Effect of Virtual-Reality-Based Training on Emotions of Medical Students Undertaking Radiation Emergency Medicine: An Educational Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: Integration of head-mounted virtual reality (VR) devices has been revolutionary in health professions education. In disaster preparedness training, VR simulation-based learning exposes health care professionals to the unique challenges of diverse scenarios, enhancing their adaptability. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a head-mounted VR tool for teaching basic radiation emergency medicine skills to medical students. METHODS: The participants were 64 medical students (5th-year) who underwent a 3-hour training session in radiation emergency medicine that was conducted via head-mounted VR devices. Students scored their perceived emotion, performance, and self-efficacy at various time points in a self-reported online questionnaire. RESULTS: Comparison of survey responses before and after the session showed significant differences in terms of neutral emotion (P = 0.011), negative activating emotions (P < 0.001), and negative deactivating emotions (P = 0.004). The post-hoc test revealed statistically significant differences in negative activating emotions between before and during (P < 0.05), and between before and after (P < 0.05) the VR simulation. In addition, negative deactivation and neutral emotions changed significantly after the simulation. CONCLUSIONS: The use of head-mounted VR devices was effective in modulating medical students' emotions and contributed to improving their perceived performance in radiation emergency medicine.

Impacts of soil type and drought stress on growth and cesium accumulation in Napier grass.

In our previous study, the decontamination efficiency of cesium-137 (137Cs) by Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) in the field was shown to be variable and often influenced by natural environmental factors. To elucidate the factors influencing this variable 137Cs-decontamination efficiency, we investigated the influences of soil type and drought stress on Cs accumulation using cesium-133 (133Cs) in Napier grass grown in plastic containers. The experiment was performed using two soil types (Soil A and B) and three different soil moisture conditions: well-watered control (CL), slight drought stress (SD), and moderate drought stress (MD). Overall, our results indicate that soil type and drought have a significant impact on plant growth and 133Cs accumulation in Napier grass. Plant height (PH), tiller number (TN), leaf width (Wleaf), and dry matter weight of aboveground parts (DWabove) and root parts (DWroot) in Soil B were greater than those in Soil A. Drought stress negatively affected chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (maximal quantum efficiency of photosystem (PS) II photochemistry and potential activity of PS II), PH, TN, Wleaf, DWabove, DWroot, and total 133Cs content (TCs), but it had a positive effect on 133Cs concentration. The 133Cs concentration in the aboveground parts (Csabove) was increased by MD approximately 1.62-fold in Soil A and 1.11-fold in Soil B compared to each CL counterpart. The TCs in the aboveground parts (TCsabove) decreased due to drought by approximately 19.9%-39.0% in Soil A and 49.9%-62.7% in Soil B; however, there was no significant effect on TCsabove due to soil type. The results of this study indicate that soil moisture is a key factor in maintaining Napier grass 137Cs-decontamination efficiency.

Calibration experiments for radon in drinking water measurements using portable-type electrostatic-collection radon monitors.

Portable-type electrostatic-collection radon monitors (RAD7) are often used for in-situ measurements of radon in water. In this study, we evaluated the calibration factors and their uncertainties for two RAD7 monitors based on comparative measurements with the liquid scintillation counting method. In the first experiment, we found that both RAD7 monitors had relatively large uncertainties due to leakage of radon gas that bubbled from the gaps between the lids of the desiccant container and the glass vial. Therefore, for the second experiment, these gaps were closed as much as possible using parafilm and clay, respectively. As a result, the relative uncertainties for both RAD7 monitors were significantly decreased. Furthermore, we collected spring water samples to confirm the reliability of radon concentrations. After closing the leakage point, the uncertainty of radon concentrations in spring water we measured using the typical protocol of the RAD7 were significantly lower, which improves the measurement.

Effect of drought stress or soil pH on cesium accumulation in Napier grass.

Radio-cesium (Cs) decontamination efficiency by plants is supposedly affected by environmental conditions. To elucidate the factors influencing the unstable 137Cs-decontamination efficiency, we first examined the influence of drought or soil pH on Cs accumulation using cesium-133 (133Cs) using Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) grown under pot conditions. The experiment was performed on three different conditions with 150 µM 133Cs applied to soil: low pH (L-pH, pH = 5.6 ± 0.0), near-neutral pH (N-pH, pH = 6.6 ± 0.1), and the combination of low pH and drought stress (Drought). Drought stress had prominent negative effects on plant height, aboveground dry matter weight (DWabove), 133Cs concentrations in aboveground or root (Csabove or Csroot) parts, or 133Cs total content in the part aboveground (Cs-T). 133Cs concentration and total content in Drought conditions were reduced by 44.1% and 60.0% aboveground and 63.6% and 66.0% in root parts compared with counterpart normal soil moisture conditions (L-pH), respectively. Conversely, there were no significant effects of soil pH on Csabove, Csroot, or Cs-T in L-pH and N-pH conditions. Chlorophyll fluorescence parameters (Fv/Fm, Fv/F0) and the temperature in leaves were negatively affected by drought stress or soil pH conditions. From our results, drought strongly influenced plant growth and Cs accumulation in plants compared with soil acidity. Therefore, soil moisture appears to be a significant factor in maintaining 137Cs-decontamination efficiency by Napier grass.

SPECIATION OF CESIUM ISOTOPES IN RIVER WATER: A CASE STUDY IN THE UKEDO RIVER.

137Cs in river systems can be taken up by aquatic animals. In this paper, total 137Cs concentration in the Ukedo River system and 137Cs presence in dissolved, acid-soluble and -insoluble fractions in river water samples were determined. Total 137Cs concentration had the maximum value of 2.08 Bq kg-1 below the Ogaki Dam in May 2012. In the base flow condition, > 87% of 137Cs existed in the dissolved state, and the acid-soluble state and the insoluble state were <13% and the undetectable level, respectively. After the heavy rain event, the particulate fraction (acid-soluble state + insoluble state) was elevated to 65%, which corresponds to twice as much as that in the base flow condition. Particulate 137Cs, especially the acid-soluble Cs, can play a role when taken into the food chain in aquatic ecosystems.

INFLUENCE OF SAMPLING FLOW RATE ON THORON EXHALATION RATE MEASUREMENTS BY THE CIRCULATION METHOD.

Researchers have used various methods to obtain the exhalation rates of radon and thoron from soil and building materials. One of the typical methods for radon exhalation rate is the circulation method using an accumulation container, an external or internal sampling pump and a continuous radon monitor. However, it is necessary to consider sampling flow rate if this method is applied to exhalation rate measurement for thoron due to its short half-life. Based on a calibration experiment, the measured thoron concentrations obtained by an electrostatic collection type radon and thoron monitor (RAD7) were found to be influenced strongly by the sampling flow rate. It was also found that the thoron exhalation rate from a soil sample depended on the pressure difference which was proportional to the increasing sampling flow rate. The thoron exhalation rate measured at the generally used sampling flow rate of the internal sampling pump of the RAD7 was overestimated compared with the value at 0 L min-1.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL SCINTILLATION COCKTAILS FOR LOW-LEVEL TRITIUM COUNTING BY HIGH-CAPACITY LIQUID SCINTILLATION COUNTER.

Low-background liquid scintillation counter is one of the popular measuring instruments used to investigate tritium radioactivity in environmental media. These instruments require the liquid sample and organic solvent to be mixed for tritium measurement. In the European Union, the registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemicals regulation was established to control the use of chemical substances of very high concern. It is important to find continuously available alternative reagents. In this paper, a performance evaluation was conducted using four scintillation cocktails according to Japanese conventional procedure; although one of them, Gold Star LT2, contains nonylphenol ethoxylate, it will continue to be available for research and development. From the evaluation results it was confirmed that Gold Star LT2 would be a satisfactory alternative scintillator, which is similar performance of Ultima Gold LLT.

Multiple Evaluation of Typical Heavy Metals Pollution in Surface Soil and Road Dust from Beijing and Hebei Province, China.

Soil and road dust are important receptors of heavy metals in the environment. Meanwhile, heavy metal could transfer to the atmosphere through resuspension. Due to the serious consequences and atmospheric haze in Jing-Jin-Ji area, it's important to evaluate the pollution level, particle size distribution and sources of heavy metals. For heavy metals in soil samples, similar concentrations to the background values and no obvious pollution or low-level pollution was presented. Higher concentration of Cu (78.9 mg/kg) and Zn (261 mg/kg) were found in road dust. The source appointment results showed that Mn, Co, Cr, Ni, Zn and Pb in soils and Cr, Co and Mn in road dust were mainly from the natural sources, while traffic source contributed to most of Cu, Zn and Pb in road dust. Different particle size distribution patterns were found in soils and road dusts, and the finest particles presented the highest heavy metal concentrations.

Using neodymium isotope ratio in Ruditapes philippinarum shells for tracking the geographical origin.

Geographical traceability of marine bivalves is becoming increasingly important to assure their quality and to defend the interest of consumers and producers. This study verifies the neodymium isotopic ratio (143Nd/144Nd) in Ruditapes philippinarum shells as a tracer of the geographic origin, based on the geochemical aspect that 143Nd/144Nd of their habitats strongly depends on the geology of its catchment areas. The 143Nd/144Nd ratios of clam shells from the Japanese and Chinese coastal areas displayed a heterogeneous pattern from local to international scales, reflecting the geological age of the catchment area. The blind test suggested that a part of Manila clam was sold with mislabeling in the Japanese market, demonstrating the high potential of 143Nd/144Nd to unmask the fraud labeling in a food market. Our findings emphasize the potential of 143Nd/144Nd as a tracer for the geographical origin of marine bivalves, and also as a strong deterrent against mislabeling.

222Rn and 226Ra Concentrations in Spring Water and Their Dose Assessment Due to Ingestion Intake.

222Rn and 226Ra concentrations of less than a few to several thousands of Bq L-1 have been observed in several underground bodies of water around the world. Although regulations for these concentrations in water have been implemented internationally, there are currently no regulations in place in Japan. However, concentrations that exceed these internationally recognized regulatory values have also been observed in Japan. In this study, concentrations in spring water in the northern part of Japan were measured and the effective dose from intake of the water was evaluated. 222Rn concentrations were measured using a liquid scintillation counter, and 226Ra concentrations were measured using a high purity germanium detector after chemical preparation. The measured 222Rn concentrations (=12.7 ± 6.1 Bq L-1) and 226Ra concentrations (<0.019-0.022 Bq L-1) did not exceed the reference values set by international and European/American organizations. A conservative estimate of the annual effective ingestion dose of 8 µSv for 222Rn and 226Ra obtained in this study is much smaller than the estimated overall annual effective dose of 2.2 mSv from natural radiation to the Japanese population. However, this dosage accounts for 8% of the WHO individual dosing criteria of 0.1 mSv/year for drinking water.

Heavy Metal Assessments of Soil Samples from a High Natural Background Radiation Area, Indonesia.

Mamuju, Indonesia, is an area with high natural background radiation. This study assesses heavy metal content in soil samples from this area to determine the level of public and environmental hazard it presents. This study analyzes natural radionuclide elements using high purity germanium (HPGe) gamma spectrometry and performs heavy metals analysis using a flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Moreover, pollution indices and descriptive analyses were used to assess heavy metal contamination in the environment and the correlation between heavy metals and radionuclides. The results demonstrate that soil samples in several areas of Mamuju contain a high concentration of the natural radionuclides 226Ra and 232Th, and that heavy metal concentrations in the soil decrease in the sequence Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > Cd. This study revealed that soil samples from Mamuju are moderately contaminated. There was a strong positive relationship between 226Ra, 232Th, ambient dose equivalent rate, and Pb. Ecological risk index (RI) and cumulative pollution index (IPI) values in Mamuju are 2.05 and 125, respectively, which are possible hazards to human health as a result. Pb concentration in the Mamuju soil samples ranged from 109 to 744 mg kg-1, exceeding the worldwide average of 27 mg kg-1.

Assessment of chromosome aberrations in large Japanese field mice (Apodemus speciosus) in Namie Town, Fukushima.

PURPOSE: After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in Japan on March 11 2011, the surroundings became contaminated with radionuclides. To understand the possible biological effects after chronic low dose-rate radiation in contaminated areas of Fukushima, we assessed the effects in large Japanese field mice (Apodemus speciosus) by means of chromosome aberration analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected A. speciosus in five sites around Namie Town, Fukushima (contaminated areas) and in two sites in Hirosaki City, Aomori (control areas, 350 km north of FDNPP) from autumn 2011 to 2013. The number of mice captured and ambient dose-rates were as follows: high (n = 11, 10.1-30.0 µGy h-1), moderate (n = 10, 5.7-15.6 µGy h-1), low (n = 12, 0.23-1.14 µGy h-1) and control (n = 20, 0.04-0.07 µGy h-1). After spleen extraction from rodents, spleen cell culture was performed to obtain metaphase spreads. Chromosome aberrations were assessed on Giemsa-stained metaphase spreads. RESULTS: Although the mice in the contaminated areas were chronically exposed, there was no radiation-specific chromosome aberrations observed, such as dicentric chromosomes and rings. Some structural aberrations such as gaps and breaks were observed, and these frequencies decreased annually in mice from Namie Town. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that chromosome aberration analysis is useful to evaluate and monitor radiation effects in wild animals.

Support activities in Namie Town, Fukushima undertaken by Hirosaki University.

This paper does not necessarily reflect the views of the International Commission on Radiological Protection.Several radiation monitoring research projects are underway on dose assessment, biological analysis, and risk communication under an agreement with Namie Town. Indoor radon and thoron progeny concentrations have been measured using passive-type monitors to estimate internal doses due to inhalation. In addition, airborne radiocaesium concentrations at five points in Namie Town have been analysed using a high-purity germanium detector to estimate internal doses for comparison with radon. External radiation doses from natural and artificial radionuclides have also been estimated using an in-situ gamma-ray spectrometer. Other support activities are mentioned briefly in this article.

Determination of Nd isotopic composition in seawater using newly developed solid phase extraction and MC-ICP-MS.

Determination of neodymium (Nd) isotopic composition in seawater is useful for tracing water masses and geochemical cycles for lithogenic elements in the ocean. A new separation procedure for determination of the Nd isotopic composition of in seawater samples was developed that offers enhanced sample throughput and improved measurement reliability. The procedure consists of conventional Fe hydroxide coprecipitation, solid phase extraction using DGA chelating resin column chromatography, and Ln Resin column chromatography to preconcentrate samples. High selectivity in HNO3 medium and elution by low concentration HCl medium for Nd are characteristics of extraction using DGA Resin®, and they allowed an evaporation step to be omitted between the chromatographic steps. These chromatographic steps, using DGA Resin to separate REEs and Ln Resin® to remove Sm, were refined from a previous study. The procedural blank value of Nd was obtained as 2 pg (n = 6) from 3 L of water samples. Chemical yield of Nd from 3 L of seawater ranged within 90-95%. The developed procedure was combined with multiple collector-ICP-MS and applied to analysis of vertical seawater samples obtained from the western subarctic gyre of the North Pacific Ocean, where εNd ranged from -1.29 ± 0.42 at the surface to -3.80 ± 0.41 at 4000 m depth. These results were validated by comparing them with results obtained by the conventional method verified in the GEOTRACES inter-calibration program.

Effects of environmental conditions, low-level potassium, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, or combination treatment on radiocesium-137 decontamination in Napier grass.

Phytoextraction is widely used to remove environmental pollutants such as heavy metals or radionuclides from soil. It is important to understand how to enhance the accumulation of contaminants by plants. Previously, we found that Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum.) has the potential to effectively remove Cs (133Cs and 137Cs). In order to enhance the remediation efficiency of Napier grass, we evaluated the effects of low-level K (K), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), or the combination of low-level K and EDTA (K+EDTA). We also examined the differences in 137Cs decontamination between two cropping years (2018 and 2019). Overall, there were no prominent effects from the K, EDTA, or K+EDTA treatments on plant growth (plant height, tiller number), aboveground biomass, 137Cs concentration, and 137Cs removal ratio (CR) in 2 years. However, the aboveground biomass (P < 0.001), 137Cs concentration (P < 0.001 in 2019 only), and CR (P < 0.001) in plants grown in the first growing period were significantly higher than in plants grown in the second growing period in both years. The mean 137Cs concentration (P < 0.001) and total CR (P < 0.001) per year was significantly greater in 2019 than in 2018. The precipitation amount during the cultivation period in 2019 (1197 mm) was 1.8-fold higher than in 2018 (655 mm). In this study, the K, EDTA, and K+EDTA treatments had less effect plant growth than the natural environmental conditions. To enhance remediation efficiency, soil moisture is one important factor to produce more aboveground biomass to achieve high CR in Napier grass.

Spatiotemporal change of cesium-137 in the Pacific coast of Tohoku, Japan: The mussel watch approach.

We measured radiocesium in mussel tissue collected from the Pacific coast of Tohoku from 2011 to 2015 to investigate the temporal and spatial dynamics of radiocesium in the coastal area. Radioactive 137Cs was detected in all the samples collected in 2011, but it was not found in samples from localities north of Sendai after 2012. In contrast, 137Cs was detected in many sites in the Fukushima area even from 2012 to 2015. The fluctuation of 137Cs concentration in mussel tissue seems to reflect the 137Cs concentration in suspended particles in the seawater, suggesting that there was an influx of soil deposition and resuspension of seabed sediment. These results suggest that the 137Cs concentration in mussel tissue sensitively indicates the 137Cs concentration in the environment, and that the "mussel watch" approach is an effective way to understand the dynamics of radiocesium concentrations in coastal areas.

Transition of Radioactive Cesium Deposition in Reproductive Organs of Free-Roaming Cats in Namie Town, Fukushima.

We investigated the internal contamination by radioactive cesium associated with the FDNPP accident, in the testes or uterus and ovaries of free-roaming cats (Felis silvestris catus), which were protected by volunteers in the Namie Town, Fukushima. A total of 253 samples (145 testes and 108 uterus and ovaries) obtained from adult cats and 15 fetuses from 3 pregnant female cats were measured. Free-roaming cats in Namie Town had a higher level of radioactive contamination in comparison to the control group in Tokyo, as the 134Cs + 137Cs activity concentration ranged from not detectable to 37,882 Bq kg-1 in adult cats. Furthermore, the radioactivity in the fetuses was almost comparable to those in their mother's uterus and ovaries. The radioactivity was also different between several cats protected in the same location, and there was no significant correlation with ambient dose-rates and activity concentrations in soil. Moreover, radioactive cesium levels in cats decreased with each year. Therefore, it is likely that decontamination work in Namie Town and its surroundings could affect radioactive cesium accumulation, and thus possibly reduce the internal radiation exposure of wildlife living in contaminated areas. It is hence necessary to continue radioactivity monitoring efforts for the residents living in Namie Town.

Background and fingerprint characteristics of anthropogenic 236U and137Cs in soil and road dust samples collected from Beijing and Zhangjiakou, China.

236U has attracted more attention as an environmental tracer in recent years. However, in-depth study of 236U in terrestrial environments is still rare in China. Data on 236U and 137Cs concentrations in soil and road dust samples collected from Beijing and Zhangjiakou, China were obtained to demonstrate the background and distinct characteristics of anthropogenic 236U and 137Cs. 236U and 137Cs were detected in the range of (1.10-7.90) × 107 atoms g-1 and below the method limits of detection to 5.30 Bq kg-1. A clear characteristic was observed in road dust, where 236U concentrations increased with decreasing of sample particle size. Soil samples showed an irregular characteristic, but the highest 236U concentrations were observed in particle size fraction of <0.053 mm in both samples. This phenomenon was caused by U chemical properties, higher specific surface areas and organic compounds in fine particles. Anthropogenic radionuclides fingerprint characteristics in <0.053 mm samples were specially discussed. 236U/238U atom ratios were detected in the range of (0.627-3.38) × 10-8. A weak correlation between anthropogenic 236U and natural U isotopes were observed. The intermediate correlation between 236U and 137Cs indicated somewhat distinct migration behavior of these two radionuclides in soil after release to the environment. The released amount of 236U from global fallout during the period of atmospheric nuclear weapons testing was roughly estimated to be 1300 ± 448 kg. These results could be used as fingerprint information for anthropogenic 236U migration behavior and tracer application in environment.

CAESIUM RETENTION CHARACTERISTICS OF KNIFC-PAN RESIN FROM RIVER WATER.

The caesium retention characteristics of a potassium-nickel hexacyanoferrate resin in a polyacrylnitrile (KNiFC-PAN) matrix were tested in fresh water over the range of 2.5-400 mL min-1. The experimental setup used 2 mL resin and 4-L aliquots of freshwater samples. The results showed nearly 100% retention at speeds below 10 mL min-1, above 80% up to 100 mL min-1, and approached 50% at 400 mL min-1. Using 100 mL min-1 flow rate and KNiFC-PAN resin in a well-type HPGe detector, the minimum detectable concentration was reduced to 3 mBq kg-1 for 4-L aliquots of water samples from the previous 15 mBq kg-1 achieved by Powdex ion-exchange resin and a planar type HPGe detector.