A comparative case study of face recognition: The contribution of configural and part-based recognition systems, and their interaction

Understanding the interaction between the configural and part-based systems in face recognition is the major aim of this study. Specifically, we established whether configural representation of faces contribute to aspects of face recognition that depend on part-based processes, such as identifying inverted or fractured faces. Using face recognition tasks that require part-based or configural processing, we compared the results of CK—a man who has object agnosia and alexia [Moscovitch, M., Winocur, G., & Behrmann, M. (1997). What is special about face recognition? Nineteen experiments on a person with visual object agnosia and dyslexia but normal face recognition. Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience, 9(5), 555–604] but normal upright face recognition, to those of DC—a man who has prosopagnosia but normal object recognition. CK was normal at recognizing faces if configural processing was sufficient, but poor at recognizing faces that were modified so as to alter their gestalt, and require part-based processing (Moscovitch et al.). DC was impaired at recognizing upright faces and his performance declined in all tasks involving recognition of modified faces, including those that depend on part-based and on configural processing. Nevertheless, DC was normal on tasks involving perception of generic faces and face imagery. These results show that although configural face perception can proceed without part-based processing, the reverse is not the case. Our results suggest that the configural system is always necessary for face recognition, and appears to support what remains of face identification even in prosopagnosic people who have an intact part-based system.     

Is Endovascular Repair of Mycotic Aortic Aneurysms a Durable Treatment Option?

ObjectiveEndovascular repair for degenerative aortic aneurysms is well established, but its role in those with infective pathology remains controversial. This study aims to assess the durability of endovascular repair with a review of our midterm results.MethodA retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained endovascular database (1998–2008) was conducted, which identified 673 consecutive patients with aortic aneurysms.ResultsNineteen patients (2.8%) were identified with infected aortic aneurysms, in which there were a total of 23 separate aneurysms (16 thoracic and seven abdominal). Six patients (32%) presented with rupture. Eleven patients (58%) had received antibiotics preoperatively for a median duration of 11 days (1–54 days). Fifteen of the 19 (79%) had positive blood cultures, with Staphylococcus aureus being the most common organism.All 19 patients underwent endovascular repair. There were three Type I endoleaks (one requiring conversion to open repair) and two Type II endoleaks. One patient developed transient paraplegia, resolved by cerebrovascular fluid (CSF) drainage, and one patient had a stroke.The 30-day mortality was 11%, and survival at median follow-up of 20 months (0–83 months) was 73%. All eight deaths in the series were related to aneurysm.ConclusionEndovascular treatment of infective aortic pathology provides an early survival benefit; however, concerns over on-going graft infection remain.     

Dilemmas in measuring and using pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence: an international consensus

Pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence data are increasingly being used as indicators of quality of care and the efficacy of pressure ulcer prevention protocols. In some health care systems, the occurrence of pressure ulcers is also being linked to reimbursement. The wider use of these epidemiological analyses necessitates that all those involved in pressure ulcer care and prevention have a clear understanding of the definitions and implications of prevalence and incidence rates. In addition, an appreciation of the potential difficulties in conducting prevalence and incidence studies and the possible explanations for differences between studies are important. An international group of experts has worked to produce a consensus document that aims to delineate and discuss the important issues involved, and to provide guidance on approaches to conducting and interpreting pressure ulcer prevalence and incidence studies. The group's main findings are summarised in this paper.     

A new variant of the ATP13A2 gene in Chinese patients with early-onset parkinsonism

Parkinson＇s disease （PD） is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a selective loss of nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons. Clinical manifestations of this complex disease include resting tremor, bradykinesia, postural instability, gait difficulty and rigidity. Approximately 5%-10% of patients have genetic factors, yet etiology of PD remains unclear. Genetic deficits, environmental exposure, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction,     

Estimates of the Proportion of Older White Women Who Would Be Recommended for Pharmacologic Treatment by the New U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation Guidelines

The new U.S. National Osteoporosis Foundation Clinician's Guide to Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis includes criteria for recommending pharmacologic treatment based on history of hip or vertebral fracture, femoral neck (FN), or spine BMD T‐scores ≤?2.5 and presence of low bone mass at the FN or spine plus a 10‐yr risk of hip fracture ≥3% or of major osteoporotic fracture ≥20%. The proportion of women who would be recommended for treatment by these guidelines is not known. We applied the NOF criteria for treatment to women participating in the Study of Osteoporotic Fractures (SOF). To determine how the SOF population differs from the general U.S. population of white women ≥65 yr of age, we compared women in SOF with women who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) III on criteria included in the NOF treatment guidelines that were common to both cohorts. Compared with NHANES III, women in SOF had higher FN BMD and were younger. Application of NOF guidelines to SOF data estimated that at least 72% of U.S. white women ≥65 yr of age and 93% of those ≥75 yr of age would be recommended for drug treatment. Application of the new NOF Guidelines would result in recommending a very large proportion of white women in the United States for pharmacologic treatment of osteoporosis.     

Childhood pneumonia and diarrhoea: setting our priorities right

Childhood pneumonia and diarrhoeal disease cause almost half of all child deaths globally. Effective interventions against these conditions are available and could prevent about two-thirds of these deaths. We argue that part of the reason for the lack of success in delivering these interventions is the lack of attention to implementation challenges. We present a novel research priority setting model that shifts the emphasis from generation of new knowledge and publication to potential public-health outcomes, and propose a framework by which this new model can be put into operation. We believe that only in this way will proper attention be given to delivery of proven interventions to reduce the high childhood mortality caused by pneumonia and diarrhoea.