Les accords de paix de Dayton: quel constat?

9 p.Les récentes émeutes (février 2014) viennent de rappeler à la communauté internationale l’existence de la Bosnie-Herzégovine (B-H), pays qui fut ravagé par une guerre (1992-1995) qui a causé au moins 100.000 morts, avec 2.200.000 de personnes déplacées (sur une population totale de 4.300.000 personnes) et encore aujourd’hui 7.886 personnes disparues. En effet, ce pays (« le plus compliqué du monde ») pataugeait depuis vingt ans dans un cercle vicieux établi par les Accords dit de Dayton, un peu oublié par l’Europe et le monde. Les Balkans semblent encore être considérés comme la banlieue de l’Europe. Ces mots de Georges Duhamel (1931) résonnent toujours par leur actualité : «O péninsule balkanique, tourment des idéologues, traquenard des diplomates, purgatoire de l’Occident, réservoir des catastrophes, notre Asie d’Europe»

Semi-regular sequences and other random systems of equations

The security of multivariate cryptosystems and digital signature schemes relies on the hardness of solving a system of polynomial equations over a finite field. Polynomial system solving is also currently a bottleneck of index-calculus algorithms to solve the elliptic and hyperelliptic curve discrete logarithm problem. The complexity of solving a system of polynomial equations is closely related to the cost of computing Groebner bases, since computing the solutions of a polynomial system can be reduced to finding a lexicographic Groebner basis for the ideal generated by the equations. Several algorithms for computing such bases exist: We consider those based on repeated Gaussian elimination of Macaulay matrices. In this paper, we analyze the case of random systems, where random systems means either semi-regular systems, or quadratic systems in n variables which contain a regular sequence of n polynomials. We provide explicit formulae for bounds on the solving degree of semi-regular systems with m > n equations in n variables, for equations of arbitrary degrees for m = n+1, and for any m for systems of quadratic or cubic polynomials. In the appendix, we provide a table of bounds for the solving degree of semi-regular systems of m = n + k quadratic equations in n variables for 2 <= k; n <= 100 and online we provide the values of the bounds for 2 <= k; n <= 500. For quadratic systems which contain a regular sequence of n polynomials, we argue that the Eisenbud-Green-Harris Conjecture, if true, provides a sharp bound for their solving degree, which we compute explicitly.Comment: 27 pages, 4 table

Interim analysis of the REASSURE (Radium-223 alpha Emitter Agent in non-intervention Safety Study in mCRPC popUlation for long-teRm Evaluation) study: patient characteristics and safety according to prior use of chemotherapy in routine clinical practice

Purpose: REASSURE is a global, prospective, non-interventional study to assess long-term safety of radium-223 in patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Here we report an interim analysis of patients according to previous use of chemotherapy. Methods: Radium-223 was administered in routine clinical practice. Interim safety analysis was planned after enrolment of the first 600 patients. Patient characteristics and safety data by previous administration of chemotherapy (docetaxel and/or cabazitaxel) were investigated. Results: This interim analysis included 583 patients. Median duration of observation was 7 months (range, 0–20). Nineteen patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy were excluded, 564 (97%) were eligible for exploratory analysis according to prior use of chemotherapy; 190 (34%) had previously received and completed chemotherapy, and 374 (66%) had not. In the prior versus no prior chemotherapy group, a higher proportion of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≥2 (22% vs 11%) and > 20 metastatic lesions (26% vs 15%), median alkaline phosphatase (162.0 vs 115.0 U/L) and prostate-specific antigen (132.0 vs 40.2 ng/mL) levels were higher, and a lower proportion completed 6 radium-223 injections (45% vs 63%). Drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 63 and 48%, and haematological drug-related TEAEs in 21 and 9% of patients who had or had not previously received chemotherapy. Four drug-related deaths were reported, all in the prior chemotherapy group. Conclusions: The short-term safety profile of radium-223 in routine clinical practice was comparable to other clinical studies, irrespective of prior chemotherapy use. Haematological TEAEs occurred more frequently in the prior chemotherapy group, presumably due to decreased bone marrow function as a consequence of more advanced disease and prior exposure to cytotoxic therapy. Patients who had not previously received chemotherapy appeared to have a lower burden of disease at baseline, and a lower proportion discontinued radium-223 treatment.Purpose: REASSURE is a global, prospective, non-interventional study to assess long-term safety of radium-223 in patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Here we report an interim analysis of patients according to previous use of chemotherapy. Methods: Radium-223 was administered in routine clinical practice. Interim safety analysis was planned after enrolment of the first 600 patients. Patient characteristics and safety data by previous administration of chemotherapy (docetaxel and/or cabazitaxel) were investigated. Results: This interim analysis included 583 patients. Median duration of observation was 7&nbsp;months (range, 0–20). Nineteen patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy were excluded, 564 (97%) were eligible for exploratory analysis according to prior use of chemotherapy; 190 (34%) had previously received and completed chemotherapy, and 374 (66%) had not. In the prior versus no prior chemotherapy group, a higher proportion of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of ≥2 (22% vs 11%) and &gt; 20 metastatic lesions (26% vs 15%), median alkaline phosphatase (162.0 vs 115.0&nbsp;U/L) and prostate-specific antigen (132.0 vs 40.2&nbsp;ng/mL) levels were higher, and a lower proportion completed 6 radium-223 injections (45% vs 63%). Drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 63 and 48%, and haematological drug-related TEAEs in 21 and 9% of patients who had or had not previously received chemotherapy. Four drug-related deaths were reported, all in the prior chemotherapy group. Conclusions: The short-term safety profile of radium-223 in routine clinical practice was comparable to other clinical studies, irrespective of prior chemotherapy use. Haematological TEAEs occurred more frequently in the prior chemotherapy group, presumably due to decreased bone marrow function as a consequence of more advanced disease and prior exposure to cytotoxic therapy. Patients who had not previously received chemotherapy appeared to have a lower burden of disease at baseline, and a lower proportion discontinued radium-223 treatment

Derechos humanos, paz y posconflicto en Colombia

197 p.Es relevante mencionar que este espacio académico se genera a partir del trabajo de investigación desarrollado por el grupo Personas, Instituciones y Exigencias de Justicia”, del Centro de Investigaciones Sociojurídicas la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad Católica de Colombia, y está soportado en el trabajo investigativo de los autores de la obra que aquí se compila. El objetivo principal de este libro ha sido propiciar la investigación generadora de reflexiones de expertos, profesores e investigadores nacionales e internacionales en el área de los derechos humanos y del derecho internacional humanitario en torno a temáticas actuales y trascendentales para el país, derivadas del proceso de paz que adelanta el actual Gobierno colombiano con la guerrilla de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC-EP) y sus consecuencias posteriores en el marco de lo que ha dado en llamarse el posconflicto. La primera parte del libro ha sido construida en clave comparada, partiendo de la consideración de la búsqueda de experiencias a soluciones políticas de conflictos armados que en otras latitudes han hecho historia sobre lo que significa el tránsito hacia la paz. Por ello, con la intención de conocer de primera mano los resultados y los pormenores que rodearon esos acuerdos de paz, así como el respeto posterior a lo firmado y las condiciones necesarias para que tales acuerdos fuesen realidad, investigadores expertos fueron invitados a reflexionar en visión comparada sobre el conflicto colombiano. Como resultado de esas reflexiones, el libro cuenta con un estudio de experiencias en los posconflictos de El Salvador, Guatemala y México, considerando también los cambios constitucionales que siguieron a los Acuerdos de Dayton que pusieron fin al conflicto en Bosnia-Herzegovina. El caso de Sudáfrica constituye una de las experiencias más exitosas en la resolución de antiguos conflictos, por lo que dicho caso ocupa un estudio particular de las experiencias analizadas en la obra.Prólogo Introducción Parte I. Análisis comparado Capítulo 1. Los procesos de paz en El Salvador, Guatemala y México: una visión comparada Capítulo 2. Les accords de paix de Dayton: quel constat? Capítulo 3. Proceso de paz en sudáfrica: ¿algunas lecciones para Colombia? Parte II. Reflexiones sobre el conflicto colombiano Capítulo 4. Sobre la situación de graves violaciones de derechos humanos y del derecho internacional humanitario en contra de las mujeres en el conflicto armado colombiano Capítulo 5. La protección jurídica para los niños en el conflicto armado colombiano: de la declaración de Ginebra al Protocolo Facultativo relativo a la Participación de Niños en los Conflictos Armados - Estándares internacionales para tener en cuenta en el proceso de paz colombiano Capítulo 6. Medidas de inclusión para una paz duradera Capítulo 7. Los desafíos de la asistencia humanitaria en el posacuerdo de paz en Colombia Bibliografí

Influence of computed tomography attenuation correction in myocardial perfusion imaging in obese population

Marked regional variations in myocardial activity that are not related to myocardial perfusion defects.Verify the influence of CT-AC inMPI results in patients with BMI between 30 and 35 and higher than 30 for male and female population

use of bone health agents bhas in patients pts with metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer mcrpc treated with radium 223 ra 223 after abiraterone abi an interim review of reassure

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Interim analysis of the REASSURE (Radium-223 alpha Emitter Agent in non-intervention Safety Study in mCRPC popUlation for long-teRm Evaluation) study : patient characteristics and safety according to prior use of chemotherapy in routine clinical practice

Purpose: REASSURE is a global, prospective, non-interventional study to assess long-term safety of radium-223 in patients with bone metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Here we report an interim analysis of patients according to previous use of chemotherapy. Methods: Radium-223 was administered in routine clinical practice. Interim safety analysis was planned after enrolment of the first 600 patients. Patient characteristics and safety data by previous administration of chemotherapy (docetaxel and/or cabazitaxel) were investigated. Results: This interim analysis included 583 patients. Median duration of observation was 7&nbsp;months (range, 0\u201320). Nineteen patients treated with concomitant chemotherapy were excluded, 564 (97%) were eligible for exploratory analysis according to prior use of chemotherapy; 190 (34%) had previously received and completed chemotherapy, and 374 (66%) had not. In the prior versus no prior chemotherapy group, a higher proportion of patients had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 652 (22% vs 11%) and &gt; 20 metastatic lesions (26% vs 15%), median alkaline phosphatase (162.0 vs 115.0&nbsp;U/L) and prostate-specific antigen (132.0 vs 40.2&nbsp;ng/mL) levels were higher, and a lower proportion completed 6 radium-223 injections (45% vs 63%). Drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) occurred in 63 and 48%, and haematological drug-related TEAEs in 21 and 9% of patients who had or had not previously received chemotherapy. Four drug-related deaths were reported, all in the prior chemotherapy group. Conclusions: The short-term safety profile of radium-223 in routine clinical practice was comparable to other clinical studies, irrespective of prior chemotherapy use. Haematological TEAEs occurred more frequently in the prior chemotherapy group, presumably due to decreased bone marrow function as a consequence of more advanced disease and prior exposure to cytotoxic therapy. Patients who had not previously received chemotherapy appeared to have a lower burden of disease at baseline, and a lower proportion discontinued radium-223 treatment

Accuracy and cost-effectiveness of dynamic contrast-enhanced CT in the characterisation of solitary pulmonary nodules — the SPUtNIk study

$\textbf{Introduction:}$ Solitary pulmonary nodules (SPNs) are common on CT. The most cost-effective investigation algorithm is still to be determined. Dynamic contrastenhanced CT (DCE-CT) is an established diagnostic test not widely available in the UK currently. $\textbf{Methods and analysis:}$ The SPUtNIk study will assess the diagnostic accuracy, clinical utility and cost-effectiveness of DCE-CT, alongside the current CT and 18-flurodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography) ($^{18}$FDG-PET)-CT nodule characterisation strategies in the National Health Service (NHS). Image acquisition and data analysis for $^{18}$FDG-PET-CT and DCE-CT will follow a standardised protocol with central review of 10% to ensure quality assurance. Decision analytic modelling will assess the likely costs and health outcomes resulting from incorporation of DCE-CT into management strategies for patients with SPNs. $\textbf{Ethics and dissemination:}$ Approval has been granted by the South West Research Ethics Committee. Ethics reference number 12/SW/0206. The results of the trial will be presented at national and international meetings and published in an Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Monograph and in peer-reviewed journals.The trial is funded by the National Institute for Health Research HTA Programme (grant no: 09/22/117) and is being run by Southampton Clinical Trials Unit, directed by Professor Gareth Griffiths and part funded by Cancer Research UK. NRQ and RCR are part funded by the Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre and the Cancer Research Network: Eastern

Impact of solitary pulmonary nodule size on qualitative and quantitative assessment using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT: the SPUTNIK trial

Purpose: To compare qualitative and semi-quantitative PET/CT criteria, and the impact of nodule size on the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules in a prospective multicentre trial. / Methods: Patients with an SPN on CT ≥ 8 and ≤ 30 mm were recruited to the SPUTNIK trial at 16 sites accredited by the UK PET Core Lab. Qualitative assessment used a five-point ordinal PET-grade compared to the mediastinal blood pool, and a combined PET/CT grade using the CT features. Semi-quantitative measures included SUVmax of the nodule, and as an uptake ratio to the mediastinal blood pool (SURBLOOD) or liver (SURLIVER). The endpoints were diagnosis of lung cancer via biopsy/histology or completion of 2-year follow-up. Impact of nodule size was analysed by comparison between nodule size tertiles. / Results: Three hundred fifty-five participants completed PET/CT and 2-year follow-up, with 59% (209/355) malignant nodules. The AUCs of the three techniques were SUVmax 0.87 (95% CI 0.83;0.91); SURBLOOD 0.87 (95% CI 0.83; 0.91, p = 0.30 versus SUVmax); and SURLIVER 0.87 (95% CI 0.83; 0.91, p = 0.09 vs. SUVmax). The AUCs for all techniques remained stable across size tertiles (p > 0.1 for difference), although the optimal diagnostic threshold varied by size. For nodules  16 mm, an SUVmax ≥ 3.6 or visual PET uptake greater than the mediastinum was the most accurate. / Conclusion: In this multicentre trial, SUVmax was the most accurate technique for the diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules. Diagnostic thresholds should be altered according to nodule size. / Trial registration: ISRCTN - ISRCTN30784948. ClinicalTrials.gov - NCT0201306