Volume fraction detection in multiphase systems using neutron activation analysis and artificial neural network.

This study presents an application of an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) to detect fluids in an annular flow regime using Prompt-Gamma Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA). The ANN was trained using gamma-ray spectra resulting from neutron interactions with chemical elements found in fluids typical of multiphase flow in oil exploration. These spectra were generated through mathematical simulation using the MCNP6 Monte Carlo computer code to model nuclear particle transport. A241Am-Be polyenergetic neutron source was simulated for these calculations. Several combinations of fluid fractions were developed to create a dataset used for both training and evaluation of the ANN. The ANN demonstrated robust generalization capabilities by accurately predicting the volume fraction of the three investigated fluids (saltwater, oil, and gas), even for cases not included in the training phase. The combination of ANN and PGNAA proved effective for analyzing multiphase systems, with over 92% of all showing errors of less than 5%.

IRRADIATOR SYSTEM FOR MANGANESE SULFATE BATH EFFICIENCY MEASUREMENTS USING A PLUTONIUM-BERYLLIUM NEUTRON SOURCE.

This study describes the use of a neutron irradiator system based on a plutonium-beryllium neutron source for MnSO4 solution activation for use to determine the MSB system efficiency. Computational simulations using Monte Carlo code were performed to establish the main characteristics of the irradiator system. Among the simulated geometries and volumes, semi-cylindrical shape with 84.5 cm3 of MnSO4 solution yielded the best option to be built. Activity measurements were performed with a high-pure germanium detector to validate the new irradiation system. Results showed an average efficiency and uncertainty of the experimental standard deviation of the mean: 5.742 × 10-4 ± 0.036 × 10-4 (coverage factor k = 1), for MSB system. Efficiency value obtained shows good correlation to other published methods (i.e. a relative difference of 0.07%). This alternative metrological method demonstrated the utility of neutron sources for the irradiation of solutions in metrology laboratories providing a cost-efficient alternative to nuclear reactors or particle accelerators.

Density prediction for petroleum and derivatives by gamma-ray attenuation and artificial neural networks.

This work presents a new methodology for density prediction of petroleum and derivatives for products' monitoring application. The approach is based on pulse height distribution pattern recognition by means of an artificial neural network (ANN). The detection system uses appropriate broad beam geometry, comprised of a (137)Cs gamma-ray source and a NaI(Tl) detector diametrically positioned on the other side of the pipe in order measure the transmitted beam. Theoretical models for different materials have been developed using MCNP-X code, which was also used to provide training, test and validation data for the ANN. 88 simulations have been carried out, with density ranging from 0.55 to 1.26gcm(-3) in order to cover the most practical situations. Validation tests have included different patterns from those used in the ANN training phase. The results show that the proposed approach may be successfully applied for prediction of density for these types of materials. The density can be automatically predicted without a prior knowledge of the actual material composition.

Distribution of Po-210 in two species of predatory marine fish from the Brazilian coast.

Polonium-210 ((210)Po) concentration was quantified in the muscle tissue and organs of two predatory marine fishes (Genypterus brasiliensis and Cynoscion microlepidotus) from Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The species C. microlepidotus, a benthic carnivore, registered higher (210)Po in its tissue. The organs associated with digestion displayed the maximum radionuclide compared with other organs. The average activity was 2 mBq kg(-1) for G. brasiliensis and it was 6 mBq kg(-1) for C. microlepidotus. The activity concentrations varied significantly between the species and among organs.

Radium and uranium levels in vegetables grown using different farming management systems.

Vegetables grown with phosphate fertilizer (conventional management), with bovine manure fertilization (organic management) and in a mineral nutrient solution (hydroponic) were analyzed and the concentrations of (238)U, (226)Ra and (228)Ra in lettuce, carrots, and beans were compared. Lettuce from hydroponic farming system showed the lowest concentration of radionuclides 0.51 for (226)Ra, 0.55 for (228)Ra and 0.24 for (238)U (Bq kg(-1) dry). Vegetables from organically and conventionally grown farming systems showed no differences in the concentration of radium and uranium. Relationships between uranium content in plants and exchangeable Ca and Mg in soil were found, whereas Ra in vegetables was inversely correlated to the cation exchange capacity of soil, leading to the assumption that by supplying carbonate and cations to soil, liming may cause an increase of U and a decrease of radium uptake by plants. The soil to plant transfer varied from 10(-4) to 10(-2) for (238)U and from 10(-2) to 10(-1) for (228)Ra.

The effect of organic amendment on potential mobility and bioavailability of 137Cs and 60Co in tropical soils.

In this work the role of organic matter in the potential mobility and bioavailability of 137Cs and 60Co in Brazilian soil was investigated. Radish was cultivated in pots containing the top layer (0-20 cm) of a Histosol, Ferralsol and Nitisol spiked with 137Cs and 60Co. In the case of the Ferralsol and Nitisol samples, besides the control, two different rates of organic amendments were used. In these soils, a sequential extraction protocol was used to identify the main soil compartments that could be responsible for the variation of transfer factor values. Our results indicate that organic amendment could be suggested as a practical countermeasure for 137Cs and 60Co contamination, since it reduces bioavailability of radionuclides and, consequently, soil to plant transfer factor values by almost one order of magnitude in a short period of time.

Soil to plant transfer of 137Cs and 60Co in Ferralsol, Nitisol and Acrisol.

In this study, soil to plant transfer factor values were determined for 137Cs and 60Co in radish (Raphanus sativus), maize (Zea mays L.) and cabbage (Brassica oleracea L. var. capitata) growing in gibbsite-, kaolinite- and iron-oxide-rich soils. After 3 years of experiment in lysimeters it was possible to identify the main soil properties able to modify the soil to plant transfer processes, e.g. exchangeable K and pH, for 137Cs, and organic matter for 60Co. Results of sequential chemical extraction were coherent with root uptake and allowed the recognition of the role of iron oxides on 137Cs behaviour and of Mn oxides on 60Co behaviour. This information should provide support for adequate choices of countermeasures to be applied on tropical soils in case of accident or for remediation purposes.

Effect of windows and doors on the gamma shielding factor for typical houses in Brazil.

This study aims to determine the effect of windows and doors on shielding factors, defined as the ratios of the air kerma indoor to the air kerma in an open field, for typical building materials used in the southeast of Brazil due to radioactive material deposited on the surrounding field, walls, and ceiling external surfaces. The MCNP5 Monte Carlo radiation transport code was used in the simulation of photon shielding. The air kerma indoors for monoenergetic photons of 300 keV, 662 keV, and 3,000 keV has been determined for three different housing patterns, ranging from a poorly constructed house, at a density thickness of 5.5 g cm(-2) for the walls, to a well-constructed house, at a density thickness of 13.1 g cm(-2) for the walls, both with and without the presence of windows and doors. The shielding factor for the poorly constructed house type at an incident photon energy of 300 keV was found to be twice that of the well-constructed house type for the same energy. The presence of windows and doors showed very little or no significant increase on the shielding factors for the building materials studied. The maximum increase was found to be 9% for the well-constructed house type at a incident photon energy of 300 keV.

Gamma shielding factor for typical houses in Brazil.

The housing features in a country depend much on its climate. Dwellings in warm countries are much lighter constructions than in cold ones, which will reflect on the amount of shielding against radiation they provide. In addition to that, wealth is another factor that influences the building's finishing. Great effort has been taken to determine parameters to more accurately estimate dose to a population in case of a radioactive or nuclear accident. Nevertheless, most available data are concerned with typical housing in cold climate countries. This study aims to determine shielding factors for typical building materials used in the southeast of Brazil, a warm area, due to radioactive material deposited on the surrounding field, walls and ceiling of the external surfaces. The shielding factors determination was performed by simulation with the MCNP5 Monte Carlo computer code. The air kerma indoors for the 300, 662 and 3000 keV photon energies have been determined for three different housing patterns, ranging from the very simple to a very complex structure. The shielding factor, defined as the ratio of the air kerma indoor to the air kerma in open field, for the most simple house type and 300 keV photon energy was found to be twice of the best finished one for the same energy.

Effective density and mass attenuation coefficient for building material in Brazil.

This paper presents values for density and mass attenuation coefficient of building materials commonly used in Brazil. Transmission measurements were performed to provide input information for simulations with MCNP4B code. The structure for the clay bricks was simulated as a mix of all material layers and an effective density determined. The mass attenuation coefficients were determined for the 50-3,000 keV gamma-ray energy range. A comparison with results for similar materials found in the literature showed good agreement.

Homologous and heterologous regulation of gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor gene expression in preovulatory rat granulosa cells.

The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate the influence of gonadotropins and GnRH on GnRH receptor gene expression in cultured preovulatory rat granulosa cells. Cells were obtained from immature female rats 48 h after priming with 10 IU PMSG, sc, and cultured in medium containing LH, FSH, or GnRH after a 24-h preincubation period. After culture, cells were lysed, total RNA was extracted, and culture medium was assayed for its content of progesterone, and estradiol by RIA. Subsequent to reverse transcription, complementary DNA was subjected to polymerase chain reaction, after which the products formed were transferred to nylon filters and hybridized with a 416-basepair internal rat GnRH receptor complementary DNA probe. As an amplification control, Southern hybridization of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase messenger RNA (mRNA) was performed. Treatment with LH increased both progesterone and estradiol output, whereas GnRH receptor mRNA levels were markedly suppressed in a dose-related fashion, with maximal inhibition seen at 100-1000 ng (P < 0.05). In contrast, FSH in concentrations between 1-1000 ng was without effect on GnRH receptor gene expression. Time-course analysis revealed that GnRH receptor gene expression was not affected by LH (1000 ng) until 12 h, when transcript levels fell to 24% of those seen at 0 h (P < 0.05). This pronounced decrease in GnRH receptor mRNA abundance is, however, transient, because after 48 h, levels returned to those seen before LH treatment. As GnRH has been postulated to directly influence its own receptor synthesis in the pituitary, the effect of GnRH treatment of granulosa cells during a 24-h culture period was also evaluated. In GnRH-treated cells, a dose-dependent increase in GnRH receptor mRNA levels was seen, with maximal effects (2.4-fold; P < 0.05) at 10(-6) M. The demonstration of agonist-specific up- and down-regulation of GnRH receptor gene expression in preovulatory granulosa cells adds further support to the extrapituitary actions of GnRH as an important autocrine/paracrine factor involved in the regulatory events during the periovulatory period.