Search

Monte Carlo simulations using GEANT4 are performed to study the total neutron-nucleus cross section using a C f 252 source. The neutron flux with and without the iron foil for three different thicknesses is recorded on the scoring mesh volume using the primitive scorer named flatSurfaceFlux. The transmission method is used to calculate the neutron cross-section. The High Precision (QGSP BERT HP) neutron model, which is based on the G4NDL and ENDF-VI databases, is used for the hadronic interactions of low-energy neutrons below 20 MeV. The results are compared with the experimental data and nuclear reaction TALYS 1.96 code, and it is found that the GEANT4 results describe the experimental quite well. This study leads to useful insights into the mechanisms of neutron-induced reactions, particularly in the vicinity of the reactor domain for medium nuclei. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ayurvedic drugs are widely used in Kerala, India, for primary health care and comprise medicinal plant parts. In the present study, trace element concentrations of 16 traditionally used medicinal plants were determined by the energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. The iron (Fe) shows the highest concentration of the order of 7482 ± 101 mg kg−1, while the allowed limit by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)/WHO is 20 mg kg−1. Nonessential element lead is detected in all analyzed samples, but its amount is less than the limit set by FAO/WHO 1984. The trace element profile obtained is the fingerprint identity of each plant used in drug formulations. Such baseline data act as the standardization tool for manufacturing compound medicines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinarska Stanica is the property of Croatian Veterinary Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Every part of human life, including the physical universe, is affected by the global epidemic of COVID-19. The aim of this review is to discuss the impacts of positive consequences on the total environment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and how information technology can support sustainability in the longer run. This review was performed by analyzing the published literature, various reports, and official websites of organizations that were available. The scientific literature was collected from PubMed, Scopus, Springer, Science Direct, Tailor and Francis Online, Thomson Reuters Web of Science, Research Gate, and Google Scholar's database via electronic resources. These studies show that the pandemic scenario enhances the quality of air in various places around the globe by reducing various pollutants, which can help to restore the ecological system. This research identifies potential means of achieving long-term environmental sustainability and importance while people learned a lesson about the value of the environment and the impact of pollution. In the environment, innovative technology has been developed, such as tracking, modelling, and conservation of biodiversity. Distance education and learning have gained popularity during the lockdown. The proper application of the suggested policies is supposed to be beneficial in achieving environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This research investigation was done to study the relationship between mental health and self-esteem with academic achievement among Sri Lankan youths. Method. The sample for this study was selected using purposive sampling from educational institutions of Ampara District, Sri Lanka. The total number of samples was 516. The age range of the participants in this study was from 16 to 24 years old (mean age: 19.2 years old). Standard tools were used for data processing, such as the Mental Health Scale developed by Kamlesh Sharma and the Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Further, academic achievement was measured using secondary data, such as semester marks list of youth from schools, colleges and universities. The personnel information plan created by the researcher was used to collect information along with relevant demographic and social data. The pretested questionnaire was reliable, being validated before the final data collection. The data analysis method was developed in this study. The informants were contacted individually by the investigator, and the data were obtained through questionnaires. Data retention is limited to a period of three months. Results. A statistical analysis, using the t-test, ANOVA, correlations and regressions, was performed. The result revealed that, out of eight demographic variables in this study, five variables (i.e., age, locality, father’s education, parent’s income and type of family) were in a significant correlation with mental health of youths and, also, only two variables (i.e., locality and type of family) were in significant correlation with the self-esteem of the youths. Further results revealed that, out of eight demographic variables in this study, seven variables (i.e., age, gender, locality, father’s education, mother’s education, parent’s income and type of family) had a significant correlation with the academic achievement of youths. Conclusions. The results indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between mental health and self-esteem with the academic achievements of youths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Veterinarska Stanica is the property of Croatian Veterinary Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Veterinarska Stanica is the property of Croatian Veterinary Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Veterinarska Stanica is the property of Croatian Veterinary Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Recoiled Compton electrons of 180 deg have been utilized to measure the energy distribution of high-intensity bremsstrahlung. An optimized detector-collimator configuration was used for detection and spectrum measurement of recoiled electrons. The spectrum has been reconstructed using Compton cross sections retrieved from the ENDF/B.VIII.0 library. The measured spectrum has been further validated using theoretical simulation by the Geant4 code with incorporating ENDF/B-VIII.0–recommended cross sections. The simulated spectrum matches the measured spectrum if the spatial spread and energy spread of the electron beam are accounted for in the simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High energy x-rays from a medical linear accelerator (LINAC) is used to treat cancer patients in radiotherapy department. The medical linac can produce bremsstrahlung x-rays from 4MV to 18MV and the commonly used linac produces 6MV,10 MV and 15MV photons for treating major parts of the cancer patients. The photo neutron production during the radiation treatment is one of the major issues which have to be addressed with high impact because of the high LET nature associated with it. Photo neutrons are produced from several high atomic number (Z) elements present in the linac head mostly by the (ɣ,n) reaction. The flattening filter used in medical linac to produce uniform intensity distribution (made up of either tungsten,steel,lead,uranium, aluminum or a combination) is one of the photo neutron sources in the linac head. Advanced radiotherapy treatments like Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Volumetric Arc Therapy (VMAT) doesn’t require a flat radiation field, and hence the flattening filter could be removed. This is called flattening filter free beam (FFF beam)1,2. The removal of the filter will result in a forward peaked photon beam, which is very advantageous for these kinds of treatments3,4. The purpose of this work was to find out the difference in the percentage of photo neutron production in a flattening filter free (FFF) and flattening filter (FF) beam using CR39 Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) from an Elekta Versa HD machine. The neutron fluence was measured at different positions with FFF and FF mode and the results were tabulated. The neutron fluence was lower for the FFF mode of operation than the FF mode. The reduction ranges from 2.27% to 44.22%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Goats play a variety of roles all around the globe due to their capability to acclimatize different environmental conditions quite quickly since they have been regarded as one of the first sets of animals domesticated by the human. Even though domestic goats harbor precious genetic materials, research funding among developing countries is a major drawback for thorough study on them. Therefore, microsatellite markers seem to be affordable and informative. Genotypic data from different goat breeds across five countries (Nigeria, South Africa, Pakistan, France and Spain) was generated using eleven microsatellite markers for a comparative study in order to evaluate the usefulness of the available data for genetic characterization and identify the shortcomings of metaanalyses for combined data. The mean number of alleles (MNA) per population range from 6.44±2.83 alleles for Spanish to 10.25±0.96 for Pakistani goats, with an overall mean of 13.55±7.28. Observed heterozygosity (Ho) ranges from 0.61±0.02 to 0.83±0.01 for Spanish goats and Pakistani goats, respectively with an overall mean of 0.65. Ho of the markers used ranged from 0.569 (INRA5) to 0.793 (MM12). Highest and least polymorphic information content (PIC) was observed in loci MM12 (0.925) and MAF209 (0.489), respectively. All the populations showed significant change from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05) indicating a low level of inbreeding. The genetic distance of each country's goat populations ranged from 0.151 to 4.245. The highest genetic distance (4.245) was observed between Spanish and Pakistani goats while the lowest were observed between Spanish and French goats. Spanish and French goats are from a common ancestor while South African, Nigerian and Pakistani goats came from another ancestor or cluster. A lot of genetic admixture in the Nigerian ecotypes has been observed whereas France and Saudi Arabian breeds have been subjected to high amount of selection pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]