Ranking in incomplete blocks. The use of the technique and the interpretation of the results

It is often more convenient or expedient to obtain data in the form of rankings than in the form of scores or measurements. Analysis of such data has, however, been difficult to perform and to interpret except for the most simple experiments. The model described by Bradley and Terry¹ provides a very useful analysis in the case of ranking by paired comparisons. A method of analysis similar to the Bradley-Terry model, but dealing with ranking in incomplete blocks or complete blocks of any size, has been developed. The results of this analysis are readily interpretable and should enable more use to be made of ranking procedures.     

North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology policy statement. The NASPE/BPEG defibrillator code

A new generic code, patterned after and compatible with the NASPE/BPEG Generic Pacemaker Code (NBG Code) was adopted by the NASPE Board of Trustees on January 23, 1993. It was developed by the NASPE Mode Code Committee, including members of the North American Society of Pacing and Electrophysiology (NASPE) and the British Pacing and Electrophysiology Group (BPEG). It is abbreviated as the NBD (for NASPE/BPEG Defibrillator) Code. It is intended for describing the capabilities and operation of implanted cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in conversation, record keeping, and device labeling, and incorporates four positions designating: (1) shock location; (2) antitachycardia pacing location; (3) means of tachycardia detection; and (4) antibradycardia pacing location. An additional Short Form, intended only for use in conversation, was defined as a concise means of distinguishing devices capable of shock alone, shock plus antibradycardia pacing, and shock plus antitachycardia and antibradycardia pacing.     

Echography in congenital intestinal obstruction in newborn infants

The authors used echography in order to reveal typical echographic signs of high and low bowel obstruction in 51 newborns. Although the use of echography often fails to establish the real cause of the bowel obstruction, it allows the determination of its level and in general promotes making the proper diagnosis.     

Microsurgical replantation of the main segments of the extremities

Computerizing an organization's policies and guidelines is difficult but rewarding. The assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of converting all paper policies and procedures into a computerized system are outlined, with particular focus on organizing guidelines according to the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization's (JCAHO) functional standards.     

Notes on the Wesley Rigidity Scale: The development of a short form.

"From Wesley's original group of items, the authors selected 12 that did not seem to overlap and which they consider to be satisfactory for a rigidity measure." The items are presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gas chromatographic determination of pemoline as 5-phenyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione in human urine

A simple gas chromatographic assay of the psychostimulant pemoline in human urine has been developed. Instead of extraction of the drug from urine, it is hydrolysed to 5-phenyl-2,4-oxazolidinedione with 1 N hydrochloric acid. After the extraction, this compound is methylated with diazomethane and determined by gas-liquid chromatography using a nitrogen-selective detector and a solid injection system. The method has been applied in preliminary human pharmacokinetic studies, by measuring the urinary excretion rate of pemoline following oral administration. At present, the screening procedures for doping control do not involve the detection of pemoline, but the method described can easily be incorporated in such procedures.     

Contingent feedback, familiarization, and infant affect: How a stranger becomes a friend.

Several lines of inquiry have led to the expectation that an infant's response to an unfamiliar adult might be influenced by the degree of control that the infant is able to exert over the situation. 24 male and 24 female infants (9.5–10.5 mo old) participated in a study in which the initial appearances of a stranger were contingent (controlled by the infant), noncontingent and frequent, or noncontingent and infrequent. Ss' subsequent reactions were assessed within the context of a stranger-approach sequence and a free-play situation. Initially, Ss responded more positively to the approaching stranger if her appearances were either controllable or frequent than if she appeared infrequently. As the stranger intruded, however, she was responded to more favorably by Ss in the contingent condition than by those in either noncontingent group. Analyses of free-play behavior yielded comparable results but only for female Ss. Results support the view that contingent feedback serves to mediate the formation of early social relationships. (24 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)