Buoyancy-Induced Convection Driven by Frontal Polymerization

In this Letter, we study the interaction between a self-sustaining exothermic reaction front propagating in a direction perpendicular to that of gravity and the buoyancy-driven convective flow during frontal polymerization (FP) of a low-viscosity monomer resin. As the polymerization front transforms the liquid monomer into the solid polymer, the large thermal gradients associated with the propagating front sustain a natural convection of the fluid ahead of the front. The fluid convection in turn affects the reaction-diffusion (RD) dynamics and the shape of the front. Detailed multiphysics numerical analyses and particle image velocimetry experiments reveal this coupling between natural convection and frontal polymerization. The frontal Rayleigh (Ra) number affects the magnitude of the velocity field and the inclination of the front. A higher Ra number drives instability during FP, leading to the observation of thermal-chemical patterns with tunable wavelengths and magnitudes.

Geriatric Services Hub - A Collaborative Frailty Management Model between The Hospital and Community Providers

BACKGROUND

Frailty is an important geriatric syndrome especially with ageing populations. Frailty can be managed or even reversed with community-based interventions delivered by a multi-disciplinary team. Innovation is required to find community frailty models that can deliver cost-effective and feasible care to each local context.

OBJECTIVES

We share pilot data from our Geriatric Service Hub (GSH) which is a novel frailty care model in Singapore that identifies and manages frailty in the community, supported by a hospital-based multi-disciplinary team.

METHODS

We describe in detail our GSH model and its implementation. We performed a retrospective data analysis on patient characteristics, uptake, prevalence of frailty and sarcopenia and referral rates for multi-component interventions.

RESULTS

A total of 152 persons attended between January 2020 to May 2021. Majority (59.9%) were female and mean age was 81.0 ± 7.1 years old. One-fifth (21.1%) of persons live alone. Mean Charlson Co-morbidity Index was 5.2 ± 1.8. Based on the clinical frailty risk scale (CFS), 31.6% were vulnerable, 51.3% were mildly frail and 12.5% were moderately frail. Based on SARC-F screening, 45.3% were identified to be sarcopenic whilst 56.9% had a high concern about falling using the Falls-Efficacy Scale-International. BMD scans were done for 41.4% of participants, of which 58.7% were started on osteoporosis treatment. In terms of referrals to allied health professionals, 87.5% were referred for physiotherapy, 71.1% for occupational therapy and 50.7% to dieticians.

CONCLUSION

The GSH programme demonstrates a new local model of partnering with community service providers to bring comprehensive population level frailty screening and interventions to pre-frail and frail older adults. Our study found high rates of frailty, sarcopenia and fear of falling in community-dwelling older adults who were not presently known to geriatric care services.

The Association of Borderline Personality Features and Self-Injury Among Adolescents with Non-Suicidal Self-Injury: The Mediating Role of Alexithymia

Introduction

Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is becoming an increasingly prevalent phenomenon among adolescents, endangering their health. The aims of this study were to 1) explore the associations between borderline personality features, alexithymia and NSSI and 2) examine if alexithymia mediates the relationships between borderline personality features and both the severity of NSSI and the various functions that maintain NSSI in adolescents.

Methods

This cross-sectional study recruited 1779 outpatient and inpatient aged 12-18 years from psychiatric hospitals. All adolescents completed a structured four-part questionnaire including demographic items, the Chinese version of the Functional Assessment of Self-Mutilation, the Borderline Personality Features Scale for Children and the Toronto Alexithymia Scale.

Results

The structural equation modelling results indicated that alexithymia partially mediated the associations between borderline personality features and both the severity of NSSI and the emotion regulation function of NSSI (B = 0.058 and 0.099, both p < 0.001), after controlling for age and sex.

Discussion

These findings suggest that alexithymia may play a role in the mechanism and treatment of NSSI among adolescents with borderline personality features. Further longitudinal studies are essential to validate these findings.

CoP2/Co2P Encapsulated in Carbon Nanotube Arrays to Construct Self-Supported Electrodes for Overall Electrochemical Water Splitting

Electrocatalytic water splitting is a desirable and sustainable strategy for hydrogen production yet still faces challenges due to the sluggish kinetics and rapid deactivation of catalysts in the oxygen evolution process. Herein, we utilized the metal-catalyzed growth technology and phosphating process to fabricate self-supported electrodes (Co_xP_y@CNT-CC) composed of carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays grown on carbon cloth (CC); thereinto, cobalt-based phosphide nanoparticles (Co_xP_y) are uniformly encapsulated in the cavity of the CNTs. After further optimization, when the nanoparticles are in the composite phase (CoP₂/Co₂P), CoP₂/Co₂P@CNT-CC served as catalytic electrodes with the highest activity and stability for electrocatalytic water splitting in an alkaline medium (1.0 M KOH). The as-prepared CoP₂/Co₂P@CNT-CC integrates the advantages of the abundant active sites and confinement effect of CNTs, imparting promising electrocatalytic activities and stability in catalyzing both hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reaction. Remarkably, electrocatalytic water splitting cells assembled using CoP₂/Co₂P@CNT-CC electrodes as the cathode and anode, respectively, require a cell voltage of 1.55 V at 10 mA cm^-2, which is lower than that of the commercially noble Pt/C/CC and RuO₂/CC catalyst couple (1.68 V). Besides, a CoP₂/Co₂P@CNT-CC||CoP₂/Co₂P@CNT-CC system shows outstanding durability for a period of 100 h at 10 mA cm^-2. This work may provide new ideas for designing bifunctional electrocatalysts for applications in electrocatalytic water splitting.

A survey of allergic conjunctivitis in children in China

To explore the risk factors for allergic conjunctivitis (AC) in Chinese children. We recruited 176 children who suffered from AC and a control group comprising 131 normal subjects in southern China. Each participant completed a questionnaire and underwent multiple eye examinations and a skin prick test (SPT). The data of the questionnaire, the scores of the symptoms/signs and the results of the SPT were analysed. The rate of parental allergic history in the case group was much higher than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the case group was more likely to have other concomitant diseases (P < 0.01). The scores of ocular symptoms/signs had a significant correlation with the clinical duration of AC in the case group (P < 0.01). Children with other concomitant diseases or a parental allergic history were more likely to have AC.

Distinct patterns of problematic smartphone use and related factors in Chinese college students

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to categorize different subgroups of problematic smartphone use in Chinese college students. Differences in gender and psychosocial characteristics of the categorized groups were also examined.

METHODS

A total of 1123 participants completed the Mobile Phone Addiction Index Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Using latent profile analysis, we identified different subgroups of problematic smartphone use in college students. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was implemented to examine the relationship between latent classes and demographic and psychosocial covariates.

RESULTS

The four following latent classes were identified: a low-risk group, a moderate-risk with no evasiveness group, a moderate-risk with evasiveness group, and high-risk group that accounted for 11%, 24.1%, 35.5%, and 29.4% of the total sample, respectively. Further analysis revealed that female participants were more likely to be in the moderate-risk with evasiveness and high-risk groups, and individuals with depressed mood were more likely to be in the moderate-risk and high-risk groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Classifying college students according to the features of problematic smartphone use is potentially useful for understanding risk factors and developing targeted prevention and intervention programs.

Association of time to groin puncture with patient outcome after endovascular therapy stratified by etiology

Background

Randomized clinical trials and large stroke registries have demonstrated a time-dependent benefit of endovascular treatment (EVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion (LVO). The aim of this study was to investigate whether this could be applied to different stroke subtypes in a real-world single-center cohort.

Materials and methods

Consecutive ischemic stroke patients with LVOs presenting within 24 h after symptom onset were prospectively registered and retrospectively assessed. Baseline multimodal imaging was conducted before EVT. Independent predictors of functional independence [90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS), 0–2] and any incidence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were explored using a stepwise logistic regression model in the entire cohort and in stroke subtypes.

Results

From 2015 to 2020, 140 eligible patients received EVT, of whom 59 (42%) were classified as large artery atherosclerosis (LAA)-related. Time from last known normal to groin puncture was identified as an independent predictor for functional independence in patients of cardioembolic (CE) subtype [odds ratio (OR) 0.90 per 10 min; 95% CI 0.82–0.98; P = 0.013] but not in the LAA subtype and the whole cohort. Groin puncture within 6 h after the time of last known normal was associated with a lower risk of any ICH in the whole cohort (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17–0.75, P = 0.007). Sensitivity analysis of patients with complete imaging profiles also confirmed the above findings. Besides, compared with patients of the CE subtype, the LAA subtype had a smaller baseline ischemic core volume, a better collateral status, a slower core growth rate, and a numerically smaller final infarct volume.

Conclusion

Faster groin puncture has a more pronounced effect on the functional outcome in patients of CE subtype than those of LAA subtype. Reducing time to groin puncture is of great importance in improving the prognosis of patients after EVT, especially those of CE subtype, and reducing the incidence of any ICH in all patients.

[Analysis on infection risk in secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients]

Objective: To study the infection rate of secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients, and assess the infection risk in the contacts. Methods: COVID-19 patients' close contacts (with a clear exposure time to index case) with negative nucleic acid test results and secondary close contacts were surveyed in continuous isolation and medical observation in this prospective study. The dynamic nucleic acid test results of the close contacts and secondary contacts of COVID-19 patients were collected to assess their risk of infection. Results: A total of 4 533 close contacts were surveyed, in whom 14 were confirmed as COVID-19 patients with overall secondary attack rate of 0.31%, and 4 201 secondary contacts were tracked, in whom no subsequent infections occurred. Conclusion: Close contacts of COVID-19 patients entered in centralized isolation for medical observation with negative nucleic acid tese results,the secondary close contacts of COVID-19 patients have no risk of infection.

Bio-based Non-estrogenic Dimethacrylate Dental Composite from Cloves

Bisphenol A (BPA), as an endocrine disruptor derived from petroleum-based chemicals, has been prohibited by several regulatory agencies for use in a wide variety of consumer products. For the sake of reducing human exposure to BPA derivatives and in the context of sustainability, it is far-reaching to develop high-performance and low-toxic materials from bountiful biomass sources. The objective of this work was to synthesize 2 bio-based dimethacrylate monomers, 2,2'-dially-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,5'-diglycerolate acrylatediphenylmethane (BEF-EA) and 2,2'-dially-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,5'-diglycerolate methacrylatediphenylmethane (BEF-GMA), using eugenol as the raw material. The estrogenic activity of bio-based bisphenol 2,2'-dially-4,4'-dimethoxy-5,5'-dihydroxydiphenylmethane (BEF) was evaluated and compared with estrogen and commercial bisphenols. After photopolymerization of the di(meth)acrylates diluted with tri(ethyleneglycol) dimethacrylate (TEGDMA), bio-based visible light-curing materials were prepared, and their properties were systematically investigated. Notably, di(meth)acrylates BEF-GMA and BEF-EA derived from these nonestrogenic bio-based phenols exhibited improved biocompatibility and low viscosity (down to 220-280 Pa.s). BEF-GMA and BEF-EA resin matrix exhibits lower volumetric polymerization shrinkage (about 8.5%), high photopolymerization reactivity (>50% in 60 s), and mechanical properties (fracture energy >5.5 N mm; flexural strength of 87-91 MPa, etc), which were comparable or superior to commercial Bis-GMA. The respective bio-based composites still exhibit adequate properties. Therefore, introducing eugenol-based visible light-curable dimethacrylate monomers into dental materials is a potential strategy to establish green sustainability and biocompatible dental materials without BPA.

Nicotine Facilitates Facial Stimulation-Evoked Mossy Fiber-Granule Cell Long-Term Potentiation in vivo in Mice

Nicotine is a psychoactive component of tobacco that plays critical roles in the regulation of neuronal circuit function and neuroplasticity and contributes to the improvement of working memory performance and motor learning function via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Under in vivo conditions, nicotine enhances facial stimulation-evoked mossy fiber-granule cell (MF-GrC) synaptic transmission, which suggests that nicotine regulates MF-GrC synaptic plasticity in the mouse cerebellar cortex. In this study, we investigated the effects of nicotine on facial stimulation-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of MF-GrC synaptic transmission in urethane-anesthetized mice. Our results showed that facial stimulation at 20 Hz induced an MF-GrC LTP in the mouse cerebellar granular layer that was significantly enhanced by the application of nicotine (1 μM). Blockade of α4β2 nAChRs, but not α7 nAChRs, during delivery of 20 Hz facial stimulation prevented the nicotine-induced facilitation of MF-GrC LTP. Notably, the facial stimulation-induced MF-GrC LTP was abolished by an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, but it was restored by additional application of nicotine during delivery of 20 Hz facial stimulation. Furthermore, antagonism of α4β2 nAChRs, but not α7 nAChRs, during delivery of 20 Hz facial stimulation prevented nicotine-induced MF-GrC LTP. Moreover, inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) abolished the facial stimulation-induced MF-GrC LTP, as well as the effect of nicotine on it. Our results indicated that 20 Hz facial stimulation induced MF-GrC LTP via an NMDA receptor/nitric oxide (NO) cascade, but MF-GrC LTP was enhanced by nicotine through the α4β2 AChR/NO signaling pathway. These results suggest that nicotine-induced facilitation of MF-GrC LTP may play a critical role in the improvement of working memory performance and motor learning function.

Opposing actions of CRF-R1 and CB1 receptor on facial stimulation-induced MLI-PC plasticity in mouse cerebellar cortex

BACKGROUND

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is the major neuromodulator orchestrating the stress response, and is secreted by neurons in various regions of the brain. Cerebellar CRF is released by afferents from inferior olivary neurons and other brainstem nuclei in response to stressful challenges, and contributes to modulation of synaptic plasticity and motor learning behavior via its receptors. We recently found that CRF modulates facial stimulation-evoked molecular layer interneuron-Purkinje cell (MLI-PC) synaptic transmission via CRF type 1 receptor (CRF-R1) in vivo in mice, suggesting that CRF modulates sensory stimulation-evoked MLI-PC synaptic plasticity. However, the mechanism of how CRF modulates MLI-PC synaptic plasticity is unclear. We investigated the effect of CRF on facial stimulation-evoked MLI-PC long-term depression (LTD) in urethane-anesthetized mice by cell-attached recording technique and pharmacological methods.

RESULTS

Facial stimulation at 1 Hz induced LTD of MLI-PC synaptic transmission under control conditions, but not in the presence of CRF (100 nM). The CRF-abolished MLI-PC LTD was restored by application of a selective CRF-R1 antagonist, BMS-763,534 (200 nM), but it was not restored by application of a selective CRF-R2 antagonist, antisauvagine-30 (200 nM). Blocking cannabinoid type 1 (CB1) receptor abolished the facial stimulation-induced MLI-PC LTD, and revealed a CRF-triggered MLI-PC long-term potentiation (LTP) via CRF-R1. Notably, either inhibition of protein kinase C (PKC) with chelerythrine (5 µM) or depletion of intracellular Ca²⁺ with cyclopiazonic acid (100 µM), completely prevented CRF-triggered MLI-PC LTP in mouse cerebellar cortex in vivo.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results indicated that CRF blocked sensory stimulation-induced opioid-dependent MLI-PC LTD by triggering MLI-PC LTP through CRF-R1/PKC and intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling pathway in mouse cerebellar cortex. These results suggest that activation of CRF-R1 opposes opioid-mediated cerebellar MLI-PC plasticity in vivo in mice.

Effects of resilience on impulsivity, cognition and depression during protracted withdrawal among Chinese male methamphetamine users

BACKGROUND

Methamphetamine (METH) dependence is a complex and dynamic public health problem. Long-term abuse of METH can increase numerous risks of mental and physical problems. Currently, the methods to reduce METH dependence and improve the withdrawal symptoms are limited and ineffective. Resilience is seen as a multidimensional and dynamic capability to recover or bounce back from stressful events and is also generally considered as a protective factor against mental dysfunction.

METHODS

One hundred thirty-four males with METH dependence were consecutively recruited from Huanglong Compulsory Isolated Detoxification Center between 2019 and 2021, of whom 112 were into the group. The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), Self-rating depression scale (SDS), Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-11(BIS-11), and the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (Rbans) were used to evaluate resilience, depression, anxiety, impulsivity, and cognition respectively.

RESULTS

The results mainly indicated that high resilience group showed lower SDS, SAS and BIS-11 scores than low resilience group (all p < 0.05). Besides, the total scores of Rbans were higher in high resilience groups than low resilience group (both p < 0.05). Moreover, linear regression results showed that resilience may be influenced by the scores of SDS and SAS.

CONCLUSIONS

Resilience is negatively correlated with impulsivity and depression. Besides, it is also positively associated with cognitive function. Drug users with higher resilience may have a strong ability to mobilize psychological resources to create a good psychological environment, which may have a positive effect on the relief or improvement of symptoms.

Phyllosphere bacterial and fungal communities vary with host species identity, plant traits and seasonality in a subtropical forest

BACKGROUND

Phyllosphere microbes play important roles in host plant performance and fitness. Recent studies have suggested that tropical and temperate forests harbor diverse phyllosphere bacterial and fungal communities and their assembly is driven by host species identity and plant traits. However, no study has yet examined how seasonality (e.g. dry vs. wet seasons) influences phyllosphere microbial community assembly in natural forests. In addition, in subtropical forests characterized as the transitional zonal vegetation type from tropical to temperate forests, how tree phyllosphere microbial communities are assembled remains unknown. In this study, we quantified bacterial and fungal community structure and diversity on the leaves of 45 tree species with varying phylogenetic identities and importance values within a 20-ha lower subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest plot in dry and wet seasons. We explored if and how the microbial community assembly varies with host species identity, plant traits and seasonality.

RESULTS

Phyllosphere microbial communities in the subtropical forest are more abundant and diverse than those in tropical and temperate forests, and the tree species share a "core microbiome" in either bacteria or fungi. Variations in phyllosphere bacterial and fungal community assembly are explained more by host species identity than by seasonality. There is a strong clustering of the phyllosphere microbial assemblage amongst trees by seasonality, and the seasonality effects are more pronounced on bacterial than fungal community assembly. Host traits have different effects on community compositions and diversities of both bacteria and fungi, and among them calcium concentration and importance value are the most powerful explaining variables for bacteria and fungi, respectively. There are significant evolutionary associations between host species and phyllosphere microbiome.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that subtropical tree phyllosphere microbial communities vary with host species identity, plant traits and seasonality. Host species identity, compared to seasonality, has greater effects on phyllosphere microbial community assembly, and such effects differ between bacterial and fungal communities. These findings advance our understanding of the patterns and drivers of phyllosphere microbial community assembly in zonal forests at a global scale.

Up-regulation of LINC00665 contributes to the progression of glioma and correlates with its MRI characteristics

BACKGROUND

LncRNA LINC00665 partakes in controlling the malignant phenotype of cancer cells, but its role in glioma and the related regulatory mechanism remain uncertain.

METHODS

RT-PCR was exploited to examine LINC00665 expression. The relationships among the LINC00665 expression, the clinicopathologic values and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics of glioma were analyzed. The multiplication, movement, and aggressiveness of glioma cell lines were evaluated by CCK-8, EdU, and Transwell experiments after constructing LINC00665 overexpression and LINC00665 knockdown cell models. A dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment and RIP experiment were executed to validate the interactions between LINC00665 and miR-129-5p, and between miR-129-5p and HMGB1. Western blot and RT-PCR were conducted to find the impact of LINC00665 and miR-129-5p on HMGB1 expression. Nude mouse model was also constructed to examine the impact of LINC00665 on multiplication and aggressiveness of glioma cells in vivo.

RESULTS

LINC00665 expression was markedly increased in glioma. High LINC00665 expression in glioma was closely linked to larger tumor diameter, higher pathologic grade, heterogeneous MRI signal of the tumor, increased peritumoral edema, and stronger MRI enhancement characteristics. LINC00665 overexpression facilitated the malignant behavior of glioma cells, while LINC00665 knockdown played the reverse role. Mechanistically, LINC00665 could decoy miR-129-5p, and indirectly increased HMGB1 expression.

CONCLUSION

LINC00665 functions as an oncogenic lncRNA in glioma, to accelerate glioma progression by modulating miR-129-5p and increasing HMGB1 expression.

Circular RNA circTLK1 regulates dopaminergic neuron injury during Parkinson's disease by targeting miR-26a-5p／DAPK1

BACKGROUND

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that is featured by the elevated loss of substantia nigra pars compacta dopaminergic neurons and the disruption of motor functions. Aberrant expression of circular RNAs (circRNAs) is correlated with neurodegenerative diseases. This study aimed to explore the role of circTLK1 in PD pathology.

METHODS

MPTP-stimulated in vivo PD mouse model and MPP+ and rotenone-induced in vitro PD model were established to investigate the function of circTLK1/miR-26a-5p/DAPK1 axis during dopaminergic neuron injury. The motor function of mice was evaluated by using the Rotarod test. Brain tissue damage was checked by hematoxylin and eosin, TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling. Cell viability, apoptosis, and cytotoxicity were evaluated by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8), flow cytometry, and LDH activity. The interaction between circTLK1 and miR-26a-5p as well as miR-26a-5p and DAPK1 was detected by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The expression of circTLK1 was notably elevated in in vitro and in vivo PD models. Knockdown of circTLK1 significantly improved cell viability, suppressed apoptosis and cytotoxicity, whereas inhibition of miR-16a-5p and overexpression of DAPK1 abolished these effects. MiR-26a-5p acts as a sponge of DAPK1 to mediate circTLK1 functions. Luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the interaction between circTLK1 and miR-26a-5p as well as miR-26a-5p and DAPK1.

CONCLUSION

Depletion of circTLK1 mitigates dopaminergic neuron injury in vitro and in vivo, via releasing miR-26a-5p to target DAPK1 expression. Targeting circTLK1 may contribute to improving PD therapy.

[Research advances of music therapy and its application in the field of burn treatment]

Different from other trauma, the scar and pigmentation formed after healing of burn wound not only hinder beauty but also easily lead to a series of sequential psychological problems, such as depression and anxiety. Music therapy, as a supplementary treatment, is widely used in many fields including medical and health care and psychological regulation. However, affected by factors such as medical resources, the awareness and acceptance of music therapy among burn treatment workers in China are still low. Based on the clinical characteristics of burns, this paper matches the applicability of music therapy with it, summarizes the supplementary application of music therapy in the field of burn treatment, expounds this natural science with both science and aesthetics, and puts forward feasible suggestions for its future development.

Regulation of miR-33b on endometriosis and expression of related factors

The article "Regulation of miR-33b on endometriosis and expression of related factors, by W.-W. Yang, L. Hong, X.-X. Xu, Q. Wang, J.-L. Huang, L. Jiang, published in Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci 2017; 21 (9): 2027-2033-PMID: 28537685" has been retracted by the authors. They state that the reproducibility of protocell experiments was not high, and the research results were significantly different from those in the earlier stage. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. https://www.europeanreview.org/article/12676.

Development and validation of an automatic commissioning tool for the Monte Carlo dose engine in myQA iON

Independent dose verification with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations is an important feature of proton therapy quality assurance (QA). However, clinical integration of such tools often generates an additional and complex workload for medical physicists. The preparation of the necessary clinical inputs, such as the machine beam model, should therefore be automated. In this work, a methodology for automatic MC commissioning has been devised, validated, and developed into a MATLAB tool for the users of myQA iON, the recent QA platform of IBA Dosimetry. With this workflow, all necessary parameters can easily be tuned using dedicated optimization methods. For the geometrical beam parameters (phase space), the assumption of a single or double Gaussian is made. To model the energy spectrum, a Gaussian function is assumed and parameters are optimized using either MC simulations or a library of pre-computed Bragg peaks. For the absolute dose calibration, commissioning fields can be reproduced with the dose engine to retrieve the necessary parameters. We discuss in a first time the tool efficiency and show that one can optimize all parameters in less than 4 min per energy with excellent accuracy. We then validate a beam model obtained with the tool by simulating homogeneous spread-out Bragg peaks (SOBPs) and patient QA plans previously measured in water. An average range agreement of 0.29 ± 0.34 mm is achieved for the SOBPs while 3%/3 mm local gamma passing rates reach 99.3% on average over all 62 measured patient QA planes, which is well within clinical tolerances.