Search

The phenomenon of laser-assisted alpha decay is studied within the framework of non-Hermitian quantum theory integrated with the (t, t ′)-formalism. The width and the lifetime of the alpha cluster of a specific isotope is extracted from the spectrum of the complex-scaled Hamiltonian operator of the nuclear system and estimated numerically. The laser-field-induced correction to the lifetime is computed by first-order (t, t ′)-perturbation calculation with regard to different polarization states and control parameters of the external laser field, adjusting appropriate intensity and photon energy pairs by examining the limit of the non-relativistic approximation of the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An occupational epidemiological study was organised among workers in an acrylonitrile using factory in Hungary. Of the 888 workers, 783 were included in the study and three groups were differentiated: Group A (N=452) with direct and continuous exposure, Group B (N=171) with direct but occasional exposure and Group C (N=160) without direct exposure, as referent. There were two main objectives: to determine the occurrence of cancer in workers and congenital abnormalities in their liveborn infants. The study did not indicate a higher occurrence of cancer among workers: only one lung cancer patient was found, prostate cancer did not occur. Among congenital abnormalities, the group of specified multiple congenital abnormalities showed a higher rate than expected but characteristic defect-pattern was not found among seven multimalformed babies, though five had cardiovascular malformations. In conclusion, our study did not indicate the carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic effect of acrylonitrile among workers using this chemical in the factory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]