ABSTRACT
The French laboratories in charge of 'neutron' dosimetry using the spectrometer 'ROSPEC', formed a working group in 2001. The participants began to study the behaviour of the instrument with a comparison exercise in broad energy neutron fields recommended by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and available at the LMDN in Cadarache. The complete version of the ROSPEC is made up of six spherical proportional counters fixed to a rotating platform. These counters cover different energy ranges which overlap each other to provide a link between the detectors, within the energy range from thermal neutrons to 4.5 MeV. The irradiation configurations chosen were ISO standard sources (252Cf, (252Cf+D2O)(/Cd), 241Am-Be) and the SIGMA facility. The results show that the 'thermal and epithermal' neutron fluence was widely overestimated by the spectrometer in all configurations.
Subject(s)
Neutrons , Radioisotopes/analysis , Radiometry/instrumentation , Spectrum Analysis/methods , Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation , Equipment Design , Equipment Failure Analysis/standards , France , Radiation Dosage , Radioisotopes/standards , Radiometry/standards , Rotation , Sensitivity and Specificity , Spectrum Analysis/standardsABSTRACT
In order to investigate the mechanism by which the inorganic content of the bone is reduced in chronic alcoholism, the authors assayed osteocalcin in 60 chronic alcoholics. The level was significantly lower than in control subjects. There was no significant difference between levels in cirrhotics and in non-cirrhotic alcoholics. There was a negative correlation between osteocalcin and gamma GT levels. There was no correlation between osteocalcin and blood calcium, blood phosphorus, ALAT, ASAT, alkaline phosphatase, 5'-nucleotidase, albumin or bilirubin levels, or with the prothrombin time. These results suggest a direct impact of alcohol on the osteoblast.
