Scattering media characterization with phase-only wavefront modulation.

A new experimental approach is demonstrated to probe the scattering properties of complex media. Using phase-only modulation of the light illuminating a random scattering sample, we induce and record fluctuations in the reflected speckle patterns. Using predictions from diffusion theory, we obtain the scattering and absorption coefficients of the sample from the average change in the speckle amplitude.

Discharge Diuretic Dose and 30-Day Readmission Rate in Acute Decompensated Heart Failure.

Background: Loop diuretics play a crucial role in symptom management in patients with fluid overload. There is a paucity of data regarding optimal diuretic dose at hospital discharge for acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients requiring loop diuretics.

Objective: To compare all-cause 30-day readmission in ADHF patients on chronic loop diuretics who had an increase in loop diuretic dose at discharge (relative to their preadmission dose) with patients without a change or a decrease in loop diuretic dose at discharge.

Advanced screencasting with embedded assessments in pathophysiology and therapeutics course modules.

Objective: To implement and assess the effectiveness of a hybrid learning model using advanced screencasting with embedded assessments in pathophysiology and therapeutics modules.

Design: Two pathophysiology and therapeutics course modules on viral hepatitis and the clinical pharmacokinetics of aminoglycosides were chosen for study. The preclass portion of the hybrid model involved student completion of interactive e-lectures that were created with the use of advanced screencasting and included embedded assessments.

Clinical evaluation of a new digitizing device for improved film mammography.

Rationale And Objectives: The study was designed to evaluate a new digitizing device, the iView (Maxxvision, LLC, Gainesville, FL), which aims to replace the magnifying glass in mammography with real-time film digitization, display, and processing.

Materials And Methods: A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) experiment was performed with 5 certified mammographers and 114 mammograms that were read with and without the iView. A satisfaction survey was also conducted on the system's features and usefulness.

A comparison of methods to handle skew distributed cost variables in the analysis of the resource consumption in schizophrenia treatment.

Background: Transformation of the dependent cost variable is often used to solve the problems of heteroscedasticity and skewness in linear ordinary least square regression of health service cost data. However, transformation may cause difficulties in the interpretation of regression coefficients and the retransformation of predicted values.

Aims Of The Study: The study compares the advantages and disadvantages of different methods to estimate regression based cost functions using data on the annual costs of schizophrenia treatment.