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Worldwide, thyroid cancer accounts for some 10% of total cancer incidence, most markedly for females. Thyroid cancer radiotherapy, typically using 131I (T1/2 8.02 days; β− max energy 606 keV, branching ratio 89.9%), is widely adopted as an adjunct to surgery or to treat inoperable cancer and hyperthyroidism. With staff potentially receiving significant doses during source preparation and administration, radiation protection and safety assessment are required in ensuring practice complies with international guidelines. The present study, concerning a total of 206 patient radioiodine therapies carried out at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center over a 6-month period, seeks to evaluate patient and occupational exposures during hospitalization, measuring ambient doses and estimating radiation risk. Using calibrated survey meters, patient exposure dose-rate estimates were obtained at a distance of 30-, 100- and 300 cm from the neck region of each patient. Occupational and ambient doses were measured using calibrated thermoluminescent dosimeters. The mean and range of administered activity (AA, in MBq) for the thyroid cancer and hyperthyroidism treatment groups were 4244 ± 2021 (1669–8066), 1507.9 ± 324.1 (977.9–1836.9), respectively. The mean annual occupational doses were 1.2 mSv, that for ambient doses outside of the isolation room corridors were found to be 0.2 mSv, while ambient doses at the nursing station were below the lower limit of detection. Exposures to staff from patients being treated for thyroid cancer were less compared to hyperthyroidism patients. With a well-defined protocol, also complying with international safety requirements, occupational exposures were found to be relatively high, greater than most reported in previous studies.

Medical exposure of the general population due to radiological investigations is the foremost source of all artificial ionising radiation. Here, we focus on a particular diagnostic radiological procedure, as only limited data are published with regard to radiation measurements during urethrograpic imaging. Specifically, this work seeks to estimate patient and occupational effective doses during urethrographic procedures at three radiology hospitals. Both staff and patient X-ray exposure levels were calculated in terms of entrance surface air kerma (ESAK), obtained by means of lithium fluoride thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD-100(LiF:Mg:Cu.P)) for 243 urethrographic examinations. Patient radiation effective doses per procedure were estimated using conversion factors obtained from the use of Public Health England computer software. In units of mGy, the median and range of ESAK per examination were found to be 10.8 (3.6-26.2), 7.0 (0.2-32.3), and 24.3 (9.0-32.0) in Hospitals A, B, and C, respectively. The overall mean and range of staff doses (in µGy) were found to be 310 (4.0-1750) per procedure. With the exception of hospital C, the present evaluations of radiation dose have been found to be similar to those of previously published research. The wide range of patient and staff doses illustrate the need for radiation dose optimisation.

Purpose:To compare tumour dose distribution, conformality, homogeneity, normal tissue avoidance, tumour control probability (TCP) and normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) using 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT), 3- and 4-field intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.Materials and methods:Twenty-four patients staged T1–3N+M0 with locally advanced rectal cancer underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Four different radiotherapy plans were prepared for each patient: 3DCRT, 3- and 4-field IMRT and VMAT are evaluated for target distribution using CI and homogeneity index (HI), normal tissue avoidance using Dmax, V45, V40, V50 and TCP and NTCP using the Lyman–Kutcher–Burman model.Results:VMAT has better HI (HI = 1·32) and 3DCRT exhibited better conformality (CI = 1·05) than the other radiotherapy techniques. With regard to normal tissue avoidance, all radiotherapy plans met the constraints. Dmax in the 3DCRT plans was statistically significant (p = 0·04) for bladder and no significant differences in V40 and V50. In the bowel bag, no significant differences in Dmax for any radiotherapy plan and V40 was lower in 3DCRT than VMAT (p = 0·024). In the case of femoral heads, 3DCRT has a statistically significant lower dose on Dmax than 4-field IMRT (p = 0·00 « 0·05). VMAT has the biggest TCP (80·76%) than the other three radiotherapy plans. With regard to normal tissue complications, probabilities were shown to be very low, of the order of 10-14 and 10-41 for bowel bag and femoral heads respectively.Conclusions:It can be concluded that 3DCRT plan improves conformity and decreases radiation sparing in the organ at risks, but the VMAT plan exhibits better homogeneity and greater TCP.

Background The growing popularity of mobile phones and the expansion of network infrastructure in Greece have raised concerns about the possible negative health effects on sensitive groups, such as children, from exposure to long-term radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMFs). Aims The objective of this study is to estimate mean RF-EMF exposure levels of primary and secondary education schools located in the municipality of Korydallos, Athens, Greece. Methods We performed measurements to all the schools units ($n=62$) in the region in order to calculate the mean value for RF-EMF exposure in the range of 27 MHz–3 GHz, which covers the whole spectrum of RF-EMF sources. Results At the $97.5\%$ of schools found in Korydallos region, the exposure level is at least 2200 times below the Greek exposure limits. Conclusion The exposure levels in the locations tested are both below $60\%$ of the highest limit set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection regarding school exposures.

Background There is an exponential growth of public concern worldwide regarding the exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) generated by wind turbines. The high concern of the general population enhances the fact that EMF exposure remains a crucial issue that demands specific actions and reliable data to evaluate possible health hazards. Materials and Methods EMF exposure measurements were conducted in two wind farm (W/F) areas in Greece. The magnetic field strength concentrated in the proximity of 22 wind turbines (20 type of Gamesa Eolica Siemens of total power of 17 MW and 2 type of E53 Enercon, 800 KW each). Measurements were conducted using a Narda-NBM-550 basic unit (Narda Safety Test Solutions Company) using EHP-50F probe. The EMF exposure measurements were processed applying the weighted peak method (WPM), according to the 2013/35/EU Directive. WPM provides correction of the measured value of pulse signals, taking into account the phases of the various frequency components. The data were classified under two scenarios of EMF exposure: ‘high wind’ and ‘low wind’ conditions. Results The variation of the magnetic field strength was calculated between 1.13 and 1.42% (WPM). Measurements indicate that the intensity of the emitted magnetic field at the base of the wind turbines, in both high and low wind conditions, was relatively low (mean = 0.146 μT), while decreasing rapidly with increasing distance and reaching background values 6 m from the base. Conclusion The results of the present study indicate that EMF levels are similar or even lower compared to those in urban areas and well below the national and international safety limits.

Differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) represents the vast majority of all thyroid cancers, with the papillary variant being the most common. According to the previous 2009 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC; ≤1 cm in diameter) exhibiting cervical lymph node metastasis corresponded to an intermediate-risk group for recurrence or metastasis. However, the latest 2015 ATA guidelines advocate that a patient with PTMC is low-risk if there are ≤5 regional node micrometastases. This means that therapeutic radioactive iodine (RAI) is not required. The current study reports a rare case of a patient who underwent total thyroidectomy due to multi-nodular goiter where the pathologic specimen exhibited two PTMC foci in regional lymph nodes, but no primary cancer was identified in the thyroid despite thorough examination of the thyroid parenchyma. The etiology of such results is unknown and it was hypothesized that it may be the consequence of insufficient pathologic examination or due to the regression of a primary PTMC in the thyroid. Moreover, the risk-stratification of cases with intra-lymph node PTMC without any evidence of primary cancer in the thyroid is not considered in the ATA recommendations. The aim of the current report was to elucidate the risk-stratification of this rare occurrence and to reconsider the possible etiologies. By extrapolating the latest ATA recommendations concerning a patient with a known primary PTMC and ≤5 metastatic micro-foci (thus the only difference between cases being the absence of a primary tumor), it was concluded that the patient should be considered low-risk. As a consequence, RAI therapy should be deemed as unnecessary despite the presence of lymph node microfoci. Moreover, it was proposed that cervical lymph node PTMC with no evidence of a primary tumor in the thyroid could be the consequence of normal thyroid tissue micro-deposit progression to cancer within the lymph node, which is a rare benign entity.

We aim to investigate the counting response variations of positron emission tomography (PET) scanners with different detector configurations in the presence of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). Using experimentally validated Monte Carlo simulations, the counting performance of four different scanner models with varying tumor activity, location, and patient obesity is represented using a noise equivalent count rate (NECR). NECR is a well-established quantitative metric which has positive correlation with clinically perceived image quality. The combined effect of tumor displacement and increased activity shows a linear ascending trend for NECR with slope ranges of (12.5–18.2)*10−3 (kBq/cm3)−1 for three-ring (3R) scanners and (15.3–21.5)*10−3 (kBq/cm3)−1 for four-ring (4R). The trend for the combined effect of tumor displacement and patient obesity is exponential decay with 3R configurations weakly dependent on the patient obesity if the tumor is located at the center of the field of view with exponent’s range of (6.6–33.8)*10−2cm−1. The dependence is stronger for 4R scanners (9.6–38.5)*10−2cm−1. The analysis indicates that quantitative PET data from the same SPN patient possibly examined in different time points (e.g., during staging or for the evaluation of treatment response) are affected by the different detector configurations and need to be normalized with patient weight, activity, and tumor location to reduce unwanted bias of the diagnosis. This paper provides also with a proof of concept for the ability of properly tuned simulations to provide additional insights into the counting response variability especially in tumor types where often borderline decisions have to be made regarding their characterization.

Aims and objectives To investigate the value of advanced multiparametric MR imaging biomarker analysis based on radiomic features and machine learning classification, in the non-invasive evaluation of tumor heterogeneity towards the differentiation of Low Grade vs. High Grade Gliomas. Methods and materials Forty histologically confirmed glioma patients (20 LGG and 20 HGG) who underwent a standard 3T-MRI tumor protocol with conventional (T1 pre/post-contrast, T2-FSE, T2-FLAIR) and advanced techniques (Diffusion Tensor and Perfusion Imaging, 1H-MR Spectroscopy), were included. A semi-automated segmentation technique, based on T1W-C and DTI, was used for tumor core delineation in all available parametric maps. 3D Texture analysis considered 12 Histogram, 11 Co-Occurrence Matrix (GLCM) and 5 Run Length Matrix (GLRLM) features, derived from p, q, MD, FA, T1W-C, T2W-FSE, T2W-FLAIR and raw DSCE data. Along with 1H-MRS metabolic ratios and mean rCBV values, a total of 581 attributes for each subject were obtained. A Support Vector Machine – Recursive Feature Elimination (SVM-RFE) algorithm and SVM classifier were utilized for feature selection and classification, respectively. Results Three different SVM classifiers were evaluated with consecutively SVM-RFE feature subsets. Linear SMO classifier demonstrated the highest performance for determining the optimal feature subset. Finally, 21 SVM-RFE top-ranked features were adopted, for training and testing the SMO classifier with leave-one-out cross-validation, achieving 95.5% Accuracy, 95% Sensitivity, 96% Specificity and 95.5% Area Under ROC Curve. Conclusion Results demonstrate that quantitative analysis of phenotypic characteristics, based on advanced multiparametric MR neuroimaging data and texture features, utilizing state-of-the-art radiomic analysis methods, can significantly contribute to the pre-treatment glioma grade differentiation.

Purpose Yoga is increasingly accepted to improve overall health and wellness and is considered a meaningful adjunct treatment for mental and physical health ailments associated with interpersonal violence (IV). This review provides background information about the use of yoga among individuals with IV histories and aims to inform researchers and practitioners about the available evidence on yoga's application and effectiveness. Methods Using six databases, we systematically reviewed empirical literature examining yoga among IV survivors. Criteria for study inclusion: yoga included a physical component and was the primary intervention; participants had an IV history; peer-reviewed; and participants were 17 years and older. After review, 10 articles reporting findings from seven independent samples were included. Findings Yoga demonstrated preliminary, positive implications as a complementary treatment for individuals with an IV history. Synthesizing across articles four themes emerged: (1) acceptability and feasibility, (2) enhancement of mental and physical health, (3) promotion of personal growth, and (4) facilitators and barriers to practice. Conclusions The nascent literature indicates potential benefits of integrating yoga into interventions for IV survivors to enhance physical and psychological functioning. The primary barriers to intervention were resources (e.g., access) and incompatibility with spiritual beliefs for select clients. Despite consistent barriers, preliminary findings indicate yoga has many positive implications for individuals with an IV history. Given the small evidence base and insufficient methodology, additional empirical research with diverse samples and sites, and robust designs, could improve the state of knowledge and strengthen the efficacy of this promising practice.

Although research on children’s trust in social robots is increasingly growing in popularity, a systematic understanding of the factors which influence children’s trust in robots is lacking. In addition, meta-analyses in child–robot-interaction (cHRI) have yet to be popularly adopted as a method for synthesising results. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis aimed at identifying factors influencing children’s trust in robots. We constructed four meta-analytic models based on 20 identified studies, drawn from an initial pool of 414 papers, as a means of investigating the effect of robot embodiment and behaviour on both social and competency trust. Children’s pro-social attitudes towards social robots were also explored. There was tentative evidence to suggest that more human-like attributes lead to less competency trust in robots. In addition, we found a trend towards the type of measure that was used (subjective or objective) influencing the direction of effects for social trust. The meta-analysis also revealed a tendency towards under-powered designs, as well as variation in the methods and measures used to define trust. Nonetheless, we demonstrate that it is still possible to perform rigorous analyses despite these challenges. We also provide concrete methodological recommendations for future research, such as simplifying experimental designs, conducting a priori power analyses and clearer statistical reporting.

The purpose of the present study is to examine the diagnostic and predictive accuracy of the thyroglobulin (Tg) to thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and TSH/Tg ratios in normothyroid patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). We conducted a retrospective cohort study evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of the serum Tg/TSH and TSH/Tg ratios in normothyroid patients with thyroid nodules. We also systematically searched the international literature using the Medline, Cochrane’s CENTRAL, Scopus, Clinicaltrials.gov, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases for evidence concerning the diagnostic and predictive accuracy of these ratios. Overall, 374 patients were identified in our cohort study of whom 240 were treated for benign disease and 134 were treated for DTC. Significant differences were noted in the Tg/TSH and TSH/Tg values among cases with malignant and benign disease (P=0.020). However, the diagnostic ROC curve did not confirm these results (Tg/TSH=0.572 and TSH/Tg=0.428). After searching the international literature, we identified 8 studies. The majority of the included data reported significant differences among patients with benign/malignant disease and those with successful iodine therapy compared to those with disease relapse. However, the clinical relevance was clearer among studies that investigated the usefulness of these ratios in predicting recurrent disease. The findings of our study support that the Tg/TSH ratio increases in patients with DTC and can, thus, become useful in the future as a predictive marker of ablative 131I therapy success. However, given the significant variability of Tg its diagnostic accuracy remains to date minimal; thus, the actual cut-off value that can be used to discriminate cancer cases from benign disease has not been determined yet.

University accountants and administrators should support scientists going to meetings, not further burden them with bureaucratic hurdles, expense claims or unnecessary auditing.

Concerted efforts are required to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda. In our study, we intend to outline how valuable synergy effects can be obtained from bilateral cooperation between Germany and Patagonia in order to protect temperate forest ecosystems and to ensure long-term and sustainable use of terrestrial natural resources. The additional benefit of this transcontinental and transhemispherical cooperation is that there are analogies between the Northern and Southern hemispheres, but also distinct differences that complement each other perfectly. We show in an exemplary way, how the challenges of Global Warming and the associated increased vulnerability to forest fires and other natural risks can be tackled. Knowledge transfer and common strategies will provide sound solutions for SDG 13 (urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts), SDG 15 (sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably managed forests, combating desertification, and halting and reversing land degradation and halting biodiversity loss) and SDG 17 (strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development). Fil: Walentowski, H.. University of Applied Sciences and Arts; Alemania Fil: Hohnwald, S.. University of Applied Sciences and Arts; Alemania Fil: Thren, M.. University of Applied Sciences and Arts; Alemania Fil: Kappas, M.. Universität Göttingen; Alemania Fil: Leuschner, C.. Universität Göttingen; Alemania Fil: Lencinas, José Daniel. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Bava, J.. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Loguercio, Gabriel Angel. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Urretavizcaya, María Florencia. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Barrotaeveña, C.. Centro de Investigación y Extensión Forestal Andino Patagónico; Argentina Fil: Martínez Pastur, Guillermo José. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina Fil: Zerbe, S.. Free University of Bozen ; Italia

Most of the acute ischemic events, such as acute coronary syndromes and stroke, are attributed to vulnerable plaques. These lesions have common histological and pathophysiological features, including inflammatory cell infiltration, neo-angiogenesis, remodelling, haemorrhage predisposition, thin fibrous cap, large lipid core, and micro-calcifications. Early detection of the presence of a plaque prone to rupture could be life-saving for the patient; however, vulnerable plaques usually cause non-haemodynamically significant stenosis, and anatomical imaging techniques often underestimate, or may not even detect, these lesions. Although ultrasound techniques are currently considered as the "first-line" examinations for the diagnostic investigation and treatment monitoring in patients with atherosclerotic plaques, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging could open new horizons in the assessment of atherosclerosis, given its ability to visualize metabolic processes and provide molecular-functional evidence regarding vulnerable plaques. Moreover, modern hybrid imaging techniques, combining PET with computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, can evaluate simultaneously both functional and morphological parameters of the atherosclerotic plaques, and are expected to significantly expand their clinical role in the future. This review summarizes current research on the PET imaging of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques, outlining current and potential applications in the clinical setting.

Mind perception in robots has been an understudied construct in human-robot interaction (HRI) compared to similar concepts such as anthropomorphism and the intentional stance. In a series of three experiments, we identify two factors that could potentially influence mind perception and moral concern in robots: how the robot is introduced (framing), and how the robot acts (social behaviour). In the first two online experiments, we show that both framing and behaviour independently influence participants’ mind perception. However, when we combined both variables in the following real-world experiment, these effects failed to replicate. We hence identify a third factor post-hoc: the online versus real-world nature of the interactions. After analysing potential confounds, we tentatively suggest that mind perception is harder to influence in real-world experiments, as manipulations are harder to isolate compared to virtual experiments, which only provide a slice of the interaction. CCS CONCEPTS • Computer systems organization → Robotics; • Human-centered computing → User studies; HCI theory, concepts and models; Empirical studies in HCI; Collaborative interaction. Acm Reference Format: Sebastian Wallkotter, Rebecca Stower, Arvid Kappas, and Ginevra Castellano. 2020. A Robot by Any Other Frame: Framing and Behaviour Influence Mind Perception in Virtual but not Real-World Environments. In Proceedings of the 2020 ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI ’20), March 23-26, 2020, Cambridge, United Kingdom. ACM, New York, NY, USA, 10 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3319502.3374800

Resilience thinking explores the sustainability discourse and transformation of urban complex systems. From the perspective of urban and human environment, this research simulated the resilience transformation of human-environment systems according to the modified catastrophe theory. The adaptive cycle model was performed an approach to interpret resilience transformations in the interactive human-environment systems. In this study, we quantified the resilience of human and environment sub-systems through four models of catastrophe theory (Fold, Cusp, Swallowtail and Butterfly model). The resilience transformation was addressed through the mechanism of adaptive cycle that contained four phases within four different time periods (exploitation-r: 2000–2002; release phase-Ω: 2002–2003; conservation-K: 2004–2008 and exploitation-r: 2008–2010). Ultimately, we explored the key drivers of the transformation in complex human-environmental systems, which included production, energy and pollution. Moreover, understanding the transformations in terms of the human and environmental components were indispensable in urban resilience management.

Central Vietnam is very susceptible to soil erosion due to its complicated terrain and heavy rainfall. The objective of this study was to quantify soil erosion in the A Sap river basin, A Luoi district, Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam, using the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE) and Geographical Information System (GIS). The results showed that 34% of land area lost accumulated to 10 t ha−1 year−1 while 47% of the total area lost less than 1 t ha−1 year−1. Natural forest land lost the most with an average of about 19 t ha−1 year−1, followed by plantation forest with approximately 7 t ha−1 year−1 and other agricultural lands at 3.70 and 1.45 t ha−1 year−1 for yearly crops and paddy rice, respectively. Soil erosion was most sensitive to the topographic factor (LS), followed by the practice support factor (P), soil erodibility factor (K), cropping management (C), and the rainfall erosivity factor (R). Implications are that changes to the cultivated calendar and implementing intercropping are effective ways to prevent soil erosion in cultivated lands. Furthermore, introducing broad leaves trees for mountainous areas in A Sap basin was the most effective practice in reducing soil erosion. The study also pointed out that the combination of available data sources used with the USLE and GIS technology is a viable option to calculate soil erosion in Central Vietnam, which would allow targeted attention toward a solution is to reduce future soil erosion. Keywords: Central Vietnam, GIS, Soil erosion, USLE

The management of the occupational exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF), an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) issue of great scientific, social and economic significance, was under intense negotiations at European level over the last twenty years; the Directive 2013/35/EU is the new legislative tool. The presented study deals with the practical aspects of the Directive's implementation.The appropriate, extensive measurements and the overall EMF exposure assessments (i.e. exposure mapping, identification of hot spots, proposition of solutions) were conducted in specific workplaces, including power production, railway, broadcasting, clinical Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems, industrial and research sites, as well as common office workplaces.The vast majority of the performed EMF assessments did not reveal occupational overexposures; moreover in most of the cases, even the general public exposure limits (in the above occupational areas) were not exceeded. The very few localized overexposures detected, were manageable on the basis of the technical and organizational OHS principles. On the contrary, the maintenance procedures of the EMF emitting equipment, as recorded in this survey, presented overexposures revealing a challenging field.This study lays a firm basis for the clarification of the occupational EMF environment, where potential exposures might be high. The proper risk assessment demands precise exposure identification and deep understanding of the EMF nature and hazards. Misconceptions range from the common exposure overestimation to the rarer case of the maintenance hazards underestimation, while attention is needed concerning the proper application of the complex limiting system of the Directive.

The objective of this study is to assess the patients' effective and organ dose during theranostic applications in Kuwait. In total, eighteen adults' patients were conducted nuclear medicine procedures with 177Lu Dotatate for theranostic purpose in Kuwait Cancer control center (KCCC), Kuwait. Medium energy collimator (MEC) (208 keV Scatter 26% better than 113 keV Scatter 60%) was utilized to obtain scans in definite time intervals ranged from one to 2 h (before voiding), 6:00, 24:00, 48:00, 72:00 h. Patients, tissue and organ radiation doses were computed utilizing OLINDA/EXM Software. The average radiation effective dose (in mSv/MBq) for bladder, liver, and both kidneys (left & right), were 0.36, 0.08, 0.61 & 0.60. The range of the effective dose was from 0.55 mSv to 7.7 mSv. The acquired scans using 177Lu were delivered diagnostic findings. The patients’ effective dose is lower compared to the previous studies. Variation is attributed to the departmental protocol and administered activity. The values of the mean organ dose were comparable and lower than previously published studies. Different organs have different level of doses, which may affected by the presence of the metastatic tumors in the entire organ.

Affective computing (AC) adopts a computational approach to study affect. We highlight the AC approach towards automated affect measures that jointly model machine-readable physiological/behavioral signals with affect estimates as reported by humans or experimentally elicited. We describe the conceptual and computational foundations of the approach followed by two case studies: one on discrimination between genuine and faked expressions of pain in the lab, and the second on measuring nonbasic affect in the wild. We discuss applications of the measures, analyze measurement accuracy and generalizability, and highlight advances afforded by computational tipping points, such as big data, wearable sensing, crowdsourcing, and deep learning. We conclude by advocating for increasing synergies between AC and affective science and offer suggestions toward that direction.

Objective Extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) type of the thyroid gland is a rare indolent malignant disease encountered in approximately 0.5% of patients with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT). The purpose of the present systematic review was to accumulate the current evidence in the field. Study design We searched the Medline, Scopus, EMBASE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials CENTRAL databases from inception to May 2018. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 22.0. Results Fourteen case series and 20 case reports were finally included in the present systematic review. Analysis of the patient data included in the published case reports suggested that the age at diagnosis of MALT lymphoma does no differ among males and females (64 [52.5-73] vs. 67 [60.5-72] years, p = 0.442). HT was detected in 60% of patients, whereas coexisting carcinoma was evident in 17% of cases. The incidence of HT and thyroid cancer was comparable among males and females (p = 0.474 and p > 0.999, respectively). Among all patients included in the present systematic review there were two disease relapses and two deaths attributed to the disease. Conclusion MALT lymphoma of the thyroid gland is a rare malignancy with an indolent course. The scarce data available in the literature preclude safe conclusions concerning the mode of treatment and follow-up of these patients. However, the combination of minimally invasive surgery and adjuvant therapy seems feasible. Moreover, an extended follow-up period is recommended.

An attempt has been made to explore, evaluate and identify the sensitive parameter(s) of Cellular Automata Markov chain modeling to monitor and predict the future land use land cover pattern scenario in a part of Brahmaputra River Basin, India. For this purpose, land use land cover maps derived from satellite images of Landsat MSS image of 1987 and Landsat TM image of 1997 were used to predict future land use land cover of 2007 using Cellular Automata Markov model. Sensitivity analysis has been carried out to identify the land use land cover parameter(s), which have the highest, lowest or intermediate influence on predicted results. The validity of the Cellular Automata Markov process for projecting future land use and cover changes in the study area calculates various Kappa Indices of Agreement (Kstandard) which indicate how well the comparison map agrees and disagrees with the reference map (land use land cover map derived from IRS-P6 LISS III image of 2007). The results shows that the land with or without scrub appeared to be most sensitive parameter as it has highest influences on predicted results of land use land cover of 2007. The second most sensitive parameter was lakes / reservoirs / ponds to predict land use land cover of 2007, followed by river, agricultural crop land, plantation, open land, marshy / swampy, sandy area, aquatic vegetation, built up land, dense forest, degraded forest, waterlogged area and agricultural fallow land. The least sensitive parameter is agricultural fallow land, which has minimum influence on predicted results of land use land cover of 2007. The validation of CA Markov land use land cover prediction results shows Kstandard is 0.7928.

In order to improve the agricultural production an important issue is to change farmers’ behavior leading them towards sustainability. Altering farmers’ behavior is the first step is the first step towards a general societal change. In order to achieve this goal it is vital to involve as many parts of the society as possible. The existing production and consumption model, is not capable to offer such a boost to society. The current financial and social crisis demands on one hand innovative solutions and on the other hand to move beyond the closed Research and Development models to open and collaborative models, such as Collective Awareness Platforms. Collective Awareness Platforms are Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems leveraging the emerging “network effect” by combining open online social media, distributed knowledge creation and data from real environments, in order to create awareness of problems and possible solutions requesting collective efforts, enabling new forms of social innovation. This paper presents the results of a systematic review that has been based on an analysis of published works on the subject of Collective Awareness Platforms.

Resilience-based management focuses on specific attributes or drivers of complex social-ecological systems, in order to operationalize and promote guiding principles for water quality management in urban systems. We therefore propose a resilience lens drawing on the theory of adaptive capacity and adaptive cycle to evaluate the urban resilience between water quality and land use type. Our findings show that the resilience of water quality variables, which were calculated based on their adaptive capacities, showed adaptive and sustainable trends with dramatic fluctuation. NH3-N, Cadmium and Total Phosphorus experienced the most vulnerable shifts in the built-up area, agricultural areas, and on bare land. Our framework provided a consistent and repeatable approach to address uncertainty inherent in the resilience of water quality in different landscapes, as well as an approach to monitor variables over time with respect to national water quality standards. Ultimately, we pointed to the political underpinnings for risk mitigation and managing resilient urban system in a particular coastal urban setting.

Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) is associated with crucial social, economic, cultural and technical issues. A highly specialized OHS sector deals with the photobiological hazards from artificial optical radiation (AOR), which is divided into visible light, UV and IR emitted during various activities and which is legally covered by European Directive 2006/25/EC. Among the enormous amount of sources emitting AOR, the most important non-coherent ones to consider for health effects to the whole optical range, are arcs created during metal welding. This survey presents the effort to assess the complicated exposure limits of the Directive in the controlled environment of a welding laboratory. Sensors covering the UV and blue light range were set to measure typical welding procedures reproduced in the laboratory. Initial results, apart from apparently justifying the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) due to even subsecond overexposures measured, also set the basis to evaluate PPE’s properties and support an integrated risk assessment of the complex welding environment. These results can also improve workers’ and employer’s information and training about radiation hazards, which is a crucial OHS demand.

BACKGROUND Lutetium-based scintillators with high-performance electronics introduced time-of-flight (TOF) reconstruction in the clinical setting. Let G' be the total signal to noise ratio gain in a reconstructed image using the TOF kernel compared with conventional reconstruction modes. G' is then the product of G1 gain arising from the reconstruction process itself and (n-1) other gain factors (G2, G3, … Gn) arising from the inherent properties of the detector. METHODS We calculated G2 and G3 gains resulting from the optimization of the coincidence and energy window width for prompts and singles, respectively. Both quantitative and image-based validated Monte Carlo models of Lu2SiO5 (LSO) TOF-permitting and Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) TOF-nonpermitting detectors were used for the calculations. RESULTS G2 and G3 values were 1.05 and 1.08 for the BGO detector and G3 was 1.07 for the LSO. A value of almost unity for G2 of the LSO detector indicated a nonsignificant optimization by altering the energy window setting. G' was found to be ∼1.4 times higher for the TOF-permitting detector after reconstruction and optimization of the coincidence and energy windows. CONCLUSION The method described could potentially predict image noise variations by altering detector acquisition parameters. It could also further contribute toward a long-lasting debate related to cost-efficiency issues of TOF scanners versus the non-TOF ones. Some vendors re-engage nowadays to non-TOF product line designs in an effort to reduce crystal costs. Therefore, exploring the limits of image quality gain by altering the parameters of these detectors remains a topical issue.

During the preparation of radioisotopes, during their administration and during patient imaging nuclear medicine personnel are routinely exposed to ionising radiation. With radiation risks increasing with dose, safety assessment is required in seeking to ensure practice complies with international guidelines and dose limits. A particular aim herein is to measure staff exposures during certain molecular imaging procedures including through use of positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET/CT) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) procedures. Over a one-year period occupational doses were monitored for 30 nuclear medicine personnel at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center (KFSH&RC) in Riyadh. Dose equivalent values were measured in terms of Hp (10) (deep dose) and Hp (0.07) (skin dose), extremity doses also being measured via ring dosimeters. The measurements were made using calibrated thermoluminescent dosimeters, type LiF:Mg, Ti (TLD-100). In mSv, the respective mean annual dose and range for Hp (10), Hp (0.07) and extremities were 3.05 ± 2.1 (0.23–0.91), 3.15 ± 2.2 (0.1–9.1) and 28.25 (0.1–298.0). In all cases, extremity dose values were well below the annual dose limit (500 mSv). Nevertheless, with personnel doses varying significantly, careful assessment of working conditions is recommended in efforts to ensure occupational exposures remain below annual dose limits.

Purpose European legislation concerning the protection of workers from exposure to Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) was recently (26.6.2013) completed by Directive 2013/35/EU. This Directive is a specific one of the framework Directive 89/391/EEC and part of the overall legislation for Occupational Health and Safety (OHS). Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) systems have played a key role, both in the postponement of the former 2004/40 EMF Directive and in the formation of the latest limits adopted by the new Directive. On the other hand, MRI systems are associated with the exposure of personnel to EMF of various frequencies and modulations, arousing peculiar safety issues. Therefore, we will try to acquire the highly important knowledge of the exact occupational exposure levels, in all working scenarios and practices. Methods Different MRI systems (1.5 and 3 T) have been chosen for a variety of measurements in order to assess occupational exposure compared to the limits (ALs) of the Directive and to the main OHS principles. Gradient function of MRI systems results in low frequency exposure, while high frequency exposure comes from the application of the RF excitation frequency. Results In most of the cases the RMS and peak value measurements do not exceed the corresponding ALs, apart from a few specific hot spots, manageable through OHS principles. Discussion Complete occupational exposure results can form the basis for dealing with multiple exposures present in MRI systems. Peculiar RF harmonic components, of no safety concern, were detected. Their origin is under examination.

The semi-arid regions of Iran have experienced severe water resources stress due to natural (e.g., drought) and anthropogenic (e.g., depletion of water in various sectors) factors. Assessing the impact of climate change on water resources and crop production could significantly help toward better water management and hence prevention of land degradation in this area. A hydrological model of the Razan–Ghahavand basin was used as a representative case study of a semi-arid region of Iran. Future climate scenarios in the mid-21st century were generated from four global circulation models (GCMs) with three scenarios under the fourth assessment report of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change emission projections. The GCMs have been downscaled based on observed data at 10 climate stations across the basin. The results showed that for the basin as a whole, the mean annual precipitation is likely to decrease while the maximum temperature increases. The changes in these two climate variables resulted in substantial reduction in groundwater recharge as the main source of water supply in this area. Furthermore, soil water content was decreased which resulted in the reduction of crop yield in rain-fed areas. Indeed, the risk of drought in the south and flooding in the north was high.

Predicting potential habitats of endemic species is a suitable method for biodiversity conservation and rehabilitation of rangeland ecosystems. The present study was conducted to estimate the geographic distribution of Artemisia sieberi ( A. sieberi ) and Artemisia aucheri ( A. aucheri ), find the most important environmental predictor variables and seek for similarities and differences in habitat preferences between the two species for Poshtkouh rangelands in Central Iran. Maps of environmental variables were created by means of geographic information system (GIS) and geostatistics. Then predictive distribution maps of both species were produced using the maximum entropy modeling technique (Maxent) and presence-only data. Model accuracy is evaluated by using the area under the curve (AUC). Lime1, gravel1, lime 2 and elevation most significantly affect habitat distribution of A. aucheri , while habitat distribution of A. sieberi is affected by elevation, lime1, am1, lime2, and om2. For both species, elevation has an influence on their potential distributions. However, A. aucheri depends more on elevation, and consequently climate in comparison to A. sieberi . Finally, it is revealed that the potential distribution of A. aucheri is limited mostly to mountainous landscapes while A. sieberi is present in wide ranges of environmental conditions.

The advent of PET instrumentation signaled the beginning of a new perspective in nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging. PET systems rely on several corrections that must be applied in order to establish accurate and reliable quantification. The inherent properties of PET detector architecture and the crystals themselves are sources of different types of systematic and random errors with subsequent count rate variability that should be accounted for. Normalization is the correction dealing with these errors. In this work, the reasons resulting in this variability are explored and the different normalization approaches are described. Special focus is paid to component-based normalization, with an attempt to describe the discrete factors and discuss the underlying mechanisms of their contribution to sensitivity variations of the lines of response.

This paper presents an integrated view on a series of experiments conducted with an affective dialog system, applied as a tool in studies of emotions and social processes in online communication. The different realizations of the system are evaluated in three experimental setups to verify effects of affective profiles, as well as of fine-grained communication scenarios on users' expressions of affective states, experienced emotional changes, and interaction patterns. Results demonstrate that the system applied in virtual reality settings matches a Wizard-of-Oz in terms of chatting enjoyment, dialog coherence, and realism. Variants of the system's affective profile significantly influence the rating of chatting enjoyment and an emotional connection. Self-reported emotional changes experienced by participants during an interaction with the system are in line with the type of applied profile. Analysis of interaction patterns, i.e., usage of particular dialog act classes, word categories, and textual expressions of affective states for different scenarios, demonstrates that a communication scenario for social sharing of emotions was successfully established. The experimental evidence provides valuable input for applications of affective dialog systems and strengthens them as valid tools for studying affect and social aspects in online communication.

This study determines the optimal clinical scenarios for gold nanoparticle dose enhancement as a function of irradiation conditions and potential biological targets using megavoltage x-ray beams. Four hundred and eighty clinical beams were studied for different potential cellular or sub-cellular targets. Beam quality was determined based on a 6 MV linac with and without a flattening filter for various delivery conditions. Dose enhancement ratios DER = D(GNP)/D(water) were calculated for all cases using the GEANT4 Monte Carlo code and the CEPXS/ONEDANT radiation transport deterministic code. Dose enhancement using GEANT4 agreed with CEPXS/ONEDANT. DER for unflattened beams is ∼2 times larger than for flattened beams. The maximum DER values were calculated for split-IMRT fields (∼6) and for out-of-field areas of an unflattened linac (∼17). In-field DER values, at the surface of gold nanoparticles, ranged from 2.2 to 4.2 (flattened beam) and from 3 to 4.7 (unflattened beams). For a GNP cluster with thicknesses of 10 and 100 nm, the DER ranges from 14% to 287%. DER is the greatest for split-IMRT, larger depths, out-of-field areas and/or unflattened linac. Mapping of a GNP location in tumor and normal tissue is essential for efficient and safe delivery of nanoparticle-enhanced radiotherapy.

Background: Obesity and diabetes are independently associated with the development of cardiac events that occur in db mice that are linked to a decrease in heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and epoxyeicosatrienoics (EETs). An increase in HO-1 and EET levels is associated with a decrease of ROS, adiposity and increased mitochondrial function in several animal models. The roles and inter-relationship of HO-1, EET, and PGC-1α in cardiomyopathy pathogenesis has not been investigated. Methods: Obese (db) mice 5 wks of age were allowed to acclimate for 17 wks, and then divided into 3 groups. A) Control, B) EET-A in drinking water, and C) EET-A and lentiviral (Ln) PGC-1α Sh, which decreased PGC1α by 40-60 %. Echocardiography was performed at 5 and 34 wks, serum and heart tissue were harvested to measure signaling and mitochondrial fusion proteins. Results: Group A) developed hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and LV dysfunction. These changes were associated with decreases in PGC-1α, HO-1, MnSOD, and mitochondrial fusion associated proteins; Mfn 1/2 and OPA-1: Group B), received EET-A, and displayed normal levels of glucose, adipose adiponectin (p Conclusion: An EET-A agonist ameliorates adiposity, BP elevation, mitochondrial function and cardiomyopathy as a result of increased levels of PGC1α and HO-1-expression. Suppression of PGC1α by Ln PGC1α (Sh) worsened insulin resistance suggesting targeting mitochondrial fusion/fission may be a promising therapy for diabetes and heart disease.

Purpose. To evaluate the diagnostic value of 3T1H-MRS in grading cerebral gliomas using short and long echo times.Methods. 1H-MRS was performed on 71 patients with untreated cerebral gliomas. Metabolite ratios of NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr, Cho/NAA, and mI/Cr were calculated for short and long TE and compared between low and high grade gliomas. Lipids were qualitatively evaluated. ROC analysis was performed to obtain the cut-off values for the metabolic ratios presenting statistical difference between the two glioma grades.Results. Intratumoral Cho/Cr at both TEs and long TE Cho/NAA were significantly different between low and high grade gliomas. Peritumoral NAA/Cr of both TEs, as well as long TE Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratios, significantly differentiated the two tumor grades. Diagnostic sensitivity of peritumoral short TE NAA/Cr proved to be superior over the other metabolic ratios, whereas intratumoral short TE Cho/Cr reached the highest levels of specificity and accuracy. Overall, short TE 1H-MRS reached higher total sensitivity in predicting glioma grade, over long TE.Conclusion. An advantage was found in using short TE over long TE 1H-MRS in the discrimination of low versus high grade gliomas. Moreover, the results suggested that the peritumoral area of gliomas may be more valuable in predicting glioma grade than using only the intratumoral area.

Barium studies investigations (barium swallow, barium meal and barium enema) are the basic routine radiological examination, where barium sulphate suspension is introduced to enhance image contrast of gastrointestinal tracts. The aim of this study was to quantify the patients' radiation doses during barium studies and to estimate the organ equivalent dose and effective dose with those procedures. A total of 33 investigations of barium studies were measured by using thermoluminescence dosemeters. The result showed that the patient entrance surface doses were 12.6 ± 10, 44.5 ± 49 and 35.7 ± 50 mGy for barium swallow, barium meal, follow through and enema, respectively. Effective doses were 0.2, 0.35 and 1.4 mSv per procedure for barium swallow, meal and enema respectively. Radiation doses were comparable with the previous studies. A written protocol for each procedure will reduce the inter-operator variations and will help to reduce unnecessary exposure.

Purpose This study investigates the benefits of a modified flattening filter free (FFF) linac over the standard (STD) linac equipped with the flattening filter. Energy and angular spread of the electron beam of the FFF linac were modified. Modification of FFF beam parameters is explored to maximize the monitor unit efficiency and to minimize the head scatter in IMRT delivery for large target volumes or targets lying away from the central axis. Methods The EGSnrc code is used to model FFF and STD linacs and study basic beam properties for both linac types in various beam configurations. Increasing energy of FFF linac results in similar beam attenuation properties and maximized dose rate compared to STD linac. Matching beam attenuation properties allows a more direct exploration of beam flatness of FFF linac in regard to IMRT delivery, especially away from the central axis where the effective dose rate is considerably smaller than the one at the central axis. Flatness of open beam dose profile of FFF linac is improved by increasing the angular spread of the electron beam. The resulting dose rate within the treatment field and outside of the field (peripheral dose) are characterized and compared to the unmodified FFF and STD linacs, Results In order to match beam penetration properties, the energy of FFF is adjusted from 6.5 to 8.0 MeV for small to medium field sizes and from 6.5 to 8.5 MeV for larger ones. Dose rate of FFF vs STD linac increased by a factor of 1.9 (6.5 MeV) and 3.4-4.1 (8.0-8.5 MeV). Adjusting the mean angular spread of the electron beam from 0 degrees to 5 degrees-10 degrees resulted in complete flattening of photon beam for field sizes between 10 x 10 cm2 and 15 x 15 cm2 and partial flattening for field sizes from 15 x 15 cm2 to 30 x 30 cm2. Values of angular spread > or =14 degrees are not recommended as they exceed the opening of the primary collimator, affecting the area at the edges of the field. FFF fields of sizes smaller than 6 x 6 cm2 are already flat and beam flattening is not necessary. Overall, the angular spread of 5 degrees-10 degrees is sufficient and can satisfactorily flatten open beam dose profiles even for larger field sizes. Increasing the electron beam angular spread amounts to a slight decrease of dose rate of FFF linac. However, for angular spread, 5 degrees-10 degrees dose rate factor of FFF vs STD is still about 1.6-2.6, depending on the field size (and the adjusted energy). Similarly, in case of peripheral dose, a moderate increase in dose can be observed for angular spread of 5 degrees-10 degrees and for field sizes 10 x 10 cm2 to 30 x 30 cm2. Lastly, beam flatness of not modified FFF linac can be conveniently described by an analytical function representing a ratio of STD vs FFF doses: 1 + b|r|(n). Conclusions A modified FFF beamline with increased energy and electron beam angular spread results in satisfactory flattened beam and high dose rate within the field. Peripheral dose remaining at similar (or smaller) level than that of STD linac for the same delivered dose within the treatment field.

Purpose Preoperative differentiation between low and high grade gliomas is critical for adapting appropriate treatment strategies. However biopsy based diagnosis presents limitations in assessing tumor diffusive and solid growth patterns, respectively, due to the potential subsampling of tumor region as well as the associated patient risk. The purpose of this study is to investigate the value of imaging biomarker analysis in terms of a 3D texture analysis of T1 pre/post-contrast, T2, and DTI maps in the evaluation of tumor heterogeneity towards glioma grading. Methods In this study a semi-automated segmentation technique, based on T1 pre/post-contrast, T2, and DTI parametric maps, is used for the identification of the tumor core and peritumoral edema regions from 3 Tesla MR Data. 3D Texture analysis was performed on 10 low grade and 10 high grade glioma patients, considering several 3D Histogram, Gray Level Co-Occurrence Matrices (GLCM) and Gray Level Run Length Matrices (GLRLM) derived features. Results Initial evaluation of the proposed method is performed in terms of textural features statistical significant differences between the two tumor groups, with the prospect of implementing an advance classification scheme for identifying more complex correlations. The preliminary results suggest that 3D Texture Analysis findings might be utilized as a surrogate biomarker for the global non-invasive assessment of glioma grading. Conclusions Results demonstrate the potential role of Texture Analysis of 3D tumor imaging appearance in structural MRI, for pre-treatment gliomas grade differentiation.

The annual conference is fast approaching and affords us all an opportunity to come together, renew long-standing friendships, engage in new ones, all the while being provided with a wide array of learning opportunities. Our meeting this year is September 22–25 in sunny Albuquerque, New Mexico, surrounded by mountains and desert. Jenney Chin-Hanson is our keynote speaker; as a visionary in health care reform and an expert in the needs of the aging population, she will provide us with her insights and share her knowledge. The Hospice and Palliative Care Organization will engage with GAPNA experts in a panel presentation and discussion that is applicable to all areas of practice, and the wide variety of breakout sessions will ensure that everyone can select a topic pertinent to his or her area of practice. It will be an exciting conference with time for fun, visits to Old Town and the museum, and an opportunity to golf in the mountains. We look forward to seeing you there. Along with planning the conference, GAPNA has been representing the membership through participation in Nurse Practitioner Roundtables at variety of other nursing organizations who are working together to eliminate barriers to practice. Several of our foundation members have been engaged with the American Medical Director’s Association (AMDA) and providing insights into the discussions of supervision and collaboration soon to be published in the AMDA journal. We have had representation on the Elderly Workforce Alliance and been involved in supporting the efforts to ensure a viable, welleducated workforce that can meet the needs of this population. The Policy Committee has been active in monitoring and alerting the membership to opportunities to have an impact on legislation and alter the regulatory environment. It has been a year of intense activity and involvement on numerous fronts and with numerous organizations.

The Euratom directive 97/43 recommends the use of patient dose surveys in diagnostic radiology and the establishment of diagnostic reference dose levels (DRLs). The aims of this study are to perform measurements of the entrance surface dose (ESD) during diagnostic digital subtraction angiography (DSA) of the renal and carotid arteries using thermoluminescence dosemeters (TLDs), extraction of local DRLs, and calculation of the effective dose. Dose measurement for the staff was also performed. Dose measurements were performed on 48 participating patients. The mean effective dose was calculated to be 15.9 mSv and 8.9 mSv, for the renal and carotid DSA, respectively. The effective dose of the radiologist was calculated to be 0.022 mSv and 0.023 mSv per procedure for renal and carotid DSA respectively, when wearing a protective apron and using a movable ceiling mounted shield. Radiation dose variation depends on the physical characteristics of the patient, on the procedure preferences by radiologists and on the difficulties in conducting the procedures. The lack of DRLs for the specific examinations lead the research team to choose the DRL for DSA of the renal arteries to be 169 mGy for ESD at the pelvic region and for DSA of the carotid arteries to be 313 mGy for ESD at the region of the aortic arc.

Background The Euratom directive 97/43 recommends the use of patient dose surveys in diagnostic radiology and the establishment of reference dose levels (DRLs). Purpose To perform measurements of the dose delivered during diagnostic angiography of the lower limbs using thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs), extraction of DRLs and estimation of the effective dose and radiation risk for this particular examination. Methods Dose measurement was performed on 30 patients by using TLD sachets attached in 5 different positions not only on the patient, but also to the radiologist. All the appropriate factors were recorded. Measurement of the ESD was performed after each examination. Results The mean entrance skin dose (ESD) was calculated to be 70.8, 67.7, 24.3, 18.4, 9.7 mGy at the level of aorta bifurcation, pelvis, femur, knees, and at feet, respectively. The average effective dose is 9.8 mSv with the radiation risks for fatal cancer to be 5.4 × 10−4. The effective dose of the radiologist was calculated to be 0.023 mSv per procedure. Conclusion Radiation dose variation depends on the physical characteristics of the patient, on the procedure preferences by radiologists and the difficulties in conducting procedures. The main reason for the increased patient dose, compared to other studies, is the number of frames rather than the duration of fluoroscopy. For DSA of the lower limbs, the DRL was chosen to be an entrance skin dose of 96.4 mGy in the pelvic region. The dose to the radiologist is negligible.

This work aims to evaluate the predictive strength of the relative seriality, parallel and Lyman-Kutcher-Burman (LKB) normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models regarding the incidence of radiation pneumonitis (RP), in a group of patients following lung cancer radiotherapy and also to examine their correlation with pulmonary function tests (PFTs). The study was based on 47 patients who received radiation therapy for stage III non-small-cell lung cancer. For each patient, lung dose volume histograms (DVHs) and the clinical treatment outcome were available. Clinical symptoms, radiological findings and pulmonary function tests incorporated in a post-treatment follow-up period of 18 months were used to assess the manifestation of radiation induced complications. Thirteen of the 47 patients were scored as having radiation induced pneumonitis, with RTOG criteria grade 3 and 28 of the 47 with RTOG criteria grade 2. Using this material, different methods of estimating the likelihood of radiation effects were evaluated, by analysing patient data based on their full dose distributions and associating the calculated complication rates with the clinical follow-up records. Lungs were evaluated as a paired organ as well as individual lungs. Of the NTCP models examined in the overall group considering the dose distribution in the ipsilateral lung, all models were able to predict radiation induced pneumonitis only in the case of grade 2 radiation pneumonitis score, with the LKB model giving the best results (chi2-test: probability of agreement between the observed and predicted results Pchi(chi2)=0.524 using the 0.05 significance level). The NTCP modelling considering lungs as a paired organ did not give statistically acceptable results. In the case of lung cancer radiotherapy, the application of different published radiobiological parameters alters the NTCP results, but not excessively as in the case of breast cancer radiotherapy. In this relatively small group of lung cancer patients, no positive statistical correlation could be established between the incidence of radiation pneumonitis as estimated by NTCP models and the pulmonary function test evaluation. However, the use of PFTs as markers or predictors for the incidence or severity of radiation induced pneumonitis must be investigated further.

Engagement in task orientated social robotics is a complex phenomenon, consisting of both task and social elements. Previous work in this area tends to focus on these aspects in isolation without consideration for the positive or negative effects one might cause the other. We explore both, in an attempt to understand how engagement with the task might effect the social relationship with the robot, and vice versa. In this paper, we describe the analysis of participant self-report data collected during an exploratory pilot study used to evaluate users' “perception of engagement”. We discuss how the results of our analysis suggest that ultimately, it was the users' own perception of the robots' characteristics such as friendliness, helpfulness and attentiveness which led to sustained engagement with both the task and robot.