Africa's readiness for artificial intelligence in clinical radiotherapy delivery: Medical physicists to lead the way.

Background: There have been several proposals by researchers for the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology due to its promising role in radiotherapy practice. However, prior to the introduction of the technology, there are certain general recommendations that must be achieved. Also, the current challenges of AI must be addressed.

Heavy metal and genetic diversity studies in three populations of Snail (Achatina achatina Linnaeus, 1758) from Southwest, Nigeria.

Environmental pollutants may often alter the genetic components of natural populations. In this study, heavy metals and genetic diversity in land snail (Achatina achatina) from three populations of south-western Nigeria were investigated, using the Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and DNA Sequencing technology respectively. Metal analysis revealed that the snails accumulated lead (Pb) and nickel (Ni) in high concentrations in two of the three states, while cadmium (Cd) was the least detected.

PERCEPTION OF QUALITY CONTROL BY PERSONNEL IN DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY FACILITIES IN AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA.

Background: The perception of quality control (QC) implementation by personnel in diagnostic radiology facilities can affect service delivery and deprive the facilities of the benefits associated with QC implementation. The responses by personnel working in diagnostic radiology facilities in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, concerning the implementation of quality control in diagnostic radiology has been assessed in order to ascertain their perception of QC implementation.

Method: A total of thirty eight (38) radiology personnel from twenty radiology facilities took part in the study that was conducted using a twenty item questionnaire that was initially tested for reliability.

CHALLENGES IN SETTING UP QUALITY CONTROL IN DIAGNOSTIC RADIOLOGY FACILITIES IN NIGERIA.

Background: The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) was established to regulate and control the use of radioactive and radiation emitting sources in Nigeria. Quality control (QC) on diagnostic radiology equipment form part of the fundamental requirements for the authorization of diagnostic radiology facilities in the Country.

Method: Some quality control tests (output, exposure linearity and reproducibility) were measured on the x-ray machines in the facilities that took part in the study.

Effect of x-ray exposure (mAs) on peroxide and acid values of honey.

Honey is used in most places as food sweetener and antibacterial agent for wounds. The antibacterial property of honey depends mainly on its peroxide value and acidity. This study investigated the possible effect that may be observed on the peroxide value and acidity if honey is exposed to x-ray at varying tube current values (mAs) in order to infer the possible implications of referring patients undergoing honey therapy for diagnostic x-ray examination.

Optimization of dual electron multileaf collimator materials by use of EGSnrc.

A dual electron multileaf collimator (eMLC) has recently been proposed and ascertained to be effective in the collimation of therapy electron beams. The EGSnrc Monte Carlo code has been used in the optimization of the dual eMLC by simulation of the Varian 2100C medical linear accelerator with the applicator completely replaced by the dual eMLC, and calculation of the dose distributions in a water phantom. The planar fluence results showed that the material combination of 2-cm-thick brass and 2-cm-thick tungsten (eMLCT1) as upper and lower eMLCs, respectively, offers minimal radiation leakage outside the treatment field.

Radiation exposure levels within timber industries in Calabar, Nigeria.

The UNSCEAR (2000) observed that there could be some exposure at work which would require regulatory control but is not really considered. This study was, therefore, set up to evaluate the effective dose in timber industries in Calabar, Nigeria to determine if the evaluated dose levels could lead to any radiological health effect in the workers, and also determine if the industries require regulatory control. The gamma ray exposure at four timber industries measured using an exposure meter were converted to effective dose and compared with the public and occupational values.

Monte Carlo simulations of electron beams collimated with a dual electron multileaf collimator: a feasibility study.

Electron applicators and cut-outs have been used for some time in the delivery of electron beam therapy. A dual electron multileaf collimator (eMLC) consisting of upper and lower eMLCs was designed, and dose distributions of electron beams delivered by it were evaluated by Monte Carlo simulations by use of the EGSnrc Monte Carlo code. The percentage depth dose (PDD), dose profiles, dose gradient falloff (G), depth of maximum dose (R(100)), surface dose, bremsstrahlung background, beam flatness, and penumbra of the dual eMLC were evaluated and compared with those simulated and measured with the standard applicators inserted into the treatment head of the medical linear accelerator (linac).

Pediatric radiography entrance doses for some routine procedures in three hospitals within eastern Nigeria.

A survey of the entrance surface doses in the routine radiography of children in eastern Nigeria has been carried out in three hospitals, using thermoluminescence detectors. Chest, abdomen, lumbar spine, skull and pelvis were covered in this study. Findings reveal that doses are higher than the recommended reference values elsewhere, as well as values reported for Sudan.