Biological-Based and Physical-Based Optimization for Biological Evaluation of Prostate Patient's Plans

Modern modalities of radiation treatment therapy allow irradiation of the tumor to high dose values and irradiation of organs at risk (OARs) to low dose values at the same time. In this paper we study optimal radiation treatment plans made in Monaco system. The first aim of this study was to evaluate dosimetric features of Monaco treatment planning system using biological versus dose-based cost functions for the OARs and irradiation targets (namely tumors) when the full potential of built-in biological cost functions is utilized. The second aim was to develop criteria for the evaluation of radiation dosimetry plans for patients based on the macroscopic radiobiological criteria - TCP/NTCP. In the framework of the study four dosimetric plans were created utilizing the full extent of biological and physical cost functions using dose calculation-based treatment planning for IMRT Step-and-Shoot delivery of stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) in prostate case (5 fractions per 7 Gy)

Benign external hydrocephalus: a review, with emphasis on management

Benign external hydrocephalus in infants, characterized by macrocephaly and typical neuroimaging findings, is considered as a self-limiting condition and is therefore rarely treated. This review concerns all aspects of this condition: etiology, neuroimaging, symptoms and clinical findings, treatment, and outcome, with emphasis on management. The review is based on a systematic search in the Pubmed and Web of Science databases. The search covered various forms of hydrocephalus, extracerebral fluid, and macrocephaly. Studies reporting small children with idiopathic external hydrocephalus were included, mostly focusing on the studies reporting a long-term outcome. A total of 147 studies are included, the majority however with a limited methodological quality. Several theories regarding pathophysiology and various symptoms, signs, and clinical findings underscore the heterogeneity of the condition. Neuroimaging is important in the differentiation between external hydrocephalus and similar conditions. A transient delay of psychomotor development is commonly seen during childhood. A long-term outcome is scarcely reported, and the results are varying. Although most children with external hydrocephalus seem to do well both initially and in the long term, a substantial number of patients show temporary or permanent psychomotor delay. To verify that this truly is a benign condition, we suggest that future research on external hydrocephalus should focus on the long-term effects of surgical treatment as opposed to conservative management

Shades of Green: Cognitive framing and the dynamics of corporate environmental response

Differences in environmental protection performance among firms in similar institutional and environmental contexts, and changes in their performance over time, suggest the importance of how organizations interpret and cognitively frame environmental issues. A leader’s cognitive frame is particularly important in shaping the organization’s collective frame, which in turn determines the stimuli organization members attend to, and the actions they perform. We develop a typology of frames organization leaders use to view the environment and predict how leaders’ frames change as a result of endogenous and exogenous influences. We illustrate our model with reference to case studies in the forestry industry. Implications and directions for future research are discussed

Social impact index for evaluation of regional resource allocation.

IDRC pers CRDI. Article on the ecologycal concept of health service and its application to a regional health care model for long term policy formulation and resource allocation - discusses linkages between life styles, pollution, health care systems, and resources; presents research results of experiments on the projection of resource shortages, demographic factors, and environmental conditions. Bibliography