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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2018

Numerical approach based on fractional-order Lagrange polynomials for solving a class of fractional differential equations

In this study, we propose a new set of fractional functions based on the Lagrange polynomials to solve a class of fractional differential equations. Fractional differential equations are the best tools for modelling natural phenomenon that are elaborated by fractional calculus. Therefore, we need an accurate and efficient technique for solving them. The main purpose of this article is to generalize new functions based on Lagrange polynomials to the fractional calculus. At first, we present a new representation of Lagrange polynomials and in continue, we propose a new set of fractional-order functions which are called fractional-order Lagrange polynomials (FLPs). Besides, a general formulation for operational matrices of fractional integration and derivative of FLPs on arbitrary nodal points are extracted. These matrices are obtained using Laplace transform. The initial value problems is reduced to the system of algebraic equations using the operational matrix of fractional integration and collocation method. Also, we find the upper bound of error vector for the fractional integration operational matrix and we indicate convergence of approximations of FLPs. Illustrative examples are included to demonstrate the validity and applicability of the proposed technique.

97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Tackling the curse of dimensionality in fractional and tempered fractional PDEs with physics-informed neural networks

Fractional and tempered fractional partial differential equations (PDEs) are effective models of long-range interactions, anomalous diffusion, and non-local effects. Traditional numerical methods for these problems are mesh-based, thus struggling with the curse of dimensionality (CoD). Physics-informed neural networks (PINNs) offer a promising solution due to their universal approximation, generalization ability, and mesh-free training. In principle, Monte Carlo fractional PINN (MC-fPINN) estimates fractional derivatives using Monte Carlo methods and thus could lift CoD. However, this may cause significant variance and errors, hence affecting convergence; in addition, MC-fPINN is sensitive to hyperparameters. In general, numerical methods and specifically PINNs for tempered fractional PDEs are under-developed. Herein, we extend MC-fPINN to tempered fractional PDEs to address these issues, resulting in the Monte Carlo tempered fractional PINN (MC-tfPINN). To reduce possible high variance and errors from Monte Carlo sampling, we replace the one-dimensional (1D) Monte Carlo with 1D Gaussian quadrature, applicable to both MC-fPINN and MC-tfPINN. We validate our methods on various forward and inverse problems of fractional and tempered fractional PDEs, scaling up to 100,000 dimensions. Our improved MC-fPINN/MC-tfPINN using quadrature consistently outperforms the original versions in accuracy and convergence speed in very high dimensions.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2017

Molybdenum isotope fractionation and speciation in a euxinic lake—Testing ways to discern isotope fractionation processes in a sulfidic setting

The molybdenum (Mo) isotope composition in euxinic shales has been used as a proxy for the global distribution of anoxic conditions in ancient oceans, and since more recently also as a proxy for sulfide concentrations in depositional environments. However, there is currently no way to distinguish isotope fractionation at low bottom water sulfide concentrations in ‘local’ basins from ‘global’ secular isotope variations associated with changing seawater composition. This uncertainty is challenging the use of Mo isotopes for paleoceanographic reconstructions. To explore this further, we present new data from sediments deposited over the past ~ 9800 years in one of the best studied euxinic localities in the world: Lake Cadagno in Switzerland. The sample set allows us to test ways to discern isotope fractionation processes at play in a highly restricted euxinic basin. Most of our drill core samples (n = 18) show high δ98Mo values similar to previously studied shallow sediments, indicative of quantitative Mo removal from the water column (Dahl et al. 2010a). However, a few samples (n = 3) deposited between about 1200 and 3400 years ago carry low δ98Mo values and have been isotopically fractionated in the lake. Sedimentological and geochemical characterizations show that these δ98Mo-fractionated sediments formed during times of frequent injection of O2- and sediment-rich river water into the deep sulfidic water column. A positive correlation between δ98Mo and sedimentary Mo contents suggests that isotope fractionation occurred during times of non-quantitative Mo removal, although Mn-oxide cycling at the chemocline might also contribute a subordinate proportion of (98Mo-depleted) molybdenum into the sulfidic zone. Sedimentary Mo/U enrichments relative to oxic lake water further supports the hypothesis that a particulate Mo shuttle was most efficient during times of quantitative Mo removal. Therefore, periods with inefficient Mo capture are ascribed to incomplete conversion of molybdate to particle reactive Mo species when bottom water H2S levels were low or less stable than today. Using XAFS spectroscopy, we found that the two distinct Mo compounds predominating in the sediments (MoIV-S and MoVI-OS) are not diagnostic for isotope fractionation that has occurred in Lake Cadagno. Instead, we infer that δ98Mo-fractionated products (forming via a low-sulfide Mo pathway) can be subsequently altered with little or no isotopic imprint during remobilization and re-precipitation (e.g., at higher sulfide levels in the sediments) as well as during post-depositional oxidation. Future work could investigate local δ98Mo-fractionation processes expressed in other euxinic settings and explore other sedimentary metrics to constrain the steps involved in the euxinic burial pathway(s). One tantalizing prospect of this is to distinguish between local bottomwater sulfide levels and variations in the fraction of global seafloor anoxia from the Mo isotope composition in ancient euxinic mudrocks.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2013

THE CLUSTER AND FIELD GALAXY ACTIVE GALACTIC NUCLEUS FRACTION AT z = 1-1.5: EVIDENCE FOR A REVERSAL OF THE LOCAL ANTICORRELATION BETWEEN ENVIRONMENT AND AGN FRACTION

The fraction of cluster galaxies that host luminous active galactic nuclei (AGNs) is an important probe of AGN fueling processes, the cold interstellar medium at the centers of galaxies, and how tightly black holes and galaxies co-evolve. We present a new measurement of the AGN fraction in a sample of 13 clusters of galaxies (M {>=} 10{sup 14} M{sub Sun }) at 1 < z < 1.5 selected from the Spitzer/IRAC Shallow Cluster Survey, as well as the field fraction in the immediate vicinity of these clusters, and combine these data with measurements from the literature to quantify the relative evolution of cluster and field AGN from the present to z {approx} 3. We estimate that the cluster AGN fraction at 1 < z < 1.5 is f{sub A} = 3.0{sup +2.4}{sub -1.4}% for AGNs with a rest-frame, hard X-ray luminosity greater than L{sub X,{sub H}} {>=} 10{sup 44} erg s{sup -1}. This fraction is measured relative to all cluster galaxies more luminous than M{sup *}{sub 3.6}(z) + 1, where M{sup *}{sub 3.6}(z) is the absolute magnitude of the break in the galaxy luminosity function at the cluster redshift in the IRAC 3.6 {mu}m bandpass. The cluster AGN fraction is 30 times greater than the 3{sigma} upper limit on the value for AGNs of similar luminosity at z {approx} 0.25, as well as more than an order of magnitude greater than the AGN fraction at z {approx} 0.75. AGNs with L{sub X,{sub H}} {>=} 10{sup 43} erg s{sup -1} exhibit similarly pronounced evolution with redshift. In contrast to the local universe, where the luminous AGN fraction is higher in the field than in clusters, the X-ray and MIR-selected AGN fractions in the field and clusters are consistent at 1 < z < 1.5. This is evidence that the cluster AGN population has evolved more rapidly than the field population from z {approx} 1.5 to the present. This environment-dependent AGN evolution mimics the more rapid evolution of star-forming galaxies in clusters relative to the field.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2014

SU-E-T-480: Radiobiological Dose Comparison of Single Fraction SRS, Multi-Fraction SRT and Multi-Stage SRS of Large Target Volumes Using the Linear-Quadratic Formula

Purpose: To compare the radiobiological effect on large tumors and surrounding normal tissues from single fraction SRS, multi-fractionated SRT, and multi-staged SRS treatment. Methods: An anthropomorphic head phantom with a centrally located large volume target (18.2 cm{sup 3}) was scanned using a 16 slice large bore CT simulator. Scans were imported to the Multiplan treatment planning system where a total prescription dose of 20Gy was used for a single, three staged and three fractionated treatment. Cyber Knife treatment plans were inversely optimized for the target volume to achieve at least 95% coverage of the prescription dose. For the multistage plan, the target was segmented into three subtargets having similar volume and shape. Staged plans for individual subtargets were generated based on a planning technique where the beam MUs of the original plan on the total target volume are changed by weighting the MUs based on projected beam lengths within each subtarget. Dose matrices for each plan were export in DICOM format and used to calculate equivalent dose distributions in 2Gy fractions using an alpha beta ratio of 10 for the target and 3 for normal tissue. Results: Singe fraction SRS, multi-stage plan and multi-fractionated SRT plans had an average 2Gy dose equivalent to the target of 62.89Gy, 37.91Gy and 33.68Gy, respectively. The normal tissue within 12Gy physical dose region had an average 2Gy dose equivalent of 29.55Gy, 16.08Gy and 13.93Gy, respectively. Conclusion: The single fraction SRS plan had the largest predicted biological effect for the target and the surrounding normal tissue. The multi-stage treatment provided for a more potent biologically effect on target compared to the multi-fraction SRT treatments with less biological normal tissue than single-fraction SRS treatment.

60 APPLIED LIFE SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2016

Fractionation of Organosolv Lignin Using Acetone:Water and Properties of the Obtained Fractions

In this study, lignin fractions with different molecular weight were prepared using a simple and almost green method from switchgrass and pine organosolv lignin. Different proportions of acetone in water, ranging from 30 to 60%, were used for lignin fractionation. A higher concentration of acetone dissolved higher molecular weight fractions of the lignin. Fractionated organosolv lignin showed different molecular weight and functional groups. Higher molecular weight fractions exhibited more aliphatic and less phenolic OH than lower molecular weight fractions. Lower molecular weight fractions lead to more homogeneous structure compared to samples with a higher molecular weight. In conclusion, all fractions showed strong antioxidant activity.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2013

Repopulation of interacting tumor cells during fractionated radiotherapy: Stochastic modeling of the tumor control probability

Purpose: Optimal treatment planning for fractionated external beam radiation therapy requires inputs from radiobiology based on recent thinking about the “five Rs” (repopulation, radiosensitivity, reoxygenation, redistribution, and repair). The need is especially acute for the newer, often individualized, protocols made feasible by progress in image guided radiation therapy and dose conformity. Current stochastic tumor control probability (TCP) models incorporating tumor repopulation effects consider “stem-like cancer cells” (SLCC) to be independent, but the authors here propose that SLCC-SLCC interactions may be significant. The authors present a new stochastic TCP model for repopulating SLCC interacting within microenvironmental niches. Our approach is meant mainly for comparing similar protocols. It aims at practical generalizations of previous mathematical models. Methods: The authors consider protocols with complete sublethal damage repair between fractions. The authors use customized open-source software and recent mathematical approaches from stochastic process theory for calculating the time-dependent SLCC number and thereby estimating SLCC eradication probabilities. As specific numerical examples, the authors consider predicted TCP results for a 2 Gy per fraction, 60 Gy protocol compared to 64 Gy protocols involving early or late boosts in a limited volume to some fractions. Results: In sample calculations with linear quadratic parameters α = 0.3 per Gy, α/β = 10 Gy, boosting is predicted to raise TCP from a dismal 14.5% observed in some older protocols for advanced NSCLC to above 70%. This prediction is robust as regards: (a) the assumed values of parameters other than α and (b) the choice of models for intraniche SLCC-SLCC interactions. However, α = 0.03 per Gy leads to a prediction of almost no improvement when boosting. Conclusions: The predicted efficacy of moderate boosts depends sensitively on α. Presumably, the larger values of α are the ones appropriate for individualized treatment protocols, with the smaller values relevant only to protocols for a heterogeneous patient population. On that assumption, boosting is predicted to be highly effective. Front boosting, apart from practical advantages and a possible advantage as regards iatrogenic second cancers, also probably gives a slightly higher TCP than back boosting. If the total number of SLCC at the start of treatment can be measured even roughly, it will provide a highly sensitive way of discriminating between various models and parameter choices. Updated mathematical methods for calculating repopulation allow credible generalizations of earlier results.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2013

A NOVEL APPROACH TO CONSTRAIN THE ESCAPE FRACTION AND DUST CONTENT AT HIGH REDSHIFT USING THE COSMIC INFRARED BACKGROUND FRACTIONAL ANISOTROPY

The Cosmic Infrared Background (CIB) provides an opportunity to constrain many properties of the high-redshift (z > 6) stellar population as a whole. This background, specifically from 1 to 200 {mu}m, should contain information about the era of reionization and the stars that are responsible for these ionizing photons. In this paper, we look at the fractional anisotropy ({delta}I/I) of this high-redshift population, where {delta}I is the ratio of the magnitude of the fluctuations and I is the mean intensity. We show that this can be used to constrain the escape fraction of the population as a whole, because the magnitude of the fluctuations of the CIB depends on the escape fraction, while the mean intensity does not. This results in lower values of the escape fraction producing higher values of the fractional anisotropy. This difference is predicted to be larger at longer wavelength bands (above 10 {mu}m), albeit it is also much harder to observe in that range. We show that the fractional anisotropy can also be used to separate a dusty from a dust-free population. Finally, we discuss the constraints provided by current observations on the CIB fractional anisotropy.

79 ASTRONOMY AND ASTROPHYSICS↗
DOE OSTI2017

Quality carbon fibers from fractionated lignin

The application of lignin carbon fibers was hindered by their low quality and mechanical performance. We addressed this challenge by developing a new approach to fractionate and modify lignin to produce quality carbon fibers using an enzyme-mediator system, which derives lignin fractions with different molecular weights, functional groups, and interunitary linkages. The fractionated lignin in general improves the miscibility and spinnability of lignin. In particular, the insoluble lignin fraction renders carbon fibers with a significantly improved turbostratic carbon structure as revealed by XRD and Raman spectroscopy. The improvement in the carbon structure leads to the significantly improved elastic modulus. The results suggest that higher molecular weights, less –OH groups, and more linear structures may contribute to the improved crystallization and mechanical performance of lignin carbon fibers. Finally, the technical breakthrough produces lignin-based carbon fibers with a similar elastic modulus to commercial carbon fibers for the first time, and paves the path for replacing PAN with lignin for producing quality carbon fibers.

Enzymatic fractionation↗
DOE OSTI2016

Measurements of the S-wave fraction in $B^0$ → $K^+π^-μ^+μ^-$ decays and the $B^0 → K^*(892)^0μ^+μ^-$ differential branching fraction

A measurement of the differential branching fraction of the decay $B^0 → K^*(892)^0$ $μ^+μ^-$ is presented together with a determination of the S-wave fraction of the $K^+π^-$ system in the decay $B^0 → K^+π^-μ^+μ^-$. The analysis is based on pp-collision data corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3 fb -1 collected with the LHCb experiment. The measurements are made in bins of the invariant mass squared of the dimuon system, q 2 . Precise theoretical predictions for the differential branching fraction of $B^0 → K^*(892)^0 μ^+μ^-$ decays are available for the q 2 region 1.1 < q 2 < 6.0 GeV 2 / c 4 . In this q 2 region, for the $K^+π^-$ invariant mass range 796 < $m_{K_π}$ < 996 MeV/c 2 , the S-wave fraction of the $K^+π^-$ system in $B^0 → K^+π^-μ^+μ^-$ decays is found to be F S = 0.101 &#x00B1;<!-- ± --> 0.017 ( s t a t ) &#x00B1;<!-- ± --> 0.009 ( s y s t ) , and the differential branching fraction of $B^0 → K^*(892)^0 μ^+μ^-$ decays is determined to be d B / d q 2 = ( 0. 392 &#x2212;<!-- - --> 0.019 + 0.020 ( s t a t ) &#x00B1;<!-- ± --> 0.010 ( s y s t ) &#x00B1;<!-- ± --> 0.027 ( n o r m ) ) &#x00D7;<!-- × --> 1 0 &#x2212;<!-- - --> 7 c 4 / G e V 2 . The differential branching fraction measurements presented are the most precise to date and are found to be in agreement with Standard Model predictions.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2021

End-gas autoignition fraction and flame propagation rate in laser-ignited primary reference fuel mixtures at elevated temperature and pressure

Knock in spark-ignited (SI) engines is initiated by autoignition of the unburned gasses upstream of spark-ignited, propagating, turbulent premixed flames. Knock propensity of fuel/air mixtures is typically quantified using research octane number (RON), motor octane number (MON), or methane number (MN; for gaseous fuels), which are measured using single-cylinder, variable compression ratio engines. In this study, knock propensity of SI fuels was quantified via observations of end-gas autoignition (EGAI) in unburned gasses upstream of laser-ignited, premixed flames at elevated pressures and temperatures in a rapid compression machine. Stoichiometric primary reference fuel (PRF; n-heptane/isooctane) blends of varying reactivity (50 ≤ PRF ≤ 100) were ignited using an Nd:YAG laser over a range of temperatures and pressures, all in excess of 545 K and 16.1 bar. Laser ignition produced outwardly-propagating premixed flames. High-speed pressure measurements and schlieren images indicated the presence of EGAI. The fraction of the total heat release attributed to EGAI (i.e., EGAI fraction) varied with fuel reactivity (i.e., octane number) and the time-integrated temperature of the end-gas prior to ignition. Flame propagation rates, which were measured using schlieren images, were only weakly correlated with octane number but were affected by turbulence caused by variation in piston timing. Under conditions of low turbulence, measured flame propagation rates approached one-dimensional premixed laminar flame speed computations performed at the same conditions. Experiments were simulated with a three-dimensional CONVERGE™ model using reduced chemical kinetics (121 species, 538 reactions). The simulations accurately captured the measured flame propagation rates, as well as the variation in EGAI fraction with fuel reactivity and time-integrated end-gas temperature. The simulations also revealed low-temperature heat release as well as formaldehyde and hydrogen peroxide formation in the end-gas upstream of the propagating flame, which increased the temperature and degree of chain branching in the end-gas, ultimately leading to EGAI.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

A Versatile Approach for Quantification of Surface Site Fractions using Reaction Kinetics: The Case of CO Oxidation on Supported Ir Single Atoms and Nanoparticles

Supported metal single atom catalysts have shown unique activity and selectivity for several reactions. Investigating the reaction mechanism on single atom catalysts and unambiguous assignment of the activity and selectivity requires catalysts with exclusively single atoms. However, it is challenging to prepare pure single atom catalysts with conventional impregnation methods, which typically result in a mixture of single atoms and nanoparticles. Here, we show that owing to different reaction mechanisms on single atoms and nanoparticles, reaction kinetics can serve as a surface sensitive characterization technique for quantifying their surface site fractions. As a case study, we use CO oxidation kinetics on Ir/MgAl2O4 to quantify the surface site fractions of single atoms and nanoparticles and the results are consistent with aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy, X-ray absorption fine structure and infrared spectroscopies. Additionally, by carefully choosing the reaction conditions, the activity of single atoms (or nanoparticles) can be made dominant, enabling detection of a small fraction, or allowing a study of their reaction mechanism on a catalyst containing a mixture of single atoms and nanoparticles. These results are general and could be applied to other systems where two types of sites have different reaction mechanisms.

Single atom catalyst, Kinetics, CO oxidation, x-ra↗
DOE OSTI2015

Fractionally charged skyrmions in fractional quantum Hall effect

The fractional quantum Hall effect has inspired searches for exotic emergent topological particles, such as fractionally charged excitations, composite fermions, abelian and nonabelian anyons and Majorana fermions. Fractionally charged skyrmions, which support both topological charge and topological vortex-like spin structure, have also been predicted to occur in the vicinity of 1/3 filling of the lowest Landau level. The fractional skyrmions, however, are anticipated to be exceedingly fragile, suppressed by very small Zeeman energies. Here we show that, slightly away from 1/3 filling, the smallest manifestations of the fractional skyrmion exist in the excitation spectrum for a broad range of Zeeman energies, and appear in resonant inelastic light scattering experiments as well-defined resonances slightly below the long wavelength spin wave mode. The spectroscopy of these exotic bound states serves as a sensitive tool for investigating the residual interaction between composite fermions, responsible for delicate new fractional quantum Hall states in this filling factor region.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2014

Statistical mechanics based on fractional classical and quantum mechanics

The purpose of this work is to study some problems in statistical mechanics based on the fractional classical and quantum mechanics. At first stage we have presented the thermodynamical properties of the classical ideal gas and the system of N classical oscillators. In both cases, the Hamiltonian contains fractional exponents of the phase space (position and momentum). At the second stage, in the context of the fractional quantum mechanics, we have calculated the thermodynamical properties for the black body radiation, studied the Bose-Einstein statistics with the related problem of the condensation and the Fermi-Dirac statistics.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2013

A framework to measure myocardial extracellular volume fraction using dual-phase low dose CT images

Purpose: Myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECVF) is a surrogate imaging biomarker of diffuse myocardial fibrosis, a hallmark of pathologic ventricular remodeling. Low dose cardiac CT is emerging as a promising modality to detect diffuse interstitial myocardial fibrosis due to its fast acquisition and low radiation; however, the insufficient contrast in the low dose CT images poses great challenge to measure ECVF from the image. Methods: To deal with this difficulty, the authors present a complete ECVF measurement framework including a point-guided myocardial modeling, a deformable model-based myocardium segmentation, nonrigid registration of pre- and post-CT, and ECVF calculation. Results: The proposed method was evaluated on 20 patients by two observers. Compared to the manually delineated reference segmentations, the accuracy of our segmentation in terms of true positive volume fraction (TPVF), false positive volume fraction (FPVF), and average surface distance (ASD), were 92.18% ± 3.52%, 0.31% ± 0.10%, 0.69 ± 0.14 mm, respectively. The interobserver variability measured by concordance correlation coefficient regarding TPVF, FPVF, and ASD were 0.95, 0.90, 0.94, respectively, demonstrating excellent agreement. Bland-Altman method showed 95% limits of agreement between ECVF at CT and ECVF at MR. Conclusions: The proposed framework demonstrates its efficiency, accuracy, and noninvasiveness in ECVF measurement and dramatically advances the ECVF at cardiac CT toward its clinical use.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗
DOE OSTI2018

SU(N) fractional quantum Hall effect in topological flat bands

We study N-component interacting particles (hardcore bosons and fermions) loaded in topological lattice models with SU(N)-invariant interactions based on exact diagonalization and density matrix renormalization group method. By tuning the interplay of interspecies and intraspecies interactions, we demonstrate that a class of SU(N) fractional quantum Hall states can emerge at fractional filling factors nu=N/(N+1) for bosons [nu=N/(2N+1) for fermions] in the lowest Chern band, characterized by the nontrivial fractional Hall responses and the fractional charge pumping. Moreover, we establish a topological characterization based on the K matrix and discuss the close relationship to the fractional quantum Hall physics in topological flat bands with Chern number N.

72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS↗
DOE OSTI2013

Radiation-Free Weekend Rescued! Continuous Accelerated Irradiation of 7-Days per Week Is Equal to Accelerated Fractionation With Concomitant Boost of 7 Fractions in 5-Days per Week: Report on Phase 3 Clinical Trial in Head-and-Neck Cancer Patients

Purpose: To report long-term results of randomized trial comparing 2 accelerated fractionations of definitive radiation therapy assessing the need to irradiate during weekend in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Methods and Materials: A total of 345 patients with SCC of the oral cavity, larynx, and oro- or hypo-pharynx, stage T2-4N0-1M0, were randomized to receive continuous accelerated irradiation (CAIR: once per day, 7 days per week) or concomitant accelerated boost (CB: once per day, 3 days per week, and twice per day, 2 days per week). Total dose ranged from 66.6-72 Gy, dose per fraction was 1.8 Gy, number of fractions ranged from 37-40 fractions, and overall treatment time ranged from 37-40 days. Results: No differences for all trial end-points were noted. At 5 and 10 years, the actuarial rates of local-regional control were 63% and 60% for CAIR vs 65% and 60% for CB, and the corresponding overall survival were 40% and 25% vs 44% and 25%, respectively. Confluent mucositis was the main acute toxicity, with an incidence of 89% in CAIR and 86% in CB patients. The 5-year rate of grade 3-4 late radiation morbidity was 6% for both regimens. Conclusions: Results of this trial indicate that the effects of accelerated fractionation can be achieve by delivering twice-per-day irradiation on weekday(s). This trial has also confirmed that an accelerated, 6-weeks schedule is a reasonable option for patients with intermediate-stage head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma because of the associated high cure rate and minimal severe late toxicity.

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE↗