The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by four hypothese... more The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by four hypotheses. The 1. hypothesis says: Life, as we know, is (H-C-N-O) based and relies on the number of bulk (Na-Mg-P-S-Cl-K-Ca) and trace elements (Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni-Cu-Zn-Se-Mo-I-W, and possibly Li-B-F-Si-V-As). It originated when the element abundance curve of the living matter and of the Universe, coincided. The 2. hypothesis is: Life originated in an interstellar molecular cloud with the critical role of dust particles. The 3. hypothesis arises from the 1. and states: Because of the Universe ageing, life originated only once. The dust forming planetary system and stars already contained an excess of L-type amino acids and D-type sugars, therefore, the emerging life on any planet had to be chiral. Consequently, the 4. hypothesis has been formed: Chirality is a sine qua non-condition for the emergence of life. The arguments supporting these hypotheses are put forward based on numerous astrophysical ...
Bromine is often used in agrochemicals, especially for citrus fruit protection, but it is rarely ... more Bromine is often used in agrochemicals, especially for citrus fruit protection, but it is rarely analysed in sediments, water or biota. This is probably because it is generally not considered as a pollutant harmful for human health. However, recent toxicological, epidemiologic and clinical studies have been shown evidences on the bromine role in bladder cancer in relation to humans exposure to brominated trihalomethanes in drinking water and swimming pools were bromine is used as a disinfectant (Cantor et al. 1998; Cantor et al. 2010; King and Marrett 1996; McGeehin et al. 1993; Villanueva et al. 2004; Villanueva et al. 2007, Richardson et al. 2010, Gan et al. 2013). In this survey we have investigated mortality rates and disease incidences of all malignant neoplasms (C00.0-C97.0) and malignant neoplasms of the bladder (C67.0-C67.9) for the period 1999-2008 in Dubrovacko-Neretvanska County (DNC) and delta of the Neretva River. Neretva delta valley is the largest citrus producing are...
The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by the following ... more The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by the following assumptions. Life, as we know it, is (H-C-N-O) based and relies on the number of bulk (Na-Mg-P-S-Cl-K-Ca) and trace elements (Li-B-F-Si-V-Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni-Cu-Zn-As-Se-Mo-I-W). It originated when the element abundance curve of the living matter and of the universe coincided. By studying the chemical evolution of the solar neighborhood we have obtained the best agreement between the two curves for (4 ± 1)x109 years after the Big Bang. The dust-forming planetary system and stars already contained an excess of L- type amino acids and D- type sugars when incorporated into proteins and primitive organisms. Therefore, the emerging life had to be chiral. Because of the universe's aging, life originated only once.
ABSTRACT Although there has been some reported progress in many systems used for threat material ... more ABSTRACT Although there has been some reported progress in many systems used for threat material detection and identification a promising one seems to be the use of tagged fast neutrons generated in d+t{yields}{alpha}+n nuclear reaction. Among others, EU-FP6 project EURITRACK has been a successful demonstration of the use of tagged neutrons for ship container inspections. It has been shown that the deployment of the same technology under-water is a feasibility to be realized in the near future (i.e. EU-FP7 project UNCOSS)
Biological systems are the systems that use energy flow through them to create order. In biologic... more Biological systems are the systems that use energy flow through them to create order. In biological processes each step is carefully marked in terms of free energy before and afterwards. On thermodynamics term the change of entropy is minimal. Evolution is driven by minimizing the time rate of an increase in entropy (ds/dt → minimal).
Publisher Summary The chapter discusses how radioactivity gets generated.Isotopes of chemical ele... more Publisher Summary The chapter discusses how radioactivity gets generated.Isotopes of chemical elements represent a tool, which can do certain jobs more easily, quickly, simply, and more economically than the competitive methods. Most important, especially in biological and medical work, is that radioisotopes can be located during a biological process. The functioning of certain glands can also be checked by first administering a small amount of a radioisotope and then following the path of this compound in the body simply by measuring the radiation from the outside. In agricultural research and applications, isotopes and radiation play a part in so many ways that it is difficult to obtain a proper picture of their enormous importance. In the laboratories, isotopes are used routinely with an ever-increasing assortment of modern research aids. In the emerging biotechnologies, which are used increasingly by scientists, isotopes are a basic tool without which research in molecular biology could not have been done. For the benefit to human health, applications of radiation and radionuclides followed rapidly in the wake of the discovery of X-rays by Rontgen. Techniques which permit the production of specific radionuclides in useful quantities have been developed. In nuclear medicine, a radionuclide—in a carefully chosen chemical form—is administered to the patient to trace a specific physiological phenomenon by means of a special detector, often a gamma camera, placed outside the body. The importance of nuclear medicine, which is now a recognized medical specialty by itself, is illustrated from the fact than one out of every three patients attending a major hospital in an industrialized country benefits from some type of nuclear medicine procedure. Use of radioisotopes and radiation in modern industry for process development and improvement, measurement and automation, and quality control is of great importance.Today, hardly any major hospital exists in an industrialized country which does not have a department of radiology and a department of nuclear medicine.
Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the problem of accidental release of radionuclides into ... more Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the problem of accidental release of radionuclides into the environment. Accidental release could be the consequence of activities such as mining, milling, enrichment and conversion of uranium, nuclear fuel fabrication, reactor operation or meltdown, nuclear fuel reprocessing, and nuclear materials transport. The primary source of radionuclides produced in the fission process and found in the environment is because of atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. The major source of fission derived radionuclides in the recent years has been from nuclear accidents. Environmental monitoring means the measurement of radiation and radioactivity outside the boundaries of installations operating nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel reprocessing plant, accelerators, handling radioactivity materials including nuclear fuels, or radioactive sources. In case of heavy contamination, early warning is essential. Gamma radiation, which in nearly all the cases is associated with the radioactive material emitted in an accident, can be easily measured. Many instrument systems can measure the dose rates caused by gamma radiation ranging from environmental levels up to extremely high levels. The higher the level, the faster and easier it can be measured. Therefore, on the instrumentation side, the requirements for a quick, early, and timely warning can be met.
This chapter deals with the atomic bomb and its health hazards. Nuclear devices are basically of ... more This chapter deals with the atomic bomb and its health hazards. Nuclear devices are basically of two types, fission (the “atomic” bomb) and fusion (the thermonuclear or “hydrogen” bomb). Fission of plutonium-239 or uranium-235 produces over 100 radioisotopes with half-lives varying from fractions of a second to millions of years. Fusion of light elements produces smaller quantities of radioisotopes, mainly activation products, but requires a fission device to trigger the fusion reaction. Small nuclear explosions are usually produced by fission while larger explosions generally involve both fission and fusion. Exposure to radioactivity from contaminants released in a nuclear explosion can occur via several pathways. These include external irradiation as well as internal irradiation by the inhalation of airborne particulates and ingestion of food or water containing radioactivity. The consequences of the radiation dose and the level of risk depends on how much of the body and what organs or tissues are irradiated, over what period the exposure occurs, and whether one individual or a large number of people are exposed. A small number of long-half-life radioisotopes could have a potential longer-term effect on human health. The short-lived radioactive components in fallout from an atmospheric nuclear explosion, comprising mainly particulate fission products, can contribute significantly to radiation exposures in humans either by external irradiation due to the material deposited on the ground or by the uptake of radioactive iodine from food, especially milk. Innumerable studies have been done on the effects of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; these studies have led to the most recent modifications of Basic Safety Standards.
The chapter elucidates the health hazards due to radiation and the need for protection measures. ... more The chapter elucidates the health hazards due to radiation and the need for protection measures. Ionizing radiation and radioactive substances are the natural and permanent features of environment and thus, the risks associated with radiation, in any of its forms,can only be restricted, not eliminated entirely. Additionally, the use of man-made radiation is widespread. Exposure to radiation can cause detrimental health effects. At large doses, the radiation effects such as nausea, reddening of the skin or, in severe cases, more acute syndromes are clinically expressed in exposed individuals within a short period of time; such effects are called deterministic because they are certain to occur if the dose exceeds a threshold level. Radiation exposure can also induce effects such as malignancies, which are expressed after a latency period and may be epidemiologically detectable in a population; this induction is assumed to take place over the entire range of doses without a threshold level. The acceptance by society of the risks associated with radiation is conditional on the benefits to be gained from the use made of radiation. Nonetheless, the risks must be restricted and protection enhanced by the application of radiation safety standards.
Aluminum is proposed to be an essential element for life based on the idea that the chemical comp... more Aluminum is proposed to be an essential element for life based on the idea that the chemical composition of living organisms must reflect to some extent the composition of the environment in which they evolved.
The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by four hypothese... more The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by four hypotheses. The 1. hypothesis says: Life, as we know, is (H-C-N-O) based and relies on the number of bulk (Na-Mg-P-S-Cl-K-Ca) and trace elements (Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni-Cu-Zn-Se-Mo-I-W, and possibly Li-B-F-Si-V-As). It originated when the element abundance curve of the living matter and of the Universe, coincided. The 2. hypothesis is: Life originated in an interstellar molecular cloud with the critical role of dust particles. The 3. hypothesis arises from the 1. and states: Because of the Universe ageing, life originated only once. The dust forming planetary system and stars already contained an excess of L-type amino acids and D-type sugars, therefore, the emerging life on any planet had to be chiral. Consequently, the 4. hypothesis has been formed: Chirality is a sine qua non-condition for the emergence of life. The arguments supporting these hypotheses are put forward based on numerous astrophysical ...
Bromine is often used in agrochemicals, especially for citrus fruit protection, but it is rarely ... more Bromine is often used in agrochemicals, especially for citrus fruit protection, but it is rarely analysed in sediments, water or biota. This is probably because it is generally not considered as a pollutant harmful for human health. However, recent toxicological, epidemiologic and clinical studies have been shown evidences on the bromine role in bladder cancer in relation to humans exposure to brominated trihalomethanes in drinking water and swimming pools were bromine is used as a disinfectant (Cantor et al. 1998; Cantor et al. 2010; King and Marrett 1996; McGeehin et al. 1993; Villanueva et al. 2004; Villanueva et al. 2007, Richardson et al. 2010, Gan et al. 2013). In this survey we have investigated mortality rates and disease incidences of all malignant neoplasms (C00.0-C97.0) and malignant neoplasms of the bladder (C67.0-C67.9) for the period 1999-2008 in Dubrovacko-Neretvanska County (DNC) and delta of the Neretva River. Neretva delta valley is the largest citrus producing are...
The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by the following ... more The phenomenon of life is discussed within a framework of its origin as defined by the following assumptions. Life, as we know it, is (H-C-N-O) based and relies on the number of bulk (Na-Mg-P-S-Cl-K-Ca) and trace elements (Li-B-F-Si-V-Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni-Cu-Zn-As-Se-Mo-I-W). It originated when the element abundance curve of the living matter and of the universe coincided. By studying the chemical evolution of the solar neighborhood we have obtained the best agreement between the two curves for (4 ± 1)x109 years after the Big Bang. The dust-forming planetary system and stars already contained an excess of L- type amino acids and D- type sugars when incorporated into proteins and primitive organisms. Therefore, the emerging life had to be chiral. Because of the universe's aging, life originated only once.
ABSTRACT Although there has been some reported progress in many systems used for threat material ... more ABSTRACT Although there has been some reported progress in many systems used for threat material detection and identification a promising one seems to be the use of tagged fast neutrons generated in d+t{yields}{alpha}+n nuclear reaction. Among others, EU-FP6 project EURITRACK has been a successful demonstration of the use of tagged neutrons for ship container inspections. It has been shown that the deployment of the same technology under-water is a feasibility to be realized in the near future (i.e. EU-FP7 project UNCOSS)
Biological systems are the systems that use energy flow through them to create order. In biologic... more Biological systems are the systems that use energy flow through them to create order. In biological processes each step is carefully marked in terms of free energy before and afterwards. On thermodynamics term the change of entropy is minimal. Evolution is driven by minimizing the time rate of an increase in entropy (ds/dt → minimal).
Publisher Summary The chapter discusses how radioactivity gets generated.Isotopes of chemical ele... more Publisher Summary The chapter discusses how radioactivity gets generated.Isotopes of chemical elements represent a tool, which can do certain jobs more easily, quickly, simply, and more economically than the competitive methods. Most important, especially in biological and medical work, is that radioisotopes can be located during a biological process. The functioning of certain glands can also be checked by first administering a small amount of a radioisotope and then following the path of this compound in the body simply by measuring the radiation from the outside. In agricultural research and applications, isotopes and radiation play a part in so many ways that it is difficult to obtain a proper picture of their enormous importance. In the laboratories, isotopes are used routinely with an ever-increasing assortment of modern research aids. In the emerging biotechnologies, which are used increasingly by scientists, isotopes are a basic tool without which research in molecular biology could not have been done. For the benefit to human health, applications of radiation and radionuclides followed rapidly in the wake of the discovery of X-rays by Rontgen. Techniques which permit the production of specific radionuclides in useful quantities have been developed. In nuclear medicine, a radionuclide—in a carefully chosen chemical form—is administered to the patient to trace a specific physiological phenomenon by means of a special detector, often a gamma camera, placed outside the body. The importance of nuclear medicine, which is now a recognized medical specialty by itself, is illustrated from the fact than one out of every three patients attending a major hospital in an industrialized country benefits from some type of nuclear medicine procedure. Use of radioisotopes and radiation in modern industry for process development and improvement, measurement and automation, and quality control is of great importance.Today, hardly any major hospital exists in an industrialized country which does not have a department of radiology and a department of nuclear medicine.
Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the problem of accidental release of radionuclides into ... more Publisher Summary This chapter addresses the problem of accidental release of radionuclides into the environment. Accidental release could be the consequence of activities such as mining, milling, enrichment and conversion of uranium, nuclear fuel fabrication, reactor operation or meltdown, nuclear fuel reprocessing, and nuclear materials transport. The primary source of radionuclides produced in the fission process and found in the environment is because of atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. The major source of fission derived radionuclides in the recent years has been from nuclear accidents. Environmental monitoring means the measurement of radiation and radioactivity outside the boundaries of installations operating nuclear power plants, research reactors, fuel reprocessing plant, accelerators, handling radioactivity materials including nuclear fuels, or radioactive sources. In case of heavy contamination, early warning is essential. Gamma radiation, which in nearly all the cases is associated with the radioactive material emitted in an accident, can be easily measured. Many instrument systems can measure the dose rates caused by gamma radiation ranging from environmental levels up to extremely high levels. The higher the level, the faster and easier it can be measured. Therefore, on the instrumentation side, the requirements for a quick, early, and timely warning can be met.
This chapter deals with the atomic bomb and its health hazards. Nuclear devices are basically of ... more This chapter deals with the atomic bomb and its health hazards. Nuclear devices are basically of two types, fission (the “atomic” bomb) and fusion (the thermonuclear or “hydrogen” bomb). Fission of plutonium-239 or uranium-235 produces over 100 radioisotopes with half-lives varying from fractions of a second to millions of years. Fusion of light elements produces smaller quantities of radioisotopes, mainly activation products, but requires a fission device to trigger the fusion reaction. Small nuclear explosions are usually produced by fission while larger explosions generally involve both fission and fusion. Exposure to radioactivity from contaminants released in a nuclear explosion can occur via several pathways. These include external irradiation as well as internal irradiation by the inhalation of airborne particulates and ingestion of food or water containing radioactivity. The consequences of the radiation dose and the level of risk depends on how much of the body and what organs or tissues are irradiated, over what period the exposure occurs, and whether one individual or a large number of people are exposed. A small number of long-half-life radioisotopes could have a potential longer-term effect on human health. The short-lived radioactive components in fallout from an atmospheric nuclear explosion, comprising mainly particulate fission products, can contribute significantly to radiation exposures in humans either by external irradiation due to the material deposited on the ground or by the uptake of radioactive iodine from food, especially milk. Innumerable studies have been done on the effects of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; these studies have led to the most recent modifications of Basic Safety Standards.
The chapter elucidates the health hazards due to radiation and the need for protection measures. ... more The chapter elucidates the health hazards due to radiation and the need for protection measures. Ionizing radiation and radioactive substances are the natural and permanent features of environment and thus, the risks associated with radiation, in any of its forms,can only be restricted, not eliminated entirely. Additionally, the use of man-made radiation is widespread. Exposure to radiation can cause detrimental health effects. At large doses, the radiation effects such as nausea, reddening of the skin or, in severe cases, more acute syndromes are clinically expressed in exposed individuals within a short period of time; such effects are called deterministic because they are certain to occur if the dose exceeds a threshold level. Radiation exposure can also induce effects such as malignancies, which are expressed after a latency period and may be epidemiologically detectable in a population; this induction is assumed to take place over the entire range of doses without a threshold level. The acceptance by society of the risks associated with radiation is conditional on the benefits to be gained from the use made of radiation. Nonetheless, the risks must be restricted and protection enhanced by the application of radiation safety standards.
Aluminum is proposed to be an essential element for life based on the idea that the chemical comp... more Aluminum is proposed to be an essential element for life based on the idea that the chemical composition of living organisms must reflect to some extent the composition of the environment in which they evolved.
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