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L-subshell ionization cross sections are extracted from measured L␣, L␤, L␥, L␥ 1 , L␥ 23 , and L␥ 44 x-ray production cross sections in thin targets of 75 Re, 78 Pt, and 79 Au bombarded by 4 -8 MeV C 3+ ions. For each projectile energy, using the fluorescence and Coster-Kronig yields recently recommended by Campbell with an amendment for multiple ionization effects, a mutually consistent set of ionization cross sections is extracted from L␣ and six pairs of other L-line x-ray production cross sections. Extracted L 1 -, L 2 -, L 3 -ionization cross sections are compared with the predictions of the ECPSSR theory-which accounts for the energy ͑E͒ loss and Coulomb ͑C͒ deflection of the projectile as well as for perturbed-stationary state (PSS) and relativistic ͑R͒ nature of L subshells-and its modification, ECUSAR-IS. In the ECUSAR-IS theory, the PSS effect is calculated with a united and separated atom (USA) treatment and the intrashell (IS) coupling is accounted for by multiplicative factors of Sarkadi and Mukoyama normalized so that the sum of L-subshell ECUSAR-IS cross sections equals ECUSAR L-shell ionization cross section without the IS correction. Further improvement of this theory to account for better wave functions in its evaluation is made by scaling it with ratios of DiracHartree-Slater cross sections to the screened hydrogenic formulas used in the ECPSSR theory. Very good agreement is obtained with L 2 and L 3 ionization data. For the L 1 subshell, the data are in good agreement with the ECPSSR theory but are by factors of 2 to 3 above the results of its modifications.

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Trace elemental analysis of hair samples from subjects suffering with cervical cancer before radiation therapy and at successive intervals during radiation therapy was carried out using the PIXE technique. A 2 MeV proton beam was employed. The elements Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn and Pb were identified and their relative concentrations were estimated. The concentrations of Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni and Zn were found to be lower in hair samples of cervical cancer patients before radiation therapy than those from controls, whereas the concentration of Cu showed the opposite trend. The concentrations of Cl, K, Ca, Ti, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb showed a definite trend of variation with successive intervals of radiation therapy, which indicates that these elements are affected during radiation therapy. The Cu/Zn ratio also decreases with successive radiation therapy.

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