bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Investigating the Impact of Voxel Size and Postfiltering on Quantitative Analysis of Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography: A Phantom Study
Authors: Mohymen Ahmed Abdel , Farag Hamed Ibrahim , Reda Sameh M. , Monem Ahmed Soltan , Ali Said A. 
Published: December 2024

Aim:
This study aims to investigate the influence of voxel size and postfiltering on the quantification of standardized uptake value (SUV) in positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) images.

Materials and Methods:
National Electrical Manufacturers Association phantom with the spheres of different sizes were utilized to simulate the lesions. The phantom was scanned using a PET/CT scanner, and the acquired images were reconstructed using two different matrix sizes, (192 × 192) and (256 × 256), and a wide range of postfiltering values.

Results:
The findings demonstrated that postfiltering significantly affected SUV measurements. The changes in postfiltering values can result in overestimation or underestimation of SUV values, highlighting the importance of carefully selecting appropriate filters. Increasing the matrix size improved SUVmax and SUVmean values, particularly for small-sized spheres. Smaller voxel reconstructions slightly reduced partial volume effects and partially enhanced SUV quantification.

Conclusions:
Careful consideration of postfiltering values and matrix size selection can lead to better SUV quantification. These findings emphasize the need to optimize the reconstruction parameters to enhance the clinical utility of PET/CT in detecting and evaluating malignant lesions.
Evaluation of the Effect of Nanosilver and Bismuth oxide on the Radiopacity of a Novel Hydraulic Calcium Silicate-based Endodontic Sealer: An In vitro Study
Authors: Dsouza Teena Sheethal , Shetty Aditya , Pais Kelvin Peter , Chikkanna Meenakumari , Almutairi Fahad Hamoud , Alharbi Yazeed Abdulaziz , Babu J. Suresh , Swarnalatha C. , Nayyar Abhishek Singh 
Published: December 2024

Background and Aim:
A wide range of dental materials have incorporated the concept of nanotechnology into their composition to enhance their physical and antimicrobial properties. In this pretext, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are among the most commonly used nanoparticles which are exceptionally noteworthy for their role in medical applications as an antibacterial agent. Another essential, desirable physical characteristic of all endodontic cements is their radiopacity, while in similar context, various radiopacifying agents such as bismuth oxide, barium sulfate, and even AgNPs have been incorporated in endodontic sealers to enhance their physical properties. The aim of the present study was to assess whether the incorporation of AgNPs and 10% bismuth oxide imparted the required radiopacity to the novel cement material (Nano CS) as per the requirement and standards laid by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) guidelines and whether it complied with the ISO 6876:2001 specifications to achieve the necessary norms.

Materials and Methods:
The structural characteristics of the novel cement material (Nano CS) were observed using energy-dispersive X-ray analysis under a Zeiss Gemini 500 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope, while radiopacity of the test material (Nano CS) was assessed with the help of an aluminum (Al) step‐wedge using a nondestructive testing method following ISO guidelines. The optical density of the test material (Nano CS) was tested with the specimens of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as the standard cement material along with the specimens of enamel and dentin that were 1 mm thick, and Al of appropriate thickness with the desired and equivalent radiopacity.

Results:
The findings of the present study suggested MTA to have higher radiopacity index equivalent to 4.56 ± 0.00 mm thickness of Al when compared to the test material (Nano CS) (2.78 ± 0.01 mm thickness of Al) and enamel (4.09 ± 0.01 mm thickness of Al) and dentin (2.01 ± 0.01 mm thickness of Al) specimens. Furthermore, the radiopacity index of test material (Nano CS) was found to be more when compared to dentin, though, less when compared to the enamel specimens with the results being statistically highly significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusion:
The addition of nanosilver and bismuth oxide to the test material (Nano CS) imparted characteristic radiopacity, though the required specifications laid down by the ISO standards were not achieved. Increasing the concentration of the additives used might be considered to bring in the required radiopacity without having a significant impact on the physical and biological properties of the test material (Nano CS) intended to be used for endodontic applications.
Multifaceted Characterization and Therapeutic Evaluation of Co-precipitated Cobalt Ferrite Nanoparticles for Magnetic Hyperthermia Cancer Therapy
Authors: Reena R. Jafrin , Raj N. Arunai Nambi 
Published: December 2024

Aim:
Magnetic-mediated hyperthermia has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach for treating cancer. This technique employs the heat dissipated by the magnetic nanoparticles when subjected to an external varying magnetic field, to bring about localized hyperthermia in tumor tissues. Owing to their conducive and tuneable “physical, chemical, and magnetic” characteristics, cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles are recognized as emerging contenders. The aim of the present work was to enhance the magnetic characteristics and guarantee the efficacy of CoFe2 O4 nanoparticles in targeting and eliminating cancer cells.

Methods:
CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were synthesized using the chemical co-precipitation route and underwent rigorous structural, morphological, and magnetic characterization techniques. The synthesized particles were then subjected to in vitro studies to evaluate their cytotoxicity and antimicrobial susceptibility.

Results:
The characterization techniques confirmed the cubic structure, ferrite phase, and spherical and magnetic nature of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. The zeta potential was found to be − 0.0048V (4.8 mV). Cytotoxicity analysis exhibited decreased cell viability with increasing concentrations of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles. Antimicrobial studies displayed good inhibiting properties.

Conclusion:
The zeta potential of the synthesized CoFe2O4 nanoparticles was found to be higher than that of the breast cancer cells (MCF-7) which proves the synthesized drug to be effective. The in vitro studies also disclose the efficacy of the drug over cancer cells.
Monte Carlo Simulation of Gamma and Neutron Shielding with High-performance Ultra-heavy Cement Composite
Authors: Alipoor Mohammadreza , Eshghi Mahdi , Sever Ramazan 
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
As the applications of nuclear technology increase in today’s world, radiation protection becomes even more important. Radiation protection is important in medical imaging applications and radiotherapy rooms. Therefore, in this research, we have investigated features of the ionizing radiation shielding of the modified cement composite with iron, strontium, zinc, and zirconium elements in the photon energy range of 15 keV to 10 MeV.

Materials and Methods:
To extract such features, it is necessary to use a computational method. In this research, we have done all our calculations based on the Geant4 tool based on the Monte Carlo method. This tool is a multipurpose tool that can be used for particle transport calculations such as electrons, protons, neutrons, heavy charged particles, and photons in different environments such as human tissues.

Results:
The mass attenuation coefficient of the samples was calculated using the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation tool and compared with the results of the Phy-X program, which was in good agreement. To evaluate the radiation shielding capabilities, other quantities such as the linear attenuation coefficient, the thickness of the tenth value layer, the thermal neutron cross-section, absorption rate of thermal neutrons, and the cross-section of the fast neutron removal are determined.

Conclusions:
According to the quantitative results, cement composite is more effective in absorbing and weakening gamma and neutrons. Calculations of radiation shielding quantities show that cement composites containing tungsten carbide and thallium oxide waste powder are a suitable combination and a practical material for radiation control. In addition, by returning industrial waste to the production sector, they will also be effective in reducing environmental pollution. In general, the cement composite sample containing iron, thallium, zinc, zirconium, tungsten, and carbon elements shows a high potential for radiation protection applications. This study highlights the effective radiation shielding potential of cementitious composites and demonstrates the importance of advancing safety measures in medical and industrial radiation applications.
Effectiveness of Automated Treatment Planning for Left-sided Breast in Flattening Filter-free Photon Beams
Authors: Tansangworn Prasit , Chatchumnan Nichakan , Saksornchai Kitwadee , Kingkaew Sakda , Vimolnoch Mananchaya , Oonsiri Puntiwa , Oonsiri Sornjarod 
Published: December 2024

Purpose:
Electronic compensator is a time-consuming technique for breast cancer radiation treatment planning, consequently, this presents challenges for the development of automated treatment planning for the treatment plan. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the use of automated treatment planning software for the left breast.

Subjects and Methods:
Thirty-eight patients with left-sided breast cancer without locoregional nodes were treated with a prescribed dose of 42.4 Gy in 16 fractions. Treatment planning was performed using electronic compensators. In addition, automated treatment planning techniques were utilized, which involved automated plan generation. This facilitated the comparison of dosimetric parameters: target volume (Dmax, homogeneity index [HI], and conformity index [CI]), organs at risk, plan parameters, and quality assurance.

Results:
The automated treatment planning exerted lower Dmax of PTV_Eval compared to electronic compensator techniques, that is, 43.4 ± 1.1 Gy and 43.9 ± 1.1 Gy, respectively (P < 0.05). Similarly, the HI of automated treatment planning was lower than other techniques, 0.10 ± 0.04 and 0.08 ± 0.03, respectively (P < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the CI or organs at risk between the two techniques (P = 0.11). In plan parameters, automated treatment planning required lower monitor units compared to the electronic compensator techniques, i.e., 534.3 ± 47.4 and 724.5 ± 117.9, respectively (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the automated treatment planning significantly reduced treatment time compared to electronic compensator techniques, that is, 2.3 ± 0.5 and 41.8 ± 15.1 min, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusions:
Automated treatment planning improved the treatment plan homogeneity, reduced hotspots, enhanced treatment planning efficiency, and reduced treatment planning time and doses comparable to those of normal organs.
Impact of Number and Placement of High-dose Vertices on Equivalent Uniform Dose and Peak-to-valley Ratio for Lattice Radiotherapy
Authors: Bhagyalakshmi A. T. , Ramasubramanian Velayudham 
Published: December 2024

Aims:
This study evaluated the influence of high dose (HD) vertex numbers and its placement on equivalent uniform dose (EUD) and peak-to-valley dose ratio (PVDR) in lattice radiotherapy (LRT).

Settings and Design:
One hundred and eighty-eight RapidArc (RA) plans were created for a cohort of 15 patients.

Materials and Methods:
RA plans were created with zero to eight HD vertices to analyze their relationship with EUD. Eight lattices were systematically and optimally placed (by avoiding proximity to organs at risks [OARs]) to study the impact of vertex placement. Variations in PVDR were assessed using PVDR1 (mean dose to HD vertices by the difference of mean doses to planning target volume [PTV] and HD vertices) and PVDR2 (D10/D90 of PTV in composite plans) across 38 RA plans with HD vertex doses of 9 Gy, 12 Gy, 15 Gy, and 18 Gy. PVDR3 (product of PVDR1 and PVDR2) was evaluated for its variation with peak dose.

Statistical Analysis Used:
Hypothesis testing between vertex placements was performed using a two-tailed Student’s t-test.

Results:
EUD values ranged from 32.88 Gy to 40.63 Gy. In addition, statistical analysis revealed significant associations (P = 0.0074) between the placement patterns of HD vertices, both in systematic and optimized arrangements. The PVDR and D10/D90 product values were 1.6, 1.8, 2.1, and 2.3 for peak doses of 9 Gy, 12 Gy, 15 Gy, and 18 Gy, respectively.

Conclusions:
The addition of one HD vertex increased EUD, emphasizing the impact of individual vertex increments on outcomes. Systematic and optimized vertex placements enhance EUD, with optimized placement yielding better doses to PTV and OARs. PVDR3 offers superior dose reporting for LRT compared to PVDR1 and PVDR2.
Impact of Agricultural Inputs on Paddy Cultivators of Hassan
Authors: Dr. S Jayalakshmi Priya  
Published: December 2024

Regarding the impact of agricultural inputs on productivity of farmers in Hassan district the sample area taken was four taluks. Holenarsipura Arakalgudu Narayana pura and Alluru. 50 farmers growing paddy from each of these four sampled taluks where chosen for the study. The research gap suggested that there was a huge shortage of procurement of healthy seeds, no new farm machinery, lack of agricultural finance, irrigational facilities was not harnessed effectively. There was water shortage, fertilizers shortage, soil incompatibility and old stock pesticides were available. These were core requisites which was not readily available to the cash strapped farmers. Lack of capital was the main reason for low production. Even the labour was seasonal and most of the times never returned postharvest as they found employment elsewhere. The research methodology used was both primary and secondary data. Analysis for interpretation and the computation of the data collected by interview method from the farmers where compiled and analyzed by means of the percentage method, regression analysis and F-test. The findings showed that the unfavorable procurement of inputs which was basically needed to increase and usher in a bountiful production was woefully inadequate. conclusion portrayed that still 70% of the farmers were using old traditional methods for cultivation of paddy.
Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness and Resilience Among Emerging Adults
Authors: Sharon Susan Anil  , Ardhra Tom Michael  , Arlene Salil  , Krupa Dinah Mathews  
Published: December 2024

In this workaholic world the emerging adults are dealing with stressful situations. They find difficulty in coping or adapting with successive and challenging routines in daily life including both personal and external factors. Emotional Intelligence refers to a set of experiences, including self- awareness mood management, self-motivation, empathy and managing relationship. Mindfulness is inherently a state of consciousness which involves attending to one’s moment to moment experience. Resilience which means the ability to adapt and bounce back from adversity guided by Emotional Intelligence. The prime focus of the study is to find the relationship between Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness and Resilience. The study consisted of 97 participants of age 18-25 years old and the participants were selected using convenience sampling method. The research instruments used were Brief Emotional Intelligence Scale-10 (BEIS-10), Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS-15), Nicholson McBride Resilience Questionnaire (NMRQ-12) to measure Emotional Intelligence, Mindfulness and Resilience respectively. The data was collected by using Google form. The collected data was analysed using SPSS. The data was not normally distributed. The statistical technique used was Spearman’s Rank Correlation. The result obtained shows that there is a significant correlation between Emotional Intelligence and Mindfulness as well as emotional intelligence and Resilience among emerging adults. The result also showed that there is significant relationship between Mindfulness and Resilience among emerging adults. This study could serve as a basis for building and promoting adequate coping strategies and mental health interventions for the emerging adults.
The coesite–stishovite transition of hydrous, Al-bearing SiO2: an in situ synchrotron X-ray study
Authors: Koch-Müller Monika , Lathe Christian , Wunder Bernd , Appelt Oona , Bhat Shrikant , Ebert Andreas , Farla Robert , Roddatis Vladimir , Schreiber Anja , Wirth Richard 
Published: December 2024

Abstract. We examined the influence of Al2O3 and H2O on the position of the coesite–stishovite transition by means of in situ X-ray diffraction measurements with the large-volume press at the PETRA III synchrotron in Hamburg. The position of the transition was determined by several reversal experiments and was found to be shifted almost in parallel by about 1.5 GPa to lower pressures compared to results for the pure SiO2 system reported by Ono et al. (2017). Two further reversal experiments with either additional Al2O3 or additional H2O added to SiO2 showed smaller changes compared to the results of Ono et al. (2017), indicating the effect of the coupled Al and H incorporation in coesite and stishovite on their transition. Further investigations of the solid quenched products and of products from additional multi-anvil experiments performed at the GFZ Helmholtz-Zentrum für Geoforschung in Potsdam were done by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy. Generally, the recovered samples of the in situ experiments contained less stishovite than expected from the last in situ XRD pattern before quenching. Thus, these investigations clearly show that hydrous, Al-rich stishovite that formed at high pressure (P) and temperature (T) could, at least partly, not be quenched to room conditions and transformed to coesite with unusually high (Al, H) contents. As result of this, conventional quench experiments would lead to erroneous results of the transition in the (Al, H)-bearing SiO2 system. We observed two kinds of coesite in the experiments: one relatively Al-poor coesite transformed under equilibrium conditions at P and T from stishovite over a certain time frame and an Al-richer one, sometimes pseudomorphically replacing former stishovite during the decompression process to room conditions. Within both types of coesite, nanometre-sized kyanite inclusions and relicts or remnants of stishovite were observed by TEM. These observations resemble those of Yang et al. (2007) on ophiolites with identical textures and phases and were interpreted as result of a stishovite transition back to coesite during retrograde metamorphism. Our results clearly indicate that the coesite–stishovite transition is sharp but can considerably vary in depth by the addition of Al and H to the SiO2 system. This has consequences for the assignment and interpretation of the depth variation of the seismic X discontinuity.
Simulation of snow albedo and solar irradiance profile with the Two-streAm Radiative TransfEr in Snow (TARTES) v2.0 model
Authors: Picard Ghislain , Libois Quentin 
Published: December 2024

Abstract. The Two-streAm Radiative TransfEr in Snow (TARTES) model computes the spectral albedo and the profiles of spectral absorption, irradiance, and actinic fluxes for a multi-layer plane-parallel snowpack. Each snow layer is characterized by its specific surface area, density, and impurity content, in addition to shape parameters. In the landscape of snow optical numerical models, TARTES distinguishes itself by taking into account different shapes of the particles through two shape parameters, namely the absorption enhancement parameter B and the asymmetry factor g. This is of primary importance as recent studies working at the microstructure level have demonstrated that snow does not behave as a collection of equivalent ice spheres, a representation widely used in other models. Instead, B and g take specific values that do not correspond to any simple geometrical shape, which leads to the concept of the “optical shape of snow”. Apart from this specificity, TARTES combines well-established radiative transfer principles to compute the scattering and absorption coefficients of pure or polluted snow, as well as the δ-Eddington two-stream approximation to solve the multi-layer radiative transfer equation. The model is implemented in Python, but conducting TARTES simulations is also possible without any programming through the SnowTARTES web application, making it very accessible to non-experts and for teaching purposes. Here, after describing the theoretical and technical details of the model, we illustrate its main capabilities and present some comparisons with other common snow radiative transfer models (AART, DISORT-Mie, SNICAR-ADv3) as a validation procedure. Overall the agreement on the spectral albedo, when in compatible conditions (i.e., with spheres), is usually within 0.02 and is better in the visible and near-infrared range compared to longer wavelengths.
The significance of the leaf area index for evapotranspiration estimation in SWAT-T for characteristic land cover types of West Africa
Authors: Merk Fabian , Schaffhauser Timo , Anwar Faizan , Tuo Ye , Cohard Jean-Martial , Disse Markus 
Published: December 2024

Abstract. Evapotranspiration (ET) is pivotal in the terrestrial water cycle in subhumid and tropical regions. In the water cycle, the contribution of plant transpiration can be distinctively more significant than soil evaporation. The seasonal dynamics of plant phenology, commonly represented as the vegetation attribute leaf area index (LAI), closely correlates with actual ET (AET). Hence, addressing the reciprocal LAI–AET interaction is essential for practitioners and researchers to comprehensively quantify the hydrological processes in water resources management, particularly in the perennially vegetated regions of West Africa. However, due to a lack of field measurements, evaluation of the LAI–AET interaction still remains challenging. Hence, our study aims to improve the understanding of the role of the LAI in AET estimation by investigating characteristic regions of West Africa. We set up ecohydrological models (using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool for the tropics – SWAT-T) for two homogeneous land cover types (forest and grassland) to guarantee the representativeness of field measurements for the LAI and AET. We apply different potential ET methods (the Hargreaves; Penman–Monteith – PET-PM; and Priestley–Taylor methods) to evaluate the LAI–AET interaction in SWAT-T. Further, the elementary effects method quantifies the parameter sensitivity for 27 relevant LAI–AET parameters. The comprehensive parameter set is then optimized using the shuffled complex evolution algorithm. Finally, we apply a benchmarking test to assess the performance of SWAT-T with respect to the simulation of AET and to determine the relevance of detailed LAI modeling. The results show that SWAT-T is capable of accurately predicting the LAI and AET at the footprint scale. While all three PET methods facilitate adequate modeling of the LAI and AET, the PET-PM technique outperforms the other methods for AET, independent of the land cover type. Moreover, the benchmarking highlights that, if it only accounts for the LAI but disregards AET data, an optimization process's prediction of AET still yields an adequate performance with SWAT-T for all PET methods and land cover types. Our findings demonstrate that the significance of detailed LAI modeling for the AET estimation is more pronounced in the forested than in the grassland region.