Biophysical studies have a very high impact on the understanding of internalization, molecular mechanisms, interactions, and localization of CPPs and CPP/cargo conjugates in live cells or in vivo. Biophysical studies are often first carried out in test-tube set-ups or in vitro, leading to the complicated in vivo systems. This review describes recent studies of CPP internalization, mechanisms, and localization. The multiple methods in these studies reveal different novel and important aspects and define the rules for CPP mechanisms, hopefully leading to their improved applicability to novel and safe therapies.

A novel idea is presented in this paper to simulation, design, and feasibility of making a machine in order to produce nitrogen 13 (N-13) at a much lower cost than conventional medical applications. In a plasma focus device, only 0.02% of the generated ions have more than 1 MeV energy. In this paper, using a new idea we have tried to find a solution to increase the energy of deuterium ions to produce N-13. To achieve this, a series of magnetic lenses has been used to focus and guide the ions. To increase the ion energy, a small linear accelerator has been designed using a TM010 waveguide. The accelerator waveguide is also designed and optimized to have the highest impedance matching and maximum power transmission. Eventually, low-energy ions that are transmitted by magnetic lenses accelerate in the waveguide electric field and their energy increases significantly. The collision of these energetic ions with graphite target produce N-13.

A thin (100 m) cover of flat-lying, Recent, calcite-rich tuff at Ndale near Fort Portal, Uganda, unconformably overlies steeply dipping Precambrian metamorphic rocks. It is locally radioactive owing to uranium-rich pyrochlore minerals and lesser amounts of zircon, monazite, titanite, and an unidentified thorium phosphate. In one concentrate, four grains of uranpyrochlore and one grain of uranoan pyrochlore showed a positive linear correlation of Ti with U, and negative linear correlations of Ti with Na, F and Sr. Ta remained high and relatively constant [11 anal., ave. 14.5 (0.6)% Ta2O5]. In the same concentrate the composition of a separate grain of uranoan pyrochlore did not plot on these lines and Ta was comparatively low [2 anal., ave. 4.5 (0.3)% Ta2O5]. The data suggest two separate paths of differentiation. However, zoned grains were not observed. Unit cells were cubic with a = 10.351 ± 0.002 Å for a grain with 12.9% UO2tot and 10.333 ± 0.002 Å for a grain with 26.6% UO2tot. On heating in air the cell size decreased, possibly due to oxidation of U4+. The crystalline nature of these minerals can be attributed to a very young (4000–5000 yr) geological age.

Florpyrauxifen-benzyl is a new active ingredient that represents an additional tool in rice (Oryza sativa L.) weed control by providing an alternative mechanism of action. Studies were conducted to evaluate soil moisture influences on florpyrauxifen-benzyl absorption, translocation, and metabolism in three problematic weeds. In the absorption/translocation study, barnyardgrass [Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) P. Beauv.], hemp sesbania [Sesbania herbacea (Mill.) McVaugh], and yellow nutsedge (Cyperus esculentus L.) were treated with [14C]florpyrauxifen-benzyl under two soil moisture regimes (7.5% and 60% field capacity). Greater absorption occurred under moist conditions (60% soil moisture content). More translocation of the herbicide to the area above the treated leaf occurred under moist versus dry soil across all weed species. Sesbania herbacea translocated 25% of the absorbed herbicide above the treated leaf, a result greater than that of the other two weed species at 60% soil moisture. However, no differences in translocation occurred among the weed species at the 7.5% soil moisture regime. In the metabolism study, 95% of the herbicide recovered was in its acid form under the high soil moisture regime for S. herbacea, a species that shows extreme sensitivity to even low doses of this herbicide, and soil moisture influenced the amount of acid form found in all species. While these data provide a limited view into the physiological processes being affected, they do suggest that for E. crus-galli, S. herbacea, and C. esculentus, soil moisture content in the field will likely play a significant role in absorption, translocation, and metabolism of florpyrauxifen-benzyl.

The combustion apparatus described provides a rapid and inexpensive alternative for measurement of radioisotopes in plant parts. The apparatus utilized a nickel-chromium resistance wire connected to a low-voltage transformer to generate the heat required to ignite the plant tissue. The nickel-chromium wire also served as the sample holder. Combustion was performed in an O2-flushed liquid scintillation vial, and the combustion gases containing either 14CO2 or 3H2O were trapped in situ, scintillant was added, and the vials assayed for radioactivity. The percentage of the radioactivity recovered after combustion was 96.0 for 14C and 93.4 for 3H with standard deviations of 6.8 and 3.0%, respectively.

Radiocarbon (14C) is a radionuclide generated mainly through neutron-induced reactions in all types of nuclear reactors. Since most of the 14C released into the environment is in the form of gaseous emissions (CO2 and hydrocarbons), terrestrial plants are the primary indicators of increased 14C levels near nuclear power plants (NPPs). In 2013–2014, we collected samples of silver grasses (including common reed) and pine needles within 3 km of four South Korean NPP centers and measured 14C activities using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) at Seoul National University. The highest 14C activities were observed, respectively, in Wolsong>Hanul>Kori>Hanbit [220, 143, 127, and 123% modern carbon (pMC)].

We performed an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) to evaluate the impact on non-humanbiota from liquid radioactive effluents discharged by the Belgian Nuclear Power Plants(NPPs) of Doel and Tihange. A deterministic risk assessment for aquatic and terrestrialecosystems was performed using the ERICA tool and applying the ERICA screening value of 10µGy.h-1. The ERA was performed for the radioactive discharge limits and forthe actual releases (maxima and averages over the last 10 years, 1999-2008). All ERICAreference organisms were considered and depending on the assessment situation, additionalreference organisms were included in the analysis. It can be concluded that the currentdischarge limits for the Belgian NPPs do not result in significant risks to the aquaticand terrestrial environment and that the actual discharges, which are a fraction of theliquid discharge limits, are unlikely to harm the environment.

The new possibility of side-on laser ignition of p-11B with negligible radioactivity encouraged to study the fusion of solid state p-7Li fuel that again turns out to be only about 10 times more difficult than the side-on ignition of solid deuterium-tritium using petawatt-picosecond laser pulses at anomalous interaction conditions if very high contrast ratio. Updated cross sections of the nuclear reaction are included.

The natural γ-radiation in samples of a variety of marblesimported into Bangladesh for use in building construction was measured,employing γ-ray spectrometry with a HPGe detector. From the measuredγ-ray spectra, activity concentrations were determined for 226Ra(29.31 ± 2.06 to 46.99 ± 2.97 Bq.kg–1), 232Th (42.91± 2.53 to 62.92 ± 3.37 Bq.kg–1) and 40K (824.42± 15.42 to 1071.58 ± 20.14 Bq.kg–1). The measured activityconcentrations for these natural radionuclides were compared withthe reported data of other countries and with the world averageactivity of soil. The radium equivalent activity (Raeq),the hazard indices, the gamma activity concentration index, theindoor absorbed dose rate and the corresponding annual effectivedose were estimated for the potential radiological hazard of themarble. The Raeq values of all marble samples are lowerthan the limit of 370 Bq.kg–1, equivalent to a dose of1.5 mSv.y–1. The average values of the external and internalhazard indices are less than unity. The average indoor absorbeddose rate (121.25 nGy.h–1) is higher than the population-weightedaverage of 84 nGy.h–1, whereas the corresponding annualdose limit falls within an average value of 0.60 mSv, which is anorder of magnitude below the limit specified for building materialsin the literature. The present results indicate that using marblein building construction in Bangladesh does not pose any significant radiologicalhazard.

An investigation of the latitudinal distribution of concentrationsof 137Cs at 19 stations in the surface water of the SouthernOcean on cross-sections to the South from the Cape of Good Hope(section SR2) and in the Drake Passage (30th cruise "Academic Ioffe",01.12.2009–09.01.2010) was performed. The data obtained reinforcedthe time-dependent exponential decrease in the 137Csconcentrations in the surface water of the Atlantic sector of theSouthern Ocean. Increased 137Cs concentrations were foundin the Drake Passage and in the section SR2 in the vicinity of thePolar Front. The average value of 137Cs concentrationsfor all measurements equals 0.18 Bq.m–3 σ = 0.11.

Le dispositif de surveillance de la radioactivité de l’environnement, exploité aujourd’hui par l’IRSN, est le fruit d’un développement historique et graduel, démarré à la fin des années 50. Au départ, la mise en place d’une surveillance radiologique du territoire visait à mesurer les retombées radioactives des essais nucléaires atmosphériques réalisés dans l’hémisphère nord. Cette surveillance s’est renforcée à partir des années 70, avec le développement du parc électronucléaire français, pour aboutir à un ensemble de réseaux permanents qui fournissent de nombreux résultats de mesure, en temps réel dans le cas de la télésurveillance, ou dans des délais aussi courts que possible dans le cas des analyses d’échantillons en laboratoires. L’IRSN estime aujourd’hui que les dispositifs de surveillance et leur déploiement doivent s’adapter aux évolutions des techniques, des connaissances de l’état radiologique de l’environnement et des besoins nouveaux exprimés par la société.

Born in the fifties together with the emergence of the nuclear technologies, radioecology is a scientific discipline that primarily addresses environmental issues relevant to radioprotection. With a current membership of nearly 600 worldwide, the International Union of Radioecology was founded in the seventies as a non-governmental knowing society dedicated to the development and the promotion of this discipline. The scientific directions taken in Radioecology have been drastically influenced in the past by the Chernobyl accident, which forced a focus on environmental transfers through the environment to feed human radioprotection needs. Currently, a profound evolution is underway towards more ecological effects research and studies, under the driving pressure of the raise of society’s concern on environmental issues and the concomitant re-boost of nuclear industry to face global warming and the future energetic demands. The IUR plays a central role within this evolution which is described here in more details along a description of its four major tools of action: dedicated task groups; workshops, seminars and conferences; training courses; web site tool for information and communication. Finally, together with the recent election of a new Board of Council to manage the Union, the main lines of the new strategic plan for the coming years are given.

The radionuclide contents in waste products and physico-chemical characterization of effluent samples from some selected industries in the city of Lagos were carried out. The radioactivity concentration levels due to 40K, 226Ra and 228Th in the solid wastes were determined using gamma-ray spectrometry while physico-chemical determination of parameters were based on standard methods of measurements. The average radioactivity levels obtained was between 104 ± 14 Bq kg-1 and 1276 ± 31 Bq kg-1 for 40K, 86 ± 18 Bq kg-1 and 122 ± 23 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra and while for 228Th it ranged between 14 ± 2 Bq kg-1 and 73 ± 10 Bq kg-1. No artificial radioactive elements were detected in any of the samples. The average outdoor effective dose rate due to gamma exposure from these waste materials in the city was calculated as 0.12 mSv y-1. This is far less than 1 mSv y-1 recommended limit for the member of the public by United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR). The pH of the effluent samples was slightly alkaline, while the electrical conductivity ranged between 275 and 455 µS cm-1 and total suspended solids ranged from 104 to 5616 mg l-1. All these ranges and those of biochemical and chemical oxygen demand values were all higher than the prescribed limits. Presence of heavy metals in the effluent samples was however lower than prescribed with the exception of iron.

Some crops of important nutritive requirements have been collected from farmlands located in Bitsichi an old tin mining town in north central region of Nigeria. The food crops were analyzed in order to determine trace element concentrations level using Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA). The activity concentrations due to natural radionuclides in the food samples and soil samples collected within the root zone of the crops were also determined using gamma-ray spectrometry (GRS). The NAA results obtained showed higher concentration of Potassium among the essential elements in all the crops. Calcium concentration in both maize and Guinea corn was below detection limit and also Zn in Green beans, sweet potato and cassava. The trace elements; Sc, Hf, Sm, and Th, were below detection limit in all the crops except in Green beans. Rubidium (Rb) and lanthanum (La) were below detection limits only in Cabbage. The activity concentrations of the natural radionuclides in the food samples were found to vary between 83 and 129 Bq kg-1 for 40K, 19 and 30 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra and 27 to 41 Bq kg-1 for 232Th. In the soil samples the activity concentrations varied between 177 and 271 Bq kg-1 for 40K, 53 and 96 Bq kg-1 for 226Ra and 73 to 176 Bq kg-1 for 232Th. Results of activity concentration levels of the radionuclides obtained in similar crops collected for control measurements were found to be very low compared to those from the study area. The effective dose due to intake of the food crops considered in the study area was estimated based on the measured activity concentrations of 226Ra and 232Th in the food crops. It was found to vary between 0.01 mSv y-1 (Acha) and 1.35 mSv y-1 (Cassava) with a cumulative total dose estimated as 2.5 mSv y-1. The mining activities in the area are seen to have influenced the concentration of these trace elements and radionuclides in the food crops. However, they are seen not to pose any serious internal health burden due to ingestion given the realities of food choice by individuals in the study area.

In addition to the accepted roles of plate tectonics in regulating planetary habitability through the composition of the atmosphere and temperature, and creating continents to enhance land-based evolution and biodiversity, it has a hitherto unexplored role in influencing surface mineralogy with possible implications for early evolution. Plate tectonics creates continents through the accretion of buoyant granitic crust. Erosion of the granites yields specific minerals including quartz, radioactive (uranium-, thorium-bearing) phases and phosphates, which could play a role in early evolution. Radioactive grains could help to concentrate carbon and increase its complexity through irradiation-induced polymerization at the prebiotic stage, and possibly influence mutation rates once life was established. Weathering of phosphate minerals was an important source of phosphorus for the biochemistry that is essential to life. Quartz-rich sands provide a translucent refuge for early photosynthesizers below the harmful effects of ultra-violet irradiation at the surface. Uranium is also important to the development of nuclear power in an advanced civilization. The mineralogy that engenders these processes is distinct from that to be expected on a planet without plate tectonics, where volcanogenic sediments would predominate, and further emphasizes the importance of plate tectonics to the evolution of life.

L'évaluation et la surveillance des rejets radioactifs des installations nucléaires visent à garantir la protection de la population et de l'environnement vis-à-vis des rayonnements ionisants. Répondre à cette préoccupation à la fois d'ordre réglementaire, scientifique et d'information du public nécessite la mise en œuvre d'un programme de contrôle fiable des rejets, d'une surveillance radiologique vigilante dans l'environnement et d'un système d'information compréhensible du public. L'acceptation des résultats et de leur interprétation par l'opinion requiert que la surveillance des rejets et l'évaluation de leur impact soient confiées à des organismes accrédités et indépendants des exploitants d'installations nucléaires. C'est le cas en Suisse, où la loi et l'ordonnance de radioprotection stipulent que l'Office fédéral de la santé publique (OFSP) est responsable de ces tâches en collaboration avec les laboratoires cantonaux et les instituts universitaires. Cette publication présente un aperçu des modalités actuelles d'évaluation de l'impact des rejets des installations nucléaires suisses sur l'environnement et la population avoisinante ainsi que du rôle et de l'organisation de la surveillance. Certains enseignements et perspectives dans ce domaine sont également présentés.