Preliminary analysis of Dione Regio, Venus: The final Magellan regional imaging gap

In Sep. 1992, the Magellan spacecraft filled the final large gap in its coverage of Venus when it imaged an area west of Alpha Regio. F-BIDR's and some test MIDR's of parts of this area were available as of late December. Dione Regio was imaged by the Arecibo observatory and a preliminary investigation of Magellan images supports the interpretations made based on these earlier images: Dione Regio is a regional highland on which is superposed three large, very distinct volcanic edifices. The superior resolution and different viewing geometry of the Magellan images also clarified some uncertainties and revealed fascinating details about this region

OrganiZational communication and organiSational communication: Binaries and the fragments of a field

In this paper, I employ personal narrative to help cast light on connections and tensions between organiZational communication research, as produced in the United States, and organiSational communication research, as produced in Aotearoa New Zealand. I address the issue by highlighting three sets of differences between these bodies of research: canonical, institutional and theoretical. I then unpack how these differences are apparent in my own university before sketching out three ways in which we might productively use such tensions to achieve radical engagement, and critique disciplinary others, identities, and locations

The distribution of large volcanoes on Venus as a function of height and altitude

Theory predicts that the slower cooling of lava flows on Venus should result in lava flows that are typically 20 percent longer than their terrestrial counterparts and that the development of neutral buoyancy zones (NBZ) on Venus may be strongly influenced by altitude-controlled variations in surface pressure. Observations that support these predictions would include relatively low heights for Venus volcanoes, and an increase in both the number and development of large edifices with increasing basal altitude. The results of an analysis of the height and altitude distribution of 123 large (diameter greater than 100 km) volcanoes made using Magellan image and altimetry data are presented and these results are used to begin to test the predications of the above theories

Early VEGF testing in inflammatory neuropathy avoids POEMS syndrome misdiagnosis and associated costs

BACKGROUND: Prompt diagnosis and early treatment prevents disability in Polyneuropathy Organomegaly Endocrinopathy Monoclonal-protein and Skin Changes (POEMS) syndrome. Delay in diagnosis is common with 55% of patients initially incorrectly diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP). Patients are often treated with intravenous immunoglobulin which is both expensive and ineffective in the treatment of POEMS. Testing patients with acquired demyelinating neuropathy with serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) more accurately identifies POEMS syndrome than the current standard of care. Incorporating VEGF testing into screening could prevent misdiagnosis and reduce costs. METHODS: We used observed treatment information for patients in the University College London Hospital's POEMS syndrome database (n=100) and from the National Immunoglobulin Database to estimate costs associated with incorrect CIDP diagnoses across our cohort. We conducted a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis to compare the current diagnostic algorithm with an alternative which includes VEGF testing for all patients with an acquired demyelinating neuropathy. RESULTS: Treatment associated with an incorrect CIDP diagnosis led to total wasted healthcare expenditures of between £808 550 and £1 111 756 across our cohort, with an average cost-per-POEMS-patient misdiagnosed of £14 701 to £20 214. Introducing mandatory VEGF testing for patients with acquired demyelinating neuropathy would lead to annual cost-savings of £107 398 for the National Health Service and could prevent misdiagnosis in 16 cases per annum. CONCLUSIONS: Misdiagnosis in POEMS syndrome results in diagnostic delay, disease progression and significant healthcare costs. Introducing mandatory VEGF testing for patients with acquired demyelinating neuropathy is a cost-effective strategy allowing for early POEMS diagnosis and potentially enabling prompt disease-directed therapy

Corporate Social Responsibility Performance-Based Incentives: Investigations Through the Lens of Corporate Governance

Structured around three essays, this dissertation investigates the use of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) performance-based incentives through the lens of corporate governance. Toward that end, it relies on both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. The key data was hand collected from the proxy statements of S&P 500 firms for the fiscal year 2014 while the remaining data was obtained from various databases. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with key executives and directors and add context to the quantitative results reported in the first paper. Findings reported in the first essay suggest that short-term view institutional shareholders are associated with less use of CSR performance-based incentives while long-term view institutional shareholders, according to the qualitative data only, appear to be working towards greater use. Furthermore, imitation appears to underlie greater use of CSR performance-based incentives. Within the second essay, results are consistent with the notion that when the top management team has power, the use of these incentives is associated with excess compensation beyond what they would normally be expected to receive. Finally, in the third essay, knowledge transfer vis-à-vis directors’ experience on CSR committees as well as in environmentally sensitive industries appears to induce firms to expand their use of particular subcategories of quantitative CSR performance-based incentives. This work contributes to the literatures in executive compensation, CSR, knowledge transfer and to the emerging literature on CSR-driven corporate governance. It will be of interest to boards of directors, regulators, shareholders and other stakeholders interested in understanding more about who is influencing the use of CSR performance-based incentives and how these come into use in a firm

POEMS neuropathy: optimising diagnosis and management

POEMS syndrome is a rare and disabling autoinflammatory condition characterised by a typical peripheral neuropathy and the presence of a monoclonal plasma cell disorder. The acronym 'POEMS' represents the complex and multisystem features of the disease, including polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, a monoclonal plasma cell disorder and skin disease. The diagnosis of POEMS is a significant challenge because of the heterogeneity of clinical presentations and variation of POEMS features. Patients are often misdiagnosed with another cause of inflammatory neuropathy and receive one or more ineffective immunomodulatory medications, resulting in delayed diagnosis and further clinical deterioration before a diagnosis is made. University College London Hospitals sees one of the largest reported POEMS cohorts in Europe, and runs a multispecialist clinic to assist with diagnosis, treatment and ongoing support. This review draws upon our experience to present the typical features of POEMS syndrome and highlight diagnostic conundrums commonly experienced, supplemented with clinical cases. We provide an investigative guide for clinicians when considering POEMS as the diagnosis, and propose a treatment algorithm that centres on the site and degree of monoclonal cell proliferation

3,5-Dithiatricyclo[5.2.1.02,6]decan-2-one

The X-ray structure of the title compound has been determined and the structure shows an exo-configured planar dithiolanone ring. This is in contrast to the few previous dithiolanones to be characterised crystallographically which are all twisted.Publisher PDFPeer reviewe

POEMS syndrome

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide an overview of polyneuropathy organomegaly endocrinopathy M-protein and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome, detailing new insights into pathogenesis, prognostic factors, treatments, and outcome scores. RECENT FINDINGS: With the development of large multicentre national cohorts of patients, POEMS syndrome is evolving into a well characterized multisystem hematoneurological syndrome. Without early diagnosis significant disability results from the neuropathy. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a useful and accurate biomarker supporting diagnosis and following disease activity. The past decade has seen a number of therapeutics become available to patients with POEMS, repurposed from myeloma treatment. Simple treatment algorithms are based on the extent of monoclonal proliferation and the performance status of patients. Risk factors, prognostic scores, and their impact on outcome measures have been developed from deeply phenotyped patient cohorts to predict response rate, progression-free survival and overall survival. SUMMARY: Understanding links between the monoclonal lambda plasma cell disorder and resulting proinflammatory cytokine milieu is fundamental to determining POEMS syndrome pathophysiology. Similarities to chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and some other monoclonal proliferative diseases makes POEMS misdiagnosis common. A range of treatments are available, and more work to identify pathogenic mechanisms and treatment targets and prognostic scores will further enable treatment stratification for optimum outcomes

Discussing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: Are we empowering our patients? A questionnaire survey

OBJECTIVE: To examine patient knowledge about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) compared to other risks in epilepsy. To explore patients' experiences surrounding SUDEP disclosure and opinions on how information should be delivered. DESIGN: A cross-sectional questionnaire. SETTING: Royal Free Hospital, London outpatient epilepsy clinics. PARTICIPANTS: New and follow-up patients attending epilepsy clinics at a London teaching hospital over six months. Patients identified as being at risk of suffering negative emotional or psychological consequences of SUDEP discussions were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient knowledge about epilepsy risks; patient opinion regarding source, timing and delivery of SUDEP information; impact on health seeking behaviour. RESULTS: Ninety-eight per cent of patients were aware of medication adherence, 84% of factors influencing seizure frequency, 78% of driving regulations, 50% of SUDEP and 38% of status epilepticus; 72% of patients felt that SUDEP information should be given to all patients. Preferences for timing of SUDEP discussions varied between those wanting information at diagnosis (40%) and those preferring to receive it after three clinic appointments (18%) to avoid information overload at the first consultation. Emotional responses (48% positive, 38% negative) predominated over measurable behavioural change following SUDEP discussions. CONCLUSIONS: Less than half the patients knew about SUDEP and status epilepticus. Although the majority of patients with epilepsy wish to be informed about SUDEP early on in their diagnosis, information must be delivered in a way that promotes patient knowledge and empowerment