Dystonia Associated with Idiopathic Slow Orthostatic Tremor

Background: We aimed to characterize the clinical and electrophysiological features of patients with slow orthostatic tremor. Case Report: The clinical and neurophysiological data of patients referred for lower limb tremor on standing were reviewed. Patients with symptomatic or primary orthostatic tremor were excluded. Eight patients were identified with idiopathic slow 4–8 Hz orthostatic tremor, which was associated with tremor and dystonia in cervical and upper limb musculature. Coherence analysis in two patients showed findings different to those seen in primary orthostatic tremor. Discussion: Slow orthostatic tremor may be associated with dystonia and dystonic tremor

Primary cutaneous malignancies in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa: A retrospective histopathological review

Background. Excessive sun exposure and a high prevalence of HIV increase skin cancer risk in South Africa (SA).Objective. To describe the nature and extent of skin cancers presenting in the public and private health sectors of the Northern Cape Province of SA.Methods. A retrospective analysis of histologically confirmed new primary cutaneous malignancies from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012 was conducted using public and private health sector databases. Types, quantity and distribution of common invasive malignancies by population group, age, gender, anatomical site and health sector were explored. One-year cumulative incidence was calculated and logistic regression models were used to analyse incidence and melanoma thickness trends.Results. A total of 4 270 biopsies (13 cutaneous malignancies) were identified. The commonest was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), followed by basal cell carcinoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and basosquamous carcinoma, in descending order. The odds of a white male developing SCC increased by 8% each year (odds ratio (OR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 - 1.15; p=0.022), while the odds of a black male developing SCC and KS decreased by 9% (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 - 0.99; p=0.033) and 18% (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70 - 0.97; p=0.022), respectively, each year. SCC and CMM were diagnosed at more advanced stages in the public than in the private healthcare sector. CMM is being detected earlier, as indicated by low-stage depth increasing by 72% annually (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.04 - 3.01; p=0.042).Conclusions. Results suggest that reported skin cancer patterns are changing. There is a need for further research and equitable appropriation of financial resources and effort towards developing primary skin cancer prevention initiatives in SA

Sustaining attendance at a mental health service: A randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: A substantial proportion of psychotherapeutic treatments are prematurely terminated because the client discontinues attendance. Interventions have been developed to reduce premature termination, but these are only moderately effective and often place considerable burden on clients and services. This research evaluated a brief, low-cost self-regulation intervention (i.e., implementation intentions) designed to sustain attendance at a group psychoeducation program. METHOD: Clients (N = 82) who had been referred for a psychological intervention due to anxiety or depression were sent a questionnaire concerning their views of attendance. Participants were randomly assigned to form an implementation intention as part of the questionnaire or not (controls). Attendance was then monitored over the 5 scheduled sessions of an evidence-based psychoeducational intervention. RESULTS: Intention-to-treat analyses indicated that forming implementation intentions led to attendance at a greater number of sessions (M = 2.84 vs. 1.62), p < .01, and higher rates of completing the full course of treatment compared to controls (35% vs. 11%), p < .02. CONCLUSIONS: An intervention rooted in basic research on the psychology of action increased and sustained attendance at a mental health service. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved)

XMM-Newton and VLT observations of the isolated neutron star 1E 1207.4-5209

In August 2002, XMM-Newton devoted two full orbits to the observation of 1E 1207.4-5209, making this isolated neutron star the most deeply scrutinized galactic target of the mission. Thanks to the high throughput of the EPIC instrument, ~360,000 photons were collected from the source, allowing for a very sensitive study of the temporal and spectral behaviour of this object. The spectral data, both time-averaged and phase-resolved, yield one compelling interpretation of the observed features: cyclotron absorption from one fundamental (~0.7 keV) and three harmonics, at ~1.4, ~2.1 and ~2.8 keV. Possible physical consequences are discussed, also on the basis of the obvious phase variations of the features' shapes and depths. We also present deep VLT optical data which we have used to search for a counterpart, with negative results down to ~27.Comment: 25 pages, 9 postscript figures. Accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Initial results from the C1XS X-ray spectrometer on Chandrayaan-1

This article does not have an abstract

A fast chopper for the Fermilab High Intensity Neutrino Source (HINS)

A fast chopper capable of kicking single 2.5 MeV H-bunches spaced at 325 MHz, at rates greater than 50 MHz is needed for the Fermilab High Intensity Neutrino Source (HINS) [1]. Four 1.2 kV fast pulsers, designed and manufactured by Kentech Instruments Ltd., will drive a 0.5 m long meander made from a copper plated ceramic composite. Test results showing pulses from the first 1.2 kV pulser and meander results will be presented