Radiation Technology Research Articles

Synchrotron radiation data-driven artificial intelligence approaches in materials discovery

Synchrotron radiation technology provides high-resolution and high-sensitivity information for many fields such as material science, life science, and energy research. Synchrotron radiation data-driven methods have significantly accelerated the development of materials discovery and analysis. However, synchrotron radiation data is complex and large, requiring artificial intelligence for analysis. Artificial intelligence can efficiently process complex high-dimensional data, automate the analysis process, discover hidden patterns and associations, and build predictive models. This review provides an overview of the application and development of combining synchrotron radiation data-driven methods with artificial intelligence in the field of materials discovery. The application of the method in science is still limited by the problems of large and complex synchrotron radiation data, valuable experimental machine time, and uninterpretable artificial intelligence models. To address these problems, this review correspondingly proposes solutions for synchrotron radiation artificial intelligence data banks, standardized experiment records systems, and interpretable artificial intelligence predictive models.

Schottky barrier reduction on optoelectronic responses in heavy ion irradiated WSe2 memtransistors.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenide-based memtransistors provide simulation, sensing, and storage capabilities for applications in a remotely operated aerospace environment. Swift heavy ion (SHI) irradiation technology is a common method to simulate the influences of radiation ions on electronic devices in space environments. Here, SHI irradiation technology under different conditions was utilized to produce complex defects in WSe2-based memtransistors. Low-resistance state to low-resistance state (LRS-LRS) switching behaviors under light illumination were achieved and photocurrent responses with different spike trains were observed in SHI-irradiated memtransistors, which facilitated the design of devices with enriched analog functions. Reduction of the Schottky barrier height due to the introduced defects at the metal/WSe2 interface was confirmed to be the major factor responsible for the observed behaviors. 1T phase and concentric circle-type vacancies were also created in the SHI-irradiated 2H-WSe2 channel besides the amorphous structure; these complex defects could seriously affect the transport properties of the devices. We believe that this work serves as a foundation for aerospace radiation applications of all-in-one devices. It also opens a new application field of heavy ion irradiation technology for the development of multiterminal memtransistor-based optoelectronic artificial synapses for neuromorphic computing.

Quantitative analysis as a tool for searching for an optimal irradiation plan for acancer patient

The goal of the work was to find the optimal plan for irradiating a patient according to the homogeneity index. The HI dose homogeneity indices within the targetwere assessed depending on the patient irradiation technology for several nosologies:cervical cancer, lung cancer, prostate and breast cancer. Taking into account theprognostic capabilities of the HI index for relapse-free survival, the optimal irradiationtechnology was selected for each nosology. It has been shown, in particular, that when irradiating cervical cancer, 3D conformal radiation therapy technologies 3DCRT and radiation therapy with intensity modulation IMRT are suitable; for lung cancer, the technology of radiation therapy with intensity modulation in the rotational mode RapidArc has advantages; for prostate cancer, the technology dominates Rapid Arc. In breastcancer, 3D CRT technology dominates.

Recent advances in irradiation-mediated synthesis and tailoring of inorganic nanomaterials for photo-/electrocatalysis.

Photo-/electrocatalysis serves as a cornerstone in addressing global energy shortages and environmental pollution, where the development of efficient and stable catalysts is essential yet challenging. Despite extensive efforts, it's still a formidable task to develop catalysts with excellent catalytic behaviours, stability, and low cost. Because of its high precision, favorable controllability and repeatability, radiation technology has emerged as a potent and versatile strategy for the synthesis and modification of nanomaterials. Through meticulous control of irradiation parameters, including energy, fluence and ion species, various inorganic photo-/electrocatalysts can be effectively synthesized with tailored properties. It also enables the efficient adjustment of physicochemical characteristics, such as heteroatom-doping, defect generation, heterostructure construction, micro/nanostructure control, and so on, all of which are beneficial for lowering reaction energy barriers and enhancing energy conversion efficiency. This review comprehensively outlines the principles governing radiation effects on inorganic catalysts, followed by an in-depth discussion of recent advancements in irradiation-enhanced catalysts for various photo-/electrocatalytic applications, such as hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions, oxygen reduction reactions, and photocatalytic applications. Furthermore, the challenges associated with ionizing and non-ionizing radiation are discussed and potential avenues for future development are outlined. By summarizing and articulating these innovative strategies, we aim to inspire further development of sustainable energy and environmental solutions to drive a greener future.

Клинический случай успешного применения конформной лучевой терапии в лечении базальноклеточного рака слёзных путей

Though basal cell carcinoma of the lacrimal ducts is a rare disease, the early detection and management for the tumor can give favorable treatment results. At present time common treatment standards for the disease do not exist. However, most authors, previously faced the problem, recommend their colleagues to perform combined treatment with radiation therapy and the surgery, the priority of treatment procedures is not important. But at the same time, radical surgery in in locally advanced tumors often causes surgical problems, high trauma and extensive postoperative defect. When the surgery is used for l treatment of locally advanced tumors, the intervention increases the amount of surgical procedures, and can cause high trauma and extensive post-surgical defect. Because the disease is more often found in younger patients, it is a topical problem to look for the organ-saving treatment technology that determines the vital forecast, the patient’s future life and the quality of his/her life. The use of independent adaptive teletherapy has made it possible to deliver a high dose of ionizing radiation to the tumor and reduce its impact on the surrounding healthy tissue. No complications of treatment or signs of progression were observed during the 15-month follow up period. Thanks to the use of modern equipment for radiation therapy and new medical technologies, it has been possible to achieve the complete tumor regression and maintain a high quality of life for patients, despite the high risk of complications.

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technology of Far-Infrared Radiation and Its Application in Ice Cloud Retrievals (Invited)

Hyperspectral Remote Sensing Technology of Far-Infrared Radiation and Its Application in Ice Cloud Retrievals (Invited)

Knowledge, attitude, and practice toward advanced precision radiotherapy among patients with head and neck cancer.

Advancements in radiotherapy (RT) technology have led to the prominence of precision RT in head and neck cancer (HNC) treatment. The new progress in precision RT offers more efficient therapy, potentially improving outcomes for HNC patients. The present cross-sectional study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of patients in advanced precision RT for HNC treatment. This study enrolled HNC patients at the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Engineering between October 2023 and May 2024. Then, the demographic data and KAP scores were collected using an investigator-designed questionnaire. Afterwards, descriptive statistics were provided for all study variables, and the relationship among KAP was analyzed using appropriate statistical tests, including Spearman correlation, logistic regression, and path analysis. A total of 436 participants with a mean age of 52.03 ± 12.19 years old were included. The mean knowledge score, attitude score, and practice score were 18.33 ± 4.21, 36.14 ± 1.71, and 26.26 ± 1.83, respectively. Although most of the participants were unfamiliar with advanced precision RT, they expressed a high willingness to follow their doctor's recommendation for this treatment. The multivariable analysis revealed a positive association between attitude score and proactive practice. The path analysis revealed that knowledge directly influenced attitude and practice, while attitude directly impacted practice. HNC participants had poor knowledge of advanced precision RT techniques, but had a positive attitude and the willingness to undergo treatment when recommended by their physicians. These results suggest that improving patients' awareness for advanced precision RT can help to promote better attitude and advanced precision RT practice.

Specific-CT brain template construction and retrospective dosimetric comparison study in brain for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with IMRT or VMAT.

The current Radiotherapy (RT) technology still inevitably irradiated normal brain tissue, causing implicit radiation-induced injury. This study investigates the precise localization and the corresponding radiation dosage of brain regions susceptible to damage in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients following RT. Utilizing the Advanced Normalization Tools (ANTs) package, a computed tomography (CT) brain template was created in the standard Montreal Neurological Institute (MNI) space, based on 803 Chinese NPC patients (T0~T4) who underwent RT. With this template, all patients' CT and RTdose data were registered to the MNI space, and the RTdose distribution characteristics in normal brain tissues were compared for NPC patients treated with Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), with patients' age and gender as covariates. Analysis of the average dosages indicated that certain areas within the Limbic, Temporal, and Posterior Lobes, the Brainstem, and the Cerebellum Posterior Lobe were exposed to doses exceeding 50 Gy. Inter-group analysis revealed that IMRT delivered higher doses than VMAT to brain regions anterior to the nasopharyngeal tumor, whereas VMAT affected the posterior regions more. Interestingly, VMAT showed a drawback in preserving the normal brain tissues for T4-stage patients. This revealed that the two treatment modalities have unique characteristics in preserving normal brain tissue, each with advantages. With better localization precision, the created CT brain template in MNI space may be beneficial for NPC patients' toxicity and dosimetric analyses.

ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ НОВЫХ МЕТОДИК ЛУЧЕВОЙ ТЕРАПИИ В ЛЕЧЕНИИ РАКА МОЛОЧНОЙ ЖЕЛЕЗЫ И РАКА ПРЕДСТАТЕЛЬНОЙ ЖЕЛЕЗЫ В РАМКАХ РЕАЛИЗАЦИИ НАЦИОНАЛЬНОГО ПРОЕКТА «ЗДРАВООХРАНЕНИЕ» В НОВОСИБИРСКОЙ ОБЛАСТИ

In 2023, within the framework of the national project “Healthcare”, two state of the art linear accelerators for radiation therapy were put into operation at the State Budgetary Healthcare Institution of the Novosibirsk Region “Novosibirsk Regional Clinical Oncology Dispensary”: Elekta Versa HD and Elekta Infinity. Thanks to the new equipment and the new dosimetric planning system, it became possible to use modern radiation therapy technologies in the Novosibirsk Region. The use of the new equipment is becoming especially relevant for the treatment of leading tumor diseases – breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men.

Evaluation of the trend of set-up errors during the treatment period using set-up margin in prostate radiotherapy

Accurate information on set-up error during radiotherapy is essential for determining the optimal number of treatments in hypofractionated radiotherapy for prostate cancer. This necessitates careful control by the radiotherapy staff to assess the patient's condition. This study aimed to develop an evaluation method of the temporal trends in a patient's specific prostate movement during treatment using image matching and margin values. This study included 65 patients who underwent prostate volumetric modulated arc therapy (mean treatment time, 87.2 s). Set-up errors were assessed using bone, inter-, and intra-fraction marker matching across 39 fractions. The set-up margin was determined by dividing the four periods into 39 fractions using Stroom's formula and correlation coefficient. The intra-fraction set-up error was biased in the anterior-superior (AS) direction during treatment. The temporal trend of set-up errors during radiotherapy slightly increased based on bone matching and inter-fraction marker matching, with a 1.6-mm difference in the set-up margin fractions 11 to 20. The correlation coefficient of the mean prostate movement during treatment significantly decreased in the superior-inferior direction, while remaining high in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions. Image matching contributed significantly to the improvement of set-up errors; however, careful attention is needed for prostate movement in the AS direction, particularly during short treatment times. Understanding the trend of set-up errors during the treatment period is essential in numerical information sharing on patient condition and evaluating the margins for tailored hypo-fractionated radiotherapy, considering the facility's image-guided radiation therapy technology.

Влияние гамма-излучения на содержание свободного пролина и малонового диальдегида в проростках ячменя обыкновенного

It is well known that the formation of reactive oxygen species in the organism due to the impact of negative factors of various nature is one of the main mechanisms of stress state formation at the level of cells and tissues. In plants reactive oxygen species play a key role in the response to abiotic stress through signalling and activation of the defence system. The purpose of the work is to study the effect of gamma radiation on the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and free proline in seedlings of common barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) of three varieties. The effect of radiation was assessed by changes in the concentrations of the substances under study, which was determined by the photometric method. It was shown that a statistically significant increase in the MDA content in germinated seeds of the Vityaz and Ladny varieties was observed when irradiated at doses of 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 Gy, and in the Badjoriy variety when irradiated at doses of 2, 20, 25 and 50 Gy. An increase in the concentration of free proline was observed at all studied doses of gamma irradiation, with the exception of irradiation at a dose of 15 Gy for the Vityaz and Ladny varieties. A relationship was noted between the content of free proline and MDA in plant material (correlation coefficient for the Vityaz variety – 0.871+/-0.121; for the Ladny variety – 0.892+/-0.103; for the Badjoriy variety – 0.886+/-0.112). Regardless of the variety, the observed changes in the studied parameters demonstrate similar dynamics, which is of practical value for assessing the degree of technogenic pollution of agricultural biogeocenoses. The obtained quantitative data will make it possible to determine the optimal radiation doses for each zoned variety, which will help optimize the use of radiation technologies in agriculture.

Increasing growth of monobulb garlic through the application of corona glow discharge plasma radiation and organic fertilizers

<abstract> <p>Monobulb garlic, distinguished by its elevated allic.in content, has garnered heightened consumer interest due to its perceived health benefits. However, the challenge lies in scaling up production to meet this demand. This study investigates the potential enhancement of monobulb garlic growth by employing a novel approach that combines corona glow discharge plasma radiation technology and organic fertilizers. By employing a factorial complete randomized design with nine treatments and three repetitions, the research evaluates the impact of varying durations of plasma radiation (0, 15, and 30 minutes) and levels of organic fertilizers (0, 31.25, and 62.5 grams). Key growth parameters, including plant height, leaf count, root length, and root quantity, were measured. Results indicate that the optimal combination for growth enhancement involves 30 minutes of radiation coupled with 31.25 grams of organic fertilization. In conclusion, the integration of corona glow discharge plasma radiation technology and organic fertilization proves effective in promoting the growth of monobulb garlic plants.</p> </abstract>

Tackling the radiotherapy (RT) shortage in Sub-Saharan Africa by gathering and using data from LMICs and HICs facilities for designing a future robust RT facility

Purpose Historically, highly sophisticated medical linear accelerators (linacs) produced for high- (HIC) and upper-middle-income country (MIC) markets frequently experience significant additional operational failures in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LMICs). This study focuses on LMICs in Africa where there is a substantial equipment shortfall, projected to be a gap by 2040 of about 5000 linacs. The purpose of this study was to gain an insight into the poor performance of linac components, the unreliable infrastructure often encountered in LMICs and the consequent linac-related treatment downtime. Methods and Materials A questionnaire was sent to at least one cancer center in each of the 28 African countries that had experience treating cancer patients with linacs at the time of the survey (4 more countries have acquired linacs) since we completed this survey. For comparison questionnaires were sent to selected facilities in four high-income countries (Canada, Switzerland, UK, US) and to Jordan, a middle-income country. To investigate factors influencing linac downtime, we first utilised flow diagrams to illustrate the dependence of linac subsystem performance on infrastructural/environmental factors, the availability of spare parts and local repair capability. Secondly, a univariate analysis correlated linac downtime with factors such as method of linac fault diagnosis and staffing. Finally, a multivariate analysis investigated the relationship between GDP per capita and cancer mortality to incidence ratio statistics and compared these with the surveyed linac downtime across low-, middle- and high- income countries. Results Responses to the survey confirmed significant multi-factorial issues that influence the extent of linac downtime especially the performance of multi-leaf collimators, electron guns, vacuum systems, RF power and software. Other challenges include electrical power instability, inadequate national funding (GDP/capita), and workforce capability as well as a significant shortfall in formal education and training programmes for the radiation therapy (RT) workforce. Conclusion This survey identified numerous modes of radiotherapy (RT) equipment failure causing treatment downtime in LMICs that can be overcome by improvements in the design of RT technology but they need to be accompanied by increased RT staff training, improved broadband access and increased annual national funding for RT. The collaborative network of linac-based RT facilities in 28 1 * African countries that was developed to conduct this study is available for further investigations as RT capacity and capability improve in Africa.

Ion irradiation modulated magnetic properties of materials and its applications

Ion irradiation, a technology in which ion beams are used to irradiate materials, has high manipulation precision, short processing time, and many applications in the fields of material modification, chip manufacturing, biomedicine, energy and chemicals. Especially in magnetic material modification, customized modifications of magnetic materials can be achieved by precisely controlling the energy, dose, and direction of the ion beam. To further enhance the performances of magnetic materials and explore new magnetic devices, this study focuses on how ion irradiation precisely modulates various magnetic interactions and the analysis of its influence on the spin Hall effect and magnetic structural dynamics. Firstly, the latest research achievements are emphasized of ion irradiation regulated magnetic characteristics such as perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, exchange bias, and RKKY interaction. These regulation methods are crucial for understanding and optimizing the microstructure and properties of magnetic materials. Secondly, the significant role played by ion irradiation in regulating spin-orbit torque devices is discussed in detail. These applications demonstrate the potential of ion irradiation technology in designing high-performance magnetic storage and processing devices. Finally, the future applications of ion irradiation technology in the preparation of multifunctional magnetic sensors and magnetic media for information storage are discussed, highlighting its great enormous innovation and application potential in the field of magnetic materials.

α-Si3N4 dendrites and whiskers fabricated using electron irradiation technology

Tree-like α-Si3N4 dendrites and [001]-oriented unbranched α-Si3N4 whiskers are fabricated using electron irradiation technology.

Application and management of healthcare industry 4.0 for unsafe food: Irradiation processing

Radiation technology is widely adopted in the healthcare industry 4.0 for food due to its advantages in insecticidal sterilization, reducing product microbial levels, and extending shelf life. The irradiation processing of health food mainly focuses on raw material irradiation, with less involvement in finished product irradiation. Although the national regulatory authorities have issued various regulations and standards, they still cannot meet regulatory needs. The interpretation of unsafe food should be combined with food safety standards, using a functionalist interpretation method to distinguish between substantive and non-substantive standards. This study analyzes the current application status, application basis, and regulatory policies of irradiation technology in Pakistan's health food industry, and proposes the main problems and work suggestions from the perspective of standardization. It can provide reference for the subsequent revision of national food safety standards and the construction of standard systems. This study also overviews the new innovations in industry 4.0 for food healthcare and management. Following this interpretation and application method not only helps to achieve legislative objectives, but also ensures fairness in individual cases.

Кормовая ценность зерна яровой тритикале сортов Ботаническая 4 и Тимирязевская 42

Laboratory analysis of raw materials (grains) is an important stage for the production of feed. The wider the range of data obtained as a result of research, the more effective the work on compiling the diet of animals, which is reflected in the conversion of feed and the economic component of livestock production. The use of near infrared radiation (NIRS) technology to determine the nutritional value of feed allows us to obtain data on the content of dry matter, crude protein, crude ash, crude fat, sugar and starch in feed, as well as data on protein absorption in the intestines of many animal species, including lactating cows. With the help of such a study conducted in the laboratory of Eurofins Agro (Wageningen, the Netherlands), data on the nutritional value of grain of two varieties of spring triticale obtained in the conditions of the Moscow region were obtained. The crude protein content in the grain of the Timiryazevskaya 42 variety was 119 g/kg of dry matter, in the grain of the Botanicheskaya 4 variety 125 g/kg of dry matter. In terms of starch content, Timiryazevskaya 42 grain exceeded Botanicheskaya 4 grain by 27 g/kg of dry matter. At the same time, studies have shown similar values in terms of the content of feed units for milk production (VEM) at the level of 1192–1189 g/kg of dry matter, the amount of protein absorbed in the intestine (DVE) — 95–96 g/kg of dry matter and organic matter fermented in the rumen (FOS) — 771–769 g/kg of dry matter.

A comparative study on paper recycling wastewater treatment using microwave irradiation and centrifuge technology

In this study, the effect of MW irradiation on wastewater obtained from recycling office papers was evaluated. Wastewater samples were centrifuged in the MW oven for periods between 1.0 minutes and 15.0 minutes after MW irradiation. The effect of a centrifuge on the general appearance of wastewater samples was determined. There was no significant pH change depending on treatment conditions. MW irradiation affects electrical conductivity (EC) and Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). It was found to be in the range of 177 ppm for the sample (A1) centrifuged only for 1.0 min and 241 ppm for the MW irradiated and 15.0 min. It is significant to note that all wastewater samples were either centrifuged only (group A) or MW irradiated and then centrifuged (group B) and showed lower ORP values than the control. The highest ORP value of 309 mV was found in the control, but the lowest value of 251 mV was found for the MW irradiated sample (B1) centrifuged for 1.0 minutes. The lowest turbidity values were seen in control and MW irradiated samples with the longest centrifugation (15.0 min). 28 NTU was measured for samples centrifuged only (A15) at 15.0 min conditions and 10 NTU (B15) for MW irradiated and subsequently centrifuged samples. The highest turbidity reduction of 143 NTU was found in a sample under 1.0 min centrifugation. There is a positive relationship between turbidity reduction and centrifuge time, but paper recycling wastewater MW treatments further reduce the effects of turbidity values with less centrifuge time.

A review on the application of UV‐C treatment on food and food surfaces: association with food microbiology, predictive microbiology and quantitative microbial risk assessment

SummaryThe so‐called emerging technologies have gained prominence in the field of food processing, compared to conventional heat treatments, due to technological, sensorial and microbiological safety benefits. Ultraviolet radiation (UV), more specifically UV‐C radiation, is inexpensive and has been one of the most studied technologies. This work seeks to summarise the application of UV‐C treatment, contextualising its efficiency in the inactivation of microorganisms in different food matrices and surfaces associated with food handling and allowing the visualisation of trends in the combination of UV‐C radiation with other technologies. Still, the technology is related to quantitative tools associated with food microbiology. Factors related to processing parameters, characteristics of the microbial population and food properties have a direct influence on the effectiveness of UV‐C technology. The UV‐C treatment parameters must be rigorously defined, considering the particularities of each food matrix, so that undesirable identity or sensory changes do not occur. The application of mathematical tools, such as predictive microbiology and quantitative microbial risk assessment, is fundamental in the planning and definition of processing parameters for UV‐C radiation technology.

Commentary on relevant issues in surgical treatment of spinal metastatic tumors

The multidisciplinary treatment model led by surgery has become a comprehensive strategy and overall concept for the treatment of spinal metastatic tumors. But the surgical treatment of spinal metastatic tumors is different from primary malignant tumors of the spine. Surgery is only a part of the multidisciplinary comprehensive treatment. Therefore, the following aspects need to be evaluated comprehensively based on the survival assessment, evaluation of spinal stability damage, nerve dysfunction, and oncological characteristics of the metastatic tumors with a reasonable surgical intervention. The attention should be paid to the minimally invasive treatment of spinal metastases, progress of new radiotherapy technology, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy and other medical treatment to make a comprehensive and individualization decision which is benefit to relieve patients ' pain, reconstruct spinal stability and avoid paralysis. While improving patient survival, increasing local tumor control rate and possibly prolonging survival time, avoiding excessive surgery as much as possible.