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Introduction The main purpose of this study was to determine the diagnostic reference level (DRL) for routine digital radiography examinations in Mazandaran province. Materials and methods Thirteen digital radiographic examinations at 18 high-patient-load radiography centres were investigated. The indirect dosimetry method was performed based on the IAEA report. Average entrance skin dose (ESD) and the third quartile of ESD as the DRL were evaluated from the measurement made by a semiconductor dosemeter. Results DRL for the examinations of digital radiography was obtained as: Skull (postero-anterior [PA]): 2.2, skull (lateral [LAT]): 2.4, cervical spine (antero-posterior [AP]): 1.6, cervical spine (LAT): 1.7, thoracic spine (AP): 3.6, thoracic spine (LAT): 9.9, lumbar spine (AP): 5.3, lumbar spine (LAT): 11.8, chest (PA): 1.4, chest (LAT): 2.1, abdomen (AP): 4.3, pelvis (AP): 3.2 and hip (AP): 2.1 mGy. Conclusion Although DRL was not higher compared with the international organisations’ levels, it can be reduced by adequate training of radiographers.

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Background: This study aims to show the impact of imbalanced data and the typical evaluation methods in developing and misleading assessments of machine learning-based models for preoperative thyroid nodules screening. Study design: A retrospective study. Methods: The ultrasonography features for 431 thyroid nodules cases were extracted from medical records of 313 patients in Babol, Iran. Since thyroid nodules are commonly benign, the relevant data are usually unbalanced in classes. It can lead to the bias of learning models toward the majority class. To solve it, a hybrid resampling method called the Smote-was used to creating balance data. Following that, the support vector classification (SVC) algorithm was trained by balance and unbalanced datasets as Models 2 and 3, respectively, in Python language programming. Their performance was then compared with the logistic regression model as Model 1 that fitted traditionally. Results: The prevalence of malignant nodules was obtained at 14% (n = 61). In addition, 87% of the patients in this study were women. However, there was no difference in the prevalence of malignancy for gender. Furthermore, the accuracy, area under the curve, and geometric mean values were estimated at 92.1%, 93.2%, and 76.8% for Model 1, 91.3%, 93%, and 77.6% for Model 2, and finally, 91%, 92.6% and 84.2% for Model 3, respectively. Similarly, the results identified Micro calcification, Taller than wide shape, as well as lack of ISO and hyperechogenicity features as the most effective malignant variables. Conclusion: Paying attention to data challenges, such as data imbalances, and using proper criteria measures can improve the performance of machine learning models for preoperative thyroid nodules screening.

Morphological, physicochemical, and mineralogical properties of Vertisols (Chromic Calcixererts, Typic Haploxererts, and Typic Calcixererts) influenced under farming practices and adjoining uncultivated soils were investigated in order to contribute to the understanding of changes derived by intensive cultivation (over five decades). The study revealed that A-horizon thickness enhanced from 20 cm in the uncultivated soil to 30 cm in the cultivated soil for Typic Haploxererts and Typic Calcixererts. Under cropping, calcium carbonate contents decreased (a drop of 10 to 53%) reflecting accelerated leaching and/or erosion by cultivation. For most of the studied soils, a pronounced depletion was recorded at values of soil organic carbon (23-64%), soluble cations (4-96%), and exchangeable cations (9-42%) after cropping. A considerable positive change in soil quality was observed with cultivation as recorded by a declining trend in soil electrical conductivity (a drop of 12 to 17%) and exchangeable sodium percentage (a drop of 9 to 12%). On average, the concentration of free and crystalline Fe oxides progressively increased for Chromic Calcixererts and Typic Calcixererts following intensive cultivation. Cropping operations considerably promoted the alteration of illite and chlorite minerals into expandable minerals linked with changes in soil physicochemical properties mainly the increase in cation exchange capacity. Land productivity index (LPI), evaluated based on parametric approach, suggested that Chromic Calcixererts and Typic Haploxererts highlighted a decreasing trend in LPI values (a drop of 5 to 7%) while Typic Calcixererts manifested an increasing pattern in the index (a rise of 13%) with long-term intensive cropping.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is a routine procedure for diagnosing using ionization radiation which has hazardous effects especially on sensitive organs. Objective:The aim of this study was to quantify the dose reduction effect of lead apron shielding on the testicular region during routine chest CT scans. Material and Methods:In this measurement study, the routine chest CT examinations were performed for 30 male patients with common lead aprons folded and positioned in testis regions. The patient's mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.2 ± 4.6 kg/m 2 . To calculate the doses at testis region, three thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100) were attached at the top surface of the apron as an indicator of the doses without shielding, and three TLDs under the apron for doses with shielding. The TLD readouts were compared using SPSS software (Wilcoxon test) version 16. Results:The radiation dose in the testicular regions was reduced from 0.46 ± 0.04 to 0.20 ± 0.04 mGy in the presence of lead apron shielding (p < 0.001), the reduction was equal to 56%. Furthermore, the heritable risk probability was obtained at 2.0 ×10 -5 % and 4.6 ×10 -5 % for the patients using the lead apron shield versus without shield, respectively. Conclusion:Applying common lead aprons as shielding in the testis regions of male patients undergoing chest CT scans can reduce the radiation doses significantly. Therefore, this shield can be recommended for routine chest CT examinations.