Assessment of radon level and the associated radiological risk from soil samples of quarry area at Hakim Gara, Ethiopia.

Excavation of terrestrial surface of the Earth could enhance the chance of exposure to radon while gases in the underground get access to escape. This study was aimed to assess the level of radon concentration from soil samples of quarrying sites at Hakim Gara in Ethiopia using CR-39 detectors in sealed container technique. The results of the measured radon concentration level were ranging from 164.

Bayesian source apportionment and eco-probabilistic risk assessment of aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from the offshore area between the Deep Water Tano and West Cape three points blocks, Ghana.

This study investigates aliphatic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in sediments from offshore Ghana, focusing on their distribution, sources, and ecological risk. Samples were collected from 15 sites near Deep Water Tano and West Cape Three Points blocks. GC-FID and GC-MS analyses revealed higher concentrations in West Cape Three Points compared to Deep Water Tano.

Geochemical exploration for tantalum in coltan-rich pegmatites at Bewadze-Mankoadze area of the Kibi-Winneba Belt, southern Ghana: Constraints from exploratory data analysis.

The Bewadze-Mankoadze pegmatites in the Kibi-Winneba Belt of Ghana host several columbite group minerals (WGM) and wodginite group minerals (WGM) as well as other rare and radioactive elements such as uraninite and cesium. In this study, petrographic studies of rock samples from pegmatite outcrops and statistical analysis of the major and minor elements were conducted to identify the pathfinder elements of a new tantalum deposit in the area. Ten samples were obtained from each town for whole-rock geochemistry and thin sections were prepared from some of the samples taken for petrographic analysis.

Effect of gamma irradiation on proliferation and growth of friable embryogenic callus and nodal cuttings of ugandan cassava genotypes.

Cassava () production and productivity in Africa is affected by two viral diseases; cassava mosaic disease (CMD) and cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). Induced mutagenesis of totipotent/embryogenic tissues or plant material can lead to the generation of CMD and/or CBSD tolerant mutants. To massively produce non-chimeric plants timely and with less labor, totipotent cells or tissues are a pre-requisite.

Radiological impact assessment of natural radioactivity in soil and water in Cape Coast North, Central Region of Ghana.

The objective of the study is to evaluate natural radioactivity and its radiological impact on the health of the populace within Cape Coast North. Soil and water samples were taken and analysed using a high purity germanium (HPGe) detector. Results for the average activity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40K in soil samples range from 15.

Evaluation of groundwater quality in communities near Sokoban Wood Village.

Groundwater is vital for drinking, agriculture, and domestic use in Sokoban Wood Village, Ghana, but concerns exist about its quality. This study assessed the suitability of 20 groundwater samples for domestic purposes. The study was carried out in 2023.

Reduction in mycotoxin levels of African nutmeg () powder using a high-energy electron beam.

This study investigated the role of irradiation with a high-energy electron beam in reducing mycotoxin levels of African nutmeg powder (ANP) samples. African nutmeg was procured from a local market in Accra, Ghana, cleaned, milled, packaged and irradiated using electrons of energy 9 MeV at doses of 2, 4, 6 and 8 kGy. Un-irradiated ANP served as a control.

Multicenter, international study of CT practices and radiation doses from 10 African countries: An International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) baseline study.

Purpose: The objective of our IAEA-coordinated international study was to assess CT practices and radiation doses from multiple hospitals across several African countries.

Methods: The study included 13 hospitals from Africa which contributed information on minimum of 20 consecutive patients who underwent head, chest, and/or abdomen-pelvis CT. Prior to the data recording step, all hospitals had a mandatory one-hour training on the best practices in recording the relevant data elements.

Nutritional and toxicological assessment of leaves and Tubaani food samples: a preliminary investigation.

Tubaani is a local delicacy prepared with leaves. The leaves may contain trace/heavy metals and important phytonutrients that could impact consumers' health. Concerns over the nutritional and toxicological implications of leaves are critical.

The effect of soil types, pH, and geographical locations on carcinogenic metal buildup in Oryza sativa cultivated in Ghana.

This study investigated the impact of soil type, pH, and geographical locations on the accumulation of arsenic (As), lead (Pb), and cadmium (Cd) in rice grains cultivated in Ghana. One hundred rice farms for the sampling of rice grains and soil were selected from two regions in Ghana-Volta and Oti. The concentrations of As, Pb, and Cd were analyzed using ICP-OES.

Deciphering groundwater pollution in the Lower Anayari Catchment: insights from using δH, δO, PMF, and APCS-MLR receptor model.

This research provides a comprehensive analysis of groundwater pollution in the Lower Anayari Catchment (LAC) through δH and δO isotopic analysis, along with positive matrix factorization (PMF) and PCS-MLR receptor models. Forty groundwater samples were collected from hand-dug wells and equipped boreholes across the LAC. Flame photometry for Na and K, complexometric titration for Ca, ion chromatography for Cl, F, NO, SO, and PO, and atomic absorption spectrometry for Mg, Fe, Pb, Cd, As, and Ni were analytical techniques/instruments employed.

Assessment of indoor radon distribution and seasonal variation within the Kpando Municipality of Volta Region, Ghana.

This study uses CR-39 radon detectors to examine radon distributions, seasonal indoor radon variations, correction factors, and the influence of building materials and characteristics on indoor radon concentration in 120 dwellings. The study also determines the spatial distribution of radon levels using the ArcGIS geostatistical method. Radon detectors were exposed in bedrooms from April to July (RS), August to November (DS); December to March (HS), and January-December (YS) from 2021 to 2022.

assessment of crude oil degradation by and isolated from the coast of Ghana.

This study was aimed at using microcosm experiments to assess crude oil degradation efficiency of and isolated along Ghana's coast. Uncontaminated seawater from selected locations along the coast was used to isolate bacterial species by employing enrichment culture procedures with crude oil as the only carbon source. The isolates were identified by means of the extended direct colony transfer method of the Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectroscopy (MALDI-TOF MS), as , and .

Ecotoxicity of heavy metals in soil around long-term e-waste recycling sites in Tema and Ashaiman areas of Ghana.

The effect of e-waste recycling activities on the prevalence of metals (Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and a metalloid (As) in soil was assessed for four e-waste sites in Ghana. Samples of top- and subsoil were collected from dismantling and burning sections, and the prevalence and the distribution of selected metals were determined using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations of the metals analyzed were above the background concentrations except for Cd, which was detected at a comparable level to the background levels.

Assessment of the Impact of Turbo Factor on Image Quality and Tissue Volumetrics in Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using the Three-Dimensional T1-Weighted (3D T1W) Sequence.

Background: The 3D T1W turbo field echo sequence is a standard imaging method for acquiring high-contrast images of the brain. However, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) can be affected by the turbo factor, which could affect the delineation and segmentation of various structures in the brain and may consequently lead to misdiagnosis. This study is aimed at evaluating the effect of the turbo factor on image quality and volumetric measurement reproducibility in brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Ecological and human health risk assessment of potentially toxic elements in water and soils within a crude oil waste management facility, Southwestern Ghana.

Crude oil waste management is challenging due to the diverse constituents of the waste and its consequent impact on valued environmental receptors (water and soil). Characterization of the potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils and water within the surroundings of crude oil waste management facility is imperative, to aid evaluation of potential risks. The study assessed the potential environmental and human health risks posed by PTEs in soil and water from surroundings and adjoining settlement communities.

Evaluation of organ and effective doses using anthropomorphic phantom: A comparison between experimental measurement and a commercial dose calculator.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to experimentally measure organ doses for computed tomography (CT) procedures using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) on a RANDO anthropomorphic phantom and verify the measured doses using CT-Expo software.

Methods: The phantom was irradiated using clinical CT scan protocols routinely used for specific procedures in the radiology department. Fifty TLD chips were used in this study.

Evaluation of calibration factors of digital survey meters in a secondary standard dosimetry laboratory.

The calibration of radiological survey meters is an important consideration in achieving standardisation of doses. This provides traceability for field instruments to an International System of Units. Seventy-one digital survey meters were calibrated by the substitution method in a 137Cs beam in a secondary standard dosimetry laboratory using a PTW spherical ionisation chamber coupled to a Physikalisch-Technische-Werkstaetten (PTW) UNIDOS Electrometer.

Assessment of natural radioactivity, radon gas and soil characteristics along the Volta Lake in the Kpando municipality of Volta region, Ghana.

Assessment of radionuclides, indoor radon (222RnI), radon exhalation (222Rnex), and soil characteristics in the coastal part of Kpando has been studied using HPGe, CR-39 and sieving techniques. Statistical analysis between radionuclides, radon levels and soil characteristics was done using Pearson's correlation. The mean radionuclide concentration, radon levels and soil characteristics were obtained as 226Ra (23.

Assessment of natural radioactivity and associated radiological risks from soils of Hakim Gara quarry sites in Ethiopia.

One of the ways of minimizing radiation risks to workers and the public is assessing potential sites that are suspected of producing radiation. Among such locations, quarry sites stand out because areas of granite and other rocks, especially those of uranium family potentially have high concentrations of radiation. This study was aimed to assess one such quarry sites (Hakim Gara site), located near Harar town, Harari region-Ethiopia.

A comparative review of the mineralogical and chemical composition of African major bauxite deposits.

Bauxite, which is the main raw material that aluminium is extracted from was discovered in Africa in the early 1900s. Currently, the production and export capacities of the African Bauxite ore are about a third of the World's total capacity. However, the processes leading to the final finished product of; surface mining of the ore, refining ore into alumina and finally extracting the pure aluminium metal in high energy consuming smelters that employ the Hall-Héroult electrolysis process; seldom take place inside Africa.

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.

Patient skin dose measurement and risk of deterministic effect during fluoroscopy cardiac procedures.

This study aimed at assessing patient's peak skin doses (PSD) during fluoroscopy cardiac procedures and proposed a look up table to enhance patient's dose management. Perspex phantom and thermoluminescent dosemeters (TLD) were irradiated for different dose levels with X-ray equipment (Philips Azurion 7). It was found that PSD measures were higher than the kerma at the interventional reference point [K (IRP)] reported with factors 1.