Results of cosmic radiation dose field measurements aboard the "Salyut-6" orbital station.

During the 3rd main expedition on board the "Salyut-6" orbital station in 1979 the integral characteristics of cosmic radiation were measured in various positions inside the manned modules (experiment "Integral"). Measurements were performed with thermoluminescent dosimeters, photographic films and solid state plastic detectors supplied for the experiment by specialists of the USSR, Bulgaria, Hungary, GDR and Romania. The dose gradient inside the manned modules of the station amounted to 70% for long intervals of time. During the experimental period the dose rate inside the station was 15 to 30 mrad per day. The mean flux of particles with Z > or = 6 and LET > or = 200 keV/micrometer was found to be 0.22 cm-2 or day-1.

[Chromosome translocations in the sex cells of mice subjected to chronic low-dose gamma-irradiation]. / Khromosomnye translokatsii v polovykh kletkakh myshi pri khronicheskom gamma-obluchenii s nizkoi moshchnost'iu dozy.

Translocation induction in mouse spermatogonia by continuous whole-body gamma irradiation (radium 226) was studied. Total doses, delivered at a rate of 13.0 +/- 1.3 X 10(-4) rad/min for various time intervals, were 97, 195, 294 and 442 rad. Cytological examination within 3 to 4 months after irradiation indicated the presence of translocations in 0.16, 0.30, 0.75 and 1.29 percent respectively, of primary spermatocytes at diakinesis metaphase I. Data on translocation induction (Y) as related to total irradiation dose (D) were best fitted to a second power parabola equation (Y=5.1 X 10(-6)D2 + 7.32 X 10(-4) X D). The results obtained confirm that chronic gamma irradiation is of low genetic efficiency, and support the suggestion that there exists a dose-rate threshold under which no more changes in exposure efficiency will occur.