Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The dose-rate effect in interstitial brachytherapy: a controversy resolved.

Low-dose-rate interstitial implants generally involve a range of dose rates varying from about 0.3 to 1.5 Gy/h. It has been a matter of some debate as to whether such a variation in dose rate has any impact on clinical results, i.e. whether implant treatment time needs to be taken into account when prescribing the treatment dose. In particular, Paterson and Ellis both published data based on clinical experience suggesting that the prescribed dose should vary with overall treatment time, whereas the Paris school suggested that isoeffect dose should not be varied for treatment times between 3 and 8 days. Experimental radiobiological data obtained in vitro and in vivo imply a significant change in biological effectiveness over this range of dose rates with a greater variation for normal-tissue late effects than for tumour control. We show, based on radiological considerations and model calculations, that the disagreement between the two schools in their recommendations for generating isoeffect doses for different treatment times was a result of two factors. First, the Paterson recommendation was unequivocally based on matching limiting late effects, whereas the Paris system recommendations were based on an analysis of a combination of late and early effects. Second, the Paterson recommendations were based on a dosimetry system in which the dose rate does not change greatly with tumour volume, whereas the Paris recommendations were based on a dosimetric system in which dose rate is correlated with tumour volume, which in turn is correlated with changes in both tumour control and, especially, necrosis.
Moderators and predictors of response to cognitive-behavioral therapy augmentation of pharmacotherapy in obsessive–compulsive disorder

Background Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) consisting of exposure and response prevention (EX/RP) is efficacious as a treatment for obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). However, about half of patients have a partial or poor response to EX/RP treatment. This study examined potential predictors and moderators of CBT augmentation of pharmacotherapy, to identify variables associated with a poorer response to OCD treatment. Method Data were drawn from a large randomized controlled trial that compared the augmenting effects of EX/RP to stress management training (SMT; an active CBT control) among 108 participants receiving a therapeutic dose of a serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI). Stepwise regression was used to determine the model specification. Results Pretreatment OCD severity and gender were significant moderators of outcome: severity affected SMT (but not EX/RP) outcome; and gender affected EX/RP (but not SMT) outcome. Adjusting for treatment type and pretreatment severity, significant predictors included greater co-morbidity, number of past SRI trials, and lower quality of life (QoL). Significant moderators, including their main-effects, and predictors accounted for 37.2% of the total variance in outcome, comparable to the impact of treatment type alone (R2=30.5%). These findings were replicated in the subgroup analysis of EX/RP alone (R2=55.2%). Conclusions This is the first randomized controlled study to examine moderators and predictors of CBT augmentation of SRI pharmacotherapy. Although effect sizes for individual predictors tended to be small, their combined effect was comparable to that of treatment. Thus, future research should examine whether monitoring for a combination of these risk factors and targeting them with multi-modular strategies can improve EX/RP outcome.
Does Gender Matter in the Relationship between Anxiety and Decision-Making?

There is an ongoing debate about whether and how anxiety level affects behavioral performance in risk and/or ambiguous decision-making. According to the literature, we suggest that gender difference might be a confounding factor that has contributed to heterogeneous findings in previous studies. To examine this idea, 135 students who participated in this study were divided into six groups according to their gender (male/female) and trait anxiety level (high/medium/low; measured by the Trait form of Spielberger’s State-Trait Anxiety Inventory). All groups finished the Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) for ambiguous decision-making, and the Game of Dice Task (GDT) for risk decision-making. Behavioral results revealed that the IGT but not the GDT showed an interaction between anxiety and gender. Specifically, men outperformed women in the IGT, but only when their trait anxiety levels were low. Meanwhile, the GDT showed a main effect of anxiety grouping, such that low anxious participants were more risk-seeking than their medium anxious counterparts. These findings indicate that gender selectively modulates the influence of anxiety on ambiguous decision-making, but not risk decision-making. The theoretical and practical implications of the current findings are discussed.
High-dose porcine hematopoietic cell transplantation combined with CD40 ligand blockade in baboons prevents an induced anti-pig humoral response.

BACKGROUND In pig-to-primate organ transplantation, hyperacute rejection can be prevented, but the organ is rejected within days by acute vascular rejection, in which induced high-affinity anti-Gal alpha1-3Gal (alphaGal) IgG and possibly antibodies directed against new porcine (non-alphaGal) antigenic determinants are considered to play a major role. We have explored the role of an anti-CD40L monoclonal antibody in modifying the humoral response to porcine hematopoietic cells in baboons pretreated with a nonmyeloablative regimen. METHODS Porcine peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells obtained by leukapheresis from both major histocompatibility complex-inbred miniature swine (n=7) and human decay-accelerating factor pigs (n=3) were transplanted into baboons. Group 1 baboons (n=3) underwent whole body (300 cGy) and thymic (700 cGy) irradiation, T cell depletion with ATG, complement depletion with cobra venom factor, short courses of cyclosporine, mycophenolate mofetil, porcine hematopoietic growth factors, and anti-alphaGal antibody depletion by immunoadsorption before transplantation of high doses (2-4 x 10(10)/cells/kg) of peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells. In group 2 (n=5), cyclosporine was replaced by eight doses of anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies over 14 days. The group 3 baboons (n=2) received the group 1 regimen plus 2 doses of anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies (on days 0 and 2). RESULTS In group 1, sensitization to alphaGal (with increases in IgM and IgG of 3- to 6-fold and 100-fold, respectively) and the development of antibodies to new non-alphaGal porcine antigens occurred within 20 days. In group 2, no sensitization to alphaGal or non-alphaGal determinants was seen, but alphaGal-reactive antibodies did return to their pre- peripheral blood mobilized progenitor cells transplant levels. In group 3, attenuated sensitization to alphaGal antigens was seen after cessation of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil therapy at 30 days (IgM 4-fold, IgG 8-30-fold), but no antibodies developed against new porcine determinants. In no baboon did anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies prevent sensitization to its own murine antigens. CONCLUSIONS We believe these studies are the first to consistently demonstrate prevention of a secondary humoral response after cell or organ transplantation in a pig-to-primate model. The development of sensitization to the murine elements of the anti-CD40L monoclonal antibodies suggests that nonresponsiveness to cell membrane-bound antigen (e.g., alphaGal) is a specific phenomenon and not a general manifestation of immunological unresponsiveness. T cell costimulatory blockade may facilitate induction of mixed hematopoietic chimerism and, consequently, of tolerance to pig organs and tissues.
Emotional Coherence in Early and Later Adulthood During Sadness Reactivity and Regulation

The current study reports the first investigation of age-related changes in emotional coherence across multiple response systems (experiential, physiological, and expressive) in sadness reactivity and regulation. Some accounts indirectly suggest that blunted physiological responses to emotional stimuli (e.g., Mendes, 2010) may lead to an age-related decline in emotional coherence, whereas a conflicting account suggests that age-relevant content can modulate responses across multiple systems (e.g., Kunzmann & Grühn, 2005), which has the potential to increase emotional coherence in older adults. We therefore examined emotional coherence in 60 younger (Mage = 20) and 60 older adults (Mage = 71) during emotional reactivity and regulation (suppression and acceptance) while participants watched sadness-eliciting videos. Emotional experience (sadness intensity self-report), physiological (heart period) responses, and behavioral facial expression (corrugator supercilii muscle activity) were assessed while participants viewed these videos. Importantly, older adults showed greater emotional coherence between experience and heart period and maintained coherence between experience and expression responses compared to younger adults. These findings are consistent with the idea that, because of motivational relevance and life experiences, sadness-eliciting content may lead to a greater coupling between sadness experience and physiology in older than in younger adults. Age is therefore an important individual difference factor to consider when examining within-individual associations between emotion systems.
The Agency Model and MFN Clauses

I provide an analysis of vertical relations in markets with imperfect competition at both layers of the supply chain and where exchange is intermediated either with wholesale prices or revenue-sharing contracts. Revenue-sharing is extremely attractive to firms that are able to set the revenue shares but often makes the firms that set retail prices worse off. This is so whether revenue-sharing lowers or raises industry profits. These results are strengthened when a market moves from “the wholesale model” of sales to “the agency model” of sales, which results in retailers setting revenue shares and suppliers setting retail prices. I also show that retail price-parity restrictions raise industry prices. These results provide a potential explanation for why many online retailers have adopted the agency model and retail price-parity clauses.
Apoptotic neurodegeneration following trauma is markedly enhanced in the immature brain

Age dependency of apoptotic neurodegeneration was studied in the developing rat brain after percussion head trauma. In 7‐day‐old rats, mechanical trauma, applied by means of a weight drop device, was shown to trigger widespread cell death in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the trauma site, which first appeared at 6 hours, peaked at 24 hours, and subsided by 5 days after trauma. Ultrastructurally, degenerating neurons displayed features consistent with apoptosis. A decrease of bcl‐2 in conjunction with an increase of c‐jun mRNA levels, which were evident at 1 hour after trauma and were accompanied by elevation of CPP 32‐like proteolytic activity and oligonucleosomes in vulnerable brain regions, confirmed the apoptotic nature of this process. Severity of trauma‐triggered apoptosis in the brains of 3‐ to 30‐day‐old rats was age dependent, was highest in 3‐ and 7‐day‐old animals, and demonstrated a subsequent rapid decline. Adjusting the mechanical force in accordance with age‐specific brain weights revealed a similar vulnerability profile. Thus, apoptotic neurodegeneration contributes in an age‐dependent fashion to neuropathological outcome after head trauma, with the immature brain being exceedingly vulnerable. These results help explain unfavorable outcomes of very young pediatric head trauma patients and imply that, in this group, an antiapoptotic regimen may constitute a successful neuroprotective approach. Ann Neurol 1999;45:724–735
Whitening toothpastes effect on nanoparticle resin composite roughness after a brushing challenge: An in vitro study

Background Nowadays, the use of whitening toothpastes is a common habit, especially among young adults, due to aesthetic appeal. On the other hand, little is known regarding the effects of brushing with those newly dentifrices on wear properties of resin composites. Material and Methods Thirty specimens of nanoparticle composite resin were fabricated and stored in distilled water for 24 h at 370C. After this, the roughness analysis was performed and submitted to the simulated brushing technique using three types of toothpastes: conventional (GI), and two with whitening effect (GII and GIII) for a period of 15 days, with 2 brushing sessions per day for 2 minutes each. The final surface roughness was analyzed after completing all the brushing cycles and stereoscopic images were taken for each group. The data was analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey-test post hoc for intergroup comparison and the T-test for dependent samples as well (α = 0.05). Results However showing an increase of roughness for all groups after the brushing cycles (p = 0.01), no statistically significant differences among the groups after simulated brushing was verified (p = 0.17). Yet, just some cracks of the stereoscopic images were shown, demonstrating no distinct visual effects among the studied groups. Conclusions After simulated brushing with the whitening toothpastes, similar degree of roughness was verified on the composite resin tested. Key words:Composite resin, toothpastes, whitening.
Statistics of High Purity Nickel Microstructure From High Energy X-ray Diffraction Microscopy

We have measured and reconstructed via forward modeling a small volume of microstructure of high purity, well annealed nickel using high energy x-ray diffraction microscopy (HEDM). Statistical distributions characterizing grain orientations, intra-granular misorientations, and nearest neighbor grain misorientations are extracted. Results are consistent with recent electron backscatter diffraction measurements. Peaks in the grain neighbor misorientation angle distribution at 60 degrees ({Sigma}3) and 39 degrees ({Sigma}9) have resolution limited widths of {approx} 0.14 degree FWHM. The analysis demonstrates that HEDM can recover grain and grain boundary statistics comparable to OIM volume measurements; more extensive data sets will lead to full, five parameter grain boundary character distributions. Due to its non-destructive nature, HEDM can then watch, both statistically and through tracking of individual grains and boundaries, the evolution of such distributions with processing of the sample.
Introducing the Orthogonal Periodic Sequences for the Identification of Functional Link Polynomial Filters

The paper introduces a novel family of deterministic signals, the orthogonal periodic sequences (OPSs), for the identification of functional link polynomial (FLiP) filters. The novel sequences share many of the characteristics of the perfect periodic sequences (PPSs). As the PPSs, they allow the perfect identification of a FLiP filter on a finite time interval with the cross-correlation method. In contrast to the PPSs, OPSs can identify also non-orthogonal FLiP filters, as the Volterra filters. With OPSs, the input sequence can have any persistently exciting distribution and can also be a quantized sequence. OPSs can often identify FLiP filters with a sequence period and a computational complexity much smaller than that of PPSs. Several results are reported to show the effectiveness of the proposed sequences identifying a real nonlinear audio system.
Measurements of Natural Radiation Effects in a Low Noise Avalanche Photodiode

Low noise avalanche photodiodes were irradiated to determine their sensitivity to the natural space environment. Radiation effects on important APD parameters were determined by exposure to 1.5 MeV electrons from a Van de Graaff generator and to gamma rays from a Co60 source, both to a total dose of 300 krad (Si). During irradiation, the DC dark current and an associated 1/f noise were found to increase linearly with dose only if bias voltage was applied. A t-x annealing behavior was observed. Radiation damage coefficients, threshold dose rates, and threshold fluences are calculated.
Implementing a clinical pharmacy service in hematology

ABSTRACT Objective: To implement a clinical pharmacy service focused on the comprehensive review of antineoplastic drugs used in therapy of hematological diseases. Methods: An interventional study was conducted in a Brazilian tertiary teaching hospital in two different periods, with and without a clinical pharmacy service, respectively. This service consisted of an antineoplastic prescription validation (analysis of patients' characteristics, laboratory tests, compliance with the therapeutic protocol and with pharmacotechnical parameters). When problems were detected, the pharmacist intervened with the physician or another health professional responsible for the patient. Inpatients and outpatients with hematological diseases were included. Results: We found an increased detection of drug-related problem by 106.5% after implementing the service. Comparing the two periods, an increase in patients' age (26.7 years versus 17.6 years), a predominance of outpatients (54% versus 38%), and an increase in multiple myeloma (13% versus 4%) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (16% versus 3%) was noted. The most commonly found problems were related to dose (33% versus 25%) and cycle day (14% versus 30%). With regard to clinical impact, the majority had a significant impact (71% versus 58%), and in one patient from the second period could have been fatal. The main pharmaceutical interventions were dose adjustment (35% versus 25%) and drug withdrawal (33% versus 40%). Conclusion: The pharmacy service contributed to increase the detection and resolution of drug-related problems, and it was an effective method to promote the safe and rational use of antineoplastic drugs.
A preliminary investigation into the identification of adhesives on archaeological pottery

Abstract The successful removal of a failing adhesive from archaeological pottery is facilitated by its identification. The aim of the present study was to establish an analytical path for the identification of adhesives commonly found on archaeological pottery, using resources that would be accessible to a conservation laboratory in Australia. Consultation and research of literature established adhesives that were historically used to repair archaeological pottery. Analysis of control samples assessed a spectrum of analysis techniques (visual, chemical and instrumental). It was found that simple analysis methods such as appearance, UV fluorescence and solvent solubility, are useful for identifying natural products, such as shellac and animal glue; chemical spot tests allow identification of animal glues and cellulose nitrate; and Fourier transform infra-red aids with identifying the presence of additives and with differentiating between poly(vinyl acetate) and acrylic formulations. These observations from the control samples were used to develop an analytical path for identifying adhesives associated with archaeological pottery. This path was tested on adhesive samples obtained from three artefacts in the Cypriot Collection at the University of Melbourne. Five adhesive samples were identified to be based on either cellulose nitrate, poly(vinyl acetate) or an acrylic. These identifications showed the usefulness of the analytical path developed and allowed an assessment to be made of adhesive performance. However, this exercise also raised unexpected questions.
A ‘sticky’ interhemispheric switch in bipolar disorder?

Despite years of research into bipolar disorder (manic depression), its underlying pathophysiology remains elusive. It is widely acknowledged that the disorder is strongly heritable, but the genetics are complex with less than full concordance in monozygotic twins and at least four susceptibility loci identified. We propose that bipolar disorder is the result of a genetic propensity for slow interhemispheric switching mechanisms that become ‘stuck’ in one or the other state. Because slow switches are also ‘sticky’ when compared with fast switches, the clinical manifestations of bipolar disorder may be explained by hemispheric activation being ‘stuck’ on the left (mania) or on the right (depression). Support for this ‘sticky’ interhemispheric switching hypothesis stems from our recent observation that the rate of perceptual alternation in binocular rivalry is slow in euthymic subjects with bipolar disorder (n=18, median = 0.27Hz) compared with normal controls (n=49, median = 0.60Hz, p0.0005). We have presented evidence elsewhere that binocular rivalry is itself an interhemispheric switching phenomenon. The rivalry alternation rate (putative interhemispheric switch rate) is robust in a given individual, with a test–retest correlation of more than 0.8, making it suitable for genetic studies. The interhemispheric switch rate may provide a trait-dependent biological marker for bipolar disorder.
Quantitative Analysis of Vortical Blood Flow in the Thoracic Aorta Using 4D Phase Contrast MRI

Introduction Phase contrast MRI allows for the examination of complex hemodynamics in the heart and adjacent great vessels. Vortex flow patterns seem to play an important role in certain vascular pathologies. We propose two- and three-dimensional metrics for the objective quantification of aortic vortex blood flow in 4D phase contrast MRI. Materials and Methods For two-dimensional vorticity assessment, a standardized set of 6 regions-of-interest (ROIs) was defined throughout the course of the aorta. For each ROI, a heatmap of time-resolved vorticity values ω→=∇v→ was computed. Evolution of minimum, maximum, and average values as well as opposing rotational flow components were analyzed. For three-dimensional analysis, vortex core detection was implemented combining the predictor-corrector method with λ2 correction. Strength, elongation, and radial expansion of the detected vortex core were recorded over time. All methods were applied to 4D flow MRI datasets of 9 healthy subjects, 2 patients with mildly dilated aorta, and 1 patient with aortic aneurysm. Results Vorticity quantification in the 6 standardized ROIs enabled the description of physiological vortex flow in the healthy aorta. Helical flow developed early in the ascending aorta (absolute vorticity = 166.4±86.4 s-1 at 12% of cardiac cycle) followed by maximum values in mid-systole in the aortic arch (240.1±45.2 s-1 at 16%). Strength, elongation, and radial expansion of 3D vortex cores escalated in early systole, reaching a peak in mid systole (strength = 241.2±30.7 s-1 at 17%, elongation = 65.1±34.6 mm at 18%, expansion = 80.1±48.8 mm2 at 20%), before all three parameters similarly decreased to overall low values in diastole. Flow patterns were considerably altered in patient data: Vortex flow developed late in mid/end-systole close to the aortic bulb and no physiological helix was found in the aortic arch. Conclusions We have introduced objective measures for quantification of vortical flow in 4D phase contrast MRI. Vortex blood flow in the thoracic aorta could be consistently described in all healthy volunteers. In patient data, pathologically altered vortex flow was observed.