devices had a different dependence of the fluence response on the neutron energy. Hence the comparison was also sensitive to the knowledge of the spectral distributions of the facilities used by the participants for their measurements. The results of the comparison showed signs of inconsistencies which could not be resolved during the analysis. Therefore the arithmetic mean of the results was used to calculate the key comparison reference value.Main text.To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/.The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Arabidopsis cell expansion is controlled by a photothermal switch.

In Arabidopsis, the seedling hypocotyl has emerged as an exemplar model system to study light and temperature control of cell expansion. Light sensitivity of this organ is epitomized in the fluence rate response where suppression of hypocotyl elongation increases incrementally with light intensity. This finely calibrated response is controlled by the photoreceptor, phytochrome B, through the deactivation and proteolytic destruction of phytochrome-interacting factors (PIFs). Here we show that this classical light response is strictly temperature dependent: a shift in temperature induces a dramatic reversal of response from inhibition to promotion of hypocotyl elongation by light. Applying an integrated experimental and mathematical modelling approach, we show how light and temperature coaction in the circuitry drives a molecular switch in PIF activity and control of cell expansion. This work provides a paradigm to understand the importance of signal convergence in evoking different or non-intuitive alterations in molecular signalling.

WE‐D‐17A‐05: Measurement of Stray Radiation Within An Active Scanning Proton Therapy Facility: EURADOS WG9 Intercomparison Exercise of Active Dosimetry Systems

Purpose:Intercomparison of active dosemeters in the measurement of stray radiation at the Trento active‐scanning proton therapy facility.Methods:EURADOS WG9 carried out a large intercomparison exercise to test different dosemeters while measuring secondary neutrons within a 230 MeV scanned proton therapy facility. Detectors included two Bonner Sphere Spectrometers (BSS), three tissue equivalent proportional counters (TEPCHawk) and six rem‐counters (Wendi II, Berthold, RadEye, a regular and an extended‐range Anderson & Braun NM2B counters). Measurements of neutron ambient dose equivalents, H*(10), were done at several positions inside (8 positions) and outside (3 positions) the treatment room while irradiating a water tank phantom with a 10 × 10 × 10 cc field.Results:A generally good agreement on H*(10) values was observed for the tested detectors. At distance of 2.25 m and angles 45°, 90° and 180° with respect to the beam axis, BSS and proportional counters agreed within 30%. Higher differences (up to 60%) were observed at the closest and farthest distances, i.e. at positions where detectors sensitivity, energy, fluence and angular response are highly dependent on neutron spectra (flux and energy). The highest neutron H*(10) value, ∼60 microSv/Gy, was measured at 1.15 m along the beam axis. H*(10) decreased significantly with the distance from the isocenter dropping to 1.1 microSv/Gy at 4.25 m and 90° from beam axis, ∼2 nanoSv/Gy at the entrance of the maze, 0.2 nanoSv/Gy at the door outside the room and below detection limit in the gantry control room and at an adjacent room. These values remain considerately lower than those of passively scattered proton beams. BSS and Hawk unfolded spectra provide valuable inputs when studying the response of each detector.Conclusion:TEPCs and BSS enable accurate measurements of stray neutrons while other rem‐meters also give satisfactory results but require further improvements to reduce uncertainties.

SU-E-T-591: Measurement and Monte Carlo Simulation of Stray Neutrons in Passive Scattering Proton Therapy: Needs and Challenges

Purpose: Measure stray radiation inside a passive scattering proton therapy facility, compare values to Monte Carlo (MC) simulations and identify the actual needs and challenges. Methods: Measurements and MC simulations were considered to acknowledge neutron exposure associated with 75 MeV ocular or 180 MeV intracranial passively scattered proton treatments. First, using a specifically-designed high sensitivity Bonner Sphere system, neutron spectra were measured at different positions inside the treatment rooms. Next, measurement-based mapping of neutron ambient dose equivalent was fulfilled using several TEPCs and rem-meters. Finally, photon and neutron organ doses were measured using TLDs, RPLs and PADCs set inside anthropomorphic phantoms (Rando, 1 and 5-years-old CIRS). All measurements were also simulated with MCNPX to investigate the efficiency of MC models in predicting stray neutrons considering different nuclear cross sections and models. Results: Knowledge of the neutron fluence and energy distribution inside a proton therapy room is critical for stray radiation dosimetry. However, as spectrometry unfolding is initiated using a MC guess spectrum and suffers from algorithmic limits a 20% spectrometry uncertainty is expected. H*(10) mapping with TEPCs and rem-meters showed a good agreement between the detectors. Differences within measurement uncertainty (10–15%) were observed and are inherent to the energy, fluence and directional response of each detector. For a typical ocular and intracranial treatment respectively, neutron doses outside the clinical target volume of 0.4 and 11 mGy were measured inside the Rando phantom. Photon doses were 2–10 times lower depending on organs position. High uncertainties (40%) are inherent to TLDs and PADCs measurements due to the need for neutron spectra at detector position. Finally, stray neutrons prediction with MC simulations proved to be extremely dependent on proton beam energy and the used nuclear models and cross sections. Conclusion: This work highlights measurement and simulation limits for ion therapy radiation protection applications.

SU‐E‐T‐328: The Volume Effect Correction of Probe‐Type Dosimetric Detectors Derived From the Convolution Model

Purpose:To derive and introduce a new correction factor kV, the “volume effect correction factor”, that accounts for not only the dose averaging over the detector's sensitive volume but also the secondary electron generation and transport inclusive of the disturbance of the field of secondary electrons within the detector.Materials and Methods:Mathematical convolutions and Fourier's convolution theorem have been used. Monte Carlo simulations of photon pencil beams were performed using EGSnrc. Detector constructions were adapted from manufacturers' information.Results:For the calculation of kV, the three basic convolution kernels have to be taken into account: the dose deposition kernel KD(x) (fluence to dose), the photon fluence response kernel KM(x) (photon fluence to detector signal) and the “dose response kernel” K(x) (dose to detector signal). K(x) is calculated from FT[K(x)] = [1/sqrt(2”)]FT[KM(x)]/FT[KD(x)], where the magnitude of kV(x) can be thereby calculated for arbitrary photon beam profiles and the areanormalized K(x).Conclusions:n order to take into account for the dimensions of dosimetric detectors in narrow photon beams, the “volume effect correction factor” kV has been introduced into the fundamental equation of probe‐type dosimetry, and the convolution method has proven to be a method for the derivation of its numerical values. For narrow photon beams, whose width is comparable to the secondary electron ranges, kV can reach very high values, but it can be shown that the signals of small diamond detectors are well representing the absorbed dose to water averaged over the detector volume.

From UVR8 to flavonol synthase: UV-B-induced gene expression in Sauvignon blanc grape berry.

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of development and UV-B on flavonols and the regulation of gene activity in Vitis vinifera L. var. Sauvignon blanc grapes. Particular emphasis was placed on gene activity associated with the low and high fluence UV-B responses. Flavonols, particularly quercetin and kaempferol glycosides, increased substantially upon fruit exposure due to UV-B, with spatial analysis locating the changes to the berry skin. Of five VvFLS genes in grapes, two (VvFLS4 and 5) were found to be transcriptionally active, with VvFLS4 also being responsive to UV-B but VvFLS5 was not. Of the transcription factors known to regulate FLS (VvMYB12, VvMYCA1 and VvWDRs), only VvMYB12 was found to be responsive to UV-B. A number of candidate genes associated with the low and high UV-B fluence responses were also studied (VvUVR8, VvHY5, VvCOP1 and VvCHS; PR genes and VvMAPK3; respectively). The genes associated with the low fluence response exhibited transcriptional regulation in line with reports from other species, while the PR genes and VvMAPK3 only appeared to be responsive in a high UV-B fluence environment. Together, these data supports the view flavonol biosynthesis in grape is stimulated predominantly through the low fluence UV-B response pathway.

Striga hermonthica MAX2 restores branching but not the Very Low Fluence Response in the Arabidopsis thaliana max2 mutant

Seed germination of Striga spp. (witchweeds), one of the world's most destructive parasitic weeds, cannot be induced by light but is specifically induced by strigolactones. It is not known whether Striga uses the same components for strigolactone signaling as host plants, whether it has endogenous strigolactone biosynthesis and whether there is post-germination strigolactone signaling in Striga. Strigolactones could not be detected in in vitro grown Striga, while for host-grown Striga, the strigolactone profile is dominated by a subset of the strigolactones present in the host. Branching of in vitro grown Striga is affected by strigolactone biosynthesis inhibitors. ShMAX2, the Striga ortholog of Arabidopsis MORE AXILLARY BRANCHING 2 (AtMAX2) - which mediates strigolactone signaling - complements several of the Arabidopsis max2-1 phenotypes, including the root and shoot phenotype, the High Irradiance Response and the response to strigolactones. Seed germination of max2-1 complemented with ShMAX2 showed no complementation of the Very Low Fluence Response phenotype of max2-1. Results provide indirect evidence for ShMAX2 functions in Striga. A putative role of ShMAX2 in strigolactone-dependent seed germination of Striga is discussed.

Three-Dimensional Particle Transport Using Green’s Functions in TRIPOLI-4 Monte Carlo Code: Application to PWR Neutron Fluence and Ex-Core Response Studies

The Électricité de France nuclear park consists of 58 pressurized water nuclear reactors. To ensure their good performance and safety, ex-core neutron shielding studies are regularly performed. For example, neutron flux calculations in ex-core ionization chambers and pressure vessel neutron fluence studies are carried out. In the first case, ex-core ionization chambers are neutron detectors located in the reactor pit, around the reactor vessel. They are dedicated to reactor operation and core protection. In the second case, the calculation of the fast fluence (for energy >1 MeV) in the pressure vessel is used to determine its fracture toughness and integrity. To improve the fluence computations, new efficient parametric methods are under development. For these two problems, Monte Carlo transport codes such as TRIPOLI-4® allow us to perform simulations in realistic complex three-dimensional geometries and to produce reference results.The aim of the present paper is to present together the theoretical background of our approach based on the continuous-energy Green’s functions computation and storage to perform both vessel neutron fluence and ex-core chamber responses. The normalized source contribution or importance factor formalism using Green’s functions computation is also described, with its associated statistical uncertainty calculation. Application examples to realistic nuclear plant configurations are given.

Dynamics of the processes leading to the acquisition of sensitivity to very low fluence of photons inDatura feroxseeds

AbstractSoil tillage operations stimulate germination of buried seeds in cultivated lands, allowing them to perceive light as a germination-promoting factor. The time of burial and the effect of changing environmental factors affect the physiological state of the seeds, which may lead to an extreme light-sensitivity and very low fluence response (VLFR) through phytochrome A. This paper describes the influence of the progressive process of dormancy breakage, which is accompanied by the acquisition of extreme light-sensitivity, on processes associated with endosperm weakening and embryo growth potential in the VLFR-mediated promotion ofDatura feroxseed germination. Our results show that endosperm weakening is mainly limited by β-mannosidase enzyme activity after far-red light stimulation, which is highly dependent on the dormancy level of the seeds. In addition, stimulation of the embryo growth potential by far-red irradiation did not require an extreme light-sensitivity to very low fluence of photons to reach its maximum response, and it was not completely correlated with expansin gene expression in the embryo. Our work indicates that responses of endosperm weakening and embryo growth potential to far-red irradiation, dependent on dormancy level, have different requirements for stimulation by the signalling network initiated by phytochrome A during the course of the very low fluence response inDatura feroxseeds.

Microbial selectivity of UV treatment on antibiotic-resistant heterotrophic bacteria in secondary effluents of a municipal wastewater treatment plant

Little is known about the microbial selectivity of UV treatment for antibiotic resistant bacteria, and the results of limited studies are conflicting. To understand the effect of UV disinfection on antibiotic resistant bacteria, both total heterotrophic bacteria and antibiotic resistant bacteria (including cephalexin-, ciprofloxacin-, erythromycin-, gentamicin-, vancomycin-, sulfadiazine-, rifampicin-, tetracycline- and chloramphenicol-resistant bacteria) were examined in secondary effluent samples from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. Bacteria resistant to both erythromycin and tetracycline were chosen as the representative of multiple-antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their characteristics after UV treatment were also investigated.UV disinfection results in effective inactivation for total heterotrophic bacteria, as well as all antibiotic resistant bacteria. After UV treatment at a fluence of 5 mJ/cm2, the log reductions of nine types of antibiotic resistant bacteria varied from 1.0 ± 0.1 to 2.4 ± 0.1. Bacteria resistant to both erythromycin and tetracycline had a similar fluence response as did total heterotrophic bacteria. The findings suggest that UV disinfection could eliminate antibiotic resistance in wastewater treatment effluents and thus ensure public health security.Our experimental results indicated that UV disinfection led to enrichment of bacteria with resistance to sulfadiazine, vancomycin, rifampicin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol, while the proportions of cephalexin-, erythromycin-, gentamicin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant bacteria in the wastewater decreased. This reveals the microbial selectivity of UV disinfection for antibiotic resistant bacteria.

SU-E-T-70: Are the Dose Response Functions of Ionization Chambers Gaussian Or Non-Gaussian?

Purpose: Experimental results from independent investigations have shown that the dose response functions K(x) of a large variety of ionization chambers can be characterized by Gaussian functions. Theoretical considerations and Monte‐Carlo simulations, however, have revealed that the K(x) are non‐Gaussian. In this work, experimental and Monte‐Carlo studies were compared to understand the origin of the general occurrence of Gaussian kernels for ionization chambers with different geometries, using Fourier analysis. Methods: The measured dose profile M(x) is related to the true dose profile D(x) via the convolution M(x) = D(x)*, K(x). The best G‐values of K(x) for three ionization chambers with different geometries: (i) cylindrical; (ii) square; and (iii) parallel‐plate were determined experimentally by comparing M(x) with D(x)*, K(x). Monte Carlo simulations of the fluence response kernels KM(x) were performed by stepwise shifting a slit beam across each chamber. The function K(x) of each chamber is obtained by deconvolving KM(x) with the dose deposition kernel KD(x). Results: Our experiments show that the K(x) of the investigated ionization chambers can be all characterized by Gaussian functions, regardless of their geometries. However, the true K(x) obtained with Monte‐Carlo simulations are non‐Gaussian, exhibiting increased response at the positions of the inner electrode and the chamber wall. Fourier analysis of the true K(x) and its Gaussian approximation G(x) has revealed that FT[G(x)] closely resembles FT[K(x)] at spatial frequencies below about 0.15 mm−1. Furthermore, Fourier transforms of a 2 cm wide dose profile convolved with G(x) or K(x) are not showing noticeable differences. Conclusion: The Gaussian kernel G(x) experimentally observed are approximations adequately characterizing the spatial resolution of ionization since clinical dose profiles have only negligible components at frequencies higher than 0.1 mm −1 due to physical and geometrical reasons.

COMET-PE: an incident fluence response expansion transport method for radiotherapy calculations

Accurate dose calculation is a central component of radiotherapy treatment planning. A new method of dose calculation has been developed based on transport theory and validated by comparison to Monte Carlo methods. The coarse mesh transport method has been extended to allow coupled photon–electron transport in 3D. The method combines stochastic pre-computation with a deterministic solver to achieve high accuracy and precision. To enhance the method for radiotherapy calculations, a new angular basis was derived, and an analytical source treatment was developed. Validation was performed by comparison to DOSXYZnrc using a heterogeneous interface phantom composed of water, aluminum, and lung. Calculations of both kinetic energy released per unit mass and dose were compared. Good agreement was found with a maximum error and root mean square relative error of less than 1.5% for all cases. The results show that the new method achieves an accuracy comparable to Monte Carlo.

Evaluation of the relative thermoluminescence efficiency of LiF:Mg,Ti and LiF:Mg,Cu,P TL detectors to low-energy heavy ions

Abstract The most popular types of LiF-based thermoluminescent (TL) detectors, LiF:Mg,Ti (MTS-N) and LiF:Mg,Cu,P (MCP-N), have been investigated, with respect to their dose (fluence) response and relative TL efficiency to different ion species. The detectors were irradiated using the nitrogen, iron, krypton and xenon ion beams, at energies ranging from 5.0 to 9.3 MeV/n. Supra- and sublinear response was found, for the MTS-N and MCP-N, respectively, similarly as observed for γ-rays. However, the level of nonlinearity of response of studied detectors is strongly reduced by increasing values of the ion ionization density (no supralinearity for Xe ions, for MTS-N, within calculated uncertainties). The growth of high-temperature TL peaks, with increasing ionization density, was observed for MCP-N, what was not previously reported. At the whole range of applied energies higher efficiencies were noted for MTS-N, for all ion species. A decrease of the efficiency with decrease of the ion energy was confirmed, for both types of studied detectors. At a given energy, higher efficiency was observed for lighter ions, because of the lower ionization density. Significantly higher decrease of the efficiency was measured for MCP-N. The obtained results remain in a general agreement with other theoretical and experimental data. The data collected for the highest doses (fluences) of Xe ions will be used for testing a recently proposed method of experimental verification of radial dose distribution models.

Blue light regulates the rhythm of diurnal vertical migration in the raphidophyte red-tide alga Chattonella antiqua

We examined the effects of photoperiod, wavelength and light fluence rate on diurnal vertical migration (DVM) cycle in a coastal raphidophyte, Chattonella antiqua. We first observed the DVM under different combinations of lightdark (LD) cycles and light spectra. Under continuous white, UV-A or blue light, DVM followed the LD cycle established during the white light pre-conditioning, for one cycle, and then became arrhythmic. Under red light, however, the DVM rhythms under the different LD regimes continued approximately as during pre-conditioning. When C. antiqua cultured under continuous red light was exposed to a 2-h pulse of blue light at the beginning or end of artificial night, the DVM was delayed or advanced, respectively. The fluence rateresponse curve indicates a blue-light threshold of 10(2) mol photons m(2) s(1) for the DVM phase shift. The equal-quantum action spectra for phase shift peaked in the UV-A/blue region (360480 nm), which is the part of the light spectrum most transmitted in its natural habitat. We show that C. antiqua can sense the weak blue component of sunlight throughout its depth range, allowing it to cue its DVM to the daynight cycle regardless of weather and transparency.

MAP-kinase activity in etiolated Cucumis sativus cotyledons: The effect of red and far-red light irradiation

Phytochrome (phy) signalling in plants may be transduced through protein phosphorylation. Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP-kinase, MAPK) activity and the effect of R (red) and FR (far-red) light irradiation on MAPK activity were studied in etiolated Cucumis sativus L. cotyledons. By in vitro protein phosphorylation and in-gel assays with myelin basic protein (MBP), a protein band (between 48 and 45 kDa) with MAPK-like activity was detected. The addition to the phosphorylation buffer of specific protein phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors (Na(3)VO(4) and NaF) and genistein, apigenin or PD98059 as MAPK inhibitors allowed us to confirm the MAPK activity of the protein band. Irradiation of etiolated cotyledons with FR light for 5, 10 or 60 min rapidly and transiently stimulated the MAPK activity of the protein band. This suggests that there was a very low fluence response (VLFR) of phys. In addition, 15 min of R light irradiation or a sequential treatment of 15 min of R plus 5 min of FR also increased MAPK activity. The stimulatory effect of R light was also attributed to the same photoreceptor, which suggests that MAPKs are involved in phytochrome signal transduction. Protein immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting analysis with the polyclonal antibody anti-pERK1/2 (Tyr 204) and the monoclonal antibody anti-phosphotyrosine PY20 allowed us to recognize the above mentioned protein band as two proteins with molecular masses (M(r)) of approximately 47 and 45 kDa, and MAPK activity. The biochemical and immunological properties showed by the proteins detected indicated that they were members of the MAPK family phosphorylated in tyrosine residues.

Characterization of the IRSN neutron multisphere spectrometer (HERMEIS) at European standard calibration fields

The Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) has developed a new spectrometry system for neutron energies from 10−9 MeV to 10 GeV. This high energy range multisphere extended IRSN system (HERMEIS) is a high gas pressure3He-based Bonner spheres set. It is adapted to low neutron fluence rate measurements and one of its main application concerns the determination of cosmic-ray-induced neutron spectra at ground level and mountain altitudes. The neutron fluence response matrix of the set of 13 Bonner spheres, including three extended ones with tungsten and lead shells, was calculated with the radiation transport code MCNPX-2.6f. Reliable fluence responses being mandatory for a correct evaluation of the atmospheric neutron spectra, HERMEIS was characterized at standard monoenergetic, quasi-monoenergetic and realistic neutron fields facilities. Measurements with monoenergetic neutron beams of 144 keV, 565 keV, 5 MeV and 17 MeV were performed at the NPL standard Van de Graaff facility. For the characterization of the response functions at higher energies, measurements were done at the Svedberg Laboratory, with 46 MeV and 144 MeV quasi-monoenergetic neutrons. Finally, to demonstrate the suitability of the system for broad cosmic-ray neutron spectra, measurements were performed at the TSL Atmospheric-like Neutrons from thIck TArget (ANITA) and also at the CERN European Realistic Field (CERF) facilities. Data from the realistic spectra were unfolded with the GRAVEL unfolding code and as a whole, a good agreement was found between the experimental and Monte-Carlo calculated neutron fluence energy distributions.