Quality Estimation of Filtration of Diagnostic X-Ray at Federal Medical Centre and Bishop Murray Hospital Makurdi using Half-Value Layer (HVL)

Quality filtration of diagnostic X-rays in use at Federal Medical Centre and Bishop Murray Hospital Makurdi were checked using half-value layer (HVL) at 80kVp, 70kVp and 60kVp. A simple technique of determining HVL which is based on reducing the intensity of X-ray beam to half its original value using aluminium filters added at 2cm from the table and dose detected using DIAVOLT placed at 98cm from the centre of the X-ray tubes. Results were obtained from the plot of ln Dose (mGy) Versus Aluminium thickness (mm) where the slope gives the attenuation coefficient (m). The attenuation coefficient was then used in calculating HVL using the relationship HVL=In2/m. HVL values calculated were then compared with the minimum acceptable HVL values at the kVp setting as recommended by the international Commission on Radiological units and measurement. Keywords: Half Value Layer, Attenuation Coefficient, X-ray, filters,Makurd

Investigation of Ultraviolet Radiation (UVR) in Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State

The study investigated the level of ultraviolet (UV) radiation in Benue State University, Makurdi. Since the greatest source of UV radiation reaching the earth surface is from the sun, we have investigated in detail the solar UV intensity in Benue State University. This was done through measurement of UV indices with the use of a broad band UV checker which infers the intensity of UV radiation. Typical values of ultraviolet indices between 7 and 13 were observed during clear sky hours in the solar noon hours of the day, meaning the UV radiation intensity was high. However,it was observed to be low/moderate between UVI of 1 and 6 when overcast occurred in the sky. But the intensities of UV radiation were observed to be constantly low/moderate from 6:00am-10:00am and 4:00pm-5:00pm times of the day

Desert palm date seeds as a biodiesel feedstock:Extraction, characterization, and engine testing

The development of alternative fuels is increasingly important in order to maintain ongoing global economic and technological progress in the face of fossil fuel depletion and increasing environmental damage. Desert palm date seeds have clear potential as feedstock for biodiesel production given their high oil content and availability as food waste that requires no further cultivation. In this study we investigated the optimum production processes and conditions for date seed oil biodiesel, including characterizing the intermediate product and correcting its composition to meet international fuel standards. Four biodiesel blends were prepared (B5, B10, B15, and B20) and tested in a compression ignition engine at engine speeds from 1600 to 3600 rpm (200 rpm increments) and three engine loads (50%, 75%, and 100%). The highest oil yield and biodiesel conversion achieved were 10.74 wt.% and 92%, respectively. The biodiesel properties conformed well with the standards; the values for brake power, brake thermal efficiency, and brake specific fuel consumption were comparable with petrol diesel, though the latter was slightly superior. All blends produced lower levels of CO2, CO, and HC but higher levels of NOx emissions. These results demonstrate the fundamental suitability of date seeds as biodiesel feedstock, deserving of further research

QUALITY CONTROL ASSESSMENT OF X-RAY MACHINES IN SOME RADIOLOGICAL DEPARTMENTS IN BENUE STATE

Quality Control parameters; (kV]) Reproducibility, mA Reciprocity, mA Linearity, Tube Potential Accuracy, Tube Output Consistency with klip, Tube Filtration (Half Value Layer), Focal Spot Size, Perpendicularity Test (1.5°) and the Congruence between Optical and X-ray Field of thirteen (13) diagnostic X-ray machines located in some major hospitals in Benue State were investigated with the aim of assessing their Quality Control status. Eight of these machines were single-phase X-ray.s. while five (5) were three-phase X-ray machines. The assessment was carried out using Gammex Radiologicifluoroscopic kits model Gammex184D, and Kodak and Agfa X-ray films. The results for kVp reproducibility and mA reciprocity indicate that three (3) facility's results were within the reference limit of (±5`,)/0 and (±10%) respectively, while ten ( 0) X-ray machines failed the assessment test. There was non-linearity in Dose/mAs in twelve (12) X-ray machines, only the X-ray machine(s) located at Benue State University Teaching Hospital passed the linearity test. For tube potential accuracy, only two (2) X-ray machines were within the reference limit of (±5%), while eleven (11) X-ray machines failed Tube output consistency kVp results show that eight (8) X-ray machines passed, while five (5) X-ray machines failed. Half Value Layer (HVL) which is a measure of X-ray beam quality indicates that all X-ray machines have this half value layer filtration above the reference level of 2. 3mmAl except General Hospital Otukpo X-ray machine which is below the recommended level with 0.8mmAl. It was also found that the line pair per millimetre (1p/mtn) and the calculated effective focal vot was within the nominal focal spot for all the X-ray machines except General Hospital Okpoga X-ray machine which .failed the test. Three (3) X-ray machines were found to be congruent between optical and X-ray field within 1.5°, while ten (10) X-ray machines failed the test. Also there was much beam misalignment amongst the diagnostic machines, with eight X-ray machines found to he within limit, while.five failed the assessment test. This research work shows that none of the X-ray machines passed all the ten (IQ) quality control tests. The best amongst them is Benue State Teaching Hospital Makurdi which failed only one test on Tithe filtration. This work has highlighted the quality control deficiencies of most diagnostic X-ray machines in Hospitals in Benue State.NONENON

Postharvest shelf life extension of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and Irish potato (Solanum tuberosum) using X-rays in Benue State, Nigeria

This paper investigates the postharvest shelf life extension of cucumber and irish potato using X-rays, in Benue State, Nigeria. The selection of samples for the research was done from the traditional markets in Gboko for similar properties as depicted in the literature. For both products, six samples each with one kept as the control sample were X-ray irradiated with 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100kVp of X-rays. An ambient storage temperature range of 27 – 30oC was recorded. The measured density, moisture content M.C (%), and pH were in the intervals: 0.934-1.201 g/cm3 , 94.98-98.67%, and 6.1-4.2 for cucumber, and 0.0874-1.0867 g/cm3 , 70.82-79.93%, and 8.9-7.2  for irish potato respectively. The percentage mass shrinkage ( dM%) of the control and 100kVp  X-ray irradiated samples were: 45.0% and 31.6% for cucumber, and 23.8% and 20.5% for irish potato respectively. The mass shrinkage (dM ) was found to increase during preservation and higher kVp  values extended the shelf life of the products. The 90-100kVp of X-rays was effective in preserving cucumber for an additional 7 – 8 days and irish potato for additional 10 – 15 days of storage. In essence, cucumber and irish potato can be stored by exposure to specific  kVp values of diagnostic X-rays