Analysis of complex multidimensional optical spectra by linear prediction.

We apply Linear Prediction from Singular Value Decomposition (LPSVD) to two-dimensional complex optical data in the time-domain to generate spectra with advantages over discrete Fourier transformation (DFT). LPSVD is a non-iterative procedure that fits time-domain complex data to the sum of damped sinusoids, or Lorentzian peaks in the spectral domain. Because the fitting is linear, it is not necessary to give initial guess parameters as in nonlinear fits.

Primary care variability in patients at higher risk for colorectal cancer: evaluation of screening and preventive care practices.

Objective: Sub-optimal colorectal cancer (CRC) evaluations have been attributed to both physician and patient factors. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate physician practice variation in patients with a higher risk of CRC. We wanted to identify the physician characteristics and the types of patients that were associated with missed screening opportunities; we also explored whether screening for CRC served as a proxy for better preventive care practices.

Clinical utility of a blood-based protein assay to increase screening of elevated-risk patients for colorectal cancer in the primary care setting.

Purpose: Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening is effective in finding early stage CRC and dramatically improves survival rates. Despite this, the number of eligible patients who do not obtain CRC screening is unacceptably high.

Methods: We conducted a longitudinal, randomized controlled trial investigating the utility of a blood-based protein assay on the quality of care delivered by practicing PCPs in the United States.

Substrate water potential constraints on germination of the strangler fig Ficus aurea (Moraceae).

Palms are the most common support hosts for strangler fig (Ficus aurea) in the tropical dry forest. At Hummingbird Cay Tropical Field Station in the Bahamas, viable F. aurea seeds scattered on open soil germinate within 6 d in the laboratory at 27C in light or darkness.