Bismuth Oxide Nanoparticle-Enhanced Poly(methyl methacrylate) Composites for I-131 Radiation Shielding: A Combined Simulation and Experimental Investigation

Polymers, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 17(5), P. 590 - 590

Published: Feb. 23, 2025

This study investigates the development of advanced radiation shielding materials incorporating bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) into polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) composites, comparing efficacy against I-131 gamma radiation. The NPs exhibit a 1.53-fold reduction in z-average diameter and significantly higher surface area than Bi2O3, ensuring superior dispersion structural uniformity within PMMA matrix. These characteristics, validated through SEM, EDX, XRD analyses, contribute to enhanced attenuation, leveraging high atomic number density Bi2O3. Mechanical evaluations reveal that increasing Bi2O3-NPs concentrations enhances ductility but reduces tensile strength, likely due nanoparticle agglomeration stress concentration. Radiation performance, assessed using XCOM Phy-X/PSD simulations, demonstrates direct correlation between Bi2O3 content attenuation efficiency. Notably, composites with 75% properties comparable to, or exceeding, those PbO2, achieving at reduced thicknesses across various photon interaction mechanisms. findings position NPs-enhanced as promising lightweight high-performance alternatives lead-based shields. By addressing toxicity environmental concerns associated lead, this work emphasizes potential high-Z nanomaterials advancing protection applications. highlights transformative approach designing safer more efficient solutions, contributing next generation materials.

Language: Английский

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Extended Reality in Applied Sciences Education: A Systematic Review

Applied Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(7), P. 4038 - 4038

Published: April 7, 2025

Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual (VR), and Mixed (MR) technologies—collectively known as Extended (XR)—have ushered in a new era of immersive interactive instruction applied sciences education. This systematic literature review aims to examine the application XR technologies across various scientific educational domains, evaluate their impact on learning outcomes, identify challenges hindering broader integration. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, search was conducted using Web Science, ScienceDirect, IEEE Xplore, focusing empirical studies published between 1 January 2010 November 2024, resulting inclusion 56 studies. Among these, 32 (53%) employed VR, 25 (42%) utilized AR, 3 (5%) adopted MR, with 4 exploring combined VR AR. The findings indicate that is primarily higher education settings, such universities graduate programs, whereas AR more prevalent primary secondary education; although MR less frequently used, it exhibits distinct advantages disciplines requiring high interactivity realism. Overall, each modality can enhance motivation, efficiency, immediate knowledge acquisition short-term interventions, while long-term implementation may contribute improved memory retention, increased learner confidence, sustained engagement. Despite persistent challenges—including equipment costs, spatial temporal constraints, small sample sizes, insufficient longitudinal evidence—these underscore transformative potential

Language: Английский

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Virtual reality-based training for radiopharmaceutical administration: development and educational effectiveness

PLoS ONE, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 20(3), P. e0321101 - e0321101

Published: March 31, 2025

In Japan, task shifting and sharing are promoted to reduce the workload of physicians. Radiological technologists have been assigned new responsibilities, such as securing venous access for radiopharmaceutical administration. This study aimed develop a prototype Virtual Reality (VR) training system that allows safe repeatable radiological technologists. Additionally, educational effectiveness VR was evaluated, concentration levels participants were assessed using multiple physiological indicators. Overall, 17 male 12 female (mean age 20.1 ± 0.9 years) enrolled in this classified into two groups—video-based immersive groups—both which simulated Concentration tension evaluated electroencephalography (EEG) data, salivary amylase levels, mood assessments. The multiple-choice cognitive test. Compared with resting alpha/beta ratio EEG (indicating relaxed concentration) significantly decreased by 19% video-based increased 40% groups (both p < 0.05). No significant difference observed between groups. test scores, 2.0 3.4 points groups, respectively; both (p However, no correlation found performance. Thus, promotes more concentrated state higher than VR. suggests participatory may be effective observational training. Further research should explore relationship evaluation medical skills.

Language: Английский

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Evaluation of Environmental Radiation Exposure and Algorithms for Determining the Occupational Effective Dose During 99mTc-MDP Bone Scintigraphy: A Comprehensive Analysis

Applied Sciences, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 14(23), P. 11211 - 11211

Published: Dec. 2, 2024

This study evaluated the occupational exposure of radiopharmacists, nurses, radiological technologists, and technologist assistants involved in 99mTc-MDP bone scintigraphy procedures. Actual effective doses for individual staff needed ascertaining. An environmental radiation audit revealed all nuclear medicine areas were compliant with ICRP IAEA guidelines. To ascertain doses, they recorded by OSL badges. The highest was to Hp(0.07) 2.19 µSv during radiolabeling. nurse administering a dose 0.27 at Hp(0.07), 26.01% total dose. assistant receive 73.05% However, received positioning patients SPECT/CT scans, an 32.03 µSv. Single double dosimetry estimate algorithms evaluated, resulting being more accurate. Padovani et al. algorithm found most closely align actual values (p > 0.05), thereby validating measurement methods used this study. research offers benchmark applicable audits continuous effort enhance safety personnel scintigraphy.

Language: Английский

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Professional Satisfaction Among Students and Graduates from KAU Radiologic Sciences Program on Nuclear Medicine Technique Courses

Saudi Journal of Radiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 3(RSSA), P. 76 - 88

Published: Dec. 11, 2024

Introduction: Nuclear medicine (NM) technologists must remain current with the latest advancements in radiopharmaceuticals, procedures, and diagnostic techniques. Therefore, educational programs evolve to adequately prepare students both theoretically practically for their future careers. Gathering student feedback is essential enhancing course quality ensuring high levels of satisfaction. Aim Objectives: This study aimed evaluate students’ perceptions NM technique courses King Abdulaziz University’s (KAU) Radiologic Sciences program. It focused on improving learning experience assessing effectiveness these preparing a career licensure examinations. Methods: An online survey was distributed graduates KAU BSc program, targeting those third year beyond. The survey, developed using Google Forms, included 15 questions demographics professional Results: 46 participants, 56.5% whom were female. Over 60% rated theoretical content as excellent or good, indicating positive perception. However, more than 50% practical sessions average, poor, very suggesting need improvement. may correlate over feeling only average poorly prepared NM. Interest modality master’s program low, 8.7% expressing interest compared higher magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, 41.3% showing little no pursuing degree. Regarding Saudi Commission Health Specialties (SCFHS) exam preparation, selected “not applicable,” that they had not taken SCFHS exam. In contrast, 21.8% effective, while 21.7% them below. Overall, reported satisfaction courses. Conclusion: Students satisfied content, but components Many felt NM, likely due limited hands-on experience, which contribute low careers postgraduate degrees. To enhance opportunities should be integrated into curriculum. A follow-up assess impact changes

Language: Английский

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