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Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) has gained increasing interest during the past decades and is now an integral part of various surgical disciplines, especially in neurosurgery, but also in otolaryngology, orthopedics, vascular surgery and general surgery. With expanding applications and evolving techniques, the monitoring team is faced with increasingly complex tasks and responsibilities. Despite its importance and significance in modern surgical medicine and the expectations associated with it, IONM is still not a regular part of the training program of medical professionals. Although knowledge on monitoring is imparted in basic courses offered by a few professional societies, systematic training of medical and non-medical staff according to a standardized curriculum is still lacking.This book aims to contribute to closing this gap. It provides a practical guide to help medical, nursing, and technical personnel get familiar with intraoperative neuromonitoring. The basic tenor is to combine theoretical and practical knowledge and thus to systematically convey essential skills about fundamentals, possibilities, but also limitations of IONM to a broad circle of readers. In order to achieve this goal, the text has been reduced to the absolutely necessary length in favor of numerous illustrations and tables.After an introduction to the tasks, the significance, and the historical development of IONM, the anatomical, physiological and physical basics are presented. This is followed by a presentation of various modalities as well as stimulation and recording techniques. The intraoperative part begins with some information on the organizational processes in the operating room, the presentation of safety aspects, and a description of the influences of anesthesia on monitoring, including the special aspects of awake surgery. This is followed by some basic remarks on the interpretation of monitoring results and a rough overview of the application fields of IONM in various disciplines including representative case examples. The manual concludes with an evaluation of the efficiency of monitoring and practical recommendations for the detection and elimination of intraoperative sources of error. Self-tests in individual chapters are intended to give readers the opportunity to determine their level of knowledge.

With applications across chemistry, physics and medicine, nuclear magnetic resonance is a proven, uniquely versatile and powerful spectroscopic technique. The success of NMR and its constant redevelopment means that the literature is vast and wide-ranging. Each chapter in this volume is a distillation of the key recent literature in different areas, covering the spectrum of NMR theory and practice, and including theory and computation of nuclear shielding, NMR of soft matter, hyperpolarisation techniques and NMR of living systems. These reports are invaluable both for new researchers wishing to engage with literature for the first time, and for seasoned practitioners, particularly service managers, needing to keep in touch with the ever-expanding ways in which NMR is used.

The increasing demand for innovative techniques arises from the lack of safe, effective, and patient-friendly therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. With this objective in mind, the chapters of the book are structured to offer a thorough insight into recent advancements in utilizing the zebrafish (ZF) as a model for studying Parkinson's disease (PD). This book aims to present readers with a comprehensive understanding of the clinical application of the ZF model in treating PD, encompassing the latest developments, challenges, safety considerations, toxicity issues, regulatory aspects, future potential, and limitations. Individuals in academia, the scientific community, business, and education seeking a more effective approach to target the brain stand to benefit from this resource.Key Features Provides a comparative perspective of the zebrafish–Parkinson's disease model Highlights the restrictions of available medicines Describes biochemical and histopathological characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of this model Emphasizes distinct facets of histopathology Presents advances and developments of the future potential perspectives

Pupillometry, the study of the eyes'pupils, has a rich history, dating back to the 1800s. For example, to appear “dark with desire,” women once used atropa belladonna (deadly nightshade) as a cosmetic, because the atropine dilated their pupils, making them appear more romantically aroused. We now know that this relationship is largely driven by the activity of the sympathetic nervous system; specifically, a small brainstem nucleus known as the locus coeruleus (LC). Because of tight connections between the musculature of the eyes and LC, monitoring the pupils can reveal important insights into brain activity during mental processes. Many of these processes are related to attention and arousal (cognitive or emotional), with the LC controlling mental readiness via secretion of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. While these complicated neurochemical processes happen in the brain, they are often overtly observable via pupil dilation. Although pupillometry was popular in the 1960s and 1970s, it fell out of favor until experiencing a renaissance approximately 10 years ago. With the advent of new eye-tracking and neural recording technology, measuring (and analyzing) pupil size is now easier than ever. Because all modern eye-trackers use pupil size in the calculation of gaze location, they also provide researchers with moment-by-moment pupil size measures in output files. Although previously considered “extra” data to support gaze location analyses, researchers have begun to conduct eye-tracking studies solely to gain access to pupil size data. These data have been used to study thought processes in many domains, including cognitive science, psychopathologies, business/marketing, security contexts, and the study of addiction. The diversity of interest in pupillometry is matched by the diversity in approaches taken to data collection, analysis, and interpretation. To date, there exists no book or tutorial review devoted specifically to ensuring that researchers carry out rigorous and reproducible work across these varied domains. Modern Pupillometry: Cognition, Neuroscience, and Practical Applications fills this gap by exploring the history, neuroscience, and methodological considerations of pupillometry research within and beyond psychology.

This book contains new evidence and more ideas for treatment and management of dissociative identity disorder (DID). It is written from the standpoint of an expert in the field for other professionals that deal with or are interested in DID. Chapters are divided into 4 parts. Part 1 acts as an introduction to understanding dissociative identity disorder, such its history, the different types of the disorder, and its portrayal in popular culture. The chapters in this part cover multiple personality disorder, theories, and epidemiology of the disease. Part 2 discusses the pathology and neuroscience of the disease. The comorbidities related to the disorder will be explained, such as PTSD, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and more. This part concludes with the potential causes of dissociative identity disorder, which ties into the previously mentioned comorbidities throughout this part. Supplementing the aforementioned topics, Part 3 discusses management of the disease. The chapters will cover modern psychiatry, diagnosis, and treatment options. Drug treatment and psychotherapy are some examples of the treatment options available. The authors share their experiences and perspectives of managing DID, including clinical trials and recovery. Finally, Part 4 discusses the sociology of DID, such as potential drug abuse, social media presence, and the difficulties that psychiatrists face in diagnosing the disease. This part provides advice for clinicians and healthcare providers by sharing different perspectives from psychiatrists that encounter the disease. Written by experts in the field, Dissociative Identity Disorder serves as a valuable resource for psychiatrists and clinicians seeking to understand, treat, and manage the disease.

Embodied cognition is one of the foremost areas of study and research in philosophy of mind, philosophy of psychology, and cognitive science. The Routledge Handbook of Embodied Cognition is an outstanding guide and reference source to the key topics and debates in this exciting subject and essential reading for any student and scholar of philosophy of mind and cognitive science.Extensively revised and enlarged for this second edition, the Handbook comprises 42 chapters by an international team of expert contributors and is divided into ten parts: Historical Underpinnings Perspectives on Embodied Cognition Embodied Cognition and Predictive Processing Perception Language Reasoning and Education Virtual Reality Social and Moral Cognition and Emotion Action and Memory Reflections on Embodied Cognition The early chapters of the Handbook cover empirical and philosophical foundations of embodied cognition, focusing on Gibsonian and phenomenological approaches. Subsequent chapters cover additional, important themes common to work in embodied cognition, including embedded, extended, and enactive cognition as well as chapters on empirical research in perception, language, reasoning, social and moral cognition, emotion, consciousness, memory, and learning and development.For the second edition many existing chapters have been revised and seven new chapters added on: AI and robotics, predictive processing, second-language learning, animal cognition, sport psychology, sense of self, and critiques of embodied cognition, bringing the Handbook fully up to date with current research and debate.

This book provides a comprehensive overview and critical evaluation of the emerging and exciting topic of interoception – the perception of the body's internal state. Interest in the topic has been driven by the observation that interoception appears to affect fundamental psychological processes and numerous physical and mental health conditions. In this book, the major authorities in the field present a discussion of the history of interoception, the neural basis of interoception, and the measurement and models of interoception conceptualization. This is followed by a consideration of the many domains that interoception appears to impact (including social and cognitive abilities and mental and physical health conditions) and differences across demographic groups. Interoception: A Comprehensive Guide also explores real world applications, including training for interoception, the modulation of interoception and the impact of such interventions, and future research directions.

The 12-volume set LNCS 15001 - 15012 constitutes the proceedings of the 27th International Conferenc on Medical Image Computing and Computer Assisted Intervention, MICCAI 2024, which took place in Marrakesh, Morocco, during October 6–10, 2024. MICCAI accepted 857 full papers from 2781 submissions. They focus on neuroimaging; image registration; computational pathology; computer aided diagnosis, treatment response, and outcome prediction; image guided intervention; visualization; surgical planning, and surgical data science; image reconstruction; image segmentation; machine learning; etc.

Encyclopedia of Forensic and Legal Medicine, Third Edition builds on the strength of its predecessor whilst providing a more modern, digital-friendly infrastructure. Unlike the previous A-Z approach to chapter organization, it is thematically structured around sections and topics via a taxonomic approach, thus making navigation far easier for the user. New to this edition are articles encompassing the history, application, future trends, and clinical/pathological professional issues of the discipline, including topics on: forensic taphonomy, non-fatal strangulation, coercive control, forensic biology, extrajudicial-summary or arbitrary executions. This modern, fully up-to-date, easy to navigate edition, with its electronic platform and logistically and consistently structured chapters will be ideal for readers from a variety of disciplines. - Comprehensive, one-stop reference work containing approx. 400 articles, including 40 brand new ones - Provides a modern, thematic structure, reflecting how researchers and professionals actually use content - Includes emerging issues like genealogical searches and human rights - Contains a diverse, international authorship, with expert contributions from around the world, providing the most up-to-date content

After a review of the essential concepts of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), The Challenges of MRI presents the recent techniques and methods of MRI and resulting medical applications. These techniques provide access to information that goes well beyond anatomy, with functional, hemodynamic, structural, biomechanical and biochemical information. MRI allows us to probe living organisms in a multitude of ways, guaranteeing the potential for continuous development involving several disciplines: physics, electronics, life sciences, signal processing and medicine. This collective work is made up of chapters written and designed by experts from the French community. They have endeavored to describe the techniques by recalling the underlying physics and detailing the modeling, methods and strategies for acquiring or extracting information. This book is aimed at master's students and PhD students, as well as lecturers and researchers in medical imaging and radiology.

​This book constitutes the proceedings of the 14th International Workshop on Statistical Atlases and Computational Models of the Heart, STACOM 2023, as well as the Cardiac MRI Reconstruction Challenge, CMRxRecon Challenge. There was a total of 53 submissions to the workshop. The 24 regular workshop papers included in this volume were carefully reviewed and selected from 29 paper submissions. They deal with cardiac segmentation, modelling, strain quantification, registration, statistical shape analysis, and quality control. In addition, 21 papers from the CMRxRecon challenge are included in this volume. They focus on fast CMR image reconstruction and provide a benchmark dataset that enables the broader research community to promote advances in this area of research.

The success of NMR and its constant redevelopment mean that the literature is vast and wide-ranging. This volume contains chapters which distil the key recent literature in different areas, covering the spectrum of NMR theory and practice, including theory and computation of nuclear shielding, theoretical and practical aspects of indirect spin–spin couplings and nuclear spin relaxation. With applications across chemistry, physics and medicine, nuclear magnetic resonance is a proven, uniquely versatile and powerful spectroscopic technique, and other chapters on NMR in soft matter, NMR of proteins and nucleic acids and NMR in living systems provide accounts of its versatility. All the reports in this volume are invaluable both for new researchers wishing to engage with literature for the first time, and for seasoned practitioners, particularly service managers, needing to keep in touch with the ever-expanding ways in which NMR is used.

Neuropathic Pain, Volume 179 of the latest release in the International Review of Neurobiology serial,, highlights new advances in the field, with this new volume presenting interesting chapters. Each chapter is written by an international board of authors. - Provides the authority and expertise of leading contributors from an international board of authors - Presents the latest release in International Review on Neurobiology serials - Updated release includes the latest information on Neuropathic Pain

This groundbreaking volume, published by the American Psychological Association in partnership with the International Union of Psychological Science, provides a detailed guide to clinical diagnosis by psychologists and other health professionals based on the eleventh revision of the World Health Organization's International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11). The ICD-11 was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2019 and came into effect as the global standard for health information and reporting in 2022. The ICD is the diagnostic system for mental disorders most widely used by mental health professionals around the world in their day-to-day clinical practice. This edited volume offers a step-by-step approach to diagnosis, giving mental health professionals around the world the tools they need to apply ICD-11 diagnostic requirements for mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders as the basis for delivering high quality, evidence-informed care. A psychological approach to diagnosis is a conceptually driven, person-oriented, biopsychosociocultural formulation that integrates pertinent history, behavior, symptoms, phenomenology, and functioning. A psychological approach focuses on psychological mechanisms and principles as an aspect of diagnostic practice and case formulation, regardless of professional discipline. The chapters of this book cover the major groupings of mental disorder as well as related areas that are important parts of psychological practice, such as sexual dysfunctions, sleep-wake disorders, and relationship problems and maltreatment. The authors of this book are leading global experts in each area, many of whom were integrally involved in developing the respective sections of the ICD-11. Authors describe the overarching logic for the classificatory arrangement and the elements of a psychological approach to the set of disorders discussed in each chapter, including psychological models for conceptualizing their symptoms and recommendations for psychological assessment. The chapters also discuss presentations and symptom patterns for each major group of disorders, specifiers and subtypes, the threshold between normal variation and disorder, differential diagnoses, co-occurring disorders, developmental course, cultural and contextual considerations, and gender-related features. A Psychological Approach to Diagnosis is the first comprehensive training resource on WHO's ICD-11 classification of mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders. It provides practicing psychologists and other mental health professionals, primary care clinicians, educators, and trainees with essential tools for the competent practice of diagnosis using the ICD-11 as a framework.

Psychology offers a learner-centered, assessment-driven approach that maximizes engagement. Authors Saundra Ciccarelli and J. Noland White draw you into the discipline by showing how psychology relates to your own life. An engaging writing style makes course concepts interesting. Accessible coverage of key research facilitates a thorough understanding of the discipline. And a hands-on approach, with various in-text activities, gets you learning actively. The authors have reimagined the 7th Edition to align with the APA Introductory Psychology Initiative Student Learning Outcomes. This approach emphasizes the key themes of the discipline to help you better master concepts. And an extensive review through the lens of diversity, equity and belonging ensures a fully up-to-date presentation of the discipline.

Dissociation is one of the common sequelae of trauma, yet few clinicians have received training in evidence-based assessment and treatment of trauma-related dissociation (TRD). This book provides a concise overview of trauma-related dissociation, issues around misdiagnosis, methods for assessment, and guidance on treatment planning. Trauma-related symptoms and disorders are often overlooked or misconceptualized by mental health professionals. Failure to correctly diagnose and treat trauma-related dissociation can lead to prolonged suffering and a range of costs to individual clients and their loved ones, as well as to the health care system and society at large. Trauma-related dissociation is a symptom in a range of psychiatric disorders and is often associated with severe symptomatology and dysfunction, yet it can be successfully resolved if recognized and appropriately treated. This book addresses the lack of adequate training and knowledge about TRD by providing a systematic overview of methods for assessing it and a discussion of using assessment results to guide treatment planning. It provides a concise overview of conceptualizations of TRD and the reasons it is often overlooked or misdiagnosed, psychological disorders in which TRD is a key symptom, etiological theories of dissociation, the application of assessment data in treatment planning, issues specific to treatment of children and adolescents, and more topics that are imperative to understanding trauma-related dissociation.

Originally edited by Gregory Grieve, a founder of modern manual therapy, the fifth edition of Grieve's Modern Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy continues to offer contemporary evidence, models of diagnosis and practice that make this one of the most highly respected reference books for physiotherapists. This edition has been fully updated to provide an overview of the latest science in a rapidly evolving field. It includes detailed directions for research-informed patient care for a range of musculoskeletal disorders, as well as up-to-date information on the global burden, research methodologies, measurements, and principles of assessment and management. A new international editorial board, with experience in both research and clinical practice, bring a truly comprehensive perspective to this book, meaning those practising musculoskeletal physiotherapy today will find it highly clinically relevant to their work. - Edited by an internationally recognised editorial board – brings expertise in both research and clinical practice - Fully updated with the latest published evidence - Clear guidance on evidence-based contemporary practice - Management of conditions relating to both the vertebral column and peripheral joints - Updated reviews on the science and practice of a wide range of treatment modalities - Principles of effective communication, screening, clinical reasoning, lifestyle considerations, behavioural change and self-management - Summary boxes and clinical tips to support clinical assessment and management - More than 300 figures and illustrations - Global burden of musculoskeletal disorders – including history, epidemiology and new models of care - A range of new research methodologies, including N of 1 research designs, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, population-based cohort studies, consensus research and response analyses in musculoskeletal research - How to navigate the endless wave of information and assess different levels of evidence - New measures - New chapter on cost analyses and value-based care - Digital rehabilitation methods

This case-based atlas encompasses all aspects of imaging in congenital cardiac defects, cardiac masses, inflammatory and acquired heart diseases, cardiomyopathies and coronary-related pathologies. The chapters begin with a description of the imaging approach, followed by cases comprehensively covering the gamut of clinical scenarios that may be encountered in clinical practice. The atlas provides pertinent information about each discussed disease state, its imaging diagnosis and recent advances, including role of radiology in management, follow up and prognostication. Cases that may pose as imaging differentials accompany the index case, followed by a variety of companion cases illustrating the possible spectrum of abnormalities that the reader may be confronted with while dealing with the index case. It acts as a guide for the cardiovascular radiologist, physician, paediatrician, internist, cardiologist, cardiothoracic surgeon as well as radiology residents for inculcating an evidence-based approach for choosing the right imaging algorithm in the given clinical situation. The highly visual design of the atlas enables it to act as a quick and ready reference.

Encyclopedia of the Human Brain, Second Edition, Seven Volume Set builds on the success of the first edition, providing neuroscience researchers with the ideal'one-stop'resource on all topics related to human brain understanding. Given the length of time since the first edition published, EHB2 is thoroughly revised, with substantial updates on many new and exciting topics, including areas such as human neuroimaging, non-invasive brain stimulation, molecular biology (including genetics and epigenetics), and the clinical diagnoses of brain disorders, along with chapters exploring the introduction of new theoretical and methodological ideas in areas ranging from cognitive neuroscience to evolution of the human brain. In total, there are 440 articles – a vast increase from 224 previously - thus reflecting the huge explosion in neuroscience research during the last 20 years. EHB2 provides a brand new generation of neuroscientists with the perfect tool with which to learn and master the fundamentals of how and why the human brain operates as it does. - Provides a comprehensive and up-to-date resource for exploring the human brain - Includes timely, key topics, providing an excellent overview of the field in a thematically structured one-stop shop location - Moves from an alphabetical structure to a systems/topic approach that is more fruitful for specialized readers and allows easier serendipity to less expert readers

Migraine Biology, Diagnosis, and Co-Morbidities, Volume 195 covers a wide range of issues related to migraine. The epidemiology, global and personal impacts of migraine are covered, including topics on the pathophysiology of migraine and migraine aura, the pathophysiology of the associated symptoms of photophobia and phonophobia, and the genetics of migraine. The classification and diagnostic criteria of common and uncommon subtypes of migraine are also explored in detail, including childhood variants. Issues related to the diagnosis and management of vestibular migraine and the co-morbid disorder of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness are also covered. The important comorbidities of migraine such as anxiety, depression and other forms of chronic pain will also be discussed, along with the current state and future directions of migraine research and management. - Summarizes research and clinical information on the pathophysiology of migraines - Explores the pathophysiology of aura, photophobia, and phonophobia - Discusses migraine triggers - Reviews migraine subtypes and comorbid conditions in migraine - Explores the relationship of migraine to chronic pain and cerebrovascular and psychological conditions - Concludes with future directions in migraine research and treatment

This book highlights the principles, design and characterization of mechanically compliant soft and foldable robots. Traditional rigid robots with bulky footprints and complicated components prolong the design iteration and optimization for keyhole and minimally invasive transluminal applications. Therefore, there is an interest in developing soft and foldable robots with remote actuation, multimodal sensing and machine intelligence. This book discusses the use of foldable and cuttable structures to design biomimetic deployable soft robots, that can exhibit a fair number of motions with consistency and repeatability. It presents the overall design principles, methodology, instrumentation, metamorphic sensing, multi-modal perception, and machine intelligence for creating untethered foldable active structures. These robotic structures can generate a variety of motions such as wave induction, compression, inchworm, peristalsis, flipping, tumbling, walking, swimming, flexion/extension etc.Remote actuation can control motions along regular and irregular surfaces from proximal sides. For self-deployable medical robots, motion diversity and shape reconfiguration are crucial factors. Deployable robots, with the use of malleable and resilient smart actuators, hold this crucial advantage over their conventional rigid robot counterparts. Such flexible structures capable of being compressed and expanded with intelligence perceptions hold enormous potential in biomedical applications.

Cartilage, Tissue and Knee Joint Biomechanics: Fundamentals, Characterization and Modelling is a cutting-edge multidisciplinary book specifically focused on modeling, characterization and related clinical aspects. The book takes a comprehensive approach towards mechanics, fundamentals, morphology and properties of Cartilage Tissue and Knee Joints. Leading researchers from health science, medical technologists, engineers, academics, government, and private research institutions across the globe have contributed to this book. This book is a very valuable resource for graduates and postgraduates, engineers and research scholars. The content also includes comprehensive real-world applications. As a reference for the total knee arthroplasty, this book focuses deeply on existing related theories (including: histology, design, manufacturing and clinical aspects) to assist readers in solving fundamental and applied problems in biomechanical and biomaterials characterization, modeling and simulation of human cartilages and cells. For biomedical engineers dealing with implants and biomaterials for knee joint injuries, this book will guide you in learning the knee anatomy, range of motion, surgical procedures, physiological loading and boundary conditions, biomechanics of connective soft tissues, type of injuries, and more. - Provides a comprehensive resource on the knee joint and its connective soft tissues; content included spans biomechanics, biomaterials, biology, anatomy, imaging and surgical procedure - Covers ISO and FDA based regulatory control and compliance in the manufacturing process - Includes discussions on the relationship between knee anatomical parameters and knee biomechanics

This book provides a detailed practically focused guide on the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques available for normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Chapters in this work cover the latest developments related to this condition. It introduces how to use a range of diagnostic modalities including magnetic resonance scanning along with how artificial intelligence and machine learning methodologies can be applied. Cases are presented to reinforce how the methods covered can be appropriately applied and guiding principles are also given to assist the reader in developing a thorough understanding of the topic. Potential complications and means of mitigating these are also described. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus is a detailed practically applicable resource on NPH with insightful contributions covering relevant aspects of pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities and treatment strategies, making it an ideal resource for all medical practitioners whoencounter these patients.

Agilität und Finanzen – was sich zunächst nach einem Paradoxon anhört, ebnet in der heutigen Zeit sowohl das richtige Mindset als auch die Methoden, um den Herausforderungen der VUCA-Welt zu begegnen. Wie kann eine Finanzorganisation schnell und flexibel reagieren und dabei den Wertbeitrag erhöhen? Die Antwort liegt in der agilen Transformation der Finanzfunktion. Dieser Herausgeberband liefert nicht nur die theoretischen Grundlagen zur Agile Finance Transformation, sondern neben Experteninterviews, fundierte Lösungsansätze und Best-Practice-Beispiele.'Mit dem Thema Agilität und Finanzfunktion im Kontext der Transformation und Digitalisierung haben die Herausgeber ein vielschichtiges und in manchen Aspekten durchaus auch kontroverses Thema aufgegriffen, das jeden Finanzverantwortlichen betrifft.'Dr. Raymund Scheffrahn, Group CFO der Variosystems Gruppe & Vorstandsmitglied des CFO Forums Schweiz.

Now in its Fourth Edition, the acclaimed Oxford Textbook of Psychopathology aims for both depth and breadth, with a focus on adult disorders and special attention given to personality disorders. It provides an unparalleled guide for professionals and students alike. Esteemed editors Robert F. Krueger and Paul H. Blaney selected the most eminent researchers in abnormal psychology to provide thorough coverage and to discuss notable issues in the various pathologies which are their expertise. This fourth edition is fully updated and also reflects alternative, emerging perspectives in the field (e.g., the NIMH's Research Domain Criteria Initiative; RDoC, the Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology; HiTOP). The book exposes readers to exceptional scholarship, the history and philosophy of psychopathology, the logic of the best approaches to current disorders, and an expert outlook on what researchers and mental health professionals will be facing in the years to come. This volume will be useful for all mental health workers, including clinical psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers, and as a textbook focused on understanding psychopathology in depth for anyone wishing to be up to date on the latest developments in the field.

Das Netz der psychiatrischen Versorgung hat Risse. Alte Verschickungsgewohnheiten und neue Euthanasieimpulse, Mehrklassenpsychiatrie und Chemiephobie, das Dilemma der Behörden zwischen Aufsichtspflicht und Sparzwang, die Gratwanderung zwischen Qualitätssicherung und Patientenselektion erzeugen Handlungsbedarf. Die Arbeitsfelder und Selbstbilder der Psychiater wandeln sich rasch. Wer wissen will, wie die Psychiatrie heute funktioniert und wo sie nicht funktioniert, kommt an diesem Buch nicht vorbei. Es gibt den notwendigen Überblick über Gelingen und Mißlingen der Zusammenarbeit zwischen allen beteiligten Insitutionen und Personen einschließlich des Bereiches der niedergelassenen Ärzteschaft – und der Politik.

The 7-volume set of LNCS 13841-13847 constitutes the proceedings of the 16th Asian Conference on Computer Vision, ACCV 2022, held in Macao, China, December 2022. The total of 277 contributions included in the proceedings set was carefully reviewed and selected from 836 submissions during two rounds of reviewing and improvement. The papers focus on the following topics: Part I: 3D computer vision; optimization methods; Part II: applications of computer vision, vision for X; computational photography, sensing, and display; Part III: low-level vision, image processing; Part IV: face and gesture; pose and action; video analysis and event recognition; vision and language; biometrics; Part V: recognition: feature detection, indexing, matching, and shape representation; datasets and performance analysis; Part VI: biomedical image analysis; deep learning for computer vision; Part VII: generative models for computer vision; segmentation and grouping; motion and tracking; document image analysis; big data, large scale methods.

Recent debates on phenomenal consciousness have shown renewed interest for the idea that experience generally includes an experience of the self--a self-experience--whatever else it may present the self with. When a subject has an ordinary experience (as of a bouncing red ball, for example), the thought goes, she is not just phenomenally aware of the world as being presented in a certain way (a bouncy, reddish, roundish way in this case); she is also phenomenally aware of the fact that it is presented to her. This supposed phenomenal dimension has been variously called mineness, for-me-ness, pre-reflective self-awareness and subjective character, among others. This view, associated with historical figures such as William James, Husserl, Merleau-Ponty, and Sartre, is attracting a new surge of attention at the crossroads of phenomenology, analytic philosophy of mind, and the philosophy of cognitive science, but also intense controversy. This book explores some of the questions running through the ongoing debate on the putative subjective dimension of experience: Does it exist?, the existence question; What is it?, the essence question; What is it for?, the function question; and What else does it explain?, the explanation question. The volume also surveys various domains of human experience, both normal and pathological, where a'sense of self'might be at play, including agency, bodily awareness, introspection, memory, emotions, and values, and offers insights into the possible relations between the notions of subjective awareness involved. The first part of the book is devoted to more sceptical or deflationary views about self-experience, and the second, to more robust ones.

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), known as prion diseases, have been recognized for nearly 300 years in animals and almost 100 years in humans. Modern studies, including the protein-misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA), have greatly advanced our understanding of the pathogenesis of prion diseases and facilitated the identification of new prion diseases in animals and humans. In the second edition of Prions and Diseases, more than 60 leading researchers and clinicians worldwide provide an up-to-date discussion of these unique infectious pathogens and their associated diseases. The book provides up-to-date knowledge about the etiology, pathogenesis, classification, histopathological, and clinical aspects of the full range of animal and human prion diseases. As a result, the book contains by far the most authoritative views about the past, present, and future of prions and prion diseases. The new second edition covers such important emerging topics such as inherited human prion disease, stem-cell models in prion research, human prion disease surveillance, and gene therapy strategies.

Encyclopedia of Sleep and Circadian Rhythms, Second Edition, Six Volume Set is the most comprehensive work on sleep and circadian rhythms. This completely revised new edition, comprised of contributions from 450 renowned authorities in the field, covers what is new and known in the field. In addition to thorough coverage of the basics (physiology, sleep disorders etc.), this new edition includes a thorough examination of circadian rhythms that manage the sleep-wake cycle. Although this area is highly intertwined with sleep, it is a scientific discipline in and of itself, and will broaden the appeal of this work to health care providers and scientists. Other sections of interest explore consumer wearable devices to track sleep and circadian rhythms, artificial intelligence algorithms to detect sleep and abnormal sleep-related conditions, and new technology to treat sleep and circadian rhythm disorders. This book will be an ideal and primary reference resource for students, trainees, technologists, basic/clinical scientists, physicians, advanced practice providers, psychologists, nurses, and other medical and research personnel who want to explore any topic within the sleep and circadian rhythm field. - Provides the largest, most comprehensive publication in the field of sleep and circadian rhythms for non-specialists and readers from undergraduate level upwards, as well as advanced health care providers - Covers the latest, most up-to-date knowledge regarding sleep and circadian rhythms and contains material that reflects the newest technology in the field - Presents a new edition of the winner of the 2013 Prose Award for Multivolume Reference in Science from the Association of American Publishers - Includes rich illustrations that can be used as teaching aids, along with multimedia

Im Bereich der dissoziativen Störungen führt die WHO mit der ICD-11 markante Anpassungen der Klassifikation ein, die unter anderem die jüngeren Forschungsergebnisse der letzten Jahre berücksichtigen. Vor allem im Bereich der Neuropsychologie und Neurowissenschaften zeigt eine Vielzahl von Publikationen, dass kognitive Störungen und deren zugrundliegende neuronalen Veränderungen eine wesentliche Rolle beim Entstehen und beim Aufrechterhalb der Symtpome spielen.Auf der Basis der neuen Erkenntnisse und der Neuerungen werden Behandler:innen auf der Basis der epidemiologischen, äthiologischen und modelltheoretischen Grundlagen mit der Rolle der neurokognitiven Veränderungen und den sich daraus entwickelnden Modellen vertraut gemacht. Die Klassifikation, Diagnostik und Behandlung der Störungen wird in diesem Rahmen beleuchtet. Anhand von Fallbeispielen und Exkursen werden die dissoziativen Störungen praktisch verständlich.

Incredible Consequences of Brain Injury: The Ways your Brain can Break explains the acquired brain disorders that can suddenly change a person's life. Underlining the intricate workings of the human brain and the amazing things it does every day, this book examines what happens when the brain stops functioning as it should.Through the use of case studies and historical examples, this concentrated collection of different neuropsychological conditions provides the reader a glimpse into the lived experiences of each disorder. Each chapter is firmly rooted in relevant neuropsychological literature combined with easy-to-understand explanations and guided reflection. In its essence, this book is a celebration of the human brain and the myriad factors that make it up, serving to maintain hope in recovering from brain conditions, and to marvel at the intricate workings of the brain.This valuable compendium is essential for anyone who wants to learn more about how the brain functions and dysfunctions and will be equally useful for students, instructors, and healthcare workers. It will further be of use to individuals with brain conditions and their dear ones and for the individuals who are interested in learning more about the human brain.

THE APPLICATION OF HEAT IN ONCOLOGY Understand the use of heat to destroy tumors with this comprehensive guide Heat is an indispensable resource in the destruction of cancerous tumors to potentially treat cancers. There are also real challenges, however, involved in the total destruction of tumors without destroying healthy tissue surrounding the tumor in the process. A detailed understanding of the propagation of thermal energy, induced heating, and tissue responses to heat is required to safely and successfully apply heat-based technologies in clinical oncology. The Application of Heat in Oncology supplies this understanding, with a thorough, comprehensive overview of the principle and practice involved. Offering both a detailed introduction to the physics and thermodynamics of induced heat and an analysis of its clinical applications, this is an essential resource for clinicians, technicians, and others in oncological practice. The Application of Heat in Oncology readers will also find: Guidelines for applying heat both safely and effectively Detailed discussion of topics including energy delivery (e.g., via RF, MW, ultrasound, laser, cryoagents, hyperthermia, nanoparticles, etc.), temperature assessment, damage assessment, image guidance, and more Summary of current practice along with suggestions for future areas of technological improvement The Application of Heat in Oncology is ideal for all clinicians working in the field of cancer treatment, including medical students, residents, researchers, engineers, radiologists, surgeons, and more.

Dissoziative Störungen sind Trauma-Folgeerkrankungen - häufig von emotionaler, körperlicher und sexueller Gewalt im Kindesalter. Im klinischen Alltag werden sie oft übersehen. Der Leser erfährt, wie diese Störungen entstehen, erkannt und in das Spektrum posttraumatischer Störungen eingeordnet werden. Anhand klinischer Fallbeispiele wird das therapeutische Vorgehen erläutert. Die 3. Auflage berücksichtigt die ICD-11, in der die Dissoziative Identitätsstörung - in Vollbild und partieller Form - eine evidenzbasierte Aufwertung erfährt.

This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 8th International Workshop on Artificial Intelligence and Pattern Recognition, IWAIPR 2023, held in Varadero, Cuba, in October 2023. The 68 papers presented in the proceedings set were carefully reviewed and selected from 38 submissions. The IWAIPR conference aims to provide a leading international forum to promote and disseminate ongoing research into mathematical methods of computing techniques for Artifical Intelligence and Pattern Recognition.

Over the past 40 years, diagnostic medical imaging has undergone remarkable advancements in CT, MRI, and ultrasound technology. Today, the field is experiencing a major paradigm shift, thanks to significant and rapid progress in deep learning techniques. As a result, numerous innovative AI-based programs have been developed to improve image quality and enhance clinical workflows, leading to more efficient and accurate diagnoses.AI advancements of medical imaging not only address existing unsolved problems but also present new and complex challenges. Solutions to these challenges can improve image quality and reveal new information currently obscured by noise, artifacts, or other signals. Holistic insight is the key to solving these challenges. Such insight may lead to a creative solution only when it is based on a thorough understanding of existing methods and unmet demands.This book focuses on advanced topics in medical imagingmodalities, including CT and ultrasound, with the aim of providing practical applications in the healthcare industry. It strikes a balance between mathematical theory, numerical practice, and clinical applications, offering comprehensive coverage from basic to advanced levels of mathematical theories, deep learning techniques, and algorithm implementation details. Moreover, it provides in-depth insights into the latest advancements in dental cone-beam CT, fetal ultrasound, and bioimpedance, making it an essential resource for professionals seeking to stay up-to-date with the latest developments in the field of medical imaging.

Organisations today are being challenged to make sense of changes in environments that, now more than ever, are described as VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous). They are also being driven to understand how the future will evolve and what impact it will have not only on the organisations themselves but also on industries and societies. In recent decades a field has emerged to support organisations in addressing these challenges: strategic foresight.This book is a comprehensive introduction to strategic foresight. It presents a history of the field and explains the main principles in thinking about the future. The book describes how organisations can apply strategic foresight and explains how it relates to other fields such as strategy, innovation, and leadership, highlighting the relevance of strategic foresight not only for organisations but also for individuals, particularly managers and leaders. Grounded in the theoretical foundations of strategic foresight, the book reflects the latest academic research and explores practical applications in different contexts. It draws on more than two decades of experience that the author has in the field as a researcher and as a consultant in the corporate context.This is essential reading for managers and leaders of public and private organisations who want to establish strategic foresight practices, as well as students of foresight and managers in the fields of innovation, research & development, and marketing.

This book provides the most up-to-date and comprehensive source of information on all aspects of EEG-fMRI, a neuroimaging technique for synchronous acquisition of electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data. The reader will find in-depth information on the physiological principles of the EEG and fMRI signals, practical aspects of data measurement, artifact reduction, data analysis, and applications. All the main areas of the technique's application are the subject of one or multiple chapters: sleep research, cognitive neuroscience, and clinical neurology and psychiatry. In addition to providing a thorough update, this second edition offers five entirely new chapters covering important areas of research that have emerged during the past 5 years, including noninvasive brain stimulation during fMRI, resting-state functional connectivity, real-time fMRI, and neurofeedback. Written by the most prestigious experts in the field, the text is enhanced by numerous high-quality illustrations. This book will be valuable for neuroradiologists, neuroscientists, physicists, engineers, electrophysiologists, (neuro) medical scientists, neurologists, and neurophysiologists.Chapter 30 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This book constitutes the end result of 20 years-long effort that goes beyond a Psychiatrist's standard clinical training and education, even that of a Psychiatrist that follows an academic career. Trying to explain how the human mind works is hard and the heterogeneity of the audience make the attempt even more difficult. There is a conceptual difference between the words ‘brain'and ‘mind'and this makes the effort even more difficult since the present book tries to preserve the strict scientific approach concerning all the topics discussed. The work elaborates and tries to answer questions frequently phrased by audiences in teaching classes and in conferences and does not avoid any question. In order to achieve this goal, it is structured in chapters all the way from the molecule and the cell to consciousness and free will. The book targets mainly the mental health care professionals as an audience, and to a lesser extend the other health professionals. Itis written according to the author's view concerning the training and educational needs of Psychiatrists and Psychologists and to a lesser degree of Neurologists and Neuroscientists in general.

MR Linac Radiotherapy: A New Personalized Treatment Approach comprises both clinical and physical aspects of this new technology. The book covers treatment planning, workflow and technical issues about MR-Linac. Specially, the clinical use of MR-Linac according to different cancer types is presented by experienced physicians. This is a unique guide for medical physicists, RTTs, dosimetrists and physicians, as well as radiation oncologists and their teams. The MR Linac combines two technologies - a magnetic resonance imaging scanner and a linear accelerator - to precisely locate tumors, tailor the shape of radiation beams in real-time, and precisely deliver doses of radiation, even to moving tumors. This highly innovative technology is very new, and the number of newly installed MR-Linac machines will gradually increase worldwide. However, as there is no published book as a guideline, this book will help new MR-Linac users and centers planning to have MR-Linac. Presents the first book on MR Linac Radiotherapy Comprises both clinical and physical aspects of this new technology Written by leading editors and authors in the field

Even seasoned clinicians can struggle when trying to help to highly traumatized and dissociative patients. This book and its accompanying workbook for patients provide an evidence-informed, pragmatic, and compassionate approach to the stabilization and treatment of complex trauma and dissociation. These books will help clinicians immediately begin assessment and treatment with traumatized individuals using a comprehensive therapeutic program that includes session-by-session information sheets and exercises developed through decades of clinical experience, studies, and feedback from individuals living with trauma-related disorders. Finding Solid Ground: Overcoming Obstacles in Trauma Treatment offers guidance on how to use the program in individual and group contexts, expert recommendations for assessing dissociation, and clinical vignettes that focus on how to overcome common challenges in trauma treatment. The companion workbook includes the patient-facing Information Sheets and Exercises that are the foundation of the Finding Solid Ground program. Together, these books present a coherent, comprehensive approach to trauma treatment that rests upon a clearly articulated understanding of the neurobiological impacts of trauma. Clinicians of all levels of experience will find these books inspiring, informative, and accessible.

Acquire an up-to-date, comprehensive, and accessible overview of behavioural neuroscience. For courses in Physiological Psychology and Biopsychology. Physiology of Behavior, 13th edition, by Carlson and Birkett provides a scholarly yet accessible portrait of the dynamic interaction between biology and behaviour. Authors Neil Carlson and Melissa Birkett drew upon their experience of teaching and working with students to create this comprehensive and accessible guide in behavioural neuroscience. Key features include: chapter-opening case studies sharing real-life experiences around important issues in neuroscience Chapter Review questions that will help you review and understand what you have read a new chapter on the disorders of the developing nervous system with information about disorders of development, autism-spectrum disorders, and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorders rich, updated art to improve accessibility, and in line with the latest findings and studies in the field This edition is also available in Revel®. Revel® is Pearson's newest way of delivering respected content. Fully digital and highly engaging, Revel is an interactive learning environment that enables you to read, practice, and study in one continuous experience.

This textbook provides a comprehensive and didactic introduction from the basics to the current state of the art in the field of EEG/MEG source reconstruction. Reconstructing the generators or sources of electroencephalographic and magnetoencephalographic (EEG/MEG) signals is an important problem in basic neuroscience as well as clinical research and practice. Over the past few decades, an entire theory, together with a whole collection of algorithms and techniques, has developed. In this textbook, the authors provide a unified perspective on a broad range of EEG/MEG source reconstruction methods, with particular emphasis on their respective assumptions about sources, data, head tissues, and sensor properties. An introductory chapter highlights the concept of brain imaging and the particular importance of the neuroelectromagnetic inverse problem. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of neural information processing and brain signal generation and an introduction to the practice of data acquisition. Next, the relevant mathematical models for the sources of EEG and MEG are discussed in detail, followed by the neuroelectromagnetic forward problem, that is, the prediction of EEG or MEG signals from those source models, using biophysical descriptions of the head tissues and the sensors. The main part of this textbook is dedicated to the source reconstruction methods. The authors present a theoretical framework of the neuroelectromagnetic inverse problem, centered on Bayes'theorem, which then serves as the basis for a detailed description of a large variety of techniques, including dipole fit methods, distributed source reconstruction, spatial filters, and dynamic source reconstruction methods. The final two chapters address the important topic of assessment, including verification and validation of source reconstruction methods, and their actual application to real-world scientific and clinical questions.This book is intended as basic reading foranybody who is engaged with EEG/MEG source reconstruction, be it as a method developer or as a user, including advanced undergraduate students, PhD students, and postdocs in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and related fields.

This second edition of the award-winning original text brings together in one volume the current thinking and conceptualizations on dissociation and the dissociative disorders. Comprised of ten parts, starting with historical and conceptual issues, and ending with considerations for the present and future, internationally renowned authors in the trauma and dissociation fields explore different facets of dissociation in pathological and non-clinical guises. This book is designed to be the most comprehensive reference book in the dissociation field and aims to provide a scholarly foundation for understanding dissociation, dissociative disorders, current issues and perspectives within the field, theoretical formulations, and empirical findings. Chapters have been thoroughly updated to include recent developments in the field, including: the complex nature of conceptualization, etiology, and neurobiology; the various manifestations of dissociation in clinical and non-clinical forms; and different perspectives on how dissociation should be understood.This book is essential for clinicians, researchers, theoreticians, students of clinical psychology psychiatry, and psychotherapy, and those with an interest or curiosity in dissociation in the various ways it can be conceived and studied.

Now in its revised and significantly expanded third edition, this comprehensive, authoritative text reinforces its standing as the gold standard on arthroscopic techniques for the wrist and elbow, now including selected open surgical techniques as well. Fundamental topics, such as anatomy, operative set-up, assessment, and lasers and electrothermal devices open the book. Generously illustrated with intraoperative photographs and full-color figures, chapters covering arthroscopic techniques are full-length and in detail. Topics include the management of TFCC tears, joint instability, arthritis, fractures and nonunions, dorsal and volar ganglions, and many more conditions and injuries of the wrist and elbow. While chapters on open techniques could present an extensive history and background of the subject as compared to the arthroscopic chapters, they will be focused approaches discussing why the author thinks it is the best open technique, including tips, tricks, pearls and how to perform the operation. Open management of ulnar impaction, scapholunate instability, total wrist arthroplasty, and elbow contractures are discussed, among others. Selected chapters include video supplements for additional, real-world demonstrations of techniques.Bringing together a truly international cross-section of experts and thought leaders in orthopedics and hand surgery, Wrist and Elbow Arthroscopy with Selected Open Procedures, Third Edition remains the premier resource for all clinicians working in this field.

How the way we perceive our bodies plays a critical role in the way we perceive ourselves: stories of phantom limbs, rubber hands, anorexia, and other phenomena.The body is central to our sense of identity. It can be a canvas for self-expression, decorated with clothing, jewelry, cosmetics, tattoos, and piercings. But the body is more than that. Bodily awareness, says scientist-writer Moheb Costandi, is key to self-consciousness. In Body Am I, Costandi examines how the brain perceives the body, how that perception translates into our conscious experience of the body, and how that experience contributes to our sense of self. Along the way, he explores what can happen when the mechanisms of bodily awareness are disturbed, leading to such phenomena as phantom limbs, alien hands, and amputee fetishes. Costandi explains that the brain generates maps and models of the body that guide how we perceive and use it, and that these maps and models are repeatedly modified and reconstructed. Drawing on recent bodily awareness research, the new science of self-consciousness, and historical milestones in neurology, he describes a range of psychiatric and neurological disorders that result when body and brain are out of sync, including not only the well-known phantom limb syndrome but also phantom breast and phantom penis syndromes; body integrity identity disorder, which compels a person to disown and then amputate a healthy arm or leg; and such eating disorders as anorexia. Wide-ranging and meticulously researched, Body Am I (the title comes from Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra) offers new insight into self-consciousness by describing it in terms of bodily awareness.

Diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) is a key emerging imaging modality for the management of patients with possible breast lesions, and Diffusion MRI of the Breast is the first book to focus on all aspects of DWI in today's practice. It covers the knowledge necessary to undertake clinical breast DWI, with a thorough review of how DWI is currently used as a breast imaging modality and how breast lesions appear on DWI. Expert clinicians and physicists from around the world share their knowledge and expertise on everything from technical requirements and image analysis to clinical applications of DWI (diagnosis, prognosis, treatment monitoring) with case examples, and upcoming developments in the field (radiomics, AI). - Offers an in-depth discussion of DWI's clinical applications in breast imaging, including the position of DWI with respect to other modalities, the use of DWI in the diagnosis of suspicious lesions with a multiparametric protocol, the use of DWI as an imaging biomarker of prognosis and response prediction, the potential role of DWI for unenhanced breast MR screening, and more. - Provides a basic introduction to DWI before discussing a practical approach to clinical interpretation and quality assurance issues. - Covers specific challenges and advanced techniques (IVIM, non-Gaussian diffusion, DTI, and other novel techniques), radiomics and artificial intelligence, and different vendor approaches in breast DWI packages. - Features more than 500 high-quality images throughout. - Explains how DWI could be specifically used to provide information on prognosis and prediction factors. - Evaluates the current status of DWI, its potential for the management of breast cancer patients, and possible future developments in the field.

This book on migraine is the first machine-generated scientific book in medicine published by Springer Nature, and reflects a new publication format which focuses on literature reviews: state-of-the-art computer algorithms were applied to select relevant sources from Springer Nature journal articles, rearrange them in a topical order, and provide short summaries of these articles. The result is the auto-summarization of current texts, organized by means of a similarity-based clustering routine in coherent chapters and sections. The human intervention of a world-renowned expert in this field grants the scientific soundness and appropriate organization of the contents identified. The AI-based approach seemed especially suitable to provide an innovative perspective as the topics are indeed both complex, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary, as is migraine, the most important among the chronic non communicable diseases under the age of 50s. The result of this innovative process will be of help especially for readers with limited time, interested in migraine and wishing to learn more about the subject quickly and particularly if they are new to the topic. Springer Nature seeks to support anyone who needs a fast and effective start in their content discovery journey: from the undergraduate student exploring interdisciplinary content, to Master or PhD-thesis developing research questions, to the practitioner seeking support materials, this book can serve as an inspiration, to name a few examples.

Most of the rational world is currently asking, “What is wrong with these Qanon people?” My book, #Pizzagates of Hell: Unreal Stories of Occult Child Abuse by the CIA, asks, “What is right with them?”Sure, Qanon is an unhinged, mostly right-wing group of individuals that believe the world is run by a left-wing cabal of satanic pedophiles. But, by the time of the 2020 U.S. presidential election, their numbers were growing. And not just in the United States. There have been contingents in the U.K., Germany and Australia. 89 Qanon supporters in the U.S. ran for Congress, suggesting that Qanon has come to represent a minor political constituency. My book doesn't ask what sort of deranged media and cultural environment gave rise to Qanon. Instead, it asks what it is about their ideology that has caught fire. More specifically, it asks: is there something in the supposedly delusional ravings of this new political movement that might actually be accurate? •Pedo cabal? Check. Notorious pedophile and spook Jeffrey Epstein had ties to two U.S. presidents, the king of Saudi Arabia, two Israeli prime ministers, and the British Royal Family. •Occultism? Check. British intelligence relied on Aleister Crowley, the disputed grandfather of satanism, as a spy from World War One and beyond. U.S. intelligence agent Lt. Col. Michael Aquino was an open satanist accused of ritual sexual abuse of children at multiple daycare centers across the U.S. and possibly abroad. •The Illuminati? Check. The Illuminati may not exist, per se, but numerous secret societies do exert undue influence on global affairs, from the Freemasons and Skull and Bones to Bilderberg and Le Cercle. It's hard not to argue that we are ruled by a secret elite. •Turning Us All into Sex Slaves? Question mark. Though the long-rumored Monarch Program is feasible when one examines the history of the CIA's MK ULTRA, there is, so far, no proof of its existence.Once we've asked what Qanon has gotten right,