A simple approximation for the evaluation of the photon isoeffective dose in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy based on dose-independent weighting factors

The current methodology for determining the biological effect of Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) has recently been questioned, and a more accurate framework based in the photon isoeffective dose has been proposed. In this work we derive a first order approximation to this quantity than can be easily evaluated even from limited data, as is the current situation in the radiobiology of BNCT. This procedure removes the main drawbacks of the current method and it is based on new weighting factors that, as a difference with the previously used, are true constants (dose independent). In addition to this, we apply the formalism to allow the comparison to a fractionated conventional radiotherapy treatment, for which there is a lot of knowledge from clinical practice. As an application, the photon isoeffective dose of a BNCT treatment for a brain tumor is estimated. An excel sheet used for these calculations is also provided as supplementary material and can be used also with user-provided input data for the estimation of the photon isoeffective dose for comparison with conventional radiotherapy, both to single and fractionated treatments.Departamento de Física Atómica, Molecular y Nuclear, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain. Institut Laue-Langevin. Grenoble, Rhône-Alpes, France. Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spai

Peer context and couple context as predictive factors for physical and sexaul dating aggression

En los últimos años, son cada vez más frecuentes los estudios sobre los comportamientos y actitudes violentas que acontecen en las relaciones sentimentales adolescentes (dating violence), aunque todavía no existen resultados y aportaciones teóricas concluyentes respecto a la explicación del fenómeno. Aunque las diferentes aportaciones teóricas enfatizan en algunos factores en detrimento de otros, recientes trabajos concluyen sobre la conveniencia de utilizar modelos multicausales y probabilísticos que consideren la influencia conjunta de factores personales y contextuales. El objetivo del presente estudio ha sido analizar el efecto de dichos factores en la explicación de la agresión física y sexual en las parejas adolescentes así como el análisis del peso diferencial de estos factores atendiendo al sexo de los participantes. 253 adolescentes de Córdoba, España, 15-19 años (media 16,53), con una relación de pareja actual o reciente, fueron entrevistados con un instrumento de autoinforme. Los análisis de regresión lineal mostraron diferencias entre los factores predictores de la agresión física y sexual en función del sexo. Los factores más relevantes en la explicación de la agresión física fueron los relacionados con el contexto de la pareja en ambos sexos mientras que los factores más relevantes para la agresión sexual fueron los relacionados con el grupo de iguales. Los resultados se discuten en términos de la diferenciación de constructos (violencia física vs. violencia sexual) y en relación a los modelos explicativos de la violencia.National and international studies on dating violence have been very frequent in the last years but to date, there are not conclusive results and theoretical models regarding the explanation of this phenomenon. Although different models emphasize the role of unique factors on the explanation of dating violence, multicausal and multiprobabilistic models consider the confluence of personal and contextual factors in order to understand dating violence. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of these factors in the explanation of physical and sexual dating aggression in Spanish adolescents separately by sex. 253 adolescents from Córdoba, Spain, aged 15-19 (mean age 16.53) with present or recently finished romantic relationships were interviewed by means of self-reports instruments. Linear regression analyses showed differences in the predictive factors for physical and dating aggression by sex. Couple context’ variables predicted physical aggression for both, boys and girls. In contrast, peer context’ variables mainly predicted sexual aggression. Results are discussed in terms of the differences between the constructs of physical and sexual dating violence and, in relation to theoretical models of dating violenc

Ciudad Real y Puertollano. Áreas funcionales urbanas (FUA) y policentrismo en Castilla-La Mancha (España)

Las áreas funcionales urbanas (FUA) de Ciudad Real y de Puertollano se estructuran a partir de ambas ciudades, funcionalmente diferentes pero que sostienen unas relaciones cada vez más intensas en el sector suroccidental de la región de Castilla-La Mancha, dentro de la provincia de Ciudad Real. Las interrelaciones se establecen en base a las infraestructuras de comunicación, principalmente la línea de alta velocidad ferroviaria. Este artículo caracteriza ambas áreas funcionales y determina las relaciones entre sus núcleos principales en base a una metodología que combina análisis estadístico (población, crecimiento real anual, población vinculada, etc.) y empírico, con las representaciones cartográficas de los principales indicadores. Los resultados obtenidos permiten abordar una caracterización conjunta de ambas áreas funcionales en el contexto del policentrismo aplicado a la región de Castilla-La Mancha y del importante papel articulador que las infraestructuras de alta capacidad tienen en este caso de estudio.Les àrees funcionals urbanes (FUA) de Ciudad Real i de Puertollano s'estructuren entorn de totes dues ciutats, funcionalment diferents, però que mantenen relacions cada cop més intenses en el sector sud-oest de la regió de Castella-la Manxa, a la província de Ciudad Real. Aquestes interrelacions es fonamenten en les infraestructures de comunicació, principalment la línia de ferrocarril d'alta velocitat. El present article caracteritza totes dues àrees funcionals i determina les relacions entre els nuclis principals, fent servir una metodologia que combina l'anàlisi estadística (població, creixement anual real, població vinculada, etc.) i empírica, amb representacions cartogràfiques dels indicadors principals. Els resultats obtinguts permeten abordar una caracterització conjunta de totes dues àrees funcionals en el context del policentrisme aplicat a la regió de Castella-la Manxa i de l'important paper articulador que tenen les infraestructures d'alta capacitat en aquest cas d'estudi.Les aires urbaines fonctionnelles (FUA) de Ciudad Real et Puertollano sont localisées dans le secteur sud-ouest de la région du Castilla-La Mancha, dans la province de Ciudad Real. Ces aires sont organisées par deux villes différentes sur le plan fonctionnel, mais qui maintiennent des relations de plus en plus intenses. Ceux-ci sont définis sur les infrastructures de communication, principalement la ligne de chemin de fer à grande vitesse. Le but de cet article est de caractériser les deux domaines fonctionnels et de déterminer les relations entre leurs principaux centres fondées sur une méthode qui combine l'analyse statistique (population, croissance annuelle réelle, population liée, etc.) et empiriques, avec des représentations cartographiques des principaux indicateurs. Les résultats obtenus permettent de conduire une caractérisation conjointe de ces deux aires urbaines fonctionnelles dans le contexte du polycentrisme appliqué à la région de Castilla-La Mancha, Espagne, et du important rôle articulateur des infrastructures de haute capacité dans ce cas d'étude.The Functional Urban Areas (FUA) of Ciudad Real and Puertollano are structured by both cities, which are functionally different but keeping growing mutual relations. These areas are located to the south-west of Castilla-La Mancha region, within the province of Ciudad Real. Transport infrastructures, mainly the high-speed rail line, are the main factor that explains the interrelations. The aim of this paper is to characterize both functional areas and to determine the relations between their main urban centres. The methodology combines statistical (population, annual growth rate, linked population, etc.) and empirical analyses, using the cartographic visualization of the main indicators. The results confirm that a joint analysis of both FUA is useful in the context of the polycentrism present in the region of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) and of the important structuring role of the high capacity transport networks in this case-study

Ciudad Real y Puertollano. Áreas funcionales urbanas (FUA) y policentrismo en Castilla-La Mancha (España)

Las áreas funcionales urbanas (FUA) de Ciudad Real y de Puertollano se estructuran a partir de ambas ciudades, funcionalmente diferentes pero que sostienen unas relaciones cada vez más intensas en el sector suroccidental de la región de Castilla-La Mancha, dentro de la provincia de Ciudad Real. Las interrelaciones se establecen en base a las infraestructuras de comunicación, principalmente la línea de alta velocidad ferroviaria. Este artículo caracteriza ambas áreas funcionales y determina las relaciones entre sus núcleos principales en base a una metodología que combina análisis estadístico (población, crecimiento real anual, población vinculada, etc.) y empírico, con las representaciones cartográficas de los principales indicadores. Los resultados obtenidos permiten abordar una caracterización conjunta de ambas áreas funcionales en el contexto del policentrismo aplicado a la región de Castilla-La Mancha y del importante papel articulador que las infraestructuras de alta capacidad tienen en este caso de estudio.Les àrees funcionals urbanes (FUA) de Ciudad Real i de Puertollano s'estructuren entorn de totes dues ciutats, funcionalment diferents, però que mantenen relacions cada cop més intenses en el sector sud-oest de la regió de Castella-la Manxa, a la província de Ciudad Real. Aquestes interrelacions es fonamenten en les infraestructures de comunicació, principalment la línia de ferrocarril d'alta velocitat. El present article caracteritza totes dues àrees funcionals i determina les relacions entre els nuclis principals, fent servir una metodologia que combina l'anàlisi estadística (població, creixement anual real, població vinculada, etc.) i empírica, amb representacions cartogràfiques dels indicadors principals. Els resultats obtinguts permeten abordar una caracterització conjunta de totes dues àrees funcionals en el context del policentrisme aplicat a la regió de Castella-la Manxa i de l'important paper articulador que tenen les infraestructures d'alta capacitat en aquest cas d'estudi.Les aires urbaines fonctionnelles (FUA) de Ciudad Real et Puertollano sont localisées dans le secteur sud-ouest de la région du Castilla-La Mancha, dans la province de Ciudad Real. Ces aires sont organisées par deux villes différentes sur le plan fonctionnel, mais qui maintiennent des relations de plus en plus intenses. Ceux-ci sont définis sur les infrastructures de communication, principalement la ligne de chemin de fer à grande vitesse. Le but de cet article est de caractériser les deux domaines fonctionnels et de déterminer les relations entre leurs principaux centres fondées sur une méthode qui combine l'analyse statistique (population, croissance annuelle réelle, population liée, etc.) et empiriques, avec des représentations cartographiques des principaux indicateurs. Les résultats obtenus permettent de conduire une caractérisation conjointe de ces deux aires urbaines fonctionnelles dans le contexte du polycentrisme appliqué à la région de Castilla-La Mancha, Espagne, et du important rôle articulateur des infrastructures de haute capacité dans ce cas d'étude.The Functional Urban Areas (FUA) of Ciudad Real and Puertollano are structured by both cities, which are functionally different but keeping growing mutual relations. These areas are located to the south-west of Castilla-La Mancha region, within the province of Ciudad Real. Transport infrastructures, mainly the high-speed rail line, are the main factor that explains the interrelations. The aim of this paper is to characterize both functional areas and to determine the relations between their main urban centres. The methodology combines statistical (population, annual growth rate, linked population, etc.) and empirical analyses, using the cartographic visualization of the main indicators. The results confirm that a joint analysis of both FUA is useful in the context of the polycentrism present in the region of Castilla-La Mancha (Spain) and of the important structuring role of the high capacity transport networks in this case-study

Use of Alternative Wood for the Ageing of Brandy de Jerez

The use of alternative types of wood has arisen for the aging of the Brandy de Jerez, on a pilot plant level. In particular, besides the use of American oak, two more types of oak have been studied, French oak and Spanish oak, allowed by the Technical File for the ID Brandy de Jerez, and chestnut, which, though it is not officially allowed, is a type of wood which had been traditionally used in the area for the aging of wines and distillates. All of them have been studied with different toasting levels: Intense toasting and medium toasting. The study of the total phenolic composition (TPI), chromatic characteristics, organic acids, and sensory analysis have proven that chestnut leads to distillates with a higher amount of phenolic compounds and coloring intensity than oak. This behavior is the opposite as regards the toasting of the wood. Among the different types of oak, Spanish oak produces aged distillates with a higher phenolic composition and a higher color intensity. Regarding tasting, the best-assessed samples were those aged with chestnut, French oak, and American oak, and the assessors preferred those who had used a medium toasting level to those with an intense leve

Neutron radiobiology studies with a pure cold neutron beam

Data on the radiobiological effects of thermal neutrons are usually obtained from irradiations in a mixed field of neutrons of different energies and gamma rays or from conversion of proton data with similar energies to those created in the neutron capture on nitrogen. Experimental data from irradiations in a pure thermal or cold neutron beam can help to find new values for neutron relative biological effectiveness (RBE) factors, which are useful for BNCT (Boron Neutron Capture Therapy) and radiation protection applications. We present a new experimental setup for radiobiological studies at a cold neutron beam at Institut Laue-Langevin, a beam without fast neutron component and almost no gamma ray contribution. After the irradiation, survival assays are performed to obtain the survival curves. Finally, comparing with a reference photon irradiation, the thermal neutron RBE factors can be calculated. The methodology is outlined at the example of A375 melanoma cells for which new radiobiological data were obtained.We acknowledge financial support for this work from the Fundación Científica de la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC) under grant PS16163811PORR, Junta de Andalucía (Andalusian Regional Government), under contract P11-FQM-8229, Spanish MINECO and FEDER funds under contract FIS2015-69941-C2-1-P, the grant agreement ILL-UGR and the founders of the University of Granada Chair Neutrons for Medicine: Spanish Fundación ACS and Capitán Antonio. M.P. acknowledges a grant under the program Becas de Iniciación a la Investigación from the Universidad de Granada (Plan Propio de Investigación). The open access fee was covered by FILL2030, a European Union project within the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme under grant agreement N°731096

Relevância dos fatores socioeconômicos na convergência para o IFRS: Análise em PME de dois setores de Villavicencio

The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the state in which the application of international Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) is found in small and medium-sized entities and their relationship to the socioeconomic factors of the National order. The methodology used is quantitative in nature, based on reports extracted from the information System and Business Report of the Superintendency of Companies of Colombia and the application of a questionnaire to 68 accountants responsible for To carry out the implementation in companies of the agro-industrial and services sectors of the city of Villavicencio. The results are shown in three sections: the characterization of the entities, the status of the implementation and the relevance of the economic and social factors on the process. From the application of the chi-square non-parametric test, it was possible to conclude the existence of variables with a high degree of significance in the implementation of these international standards, which impact both positively and negatively the Convergence development.El propósito del presente artículo consiste en demostrar el estado en el cual se encuentra la aplicación de las Normas Internacionales de Información Financiera (NIIF) en las pequeñas y medianas entidades y su relación con los factores socioeconómicos del orden nacional.  La metodología empleada es de carácter cuantitativo de tipo comparativo, con base en informes extraídos del sistema de información y reporte empresarial de la Superintendencia de Sociedades de Colombia y de la aplicación de un cuestionario a 68 contadores encargados de llevar a cabo la implementación en entidades de los sectores agroindustrial y de servicios de la ciudad de Villavicencio. Los resultados se muestran en tres apartados: la caracterización de las entidades, el estado de la implementación y la relevancia de los factores económico y social sobre el proceso. A partir de la aplicación de la prueba no paramétrica chi-cuadrado, fue posible concluir la existencia de variables con un alto grado de significancia en la implementación de estos estándares internacionales, los cuales impactan tanto positiva como negativamente el desarrollo de la convergencia.O objetivo deste artigo é demonstrar o estado em que a aplicação das Normas Internacionais de Relatório Financeiro (IFRS) é encontrada em entidades de pequeno e médio porte e sua relação com fatores socioeconômicos em nível nacional. A metodologia utilizada é de natureza quantitativa comparativa, baseada em relatórios extraídos do sistema de informação e do relatório de atividades da Superintendência de Empresas da Colômbia e da aplicação de um questionário a 68 contadores encarregados de executar a implementação em entidades de os setores agroindustrial e de serviços da cidade de Villavicencio. Os resultados são apresentados em três seções: a caracterização das entidades, o estado da implementação e a relevância dos fatores econômicos e sociais no processo. A partir da aplicação do teste qui-quadrado não paramétrico, foi possível concluir a existência de variáveis ​​com alto grau de significância na implementação desses padrões internacionais, que impactam tanto no desenvolvimento positivo quanto negativo da convergência

A generalization of the Pfähler-Lambert decomposition

The aim of this paper is to provide a generalization of the Pfähler (1990) and Lambert (1989, 2001) decomposition that allows us to overcome some limitations of the original methodology. In particular, our proposal allows avoiding the problem of sequentiality when the tax has several types of deductions or allowances, schedules or tax credits. In addition, our alternative decomposition is adapted to the dual income class of tax structures. Moreover, in order to adapt this methodology to real-world taxes, our alternative includes the re-ranking effects of real taxes, caused by the existence of differentiated treatments based on non-income attributes. This theoretical proposal is illustrated with an empirical analysis for the Spanish Personal Income Tax reform enforced in 2007

Nonstrabismic binocular dysfunctions and cervical complaints: The possibility of a crossdysfunction

The aim of this study is to establish a relationship between non-strabismic binocular dysfunction and neck pain. One hundred twelve participants underwent binocular vision assessment by evaluating horizontal heterophoria, horizontal and vertical fusional vergence ranges and vergence facility. The subjects were classified into two groups: binocular anomalies and normal binocular function. Neck complaints were measured with the Neck Disability Index, visual analogue scale, cervical range of motion, deep-flexor muscle activation score (AS) and performance index (PI). Our results showed that participants with low AS had significantly altered values of lateral phoria (near) (mean = -6.99 SD ± 6.96 PD) and PFV (near) blur (mean = 9.49 SD ± 5.45 PD) against those who presented normal AS (lateral phoria (near) mean = -3.64 SD ± 6.37 PD; PFV (near) blur mean = 12.84 SD ± 6.20 PD). In addition, participants with NFV (near) recovery outside the norm had a significantly lower right side-bending (mean = 35.63 SD ± 8.35 PD) than those within the standard (mean = 39.64 SD ± 9 PD). The subjects with binocular vision impairment showed a diminished response to the deep cervical musculature, with low AS and PI, as well as a tendency to suffer from cervicalgia of more than three months’ evolution and a lower range of motion