Heart volume reduction during radiotherapy involving the thoracic region in children: An unexplained phenomenon

Background and purpose: Radiotherapy involving the thoracic region is associated with cardiotoxicity in long-term childhood cancer survivors. We quantified heart volume changes during radiotherapy in children (<18 years) and investigated correlations with patient and treatment related characteristics. Material and methods: Between 2010 and 2016, 34 children received radiotherapy involving the thoracic region. We delineated heart contours and measured heart volumes on 114 CBCTs. Relative volume changes were quantified with respect to the volume on the first CBCT (i.e., 100%). Cardiac radiation dose parameters expressed as 2 Gy/fraction equivalent doses were calculated from DVHs. Chemotherapy was categorized as treatment with anthracyclines, alkylating agents, vinca-alkaloids, and other. Results: The overall median heart volume reduction from the first to the last CBCT was 5.5% (interquartile range1.6-9.7%; p < 0.001). Heart volumes decreased significantly between the baseline measurement and the first week (Bonferroni's adjusted p = 0.002); volume changes were not significant during the following weeks. Univariate analysis showed a significant correlation between heart volume reduction and alkylating agents; however, no multivariate analyses could be done to further confirm this. Conclusions: We found a significant heart volume reduction in children during radiotherapy. Elucidation of underlying mechanisms, clinical relevance, and possible long-term consequences of early heart volume reduction require a prospective follow-up study. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Biological, physical and clinical aspects of cancer treatment with ionising radiatio

Application of an Unvalidated Process Model to Define Operational Functional Failures

Comprehensive transient models (CTMs) are not readily available for complex industrial processes. In contrast, fundamentals-based process models (FbPMs) often are readily available and data-driven models (DDMs) can be readily developed. Generally, FbPMs have enough accuracy and safety margin to size equipment for steady-state operations but in contrast to CTMs, are not accurate enough to predict the unique operational responses required for applications, such as the definition of system functional failures in predictive maintenance (PdM). However, in the absence of more accurate models, FbPMs may be valid to indicate response trends or determine operational windows, with respect to safety and functionality. The case study is a Raw Material Preparation Plant, used to screen, grind and dry coal for an iron-making process. Following DDM construction through supervised machine learning from operational data, the validity of an available FbPM against operations is investigated through: (1) comparison of FbPM and DDM regression responses (2) consideration of physical phenomena and (3) comparison of sensitivity analysis results. Following validation, the definition and detection of functional failures in the plant as obtained from the FbPM will be used as the first step towards system PdM

The Raw Materials Summit 2019: connecting innovation in the Raw Materials Sector

Overview of Raw Materials 2019 Summit, with considerations about the key-issues in the fiel

Desulfurization of High-Sulfur HIsarna Hot Metal

The HIsarna process is one of the emerging low-CO2 ironmaking processes that could help the steel industry in achieving their carbon footprint goals. HIsarna hot metal contains 3–4 times more sulfur than hot metal from blast furnaces (BFs). Therefore, a literature study, a thermodynamic analysis, and plant data analysis from Tata Steel, IJmuiden, are used herein to investigate the consequences of HIsarna hot metal for the current hot metal desulfurization process. Although the high sulfur concentration and low temperature of HIsarna hot metal lead to a higher total reagent consumption, compared with desulfurization of BF hot metal, the specific magnesium consumption decreases. The higher oxygen concentration in HIsarna hot metal only leads to a small increase in reagent consumption.Team Yongxiang YangTeam Jilt Sietsm