Medical thermography (digital infrared thermal imaging - DITI) in paediatric forearm fractures - a pilot study

Trauma is the most common cause of hospitalisation in children, and forearm fractures comprise 35% of all paediatric fractures. One-third of forearm fractures are distal forearm fractures, which are the most common fractures in the paediatric population. This type of fracture represents an everyday problem for the paediatric surgeon. The three phases of fracture healing in paediatric trauma are associated with skin temperature changes that can be measured and then compared with standard plain radiographs of visible callus formation, and eventually these methods can be used in everyday practice. Thermographic assessment of temperature distribution within the examined tissues enables a quick, non-contact, non-invasive measurement of their temperature. Medical thermography is used as a screening method in other parts of medicine, but the use of this method in traumatology has still not been researched

Ukupna profesionalna izloženost tijekom karakterizacije, kondicioniranja i osiguravanja zatvorenih radioaktivnih izvora: novi dozimetrijski koncept uporabom aktivnih elektronskih dozimetara

Radiation dosimetry in protection against ionising radiation involves research of all possible pathways through which natural or man-made radioactive materials can contaminate a habitat and actually harm its biota. It also takes into account natural and artifi cial (man-made) electromagnetic ionizing radiation (γ and x radiation). This article presents a dosimetric study assessing exposure to man-made ionising radiation of local environment and total occupational exposure of two professional workers involved in characterisation, conditioning, and securing of unused radioactive sealed sources. The purpose of the study was to validate a new active electronic dosimeter (AED) of type ALARA OD and to develop a new monitoring method by tracing the external occupational exposure over real time. This method is used to continuously measure and record external radiation doses and, which is a novelty, establish dose rates receiving pattern as a function of real time. Occupational whole body dosimetric results obtained with AED were compared with results obtained with passive dosimetry (fi lm badge and thermoluminiscence). Air, dust, and silicon sand samples were analysed by gamma-spectrometry to estimate internal exposure of the two workers to 222Rn due to inhalation or ingestion of dust and sand in indoor air. In order to establish total occupational exposure, control radon measurement was performed in the immediate environment and the external Hazard index (Hex) was calculated.Dozimetrijski koncept zaštite od ionizirajućeg zračenja podrazumijeva istraživanje svih mogućih putova kojima radioaktivni materijal nastao u prirodi ili kao posljedica ljudskog djelovanja može ući u okoliš i utjecati na biotu ili onečistiti habitat oštećujući biotu. Taj koncept također uzima u obzir prirodno i umjetno (stvoreno ljudskim djelovanjem) elektromagnetsko ionizirajuće zračenje (γ i X-zračenje). U ovom radu predstavljena je dozimetrijska istraživačka studija kojom se istražuje i procjenjuje ukupna profesionalna izloženost dvaju radnika te izloženost lokalnog habitata ionizirajućem zračenju. Studija je obuhvatila karakterizaciju, kondicioniranje i osiguravanje nekorištenih, uskladištenih zatvorenih radioaktivnih izvora u cilju potvrđivanja i validacije novog aktivnog elektronskog dozimetra (AED) tipa ALARA OD te razvoj nove metodologije praćenja vanjske profesionalne izloženosti u vremenu. Kontinuirano mjerenje i snimanje primljenih vanjskih doza te kao novitet, brzine doze kao funkcije vremena, daju novu i jedinstvenu snimku profesionalnih doza i uzoraka primanja brzine doze na danome radnome mjestu. Rezultati mjerenja profesionalne doze za cijelo tijelo dobiveni uporabom AED-ova uspoređeni su s dozimetrijskim rezultatima [Hp(10)] dobivenim uporabom pasivnih dozimetara (fi lmskih i termoluminiscentnih dozimetara). Provedene su gamaspektrometrijske analize zraka, prašine i silikatnog pijeska te su dobiveni podaci iskorišteni za procjenu moguće unutarnje izloženosti radnika 220Rn inhalacijom zraka ili ingestijom prašine i pijeska. Radi određivanja ukupne profesionalne izloženosti bilo kojeg radnika uključenog u ovaj projekt, provedena su kontrolna mjerenja radona i izračunan je Hazard index (Hex)

Personal Dosimetry Concept and Basic Physical Quantities in Occupational Dosimetry

Daje se koncept osobne dozimetrije kao dio područja zaštite od zračenja. Detaljno je dan teorijski opis i definicije fundamentalnih veličina koje se koriste za fizikalne opise polja zračenja i njegove interakcije s materijom te veličina koje se koriste u dozimetriji i zaštiti od zračenja – operacionalne i zaštitne veličine. Objašnjena je veza između posljednje dvije i način određivanja operacionalnih veličina korištenjem osobnih dozimetara.Concept of personaol dosimetry as a part of radiation protection programme is presented. Definitions of fundamental dosimetric quantities for describeing the physical characteristics of radiation fields and its interaction with matter are presented. Quantities used in radiation protection – personal dosimetry are defined as operational and protective quantities. The way to define the operational dosimetry quantities using personal dosemeters is decscribed

Importance of Quality Assurance Program Implementation in Conventional Diagnostic Radiology

Diagnostic radiology’s basic task is to provide high quality diagnostic image information about anatomic detail or ongoing physiological process within patient’s body, where such information can not be provided using alternative diagnostic method which excludes the use of ionizing radiation. Ensuring adequate clinical diagnostic information together with the least possible exposure of the patient to radiation (As Low As Reasonably Achievable – ALARA principle) at the lowest costs is quality assurance (QA) program’s main goal – optimization of radiological practice. Implementation of QA program does not mean just meeting legal requirements regarding quality control (QC) of X-ray and associated equipment and areas where they are installed but also implies optimum use of equipment, human and material resources inspected trough film rejection analysis and monitoring of patient doses received in particular radiological diagnostic examinations. In Republic of Croatia QA program in diagnostic radiology has not been yet systematically implemented in any medical institution. Except for legally bounded QC of X-ray equipment, other aspects of QA program are not conducted due to many reasons such as lack of educated staff and adequate measuring equipment, absence of obligatory legal acts, poor financial situation in Croatian health care system and many others. Implementation of QA program in diagnostic radiology departments of Croatian medical institutions is an imperative in order to harmonize the good practice with other countries in EU

Routes and Sources of Exposure to Electromagnetic Radiation in Croatia

Princip predostrožnosti jedan je od osnovnih principa na kojima počiva politika zaštite okoliša i ljudskog zdravlja Europske Unije. Pojačanu brigu za ljudsko zdravlje izazvao je i progresivni razvoj tehnologija za bežični prijenos telekomunikacijskog signala bez obzira na njihovu očiglednu sociološku i ekonomsku korist društvu. Svjedoci smo i naglog razvoja novih digitalnih tehnologija koje se koriste elektromagnetskim rendgenskim zračenjem u medicinskoj dijagnostici. Iako prirodno elektromagnetsko zračenje iz svemira ne doseže u potpunosti, osim u nekoliko intervala frekvencija, do Zemljine površine, neionizirajuće prirodno zračenje pokriva Zemlju značajno kompliciranije nego što to čini ionizirajuće elektromagnetsko zračenje. U radu su razmatrane vrlo niske i niske doze elektromagnetskoga rendgenskog zračenja koje primaju bolesnici za vrijeme medicinske dijagnostike. Trenutačno nema dovoljno znanstvenih podataka za prihvatljivu evaluaciju rizika od izlaganja ljudi visokofrekventnom elektromagnetskom neionizirajućem zračenju niskih i vrlo niskih doza. Zajedno s naglim razvojem i uporabom elektromagnetskoga rendgenskog zračenja razvijaju se i proizvode izvori neionizirajućeg zračenja utječući na okoliš i biotu na način koji nikako nije zanemariv. Zbog toga se predlaže holistički, specifi čniji dubinsko ekološki pristup zaštiti stanovništva Republike Hrvatske od izlaganja ionizirajućem i neionizirajućem umjetnom zračenju.The precautionary principle is explicitly laid down in the EU Treaty and is one of the starting points of the EU environmental policy. The concern over human health has been raised by extended use of mobile and wireless telecommunication technologies, regardless of their obvious economic and societal benefits for the modern society. We are also experiencing a growth in new electromagnetic X-ray technologies for medical diagnostics. Natural electromagnetic radiation from space does not reach the Earth’s surface, except at a very few wavelengths, but non-ionising background radiation covers the globe in a much more complex space matrix than background electromagnetic ionising radiation. This article looks into patient exposure to low-dose, high-frequency, non-ionising electromagnetic X-ray radiation from digital diagnostics machines. At present, there are not enough data to assess public health risk. As man-made ionising and non-ionising radiation sources are expanding enormously, we need to take a holistic as well as a more specifi c, deep ecology approach to protect Croatian population

New Connectors for Joining Truss Beams to Vertical Stud Made of Thin-Walled Steel C-Profiles

Predstavljeno je istraživanje koje je provodeno u okviru znanstvenog-razvojnog projekta UNIRI INOVA „Inovativni priključak za spajanje konstrukcijskih elemenata od tankostijenih čeličnih C-profila“. Cilj projekta je pružiti bolje razumijevanje o ponašanju komponenti inovativnog priključka za spajanje elemenata od tankostijenih čeličnih C-profila.The research that was conducted as part of scientific and development project UNIRI INOVA "New connector for joining structural elements made of thin-walled steel C-profiles" was presented. The project goal is to provide better knowledge about the behavior of new connection components for joining elements made of thin-walled steel C-profiles

Investigation of Behaviour of Composite Panel Components With Integrated Steel Core

U radu je predstavljeno istraživanje u okviru znanstvenog projekta ZIP UNIRI „Istraživanje ponašanja komponenti kompozitnog panela s integriranom čeličnom jezgrom“. Cilj znanstvenog projekta je pružiti bolje razumijevanje o ponašanju komponenti inovativnog konstruktivnog panelnog sustava kako bi se istražio potencijal njegove primjene u građevinarstvu.The paper presents research conducted as part of the ZIP UNIRI scientific project “Investigation of the behaviour of composite panel components with integrated steel core”. The aim of the scientific project is to better understand the behaviour of the components of the innovative structural panel system in order to investigate the potential of its application in construction

Exposure of Croatian Population to Radiopharmaceuticals

Cilj je ovoga preglednog rada prikazati aktualno stanje opterećenosti stanovništva Republike Hrvatske ozračivanjem zbog izlaganja otvorenim izvorima ionizirajućeg zračenja u medicinske svrhe. U nedostatku relevantnih statističkih pokazatelja nije moguće validirano prikazati efektivnu dozu po stanovniku RH zbog medicinskog izlaganja radionuklidima čiji je unos u ljudsko tijelo defi niran jednokratnim injektiranjem često i vrlo velikih aktivnosti, izvršena je jednostavna procjena kako bi se upozorilo na potrebu ozbiljnijeg istraživanja i utvrđivanja referentnih nivoa izloženosti za defi nirane vrste dijagnostičkih pretraga. Uz vrlo slobodnu pretpostavku da se u RH godišnje obavi do 35.000 dijagnostičkih pregleda uporabom radionuklida procijenjena efektivna doza po stanovniku RH zbog izlaganja dijagnostičkim kratkoživućim radionuklidima velike početne aktivnosti iznosi od 6,8 do 7,9 μSv po stanovniku.The aim of this paper is to call attention to the exposure of Croatian population to open sources of ionising radiation used in medical diagnostics, radiopharmaceuticals in particular, whose initial activity is very high. Without proper exposure monitoring, it is not possible to establish the effective dose per capita, but we have estimated it to be between 6.8 μSv and 7.0 μSv for this type of internal exposure, based on a very loose assumption that about 35,000 diagnostic procedures with radiopharmaceuticals are performed in Croatia every year. This calls for further research that would eventually lead to limiting the doses received through exposure to radiopharmaceuticals

Exposure of Croatian Population to Radiopharmaceuticals

Cilj je ovoga preglednog rada prikazati aktualno stanje opterećenosti stanovništva Republike Hrvatske ozračivanjem zbog izlaganja otvorenim izvorima ionizirajućeg zračenja u medicinske svrhe. U nedostatku relevantnih statističkih pokazatelja nije moguće validirano prikazati efektivnu dozu po stanovniku RH zbog medicinskog izlaganja radionuklidima čiji je unos u ljudsko tijelo defi niran jednokratnim injektiranjem često i vrlo velikih aktivnosti, izvršena je jednostavna procjena kako bi se upozorilo na potrebu ozbiljnijeg istraživanja i utvrđivanja referentnih nivoa izloženosti za defi nirane vrste dijagnostičkih pretraga. Uz vrlo slobodnu pretpostavku da se u RH godišnje obavi do 35.000 dijagnostičkih pregleda uporabom radionuklida procijenjena efektivna doza po stanovniku RH zbog izlaganja dijagnostičkim kratkoživućim radionuklidima velike početne aktivnosti iznosi od 6,8 do 7,9 μSv po stanovniku.The aim of this paper is to call attention to the exposure of Croatian population to open sources of ionising radiation used in medical diagnostics, radiopharmaceuticals in particular, whose initial activity is very high. Without proper exposure monitoring, it is not possible to establish the effective dose per capita, but we have estimated it to be between 6.8 μSv and 7.0 μSv for this type of internal exposure, based on a very loose assumption that about 35,000 diagnostic procedures with radiopharmaceuticals are performed in Croatia every year. This calls for further research that would eventually lead to limiting the doses received through exposure to radiopharmaceuticals

Residues Management within the National Program for the Implementation of the Strategy for the Management of Radioactive Waste, Disused Sources and Spent Nuclear Fuel of the Republic of Croatia

Donošenjem Nacionalnog programa provedbe Strategije zbrinjavanja radioaktivnog otpada, iskorištenih izvora i istrošenog nuklearnog goriva, Vlada Republike Hrvatske je ratificirala Strategiju koja dijelom određuje gospodarenje reziduima. S obzirom na važeću legislativu bit će nužno regulatorno modificirati trenutačne i predvidjeti buduće rudarske i druge industrijske aktivnosti u kojima nastaju rezidui i pri kojima se manipulira reziduima. U radu se daje detaljan pregled legislative te preporuka i smjernica, u skladu s posljednjim dostignućima, za gospodarenje postojećim i budućim odlagalištima i mjestima za privremeno pohranjivanje rezidua. Ovo djelo je dano na korištenje pod licencom Creative Commons Imenovanje 4.0 međunarodna.By adopting the National Program for the Implementation of the Strategy for the Management of Radioactive Waste, Disused Sources and Spent Nuclear Fuel, the Government of the Republic of Croatia has ratified the Strategy, which partly defines the management of residues. Given the current legislation, it will be necessary to regulate modifications of the current as well as predict future mining and other industrial activities in which residues appear and are manipulated with. This paper gives a detailed review of relevant legislation, and state of the art recommendations and guidelines for the management of existing and future disposal sites and places for temporary storage of residues. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License