Design of nanostructured polymeric materials for radiation shielding of ionizing radiations

This study seeks to provide a novel approach for producing technologically viable new radiation shielding materials to meet the safety requirements for use in medical X-ray imaging facilities. The approach was based on dispersing micro-sized and nano-sized heavy element fillers into polymeric materials using different filler dispersion methods such as melt-mixing, ion implantation and electrospinning. These materials have high potential application for shielding of X-rays in diagnostic radiology purposes

Monitoring Pediatric Head CT Scan Dose Levels: A Retrospective Study of Diagnostic Reference Levels in a Single Hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE

Diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) are critical operational standards for monitoring radiological imaging parameters and ensuring patient safety in hospitals. A regular review of DRLs is necessary to optimize scanners and protocol parameters. This retrospective study collected data on the CT dose index volume and dose–length product for 250 children who underwent head CT scans in the region of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Descriptive statistics were used to present median, range, and interquartile range values for each pediatric age group, based on region and protocol. The 75th percentile was used as the reference point for local DRLs. Proposed values of DRLs were suggested per age groups; 304 mGy∙cm (children < 1 year), 385 mGy∙cm (children ≥ 1 year to <5 years), 441 mGy∙cm (children ≥ 5 years to <10 years), and 568 mGy∙cm (patients ≥ 10 years to <16 years. A comparison of the local DRLs with previously established ones was carried out, and differences were discussed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on pediatric head CT scans in this region. We believe the results can be used as a baseline for establishing local DRLs in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and national DRLs in the United Arab Emirates

Investigation Of The Laser-Assisted Hydrothermal Nanostructured ZnO

ZnO nanostructures are synthesize and fabricated successfully on glass substrates using a chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique. Then new design of continuous flow process has used at 0.05 M of zinc acetate hexahydrate [Zn (CH3COO)2.2H2O], 1.4 g of Hexamethylenetramine (CH2)6N4) and 250 mL of deionized water of the precursor solutions assisted by continuous wave laser irradiation at 532 nm laser wavelengths. The Ni and Pd, seed layers deposited and different growth time 20 and 25 min with same power. effects of different irradiation time 20 and 25 minutes. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique can exhibit well crystalline quality. Moreover, the FESEM images and energy dispersive x-ray spectra (EDX) shows uniformly distributed, dense ZnO nanostructures and the morphologies improved

The physical and optical studies of erbium doped borosilicate glass

A glass series of erbium doped zinc borosilicate glass system was prepared by using the melt-quenching method. The absorption spectra revealed several bands at visible range which correspond to the following transitions (from the ground state); ⁴F5/2 + ⁴F7/2 + ²H11/2 + ⁴S3/2 + ⁴F9/2 + ⁴I9/2. The density and molar volume obtained increased and decreased respectively as the concentration of erbium oxide varied from 0 mol % to 1.0 mol %. Meanwhile, oxygen packing density (OPD) increased as the concentration of erbium oxide increased up to 3.0 mol % due to the build-up of bridging oxygen. The indirect band gap energy was achieved from 2.56 eV to 2.80 eV and the Urbach energy values lies between 0.15 eV and 0.61 eV

Comprehensive study of electronic polarizability and band gap of B2O3–Bi2O3–ZnO–SiO2 glass network

Quaternary glasses were successfully fabricated using melt quenching technique based on the chemical compound composition (x)Bi2O3–(0.5−x) ZnO–(0.2)B2O3–(0.3)SiO2, where (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.45) mole. The sources of SiO2 was produced from rice husk ash (RHA) at 99.36% of SiO2. The Urbach energy was increased from 0.16eV to the 0.29eV as the mole of Bi2O3 increased in the glass structure. The indirect energy band gap is indicated in decrement pattern with 3.15eV towards 2.51eV. The results of Urbach energy and band gap energy that were obtained are due to the increment of Bi3+ ion in the glass network. The refractive indexes for the prepared glasses were evaluated at 2.36 to 2.54 based on the Lorentz–Lorentz formulation which correlated to the energy band gap. The calculated of molar polarizability, electronic polarizability and optical basicity exemplify fine complement to the Bi2O3 addition in the glass network. The glass sample was indicated in amorphous state

Physical and shielding protection parameterization of PbOZnO- B₂O₃-SiO₂ glass network

Glass series of quaternary lead-zinc-borosilicate glass was fabricated using melt-quenching method. It was successfully prepared using silicon dioxide (SiO2 99.37 %) as the network former, which was obtains from rice husk ash (RHA). The thickness of the prepared glass samples used during the measurement was 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5 cm. As the percentage of PbO increased from 5% to 40%, the density and molar volume of glass sample increased from 3.719 g/cm3 to 5.010 g/cm3 and 21.44 cm3 to 25.82 cm3, respectively. The significant modification was due to augmentation in bond length and increment in inter-atomic spacing between atoms with the presence of Pb, Zn and B atoms. Nevertheless, the oxygen packing density decreased from 79.29 g-atom/l to 65.84 g-atom/l. The mass attenuation coefficient was found to be increased for 0.3 cm, 0.4 cm and 0.5 cm. The escalating mass attenuation coefficient was due to the increment of PbO percentage mole, which related to the emergent photoelectric absorption of the glass sample. Thus, it also affects the decreasing trend of Half Value Layer (HVL) and the increasing of Effective atomic number (Zeff)

Trace of heavy metals in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples in association with birth outcomes in Baghdad, Iraq

Trace elements are essential nutritional components in humans and inconvenient tissue content that have a significant influence on infant size. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of concentration of elements (uranium (U), lead (Pb) and iron (Fe)) and absorption of Pb and Fe on maternal and umbilical cord blood samples. The concentration and absorption of Pb and Fe in blood samples were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry device, while the uranium concentration was determined by using CR-39 detector. Fifty women of age 16-44 years are involved in this study. Results show that the maximum and minimum values of both concentration and absorption in the maternal samples were for Pb and Fe, respectively. In addition, for umbilical cord, the maximum values of concentration and absorption were for Fe and the minimum concentration and absorption were for U and Pb, respectively. A significant correlation between maternal and umbilical cord blood samples was found. This indicates that the Pb, U and Fe elements can easily transfer from maternal to the fetal body which impacts the growth of fetus

Trace of heavy metals in maternal and umbilical cord blood samples in association with birth outcomes in Baghdad, Iraq

Trace elements are essential nutritional components in humans and inconvenient tissue content that have a significant influence on infant size. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of concentration of elements (uranium (U), lead (Pb) and iron (Fe)) and absorption of Pb and Fe on maternal and umbilical cord blood samples. The concentration and absorption of Pb and Fe in blood samples were determined by using atomic absorption spectrophotometry device, while the uranium concentration was determined by using CR-39 detector. Fifty women of age 16-44 years are involved in this study. Results show that the maximum and minimum values of both concentration and absorption in the maternal samples were for Pb and Fe, respectively. In addition, for umbilical cord, the maximum values of concentration and absorption were for Fe and the minimum concentration and absorption were for U and Pb, respectively. A significant correlation between maternal and umbilical cord blood samples was found. This indicates that the Pb, U and Fe elements can easily transfer from maternal to the fetal body which impacts the growth of fetus