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This study investigated the effect of sustained loading on the cumulative damage of a newly developed smart cement-based self-healing composite material (SMA-ECC). SMA-ECC is composed of engineered cementitious composite (ECC) and shape memory alloy (SMA) fibers. A uniaxial compressive test with five predefined loading levels (0%, 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60% of compressive strength) was conducted on SMA-ECC hollow-cylindrical specimens and ECC control hollow-cylindrical specimens. The cumulative damage was mainly determined by changes in the total water absorption of different groups of specimens during three different periods (not loaded, at a predefined loading level, and after unloading). A normalized water content index was proposed to couple the effects of self-healing, sustained loading, and cumulative damage. The test results indicate that the cumulative water absorption of SMA-ECC was 35% lower than that of ECC, which may indicate less irreparable damage. In addition, the self-healing ability of SMA-ECC specimens under different compression load levels was evaluated through normalized water content analysis. SMA-ECC exhibited a 100% repair rate at load levels of 30% and 40%. At a higher load level of 60%, the repair rate of SMA-ECC was 76%. These results collectively emphasize the significant impermeability and self-healing performance of SMA-ECC after unloading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to compare prototype treatment plans for a new biology-guided radiotherapy (BgRT) machine in its intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) mode with those using existing IMRT delivery techniques in treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We retrospectively selected ten previous NPC patients treated in 33 fractions according to the NRG-HN001 treatment protocol. Three treatment plans were generated for each patient: a helical tomotherapy (HT) plan with a 2.5-cm jaw, a volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plan using 2 to 4 6-MV arc fields, and a prototype IMRT plan for a new BgRT system which uses a 6-MV photon beam on a ring gantry that rotates at 60 rotations per minute with a couch that moves in small incremental steps. Treatment plans were compared using dosimetric parameters to planning target volumes (PTVs) and organs at risk (OARs) as specified by the NRG-HN001 protocol. Plans for the three modalities had comparable dose coverage, mean dose, and dose heterogeneity to the primary PTV, while the prototype IMRT plans had greater dose heterogeneity to the non-primary PTVs, with the average homogeneity index ranging from 1.28 to 1.50 in the prototype plans. Six of all the 7 OAR mean dose parameters were lower with statistical significance in the prototype plans compared to the HT and VMAT plans with the other mean dose parameter being comparable, and all the 18 OAR maximum dose parameters were comparable or lower with statistical significance in the prototype plans. The average left and right parotid mean doses in the prototype plans were 10.5 Gy and 10.4 Gy lower than those in the HT plans, respectively, and were 5.1 Gy and 5.2 Gy lower than those in the VMAT plans, respectively. Compared to that with the HT and VMAT plans, the treatment time was longer with statistical significance with the prototype IMRT plans. Based on dosimetric comparison of ten NPC cases, the prototype IMRT plans achieved comparable or better critical organ sparing compared to the HT and VMAT plans for definitive NPC radiotherapy. However, there was higher dose heterogeneity to non-primary targets and longer estimated treatment time with the prototype plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the contradiction between regulation and protection of the water ecological environment in a dam-controlled river, it is necessary to identify the main influencing factors of that environment and the interactions between the water quantity, quality and ecology. In this paper, the redundancy analysis (RDA) technique is used to identify the key influencing factors of water eco-environment in the Shaying River, China. The multivariate nonlinear quantization method is used to quantify the interactive relationship between water quantity, water quality and water ecology, and a quantitative model of the dam-controlled river eco-environment is constructed. The results show the relative importance of the various environmental factors. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index is used to assess phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos (P-SWI, Z-SWI and B-SWI, respectively). The R2 of the quantization models for P-SWI, Z-SWI and B-SWI in the fitting phase were 0.81, 0.72 and 0.66, respectively, and, in the validation phase, they were 0.36, 0.31 and 0.41, respectively. The results of this study can provide reference and support for the environmental regulation of dam-controlled rivers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The self-healing of SMA-ECC under compression was studied. • Ultrasonic pulse testing explains SMA-ECC self-healing efficiency. • Mechanical properties and damage resistance of SMA-ECC after pre-damage. • Recommend SMA fiber content range based on experiment indicators. A two-stage compressive test was adopted to study the self-healing performance of a smart cementitious composite SMA-ECC under compression. The ultrasonic pulse and sorptivity tests were used to track self-healing ability and resistance to internal damage, respectively. A total of 32 groups of specimens, including 28 groups of SMA-ECC specimens and 4 groups of ordinary ECC specimens, were tested with various fiber contents and preloading levels. The strength recovery rate, relative dynamic elastic modulus recovery rate before and after self-healing, and cumulative water absorption were measured during the tests. It was found that the strength recovery rate of the SMA-ECC increased by 29.2% to 37.2% compared to the ordinary ECC. The elastic modulus recovery rate after self-healing of the SMA-ECC is approximately 3 to 10 times that of the ordinary ECC, and SMA-ECC with a 0.9% fiber content exhibits the best healing effect, with a remarkable 194% increase in elastic modulus recovery rate compared to ECC. As for internal damage, an increase in fiber content corresponds to a decrease in relative sorptivity coefficient (η) in most cases. Notably, for SMA-ECC specimens featuring a 0.9% fiber content, η reaches its nadir, hovering around 0.7. The situation takes an unexpected turn when fiber content hits 1%, as the relative sorptivity coefficient experiences a 14.9% increment compared to the SMA-ECC with 0.9% fiber content. Based on the test results, it is concluded that the SMA-ECC has excellent compressive recovery performance and the ability to resist internal damage. The optimal SMA fiber content for the self-healing performance of the SMA-ECC is determined to be 0.7% to 0.9%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Three new and ten known ent -abietane diterpenoids were obtained from Euphorbia ebracteolata. • New diterpenoids 2 and 3 showed moderate cytotoxic activities against cancer cell lines. • New diterpenoid 3 displayed selective cytotoxic effects against cancer cell lines. Abstract Euphoroids A–C (1 – 3), three new ent -abietane-type diterpenoids, together with ten known analogues (4 – 13) were obtained from the roots of Euphorbia ebracteolata. The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic data analysis, including UV, HRESIMS, 1D-, and 2D-NMR data. The inhibitory effects of compounds 1 – 13 on human cancer cells were determined using the MTT assay. The results revealed that new compounds 2 and 3 showed moderate cytotoxic activities against human cancer cell lines. Especially, compound 3 displayed selective cytotoxic effect agains cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To convert the disadvantages of CdS photocorrosion into the advantages of cocatalysts loading, a novel cocatalyst loading strategy combining photo-deposition and ion-exchange is designed to boost the photocatalytic H 2 evolution performance of CdS. [Display omitted] • Convert the disadvantages of CdS photocorrosion into the advantages of cocatalysts loading. • Design a novel loading strategy combining photocorrosion-deposition and ion-exchange. • Few-layer vertical-standing Mo-S nanofins can be facile formed on CdS. • The composite shows an ultrahigh-efficient photocatalytic H 2 evolution performance. The promoting role of cocatalysts is not only dependent on their physical and chemical properties, but also closely related to their loading methods and nanostructures. In this study, by converting the disadvantages of CdS photocorrosion into the advantages of cocatalysts loading, a novel cocatalyst loading strategy is adopted to promote the photocatalytic H 2 evolution performance of CdS. Using 1D CdS nanorods as primary photocatalyst, a limited amount of Mo-O cocatalyst (e.g. CdMoO 4 -MoO x) was in-situ deposited on the photocorrosive surface of CdS under intensive irradiation, and further transformed into few-layer Mo-S (e.g. MoS 2 -CdMoS 4) nanofins by a facile ion-exchange method. The as-synthesized CdS@MoS 2 -CdMoS 4 heterojunctions show a surprising "boiling" effect in visible-light-driven H 2 evolution process (∼40.3 mmol·h−1·g−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel chromone alcohol, (S)-3,6,7-trihydroxy-2-(1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethyl)-4H-chromen-4-one, was isolated from Portulaca oleracea L. This compound was named oleracone P. The structure was identified by spectroscopic methods, including 1D, 2D NMR, CD, and UHPLC-ESI-Q-TOF/MS. It was found that oleracone P showed significant biological activity, inhibiting the production of inflammatory factor IL-1β at 20 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to compare gross tumor volumes (GTV) in 3-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) simulation and daily cone beam CT (CBCT) with the internal target volume (ITV) in 4-dimensional CT (4DCT) simulation in stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) treatment of patients with early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) under abdominal compression. We retrospectively selected 10 patients with NSCLC who received image-guided SBRT treatments under abdominal compression with daily CBCT imaging. GTVs were contoured as visible gross tumor on the planning 3DCT and daily CBCT, and ITVs were contoured using maximum intensity projection (MIP) images of the planning 4DCT. Daily CBCTs were registered with 3DCT and MIP images by matching of bony landmarks in the thoracic region to evaluate interfractional GTV position variations. Relative to MIP-based ITVs, the average 3DCT-based GTV volume was 66.3 ± 17.1% (range: 37.5% to 92.0%) ( p  < 0.01 in paired t-test), and the average CBCT-based GTV volume was 90.0 ± 6.7% (daily range: 75.7% to 107.1%) ( p  = 0.02). Based on bony anatomy matching, the center-of-mass coordinates for CBCT-based GTVs had maximum absolute shift of 2.4 mm (left-right), 7.0 mm (anterior-posterior [AP]), and 5.2 mm (superior-inferior [SI]) relative to the MIP-based ITV. CBCT-based GTVs had average overlapping ratio of 81.3 ± 11.2% (range: 45.1% to 98.9%) with the MIP-based ITV, and 57.7 ± 13.7% (range: 35.1% to 83.2%) with the 3DCT-based GTV. Even with abdominal compression, both 3DCT simulations and daily CBCT scans significantly underestimated the full range of tumor motion. In daily image-guided patient setup corrections, automatic bony anatomy-based image registration could lead to target misalignment. Soft tissue-based image registration should be performed for accurate treatment delivery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A broadband linearly polarized single-layer reflectarray antenna constructed by element cells of triple gapped rings with phase-delay lines (TGR-PDLs) attached to the outer one is presented in this communication. The novel TGR-PDL element is composed of three circular rings, each with a pair of gaps which are orthogonally positioned, and two identical PDLs are attached to each half of the outer ring. The characteristics of the proposed element are first analyzed and then a linear and smooth phase response covering about 600° is obtained by adjusting the length of the PDL. Based on the element cell, an offset-fed reflectarray antenna of an octagon-shaped aperture with 266 mm in diameter is designed, fabricated, and measured to verify the broadband property of the proposed element. The measurement results show that about 31.5% of 1-dB gain bandwidth is realized, and the maximum gain at the center frequency of 10 GHz is about 25.78 dBi, which is equivalent to about 50% aperture efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Interpersonal curiosity (IPC) is an important intrinsic motivation in social interaction, yet studies focused on its neural mechanism are rare. In a three-agent (Self, Other, or Computer) interactive gambling task, we recorded event-related potentials (ERPs) to a cue stimuli indicating whether participants will be informed of their own, of another participant''s or the computer''s outcomes such that curiosity will be satisfied (CWS) or curiosity will not be satisfied (CWN). The results showed that relative to the CWS cue stimuli the CWN cue evoked a larger late positive component (LPC) between approximately 400ms and 700ms after cue onset in both the Self and Other conditions, but not in the Computer condition. Additionally, participants reported stronger curiosity in the Other''s outcomes than in the Computer''s outcomes. Most importantly, participants’ subjective rating of curiosity was significantly correlated with the amplitude of the LPC elicited by the CWN cue. Furthermore, scores in the “curiosity about emotion” subscale of the IPC Scale was significantly correlated with the LPC amplitude when the participants learn they will not be informed of the Other''s outcomes. We suggest that (1) interpersonal information is of great significance to individuals and IPC is an important social motivator, and (2) LPC amplitude is sensitive toIPC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and purpose: To evaluate residual patient setup errors and daily dose variations of different less-than-daily image guidance (IG) strategies in the delivery of external beam radiotherapy for esophageal cancer. Material and methods: Daily image-guided setup data for 25 consecutive esophageal cancer patients treated with helical tomotherapy were evaluated. Seven less-than-daily IG strategies with different imaging frequencies were simulated. For each IG strategy, the daily residual setup errors were calculated. Using TomoTherapy Planned Adaptive software, daily dose variations to the clinical target volume, heart, and lungs were evaluated in five representative patients. Results: With 0% (60%) IG frequency, the margins required for adequate coverage of the clinical target volume were 13mm (10mm), 14mm (11mm), and 5mm (5mm) in the left–right, superior–inferior, and anterior–posterior directions, respectively. Even with 60% IG frequency, 10% of the fractions had more than 10% decrease in the dose level covering 95% of the target, and 14% and 13% of the fractions had more than 10% increase in total lung volume receiving at least 0.8Gy per fraction, and heart volume receiving at least 1.2Gy per fraction, respectively. Conclusion: Substantial residual setup errors would occur for treatment fractions without IG even if the most frequent less-than-daily IG strategy was to be used, which could lead to significant daily dose variations for the target volume and adjacent normal tissues. Daily image guidance is recommended throughout the course of treatment in conformal radiotherapy for esophageal cancer. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background and purpose: Normal organ toxicity is the leading factor that limits dose escalation in total body irradiation for bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. In recent years, total marrow irradiation (TMI) using the helical tomotherapy (HT) system is being used as a more targeted form of TBI to treat BMT patients. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility of using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) to deliver TMI treatment. Materials and methods: CT data sets from two female and two male patients who had received prior total marrow and lymphatic irradiation with HT were selected for this study. The target volumes included skeletal bones from the skull to the mid-thigh level, major lymph nodes, and spleen. Twelve Gray in 8 fractions was prescribed to the target volumes. Each VMAT plan was generated with eight arc fields to cover the entire target volumes. Both the VMAT and the HT plans were normalized so that 85% of the skeletal bone volume was covered by the prescription dose. For each patient, more than 20 normal organs were included in plan optimization. Results: Both the VMAT and HT plans showed comparable dose coverage to the target volumes and significant sparing of normal organ dose. The median dose to the skeletal bone volume was 13.4 and 12.6Gy in the VMAT and HT plans, respectively. The VMAT plans showed >10% and >20% reduction of average median dose compared to the HT plans in 16 and 11 organs, respectively. The average beam-on time was 628±32s and 1122±106s in the VMAT and HT plans, respectively. Conclusions: The VMAT plans provided adequate target dose coverage and normal organ sparing compared to helical tomotherapy plans for efficient delivery of total marrow and lymphatic irradiation. This study demonstrates that the VMAT technique could be a feasible alternative to helical tomotherapy for TMI treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The role of personal responsibility in decision-making and its influence on the outcome evaluation process have been investigated relatively rarely in cognitive neuroscience. The present event-related brain potential (ERP) study manipulated the subjective sense of responsibility by modifying outcome controllability in a gambling task. Participants reported a higher sense of responsibility and produced a larger fERN when they were told that the game was 'controllable' compared with when they were told that the game was 'uncontrollable.' In addition, fERN amplitude was correlatedwith individual self-reports of personal responsibility over the outcomes. These results indicate that selfattribution of responsibility associated with different degrees of controllability affects the outcome evaluation process and fERN amplitude. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: For intensity-modulated radiotherapy of nasopharyngeal cancer, accurate dose delivery is crucial to the success of treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the significance of daily image-guided patient setup corrections and to quantify the parotid gland volume and dose variations for nasopharyngeal cancer patients using helical tomotherapy megavoltage computed tomography (CT). Methods and Materials: Five nasopharyngeal cancer patients who underwent helical tomotherapy were selected retrospectively. Each patient had received 70 Gy in 35 fractions. Daily megavoltage CT scans were registered with the planning CT images to correct the patient setup errors. Contours of the spinal cord and parotid glands were drawn on the megavoltage CT images at fixed treatment intervals. The actual doses delivered to the critical structures were calculated using the helical tomotherapy Planned Adaptive application. Results: The maximal dose to the spinal cord showed a significant increase and greater variation without daily setup corrections. The significant decrease in the parotid gland volume led to a greater median dose in the later phase of treatment. The average parotid gland volume had decreased from 20.5 to 13.2 cm3 by the end of treatment. On average, the median dose to the parotid glands was 83 cGy and 145 cGy for the first and the last treatment fractions, respectively. Conclusions: Daily image-guided setup corrections can eliminate significant dose variations to critical structures. Constant monitoring of patient anatomic changes and selective replanning should be used during radiotherapy to avoid critical structure complications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To use pretreatment megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) scans to evaluate setup variations in anterior-posterior (AP), lateral, and superior-inferior (SI) directions and rotational variations, including pitch, roll, and yaw, for esophageal cancer patients treated with helical tomotherapy. Methods and Materials: Ten patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer treated by combined chemoradiation using helical tomotherapy were selected. After patients were positioned using their skin tattoos/marks, MVCT scans were performed before every treatment and automatically registered to planning kilovoltage CT scans according to bony landmarks. Image registration data were used to adjust patient setups before treatment. A total of 250 MVCT scans were analyzed. Correlations between setup variations and body habitus, including height, weight, relative weight change, body surface area, and patient age, were evaluated. Results: The standard deviations for systematic setup corrections in AP, lateral, and SI directions and pitch, roll, and yaw rotations were 1.5, 3.7, and 4.8 mm and 0.5 degrees, 1.2 degrees, and 0.8 degrees, respectively. The appropriate averages of random setup variations in AP, lateral, and SI directions and pitch, roll, and yaw rotations were 2.9, 5.2, and 4.4 mm, and 1.0 degrees, 1.2 degrees, and 1.1 degrees, respectively. Setup variations were stable throughout the entire course of radiotherapy in all three translational and three rotational displacements, with little change in magnitude. No significant correlations were found between setup variations and body habitus variables. Conclusions: Daily MVCT scans before each treatment can effectively detect setup errors and thereby reduce planning target volume (PTV) margins. This will reduce radiation dose to critical organs and may translate into lower treatment-related toxicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study evaluated the efficacy of using helical tomotherapy for conformal avoidance treatment of anal adenocarcinoma. We retrospectively generated step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiotherapy (sIMRT) plans and helical tomotherapy plans for two anal cancer patients, one male and one female, who were treated by the sIMRT technique. Dose parameters for the planning target volume (PTV) and the organs-at-risk (OARs) were compared between the sIMRT and the helical tomotherapy plans. The helical tomotherapy plans showed better dose homogeneity in the PTV, better dose conformity around the PTV, and, therefore, better sparing of nearby OARs compared with the sIMRT plans. In-vivo skin dose measurements were performed during conformal avoidance helical tomotherapy treatment of an anal cancer patient to verify adequate delivery of skin dose and sparing of OARs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: To evaluate dose conformity, dose homogeneity, and dose gradient in helical tomotherapy treatment plans for stereotactic radiosurgery, and compare results with step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiosurgery (IMRS) treatment plans. Methods and Materials: Sixteen patients were selected with a mean tumor size of 14.65 +/- 11.2 cm3. Original step-and-shoot IMRS treatment plans used coplanar fields because of the constraint of the beam stopper. Retrospective step-and-shoot IMRS plans were generated using noncoplanar fields. Helical tomotherapy treatment plans were generated using the tomotherapy planning station. Dose conformity index, dose gradient score index, and homogeneity index were used in plan intercomparisons. Results: Noncoplanar IMRS plans increased dose conformity and dose gradient, but not dose homogeneity, compared with coplanar IMRS plans. Tomotherapy plans increased dose conformity and dose gradient, yet increased dose heterogeneity compared with noncoplanar IMRS plans. The average dose conformity index values were 1.53 +/- 0.38, 1.35 +/- 0.15, and 1.26 +/- 0.10 in coplanar IMRS, noncoplanar IMRS, and tomotherapy plans, respectively. The average dose homogeneity index values were 1.15 +/- 0.05, 1.13 +/- 0.04, and 1.18 +/- 0.09 in coplanar IMRS, noncoplanar IMRS, and tomotherapy plans, respectively. The mean dose gradient score index values were 1.37 +/- 19.08, 22.32 +/- 19.20, and 43.28 +/- 13.78 in coplanar IMRS, noncoplanar IMRS, and tomotherapy plans, respectively. The mean treatment time in tomotherapy was 42 +/- 16 min. Conclusions: We were able to achieve better dose conformity and dose gradient in tomotherapy plans compared with step-and-shoot IMRS plans for intracranial stereotactic radiosurgery. However, tomotherapy treatment time was significantly larger than that in step-and-shoot IMRS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Conformal multi-isocenter Total Body Irradiation is being introduced in an increasing number of radiotherapy departments. • Due to its complexity, implementation and setup techniques are heterogeneous and consensus guidelines would help to standardize practices. • Consensus recommendations increase collaboration, avoid individual implementation errors, and make evaluation within research possible. • Early adopters joined to form consensus regarding technical recommendations for Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Helical Tomotherapy TBI. As a component of myeloablative conditioning before allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), Total Body Irradiation (TBI) is employed in radiotherapy centers all over the world. In recent and coming years, many centers are changing their technical setup from a conventional TBI technique to multi-isocenter conformal arc therapy techniques such as Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) or Helical Tomotherapy (HT). These techniques allow better homogeneity and control of the target prescription dose, and provide more freedom for individualized organ-at-risk sparing. The technical design of multi-isocenter/multi-plan conformal TBI is complex and should be developed carefully. A group of early adopters with conformal TBI experience using different treatment machines and treatment planning systems came together to develop technical recommendations and share experiences, in order to assist departments wishing to implement conformal TBI, and to provide ideas for standardization of practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a wide-band, low-profile antenna is presented for a high-integration phased array system. The proposed antenna, implemented using a tightly coupled array, operates over roughly the X-K frequency band and is performant at 8 GHz–18.5 GHz. The antenna can scan to ± 60 degrees in both the E- and H-planes. Compared to previous tightly coupled antennas with smaller element spacing, the antenna in this paper reaches 9.4 mm, which corresponds to 0.58   λ of high frequency, suitable for engineering application conditions in production. The antenna can be soldered to BGA T/R chips in this space. Additionally, to facilitate flexible assembly for large arrays, the antenna is manufactured modularly using four elements and its parasitic radiation is analyzed. Then, a method for repressing parasitic radiation is presented. Finally, the antenna is fabricated and measured in a microwave chamber, exhibiting an excellent pattern and scanning radiation. The measured performance agrees with the full-wave finite array simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The RefleXion X1 is a novel radiotherapy delivery system on a ring gantry equipped with fan‐beam kV‐CT and PET imaging subsystems. The day‐to‐day scanning variability of radiomics features must be evaluated before any attempt to utilize radiomics features. Purpose: This study aims to characterize the repeatability and reproducibility of radiomic features produced by the RefleXion X1 kV‐CT. Materials and Methods: The Credence Cartridge Radiomics (CCR) phantom includes six cartridges of varied materials. It was scanned 10 times on the RefleXion X1 kVCT imaging subsystem over a 3‐month period using the two most frequently used scanning protocols (BMS and BMF). Fifty‐five radiomic features were extracted for each ROI on each CT scan and analyzed using LifeX software. The coefficient of variation (COV) was computed to evaluate the repeatability. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were used to evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of the scanned images using 0.9 as the threshold. This process is repeated on a GE PET‐CT scanner using several built‐in protocols as a comparison. Results: On average, 87% of the features on both scan protocols on the RefleXion X1 kVCT imaging subsystem can be considered repeatable as they met COV < 10% criteria. On GE PET‐CT, this number is similar at 86%. When we tighten the criteria to COV <5%, the RefleXion X1 kVCT imaging subsystem showed much better repeatability with 81% of features on average whereas GE PET‐CT showed only 73.5% on average. About 91% and 89% of the features with ICC > 0.9 respectively for BMS and BMF protocols on RefleXion X1. On the other hand, the percentage of features with ICC > 0.9 on GE PET‐CT ranges from 67% to 82%. The RefleXion X1 kVCT imaging subsystem showed excellent intra‐scanner reproducibility between the scanning protocols much better than the GE PET CT scanner. For the inter‐scanner reproducibility, the percentage of features with CCC > 0.9 ranged from 49% to 80%. between X1 and GE PET‐CT scanning protocols. Conclusions: Clinically useful CT radiomic features produced by the RefleXion X1 kVCT imaging subsystem are reproducible and stable over time, demonstrating its utility as a quantitative imaging platform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an improved integrated framework (Distribution-Evolution-Equilibrium, abbreviated as DEE) was developed to analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of climate change, in which the precipitation (Pr) and temperature (Te) were selected as typical elements. The DEE framework is dedicated to not only making clear the distribution and evolution (i.e., tendency, mutability and periodicity) features of climate change, but also determining its temporal concentration and spatial equilibrium patterns. Then, a case study was conducted in the Upper Yellow River basin (UYRB), China. Furthermore, the response relationship between the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), Arctic Oscillation (AO), Sunspot (SN) and Pr, Te also were explored. Results reveal that: a) the Pr and Te generally present an upward trend in various degrees, while their high-value centers are distributed independently in space, with almost no duplication; b) there are abrupt variations in climate change, especially in the 1980s and 1990s, meanwhile the climate elements all have multi-period variation characteristics; c) the Pr and Te have relatively even distribution throughout the year, and the equilibrium state has been maintained at an ideal level and its degree generally remains within 0.4–0.7; d) AO and SN have more significant impact on climate change than SOI and PDO in the UYRB, but they are mainly locally correlated. Findings can provide reference to climatic disaster prevention, regional high-quality development, and ecological civilization construction. [Display omitted] • A Distribution-Evolution-Equilibrium (DEE) analysis framework was developed. • The DEE framework was applied to the Upper Yellow River basin, China. • Driving forces of atmospheric circulation factors on climate change were examined. • Pr and Te have obvious differences among tendency, mutability and periodicity. • AO and SN have more significant impact on climate change than SOI and PDO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geometric and nomenclature errors are commonly encountered in automated treatment planning. We describe a novel algorithm to extract organ geometry relationships from patient structure DICOM data to construct a database that can be used to detect organ contour inaccuracies including relational and naming errors. Twenty-five sets of head and neck patients' treatment plan data (CT, structures) were retrospectively retrieved from our institution. For each dataset, various organs were contoured and verified by experienced physicians. The relative position and orientation between organs were extracted from each patient and the data were used to construct an organ relationship database model. The model was tested using a dataset originating from an in-house organ renaming software that often-introduced organ contour naming mismatches. As part of the validation test, the renamed organs relative positions were compared with the database model to identify mismatches. Within the forty head and neck patients, we extracted the geometric relationship between 201 organ pairs. The average number of unique types of organ pairs (for example, left parotid with left eye is one type of organ pair) stored in the database was 12. Fifteen head and neck structure sets automatically renamed using our in-house organ renaming tool was used as validation data. All of the 30 random assigned wrong name labels present in these structure sets were identified using the established organ geometry relationship database. We successfully constructed a head and neck organ geometry relationship database and validated it in a contour naming quality assurance process. This novel scheme can be expanded to the entire body and shows a great potential in automatic plan physics QA procedure. It should be one essential QA step in an autonomous treatment planning process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The WEF nexus is clarified based on the material flow of inputs and outputs. • A generic integrated intensity index for the WEF material nexus is proposed. • The intensity of the WEF nexus and its key aspects in the ADR basin are measured. The input–output relationships among material, energy, and information within the water, energy, and food subsystems are intricately interwoven, constituting an integrated system vital for sustainable development. Various water-energy-food (WEF) nexus indicators have been applied to evaluate the system's internal relationships and state. Nevertheless, these methods fail to aggregate the internal relationships into an indicator. This study proposes a WEF nexus indicator that incorporates the interconsumption into the system using the material flow analysis. The interconsumption consists of energy consumption in the food and water subsystems, water consumption in the energy and food subsystems, and food consumption in the energy subsystem. Moreover, the major factors were identified by the sensitivity factor method. The three countries (Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan) in the Amu Darya River (ADR) basin exhibit strong interactions in the WEF nexus system, are chosen as a case study. Our results show that in 1992–2018, Uzbekistan's food subsystem consumed the most energy among the three countries; the energy consumption within the water subsystem displays an upward trend across all three countries; the water consumption in the energy subsystem of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan is 2–4 times greater than that in Turkmenistan; and the water withdrawals for agriculture within the three countries have remained relatively stable. The composite index in three countries exhibits an upward trend, with the most pronounced increase occurring in Turkmenistan. Uzbekistan has the strongest WEF nexus relationship, with a WEF nexus index that was 2–3 times greater than that of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. The most important subsystem of Tajikistan and Turkmenistan is the energy subsystem; however, water resources are the major factors in Uzbekistan. The introduced indicator enables a comparison of the WEF system between regions and temporal variations in a certain region. It can provide intuitive and effective data support for WEF nexus system management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Raspberry plant-like CNT@MoS 2 /Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S ternary systems are synthesized. • CNT and MoS 2 can form conductive vine-like matrix and work synergistically. • CNT@MoS 2 matrix can help separation, transfer and reaction of photoelectrons. • CNT@MoS 2 /Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S shows ultrahigh photocatalytic H 2 evolution performance. Charge separation and transfer are essential for efficient photocatalytic reactions, in which the charge carrier dynamics could be optimized by the rational design of composition and nanomorphology. Inspired in nature that vine can effectively harvest sunlight and present indomitable vitality, a novel raspberry plant-like ternary heterostructure has been constructed for the first time. Its novel structure originates from anchoring raspberry-like porous Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S nanosphere on a highly conductive matrix composited of MoS 2 nanosheets and multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNT). The ternary CNT@MoS 2 /Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S (C@M/CZS) system of mutual benefits is constructed of 1D CNT as 'stems', 2D MoS 2 nanosheets as 'leaves' and Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S nanospheres as 'fruits'. The constructed raspberry plant-like C@M/CZS heterostructure exhibits a high-efficient photocatalytic H 2 evolution rate of 46.23 mmol·g−1·h−1, which is 51.9 times that of the original Cd 0.5 Zn 0.5 S. It is found that the vine-like CNT@MoS 2 matrix and interactive ternary heterostructure are favorable for effective visible-light absorption and charge carriers' separation-transfer-reaction, and thus improving the photostability and photocatalytic performance of the biomimetic photocatalytic system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We compare different radiotherapy techniques—helical tomotherapy (tomotherapy), step-and-shoot IMRT (IMRT), and 3-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT)—for patients with mid-distal esophageal carcinoma on the basis of dosimetric analysis. Six patients with locally advanced mid-distal esophageal carcinoma were treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by surgery. Radiotherapy included 50 Gy to gross planning target volume (PTV) and 45 Gy to elective PTV in 25 fractions. Tomotherapy, IMRT, and 3DCRT plans were generated. Dose-volume histograms (DVHs), homogeneity index (HI), volumes of lung receiving more than 10, 15, or 20 Gy (V10, V15, V20), and volumes of heart receiving more than 30 or 45 Gy (V30, V45) were determined. Statistical analysis was performed by paired t-tests. By isodose distributions and DVHs, tomotherapy plans showed sharper dose gradients, more conformal coverage, and better HI for both gross and elective PTVs compared with IMRT or 3DCRT plans. Mean V20 of lung was significantly reduced in tomotherapy plans. However, tomotherapy and IMRT plans resulted in larger V10 of lung compared to 3DCRT plans. The heart was significantly spared in tomotherapy and IMRT plans compared to 3DCRT plans in terms of V30 and V45. We conclude that tomotherapy plans are superior in terms of target conformity, dose homogeneity, and V20 of lung. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: To compare step-and-shoot intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SAS-IMRT) and helical tomotherapy (Tomo) dosimetry plans for patients who have received adjuvant radiation therapy for retroperitoneal sarcomas (RSTS). Methods and Materials: A retrospective review was performed for seven patients who received either SAS-IMRT or Tomo as adjuvant radiation therapy for RSTS. In each case, a treatment plan of the other modality was generated so that SAS-IMRT and Tomo could be compared. Results: The average percentage of clinical target volume (CTV) that received less than the prescription dose was 1.4% for Tomo compared to 3.8% for SAS-IMRT. Both SAS-IMRT and Tomo plans provided comparable and significant reductions in volume of small bowel receiving greater than 45Gy compared to simple opposing standard radiation fields. For the ipsilateral kidney, Tomo significantly reduced the volume of kidney that received at least 15Gy (average 22% for Tomo vs. 56% for SAS-IMRT). Conclusion: Both SAS-IMRT and Tomo can encompass the large CTV often required for patients with RSTS, although Tomo provides superior dose uniformity. Both SAS-IMRT and Tomo can minimize the volume of small bowel receiving greater than 45Gy. Tomo was superior to SAS-IMRT in minimizing the volume of ipsilateral kidney irradiated to greater than 15Gy when the CTV is adjacent to a kidney. Dose escalation and target margin expansion may thus become realistic possibilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Under the background of global warming, extreme precipitations had caused important issues, and the spatiotemporal precipitation of the main water resource (MWR) area of the Belt and Road (BR) Initiative had complex conditions. Therefore, observed daily precipitation data from 351 meteorological stations were selected to analyze temporal and spatial characteristics in extreme precipitations. The Mann-Kendall trend test was utilized to detect trends of extreme precipitation indices which were derived from the Expert Team on Climate Change Detection and Indices (ETCCDI), and the periodical characteristics of 4 typical extreme precipitation indices were calculated using wavelet analysis. In order to further analyze the relationship between extreme precipitation indices and global climate anomalies, the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) and Arctic Oscillation (AO) were selected as climate indices to investigate teleconnections between extreme precipitation indices and atmospheric oscillations. Our results revealed that (Alexander et al. in J Geophys Res Atmos 111(D5): 1042–1063, 2006) the climate in the MWR had become more humid, and the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation had shown a positive trend; (Allan and Soden in Science 321(5895): 1481–1484, 2008) 4 typical extreme precipitation indices exhibited multiple and overlapping cycles, while 23–32-year cycles were universal; (Limsakul and Singhruck in Atmos Res 169: 301–317, 2016) the teleconnection between large-scale circulation and extreme precipitation of MWR varied not only from region to region, but was also different at different time scales and different time periods, but had a negative effect on the whole. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Toxicities after organ sparing myeloablative total marrow irradiation (TMI) conditioning regimens have not been well characterized. The purpose of this study is to report pulmonary, renal, thyroid, and cataract toxicities from a prospective trial monitoring patients up to 8 years after TMI.Methods and Materials: A total of 142 patients with primarily multiple myeloma or acute leukemia undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation were evaluated. Follow-up included pulmonary function tests, serum creatinine, glomerular filtration rate, thyroid panel, and ophthalmologic examinations performed at 100 days, 6 months, and annually. Median TMI dose was 14 Gy (10-19 Gy) delivered at 1.5 to 2.0 Gy twice per day at a dose-rate of 200 cGy/min.Results: Median age was 52 years (range 9-70). Median follow-up (range) for all patients was 2 years (0-8) and for patients alive at the time of last follow-up (n = 50), 5.5 years (0-8). Mean organ doses in Gy were lung 7.0, kidneys 7.1, thyroid 6.7, and lens 2.8. The crude incidence of radiation pneumonitis (RP) was 1 of 142 (0.7%). The cumulative incidence of infection and RP (I/RP) was 22.7% at 2 years post-TMI. Mean lung dose ≤8 Gy predicted for significantly lower rates of I/RP (2-year cumulative incidence 20.8% vs 31.8%, P = .012). No radiation-induced renal toxicity was noted. Hypothyroidism occurred in 6.0% and cataract formation in 7.0% of patients.Conclusions: TMI delivered with intensity modulated radiation therapy results in lower organ doses and was associated with fewer toxicities compared with historical cohorts treated with conventional total body irradiation. Keeping the mean lung dose to 8 Gy or less was associated with lower pulmonary complications. Further evaluation in clinical trials of intensity modulated radiation therapy to deliver TMI, total marrow and lymphoid irradiation, and organ sparing conformal total body irradiation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• WBI institutions have lower overall setup error compared with PBI. • MVCT WBI ensures accurate assessment of 3D regional and global dose variations. • Variation is greatest in DVH of skeletal target at 90% and the lung at 10% isodose. • Dose planning (avoidance vs targeting) has significant impact on lung dose coverage. Total marrow irradiation (TMI) is a highly conformal treatment of the human skeleton structure requiring a high degree of precision and accuracy for treatment delivery. Although many centers worldwide initiated clinical studies using TMI, currently there is no standard for pretreatment patient setup. To this end, the accuracy of different patient setups was measured using pretreatment imaging. Their impact on dose delivery was assessed for multiple institutions. Whole body imaging (WBI) or partial body imaging (PBI) was performed using pretreatment megavoltage computed tomography (MVCT) in a helical Tomotherapy machine. Rigid registration of MVCT and planning kilovoltage computed tomography images were performed to measure setup error and its effect on dose distribution. The entire skeleton was considered the planning target volume (PTV) with five sub regions: head/neck (HN), spine, shoulder and clavicle (SC), and one avoidance structure, the lungs. Sixty-eight total patients (>300 images) across six institutions were analyzed. Patient setup techniques differed between centers, creating variations in dose delivery. Registration accuracy varied by anatomical region and by imaging technique, with the lowest to the highest degree of pretreatment rigid shifts in the following order: spine, pelvis, HN, SC, and lungs. Mean fractional dose was affected in regions of high registration mismatch, in particular the lungs. MVCT imaging and whole body patient immobilization was essential for assessing treatment setup, allowing for the complete analysis of 3D dose distribution in the PTV and lungs (or avoidance structures). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mismatch of spatial distribution between water resources and human activities presents a considerable challenge to the sustainable utilization of water resources. This trend is further exacerbated by the impact of climate change and the increasingly frequent occurrence of extreme weather. Therefore, it is imperative to conduct an in-depth study on water resource spatial equilibrium (WRSE). This paper proposed an integrated diagnostic framework for WRSE considering the water-economy-ecology nexus, in which an improved evaluation index system of WRSE was constructed. The WRSE states of three criteria layers are quantified with the spatial equilibrium indices of water resource endowment, economic and social development, and ecological environment protection. The water resource spatial equilibrium index (WRSEI) was calculated using the Euclidean distance to reflect the overall spatial equilibrium state. The key influencing factors of WRSE are analyzed through the obstacle degree model. The findings indicate that: a) the WRSEI in the Yangtze River to Huaihe River Water Transfer Project (YHWTP) area showed a gradual increase from 0.641 in 2011 to 0.662 in 2020; b) the WRSE level of each criterion layer attained a general equilibrium or fair equilibrium state, and the WRSE state shows a trend from dispersion to aggregation during 2011 and 2020; c) per capita water resources, per capita gross domestic product and per capita urban wastewater discharge are the main factors limiting the realization of a benign WRSE in the YHWTP, with the obstacle degrees reaching 0.347, 0.324 and 0.326 in 2020 respectively. This framework can provide a theoretical reference for the study of WRSE, and provide a scientific basis and suggestions for policymakers to enhance WRSE and achieve sustainable utilization of water resources. [Display omitted] • A diagnostic framework for water resources spatial equilibrium (WRSE) was developed. • The evaluation index system and quantitative method were improved in terms of WEE nexus. • A state discrimination method of WRSE was proposed to identify the overall WRSE state. • The framework was applied to Yangtze River to Huaihe River Water Transfer Project area. • Findings can help formulate water resources planning and sustainable development strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erratum: "Evaluation of repeatability and reproducibility of radiomic features produced by the fan-beam kV-CT on a novel ring gantry-based PET/CT linear accelerator" https://10.1002/mp.16399 In Ketcherside et al., 1 the COI disclosure statement missed disclosing three authors who are from commercial companies, thus the COI disclosure statement is corrected. CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT David Leung, Andrew Sundquist, and Calvin Huntzinger are employed by Reflexion Medical. [Extracted from the article]

In this study, a Distribution-Evolution-Attribution-Risk (DEAR) framework was developed for integrated assessment of extreme climatic events (ECEs). The DEAR framework is dedicated not only to the determination of the characters of ECEs in terms of distribution and evolution, but also to the identification of their response to atmospheric oscillations and solar activity. Moreover, the risk degree (RD) of climate extremes (CEs) can be quantified by introducing fuzzy comprehensive evaluation thought and employing the SMI-P method. Then, the Upper Yellow River basin (UYRB) in China was selected as a typical case to implement and verify the framework. The essential characteristics and development law of ECEs in the UYRB were examined by selecting 7 extreme precipitation indices (EPIs) and 9 extreme temperature indices (ETIs) in terms of multiple scales, dimensions and aspects. Results reveal that: a) the concentration and impact of precipitation in the UYRB have become severe from 1961 to 2020, the intensity and frequency of high temperature extremes have increased significantly, and there are obvious differences among indices in terms of spatial distribution; b) the barycenter of extreme climate indices (ECIs) is centered in the mid-southwest of UYRB and their mutation years are mainly located in the 1980s and 1990s, meanwhile they basically have both interannual and interdecadal periods but exhibit differences in time domain, frequency and oscillation intensity; c) the AO and SOI have closer relationship with ECEs than PDO, and the correlations between ETIs and large-scale indicators are weaker than that of EPIs; d) the RDs of CEs are mainly located in 0.4–0.7 and the UYRB generally suffers from more risk from extreme precipitation than extreme temperature, but their occurrence may not be synchronous. The findings contribute to elucidating the occurrence and development laws of CEs, formulating natural disaster prevention planning, and mitigating their destructive effects. [Display omitted] • A Distribution-Evolution-Attribute-Risk (DEAR) framework was developed. • A novel risk assessment idea for climate extremes was proposed with the SMI-P method. • The DEAR framework was applied to a real case of Upper Yellow River basin, China. • Extreme climatic events were examined with multiple scales, dimensions and aspects. • Findings can help clarify the occurrence and development laws of climate extremes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Lignin-based carbon dots is used as the support of Pt single atoms for the first time. • Isolated Pt atoms can bond with the Pyridinic N of LCDs to form a Pt-N 4 structure. • The enhanced electron transition in Pt-LCDs can make more electrons participate in HER. • Pt-LCDs@CdS shows ultrahigh photocatalytic H 2 evolution performance and photostability. Single-atom metal species always run the risk of aggregating into large particles, thus it is essential to develop an appropriate support for Pt single atoms to prevent their aggregation on the premise of ensuring catalytic activity. Herein, N-doped lignin-based carbon dots (NLCDs) prepared by a facile hydrothermal method is used as the support of Pt single atoms for the first time. Through mild photo-assistant method, isolated Pt atoms can bond with the Pyridinic N of NLCDs to form Pt-N 4 coordination structures. Moreover, the enhanced π → π* and n → π* electron transitions in Pt-NLCDs make more electrons participate in H 2 -evolution. The Pt-NLCDs@CdS ternary photocatalyst shows an exceptional visible-light-driven photocatalytic H 2 -evolution (PHE) rate up to ∼ 46.10 mmol·h−1·g−1. Notably, the ternary system shows ultrahigh photostability in the 60 h continuous photolysis application. Photoelectrochemical analyses demonstrate the synergetic effect of Pt single atoms, NLCDs and CdS will boost the separation, transport and reaction of photogenerated carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Lignin-based carbon dots is used as the support of Pt single atoms for the first time. • Isolated Pt atoms can bond with the Pyridinic N of LCDs to form a Pt-N 4 structure. • The enhanced electron transition in Pt-LCDs can make more electrons participate in HER. • Pt-LCDs@CdS shows ultrahigh photocatalytic H 2 evolution performance and photostability. Single-atom metal species always run the risk of aggregating into large particles, thus it is essential to develop an appropriate support for Pt single atoms to prevent their aggregation on the premise of ensuring catalytic activity. Herein, N-doped lignin-based carbon dots (NLCDs) prepared by a facile hydrothermal method is used as the support of Pt single atoms for the first time. Through mild photo-assistant method, isolated Pt atoms can bond with the Pyridinic N of NLCDs to form Pt-N 4 coordination structures. Moreover, the enhanced π → π* and n → π* electron transitions in Pt-NLCDs make more electrons participate in H 2 -evolution. The Pt-NLCDs@CdS ternary photocatalyst shows an exceptional visible-light-driven photocatalytic H 2 -evolution (PHE) rate up to ∼ 46.10 mmol·h−1·g−1. Notably, the ternary system shows ultrahigh photostability in the 60 h continuous photolysis application. Photoelectrochemical analyses demonstrate the synergetic effect of Pt single atoms, NLCDs and CdS will boost the separation, transport and reaction of photogenerated carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the pufferfish species and detects tetrodotoxin (TTX) in roasted fish fillet samples collected in Beijing, Qingdao and Xiamen, China. The cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene was used as the target gene for identification of the pufferfish species in the samples. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) screened the TTX levels in samples that had been detected as containing pufferfish by DNA barcode. A total of 125 samples were identified by DNA barcodes; 32 (26%) samples contained pufferfish composition and, among them, 26 (81%) were the highly toxic speciesLagocephalus lunaris. All 32 samples containing the pufferfish composition were positive for TTX with levels ranging from 100 to 63 800 ng g–1. Most of the 32 samples contained the highly toxicL. lunaris. Based on the results, we suggest that the monitoring of roasted fish fillet should be strengthened and the processing procedures should be standardised to minimise TTX poisoning caused by pufferfish. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Purpose: To use pretreatment megavoltage-computed tomography (MVCT) scans to evaluate positioning variations in pitch, roll, and yaw for patients treated with helical tomotherapy. Methods and Materials: Twenty prostate and 15 head-and-neck cancer patients were selected. Pretreatment MVCT scans were performed before every treatment fraction and automatically registered to planning kilovoltage CT (KVCT) scans by bony landmarks. Image registration data were used to adjust patient setups before treatment. Corrections for pitch, roll, and yaw were recorded after bone registration, and data from fractions 1–5 and 16–20 were used to analyze mean rotational corrections. Results: For prostate patients, the means and standard deviations (in degrees) for pitch, roll, and yaw corrections were −0.60 ± 1.42, 0.66 ± 1.22, and −0.33 ± 0.83. In head-and-neck patients, the means and standard deviations (in degrees) were −0.24 ± 1.19, −0.12 ± 1.53, and 0.25 ± 1.42 for pitch, roll, and yaw, respectively. No significant difference in rotational variations was observed between Weeks 1 and 4 of treatment. Head-and-neck patients had significantly smaller pitch variation, but significantly larger yaw variation, than prostate patients. No difference was found in roll corrections between the two groups. Overall, 96.6% of the rotational corrections were less than 4°. Conclusions: The initial rotational setup errors for prostate and head-and-neck patients were all small in magnitude, statistically significant, but did not vary considerably during the course of radiotherapy. The data are relevant to couch hardware design for correcting rotational setup variations. There should be no theoretical difference between these data and data collected using cone beam KVCT on conventional linacs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]