Reliability of imaging procedures in multi-visceral gynecologic operations of the pelvis

Between March 1989 and December 1992, a total of 85 pelvic exenterations were performed in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of the University of Mainz. To assess the accuracy of preoperative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computer Tomography (CT) with regard to tumour localisation and spread, the results of 28 MRI and 14 CT examinations were compared with the postoperative histological findings. For this widely varying patient group that had undergone a broad range of previous treatments, MRI produced an accurate forecast in 56% of cases (CT, 36%). In 33% of the patients tested, the diagnosis based on MRI was partially correct (CT, 43%), whereas the MRI results fundamentally disagreed with the actual findings in 11% of cases (CT, 21%). We conclude that both MRI and CT are of great value in the planning of operations and for informing patients about their condition; however, in individual cases, an intraoperative quick-section diagnosis is necessary to provide details of tumour spread. If the extent of tumour spread is uncertain, the results of CT and/or MRI should not deter the surgeon from the radicality of the planned operative intervention.     

The Fear-of-Intimacy Scale: Replication and extension.

Investigated the validity of the Fear-of-Intimacy Scale (FIS) with a middle-aged sample, using many of the same measures that C. J. Descutner and M. H. Thelen (1991) used previously with college students, and explored the dimensions of adult attachment as potential correlates of fear of intimacy. Data were obtained from 171 Ss (83 men, 88 women; aged 35–55 yrs) who had completed a battery of questionnaires containing the FIS and other measures of personality, behavior, and background data. The FIS showed high internal consistency, and evidence supporting its construct validity was replicated with several measures (e.g., significant correlations were found between the FIS and measures of self-disclosure, loneliness, and relationship satisfaction). Associations were obtained between fear of intimacy and the dimensions of attachment. After statistically controlling for trait anxiety, several significant associations between the FIS and other measures were upheld, and a few unpredicted associations became nonsignificant. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments. Seasonal variation and incidence

Seasonal variations in the relative incidence of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were reported as a trend in several studies on the database of relatively limited cohort sizes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An analysis on this topic was performed with a long-term database. A total of 3073 files of patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, covering 11 years of observation, were reviewed for this study. Patients with signs of long-standing detachment or other predisposing diseases were excluded, so that a basic study population of 2314 patients remained for the analysis. RESULTS: The averaged seasonal incidence of rhegmatogenous detachments revealed a significant (P < 0.005) mid-summer peak (n in July = 228) and a winter trough (mean of December-January = 161; difference = 36%). Phase and curve fitting of the seasonal variations in the number of retina detachment cases was similar to the seasonal variation of the astronomic duration of the day (P < 0.001). The relation was closer compared to the average duration of light exposure per day calculated from behavioural data and the astronomic length of light phase (P < 0.0002). CONCLUSION: This long-time study revealed a close correlation of the relative seasonal incidence of retinal detachment and the seasonal variation of light hours per day. So far, this observations cannot be explained pathogenetically. Two basic hypotheses ought to be investigated further: (1) The influence of light on the generation of toxic oxygen radicals and the subsequent destruction of the vitreous and (2) possible light-induced changes in vitreoretinal adhesion.     

A low noise readout detector circuit for nanoampere sensorapplications

A readout detector IC has been developed which is capable of detecting nanoampere photo-current signals of interest in a high (microampere) background illumination or dc noise level (SNR=80 dB). The readout detector sensor IC processes transient signals of interest from a separate photo-diode pixel array chip. Low noise signal conditioning, filtering, and signal thresholding implement smart sensor detection of only “active pixels.” This detector circuit can also be used to perform signal conditioning for other sensor applications that require detection of very small signals in a high background noise environment     

Arnold L. Gesell: The paradox of nature and nurture.

A. L. Gesell (1880–1961) has had an important and lasting impact on the field of developmental psychology. He is best remembered for his developmental norms, which were acquired from decades of detailed observations of infants and children and are still the basis of most early assessments of behavioral functioning. Gesell's influence as a theorist is less direct. His maturationism quickly lost favor in the intellectual climate of Piaget, behaviorism, and information-processing approaches. Nonetheless, nativism is still a dominant theme in contemporary developmental studies in the guise of neural determinism, innate knowledge, and genetic studies. Gesell is characterized as a man of paradoxes and contrasts. Although he acknowledged the contributions of the environment, he denied its agency. Although he was devoted to children and their welfare, he assigned their individuality to biological destiny. And although he remained a steadfast maturationist, he prefigured other more dynamic views of development. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Non-corrosive and chlorine-free isomerisation process under supercritical conditions

Commercial processes presently applied to manufacture iso-butane from n-butane involve continuous co-feeding of chlorine compounds and of hydrogen to enhance the activity and stability of the Pt/alumina catalysts. Aiming for alternative options, we investigated the isomerisation of n-butane at supercritical conditions, using commercially available sulphated zirconia extrudates as a catalyst. As compared to gas-phase conditions, the stability of the catalyst and the production capacities of iso-butane, amounting up to 3.0 kg iso-butane/kg catalyst and hour, could strongly be enhanced. Desulphurisation of the catalyst, causing release of hydrogen sulphide and concomitant catalyst deactivation, was observed at temperatures above 235 °C. Furthermore, the catalyst used in this study exhibited saturation behaviour. The results presented may point the way for the investigations and improvements necessary to make supercritical isomerisation an attractive processing alternative.     

Development of reaching during the first year: Role of movement speed.

When infants first learn to reach at about 4 months, their hand paths are jerky and tortuous, but their reaches become smoother and straighter over the first year. Here the authors consider the role of the underlying limb dynamics, which scale with movement speed, on the development of trajectory control. The authors observed 4 infants weekly and then biweekly from reach onset to 1 yr. Improvements in trajectories were not linear, but showed plateaus and regressions in straightness and smoothness. When infants' nonreaching movements were fast, their reaches were also fast, and faster reaches were also less straight. This is consistent with an equilibrium trajectory form of control, where development involves the increasing ability to stabilize the trajectory against self-generated movement perturbations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

The Bulimia Test—Revised: Validation with DSM-IV criteria for bulimia nervosa.

The Bulimia Test —Revised [(BULIT-R) M. H. Thelen, J. Farmer, S. Wonderlich, & M. Smith; see record 78:17280] was given to participants who met the criteria in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Siatistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) for bulimia nervosa and control participants to determine if the test continues to be a valid measure of bulimia nervosa. Although the BULIT-R was developed and validated with bulimic individuals as determined by the DSM-III-R criteria, it appears to be a valid instrument with which to identify individuals who meet DSM-IVcriteria for bulimia nervosa. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)