Galle- Sri Lanka visiting season

In Galle, the year starts with fantastic weather, yet while the annual literature festival is taking a break this year, January is still the best time to visit. Located on the south-western tip of Sri Lanka, Galle’s old town offers an insight into the country’s chequered colonial past, thanks to its well-preserved Portuguese and Dutch architecture, cobbled streets and grass-covered fort. Stay in one of the old town’s affordable but beautiful boutique hotels, such as the historic Galle Fort Hotel, a restored former gem merchant’s mansion. Galle Fort’s winding streets are also home to the city’s burgeoning dining scene – check out the Serendipity Arts Café for great coffees and pastries alongside cool decor and music, or Mama’s rooftop eatery for tasty Sri Lankan curries. For unusual souvenirs, try The Church Street Gallery for vintage Bollywood and Ceylon movie posters.

Also visit: The dry season runs from December to March. There is also a world music festival in March.

Best for? Boutique luxury travellers. 

Bucharest, Romania tourism season

With average temperatures topping 20˚C, the warm, pleasant weather makes August a great time of year to explore the city’s historic, cobbled streets, cafés, museums and galleries on foot. With its rich, turbulent history, Romania’s capital is a fascinating city of architectural contrasts, with austere Communist structures sitting alongside neo-classical buildings and medieval churches. A vibrant university town, the city also has thriving nightlife along with numerous cultural attractions. Climb the top of the Arch of Triumph for panoramic views of the city. Visit the Royal Palace, the neoclassical home to the Romanian royal family, which now houses the National Art Museum, and don’t miss the Lipscani District. Littered with art galleries, coffee shops and antique shops, the cobbled streets of the old town are perfect if you’re looking for a taste of historical Bucharest.

Also visit: In May, for the Bucharest International Music Fest (‘Europa Fest’), where more than 300 musicians from 40 countries will be performing.

Best for: Perfect for those interested in art, history and politics. 

Istanbul :Turkish capital’s tourist season

Falling at the tail end of the Turkish capital’s tourist season, October offers sightseeing-friendly temperatures of around 17°C – by skipping both the stifling heat and heaving crowds of the summer months, you’ll find most budget hotels eager to offer well-reduced rates. October is also a prime time for culture buffs, with the city hosting the respected Akbank Jazz Festival (the dates are yet to be decided) and the biannual Istanbul Biennial art festival (September 14- November 10). Sitting on the edge of Europe and Asia, Istanbul truly epitomises the oft-used phrase ‘where east meets west’, with Arabic traditions and glitzy globalisation dancing down the same bustling souk streets. Istanbul boasts more architectural gems than we can list, but start at the top with the Blue Mosque and go from there. We’d recommended skipping the big hotel brands and heading to the lively Sultanahmet district for cheaper accommodation and a more relaxed vibe. When you do head into the modern commercial centre, explore the side streets off Istiklal Avenue for more authentic, independent venues. And be sure to try the Bursa kebab, a local delicacy that originates from the neighbouring city of the same name. Getting to Istanbul is also easier than ever thanks to the new direct flights launched recently by Pegasus Airlines.

Also visit: The weather in May is also pleasant.

Best for: Couples who want more from a city break. 

Sudan tourism season

Sudan 
Sudan is an ancient, diverse nation entwined with both a rich African and Arab heritage. Though a long history of war and conflict in this region has, until now, made the country a no-go for tourists, an end to much of the discord and the separation of North and South Sudan should attract more visitors in the future. Sudan is also home to many asylum seekers from other African nations, offering plenty of opportunities to give back while visiting through volunteer work. The Valentino Achak Deng Foundation (www.valentinoachakdeng.org) offers volunteer opportunities in South Sudan, and Women for Women International (www.womenforwomen.org) operates community development programmes geared to help women in the south. Khartoum’s National Museum and nearby Tuti Island are major attractions. Caution ought to still be paid and visitors should avoid the Darfur region. Most tourists need a visa and must register upon entering the country, which most hotels are able to assist with. 


Also visit: The late autumn and winter months are a good time to visit, when the temperature drops and there is little rain. 
Best for: Adventure and charitable tourism. 

Tbilisi- Georgia world tour

The climate in Tbilisi ranges from humid and subtropical to mild and continental, although the evenings can be chilly throughout the year. In September the weather reaches a comfortable compromise between warmth and rainfall. . The Georgian capital is an ancient settlement, considered to be one of the oldest cities in the world, and it’s both historic and picturesque. There are many cultural sites to keep visitors occupied, including museums that showcase everything from art to puppetry. Don’t miss Tiflis Avenue (a gallery displaying the work of Georgian artists), the botanic garden, the charming art nouveau architecture of the old quarter and the ancient Narikala Fortress. The city takes its name from the hot sulphur springs, making the sulphur baths a must-do – relax in the small pools, or enjoy a massage. But watch out for negotiated prices for massages being hiked after the treatment has taken place – not a very 

Also visit: From July to October. 
Best for: Culture fans who want to explore a gem before the crowds arrive. 

Mysterious Pink Lake in Australia

Then there is the mysterious bright pink Lake Hiller in Western Australia. Its startling colour remains a mystery and while scientists have proven it's not due to the presence of algae, unlike the other salt lakes down under, they still can't explain why it's pink.

Mysterious Pink Lake in Australia

Childhood cancer development orvmalformation for various radiation exposures during pregnancy

Probability of birthing healthy children with no malformation or subsequent childhood cancer development for various radiation exposures during pregnancy (Adapted from Wagner, et. al. 1982 and 1997).

Dose to Conceptus (mGy)	Child with No Malformation (Percentage)	Child Will NOT Develop Cancer (Percentage)	Child Will NOT Develop Cancer or Have a Malformation (Percentage)
0	96	99.93	95.93
0.5	95.999	99.926	95.928
1.0	95.998	99.921	95.922
2.5	95.995	99.908	95.91
5.0	95.99	99.89	95.88
10.0	95.98	99.84	95.83
50.0	95.90	99.51	95.43
100.0	95.80	99.07	94.91

General principles of ALARA

The guiding principles for radiation protection in medicine are:

1. Justification: The exam must be medically indicated.
2. Optimization: The exam must be performed using doses that are As Low As ReasonablyAchievable (ALARA), consistent with the diagnostic task.
3. Limitation: While dose levels to occupationally exposed individuals (i.e. the radiologist or technologist) are limited to levels recommended by consensus organizations, limits are not typical for medically-necessary exams or procedures.

Radiation Doses at Which Clear Evidence of Cancer Risks Is Shown

 For x- or γ-rays, good evidence of an increase in risk for cancer is shown at acute doses >50 mSv, and reasonable evidence for an increase in some cancer risks at doses above ≈5 mSv. As expected from basic radiobiology , the doses above which statistically significant risks are seen are somewhat higher for protracted exposures than for acute exposures; specifically, good evidence of an increase in some cancer risks is shown for protracted doses >100 mSv, and reasonable evidence for an increase in cancer risk at protracted doses above ≈50 mSv.

It seems unlikely that we will be able to directly estimate risks at significantly lower doses than these because of the practical limits of epidemiology discussed above. Of course, the fact that risks cannot be directly estimated at doses below, say, 5 mSv, does not imply any conclusion as to whether risks actually exist at these lower doses. As we discuss below, at lower doses inferences with regard to risk need to be based on understanding underlying mechanisms.

Radiation-induced Thyroid Cancer

• 
  Incidence increases with doses of thyroidal irradiation from 6.5–1,500 rad (higher doses are associated with hypothyroidism)

Peak occurrence:

5–30 (up to 50) years post irradiation

• Thyroid abnormalities in 20%:
  • (a) in 14% adenomatous hyperplasia, follicular adenoma, colloid nodules, thyroiditis
  • (b) in 6% thyroid cancer
• Nondetectable microscopic foci of cancer in 25% of patients operated on for benign disease!
• In patients with multiple cold nodules frequency of cancer is 40%