[en] Lower limits of detection (LLODs), frequently referred to simply as limits of detection and abbreviated as LODs, often appear in the literature of analytical chemistry - for numerous different methods of elemental and/or molecular analysis. In this chapter, one particular method of quantitative elemental analysis, that of instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), is the subject discussed, with reference to LODs. Particularly in the literature of neutron activation analysis (NAA), many tables of 'interference-free' NAA LODs are available. Not all of these are of much use, because (1) for many the definition used for LOD is not clear, or reasonable, (2) for many, the analysis conditions used are not clearly specified, and (3) for many, the analysis conditions used are specified, but not very practicable for most laboratories. For NAA work, such tables of interference-free LODs are, in any case, only applicable to samples in which, at the time of counting, only one radionuclide is present to any significant extent in the activated sample. It is important to note that tables of INAA LODs, per se, do not exist - since the LOD for a given element, under stated analysis conditions, can vary by orders of magnitude, depending on the elemental composition of the matrix in which it is present. For any given element, its INAA LOD will always be as large as, and usually much larger than, its tabulated 'interference-free' NAA LOD - how much larger depending upon the elemental composition of the matrix in which it is present. As discussed in this chapter, however, an INAA computer program exists that can calculate realistic INAA LODs for any elements of interest, in any kind of specified sample matrix, under any given set of analysis conditions

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[en] This study was carried out to assess the present degree of utilization of research-type nuclear reactors in a number of developing Asian and Latin American countries - and the various factors that appear to be either stimulating or inhibiting their optimum utilization. In addition, the study included less-detailed assessments of various other related nuclear programs in these countries. The report is based primarily upon observations made by the author during a number of scientific meetings in which he participated in these geographical areas, and during a number of trips he made to a number of these countries for discussions concerning their degree of reactor utilization (and related subjects)

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[en] The applicability of the method of reactor-flux thermal-neutron activation analysis (NAA) to the assay of biological materials for their trace element contents is considered. Theory of neutron activation method, instrumentation and techniques used in NAA are briefly presented. For illustration the analysis of four biological reference materials (Bowen's kale, NBS borine liver, IAEA animal muscle H-4 and blood serum) for 28 trace elements of particular interest is summarized

[en] A total of 243 publications in the field of nuclear activation analysis and its applications during the period of 1977 through mid-1983, from laboratories in North, Central, and South America were reviewed. Various aspects of these populations are treated statistically, for indication of trends, and 146 of these are cited as publications that illustrate the extent of usage of various special forms of the nuclear activation analysis method (e.g., cyclic INAA, prompt-gamma INAA, epithermal NAA, the delayed-neutron method, the use of pre-irradiation chemical separations, etc.) - or that illustrate applications in such fields as archaeology, geochemistry, environmental chemistry, medicine, industry, and forensic chemistry. The overall conclusion is that the method of nuclear activation analysis continues to flourish in this region

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