Nuclear Data Evaluation for Mass Chain A=217:Odd-Proton Nuclei.

Thallium (81(217)Tl, Bismuth (83(217)Bi), Astatine (85(217)At), Francium (87(217)Fr), Actinium (89(217)Ac) and Protactinium (91(217)Pa) are of odd-proton numbers among the mass chain A = 217. In the present work, the half-lives and gamma transitions for the six nuclei have been studied and adopted based on the recently published interactions or unevaluated nuclear data sets XUNDL. The Q (α) has been updated based on the recent published work of the Atomic Mass Evaluation AME2012 as well. Moreover, the total conversion electrons as well as the K-Shell to L-Shell, L-Shell to M-Shell and L-Shell to N-Shell Conversion Electron Ratios have been calculated using BrIcc code v2.3. An updated skeleton decay scheme for each of the above nuclei has been presented here. The decay hindrance factors (HF) calculated using the ALPHAD program, which is available from Brookhaven National Laboratory's website, have been calculated for the α- decay data sets for (221)Fr-, (221)Ac- and (221)Pa-α-decays

A skeleton scheme for A = 217: Odd- proton nuclei.

<p>A skeleton scheme for A = 217: Odd- proton nuclei.</p

The complete decay scheme of ²¹⁷At based on the current evaluation.

<p>Gamma transition energy and multipolarities are in blue color, the black lines are for the level energies of ²¹⁷At, whereas, the green color is for the half- lives and red color is for the α- decay properties (E_α, I_α and <i>HF</i>).</p

The complete decay scheme of ²¹⁷Fr based on the current evaluation.

<p>A) the α- decay properties (E_α, I_α and <i>HF</i>) in red color. B) Gamma transition energy is in blue color, the black lines are for the level energies of ²¹⁷ Fr, whereas, the green color is for the half- lives.</p

The complete decay scheme of ²¹⁷Pa based on the current evaluation.

<p>The complete decay scheme of ²¹⁷Pa based on the current evaluation.</p

The complete decay scheme of ²¹⁷Ac based on the current evaluation.

<p>A) the α- decay properties (E_α, I_α and <i>HF</i>) in red color. B) Gamma transition energy is in blue color, the black lines are for the level energies of ²¹⁷ Ac, whereas, the green color is for the half- lives.</p

COMPUTATION OF THE FULL ENERGY PEAK EFFICIENCY OF AN HPGE DETECTOR USING A NEW COMPACT SIMULATION ANALYTICAL APPROACH FOR SPHERICAL SOURCES

The full energy peak efficiency of HPGe detector is computed using a new analytical approach. The approach explains the effect of self-attenuation of the source matrix, the attenuation by the source container and the detector housing materials on the detector efficiency. The experimental calibration process was done using radioactive spherical sources containing aqueous 152Eu radionuclide which produces photons with a wide range of energies from 121 up to 1408 keV. The comparison shows a good agreement between the measured and calculated efficiencies for the detector using spherical sources

Effects of Very Low Dose Fast Neutrons on Cell Membrane And Secondary Protein Structure in Rat Erythrocytes

<div><p>The effects of ionizing radiation on biological cells have been reported in several literatures. Most of them were mainly concerned with doses greater than 0.01 Gy and were also concerned with gamma rays. On the other hand, the studies on very low dose fast neutrons (VLDFN) are rare. In this study, we have investigated the effects of VLDFN on cell membrane and protein secondary structure of rat erythrocytes. Twelve female <i>Wistar</i> rats were irradiated with neutrons of total dose 0.009 Gy (²⁴¹Am-Be, 0.2 mGy/h) and twelve others were used as control. Blood samples were taken at the 0, 4th, 8th, and 12th days postirradiation. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra of rat erythrocytes were recorded. Second derivative and curve fitting were used to analysis FTIR spectra. Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) was used to classify group spectra. The second derivative and curve fitting of FTIR spectra revealed that the most significant alterations in the cell membrane and protein secondary structure upon neutron irradiation were detected after 4 days postirradiation. The increase in membrane polarity, phospholipids chain length, packing, and unsaturation were noticed from the corresponding measured FTIR area ratios. This may be due to the membrane lipid peroxidation. The observed band shift in the CH₂ stretching bands toward the lower frequencies may be associated with the decrease in membrane fluidity. The curve fitting of the amide I revealed an increase in the percentage area of α-helix opposing a decrease in the β-structure protein secondary structure, which may be attributed to protein denaturation. The results provide detailed insights into the VLDFN effects on erythrocytes. VLDFN can cause an oxidative stress to the irradiated erythrocytes, which appears clearly after 4 days postirradiation.</p></div

FTIR spectra second derivative of erythrocytes CH stretching bands.

<p>Second derivative of the average of FTIR rat erythrocytes spectra in the range 3020–2800 cm⁻¹ obtained from the control and irradiated groups at 0, 4, 8, and 12 days postirradiation. Major bands were ν = (CH), νs(CH₃), νs(CH₂), νas(CH₃), and νas(CH₂).</p