title: Strong inference in mechanistic urolithiasis: a tribute to Birdwell Finlayson's biophysical contributions.
abstract: The career of Birdwell Finlayson was distinguished by his continual efforts at casting problems he encountered in urolithiasis in terms of relevant physical theory. His extensive background in biophysics qualified him uniquely for this task. He employed a process called "strong inference" as much as possible; this process was derived from a 1964 essay by John R. Platt, and it appears repeatedly as a guiding principle in Finlayson's research.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Purich
mesh_terms: D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000266:history; D014481:United States; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000266:history* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy