Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pdfcrowd.com Open in Browser pro Version Are You a Developer? Try out the Html to Pdf Api Radioprotectors and Mitigators of Radiation-induced Normal Tissue Injury

Radiation is used in the treatment of a broad range of malignancies. Exposure of normal tissue to radiation may result in both acute and chronic toxicities that can result in an inability to deliver the intended therapy, a range of symptoms, and a decrease in quality of life. Radioprotectors are compounds that are designed to reduce the damage in normal tissues caused by radiation. These compounds are often antioxidants and must be present before or at the time of radiation for effectiveness. Other agents, termed mitigators, may be used to minimize toxicity even after radiation has been delivered. Herein, we review agents in clinical use or in development as radioprotectors and mitigators of radiation-induced normal tissue injury. Few agents are approved for clinical use, but many new compounds show promising results in preclinical testing.
210Pb and 210Po Concentrations in Italian Cigarettes and Effective Dose Evaluation

AbstractIt has been known for a long time that cigarette tobacco contains naturally occurring radioactive nuclides such as 210Pb and 210Po. In this study, the concentrations of 210Pb and 210Po in the 10 most widely sold cigarette brands in Italy during the year 2010 were measured, and the effective dose to smokers has been calculated. The results of this study show that 210Pb concentration ranged from 11.6 to 20.0 mBq cig−1 with an arithmetic mean of 14.6 mBq cig−1, while the activity concentration of 210Po ranged from 13.1 to 19.0 mBq cig−1 with an arithmetic mean of 15.7 mBq cig−1, thus confirming previous results and showing that the radioactivity concentration was not reduced in the last few years. The annual effective dose for a typical smoker consuming 20 cigarettes per day ranged from an average of 55 &mgr;Sv y−1 to about 81 &mgr;Sv y−1. It is finally put in evidence the need to improve the knowledge about crucial data needed for accurate dose assessment deriving from the inhalation of both radioisotopes contained in the cigarettes, namely the dose conversion coefficients, which strongly depend on several parameters such as the inhalation speed through the mouth, the real fraction of radionuclide transferred from cigarette to mainstream smoke, the lung absorption behavior of the radioisotopes inhaled with mainstream smoke, and the AMAD of particles inhaled by smokers.
Increasing Block Tariffs in an Arid Developing Country: A Discrete/Continuous Choice Model of Residential Water Demand in Jordan

Arid developing countries face growing challenges from water scarcity, which are exacerbated by deficient piped water supply infrastructures. Increasing block tariffs (IBTs), charging higher rates with increasing water consumption, can potentially reconcile cost recovery to finance these infrastructures with an equitable and affordable sharing of the cost burden. A firm understanding of the impacts of varying prices and socio-economic conditions on residential water demand is necessary for designing IBTs that promote these objectives. Consistently estimating water demand under an IBT requires a discrete/continuous choice (DCC) model. Despite this, few econometric studies of arid developing countries have applied this state-of-the-art approach. This paper applies a DCC model to estimate residential water demand under IBTs in the severely water-stressed country of Jordan, using 15,811 country-wide household-level observations from five years up to 2013. We extend Hewitt and Hanemann’s original DCC formulation in order to accommodate IBTs featuring a linearly progressive tariff block. We then use the resulting demand function to assess Jordan’s 2013 IBTs and alternative IBT designs. Under the estimated price elasticities, very few IBT designs achieve a full recovery of the financial costs of water provision, but we still identify a potential to improve cost recovery and affordability.
Socio-economic barriers affecting mother’s motivations in seeking medical postpatrum depression treatment in Danao City, Philippines

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a debilitating mental condition that mothers from low socio-economic backgrounds are more susceptible to acquiring. The study examined the socio-economic barriers affecting mothers’ motivation to seek medical PPD treatment using a descriptive correlational research design. A purposive sampling technique was used to recruit eighteen (18) mothers aged 20 - 39 years old who scored below 20 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The study’s findings suggested that educational attainment and health care insurance significantly correlate with mothers’ perceived barriers. Regarding their access to maternal postpartum care, age, income, educational attainment, and health care insurance directly correlate to their seeking attitude. Finally, financial and social barriers significantly impact the mothers’ access to maternal postpartum care, while geographic factors show no direct correlation. The study recommended coming up with means to alleviate economic constraints and the stigma of PPD to increase mothers’ motivations in seeking medical PPD treatment. Furthermore, the output of this study is aimed at developing an educational and livelihood program to alleviate financial and social barriers for mothers seeking PPD treatment.
A Review of Results From Thermal Cycling Tests of Hydrogenerator Stator Windings

Thermal cycling of generators, occurring during intermittent operation of power stations, increases the thermomechanical stress on the stator groundwall insulation and can, therefore, contribute to failure of the generator. Thermal cycling stresses can, to some extent, be replicated and accelerated in laboratory tests. Such tests are performed to ascertain whether a new stator winding insulation system can handle intermittent operation, to evaluate the relative difference between different types of insulations or to investigate degradation processes and failure mechanisms. Results from thermal cycling tests of hydrogenerator stator windings are reviewed. Only stator windings of air-cooled hydrogenerators with thermoset groundwall insulation of mica-epoxy or mica-polyester are considered. The published literature of laboratory experiments performed in order to study effects of thermal cycling on groundwall insulation through different types of diagnostic measurements is described and discussed. Partial discharge (PD) and tanδ measurements gave, in some cases, an indication of a trend in the condition during thermal cycling, while in other cases it was difficult to interpret the test results. Many agree that measurement of breakdown voltage of stator windings can give an indication of the aging and remaining lifetime of the insulation. The ability of other measurements such as tan δ, PD, and voltage endurance to assess the remaining lifetime of the stator winding is less convincing since the results vary greatly.
High Temporal Resolution Monitoring of Small Variations in Crustal Strain by Dense Seismic Arrays

We demonstrate the feasibility of detecting very weak deformation in the shallow crust with high temporal resolution by monitoring the relative changes in seismic wave velocity (dv/v) using dense arrays of seismometers. We show that the dv/v variations are consistent between independent measurements from two seismic arrays. Dominant peaks in the observed dv/v spectrum suggest that tides and temperature changes are the major causes of daily and subdaily velocity changes, in accordance with theoretical strain modeling. Our analysis illustrates that dv/v perturbations of the order of 10−4, corresponding to crustal strain changes of the order of 10−8, can be measured from ambient seismic noise with a temporal resolution of 1 hr. This represents a low‐cost technique for high precision and high time‐resolution monitoring of crustal deformation that is complementary to existing geodetic measurements and is instrumental in both the detection and understanding of low‐amplitude precursory processes of natural catastrophic events.
Risk Factors for Trauma-Induced Coagulopathy- and Transfusion-Associated Multiple Organ Failure in Severely Injured Trauma Patients

Background Both trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC) and transfusion strategies influence early outcome in hemorrhagic trauma patients. Their impact on late outcome is less well characterized. This study systematically reviews risk factors for TIC- and transfusion-associated multiple organ failure (MOF) in severely injured trauma patients. Materials and methods A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and Embase. Studies published from 1986 to 2013 on adult trauma patients with an injury severity score ≥16, investigating TIC or transfusion strategies with MOF as primary or secondary outcome, were eligible for inclusion. Results of the included studies were evaluated with meta-analyses of pooled data. Results In total, 50 studies were included with a total sample size of 63,586 patients. Due to heterogeneity of the study populations and outcome measures, results from 7 studies allowed for pooling of data. Risk factors for TIC-associated MOF were hypocoagulopathy, hemorrhagic shock, activated protein C, increased histone levels, and increased levels of markers of fibrinolysis on admission. After at least 24 h after admission, the occurrence of thromboembolic events was associated with MOF. Risk factors for transfusion-associated MOF were the administration of fluids and red blood cell units within 24 h post-injury, the age of red blood cells (>14 days) and a ratio of FFP:RBC ≥ 1:1 (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.04–1.19). Conclusion Risk factors for TIC-associated MOF in severely injured trauma patients are early hypocoagulopathy and hemorrhagic shock, while a hypercoagulable state with the occurrence of thromboembolic events later in the course of trauma predisposes to MOF. Risk factors for transfusion-associated MOF include administration of crystalloids and red blood cells and a prolonged storage time of red blood cells. Future prospective studies investigating TIC- and transfusion-associated risk factors on late outcome are required.
STABILIZATION OF EXPANSIVE SOIL USING MARBLE WASTE POWDER

Recently many researchers used industrial waste in soil stabilization as low cost materials and to save the environment. In this regard, an attempt is made to evaluate the use of Marble Waste Powder (MWP) to stabilize expansive clay. Soil samples were mixed with varying proportions of MWP (0%, 10%, 15 % and 20% by dry weight). Laboratory experiments include sieve analysis, Atterberg's limits, Standard Proctor, Unconfined Compression Strength (UCS) and Free Swell were performed on treated and untreated soils. The results revealed that addition of 20% MWP to the soil significantly reduced the soil plasticity and free swell index by almost 12%, while the UCS greatly increased by almost 3.5 times of the initial value. It’s concluded that the use of MWP will improve the expansive soil properties and it is beneficial for economical and environmental considerations.
Incidence and risk factors for peripherally inserted central catheter-related vein thrombosis in lung cancer patients

Objective: To explore the incidence of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC)-related venous thrombosis (VT) in lung cancer patients, and risk factors for PICC-related VT. Methods: This retrospective study included 347 lung cancer patients who underwent chemotherapy via PICC placement in our hospital between May 2013 and April 2015. Demographics, medical history, clinical, catheter-related and insertion-related characteristics, and complications of the patients were collected. The color Doppler ultrasound was used to confirm PICC-related VT (PRVT). The risk factors for symptomatic PRVT in patients with lung cancer were identified by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 347 lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy via PICC, 6.63% developed VT and the median time from PICC placement to presence of VT was 13.56 days. Results from uni-variate analysis found that gender, smoking, stage, diabetes mellitus, D-dimer level before placement, previous thrombus, indwelling arm, indwelling vein, catheter tip mal-position were potential risk factors associated with PRVT. On the multivariate logistic regression analysis, such factors as advanced stage, elevated D-dimer level before placement, previous thrombus and catheter tip mal-position significantly increased the risk for PRVT, with adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 2.76 (95% CI: 1.53-4.94), 1.89 (95% CI: 1.22-2.43), 2.19 (95% CI: 1.54-3.24) and 2.47 (95% CI: 1.42-5.04) respectively. Conclusion: Advanced stage, elevated D-dimer level before placement, previous thrombus and catheter tip malposition were independent risk factors for PRVT. Therefore, it is advisable for high risk patients to undergo individual early intervention to reduce the incidence of PICC-related VT.
Decreased Speech-In-Noise Understanding in Young Adults with Tinnitus

Objectives: Young people are often exposed to high music levels which make them more at risk to develop noise-induced symptoms such as hearing loss, hyperacusis, and tinnitus of which the latter is the symptom perceived the most by young adults. Although, subclinical neural damage was demonstrated in animal experiments, the human correlate remains under debate. Controversy exists on the underlying condition of young adults with normal hearing thresholds and noise-induced tinnitus (NIT) due to leisure noise. The present study aimed to assess differences in audiological characteristics between noise-exposed adolescents with and without NIT. Methods: A group of 87 young adults with a history of recreational noise exposure was investigated by use of the following tests: otoscopy, impedance measurements, pure-tone audiometry including high-frequencies, transient and distortion product otoacoustic emissions, speech-in-noise testing with continuous and modulated noise (amplitude-modulated by 15 Hz), auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and questionnaires.Nineteen students reported NIT due to recreational noise exposure, and their measures were compared to the non-tinnitus subjects. Results: No significant differences between tinnitus and non-tinnitus subjects could be found for hearing thresholds, otoacoustic emissions, and ABR results.Tinnitus subjects had significantly worse speech reception in noise compared to non-tinnitus subjects for sentences embedded in steady-state noise (mean speech reception threshold (SRT) scores, respectively −5.77 and −6.90 dB SNR; p = 0.025) as well as for sentences embedded in 15 Hz AM-noise (mean SRT scores, respectively −13.04 and −15.17 dB SNR; p = 0.013). In both groups speech reception was significantly improved during AM-15 Hz noise compared to the steady-state noise condition (p < 0.001). However, the modulation masking release was not affected by the presence of NIT. Conclusions: Young adults with and without NIT did not differ regarding audiometry, OAE, and ABR.However, tinnitus patients showed decreased speech-in-noise reception. The results are discussed in the light of previous findings suggestion NIT may occur in the absence of measurable peripheral damage as reflected in speech-in-noise deficits in tinnitus subjects.
Extra-low-frequency magnetic fields alter cancer cells through metabolic restriction

Abstract Background: Biological effects of extra-low-frequency (ELF) magnetic fields (MFs) have lacked a credible mechanism of interaction between MFs and living material. Objectives: To examine the effect of ELF-MFs on cancer cells. Methods: Five cancer cell lines were exposed to ELF-MFs within the range of 0.025–5 µT, and the cells were examined for karyotype changes after 6 d. Results: All cancer cells lines lost chromosomes from MF exposure, with a mostly flat dose-response. Constant MF exposures for three weeks allow a rising return to the baseline, unperturbed karyotypes. From this point, small MF increases or decreases are again capable of inducing karyotype contractions (KCs). Our data suggest that the KCs are caused by MF interference with mitochondria’s adenosine triphosphate synthase (ATPS), compensated by the action of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). The effects of MFs are similar to those of the ATPS inhibitor, oligomycin. They are amplified by metformin, an AMPK stimulator, and attenuated by resistin, an AMPK inhibitor. Over environmental MFs, KCs of various cancer cell lines show exceptionally wide and flat dose-responses, except for those of erythroleukemia cells, which display a progressive rise from 0.025 to 0.4 µT. Conclusions: The biological effects of MFs are connected to an alteration in the structure of water that impedes the flux of protons in ATPS channels. These results may be environmentally important, in view of the central roles played in human physiology by ATPS and AMPK, particularly in their links to diabetes, cancer and longevity.
Age-dependent impairment of angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND The effect of aging on angiogenesis in ischemic vascular disease has not been studied. Accordingly, we investigated the hypothesis that angiogenesis is impaired as a function of age. METHODS AND RESULTS Forty days after the resection of 1 femoral artery, collateral vessel development was significantly impaired in old (aged 4 to 5 years; n=7) versus young (aged 6 to 8 months; n=6) New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits on the basis of reduced hindlimb perfusion (ischemic: normal blood pressure ratio=0.58+/-0.05 versus 0.77+/-0.06; P<0.005), reduced number of angiographically visible vessels (angiographic score=0.48+/-0.05 versus 0.70+/-0.05; P<0.01), and lower capillary density in the ischemic limb (130.3+/-5.8/mm2 versus 171.4+/-9.5/mm2; P<0.001). Angiogenesis was also impaired in old (aged 2 years) versus young (aged 12 weeks) mice as shown by reduced hindlimb perfusion (measured by laser Doppler imaging) and lower capillary density (353.0+/-14.3/mm2 versus 713.3+/-63.4/mm2; P<0.01). Impaired angiogenesis in old animals was the result of impaired endothelial function (lower basal NO release and decreased vasodilation in response to acetylcholine) and a lower expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ischemic tissues (by Northern blot, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry). When recombinant VEGF protein was administered to young and old rabbits, both groups exhibited a significant and similar increase in blood pressure ratio, angiographic score, and capillary density. CONCLUSIONS Angiogenesis responsible for collateral development in limb ischemia is impaired with aging; responsible mechanisms include age-related endothelial dysfunction and reduced VEGF expression. Advanced age, however, does not preclude augmentation of collateral vessel development in response to exogenous angiogenic cytokines.
Character Development of Students in Public High School 4 Surabaya Through The Role of School Culture and Parenting Style

This study aims to explore the influence of school culture and parenting on students' character building at SMA Negeri 4 Surabaya. School culture, based on ethical and moral values as the main pillars, creates a supportive environment for students' character development. Parenting, which includes attention, emotional support, and open communication, is identified as a crucial factor to shape students' character. The two independent variables determining student character will be the focus of this study. With a quantitative approach using the regression analysis method, this study proves that school culture and parenting significantly contribute to students' character formation. The findings of this study provide a strong theoretical basis and have practical implications for educational policy development. This study provides guidance for schools and parents to design educational strategies to support students' positive development. The conclusions of this study provide a foundation for the implementation of educational policies that support students' character at SMA Negeri 4 Surabaya.
Fast content-based search of VRML models based on shape descriptors

The present paper proposes a novel method for content-based search in a database of VRML three-dimensional (3-D) models. The proposed technique is based on a querying-by-3-D-model approach. A set of shape-based descriptors are extracted from the reference 3-D model and compared to the corresponding descriptors of the VRML models contained in the database. The descriptors used vary from simple geometric measurements such as the aspect ratio or a binary 3-D shape mask to more complex and sophisticated shape-based criteria such as the edge paths of each 3-D model. Similarity measures are then introduced for the specific descriptors and introduced into a 3-D model-matching algorithm. Experimental results are presented, evaluating the performance of the proposed method.
Improved kinematics for brown dwarfs and very low-mass stars in Chamaeleon I and a discussion of brown dwarf formation

We present a precise kinematic study of very young brown dwarfs in the Cha I cloud based on radial velocities ( RV s) measured with UVES at the VLT. The kinematics of the brown dwarfs in Cha I are compared to the kinematics of T Tauri stars in the same field, based on both UVES measurements for very low-mass ones and on RV s from the literature. More UVES spectra were taken compared with a former paper (Joergens & Guenther 2001, A&A, 379, L9), and the reduction of the spectra was improved, while studying the literature for RV s of T Tauri stars in Cha I led to a cleaned and enlarged sample of T Tauri stars. The result is an improved empirical RV distribution of brown dwarfs, as well as of T Tauri stars in Cha I. We found that the RV s of the nine brown dwarfs and very low-mass stars (M 6-M 8) in ChaI that were studied have a mean value of 15.7 km s -1 and a dispersion measured in terms of a standard deviation of 0.9 km s -1 , and they cover a total range of 2.6 km s -1 . The standard deviation is consistent with the dispersion measured earlier in terms of fwhm of 2.1 km s -1 . The studied sample of 25 T Tauri stars (G2-M 5) has a mean RV of 14.7 km s -1 , a dispersion in terms of standard deviation of 1.3 km s -1 and in terms of fwhm of 3.0 km s -1 , and a total range of 4.5 km s -1 . The RV dispersion of the brown dwarfs is consistent within the errors with that of T Tauri stars, which is in line with the finding of no mass dependence in some theoretical models of the ejection-scenario for the formation of brown dwarfs. In contrast to current N -body simulations, we did not find a high-velocity tail for the brown dwarfs RV s. We found hints suggesting different kinematics for binaries compared to predominantly single objects in Cha I, as suggested by some models. The global RV dispersion for Cha I members (1.24 km s -1 ) is significantly lower than for Taurus members (2.0 km s -1 ), despite higher stellar density in Cha I showing that a fundamental increase in velocity dispersion with stellar density of the star-forming region is not established observationally. The RV s of brown dwarfs observed in Cha I are less dispersed than predicted by existing models for the ejection-scenario.