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Intrinsic 40 K radioactive backgrounds from impurities of natural K in liquid scintillation cocktails have previously been demonstrated to limit their use in ultra-sensitive applications. This work explores two methodologies in parallel for the reduction of 40 K backgrounds in the cocktails, and lays the groundwork for use in ultra-sensitive applications. In one method, alternative low-K liquid scintillation matrix constituents were identified and in the other, a simple purification method for single components and finished cocktails was developed. Both methods were verified via ICP-MS analysis. Liquid scintillation counting of selected purified cocktails demonstrated background reduction, improved stability, and enhanced performance. The best performing purified cocktail was also counted on a custom-built ultra-low background liquid scintillation counter, with results below the detector background. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of LSC cocktails in ultra-sensitive applications was evaluated. Backgrounds from radioactive contaminations in commercially available and in-house developed liquid scintillation cocktails were measured and compared to the predicted background levels of the ultra-low background liquid scintillation counter. Through the ICP-MS assay of the cocktails and their constituents, potassium impurities in the surfactant component were identified as a significant source of background, potentially limiting the use of LSC counting in ultra-sensitive applications. This work lays the groundwork for future research towards ultrapure LSC cocktails for ultrasensitive LSC counting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Let G, H be groups that act compatibly on each other and consider the non-abelian tensor product G⊗H. We prove that the set of all tensors T⊗(G,H)={g⊗h:g∈G,h∈H} is finite if and only if the non-abelian tensor product G⊗H is finite. Further, we examine a finiteness criterion for G⊗H, when G and H are FC-groups. We also establish a sufficient condition for a finitely generated non-abelian tensor product to be finite. Some finiteness conditions for G in terms of certain torsion elements of the non-abelian tensor square G⊗G are also studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let m, n be positive integers and p a prime. We denote by $$\nu (G)$$ an extension of the non-abelian tensor square $$G \otimes G$$ by $$G \times G$$ . We prove that if G is a residually finite group satisfying some non-trivial identity $$f \equiv ~1$$ and for every $$x,y \in G$$ there exists a p-power $$q=q(x,y)$$ such that $$[x,y^{\varphi }]^q = 1$$ , then the derived subgroup $$\nu (G)'$$ is locally finite (Theorem A). Moreover, we show that if G is a residually finite group in which for every $$x,y \in G$$ there exists a p-power $$q=q(x,y)$$ dividing $$p^m$$ such that $$[x,y^{\varphi }]^q$$ is left n-Engel, then the non-abelian tensor square $$G \otimes G$$ is locally virtually nilpotent (Theorem B). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately 40% of patients with bipolar disorder experience mixed episodes, defined as a manic state with depressive features, or manic symptoms in a patient with bipolar depression. Compared with bipolar patients without mixed features, patients with bipolar mixed states generally have more severe symptomatology, more lifetime episodes of illness, worse clinical outcomes and higher rates of comorbidities, and thus present a significant clinical challenge. Most clinical trials have investigated second-generation neuroleptic monotherapy, monotherapy with anticonvulsants or lithium, combination therapy, and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). Neuroleptic drugs are often used alone or in combination with anticonvulsants or lithium for preventive treatment, and ECT is an effective treatment for mixed manic episodes in situations where medication fails or cannot be used. Common antidepressants have been shown to worsen mania symptoms during mixed episodes without necessarily improving depressive symptoms; thus, they are not recommended during mixed episodes. A greater understanding of pathophysiological processes in bipolar disorder is now required to provide a more accurate diagnosis and new personalised treatment approaches. Targeted, specific treatments developed through a greater understanding of bipolar disorder pathophysiology, capable of affecting the underlying disease processes, could well prove to be more effective, faster acting, and better tolerated than existing therapies, therefore providing better outcomes for individuals affected by bipolar disorder. Until such time as targeted agents are available, second-generation neuroleptics are emerging as the treatment of choice in the management of mixed states in bipolar disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G and G be isomorphic groups. We introduce and study a quotient ν( G) of the free product G * G which is a group extention of the non-abelian tensor square G ⊗ G. This seems to bring computational advantages to calculate this last group. Looking over ν as an operator in the class of groups we prove that it preserves properties of the argument G such as finiteness, set of prime divisors, nilpotency and solvability. For a finite p-group G we find a good polynomial bound for the order of ν ( G). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on the safety, tolerability and self-rated effects of aripiprazole and ropinirole treatment for cocaine dependence. The results of the study show that these antipsychotic drugs are safe treatments for cocaine dependence at the study dosages since both treatments were well tolerated and indicated that no patient dropped out because of side effects. The researchers also discover that craving decreases significantly with both treatment particularly with aripiprazole.

An abstract of the article "Early Breast Cancer in Elderly Women: Surgery or Primary Endocrine Therapy?," by N. Rocco and colleagues is presented.

Background Complete rectal prolapse is a disease characterized by the complete protrusion of rectal wall through the anus. This disability affects mostly elderly women (>65 years). Several surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of this condition with both perineal and abdominal approach. Under trial condition none of them have been demonstrated to be the best choice in terms of recurrence, postoperative faecal incontinence or stipsis and cost-effectiveness. The aim of our study was to compare different surgical techniques for complete rectal prolapse in the elderly. Materials and methods All potentially relevant studies have been searched on electronic databases such as PUBMED, CENTRAL and EMBASE. Only randomized controlled trials have been included in the review. Our comparisons have been: surgical treament versus no treatment or non-surgical treatment, abdominal versus perineal approach, one abdominal method versus another and one perineal method versus another. Main outcomes were: complete recurrence, residual mucosal prolapse, faecal incontinence and constipation. Results Ten RCTs were included in this review with a total of 336 patients. Data about patients older than 65 years have been extracted from 6 trials. Included trials compared different surgical techniques with both laparoscopic, laparotomic and perineal approach. Studies analysis showed high heterogeneity about objectives, surgical techniques and considered outcomes. No difference has been found about surgical approach (abdominal or perineal) and methods of fixing the rectum during abdominal surgery. Resection rectopexy showed a lower postoperative constipation rate compared to rectopexy alone. Conclusions The small sample size, the low methodological quality and the heterogeneity of the surgical procedures weaken the clinical usefulness of this review. There is no clear difference between the methods of surgical approach being the confidence of the surgeon in performing one procedure rather than another in the main outcome determinant. Larger and higher-quality trials are needed to improve the evidence to define the best surgical treatment for rectal prolapse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]