bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Developments regarding three-body reaction channels within the R-matrix formalism
Authors: Raab Benedikt , Srdinko Thomas , Leeb Helmut
Published: September 2020

At low incident energies of nucleon-induced reaction cross sections exhibit a striking resonance structure which cannot properly be described by (semi-) microscopic models. Usually R-matrix theory is applied which provides a sufficiently accurate but phenomenological description of the resonance region. However, standard R-matrix theory is only suited for two-particle channels. Three- and many-particle channels which may occur at rather low incident energies and are usually treated in approximative or effective way. In this contribution an extension to unequal masses of the R-matrix formulation of Glockle based on the Faddeev equation is performed and proper expressions for numerical implementation are given.
An evaluation of the alpha-cluster formation factor in (n, α) reactions
Authors: Khuukhenkhuu Gonchigdorj , Odsuren Myagmarjav , Gledenov Yury , Zhang Guohui , Batchimeg Battur , Munkhsaikhan Jargalsaikhan , Saikhanbayar Chinzorig , Sansarbayar Enkhbold , Sedysheva Milana
Published: September 2020

In this work we suggest some methods based on the statistical and knock-on models, for evaluation of the α-clustering factor or α-clustering probability in (n, α) reactions induced by slow and fast neutrons. The main purpose of this study is to compare the values of the α-clustering factors obtained by the compound and direct mechanisms for the same nuclear reactions. Also, our results are compared with values estimated by other authors.
Analysis of empirical parametrization and microscopical studies of deuteron-induced reactions
Authors: Avrigeanu Marilena , Costache Cristian , Avrigeanu Vlad
Published: September 2020

A review of deuteron-induced reaction analyses is carried out paying due consideration to reaction cross-section parametrization as well as theoretical models associated to the deuteron interaction process. The key role of direct interactions, i.e., breakup, stripping and pick-up processes is stressed out by the comparison of data with theoretical and evaluation predictions, including the latest TENDL-2017 library.
Monte-Carlo calculation of fission process for neutron-induced typical actinide nuclei fission
Authors: Wei Zheng , Liu Changqi , Han Chao , Yao Zeen , Zhang Yu , Wang Junrun , Lu Xiaolong , Su Xiaodong , Xu Dapeng
Published: September 2020

A global potential-driving model with well-determined parameters is proposed by uniting the empirical asymmetric fission potential and the empirical symmetric fission potential, which can precisely calculate the pre-neutron-emission mass distributions for neutron-induced actinide nuclei fission. Based on the developed potential-driving model, Monte-Carlo code calculates the characteristics of fission reaction process for neutron-induced 241 Am fission. Typical calculated results, including yields, kinetic energy distributions, fission neutron spectrum and decay γ-ray spectrum, are compared with experimental data and evaluated data. It shows that the Monte-Carlo calculated results agree quite well with the experiment data, which indicate that Monte-Carlo code with the developed potential-driving model can reproduce and predict the characteristics of fission reaction process at reasonable energy ranges. Given the well predictions on the characteristics of fission reaction process, Monte-Carlo code with the developed potential-driving model can guide for the physical design of nuclear fission engineering.
Systematic behaviours of different quantities related to sequential prompt emission in fission
Authors: Tudora Anabella
Published: September 2020

The deterministic modelling of sequential prompt emission in fission based on recursive equations of residual temperature was applied to numerous fission cases. This fact emphasized systematics and correlations between different quantities characterizing the residual fragments and the sequential emission. General forms of residual temperature distributions for each emission sequence are determined on the basis of these systematics, having as application the inclusion of sequential emission into the Los Alamos model. Also the systematics can serve to obtain indicative values of different average quantities in the absence of any prompt emission model.
Accurate measurement of the standard 235U(n,f) cross section from thermal to 170 keV neutron energy
Authors: Amaducci S. , Aberle O. , Andrzejewski J. , Audouin L. , Bacak M. , Balibrea J. , Barbagallo M. , Bečvář F. , Berthoumieux E. , Billowes J. , Bosnar D. , Brown A. , Caamaño M. , Calviño F. , Calviani M. , Cano-Ott D , Cardella R. , Casanovas A. , Cerutti F. , Chen Y. H. , Chiaveri E. , Colonna N. , Cortés G. , Cortés-Girardo M. A. , Cosentino L. , Damone L. A. , Diakaki M. , Domingo-Pardo C , Dressler R. , Dupont E. , Durán I. , Fernández-Domínguez B. , Ferrari A. , Ferreira P. , Finocchiaro P. , Furman V. , Göbel K. , García A. R. , Gawlik A. , Gilardoni S. , Glodariu T. , Gonçalves I. F. , González-Romero E. , Griesmayer E. , Guerrero C. , Gunsing F. , Harada H. , Heinitz S. , Heyse J. , Jenkins D. G. , Jericha E. , Käppeler F. , Kadi Y. , Kalamara A. , Kavrigin P. , Kimura A. , Kivel N. , Knapova I. , Kokkoris M. , Krtička M. , Kurtulgil D. , Leal-Cidoncha E , Lederer C. , Leeb H. , Lerendegui-Marco J , Lo Meo S. , Lonsdale S. J. , Macina D. , Manna A. , Marganiec J. , Martínez T. , Masi A. , Massimi C. , Mastinu P. , Mastromarco M. , Maugeri E. A. , Mazzone A. , Mendoza E. , Mengoni A. , Milazzo P. M. , Mingrone F. , Musumarra A. , Negret A. , Nolte R. , Oprea A. , Patronis N. , Pavlik A. , Perkowski J. , Porras I. , Praena J. , Quesada J. M. , Radeck D. , Rauscher T. , Reifarth R. , Rubbia C. , Ryan J. A. , Sabaté-Gilarte M. , Saxena A. , Schillebeeckx P. , Schumann D. , Sedyshev P. , Smith A. G. , Sosnin N. V. , Stamatopoulos A. , Tagliente G. , Tain J. L. , Tarifeño-Saldivia A. , Tassan-Got L , Valenta S. , Vannini G. , Variale V. , Vaz P. , Ventura A. , Vlachoudis V. , Vlastou R. , Wallner A. , Warren S. , Weiss C. , Woods P. J. , Wright T. , Žugec P. ,   the n_TOF Collaboration
Published: September 2020

An accurate measurement of the 235U(n,f) cross section from thermal to 170 keV of neutron energy has recently been performed at n_TOF facility at CERN using 6Li(n,t)4He and 10B(n,α)7Li as references. This measurement has been carried out in order to investigate a possible overestimation of the 235U fission cross section evaluation provided by most recent libraries between 10 and 30 keV. A custom experimental apparatus based on in-beam silicon detectors has been used, and a Monte Carlo simulation in GEANT4 has been employed to characterize the setup and calculate detectors efficiency. The results evidenced the presence of an overestimation in the interval between 9 and 18 keV and the new data may be used to decrease the uncertainty of 235U(n,f) cross section in the keV region.
Development the nuclear decay data sublibrary for fission product
Authors: Xiaolong Huang , Lile Liu , Dong Yang , Jian Li
Published: September 2020

Accurate and reliable nuclear decay data libraries are essential for calculation and design of the advanced nuclear systems. To meet the requirements of decay heat calculation, burn-up calculation, analysis neutrino spectra anomaly and the other related studies, the evaluated nuclear decay data sublibrary for fission product has been developed and constituted for the first time in China based on the several main national evaluated data libraries in the world. About 1415 nuclides were included in present database. And two major data format, that's ENSDF and ENDF were provided. Some decay heat calculation, reactor neutrino spectra analysis and decay chain design needed in fission yield evaluation were performed to test the accuracy and reliability of the nuclear decay data sublibrary.
New paradigm for nuclear data evaluation
Authors: Herman M. , Brown D.A. , Chadwick M.B. , Haeck W. , Kawano T. , Neudecker D. , Talou P. , Trkov A. , White M.C.
Published: September 2020

A new paradigm for nuclear reaction data evaluations is proposed to produce adjusted libraries that take into account integral experiments on the same footing as the differential ones. These evaluations will provide comprehensive covariance matrices including cross-correlations among different materials/reactions that are critical for realistic propagation of data uncertainties to integral quantities. The new approach should also reduce error compensation issues and facilitate updating of the library to account for new or corrected experiments and advances in reaction modeling.
Measurement of the double-differential neutron cross section of UO2 from room temperature to hot full power conditions
Authors: Noguere Gilles , Xu Shuqi , Filhol Alain , Ollivier Jacques , Farhi Emmanuel , Calzavara Yoan
Published: September 2020

Experimental phonon densities of states of UO2 have been deduced from double-differential neutron scattering data measured at 300 K, 600 K and 900 K using the IN6 time-of-flight spectrometer of the Institute Laue-langevin (ILL). The comparison with ab intio phonon spectra obtained at the North Caroline South University from first-principle calculations confirms that harmonic vibrations of the atoms cannot accurately reproduce the phonon broadening related to the oxygen atoms.
Effect of FLiBe thermal neutron scattering on reactivity of molten salt reactor
Authors: Liu Yafen , Li Wenjiang , Yan Rui , Zou Yang , Yu Shihe , Zhou Bo , Cai Xiangzhou
Published: September 2020

Thermal neutron scattering data has an important influence on the calculation and design of reactor with a thermal spectrum. However, as the only liquid fuel in the Gen-IV reactor candidates, the research on the thermal neutron scattering effect of coolant and somewhat moderator FLiBe has not been carried out sufficiently either experimentally or theoretically. The effect of FLiBe thermal neutron scattering on reactivity of TMSR-LF (thorium molten salt reactor - liquid fuel), TMSR-SF (thorium molten salt reactor - solid fuel) and MSRE (molten salt reactor experiment) were investigated and compared. Results show that the effect of FLiBe thermal neutron scattering on reactivity depends to some extent on the fuel-graphite volume ratio of core. Calculations indicate that FLiBe thermal neutron scattering of MSRE (with the hardest spectrum) has the minimum effect of 41 pcm on reactivity, and FLiBe thermal neutron scattering of TMSR-SF (with the softest spectrum) has the maximum effect of -94 pcm on reactivity, and FLiBe thermal neutron scattering of TMSR-LF has an effect of -61 pcm on reactivity at 900 K.
HPRL – International cooperation to identify and monitor priority nuclear data needs for nuclear applications
Authors: Dupont E. , Bossant M. , Capote R. , Carlson A.D. , Danon Y. , Fleming M. , Ge Z. , Harada H. , Iwamoto O. , Iwamoto N. , Kimura A. , Koning A.J. , Massimi C. , Negret A. , Noguere G. , Plompen A. , Pronyaev V. , Rimpault G. , Simakov S. , Stankovskiy A. , Sun W. , Trkov A. , Wu H. , Yokoyama K.
Published: September 2020

The OECD-NEA High Priority Request List (HPRL) is a point of reference to guide and stimulate the improvement of nuclear data for nuclear energy and other applications, and a tool to bridge the gap between data users and producers. The HPRL is application-driven and the requests are submitted by nuclear data users or representatives of the user’s communities. A panel of international experts reviews and monitors the requests in the framework of an Expert Group mandated by the NEA Nuclear Science Committee Working Party on International Nuclear Data Evaluation Cooperation (WPEC). After approval, individual requests are classified to three categories: high priority requests, general requests, and special purpose requests (e.g., dosimetry, standards). The HPRL is hosted by the NEA in the form of a relational database publicly available on the web. This paper provides an overview of HPRL entries, status and outlook. Examples of requests successfully completed are given and new requests are described with emphasis on updated nuclear data needs in the fields of nuclear energy, neutron standards and dosimetry.
Characterization of PPACs’ time resolution for fission studies
Authors: Tarrío Diego , Prokofiev Alexander V. , Nakano Keita , Pomp Stephan
Published: September 2020

The existing Medley setup is being upgraded with Parallel Plate Avalanche Counters (PPACs) to measure neutron-induced fission cross sections. Single-gap PPACs have been developed for that purpose. The time resolution of the PPACs have been measured using a dedicated setup where, either α particles or fission fragments, are detected in coincidence by three PPACs and a Silicon detector. The results reported here demonstrate that the developed PPACs are suitable for the intended measurements in the white neutron beam at the NFS facility at GANIL.
Discovery of new neutron-moderating materials at ISIS Neutron and Muon Source
Authors: Škoro Goran , Romanelli Giovanni , Rudić Svemir , Lilley Steven , Fernandez-Alonso Felix
Published: September 2020

In this paper, the possibility of performing a comprehensive neutronic characterization of new materials for neutron moderation at the ISIS Neutron and Muon Source using two of its instruments, VESUVIO and TOSCA, will be discussed.
Evaluation of gamma-ray strength function based on measured gamma-ray pulse-height spectra in time-of-flight neutron capture experiments
Authors: Iwamoto Nobuyuki , Nakamura Shoji , Kimura Atsushi , Katabuchi Tatsuya , Rovira Gerard , Hara Kaoru, Y. , Iwamoto Osamu
Published: September 2020

In order to develop an evaluation method of gamma-ray strength function (GSF), neutron capture pulse-height (PH) spectrum of gold was employed, where it was measured with the NaI(Tl) spectrometer of AN-NRI installed at the Material and Life Science Experimental Facility in J-PARC. The neutron capture gamma-ray spectrum of gold was calculated using the nuclear reaction model code CCONE. In order to obtain the information on GSF from the measured data, a gamma-ray response function for the NaI(Tl) spectrometer was calculated by the Monte-Carlo particle-transport simulation code PHITS. As a result, the PH spectrum comparable with measured one was derived by applying the gamma-ray response function to the calculated gamma-ray spectrum. By evaluation with measured PH spectra, we obtained GSF which reasonably explains measured PH spectrum in the continuum region.
Fission studies at IGISOL/JYFLTRAP: Simulations of the ion guide for neutron-induced fission and comparison with experimental data
Authors: Gao Z. , Solders A. , Al-Adili A. , Canete L. , Eronen T. , Gorelov D. , Jokinen A. , Kankainen A. , Lantz M. , Mattera A. , Moore I.D. , Nesterenko D.A. , Penttilä H. , Pohjalainen I. , Rakopoulos V. , Rinta-Antila S. , Vilén M. , Pomp S.
Published: September 2020

For the production of exotic nuclei at the IGISOL facility, an ion guide for neutron-induced fission has been developed and tested in experiments. Fission fragments are produced inside the ion guide and collected using a helium buffer gas. Meanwhile, a GEANT4 model has been developed to simulate the transportation and stopping of the charged fission products. In a recent measurement of neutron-induced fission yields, implantation foils were located at different positions in the ion guide. The gamma spectra from these foils and the fission targets are compared to the results from the GEANT4 simulation.

In order to allow fission yield measurements in the low yield regions, towards the tails and in the symmetric part of the mass distribution, the stopping and extraction efficiency of the ion guide has to be significantly improved. This objective can be achieved by increasing the size while introducing electric field guidance using a combination of static electrodes and an RF-carpet. To this end, the GEANT4 model is used to optimise the design of such an ion guide.
Benchmark experiment with iron slab by Time-of-flight technique at CIAE
Authors: Ding Yanyan , Nie Yangbo , Ren Jie , Ruan Xichao , Zhao Qi , Huang Hanxiong , Bao Jie , Wu Haicheng
Published: September 2020

In order to validate the evaluated nuclear data, leakage spectra in the range of 0.8 to 15 MeV from samples were measured by time-of-flight (TOF) technique using a D-T neutron source. An experimental system for benchmark validation of nuclear data with slab samples has been set up at China Institute of Atomic Energy (CIAE). In this study, test samples are iron slabs, of which the thickness are 5cm, 10cm and 15cm, and the measured angles were chosen to be about 60° and 120°. By comparing measured leakage spectrum with calculated ones by MCNP-4C code, using the data from the CENDL-3.1, ENDF/B-VIII.0, JENDL-4.0 and JEFF-3.3 nuclear data files, and the comparison was made by the spectrum shape and by the C/E values in different energy regions.
Effects of different nuclear evaluation data on the RMC keff calculation
Authors: Wenxin Zhang , shenglong Qiang , qiang Yin , Xiantao Cui
Published: September 2020

Neutron cross section data is the basis of nuclear reactor physical calculation and has a decisive influence on the accuracy of calculation results. AFA3Gassemble is widely used in nuclear power plants. CENACE is an ACE format multiple-temperature continuous energy cross section library that developed by China Nuclear Data Centre. In this paper, we calculated the AFA3G assemble by RMC.We respectively used ENDF6.8/, ENDF/7 and CENACE data for calculation. The impact of nuclear data on RMC calculation is studied by comparing the results of different nuclear data.
Production method of environmental tracer 132Cs by accelerator-based neutron
Authors: Kin Tadahiro , Araki Naoto , Patwary Md Kawchar Ahmed , Aoki Katsumi , Yoshinami Kosuke , Yamaguchi Masaya , Itoh Masatoshi , Watanabe Yukinobu
Published: September 2020

Cesium-132 has proposed as an alternative tracer of 137Cs for environment study on radioactive cesium dynamics released by a nuclear power plant accident. In the present study, we conducted a production experiment of the 132Cs by means of accelerator-based neutron method to investigate production amount and radioactive purity. A 12-g Cs2CO3 sample was irradiated by the accelerator-based neutron via the C(d,n) reactions by 1.2 µA of 30-MeV deuterons. As a result, 102 kBq/g of 132Cs was obtained with higher than 98.5% radioactive purity. Following that, a feasibility study of cesium dynamics measurement in andosol soil was performed. We found distribution of absorption of cesium in andosol soil can be clearly measurable by the produced 132Cs tracer.
Calculation of athermal recombination corrected dpa cross sections for proton, deuteron and heavy-ion irradiations using the PHITS code
Authors: Iwamoto Yosuke , Meigo Shin-ichiro
Published: September 2020

To provide the athermal recombination corrected dpa (arc-dpa) cross sections for proton, deuteron and heavy ion irradiations in the energy range from 1 MeV/u to 3 GeV/u., the defect production efficiencies for aluminium, copper and tungsten were implemented in the radiation damage model in PHITS. In general, the dpa cross section is large with increasing the number of protons of incident particle. For high-energy (around 1 GeV/u) proton and deuteron irradiation, the dpa cross section is close to that under 12C irradiation due to secondaries produced by the nuclear reaction. The ratio of arc-dpa cross section to the conventional Norgett-Robinson-Torrens dpa (NRT-dpa) cross section is around 0.2 with incident energies over 100 MeV for proton and deuteron irradiations. For the case of 12C and 48Ca, this ratio is ranged from 0.3 to 0.4 for incident beam energies below 3 GeV/u.
Study on Kinetic Characteristics of Krypton and Xenon radioactive source term in molten salt reactor
Authors: Zhou Bo , Yan Rui , Yu Xiaohan , Zou Yang , Yu Shihe , Yang Pu , Liu Yafen
Published: September 2020

A numerical simulation program for the dynamic distribution of krypton and xenon with flow and on-line removal function was established for primary loop system of molten salt reactor(MSR) Based on Mathe-matica7.0.The simulation results of the static burnup was compared with ORIGEN-S program, and the deviation is less than 10%, which is in good agreement.The distribution and dynamic characteristics of krypton and xenon in the primary loop system were analyzed under the flow regionalization and online removal model.The results show that,the static burnup model underestimates the total 135Xe activity about 6.61% in the system, and the total activity of krypton and xenon in the system is underestimated by about 1.46%.Under the maximum removal fraction, the total activity of krypton and xenon in the exhaust gas system is 1.84×1016Bq, of which 83mKr, 85mKr, 87Kr, 88Kr, 133Xe, 135Xe and 138Xe account for about 95.6%.The total activity of krypton and xenon in the primary loop system is 2.64×1014Bq, of which 138Xe, 135mXe, 134mXe, 87Kr and 83mKr account for about 93.6%.The numerical simulation method and the conclusion consistent with the actual physical laws.Dynamic distribution, evolution and migration characteristics of krypton, xenon and these precursor in the primary loop in the molten salt can be simulated more accurately compared to static burnup model.The analysis results can provide a theoretical basis for the management scheme of airborne source termsthe cooling design of the radioactive exhaust system and the source term analysis in accident conditions for the molten salt reactor.
Benchmarking the new ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear data library for OECD/NEA medium 1000 MWth sodium-cooled fast reactor
Authors: Hartanto Donny , Khuwaileh Bassam , Liem Peng Hong
Published: September 2020

This paper presents the benchmark evaluation of the new ENDF/B-VIII.0 nuclear library for the OECD/NEA Medium 1000 MWth Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR). There are 2 SFR cores: metallic fueled (MET-1000) and oxide fueled (MOX-1000). The continuous-energy Monte Carlo Serpent2 code was used as the calculation tool. Various nuclear libraries such as ENDF/B-VII.1 and JENDL-4.0 were included to be compared with the newest ENDF/B-VIII.0. The evaluated parameters are k,βeff, sodium void reactivity (∆ρNa), Doppler constant (∆ρDoppler), and control rod worth (∆ρCR).
Yalina-thermal facility neutron characteristic computational study 129I, 237Np and 243Am transmutation reaction rates calculations
Authors: Korbut Tamara , Kravchenko Maksim , Edchik Ivan , Korneev Sergey
Published: September 2020

Present work describes Monte-Carlo calculations of the neutron field and minor actinide transmutation reaction rates within the Yalina-Thermal sub-critical assembly of the Joint Institute for Power and Nuclear Research – Sosny of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus. The computer model of the facility was prepared for the corresponding calculations via MCU-PD and MCNP Monte-Carlo codes. The model neutron characteristics estimations were performed as well as the nuclear safety analysis. The up-to-date ENDF B/VIII, JEFF 3.3 and JENDL 4.0 nuclear data libraries were used during research.
Revisionsendoprothetik des Kniegelenks
Authors: Kremer Michael , Gramlich Yves , Hoffmann Reinhard
Published: September 2020

Die Kombination aus steigender Lebenserwartung, Zunahme der Risikofaktoren für eine Gonarthrose gepaart mit hohem funktionellem Anspruch bis ins hohe Lebensalter führt zu einer Zunahme der Implantationszahlen primärer Knieendoprothesen. Folglich nimmt auch die Häufigkeit von Revisionseingriffen drastisch zu. Klare Konzepte sind notwendig, um gute Ergebnisse zu erzielen. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über die aktuellen Strategien der Revisionsendoprothetik des Kniegelenks.
Swedish National Multicenter Study on Head and Neck Cancer of Unknown Primary: Prognostic Factors and Impact of Treatment on Survival
Authors: Axelsson Lars , Holmberg Erik , Nyman Jan , Högmo Anders , Sjödin Helena , Gebre-Medhin Maria , von Beckerath Mathias , Ekberg Tomas , Farnebo Lisa , Talani Charbel , Spak Lena Norberg , Notstam Isak , Hammerlid Eva
Published: September 2020

Introduction Head and neck cancer of unknown primary (HNCUP) is a rare condition whose prognostic factors that are significant for survival vary between studies. No randomized treatment study has been performed thus far, and the optimal treatment is not established.

Objective The present study aimed to explore various prognostic factors and compare the two main treatments for HNCUP: neck dissection and (chemo) radiation vs primary (chemo) radiation.

Methods A national multicenter study was performed with data from the Swedish Head and Neck Cancer Register (SweHNCR) and from the patients' medical records from 2008 to 2012.

Results Two-hundred and sixty HNCUP patients were included. The tumors were HPV-positive in 80%. The overall 5-year survival rate of patients treated with curative intent was 71%. Age (p < 0.001), performance status (p= 0.036), and N stage (p= 0.046) were significant factors for overall survival according to the multivariable analysis. Treatment with neck dissection and (chemo) radiation (122 patients) gave an overall 5-year survival of 73%, and treatment with primary (chemo) radiation (87 patients) gave an overall 5-year survival of 71%, with no significant difference in overall or disease-free survival between the 2 groups.

Conclusions Age, performance status, and N stage were significant prognostic factors. Treatment with neck dissection and (chemo) radiation and primary (chemo) radiation gave similar survival outcomes. A randomized treatment study that includes quality of life is needed to establish the optimal treatment.
Extended High Frequency Audiometry for Revealing Sudden Sensory Neural Hearing Loss in Acute Tinnitus Patients
Authors: Abu-Eta Rani , Gavriel Haim , Pitaro Jacob
Published: September 2020

Introduction The measurement of extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry has become more popular recently, mainly in connection with ototoxicity and noiseinduced hearing loss. New-onset tinnitus evaluation includes a standard hearing test that shows no pathology.

Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possibility that acute tinnitus is essentially connected to sudden sensory neural hearing loss (SSNHL), by utilizing EHF audiometry in cases in which standard audiometry for frequencies between 250 Hz to 8 kHz is within normal limits.

Methods A retrospective study was conducted between January 2009 and May 2014 that included all patients presenting with acute tinnitus and normal standard audiometry. All patients underwent EHF audiometry and were treated accordingly.

Results Thirty-two patients with acute tinnitus and asymmetric sensorineural hearing loss on EHF audiometry were identified. The average deltas between the ears were between 9.2 and 33dB (worse in the affected ear).

Conclusion Extended high-frequency audiometry up to 20,000 Hz should be performed in all patients with acute tinnitus and standard audiometry within normal limits.
Risk Factors and Outcomes of Postoperative Neck Hematomas: An Analysis of 5,900 Thyroidectomies Performed at a Cancer Center
Authors: de Carvalho Andre Ywata , Gomes Camila Couto , Chulam Thiago Celestino , Vartanian Jose Guilherme , Carvalho Genival Barbosa , Lira Renan Bezerra , Kohler Hugo Fontan , Kowalski Luiz Paulo
Published: September 2020

Introduction Postoperative neck hematoma (PNH) is an uncommon but potentially-lethal complication of thyroid surgery.

Objective To identify the risk factors for postthyroidectomy hematoma requiring reoperation, the timing, the source of the bleeding, the related respiratory distress requiring tracheotomy, and the late outcomes.

Methods We retrospectively analyzed the records of 5,900 consecutive patients submitted to surgery for thyroid diseases at a single institution.

Results In total, PNH occurred in 62 (1.1%) patients. Most cases of bleeding occurred within the first 6 hours after thyroidectomy, but 12.5% of the hematomas were observed after 24 hours. Obvious bleeding points were detected in 58.1% of the patients during the reoperation, with inferior thyroid artery branches and superior thyroid vessels being the most frequent bleeding sources. Only two patients required urgent tracheostomy. There were no hematoma-related deaths. Permanent hypoparathyroidism and recurrent laryngeal nerve injury are more frequent following reoperation for PNH. The factors significantly associated with PNH were: older age, concurrent lymph node dissection, and chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Gender, previous neck irradiation, presentation at diagnosis (symptomatic or incidental), substernal goiter, thyroidectomy for hyperthyroidism, prior thyroid surgery, malignant histology, the extent of the surgery (total versus non-total thyroidectomy), the use of energy-based vessel sealing devices, the use of the hemostatic agent Surgicel, and the placement of a surgical drain were not significantly associated with PNH.

Conclusion Hematoma after thyroid surgery is an uncommon complication, but it is related to significant postoperative morbidity. A better understanding of the risk factors and of the time until hematoma formation can help target high-risk patients for preventive measures and closer postoperative observation.
Head and Neck Practice in the COVID-19 Pandemics Today: A Rapid Systematic Review
Authors: Hojaij Flavio Carneiro , Chinelatto Lucas Albuquerque , Boog Gustavo Henrique Pereira , Kasmirski Júlia Adriana , Lopes João Vitor Ziroldo , Medeiros Vitor Macedo Brito
Published: September 2020

Introduction Head and neck specialists and otorhinolaryngologists are greatly exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) transmission in their everyday praxis. Many articles are being published regarding medical staff protection and patient management during the pandemic.

Objective To provide an easy access to and a trustful review of the main aspects that have changed in the head and neck surgery and otorhinolaryngology practice due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data Synthesis The search terms used were: (head and neck or otorhinolaryngology or ORL or thyroid) AND (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-COV-2] or COVID-19 or CORONAVIRUS). The results were limited to the year of 2020. Articles were read in English, Portuguese, French, German, and Spanish or translated from Chinese. All included articles were read by at least two authors. Thirty-five articles were included. Most articles suggest postponing elective surgeries, with exception to cancer surgeries, which should be evaluated separately. Twenty-five articles recommended some kind of screening prior to surgery, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and epidemiological data. Extra precautions, such as use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are suggested for both tracheostomies and endoscopies. Fifteen articles give recommendation on how to use telemedicine.

Conclusion The use of PPE (N95 or powered air-purifying respirator [PAPR]) during procedures should be mandatory. Patients should be evaluated about their COVID-19 status before hospital admission. Cancer should be treated. Tracheostomy tube cuff should be inflated inside the tracheal incision. All COVID-19 precautions should be kept until there is a validated antiviral treatment or an available vaccine.
High CD4+ T-Cell/B-Cell Ratio in the Paranasal Sinus Mucosa of Patients with Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Authors: Inoue Akiko , Tanaka Yuriko , Ohira Shinya , Matsuura Kentaro , Kondo Motonari , Wada Kota
Published: September 2020

Introduction Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is commonly classified based on the presence or absence of nasal polyps (NPs). Eosinophil infiltration is observed in NPs of patients in Western countries. In contrast, in East Asian countries, including Japan, CRS with NPs (CRSwNP) is subdivided based on the presence (eosinophilic CRS [ECRS]) or absence (non-eosinophilic CRS [NECRS]) of eosinophils in NPs. However, detailed analyses of other immune cells, such as lymphocytes, in NPs have not been performed. Therefore, clarification of the types of cells that infiltrate NPs is important to understand CRS pathogenesis.

Objectives We analyzed the lymphocytes that infiltrate the paranasal sinus mucosa of ECRS and NECRS patients.

Methods Eighteen patients with CRSwNP participated in this study, out of whom 6 were NECRS patients, and 12 were ECRS patients. The mucosa specimens, collected from patients during sinus surgeries, were subjected to collagenase treatment to prepare single cell suspensions. Then, mononuclear cells were isolated, and CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and CD20+ B-cell populations were examined using flow cytometry.

Results In both NECRS and ECRS patients, CD8+ T-cells were dominant over CD4+ T-cells. Notably, CD4+ T-cell/B-cell ratio, but not CD8+ T-cell/B-cell or CD4+ T-cell/CD8+ T-cell ratios, was significantly higher in ECRS patients than in NECRS patients.

Conclusion The CD4+ T-cell/B-cell ratio can be used as a potential indicator to differentiate between ECRS and NECRS.
Sialendoscopy for Improvement of Salivary Flow in Patients with Sjögren Syndrome - Comparative Analysis of Intraglandular Washing Solutions
Authors: Pascoto Gabriela Robaskewicz , Gasparin Andrese Aline , Piltcher Otávio Bejzman , Kuhl Gabriel , Cavazzola Leandro Totti
Published: September 2020

Introduction Among the potential diseases that present altered salivary flow and activity is Sjögren syndrome. Sialendoscopy seems to be an important therapeutic option.

Objective To compare the results obtained with sialendoscopy for improving salivary flow measured by scintigraphy in patients with primary Sjögren syndrome to those obtained with other intraglandular washing solutions.

Methods Patients from our institution's rheumatology clinic diagnosed with primary Sjögren syndrome underwent parotid scintigraphy prior to the sialendoscopy procedure. During the sialendoscopy procedure, one of the parotid glands was randomized to receive a wash with saline while the other was washed with a corticosteroid solution. After 1 month, a new scintigraphy examination of the parotid glands was performed to observe the salivary flow for comparison.

Results A total of 13 female patients with mean age of 53.38 years (range, 27–76 years) were included in this study. After sialendoscopy, 10 patients (76.92%) were observed to have improvement in salivary excretion with radiopharmaceutical during scintigraphy. When analyzing each gland that was treated separately (26 glands), after sialendoscopy, improvement was observed in 18 glands (69.23%), 8 treated with dexamethasone and 10 with saline solution in the wash. There was no improvement in 8 glands (30.77%).

Conclusion This study demonstrates that sialendoscopy is as an important tool to improve salivary flow measured by scintigraphy in patients with primary Sjogren syndrome, increasing salivary excretion through dilation and consequent unblocking of the ducts. These data suggest that there is no statistically significant difference between intraductal washing solutions using saline or dexamethasone solution.
Smaller-grained tungsten is stronger tungsten
Authors: Patrick Chris
Published: September 2020

Experiment finds nanocrystalline tungsten to be about 3.5 times stronger than coarse-grained tungsten, and hints at the potential of nanostructured bulk materials.
Layer-dependent interface adhesion energy of graphene in a curved substrate
Authors: Chen Jia , He Yan , Zhu Weiling , Ouyang Gang
Published: September 2020

In order to clarify the interface adhesion properties between graphene (Gr) membrane and curved substrate, we investigate three kinds of systems, including Gr/Si nanowire, Gr/Si nanotube and Gr/silicene in terms of continuum medium mechanics and nanothermodynamics. We find that the interface adhesion energy is determined by the thickness of the Gr and curvature of the substrate. The coupling role of the surface effect and interface confinement affects the strain energy and induces the strain redistribution in the Gr and curved substrate, resulting in the interface adhesion energy increasing with diminishing thickness of Gr and increasing curvature of the substrate. Our findings can be expected to be applied to the design of Gr-based electronic devices.
The electric field at the hole-injecting metal/organic interface controls the bias dependence of the current–voltage hole mobility
Authors: Cvikl B
Published: September 2020

Based upon the room temperature current–voltage data of some published organic diode structures the unique phenomenon of the decreasing hole mobility, μ, with the increasing applied electric field, E
a, is interpreted. The measurable quantity, the hole drift mobility μ
d is formulated in terms of E
a and the electric field at the hole injecting metal/organic interface, E
int, dependent algebraic function multiplied by the intrinsic hole mobility, μ
max that is organic morphology dependent but E
a independent scaling factor. On account that the intrinsic mobility, μ
max, is uncoupled from both E
a and E
int it is shown that the origin of the negative field hole mobility effect occurs due to E
int, that is a linear function of E
a. The bias and the space distribution of the internal organic electric field, E, as well as the free hole density, p, for poly(3-hexylthiophene) is calculated in detail. Depending on the organic layer morphology the internal electric field may exhibit, at the particular value of E
a, a deep well in the vicinity of the hole injecting metal/organic interface. Then the strong peak of the free hole density exists there the effect of which is spreading some 10 nm into the organic. If E
int happens to be E
a independent constant, then from the resulting space charge limited current density, the increasing hole drift mobility, μ
d, with the increasing applied electric field, E
a, is deduced. The published current–voltage data of two distinct metal-substituted phthalocyanine thin films provide an additional confirmation of the described formalism.
Pseudocapacitive behaviour in sol-gel derived electrochromic titania nanostructures
Authors: Giannuzzi Roberto , Prontera Tania , Tobaldi David M , Pugliese Marco , De Marco Luisa , Carallo Sonia , Gigli Giuseppe , Pullar Robert C , Maiorano Vincenzo
Published: September 2020

Nanostructured thin films are widely investigated for application in multifunctional devices thanks to their peculiar optoelectronic properties. In this work anatase TiO2 nanoparticles (average diameter 10 nm) synthesised by a green aqueous sol-gel route are exploited to fabricate optically active electrodes for pseudocapacitive-electrochromic devices. In our approach, highly transparent and homogeneous thin films having a good electronic coupling between nanoparticles are prepared. These electrodes present a spongy-like nanostructure in which the dimension of native nanoparticles is preserved, resulting in a huge surface area. Cyclic voltammetry studies reveal that there are significant contributions to the total stored charge from both intercalation capacitance and pseudocapacitance, with a remarkable 50% of the total charge deriving from this second effect. Fast and reversible colouration occurs, with an optical modulation of ∼60% in the range of 315–1660 nm, and a colouration efficiency of 25.1 cm2 C−1 at 550 nm. This combination of pseudocapacitance and electrochromism makes the sol-gel derived titania thin films promising candidates for multifunctional ‘smart windows’.
Proton therapy range verification method via delayed γ-ray spectroscopy of a molybdenum tumour marker
Authors: Burbadge C , Kasanda E , Bildstein V , Dublin G , Olaizola B , Höhr C , Mücher D
Published: September 2020

In this work, a new method of range verification for proton therapy (PT) is experimentally demonstrated for the first time. If a metal marker is implanted near the tumour site, its response to proton activation will result in the emission of characteristic γ rays. The relative intensity of γ rays originating from competing fusion-evaporation reaction channels provides a unique signature of the average proton energy at the marker, and by extension the beam’s range, in vivo and in real time. The clinical feasibility of this method was investigated at the PT facility at TRIUMF with a proof-of-principle experiment which irradiated a naturally-abundant molybdenum foil at various proton beam energies. Delayed characteristic γ rays were measured with two Compton-shielded LaBr3 scintillators. The technique was successfully demonstrated by relating the relative intensity of two γ-ray peaks to the energy of the beam at the Mo target, opening the door to future clinical applications where the range of the beam can be verified in real time.
Optimal turbine blade design enabled by auxetic honeycomb
Authors: Pal Aniket , Bertoldi Katia , Pham Minh Quan , Schaenzer Megan , Gross Andrew J
Published: September 2020

Gas turbine blades are subjected to unusually harsh operating conditions—rotating at high velocities in gas streams whose temperature can exceed the melting temperature of the blade. In order to survive these conditions, the blade must efficiently transfer heat to an internal cooling flow while effectively managing mechanical stresses. This work describes a new design strategy for the internal structure of turbine blades that makes use of architected materials tailored to reduce stresses and temperatures throughout the blade. A full 3D characterization was first performed to determine the thermomechanical properties of generalized honeycomb materials with different design parameters: honeycomb angle and wall thickness. A turbine blade cross section was then divided into multiple discrete domains so that different generalized honeycomb materials could be assigned to each of the domains. Optimization of the material assignments was performed in order to minimize the stress ratio—ratio of the maximum Mises’ stress and the temperature dependent yield stress—in the entire model. The optimized design showed substantial improvement with respect to a baseline model; the factor of safety was increased by 171%, while the maximum Mises’ stress and temperature decreased by 42% and 72% respectively. The use of generalized honeycomb materials allows for local control of the material properties to tune the performance of the turbine blade. The results of the optimization clearly indicate that auxetic honeycombs outperform conventional designs; since their lower in-plane stiffness helps to reduce stresses caused by thermal gradients. Our results demonstrated the feasibility of using 3D-printing compatible architected materials in turbine blades to increase their factor of safety and potentially increase operating temperatures to improve thermal efficiency.
Numerical simulation of wavy porous enclosure filled with hybrid nanofluid involving Lorentz effect
Authors: Sheikholeslami M , Hamid M , Haq R U , Shafee Ahmad
Published: September 2020

The objective of current investigation is to perform mathematical modeling of natural convection and magnetic effects on hybrid nanomaterial convective transportation and numerically examined via new approach. The permeable terms in momentum equations based on non-Darcy approach. Mixture of (MWCNT + Fe3O4) with water was employed. Impacts of permeability, Rd, Lorentz force and Ra on nanomaterial treatment have been illustrated via a set of graphs. The isotherms found significantly affected due to an augment in applied magnetic field

H
a
=
60

and increasing values of Darcy number while domain change in the streamlines pattern is perceived for the same intensity of magnetic and Darcy numbers. Moreover, the comparative form study is presented to show the efficiency of the CVFEM while the comparison of results is also asserted with the help of graphs. The comparative analysis is endorsing a good agreement of results with existing literature.
flexiMAP: a regression-based method for discovering differential alternative polyadenylation events in standard RNA-seq data
Authors: Szkop Krzysztof J , Moss David S , Nobeli Irene
Published: September 2020

Motivation

We present flexible Modeling of Alternative PolyAdenylation (flexiMAP), a new beta-regression-based method implemented in R, for discovering differential alternative polyadenylation events in standard RNA-seq data.

Results

We show, using both simulated and real data, that flexiMAP exhibits a good balance between specificity and sensitivity and compares favourably to existing methods, especially at low fold changes. In addition, the tests on simulated data reveal some hitherto unrecognized caveats of existing methods. Importantly, flexiMAP allows modeling of multiple known covariates that often confound the results of RNA-seq data analysis.

Availability and implementation

The flexiMAP R package is available at: https://github.com/kszkop/flexiMAP. Scripts and data to reproduce the analysis in this paper are available at: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3689788.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Impact of histology classification on pathologic treatment response and overall survival in distal esophageal cancer patients: a propensity matched analysis
Authors: Saeed Sabrina M , Naffouje Samer , Mehta Rutika , Hoffe Sarah E , Fontaine Jacques P , Lauwers Gregory Y , Shah Parth , Frakes Jessica , Pimiento Jose M
Published: September 2020

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) has been linked to superior pathologic treatment response compared to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. However, the impact of histology on survival remains unclear. It has been suggested, based on epidemiologic similarities, that distal EAC should be grouped with gastric cancers as an entity distinct from distal ESCC, but there is little data to support this recommendation. We therefore aim to compare pathologic treatment response (PTR) and overall survival (OS) in patients with distal EAC versus distal ESCC.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included patients who underwent esophagectomy for distal esophageal malignancy. Histologic sub-groups were matched (1:1) using a propensity-score matching approach. Pre-operative clinical parameters, oncologic outcomes and survival were compared between groups.

Results

1031 distal EC patients, with a median age of 64.4 years and a male preponderance (86.5%), underwent esophagectomy at our institution between 1999 and 2019. 939 (91.1%) patients had a diagnosis of EAC and 92 (8.9%) had ESCC. A higher proportion of ESCC patients were female (26.1% vs. 12.1%; P < 0.01) and non-white (12.0% vs. 3.8%; P < 0.01). Propensity-score sub-analysis identified 75 matched pairs. Rates of pathologic complete response (58.0% vs. 48.9%; P = 0.67) and OS (43.0 vs. 52.0 months; P = 0.808) were not significantly different between matched groups.

Conclusions

Although traditionally known to have a better overall PTR compared to EAC, ESCC patients in our large series did not show any improvement in PTR or OS. Treatment recommendations for patients with EAC and ESCC should consider tumor location in addition to histology.
4. Financial remedies on divorce and dissolution
Authors: Gilmore Stephen , Glennon Lisa
Published: September 2020

This chapter examines the legal framework which determines the distribution of money and property between spouses or civil partners on divorce or dissolution. The chapter considers the background to the current law before providing an in-depth analysis of the relevant legislative framework under the MCA 1973 and important case law guiding the courts’ exercise of discretion, including in respect of pensions and the matrimonial home. The chapter also considers the enforceability of, and weight given to, separation agreements and pre-nuptial agreements.
11. Adoption and special guardianship
Authors: Gilmore Stephen , Glennon Lisa
Published: September 2020

This chapter examines the legal mechanisms by which children can be provided with long-term alternative secure family placements: the law on adoption and special guardianship. Topics discussed include: decision-making in relation to adoption; adoption agencies’ role in assessing suitable adoptions; rules relating to parental consent in adoption cases; placement for adoption; applications to adopt; post adoption contact; revocation of adoption; and special guardianship orders.