Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42052451›Full record

ArticleFrontiers in oncology2026

Monte Carlo simulation and unfolding of an extended Bonner sphere system for secondary neutron spectrometry in proton therapy facilities using conventional BSS experimental data.

Adrián Díaz-Comeche, Sandra Oliver, Belén Juste, Daniel Jardin, Mark Zakhary, Sina Mossahebi, Matthew M Mille, Choonsik Lee, Rafael Miró, Gumersindo Verdú and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Frontiers in oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Adrián Díaz-ComecheInstitute for Industrial, Radiophysical and Environmental Safety, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
Sandra OliverInstitute for Industrial, Radiophysical and Environmental Safety, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
Belén JusteInstitute for Industrial, Radiophysical and Environmental Safety, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
Daniel JardinRadiation Physics Division National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, United States.
Mark ZakharyMaryland Proton Treatment Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
Sina MossahebiMaryland Proton Treatment Center, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States.
Matthew M MilleDivision of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States.
Choonsik LeeDivision of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States.
Rafael MiróInstitute for Industrial, Radiophysical and Environmental Safety, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
Gumersindo VerdúInstitute for Industrial, Radiophysical and Environmental Safety, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain.
Sergio MoratóDivision of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, United States.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The extended-range Bonner Sphere Spectrometer (BSS) is a valuable tool for characterizing neutron fields in radiotherapy, including proton therapy facilities, where secondary neutrons contribute to the incidental dose received by the patient and staff. In this study we developed and validated a Monte Carlo (MC) model of an extended-range BSS by benchmarking against experimental measurements performed using a conventional BSS in a proton therapy facility. The extended-range system, which includes four additional spheres with aluminum and lead layers, was not available for this work; instead, simulations were validated against conventional BSS data and then applied to extrapolate the high-energy portion of the neutron spectrum. The MC simulations were performed using MCNP version 6.3 and include modelling of the BSS and using BSS response functions previously validated. The comparison in data trends between simulations and measurements confirms the reliability of the simulation model. The acquired neutron spectra show the characteristic shape, but also noticeable differences between the measurement locations in the intensity and width of the direct, evaporation, and thermal peaks. These differences are consistent with the changing measurement conditions in each case. The obtained spectra show similarity with other spectra available in literature. This work demonstrates that MC-modeled extended-range BSS can accurately characterize secondary neutron spectra in proton therapy facilities, providing a foundation for improved radiation protection and dose optimization studies.

Indexed as

Bonner sphere spectrometerexperimental measurementsMonte Carlo simulationproton therapysecondary neutron radiation

Identifiers

PMID42052451
PMCPMC13111131

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.