Structure shielding of school and gymnasium buildings against fallout gamma radiation from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

The radiation dose reduction factor represents a building's shielding capability against radiation in scenarios of potential nuclear accidents. Notably, the radiation dose reduction for school buildings and gymnasiums have not yet been determined, even though the building types are planned to be used as evaluation shelters in Japan. This study evaluated dose reduction factors in relation to the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP).

Environmental dependence of geometrical efficiency for the scintillation cell in radon and thoron measurement.

222Rn is recognized as a matter of international concern for human health risk. Because 220Rn as well as 222Rn coexist in the natural environment, thoron sometimes influences the experiment for radon measurement. It is important to measure radon and thoron separately to evaluate the risk of the exposure to 222Rn.

Effect of sampling face velocity on the ultrafine particle surface collection efficiency of a cellulose membrane filter and a cellulose-glass fiber filter for environmental airborne radioactivity monitoring.

Surface collection efficiency (SCE) of a cellulose membrane filter (CMF) and a cellulose-glass fiber filter used in environmental monitoring for alpha-emitting radionuclides from nuclear facilities and natural radioactivity sources was evaluated for particles in the size range of 0.03-0.1 μm at different levels of face velocity.

Relationship between muscle activity characteristics and physical therapy parameters during posterior gait assistance with knee-ankle-foot orthosis in severe acute stroke hemiplegic patients.

[Purpose] This study aimed to verify muscle activity patterns during posterior gait assistance with a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO) in patients with severe acute stroke hemiplegia and clarify its relationships with physical therapy parameters. [Participants and Methods] We measured activity in the rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius muscles in 30 patients with acute stroke during KAFO posterior gait assistance and examined their muscle activity patterns using the Japan Coma Scale (JCS), Brunnstrom Recovery Stage (BRS), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Movement Screen (FMS), and Functional Independence Measure (FIM). We divided lower extremity muscle activity into first and second half of the stance phase, compared muscle activity during the first half of the stance phase and the second half of the stance phase.

Site-specific dose conversion factors for radon progeny based on ambient aerosol characteristics in an outdoor environment and a tourist cave.

Site-specific Dose Conversion Factors (DCFs) for radon progeny were estimated based on the aerosol measurement results in an outdoor environment and a tourist cave. The Activity Median Diameter (AMD) and unattached fraction were measured and used to calculate the effective dose per unit intake of radon progeny. The AMDs in the outdoor environment was in the range of 0.

Development of calculation tool for iodine 131 biodistribution depending on the aerosol particle distribution.

Radiation damage to tissues depends on radiation exposure levels. Therefore, we have studied accurate estimations of radiation exposure levels so far. Recently, we developed a tool that can calculate the respiratory tract deposition of radionuclides based on polydisperse particle size distribution.

Factors associated with improvement in impaired consciousness during the acute phase of cerebral infarction: a prospective observational study.

[Purpose] In this study, we investigated factors that contribute to improvement in impaired consciousness following cerebral infarction. [Participants and Methods] This prospective observational study included 186 patients with cerebral infarction. We investigated 21 variables including the rehabilitation status to determine factors that contribute to improvement in impaired consciousness.

Residential radon exposure in Astana and Aqsu, Kazakhstan.

A pilot study was carried out to measure indoor radon concentrations in a uranium mining area of northern Kazakhstan. A total of 80 places at kindergartens, elementary schools, and dwellings were selected in Aqsu village and Astana city as the uranium mining area and background area for comparison, respectively. In Astana and Aqsu, the 3-month radon concentrations from late summer to autumn in 2022 were measured using the RADUET passive radon detectors.

Feasibility of using counts-per-volume approach with a new SPECT phantom to optimize the relationship between administered dose and acquisition time.

We developed a phantom for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), with the objective of assessing image quality to optimize administered dose and acquisition time. We investigated whether the concept of counts-per-volume (CPV), which is used as a predictor of visual image quality in positron emission tomography, can be used to estimate the acquisition time required for each SPECT image. QIRE phantoms for the head (QIRE-h) and torso (QIRE-t) were developed to measure four physical indicators of image quality in a single scan: uniformity, contrast of both hot and defective lesions with respect to the background, and linearity between radioactivity concentration and count density.

Estimation of Ambient Dose Equivalent Rate Distribution Map Using Walking Survey Technique in Hirosaki City, Aomori, Japan.

At present, much emphasis is placed on the health risks associated with radioactivity present in the environment, especially since the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. In this study, a walking survey was conducted in Hirosaki City using a NaI(Tl) scintillation spectrometer to estimate and map the distribution of the ambient dose equivalent rate to monitor the radiological safety of the general public in Hirosaki City, where many nuclear facilities are located nearby. The average (±standard deviation) ambient dose equivalent rate was 0.

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.

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

Rn and Ra concentrations of less than a few to several thousands of Bq L 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.

Effects of different baggage carrying methods on walking while wearing an arm sling in simulated hemiplegic stroke patients.

[Purpose] We aimed to clarify the effects of different baggage carrying methods on the movement of the trunk and pelvis while walking with an arm sling in simulated hemiplegic stroke patients. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 14 healthy young adults. Measurements were obtained using a three-dimensional motion analysis device in the following order: normal walking, walking with an arm sling on the upper left limb, walking with baggage on the right side, vertical walking, and diagonal walking.

Changes in cerebral blood flow during forward and backward walking with speed misperception generated by virtual reality.

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of speed misperception on brain activity, created by a speed difference between actual walking and virtual reality walking videos. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 20 healthy young people. The walking speed in the video was set to 3 km/h to induce an error, while the actual walking speed was 1 km/h.

Immediate effect of video viewing with an illusion of walking at a faster speed using virtual reality on actual walking of stroke patients.

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to provide cerebral stroke patients with virtual reality videos of gait occurring at a faster speed than their actual measured gait speed and ascertain the effect on generating errors of gait. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 12 stroke patients. They were given a 2-minute virtual reality presentation of gait occurring at a speed faster than their actual measured comfortable walking speed.

Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Activated by Ultraviolet-B Degrades Human Ciliary Zonules .

The ciliary zonules, also known as the zonules of Zinn, help to control the thickness of the lens during focusing. The ciliary zonules are composed of oxytalan fibers, which are synthesized by human nonpigmented ciliary epithelial cells (HNPCEC). The ciliary zonules are exposed to ultraviolet (UV), especially UV-A and UV-B, throughout life.

Long-Term Measurements of Radon and Thoron Exhalation Rates from the Ground Using the Vertical Distributions of Their Activity Concentrations.

A long-term measurement technique of radon exhalation rate was previously developed using a passive type radon and thoron discriminative monitor and a ventilated type accumulation chamber. In the present study, this technique was applied to evaluate the thoron exhalation rate as well, and long-term measurements of radon and thoron exhalation rates were conducted for four years in Gifu Prefecture. The ventilated type accumulation chamber (0.

Effects of arm swing on walking abilities in healthy adults restricted in the Wernicke-Mann's limb position.

. [Purpose] Arm swing is seldom considered while designing clinical rehabilitation protocols for hemiplegic patients with upper or lower extremity disabilities, likely due to the unclear role that arm swinging plays in the ability to walk. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the effect of arm swinging on walking abilities.

Passive-Type Radon Monitor Constructed Using a Small Container for Personal Dosimetry.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) recently recommended a new dose conversion factor for radon based on the latest epidemiological studies and dosimetric model. It is important to evaluate an inhalation dose from radon and its progeny. In the present study, a passive radon personal monitor was designed using a small container for storing contact lenses and its performance was evaluated.

Atypical Sensory Processing Profiles and Their Associations With Motor Problems In Preschoolers With Developmental Coordination Disorder.

The aims of this study were to identify sensory processing profiles specific to preschoolers with DCD in a community sample and examine the association of sensory processing problems with motor coordination difficulties in these children. Sixty-three 5-year-old children with DCD and without other neurodevelopmental disorders and 106 age-matched typically developing children participated in this study. Sensory processing problems were assessed using the Sensory Profile.

Ultrasound irradiation before high-load exercise reduces muscle rigidity associated with delayed-onset muscle soreness.

[Purpose] We investigated the occurrence of delayed-onset muscle soreness and the suppression of muscle rigidity by ultrasound irradiation before high-load exercise. [Participants and Methods] The study was a randomized crossover controlled trial. The participants were 28 healthy university students (12 males, 16 females).

DEVELOPMENT OF CALCULATION TOOL FOR RESPIRATORY TRACT DEPOSITION DEPENDING ON AEROSOLS PARTICLE DISTRIBUTION.

Inhalation exposures occur by inhaled radioactive nuclides depositing in the various locations in the respiratory tract (International Commission on Radiological Protection Publication 66). Respiratory tract deposition depends on particle size. The sensitivity to ionising radiation is different among respiratory regions.