Environmental Radiation Effects on Mammals: A Dynamical Modeling Approach

ISBN-13: 9781489982384 / Angielski / Miękka / 2014 / 214 str.

Olga a Smirnova

Opis

Themonographisdevotedtothetheoreticalstudiesofradiationeffectsonmammals. It summarizes the results obtained by the author over the past 30 years, most of them being of high priority. In the course of these studies, a single approach to the modeling of radiation effects on mammals has been elaborated. Speci?cally, in the framework of the developed deterministic mathematical models, the effects of both acute and chronic irradiation in a wide range of doses and dose rates on vital body systems (hematopoiesis, small intestine, and humoral immunity), as well as on the development of autoimmune diseases, are investigated. The radiation effects on the mortality dynamics in homogeneous and nonhomogeneous(in radiosensitivity) mammalian populations are also studied by making use of the developed stochastic models. The most appealing feature of these mortality models consists of the fact that they account for the intrinsic properties of the exposed organism. Namely, within these models the stochastic biometrical functions are calculated proceeding from statistical characteristics and dynamics of the respective critical body system (hematopoiesis or small intestine). The performed theoretical investigations contribute to the development of the system and quantitative approaches in radiation biology and ecology. These studies elucidate the major regulatory mechanisms of the damage and recovery processes running in the vital body systems of exposed mammals and reveal the key par- eters characterizing the processes.

Spis treści

Radiation Effects on the Blood-Forming System.- The Small Intestine as a Target for Radiation.- Radiation and Humoral Immunity.- Modeling of Autoimmune Processes.- Individual-Based Approach to Radiation Risk Assessment.

O autorze

Dr. Olga Andreevna Smirnova is currently a physicist and researcher at the Federal State Unitary Enterprise Research and Technical Center of Radiation-Chemical Safety and Hygiene, Moscow, Russia. She received her Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences degree from Moscow State University, Russia. Dr. Smirnova's fields of study and expertise are modeling the dynamics of various biological systems in mammals exposed to acute/chronic radiation. Dr. Smirnova is associate member of the Scientific Commision F (Life Sciences as Related to Space) of Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). She has authored over 140 articles published in scientific journals and scientific monographs in the fields of mathematical modeling, biophysics, and space science.

Blurb

This text is devoted to the theoretical studies of radiation effects on mammals. It uses the framework of developed deterministic mathematical models to investigate the effects of both acute and chronic irradiation in a wide range of doses and dose rates on vital body systems including hematopoiesis, small intestine and humoral immunity, as well as on the development of autoimmune diseases. Thus, these models can contribute to the development of the system and quantitative approaches in radiation biology and ecology. This text is also of practical use. Its modeling studies of the dynamics of granulocytopoiesis and thrombocytopoiesis in humans testify to the efficiency of employment of the developed models in the investigation and prediction of radiation effects on these hematopoietic lines. These models, as well as the properly identified models of other vital body systems, could provide a better understanding of the radiation risks to health. The modeling predictions will enable the implementation of more effective preventive and protective measures for people residing in areas with elevated radiation background and astronauts on long-term space missions. Lastly, the models of the radiation-induced mortality established the theoretical foundations of a new individual-based approach to radiation risk assessment. These models thus enable one to predict the mortality dynamics and average life-span shortening for individuals and populations exposed to acute and low-level chronic radiation. Because of its theoretical and practical benefits, this book is as useful for academics, scientists and researchers working in the field of mathematical modeling of biological systems as it is for those working in the fields of radiation biology, ecology and medicine. It is equally useful for Aerospace companies and various corporations that contend with the problems of environmental protection and radiation safety.