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Nuclear Physics 1: Nuclear Deexcitations, Spontaneous Nuclear Reactions
by Ibrahima SakhoThis book presents the foundations of nuclear physics, covering several themes that range from subatomic particles to stars. Also described in this book are experimental facts relating to the discovery of the electron, positron, proton, neutron and neutrino. The general properties of nuclei and the various nuclear de-excitation processes based on the nucleon layer model are studied in greater depth. This book addresses the conservation laws of angular momentum and parity, the multipolar transition probabilities E and M, gamma de-excitation, internal conversion and nucleon emission de-excitation processes. The fundamental properties of α and β disintegrations, electron capture, radioactive filiations, and Bateman equations are also examined. Nuclear Physics 1 is intended for high school physics teachers, students, research teachers and science historians specializing in nuclear physics.
Nuclear Physics 2: Radiochronometers and Radiopharmaceuticals
by Ibrahima SakhoNuclear Physics 2 explores the applications of various radioisotopes for dating and nuclear medicine imaging. It introduces the theoretical and experimental facts from the observation of the red shift in the spectrum of galaxies (1913), and the discovery of the cosmic microwave background (1965) that led to the validation of the Big Bang model, through which all known chemical elements are created via nucleosynthesis processes. This introduction is followed by a description of the nuclear reactions involved in primordial, stellar, and explosive. The principles of carbon-14, potassium-argon, uranium-thorium and uranium-protactinium dating, along with the principles of lead-210, caesium-137 and beryllium-7 radiochronometers applied to dating, are also described. An overview of the birth of nuclear medicine is given, from the first use of radioisotopes as tracers in plant biology in 1913, to the development of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) in 1975. The method of synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, quality control of radiopharmaceuticals and the experimental methods of the determination of radiochemical purity are presented. The description of the principles of PET and Single-Photon Emission Tomography (SPECT), the presentation of the different radioisotopes used in TEMPS and PET, as well as the presentation of the main scintigraphies and their uses in nuclear medicine conclude the topics studied.
Nuclear Physics in a Nutshell (In a Nutshell #4)
by Carlos A. BertulaniNuclear Physics in a Nutshell provides a clear, concise, and up-to-date overview of the atomic nucleus and the theories that seek to explain it. Bringing together a systematic explanation of hadrons, nuclei, and stars for the first time in one volume, Carlos A. Bertulani provides the core material needed by graduate and advanced undergraduate students of physics to acquire a solid understanding of nuclear and particle science. Nuclear Physics in a Nutshell is the definitive new resource for anyone considering a career in this dynamic field. The book opens by setting nuclear physics in the context of elementary particle physics and then shows how simple models can provide an understanding of the properties of nuclei, both in their ground states and excited states, and also of the nature of nuclear reactions. It then describes: nuclear constituents and their characteristics; nuclear interactions; nuclear structure, including the liquid-drop model approach, and the nuclear shell model; and recent developments such as the nuclear mean-field and the nuclear physics of very light nuclei, nuclear reactions with unstable nuclear beams, and the role of nuclear physics in energy production and nucleosynthesis in stars. Throughout, discussions of theory are reinforced with examples that provide applications, thus aiding students in their reading and analysis of current literature. Each chapter closes with problems, and appendixes address supporting technical topics.
Nuclear Physics of Stars
by Christian IliadisMost elements are synthesized, or "cooked", by thermonuclear reactions in stars. The newly formed elements are released into the interstellar medium during a star's lifetime, and are subsequently incorporated into a new generation of stars, into the planets that form around the stars, and into the life forms that originate on the planets. Moreover, the energy we depend on for life originates from nuclear reactions that occur at the center of the Sun. Synthesis of the elements and nuclear energy production in stars are the topics of nuclear astrophysics, which is the subject of this book. It presents nuclear structure and reactions, thermonuclear reaction rates, experimental nuclear methods, and nucleosynthesis in detail. These topics are discussed in a coherent way, enabling the reader to grasp their interconnections intuitively. The book serves both as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, with worked examples and end-of-chapter excercises, but also as a reference book for use by researchers working in the field of nuclear astrophysics.
Nuclear Physics with Polarized Particles
by Hans Paetz gen. SchieckThe measurement of spin-polarization observables in reactions of nuclei and particles is of great utility and advantage when the effects of single-spin sub-states are to be investigated. Indeed, the unpolarized differential cross-section encompasses the averaging over the spin states of the particles, and thus loses details of the interaction process. This introductory text combines, in a single volume, course-based lecture notes on spin physics and on polarized-ion sources with the aim of providing a concise yet self-contained starting point for newcomers to the field, as well as for lecturers in search of suitable material for their courses and seminars. A significant part of the book is devoted to introducing the formal theory--a description of polarization and of nuclear reactions with polarized particles. The remainder of the text describes the physical basis of methods and devices necessary to perform experiments with polarized particles and to measure polarization and polarization effects in nuclear reactions. The book concludes with a brief review of modern applications in medicine and fusion energy research. For reasons of conciseness and of the pedagogical aims of this volume, examples are mainly taken from low-energy installations such as tandem Van de Graaff laboratories, although the emphasis of present research is shifting to medium- and high-energy nuclear physics. Consequently, this volume is restricted to describing non-relativistic processes and focuses on the energy range from astrophysical energies (a few keV) to tens of MeV. It is further restricted to polarimetry of hadronic particles.
The Nuclear Pore Complex: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology #2502)
by Martin W. GoldbergThis volume covers all methods used to discover the composition, structure, and dynamics of the nuclear pore complex (NPC), as well as the soluble transport factors involved in the transport process. Chapters detail structural biology methods, biophysical, transport factors , and a wide range of model organisms that have been used over the years. Written in the format of the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, each chapter includes an introduction to the topic, lists necessary materials and reagents, includes tips on troubleshooting and known pitfalls, and step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols. Authoritative and cutting-edge, The Nuclear Pore Complex: Methods and Protocols: Methods and Protocols aims to be a useful and practical guide to new researchers and experts looking to expand their knowledge.
Nuclear Pore Complexes in Genome Organization, Function and Maintenance
by Maximiliano D’AngeloThe three-dimensional organization of the DNA inside the eukaryotic cell nucleus has emerged a critical regulator of genome integrity and function. Increasing evidence indicates that nuclear pore complexes (NPCs), the large protein channels that connect the nucleus to the cytoplasm, play a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of chromatin organization and in the regulation of gene activity. These findings, which oppose the traditional view of NPCs as channels with only one: the facilitation of nucleocytoplasmic molecule exchange, have completely transformed our understanding of these structures. This book describes our current knowledge of the role of NPCs in genome organization and gene expression regulation. It starts by providing an overview of the different compartments and structures of the nucleus and how they contribute to organizing the genome, then moves to examine the direct roles of NPCs and their components in gene expression regulation in different organisms, and ends by describing the function of nuclear pores in the infection and genome integration of HIV, in DNA repair and telomere maintenance, and in the regulation of chromosome segregation and mitosis. This book provides an intellectual backdrop for anyone interested in understanding how the gatekeepers of the nucleus contribute to safeguarding the integrity and function of the eukaryotic genome.
Nuclear Power: Assessing And Managing Hazardous Technology
by Martin J PasqualettiAddressing the major issues surrounding the use of nuclear power, twenty-nine social scientists with extensive involvement in the assessment and management of nuclear technology discuss critical areas of concern--problem recognition, risk estimation, and policy formation and implementation. The authors appraise fundamental policy issues and examine
Nuclear Power Explained (Springer Praxis Books)
by Dirk EidemüllerFrom World War II to the present day, nuclear power has remained a controversial topic in the public eye. In the wake of ongoing debates about energy and the environment, policymakers and laypeople alike are once more asking the questions posed by countless others over the decades: What actually happens in a nuclear power plant? Can we truly trust nuclear energy to be safe and reliable? Where does all that radiation and waste go? This book explains everything you would want to know about nuclear power in a compelling and accessible way. Split into three parts, it walks readers through the basics of nuclear physics and radioactivity; the history of nuclear power usage, including the most important events and disasters; the science and engineering behind nuclear power plants; the politics and policies of various nations; and finally, the long-term societal impact of such technology, from uranium mining and proliferation to final disposal. Featured along the way are dozens of behind-the-scenes, full-color images of nuclear facilities. Written in a nontechnical style with minimal equations, this book will appeal to lay readers, policymakers and professionals looking to acquire a well-rounded view about this complex subject.
Nuclear Power in Stagnation: A Cultural Approach to Failed Expansion (Routledge Studies in Energy Policy)
by David Toke Geoffrey Chun-Fung Chen Antony Froggatt Richard ConnollyThis book studies the extent to which nuclear safety issues have contributed towards the stagnation of nuclear power development around the world, and accounts for differences in safety regulations in different countries. In order to understand why nuclear development has not met widespread expectations, this book focusses on six key countries with active nuclear power programmes: the USA, China, France, South Korea, the UK, and Russia. The authors integrate cultural theory and theory of regulation, and examine the links between pressures of cultural bias on regulatory outcomes and political pressures which have led to increased safety requirements and subsequent economic costs. They discover that although nuclear safety is an important upward driver of costs in the nuclear power industry, this is influenced by the inherent need to control potentially dangerous reactions rather than stricter nuclear safety standards. The findings reveal that differences in the strictness of nuclear safety regulations between different countries can be understood by understanding differences in cultural contexts and the changes in this over time. This book will be of great interest to students, scholars, and policymakers working on energy policy and regulation, environmental politics and policy, and environment and sustainability more generally.
Nuclear Power Is Not the Answer
by Helen CaldicottThe renowned antinuclear activist delivers a &“frighteningly convincing argument&” against nuclear energy as a solution to climate change (Publishers Weekly). In a world torn apart by wars over oil, politicians have stepped up their search for alternative energy sources—and their leading choice is nuclear energy. But nuclear energy&’s popularity as a green alternative is based on misinformation. People claim that nuclear-powered electricity does not cause global warming or pollution, that it is inexpensive, and that it is safe. These claims, as Helen Caldicott demonstrates, are untrue. In Nuclear Power Is Not the Answer, Caldicott digs beneath the nuclear industry&’s propaganda to examine the actual costs and environmental consequences of nuclear energy. In fact, nuclear power does contribute to global warming; the cost is prohibitive, with taxpayers picking up most of the tab; there&’s not enough uranium in the world to sustain it over the long term; and the potential for a catastrophic accident or a terrorist attack far outweighs any benefits. In concluding chapters, Caldicott details alternative sustainable energy sources that are the key to a clean, green future.
Nuclear Power or a Promise Lost: A Policy Maker's Guide for a Future of Carbon Free, Sustainable Energy
by Edward T. BurnsThis book captures the status of current electrical energy markets including the principal forces affecting decisions on selecting an energy source. It represents a seminal work that lays out the electrical energy decision tree for selecting an energy sou
Nuclear Power Plant Emergencies in the USA: Managing Risks, Demographics and Response
by Dean KyneManaging nuclear power emergencies is significantly different from managing other types of emergencies, including fire, flood, and other disasters because nuclear disaster management requires special technical skills and a rigid protocol which outlines detailed steps and procedure before an evacuation announcement could be made. It was evident that the impacts from a nuclear power core-meltdown accident were immerse, irreversible, and inevitable, as evident by evaluating the three historic core-meltdown accidents, namely Three Mile Island in 1997, Chernobyl in 1986, and Fukushima Daiichi in 2011. The three options for minimizing the risks associated with NPPs are suggesting elimination of all NPPs in operation in the United States, transforming inevitable risks to evitable risks, and transforming the current radiological plan into an effective emergency management plan. Being the latter option is the only viable one, this book provides a comprehensive understanding on effectively managing nuclear power emergencies in the U.S. The book presents detailed analysis on effectively managing nuclear power emergencies. In an attempt to illustrate minimizing the risks, factual answers to the key questions surrounding managing nuclear disasters are outlined. What are the risks associated with the nuclear power plants (NPP)? What are the problems associated with managing nuclear power core-meltdown accidents in the three historic accidents? Where are the geographical locations of the 99 commercial reactors in the U.S? Who are those exposed to potential risks associated with the NPPs? How could a projection of radioactive plume dispersion pathway be carried out using a spatial computer code, such as the Radiological Assessment Systems for Consequence Analysis (RASCAL) in case of a core-meltdown accident? Where would the radioactive plume go given weather conditions? Who are more likely to be exposed to the high level radiation dose during the core-meltdown accident? What are the issues with the current radiological emergency plan?
Nuclear Power Plants: The Third International Symposium on Software Reliability, Industrial Safety, Cyber Security and Physical Protection of Nuclear Power Plant (ISNPP) (Lecture Notes in Electrical Engineering #507)
by Yang Xu Hong Xia Feng Gao Weihua Chen Zheming Liu Pengfei GuThis book is a compilation of selected papers from the 3rd International Symposium on Software Reliability, Industrial Safety, Cyber Security and Physical Protection of Nuclear Power Plants, held in Harbin, China on 15th–17th August 2018. The symposium discussed the status quo, technical advances and development direction of digital instrument control technology, software reliability, information security and physical protection in the process of nuclear power development. Offering technical insights and know from leading experts, this book is a valuable resource for both practitioners and academics working in the field of nuclear instrumentation, control systems and other safety-critical systems, as well as nuclear power plant managers, public officials, and regulatory authorities.
Nuclear Power, Pollution and Politics
by Bob BurtonPlaces the environmental issues related to the production of nuclear power in their political context. It evaluates the extent of nuclear pollution, in comparison with other forms of power, and looks at the future of energy.
Nuclear Principles in Engineering
by Tatjana JevremovicNuclear engineering plays an important role in various industrial, health care, and energy processes. Modern physics has generated its fundamental principles. A growing number of students and practicing engineers need updated material to access the technical language and content of nuclear principles. "Nuclear Principles in Engineering, Second Edition" is written for students, engineers, physicians and scientists who need up-to-date information in basic nuclear concepts and calculation methods using numerous examples and illustrative computer application areas. This new edition features a modern graphical interpretation of the phenomena described in the book fused with the results from research and new applications of nuclear engineering, including but not limited to nuclear engineering, power engineering, homeland security, health physics, radiation treatment and imaging, radiation shielding systems, aerospace and propulsion engineering, and power production propulsion.
Nuclear Reactor Physics
by Weston M. StaceyThis third, completely revised edition of the textbook retains the proven concept of complete and balanced coverage of the topic. The first part looks at basic reactor physics, including, but not limited to nuclear reactions, diffusion theory, reactor dynamics, fuel burnup and reactor safety. The second part then deals with such physically and mathematically more advanced topics as neutron transport theory, resonance absorption and neutron thermalization. For ease of reference, the detailed appendices contain nuclear data, useful mathematical formulas, an overview of special functions as well as an introduction to matrix algebra and Laplace transforms. With its focus on conveying the in-depth knowledge needed by advanced student and professional nuclear engineers, this text is ideal for use in numerous courses, including nuclear reactor physics, advanced nuclear reactor physics, neutron transport theory, nuclear reactor dynamics and stability, and nuclear reactor fuel cycle physics.
Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics: An Introduction to Nuclear Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow
by Robert E. MastersonNuclear Thermal-Hydraulic Systems provides a comprehensive approach to nuclear reactor thermal-hydraulics, reflecting the latest technologies, reactor designs, and safety considerations. The text makes extensive use of color images, internet links, computer graphics, and other innovative techniques to explore nuclear power plant design and operation. Key fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and nuclear engineering concepts are carefully explained, and supported with worked examples, tables, and graphics. Intended for use in one or two semester courses, the text is suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students. A complete Solutions Manual is available for professors adopting the text.
The Nuclear Receptor Superfamily
by Iain J. McewanActing principally to control patterns of gene expression, nuclear receptors play vital roles during embryonic development and in the regulation of metabolic and reproductive functions in adult life, which proves this superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors to be a crucial part of biological life. In The Nuclear Receptor Superfamily: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers describe a range of molecular, structural and cell biological techniques currently used to investigate the structure-function of nuclear receptors, together with experimental approaches that may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating nuclear receptor-associated diseases. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular BiologyTM series format, the chapters in this volume contain brief introductions to the topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, as well as notes from the experts to highlight tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Cutting-edge and easy to use, The Nuclear Receptor Superfamily: Methods and Protocols provides beneficial and time-saving guidance for all those undertaking research in this ever-growing field of study.
Nuclear Receptors: Methods and Experimental Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology #1966)
by Mostafa Z. BadrThis volume presents valuable techniques for studying the class of ligand-activated transcription factors known as nuclear receptors. After a brief overview of the history of the field, chapters cover methods to detect the receptors and their mRNAs in various tissues, protocols to characterize nuclear receptor modulators and activities, their signaling and roles in certain pathogenesis, molecular modeling of nuclear receptor-ligand interactions, as well as the utility of informatics in the field of nuclear receptors. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Nuclear Receptors: Methods and Experimental Protocols seeks to aid researchers working toward furthering our understanding of these vital receptors and their role in numerous pathological conditions.
Nuclear Receptors
by Moray J. Campbell Chris M. BunceIn 1890 a case of myxedema was treated in Lisbon by the implantation of a sheep thyroid gland with the immediate improvement in the patient's condition. A few years later, medications for the then ill-explained condition of the menopause included tablets made from cow ovaries. In the first quarter of the 20th century the identification of vitamin D, and its sunlight driven production in skin, paved the way to the elimination of rickets as a major medical problem. Twenty years or so later, Sir Vincent Wigglesworth established the endocrine basis of developmental moulting in insects, arguably the most commonly performed animal behaviour on Planet Earth. A paradigm that would unify these disparate observations arose between 1985 and 1987 beginning with the identification of the glucocorticoid receptor and the nuclear receptor super-family. What follows is a timely and positive manifestation of the capacity, productivity and value of international human scientific endeavour. Based on intrigue, lively competition and cooperation a global effort has rapidly fostered a school of biology with widespread ramifications for the understanding of metazoan animals, the human condition and the state of the planet. This book is the first this century to try and capture the spirit of this endeavour, to depict where the field is now and to identify some of the challenges and opportunities for the future.
Nuclear Receptors: From Structure to the Clinic
by Iain J. Mcewan Raj KumarNuclear Receptors focuses on the structural analysis of nuclear receptors from the initial work using isolated protein domains to the more recent exciting developments investigating the conformational shape of full-length receptor complexes. The book also reviews the structure of key nuclear receptor co-regulatory proteins. It brings together, for the first time, a comprehensive review of nuclear receptor structure and the importance of receptor conformation underpinning allosteric regulation by different ligands (hormone, drugs, DNA response elements, protein-protein interactions) and receptor activity. The nuclear receptor superfamily, including receptors for steroid hormones and non-steroid ligands, are pivotal to normal physiology, regulating processes as diverse as reproduction, metabolism, the immune system and brain development. The first members of the family were cloned over 25 years ago, which heralded in the idea of a superfamily of intracellular receptor proteins that bound small molecule ligands: classical steroid hormones, vitamins, fatty acids and other products of metabolism. These signals are then transmitted through multiprotein receptor-DNA complexes, leading to the regulation of target genes, often in a cell-selective manner. The cloning of the receptor cDNAs also ushered in an era of unparalleled analysis of the mechanisms of action of these ligand-activated transcription factors.
Nuclear Receptors in Human Health and Disease (Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology #1390)
by Moray J. Campbell Charlotte L. BevanThis book addresses and dissects the roles and crosstalk mechanisms for the 48 human nuclear receptors (NR) in human health and disease. After a State-of-the-Art introduction by an undisputed and celebrated field leader to provide an overview of the field and its significance, chapters are organized into six sections. The first three sections discuss NR roles in Reproduction & Development, Metabolism and Central Systems. These present to the reader our current understanding of NR signaling in the development and functioning of the reproductive system; the roles in the regulation of energy metabolism; and how NR signaling is more widely integrated into systemic functions from calcium flux to circadian rhythm. The subsequent three sections dissect how aberrant NR functions drive Cancer; how new insights into Genomic Interaction are helping to reveal how NR disruption drives disease; and finally, how Translational Efforts are exploiting this understanding from developing novel NR ligands to establishing how underlying genetic variation impacts NR function. Within these sections the chapters also illustrate emerging understanding of how the epigenome and non-coding genome combine to regulate NR function and impact dysfunction. Increasingly these insights cross-fertilize over cell and disease boundaries and it is unsurprising that NR are being explored in novel and new arenas such as the context of neurological disorders and depression. Thus, there is wide scope for re-purposing of licensed drugs and development of new NR-targeting therapies for a host of conditions and diseases. This unique book brings together many of the leading figures in NR research from across the globe, to discuss emerging roles and their implications for human health and disease. It summarizes the state of the art and shows signposts for future research to further shape this influential field.
Nuclear Reprogramming
by Nathalie Beaujean Hélène Jammes Alice JouneauNuclear Reprogramming: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition includes not only classic methods to perform nuclear transfer in different species but also several techniques to assess the early and late development of the reconstructed embryos, at the cellular, molecular, and epigenetic level. Over the past several years, many technical improvements have been made to improve somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) efficiency, all of which are reflected in the detailed chapters of this fully revised collection. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and up-to-date, Nuclear Reprogramming: Methods and Protocols, Second Edition will be of interest not only to cloners but also to researchers concerned with studying the development of embryos.
Nuclear Reprogramming: Methods and Protocols (Methods in Molecular Biology #2239)
by Kejin HuThis volume provides basic and advanced protocols on somatic cell nuclear transfer, induced pluripotent stem cells, and direct reprogramming of somatic cells into different functional cells. Chapters guide readers through methods on standardized procedures for characterization of induced pluripotent stem cells, as well as those for preparation of materials required for induction of pluripotent stem cells. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and cutting-edge, Nuclear Reprogramming: Methods and Protocols aims to ensure successful results in the further study of this vital field.