As radiation specialists, one of our primary objectives in the Navy is protecting people and the environment from the effects of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. Focusing on radiological dispersal devices (RDD) will provide increased personnel protection as well as optimize emergency response assets for the general public. An attack involving an RDD has been of particular concern because it is intended to spread contamination over a wide area and cause massive panic within the general population. A rapid method of triage will be necessary to segregate the unexposed and slightly exposed from those needing immediate medical treatment. Because of the aerosol dispersal of the radioactive material, inhalation of the radioactive material may be the primary exposure route. The primary radionuclides likely to be used in a RDD attack are Co-60, Cs-137, Ir-192, Sr-90 and Am-241. Through the use of a MAX phantom along with a few Simulink MATLAB programs, a good anthropomorphic phantom was created for use in MCNPX simulations that would provide organ doses from internally deposited radionuclides. Ludlum model 44-9 and 44-2 detectors were used to verify the simulated dose from the MCNPX code. Based on the results, acute dose rate limits were developed for emergency response personnel that would assist in patient triage.

Šio darbo pagrindinis tikslas − įvertinti radioaktyviųjų teršalų paplitimą atmosferoje ir nusėdimą, bei įvertinti teršalų žalą aplinkai ir žmonėms. Tam tikslui pasiekti, šiame darbe buvo: 1.išanalizuoti pagrindiniai radioaktyviųjų teršalų paplitimo būdai; 2.supažindinta su teisės aktais ribojančiais radionuklidų išmetimą į aplinką; 3.įvertinti labiausiai žmonių sveikatą įtakojančių radionuklidų ir sklidimą atmosferoje ir nusėdimą. / In Lithuania we have a very important object from the point of energetics. It’s atomic power − station of Ignalina. It is work safety aspects worry so the themes of the graduate work have been chosen for this clean reason. The base of the work is to evaluate the damage of the radiological nuclides and to the environment and people and their discharge amounts the atmosphere, if it doesn’t exceed allowable norms, witch are regulated by the laws of Lithuania Republic. Willing to introduce you to this theme the following objectives were defined: 1.The main ways of radiological pollutants discharge into the atmosphere have been analyzed; 2.Have been familiarized with the main norms of radiological safety and the limitation of the discharge of radio nuclides into the atmosphere from the objects of atomic energetics; 3.According to the push − button program of environment pollution “ Hysplit ” the distribution of the radiological nuclides in the atmosphere has been denoted; 4.According to the results having been done by the program “ Hysplit “, the diagram of the dependence of the nuclides and on time has been delineated. It is clear that the atmosphere doesn’t exceed allowable norms of the laws of Lithuania Republic. It’s even lower than allowable norms per day. In conclusion, having all the objectives of this work analyzed it becomes clear that the amounts of the nuclides and witch gets into the atmosphere doesn’t damage our organisms and environment.

Thesis (DTech (Radiology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / The aim of this study was to provide evidence basedforecast for radiology demand in Zimbabwe that would support policies aimed at optimising radiology resource allocation and utilisation. This was upon the realisation that the Ministry of Health and Childcare required such forecast in order to ensure equitable, accessible and quality health services as prescribed in the 2009-2015 National Health Strategy as well as in Section 29 and 76 of the Zimbabwean constitution. On the international perspective, many researchers have reported stable high demand for radiology services giving rise to long waiting lists and backlogs. In the United Kingdom’s National Health Services (NHS), there is general consensus that these waiting lists are caused by variation mismatches between capacity and demand for radiology services. Elsewhere, it has been reported that skill mix, role changes, dynamic nature of radiography teaching and learning, technology diffusion, service transaction time, overutilisation, and unjustified exposures are key drivers of high demand for radiology services. It has long been established that demand for radiology services is stochastic in nature, and therefore planning of future investments in radiology must be guided by an understanding of how these variables interact to model the criterion variable. However, there is paucity of information pertaining to key aspects of legitimate radiology demand forecasts. Formulation of these fundamental concepts formed the impetus of this study. A document review, interviews and non-participatory observations revealed that justification of radiology examinations, dynamic nature of radiography teaching and learning, diffusion of extended roles and technology, equipment and personnel capacity, and most importantly service transaction time all had an impact on the demand for radiology services in Zimbabwe. Limited diffusion of extended roles and technology had increased over a ten year period. Observed role changes were informal additions to the procedures normally carried out by radiographers and these were not supported by formal education. Consistent with global concerns, over utilisation and unjustified requests were a national concern. In situations where capacity outweighed demand, there was evidence that internal management of radiology departments was responsible for most variation mismatches which then gave rise to long waiting times.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第22361号 / 医博第4602号 / 新制||医||1043(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 上本 伸二, 教授 小西 靖彦, 教授 黒田 知宏 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

No description available.

Large-scale radiological accidents have resulted in intakes of radioactive materials by members of the public and occupational radiation workers. However, current methods to evaluate intakes are designed for small numbers of individuals and cannot be easily scaled for large populations as has occurred. A proposed method for high throughput volumes of people to identify and quantify intakes of radioactive material through urine radiobioassay is described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The MCNP V6.0 software code was used to model the General Electric Hawkeye V3 Gamma Camera for gamma ray efficiency. Technitium-99m was used to validate the model. The model was used to calculate detection efficiencies and minimum detectable doses for Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, Cesium-137/Barium-137m and Iridium-192. RESULTS: Differences of 8% were observed between measurements of the detection efficiency for Technitium-99m and the MCNP modeled detection efficiency (11.1% vs. 12.0%, respectively). Calculations showed that a dose of 20 mSv could be detected using urine radiobioassay in 6, 3, 2, and 20 days post incident for Type F intakes of Cobalt-60, Iodine-131, Cesium-137/Barium-137m and Iridium-192 respectively. Approximately 1,152 urine samples could be analyzed in an eight-hour shift using a single gamma camera. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the gamma camera for urine radiobioassay allows for high throughput volumes of samples and has sufficient detection sensitivity to meet dose-based decision guidelines.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a certeza de qualidade dos resultados mamográficos em uma instituição de referência para diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama na Região Sul do Brasil, considerando as recomendações da quinta edição do BIRADS (“Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System”) para propósitos de auditoria. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte observacional retrospectivo e transversal com 4911 pacientes que foram submetidas a pelo menos uma mamografia durante o ano de 2013 em um hospital público regional, ligado a uma universidade pública federal na Região Sul do Brasil. Essas pacientes foram acompanhadas até 31 de dezembro de 2014, para checar as taxas de desempenho dos resultados mamográficos na instituição em estudo, incluindo verdadeirospositivos (VP), verdadeiros-negativos (VN), falso-positivos (FP), falso-negativos (FN), valores preditivos positivos (VPP), sensibilidade e especificidade com um intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: O estudo demonstrou alta certeza de qualidade nos resultados das mamografias digitais diagnósticas, especialmente em relação à sensibilidade (90,21%) e especificidade (98,97%). O valor preditivo positivo (VPP) geral foi estimado em 65,3%. A taxa de interpretação anormal (ou reconvocação) foi de 12,26% e a razão de verossimilhança (“likelihood ratio”) das mamografias diagnósticas obtida foi 86,68%. CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que os resultados de mamografias digitais diagnósticas foram apropriados e similares aos valores pospostos pelo BIRADS. Além disso, o estudo proporcionou auto-reflexão e auto-avaliação da prática radiológica no serviço, o que é essencial para o melhoramento e processo de colaboração mais efetivo entre todos os profissionais envolvidos com o diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama. Esses resultados podem incentivar outras instituições a atingirem altas taxas de qualidade de desempenho nos resultados mamográficos, apesar de possíveis limitações estruturais quando comparadas a instituições de países desenvolvidos. / OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality assurance of the mammography results in a reference institution for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in southern Brazil, considering the BIRADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) 5th edition recommendations for auditing purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort observational and cross-sectional study with 4911 patients who underwent at least one mammography throughout the year of 2013 in a regional public hospital, linked to a federal public university in southern Brazil. These patients were followed until 31st December, 2014 to check the performance rates of mammography results in our institution, including true-positives (TP), true-negatives (TN), false-positives (FP), false-negatives (FN), positive predictive values (PPV), sensitivity and specificity with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: The study has showed high quality assurance on digital diagnostic mammographic results, especially regarding sensitivity (90,21%) and specificity (98,97%). The overall positive predictive value (PPV) was estimated in 65,3%. The abnormal interpretation rate (recall rate) was 12,26% and the likelihood ratio of diagnostic mammograms obtained was 86,68%. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that our digital diagnostic mammography results were appropriate and similar to values proposed by the BIRADS. Also, the study provided self-reflection and insights on our radiological practice, which is essential to the improvement and more effective collaboration process between all the professionals involved with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. These results may incentivize other institutions to achieve high quality performance rates in mammography results, despite possible infrastructure and facilities limitations when comparing to developed countries.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a certeza de qualidade dos resultados mamográficos em uma instituição de referência para diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama na Região Sul do Brasil, considerando as recomendações da quinta edição do BIRADS (“Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System”) para propósitos de auditoria. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte observacional retrospectivo e transversal com 4911 pacientes que foram submetidas a pelo menos uma mamografia durante o ano de 2013 em um hospital público regional, ligado a uma universidade pública federal na Região Sul do Brasil. Essas pacientes foram acompanhadas até 31 de dezembro de 2014, para checar as taxas de desempenho dos resultados mamográficos na instituição em estudo, incluindo verdadeirospositivos (VP), verdadeiros-negativos (VN), falso-positivos (FP), falso-negativos (FN), valores preditivos positivos (VPP), sensibilidade e especificidade com um intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: O estudo demonstrou alta certeza de qualidade nos resultados das mamografias digitais diagnósticas, especialmente em relação à sensibilidade (90,21%) e especificidade (98,97%). O valor preditivo positivo (VPP) geral foi estimado em 65,3%. A taxa de interpretação anormal (ou reconvocação) foi de 12,26% e a razão de verossimilhança (“likelihood ratio”) das mamografias diagnósticas obtida foi 86,68%. CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que os resultados de mamografias digitais diagnósticas foram apropriados e similares aos valores pospostos pelo BIRADS. Além disso, o estudo proporcionou auto-reflexão e auto-avaliação da prática radiológica no serviço, o que é essencial para o melhoramento e processo de colaboração mais efetivo entre todos os profissionais envolvidos com o diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama. Esses resultados podem incentivar outras instituições a atingirem altas taxas de qualidade de desempenho nos resultados mamográficos, apesar de possíveis limitações estruturais quando comparadas a instituições de países desenvolvidos. / OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality assurance of the mammography results in a reference institution for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in southern Brazil, considering the BIRADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) 5th edition recommendations for auditing purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort observational and cross-sectional study with 4911 patients who underwent at least one mammography throughout the year of 2013 in a regional public hospital, linked to a federal public university in southern Brazil. These patients were followed until 31st December, 2014 to check the performance rates of mammography results in our institution, including true-positives (TP), true-negatives (TN), false-positives (FP), false-negatives (FN), positive predictive values (PPV), sensitivity and specificity with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: The study has showed high quality assurance on digital diagnostic mammographic results, especially regarding sensitivity (90,21%) and specificity (98,97%). The overall positive predictive value (PPV) was estimated in 65,3%. The abnormal interpretation rate (recall rate) was 12,26% and the likelihood ratio of diagnostic mammograms obtained was 86,68%. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that our digital diagnostic mammography results were appropriate and similar to values proposed by the BIRADS. Also, the study provided self-reflection and insights on our radiological practice, which is essential to the improvement and more effective collaboration process between all the professionals involved with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. These results may incentivize other institutions to achieve high quality performance rates in mammography results, despite possible infrastructure and facilities limitations when comparing to developed countries.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a certeza de qualidade dos resultados mamográficos em uma instituição de referência para diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama na Região Sul do Brasil, considerando as recomendações da quinta edição do BIRADS (“Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System”) para propósitos de auditoria. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Foi realizado um estudo de coorte observacional retrospectivo e transversal com 4911 pacientes que foram submetidas a pelo menos uma mamografia durante o ano de 2013 em um hospital público regional, ligado a uma universidade pública federal na Região Sul do Brasil. Essas pacientes foram acompanhadas até 31 de dezembro de 2014, para checar as taxas de desempenho dos resultados mamográficos na instituição em estudo, incluindo verdadeirospositivos (VP), verdadeiros-negativos (VN), falso-positivos (FP), falso-negativos (FN), valores preditivos positivos (VPP), sensibilidade e especificidade com um intervalo de confiança de 95%. RESULTADOS: O estudo demonstrou alta certeza de qualidade nos resultados das mamografias digitais diagnósticas, especialmente em relação à sensibilidade (90,21%) e especificidade (98,97%). O valor preditivo positivo (VPP) geral foi estimado em 65,3%. A taxa de interpretação anormal (ou reconvocação) foi de 12,26% e a razão de verossimilhança (“likelihood ratio”) das mamografias diagnósticas obtida foi 86,68%. CONCLUSÕES: Conclui-se que os resultados de mamografias digitais diagnósticas foram apropriados e similares aos valores pospostos pelo BIRADS. Além disso, o estudo proporcionou auto-reflexão e auto-avaliação da prática radiológica no serviço, o que é essencial para o melhoramento e processo de colaboração mais efetivo entre todos os profissionais envolvidos com o diagnóstico e tratamento do câncer de mama. Esses resultados podem incentivar outras instituições a atingirem altas taxas de qualidade de desempenho nos resultados mamográficos, apesar de possíveis limitações estruturais quando comparadas a instituições de países desenvolvidos. / OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the quality assurance of the mammography results in a reference institution for breast cancer diagnosis and treatment in southern Brazil, considering the BIRADS (Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System) 5th edition recommendations for auditing purposes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort observational and cross-sectional study with 4911 patients who underwent at least one mammography throughout the year of 2013 in a regional public hospital, linked to a federal public university in southern Brazil. These patients were followed until 31st December, 2014 to check the performance rates of mammography results in our institution, including true-positives (TP), true-negatives (TN), false-positives (FP), false-negatives (FN), positive predictive values (PPV), sensitivity and specificity with a confidence interval of 95%. RESULTS: The study has showed high quality assurance on digital diagnostic mammographic results, especially regarding sensitivity (90,21%) and specificity (98,97%). The overall positive predictive value (PPV) was estimated in 65,3%. The abnormal interpretation rate (recall rate) was 12,26% and the likelihood ratio of diagnostic mammograms obtained was 86,68%. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that our digital diagnostic mammography results were appropriate and similar to values proposed by the BIRADS. Also, the study provided self-reflection and insights on our radiological practice, which is essential to the improvement and more effective collaboration process between all the professionals involved with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. These results may incentivize other institutions to achieve high quality performance rates in mammography results, despite possible infrastructure and facilities limitations when comparing to developed countries.

The detonation of a radiological dispersion device (RDD) may result in a situation where many individuals are exposed to contamination due to the inhalation of radioactive materials. Assessments of contamination may need to be performed by emergency response personnel in order to triage the potentially exposed public. The feasibility of using readily available standard 2x2-inch sodium-iodide detectors to determine the committed effective dose to a patient following the inhalation of a radionuclide has been investigated. The 2x2-NaI(Tl) detector was modeled using the Monte Carlo simulation code, MCNP-5, and was validated via a series of experimental benchmark measurements using a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) slab phantom. Such validation was essential in reproducing an accurate detector response. Upon verification of the detector model, six anthropomorphic phantoms, based on the MIRD-V phantoms, were modeled with nuclides distributed to simulate inhaled contamination. The nuclides assessed included Am-241, Co-60, Cs-137, I-131, and Ir-192. Detectors were placed at four positions on the phantoms: anterior right torso, posterior right torso, anterior neck, and lateral left thigh. The detected count-rate varied with respect to detector position, and the optimal detector location was determined on the body. The triage threshold for contamination was set at an action level of 250-mSv of intake. Time dependent biokinetic modeling was employed to determine the source distribution and activity in the body as a function of post-inhalation time. The detector response was determined as a function of count-rate per becquerel of activity at initial intake. This was converted to count-rate per 250-mSv intake for triage use by first responders operating the detector to facilitate triage decisions of contamination level. A set of procedure sheets for use by first responders was compiled for each of the phantoms and nuclides investigated.