bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Treatment Sequencing in Advanced BRAF-Mutant Melanoma Patients: Current Practice in the United States
Authors: Audibert Céline , Stuntz Mark , Glass Daniel
Published: December 2017

Background: Treatment of advanced BRAF-mutant melanoma has changed dramatically in the past 3 years thanks to the approval of new immunotherapy and targeted therapy agents. Objectives: The goal of our survey was to investigate when immunotherapy and targeted therapy are used in the management of advanced melanoma patients and whether differences exist between the types of setting. Methods: Oncologists from academic centers, community-based centers, and private clinics were invited to participate in an online survey. Survey questions addressed the proportion of BRAF-mutant patients per treatment line, proportion of patients on targeted therapy and immunotherapy available in the United States, and reasons for prescribing each drug class. Results: A total of 101 physicians completed the survey, of which 47 worked in a private clinic, 33 in an academic center, and 21 in a community-based center. Academic center participants tended to see more severe patients ( P < .001) and had more patients in second-line treatment than participants from other setting types. In addition, academic center physicians had more patients in clinical trials ( P < .001), and they prescribed the ipilimumab and nivolumab combination more frequently. In terms of sequencing, all participants used targeted therapy for severe or rapidly progressing patients and immunotherapy for those who were less severe or slowly progressing. Conclusions: The findings illustrate the differences in treatment approach per type of setting, with patients in academic centers more likely to receive recently approved products or to be enrolled in clinical trials than those in community-based settings.
Unexpected Finding: Aortic Regurgitation in a Case of Severe Migraine Headaches
Authors: Prasada Sameer , Caveney Maxx , Stacey R. Brandon
Published: December 2017

The relationship between migraine headaches and valvular heart disease usually relates to chronic use of ergotamine-based medical therapies. Significant aortic regurgitation can result in decreased global cerebral perfusion, and for patients with migraine headaches, decreased cerebral perfusion represents a key finding in relation to their symptomatology from migraines. Though headaches are rarely regarded as complications of aortic regurgitation, a case study is presented of significant aortic regurgitation in an ergotamine-naïve patient whose symptoms resolved after valve replacement surgery.
Clinical predictors of chronic rhinosinusitis: Do the Canadian clinical practice guidelines for acute and chronic rhinosinusitis predict CT-confirmation of disease?
Authors: Moore Paige , Blakley Brian , Meen Eric
Published: December 2017

Background

The diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) based on clinical presentation alone remains challenging. To improve the accuracy of clinical diagnosis, the Canadian Rhinosinusitis Guidelines recommend the use of specific symptom and endoscopic criteria. Our study objective was to determine whether symptom and endoscopic criteria, as defined by the Canadian Rhinosinusitis Guidelines, accurately predict CT-confirmed CRS diagnosis.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of 126 patients who underwent CT sinuses based on clinical suspicion of possible CRS. The presence of symptom and endoscopic criteria, as defined by the Canadian Rhinosinusitis Guidelines, were compared between patients with and without a CT-confirmed CRS diagnosis using two-tailed Fisher's exact tests. Positive predictive values and likelihood ratios were determined for each symptom and endoscopic finding.

Results

Overall, 56.3% of patients had a CT-confirmed diagnosis of CRS. With the exception of nasal polyps, none of the symptom or endoscopic criteria had a statistically significant correlation with positive CT sinuses. For symptom criteria, positive predictive values ranged from 52.4% to 63.4%; likelihood ratios ranged from 0.85 to 1.34. For endoscopic criteria, positive predictive values and likelihood ratios were 71.4% and 1.94 (edema); 63.0% and 1.32 (discharge); and 92.9% and 10.1 (nasal polyps). 35.2% of patients with CT-confirmed CRS had normal endoscopic exams.

Conclusion

The Canadian Rhinosinusitis Guidelines’ symptom and endoscopic criteria for CRS, with the exception of nasal polyps on endoscopy, do not accurately predict CT-confirmed disease. In addition, a normal endoscopic exam does not rule out CRS.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Pediatric Cancer: Clinical and Radiologic Findings
Authors: Khan Saadiya Javed , Arshad Arjumand Ali , Fayyaz Mohammad Bilal , ud din Mirza Islah
Published: December 2017

Purpose

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is associated with a range of medical conditions and medications. In this retrospective analysis, we present 19 pediatric patients with PRES who had undergone chemotherapy.

Methods

We identified four female and 15 male patients diagnosed with PRES on the basis of clinical and radiologic features. Patient charts were reviewed from January 2013 to June 2016 after authorization from the institutional review board.

Results

The average age of patients with PRES was 7 years. Primary diagnoses were non-Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 9), acute pre–B-cell leukemia (n = 5), relapsed pre–B-cell leukemia (n = 2), Hodgkin lymphoma (n = 2), and Ewing sarcoma (n = 1). PRES occurred during induction chemotherapy in 12 patients. Sixteen patients had hypertension when they developed PRES. Most of these patients (n = 13) were receiving corticosteroids on diagnosis of PRES. Common clinical features were hypertension, seizures, and altered mental status. With the exclusion of three patients, all others required antiepileptic therapy. Ten of these patients underwent additional magnetic resonance imaging. Ten patients are still alive.

Conclusion

In patients who presented to our center with signs and symptoms of hypertension, seizures, visual loss, or altered mental status, PRES was mostly seen in those who were undergoing systemic and intrathecal chemotherapy. Approximately 40% of the patients had reversal of clinical and radiologic findings. Antiepileptic medications were discontinued after being seizure free for approximately 6 months.
Parental History of Type 2 Diabetes Abrogates Ethnic Disparities in Key Glucoregulatory Indices
Authors: Nyenwe Ebenezer , Owei Ibiye , Wan Jim , Dagogo-Jack Sam
Published: December 2017

Context

There are ethnic differences in glucoregulation and prevalence of type 2 diabetes, but studies on the role of genetics in modifying ethnic effects in normoglycemic African-Americans and Caucasians are limited. Therefore, we investigated glucoregulation in normoglycemic African-Americans and Caucasians with or without parental diabetes.

Design

Fifty subjects with parental diabetes (from the Pathobiology of Prediabetes in a Biracial Cohort Study) and 50 subjects without parental diabetes were matched in age, sex, ethnicity, and body mass index (BMI). Subjects underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), physical examination, anthropometry, biochemistries, indirect calorimetry and assessment of body composition, insulin sensitivity by euglycemic clamp (Si-clamp), and β-cell function by Disposition index.

Results

The mean age was 40.5 ± 11.6 years, BMI 28.7 ± 5.9 kg/m2, fasting plasma glucose 90.2 ± 5.9 mg/dL, and 2-hour postglucose 120.0 ± 26.8 mg/dL. Offspring with parental diabetes showed higher glycemic excursion during OGTT–area under the curve–glucose (16,005.6 ± 2324.7 vs 14,973.8 ± 1819.9, P < 0.005), lower Si-clamp (0.132 ± 0.068 vs 0.162 ± 0.081 µmol/kg fat-free mass/min/pmol/L, P < 0.05), and lower Disposition index (8.74 ± 5.72 vs 11.83 ± 7.49, P < 0.05). Compared with lean subjects without parental diabetes, β cell function was lower by ∼30% in lean subjects with parental diabetes, ∼40% in obese subjects without parental diabetes, and ∼50% in obese individuals with parental diabetes (P < 0.0001). African-Americans without parental diabetes had ∼40% lower insulin sensitivity (P < 0.001), twofold higher acute insulin secretion (P < 0.001), but ∼30% lower Disposition index (P < 0.01) compared with Caucasians without parental diabetes. Remarkably, there were no significant differences by ethnicity in these glucoregulatory measures among subjects with parental diabetes.

Conclusion

Offspring with parental diabetes harbor substantial impairments in glucoregulation compared with individuals without parental diabetes. Ethnic disparities in glucoregulation were abrogated by parental diabetes.
Absolute Poverty: When Necessity Displaces Desire
Authors: Allen Robert C.
Published: November 2017

A new basis for an international poverty measurement is proposed based on linear programming for specifying the least cost diet and explicit budgeting for nonfood spending. This approach is superior to the World Bank's $1-a-day line because it is (i) clearly related to survival and well being; (ii) comparable across time and space since the same nutritional requirements are used everywhere while nonfood spending is tailored to climate; (iii) adjusts consumption patterns to local prices; (iv) presents no index number problems since solutions are always in local prices; and (v) requires only readily available information. The new approach implies much more poverty than the World Bank's, especially in Asia. (JEL C61, I14, I31, I32, O15)
Μέτρηση εμβαδού, από νήπια, μέσω της κάλυψης επιφάνειας με χρήση βοηθητικών μέσων
Authors: Σκουμπουρδή (Crisanthi Skoumbourdi) Χρυσάνθη , Παπαϊωάννου-Στραβολαίμου (Dimitra Papaioannou- Stravolaimou) Δήμητρα
Published: December 2017

Βασιζόμενοι στο ερμηνευτικό πλαίσιο του Cobb (2007) για τη μάθηση των μαθηματικών και με την υπόθεση ότι αν σχεδιαστούν και υλοποιηθούν δραστηριότητες που έχουν νόημα για τα παιδιά με τέτοιο τρόπο ώστε να τα εμπλέξουν σε προβληματισμό, θα έχουν την ευκαιρία να αναπτύξουν προσωπικούς συλλογισμούς οι οποίοι μέσα από την κοινωνική αλληλεπίδραση—μεταξύ τους και με την ερευνήτρια—θα ανασχηματιστούν συμβάλλοντας στη δημιουργία μιας διαφορετικής πρακτικής της τάξης. Στο άρθρο αυτό περιγράφεται η παρέμβαση που πραγματοποιήθηκε, σε μια τάξη νηπιαγωγείου, για τη μέτρηση εμβαδού, από τα νήπια, μέσω της κάλυψης επιφάνειας, με χρήση βοηθητικών μέσων οικείων στα παιδιά. Από την καταγραφή του συλλογισμού των νηπίων, φάνηκε ότι είχαν την ικανότητα να καλύψουν μια επιφάνεια με ‘διακριτό’ υλικό και να το καταμετρήσουν, καθώς και ότι μπόρεσαν να αντιληφθούν την αντίστροφη σχέση που χαρακτήριζε το μέγεθος της μονάδας μέτρησης και το πλήθος των μονάδων που χρησιμοποιήθηκαν στη συγκεκριμένη μέτρηση. Επίσης, καταγράφηκαν οι στρατηγικές των νηπίων για την κάλυψη μιας επιφάνειας με ‘συνεχές’ υλικό.
Ένα μοντέλο για τον προσδιορισμό της γονεϊκής εμπλοκής των Ελλήνων γονέων στην εκπαίδευση των παιδιών τους στα Μαθηματικά
Authors: Χαράλαμπος Λεμονίδης (Charalambos Lemonidis) Χαράλαμπος , Μαρκαδάς (Sotiris Markadas) Σωτήρης , Τσακιρίδου (Eleni Tsakiridou) Ελένη
Published: December 2017

Η εμπλοκή των γονέων στην εκπαίδευση των παιδιών τους αναγνωρίζεται πλέον ως σημαντικότατος παράγοντας για τη βελτίωση της αποτελεσματικότητας του σχολείου. Οι γονείς μπορούν με τις πράξεις και τις παραλείψεις τους, με τις βαθύτερες αντιλήψεις και στάσεις τους να ενισχύσουν ή να αποδυναμώσουν τις προσπάθειες που καταβάλουν τα παιδιά τους να γνωρίσουν, να μάθουν, να κατακτήσουν γνώσεις, δεξιότητες και ικανότητες. Στην εργασία επιχειρείται η καταγραφή των επιμέρους μορφών που λαμβάνει η εμπλοκή των γονέων και η σύνθεση τους σε ένα ερμηνευτικό μοντέλο με επίκεντρο τα Μαθηματικά. Μέσα από ένα δείγμα 1306 γονέων που έχουν παιδιά στο Δημοτικό σχολείο, εξετάστηκαν και αναλύθηκαν χαρακτηριστικά της γονεϊκής εμπλοκής ενώ έγινε προσπάθεια να αναδειχτούν οι επιπτώσεις τους και οι σχέσεις συνάφειας που παρουσιάζουν με δημογραφικές και κοινωνικοοικονομικές μεταβλητές. Η έρευνα ανέδειξε ένα μοντέλο που δομείται από έξι κατηγορίες γονεϊκής εμπλοκής. Τρεις μόνο από αυτούς συνδέονται με τις επιδόσεις στα Μαθηματικά.
Ενημέρωση για το περιοδικό
Authors: Σταθοπούλου (Charoula Stathopoulou) Χαρούλα , Τζεκάκη (Marianna Tzekaki) Μαριάννα
Published: December 2017

Παρουσίαση του τεύχους
Η ΜΑΘΗΜΑΤΙΚΗ ΕΚΠΑΙΔΕΥΣΗ ΤΩΝ ΠΑΙΔΙΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΜΟΥΣΟΥΛΜΑΝΙΚΗΣ ΜΕΙΟΝΟΤΗΤΑΣ ΣΤΗ ΘΡΑΚΗ: ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΚΕΣ, ΠΟΛΙΤΙΣΜΙΚΕΣ ΚΑΙ ΠΟΛΙΤΙΚΕΣ ΠΑΡΑΜΕΤΡΟΙ
Authors: Σακονίδης (Charalampos Sakonidis) Χαράλαμπος
Published: December 2017

Η ανάπτυξη της μαθηματικής κατανόησης και σκέψης αποτελεί μια πολύπλοκη διαδικασία που οριοθετείται από ιστορικούς, κοινωνικούς, πολιτισμικούς και πολιτικούς παράγοντες.  Η παρούσα μελέτη επιχειρεί να αναδείξει κοινωνικά, πολιτισμικά και πολιτικά ζητήματα που ανακύπτουν στο πλαίσιο της μάθησης και της διδασκαλίας των μαθηματικών από μαθητές της μειονότητας στη Θράκη, μέσα από την προσωπική νοηματοδότηση του ερευνητή. Η αναστοχαστική προσέγγιση κρίσιμων συμβάντων που υιοθετείται υποδεικνύει ότι για ένα μειονοτικό μαθητή, η επιτυχής συμμετοχή στην πρακτική της μαθηματικής εκπαίδευσης συνιστά μια συνεχή πάλη με εξουσιαστικές δομές που λειτουργούν σε τοπικό αλλά και γενικό επίπεδο.
Πολιτικές όψεις της κρατικής παρέμβασης στη γεωργία. Μια κριτική ανασύνθεση των απόψεων ηγετικών στελεχών στο χώρο της αγροτικής πολιτικής
Authors: Λουλούδης Λεωνίδας
Published: December 2017

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη στα ελληνικά
Η δυναμική συμπεριφορά των αμυντικών δαπανών στα πλαίσια της Ατλαντικής Συμμαχίας στον ψυχροπολεμικό και μετα-ψυχροπολεμικό κόσμο
Authors: Καπόπουλος Παναγιώτης , Λαζαρέτου Σοφία
Published: December 2017

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη στα ελληνικά
Ορθοδοξία, εθνικισμός και πολιτική κουλτούρα στη σύγχρονη Ελλάδα: Καινούριες προσεγγίσεις ή εσωτερικοποίηση δεδομένων παραδειγμάτων;
Authors: Προδρόμου Ελισάβετ
Published: December 2017

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη στα ελληνικά
Πολιτική εξουσία και μειονότητες στα Βαλκάνια στη μετακομμουνιστική εποχή
Authors: Κοππά Μαριλένα
Published: December 2017

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη στα ελληνικά
ΓΙΩΡΓΟΣ X. ΣΩΤΗΡΕΛΗΣ, Θρησκεία και εκπαίδευση (κατά το σύνταγμα και την ευρωπαϊκή σύμβαση): Από τον κατηχητισμό στην πολυφωνία, Σάκκουλας, Αθήνα-Κομοτηνή 1993, 449 σελ.
Authors: Φραγκουδάκη Άννα
Published: December 2017

Δεν διατίθεται περίληψη / no abstract available
Premature ejaculation: challenging new and the old concepts
Authors: Kalejaiye Odunayo , Almekaty Khaled , Blecher Gideon , Minhas Suks
Published: December 2017

Premature ejaculation remains a difficult condition to manage for patients, their partners, and the clinician. Whilst prevalence rates are estimated to be 20–40%, determining a diagnosis of premature ejaculation is difficult, as the definition remains both subjective and ill-defined in the clinical context. As our understanding of the ejaculatory pathway has improved, new opportunities to treat the condition have evolved with mixed results. In this review, we explore some of these controversies surrounding the aetiology, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition and discuss potential novel therapeutic options.
Characteristics of no-scalpel vasectomy patients in Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Rahman Fakhri , Birowo Ponco , Taher Akmal , Rasyid Nur
Published: December 2017

Background: This study aims to learn the demographic and surgical characteristics of patients who underwent no-scalpel vasectomy in Indonesia and to compare patient’s demographic characteristics before and after legal pronouncement/fatwa issued by Indonesia Ulema Council in July 2012.

Methods: This is a retrospective study that collected data from the vasectomy medical records of patients who underwent no-scalpel vasectomy between January 2010 and May 2017. A total of 1497 patients were included in this study.

Results: The study found that patients’ age of 40-49 years old (42.8%), wives’ age of ≥ 35 years old (65.0%), having three children (34.3%), being Moslem (85.8%), high school graduated for patients (32.3%) and junior high school graduated for patients’ wives (25.7%), casual laborer (40.7%), and guided by family planning program officer (40.6%) were the most frequent characteristics found in patients undergoing no-scalpel vasectomy. There was a significant difference in certain characteristics before and after fatwa issuance, namely wives’ age, number of children, religion, patients’ and wives’ educational background and the person who guided patients to undergo vasectomy procedure. All no-scalpel vasectomy procedures were done using “Dr. Li’s three finger technique” with local infiltration anesthesia; the median length of procedure was 10 (7 – 90) minutes. This study also found that surgeon felt that more than 95% patients were easy to perform no-scalpel vasectomy procedure and this procedure had low complication rate.

Conclusions: Even though there were significant proportional difference in some characteristics, this study considers that the fatwa was not the only factor that affected patients’ choice of no-scalpel vasectomy.
COMPARATIVE ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PATIENTS WITH KIDNEY CANCER AFTER SURGICAL TREATMENT
Authors: Алексеева Галина , Alekseeva Galina , Кику Павел , Kiku Pavel , Юдин Сергей , Yudin Sergey , Щербакова Людмила , Shcherbakova Lyudmila , Морева Валентина , Moreva Valentina
Published: December 2017

In the study using the questionnaire EORTC-QLQ C30 there was done a comparative analysis of the quality of life of 35 patients with renal cancer (stage T1-2N0M0) who underwent organ-preserving surgery or open access radical nephrectomy. The initial parameters of quality of life of patients with kidney cancer were higher under organ-preserving surgery; important advantages covered general health status, role and social functions, fatigue and reduced appetite and sleep disorders. In the postoperative period in patients after organ-preserving surgery there remained higher general health status, physical and emotional functions, while the use of open access lowered the quality of life in both groups in functional scales due to the severity of pain and the reduction of social functions. The widespread introduction of endoscopic organ-preserving surgery for kidney cancer can improve the quality of life and contributes to rapid rehabilitation.
FEATURES OF LARGE INTESTINE MICROBIOCENOSIS IN INFANTS WITH FUNCTIONAL DISORDERS OF GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT AGAINST HIGH POPULATION DENSITY OF BACTERIA OF THE GENUS KLEBSIELLA
Authors: Григорова Екатерина , Grigorova Ekaterina , Немченко Ульяна , Nemchenko Ulyana , Иванова Елена , Ivanova Elena , Шабанова Наталья , Shabanova Natalya , Савелькаева Марина , Savelkaeva Marina , Сердюк Людмила , Serdyuk Lyudmila , Белькова Наталья , Belkova Natalya , Рычкова Любовь , Rychkova Lyubov , Шолохов Леонид , Sholokhov Leonid
Published: December 2017

The aim of the research was to determine the features of large intestinal microbiocenosis during the vegetation of bacteria of the genus Klebsiella in children with functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract in different age periods of the first year of life. The material for the study is based on 210 coprological samples isolated from infants of both sexes with functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and indication of Klebsiella spp. in the titer of 105-108 CFU/g. The children were grouped according to the age: 1st − children from 1 to 3 months old, 2nd − children from three to six months old, 3rd − children from 6 to 12 months old. All of them were divided into two groups for comparison, depending on the type of isolated Klebsiella species: K. pneumoniae (n=105) and K. oxytoca (n=105). The investigation of the intestinal microflora was performed in accordance with conventional methodology, and the assessment of the results was done according to Industry Standard. Identified bacteria were divided by their morphologic, tinctorial, cultural and biochemical properties. As a result of the study, dysbiotic disturbances of the 3rd degree were observed in children, complicated by the proliferation of bacteria of the genus Klebsiella, especially by its diagnostically important bacterial agent K. oxytoca. Most critical for the development of functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract for the children of the first year of life is the age of 3-6 months. Long-term persistence of the Klebsiella spp. in high titer (105-108 CFU/g) in the large intestine of the children with functional disorders of the gastrointestinal tract dictates the need for selective decontamination of the Klebsiella from the gut microbiota.
Comparison of the Combined Effects of Hyperthermia with Ionizing Radiation or Cisplatin on Yeast and Mammalian Cells
Authors: Пронкевич М. , Pronkevich M. , Евстратова Е. , Evstratova E. , Белкина С. , Belkina S. , Анохин Ю. , Anohin Yu. , Петин В. , Petin V.
Published: December 2017

Purpose: To compare radiation responses of yeast and mammalian cells to combined actions of various agents and on this basis to draw

a conclusion about the possibility of synergy ideas application in medical radiology.

Material and methods: The yeast cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were exposed to the combined action of hyperthermia (22–58 °C,

exposure time 0–9 hrs) with ionizing radiation (25 MeV bremsstrahlung 5 and 25 Gy/min or γ-rays 60Co, 2, 10, and 80 Gy/min, acute

irradiation) or anti-tumor drug cisplatin (0,05 or 0,25 mg/ml, exposure time 0–3 hrs). The result of synergistic interaction for yeast cells

was assessed by the survival curves obtained by the authors after separate exposure to hyperthermia, ionizing radiation, cisplatin and after

combined action of hyperthermia with ionizing radiation or cisplatin. To quantify the synergistic interaction of similar combined actions

on mammalian cells, the data published by other authors have been used who did not evaluate the synergistic effect themselves.

Results: The synergistic interaction of hyperthermia with ionizing radiation or cisplatin was established for yeast and mammalian

cells. It is shown that the synergistic effect of the simultaneous action of these agents is observed only within a certain temperature range,

within which there is an optimal temperature at which the greatest synergism occurs. This optimal temperature is shifted to lower values

with a decrease in the dose rate of ionizing radiation or concentration of cisplatin. For sequential application of hyperthermia and ionizing

radiation the effect of combined action increases with an increase in acting temperature up to a certain limit, after which it remains

constant. These results are interpreted using the mathematical models previously proposed, in accordance with which the synergism is

determined by the formation of additional damage due to the interaction of sub-damage that are not effective after separate application of

agents.

Despite the fact that all of the data presented were obtained at temperatures far beyond the ambient temperature, it is not excluded that

there could be optimal intensities of harmful agents existing in the biosphere and capable of interacting with physiological heat of animals

and man in a synergistic manner. Hence, the assessment of health or environmental risks from numerous natural and man-made agents at

the level of intensities found in environmental and occupational settings should take into account synergistic interaction between harmful

agents.

Conclusion: The general regularities of synergistic effects of combined action of hyperthermia with ionizing radiation or with cisplatin

for yeast and mammalian cells have been established – the existence of optimal parameters for acting agents providing the highest synergy

and its dependence on the intensity of agents applied.
X-RAY FLUORESCENCE ANALYSIS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF THYROID CANCER
Authors: Зайчик В. , Zaychik V. , Давыдов Г. , Davydov G.
Published: December 2017

Purpose: To investigate new possibilities of differential diagnosis of benign and malignant thyroid goiter lesions by means of energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence analysis (EDRFA).

Material and methods: In the samples of thyroid tissue taken from people with intact thyroid gland (mostly died from trauma, n = 92), as well as in patients with nodular goiter (n = 79) and thyroid cancer (n = 40) bromine (Br), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), iodine (I), rubidium (Rb) and strontium (Sr) were investigated. To determine these elements, the methods of EDRPA have been developed using encapsulated sources with 109Cd and 241Am radionuclides for fluorescence excitation.

Results: It is shown that the levels of the content of I, the ratios I / Cu and I / Rb, as well as the products of the ratios I / Cu ∙ (I / Rb) and (I / Br) ∙ (I / Cu) ∙ (I / Rb ) are highly informative markers of thyroid cancer. The accuracy of the developed methods and the reliability of the results obtained were confirmed by measurements of international certified comparison materials.

Conclusion: The use of the proposed markers allows in vitro to differentiat thyroid cancer from benign nodes and normal tissue with sensitivity in the range of 86–100 %, specificity of 89–99 %, and accuracy within 90–99 %.
Indicators of Measuring Knowledge-Based Economy: a comparative study with reference to Egypt’s situation and strategies in turning to knowledge Economy
Authors: Salah Ehdaa
Published: December 2017

The economic, social and political changes in the world asserted the need for turning to the knowledge economy, which based on knowledge as a basic element of development. Different countries had many initiatives to adopt indicators to measure the knowledge-based economy. This study aims to make a comparison of initiatives and indicators of Knowledge-Based Economy. In addition, it aims to clarify the role of libraries in establishing a knowledge-based economy, and to identify Egypt’s situation among the system of Knowledge-based economies, according to World Bank indicators. Besides, the study attempts to identify Egypt’s strategies in turning to knowledge-based economy. This study follows the descriptive analytical method to identify knowledge-based economy measurement indicators; and the comparative method to compare these indicators to show the similarities and differences between them.
THE IMPACT OF CONCRETE AND POST-TENSIONING CABLE DEGRADATION ON STRAIN MEASUREMENTS OF CONCRETE CONTAINMENT BUILDINGS
Authors: Ding Yuqing , Jaffer Shahzma
Published: December 2017

Concrete containment buildings (CCBs) are important safety structures in nuclear power plants; however, degradation may occur in CCBs as they age. For post-tensioned CCBs, prestressing losses could occur and may affect the CCBs’ performance under accident conditions. CANDU CCBs contain cement-grouted post-tensioning (P-T) cables. The grouting of P-T cables prevents direct monitoring of prestressing losses by traditional lift-off testing. Instrumented monitoring has been recommended as an indirect approach by some guidelines for integrity evaluation of CCBs with grouted prestressing systems. As part of the investigation on the relationship between instrumentation data and the integrity of CCBs, sensitivity analyses have been performed using finite element models to develop an understanding of the sensitivity of strain changes to degradation factors that contribute to prestressing losses, such as creep and shrinkage of the concrete, stress relaxation, and deterioration of prestressing systems. Strain measurements from a CANDU CCB were analysed to assess the measurement noise, which was compared with the predicted strain changes due to degradation to evaluate whether the degradation of concrete and prestressing systems can be captured by strain instrumentation. The analysis reveals that the strain changes due to degradation, except the creep and shrinkage during the early years of CCBs, were comparable with the level of noise observed in the measured strain data. Degradation mechanisms related to prestressing losses have conflicting effects on strain changes and are difficult to assess individually. Therefore, it could be difficult to detect the prestressing losses and the effect of individual degradation issues using strain instrumentation.
HDL Particle Measurement: Comparison of 5 Methods
Authors: Matera Robert , Horvath Katalin V , Nair Hari , Schaefer Ernst J , Asztalos Bela F
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND

HDL cell cholesterol efflux capacity has been documented as superior to HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) in predicting cardiovascular disease risk. HDL functions relate to its composition. Compositional assays are easier to perform and standardize than functional tests and are more practical for routine testing. Our goal was to compare measurements of HDL particles by 5 different separation methods.

METHODS

HDL subfractions were measured in 98 samples using vertical auto profiling (VAP), ion mobility (IM), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), native 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE), and pre-β1-ELISA. VAP measured cholesterol in large HDL2 and small HDL3; IM measured particle number directly in large, intermediate, and small HDL particles; NMR measured lipid signals in large, medium, and small HDL; 2D-PAGE measured apolipoprotein (apo) A-I in large (α1), medium (α2), small (α3–4), and pre-β1 HDL particles; and ELISA measured apoA-I in pre-β1-HDL. The data were normalized and compared using Passing–Bablok, Lin concordance, and Bland–Altman plot analyses.

RESULTS

With decreasing HDL-C concentration, NMR measured a gradually lower percentage of large HDL, compared with IM, VAP, and 2D-PAGE. In the lowest HDL-C tertile, NMR measured 8% of large HDL, compared with IM, 22%; VAP, 20%; and 2D-PAGE, 18%. There was strong discordance between 2D-PAGE and NMR in measuring medium HDL (R2 = 0.356; rc = 0.042) and small HDL (R2 = 0.376; rc = 0.040). The 2D-PAGE assay measured a significantly higher apoA-I concentration in pre-β1-HDL than the pre-β1-ELISA (9.8 vs 1.6 mg/dL; R2 = 0.246; rc = 0.130).

CONCLUSIONS

NMR agreed poorly with the other methods in measuring large HDL, particularly in low HDL-C individuals. Similarly, there was strong discordance in pre-β1-HDL measurements between the ELISA and 2D-PAGE assays.
ROTA DE PEDESTRES EM JOÃO PESSOA/PB: Dificuldades e oportunidades para o city tour
Authors: Queiroz Alessandra Souza , Guilherme Francinete da Silva , Coutinho Danilo Henrique Gonçalves , Brambilla Adriana
Published: December 2017

O patrimônio compreende as nossas manifestações culturais e tem importância econômica, histórica e social, representa a nossa identidade, está diretamente ligado à garantia da memória da cidadania. No caso específico da cidade de João Pessoa/PB, o seu Centro Histórico possui uma grande importância por estar diretamente envolvido com a fundação da capital paraibana, sabendo disso, a rota de pedestre é um projeto de sinalização turística para pedestres no centro da cidade, cuja importância está na originalidade e é uma forma de conhecer o que sobreviveu ao tempo. Nesse sentido, o objetivo geral desse trabalho é apresentar essa alternativa para o turismo pessoense e analisar os motivos pelo qual a rota de pedestre não é mais utilizada assim como a possibilidade dela ser reimplantada. Para a consecução dos objetivos propostos foram realizadas pesquisas documental, bibliográfica e entrevistas, que demonstram que a rota de pedestre é vital para o turismo pessoense, mas que muitas medidas precisam ser adotadas para que ela funcione adequadamente, entre elas ações que visem à segurança pública.
ANÁLISE DA RELAÇÃO ENTRE DEPENDÊNCIA ECONÔMICA E PERCEPÇÃO DOS RESIDENTES SOBRE OS IMPACTOS DO DESENVOLVIMENTO TURÍSTICO DA PRAIA DA PIPA/RN
Authors: Felix João Paulo Serafim , Chagas Márcio Marreiro das , Marques Júnior Sérgio , Silva Victor Hugo da
Published: December 2017

O estudo objetiva analisar a relação entre dependência econômica e percepção dos residentes sobre o desenvolvimento turístico da Praia da Pipa/RN, um dos destinos indutores do estado. A hipótese principal é que a parcela da comunidade local que depende economicamente do turismo possui percepção mais positiva sobre os impactos da atividade, apego e imagem do local, como também apoio ao desenvolvimento turístico superior ao da parcela que não depende economicamente do setor. Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo exploratório descritivo, de abordagem analítica quantitativa, do tipo Survey, de corte transversal. A amostragem foi probabilística, com o sujeito escolhido pelo método aleatório simples. O instrumento utilizado para a coleta de dados foi um formulário baseado em escala métrica de 11 pontos, onde foram coletados 298 elementos na Praia da Pipa/RN. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e teste t para amostras independentes. Dentre os resultados, foi possível confirmar a hipótese de que os residentes que dependem economicamente do turismo possuem percepções estatisticamente significativas mais favoráveis sobre os impactos no desenvolvimento do turismo do que a parcela da comunidade que não é beneficiada diretamente pelo trabalho no setor, em todas as dimensões estudadas.
ATIVIDADES RECREATIVAS E LÚDICAS: um estudo nas escolas estaduais da cidade de Santa Vitória do Palmar, RS – Brasil
Authors: Dias Alex Borges , Franzen Leticia Indart , Teixeira Viviane Rocha
Published: December 2017

Os processos educativos são fundamentais para a formação de cidadãos mais conscientes de seu papel na construção de uma sociedade mais justa e igualitária. Em um mundo onde as atividades humanas são constantemente aceleradas pelas práticas capitalistas, se torna cada vez mais necessário pensar o papel da educação na formação de novos cidadãos conscientes de sua importância na sociedade. Desse modo, este trabalho teve por objetivo identificar as atividades recreativas e lúdicas que contribuem nos processos educativos dos alunos do 1º ano das escolas estaduais em Santa Vitória do Palmar, RS - Brasil. Na metodologia foi feita uma pesquisa bibliográfica. Para a coleta de dados foram feitas entrevistas com os professores responsáveis pelas turmas do primeiro ano de cada escola e foi utilizado o método de observação não-participante, além do levantamento fotográfico. Identificou-se que todas as escolas estaduais da cidade possuem atividades recreativas e lúdicas que contribuem para os processos educativos dos alunos matriculados.
TURISMO E EMPREENDEDORISMO: Projeto Aprender para Empreender Goiás
Authors: Gonzaga Christianne Viana Ferreira Paiva , Borges Amanda Alves , Pinto Elenice Costa , Lourenço Jade Magalhães Dirane , Tavares Luis Carlos Felix
Published: December 2017

O projeto Aprender para Empreender Goiás foi criado pelos acadêmicos do curso de Turismo, em conjunto com a professora orientadora, em fevereiro de 2017, para atender à disciplina de Empreendedorismo. A vigência do projeto é de um semestre. A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo utilizar o projeto como um instrumento de análise para os acadêmicos do quinto período do Curso Superior de Tecnologia em Gestão de Turismo da Universidade Estadual de Goiás, Câmpus Cora Coralina em Goiás. Foi possível no decorrer da observação prática do projeto promover a aproximação entre acadêmicos e empresários do ramo do turismo para possibilitar trocas de saberes e experiências. Como recurso metodológico a observação participante durante as etapas do projeto que ocorreu entre fevereiro e março do corrente ano, possibilitou a realização da pesquisa e o levantamento dos dados aqui apresentados. Para a compreensão sobre a relação turismo e empreendedorismo, autores como Chiavenato (2012); Dolabela (1999); Carneiro (2010), entre outros, foram fundamentais.
MEDIATIZACIÓN, NARRATIVIDAD Y PROCESOS EDUCATIVOS
Authors: Buján Federico
Published: December 2017

La historia de la mediatización puede caracterizarse como una larga serie de materializaciones de la semiosis por medio de diversos procedimientos técnicos, comportando cualidades específicas en cada caso en particular. Eliseo Verón, en sus últimos trabajos (2013, 2014), adoptó una perspectiva de larga duración en relación con la noción de mediatización, una perspectiva que denominara como semioantropológica. Desde esta perspectiva, la mediatización —en cuanto proceso— constituiría el resultado operacional de una dimensión nuclear de nuestra especie biológica: la capacidad de semiosis. Dicha apacidad semiótica del sapiens (concebida como un atributo evolutivo) se expresa en la producción de «fenómenos mediáticos», consistentes en la exteriorización de los procesos mentales bajo la forma de configuraciones materiales.La emergencia de fenómenos mediáticos, concebida a partir del momento en que los signos poseen propiedades de autonomía y de persistencia en el tiempo, abre juego a nuevas posibilidades en los órdenes cognitivo, comunicacional e institucional, y por ende, participa como un operador clave en la configuración cultural.Desde esta perspectiva, nos proponemos en el presente trabajo problematizar algunos aspectos de las prácticas educativas contemporáneas en atención a las cualidades que presentan en el marco del actual contexto físico–virtual. A tales efectos, se pondrá foco sobre dos grandes ejes analíticos que operarán de manera transversal: el de mediatización y el de narratividad.
AUDIENCIAS CONSTRUYENDO EL ACONTECIMIENTO. LA BÚSQUEDA DE SENTIDO EN LOS LÍMITES DEL ECOSISTEMA
Authors: Mazzone Daniel
Published: December 2017

A 36 años de la publicación del libro de Eliseo Verón sobre la construcción del acontecimiento, usuarios y plataformas contribuyen a emplazar un escenario inédito en que el ecosistema informacional parece exhibir algunos límites. La irrupción de reacciones colectivas espontáneas que subrayan su apoyo o aversión a determinados contenidos, la emisión masiva de imágenes sin edición de circunstancias extremas, así como la facilidad con que cuentas falsas contratan espacios capaces de generar desinformación viral, señala un punto de inflexión discursiva en las mediatizaciones. Este trabajo se propone dar cuenta de algunos de los cambios que introduce la acción de los usuarios a partir de la profundización de su inserción en las plataformas y su incidencia en el papel tradicional del discurso de la información.
Homelessness across Alaska, the Canadian North and Greenland: A Review of the Literature on a Developing Social Phenomenon in the Circumpolar North
Authors: Christensen Julia , Arnfjord Steven , Carraher Sally , Hedwig Travis
Published: December 2017

Over the past three decades, homelessness has become an area of significant social concern in Alaska, the Canadian North, and most recently, Greenland. These three geographical contexts show both similarities and contrasts, but no effort has yet been made to review the research literature on homelessness from these three regions or to highlight key themes or gaps in current knowledge. We reviewed the literature in order to 1) understand the current state of knowledge of the dynamics of homelessness in Alaska, the Canadian North (here including Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut), and Greenland and 2) conceptualize a northern geography of homelessness. The research literature identifies common themes across these contexts, which include chronic housing insecurity, overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples among those living homeless, and the significance of gendered experiences of homelessness. It identifies key interconnections between hidden homelessness and visible homelessness as the dynamics of urbanization in northern towns and cities reveal the social consequences of chronic housing insecurity in settlements. Across these northern regions, the high rates of chronic homelessness reflect the prevalence of northern housing insecurity and the lack of both adequate, appropriate support for people experiencing mental health or addiction problems and supportive or public housing options. Strategies that aim to diversify housing stock at various critical points along the housing spectrum are needed in northern regions, an idea that is promoted by Housing First and transitional housing programs in Alaska and the Canadian North.
Drought stress mitigation in Vigna radiata by the application of root-nodulating bacteria
Authors: Kumari Diksha , Chakraborty Dipjyoti
Published: December 2017

Plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) facilitates plant growth and are of potential use as bio-fertilizer. Pulses are an important protein source in the vegetarian diet and being legumes harbour members of the Rhizobiaceae that form symbiotic relationships and nodules involved in nitrogen fixation. Vigna radiata is one such pulse crop popular in India. Nodulating bacteria were also found to mitigate biotic and abiotc stress and may be used as an alternative to chemical fertilizer for a sustainable agriculture. Here, we review rhizobial species isolated from V. radiata that have offered an efficient drought stress tolerance.
A Tale of Two Waterways
Authors: Tana Li
Published: December 2017

This article seeks to tell the story of a river and a canal in pre-fifteenth-century Thanh Hóa. Although apparently dissimilar, the fate of both waterways reflected a similar process, as both lived or died from the consequences of dynastic attempts to promote integration by bridging the territory of northern Vietnam with that of Champa. Integration was a central goal for the Việt authorities and water was one of their most important means. The story of water in the Thanh Hóa area illustrates the ongoing historical tension between integration and disintegration in Vietnamese history.
Persistent Opioid Use Among Pediatric Patients After Surgery
Authors: Harbaugh Calista M. , Lee Jay S. , Hu Hsou Mei , McCabe Sean Esteban , Voepel-Lewis Terri , Englesbe Michael J. , Brummett Chad M. , Waljee Jennifer F.
Published: December 2017

BACKGROUND:

Despite efforts to reduce nonmedical opioid misuse, little is known about the development of persistent opioid use after surgery among adolescents and young adults. We hypothesized that there is an increased incidence of prolonged opioid refills among adolescents and young adults who received prescription opioids after surgery compared with nonsurgical patients.

METHODS:

We performed a retrospective cohort study by using commercial claims from the Truven Health Marketscan research databases from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2014. We included opioid-naïve patients ages 13 to 21 years who underwent 1 of 13 operations. A random sample of 3% of nonsurgical patients who matched eligibility criteria was included as a comparison. Our primary outcome was persistent opioid use, which was defined as ≥1 opioid prescription refill between 90 and 180 days after the surgical procedure.

RESULTS:

Among eligible patients, 60.5% filled a postoperative opioid prescription (88 637 patients). Persistent opioid use was found in 4.8% of patients (2.7%–15.2% across procedures) compared with 0.1% of those in the nonsurgical group. Cholecystectomy (adjusted odds ratio 1.13; 95% confidence interval, 1.00–1.26) and colectomy (adjusted odds ratio 2.33; 95% confidence interval, 1.01–5.34) were associated with the highest risk of persistent opioid use. Independent risk factors included older age, female sex, previous substance use disorder, chronic pain, and preoperative opioid fill.

CONCLUSIONS:

Persistent opioid use after surgery is a concern among adolescents and young adults and may represent an important pathway to prescription opioid misuse. Identifying safe, evidence-based practices for pain management is a top priority, particularly among at-risk patients.
Arendt’s Notion of Natality. An Attempt at Clarification
Authors: Totschnig Wolfhart
Published: December 2017

Arendt afirma que nuestra natalidad (es decir, la condición de haber nacido) es la “fuente” o “raíz” de nuestra capacidad para comenzar (a saber, de nuestra capacidad para iniciar algo nuevo). Sin embargo, ella no explica esta afirmación a cabalidad. ¿Cómo es que la capacidad para comenzar deriva de la condición de nacimiento?  Debido a que Arendt no proporciona una respuesta inmediata y clara a esta pregunta, su noción de natalidad ha sido interpretada de maneras muy diferentes. Este trabajo busca aclarar la noción. Se reúnen y se examinan los comentarios dispersos de Arendt acerca de la natalidad y se propone una nueva interpretación que responde a dicha pregunta. En el proceso, se demuestra cómo surgieron las diversas interpretaciones existentes y se argumenta que son inadecuadas.
The public realm and revolution: Hannah Arendt between theory and praxis
Authors: Salikov Alexey , Zhavoronkov Alexey
Published: December 2017

***O campo público e revolução: Hannah Arendt entre teoria e práxis***O objetivo principal de nosso trabalho é analisar a ideia de Arendt sobre a influência das revoluções no âmbito público, examinando seu alcance teórico e prático. No curso de nossa análise, também responderemos à questão sobre a aplicabilidade da concepção de Arendt sobre revolução no contexto moderno. Depois de uma investigação crítica da ideia de revolução de Arendt e de sua tese sobe o impacto da revolução no âmbito público, investigaremos brevemente vários exemplos de revoluções modernas a partir do ponto de vista arendtiano para chegarmos a uma conclusão sobre a aplicabilidade atual dos argumentoschave de Arendt sobre violência, poder, questões sociais, ação política coletiva e comunicação.
Uma ética da responsabilidade pessoal
Authors: Correia Adriano
Published: December 2017

ASSY, Bethania. Ética, responsabilidade e juízo em Hannah Arendt. São Paulo: Perspectiva, 2015.
Sobre a Tropicália e outras artes: conflitos estéticos e debates em torno da nomeação da cultura brasileira (1982-2012)
Authors: Brito Fábio Leonardo Castelo Branco
Published: December 2017

Este artigo pretende realizar um balanço de diferentes discursos produzidos a respeito da cultura brasileira contemporânea entre o início da década de 1980 e o início da década de 2010. Na medida em que, no período recortado, houveram atravessamentos que marcaram as releituras de diversos movimentos culturais de afirmação nacional, dentre os quais o chamado movimento tropicalista, pretende-se observar diferentes percepções a respeito do espólio deixado pela iniciativa. Nesse sentido, materiais hemerográficos, ensaios acadêmicos ou não acadêmicos, , iniciativas musicais e rastros de memórias constituem suportes que ajudam a perceber os diferentes esforços de significação do ser da cultura nacional. O artigo busca, a partir da análise de discursos, vistos como produtores de sentido no cotidiano, proposta por Mary Jane Spink e Benedito Medrado, perceber em que medida os movimentos culturais brasileiros produziram determinados lugares de poder na tentativa de definir uma identidade brasileira, e, consequentemente, lacunas em sua constituição e afirmação.
Revista Estudos Ibero-Americanos: avaliação e transição
Authors: Gonçalves Leandro Pereira
Published: December 2017

Editorial do volume 43, número 3 (2017) da revista Estudos Ibero-Americanos.
Noctuid moths as potential hybridization agents for Platanthera orchids
Authors: Esposito Fabiana , Merckx Thomas , Tyteca Daniel
Published: December 2017

Zoophilous flowering plants communicate with pollinators to ensure pollen transfer. Pin-pointing which species are effective pollinators is not only essential to better understand plant-pollinator networks, but equally so to better understand the potential of hybridization in plant systems, such as in orchids. As a case study, we studied two sympatric populations of the congeneric orchids Platanthera bifolia and P. chlorantha in order to assess their nocturnal pollinators by checking which moth species carried pollinaria, and of which orchid species. Moths carrying Platanthera pollinaria were photographed and identified. The carried pollinaria were identified and counted, and their attachment position on the moth’s head was scored. Based on these observations we show that three species of noctuid moths visited the Platanthera inflorescences. Although Noctua pronuba visited P. chlorantha, only Cucullia umbratica and Autographa gamma turned out to be potential pollinators for both orchid species. As such, we here demonstrate that the latter two noctuids have high potential to facilitate hybridization among these two orchid species, especially so in sympatric populations.