The soft-X-ray spectra of aluminium oxide in the polycrystalline γ and amorphous forms have been investigated in detail with improved resolution using the synchrotron radiation of the Frascati electron synchrotron. In contrast to a previous measurement, it is found that the L2,3 threshold starts at almost the same energy in both forms. The sharp peaks observed at the absorption edge are interpreted as excitons. This picture fits well both with ESCA results and with the optical spectra at the fundamental edge in the ultraviolet. It is suggested that metastable excitons are responsible for the intense structure observed at (82.6 ± 0.3) eV in the ordered phase and lacking in the amorphous phase. The spectral features of crystalline alumina are analyzed on the basis of the band structure. The modifications induced by the lack of long-range order in the amorphous samples are discussed thoroughly

This is a cross-sectional survey on the health conditions of railways workers active in 258 interconnection and conversion substations all over Italy. Measurements performed in both kinds of substations operating at 220 kV have shown that maximum levels of the electric field strength and of the magnetic flux density at 50 Hz are of the order of 5 kV/m and 15 microT, respectively. Three subject groups, differently exposed (1, 10, 20 h/week), and an unexposed control group, for a total number of 627 workers, constitute the population at study. All subjects underwent a general medical examination, laboratory investigations, and a series of selected examinations relative to three systems (nervous, cardiovascular, and haematopoietic) considered at higher risk. No differences have been found between the exposed and the control groups. It is concluded that workers exposed to ELF electromagnetic fields of moderate strength do not show the presence of clear effects on their state of health.

The three-dimensional impedance method was used to estimate specific absorption rate (SAR) in a human-torso model during exposure to the time-varying and static magnetic fields used in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Analytical data for discrete tissues as well as the entire torso are presented. Generalized equations were derived that enable calculation of whole-torso SAR over a broad range of conditions. In addition, the impedance method can generate data about internal distributions of SAR, which are needed to predict critical organs that might undergo excessive elevations of temperature. Fair to good agreement was found between impedance-method SAR and those predicted by simple phenomenological models.

Over the last years, a wide debate has developed on the possible health effects of exposure to electromagnetic fields. In-depth research activity was therefore developed by the international scientific community aimed at evaluating the risk associated with exposure to this type of radiation. At the same time, various international institutions began to issue recommendations on exposure limits valid for workers and for the population in the frequency range up to 300 GHz. Most of the recently revised safety standards worldwide are set in terms of internal rates of electromagnetic energy deposition (Specific Absorption Rate) at radiofrequency and microwave frequencies, and of induced electric fields or current densities at lower frequencies up to 10 MHz. At the international level, the most authoritative guidelines have been developed by the International Commission on NonIonizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP); another internationally well recognized standard is that developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) in the USA, adopting the same basic approach of ICNIRP, although with some differences in numerical values.