Anthropogenic actinides in seawater and biota from the west coast of Sweden.

The assessment of the origin of the anthropogenic contamination in marine regions impacted by other sources than global fallout is a challenge. This is the case of the west coast of Sweden, influenced by the liquid effluents released by the European Nuclear Reprocessing Plants through North Sea currents and by Baltic Sea local and regional sources, among others. This work focused on the study of anthropogenic actinides (U, Np and Pu) in seawater and biota from a region close to Gothenburg where radioactive wastes with an unknown composition were dumped in 1964.

A new certified reference material IAEA-465 for radionuclides in Baltic Sea sediment.

Certified reference material (CRM) for natural (K,Pb,Po,Ra,Ra,Th,Th,Th,U,U, andU) and anthropogenic (Cs,Pu, andAm) radionuclides in marine sediment from the Baltic Sea (IAEA-465) has been developed. Information values are given for Pu,Pu andPu. Altogether 27 laboratories participated in this exercise.

Presence of U,Np and Pu in shells from the coast of the south of China.

This study reports first results on uranium (U), neptunium (Np) and plutonium (Pu and Pu) isotopes in shell samples (i.e. oyster, clam and scallop shells) from the coast of the South of China.

Reaching environmental levels of Pu by accelerator mass spectrometry at the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores.

Pu (T = 81 My) is the longest-lived, most minor, and the most understudied Pu isotope. The anthropogenic production of Pu is linked to nuclear detonations. Reported Pu/Pu atom ratios in environmental samples range from below 10 to above 10.

Plutonium Signatures in a Dated Sediment Core as a Tool to Reveal Nuclear Sources in the Baltic Sea.

Plutonium distribution was studied in an undisturbed sediment core sampled from the Tvären bay in the vicinity of the Studsvik nuclear facility in Sweden. The complete analysis, including minor isotopes, of the Pu isotope composition (Pu, Pu, Pu, Pu, Pu, and Pu) allowed us to establish the Pu origin in this area of the Baltic Sea and to reconstruct the Studsvik aquatic release history. The results show highly enriched Pu, probably originating from the Swedish nuclear program in the 1960s and 1970s and the handling of high burn-up nuclear fuel in the later years.

Fate of anthropogenic radionuclides (Sr, Cs, Pu, Pu, Pu, Am) in seawater in the northern Benguela upwelling system off Namibia.

A baseline study on anthropogenic radioactivity in the Namibian marine ecosystem, which is part of the northern Benguela upwelling system, known as one of the most productive ocean areas in the world, has been performed. A scientific cruise carried out in 2014 covering inshore and offshore areas, exhibiting different oceanographic features, has provided a basis for better understanding the distributions, ratios and inventories of six anthropogenic radionuclides (Sr, Cs, Pu, Pu, Pu and Am) in seawater. Although H was also measured, due to extremely low levels, its behaviour was not studied.

U, Np and Pu as complementary fingerprints of radioactiveeffluents in the western Mediterranean Sea and in the Canada Basin (Arctic Ocean).

The aim of this study was to assess the potential of combining the conservatively behaving anthropogenic radionuclides U and Np to gain information on the origin of water masses tagged with liquid effluents from Nuclear Reprocessing Plants. This work includes samples collected from three full-depth water columns in two areas: i) the Arctic Ocean, where Atlantic waters carry the signal of Sellafield (United Kingdom) and La Hague (France) nuclear reprocessing facilities; and ii) the western Mediterranean Sea, directly impacted by Marcoule reprocessing plant (France). This work is complemented by the study of the particle-reactive Pu isotopes as an additional fingerprint of the source region.

Insights into the Pu isotopic composition (Pu, Pu, and Pu) and U in marshland samples from Madagascar.

This work provides new insights into the presence of Pu, Pu, Pu, and U in the Southern Hemisphere through the study of peat bog cores from marshlands in Madagascar (19°S). Pb, Pu and Pu activities were characterized by alpha spectrometry in previous studies. Here, Pu from alpha-spectrometry discs corresponding to 10 peat-bog cores (85 samples) was reassessed for the aim of completing its isotopic composition (Pu, Pu, and Pu) by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.

Higher prevalence of psoriatic arthritis in the adult population in Spain? A population-based cross-sectional study.

Objective: The prevalence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is very heterogeneous. There are no data on its frequency in the general population in Spain. The aim of EPISER2016 study was to estimate the prevalence of PsA in people aged ≥20 years in Spain.

Impact of Saharan dust events on radionuclides in the atmosphere, seawater, and sediments of the northwest Mediterranean Sea.

In February 2004, anthropogenic radionuclides (Cs, U, Pu and Pu), transported from the Sahara Desert, were observed in the Monaco air, and later in water and sediment samples collected at the DYFAMED site in the northwest (NW) Mediterranean Sea. While U and Cs in Saharan dust particles showed a high solubility in seawater, Pu isotopes were particle reactive in the water column and in the sediment. The impact of the Saharan deposition was found at 0-1.

Presence of U and Np in a marine ecosystem: The northern Benguela Upwelling System, a case study.

The Benguela Upwelling System (BUS), off the south-western African coast, is one of the four major eastern boundary upwelling ecosystems in the oceans. However, this area has been overlooked in the field of environmental radioactivity. In this work, U and Np were collected off the coast of Namibia within the northern BUS.

Simple and fast method for the analysis of U, Np, Pu and Pu from seawater samples by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.

A simple and fast radiochemical procedure for the sequential extraction of U, Np and Pu from small-volume seawater samples (<10 L) is presented. The method has been developed and optimized for the final determination of U, Np, Pu and Pu by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). It is based on the use of Pu as tracer for both Np and Pu isotopes.

Impact of Comorbidity on Physical Function in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis and Psoriatic Arthritis Attending Rheumatology Clinics: Results From a Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of comorbidities on physical function in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of the baseline visit from the Cardiovascular in Rheumatology study. Multivariate models with physical function as the dependent variable (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index and Health Assessment Questionnaire for AS and PsA, respectively) were performed.

Presence of U and Pu in soils from Southern Hemisphere.

U, Pu and Pu are present in soils mainly as a result of the local- and global-fallout from the atmospheric nuclear weapons tests carried out mainly in the 1950's and 1960's. In this work we provide new data on the presence of U and Pu in surface soils (i.e.

Isolation of U and Pu from seawater samples and its determination by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry.

In this work we present and evaluate a radiochemical procedure optimised for the analysis of U and Pu in seawater samples by Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS). The method is based on Fe(OH) co-precipitation of actinides and uses TEVA® and UTEVA® extraction chromatography resins in a simplified way for the final U and Pu purification. In order to improve the performance of the method, the radiochemical yields are analysed in 1 to 10L seawater volumes using alpha spectrometry (AS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Natural and artificial radionuclides in a marine core. First results of U in North Atlantic Ocean sediments.

There are very few data available of U in marine sediment cores. In this study we present the results from the first oceanic depth profile of U in a sediment core sampled in the North Atlantic Ocean, at the PAP site (4500 m depth, Porcupine Abyssal Plain (PAP) site, 49°0' N, 16°30' W). Additionally, the sediment core was radiologically characterized through the measurement of anthropogenic Cs, Pu, Pu, I and C and natural Pb, K and Ra.

Prevalence of rheumatic diseases in adult population in Spain (EPISER 2016 study): Aims and methodology.

Aims: To describe the methodology of the EPISER 2016 (study of the prevalence of rheumatic diseases in adult population in Spain), as well its strengths and limitations. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome (SS), osteoarthritis (knee, hip, hands, and cervical and lumbar spine), fibromyalgia, gout and clinical osteoporotic fracture.

Material And Method: Population-based, multicenter, cross-sectional study, with the participation of 45 municipalities in the 17 Spanish autonomous communities.

On the presence of plutonium in Madagascar following the SNAP-9A satellite failure.

This study examined the Pu and Pu activity concentration and the Pu/Pu atomic ratio in peat bogs sampled in 2012 from marshlands in central Madagascar. The purpose was to investigate the presence of plutonium isotopes, Pu, from the 1964 satellite failure carrying a SNAP-9A radiothermal generator. With an average Pu/Pu activity ratio of 0.

Temporal evolution of Cs, Np, and Pu and estimated vertical Pu export in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea.

The evolution of Cs, Np and Pu at the DYFAMED station (NW Mediterranean) is discussed in relation to physical processes, downward fluxes of particles, and changes in the main input sources. The data set presented in this study represents the first complete Np vertical profiles (0.12-0.

Recommendations for the use of parenteral methotrexate in rheumatic diseases.

Objective: To develop recommendations for the use of parenteral methotrexate (MTX) in rheumatic diseases, mainly rheumatoid arthritis, based on best evidence and experience.

Methods: A group of 21 experts on parenteral MTX use was selected. The coordinator formulated 13 questions about parenteral MTX (indications, efficacy, safety and cost-effectiveness).

Excess of (236)U in the northwest Mediterranean Sea.

In this work, we present first (236)U results in the northwestern Mediterranean. (236)U is studied in a seawater column sampled at DYFAMED (Dynamics of Atmospheric Fluxes in the Mediterranean Sea) station (Ligurian Sea, 43°25'N, 07°52'E). The obtained (236)U/(238)U atom ratios in the dissolved phase, ranging from about 2×10(-9) at 100m depth to about 1.

Impact of Saharan dust events on radionuclide levels in Monaco air and in the water column of the northwest Mediterranean Sea.

Characterization of atmospheric aerosols collected in Monaco (2004-2008) and in sediment traps at 200 m and 1000 m water depths at the DYFAMED (Dynamics of Atmospheric Fluxes in the Mediterranean Sea) station (2004) was carried out to improve our understanding of the impact of Saharan dust on ground-level air and on the water column. Activity concentrations of natural (Pb, Po, uranium and radium isotopes) and anthropogenic (Cs, Pu, Pu, and Pu) radionuclides and their isotopic ratios confirmed a Saharan impact on the investigated samples. In association with a large particulate matter deposition event in Monaco on 20 February 2004, the Cs (∼40 Bq kg) and Pu (∼1 Bq kg) activities were almost a factor of two higher than other Saharan deposition dust events.

Certified reference materials for radionuclides in Bikini Atoll sediment (IAEA-410) and Pacific Ocean sediment (IAEA-412).

The preparation and characterization of certified reference materials (CRMs) for radionuclide content in sediments collected offshore of Bikini Atoll (IAEA-410) and in the open northwest Pacific Ocean (IAEA-412) are described and the results of the certification process are presented. The certified radionuclides include: (40)K, (210)Pb ((210)Po), (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th, (232)Th, (234)U, (238)U, (239)Pu, (239+240)Pu and (241)Am for IAEA-410 and (40)K, (137)Cs, (210)Pb ((210)Po), (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th, (232)Th, (235)U, (238)U, (239)Pu, (240)Pu and (239+240)Pu for IAEA-412. The CRMs can be used for quality assurance and quality control purposes in the analysis of radionuclides in sediments, for development and validation of analytical methods and for staff training.

Certified Reference Material IAEA-446 for radionuclides in Baltic Sea seaweed.

A Certified Reference Material (CRM) for radionuclides in seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) from the Baltic Sea (IAEA-446) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. The (40)K, (137)Cs, (234)U and (239+240)Pu radionuclides were certified for this material, and information values for 12 other radionuclides ((90)Sr, (99)Tc, (210)Pb ((210)Po), (226)Ra, (228)Ra, (228)Th, (230)Th, (232)Th, (235)U, (238)U, (239)Pu and (240)Pu) are presented. The CRM can be used for Quality Assurance/Quality Control of analysis of radionuclides in seaweed and other biota samples, as well as for development and validation of analytical methods, and for training purposes.

Reassessment of 239Pu on planchets from human urine samples at ultra-trace levels using Aridus-ICPSFMS and AMS.

New analytical methods developed at the facilities here, based on two ultra-sensitive mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometer with a desolvator system (Aridus-ICP-SFMS) and accelerator MS (AMS), have been applied in this work for the reassessment of (239)Pu in alpha spectrometry (AS) planchets corresponding to spiked human urine samples. The obtained (239)Pu minimum detectable activities (MDAs) values by Aridus-ICP-SFMS and AMS were 3 fg (∼6.92 µBq) and 0.