13C hyperfine interactions of CO2- in irradiated tooth enamel as studied by EPR.

The EPR spectrum of tooth enamel caused by ¹³C hyperfine interactions of the CO₂⁻ radical were studied on γ-irradiated powdered samples annealed for 40 min at different temperatures up to 250°C. The lineshape and hyperfine splitting of the spectra were found to depend on the annealing temperature. Experimental spectra were compared with calculated ones assuming that EPR spectra are formed by two CO₂⁻ species—axial (rotating) and orthorhombic (braked) radicals. We assumed that the axial CO₂⁻ radicals are centers located in perfect areas of the hydroxyapatite crystals of tooth enamel whereas the orthorhombic CO₂⁻ radicals are rotating centers which are braked by defects. The thermal treatment of enamel samples leads to defective annealing and transformation of the orthorhombic centers into axial ones. This results in an increasing axial CO₂⁻ radical contribution to the EPR spectrum with increase of annealing temperature.     

Electron spin resonance age determination of a travertine sample from the southwestern part of Turkey

Travertine powdered samples collected from Denizli in the southwestern part of Turkey appear to be suitable for dating by ESR analysis due to presence of a g=2.0006 ESR signal. In general, ESR spectra of natural travertine show two absorption lines: g=2.0006 and g=2.0056. ⁶⁰Co gamma-ray irradiations enhance the g=2.0006 signal but not g=2.0056. The signal amplitude of the g=2.0056 line remains constant and shows no dose dependence after annealing at 150–180°C for periods from 15 min to 2 days. Line g=2.0056 disappears in turn after an annealing of 15 min at 400°C. Thermal annealing experiments at different temperatures for different annealing times show that the only travertine ESR signal stable enough for dating of ages over the past 10 Ma, is the one at g=2.0006. The present ESR dating result is 1.11±0.11 Ma. The g=2.0006 signal used for dating appears to correspond with the 280°C TL peak, but at elevated temperatures the mean life, accumulated dose and age of the latter is significantly less than that measured by post irradiation analysis using the ESR signal. This can be attributed to coming from other carbon-containing paramagnetic centers. In fact, gamma-ray absorbed dose rate dependence of the ESR signal has been studied, and no dependence was observed over a 12-fold change in dose rate.     

Understanding the radiolabelling mechanism of Tc–antimony sulphide colloid

The chemistry of antimony trisulphide colloid (ATC) was examined to elucidate the radiolabelling mechanism with ^99mTcO₄⁻. Ion exchange chromatography and atomic absorption spectrophotometry techniques determined ATC to be resistant to hydrolysis in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid (HCl) at 25°C or 100°C (>97% recovery, Sb³⁺ absent). Hydrogen sulphide gas detected did not participate in the mechanism, where antimony trisulphide and ^99mTcO₄⁻ in HCl/100°C yielded 96% ^99mTc-product from a K₂S-free formulation (versus 98% when K₂S was present). ^99mTcO₄⁻ was reduced >90% by DMSA or dithiothreitol under the same conditions, identifying involvement of thiol groups. Infrared analysis of Re-ATC showed S=O bonds, indicating excess thiol groups at the colloid surface were oxidised at the expense of ^99mTcO₄⁻ reduction.     

Study of paramagnetic and luminescence centers of microcline feldspar.

Microcline feldspar crystal has been analyzed in order to determine the centers suitable for use in ESR and luminescence dating. ESR measurements at RT showed the Fe3+ line, and at 77K the Si-O(-) ..X signal with g=2.0052, 2.0098 and 2.0128. TL glow peak at 157 and 300 degrees C in UV interval were observed and in the VIS range we noted peaks at 150, 280 and 340 degrees C. TL growth curve of the 340 degrees C peak could be fitted by a saturating exponential equation and can be used in TL dating. Emission curves showed band widths 1.95+/-0.09, 2.73+/-0.08 and 4.94+/-0.50 eV. Transitions from 4T1-->6A1)of Fe3+ can be associated with the 1.95 eV band and the transition from 4A1 4E(G)-->6A1(S) with 2.73 eV band.     

An investigation of ESR signals and their related TL emission in speleothem calcite

TL emission spectra were recorded using a sensitive Fourier transform spectrometer for 4 samples of speleothem calcite which had been selected to display a range of ESR signals. Two samples showed principal emissions at 610 nm for both the 160°C and 270°C TL peaks which are attributed to Mn-related luminescence centres, while the remaining two samples had their principal emissions at 480 and 580 nm, which is characteristic of Dy-related luminescence centres. The relative intensities of the TL emission and ESR signals within individual samples, and between those having the same luminescence centres, together with kinetic studies infer correlations between the g = 2.0036 ESR signal and TL emission at 220°C, and the 160°C TL peak and the g = 1.9975 ESR signal. The g = 2.0005 signal used for dating appears to correspond with the 270°C TL peak, but at elevated temperatures the mean life of the latter is significantly less than that of the ESR signal. This could be explained if the luminescence centres have a lower stability than the trap sites measured directly by ESR. All correlations should be treated with caution because charge may be lost from ESR traps via different routes in each calcite, giving wide variations in luminescence efficiency.     

EPR, OSL, TL and spectral studies of porcelain

Porcelain is one of a group of promising building materials for reconstruction of dose from external gamma exposures. The type and lifetime of the recombination centres play an important role in the accuracy of dose assessment, especially if the accident occurred many years before laboratory measurements. The properties of the recombination centres have been investigated by optically stimulated (green) luminescence (OSL), thermoluminescence (TL), phototransfered thermoluminescence (PTTL) and TL glow spectra. The investigations were carried out by TL measurements following green light irradiation of porcelain pre-heated at various temperatures; three photo-transfer peaks were recorded at 110, 170 and 230°C. Among them, the PTTL peaks at 230 and 110°C exhibited pre-dose sensitization. The Al and Ge centres observed by EPR in porcelain were investigated in conjuction with the sensitization of the 110 and 230°C PTTL peaks.     

EPR and TL correlation in some powdered Greek white marbles.

Thermoluminescence of white powdered marble samples, chosen to display different EPR spectra, were studied. Two peaks at 280 degrees C and 360 degrees C can be observed among the TL glow curves while the EPR spectra exhibit two signals: the A signal with g perpendicular = 2.0038 and g parallel = 2.0024 due to the SO3- centre and the B one with g1 = 2.0005; g2 = 2.0001; g3 = 1.9998 due to mechanical powder reduction (drilling). Owing to heating and simultaneous experiments, a correlation have been established: the 280 degrees C TL peak is associated to the A signal and thus to the SO3- centre and the 360 degrees C TL peak is caused by mechanical treatment corresponding to the B EPR signal.     

Environmental studies on X- and gamma-irradiated LiCsSO4 crystals.

Thermoluminescence (TL) characteristics of LiCsSO4 crystal have been studied after exposure to different doses of X and gamma radiations. The glow curves showed TL response of three peaks at 75 degrees C, 125 degrees C and 250 degrees C. The structure of the glow peaks due to X-rays is quite different from that due to gamma-rays. UV exposure yields a regeneration of the TL peaks for the post-irradiated samples with X- or gamma-radiation with some changes in the peak structure especially the third peak. For the post-X-ray irradiated crystals, the area under the third glow peak (PK III) increased linearly with the integrated time of UV exposure till about 30 min after which no changes were observed; while, for the post-gamma-irradiated crystals, two linear regions were observed. The models of the TL response for the post-irradiated samples as a result of exposure to UV are discussed.     

Evaluation of Dosimetric Parameters for Various Ir Brachytherapy Sources Under Unbounded Phantom Geometry by Monte Carlo Simulation

As per TG-43 dose calculation formalism, it is essential to obtain various dosimetric parameters such as the air-kerma strength, dose rate constant, radial dose function, and anisotropy function, as they account for accurate determination of dose rate distribution around brachytherapy sources. Most of the available reported Monte Carlo simulations were performed in liquid water phantoms with a bounded region of 30-cm diameter. In this context, an attempt was made to report the dosimetric parameters for various commercially available pulsed-dose rate (PDR) and high-dose rate (HDR) sources under unbounded phantom conditions, as the data may be used as input to treatment planning systems (TPSs) for quality control assistance. The air-kerma strength per unit activity, S_k/A, was computed for various Iridium-192 (¹⁹²Ir) sources in dry air medium. The air-kerma strength and dose rate constant for old PDR is (9.77 ± 0.03) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.124 ± 0.001 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for new PDR, the values are (9.96 ± 0.03) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.124 ± 0.001 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for old MHDR, the values are (9.80 ± 0.01) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.115 ± 0.001 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for new MHDR, (9.80 ± 0.01) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.112 ± 0.001cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for old VHDR, the values are (10.32 ± 0.01) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.035 ± 0.002 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹; for new VHDR, the values are (10.34 ± 0.02) 10⁻⁸ U/Bq and 1.096 ± 0.001 cGyh⁻¹U⁻¹. The computed radial dose function values and anisotropy function values are also in good agreement with available data.     

The effect of contrast temperature water therapy on repeated sprint performance

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of two recovery techniques on blood lactate and repeated sprint performance. In a randomised cross-over design 20 junior representative rugby players (aged 19 ± 1 years) were given either contrast temperature water therapy or active recovery after performing a repeated sprint test. The test was then repeated 1 h later to gauge the effects of the two recovery methods on subsequent repetitive sprinting performance. One week later, the two groups were reversed and the testing repeated. The test consisted of ten 40-m sprints with a 30-s turn-around between sprints. Recovery consisted of 6 min slow jogging (6.8 km h⁻¹) for the active recovery group or 6 min of contrast temperature water therapy consisting of three 1-min hip-height immersions in cold water (8–10 °C) alternated with three 1-min hot water (38 °C) showers. Blood lactate concentration and heart rates were measured throughout the testing. Relative to the active recovery group the contrast temperature water therapy group showed a substantial decrease in blood lactate concentration 3 min after the procedure (−2.1 mmol L⁻¹, 95% confidence limits, ±1.8 mmol L⁻¹), and substantially lower heart rates both during the procedure (−9.1 ± 8.7 min⁻¹) as well as 1 h later during the second set of sprints (−11.7 ± 8.6 min⁻¹). Effects of recovery group on repeated sprint performance were small to trivial and unclear. Compared to active recovery, contrast temperature water therapy decreases blood lactate concentration and heart rate but has little effect on subsequent repetitive sprinting performance.     

A liquid-scintillation-based primary standardization of Pb

A new radioactivity solution standard of ²¹⁰Pb has been developed and will be disseminated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as standard reference material (SRM) 4337. This new ²¹⁰Pb solution standard is contained in a 5 mL flame-sealed borosilicate glass ampoule, consists of (5.133±0.002) g of a nominal 1 mol L⁻¹ nitric acid solution, has a density of (1.028±0.002) g mL⁻¹ at 20 °C, has carrier ion concentrations of about 11 μg Pb²⁺ and 21 μg Bi³⁺ per gram of solution, and is certified to contain a massic activity (9.037±0.22) kBq g⁻¹ as of the reference time 1200 EST, 15 June 2006. All of the uncertainties cited above correspond to standard uncertainties multiplied by a coverage factor k=2. The standardization for the ²¹⁰Pb content of the solution was based on 4πβ liquid scintillation (LS) measurements using CIEMAT/NIST ³H-standard efficiency tracing (CNET). Confirmatory determinations were also performed by high-resolution HPGe γ-ray spectrometry, by 2π spectrometry with a Si surface barrier detector of separated ²¹⁰Po, and by 4πβ(LS)–γ(NaI) anticoincidence counting.     

Fully automated synthesis of [18F]fluoromisonidazole using a conventional [18F]FDG module

We developed a new fully automated method for the synthesis of [¹⁸F]fluoromisonidazole ([¹⁸F]FMISO) by modifying a commercial FDG synthesizer and its disposable fluid pathway. A three-step procedure was used to prepare the tosylate precursor, 1-(2′-nitro-1′-imidazolyl)-2-O-tetrahydrofuranyl-3-O-toluenesulfonylpropanediol. Using glycerol as the starting material, the precursor was synthesized with a yield of 21%. The optimal labeling conditions for the automated synthesis of [¹⁸F]FMISO was 10 mg of precursor in acetonitrile (2 ml heated at 105°C for 360 s, followed by heating at 75°C for 280 s and hydrolysis with 1 N HCl at 105°C for 300 s. Using 3.7 GBq of [¹⁸F]F⁻ as a starting activity, [¹⁸F]FMISO was obtained with high end-of-synthesis (EOS) radiochemical yields of 58.5±3.5% for 60.0±5.2 min with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification. When solid-phase purification steps were added, the EOS radiochemical yields were 54.5±2.8% (337±25 GBq/μmol) for 70.0±3.8 min (n=10 for each group, decay-corrected). With a high starting radioactivity of 37.0 GBq, we obtained radiochemical yields of 54.4±2.9% and 52.8±4.2%, respectively (n=3). The solid-phase purification removed unreacted [¹⁸F]fluoride and polar impurities before the HPLC procedure. Long-term tests showed a good stability of 98.2±1.5%. This new automated synthesis procedure combines high and reproducible yields with the advantage of using a disposable cassette system.     

Distribution of radiocesium and natural gamma emitters in pine needles in coniferious forest sites of Izmir

Using a high-resolution gamma-spectrometer system, the activity concentrations of ⁷Be, ¹³⁷Cs, ⁴⁰K and ²²⁶Ra were determined in the pine needles. Activity concentrations of the concerned radionuclides in the needle samples were as follows: ⁷Be, 24.6±2.40 to 210±7.21 Bq kg⁻¹, ⁴⁰K, 23.5±12.4 to 287±15.6 Bq kg⁻¹, ²²⁶Ra, 0.44±0.12 to 12.3±2.18 Bq kg⁻¹, and ¹³⁷Cs, 0.61±0.30 to 2.29±0.38 Bq kg⁻¹. It is found that the frequency distributions obtained for ⁷Be and ¹³⁷Cs can be fitted to a normal distribution, and for ⁴⁰K and ²²⁶Ra can be fitted to a log-normal distribution.     

The behavior of single crystals of NaCl: Ca, Mn exposed to gamma rays

The behavior of single crystals of NaCl: Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺ exposed to gamma rays was explored for its potential usage as a dosimeter. The study was focused to the effect of dose and dose rate. The crystals were analyzed using thermoluminescence (TL). The productions of irradiation defects in the solid were correlated with the glow curve. F-centers were measured as function of the dose. The bleaching of the F-centers produced a decrease of the peak of the glow curve. The results showed that the response is linear in an interval up to 60 Gy.     

ESR and TL age determination of caliche nodules

Feasibility of dating caliche nodules by ESR and TL is investigated. For both methods the properties of the dating signal are described. Chemical composition as well as TL glow curves of caliches originating from different localities exhibit some differences. Due to the complexity of the TL glow curves, some samples required a special post-annealing procedure in order to resolve the main TL peak for age determination. Typical ESR calcite signals do not exist in caliche, therefore usefulness of the g = 2.0040 ESR signal is studied. The results of TL and ESR ages are found to be compatible except for two samples. Possible causes of the discrepancy in these samples are discussed. It is shown that, with proper treatment of the radiation-induced signals, it was possible to date caliche formations older than 350 ka, which is not achieveable with other methods like uranium series disequilibrium and/or radiocarbon dating.     

TL dosimetric properties of Li2O–B2O3 glasses for gamma dosimetry

In this work, the thermoluminescence (TL) dosimetric characteristics of lithium borate glasses have been studied in detail before and after doping with silver. The glass specimens were prepared using a conventional melt-quenching method and checked using X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern. The resultant glow curve of the undoped γ-irradiated samples showed one strong peak at about 178 °C and at a constant heating-rate (β) of 5 °C/s. While, the Ag-doped samples showed two TL glow peaks around 220 and 320 °C, which were mainly attributed to the Ag⁺ ions. Trap parameters of glow peaks of the present glass systems were extracted. The dosimetric characteristics of glass specimens were read from the TL γ-dose response curve, which showed a reasonably good linearity behavior between glow peak areas and γ-dose values. The present results revealed the importance of using such current selective glass structures as γ-radiation detectors within the studied dose-range where an acceptably good fading response was observed.     

Contrast water immersion hastens plasma lactate decrease after intense anaerobic exercise

The benefits of rapid recovery after intense exercise are widely recognised, and lactate elimination is one indicator of recovery rate. This study examined the effect of contrast (alternating hot and cold) water immersion (CWI) on the rate of plasma lactate decrease during recovery after intense anaerobic exercise. Eleven subjects on each of two occasions undertook four successive 30-s Wingate tests separated by 30-s rest periods. On each occasion, plasma lactate concentration during recovery was measured 5 min post-exercise and thereafter at 5 min intervals for 30 min. On one occasion (determined randomly), the subjects recovered passively (PR) on a recovery bed and, on the other, they alternated partial body immersion in hot (36 °C) and cold (12 °C) water baths. Plasma lactate concentrations were analysed by repeated measures analysis of variance and by fitting a linear regression model, allowing for both gender and recovery mode differences. The rate of decrease in plasma lactate concentration over the 30-min recovery period was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in CWI; 0.28(±0.02) mmol L⁻¹ min⁻¹ (CWI) compared to 0.22(±0.02) mmol L⁻¹ min⁻¹ (PR). These values do not differ significantly between males and females. Contrast water immersion is a valid method of hastening plasma lactate decrease during recovery after intense anaerobic exercise for both males and females. An approximately 1.8 mmol L⁻¹ difference between the two conditions may be expected after 30 min. With differences among elite competitors as little as 1–2%, this reduction may be of practical significance.     

Measurement of Pu γ-ray intensities between 148 and 161 keV

Utilizing Pu isotopic standards characterized by the Institute for Nuclear Materials and Measurement (IRMM), New Brunswick Laboratory (NBL) measured the γ-ray branching ratios of the 148.567-keV ²⁴¹Pu, the 152.72-keV ²³⁸Pu, the 159.995-keV ²⁴¹Pu and the 160.28-keV ²⁴⁰Pu γ-rays. The study reported here includes the measurement of four IRMM standards, utilizing three different detectors for a total of 16 spectra, finding branching ratios of (1.863 ± 0.008) × 10⁻⁶, (9.230 ± 0.068) × 10⁻⁶, (6.321 ± 0.040) × 10⁻⁸ and (4.065 ± 0.017) × 10⁻⁶, γ/disintegration, respectively.     

The effect of cyclosporine-a on labeling blood cells with radiopharmaceuticals

The effect of cyclosporine-A (CsA) on the labeling efficiencies of red blood cells with reduced ^99mTcO₄⁻; leukocytes and platelets with ¹¹¹In oxine was studied. Blood was used from rats treated with CsA (30 mg/kg body weight) for 28 consecutive days and from control rats. For ^99mTc labeling of RBCs, blood was obtained from individual rats and in vitro labeling technique was used. For leukocyte and platelet labeling, blood was pooled from 5 rats either treated with CsA or control. Leukocytes/platelets were labeled with ¹¹¹In oxine using routine techniques. The labeling efficiency for ^99mTc RBCs was 83.42 ± 0.83% (CsA treated) and 84.85 ± 0.62% (control); ¹¹¹In-oxine leukocytes was 38.5 ± 1.75% (CsA treated) and 42.5 ± 3.53% (control); and for ¹¹¹In-oxine platelets, it was 74.0 ± 2.5% (CsA treated) and 78.0 ± 1.41% (control). Comparison of the results indicate that there is no difference between the percent labeling efficiencies of ^99mTc RBCs, ¹¹¹In-oxine leukocytes, and ¹¹¹In-oxine platelets for CsA-treated and control rats. Hence, CsA does not interfere with the labeling process of blood cells with radiopharmaceuticals.     

An analytical model for the SO2 centre, ESR signal at g=2.0057 in carbonates

Detailed experiments were conducted to test the behaviour of the ESR signal at the g-value of 2.0057 in corals after irradiation and heating. On the basis of the results an analytical model for this signal was developed. We assume the existence of a precursor to the SO₂⁻ radical. On irradiation traps are produced, some in the precursor state and some in the radical state. Heating then causes transfer of electrons into the precursor state, from the precursor state into the radical state and out of the radical state into a base state. On the base of this model, we suggest that the signal at g=2.0057 can be applied for dating. Our first dating attempts on corals delivered promising results for the suggested procedure.