Evaluation of the neutron self-interrogation approach for assay of plutonium in high-. cap alpha. ,n materials

Neutron self-interrogation is a proposed method for assay of plutonium in bulk materials with very high ..cap alpha..,n activity. The simple assay approach assumes that neutron multiplication for the calibration standards is the same as that for the bulk items. Efforts to use bulk properties to determine corrections to the calibration for changing multiplication have been initiated. Self-interrogation assays of bulk pyrochemical residues have been performed. Comparison with tag values obtained by difference gives poor agreement. Comparison with tag values obtained by dissolution and destructive analysis gives agreement at the 10% (1sigma) level with no corrections for changing package dimensions or matrix amounts. The agreement improves by a factor of 2 or more if a bulk correction factor (derived from a packaging/matrix study with standards) is applied

La stigmatisation de la maladie physique: Le cas du cancer

The literature shows ample evidence of stigmatization of mental illness and infectious diseases. Although cancer does not fall under any of the above categories, it has been stigmatized because of the deleterious consequences of its course and treatment. In fact, in the 21st century, cancer remains a dreaded disease associated with social representations of death, impairment, disfigurement, suffering, and pain. The objectives of this paper are twofold: first, to review theoretical elements that can help understand the stigma associated with physical illness, by defining the concept of stigma, presenting the different theoretical models of stigmatization of physical illness, and describing the psychosocial functions of stigma for both the stigmatized and stigmatizing individuals. Second, to focus on the specificity of cancer-related stigma, with particular reference to the cultural aspects of coping strategies used by oncological patients to address illness and the related stigma, through practices based on popular medicine. As part of the conclusion, it is suggested that cancer-related stigma has undergone several changes during history, from being a fatal disease to being a chronic disease. However, its initially silent course, alarming epidemic behaviour (still uncontrollable despite scientific advances), and treatment characteristics favour negative social representations of cancer (as conviction, sentence of death, suffering, deterioration, pain, affliction, and guilt), which act as iatrogenic factors in the health–disease process, interfering especially in the decision making regarding effective treatments and leading patients to prefer alternative methods based on popular medicine, even if those methods imply risks for their health and quality of life. © Springer-Verlag France 2012

Psychiatric and psychosocial challenges in patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplants

Haematological malignancies are often treated with haematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT). The disease and its treatment are challenging and life threatening, as they not only affect the recipients, but also their families. This review highlights the available data on the psychological, psychiatric and social impact of these illnesses and their treatment on recipients and families. There are robust data that correlate HSCT with emotional distress, as emotional and physical functioning significantly affect quality of life. Psychiatric co-morbidity including anxiety, depression, adjustment and post-traumatic stress disorder, delirium and cognitive deficits have been reported at different stages in the transplant process. This review will highlight the psychosocial and clinical research findings relevant to HSCT patients and will summarize recommendations for future psychosocial research in this population