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Evaluating the performance of the shielding walls and shielding doors at radiation facilities is important to ensure proper radiation safety management. In the first period of the deuterium experiment, the neutron-shielding ability of the shielding door of the experimental hall containing the large helical device (LHD) was evaluated using the gold-foil activation method. The gold foil was inserted into a small gap between the shielding door and the shielding wall. Meanwhile, the shielding effect of the wall against the neutrons and gamma rays was verified using the badge-type dosimeters that were placed both inside and outside the experimental hall near the wall. The radiation derived from Au-198, which was visualized using by imaging plate, reached approximately 35 cm inside the shielding door. The results provided visual evidence that the shielding door safely excluded the thermal neutrons that were generated in an LHD. Furthermore, the measurement results of the badge-type dosimeters confirmed that the neutrons and gamma rays were completely trapped by the concrete wall of the experimental hall., source:https://doi.org/10.1585/pfr.13.1205101, identifier:0000-0002-0485-8974

The formation and the chemical characterization of single atoms of dubnium (Db, element 105), in the form of its volatile oxychloride, was investigated using the on-line gas phase chromatography technique, in the temperature range 350–600 °C. Under the exactly same chemical conditions, comparative studies with the lighter homologues of Group 5 in the Periodic Table clearly indicate the volatility sequence being NbOCl3 > TaOCl3 ≥ DbOCl3. From the obtained experimental results, thermochemical data for DbOCl3 were derived. The present study delivers reliable experimental information for theoretical calculations on chemical properties of transactinides.

Background: The Japanese have had three experiences of radiation disasters: the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, and the 2011 Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant disaster. The former two experiences have been covered in compulsory education programs. In light of these incidents, a strong fear of radiation has pervaded people of several generations. In such a situation, the role of nurses is important. When nurses treat residents, their attitudes change depending on how they understand and feel about radiation. The foundations of these attitudes are formed through student education. Hence, it is necessary to explore nursing students' understanding and risk perception of radiation, and the nature of radiation education received. Objectives: To assess the levels of understanding and risk perception of nursing students regarding radiation. Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: A questionnaire survey was administered to all students (74 first-year, 79 second-year, 65 third-year, and 69 fourth-year students) in the nursing department of a Japanese national university. The response rate was 84%. Respondents were asked to rate their level of understanding of 50 phrases chosen from two supplementary texts about radiation for elementary school students and for middle and high school students, prepared by the Japanese Ministry. Further, they were asked to rate their risk perception for 30 events, and to answer six questions about radiation. Results: It was found that knowledge about radiation among Japanese nursing students was poor, because sufficient radiation education had not been provided. Hence, they displayed a greater fear of X-rays as compared to American students and members of the League of Woman Voters. However, it was also found that an increase in understanding might decrease risk perception. Conclusions: It was concluded that nursing students require adequate education about radiation, in order to reduce their fear of X-rays and to mitigate t

On April 9 2015, the Letter article titled “Measurement of the first ionization potential of lawrencium, element 103” is now published at News and Views on Nature (2015) which has been performed by our remarkably Japanese colleagues of nuclear and radiochemistry at JAEA (Japan Atomic Energy Agency). In this review, the author will state that the isotope separator on-line (ISOL) our regularly used, one of mass separation techniques, with a thermal surface ionization makes possible for determining the ionization potential of lawrencium based on the fruitful fundations of developing the ISOL system until now and also ever studying searches for unknown nuclei and these nuclear decay properties around actinide region in the past 20 years.