Possibility of reaching the predicted center of the“island of stability”via the radioactive beam-induced fusion reactions

Based on the dinuclear system model,the synthesis of the predicted double-magic nuclei^(298)Fl and 304120 was investigated via neutron-rich radioactive beam-induced fusion reactions.The reaction^(58)Ca+^(244)Pu is predicted to be favorable for producing^(298)Fl with a maximal ER cross section of 0.301 pb.Investigations of the entrance channel effect reveal that the^(244)Pu target is more promising for synthesizing^(298)Fl than the neutron-rich targets^(248)Cm and^(249)Bk,because of the influence of the Coulomb barrier.For the synthesis of 304120,the maximal ER cross section of 0.046 fb emerges in the reaction^(58)V+^(249)Bk,indicating the need for further advancements in both experimental facilities and reaction mechanisms.

Effect of drying cracks on swelling and self-healing of bentonite-sand blocks used as engineered barriers for radioactive waste disposal

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the healing of drying cracks in air-dried bentonite-sand blocks after hydration and swelling in groundwater,providing justifications to simplify the protection of blocks prior to installation in a high-level radioactive waste repository.Synthetic groundwater was prepared to represent the geochemistry of Beishan groundwater,and was used to hydrate the blocks during the swelling pressure and swelling strain measurements,as Beishan is the most promising site for China's repository.Healing of the surface cracks was recorded by photography,and healing of the internal cracks was visualized by CT images and hydraulic conductivity of air-dried blocks.The results indicate that the maximum swelling pressure and swelling strain are primarily affected by the geochemistry of Beishan groundwater,but not affected by the drying cracks.The maximum swelling pressure and swelling strain of air-dried blocks are comparable to or even higher than the pressure and strain of fresh blocks.The maximum swelling pressure measured in strong(i.e.high ion strength)Beishan groundwater was 44%of the pressure measured in deionized(DI)water,and the maximum swelling strain was reduced to 23%of the strain measured in DI water.Nevertheless,the remained swelling of the blocks hydrated in strong Beishan groundwater was sufficient to heal the surface and internal drying cracks,as demonstrated by the pictures of surface cracks and CT images.The hydraulic conductivity of the air-dried block permeated with strong groundwater was comparable(3.7×higher)to the hydraulic conductivity of the fresh block,indicating the self-healing of drying cracks after hydration and swelling in groundwater.A simplified method of protecting the block with plastic wraps before installation is recommended,since the remained swelling of the block hydrated in Beishan groundwater is sufficient to heal the drying cracks.

Application of radioactive iodine-125 microparticles in hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein embolus

BACKGROUND Radioactive iodine-125(125I)microparticle therapy is a new type of internal radiation therapy that has shown unique advantages in the treatment of malignant tumors,especially hepatocellular carcinoma.Patients with hepatocellular carcinoma frequently experience portal vein embolism,which exacerbates the difficulty and complexity of treatment.125I particles,used in local radiotherapy,can directly act on tumor tissue and reduce damage to surrounding healthy tissue.Through retrospective analysis,this study discussed the efficacy and safety of radioactive 125I particles in portal vein embolization patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in order to provide more powerful evidence supporting clinical treatment.AIM To investigate the effect of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization combined with portal vein 125I particle implantation in the treatment of primary liver cancer patients with portal vein tumor thrombus and its influence on liver function.METHODS The clinical data of 96 patients with primary liver cancer combined with portal vein tumor thrombus admitted to our hospital between January 2020 and December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Fifty-two patients received treatment with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and implantation of 125I particles in the portal vein(combination group),while 44 patients received treatment with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone(control group).The therapeutic effects on tumor lesions,primary liver cancer,and portal vein tumor embolisms were compared between the two groups.Changes in relevant laboratory indexes before and after treatment were evaluated.The t test was used to compare the measurement data between the two groups,and the χ^(2) test was used to compare the counting data between groups.RESULTS The tumor lesion response rate in the combination group(59.62%vs 38.64%)and the response rate of patients with primary liver cancer complicated with portal vein tumor thrombus(80.77%vs 59.09%)were significantly greater than those in the control group(χ^(2)=4.196,5.421;P=0.041,0.020).At 8 wk after surgery,the serum alpha-fetoprotein,portal vein main diameter,and platelet of the combined group were significantly lower than those of the control group,and the serum alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,and total bilirubin were significantly greater than those of the control group(t=3.891,3.291,2.330,3.729,3.582,4.126;P<0.05).The serum aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,and total bilirubin levels of the two groups were significantly greater than those of the same group 8 wk after surgery(P<0.05),and the peripheral blood platelet,alphafetoprotein,and main portal vein diameter were significantly less than those of the same group before surgery(P<0.05).CONCLUSION In patients with primary liver cancer and a thrombus in the portal vein,transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus portal vein 125I implantation is more effective than transcatheter arterial chemoembolization alone.However,during treatment it is crucial to pay attention to liver function injury caused by transcatheter arterial chemoembolization.

An experimental study of preventing and treating acute radioactive enteritis with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells

Objective:To test the curative effect of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells on rat acute radioactive enteritis and thus in provide clinical therapeutic basis for radiation sickness.Methods:Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultivated in vitro and the model of acute radioactive enteritis of rats was established.Then,the umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were injected into the rats via tail vein.Visual and histopathiological changes of the experimental rats were observed.Results:After the injection,the rats in the prevention group and treatment group had remarkably better survival status than those in the control group.The histological observations revealed that the former also had better intestinal mucosa structure,more regenerative cells and stronger proliferation activity than the latter.Conclusions:Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells have a definite therapeutic effect on acute radioactive enteritis in rats.

High-level radioactive waste disposal in China: update 2010

For geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste （HLW）, the Chinese policy is that the spent nuclear fuel （SNF） should be reprocessed first, followed by vitrification and final disposal. The preliminary repository concept is a shaft-tunnel model, located in saturated zones in granite, while the final waste form for disposal is vitrified high-level radioactive waste. In 2006, the government published a long-term research and development （R＆D） plan for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste. The program consists of three steps： （1） laboratory studies and site selection for a HLW repository （2006-2020）; （2） underground in-situ tests （2021-2040）; and （3） repository construction （2041-2050） followed by operation. With the support of China Atomic Energy Authority, comprehensive studies are underway and some progresses are made. The site characterization, including deep borehole drilling, has been performed at the most potential Beishan site in Gansu Province, Northwestern China. The data from geological and hydrogeological investigations, in-situ stress and permeability measurements of rock mass are presented in this paper. Engineered barrier studies are concentrated on the Gaomiaozi bentonite. A mock-up facility, which is used to study the thermo-hydro-mechano-chemical （THMC） properties of the bentonite, is under construction. Several projects on mechanical properties of Beishan granite are also underway. The key scientific challenges faced with HLW disposal are also discussed.

The Beishan underground research laboratory for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste in China:Planning, site selection,site characterization and in situ tests

With the rapid development of nuclear power in China, the disposal of high-level radioactive waste（HLW） has become an important issue for nuclear safety and environmental protection. Deep geological disposal is internationally accepted as a feasible and safe way to dispose of HLW, and underground research laboratories（URLs） play an important and multi-faceted role in the development of HLW repositories. This paper introduces the overall planning and the latest progress for China＇s URL. On the basis of the proposed strategy to build an area-specific URL in combination with a comprehensive evaluation of the site selection results obtained during the last 33 years, the Xinchang site in the Beishan area,located in Gansu Province of northwestern China, has been selected as the final site for China＇s first URL built in granite. In the process of characterizing the Xinchang URL site, a series of investigations,including borehole drilling,geological mapping, geophysical surveying,hydraulic testing and in situ stress measurements, has been conducted. The investigation results indicate that the geological,hydrogeological, engineering geological and geochemical conditions of the Xinchang site are very suitable for URL construction. Meanwhile, to validate and develop construction technologies for the Beishan URL, the Beishan exploration tunnel（BET）, which is a 50-m-deep facility in the Jiujing sub-area, has been constructed and several in situ tests, such as drill-and-blast tests, characterization of the excavation damaged zone（EDZ）, and long-term deformation monitoring of surrounding rocks, have been performed in the BET. The methodologies and technologies established in the BET will serve for URL construction.According to the achievements of the characterization of the URL site, a preliminary design of the URL with a maximum depth of 560 m is proposed and necessary in situ tests in the URL are planned.

Clays in radioactive waste disposal

Clays and argillites are considered in some countries as possible host rocks for nuclear waste disposal at great depth.The use of compacted swelling clays as engineered barriers is also considered within the framework of the multi-barrier concept.In relation to these concepts,various research programs have been conducted to assess the thermo-hydro-mechanical properties of radioactive waste disposal at great depth.After introducing the concepts of waste isolation developed in Belgium,France and Switzerland,the paper describes the retention and transfer properties of engineered barriers made up of compacted swelling clays in relation to microstructure features.Some features of the thermo-mechanical behaviors of three possible geological barriers,namely Boom clay（Belgium）,Callovo-Oxfordian clay（France） and Opalinus clay（Switzerland）,are then described,including the retention and transfer properties,volume change behavior,shear strength and thermal aspects.

Silicon detector array for radioactive beam experiments at HIRFL-RIBLL

A new and innovative detector system based on a silicon strip detector dedicated to the study of the reaction induced by lighter radioactive beams is described herein.The detector system consists of five sets of three types of telescopes,which are successfully used to measure the angular distributions of both elastic scattering and breakup simultaneously, on the Radioactive Ion Beam Line in Lanzhou at Heavy Ion Research Facility in Lanzhou. This silicon detector array is used to measure the elastic scattering angular distributions of ^(11) Be on a ^(208) Pb target at E_(lab) = 140 and 209 MeV. A comparison of the Monte Carlo simulations with the experimental results shows a reasonable consistency.

Main outcomes from in situ thermo-hydro-mechanical experiments programme to demonstrate feasibility of radioactive high-level waste disposal in the Callovo-Oxfordian claystone

In the context of radioactive waste disposal,an underground research laboratory(URL)is a facility in which experiments are conducted to demonstrate the feasibility of constructing and operating a radioactive waste disposal facility within a geological formation.The Meuse/Haute-Marne URL is a sitespecific facility planned to study the feasibility of a radioactive waste disposal in the Callovo-Oxfordian(COx)claystone.The thermo-hydro-mechanical(THM)behaviour of the host rock is significant for the design of the underground nuclear waste disposal facility and for its long-term safety.The French National Radioactive Waste Management Agency(Andra)has begun a research programme aiming to demonstrate the relevancy of the French high-level waste(HLW)concept.This paper presents the programme implemented from small-scale(small diameter)boreholes to full-scale demonstration experiments to study the THM effects of the thermal transient on the COx claystone and the strategy implemented in this new programme to demonstrate and optimise current disposal facility components for HLW.It shows that the French high-level waste concept is feasible and working in the COx claystone.It also exhibits that,as for other plastic clay or claystone,heating-induced pore pressure increases and that the THM behaviour is anisotropic.

Implications of safety requirements for the treatment of THMC processes in geological disposal systems for radioactive waste

The mission of nuclear safety authorities in national radioactive waste disposal programmes is to ensure that people and the environment are protected against the hazards of ionising radiations emitted by the waste.It implies the establishment of safety requirements and the oversight of the activities of the waste management organisation in charge of implementing the programme.In Belgium,the safety requirements for geological disposal rest on the following principles:defence-in-depth,demonstrability and the radiation protection principles elaborated by the International Commission on Radiological Protection(ICRP).Applying these principles requires notably an appropriate identification and characterisation of the processes upon which the safety functions fulfilled by the disposal system rely and of the processes that may affect the system performance.Therefore,research and development(R&D)on safety-relevant thermo-hydro-mechanical-chemical(THMC)issues is important to build confidence in the safety assessment.This paper points out the key THMC processes that might influence radionuclide transport in a disposal system and its surrounding environment,considering the dynamic nature of these processes.Their nature and significance are expected to change according to prevailing internal and external conditions,which evolve from the repository construction phase to the whole heatingecooling cycle of decaying waste after closure.As these processes have a potential impact on safety,it is essential to identify and to understand them properly when developing a disposal concept to ensure compliance with relevant safety requirements.In particular,the investigation of THMC processes is needed to manage uncertainties.This includes the identification and characterisation of uncertainties as well as for the understanding of their safety-relevance.R&D may also be necessary to reduce uncertainties of which the magnitude does not allow demonstrating the safety of the disposal system.

Efficient Separation of Ar and Kr from Environmental Samples for Trace Radioactive Noble Gas Detection

Radioactive noble-gas isotopes, SSKr （half-life tl/2=10.8 y）, 39Ar （tl/2=269 y）, and SlKr （t1/2-229,000 y）, are ideal tracers and can be detected by atom trap trace analysis （ATTA）, a laser-based technique, from environmental samples like air and groundwater. Prior to ATTA measurements, it is necessary to efficiently extract krypton and argon gases from samples. Using a combination of cryogenic distillation, titanium chemical reaction and gas chromatography, we demonstrate that we can recover both krypton and argon gases from 1-10 L ＂air-like＂ samples with yields in excess of 90% and 98%, respectively, which meet well the requirements for ATTA measurements. A group of testing samples are analyzed to verify the performance of the system, including two groundwater samples obtained from north China plain.

Design and development of large-scale in-situ PRACLAY heater test and horizontal high-level radioactive waste disposal gallery seal test in Belgian HADES

In Belgium,the Boom clay was selected as a potential host formation for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste（HLW）.To demonstrate the suitability of Boom clay for bearing thermal load induced by the HLW,a large-scale in-situ heater test,called PRACLAY heater test,will be conducted in the underground research laboratory（URL） in Mol.Owing to the limitations of the test（a short period of time compared with that considered in a real repository,different boundary conditions,etc.）,the test is designed to simulate,in a conservative way,the most critical state and phenomena that could occur in the host rock.The PRACLAY gallery was excavated at the end of 2007;the heating phase will begin in 2010 and will last for at least 10 years.The PRACLAY gallery itself leaves an opportunity to study the possibilities of sealing a disposal drift in Boom clay and testing the feasibility of hydraulic cut-off of any preferential pathway to the main access gallery through the excavation damage zone（EDZ） and the lining with a seal in a horizontal drift（horizontal seal）.Indeed,this is a generic problem for all deep geological disposal facilities for HLW.An annular seal made of compacted swelling bentonite will be installed in the front of the heated part of the PRACLAY gallery for these purposes.This paper provides detailed considerations on the thermo-hydro-mechanical（THM） boundary conditions for the design of the PRACLAY heater test and the seal test with the support of numerical calculations.It is believed that these important items considered in the PRACLAY heater test design also constitute key issues for the repository design.The outcome of the PRACLAY heater test will be an important milestone for the Belgian repository design.

NEW IDEAS AND METHODS ON GEOMECHANICAL SAFETY ANALYSIS OF TOXIC AND RADIOACTIVE WASTE REPOSITORIES IN SALT MINE

In view of the need for geomechanical safety analysis of repositories in salt rock, failure criteria,creep rupture criteria,material models,pillar design methods and criteria for the assessment of barrier efficiency as well as investigations of the interaction between hydraulics and mechanics for the case of uncontrolled flooded repositories are necessary. The introduction of damage mechanics and of the Hou/Lux material model including damages into geomechanical safety analysis of repositories in salt rock can reduce some previous deficits in knowledge and modelling. This article will be as a part of geotechnical assessment to introduce the Hou/Lux material model,a new concept of hydro-mechanical coupling and a pillar design method as well as criteria for the assessment of efficiency of geological barriers.

On area-specific underground research laboratory for geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste in China

Underground research laboratories （URLs）, including ＂generic URLs＂ and ＂site-specific URLs＂, are un- derground facilities in which characterisation, testing, technology development, and/or demonstration activities are carried out in support of the development of geological repositories for high-level radioactive waste （HLW） disposal. In addition to the generic URL and site-specific URL, a concept of ＂areaspecific URL＂, or the third type of URL, is proposed in this paper. It is referred to as the facility that is built at a site within an area that is considered as a potential area for HLW repository or built at a place near the future repository site, and may be regarded as a precursor to the development of a repository at the site. It acts as a ＂generic URL＂, but also acts as a ＂site-specific URL＂ to some extent. Considering the current situation in China, the most suitable option is to build an ＂area-specific URL＂ in Beishan area, the first priority region for China＇s high-level waste repository. With this strategy, the goal to build China＇s URL by 2020 mav be achieved, but the time left is limited.

Rock Mass Characteristics in Beishan,A Preselected Area for China's High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal

Geological and hydrological characteristics, joint geometric features, rock physical and mechanical properties and rock mass quality are studied in the Beishan area, preselected for China5 s high-level radioactive waste(HLW) disposal engineering. A comprehensive survey method is developed to study joint geometric features in the outcrop and samples from borehole BS06 into the Xinchang rock mass were tested. The optimal joint sets are determined by rose diagrams and equal-area lower hemisphere plots of joint poles. Results show that: 1) the distribution of joint occurrence obeys a normal distribution, while the distribution of joint spacing obeys a negative exponential distribution; 2) concentric circular and tangent circular sampling windows are applied to study the trace length and the trace midpoint density. Results indicate that tangent circular sampling window is more stable and reasonable; 3) Beishan granite shows high density, low porosity and high strength based on many laboratory tests and the physical properties and mechanical properties are closely related; and4) a synthesis index, Joint Structure Rating(JSR), is applied to evaluate the quality of rock mass. Through the research results of rock mass characteristics, the Xinchang rock mass in the Beishan preselected area has the favorable conditions for China's HLW disposal repository site.

Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Human Benign Prostatic Hyperplastic Tissue Before and After Irradiation with Radioactive Nuclide

The expressed proteins were extracted from human benign prostatic hyperplastic tissues obtained with transurethral resection of the prostate before and after their irradiation with radioactive nuclide. The proteins were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Four proteins were differentially expressed and were identified with a database search. Three were associated with the regulation of cell motion and one was lactate dehydrogenase B, which plays an important role in the process of cell energy metabolism and cell state changes in tissue. The comparative proteomic analysis indicates that after irradiation with radioactive nuclide, changes occur in human benign prostatic hyperplastic cells, and associated proteins are expressed. Analysis of these proteins should help to identify the mechanism involved when human prostatic hyperplasia is treated by irradiation with radioactive nuclide.

Designing a nuclear battery based on the Mo-99 radioactive source soluble in water and aqua regia in order to use in early tests

Today, millions of electrocommunication, electric, medical, and industrial devices use battery. Batteries with long life and high energy density seem to be essential in medical, military, oil and mining, aerospace areas as well as conditions in which access is difficult and in situations where replacement or recharging of battery is costly.In this regard, the use of radiation energy resulting from radioactive materials and its conversion to electric energy can be effective in making batteries. In the present study,various Mo-99 radioisotope values with a half-life of 65.98 h were used as a soluble radioactive source in two materials of water and aqua regia. Then, by comparing the results of the Monte Carlo simulations program MCNPX for these two solutions, it was found that when the water is used instead of aqua regia(for idealization), the values of the superficial current of electrons, the volumetric flux of electrons, and the deposited energy in the volume containing the radioactive solution increased by 10.80, 4.10,and 13.80%, respectively. Also, the short-circuit current and energy conversion efficiency of this battery with a concentration of 0.01 molar, Mo-99 dissolved in the aqua regia are 0.79μA and 16.47%, respectively.

Combustion synthesis of radioactive waste immobilization

Using chromium oxide (CrO3) as an oxidant, the immobilization of simulating radioactive waste in perovskite (CaTiO3) structure by a combustion synthesis (CS) method was tested. The products were characterized by Archimedes liquid displacement technique, microhardness technique, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy. The leaching rate was measured by the method of MCC-1 or MCC-2. The primary results show that the CS method can be used to solidify the immobilizate waste effectively.

Dosimetry for ^(125) I radioactive seed implantation therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is an aggressive malignancy. Early lesions respond well to hepatic resection or liver transplantation. However, only a few of HCC patients are suitable for surgical intervention. External beam radiation and chemotherapy is poorly efficacious. In the last 20 years, HCCs belonging to the radiosensitive tumor group has been confirmed. Along with the development of new radiotherapy technology and facilities, the research about brachytherapy（especially ^125I seed implantation therapy） has provoked more interests in the world. Radioactive seed implantation therapy is a form of interstitial brachytherapy, with the property of local ＂conformal radiotherapy＂ and the advantages of minimal invasion, convenience, high performance, and minimal adverse effects. It is a promising therapy for HCC, however the dosimetry hasn＇ t yet been identified and lacks verification in prospective research. This report aims to further explore the best prescription dose and radioactivity for ^125I interstitial implantation brachytherapy for HCC.

DTI and pathological changes in a rabbit model of radiation injury to the spinal cord after ^(125)I radioactive seed implantation

Excessive radiation exposure may lead to edema of the spinal cord and deterioration of the nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to judge and assess the extent of edema and to evaluate pathological changes and thus may be used for the evaluation of spinal cord injuries caused by radiation therapy. Radioactive ^125I seeds to irradiate 90% of the spinal cord tissue at doses of 40–100 Gy （D90） were implanted in rabbits at T10 to induce radiation injury, and we evaluated their safety for use in the spinal cord. Diffusion tensor imaging showed that with increased D90, the apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy values were increased. Moreover, pathological damage of neurons and microvessels in the gray matter and white matter was aggravated. At 2 months after implantation, obvious pathological injury was visible in the spinal cords of each group. Magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging revealed the radiation injury to the spinal cord, and we quantified the degree of spinal cord injury through apparent diffusion coefficient and fractional anisotropy.