| 11. |
- Rydstedt Nyman, Monika, 1961-
(author)
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Organizational Lessons Learned : Natural Hazards Affecting Critical Infrastructure
- 2018
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Artistic work (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This thesis focuses on an issue often presented as a solution – albeit a debated one – namely learning, specifically lessons learned from natural hazard events. Empirically, this thesis examines flooding and avalanches in a Swedish context, centering on systematic feedback mechanisms and learning from extreme events. Opportunities to and constraints affecting learning and knowledge sharing are discussed.The thesis comprises four papers, collectively contributing a description of aspects of learning and feedback in a case study setting of the Swedish Transport Administration (STA) [Trafikverket], and providing an understanding of the present level of knowledge and awareness of climate change related natural hazards, as well as how knowledge sharing may give incentives and understanding for change. The notion of social learning is that individuals, groups, and organizations (and ultimately society) can learn from one another in a context, i.e. fostering mutual change. The goal of learning and using feedback is to create an opportunity to address changes in a thoughtful and explicit manner. At the same time, there is an implicit idea that learning occurs automatically somehow, which is problematized on the basis of the cases in the articles.An interdisciplinary approach was adopted to obtain understanding of lessons learned related to natural hazards affecting critical infrastructure in Sweden. Interdiciplinarity refers to the use of theories from different research fields to achieve synergies in the search for explanations and useful understanding. The different objectives and aims of each paper have increased understanding of mechanisms related to aspects of feedback, learning and knowledge sharing after natural hazard impacts. Each paper also provides examples of opportunities and constraints to feedback mechanisms and learning in a collective context.
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| 12. |
- Rydstedt Nyman, Monika, 1961-, et al.
(author)
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Systematic Knowledge Sharing in a Natural Hazard Damage Context : How Organizational Borders Limit Lessons Learned
- 2017
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In: Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy. - : Wiley. - 1944-4079. ; 8:4, s. 356-380
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this paper is to increase knowledge about systematic lessons learning in a public-private partnership. Empirically, it focuses on road maintenance in Sweden where the Swedish Transport Administration (STA) is responsible for the state-owned infrastructure and tendered contractors carry out all maintenance. The tendering process stipulates that the stakeholders should enable learning and the knowledge transfer that is, by necessity, required for preventive purposes. Semi-structured interviews with project leaders from the STA and respondents from two tendering contractors of maintenance were used to investigate attitudes to and the understanding of sharing experiences and knowledge about damage caused by weather extremes and the relevance of climate change adaptation in their field. The analysis suggests that most of the respondents' experiences stay within their own organization, which creates parallel feedback loops, rather than becomes shared knowledge that could be used as lessons learned enhancing preventive work against future damage and loss. The analysis indicates imbalance in feedback of knowledge concerning weather extremes and their effects.
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| 13. |
- Thurin, Erik, et al.
(author)
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Proton therapy for low-grade gliomas in adults : A systematic review
- 2018
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In: Clinical neurology and neurosurgery (Dutch-Flemish ed. Print). - : Elsevier BV. - 0303-8467 .- 1872-6968. ; 174, s. 233-238
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For adult patients with diffuse low-grade glioma (LGG) proton therapy is an emerging radiotherapy modality. The number of proton facilities is rapidly increasing. However, there is a shortage of published data concerning the clinical effectiveness compared to photon radiotherapy and potential proton-specific toxicity. This study aimed to systematically review and summarize the relevant literature on proton therapy for adult LGG patients, including dosimetric comparisons, the type and frequency of acute and long-term toxicity and the clinical effectiveness. A systematic search was performed in several medical databases and 601 articles were screened for relevance. Nine articles were deemed eligible for in-depth analysis using a standardized data collection form by two independent researchers. Proton treatment plans compared favorably to photon-plans regarding dose to uninvolved neural tissue. Fatigue (27-100%), alopecia (37-85%), local erythema (78-85%) and headache (27-75%) were among the most common acute toxicities. One study reported no significant long-term cognitive impairments. Limited data was available on long-term survival. One study reported a 5-year overall survival of 84% and 5-year progression-free survival of 40%. We conclude that published data from clinical studies using proton therapy for adults with LGG are scarce. As the technique becomes more available, controlled clinical studies are urgently warranted to determine if the potential benefits based on comparative treatment planning translate into clinical benefits.
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| 14. |
- Velikyan, Irina, et al.
(author)
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Preparation and evaluation of (68)Ga-DOTA-hEGF for visualisation of EGFR expression in malignant tumours
- 2005
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In: Journal of Nuclear Medicine. - 0161-5505 .- 1535-5667. ; 46:11, s. 1881-1888
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Detection of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression in many carcinomas provides important diagnostic information, which can influence patient management. The use of PET may enable such detection in vivo by a noninvasive procedure with high sensitivity. The aim of this study was to develop a method for preparation of a positron-emitting tracer based on a natural ligand to EGFR, the recombinant human epidermal growth factor (hEGF), and to perform a preclinical evaluation of the tracer.METHODS: DOTA-hEGF (DOTA is 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N',N'',N'''-tetraacetic acid) was prepared by coupling of a N-sulfosuccinimide ester of DOTA to hEGF. The conjugate was labeled with a generator-produced positron-emitting nuclide, (68)Ga (half-life = 68 min), using microwave heating. Binding specificity, affinity, internalization, and retention of (68)Ga-DOTA-hEGF was studied in 2 EGFR-expressing cell lines, U343 glioma cells and A431 cervical carcinoma cells. Biodistribution and microPET visualization studies were performed in BALB/c nu/nu mice bearing A431 carcinoma xenografts.RESULTS: A 1-min-long microwave-assisted labeling provided radioactivity incorporation of 77% +/- 4%. Both cell lines demonstrated receptor-specific uptake of the conjugate, rapid internalization of the tracer, and good retention of radioactivity. Binding to both cell lines occurred with high affinity, approximately 2 nmol/L. The biodistribution study demonstrated accumulation of radioactivity in xenografts and in EGFR-expressing organs. The microPET imaging study enabled visualization of tumors and demonstrated quick--within 5 min--localization of radioactivity in tumors.CONCLUSION: (68)Ga-DOTA-hEGF has potential for imaging EGFR overexpression in tumors.
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