Combined Effect of Dietary Cadmium and Benzo(a)pyrene on Metallothionein Induction and Apoptosis in the Liver and Kidneys of Bank Voles

Bank voles free living in a contaminated environment have been shown to be more sensitive to cadmium (Cd) toxicity than the rodents exposed to Cd under laboratory conditions. The objective of this study was to find out whether benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), a common environmental co-contaminant, increases Cd toxicity through inhibition of metallothionein (MT) synthesis—a low molecular weight protein that is considered to be primary intracellular component of the protective mechanism. For 6 weeks, the female bank voles were provided with diet containing Cd [less than 0.1 μg/g (control) and 60 μg/g dry wt.] and BaP (0, 5, and 10 μg/g dry wt.) alone or in combination. At the end of exposure period, apoptosis and analyses of MT, Cd, and zinc (Zn) in the liver and kidneys were carried out. Dietary BaP 5 μg/g did not affect but BaP 10 μg/g potentiated rather than inhibited induction of hepatic and renal MT by Cd, and diminished Cd-induced apoptosis in both organs. The hepatic and renal Zn followed a pattern similar to that of MT, attaining the highest level in the Cd + BaP 10-μg/g group. These data indicate that dietary BaP attenuates rather than exacerbates Cd toxicity in bank voles, probably by potentiating MT synthesis and increasing Zn concentration in the liver and kidneys

The sensibility of resistance sensor structures with graphene to the action of selected gaseous media

The paper presents resistance sensor structures with a graphene sensing layer. The structures were tested concerning their sensitivity to the affects of hydrogen, nitrogen dioxide and steam in an atmosphere of a synthetic air. Investigations have proved that resistance structures with a graphene layer are sensitive to the presence of the tested gases. The resistance of the structures amounted to about 10Ω, whereas changes in the resistances affected by the external gaseous medium were contained within the range of a several mΩ. The investigations confirmed that the resistance structures with graphene exposed to the affect of hydrogen in atmosphere of synthetic air change their resistances practically at once (within the order of only a few seconds). This indicates that such structures might be practically applied in sensors of hydrogen ensuring a short time of response

The sensibility of resistance sensor structures with graphene to the action of selected gaseous media

The paper presents resistance sensor structures with a graphene sensing layer. The structures were tested concerning their sensitivity to the affects of hydrogen, nitrogen dioxide and steam in an atmosphere of a synthetic air. Investigations have proved that resistance structures with a graphene layer are sensitive to the presence of the tested gases. The resistance of the structures amounted to about 10Ω, whereas changes in the resistances affected by the external gaseous medium were contained within the range of a several mΩ. The investigations confirmed that the resistance structures with graphene exposed to the affect of hydrogen in atmosphere of synthetic air change their resistances practically at once (within the order of only a few seconds). This indicates that such structures might be practically applied in sensors of hydrogen ensuring a short time of response

The Influence of Humidity on the Resistance Structures with Graphene Sensor Layer

In the paper the results of investigations are presented concerning the influence of humidity of air on the resistance of a gas sensor structure with a graphene layer. The affects of nitrogen dioxide and humidity action on graphene were studied. We indicated that humidity might play an important role in determining the gas sensing properties of the graphene layer. In the paper it has been shown that in the case of a nitrogen oxide sensor, the reaction of $NO_2$ with water vapour can generate permanent defects in graphene

The Influence of Humidity on the Resistance Structures with Graphene Sensor Layer

In the paper the results of investigations are presented concerning the influence of humidity of air on the resistance of a gas sensor structure with a graphene layer. The affects of nitrogen dioxide and humidity action on graphene were studied. We indicated that humidity might play an important role in determining the gas sensing properties of the graphene layer. In the paper it has been shown that in the case of a nitrogen oxide sensor, the reaction of $NO_2$ with water vapour can generate permanent defects in graphene

REFLECT – Research flight of EURADOS and CRREAT: Intercomparison of various radiation dosimeters onboard aircraft

Aircraft crew are one of the groups of radiation workers which receive the highest annual exposure to ionizing radiation. Validation of computer codes used routinely for calculation of the exposure due to cosmic radiation and the observation of nonpredictable changes in the level of the exposure due to solar energetic particles, requires continuous measurements onboard aircraft. Appropriate calibration of suitable instruments is crucial, however, for the very complex atmospheric radiation field there is no single reference field covering all particles and energies involved. Further intercomparisons of measurements of different instruments under real flight conditions are therefore indispensable. In November 2017, the REFLECT (REsearch FLight of EURADOS and CRREAT) was carried out. With a payload comprising more than 20 different instruments, REFLECT represents the largest campaign of this type ever performed. The instruments flown included those already proven for routine dosimetry onboard aircraft such as the Liulin Si-diode spectrometer and tissue equivalent proportional counters, as well as newly developed detectors and instruments with the potential to be used for onboard aircraft measurements in the future. This flight enabled acquisition of dosimetric data under well-defined conditions onboard aircraft and comparison of new instruments with those routinely used. As expected, dosimeters routinely used for onboard aircraft dosimetry and for verification of calculated doses such as a tissue equivalent proportional counter or a silicon detector device like Liulin agreed reasonable with each other as well as with model calculations. Conventional neutron rem counters underestimated neutron ambient dose equivalent, while extended-range neutron rem counters provided results comparable to routinely used instruments. Although the responses of some instruments, not primarily intended for the use in a very complex mixed radiation field such as onboard aircraft, were as somehow expected to be different, the verification of their suitability was one of the objectives of the REFLECT. This campaign comprised a single short flight. For further testing of instruments, additional flights as well as comparison at appropriate reference fields are envisaged. The REFLECT provided valuable experience and feedback for validation of calculated aviation doses