Search Results (11)

In G. E. M. Anscombe’s extensive correspondence with G. H. von Wright, one of the many topics that come up is the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II. What she says in these letters is significant because of the interest in what she wrote elsewhere about the use of atomic weapons. It is especially interesting because she might seem to imply here that only a person with religious faith is capable of being just. This paper quotes the relevant passages from the correspondence, explores what she might have meant, and concludes that she is not committed to the view that only the faithful can be just. Full article

To understand the biological effects of residual radioactivity after the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we previously investigated the effects of ⁵⁶Mn, a major residual radioisotope. Our rat study demonstrated that inhalation exposure to ⁵⁶MnO₂ microparticles affected gene expression in the lungs, testes, and liver, despite the low radiation doses. Because ⁵⁶Mn is a β- and γ-emitter, the differential effects between β- and γ-rays should be clarified. In this study, ³¹Si, a β-emitter with a radioactive half-life similar to that of ⁵⁶Mn, was used to determine its effects. Male Wistar rats were exposed to sprayed neutron-activated ³¹SiO₂ microparticles, stable SiO₂ microparticles, or X-rays. The animals were examined on days 3 and 14 after irradiation. The expression of radiation-inducible marker genes, including Ccng1, Cdkn1a, and Phlda3, was measured in the spleen, lungs, and liver. Furthermore, the expressions of pathophysiological marker genes, including Aqp1, Aqp5, and Smad7 in the lungs and Cth, Ccl2, and Nfkb1 in the liver, were determined. Impacts of ³¹SiO₂ exposure were observed mainly in the liver, where the expression of Cth markedly increased on post-exposure days 3 and 14. Our data suggest that internal exposure to β-emitted microparticles has significant biological effects and its possible roles as residual radiation after atomic bombing. Full article

Background/purpose: The Public Health Crisis Conceptual Model was developed to identify and address healthcare and human services needs related to a disaster. The purpose of this study was to historically apply this model to the counties and populations most affected by the first nuclear test in 1945, with a focus on community and local priorities, and to further describe this model and validate its usefulness. If the model had been applied in 1945, what might have been different with respect to research, epidemiological studies, and reparations? Methods: A historical, descriptive case study approach was used, with a focus on community and local priorities. Results: While it was deemed necessary to maintain secrecy surrounding the Trinity test during wartime efforts, scientists and the military knew of the potential dangers of radioactive fallout. However, they neglected to inform exposed New Mexicans after the information about the nature of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had been made public. Conclusions: Research and epidemiological studies could have been implemented years before they were. Resources were not and have not been distributed equitably to those exposed to fallout from the Trinity test site. Using the Public Health Crisis Conceptual Model will help ensure that community and local priorities are an integral component of future disaster-related research. Full article

The effects of residual radiation from atomic bombs have been considered to be minimal because of its low levels of external radioactivity. However, studies involving atomic bomb survivors exposed to only residual radiation in Hiroshima and Nagasaki have indicated possible adverse health effects. Thus, we investigated the biological effects of radioactive dust of manganese dioxide 56 (⁵⁶MnO₂), a major radioisotope formed in soil by neutron beams from a bomb. Previously, we investigated C57BL mice exposed to ⁵⁶MnO₂ and found pulmonary gene expression changes despite low radiation doses. In this study, we examined the effects in a radiation-sensitive strain of mice, BALB/c, and compared them with those in C57BL mice. The animals were exposed to ⁵⁶MnO₂ particles at two radioactivity levels and examined 3 and 65 days after exposure. The mRNA expression of pulmonary pathophysiology markers, including Aqp1, Aqp5, and Smad7, and radiation-sensitive genes, including Bax, Phlda3, and Faim3, was determined in the lungs. The radiation doses absorbed in the lungs ranged from 110 to 380 mGy; no significant difference was observed between the two strains. No exposure-related pathological changes were observed in the lungs of any group. However, the mRNA expression of Aqp1 was significantly elevated in C57BL mice but not in BALB/c mice 65 days after exposure, whereas no changes were observed in external γ-rays (2 Gy) in either strain. In contrast, Faim3, a radiation-dependently downregulated gene, was reduced by ⁵⁶MnO₂ exposure in BALB/c mice but not in C57BL mice. These data demonstrate that inhalation exposure to ⁵⁶MnO₂ affected the expression of pulmonary genes at doses <380 mGy, which is comparable to 2 Gy of external γ-irradiation, whereas the responses differed between the two mouse strains. Full article

The investigation of the radiation effects of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima and Nagasaki has revealed concerns about the impact of the residual radioactive dust produced in the soil. Manganese-56 is one of the major radioisotopes produced by neutrons from the bomb; hence, we previously examined the biological effects of manganese dioxide-56 (⁵⁶MnO₂) in Wistar rats, in which significant changes were found in the lung. In the present study, ten-week-old male C57BL mice were exposed to three doses of radioactive ⁵⁶MnO₂, stable MnO₂ particles, or external γ-rays (2 Gy) to further examine the effects of ⁵⁶MnO₂ in a different species. The estimated absorbed radiation doses from ⁵⁶MnO₂ were 26, 96, and 250 mGy in the lung. The animals were examined at 3, 14, and 70 days post exposure. Histologically, no exposure-related changes were found in the lungs of any group. However, pulmonary mRNA expression of aquaporin 1, which is a useful marker for lung pathophysiology, was significantly elevated at 14 and 70 days, although no such changes were found in the mice exposed to external γ-rays (2 Gy). These data indicated that the inhalation exposure to ⁵⁶MnO₂ particles, with <250 mGy of organ doses, produced significant biological responses in the lung. Full article

This paper reviews the case of nuclear energy. Currently, the worldworld is facing one of the greatest energy crises due to the Russo-Ukrainian war. This conflict has lead to limited sources of gas, causing a dramatic decrease in energy supply, leading to emerging energy crisis risks. This is one on the main purposes of reviewing nuclear energy as a possible energy alternative in the future. Apart from presenting the basis of nuclear energy and nuclear reactors, we attempt to compare this source of electricity with other renewable energy forms, such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power. Furthermore, we illustrate the benefits and drawbacks that have been observed regarding nuclear power as well as its contribution to economic growth and the impact it has had on the environment. It has been said that, with the use of nuclear power, air pollution will be reduced because of the elimination of greenhouse gases. However, nuclear power, apart from the final product, generates waste that in this case is radioactive, meaning that the management and disposal techniques are of the utmost importance. Of course, unfortunate events that involved nuclear power do exist and are unfortunately engraved in our memories. Both the nuclear accidents, such as Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima, and nuclear weapons usage by military forces, the well-known atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bring great controversy regarding the adaptation of nuclear power. As is presented in the paper, since the beginning of the new millennium the scheme of energy production and electricity production appears to have changed drastically. By using available data reported by BR, we illustrated that the production of energy and electricity has increased over the last 22 years (2000–2021) due to excessive demand; however, what is more important to mention is the share of both electricity and energy derived from renewable forms such as solar, wind and hydroelectric power. It is shown that more and more countries adopt those sources of energy than did in previous decades. It is crucial to note that it is not the science that causes catastrophic events, but rather the errors of humans. Full article

Japanese people experienced the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings, the Japan Nuclear Fuel Conversion Co. criticality accident, it was found that many human resources are needed to respond to residents’ concerns about disaster exposure in the event of a radiation disaster. Medical radiologic technologists learn about radiation from the time of their training, and are engaged in routine radiographic work, examination explanations, medical exposure counseling, and radiation protection of staff. By learning about nuclear disasters and counseling, we believe they can address residents’ concerns. In order to identify items needed for training, we examined the perceptions of medical radiologic technologists in the case of different specialties, modalities and radiation doses. In 2016, 5 years after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, we conducted a survey of 57 medical radiologic technologists at two medical facilities with different specialties and work contents to investigate their attitudes toward radiation. 42 participants answered questions regarding sex, age group, presence of children, health effects of radiation exposure, radiation control, generation of X rays by diagnostic X ray equipment, and radiation related units. In a comparison of 38 items other than demographic data, 14 showed no significant differences and 24 showed significant differences. This study found that perceptions of radiation were different among radiology technologists at facilities with different specialties. The survey suggested the possibility of identifying needed training items and providing effective training. Full article

Introduction: Nature immersion is defined as multidimensional connecting with earthy materials to generate personal emergence. Personal emergence is an embodied healing force observable via synchronization of bodily rhythms. Research has revealed positive effects of green space for healing. However, little is known about healing of survivors in the space impacted with radioactive nuclear energies. Purpose: To use the theory of nature immersion to guide exploration of the concepts of connecting with earthy materials, personal emergence and space-time expansion in a sample of people who had experienced the catastrophic nature upheaval of the Hiroshima bombings on 6 August 1945. Method: A descriptive exploratory design with directed content analysis was used with existing qualitative data consisting of 29 Hiroshima atomic-bombing survivors’ description of their experience. Results: Self-healing empirically manifested through 23 survivors’ connection with earthy materials. There was synchrony between recuperating natural space and healing of survivors. Conclusions: Synchrony, as a dimension of human connection with nature, transcended the disharmony of bombing upheaval. Although further exploration is necessary, these findings serve as evidence about the essence of healing as related to nature for those in extreme environments. Full article

Debates on the memorialization of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima have played an essential role in the construction of postwar Japanese identity, public memory, and historical consciousness. Religion, often conceived beyond traditional terms through concepts such as “spirituality” and “heritage”, was part of this process. This article examines the role of Buddhism in the autobiographical and visual narratives of the atomic bomb survivor Hirayama Ikuo, who expressed his personal trauma through art, turning it into a call for peace and for the preservation of the cultural heritage of the Silk Road, associated with the spread of Buddhism. Using recent critical approaches to heritage studies, I will show how the heritagization of Buddhism in Hirayama’s work does not preclude the sacralization of aspects of Silk Road heritage. Placing Hirayama’s approach to the nuclear bombing in the context of postwar discourses on Japan as a peaceful “nation of culture”, I will also problematize his view of Buddhism and the Silk Road by showing how similar views were used in support of imperialism in the prewar period. Full article

Atomic metaphors permeated daily life as the world reacted to the atomic bombings of Japan and the nuclear threat of the Cold War. These metaphors reveal a widespread sense of ownership of atomic narratives and public conceptions of victimhood that are often divorced from actual nuclear victims. Japan faced the reality of the nuclear again in 2011 when three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant exploded, spreading toxic radiation far and wide. Rather than turn to religion to make sense of the traumatic destruction and existential threat of this invisible force, the Japanese have processed the catastrophe through a secular discussion of victimhood. In the decade since the Fukushima accident, the discourse about victims in Japan has narrowed to emphasize the authority of the tōjisha—victims with direct experience of the disaster—to tell their story. The debate over narrative ownership has challenged the literary community, and post-disaster Japanese literature is an important site of imaginative exploration of this victimhood. Using the theories of Jean-Luc Nancy and Michael Rothberg, this article examines collective memory and the catastrophic equivalence of Hiroshima and Fukushima, as well as the Japanese terminology for victims, in order to provide insight into the struggles for ownership of atomic narratives. Rather than proposing solutions, the article interrogates the ongoing literary controversy over the victim/non-victim divide. Full article

In the early postwar era, from 1945 to 1960, Americans confronted a dilemma that had never been faced before. In the new atomic age, which opened with the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945, they now had to grapple with maintaining their faith in a peaceful and prosperous future while also controlling their fear of an apocalyptic future resulting from an atomic war. Americans’ subsequent search for reassurance translated into a dramatic increase in church membership and the rise of the evangelical movement. Yet, their fear of an atomic war with the Soviet Union and possible nuclear apocalypse did not abate. This article discusses how six post-apocalyptic science fiction novels dealt with this dilemma and presented their visions of the future; more important, it argues that these novels not only reflect the views of many Americans in the early Cold War era, but also provide relevant insights into the role of religion during these complex and controversial years to reframe the belief that an apocalypse was inevitable. Full article