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DOE OSTI2016

SU-F-J-56: The Connection Between Cherenkov Light Emission and Radiation Absorbed Dose in Proton Irradiated Phantoms

Purpose: Range verification in proton therapy is of great importance. Cherenkov light follows the photon and electron energy deposition in water phantom. The purpose of this study is to investigate the connection between Cherenkov light generation and radiation absorbed dose in a water phantom irradiated with proton beams. Methods: Monte Carlo simulation was performed by employing FLUKA Monte Carlo code to stochastically simulate radiation transport, ionizing radiation dose deposition, and Cherenkov radiation in water phantoms. The simulations were performed for proton beams with energies in the range 50–600 MeV to cover a wide range of proton energies. Results: The mechanism of Cherenkov light production depends on the initial energy of protons. For proton energy with 50–400 MeV energy that is below the threshold (∼483 MeV in water) for Cherenkov light production directly from incident protons, Cherenkov light is produced mainly from the secondary electrons liberated as a result of columbic interactions with the incident protons. For proton beams with energy above 500 MeV, in the initial depth that incident protons have higher energy than the Cherenkov light production threshold, the light has higher intensity. As the slowing down process results in lower energy protons in larger depths in the water phantom, there is a knee point in the Cherenkov light curve vs. depth due to switching the Cherenkov light production mechanism from primary protons to secondary electrons. At the end of the depth dose curve the Cherenkov light intensity does not follow the dose peak because of the lack of high energy protons to produce Cherenkov light either directly or through secondary electrons. Conclusion: In contrast to photon and electron beams, Cherenkov light generation induced by proton beams does not follow the proton energy deposition specially close to the end of the proton range near the Bragg peak.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

Digital holographic interferometry: A novel optical calorimetry technique for radiation dosimetry

Purpose: To develop and demonstrate the proof-of-principle of a novel optical calorimetry method to determine radiation absorbed dose in a transparent medium. Methods: The calorimetric property of water is measured during irradiation by means of an interferometer, which detects temperature-induced changes in the refractive index that can be mathematically related to absorbed dose. The proposed method uses a technique called digital holographic interferometry (DHI), which comprises an optical laser interferometer setup and consecutive physical reconstruction of the recorded wave fronts by means of the Fresnel transform. This paper describes the conceptual framework and provides the mathematical basis for DHI dosimetry. Dose distributions from a high dose rate Brachytherapy source were measured by a prototype optical setup to demonstrate the feasibility of the approach. Results: The developed DHI dosimeter successfully determined absorbed dose distributions in water in the region adjacent to a high dose rate Brachytherapy source. A temperature change of 0.0381 K across a distance of 6.8 mm near the source was measured, corresponding to a dose of 159.3 Gy. The standard deviation in a typical measurement set was ±3.45 Gy (corresponding to an uncertainty in the temperature value of ±8.3 × 10{sup −4} K). The relative dose fall off was in agreement with treatment planning system modeled data. Conclusions: First results with a prototype optical setup and a Brachytherapy source demonstrate the proof-of-principle of the approach. The prototype achieves high spatial resolution of approximately 3 × 10{sup −5} m. The general approach is fundamentally independent of the radiation type and energy. The sensitivity range determined indicates that the method is predominantly suitable for high dose rate applications. Further work is required to determine absolute dose in all three dimensions.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2014

Radiogenic Risk in Normal Tissues of Cancer Patients Receiving Radiotherapy - Paper 64

Because of its effectiveness in causing lethal damage to cancer cells and yielding local tumor control, radiotherapy is an important component of most curative cancer treatments. In radiotherapy, very high doses of radiation are delivered deliberately to patients, with the goal of conforming a prescribed radiation dose to the clinical target and nearby tissues. In this process, radiation absorbed dose damages organs and tissues both from therapeutic radiation within the treatment fields and stray radiation outside the treatment fields. Stray radiation originates either in the treatment unit or in the patient and has no known therapeutic benefit. Over the past decade, our understanding of these exposures and secondary effects has grown immensely. In this presentation, we will discuss the radiogenic risks in normal tissues of cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, with a particular focus on late effects and what is being done to reduce the risks. Long-term epidemiological studies of patients or others who have been exposed to radiation are essential for understanding the relationship between effective dose and the risk of late effects. However, in the case of epidemiological studies for patients exposed to radiation, many of the techniques used to deliver the radiation (and often the chemotherapy used) are obsolete. The results of these studies are further complicated by the direct or synergistic effects of chemotherapy and variations in genetic susceptibility, which are very difficult to take into account or control statistically. This underscores the value of predictive dosimetric studies that rely on risk models and can be done immediately without the need for long-term follow up, for example in silico clinical trials. In this presentation, we will discuss more comprehensively the risks of radiogenic late effects, specifically with regard to cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, including recent epidemiological and predictive dosimetric studies. Methods of reducing these risks will also be presented. (author)

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DOE OSTI2015

The development of a population of 4D pediatric XCAT phantoms for imaging research and optimization

Purpose: We previously developed a set of highly detailed 4D reference pediatric extended cardiac-torso (XCAT) phantoms at ages of newborn, 1, 5, 10, and 15 yr with organ and tissue masses matched to ICRP Publication 89 values. In this work, we extended this reference set to a series of 64 pediatric phantoms of varying age and height and body mass percentiles representative of the public at large. The models will provide a library of pediatric phantoms for optimizing pediatric imaging protocols. Methods: High resolution positron emission tomography-computed tomography data obtained from the Duke University database were reviewed by a practicing experienced radiologist for anatomic regularity. The CT portion of the data was then segmented with manual and semiautomatic methods to form a target model defined using nonuniform rational B-spline surfaces. A multichannel large deformation diffeomorphic metric mapping algorithm was used to calculate the transform from the best age matching pediatric XCAT reference phantom to the patient target. The transform was used to complete the target, filling in the nonsegmented structures and defining models for the cardiac and respiratory motions. The complete phantoms, consisting of thousands of structures, were then manually inspected for anatomical accuracy. The mass for each major tissue was calculated and compared to linearly interpolated ICRP values for different ages. Results: Sixty four new pediatric phantoms were created in this manner. Each model contains the same level of detail as the original XCAT reference phantoms and also includes parameterized models for the cardiac and respiratory motions. For the phantoms that were 10 yr old and younger, we included both sets of reproductive organs. This gave them the capability to simulate both male and female anatomy. With this, the population can be expanded to 92. Wide anatomical variation was clearly seen amongst the phantom models, both in organ shape and size, even for models of the same age and sex. The phantoms can be combined with existing simulation packages to generate realistic pediatric imaging data from different modalities. Conclusions: This work provides a large cohort of highly detailed pediatric phantoms with 4D capabilities of varying age, height, and body mass. The population of phantoms will provide a vital tool with which to optimize 3D and 4D pediatric imaging devices and techniques in terms of image quality and radiation-absorbed dose.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

Effect of Acuros XB algorithm on monitor units for stereotactic body radiotherapy planning of lung cancer

Stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is a curative regimen that uses hypofractionated radiation-absorbed dose to achieve a high degree of local control in early stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the presence of heterogeneities, the dose calculation for the lungs becomes challenging. We have evaluated the dosimetric effect of the recently introduced advanced dose-calculation algorithm, Acuros XB (AXB), for SBRT of NSCLC. A total of 97 patients with early-stage lung cancer who underwent SBRT at our cancer center during last 4 years were included. Initial clinical plans were created in Aria Eclipse version 8.9 or prior, using 6 to 10 fields with 6-MV beams, and dose was calculated using the anisotropic analytic algorithm (AAA) as implemented in Eclipse treatment planning system. The clinical plans were recalculated in Aria Eclipse 11.0.21 using both AAA and AXB algorithms. Both sets of plans were normalized to the same prescription point at the center of mass of the target. A secondary monitor unit (MU) calculation was performed using commercial program RadCalc for all of the fields. For the planning target volumes ranging from 19 to 375 cm{sup 3}, a comparison of MUs was performed for both set of algorithms on field and plan basis. In total, variation of MUs for 677 treatment fields was investigated in terms of equivalent depth and the equivalent square of the field. Overall, MUs required by AXB to deliver the prescribed dose are on an average 2% higher than AAA. Using a 2-tailed paired t-test, the MUs from the 2 algorithms were found to be significantly different (p < 0.001). The secondary independent MU calculator RadCalc underestimates the required MUs (on an average by 4% to 5%) in the lung relative to either of the 2 dose algorithms.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2019

Will {sup 177}Lu-DOTATATE Treatment Become More Effective in Salvage Meningioma Patients, When Boosting Somatostatin Receptor Saturation? A Promising Case on Intra-arterial Administration

Somatostatin receptor subtype 2 upregulation is very common in meningiomas, and the use of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is recognized in recent European guidelines, with long-term stable disease and a long overall survival. Treatment efficacy of radionuclide treatments is correlated with tumour radiation absorbed dose. Meningioma patients with low tumour uptake might benefit less from treatment. Thus, a method to increase tumour uptake in these patients is needed. We describe a case treated with both intravenous and intra-arterial PRRT. Tumour uptake after intravenous PRRT was disappointing, and after intra-arterial administration significantly increased tumour uptake was seen. Patient had a partial response on imaging and reduction in tumour-related complaints. Potentially, intra-arterial administration of PRRT could increase treatment efficacy in meningioma patients. Level of Evidence 5 (case report).

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2017

Pilot Study of 64 Cu(I) for PET Imaging of Melanoma

Currently, 64 Cu(II) labeled tracers including 64 CuCl 2 have been widely applied in the research of molecular imaging and therapy. Human copper transporter 1 (hCTR1) is the major high affinity copper influx transporter in mammalian cells, and specially responsible for the transportation of Cu(I) not Cu(II). Thus, we investigated the feasible application of 64 Cu(I) for PET imaging. 64 Cu(II) was reduced to 64 Cu(I) with the existence of sodium L-ascorbate, DL-Dithiothreitol or cysteine. Cell uptake and efflux assay was investigated using B16F10 and A375 cell lines, respectively. Small animal PET and biodistribution studies were performed in both B16F10 and A375 tumor-bearing mice. Compared with 64 Cu(II), 64 Cu(I) exhibited higher cellular uptake by melanoma, which testified CTR1 specially influx of Cu(I). But, due to oxidation reaction in vivo, no significant difference between 64 Cu(I) and 64Cu(II) was observed through PET images and biodistribution. In addition, radiation absorbed doses for major tissues of human were calculated based on the mouse biodistribution. Radiodosimetry calculations for 64/67 Cu(I) and 64/67Cu(II) were similar, which suggested that although melanoma were with high radiation absorbed doses, high radioactivity accumulation by liver and kidney should be noticed for the further application. Thus, 64 Cu(I) should be further studied to evaluate it as a PET imaging radiotracer.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2024

Recommendations for harmonized reporting of radiation Dosimetry by adoption of Compatibility in Irradiation Research Protocols Expert Roundtable (CIRPER)

Here, in radiobiology, radiation physics, and related areas, there is growing interest in transitioning from cesium-based irradiators to X-ray technologies. Therefore, it makes it imperative for reproducibility purposes, for researchers to provide specifications regarding device parameters, machine calibration details, and experimental setup when innovative X-ray technology is being employed. Several groups have already identified a glaring lack in completeness of critical information on experimental setups, equipment, and physical parameters in published radiation biology studies. The Alternative Technologies Meta Study Report by Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) examined 456 manuscripts published between 2017-2021. Only 64 of the reviewed studies (14.0%) consistently reported methods that could allow for replication of their studies. However, 85% provided information on the manufacturer, the irradiator model and the absorbed radiation dose. Approximately 66% provided information on the energy spectra and the dose rate, but only one third disclosed the filter used. Less than 15% of the reviewed studies reported information on calibration and field geometry, specifically field size and distance from source, which are critical parameters in determining the absorbed radiation dose.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗

DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-J-270: Study of PET Response to HDR Brachytherapy of Rectal Cancer

Purpose: Dose-response studies in radiation therapy are typically using single response values for tumors across ensembles of tumors. Using the high dose rate (HDR) treatment plan dose grid and pre- and post-therapy FDG-PET images, we look for correlations between voxelized dose and FDG uptake response in individual tumors. Methods: Fifteen patients were treated for localized rectal cancer using 192Ir HDR brachytherapy in conjunction with surgery. FDG-PET images were acquired before HDR therapy and 6–8 weeks after treatment (prior to surgery). Treatment planning was done on a commercial workstation and the dose grid was calculated. The two PETs and the treatment dose grid were registered to each other using non-rigid registration. The difference in PET SUV values before and after HDR was plotted versus absorbed radiation dose for each voxel. The voxels were then separated into bins for every 400 cGy of absorbed dose and the bin average values plotted similarly. Results: Individual voxel doses did not correlate with PET response; however, when group into tumor subregions corresponding to dose bins, eighty percent of the patients showed a significant positive correlation (R2 > 0) between PET uptake difference in the targeted region and the absorbed dose. Conclusion: By considering larger ensembles of voxels, such as organ average absorbed dose or the dose bins considered here, valuable information may be obtained. The dose-response correlations as measured by FDG-PET difference potentially underlines the importance of FDG-PET as a measure of response, as well as the value of voxelized information.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

Risks of secondary malignancies with heterotopic bone radiation therapy for patients younger than 40 years

Heterotopic ossification (HO) of the bone is defined as a benign condition in which abnormal bone formation occurs in soft tissue. One of the most common prophylactic treatments for HO is radiation therapy (RT). This study retrospectively reviewed 20 patients younger than the age of 40 who received radiation to prevent HO in a single fraction of 7 Gray. The purpose of this study is to assess the risk of a second malignancy in these patients by recreating their treatment fields and contouring organs at risk to estimate the radiation dose absorbed by normal tissues outside the radiation treatment field. Diagnostic computed tomography (CT) scans for each patient were used to recreate treatment fields and to calculate dose to structures of interest. The distance from the field edge to each structure and its depth was recorded. Dose measurements in a water phantom were performed for the range of depths, distances, and field sizes used in the actual treatment plans. Computer-generated doses were compared to estimates based on measurement. The structure dose recorded was the higher dose generated between the 2 methods. Scatter dose was recorded to the rectum, bladder, sigmoid colon, small bowel, ovaries and utero-cervix in female patients, and prostate and gonads in male patients. In some patients, there is considerable dose received by certain organs from scatter because of their proximity to the radiation field. The average dose to the ovarian region was 4.125 Gy with a range of 1.085 to 6.228 Gy. The risk estimate for these patients ranged from 0.16% to 0.93%. The average total lifetime risk estimate for the bladder in all patients is 0.22% and the average total lifetime risk estimate for the remainder organs in all patients is 1.25%. In conclusions, proper shielding created from multileaf collimators (MLCs), blocks, and shields should always be used when possible.

61 RADIATION PROTECTION AND DOSIMETRY↗

DOE OSTI2018

Nanosized Particles of Tantalum, Hafnium, and Cerium Oxides Used with Monochromatic Photon Beams and Brachytherapy Sources

High-Z nanoparticles can increase the absorbed radiation dose if they are accumulated in tumor cells. The quantitative measure of this radiosensitization effect is the dose enhancement factor (DEF), that is, the ratio of the doses absorbed in the presence and in the absence of nanoparticles. In the present work, the values of the dose enhancement factors of Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5}, HfO{sub 2}, and CeO{sub 2} ceramic nanoparticles were calculated analytically for monochromatic radiation of the X-ray energy range (1–180 keV) and for low-energy sources for brachytherapy: {sup 103}Pd (mean energy, 20.6 keV), {sup 125}I (26.7 keV), and {sup 131}Cs (30.4 keV). For all types of nanoparticles in the concentration of 5 mg/mL, the values of the dose enhancement factor were high both for monochromatic radiation and for brachytherapy sources. The highest DEF values of ~1.7 were obtained for nanoparticles of tantalum oxide. For brachytherapy sources, the highest dose enhancement factors (1.48 to 1.67) were obtained for Ta{sub 2}O{sub 5} and HfO{sub 2} nanoparticles. These results confirm that ceramic nanoparticles are promising dose modifying agents for radiotherapy.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2016

Equally sloped X-ray microtomography of living insects with low radiation dose and improved resolution capability

Three-dimensional X-ray imaging of living specimens is challenging due to the limited resolution of conventional absorption contrast X-ray imaging and potential irradiation damage of biological specimens. In this letter, we present microtomography of a living specimen combining phase-contrast imaging and a Fourier-based iterative algorithm termed equally sloped tomography. Non-destructive 3D imaging of an anesthetized living yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor was demonstrated with a relatively low dose using synchrotron generated X-rays. Based on the high-quality 3D images, branching tracheoles and different tissues of the insect in a natural state were identified and analyzed, demonstrating a significant advantage of the technique over conventional X-ray radiography or histotomy. Additionally, the insect survived without problem after a 1.92-s X-ray exposure and subsequent absorbed radiation dose of ∼1.2 Gy. No notable physiological effects were observed after reviving the insect from anesthesia. The improved static tomographic method demonstrated in this letter shows advantage in the non-destructive structural investigation of living insects in three dimensions due to the low radiation dose and high resolution capability, and offers many potential applications in biological science.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2014

Sci—Thur AM: YIS - 03: irtGPUMCD: a new GPU-calculated dosimetry code for {sup 177}Lu-octreotate radionuclide therapy of neuroendocrine tumors

In peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), huge inter-patient variability in absorbed radiation doses per administered activity mandates the utilization of individualized dosimetry to evaluate therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. We created a reliable GPU-calculated dosimetry code (irtGPUMCD) and assessed {sup 177}Lu-octreotate renal dosimetry in eight patients (4 cycles of approximately 7.4 GBq). irtGPUMCD was derived from a brachytherapy dosimetry code (bGPUMCD), which was adapted to {sup 177}Lu PRRT dosimetry. Serial quantitative single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) images were obtained from three SPECT/CT acquisitions performed at 4, 24 and 72 hours after {sup 177}Lu-octreotate administration, and registered with non-rigid deformation of CT volumes, to obtain {sup 177}Lu-octreotate 4D quantitative biodistribution. Local energy deposition from the β disintegrations was assumed. Using Monte Carlo gamma photon transportation, irtGPUMCD computed dose rate at each time point. Average kidney absorbed dose was obtained from 1-cm{sup 3} VOI dose rate samples on each cortex, subjected to a biexponential curve fit. Integration of the latter time-dose rate curve yielded the renal absorbed dose. The mean renal dose per administered activity was 0.48 ± 0.13 Gy/GBq (range: 0.30–0.71 Gy/GBq). Comparison to another PRRT dosimetry code (VRAK: Voxelized Registration and Kinetics) showed fair accordance with irtGPUMCD (11.4 ± 6.8 %, range: 3.3–26.2%). These results suggest the possibility to use the irtGPUMCD code in order to personalize administered activity in PRRT. This could allow improving clinical outcomes by maximizing per-cycle tumor doses, without exceeding the tolerable renal dose.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗

DOE OSTI2024

Application of FISH based G2-PCC assay for the cytogenetic assessment of high radiation dose exposures: Potential implications for rapid triage biodosimetry

The main goal of this study is to test the utility of calyculin A induced G2-PCC assay as a biodosimetry triage tool for assessing a wide range of low and acute high radiation dose exposures of photons. Towards this initiative, chromosome aberrations induced by low and high doses of x-rays were evaluated and characterized in G2-prematurely condensed chromosomes (G2-PCCs) by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using human centromere and telomere specific PNA (peptide nucleic acid) probes. A dose dependent increase in the frequency of dicentric chromosomes was observed in the G2-PCCs up to 20 Gy of x-rays. The combined yields of dicentrics and rings in the G2-PCCs showed a clear dose dependency up to 20 Gy from 0.02/cell for 0.1 Gy to 14.98/cell for 20 Gy. Centric rings were observed more frequently than acentric ring chromosomes in the G2-PCCs at all the radiation doses from 1 Gy to 20 Gy. A head-to-head comparison was also performed by FISH on the yields of chromosome aberrations induced by different doses of x-rays (0 Gy -7.5 Gy) in colcemid arrested metaphase chromosomes and calyculin A induced G2-PCCs. In general, the frequencies of dicentrics, rings and acentric fragments were slightly higher in G2-PCCs than in colcemid arrested metaphase chromosomes at all the radiation doses, but the differences were not statistically significant. To reduce the turnaround time for absorbed radiation dose estimation, attempt was made to obtain G2-PCCs by reducing the culture time to 36 hrs. The absorbed doses estimated in x-rays irradiated (0,1,2 and 4 Gy) G2-PCCs after 36 hrs of culture were grossly like that of G2-PCCs and colcemid arrested metaphase chromosomes prepared after 48 hrs of culture. Our study indicates that the shortened version of calyculin A induced G2-PCC assay coupled with the FISH staining technique can serve as an effective triage biodosimetry tool for large-scale radiological/nuclear incidents.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗

DOE OSTI2014

MO-E-17A-12: Direct Realization of the CT Dose to Phantom: Energy to Heat Conversion in Polyethylene Using Calorimetry

Purpose: To develop a primary reference standard for absorbed dose to phantom for medical CT dosimetry. CT dosimetry relies on the implementation of the CTDI standard based on air kerma. We are taking a step toward an absorbed dose to water standard by first investigating the dose in a solid phantom. By directly measuring the heat converted from the incident radiation, the absorbed dose in the phantom at a point can be assessed with primary methods without relying on indirect conversions. Methods: The calorimeter contains two small thermistors embedded in a removable PE “core” inserted into the cylindrical HDPE phantom. A core made with polystyrene (PS) was also tested because of its purportedly negligible heat defect. Measurements were made using the two cores and with a calibrated ionization chamber in a CT beam. The air chamber values were converted to the dose to medium using appropriate stopping-power ratios from the literature, and then compared to the thermal data. Results: The PS core data yielded a dose of 1.3 times (4-run average, 3% std. dev.) higher than the converted chamber value, whereas the PE core data were inexplicably higher. The possible systematic errors include 1) excess heat from the thermistors, 2) in PE the exothermic chemical reactions, 3) uncertainties of the specific heat capacities of the materials, 4) thermal drift, and 5) theoretical conversion of chamber values. Monte Carlo simulations and finite element heat transfer calculations were performed to address some of these issues. The general validity was assessed in a 6 MV photon beam with an entirely different calibration scheme. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the feasibility but also revealed the difficulty in developing a new primary reference standard for absorbed dose to material for CT. Additional experimental and theoretical work is planned to achieve our goal.

07 ISOTOPE AND RADIATION SOURCES↗

DOE OSTI2014

A Code of Radiation Damage by Gamma - Paper 62

In recent years, the study of radiation damage of materials has seen a thrust because of the expectation of the high rate of radiation damage in fusion reactors, accelerator driven sub critical systems and damage of a control system of space vehicles by the high energy neutrons and gamma showers. Embrittlement of reactor vessels, corrosion of steel and swelling of fuel rods are the well known empirical examples of severe radiation damage. It is also realized that damage by high energy gammas is in no way insignificant, and it is equivalent to the damage by the neutrons. Secondly, value addition of certain materials like enhancement of electrical resistance, mechanical strength, color enhancement of precious stones on irradiation by neutrons and gammas and polymerization in the presence of gamma radiation add to the necessity of a Monte Carlo (MC) code of radiation damage in a wide range of energy. The JAIPU code, for the study of radiation damage by neutrons up to 10 MeV energy, incorporates features like development of secondary atomic cascade and PKA energy corrected for the ionization lose and production of Frenkel pair. MC estimation of both the primary and secondary displacements has been compared with the Frenkel pairs calculated using the NRT model. In the present work, JAIPU code is extended for irradiation of materials by high energy gammas. Here cascade generated by the incident gamma produces electrons by way of photo-electric, Compton and pair production until it is absorbed. The recoiled Frenkel pairs produced in electron + atom collision have been considered for the purpose of atomic cascade. Standard cross section libraries for gamma and electron interaction are used while for atom + atom collision we have made use of the IOTA code. In addition, in the code, the lattice structure of the irradiated material is simulated to know the positions of the photon interactions with atoms and the energy of electron it adds an extra feature of the position and size of the voids and the clusters produced on irradiation. The code has the possibility of calculation of 'absorbed radiation dose' and 'KERMA' and the interatomic distances of the displaced atoms. It may be pointed out that the code uses only the MC simulation of the number of displacements unlike several other approaches where the NRT model with PKA energy is used for gross estimation of the number of the displaced atoms. Thus, the code keeps an account of the positions of displaced atoms for the in-depth modification of the irradiated material. 1 MeV gamma seems to damage Fe up to several millimeters of its depth and this is mostly by the recoiled Compton electrons than photo electrons. The code is in the developmental stage and it has the capability of applications in the developing field of Radiology besides the shielding and other studies of radiation damage. (authors)

22 GENERAL STUDIES OF NUCLEAR REACTORS↗

DOE OSTI2015

Fiber Bragg gratings in the radiation environment: Change under the influence of radiolytic hydrogen

The change of the transmission spectra of fiber Bragg gratings written in the optical fibers, whose silica cores are doped with either germanium or nitrogen, is studied experimentally under the influence of gamma-radiation. The transmission spectra in the neighborhood of the resonance (Bragg) wavelengths were regularly recorded “in-situ” in the course of irradiation during 24 days. For this purpose, uncoated gratings were placed in a pool near the spent fuel rods of a nuclear reactor. The fibers with the gratings written in them were in immediate contact with water. The estimated total absorbed radiation dose of the fibers is approximately 5 MGy. Molecular hydrogen, which is produced by radiolysis of water and penetrates into the core of silica fiber, is found to interact with the defects of Ge-doped silica induced by gamma-radiation, thereby causing a strong impact on the parameters of the spectrum of the Bragg gratings. On the contrary, in the case of gratings inscribed in N-doped silica fibers, the hydrogen molecules interact with defects induced in the course of laser UV exposure during the grating writing only. The possible subsequent formation of additional defects in N-doped silica under the influence of gamma-radiation has no substantial impact on the transmission spectra of Bragg gratings, which remained stable. The obtained results suggest that a small amount of molecular hydrogen resided in the fiber core is the main source of radiation instability of Ge-doped fiber Bragg grating sensors in radiation environments. These hydrogen molecules can remain in the Bragg gratings, in particular, after the inscription process in the hydrogen-loaded fibers.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

DOE OSTI2015

Dose Reconstruction for the Million Worker Study: Status and Guidelines

The primary aim of the epidemiologic study of one million U.S. radiation workers and veterans (the Million-Worker study) is to provide scientifically valid information on the level of radiation risk when exposures are received gradually over time, and not acutely as was the case for Japanese atomic bomb survivors. The primary outcome of the epidemiological study is cancer mortality but other causes of death such as cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease will be evaluated. The success of the study is tied to the validity of the dose reconstruction approaches to provide unbiased estimates of organ-specific radiation absorbed doses and their accompanying uncertainties. The dosimetry aspects for the Million-Worker study are challenging in that they address diverse exposure scenarios for diverse occupational groups being studied over a period of up to 70 years. The dosimetric issues differ among the varied exposed populations that are considered: atomic veterans, DOE workers exposed to both penetrating radiation and intakes of radionuclides, nuclear power plant workers, medical radiation workers, and industrial radiographers. While a major source of radiation exposure to the study population comes from external gamma-ray or x-ray sources, for certain of the study groups there is a meaningful component of radionuclide intakes that require internal radiation dosimetry measures. Scientific Committee 6-9 has been established by NCRP to produce a report on the comprehensive organ dose assessment (including uncertainty analysis) for the Million-Worker study. The Committee’s report will cover the specifics of practical dose reconstruction for the ongoing epidemiologic studies with uncertainty analysis discussions and will be a specific application of the guidance provided in NCRP Reports 158, 163, 164, and 171. The main role of the Committee is to provide guidelines to the various groups of dosimetrists involved in the various components of the Million-Worker study to make sure that certain dosimetry criteria are respected: calculation of annual absorbed doses in the organs of interest, separation of low-LET and high-LET components, evaluation of uncertainties, and quality assurance and quality control. Lastly, we recognize that the Million-Worker study and its approaches to dosimetry are a work in progress and that there will be flexibility and changes in direction as new information is obtained, both with regard to dosimetry and with regard to the epidemiologic features of the study components.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗