Bayesian analysis of overprediction of insanity

Decision-making under uncertainty is visualized as a two-action game against nature. The psychiatrist is the player and has two actions from which to choose: predict violent behavior or predict sanity. The two states of nature are (i) the accused is in fact guilty and (ii) the accused is in fan innocent. The psychiatrist acts as if he evaluates a loss function which is such that overprediction of violent behavior is the natural consequence of a rational person who wishes to minimize his personal risk. Society's loss function, however, differs from the psychiatrist's loss function to such an extent that a rational society would want to underpredict violent behavior in order to minimize the risk of false confinements. It is suggested that the player of this game (the psychiatrist) has been ill-advisedly chosen.

Total adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease

Images

Factors influencing L-asparaginase production by Erwinia aroideae

Increased yields of L-asparaginase from Erwinia aroideae NRRL B-138 were obtained by medium enrichment techniques coupled with aeration optimization.

Pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias (PPSH) in sibs

Pseudovaginal perineoscrotal hypospadias (PPSH) is a descriptive name applied to a specific developmental disorder of sexual development in males. Incomplete masculinization of the external genitals of affected individuals-essentially the only abnormal feature of the syndrome-results in varying degrees of genital ambiguity. Testes are present, however, and generalized virilization occurs at puberty, emphasizing the importance of accurate diagnosis early in life. Our report of three affected sibs born to related parents appears to confirm earlier suggestions that PPSH is a genetic disorder, transmitted in autosomal recessive fashion.

Radioimmunoassay of follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones by chromatoelectrophoresis

Procedure for the radioimmunoassay of FSH and LH using chromatoelectrophoresis for the separation of antibody-bound and free labeled hormone is described. Diurnal variation in FSH and LH levels of normal men and women in follicular and luteal phases of the cycle is reported. The diurnal variation was not abolished in three women taking contraceptive medication and in two women in postmenopause. The diurnal variation of FSH and LH in plasma is compared with that of cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone and testosterone. It is suggested that diurnal variation of FSH and LH may be independent of a normally functioning pituitary-gonadal axis; however, steroidal feed-back may have a regulatory effect on the magnitude of the diurnal variation. The plasma levels of FSH and LH in normal subjects during normal menstrual cycles as well as in patients with endocrinopathies obtained in our laboratory by radioimmunoassay are compared with those obtained by both radioimmunoassay and bioassay by other investigators.

L-asparaginase production by Erwinia aroideae

Maximum yields of 1,250 IU (international unit)/g (dry weight of cells) of L-asparaginase were obtained in 8 hr from Erwinia aroideae NRRL B-138. Partial purification and concentration of the extracted L-asparaginase yielded a preparation with an activity of 275 IU/ml. Only one L-asparaginase was present as determined by electrophoresis, and the enzyme exhibited a pH optimum of 7.5 and a K(m) of 3 x 10(-3) M.

L-asparaginase production by various bacteria

Of 123 species of bacteria surveyed for L-asparaginase synthesis, Erwinia aroideae NRRL B-138 provided the highest yields.