bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Alternative sources of cautery may improve post-operative hematoma rates but increase operative time in thyroid surgery
Authors: Best Corliss A. E. , Quimby Alexandra E. , Johnson-Obaseki Stephanie
Published: November 2021

A retrospective risk-adjusted analysis was completed using data from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) to (1) compare the risks of post-operative hematoma for thyroid surgery using conventional cautery compared alternative energy devices (defined as LigaSure and Harmonic Scalpel), and (2) compare operative times for the same. The primary outcome variable was post-operative hematoma occurrence. The secondary outcome variable was operative time. The exposure variable was use of conventional or alternative sources of cautery. All adult patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy, subtotal thyroidectomy or completion thyroidectomy between 2016 and 2018 were included. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to control for potentially confounding variables. A total of 13,330 cases were analyzed; 4342 used conventional cautery, and 8988 used alternative sources. There was a statistically significant decrease in post-operative hematoma risk using alternative sources of cautery compared to conventional cautery (OR 0.75; 95% CI 0.58–0.98) (p = 0.04). Use of alternative sources of cautery added 4.95 min onto operative time (95% CI 2.45–7.45) which was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). After controlling for confounding variables, there was a statistically significant lower rate of post-operative hematoma in thyroidectomies performed using alternative sources of cautery compared to those performed with traditional hemostatic methods. Alternative sources of cautery increased operative time by 4.95 min.
Enteropathogenic infections modulate intestinal serotonin transporter (SERT) function by activating Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) in Crohn’s disease
Authors: Qasem Ahmad , Naser Abed Elrahman , Naser Saleh A.
Published: November 2021

Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) is an intestinal neuromodulator that regulates several essential enteric physiological functions such as absorption or secretion of fluids, and peristaltic reflexes. Availability of the intestinal 5-HT is dependent on serotonin transporter (SERT), which uptakes 5-HT and facilitates its degradation. Interestingly, Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR-2) is co-localized with 5-HT, which suggests a possible impact of neuroendocrine cells in the inflammatory response through TLR-2 activation. Serum 5-HT levels were measured in 80 Crohn’s disease (CD) patients and 40 healthy control subjects. Additionally, fully differentiated Caco-2 monolayers were infected with Mycobacteria paratuberculosis (MAP), L. monocytogenes, or M. smegmatis in the presence of exogenous 5-HT at different concentrations. Cells were subsequently harvested and used for measuring SERT activity, RNA isolation followed by RT-PCR, protein quantification, and tissue damage markers (DHE, LDH, GSH and MDA). TLR-2 intracellular signaling pathways were assessed by pre-incubating Caco-2 monolayers with selective blockers of ERK, cAMP/PKA, p38 MAPK, and 5-HT3 receptors. MAP-infected CD patients (N = 40) had higher serum 5-HT levels (462.95 ± 8.55 ng/mL, N = 40) than those without MAP infection (385.33 ± 10.3 ng/mL, N = 40). TLR-2 activation by enteropathogenic bacteria inhibited SERT activity in the presence of exogenous 5-HT by up to 50%. These effects were increasing gradually over 72 h, and MAP infection had the greatest effect on SERT inhibition when cells were exposed to 5-HT in a concentration dependent manner. Additionally, inhibition of SERT activity was accompanied with higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8) and oxidative stress markers (DHE, LDH and MDA), whereas SERT expression and protein level were downregulated. Consequently, inhibition of TLR-2 and p38 MAPK signaling or blocking 5-HT3 receptors restored SERT activity and reduced the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as reflected by the downregulation of oxidative stress and tissue damage markers. The involvement of TLR-2 in the intestinal pathology might be concluded not only from its innate immune role, but also from its effect on modulating the intestinal serotonergic response. Ultimately, regulating the intestinal serotonergic system can be therapeutically exploited to mitigate other enteropathogenic infections, which will help in understanding the gut-microbiome-brain connection.
Continuous wave high-power laser propagation in water is affected by strong thermal lensing and thermal blooming already at short distances
Authors: Reich Stefan , Schäffer Sebastian , Lueck Martin , Wickert Matthias , Osterholz Jens
Published: November 2021

When laser beams propagate through media with non-vanishing absorption, the media is heated resulting in a change of the refractive index, which can lead to thermal lensing and thermal blooming. However, experimental details about both phenomena for propagations in water are lacking, especially for high-power lasers in the kilowatt range. We show that significant thermal lensing occurs only for high input powers before the onset of convective flow, while for low input powers, no strong thermal lens arises. After the onset of water flow, thermal blooming occurs at low input powers comparable to that known for propagations over kilometres in the air. However, for high input powers a thermal blooming on a qualitatively higher level is shown. By wavefront sensing, the change of refractive index distribution in water is investigated. This clearly shows the fast development of a strong thermal lens for high input powers and the onset of convection. Furthermore, a qualitatively good agreement of the accompanying simulations is observed. It is found that the absorption coefficient is linear with a value of $$\mu ={13.7}\,{\mathrm{m}^{-1}}$$

μ
=

13.7

m

-
1

at least up to 7.5 kW, i.e. 8 $$\mathrm{kW/cm}^2$$

kW
/
cm

2

. However, the directed transmission into an aperture is only constant before any thermal lensing of blooming occurs.
Allelic variants of full-length VAR2CSA, the placental malaria vaccine candidate, differ in antigenicity and receptor binding affinity
Authors: Renn Jonathan P. , Doritchamou Justin Y. A. , Tentokam Bergeline C. Nguemwo , Morrison Robert D. , Cowles Matthew V. , Burkhardt Martin , Ma Rui , Mahamar Almahamoudou , Attaher Oumar , Diarra Bacary S. , Traore Moussa , Dicko Alassane , Tolia Niraj H. , Fried Michal , Duffy Patrick E.
Published: November 2021

Plasmodium falciparum-infected erythrocytes (IE) sequester in the placenta via surface protein VAR2CSA, which binds chondroitin sulfate A (CSA) expressed on the syncytiotrophoblast surface, causing placental malaria (PM) and severe adverse outcomes in mothers and their offspring. VAR2CSA belongs to the PfEMP1 variant surface antigen family; PfEMP1 proteins mediate IE adhesion and facilitate parasite immunoevasion through antigenic variation. Here we produced deglycosylated (native-like) and glycosylated versions of seven recombinant full-length VAR2CSA ectodomains and compared them for antigenicity and adhesiveness. All VAR2CSA recombinants bound CSA with nanomolar affinity, and plasma from Malian pregnant women demonstrated antigen-specific reactivity that increased with gravidity and trimester. However, allelic and glycosylation variants differed in their affinity to CSA and their serum reactivities. Deglycosylated proteins (native-like) showed higher CSA affinity than glycosylated proteins for all variants except NF54. Further, the gravidity-related increase in serum VAR2CSA reactivity (correlates with acquisition of protective immunity) was absent with the deglycosylated form of atypical M200101 VAR2CSA with an extended C-terminal region. Our findings indicate significant inter-allelic differences in adhesion and seroreactivity that may contribute to the heterogeneity of clinical presentations, which could have implications for vaccine design.
A miniature dialysis-culture device allows high-density human-induced pluripotent stem cells expansion from growth factor accumulation
Authors: Torizal Fuad Gandhi , Lau Qiao You , Ibuki Masato , Kawai Yoshikazu , Horikawa Masato , Minami Masataka , Michiue Tatsuo , Horiguchi Ikki , Nishikawa Masaki , Sakai Yasuyuki
Published: November 2021

Three-dimensional aggregate-suspension culture is a potential biomanufacturing method to produce a large number of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs); however, the use of expensive growth factors and method-induced mechanical stress potentially result in inefficient production costs and difficulties in preserving pluripotency, respectively. Here, we developed a simple, miniaturized, dual-compartment dialysis-culture device based on a conventional membrane-culture insert with deep well plates. The device improved cell expansion up to approximately ~3.2 to 4×107 cells/mL. The high-density expansion was supported by reduction of excessive shear stress and agglomeration mediated by the addition of the functional polymer FP003. The results revealed accumulation of several growth factors, including fibroblast growth factor 2 and insulin, along with endogenous Nodal, which acts as a substitute for depleted transforming growth factor-β1 in maintaining pluripotency. Because we used the same growth-factor formulation per volume in the upper culture compartment, the cost reduced in inverse proportional manner with the cell density. We showed that growth-factor-accumulation dynamics in a low-shear-stress environment successfully improved hiPSC proliferation, pluripotency, and differentiation potential. This miniaturised dialysis-culture system demonstrated the feasibility of cost-effective mass production of hiPSCs in high-density culture.
Simultaneous electrochemical sensing of heavy metal ions based on a g-C3N4/CNT/NH2-MIL-88(Fe) nanocomposite
Authors: Chen Shouhui , Yu Jingguo , Chen Zhen , Huang Zhenzhong , Song Yonghai
Published: November 2021

Porous composite g-C3N4/CNT/NH2-MIL-88(Fe) is rich in N-containing function groups, and can be used to simultaneously detect Cd2+, Pb2+, Cu2+ and Hg2+ in water via square wave stripping voltammetry.
Cu4MnGe2S7 and Cu2MnGeS4: two polar thiogermanates exhibiting second harmonic generation in the infrared and structures derived from hexagonal diamond
Authors: Glenn Jennifer R. , Cho Jeong Bin , Wang Yiqun , Craig Andrew J. , Zhang Jian-Han , Cribbs Marvene , Stoyko Stanislav S. , Rosello Kate E. , Barton Christopher , Bonnoni Allyson , Grima-Gallardo Pedro , MacNeil Joseph H. , Rondinelli James M. , Jang Joon I. , Aitken Jennifer A.
Published: November 2021

The synthesis, structure, and physicochemical characterization of two diamond-like semiconductors are reported. Both compounds display second harmonic generation, bandgaps around 2 eV and wide windows of optical transparency in the infrared.
Binder-free Fe-doped NiCo2O4/Ni3S4 hollow heterostructure nanotubes for highly efficient overall water splitting
Authors: Liu Zhaohui , Zhao Bolin , Pan Chenhao , Zhao Hang
Published: November 2021

Fe doped NiCo2O4/Ni3S4 heterogeneous hollow nanotube structure possessed the highest electrocatalytic performance.
Enhancement of redox capacity derived from O-doping of g-C3N4/WO3 nanosheets for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline under different dissolved oxygen concentration
Authors: Xue Xiuling , Chen Xiaoyi , Zhang Zongyu
Published: November 2021

A novel Z-scheme OCN/WO3 photocatalyst with excellent photocatalytic performance was fabricated via a facile method under different oxygen conditions.
Multiple rotor modes and how to trigger them: complex cation ordering in the family of relaxing hybrid formates
Authors: Peksa Paulina , Nowok Andrzej , Gągor Anna , Mączka Mirosław , Drozd Marek , Sieradzki Adam
Published: November 2021

Phase transition exhibiting switching between fast multiple rotor modes in novel hybrid formate incorporating large triprotonated molecular cation was revealed.
Oxidation state variation in bis-calix[4]arene supported decametallic Mn clusters
Authors: Wilson Lucinda R. B. , Coletta Marco , Jose Reshma , Rajaraman Gopalan , Dalgarno Scott J. , Brechin Euan K.
Published: November 2021

Isolation of structurally related [MnIII4MnII6] and [MnIII6MnII4] clusters using the 2,2′-bis-p-tBu-calix[4]arene ligand framework reveals significant differences in magnetic exchange interactions and spin frustration effects.
Free-standing graphene oxide membrane works in tandem with confined interfacial polymerization of polyamides towards excellent desalination and chlorine tolerance performance
Authors: Maiti Subhasish , Bose Suryasarathi
Published: November 2021

We explored a unique concept in this study to develop a membrane containing a hierarchical porous architecture derived by etching a specific component from a demixed UCST blend as the support layer and a free-standing GO and a polyamide (PA) layer as functional surfaces.
Calcium phosphate nanoparticles for potential application as enamel remineralising agent tested on hydroxyapatite discs
Authors: Mok Zi Hong , Mylonas Petros , Austin Rupert , Proctor Gordon , Pitts Nigel , Thanou Maya
Published: November 2021

Calcium phosphate nanoparticles (hydroxyapatite, 63.9 ± 15.9 nm, rod-shaped, Ca/P: 1.39, low crystallinity, calcium-deficient, carbonated) were shown to increase the surface microhardness and step height of eroded hydroxyapatite discs.
Heterogeneous multi-compartmental DNA hydrogel particles preparedviamicrofluidic assembly for lymphocyte-inspired precision medicine
Authors: Lian Sophie Wan Mei , Guo Song , Ren Kewei , Xu Ying , Ho John S. , Chen Chia-Hung
Published: November 2021

Heterogeneous multi-compartmental DNA hydrogel particles fabricatedviamicrofluidic assembly were incorporated with a tandem DNA sequence logical circuit for precision medicine against cancers.
Synthesis of indolo[2,1-α]isoquinoline derivatives via metal-free radical cascade cyclization
Authors: Hu Xu-Yang , Xu Hai-Feng , Chen Qiang , Pan You-Lu , Chen Jian-Zhong
Published: November 2021

A convenient and efficient approach for the synthesis of indolo[2,1-α]isoquinoline derivatives from 2-aryl-N-acryloyl indoles and aryl or alkyl α-keto acids is described via radical cascade cyclization under metal-free conditions.
On the climate impacts of blue hydrogen production
Authors: Bauer Christian , Treyer Karin , Antonini Cristina , Bergerson Joule , Gazzani Matteo , Gencer Emre , Gibbins Jon , Mazzotti Marco , McCoy Sean T. , McKenna Russell , Pietzcker Robert , Ravikumar Arvind P. , Romano Matteo C. , Ueckerdt Falko , Vente Jaap , van der Spek Mijndert
Published: November 2021

Natural gas based hydrogen production with carbon capture and storage is referred to as blue hydrogen.
Geometry of distributive multiparty entanglement in 4 − qubit hypergraph states
Authors: Sarkar Ramita , Banerjee Shreya , Bag Subhasish , Panigrahi Prasanta K.
Published: November 2021

A detailed investigation of the multiparty entanglement present in the 4 − qubit quantum hypergraph states is presented, following a measurement‐based geometrical approach. Considering a classification of the 4 − party quantum system represented by a mathematical hypergraph based on the connections between its vertices, the genuine 4 − party entanglement present in each bi‐partition of the states have been measured. A strong correlation between the connectivity of the vertices of the hypergraphs and the genuine 4 − party entanglement has been found. The equivalence of the genuine 4 − party entanglement present in each bi‐partition is shown considering similar connectivity of the vertices. This explicates the cyclic permutation symmetry of the multiparty entanglement present in the 4 − qubit hypergraph states. Physically, one may expect the quantum systems with superposition of many states to behave in this symmetric manner while mapped into a network‐type picture, which the authors have quantified, as well as classified in this work.
Integrity monitoring of Global Navigation Satellite System/Inertial Navigation System integrated navigation system based on dynamic fading filter optimisation
Authors: Wang Zhipeng , Li Xin , Zhu Yanbo , Li Qiang , Fang Kun
Published: November 2021

In the application of integrity monitoring of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)/Inertial Navigation System integrated navigation system in complex environments, such as vegetation covered areas, the Kalman filtering (KF) has the disadvantages of low positioning precision, poor performance of fault identification and error bounds. This study proposes an integrity monitoring method based on dynamic fading filter optimisation. According to the real‐time updates of filtering innovation, a fading filtering algorithm is designed, which can adjust the fading factor dynamically. The dynamic fading filtering algorithm is then combined with the fault identification algorithm, which integrates chi‐square and multiple solution separation. An optimisation strategy of setting a fading period to speed up the filter convergence is proposed. The simulation results show that compared with the KF, the dynamic fading filtering reduces the standard deviations of positioning errors by 26%, 39%, and 26%, respectively, in the east, north and up directions. By reducing the filter convergence period, the proposed dynamic fading filtering can enhance the accuracy of the identification results when the subsequent GNSS fault is minor. It can shorten the identification time to about 20% when the subsequent fault is large. The dynamic fading filtering can also limit the state errors below the bounds correctly.
Toward an X-ray inventory of nearby neutron stars
Authors: Vahdat A. , Posselt B. , Santangelo A. , Pavlov G. G.
Published: November 2021

Context. The X-ray emission of neutron stars enables a probe of their temperatures, geometries and magnetospheric properties. The current number of X-ray emitting pulsars is insufficient to rule out observational biases that may arise from poorly known distance, age, or location of the neutron stars. One approach to overcome such biases is to create a distance-limited sample with sufficiently deep observations.

Aims. With the aim of better sampling of the nearby (≲2 kpc) population of neutron stars, we started an XMM-Newton survey of pulsars to measure their X-ray fluxes or derive respective constraining upper limits.

Methods. We investigated 14 nearby pulsars for potential X-ray counterparts using different energy bands and detectors. In addition to our new XMM-Newton data, we also considered archival data and catalogs. We discuss source properties and also check for alternative counterparts to the X-ray sources.

Results. In our new XMM-Newton data, we found two pulsar counterpart candidates with significance above 4σ and one candidate with 3.5σ by combining EPIC camera detection likelihoods. We also report the detection of potential X-ray counterparts to eight radio pulsars in the 4XMM-DR10 catalog which have not been reported in the literature.
Uncovering astrometric black hole binaries with massive main-sequence companions with Gaia
Authors: Janssens S. , Shenar T. , Sana H. , Faigler S. , Langer N. , Marchant P. , Mazeh T. , Schürmann C. , Shahaf S.
Published: November 2021

Context. In the era of gravitational wave astrophysics and with the precise astrometry of billions of stellar sources, the hunt for compact objects is more alive than ever. Rarely seen massive binaries with a compact object are a crucial phase in the evolution towards compact object mergers. With the upcoming third Gaia data release (DR3), the first Gaia astrometric orbital solutions for binary sources will become available, potentially revealing many such binaries.

Aims. We investigate how many black holes (BHs) with massive main-sequence dwarf companions (OB+BH binaries) are expected to be detected as binaries in Gaia DR3 and at the end of the nominal 5-year mission. We estimate how many of those are identifiable as OB+BH binaries and discuss the distributions of the masses of both components as well as of their orbital periods. We also explore how different BH-formation scenarios affect these distributions.

Methods. We apply observational constraints to tailored models for the massive star population, which assume a direct collapse and no kick upon BH formation, to estimate the fraction of OB+BH systems that will be detected as binaries by Gaia, and consider these the fiducial results. These OB+BH systems follow a distance distribution according to that of the second Alma Luminous Star catalogue (ALS II). We use a method based on astrometric data to identify binaries with a compact object and investigate how many of the systems detected as binaries are identifiable as OB+BH binaries. Different scenarios for BH natal kicks and supernova mechanisms are explored and compared to the fiducial results.

Results. In the fiducial case we conservatively estimate that 77% of the OB+BH binaries in the ALS II will be detected as binaries in DR3, of which 89% will be unambiguously identifiable as OB+BH binaries. By the end of the nominal 5-year mission, the detected fraction will increase to 85%, of which 82% will be identifiable. The 99% confidence intervals on these fractions are of the order of a few percent. These fractions become smaller for different BH-formation scenarios.

Conclusions. Assuming direct collapse and no natal kick, we expect to find around 190 OB+BH binaries in Gaia DR3 among the sources in the ALS II, which increases the known sample of OB+BH binaries by more than a factor of 20 and covers an uncharted parameter space of long-period binaries (10 ≲ P ≲ 1000 d). Our results further show that the size and properties of the OB+BH population that is identifiable using Gaia DR3 will contain crucial observational constraints that will help us improve our understanding of BH formation. An additional ∼5 OB+BH binaries could be identified at the end of the nominal 5-year mission, which are expected to have either very short (P ≲ 10 d) or long periods (P ≳ 1000 d).
Uncertainty in tuning evaluation with low-register complex tones of orchestra instruments
Authors: Jaatinen Jussi , Pätynen Jukka , Lokki Tapio
Published: November 2021

The relationship between perceived pitch and harmonic spectrum in complex tones is ambiguous. In this study, 31 professional orchestra musicians participated in a listening experiment where they adjusted the pitch of complex low-register successively presented tones to unison. Tones ranged from A0 to A2 (27.6–110 Hz) and were derived from acoustic instrument samples at three different dynamic levels. Four orchestra instruments were chosen as sources of the stimuli; double bass, bass tuba, contrabassoon, and contrabass clarinet. In addition, a sawtooth tone with 13 harmonics was included as a synthetic reference stimulus. The deviation of subjects’ tuning adjustments from unison tuning was greatest for the lowest tones, but remained unexpectedly high also for higher tones, even though all participants had long experience in accurate tuning. Preceding studies have proposed spectral centroid and Terhardt’s virtual pitch theory as useful predictors of the influence of the envelope of a harmonic spectrum on the perceived pitch. However, neither of these concepts were supported by our results. According to the principal component analysis of spectral differences between the presented tone pairs, the contrabass clarinet-type spectrum, where every second harmonic is attenuated, lowered the perceived pitch of a tone compared with tones with the same fundamental frequency but a different spectral envelope. In summary, the pitches of the stimuli were perceived as undefined and highly dependent on the listener, spectrum, and dynamic level. Despite their high professional level, the subjects did not perceive a common, unambiguous pitch of any of the stimuli. The contrabass clarinet-type spectrum lowered the perceived pitch.
Production and Monitoring of Neutron Flux by Activation Detectors
Authors: Haysak Ivan , Martishichkin Vasyl , Harapko Yevgen , Holomb Robert , Katovsky Karel
Published: November 2021

The neutron generation technique was tested on the microtron M-10 with an output electron beam of 8.7 MeV. Given the low energy that the microtron can provide to electrons, the bremsstrahlung induced photonuclear reaction 9Be (γ, n), which has a low threshold, was chosen for neutron generation. Cobalt and indium targets were tested as activation detectors to estimate the neutron flux density. In the cobalt target, the isomeric state of 60mCo with an energy of 58.6 keV and a half-life of 10.5 minutes is well activated. Two well-known additional gamma lines of standard cobalt source permit to clarify the absolute value of the neutron flux. The activated indium target has four gamma lines bound to the 116mIn isomer β- decaying with the half-life of 54.4 minutes, what is convenient for measurement of gamma spectrum. Despite the low energy of the output electron beam, at a beam intensity of 5 μA it is possible to obtain an almost isotropic neutron flux of 107 n/(s∙cm2).
CAREDAS: a Comprehensive Architecture for a Redundant and Evolutive Data Acquisition System for JHR reactor
Authors: Leroux Fabrice , Ducobu Lionel , Milleville Frédéric
Published: November 2021

A new material testing reactor Jules Horowitz Reactor is under construction at CEA Cadarache. The materials to be irradiated will be placed into experimental devices around the reactor. Process and measurements of experimental devices will be carried out by command control. A data acquisition system having processing performances will be associated to the programmable logic controller. The challenge is to design and realize for twenty experiment devices a high availability data acquisition system architecture for 50 years of sustainability. The real time target will achieve 24/7 data acquisition and real time processing. This scalable architecture could be use as well for JHR experimental devices with high availability as for testbed. This architecture could be run on a standalone station for a measuring bench or deployed on cluster for high availability. CAREDAS’s design is modular and use proven widely used open source solutions. All parts are independent from each other and can be replaced with another technology with the same functionalities. This ensures sustainability and control of software sources.
3-D thermal and radiation-matter interaction simulations of a SiC solid-state detector for neutron flux measurements in JSI TRIGA Mark II research reactor
Authors: Valero V. , Ottaviani L. , Lyoussi A. , Ghninou H. , Radulović V. , Snoj L. , Pungerčič A. , Volte A. , Carette M. , Reynard-Carette C.
Published: November 2021

Neutron detection is a relevant topic in the field of nuclear instrumentation. It is at the heart of the concerns for fusion applications (neutron diagnostics, measurements inside the Test Blanket Modules TBM) as well as for fission applications (in-core and ex-core monitoring, neutron mapping or safety applications in research reactors). Moreover, due to the even more harsh conditions of the future experimental reactors such as the Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) or International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), neutron detectors need to be adapted to high neutron and γ fluxes, high nuclear heating rates and high temperatures. Consequently, radiation and temperature hardened sensors with fast response, high energy resolution and stability in a mixed neutron and γ environment are required. All these requirements make wide-bandgap semiconductors and, more precisely, Silicon Carbide (SiC) serious candidates due to their intrinsic characteristics in such extreme environments. Thus, since the last decades, SiC-based detectors are developed and studied for neutron detection in various nuclear facilities. In this paper, a SiC-based neutron detector is 3-D designed and studied through thermal and radiation-matter interaction numerical simulations for a future irradiation campaign at the Jožef Stefan Institute TRIGA Mark II research reactor in Slovenia. Firstly, this paper presents the scientific background and issues of our SiC-based detectors. In a second part the 3-D geometry is shown. Thereafter, the 3-D numerical thermal simulation results are reported. Finally, the 3-D numerical radiation/matter interaction simulations results are presented.
Qualification Test System for Radiation Detection Devices QuTeSt
Authors: Risse Monika , Clemens Peter , Glabian Jeannette , Schumann Olaf , Koeble Theo , Friedrich Hermann , Berky Wolfram , Bornhoeft Marie Charlotte , Chmel Sebastian
Published: November 2021

Measurement equipment for the detection and identification of radioactive and nuclear (RN) material has a wide application area. The main application aspects are monitoring, search, and identification. A common goal is to gain reliable measurement results. In the past, the only way to assess the performance of a measuring device was to rely on the data given by the manufacturer of the device itself. Reliable test results from an independent third party are more than welcome. These tests can be performed against consensus standards in order to have reproducible test results, independent of the testing location and the performing laboratory. Fraunhofer INT has conceived and built a test environment to perform dynamic and static test measurements using neutron and gamma sources. Tests can be performed in accordance with the IEC and ANSI standards as well as the ITRAP+10 test procedures. This includes qualification tests of truck portal monitors with the dynamic test system. Generally, the effects of one test parameter on other test parameters are not considered in the test procedures. For example, the accuracy of the dose rate may depend on the energy range of the radioactive source used. Besides the overview of the test systems the paper will address restrictions, problems and limitations of the possible qualification measurements as well as potential limitations arising from the given test procedures themselves.
UAV prototype for localization and identification of radioactive contamination and emitters
Authors: Moretto S. , Pino Andrades F.E. , Delgado J. , Fontana C.L. , Fabris D. , Nebbia G. , Turcato M. , Brunelli D. , Pancheri L. , Quaranta A.
Published: November 2021

The Dragon (Drone for RAdiation detection of Gammas and Neutrons) prototype aims at designing and developing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with a detection system able to identify radioactive materials, spread over an area or located in a specific position. The system is focused on the localization of the unknown emitter and its subsequently identification.

The proposed prototype is made up of two easily interchangeable detection systems, one will be used as a counter while the second will be aimed to perform goodresolution gamma spectroscopy. Both solutions have neutron gamma discrimination capability in order to be suitable for special nuclear materials (SNM) detection in gamma contamination background.

The data acquisition module is made up of a compact digitizer board (RedPitaya, sampling rate of 125 MHz and 14 bits of resolution.), a mini computer (Raspberry, for example). This combination allows to install an embedded operating system (e.g. Linux) that can run the necessary software for the Data Acquisition (DAQ), like the ABCD distributed DAQ.

Our contribution will be aimed to show a comprehensive characterization of the two detection systems, a medium size CLLB scintillation detector, and a large plastic scintillator, EJ-276, in order to assess their potential use in a UAV-based radiation monitoring system.
Deconvolution methods used for the development of a neutron spectrometer
Authors: Simonetti Claude-Alexandre , Labalme Marc , Trolet Jean-Lionel , Mary Patrick
Published: November 2021

To fulfill the requirements of the industry, the feasibility of a transportable neutron spectrometer is under study by our collaboration. Preliminary studies have led to a solution based on a unique-multi-detectors-Bonner sphere, which has the advantage to simultaneously perform many neutrons-measurements through thermal neutron detectors placed at different depths inside a polyethylene sphere. The incident neutron energy is then reconstructed using unfolding methods. The optimization of the layout of the detectors in the sphere and of the diameter of the sphere was performed thanks to GEANT4 simulations, coupled to unfolding methods such as least-squares, maximum of entropy or maximum of likelihood. Different unfolding methods have been tested. For the time being, the best unfolding results were obtained by the computer codes M.A.X.E.D. and G.R.A.V.E.L., formalized by the Nuclear Energy Agency (N.E.A.). A “personal” method based on the maximum of entropy coupled to the maximum of likelihood gives good results as well, but a few convergence parameters have still to be optimized. In the present paper, a solution of a multi-detectors-Bonner sphere is presented as well as results of unfolded neutron energy spectra. The results obtained show a good agreement with unmoderated and moderated Am/Be and 252Cf spectra.
A prototype of pCT scanner: first tests
Authors: Briz J. A. , Posadillo I. , Távora V.G. , Nácher E. , Borge M.J.G. , Tengblad O. , Perea A. , Ortiz A. , Ovejas J. D. , Viñals S.
Published: November 2021

Proton therapy technique for cancer treatment offers a high selectivity with respect to conventional radiotherapy with X- and γ-rays due to the properties of the interaction of protons with matter. Very accurate and precise treatment plans and a good control on the dose deposition are required to exploit the full potential of the technique. The substitution of the currently used X-ray Computed Tomography (xCT) by proton Computed Tomography (pCT) in the design of treatment plans would allow for a reduction in proton range uncertainties. This would make possible an important improvement in the accuracy and precision of treatment plans. With this aim, a prototype of pCT scanner is under study. It includes two tracking detectors which provide information on the proton trajectories and a residual energy detector to determine the energy loss while traversing the object scanned. A proof-of-concept experiment has been performed using low-energy protons and a simplified prototype with only the two tracking detectors. The results obtained in the measurement are presented and discussed.
The effect of the aging of liquid organic scintillators used for gamma-neutron separation
Authors: Janda Jiří , Jánský Jaroslav , Mazánková Věra , Cvachovec František
Published: November 2021

Since the beginning of using liquid scintillators for gamma-neutron separation, there have been many articles dealing with long-term degradation especially due to oxygen presented during scintillator encapsulation. The effect of aging of liquid organic scintillators namely EJ301, EJ309 (both Eljen Technology), and new custom-made cocktails based on 1-Phenyl-3-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-pyrazoline and 2,5-Bis(5-tert-butyl-benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene fluors were investigated for more than half a year. The research was focused on the Compton edge shifting of gamma particles since the position is proportional to the light yield of the selected scintillator. Furthermore, the gamma-neutron separation was observed and quantified using FOM (Figure Of Merit) for samples prepared and filled under normal and nitrogen atmosphere during the mentioned period. All stated parameters of liquid scintillator NE213 manufactured by Nuclear Enterprises Limited opened more than three decades ago were measured and used for comparison.
Analog Pulse Shape Discrimination Based on Time Duration and Pulse Height
Authors: Harn R. , Osovizky A. , Kadmon Y. , Manor A. , Ghelman M.
Published: November 2021

Pulse shape discrimination is a name of a group of techniques used to detect and distinguish between different types of radiation interactions. Analog pulse shape discrimination methods can be more suitable than digital methods, for high-speed scintillators both from rate and power consumption perspectives. Common analog discrimination methods are based on pulse-height and pulse-energy discrimination techniques. Other techniques rely on the time difference in the pulse width such as the ZeroCrossing methods. Neither of the above combine both amplitude and time methods. We present a novel analog pulse shape discrimination topology that combines both height and time domain. The topology is based on discrimination according to the pulse duration in time combined with compensation function of the pulse height. Amplitude of the pulse is used as a restraining factor. Subsequently, our topology correctly identifies fast pulses that are prolonged in time due to their high amplitude. The topology yields superior discrimination capabilities, under degraded light collection conditions, with an uncertainty gap smaller than 1 ns in pulse width. The ability to control both the time and the amplitude parameters individually, provides tailored adjustment for various detectors and pulse shape discrimination applications.
Bio-based optical and photonic materials: towards nature-based production methods for photonics
Authors: Núñez-Sánchez Sara , Lopez-Garcia Martin
Published: November 2021

Nature has been a source of inspiration for the fabrication of new optical materials for centuries. During the last decades, the rapid developments in nanofabrication allowed mimicking the photonic properties of living organisms towards more efficient functional devices. But nanophotonics still relies on nanofabrication techniques and materials not compatible with the current environmental challenges. Bio-based optical materials have emerged as a sustainable alternative combining the best of both worlds: precise nanostructuring and unique optical properties with environmentally friendly natural production protocols.
Projet ICAREx : au service des concepteurs du nucléaire de demain
Authors: Le Gros Gaïc
Published: November 2021

Le projet ICAREx, piloté par la R&D d’EDF, ambitionne d’offrir aux concepteurs de centrales nucléaires les outils pour développer un jumeau numérique dès les prémices du projet et ainsi faire évoluer les méthodes de conception. Il entre dans le cadre d’une dynamique de numérisation et de modernisation de l’industrie nucléaire. Grâce à cette innovation, la filière nucléaire se dote d’un moyen moderne de sécuriser la réalisation de ses futurs grands projets de maintenance et de nouvelles constructions.
REEL : rapatriement du savoir-faire en France et innovations
Authors: Crampon Cécile
Published: November 2021

Créée en 1946, REEL est une entreprise industrielle française opérant dans la conception, la fabrication, l’installation et la maintenance d’équipements mécaniques complexes en milieu critique. Retenue dans le cadre de l’Appel à projets (AAP) du plan de France Relance, elle bénéficie d’une double opportunité : rapatrier un savoir-faire industriel sur le territoire et être en capacité d’innover en répondant aux besoins d’EDF pour le parc nucléaire français.
Misdiagnosed cartilaginous PCL avulsion in young children
Authors: Pacull Romain , Bourbotte-Salmon Florian , Buffe-Lidove Margaux , Cance Nicolas , Chotel Franck
Published: November 2021

Posterior Cruciate Ligaments injuries are rare in children and usually due to bony avulsion fractures or midsubstance tears. This study focused on cartilaginous avulsions initially misdiagnosed despite of MRI assessment. Two 6-year-old boys had cartilaginous avulsion fracture injury at the femoral attachment of the PCL. One had associated medial meniscal lesion and was reinserted. The other conducted to non-union. MRI second lecture reveals an original description with nail-biting sign on cartilage surface of anterior notch, and a close PCL angle without anterior tibial translation. No bone bruise was associated. Similarly, to ACL cartilaginous tibial avulsions, PCL cartilaginous femoral avulsions are underdiagnosed. When knee hemarthrosis occurs under the age of nine, clinician and radiologist should be aware that cartilaginous avulsion of ACL and PCL also could be the main pattern of lesion.
Chlormethin-Gel-basierte komplette Remission einer CD30-positiven Mycosis fungoides-Plaque
Authors: Fahlbusch S. , Hüning S. , Lücke A. , Nashan D.
Published: November 2021

Chlormethin-Gel ist seit Mai 2019 als Lokaltherapeutikum bei Erwachsenen für kutane T-Zell-Lymphome vom Typ Mycosis fungoides (MF) zugelassen. Die topische Anwendung erfolgt 1-mal täglich. Im Rahmen der Zulassungsstudie kam es nach einer mindestens 6-monatigen Behandlung mit Chlormethin-Gel bei 76,7 % der Patienten (69 von 90) zu einer ≥ 50 %-igen Verbesserung der klinischen Befunde, gemessen anhand der CAILS-Skala (Composite Assessment of Index Lesion Serverity). Eine komplette Remission wurde bei 19 % (17 von 90) der Patienten beschrieben. Etwas mehr als die Hälfte der behandelten Patienten zeigte lokale Nebenwirkungen mit Hautirritationen, Hautrötungen und auch Hautinfektionen. Weitere mögliche Hautreaktionen sind Pruritus, Blasenbildung und Geschwüre.

Im Folgenden wird von einer Patientin mit einer bekannten CD30+-Mycosis fungoides im Stadium IIB (ISCL/EORTC 2007) berichtet. Eine unter verschiedenen Systemtherapien (Bexaroten, Bade-PUVA, Brentuximab Vedotin) immer wieder rezidivierende, ca. handtellergroße Plaque an der Flanke links wurde mit Chlormethin-Gel behandelt.

Aufgrund bereits bekannter, langsam progredienter Größenzunahme und wiederholt schmerzhafter Mazerationen dieses Herdes erfolgte auch mit Blick auf mögliche Nebenwirkungen von Chlormethin-Gel die Behandlung in Absprache mit der Patientin nur jeden zweiten Tag.

Unter diesem Therapieregime zeigte sich, nach anfänglicher kurzzeitiger Hautreizung, bereits nach 3 Monaten eine komplette, histologisch gesicherte, aktuell 6 Monate anhaltende Remission der Läsion.

Diese Kasuistik soll einen eindrucksvollen Therapieverlauf unter Chlormethin-Gel in reduzierter Dosierung und bei guter Verträglichkeit präsentieren.
Hirnmetastasen
Authors: Schmale Ine
Published: November 2021

In einer Sitzung zu Kontroversen in der Behandlung von Patienten mit Melanom im Rahmen der Jahrestagung 2021 der European Association of Dermato-Oncology (EADO) wurde auch die Frage nach der Rolle der Ganzhirnbestrahlung bei einer Hirnmetastasierung diskutiert. Prof. Lars Bastholt, Odense/Dänemark) argumentierte pro und Prof. Bernardo L. Rapoport, Pretoria/Südafrika, kontra Radiatio.
Hochbegabte und Hochsensible in der Psychiatrie
Authors: Germann-Tillmann Theres , Treier René
Published: November 2021

Hochbegabung und Hochsensibilität sind keine Krankheiten. Jedoch werden Betroffene im psychiatrischen Fachbereich häufig pathologisiert und aufgrund von Fehldiagnosen falsch behandelt – mit fatalen Auswirkungen für sich und ihr Umfeld. Deshalb ist es wichtig, dass Fachleute – insbesondere Pflegefachkräfte – die „typischen Verhaltensweisen“ der Hochbegabten kennen und einordnen können.
Nicht-kleinzelliges Lungenkarzinom
Authors: Schmale Ine
Published: November 2021

Mit zielgerichteten Therapien konnten beim nicht-kleinzelligen Lungenkarzinom (NSCLC) bereits vielversprechende Ergebnisse für selektierte Patienten erzielt werden. Mit der Immuntherapie, insbesondere in Kombination mit einer Chemotherapie, wurde die Prognose weiterer selektierter Patienten verbessert. Beim diesjährigen ASCO wurden tiefergehende Untersuchungen zu beiden Strategien in verschiedenen Therapielinien und Patientensubgruppen präsentiert.
Gynäkologische Onkologie – Wo im Praxisalltag der Schuh drückt
Authors: Willen Christine
Published: November 2021

Weltweit nahmen über 2600 Experten der gynäkologischen Onkologie an der diesjährigen virtuellen Jahrestagung der Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) teil. Diskutiert wurden unter anderem Neuigkeiten zum Umgang mit COVID-19-Infektionen bei gynäkologischen Tumoren und Empfehlungen zum Management von Toxizität unter Immun- und Chemotherapie.
Role of the pedestal current on the stability of non-ideal ballooning modes
Authors: Mou M. L. , Chen S. Y. , Jhang Hogun , Tang C. J.
Published: November 2021

On the basis of a three-field flute-reduced magnetohydrodynamic model, which mainly describes the edge instabilities by shielding a major part of the J × B force in the flute reduction, we study the stability of ballooning modes in the edge pedestal, highlighting the role of an equilibrium parallel current gradient. This effect, which is designated as the current gradient driven (CGD) term in this paper, is shown to have an influence on the stability of finite-n pedestal ballooning modes due to the existence of a highly localized bootstrap current. An analysis in the ideal limit shows that the CGD term destabilizes the ballooning modes regardless of the sign of its gradient, especially near the stability boundaries. An inclusion of the finite Larmor radius (FLR) effect via ion diamagnetic flow and finite resistivity results in a coupling of the FLR effect and the current gradient. In this particular regime where the deviation from the ideal stability is considerable, this coupling effect is shown to dominate stability in intermediate n (20<n≤40) modes. Here, n is the toroidal mode number. Stability analyses using a series of model pedestal equilibria indicate that an increase in a bootstrap current can move the most unstable position from the pedestal middle to the bottom and the negative gradient of the bootstrap current at the pedestal bottom leads to further destabilization of intermediate n modes.
Proteome changes and associated physiological roles in chickpea (
Authors: Makonya Givemore M. , Ogola John B. O. , Gabier Hawwa , Rafudeen Mohammed S. , Muasya A. Muthama , Crespo Olivier , Maseko Sipho , Valentine Alex J. , Ottosen Carl-Otto , Rosenqvist Eva , Chimphango Samson B. M.
Published: November 2021

Interrogative proteome analyses are used to identify and quantify the expression of proteins involved in heat tolerance and to identify associated physiological processes in heat-stressed plants. The objectives of the study were to identify and quantify the expression of proteins involved in heat tolerance and to identify associated physiological processes in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) heat-tolerant (Acc#7) and sensitive genotype (Acc#8) from a field study. Proteomic and gene ontological analyses showed an upregulation in proteins related to protein synthesis, intracellular traffic, defence and transport in the heat-tolerant genotype compared to the susceptible one at the warmer site. Results from KEGG analyses indicate the involvement of probable sucrose-phosphate synthase (EC 2.4.1.14) and sucrose-phosphate phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.24) proteins, that were upregulated in the heat-tolerant genotype at the warmer site, in the starch and sucrose pathway. The presence of these differentially regulated proteins including HSP70, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase activase, plastocyanin and protoporphyrinogen oxidase suggests their potential role in heat tolerance, at flowering growth stage, in field-grown chickpea. This observation supports unaltered physiological and biochemical performance of the heat-tolerant genotypes (Acc#7) relative to the susceptible genotype (Acc#8) in related studies (Makonya et al. 2019). Characterisation of the candidate proteins identified in the current study as well as their specific roles in the tolerance to heat stress in chickpea are integral to further crop improvement initiatives.
DMOs and tourism marketing channels in centre of Portugal.
Authors: Borges Bernardo , Costa Rui Augusto
Published: November 2021

This chapter, by Bernardo Borges and Rui Augusto Costa, deals with destination management organisations (DMOs) and the tourism marketing channels in the Centre of Portugal. The chapter assesses the significance of the digital marketing strategy of the DMOs responsible for the Centre of Portugal and provides insights regarding how this strategy can affect tourists' information search during the pre-trip as well as at the destination. The study concludes with useful information for DMOs regarding the main promotion channels that they should use for attracting tourists to the region.