Aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma. A diagnosis by transthoracic echocardiography

Cardiac papillary fibroelastomas are unusual, frond-like growths typically found on cardiac valves, diagnosed incidentally on autopsy or cardiac surgery, but rarely during life. We report a rare case of an aortic valve papillary fibroelastoma detected by transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed by histologic study.     

Ionic conductivity in poly(vinyl butyral) based polymeric electrolytes: Effect of solvents and salts

Li⁺ conductive solid polymeric electrolytes (SPEs) have been prepared by complexing Li salts LiX (X = I, SCN, CLO4, CF3SO3) with poly(vinyl butyral) (PVB) an amorphous polymer with a low T_g value and well known for its outstanding laminating properties. These self-supporting SPEs have been prepared by the solution cast technique using cyclohexanone, tetrahydrofuran, and n-butyl alcohol as solvents. The XRD and DSC investigations correlated to measured ionic conductivities have revealed that in addition to the amorphous nature of the resulting complex, its T_g value, the concentration and the values of the lattice energies of the complexing salts, the solvent used in making the SPEs also govern the value of ionic conductivity. Highest ionic conductivity values attained in SPEs made with n-butyl alcohol are explained in terms of the interception of the hydrogen bonding due to solvation.     

"Adolescent psychopathology: I. Prevalence and incidence of depression and other DSM-III—R disorders in high school students": Correction.

Reports an error in the original article by P. M. Lewinsohn et al ( Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 1993[Feb], Vol 102[1], 133–244). On page 140, in the Total Incidence columns in Table 4, the data for the Attention Deficit row should be switched with that for the Conduct row. (The following abstract of this article originally appeared in record 1993-25780-001.) Data were collected on the point and lifetime prevalences, 1-yr incidence, and comorbidity of depression with other Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-III-Revised (DSM-III-R) disorders in a randomly selected sample (n?=?1,710) of high school students at point of entry and at 1-yr follow-up (n?=?1,508). The Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School-Age Children was used to collect diagnostic information; 9.6% met criteria for a current disorder, more than 33% had experienced a disorder over their lifetimes, and 31.7% of the latter had experienced a 2nd disorder. High relapse rates were found for all disorders, especially for unipolar depression (18.4%) and substance use (15.0%). Female Ss had significantly higher rates at all age levels for unipolar depression, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and adjustment disorders; male Ss had higher rates of disruptive behavior disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Are politics for you?

This article, developed both from comments made by the author at the Practice Directorate's 1995 State Leadership Conference and from a submitted article, discusses the pros and cons of a psychologist serving in a state legislature and how the training of a psychologist helps and hinders legislative performance. The author challenges psychologists to run for political office, suggesting that in a time of such rapid social and political change as the United States is currently experiencing, psychologists have the skills and caring to make significant, positive, and needed legislative changes for the present and future of one's state, one's profession, and oneself. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Cost-effectiveness of self-help smokeless tobacco cessation programs.

This study assessed the cost-effectiveness of two low-intensity programs for quitting smokeless tobacco, based on results of a randomized trial with 1,069 volunteer participants. Cost data were collected for two levels of intervention: manual only (a self-help manual) and assisted self-help (the manual plus a videotape and two supportive phone calls from tobacco cessation counselors). Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios were calculated for assisted self-help vs. quitting on one's own, using the manual-only quit rate and data from another study as alternative proxies for no intervention. A threshold analysis was conducted to determine the spontaneous quit rate at which the manual-only intervention becomes more cost-effective than assisted self-help. The cost to provide and receive the assisted self-help intervention averaged US $56 per participant vs. $20 for the manual-only intervention (societal perspective, Year 2000 dollars). Estimates for incremental cost per quit for the assisted self-help intervention ranged from $922 to $1,758, depending on the proxy used for no intervention. The manual-only intervention was more cost-effective than assisted self-help if quitting among motivated chewers who do not receive treatment does not exceed 3.4%. Support from a wife or partner added little cost to a quit attempt for male chewers ($3-$4). Providing a manual, video, and brief phone counseling to smokeless tobacco users who want to quit is a reasonable use of health care resources. The self-help quitting guide also may be a cost-effective treatment, but it remains to be demonstrated whether it is more effective than quitting on one's own.     

Self-help cessation programs for smokeless tobacco users: long-term follow-up of a randomized trial.

This paper presents long-term outcomes of the largest clinical trial of smokeless tobacco (SLT) cessation reported to date. SLT users in five northwestern states were recruited to call a toll-free number, and 1,069 users were randomized to one of two self-help conditions: either a manual-only condition or an assisted self-help condition, which included the manual, a targeted video, and two support phone calls. Significant between-group differences were not found for either the 12- or 18-month point-prevalence measure of abstinence from either SLT only or all tobacco products using outcomes based on either the responder or intention-to-treat outcomes. However, using a repeated point-prevalence measure across all three assessment points, we found that significantly more assisted self-help participants reported abstinence, compared with manual-only participants. Compared with manual-only participants, those in the assisted self-help condition were significantly more likely to use recommended cessation techniques. Results demonstrate that low-cost, minimal interventions delivered by mail and phone can help a sizable proportion of individuals quit using SLT.     

论网络升级方式与光纤选择的关系

在重点说明影响传输光纤设计的主要问题的同时，简要介绍了各种升级方式所面临的主要技术挑战，并详细说明这些挑战对传输光纤提出的技术要求。     

Lifetime Measurements on a High-Reliability RF-MEMS Contact Switch

Radio frequency microelectromechanical systems (RF MEMS) cantilever contact switches have been tested for lifetime. The mean cycles-to-failure measured on an ensemble of switches was 430 billion switch cycles. The longest lifetime exhibited without degradation of the switch was 914 billion switch cycles. The devices were switched at 20 kHz with an incident RF frequency of 10 GHz and an incident RF power of 20 dBm. Testing was performed continuously over a period of approximately 18 months. The switches were operated in a cold-switched mode.