bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Symptomatic Extracranial Carotid Artery Thrombus: An Indian Experience
Authors: Karan Vivek , Vyas Devashish , Bohra Vikram , Huded Vikram
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Symptomatic intraluminal carotid artery thrombus (ICT) is an uncommon finding, whose incidence increases with the percentage of stenosis. The optimal treatment modality to address carotid artery thrombus is not well established. We present our data of medical management of carotid artery thrombus with antiplatelet and anticoagulation. Methods: We reviewed our data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017. Patients with extracranial carotid artery thrombus underwent a catheter digital subtraction angiogram to confirm the presence of thrombus. Medical management was done with dual antiplatelets along with low-molecular-weight heparin, and a check angiogram was done after 14 days. Factors contributing to the persistence of thrombus were analyzed. Results: A total of 21 patients diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke and extracranial carotid artery thrombus. Three patients opted for endarterectomy. Eighteen patients underwent medical management. Nine (50%) had a resolution of thrombus. Those with persistent thrombus were significantly older (average age 64 vs. 43 years, P = 0.008). They also had significantly higher proportions of hypertension (100% vs. 44%, P = 0.029), diabetes mellitus (89% vs. 11%, P = 0.003), and underlying carotid stenosis (100% vs. 33%, P = 0.009). Conclusion: Our regimen of dual antiplatelets plus short-term anticoagulation is safe and effective in the management of ICT. Large-scale studies are warranted to determine the optimal regimen and duration of medical treatment.
Timed Vibration Sense and Joint Position Sense Testing in the Diagnosis of Distal Sensory Polyneuropathy
Authors: Prabhakar Appaswamy Thirumal , Suresh Tharan , Kurian Dilu Susan , Mathew Vivek , Shaik Atif Iqbal Ahmed , Aaron Sanjith , Sivadasan Ajith , Benjamin Rohit Ninan , Alexander Mathew
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Distal sensory polyneuropathy (DSP) is one of the most common neurological disorders. Although several studies have studied the role of the neurological examination in DSP, there are only limited studies on the utility of timed vibration sense (VBS) and joint position sense (JPS) testing in the diagnosis of DSP. Objectives: The objective is to study the utility of timed VBS testing and JPS testing at the great toe in clinical detection of DSP. Methods: This study was prospectively conducted in the neurology department of a tertiary care hospital in India. Patients with DSP referred to the electrophysiology laboratory from August 2017 to December 2017 were screened. Patients with symptomatic DSP which was confirmed by electrophysiological studies were taken as cases and normal participants with no symptoms or electrophysiological findings suggestive of DSP served as controls. Results: We studied 127 patients and 194 controls. The mean age of the patients was 48.7 (14.5) years in the patient group and 39.7 (14.5) years in the control group. The male: female ratio was 77/50 in the patient group and 112/82 in the control group. Abnormal clinical examination was found in 95% of the patients with DSP. The most common abnormal examination components were impaired ankle reflexes (70%), vibration (85%), and JPS (39.6%) sensation. Using the receiver operating characteristic curve for the diagnosis of DSP, a vibratory response lasting <8 s at the great toe had a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 42.8%. For JPS testing at the great toe, obtaining two or more incorrect responses had a sensitivity of 33% and specificity of 87.6%. Conclusion: VBS testing was more sensitive and JPS testing was more specific in making a clinical diagnosis of DSP. For timed VBS, duration of >8 s at the great toe was a useful test to rule out DSP, and for JPS testing at the great toe, obtaining two or more incorrect responses was a useful test in ruling in the diagnosis of DSP.
Concurrent Venous Stenting of the Transverse and Occipito-Marginal Sinuses: An Analogy with Parallel Hemodynamic Circuits
Authors: Buell Thomas J. , Raper Daniel M. S. , Ding Dale , Chen Ching-Jen , Wang Tony R. , Taylor Davis G. , Ilyas Adeel , Kalani Mohammad Y. S. , Park Min S. , Mahaney Kelly B. , Liu Kenneth C.
Published: March 2019

Nonthrombotic intracranial venous occlusive disease (NIVOD) has been implicated in the pathophysiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and various non-IIH headache syndromes. Endovascular stenting of stenotic, dominant transverse sinuses (TSs) may reduce trans-stenosis pressure gradients, decrease intracranial pressure, and alleviate symptoms in a subset of NIVOD patients. We present a case in which concurrent stenting of the occipito-marginal sinus obliterated the residual trans-stenosis pressure gradient across an initially stented dominant TS. We hypothesize that this observation may be explained using an electric-hydraulic analogy, and that this patient’s dominant TS and occipito-marginal sinus may be modeled as a parallel hemodynamic circuit. Neurointerventionalists should be aware of parallel hemodynamic drainage patterns and consider manometry and possibly additional stenting of stenotic, parallel venous outflow pathways if TS stenting alone fails to obliterate the trans-stenosis pressure gradient.
Microsurgical Management for Aneurysm Arising from a Low-Lying Internal Carotid Artery-Posterior Communicating Artery Bifurcation through the Anterior Temporal Approach
Authors: Suzuki Taro , Kashimura Hiroshi , Akamatsu Yosuke , Aso Kenta
Published: March 2019

A low-lying internal carotid artery (ICA) running closer to the skull base than in usual cases prevents use of the standard transsylvian approach (TSA) to view an aneurysm through the retrocarotid space. A 75-year-old male had a 10-day history of headache and left eyelid ptosis. Initial computed tomography (CT) showed no evidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Emergency three-dimensional CT angiography showed a saccular aneurysm with bleb arising from the left horizontally projecting ICA. The aneurysm was approached through the TSA but could not be visualized well. We used the anterior temporal approach (ATA) followed by the TSA, offering a more lateral line of vision and allowing the surgeon to visualize the aneurysmal neck. The aneurysm was successfully obliterated. The ATA provided a better lateral view than the standard TSA for the ICA aneurysm. We emphasize the effectiveness of ATA for aneurysm arising from a low-lying IC-posterior communicating artery bifurcation.
A Rare Case of an Extensive Multi-compartment Epidermoid Presenting with Pure Motor Trigeminal Neuropathy, Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Gohil Jaypalsinh , Rajasekar Gopikrishnan , Shivhare Pankaj , Nair Prakash , Abraham Mathew
Published: March 2019

Epidermoid cysts are benign slow-growing tumors, clinical signs and symptoms at the time of presentation are related to the location and extent of the lesion. The motor fibers of the trigeminal nerve are fairly resistant to extraneous compression. Intracranial lesions in the vicinity of the trigeminal nerve usually present with sensory symptoms without affecting the motor component. We report a rare case of a middle cranial fossa epidermoid presenting with pure motor trigeminal neuropathy.
Impact of Etiology on Efficacy of Oral Triclofos in Recording Pediatric Electroencephalography: A Tertiary Care Center Study
Authors: Matta Gopi Srikanth , Peddisetty Ravi Prakash
Published: March 2019

Background and Objectives: Oral triclofos is a frequently used sedative in pediatric age to record sleep Electroencephalography (EEG). This study is aimed to assess efficacy, safety profile, need for second dose, and rescheduling of oral triclofos in relation to etiology. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study done enrolling all children aged 6 months to 5 years referred for EEG over 1 year. After a trial for natural sleep, the first dose of oral triclofos was given. If a child does not sleep after an hour, the second dose was given and rescheduled if does not sleep even with the second dose. Age, sex, diagnosis, sleep latency, sleep duration, adverse effects, EEG findings, patients needing second dose, and rescheduling were noted. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square test were used to analyze data. Results: A total of 384 children required oral triclofos. The common etiologies for sleep study were atypical febrile seizures, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) sequelae, and behavioral disorders such as autism and attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD). Including the second dose, we were able to successfully record sleep EEG in 372 (96.8%) patients. Rescheduling was required in 3.2% of patients. Mean sleep-onset latency was 36 min and mean sleep duration was 84 min. Single dose was sufficient in 329 (85.6%) and the second dose in 55 (14.4%). Thirty (38.5%) children of HIE sequelae (P < 0.001) required the second dose followed by behavioral disorders (29.1%, P = 0.03). Irritability, vomiting, and dizziness were common side effects which resolved spontaneously. Conclusions: Oral triclofos was effective as sedative for recording EEG. Children with HIE sequelae and behavioral disorders such as autism/ADHD more commonly required second dosing and rescheduling.
Intracranial Hemorrhage in a Young Woman: An Unusual Initial Presentation of Undiagnosed Choriocarcinoma
Authors: Agarwal Navneet , Jain S. K. , Sharma Vinod , Singhvi Shashi , Gandhi Sapna
Published: March 2019

Choriocarcinoma is an uncommon tumor. Undiagnosed choriocarcinoma initially presenting with intracranial hemorrhage in an apparently healthy female is rare and presents a diagnostic difficulty. The authors report a case presenting as intracranial hemorrhage of unsuspected choriocarcinoma. As the measurement of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) would have helped in the preoperative diagnosis, estimation of serum β-hCG levels is suggested in the diagnostic workup of a female of reproductive age group when radiological investigations are inconclusive. Craniotomy and excision of tumor followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy may improve the outcome.
A Treatable Encephalopathy in a Peritoneal Dialysis Patient - Cefepime- Induced Encephalopathy
Authors: Khoo Ching Soong , Tee Tze Yuan , Tan Hui Jan , Ali Raymond Azman
Published: March 2019

We report a patient with end-stage renal disease on peritoneal dialysis, who developed encephalopathy after receiving a few doses of cefepime. He recovered clinically and electroencephalographically after having discontinued the culprit agent and undergone hemodialysis. This case highlights the importance of promptly recognizing this reversible encephalopathy, which can lead to the avoidance of unnecessary workup, reduce the length of hospital stay, and thereby improve the patients’ outcome.
Pattern of Emergent Head Computed Tomography Findings in a Tertiary Care Hospital during off Working Hours: Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Patel Rajneesh K. , Choubey Amit Kumar , Soni Brijesh K. , Sivasankar Rajeev , Chauhan Vikash
Published: March 2019

Introduction: Emergency head computed tomography (CT) is rising exponentially during off working hours due to evidence-based medicine, patient’s expectation and desires, easy availability and apprehension of medico-legal cases, thereby raising health-care cost. There is huge gap in demand and supply of radiologist, especially during off working hours. There is need to know the pattern of emergency head findings. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all emergent noncontrast CT head during off working hours in the Department of Radiodiagnosis of a Tertiary Care Hospital, Mumbai, India, which were performed from June 2017 to May 2018. CT findings of 308 patients were analyzed. Results: About 63.6% of total head CT showed no significant abnormality. The most common abnormality was intracranial hemorrhage which was just 9.1% followed by acute infarct which was 6.2%. Extradural hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage, and subarachnoid hemorrhage was only 1% each of total head CT findings. No significant abnormality was detected in 74.65%, 70.21%, 89.13%, 31.37%, 100%, and 69.09% in cases of head injury, seizure, giddiness/dizziness/syncope, cerebrovascular accident, transient ischemic attack, and altered sensorium, respectively. Conclusion: Pattern analysis of emergent head CT reveals that most of the emergent CT head shows no significant abnormality. There is a need for stringent guidelines for emergent head CT, training of emergency physician as well as CT technician for common findings to bridge the radiologist demand-supply gap for providing effective health care in peripheral hospitals.
О существовании линейной дифференциальной системы с заданными показателями Перрона
Authors: Gargyants Alexander
Published: March 2019

Рассматриваются линейные дифференциальные системы с бесконечно дифференцируемыми, но, вообще говоря, неограниченными на полуоси коэффициентами. Доказано, что отображение, сопоставляющее ненулевому решению такой системы значение показателя Перрона на нем, может оказаться произвольной непрерывной функцией, постоянной вдоль всякой проходящей через нуль прямой в пространстве решений.
Библиография: 7 наименований.
Loyalty to the planet: a matter of justice or of love?
Authors: Warnock Mary
Published: March 2019

This article reflects upon the concept of ‘loyalty’ to the planet and whether, in the final analysis, such ‘loyalty’ is really a matter of justice at all. Beginning with a meditation upon injustice, and on the notion of rights, this article traces the developments in philosophy that have increasingly enabled a sense of being-in-the-world and renewed appreciation of the lived connections between self and nature. Moving from the radical interiority of Descartes to the public nature of language, this article suggests that in the final analysis, ‘loyalty to the planet’ is more a matter of love than of justice.
Association of inflammation with nutritional status, lean body mass, and physical activity in non-dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease
Authors: Aksoy Aysun , Akpınar Timur Selçuk , Yıldız Alattin , Usta Akgül Sebahat , Torun Ege Sinan , Savran Oğuz Fatma , Yazıcı Halil , Erten Nilgün , Taşçıoğlu Cemil , Saka Bülent
Published: March 2019

Objective: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are susceptible to systemic inflammation and nutritional disorders, which are associated with morbidity and mortality. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between nutritional status, lean body mass, physical activity, and systemic inflammation in patients with stage 3-5 non-dialysis-dependent CKD.
Methods: A total of 55 predialysis patients with CKD were included in this cross-sectional study. Patients were divided into two groups according to the Subjective Global Assessment: 35 with normal nutritional status (NN) and 20 with malnutrition (MN). Anthropometric measurements, fat-free mass, muscle strength, physical activity, biochemical parameters, and serum cytokine levels of the patients were compared.
Results: Patients with CKD and malnutrition (CKD-MN) had higher serum phosphate, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α levels and lower serum albumin levels and blood lymphocyte counts than those with CKD-NN independent from glomerular filtration rate. Regression analysis showed a relationship between MN and serum phosphate level, blood lymphocyte count, and serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels. Muscle strength and gait speed showed a positive relationship with nutritional status and negative relationship with inflammation.
Conclusion: An increased inflammatory environment in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD was significantly associated with MN and decreased physical activity. An increased serum phosphate level appears to contribute to this MN-inflammation environment.
Clinical evaluation of the effectiveness of different nutritional support techniques in the intensive care unit
Authors: Çetinkaya Ömer Arda , Çelik Süleyman Utku , Sonyürek Arı Pınar , Demirer Seher
Published: March 2019

Objective: Malnutrition is a common condition in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs). Proper nutritional support is essential to reduce malnutrition-associated morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different nutritional support techniques in ICUs on some nutritional and inflammatory biochemical parameters.
Methods: In this retrospective study, 143 patients with a history of admission to ICUs were divided into three groups according to form of nutritional therapy: oral nutritional supplementation (ONS), enteral tube feeding (ETF), and parenteral nutrition (PN). Patients’ demographic characteristics, length of stay in the ICU, length of nutritional support, serum prealbumin levels, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, and transferrin levels at the time of nutritional supplementation initiation and treatment discontinuation were evaluated.
Results: The change in median serum prealbumin, CRP, and transferrin levels measured on days when nutritional therapy was initiated and terminated was not statistically significant (p=0.537, p=0.635, and p=0.073; respectively) in patients with ONS. Median prealbumin (0.14 vs. 0.21 mg/dL; p<0.001) and transferrin saturation (1.55% vs. 1.87%; p=0.001) levels significantly increased in patients who received ETF. In addition, median CRP (85.5 vs. 30.8 mg/L; p=0.001) levels significantly decreased. In patients with PN, only a significant increase in prealbumin level (0.10 vs. 0.13 mg/dL; p=0.003) was observed. The increases in CRP and transferrin saturation levels were not statistically significant (p=0.730 and p=0.243; respectively).
Conclusion: In the present study, a significant improvement was observed in the prealbumin, CRP, and transferrin levels in patients supported with ETF. However, similar improvement was not observed in patients with ONS.
Reconstruction and actual trends of landslide activities in Bruust–Haltiwald, Horw, canton of Lucerne, Switzerland
Authors: Burkhalter Philippe , Egli Markus , Gärtner Holger
Published: March 2019

Abstract. A spatiotemporal reconstruction of slope movements on the
edge of Lake Lucerne near the municipality of Horw, canton of Lucerne, is
presented. The reconstruction was realized by analyzing growth reactions of
beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and fir (Abies alba Mill.) trees growing on this slope. Before
dendrochronological sampling, a detailed geomorphological mapping of the
landslide was conducted with the aim to determine the spatial extent of the
sliding area. For tree-ring analyses, 124 increment cores from 62 trees were
analyzed following standard techniques of dendrogeomorphology. In addition,
long micro-sections were prepared from the entire cores to extend the common
eccentricity analyses by microscopic determination of the onset of reaction
wood in fir and beech. Results clearly show that the area is moving at
least since 1948. A significant concentration of events was observed between
the years 1990 and 2000 as well as after 2006. The definition of a threshold
to define events using an eccentricity index alone is problematic and needs
to be adapted to specific site conditions. For this reason, we recommend always combining the application of an eccentricity index with a detailed
visual (anatomical) inspection to check for the occurrence of reaction wood.
Scenario-based inundation analysis of metro systems: a case study in Shanghai
Authors: Lyu Hai-Min , Shen Shui-Long , Yang Jun , Yin Zhen-Yu
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Catastrophic urban floods result in severe inundation of underground facilities in recent years. This paper presents an integrated approach in which an algorithm is proposed to integrate the storm water management model (SWMM) into the geographical information system (GIS) to evaluate the inundation risk. The proposed algorithm simulates the flood inundation of overland flow and metro station for each schemed scenario. It involves i) determination of the grid location and spreading coefficient and ii) iterative calculation of the spreading process. Furthermore, to evaluate the potential inundation risks of metro systems, an equation to qualitatively calculate the inundation depth around a metro station is proposed. This equation considered the drainage capacity and characteristics of each metro station. The proposed method is applied to simulate the inundation risks of the metro system in the urban centre of Shanghai under 50-year, 100-year, and 500-year scenarios. Both the inundation extent and depth are derived. The proposed method is validated by verifying from the records of historical floods. The results demonstrate that in case of the 500-year-rainfall scenario, for an inundation depth of over 300 mm, the inundated area is up to 5.16 km2, which is 4.3 % of the studied area and that there are four metro stations inundated to a depth of over 300 mm.
Assessment of Simulated Soil Moisture from WRF Noah, Noah-MP, and CLM Land Surface Schemes for Landslide Hazard Application
Authors: Zhuo Lu , Dai Qiang , Han Dawei , Chen Ningsheng , Zhao Binru
Published: March 2019

Abstract. This study assesses the usability of Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulated soil moisture for landslide monitoring in the Emilia Romagna region, northern Italy during the 10-year period between 2006 and 2015. Particularly three advanced Land Surface Model (LSM) schemes (i.e., Noah, Noah-MP and CLM4) integrated with the WRF are used to provide comprehensive multi-layer soil moisture information. Through the temporal evaluation with the in-situ soil moisture observations, Noah-MP is the only scheme that is able to simulate the large soil drying phenomenon close to the observations during the dry season, and it also has the highest correlation coefficient and the lowest RMSE at most soil layers. Each simulated soil moisture product from the three LSM schemes is then used to build a landslide threshold model, and within each model, 17 different exceedance probably levels from 1 % to 50 % are adopted to determine the optimal threshold scenario (in total there are 612 scenarios). Slope degree information is also used to separate the study region into different groups. The threshold evaluation performance is based on the landslide forecasting accuracy using 45 selected rainfall events between 2014–2015. Contingency tables, statistical indicators, and Receiver Operating Characteristic analysis for different threshold scenarios are explored. The results have shown that the slope information is very useful in identifying threshold differences, with the threshold becoming smaller for the steeper area. For landslide monitoring, Noah-MP at the surface soil layer with 30 % exceedance probability provides the best landslide monitoring performance, with its hitting rate at 0.769, and its false alarm rate at 0.289.
La naturaleza y el rol de las definiciones en la Ética de Spinoza
Authors: Narváez Mario Andrés
Published: March 2019

Las definiciones ocupan un lugar muy importante en la Ética de Spinoza, sin embargo, su naturaleza y su función permanecen aún en gran medida bajo un manto de oscuridad. Tal es así que numerosos comentadores han abordado el tema aunque nunca se ha llegado a un acuerdo definitivo. En el presente trabajo revisitaremos esta vieja cuestión comenzando por una reconstrucción de la doctrina spinoziana de la definición expuesta en diferentes partes del corpus. Para ello tomaremos como punto de referencia la oposición entre definición real y definición nominal tal como aparece delineada en la doctrina de la Lógica de Port Royal. Luego ofreceremos un examen de la naturaleza y función de las definiciones de la Ética. El recorrido realizado aquí nos permitirá, por un lado, determinar cuál de las interpretaciones en juego tiene mejores fundamentos y, por el otro, arrojar luz sobre la función de las definiciones en la metodología spinoziana.
Propiedades esenciales o necesidad hipotética de las causas: Kripke y Aristóteles
Authors: Martínez Sánchez Ángel
Published: March 2019

Saul Kripke ha presentado un conjunto de tesis esencialistas enmarcadas bajo la etiqueta«esencialismo aristotélico», esto es, la tesis que defiende la significatividad de la distinción entrepropiedades necesarias y accidentales de los objetos. Sin embargo, ¿es el «esencialismo aristotélico»acorde con el aristotelismo? Más aún, ¿puede alguna de las propiedades esenciales presentadas por Kripkeser interpretadas desde una perspectiva aristotélica? En este artículo pretendemos fundamentalmentedos cosas: 1) criticar la etiqueta «esencialismo aristotélico» a través de una hipótesis plausible acercade su elaboración; y 2) aportar una explicación de las intuiciones que sustentan la metafísica kripkeanadesde la metafísica aristotélica, centrada en el paralelismo existente entre la necesidad del origenmaterial de los artefactos y la doctrina de la necesidad hipotética de la causa material desarrollada porel filósofo de Estagira.
La ética calicleana
Authors: Echeñique Sosa Javier
Published: March 2019

El propósito de este artículo es ofrecer una reconstrucción de la teoría ética presentada porCalicles en el Gorgias de Platón, con el apoyo de otros textos de la época que contribuyen a explicardicha teoría y a refinarla. El primer paso de esta reconstrucción es mostrar que Calicles ofrece unateoría perspectivista de los juicios morales, de acuerdo a la cual los juicios morales pueden emitirsedesde dos perspectivas radicalmente distintas – la perspectiva contractual, y la natural. El segundo esmostrar que Calicles emplea un peculiar concepto de naturaleza que le permite sostener que ciertosderechos y prerrogativas naturales provenientes de una perspectiva natural, han de imperar por sobrelos que se derivan de la perspectiva contractual. El resultado es una teoría que además de tener un altovalor filosófico, parece no ser vulnerable a varias de las dificultades fundamentales señaladas por lasinterpretaciones dominantes, ni estar tampoco afecta al implausible hedonismo burdo que Platón leatribuye a Calicles en el diálogo.
Optimismo católico ante el dolor Barroco: Paraphrasis in Iob de Jerónimo Osório
Authors: Lázaro Pulido Manuel
Published: March 2019

El dolor, como la melancolía, es un sentimiento barroco nacido de la crisis del Mundo.Jerónimo Osório, uno de los mayores intelectuales barrocos del pensamiento portugués, presenta lafigura bíblica de Job como paradigma de la respuesta católica frente al dolor. Job es el hombre queconoce el dolor y anticipa la tradición bíblica desde una perspectiva escatológica, presentando unMundo real de forma optimista.
Agamben, Giorgio, Autorretrato en el estudio, (trad. de Rodrigo Molina-Zavalía y María Teresa D´Meza), Buenos Aires, Adriana Hidalgo, 2018, 140 pp.
Authors: Litvinoff Diego Ezequiel
Published: March 2019

La libreta como forma-de-vida. Sobre Autorretrato en el estudio de Giorgio Agamben
The Causal Relationship Between Institutions and Economic Growth: An Empirical Investigation for Pakistan Economy
Authors: Siddiqui Danish Ahmed , Ahmed Qazi Masood
Published: March 2019

This paper investigates relationship between institutional quality and economic performance in Pakistan using the Johansen-Juselius cointegration technique and the Granger causality test. The study results indicate that Institutions and growth are cointegrated and thus exhibit a reliable long run relationship. The Granger causality test findings indicate that the causality between Institutions and growth is uni-directional.However, there is no short run causality from Institutions to growth and vice versa. Therefore, as a policy implication that institutional quality may cause to the sustainable increase in country’s income in the long run, and success of any policy could be influenced by the soundness of institutions.
The Nigerian Public Officers Protection Act: An Anachronistic Legislation Yearning for Reforms
Authors: Odusote Abiodun
Published: March 2019

The Nigerian Public Officers Protection Act, (POPA) is part of statute of general application and is deeply rooted in the Public Authorities Protection Act of 1893 which has been repealed in England. The original intendment of POPA is to offer special protection to public officers in the performance of their public duties by entrenching a three-month limitation period for action against public officers in the performance of their duties. However, the emerging jurisprudence has interpreted the definition of person to include artificial persons, thereby bringing in more public entities under the protection. In addition, many public authorities enjoy further protection by reason of entitlement to pre action notice as entrenched in their enabling Acts. The effects of the dual protection are the seeming discriminatory and unequal treatment of private corporations and individual vis a vis public authorities. Hence, the widely held view that the dual protection is anachronistic and a clog in the wheel of justice as many litigants have been left without remedy on procedural grounds of non-issuance of pre action notice or failure to institute an action within the three-month limitation period. This paper makes enquiries on whether the dual protection being enjoyed by public officers and institutions constitute impediments to access the court of law and justice. The paper adopts a comparative analysis to investigate the contemporary approaches of a number of countries that have repealed or revised the dual protection offered public authorities. Lessons learned from other jurisdictions formed the basis of final recommendations of the paper which primarily calls for an urgent review of POPA.
The Ghassulian Ceramic Tradition: A SingleChaîne OpératoirePrevalent throughout the Southern Levant
Authors: Roux Valentine
Published: March 2019

This study examines Ghassulian ceramic assemblages from sites located in various parts of the southern Levant using the chaîne opératoire approach. The goal is to assess whether the Ghassulian communities were loosely integrated or, on the contrary, closely connected to each other. Results show that a single chaîne opératoire was shared at the level of the whole of the southern Levant testifying to its transmission within the same social group. They also suggest interactions between the different communities, arguing in favor of a dense social network from which new shared norms may have emerged. In conclusion, we suggest that this highly connected society could be linked phylogenetically to the previous local groups—which would explain both the embeddedness at the population level and the regional differences developed over time.
Magic Perfumes and Deadly Herbs: The Scent of Witches' Magic in Classical Literature
Authors: Ager Britta
Published: March 2019

The magic of Greek and Roman witches is often described as fragrant, or even as being itself a kind of scent. Classical descriptions of witchcraft thus echo ancient fears of women's perfumes and scented cosmetics, which were conventionally thought of as altering the minds of men, who could be seduced by sweet scents into doing things they would not willingly choose to do. Witches' spells similarly charm and confuse their targets, acting as more aggressive supernatural versions of ordinary women's scents, even as witches themselves were increasingly described as old, repulsive, and foul-smelling. Meanwhile, male magicians are largely inodorate in the fantastic literature of antiquity. Clarifying the links between ancient discourse on perfumes, gender, and magic offers new ways to read Greco-Roman fantastic literature.
A Comparison of Patient-Centered Outcome Measures to Evaluate Dysphagia and Dysphonia After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion
Authors: Rosenthal Brett D. , McCarthy Michael H. , Bhatt Surabhi , Savage Jason W. , Singh Kern , Hsu Wellington K. , Patel Alpesh A.
Published: March 2019

Summary of Background Data:

Dysphagia and dysphonia are the most common complications after anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF). No consensus system exists currently in the spine literature for the classification of these conditions postoperatively.

Objective:

The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the validity and reliability of the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10) in the assessment of dysphagia when compared with the Bazaz score. A secondary goal was to assess the Voice Handicap Index (VHI-10) scores among patients following ACDF.

Methods:

Patients treated with ACDF (one, two, or three level) for cervical radiculopathy and/or cervical myelopathy at two tertiary hospitals were administered patient-reported outcome metrics preoperatively as well as at multiple time points postoperatively. The metrics administered included the EAT-10, VHI-10, Bazaz, Neck Disbability Index, and EuroQol Five Dimensions questionnaire (EQ-5D)/visual analog scale.

Results:

One hundred patients were included in this study. Eighty-nine percentage had a 1-year follow-up, and 100% had a 12-week follow-up. Mean Neck Disbability Index, EQ-5D, and EQ-visual analog scale scores all improved from baseline at both 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. Both the EAT-10 and VHI-10 demonstrated excellent internal reliability (α = 0.95 and α = 0.90, respectively). Analysis of variance of EAT-10 and VHI-10 scores by time point demonstrated a statistically significant relationship (P < 0.0001). The EAT-10 and VHI-10 scores were statistically greater on postoperative day 1 than at all other times (Tukey posthoc, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.004, respectively). Across all time points, 176 instances of clinically significant dysphagia (EAT-10 ≥ 3) were noted, 57 (32%) of which were classified as “None” on the Bazaz classification.

Conclusions:

The EAT-10 score is an accurate measure for mild to severe dysphagia and better captured significant dysphagia that would have otherwise been missed when the Bazaz score is used. EAT-10 and VHI-10 are better measures of postoperative dysphagia and dysphonia than the current metrics used in spine surgery.

Study Design:

This was a prospective cohort study of consecutive patients.
Fixation of Anterior Pelvic Ring Injuries
Authors: Wojahn Robert D. , Gardner Michael J.
Published: March 2019

Treatment of anterior pelvic ring injuries involves both acute stabilization during the initial resuscitation and definitive fixation. Definitive management has evolved substantially over the past 40 years with improved patient mobilization and long-term outcomes. Although its use has recently declined, external fixation remains a favorable option in certain situations. Symphyseal plating is the preferred technique for stabilization of symphyseal diastasis because of superior stability and low morbidity. Ramus screws can be effective for simple ramus fractures but require a careful technique because of the proximity of neurovascular structures. The subcutaneous internal fixator provides a good option for obese patients in whom external fixation would be poorly tolerated. Regardless of fixation strategy, posterior ring reduction and stabilization is crucial.
Do More Expensive Total Knee Arthroplasty Prostheses Provide Greater Improvements in Outcomes Over Less Expensive Prostheses Sold by a Physician-owned Distributorship?
Authors: Baumgarten Keith M. , Chang Peter S. , Looby Peter A. , McKenzie Matthew J. , Rothrock Corey P.
Published: March 2019

Background:

It is unknown whether more expensive total knee prostheses provide better improvements in patient-determined outcomes compared with less expensive prostheses. A physician-owned distributorship (POD) was created with a goal to provide lower cost implants to hospitals as an alternative to higher cost prostheses sold by the large orthopaedic implant companies. The hypothesis was that lower cost total knee prostheses would have equivalent outcomes, while resulting in lower costs to the hospitals purchasing them compared with higher cost industry-supplied knee prostheses.

Methods:

From May 2013 until January 2015, a POD existed which included five surgeons that performed total knee arthroplasties and were willing to follow the outcomes to ensure quality. The POD sold two knee arthroplasty systems at a cost that was lower than that of the large industry companies. Surgeons were allowed to use either POD knees or industry knees at their own discretion. Patients were followed up prospectively to determine The Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) outcomes at 2 years and any incidence of knee complications that required surgery.

Results:

Two hundred-nine knees (35.2%) had a POD knee implanted, and 385 knees had an industry knee implanted. Both POD knees and industry knees showed statistically significant improvements (P < 0.0001) for all subgroups of the KOOS. No statistically significant difference was observed in improvement in any subgroup of the KOOS between the groups. Knee complications requiring surgical intervention were similar (2.9% POD knees versus 3.6% industry knees; P = 0.58). Using lower cost POD knees saved $209,875.71.

Conclusions:

No difference was observed in improvements in outcomes or complications in the lower cost POD-supplied knees compared with the higher cost industry-supplied knees. Hospitals and surgeons may consider using lower cost prostheses because the increased cost of the prosthesis has not been correlated to improved outcomes.

Level of Evidence:

Level II therapeutic prospective cohort study
Overlap Coefficients Based on Kullback-Leibler of Two Normal Densities: Equal Means Case
Authors: Dhaker Hamza , Ngom Papa , Ibrahimouf Boubakari , Mbodj Malick
Published: March 2019

Overlap coefficient (OVL) represents the proportion of overlap between two probability distributions, as a measure of the similarity between them. In this paper, we define a new overlap coefficient Λ based on Kullback-Leibler divergence and compare its performance to three known overlap coefficients, namely Matusia's Measure, Morisita's Measure, Weitzman's Measure. We study their properties, relations between them, and give approximate expressions for the biases and the variances.
The Classical Correspondence Theory of Truth and the God of Islam
Authors: Ahsan Abbas ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: March 2019

One of the most intuitive concepts of truth is the classical correspondence theory of truth. Aside from the theoretical cogency and plausibility, this truth theory has two fundamental problems. I shall explore both of these problems. This will not be to reveal the problematic nature of the classical correspondence theory of truth itself, but to demonstrate the implications it has on Islam. I shall establish that the problems of this truth theory contribute in the failure to determine the truth of a particular notion of an Islamic God. Consequently this truth theory would prove inconsistent with a particular notion of God within the Islamic tradition.
In-between Figure Working in a Precarious Field
Authors: Gade Solveig
Published: March 2019

This essay is preoccupied with a notion that is often embraced in theatre and performance theory: that of the dramaturge as a flexible, in-between figure. Taking into consideration, however, the precarious working and living conditions that freelance dramaturgs are typically subjected to as well as the structural parallels between the flexible dramaturg and the ideal of the agile post-Fordist employee, the article sets out to critically investigate the concept of inbetween-ness. Theoretically, the essay draws on theory formations from theatre and performance theory on new dramaturgies as well as theories from political theory and performance theory concerning the precarious working conditions experienced by a majority of cultural workers today. Empirically, the essay builds on two surveys conducted amongst dramaturgs working in the field of Danish theatre and dance with a view to shedding light on their working conditions, particularly with regards to wages and credit policy. The data obtained in the two surveys is analysed and discussed against the background of the two theoretical strands laid out in the first part of the article. In conclusion, the article ventures the claim that if we wish to create sustainable working conditions for dramaturgs, especially those working on a freelance basis, we need to critically address not only their actual working conditions, but also the notions and concepts through which dramaturgs tend to self-identify.
Magnitudes of Performativity
Authors: Paavolainen Teemu
Published: March 2019

The article presents the Trump presidency and the human-driven geological epoch of the Anthropocene as two arguable extremes among current notions of ‘performativity’: (1) a traditionally vertical model based on individual action and antagonism – where ‘facts’ matter less than ‘making things great’; and (2) the more extended, horizontal human performance of things like global warming (“All the world’s a stage”). Drawing freely on George Lakoff and Timothy Morton, it is argued that these models differ fundamentally in ‘magnitude’: where the one is direct, singular, vertical, and fast, the other is systemic, plural, horizontal, and slow beyond human perception. With Judith Butler and Naomi Klein, it is also argued that to actually confront the twin crises at issue, we need to acknowledge the kind of ‘plural performativity’ – of repetition, norms, and dissimulation – that brought them into being in the first place.
Is Theatre Personally and Socially Relevant?
Authors: Šorli Maja , Toome Hedi-Liis
Published: March 2019

In the years 2009–2015, a comparison of theatre systems in seven smaller European cities was conducted and named the STEP City Study. The study also included reception research, conducted with an extensive questionnaire, and qualitative research comprised of focus groups and interviews with audience members. One of the surprising results showed that, generally, the spectators enjoyed the performances a lot, but at the same time, did not rate them as very personally or socially relevant. That is why we decided to explore the notion of relevance in this article, or in other words, to examine what we are measuring when we ask the audience if the performance was relevant for them. In this study, we combine audience research and performance analysis of the shows that were evaluated as the most personally or socially relevant. The shows had either existential or contemporary political topics, were created in rather traditional ways, and did not stand out in any particularly innovative theatrical approach. We also conclude that relevance is a complex issue expressed in different dimensions of theatrical experience and cannot be straightforwardly measured.
Radiographic and Histological Analysis of a Synthetic Bone Graft Substitute Eluting Gentamicin in the Treatment of Chronic Osteomyelitis
Authors: Ferguson Jamie , Athanasou Nicholas , Diefenbeck Michael , McNally Martin
Published: March 2019

Abstract. Introduction: Managing chronic osteomyelitis can be challenging and attention to the osseous dead-space left following resection is an important part of successful treatment. We assess radiographic bone healing following implantation of a gentamicin-eluting synthetic bone graft substitute (gBGS) used at chronic osteomyelitis (cOM) resection. We also describe histological carrier changes from biopsies in nine cases at various time points.Methods:This was a retrospective review of a prospectively collected consecutive series of 163 patients with Cierny-Mader Type III or IV cOM who underwent single-stage excision, insertion of gBGS and definitive soft-tissue closure or coverage. Bone defect filling was assessed radiographically using serial radiographs. Nine patients had subsequent surgery, not related to infection recurrence, allowing opportunistic biopsy between 19 days and two years after implantation.Results: Infection was eradicated in 95.7% with a single procedure. 138 patients had adequate radiographs for assessment with minimum one-year follow-up (mean 1.7 years, range 1.0-4.7 years). Mean void-filling at final follow-up was 73.8%. There was significantly higher void-filling in metaphyseal compared to diaphyseal voids (mean 79.0% versus 65.6%; p=0.017) and in cases with good initial interdigitation of the carrier (mean 77.3% versus 68.7%; p=0.021). Bone formation continued for more than two years in almost two-thirds of patients studied (24/38; 63.2%).Histology revealed active biomaterial remodelling. It was osteoconductive with osteoblast recruitment, leading to the formation of osteoid, then woven and lamellar bone on the substrate's surface. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated osteocyte specific markers, dentine matrix protein-1 and podoplanin within the newly formed bone.Conclusion: This antibiotic-loaded biomaterial is effective in managing dead-space in surgically treated cOM with a low infection recurrence rate (4.3%) and good mean bone void-filling (73.8%). The radiographic resolution of the bone defect is associated with bone formation, as supported by histological analysis.
L’entreprise face aux cas extrêmes : approche événementielle ou processuelle de la crise ?
Authors: Serradj Toufik
Published: March 2019

Les réflexions sur le caractère imprévisible de la crise, son impact sur l’entreprise et ses processus de gestion, et les actions spécifiques à entreprendre en milieu extrême ont permis de dégager deux écoles de la pensée : la première aborde la crise sous l’angle d’un événement imprévus déstabilisant et paralysant l’entreprise et la seconde aborde la crise sous l’angle d’un processus de l’entreprise. L’interrogation principale de cet article concerne l’identification des situations dans lesquelles la crise doit être abordée sous l’angle événementiel et celles où la crise doit être abordée sous un angle processuel. Chacune des deux approches de la crise a des particularités qui permettent d’éclairer les situations de crise.
Stratégie de prix d’une société d’assurance non-vie
Authors: Eichel Frédéric
Published: March 2019

Après avoir rappelé les contextes théorique et économique dans lequel s’inscrit cet article, nous présentons un premier modèle économétrique existant d’élasticité-prix. Puis, nous introduisons un modèle micro-économique dynamique en partant de l’exemple concret d’une compagnie d’assurance non-vie qui souhaite changer de stratégie de renouvellement. Nous étudions les effets de son choix de prix (primes) sur son portefeuille et son chiffre d’affaires, dans un contexte de concurrence. La variation du nombre de contrats en portefeuille et du chiffre d’affaires de la compagnie entre deux instants t0 et t1 est déterminée. Une application numérique sur trois branches d’assurance d’entreprises précède la conclusion.
Colores que nos gustan y colores de moda. A propósito del "color del año"
Authors: San Cornelio Gemma
Published: March 2019

Como suele suceder últimamente, cuando se acerca el final de año aparecen una serie de listas, que recogen lo mejor del año que termina, pero también todo tipo de predicciones respecto al año que empieza. Es el caso de la ya habitual publicación del color del año por parte de la empresa Pantone: el color del 2019 será el living coral. ¿No lo conoces?
¿Triple Balance en agencias y consultoras de comunicación?
Authors: Ferrer Moregó Verónica
Published: March 2019

¿Cumplen el Triple Balance las agencias y consultoras de comunicación, publicidad y relaciones públicas nacionales? El Triple Balance define que las empresas deben evaluar sus resultados basándose en tres aspectos: Profit (balance económico), People (balance social) y Planet (balance medioambiental). Triple Balance es, según mi punto de vista, Triple Éxito porque garantiza que la empresa cumple los más altos estándares de sostenibilidad.
David Mitjans: ''Todavía la versión doblada está ganando y por goleada''
Authors: Clares Gavilán Judith
Published: March 2019

En el marco del proyecto de investigación «EU-OS Patrimonio cultural inmaterial. Para un programa europeo de subtitulado en lenguas no hegemónicas» (CSO2016-76014-R), del grupo Estudos Audiovisuais de la Universitat de Santiago de Compostela, la profesora Judith Clares-Gavilán entrevista a David Mitjans, distribuidor y responsable de adquisiciones en A Contracorriente Films.