[en] Beryllium is a favoured candidate for a neutron multiplier in solid breeder blankets of fusion reactors. This is mainly due to its low (n, 2n)-reaction threshold and because of its good thermal and mechanical properties. Its behaviour under intense neutron irradiation, however, is a crucial issue for its use in future fusion reactors. Displacement damage in beryllium so far has been calculated both with data related and methodological deficiencies. First of all, there is a need to have accurate cross-section data in order to obtain reliable spectra of primary knock-on atoms (PKA's). Furthermore, there are principal restrictions of the NRT-model in general used to calculate secondary displacements initiated by PKA's. The underlying theory of damage-energy (part of kinetic energy of PKA transferred elastically to matrix atoms) according to Lindhard is strictly valid only for medium and heavy mass ions with moderate energies in targets of the same element. In this work improved damage cross-sections and displacement rates (dpa/s) in beryllium have been calculated based on cross-section data from ENDF/B-VI (with a significantly improved (n, 2n)-evaluation) and on an appropriate treatment of damage-energy that is suitable for fusion relevant damage of light mass materials. ''This work has been performed in the framework of the Nuclear Fusion Project of the Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe and is supported by the European Communities within the European Fusion Technology Program''. (orig.)

[en] Improved displacement damage parameters and dpa/s for ⁹Be have been calculated. They are based on new evaluated cross section data of ENDF/B-VI and an appropriate treatment of damage-energy adapted to conditions in fusion applications of light mass materials. The differences to obsolete data, as provided e.g. by the damage-code SPECTER, and the generally used damage energy of Lindhard (as proposed within the NRT-model) are significant especially at high neutron energies. (orig.)

[en] Three patients with industrial exposure to PVC are described, who developed angio-sarcomas of the liver; in one patient this was combined with a multi-locular primary hepato-cellular carcinoma. The epidemiology, clinical features and diagnosis are discussed, with particular reference to angiography, sonography and computerized tomography. The non-invasive methods, such as computerized tomography and sonography, are the techniques of choice if an angio-sarcoma is suspected after long exposure to PVC. (orig.)