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• Developed Golden Jackal Optimization (GJO) Algorithm as an optimization method. • Tested the performance of proposed algorithm against mathematical and engineering benchmarks. • Compared proposed algorithm with other well-known optimization algorithms. • Conducted statistical analyses. • Demonstrated superiority of proposed algorithm in various conditions. A new nature-inspired optimization method, named the Golden Jackal Optimization (GJO) algorithm is proposed, which aims to provide an alternative optimization method for solving real-world engineering problems. GJO is inspired by the collaborative hunting behaviour of the golden jackals (Canis aureus). The three elementary steps of algorithm are prey searching, enclosing, and pouncing, which are mathematically modelled and applied. The ability of proposed algorithm is assessed, by comparing with different state of the art metaheuristics, on benchmark functions. The proposed algorithm is further tested for solving seven different engineering design problems and introduces a real implementation of the proposed method in the field of electrical engineering. The results of the classical engineering design problems and real implementation verify that the proposed algorithm is appropriate for tackling challenging problems with unidentified search spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose Methods Results Conclusion FLASH or ultra‐high dose rate (UHDR) radiation therapy (RT) has gained attention in recent years for its ability to spare normal tissues relative to conventional dose rate (CDR) RT in various preclinical trials. However, clinical implementation of this promising treatment option has been limited because of the lack of availability of accelerators capable of delivering UHDR RT. Commercial options are finally reaching the market that produce electron beams with average dose rates of up to 1000 Gy/s. We established a framework for the acceptance, commissioning, and periodic quality assurance (QA) of electron FLASH units and present an example of commissioning.A protocol for acceptance, commissioning, and QA of UHDR linear accelerators was established by combining and adapting standards and professional recommendations for standard linear accelerators based on the experience with UHDR at four clinical centers that use different UHDR devices. Non‐standard dosimetric beam parameters considered included pulse width, pulse repetition frequency, dose per pulse, and instantaneous dose rate, together with recommendations on how to acquire these measurements.The 6‐ and 9‐MeV beams of an UHDR electron device were commissioned by using this developed protocol. Measurements were acquired with a combination of ion chambers, beam current transformers (BCTs), and dose‐rate–independent passive dosimeters. The unit was calibrated according to the concept of redundant dosimetry using a reference setup.This study provides detailed recommendations for the acceptance testing, commissioning, and routine QA of low‐energy electron UHDR linear accelerators. The proposed framework is not limited to any specific unit, making it applicable to all existing eFLASH units in the market. Through practical insights and theoretical discourse, this document establishes a benchmark for the commissioning of UHDR devices for clinical use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We present the first part of a comprehensive study to search for variability in the UV GALEX archive. GALEX provided photometric measurements for over 200 million objects in FUV and NUV, from sky surveys with different depth and coverage. In this work we extract 410,408 unique sources showing variability ( , ) in both NUV and FUV from a total of 2,106,816 measurements. We restrict our analysis to 7264 sources that have at least 30 measurements, sampled with serendipitous time coverage. This first sample selection includes both extragalactic sources and Milky Way stellar objects, displaying both periodic and non-periodic variability, of various types including RR Lyrae, flare stars, transients, and eclipsing binaries. Amplitudes of magnitude variations are found from our minimum selection threshold up to several magnitudes. We describe the selection criteria and procedures, we characterize the main classes of variables within the sample, and present the layout of the resulting catalog which will be also made available as on-line resource. Beyond our immediate goals of discovering and characterizing UV-selected variables, this work provides synergy with existing and planned surveys at other wavelengths (e.g. SDSS, PanSTARRS, LSST, GAIA). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Introduction: Limited stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) has a poor prognosis. Additional prognostic markers are needed for risk-stratification and treatment intensification. This study compares quantitative CT-based volumetric tumor measurements versus International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) TNM staging to predict outcomes.Materials& Methods: A cohort of 105 patients diagnosed with LS-SCLC and treated with chemoradiation (CRT) from 2000 to 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were staged by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM Classification, 8th edition. Tumor volumes and diameters were extracted from radiation planning CT imaging. Univariable and multivariable models were used to analyze relationships between CT features and overall survival (OS), locoregional recurrence (LRR), in-field LRR, any progression, and distant metastasis (DM).Results: Median follow-up was 21.3 months. Two-year outcomes were as follows: 38% LRR, 31% in-field LRR, 52% DM, 62% any progression, and 47% OS (median survival 16.5 months). On univariable analysis, UICC T-stage and N-stage were not associated with any clinical outcome. UICC overall stage was only statistically associated with in-field LRR. One imaging feature (3D maximum tumor diameter) was found to be significantly associated with LRR (HR 1.10, p = 0.003), in-field LRR (HR 1.10, p = 0.007), DM (HR 1.10, p = 0.02), any progression (HR 1.10, p = 0.008), and OS (HR 1.10, p = 0.03). On multivariable analysis, this feature remained significantly associated with all outcomes.Conclusion: For LS-SCLC, quantitative CT-based volumetric tumor measurements were significantly associated with outcomes after CRT and may be better predictors of outcome than TNM stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Unique cohort of lung cancer patients were treated with SBPT and matched to SBRT patients. • Lung inflammation increased linear with dose with no difference in maximum response. • Lung inflammation kept increasing late after SBRT, more pronounced early after SBPT. To compare time-dependent changes in lung parenchyma of early-stage non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) patients after stereotactic body radiation therapy with protons (SBPT) or photons (SBRT). We retrospectively identified NSCLC patients treated with SBPT and matched each one with a SBRT patient by patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics. Lung parenchyma on serial post-treatment chest computer tomography (CT) scans was deformably registered with the treatment plan to analyze lung density changes as function of dose, quantified by Houndsfield Unit (HU)/Gy. A thoracic radiologist also evaluated the CTs using an established grading system. We matched 23 SBPT/SBRT pairs, including 5 patients treated with both modalities (internally matched cohort). Normal lung response following SBPT significantly increased in the early time period (CTs acquired <6 months, median 3 months) post-treatment, and then did not change significantly in the later time period (CTs acquired 6–14 months, median 9 months). For SBRT, the normal lung response was similar to SBPT in the early time period, but then increased significantly from the early to the late time period (p = 0.007). These differences were most pronounced in sensitive (response >6 HU/Gy) patients and in the internally matched cohort. However, there was no significant difference in the maximum observed response in the entire cohort over all time periods, median 3.4 [IQR, 1.0–5.4] HU/Gy (SBPT) versus 2.5 [1.6–5.2] HU/Gy (SBRT). Qualitative radiological evaluation was highly correlated with the quantitative analysis (p < 0.0001). While there was no significant difference in maximum response after SBPT versus SBRT, dose-defined lung inflammation occurred earlier after proton irradiation. Further investigation is warranted into the mechanisms of inflammation and therapeutic consequences after proton versus photon irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]