bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) in melanoma patients (pts) on immunotherapy (IO).
Authors: Sussman Tamara A. , Roopkumar Joanna , Li Hong , Hobbs Brian , Khorana Alok A. , Funchain Pauline
Published: February 2020

94

Background: VTE in cancer significantly contributes to morbidity and a worse overall prognosis. Little is known about the incidence of VTE in melanoma pts receiving IO. This study aims to assess the incidence of VTE in melanoma pts on IO, interrogate potential association with specific therapies, and ascertain its prognostic utility. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of melanoma pts who received any IO including ipilimumab (ipi), nivolumab (nivo) or pembrolizumab (pembro) from July 2015 to December 2017 at the Cleveland Clinic. VTE including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism were identified by chart review. VTE-free survival and overall survival (OS) were estimated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazard models; association between VTE and IO was examined using the Pearson’s chi-squared test. Results: This cohort comprised 219 pts with median age of 65 years (range 24-92) and 66.7% male. Pembro was most common (36.5%), followed by ipi/nivo (26.9%), ipi (21.9%), and nivo (14.6%). Most had distant metastatic disease (79.9%), and 16.4% had brain metastases. VTE occurred in 14.2% (n = 31) of pts on therapy. Of those with VTE, 12 (38.7%) were receiving ipi/nivo and 19 (61.3%) single agent IO. Median VTE-free time was 4.9 months on ipi/nivo compared to 9.2 months on single agent IO (p = 0.05). The 6-month VTE-free survival was 18.5% for ipi/nivo and 71.8% for single agent IO. Among pts with distant metastatic disease, ipi/nivo was significantly associated with earlier time to VTE when adjusted for age, gender, and presence of brain metastases, (median VTE-free time 4.9 months vs. 9.3; p = 0.024; HR 2.96 [95% CI, 1.15-7.59]). Among pts without brain metastases, VTE was associated with worse OS (median OS 1.3 years vs. NR; p<0.001; HR 3.47 [95% CI, 1.66-7.24]). Conclusions: VTE risk may be elevated for melanoma pts on IO, specifically those receiving ipi/nivo. Further studies are needed to identify pathophysiology, risk factors, and benefit of thromboprophylaxis in this setting. [Table: see text]
The real-world incidence of immunotherapy-related thyroid dysfunction: A retrospective analysis of a single center's experience over five years.
Authors: Brody Heather Mae , Macherla Shravanti , Bulumulle Anushi , Namireddy Praveen , Cherry Cynthia R.
Published: February 2020

98

Background: Immunotherapy related thyroid abnormalities are well described. Any grade abnormality has been reported in 6-18% of patients. The clinical relevance of thyroid abnormalities in a real-world setting is still unclear. In this retrospective study, we analyzed immunotherapy type with time to thyroid dysfunction, grade of thyroid dysfunction, and number that ultimately required treatment. Methods: We retrospectively collected data for patients who received immunotherapy from April 2015 to August 2019. We recorded the type of immunotherapy, any abnormal TSH and grade of abnormality using the immune checkpoint inhibitor related adverse events Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (IRAE-CTCAE), number of days from start of treatment to first noted abnormal TSH, and number requiring treatment with levothyroxine. At our large academic center, we analyze thyroid function prior to starting immunotherapy and at every treatment. Results: Of our 374 patients, 159 had some grade of thyroid dysfunction after receiving immunotherapy. Of the 159 patients with thyroid dysfunction, 23 had atezolizumab, (A), 81 had nivolumab (N), and 55 had pembrolizumab (P). Within these sub-groups, the majority of the adverse events were grade one, 74% in the A group, 57% in the N group, and 76% in the P group. Of these, zero were treated with levothyroxine. Grade two toxicities were seen in 22% in the A group, 31% in the N group, and 22% in the P group. Of these, a total of eight patient required treatment with levothyroxine. Average days to abnormal TSH was 97 in the A group, 94 in the N group, and 130 in the P group. Conclusions: In our population, 42.5% of patients had some grade of thyroid dysfunction which is higher than the previously reported values, however, the majority of abnormalities were grade one and self-resolved. This may indicate that transient changes in TSH are much more common than previously noted but not necessarily clinically relevant.
Mapping the Associations of the Plasma Lipidome With Insulin Resistance and Response to an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Authors: Beyene Habtamu B , Hamley Steven , Giles Corey , Huynh Kevin , Smith Alexander , Cinel Michelle , Mellet Natalie A , Morales-Scholz Maria G , Kloosterman Danielle , Howlett Kirsten F , Kowalski Greg M , Shaw Christopher S , Magliano Dianna J , Bruce Clinton R , Meikle Peter J
Published: February 2020

Context

Insulin resistance (IR) remains a global health challenge. Lipidomics offers an opportunity to identify biomarkers and better understand mechanisms of IR associated with abnormal lipid metabolism.

Objective

The objective of this article is to determine plasma lipid species associated with indices of IR and evaluate the lipidome response to an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

Design and setting

This study was community based and cross-sectional.

Participants and sample

Plasma samples (collected at 0 and 120 min during an OGTT) from nonobese, young adults age 18 to 34 years (n = 246) were analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry.

Main outcome measures

The associations between indices of IR and lipid classes and species (with a sex interaction term), or changes in lipid levels during an OGTT, were tested using linear models (adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides).

Results

Some (213) and (199) lipid species were associated with the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance and insulin area under curve (AUC), respectively. Alkylphosphatidylcholine (10), alkenylphosphatidylcholine (23), and alkylphosphatidylethanolamine (6) species were associated with insulin AUC in men only. Species of phosphatidylcholine (7) and sphingomyelin (5) were associated in women only. In response to an OGTT, a perturbation in the plasma lipidome, particularly in acylcarnitine species, was observed; and the changes in many lipid species were associated with insulin AUC.

Conclusions

The plasma lipidome and changes in lipid levels during an OGTT were associated with indices of IR. These findings underlie the involvement of molecular lipid species in the pathogenesis of IR and possibly crosstalk between IR and sex-specific regulation of lipid metabolism.
AMH is Higher Across the Menstrual Cycle in Early Postmenarchal Girls than in Ovulatory Women
Authors: Ortega Madison T , Carlson Lauren , McGrath John A , Kangarloo Tairmae , Adams Judith Mary , Sluss Patrick M , Lambert-Messerlian Geralyn , Shaw Natalie D
Published: February 2020

Context

Adolescents have more small, growing follicles and larger ovaries than normal women and are prone to anovulatory cycles (ANOV). It is unknown if a higher antral follicle count (AFC) per se contributes to ANOV in early postmenarchal girls.

Objective

To determine the relationship between AMH (an AFC biomarker), other reproductive hormones, and ANOV in postmenarchal girls and to compare AMH in girls and regularly cycling adults.

Methods

A total of 23 girls (1.7 ± 0.2 years postmenarche) and 32 historic adult controls (≤34 years) underwent serial hormone measurements during 1 to 2 menstrual cycles. Girls also had pelvic ultrasounds. AMH was measured 5 times/subject using the Ansh ultrasensitive ELISA.

Results

Girls had higher AMH than women (5.2 ± 0.3 vs. 3.3 ± 0.4 ng/mL; P < 0.01) and girls with more ovulatory (OV) cycles tended to have lower AMH than those with ANOV (2 OV 4.5 ± 0.2, 1 OV 5.7 ± 1.1, 0 OV 6.8 ± 1.1 ng/mL; P = 0.1). In girls, AMH correlated with natural-log (ln) transformed LH (r = 0.5, P = 0.01), ln_androstenedione (r = 0.6, P = 0.003), ln_testosterone (r = 0.5, P = 0.02), and ovarian volume (r = 0.7, P < 0.01) but not with FSH, estradiol, P4, or body mass index. In women, AMH correlated with estradiol and P4 (both r = -0.4, P ≤ 0.03) but not with ln_LH or body mass index.

Conclusions

In postmenarchal girls, AMH is higher than in ovulatory women and is associated with LH, androgens, and a propensity for anovulatory cycles. The cause of the transient increase in AMH and AFC during late puberty and the steps underlying the transition to a mature ovary deserve further study.
Long Noncoding RNA HUPCOS Promotes Follicular Fluid Androgen Excess in PCOS Patients via Aromatase Inhibition
Authors: Che Qi , Liu Miao , Zhang Doudou , Lu Yongning , Xu Jun , Lu Xinmei , Cao Xiang , Liu Yang , Dong Xi , Liu Suying
Published: February 2020

Context

Androgen excess is a key feature of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear.

Objective

To determine the role and mechanism of novel long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) highly up-regulated in PCOS (HUPCOS) in the androgen excess of PCOS patients.

Design

The lncRNA expression profile in granulosa cells derived from PCOS and non-PCOS women were analyzed by using microarray assay. Human granulosa cell line KGN was used for mechanism investigation.

Setting

This was a university-based study.

Patients

Thirty-eight PCOS and 38 control patients were recruited: 8 PCOS and 8 control samples used for microarray discovery, the remaining 30 PCOS cases and 30 controls for quantitative RT-PCR validation.

Main Outcome Measures

The aberrant expression lncRNA profile of PCOS patients was measured using microarray. The relationship of HUPCOS and follicular fluid testosterone was measured. Aromatase expression were analyzed after HUPCOS downregulation. HUPCOS interaction protein was confirmed by RNA pull-down.

Results

The significantly elevated lncRNA in PCOS granulosa cells was named HUPCOS, which was positively correlated with follicular fluid testosterone of PCOS patients. HUPCOS downregulation increased aromatase expression and promoted conversion of androgen to estrogen. RNA-binding protein with multiple splicing (RBPMS) was the most likely protein that combined with HUPCOS.

Conclusions

Our findings suggested that HUPCOS mediated androgen excess in follicular fluid of PCOS patients by suppressing aromatase expression via interaction with RBPMS.
Ten Years of Very Infrequent Zoledronate Therapy in Older Women: An Open-Label Extension of a Randomized Trial
Authors: Grey Andrew , Horne Anne , Gamble Greg , Mihov Borislav , Reid Ian R , Bolland Mark
Published: February 2020

Context

Intravenous zoledronate prevents bone loss and reduces fracture risk in older adults but the optimal dosing strategy required to achieve each outcome is not known.

Objective

To assess the effect of very infrequent zoledronate therapy on bone mineral density (BMD) and markers of bone turnover.

Design and participants

An average of 5.5 years after randomization to either a single dose of 5 mg of zoledronateor placebo, 33 of the original cohort of 50 older women with osteopenia entered a 5-year open-label extension study.

Setting

Academic research center

Intervention

A 5-mg dose of intravenous zoledronate was administered to all participants.

Main outcome measures

BMD and bone turnover were measured annually, generating data over almost 11 years in women who received 5 mg of zoledronate at 0 and 5.5 years (ZZ, n = 16), or placebo at baseline and 5 mg of zoledronate at 5.5 years (PZ, n = 17).

Results

After redosing, BMD in ZZ remained stable, while BMD in PZ increased. At 11 years, changes from baseline BMD in ZZ and PZ were 3.8% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1,6.5) and 2.9% (0.3,5.5) at the lumbar spine (P = .61), 0.9% (–1.7,3.5) and –2.8% (–5.3,–0.3) at the total hip (P = .006), and 0.4% (–0.8,1.6) and –0.4% (–1.3,0.5) at the total body (P = .14). Bone turnover markers were similar in the PZ and ZZ groups throughout the 5 years after redosing.

Conclusions

These results suggest that zoledronate 5 mg administered at a 5.5-year interval prevents bone loss over almost 11 years. Clinical trials to investigate whether very infrequent treatment with zoledronate reduces fracture risk are justified.
John Maynard Keynes, H. G. Wells, and a Problematic Utopia
Authors: Magness Phillip W. , Harrigan James R.
Published: February 2020

In this article we explore the intellectual origins of John Maynard Keynes’s “Economic Possibilities” by introducing evidence of its parallels to a similar utopian message in H. G. Wells’s obscure didactic novel, The World of William Clissold (1926). Drawing upon archival evidence from Keynes and Wells’s own contemporary exchanges, we bring to light a largely unnoticed intellectual dialogue between the two authors that took place from roughly 1926 to 1934 through their published works, letters, and public and private conversations. The context provided by this dialogue sheds light upon the authors’ shared interests in the “scientific” ordering of society, and in particular a vision of the future that relied heavily upon proactive eugenic planning. These findings point to an under-acknowledged eugenic dimension to Keynes’s essay that emerges more openly from his contemporary exchanges with Wells as well as in several unpublished works and letters by both men. In addition to contextualizing a number of the intentionally vague predictions and prescriptions in “Economic Possibilities for Our Grandchildren,” these findings establish deeper eugenic commitments in Keynes’s beliefs than previously thought and extend them into the mature phase of his economic writing.
Institutionalism in Action: Balancing the Substantive Imbalances of “the Economy” through the Veil of Money
Authors: Özgöde Onur
Published: February 2020

Scholars working on the history of economics and economic governance assume national income accounting emerged naturally out of Keynesian concerns with economic growth and wartime needs. This paper provides an alternative and more complex genealogy, arguing instead that income accounting was born out of a governmental project, implemented by institutionalist economists at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) during the interwar period, to manage “the business cycle.” Bridging the literatures on the history of economic policymaking of the interwar period and the postwar triumph of “American Keynesianism,” it shows that institutionalists developed income accounting as a knowledge infrastructure to monitor inter-sectoral imbalances that generated cyclical fluctuations. Called the National Income and Product Accounts (NIPA) System, this infrastructure constructed “the economy” as a composite statistical object, composed of many disparate, nonfungible substantive elements that could not have been otherwise patched into a coherent whole. Wrapping these elements into the veil of money, the NIPA System became the interface through which policymakers intervened in intersectoral imbalances at the level of monetary flows with fiscal tools.
Was Sismondi a “Smithian” Critic of Industrialization?
Authors: Eyguesier Nicolas
Published: February 2020

The article recasts the economic writings of Jean Charles Léonard Simonde de Sismondi, and his critique of industrialization in particular, in light of Sismondi’s self-proclaimed indebtedness to Adam Smith. Sismondi’s economic thought was shaped by his opposition to Napoleon’s protectionist economic policies and took the form of a critique of monopolies made in the name of the common good. After Waterloo and the collapse of the empire, Sismondi developed a critique of the British school of political economy and its corresponding model of economic development through the generalization of wage labor, mechanization, and large-scale farming. In his last years, during the early 1830s, Sismondi took aim at “industrialism” itself, a term which for him grouped together all those contemporary economic theories asserting that society should be organized by and for production exclusively. However, throughout his career as an economist, in developing these opinions Sismondi claimed to be faithful to Adam Smith’s understanding of what political economy should be. This article seeks to demonstrate that Sismondi’s theoretical production was deeply rooted in his evolving “neo-Smithianism.”
The Brazilian Connection in Milton Friedman’s 1967 Presidential Address and 1976 Nobel Lecture
Authors: Boianovsky Mauro
Published: February 2020

This article investigates the role played by Friedman’s interpretation of Brazilian inflation in his 1967 formulation of the natural rate hypothesis and in his 1976 discussion of indexation and other institutional arrangements in the face of chronic inflation. It is argued that, as an empirical economist and in the absence of evidence from industrialized countries, Friedman found in the Brazilian 1964–66 stabilization episode significant support for his argument about inflation acceleration and a shifting Phillips curve. Friedman’s interest in the Brazilian inflationary and growing economy prompted him to visit the country in 1973. The context and implications of Friedman’s Brazilian travel are also tackled in the paper.
Between Emotion and Calculation
Authors: Espeche Ximena
Published: February 2020

Operation Truth (Operación Verdad) was the Cuban Revolution’s first major intervention in the global mass media. In late January 1959, the revolutionary government invited journalists and politicians from around the world to witness the trials and executions of individuals accused of committing human rights abuses during the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship. This essay argues that Operation Truth prompted a battle of information waged to define the legitimacy of emotion and calculation as a way of supporting political action in Cuba. Operation Truth coverage judged the revolutionary leaders’ suitability as governing officials by characterizing them as bearers of a “true masculinity,” and positively or negatively judging their “Latin” identity.
Tricontinental’s International Solidarity
Authors: Hanna Lani
Published: February 2020

The Tricontinental Conference in 1966 in Havana, Cuba, marked a moment of particular import for the development of an internationalism grounded in anti-imperialist and decolonial solidarity. Tricontinental took place at the height of crisis for many nations fighting for independence. The Organization of Solidarity of the People of Africa, Asia, and Latin America (OSPAAAL) sought to promote an internationalist political perspective that interrelated global revolutionary movements through their collective opposition to imperial and colonial governance and resource extraction. This essay focuses on two affective aesthetic tactics: the mobilization of images of women represented as actors in armed struggle, as well as more commonly gendered representations of motherhood. It examines imagery and writing that centers gender and focuses on the intersection of violence against women, aspects of capitalism, imperialism, interpersonal relationships, family and women’s reproductive rights, and culture. Ultimately, it demonstrates that OSPAAAL used artistic production as a tool of political dialogue.
CT-guided microcoil implantation for localizing pulmonary ground-glass nodules: feasibility and accuracy of oblique approach for lesions difficult to access on axial images
Authors: Chuan-dong Li , Hong-liang Sun , Zhen-guo Huang , Bao-xiang Gao , He Chen , Min-xing Yang , Xiao-liang Chen
Published: February 2020

Objective:

(1) To evaluate the value of CT-guided microcoil implantation for localizing pulmonary ground-glass nodules (GGNs) before video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). (2) To evaluate the feasibility, safety and accuracy of cephalic-caudal oblique approach for lesions difficult to access on axial images owing to overlying bony structures, large vessels or interlober fissures.

Methods:

From June 2016 to March 2019, all patients with GGNs resected by VATS after marking using CT-guided microcoil implantation in China-Japan friendship hospital were enrolled and clinical and imaging data were retrospectively analyzed. According to the microcoil marked path, the GGNs were divided into cephalic-caudal oblique group (oblique group) and non-oblique group. The success rate of marking, the time required for marking and the incidence of complications between the two groups were compared.

Results:

258 GGNs from 215 consecutive patients were included in this study. The diameter of GGNs was 1.22 ± 0.50 cm, and the shortest distance from GGNs to the pleura was 1.56 ± 1.09 cm. All 258 GGNs were successfully resected by VATS under the guidance of implanted microcoils, and no case was converted to thoracotomy. During CT-guided microcoil implantation, cephalic- caudal oblique approach was taken in 56 GGNs (oblique group) to avoid bone, interlobar fissure and blood vessels. The time required for marking was significantly longer for oblique group compared with non-oblique group (16.6 ± 2.4 vs. 13.1 ± 1.9 min, p<0.01). No significant differences in the success rate of marking (94.6% vs 91.6%), the incidence of pneumothorax (19.6% vs 17.8%), the bleeding rate (10.7% vs 8.9%), and the hemoptysis rate (1.8% vs 1.5%) were observed between the two groups.

Conclusion:

CT-guided microcoil implantation can effectively guide VATS to resect GGNs. For GGNs difficult to access on axial images, CT-guided cephalic-caudal oblique approach is feasible, safe, and accurate.

Advances in knowledge:

CT-guided microcoil implantation can effectively guide VATS to resect GGNs. The marked path with cephalic-caudal obliquity can effectively avoid bone, interlobar fissure and blood vessels, successfully mark GGNs difficult to access on axial images, while keeping the distance from the pleura to the lesion on the marked path as short as possible at the same time.
Utility of low-dose gelatin sponge particles and 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol mixture in retrograde transvenous obliteration (GERTO) for gastric varices
Authors: Jogo Atsushi , Yamamoto Akira , Kaminoh Toshio , Nakano Mariko , Kageyama Ken , Sohgawa Etsuji , Hamamoto Shinichi , Sakai Yukimasa , Hamuro Masao , Nishida Norifumi , Miki Yukio
Published: February 2020

Objective:

To determine the utility of low-dose gelatin sponge particles and 5% ethanolamine oleate iopamidol (EOI) mixture in retrograde transvenous obliteration (GERTO) for gastric varices (GV).

Methods:

57 consecutive patients who underwent balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous obliteration (B-RTO) for GV were divided into three groups with Hirota’s grade by balloon-occluded retrograde transvenous venography. Hirota’s Grade 1 patients were assigned to G1 group and underwent treatment with 5% EOI. Grade ≥ 2 patients prior to August 2015 were G ≥ 2 group treated with 5% EOI, and those treated thereafter were GERTO group. The amount of EOI used per unit GV volume (EOI/GV ratio), the times to embolization and recurrence rate of GV were evaluated.

Results:

The EOI/GV ratio was 0.66 ± 0.19 in G1, 1.5 ± 0.8 in G ≥ 2, and 0.58 ± 0.23 in GERTO (G ≥ 2 vs GERTO, p < 0.0001). The times to embolization were 26.5 ± 10.5 min for G1, 39.2 ± 26.8 for G ≥ 2, and 21.4 ± 9.4 for GERTO (G ≥ 2 vs GERTO, p = 0.005). The recurrence rate was not significantly different in any of the groups.

Conclusion:

GERTO was performed in lower amount of sclerosants and in less time compared to conventional B-RTO in Hirota’s grade ≥2.

Advances in knowledge:

Feasibility of low-dose gelatin sponge particles and 5% EOI mixture as sclerosants for GV.
Reflexões sobre as aplicações de políticas de desonerações tributárias no desenvolvimento regional brasileiro
Authors: Botelho Luciano Henrique Fialho , Abrantes Luiz Antônio , Fialho Nágela Silveira
Published: February 2020

Este ensaio teve o objetivo de avaliar as políticas contemporâneas de desonerações tributárias nas suas relações com o desenvolvimento regional no Brasil, a partir de análises bibliográficas. Com esse propósito, procurou-se construir um quadro conceitual-analítico sobre as desonerações em estudos internacionais, visando corroborar a análise nacional. No referencial teórico, foram abordadas discussões sobre federalismo, desenvolvimento regional, Sistema Tributário Nacional e definições sobre as políticas de desonerações tributárias. Embora se tenha observado a incipiência de estudos em relação às desonerações tributárias, este ensaio verificou os principais temas debatidos e refletiu sobre os resultados de tais programas e as suas influências no federalismo e no desenvolvimento regional. Tais resultados também foram comparados com políticas de desonerações realizadas em outros países. Notou-se que desonerações com foco em regiões específicas tiveram melhores resultados que políticas nacionais. Concluiu-se sobre a necessidade de maiores acompanhamentos das desonerações tributárias, a fim de evitar privilégios a setores econômicos e regiões nacionais.
Gestão social como campo do saber no Brasil: uma investigação de sua produção científica pela Modelagem de Redes Sociais (2005-2015)
Authors: Menon Isabela de Oliveira , Coelho Fernando de Souza
Published: February 2020

Este artigo realiza uma análise longitudinal da rede de produção científica em Gestão Social (GS) no País entre 2005 e 2015, período em que tal conceito/abordagem se institucionalizou – nacionalmente – como uma comunidade acadêmica. O trabalho evidencia o crescimento do volume da produção científica, identifica os autores prolíficos e apresenta os índices de colaboração, a classificação dos autores pela frequência de publicação e as medidas de centralidade (grau, intermediação e autovetor) obtidas com a modelagem de redes sociais a partir de dados coletados de eventos acadêmicos e periódicos científicos. Trata-se, portanto, de um mapeamento que contribui tanto para caracterizar a GS a partir de sua rede de pesquisadores como para compreender a formação desse campo do saber no Brasil.
Análise sociomaterial do uso de TI em coprodução de serviço público: o caso do Simulador de Direção Veicular
Authors: Rodrigues Dênis Alves , Rossatto Leonardo Queiroz , Santos Tarcila Peres , Meirelles Fernando Souza
Published: February 2020

Ferramentas de Tecnologia da Informação (TI) têm sido apropriadas por governos em diferentes caminhos, tais como para melhorar seus processos internos e efetuar atendimentos ao cidadão via web, todavia, novas ferramentas de TI também têm sido utilizadas em coprodução de serviços públicos, como o caso do Simulador de Direção Veicular (SDV), que é usado dentro do processo de habilitação de condutores (CNH). Estas novas relações precisam ser estudadas para explicar a sociomaterialidade, as relações de poder, interesses e limitações que delas decorrem. Para tal, identifica-se que ela é adotada dentro de um contexto governamental e sua execução depende do cidadão (coprodução). Para atingir os objetivos desta pesquisa utiliza-se da análise Sociomaterial e a Análise Crítica do Discurso, e, paralelamente, considera-se as perspectivas institucionais das organizações e as teorias de governo eletrônico. Os resultados explicam o material e social, sua imbricação, limites, ideologias e os interesses dos atores, bem como estes lidam com as regras existentes para atender aos seus interesses e as relações de poder existentes, dentro de uma perspectiva do realismo crítico.
Investimento social privado e políticas públicas de educação: interações mediadas por múltiplas lógicas institucionais
Authors: Mendonça Patricia Maria Emerenciano , Santos Paula Santana
Published: February 2020

Nas políticas de educação, a partir dos anos 2000, observa-se aproximação do Investimento Social Privado (ISP), buscando o aumento da qualidade da educação através das colaborações e do foco nos resultados, com destaque para as avaliações dentro do sistema. Mas, embora haja influência do ISP, o campo tem sido marcado pela atuação de uma multiplicidade de atores e múltiplas lógicas institucionais, ligadas à atuação estatal, profissional e do mercado, que se tornam mais proeminentes na medida em que se observam contextos locais de implementação. No nível da implementação da política pública, os contextos são mais diversos, caracterizando este ambiente como de alta complexidade institucional. Na interação das ações diretas do ISP nos projetos de fortalecimento de gestão diferenciam-se os profissionais da educação e os gestores educacionais. No contexto de realização dos projetos, foram observadas práticas que buscam aumentar a compatibilidade de lógicas, principalmente nas interações entre profissionais de ISP e gestores educacionais e na forma de escolha e estruturação de projetos por parte do ISP.
Limitations in the assessment of radon dose: the role of activity measurements in the human body
Authors: Kalef-Ezra J. , Valakis S.
Published: February 2020

Radon-222 is classified in the Group I of the human carcinogens. The in situ decay of inhaled 222Rn and its short-lived decay products (T1/2 <30 min) is the main source of radiation burden to the general population of natural origin. The corresponding effective dose is routinely calculated as the product of the 222Rn concentration in air, a predetermined dosimetric constant and a factor that depends on the space type (e.g. residential or public building, cave, mine, etc). However, in practice, there are large spatial and temporal variations in the activity ratio of each progeny to 222Rn in air, the characteristics of the progeny carrying particles and the metabolism of each progeny depending on air quality, as well as differences in the anatomic and physiological characteristics between individuals, that vary substantially even with time. Therefore, the currently employed dosimetric approach may introduce large uncertainties. In the hypothetical case of acute deposition and full retention in the human body of equal activities of all 222Rn progeny, about 93% of the effective dose is due to the decaying 214Po. The 214Po activity can be assessed by measurement of its γ-emitting precursor, 214Bi, which is in full equilibrium with 214Po in the human body. The 214Bi activity can be measured using a high-sensitivity whole-body counter with high counting uniformity, such as the one in use at the Ioannina University Medical Physics Department. Its detection efficiency and its dependence on body shape and size were assessed by Monte Carlo simulations. Measurements carried out in healthy adult volunteers residing at a short distance from the counter, indicated a mean total body 214Bi activity (TBBi) of ~100 Bq during the cold season of the year and lower during the hot one. Higher mean TBBi levels were found in male than in female adults. Therefore, TBBi measurements may allow for accurate radon-related risk assessment on individual base.
Development of a simulation code for material analysis using the PIGE technique
Authors: Preketes-Sigalas K. , Lagoyannis A. , Axiotis M.
Published: February 2020

Particle Induced Gamma ray Emission (PIGE) is a well known and widely used Ion Beam Analysis (IBA) technique for non-destructive material analysis, usually in conjunction with Proton Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). The main drawback in the applicability of PIGE regarding the quantification of light elements in various heavy element substrates is the need for many reference targets with similar matrices to the one under study, because of the importance of the ion energy loss in the calculations. In order to overcome this problem, an appropriate simulation code that uses as inputs the experimental spectrum and the relevant differential cross sections, with the output being the quantification of the concentration depth profiles of the isotopes of interest is needed. A code like this is currently being developed in C++ and it is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac.
Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy in the study of defects in materials
Authors: Triantou K. , Mergia K. , Stamatelatos I. E.
Published: February 2020

The Positron Annihilation Lifetime Spectroscopy (PALS) is a valuable method for the study of the open volume defects in materials. The reduced electron density at the vacant/defect site increases the positron lifetime, and positron lifetime increases as the size of defect increases. In the current paper the experimental apparatus for the measurement of the positron lifetime in materials is described and the spectra from W and Cd specimens are analyzed. The presence of dislocations and vacancy defects is found, since the positron lifetimes of specimens are higher than the defect-free (bulk) values.
Validation of the ImageJ package for alpha track counting on Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors
Authors: Alexandropoulou M. , Sarigiannidis D. , Papachristodoulou C. , Stamoulis K. , Ioannides K. G.
Published: February 2020

In the present work, an alpha spectroscopic method using CR39 nuclear track detectors is being evaluated, elaborating on track parameters from different alpha particle sources. The freely-available, Java-based ImageJ software was used to obtain the major and minor axis length, the area and the mean gray level of the recorded tracks. A multi-paramater approach based on Principal Component Analysis of the data was subsequently applied and succeeded in grouping the recorded tracks according to alpha-particle energy. The methodology was further applied for the separation of radon progeny on CR39 detectors exposed in a radon chamber.
Computational study of the neutron flux produced by the 2H(d,n)3He reaction
Authors: Marangouli G. , Kokkoris M. , Lagoyannis A. , Patronis N. , Vlastou R. , Diakaki M.
Published: February 2020

Quasi-monoenergetic neutron beams, in the energy range of 4-10 MeV produced via the 2H(d,n)3He reaction, have been used for cross section measurements at the 5.5 MeV tandem T11/25 Accelerator Laboratory of NCSR “Demokritos”. For accurate cross section measurements, it is important that the energy profile of the neutron beam and the experimental conditions are well characterized. Therefore, an investigation of the energy dependence of the neutron fluence, especially taking into account the deuteron break up phenomenon, has been carried out in the present work, using the recently developed analytical and Monte-Carlo simulation code NeusDesc. Fission experimental data from 238U ultra-thin targets, were used to validate the simulated results. The fission fragments of the 238U(n,f) reaction have been detected via MicroMegas detectors and using the well known cross section of the 238U isotope, the neutron flux has been deduced. The simulated reaction rates were in good aggrement with the experiment ones, thus confirming the validity of the simulations.
Neutron Beam Characterization at the Athens Tandem Accelerator NCSR “Demokritos”
Authors: Vlastou R. , Sigalas D. , Kalamara A. , Kokkoris M. , Anastasiou M. , Diakaki M. , Axiotis M. , Lagoyannis A.
Published: February 2020

A new Ti-tritiated target of 373 GBq activity has been installed at the 5.5MV tandem T11/25 Accelerator of NCSR "Demokritos", to produce neutrons in the energy range ~15-21 MeV by means of the 3H(d,n)4He reaction. The flux variation of the neutron beam is monitored with a BF3 detector, while the absolute flux is obtained with respect to reference reactions, such as the 27Al(n,a) reference reaction. In absence of time-of-flight capabilities, the energy spectrum of the neutron beam has been investigated by means of Monte Carlo simulations as well as by the Multiple Foil Activation Analysis technique, using reactions with different energy thresholds. The experimental results have been compared with the simulated ones in order to validate the simulations
Incorporation of Ion Post Stripper in the APAPES Experimental Setup
Authors: Asimakopoulou E. M. , Madesis I. , Zouros T. J. M. , Mertzimekis T. J. , Lagoyannis A. , Axiotis M.
Published: February 2020

A new accelerator beam line dedicated to atomic collision physics has been constructed as part of the APAPES project that is being carried out at the TANDEM of the NCSR “Demokritos”. Interest in various charge states resulted in the design of a second stripping point after acceleration that was added to the main part of the TANDEM accelerator after the analyzing magnet. In addition, the charge-state analysis program named TARDIS was implemented in C# code to assist in the optimal charge selection.
Analysis of neutron streaming through penetrations in the JET biological shielding
Authors: Stamatelatos I. E. , Vasilopoulou T. , Batistoni P. , Conroy S. , Obryk B. , Popovichev S. , Syme D. B. , EFDA JET contributors The
Published: February 2020

In the present work neutron streaming through large ducts and labyrinths of the Joint European Torus (JET) biological shielding was evaluated. Neutron fluence and ambient dose equivalent were calculated along the total length of the ducts. Monte Carlo calculations using the MCNP code were performed for both Deuterium-Deuterium (D-D) and Deuterium-Tritium (D-T) toroidal plasma discharge sources. The results of the calculations were compared against measurements performed using thermoluminescence detectors. This work contributes to the operational radiation protection effort to minimize collective radiation dose to personnel at JET and, moreover, provides important information from JET experience that may assist in the optimization and validation of the radiation shielding design methodology used in future fusion plants, such as ITER and DEMO.
Radiotoxic metals concentration measurement in sediments due to gold mining activities, Chalkidiki.
Authors: Pappa F. K. , Tsabaris C. , Kaberi H. , Zeri C. , Pashalidis I. , Ioannidou A. , Androulakaki E. , Eleftheriou G. , Patiris D. L. , Kokkoris M. , Vlastou R.
Published: February 2020

The mining operation and tailing deposits in Stratoni region, Northern part of Greece, make monitoring activities necessary both in the terrestrial and coastal areas. As a part of a preliminary monitoring action, in summer of 2012, surface sediment samples in the coastal area of Stratoni (in Ierissos Gulf) were collected and measured aiming a) to obtain concentration levels of (Natural Occurring Radioactive Materials) NORM and heavy metals (e.g. As, Zn, Cu, Pb and Mn,), b) to identify minerals composition and c) to determine the distribution of the grain size. The activity concentrations of 238U, 232Th daughters and 40K were found between (20-100) Bq/kg, (20-35) Bq/kg and (420-700) Bq/kg, respectively. The concentrations of the most toxic heavy metals were found, (8-4100) ppm for As, (30-4000) ppm for Zn, (7-200) ppm for Cu, (40-1700) ppm for Pb and (400-26000) ppm for Mn. In addition, granulometric analysis reveals mostly sandy and sandy-mud sediments (97 – 53% content of sand). In general, enhanced levels of heavy metals and radionuclides were located near the load-out pier area of the coastal region. So, the input mechanisms of them (via local streams, rainfall, floods or others) into the sea and their levels has to be periodically investigated through more concerted monitoring actions.
Parafermionic behavior of Bose-Einstein condensates
Authors: Martinou A. , Bonatsos D.
Published: February 2020

Bright solitons of 7Li atoms in a quasi one-dimensional optical trap, formed in a stable Bose–Einstein condensate in which the interactions have been magnetically tuned from repulsive to attractive, have been seen to exhibit repulsive interactions among them when set in motion by offsetting the optical potential. Solving first the Gross–Pitaevskii equation for the special conditions corresponding to the experiment, we show then that this system can be described in terms of generalized parafermionic oscillators, the order of the parafermions being related to the strength of the interaction among the atoms and being a measure of the bosonic behavior vs. the fermionic behavior of the system.
A study of the response of depleted type p-MOSFETs to electron dose
Authors: Fragopoulou M. , Stoulos S. , Zamani M. , Benton E. , O'Sullivan D. , Siskos S. , Laopoulos T. , Konstantakos V. , Sarrabayrouse G.
Published: February 2020

The p-MOSFET dosimeter studied in this work has been manufactured at LAAS- CNRS Laboratory in Toulouse France, for applications in personal and space dosimetry. They are proposed for proton, heavy ions and electron and photon dose measurements. The current study investigates the sensitivity of this new type of Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) to electrons. The sensitivity of the new MOSFET based dosemeters to electrons is linear for wide dose ranges. The influence of the electrons energy on the dosemeters response is also investigated.
The iCRF Generator: Generating interoperable electronic case report forms using online codebooks
Authors: de Ridder Sander , Beliën Jeroen A.M.
Published: February 2020

Semantic interoperability of clinical data is essential to preserve its meaning and intent when the data is exchanged, re-used or integrated with other data. Achieving semantic operability requires the use of a communication standard, such as HL7, as well as (functional) information standards. Manually mapping clinical data to a medical thesaurus, such as SNOMED CT, is complicated and requires expert knowledge of both the dataset, including its context, and the thesaurus. As an alternative, the (re-)use of codebooks, data definitions which may already have been mapped to a thesaurus, can be a viable approach.

We’ve developed the iCRF Generator, a Java program that can generate the core of an interoperable electronic case report form (iCRF) for several of the major electronic data capture systems (EDCs). To build their CRFs, users can select one or more items from established codebooks, available from an online system called ART-DECOR. By providing an easy to use method to create CRFs for multiple EDCs based on the same codebooks, interoperability can be more easily attained.
Climate change: How schools can strike back
Authors: Kinder Alan
Published: February 2020

Now is the time to think about climate change within the broader context of what your school wants to achieve through its teaching. Alan Kinder offers some advice
Extended trochanteric osteotomy: improving the access and reducing the risk in revision THA
Authors: Wronka Konrad Sebastian , Gerard-Wilson Michell , Peel Elizabeth , Rolfson Ola , Cnudde Peter Herman Johan
Published: February 2020

This review article presents a comprehensive literature review regarding extended trochanteric osteotomy (ETO). The history, rationale, biomechanical considerations as well as indications are discussed. The outcomes and complications as reported in the literature are presented, discussed and compared with our own practice. Based on the available evidence, we present our preferred technique for performing ETO, its fixation, as well as post-operative rehabilitation. The ETO aids implant removal and enhanced access. Reported union rate of ETO is high. The complications related to ETO are much less frequent than in cases when accidental intra-operative femoral fracture occurred that required fixation. Based on the literature and our own experience we recommend ETO as a useful adjunct in the arsenal of the revision hip specialist.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:104-112. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190005
Acute scaphoid fractures: guidelines for diagnosis and treatment
Authors: Clementson Martin , Björkman Anders , Thomsen Niels O. B.
Published: February 2020

In cases of suspected scaphoid fracture where the initial radiographs are negative, a supplementary MRI, or alternatively CT, should be carried out within three to five days. Fracture classification, assessment of dislocation as well as evaluation of fracture healing is best done on CT with reconstructions in the coronal and sagittal planes, following the longitudinal axis of the scaphoid. After adequate conservative management, union is achieved at six weeks for approximately 90% of non-displaced or minimally displaced (≤ 0.5 mm) scaphoid waist fractures. Scaphoid waist fractures with moderate displacement (0.5–1.5 mm) can be treated conservatively, but require prolonged cast immobilization for approximately eight to ten weeks. Internal fixation is recommended for all scaphoid waist fractures with dislocation ≥ 1.5 mm. Distal scaphoid fractures can be treated conservatively. The majority heal uneventfully after four to six weeks of immobilization, depending on fracture type. In general, proximal scaphoid fractures should be treated with internal fixation.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2020;5:96-103. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.5.190025
Topographic synthesis of arbitrary surfaces with vortex Jinc functions
Authors: Gómez-Correa J. E. , Platas-Garza M. A. , Trevino J. P. , Jaimes-Nájera A. , Padilla-Ortiz A. L. , Galaviz-Mosqueda A. , Coello V. , Rogel-Salazar J. , Chávez-Cerda S.
Published: February 2020

When a circular aperture is uniformly illuminated, it is possible to observe in the far field an image of a bright circle surrounded by faint rings known as the Airy pattern or Airy disk. This pattern is described by the first-order Bessel function of the first type divided by its argument expressed in circular coordinates. We introduce the higher-order Bessel functions with a vortex azimuthal factor to propose a family of functions to generalize the function defining the Airy pattern. These functions, which we call vortex Jinc functions, happen to form an orthogonal set. We use this property to investigate their usefulness in fitting various surfaces in a circular domain, with applications in precision optical manufacturing, wavefront optics, and visual optics, among others. We compare them with other well-known sets of orthogonal functions, and our findings show that they are suitable for these tasks and can pose an advantage when dealing with surfaces that concentrate a considerable amount of their information near the center of a circular domain, making them suitable applications in visual optics or analysis of aberrations of optical systems, for instance, to analyze the point spread function.
System design and error correction for 300  mm aperture vertical Fizeau spatial-temporal phase-shifting interferometer
Authors: Zheng Donghui , Chen Lei , Kong Lu , Wang Chong , Hu Chenhui , Wang Yuntao , Zhu Wenhua , Zhu Rihong , Wulan Tuya
Published: February 2020

With the development of high-power lasers for aerospace, electronics, etc., the demand for large-aperture planar optical elements has become more urgent, along with the demand for measurement methods. In this paper, the design of a 300 mm aperture vertical Fizeau spatial-temporal phase-shifting interferometer is discussed. Based on position difference between laser sources, the spatial phase-shifting technique is achieved by generating a laser source array on the focal plane of the collimation lens, and four pairs of coherent beams with different phase shifts are integrated in a vertical Fizeau interference system. Combined with a tunable laser diode, a temporal phase-shifting technique can be realized in any pair of coherent beams through wavelength tuning. The key techniques, which include laser duplication to introduce different phase shifts, conjugate imaging, and separation for interferograms, and assembly for a transmission flat, are demonstrated. The systematic error and position mismatch error of interferograms are eliminated. Comparison experiments are conducted between spatial and temporal phase-shifting techniques. A dynamic water surface is also measured to verify its capacity for detecting dynamic objects.