Abstract: The method and apparatus for estimating the tenderness of meat comprises scanning a sample of meat through an x-ray beam; detecting or measuring the transmitted x-ray radiation through the meat sample; relating the transmitted x-ray radiation to a characteristic of the shear force of the meat sample; and assessing the tenderness of the meat sample from the characteristic of the shear force.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for estimating the tenderness of meat comprises scanning a sample of meat through an x-ray beam; detecting or measuring the transmitted x-ray radiation through the meat sample; relating the transmitted x-ray radiation to a characteristic of the shear force of the meat sample; and assessing the tenderness of the meat sample from the characteristic of the shear force.

Abstract: A system for on-line monitoring the stability of a scintillation detector, comprises means providing two beams of gamma rays from a subsidiary source which are distinguishable because of their time relationship from the primary source. The two beams are of similar energies but are oriented in different directions, with one directed into the scintillation detector and one acting as a reference beam and directed to a reference beam counter. The ratio of the detector-count rate for the timed events to the reference count rate is compared to provide an indication of any drift in the scintillation detector.

Abstract: A method and apparatus detects the presence of a number of substances such as explosives or drugs in a container such as luggage (10) at an airport. The containers, travelling on a conveyor (15) for example are irradiated with fast neutron and gamma source radiation (6) preferably simultaneously and preferably of different frequencies. The radiation is detected (7) and the extent to which each species of the source of radiation is transmitted through the container is measured. The measurements are analyzed with reference to the known characteristic attenuation coefficients and density properties of those substances for each species of the source radiation.