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Book part
Publication date: 16 May 2013

Brent D. Ryan

This chapter examines megaproject design and planning in two “shrinking cities” – Philadelphia, PA and Detroit, MI – and concludes that megaproject “metastasis,” or repeated…

Abstract

This chapter examines megaproject design and planning in two “shrinking cities” – Philadelphia, PA and Detroit, MI – and concludes that megaproject “metastasis,” or repeated expansions into surrounding urban fabrics, is promoting the reduction of downtown into a series of self-contained enclaves. While political coalitions are constructing megaprojects, or large public works and/or single buildings, in cities around the world, in the United States, single-building megaprojects motivated by “growth coalitions” of public and private development actors have proliferated in downtowns since 1990. The urban design impacts of these megaprojects on the surrounding urban fabric have been little studied. Data on the institutional history, physical expansion, and relationship of the megaprojects to the urban fabric is combined with a qualitative analysis of megaproject theory and its application to the American condition, as well as to the political economy of development in American shrinking cities. The chapter concludes that megaprojects such as convention centers and casinos tend to expand inexorably once they are introduced into the American downtown. This metastasis results in the destruction of existing older buildings and street networks, the consolidation of street blocks into ever-larger superblocks, and the eventual physical restructuring of downtowns into enclaves of older fabric amidst clusters of megaproject superblocks. Applying Jacobs’ (1992) theory of “moral hybrids” between “commerce and politics” to megaproject metastasis, the chapter argues that while megaprojects may be inevitable in American downtowns, they should be sited away from active, small-scale urban fabrics to reduce the negative impacts of future metastases. The chapter takes a design-oriented perspective on a phenomenon that is almost always understood from a political economy perspective alone. Megaprojects are significant physical entities, and the chapter clarifies their physical impacts on the urban fabric while indicating urban design policy directions to reduce these impacts in future.

Details

Urban Megaprojects: A Worldwide View
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78190-593-7

Keywords

Case study
Publication date: 20 January 2017

Tim Calkins and Aggarwal Nayna

This case looks at an important business task: forecasting a new product. The case can be used to teach finance, marketing (new product introduction), and healthcare strategy. The…

Abstract

This case looks at an important business task: forecasting a new product. The case can be used to teach finance, marketing (new product introduction), and healthcare strategy. The product is one of Amgen's most important new products: denosumab. On the surface, the case is fairly easy; students simply have to do some simple mathematical calculations. However, the challenges of forecasting quickly become apparent; every forecast depends on some critical assumptions, and the answer can vary dramatically.

Highlight the importance of forecasting as a business task. Give students the opportunity to create a forecast, using logical assumptions to generate an answer. Illustrate how dramatically forecasts can vary. Demonstrate why sensitivity analysis and customer understanding are both critical when trying to forecast a new product launch.

Details

Kellogg School of Management Cases, vol. no.
Type: Case Study
ISSN: 2474-6568
Published by: Kellogg School of Management

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 27 July 2012

111

Abstract

Details

Clinical Governance: An International Journal, vol. 17 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7274

Article
Publication date: 11 November 2013

Bruno Bisceglia, Francesca de Terlizzi, Antonio Scaglione and Nicola Francesco Tallarino

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an outstanding technique for treatment of tumor nodules which is currently used for treatment of skin metastases, and now it is being developed for…

Abstract

Purpose

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an outstanding technique for treatment of tumor nodules which is currently used for treatment of skin metastases, and now it is being developed for treatment of internal organs such as, bone, liver, etc. In this work the authors' goal was finding a simple and proper needles configuration, allowing electroporation of whole cancer cell membranes, possibly minimizing direct cell death of healthy tissue.

Design/methodology/approach

This work shows numerical analysis of the ECT of a deep-seated tumor, like in bone tissue of human limb. The tumor is excited by a sequence of square-wave electric pulses (5 kHz), inducing a 1,000 V/cm electric field through a suitable configuration of 30 mm long steel needle electrodes inserted in a part of limb long 20 cm. Treated element is numerically modeled in a very simplified 3D geometry. All materials are assumed as homogeneous, linear and isotropic mediums.

Findings

Electrochemotherapy is based on the local application of short and intense electric pulses that transiently permeabilizes neoplastic cells membrane, thus allowing cytotoxicity increase of a chemotherapeutic drug, bleomycin, and reducing its dosage. The local field in target tissues depends on geometry and position of electrodes, that have to be placed according cancer shape and size, and excited by electric pulses of opportune amplitude. Current efforts are aimed to test whether electric pulses can be applied to bone through invasive needles without affecting the recovery of osteogenetic activity.

Originality/value

The results of the simulation study can help to establish the appropriate geometric and electric setup for treatment of bone metastases in clinical ECT trials. This paper reports results from different needles configurations and show that a proper needle positioning allows complete electroporation of the whole tumor

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Details

COMPEL: The International Journal for Computation and Mathematics in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, vol. 32 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0332-1649

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 May 2020

Gordon Redding

The purpose of this paper is to locate the concept of competitive productivity (CP) within a general theory of societal progress and include new thinking on the challenge of…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to locate the concept of competitive productivity (CP) within a general theory of societal progress and include new thinking on the challenge of obstacles to be met at certain stages.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is to review the key literature dealing with economic growth and rising societal achievement and to refine out concepts that offer understanding of the dynamics commonly involved, taking illustrative examples from different societies and seeking overall common denominators that appear within the historical processes.

Findings

New understandings of societal progress, using complex adaptive systems theory applied to cities and industrial districts, indicate that two forces are at work to release new positive forms of energy into society. Economies of scale work via the laws of fractal geometry to yield sublinear growth of energy. More intense social interaction works within the core of the society in a different way to yield superlinear growth. These two forms of energy release can feed off each other beneficially in conditions where, as with CP, the forces of competition can work with forces driving efficiency, in conditions where societal order can be supported by appropriate cultural norms.

Research limitations/implications

A wide literature across several disciplines is brought to bear on the very complex question. Some of the theories are new but very well anchored. It is consequently possible to suggest a pattern of multi-determinants able to match the reality and to foster nuanced comprehensive analysis.

Practical implications

Impacts on policy of foreign direct investment and joint venture management.

Social implications

Emphasis on the roles of societal virtues in establishing the cooperativeness needed for CP.

Originality/value

Few studies bring together so many disciplinary perspectives into a complete argument.

Details

Cross Cultural & Strategic Management, vol. 28 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-5794

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 26 October 2018

Asier Muguruza Blanco, Lucas Krauel and Felip Fenollosa Artés

The use of physical 3D models has been used in the industry for a while, fulfilling the function of prototypes in the majority of cases where the designers, engineers and…

Abstract

Purpose

The use of physical 3D models has been used in the industry for a while, fulfilling the function of prototypes in the majority of cases where the designers, engineers and manufacturers optimize their designs before taking them into production. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of reports on the use of 3D models in medicine for preoperative planning. In some highly complex surgeries, the possibility of using printed models to previously perform operations can be determining in the success of the surgery. With the aim of providing new functionalities to an anatomical 3D-printed models, in this paper, a cost-effective manufacturing process has been developed. A set of tradition of traditional techniques have been combined with 3D printing to provide a maximum geometrical freedom to the process. By the use of an electroluminescent set of functional paints, the tumours and vessels of the anatomical printed model have been highlighted, providing to this models the possibility to increase its interaction with the surgeon. These set of techniques has been used to increase the value added to the reproduced element and reducing the costs of the printed model, thus making it more accessible.

Design/methodology/approach

Successfully case in where the use of a low-cost 3D-printed anatomical model was used as a tool for preoperative planning for a complex oncological surgery. The said model of a 70-year-old female patient with hepatic metastases was functionalized with the aim of increasing the interaction with the surgeons. The analysis of the construction process of the anatomical model based on the 3D printing as a tool for their use in the medical field has been made, as well as its cost.

Findings

The use of 3D printing in the construction of anatomical models as preoperative tools is relatively new; however, the functionalization of these tools by using conductive and electroluminescent materials with the aim of increasing the interaction with it by the surgeons is a novelty. And, based on the DIY principles, it offers a geographical limitlessness, reducing its cost without losing the added value.

Originality/value

The process based on 3D printing presented in this paper allows to reproduce low-cost anatomical models by following a simple sequence of steps. It can be done by people with low qualification anywhere with only access to the internet and with the local costs. The interaction of these models with the surgeon based on touch and sight is much higher, adding a very significant value it, without increasing its cost.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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Article
Publication date: 1 December 2005

Robert Thomas, Mabel Blades, Madeleine Williams and Sara Godward

This pilot study seeks to evaluate whether dietary intervention combined with an oral formulation of sodium salicylate, mineral and vitamin supplements (CV247) altered the rate of…

Abstract

Purpose

This pilot study seeks to evaluate whether dietary intervention combined with an oral formulation of sodium salicylate, mineral and vitamin supplements (CV247) altered the rate of progression in patients with malignant disease.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 37 patients were recruited from March 2001 to November 2001 and ran to September 2004. All patients had progressive malignancy at trial entry (def: at least two consecutive increases in tumour markers >10 per cent or radiological progression). Patients, were recommended a diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables, low in saturated fats, salt and man‐made chemical supplements such as colours and preservatives together with oral CV247 (sodium salicylate, copper gluconate, manganese gluconate and ascorbic acid). Dietary compliance was monitored, from a subgroup, by monthly interviews with the trial dietitian recorded on a linear analogue scale. Quality of life was measured by monthly completion of a Rotterdam symptom check‐list questionnaire and tumour progression measured by radiological assessment and/or tumour markers.

Findings

The treatment was well tolerated and compliance with the diet was enthusiastic. Of the two patients with progressive metastatic ovarian carcinoma, one had stabilisation in the disease for five months, the other for 20 months. The 28 heavily pre‐treated patients (including those with metastatic prostate cancer) had no significant clinical response (52 per cent stabilisation for 3.5 months). Of the seven patients with early prostate cancer (no metastasis or hormonal therapy, with pre‐trial increasing PSA), six (86 per cent) had stabilisation of PSA with a mean duration of 17.2 months.

Originality/value

This study succeeded in evaluating whether dietary intervention combined with an oral formulation of sodium salicylate, mineral and vitamin supplements (CV247) altered the rate of progression in patients with malignant disease.

Details

Nutrition & Food Science, vol. 35 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0034-6659

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 May 2020

M.N. Doja, Ishleen Kaur and Tanvir Ahmad

The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing from the past few decades. Various studies have tried to determine the survival of patients, but metastatic prostate cancer is still…

Abstract

Purpose

The incidence of prostate cancer is increasing from the past few decades. Various studies have tried to determine the survival of patients, but metastatic prostate cancer is still not extensively explored. The survival rate of metastatic prostate cancer is very less compared to the earlier stages. The study aims to investigate the survivability of metastatic prostate cancer based on the age group to which a patient belongs, and the difference between the significance of the attributes for different age groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Data of metastatic prostate cancer patients was collected from a cancer hospital in India. Two predictive models were built for the analysis-one for the complete dataset, and the other for separate age groups. Machine learning was applied to both the models and their accuracies were compared for the analysis. Also, information gain for each model has been evaluated to determine the significant predictors for each age group.

Findings

The ensemble approach gave the best results of 81.4% for the complete dataset, and thus was used for the age-specific models. The results concluded that the age-specific model had the direct average accuracy of 83.74% and weighted average accuracy of 79.9%, with the highest accuracy levels for age less than 60.

Originality/value

The study developed a model that predicts the survival of metastatic prostate cancer based on age. The study will be able to assist the clinicians in determining the best course of treatment for each patient based on ECOG, age and comorbidities.

Details

Data Technologies and Applications, vol. 54 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2514-9288

Keywords

Book part
Publication date: 12 December 2007

Katherine S. Virgo, Mary P. Valentine, Lucille C. Dauz, Lan H. Marietta, Brandie S. Adams, Sangita Devarajan, Walter E. Longo and Frank E. Johnson

Many individuals are concurrently eligible for multiple sources of government-reimbursed health care services (e.g. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Medicare). Unclear is…

Abstract

Many individuals are concurrently eligible for multiple sources of government-reimbursed health care services (e.g. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Medicare). Unclear is whether combined eligibility translates into increased access to care and/or improved outcomes of care. Alternatively continuity of care may suffer, promoting health inequalities when patients receive health services from multiple unrelated sources of care. The current study examines the impact of dual eligibility for government-reimbursed care on long-term outcomes of care for a population of veterans diagnosed with colorectal cancer and initially treated surgically at Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Centers.

Details

Inequalities and Disparities in Health Care and Health: Concerns of Patients, Providers and Insurers
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-7623-1474-4

Article
Publication date: 1 September 1999

K.C. McCrae, R.A. Shaw, H.H. Mantsch, J.A. Thliveris, R.M. Das, K. Ahmed and J.E. Scott

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Physical and chemical agents such as tobacco smoke are the leading cause of various lung cancers. The intrinsic heterogeneity…

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Abstract

Lung cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide. Physical and chemical agents such as tobacco smoke are the leading cause of various lung cancers. The intrinsic heterogeneity of normal lung tissue may be affected in different ways, giving rise to different types of lung cancers classified as either small‐cell lung cancer (SCLC) or non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Adenocarcinoma, a NSCLC, accounts for 40 percent of all lung cancer cases and the incidence is increasing worldwide, especially among women. The survival rate and prognosis is poorest for adenocarcinoma. Therefore, diagnosis at the earliest stage (Stage I, localized) is critical for increasing survival rates of those suffering from lung cancer. However, many factors affect early diagnosis including the variable natural growth of tumors plus technological and human factors associated with manipulation of tissue samples and interpretation of results. This article reviews potential problems associated with diagnosing lung cancer and considers future directions of diagnostic technology.

Details

Leadership in Health Services, vol. 12 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1366-0756

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