Structure, Mössbauer, electrical, and γ-ray attenuation-properties of magnesium zinc ferrite synthesized co-precipitation method

For technical and radioprotection causes, it has become essential to find new trends of smart materials which used as protection from ionizing radiation. To overcome the undesirable properties in lead aprons and provide the proper or better shielding properties against ionizing radiation, the tendency is now going to use ferrite as a shielding material. The co-precipitation method was utilized to prevent any foreign phases in the investigated MZN nano-ferrite. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) methods were used to analyze the manufactured sample. As proven by XRD and FTIR, the studied materials have their unique spinel phase with cubic structure Fd3m space group. The DC resistivity of Mg–Zn ferrite was carried out in the temperature range (77–295 K), and its dependence on temperature indicates that there are different charge transport mechanisms. The Mössbauer spectra analysis confirmed that the ferrimagnetic to superparamagnetic phase transition behaviour depends on Zn concentration. The incorporation of Zn to MZF enhanced the nano-ferrite density, whereas the addition of different Zn-oxides reduced the density for nano-ferrite samples. This variation in density changed the radiation shielding results. The sample containing high Zn (MZF-0.5) gives us better results in radiation shielding properties at low gamma, so this sample is superior in shielding results for charged particles at low energy. Finally, the possibility to use MZN nano-ferrite with various content in different ionizing radiation shielding fields can be concluded. © 2022, The Author(s).PNURSP2022R173This work was funded by Princess Nourah bint, Abdulrahman University, Research Supporting Project number (PNURSP2022R173) Princess Nourah bint, Abdulrahman University Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Distribution of Radionuclides and Radiological Health Assessment in Seih-Sidri Area, Southwestern Sinai

The current contribution goal is to measure the distribution of the radionuclide within the exposed rock units of southwestern Sinai, Seih-Sidri area, and assess the radiological risk. Gneisses, older granites, younger gabbro, younger granites, and post granitic dikes (pegmatites) are the main rock units copout in the target area. Radioactivity, as well as radiological implications, were investigated for forty-three samples from gneisses (seven hornblende biotite gneiss and seven biotite gneiss), older granites (fourteen samples), and younger granites (fifteen samples of syenogranites) using NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. External and internal hazard index (Hex, Hin), internal and external level indices (Iα, Iγ), absorbed dose rates in the air (D), the annual effective dose equivalent (AED), radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose (AGDE), excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR), and the value of Upper Continental Core 232Th/238U mass fractions were determined from the obtained values of 238U, 232Th and 40K for the examined rocks of Seih-Sidri area. The average 238U mg/kg in hornblende biotite gneiss and biotite gneiss, older granites, and syenogranites is 2.3, 2.1, 2.7, and 8.4 mg/kg, respectively, reflecting a relatively higher concentration of uranium content in syenogranites. The results suggest that using these materials may pose risks to one’s radiological health. © 2022 by the authors.PNURSP2022R173; Universitatea 'Dunărea de Jos' Galați, UDJGConceptualization, M.S.K.; data curation, M.S.K., E.S.R.L., A.E., H.A.A. and H.M.H.Z.; formal analysis, M.S.K., E.S.R.L., A.E., H.A.A. and H.M.H.Z.; funding acquisition, A.E., G.A.A. and H.M.H.Z.; investigation, M.S.K., E.S.R.L., A.E., H.A.A. and H.M.H.Z.; methodology, M.S.K., E.S.R.L., A.E., M.A.M.U., H.A.A., S.A.M.I. and H.M.H.Z.; project administration, A.E. and H.M.H.Z.; resources, M.S.K., E.S.R.L. and H.M.H.Z.; software, A.E. and H.M.H.Z.; supervision, A.E. and H.M.H.Z.; validation, G.A.A., M.S.K., E.S.R.L., M.A.M.U., H.A.A., S.A.M.I. and H.M.H.Z.; visualization, H.M.H.Z.; writing—original draft, M.S.K., E.S.R.L., A.E., H.A.A. and H.M.H.Z.; writing—review and editing, G.A.A., M.S.K., E.S.R.L., A.E., M.A.M.U., S.A.M.I., H.A.A. and H.M.H.Z. The researcher H.A.A. is funded by a scholarship under the Joint (Executive Program between Egypt and Russia). All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript

An In-Depth Examination of the Natural Radiation and Radioactive Dangers Associated with Regularly Used Medicinal Herbs

The specific activity of U-238 and Th-232, as well as K-40 radionuclides, in twenty-nine investigated medicinal herbs used in Egypt has been measured using a high-purity germanium (HP Ge) detector. The measured values ranged from the BDL to 20.71 ± 1.52 with a mean of 7.25 ± 0.54 (Bq kg−1) for uranium-238, from the BDL to 29.35 ± 1.33 with a mean of 7.78 ± 0.633 (Bq kg−1) for thorium-232, and from 172 ± 5.85 to 1181.2 ± 25.5 with a mean of 471.4 ± 11.33 (Bq kg−1) for potassium-40. Individual herbs with the highest activity levels were found to be 20.71 ± 1.52 (Bq kg−1) for uranium-238 (H4, Thyme herb), 29.35 ± 1.33 (Bq kg−1) for thorium-232 (H20, Cinnamon), and 1181.2 ± 25.5 (Bq kg−1) for potassium-40 (H24, Worm-wood). (AACED) Ingestion-related effective doses over the course of a year of uranium-238 and thorium-232, as well as potassium-40 estimated from measured activity concentrations, are 0.002304 ± 0.00009 (minimum), 0.50869 ± 0.0002 (maximum), and 0.0373 ± 0.0004 (average)(mSv/yr). Radium equivalent activity (Raeq), annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE), absorbed gamma dose rate (Doutdoor, Dindoor), gamma representative level index (I), annual effective dose (AEDtotal), external and internal hazard index (Hex, Hin), and excess lifetime cancer risk were determined in medicinal plants (ELCR). The radiological hazards assessment revealed that the investigated plant species have natural radioactivity levels that are well within the internationally recommended limit. This is the first time that the natural radioactivity of therapeutic plants has been measured in Egypt. In addition, no artificial radionuclide (for example, 137Cs) was discovered in any of the samples. Therefore, the current findings are intended to serve as the foundation for establishing a standard safety and guideline for using these therapeutic plants in Egypt. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.PNURSP2022R173This work was funded by Princess Nourah bint, Abdulrahman University, Research Supporting Project number (PNURSP2022R173) Princess Nourah bint, Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Identification of isomeric states in the N=73 neutron-deficient nuclei 132Pr and 130La

Decays from isomeric states in the neutron-deficient N=73 nuclei 132Pr and 130La have been observed for the first time. Half-lives of 486(70) ns and 2.46(4) μs were measured for two isomeric states in 132Pr. The decay from the 486 ns (8‑) isomer has been interpreted as a hindered E1 transition from the bandhead state of the excited πh11/2⊗νg7/2 configuration. The decay from the 2.5 μs (8+) isomer is consistent with the Weisskopf estimate for a low-energy E2 transition. An analogous 0.74(3) μs decay from an (8+) isomer in the neighboring isotone 130La has also been observed which similarly can be explained if the transition has E2 character. The Weisskopf interpretation for the isomer hindrance is strengthened by the lack of evidence for shape or K isomerism due to the γ-soft shapes predicted by configuration-constrained potential-energy-surface calculations

Identification of isomeric states in the N=73 neutron-deficient nuclei 132Pr and 130La

Decays from isomeric states in the neutron-deficient N=73 nuclei 132Pr and 130La have been observed for the first time. Half-lives of 486(70) ns and 2.46(4) μs were measured for two isomeric states in 132Pr. The decay from the 486 ns (8‑) isomer has been interpreted as a hindered E1 transition from the bandhead state of the excited πh11/2⊗νg7/2 configuration. The decay from the 2.5 μs (8+) isomer is consistent with the Weisskopf estimate for a low-energy E2 transition. An analogous 0.74(3) μs decay from an (8+) isomer in the neighboring isotone 130La has also been observed which similarly can be explained if the transition has E2 character. The Weisskopf interpretation for the isomer hindrance is strengthened by the lack of evidence for shape or K isomerism due to the γ-soft shapes predicted by configuration-constrained potential-energy-surface calculations

Proton emission from an oblate nucleus 151Lu

none31noneM.G. Procter;D.M. Cullen;M.J. Taylor;G.A. Alharshan;L.S. Ferreira;E. Maglione;K. Auranen;T. Grahn;P.T. Greenlees;U. Jakobsson;R. Julin;A. Herzáň;J. Konki;M. Leino;J. Pakarinen;J. Partanen;P. Peura;P. Rahkila;P. Ruotsalainen;M. Sandzelius;J. Sarén;S. Stolze;C. Scholey;J. Sorri;J. Uusitalo;T. Braunroth;E. Ellinger;A. Dewald;D.T. Joss;C. McPeake;B. SaygiM. G., Procter; D. M., Cullen; M. J., Taylor; G. A., Alharshan; L. S., Ferreira; Maglione, Enrico; K., Auranen; T., Grahn; P. T., Greenlees; U., Jakobsson; R., Julin; A., Herzáň; J., Konki; M., Leino; J., Pakarinen; J., Partanen; P., Peura; P., Rahkila; P., Ruotsalainen; M., Sandzelius; J., Sarén; S., Stolze; C., Scholey; J., Sorri; J., Uusitalo; T., Braunroth; E., Ellinger; A., Dewald; D. T., Joss; C., Mcpeake; B., Sayg