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Exposure to different types of radiation is an integral part of everyday life (e.g. cosmic radiation, radon, medical applications, cell phones, etc.). Therefore, the general public should adequately be informed on the issue from an early age in order to develop a realistic understanding of the associated risks and the necessary safety culture. In this respect, the quality of the related information provided in the school textbooks is of great importance. The present work demonstrates a quantified assessment of high school textbooks regarding the information on different radiation-related topics provided to students. The assessment was carried out based on an anonymous online survey with the participation of a total of 347 high school teachers. According to the results of the survey, the high school textbooks address radiation issues in a sparse, occasional, and fragmentary manner. Moreover, the results indicate that the quality of information they provide was judged as unsatisfactory in terms of scientific correctness, completeness, clarity-comprehensiveness and objectivity. Radiation protection and applications of non-ionizing radiation are the topics that are covered to a lesser extent in the textbooks and curricula evaluated.

This paper concerns an analysis regarding the performance of X-ray equipment as well as the radiological safety in veterinary facilities. Data were collected from 380 X-ray veterinary facilities countrywide during the on-site regulatory inspections carried out by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission. The analysis of the results shows that the majority of the veterinary radiographic systems perform within the acceptable limits; moreover, the design and shielding of X-ray rooms as well as the applied procedures ensure a high level of radiological safety for the practitioners, operators and the members of the public. An issue that requires specific attention in the optimization process for the proper implementation of veterinary radiology practices in terms of radiological safety is the continuous training of the personnel. The above findings and the regulatory experience gained were valuable decision-making elements regarding the type of the regulatory control of veterinary radiology practices in the new radiation protection framework.

International audience; Radon in buildings poses a significant health risk, being one of the most important causes of lung cancer deaths worldwide. Acknowledging that successful radon risk management requires engagement of stakeholders, this paper investigated prescriptions and practices for stakeholder participation. First, it points out the need to integrate radon risk management in a holistic approach to indoor air pollution, together with urban planning and energy saving policies. It then argues for establishing more systematic approaches to the involvement of stakeholders in the design, implementation and evaluation of radon actions. Finally, it suggests the development of context specific approaches for the engagement of stakeholders at local and regional level.

International audience; In medical exposure situations, the significant role of and the need to improve the benefit/risk dialogue between health professionals, patients and other stakeholders are well recognized. This paper analyses stakeholder engagement processes in various medical applications of ionising radiation. It addresses the role and potential benefit of radiological protection (RP) culture for health professionals and the issues associated with the practical implementation of informed consent processes. The paper highlights the need to develop RP culture among health professionals to facilitate dialogue between practitioners and patients and to foster the implementation of the principles of radiological protection. It argues that patients’ participation can be enhanced by creating spaces and opportunities for dialogue between patients and the relevant medical professionals, both before the implementation of medical procedures using ionising radiation, particularly at the moment of referral, as well as after these procedures. Risk communication training for medical professionals and their closer collaboration on this topic may enhance the dialogue with patients.

The stronger requirements for, and recognition of, stakeholder involvement in radiation protection, and the remaining challenges in translating these into practice, substantiate the need for knowledge sharing through a repository of stakeholder engagement experiences. One of the goals of the ENGAGE project was designing such a knowledge base and exemplifying it with case studies. Existing databases for stakeholder engagement were examined and combined with the focal points of the ENGAGE project. This paper presents the concept of the knowledge base by introducing its structure, which is then illustrated by the radon case studies developed within the ENGAGE project.

A regulatory authority for radiation safety should continuously evaluate and improve the national safety framework, in line with current requirements and standards. In this context, the Greek Atomic Energy Commission initiated a series of concerted actions. The radiation dose to the population due to public and medical exposures was assessed. The assessment of dose due to public exposure was based on measurements of radon concentrations in dwellings, radionuclide concentrations in environmental samples, and air dose rates; the assessment of dose due to medical exposure was based on dose measurements for typical examinations or procedures and data on their frequency. The mean effective dose to a member of the population was found to be 4.5 mSv (1.8 mSv and 2.7 mSv from medical and public exposures, respectively). Regarding occupational exposure, aircrew dose assessment, eye lens monitoring, and the national dose registry were significantly improved. With respect to artificial tanning (sun beds), the ultraviolet radiation produced was assessed and the practices followed were observed. Results demonstrated exceedance of the 0.3 W m erythema effective irradiance limit set in European Union standards by 63.5% of the sun beds measured, along with general noncompliance with standards. An overarching activity was the upgrade of the Greek Atomic Energy Commission information system in order to collect and disseminate radiation data electronically, launch a networking strategy for interaction with stakeholders, and facilitate the process of regulatory control. In response to the above findings, regulatory actions have been initiated.

Embryo/fetus (E/F) irradiation as a result of medical exposure of the mother should be avoided, unless there are strong clinical indications. Medical practitioners are assigned the primary task and obligation of ensuring overall patient protection and safety in the prescription of and during the delivery of medical exposure. In cases of unintended exposure of embryo/fetus (E/F), the risk analysis and communication is conducted by or under the supervision of medical physicists at local level. National competent authorities can contribute to the prevention, risk analysis and communication of inadvertent E/F exposure to ionizing radiation by recording, analyzing and disseminating the relevant information. Since 2001, Greek Atomic Energy Commission has established a committee with the mandate to provide advice, to keep records, to analyze and disseminate the experience gained in cases of unintended E/F exposure. During the period 2001-2011, the committee was consulted by 269 pregnant women undergone medical exposures. The conclusions from the relevant data analysis, as well as the experience gained are herein presented and discussed.

Purpose: The objective is to study mammography practice from an optimisation point of view by assessing the impact of simple and immediately implementable corrective actions on image quality. Materials and methods: This prospective multinational study included 54 mammography units in 17 countries. More than 21,000 mammography images were evaluated using a three-level image quality scoring system. Following initial assessment, appropriate corrective actions were implemented and image quality was re-assessed in 24 units. Results: The fraction of images that were considered acceptable without any remark in the first phase (before the implementation of corrective actions) was 70% and 75% for cranio-caudal and medio-lateral oblique projections, respectively. The main causes for poor image quality before corrective actions were related to film processing, damaged or scratched image receptors, or film-screen combinations that are not spectrally matched, inappropriate radiographic techniques and lack of training. Average glandular dose to a standard breast was 1.5mGy (mean and range 0.59-3.2 mGy). After optimisation the frequency of poor quality images decreased, but the relative contributions of the various causes remained similar. Image quality improvements following appropriate corrective actions were up to 50 percentage points in some facilities. Conclusions: Poor image quality is a major source of unnecessary radiation dose to the breast. An increased awareness of good quality mammograms is of particular importance for countries that are moving towards introduction of population-based screening programmes. The study demonstrated how simple and low-cost measures can be a valuable tool in improving of image quality in mammography. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate and compare the performance of 52 full field digital (FFD) and computed radiography (CR) mammography systems checked by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission with respect to dose and image quality. Entrance surface air kerma (ESAK) was measured and average glandular dose (AGD) was calculated according to the European protocol on dosimetry in mammography. The exposures were performed using the clinical protocol of each laboratory. The image quality was assessed by the total score of resolved phantom structures incorporated in an American College of Radiology accreditation phantom. The mean ESAK values for FFD and CR systems were 4.59 ± 1.93 and 5.0 ± 1.78 mGy, respectively, whereas the AGD yielded a mean value of 1.06 ± 0.36 mGy for the FFD and 1.04 ± 0.35 mGy for the CR systems. Considering image quality, FFD systems indicated a mean total score of 13.04 ± 0.89, whereas CR systems a mean total score of 11.54 ± 1.06.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate image quality of various computed tomography (CT) scanners installed in Greece, as well as to investigate patient doses from common CT examinations. An image quality survey was performed in 44 CT scanners countrywide. The imaging performance of the systems was evaluated by measurements of certain parameters, such as image noise, spatial uniformity, high- and low-contrast resolution and slice thickness accuracy. Moreover, preliminary results of patient dose survey are presented. Concerning image quality, 80 % of the scanners were found to be in compliance with the national legislation and relative international guidelines for all the examined parameters. Weighted CT dose index and dose-length product values for chest and abdomen routine examinations were generally below the dose reference levels (DRLs) suggested by the European Commission. However, some scanners were found to deliver significantly higher doses than the suggested DRL for head routine examinations. Finally, differences in the performance among scanners of the same type and similar age were observed, pointing out the importance of frequent calibration, routine quality control and proper maintenance.

This study presents the results of the on-site inspections performed by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) on conventional X-ray systems, both in public and private medical radiology departments. A part of the inspection concerns the assessment of important radiographic parameters obtained according to a specified quality control protocol and the comparison of the measured parameter values with the corresponding acceptance limits. A total number of 1011 radiographic systems were inspected by the GAEC during the period 1998–2004, with 63.4% of them being privately owned. Analysis of 8 different operational parameters is carried out providing information on the overall performance, as well as on each parameter of the inspected X-ray systems. Tube voltage reproducibility values show the highest percentage of acceptability (98.9%, 99.5% for private and public owned radiographic systems respectively), while linearity of radiation output for private systems (72.5%) and time accuracy for public ones (72.7%) show the worst results. The comparison of the results for the private sector to those of a similar study carried out during the period 1995–1997 indicates a substantial improvement in X-ray systems performance. Higher level of improvement shows exposure time accuracy (12.2% percentile increase) and linearity of radiation output (12.5% percentile increase). Nevertheless, the situation can be further optimized if maintenance and quality control of the radiographic systems are carried out on a more regular basis.

More than 40 industrial radiography laboratories are operating in Greece using X-ray or gamma-ray sources and more than 250 workers occupationally exposed to ionising radiation in these facilities are monitored on a regular basis. This study presents the evolution of individual doses received by radiographers during the past years. The mean annual dose (MAD) of all workers as well as of exposed workers is estimated, and correlated to the types of laboratories and practices applied. The MAD of the exposed workers in industrial radiography is compared with the doses of workers in other specialties and with the doses of radiographers in other countries. Furthermore, the study attempts to propose dose constraints for the practices in industrial radiography, according to the BSS European directive and the relevant Greek radiation protection legislation. The proposed value was defined as the dose below which the annual doses of 75% of the exposed radiographers are expected to be included.

The purpose of this study is to present a national survey that was performed in Greece for the establishment of national Dose Reference Levels (DRLs) for seven common adult Computed Tomography (CT) examinations. Volumetric computed tomography dose index and dose-length product values were collected from the post-data page of 65 'modern' systems that incorporate tube current modulation. Moreover, phantom dose measurements on 26 'older' systems were performed. Finally, the effective dose to the patient from a typical acquisition during these examinations was estimated. The suggested national DRLs are generally comparable with respective published values from similar European studies, with the exception of sinuses CT, which presents significantly higher values. This fact, along with the large variation of the systems' dose values that were observed even for scanners of the same type, indicates a need for further patient protection optimisation without compromising the clinical outcome.

The effect of pregnancy on caesium retention in mice was assessed. Fifteen female mice were injected with caesium-137 solution intraperitoneally and measurements of body radioactivity were performed. For the control group of mice ( n =8), caesium retention could be adequately described, for the time period from day T =7 to 26 post-injection, by a two exponential model, where 90% of caesium was eliminated by a component with a biological half-time of (2.83±0.78) d and 10% by a component with a biological half-time of (16.3±7.3) d. However, an alteration of caesium elimination rate, which affects the component with the longer half-time was observed in the group of pregnant mice ( n =7). The observed effect was a decrease in excretion rate, in contrast to recent human observations where an increase was found. This difference in mice is associated with changes in metabolic rate, and, to a first approximation, is related to the gain in mass during pregnancy.

The chemical composition, in vitro and in vivo digestibility, degradability of crude protein (CP) in the rumen and voluntary intake of sunflower meal were determined. Two trials one with 48 lactating Chios ewes and the other with 48 lactating Damascus goats were also carried out to test the effect of replacing cereal straw by sunflower meal in their diets. In each trial a group of ewes or goats were fed concentrates without sunflower meal and cereal straw and the other group of ewes or goats were fed concentrates containing sunflower meal and half the quantity of cereal straw of the first group. CP and crude fibre (CF) of sunflower meal were 34.0 and 26.0% (dry matter basis), respectively, in vitro “ D ” value was 57.3%, digestibility coefficients of organic matter (OM), CP and Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF) were 58.9, 83.80 and 33.8%, respectively, and voluntary dry matter (DM) intake was 1.21 kg (56.3 g/kgW 0.75 ) per head daily. Lactating ewes fed the concentrate mixture without sunflower meal and 600 g straw per head daily produced similar milk yield and milk with similar fat and energy contents and had the same liveweight changes with ewes fed the concentrates with sunflower meal and 300 g straw per head daily. Similar results were also obtained with the lactating goats. It was concluded that the CP content, CP digestibility and CF content of undecorticated sunflower meal are high and that sunflower meal can replace up to 50% of cereal straw (300 g/head/daily) in the diets of medium producing lactating small ruminants during periods of high scarcity of roughage.

Introduction “Collective dose”, S (person-Sv) and “average effective dose per person of population”, Ēper-caput (mSv/caput) are useful indicators concerning population exposure to ionizing radiation. Estimation of relevant uncertainties is necessary for avoiding misleading interpretation of results. Purpose This study presents the uncertainty estimation of the Greek population doses from medical procedures. The work was performed in the framework of ‘PRISMA’ project within GSRT’s KRIPIS action, funded by Greece and the European Regional Development Fund of the EU under the O.P. Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship, NSRF 2007–2013. Materials and methods S and Ēper-caput were assessed for 2014. The sources of uncertainty were identified and Type A or B uncertainty values were assigned, based on data sets for: (a) dosimetric quantity measurements, (b) patient average effective dose E (mSv) calculation per procedure, (c) procedure frequency and (d) extrapolation to countrywide scale. Results E uncertainties ranged from 20% to 80% (k = 1, ∼67% c.l.). S and Ēper-caput uncertainties were estimated 13% and 8% for diagnostic radiology and nuclear medicine procedures respectively and 12% for all medical diagnostic procedures (k = 1, ∼67% c.l.). Conclusion The large variety of medical diagnostic procedures resulted in high uncertainty for E. Nevertheless, S and Ēper-caput uncertainties appeared compressed. Reporting data on population exposure to ionizing radiation with the relative uncertainties increases the reliability of findings and conclusions. Disclosure Authors have not any relationship that may bias this presentation.

Introduction Medical exposures contribute the largest to the population man-made radiation exposure, mainly due to the high frequency of diagnostic examinations and the patient doses involved. Purpose A research project was carried out by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (EEAE) to assess the collective dose and the average annual effective dose to the Greek population from x-ray and nuclear medicine procedures. This work was performed in the framework of ‘PRISMA’ project within GSRT’s KRIPIS action, funded by Greece and the European Regional Development Fund of the EU under the O.P. Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship, NSRF 2007–2013. Materials and methods For each type of diagnostic and interventional procedures, the estimation of the annual collective effective dose, S, (person-Sv) and per caput dose, E per-caput , (mSv/caput) required information on the frequency and the mean patient effective dose, E pat , (mSv). Results In 2014, approximately 6.7 million diagnostic and interventional procedures were performed in Greece. The estimated frequency, i.e. number of procedures per 1000 citizens was: 447 for plain radiographies, 135 for computed tomography scans, 7 for interventional procedures, 2 for fluoroscopic procedures and 20 for nuclear medicine procedures. The annual effective dose per caput was estimated to 1.7 mSv from diagnostic radiology and 0.1 mSv from NM procedures. Conclusion The main contribution to the collective dose due to x-ray procedures appeared from CT scans. The collective effective dose and the annual per caput dose from NM procedures have decreased in the last 5 years.

The purpose of our study was to investigate the level of radiation protection of patients and staff during interventional procedures in 20 countries of Africa, Asia, and Europe.In a multinational prospective study, information on radiation protection tools, peak skin dose (PSD), and kerma-area product (KAP) was provided by 55 hospitals in 20 mainly developing countries (nine mostly in Eastern Europe, five in Africa, and six in Asia).Nearly 40% of the interventional rooms had an annual workload of more than 2,000 patients. It is remarkable that the workload of pediatric interventional procedures can reach the levels of adult procedures even in developing countries. About 30% of participating countries have shown a 100% increase in workload in 3 years. Lead aprons are used in all participating rooms. Even though KAP was available in almost half of the facilities, none had experience in its use. One hundred of 505 patients monitored for PSD (20%) were above the 2-Gy threshold for deterministic effects.Interventional procedures are increasing in developing countries, not only for adults but also for pediatric patients. The situation with respect to staff protection is considered generally acceptable, but this is not the case for patient protection. Many patients exceeded the dose threshold for erythema. A substantial number (62%) of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty procedures performed in developing countries in this study are above the currently known dose reference level and thus could be optimized. Therefore, this study has significance in introducing the concept of patient dose estimation and dose management.

The effects of grain processing and form of the concentrate mixture were studied on early weaned lambs, kids and calves. Fattening diets were based on ad libitum feeding of concentrates and a minimum amount (0.1 kg day−1) of lucerne hay. Feeding whole grain to lambs increased dry matter and nitrogen digestibilities, but had no effect on gain or feed-to-gain ratios compared with lambs fed processed grains. Calves on the pelleted diet had similar growth rates compared with those on the whole grain diet, but feed utilization was better for the pelleted diet. Growth rate and feed-to-gain ratios of early weaned kids on the pelleted diet was better than that of kids on the whole grain diet.

This study presents the results from a survey conducted by the Greek Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), during the period 1998-2003, in 530 public and private owned fluoroscopic X-ray systems in Greece. Certain operational parameters for conventional and remote control systems were assessed, according to a quality control protocol developed by GAEC on the basis of the current literature. Public (91.5%) and private (81.5%) owned fluoroscopic units exhibit high-contrast resolution values over 1 lp mm(-1). Moreover, 88.5 and 87.1% of the fluoroscopic units installed in the public and private sector, respectively, present Maximum Patient Entrance Kerma Rate values lower than 100 mGy min(-1). Additionally, 68.3% of the units assessed were found to perform within the acceptance limits. Finally, the third quartile of the Entrance Surface Dose Rate distribution was estimated according to the Dose Reference Level definition and found equal to 35 mGy min(-1).

MMICs still use large numbers of passive components, both lumped elements (spiral inductors and overlay capacitors) and transmission lines and couplers. The area consumed by these can be drastically reduced by the use of multilayer techniques. However, producing MMICs with 3 or more metal layers requires research into the fabrication techniques as well as investigating the modelling and design problems. This paper describes these multilayer techniques which are expected to facilitate an increase in the packing density of commercially fabricated MMICs in the future.

This paper assesses the private and social incentives for disjoint networks to interconnect under various ownership structures. Terms of interconnection are derived for a noncooperative equilibrium. We find that networks mutually profit from interconnection when it creates new services that did not exist beforehand, but also when it creates services that compete directly with existing ones. Given the opportunity to move first, an integrated network will choose not to foreclose its non-integrated rivals. Generally we find that when two or more networks contribute components to a service, double marginalization reduces industry profit and consumer surplus. For this reason, divestiture often harms consumers as well as lowering network profits. Competitive supply of gateway services reduces profit and surplus, but individual networks profit by selling off these facilities to a third party. In contrast, an integrated network will not voluntarily divest its end-to-end service. Compulsory divestiture may inflict serious harm, not only on owners of the integrated network, but on consumers as well.

Four autonomic nervous system (ANS) variables: skin potential and resistance, skin blood flow and temperature — plus instantaneous heart rate and respiratory frequency — were simultaneously recorded during sporting competitions. The performances of 15 marksmen and 7 archers were analysed by comparing the variations in the six parameters during a concentration phase prior to shooting and during the shooting (or active) phase proper. The results of the performances distinguished two groups of sportsmen: firstly, the best shots and secondly, the worst shots. Comparison of the autonomic responses between the groups showed statistically significant correlations among the ANS variables. This made possible a relationship between performance characteristics and a percepto-effector factor to be defined. More precisely, this factor was defined as the number of correlations of the measured variables in the two phases, concentration and shooting. A positive relationship was demonstrated —the higher the factor, the better the performance. In addition, the stability of the factor, was greater within the best marksmen and archers groups. A model of the temporal change of the percepto-effector factor in both groups was given in three dimensions. This modelling of performance characteristics gave a visual indication of the differences between best/worst performances.

Two trials were conducted with eight yearling camels with an average intial body weight of 300 kg, to evaluate protein and energy values of lucerne hay and barley grains. In each trial, eight animals were randomly allotted to two different dietary treatments of coarsely ground lucerne hay or lucerne hay + barley grain (50:50) in such a way that two animals in each of the two blocks received the same ration. Each trial consisted of a 10-day preliminary period followed by a 7-day collection period during which total urine and faeces collections were made, and samples were processed and composited for later analysis.All animals consumed daily an average of about 5 kg food divided in two equal meals. The apparent digestibility coefficients for organic matter, crude protein, neutral-detergent fibre and cellulose of the lucerne hay ration improved respectively from 0·615, 0·662, 0·455 and 0·555 to 0·736, 0·655, 0·547 and 0·589, as a result of incorporating 500 g/kg barley grain in place of hay in the diet. Even though there was no difference in the proportion of nitrogen retained relative to intake, the proportion of nitrogen retained relative to that absorbed was higher (P < 0·05) in the lucerne + barley group (0·769) than in the lucerne-only group (0·747). On a dry-matter basis, the feeding value in camels of digestible protein (g/kg), total digestible nutrients (g/kg), digestible energy (MJ/kg), metabolizable energy (MJ/kg), net energy maintenance (MJ/kg), net energy lactation (MJ/kg) and net energy gain (MJ/kg) were respectively 118, 552, 10·0, 8·4, 5·4, 5·0 and 2·1 for lucerne hay and 80, 800, 14·6, 12·1, 8·4, 8·8 and 5·0 for barley grain (calculated by difference).

SummaryTwo trials were carried out to compare the milk yield, milk composition and the rate of growth of naturally or artificially reared kids and lambs of Damascus goats and Chios sheep.Milk yield until weaning was similar in sheep and goats, but goats produced significantly more milk after weaning. Sheep milk was higher in total solids, fat, protein, lactose, ash and calorific value.Lambs and kids grew similarly during thead libitummilk feeding period but lambs grew faster during the restricted milk feeding period. Solid feed intake of lambs until weaning was higher than that of kids and the results indicated that the rumen develops later in kids than in lambs. During the post-weaning period lambs consumed more feed, grew faster and utilized feed more efficiently than kids. Lambs were more sensitive to high copper supply than kids.

SUMMARYOne hundred and forty-two kids of the Damascus breed of goat were used over a 10½-mo period to study the effects of early castration (at 7 days of age) on growth, feed conversion efficiency and carcass quality and late castration (at 7½ mo of age) on the presence or absence of taint in goat meat.Intact male kids grew faster and used feed more efficiently than castrates until they were about 9 mo old (56 kg live weight). There- after intact kids exhibited strong sexual activity and as a result their growth ceased completely whereas castrates continued growing. Early castrates produced fatter carcasses than those of intact kids. Castration of male kids at the age of about 7½ mo (44 kg live weight) was not successful in this trial and the kids performed very poorly. A taint of varying intensity was present in the meat of intact goats but not in that from any of the early or late castrates.

SummaryCalcium metabolism in dairy sheep was studied using radioisotope and balance techniques. The rate of calcium absorption increased, but the efficiency of calcium absorption decreased, with increasing calcium intake in dry sheep. Endogenous faecal and urinary calcium losses, and the rate of calcium absorption, decreased, but the efficiency of calcium absorption increased in pregnant sheep given a calcium-deficient diet. The rate and the efficiency of calcium absorption and the calcium balance of lactating ewes were not influenced by the prepartum level of calcium intake, when calcium intake in early lactation was high. Endogenous faecal calcium loss was related to dry-matter intake, and total faecal calcium loss was related to calcium intake.

Two feeding trials and one digestibility trial with early weaned Damascus kids (50 days of age) and one feeding trial with early weanes Chios female lambs (42 days of age) were carried out to investigate the effects of lasalocid sodium (37.5 mg kg−1 feed as fed basis) on growth and incidence of coccidiosis. In the first feeding trial with kids, the effect of protecting the feeding troughs from being contaminated with faeces was also examined. Both the protection of troughs and the addition of lasalocid sodium significantly improved growth of kids in the first trial. Feed utilization was also improved (11%) when a lasalocid containing diet was fed. Addition of lasalocid increased propionate and decreased butyrate relative molar proportions in the rumen. Differences in acetate molar proportion, ruminal pH, NH3-N concentration or total VFA between the diets were not significant. In the second trial, kids fed the lasalocid diet tended to grow faster. Feed efficiency was also improved (7.6%). In the third trial, lambs on the lasalocid containing diet grew faster, but there was no improvement in conversion efficiency. Digestion coefficients (determined with kids) of dry matter, organic matter and crude protein were 0.76, 0.77, 0.69 and 0.78, 0.79, 0.74 for the control and the diet containing lasalocid, respectively. Four clinical cases of coccidiosis were reported in kids fed the control diet (unprotected troughs, no lasalocid) in the first trial and three cases in the no lasalocid diet in the second trial. In the trial with lambs, no clinical case of coccidiosis was recorded.

Cosnier J., Brass A., Dahan G., Economides S. Exemple d'utilisation du psychodiagnostic polygraphique dans un cas de névrose obsessionnelle. In: Bulletin de la Société française du Rorschach et des méthodes projectives, n°21, 1967. Symposium annuel 1967. pp. 5-12.

Nutritional and other physiological factors are causes of variation in milk yield. In particular, the energy intake and the suckling stimulus of lambs greatly affect the milk yield of ewes in early lactation (Treacher, 1978; Hadjipanayiotou & Louca, 1976; Peart, Doney & MacDonald, 1975).In most eastern Mediterranean countries ewes are milked after weaning and the weaning age and the suckling regime determine both the amount of saleable milk and the rate of growth of lambs. The aim of the present work was to study factors affecting the milk yield of Chios ewes fed ad libitum and the growth of their lambs.

Summary. Intra‐observer variability for history and simple test evaluation was assessed in a group of 10 final‐year medical students and in five senior hospital staff members. Substantial agreement between the results of two evaluations made 7–10 days apart was found in 20 out of 30 instances for staff and in 17 out of 60 instances for students. However, there were instances when variability seemed to be unrelated to the academic standard of students or to the training and experience of staff. It is concluded that the nature of diagnostic procedure and present training in medical school or long‐term experience may not be the only factors that affect intra‐observer variability in everyday simple diagnostic applications. 1986 Blackwell Publishing