The natural radioactivity of soil samples from Assiut city, Egypt, was studied. The activity concentrations of 28 samples were measured with a NaI(Tl) detector. The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K showed large variations, so the results were classified into two groups (A and B) to facilitate the interpretation of the results. Group A represents samples collected from different locations in Assiut and characterized by low activity concentrations with average values of 46.15±9.69, 30.57±4.90, and 553.14±23.19 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. Group B represents samples mainly collected from the area around Assiut Thermal Power Plant and characterized by very high activity concentrations with average values of 3,803±145, 1,782±98, and 1,377±78 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. In order to evaluate the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (D), the annual effective dose rate (E), the external hazard index (Hex), and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) have been calculated and compared with the internationally approved values. For group A, the calculated averages of these parameters are in good agreement with the international recommended values except for the absorbed dose rate and the AGDE values which are slightly higher than the international recommended values. However, for group B, all obtained averages of these parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended values. The present work provides a background of radioactivity concentrations in the soil of Assiut.

The natural radioactivity of soil samples from Assiut city, Egypt, was studied. The activity concentrations of 28 samples were measured with a NaI(Tl) detector. The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K showed large variations, so the results were classified into two groups (A and B) to facilitate the interpretation of the results. Group A represents samples collected from different locations in Assiut and characterized by low activity concentrations with average values of 46.15±9.69, 30.57±4.90, and 553.14±23.19 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. Group B represents samples mainly collected from the area around Assiut Thermal Power Plant and characterized by very high activity concentrations with average values of 3,803±145, 1,782±98, and 1,377±78 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. In order to evaluate the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (D), the annual effective dose rate (E), the external hazard index (Hex), and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) have been calculated and compared with the internationally approved values. For group A, the calculated averages of these parameters are in good agreement with the international recommended values except for the absorbed dose rate and the AGDE values which are slightly higher than the international recommended values. However, for group B, all obtained averages of these parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended values. The present work provides a background of radioactivity concentrations in the soil of Assiut.

The natural radioactivity of soil samples from Assiut city, Egypt, was studied. The activity concentrations of 28 samples were measured with a NaI(Tl) detector. The radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K showed large variations, so the results were classified into two groups (A and B) to facilitate the interpretation of the results. Group A represents samples collected from different locations in Assiut and characterized by low activity concentrations with average values of 46.15±9.69, 30.57±4.90, and 553.14±23.19 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. Group B represents samples mainly collected from the area around Assiut Thermal Power Plant and characterized by very high activity concentrations with average values of 3,803±145, 1,782±98, and 1,377±78 for 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K, respectively. In order to evaluate the radiological hazard of the natural radioactivity, the radium equivalent activity (Raeq), the absorbed dose rate (D), the annual effective dose rate (E), the external hazard index (Hex), and the annual gonadal dose equivalent (AGDE) have been calculated and compared with the internationally approved values. For group A, the calculated averages of these parameters are in good agreement with the international recommended values except for the absorbed dose rate and the AGDE values which are slightly higher than the international recommended values. However, for group B, all obtained averages of these parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended values. The present work provides a background of radioactivity concentrations in the soil of Assiut.

The natural radioactivity level of heavy oil, ash and soil samples around Assiut Thermal Power Plant (ATPP) in Egypt was determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The average concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in fly ash were found to be 2307±143, 1281±80 and 1218±129 Bq kg-1, respectively, while the corresponding values in soil samples were 2670±107, 1401±78 and 1495±100 Bq kg-1, respectively. These are extremely high and higher by several orders of magnitude than the worldwide population-weighted average values in soil. The radium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate, external hazard index and the annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the international recommended values. All averages of these parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended values, indicating significant radiological health hazards around ATPP due to the radionuclides in the soil. Moreover, the water samples investigated have high activity concentrations indicating that the water is highly contaminated with radioactive materials. The results of the current study highlight the severity of this radioactive pollution on the population in the vicinity of ATPP.

The natural radioactivity level of heavy oil, ash and soil samples around Assiut Thermal Power Plant (ATPP) in Egypt was determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The average concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in fly ash were found to be 2307±143, 1281±80 and 1218±129 Bq kg-1, respectively, while the corresponding values in soil samples were 2670±107, 1401±78 and 1495±100 Bq kg-1, respectively. These are extremely high and higher by several orders of magnitude than the worldwide population-weighted average values in soil. The radium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate, external hazard index and the annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the international recommended values. All averages of these parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended values, indicating significant radiological health hazards around ATPP due to the radionuclides in the soil. Moreover, the water samples investigated have high activity concentrations indicating that the water is highly contaminated with radioactive materials. The results of the current study highlight the severity of this radioactive pollution on the population in the vicinity of ATPP.

The natural radioactivity level of heavy oil, ash and soil samples around Assiut Thermal Power Plant (ATPP) in Egypt was determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The average concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in fly ash were found to be 2307±143, 1281±80 and 1218±129 Bq kg-1, respectively, while the corresponding values in soil samples were 2670±107, 1401±78 and 1495±100 Bq kg-1, respectively. These are extremely high and higher by several orders of magnitude than the worldwide population-weighted average values in soil. The radium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate, external hazard index and the annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the international recommended values. All averages of these parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended values, indicating significant radiological health hazards around ATPP due to the radionuclides in the soil. Moreover, the water samples investigated have high activity concentrations indicating that the water is highly contaminated with radioactive materials. The results of the current study highlight the severity of this radioactive pollution on the population in the vicinity of ATPP.

The natural radioactivity level of heavy oil, ash and soil samples around Assiut Thermal Power Plant (ATPP) in Egypt was determined using gamma ray spectrometry. The average concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th and 40K in fly ash were found to be 2307±143, 1281±80 and 1218±129 Bq kg-1, respectively, while the corresponding values in soil samples were 2670±107, 1401±78 and 1495±100 Bq kg-1, respectively. These are extremely high and higher by several orders of magnitude than the worldwide population-weighted average values in soil. The radium equivalent activity, the air absorbed dose rate, external hazard index and the annual effective dose rate were calculated and compared with the international recommended values. All averages of these parameters are much higher by several orders of magnitude than the international recommended values, indicating significant radiological health hazards around ATPP due to the radionuclides in the soil. Moreover, the water samples investigated have high activity concentrations indicating that the water is highly contaminated with radioactive materials. The results of the current study highlight the severity of this radioactive pollution on the population in the vicinity of ATPP.

tThe dynamics of the glass transition in Se76Te21Sb3chalcogenide glass was studied under non-isothermalmeasurements using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experimental result of the kinetic glasstransition phenomenon, at different heating rates (5–40 K/min), was analyzed on the basis of the relax-ation process occurring in the transition temperature range. The activation energy of the glass transitionwas determined using an advanced isoconversion kinetic methods as well as from the heating ratedependence of the glass transition temperature. The fragility index m of the glass was estimated from themeasurements of the activation energy of the relaxation process, which characterizes the glass transition.Moreover, the isoconversional kinetic analysis of the experimental data show that the activation energyof glass transition process is varying with the degree of transformation (and hence with temperature)from the glassy to the super cooled phase.

tThe dynamics of the glass transition in Se76Te21Sb3chalcogenide glass was studied under non-isothermalmeasurements using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The experimental result of the kinetic glasstransition phenomenon, at different heating rates (5–40 K/min), was analyzed on the basis of the relax-ation process occurring in the transition temperature range. The activation energy of the glass transitionwas determined using an advanced isoconversion kinetic methods as well as from the heating ratedependence of the glass transition temperature. The fragility index m of the glass was estimated from themeasurements of the activation energy of the relaxation process, which characterizes the glass transition.Moreover, the isoconversional kinetic analysis of the experimental data show that the activation energyof glass transition process is varying with the degree of transformation (and hence with temperature)from the glassy to the super cooled phase.

Mycotoxins are produced in a strain-specific way, and elicit some complicated and overlapping toxigenic activities in sensitive species that include carcinogenicity, inhibition of protein synthesis, immunosuppression, dermal irritation, and other metabolic disorders. Mycotoxins usually enter the body via ingestion of contaminated foods, but inhalation of toxigenic spores and direct dermal contact are also important routes. In general, myctoxin exposure is more likely to occur in parts of the World where poor methods of food handling and storage are common, where malnutrition is a problem, and where few regulations exist to protect exposed populations. There is sufficient evidence from animal models and human epidemiological data to conclude that mycotoxins cause an important danger to human and animal health. The mycotoxins of major concern as feed contaminants are aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, T-2 toxin, zearalenone and fumonisins. Cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation are mechanisms of myctoxins mediated toxicity. The cell can tolerate a small to moderate amount of ROS by antioxidants molecules e.g. vitamin A, E and C, glutathione and the activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione reductase, peroxidase and transferase. Trichothecenes cause protein synthesis inhibition via binding to the 18s rRNA of the ribosomal subunit as a major mechanism underlying induction of cell apoptosis. T-2 toxin triggers a ribotoxic response through its high binding affinity to peptidyl transferase which is an integral part of the 60s ribosomal subunit and interferes with the metabolism of membrane phospholipids and increases liver lipid peroxides. Thiol (-SH) is thought to induce caspase-3 activation and apoptosis in a GSH-sensitive manner. FB1-induced inhibition of ceramide synthesis can result in a wide spectrum of changes in lipid metabolism and associated lipid-dependent pathways. OTA has complex mechanisms of action that include mitochondrial impairment, formation of OTA-DNA adducts and induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis through caspase activation. Accordingly, the strict control of food quality is necessary to avoid mycotoxicosis.