Ispectrum magazine #14

ISPECTRUMIssue 14/July - August 2015 MAGAZINEYOUR IMMUNESYSTEMGARAMANTESThe Lost Kings of the SaharaThe trap of vitrifiedradioactive HLW glass

CONTENTS Features 16 17 03 GARAMANTES: The Lost Kings of the Sahara 05 Castles and irrigation channels 08 Not so barbarian 11 Four-hourse carts 13 Incredible technology 16 Pyramids -Tombs 17 YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND THE STORY OF ANTIBIOTICS 18 The use of antibiotics 23 A strong immune system 24 Emotional immune system3 27 27 The trap of vitrified radioactive HLW glass How within less than 600 years the glass vitri- fied radioactive HLW will become a global environmental issue 37 37 WHY OUR BODY IS COmPOSED OF ELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY 41 DNA 42 Heart magnetic field 1

editorialDear Readers, Mado MartinezWe are pleased to announce the release Editorial Directorof Issue 14, made, as always, with allour love. We open this new edition with a Ispectrummysterious civilisation: Garamantes, thelost kings of the Sahara. One millennia magazineago, Garamantes not only survived theharsh conditions of their environment, Published Bimonthly ISSN 2053-1869but thrived thanks to trade and techno-logical supremacy. Paco Gonzalez will Editorial Directorguide us through enigmatic cave paint- Mado Martinez,ings and strange pyramidal tombs. Will [email protected] follow with us? Art DirectorWe continue with medicine thanks to Rayna Petrovatwo special contributions from Dr. Fahad [email protected]. We will explore our immunesystem and the story of antibiotics, as Contributing Editorswell as the electromagnetic energy that Matt Lovedaycomposes our body. [email protected] Bradley TerblancheAlso in this issue, Dimitre Assenov has Laura Hayescome to talk about the trap of vitrifiedradioactive HLW glass: how within less Contributing Writersthan 600 years the glass-vitrified radio- Paco Gonzálezactive HLW will become a global environ- Dimitre Assenovmental issue. Dr. Fahad BasheerEnjoy the read and feel free to comment, Imagesshare and write for us. Cover: ©Luca Galuzz commons.wikimeadia.orgMado Martinez morguefile.com freeimages.com 2 www.ispectrummagazine.com [email protected] +44 7517 864 167 (UK) Follow Us

GARAMANTES:The Lost Kings of the Sahara by PACO GONZÁLEZM illennia ago, to the south paintings and strange pyramidal of modern Libya, a mys- tombs show their symbolic and terious civilization flour- religious development. However, ished. Its people, known pillaging and the desert sandsas Garamantes, not only sur- have hidden the greatest part ofvived the harsh conditions of their history, which some link totheir environment, but thrived the People of the Sea. It is notthanks to trade and technologi- unusual that people refer to it ascal supremacy. Enigmatic cave the African Atlantis. 3

They drove quadrigas,worshipped Ra and builtpyramids...before the Egyptians? Garamantes...From late 2011, the name of this ancient people settled in Libya shook off the desert dust and resounded in com- mentaries about lost civilizations. The reason was to be found in a discovery, thanks to new aerial and satellite photographs of over a hun- dred fortified villages hidden under the unforgiving sands of Eastern Sahara. Actually, the authors of the dis- covery did know where to look. Not in vain, several sites associated to this civilization have been dug since the 30’s of the past century and, more recently, after 1997. However, the armed conflict that ended with the defenestration of Colonel Gadaffi and his regime, had kept in suspension - for obvious reasons - any archeological activ- ity in the region. During his life, the dictator never really paid much attention - or help - to the research of the historical past of his country.4

CASTLES AND IRRIGATION CHANNELSPhoto credit :Germa,By Franzfoto (Own work) licensed under GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Besides its “black what we intuit consti- with cities and well oil” deposits, the des- tutes a true challenge delimited villages. In ert of this vast North for those enthusiastic addition, they had writ- African country holds for historical enigmas. ten language and tech- first class archeologi- “The Garamantes con- nology far advanced cal riches; treasures of stituted a very com- for their times. In fact, such a value and mys- plex civilization, which they were pioneers in terious nature as befit- developed in fortified the establishments of ting of its owners. Very settlements to a great oasis’ and the demar- little is known about extent. They were a per- cation of a trans-Saha- the Garamantes, and fectly organised state, ran route”… 5

The author of this brief about this culture, which British journalist, who Photo credit :Germa,By Franzfoto (Own work) licensed under GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commonsintroduction is David flourished between was probably unawareMattingly, Romanarche- 600 B.C. and 800 of the context of theology professor at the A.D. However, during news. We do not berateUniversity of Leicester the press conference him for that. Withand director of the proj- in which he presented the exception of Egypt,ect which has obtained his findings, he had to archeology in the norththe images in question. insist on its extraor- of Africa is as arid asExtremely knowledge- dinary importance: “It the subsoil being stud-able of the Garamantes’ is as if someone came ied.Civilization, this famed to England and dis-archeologist is set to covered medieval cas-promote knowledge tles”, he explained to a 6

Photo credit :Talessman at the English language Wikipedia,licensed under GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons Before being forced to abandon Near East in 600 AD, showing the Libya in February of 2011, Mattingly location of Garamantes before the and his team had already made out- standing discoveries, such as the Arab conquest. ruins of a fortress with walls reach- ing four meters high, numerous houses, cemeteries, wells, channels and irrigation systems. But we ask: how can we reproach ourselves for not knowing about these lost king- doms when even the majority of Libyans had not been told about its existence? Therefore, to start, the best approach would be to locate the Garamantes in their space and time in history. Something which, as we will see next, is not an easy task. 7

NOT SO BARBARIANLet’s forget the artificial borders However, accepting at this pointwhich have fragmented the cultur- the Greater Maghreb “Berber”, weal unity which we will call Greater will note that their borders incor-Maghreb, integrated by nations such porate a greater expanse, for weas Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, must include the Canary Islands toTunisia, Libya and, at least in part, the West and Egypt in the oppositeMali and Niger, without forget- direction. The map we will provideting Western Sahara - you with is even lessor Sahrawi Arab arbitrary. ThereDemocratic is anthro-Republic pologi--, whose “The Egyptian god Amón-Ra, cal andown of Saharian-African Origin, arche-geopo- would be the deity Achamón ologi-litical (Sun) of the Guanches of caldefini- Tenerife” evi-tion is dencetoday as whichsorrowful as supportit is polemic. it. The mostNow, let’s observe this important, undoubt-part of the African North East way edly, has to do with the languagebefore its Islamization. We will go and writing. With this point, it is con-to approximately 6000 years ago, venient to define “Berber”. Actually,in a land populated by who were this term was coined in times ofcolloquially called the “Berber” eth- the Roman Empire, referring to thenic group (we will later see why supposed “barbaric” nature of thosethis definition is inappropriate). North African tribes. Therefore, we 8

Photo credit :Germa,By Franzfoto (Own work) licensed under GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons The so-called Hattia Pyramids where important people and rulers of the Garama Kingdom were interred in the Sahara Desert, Libya. are going to keep the Far from being super- in places as far from name these very ethnic fluous, the language each other as Tenerife groups used to refer to as a unifying factor in the Canary Islands themselves: “Amazigh” would explain highly (Spain), and the oasis or, - the plural form disconcerting enigmas of Siwa in Egypt. - “Imazighen”. This is, which have lasted to “free men” or “noble the present day as, for We will continue ignor- men”. example, the discov- ing the artificial bor- ery of the same writing 9

der we know from the present, and we can start to imagine the nomad people or, the “Amazigh”, who would go back and forth in the Mahgreb and Sahara. Some important clas- sic historians – main- ly Greek and Roman - mention several of those tribes, rare- ly omitting the name of what was probably the most prosperous and enigmatic of the North of Africa: The Garamantes. “There existed, in the Libyan Sahara, a long tradition of mummification whichended being exported to Egypt, according to some experts” 10

FOUR-HORSE CARTS Why were they called Garamantes? Rock paintings in TadrartThis Greek denomination comes, Acacus region of Libya datedsupposedly, from Garama, current- from 12,000 BC to 100 AD.ly Germa (or Jarmah), a location There are paintings and carv-to the southwest of Libya, in the ings of animals such as giraffesprovince of Fezzan, just a few kilo- and elephants reflecting themeters away from the border with dramatic climatic changes inAlgeria, where the first sites asso-ciated with the civilization were the area.dug – research which coincidedwith the Italian occupation dur-ing the 1930’s. Soon, the transal-pine archeologists would notice theunusual importance of their discov-eries. Coinciding with a particularlyadverse period in the weather ofthe area, the Garamantes decidedto establish sedentary settlementswhere they developed complexfarming and mercantile structures;profess peculiar cults and traditions- such as mummification (see box)- and set their architectonic andpainting likes free, which we knowdue to the abundant petroglyphswhich pepper the mountain andcaves off this area. The contentof these paintings - very similar tothe neighboring one in Tasili n’Ajjerin Argelia, incidentally - seems topartially corroborate some of the 11

Tadrart Acacus a desert area Photo credit :By Luca Galuzzi (Lucag) licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons in western Libya, part of the Sahara descriptions which classic authors like Pliny, Strabo and Herodotus, among others, made about the Garamantes. This last historian writes the following in the fourth tome of The Nine books of History: “From Auguila, after a trip of ten journeys, there is another hill with salt in its water and with many fruit bearing palm trees like in the other ones, and with men who live in that hill who are called the Garamantes, very populous nation, who, to sow the land, cover the salt with a layer of dirt”.12

He then adds: “Said extremely literary, the cave paintings canGaramantes go hunt- the annotations by verify by himself: Theing the cave-dwelling Herodotus already Garamantes were mas-Ethiopians, mounted in underline two singular ters in the driving ofa four horse cart, which facts in connection with quadrigas, long beforeis necessary because the Garamantes. The the vehicle was adopt-these Ethiopian men first is when their skill ed by the armies ofare the lightest on their in farming activities is their Egyptian neigh-feet we have heard highlighted. Regarding bors.about”. the second, the Greek historian describes Although they seemed what anyone who visits the region and observesINCREDIBLE TECHNOLOGY Roman histori- the merit of that victo- peninsula had received.ans underlined the ry and the loot he took Even when it lost theGaramantes’ com- to Rome that Balbo, capital of its kingdom,bat ferocity as well. even when he was born Garama, it is said thatA verifiable fact from in Cadiz, received the irreducible factions ofthe figure of General Ovatio from the hands the Garamantes con-Lucious Cornelious of the Roman senate, tinued harassing theBalbo Moinore, who an honor which only Roman legions, throughfinally defeated them politicians and military incursions which lastedin 19 B.C. Such was men born in the Italian until the years 110- 13

Photo credit :By Luca Galuzzi (Lucag) licensed under CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons120 of modern times. nean channels, some- of a network of moreRegarding their skill as thing unheard of for its than 1,000 kilometersfarmers, it is noticeable time. Known as fog- of foggaras, which inthat the Garamantes, garas (in Tamazigh), ancient times allowedagainst all odds, thrived these channels col- the Garamantes toin such a harsh climate, lected subterranean grow grain and Datequite similar to the one waters and directed Palm trees, amongthe Sahara is suffering them to the orchards, other plants. But thenowadays. They did preventing the burning foggares are not, noit fundamentally due sun from diminishing less, the only evi-to the establishment their volume. We know dence which givesof the oasis, improved of the success of that faith to how advancedby an irrigation sys- procedure because of the Garamantes’tem through subterra- the present existence Civilization was. 14

Photo credit :By Roberto D’Angelo licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) In fact, the province of Fezzan gar- “The drawings are ners a myriad of other proofs that between 20,000 and do nothing but go deeper into the mysteries surrounding this soci- 12,000 years old” ety. We refer in particular, to the very ancient cave paintings and hid- thousands of tombs -pyramids included - which pepper this region. den In an area of approximately 500 square kilometers, on the outskirts details of these people. of the great valley of Wadi al-Hay- at, archeologists have discovered The dating of the drawings is not numerous paintings in caves and rocky places; graffiti which helps simple, but it is believed that they us to understand a little better the are between 20,000 and 12,000 years old. As we had mentioned 15

before, the representations of carts a truncated pyramid, which wereor quadrigas pulled by four horses undoubtedly built with an inten-and other animals are abundant. tion of transcending time. It is the so-called pyramids - royal tombs It is hard to assume that the of Ahramat al-Hattia - buildingsGaramantes knew these uses in which have miraculously survivedsuch remote times, this being the plundering and destruction andanother of the impenetrable enig- much extended practices in thismas of what some have come to area, which have erased possiblecall The African Atlantis. evidence about aspects related to the mythology and religion of these mysterious Libyan-desert dwellers forever. PYRAMIDS - TOMBS It is believed that the decline of the Garamantes was due to the Additionally, many discovered Arab invasions in 700 A.D. and theartifacts are related in some way transference of the trans-Sahari-to the Garamantes - or their ances- an commerce routes to the West.tors, belonging to the Acheulian Additionally, it is very possible thatand Aterian periods - which takes there was a deterioration of the cli-us to a strip between, at least, matic conditions and the subterra-100,000 and 30,000 B.C. Some of nean waters, which until then hadthese objects - tools, spear heads, supported their lifestyle.etc - can be seen in the Museum ofGerma. Their funerary art deservesa special mention. In the previouslymentioned region, around 120,000tombs have been detected, a goodhandful of them with the shape of 16

Photo credit : Blood cells, By zhouxuan12345678 licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM AND THE STORY OF ANTIBIOTICS by Dr. Fahad Basheer Y our Immune system is a mirac- tem has a well-defined wisdom within ulous biological system that is it to specifically differentiate our own highly efficient in combating any cells from the foreign and diseased foreign microorganisms that tissues by recognizing them based invade your body. It has very exciting on receptors on the cell surface. The and brilliant complex mechanisms and Immune system is comprised various weapons to combat bacteria, viruses types of cells assigned to do different and fungi. Besides that, your immune functions working together to bring system is incredibly powerful in fight- a great revolution inside the human ing the cancerous tissues that arises body to make it powerful and healthier from our body. Yes, the immune sys- {1}. 17

In 1928, the discovery of peni- In developing nations, you willcillin by Alexander Fleming gave find both a mixture of infectioushope for combating some of the diseases and autoimmune diseas-toughest bacteria. This along with es, and prevalence of infectiousantibiotics took the health sec- diseases in the poor nations is duetor by storm. Antibiotics started to a lack of nutrition and hygiene.waging war against infectious dis- Constant use of antibiotics in hos-eases with success. The public was pitals and clinics throughout theimpressed but for how long? The world has now caused a shift fromvictory was short-lived. The bacte- communicable disease to non-com-ria developed genetic mechanisms municable diseases like autoim-to combat against antibiotics, and mune diseases. Do you know why?as a result, new antibiotic-resistant The constant use of antibiotics hasstrains of bacteria stepped into the now caused a serious impact onarena. It has led to the emergence your immune cells, which are oneof bacteria with uncontrolled anti- of the fastest growing type cells inbiotic resistance powers to fight your body. In developed nations,back the drug. As a result of anti- autoimmune disorders predominatebiotic resistance, 90,000 hospital over the communicable diseasespatients develop infections in the due to the emergence of antibiot-USA. And because of this, in excess ics. As a result, the constant useof 20 billion dollars a year is spent of antibiotics in developed nationsin the health sector as a part of led to the emergence of auto-its consequence. Mankind started immune disorders. Therefore, thespending billions of hard-earned Government started to spend mil-money just to keep them at bay lions on fighting autoimmune dis-but without much success {2}. orders using immunosuppressants and steroids. However, these immu- nosuppressants contributed to fur- ther weakening of the immune cells, 18

thereby pavingthe way for ahigher suscep-tibility to infec-tions, e.g. lym-phoproliferativedisease causedby Epstein Barrvirus is a resultof immunosup-pression effectof immunosup-pressant drugs. After a cer- Escherichia coli.Some strains of E. coli bacteria (suchtain period, thegenes in the cells as a strain called O157:H7) may cause severe ane-developed a resistance mia or kidney failure, which can lead to death.to the immunosuppres-sants and spelled doom nephrologist in the syllabus -- it is knownfor the patient. Steroids world knows the reality as primary hyperten-that initially made the that most renal diseas- sion, which otherwisepatient healthy later es are caused second- is known as the silentmade it easier for them ary to diabetes (auto- killer) and drugs. Theyto walk into their grave, immune disease), high have to first get thedue to its uncontrolled blood pressure (93% list of drugs that theeffects on the differ- of causes are unknown patients were on pre-ent receptors of the as per medical school viously, as these drugsbody, leading to itsadverse effects. Every 19

used by the patient reality of drug treat- autoimmune disease isfor other disorders will ment as just keeping the disease of a richbadly affect the other on maintaining an old man of high living stan-vital systems of the scooter at home, and dards and who is wellbody. Even though the it is still foolproof that educated in the societydrugs help save a per- no drug exists without with burdens of wor-son’s life several times a side effect and given ries and stress in life,at emergency depart- at the appropriate dose and infectious diseas-ments and at casualty, is the mode by which es are the poor man’sit is still good enough to medical science try to disease due to lack ofsilently take a person’s adjust to in order to get food and hygiene andlife one at a time. And the best therapeutic who is happy that hemost doctors know the effect. In short, drugs gets comfort looking at often prove counter- people above him. Yes, productive, and they and that’s the tragedy are not free of side of life {2}. effects. As they say, 20

Have you ever gone through theresults of a poll conducted by Dr.Tullio Simoncini, a famous oncolo-gist from Rome, who has pioneeredsodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)therapy as a means to treat can-cer, among doctors? Well, if not,here is what the poll was about.Dr. Tullio Simoncini tried to find outfrom the doctors who participatedin the survey, whether they them-selves would undergo chemother-apy if required. Do you know whatthe outcome was? 75% refused itoutright. They were not sure of itseffectiveness but were well awareof its devastating effects on theentire human organism {3}.“According tomedical associa- “According to medical associations,tions, the noto- the notorious and dangerous siderious and dan- effects of drugs have become thegerous side fourth main cause of death aftereffects of drugs infarction, cancer and apoplexy”have become thefourth main causeof death after infarc-tion, cancer and apo-plexy” {4}. In the Journal ofAmerican Medical Association, Dr. 21

Barbara Starfield wrote an article know what happens when they Photo credit : Blood cells, By zhouxuan12345678 licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)revealing that from conservative continue to depend upon the sameestimates, the practice of medicine drug day after day, month afteris the third leading cause of death month, year after year? The goodin United States. But from the gut bacteria die along with the badresearch of Gary Null it is the first bacteria. With the mass destructionleading cause of death with over of good gut bacteria, fungi that hasthree quarters of a million people all along been waiting on the side-dying from medical treatment each lines for a chance to thrive, springyear {5}. to life and grow rapidly and unop- posed, thereby causing bloating, We often find people heavily indigestion, diarrhea and increaseddependent on antibiotics. Do you yeast infection. The immune cells too suffer. Their source of nutrition, the good gut bacteria (lactobacil- 22

Photo credit : By Allan Ajifo licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) lus), is no longer there to nourish sion, in the right dosage and for them or is drastically reduced in the right period only. Empowering number and hence unable to pro- your immune system is the great- vide them with adequate nutrition est success in combating anything {6}. in the world. Allowing you immune system to combat organisms makes But does this mean that we avoid you powerful and stronger in living antibiotics altogether? No. I do not a healthy and happy life. And if you deny the good effects of these drugs. don’t, you will indeed be a slave of antibiotics, thus weakening your natural health. You will have to lose your health in order to know the value of your own health {7}! Photo: www.aboutmodafinil.com Since 1920, research- But I would surely want to caution ers were able one and all against their indiscrimi- to stimulate nate use. Antibiotics can be taken strong emo- but only if it is absolutely essential tions by elec- and under proper medical supervi- trically stim- ulating the limbic cortex over the amygdala (the emotional store house of the brain), and amazingly, Dr. Candace Pert found high concentrations of neuropeptides in these location, from where the information from 23

our five senses relayed activated the release of neuropep- Photo credit : By Pancrat (Own work) licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0) , via Wikimedia Commonsinto your nervous system. tide ligands are triggered off fromAstonishingly, the recep- emotion-processing areas of brain,tors for these neuropep- and the whole memory co-existingtides were also found on with that emotion is held in theimmune cells, for every receptors to which these neuropep-peptide that was found in tides bind. Your immune system isthe brain, the immune cell composed of spleen, bone marrow,had the exact receptor for lymph nodes and white blood cells,these peptides and thus and amazingly, they have thesethe immune system can receptors for your neuropeptides ofsend and receive infor- emotion and they have receptorsmation to the brain via for all the peptides that are pres-peptides. She proved that ent in the brain!! The immune sys-the type and number ofneuropeptides available atreceptor sites of a cellinfluence your probabilityof staying well or gettingsick. Whenever a person experi-ences positivity, the neuropeptidesreleased from the limbic systemoccupy the same receptors of thecell used by the virus to enter thecell and replicate. Thus, the peoplewith very good emotional healthhave a strong immune system andhave less chance of getting affectedby infectious diseases. It is proven that from the uncon-scious mind whenever emotion gets 24

Lymphocytesare responsi-ble for immuneresponses.There are twomain types oflymphocytes:B cells and T cells.tem also produc- stress patterns and poor naturales peptides that killer (NK) cell activity that predis-are the same as pose oneself to have a higher risk ofthose found in developing viral infections and highbrain that regu- serum Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)late mood; the antibody titers, indicating higherimmune cells send information to risk for viral infections like infec-brain via immune peptides and tious mononucleosis -- these sub-receive information back in the jects had decreased CD3 and CD8form of neuropeptides. Immune lymphocytes. This clearly estab-cells and the brain are together lished that mental health plays ain a network of communication very vital role in determining thevia neuropeptides of emotion. The health of the immune system. Evenresearch has found that the people our day-to-day stress like examswho suppressed negative emotions can have an impact on our immunehad decreased cell-mediated immu- system: a study was conducted atnity, which is essential for your Ohio State University that the stu-body to combat intracellular micro- dents who appeared for final examsorganisms that invade your body; had weaker immune response todecreased blood monocytes that isessential for maintaining immunityof your body; and elevated eosino-phil, predisposing more chances tohave allergy and high blood sugarcounts, which results in increased 25

or virus. Creating emotional health is vital when it comes to the matter of the immune system. In staying mentally healthy, you will be physically healthier. A very good emo- tional health can save the use of lots of antibiotics and ste- roids. A stronger emotional health in an individual can save a lot of money. Stay positive and live the same. You will enjoy life’s precious moments {7}. REFERENCES:hepatitis than unstressed students. {1}The immune system- Peter Parham {2} The History of Antibiotics: A Thus, by creating strong emo- Symposium-john parascandolational health, one can empow- {3} Cancer is a fungus: Dr. Tullioer their immune system to fight Simonany tough and virulent bacteria {4} Journal of American Medical Association, April 15, 1988 26 {5} The Biology of Belief: Dr. Bruce Lipton {6} Gut Microbiota: The Forgotten Organ: Malfartheiner {7} The Science Of Emotions: Dr Fahad Basheer

by Dimitre AssenovThe trap of vitrifiedradioactive HLW glassHow within less than 600 years the glassvitrified radioactive HLW will become aglobal environmental issue 27

V itrification of radioactive crystalline matrix, the amorphous high-level radioactive waste one very often sustains unexplained (HLW) in boron silicate glass reversing to aging results. The only is the primary technology ongoing experiment for assessingused for encapsulating radioactive the aging of amorphous glass forHLW. However, the model assumes HLW vitrification is underway incertain critical assumptions for con- China and is currently in its 16thtainment. A major assumption isthat amorphous glass can stably year of testing.sustain radioactive HLW with nosignificant degradation over The glass vitrification processtime or release of radio- is based on forming glassactive materials. A keyassumption for contain- boron silicate in an amor-ment is based on the phous composition at aexistence of ancient melting temperature ofarcheological glass around 650 degrees.artifacts and com- At such a tempera-puter models for ture range, the glassthe boron sili- matrix preventscate glass. evaporation of theH o w e v e r, selected radio-the technical isotopes (e.g.modelling assumptions to support Cesium). Thecomputer simulation are based on next stepsome incomplete or ungroundedassumptions. The limited laborato- is to mix the melted amorphousry tests for glass aging (i.e. repeat- boron silicate glass with solidifieded heating and cooling) ignores the highly radioactive HLW in propor-important point that, contrary to tions of around 63% to 67% glass and 33% to 37% solid radioac- tive HLW material (some mixing issues remain unresolved). The hot 28

Diagram showing three types of proposed waste packages for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste depositorymix produced is poured canisters and moved the glass/ HLW matrixinto stainless steel con- to a temporary storage in a stable state untiltainers and allowed warehouse. The final the decay heating levelto solidify. Once this product may be stored dropped below biohaz-is complete, the glass in a deep geological ard levels. Assumed inencased HLW in placed repository (Carlsbad the existing modeling,into a stainless steel - New Mexico or Yuka minor volume expan-container that is encap- mountain- Nevada). sion during decay tran-sulated with a welded sition ignores majorcap (small empty vol- The process is based mineral geo-chemicalume is left to compen- on the assumption that transitions.sate linear glass matrix bedding the radioactiveexpansion). The con- materials in multiple This paper raises con-tainer is then stored on metal corrosion-resis- cerns over importantrags in Titanium steel tant containers will keep missing elements in 29

the modeling process. pressure that was par- established. The miss-These conditions may tially considered in the ing element is what willjeopardize the assump- vitrification modeling. happen in the sealedtion of geologically long stainless steel contain-stability of the glass for It is well known that er. The container vol-a radioactive HLW con- the vitrified radioactive ume is constant and attainment matrix. HLW generates heat some point the pres- and will be in the range sure inside the stain- A key element is that of 500 to 550 degrees less steel container willamorphous glass in a Celsius for a period of start to rise. It is obvi-solid thermodynam- several hundred years. ous that the increasedic state is considered Since this temperature pressure will move theas solid liquid / liquid was significantly lower glass transition gap tosolid with a very narrow from the initial melting the right, occurs at athreshold for revers- temperature of boron much lower tempera-ibility known as super silicate glass at room ture and become closercooled liquid (liquid- temperature, no addi- to the actual tempera-semisolid-solid state tional concerns were ture range of 500-550and the reverse – solid-semisolid-liquid state)– refer to enclosed dia-gram. The first unground-ed assumption is thatthe glass melting tem-perature is significantlyhigher than the radioiso-topes evaporation tem-perature. This thresh-old of glass transitionwill be narrowed sig-nificantly after applying 30

degrees Celsius. As a result, the space, requiring rearrangements insuper cooled liquid threshold will the glass-vitrified matrix. As higherreduce which will bring the solid density occurs, these new crystalsglass into a semi-softening or semi- will project much higher pressure tomelting stage. the amorphous glass that will frac- ture in order to release the internal At this point, we must consider the stresses. It needs to be consideredgeochemical processes to explain that some of the steel containersthe processes that will take place. may crack or fracture, in order toPredominantly, all solidified HLW release the additional pressure incomprises quick formed unstable geometry configuration. (Althoughoxides. At an increased tempera- not perfect, the only way to avoidture and with no additional amount this is to leave them in the sealedof oxygen or water, some of these container sufficient empty volume,oxides will form crystalline packets that will compensate the volumeof metals and Silicon oxide, widely changes – pressure valves are notavailable in the amorphous glass acceptable because this will relate(unstable predominantly chain to ventilation issues inside the can-configurations lattices, very well ister.) Accounting for only the linearexplained in the crystallography). expansion of the glass matrix, this was done at significantly reduced Once formed in the semi-softened levels./ semi-melted glass matrixes, thesecrystalline packets will continue to This issue was not consideredgrow until the equilibrium in the in the present storage containers.mix falls under the sustainable for The process of expansion / pre-grow level. crystallization of the glass / HLW matrix will be complicated further Two global changes will happen in by water vapor condensation thatthe original amorphous glass / HLW will occur inside the large canister.matrix. The newly growing crys- Filling the canister with nitrogentals will occupy the configuration of will decrease this effect but will not 31

prevent formation of water vapor. vacancies that will be filled withThermodynamically, this newly heavier atoms from the remainingformed water vapor will make the radioisotopes.transition into liquid water dropletsattached on the metal containers At elevated temperatures andsurface (internally and externally). pressure for a significant period of several hundred years, the semi- The designed ventilation and water softened/ semi-melted amorphousdrainage systems of the deep geo- boron silicate glass will undergo alogical repository are assumed to partial or complete transition intoaccommodate all external water a complex crystalline lattice forma-condensation in the tunnel. The tion. This transition will completelyconcern is for all water condens- alter the inner limited space ofes / vapors inside the steel con- the encapsulating metal container.tainers and large metal canisters. The density difference between theThis water will react with metal amorphous glass (2.5 g/cc) andsilicates and make the transition metal silicates (from 3.1 g/cc toto complexes of Calcium, Sodium, 7.2 g/cc) will result in an expansionPotassium and Barium Alumina sili- increase (neglecting the tempera-cates (Bowen Reaction series at low ture expansion) from 1.24 times totemperature range). These pro- 2.84 times the original volumes.cesses are well known in Geology.An additional process is also expect- This will complicate the processed – as solid dissolution transition when specific conditions of the sin-of the Silicates – a process well gle radioisotope transition count.determined in Geology. This pro-cess is solid to solid replacement of As an example, take the transitionsome Silicon atoms in the tetrahe- of Cesium – one of the shortestdral lattice with atoms of Alumina, decay half-life radioisotopes – pro-Calcium, Sodium, Potassium and viding the steps and volume transi-Barium. This process also requires tions.additional volume due to the large 32

Cesium half-life decays Cesium in the HLW will of the Cesium decayto stable Barium with- make the transition to – Barium Silicate toin 30.17 years. This stable Barium. We must Barium Feldspar. In themeans that within consider one specific HLW, Cesium appeared20 half-lives almost mineral that occurs in in the form of gas andthe entire amount of nature as a by-product oxide. This diagram indicates shows that the transi- much larger space inhow crystalline silicate tion to stable Barium is the crystalline lattice.is formed in nature. heavier from its parentThe decay diagram also – this means it requires 33

The first step from crystal X-ray diffraction The excess Oxygencombined temperature (space group P 6¯ 2m, amount from the origi-/ pressure of the amor- a = 9.578(5) Å, c = nal Cesium oxide willphous glass matrix will 4.155(5) Å, Z = 0.5, 269 be consumed by thebe formation of Cesium F(hkl), R = 0.0424) Ref formation of watersilicate. to Original Russian Text vapor with the avail- © A.E. Lapshin, N.V. able Hydrogen from The required Oxygen Borisova, V.M. Ushakov, HLW. Once formed, theatom will come ini- Yu.F. Shepelev, 2006, Cesium silicate under-tially from the Cesium published in Zhurnal goes a stage of collaps-oxide in the HLW or Neorganicheskoi Khimii, ing during the decaySilicon dioxide pack- 2006, Vol. 51, No. 11, transition – a processets in the glass. During pp. 1804–1808). already determined inthis crystalline lattice Nuclear Waste science.formation, the newly It is very importantformed Cesium Silicate to recognize the signifi- The next step will bewill require additional cant space differences the transitional forma-space inside the amor- along the Crystalline tion of Barium Silicate,phous glass matrix. This lattice vectors. coming from the Cesiumresults in a rearrange-ment of atoms’ posi- decay in Cesiumtions in the much larger Silicate.lattice compared to theamorphous one (single- Example of initial Cesium Oxide cluster 34

inventory (after spend fuel recy- cling) is in the range of 23.11% for US sludge after 6 years’ decay to 31.66% for AREVA sludge. (Reference: Nuclear Chemical Engineering.) From one side, the atoms’ Radii The Cesium volume to total vol-difference, combined with the new ume of HLW (after recycling) islattice configuration in which, two 15.226% – for US sludge after 6Cesium atoms are replaced with years’ decay.one Barium which is an indication ofrequired additional, almost double After completion of the 20 halfspace, the final mineral product will lives decay time (603.4 years), thebe required. At the final transition formed Barium silicate will require atstage, when the temperature and least twice the volume of 30.452%the pressure falls under the original from the total HLW volume, orglass transition, Barium Silicate will 11.267% (63% glass 37% HLW)undergo an additional solid to solid additional volume from the totaldissolution to form Barium Feldspar volume of the originally glass vitri-(with the presence of Aluminum) fication matrix.- known as Cyclosilicates (formingpolyhedrons crystalline lattice). When combined with other decay chains, an estimate for the entire The final question is how to deter- HLW radioisotope inventory is thatmine how much additional space during geological time transition,the original Cesium in the HLW will most of the encapsulated steelrequire during its decay transition containers will sustain significantto Barium. The average amount of volumetric changes such as cracksCesium in the HLW fission products or ruptures, that will compromise the sustainability of the entire glass vitrification process. The conse- quences will be extremely disas- 35

trous because the entire geological stratigraphy, Aquatic chemistry,repository will become very highly etc. Kicking the can down the roadcontaminated and difficult to be based on ungrounded assumptionsmaintained and control. This will for a good outcome after 1,000 orinclude additional complex issues of 10,000 years, by using a technicallymaintaining surrounding the engi- easy and cheap method for seques-neering barrier for extended geo- tering radioactive HLW, questionslogic time, with unknown bio haz- our credibility and responsibility toard consequences. The situation the future generations.becomes more complicate fromestablished in the Mining science Acknowledgment:indisputable fact, that at any timenew artificial cell is formed in the I would like to thank Dr. Garryrock matrix, the thermodynamic Sandquist and Dr. Manoradjan Misrachanges forms around water vapors for reviewing the article.condenses in form of established ingeology perched fresh water lenses.These lenses are the next issue tocome with toxic compounds trans-port (including long-lived radioac-tive isotopes and formed from thedecay of other toxic chemical andreactive compounds). This paper raises awareness ofthese issues, bringing for question-ing the sustainability of HLW glassvitrification. The explained physicaland geo-chemical processes arewell known and established in dif-ferent science disciplines such asGeology, Mineralogy, Geochemistry,Crystallography, Mining, Geologic 36

WHY OUR BODYIS COmPOSED OFELECTROMAGNETIC ENERGY by Fahad BasheerAll energy is electromagnetic in T he normal living cell is com-nature, and nothing happens in posed of a cell membrane,the body without an electromag- nucleus, DNA and mitochon-netic exchange between cells dria. Each organelle of the cell serves a particular role in the human body. The functioning of each cell is crucial when it comes to sustaining the life of each cell. 37

For example: the mitochondria of a cellular fluids and the intra cellularcell is essential for the generation fluids of our body are composed ofof ATP which is the molecular ener- ions like H+, Na+, K+,Cl-, Ca2+.gy that is essential for the variousmetabolic reactions in a single cell At molecular level, each andto occur. The DNA, mRNA and the every metabolic reaction occurstRNA is essential for the transcrip- due to the interaction betweention and the translation of vari- two or more peptides or proteins.ous proteins and peptides that are The protein, in fact, is nothing butessential for its daily growth and a molecular structure made up ofmetabolism. The cell membrane atoms like carbon, nitrogen, oxy-consists of numerous receptors gen and hydrogen. The reasonthat allow the flux of Na+, K+, Cl-, for any reaction to occur betweenH+ ions. The blood, plasma extra38

each molecule is due to the extracellular fluids this it is more diffi-the unpaired electron (1,4). cult for the human cellor electron deficiency to survive. If there isin the reacting pro- The mitochondria, no mitochondrion weteins. When the reac- which is known as the won’t ever get ener-tion occurs it is inevi- store house of energy, gy for our growth andtable that electrons is the only source for development. Thejumps from one pro- the human cell which energy protein knowntein to another causing can derive energy for as the ATP is formedthe creation of an elec- its survival. Without in the mitochondriatric current. In physics as a result of continu-it is inevitable that the ous influx and effluxelectric current cannotco-exist without mag-netic field. There aremore than a trillioncells in our body andthere are more than a100 discovered meta-bolic reactions takingplace at a time. Thesemetabolic reactions area continuous processuntil a man’s death.In the meantime, ahuge net amount ofelectromagnetic fieldsare being generatedwithin each cell. Theseelectromagnetic fieldsonly account for thecontents in the cyto-plasm of each cell and 39

of H+ ions or protons electricity. And it is also channels on the cellacross the mitochon- evident that the mag- membrane that allowdrial membrane that netic field cannot co- the flux of water andhelp a series of oxida- exist without electric- ions like Na+, K+, Cl-,tion reduction chemi- ity. Thus, it is foolproof H+ and other ions. Yes,cal reactions to occur. that our mitochondria there are millions ofThese protons are is constantly generat- ions crossing millions ofnothing but a charge. ing a three- dimension- protein channels overIn the principle of elec- al electromagnetic field the cell membrane attromagnetism it is solid that is constantly pres- any single time in eachlaw that the movement ent in us when we play, and every cell of theof any charge creates walk, talk, eat, sleep, human body. By the read, etc. This is only law of electromagnet- about the electromag- ics, there is an influx of netic field that gener- millions of ions creat- ates from the power ing a strong electrical house of cell (2,4). current which in turn generate a powerful Now, here is the fun- magnetic field. Thus, niest and the coolest a powerful electromag- reality that makes us netic field is created. more amazed. There Yes, every living cell is no living cell in our of the human body is body without a cell endured with a elec- membrane. In the fluid tromagnetic field that mosaic model pro- generates within and posed by singer and surrounds them. In Nicolson that we stud- truth, the living cells in ied from our schools, our body cannot exist we all know that there without this electro- are millions of protein magnetic field. Thus, the electromagnetic field of the cells in the 40

human body then determines the DNAquality of metabolism and chemi-cal reactions of a cell. Yes, it DNA is an extremely long chaindetermines the life of the cell. The of molecules that contains all theweaker the electromagnetic field, information necessary for the lifethe more feeble and sluggish the functions of a cell. It helps in car-metabolic reactions would be in the rying information from generationbody. The stronger the electromag- to generation and also helps innetic field, the more excellent the the production of proteins that aremetabolic reactions would be in the essential for growth and devel-body (3,4). opment of the human body. The41

individual molecules that The human heart make up DNA are called nucleotides. There are The human heart is the most pow- only four nucleotides erful electromagnetic processor of that are ever used; these your body. In fact, the heart is are Adenine, Thymidine, fifty times more powerful than the Guanine and Cytosine. brain electrically, and five thousand These nucleotides are made up times more powerful magnetically. of atoms like Carbon, Hydrogen, In sum, the heart is five times Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Oxygen. electromagnetically more powerful Quantum physics has discovered than the brain, which constantly that our universe is made 99.999% keeps on generating electromag-Phenotnooewcrgrpeyrdoiatv:ned(dC0)t.hS0at0et0peh1va%ennBmtrheanettdeagrte.onImt shains netic quantum packets that carry a DNA are nothing but energy. Each set of information known as “intel- atom of DNA is made up of unique ligence” to the whole body, which is energy which codes a specific set immersed in the field of the heart. of information within it. Every atom This field is even detectable three has its own energy signature. It to four feet away from our heart. was found that the molecules col- By altering the electromagnetic lectively radiate a unique energy fields of the heart, we are able to signature. This energy signature change the whole electromagnetic is otherwise known as the “intelli- field that is immersed in the human gence” that determines the behav- body (7). iour of DNA in terms of production of proteins by transcription and translation, which in turn deter- mines the physiology of a living cell (6).42

In summary, our magnetic property is strong external mag-human body is com- the fundamental prin- netic field using highpletely immersed in ciple by which even the watt electromagnets inan electromagnetic MRI we use to scan our order for the protonsfield. The quality and body works on. In the (H+) in the humanstrength of this electro- MRI machine, we are plasma to align in a sin-magnetic field deter- introducing the patient gle desired direction.mines the quality of cell into the MRI system Thereafter, we intro-proteins, hormones, to visualise the inter- duce a high frequen-peptides, neurons and nal organs. To get the cy external energy tocells of the human image of these internal excite these protons inbody. This bio electro- organs, we create a the human plasma that 43

aligns in a single direc- absorbed by a detec- To conclude, our bodytion due to the exter- tor and is converted to is made up of flow-nal electromagnetic images using interven- ing ions, charges andfield that is created by ing devices in the MRI electrons that con-the powerful electro- system. MRI is one of stantly generate elec-magnets that we use the medical scanning tromagnetic fields inin MRI. When we stop procedures that is not the human body. Thesesending the external hazardous to a patient electromagnetic fields,energy, these protons (5). beyond their capacitystart giving back the to generate molecularcaptured energy. This reactions, also carriesincoming energy is then embedded informa- 44

tion and a set of rules ticles and at the same in the electromagneticknown as “intelligence”. time charged particles field thus determinesIn fact, electromagnet- cannot exist without the health and diseaseic fields cannot exist electromagnetic field. of the cells in our body.without charged par- Yes, the “intelligence”REFERENCES:(1) Berg, Jeremy, Tymoczko, John L., Stryer, Electromagnetics (2004)Lubert, Biochemistry, 6th Edition. New York, (5) Hornak, Joseph P. Ph.D The Basics of MRINew York: Sara Tenney. (2007), pp. 410– (6) Basheer, F., 2014. The Human Heart:411 The Origin of Light and Life: Elephant journal.(2) Cooper, G.M., The Cell: A molecular Available at: <http://www.elephantjournal.approach,2nd edition (2000) com/2014/09/the-human-heart-the-origin-of-(3) Martin, Laura. The Fluid Mosaic Model of light-life-fahad-basheer/the Cell Membrane - The Mosaic. Connexions (7) Basheer, F., 2015. The Science of Emotions.(15 Oct. 2007) PartridgeIndia(4) Irodov I.E., The Basic Laws of 45

“ As our feelings change, this mixture of peptides travelsthroughout your body and your brain.And they´re literallychanging the chemistry of every cell in your body,” -Dr. Candace Pert FREE SUBSCRIPTION www . ispectrummagazine . com 46