Evoked Potential Recording: An Adjunct to Human Stereotactic Surgery

The localization of various brain structures during stereotactic surgery is dependent upon stereotactic atlases used in conjunction with demonstrable radiographic landmarks. Because of the considerable anatomical variability encountered in humans, this localization is only an approximation. For animal studies electrode positions can be confirmed histologically at necropsy. Routine techniques have been developed for animal neurophysiologic recording but have not been extensively applied to humans. This paper presents a method for recording human evoked potentials from various thalamic nuclei. Peripheral stimulation and stimulation within the brain are used to evoke depth and scalp potentials. The evoked responses are averaged at various well-known thalamic nuclei, e.g., ventral posterior lateral (VPL), ventral posterior medial (VPM), centre median (CM), that have characteristic responses. These nuclei, in conjunction with radiographic information, are used as landmarks to aid location of other brain structures.     

Psychology and the mental health movement.

The following points are elaborated: "1. Among many other things, mental health is a vast social movement which, for better or for worse, will carry us all along with it. 2. Psychologists, for a number of reasons, have not been enthusiastic participators in this social movement. 3. Psychologists have a great deal to contribute to the mental health movement, and they can contribute mightily without loss of identity." Mental health as a social movement seems due to three factors: (a) The tendency to conceive human behavior in naturalistic terms. (b) The American belief in the almost infinite improvability of almost anything. (c) The rising level of aspiration for health and well-being. The scientific humility of the psychologist "can become maladaptive diffidence, and diffidence sometimes becomes irresponsibility." 6 suggestions for dealing with diffidence are indicated. The psychologists perceptions of mental health, the orientation of the movement toward the "pathological," and the focus on the clinical may have discouraged the interests of psychologists in mental health. The unique contribution of the psychologist to mental health is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Identification of 1’,5’-naphthyridinophthalone and its quantification in the color additive D&C Yellow No. 10 (Quinoline Yellow) using high-performance liquid chromatography

The present work reports the identification and characterization of a contaminant, 2-(2?-(1,5-naphthyridinyl))-1,3-indanedione (1?,5?-naphthyridinophthalone, 1,5NP), in the color additive D&;C Yellow No. 10 (U.S.-certifiable form of Quinoline Yellow), together with its quantification in batches of the color additive certified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA). The impurity, which is a compound not previously reported in the literature, was synthesised and characterised for use as a reference material. Test portions from 26 certified batches of D&;C Yellow No. 10 submitted to USFDA by four domestic and four foreign manufacturers were analyzed for 1,5NP using high-performance liquid chromatography. The results revealed a wide range of 1,5NP levels across batches, with 18 (69.2%) of the test portions containing amounts from 0.32 to 169.94 µg g^?1 while the remaining test portions contained no detectable (<0.07 µg g^?1) amounts. Samples of the European and Japanese forms of Quinoline Yellow were also analyzed and found to contain a wide range of 1,5NP levels. The varying levels of 1,5NP in all three forms of Quinoline Yellow suggest that contamination can be significantly decreased or eliminated through manufacturing adjustments. Since 1,5NP is closely related to a D&;C Yellow No. 10 contaminant (quinophthalone) that has a USFDA-specified limit of 4 µg g^?1 and is a known allergen, assessment of the possible allergenicity of 1,5NP is warranted.     

Causal responsibility and peak load pricing

This article clarifies the basis for peak load pricing when some customers have a steady demand and others have a specific peak period demand. Causal responsibility for peak capacity rests on both types of customers. Peles, in this journal, has proposed that electricity consumption beyond the off-peak period monthly average be priced at a higher rate than other consumption. Customers consuming only on the peak would face higher prices than those who consumed relatively less during the peak. However, such a price structure can discourage economic off-peak consumption and encourage uneconomic peak period consumption. Both steady and nonsteady demanders must face the same price signal during peak periods for the achievement of efficiency, so long as each group imposes the same costs on the system.     

US states and energy efficiency: North Carolina's ‘quango’

This paper argues that energy efficiency remains an abstraction until actions produce significant results in the ways in which energy is produced and used. In the USA, such actions have depended historically on the private sector, with government taking an increasingly prominent role since the first energy crisis of the 1970s. Experience has shown that neither acting alone has been fully successful at realizing the economically and societally rational rate of implementation made possible by either the needs or the opportunities in energy. Recent developments in various states have begun to explore hybrid organizations - quasi-public and quasi-private - as ways to focus resources in productive applications. Four examples merit attention, with particular emphasis on the North Carolina Alternative Energy Corporation.     

Compatibility between cotherapists: An empirical report.

Investigated factors contributing to perceived compatibility of 42 cotherapists participating in 24 cotherapy pairs. Measures indicated that cotherapists felt compatible with their partners, but their scores did not correlate significantly with those of their supervisors. Cotherapy pairs in which Ss described themselves similarly with respect to self-disclosure and directiveness were more likely to experience themselves as compatible. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of diabetes and insulin replacement on the lipid properties of hepatic smooth endoplasmic reticulum

This study is a characterization of the lipid properties of the smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum (SER, RER) of liver from streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. A significant decrease in membrane microviscosity was observed in the SER but not the RER of diabetic rats when compared to that of normal controls. This decrease in SER membrane microviscosity correlated with a decrease in cholesterol/phospholipid ratio of these membranes that could be accounted for solely by a change in the membrane cholesterol content. Changes in phospholipid fatty acyl chain composition were also observed in the SER membranes but these changes were small when compared to the large change in cholesterol content observed. Insulin treatment for only one day did not significantly alter the microviscosity of the SER but after 2, 4 and 6 days of treatment both membrane microviscosity and membrane cholesterol content were restored to values similar to those for normal animals. No significant changes in the RER lipid composition were observed. It is well known that increases in glucose-6-Pase (G-6-Pase) activity of liver ER membranes are associated with diabetic onset. An increase in the specific activity of G-6-Pase was observed in both SER and RER membrane preparations, although the observed increase in the SER membrane is higher. The changes in the G-6-Pase activity of the SER membranes were correlated with the alterations in the microviscosity and lipid composition of these membranes. It is postulated that lipid properties of the SER membranes, may contribute to the regulation of G-6-Pase activity in that membrane.     

Relationship between solids formation,residuum conversion,liquid yields and losses during athabasca bitumen processing in the presence of a variety of chemicals

Conditions were chosen for the batch processing of Athabasca bitumen such that approximately 8% of the feed was converted to solids under an atmosphere of nitrogen. When hydrogen or tetralin was used, the amount of solids formed was cut in half. The combination of hydrogen and tetralin decreased the amount of solids formed by one-half again. These conditions were used to study radical trapping reactions and hydrogen transfer under a variety of conditions using solids formation as a measure of reaction. None of the reagents used decreased solids formation significantly, and many increased the retrograde reaction. Correlations between solids formation (2–25% of feed) and yields and conversions showed that CCR conversion and sulfur conversion were not correlated with solids formation but nitrogen and vanadium conversions were. Most significant was the finding that losses (yields of gases) were constant for the 29 runs, at constant residuum conversion. Gases must be formed as a result of the initial thermally induced carbon-to-carbon bond breaking step in order for the yield to be independent of solids formation. Distillate yields decreased as solids formation increased.     

Is math anxiety a local phenomenon? A study of prevalence and dimensionality.

Administered the Math Anxiety Rating Scale (MARS) and the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) to 1,045 college freshmen. The relationship between MARS scores and performance in freshman mathematics was determined by partial correlation and multiple regression techniques. Correlations were computed between each of 3 scales of the SCII and the MARS. Most Ss reported only low levels of math anxiety, and there were no large sex differences on the MARS either for the total sample or within course levels. There were small but significant correlations between the MARS and 2 of the 3 SCII scales. The MARS was factor analyzed; 3 factors were identified and labeled Evaluation Anxiety, Arithmetic Computation Anxiety, and Social Responsibility Anxiety. Results are contrasted with findings of previous studies of math anxiety, and methodological and conceptual issues in the study of math anxiety are discussed. (14 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)