On the eclipsing cataclysmic variable star HBHA 4705-03

We present observations and analysis of a new eclipsing binary HBHA 4705-03. Using decomposition of the light curve into accretion disk and hot spot components, we estimated photometrically the mass ratio of the studied system to be q=0.62 +-0.07. Other fundamental parameters was found with modeling. This approach gave: white dwarf mass M_1 = (0.8 +- 0.2) M_sun, secondary mass M_2=(0.497 +- 0.05) M_sun, orbital radius a=1.418 R_sun, orbital inclination i = (81.58 +- 0.5) deg, accretion disk radius r_d/a = 0.366 +- 0.002, and accretion rate dot{M} = (2.5 +- 2) * 10^{18}[g/s], (3*10^{-8} [M_sun/yr]). Power spectrum analysis revealed ambiguous low-period Quasi Periodic Oscillations centered at the frequencies f_{1}=0.00076 Hz, f_2=0.00048 Hz and f_3=0.00036 Hz. The B-V=0.04 [mag] color corresponds to a dwarf novae during an outburst. The examined light curves suggest that HBHA 4705-03 is a nova-like variable star.Comment: 7 figures and 2 tables, accepted for publication in Acta Astronomic

First record of phoresy of Dendrochernes cyrneus (L. Koch, 1873) (Pseudoscorpiones, Chernetidae) on Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) and their potential value as bioindicators

El primer registro de foresía de Dendrochernes cyrneus (L. Koch, 1873) (Pseudoscorpiones, Chernetidae) en Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) y su valor potencial como bioindicadores Se documenta la primera prueba de foresía de Dendrochernes cyrneus (L. Koch, 1873) en Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758. También se presenta una revisión crítica de todos los informes científicos publicados sobre la foresía relacionados con D. cyrneus. Dos de estos informes guardan relación con la misma observación y son el resultado de la confusión sistemática existente en la familia Cerambycidae. Ambas especies se tratan como vestigios del bosque primigenio y sus aisladas poblaciones viven en las zonas residuales dispersas de los bosques antiguos que cubrían Europa en el pasado. Aportamos nueva información sobre las relaciones ecológicas de D. cyrneus con escarabajos saproxílicos y analizamos las preferencias ecológicas de las dos especies y su función como indicadores de la calidad del ambiente.El primer registro de foresía de Dendrochernes cyrneus (L. Koch, 1873) (Pseudoscorpiones, Chernetidae) en Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758 (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae) y su valor potencial como bioindicadores Se documenta la primera prueba de foresía de Dendrochernes cyrneus (L. Koch, 1873) en Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758. También se presenta una revisión crítica de todos los informes científicos publicados sobre la foresía relacionados con D. cyrneus. Dos de estos informes guardan relación con la misma observación y son el resultado de la confusión sistemática existente en la familia Cerambycidae. Ambas especies se tratan como vestigios del bosque primigenio y sus aisladas poblaciones viven en las zonas residuales dispersas de los bosques antiguos que cubrían Europa en el pasado. Aportamos nueva información sobre las relaciones ecológicas de D. cyrneus con escarabajos saproxílicos y analizamos las preferencias ecológicas de las dos especies y su función como indicadores de la calidad del ambiente.The first evidence of phoresy of Dendrochernes cyrneus (L. Koch, 1873) on Cerambyx cerdo Linnaeus, 1758 is documented. A critical review of all known literature reports of phoresy involving D. cyrneus is also presented. Two of these reports relate to the same observation and are the result of the systematic turmoil within the family Cerambycidae. Both species are treated as primeval forest relics and their isolated populations live in the scattered remains of the ancient forests that covered Europe in the past. We provide new information about the ecological relationships of D. cyrneus with saproxylic beetles, and discuss the ecological preferences of the two species and their role as indicators of the quality of the environment

164. 1H-MR Spectroscopy of normal brain tissue before and after postoperative radiotherapy for primary brain tumors

PurposeThe aim of the study was to reveal the impact of postoperative radiotherapy (pRT) on normai brain tissue metabolism and find out, if proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1 HMRS) can help in delineating tumor recurrence area.Methods and MaterialSpectra of 43 patients treated with pRT for glial tumors assessed by 1H-MRS were analyzed. Patients were treated with conformal 3D techniques using 6–20 MV photons to the total dose dr 60 Gy given in 30 fractions. Control group consisted of spectra registered for 30 healthy volunteers. Spectra were taken from tumor bed and from control region before pRT and from a 3 uninvolved regions 9–12 months after the end of pRT. Voxels were located in the region of low, medium and high total dose. Relative intensities of the signals due to N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), choline based compounds (Cho), mio-lnositol (ml), lactate (Lac) and lipids (Lip) were obtained. The statistical difference between means was calculated using Mann-Whitney U-test for independent samples or paired Wilcoxon test for the different dose levels for one patient.ResultsSpectra taken after pRT were significantly different from those obtained from healthy volunteers and those acquired before radiotherapy. The lactate and lipids signals were strong and not correlated with absorbed dose. NAA/Cr ratios were significantly lower than before pRT even for the low dose regions. These differences were increasing with radiation dose. Cho/Cr and Cho/NAA ratios increased significantly in medium and high dose area.Conclusion1H-MRS can not help in delineating tumor recurrence area after pRT. Surgery and pRT cause alteration of brain metabolism even in regions far from the postoperative tumor bed that received relatively low total radiation dose

27. Time factor in postoperative radiotherapy for squamous cell head and neck cancer; a multivariate locoregional control analysis in 942 patients

PurposeTo analyze the influence of overall radiation treatment time and duration of the interval surgery-radiotherapy on local tumor control (LTC) in postoperative radiotherapy (PRT) for squamous cell head and neck cancer (SCHNC).Material/methodsA multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis included 942 patients with locally advanced SCHNC. Mean total radiation dose, dose per fraction, treatment time, and the interval surgery-PRT were 62,5 Gy, 2,1 Gy, 46 days, and 62 days respectively. No interruptions during PRT (except for weekend brakes) appeared in 29% of patients, while 28% had more than 5 days of gap. The data were grouped into seven categories depending on the position of gap (weeks 1–7).ResultsIncrease in treatment gaps, the presence of tumor recurrence after surgery, N stage, and extra-laryngeal site of cancer were significantly related to decrease in LTC. The duration of time interval surgery-PRT had only marginal significance for LTC. Other variables did not appear significant. Consideration of seven time intervals for treatment gaps in the multivariate model has shown a significant progressive increase in the hazard of recurrence for gaps in the respective weeks 1 to 7.ConclusionsThis analysis shows a detrimental effect of interruptions during PRT, and only marginal decrease in LTC from the extension of the interval surgery-PRT. Therefore it seems unjustified to rush with PRT at the expense of possible increase in radiation treatment gaps. However, excessive delays in initiating PRT should be avoided, since they may lead to a recurrence prior to irradiation

How to reduce the number of rating scale items without predictability loss?

Rating scales are used to elicit data about qualitative entities (e.g., research collaboration). This study presents an innovative method for reducing the number of rating scale items without the predictability loss. The "area under the receiver operator curve method" (AUC ROC) is used. The presented method has reduced the number of rating scale items (variables) to 28.57\% (from 21 to 6) making over 70\% of collected data unnecessary. Results have been verified by two methods of analysis: Graded Response Model (GRM) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). GRM revealed that the new method differentiates observations of high and middle scores. CFA proved that the reliability of the rating scale has not deteriorated by the scale item reduction. Both statistical analysis evidenced usefulness of the AUC ROC reduction method.Comment: 14 pages, 5 figure

63P Ocena skuteczności paliatywnej brachyterapii HDR w leczeniu raka przełyku

Celem pracy jest ocena skuteczności paliatywnej brachyterapii w leczeniu zaawansowanego raka przełyku. Poddano analizie wpływ wcześniejszej teleradioterapii na efekt paliacji oraz dokonano oceny przydatności powtórnej brachyterapii w leczeniu nawrotu dysfagii.Materiał i metodyW latach 1991–1997 w Instytucie Onkologii w Gliwicach leczono brachyterapią HDR 35 chorych na zaawansowanego raka przełyku. 23 chorych tej grupy było uprzednio leczonych z zastosowaniem zewnętrznych źródeł promieniowania, dla 12 brachyterapia była jedyną metodą leczenia. U 9 chorych tej grupy zastosowano ponownie brachyterapię w leczeniu nawrotu dysfagii. Skuteczność paliatywnej brachyterapii oceniono na podstawie analizy pięciu czynników:•subiektywnego odczucia poprawy•stopnia dysfagii po leczeniu•bólu przy przełykaniu•wzrostu wagi•regresji radiologicznej zmianyW celu analizy wpływu teleradioterapii na skuteczność paliatywnej brachyterapii chorzy zostali podzieleni na dwie grupy A i B. Do grupy A zaliczono chorych leczonych uprzednio teleradioterapią, do grupy B zaliczono chorych leczonych wyłącznie brzchyterapią.WynikiSubiektywną poprawę po leczeniu zgłaszało 28 (80%) chorych. U 31 chorych nastąpiło zmniejszenie dysfagii. Spośród 14(40%) chorych cierpiących z powodu bólu u 6 (42%) chorych stwierdzono zmniejszenie nasilenia tego objawu. Ból nie był częstym objawem w badanej grupie. 21 (60%) chorych nie odczuwało bólu zarówno przed jak i po leczeniu. U 14 (40%) chorych stwierdzono wzrost wagi po leczeniu, a u 20 (57%) chorych waga utrzymywała się na stałym poziomie. W skopii przełyku z kontrastem stwierdzono regresję zmiany u 29 (83%) chorych. Czas trwania regresji objawów wahał się od kilkunastu dni do półtora roku; średnio wynosił 2,5 miesiąca. Ciężkie powikłania po leczeniu zaobserwowano u 6 (17%) chorych. W grupach A i B stwierdzono porównywalny efekt paliatywny, ciężkie powikłania zaobserwowano jednak tylko u chorych zaliczonych do grupy A.Spośród 9 chorych leczonych z powodu nawrotu dysfagii powtórna brachyterapia przyniosła efekt u 5 (56%) chorych. powikłania po powtórnej brachyterapii zaobserwowano u 3chorych; wszyscy byli uprzednio leczeni teradioterapią.WnioskiBrachyterapia HDR jest skuteczną metodą paliatywnego leczenia raka przełyku i wydaje się być wystarczająca jako jedyna metoda paliacji przy tym rozpoznaniu. W badanej grupie powtórne zastosowanie brachyterapii okazało się skuteczna metodą w przypadku nawrotu dysfagii u chorych nie poddanych wcześniej teleradioterapii