Traditional antitumor methods of special treatment for malignant neoplasms are open surgery, chemo- and radiation therapy, and, in recent years, immunotherapy. At the same time, they are associated with a number of unfavorable factors (primarily during the surgical stage of special treatment), such as long periods of patients’ hospital stay and subsequent recovery. One of the main goals of technological and medical research in the field of combating malignant neoplasms is to significantly reduce local, regional and systemic side effects compared with traditional methods of treatment and provide additional therapeutic opportunities in cases where traditional methods are ineffective. Not so long ago, relatively new methods of antitumor treatment have been introduced into clinical practice, such as radiofrequency, laser, microwave and cryoablation, and high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), which is currently being intensively improved as a non-invasive method of treating a number of primary as well as recurrent solid tumors and metastatic diseases. The article presents in a quite brief form the stages of HIFU method formation, methodological aspects and physical foundations of HIFU therapy, as well as very positive results already achieved in clinical application of this method for the treatment of malignant tumors.

• Book : 105(4)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.224-231
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First demonstrated in 1942, subcritical and zero-power critical assemblies, also known as piles, are a fundamental tool for research and education at universities. Traditionally, their role has been primarily instructional and for measuring fundamental properties of neutron diffusion and transport. However, these assemblies could hold potential for modern applications and nuclear research. The Purdue University subcritical pile previously lacked a substantial testing volume, limiting its utility to simple neutron activation experiments for the purpose of undergraduate education. Following the design and addition of a mechanical and electrical testbed, this paper aims to provide an overview of the testbed design and characterize its neutron and gamma flux of the rearranged Purdue subcritical pile, justifying its use as a modern scientific instrument. The newly installed 1.5*10^5 cubic-centimeter volume testbed enables a systematic investigation of neutron and gamma effects on materials and the generation of a comprehensive dataset with the potential for machine learning applications. The neutron flux throughout the pile is calculated using gold-197 and indium-115 foil activation alongside cadmium-covered foils for two-group neutron energy classification. The neutron flux measurements are then used to benchmark a detailed geometrically and materialistic accurate Monte-Carlo model using OpenMC. The experimental measurements reveal the testbed has a neutron environment with a total neutron flux approaching 8.5*10^3 n/cm^2*s and a thermal flux of 5.8*10^3 n/cm^2*s, following the expected diffusion theory behavior. This work establishes the modified Purdue subcritical pile can provide significant neutron and gamma fluxes and a uniquely large volume to enable radiation testing of integral electronic components and as a versatile research instrument with the potential to support microelectronics testing, limited isotope production, and non-destructive imaging while generating valuable training datasets for machine learning algorithms in nuclear applications. [M1]Reference citation is not allowed. Please revise.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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AbstractObjectiveHair is a crucial aspect of an individual's physical appearance. Thus, there is always a need for technology to care for curls and undulations. In this study, we found that heat treatment with a mixed aqueous solution of cysteamine (2‐aminoethanethiol) and fumaric acid was highly effective in improving hair quality. The purpose of this study was to scientifically elucidate the effectiveness of this technology by identifying its active ingredients, evaluating their functionality and analysing changes in the internal structure of hair after treatment.MethodWe observed changes in hair shape through a hair straightening test, analysed the components using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) and investigated the effects on mechanical properties using bending and surface friction measurements. Furthermore, we analysed the hair conditions using small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS) measurements and evaluated water retention using thermal analysis.ResultsIn the hair straightening test, even extremely strong curls of African human hair improved. The LC/MS results revealed that the active ingredient was 2‐(2‐aminoethylthio) succinic acid (ATS). Furthermore, by treating hair with ATS, decreases in the coefficient of friction and bending stiffness and an increase in moisture content were observed. The SAXS measurements revealed that the treatment widened the distance between the intermediate filaments (IFs) inside the hair and improved the orientation of the IFs.ConclusionATS, produced by the thiol–ene reaction between fumaric acid and cysteamine, acts as an active ingredient in hair shape control. ATS reacted within the matrix and increased the IF–IF distance. This suggests that ATS functions as a crosslinker for keratin proteins. ATS is believed to increase the moisture content of hair and improve hair texture.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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This study on the negative-order fractional space-time modified KdV (nfmKdV) equation provides a comprehensive analysis of how fractional differentials affect the dynamics of solitons in non-linear wave models. We are referring to introduces the nfmKdV equation, a significant extension of the traditional KdV equation, which is commonly used to model wave propagation in non-linear dispersive media. By developing both focusing and defocusing solutions and employing the Hirota technique to construct multisoliton solutions, the study opens new avenues for the exploration of fractional wave equations in diverse physical contexts. The use of fractional calculus, and specifically negative-order derivatives, enhances the model?s ability to describe real-world phenomena with long-range interactions and memory effects, offering significant potential for future research in non-linear and fractional dynamics. This newly established result warrants further investigation determine its applicability to other non-linear fractional order models, and other existing methods may be employed to explore this new development. As the fractional order approaches one, the results align with well-established findings in the literature. This study provides a deeper understanding of the dynamics of solitons in fractional media, which could be useful for modelling soliton propagation in systems where traditional integer-order models fail to capture essential behavior.

• Book : 29(1 Part A)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.359-370
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Cancer is the second-leading cause of death in developed societies. Specifically, cancers of the spine and brain come with significant therapeutic challenges. Chordomas are semi-malignant tumors that develop from embryonic residuals at the skull base (clival) or coccyx (sacral). Small tumor fragments can remain in the operation cavities during surgical resection, forming new tumor sites. This requires repeated surgeries or the application of proton-beam radiation and chemotherapy, which often do not lead to complete remission of the tumors. Hence, there is a need for novel therapeutic avenues that are not limited to killing visible tumors but can be applied after surgery to decrease chordoma recurrences. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated locally via novel medical gas plasma technologies are one potential approach to address this clinical problem. Previously, broad-spectrum free radicals generated by these cold physical plasmas operated at about body temperature were shown to oxidize cancer cells to the disadvantage of their growth and induce immunogenic cancer cell death (ICD), ultimately promoting anticancer immunity. This review outlines the clinical challenges of chordoma therapy, how medical gas plasma technology could serve as an adjuvant treatment modality, and potential immune-related mechanisms of action that could extend the longevity of gas plasma therapy beyond its acute local tissue effects.

• Book : 17(4)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.681-681
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Abstract Background Optic pathway gliomas (OPGs) are tumors in the optic nerve, chiasm, or hypothalamus, primarily affecting children. They can cause visual disturbances and increased intracranial pressure. The current treatment approach includes chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgery, but the optimal management strategy remains uncertain. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) has emerged as a promising option for managing OPGs, offering lower toxicity rates and improved neurocognitive function. However, the effectiveness and safety of GKS for OPGs require further investigation. A systematic review was conducted to evaluate the outcomes and potential complications of GKS for OPGs. The study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of GKS in terms of tumor control, visual outcome, and endocrine outcome. Methods Using the related key terms, we comprehensively searched relevant articles from PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception to June 15, 2024. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included according to the eligibility criteria, and the relevant data were extracted. Results The current systematic review included seven studies (n = 83, 40 males and 43 females). All studies employed Gamma Knife as the radiation source, and the reported progression-free survival rates ranged from 78 to 100% during one to five years following treatment. During a one to five-year follow-up period, the preservation of visual acuity was reported to range between 77 and 92%. Furthermore, no cases of radiation necrosis or other neurological impairments were reported in the studies. Conclusion GKS appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with OPGs, minimizing the risk of radiation-induced toxicity. However, further controlled studies are needed to establish the current study's findings regarding safety and efficacy.

• Book : 40(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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Abstract Electron cyclotron resonance heating (ECRH) staircase discharges in strongly shaped plasmas were performed at the full-tungsten ASDEX Upgrade tokamak to investigate the enhanced Dα (EDA) H-mode, a high-confinement regime without edge localized modes (ELMs) that exhibits numerous desirable qualities for future reactors. Heating power, fueling, and plasma current scans reveal rich dynamics as the plasma traverses different confinement regimes. The L-H transition typically occurs with a brief I-phase, sometimes followed by a short nonstationary ELM-free H-mode, before the quasi-coherent mode (QCM) sets in, marking the start of the EDA H-mode. After the pedestal fully develops, the plasma remains stationary until the heating power is raised above a certain threshold, causing ELMs. A novel criterion based on the normality of the divertor shunt current distribution is introduced to identify phases with ELMs, showing general applicability under a wide range of discharges and conditions. The no-ELM power boundary is found to increase with fueling, and too little deuterium gas puff results in a pathological nonstationary ELM-free H-mode without the QCM. Empirical scalings are derived for core, pedestal, and global parameters in EDA H-mode. These show, for example, that pedestal electron pressure increases sublinearly with power and almost quadratically with current. Line-averaged density is approximately proportional to plasma current but very weakly affected by power and fueling, whereas energy confinement time decreases sublinearly with power and increases supralinearly with current. The EDA H-mode achieves several reactor-relevant dimensionless parameters, most notably high Greenwald fraction and confinement enhancement factor over the entire heating power range. This dataset constitutes a versatile resource to plan EDA experiments in present and upcoming devices, also serving as a testbed for validating physics-based theories and models of the regime. Overall, the EDA H-mode remains promising and could become an important no-ELM scenario in future reactors such as SPARC and the full-tungsten ITER.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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The wave functions of converted harmonic-oscillator in local scaling transformations are employed to evaluate charge distributions and elastic charge electron scattering form structures for 6,7Li, 9Be, 14,15N and 16O nuclei. The nuclear shell-model was fulfilled using Warburton-Brown  psd-shell (WBP) interaction with  truncation in  model space. Very good agreements with the experimental data were obtained for the aforementioned quantities. 

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.423-432
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Abstract Background The differentiation of benign and malignant breast masses is a critical aspect of breast cancer diagnosis. The aim of this study was to assess the capability of IVIM variables to discriminate between benign and malignant breast lesions by obtaining diffusion and perfusion data from normal tissues of breast and breast lesions through intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging utilising biexponentially analysis of multiple b-value diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and comparing these variables to the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) derived from monoexponentially analysis. Results In this prospective work, each subject provided informed consent. Forty-two patients with fifty-two lesions with 31 malignancies and 21 benign lesions were scanned using 1.5 T MRI and DWI with 12 b-values (range 0–1000 s/mm2). Tissue diffusivity (D), perfusion fraction (f), and pseudo-diffusion coefficient (D p) were determined by segmented biexponentially analysis. The ADC (b = 0 and 1000 s/mm2) was computed using monoexponentially fitting of the DWI information. D, f, D p, and ADC values have been acquired for normal tissues of the breast, benign lesions, and malignancies. The contrast of these four variables among each pair indicated that the D and ADC values of malignancies had been substantially lower compared female patients of benign tumours and normal tissues (P < 0.001). The f of malignancies was substantially greater contrasted to that of benign lesions (P < 0.001); nevertheless, no substantial variation in D p was seen between both groups. D, f, and values of ADC exhibited superior sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing benign lesions from malignancies, with areas under the curve (AUC) of 0.945, 0.883, and 0.796, correspondingly. At the same time, D p showed the lowest AUC of 0.515. Conclusions IVIM may play a crucial role in differentiating malignancies and benign lesions of the breast by providing separate quantitative measurements of D for cellularity and D p and f for vascularity.

• Book : 56(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
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AbstractPurposeBreath‐hold techniques are widely used in radiation therapy to minimize respiratory‐induced tumor or organ‐at‐risk motion. However, residual motion persists, necessitating a reliable daily evaluation method.MethodsAt our institution, fiducial markers serve as surrogates for target localization in pancreatic cancer treatment. We developed an automated method to detect fiducial markers in every projection image of cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans acquired for patient setup and positioning verification. This method was retrospectively validated using data from nine pancreatic cancer patients.ResultsResidual motion was observed in all patients during breath‐hold maneuvers. Intrafraction target motion in repeated breath‐hold simulation CT scans averaged 1.9 ± 2.2 mm, with a maximum displacement of 8 mm in the superior‐inferior direction. Within a single CBCT scan, residual motion reached up to 7.3 mm, with an average drifting range of 3.8 ± 1.1 mm across 94 CBCT scans. The average standard deviation of drift was 1.5 ± 0.5 mm. Significant drift (1.3 ± 1.2 mm) and inter‐breath‐hold gaps (2.6 ± 2.0 mm) were detected within the same CBCT scan.ConclusionOur method enables daily residual motion assessment without additional equipment or extra radiation exposure. This information is critical for refining planning margins in online adaptive radiation therapy, improving treatment precision and patient safety.

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• Pub. Date : 2025
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