bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ventricular expansion, white matter hyperintensities, and global cognition in Alzheimer’s disease and normal aging
Authors: Adamo Sabrina , Ramirez Joel , Holmes Melissa F. , Gao Fuqiang , Zotovic Ljubica , Masellis Mario , Black Sandra E.
Published: November 2020

Background

The progression of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) may be tracked by measuring the growth of the ventricular cerebrospinal fluid (vCSF) over time. AD is commonly comorbid with markers of cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), viewed on MRI as white matter hyperintensities (WMH). Larger WMH volumes are correlated with poorer cognitive test scores. Additionally, periventricular WMHs have a proposed relationship to the vCSF.

Purpose

This study will examine ventricular expansion and its associations between periventricular/deep WMH and cognition in AD and normal aging.

Methods

Baseline and 1-year follow-up data were collected from AD (n=117) and cognitively normal control (NCs; n=49) participants taking part in the Sunnybrook Dementia Study. MRI (1.5T) and scores from both the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Dementia Rating Scale (DRS) were assessed at each time point. Volumetric data was generated using a semi-automated pipeline and each individual’s vCSF and WMHs were transformed to an intermediate space to determine volumetric growth. Regressions were used to determine relationships between vCSF growth measures, SVD burden, and cognition, accounting for demographics and individual interscan intervals.

Results

The AD group displayed 14.6% annual ventricular growth as opposed to NC who had only 11.8% annual growth. AD showed significant growth in vCSF (p < 0.001), a trend toward greater pWMH growth (p = 0.06) and no difference in dWMH growth volumes compared to NC. vCSF growth was positively associated with pWMH (β = 0.32, p < 0.001) but not dWMH growth in AD while in NC it was associated with both pWMH (β = 0.48, p < 0.001) and dWMH growth (β = 0.35, p = 0.02). In AD, vCSF growth was associated with the both the MMSE (β = -0.30, p < 0.001) and the DRS (β = -0.31, p < 0.001) in separate models.

Conclusions

The findings from this study suggest that in just under 1.5 years, the significantly rapid ventricular expansion observed in AD may be closely related to periventricular small vessel disease. As vCSF growth rates are an important biomarker of AD neurodegeneration that corresponds with cognitive decline, future research should further explore atrophy associated with periventricular vasculopathy.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01800214. Registered on 27 February 2013.
The molecular logic of synaptic wiring at the single cell level
Authors: Velten Jessica , Agarwal Rashi , van Nierop Patrick , Domsch Katrin , Bognar Lena , Paulsen Malte , Velten Lars , Lohmann Ingrid
Published: November 2020

The correct wiring of neuronal circuits is one of the most complex processes in development, since axons form highly specific connections out of a vast number of possibilities. Circuit structure is genetically determined in vertebrates and invertebrates, but the mechanism guiding each axon to precisely innervate a unique pre-specified target cell is poorly understood. Here, we used single cell genomics, imaging and genetics to show that single-cell specific connections between motoneurons and target muscles are specified through a combinatorial code of immunoglobulin domain proteins. These programs are orchestrated by a homeodomain transcription factor code that specifies cellular identities down to the level of biologically unique cells. Using spatial mapping, we show that this code follows spatial patterns already observed at early embryonic stages, while acting at a much later stage to specify motor circuits. Taken together, our data suggest that a relatively simple homeo-immunoglobulin-code determines neuronal circuit structure.
Measuring consumer perceptions over beef good practices and sustainable production process
Authors: Burnier Pedro Carvalho , Guerra Diego de Sousa , Spers Eduardo Eugênio
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Information on scales for measuring dimensions related to consumer concerns over production processes is scarce in the literature. The purpose of this study was to develop a more comprehensive scale for measuring concern over the production process (CPP).

Design/methodology/approach

The authors derive the concept based on the results of a bibliographic review, existing certification criteria, an interview with five experts and two consumer focus groups. The authors interviewed 725 frequent beef meat consumers to test the scale.

Findings

Statistical tests and purification yielded a final scale with 18 items and six latent variables: animal welfare, traceability, social responsibility, environmental responsibility, legality and sanitation in slaughterhouses. The authors confirmed the nomological validity of the instrument using product involvement as an antecedent construct and attitude related to sustainable consumption as a consequent of CPP.

Research limitations/implications

The research results may lack generalisability. New research avenues are suggested for testing the scale in other cultural contexts and with different groups of consumers and food types.

Practical implications

This study provides insights for cattle ranchers, the industry and the retail sector in formulating communication strategies and product/brand positioning in response to consumer concerns about the production process.

Originality/value

There is no study at present that fully addresses the use of a scale to measure dimensions of production processes. The creation of the CPP scale is a relevant academic contribution that aids in assessing the influence of the environmental dimension in conjunction with other essential constructs.
South Asian Games 2016: The dash to the North East
Authors: Tripathi Sanjeev
Published: November 2020

The 12th South Asian Games were held in India in Guawhati and Shillong in February 2016, after repeated rescheduling. There were a number of challenges to organizing the games such as lack of infrastructure, legacy of corruption from past games, shortage of time etc. However, the games were held within 90 days of the announcement of venues and final dates. Sri Yadav, the Secretary, Department of Sports wants to understand the key drivers of success behind organizing the event. He also wants to understand how the success of Indian athletes at SAG could be leveraged for success at larger events.
GEF India Private Limited: January 2011: Defining the Market Research Problem
Authors: Jain Abhinandan , Singh Vivek
Published: November 2020

The year 2010 was coming to a close, and Kapil, Marketing Manager of GEF India Private Limited (GEF), was thinking about the future. He had drafted a brief (see Exhibit 1) on conducting market research to assess the health of the brand Freedom Refined Sunflower Oil, which GEF had launched in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh (AP) in February of that year.1 Kapil was very happy to note that the brand had achieved good sales, in fact, significantly higher sales than the target set for the launch. This had been achieved thanks to a well-thought-out launch plan that had included considerably more above the line (ATL) marketing expenditure than any of the competing brands in the market. He was interested in finding out whether and where exactly the brand had taken root in the minds of consumers. Another important purpose of the proposed market research was to assess the effectiveness of the launch plan. Above all, he felt it would provide valuable insights when he set out to prepare a marketing plan for the coming year.
Overlap of Termination Terms and Principles of Contract Law: The Toba Trading Case
Authors: Pathak Akhileshwar
Published: November 2020

A buyer company has an advance payment stuck with the seller company and acts cautiously in not paying further till they get control over the goods. Claiming this to be a breach, the seller terminates the contract and makes claim for the damages. The seller picks all legal points it could in the routine business practices to escape the unfortunate situation. The judgment in the Toba Trade Case gives a comprehensive view of several legal themes including, payment and delivery, variation of contract, termination, anticipatory breach, award of damages and unjust enrichment.
Mahindra Trucks & Bus Division: Building a Marketing Plan
Authors: Sahay Arvind
Published: November 2020

Mahindra Trucks and Bus Division (MTBD) of Mahindra & Mahindra is at an interesting stage of its evolution. Having gone through a bad patch with a product that was not quite up to the mark, it appears to have got the product right by early 2018 and truck sales had been going up in the country for the previous four years. While Mahindra & Mahindra as a company is a large firm with revenues of more than USD 15 billion, MTBD itself is a small player (INR 2400 crore, USD 350 million) within the firm and in an Indian truck industry that is dominated by goliaths, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland that between them had more than 81% market share and a customer mindset that was loath to leave the comfort of a known brand. The case provides data on product specifications, prices, marketing communication, channels, positioning, the context and competition. The intention is to use the case to go through the steps involved in evaluating and developing and creating a marketing plan for MTBD to increase its market share from the 4% in 2018 to an intended 8% in 2022.
Somatotype identification of middle-aged women based on decision tree algorithm
Authors: Wang Lanmin , Wang Hongmin , Zhang Huiyan , Akemujiang Naiseman , Xiao Aimin
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Body type classification has a great influence on plate making and garment sizing system, and the accuracy of body type classification method will greatly affect the fit of garment production. The purpose of this paper is to use the decision tree algorithm to study body classification rules, develop a decision tree body recognition model and judge the body shape of middle-aged women in Xinjiang.

Design/methodology/approach

First, perform dimensionless processing on the collected data of 256 middle-aged women in Xinjiang, and the dimensionless data were used for K-means body clustering; Then, quantitatively analyze the effectiveness of different classification clusters based on the silhouette coefficients. Second, the decision tree algorithm is used to divide the classified sample data into a training set and a test set at a ratio of 70/30, and select the best node and the best branch based on the Gini coefficient to construct a classification tree. Last, the overall optimal decision tree is generated by means of hyperparameter pruning.

Findings

The body shape of middle-aged women in Xinjiang can be divided into three types: standard body, plump body and obese body. The decision tree model has an excellent effect on body classification of middle-aged women in Xinjiang (precision (macro), 95.46%; precision (micro), 95.95%; recall (macro), 95.46%; recall (micro), 95.95%; F1 (macro), 95.46%; F1 (micro), 95.95%).

Originality/value

For scientific research, this paper is conducive to increasing the regional body type theory and stimulating the establishment of a garment sizing subdivision system in Xinjiang. In terms of production practice, this paper not only establishes a model for judging the shape of middle-aged women in Xinjiang, but also provides reference data for intermediates of various sizes. In addition, to facilitate pattern-making and the establishment of a subdivision system for the size of middle-aged women's garments in Xinjiang, this paper provides the grading values of various body control parts of middle-aged women in Xinjiang.
Leveraging knowledge sharing and innovation culture into SMEs sustainable competitive advantage
Authors: Arsawan I Wayan Edi , Koval Viktor , Rajiani Ismi , Rustiarini Ni Wayan , Supartha Wayan Gede , Suryantini Ni Putu Santi
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to examine and explain the role of knowledge sharing in shaping innovation culture to improve business performance and build sustainable competitive advantage. Most empirical research tended to be conducted in large companies, and there are limited studies on this topic in the SME sector. Thus, the study needs to re-examine whether the theories developed to understand large companies apply to SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

This quantitative study involved 259 respondents from a 59 sampling frame consisting of three levels of management of export SMEs in the Bali province of Indonesia. The questionnaire used to gather the data used a semantic differential scale, and the data were analyzed using SmartPLS software.

Findings

The results showed that knowledge sharing significantly influenced innovation culture, business performance and sustainable competitive advantage. Theoretically, this research provides insight into the body of knowledge in innovation culture and business performance as a mediator variable.

Research limitations/implications

Cross-sectional design limits the authors from drawing definitive generalizations, and self-reported measures used in the study increase the chances of bias.

Practical implications

The study's findings could motivate managers and practitioners to place emphasis on knowledge sharing and innovation culture in the SME sector.

Originality/value

The role of knowledge sharing has been focused on large companies in several countries. However, research examining the role of knowledge sharing in building an innovation culture is still rare in the SME sector, particularly in Indonesian SMEs. Therefore, research on this topic is needed because Indonesia has not only a different culture but also different business practices.
Attitudes towards offenders with intellectual disability
Authors: Worthington Rachel , Rossetti Sarah
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Public attitudes are considered influential in the successful reintegration of offenders into society after release, however research into attitudes towards offenders with intellectual disability (ID) has received little attention. The purpose of this study is firstly to see if people hold differing attitudes towards the reintegration of offenders with ID compared to those without ID and secondly, to investigate whether this difference in attitude is because of differing implicit theories of intelligence (TOI). The effects of familiarity with ID were also measured.

Design/methodology/approach

In total, 200 participants read crime vignettes depicting crimes committed by offenders with and without ID and completed Dweck’s “TOI” scale.

Findings

Participants were found to have greater entity views of intelligence towards ID yet displayed more positive attitudes towards their reintegration than offenders without ID. The influence of demographics was mixed. It would appear attitudes towards offenders with ID are not as negative as initially thought.

Research limitations/implications

Implications of these findings are discussed in terms of desistance and community integration.

Practical implications

While some care must be taken when interpreting the results, this study demonstrates positive results regarding the reintegration of offenders with ID. Attitudes may be changing for the better towards those with disabilities, which is positive in terms of the government and National Health Service (NHS) objectives to reintegrate people with ID successfully back into the community. Although limited in number, it is noted that community forensic mental health teams have been effective in managing offender risk and providing good quality care (Dinani,et al.,2010; Benton and Roy, 2008). They can provide more person-centred and specialist treatments options and have links with other community services, probation and the police (Royal College of Psychiatrists, 2014).

Social implications

Community care is thought to lead to more timely treatments with more accessible support teams and services that those with ID would struggle to access in prison (Bradley, 2009). It can also lead to greater well-being and support as individuals are in a less restrictive environment and are closer to their social networks, acting as a protective factor against further reoffending (Benton & Roy, 2008; Bradley, 2009). Furthermore, it has been indicated significant financial savings would be achieved for the criminal justice system by reducing inpatient care and increasing community services and sentences, in addition to reducing the demand on prison spaces (Bradley, 2009; Benton & Roy, 2008).

Originality/value

To date, very few studies have used TOI to examine attitudes towards offenders, with none examining attitudes towards offenders with ID.
Factors associated with electronic cigarettes use among adolescents in Jakarta, Indonesia
Authors: Fauzi Ridhwan , Areesantichai Chitlada
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This study aimed to examine factors associated with electronic cigarette use among adolescents aged 15–19 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was a school-based survey involving 1,318 students from 14 high schools in Jakarta. A multistage cluster sampling methodology was used. The authors used the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression to examine the association between electronic cigarette use and sociodemographic, social influences, health risk perceptions, availability, affordability and conventional cigarette smoking status.

Findings

Overall, 6.3% of females and 29% of males reported ever having used electronic cigarettes. Electronic cigarette use was independently associated with sex, school locations, conventional cigarette smoking status, peer use, availability and perceptions that electronic cigarettes aid conventional cigarette smoking cessation. Compared with non-smokers, lifetime (AOR: 8.740, 95% CI: 5.126–14.901) and current conventional cigarette smokers (AOR: 18.380, 95% CI: 10.577–31.938) were more likely to use electronic cigarettes.

Social implications

The use of electronic cigarettes among adolescents was considerably high in this study. Therefore, the tobacco control policy should be extended to regulate the marketing and use of all types of tobacco products and not just conventional cigarettes.

Originality/value

The study explored beyond individual lifestyle factors that contributed to electronic cigarette use in Indonesia such as affordability, school locations and availability of electronic cigarettes. These issues have not been specifically discussed in previous studies.
Experiencing workplace ostracism with loss of engagement
Authors: Xu Xiaofeng , Kwan Ho Kwong , Li Miaomiao
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Drawing on social exchange theory and a cultural perspective, this study examines the relationship between workplace ostracism and job engagement by focusing on the mediating role of felt obligation and the moderating role of collectivism.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-wave survey was conducted over four months in a private service business in China. The participants comprised 108 Chinese employees.

Findings

The results indicate that workplace ostracism has a negative relationship with job engagement through a reduced sense of felt obligation. Collectivism strengthens the main effect of workplace ostracism on felt obligation and its indirect effect on job engagement via felt obligation.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to understanding of the internal mechanism of the workplace ostracism–job engagement model by identifying the mediating role of felt obligation. It also emphasizes that collectivist cultures can enhance the effects of workplace ostracism. However, the generalizability of our findings may be limited due to this cultural factor.

Practical implications

Our findings show that workplace ostracism plays a significant role in reducing job engagement. Therefore, it is essential to reduce the incidence of ostracism in the workplace.

Originality/value

By addressing the previously unexplored mechanism that mediates the relationship between workplace ostracism and job engagement, this study provides new directions for research on workplace ostracism and job engagement.
Moving towards healthy: cuing food healthiness and appeal
Authors: Amar Moty , Gvili Yaniv , Tal Aner
Published: November 2020

Purpose

This paper aims to offer social marketers an innovative method to promote healthy foods. This method demonstrates the effectiveness of indirect communication in attracting consumers to healthy foods. Further, it aims to offer a way to promote food as healthier with no detrimental effects on its perceived appeal, which are a likely side effect of advertising food as healthy.

Design/methodology/approach

Four between-participant lab studies (N = 50, 80, 80, 102) included manipulations of food motion vs stillness and then compared ratings of food freshness, healthiness and appeal using self-report measures.

Findings

Motion increases healthiness evaluation. This increase in healthiness evaluation occurs without reductions in food appeal. These effects are mediated by evaluations of freshness. This occurred across three different food types and two mediums (still images and digital videos).

Research limitations/implications

The paper provides an effective tool for social marketers wishing to encourage healthier eating. Specifically, it helps address two problems: low effectiveness of prevalent, information-based appeals to encourage healthy eating; and reduced evaluations of tastiness that normally occur when consumers are convinced food is healthy.

Social implications

Social marketers can use motion as an effective tool to promote food as healthy. Importantly, this indirect communication avoids the potential pitfall of reduced food appeal. This should help encourage healthier eating. The findings also supports the use of indirect cues as an effective approach to promoting social ends.

Originality/value

Offering a novel, indirect method of enhancing judgments of food healthiness via a simple visual cue. Demonstrating the effect and its underlying mechanism. Providing a way to counter the prevalent “unhealthy = tasty” intuition, a major obstacle to promoting healthy eating. Supporting social marketers’ use of indirect communication to increase the appeal of desirable societal goals. Finally, showing that sensory visual cues can serve as a source of heuristic thinking.
Leadership at Godrej: a treasured heirloom transformed into a valuable brand
Authors: Pattanayak Lopamudra , Jena Lalatendu Kesari , Sahoo Kalpana
Published: November 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to bring out the success of the Godrej Group, focusing on their leadership styles and discussing how authentic and ethical leadership leads to value-based leadership (VBL), which has its eminence in the post-COVID-19 world.

Design/methodology/approach

The case study has been designed based on secondary published sources and few informal interactions with the leaders associated with the Godrej Group.

Findings

It was found that VBL is derived from authentic and ethical leadership and Adi Godrej, Chairman of Godrej Group, managed to sail through all these years successfully by adopting the authentic, ethical and VBL style, thereby transforming the family business into a global business and a valuable brand.

Originality/value

The case study is based on secondary published sources and informal interactions with the Godrejites. The different elements and eminence of authentic, ethical and VBL styles are explored. These values will play a significant role in the post-COVID-19 world. Value-based leader inculcates a clear, honest, empathetic and simple approach to employer–employee communication as the COVID-19 situation evolves. This case will therefore be of value to anyone using or considering a value-based approach to developing a successful leadership culture. These include Masters of Business Administration students, entrepreneurs, professional practitioners, etc.
MiR‐320b/RAD21 axis affects hepatocellular carcinoma radiosensitivity to ionizing radiation treatment through DNA damage repair signaling
Authors: Wang Jianyang , Zhao Hong , Yu Jing , Xu Xin , Jing Hao , Li Ning , Tang Yuan , Wang Shulian , Li Yexiong , Cai Jianqiang , Jin Jing
Published: November 2020

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignancies in the world and is associated with high mortality. Ionizing radiation (IR)‐based therapy causes DNA damage, exerting a curative effect; however, DNA damage repair signaling pathways lead to HCC resistance to IR‐based therapy. RAD21 is a component of the cohesion complex, crucial for chromosome segregation and DNA damage repair, while it is still unclear whether RAD21 is implicated in DNA damage and influences IR sensitivity in HCC. The current research explores the effect and upstream regulatory mechanism of RAD21 on IR sensitivity in HCC. In the present study, RAD21 mRNA and protein expression were increased within HCC tissue samples, particularly within IR‐insensitive HCC tissues. The overexpression of RAD21 partially attenuated the roles of IR in HCC by promoting the viability and suppressing the apoptosis of HCC cells. RAD21 overexpression reduced the culture medium 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine concentration and decreased the protein levels of γH2AX and ATM, suggesting that RAD21 overexpression attenuated IR treatment‐induced DNA damage to HCC cells. miR‐320b targeted RAD21 3ʹ‐UTR to inhibit RAD21 expression. In HCC tissues, particularly in IR‐insensitive HCC tissues, miR‐320b expression was significantly downregulated. miR‐320b inhibition also attenuated IR treatment‐induced DNA damage to HCC cells; more importantly, RAD21 silencing significantly attenuated the effects of miR‐320b inhibition on IR treatment‐induced DNA damage, suggesting that miR‐320b plays a role through targeting RAD21. In conclusion, an miR‐320b/RAD21 axis modulating HCC sensitivity to IR treatment through acting on IR‐induced DNA damage was demonstrated. The miR‐320b/RAD21 axis could be a novel therapeutic target for further study of HCC sensitivity to IR treatment.
Quality and nutritional characteristics of traditional curd cheese enriched with thermo‐coagulated acid whey protein and indigenous Lactococcus lactis strain
Authors: Mileriene Justina , Serniene Loreta , Kondrotiene Kristina , Lauciene Lina , Kasetiene Neringa , Sekmokiene Dalia , Andruleviciute Vaida , Malakauskas Mindaugas
Published: November 2020

Consumer interest in a healthy lifestyle and health‐promoting natural products is a major driving force for the increasing global demand for bio‐functional and sustainable dairy foods. Supplementation of curd cheese with thermo‐coagulated acid whey protein (TAWP) led to 8–10% higher contents of moisture, 23–31% of lactose, 12–13% of unsaturated, 5–6% of monounsaturated, 63% of polyunsaturated, and 3–4% of long‐chain fatty acids. Lipid quality indices – TI, AI, h/H, and Omega 6/3 among others, were also significantly better than those of control cheese. The addition of indigenous Lactococcus lactis strain enhanced the flavour of cheese samples, decreased the counts of yeast and mould up to 1 log cfu g−1 after 10 days of storage. The replacement of curd with TAWP resulted in novel cheese with overall sensory perception above 77 points and added nutritional and functional value, however, body and texture parameters of modified cheese samples require an improvement.
Life cycle management of Micra transcatheter pacing system: Data from a high‐volume center
Authors: Bhatia Neal K. , Kiani Soroosh , Merchant Faisal M. , Delurgio David B. , Patel Anshul M. , Leon Angel R. , Lloyd Michael S. , Westerman Stacy B. , Shah Anand D. , El‐Chami Mikhael F.
Published: November 2020

Background

Data on the management of Micra transcatheter pacing system (TPS) at the time of an upgrade or during battery depletion is limited.

Objective

We sought to evaluate the management patterns of patients implanted with a Micra TPS during long‐term follow‐up.

Methods

We retrospectively identified patients who underwent Micra implantation from April 2014 to November 2019. We identified patients who underwent extraction (n = 11) or had an abandoned Micra (n = 12).

Results

We identified 302 patients who received a Micra during the period of the study. Mean age was 72.7 ± 15.4 years, 54.6% were men, and left ventricular ejection fraction was 51.9 ± 5.2%. Mean follow‐up was 1105.5 ± 529.3 days. Procedural complications included pericardial tamponade (n = 1) treated with pericardiocentesis, significant rise in thresholds (n = 6) treated with reimplantation (n = 4), and major groin complications (n = 2). Indications for extraction included an upgrade to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device (n = 3), bridging after extraction of an infected transvenous system (n = 3), elevated thresholds (n = 3), and non‐Micra‐related bacteremia (n = 2). The median time from implantation to extraction was 78 days (interquartile range: 14–113 days), with the longest extraction occurring at 1442 days. All extractions were successful, with no procedural or long‐term complications. Indications for abandonment included the need for CRT (n = 6), battery depletion (n = 2), increasing thresholds/failure to capture (n = 3), and pacemaker syndrome (n = 1). All procedures were successful, with no procedural or long‐term complications.

Conclusion

In this large single‐center study, 6% of patients implanted with a Micra required a system modification during long‐term follow‐up, most commonly due to the requirement for CRT pacing. These patients were managed successfully with extraction or abandonment.
How best to annuitize defined contribution assets?
Authors: Munnell Alicia H. , Wettstein Gal , Hou Wenliang
Published: November 2020

401(k) plans provide little guidance on turning accumulated assets into income. Insurance against the risk of outliving one's assets is available through immediate annuities, deferred annuities, and additional Social Security through delayed claiming. Under this Social Security bridge option, participants would tap their 401(k) for payments equal to their Social Security to delay claiming. This paper compares these three options in simulations against a baseline in which no assets are annuitized. In each option, assets not allocated to purchasing lifetime income are consumed following the required minimum distribution; robustness of results to optimal drawdown conditional on annuitization strategy is also assessed. The analysis finds that, when market and health shocks are included alongside longevity uncertainty, the Social Security bridge option is generally the best for households with median wealth. Wealthier households can benefit from combining the bridge option with a deferred annuity.
Understanding psychology's resistance to intersectionality theory using a framework of epistemic exclusion and invisibility
Authors: Settles Isis H. , Warner Leah R. , Buchanan NiCole T. , Jones Martinque K.
Published: November 2020

Although intersectionality has become part of the everyday lexicon, the field of psychology has demonstrated resistance to the theory, which we argue reflects epistemic exclusion. Epistemic exclusion is the devaluation of some scholarship as illegitimate and certain scholars as lacking credibility. We suggest that intersectionality has been epistemically excluded because it challenges dominant psychological norms about the scientific process and has been most readily endorsed by psychologists from marginalized groups. We provide evidence that epistemic exclusion has occurred through formal means (e.g., exclusion from mainstream journals) and informal processes (e.g., repeated misrepresentation of the theory). We use visibility theory to highlight the role of disciplinary power in this process, such that dominant psychologists act as gatekeepers. Finally, we discuss how the epistemic exclusion of intersectionality is a barrier to social issues scholarship and social justice in psychology, and offer structural recommendations for intersectionality's epistemic inclusion.
Emerson’s transparent eyeball as a conceptual blend
Authors: Tindol Robert
Published: November 2020

Emerson’s famous “transparent eyeball” metaphor from his essay Nature (1836) is difficult to understand if broken into separate components, but nonetheless communicates quite well because it is presented as a unified statement. This paper argues that the metaphor asserts its poetic force because it is a conceptual blend of the kind described by cognitive theorists. That is, the reader is invited by Emerson’s language approach to make certain cognitive leaps in order to fuse together certain physical manifestations that are not normally found together. Emerson’s implied argument is that the eye is both an organ of seeing and “unseeing,” the latter being a function of passive acquiescence in the phenomena that nature provides us with in an endless flow. The spiritual result replicates the metaphoric duplicity of the transparent eyeball in that we are paradoxically prevented from articulating the very phenomena that might normally be considered to be most worthy of description.
Predictors of future research interest among allied health professionals at a regional tertiary hospital
Authors: Pain Tilley , Lindsay Daniel , Fernando Malindu
Published: November 2020

Introduction: Allied health professionals (AHPs) are core service providers in acute healthcare. AHPs’ career trajectory may be via post-graduate education in clinical, management or research higher degrees. However, little is known of AHP post-graduate education and future research aspirations. This study calculates predictors of future research interest of AHPs at a regional Australian hospital.Methods: A cross-sectional electronic survey was sent to all AHPs working for the Townsville Hospital Health Service from October 2014 until March 2015. The survey collected information about past, current and future education and research motivating factors. Data was analysed using SPSS (Version 24, IBM Corp, USA). Univariate and multivariate binomial logistic regression analyses were performed with future research interest as the outcome variable. Free-text responses were analysed with content analysis.Results: Most AHPs (56%) indicated they were interested in research in the future. The significant predictors of an increased likelihood of future research interest in our study cohort were prior master’s or PhD qualification (OR: 4; 95% CI: 1.1–15.6), fewer years since graduation (OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.2–1.9), attending research education (OR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.3–6.6), having a research topic (OR: 4.9; 95% CI: 1.9–13.9) and prior qualitative research experience (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.1–5.5).Discussion:The predictive factors for future research quantifies allied health research interest for the first time. AHPs in clinical roles within hospital and health services have the potential to derive research questions from ground level clinical practice. Therefore, universities, hospital and health services and policymakers could exploit these predictive factors and strengthen their focus on supporting AHPs’ research education at the level of developing research questions.Conclusion: Predictors of future allied health research interest included having a research topic, having a master’s or PhD qualification, fewer years since graduation and having prior research education or prior qualitative research experience.
Review of key vertical-cavity laser and modulator advances enabled by advanced MBE technology
Authors: Coldren Larry A.
Published: November 2020

In this special issue honoring Professor Arthur Gossard, I am delighted to be able to review a small segment of the work he has enabled while at UCSB on the subject of the title, but further limited to devices grown all-epitaxially. When he arrived in 1987 from Bell Labs, he had already been consulting on the installation of our new Gen-II MBE that we intended to use for vertical-cavity Fabry–Pérot modulators, devices somewhat similar to those he had grown at Bell Labs. However, within a couple of years, we obtained leading results on reflection modulators, moving the on/off contrast from prior values of less than 5:1 to more than 50:1 with insertion losses of less than 2 dB, required voltages in the 2–4 V range, and changes in reflection per volt to ∼20%/V. These had multiple-quantum-well (MQW) active regions to phase shift and partially absorb the resonant lightwaves within a cavity formed between two distributed-Bragg-reflector (DBR) mirrors all formed in the AlGaAs/GaAs system. Also in this same period, novel vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) structures analogous to the modulators were developed. They had strained InGaAs/GaAs MQW actives and AlGaAs/GaAs DBRs and operated near 980 nm. The initial new idea was to place active quantum wells only at the maxima of the cavity E-field standing wave, which provides nearly a doubling of the modal gain they contribute. These designs quickly led to leading results in threshold current (<1 kA/cm2—1990 and Ith < 1 mA with Po > 1 mW—1991), power out (up to 113 mW cw—1993), and temperature stability with gain offset (constant output over 50 °C—1993). Additional notable results in the 1990s included a selective oxidation of AlGaAs to form lens-like intra-cavity apertures for dramatic reductions in optical cavity loss; the first strained layer InGaAlAs/GaAs 850 nm VCSELs; and an 8-wavelength division multiplexing VCSEL array integrated within a 60 μm diameter for direct emission into a multimode fiber. In the 2000s, results included all-epitaxially grown 1310 nm and 1550 nm VCSELs that employed AlGaAsSb DBRs and AlGaInAs actives with tunnel junctions to enable two n-type contacts on InP for low thermal and electrical resistance; multi-terminal VCSELs for polarization modulation to double the information output on a single optical beam; and a novel high-speed, high-efficiency design that incorporated sophisticated bandgap engineering in the DBRs and carbon doping for low optical loss and electrical resistance, midlevel Al-content mirror layers near the cavity for deep oxidation to reduce capacitance, and a redesigned lens-like aperture for reduced mode volume. This latter design gave record modulation bandwidth and efficiency results then, and it is still being used around the world for the leading results today. In the most recent decade, InGaAsSb/AlGaAsSb/GaSb materials for VCSELs and photonic ICs have been studied for emission in the 2–4 μm wavelength range.
Efferent-induced shifts in synchronized-spontaneous-otoacoustic-emission magnitude and frequency
Authors: Lewis James D.
Published: November 2020

Synchronized-spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SSOAEs) present as slow-decaying emission energy that persists after the transient-evoked otoacoustic emission (TEOAE). SSOAEs possess high amplitudes and signal-to-noise ratios, making them potentially ideal candidates to assay the medial-olivocochlear reflex (MOCR). The current work quantified MOCR-induced changes to SSOAEs over a 36-dB stimulus level range and compared MOCR effects between TEOAE- and SSOAE-based assays. Otoacoustic emissions were evoked using band limited clicks from 52 to 88 dB peak sound pressure level (pSPL) with and without contralateral-acoustic stimulation (CAS) in 25 normal-hearing, female adults. The CAS was 50-dB sound pressure level (SPL) broadband noise and served to activate the MOCR. The number of SSOAEs increased with the stimulus level through approximately 70 dB pSPL. The presentation of CAS resulted in fewer SSOAEs. SSOAEs exhibited compressive growth and approached saturation for stimulus levels of 70 dB pSPL. The primary effects of CAS were a reduction in the SSOAE magnitude and an upward shift in the SSOAE frequency. These changes were not strongly affected by the stimulus level. Time-domain analysis of the SSOAE revealed an increase in the CAS-induced magnitude shift during the decay portion of the SSOAE. Compared to CAS-induced TEOAE magnitude shifts, SSOAE magnitude shifts were typically 2–3 dB larger. Findings support SSOAEs as a means to assay the MOCR.
Artificial neural network classification of foliage targets from spectrograms of sequential echoes using a biomimetic audible sonar
Authors: Kuc Roman
Published: November 2020

Classifying foliage targets using echolocation is important for recognizing landmarks by bats using ultrasonic emissions and blind human echolocators (BEs) using palatal clicks. Previous attempts to classify foliage used ultrasonic frequencies and single sensor (monaural) detection. Motivated by the echolocation capabilities of BEs, a biomimetic sonar emitting audible clicks acquired 5600 binaural echoes from five sequential emissions that probed two foliage targets at aspect angles separated by 18°. Echo spectrograms formed feature vector inputs to artificial neural networks (ANNs) for classifying two targets, Ficus benjamina and Schefflera arboricola, with leaf areas that differ by a factor of four. Classification performances of ANNs without and with hidden layers were analyzed using tenfold cross-validation. Performance improved with input feature size, with binaural echo classification outperforming that using monaural echoes for the same number of emissions and for the same number of echoes. Linear classification accuracy was comparable to that using nonlinear classification with both achieving fewer than 1% errors with binaural spectrogram features from five sequential emissions. This result was better by a factor of 20 compared to previous classification of these targets using only the time envelopes of the same echoes.
Caution with bilateral salpingectomy and consideration of tubal stump ectopic in IVF
Authors: Yip Swee Lin , Siraj Shahul Hameed Mohamed , Chan Jerry Kok Yen
Published: November 2020

We report a 35-year-old female patient with a history of bilateral salpingectomy from ectopic pregnancies presenting with a positive serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (bhCG) result following in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment. Apart from per vaginal spotting, she remained asymptomatic. Initial ultrasound showed an empty uterus with a cystic mass on the right side of the uterus. Serum beta-hCG was trended. A follow-up pelvic ultrasound 1 week later showed a live pregnancy in the right adnexa. A diagnostic laparoscopy was performed, which revealed an unruptured right stump ectopic pregnancy that was successfully removed. As a stump ectopic pregnancy can be a potentially life-threatening occurrence, we emphasise caution with salpingectomy and the consideration of tubal stump ectopic pregnancies following IVF treatment.
Traumatic Brown-Séquard syndrome: modern reminder of a neurological injury
Authors: Rodríguez-Quintero Jorge Humberto , Romero-Velez Gustavo , Pereira Xavier , Kim Peter K
Published: November 2020

Brown-Séquard syndrome (BSS) presents as an ipsilateral loss of motor function, proprioception and vibratory sensation accompanied by contralateral pain and temperature loss two to three levels below the level of the injury. It is one of the syndromes associated with incomplete transection of the spinal cord. Classic BSS is rare as most patients present with mixed neurological deficits related to damage of the spinal cord and surrounding structures. BSS remains prevalent in areas with high trauma burden, where assaults with sharp weapons are common. We present the case of a man aged 38 years who sustained a stab injury to the left back. BSS was diagnosed. He underwent removal of the weapon in the operating room and had an uneventful recovery to near baseline functional level after a course of rehabilitation. Despite being a rare aetiology, BSS continues to be an excellent reminder to trauma providers of the anatomy and physiology of neuroanatomical tracts.
Unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome: an unusual presentation of nodular fasciitis
Authors: Chouhan Deepak , Ansari Mohammed Tahir , Goyal Devansh , Mridha Asit Ranjan
Published: November 2020

Nodular fasciitis is a benign, self-limiting proliferative disorder of fibroblast of uncertain aetiology, occurs frequently in the forearm. Nodular fasciitis in hand inducing carpal tunnel syndrome is exceptional. There are four cases of non-intraneural nodular fasciitis causing peripheral neuropathy that has been reported previously. We present the case of a 38-year-old man with features of unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. Decompression of the median nerve performed subsequently along with excision of the lesion in a piecemeal fashion. Histopathological and immunohistochemical findings were consistent with nodular fasciitis. There were complete resolution of symptoms and no sign of recurrence at the end of 1 year after surgery.
Isolated lateral meniscus tear masquerading as a potential septic arthritis in a 7 year old
Authors: Murphy Evelyn Patricia , O'Toole Patrick J
Published: November 2020

A 7-year-old boy presented with a 1-week history of a limp, low grade temperature and mildly elevated inflammatory markers. He sustained a fall 2 weeks ago but was relatively symptom free for a week. The inital physical exam demonstrated a knee effusion clinically, radiographs did not demonstrate any overt pathology and biochemical testing demonstrated an elevated C reactive protein of 8 mg/L. An arthroscopy was conducted, with a plan for synovial biopsies to investigate for infective versus inflammatory arthritis as a cause for the effusion. An isolated lateral meniscal tear was discovered. This was repaired using all inside technique with Smith and Nephew’s FastFix 360 (R) suture anchors. It is quite uncommon to find isolated lateral meniscus tears in this population, but the learning point demonstrates it is important to arthroscopically examine the whole knee, even while performing synovial biopsies as there may be unexpected findings.
Rare case of bilateral carotid artery dissection presenting with Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome
Authors: Singh Rajveer , Rebello Alex , Prabhat Nandita , Khurana Dheeraj
Published: November 2020

Carotid artery dissection is one of the most common causes of ischaemic stroke in young and middle-aged population. We report a case of bilateral carotid artery dissection presenting with opercular syndrome or Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome. This 46-year-old obese and hypertensive man with a history of fall from bike 1 week prior, presented with sudden onset of anarthria, dysphagia and deviation of angle of mouth. His speech and dysphagia gradually improved over 10 days to normal, but he developed pseudobulbar affect and difficulty in calculations 4 weeks later. MRI showed acute infarcts in bilateral operculum. CT angiography showed dissection in bilateral cervical ICAs. He was managed conservatively with oral anticoagulation, given for 6 months. Probability of dissection must be considered in patients with a history of trauma or falls developing focal neurological deficits. To our knowledge, this is the first case report of bilateral ICA dissection presenting with Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome.