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The study assesses environmental background radiation from radon, thoron, and thoron decay products across distinct geological settings in the Garhwal Himalaya region by using RADUET, CR-39 plastic track detectors, and deposition-based thoron (220Rn)progeny detectors. The measurements were conducted indoors throughout the winter, summer, and rainfall seasons during the year 2013. The annual inhalation doses from 220Rn progenies ranged between 0.83 and 2.99 mSv y−1, averaging 1.94 mSv y−1. The annual effective dose (AED), reflecting biological radiation impact, varied from 0.58 to 2.78 mSv y−1, with an average of 1.75 mSv y−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The measurements of radon concentrations in drinking water sources in and around the Main Central Thrust (MCT) region in Garhwal Himalaya, India, were carried out using the scintillation detector-based SMART RnDuo technique for radiation protection purposes. Radon values in the analyzed samples were observed between 1.1 and 183.9 Bq L−1 (AM = 19.7 Bq L−1). Radon values in 94% of the samples were found well below the World Health Organization (WHO) reference limit. The estimated radiation doses for different age groups were found higher than the WHO safe limit of 100 µSv y−1 (from all sources including radon) except for the age groups of 0–12 months infants and 1–3 years children. The results of this study may be useful for future studies on epidemiology, examining hidden faults, uranium exploration etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on measuring radon concentrations in soil gas at various depths, radon exhalation rate (surface and mass) from soil samples, and gamma dose rate along and across the Main Central Thrust of Garhwal Himalaya, India. Radon concentration in soil gas, surface, and mass exhalation rates was measured using a portable SMART radon monitor (RnDuo). Furthermore, the gamma dose rate was measured using a pocket radiation monitor. The soil gas radon concentration varied from 15 ± 4 to 579 ± 82 Bq m−3 at a depth of 25 cm, 10 ± 2 to 533 ± 75 Bq m−3 at a depth of 30 cm, and 9 ± 1 to 680 ± 95 Bq m−3 at a depth of 35 cm. The surface and mass exhalation rates were found 3 ± 0.7 to 98 ± 3 Bq m−2 h−1 (with AM ± SD = 36 ± 28 Bq m−2 h−1) and 1 ± 0.2 to 95 ± 2 mBq kg−1 h−1 (with AM ± SD = 30 ± 22 mBq kg−1 h−1), respectively. The gamma dose rate for the present study area varies from 0.11 ± 0.05 to 0.28 ± 0.05 µSv h−1 with a mean value of 0.17 ± 0.05 µSv h−1. The correlation analysis between the exhalation rates (mass and surface) and radon concentration of soil gas at various depths was carried out in the current study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newly biosynthesized metallic nanoparticle with antimicrobial characteristic attracted its demand in the field of disease management. The present study deals with the synthesis of silver nanoparticle using the extract Aspergillus flavus CR500 under the presence of sunlight. The characterization via scanning and transmission electron microscope revealed their size distribution ranges from 60 to 130 nm with a high content of Ag, confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis. X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared analysis exposed the crystalline nature and active functional group availability on silver nanoparticle (AgNPs). Photobiosynthesized AgNPs have high antimicrobial property and completely inhibited the growth of plant pathogenic fungi Rhizoctonia solani GPB and Sclerotium rolfsii at the concentration of 150 and 300 µg/L respectively. AgNPs exposure increases the lipid peroxidation (via reactive oxygen species production) in R. solani and S. rolfsii, might be a primary cause of AgNPs toxicity to fungal cell. However, fungal cell responded to oxidative stress caused by AgNPs by increasing the catalase and peroxidase activity. In order to assess the AgNPs applicability in seed protection and its impact on germination, growth and development of the crop, Cicer arietinum and Vigna radiata seeds were used for growth and germination assay under AgNPs exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The activity concentrations of Ra and Ac in weathered Japanese soils from two selected prefectures have been measured using a γ-ray spectroscopy system with high purity germanium detector. The uranium, thorium, and rare earth elements (REEs) concentrations were determined from the same soil samples using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). For example, granitic rocks contain higher amounts of U, Th, and light REEs compared to other igneous rocks such as basalt and andesites. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the interaction between REEs and nature of soils since soils are complex heterogeneous mixture of organic and inorganic solids, water, and gases. In this paper, we will discuss about distribution pattern of U and Th along with REEs in soil samples of weathered acid rock (granite) collected from two prefectures of Japan: Hiroshima and Miyagi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemi-condylar tibial osteotomy was first reported as a corrective surgical option for neglected Blount's disease by Langenskiold in 1964. The indication for this procedure is largely reserved for the rare cases of excessive ligament laxity. To the best of our knowledge, literature search reveals only 6 cases, all of which were of Blount's disease and there has been no report of this procedure being used in Trauma. We present a case of failed osteosynthesis of Type V tibial plateau fracture, which resulted in genu varum deformity secondary to collapse of only the medial tibial condyle. We successfully realigned the mechanical axis by elevation osteotomy of the medial tibial hemicondyle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the distribution of natural radionuclides in soil samples collected from different geological units of Kumaun Himalayas are assessed using gamma ray spectrometer with Nal(Tl) detector. The naturally occurring radioactivity concentration of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K were found to vary from 36.4 Bq/kg to 166.6 Bq/kg, 15.3 Bq/kg to 94.7 Bq/kg and 645.9 Bq/kg to 1378.9 Bq/kg, respectively. The total absorbed gamma dose rate was found to vary from 80 nGy/h to 179.6 nGy/h. The resulting dose due to the presence of these radionuclides was estimated from radiation protection point of view. The significance of this investigation is also discussed in details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The natural pollution level due to gamma radiation was measured in about 22 residential houses around the Tehri Dam Project in Uttarakhand state by using Environmental Radiation Dosimeter. Both urban and rural houses were selected for the measurements. The recorded gamma dose rate in indoor atmosphere was found to vary from 25.1 μR/h to 67 μR/h with a mean value 38.6 μR/h whereas in traditional rural houses the obtained values varied from 42.6 μR/h to 83.5 μR/h with mean value 60.3 μR/h. In outdoor atmosphere, it was found to vary from 25.1 μR/h to 60 μR/h with an average value 35.8 μR/h. It is observed that the dose rates are higher in rural houses than that in modern houses. Efforts have also been made to observe deviation of dose rate in the underground (Power House) atmosphere of Tehri Dam Project in vertical and horizontal mode. It was observed that dose rate remain almost same in horizontal mode, but a significant variation has been found in the vertical mode. In addition, the variation of dose rate with type of building material, trend and mode of construction of houses and the age of houses are also discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radon is being measured continuously in spring water and soil-gas at Badshahi Thaul Campus, Tehri Garhwal in Himalayan region by using radon Emanometer since December 2002. An effort was made to correlate the variance of radon concentrations in spring water and soil-gas with meteorological parameters at the same location. The main meteorological parameters that affect the radon emanation from host material is surrounding temperature, barometric pressure, wind velocity, rain fall and water level of the spring. The correlation coefficient between radon concentration in spring water and different atmospheric parameters was computed. The correlation coefficient between radon concentration in spring water and the maximum atmospheric temperature was 0.3, while it was 0.4 for minimum atmospheric temperature at the monitoring site. The correlation coefficient for radon concentration in spring water with minimum and maximum relative humidity was 0.4. Spring water radon concentration was found positively correlated (0.6) with water discharge rate of the spring. A weak correlation (0.09) was observed between the radon concentration in spring water and rain fall during the measurement period. As temperature of near surface soil increases, the radon emanation coefficient from the soil surface also increases. The possible effects due to global warming and other climatic changes on environment radiation level were also discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radon was measured in soil-gas and groundwater in the Budhakedar area of Tehri Garhwal, India in summer and winter to obtain the seasonal variation and its correlation with radon exhalation rate. The environmental surface gamma dose rate was also measured in the same area. The radon exhalation rate in the soil sample collected from different geological unit of Budhakedar area was measured using plastic track detector (LR-115 type II) technique. The variation in the radon concentration in soil-gas was found to vary from 1098 to 31,776 Bq.m−3 with an average of 7456 Bq.m−3 in summer season and 3501 to 42883 Bq.m−3 with an average of 17148 Bq.m−3 in winter season. In groundwater, it was found to vary from 8 to 3047 Bq.l−1 with an average value 510 Bq.l−1 in summer and 26 to 2311 Bq.l−1 with an average value 433 Bq.L−1 in winter. Surface gamma dose rate in the study area varied from 32.4 to 83.6 μR.h−1 with an overall mean of 58.7 μ-R.h−1 in summer and 34.6 to 79.3 μR.h−1 with an average value 58.2 μR.h−1 in winter. Radon exhalation rate from collected soil samples was found to vary from 0.1 × 10−5 to 5.7 × 10−5 Bq.kg−1.h−1 with an average of 1.5 × 10−5 Bq.kg−1.h−1 in summer season and 1.7 × 10−5 to 9.6 × 10−5 Bq.kg−1.h−1 with an average of 5.5 × 10−5 Bq.kg−1.h−1. A weak negative correlation was observed between radon exhalation rate from soil and radon concentration in the soil. Radon exhalation rate from the soil was also not found to be correlated with the gamma dose rate, while it shows a positive correlation with radon concentration in water in summer season. Inter-correlations among various parameters are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary Osteomyelitis of the pubis is a rare condition. Localised trauma appears to be the main predisposing factor and the presentation can be associated with localised abscess formation. We report a case of Osteomyelitis of the pubis with multiple intrapelvic abscesses arising from a primary infective focus with subsequent Staphylococcus Aureus septicaemia. The pathology was confirmed by early MRI scan and blood cultures and successfully treated with antibiotics. This is a rare mode of presentation and does not appear to have been described in the English literature previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fractures of the posterior process of the talus are very important because they involve the articular surfaces of the ankle and subtalar joints. Involvement of these weight bearing joints would lead to significant disability because of the risk of mal-union and degenerative arthritis. These fractures are rare but need to be aware of as they can be easily missed. Outcome of these are shown to be poor. We present a patient who sustained a displaced fracture of the posterior process of the talus and managed appropriately by internal fixation. Follow-up revealed that the fracture united successfully with good functional outcome and the patient resumed his former job. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Divergent dislocation of the elbow is a severe injury leading to a significant amount of soft tissue stripping. Achieving a good functional outcome following this injury remains a challenge. We present a case report which was managed conservatively in a cast brace and achieved satisfactory functional results. To our knowledge, this method of treatment has not been described in the English literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]