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Background/Objective: This study evaluates the mean glandular dose (MGD) in mammography screening for women aged 40–69 in Dubai, based on a retrospective analysis of a dose survey involving 2599 participants. Methods: MGD was calculated using the Dance formula. Results: The average MGD was 0.96 ± 0.39 mGy for mediolateral oblique (MLO) views and 0.81 ± 0.33 mGy for craniocaudal (CC) views. Weak inverse correlations were found between age and organ dose (OD) for both views, while a direct relationship was observed between breast thickness and entrance skin dose (ESD). In adjusted models, ESD was strongly associated with MGD (β = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.09), while OD showed a moderate association (β = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.49). Significant variations in ESD, OD, and MGD were noted across age groups and breast thicknesses. Conclusions: Lower MGD indicates reduced radiation exposure risk, while higher MGD in MLO views suggests improved imaging quality. Monitoring and optimizing MGD are essential for enhancing patient safety and screening efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a key water source for urban landscape entertainment and miscellaneous municipal uses, the reuse safety of reclaimed water has attracted much attention. Given the deficiencies in the current research on bacterial aerosol-related risks, this study conducted systematic research on the spatial distribution law of bacterial aerosols in spraying environments and the exposure characteristics of various populations through simulated spraying experiments and population surveys, and on this basis, quantitatively evaluated the inhalation risk of bacterial aerosols. Results indicated that the concentration of bacterial aerosols in the spatial position within the water source and their residence time at different positions were related to the bacterial concentration of the sprayed water source. Specifically, the concentration of bacterial aerosols and the atomization factor decreased with the increase in the horizontal distance from the nozzle, and reached a saturated state at the eighth minute after the nozzle started spraying. At a height of 1.5 m, and at distances of 1 m, 2 m, 3 m, and 4 m from the nozzle, the atomization coefficients (mL water/m3 air) were 30.25, 8.52, 0.81, and 1.33 × 10−3, respectively. However, the particle size distribution of bacterial aerosols in space was independent of the bacterial concentration in the water source. The peak particle size of bacterial aerosols was between 2.1 and 4.7 µm, and its concentration accounts for more than 50%. Based on the above results, the exposure characteristics of the instantaneous contact time of the crowd exposed to the spray water of park lawn irrigation and the spray water of sprinklers on roads were obtained through simulated shooting experiments. Results showed that under the same environment, when people were exposed to the spray of park lawn irrigation and the spray of sprinklers on roads, the health risk of a single inhalation was relatively high. The single health risk of the crowd manifested as follows: adult males > adult females > children; however, none of them exceed the acceptable risk level of 10−3. The research findings of this paper can provide a scientific basis for the safe reuse of reclaimed water [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Technological differences between computed radiography (CR) and digital radiography (DR) systems can influence patient doses and exposure parameters in pelvic x-ray examinations. The presence of radiosensitive organs in the pelvic region underscores the need to optimize these parameters for both CR and DR systems. This prospective study aimed to compare the patient doses and exposure parameters for adult patients undergoing pelvic x-ray examinations using CR and DR systems, based on data from Sri Lanka. The study included data from 56 x-ray examinations, with 25 using CR and 31 using DR. Patient demographic characteristics and exposure parameters (kVp: kilovoltage peak, mAs: tube current-exposure time product) were recorded, and patient doses were measured in terms of the kerma-area product (PKA) using a PKA meter. Despite similar mean weight and body mass index (BMI), the CR systems showed significantly higher mean kVp (7.4%), mAs (16.4%), and PKA (29.7%) than the DR systems (CR - kVp: 73.2, mAs: 37.8, PKA: 2.29 Gy cm2; DR - kVp: 67.8, mAs: 31.6, PKA: 1.61 Gy cm2). The Mann-Whitney U test revealed statistically significant differences in PKA and kVp between the CR and DR systems (p < 0.05). Furthermore, even with lower patient weight and BMI, the mean mAs and PKA in this study were substantially higher than those reported in the literature for both CR and DR systems. These results suggest the need to optimize current mAs settings for the studied hospitals and introduce radiographic system-specific exposure parameters and reference dose levels for pelvic x-ray examinations in order to enhance patient protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objective: This study evaluates the mean glandular dose (MGD) in mammography screening for women aged 40–69 in Dubai, based on a retrospective analysis of a dose survey involving 2599 participants. Methods: MGD was calculated using the Dance formula. Results: The average MGD was 0.96 ± 0.39 mGy for mediolateral oblique (MLO) views and 0.81 ± 0.33 mGy for craniocaudal (CC) views. Weak inverse correlations were found between age and organ dose (OD) for both views, while a direct relationship was observed between breast thickness and entrance skin dose (ESD). In adjusted models, ESD was strongly associated with MGD (β = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.97, 1.09), while OD showed a moderate association (β = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.40, 0.49). Significant variations in ESD, OD, and MGD were noted across age groups and breast thicknesses. Conclusions: Lower MGD indicates reduced radiation exposure risk, while higher MGD in MLO views suggests improved imaging quality. Monitoring and optimizing MGD are essential for enhancing patient safety and screening efficacy.

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The popularity of additively manufacturing polymers using the powder bed fusion technique, particularly polymer laser sintering has seen an unprecedented increase. As a result, numerous studies have been conducted to determine the impact of different process parameters on the physical and mechanical properties of printed parts. In addition, extensive work has also been done to optimise the process parameters to ensure that printed parts possess high qualities. However, most of these studies have only focused on the static mechanical and physical properties. In this regard, the current study aims to determine the best exposure parameters for Diapow PP MF polypropylene for different dynamic mechanical properties. It was established that the loss and storage moduli of the Diapow PP MF polypropylene material might both be subject to the volumetric laser energy density. The best process parameter set of laser power, scanning speed, layer thickness, and hatch distance for Diapow PP MF to produce printed parts with low damping and high static load carrying capacity, the respective best process parameter set is 32.9 W, 3000 mm/s, 0.15 mm, and 0.25 mm (laser energy density = 0.290 Jmm−3). Conversely, for high damping at room temperature, the respective best process parameter set is 32.9 W, 5000 mm/s, 0.15 mm, 0.25 mm (laser energy density = 0.146 Jmm−3) for laser power, scanning speed, layer thickness, and hatch distance, respectively.

The main challenge of modern land management is the need to increase the yield of cultivated crops, while maintaining quality, minimising total energy inputs into cultivation and minimising the negative impact on the environment. This is quite possible if we have healthy seeds characterised, first of all, by improved sowing qualities. In order to realise the mentioned approaches, it is possible to use seed preparation for sowing, using for this purpose various electrophysical effects, including treatment of seed material in the electric field of high voltage. The purpose of the presented article is to analyse the results obtained to study the process of treatment of cereal seeds before sowing in the electric field of constant and alternating high voltage, as well as the electric field of pulsed high-voltage discharges. A universal experimental laboratory setup was assembled for the research. According to the results of the experiments, there was a clear dependence of the speed and friendliness of germination of winter triticale and barley seeds on the effects of electrical nature on them. Efficiency of such influences is also shown in plant protection against various pests, so against bread fleas and meromysa it is treatment in the electric field of alternating high voltage with duration of 120 s, as well as against Swedish fly, but with duration of treatment of 60 s; against wheat thrips – in the electric field of constant high voltage with duration of 60 s. Besides optimisation of phytosanitary condition of crops, the stimulating effect of high voltage electric field on yield structure of cereal crops (winter barley and triticale) was revealed, as productivity increases, bushiness and more dense productive stalks are formed. Electrostimulation has a positive effect on such hard-to-regulate parameter as ear fineness – the total number of grains in the ear increases by 13.8…31.0%; the weight of 1000 grains slightly increases – by 3.0…6.2%; grain yield to total weight increases by 40.3…57.8%; positive effect on all elements of yield structure is traced.

The trace metals (TMs) accumulated in urban park soils can pose potential threats to human health, making the management of soil quality based on health risks critically important. Based on the human health risk assessment (HHRA) model coupled with Monte Carlo Simulation, this study improved the contaminated land exposure assessment (CLEA) model. Combined with local parameters, the Soil Environmental Criteria (SEC) for high-risk trace metals (TMs) in urban park soils were calculated. Results indicated that all the mean TCR (Total carcinogenic risk) values of seven TMs exceeded the risk threshold of 1E-06, suggesting a higher likelihood of carcinogenic risks for all populations. As and Cr presented the highest potential carcinogenic risks, and were identified as high-risk TMs in the study area. The traditional CLEA model was enhanced by incorporating region-specific data, optimizing exposure parameter calculations, and addressing parameter sensitivity and uncertainty. Using the improved CLEA model, the SEC values for high-risk TMs were calculated, revealing that the SEC values gradually increased from ages 1 to 18, while significantly decreased for individuals over 80 years old. This study effectively addresses issues of parameter uncertainty and sensitivity in the CLEA model, offering new insights for the development of soil environmental quality standards. [Display omitted] • Mean TCR values for all populations exceeded the carcinogenic risk threshold of 1E-06. • As and Cr were identified as high-risk TMs due to their carcinogenic risks. • ED and AF were identified as key exposure parameters for high-risk TMs. • The improved CLEA model addresses parameter sensitivity and uncertainty. • SEC values are listed in the order of adult males > adult females > children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To report average glandular dose (AGD) values for the Saudi breast cancer screening program and to examine the relationship between AGD with age and exposure parameters. Screening mammography of 187,788 exposures were collected. The AGD was calculated per exposure and considering each view (craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO)) separately. Spearman correlation, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were to test the difference existence in AGD across various age groups and inter- and intra-views (MLO and CC) in acquisition parameters. The mean AGD per projection was 1.45 mGy and most AGD falls between 1.3 and 1.5 mGy for both projections which are close in value to those reported to other countries. The participants have a mean age of 49 years. The mean values for the used exposure parameters were 135 N for compression force (CF), 58 mm for compressed breast thickness (CBT), 29 kVp, and 74 mAs. An inverse relation between AGD and age (r = −0.131, p < 0.001) was found. Additionally, AGD was also correlated with CBT (0.39, p < 0.001), and CF (−0.11, p < 0.001). ADG, CBT, CF, mAs, and kVp, were found to have statistically significant differences between CC and MLO (p = 0.001). The CF was the only parameter that had a significant difference between left and right MLOs (p = 0.016). We observed a trend of decreasing AGD with aging in the women of our population. We also noticed that AGD decreases with higher CFs and lower CBTs. A potential explanation for this is that the composition of the breast is changing (glandular tissue reduces) with aging, allowing more CF and thinner CBT leading to less absorbed AGD. • Mean AGD per projection was 1.45 mGy, with AGD falling between 1.3 and 1.5 mGy. • CF was the only parameter significantly different between left and right MLOs. • AGD correlated negatively with CF (−0.11, p < 0.001). • Strongest positive correlation reported between AGD and mAs (r = 0.89, p < 0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]