title: In vivo determination of nitrogen using Pu-Be sources.
abstract: A mehtod of measuring body nitrogen by neutron capture gamma analysis is described. The neutron flux is provided by four collimated 5 Ci Pu-Be sources, placed to give a bilateral irradiation of the subject. The 10-83 MeV thermal neutron capture gamma rays from 14N are detected by two heavily shielded 5 in X 4 in NaI(Tl) detectors. Results indicate a reproducibility +/-3% (1 SD) for a 10 min irradiation of the chest area, while giving a radiation dose equivalent of 50 mREM.
mesh_terms: D000201:Activation Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D001608:Beryllium; D005720:Gamma Rays; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008961:Models, Structural; D009501:Neutron Activation Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis*; D011005:Plutonium; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D011005:Plutonium; D009584:Nitrogen; D001608:Beryllium