Panoramic monocentric imaging using fiber-coupled focal planes

Monocentric lenses provide high-resolution wide field of view imaging onto a hemispherical image surface, which can be coupled to conventional focal planes using fiber-bundle image transfer. We show the design and characterization of a 2-glass concentric F/1.0 lens, and describe integration of 5 Mpixel 1.75µm pitch back-side illuminated color CMOS sensors with 2.5µm pitch fiber bundles, then show the fiber-coupled lens compares favorably in both resolution and light collection to a 10x larger conventional F/4 wide angle photographic lens. We describe assembly of the monocentric lens and 6 adjacent sensors with focus optomechanics into an extremely compact 30Mpixel panoramic imager with a 126° "letterbox" format field of view.

Ultrathin four-reflection imager

We present the design and experimental demonstration of an ultrathin four-reflection imager. The F/1.15 prototype imager achieves a focal length of 18.6 mm in a track length of just 5.5 mm, providing a 17 degrees field of view over 1.92 megapixels of a color image sensor with 3 microm pixels. We also present the design and experimental results of pupil-phase encoding and postprocessing, which were applied to extend the depth of field and compensate a small amount of axial chromatic aberration present in the four-reflection imager prototype.

Relaxing the alignment and fabrication tolerances of thin annular folded imaging systems using wavefront coding

Annular folded imagers can be up to 10x thinner than corresponding full-aperture imagers, but have tight fabrication tolerances and relatively shallow depth of focus. Wavefront coding, the use of specialized optics with postdetection signal processing, has been used to improve the depth of focus in full-aperture imaging systems. Here we explore the application of wavefront coding to annular folded optics. We compare the design and experimental results for an imaging system with a 38 mm focal length and just 5 mm total track.

Ultrathin cameras using annular folded optics

We present a reflective multiple-fold approach to visible imaging for high-resolution, large aperture cameras of significantly reduced thickness. This approach allows for reduced bulk and weight compared with large high-quality camera systems and improved resolution and light collection compared with miniature conventional cameras. An analysis of the properties of multiple-fold imagers is presented along with the design, fabrication, and testing of an eightfold prototype camera. This demonstration camera has a 35 mm effective focal length, 0.7 NA, and 27 mm effective aperture folded into a 5 mm total thickness.

Hyperglycemia in extremely low birth weight infants in a predominantly Hispanic population and related morbidities

OBJECTIVE

This study describes the incidence, correlates and subsequent morbidities of hyperglycemia, a highly prevalent condition in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective chart review of 169 infants with birth weight (BW)<1000 g was conducted. Hyperglycemia was defined as plasma glucose level > or =150 mg/dl during the first 2 weeks of life. Data were analyzed by logistic regression, multivariate analysis and Fisher exact test.

RESULTS

Overall, 88% of the study sample developed hyperglycemia in the first 2 weeks of life. Both gestational age (GA) (odds ratio (OR) 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.01-0.89) and chorioamnionitis (OR 0.10, 95% CI=0.01-0.64) were inversely associated with hyperglycemia, whereas BW, sepsis and postnatal steroid exposure were not. After adjusting for GA, BW and postnatal steroids, hyperglycemia was associated with a statistically significant increase in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (OR 4.6, 95% CI 1.12-18.9). No association was found with bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, death or prolonged hospital stay.

CONCLUSION

Lower GA was identified as the main factor associated with hyperglycemia in ELBW infants during the first 2 weeks of life. Hyperglycemia was associated with an increased incidence of ROP; further studies need to determine if this association is causal.

Multiaperture imaging

We study the reconstruction of a high-resolution image from multiple low-resolution images by using a nonlinear iterative backprojection algorithm. We exploit diversities in the imaging channels, namely, the number of imagers, magnification, position, rotation, and fill factor, to undo the degradation caused by the optical blur, pixel blur, and additive noise. We quantify the improvements gained by these diversities in the reconstruction process and discuss the trade-off among system parameters. As an example, for a system in which the pixel size is matched to the diffraction-limited optical blur size at a moderate detector noise level, we can reduce the reconstruction root-mean-square error by 570% by using 16 cameras and a large amount of diversity. The algorithm was implemented on a 56 camera array specifically constructed to demonstrate the resolution-enhancement capabilities. Practical issues associated with building and operating this device are presented and analyzed.

School expulsion as a process and an event: before and after effects on children at risk for school discipline

A better understanding of expulsion as an act, a process, and an educational intervention leads to an entirely different understanding of student behavior and disciplinary consequences.

Effect of chlortetracycline in a trace mineral salt mix on fertility traits in beef cattle females in Florida

The study objective was to determine the effect of chlortetracycline in an ad libitum trace-mineralized salt mix given to heifers before and(or) during bull exposure on the proportion pregnant and the time to conception in a fixed breeding period. Heifers (n = 768), 13 to 15 mo of age, were individually identified, immunized (Leptospira, Campylobacter fetus), examined (body condition score, vaginal lesion score, BW), and randomly allocated within 2 x 2 factorial blocks of treatments where trace mineral salt with and without chlortetracycline medication was provided in similar but nonadjacent pastures either before and(or) during bull exposure. The chlortetracycline feeding period was about 30 d for each. In the 2 d immediately before bull exposure, heifers were examined (body condition score, vaginal lesion score, reproductive tract evaluation) and reallocated to treatment pastures. Pregnancy was determined by per rectal palpation at 45 d following bull removal. Mineral intake was below that expected for heifer groups and, as a result, chlortetracycline intake was estimated at less than one-third of that targeted. Many heifers were not cycling reproductively at the onset of bull exposure (n = 456, 60.3%, based on a reproductive tract score < 3). Despite these limitations, heifers receiving chlortetracycline treatment before breeding had a pregnancy percentage of 65% (chlortetracycline before and during breeding 67% and chlortetracycline before breeding 61.8%) compared to those receiving no treatment before breeding (53%, P < 0.03; no chlortetracycline before or during breeding 60.4% and chlortetracycline during breeding 47.4%). Heifers receiving chlortetracycline treatment before breeding were 57% more likely to become pregnant than those not treated before breeding. Change in vaginal lesion score was associated with the proportion pregnant, but neither body condition score nor average daily gain were.

State-level treatment outcome studies using administrative databases

State substance dependence administrative databases contain both administrative and clinical information on large numbers of patients collected over extended time periods. Access to other state databases--employment, criminal behavior, and Medicaid--has also been achieved in some instances. Such data could prove an important source for the evaluation of long-term treatment outcomes and their determinants. This selected review describes and evaluates the treatment outcome and cost-related findings of the most advanced studies using these databases. A number of these studies have shown that completion of substance dependence treatment is associated with reduced societal costs. Some of these studies have focused on significant subpopulations of patients, including pregnant women and adolescents. A shortcoming of the findings of most of these studies concerns their use of noncompleter or non-randomly collected comparison groups. The utility of these databases can be enhanced by coupling them with clinical research treatment outcome evaluation approaches.

Extensible, Low-Chromatic-Sensitivity, All-diffractive-Optics Relay for Interconnecting Optoelectronic Device Arrays

For free-space optical interconnections between optoelectronic chips to reach commercial realization, the technology must provide high-density optical channels in a simple, inexpensive, and easily aligned package. Although point-to-point connections with microlens pairs can provide densities of several thousand channels per square centimeter, the Gaussian nature of the beams limits the connection range to a few millimeters. We propose an arrangement of microlens pairs with an intermediate relay lens that significantly increases the connection distance. This basic setup can be tiled laterally across large chips to form extensible arrays. The optical design is constructed entirely with diffractive elements because of the low chromatic sensitivity over a range of approximately ?10% around the design wavelength. We derive the lateral positioning error at the image by using a simple ray trace, and we show the effect of Gaussian beams. We experimentally demonstrate the low chromatic sensitivity for a system with an interconnection distance of 64 mm. Finally, we demonstrate the interconnection of two linear arrays of multimode fibers with two adjacent channels operating at data rates of hundreds of megabits per second.

Asynchronous transfer mode distribution network by use of an optoelectronic VLSI switching chip

We describe a new optoelectronic switching system demonstration that implements part of the distribution fabric for a large asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) switch. The system uses a single optoelectronic VLSI modulator-based switching chip with more than 4000 optical input-outputs. The optical system images the input fibers from a two-dimensional fiber bundle onto this chip. A new optomechanical design allows the system to be mounted in a standard electronic equipment frame. A large section of the switch was operated as a 208-Mbits/s time-multiplexed space switch, which can serve as part of an ATM switch by use of an appropriate out-of-band controller. A larger section with 896 input light beams and 256 output beams was operated at 160 Mbits/s as a slowly reconfigurable space switch.

Design and demonstration of a high-speed, multichannel, optical-sampling oscilloscope

Free-space digital optical systems have demonstrated the capability to provide thousands of optical connections between optoelectronic chips. This dense concentration of channels creates substantial challenges in monitoring individual connections for diagnostic purposes without compromising performance. Prom the concept of stroboscopic techniques, we have designed and constructed a multichannel optical diagnostic tool that operates analogously to an electronic-sampling oscilloscope. The tool is economically constructed by the use of commercially available video cameras and video-enhanced personal computers. An integrated software application operates the tool and displays multiple-channel waveforms. We demonstrate the oscilloscope-sampling optical waveforms of a two-dimensional optoelectronic modulator array operating at data rates from 0.5 to 4 Gbits/s.

Time-domain images

We demonstrate that, using a hologram, we can convert a spatial x-y image into an x-t image, where one spatial dimension is now transformed into the time domain. In particular, we generate the temporal equivalent of our corporate logo, where every pixel of the image is now represented by a short optical pulse.

Family interactions of schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients: determinants of relatives' negativity

Videotaped family problem-solving interactions of 57 schizophrenic or schizoaffective patients and their relatives were examined for predictors of negativity of their communication behavior. Ratings of patients' behaviors and independent assessments of patients' symptomatology were used to predict the negativity of relatives in the videotaped interaction. The results indicated that severity of symptomatology was not related to relatives' negativity. Patients' social skill, as independently assessed by a role-play test, also was not associated with relatives' negativity. The regression results suggest that with both members of a patient-relative dyad, the quality of communication in a discussion is related to the other participant's level of negativity.

A transmission electron microscopic (TEM) method for determining structural colors reflected by lizard iridophores

Iridescent tissue colors are thought to be produced by iridophores through the optical phenomenon of thin-layer interference. Land and others have shown that structural features, predominantly reflecting platelet width and the cytoplasmic spacing between layers of platelets, determine the wavelength of light maximally reflected by this mechanism in iridophores. Some researchers have used interference microscopy to estimate these structural parameters, but the most direct measurement technique should be transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) has associated processing artifacts (particularly cytoplasmic shrinkage) that preclude direct measurement of ultrastructure, but if a number of assumptions are made, reflected wavelengths can be predicted. A thin-layer interference model and its associated assumptions were tested using TEM measurements of iridophores from several brightly colored tissues of each of three lizards (Sceloporus jarrovi, S. undulatus erythrocheilus, and S. magister). In all the instances examined when the contribution of the pigments present were accounted for, tissue color corresponded with predicted iridophore reflectances from the model. Finally, if the model and its assumptions are assumed to be correct, the amount of iridophore cytoplasmic shrinkage as a result of TEM processing can be calculated.

Five-stage free-space optical switching network with field-effect transistor self-electro-optic-effect-device smart-pixel arrays

The design, construction, and operational testing of a five-stage, fully interconnected 32 × 16 switching fabric by the use of smart-pixel (2, 1, 1) switching nodes are described. The arrays of switching nodes use monolithically integrated GaAs field-effect transistors, multiple-quantum-well p-i-n detectors, and self-electro-optic-device modulators. Each switching node incorporates 25 field-effect transistors and 17 p-i-n diodes to realize two differential optical receivers, the 2 × 1 node switching logic, a single-bit node control memory, and one differential optical transmitter. The five stages of node arrays are interconnected to form a two-dimensional banyan network by the use of Fourier-plane computer-generated holograms. System input and output are made by two-dimensional fiber-bundle matrices, and the system optical hardware design incorporates frequency-stabilized lasers, pupil-division beam combination, and a hybrid micro-macro lens for fiber-bundle imaging. Optomechanical packaging of the system ut lizes modular kinematic component positioning and active thermal control to enable simple rapid assembly. Two preliminary operational experiments are completed. In the first experiment, five stages are operated at 50 Mbits/s with 15 active inputs and outputs. The second experiment attempts to operate two stages of second-generation node arrays at 155 Mbits/s, with eight of the 15 active nodes functioning correctly along the straight switch-routing paths.

Shuffle-equivalent interconnection topologies based on computer-generated binary-phase gratings

Several different shuffle-equivalent interconnection topologies that can be used within the optical link stages of photonic-switching networks are studied. These schemes include the two shuffle, the two banyan, and the segmented two shuffle, which can be used to interconnect two-input, two-output switching nodes. The schemes also include the four shuffle and the four banyan, which can be used to interconnect four-input, four-output switching nodes. (Note: The segmented two shuffle and the four banyan are novel interconnection topologies that were developed to satisfy some of the constraints of free-space digital optics). It is shown that each of these interconnection topologies can be implemented by the use of relatively simple imaging optics that contain space-invariant computer-generated binaryphase gratings. The effects of node type and interconnection topology on the laser power requirements and the optical component complexity within the resulting systems are also studied. The general class of networks nown as extended generalized shuffle networks is used as a baseline for the analysis. It is shown that (2, 1, 1) nodes and (2, 2, 2) nodes connected by two-banyan interconnections can produce power-efficient and cost-effective systems. The results should help identify the architectural trade-offs that exist when a node type and an interconnection topology are selected for implementation within a switching system based on free-space digital optics.

Six-stage digital free-space optical switching network using symmetric self-electro-optic-effect devices

We describe the design and demonstration of an extended generalized shuffle interconnection network, centrally controlled by a personal computer. A banyan interconnection pattern is implemented by use of computer-generated Fourier holograms and custom metallization at each 32 × 32 switching node array. Each array of electrically controlled tristate symmetric self-electro-optic-effect devices has 10,240 optical pinouts and 32 electrical pinouts, and the six-stage system occupies a 9 in. × 12.5 in. (22.9 cm × 31.7 cm) area. Details of the architecture, optical and mechanical design, and system alignment and tolerancing are presented.

Beam array generation and holographic interconnections in a free-space optical switching network

Free-space photonic switching systems that optically interconnect large arrays of simple processing elements have already been demonstrated [IEEE Photon. Technol. Lett. 2, 438,600 (1990); Appl. Opt. 31, 5431 (1992); Electron. Lett. 27, 1869 (1991)]. In these system experiments, diffractive optical elements served as critical components that provided functionality not easily assumed by conventional optics. In the latest optical switching network, binary phase gratings were used to generate arrays of uniformintensity beams to illuminate modulators in the processor array. In addition, space-invariant binary phase grating designs were integral in forming the Banyan interconnection network used to link arrays in the system. Here we discuss the function, design, and performance of these diffractive elements.

Experimental investigation of a free-space optical switching network by using symmetric self-electro-optic-effect devices

A prototype digital free-space photonic switching fabric is demonstrated. It consists of three cascaded 16 x 8 arrays of symmetric self-electro-optic-effect devices that are used as logic gates that implement part of a multistage interconnection network. We discuss architecture, device tolerancing, optical system design, and optomechanical design. This optical circuit is successfully configured as a fully operational array of 32 independent 2 x 2 nodes and operates at 100 kHz.

The ability of schizophrenics to perceive and cope with negative affect

Thirty-four schizophrenic patients in an acute in-patient hospital were compared with 24 in-patients with major affective disorder and 19 non-patient controls on a role-play test of social skills and a test of affect perception. The role-play test consisted of 12 simulated conversations in which the subject was confronted by parents and friends expressing high-EE criticism or non-critical dissatisfaction. Schizophrenic patients lacked assertiveness and social skills in all conditions, but they did not show any differential impairment when presented with high EE. They consistently lied and denied errors rather than responding assertively or apologizing, whether confronted with high-EE or benign criticisms. On the affect perception test, schizophrenic patients consistently underestimated the intensity or negativeness of negative emotions, but they were not deficient in perception of positive emotional displays. The data do not support the hypothesis that schizophrenic patients are poor at dealing with high-EE behaviours, but do indicate that their ability to cope with even mild negative affect is impaired. Possible explanations for this impairment include limited attentional capacity, a neurologically based perceptual deficit, and a self-protective mechanism to reduce or avoid stress.

Pigments and ultrastructures of pigment cells in xanthic sailfin mollies (Poecilia latipinna)

Electron micrographs of skin from xanthic (gold) sailfin mollies revealed numerous xanthophores, as well as scattered melanophores. The melanophores were seen to contain premelanosomes in various stages of development. This is consistent with the fact that xanthic mollies have been shown to be tyrosinase positive. Melanosomes in xanthic mollies appear to develop by one of two pathways: 1) from an endoplasmic reticulum-derived vesicle which develops an internal lamellar framework, and 2) by fusion of multiple Golgi-derived vesicles which lack an internal lamellar framework. Analysis of the pigments in the skin of the xanthic mollies identified four colorless pteridine pigments (xanthopterin, isoxanthopterin, neopterin, and pterin) and a carotenoid with an absorbance spectrum similar to beta-carotene. It appears that, unlike some other poeciliid fishes, sailfin mollies do not use pteridine pigments for orange coloration. Rather, they appear to rely primarily on carotenoids.

Prevalence and stability of social skill deficits in schizophrenia

The prevalence of social skill deficits in schizophrenia was examined by comparing patients assessed over a 1 year period with a group of non-patient controls recruited from the community. Social skills were assessed using a role play test and were considered deficient when they were below the range of the control sample. Approximately 50% of the patients were consistently unskilled over the one year, whereas 11% were consistently skilled. Deficits in specific social skills were relative rare. Consistent deficits were present for only one of six specific skills: 14% of the patients were consistently less appropriate in their conversational turn-taking (Meshing) than the controls. Patients' social skills were relatively stable over time. The implications of these results for the assessment and remediation of social skill impairments in schizophrenia are discussed.

Ultrastructural analysis of iridophore organellogenesis in a lizard, Sceloporus graciosus (Reptilia: Phrynosomatidae)

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) data from the ultrastructure of lizard skin iridophores (reflective dermal chromatophores) are used to illustrate the organellogenesis of small rectangular reflecting platelets, which are the color-generating components of these cells. During the development of reflecting platelets, crystals are deposited within double-membraned vesicles from electron-dense material located within the vesicles. The crystals are initially small but expanded lengthwise eventually to fill the vesicle that contains them. The inner membrane then tightly surrounds the crystal whereas the outer membrane is much more loosely associated with the inner-membrane-bound crystal. These observations allow discussion of the possible origin of the precursor double-membraned vesicles from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi-derived vesicles. A model is proposed that incorporates our findings and other published reports to explain the origin of the precursor double-membraned vesicles via three alternative pathways.

Assessment of enduring deficit and negative symptom subtypes in schizophrenia

The clinical importance of subtypes based on enduring deficit or negative symptoms was examined in a group of schizophrenic patients who were assessed twice over a 1-year period. Subgroups of patients with high levels of enduring negative or deficit symptoms, based on the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms and the Quality of Life Scale, had a poorer prognosis and were consistently worse in social adjustment, quality of life, and thought disorder over the year than were patients with less severe negative symptoms. Subtypes based on Andreasen's negative schizophrenia classification and on enduring thought disorder were only weakly related to other symptoms and social adjustment. Social-skill deficits were weakly related to the enduring negative symptom subtype and Andreasen's negative schizophrenia. The results suggest that enduring negative and deficit symptoms may be associated with a poor outcome in schizophrenia, including more severe positive symptoms, lower levels of social adjustment, and a poorer quality of life.

Remediation of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia

Studies have suggested that schizophrenia is characterized by an impairment in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex that prevents learning of some elementary information processing tasks. To test this hypothesis, the authors administered the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test to 16 schizophrenic inpatients with standard instructions and either contingent or noncontingent reinforcement. Performance was markedly impaired under each condition. A second cohort (N = 12) was tested after receiving instructions plus rehearsal and feedback. These subjects' performance was comparable to nonpatient norms and was maintained on a subsequent day. The results indicate that deficits in performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test are remediable, whether or not they are due to neurological impairment.

Positive and negative symptoms in schizophrenia. A cluster-analytic approach

The relationships between positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia and between negative symptoms and social dysfunction were investigated using cluster analysis. Clustering across schizophrenic subjects produced three distinct groups, each characterized by some mix of positive and negative symptoms. Clustering across symptoms and behavioral variables produced a cluster comprising negative symptoms and measures of social adjustment and an additional cluster comprising only measures of social skill. A series of correlations revealed a positive relationship between positive and negative symptom measures. chi 2 analysis revealed a significant relationship between the cluster solution across subjects and classification of patients according to negative symptoms based on previously published criteria. Results are discussed in terms of the implications for the further development and refinement of subclassification schemes for schizophrenia.

An analysis of social competence in schizophrenia

Twenty-one schizophrenics with prominent negative symptoms were compared with 37 schizophrenics without them, 33 patients with major affective disorder and 20 non-patient controls on a battery of measures including a role-play test of social skills, the Social Adjustment Scale, and the Quality of Life Scale. The negative schizophrenics were most impaired on every subscale of each measure, followed in order by the non-negative schizophrenics, affective disorder patients, and non-patient controls. The social skill measures were not correlated with positive symptom levels, but were highly correlated with measures of community functioning. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that social dysfunction results from focal deficits in social skills.

Gender, social competence, and symptomatology in schizophrenia: a longitudinal analysis

The relationship between gender and social skill measured by performance on a role play test was examined in a sample of 57 schizophrenics, 33 affective disorder patients, and 20 nonpatient controls. Female schizophrenics were more skilled than male schizophrenics, but no gender differences were present in the affective patients or the controls. Longitudinal analyses conducted on the schizophrenic group indicated that the superior social skill of women was stable over the year following a symptom exacerbation. Symptoms and social adjustment improved for both men and women over the year, but did not differ according to gender. The implications of the results for gender differences in the long-term outcome of schizophrenia are discussed.

Social competence in schizophrenia: premorbid adjustment, social skill, and domains of functioning

The relations between premorbid adjustment, social skill, and domains of functioning (symptoms, social adjustment) were examined in a group of 107 schizophrenic, schizoaffective, and affective disorder patients. Premorbid sexual adjustment was moderately correlated with social skill in the schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients. Schizophrenic patients had the lowest premorbid adjustment and social skill, followed by schizoaffectives, and then affective patients. Within the schizophrenic group, social skill was significantly related to both current social adjustment and negative symptoms, but not positive symptoms. Similar but weaker effects were found for premorbid adjustment. The results suggest that deficits in social skill are correlated with poor premorbid and morbid social adjustment of schizophrenics.

Prevalence of substance abuse in schizophrenia: demographic and clinical correlates

Methodological issues involved in assessing the prevalence of substance abuse in schizophrenia are discussed, and previous research in this area is comprehensively reviewed. Many studies suffer from methodological shortcomings, including the lack of diagnostic rigor, adequate sample sizes, and simultaneous assessment of different types of substance abuse (e.g., stimulants, sedatives). In general, the evidence suggests that the prevalence of substance abuse in schizophrenia is comparable to that in the general population, with the possible exceptions of stimulant and hallucinogen abuse, which may be greater in patients with schizophrenia. Data are presented on the association of substance abuse with demographics, diagnosis, history of illness, and symptoms in 149 recently hospitalized DSM-III-R schizophrenic, schizophreniform, and schizoaffective disorder patients. Demographic characteristics were strong predictors of substance abuse, with gender, age, race, and socioeconomic status being most important. Stimulant abusers tended to have their first hospitalization at an earlier age and were more often diagnosed as having schizophrenia, but did not differ in their symptoms from nonabusers. A history of cannabis abuse was related to fewer symptoms and previous hospitalizations, suggesting that more socially competent patients were prone to cannabis use. The findings show that environmental factors may be important determinants of substance abuse among schizophrenic-spectrum patients and that clinical differences related to abuse vary with different types of drugs.

Gender, social competence, and symptomatology in schizophrenia: A longitudinal analysis

The relationship between gender and social skill measured by performance on a role play test was examined in a sample of 57 schizophrenics, 33 affective disorder patients, and 20 nonpatient controls. Female schizophrenics were more skilled than male schizophrenics, but no gender differences were present in the affective patients or the controls. Longitudinal analyses conducted on the schizophrenic group indicated that the superior social skill of women was stable over the year following a symptom exacerbation. Symptoms and social adjustment improved for both men and women over the year, but did not differ according to gender. The implications of the results for gender differences in the long-term outcome of schizophrenia are discussed.

Social competence in schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and negative and non-negative schizophrenia

Social skill and role functioning were assessed in matched groups of patients with DSM-III-R schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Schizophrenics were categorized as negative syndrome or non-negative on the basis of the SANS. The negative schizophrenics were significantly more impaired on almost every measure of social functioning. The other three groups were not consistently different from one another. The results suggest that when patients are comparable on dimensions such as duration and severity of illness, schizoaffectives do not occupy an intermediate position between schizophrenics without negative syndrome and bipolar patients. Rather, the three groups exhibit similar degrees of social disability. In contrast, negative syndrome schizophrenics were more impaired even when they were similar in chronicity and severity.

Social problem solving in schizophrenia

The recent literature on social skills training has placed an increasing emphasis on the role of cognitive factors in social failure, as opposed to deficits in motoric skills. It has been hypothesized that schizophrenic patients are markedly deficient in social problem-solving abilities, and several programs have been developed to teach problem-solving skills. Despite high face validity, there is little empirical support for these training programs or the problem-solving model on which they are based. Research on information processing and problem solving in nonpatient populations is discussed, and it is concluded that the model used in these treatment programs is not a good representation of the problem-solving process. In particular, means-ends analysis is not an appropriate strategy for dealing with most interpersonal problems and conflicts. The difficulties experienced by schizophrenic patients in social situations might be due to a number of factors other than deficits in problem-solving skill, including sensitivity to negative affect and disordered communication. It is concluded that further research on problem-solving training programs is clearly warranted but that the validity of the problem-solving model and the utility of the training is uncertain.

Deficits in facial-affect recognition and schizophrenia

It has been widely demonstrated that schizophrenic patients show a broad range of deficits in interpersonal skills. Recently, considerable attention has been focused on the ability of these patients to decode affective cues. This article reviews findings about facial-affect recognition in schizophrenia. While the literature on this topic is extensive, many investigations have suffered from significant methodological shortcomings. Strategies to resolve these shortcomings are presented. Possible relationships between problems of affect recognition and other symptoms that characterize schizophrenia are discussed. Neurological mechanisms of facial-affect recognition are reviewed and related to data on lateralized neurological impairment in schizophrenia. Suggestions for future research emphasize careful consideration of affect-recognition deficits in relation to other parameters of schizophrenia.

Social functioning of schizophrenic patients: clinical and research issues

Social dysfunction is generally considered an essential feature of schizophrenia. However, despite considerable interest in the social functioning of schizophrenic patients, the precise nature of the social deficits exhibited by these patients remains unspecified. No widely accepted criterion of social competence has been used to investigate their social functioning. Also, social skills researchers have often failed to recognize the heterogeneity of schizophrenia and the impact that this heterogeneity may have on attempts to implement psychosocial interventions. The adverse findings regarding the social behavior of schizophrenic patients are reviewed. Factors relating to schizophrenia that may affect their social functioning are discussed, as are directions for future research that may lead to more effective psychosocial interventions for schizophrenia.

Anticholinergic agents for prophylaxis of neuroleptic-induced dystonic reactions: a prospective study

The development of acute dystonic reactions was monitored in 202 acute psychiatric patients during initial hospitalization and treatment with various neuroleptic drugs in a prospective study. Data were analyzed to determine the effect of anticholinergic prophylaxis, age, sex, and type and dosage of neuroleptic on the incidence of dystonic reactions. Nearly 90% of dystonic reactions occurred by the third day of treatment. The overall trend favored the prophylactic use of antiparkinsonian drugs with all neuroleptics, and the effect of this prophylaxis with haloperidol was statistically significant. Because anticholinergic prophylaxis was used more often when larger dosages of neuroleptics were prescribed, an added effect in the observed trend for fewer dystonic reactions is suggested.

Alcohol use in wife abusers and their spouses

The present study provided an assessment of alcohol use in couples characterized by wife abuse. The Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test, Quantity-Frequency Index, Impairment Index, and a questionnaire tapping frequency and magnitude of violent episodes were administered to couples who were: (a) physically abusive, (b) maritally discordant but nonviolent, and (c) satisfactorily married. Results indicated significantly higher scores on the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test in physically abusive males based on their self-reports as well as wives' reports of husbands' drinking behavior. No significant differences were found between groups of wives on alcohol measures. In addition, correlational analyses revealed a number of significant relationships between husbands' self-reported drinking and wives' responses concerning their spouses' alcohol use. Findings are discussed in terms of the need for more extensive assessment of physically abusive males, and the utility of examining the interactive influences of alcohol and other factors on marital violence.

Neuropsychological findings relating to Capgras syndrome

A 37-year-old female with Capgras syndrome was assessed on psychometric and neuropsychological measures. Significant neuropsychological deficits suggesting a frontal-temporal cerebral dysfunction were observed. The results demonstrate that the Capgras delusion involves more than an inability to recognize faces, although this deficit is one manifestation of the disorder.

Effect of protein source and lasalocid on nitrogen digestibility and growth by ruminants

Protein supplements having either a high (soybean meal, SBM) or low (escape protein, EP) extent of ruminal N degradability with or without lasalocid (L) were evaluated in digestion and growth trials. The SBM supplement included soybean meal while EP was a combination of dehydrated alfalfa and distillers dried grains. Nitrogen digestibility of SBM supplements was consistently higher than EP supplements when evaluated with two lamb trials. Digestibility of N was improved 8% in trial one (64.9 vs 60.3%) and 27% in trial two (66.3 vs 52.3%) with SBM vs EP. The addition of L to the supplements improved N digestibility by 6% in trial one (64.5 vs 60.6%) and 13% in trial two (62.9 vs 55.7%). No interactions between protein source and L were measured in either trial. Dry matter digestibility was not changed by protein source or L in either trial. Rumen propionate was increased and acetate to propionate ratio decreased when L was fed. Plasma urea N was lower over a 24 h sampling period when lambs were fed EP supplements compared with SBM supplements (11.07 vs 16.44 mg/100 ml); however, L did not appear to consistently alter the values. When steers were supplemented with the same protein sources during a 105-d winter pasture trial daily gains were not affected (P greater than .10) by either protein source or L (.429, .495, .476 and .514 kg/d for SBM, SBM+L, EP and EP+L, respectively) although numerically there did not appear to be main effect improvements due to EP and L.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The effects of androgenization in male rats castrated at birth

Male rats were castrated on the day of birth and 5 days later half were given 2·5 mg. testosterone propionate (TP) subcutaneously (androgenization). When 30 days old, single animals were treated with graded doses of TP for 10 days. At the same time 57 males were united in parabiosis with normal intact males, and treated for 10 days with androgen.

Androgenization resulted in increased sensitivity of the accessory sex organs to subsequent treatment with TP. Also, the excessive secretion of gonadotrophin by the castrated animals, as measured by androgen production in intact parabiotic partners, was more effectively inhibited by TP in androgenized than in non-androgenized males. The results are consistent with the interpretation that early androgen treatment sensitizes both the male target organs and the hypothalamo-hypophysial system to androgen.