Low Gamma Irradiation Research Articles

Investigation of the vulnerability of a partly covered karst feature in Veszpr\xe9m, Hungary

Karst aquifers represent the most important renewable sources of drinking water. Because anthropogenic influences threaten the integrity of karst aquifers, it is important to determine the soil erosion and karst denudation rates. In order to study the complex signs of degradation processes of the karst, a paleodoline (paleo-polje) was selected near to the county seat Veszprém, Hungary. It was found that gamma radiation measurements can be a useful tool to detect the level of soil erosion since the low gamma radiation indicates the surface proximity of the carbonate bedrock. The level of gamma radiation also predicts the potential agricultural usability of a site. Both the patterns of contamination and the erosion attack zone are strongly defined by the relief. The gullies and the deepest parts of the karstic landscape are the traps of organic materials and pollutants. The amounts of 40K and its decay products originate from the covering sediment and negatively correlate with the soil depth. In the case of covered karsts, the measuring of the concentration of radionuclides and field gamma-ray dose measurement together can characterize the general horizontal and vertical trends of soil erosion, the potential land use, and the vegetation.

Assessment irradiation effects on different development stages of Callosobruchus maculatus and on chemical, physical and microbiological quality of cowpea seeds.

Irradiation is a physical, environmentally friendly treatment which does not leave any residues in the product. It is increasingly used as an alternative to methyl bromide and other chemical fumigants for disinfestation of insect pest in stored grains. In this research, we try to evaluate the effect of low gamma irradiation doses in the range of 50-1200 Gy on the different stages of Callosobruchus maculatus. It was found that no adults emerged after irradiation of eggs at 450 Gy. No emerging adults (F1 generation) have been shown when larvae or pupae were exposed to 650 Gy. Also, no emerging adult has been shown from the parental C. maculatus adults irradiated with 650 Gy. When suppression of F1 generation was used for the measuring effective irradiation dose and phytosanitary efficacy, 650 Gy was required for disinfestation of cowpea seed weevils. The irradiation dose level of 650 Gy was used for the large-scale confirmatory tests applied to 27,754 adults of C. maculatus in cowpea seeds resulting in non F1 adults' production with a confidence level of 93.77%. All the physical and chemical characteristics of cowpea seeds were non-significantly (P ≤ 0.05) affected by the irradiation dose of 650 Gy. Meanwhile, this irradiation dose very slightly reduced the microbial load of cowpea seeds. We recommend the generic dose 650 Gy as the phytosanitary irradiation dose for the cowpea seed weevil.

Effect of low dose-rate industrial Co-60 gamma irradiation on ZnO thin films: Structural and optical study

The effect of low-dose rate gamma rays irradiation on ZnO thin films of different thicknesses has been studied. Preferentially oriented (002) ZnO thin films have been deposited on Si (100) and glass substrates using radio frequency magnetron sputtering. ZnO films with c-axis-oriented Würtzite structure were obtained at room temperature. ZnO films with thickness of 200 nm and 600 nm were prepared and studied. The prepared films were irradiated using1.25-MeV gamma beam emitted from Cobalt sources (Co-60) with two different doses (2and 4 kGy) and the effect of the gamma irradiation on the optical and structural properties of the ZnO films was examined. The photoluminescence PL intensity was found to increase with the increasing of the irradiation dose in both thin and thick films. This finding allows improving the scintillation output signal of the material while keeping grain size unchanged if low dose rate irradiation is used, as X-ray diffraction patterns showed. Raman spectrum correlates with XRD results. The band gap extracted by UV transmittance spectrum was also identified.

Effect of gamma irradiation and lead content on the physical and shielding properties of PVC/NBR polymer blends

In the present work, polyvinylchloride/acrylonitrile butadiene rubber PVC/NBR was blended on a Brabender mixer. The blends obtained were cured with peroxide curing systems and loaded with different concentrations of lead monoxide (PbO) for increasing shielding properties of the investigated blends. The physicomechanical and the shielding properties of the prepared blends were evaluated. The surface morphology and structure of the blends were studied by SEM, XRD and FTIR spectroscopy. The morphological analysis of the blends shows that PbO material exhibited homogeneous dispersion in polymer matrix. The gamma attenuation performance of the composites was evaluated by 232Th gamma radiation source. Mass attenuation coefficients of the blends were found to be increased with the increase in PbO content. The tensile strength was found to be enhanced in the presence of the lead oxide filler till 60 phr. The investigated blends were irradiated by 60Co gamma radiation source. The dielectric properties of the prepared blends were evaluated by broadband dielectric spectroscopy. The physicomechanical and dielectric properties of the irradiated blends were investigated. Based on the present obtained results, PVC/NBR/PbO blends are promising materials for low gamma radiation doses.

Impact of gamma irradiation pretreatment on the growth of common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) seedlings grown under salt and drought stress

It has been generally accepted that the morphology, physiology and biochemistry of plants are differentially affected by low-dose gamma ionizing radiation that is associated with the tolerance of plant species under biotic/abiotic stress. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the protective role of low gamma irradiation pretreatment against salt and drought stress. For this aim, irradiated (100 Gy) and non-irradiated seeds of common vetch were cultured on an MS medium with separate addition of concentrations of NaCl (100 mM) and PEG-6000 (100 g/l) under in vitro conditions. Morpho-physio-biochemical analyses were carried out on 14-day-old seedlings. The findings of this study clearly show that exposure to gamma irradiation pretreatment (100 Gy), alone or in combination with salt stress and drought stress, led to significant increases (p < .01) in dry matter accumulation, CAT, SOD and APX activities, proline contents and decreases in relative water content. However, alone, gamma irradiation pretreatment caused increased chlorophyll contents while decreasing MDA contents. Overall, these results suggested that low-dose gamma irradiation pretreatment can enhance the tolerance of common vetch seedlings against stress due to salt and drought.

Analysis of the Single-Crystalline Silicon Photovoltaic (PV) Module Performances Under Low γ - Radiation from Radioactive Source

The present paper is about an experimental evaluation of the terrestrial silicon single-crystalline solar PV module behavior under low gamma radiation. The simultanous proliferation of radioactive sources in Burkina Faso dominated by gamma type and the photovoltaic (PV) systems installations in both urban and rural areas justify this study. There is also high background radiation compared to normal in some region of the country. It has been shown that the photocurrent and the electric power increase while the photovoltage stays constant for an extremely low gamma radiation doses. This work proves that long time exposition to any low radiation can cause the reduction of the performance of the solar PV module. However for greater values of the dose, the photocurrent, the photovoltage and the electric power decrease. Hence, it is so important to protect PV equipments against gamma radiation by adjusting the PV installation height from the ground where high background radiation is notified or by putting reinforced concrete at their bottom faces. The two ways can be combinated adding the respect to radiation protection principle As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA).

EFFECT OF GAMMA IRRADIATION ON ANTIOXIDANT POTENTIAL AND BIOACTIVES OF A COSMECEUTICALLY SIGNIFICANT CHLORELLA EMERSONII KJ725233

Objective : Gamma radiation induces free radicals with a corresponding alteration in the cell’s antioxidant defense system. The present study thus aimed at determining the role of gamma irradiation in improving the cosmeceutical potential of CEK in terms of antioxidants.&#x0D; Methods : C.emersonii KJ725233 was subjected to low (100 Gy) and high (1000 Gy) gamma irradiation doses and its effect on the chlorophyll content was evaluated. The quantitative alterations in the antioxidant content of CEK were evaluated by phosphomolybdenum assay (TAC), ferric reducing antioxidant potential (FRAP), 2, 2 - Dipheny-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging assay (DPPH), total phenolic (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC). Also, the corresponding qualitative alterations in the bioactives of CEK were determined by GC-HRMS analysis. &#x0D; Results : A 179.57±2.55% increase in the total chlorophyll content alongwith a 71.76±2.96%, 32.08±2.16%, 11.67±0.89%, 42.85±8.0% and 31.37±3.18% increase was observed in the TAC, FRAP, DPPH radical scavenging, TPC and TFC was observed in CEK irradiated at 1000 Gy. GC-HRMS analysis revealed the induction of Vitamin E on irradiation at both the doses with a corresponding decrease in the phytol content whereas 100 Gy stimulated the induction of phytosterols.&#x0D; Conclusion : The potent intrinsic antioxidant activity of cosmeceutically significant CEK can be elevated with the induction of the most sought after antioxidant in cosmetology – Vitamin E on irradiation.

Simulation of a collimator and sapphire filter for PGAA facility of the Moroccan TRIGA MARK II research reactor

The Prompt Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGAA) facility will be commissioned at the NB1 beam tube of the Moroccan TRIGA MARK II research reactor. PGAA is a non-destructive analytical technique used for multi-elemental analysis and especially for light element analysis. For better performances, PGAA requires small and focused beam, and high Фth/Фep and Фth/Фfast ratios, and low background gamma radiation. For this purpose, fast neutron filters are commonly used to reduce fast and epithermal components of neutron flux. In this paper, the impact of sapphire filter, introduced, within the collimator hole, at the beam port on neutron spectra was evaluated. Monte Carlo, MCNP6.2, code has been used with ENDF VII.1 neutron cross section library to perform this study. An approximate TRIGA MARK II reactor MCNP model has been used to generate neutron spectra at the entrance of the collimator. Then an independent model for both collimator and sapphire filter has been brought into calculation to fulfil our purpose. Results showed an increase of about 8 times for both Фth/Фep and Фth/Фfast ratios using a 10 cm length of sapphire.

Formation of Color Centers and Concentration of Defects in Boron Carbide Irradiated at Low Gamma Radiation Doses

In the present work, boron-carbide (B4C) samples (purity of 99.5% and density of 1.80 g/cm3) were irradiated by using gamma radiation from a 60Co gamma source. Gamma irradiation of the samples was carried out at doses 48.5, 97, 145.5 and 194 kGy. The samples were analysed using a UV-V Gary 50 Scan spectrophotometer. The effect of different irradiation doses on the defects created in the B4C samples was investigated. In the B4C samples, the formation processes for color centers depended on the gamma irradiation dose. The calculated activation energies at room temperature essential for the formation of F and F+ color centers ranged from 1.89 – 2.05 eV.

Study of Radio-Sensitivity of Strawberry Runners &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;cv. Fortuna&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; under Moroccan Conditions

In recent years, strawberry is being successfully cultivated in Loukkos perimeter of Morocco and a wide range of varieties are being grown. The strawberry crop also generates 3 million working days per year. In fact, all plants are imported and prices are exorbitant. Varietal improvement is essential if a new impetus is to be given to the morocco strawberry. We have accordingly started a mutation breeding program by bud irradiation. Strawberry runners of cv. Fortuna were exposed to increasing doses of acute gamma rays. The physiological effects induced by irradiation were evaluated from cutting survival and growth. It has been determined that the doses of gamma and the varieties used are significant on the number of surviving plants and plant growth parameters. It was determined that low doses gamma irradiation respectively affected plant height, leaf length, leaf width and the number of leaves. These results allowed us, in the first instance, to fix the optimal dose range for cutting irradiated at 62 Grays.

Evaluation of Radioactivity Level and Its Radiological Impact in Soil Samples Around Transmission Company of Nigeria

The aim of this study is to estimate the activity concentrations and radiological assessment of soils around high-tension cables, Transmission company of Nigeria, Osogbo, Nigeria. Surface and control soils were obtained around the high-tension cables and from areas far away from the sampling points, respectively. Their radioactivity levels were determined using gamma ray spectrometer. The results showed that the mean activity of the identified radionuclides, ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th are 223.59±11.98, 15.39±1.95 and 4.54±0.28 Bq/kg respectively, in the studied soils while the control soils exhibited activity concentrations of ⁴⁰K, ²³⁸U and ²³²Th, as 6.22±0.34, 11.58±1.55 and 0.50±0.03 Bq/kg respectively. The radiological indices, ADR (absorbed dose rate), AED (annual effective dose equivalent), H_in (internal hazard index), H_ex (external hazard index), AGDE (annual gonadal dose equivalent), I_γr (representative gamma index) and Ra_eq (radium equivalent) have values of 19.65 nGy/hr, 0.17 mSv/yr, 0.14 Bq/kg, 0.10 Bq/kg, 140.77 µsvy^-1, 0.30 and 39.64 respectively. These results revealed that the studied soils exhibited low gamma radiation. Long-term exposure to these radionuclides could pose health threats and is therefore discouraged.

Distributed Adaptive Neuro Intuitionistic Fuzzy Architecture for prediction of the dose in gamma irradiated milk products

In this paper, a Distributed Adaptive Neuro Intuitionistic Fuzzy Architecture (DANIFA) with a second order Takagi-Sugeno inference is presented. The architecture represents a layered set of simple fuzzy inferences connected in a distributed way, thus minimizing the number of the interconnected fuzzy rules and their associated parameters. The flexibility of the designed structure to handle uncertain data variations is complemented, by embedding an Intuitionistic fuzzification approach. A simple two-step gradient descent algorithm with a fixed learning rate is used as a learning algorithm of the proposed architecture. To test the prediction abilities of the designed model a biological case for estimation of the low gamma irradiation dose to destruct the protein fractions in milk products with potential uncertain data variations is studied.

In My Element: Selenium

<i>In My Element</i>: Selenium

Synergy Prospect Low Gamma Irradiation Doses Incorporating Elicitation with Iron Nanoparticles to Hyper Production Biomass Yield and Bioactive Secondary Metabolites for Cress, Medicinal Plant

Cress (Lepidum sativum L) seeds, Pre-sowing, were exposed to gamma (G) irradiation doses; 0, 15, 20, 30, GY, thenth were planted in experimental field in spit- pilot design with three replicates Plants at 1 and 2 months old were vgetatively sprayed with iron- Nano- oxide particles (N); 0, 20, 30, 40 ppb concentration At harvesting, 92 days after sowing, data biometric quantitative and qualitative traits were recorded the statistical analysis of variance for the obtained data revealed that (G) individually leol to significant increase; plant height (PH), number of primary branches (NPB), Seeds yield / he (SYH, t), S traw yield / hat, t (STYH, t), and thousand seed weight, gm. (TSW, gm.)whereas, (N) resulted insignificant responses for these traits GN interactions therefor were insignificant Concerning, seed yield quality; (G)and (N) actuated Positive significant responses acids, GN interactions achieved Synergistic positive significant on essential oil (EO% total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFDC)(G20 GY N30 ppb), realized best augment up to 12, 1014, 15% over that of control for EO, TPC, TFDC respectively On the faith of the Precise data, it may be sustain substantial violence to recommended the reliability and validation use of low gamma ray incorporated witl non - iron-oxide Particles as biotechnological tool to upraise biomass Production and bioactive secondary metabolites in cress cultivated in sandy soil irrigated with low – water quality.

Impact of Single or Fractionated Radiation and Selenium Nano-particles on Acid Lime (Citrus aurantifolia L.) Seed Germination Ability and Seedlings Growth

In the present study, seeds of acid lime (Citrus aurantifolia L.) were radiated with gamma radiation at low dose of 20 Gy as single dose or fractionated doses, part of radiated seeds were soaked in solutions of Nano-selenium at 50 ppm , to investigate the effect of treatments on seeds germination ability , seedlings vegetative growth parameters, leaf bio- chemical contents and leaf (macro & micro) elements, moreover, separation of HMW and LMW protein subunits extracted from all consequent seedling was performed using electrophoresis technique. Obtained results revealed generally that pre-sowing radiation of acid lime seeds with γ radiation at 20 Gy , fractionated as 4 doses or as 2 doses and then, soaking irradiated seeds in Nano-selenium solution at (50 ppm) treatment, increase germination percentage by 30% and 36% compared with untreated seeds (control) for both seasons, as well as reduced seedlings damping off and albino percentage, and increased seedlings stem length by 52.5% & 46.5 %, and stem diameter by about 37% and 36% , also number of leaves/ seedling and leaf area was significantly increased, also cause significant increase in total indoles and reduced total phenols content in acid lime seedling leaves. In addition, both γ ray and Nano-(Se) treatment significantly increase accumulation of macro and micro-elements which positively reflected on seedlings vegetative growth. Protein analysis using electrophoresis technique for acid lime seedlings leaves illustrated that, exposure of acid lime seeds to different doses of γ ray showed clear separation of protein pattern with no differences with untreated samples (control), which means that acid lime seeds, could be treated with particular low doses gamma radiation without affecting the genotype. Briefly, pre-sowing combination treatments of both γ radiation treatment and soaking in Nano-selenium solution at 50 ppm, could be helpful in, reducing nursery period and producing vigorous and healthy (acid lime seedlings) with improved quality

Low Irradiation Dose for Sorghum Seed Sterilization: Hydroponic Fodder System and In Vitro Study

The purpose of this study was to to evaluate the influence of low gamma irradiation dose on growth performance, in vitro gas production and rumen fermentation product of sorghum hydroponic fodder (SHF) to utilize them in ruminant diets. Three polyethylene packages of Samurai 2 sorghum seeds were exposed at 25oC gamma irradiation in gamma cell (Co-60) at doses of 100, 200 and 300 Gy in the presence of air. Samples were then referigated (&lt; 5oC) before planting. All seeds were planted in nutrient film technique hydroponic system. This study used Completely Randomized Design with four replications The observed parameters were total fresh yield, plant height and coversion ratio from seeds to SHF. In vitro gas test evaluation was done to compare all treatments with sorghum straw. The observed parameters were total gas production, kinetics gas, CH4 concentration, CO2 concentration and rumen fermentation products. Results showed that lower irradiation dose for seeds sterilization decreased plant height and total fresh yield on SHF production. In vitro total gas production of all SHF treatment was higher (p&lt;0.05) than sorghum straw (control) at 2-48 h time of incubation. Gamma irradiation dose of 200 and 300 Gy on SHF seeds sterilization decreased (p&lt;0.05) in vitro CH4 concentration for 19.51 and 15.43% respectively compared to SHF control (hypochlorite sterilization). In the same dose, seeds sterilization with gamma irradiation increased (p&lt;0.05) CO2:CH4 ratio by 23.46 and 20.73% respectively compared to SHF control. The treatment of 100 Gy gamma irradiation for seed sterilization also increased (p&lt;0.05) TVFA by 30.63% compared to sorghum straw. It was concluded that lower irradiation dose for seeds sterilization decreased growth performance of SHF. However, 100 Gy gamma irradiation increased in vitro total gas production.

The corrosion of copper in irradiated and unirradiated humid air

Copper corrosion in aerated water vapour has been studied as a function of temperature, relative humidity in the presence and absence of a low gamma radiation dose rate. On surface areas covered by a thin water layer corrosion ceased after ≤ 30 days by the formation of CuO on the surface of a Cu2O layer. At the locations of condensed water droplets corrosion was more extensive since the corrosion product developed porosity. Radiation accelerated the formation of Cu2O on corroded areas and increased the number and size of the more extensively corroded locations. The distribution of condensed water was the dominant feature controlling corrosion penetration.

Effects of a Low Dose of Gamma Radiation on the Morphology, and the Optical and the Electrical Properties of an ITO Thin Film as an Electrode for Solar Cell Applications

The present study focuses on the influence of gamma irradiation induced through the morphology effects on the modification of the optical and the electrical properties of transparent indium tin oxide (ITO) thin films. The prepared samples were exposed to low gamma radiation at room temperature with doses 3.90 Gy, 7.81Gy, 11.7 Gy, and 15.62 Gy from a Cs-137 radioisotope source. The surface structures before and after irradiation were analyzed. Atomic force microscopy was performed on two samples, one before and one after irradiation, to investigate any change in the morphology. The roughness parameters, such as Sz, Sv, Sc, and Sq, were found for the surface of the porous films after the gamma irradiation. As the dose of the irradiation was increased, the light absorption of the films increased, and the value of the optical energy gap changed from 3.83 to 3.73 eV while the refractive index changed from 1.9 to 2.05, as determined by using the Swanipol method. Electrical properties, such as the electrical sheet resistance, contact resistance, and current transfer length, were measured by using the four-point probe and the transmission line method (TLM). The determined electrical sheet resistance, contact resistance, and current transfer length were 14.54 Ω, 0.235 Ω, and 0.04 mm before gamma irradiation and 17.61 Ω, 0.1316 Ω, and 0.0025 mm after gamma irradiation. The decrease in the value of the contact resistance due to the irradiation led to a decrease in the current loss while the increase in the sheet resistance will cause the loss of some current through the film.

Study of the effect of irradiation (60Co) on M1 plants of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivars and determined of proper doses for mutation breeding

The objective of this study is to determine the morphological changes and the proper dose of gamma irradiation for the mutation breeding program of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). The effects of different doses (100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450 and 500 Gy) of gamma irradiation (60Co) on seedling growth parameters and survival rates of the plants were investigated. In order to determine the proper dose and morphological changes; shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, stem diameter, leaf width, leaf length, chlorophyll index and number of survival plants of M1 plants were evaluated. It has been determined that the doses of gamma and the varieties used are significant on the number of surviving plants and plant growth parameters. It was determined that low doses gamma irradiation stimulatively effected on shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight and root fresh weight. A negative correlation were obtained between all plant growth traits and stem diameter, and the stem diameters are thickened due to the increase in gamma doses. The applications of gamma rays were effected on survival plant rate considerably than the percentage of germination. Applicable proper dose for Efsane was determined as 318.22 Gy while appropriate dose for F16 was determined as 303.17 Gy.

Sunflower germination and growth behavior under various gamma radiation absorbed doses

Gamma radiation, various absorbed doses (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5 krad) effects were evaluated on sunflower (Helianthus annus. L.) germination and growth characteristics. Sunflower healthy seeds were exposed to gamma radiation source Co60 at nuclear institute for food and agriculture and exposed seeds were grown under controlled laboratory conditions. In comparison to control, gamma radiation absorbed doses affected the measured response positively i.e., radical length, plumule length, number of roots, seedling fresh weight, seedling dry weight, germination percentage, time of germination and diameter of hypocotyl of sunflower enhanced up to 83.15%, 70.32%, 73.03%, 4.80%, 3.26%, 72.0%, −18.88% and 12.58%, respectively. The time of germination, fresh weight and percent moisture contents enhanced insignificantly, however, the response was higher than control. All gamma radiation absorbed doses showed a stimulatory effect on sunflower germination and seedling growth characteristics. The low gamma radiation absorbed doses were found to be more effective versus higher doses for enhancing the germination and growth characteristics of sunflower. In view of positive effect of gamma radiation of sunflower germination and growth characteristics, it is concluded that this techniques could possibly be used for the enhancement of germination, growth and ultimately yield in sunflower in areas where germination is low due to unfavorable conditions.