Lightner Witmer: Little-known founder of clinical psychology.

Lightner Witmer inaugurated the first psychological clinic in 1896, and he also took a number of other crucial steps in establishing and defining the field of clinical psychology. Witmer was one of the early group of Americans who took their doctorates under Wilhelm Wundt. He was a charter member of the American Psychological Association and the last to die. Clearly, he is an important figure in the history of psychology, yet relatively little biographical information about him has been available. This article summarizes his life and career, examines the beginnings of his clinic, and evaluates the significance of his contributions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Perspectives on neurosurgical practice: neurosurgery in Jordan

Neurosurgery as a specialty medical field is new in Jordan. This article documents the history, current status, and projected future of neurosurgery in Jordan. Resident training is also highlighted, and challenges for the future of the profession are presented.     

Perfluorocarbons: recent developments and implications for neurosurgery

Over the last 30 years, perfluorocarbons (PFCs) have been extensively investigated as oxygen carriers. Early studies indicated that these compounds could be used as blood substitutes or protective agents against ischemia. Adverse characteristics such as instability, short intravascular half-life, and uncertainties concerning possible toxicity precluded wide clinical application. However, advances in PFC technology have led to the development of improved second-generation oxygen carriers that incorporate well-tolerated emulsifiers (egg-yolk phospholipids). The authors review recent developments in this field and consider the potential role of PFCs in future neurosurgical practice. Diagnostic applications could include their use to assess cerebral blood flow, local oxygen tension, and brain metabolism or to achieve enhanced imaging and precise staging of inflammatory, neoplastic, or vascular disease processes by means of computerized tomography, ultrasonography, and magnetic resonance studies. Therapeutic applications could include cerebral protection, an adjunctive role in radiotherapy of malignant brain tumors, protection against air embolism, the preservation of organs for transplantation, and ventilatory support in head-injured patients with compromised lung function. In addition, PFCs have been used successfully as a tool in ophthalmic microsurgery and potentially they could fulfill a similar role in microneurosurgery.     

Psychological Science Gold Medal Award: Herbert Alexander Simon.

Presents the citation and biography for Herbert Alexander Simon, the 1988 recipient of the American Psychological Foundation's Psychological Science Gold Medal Award. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Technical adjuncts in neurosurgery

Modifications of several surgical adjuncts are presented: a balanced microscope stand with mouthpiece and hand controls, a piston release operating stool, a support device for resting the surgeon's arms, a table mounted arm with coupling head for attaching self-retaining brain retractors, fish hook retractors, suction tubes, bipolar forceps, aneurysm clips and mobile tip mirrors. Although many of these changes are minor, they considerably facilitate microneurosurgical procedures.     

The VN project: endoscopic image processing for neurosurgery

This article focuses on the necessity of outcomes-based measurements in the behavioral health care field. The authors describe the reasons why outcomes research is essential to the survival of behavioral services and, even more specifically, psychiatric mental health nursing. An actual outcome study process using psychiatric patients treated by a clinical nurse specialist is described in detail. The authors reflect their orientation to outcomes-based measurements through their perspectives as a manager and an outpatient therapist.     

The founder of common factors: A conversation with Saul Rosenzweig.

In preparation for a commentary on Saul Rosenzweig's classic 1936 paper, "Some Implicit Common Methods in Diverse Forms of Psychotherapy," an amazing discovery was made: Saul Rosenzweig is not only alive but also still contributing to science and society at age 93. This article sets the stage for a conversation with the incredibly prolific Dr. Rosenzweig by tracing the impact of his seminal contribution on early common factors theorists. This review reveals Rosenzweig's unrecognized but profound influence on leading figures of not only common factors but also of psychotherapy itself. A conversation with Rosenzweig, the founder of common factors, is presented. This noted scholar and wise elder of psychology reflects on the evolution of his thinking from common factors to idiodynamics, and on topics ranging from his passion for literature to his 1965 Buick Skylark, from the history of psychotherapy to falling in love with ideas. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)