Reference Handbook Research Articles

"An app is just available at all times"-the process and outcomes of converting the Georgia Tuberculosis Reference Guide into a mobile application.

The physical, paper-based Georgia TB Reference Guide has served as the clinical reference handbook on tuberculosis (TB) diagnostic and treatment guidelines for the state of Georgia in the United States. Supported by the Georgia Department of Public Health, the production of the 112-page palm-sized booklet was previously led by a team of Georgia-based TB experts at Emory University and printed every three-five years with updates to clinical management guidelines and TB consult contact information. However, the costs associated with editorial printing combined with delays in updating a static printed booklet with revised guidance hampered the utility of the tool. Considering the barriers with paper-based production and based on the beneficial use of apps to support the dissemination of clinical management guidance in other settings, the booklet was converted into a mobile application. This paper describes the process of developing a mobile app version of the Georgia TB Reference Guide in an easy-to-update and readily available format. We employed a user-centered design approach to develop the app, including a series of qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys. Participants included a mix of state officials and local TB experts. First, initial foundational interviews were conducted to conceptualize current utilization practices of both the paper and PDF versions of the tool. Second, the findings from the initial interviews were organized thematically and informed the design of the app, which was then beta tested by a round of previously unsampled TB experts as well as a re-sample from the initial interviews. Third, the designs were coded into developmental phases and beta tested among users of the current Georgia TB Reference Guide. Fourth, the app was published and downloaded by a pre-selected group of local users who provided answers to a follow-up survey after using the app for one month. Fifth, user growth, self-reported demographics, and app usage between February and July 2022 were recorded through automatic data metrics built into the app. The paper copy Georgia TB Reference Guide usage themes included commonly referenced content, navigation paths, and desired features and content. The themes were converted into features and designs such as prioritizing commonly reviewed topics and guide customization with bookmarks and notes. Iterations of the designs were driven by feedback from TB experts and included home page featured content, improving content readability, and improving the search feature. The follow-up survey revealed a 90% preference for the app over the paper version of the guide. In the six months following the app's release, the app was downloaded by 281 individuals in the United States. The majority of downloads were in Georgia and the app also expanded organically to 19 other states. The experience of converting the Georgia TB Reference Guide offers specific and effective steps to converting a medical reference guide into a mobile application tool that is readily available, easy to use, and easy to update. The organic dissemination of the app beyond the state of Georgia's borders within the first six months of app launch underscores desire among TB healthcare professionals for high-quality digital reference content outside the state. This experience offers clear outlines for replication in other contexts and demonstrates the utility of similar mobile medical reference tools.

Real-time quality assurance and quality control for a high frequency radar network

This paper recommends end to end quality assurance methods and quality control tests for High Frequency Radar Networks. We focus on the network that is operated by the Mid Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS). The network currently consists of 38 radars making real-time measurements of the surface currents over the continental shelf for a variety of applications including search and rescue planning, oil spill trajectory modelling and providing a transport context for marine biodiversity observing networks. MARACOOS has been delivering surface current measurements to the United States Coast Guard (USCG) since May 2009. Data quality is important for all applications; however, since the USCG uses this surface current information to plan life-saving missions, delivery of the best quality data is crucial. We have mapped the components of the HF radar data processing chain onto the data levels presented in the NASA Earth Science Reference Handbook and have applied quality assurance and quality control techniques at each data level to achieve the highest quality data. There are approximately 400 High Frequency radars (HFRs) deployed globally and the presented techniques can provide a foundation for data quality checks and standardization of the data collected by the large number of systems operating today.

A Simple Calibration Method to Consider Plastic Deformation Influence on X-ray Elastic Constant Based on Peak Width Variation

The sin²⁡ψ method is the general method for analyzing X-ray diffraction stress measurements. This method relies on the estimation of a parameter known as 12S2hkl, which is generally considered as a material constant. However, various studies have shown that this parameter can be affected by plastic deformation leading to proportional uncertainties in the estimation of stresses. In this paper, in situ X-ray diffraction measurements are performed during a tensile test with unloads on a low-carbon high-strength steel. The calibrated 12S2hkl parameter varies from 3.5×10−6 MPa−1 to 5.5 ×10−6 Mpa−1, depending on the surface condition and on the plastic strain state, leading to a maximum error on the stress level of 40% compared to reference handbook values. The results also show that plastic strain is responsible for 6 to 14% of the variation, depending on the initial surface sample condition. A method is then proposed to correct this variation based on the fit of the 12S2hkl evolution with respect to the peak diffraction width, the latter being an indication of the plasticity state. It is shown that the proposed methodology improves the applied stress increment prediction, although the absolute stress value still depends on pseudo-macrostresses that also vary with plastic strain.

A43MAGIC – the management of acute emergencies in GP surgeries using <i>in situ</i> simulation and checklists, project final phase: completed quick reference handbook and plans for sustainability

GP teams manage a wide spectrum of acutely unwell and deteriorating patients, these are unexpected, high risk, low frequency events. Ambulance delays mean patients may need prolonged input prior to transfer. There is little best practice guidance for many emergencies seen in primary care. Evidence from secondary care shows improved non-technical skills when checklists are used in emergency simulations. We have previously presented early phases of the MAGIC project to design a Quick Reference Handbook (QRH) for GP teams and now present the final handbook along with plans for embedding it in primary care. Previous presentations at scientific conferences (ASPiH) covered the Delphi process used to develop the QRH and the pilot training programme incorporating in-situ simulation. We incorporated feedback from 14 GP teams who used the checklists in the context of in situ simulations and used a round of tabletop simulations at six GP practices to finalize the checklists in the handbook. The development process was guided by the ‘CLEAR’ principles proposed by Greig et al [1] and the design of the QRH for anaesthetic emergencies [2] which followed human factors principles. Since completing the GP QRH we have been focusing on plans for sustainability. The QRH will be incorporated into in situ simulation or tabletop exercises [3]. We have written standardized ‘MiniSim’ scenarios using low fidelity techniques and accompanied by the relevant checklist. They will be uploaded on the iRIS platform to ensure ease of access. We are working with colleagues in GP training hubs around the HEE South-East and South-West regions to embed the QRH and then share the work nationally. We have completed a GP QRH including 16 checklists: fourteen to guide clinical actions in acute conditions ( An example of a checklist from the GP quick reference handbook Checklists improve non-technical skills and team performance in emergency situations. We have developed the world’s first GP QRH to support safer care of emergencies in primary care. The GP QRH will be freely available together with training materials to embed it in practice. Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable.

Difficulties with using quotation marks when spelling toponyms and onyms derived from toponyms

The article considers the issues of using inverted commas when writing toponyms and numerous toponym- based names of museums, nature reserves, zakazniks, resorts, sanatoriums, hotels, boarding houses, and so on. Based on previous studies, the research determines the orthographic status of quotation marks at the lexical level. Additionally, the paper critically analyses the rules of using quotation marks provided in the new edition of the "Rules of Russian Spelling and Punctuation", as well as in various reference books and handbooks. The research identifies the main corpus of toponym-derived onyms which should be written with inverted commas.

Introduction of Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell Assistance Activities in 2022 Moldova EMTCC Operation and Future Suggestions

Introduction:Emergency Medical Team Coordination Cell (EMTCC) was established in WHO Moldova Country Office to coordinate responding International EMTs in March 2022. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) sent an EMTCC assistance team to support the WHO-approved minimum data collection for emergency medical teams, Minimum Data Set (MDS), operations and other coordination activities. Introducing activities of the JICA EMTCC assistance team at the Moldova EMTCC will suggest future use.Method:EMTCC assistance team activities were reviewed.Results:There was a wide range of high-level administrative functions in EMTCC, such as planning, logistics, assurance and governance, and human resources. One of the significant functions was introducing MDS to the medical team and extracting the data summaries for reporting to the Moldova Ministry of Health. All these tasks require considerable time to manage and must be completed promptly for effective EMTCC operations.Conclusion:The EMTCC coordinator should function as a decision-maker to control the coordination of EMTs communicating with WHO and implementing the EMT initiative. In a disaster, especially in the acute phase of EMTCC activities, more high-level administrative functions will be required with immediate processing. Therefore, it is considered that the EMTCC assistance team should work with the coordinator as early as possible. In addition, all these EMTCC assistance team activities should be standardized and specified in the EMTCC handbook for future operation reference.

The effect of Entrepreneurial Orientation Market Orientation, Marketing Capabilities on Firm Performance of entrepreneurs in the Northeastern region of Thailand

The effect of Entrepreneurial Orientation Market Orientation, Marketing Capabilities on Firm Performance of entrepreneurs in the Northeastern region of Thailand

Dementia care in Taiwan during COVID‐19

BackgroundTaiwan has been bolstering dementia care policy with the concern of reaching the ‘super‐aging’ mark by 2025. Taiwan’s success in containing the COVID‐19 pandemic involves focused, timely interventions in preventive measures, including policies targeting people living with dementia and their caregivers. This review presents key dementia policy interventions achieved during the pandemic.MethodA scoping review of published academic, media and grey literature was conducted. We extracted relevant information pertaining to dementia care during the COVID‐19 pandemic and summarized the data in a narrative format.ResultTaiwanese government has implemented a policy in April 2020 that restricted visitations to long‐term care facilities, which continues today. Since the start of the pandemic, one nurse and no individuals with dementia living in long‐term care facilities has been infected. A landmark decision was made in April 2020 to ban penalization of people with dementia for violation of the epidemic prevention regulation (e.g., wearing a mask) if they have documentation of disability. This was possible due to the strong, continued advocacy from the Taiwan Alzheimer’s Disease Association (TADA). TADA provided critical resources to the dementia community by releasing online videos to teach patients how to protect themselves and others during the pandemic, such as mask wearing and handwashing. TADA’s Reference Handbook of Dementia Care Responding to COVID‐19was well‐received by the Health Promotion Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, who forwarded the handbook to all local governments and shared these videos on its national official website. There are government‐sponsored facilities across the districts of Taipei City that encourage people with dementia to participate in local activities during the pandemic.ConclusionIn Taiwan, national public health policies quickly came into place since the beginning of the pandemic to curb the spread of COVID‐19 infection in elderly care settings impacting dementia care. Patient advocacy groups have played an important role in providing resources and support to the dementia community. Taiwan’s recent demonstration of quick policy reactions and public‐private partnerships to protect people with dementia and their caregivers provide an effective dementia care model for future response measures.

EUROPEAN ITS PLATFORM: RETHINKING ITS

The expectations placed on the existing European transport infrastructure are increasing due to the growing mobility needs of the population on the one hand and the rising volume of freight traffic on the other. The aim of the European ITS Platform is to increase the efficiency of the TEN-T core network through a better use of the existing infrastructure by implementing Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS). It fosters interoperability and the development of uniform technical standards by monitoring and disseminating the results delivered by the five CEF ITS Road Corridor Projects.One major outcome is the drafting of the “Reference Handbook for harmonized ITS Core Service Deployment in Europe”. This digital freely available handbook comprises a series of guidance and advice for use by road authorities and operators to support them in the development of their strategic approach, design development, deployment, installation and operation of ITS and remain compliant with European legislation. Its key features include: Deployment Guidance for 14 different ITS Services, including DATEX reference profiles, Guidance on the provision and use of traffic information provided under the European Directive (2010/40/EU), C-ITS developments, Knowledge gained from the collection of 100 Best Practices etc.

Vascular surgery's identity

Vascular surgery's identity

Book Review: Steroids and Doping in Sports: A Reference Handbook

This volume is part of a series titled “Contemporary World Issues.” The series focuses on issues in society, such as gun control, pollution, human trafficking, and the death penalty. The first edition of Steroids and Doping in Sports was published in 2014, “just prior to the release of the most serious revelations about the use of performance-enhancing drugs in amateur and professional sports” (xiv). The author decided the time was right to update the resource with additional information and current statistical data. The preface outlines which chapters were updated but does not go into detail on what new information was added or changed.

New Estimate of Osmium Melting Heat

The value of the osmium melting heat, ΔHm= 57.85 kJ/mol, presented in reference handbooks was obtained about 35 years ago from a wide extrapolation (in temperature) of experimental data on the melting entropy of the FCC and the HCP elements of the Periodic Table. Using the correlation of data on the surface tension (developed by B. D. Summ), the melting heat, and the surface layer structure for osmium, the authors obtain a new estimate, ΔHm = 30−40 kJ/mol, which is half of the reference value.

Anesthesiology

This concise book is intended to be a comprehensive, easy-to-read text aimed both at anesthesiology trainees preparing for examinations and experienced practitioners needing a succinct reference guide. Authored by a number of experienced practitioners in the field of anesthesiology from across the United States, the editors have structured this textbook to describe common challenges in clinical anesthesia in a question–answer format. The book comprises 12 main, specialty-specific sections and a total of 60 chapters. Each chapter starts with a hypothetical clinical scenario relevant to a particular subspecialty in anesthesiology. A large number of chapters address the cardiovascular system and anesthetic considerations, for example, ischemic heart disease, valvular abnormalities, or uncommon conditions such as care of a patient with a transplanted heart presenting for noncardiac surgery. In every chapter, the starting clinical scenarios are well structured and provide a comprehensive account of the clinical issue, including relevant investigations. The main content of each chapter is in a format of a series of simple questions and succinct answers. Wherever indicated, basic understanding of anatomy and physiology is discussed, such as applied anatomy of coronary circulation, the denervated heart or nomenclature, and classification of pacemakers. The anesthetic implications in each of these situations are covered explicitly and referenced appropriately. The style of presentation is one of the main strengths of this book. Using a problem-based approach, the authors immediately direct readers to the matter at hand, that is, the clinical situation and how to safely provide anesthesia care while facilitating critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The questions guide readers through the logical steps in safe anesthetic management of various elective and emergency cases in great detail. Current evidence and guidelines are cited wherever necessary, such as the 2014 ACC/AHA Guidelines on Perioperative Cardiovascular Evaluation and Management of Patients Undergoing Noncardiac Surgery,1 or the Universal Definition of Myocardial infarction.2 Chapters on intraoperative coagulopathies, difficult airway management, and obstetric anesthesia also cover the applied pathophysiology and anesthetic implications quite well. The section on pediatric anesthesiology topics is comprehensive, and particularly, neonatal resuscitation and premature infant are described. Because this is the first edition of this book, it can be appraised using Yao and Artusio’s Anesthesiology: Problem-Oriented Patient Management,3 a core textbook, now in its 8th edition. Both books are laid out in a problem-based format using clinically relevant case scenarios. The table of contents is similar; both books deal with the topics in a well-organized questionanswer format. The Yao and Artusio book is a major reference text and covers each topic in extensive detail, with preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative phases clearly yet compactly presented, referenced, and well illustrated where appropriate. The Anesthesiology case reviews book touches on the most relevant topics; however, the level of detail is not as extensive as that of the Yao and Artusio book. Some important and current practices in anesthesiology have been overlooked in this book, such as important considerations for use of newer reversal agents for nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers (sugammadex) or use of gastric ultrasound for patients with a full stomach. Moreover, obstructive sleep apnea is not described as a condition in its own right, but as an association with obesity. The recent updated STOP-Bang questionnaire4 and the 2016 Society of Anesthesia and Sleep Medicine Guidelines on Preoperative Screening and Assessment of Adult Patients with Obstructive Sleep Apnea5 are also missing. In the regional anesthesia chapters, brachial plexus anatomy illustrations are presented in color; however, there is limited mention of the use of ultrasound for nerve blocks, a standard of care practiced in many institutions worldwide. The addition of colorful illustrations, graphs, and figures could make this book more readable. Some integral anesthesia topics such as acute and chronic pain management are mentioned very superficially, and some readers may find this an important exclusion of a significant knowledge area. Overall, this is a good book, serving as a handy resource for both trainees and clinicians who like to review high-yield topics in a case-based format. This book finds its place somewhere between being a useful concise pocket handbook for bedside reference, such as Oxford Handbook for Anesthesia,6 and a case-based reference book with more detail, such as the Yao and Artusio book.3 In the end, if a reader would like to use a textbook that touches on most of the relevant clinical topics in anesthesia or prepare for examinations, this book will serve as an important addition to their collection of useful resources. Najia Hasan, MBBS, FRCADepartment of Anaesthesia and Intensive CarePrince Charles HospitalCwm Taf University Health BoardWales, United Kingdom Mandeep Singh, MBBS, MD, MSc, FRCPCDepartment of Anesthesiology and Pain ManagementToronto Western HospitalUniversity Health NetworkUniversity of TorontoToronto, Ontario, CanadaDepartment of Anaesthesiology and Pain ManagementWomen’s College HospitalToronto, Ontario, CanadaToronto Sleep and Pulmonary CentreToronto, Ontario, Canada[email protected]

Book Review: The Death Penalty: A Reference Handbook

The affordable but brief single-volume The Death Penalty: A Reference Handbook is edited by Professor Joseph Melusky of St. Francis University and Keith A. Pesto, a veteran US Magistrate Judge and lecturer at St. Francis. Pesto and Melusky have collaborated several times on related ABC-CLIO reference works including The Death Penalty: Documents Decoded (2014), Capital Punishment (2011), and Cruel and Unusual Punishment: Rights and Liberties under the Law (2003). This title is part of ABC-CLIO’s Contemporary World Issues Series, which “address vital issues in today’s society” and are “written by professional writers, scholars and nonacademic experts,” covering current topics such as marijuana, social media, and prisons (v).

Book Review: The American Political Party System: A Reference Handbook

The American Political Party System: A Reference Handbook brings together readable, informative essays about the formation and influence of and controversies surrounding political parties in the United States; profiles of significant people and organizations; responsibly argued opinion essays from a variety of perspectives; and important primary-source documents and data. Major sections include “Background and History,” “Problems, Controversies, and Solutions,” “Perspectives,” “Profiles,” and “Data and Documents.” Examples of subsections and entries include “The Transformative Election of McKinley and the Progressive Era, 1896–1932,” “Structural Barriers or Impediments to Third-Party Candidates,” “Make America Great Again PAC,” “MoveOn.org,” “David Koch (1935–),” “Harry Reid (1939),” “Jill Stein (1950–),” “Donald Trump’s Proposed Immigration Policies,” “Election Results, 2016 Presidential Vote, by Select Group Categories,” and “Millard Fillmore’s Speech, June 26, 1856, on American Party Principles.”

Development of a Reference Handbook Based on Contextual Teaching Learning in Curriculum Studies Course

ABSTRACT: The study aims to find out the implementation of reference handbook based on CTL. Design of the study is a modified Research and Development (R&D) developed by Borg and Gall. Subjects in this study are students of Chemical Education Major in Islamic University of Indonesia in the odd semester of academic year 2016/2017. The reference handbook arranged has been validated by academics and practitioners and categorized as "Very Good" with score 92.29% and 92.09% respectively. Furthermore, the reference handbook was also tested in the Preliminary Field Testing phase and scored 88.89% with the category "Very Good". After the reference handbook was revised following the phase, it was re-tested at the Main Field Testing phase and scored 89.09% with the category "Very Good". Based on these results, the reference handbook has been developed can be implemented in the Curriculum Studies course very well.Keywords: curriculum studies, contextual teaching and learning (CTL), reference handbookReceived: 9 January 2018, Revised: 22 January 2018, Accepted 24 February 2018

Development of a Reference Handbook Based on Contextual Teaching Learning in Curriculum Studies Course

ABSTRACT: The study aims to find out the implementation of reference handbook based on CTL. Design of the study is a modified Research and Development (R&D) developed by Borg and Gall. Subjects in this study are students of Chemical Education Major in Islamic University of Indonesia in the odd semester of academic year 2016/2017. The reference handbook arranged has been validated by academics and practitioners and categorized as "Very Good" with score 92.29% and 92.09% respectively. Furthermore, the reference handbook was also tested in the Preliminary Field Testing phase and scored 88.89% with the category "Very Good". After the reference handbook was revised following the phase, it was re-tested at the Main Field Testing phase and scored 89.09% with the category "Very Good". Based on these results, the reference handbook has been developed can be implemented in the Curriculum Studies course very well.

Book Review: Sex and Gender: A Reference Handbook

One of the complaints this reviewer hears from instructors in Gender Studies programs is the dearth of current content related to transgender and intersex issues in general textbooks assigned for introductory courses. As far as a single volume text, Hilary Lips’ Sex and Gender (McGraw-Hill, 2007), now in its sixth edition, may likely be the standard in the field. Still, the emergence of new contentions and unresolved issues related to sexual development, identity, and gender roles in society during the interim ten years calls for a new resource. David E. Newton, a prolific freelance writer holding a doctorate in science education, addresses this need in Sex and Gender: A Reference Handbook.

Modeling and analysis of temperature distribution in the multilayer metal composite structures in grinding

The article covers a mathematical model of a temperature distribution in the three-layer metal composite structures when grinding their working layers. The computer program TEMSS, created on the basis of thermal models, allows calculation of all the characteristics of the temperature distribution in the layers of the metal composite structure, depending on the system structure, material properties of its layers, grinding and machining conditions, and duration. The work establishes the adequacy of the developed mathematical model of the temperature distribution when grinding the metal composite systems. The article covers the analysis of standard metal composite systems with Loctite, Chester molecular, and Devcon polymers on the basis of the temperature distribution model, revealing the influence of lamination on the nature of the temperature distribution. Critical temperatures are defined that determine the occurrence of thermal grinding defects in the metal composite system, including their dependencies on processing conditions and the system structure. Thus, it is found that when grinding a working steel layer of the composite system using the standard grinding conditions recommended in the reference handbooks for steel workpieces, the temperature in the working and polymer-composite layers, as a rule, exceeds the threshold values for these materials.

Ingmar Blümcke, Harvey B. Sarnat, Roland Coras Surgical Neuropathology of Focal Epilepsies: Textbook and Atlas John Libbey Eurotext, 2015. 157 Pages (hardcover). Price 94.99 (amazon.co.uk). ISBN: 978-2-7420-1399-9

Surgical Neuropathology of Focal Epilepsies: Textbook and Atlas is a 157-page reference handbook written by three leaders in the field of epilepsy neuropathology, Drs. Blümcke, Sarnat and Coras. It fills a gap in the current neuropathology reference literature with a singular focus on epilepsy-associated lesions. In an effort to organize the evidence base for this diverse group of pathologies, the authors have assembled short reviews of the current literature and figures illustrating the typical microscopic findings for each entity. Of particular value to such an effort, Dr. Ingmar Blumcke brings to the text the experience of the German Neuropathology Reference Centre for Epilepsy Surgery, a European brain bank which includes an assemblage of 5603 specimens spanning a range of pathologies. The first section of the book is divided into five chapters covering different aetiologies of epilepsy including hippocampal sclerosis (HS), malformations of cortical development including focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), tumours, encephalitis and vascular lesions. The chapters on HS and FCD include summaries of the consensus classification systems for both from the International League against Epilepsy. References are listed alphabetically at the end of each topic's chapter. After these five overview chapters, the authors move on to a case-based atlas of lesions. These cases comprise 32 patients and are organized by diagnosis, with examples drawn from each of the categories outlined in the opening chapters. The case presentations include epilepsy history as well as relevant imaging findings and beautifully photographed macroscopic photos of the specimens as received and after dissection. This is followed in each case by a multi-panel figure showing the typical microscopic findings for each diagnostic entity, including histochemical and immunostains which can be useful in resolving these diagnoses. The final components of the textbook are two reference chapters. The first is an in depth presentation of the data from the European brain bank cohort. The samples included in this large series were obtained from patients with intractable epilepsy, and the data collected include clinical information such as the patients’ age, sex, age at seizure onset and localization of seizures. The data are presented in several tables, demonstrating the overall frequencies with which certain diagnoses were encountered, the average ages of onset of seizure activity, and the major categories of lesions for both adult and paediatric groups. The final section includes recommendations for processing and work-up of epilepsy specimens. This chapter includes numerous macroscopic photos detailing the handling of brain samples, from initial cut-up to techniques for freezing and processing tissue. Practising neuropathologists will also find information on immunohistochemical staining useful for the work-up of epilepsy cases. The quality of the illustrations is very good throughout the book, and the gross photographs are particularly helpful. Many light microscopic images from low magnification are provided and allow a broad overview of the architecture of the cortex or hippocampus. These images are frequently supplemented by higher magnification panels to show more detailed histopathological findings. Another major asset of this textbook is the inclusion of data from the German reference centre cohort, which allows the reader to have a better sense of the relative prevalence of specific pathologies, and their common clinical features. The structure of the book is somewhat unusual, with the first half dedicated to descriptive chapters, the next portion to case presentations and the remainder presenting reference data. Unfortunately, the book lacks an index which, given its format, would have been particularly useful for cross-referencing among these segments. However, given its short overall length, it is possible to find relevant sections simply by browsing instead. The most frequently used section of this textbook for a practising neuropathologist would likely be the case-based atlas at its centre. In this portion of the book, the high quality macroscopic and microscopic images will provide a very handy reference. The emphasis in this section on the clinical and radiological findings associated with different types of epilepsy-associated lesions certainly broadens the potential audience. In presenting the information in such a format, the authors have created an atlas that will be of interest to many clinicians with an interest in focal epilepsy. This textbook will be a good addition to the library of a practising neuropathologist who handles epilepsy cases with any frequency. Because of its broad scope and case-based approach, it will also provide a nice introduction to the topic for clinical specialists in neurology, neurosurgery or neuroradiology.