Evaluation of effective treatment depth in skin cancer treatments with electronic brachytherapy.

Purpose: To evaluate changes in the percent depth dose (PDD) and effective depth of treatment due to force applied by the applicator during treatments of nonmelanoma skin cancer with the Xoft electronic brachytherapy system.

Methods: To simulate compressible tissue, a 5-mm tissue-equivalent bolus was used. A soft x-ray ion chamber was used for output measurements, which were performed for all Xoft surface applicators with plastic endcaps in place.

TG-51 reference dosimetry for the Halcyon™: A clinical experience.

Halcyon™ is a single-energy (6 MV-FFF), bore-enclosed linear accelerator. Patient setup is performed by first aligning to external lasers mounted to the front of the bore, and then loading to isocenter through pre-defined couch shifts. There is no light field, optical distance indicator or front pointer mechanism, so positioning is verified through MV imaging with kV imaging scheduled to become available in the future.

Measured and Monte Carlo simulated electron backscatter to the monitor chamber for the Varian TrueBeam Linac.

To accurately simulate therapeutic electron beams using Monte Carlo methods, backscatter from jaws into the monitor chamber must be accounted for via the backscatter factor, S . Measured and simulated values of S for the TrueBeam are investigated. Two approaches for measuring S are presented.

Patients' perspective of a group intervention for perfectionism in anorexia nervosa: A qualitative study.

This study aimed to explore the experiences of adults with anorexia nervosa who took part in a perfectionism group intervention in an inpatient setting. Thematic analysis was used to explore patient feedback collected in focus groups. Patient feedback was generally positive and centred around three main themes: perceived benefits of the group, the content of the group and suggested improvements.

Validation of Varian TrueBeam electron phase-spaces for Monte Carlo simulation of MLC-shaped fields.

Purpose: This work evaluates Varian's electron phase-space sources for Monte Carlo simulation of the TrueBeam for modulated electron radiation therapy (MERT) and combined, modulated photon and electron radiation therapy (MPERT) where fields are shaped by the photon multileaf collimator (MLC) and delivered at 70 cm SSD.

Methods: Monte Carlo simulations performed with EGSnrc-based BEAMnrc/DOSXYZnrc and penelope-based PRIMO are compared against diode measurements for 5 × 5, 10 × 10, and 20 × 20 cm(2) MLC-shaped fields delivered with 6, 12, and 20 MeV electrons at 70 cm SSD (jaws set to 40 × 40 cm(2)). Depth dose curves and profiles are examined.

Self-reported and performance based perfectionism in mothers of individuals with Anorexia Nervosa: a pilot study.

Background: Perfectionism is implicated in the development and maintenance of Anorexia Nervosa and there is some evidence that perfectionism may be elevated in family members. However to date there are no studies investigating behavioural aspects of perfectionism in unaffected mothers.

Methods: Forty-one participants took part in this pilot study: 21 unaffected mothers of individuals with Anorexia Nervosa and 20 healthy control mothers.

Can Psychological Interventions Reduce Perfectionism? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Perfectionism is implicated in a range of psychiatric disorders, impedes treatment and is associated with poorer treatment outcomes.

Aims: The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to summarize the existing evidence for psychological interventions targeting perfectionism in individuals with psychiatric disorders associated with perfectionism and/or elevated perfectionism.

Method: Eight studies were identified and were analysed in meta-analyses.

Comparison of measured Varian Clinac 21EX and TrueBeam accelerator electron field characteristics.

Dosimetric comparisons of radiation fields produced by Varian's newest linear accelerator, the TrueBeam, with those produced by older Varian accelerators are of interest from both practical and research standpoints. While photon fields have been compared in the literature, similar comparisons of electron fields have not yet been reported. In this work, electron fields produced by the TrueBeam are compared with those produced by Varian's Clinac 21EX accelerator.

Do Children and Adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa Display an Inefficient Cognitive Processing Style?

Objective: This study aimed to examine neuropsychological processing in children and adolescents with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). The relationship of clinical and demographic variables to neuropsychological functioning within the AN group was also explored.

Method: The performance of 41 children and adolescents with a diagnosis of AN were compared to 43 healthy control (HC) participants on a number of neuropsychological measures.

Perfectionism in anorexia nervosa: novel performance based evidence.

Existing research into perfectionism in Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is limited by a reliance upon self-report measures. This study used novel performance based measures to investigate whether there is behavioural evidence for elevated perfectionism in AN. 153 participants took part in the study--81 with a diagnosis of AN and 72 healthy controls (HCs).

Targeting perfectionism in anorexia nervosa using a group-based cognitive behavioural approach: a pilot study.

Objective: This study aimed to explore whether a six session cognitive behavioural group intervention targeting perfectionism is efficacious in reducing perfectionism in adults with anorexia nervosa in an inpatient setting.

Method: Adults with anorexia nervosa received a group perfectionism intervention in an inpatient setting. Self-report and patient satisfaction questionnaires were completed at the beginning of the first session and end of the last session.

Family-focused cognitive behaviour therapy versus psycho-education for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: long-term follow-up of an RCT.

The aim of this study was to investigate the long term efficacy of family-focused cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) compared with psycho-education in improving school attendance and other secondary outcomes in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A 24 month follow-up of a randomised controlled trial was carried out. Participants received either 13 one-hour sessions of family-focused CBT or four one-hour sessions of psycho-education.

Telephone-based guided self-help for adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome: A non-randomised cohort study.

The aim of this study was to gain preliminary evidence about the efficacy of a new telephone-based guided self-help intervention, based on cognitive-behavioural principles, which aimed to reduce fatigue and improve school attendance in adolescents with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). A non-randomised cohort design was used, with a two-month baseline period. Sixty-three 11-18 year-old participants recruited from a specialist CFS unit received the intervention.