This article reports an experimental and theoretical study of the peroxide‐induced degradation of polypropylene in a corotating twin‐screw extruder. Experiments were performed with different peroxide concentrations and different operating conditions. The evolution of the chemical reaction along the extruder was monitored with specific sampling devices. Material changes were characterized by rheological measurements and via the determination of the molecular weights of samples collected at the same locations. The theoretical results were obtained with a model that coupled the interactions between flow conditions encountered in the extruder, the kinetics of the reaction, and the changes in the viscosity induced by changes in the molecular weight. The experimental results evidenced the relationships between the process conditions (peroxide concentration and processing parameters) and material properties (rheological properties and molecular structure of the modified polypropylene). Good agreement between the theoretical and experimental results was obtained. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2006

Short-course WBRT with 20 Gy in five fractions is preferable for most patients, because it is associated with similar survival as longer programs and is less time-consuming.

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Both RT techniques resulted in similar treatment outcomes. Because xerostomia was less with 3-D conformal RT, this technique appeared beneficial for patients, in whom one parotid gland can be spared. Outcome was associated with gender, performance status, tumor stage, and pre-RT hemoglobin.

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