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In hadron therapy, the accelerated ions, interacting with the body of the patient, cause the fragmentation of both projectile and target nuclei. The fragments interact with the human tissues depositing energy both in the entrance channel and in the volume surrounding the tumor. The knowledge of the fragments features is crucial to determine the energy amount deposited in the human body, and - hence - the damage to the organs and to the tissues around the tumor target.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a shift in urban commute patterns in recent years, demonstrating the cities of Latin America’s typical lack of resiliency. This study’s goal is to examine both motorized and non-motorized types of transportation throughout the pandemic, to comprehend how these new modes of transportation changed. In parallel, an App called CovWay was created to obtain coordinates linked to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using a quantitative method of spatial interpolation. Based on a statistical reclassification, the presented results are a map of frequencies by displacement. The sample was subjected to an online survey. There is evidence of a break from routine and a switch to new modes of transportation, which may pave the way for the adoption of a more environmentally friendly transportation paradigm.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Spanish version of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) scale in Colombian university students. Methods: This was a methodological study to verify reliability and construct validity. A total of 763 undergraduate university students in Cali, Colombia, agreed to participate in the study by filling out a form that included information on sociodemographic characteristics and the HPLP-II scale Spanish version. Data were collected between February and June 2021. To determine construct validity, a confirmatory factor analysis was performed, and internal consistency was determined through Cronbach's alpha. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis of the proposed theoretical model showed that the goodness-of-fit indices of the scale demonstrated an acceptable level of validity nearing an excellent level of fit (χ2 = 7168.98; gl = 1268; p < 0.001; root mean square error of approximation = 0.08; normed fit index, adjusted goodness-of-fit index = 0.95). Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the scale was 0.94, and the subscales ranged from 0.68 to 0.89. Conclusions: The HPLP-II Spanish version is a valid and reliable instrument to assess the health-promoting lifestyle profile of university students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundA feasibility study was done to assess the capability of digital silicon photomultipliers to measure the Cherenkov luminescence emitted by a β source. Cherenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) is possible with a charge coupled device (CCD) based technology, but a stand-alone technique for quantitative activity measurements based on Cherenkov luminescence has not yet been developed. Silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) are photon counting devices with a fast impulse response and can potentially be used to quantify β-emitting radiotracer distributions by CLI.MethodsIn this study, a Philips digital photon counting (PDPC) silicon photomultiplier detector was evaluated for measuring Cherenkov luminescence. The PDPC detector is a matrix of avalanche photodiodes, which were read one at a time in a dark count map (DCM) measurement mode (much like a CCD). This reduces the device active area but allows the information from a single avalanche photodiode to be preserved, which is not possible with analog SiPMs. An algorithm to reject the noisiest photodiodes and to correct the measured count rate for the dark current was developed.ResultsThe results show that, in DCM mode and at (10-13) °C, the PDPC has a dynamic response to different levels of Cherenkov luminescence emitted by a β source and transmitted through an opaque medium. This suggests the potential for this approach to provide quantitative activity measurements. Interestingly, the potential use of the PDPC in DCM mode for direct imaging of Cherenkov luminescence, as a opposed to a scalar measurement device, was also apparent.ConclusionsWe showed that a PDPC tile in DCM mode is able to detect and image a β source through its Cherenkov radiation emission. The detector's dynamic response to different levels of radiation suggests its potential quantitative capabilities, and the DCM mode allows imaging with a better spatial resolution than the conventional event-triggered mode. Finally, the same acquisition procedure and data processing could be employed also for other low light levels applications, such as bioluminescence.

Copyright of Revista Venezolana de Gerencia (RVG) is the property of Revista de Filosofia-Universidad del Zulia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista de Ciencias Sociales (13159518) is the property of Revista de Ciencias Sociales de la Universidad del Zulia Venezuela and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Investigacion & Educacion en Enfermeria is the property of Universidad de Antioquia, Facultad de Enfermeria and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Genetic variants in the gene encoding for transcription factor-7-like 2 (TCF7L2) have been associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and impaired [beta]?cell function, but the mechanisms have remained unknown. We [...]

Copyright of Revista Venezolana de Gerencia (RVG) is the property of Revista de Filosofia-Universidad del Zulia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire (BMQ) allows the assessment of cognitive representations encompassing patients' medication beliefs about taking medication for their disease in different cultures. Objective. To determine the construct validity and reliability of the BMQ questionnaire adapted to Colombian hypertensive patients. Materials and methods. An instrumental psychometric study was carried out in a sample of 238 hypertensive patients with an average age of 65 years (SD= 11.4), with a predominance of women (70%). Construct validity was assessed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Reliability was calculated using Cronbach's alpha coefficient method. Results. A reduced version of 16 items was obtained; in the BMQ-General section the 7 items were grouped into two factors that explained 64% of the common variance and good fit (χ²= 61.46; gl = 13; p = 0.000; CFI = 0.917; NNFI = 0.89; CFI=0.917; SRMR=0.054; RMSEA = 0.125; IC 90% [0,10, 0,16]). In the BMQ-Specific the 9 items grouped into two factors explained 63.17% of the common variance with an acceptable fit (χ² = 122.4; gl = 26; p = 0.000; CFI = 0.88; NNFI = 0.84; CFI=0.88; SRMR=0.106; RMSEA = 0.125; IC 90% [0.10, 0.15]). The Cronbach's alpha reliability for the BMQ-General and Specific was 0.82 and 0.78, respectively. Discussion and conclusions. The version of the BMQ adapted to Colombian hypertensive patients has adequate psychometric characteristics and its use is recommended in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2011, with the approval of the Economic and Social Policy Guidelines at the VI Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba, the creation of non-agro livestock cooperatives was promoted. In the province of Granma, in 2014, the first non-agro livestock cooperative "La Croquetera" was founded with the social purpose of providing gastronomic services. The cooperative sector in the province plays a fundamental role in satisfying the needs of the population. However, there are limitations that hinder and slow down the integral development of the cooperatives; for this reason, the objective of the research is to diagnose the main factors that limit the socioeconomic management of the non-agro livestock cooperative "La Croquetera". The theoretical method of high generalization used is the dialectical-materialistic one. As for the empirical methods, participant observation, survey and interview were used; the cooperative mirror instrument of the World Food Program was also used. As general results of the research, it was found that, among the factors limiting cooperative management, there is the lack of knowledge of cooperative principles, organizational problems and deficiency in contracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Avances en Enfermería is the property of Editorial Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The public administrator has the responsibility to represent the state is a person with knowledge in political science that focuses its work on the State and the government. Using the economic, legal and social sciences. The combination of all these specialties expands the positions that can occupy within public bodies. Starting from this criterion it is necessary to create professionals in Public Administration, which can be in charge of a public management focused on the satisfaction of the individual and their needs, through organizations that function as a whole and fostering a new approach of the Public Administration, which in the doctrine has been called public management. Ecuador has tried to implement several trends for a public administration in different policies which have been considered for the curricular design of a degree in Public Administration. The objective of this work is to base the creation of a new career from a curricular perspective, demonstrating the tendencies of public administration related to the promotion and application of non-discriminatory laws and policies in favor of sustainable development, aspects that have been taken as a source and fundamentals of the curricular design of this university career. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Avances en Enfermería is the property of Editorial Universidad Nacional de Colombia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. In Colombia, the General Education Law gave Educational Institutions the authority to organize their academic curricula according to their corresponding Educational Projects. Based on this institutional autonomy, some educational institutions have divided the area of mathematics into subjects such as statistics and geometry; also they have allocated a weekly time to each one of these subjects. In contrast, other institutions organize the area of mathematics by themes developed at specific times during the school year. In this sense, knowing the effects that one or another allocation could have on educational processes represents an interest for research and for teachers and educational institutions. Objective. Determine the effect that the allocation of teaching hours spent on the statistics subject could have on student performance on the Saber 11th Test in public educational institutions from Medellín- Colombia. Materials and Method. Data were extracted from the Saber 11-test results. A linear model was adjusted with mixed effects. Results. After controlling for the institution effect, it was found that some student-specific variables do impact the results in mathematics. However, allocation of teaching hours spent on statistics is not a significant factor. Conclusions. Time allocation and teaching hours spent on a statistics course do not have automatic or immediate impact on student performance. Every institution should consider strategies to promote student competencies according to their economic and social conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Micro-CT is an established imaging technique for high-resolution non-destructive assessment of vascular samples, which is gaining growing interest for investigations of atherosclerotic arteries both in humans and in animal models. However, there is still a lack in the definition of micro-CT image metrics suitable for comprehensive evaluation and quantification of features of interest in the field of experimental atherosclerosis (ATS).Objective: A novel approach to micro-CT image processing for profiling of coronary ATS is described, providing comprehensive visualization and quantification of contrast agent-free 3D high-resolution reconstruction of full-length artery walls.Methods: Accelerated coronary ATS has been induced by high fat cholesterol-enriched diet in swine and left coronary artery (LCA) harvested en bloc for micro-CT scanning and histologic processing. A cylindrical coordinate system has been defined on the image space after curved multiplanar reformation of the coronary vessel for the comprehensive visualization of the main vessel features such as wall thickening and calcium content. A novel semi-automatic segmentation procedure based on 2D histograms has been implemented and the quantitative results validated by histology.Results: The potentiality of attenuation-based micro-CT at low kV to reliably separate arterial wall layers from adjacent tissue as well as identify wall and plaque contours and major tissue components has been validated by histology. Morphometric indexes from histological data corresponding to several micro-CT slices have been derived (double observer evaluation at different coronary ATS stages) and highly significant correlations (R2 > 0.90) evidenced. Semi-automatic morphometry has been validated by double observer manual morphometry of micro-CT slices and highly significant correlations were found (R2 > 0.92).Conclusion: The micro-CT methodology described represents a handy and reliable tool for quantitative high resolution and contrast agent free full length coronary wall profiling, able to assist atherosclerotic vessels morphometry in a preclinical experimental model of coronary ATS and providing a link between in vivo imaging and histology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During particle therapy irradiation, positron emitters with half-lives ranging from 2 to 20 min are generated from nuclear processes. The half-lives are such that it is possible either to detect the positron signal in the treatment room using an in-beam positron emission tomography (PET) system, right after the irradiation, or to quickly transfer the patient to a close PET/CT scanner. Since the activity distribution is spatially correlated with the dose, it is possible to use PET imaging as an indirect method to assure the quality of the dose delivery. In this work, we present a new dedicated PET system able to operate in-beam. The PET apparatus consists in two 10 cm × 10 cm detector heads. Each detector is composed of four scintillating matrices of 23 × 23 LYSO crystals. The crystal size is 1.9 mm × 1.9 mm × 16 mm. Each scintillation matrix is read out independently with a modularized acquisition system. The distance between the two opposing detector heads was set to 20 cm. The system has very low dead time per detector area and a 3 ns coincidence window, which is capable to sustain high single count rates and to keep the random counts relatively low. This allows a new full-beam monitoring modality that includes data acquisition also while the beam is on. The PET system was tested during the irradiation at the CATANA (INFN, Catania, Italy) cyclotron-based proton therapy facility. Four acquisitions with different doses and dose rates were analysed. In all cases the random to total coincidences ratio was equal or less than 25%. For each measurement we estimated the accuracy and precision of the activity range on a set of voxel lines within an irradiated PMMA phantom. Results show that the inclusion of data acquired during the irradiation, referred to as beam-on data, improves both the precision and accuracy of the range measurement with respect to data acquired only after irradiation. Beam-on data alone are enough to give precisions better than 1 mm when at least 5 Gy are delivered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) has been developed as an alternative transplant strategy for children with hematological disorders who do not have an HLA-matched donor. We report the analysis of the outcome for 18 consecutive pediatric patients with various hematological diseases, who underwent haplo-HSCT using a reduced-intensity conditioning regimen and CD3/CD19 depletion in an outpatient setting. Twelve of the 18 patients (66.6%) engrafted either transiently or definitively (9 patients engrafted with full donor chimerism and 3 with mixed chimerism). Six patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were disease-free between 2 and 35 months (median 25 months) post-HSCT. The overall survival was 33.3% with a median of 25 months (range 2-35). Our results suggest that haplo-HSCT can be a feasible therapeutic alternative for children who do not have a suitable family donor or available cord blood units. These results also demonstrate that it is possible to perform this regimen on an outpatient basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In fully three-dimensional PET imaging, iterative image reconstruction techniques usually outperform analytical algorithms in terms of image quality provided that an appropriate system model is used. In this study we concentrate on the calculation of an accurate system model for the YAP-(S)PET II small animal scanner, with the aim to obtain fully resolution- and contrast-recovered images at low levels of image roughness. For this purpose we calculate the system model by decomposing it into a product of five matrices: (1) a detector response component obtained via Monte Carlo simulations, (2) a geometric component which describes the scanner geometry and which is calculated via a multi-ray method, (3) a detector normalization component derived from the acquisition of a planar source, (4) a photon attenuation component calculated from x-ray computed tomography data, and finally, (5) a positron range component is formally included. This system model factorization allows the optimization of each component in terms of computation time, storage requirements and accuracy. The main contribution of this work is a new, efficient way to calculate the detector response component for rotating, planar detectors, that consists of a GEANT4 based simulation of a subset of lines of flight (LOFs) for a single detector head whereas the missing LOFs are obtained by using intrinsic detector symmetries. Additionally, we introduce and analyze a probability threshold for matrix elements of the detector component to optimize the trade-off between the matrix size in terms of non-zero elements and the resulting quality of the reconstructed images. In order to evaluate our proposed system model we reconstructed various images of objects, acquired according to the NEMA NU 4-2008 standard, and we compared them to the images reconstructed with two other system models: a model that does not include any detector response component and a model that approximates analytically the depth of interaction as detector response component. The comparisons confirm previous research results, showing that the usage of an accurate system model with a realistic detector response leads to reconstructed images with better resolution and contrast recovery at low levels of image roughness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro ed Ergonomia is the property of Giornale Italiano di Medicina del Lavoro ed Ergonomia Editorial Board and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Early diagnosis and therapy increasingly operate at the cellular, molecular, or even at the genetic level. As diagnostic techniques transition from the systems to the molecular level, the role of multimodality molecular imaging becomes increasingly important. Positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are powerful techniques for in vivo molecular imaging. The inability of PET to provide anatomical information is a major limitation of standalone PET systems. Combining PET and CT proved to be clinically relevant and successfully reduced this limitation by providing the anatomical information required for localization of metabolic abnormalities. However, this technology still lacks the excellent soft-tissue contrast provided by MRI. Standalone MRI systems reveal structure and function but cannot provide insight into the physiology and/or the pathology at the molecular level. The combination of PET and MRI, enabling truly simultaneous acquisition, bridges the gap between molecular and systems diagnosis. MRI and PET offer richly complementary functionality and sensitivity; fusion into a combined system offering simultaneous acquisition will capitalize the strengths of each, providing a hybrid technology that is greatly superior to the sum of its parts. A combined PET/MRI system provides both the anatomical and structural description of MRI simultaneously with the quantitative capabilities of PET. In addition, such a system would allow exploiting the power of MR spectroscopy (MRS) to measure the regional biochemical content and to assess the metabolic status or the presence of neoplasia and other diseases in specific tissue areas. This paper briefly summarizes state-of-the-art developments and latest advances in dedicated hybrid PET/MRI instrumentation. Future prospects and potential clinical applications of this technology will also be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: The C-allele of rs13266634 located in SLC30A8 (ZNT8) has been strongly associated with decreased insulin release and with type 2 diabetes (T2D) susceptibility in some but not all studies. To shed further light on this issue, we performed a meta-analysis of the association between rs13266634 and T2D in different ethnic groups and assessed the relationships between SLC30A8 genotypes and some properties of isolated human islets. Methods: From 32 original articles, a total of 77,234 control individuals and 44,945 subjects with T2D were studied in meta-analysis. To assess the relationships between SLC30A8 genotype and islet cell phenotype, insulin secretion in response to glucose, glucose plus arginine and glucose plus glibenclamide was determined in pancreatic islets isolated from 82 multiorgan donors genotyped for the rs13266634 polymorphism. Quantitative expression of SLC30A8, Insulin and Glucagon mRNA was also measured. Results: Overall, each SLC30A8 risk allele was associated with a 14% increased risk for T2D (P =2.78×10−34). The population risk of T2D attributable to this polymorphism was estimated at 9.5% in Europeans and 8.1% in East Asians. Basal and stimulated insulin secretion from human islets as well as islet expressions of SLC30A8, Insulin and Glucagon were not affected by the presence of the polymorphism. However, SLC30A8 expression was positively correlated with Insulin (r =0.75, P =6.43×10−6) and Glucagon (r: 0.70, P =4.89×10−5) levels. Conclusions: The SLC30A8 rs13266634 polymorphism is among the most confirmed genetic markers of T2D in Europeans and East Asians. In isolated human islets, the risk C-allele does not affect ex-vivo insulin secretion and SLC30A8 expression, which is correlated with that of insulin and glucagon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A wide library of 3,7,8,8a-tetrahydro-2H-thiazolo[3,2-a]pyridines has been prepared by simple heating in acetonitrile of β-enaminonitriles, α,β-unsaturated aldehydes and 2-aminothiol hydrochlorides. Chemical yields depend on the nature, hindrance, and position of the substituents. The scope, limitations, and stereocontrol associated to this three-component reaction have been studied in detail. In general, the diastereoinduction observed in the three new stereogenic centers generated in the pro-chiral α,β-unsaturated aldehyde is low. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Bistua: Revista de la Facultad de Ciencias Básicas is the property of Facultad de Ciencias Basicas de la Universidad de Pamplona and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective. Describe the degree of relationship between family functioning and the level of anxiety in adult patients with chronic disease in a health institution at the second level. Methodology. The study design was descriptive, cross correlation, was performed on a sample of 97 patients and an equal number of families, the first ones were selected with a potential analysis, covering the following inclusion criteria: adult- oriented patients about the services and outpatient consultation of an institution at second level of care. We used a sociodemographic card, the scale of effective family functioning of Friedemann (E-EFF) and the scale of Spielberger trait-anxiety, the latter with an internal consistency of .83 and .75, respectively, as determined by Alpha Cronbach. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results. The age group that prevailed in the family was from 33 to 47 years, a mean of 45.73, and in the patients, was the group of 60 to 70 years, an mean of 65.05; in both groups stressed the female gender. 56% of patients had diabetes mellitus type 2. As for the indices, trait-anxiety had a mean of 51 (10.7) in the EFF-E was 84 (11.5). Therefore, there was moderate level of anxiety in 92% of the patients and 91% integrating a functional family. The Spearman correlation showed no significant association between the two variables of the study (rho = -. 094, p = .362). Conclusion. The four subscales of the E-half EFF obtained significant values ranging from 77.0 to 92.0. The latter value is equivalent to the subscale of consistency, according to Friedemann, guide to family unity and membership also allows positive emotional bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review describes the properties of available and emerging radiation detector and read-out technologies and discusses how they may affect PET scanner performance. After a general introduction, there is a section in which the physical properties of several different detector scintillators are compared. This is followed by a discussion of recent advances in read-out electronics. Finally, the physical performance of the several commercial PET scanners is summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In an effort to better understand the phenomenon of lipotoxicity in human beta-cells, we evaluated the effects of 48-h preculture with 1.0 or 2.0 mmol/l free fatty acid (FFA) (2:1 oleate to palmitate) on the function and survival of isolated human islets and investigated some of the possible mechanisms. Compared with control islets, triglyceride content was significantly increased and insulin content and glucose-stimulated insulin release were significantly reduced in islets precultured with increased FFA concentrations. These changes were accompanied by a significant reduction of glucose utilization and oxidation. By cell death detection techniques, it was observed that exposure to FFAs induced a significant increase of the amount of dead cells. Electron microscopy showed the involvement of beta-cells, with morphological appearance compatible with the presence of apoptotic phenomena. FFA-induced islet cell death was blocked by inhibition of upstream caspases and partially prevented by inhibiton of ceramide synthesis or serine protease activity, whereas inhibition of nitric oxide synthesis had no effect. RT-PCR studies revealed no major change of iNOS and Bax mRNA expression and a marked decrease of Bcl-2 mRNA expression in the islets cultured with FFA. Thus, prolonged exposure to FFAs has cytostatic and pro-apoptotic effects on human pancreatic beta-cells. The cytostatic action is likely to be due to the FFA-induced reduction of intraislet glucose metabolism, and the proapoptotic effects are mostly caspase mediated, partially dependent on ceramide pathway, and possibly Bcl-2 regulated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]