The aim of this study was to investigate the inter-fraction variations, patient comfort and knowledge at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). The differences in set-up that occurred between treatme...The aim of this study was to investigate the inter-fraction variations, patient comfort and knowledge at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). The differences in set-up that occurred between treatment sessions for the left sided breast patients were observed and recorded. Measurements of routine set-up variation for 24 patients were performed by matching the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the planning computed tomography (CT). Scans of all five fractions per patient were used to quantify the setup variations with standard deviation (SD) in all the three directions (anterior posterior, left right, and superior inferior). The patients DIBH comfort and knowledge was also evaluated. The average translational errors for the anterior posterior (AP, z), left-right (LR, x), and Superior-inferior (SI, y) directions were 0.40 cm, 0.40 cm, and 0.40 cm, respectively. The translation variation of the three directions showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). On comfort and knowledge investigation, among all participants, 80% moderately agreed that the therapist’s instructions for operating the deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) technique were easy to understand, and 63.33% indicated that their comfort with the DIBH technique was neutral or average. The inter-fraction variations in patients with left-sided breast cancer were qualitatively analyzed. Significant shifts between CBCT and planning CT images were observed. The daily treatment verification could assist accurate dose delivery.展开更多
A study was carried out to assess the heavy metal and radionuclide concentrations of water from the waste water treatment plant in Mafikeng Local Municipality. Ten water samples were collected from various stages of w...A study was carried out to assess the heavy metal and radionuclide concentrations of water from the waste water treatment plant in Mafikeng Local Municipality. Ten water samples were collected from various stages of water treatment (n = 2 per stage) which included sewage delivered to the plant, the two treatment stages, the effluent and the community water. Samples were analyzed for heavy metal content using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. Gross α/β activity concentrations in water samples were evaluated by Liquid Scintillation Counting whereas the concentration of individual radionuclides was measured by gamma spectroscopy. The results showed marked reduction in the levels of heavy metal concentration from 3 μg/L (As) - 670 μg/L (Na) in sewage into the plant to 2 μg/L (As) - 170 μg/L (Fe) in the effluent. The gross α activity in all the water samples (7.7 - 8.02 Bq/L) exceeded the 0.1 Bq/L limit set by World Health Organization (WHO). Gamma spectroscopy revealed very high concentrations of <sup>235</sup>U and <sup>226</sup>Ra in water samples, with the lowest concentrations (9.35 and 5.44 Bq/L, respectively) in the in-coming sewage and highest concentrations (73.8 and 47 Bq/L, respectively) in the community water. All the values were considerably higher than the limits of South Africa Target Water Quality Range and WHO. However, the estimated total doses of the two radionuclides for the analyzed water samples (10.62 - 45.40 μSv·yr<sup>-1</sup>) were all well below the reference level of the committed effective dose of 100 μSv·yr<sup>-1</sup> recommended by WHO.展开更多
Source apportionment studies are useful in understanding sources of pollution and can be used in health risk assessments to evaluate the human health impacts from air pollutants. This study reviewed and analysed avail...Source apportionment studies are useful in understanding sources of pollution and can be used in health risk assessments to evaluate the human health impacts from air pollutants. This study reviewed and analysed available source apportionment studies of air particulate in South Africa in October 2016. Searches were performed using different databases for peer reviewed articles including Google scholar, Scopus, EbscoHost, Science Direct and National Research Foundation database. Source categories were identified and these varied depending on the sites where the research was conducted (rural, urban or remote) but biomass burning dominated. A total of 35 source apportionment records were found with the majority of studies in urban areas (60%) while industrial sites had the least number of records (17.1%). The period 2011-2016 had the highest number of records while 1990-1995 had only three publicly available studies. There is limited research on source apportionment studies of air particulate in South Africa, calling for more research in this area.展开更多
文摘The aim of this study was to investigate the inter-fraction variations, patient comfort and knowledge at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). The differences in set-up that occurred between treatment sessions for the left sided breast patients were observed and recorded. Measurements of routine set-up variation for 24 patients were performed by matching the cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the planning computed tomography (CT). Scans of all five fractions per patient were used to quantify the setup variations with standard deviation (SD) in all the three directions (anterior posterior, left right, and superior inferior). The patients DIBH comfort and knowledge was also evaluated. The average translational errors for the anterior posterior (AP, z), left-right (LR, x), and Superior-inferior (SI, y) directions were 0.40 cm, 0.40 cm, and 0.40 cm, respectively. The translation variation of the three directions showed statistical significance (P < 0.05). On comfort and knowledge investigation, among all participants, 80% moderately agreed that the therapist’s instructions for operating the deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) technique were easy to understand, and 63.33% indicated that their comfort with the DIBH technique was neutral or average. The inter-fraction variations in patients with left-sided breast cancer were qualitatively analyzed. Significant shifts between CBCT and planning CT images were observed. The daily treatment verification could assist accurate dose delivery.
文摘A study was carried out to assess the heavy metal and radionuclide concentrations of water from the waste water treatment plant in Mafikeng Local Municipality. Ten water samples were collected from various stages of water treatment (n = 2 per stage) which included sewage delivered to the plant, the two treatment stages, the effluent and the community water. Samples were analyzed for heavy metal content using Inductive Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer. Gross α/β activity concentrations in water samples were evaluated by Liquid Scintillation Counting whereas the concentration of individual radionuclides was measured by gamma spectroscopy. The results showed marked reduction in the levels of heavy metal concentration from 3 μg/L (As) - 670 μg/L (Na) in sewage into the plant to 2 μg/L (As) - 170 μg/L (Fe) in the effluent. The gross α activity in all the water samples (7.7 - 8.02 Bq/L) exceeded the 0.1 Bq/L limit set by World Health Organization (WHO). Gamma spectroscopy revealed very high concentrations of <sup>235</sup>U and <sup>226</sup>Ra in water samples, with the lowest concentrations (9.35 and 5.44 Bq/L, respectively) in the in-coming sewage and highest concentrations (73.8 and 47 Bq/L, respectively) in the community water. All the values were considerably higher than the limits of South Africa Target Water Quality Range and WHO. However, the estimated total doses of the two radionuclides for the analyzed water samples (10.62 - 45.40 μSv·yr<sup>-1</sup>) were all well below the reference level of the committed effective dose of 100 μSv·yr<sup>-1</sup> recommended by WHO.
文摘Source apportionment studies are useful in understanding sources of pollution and can be used in health risk assessments to evaluate the human health impacts from air pollutants. This study reviewed and analysed available source apportionment studies of air particulate in South Africa in October 2016. Searches were performed using different databases for peer reviewed articles including Google scholar, Scopus, EbscoHost, Science Direct and National Research Foundation database. Source categories were identified and these varied depending on the sites where the research was conducted (rural, urban or remote) but biomass burning dominated. A total of 35 source apportionment records were found with the majority of studies in urban areas (60%) while industrial sites had the least number of records (17.1%). The period 2011-2016 had the highest number of records while 1990-1995 had only three publicly available studies. There is limited research on source apportionment studies of air particulate in South Africa, calling for more research in this area.
