LDR-50

B. Fischer-Valuck, H. Gay, Sagar A. Patel, B. Baumann, J. Michalski

For patients with unfavorable or high-risk prostate cancer, dose escalated radiation therapy leads to improved progression free survival but attempts to deliver increased dose by external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) alone can be limited by late toxicities to nearby genitourinary and gastrointestinal organs at risk. Brachytherapy is a method to deliver dose escalation in conjunction with EBRT with a potentially improved late toxicity profile and improved prostate cancer related outcomes. At least three randomized controlled trials have demonstrated improved biochemical control with the addition of either low-dose rate (LDR) or high-dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy to EBRT, although only ASCENDE-RT compared brachytherapy to dose-escalated EBRT but did report an over 50% improvement in biochemical failure with a LDR boost. Multiple single institution and comparative research series also support the use of a brachytherapy boost in the DE-EBRT era and demonstrate excellent prostate cancer specific outcomes. Despite improved oncologic outcomes with a brachytherapy boost in the high-risk setting, the utilization of both LDR, and HDR brachytherapy use is declining. The acute genitourinary toxicities when brachytherapy boost is combined with EBRT, particularly a LDR boost, are of concern in comparison to EBRT alone. HDR brachytherapy boost has many physical properties inherent to its rapid delivery of a large dose which may reduce acute toxicities and also appeal to the radiobiology of prostate cancer. We herein review the evidence for use of either LDR or HDR brachytherapy boost for high-risk prostate cancer and summarize comparisons between the two treatment modalities.

L. Sokka, H. Kirppu, Jaakko Leppänen

The LDR-50 low-temperature nuclear reactor is designed for the Finnish and European district heating markets, as an environmentally sustainable heating option for the 2030s. While the carbon footprint of conventional electricity-producing reactors is known to be small, there have been no comprehensive studies on the emission reduction potential when the technology is applied to the heating sector. This paper aims to fill this knowledge gap by means of life cycle assessment (LCA) analysis. The carbon footprint of the LDR-50 heating plant is evaluated, and compared to conventional heating fuels, direct electric heating, and heat pumps. The results of the analysis show that the life cycle CO2 emissions are low, although there are still significant uncertainties related to the construction phase, due to missing data. In addition to carbon footprint, the analysis is also extended to other adverse environmental impacts. It is concluded that significant reductions in CO2 emissions can be achieved by replacing fossil heating fuels with nuclear energy. The technology is considered a viable option alongside biofuels and heat pumps. The overall environmental impacts are low, and the production does not compete for low-carbon electricity or scarce natural resources.

Muhammad Hilmy Tsany, B. Bagana

The banking industry is an important sector in national development that functions as a financial intermediary. Banks as intermediary institutions must have good performance by maintaining and improving bank soundness. Thus, banks can more easily gain and maintain the trust of their customers (agent of trust), which is a bank's fundamental principle. This study aims to examine and analyze the effect of the ratio of NIM, LDR, and NPL on Bank Profitability. The population used in this study are banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2017-2021 with a final sample of 50. The sample method used in this study is multiple linear regression analysis using the IBM SPSS 22 program. The conclusion of this study is the simultaneous variable ratio NIM, LDR, and NPL have an influence on profitability. Meanwhile, partially the ratio of NIM and NPL has no effect on profitability, LDR has a positive effect on profitability.

S. Manik, Abdul Muis Muslimin, Aries A. Subgan

Lux meter is a device used to measure the intensity of light in an area. The purpose of this thesis is to design a light intensity measuring device using LDR components as a light sensor, comparing light intensity measuring devices made using LDR sensors and Arduino Leonardo based microcontrollers with standard tools. The data used in this study are primary data. The data obtained is then processed using MS. Excel. The type of light bulbs used are Philips CFL (Philips Essential) lamps, each lamp having a power of 5, 8, 11, 14, 18, 23, 27, 32, 35, and 50 watts with a luxmeter vertical distance of 1, 2 and 3 meters from the lamp. From the results of testing the tools and processing of comparative data between the Lux Meter Standard and the designed Lux ​​Meter obtained as follows: the vertical distance of the tool by 1 meter from the lamp produces an average error difference of 12,571 lx and the percentage of average errors the average is 8.77%, while for the vertical distance of the tool is 2 meters from the lamp the average error difference value is 2,358 lx and the average error percentage is 7.98%, and for the vertical tool distance is 3 meters from the lamp the difference in error value is an average of 0.92 lx and an average error percentage of 5.85%.

Peter L. Lee, Karen Ruth, Douglas Y Lee, M. Hallman, D. Chen, J. K. Wong, Andres F Correa, I. Veltchev, Teh Lin, Xiaoming Chen, J. Panetta, A. Kutikov, E. Horwitz

Purpose: We aim to investigate perioperative and subacute postoperative complications in patients undergoing LDR or HDR monotherapy for prostate cancer. We hypothesize a low rate of complications, and a favorable toxicity profile in patients treated with HDR compared to LDR. Materials and Methods: A prospectively collected institutional database was queried for patients treated with HDR or LDR prostate monotherapy between 1998–2021. Toxicities were determined per CTCAE. Claims based billing codes were obtained to identify additional events. Events occurring within 4 months of treatment were defined as perioperative or subacute postoperative complications. Results: 759 patients were identified, 446 received LDR with 125I, and 313 received HDR with 192Ir. HDR patients had higher risk features: 75.7% with Gleason score 7+ vs 2.4% of LDR, and 16% with initial PSA 10+ ng/mL vs 2.7% of LDR. Toxicities were mild with the most common being grade 1 GU frequency and nocturia at ~50%. HDR patients had significantly less grade 2 dysuria (2.6% vs 9.0%), frequency (4.8% vs 9.4%), hematuria (1.0% vs 5.2%), nocturia (3.8% vs 9.4%), and urinary obstructive symptoms (7.3% vs 11.2%), all statistically significant. 11 (1.4%) patients had infection requiring antibiotics: 8 (1.8%) from the LDR group and 3 (1%) from the HDR group. Cardiopulmonary events were low at <2% overall, without difference between HDR and LDR. Conclusions: Overall toxicity rates support the safety of prostate brachytherapy. HDR monotherapy is associated with significantly less perioperative and subacute post-operative GU events when compared to LDR monotherapy. Cardiopulmonary events were equally rare in both groups.