An Instrument for Bone Mineral Measurement Using a Microprocessor as the Control and Arithmetic Element
We have developed a self-contained instrument for the determination of bone mineral content by photon absorptometry. A high-resolution detection system allows measurements to be made at up to 16 photon energies. Control and arithmetic functions are performed by a microprocessor. Analysis capability and limitations are discussed.
Measurement of Bone Mineral in vivo: An Improved Method
The mineral content of bone can be determined by measuring the absorption by bone of a monochromatic, low-energy photon beam which originates in a radioactive source (iodine-125 at 27.3 kev or americium 241 at 59.6 kev). The intensity of the beam transmitted by the bone is measured by counting with a scintillation detector. Since the photon source and detector are well collimated, errors resulting from scattered radiation are reduced. From measurements of the intensity of the transmitted beam, made at intervals across the bone, the total mineral content of the bone can be determined. The results are accurate and reproducible to within about 3 percent.
UV-B radiometry and dosimetry for solar measurements.
Biologically effective irradiance or dose of solar UV radiation was determined using a spectroradiometer, two broadband radiometers and two types of passive UV-dosimeters. The absolute erythema irradiance and the actinic irradiance were calculated from the solar spectrum measured with the spectroradiometer. It was demonstrated that the erythema irradiance is proportional to the actinic irradiance of solar radiation. The erythema irradiance was also determined using the two broadband radiometers which utilize a filter transmitting erythema spectra. Personal UV-dosimeters such as polysulphone and CR-39 were used to determine the erythema dose for a selected period of time. These results were used to estimate the accuracy of the broadband radiometers and UV-dosimeters. It was found that the results obtained from the broadband radiometers deviate from the absolute erythema irradiance by less than 20% during clear days between the hours of 11:00 and 13:00 Eastern Standard Time (EST) in Australia. The assessment of the erythema dose using passive dosimeters such as polysulphone and CR-39 could introduce an error as high as 40% if the calibration was not performed before undertaking experimental measurements.