arXiv subjects

J. C. Antoranz

Publications and source records attributed to J. C. Antoranz.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2013

Tsallis entropy approach to radiotherapy treatments

The biological effect of one single radiation dose on a living tissue has been described by several radiobiological models. However, the fractionated radiotherapy requires to account for a new magnitude: time. In this paper we explore the biological consequences posed by the mathematical prolongation of a model to fractionated treatment. Nonextensive composition rules are introduced to obtain the survival fraction and equivalent physical dose in terms of a time dependent factor describing the tissue trend towards recovering its radioresistance (a kind of repair coefficient). Interesting (known and new) behaviors are described regarding the effectiveness of the treatment which is shown to be fundamentally bound to this factor. The continuous limit, applicable to brachytherapy, is also analyzed in the framework of nonextensive calculus. Also here a coefficient arises that rules the time behavior. All the results are discussed in terms of the clinical evidence and their major implications are highlighted.

q-bio.TO↗

arXiv2011

Statistical mechanics formulation of radiobiology

The expression of survival factors for radiation damaged cells is empirical and based on probabilistic assumptions. We obtain it either from the maximum entropy principle for the classical Boltzmann-Gibbs entropy and/or from the Tsallis entropy. Empiric models are found to be particular cases of the obtained expression. The survival factor exhibits a phase transition behaviour. This formulation supports different tissues grouped as universality classes.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2009

Generalized calculus in radiobiology: Physical implications

Non-extensive statistical physics has allowed to generalize mathematical functions such as exponential and logarithms. The same framework is used to generalize sum and product so that the operations allow a more fluid way to work with mathematical expressions emerging from non-additive formulation of statistical physics. In this work we employ the generalization of the exponential, logarithm and product to obtain a formula for the survival fraction corresponding to the application of several radiation doses on a living tissue. Also we provide experimental recommendations to determine the universal characteristics of living tissues in interaction with radiation. These results have a potential application in radiobiology and radiation oncology.

physics.bio-ph↗

arXiv2009

A mathematical aid decision tool for RT planning

It is possible to find the optimized radiation dose per session for a radiotherapy (RT) treatment, using a population dynamics model. This has already been done in a previous work for a protocol with 30 sessions and a fixed dose per session. Extending this model to other protocols, with a variable number of sessions, we could change the radiation dosage while keeping the success probability of treatment at its maximum value. This could help the RT oncology service managers to plan the sequence of patients and treatments adapting it to the facilities of the oncology service. Besides, if tumor surrounding tissue is not able to afford a high dosage, it could be useful to extend the treatment to a higher number of low dose radiation sessions, keeping an optimal treatment.

physics.med-ph↗

arXiv2007

Immune System -- Tumor Efficiency Rate as a new Oncological Index for Radiotherapy Treatment Optimization

A dynamical system model for tumor -- immune system interaction together with a method to mimic radiation therapy are proposed. A large population of virtual patients is simulated following an ideal radiation treatment. A characteristic parameter, the Immune System -- Tumor Efficiency Rate (ISTER), is introduced. ISTER dependence of treatment success and other features is studied. Statistical results allow us to give a patient classification scheme. Radiotherapy treatment biological effective dose (BED) is thus optimized based on the patient physical condition, following the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) criterion.

q-bio.PE↗

arXiv2006

Tumors under periodic therapy -- Role of the immune response time delay

We model the interaction between the immune system and tumor cells including a time delay to simulate the time needed by the latter to develop a chemical and cell mediated response to the presence of the tumor. The results are compared with those of a previous paper, concluding that the delay introduces new instabilities in the system leading to an uncontrolable growth of the tumour. Then a cytokine based periodic immunotherapy treatment is included in the model and the effects of its dossage are studied for the case of a weak immune system and a growing tumour. We find the existence of metastable states (that may last for tens of years) induced by the treatment, and also of potentially adverse effects of the dossage frequency on the stabilization of the tumour. These two effects depend on the delay, the cytokine dose burden and other parameters considered in the model.

q-bio.TO↗

arXiv2002

Continuous Time Random Walks and South Spain Seismic Series

Levy flights were introduced through the mathematical research of the algebra or random variables with infinite moments. Mandelbrot recognized that the Levy flight prescription had a deep connection to scale-invariant fractal random walk trajectories. The theory of Continuous Time Random Walks (CTRW) can be described in terms of Levy distribution functions and it can be used to explain some earthquake characteristics like the distribution of waiting times and hypocenter locations in a seismic region. This paper checks the validity of this assumption analyzing three seismic series localized in South Spain. The three seismic series (Alboran, Antequera and Loja) show qualitatively the same behavior, although there are quantitative differences between them.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2002

Levy Flights and Earthquakes

Levy flights representation is proposed to describe earthquake characteristics like the distribution of waiting times and position of hypocenters in a seismic region. Over 7500 microearthquakes and earthquakes from 1985 to 1994 were analyzed to test that its spatial and temporal distributions are such that can be described by a Levy flight with anomalous diffusion (in this case in a subdiffusive regime). Earthquake behavior is well described through Levy flights and Levy distribution functions such as results show.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv2002

Behavior of tumors under nonstationary theraphy

We present a model for the interaction dynamics of lymphocytes-tumor cells population. This model reproduces all known states for the tumor. Futherly,we develop it taking into account periodical immunotheraphy treatment with cytokines alone. A detailed analysis for the evolution of tumor cells as a function of frecuency and theraphy burden applied for the periodical treatment is carried out. Certain threshold values for the frecuency and applied doses are derived from this analysis. So it seems possible to control and reduce the growth of the tumor. Also, constant values for cytokines doses seems to be a succesful treatment.

math-ph↗

arXiv2002

A non extensive approach for DNA breaking by ionizing radiation

Tsallis entropy and a maximum entropy principle allows to reproduce experimental data of DNA double strand breaking by electron and neutron radiation. Analytic results for the probability of finding a DNA segment of length l are obtained reproducing quite well the fragment distribution function experimentally obtained.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1999

Aging and Levy distributions in sandpiles

Aging in complex systems is studied via the sandpile model. Relaxation of avalanches in sandpiles is observed to depend on the time elapsed since the begining of the relaxation. Levy behavior is observed in the distribution of characteristic times. In this way, aging and self-organized criticality appear to be closely related.

cond-mat.soft↗

arXiv1998

A Bethe lattice representation for sandpiles

Avalanches in sandpiles are represented throughout a process of percolation in a Bethe lattice with a feedback mechanism. The results indicate that the frequency spectrum and probability distribution of avalanches resemble more to experimental results than other models using cellular automata simulations. Apparent discrepancies between experiments are reconciled. Critical behavior is here expressed troughout the critical properties of percolation phenomena.

cond-mat.soft↗