Multifocal giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath: case report and literature review.

In this study, we present the rare case of a patient with a multifocal giant cell tumor of the tendon sheath occurring at three different localizations along the same tendon. We review radiographic, ultrasonographic, and magnetic resonance imaging findings, and discuss previously reported cases.

Influence of the rate of contrast change on the quality of contrast sensitivity assessment: a comparison of three psychophysical methods.

Criterion-free forced-choice procedures for measuring contrast sensitivity with a cathode ray tube (CRT) have low within-subject, intersubject, and test-retest variabilities, but a long test time compared with psychophysical methods that rely on the subject's criterion to determine threshold. Test time and variability of criterion-dependent methods depend on the rate at which the contrast changes on the CRT display. This study compared two criterion-dependent psychophysical methods for measuring contrast sensitivity (the method of increasing contrast and the von Békésy tracking method) with a criterion-free two-alternative forced-choice procedure. A range of rates of contrast change was studied: 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 and 1.0 log unit s-1. Contrast sensitivity, within-subject variability, intersubject variability, test-retest variability, and test time of the three methods were compared. The 2-AFC procedure performed best with regard to within-subject, intersubject, and test-retest variabilities. A time-efficient alternative was the von Békésy tracking method at rates between 0.1 and 0.5 log unit s-1.

Some effects of water quality on the performance of high yielding cows in an arid climate.

The water from wells in Saudi Arabia is often high in mineral content. The cows in this study had been receiving water containing between 4000 and 5000 ppm total dissolved solids. Four groups of 16 cows were calved down and milked under similar conditions in the hot summer months. Two of the groups were given normal well water and the other two groups received water after desalination in a reverse osmosis plant. One group on each type of water also had their water cooled. The groups of cows receiving treated water drank more water, consumed more concentrate and produced significantly more milk than the groups given normal well water. A similar effect on feed intake and milk production was seen when treated water was given to a 1000-cow unit with a similar number of control cows.