China will not rush Iran back to the nuclear deal

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comprehensive Plan

Significance Hopes of swift progress are low, as Iran has outlined a maximalist position including demands for impossible US guarantees that no future president will again renege on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). In the absence of US-Iran direct talks, mediation by the other signatories, including China, is key. Impacts Only if Iran pulled out of the JCPOA talks altogether might China step up its mediation effort to avoid the risk of military escalation. The long-term sustainability for Tehran of the system whereby it sells highly discounted oil to China is doubtful. Increased Chinese imports of Iranian oil via third countries such as Malaysia could undermine the credibility of US sanctions enforcement.

Economic complexity and price competitiveness dependence: empirical evidence using panel models

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Magacho ◽  
Rafael Ribeiro ◽  
Igor Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Exchange Rate ◽  
Generalized Method Of Moments ◽  
Output Growth ◽  
The Other ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Price Competitiveness ◽  
Economic Complexity ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
The Impact

Purpose As economies with high economic complexity and productive capabilities may easily adapt their productive structure due to product differentiation and innovation, the central variable of competitiveness for these countries is the product quality, not price. On the other hand, the price can be an important determinant of less complex countries, and hence, real exchange rate (RER) misalignments may have long-term impacts. This paper aims to empirically assess variations in the magnitude of the impact in RER misalignments on output growth subject to countries’ economic complexity. Design/methodology/approach The estimation technique used is the generalized method of moments-System estimator as this method is robust to reverse causality. Heterogeneous regressions using interaction models are undertaken to analyze to what extend promoting economic complexity can reduce price competitiveness dependence and allow countries to grow faster without relying on cost competitiveness. Findings Estimates show that economic complexity (which measures technological and productive capabilities) determines cross-country differences regarding the effects of RER misalignments on countries’ long-term growth rates. The results suggest that exchange rate devaluations may not be effective for countries at the top end of the technological ladder while an overvalued RER may damage the long-term growth rate of countries with low levels of economic complexity. Originality/value This paper contributes to the literature by empirically investigating the impact of RER misalignments in countries with distinct technological and productive capabilities based on the recent developments of countries’ economic complexity analysis. It investigates whether more diversified and complex economies are less sensitive to RER misalignments as they can adapt their production, undertake other tasks, create new products and increase the quality of products they produce. Less complex economies, on the other hand, are less capable of innovating because it demands productive capabilities they do not have, and hence, they are more dependent on their current export basket.

Percutaneous endoscopic treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cysts: ventriculocystostomy or ventriculocystocisternostomy?

1996 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 696-701 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe Decq ◽  
Pierre Brugières ◽  
Caroline Le Guerinel ◽  
Michel Djindjian ◽  
Yves Kéravel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Magnetic Resonance ◽  
Flow Dynamics ◽  
The Other ◽  
Arachnoid Cysts ◽  
Csf Flow ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Closure ◽  
Fine Print

✓ The use of an endoscope in the treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cysts provides an opening of the upper and lower cyst walls, thereby allowing the surgeon to perform a ventriculocystostomy (VC) or a ventriculocystocysternostomy (VCC). To discover which procedure is appropriate, magnetic resonance (MR)—imaged cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow dynamics in two patients were analyzed, one having undergone a VC and the other a VCC using a rigid endoscope. Magnetic resonance imaging studies were performed before and after treatment, with long-term follow-up periods (18 months and 2 years). The two patients were reoperated on during the follow-up period because of slight headache recurrence in one case and MR—imaged CSF flow dynamics modifications in the other. In each case surgery confirmed the CSF flow dynamics modifications appearing on MR imaging. In both cases, long-term MR imaging follow-up studies showed a secondary closing of the upper wall orifice. After VCC, however, the lower communication between the cyst and the cisterns remained functional. The secondary closure of the upper orifice may be explained as follows: when opened, the upper wall becomes unnecessary and tends to return to a normal shape, leading to a secondary closure. The patent sylvian aqueduct aids this phenomenon, as observed after ventriculostomy when the aqueduct is secondarily functional. The simplicity of the VCC performed using endoscopic control, which is the only procedure to allow the opening in the cyst's lower wall to remain patent, leads the authors to advocate this technique in the treatment of suprasellar arachnoid cysts.

Multiple meningiomas: a long-term review

1983 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Sheehy ◽  
H. Alan Crockard
Keyword(s):  
Tumor Recurrence ◽  
The Other ◽  
Von Recklinghausen’S Disease ◽  
Von Recklinghausen's Disease ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Multiple Meningiomas ◽  
Recklinghausen's Disease ◽  
Fine Print ◽  
Recklinghausen’S Disease

✓ Ten cases of multiple meningiomas seen over a 34-year period have been reviewed. The total case load from which these cases were selected was 566. The incidence of multiple meningiomas found prior to the introduction of computerized tomography (CT) in this series was 1.1%. The incidence since the introduction of CT was 8%. In eight cases all the tumors were found at the initial presentation and surgery; in the other two cases new tumors were discovered 1 and 4 years later. In only one case was von Recklinghausen's disease known to be present, and this patient developed new tumors. Six cases have been followed for 5 or more years, two for 16 years. Tumor recurrence has not been seen. All the patients were females. There was a higher proportion than usual of the whorling psammomatous type of tumor; papillary, angioblastic or malignant forms were not noted. The possibility of multiple meningiomas being a forme fruste of von Recklinghausen's disease is considered.

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy for shunt dysfunction in occlusive hydrocephalus: long-term follow up and review

2003 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
pp. 1032-1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jürgen Boschert ◽  
Dieter Hellwig ◽  
Joachim K. Krauss
Keyword(s):  
Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy ◽  
Obstructive Hydrocephalus ◽  
The Other ◽  
Third Ventriculostomy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Shunt Placement ◽  
Occlusive Hydrocephalus ◽  
Shunt Dysfunction ◽  
Fine Print

Object. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is the treatment of choice for occlusive (noncommunicating) hydrocephalus. Nevertheless, its routine use in patients who have previously undergone shunt placement is still not generally accepted. The authors' aim was to investigate the long-term effects of ETV in a group of prospectively chosen patients. Methods. Patients who underwent ETV and had previously undergone shunt placement for occlusive hydrocephalus were followed prospectively for at least 3 years (range 36–103 months, mean 63.6 months). Nine female and eight male patients ranging from 8 to 54 years of age (mean 32 years) had undergone shunt placement 0.7 to 23.5 years (mean 8.1 years) before ETV. Fifteen patients were admitted with underdrainage and two with overdrainage. In six cases, ETV was performed as an emergency operation. The origin of hydrocephalus was aqueductal stenosis in 12 cases and aqueductal compression by a tumor in two cases. Three patients suffered from a fourth ventricle outlet syndrome, and in two patients an additional malresorptive component was suspected. Thirteen patients underwent ETV with shunt removal and insertion of an external drain in one session. The drain served as a safety measure; it could be opened if raised intracranial pressure or ventricular dilation was observed on postoperative imaging studies. In the other four patients the shunt was initially ligated and then removed during a second operation. Fourteen patients (82%) have remained shunt free. The other three patients, including the two with an additional malresorptive component, needed shunt reimplantation 3 days, 2 weeks, or 7 months after ETV. Conclusions. Use of ETV is safe and effective for the treatment for shunt dysfunction in patients with obstructive hydrocephalus.

Long-term follow-up results of selective VIM-thalamotomy

1986 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 296-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshishige Nagaseki ◽  
Tohru Shibazaki ◽  
Tatsuo Hirai ◽  
Yasuhiro Kawashima ◽  
Masafumi Hirato ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Essential Tremor ◽  
The Other ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Initial Surgery ◽  
Long Term Follow Up

✓ The authors report the results of a long-term follow-up study of the effects of the physiologically defined selective VIM (nucleus ventralis intermedius)-thalamotomy on tremor of Parkinson's disease in 27 patients and essential tremor in 16 patients. The follow-up period ranged from 3.25 to 10 years (mean 6.58 years). In 43 patients a total of 50 operations (including four bilateral operations and three reoperations) were carried out. The early (2 to 4 weeks after surgery) and late effects on the tremors were determined clinically and electromyographically. Fourteen parkinsonian cases were treated with minimal lesions (about 40 cu mm). Their late results were very similar to the early results: in 10, the tremors were completely abolished, three had a slight residual tremor, and one underwent reoperation 3 months after the first surgery. Eleven essential tremor cases were treated with minimal lesions. Six of these tremors were completely abolished, four patients had slight residual tremors, and one patient with a recurrence underwent reoperation 2 years after the initial surgery. In these 23 successful operations with minimal lesions (excluding two cases with reoperation), the tremor was abolished without discernible long-lasting side effects. The other 23 operations on 16 patients with Parkinson's disease (including one reoperation) and on seven with essential tremor (one of whom also had a minimal lesion on the other side) involved relatively large lesions. In this group, the surgery was successful in almost every case. It was concluded that radiographically and physiologically monitored selective VIM-thalamotomy for parkinsonian and essential tremor is effective even when lesioning is minimal. Moreover, the beneficial effect is maintained over a long period of time.

Corporate culture and long-term survival of Spanish innovative firms

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 335-354 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Ramón Tejeiro Koller ◽  
Patricio Morcillo Ortega ◽  
José Miguel Rodríguez Antón ◽  
Luís Rubio Andrada
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Culture ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
The Other ◽  
Management Tool ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Innovation Culture ◽  
Innovative Firms ◽  
Innovative Capabilities

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze how firms can enhance their innovative capabilities and become more resilient. The current business environment requires a specific type of management for companies to remain competitive and innovation plays a key role in this respect. However, this means that a particular kind of corporate culture must promote innovation in the firm. This innovation culture is likely to be present in innovative companies that have survived in the long term (at least 50 years) and be the source of an adaptive advantage. Design/methodology/approach Using innovative Spanish firms, which were established at least 50 years ago, an exploratory factorial analysis was conducted to verify the existence of an innovation culture. Thereafter, a cluster analysis was undertaken to study differences in performance to be able to detect and identify their adaptive advantage. Findings The findings offer a detailed profile of old and innovative firms created in Spain. Results show that most of the studied firms (88 per cent) have an innovation culture. Furthermore, two separate groups were identified, in which one showed higher profitability and a lower adjustment to an innovation culture, while the other showed the reverse results. This suggests that innovation culture helps companies be more resilient but does not necessarily lead to higher returns. Practical implications Corporate culture is identified as a useful management tool in the search for more resilient enterprises. Specific cultural traits are recommended and a benchmarking tool is applied and made available upon request. Originality/value Although there are a number of studies which consider the concept of adaptive advantage and resilience on the one side, and on corporate innovation culture on the other, this paper seems to be the first to empirically explore the relationship of both these concepts.

Middle East jihadist splits will widen despite defeats

2018 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Close Contact ◽  
The Other ◽  
Terrorist Attacks ◽  
Islamic State ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Syrian Conflict ◽  
Hostile Attitude

Significance However, even in this extremity, it maintains a hostile attitude to old enemy Islamic State (IS). In Yemen, the other regional country where the two come into close contact, the local al-Qaida branch in its August 28 newsletter also strongly attacked IS, accusing it of fomenting intra-Muslim divisions. Impacts Even those al-Qaida supporters claiming to see a more ‘moderate’ trend in IS only identify a long-term possibility of rapprochement. As the Syrian conflict winds down, IS and HTS may step up competition, as insurgent cells launch terrorist attacks from desert bases. Splits between the different al-Qaida branches could worsen as some seek more pragmatic alliances and others prioritise ideological purity. In Yemen, al-Qaida’s deeper societal roots will give it greater long-term resilience than IS.

The long-term results of stereotaxic surgery and L-dopa therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease

1980 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 332-337 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick J. Kelly ◽  
F. John Gillingham
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Palliative Therapy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Long Term Results ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Stereotaxic Surgery ◽  
Effective Form

✓ Sixty patients with Parkinson's disease underwent stereotaxic surgery in Edinburgh between 1965 and 1967, and were examined every 2 years for a total follow-up period of 10 years. Although stereotaxic surgery had been extremely effective in treating tremor and rigidity, the other manifestations of Parkinson's disease were noted to progressively affect more patients at each follow-up examination. L-dopa therapy was instituted in 36 patients after 1968. The effect of L-dopa on bradykinesia was remarkable, but the long-term benefit on the other manifestations of Parkinson's disease was negligible. Furthermore, in most cases L-dopa became progressively ineffective for bradykinesia after 3 to 5 years. L-dopa-induced tremor and involuntary movements were less frequently noted in limbs contralateral to the side of a previous stereotaxic procedure. It was concluded that in patients presenting with tremor and rigidity as the major problem in their parkinsonian syndrome, the most effective form of palliative therapy is stereotaxic surgery, and that L-dopa should be reserved for the management of bradykinesia.

Causality-in-mean and causality-in-variance among Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eray Gemici ◽  
Müslüm Polat
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Function ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cross Correlation ◽  
Structural Breaks ◽  
The Other ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Volatility Spillovers ◽  
Daily Period

Purpose This study aims to examine the volatility spillovers between Bitcoin (BTC), Litecoin (LTC) and Ethereum (ETH) as they are related to structural breaks. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the daily period from August 7, 2015 to July 10, 2018 by conducting causality-in-mean and causality-in-variance tests among cryptocurrencies. Findings The findings showed that there was one-way causality-in-mean from BTC to LTC and ETH, but there was no causality-in-mean from LTC and ETH to BTC. On the other hand, considering the structural breaks included in the variance equations, the estimation results showed that there were short-term causality-in-variance from LTC to BTC and long-term causality-in-variance from BTC to LTC. Originality/value This study fills the gap by contributing in two ways. First, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that used the cross-correlation function (CCF) of causality to explore causality-in-variance among cryptocurrencies. Second, this study considers the structural breaks in variance in the return series.

Economic diversification and intra-GCC merchandise trade

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhadra Ganguli
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Economic Diversification ◽  
Trade Patterns ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Export Structure ◽  
Merchandise Export ◽  
Merchandise Trade ◽  
Import Trade ◽  
The Impact

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to analyze merchandise trade patterns among the GCC states with the backdrop of economic diversification within these economies. Design/methodology/approach This empirical research quantitatively analyses patterns of merchandise trade among the GCC states during 1995-2015 with specific focus on concentration, diversification and similarity of (export and import) trade indices as well as diversification within GCC economies. Findings The paper concludes that while Bahrain merchandise export structure shows dissimilarity when compared with other GCC states during 1995 and 2015, its imports appear to be very similar with those of the rest. The other five GCC states show more similarity among themselves in both merchandise exports and imports than that of Bahrain. Only UAE has shown an increase in both concentration and diversification indices though the increased numbers are still lower than those of the other GCC states and low in absolute terms. Originality/value The GCC has embarked on economic diversification; however, there is relatively less trade within the GCC as compared with other regional trading blocks. The paper considers trade within the GCC to explore the degree of similarity, diversification and concentration of traded products of each country. Further study should analyze the impact of diversification on intra-GCC trade. The results of this paper will be of value to GCC policymakers for providing a clear rationale for boosting trade and diversification with the long-term goal of a single currency economic union.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document