Method of fitting radiation dose-effect curves with Excel software

  Objective  To explore the method of fitting radiation dose-effect curves with Excel software.

  Methods  Based on the principles of the least-squares method and maximum-likelihood method, a data-input method was established in Excel, and a data processing formula was designed. Four commonly used radiation dose-effect curves were fitted using the least-squares method, and a quadratic polynomial curve was fitted using the maximum-likelihood method. The obtained results were compared with the curves fitted using the SPSS software and CABAS methods, or with the verified examples of dose-response curve fitting in authoritative references, to evaluate the difference between the curves fitted by the least- squares method and the maximum-likelihood method in the application of dose estimation.

  Results  Four commonly used radiation dose-effect curves were successfully established with Excel software by the least-squares method, and their parameters were consistent with the curves fitted by using SPSS software; the quadratic polynomial curve established with Excel software by the maximum-likelihood method was consistent with the curve fitted by CABAS software; the parameters of curve fitting were the same as those of the examples in the reference.

  Conclusions  Excel software can be used to fit and establish a radiation biological dose effect curve, which is convenient for biological dose estimation in the laboratory, especially for the estimation of large batches of samples.