No presente trabalho modificou-se o polímero polipropileno por meio de radiação por feixes de elétrons com dose de 20, 40, 60, 100, 200 e 300kGy. Foram estudados os efeitos das doses de radiação nas propriedades físicas e químicas do polímero e a possível existência de uma correlação entre os resultados da indentação instrumentada e as demais propriedades físico-químicas do polímero, assim como ocorre com os metais. O polímero foi submetido aos ensaios de tração, indentação instrumentada, difração de raios-X (DRX), espectroscopia de elétrons na região do ultravioleta próximo e visível (UV VIS), espectroscopia vibracional no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier (FTIR), índice de fluidez, fração gel e análise térmica. Sobre as propriedades químicas do polímero observa-se que em doses de esterilização (até 20kGy) o mesmo não sofre oxidação radiolítica. A partir de doses superiores a 40kGy o polímero apresentou modificação permanente de cor (amarelecimento). Esta formação da cor mostrou ser ocasionada pela presença crescente do grupo cromóforo -C=O, fato este confirmado pelos resultados de espectroscopia UV-VIS. O resultado não pode ser comprovado no espectro de FTIR, porém observou-se que o método de preparação das amostras afetou o resultado deste ensaio lançando dúvidas sobre sua representatividade. A falha em identificar a presença crescente de grupos carbonila por FTIR, portanto, não invalida esta conclusão. Sobre as propriedades físicas do polímero comprovou-se com o ensaio de DRX que o aumento da dose de radiação não alterou a estrutura cristalina do polímero e não houve mudança significativa nos parâmetros de rede da célula monoclínica. Observou-se, entretanto, a diminuição da cristalinidade do polímero irradiado com doses de radiação até 60kGy. Para doses maiores observou-se novamente o aumento de fração cristalina, ou seja, a amostra sofreu recristalização induzida por irradiação. O polímero apresentou um aumento da resistência à degradação térmica com doses até 60kGy, permanecendo constante para doses maiores. Os resultados obtidos no ensaio de tração mostraram que o polímero irradiado com doses até 40kGy, não apresentaram alteração do limite de escoamento, porém para doses de radiação maiores houve decréscimo desta propriedade. Finalmente observou-se ensaio de indentação instrumentada não é sensível o suficiente para reproduzir as significativas alterações de propriedades mecânicas produzidas no polímero aqui estudado em função da irradiação por feixe de elétrons, porém observa-se uma queda acentuada do módulo de rigidez estimado no ensaio a partir do material irradiado com uma dose de 100kGy, que correlaciona com a recuperação da cristalinidade observada. / A polypropylene resin was modified in the present work by submitting standard tensile specimens to electron beam irradiation, with doses corresponding to 20, 40, 60, 100, 200 and 300kGy. The effect of this irradiation upon the polymer\'s chemical and physical properties was investigated, in particular seeking a possible correlation between these properties and instrumented indentation results, as it is common usage in the case of metals and alloys. The polymer was submitted to tensile, instrumented indentation, X-ray diffraction (DRX), electron spectroscopy (UV-VIS), vibrational infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), melt-flow index, gel fraction and thermal analysis tests. Concerning the chemical properties, it was observed that up to 20kGy dose there is no evidence of radiolytic oxidation in the polymer. Above 40kGy dose it was observed the irreversible yellowing of the samples, indicating the growing presence of chromophore groups (e.g. -C=O), which was confirmed by the UV-VIS results. The FTIR data could not confirm this hypothesis, but it was observed that the sample preparation method severely affected the FTIR spectra, casting doubt about its representativity. This failure of the FTIR data to identify the growing presence of carbonyl groups does not invalidate the previous results. Concerning the physical properties, X-ray diffraction showed that irradiation did not change the crystal structure of the polymer and no significant changes in lattice parameters could be identified either. The samples crystallinity, however, shows a remarkable reduction up to 60kGy dose. At the 100kGy sample, however, it was observed a recover of the crystallinity, which was attributed to radiation induced recrystallization. The thermal degradation resistance of the polymer enhanced up to 60kGy dose and remained approximately constant for higher doses. The yield strength of the samples kept approximately constant up to 60kGy dose, but decreased after that. Finally the instrumented indentation results where not sensible enough to detects the macroscopic mechanical properties, but the estimated Young\'s modulus shows a remarkable reduction for radiation doses equal or higher than 100kGy, which correlated well with the other chemical and physical properties.

A indústria de plástico tem reconhecido que novos materiais podem ser produzidos por meio da mistura de polímeros dando origem às chamadas blendas poliméricas. Estes materiais, em geral, apresentam uma melhoria das propriedades em relação às dos polímeros que formam a blenda. Freqüentemente, as blendas são produzidas a partir de polímeros imiscíveis, os quais apresentam fases, microestruturas ou morfologias diferentes. A melhoria da miscibilidade entre os componentes da blenda, o que leva a um melhor desempenho, denomina-se compatibilização. Esta compatibilização pode ser feita por meio de processos químicos ou utilizando radiação ionizante. O presente trabalho tem como objetivo central o estudo do efeito da radiação ionizante de feixe de elétrons na blenda polimérica formada por poliamida PA 6,6 e polietileno de baixa densidade PEBD na proporção, respectivamente, de 75%/25% em peso, quando esta é submetida a diferentes doses de radiação no intervalo entre 50 kGy e 250 kGy. O efeito da compatibilização, induzida pela radiação ionizante, foi avaliado por meio de ensaios mecânicos que mostraram uma melhoria nas suas propriedades de tração e dureza e pela diminuição da resistência ao impacto das amostras irradiadas. Este comportamento mecânico pode ser atribuído à ação combinada da reticulação induzida na estrutura molecular dos polímeros que formam a blenda e ao aumento da miscibilidade destes componentes na blenda irradiada. O grau de compatibilização induzido pela radiação ionizante foi avaliado determinando-se as temperaturas de transição vítrea (Tg) dos componentes da blenda por meio de análise dinâmico mecânica (DMA). Dos resultados obtidos constatou-se que os valores de Tg dos polímeros PA 6,6 e PEBD se aproximaram em 8ºC, indicando que a radiação ionizante produziu efeito de compatibilização na blenda irradiada. / The plastic industry has recognized that mixture of polymers, called polymeric blends, yields new materials with improve properties and better features of those of the polymer blended. In most of the cases, blends are formed by immiscible components presenting separated phases, micro-structures or morphologies. One of the main factors for good mechanical performance is the interfacial adhesion of the blend components. The improvement of miscibility between the polymer components and the enhancement of blend performance is denominated of compatibilization. This compatibilization can be achieved by chemical methods or using ionizing radiation. The present work has as a main objective the study of the effect of the ionizing radiation from electron beam in the compatibilization of the polyamide (PA) 6.6 and low density polyethylene (LDPE) 75%/25% wt blend, in the range of applied doses from 50 to 250 kGy. The compatibilization effect was evaluated by mechanical test, which has shown improvement in the tensile strength and hardness properties and a reduction of the impact resistant. This mechanical behavior can be considered as a combination effect of the cross-linking, induced in the molecular structure on the polymers, and the increase of the miscibility of the blend components. The degree of compatibilization was evaluated by the behavior of the glass transition temperatures (Tg) for the blend components obtained by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) measurements. The results have shown that the values of Tg for PA 6.6 and LDPE get near by 8oC, showing that the ionizing radiation have promoted a compatibilization effect on the irradiated blend.

As radiações ionizantes (RI) são amplamente utilizadas na área médica, principalmente para diagnóstico e terapia. Uma vez que a exposição às radiações implica em sérias complicações para a saúde humana e para o meio ambiente, torna-se relevante a compreensão dos mecanismos moleculares que coordenam as respostas em diferentes tipos celulares, especialmente em células normais. A taxa de dose (TD) é um importante fator a ser considerado em radiobiologia, com base em alguns estudos sobre a sua influência nas respostas celulares. Nesse contexto, duas TD distintas (0,5 e 2,0Gy/min) foram testadas para verificar a influência da TD na expressão gênica e protéica em fibroblastos e linfócitos humanos. Fibroblastos primários em estado de confluência foram irradiados com 4Gy e linfócitos com 2 Gy, sob as TDs de 0,5 e 2,0 Gy/min. Em fibroblastos, o RNA foi coletado 6 h após a irradiação, tempo em que foram analisados os níveis de expressão gênica pelo método de microarranjos de cDNA e, para alguns genes de reparo do DNA e algumas proteínas (H2AX, PCNA e FEN1) a expressão foi analisada por qPCR e Western blot, respectivamente, em ambos os tipos celulares, 2 e 6 h após a irradiação. A análise de expressão gênica por microarranjos de cDNA efetuada pelo programa SAM revelou 94 genes (FDR < 0.05) induzidos sob a TD de 0,5 Gy/min. Os principais processos biológicos associados aos genes modulados foram metabolismo, reparo do DNA, apoptose e resposta ao estresse. Por outro lado, 34 genes foram modulados nas células irradiadas sob a taxa de dose de 2,0 Gy/min. Nesta TD, os processos biológicos de maior importância foram: metabolismo, reparo do DNA, replicação, resposta ao estresse e apoptose. Na análise por qPCR, alguns genes de reparo (ERCC1, ERCC3 (ou XPB), XPF, XPA, FEN1) e ATM (sensor de dano) apresentaram uma ampla diferença na modulação gênica detectada em resposta à variação na TD, principalmente nos fibroblastos analisados 2 h após a irradiação. Entretanto, essa diferença foi menor nos linfócitos. Em linfócitos houve um maior número de genes do NER reprimidos relativamente aos fibroblastos, principalmente quando se consideram as células analisadas 2 h após a irradiação, sugerindo que em linfócitos irradiados sob a menor TD, outras vias alternativas de reparo do DNA podem ter ocorrido, possivelmente para lesões do tipo quebra dupla, que são eficientemente induzidas por 2 Gy. A análise protéica de expressão da proteína PCNA indicou que esta se mostrou reprimida nos fibroblastos irradiados com a maior TD, enquanto que a expressão de H2AX nos linfócitos diminuiu 6 h após a irradiação. A proteína PCNA apresentou potencial como um bom indicador dos efeitos de diferentes TDs em fibroblastos irradiados. Em conjunto, os resultados do presente trabalho mostraram uma ampla variedade de processos biológicos envolvidos na resposta ao estresse gerado pela irradiação sob duas diferentes TDs em células humanas (linfócitos e fibroblastos) demonstrando que a TD realmente é capaz de influenciar as respostas celulares em nível transcricional e protéico, o que ainda não foi descrito na literatura. Assim, os resultados constituem informações relevantes que podem contribuir para o esclarecimento das respostas moleculares e vias de sinalização em células normais irradiadas. / Ionizing radiation (IR) has been widely applied in medicine, mainly in diagnosis and therapy purposes. Considering that the exposure to radiation lead to serious complications to human health and environment, it has been relevant to study molecular mechanisms underlying cell responses to gamma-rays in different cell types, especially in normal cells. In radiobiology, dose rate (DR) is an important factor to be taken in account, on the basis of previous results in the literature. In this context, two distinct DR (0.5 and 2.0Gy/min.) were tested aiming to verify the influence of DR on profiles of gene and protein expression displayed by human fibroblasts and lymphocytes. Confluent primary fibroblasts were irradiated with 4Gy and lymphocytes with 2 Gy of -rays, doses delivered at 0.5 and 2.0 Gy/min. RNA was extracted at 6 h post-irradiation for the expression analysis by the cDNA array method in fibroblasts. Few DNA repair genes and proteins (H2AX, PCNA and FEN1) were analyzed by qPCR and Western blot, respectively, in both cell types, at two time-points (2 and 6 h post-irradiation). Results on gene expression were analyzed by the SAM method, which indicated 94 up-regulated genes (False discovery rate < 0.05) at 0.5 Gy/min. The most significant biological processes associated with modulated genes were metabolism, DNA repair, apoptosis signaling and stress response. On the other hand, 34 genes were modulated in cells irradiated at 2.0 Gy/min. (4 up-regulated and 30 down-regulated genes). For such DR, the major biological processes were metabolism, DNA repair, replication, stress response and apoptosis. By using qPCR method, some DNA repair genes (ERCC1, ERCC3 (or XPB), XPF, XPA, FEN1) and ATM (damage sensor) were studied. A wide difference in gene modulation was detected in response to different DR, mainly for fibroblasts analyzed at 2 h post-irradiation. However, this difference was slight in lymphocytes, suggesting that other alternative repair pathways could occurr in irradiated lymphocytes under low TD, possibly in consequence of DNA lesions such as double strand breaks, which are efficiently induced by 2 Gy. Interestingly, the expression of PCNA was down-regulated in fibroblasts irradiated at 2.0 Gy/min, while the expression of H2AX in lymphocytes decreased at both DR 6 h post-irradiation, These findings indicated several biological processes involved in stress responses generated by irradiation at two different DR in human cells. Actually, DR influenced cellular responses at transcriptional and protein levels. These data obtained at molecular level provide relevant information towards clarifying the mechanisms underlying cellular responses displayed by irradiated- normal cells.

Microorganisms control many processes pertinent to the stability of radwaste inventories in nuclear storage and disposal facilities. Furthermore, numerous subsurface bacteria, such as Shewanella spp. have the ability to couple the oxidation of organic matter to the reduction of a range of metals, anions and radionuclides, thus providing the potential for the use of such versatile species in the bioremediation of radionuclide contaminated land. However, the organisms promoting these processes will likely be subject to significant radiation doses. Hence, the impact of acute doses of ionizing radiation on the physiological status of a key Fe(III)-reducing organism, Shewanella oneidensis, was assessed. FT-IR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF-MS suggested that the metabolic response to radiation is underpinned by alterations to proteins and lipids. Multivariate statistical analysis indicated that the phenotypic response was somewhat predictable although dependent upon radiation dose and stage of recovery. In addition to the cellular environment, the impact of radiation on the extracellular environment was also assessed. Gamma radiation activated ferrihydrite and the usually recalcitrant hematite for reduction by S. oneidensis. TEM, SAED and Mössbauer spectroscopy revealed that this was a result of radiation induced changes to crystallinity. Despite these observations, environments exposed to radiation fluxes will be much more complex, with a range of electron acceptors, electron donors and a diverse microbial community. In addition, environmental dose rates will be much lower than those used in previous experiments. Sediment microcosms irradiated over a two month period at chronic dose rates exhibited enhanced Fe(III)-reduction despite receiving potentially lethal doses. The microbial ecology was probed throughout irradiations using pyrosequencing to reveal significant shifts in the microbial communities, dependent on dose and availability of organic electron donors. The radiation tolerance of an algal contaminant of a spent nuclear fuel pond was also assessed. FT-IR spectroscopy revealed a resistant phenotype of Haematococcus pluvialis, whose metabolism may be protected by the radiation induced production of an astaxanthin carotenoid. The experiments of this thesis provide evidence for a range of impacts of ionizing radiation on microorganisms, including the potential for radiation to provide the basis for novel ecosystems. These results have important implications to the long-term storage of nuclear waste and the geomicrobiology of nuclear environments.

Magister Scientiae Dentium - MSc(Dent) / The level of knowledge and the attitude of dentists regarding radiation safety will have a direct impact on patient exposure to radiation. Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of dentists regarding radiation safety in government dental clinics in Khartoum, Sudan. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study using an administered structured questionnaire was carried out. The questionnaire consisted of 13 questions that included the demographic data of dentists, basic knowledge regarding radiation safety, knowledge of methods of dose reduction and the attitude of dentists regarding radiation safety. One hundred and sixty seven dental practitioners participated in the study. Results: The response rate was 90%. The majority were female, 59%, in the age group younger than 29 years with clinical experience less than 10 years. Only fifteen of the respondents identified themselves as specialist. Half of the respondents did not know that the thyroid gland is the most radiosensitive organ in the head and neck region. Forty four percent believed that the dose for panoramic radiography was higher than that for full mouth periapical radiographs. Forty percent had no idea that a relationship exists between the length of the x-ray cone and the amount of the dose and 44% who knew that the relationship existed, failed to explain that the long cone is more effective for reducing the patient dose. Forty seven percent of the respondents had no idea that there is a relationship between the speed of the film and the amount of dose and 44% who knew that the relationship existed, failed to explain that the fast film is more effective for reducing the patient dose. Sixty six percent had no idea that a relationship exists between collimation of the x-ray tube and patient dose. Forty six percent who knew the relationship existed, failed to explain that rectangular collimation is more effective for dose reduction. Seventy two percent of the dentists did not know what a safe distance from the radiation source was. Forty seven percent did not use film holders when taking periapical radiographs. Conclusions: This study clearly illustrates that there is a lack of knowledge regarding radiation safety in dentists in the government dental clinics in Khartoum, Sudan. Therefore there is a need to increase their knowledge regarding methods of radiation dose reduction (to patient) as well as improving their attitude regarding the radiation safety.

付記する学位プログラム名: 充実した健康長寿社会を築く総合医療開発リーダー育成プログラム / 京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第22730号 / 医博第4648号 / 新制||医||1046(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 遊佐 宏介, 教授 溝脇 尚志, 教授 篠原 隆司 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

付記する学位プログラム名: 充実した健康長寿社会を築く総合医療開発リーダー育成プログラム / 京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医科学) / 甲第23114号 / 医科博第125号 / 新制||医科||8(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医科学専攻 / (主査)教授 斎藤 通紀, 教授 篠原 隆司, 教授 滝田 順子 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

Cílem této práce je seznámení se s problematikou detekce ionizujícího záření a jeho detekcí zejména pomocí proporcionálních detektorů a navrhnutí algoritmu pro jejich klasifikaci a jeho následná implementace do FPGA. V první části práce je obecně popsáno, jak jednotlivé typy plynem plněných detektorů fungují. V druhé části je věnován prostor algoritmům pro klasifikaci pulzů, které se objevují v literatuře. Následuje návrh vlastního algoritmu, jeho rozbor a rozebrání výsledků. Ve třetí části následuje popis samotné realizace navrhnutého řešení na platformě RedPitaya. Je zde rozebrána celková architektura navrhnutého systému, detailně popsány jak jednotlivé bloky v logice FPGA, tak i ostatní skripty zajišťující zpracování naměřených výsledků a jejich vizualizaci.

The task of this master´s thesis is to write a theory of radiation sensing, describe the function of GPS and design the measuring system which can measure the radioactive background and these values assigned to the current GPS coordinates.

Radiation is defined as ionizing if it has enough energy to remove electrons from atoms or molecules when it passes through or collides with matter. This ability implies potentially detrimental effects on living tissue. Ionizing radiation shielding is therefore a discipline of great practical importance. The thesis builds upon the author's previous work on the topic and widens the scope of discussion with theoretical and practical issues of advanced shielding calculations. The theoretical part of the thesis describes several approaches to calculating fluence or absorbed dose at an arbitrary point in space. Point-kernel methods provide sufficiently accurate results for simpler shielding problems. In many practical cases, however, calculations based on the transport theory are necessary. There are two basic types of transport calculations: deterministic transport calculations in which the linear Boltzmann equation is solved numerically, and Monte Carlo calculations in which a simulation is made of how particles migrate stochastically through the problem geometry. Advantages and disadvantages of both methods are discussed. In the practical part are the results of radiation shielding calculations performed with a major Monte Carlo code - MCNP6, compared with those obtained in the experiments, which were carried out at the Ionizing Radiation Laboratory at Department of Electrical Power Engeneering, FEEC BUT. The experiments consisted of placing a cobalt-60 radioisotope source at three different positions inside a lead collimator, and counting pulses with two different scintillation detectors positioned in front of the opening of the collimator, alternately with or without lead shield located between the source and the used detector. Agreement of the calculations and the data from the measurements is reasonable, given the inherent uncertainties of the experimental set-up. Performed sensitivity analysis shows relative importances of different parameters used as inputs in simulations, such as densities of materials, or dimensions of the scintillation crystals. Annotated MCNP input files used for simulation are also part of the thesis.