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ABSTRACT This note addresses a simple yet powerful method of discovering the spectral character of an unknown but intermittent signal buried in a background made up of a distribution of [...]

IN 1969 THE PSYCHIATRIST ELIZABETH KUBLER-ROSS wrote one of the most influential books in the history of psychology, On Death and Dying. It exposed the heartless treatment of terminally-ill patients [...]

This note addresses a simple yet powerful method of discovering the spectral character of an unknown but intermittent signal buried in a background made up of a distribution of other signals. Knowledge of when the unknown signal is present and when it is not, along with samples of the combined signals for each case is all that is necessary for this method. The method is based on reinforcing Fast Fourier Transform[1] (FFT) power spectra when the signal of interest occurs and subtracting spectra when it does not. Several examples are presented. This method could be used to discover spectral components of unknown chemical species within spectral analysis instruments such as Mass Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Gas Chromatography. In addition, this method can be used to isolate device loading signatures on power transmission lines. The examples shown within this paper are based on deterministic sinusoidal composite signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the challenging issue concerning islands climate classification in Southern California. This stimulating situation is due to the lack of weather data gathered since there were no weather stations installed in the state. Hence, further research into the climate of these islands would be an important addition to the understanding of both California's and the Eastern Pacific's physical geography, which could lead to advance revisions of the California Climates map.

The article offers information concerning the utilization of Köppen climate classification in California. Several modifications on Köppen system has been introduced by R. J. Russell and Dr. Brigham A. Arnold. Information regarding the methods and analysis used in the study, as well as the results is discussed.

Abstract: Nicotinic α4β2* agonists are known to be effective in a variety of preclinical pain models, but the underlying mechanisms of analgesic action are not well-understood. In the present study, we characterized activation and desensitization properties for a set of seventeen novel α4β2*-selective agonists that display druggable physical and pharmacokinetic attributes, and correlated the in vitro pharmacology results to efficacies observed in a mouse formalin model of analgesia. ABT-894 and Sazetidine-A, two compounds known to be effective in the formalin assay, were included for comparison. The set of compounds displayed a range of activities at human (α4β2)2β2 (HS-α4β2), (α4β2)2α5 (α4β2α5) and (α4β2)2α4 (LS-α4β2) receptors. We report the novel finding that desensitization of α4β2* receptors may drive part of the antinociceptive outcome. Our molecular modeling approaches revealed that when receptor desensitization rather than activation activitiesat α4β2* receptors are considered, there is a better correlation between analgesia scores and combined in vitro properties. Our results suggest that although all three α4β2 subtypes assessed are involved, it is desensitization of α4β2α5 receptors that plays a more prominent role in the antinociceptive action of nicotinic compounds. For modulation of Phase I responses, correlations are significantly improved from an r 2 value of 0.53 to 0.67 and 0.66 when HS- and LS-α4β2 DC50 values are considered, respectively. More profoundly, considering the DC50 at α4β2α5 takes the r 2 from 0.53 to 0.70. For Phase II analgesia scores, adding HS- or LS-α4β2 desensitization potencies did not improve the correlations significantly. Considering the α4β2α5 DC50 value significantly increased the r 2 from 0.70 to 0.79 for Phase II, and strongly suggested a more prominent role for α4β2α5 nAChRs in the modulation of pain in the formalin assay. The present studies demonstrate that compounds which are more potent at desensitization of α4β2* receptors display better analgesia scores in the formalin test. Consideration of desensitization propertiesat α4β2* receptors, especially at α4β2α5, in multiple linear regression analyses significantly improves correlations with efficacies of analgesia. Thus, α4β2* nicotinic acetylcholine receptor desensitization may contribute to efficacy in the mediation of pain, and represent a mechanism for analgesic effects mediated by nicotinic agonists. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Rationale, Aims and Objectives: Musculoskeletal shoulder pain is commonly treated in physical therapy. There is inconsistency in the literature regarding patient characteristics related to prognosis. Having prognostic information could be useful for improving clinical efficiency and decreasing the cost of associated care. The objective of this study was to identify predictive characteristics related to patients with shoulder pain who have a high-risk of a bad prognosis (lowest functional recovery compared with visit utilization) as well as those who are at low-risk of a bad prognosis (highest functional recovery compared with visit utilization)., Methods: We completed a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort using data obtained from an existing commercial outcomes database. Data from 5214 patients with shoulder pain were analysed to determine predictive characteristics that identify patients who either have a low-risk or a high-risk of a bad prognosis to physical therapy care. Multinomial regression was used to identify significant patient characteristics predictive of treatment response., Results: Statistically significant predictors of high-risk categorization included older age, no surgical history, insurance designated as worker's compensation, litigation or automotive and three or more co-morbidities. Predictors of low risk categorization were younger age, shorter duration of symptoms, no surgical history and payer type., Conclusion: Selected variables were associated with both poor and good recovery. Further research on prognosis, efficacy of physical therapy care and cost appear warranted for patients with shoulder pain., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Design: A secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort was conducted using data obtained from a commercial outcomes database., Objective: To identify predictive characteristics related to patients with lumbar impairments who have a high risk of a bad prognosis (lowest functional recovery compared to visit utilization) as well as those who are at low risk of a bad prognosis (highest functional recovery compared to visit utilization)., Background: Lumbar impairments are highly prevalent and routinely cause people to seek medical care, including physiotherapy. Most prognostic studies focus solely on good outcomes but do not factor in the intensity of care needed to achieve the outcome. Understanding care intensity needed per outcome achieved could help assign appropriate care quantities., Methods: Data from 6379 patients with lumbar impairments were analyzed to determine predictive characteristics that identify patients who either have a low or high risk of a bad prognosis to physiotherapy care. Multinomial regression was used to identify significant patient characteristics predictive of treatment response., Results: Statistically significant predictors for high risk categorization included older age, longer duration of symptoms, surgical history, current use of medications, lower levels of disability at baseline, and insurance categorization. Statistically significant predictors of low risk categorization included younger age, male gender, shorter duration of symptoms, no surgical history, higher levels of disability at baseline, and insurance status., Conclusion: Selected variables were associated with both poor and good recovery. Further research on prognosis, efficacy of physiotherapy care, and cost appear warranted for patients with lumbar impairments., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to identify predictive characteristics related to patients with neck impairments who have a high risk of a poor prognosis (lowest functional recovery compared to visit utilization) as well as those who are at low risk of a poor prognosis (highest functional recovery compared to visit utilization)., Methods: A retrospective cohort of 3,137 patients with neck pain who were seen for physiotherapy care was included in the study. All patients were seen at physiotherapy clinics in the United States and were provided with care in a manner in which the physiotherapists felt was appropriate and necessary. Univariate and multivariate multinomial regression analyses were used to identify significant patient characteristics predictive of treatment response., Results: Statistically significant predictors of high-risk categorization included longer duration of symptoms, surgical history and lower comparative levels of disability at baseline. Statistically significant predictors of low-risk categorization were younger age, shorter duration of symptoms, no surgical history, fewer comorbidities and higher comparative disability levels of function at baseline., Discussion: Few studies have analysed risk stratification models for neck pain, and the findings of the present study suggest that predictors of poor success are similar to those in most musculoskeletal prognostic models. Limitations of the study included those inherent in secondary analysis and the inability to identify the diagnoses of the patients., Conclusions: Future research should continue to examine the variables predictive of treatment response in patients with neck pain. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Study Design: A retrospective cohort design was conducted using data from an electronic survey and an existing commercial outcomes database., Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with musculoskeletal conditions treated by physical therapists who had completed residency or fellowship programs versus those who had not., Background: There is an increasing focus on specialization through postprofessional education in physical therapy residency and fellowship programs. Scant evidence exists that evaluates the influence of postprofessional clinical education on actual patient outcomes., Methods: Physical therapists using a national outcomes database were surveyed to determine their level of postprofessional education. Survey responders were categorized into 1 of 3 groups that included no residency or fellowship training, residency trained, or fellowship trained. Outcomes for 25 843 patients with musculoskeletal conditions treated by 363 therapists from June 2012 to June 2013 were extracted from the database. These data were analyzed to identify any differences in functional status change and efficiency achieved between the 3 groups. Potentially confounding variables were controlled for statistically., Results: The fellowship-trained group of physical therapists achieved functional status changes and efficiency that were greater than those of the other groups. No difference in functional status change was observed between the residency group and the therapists without residency or fellowship training. The group without residency or fellowship training was more efficient than the residency-trained group. Fellowship-trained therapists were more likely to achieve greater treatment effect sizes than therapists without residency or fellowship training. Residency-trained therapists were less likely to achieve greater treatment effect sizes than the therapists without residency or fellowship training., Conclusion: These data demonstrate that fellowship training may contribute to statistically greater patient outcomes. Residency training did not appear to contribute to improved patient functional status change or efficiency. It is unknown whether the statistical differences observed would be clinically meaningful for patients.