Investigating viscous damping using a webcam

We describe an experiment involving a mass oscillating in a viscous fluid and analyze viscous damping of harmonic motion. The mechanical oscillator is tracked using a simple webcam and an image processing algorithm records the position of the geometrical center as a function of time. Interesting information can be extracted from the displacement-time graphs, in particular for the underdamped case. For example, we use these oscillations to determine the viscosity of the fluid. Our mean value of 1.08 \pm 0.07 mPa s for distilled water is in good agreement with the accepted value at 20\circC. This experiment has been successfully employed in the freshman lab setting.Comment: 13 pages, 5 figure

Rescue-ICP trial

Trial of Decompressive Craniectomy for Traumatic Intracranial Hypertension Peter J. Hutchinson, Angelos G. Kolias, Ivan S. Timofeev, Elizabeth A. Corteen, Marek Czosnyka, and other RESCUEicp Trial Collaborators N Engl J Med 2016; 375:1119-1130September 22, 2016DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa160521

Involvement of medical students and fresh medical graduates of Karachi, Pakistan in research

OBJECTIVE: To study the involvement in research, of final year medical students and fresh graduates of Karachi, Pakistan and to identify the factors influencing their interest in medical research. METHODS: A cross-sectional, questionnaire based study was conducted in 2007-2008. Five institutes representing the private and public hospitals in the city were selected by cluster sampling. Final year medical students and fresh graduates were included. Descriptive statistics were charted using SPSS v.16 after double data entry. RESULTS: Out of 378, 186 (49%) participants had journal reading habits due to the requirement of their institution. Mostly, 157 (41%) undergraduates had already participated in a research project, however mostly in the field as data collectors or computer work. Institutional influence and speciality of interest was found to be statistically significant factors related to a respondent\u27s interest or involvement in research. (chi2 =9.970, p-value = 0.007). CONCLUSION: There is keen interest and involvement in research, among final year medical students and fresh graduates of Karachi, Pakistan. However, the factors driving them are based on their university research encouragements and future plans

Spontaneous disc resolution: Illustrative Cases with supportive argument for a more conservative approach

The phenomenon of spontaneous disc resolution is well described in literature, yet it is underappreciated and often overlooked in the process of clinical decision making. We report three different cases and discuss how the phenomenon of spontaneous disc resolution can affect clinical decision-making

Neurosurgery literature highlights & psychiatry literature highlights

Today, a great challenge of our profession is to envision how we will deliver exemplary neurosurgical care in the future. To accomplish this requires anticipating how economic, political, and societal influences will affect our ability to provide the highest quality of patient care in an arena that will look increasingly different from today\u27s world of medicine. Already, our profession is battling a relentless assault as numerous sectors implement change that impacts us and our community every day. Surviving this requires an effective strategy that will involve significant cultural change

Role of intra-operative MRI (iMRI) in improving extent of resection and survival in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

Multiple intraoperative aids have been introduced to improve the extent of resection (EOR) in Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) patients, avoiding any new neurological deficits. Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) has been debated for its utility and cost for nearly two decades in neurosurgical literature. Review of literature suggests improved EOR in GBM patients who underwent iMRI assisted surgical resections leading to higher overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). iMRI provides real time intraoperative imaging with reasonable quality. Higher risk for new postoperative deficits with increased EOR is not reported in any study using iMRI. The level of evidence regarding prognostic benefits of iMRI is still of low quality

Prognostic significance of IDH 1 mutation in patients with glioblastoma multiforme

Focus of brain tumour research is shifting towards tumour genesis and genetics, and possible development of individualized treatment plans. Genetic analysis shows recurrent mutation in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH1) gene in most Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells. In this review we evaluated the prognostic significance of IDH 1 mutation on the basis of published evidence. Multiple retrospective clinical analyses correlate the presence of IDH1 mutation in GBM with good prognostic outcomes compared to wild-type IDH1. A systematic review reported similar results. Based on the review of current literature IDH1 mutation is an independent factor for longer overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) in GBM patients when compared to wild-type IDH1. The prognostic significance opens up new avenues for treatment