PET-based dose painting in non-small cell lung cancer: Comparing uniform dose escalation with boosting hypoxic and metabolically active sub-volumes.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We compared two imaging biomarkers for dose-escalation in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Treatment plans boosting metabolically active sub-volumes defined by FDG-PET or hypoxic sub-volumes defined by HX4-PET were compared with boosting the entire tumour.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten NSCLC patients underwent FDG- and HX4-PET/CT scans prior to radiotherapy. Three isotoxic dose-escalation plans were compared per patient: plan A, boosting the primary tumour (PTVprim); plan B, boosting sub-volume with FDG >50% SUVmax (PTVFDG); plan C, boosting..

Large-scale blast loading of a composite tube array for protection of civil engineering structures

C

Nitroglycerin as a radiosensitizer in non-small cell lung cancer: Results of a prospective imaging-based phase II trial

Background: Nitroglycerin is proposed as an agent to reduce tumour hypoxia by improving tumour perfusion. We investigated the potent

Entrepreneurs’ mental health and well-being:A review and research agenda

Interest in entrepreneurs’ mental health and well-being (MWB) is growing in recognition of the role of MWB in entrepreneurs’ decision making, motivation, and action. Yet relevant knowledge is dispersed across disciplines, which makes what we currently understand about entrepreneurs’ MWB unclear. In this systematic review I integrate insights from 144 empirical studies. These studies show that research is focused on three research questions: (1) Do different types of entrepreneurs differ in their MWB? What are the (2) antecedents and (3) consequences of entrepreneurs’ MWB? The review systematizes evidence on known antecedents and consequences of entrepreneurs’ MWB but also reveals overlooked and undertheorized sources and outcomes of entrepreneurs’ MWB. The review provides a mapping and framework that advance research on entrepreneurs’ MWB and help to position entrepreneurs’ MWB more centrally in management and entrepreneurship research. It calls for researchers to go beyond applying models developed for employees to understand entrepreneurs. Instead, the findings point the way to developing a dedicated theory of entrepreneurial work and MWB that is dynamic, socialized, and open to considering context and acknowledges variability and fluidity across entrepreneurs’ life domains, as well as the centrality of work for entrepreneurs’ identity

High-dose hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer

The observation that improved local tumour control also results in increased survival rates, even in a disease such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), has fuelled the interest in strategies aimed at local tumour eradication. It has been demonstrated that a clear dose-response relationship exists for radiotherapy, i.e. higher doses of radiation lead to increased local tumour control. However, prolongation of the overall treatment time beyond 4-5 weeks renders radiotherapy less effective because of increased proliferation of tumour cells. It is therefore of interest to deliver as high doses as possible in short overall treatment times. An extreme example of this strategy is stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), where a few large radiation doses, equalling very high biological doses, delivered in a short overall treatment time has resulted in at least 90% tumour control in stage I NSCLC. However, when large volumes or critical normal structures such as the main bronchi are in the high-dose radiation volumes, more extensive fractionation schedules have been used, such as 70 Gy in 35 daily fractions of 2 Gy. As the overall treatment time than exceeds 4-5 weeks, hyperfractionated radiotherapy schedules have been introduced, which all delivered 2-3 relatively small fractions per day to total doses that are similar to the so-called standard regimen. Several randomized phase III trials and a meta-analysis based on individual patient data have demonstrated a superior 5-year survival with this strategy, without increased side effects. Our group has also shown that individualised hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy (INDAR) makes treatment with curative intent even in patients with large tumour volumes possible with few important side effects. Early results of INDAR with concurrent chemotherapy or with cetuximab are promising

Framework for managing uncertainty in property projects

A primary task of property development (or real estate development, RED) is making assessments and managing risks and uncertainties. Property managers cope with a wide range of uncertainties, particularly in the early project phases. Although the existing literature addresses the management of calculated risks, the management of uncertainties is underexposed. A framework and method are presented for uncertainty management, both of which focus on the early phases of complex RED projects. To develop this method, a design method for the development of consumer-based software (SCRUM) is adapted. The traditional uncertainty management in property development was compared with the SCRUM approach. SCRUM is found to be a highly useful tool for uncertainty management in real estate, but it requires adjustment to the specific context of property. An adjusted method 'RESCRUM' was developed and a first test of its accuracy and usefulness in practice is presented

Response of cork compounds subjected to impulsive blast loads

The experimental characterisation of the dynamic (blast) behaviour of micro-agglomerated cork is presented. A 4-cable ballistic pendulum system was used to measure the transmitted impulse to a target subjected to a shock-wave originated from the detonation of an explosive. The displacement of the pendulum and the transmitted impulse were measured and the coefficient of restitution of the whole system when the cork compound is used was determined. A numerical study of the problem using the finite element method gave very good correlation with the experimental analysis leading to the development of a material constitutive model suited to the dynamic behaviour of these cork compounds in such solicitations