The Decade radiation effects simulator is located at AEDC and presently consists of four modules capable of operation as either a large area bremsstrahlung source (Decade Quad LAB)([1]) or a plasma radiation source (Decade Quad PRS)([2]). During 2001 we investigated several conceptual system architectures for connecting the current of eight Decade modules to a single PRS load. This Decade Half radiation source will be used in combination with other synchronized radiation effects simulators to offer a combined-effects testing capability at AEDC.We describe and compare the projected performance, risk, and relative cost of several rough conceptual designs, and discuss in more detail the "water bridge" concept that was selected for more complete conceptual design development. We present a self-consistent electrical and mechanical conceptual design for Decade Half, including an equivalent circuit model, details of the mechanical architecture (including operation, maintenance, and turnaround considerations), and electrical performance estimates of approximately 15 MA peak current delivered to a representative large radius, similar to 300 ns implosion time PRS load.

A case of a 32-year-old XY genotype female is described, presenting with mediastinal and abdominal lymphadenopathy and associated with an elevated serum angiotensin I converting enzyme (SACE) level. Lymph node histology showed a malignant dysgerminoma of ovarian origin. Combined chemotherapy led to a radiological regression of the lymphadenopathy and coincided with a decrease in SACE concentration. The authors suggest that SACE may be a marker for disseminated germinoma tumours and may be useful for monitoring treatment.

Epidemiological and bacteriological aspects of human Mycobacterium bovis disease were investigated in south-west Ireland (counties Cork & Kerry, population 536,000) over the years 1983-92 inclusive and compared to M. tuberculosis. Results showed a small, stable incidence of culture positive M. bovis human disease, mean annual incidence 0.56 per 100,000 population compared to a higher but declining incidence of culture positive M. tuberculosis (15.3 per 100,000 in 1983, 9.0 per 100,000 in 1992). Male patients were the majority, 63.4 per cent of M. bovis; 62.4% of M. tuberculosis (p = 0.03). Fifty three per cent of M. bovis cases (n = 30) were pulmonary, compared to 85% of M. tuberculosis (n = 626; p = 0.0001). M. bovis patients were older (p = 0.02), mean age 58.4 years (SD 18.9) compared to 48.5 (SD 22.2). The mycobacterial smear positive rate was similar in both groups taken as a whole. No rural-urban difference in incidence was found in either disease, suggesting in the case of M. bovis initial infection in childhood via contaminated milk in the pre-pasteurisation era.

Objective: To compare the incidence of tuberculosis due to Mycobacterium bovis in humans to the prevalence of M. bovis infection in cattle in south-west Ireland and discuss possible links between them.

The aim of this study was to correlate tuberculin reactivity with the Kveim test in sarcoidosis. Case records 1983-91 inclusive, of those patients with positive Kveim tests and recorded tuberculin tests in an acute regional general hospital serving south-west Ireland (counties Cork and Kerry) were reviewed. Of 39 patients with positive Kveim tests 28 (72%) were tuberculin negative to a test dose of 10 tuberculin units or more. The group was slightly though significantly younger (p < 0.05) in age than the corresponding group (n = 11; 28%) with positive tuberculin tests. The incidence of tuberculin reactivity in the presence of Kveim reaction is higher than that expected for sarcoidosis. Corresponding studies in Britain and Scandinavia show a considerably lower tuberculin positive rate, which may be due to a lower prevalence of tuberculosis in these countries. However the younger age of the tuberculin negative group in our study may reflect a continuing decline in tuberculosis prevalence in south-west Ireland.

In a group of healthy humans, plasma vasopressin (AVP) levels fell on drinking either Tyrode or mannitol solutions isosmotic with plasma. Both the timing and magnitude of the fall were appropriate to account for the transient diuresis which followed the drinking. Although plasma expansion follows drinking Tyrode solution it occurred too late to account for the fall in plasma AVP. It was also too small to inhibit AVP secretion. Even though plasma volume tended to contract on drinking isosmotic mannitol solution a fall in plasma AVP and a diuresis occurred, similar to those found after drinking Tyrode solution. These findings appear to eliminate plasma volume expansion as the stimulus for the fall in plasma AVP and the associated diuresis on drinking isotonic fluids. In a further group of human subjects, bypassing the oropharynx by intragastric infusion resulted in a slower onset of diuresis after a water load. We suggest that receptors, as yet undefined, in the upper gastrointestinal tract contribute to the early stages of a water diuresis and account for the apparently inappropriate transient diuresis which follows the drinking of isotonic fluids.