bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of exposure to missionaries on the English language proficiency and earnings of immigrants in the USA
Authors: Larsen Nicholas , Chiswick Barry R.
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore how potential exposure to missionary activity impacts both English language proficiency and labor market earnings of male and female immigrants to the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the pooled files of the American Community Survey (2005–2009). To estimate the relationship between the missionary activity of both Protestants and Catholics on an immigrant’s English language proficiency using a linear probability model and their labor market earnings using the human capital earnings function that is estimated with an ordinary least squares model. Among other relevant variables, the analysis controls for the colonial heritage of the immigrant’s country of origin.

Findings

Overall, and within colonial heritages, the results indicate that male and female immigrants from countries with a higher concentration of Protestant missionaries tend to exhibit higher levels of English language proficiency and earnings, and those from countries with a greater concentration of Catholic missionaries exhibit lower levels of both, compared to countries with lower concentrations of missionaries. Furthermore, a greater proficiency in English enhances earnings. One of the important implications of the findings in this paper is that a “missionary variable” often used in other studies is too aggregate and may mask important findings because of strikingly different effects of Protestant and Catholic activities and characteristics of the missionaries.

Originality/value

This study explores for the first time how, through a missionary concentration variable, potential exposure to missionary activity impacts the English language proficiency and earnings of immigrants.
An exploration into consumers’ e-learning strategies
Authors: Steils Nadia , Decrop Alain , Crié Dominique
Published: March 2019

Purpose

As traditional paper manuals and step-by-step instructions have shown to discourage new product learning because of a lack of exploration, the purpose of this paper is to investigate consumer learning from an online and andragogical, that is, adult learning, perspective by identifying relevant consumer e-learning processes in new product learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses thematic and trace analyses on a multi-method data collection, that is, extant e-learning courses, in-depth interviews and non-participant observations.

Findings

Emerging findings give light on customized, interactive and iterative e-learning processes depending on consumers’ previous experiences, their learning orientation as adult learners and the characteristics of the online environment. Results provide evidence for the existence of three learning strategies and show how the online environment comes shifting traditional consumer learning paradigms.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on consumer behavior on two levels. First, the findings highlight the importance of taking an andragogical standpoint to provide a more nuanced and realistic view on consumers’ learning processes in new product learning. Second, the results show how the exploration and interactivity provided by the online environment present beneficial prerequisites for effective consumer learning. More than just being an alternative, online learning is complementary to offline modes of learning to improve consumers’ overall learning experience.
Shopping streets vs malls: preferences of low-income consumers
Authors: Zanini Marco Tulio , Filardi Fernando , Villaça Fábio , Migueles Carmen , Melo Aline Menezes
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the attributes of shopping streets and shopping malls that influence the satisfaction and patronage intention of low-income consumers in order to understand the consumers’ preferences when it comes to shopping in these retail agglomerations.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on quantitative and qualitative research, including in-depth interviews and focus groups with low-income consumers. The research collected data from 396 consumers at 3 retail agglomerations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and used a structured questionnaire to identify 12 attributes as the factors of the agglomerations’ attractiveness.

Findings

The results show that the items “selection” and “value” affect satisfaction and patronage intention at the same intensity in both shopping streets and shopping malls. However, the item “access” proved to be important for shopping malls, and the item “security” proved to be important for shopping streets. The results indicate that shopping streets have a preference for patronage intentions, despite the greater satisfaction generated by shopping malls. In addition, the study looked at consumers’ opinions on these retail agglomerations.

Originality/value

The research findings help to build a conceptual framework on evolved retail agglomerations in comparison to created retail agglomeration, represented by shopping streets and shopping malls, respectively. The findings allow a broader view of low-income consumption, offering insights so entrepreneurs and companies can direct their efforts to better capture value and improve the supply of products and services. Likewise, these findings will help public policy decision-makers to build and provide infrastructure for the preservation of shopping streets, maintaining this option for the consumer.
The recovery-oriented therapeutic community for addictions (ROTC): a response to contemporary substance use disorder treatments in the Philippines
Authors: Ramos Sixtus Dane Asuncion
Published: March 2019

Purpose

The Philippines’ nationwide campaign on drugs has been under the limelight due to its controversial approaches in dealing with the problem of addiction. Despite the government’s current efforts, substance use disorders continue to persist within the population. The purpose of this paper is to provide recommendations for addressing the issue of substance use disorder treatment through a modification of the therapeutic community (TC) in the Philippine context.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper reviews the existing facts about the Philippines’ campaign against drugs, the approaches implemented by the government, current state and research developments of TCs, and its resulting impact on contemporary evidence-based treatment for addiction in the country.

Findings

A treatment framework outlining a recovery-oriented therapeutic community (ROTC) is presented. The ROTC aims to address addiction as a chronic, relapsing disease. This alternative approach for addiction treatment in the Philippines is based on the concept of recovery, principles of effective substance use disorder treatment, and recent developments in TC best practices from the international community.

Originality/value

This paper discusses different recommendations for policy development, interventions and research, aimed at improving the odds of securing recovery for people suffering from addiction.
Selfhood and ‘Nostalgia’: Sensory and Material Memories of the Childhood Home in Late Georgian Britain
Authors: Begiato Joanne
Published: March 2019

Focusing on autobiographies written from the 1790s to the 1820s, this article demonstrates that material, emotional and sensory memories of the childhood house and its location were integral to constructions of self. First, it traces the interplay between prevailing cultural forms, family memory and identity, and proposes that these changed over time, shaped by cultural, social and economic factors. Second, in analysing these personal memories, it contributes to the debates around the meanings of the ‘emotional disposition’ of nostalgia, arguing that it was central to the formation of both national culture and individual selfhood.
Editorial: shining a light on cholangiocarcinoma—a new dawn for photodynamic therapy? Authors’ reply
Authors: Gonzalez‐Carmona Maria A. , Bolch Maximilian , Strassburg Christian P. , Weismüller Tobias J.
Published: March 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Gonzalez‐Carmona et al and Srinivasa and
Wigmore papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15050 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15093.
Editorial: blood transfusion for lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Authors: Taha Ali S.
Published: March 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Kherad et al and Kherad and Jairath papers.
To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15158 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15189.
Letter: non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with a history of osteoporotic fractures but not with low bone mineral density—authors’ reply
Authors: Targher Giovanni , Mantovani Alessandro , Dauriz Marco , Bonnet Fabrice , Byrne Christopher D.
Published: March 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Mantovani et al and Yarandi papers. To view
these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15087 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15170.
Editorial: blood transfusion for lower gastrointestinal bleeding—authors’ reply
Authors: Kherad Omar , Jairath Vipul
Published: March 2019

Linked Content

This article is linked to Kherad et al and Taha papers. To view these
articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15158 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.15172.
Step‐by‐step technique for single‐port robot‐assisted radical cystectomy and pelvic lymph nodes dissection using the da Vinci® SP™ surgical system
Authors: Kaouk Jihad , Garisto Juan , Eltemamy Mohamed , Bertolo Riccardo
Published: March 2019

Objectives

To describe a step‐by‐step technique for robot‐assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) with pelvic lymph node dissection (PLND) performed using the da Vinci® SP™ surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA, USA).

Patients and Methods

Four consecutive patients diagnosed with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder were counselled for RARC with PLND and ileal conduit urinary diversion performed using the da Vinci SP surgical system. A 3‐cm midline incision was made 5‐cm above the umbilicus. Dissection was performed to access the abdominal cavity. Insertion of the GelPOINT® advanced access platform (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA, USA) with the SP Cannula was performed through the incision made. A 12‐mm AirSeal® (SurgiQuest Inc., Milfort, CT, USA) port for the assistant was placed on the pre‐marked stoma site, where an ileal conduit urinary diversion was desired. Demographics and perioperative outcomes were collected under Institutional Review Board approval (IRB 13‐780). The surgeries were performed by reproducing the steps of the institutional approach for RARC performed with the multi‐arm robotic platform.

Results

The surgeries were successfully completed. There was neither conversion to standard multi‐arm robotic or open approaches nor the need for additional port placement. The mean (range) operative time was 454 (420–496) min. Blood loss averaged 312 mL. No transfusions were required and no intraoperative complications occurred. All patients had negative surgical margins. All patients were discharged on postoperative day 5.

Conclusion

From our preliminary experience, RARC with PLND and ileal conduit urinary diversion is feasible and safe using the da Vinci SP surgical system. Further comparative studies with open and multi‐arm robotic approaches are warranted.
Sensing between reactions – how the metabolic microenvironment shapes immunity
Authors: Lötscher J , Balmer M L
Published: March 2019

Perception of potential threat is key for survival. The immune system constantly patrols the organism scanning for potential pathogenic or malignant danger. Recent evidence suggests that immunosurveillance not only relies on classic receptors [e.g. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) or antibodies] but is also based on sensing of the metabolic environment. Metabolites interact in numerous ways with immune cells, and are therefore more than just reaction intermediates. This new perspective opens the door for potential, future therapeutic strategies. Here we describe how immune functionality during infections, cancer or autoimmunity, as exemplified by short-chain fatty acids, lactate and reactive oxygen species (ROS), can be shaped by metabolic intermediates.
Fibromatosis colli: A rare cause of neck mass with cytological soft pointers
Authors: Kumar Pawan , Sharma Sudha , Kapil Vinod
Published: March 2019

Fibromatosis colli is a rare tumour of the sternocleidomastoid muscle seen in infancy. Smears show non‐specific findings. However, availability of proper perinatal history along with the knowledge of cytological findings can help reaching the diagnosis, and thus, preventing any unnecessary surgery or biopsy. The present report describes a case of Fibromatosis colli diagnosed on cytology and managed conservatively, hence, highlighting the importance of clinico‐cytological correlation.
Nummular Headache: 2 Cases With Good Beta Blocker Responses and a Narrative Review
Authors: Jiang Li , Li Maolin , Liu Qing , Liu Chaoyang , Zhou Jiying
Published: March 2019

Objective

To report 2 new nummular headache (NH) cases and review the clinical features and management of NH.

Background

NH is a coin‐shaped headache with a fixed shape and size. Since the first case series was reported by Pareja, approximately 300 cases have been reported. However, the latest treatment status and pathogenesis of NH remain unclear.

Methods

Two new NH cases with improved symptomatic responses to metoprolol were reported. We also conducted a narrative review of cases published in English aiming to provide the newest information about the clinical features and management of NH.

Results

Two NH patients with skin depressions within the painful area experienced significantly improvement with metoprolol. The literature review showed that NH was mainly moderate‐to‐severe in 77.8% (186/239) of the patients. Sensory dysfunction and focal trophic changes were reported in 47.8% (149/312) and 3.8% (12/312) of the patients, respectively. Gabapentin was the most commonly used and effective prophylactic, with a responder rate of 67.9% (55/81). Botulinum toxin type A was used for refractory NH, with an effective rate of 81.8% (9/11). Ten patients from the previous studies were prescribed β‐adrenergic blockers without any relief, and none of them reported focal tropic changes.

Conclusions

NH can be a disabling headache in more than half of identified patients and requires medical intervention. As with the previous treatment recommendations, gabapentin was the most commonly used prophylactic with a good response. Our cases suggested that β‐adrenergic blockers could be a therapeutic option for NH patients with focal trophic changes within the areas.
Familial Hemiplegic Migraines and Baseline Neuropsychological Testing: A Case Report
Authors: Trahan Elizabeth M. , Mercado Janyna M.
Published: March 2019

Objective

To explore the neuropsychological correlates and implications of familial hemiplegic migraines (FHMs).

Background

FMH is a rare, autosomal dominant subtype of migraine that only occurs in 0.01% of the population. Little is known about the neuropsychological impact of FHMs; however, cognitive impairment associated with cerebellar syndrome has been identified in some cases.

Method

A single case study involving a 24‐year‐old male who recently endured an atypical, prolonged FHM episode.

Results

The patient’s overall neuropsychological functioning was intact with low average semantic fluency and processing speed, and mild indications of executive dysfunction.

Conclusion

Baseline and serial neuropsychological testing in individuals with FHM may help identify the potential progression and course of cognitive impairment associated with this condition.
A Method for Detecting Regression of Hard and Easy Item Angoff Ratings
Authors: Wyse Adam E. , Babcock Ben
Published: March 2019

One common phenomenon in Angoff standard setting is that panelists regress their ratings in toward the middle of the probability scale. This study describes two indices based on taking ratios of standard deviations that can be utilized with a scatterplot of item ratings versus expected probabilities of success to identify whether ratings are regressed in toward the middle of the probability scale. Results from a simulation study show that the standard deviation ratio indices can successfully detect ratings for hard and easy items that are regressed in toward the middle of the probability scale in Angoff standard‐setting data, where previously proposed indices often do not work as well to detect these effects. Results from a real data set show that, while virtually all raters improve from Round 1 to Round 2 as measured by previously developed indices, the standard deviation ratios in conjunction with a scatterplot of item ratings versus expected probabilities of success can identify individuals who may still be regressing their ratings in toward the middle of the probability scale even after receiving feedback. The authors suggest using the scatterplot along with the standard deviation ratio indices and other statistics for measuring the quality of Angoff standard‐setting data.
An Item‐Level Expected Classification Accuracy and Its Applications in Cognitive Diagnostic Assessment
Authors: Wang Wenyi , Song Lihong , Chen Ping , Ding Shuliang
Published: March 2019

Most of the existing classification accuracy indices of attribute patterns lose effectiveness when the response data is absent in diagnostic testing. To handle this issue, this article proposes new indices to predict the correct classification rate of a diagnostic test before administering the test under the deterministic noise input “and” gate (DINA) model. The new indices include an item‐level expected classification accuracy (ECA) for attributes and a test‐level ECA for attributes and attribute patterns, and both of them are calculated based solely on the known item parameters and Q‐matrix. Theoretical analysis showed that the item‐level ECA could be regarded as a measure of correct classification rates of attributes contributed by an item. This article also illustrates how to apply the item‐level ECA for attributes to estimate the correct classification rate of attributes patterns at the test level. Simulation results showed that two test‐level ECA indices, ECA_I_W (an index based on the independence assumption and the weighted sum of the item‐level ECAs) and ECA_C_M (an index based on Gaussian Copula function that incorporates the dependence structure of the events of attribute classification and the simple average of the item‐level ECAs), could make an accurate prediction for correct classification rates of attribute patterns.
Efficiency of Targeted Multistage Calibration Designs Under Practical Constraints: A Simulation Study
Authors: Berger Stéphanie , Verschoor Angela J. , Eggen Theo J. H. M. , Moser Urs
Published: March 2019

Calibration of an item bank for computer adaptive testing requires substantial resources. In this study, we investigated whether the efficiency of calibration under the Rasch model could be enhanced by improving the match between item difficulty and student ability. We introduced targeted multistage calibration designs, a design type that considers ability‐related background variables and performance for assigning students to suitable items. Furthermore, we investigated whether uncertainty about item difficulty could impair the assembling of efficient designs. The results indicated that targeted multistage calibration designs were more efficient than ordinary targeted designs under optimal conditions. Limited knowledge about item difficulty reduced the efficiency of one of the two investigated targeted multistage calibration designs, whereas targeted designs were more robust.
Oral health care: The experience of Australian paediatricians
Authors: Koirala Archana , O'Connor Elodie , Widmer Richard , Kilpatrick Nicky , Goldfeld Sharon
Published: March 2019

Aim

Many Australian children have dental decay in their deciduous teeth. Poor oral health can negatively impact a child's ability to eat, speak, sleep and socialise, with adverse impacts later in life. Paediatricians are well placed to examine children's teeth and to provide advice and education about oral health. Using a sample of Australian paediatricians, we aimed to determine: (i) self‐reported oral health knowledge and skills, (ii) frequency of office‐based oral health‐related discussions, (iii) perceived role of paediatricians and (iv) barriers to oral health‐related discussions.

Methods

Members of a national network of paediatricians – the Australian Paediatric Research Network – completed a multi‐topic survey, which included questions designed to assess oral health knowledge, current practice and barriers to oral health‐related discussions.

Results

Of 430 active members, 178 (41%) completed the survey. Few paediatricians reported very good/excellent ability to assess plaque build‐up (8%) and dental caries (17%). Only 10% reported broaching the issue of oral health with all patients. Significant barriers included lack of professional training (52%) and other more pressing issues needing to be addressed (67%).

Conclusions

The increasing (and inequitable) rates of dental decay in Australian children mean that paediatricians should play a key role in the management of children's oral health. Many paediatricians reported a lack of specific training in oral health and limited ability to assess children and educate families. Despite the traditional divide between medicine and oral health, this study highlights the opportunity for Australian paediatricians to improve oral health through early intervention in the consultation room and beyond.
Linear Narratives in Cyclical Form: the Hunt for Reason in the Cantigas de Santa Maria
Authors: DRUMMOND HENRY T.
Published: March 2019

Central to the world of thirteenth‐century Galician‐Portuguese song are the Cantigas de Santa Maria (CSM), on whose narrative cantigas de miragre this article focuses. These songs comprise alternations between a refrain and strophes that finish by reiterating the refrain's metre, rhymes and melody. Combining the strictly linear narrative of the miracle cantiga with this cyclical framework poses manifold complications. Self‐contained narrative logic is divided by interstrophic refrains, and chains of thought are divided by destabilising chains of interstrophic enjambment. This setup in the cantigas de miragre is rendered all the more curious given that few comparable instances of cyclical structure and linear narrative occur elsewhere in late‐medieval vernacular repertoire. In essence, concatenating the linear with the circular does not – and perhaps should not – work in narrative song. In this article, I examine how the cantigas de miragre navigate this dichotomy. Parsing the musical, poetic and narrative structures of CSM 232, I demonstrate how the sonically tenacious refrain, recapped within the latter part of each strophe as the strophe‐b, works to highlight the narrative thrust of a miracle story. The memorially marked recurrence of refrain metre, rhymes and melody in the strophe‐b functions as a device to separate the narratively central from the extraneous. It thereby exposes a miracle song's essential message to its audience. Through the analysis of CSM 232, this article highlights the fundamental role of sonic memory in late‐medieval vernacular song.
Implant placement in conjunction with ridge split and expansion technique
Authors: Kumar I. , Singh H. , Arora S.S. , Singh A. , Kumar N.
Published: March 2019

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of ridge split technique and expansion technique to analyse peri‐implant hard tissue changes following implant placement.

Materials and methods

A prospective study was conducted at Swami Devi Dyal Hospital &Dental College, Panchkula, India, from 2015‐2017 on 10 patients, having at least 1–3 teeth missing, with a crestal width of at least 3 mm and an 8 mm apico‐coronal height (3 × 8 mm) from major anatomical structures.

Results

Out of the 10 patients in whom the inclusion criteria met, six were male and four were female. Out of a total of 20 implants inserted, (13 implants in mandible and 7 in maxilla), healing was uneventful in all cases with no major complication. The mean bone width bucco‐lingually preoperatively was found to be 3.79 ± 0.36 mm and bucco‐lingual width recorded immediately after RST was found to be and 6.38 ± 0.51 mm. This difference in bone width was found to be significant (P = 0.000). Also, a significant correlation was seen (P = 0.003), further strengthening the results obtained.

Conclusions

Within the limits of our study, placing implants with simultaneous ridge splitting can reduce the period of edentulism and reduces the duration of treatment with excellent results. Though it is an operator‐dependant technique and it cannot increase the vertical height of the ridge, still ridge split and expansion technique is the best method for augmentation and simultaneous implant insertion in case of narrow ridges with minimum morbidity and less treatment duration.
Influencing Factors:The Timeliness of Financial Reporting Submissions
Authors: Savitri Enni , - Andreas , Surya Raja Adri Satriawan
Published: March 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of profitability, leverage, firm size, outsider ownership, the reputation of the public accounting firm and financial risk on the timeliness of financial report submissions. This study used a sample of all the trade, services and investment companies listed in Indonesia Stock Exchange in 2014-2016. A total of 78 companies were examined. Multiple linear regression was used to test the hypotheses. Results showed that profitability, outsider ownership, the reputation of the public accounting firm and financial risk had significant effects on the timeliness of financial report submissions, but leverage and firm size did not have the effect. The originality of this paper is proven by that sample used of trade, service and investment companies and by using the measure of an auditor’s reputation. Both of which had been studied earlier. The implications from this study for regulators is that regulations can be better determined to oversee and ensure a high standard from the financial reporting mechanism in the Indonesia Stock Exchange.
Moratorium for germline editing splits biologists
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: March 2019

New call for ban opposed by those who say current laws and regulations are enough.
Flashes in the scan
Authors: Clery Daniel
Published: March 2019

A homespun telescope in western Canada could solve the mystery of fast radio bursts by detecting dozens each day.
What lies beneath
Skeleton Keys: The Secret Life of Bone
Brian Switek
Riverhead Books, 2019. 288 pp.
Authors: Tattersall Ian
Published: March 2019

An idiosyncratic biography of bone probes the secrets and sensitive spots of the human skeletal system
True 99th centile of high sensitivity cardiac troponin for hospital patients: prospective, observational cohort study
Authors: Mariathas Mark , Allan Rick , Ramamoorthy Sanjay , Olechowski Bartosz , Hinton Jonathan , Azor Martin , Nicholas Zoe , Calver Alison , Corbett Simon , Mahmoudi Michael , Rawlins John , Simpson Iain , Wilkinson James , Kwok Chun Shing , Cook Paul , Mamas Mamas A , Curzen Nick
Published: March 2019

Objective

To determine the distribution, and specifically the true 99th centile, of high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) for a whole hospital population by applying the hs-cTnI assay currently used routinely at a large teaching hospital.

Design

Prospective, observational cohort study.

Setting

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United Kingdom, between 29 June 2017 and 24 August 2017.

Participants

20 000 consecutive inpatients and outpatients undergoing blood tests for any clinical reason. Hs-cTnI concentrations were measured in all study participants and nested for analysis except when the supervising doctor had requested hs-cTnI for clinical reasons.

Main outcome measures

Distribution of hs-cTnI concentrations of all study participants and specifically the 99th centile.

Results

The 99th centile of hs-cTnI for the whole population was 296 ng/L compared with the manufacturer’s quoted level of 40 ng/L (currently used clinically as the upper limit of normal; ULN). Hs-cTnI concentrations were greater than 40 ng/L in one in 20 (5.4%, n=1080) of the total population. After excluding participants diagnosed as having acute myocardial infarction (n=122) and those in whom hs-cTnI was requested for clinical reasons (n=1707), the 99th centile was 189 ng/L for the remainder (n=18 171). The 99th centile was 563 ng/L for inpatients (n=4759) and 65 ng/L for outpatients (n=9280). Patients from the emergency department (n=3706) had a 99th centile of 215 ng/L, with 6.07% (n=225) greater than the recommended ULN. 39.02% (n=48) of all patients from the critical care units (n=123) and 14.16% (n=67) of all medical inpatients had an hs-cTnI concentration greater than the recommended ULN.

Conclusions

Of 20 000 consecutive patients undergoing a blood test for any clinical reason at our hospital, one in 20 had an hs-cTnI greater than the recommended ULN. These data highlight the need for clinical staff to interpret hs-cTnI concentrations carefully, particularly when applying the recommended ULN to diagnose acute myocardial infarction, in order to avoid misdiagnosis in the absence of an appropriate clinical presentation.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.govNCT03047785.
Endovascular treatment of debilitating tinnitus secondary to cerebral venous sinus abnormalities: a literature review and technical illustration
Authors: Yang I-Hsiao , Pereira Vitor M , Lenck Stephanie , Nicholson Patrick , Orru Emanuele , Klostranec Jesse M , Krings Timo , Tsang Anderson Chun On
Published: March 2019

Background and objective

Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) can be debilitating and lead to significant morbidity. Cerebral venous sinus lesions, such as venous sinus stenosis, diverticula, and high-riding jugular bulb, are uncommon causes of PT, for which there is no standard treatment. Endovascular interventions have shown promising results for PT secondary to idiopathic intracranial hypertension, and may be a valid therapeutic option for isolated venous PT.

Methods

We conducted a systematic literature review on the outcome and safety of endovascular treatment for patients with isolated, debilitating venous PT. The venous lesion characteristics, endovascular techniques, complications, and clinical outcomes were assessed. In addition, an illustrative case of endovascular stenting for PT caused by venous sinus stenosis was included.

Results

A total of 41 patients (90.2% female) from 26 papers were included. The median age was 46 years (IQR 23; range 25–72 years). Focal venous sinus stenosis (20 patients) and sinus diverticula (14 patients) were the most common culprit lesions. Endovascular treatment included venous sinus stenting in 35 patients, 11 of whom had adjuvant coil embolization, and coil embolization alone in six patients. Complete resolution of the tinnitus was achieved in 95.1% of patients. There was one complication of cerebellar infarct, and no procedure-related mortality.

Conclusions

In patients with debilitating PT secondary to venous sinus lesions, endovascular treatment by stenting and/or coil embolization appears to be safe and effective. Prospective randomized studies with objective outcome assessments are needed to confirm the treatment benefits.
The Waiting Room: neurological observations made outside the movement disorder specialist’s consulting office
Authors: Araújo Rui , van de Warrenburg Bart , Lang Anthony , Lees Andrew , Bloem Bastiaan R
Published: March 2019

The neurological examination should always begin before the patient enters the doctor’s office. Movement disorders in particular lend themselves to a spot diagnosis. In today’s busy buzzing world, it seems wasteful not to make use of the various diagnostic clues that can be picked up readily while the patient is still in the waiting room. We present several illustrative examples, drawn from the literature and from our own experience. These are divided according to the different waiting room ‘stages’: the patient sitting in the waiting room, the response on being summoned to enter the consulting room—including rising from the chair, exchanging initial pleasantries and the way of walking. We also discuss the importance of paying attention to the patient’s behaviour, clothing, posture, breathing patterns, facial expression and major gait abnormalities.
Management of a wake-up stroke
Authors: Huang Xuya , Alakbarzade Vafa , Khandanpour Nader , Pereira Anthony C
Published: March 2019

Current national guidelines advocate intravenous thrombolysis to treat patients with acute ischaemic stroke presenting within 4.5 hours from symptom onset, and thrombectomy for patients with anterior circulation ischaemic stroke from large vessel occlusion presenting within 6 hours from onset. However, a substantial group of patients presents with acute ischaemic stroke beyond these time windows or has an unknown time of onset. Recent studies are set to revolutionise treatment for these patients. Using MRI diffusion/FLAIR (fluid-attenuated inversion recovery) mismatch, it is possible to identify patients within 4.5 hours from onset and safely deliver thrombolysis. Using CT perfusion imaging, it is possible to identify subjects with a middle cerebral artery syndrome who have an extensive area of ischaemic brain but as yet have only a small area of infarction who may benefit from urgent thrombectomy in up to 24 hours. Here, we highlight the recent advances in late window stroke treatment and their potential contribution to clinical practice.
Continuous Monitoring of Arterial Oxygen Saturation with Pulse Oximetry During Spinal Anesthesia
Authors: Davies Michael J. , Scott David A. , Cook Paul T.
Published: March 2019

Oxygen saturation in eighty-two patients having elective urologic and gynecologic procedures in the lithotomy position using spinal anesthesia was studied to determine if clinically significant changes of oxygen saturation occurred during these procedures. The oxygen saturation was measured using the pulse oximeter and recorded on a paper chart recorder. Forty-eight patients sustained a normal oxygen saturation throughout the procedure. Twenty-one patients showed a trend of falling oxygen saturation of 3.4% (range: 2-6%). Fourteen patients had transient changes of less than 2-minute durations with falls in oxygen saturation averaging 6.4% (range: 2-14%). Minor artifacts in the oxygen saturation trace occurred in 28 patients, and major artifacts preventing interpretation of the oxygen saturation occurred in 10 patients. There was no correlation between the changes in oxygen saturation observed and the age, weight, height, body mass index, physical status, or height of the spinal block. The effects of hypotension and sedation on oxygen saturation during spinal anesthesia needs further study. It was therefore concluded that although a minimum of patients have clinically significant oxygen desaturation while breathing air during these surgical procedures, oxygen administration would minimize the risk of significant hypoxia.
Some Impossibilities of Ranking in Generalized Tournaments
Authors: Csató László
Published: March 2019

In a generalized tournament, players may have an arbitrary number of matches against each other and the outcome of the games is measured on a cardinal scale with lower and upper bounds. An axiomatic approach is applied to the problem of ranking the competitors. Self-consistency (SC) requires assigning the same rank for players with equivalent results, while a player showing an obviously better performance than another should be ranked strictly higher. According to order preservation (OP), if two players have the same pairwise ranking in two tournaments where the same players have played the same number of matches, then their pairwise ranking is not allowed to change in the aggregated tournament. We reveal that these two properties cannot be satisfied simultaneously on this universal domain.
A Joint-Based Systematic Wave-Propagation Approach for Forced Vibration Analysis of Large Waveguide Systems
Authors: Samadzad M. , Rafiee-Dehkharghani R. , Aref A. J.
Published: March 2019

This paper describes an analytical and numerical continuous wave-based approach for the forced vibration analysis of large waveguide systems. With Timoshenko beam theory as the basis for modeling wave propagation in the waveguides, the refraction of waves at discontinuities is studied analytically. Within this context, the refraction of waves at multi-member joints is formulated. In addition, a joint-based procedure is introduced to assemble analytical joint equations in the global system matrix. The joint-based approach is mathematically equivalent with the existing element-based approaches but has the advantage of accounting for the effects of a rigid joint region explicitly. The method is used to find the response of a large frame subjected to steady-state dynamic loadings with a wide range of frequency excitations. The fidelity of the methodology is verified using finite element simulations. The main advantage of the new approach is that it can analyze arbitrary waveguide systems for a wide range of frequencies, which makes it suited for studying the behavior of complex large systems using a single global matrix with a very low computational cost.
Distributed Computing Column 73 SPAA 2018 Review
Authors: Welch Jennifer L.
Published: March 2019

This issue's column contains a review of the 2018 ACM Symposium on Parallelism in Algorithms and Architectures (SPAA) by Laxman Dhulipa. Laxman has provided an insightful overview of the keynote lectures and highlights of the contributed presentations, that I hope will inspire you to track down and read the papers, if you haven't done so already.
SPAA 2018 Review
Authors: Dhulipa Laxman
Published: March 2019

The 2018 ACM Symposium on Parallelism in Algorithms and Architectures was held on July 1618 in Vienna, Austria. The conference took place on the TU Wien campus in the Engineering building, an ideal location that was walking distance to central Vienna as well as historic buildings like Karlskirche and St. Stephen's Cathedral. Thanks to the organizers, presenters and attendees for their hard work that made this conference possible!
In Memoriam
Authors: Du Ding-Zhu , Wang Jie
Published: March 2019

We write to celebrate the life of a colleague and friend, Ker-I Ko, who passed away peacefully from lung failure on December 13, 2018 in New York, with his wife and all three children by his side. His passing is a great loss to the theoretical computer science community.
Improving Energy Efficiency of Multimedia Content Dissemination by Adaptive Clustering and D2D Multicast
Authors: Yin Long , Gui Jinsong , Zeng Zhiwen
Published: March 2019

While achieving desired performance, there exist still many challenges in current cellular networks to support the multimedia content dissemination services. The conventional multimedia transmission schemes tend to serve all multicast group members with the data rate supported by the receiving user with the worst channel condition. The recent work discusses how to provide satisfactory quality of service (QoS) for all receiving users with different quality of experience (QoE) requirements, but the energy efficiency improvement of multimedia content dissemination is not its focus. In this paper, we address it based on adaptive clustering and device-to-device (D2D) multicast and propose an energy-efficient multimedia content dissemination scheme under a consistent QoE constraint. Our scheme extends the recent work with the proposed K-means-based D2D clustering method and the proposed game-based incentive mechanism, which can improve energy efficiency of multimedia content dissemination on the premise of ensuring the desired QoE for most multicast group members. In the proposed scheme, we jointly consider the cellular multicast, intracluster D2D multicast, and intercluster D2D multicast for designing the energy-efficient multimedia content dissemination scheme. In particular, we formulate the energy-efficient multicast transmission problem as a Stackelberg game model, where the macro base station (MBS) is the leader and the candidate D2D cluster heads (DCHs) are the followers. Also, the MBS acts as the buyer who buys the power from the candidate DCHs for intracluster and intercluster D2D multicast communications, and the candidate DCHs act as the sellers who earn reward by helping the MBS with D2D multicast communications. Through analyzing the above game model, we derive the Stackelberg equilibrium as the optimal allocation for cellular multicast power, intracluster D2D multicast power, and intercluster D2D multicast power, which can maximize the MBS’s utility function. Finally, the proposed scheme is verified through the simulation experiments designed in this paper.
A Study on the CO2-Enhanced Water Recovery Efficiency and Reservoir Pressure Control Strategies
Authors: Yang Zhijie , Xu Tianfu , Wang Fugang , Diao Yujie , Li Xufeng , Ma Xin , Tian Hailong
Published: March 2019

CO2 geological storage (CGS) proved to be an effective way to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and CO2-enhanced water recovery (CO2-EWR) technology may improve the efficiency of CO2 injection and saline water production with potential economic value as a means of storing CO2 and supplying cooling water to power plants. Moreover, the continuous injection of CO2 may cause a sharp increase for pressure in the reservoir system, so it is important to determine reasonable reservoir pressure control strategies to ensure the safety of the CGS project. Based upon the typical formation parameters of the China Geological Survey CO2-EWR test site in the eastern Junggar Basin, a series of three-dimensional (3D) injection-extraction models with fully coupled wellbores and reservoirs were established to evaluate the effect of the number of production wells and the well spacing on the enhanced efficiency of CO2 storage and saline production. The optimal key parameters that control reservoir pressure evolution over time are determined. The numerical results show that a smaller spacing between injection and production wells and a larger number of production wells can enhance not only the CO2 injection capacity but also the saline water production capacity. The effect of the number of production wells on the injection capacity and production capacity is more significant than that of well spacing, and the simulation scenario with 2 production wells, one injection well, and a well spacing of 2 km is more reasonable in the demonstration project of Junggar Basin. CO2-EWR technology can effectively control the evolution of the reservoir pressure and offset the sharp increase in reservoir pressure caused by CO2 injection and the sharp decrease of reservoir pressure caused by saline production. The main controlling factors of pressure evolution at a certain spatial point in a reservoir change with time. The monitoring pressure drops at the beginning and is controlled by the extraction of water. Subsequently, the injection of CO2 plays a dominant role in the increase of reservoir pressure. Overall, the results of analysis provide a guide and reference for the CO2-EWR site selection, as well as the practical placement of wells.
A Transcriptionally Distinct CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ T-cell Population Is Associated with B-cell Recruitment and Neoantigen Load in Human Cancer
Authors: Workel Hagma H. , Lubbers Joyce M. , Arnold Roland , Prins Thalina M. , van der Vlies Pieter , de Lange Kim , Bosse Tjalling , van Gool Inge C. , Eggink Florine A. , Wouters Maartje C.A. , Komdeur Fenne L. , van der Slikke Elisabeth C. , Creutzberg Carien L. , Kol Arjan , Plat Annechien , Glaire Mark , Church David N. , Nijman Hans W. , de Bruyn Marco
Published: March 2019

The chemokine CXCL13 mediates recruitment of B cells to tumors and is essential for the formation of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs). TLSs are thought to support antitumor immunity and are associated with improved prognosis. However, it remains unknown whether TLSs are formed in response to the general inflammatory character of the tumor microenvironment, or rather, are induced by (neo)antigen-specific adaptive immunity. We here report on the finding that the TGFβ-dependent CD103+CD8+ tumor-infiltrating T-cell (TIL) subpopulation expressed and produced CXCL13. Accordingly, CD8+ T cells from peripheral blood activated in the presence of TGFβ upregulated CD103 and secreted CXCL13. Conversely, inhibition of TGFβ receptor signaling abrogated CXCL13 production. CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ TILs correlated with B-cell recruitment, TLSs, and neoantigen burden in six cohorts of human tumors. Altogether, our findings indicated that TGFβ plays a noncanonical role in coordinating immune responses against human tumors and suggest a potential role for CXCL13+CD103+CD8+ TILs in mediating B-cell recruitment and TLS formation in human tumors.
Pobreza e cidadania no Brasil (1985-2015)
Authors: Jardim Fabiana Augusta Alves
Published: March 2019

O ensaio mobiliza contribuições dos estudos de governamentalidade para pensar as configurações da pobreza e da cidadania no Brasil, interrogadas a partir das relações entre trabalho e educação escolar no curso das transformações que o estado brasileiro sofreu nos últimos trinta anos. O objetivo é analisar as articulações entre escolarização, inserção laboral e integração social que geralmente gravitam em torno da cidadania, com importantes efeitos de subjetivação sobre as camadas populares. Nossa tese é que algumas práticas neoliberais permitiram que as racionalidades de governo que se entrecruzam no estado brasileiro alcançassem, finalmente, parcelas do povo – os pobres ativos – que até então estiveram aquém dos direitos de cidadania no país. Tratou-se de um alcance tardio e ambivalente, cujos significados sociológicos ainda precisamos compreender.
Entrevista
Authors: Pereira Maristela De Souza
Published: March 2019

Nessa entrevista, a professora Alessandra Re, docente de Psicologia do Trabalho aposentada, da Università degli Studi di Torino, e personagem importante do Movimento Operário Italiano (MOI) junto com seu companheiro Ivar Oddone, nos fala sobre o papel do psicólogo do trabalho na promoção de saúde dos trabalhadores e sobre as diferenças entre o momento atual e aquele em que surgiu o MOI. A entrevista, concedida a Maristela de Souza Pereira, foi realizada no dia 4 de dezembro de 2013.
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND ITS APPLICABILITY THROUGH REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES
Authors: BAKIR Hasan , BAHTİYAR Görkem
Published: March 2019

Increasing industrialization that came after the process of industrial revolution, has dried up and contaminated the limited natural sources in order to meet unlimited needs of the growing world population. Moreover, the globalizing world order has been causing a big gap between countries and between different regions of countries along with problems such as unemployment, poverty, pollution, social and environmental decay. Indeed, in the definition of sustainable development, environmental and social factors as well as economic factors are merged within an integrated approach. Enabling the use of regional resources in their respective regions while ensuring their control and including local actors in policy making processes are integral components of the sustainable development paradigm. Thus, the view that Regional Development Agencies would mitigate the adoption of sustainable development practices has emerged. In this study, practicability of the sustainable development policies with development agencies will be examined.