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Cancer remains a significant global challenge, constituting one of the leading causes of death worldwide. With an aging population, the demand for cancer treatments is increasing. Nevertheless, due to technological advancements, cancer mortality rates are declining. This study contributes to these advancements, focusing specifically on radiation therapy, a crucial technology widely used today. Since the invention of radiation therapy, there has been significant research and progress in the field. One such advancement is the CyberKnife® system (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) - a fully robotic radiotherapy device that enables precise patient treatments. Its flexibility allows for the delivery of high-quality plans, but treatment times can be quite long, leading to adverse effects for both patients and healthcare providers. This thesis introduces algorithms aimed at reducing the robot traversal time of the CyberKnife technology. These algorithms are incorporated into an existing optimization framework for treatment planning, with their effectiveness evaluated across various patient cases. Significant reductions in treatment times for some patient cases were observed, while maintaining satisfactory plan quality, primarily due to more efficient traversal paths for the CyberKnife robot. The increased efficiency of the robot can also be leveraged to create treatment plans with more irradiation directions, increasing the treatment quality in some cases., Cancer förblir en betydande global utmaning och är en av de främsta dödsorsakerna i världen. Med en åldrande befolkning ökar efterfrågan på cancerbehandlingar. Trots detta minskar cancerdödligheten tack vare teknologiska framsteg. Denna studie bidrar till dessa framsteg, med särskilt fokus på strålterapi, en avgörande teknologi som används i stor utsträckning idag. Sedan uppfinningen av strålterapi har det gjorts betydande forskning och utveckling inom området. Ett sådant framsteg är CyberKnife®-systemet (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) - en helt robotiserad strålterapimaskin som möjliggör precisa behandlingar för patienter. Dess flexibilitet gör det möjligt att leverera högkvalitativa planer, men behandlingstiderna kan vara långa, vilket leder till negativa effekter för såväl patienter som sjukvården. Denna uppsats introducerar algoritmer som syftar till att minska traverseringstiden för CyberKnife-roboten. Dessa algoritmer integreras i ett befintligt optimeringsramverk för behandlingsplanering, med deras effektivitet utvärderad baserat på olika patientfall. Betydande minskningar av behandlingstiderna observerades för vissa patientfall, samtidigt som tillfredsställande plankvalitet behölls, främst med anledning av mer effektiva traverseringsvägar för CyberKnife-roboten. Denna effektivisering möjliggör också skapandet av behandlingsplaner med fler strålriktningar, vilket förbättrade behandlingskvaliteten i vissa fall.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery has become a common treatment approach for small-to-medium size vestibular schwannomas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relationship between time (beam-on and treatment) and risk of hearing decline after stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas in patients with Gardner–Robertson (GR) baseline classes I and II. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal single-center study included 213 patients with GR I and II treated between June 2010 and December 2019. Risk of passing from GR classes I and II (coded 0) to other classes III, IV, and V (coded 1) and the increase in pure tone average (continuous outcome) were evaluated using a mixed-effect regression model. Biologically effective dose (BED) was further assessed for an alpha/beta ratio of 2.47 (Gy2.47). RESULTS: Binary outcome analysis revealed sex, dose rate, integral dose, time [beam-on time odds ratio 1.03, P = .03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06; treatment time (P = .02) and BED (P = .001) as relevant. Fitted multivariable model included the sex, dose rate, and BED. Pure tone average analysis revealed age, integral dose received by tumor, isocenter number, time (beam-on time odds ratio 0.20, P = .001, 95% CI 0.083-0.33) and BED (P = .005) as relevant. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that risk of hearing decline was associated with male sex, higher radiation dose rate (cutoff 2.5 Gy/minute), higher integral dose received by the tumor, higher beam-on time ≥20 minutes, and lower BED. A BED between 55 and 61 was considered as optimal for hearing preservation., De tre sista författarna delar sistaförfattarskapet

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery has become a common treatment approach for small-to-medium size vestibular schwannomas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relationship between time (beam-on and treatment) and risk of hearing decline after stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas in patients with Gardner–Robertson (GR) baseline classes I and II. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal single-center study included 213 patients with GR I and II treated between June 2010 and December 2019. Risk of passing from GR classes I and II (coded 0) to other classes III, IV, and V (coded 1) and the increase in pure tone average (continuous outcome) were evaluated using a mixed-effect regression model. Biologically effective dose (BED) was further assessed for an alpha/beta ratio of 2.47 (Gy2.47). RESULTS: Binary outcome analysis revealed sex, dose rate, integral dose, time [beam-on time odds ratio 1.03, P = .03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06; treatment time (P = .02) and BED (P = .001) as relevant. Fitted multivariable model included the sex, dose rate, and BED. Pure tone average analysis revealed age, integral dose received by tumor, isocenter number, time (beam-on time odds ratio 0.20, P = .001, 95% CI 0.083-0.33) and BED (P = .005) as relevant. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that risk of hearing decline was associated with male sex, higher radiation dose rate (cutoff 2.5 Gy/minute), higher integral dose received by the tumor, higher beam-on time ≥20 minutes, and lower BED. A BED between 55 and 61 was considered as optimal for hearing preservation., De tre sista författarna delar sistaförfattarskapet

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery has become a common treatment approach for small-to-medium size vestibular schwannomas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relationship between time (beam-on and treatment) and risk of hearing decline after stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas in patients with Gardner–Robertson (GR) baseline classes I and II. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal single-center study included 213 patients with GR I and II treated between June 2010 and December 2019. Risk of passing from GR classes I and II (coded 0) to other classes III, IV, and V (coded 1) and the increase in pure tone average (continuous outcome) were evaluated using a mixed-effect regression model. Biologically effective dose (BED) was further assessed for an alpha/beta ratio of 2.47 (Gy2.47). RESULTS: Binary outcome analysis revealed sex, dose rate, integral dose, time [beam-on time odds ratio 1.03, P = .03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06; treatment time (P = .02) and BED (P = .001) as relevant. Fitted multivariable model included the sex, dose rate, and BED. Pure tone average analysis revealed age, integral dose received by tumor, isocenter number, time (beam-on time odds ratio 0.20, P = .001, 95% CI 0.083-0.33) and BED (P = .005) as relevant. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that risk of hearing decline was associated with male sex, higher radiation dose rate (cutoff 2.5 Gy/minute), higher integral dose received by the tumor, higher beam-on time ≥20 minutes, and lower BED. A BED between 55 and 61 was considered as optimal for hearing preservation.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery has become a common treatment approach for small-to-medium size vestibular schwannomas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relationship between time (beam-on and treatment) and risk of hearing decline after stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas in patients with Gardner–Robertson (GR) baseline classes I and II. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal single-center study included 213 patients with GR I and II treated between June 2010 and December 2019. Risk of passing from GR classes I and II (coded 0) to other classes III, IV, and V (coded 1) and the increase in pure tone average (continuous outcome) were evaluated using a mixed-effect regression model. Biologically effective dose (BED) was further assessed for an alpha/beta ratio of 2.47 (Gy2.47). RESULTS: Binary outcome analysis revealed sex, dose rate, integral dose, time [beam-on time odds ratio 1.03, P = .03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06; treatment time (P = .02) and BED (P = .001) as relevant. Fitted multivariable model included the sex, dose rate, and BED. Pure tone average analysis revealed age, integral dose received by tumor, isocenter number, time (beam-on time odds ratio 0.20, P = .001, 95% CI 0.083-0.33) and BED (P = .005) as relevant. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that risk of hearing decline was associated with male sex, higher radiation dose rate (cutoff 2.5 Gy/minute), higher integral dose received by the tumor, higher beam-on time ≥20 minutes, and lower BED. A BED between 55 and 61 was considered as optimal for hearing preservation., De tre sista författarna delar sistaförfattarskapet

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery has become a common treatment approach for small-to-medium size vestibular schwannomas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relationship between time (beam-on and treatment) and risk of hearing decline after stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas in patients with Gardner–Robertson (GR) baseline classes I and II. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal single-center study included 213 patients with GR I and II treated between June 2010 and December 2019. Risk of passing from GR classes I and II (coded 0) to other classes III, IV, and V (coded 1) and the increase in pure tone average (continuous outcome) were evaluated using a mixed-effect regression model. Biologically effective dose (BED) was further assessed for an alpha/beta ratio of 2.47 (Gy2.47). RESULTS: Binary outcome analysis revealed sex, dose rate, integral dose, time [beam-on time odds ratio 1.03, P = .03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06; treatment time (P = .02) and BED (P = .001) as relevant. Fitted multivariable model included the sex, dose rate, and BED. Pure tone average analysis revealed age, integral dose received by tumor, isocenter number, time (beam-on time odds ratio 0.20, P = .001, 95% CI 0.083-0.33) and BED (P = .005) as relevant. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that risk of hearing decline was associated with male sex, higher radiation dose rate (cutoff 2.5 Gy/minute), higher integral dose received by the tumor, higher beam-on time ≥20 minutes, and lower BED. A BED between 55 and 61 was considered as optimal for hearing preservation., De tre sista författarna delar sistaförfattarskapet

Cancer remains a significant global challenge, constituting one of the leading causes of death worldwide. With an aging population, the demand for cancer treatments is increasing. Nevertheless, due to technological advancements, cancer mortality rates are declining. This study contributes to these advancements, focusing specifically on radiation therapy, a crucial technology widely used today. Since the invention of radiation therapy, there has been significant research and progress in the field. One such advancement is the CyberKnife® system (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) - a fully robotic radiotherapy device that enables precise patient treatments. Its flexibility allows for the delivery of high-quality plans, but treatment times can be quite long, leading to adverse effects for both patients and healthcare providers. This thesis introduces algorithms aimed at reducing the robot traversal time of the CyberKnife technology. These algorithms are incorporated into an existing optimization framework for treatment planning, with their effectiveness evaluated across various patient cases. Significant reductions in treatment times for some patient cases were observed, while maintaining satisfactory plan quality, primarily due to more efficient traversal paths for the CyberKnife robot. The increased efficiency of the robot can also be leveraged to create treatment plans with more irradiation directions, increasing the treatment quality in some cases., Cancer förblir en betydande global utmaning och är en av de främsta dödsorsakerna i världen. Med en åldrande befolkning ökar efterfrågan på cancerbehandlingar. Trots detta minskar cancerdödligheten tack vare teknologiska framsteg. Denna studie bidrar till dessa framsteg, med särskilt fokus på strålterapi, en avgörande teknologi som används i stor utsträckning idag. Sedan uppfinningen av strålterapi har det gjorts betydande forskning och utveckling inom området. Ett sådant framsteg är CyberKnife®-systemet (Accuray Incorporated, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) - en helt robotiserad strålterapimaskin som möjliggör precisa behandlingar för patienter. Dess flexibilitet gör det möjligt att leverera högkvalitativa planer, men behandlingstiderna kan vara långa, vilket leder till negativa effekter för såväl patienter som sjukvården. Denna uppsats introducerar algoritmer som syftar till att minska traverseringstiden för CyberKnife-roboten. Dessa algoritmer integreras i ett befintligt optimeringsramverk för behandlingsplanering, med deras effektivitet utvärderad baserat på olika patientfall. Betydande minskningar av behandlingstiderna observerades för vissa patientfall, samtidigt som tillfredsställande plankvalitet behölls, främst med anledning av mer effektiva traverseringsvägar för CyberKnife-roboten. Denna effektivisering möjliggör också skapandet av behandlingsplaner med fler strålriktningar, vilket förbättrade behandlingskvaliteten i vissa fall.

BACKGROUND: Stereotactic radiosurgery has become a common treatment approach for small-to-medium size vestibular schwannomas. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate relationship between time (beam-on and treatment) and risk of hearing decline after stereotactic radiosurgery for vestibular schwannomas in patients with Gardner–Robertson (GR) baseline classes I and II. METHODS: This retrospective longitudinal single-center study included 213 patients with GR I and II treated between June 2010 and December 2019. Risk of passing from GR classes I and II (coded 0) to other classes III, IV, and V (coded 1) and the increase in pure tone average (continuous outcome) were evaluated using a mixed-effect regression model. Biologically effective dose (BED) was further assessed for an alpha/beta ratio of 2.47 (Gy2.47). RESULTS: Binary outcome analysis revealed sex, dose rate, integral dose, time [beam-on time odds ratio 1.03, P = .03, 95% CI 1.00-1.06; treatment time (P = .02) and BED (P = .001) as relevant. Fitted multivariable model included the sex, dose rate, and BED. Pure tone average analysis revealed age, integral dose received by tumor, isocenter number, time (beam-on time odds ratio 0.20, P = .001, 95% CI 0.083-0.33) and BED (P = .005) as relevant. CONCLUSION: Our analysis showed that risk of hearing decline was associated with male sex, higher radiation dose rate (cutoff 2.5 Gy/minute), higher integral dose received by the tumor, higher beam-on time ≥20 minutes, and lower BED. A BED between 55 and 61 was considered as optimal for hearing preservation., De tre sista författarna delar sistaförfattarskapet

Introduction: Paediatric patients (individuals below 18 years of age) requiring cranial-spinal irradiation (CSI) at our institution are commonly planned and treated using a three isocentre (3-ISO) volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) technique. A modified two isocentre (2-ISO) VMAT technique was investigated with the aim to improve workflow and reduce planning and treatment time. Methods: Five CSI paediatric patients previously treated with a 3-ISO VMAT technique were retrospectively replanned using a 2-ISO VMAT technique. The 2-ISO VMAT plans were reviewed and approved by a radiation oncologist (RO) before undergoing patient-specific quality assurance (QA) procedures, performed by a radiation oncology medical physicist (ROMP). Planning target volume (PTV) coverage, organ-at-risk (OAR) dose as well as planning and treatment durations of the first five patients utilising 2-ISO technique were compared with 3-ISO technique. Results: The average percentage difference in PTV coverage by 95% reference dose between the 2-ISO and 3-ISO is 0.14%, and the average difference in OAR median dose is 0.68 Gy. Conformity and homogeneity indices have the same averages at 1.18 and 0.4 respectively. Patient-specific physics QA results were all comparable with the 3-ISO averages at 98.84% and the 2-ISO at 98.71%. Planning duration for the 2-ISO was reduced by up to 75%, and daily treatment duration was reduced by up to 50%. Of all the previously treated CSI patients using a 3-ISO technique, 45% were suitable for the 2-ISO technique. Conclusion: The 2-ISO VMAT technique provided comparable dose distribution based on PTV coverage, OAR dose and plan metric indices. Reduced planning and treatment duration with the 2-ISO technique facilitated improved workflow with decreased sedation time for paediatric patients requiring a general anaesthesia.

[ES] Como bien se detalla en la memoria, en la Tierra existe un problema real de contaminación de las aguas y que está condicionado por las actividades que generan los humanos degradando los recursos hídricos de nuestro planeta. De esta forma, se motiva a los investigadores a que centren sus investigaciones en la solución óptima para intentar conseguir una estabilidad hídrica. Este es el motivo por el cual se establece como objetivo principal la optimización de la regeneración del carbón activo, el cual se trata de uno de los adsorbentes más importantes en la depuración de las aguas mediante el empleo de procesos tipo Fenton. Para conseguir este objetivo, se han realizado en el laboratorio una serie de experimentos en los que las variables controladas cambiaban su valor en cada experimento. De modo que, se pudiera analizar los cambios producidos en el tratamiento de las aguas y atribuirlo al cambio que sufrían las variables. Se tomaron como variables controladas: el tiempo de tratamiento y la concentración de agente oxidante. Con lo que, con un análisis posterior de los resultados, se consiguió determinar las condiciones óptimas para conseguir la regeneración completa de nuestro carbón activo. En varias de las condiciones testeadas se logró el objetivo principal de este proyecto, con lo que se optó por elegir la opción que más reduce el tiempo de tratamiento. Está opción emplea mayor cantidad de reactivo oxidante, sin embargo, permite reducir los costes de amortización de las instalaciones, ya que el tiempo de regeneración del carbón es menor, con lo que aumentan las horas productivas de los equipos e instalaciones. Por otro lado, el coste de operación aumenta al consumir mayor cantidad de reactivos; aunque en este caso la importancia de los costes de operación es menor en el coste total que los costes de amortización. Finalmente, con las condiciones anteriormente seleccionadas se aplicaron tres ciclos consecutivos (saturación-regeneración) obteniendo en los todos l, [CA] Com bé es detalla en la memòria, en la Terra existeix un problema real de contaminació de les aigües i que està condicionat per les activitats que generen els humans degradant els recursos hídrics del nostre planeta. D'aquesta manera, es motiva als investigadors al fet que centren les seues investigacions en la solució òptima per a intentar aconseguir una estabilitat hídrica. Aquest és el motiu pel qual s'estableix com a objectiu principal l'optimització de la regeneració del carbó actiu, el qual es tracta d'un dels adsorbents més importants en la depuració de les aigües mitjançant l'ús de processos Fenton. Per a aconseguir aquest objectiu, s'han realitzat en el laboratori una sèrie d'experiments en els quals les variables controlades canviaven el seu valor en cada experiment. De manera que, es poguera analitzar els canvis produïts en el tractament de les aigües i atribuir-lo al canvi que patien les variables. Es van prendre com a variables controlades: el temps de tractament i la concentració d'oxidant. Amb el que, amb una anàlisi posterior dels resultats, es va aconseguir determinar les condicions òptimes per a aconseguir la regeneració completa del nostre carbó actiu. En diverses de les condicions testades es va aconseguir l'objectiu principal d'aquest projecte, amb el que es va optar per triar l'opció que més redueix el temps de tractament. Aquestà opció utilitza major quantitat de reactiu oxidant, no obstant això, permet reduir els costos d'amortització de les instal·lacions, ja que el temps de regeneració del carbó és menor, amb el que augmenten les hores productives dels equips i instal·lacions. D'altra banda, el cost d'operació augmenta en consumir major quantitat de reactius; encara que en aquest cas la importància dels costos d'operació és menor en el cost total que els costos d'amortització. Finalment, amb les condicions anteriorment seleccionades es van aplicar tres cicles consecutius (saturació-regeneració) obtenint en tots els casos el mateix comp, [EN] As detailed in the memory, there is a real water pollution problem on Earth and that is conditioned by the activities generated by humans by degrading the water resources of our planet. In this way, researchers are encouraged to focus their research on the optimal solution to try to achieve water stability. For this reason, the optimization of the regeneration of active coal is set as the main objective which is one of the most important adsorbents in water purification through the use of Fenton-type processes. To achive this goal, a series of experiments have been carried out in the laboratory where controlled variables changed their value in each experiment. Thus, the changes produced in water treatment could be analyzed and attributed to the change suffered by the variables. The following variables were taken as controlled variables: treatment time and oxidant concentration. With a subsequent analysis of the results, it was possible to determine the optimal conditions to achieve the complete regeneration of our activated coal. In several of the conditions tested, the main objective of this project was achieved, so it was decided to choose the option that most reduces the treatment time. This option uses a greater amount of oxidant reagent, however, it allows reducing the amortization costs of the facilities, since the carbon regeneration time is shorter, thus increasing the productive hours of the equipment and facilities. On the other hand, the operating cost increases when consuming more reagents; although in this case the importance of the operating costs is lower than the amortization costs in the total cost. Finally, with the previously selected conditions, three consecutive cycles (saturationregeneration) were applied, obtaining in all cases the same regenerative behavior on activated coal. This shows that these conditions can be applied successively without losing adsorption characteristics on the activated coal and maintaining the original properties

[ES] Como bien se detalla en la memoria, en la Tierra existe un problema real de contaminación de las aguas y que está condicionado por las actividades que generan los humanos degradando los recursos hídricos de nuestro planeta. De esta forma, se motiva a los investigadores a que centren sus investigaciones en la solución óptima para intentar conseguir una estabilidad hídrica. Este es el motivo por el cual se establece como objetivo principal la optimización de la regeneración del carbón activo, el cual se trata de uno de los adsorbentes más importantes en la depuración de las aguas mediante el empleo de procesos tipo Fenton. Para conseguir este objetivo, se han realizado en el laboratorio una serie de experimentos en los que las variables controladas cambiaban su valor en cada experimento. De modo que, se pudiera analizar los cambios producidos en el tratamiento de las aguas y atribuirlo al cambio que sufrían las variables. Se tomaron como variables controladas: el tiempo de tratamiento y la concentración de agente oxidante. Con lo que, con un análisis posterior de los resultados, se consiguió determinar las condiciones óptimas para conseguir la regeneración completa de nuestro carbón activo. En varias de las condiciones testeadas se logró el objetivo principal de este proyecto, con lo que se optó por elegir la opción que más reduce el tiempo de tratamiento. Está opción emplea mayor cantidad de reactivo oxidante, sin embargo, permite reducir los costes de amortización de las instalaciones, ya que el tiempo de regeneración del carbón es menor, con lo que aumentan las horas productivas de los equipos e instalaciones. Por otro lado, el coste de operación aumenta al consumir mayor cantidad de reactivos; aunque en este caso la importancia de los costes de operación es menor en el coste total que los costes de amortización. Finalmente, con las condiciones anteriormente seleccionadas se aplicaron tres ciclos consecutivos (saturación-regeneración) obteniendo en los todos l, [CA] Com bé es detalla en la memòria, en la Terra existeix un problema real de contaminació de les aigües i que està condicionat per les activitats que generen els humans degradant els recursos hídrics del nostre planeta. D'aquesta manera, es motiva als investigadors al fet que centren les seues investigacions en la solució òptima per a intentar aconseguir una estabilitat hídrica. Aquest és el motiu pel qual s'estableix com a objectiu principal l'optimització de la regeneració del carbó actiu, el qual es tracta d'un dels adsorbents més importants en la depuració de les aigües mitjançant l'ús de processos Fenton. Per a aconseguir aquest objectiu, s'han realitzat en el laboratori una sèrie d'experiments en els quals les variables controlades canviaven el seu valor en cada experiment. De manera que, es poguera analitzar els canvis produïts en el tractament de les aigües i atribuir-lo al canvi que patien les variables. Es van prendre com a variables controlades: el temps de tractament i la concentració d'oxidant. Amb el que, amb una anàlisi posterior dels resultats, es va aconseguir determinar les condicions òptimes per a aconseguir la regeneració completa del nostre carbó actiu. En diverses de les condicions testades es va aconseguir l'objectiu principal d'aquest projecte, amb el que es va optar per triar l'opció que més redueix el temps de tractament. Aquestà opció utilitza major quantitat de reactiu oxidant, no obstant això, permet reduir els costos d'amortització de les instal·lacions, ja que el temps de regeneració del carbó és menor, amb el que augmenten les hores productives dels equips i instal·lacions. D'altra banda, el cost d'operació augmenta en consumir major quantitat de reactius; encara que en aquest cas la importància dels costos d'operació és menor en el cost total que els costos d'amortització. Finalment, amb les condicions anteriorment seleccionades es van aplicar tres cicles consecutius (saturació-regeneració) obtenint en tots els casos el mateix comp, [EN] As detailed in the memory, there is a real water pollution problem on Earth and that is conditioned by the activities generated by humans by degrading the water resources of our planet. In this way, researchers are encouraged to focus their research on the optimal solution to try to achieve water stability. For this reason, the optimization of the regeneration of active coal is set as the main objective which is one of the most important adsorbents in water purification through the use of Fenton-type processes. To achive this goal, a series of experiments have been carried out in the laboratory where controlled variables changed their value in each experiment. Thus, the changes produced in water treatment could be analyzed and attributed to the change suffered by the variables. The following variables were taken as controlled variables: treatment time and oxidant concentration. With a subsequent analysis of the results, it was possible to determine the optimal conditions to achieve the complete regeneration of our activated coal. In several of the conditions tested, the main objective of this project was achieved, so it was decided to choose the option that most reduces the treatment time. This option uses a greater amount of oxidant reagent, however, it allows reducing the amortization costs of the facilities, since the carbon regeneration time is shorter, thus increasing the productive hours of the equipment and facilities. On the other hand, the operating cost increases when consuming more reagents; although in this case the importance of the operating costs is lower than the amortization costs in the total cost. Finally, with the previously selected conditions, three consecutive cycles (saturationregeneration) were applied, obtaining in all cases the same regenerative behavior on activated coal. This shows that these conditions can be applied successively without losing adsorption characteristics on the activated coal and maintaining the original properties

[ES] Como bien se detalla en la memoria, en la Tierra existe un problema real de contaminación de las aguas y que está condicionado por las actividades que generan los humanos degradando los recursos hídricos de nuestro planeta. De esta forma, se motiva a los investigadores a que centren sus investigaciones en la solución óptima para intentar conseguir una estabilidad hídrica. Este es el motivo por el cual se establece como objetivo principal la optimización de la regeneración del carbón activo, el cual se trata de uno de los adsorbentes más importantes en la depuración de las aguas mediante el empleo de procesos tipo Fenton. Para conseguir este objetivo, se han realizado en el laboratorio una serie de experimentos en los que las variables controladas cambiaban su valor en cada experimento. De modo que, se pudiera analizar los cambios producidos en el tratamiento de las aguas y atribuirlo al cambio que sufrían las variables. Se tomaron como variables controladas: el tiempo de tratamiento y la concentración de agente oxidante. Con lo que, con un análisis posterior de los resultados, se consiguió determinar las condiciones óptimas para conseguir la regeneración completa de nuestro carbón activo. En varias de las condiciones testeadas se logró el objetivo principal de este proyecto, con lo que se optó por elegir la opción que más reduce el tiempo de tratamiento. Está opción emplea mayor cantidad de reactivo oxidante, sin embargo, permite reducir los costes de amortización de las instalaciones, ya que el tiempo de regeneración del carbón es menor, con lo que aumentan las horas productivas de los equipos e instalaciones. Por otro lado, el coste de operación aumenta al consumir mayor cantidad de reactivos; aunque en este caso la importancia de los costes de operación es menor en el coste total que los costes de amortización. Finalmente, con las condiciones anteriormente seleccionadas se aplicaron tres ciclos consecutivos (saturación-regeneración) obteniendo en los todos l, [CA] Com bé es detalla en la memòria, en la Terra existeix un problema real de contaminació de les aigües i que està condicionat per les activitats que generen els humans degradant els recursos hídrics del nostre planeta. D'aquesta manera, es motiva als investigadors al fet que centren les seues investigacions en la solució òptima per a intentar aconseguir una estabilitat hídrica. Aquest és el motiu pel qual s'estableix com a objectiu principal l'optimització de la regeneració del carbó actiu, el qual es tracta d'un dels adsorbents més importants en la depuració de les aigües mitjançant l'ús de processos Fenton. Per a aconseguir aquest objectiu, s'han realitzat en el laboratori una sèrie d'experiments en els quals les variables controlades canviaven el seu valor en cada experiment. De manera que, es poguera analitzar els canvis produïts en el tractament de les aigües i atribuir-lo al canvi que patien les variables. Es van prendre com a variables controlades: el temps de tractament i la concentració d'oxidant. Amb el que, amb una anàlisi posterior dels resultats, es va aconseguir determinar les condicions òptimes per a aconseguir la regeneració completa del nostre carbó actiu. En diverses de les condicions testades es va aconseguir l'objectiu principal d'aquest projecte, amb el que es va optar per triar l'opció que més redueix el temps de tractament. Aquestà opció utilitza major quantitat de reactiu oxidant, no obstant això, permet reduir els costos d'amortització de les instal·lacions, ja que el temps de regeneració del carbó és menor, amb el que augmenten les hores productives dels equips i instal·lacions. D'altra banda, el cost d'operació augmenta en consumir major quantitat de reactius; encara que en aquest cas la importància dels costos d'operació és menor en el cost total que els costos d'amortització. Finalment, amb les condicions anteriorment seleccionades es van aplicar tres cicles consecutius (saturació-regeneració) obtenint en tots els casos el mateix comp, [EN] As detailed in the memory, there is a real water pollution problem on Earth and that is conditioned by the activities generated by humans by degrading the water resources of our planet. In this way, researchers are encouraged to focus their research on the optimal solution to try to achieve water stability. For this reason, the optimization of the regeneration of active coal is set as the main objective which is one of the most important adsorbents in water purification through the use of Fenton-type processes. To achive this goal, a series of experiments have been carried out in the laboratory where controlled variables changed their value in each experiment. Thus, the changes produced in water treatment could be analyzed and attributed to the change suffered by the variables. The following variables were taken as controlled variables: treatment time and oxidant concentration. With a subsequent analysis of the results, it was possible to determine the optimal conditions to achieve the complete regeneration of our activated coal. In several of the conditions tested, the main objective of this project was achieved, so it was decided to choose the option that most reduces the treatment time. This option uses a greater amount of oxidant reagent, however, it allows reducing the amortization costs of the facilities, since the carbon regeneration time is shorter, thus increasing the productive hours of the equipment and facilities. On the other hand, the operating cost increases when consuming more reagents; although in this case the importance of the operating costs is lower than the amortization costs in the total cost. Finally, with the previously selected conditions, three consecutive cycles (saturationregeneration) were applied, obtaining in all cases the same regenerative behavior on activated coal. This shows that these conditions can be applied successively without losing adsorption characteristics on the activated coal and maintaining the original properties

Context: Electrocoagulation (EC) has become a viable process that allows minimizing the contaminant loadings in the industrial wastewater, through electrodes arranged on an electrical reactor. This technique applies the coagulation-flocculation fundaments, allowing water reuse on an industrial scale. Objective: This study seeks to assess the efficiency of the EC technique for the treatment of mixed wastewater originated in the dairy and meat industry (DMWW). Materials and Methods: The wastewater used in the study was obtained from meat and dairy products plant effluents of the Popular University of Cesar (UPC). The effect of two design variables of the rectangular Bach-type electrocoagulation system was assessed on the physicochemical characteristics of the DMWW during the EC process: the number of electrodes and treatment time. The wastewater characteristics used as indicators of the treatment efficiency from electro-coagulator were CODtotal, CODsoluble, electric conductivity, pH, and Turbidity. The design variable of the electrocoagulation system related to the number of electrodes consisted of three configurations, 3, 6, and 13 iron electrodes connected in parallel. The electrodes were energized with a source of direct current (DC) to 360 Watts and a constant voltage of 12 V. The treatment time variable was a maximum of 60 minutes with evaluation of the wastewater indicators every 15 minutes. Results: During the EC experiments, the design configuration of 13 parallel electrodes and 60 minutes was the best for the DMWW treatment. This electrocoagulation design configuration system allowed the reductions of CODtotal, CODsoluble, and turbidity with maximum reduction efficiency of 96%, 95%, and 94%, respectively. On the other hand, EC increased the electrical conductivity, current, and pH values, obtaining final mean values of 2785 µS cm-1, 11,6 A y 12,63, respectively. Conclusions: The rectangular Bach-type electrocoagulation system proved to be efficient during its, Contexto: La electrocoagulación (EC) se ha convertido en un proceso viable que permite reutilizar las aguas residuales industriales, mediante un reactor eléctrico. Esta técnica aplica los fundamentos de la coagulación y floculación permitiendo la reutilización de estas aguas. Objetivo: Este estudio pretende evaluar la eficiencia de la técnica de EC para el tratamiento de aguas residuales mixtas provenientes de la industria de lácteos y cárnicos (ARLC). Metodología: El agua residual utilizada para esta investigación fue obtenida del efluente de la planta de productos lácteos y cárnicos de la Universidad Popular del Cesar (UPC). Se investigó el efecto de dos variables de diseño de un electrocoagulador tipo Bach rectangular, sobre las características fisicoquímicas de las ARLC durante el proceso de EC: número de electrodos y tiempo de tratamiento. Las características del agua residual utilizadas como indicadores de la eficiencia de tratamiento del electrocoagulador fueron DQOtotal, DQOsoluble, conductividad eléctrica, pH y turbiedad. La variable de diseño del electrocoagulador referente a número de electrodos consistió en tres montajes de 3, 6 y 13 electrodos de hierro conectados en paralelo, energizados con una fuente de corriente directa (DC) de 360 W, a un voltaje constante de 12 V. La variable de tiempo de tratamiento fue máxima de 60 minutos con evaluación de los indicadores de las aguas residuales cada 15 minutos. Resultados: Durante los experimentos de EC, la configuración de 13 electrodos en paralelo fue la mejor para el tratamiento de las ARLC, lo que permitió la remoción de DQOtotal, DQOsoluble, y turbiedad, con eficiencia máxima de reducción de 96 %, 95 % y 94 %, respectivamente. Contrariamente, la EC aumentó los valores de conductividad eléctrica, corriente y pH, de los cuales se obtuvieron valores medios finales de 2785 µS cm-1, 11,6 A y 12,63, respectivamente. Conclusiones: El sistema de electrocoagulación tipo Bach rectangular demostró ser eficiente dura

Context: Electrocoagulation (EC) has become a viable process that allows minimizing the contaminant loadings in the industrial wastewater, through electrodes arranged on an electrical reactor. This technique applies the coagulation-flocculation fundaments, allowing water reuse on an industrial scale. Objective: This study seeks to assess the efficiency of the EC technique for the treatment of mixed wastewater originated in the dairy and meat industry (DMWW). Materials and Methods: The wastewater used in the study was obtained from meat and dairy products plant effluents of the Popular University of Cesar (UPC). The effect of two design variables of the rectangular Bach-type electrocoagulation system was assessed on the physicochemical characteristics of the DMWW during the EC process: the number of electrodes and treatment time. The wastewater characteristics used as indicators of the treatment efficiency from electro-coagulator were CODtotal, CODsoluble, electric conductivity, pH, and Turbidity. The design variable of the electrocoagulation system related to the number of electrodes consisted of three configurations, 3, 6, and 13 iron electrodes connected in parallel. The electrodes were energized with a source of direct current (DC) to 360 Watts and a constant voltage of 12 V. The treatment time variable was a maximum of 60 minutes with evaluation of the wastewater indicators every 15 minutes. Results: During the EC experiments, the design configuration of 13 parallel electrodes and 60 minutes was the best for the DMWW treatment. This electrocoagulation design configuration system allowed the reductions of CODtotal, CODsoluble, and turbidity with maximum reduction efficiency of 96%, 95%, and 94%, respectively. On the other hand, EC increased the electrical conductivity, current, and pH values, obtaining final mean values of 2785 µS cm-1, 11,6 A y 12,63, respectively. Conclusions: The rectangular Bach-type electrocoagulation system proved to be efficient during its, Contexto: La electrocoagulación (EC) se ha convertido en un proceso viable que permite reutilizar las aguas residuales industriales, mediante un reactor eléctrico. Esta técnica aplica los fundamentos de la coagulación y floculación permitiendo la reutilización de estas aguas. Objetivo: Este estudio pretende evaluar la eficiencia de la técnica de EC para el tratamiento de aguas residuales mixtas provenientes de la industria de lácteos y cárnicos (ARLC). Metodología: El agua residual utilizada para esta investigación fue obtenida del efluente de la planta de productos lácteos y cárnicos de la Universidad Popular del Cesar (UPC). Se investigó el efecto de dos variables de diseño de un electrocoagulador tipo Bach rectangular, sobre las características fisicoquímicas de las ARLC durante el proceso de EC: número de electrodos y tiempo de tratamiento. Las características del agua residual utilizadas como indicadores de la eficiencia de tratamiento del electrocoagulador fueron DQOtotal, DQOsoluble, conductividad eléctrica, pH y turbiedad. La variable de diseño del electrocoagulador referente a número de electrodos consistió en tres montajes de 3, 6 y 13 electrodos de hierro conectados en paralelo, energizados con una fuente de corriente directa (DC) de 360 W, a un voltaje constante de 12 V. La variable de tiempo de tratamiento fue máxima de 60 minutos con evaluación de los indicadores de las aguas residuales cada 15 minutos. Resultados: Durante los experimentos de EC, la configuración de 13 electrodos en paralelo fue la mejor para el tratamiento de las ARLC, lo que permitió la remoción de DQOtotal, DQOsoluble, y turbiedad, con eficiencia máxima de reducción de 96 %, 95 % y 94 %, respectivamente. Contrariamente, la EC aumentó los valores de conductividad eléctrica, corriente y pH, de los cuales se obtuvieron valores medios finales de 2785 µS cm-1, 11,6 A y 12,63, respectivamente. Conclusiones: El sistema de electrocoagulación tipo Bach rectangular demostró ser eficiente dura

A synchrotron-based real-time image gated spot-scanning proton beam therapy (RGPT) system with inserted fiducial markers can irradiate a moving tumor with high accuracy. As gated treatments increase the beam delivery time, this study aimed to investigate the frequency of intra-field adjustments corresponding to the baseline shift or drift and the beam delivery efficiency of a synchrotron-based RGPT system. Data from 118 patients corresponding to 127 treatment plans and 2810 sessions between October 2016 and March 2019 were collected. We quantitatively analyzed the proton beam delivery time, the difference between the ideal beam delivery time based on a simulated synchrotron magnetic excitation pattern and the actual treatment beam delivery time, frequency corresponding to the baseline shift or drift, and the gating efficiency of the synchrotron-based RGPT system according to the proton beam delivery machine log data. The mean actual beam delivery time was 7.1 min, and the simulated beam delivery time in an ideal environment with the same treatment plan was 2.9 min. The average difference between the actual and simulated beam delivery time per session was 4.3 min. The average frequency of intra-field adjustments corresponding to baseline shift or drift and beam delivery efficiency were 21.7% and 61.8%, respectively. Based on our clinical experience with a synchrotron-based RGPT system, we determined the frequency corresponding to baseline shift or drift and the beam delivery efficiency using the beam delivery machine log data. To maintain treatment accuracy within +/- 2.0 mm, intra-field adjustments corresponding to baseline shift or drift were required in approximately 20% of cases. Further improvements in beam delivery efficiency may be realized by shortening the beam delivery time.

We developed a synchrotron-based real-time-image gated-spot-scanning proton-beam therapy (RGPT) system and utilized it to clinically operate on moving tumors in the liver, pancreas, lung, and prostate. When the spot-scanning technique is linked to gating, the beam delivery time with gating can increase, compared to that without gating. We aim to clarify whether the total treatment process can be performed within approximately 30 min (the general time per session in several proton therapy facilities), even for gated-spot-scanning proton-beam delivery with implanted fiducial markers. Data from 152 patients, corresponding to 201 treatment plans and 3577 sessions executed from October 2016 to June 2018, were included in this study. To estimate the treatment process time, we utilized data from proton beam delivery logs during the treatment for each patient. We retrieved data, such as the disease site, total target volume, field size at the isocenter, and the number of layers and spots for each field, from the treatment plans. We quantitatively analyzed the treatment process, which includes the patient load (or setup), bone matching, marker matching, beam delivery, patient unload, and equipment setup, using the data obtained from the log data. Among all the cases, 90 patients used the RGPT system (liver: n = 34; pancreas: n = 5; lung: n = 4; and prostate: n = 47). The mean and standard deviation (SD) of the total treatment process time for the RGPT system was 30.3 +/- 7.4 min, while it was 25.9 +/- 7.5 min for those without gating treatment, excluding craniospinal irradiation (CSI; head and neck: n = 16, pediatric: n = 31, others: n = 15); for CSI (n = 11) with two or three isocenters, the process time was 59.9 +/- 13.9 min. Our results demonstrate that spot-scanning proton therapy with a gating function can be achieved in approximately 30-min time slots.

This study aims to assess the effects of non-adherence to external beam radiation therapy in cancer patients receiving treatment with a curative intent.This retrospective cohort study collected health records data for all cancer patients treated with external beam radiotherapy with curative intent in 2016 in Catalonia, Spain. Adherence was defined as having received at least 90% of the total dose prescribed. A logistic regression model was used to assess factors related to non-adherence, and its association with one-year survival was evaluated using Cox regression.The final sample included 8721 patients (mean age 63.6 years): breast cancer was the most common tumour site (38.1%), followed by prostate and colon/rectum. Treatment interruptions prolonged the total duration of therapy in 70.7% of the patients, and 1.0% were non-adherent. Non-adherence was associated with advanced age, female gender, and some localization of primary tumour (head and neck, urinary bladder, and haematological cancers). The risk of death in non-adherent patients was higher than in adherent patients (hazard ratio [HR] 1.63, 95% confidence interval 0.97 to 2.74), after adjusting for the potential confounding effect of age, gender, tumour site and comorbidity.Non-adherence to radiotherapy, as measured by the received dose, is very low in our setting, and it may have an impact on one-year survival.Copyright © 2020. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Corticotomy is defined as an osteotomy, in which the cortical bone is cut, perforated or mechanically altered in a controlled surgical way and at the same time minimally penetrating the bone marrow to accelerate orthodontic dental movement in response to a demand for patients regarding the effectiveness of the treatment and the rapid movement of each zone. Objective: by means of a bibliographic review, determine the distance and time in which an orthodontic movement is achieved after having performed a selective corticotomy. For the search, Platforms such as Pubmed, Scielo, Science Direct and Google Scholar were used, in which keywords such as distance, time, selective corticotomy and orthodontic treatment were used and articles published between 2001 and 2017 were searched. Results: It was obtained that the movements are carried out in a period of 4 months, with respect to the distance and it was observed that an average of 3.5 mm can be moved. Conclusions: in adult patients, the demand for reducing treatment times has increased; orthodontics facilitated by corticotomy achieves successful treatment and decreases treatment times. However, the evidence is scarce, since it is mainly based on case reports, so more research is required about this procedure., La corticotomía se define como una osteotomía, en la cual, se corta el hueso cortical, perforando o alterando mecánicamente de una manera quirúrgica controlada y al mismo tiempo penetrando mínimamente en la médula ósea para acelerar el movimiento dental ortodóntico en respuesta a una demanda de los pacientes en cuanto a la efectividad del tratamiento y al rápido movimiento de cada zona. Objetivo: Mediante una revisión bibliográfica, determinar la distancia y tiempo en que se logra llevar a cabo un desplazamiento o movimiento ortodóntico después de haber realizado una corticotomía selectiva. Para la búsqueda, se utilizaron plataformas como Pubmed, Scielo, Science Direct y Google Scholar, en las que se empleó palabras claves como distancia, tiempo, corticotomía selectiva y tratamiento de ortodoncia y se buscaron artículos publicados entre el 2001 y 2017. Resultados: se obtuvo que los movimientos se realizan en un periodo de 4 meses, respecto a la distancia y se observó que se logra desplazar un promedio de 3.5 mm. Conclusiones: En pacientes adultos, ha aumentado la exigencia sobre reducir tiempos de tratamiento, la ortodoncia facilitada por corticotomía consigue llevar a cabo un tratamiento exitoso y disminuir los tiempos de tratamiento. Sin embargo, la evidencia es escasa, pues está basada principalmente en reportes de casos, por lo cual se requiere mayor investigación acerca de este procedimiento. acerca de este procedimiento.

Low permeability of many wood species due to their anatomical properties causes problems during timber drying as well as impregnating with preservatives and resins. Microwave (MW) treatment influences heartwood permeability and improves preservative uptake and distribution. In the present study, microwave treatment of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) wood was done at 2,45 GHz frequency at different level of intensity and radiation time. The gas permeability of chir pine wood was measured in an in-house built apparatus. Preservative uptake was tested using acid copper chromate (ACC) preservative by a dipping process. The effect of radiation intensity and time on preservative uptake and air permeability were studied. The results revealed remarkable increase in longitudinal woodair permeability and preservative uptake with the increase of intensity and time of treatment. The results indicate that this technology can be tested and applied on pilot scale for application in wood preservation industry.

Low permeability of many wood species due to their anatomical properties causes problems during timber drying as well as impregnating with preservatives and resins. Microwave (MW) treatment influences heartwood permeability and improves preservative uptake and distribution. In the present study, microwave treatment of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) wood was done at 2,45 GHz frequency at different level of intensity and radiation time. The gas permeability of chir pine wood was measured in an in-house built apparatus. Preservative uptake was tested using acid copper chromate (ACC) preservative by a dipping process. The effect of radiation intensity and time on preservative uptake and air permeability were studied. The results revealed remarkable increase in longitudinal woodair permeability and preservative uptake with the increase of intensity and time of treatment. The results indicate that this technology can be tested and applied on pilot scale for application in wood preservation industry.

Low permeability of many wood species due to their anatomical properties causes problems during timber drying as well as impregnating with preservatives and resins. Microwave (MW) treatment influences heartwood permeability and improves preservative uptake and distribution. In the present study, microwave treatment of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) wood was done at 2,45 GHz frequency at different level of intensity and radiation time. The gas permeability of chir pine wood was measured in an in-house built apparatus. Preservative uptake was tested using acid copper chromate (ACC) preservative by a dipping process. The effect of radiation intensity and time on preservative uptake and air permeability were studied. The results revealed remarkable increase in longitudinal woodair permeability and preservative uptake with the increase of intensity and time of treatment. The results indicate that this technology can be tested and applied on pilot scale for application in wood preservation industry.

Low permeability of many wood species due to their anatomical properties causes problems during timber drying as well as impregnating with preservatives and resins. Microwave (MW) treatment influences heartwood permeability and improves preservative uptake and distribution. In the present study, microwave treatment of chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) wood was done at 2,45 GHz frequency at different level of intensity and radiation time. The gas permeability of chir pine wood was measured in an in-house built apparatus. Preservative uptake was tested using acid copper chromate (ACC) preservative by a dipping process. The effect of radiation intensity and time on preservative uptake and air permeability were studied. The results revealed remarkable increase in longitudinal woodair permeability and preservative uptake with the increase of intensity and time of treatment. The results indicate that this technology can be tested and applied on pilot scale for application in wood preservation industry.

Background: The last few years, in radiotherapy there has been a growing focus on speed of treatment delivery (largely driven by economical and commercial interests). This study investigates the influence of treatment time on plan quality for helical tomotherapy (HT), using delivery times with Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT; Rapid Arc [RA]) as reference. Methods: In a previous study, double arc RA (Eclipse) and standard HT plans (TomoHD™) were created for five oropharyngeal cancer patients and reported according to ICRU 83 guidelines. By modifying the beam width from 2.5 to 5.0 cm, elevating the pitch and lowering the modulation factor, "TomoFast" (TF) plans were generated with treatment times equal to RA plans. To quantify the impact of TF's craniocaudal gradient, similar plans were generated on TomoEdgeTM (TomoEdgeFast;TEF). The homogeneity index (HI), conformity index (CI), mean dose, Dnear-max (D2) and Dnear-min (D98) of the PTVs were analyzed as well as the mean dose, specific critical doses and volumes of 26 organs at risk (OARs). Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: With a mean treatment time of 3.05 min (RA), 2.89 min (TF) and 2.95 min (TEF), PTVtherapeutic coverage was more homogeneous with TF (HI.07;SE.01) and TEF (HI.08;SE.01) compared to RA (HI.10;SE.01), while PTVprophylactic was most homogeneous with RA. Mean doses to parotid glands were comparable for RA, TF, TEF: 25.62, 25.34, 23.09 Gy for contralateral and 32.02, 31.96, 30.01 Gy for ipsilateral glands, respectively. OARs' mean doses varied between different approaches not favoring a particular technique. TF's higher dose to OARs at the cranial-caudal edges of the PTVs and its higher integral dose, both due to the extended cranial-caudal gradient, seems to be solved by the new TomoEdge™ software. However, all these faster techniques lose part of standard TomoHD's OAR sparing capacity Conclusion: It is possible to treat oropharyngeal cancer patients using HT (TF/TEF) with, SCOPUS: ar.j, info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Viscosimetric data are derived for liquid 100Gcyrillic13X2Lcyrillic steel during the heating and subsequent cooling of samples. The samples are taken from ingots produced by different methods: by oxidation and by remelting. On the basis of the experimental temperature and time dependences of the liquid steel's kinematic viscosity, the optimal melt treatment prior to solidification is identified. © 2013 Allerton Press, Inc.

Generally, high grade products such as pulsed electric field (PEF) treated fruit juices are packaged after their preservative treatment. However, PEF treatment after packaging could avoid recontamination of the product and becomes feasible when electric field pulses of sufficient magnitude can be generated inside closed food containments. Microbial inactivation of 2 log10 was proved by using an electrically conductive plastic packaging material, and in this contribution it is shown that inactivation toward pasteurization level is achievable. Therefore, a series of microbial experiments with Lactobacillus plantarum at different energy levels were performed. The obtained microbial data with the plastic material have been compared with inactivation models from literature as well as with reference experiments. All treatments were done at ∼2.3 kV/mm, with treatment times between 10-600 μs, and the thermal load was below 38C. The maximum obtained microbial inactivation with the plastic packaging material was 5.9 log10 with a specific energy of 255 J/mL. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS In order to further minimize the risk of contaminating microorganisms, e.g., introduced during the packaging process, this new technology of pulsed electric field (PEF) treatment after packaging can be beneficial in reducing food safety incidents. This technique also makes hygienic packaging machines superfluous, which will reduce operational and investment costs. By proving that PEF inactivation through a plastic packaging material is possible, the first step toward PEF treatment after packaging has been taken. Important next steps toward industrial realization are extensive research on food grade conductive packaging films, PEF in-pack processing methodologies and microbial investigation of different microorganisms. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of fractionation schedule on the size of the gross tumour volume (GTV) effect on tumour control after radiotherapy of NSCLC. Material and methods: A subgroup analysis on 163 patients treated in a randomized phase III trial of CHARTWEL (continuous hyperfractionated accelerated radiotherapy-weekend less) vs conventional radiotherapy was performed. The influence of GTV and other baseline factors on local failure (LF), disease-free survival (DFS), distant metastases (DM), and overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Cox Proportional Hazards model. Results: Superior local control was achieved by CHARTWEL compared to conventional radiotherapy (HR 0.54, p = 0.015). The hazard of LF increased with increasing GTV for both conventional fractionation and CHARTWEL, however the increase for the latter was less pronounced and not significant. Conclusion: Highly accelerated CHARTWEL treatment was significantly more effective than conventional radiotherapy for locoregional control of NSCLC. GTV had a significant effect on locoregional control after conventional fractionation, an effect that was not significant with CHARTWEL. This is the first study to demonstrate that the magnitude of the time factor of fractionated radiotherapy increases with tumour volume. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

An in-depth mechanistic understanding of the interaction between stainless steel surfaces and proteins is essential from a corrosion and protein-induced metal release perspective when stainless steel is used in surgical implants and in food applications. The interaction between lysozyme (LSZ) from chicken egg white and bovine serum albumin (BSA) and AISI 316L stainless steel surfaces was studied ex situ by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) after different adsorption time periods (0.5, 24, and 168 h). The effect of XPS measurements, storage (aging), sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and elevated temperature (up to 200 °C) on the protein layers, as well as changes in surface oxide composition, were investigated. Both BSA and LSZ adsorption induced an enrichment of chromium in the oxide layer. BSA induced significant changes to the entire oxide, while LSZ only induced a depletion of iron at the utmost layer. SDS was not able to remove preadsorbed proteins completely, despite its high concentration and relatively long treatment time (up to 36.5 h), but induced partial denaturation of the protein coatings. High-temperature treatment (200 °C) and XPS exposure (X-ray irradiation and/or photoelectron emission) induced significant denaturation of both proteins. The heating treatment up to 200 °C removed some proteins, far from all. Amino acid fragment intensities determined from ToF-SIMS are discussed in terms of significant differences with adsorption time, between the proteins, and between freshly adsorbed and aged samples. Stainless steel–protein interactions were shown to be strong and protein-dependent. The findings assist in the understanding of previous studies of metal release and surface changes upon exposure to similar protein solutions., QC 20121219

The suitability of a new switchable ionic liquid (SIL) has been investigated as a solvent for fractionation of lignocellulosic materials. SIL was prepared from inexpensive chemicals, e. g., glycerol, CO2, and 1,8-diazabicyclo-[5.4.0]-undec-7-ene (DBU). Fresh Nordic birch wood (B. pendula) was treated with the SIL for a time period of 1-5 days at 100 degrees C and under atmospheric pressure. Upon SIL treatment, at best, 57 % of the hemicelluloses were dissolved and 50 % of lignins were dissolved from the native birch. The slightly fibrillated SIL treated chips contained about 55 % cellulose. Up to 76 % of the recovered species removed from the spent SIL liquor was originating from hemicelluloses, mainly from xylan. The spent SILs were reused for fresh wood dissolution in four consecutive cycles and each time the wood dissolution efficiency was similar. SILs could offer affordable (easy-to-synthesize) solvent systems for partial elimination of hemicelluloses and lignin from wood. SILs can also be prepared in-situ and on-site.

The anodic oxidation of a granular activated carbon (GAC) in NaCl solution has been studied. The influence of the electrocatalyst-anode material, applied current and time of treatment on both the surface chemistry and porous texture properties of the GAC has been analyzed. For comparison purposes, the same GAC has been treated with three of the classical chemical oxidants: HNO 3, H 2O 2 and (NH 4) 2S 2O 8 at different concentrations and for different times. Results show that the anodic treatment in NaCl causes a remarkable oxidation of the AC without modifying significantly its textural properties. TPD profiles and the linear dependence of the amount of CO- and CO 2-evolution against the oxidation level denotes that surface oxygen groups of similar nature and composition are formed anodically, regardless of the anode material. The achieved oxidation degree depends on the different ability of each anode for the electrochemical generation of highly oxidizing chlorine species, and it increases progressively with the applied current and the time of treatment. In general, for similar treatment times, the anodic treatment in NaCl can produce oxidation degrees much higher than the chemical treatment with (NH 4) 2S 2O 8, which has been found to be the most oxidative chemical studied in this work.

The anodic oxidation of a granular activated carbon (GAC) in NaCl solution has been studied. The influence of the electrocatalyst-anode material, applied current and time of treatment on both the surface chemistry and porous texture properties of the GAC has been analyzed. For comparison purposes, the same GAC has been treated with three of the classical chemical oxidants: HNO 3, H 2O 2 and (NH 4) 2S 2O 8 at different concentrations and for different times. Results show that the anodic treatment in NaCl causes a remarkable oxidation of the AC without modifying significantly its textural properties. TPD profiles and the linear dependence of the amount of CO- and CO 2-evolution against the oxidation level denotes that surface oxygen groups of similar nature and composition are formed anodically, regardless of the anode material. The achieved oxidation degree depends on the different ability of each anode for the electrochemical generation of highly oxidizing chlorine species, and it increases progressively with the applied current and the time of treatment. In general, for similar treatment times, the anodic treatment in NaCl can produce oxidation degrees much higher than the chemical treatment with (NH 4) 2S 2O 8, which has been found to be the most oxidative chemical studied in this work.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur personal vid en låsbar SiS-institution beskriver sin syn på hur en optimal behandlingsinstution behöver utformas för att uppnå de bästa behandlingsförutsättningarna. Undersökningen har skett på en av statens institutionsstyrelse´s (SiS) ungdomshem i Sverige för ungdomar 14-20 år. De tre frågeställningar som studien redogör för är: Hur beskriver personalen att institutioner behöver organiseras för att uppnå de bästa behandlingsförutsättningarna? Hur beskriver personalen att behandlingsarbetet behöver formas för att uppnå bestående beteendeförändring? Hur beskriver personalen att en optimal ungdomsgrupp behöver formas utifrån den unges behandlingstid och behandlingsinnehåll? Kunskapsläget innehåller såväl den forskning som finns på området men också den teori som utvecklats utifrån den forskning som producerats. I kunskapsläget finns tre centrala begrepp presenterade, organisation, bestående beteendeförändring och ungdomsgrupp, vilka är relevanta för såväl syftet som frågeställningarna. Utifrån studiens syfte valdes en kvalitativ forskningsansats för att förstå varje intervjupersons livsvärld och framställa mening sett från dennes perspektiv och erfarenheter. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med fyra informanter som alla är personal på den valda institutionen. Intervjuerna spelades in med diktafon och transkriberades sedan ordagrant för att bli föremål för analys. Som konkret analysmetod användes meningskoncentrering utifrån studiens inspiration av fenomenologiskt förhållningssätt. I resultatet framkommer att det är många komponenter i temana organisation, bestående beteendeförändring och ungdomsgrupp, som påverkar chanserna för positivt behandlingsutfall och informanternas beskrivningar samstämmer med vad tidigare forskning kommit fram till. Essensen som hittats i resultatet är förutsättningar, alltså att institutionen och dess personal behöver förutsättningar för exempelvis ekonomi, förhållningssätt, metoder, teor, This study aims to examine how staff at a secure SiS-institution describes their view of how an optimal treatment institution needs to be designed to achieve the best treatment conditions. The examination took place in one of the State's board of Institutional Care (SiS) youth homes inSwedenfor young people 14-20 years. The three questions that the study accounts for are: How does the staff describe that institutions needs to be organized to achieve the best treatment conditions? How do the staff describe that the treatment needs to be designed to achieve lasting behavioural change? How do the staff describe that the optimal group of youth needs to be designed from the youth's treatment time and treatment content? The frame of knowledge used in the thesis contains the research results in this area but also the theory that subsequently was developed from the research produced. In the frame of knowledge, there are three key concepts presented, organization, lasting behavioural change and group of youth, which are relevant to both the aim as to the questions at issue. Based on the aim of the study a qualitative research approach was chosen to understand each interviewee’s lifeworld and to see from their perspective and experiences. Semi-structured interviews were accomplished with four informants, all staff at the selected institution. The interviews were recorded with a Dictaphone and transcribed verbatim in order to be subject to analysis. As a concrete method of analysis, meaning condensation was used inspired by the phenomenological approach in the study. The result shows that there are many components in the themes organization, lasting behavioural change and group of youth which affects the chances of a positive treatment outcome and that informants' descriptions is alignment with previous research findings. The essence found in the results is different kinds of conditions. It means that the institution and its staff need conditions for example, economy, policies

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur personal vid en låsbar SiS-institution beskriver sin syn på hur en optimal behandlingsinstution behöver utformas för att uppnå de bästa behandlingsförutsättningarna. Undersökningen har skett på en av statens institutionsstyrelse´s (SiS) ungdomshem i Sverige för ungdomar 14-20 år. De tre frågeställningar som studien redogör för är: Hur beskriver personalen att institutioner behöver organiseras för att uppnå de bästa behandlingsförutsättningarna? Hur beskriver personalen att behandlingsarbetet behöver formas för att uppnå bestående beteendeförändring? Hur beskriver personalen att en optimal ungdomsgrupp behöver formas utifrån den unges behandlingstid och behandlingsinnehåll? Kunskapsläget innehåller såväl den forskning som finns på området men också den teori som utvecklats utifrån den forskning som producerats. I kunskapsläget finns tre centrala begrepp presenterade, organisation, bestående beteendeförändring och ungdomsgrupp, vilka är relevanta för såväl syftet som frågeställningarna. Utifrån studiens syfte valdes en kvalitativ forskningsansats för att förstå varje intervjupersons livsvärld och framställa mening sett från dennes perspektiv och erfarenheter. Semistrukturerade intervjuer genomfördes med fyra informanter som alla är personal på den valda institutionen. Intervjuerna spelades in med diktafon och transkriberades sedan ordagrant för att bli föremål för analys. Som konkret analysmetod användes meningskoncentrering utifrån studiens inspiration av fenomenologiskt förhållningssätt. I resultatet framkommer att det är många komponenter i temana organisation, bestående beteendeförändring och ungdomsgrupp, som påverkar chanserna för positivt behandlingsutfall och informanternas beskrivningar samstämmer med vad tidigare forskning kommit fram till. Essensen som hittats i resultatet är förutsättningar, alltså att institutionen och dess personal behöver förutsättningar för exempelvis ekonomi, förhållningssätt, metoder, teor, This study aims to examine how staff at a secure SiS-institution describes their view of how an optimal treatment institution needs to be designed to achieve the best treatment conditions. The examination took place in one of the State's board of Institutional Care (SiS) youth homes inSwedenfor young people 14-20 years. The three questions that the study accounts for are: How does the staff describe that institutions needs to be organized to achieve the best treatment conditions? How do the staff describe that the treatment needs to be designed to achieve lasting behavioural change? How do the staff describe that the optimal group of youth needs to be designed from the youth's treatment time and treatment content? The frame of knowledge used in the thesis contains the research results in this area but also the theory that subsequently was developed from the research produced. In the frame of knowledge, there are three key concepts presented, organization, lasting behavioural change and group of youth, which are relevant to both the aim as to the questions at issue. Based on the aim of the study a qualitative research approach was chosen to understand each interviewee’s lifeworld and to see from their perspective and experiences. Semi-structured interviews were accomplished with four informants, all staff at the selected institution. The interviews were recorded with a Dictaphone and transcribed verbatim in order to be subject to analysis. As a concrete method of analysis, meaning condensation was used inspired by the phenomenological approach in the study. The result shows that there are many components in the themes organization, lasting behavioural change and group of youth which affects the chances of a positive treatment outcome and that informants' descriptions is alignment with previous research findings. The essence found in the results is different kinds of conditions. It means that the institution and its staff need conditions for example, economy, policies

[EN] Dielectric spectroscopy studies have been performed on fresh and osmotically dehydrated kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa cv Hayward). The osmotic treatment consisted on the immersion the samples into 65% (w/w) sucrose aqueous solution at 30 °C during different treatment times from 5 to 1440 min. Some physical-chemical parameters were measured in fresh, treated and reposed (24 h at 30 °C) samples. Dielectric spectra were measured in the frequency range from 500 MHz to 20 GHz by an Agilent 85070E Open-ended Coaxial Probe connected to an Agilent E8362B Vector Network Analyzer in the fresh, treated and reposed samples. It has been demonstrated that the dielectric technique is a good method to control the osmotic treatment in kiwifruit. Industrial relevance: The results of this research article are demonstrated to be useful for controlling candying of kiwifruits in bakery industries. Thus, the industrial relevance is clear in order to optimize the osmotic dehydration times and the final quantity of sugars added by using a non destructive technique that can be implemented in process line. Dielectric spectroscopy, which can be considered an emerging technology, has the advantage of being an objective and a rapid technique. For all these reasons we are sending to this journal "Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies" our results. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

[EN] Dielectric spectroscopy studies have been performed on fresh and osmotically dehydrated kiwifruits (Actinidia deliciosa cv Hayward). The osmotic treatment consisted on the immersion the samples into 65% (w/w) sucrose aqueous solution at 30 °C during different treatment times from 5 to 1440 min. Some physical-chemical parameters were measured in fresh, treated and reposed (24 h at 30 °C) samples. Dielectric spectra were measured in the frequency range from 500 MHz to 20 GHz by an Agilent 85070E Open-ended Coaxial Probe connected to an Agilent E8362B Vector Network Analyzer in the fresh, treated and reposed samples. It has been demonstrated that the dielectric technique is a good method to control the osmotic treatment in kiwifruit. Industrial relevance: The results of this research article are demonstrated to be useful for controlling candying of kiwifruits in bakery industries. Thus, the industrial relevance is clear in order to optimize the osmotic dehydration times and the final quantity of sugars added by using a non destructive technique that can be implemented in process line. Dielectric spectroscopy, which can be considered an emerging technology, has the advantage of being an objective and a rapid technique. For all these reasons we are sending to this journal "Innovative Food Science and Emerging Technologies" our results. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Context: Fractures of the femoral shaft are common and have potentially serious consequences in patients with multiple traumatic injuries. The appropriate timing of fracture repair is controversial.Objective: To assess the effect of timing of internal fixation on mortality in multi-system trauma patientsDesign: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Data from public and private Trauma Centers throughout the United States reported to the National Trauma Data Bank (version 5.0 for 2000-2005). Patients: 3069 multi-system trauma patients (Injury Severity Score >15) who underwent internal fixation of femoral shaft fractures. Intervention: Time to treatment was defined in categories as the time from admission to internal fixation: t0<12 hours; 12Main Outcome Measure: The relative risk of in-hospital mortality comparing the four later periods to the earliest one was estimated using logistic regression, multivariate standardized risk ratios, and Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW). Subgroups with serious head, chest, abdominal and additional extremity injury were investigated. Results: The mortality risk estimated by IPTW was significantly lower in several time categories: t1 (RR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.15 - 0.98, p=0.03), t2 (RR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.43 - 1.44, p=0.49), t3 (RR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.28 - 0.93, p=0.03) and t4 (RR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.097 - 0.94, p=0.03). Those with serious abdominal trauma (Abbreviated Injury Score, AIS>3) experienced the greatest benefit from delay of internal fixation beyond 12 hours (RR=0.82 for AIS<3, 95%CI: 0.54 - 1.35; versus RR=0.36 for AIS>3, 95%CI: 0.13 - 0.87; p-value for interaction =0.09). The results of the logistic regression and multivariate standardized risk ratios agreed with IPTW estimates. Qualitative and quantitative testing of modeling assumptions supported the validity of the marginal IPTW estimates.Conclusion: Delayed repair of femoral shaft fractures beyond 12 hours in multi-system trauma patients significantly reduced mortal

Context: Fractures of the femoral shaft are common and have potentially serious consequences in patients with multiple traumatic injuries. The appropriate timing of fracture repair is controversial.Objective: To assess the effect of timing of internal fixation on mortality in multi-system trauma patientsDesign: Retrospective cohort. Setting: Data from public and private Trauma Centers throughout the United States reported to the National Trauma Data Bank (version 5.0 for 2000-2005). Patients: 3069 multi-system trauma patients (Injury Severity Score >15) who underwent internal fixation of femoral shaft fractures. Intervention: Time to treatment was defined in categories as the time from admission to internal fixation: t0<12 hours; 12Main Outcome Measure: The relative risk of in-hospital mortality comparing the four later periods to the earliest one was estimated using logistic regression, multivariate standardized risk ratios, and Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting (IPTW). Subgroups with serious head, chest, abdominal and additional extremity injury were investigated. Results: The mortality risk estimated by IPTW was significantly lower in several time categories: t1 (RR=0.45, 95%CI: 0.15 - 0.98, p=0.03), t2 (RR=0.83, 95%CI: 0.43 - 1.44, p=0.49), t3 (RR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.28 - 0.93, p=0.03) and t4 (RR=0.43, 95%CI: 0.097 - 0.94, p=0.03). Those with serious abdominal trauma (Abbreviated Injury Score, AIS>3) experienced the greatest benefit from delay of internal fixation beyond 12 hours (RR=0.82 for AIS<3, 95%CI: 0.54 - 1.35; versus RR=0.36 for AIS>3, 95%CI: 0.13 - 0.87; p-value for interaction =0.09). The results of the logistic regression and multivariate standardized risk ratios agreed with IPTW estimates. Qualitative and quantitative testing of modeling assumptions supported the validity of the marginal IPTW estimates.Conclusion: Delayed repair of femoral shaft fractures beyond 12 hours in multi-system trauma patients significantly reduced mortal

Flax pulp was bleached by using an enzyme treatment with laccase (L stage) in the presence of HBT as mediator in order to replace toxic chemicals (e.g. chlorine or chlorine dioxide) with environmentally friendly catalytic biotechnological products in the bleaching process, achieving a clean process technology in the pulp and paper manufacture. The operating conditions for the laccase–HBT system were optimized by using a sequential statistical plan involving four variables (laccase dose, HBT dose, treatment time and oxygen pressure), their influence on the properties of the pulp after the L stage was examined. The main objective was to minimize the reagent doses and the reaction time to make more suitable the industrial application. A mathematical model for predicting the kappa number in terms of the process variables was developed. The kappa number decreased with increase in the value of each variable down to a minimum level of 6.9, which was obtained with a laccase dose of 13 U g−1, an HBT dose of 2%odp and a treatment time of 6.5 h. The model predicted a limiting laccase dose of 13 U g−1 above which no additional reduction in kappa number would be obtained. By contrast, oxygen pressures of 0.2–0.6 MPa in the reactor had no effect on brightness or kappa number. Brightness was not correlated with the kappa number due to the formation of chromophores in the pulp at the beginning of the enzymatic treatment. The LP biochemical sequence allows obtaining a final brightness of 75.2%ISO

The thesis included five methodological studies and one caries epidemiological investigation, the general aim being to study how to measure and report dental health, time for dental care, treatment panorama, and dental care outcomes, within a Public Dental Service organization. The specific aims were to monitor dental clinic activities using a time study method, to apply time study results of a dental health-related patient group system for the 3-19 year age groups, and to compare time study results with corresponding results from computerized systems used for reporting dental care. Other specific aims were to compare longitudinal caries index data results between cohort and cross-sectional samples, to analyse caries index for extreme caries groups among adolescents leaving organized dental care, and — using time series methods — to analyse dental health development of the 15-19 year age groups. Results from the time studies portrayed the dental clinic as a working unit, showed that reported values can represent dental care only for intervention procedures, and indicated that clinic patterns were not adapted to the health situation of the patient groups. Longitudinal cohort attempts gave different values from those of the cross-sectional year classes, which should be the primary focus when presenting caries index mean values in dental health reviews. Caries freegroups from 15 to 19 years of age seem to be stable in their caries development in about 60%-80% of cases; while the 20% groups with the highest index values accounted for about 80% of all approximal lesions. In times of major economic adjustment, dental health for adolescents in Göteborg was an example of sustainable dental health development. A model system for monitoring, analysing, and reporting dental health and dental care outcomes within a dental care-giving organization calls for several conditions, for example, a dental healthrelated patient group system, and a rationale for the choice of dental team, All or some of the partial works included in the dissertation are not registered in DIVA and therefore not linked in this post.

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to address some aspects of the many considerations that need to go into a dose prescription in boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for brain tumors; and to describe some methods to incorporate knowledge from animal studies and other experiments into the process of dose prescription. Materials and Methods: Previously, an algorithm to estimate the normal tissue tolerance to mixed high and low linear energy transfer (LET) radiations in BNCT was proposed. We have developed mathematical formulations and computational methods to represent this algorithm. Generalized models to fit the central axis dose rate components for an epithermal neutron field were also developed. These formulations and beam fitting models were programmed into spreadsheets to simulate two treatment techniques which are expected to be used in BNCT: a two-field bilateral scheme and a single-field treatment scheme. Parameters in these spreadsheets can be varied to represent the fractionation scheme used, the B-10 microdistribution in normal tissue, and the ratio of B-10 in tumor to normal tissue. Most of these factors have to be determined for a given neutron field and B-10 compound combination from large animal studies. The spreadsheets have been programmed to integrate all of the treatment-related information and calculate the location along the central axis where the normal tissue tolerance is exceeded first. This information is then used to compute the maximum treatment time allowable and the maximum tumor dose that may be delivered for a given BNCT treatment. Results and Conclusion: The effect of different treatment variables on the treatment time and tumor dose has been shown to be very significant. It has also been shown that the location of D-max shifts significantly, depending on some of the treatment variables-mainly the fractionation scheme used. These results further emphasize the fact that dose prescription in BNCT is very complicated and nonintuitive.

The purpose of this consultation was to estimate the hours of treatment time necessary to bring a soldier from Dental Fitness Class 3 to Dental Fitness Class 2. A systematic sample of 660 dental records from the Fort Hood Dental Activity were reviewed by six general dentists. A sub-group of 30 records was used to evaluate inter-examiner and intra-examiner reliability among the six examiners. The amount of estimated dentist treatment time (including consultations) required to bring the sample from Class 3 to Class 2 was 2.75 hours per soldier. Of this, 2.2 hours (80%) was for non-periodontal treatment. Soldiers in combat units had the highest estimated treatment time (2.95 hours) and represented the highest proportion of Class 3 soldiers in the study population (58.3%). Substantial inter-examiner and intra-examiner variability in estimating total treatment time was observed, however, the majority of the variation in total treatment time estimates was due to differences between patient treatment needs. This study will enable Dental Activity commanders to estimate the amount of treatment time required to prepare a large military unit for mobilization.... Dental Fitness Class 3, Treatment needs, Treatment time, Interobserver reliability, Intraobserver reliability.