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James W Albers,1 Ryan Jacobson2 1Department of Neurology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; 2Department of Neurology, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA Aim: To assess lower extremity decompression nerve surgery (DNS) to treat the consequences of diabetic distal symmetric peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Research design and methods: MEDLINE, PubMed, and related registries were searched through December 2017 to identify randomized, quasi-randomized or observational trials that evaluated the efficacy of lower extremity DNS on pain relief (primary outcome) or other secondary outcomes. Observational studies were included, given investigators’ reluctance to use sham surgery controls. Outcome effect size was estimated, and a weighted average was calculated. Results: Eight of 23 studies evaluated pain relief, including a double-blind randomized controlled trial (with a sham surgery leg), an unblinded trial with a nonsurgical control leg, and 6 observational studies. All reported substantial pain relief post-DNS with average effect sizes between two and five. Unexpectedly, the double-blind trial showed improvement in the sham leg comparable to the DNS leg and exceeding the improvement observed in the nonsurgical leg in the unblinded study. Sensory testing showed generally favorable results supporting DNS, and nerve conduction velocities increased post-DNS relative to deterioration in controls. Ultrasound revealed fusiform nerve swelling near compression sites. Morphological results of DNS were generally favorable but inconsistent, whereas hemodynamic measures showed a positive effect on arterial parameters, as did transcutaneous oximetry (improved microcirculation). The incidence of initial and recurrent neuropathic diabetic foot ulcers appeared reduced post-DNS relative to the contralateral foot (borderline significant). Conclusion: The data remain insufficient to recommend DNS for painful DPN, given conflicting and unexpectedly positive results involving sham surgery relative to unblinded controls. The generally supportive sensory and nerve conduction results are compromised by methodological issues, whereas more favorable results support DNS to prevent new or recurrent neuropathic foot ulcers. Future studies need to clarify subject selection vis-à-vis DPN vs superimposed compressed nerves, utilize appropriate validated instruments, and readdress use of sham surgical controls in light of recent results. Keywords: diabetic neuropathy, painful neuropathy, neuropathy treatment

In order to improve our understanding of the interior structure of Saturn's small moon Enceladus, we reanalyze radiometric tracking and onboard imaging data acquired by the Cassini spacecraft during close encounters with the moon. We compute the global shape, gravity field, and rotational parameters of Enceladus in a reference frame consistent with the International Astronomical Union's definition, where the center of the Salih crater is located at −5° East longitude. We recover a quadrupole gravity field with J3 and a forced libration amplitude of 0.091° ± 0.009° (3‐σ). We also compute a global shape model using a stereo‐photoclinometry technique with a global resolution of 500 m, although some local maps have higher resolutions ranging from 25 to 100 m. While our overall results are generally consistent with previous studies, we infer a thicker 27–33 km mean ice shell, a thinner 21–26 km mean ocean thickness, and a mean core density range of 2,270–2,330 kg/m3. Plain Language Summary: Geodetic data, such as shape, gravity, and rotation, provide important constraints for probing a planetary body's interior structure. We analyze radiometric tracking and onboard imaging data acquired during close encounters of Enceladus by the Cassini spacecraft to compute geodetic products including topographic and gravitational fields in a common reference frame. The recovered Enceladus topography has a global resolution of 500 m, with some local regions having 25–100 m resolution. Our study suggests that Enceladus has a 27–33 km mean ice shell thickness, a 21–26 km mean ocean thickness, and a mean core density range of 2,270–2,330 kg/m3. Key Points: A full quadrupole gravity field with J3 and the forced libration amplitude of 0.091° ± 0.009° are recoveredA 500‐m resolution global topography model was computed, with some local regions having 25−100 m resolutionThe results suggest that Enceladus has a 27–33 km mean ice shell thickness, a 21–26 km ocean thickness, and a mean core density range of 2,270–2,330 kg/m3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A map exploration and representation exercise was conducted with participants who were totally blind. Representations of maritime environments were presented either with a tactile map or with a digital haptic virtual map. We assessed the knowledge of spatial configurations using a triangulation technique. The results revealed that both types of map learning were equivalent. (Contains 5 figures.)

Two young nests of Dolichovespula arenaria were each found to have been invaded by a Vespula squamosa queen. The first nest was successfully usurped, while the usurpation process was ongoing in the second nest. This latter observation confirms that V. squamosa queens will invade well-established nests. Factors involved in the selection of D. arenaria as a new intergeneric host are briefly discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We prove that the stabilization (resp. iterated suspension) functor participates in a derived adjunction comparing pointed spaces with certain (highly homotopy coherent) homotopy coalgebras, in the sense of Blumberg-Riehl, that is a Dwyer-Kan equivalence after restriction to 1-connected spaces, with respect to the associated enrichments. A key ingredient of our proof, of independent interest, is a higher stabilization theorem (resp. higher Freudenthal suspension theorem) for pointed spaces that provides strong estimates for the uniform cartesian-ness of certain cubical diagrams associated to iterating the space level stabilization map (resp. Freudenthal suspension map)—these technical results provide, in particular, new proofs (with strong estimates) of the stabilization and iterated loop-suspension completion results of Carlsson and the subsequent work of Arone-Kankaanrinta, and Bousfield and Hopkins, respectively, for 1-connected spaces; this is the stabilization (resp. Freudenthal suspension) analog of Dundas' higher Hurewicz theorem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most scrutinized contemporary techniques for geospatial data collection and production is crowdsourcing. This inverts the traditional top-down geospatial data production and distribution methods by emphasizing on the participation of the end user or community. The technique has been shown to be particularly useful in the domain of accessibility mapping, where it can augment traditional mapping methods and systems by providing information about transitory obstacles in the built environment. This research paper presents details of techniques and applications of crowdsourcing and related methods for improving the presence of transitory obstacles in accessibility mapping systems. The obstacles are very difficult to incorporate with any other traditional mapping workflow, since they typically appear in an unplanned manner and disappear just as quickly. Nevertheless, these obstacles present a major impediment to navigating an unfamiliar environment. Fortunately, these obstacles can be reported, defined, and captured through a variety of crowdsourcing techniques, including gazetteer-based geoparsing and active social media harvesting, and then referenced in a crowdsourced mapping system. These techniques are presented, along with context from research in tactile cartography and geo-enabled accessibility systems. Keywords: crowdsourcing; accessibility; blindness, Introduction Humans gather information about their world through multiple sensory channels, including vision, touch, and audition, and share this information to increase understanding of the world. Symbolic methods for encoding [...]

A study was conducted to examine how the activities and presence of anti-state groups in the Philippines create problems for a mining-based development paradigm. Findings show that violence is a sign of problems such as poverty and social exclusion in the country. It is expected that violence will continue unless these problems are alleviated.

To purchase or authenticate to the full-text of this article, please visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1477-8947.2006.00108.x Byline: William N. Holden (1), R. Daniel Jacobson (2) Keywords: Philippines; Mining; Decentralization; Civil society; Governance Abstract: Abstract In recent years, as part of its neoliberal development paradigm, the Government of the Philippines has engaged in efforts to encourage extraction of the nation's mineral resources. The Philippines is also a country where decentralization has devolved substantial powers to local governments. Concern over potentially adverse environmental effects has led to opposition to mining by some local governments in the Philippines. This opposition has led to the withholding of consent to mining projects by local governments and, in some cases, the implementation of moratoriums banning mining. Central to this opposition have been the activities of civil society groups, and their collaboration with local governments. This collaboration has involved the drafting of legislation prohibiting mining and support of candidates for office who are opposed to mining. Collectively, Filipino local governments and civil society groups are examples of the concept of governance, a dispersed process wherein society manages itself for the betterment of all its members. For mining companies seeking to implement projects, it is no longer sufficient to have the consent of the national Government - that of local governance forces must also be considered. Author Affiliation: (1)Dept of Geography/Program of Environmental Science, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada (2)Dept of Geography, University of Calgary

Communicating spatial information to the blind and visually impaired using maps and graphics presents many difficulties. Past research has offered advice to cartographers on topics such as tactile areal, point, and line symbolization; on perceptual problems related to dense linear features on tactile maps; and on the relationship between categorical data, measurement theory, and tactile discrimination. With this previous work as a foundation, we describe our research efforts with haptic and auditory maps--the Haptic Soundscapes Project. Haptic Soundscapes maps allow blind and visually-impaired individuals to feel map features through force feedback devices and hear auditory cues that add both redundant and complementary information. Recent experimental work by the authors has led to several recommended practices for cartographic data simplification, object size discrimination, shape identification, and general interface navigation. The authors also present haptic and auditory mapping examples to illustrate design ideas, algorithms, and technical requirements. Future prospects for automated haptic and auditory map creation are discussed and presented in the context of the past work in generating maps for the blind and visually impaired from cartographic data., Communicating Spatial Information to the Blind Two major obstacles that blind and visually impaired individuals face in becoming fully functioning members of our modern society are access to print media [...]

The growth of the Internet and the digital revolution have meant increased reliance on electronic representations of information. Geospatial information has been readily adapted to the world of cyberspace, and most Web pages incorporate graphics, images, or maps to represent spatial and spatialized data. But flat computer screens do not facilitate a map or graph experience by those who are visually impaired. The traditional method for compensating for nonvisual access to maps and graphics has been to construct hard-copy tactile maps. In this article, we examine an electronic accommodation for nonvisual users--the haptic map. Using new and off-the-shelf hardware--force feedback and vibrotactile mice--we explore how touch can be combined with virtual representations of shapes and patterns to enable nonvisual access to onscreen map or graphic material. Key Words: digital representation, haptic maps, visual impairment.

Social determinants of health play a role in outcomes of many cancers. Socioeconomic and demographic factors have been used to examine disparities in survival among cancer patients, including the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI). Although there is data on SVI in other cancers, the impact of SVI and STS outcomes are poorly understood. The objective of this study was to determine if SVI is associated with recurrence free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with STS. A retrospective study was done using the US Sarcoma Collaborative multi-institutional database from 2000-2016. Age ≥18 years, stage I-IV extremity and truncal/abdominal wall STS with available zip code data were included. Zip codes were geocoded to the census tract level and matched to social vulnerability values from the CDC SVI. Social vulnerability values ranged from 0-1 with 0 being the least vulnerable and 1 being the most vulnerable. OS and RFS were calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses. Prognostic variables (Table 1) were determined by univariate analysis (UVA) using the log-rank test and multivariate analyses (MVA) using the Cox proportional hazards model. 511 patients were included in the analysis. Median follow-up was 59 mo. 2-year OS and RFS was 67% and 45%, respectively. Mean nationwide SVI of patients was 0.58 and mean statewide SVI was 0.48 as compared to all censuses. On MVA, any complication (p<0.0001, 95% CI, 48.3-68.3), poor functional status (p = 0.02, 95% CI 1.8 -205.3), patients of Hispanic descent (p = 0.004, 95% CI 3.1-400.2), high grade (p = 0.008, 95% CI 0.06- 0.65), increased tumor size (p<0.0001, 95% CI 1.1-1.6) and high nationwide SVI (p = 0.03, 95% CI 1.2- 256.4) were associated with poor OS and stage IV (p = 0.006, 95% CI 1.25-3.9), high grade (p = 0.04, 95% CI 0.17-0.94) and poor functional status (p = 0.0013, 95% CI 4.38 - 456.8) were associated with RFS. In this study of patients with STS, high SVI was associated with decreased OS. These findings suggest that the SVI may be used as a tool for identifying where resources can be targeted at a national level to mediate the survival disparity for vulnerable populations with sarcoma, however further investigation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]