bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental and clinical studies on radiation and curcumin in human glioma
Authors: Sminia Peter , van den Berg Jaap , van Kootwijk Arthur , Hageman Eline , Slotman Ben J. , Verbakel Wilko F. A. R.
Published: October 2020

Purpose

There is progressing evidence for the anti-cancer potential of the natural compound and dietary spice curcumin. Curcumin has been ascribed to be cytotoxic for various tumour cell types, to inhibit cell proliferation and to interfere with the cellular oxidant status. The compound has been notified as a therapeutic agent with radiosensitizing potential in brain tumour therapy. We considered the rationale to combine curcumin with radiation in the treatment of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM).

Method

Determination of clonogenic cell survival following exposure of U251 human glioma cells to single dose (1–6 Gy) and fractionated irradiation (5 daily fractions of 2 Gy) without and with curcumin. Additional literature search focused on the interaction between curcumin and radiotherapy in experimental and clinical studies on human glioma.

Results

No interaction was found on the survival of U251 human glioma cells after irradiation in combination with curcumin at clinically achievable concentrations. Experimental in vitro and in vivo data together with clinical bioavailability data from the literature do not give evidence for a radiosensitizing effect of curcumin. Reported GBM intratumoural curcumin concentrations are too low to either exert an own cytotoxic effect or to synergistically interact with radiation. Novel approaches are being explored to increase the bioavailability of curcumin and to facilitate transport over the blood–brain barrier, aimed to reach therapeutic curcumin levels at the tumour site.

Conclusion

There is neither a biological nor clinical rationale for using curcumin as radiosensitizer in the therapy of GBM patients.
Estimation of the distribution of the total net radiative flux from satellite and automatic weather station data in the Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia
Authors: Tegegne Eyale Bayable , Ma Yaoming , Chen Xuelong , Ma Weiqiang , Wang Bingbing , Ding Zhangwei , Zhu Zhikun
Published: October 2020

Net radiation is an important factor in studies of land–atmosphere processes, water resource management, and global climate change. This is particularly true for the Upper Blue Nile (UBN) basin, where significant parts of the basin are dry and evapotranspiration (ET) is a major mechanism for water loss. However, net radiation has not yet been appropriately parameterized in the basin. In this study, we estimated the instantaneous distribution of the net radiation flux in the basin using data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor onboard the Terra satellite and Automatic Weather Station (AWS) data. Downward shortwave radiation and air temperature usually vary with topography, so we applied residual kriging spatial interpolation techniques to convert AWS data for point locations into gridded surface data. Simulated net radiation outputs were validated through comparison with independent field measurements. Validation results show that our method successfully reproduced the downward shortwave, upward shortwave, and net radiation fluxes. Using AWS data and residual kriging spatial interpolation techniques makes our results robust and comparable to previous works that used satellite data at a finer spatial resolution than MODIS. The estimated net shortwave, longwave, and total radiation fluxes were in close agreement with ground truth measurements, with mean bias (MB) values of − 14.84, 5.7, and 20.53 W m−2and root mean square error (RMSE) values 83.43, 32.54, and 78.07 W m−2, respectively. The method presented here has potential applications in research focused on energy balance,ETestimation, and weather prediction for regions with similar physiographic features to those of the Nile basin.
Analyzing history-related posts in twitter
Authors: Sumikawa Yasunobu , Jatowt Adam
Published: October 2020

Microblogging platforms such as Twitter have been increasingly used nowadays to share information between users. They are also convenient means for propagating content related to history. Hence, from the research viewpoint they can offer opportunities to analyze the way in which users refer to the past, and how as well when such references appear and what purposes they serve. Such study could allow to quantify the interest degree and the mechanisms behind content dissemination. We report the results of a large scale exploratory analysis of history-oriented posts in microblogs based on a 28-month-long snapshot of Twitter data. The results can increase our understanding of the characteristics of history-focused content sharing in Twitter. They can also be used for guiding the design of content recommendation systems as well as time-aware search applications.
Earth Observation for agricultural drought monitoring in the Pannonian Basin (southeastern Europe): current state and future directions
Authors: Crocetti Laura , Forkel Matthias , Fischer Milan , Jurečka František , Grlj Aleš , Salentinig Andreas , Trnka Miroslav , Anderson Martha , Ng Wai-Tim , Kokalj Žiga , Bucur Andreea , Dorigo Wouter
Published: October 2020

The Pannonian Basin in southeastern Europe is heavily used for rain-fed agriculture. The region experienced several droughts in the last years, causing major yield losses. Ongoing climate change, characterised by increasing temperatures and potential evapotranspiration, and by changes in precipitation distribution will likely increase the frequency and intensity of drought episodes in the future. Hence, ongoing monitoring of droughts and estimation of their impact on agriculture is necessary to adapt agricultural practices to changing weather and climate extremes. Several regional initiatives, projects and online tools have been established to facilitate drought monitoring and management in the Pannonian Basin. However, reliable systems to forecast potential drought impacts on plant productivity and agricultural yields at monthly to seasonal scales are only in their infancy, as plant response to climatic extremes is still poorly understood. With the increasing availability of high-resolution and long-term Earth Observation (EO) data and recent progress in machine learning and artificial intelligence, further improvements in drought monitoring and impact prediction capacities are expected. Here we review the current state of drought monitoring in the Pannonian Basin, identify EO-based variables to potentially improve regional drought impact monitoring and outline future perspectives for seasonal forecasts of drought impacts on agriculture.
Towards mandatory Green Public Procurement (GPP) requirements under the EU Green Deal: reconsidering the role of public procurement as an environmental policy tool
Authors: Pouikli Kleoniki
Published: October 2020

The aim of this paper is to analyze the inclusion of Green Public Procurement (GPP) requirements in the EU public procurement regime. The debate about moving towards greener public purchasing has been fueled afresh in the wake of the EU Green Deal, which highlights the significance of a public procurement regime in pursuing the existing environmental policy goals at EU level. This is also reflected in other key EU policy documents, such as the Circular Economy Package, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as the climate change legislation implementing the Paris Agreement. In this context, this paper aspires to map the intersections between the public spending decisions of contracting authorities and their discretion in inserting environmental considerations through the lens of increasing compliance with the adopted environmental targets.
Controlling Corruption in Development Aid: New Evidence from Contract-Level Data
Authors: Dávid-Barrett Elizabeth , Fazekas Mihály , Hellmann Olli , Márk Lili , McCorley Ciara
Published: October 2020

Following scandals about corruption in foreign aid, and in a political climate that increasingly questions the legitimacy of development assistance, donors are under pressure to better control how their funds are spent. However, there is little evidence on precisely how to control corruption in development aid. This article assesses under which conditions donor regulations are successful in controlling corruption in aid spent by national governments through procurement tenders. The article analyses data on donor-funded procurement contracts in 100+ countries in 1998–2008 and uses ‘single bid submitted in a competitive tender’ as a corruption risk indicator. Applying a contract-level propensity score matching and regression analysis, it finds that an intervention which increases donor oversight and widens access to tenders is effective in reducing corruption risks: lowering single bidding on competitive markets by 3.6–4.3 percentage points. This effect is greater in countries with low-state capacity.
Specialist recommendation for chemoprevention medications in patients at familial risk of breast cancer: a cross-sectional survey in England
Authors: Lee Siang Ing , Curtis Helen , Qureshi Sadaf , Dutton Brittany , Qureshi Nadeem
Published: October 2020

In England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline for familial breast cancer recommends chemoprevention for women at high and moderate familial risk of breast cancer. However, prescribing of chemoprevention has not improved since the introduction of the guideline in 2013. The study aims to identify the current practice, in England, of familial cancer specialists offering chemoprevention and recommending prescribing in primary care. This was an anonymized national cross-sectional survey of familial breast cancer risk services in England. Lead clinicians were sent an online survey link. The survey questions included whether chemoprevention was offered/considered for high- and moderate-risk women, when chemoprevention prescribing and recommendation to primary care started, medications prescribed, age groups considered for chemoprevention, and existence of a shared prescribing protocol with primary care. The survey was sent to 115 hospital services; responses from 50 services (43%) were included in the analysis. Of the 40 services offering chemoprevention for high-risk women, 15 (38%) did not prescribe but 31 (78%) recommended prescribing to primary care. Of the 31 services considering chemoprevention for moderate risk, eight (26%) did not prescribe with 26 (84%) recommended prescribing to primary care. Only three services reported having a shared protocol with primary care. Within 3 years of the guidelines, many services recognized the role of chemoprevention for both high and moderate risk with a key role for primary care to initiate prescribing. However, there is still room for improvement.
Utilization of Swertia chirayita Plant Extracts for Management of Diabetes and Associated Disorders: Present Status, Future Prospects and Limitations
Authors: Dey Pinaki , Singh Joginder , Suluvoy Jagadish Kumar , Dilip Kevin Joseph , Nayak Jayato
Published: October 2020

Diabetes mellitus is referred as common metabolic abnormalities characterized as hyperglycemia, mainly caused due to insufficient production of insulin at cellular level or/and defects in insulin action. Such an endocrine disorder is responsible for serious health problems and its worldwide prevalence is rapidly increasing. Common management of diabetes by oral administration of drugs without creating any side effects is still considered a challenging task and increasing cost of conventional medicine in developing countries is another matter of concern. To address these issues, traditional preparations of herbal plant extracts in the form of medicines already gained immense attention. Swertia chirayita is one among such plants which is known for its hypoglycemic potential. Numerous chemical constituents with promising pharmacological properties have been identified from such plant extracts but still, such compounds have not been well characterized, specifically against human application. Hence, more research efforts are necessitated to understand exact mechanism of such compounds and to develop overall safety of such plant formulations. Present review clearly represents antidiabetic properties of Swertia chirayita extract, strategies to be taken to strengthen its safety application on humans and biotechnological interventions that ensure conservation of such endangered species to promote its future application in modern medicine.

Graphic Abstract
Jugend und Alkohol
Authors: Skala Katrin
Published: October 2020

Im vorliegenden Artikel wird auf die Rolle von Alkohol in unserer Gesellschaft sowie auf dessen Bedeutung für Jugendliche eingegangen. Spezifika der Wechselwirkung von Alkohol und dem adoleszenten Gehirn werden erläutert und die epidemiologische Entwicklung des Alkoholkonsums bei österreichischen Minderjährigen beschrieben. Es werden darüber hinaus relevanteRisiken für problematische Konsummuster und mögliche Wege zur Prävention erörtert.
Advanced Anode Materials of Potassium Ion Batteries: from Zero Dimension to Three Dimensions
Authors: Zheng Jiefeng , Wu Yuanji , Sun Yingjuan , Rong Jianhua , Li Hongyan , Niu Li
Published: October 2020

Potassium ion batteries (PIBs) with the prominent advantages of sufficient reserves and economical cost are attractive candidates of new rechargeable batteries for large-grid electrochemical energy storage systems (EESs). However, there are still some obstacles like large size of K+ to commercial PIBs applications. Therefore, rational structural design based on appropriate materials is essential to obtain practical PIBs anode with K+ accommodated and fast diffused. Nanostructural design has been considered as one of the effective strategies to solve these issues owing to unique physicochemical properties. Accordingly, quite a few recent anode materials with different dimensions in PIBs have been reported, mainly involving in carbon materials, metal-based chalcogenides (MCs), metal-based oxides (MOs), and alloying materials. Among these anodes, nanostructural carbon materials with shorter ionic transfer path are beneficial for decreasing the resistances of transportation. Besides, MCs, MOs, and alloying materials with nanostructures can effectively alleviate their stress changes. Herein, these materials are classified into 0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D. Particularly, the relationship between different dimensional structures and the corresponding electrochemical performances has been outlined. Meanwhile, some strategies are proposed to deal with the current disadvantages. Hope that the readers are enlightened from this review to carry out further experiments better.
Completely multiplicative functions with sum zero over generalised prime systems
Authors: Neamah Ammar Ali
Published: October 2020

CMO functions multiplicative functions f for which $$\sum _{n=1}^\infty f(n) =0$$

∑

n
=
1

∞

f

(
n
)

=
0

. Such functions were first defined and studied by Kahane and Saïas [14]. We generalised these to Beurling prime systems with the aim to investigate the theory of the extended functions and we shall call them $$CMO_{\mathcal {P}}$$

C
M

O
P

functions. We give some properties and find examples of $$CMO_{\mathcal {P}}$$

C
M

O
P

functions. In particular, we explore how quickly the partial sum of these classes of functions tends to zero with different generalised prime systems. The findings of this paper may suggest that for all $$CMO_{\mathcal {P}}$$

C
M

O
P

functions f over $$\mathcal{{N}}$$
N
with abscissa 1, we have $$\begin{aligned} \sum _{\tiny \begin{array}{c} n \le x \\ n\in \mathcal {N} \end{array}} f(n) = \Omega \Big (\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}} \Big ). \end{aligned}$$

∑

n
≤
x

n
∈
N

f

(
n
)

=
Ω

(

1

x

)

.
Sozialpolitik als Problemarbeit an Menschen und an Institutionen
Authors: Turba Hannu
Published: October 2020

In der Soziologie sozialer Probleme ist Sozialpolitik seit jeher ein wichtiger Aspekt, wird aber nur selten explizit in den Mittelpunkt gestellt. Der Beitrag verdeutlicht die Relevanz von Sozialpolitik sowie ihrer organisationalen und professionellen Bezugspunkte (Wohlfahrtspflege, soziale Dienstleistungsberufe) im Kontext der Soziologie sozialer Probleme und nimmt eine Einordnung im Rahmen unterschiedlicher institutioneller Logiken vor. Mit Blick auf das Wechselspiel von Definitions- und Bearbeitungsprozessen ‚von unten‘ und deren Strukturierung ‚von oben‘ werden mikrofundierte Perspektiven des soziologischen Neo-Institutionalismus und damit verwandte Ansätze als Bezugspunkte der Soziologie sozialer Probleme konturiert. Sozialpolitik wird dabei gleichermaßen als Arbeit an Menschen sowie als Arbeit an Institutionen begriffen. Es folgen kompakte Betrachtungen ausgewählter Politikfelder – Kinderschutz und Arbeitsverwaltung – aus Sicht der entfalteten Systematik sowie ein Fazit mit Perspektiven für die Forschung und Theorieentwicklung an der Schnittstelle zwischen der Soziologie sozialer Probleme und der Soziologie der Sozialpolitik.
Investigating the Potential of a Newly Developed UAV-based VNIR/SWIR Imaging System for Forage Mass Monitoring
Authors: Jenal Alexander , Lussem Ulrike , Bolten Andreas , Gnyp Martin Leon , Schellberg Jürgen , Jasper Jörg , Bongartz Jens , Bareth Georg
Published: October 2020

Remote sensing systems based on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are well suited for airborne monitoring of small to medium-sized farmland in agricultural applications. An imaging system is often used in the form of a multispectral multi-camera system to derive well-established vegetation indices (VIs) efficiently. This study investigates the potential of such a multi-camera system with a novel approach to extend spectral sensitivity from visible-to-near-infrared (VNIR) to short-wave infrared (SWIR) (400–1700 nm) for estimating forage mass from an aerial carrier platform. The system test was performed in a grassland fertilizer trial in Germany near Cologne in late July 2019. Within 37 min, a spectral response in four different wavelength bands in the NIR and SWIR range was acquired during two consecutive flights. Spectral image data were calibrated to reflectance using two different methods. The resulting reflectance data sets were processed to orthomosaics for each wavelength band. From these orthomosaics for both calibration methods, the four-band NIR/SWIR GnyLi VI and the two-band NIR/SWIR Normalized Ratio Index (NRI), were calculated. During both UAV flights, spectral ground truth data were recorded with a spectroradiometer on 12 plots in total for validation of camera-based spectral data. The camera and spectroradiometer data sets were directly compared in resulting reflectance and further analyzed with simple linear regression (SLR) models to predict dry matter (DM) yield. In the camera-based SLRs, the NRI performed best with $$R^2$$

R
2

of 0.73 and 0.75 (RMSE: 0.18 and 0.17) before the GnyLi with $$R^{2}$$

R
2

of 0.71 and 0.73 (RMSE: 0.19 and 0.18). These results clearly indicate the potential of the camera system for applications in forage mass monitoring.
90 Minuten Mathematikunterricht bei gleichbleibender Unterrichtsqualität? – Analysen zur zeitlichen Stabilität und Generalisierbarkeit von Ratings zur Unterrichtsqualität im 2. Schuljahr
Authors: Gabriel-Busse Katrin , Lipowsky Frank
Published: October 2020

Studien für die Sekundarstufe zeigen, dass nicht zwangsläufig von der Qualität einer beobachteten Stunde einer Lehrperson auf die Qualität einer anderen Stunde geschlossen werden kann. Anhand sogenannter Generalisierbarkeitsstudien (G-Studien) konnte vor allem für die kognitive Aktivierung aufgezeigt werden, dass die Ausprägungen zwischen den einzelnen Unterrichtsstunden einer Lehrperson (bei gleicher Klasse) stark variieren (hoher stundenspezifischer Varianzanteil) und somit situationale bzw. kontextuelle Einflussfaktoren eine größere Rolle spielen als bislang angenommen, mit der Konsequenz, dass deutlich mehr Stunden für eine hinreichend zuverlässige Beobachtung der kognitiven Aktivierung notwendig sind. Für die Grundschule mangelt es bislang an entsprechenden Studien zur Analyse der zeitlichen Stabilität und Generalisierbarkeit der Unterrichtsqualität bzw. es werden lediglich Korrelationskoeffizienten als Hinweis zur Stabilität der Ausprägungen der einzelnen Basisdimensionen berichtet. Solche Korrelationskoeffizienten können jedoch nicht im Sinne einer zeitlichen Stabilität der Unterrichtsqualitätsmerkmale interpretiert werden, da sie mit anderen Faktoren konfundiert sind. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird aus diesem Grund für die drei Basisdimensionen der Unterrichtsqualität untersucht, inwieweit sich die Unterrichtsqualität in einer Doppelstunde zur „Einführung in die Multiplikation“ (2. Schuljahr) in Abhängigkeit von dem Beobachtungszeitpunkt (1. Stunde vs. 2. Stunde einer 90-minütigen Unterrichtseinheit) unterscheidet. Grundlage bilden Videoaufzeichnungen von 36 Lehrpersonen. Die Ergebnisse zeigen – ähnlich wie für die Sekundarstufe – Unterschiede in der zeitlichen Stabilität je nach untersuchtem Unterrichtsqualitätsmerkmal. Im Unterschied zu den Ergebnissen aus der Sekundarstufe weist vor allem die Klassenführung eine höhere Variation in den Ausprägungen zwischen den zwei Teilstunden einer Lehrperson auf. Die Ergebnisse der explorativen D‑Studien legen nahe, dass für eine hinreichend reliable Erfassung der Klassenführung sowie der kognitiven Aktivierung in der Grundschule mindestens drei und für das Unterrichtsklima zwei Unterrichtsstunden einer Lehrperson benötigt werden.
Haben wir eine moralische Pflicht zur direkten biotechnischen Lebensverlängerung?
Authors: Lohmar Jakob
Published: October 2020

Wenn eine Person unter einer tödlichen Krankheit leidet und nicht über die Ressourcen für eine medizinische Behandlung verfügt, sind wir normalerweise dazu verpflichtet, ihr die notwendigen Ressourcen bereitzustellen. Wären wir aber in einem biotechnischen Zukunftsszenario, in dem die menschliche Lebensspanne durch Eingriffe in den Alterungsprozess erhöht werden kann, auch dazu verpflichtet, anderen Personen die notwendigen Ressourcen für solche Maßnahmen bereitzustellen? John Harris hat argumentiert, dass wir zu solch einer direkten biotechnischen Lebensverlängerung verpflichtet wären, da ein Leben zu verlängern das Gleiche sei, wie ein Leben zu retten. Im vorliegenden Aufsatz wird gezeigt, dass Harris’ Argument nicht schlüssig ist, da entgegen seiner Prämisse ein begrifflicher Unterschied zwischen der Rettung und der Verlängerung eines Lebens besteht. Auf Grundlage von Harris’ zurückgewiesenem Argument werden dann aber zwei alternative Argumente für eine (prima facie) Pflicht zur direkten Lebensverlängerung konstruiert. Das erste Argument basiert auf der Überlegung, dass durch eine direkte biotechnische Lebensverlängerung trotz des begrifflichen Unterschieds mit einer substanziellen Wahrscheinlichkeit Leben gerettet werden würden. Das zweite Argument besagt, dass trotz deskriptiver Unterschiede eine moralische Äquivalenz zwischen der Rettung und der Verlängerung eines Lebens besteht, sofern durch die bloße Lebensverlängerung das Leben um die gleiche Dauer und Qualität verlängert wird wie durch die Lebensrettung.
Methods for identifying green infrastructure
Authors: Honeck Erica , Sanguet Arthur , Schlaepfer Martin A. , Wyler Nicolas , Lehmann Anthony
Published: October 2020

Nature forms interdependent networks in a landscape, which is key to the survival of species and the maintenance of genetic diversity. Nature provides crucial socio-economic benefits to people, but they are typically undervalued in political decisions. This has led to the concept of Green Infrastructure (GI), which defines an interlinked network of (semi-)natural areas with high ecological values for wildlife and people, to be conserved and managed in priority to preserve biodiversity and ecosystem services. This relatively new concept has been used in different contexts, but with widely diverging interpretations. There is no apparent consensus in the scientific literature on the methodology to map and implement GI. This paper serves as an informed primer for researchers that are new to GI mapping understand the key principles and terminology for the needs of their own case-study, and as a framework for more advance researchers willing to contribute to the formalization of the concept. Through a literature review of articles on creating GI networks, we summarized and evaluated commonly used methods to identify and map GI. We provided key insights for the assessment of diversity, ecosystem services and landscape connectivity, the three ‘pillars’ on which GI identification is based according to its definition. Based on this literature review, we propose 5 theoretical levels toward a more complex, reliable and integrative approach to identify GI networks. We then discuss the applications and limits of such method and point out future challenges for GI identification and implementation.
The productivity and unemployment effects of the digital transformation: an empirical and modelling assessment
Authors: Bertani Filippo , Raberto Marco , Teglio Andrea
Published: October 2020

For the last 30 years, the economy has been undergoing a massive digital transformation. Intangible digital assets, like software solutions, Web services, and more recently deep learning algorithms, artificial intelligence, and digital platforms, have been increasingly adopted thanks to the diffusion and advancements of information and communication technologies. Various observers argue that we could rapidly approach a technological singularity leading to explosive economic growth. The contribution of this paper is on the empirical and the modelling sides. On the empirical side, we present a cross-country empirical analysis assessing the correlation between the growth rate of both tangible and intangible investments and different measures of productivity growth. Results show a significant correlation between intangible investments and both labor and total factor productivity in the period after the 2008 financial crisis. Similarly, both measures of productivity growth are correlated with a combination of both tangible and intangible investments which include information and communication technologies and software and database. These results are used to inform the enrichment of the agent-based macro-model Eurace that we employ to assess the long-term impact on unemployment of digital investments. Computational experiments show the emergence of technological unemployment in the long run with a high pace of intangible digital investments.
Fracture Pattern Influences Radial Head Replacement Size Determination Among Experienced Elbow Surgeons
Authors: Cucchi Davide , Luceri Francesco , Celli Andrea , Menon Alessandra , Barco Raul , Wegmann Kilian , Randelli Pietro , Eygendaal Denise , Arrigoni Paolo ,   ESSKA Elbow and Wrist Committee 2016–2018, Eygendaal Denise , Arrigoni Paolo , Pederzini Luigi , Guerra Enrico , Turan Çift Hakan , Holzer Nicolas , Hollinger Boris , Rosso Claudio , van den Bekerom Michel , Wegmann Kilian , Barco Raul , Lenich Andreas , Zupanc Oskar
Published: October 2020

Background

Correct sizing is challenging in radial head replacement and no consensus exists on the implant’s optimal height and width to avoid elbow stiffness and instability. Studies exists, suggesting how to appropriately choose the implant size, but the manner by which the fracture pattern influences the surgeons’ operative choices was not investigated.

Methods

The radial heads of four fresh-frozen cadaveric specimens were excised, measured, and fractured to simulate four patterns: three fragments (A); four fragments (B); comminuted (C); comminuted with bone loss (D). Nine examiners were asked to indicate first the maximum diameter of the radial heads with the help of dedicated sizing dishes and then the appropriate implant size with trial implants. Accuracy and precision were determined. A coefficient of variation was calculated and agreement was evaluated with the Bland–Altman method.

Results

Accuracy and precision of radial head diameter estimation with dedicated sizing dish were 96.73% and 93.64%, (best pattern, D; worst, C). Accuracy and precision of radial head diameter estimation with trial implants were 99.71% and 90.66% (best pattern, A; worst, D). Frequent modifications occurred between the initial radial head size proposal based on the sizing dish and the radial head size chosen after use of the trial implants (47.2%).

Conclusions

Diameter estimation of radial heads with dedicated sizing dishes may be underestimated in comminuted fractures; when bone loss is present, this may lead to an overestimation, especially when using trial implants. Care is essential to determine the optimal size of the implant and to avoid overlenghtening and oversizing, which can be responsible for implant failure.

Level of Evidence

Basic Science Study.

Clinical Relevance

Knowledge of the manner by which the fracture pattern influences radial head replacement size estimation can help preventing overlenghtening and oversizing during this procedure.
Reconstruction of a Central Full-Thickness Glenoid Defect Using Osteochondral Autograft Technique from the Ipsilateral Knee
Authors: Junker Marius , Kircher Jörn
Published: October 2020

Background

Osteochondral defects (OCDs) of the shoulder represent a typical clinical problem and are difficult to manage. OCDs of the upper extremity are less common than those of the lower extremity. The incidence is reported to be between 5–17% in which the humerus is affected more frequently than the glenoid. OCD is often accompanied with symptoms and may appear secondary to trauma, instability or prior operation. The problem of the lesions is the missing blood circulation which makes the healing impossible. The hazard of OCDs is the progression to osteoarthritis. In spite of the effectiveness of total shoulder arthroplasty it is not the first option for young and active patients. The therapy options of OCD depend on the size and localization of the defect.

Purpose

The aim of this multimedia article is to reveal a therapy option for OCDs of the glenoid.

Methods

In this case we present the reconstruction of a central full-thickness osteochondral glenoid defect with an osteochondral autograft from the ipsilateral knee which was withdrawn using the OATS-Technique (Arthrex, Naples, Florida) to address the chondral as well as the osseous pathology. To the best of our knowledge there has been no such procedure performed and described so far.

Results

The procedure lead to proper restoration of the defect.

Conclusion

The demonstrated technique can be used to perform the reconstruction of a full-thickness osteochondral glenoid defect.
Samuel Beckett's Geological Imagination
Authors: Byron Mark
Published: October 2020

Samuel Beckett's Geological Imagination addresses the ubiquity of earthy objects in Beckett's prose, drama and poetry, exploring how mineral and archaeological objects bear upon the themes, narrative locus, and sensibilities of Beckett's texts in surprisingly varied ways. By deploying figures of ruination and excavation with etymological self-awareness, Beckett's late prose narratives – Company, Ill Seen Ill Said, and Worstward Ho – comprise a late-career meditation on the stratigraphic layerings of language and memory over an extended writing career. These layers comprise an embodied record of writing in their allusions to literary history and to Beckett's own oeuvre.
A multinational comparison of care-leaving policy and legislation
Authors: Strahl Benjamin , van Breda Adrian Du Plessis , Mann-Feder Varda , Schröer Wolfgang
Published: October 2020

Care-leavers – those transitioning from alternative care towards young adulthood – are widely recognized as a vulnerable population, yet child protection legislation seldom applies to them because they have reached adulthood. Despite this, little internationally comparative research on care-leaving policy and legislation has been conducted. This paper maps multinational policy and legislation and its impact on the services to care-leavers and the challenges they experience. An online survey was conducted with key informants in 36 countries and analysed by a multinational team of care-leaving scholars. Findings reveal that few countries have well-developed care-leaving legislation. Most countries provide little aftercare beyond the age of 18, even when legislation provides for it. Within the context of suboptimal social policy and limited aftercare services, findings also reveal high vulnerability among care-leavers. Recommendations for policy development, global dialogue, further research and advocacy are proposed.
Women’s Organizations and Antisemitism: The First Parliamentary Elections in Independent Poland
Authors: Stępień Aneta
Published: October 2020

This article explores the context of the first parliamentary elections in independent Poland in January 1919, focusing on the National Democratic Party’s (ND) election campaign addressed to Polish women and how anti-Jewish slogans were used to mobilize the participation of the female electorate. Before the First World War, ND, led by Roman Dmowski, was the most fervent opponent of women’s enfranchisement (Gawin 2015); yet, after the introduction of suffrage, and one month before the elections, the party created the National Women’s Organization (NOK), affiliated with ND, tasked with running an election campaign aimed at ethnically Polish women. The article demonstrates that ND instrumentalized female voters and their newly obtained right to win the elections and gain advantage over its largest rival, the Polish Socialist Party (PPS, Polska Partia Socjalistyczna). It argues that members of NOK, who used antisemitic, ultra-nationalistic, and Catholic propaganda in the election campaign, became one of the major advocates of the party’s ethno-nationalist vision of Poland; consequently, they significantly contributed to the worsening of Polish-Jewish relations in the interwar period. The article also looks at the critique of the extreme nationalism and antisemitism within ND and NOK by individual female activists and groups not affiliated with Dmowski’s party.
Sudden cardiac death in children with congenital heart disease: a critical review of the literature
Authors: Mishra Vaibhav , Zaidi Sara , Axiaq Ariana , Harky Amer
Published: October 2020

Sudden cardiac death is an uncommon but yet catastrophic event, which can occur in neonates and young children. Although extensive research has been carried out assessing the underlying causes, there still remains a degree of uncertainty around this area. Congenital heart disease (CHD) is one known cause of sudden cardiac death in children, the aetiology of which embraces virally induced mechanisms, genetic susceptibility, drug-induced, and maternal factors. Screening tools and investigations including electrocardiograms and echocardiograms alongside a concise history taking and physical examination can be used to identify the potential cardiovascular risk factors of sudden death. This review has comprehensively studied the causes and risk factors for sudden cardiac death in children with CHD and provides a collation and summary of the evidence available so far underpinning the complex link between the two. Moreover, current screening and prevention methods are discussed in detail in order to increase awareness and understanding of how we can improve patient outcomes.
Terrorists Use of Ambulances for Terror Attacks: A Review
Authors: Jasani Gregory N. , Alfalasi Reem , Cavaliere Garrett A. , Ciottone Gregory R. , Lawner Benjamin J.
Published: October 2020

Introduction:

Using an ambulance as an attack modality offers many advantages to a terrorist organization. Ambulances can carry more explosives than most vehicles and can often bypass security. Yet, studies examining how terrorist organizations have incorporated ambulances into their attacks are lacking.

Study Objective:

This article seeks to identify and analyze known instances in which an ambulance has been used in a terrorist attack.

Methods:

The Global Terrorism Database (GTD) was searched for terrorist events that involved the use of an ambulance from the years 1970-2018. Variables of event time, location, and loss of life were analyzed.

Results:

Twenty instances where an ambulance had been used in a terrorist attack were identified from the GTD. Fifteen of the attacks occurred in the Middle East, while the remaining five occurred in Southeast Asia. All attacks except one had occurred after 2001, and 13 had occurred within the past decade. Most attacks (12/20) resulted in up to three people killed, while six attacks had 10-20 casualties. The deadliest attack occurred in Kabul, Afghanistan in 2018 and caused over 100 casualties. One event did not have casualty information in the GTD. In all cases, ambulances were used as vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) by terrorist organizations.

Conclusion:

This study shows that terrorists are increasingly acquiring and utilizing ambulances in their attacks, often with deadly consequences. Security and public health experts must be aware of this hazard and work to deny terrorists access to these vehicles.
How do we improve adolescent diet and physical activity in India and sub-Saharan Africa? Findings from the Transforming Adolescent Lives through Nutrition (TALENT) consortium
Authors: Barker ME , Hardy-Johnson P , Weller S , Haileamalak A , Jarju L , Jesson J , Krishnaveni GV , Kumaran K , Leroy V , Moore SE , Norris SA , Patil S , Sahariah SA , Ward K , Yajnik CS , Fall CHD
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Adolescent diet, physical activity and nutritional status are generally known to be sub-optimal. This is an introduction to a special issue of papers devoted to exploring factors affecting diet and physical activity in adolescents, including food insecure and vulnerable groups.

Setting

Eight settings including urban, peri-urban and rural across sites from five different low- and middle-income countries.

Design:

Focus groups with adolescents and caregivers carried out by trained researchers.

Results:

Our results show that adolescents, even in poor settings, know about healthy diet and lifestyles. They want to have energy, feel happy, look good and live longer, but their desire for autonomy, a need to ‘belong’ in their peer group, plus vulnerability to marketing exploiting their aspirations, leads them to make unhealthy choices. They describe significant gender, culture and context-specific barriers. For example, urban adolescents had easy access to energy dense, unhealthy foods bought outside the home, whereas junk foods were only beginning to permeate rural sites. Among adolescents in Indian sites, pressure to excel in exams meant that academic studies were squeezing out physical activity time.

Conclusions:

Interventions to improve adolescents’ diets and physical activity levels must therefore address structural and environmental issues and influences in their homes and schools, since it is clear that their food and activity choices are the product of an interacting complex of factors. In the next phase of work, the Transforming Adolescent Lives through Nutrition consortium will employ groups of adolescents, caregivers and local stakeholders in each site to develop interventions to improve adolescent nutritional status.
Are food and drink available in online and physical supermarkets the same? A comparison of product availability, price, price promotions and nutritional information
Authors: Bhatnagar Prachi , Scarborough Peter , Kaur Asha , Dikmen Derya , Adhikari Vyas , Harrington Richard
Published: October 2020

Objective:

Online supermarkets are increasingly used both by consumers and as a source of data on the food environment. We compared product availability, nutritional information, front-of-pack (FOP) labelling, price and price promotions for food and drink products between physical and online supermarkets.

Design:

For physical stores, we collected data on price, price promotions, FOP nutrition labels and nutrition information from a random sample of food and drinks from six UK supermarkets. For online stores, we used foodDB, a research-ready dataset of over 14 million observations of food and drink products available in online supermarkets.

Setting:

Six large supermarket stores located near Oxford, UK.

Participants:

General sample with 295 food and drink products, plus boost samples for both fruit and vegetables, and alcohol.

Results:

In the general sample, 85 % (95 % CI 80, 90 %) of products found in physical stores could be matched with an online product. Nutritional information found in the two settings was almost identical, for example, concordance correlation coefficient for energy = 0·995 (95 % CI 0·993, 0·996). The presence of FOP labelling and price promotions differed between the two settings (Cohen’s kappa = 0·56 (95 % CI 0·45, 0·66) and 0·40 (95 % CI 0·26, 0·55), respectively). Prices were similar between online and physical supermarkets (concordance correlation coefficient > 0·9 for all samples).

Conclusions:

Product availability, nutritional information and prices sourced online for these six retailers are good proxies of those found in physical stores. Price promotions and FOP labelling vary between the two settings. Further research should investigate whether this could impact on health inequalities.
Prenatal diethylstilbestrol exposure and risk of diabetes, gallbladder disease, and pancreatic disorders and malignancies
Authors: Troisi Rebecca , Hyer Marianne , Titus Linda , Palmer Julie R. , Hatch Elizabeth E. , Huo Dezheng , Aagaard Kjersti M. , Strohsnitter William C. , Hoover Robert N.
Published: October 2020

Prenatal diethylstilbestrol (DES) exposure is associated with increased risk of hormonally mediated cancers and other medical conditions. We evaluated the association between DES and risk of pancreatic cancer and pancreatic disorders, type 2 diabetes, and gallbladder disease, which may be involved with this malignancy. Our analyses used follow-up data from the US National Cancer Institute DES Combined Cohort Study. Cox proportional hazards models estimated hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, sex, cohort, body mass index, smoking, and alcohol for the association between prenatal DES exposure and type 2 diabetes, gallbladder disease (mainly cholelithiasis), pancreatic disorders (mainly pancreatitis), and pancreatic cancer among 5667 exposed and 3315 unexposed individuals followed from 1990 to 2017. Standardized incidence rate (SIR) ratios for pancreatic cancer were based on age-, race-, and calendar year-specific general population cancer incidence rates. In women and men combined, the hazards for total pancreatic disorders and pancreatitis were greater in the prenatally DES exposed than the unexposed (HR = 11, 95% CI 2.6–51 and HR = 7.0, 95% CI 1.5–33, respectively). DES was not associated overall with gallbladder disease (HR = 1.2, 95% CI 0.88–1.5) or diabetes (HR = 1.1, 95% CI 0.9–1.2). In women, but not in men, DES exposure was associated with increased risk of pancreatic cancer compared with the unexposed (HR: 4.1, 95% CI 0.84–20) or general population (SIR: 1.9, 95% CI 1.0–3.2). Prenatal DES exposure may increase the risk of pancreatic disorders, including pancreatitis in women and men. The data suggested elevated pancreatic cancer risk in DES-exposed women, but not in exposed men.
Preserving equipoise and performing randomised trials for COVID-19 social distancing interventions
Authors: Cristea Ioana Alina , Naudet Florian , Ioannidis John P. A.
Published: October 2020

In the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a large number of non-pharmaceutical measures that pertain to the wider group of social distancing interventions (e.g. public gathering bans, closures of schools, workplaces and all but essential business, mandatory stay-at-home policies, travel restrictions, border closures and others) have been deployed. Their urgent deployment was defended with modelling and observational data of spurious credibility. There is major debate on whether these measures are effective and there is also uncertainty about the magnitude of the harms that these measures might induce. Given that there is equipoise for how, when and if specific social distancing interventions for COVID-19 should be applied and removed/modified during reopening, we argue that informative randomised-controlled trials are needed. Only a few such randomised trials have already been conducted, but the ones done to-date demonstrate that a randomised trials agenda is feasible. We discuss here issues of study design choice, selection of comparators (intervention and controls), choice of outcomes and additional considerations for the conduct of such trials. We also discuss and refute common counter-arguments against the conduct of such trials.
Outcome of stenting in central venous obstruction of benign	etiology
Authors: Jalaie Houman , Gombert Alexander , Grommes Jochen , Schleimer Karina , Kurstjens Ralph L. M. , de Graaf Rick , Wittens Cees H. A. , Razavi Mahmood , Barbati Mohammad Esmaeil
Published: October 2020

Summary: Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate long term outcome in patients treated for benign superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome by endovascular techniques. Patients and methods: Between 2015 and 2018, 62 patients suffering from central venous obstruction of benign etiology underwent balloon angioplasty with stent placement for venous obstruction in our department. Patency was assessed clinically, using duplex ultrasound in all patients or with CT-phlebography in selected cases. Results: Median age was 60 years (23–83), forty-one patients (66%) had central venous devices. Swelling of the arm and face were the main symptoms (71%). During the median follow up of 22 months (9–38), cumulative primary patency was 71% after venous stenting. The cumulative assisted primary and the secondary patency were 85% and 92%, respectively. Conclusions: Recanalization and stenting of central vein obstruction has turned out to be the technique of reference and provides satisfactory mid-term patency rates. After adjusting for the risk factors, presence of AV-fistula remained a significant risk factor for recurrent stenosis or loss of patency after intervention.
Torrential Rains and Poor Forecasts Sink Panama’s Infrastructure
Authors: Bezanilla-Morlot Arnoldo , Centella-Artola Abel , Sierra-Lorenzo Maibys , Borrajero-Montejo Israel
Published: October 2020

Scientists are working to improve the forecasting of heavy rains in Panama following several events over the past decade that caused substantial flooding and damage.
Sulfur Cycling During Progressive Burial in Sulfate‐Rich Marine Carbonates
Authors: Jiang Lei , Fakhraee Mojtaba , Cai Chunfang , Worden Richard H.
Published: October 2020

The isotopic composition of sulfate in the rock record has been frequently used to track the changes in the Earth's surface environments. By considering isotopic fractionation imparted by microbial sulfate reduction (MSR) and thermochemical sulfate reduction (TSR), in this study, we aim to develop a holistic understanding of the mixed effects of MSR and TSR on δ34S signals in sulfate‐rich carbonate systems. We report the occurrence of various types of sulfur‐bearing components from the Cambrian‐Ordovician carbonate system in the Tarim Basin, NW China, coupled with a well‐established diagenesis framework for these rocks. Our results indicate that most of the sulfur‐bearing species possess δ34S values slightly lower than both the source sulfate and the sulfide generated by TSR, yet these sulfur‐bearing species have substantially higher δ34S values than sulfide that resulted from MSR. Hence, a combination of sulfides sourced from MSR and TSR can adequately explain the sulfur isotope data in the studied interval. Building upon this hypothesis, we developed a new sulfur diagenesis model in order to quantify the accumulated H2S from the combined effects of MSR and TSR. Our new model can be used to explain the origin of sulfur‐bearing species in many other deep burial carbonate systems, including the Sichuan Basin, China, and the Gulf of Mexico, USA. We propose that greater attention should be paid to isotopic modulation through mixed diagenetic processes in order to gain a better mechanistic understanding of the primary geochemistry signals (e.g., δ34S) in marine carbonates.