Abstract Workers involved in mining and processing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) are potentially exposed to dust containing alpha particle emitters. The objective of this study is to summarize the key impacts of the latest International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) biokinetic model for thorium ore dust intake and to identify model parameters that require further investigation. The dosimetric significance of thorium ore dust exposure has varied widely over time owing to progressive changes in the inhalation dose coefficients. These changes had a significant influence on radiation protection practices in the Western Australian mineral sand industry, including research initiatives and implementation of control measures. Estimated doses to workers exposed to NORM dust have increased because of the most recent ICRP recommendations. Consequently, we highlight the need for future research, especially in relation to appropriate model input parameters specific to the NORM exposure situation and potential studies investigating the health status of past long-term workers.

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Abstract Based on a sample of (2712.4 ± 14.3) × 106 ψ(3686) events collected with the BESIII detector, a partial wave analysis of the decay $$ \psi (3686)\to \Lambda {\overline{\Sigma}}^0{\pi}^0 $$ ψ 3686 → Λ Σ ¯ 0 π 0 + c.c. is performed to investigate Λ* and Σ* resonances in the $$ {\pi}^0{\overline{\Sigma}}^0 $$ π 0 Σ ¯ 0 and π 0Λ invariant mass distributions. Significant contributions are found from the Λ(1405), Λ(1520), Λ(1600), Λ(1670), Λ(1690), Λ(1800), Λ(1890), Λ(2325), Σ(1385), Σ(1660), Σ(1670), Σ(1750), and Σ(1910). The masses, widths, and production branching fractions for each component are determined. In addition, the branching fraction of $$ \psi (3686)\to \Lambda {\overline{\Sigma}}^0{\pi}^0 $$ ψ 3686 → Λ Σ ¯ 0 π 0 + c.c. is measured to be (1.544 ± 0.013 ± 0.071) × 10 −4 for the first time, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic.

• Book : 2025(2)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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In this study, a particle image velocimetry (PIV) system was used in a large circulating water tank to investigate the wake of a horizontal-axis tidal turbine model, focusing on minor blockage effects and scale influence. A wake map of the turbine was constructed based on PIV measurements, using velocity deficit, turbulence intensity (TI), and turbulence kinetic energy (TKE) as key indicators. The results showed that TKE developed later than TI, forming a plateau-like shape. This plateau was considered the decay region, with the transition and far-wake regions located before and after it, respectively. Additionally, the power law exponent of TI decreased from −0.731 in the decay region to −0.765 in the far wake, indicating a steeper decay further downstream. Overall, the wake map of the tidal stream turbine model exhibited similarities to that of a previously reported wind turbine model.

• Book : 18(7)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.1870-1870
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Abstract Introduction: This systematic review evaluates various studies on deep learning algorithms for generating synthetic CT images from MRI data, focusing on challenges in image quality and accuracy in current synthetic CT generation methods. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly important in clinical settings due to its detailed visualization and noninvasive nature, making it a valuable tool for advancing patient care and identifying new areas for research. Materials and Methods: In this study we conducted a thorough search across several databases to identify studies published between January 2009 and January 2024 on using deep learning to generate synthetic CT (sCT) images from MRI for radiotherapy. The review focused on peer-reviewed, English-language studies and excluded unpublished, non-English, and irrelevant studies. Data on deep learning methods, input modalities, and anatomical sites were extracted and analyzed using a result-based synthesis approach. The review categorized 84 studies by anatomical site, following PRISMA guidelines for summarizing the findings. Results: The U-Net model is the most frequently used deep learning model for generating synthetic CT images from MRI data, with 34 articles highlighting its effectiveness in capturing fine details, Conditional GANs are also widely used, while Cycle-GANs and Pix2pix are effective in image translation tasks. Significant differences in performance metrics, such as MAE and PSNR, were observed across anatomical regions and models, highlighting the variability in accuracy among different deep learning approaches. Conclusion: This review underscores the need for continued refinement and standardization in deep learning approaches for medical imaging to address variability in performance metrics across anatomical regions and models.

• Book : 31(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.20-38
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The radiation chemistry and physics of solid N2O have been increasingly studied due to its potential presence on the surfaces of cold, outer Solar System bodies. However, to date, no study has investigated systematically the influence of temperature on this chemistry and physics. In this present study, crystalline N2O ices were irradiated using 2 keV electrons at five different temperatures in the 20–60 K range and the radiolytic dissociation of the molecular solid (as well as the radiolytic formation of seven product molecules) was quantified through the G-value. Our results indicate that temperature does indeed play a role in the radiolytic destruction of crystalline N2O, with higher temperatures being associated with higher destruction G-values. The formation G-values of NO, NO2, N2O2, N2O3, N2O4, N2O5, and O3 were also noted to vary with temperature, with each product molecule exhibiting a distinct trend. The applications of our experimental results to further understanding solid-phase radiation chemistry in the outer Solar System are discussed.

• Book : 51(4)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.412-425
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Introduction: Augmented reality (AR) technology has existed for decades but is not commonly used in spine surgery. Studies have found AR to have a good safety profile and workflow advantages over robotic navigation in pedicle screw placement. This study evaluates the safety and accuracy of AR navigation with S2 alar-iliac (S2AI) screw placement, an area with challenging surgical anatomy and little published research. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on patients undergoing spine surgery involving the S2AI corridor between November 2022 and September 2024 at two large academic medical centers. Patient and screw information was collected, and radiographs and CT scans were analyzed for screw safety and accuracy. Results: All 70 screws analyzed fully penetrated the sacroiliac joint with only one screw breaching the pelvis medially and no screws breaching the greater sciatic notch. No complications were found in the S2AI corridor. Conclusion: The S2AI corridor contains high-risk neurovasculature. Studies have demonstrated the superiority of robotic navigation over freehand navigation in this area. AR is noninferior to robotic navigation. AR, however, has radiation exposure, workflow, and training advantages over robotic navigation. Future work should investigate patient-reported outcomes, cost-benefit, and learning curve.

• Book : 9(4)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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Abstract. This paper presents the results of three weeks of aerosol sampling at the Henties Bay coastal site in Namibia during the Aerosols, Radiation and Clouds in southern Africa (AEROCLO-sA) field campaign in August–September 2017. The campaign coincided with a transition period between two synoptic regimes and corresponded to a significant change in the aerosol composition measured at the site and in particular of that of mineral dust. During August, the dust was natural windblown from the southerly gravel plains with a composition consistent with that previously observed in Namibia. In September, the dust was fugitive from anthropogenic mining and possibly minor contribution of smelting emissions in northern Namibia or as far as the Copper Belt in Zambia, one of the regional hotspot of pollution. Chemical analysis of filter samples highlights the difference in elemental composition, in particular heavy metals, such as As, Cu, Cd, Pb, and Zn, but also silicon, in the anthropogenic dust. The metal solubility of the natural dust was higher, including that of iron. In addition to the higher content of iron oxides and the larger size of particles in the anthropogenic dust, we found that the iron solubility, and, more in general, the metals’ solubility, correlated to the high concentrations of fluoride ion which are attributed to marine emissions from the Namibian shelf. These results highlight in a renewed manner the importance of ocean-atmosphere exchanges affecting both the atmospheric composition and the marine biogeochemistry in the Benguela region.

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Abstract. Stratospheric water vapor is an important greenhouse gas, which affects the radiation balance and temperature structure of the stratosphere and troposphere. Although previous studies have investigated the water vapor variability associated with the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), the seasonal difference in the water vapor QBO are still not well understood. Using the ERA5 reanalysis and SWOOSH observations, this study compares the stratospheric water vapor distribution in northern winter and summer under different QBO phases. The water vapor and zonal winds are positively correlated in the mid-to-lower stratosphere; however this relationship weakens in the northern summer. The mean vertical transport term via the QBO related residual circulation is the leading factor controlling the water vapor distribution in most of the stratosphere. This dynamic transport of water vapor in the lower stratosphere by the residual circulation is larger in boreal winter than in summer. Further, the dehydration effect by cold temperature in the lower stratosphere is also more effective in boreal winter than in summer. Tropical deep convection exhibits opposite variations for a given QBO phase in boreal winter versus summer especially over the Indo-Pacific Oceans. This further enhances the temperature difference between the QBO easterly and westerly phases in winter and reduces the temperature contrast in summer. It is still a challenge for models to reproduce the water vapor QBO: CMIP6 models tend to underestimate the water vapor QBO amplitude, and the seasonal contrast in the water vapor QBO between boreal winter and summer is underrepresented in most models.

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