Association between Childhood Leukaemia and Exposure to Power-frequency Magnetic Fields in Middle Europe

Abstract Objective Higher levels of exposure to extremely low-frequency magnetic fields （ELF-MF） are associated with a slightly increased risk of childhood leukaemia. Compared with more-developed Western countries, higher exposure levels are evident in the Czech Republic, probably because of the different types of housing. In light of this, we aimed to examine the association between ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukaemia in the Czech Republic. Methods We conducted a paired case-control study. The cases （children with leukaemia） were age- sex- and permanent residence-matched to controls （children without leukaemia）. Although this limited potential bias and confounding, it also limited our number of participants. Results The matched analyses included 79 case-control pairs. No significant association between ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukaemia was observed for exposures over 0.2 μT （odds ratio [0R]=0.93, confidence interval [Cl]=0.45-1.93）, 0.3 μT （0R=0.77, Cl=0.34-1.75）, or 0.4 μT （OR=0.9, Cl=0.37-2.22）. Conclusion Despite higher levels of exposure in Middle and Eastern Europe, no indication of an association between ELF-MF exposure and childhood leukaemia was determined. This in contrast to the findings of previous studies conducted in different countries.

Exposure to a 2.5 GHz Non-ionizing Electromagnetic Field Alters Hematological Profiles, Biochemical Parameters, and Induces Oxidative Stress in Male Albino Rats

Modern technology has witnessed milestone achievements in the telecommunication industry.However,the widespread application of telecommunication technology is believed to heighten electromagnetic field(EMF)‘pollution’in our environment[1]and subject living organisms to various sources of electromagnetic emissions.These emissions include;microwaves.

Currents and Electric Fields Induced in Anatomically Realistic Human Models by Extremely Low Frequency Electric Fields

There is increasing public concern about biological interactions with and the potential health effects of low frequency electric and magnetic fields. Recently, the ICNIRP （International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection） has published new exposure guidelines with regard to these fields. The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the calculation of the currents and electric fields induced in the human body by external electric fields at 60 Hz, using numerical human models of anatomically-realistic human bodies, and to compare those results with the basic restrictions proposed by the new guidelines. As a result, in the case that a human is exposed to an electric field of 1 kV/m at 60 Hz the short-circuit current of 18 μA flows though the ankles. Furthermore, the electric field of 40 mV/m in the nervous tissue of the adult model is induced by exposure to external electric fields at the reference level, which is enough smaller than the basic restrictions established in the ICNIRP guidelines for occupational exposure.

Corrosion behavior of copper in extremely harsh marine atmosphere in Nansha Islands,China

The corrosion behavior of pure copper exposed to the atmosphere of Nansha Islands for 21 months was studied by mass loss method,composition analysis,morphology observation and electrochemical measurements.The results showed that the average corrosion rate of copper exposed for one year was approximately 7.85μm/a,implying that Nansha Islands was classified as a corrosion category of CX.The structure and properties of the corrosion product layer generated on the front and back sides of the exposed sample differed significantly.The inner corrosion product layer(Cu2O)on the front side was relatively thick and dense,whereas the outer product layer(Cu2Cl(OH)3)was extremely thin.However,the outer product layer on the back side was thicker than the inner layer.Electrochemical measurements indicated that the protection afforded by the corrosion product layer on the front side was improved gradually,while that on the back side was deteriorated.

Corrosion and pitting behavior of pure aluminum 1060 exposed to Nansha Islands tropical marine atmosphere

The corrosion and pitting behavior of pure aluminum 1060 exposed to Nansha Islands marine atmosphere for 34 months was investigated based on mass loss measurement,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS).The results indicated that serious pitting corrosion occurred on the surfaces of pure aluminum.The corrosion rate after exposure for 13 months was approximately 1.28 g/(m^(2)·a).The XPS results showed that the corrosion products were Al_(2)O_(3),Al(OH)_(3),and AlCl_(3).Moreover,the corrosion product layer was more protective than the native oxide film,and the protectiveness first increased and then decreased.Finally,the shape of the pits was evaluated using statistical analysis.

High corrosion resistance 21%Cr-0.4%Cu ferritic stainless steel contributing to resource conservation

With prices for metal resources such as nickel and molybdenum soaring,there is a heightened sense of crisis concerning resource scarcity.While Type304,the most common stainless steel,offers excellent corrosion resistance,its price is affected significantly by the cost of nickel because of its 8%nickel content.The stainless steel that has the same corrosion resistance as that of Type304 and does not contain nickel and molybdenum has been required.JFE Steel Corporation has developed a new 21%Cr-0.4%Cu stainless steel,the world's first ferritic stainless steel,which offers equivalent corrosion resistance to Type304 while containing absolutely no nickel or molybdenum,two rare metals.The newly developed steel contains 21%chromium with the addition of 0.4% copper.The development of the steel is based on a new discovery that the passive films of stainless steels could be strengthened by the synergy effect of high chromium content and copper addition.Copper addition enriches the chromium content in passive films after field exposure.Newly developed 21%Cr-0.4%Cu stainless steel is adopted for many applications as a substitution for Type304,including commercial kitchenware,building materials and industrial machinery.The steel is expected to be a new standard of a ferritic stainless steel as a substitution for Type304.

Intrinsic Mechanisms of Morphological Engineering and Carbon Doping for Improved Photocatalysis of 2D/2D Carbon Nitride Van Der Waals Heterojunction

Van der Waals(VDW)heterojunctions in a 2D/2D contact provide the highest area for the separation and transfer of charge carriers.In this work,a top-down strategy with a gas erosion process was employed to fabricate a 2D/2D carbon nitride VDW heterojunction in carbon nitride(g-C_(3)N_(4))with carbon-rich carbon nitride.The created 2D semiconducting channel in the VDW structure exhibits enhanced electric field exposure and radiation absorption,which facilitates the separation of the charge carriers and their mobility.Consequently,compared with bulk g-C_(3)N_(4)and its nanosheets,the photocatalytic performance of the fabricated carbon nitride VDW heterojunction in the water splitting reaction to hydrogen is improved by 8.6 and 3.3 times,respectively,while maintaining satisfactory photo-stability.Mechanistically,the finite element method(FEM)was employed to evaluate and clarify the contributions of the formation of VDW heterojunction to enhanced photocatalysis,in agreement quantitatively with experimental ones.This study provides a new and effective strategy for the modification and more insights to performance improvement on polymeric semiconductors in photocatalysis and energy conversion.