Track Structure Effects Research Articles

Defining the Biological Effectiveness of Components of High-LET Track Structure.

During space travel, astronauts are exposed to a wide array of high-linear energy transfer (LET) particles, with differing energies and resulting biological effects. Risk assessment of these exposures carries a large uncertainty predominantly due to the unique track structure of the particle's energy deposition. The complex damage elicited by high charge and energy (HZE) particles results from both lesions along the track core and from energetic electrons, δ rays, generated as a consequence of particle traversal. To better define how cells respond to this complex radiation exposure, a normal hTERT immortalized skin fibroblast cell line was exposed to a defined panel of particles carefully chosen to tease out track structure effects. Phosphorylation kinetics for several key double-strand break (DSB) response proteins (γ-H2AX, pATF2 and pSMC1) were defined after exposure to ten different high-LET radiation qualities and one low-LET radiation (X ray), at two doses (0.5-2 Gy) and time points (2 and 24 h). The results reveal that the lower energy particles (Fe 300, Si 93 and Ti 300 MeV/u), with a narrower track width and higher number and intensity of δ rays, cause the highest degree of persistent damage response. The persistent γ-H2AX signal at lower energies suggests that damage from these exposures are more difficult to resolve, likely due to the greater complexity of the associated DNA lesions. However, different kinetics were observed for the solely ATM-mediated phosphorylations (pATF2 and pSMC1), revealing a shallow induction at early times and a higher level of residual phosphorylation compared to γ-H2AX. The differing phospho-protein profiles exhibited, compared to γ-H2AX, suggests additional functions for these proteins within the cell. The strong correspondence between the predicted curves for energy deposition per nucleosome for each ion/energy combination and the persistent levels of γ-H2AX indicates that the nature of energy distribution defines residual levels of γ-H2AX, an indicator of unrepaired DSBs. Our results suggest that decreasing the energy of a particle results in more complex damage that may increase genomic instability and increase the risk of carcinogenesis.

Biological Effectiveness of Accelerated Particles for the Induction of Chromosome Damage: Track Structure Effects

We have investigated how radiation quality affects the induction of chromosomal aberrations in human cells. Human lymphocytes were irradiated in vitro with various energies of accelerated high charge and energy (HZE) particles including oxygen, neon, silicon, titanium and iron. Chromosome damage was assessed using three-color FISH chromosome painting in chemically induced premature chromosome condensation samples collected at first cell division after irradiation. The LET values for these particles ranged from 30 to 195 keV/μm, and their energies ranged from about 55 MeV/u to more than 1,000 MeV/u. The 89 and 142 MeV/u neon particles produced the most simple-type reciprocal exchanges per unit dose. For complex-type exchanges, 64 MeV/u neon and 450 MeV/u iron were equally effective and induced the greatest amount of complex damage. Track structure models predict that at a fixed value of LET, particles with lower charge number (Z) will have a higher biological effectiveness compared to particles with a higher Z, and that a saturation cross section will be observed for different radiation qualities. Our results are consistent with model expectations within the limitation of experimental error, and provide the most extensive data that have been reported on the radiation quality dependences of chromosomal aberrations.

LET effects on the hydrogen production induced by the radiolysis of pure water

Radiation chemical primary yields g(H2) have been determined for irradiations performed with 60Co γ-rays source of LCP (Orsay, France) and with helium ion beams (Eα=5.0MeV–64.7MeV) using protective agent bromide anions in solution. The α (4He2+) irradiation experiments were performed either at CEMHTI or at the new ARRONAX cyclotron facility (2010). Both sources (γ and cyclotrons) allow working with a large LET value range between 0.23 and 151.5keV/μm. On one hand, the obtained results have been compared with those available in the literature and plotted as a function of the LET parameter in order to discuss the effects of track structure on the production of molecular hydrogen. On the other hand, the primary radiation chemistry yield g(H2) values are compared with global radiation chemical yields G(H2) obtained during irradiations of pure water irradiated under air or argon without scavenging. For each system, it appears that radiation chemical yields increase with the LET value. Our results suggest that using bromide anions, at low concentration, as a protective agent becomes ineffective when the LET value used is higher than 120±20keV/μm.

도시철도 궤도구조별 궤도충격계수 평가

현재 한국에서 궤도설계 시 사용하고 있는 궤도충격계수는 미국철도기술협회(AREA)의 식(1+0.513V/100)을 사용하고 있다. 이 식은 자갈 및 콘크리트궤도 모두 동일하게 적용되고 있으며 이러한 단일수치로서의 충격계수는 다양한 궤도구조의 역학적 거동특성을 반영하지 못하여 경우에 따라 과다설계가 될 소지가 있다. 또한 자갈궤도의 경우 도상자갈의 상태변화에 따라, 콘크리트궤도는 궤도탄성층의 구성과 탄성범위에 따라 궤도에 작용하는 동적윤하중의 효과, 즉 충격의 효과가 상이하게 발생된다. 이에 본 연구에서는 자갈궤도(도상 상태 양호 및 불량개소)와 콘크리트궤도(일반적인 침목매입식 궤도, 레일플로팅궤도, 침목플로팅궤도)에서의 현장측정을 통해 도상별, 궤도구조별 열차 주행시 발생하는 윤중의 동적효과를 분석하여 궤도의 상태 및 구조적 특성과 궤도 충격의 효과와의 상관관계 및 영향을 비교, 분석하였다. 연구결과 궤도구조의 특성을 감안하여 궤도충격의 영향을 합리적으로 산정 할 수 있는 제안식을 제시하였다. Impact factor of concrete and ballast track which has been used in Korea railway was applied to equation (1+0.513V/100) from AREA. As the use of this equation, overcapacity of track design might be occurred. Therefore, this study compared impact of ballast track (well, bad) and concrete track (sleeper embeded system, rail floating and sleeper floating) by field test to analyzing dynamic effect of track structure's characterstic and wheel load on service line. In addition, it suggested a method to generate reasonable impact factor on each track type.

Track structure effects in a study of cell killing in normal human skin fibroblasts

Purpose: To study track structure effects in cells irradiated by heavy ions, we have performed a model analysis of an extensive recently published data set of over 40 survival curves of normal human skin fibroblast cells irradiated in vitro by energetic carbon, neon, silicon and iron ions measured in track-segment conditions.Materials and methods: Having derived the required track-segment descriptions of the ion bombardments from the published data, we fitted four parameters of the cellular track structure theory (Katz model) to the whole data set.Results: Using track structure calculations with the best-fitted parameters, we demonstrate a systematic interpretation of this data set, highlighting effects specific to track structure. In particular, we model the dependence of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and ‘single-particle’ and ‘extrapolated’ cross section on linear energy transfer (LET) or Z*2/β2 (where Z* is the effective charge and β is the relative velocity of the ion) and demonstrate the predictive capability of the model.Conclusions: Our interpretation of the data differs from that of Tsuruoka et al. We suggest that the biological effects of charged secondary particles generated in this experiment by degrading the energy of the primary ion beams using polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) absorbers cannot be ignored.

Charge Yield and Track Structure Effects on Total Ionizing Dose Measurements

An experimental study of the charge yield of gamma and alpha radiation sources is presented. A Monte-Carlo simulation, which follows each electron to thermal energy and does not resort to geminate or columnar models, is applied to explain the experimental results. Implications of charge yield and heavy ion track structure on total ionizing dose measurements using MOSFET dosimeters are discussed, and the effect of the angle of incidence of the ion on the charge yield is addressed.

Effects of Track Structure on Seismic Behavior of Isolation System Bridges

This study examines how systems to isolate and protect railroad bridges during earthquakes can be affected by the behavior of track under seismic stresses. The need for high performance of railway structures under such stresses is explained as justification for base isolation designs to reduce and dampen acceleration and displacement during an earthquake. Past efforts to study the complexity of the relationship between track and bridge structures are noted. This study addresses the behavior of track structures with direct fastenings, widely used, especially for the Shinkansen trains. Shake table tests are used to demonstrate track behavior. The design of the experiment is given, along with detailed measures from shake table results. After simulation of seismic forces on certain ground configurations, results indicate that track structure plays a role in the overall stability of the bridge structure and needs additional study for proper measures to be designed.

A theoretical model for ground vibration from trains generated by vertical track irregularities

A model is developed for predicting ground vibrations due to vertical track irregularities. This model incorporates vehicles, a track and a layered ground, and uses the moving axle loads and the vertical rail irregularities as its inputs. Outputs include the dynamic wheel–rail forces and the displacement power spectra of the track and the ground surface. Results from this model are presented for a single-axle vehicle model and a British Mark 3 passenger coach running on different tracks (a ‘lighter ballasted track’, a ‘heavier ballasted track’ and a slab track) at different speeds (25, 60 and 83 m/s). Based on these results, the effects of track structure, vehicle speed and frequency range on the observed vibration levels are identified. The different roles of the moving axle loads and the roughness-induced dynamic loads are indicated, at different frequencies and for train speeds below and above the lowest ground wave speed.

Vibration of railway bridges under a moving train by using bridge-track-vehicle element

During the last two decades, much attention has been paid to various vibration problems associated with railways. They include the dynamic response of railway bridges and railway tracks at grade under the action of moving trains. However, studies on the role of track structures on the vibration of railway bridges are rather limited. In this paper, a new element called bridge-track-vehicle element is proposed for investigating the interactions among a moving train, and its supporting railway track structure and bridge structure. The moving train is modelled as a series of two-degree-of-freedom mass-spring-damper systems at the axle locations. A bridge-track-vehicle element consists of vehicles modelled as mass-spring-damper systems, an upper beam element to model the rails and a lower beam element to model the bridge deck. The two beam elements are interconnected by a series of springs and dampers to model the rail bed. The investigation shows that the effect of track structure on the dynamic response of bridge structure is insignificant. However, the effect of the bridge structure on the dynamic response of the track structure is considerable.

Track effects of heavy ions in liquid water.

The various types of ionizing radiation can have widely differing radiation effects due to their variation in track structure. The effects of track structure on the radiation chemistry of water are particularly important because of the fundamental aspects and the wide range of practical applications. This review gives an overview of how the physics of energy-loss processes are responsible for the geometry of the particle track and thereby the final product yields. The radiation chemical effects are discussed in qualitative terms to show how the fundamental relationship between the physics and chemistry of particle tracks leads to the observed products. Special phenomena at very high rates of energy deposition are also covered. Finally, a discussion on the future research trends is given.

Monte Carlo mixture model of lifetime cancer incidence risk from radiation exposure on shuttle and international space station

Estimating uncertainty in lifetime cancer risk for human exposure to space radiation is a unique challenge. Conventional risk assessment with low-linear-energy-transfer (LET)-based risk from Japanese atomic bomb survivor studies may be inappropriate for relativistic protons and nuclei in space due to track structure effects. This paper develops a Monte Carlo mixture model (MCMM) for transferring additive, National Institutes of Health multiplicative, and multiplicative excess cancer incidence risks based on Japanese atomic bomb survivor data to determine excess incidence risk for various US astronaut exposure profiles. The MCMM serves as an anchor point for future risk projection methods involving biophysical models of DNA damage from space radiation. Lifetime incidence risks of radiation-induced cancer for the MCMM based on low-LET Japanese data for nonleukemia (all cancers except leukemia) were 2.77 (90% confidence limit, 0.75–11.34) for males exposed to 1 Sv at age 45 and 2.20 (90% confidence limit, 0.59–10.12) for males exposed at age 55. For females, mixture model risks for nonleukemia exposed separately to 1 Sv at ages of 45 and 55 were 2.98 (90% confidence limit, 0.90–11.70) and 2.44 (90% confidence limit, 0.70–10.30), respectively. Risks for high-LET 200 MeV protons (LET=0.45 keV/μm), 1 MeV α-particles (LET=100 keV/μm), and 600 MeV iron particles (LET=180 keV/μm) were scored on a per particle basis by determining the particle fluence required for an average of one particle per cell nucleus of area 100 μm 2. Lifetime risk per proton was 2.68×10 −2% (90% confidence limit, 0.79×10 −3%–0.514×10 −2%). For α-particles, lifetime risk was 14.2% (90% confidence limit, 2.5%–31.2%). Conversely, lifetime risk per iron particle was 23.7% (90% confidence limit, 4.5%–53.0%). Uncertainty in the DDREF for high-LET particles may be less than that for low-LET radiation because typically there is very little dose–rate dependence. Probability density functions for high-LET radiation quality and dose–rate may be preferable to conventional risk assessment approaches. Nuclear reactions and track structure effects in tissue may not be properly estimated by existing data using in vitro models for estimating RBEs. The method used here is being extended to estimate uncertainty in spacecraft shielding effectiveness in various space radiation environments.

The effect of track structure on the induction of chromosomal aberrations in murine cells

Purpose: To measure chromosome aberrations in C3H 10T1/2 mouse fibroblasts using FISH painting at the first mitosis following exposure to 30 keV/ mu m hydrogen or neon ions. Materials and methods: Cells in plateau-phase were irradiated with 0.86 MeV protons at the TTT-3 Tandem accelerator in Naples (Italy), or with 400 MeV/n Ne ions at the HIMAC accelerator in Chiba (Japan). Colcemid-blocked cells were harvested at the first mitosis following exposure, and chromosome spreads were hybridized in situ with a fluorescein-labelled composite mouse DNA probe specific for chromosomes 2 and 8. Results: Protons were more efficient than neon ions at the same LET in the induction of chromosome interchanges and breaks. Yields of complex exchanges were similar for both particles at the same dose, but protons produced mostly insertions, while with Ne exposure non-reciprocal exchanges were the most frequent complex-type exchange. Conclusions: Charged particles with the same LET produce different yields of chromosome aberrations, and some observed differences can be explained based on the available track-structure models.

Effect of track structure and radioprotectors on the induction of oncogenic transformation in murine fibroblasts by heavy ions

The oncogenic potential of high-energy 56Fe particles (1 GeV/nucleon) accelerated with the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron at the Brookhaven National Laboratory was examined utilizing the mouse C3H 10T1/2 cell model. The dose-averaged LET for high-energy 56Fe is estimated to be 143 keV/μm with the exposure conditions used in this study. For 56Fe ions, the maximum relative biological effectiveness (RBE max) values for cell survival and oncogenic transformation were 7.71 and 16.5 respectively. Compared to 150 keV/μm 4He nuclei, high-energy 56Fe nuclei were significantly less effective in cell killing and oncogenic induction. The prostaglandin E 1 analog misoprostol, an effective oncoprotector of C3H 10T1/2 cells exposed to X rays, was evaluated for its potential as a radioprotector of oncogenic transformation with high-energy 56Fe. Exposure of cells to misoprostol did not alter 56Fe cytotoxicity or the rate of 56Fe-induced oncogenic transformation.

Modeling the heavy ion cross-section for single event upset with track structure effects: the HIC-UP-TS model

Whereas HIC-UP modeled the heavy ion strike as a line source of charge, HIC-UP-TS accounts for the spatial distribution of electron-hole-pairs by using a 1/r/sup 2/ profile. The model compares well with experimental data.

Effects of track structure and cell inactivation on the calculation of heavy ion mutation rates in mammalian cells.

It has long been suggested that inactivation severely effects the probability of mutation by heavy ions in mammalian cells. Heavy ions have observed cross sections of inactivation that approach and sometimes exceed the geometric size of the cell nucleus in mammalian cells. In the track structure model of Katz the inactivation cross section is found by summing an inactivation probability over all impact parameters from the ion to the sensitive sites within the cell nucleus. The inactivation probability is evaluated using the dose-response of the system to gamma-rays and the radial dose of the ions and may be equal to unity at small impact parameters for some ions. We show how the effects of inactivation may be taken into account in the evaluation of the mutation cross sections from heavy ions in the track structure model through correlation of sites for gene mutation and cell inactivation. The model is fit to available data for HPRT mutations in Chinese hamster cells and good agreement is found. The resulting calculations qualitatively show that mutation cross sections for heavy ions display minima at velocities where inactivation cross sections display maxima. Also, calculations show the high probability of mutation by relativistic heavy ions due to the radial extension of ions track from delta-rays in agreement with the microlesion concept. The effects of inactivation on mutations rates make it very unlikely that a single parameter such as LET or Z*2/beta(2) can be used to specify radiation quality for heavy ion bombardment.

Magnetic Field Effects on the Solute Luminescence of Alkane Solutions Irradiated with Heavy Ions

The effects of track structure on the luminescence decays in cyclohexane and in 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (isoocatane) solutions of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO) have been determined in the presence and in the absence of an external magnetic field. Irradiations were performed with protons of 1-15 MeV and with helium ions of 2-20 MeV energy. Companion studies were performed with {sup 90}Sr-{sup 90}Y {Beta}-radiolysis. The magnetic field effect is due to the hyperfine interaction of nuclear spins in the geminate pair of solvent radical ions produced. In both solvents, the effect of the magnetic field on luminescence decreases with increasing linear energy transfer (LET) from about 40% for {Beta}-particles to only a few percent with helium ions. Magnetic field effects with protons decrease in time whereas they are constant with {Beta}-particles. This result is attributed to the overlap of initially isolated spurs during the evolution of the proton track; the probability of nongeminate recombination increases with the number of neighboring ion pairs. The total luminescence intensity per incident particle remains constant with proton energy but increases slightly with increasing helium ion energy. At a given particle energy, the intensity is greater in cyclohexane than in isoocatane. The pulse shapes of the luminescence decays reflect themore » distributions in ion recombination times, and very little variation in luminescence decay rates is observed with increasing LET. 37 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.« less

The effect of track structure on cell inactivation and chromosome damage at a constant LET of 120 keV/μm

The influence of track structure on chromosome damage and cell inactivation are being investigated. Plateau-phase normal human fibroblast cultures were irradiated with gamma rays, and He, Ne and Ar ions. Particle velocities were chosen so that all beams had an LET of 120 keV/μm. In this constant-LET experimental design, the radial distribution of excitations and ionizations about the particle track is the most significant variable. Using premature chromosome condensation, chromatin breaks were measured at two time points, promptly after irradiation and after a prolonged incubation to allow for repair. These measurements give an indication of both initial chromosomal damage and also residual damage that is either not repaired or is misrepaired. Survival was measured under the same conditions. Results indicate that the RBEs for both cell inactivation and, to a lesser extent, chromosome damage decrease as particle energy increases.

An initiation-promotion model of tumour prevalence from high-charge and energy radiations

A repair/misrepair kinetic model for multiple radiation-induced lesions (mutation inactivation) is coupled to a two-mutation model of initiation-promotion in tissue to provide a parametric description of tumour prevalence in the mouse Harderian gland from high-energy and charge radiations. Track-structure effects are considered using an action-cross section model. Dose-response curves are described for gamma rays and relativistic ions, and good agreement with experiment is found. The effects of nuclear fragmentation are also considered for high-energy proton and alpha-particle exposures. The model described provides a parametric description of age-dependent cancer induction for a wide range of radiation fields. Radiosensitivity parameters found in the model for an initiation mutation ( sigma 0=7.6*10-10 cm2 and D0=148.0 Gy) are somewhat different than previously observed for neoplastic transformation of C3H10Tl/2 cell cultures ( sigma 0=0.7*10-10 cm2 and D0=117.0 Gy). The authors consider the two hypotheses that radiation acts solely as an initiator or as both initiator and promoter and make model calculations for fractionation exposures from gamma rays and relativistic Fe ions. For fractionated Fe exposures, an inverse-dose-rate effect is provided by a promotion hypothesis with an increase of 30% or more, dependent on the dose level and fractionation schedule, using a mutation rate for promotion similar to that of single-gene mutations.

The Fragmentation of 670A MeV Neon-20 as a Function of Depth in Water: III. Analytical Multigeneration Transport Theory

This is the final report of a detailed study of the interaction of 670A MeV neon ions with water, used as a presumed tissue-equivalent target. A first comparison of the data with theoretical fluence spectra predicted by the one-generation heavy-ion transport code HZESEC was reported previously. In the present article, subsequent nuclear interactions of the fragment are taken into account, using the LBLBEAM multigeneration heavy-ion transport code, which incorporated new features and modifications intended to address some of the approximations made in the previous calculation. The LBLBEAM code uses the method of characteristics and an iterative procedure to solve a one-dimensional Boltzmann transport equation for the first through third successive generations of nuclear reaction products; it includes a recent version of the semiempirical model used to derive nuclear interaction cross sections. The stopping power used for the theory was calculated in the same way that experimental time-of-flight and energy-loss data are converted to obtain a comparison independent of stopping power; accordingly, good agreement was found between calculated and measured neon fluence spectra in the Bragg peak region. Multiple scattering effects were considered separately for each isotope in the present work. Acceptance factors were calculated as previously, assuming that all projectile fragments originate from the first nuclear interaction. The results show that lower-mass isotopes can account for the high-LET portions of the spectrum in measured fluence spectra. Third-generation products become increasingly important as a source of lighter fragments for depths comparable with the primary particle mean free path, accounting for between one-third and one-half of carbon and lighter particles near the Bragg peak; higher-order interactions were negligible for the detector geometry and material thicknesses examined. Agreement between measured and calculated fluence spectra is 30% (20% for integral fluences). Inclusion of hydrogen, helium, and lithium fragments improves agreement between calculated and measured RBE values for spermatogonial cell survival, but tertiary particle acceptance and track structure effects need to be understood in greater detail to predict RBE accurately.

Effects of track structure on neutron microdosimetry and nanodosimetry

The process by which neutrons transfer their energy to tissue is described, including the deposition of energy by secondary charged particle tracks in small sites; that is, microdosimetry and nanodosimetry. Three approximations are considered in order of increasing amounts of information on track structure: the continuous slowing-down approximation (CSDA), the straggling approximation, and the delta-ray approximation. Although simple approximations sometimes work quite well, much work remains to be done for very small sites, and for the inclusion of the effects of “passer” in the calculations.