Mass-fractal-like microstructure and proton disorder in nanostructured pseudoboehmite: a neutron-scattering study

Boehmite (γ-AlOOH) is often the initial product in sol–gel syntheses of high surface-area alumina powders. Depending on the processing routes, the microstructure of an AlOOH powder can be tailored to exhibit nanometer particle size and complex interfacial OH sites. Neutron small-angle scattering (SANS) and spectroscopy were utilized to characterize the microstructure and hydrogen vibrations of a nanostructured pseudoboehmite and a highly crystallized boehmite powder. The SANS data reveal a mass-fractal-like microstructure in pseudoboehmite. The vibrational bands of hydrogen atoms in pseudoboehmite are broad, which is indicative of a high degree of proton delocalization and disordered OH sites.     

Significance of Strain and Sex Differences in the Development of 252Cf Neutron-induced Liver Tumors in Mice

Mouse liver tumors occurring in C3H/HeN, C57BL/6N and C3B6F1 hybrid (C3H × C57BL) were studied following ²⁵²Cf fission neutron irradiation. Three strains of mice of both sexes (about 30 mice/group) were irradiated once with ²⁵²Cf at doses of 0,12.5, 50 and 200 cGy. The groups were observed for 13 months after irradiation. The incidence of liver tumors in the non-irradiated controls was 0% in both sexes of CS7BL/6N, 11.7% in males and 0% in females of C3B6F1 and 39.5% in males and 11.4% in females of C3H/HeN mice. In the four strains of mice thus far studied, including B6C3F1 hybrid (CS7BL × C3H) which was previously studied, ²⁵²Cf irradiation has increased the tumor incidence dose-dependently in males and in females, but less effectively in females. The mean number and size of liver tumors were clearly correlated with tumor incidence. The incidence was always highest in C3H/HeN mice of both sexes, followed by B6C3F1, C3B6F1 and C57BL/6N mice. The influence of sex hormones was studied in B6C3F1 mice of both sexes after 200 cGy of ²⁵²Cf irradiation. In males, the incidence of liver tumors was significantly decreased from 55.2% to 23.3% and 25.9% after orchidectomy, and in females it was slightly decreased from 27.6% to 14.8% and 18.8% after ovariectomy. Supplementation of testosterone in orchidectomized mice did not restore the occurrence of liver tumors.     

Fast neutron radiotherapy for locally advanced prostate cancer: results of an RTOG randomized study

Between June 1977 and April 1983, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) sponsored a Phase III randomized study investigating fast neutron radiation therapy in the treatment of patients with locally advanced (Stage C and D1) adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland. Patients were randomized to receive either conventional photon radiation therapy or fast neutron irradiation used in a mixed-beam treatment schedule (neutron/photon). A total of 91 analyzable patients were entered in the study; 78 of them were treated without major protocol deviations. The two treatment groups were balanced in regard to all major prognostic variables. Actuarial curves for "overall" survival, "determinantal" survival and local/regional control are presented both for the entire group of 91 patients and the 78 patients treated within protocol guidelines. The overall local/regional tumor recurrence rate is 7% for the mixed-beam treated group of patients and is 22% for the photon (X ray) treated group of patients. The difference is statistically significant at the p = 0.05 level. For the entire group of 91 evaluable patients, the 5-year "overall" survival rate is 62% for the mixed-beam-treated group and 35% for the photon-treated group. This difference is also statistically significant (p less than 0.05). However, this statistical significance is lost when the smaller number of patients treated strictly within protocol guidelines is considered. The significance is regained (p less than 0.02) when one looks at "determinantal" survival, which uses active cancer at time of death as the failure endpoint. This study demonstrates that a regional treatment modality, in this case mixed-beam irradiation, can influence both local/regional tumor control and survival in patients with locally-advanced adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland.     

基于镅铍中子源的简易照射装置及其剂量学特性研究

目的 拟利用²⁴¹Am-Be中子源设计并建立一套中子辐射照射实验装置。方法 采用蒙特卡洛（Monte Carlo）方法,模拟计算装置内外中子能谱和γ能谱空间分布数据,研究中子注量等随空间分布的变化规律;初步建立镅铍中子装置的数学模型,采用影锥法、平方反比律验证等数据分析方法,对中子输运过程进行研究。结果 模拟获得测量点处归一化快中子注量有效剂量约为72.9 pSv/n,光子约为3.04 pSv/γ,光子注量有效剂量与中子注量有效剂量的比值约为4.17%。结论 利用蒙特卡洛方法,构建了镅铍中子源标准装置模型,优化了影锥设计,初步讨论了将影锥转换法用于建立中子源辐射照射装置的可行性。     

气动磁镜氘氚聚变体中子源的辐射安全管理初探

随着聚变能研究进入工程化阶段,迫切需要高通量聚变体中子源开展材料和部件的辐照测试。基于气动磁镜（Gas Dynamic Trap,GDT）装置的聚变中子源具有中子通量高、测试空间大、建造成本低等优点,是高通量聚变体中子源的理想方案。作为一种新型的放射性装置,在我国现行核安全监管法律法规体系下,如何对其开展辐射安全管理是在该装置建造之前必须要理清的问题。本文分析了GDT聚变体中子源的辐射安全特性,阐明了GDT聚变体中子源的主要辐射源项,并结合我国现有核安全监管法律法规要求,提出GDT聚变体中子源在建造及应用过程中的辐射防护与安全管理要点,建议GDT中子源作为I类射线装置管理,运行之前应取得辐射安全许可证和核材料许可证,特别需要注意对放射性氚的安全防护。本文为国际高通量聚变体中子源ALIANCE的辐射安全管理工作提供指导,同时可供我国的核与辐射安全管理部门参考。     

RTOG Phase I study on fast neutron teletherapy for squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus

From August, 1977, through January, 1981, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group sponsored a Phase I study (RTOG 77-09) on the use of fast neutrons for treating inoperable squamous cell carcinomas of the esophagus. A total of 39 evaluable patients were treated with curative intent using either fast neutrons alone or in combination with low LET irradiation as part of a mixed beam fractionation scheme. Actuarial survival curves are presented for both the "neutrons alone" and the "mixed beam" treatment groups. There was no significant survival difference between these groups of patients. The projected survival at two years is less than 10%, which is comparable with megavoltage photon results for an unselected series of patients. The size of the primary lesion and the initial Karnofsky performance status were found to be the most important prognostic indications for prolonged survival. Sixteen of 39 patients were felt to have achieved local clearance of their tumor at some time during their follow-up with the median time until a local recurrence being 17 months. Treatment related complications and patterns of metastatic spread are discussed. In general, it appeared that the response of large tumors to neutron irradiation resulted in necrosis and fistula formation. In many cases this was accompanied by persistent/recurrent tumor within the high dose radiation volume.     

Response of quiescent and total tumor cells in solid tumors to neutrons with various cadmium ratios

Purpose: Response of quiescent (Q) and total tumor cells in solid tumors to neutron irradiation with three different cadmium (Cd) ratios was examined. The role of Q cells in tumor control was also discussed.Methods and Materials: C3H/He mice bearing SCC VII tumors received continuous administration of 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) for 5 days using implanted mini-osmotic pumps to label all proliferating (P) cells. Thirty minutes after intraperitoneal injection of sodium borocaptate-¹⁰B (BSH), or 3 h after oral administration of dl-p-boronophenylalanine-¹⁰B (BPA), the tumors were irradiated with neutrons, or those without ¹⁰B-compounds were irradiated with gamma rays. This neutron irradiation was performed using neutrons with three different cadmium (Cd) ratios. The tumors were then excised, minced, and trypsinized. The tumor cell suspensions were incubated with cytochalasin-B (a cytokinesis-blocker), and the micronucleus (MN) frequency in cells without BrdU labeling (Q cells) was determined using immunofluorescence staining for BrdU. The MN frequency in total (P + Q) tumor cells was determined from tumors that were not pretreated with BrdU. The sensitivity to neutrons was evaluated in terms of the frequency of induced micronuclei in binuclear tumor cells (MN frequency).Results: Without ¹⁰B-compounds, the MN frequency in Q cells was lower than that in the total cell population. The sensitivity difference between total and Q cells was reduced by neutron irradiation. Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of neutrons compared with gamma rays was larger in Q cells than in total cells, and the RBE values for low-Cd-ratio neutrons tended to be larger than those for high-Cd-ratio neutrons. With ¹⁰B-compounds, MN frequency for each cell population was increased, especially for total cells. This increase in MN frequency was marked when high-Cd-ratio neutrons were used. BPA increased the MN frequency for total tumor cells more than BSH. Nevertheless, the sensitivity of Q cells treated with BPA was lower than that in BSH-treated Q cells. This tendency was clearly observed in high-Cd-ratio neutrons.Conclusion: From the viewpoint of enhancing the Q-cell sensitivity, tumors should be irradiated with high-Cd-ratio neutrons after BSH administration. However, normal tissue reaction remains to be examined because of its low tumor-to-normal tissue and tumor-to-blood biodistribution ratios.     

2.5Gy中子辐射对小鼠心肌细胞损伤的实验研究

〔目的〕利用 2 .5Gy 90 %的中子射线照射BALB/C小鼠 ,研究小鼠血清中反映心肌细胞损伤程度的天门冬氨酸氨基转移酶 (AST)、乳酸脱氢酶 (LDH)和肌酸激酶 (CK)、丙氨酸氨基转移酶 (ALT)活力的变化情况 ,以确定 2 .5Gy中子辐射对小鼠心肌细胞损伤的情况。〔方法〕采用二级BALB/C雄性小鼠作为实验动物 ,共计 78只。实验期间在军事医学科学院实验动物中心统一饲养。将上述小鼠分为 2组 ,包括 1个对照组和 1个实验组。采用北京清华大学的中子源分别对各动物组进行 90 %中子照射 ,照射剂量为 2 .5Gy(66只 ) ,对照组 12只。分别在照射动物之后的 6h、12h、1d、3d、5d、7d、10d、14d、2 1d、2 8d和 41d采取静脉血 ,进行AST、LDH、CK和ALT的活性测定。采用MicrocalOrigin软件包进行数理统计分析。〔结果〕2 .5Gy中子照射 5d后血清AST、LDH、CK和ALT活力均有明显升高 ,直到于照射后 2 1d～ 2 8d后仍然未恢复至正常状态 ,均显著高于正常对照组 (P <0 .0 5 )。〔结论〕2 .5Gy中子辐射可以引起心肌细胞损伤 ,进而引起血清AST、LDH、CK和ALT活力不同程度的升高。     

Are Risks From Medical Imaging Still too Small to Be Observed or Nonexistent?

Several radiation-related professional societies have concluded that carcinogenic risks associated with doses below 50-100 mSv are either too small to be detected, or are nonexistent. This is especially important in the context of doses from medical imaging. Radiation exposure to the public from medical imaging procedures is rising around the world, primarily due to increased utilization of computed tomography. Professional societies and advisory bodies consistently recommend against multiplying small doses by large populations to predict excess radiation-induced cancers, in large part because of the potential for sensational claims of health impacts which do not adequately take the associated uncertainties into account. Nonetheless, numerous articles have predicted thousands of future cancers as a result of CT scanning, and this has generated considerable concern among patients and parents. In addition, some authors claim that we now have direct epidemiological evidence of carcinogenic risks from medical imaging. This paper critically examines such claims, and concludes that the evidence cited does not provide direct evidence of low-dose carcinogenicity. These claims themselves have adverse public health impacts by frightening the public away from medically justified exams. It is time for the medical and scientific communities to be more assertive in responding to sensational claims of health risks.     

Detection of fast neutrons from shielded nuclear materials using a semiconductor alpha detector

The response of a semiconductor alpha detector to fast (>1 MeV) neutrons was investigated by using measurements and simulations. A polyethylene converter was placed in front of the detector to register recoil protons generated by elastic collisions between neutrons and hydrogen nuclei of the converter. The developed prototype equipment was tested with shielded radiation sources. The low background of the detector and insensitivity to high-energy gamma rays above 1 MeV are advantages when the detection of neutron-emitting nuclear materials is of importance. In the case of a ²⁵²Cf neutron spectrum, the intrinsic efficiency of fast neutron detection was determined to be 2.5×10⁻⁴, whereas three-fold greater efficiency was obtained for a ²⁴¹AmBe neutron spectrum.