Dipole oscillator strength distributions (DOSDs) have been constructed for ground state Li, N, O, H2, N2, O2, NH3, H2O, NO, and N2O by using experimental and theoretical photoabsoiption and high energy electron inelastic scattering cross sections. Each DOSD is required to satisfy the Thomas–Reiche–Kuhn sum rule and additional constraints derived from available accurate experimental refractivity and dispersion measurements. The DOSDs, the data and procedure used to construct the DOSDs, and the values of the dipole oscillator strength sums Sk and Lk (for a variety of k values) and related atomic and molecular properties obtained from the DOSDs are reported. The discussion includes comments regarding the importance of the constraints imposed on the DOSD with respect to the evaluation of various dipole sums and properties and the accuracy of the results.

The effect of dosemeter type and configuration on the measured penumbral distribution for Co-60, 6-MV, and 31-MV x rays has been determined in air using equilibrium buildup caps for three commercial detection systems including a silicon diode and two ionization chambers. The diode is shown to be measuring a different parameter in the penumbral region than the ionization chambers. This fact in combination with the lateral spread of the secondary electrons and the difference in the inside diameters of the ionization chambers results in significant differences between the measured beam penumbra. The latter effect is studied in more detail with a series of specially designed ionization chambers of varying inside diameter from 0.3 to 1.4 cm. A theoretical model is described which resolves these differences, indicates a method to determine the true penumbral primary-dose distribution and introduces the concept of an effective diameter for the ionometric measurement of high-energy x-ray penumbra. Recommendations are made concerning the dosemeters of choice for penumbral measurements over this range of photon energies.

Ionization chambers of varying inside diameter have been used to investigate the penumbral region of 60Co, 6-MV, and 31-MV x-ray beams. Measurements were made in water at varying depths up to 25 cm for a square field of side length 10 cm. The dependence of the penumbral widths on both the inside diameter of the ionization chamber and the depth in water is established along with the asymmetry of the penumbral distributions about the 50% level. A standard correction is indicated to eliminate the dependence of the measured penumbral widths on the inside diameter of the ionization chamber.

With attrition rates of 30% (Deacon, 2001), organizations need to understand sport officials' motivations to become and remain officials rather than quit. The purpose of this study was to assess these motivations. Using questionnaire data from an existing survey, we categorized participants (N = 514) as interactors, monitors, and reactors (MacMahon & Plessner, 2008). Sport officials were motivated to begin officiating for intrinsic and for the sport reasons. For continuing officiating, participants cited intrinsic and social motivations. Finally, interactors, monitors, and reactors cited lack of respect, too much stress, and lack of recognition, respectively, as their main beliefs for why sport officials quit. Practical recommendations are provided, which might assist sport governing bodies in recruiting and retaining sport officials.

Thirty-two patients with posterior fossa medulloblastoma underwent treatment with electron irradiation to the spinal field. The 5- and 10-year actuarial survival rates were 57% and 50%, respectively. Late complications observed in the 15 patients followed up for more than 5 years were short stature (six patients), decreased sitting-standing height ratio (four patients), scoliosis (two patients), poor school performance (seven patients), xerostomia (one patient), esophageal stricture (one patient), pituitary dysfunction (four patients), primary hypothyroidism (one patient), bilateral eighth-nerve deafness (one patient), and carcinoma of the thyroid (one patient). Complications following treatment with electrons to a spinal field are compared with reported complications following treatment with photons to the spinal field. Although short-term reactions were minimal, the authors found no difference in late complications. More sophisticated treatment planning may show such a long-term benefit in the future.