Level of Practical Skills in Personnel Dosimetry Monitoring and the Laboratory Experience with Different Types of TLD Readers

This study was carried out to analyze individual annual dose records of diagnostic radiology staff at forty-eight (48) different medical facilities in urban and rural Region of Ghana for the period of 2011-2015. The monitored dose data were extracted from the Radiation Protection Institute of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission’s database called the Dose Management System (DMS). The doses of these OEWs analyzed, are divided into four subgroups namely;general radiographers, radiologists, computed tomography (CT) technologists, fluoroscopy technologists. The dose distribution, collective dose and mean annual dose were determined. A total of 1574 OEWs were monitored comprising of 56% radiographers, 15% radiologist, 21% computed tomography (CT) technologists and 8% fluoroscopy technologists. The average annual effective dose ranged from 0.36 to 1.70 mSv with radiographers receiving the largest. Fluoroscopy technologist recorded the least annual total collective effective dose value of 0.1 person-Sv. The study contributes to the existing works to promote a more comprehensive personal monitoring service for OEWs. Continued analysis of occupational doses should be an integral component of institutional radiation safety programs in Ghana.

Body Mass Index and Percentage Body Fat Determination in Cancer Patients

Body Mass Index (BMI) and Percentage Body Fat (%BF) values have been determined in cancer patients. In the study, 83 adult cancer patients were assessed of which 15 (18.1%) were males and 68 (81.9%) females. Body weight and height of individual patients were used in calculating their respective BMI values. The respective %BF values were determined taking into consideration of the age, gender and BMI. Maximum values of BMI (34.71 kg/m2) and %BF (46.37%) were obtained, for which they were females and the minimum values of BMI (12.08 kg/m2) and %BF (12.35%) respectively. The patient with the minimum %BF value was male and that of BMI was female. It was observed from the results that females have higher values of both BMI and %BF than their male counterparts. The study reveals higher rate of female cancer incidence than males.

Scatter Radiation Dose Assessment in the Radiology Department of Cape Coast Teaching Hospital-Ghana

During the operation of an X-ray machine, if the radiation protection of X-ray room is insufficient, not only the patient but also clinical staffs as well as public are exposed to high X-ray exposures. In this research work, leakage and scattered radiations were measured from X-ray machine in the radiology department of Cape Coast Teaching hospital in the Cape Coast Municipality of Ghana. The scattered radiation exposures of X-rays in some selected areas within the facility were measured. The X-ray machine was operated for a range of kilo voltage peaks of kVp 77, 70, 63 and 66 with intensities 20, 6.3 and 8.0 mAs, which represents the main technique factors of some body parts such as chest, lumbar spine and extremities during radiographic examinations. The measurements were performed using a RADOS-120 Universal survey meter. The radiation doses rates measured in the various locations in the Radiology Department of Cape Coast Teaching Hospital of Ghana were in the range of 0.10 μSv/hr to 0.12 μSv/hr. These values were all within the background measurement of 0.10 μSv/hr. Moreover, there were no risks of high radiation doses to patients, staffs and people visiting the X-ray department. The results obtained indicated that within the radiology department of the Hospital, all the selected locations were very safe to patients, occupational workers and the general public which could be attributed to adequate shielding in the facility.

Neurophysiology of Philematology and Some Infectious Disease

The scientific studying of kissing is known as Philematology. This originates from the Greek word PHILOS in the ancient days meaning earthly. The study of kissing shows you what kissing means and its place in various cultures. (Lana Citron 2010, a Compendium of Kisses), and the difference between Simple Kiss versus Passionate kiss. In simple kisses only 2 muscles are involved. While in passionate kisses there may be about 23 - 34 facial muscles and 112 postural muscles involved. What you can tell from even the simplest of kisses. From the book I Love You. Now What? During kissing, a lot of chemical reactions take place in the brain and the body as a whole. The part of the brain in which these chemicals are secreted is the pituitary gland, where oxytocin, serotonin and dopamine are secreted. The oxytocin which is also sometimes referred to as the cuddle hormone or the love hormone aids in social bonding. It is produced in the hypothalamus and secreted into the bloodstream by the posterior pituitary gland. Oxytocin is released when the cells are excited. Oxytocin can also be referred to aid carbetocin, manufactured version, Pitocin, alpha-hypophamine and syntocinon. It is a team player in social behaviour and mother-infant bonding. The serotonin which is also known as a “happy hormone” is an important chemical and a neurotransmitter in the human body serves as a hormonal modulator that is serotonin aids regulating an individual kissing pattern, sleeping pattern, aggressive pattern, appetite and digestion pattern, memory and mood pattern and sexual pattern. Finally, the dopamine which is also known as a “happy hormone” is a monoamine neurotransmitter which belongs to the catecholamine family that is made up of epinephrine, norepinephrine and dopamine. This dopamine helps an individual to enjoy the act of kissing.