Mary E. Reuder (1923-2017).

Presents an obituary for Mary E. Reuder (1923-2017). Mary was a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) for more than 60 years. A fellow of seven APA divisions (1, 2, 3, 6, 32, 36, and 52), she was also a member of eight other divisions (5, 8, 10, 15, 20, 24, 26, and 51). She was an exceptional statistician, experimental psychologist, and licensed clinical psychologist, unusual at a time when women were sparse in academia. She worked for the U.S. Navy as a management specialist and as research psychologist for the Adjunct General's Office of the U.S. Army before accepting a position at Queens College of the City University of New York (1954). The Florence Denmark and Mary E. Reuder Award in APA Division 52 (International Psychology) was created in recognition of her scholarly contributions, international outlook, and outstanding mentoring. Among her other awards, Mary was particularly pleased with the William James Award from the New York State Psychological Association for outstanding contributions to psychology. Her research was primarily in the areas of anxiety and locus of control. (PsycINFO Database Record

Standardization of alcohol calculations in research.

BACKGROUND: Nonstandardized reporting of alcohol consumption, definitions of what constitutes a standard drink, and incomplete dosing or estimates of intoxication are common problems in many areas of alcohol research. To enhance communication among scientists and to make interpretation of results more accurate and meaningful, researchers need to apply systematically current scientific principles in calculating drinks, doses, and alcohol concentrations. Basic formulas are compiled and explained to assist alcohol researchers and standardize the reporting and interpretation of alcohol data. METHODS: Basic alcohol calculations are reviewed, and 20 mathematical calculations in alcohol pharmacokinetics and pharmacology are derived. Examples of how each calculation works are presented. RESULTS: The formulas presented enable researchers to calculate accurately and systematically the amount of alcohol in any beverage and estimate the blood alcohol concentration in a range of subjects with individual characteristics and drinking patterns. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate estimates of alcohol use and intoxication are important in many areas of research. Applying standards to the way alcohol is measured and interpreted enables better communication, more accurate analyses, and, in some cases, may impact the interpretation of results. Regardless of the field of study, alcohol researchers are encouraged to and can apply uniform standards in measuring alcohol consumption and estimating the effects of alcohol using the scientific methodologies described.

Surgery for temporal lobe epilepsy.

Intractable epilepsy is a debilitating disease with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Uncontrolled epilepsy is socially disabling causing stigma, social exclusion, and often preventing employment. After an individual has tried and failed three or four of the standard anticonvulsants, it is very unlikely any further medications or combinations of medications will control the epilepsy. The major Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Epilepsy medical societies recommend all individuals with medically intractable epilepsy be evaluated in a comprehensive epilepsy program. In selected individuals, surgery for epilepsy has tremendous potential to cure or control intractable epilepsy. At West Virginia University Health Sciences Center, 48 individuals underwent surgery for intractable temporal lobe epilepsy over a 2.5 year period. Thirty-five (73%) of individuals were seizure free after surgery, and 96% were seizure free or significantly improved. Surgery for epilepsy has a high likelihood for success in medically intractable temporal lobe epilepsy, and is superior to medical treatment alone.