Social Ties and Cognitive Recovery after Stroke: Does Social Integration Promote Cognitive Resilience?

PubMed Central

Glymour, M. Maria; Weuve, Jennifer; Fay, Martha E.; Glass, Thomas; Berkman, Lisa F.

2008-01-01

Background/Aims Little is known about the possible effects of social resources on stroke survivors’ level and change in cognitive outcomes. Understanding this association may help us identify strategies to improve stroke recovery and help elucidate the etiology of dementia. Methods We examined the relationship of social ties and social support to cognitive function and cognitive change 6 months after stroke. Participants in the Families in Recovery from Stroke Trial (FIRST) (n = 272) were interviewed approximately 17 days (baseline) and 6 months (follow-up) after stroke. Cognition was assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a summary battery of 7 neuropsychological tests. Median-based regression was used to model cognitive outcomes by level of baseline intimate, personal and organizational social ties and received emotional and instrumental support. Results Baseline social ties and emotional sup- port independently predicted 6-month Cognitive Summary Scores. Emotional support also predicted greater improvements in Cognitive Summary Scores from baseline to the 6-month follow-up. No other social exposures predicted improvements in the MMSE or the Cognitive Summary. Conclusions Our results suggest that emotional support may promote cognitive resilience while social ties provide cognitive reserve that protects against impaired cognition after stroke. Social ties did not predict cognitive recovery however, so reverse causation cannot be ruled out. PMID:18535395

Quality of Life From Canadian Cancer Trials Group MA.17R: A Randomized Trial of Extending Adjuvant Letrozole to 10 Years.

PubMed

Lemieux, Julie; Brundage, Michael D; Parulekar, Wendy R; Goss, Paul E; Ingle, James N; Pritchard, Kathleen I; Celano, Paul; Muss, Hyman; Gralow, Julie; Strasser-Weippl, Kathrin; Whelan, Kate; Tu, Dongsheng; Whelan, Timothy J

2018-02-20

Purpose MA.17R was a Canadian Cancer Trials Group-led phase III randomized controlled trial comparing letrozole to placebo after 5 years of aromatase inhibitor as adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Quality of life (QOL) was a secondary outcome measure of the study, and here, we report the results of these analyses. Methods QOL was measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36; two summary scores and eight domains) and menopause-specific QOL (MENQOL; four symptom domains) at baseline and every 12 months up to 60 months. QOL assessment was mandatory for Canadian Cancer Trials Group centers but optional for centers in other groups. Mean change scores from baseline were calculated. Results One thousand nine hundred eighteen women were randomly assigned, and 1,428 women completed the baseline QOL assessment. Compliance with QOL measures was > 85%. Baseline summary scores for the SF-36 physical component summary (47.5 for letrozole and 47.9 for placebo) and mental component summary (55.5 for letrozole and 54.8 for placebo) were close to the population norms of 50. No differences were seen between groups in mean change scores for the SF-36 physical and mental component summaries and the other eight QOL domains except for the role-physical subscale. No difference was found in any of the four domains of the MENQOL Conclusion No clinically significant differences were seen in overall QOL measured by the SF-36 summary measures and MENQOL between the letrozole and placebo groups. The data indicate that continuation of aromatase inhibitor therapy after 5 years of prior treatment in the trial population was not associated with a deterioration of overall QOL.

Quality of Life From Canadian Cancer Trials Group MA.17R: A Randomized Trial of Extending Adjuvant Letrozole to 10 Years

PubMed Central

Brundage, Michael D.; Parulekar, Wendy R.; Goss, Paul E.; Ingle, James N.; Pritchard, Kathleen I.; Celano, Paul; Muss, Hyman; Gralow, Julie; Strasser-Weippl, Kathrin; Whelan, Kate; Tu, Dongsheng; Whelan, Timothy J.

2018-01-01

Purpose MA.17R was a Canadian Cancer Trials Group–led phase III randomized controlled trial comparing letrozole to placebo after 5 years of aromatase inhibitor as adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor–positive breast cancer. Quality of life (QOL) was a secondary outcome measure of the study, and here, we report the results of these analyses. Methods QOL was measured using the Short Form-36 (SF-36; two summary scores and eight domains) and menopause-specific QOL (MENQOL; four symptom domains) at baseline and every 12 months up to 60 months. QOL assessment was mandatory for Canadian Cancer Trials Group centers but optional for centers in other groups. Mean change scores from baseline were calculated. Results One thousand nine hundred eighteen women were randomly assigned, and 1,428 women completed the baseline QOL assessment. Compliance with QOL measures was > 85%. Baseline summary scores for the SF-36 physical component summary (47.5 for letrozole and 47.9 for placebo) and mental component summary (55.5 for letrozole and 54.8 for placebo) were close to the population norms of 50. No differences were seen between groups in mean change scores for the SF-36 physical and mental component summaries and the other eight QOL domains except for the role-physical subscale. No difference was found in any of the four domains of the MENQOL Conclusion No clinically significant differences were seen in overall QOL measured by the SF-36 summary measures and MENQOL between the letrozole and placebo groups. The data indicate that continuation of aromatase inhibitor therapy after 5 years of prior treatment in the trial population was not associated with a deterioration of overall QOL. PMID:29328860

Problems With Risk Reclassification Methods for Evaluating Prediction Models

PubMed Central

Pepe, Margaret S.

2011-01-01

For comparing the performance of a baseline risk prediction model with one that includes an additional predictor, a risk reclassification analysis strategy has been proposed. The first step is to cross-classify risks calculated according to the 2 models for all study subjects. Summary measures including the percentage of reclassification and the percentage of correct reclassification are calculated, along with 2 reclassification calibration statistics. The author shows that interpretations of the proposed summary measures and P values are problematic. The author's recommendation is to display the reclassification table, because it shows interesting information, but to use alternative methods for summarizing and comparing model performance. The Net Reclassification Index has been suggested as one alternative method. The author argues for reporting components of the Net Reclassification Index because they are more clinically relevant than is the single numerical summary measure. PMID:21555714

High Energy Astronomy Observatory, Mission C, Phase A. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

A summary of the Phase A of the High Energy Astronomy Observatory Mission-C (HEAO-C) is presented. The mission, baseline experiments, observatory design, and spacecraft subsystems are described, and the principal mission considerations are discussed. A summary is included of the general recommendations.

Evaluation of the Texas Technology Immersion Pilot: An Analysis of the Baseline Conditions and First-Year Implementation of Technology Immersion in Middle Schools. Executive Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shapley, Kelly; Sheehan, Daniel; Sturges, Keith; Caranikas-Walker, Fanny; Huntsberger, Briana; Maloney, Catherine

2006-01-01

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) used Title II, Part D monies to fund a wireless learning environment for high-need middle schools through the Technology Immersion Pilot (TIP). A concurrent research project funded by a federal Evaluating State Education Technology Programs grant is scientifically evaluating whether student achievement improves…

Effect of oral isoflavone supplementation on vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials.

PubMed

Li, Shao-Hua; Liu, Xu-Xia; Bai, Yong-Yi; Wang, Xiao-Jian; Sun, Kai; Chen, Jing-Zhou; Hui, Ru-Tai

2010-02-01

The effect of isoflavone on endothelial function in postmenopausal women is controversial. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of oral isoflavone supplementation on endothelial function, as measured by flow-mediated dilation (FMD), in postmenopausal women. A meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the effect of oral isoflavone supplementation on endothelial function in postmenopausal women. Trials were searched in PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library database, and reviews and reference lists of relevant articles. Summary estimates of weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% CIs were obtained by using random-effects models. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed to identify the source of heterogeneity. A total of 9 trials were reviewed in the present meta-analysis. Overall, the results of the 9 trials showed that isoflavone significantly increased FMD (WMD: 1.75%; 95% CI: 0.83%, 2.67%; P = 0.0002). Meta-regression analysis indicated that the age-adjusted baseline FMD was inversely related to effect size. Subgroup analysis showed that oral supplementation of isoflavone had no influence on FMD if the age-adjusted baseline FMD was > or = 5.2% (4 trials; WMD: 0.24%; 95% CI: -0.94%, 1.42%; P = 0.69). This improvement seemed to be significant when the age-adjusted baseline FMD levels were <5.2% (5 trials; WMD: 2.22%; 95% CI: 1.15%, 3.30%; P < 0.0001), although significant heterogeneity was still detected in this low-baseline-FMD subgroup. Oral isoflavone supplementation does not improve endothelial function in postmenopausal women with high baseline FMD levels but leads to significant improvement in women with low baseline FMD levels.

Extended performance solar electric propulsion thrust system study. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Poeschel, R. L.; Hawthorne, E. I.

1977-01-01

Several thrust system design concepts were evaluated and compared using the specifications of the most advanced 30 cm engineering model thruster as the technology base. The extensions in thruster performance required for the Halley's comet mission were defined and alternative thrust system concepts were designed. Confirmation testing and analysis of thruster and power-processing components were performed, and the feasibility of satisfying extended performance requirements was verified. A baseline design was selected from the alternatives considered, and the design analysis and documentation were refined. A program development plan was formulated that outlines the work structure considered necessary for developing, qualifying, and fabricating the flight hardware for the baseline thrust system within the time frame of a project to rendezvous with Halley's comet. An assessment was made of the costs and risks associated with a baseline thrust system as provided to the mission project under this plan. Critical procurements and interfaces were identified and defined. Results are presented.

Design of experiment for earth rotation and baseline parameter determination from very long baseline interferometry

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dermanis, A.

1977-01-01

The possibility of recovering earth rotation and network geometry (baseline) parameters are emphasized. The numerical simulated experiments performed are set up in an environment where station coordinates vary with respect to inertial space according to a simulated earth rotation model similar to the actual but unknown rotation of the earth. The basic technique of VLBI and its mathematical model are presented. The parametrization of earth rotation chosen is described and the resulting model is linearized. A simple analysis of the geometry of the observations leads to some useful hints on achieving maximum sensitivity of the observations with respect to the parameters considered. The basic philosophy for the simulation of data and their analysis through standard least squares adjustment techniques is presented. A number of characteristic network designs based on present and candidate station locations are chosen. The results of the simulations for each design are presented together with a summary of the conclusions.

Geodetic positioning using a global positioning system of satellites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fell, P. J.

1980-01-01

Geodetic positioning using range, integrated Doppler, and interferometric observations from a constellation of twenty-four Global Positioning System satellites is analyzed. A summary of the proposals for geodetic positioning and baseline determination is given which includes a description of measurement techniques and comments on rank deficiency and error sources. An analysis of variance comparison of range, Doppler, and interferometric time delay to determine their relative geometric strength for baseline determination is included. An analytic examination to the effect of a priori constraints on positioning using simultaneous observations from two stations is presented. Dynamic point positioning and baseline determination using range and Doppler is examined in detail. Models for the error sources influencing dynamic positioning are developed. Included is a discussion of atomic clock stability, and range and Doppler observation error statistics based on random correlated atomic clock error are derived.

Orbital service module systems analysis study documentation. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1978-01-01

Potentially feasible system concepts for providing additional power, thermal control, and attitude to the baseline orbiter were investigated in order to support a greater variety of space missions and to extend the orbiter's ability to remain in orbit. Results of these analyses include an incremental growth plan that offers the flexibility of adding capability as, and when, it is needed in order to satisfy emerging user requirements.

The relationship between preoperative general mental health and postoperative quality of life in minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery.

PubMed

Asher, Rachel; Mason, Ashley E; Weiner, Joseph; Fessler, Richard G

2015-06-01

In assessing poor lumbar surgery outcomes, researchers continue to investigate psychosocial predictors of patient postoperative quality of life. This is the first study of its kind to investigate this relationship in an exclusively minimally invasive patient sample. To determine the association between preoperative mental health and postoperative patient-centered outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive lumbar surgery. In 83 adults undergoing single-level minimally invasive lumbar spine surgery, Pearson correlation and partial correlation analyses were conducted between all demographic and clinical baseline variables and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), and 36-item Short-Form Health Survey Version 2.0 (SF-36v2) scores at 6 to 12 months postoperatively. SF-36v2 mental component summary scores (MCS) were used to assess pre- and postoperative general mental health. Post hoc analysis consisted of Pearson correlations between baseline SF-36v2, ODI, and VAS scores, and an identical set of correlations at outcomes. Preoperative MCS showed no significant association with outcomes VAS, ODI, or physical component summary scores. Baseline disability correlated significantly and more strongly with baseline MCS (P < .001, r = -0.40) than baseline pain levels (VAS back not significant, VAS leg P = .015, r = 0.27). Outcomes disability correlated significantly and more strongly with outcome back and leg pain levels (P < .001, r = 0.60 and 0.66) than outcome MCS (P = .031, r = -0.24). In a patient sample with mental health scores comparable to the population mean, there is no relationship between preoperative general mental health and postoperative patient-centered outcomes. Surgeons should consider the dynamic relationships between patient disability, mental health, and pain levels in assessing quality of life at different time points.

A continuation of base-line studies for environmentally monitoring space transportation systems at John F. Kennedy Space Center. Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stout, I. J.

1980-01-01

Studies conducted in and around John F. Kennedy Space Center, Merrit Island, Florida were designed to establish baseline conditions for various attributes of the biotic and abiotic environment. Features were described and quantitatively measured. Certain condition were found to be appropriate for the detection and assessment of possible environmental perturbations caused by future NASA activities. These include plant communities, mammal populations, rainfall chemistry, fish populations, and the status of rare and endangered species. On the basis of statistical analysis of quantitative data and logistic considerations, it was possible to refine the kinds and amounts of measurements needed to evaluate perturbations in selected environmental components.

Beyond Metrics? The Role of Hydrologic Baseline Archetypes in Environmental Water Management.

PubMed

Lane, Belize A; Sandoval-Solis, Samuel; Stein, Eric D; Yarnell, Sarah M; Pasternack, Gregory B; Dahlke, Helen E

2018-06-22

Balancing ecological and human water needs often requires characterizing key aspects of the natural flow regime and then predicting ecological response to flow alterations. Flow metrics are generally relied upon to characterize long-term average statistical properties of the natural flow regime (hydrologic baseline conditions). However, some key aspects of hydrologic baseline conditions may be better understood through more complete consideration of continuous patterns of daily, seasonal, and inter-annual variability than through summary metrics. Here we propose the additional use of high-resolution dimensionless archetypes of regional stream classes to improve understanding of baseline hydrologic conditions and inform regional environmental flows assessments. In an application to California, we describe the development and analysis of hydrologic baseline archetypes to characterize patterns of flow variability within and between stream classes. We then assess the utility of archetypes to provide context for common flow metrics and improve understanding of linkages between aquatic patterns and processes and their hydrologic controls. Results indicate that these archetypes may offer a distinct and complementary tool for researching mechanistic flow-ecology relationships, assessing regional patterns for streamflow management, or understanding impacts of changing climate.

Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph Observatory summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ford, Virginia; Levine-Westa, Marie; Kissila, Andy; Kwacka, Eug; Hoa, Tim; Dumonta, Phil; Lismana, Doug; Fehera, Peter; Cafferty, Terry

2005-01-01

Creating an optical space telescope observatory capable of detecting and characterizing light from extra-solar terrestrial planets poses technical challenges related to extreme wavefront stability. The Terrestrial Planet Finder Coronagraph design team has been developing an observatory based on trade studies, modeling and analysis that has guided us towards design choices to enable this challenging mission. This paper will describe the current flight baseline design of the observatory and the trade studies that have been performed. The modeling and analysis of this design will be described including predicted performance and the tasks yet to be done.

The United States Army Logistics Center Historical Summary. (RCS-HIS-6 (R2)). 1 October 1976 to 30 September 1978.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-01-10

Experimentation (FDTE) 138 Corps Automation Requirements Baseline Identification Test (CARBIT) 138 Division Materiel Management Center (DMMC) 139 Concept...Evaluation Programs (CEP) 139 Test Design and Evaluation 140 Test and Evaluation Milestone Management System (TEMMS) 140 Manpower Analysis/Force...System (CS3) Maintenance Reporting and Management (MRM) 153 DA - Standard Port System (DASPS) 154 DA - Standard Port System - Enhancement (DASPS-E) 155 DA

Disaster warning system: Satellite feasibility and comparison with terrestrial systems. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spoor, J. H.; Hodge, W. H.; Fluk, M. J.; Bamford, T. F.

1974-01-01

The Disaster Warning System (DWS) is a conceptual system which will provide the National Weather Service (NWS) with communication services in the 1980s to help minimize losses caused by natural disasters. The object of this study is a comparative analysis between a terrestrial DWS and a satellite DWS. Baseline systems satisfying the NOAA requirements were synthesized in sufficient detail so that a comparison could be made in terms of performance and cost. The cost of both baseline systems is dominated by the disaster warning and spotter reporting functions. An effort was undertaken to reduce system cost through lower-capacity alternative systems generated by modifying the baseline systems. By reducing the number of required channels and modifying the spotter reporting techniques, alternative satellite systems were synthesized. A terrestrial alternative with the coverage reduced to an estimated 95 percent of the population was considered.

Re-Assessing Green Building Performance: A Post Occupancy Evaluation of 22 GSA Buildings

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Fowler, Kimberly M.; Rauch, Emily M.; Henderson, Jordan W.

2010-06-01

2nd report on the performance of GSA's sustainably designed buildings. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of measured whole building performance as it compares to GSA and industry baselines. The PNNL research team found the data analysis illuminated strengths and weaknesses of individual buildings as well as the portfolio of buildings. This section includes summary data, observations that cross multiple performance metrics, discussion of lessons learned from this research, and opportunities for future research. The summary of annual data for each of the performance metrics is provided in Table 25. The data represent 1 year ofmore » measurements and are not associated with any specific design features or strategies. Where available, multiple years of data were examined and there were minimal significant differences between the years. Individually focused post occupancy evaluation (POEs) would allow for more detailed analysis of the buildings. Examining building performance over multiple years could potentially offer a useful diagnostic tool for identifying building operations that are in need of operational changes. Investigating what the connection is between the building performance and the design intent would offer potential design guidance and possible insight into building operation strategies. The 'aggregate operating cost' metric used in this study represents the costs that were available for developing a comparative industry baseline for office buildings. The costs include water utilities, energy utilities, general maintenance, grounds maintenance, waste and recycling, and janitorial costs. Three of the buildings that cost more than the baseline in Figure 45 have higher maintenance costs than the baseline, and one has higher energy costs. Given the volume of data collected and analyzed for this study, the inevitable request is for a simple answer with respect to sustainably designed building performance. As previously stated, compiling the individual building values into single metrics is not statistically valid given the small number of buildings, but it has been done to provide a cursory view of this portfolio of sustainably designed buildings. For all metrics except recycling cost per rentable square foot and CBE survey response rate, the averaged building performance was better than the baseline for the GSA buildings in this study.« less

Effects of blueberry supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

PubMed

Zhu, Y; Sun, J; Lu, W; Wang, X; Wang, X; Han, Z; Qiu, C

2017-03-01

Blueberries belong to the genus Vaccinium of the family Ericaceae. A series of epidemiological studies have demonstrated that blueberry polyphenols, particularly blueberry anthocyanins provide significant beneficial effects for humans. However, the findings of clinical studies have been equivocal. Therefore, we sought to assess the potential anti-hypertensive effects of blueberry supplementation through a meta-analysis of available randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, The Cochrane Library, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine Database), Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were performed to identify potential studies published before June 2015. The standardized mean difference and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as summary statistics. Net changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) between the blueberry and placebo groups were calculated by subtracting the values at the end of follow-up from those at baseline. Meta-regression was used to identify potential moderators of effect size. Six RCT studies with 204 participants were included in our meta-analysis. There was no significant effect of blueberry supplementation on changes in blood pressure (BP) relative to baseline, and there was a mean difference of -0.28 (95% CI: -1.11 to 0.56, I 2 =87%) and -0.5 (95% CI: -1.24 to 0.24, I 2 =84%) mmHg for SBP and DBP, respectively. In summary, the results from this meta-analysis do not favor any clinical efficacy of blueberry supplementation in improving BP. Further well-designed larger RCTs are required to verify the association between blueberry supplementation and BP.

Baseline estradiol concentration in community-dwelling Japanese American men is not associated with intra-abdominal fat accumulation over 10 years

PubMed Central

Kocarnik, Beverly M.; Boyko, Edward J.; Matsumoto, Alvin M.; Fujimoto, Wilfred Y.; Hayashi, Tomoshige; Leonetti, Donna L.; Page, Stephanie T.

2016-01-01

Summary Problem The role of plasma estradiol in the accumulation of intra-abdominal fat (IAF) in men is uncertain. Cross-sectional studies using imaging of IAF have shown either a positive or no association. In contrast, a randomised controlled trial using an aromatase inhibitor to suppress estradiol production found an association between oestrogen deficiency and short-term IAF accumulation. No longitudinal study has been conducted to examine the relationship between plasma estradiol concentration and the change in IAF area measured using direct imaging. Methods This is a longitudinal observational study in community-dwelling Japanese-American men (n = 215, mean age 52 years, BMI 25.4 kg/m2). IAF and subcutaneous fat areas were assessed using computerized tomography (CT) at baseline, 5 and 10 years. Baseline plasma estradiol concentrations were measured using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Results Univariate analysis found no association between baseline estradiol concentration and baseline IAF, or 5- or 10-year changes in IAF area (r = −0.05 for both time points, p = 0.45 and p = 0.43, respectively). Multivariate linear regression analysis of the change in IAF area by baseline estradiol concentration adjusted for age, baseline IAF area, and weight change found no association with either the 5- or 10-year IAF area change (p = 0.52 and p = 0.55, respectively). Conclusions Plasma estradiol concentration was not associated with baseline IAF nor with change in IAF area over 5 or 10 years based on serial CT scans in community-dwelling Japanese-American men. These results do not support a role for oestrogen deficiency in IAF accumulation in men. PMID:26747209

Predictors and Outcomes of Health–Related Quality of Life in Adults with CKD

PubMed Central

Lash, James P.; Xie, Dawei; Pan, Qiang; DeLuca, Jennifer; Kanthety, Radhika; Kusek, John W.; Lora, Claudia M.; Nessel, Lisa; Ricardo, Ana C.; Wright Nunes, Julie; Fischer, Michael J.

2016-01-01

Background and objectives Low health–related quality of life is associated with increased mortality in patients with ESRD. However, little is known about demographic and clinical factors associated with health–related quality of life or its effect on outcomes in adults with CKD. Design, settings, participants, & measurements Data from 3837 adult participants with mild to severe CKD enrolled in the prospective observational Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort and Hispanic Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort Studies were analyzed. Health–related quality of life was assessed at baseline with the Kidney Disease Quality of Life-36 and its five subscales: mental component summary, physical component summary, burden of kidney disease (burden), effects of kidney disease (effects), and symptoms and problems of kidney disease (symptoms). Low health–related quality of life was defined as baseline score >1 SD below the mean. Using Cox proportional hazards analysis, the relationships between low health–related quality of life and the following outcomes were examined: (1) CKD progression (50% eGFR loss or incident ESRD), (2) incident cardiovascular events, and (3) all-cause death. Results Younger age, women, low education, diabetes, vascular disease, congestive heart failure, obesity, and lower eGFR were associated with low baseline health–related quality of life (P<0.05). During a median follow-up of 6.2 years, there were 1055 CKD progression events, 841 cardiovascular events, and 694 deaths. Significantly higher crude rates of CKD progression, incident cardiovascular events, and all-cause death were observed among participants with low health–related quality of life in all subscales (P<0.05). In fully adjusted models, low physical component summary, effects, and symptoms subscales were independently associated with a higher risk of incident cardiovascular events and death, whereas low mental component summary was independently associated with a higher risk of death (P<0.05). Low health–related quality of life was not associated with CKD progression. Conclusions Low health–related quality of life across several subscales was independently associated with a higher risk of incident cardiovascular events and death but not associated with CKD progression. PMID:27246012

Space shuttle propulsion systems on-board checkout and monitoring system development study (extension). Volume 1: Summary and technical results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An analysis was conducted of the space shuttle propulsion systems to define the onboard checkout and monitoring function. A baseline space shuttle vehicle and mission were used to establish the techniques and approach for defining the requirements. The requirements were analyzed to formulate criteria for implementing the functions of preflight checkout, performance monitoring, fault isolation, emergency detection, display, data storage, postflight evaluation, and maintenance retest.

The effects of atomoxetine on emotional control in adults with ADHD: An integrated analysis of multicenter studies.

PubMed

Asherson, P; Stes, S; Nilsson Markhed, M; Berggren, L; Svanborg, P; Kutzelnigg, A; Deberdt, W

2015-06-01

To investigate the effects of atomoxetine on emotional control in adults with ADHD. We performed an integrated analysis using individual patient data pooled from three Eli Lilly-sponsored studies. An integrated analysis can be viewed as a meta-analysis of individual patient-level data, rather than study-level summary data. Two populations were identified: a large sample of patients with pre-treatment baseline data (the "overall population"; n=2846); and a subset of these patients with placebo-controlled efficacy data from baseline to 10 or 12 weeks after initiating treatment (the "placebo-controlled population"; n=829). At baseline, in the overall population, ∼50% of ADHD patients had BRIEF-AS (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult Version Self-Report) Emotional control subscores between 21 and 30, compared with ∼10% of normative subjects in the BRIEF-A manual. At endpoint, in the placebo-controlled population, atomoxetine led to a small (effect size 0.19) but significant (P=0.013) treatment effect for emotional control. The effect size was 0.32 in patients with BRIEF-AS Emotional control scores>20 at baseline. Improvements in emotional control correlated with improvements in the core ADHD symptoms and quality-of-life. As deficient emotional control is associated with impaired social, educational and occupational functioning over and above that explained by core ADHD symptoms alone, improvements in emotional control may be clinically relevant. At baseline, adults with ADHD were more likely to have impaired emotional control than normative subjects. In the adult ADHD patients, atomoxetine treatment was associated with improvements in emotional control, as well as in core ADHD symptoms and quality-of-life. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Long-term natalizumab treatment is associated with sustained improvements in quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.

PubMed

Foley, John F; Nair, Kavita V; Vollmer, Timothy; Stephenson, Judith J; Niecko, Timothy; Agarwal, Sonalee S; Watson, Crystal

2017-01-01

Multiple sclerosis (MS) patients experience lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than the general population. In clinical trials, natalizumab significantly improved HRQoL and reduced relapse rates and disability progression in patients with relapsing MS. In a 1-year analysis of patients included in the current study, HRQoL improvement occurred within 3 months of natalizumab initiation and continued for 1 year thereafter. However, natalizumab's long-term efficacy in improving HRQoL has not been studied. In this longitudinal, observational, single-arm US study, HRQoL and treatment satisfaction were evaluated in MS patients receiving intravenous natalizumab 300 mg every 4 weeks in clinical settings. Patients completed surveys at baseline and every 6 months for 3 years and reported the following measures: Short Form-12 Version 2 (SF-12v2), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication. In this study, 120 patients completed ≥3 years of natalizumab treatment. Significant HRQoL improvements were evident from baseline to year 3 by increases in SF-12v2 Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary scores ( P <0.01) and decreases in MSIS-29 physical and psychological scores ( P <0.0001). Patients with less physical disability (baseline Disease Steps [DS] 0-2) had significant improvement from baseline to year 3 in SF-12v2 PCS ( P <0.05) and MSIS-29 physical scores ( P <0.05). Physical HRQoL outcomes in patients with baseline DS 3-6 remained stable over 3 years. Treatment satisfaction increased significantly from baseline to year 1 ( P <0.0001) and was maintained in the following 2 years. Patients reported physical and psychological HRQoL improvements over 3 years of natalizumab treatment, supporting the long-term efficacy of natalizumab in real-world settings. Lower baseline disease activity and earlier treatment were related to better outcomes, indicating the importance of starting natalizumab early in the disease course. Treatment satisfaction increased after natalizumab initiation and remained high over 3 years of treatment.

Macitentan Improves Health-Related Quality of Life for Patients With Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Results From the Randomized Controlled SERAPHIN Trial.

PubMed

Mehta, Sanjay; Sastry, Bhagavatula Kutumba Srinivasa; Souza, Rogério; Torbicki, Adam; Ghofrani, Hossein-Ardeschir; Channick, Richard N; Delcroix, Marion; Pulido, Tomás; Simonneau, Gérald; Wlodarczyk, John; Rubin, Lewis J; Jansa, Pavel; Hunsche, Elke; Galiè, Nazzareno; Perchenet, Loïc; Sitbon, Olivier

2017-01-01

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) leads to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The objectives of this analysis were to evaluate the effect of macitentan on HRQoL in patients with PAH in the Study with an Endothelin Receptor Antagonist in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension to Improve Clinical Outcome (SERAPHIN) study. The association between baseline HRQoL and long-term outcomes was also investigated. Patients were randomized to placebo, macitentan 3 mg, or macitentan 10 mg once daily. Patients aged 14 years or older completed the 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36) at baseline, at month 6 and month 12, and at the end of treatment (EOT). The absolute change from baseline to month 6 in SF-36 scores was calculated. The time to a clinically meaningful deterioration in the SF-36 physical component summary and mental component summary (PCS and MCS) scores and associations between baseline PCS/MCS scores and time to morbidity/mortality events were also assessed. At month 6, macitentan 10 mg significantly improved seven of eight SF-36 domains and the PCS and MCS scores vs placebo. Macitentan 10 mg significantly reduced the risk of a three-point or greater deterioration in PCS (hazard ratio [HR], 0.60; 95% CI, 0.47-0.76; P < .0001) and MCS scores (HR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.61-0.95; P = .0173) until EOT vs placebo. Patients with a baseline PCS score greater than the median baseline value had a significantly reduced risk of morbidity/mortality compared with patients with a PCS score less than the median; a similar result was observed for the MCS score. Macitentan significantly improved HRQoL in patients with PAH compared with placebo and significantly reduced the risk of a clinically meaningful HRQoL deterioration. An association between better baseline HRQoL and improved long-term outcomes was shown. ClinicalTrials.gov; No.: NCT00660179; URL: clinicaltrials.gov. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Proceedings: Outer Planet Probe Technology Workshop, summary volume

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

A summary report and overview of the Outer Planet Probe Technology Conference are given. Summary data cover: (1) state of the art concerning mission definitions, probe requirements, systems, subsystems, and mission peculiar hardware, (2) mission and equipment trade-offs associated with Saturn/Uranus baseline configuration and the influence of Titan and Jupiter options on mission performance and costs, and (3) identification of critically required future R and D activities.

Site systems engineering fiscal year 1999 multi-year work plan (MYWP) update for WBS 1.8.2.2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

GRYGIEL, M.L.

1998-10-08

Manage the Site Systems Engineering process to provide a traceable integrated requirements-driven, and technically defensible baseline. Through the Site Integration Group(SIG), Systems Engineering ensures integration of technical activities across all site projects. Systems Engineering's primary interfaces are with the RL Project Managers, the Project Direction Office and with the Project Major Subcontractors, as well as with the Site Planning organization. Systems Implementation: (1) Develops, maintains, and controls the site integrated technical baseline, ensures the Systems Engineering interfaces between projects are documented, and maintain the Site Environmental Management Specification. (2) Develops and uses dynamic simulation models for verification of the baselinemore » and analysis of alternatives. (3) Performs and documents fictional and requirements analyses. (4) Works with projects, technology management, and the SIG to identify and resolve technical issues. (5) Supports technical baseline information for the planning and budgeting of the Accelerated Cleanup Plan, Multi-Year Work Plans, Project Baseline Summaries as well as performance measure reporting. (6) Works with projects to ensure the quality of data in the technical baseline. (7) Develops, maintains and implements the site configuration management system.« less

Water and Sediment Chemical Data and Data Summary for Samples Collected in 1999 and 2001 in the Goodpaster River Basin, Big Delta B-2 Quadrangle, Alaska

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wang, Bronwen; Gough, Larry; Wanty, Richard; Vohden, Jim; Crock, Jim; Day, Warren

2006-01-01

We report the chemical analysis for water and sediment collected from the Big Delta B-2 quadrangle. These data are part of a study located in the Big Delta B-2 quadrangle that focused on the integration of geology and bedrock geochemistry on with the biogeochemistry of water, sediments, soil, and vegetation. The discovery of the Pogo lode gold deposit in the northwest corner of the quadrangle was the impetus for this study. The study objectives were to create a geologic map, evaluate the bedrock geochemical influence on the geochemical signature of the surficial environment, and define landscape-level predevelopment geochemical baselines. Important to baseline development is an evaluation of what, if any, geochemical difference exists between the mineralized and non-mineralized areas within a watershed or between mineralized and non-mineralized watersheds. The analytic results for the bedrock, soils, and vegetation are reported elsewhere. Presented here, with minimal interpretation, is the analytic data for the water and sediment samples collected in the summers of 1999 and 2001, and a summary statistics of these analyses.

Hazardous material transportation safety and security field operational test beta test and baseline data report : executive summary

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2003-10-29

The Beta Test and Baseline Data Collection efforts ensured that the test technologies would successfully operate during the field operational test (FOT) in the designed scenario configurations. These efforts also ensured that FOT systems would succes...

IUS/TUG orbital operations and mission support study. Volume 3: Space tug operations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

A study was conducted to develop space tug operational concepts and baseline operations plan, and to provide cost estimates for space tug operations. Background data and study results are presented along with a transition phase analysis (the transition from interim upper state to tug operations). A summary is given of the tug operational and interface requirements with emphasis on the on-orbit checkout requirements, external interface operational requirements, safety requirements, and system operational interface requirements. Other topics discussed include reference missions baselined for the tug and details for the mission functional flows and timelines derived for the tug mission, tug subsystems, tug on-orbit operations prior to the tug first burn, spacecraft deployment and retrieval by the tug, operations centers, mission planning, potential problem areas, and cost data.

Potential of spark ignition engine for increased fuel efficiency. Final report, January-October 1978

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Taylor, T. Jr.; Cole, D.; Bolt, J.A.

The objective of this study was to assess the potential of the spark ignition engine to deliver maximum fuel efficiency at 1981 Statutory Emission Standards in the 1983-1984 timeframe and beyond that to 1990. Based on the results of an extensive literature search, manufacturer's known product plans, and fuel economies of 1978 engines as a baseline, proposed methods of attaining fuel economy while complying with the future standards were ascertained. Methods of engine control optimization, engine design optimization as well as methods of varying engine parameters were considered. The potential improvements in fuel economy associated with these methods, singly andmore » in combination, were determined and are expressed as percentage changes of the fuel economy of the baseline engines. A summary of the principal conclusions are presented, followed by a description of the engine baseline reference, analysis and projection of fuel economy improvements, and a preliminary assessment of the impact of fuel economy benefits on manufacturing cost.« less

Advanced life support study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1991-01-01

Summary reports on each of the eight tasks undertaken by this contract are given. Discussed here is an evaluation of a Closed Ecological Life Support System (CELSS), including modeling and analysis of Physical/Chemical Closed Loop Life Support (P/C CLLS); the Environmental Control and Life Support Systems (ECLSS) evolution - Intermodule Ventilation study; advanced technologies interface requirements relative to ECLSS; an ECLSS resupply analysis; the ECLSS module addition relocation systems engineering analysis; an ECLSS cost/benefit analysis to identify rack-level interface requirements of the alternate technologies evaluated in the ventilation study, with a comparison of these with the rack level interface requirements for the baseline technologies; advanced instrumentation - technology database enhancement; and a clean room survey and assessment of various ECLSS evaluation options for different growth scenarios.

Complement factor H Y402H variant and risk of age-related macular degeneration in Asians: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Kondo, Naoshi; Bessho, Hiroaki; Honda, Shigeru; Negi, Akira

2011-02-01

To investigate whether the Y402H variant in the complement factor H gene is associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in Asian populations. Meta-analysis of previous publications. Case-control groups of subjects with AMD and controls from 13 association studies. We performed a meta-analysis of the association between Y402H and AMD in Asian populations using data available from 13 case-control studies involving 3973 subjects. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using fixed- and random-effects models. The Q-statistic test was used to assess heterogeneity, and Egger's test was used to evaluate publication bias. Sensitivity analysis, cumulative meta-analysis, and meta-regression analysis were also performed. Allele and genotype frequencies of the Y402H variant. The Y402H variant showed a significant summary OR of 1.97 (95% CI, 1.54-2.52; P<0.001; allelic contrast model) per allele. Possession of at least 1 copy of the C allele increased the disease risk by 1.97-fold (95% CI, 1.63-2.39; P<0.001; dominant model) and accounted for 8.8% of the attributable risk of AMD in Asian populations. Sensitivity analysis indicated the robustness of our findings, and evidence of publication bias was not observed in our meta-analysis. Meta-regression analysis indicated no significant effect of baseline study characteristics on the summary effect size. Cumulative meta-analysis revealed that the summary ORs were stable and the 95% CIs narrowed with the accumulation of data over time. Our analysis provides substantial evidence that the Y402H variant is significantly associated with AMD in Asian populations. Our results expand the number of confirmed AMD susceptibility loci for Asians populations, which provide a better understanding of the genetic architecture underlying disease susceptibility and may advance the potential for preclinical prediction in future genetic tests by a combined evaluation of inherited susceptibility with previously established loci. Copyright © 2011 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Baseline Report on HB2320

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, 2015

2015-01-01

Staff provides this baseline report as a summary of its preliminary considerations and initial research in fulfillment of the requirements of HB2320 from the 2015 session of the General Assembly. Codified as § 23-7.4:7, this legislation compels the Education Secretary and the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) Director, in…

A daily huddle facilitates patient transports from a neonatal intensive care unit

PubMed Central

Hughes Driscoll, Colleen; El Metwally, Dina

2014-01-01

To improve hospital access for expectant women and newborns in the state of Maryland, a quality improvement team reviewed the patient flow characteristics of our neonatal intensive care unit. We identified inefficiencies in patient discharges, including delays in patient transports. Several patient transport delays were caused by late preparation and delivery of the patient transfer summary. Baseline data collection revealed that transfer summaries were prepared on-time by the resident or nurse practitioner only 41% of the time on average, while the same transfer summaries were signed on-time by the neonatologist 5% of the time on average. Our aim was to improve the rate of on-time transfer summaries to 50% over a four month time period. We performed two PDSA cycles based on feedback from our quality improvement team. In the first cycle, we instituted a daily huddle to increase opportunities for communication about patient transports. In the second cycle, we increased computer access for residents and nurse practitioners preparing the transfer summaries. The on-time summary preparation by residents/nurse practitioners improved to an average of 72% over a nine month period. The same summaries were signed on-time by a neonatologist 26% of the time on average over a nine month period. In conclusion, institution of a daily huddle combined with augmented computer resources significantly increased the percentage of on-time transfer summaries. Current data show a trend toward improved ability to accept patient referrals. Further data collection and analysis is needed to determine the impact of these interventions on access to hospital care for expectant women and newborns in our state. PMID:26734275

Asymmetries and Visual Field Summaries as Predictors of Glaucoma in the Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study

PubMed Central

Levine, Richard A.; Demirel, Shaban; Fan, Juanjuan; Keltner, John L.; Johnson, Chris A.; Kass, Michael A.

2007-01-01

Purpose To evaluate whether baseline visual field data and asymmetries between eyes predict the onset of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Ocular Hypertension Treatment Study (OHTS) participants. Methods A new index, mean prognosis (MP), was designed for optimal combination of visual field thresholds, to discriminate between eyes that developed POAG from eyes that did not. Baseline intraocular pressure (IOP) in fellow eyes was used to construct measures of IOP asymmetry. Age-adjusted baseline thresholds were used to develop indicators of visual field asymmetry and summary measures of visual field defects. Marginal multivariate failure time models were constructed that relate the new index MP, IOP asymmetry, and visual field asymmetry to POAG onset for OHTS participants. Results The marginal multivariate failure time analysis showed that the MP index is significantly related to POAG onset (P < 0.0001) and appears to be a more highly significant predictor of POAG onset than either mean deviation (MD; P = 0.17) or pattern standard deviation (PSD; P = 0.046). A 1-mm Hg increase in IOP asymmetry between fellow eyes is associated with a 17% increase in risk for development of POAG. When threshold asymmetry between eyes existed, the eye with lower thresholds was at a 37% greater risk of development of POAG, and this feature was more predictive of POAG onset than the visual field index MD, though not as strong a predictor as PSD. Conclusions The MP index, IOP asymmetry, and binocular test point asymmetry can assist in clinical evaluation of eyes at risk of development of POAG. PMID:16936102

Unique dietary patterns and chronic disease risk profiles of adult men: the Framingham nutrition studies.

PubMed

Millen, Barbara E; Quatromoni, Paula A; Pencina, Michael; Kimokoti, Ruth; Nam, Byung-H O; Cobain, Sonia; Kozak, Waldemar; Appugliese, Danielle P; Ordovas, Jose; D'Agostino, Ralph B

2005-11-01

To identify the dietary patterns of adult men and examine their relationships with nutrient intake and chronic disease risk over long-term follow-up. Baseline 145-item food frequency questionnaires from 1,666 Framingham Offspring-Spouse cohort men were used to identify comprehensive dietary patterns. Independent 3-day dietary records at baseline and 8 years later provided estimates of subjects' nutrient intake by dietary pattern. Chronic disease risk factor status was compared at baseline and 16-year follow-up across all male dietary patterns. Cluster analysis was applied to food frequency data to identify non-overlapping male dietary patterns. Analysis of covariance and logistic regression were used to compare nutrient intake, summary nutritional risk scores, and chronic disease risk status at baseline and follow-up by male dietary pattern. Five distinct and comprehensive dietary patterns of Framingham Offspring-Spouse men were identified and ordered according to overall nutritional risk: Transition to Heart Healthy, Higher Starch, Average Male, Lower Variety, and Empty Calories. Nutritional risk was high and varied by dietary pattern; key nutrient contrasts were stable over 8-year follow-up. Chronic disease risk also varied by dietary pattern and specific subgroup differences persisted over 16 years, notably rates of overweight/obesity and smoking. Quantitative cluster analysis applied to food frequency questionnaire data identified five distinct, comprehensive, and stable dietary patterns of adult Framingham Offspring-Spouse cohort men. The close associations between the dietary patterns, nutritional risk, and chronic disease profiles of men emphasize the importance of targeted preventive nutrition interventions to promote health in the male population.

Modular space station phase B extension period executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tischler, A. A.; Could, C. L.

1972-01-01

A narrative summary is presented of technical, programmatic, and planning information developed during the space station definition study extension period. The modular space station is emphasized, but tasks pertaining to shuttle sorties missions and information management advanced development are included. A series of program options considering technical, schedule, and programmatic alternatives to the baseline program are defined and evaluated.

Measuring disease progression in early Parkinson disease: the National Institutes of Health Exploratory Trials in Parkinson Disease (NET-PD) experience.

PubMed

Parashos, Sotirios A; Luo, Sheng; Biglan, Kevin M; Bodis-Wollner, Ivan; He, Bo; Liang, Grace S; Ross, G Webster; Tilley, Barbara C; Shulman, Lisa M

2014-06-01

Optimizing assessments of rate of progression in Parkinson disease (PD) is important in designing clinical trials, especially of potential disease-modifying agents. To examine the value of measures of impairment, disability, and quality of life in assessing progression in early PD. Inception cohort analysis of data from 413 patients with early, untreated PD who were enrolled in 2 multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trials. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 5 treatments (67 received creatine, 66 received minocycline, 71 received coenzyme Q10, 71 received GPI-1485, and 138 received placebo). We assessed the association between the rates of change in measures of impairment, disability, and quality of life and time to initiation of symptomatic treatment. Time between baseline assessment and need for the initiation of symptomatic pharmaceutical treatment for PD was the primary indicator of disease progression. After adjusting for baseline confounding variables with regard to the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part II score, the UPDRS Part III score, the modified Rankin Scale score, level of education, and treatment group, we assessed the rate of change for the following measurements: the UPDRS Part II score; the UPDRS Part III score; the Schwab and England Independence Scale score (which measures activities of daily living); the Total Functional Capacity scale; the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire, summary index, and activities of daily living subscale; and version 2 of the 12-item Short Form Health Survey Physical Summary and Mental Summary. Variables reaching the statistical threshold in univariate analysis were entered into a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model using time to symptomatic treatment as the dependent variable. More rapid change (ie, worsening) in the UPDRS Part II score (hazard ratio, 1.15 [95% CI, 1.08-1.22] for 1 scale unit change per 6 months), the UPDRS Part III score (hazard ratio, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.06-1.13] for 1 scale unit change per 6 months), and the Schwab and England Independence Scale score (hazard ratio, 1.29 [95% CI, 1.12-1.48] for 5 percentage point change per 6 months) was associated with earlier need for symptomatic therapy. AND RELEVANCE In early PD, the UPDRS Part II score and Part III score and the Schwab and England Independence Scale score can be used to measure disease progression, whereas the 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire and summary index, Total Functional Capacity scale, and the 12-item Short Form Health Survey Physical Summary and Mental Summary are not sensitive to change. clinicaltrials.gov Identifiers: NCT00063193 and NCT00076492.

Using existing questionnaires in latent class analysis: should we use summary scores or single items as input? A methodological study using a cohort of patients with low back pain.

PubMed

Nielsen, Anne Molgaard; Vach, Werner; Kent, Peter; Hestbaek, Lise; Kongsted, Alice

2016-01-01

Latent class analysis (LCA) is increasingly being used in health research, but optimal approaches to handling complex clinical data are unclear. One issue is that commonly used questionnaires are multidimensional, but expressed as summary scores. Using the example of low back pain (LBP), the aim of this study was to explore and descriptively compare the application of LCA when using questionnaire summary scores and when using single items to subgrouping of patients based on multidimensional data. Baseline data from 928 LBP patients in an observational study were classified into four health domains (psychology, pain, activity, and participation) using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health framework. LCA was performed within each health domain using the strategies of summary-score and single-item analyses. The resulting subgroups were descriptively compared using statistical measures and clinical interpretability. For each health domain, the preferred model solution ranged from five to seven subgroups for the summary-score strategy and seven to eight subgroups for the single-item strategy. There was considerable overlap between the results of the two strategies, indicating that they were reflecting the same underlying data structure. However, in three of the four health domains, the single-item strategy resulted in a more nuanced description, in terms of more subgroups and more distinct clinical characteristics. In these data, application of both the summary-score strategy and the single-item strategy in the LCA subgrouping resulted in clinically interpretable subgroups, but the single-item strategy generally revealed more distinguishing characteristics. These results 1) warrant further analyses in other data sets to determine the consistency of this finding, and 2) warrant investigation in longitudinal data to test whether the finer detail provided by the single-item strategy results in improved prediction of outcomes and treatment response.

Design and analysis report for the RL10-2B breadboard low thrust engine

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brown, J. R.; Foust, R. R.; Galler, D. E.; Kanic, P. G.; Kmiec, T. D.; Limerick, C. D.; Peckham, R. J.; Swartwout, T.

1984-01-01

The breadboard low thrust RL10-2B engine is described. A summary of the analysis and design effort to define the multimode thrust concept applicable to the requirements for the upper stage vehicles is provided. Baseline requirements were established for operation of the RL10-2B engine under the following conditions: (1) tank head idle at low propellant tank pressures without vehicle propellant conditioning or settling thrust; (2) pumped idle at a ten percent thrust level for low G deployment and/or vehicle tank pressurization; and (3) full thrust (15,000 lb.). Several variations of the engine configuration were investigated and results of the analyses are included.

Longitudinal Evaluation of Sleep-Disordered Breathing and Sleep Symptoms with Change in Quality of Life: The Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS)

PubMed Central

Silva, Graciela E.; An, Ming-Wen; Goodwin, James L.; Shahar, Eyal; Redline, Susan; Resnick, Helaine; Baldwin, Carol M.; Quan, Stuart F.

2009-01-01

Study Objectives: Findings from population studies evaluating the progression and incidence of sleep disordered breathing have shown evidence of a longitudinal increase in the severity of sleep disordered breathing. The present study evaluates the association among changes in sleep disordered breathing, sleep symptoms, and quality of life over time. Design: Prospective cohort study. Data were from the Sleep Heart Health Study. Setting: Multicenter study. Participants: Three thousand seventy-eight subjects aged 40 years and older from the baseline and follow-up examination cycles were included. Measurements: The primary outcomes were changes in the Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scales obtained from the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey. The primary exposure was change in the respiratory disturbance index obtained from unattended overnight polysomnograms performed approximately 5 years apart. Other covariates included measures of excessive daytime sleepiness and difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep. Results: Mean respiratory disturbance index increased from 8.1 ± 11 SD at baseline to 10.9 ± 14 (P < 0.0001) at follow-up. The mean Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary scores were 48.5 and 54.1 at baseline and 46.3 and 54.8 at follow-up. No associations between change in respiratory disturbance index and changes in Physical Component Summary or Mental Component Summary scores were seen. However, worsening of difficulty initiating and maintaining sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness were significantly associated with lower quality of life. Conclusions: A slight increase in severity of sleep disordered breathing was seen over 5 years; this was not associated with worsening of quality of life. However, subjective symptoms of quality of sleep and daytime sleepiness were associated with declining quality of life. Citation: Silva GE; An MW; Goodwin JL; Shahar E; Redline S; Resnick H; Baldwin CM; Quan SF. Longitudinal evaluation of sleep-disordered breathing and sleep symptoms with change in quality of life: the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS). SLEEP 2009;32(8):1049-1057. PMID:19725256

Anaemia and related nutrient deficiencies after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

PubMed Central

Weng, Ting-Chia; Chang, Chia-Hsuin; Dong, Yaa-Hui; Chang, Yi-Cheng; Chuang, Lee-Ming

2015-01-01

Objective To obtain a pooled risk estimate on the long-term impact of anaemia and related nutritional deficiencies in patients receiving Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched to identify English reports published before 16 May 2014. Eligibility criteria Articles with case numbers >100, follow-up period >12 months, and complete data from both before and after surgery were selected. Outcomes of interest were changes in baseline measurements of proportion of patients with anaemia, by haemoglobin, haematocrit, ferritin, iron, vitamin B12 and folate levels. Data collection and analysis Two reviewers independently reviewed data and selected six prospective and nine retrospective studies with a total of 5909 patients. A random effect model with inverse variance weighting was used to calculate summary estimates of outcomes at 6, 12, 24 and 36 months postoperatively. Results Proportion of patients with anaemia was 12.2% at baseline, which, respectively, increased to 20.9% and 25.9% at 12 and 24 months follow-up, consistent with decreases in haemoglobin and haematocrit levels. Although the serum iron level did not change substantially after surgery, the frequency of patients with ferritin deficiency increased from 7.9% at baseline to 13.4% and 23.0% at 12 and 24 months, respectively, postoperation. Vitamin B12 deficiency increased from 2.3% at baseline to 6.5% at 12 months after surgery in those subjects receiving RYGB. There was no obvious increase in folate deficiency. Conclusions RYGB surgery is associated with an increased risk of anaemia and deficiencies of iron and vitamin B12, but not folate. Ferritin is more sensitive when serum iron level is within normal range. PMID:26185175

Integrated immunogenicity analysis of a tetravalent dengue vaccine up to 4 y after vaccination.

PubMed

Vigne, Claire; Dupuy, Martin; Richetin, Aline; Guy, Bruno; Jackson, Nicholas; Bonaparte, Matthew; Hu, Branda; Saville, Melanie; Chansinghakul, Danaya; Noriega, Fernando; Plennevaux, Eric

2017-09-02

Two large pivotal phase III studies demonstrated the efficacy of the tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV; Dengvaxia®, Sanofi Pasteur) against all dengue serotypes. Here we present an unprecedented integrated summary of the immunogenicity of CYD-TDV to identify the parameters driving the neutralizing humoral immune response and evolution over time. We summarized the immunogenicity profiles of a 3-dose schedule of CYD-TDV administered 6 months apart across 10 phase II and 6 phase III trials undertaken in dengue endemic and non-endemic countries. Dengue neutralizing antibody titers in sera were determined at centralized laboratories using the 50% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT 50 ) at baseline, 28 d after the third dose, and annually thereafter for up to 4 y after the third dose in some studies. CYD-TDV elicits neutralizing antibody responses against all 4 dengue serotypes; geometric mean titers (GMTs) increased from baseline to post-dose 3. GMTs were influenced by several parameters including age, baseline dengue seropositivity and region. In the 2 pivotal studies, GMTs decreased initially during the first 2 y post-dose 3 but appear to stabilize or slightly increase again in the third year. GMTs persisted 1.2-3.2-fold higher than baseline levels for up to 4 y post-dose 3 in other studies undertaken in dengue endemic countries. Our integrated analysis captures the fullness of the CYD-TDV immunogenicity profile across studies, age groups and regions; by presenting the available data in this way general trends and substantial outliers within each grouping can be easily identified. CYD-TDV elicits neutralizing antibody responses against all dengue serotypes, with differences by age and endemicity, which persist above baseline levels in endemic countries.

Integrated immunogenicity analysis of a tetravalent dengue vaccine up to 4 y after vaccination

PubMed Central

Vigne, Claire; Dupuy, Martin; Richetin, Aline; Guy, Bruno; Jackson, Nicholas; Bonaparte, Matthew; Hu, Branda; Saville, Melanie; Chansinghakul, Danaya; Noriega, Fernando; Plennevaux, Eric

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Two large pivotal phase III studies demonstrated the efficacy of the tetravalent dengue vaccine (CYD-TDV; Dengvaxia®, Sanofi Pasteur) against all dengue serotypes. Here we present an unprecedented integrated summary of the immunogenicity of CYD-TDV to identify the parameters driving the neutralizing humoral immune response and evolution over time. We summarized the immunogenicity profiles of a 3-dose schedule of CYD-TDV administered 6 months apart across 10 phase II and 6 phase III trials undertaken in dengue endemic and non-endemic countries. Dengue neutralizing antibody titers in sera were determined at centralized laboratories using the 50% plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT50) at baseline, 28 d after the third dose, and annually thereafter for up to 4 y after the third dose in some studies. CYD-TDV elicits neutralizing antibody responses against all 4 dengue serotypes; geometric mean titers (GMTs) increased from baseline to post-dose 3. GMTs were influenced by several parameters including age, baseline dengue seropositivity and region. In the 2 pivotal studies, GMTs decreased initially during the first 2 y post-dose 3 but appear to stabilize or slightly increase again in the third year. GMTs persisted 1.2–3.2-fold higher than baseline levels for up to 4 y post-dose 3 in other studies undertaken in dengue endemic countries. Our integrated analysis captures the fullness of the CYD-TDV immunogenicity profile across studies, age groups and regions; by presenting the available data in this way general trends and substantial outliers within each grouping can be easily identified. CYD-TDV elicits neutralizing antibody responses against all dengue serotypes, with differences by age and endemicity, which persist above baseline levels in endemic countries. PMID:28598256

Agalsidase beta treatment is associated with improved quality of life in patients with Fabry disease: findings from the Fabry Registry.

PubMed

Watt, Torquil; Burlina, Alessandro P; Cazzorla, Chiara; Schönfeld, Dorothee; Banikazemi, Maryam; Hopkin, Robert J; Martins, Ana Maria; Sims, Katherine; Beitner-Johnson, Dana; O'Brien, Fanny; Feldt-Rasmussen, Ulla

2010-11-01

To evaluate the effect of agalsidase beta on longitudinal health-related quality of life in patients with Fabry disease. The SF-36® Health Survey was used to measure health-related quality of life in Fabry Registry patients. Seventy-one men and 59 women who were treated with agalsidase beta (median dose: 1.0 mg/kg/² weeks) and who had baseline and at least 2 yearly posttreatment health-related quality of life measurements were included in these analyses. A repeated measures model was used to analyze change in score from baseline. Men improved in the physical component summary and in all eight scales of the SF-36 after 1 and 2 years and in the mental component summary after 1 year of agalsidase beta treatment (P < 0.05). Women improved in the mental component summary and in six of the eight scales after 1 and/or 2 years of treatment. Patients whose baseline SF-36 scores were below the median showed the greatest improvements. These responses were comparable with or greater than the published effects of various treatments for multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, central neuropathic pain, and Gaucher disease. Long-term treatment with agalsidase beta resulted in substantial improvements in health-related quality of life in both men and women; the effect was more pronounced in men.

Data analysis of the benefits of an electronic registry of information in a neonatal intensive care unit in Greece.

PubMed

Skouroliakou, Maria; Soloupis, George; Gounaris, Antonis; Charitou, Antonia; Papasarantopoulos, Petros; Markantonis, Sophia L; Golna, Christina; Souliotis, Kyriakos

2008-07-28

This study assesses the results of implementation of a software program that allows for input of admission/discharge summary data (including cost) in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Greece, based on the establishment of a baseline statistical database for infants treated in a NICU and the statistical analysis of epidemiological and resource utilization data thus collected. A software tool was designed, developed, and implemented between April 2004 and March 2005 in the NICU of the LITO private maternity hospital in Athens, Greece, to allow for the first time for step-by-step collection and management of summary treatment data. Data collected over this period were subsequently analyzed using defined indicators as a basis to extract results related to treatment options, treatment duration, and relative resource utilization. Data for 499 babies were entered in the tool and processed. Information on medical costs (e.g., mean total cost +/- SD of treatment was euro310.44 +/- 249.17 and euro6704.27 +/- 4079.53 for babies weighing more than 2500 g and 1000-1500 g respectively), incidence of complications or disease (e.g., 4.3 percent and 14.3 percent of study babies weighing 1,000 to 1,500 g suffered from cerebral bleeding [grade I] and bronchopulmonary dysplasia, respectively, while overall 6.0 percent had microbial infections), and medical statistics (e.g., perinatal mortality was 6.8 percent) was obtained in a quick and robust manner. The software tool allowed for collection and analysis of data traditionally maintained in paper medical records in the NICU with greater ease and accuracy. Data codification and analysis led to significant findings at the epidemiological, medical resource utilization, and respective hospital cost levels that allowed comparisons with literature findings for the first time in Greece. The tool thus contributed to a clearer understanding of treatment practices in the NICU and set the baseline for the assessment of the impact of future interventions at the policy or hospital level.

Business Case Analysis of Prototype Fabrication Division Recapitalization Plan. Summary

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Booth, Steven Richard; Benson, Faith Ann; Dinehart, Timothy Grant

Business case studies were completed to support procurement of new machines and capital equipment in the Prototype Fabrication (PF) Division SM-39 and TA-03-0102 machine shops. Economic analysis was conducted for replacing the Mazak 30Y Mill-Turn Machine in SM-39, the Haas Vertical CNC Mill in Building 102, and the Hardinge Q10/65-SP Lathe in SM-39. Analysis was also conducted for adding a NanoTech Lathe in Building 102 and a new electrical discharge machine (EDM) in SM-39 to augment current capabilities. To determine the value of switching machinery, a baseline scenario was compared with a future scenario where new machinery was purchased andmore » installed. Costs and benefits were defined via interviews with subject matter experts.« less

Flight effects on noise generated by the JT8D-17 engine in a quiet nacelle and a conventional nacelle as measured in the NASA-Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Strout, F. G.

1976-01-01

A JT8D-17 turbofan engine was tested in the NASA-Ames 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel to determine flight effects on jet and fan noise. Baseline, quiet nacelle with 20-lobe ejector/suppressor, and internal mixer configurations were tested over a range of engine power settings and tunnel velocities. Flight effects derived from the 40- by 80-foot wind tunnel test are compared with 727/JT8D flight test data and with model data obtained in a smaller wind tunnel. Procedures are defined for measuring noise data in a wind tunnel relatively near the sources and analyzing the results to obtain far-field flight effects. Wind tunnel and 727 flight test noise results compare favorably for both the baseline and quiet nacelle configurations. Two reports are provided, including a comprehensive version with extensive test results and analysis and the subject summary version that emphasizes data analysis and program finding.

Technology development status at McDonnell Douglas

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rowe, W. T.

1981-01-01

The significant technology items of the Concorde and the conceptual MCD baseline advanced supersonic transport are compared. The four major improvements are in the areas of range performance, structures (materials), aerodynamics, and in community noise. Presentation charts show aerodynamic efficiency; the reoptimized wing; low scale lift/drag ratio; control systems; structural modeling and analysis; weight and cost comparisons for superplasticity diffusion bonded titanium sandwich structures and for aluminum brazed titanium honeycomb structures; operating cost reduction; suppressor nozzles; noise reduction and range; the bicone inlet; a market summary; environmental issues; high priority items; the titanium wing and fuselage test components; and technology validation.

Summary of long-baseline systematics session at CETUP*2014

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cherdack, Daniel; Worcester, Elizabeth

2015-10-15

A session studying systematics in long-baseline neutrino oscillation physics was held July 14-18, 2014 as part of CETUP* 2014. Systematic effects from flux normalization and modeling, modeling of cross sections and nuclear interactions, and far detector effects were addressed. Experts presented the capabilities of existing and planned tools. A program of study to determine estimates of and requirements for the size of these effects was designed. This document summarizes the results of the CETUP* systematics workshop and the current status of systematic uncertainty studies in long-baseline neutrino oscillation measurements.

Weight change during long-term treatment with lurasidone: pooled analysis of studies in patients with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Meyer, Jonathan M; Mao, Yongcai; Pikalov, Andrei; Cucchiaro, Josephine; Loebel, Antony

2015-11-01

The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the effect of 12 months of treatment with lurasidone on weight in patients with schizophrenia. Post-hoc, observed-case analysis included pooled data from six studies on 40-160 mg/day lurasidone; two studies included active comparators (2-6 mg/day risperidone or 200-800 mg/day quetiapine XR). Overall, 593 patients completed 12 months of treatment (N=471 lurasidone, N = 89 risperidone, N = 33 quetiapine XR). The mean baseline weight was 72.8, 80.8, and 72.4 kg in the lurasidone, risperidone, and quetiapine XR groups, respectively. The mean weight change at month 12 was -0.4 kg with lurasidone, +2.6 kg with risperidone, and +1.2 kg with quetiapine XR. Weight gain of at least 7% from study baseline was observed in 16.0, 25.8, and 15.2% of patients, and weight loss of at least 7% was seen in 18.5, 6.7, and 9.1% of patients treated with lurasidone, risperidone, and quetiapine XR, respectively. A shift from normal/underweight baseline BMI status to overweight/obese at month 12 occurred in 10.2, 27.6, and 15.0% of patients in the lurasidone, risperidone, and quetiapine XR groups, respectively. Conversely, 14.3, 1.7, and 7.7% of patients, respectively, shifted from overweight/obese to normal/underweight. In summary, a low potential for clinically significant weight gain was observed in patients with schizophrenia treated continuously with lurasidone for 12 months.

Predictors of Six-month Change in the Voice Handicap Index in a Treatment-seeking Population.

PubMed

Moore, Jaime; Greenberg, Caprice; Thibeault, Susan L

2017-01-01

To evaluate predictors of longitudinal change in patient-perceived voice impact as determined by the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Prospective, survey study. Patients consented to the University of Wisconsin Voice and Swallow Clinics Outcomes Database with voice, concerns with a baseline clinic visit from November 2012 to January 2014 were eligible for the study. The VHI was sent to patients 6 months post clinic visit to determine change in voice handicap from baseline. General health was screened using the 12-item Short Form Health Survey, using physical component summary and mental component summary scores. Predictor variables included treatment (medical and/or behavioral); dysphonia sub-diagnosis; grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain rating; age; sex; socioeconomic factors; smoking history; and comorbidity score. Two hundred thirty-seven patients met study criteria and were followed longitudinally. Eighty-two patients returned 6-month surveys. The VHI was significantly correlated with mental component summary scores. Patients with a higher grade in baseline grade, roughness, breathiness, asthenia, and strain score were more likely to receive voice intervention (P = 0.04). Six-month improvement in VHI score was associated with both higher initial VHI score and higher educational level in both univariate (P < 0.01, P = 0.04) and multivariate analyses (P < 0.01, P = 0.02). Voice treatment (medical and/or behavioral) was not a significant factor for improvement in VHI score. Our results suggest that it is important to consider baseline self-perceived voice impact measures and educational level in setting expectations for voice treatment. Future studies examining the relationship between treatment patterns and voice-related patient outcomes are warranted. Copyright © 2017 The Voice Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Alternate concepts study extension. Volume 2: Part 4: Avionics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

A recommended baseline system is presented along with alternate avionics systems, Mark 2 avionics, booster avionics, and a cost summary. Analyses and discussions are included on the Mark 1 orbiter avionics subsystems, electrical ground support equipment, and the computer programs. Results indicate a need to define all subsystems of the baseline system, an installation study to determine the impact on the crew station, and a study on access for maintenance.

Shuttle VLBI experiment. Technical working group summary report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Morgan, S. H. (Editor); Roberts, D. H. (Editor)

1982-01-01

The gain in interferometric resolution of extragalactic sources at radio frequencies which can be achieved by placing a very long baseline interferometry (VLBI) antenna in space is quantitatively described and a VLBI demonstration experiment using a large deployable antenna, which if realized could be a very acceptable first venture for VLBI in space is discussed. A tutorial on VLBI, a summary of the technology available for the experiment, and a preliminary mission scenario are included.

Organic Contamination Baseline Study: In NASA JSC Astromaterials Curation Laboratories. Summary Report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Calaway, Michael J.

2013-01-01

In preparation for OSIRIS-REx and other future sample return missions concerned with analyzing organics, we conducted an Organic Contamination Baseline Study for JSC Curation Labsoratories in FY12. For FY12 testing, organic baseline study focused only on molecular organic contamination in JSC curation gloveboxes: presumably future collections (i.e. Lunar, Mars, asteroid missions) would use isolation containment systems over only cleanrooms for primary sample storage. This decision was made due to limit historical data on curation gloveboxes, limited IR&D funds and Genesis routinely monitors organics in their ISO class 4 cleanrooms.

Alternate avionics system study and phase B extension

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1971-01-01

Results of alternate avionics system studies for the space shuttle are presented that reduce the cost of vehicle avionics without incurring major off-setting costs on the ground. A comprehensive summary is provided of all configurations defined since the completion of the basic Phase B contract and a complete description of the optimized avionics baseline is given. In the new baseline, inflight redundancy management is performed onboard without ground support; utilization of off-the-shelf hardware reduces the cost figure substantially less than for the Phase B baseline. The only functional capability sacrificed in the new approach is automatic landing.

Assessment of Quality of Life in a Cohort of Newly Diagnosed Patients on HAART Regimen, in Resource Restricted Tribal Region of Chhattisgarh, India: A Prospective Study

PubMed Central

Singh, Harminder; Kaur, Kamalpreet; Dulhani, Navin; Bansal, Akash; Kumar, Bithika N.; Chouhan, Vinod Kumar Singh

2013-01-01

Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy regimens have resulted in the systemic/clinical healing for human immune deficiency virus-infected patients but the consequence of antiretroviral therapy on the whole quality of life has become a major concern. The current study correlates the relationship of quality of life with successful highly active antiretroviral therapy. Aim: To determine the health-related quality of life in human immune deficiency virus-infected patients on highly active anti-retroviral therapy regimen in tribal region of Chhattisgarh. Design: An open label prospective study. Materials and Methods: Health-related quality of life was assessed using a standardized questionnaire, the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form 36. Physical health summary scores and mental health summary scores were compared of pre-Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (at baseline) and post 12 months of therapy. Results: The increase in CD4 cell counts was extremely significant (P < 0.0001). The Physical Composite Summary (P value = 0.0003) improved significantly, whereas the Mental Composite Summary (with a baseline value of 40.7), post 12 months, was calculated as 42.8 (P value = 0.2371) and was statistically not significant. Conclusion: Efficacy measurement is the key ingredient of highly active anti-retroviral therapy, which must also include assessment of health-related quality of life to maximize the holistic approach towards disease. PMID:24049364

Ambulatory Voice Biofeedback: Relative Frequency and Summary Feedback Effects on Performance and Retention of Reduced Vocal Intensity in the Daily Lives of Participants With Normal Voices

PubMed Central

Mehta, Daryush D.; Sternad, Dagmar; Petit, Robert; Hillman, Robert E.

2017-01-01

Purpose Ambulatory voice biofeedback has the potential to significantly improve voice therapy effectiveness by targeting carryover of desired behaviors outside the therapy session (i.e., retention). This study applies motor learning concepts (reduced frequency and delayed, summary feedback) that demonstrate increased retention to ambulatory voice monitoring for training nurses to talk softer during work hours. Method Forty-eight nurses with normal voices wore the Voice Health Monitor (Mehta, Zañartu, Feng, Cheyne, & Hillman, 2012) for 6 days: 3 baseline days, 1 biofeedback day, 1 short-term retention day, and 1 long-term retention day. Participants were block-randomized into 3 different biofeedback groups: 100%, 25%, and Summary. Performance was measured in terms of compliance time below a participant-specific vocal intensity threshold. Results All participants exhibited a significant increase in compliance time (Cohen's d = 4.5) during biofeedback days compared with baseline days. The Summary feedback group exhibited statistically smaller performance reduction during both short-term (d = 1.14) and long-term (d = 1.04) retention days compared with the 100% feedback group. Conclusions These findings suggest that modifications in feedback frequency and timing affect retention of a modified vocal behavior in daily life. Future work calls for studying the potential beneficial impact of ambulatory voice biofeedback in participants with behaviorally based voice disorders. PMID:28329366

Chapter 13: Assessing Persistence and Other Evaluation Issues Cross-Cutting Protocol. The Uniform Methods Project: Methods for Determining Energy Efficiency Savings for Specific Measures

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kurnik, Charles W; Violette, Daniel M.

Addressing other evaluation issues that have been raised in the context of energy efficiency programs, this chapter focuses on methods used to address the persistence of energy savings, which is an important input to the benefit/cost analysis of energy efficiency programs and portfolios. In addition to discussing 'persistence' (which refers to the stream of benefits over time from an energy efficiency measure or program), this chapter provides a summary treatment of these issues -Synergies across programs -Rebound -Dual baselines -Errors in variables (the measurement and/or accuracy of input variables to the evaluation).

The AMSC mobile satellite system: Design summary and comparative analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Noreen, Gary K.

1989-01-01

Mobile satellite communications will be provided in the United States by the American Mobile Satellite Consortium (AMSC). Telesat Mobile, Inc. (TMI) and AMSC are jointly developing MSAT, the first regional Mobile Satellite Service (MSS) system. MSAT will provide diverse mobile communications services - including voice, data and position location - to mobiles on land, water, and in the air throughout North America. Described here are the institutional relationships between AMSC, TMI and other organizations participating in MSAT, including the Canadian Department of Communications and NASA. The regulatory status of MSAT in the United States and international allocations to MSS are reviewed. The baseline design is described.

Cycle 0(CY1991) NLS trade studies and analyses report. Book 1: Structures and core vehicle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1992-01-01

This report (SR-1: Structures, Trades, and Analysis), documents the Core Tankage Trades and analyses performed in support of the National Launch System (NLS) Cycle 0 preliminary design activities. The report covers trades that were conducted on the Vehicle Assembly, Fwd Skirt, LO2 Tank, Intertank, LH2 Tank, and Aft Skirt of the NLS Core Tankage. For each trade study, a two page executive summary and the detail trade study are provided. The trade studies contain study results, recommended changes to the Cycle 0 Baselines, and suggested follow on tasks to be performed during Cycle 1.

Health-related quality of life and emotional wellbeing improve in parents after their children have undergone epilepsy surgery - A prospective population-based study.

PubMed

Reilly, Colin; Taft, Charles; Edelvik, Anna; Olsson, Ingrid; Malmgren, Kristina

2017-10-01

The objective was to compare parental health-related quality of life (HRQoL), anxiety, and depression at baseline and 2years after epilepsy surgery in a population-based series of children and young people who underwent surgery between 1995 and 1999 and to compare with population norms. Fifty mothers and 44 fathers of 50 children and young people (age: 1-20years) completed the Medical Outcome Study 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) scale at baseline and at follow-up. Changes in SF-36 and HAD scores between baseline and follow-up were compared using Wilcoxon signed rank test. Scores on the SF-36 were compared with a reference sample from the Swedish population using the Mann Whitney U test. Factors associated with changes in SF-36 and HAD scores were analyzed using regression analysis. On the SF-36, the Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores were not significantly different between baseline and follow-up for mothers (p=0.177) or fathers (p=0.054). Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores improved significantly for mothers (p=0.008) and fathers (p<0.001). Mothers' baseline scores on seven of eight SF-36 domains were significantly lower than reference values. Scores at follow-up improved on these seven domains, but on three domains (primarily mental health domains), scores remained significantly lower than reference values. Fathers' baseline scores on four of eight SF-36 domains were significantly lower than reference values, and scores at follow-up remained significantly lower on the four primarily mental health domains. The proportions of mothers and fathers classified as HAD-A and HAD-D cases decreased at follow-up but did not reach statistical significance. Child epilepsy variables were in the main not associated with parental outcomes, but a greater reduction in AEDs was associated with a greater reduction in PCS scores. Parents of young people/children with seizure-free outcome were significantly more likely to have a reduction in depression scores than parents of young people/children with continued seizures. Many aspects of HRQoL and emotional wellbeing improved at 2-year follow-up for parents after epilepsy surgery on their children. There is a need to comprehensively identify factors associated with changes in parental HRQoL and emotional wellbeing to provide adequate support. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Strains, functions, and dynamics in the expanded Human Microbiome Project

PubMed Central

Lloyd-Price, Jason; Mahurkar, Anup; Rahnavard, Gholamali; Crabtree, Jonathan; Orvis, Joshua; Hall, A. Brantley; Brady, Arthur; Creasy, Heather H.; McCracken, Carrie; Giglio, Michelle G.; McDonald, Daniel; Franzosa, Eric A.; Knight, Rob; White, Owen; Huttenhower, Curtis

2018-01-01

Summary The characterization of baseline microbial and functional diversity in the human microbiome has enabled studies of microbiome-related disease, microbial population diversity, biogeography, and molecular function. The NIH Human Microbiome Project (HMP) has provided one of the broadest such characterizations to date. Here, we introduce an expanded second phase of the study, abbreviated HMP1-II, comprising 1,631 new metagenomic samples (2,355 total) targeting diverse body sites with multiple time points in 265 individuals. We applied updated profiling and assembly methods to these data to provide new characterizations of microbiome personalization. Strain identification revealed distinct subspecies clades specific to body sites; it also quantified species with phylogenetic diversity under-represented in isolate genomes. Body-wide functional profiling classified pathways into universal, human-enriched, and body site-enriched subsets. Finally, temporal analysis decomposed microbial variation into rapidly variable, moderately variable, and stable subsets. This study furthers our knowledge of baseline human microbial diversity, thus enabling an understanding of personalized microbiome function and dynamics. PMID:28953883

Do patients with brain metastases selected for whole brain radiotherapy have worse baseline quality of life as compared to those for radiosurgery or neurosurgery (with or without whole brain radiotherapy)?

PubMed

Chow, Ronald; Tsao, May; Pulenzas, Natalie; Zhang, Liying; Sahgal, Arjun; Cella, David; Soliman, Hany; Danjoux, Cyril; DeAngelis, Carlo; Vuong, Sherlyn; Chow, Edward

2016-01-01

The purpose was to examine the baseline characteristics, symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients who receive different treatments for brain metastases. Eligible patients were divided and analysed based on their treatment: whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) alone versus stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) or neurosurgery with or without WBRT. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Brain (FACT-Br) items were grouped according to different domains for summary scores. The domains used for summary scores were physical, social/family, emotional, functional well-being (FWB) and additional concerns. A total of 120 patients were enrolled, with 37 treated with WBRT alone and 83 with SRS or neurosurgery with or without WBRT. Of the 50 baseline FACT-Br items, only five items (I feel ill; I get support from my friends; I worry about dying; I have difficulty expressing my thoughts, I am able to put my thoughts into action) were statistically worse in patients treated with WBRT alone (P<0.05). Patients who received SRS or surgery with or without WBRT had statistically (P<0.05) higher scores for the FWB domain, additional concerns domain, and FACT-G total scores, indicating better QOL. Patients selected for WBRT alone reported statistically different baseline QOL as compared to patients who were treated with SRS or neurosurgery (with or without WBRT).

Vandenberg Air Force Base integrated resource assessment. Volume 3, Resource assessment

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Daellenbach, K.K.; Dagle, J.E.; Dittmer, A.L.

1993-06-01

The US Air Force Space Command (SPACECOM) has tasked the Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL), as the lead laboratory supporting the US Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), to identify, evaluate, and assist in acquiring all cost-effective energy projects at Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB). This is part of a model program that PNL is designing to support energy-use decisions in the federal sector. This report provides the results of the fossil fuel and electric energy resource opportunity (ERO) assessments performed by PNL at the SPACECOM VAFB facility located approximately 50 miles northwest of Santa Barbara, California. Itmore » is a companion report to Volume 1, Executive Summary, and Volume 2, Baseline Detail. The results of the analysis of EROs are presented in ten common energy end-use categories (e.g., boilers and furnaces, service hot water, and building lighting). In addition, a case study of process loads at Space Launch Complex-4 (SLC-4) is included. A narrative description of each ERO is provided, including information on the installed cost, energy and dollar savings; impacts on operation and maintenance (O and M); and, when applicable, a discussion of energy supply and demand, energy security, and environmental issues. A description of the evaluation methodologies and technical and cost assumptions is also provided for each ERO. Summary tables present the cost-effectiveness of energy end-use equipment before and after the implementation of each ERO and present the results of the life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis indicating the net present value (NPV) and value index (VI) of each ERO. Finally, an appendix includes a summary of an economic analysis case study of the South Vandenberg Power Plant (SVPP) operating scenarios.« less

Efficacy of Ranibizumab in Eyes with Diabetic Macular Edema and Macular Nonperfusion in RIDE and RISE.

PubMed

Reddy, Rahul K; Pieramici, Dante J; Gune, Shamika; Ghanekar, Avanti; Lu, Na; Quezada-Ruiz, Carlos; Baumal, Caroline R

2018-05-08

To determine whether there are baseline characteristics that distinguish patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) with coexisting macular nonperfusion (MNP) at baseline and assess these patients' potential to achieve favorable visual acuity (VA), anatomic, and diabetic retinopathy (DR) outcomes over 24 months. Post hoc analysis of RIDE/RISE, 2 phase 3, parallel, randomized, multicenter, double-masked trials (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT00473382; NCT00473330). Study eyes with best-corrected VA (BCVA)/fluorescein angiogram (FA) data at baseline. To measure MNP, the Early Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grid was overlaid on FAs of the macula. The MNP area was calculated by estimating the percentage of capillary loss in the central, inner, and outer subfields and converting into disc areas (DAs) using a software algorithm. Summary statistics and P values, respectively, were provided for all outcomes and comparisons of interest. Baseline characteristics; MNP area, BCVA, and central subfield thickness (CST) at months 12 and 24; and incidence of study eyes with ≥2-step DR improvement at months 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24. Baseline MNP was detected in 28.2%, 25.8%, and 26.3% of study eyes in the ranibizumab 0.3 mg (n = 213), ranibizumab 0.5 mg (n = 225), and sham (n = 228) arms, respectively. At baseline, patients with MNP were younger and had shorter diabetes duration, worse vision, increased CST, and worse DR severity (P values < 0.01 vs. those without MNP). In the ranibizumab 0.3 mg arm, eyes with baseline MNP had lower mean baseline BCVA (53.4 vs. 57.2 ETDRS letters for those without baseline MNP; P = 0.05), but mean BCVA gain at month 24 was comparable (+15.6 vs. +13.4 ETDRS letters, respectively; P = 0.2). Eyes with baseline MNP had increased CST at baseline, but experienced a greater decrease in CST by month 24. The proportion of eyes with ≥2-step DR improvement was greater for eyes with versus without baseline MNP in each ranibizumab arm. Despite having worse vision/increased CST versus those without baseline MNP, eyes with concurrent DME and baseline MNP entering RIDE/RISE experienced robust VA and anatomic improvement with ranibizumab and therefore should not be excluded from therapy. Copyright © 2018 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Baseline tests for arc melter vitrification of INEL buried wastes. Volume 1: Facility description and summary data report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oden, L.L.; O`Connor, W.K.; Turner, P.C.

1993-11-19

This report presents field results and raw data from the Buried Waste Integrated Demonstration (BWID) Arc Melter Vitrification Project Phase 1 baseline test series conducted by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM). The baseline test series was conducted using the electric arc melter facility at the USBM Albany Research Center in Albany, Oregon. Five different surrogate waste feed mixtures were tested that simulated thermally-oxidized, buried, TRU-contaminated, mixed wastes and soils present at the INEL. The USBM Arc Furnace Integrated Waste Processing Test Facility includes a continuous feed system, the arc meltingmore » furnace, an offgas control system, and utilities. The melter is a sealed, 3-phase alternating current (ac) furnace approximately 2 m high and 1.3 m wide. The furnace has a capacity of 1 metric ton of steel and can process as much as 1,500 lb/h of soil-type waste materials. The surrogate feed materials included five mixtures designed to simulate incinerated TRU-contaminated buried waste materials mixed with INEL soil. Process samples, melter system operations data and offgas composition data were obtained during the baseline tests to evaluate the melter performance and meet test objectives. Samples and data gathered during this program included (a) automatically and manually logged melter systems operations data, (b) process samples of slag, metal and fume solids, and (c) offgas composition, temperature, velocity, flowrate, moisture content, particulate loading and metals content. This report consists of 2 volumes: Volume I summarizes the baseline test operations. It includes an executive summary, system and facility description, review of the surrogate waste mixtures, and a description of the baseline test activities, measurements, and sample collection. Volume II contains the raw test data and sample analyses from samples collected during the baseline tests.« less

Effects of antenatal diet and physical activity on maternal and fetal outcomes: individual patient data meta-analysis and health economic evaluation.

PubMed

Rogozińska, Ewelina; Marlin, Nadine; Jackson, Louise; Rayanagoudar, Girish; Ruifrok, Anneloes E; Dodds, Julie; Molyneaux, Emma; van Poppel, Mireille Nm; Poston, Lucilla; Vinter, Christina A; McAuliffe, Fionnuala; Dodd, Jodie M; Owens, Julie; Barakat, Ruben; Perales, Maria; Cecatti, Jose G; Surita, Fernanda; Yeo, SeonAe; Bogaerts, Annick; Devlieger, Roland; Teede, Helena; Harrison, Cheryce; Haakstad, Lene; Shen, Garry X; Shub, Alexis; Beltagy, Nermeen El; Motahari, Narges; Khoury, Janette; Tonstad, Serena; Luoto, Riitta; Kinnunen, Tarja I; Guelfi, Kym; Facchinetti, Fabio; Petrella, Elisabetta; Phelan, Suzanne; Scudeller, Tânia T; Rauh, Kathrin; Hauner, Hans; Renault, Kristina; de Groot, Christianne Jm; Sagedal, Linda R; Vistad, Ingvild; Stafne, Signe Nilssen; Mørkved, Siv; Salvesen, Kjell Å; Jensen, Dorte M; Vitolo, Márcia; Astrup, Arne; Geiker, Nina Rw; Kerry, Sally; Barton, Pelham; Roberts, Tracy; Riley, Richard D; Coomarasamy, Arri; Mol, Ben Willem; Khan, Khalid S; Thangaratinam, Shakila

2017-08-01

Diet- and physical activity-based interventions in pregnancy have the potential to alter maternal and child outcomes. To assess whether or not the effects of diet and lifestyle interventions vary in subgroups of women, based on maternal body mass index (BMI), age, parity, Caucasian ethnicity and underlying medical condition(s), by undertaking an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis. We also evaluated the association of gestational weight gain (GWG) with adverse pregnancy outcomes and assessed the cost-effectiveness of the interventions. MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects and Health Technology Assessment database were searched from October 2013 to March 2015 (to update a previous search). Researchers from the International Weight Management in Pregnancy Collaborative Network shared the primary data. For each intervention type and outcome, we performed a two-step IPD random-effects meta-analysis, for all women (except underweight) combined and for each subgroup of interest, to obtain summary estimates of effects and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and synthesised the differences in effects between subgroups. In the first stage, we fitted a linear regression adjusted for baseline (for continuous outcomes) or a logistic regression model (for binary outcomes) in each study separately; estimates were combined across studies using random-effects meta-analysis models. We quantified the relationship between weight gain and complications, and undertook a decision-analytic model-based economic evaluation to assess the cost-effectiveness of the interventions. Diet and lifestyle interventions reduced GWG by an average of 0.70 kg (95% CI -0.92 to -0.48 kg; 33 studies, 9320 women). The effects on composite maternal outcome [summary odds ratio (OR) 0.90, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.03; 24 studies, 8852 women] and composite fetal/neonatal outcome (summary OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.08; 18 studies, 7981 women) were not significant. The effect did not vary with baseline BMI, age, ethnicity, parity or underlying medical conditions for GWG, and composite maternal and fetal outcomes. Lifestyle interventions reduce Caesarean sections (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.99), but not other individual maternal outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.72 to 1.10), pre-eclampsia or pregnancy-induced hypertension (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.16) and preterm birth (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.13). There was no significant effect on fetal outcomes. The interventions were not cost-effective. GWG, including adherence to the Institute of Medicine-recommended targets, was not associated with a reduction in complications. Predictors of GWG were maternal age (summary estimate -0.10 kg, 95% CI -0.14 to -0.06 kg) and multiparity (summary estimate -0.73 kg, 95% CI -1.24 to -0.23 kg). The findings were limited by the lack of standardisation in the components of intervention, residual heterogeneity in effects across studies for most analyses and the unavailability of IPD in some studies. Diet and lifestyle interventions in pregnancy are clinically effective in reducing GWG irrespective of risk factors, with no effects on composite maternal and fetal outcomes. The differential effects of lifestyle interventions on individual pregnancy outcomes need evaluation. This study is registered as PROSPERO CRD42013003804. The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment programme.

International Linear Collider Technical Design Report (Volumes 1 through 4)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Harrison M.

2013-03-27

The design report consists of four volumes: Volume 1, Executive Summary; Volume 2, Physics; Volume 3, Accelerator (Part I, R and D in the Technical Design Phase, and Part II, Baseline Design); and Volume 4, Detectors.

Freight Transportation Energy Use : Volume 1. Summary and Baseline Results.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1978-07-01

The overall design of the TSC Freight Energy Model is presented. A hierarchical modeling strategy is used, in which detailed modal simulators estimate the performance characteristics of transportation network elements, and the estimates are input to ...

Adaptive echolocation behavior in bats for the analysis of auditory scenes

PubMed Central

Chiu, Chen; Xian, Wei; Moss, Cynthia F.

2009-01-01

Summary Echolocating bats emit sonar pulses and listen to returning echoes to probe their surroundings. Bats adapt their echolocation call design to cope with dynamic changes in the acoustic environment, including habitat change or the presence of nearby conspecifics/heterospecifics. Seven pairs of big brown bats, Eptesicus fuscus, were tested in this study to examine how they adjusted their echolocation calls when flying and competing with a conspecific for food. Results showed that differences in five call parameters, start/end frequencies, duration, bandwidth and sweep rate, significantly increased in the two-bat condition compared with the baseline data. In addition, the magnitude of spectral separation of calls was negatively correlated with the baseline call design differences in individual bats. Bats with small baseline call frequency differences showed larger increases in call frequency separation when paired than those with large baseline call frequency differences, suggesting that bats actively change their sonar call structure if pre-existing differences in call design are small. Call design adjustments were also influenced by physical spacing between two bats. Calls of paired bats exhibited the largest design separations when inter-bat distance was shorter than 0.5 m, and the separation decreased as the spacing increased. All individuals modified at least one baseline call parameter in response to the presence of another conspecific. We propose that dissimilarity between the time–frequency features of sonar calls produced by different bats aids each individual in segregating echoes of its own sonar vocalizations from the acoustic signals of neighboring bats. PMID:19376960

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of systolic blood pressure with quality of life and depressive mood in older adults with cardiovascular risk factors: Results from the observational DIAST-CHF study.

PubMed

Herrmann-Lingen, Christoph; Meyer, Thomas; Bosbach, Alexandra; Chavanon, Mira L; Hassoun, Lina; Edelmann, Frank; Wachter, Rolf

2018-04-27

While diagnosed arterial hypertension and antihypertensive medication usually have an adverse impact on quality of life, recent studies suggest that actual blood pressure may be positively related to better well-being. However, data in older patients with cardiovascular risk factors are lacking, for whom such an association may be of particular relevance. In 1,300 study participants with cardiovascular risk factors aged 50-85 years (51.5% men, mean age 65.7 ± 8.2 years) participating in an observational study, we performed standardized measurements of blood pressure and assessed quality of life and depressive symptoms at baseline and 1-year follow-up using the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Bivariate analysis demonstrated that systolic blood pressure was associated with higher SF-36 mental component summary scores (r=0.100, p<0.001), and reduced HADS depression (r=-0.082; p=0.003). Multivariate regression models adjusting for age, sex and disease severity confirmed that higher systolic blood pressure significantly predicted both better mental quality of life (β=0.070, p=0.012) and less depressive mood (β=-0.083, p=0.003) at baseline, independently of antihypertensive medication and diagnosed hypertension. Moreover, the beneficial effects of baseline systolic blood pressure remained stable for both summary components of the SF-36 as well as HADS depression at 1-year follow up. All results remained unchanged, when limiting the analyses to the 1,072 patients with diagnosed hypertension. In older adults with cardiovascular risk factors, higher systolic blood pressure readings are independently related to better quality of life and fewer depressive symptoms in both cross-sectional and longitudinal settings, although the magnitude of the effect sizes is typically small.

Lean Mixture Engines Testing and Evaluation Program : Volume 1. Executive Summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1975-01-01

This report is aimed at defining analytically and demonstrating experimentally the potential of the 'lean-burn concept'. Fuel consumption and emissions data are obtained on the engine dynamometer for the baseline engine, and two lean-burn configurati...

Annual Industrial Capabilities Report to Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-03-01

61 5.1 Aircraft Sector Industrial Summary...basis, key contractor workforce capabilities necessary for successful programs. Industry segment-level baseline assessments ( aircraft ; command, control...monitored representative individual corporate divisions for each major industry segment ( aircraft parts and components, water craft, ground vehicles

Determinants of improvement in quality of life of alcohol-dependent patients during an inpatient withdrawal programme

PubMed Central

Lahmek, Pierre; Berlin, Ivan; Michel, Laurent; Berghout, Chafia; Meunier, Nadine; Aubin, Henri-Jean

2009-01-01

Background: To investigate the improvement in quality of life (QoL) of alcohol-dependent patients during a 3-week inpatient withdrawal programme, and to identify the sociodemographic, clinical and alcohol-related variables associated with baseline QoL on admission and with improvement of QoL during residential treatment. Methods: This prospective, observational study included 414 alcohol-dependent patients, hospitalised for a period of 3 weeks. QoL was measured on admission and at discharge using the French version of the Medical Outcome Study SF-36. The mean scores for each dimension and for the Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were calculated. Results: The mean scores per dimension and the mean Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were significantly lower on admission than at discharge; the lowest scores being observed for social functioning and role limitations due to emotional problems. At discharge, the mean scores per dimension were similar to those observed in the French general population. Female gender, age >45 years, living alone, working as a labourer or employee, somatic comorbidity, and the existence of at least five criteria for alcohol dependence according to the DSM-IV classification were associated with a low Physical Component Summary score on admission; psychiatric comorbidity, the presence of at least five DSM-IV dependence criteria, smoking and suicidality were associated with a low Mental Component Summary score on admission. The increase in Physical and Mental Component Summary scores during hospitalisation was more marked when the initial scores were low. Apart from the initial score, the greatest improvement in Physical Component Summary score was seen in patients with a high alcohol intake and in those without a somatic comorbidity; the increase in Mental Component Summary score was greatest in patients without psychotic symptoms and in those who abused or were dependent on illegal drugs. Conclusion: QoL improvement after a residential treatment was related to low QoL scores at admission. Improvement in physical component of QoL was related to baseline alcohol intake and good somatic status. Improvement in mental component of QoL was related to other drugs abuse/dependence. PMID:19461935

Determinants of improvement in quality of life of alcohol-dependent patients during an inpatient withdrawal programme.

PubMed

Lahmek, Pierre; Berlin, Ivan; Michel, Laurent; Berghout, Chafia; Meunier, Nadine; Aubin, Henri-Jean

2009-05-18

To investigate the improvement in quality of life (QoL) of alcohol-dependent patients during a 3-week inpatient withdrawal programme, and to identify the sociodemographic, clinical and alcohol-related variables associated with baseline QoL on admission and with improvement of QoL during residential treatment. This prospective, observational study included 414 alcohol-dependent patients, hospitalised for a period of 3 weeks. QoL was measured on admission and at discharge using the French version of the Medical Outcome Study SF-36. The mean scores for each dimension and for the Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were calculated. The mean scores per dimension and the mean Physical and Mental Component Summary scores were significantly lower on admission than at discharge; the lowest scores being observed for social functioning and role limitations due to emotional problems. At discharge, the mean scores per dimension were similar to those observed in the French general population. Female gender, age > 45 years, living alone, working as a labourer or employee, somatic comorbidity, and the existence of at least five criteria for alcohol dependence according to the DSM-IV classification were associated with a low Physical Component Summary score on admission; psychiatric comorbidity, the presence of at least five DSM-IV dependence criteria, smoking and suicidality were associated with a low Mental Component Summary score on admission. The increase in Physical and Mental Component Summary scores during hospitalisation was more marked when the initial scores were low. Apart from the initial score, the greatest improvement in Physical Component Summary score was seen in patients with a high alcohol intake and in those without a somatic comorbidity; the increase in Mental Component Summary score was greatest in patients without psychotic symptoms and in those who abused or were dependent on illegal drugs. QoL improvement after a residential treatment was related to low QoL scores at admission. Improvement in physical component of QoL was related to baseline alcohol intake and good somatic status. Improvement in mental component of QoL was related to other drugs abuse/dependence.

PFOA Stewardship Program Baseline Year Summary Report

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

In 2006, EPA and the eight major companies in the industry launched the 2010/15 PFOA Stewardship Program, in which companies committed to reduce global facility emissions and product content of PFOA and related chemicals by 95 percent by 2010, and to work

Measuring Disease Progression in Early Parkinson Disease: the National Institutes of Health Exploratory Trials in Parkinson Disease (NET-PD) Experience

PubMed Central

Parashos, Sotirios A.; Luo, Sheng; Biglan, Kevin M.; -Wollner, Ivan Bodis; He, Bo; Liang, Grace S.; Ross, G. Webster; Tilley, Barbara C.; Shulman, Lisa M.

2014-01-01

Importance Optimizing assessments of rate of progression in Parkinson Disease (PD) is important in designing clinical trials, especially of potential disease-modifying agents. Objective To examine the value of measures of impairment, disability, and quality of life in assessing progression in early Parkinson disease. Design, Setting, and Participants Inception cohort analysis of data from 413 early, untreated PD patients, who were enrolled in two multicenter, randomized, double-blind clinical trials. Intervention Participants were randomized into five treatments: 67 received creatine, 66 minocycline, 71 Coenzyme Q10, 71 GPI-1485, and 138 placebo. We assessed the association between the rates of change in measures of impairment, disability, and quality of life and time to initiation of symptomatic treatment. Main Outcome Measure Time between baseline assessment and need for the initiation of symptomatic pharmaceutical treatment for PD was the primary indicator of disease progression. Results After adjusting for baseline confounding variables Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) II, UPDRS III, modified Rankin score (mRS), level of education, and treatment group, the rate of change of the following measurements was assessed: UPDRS II, UPDRS III, Schwab and England ADL (S&E), Total Functional Capacity (TFC), Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire – 39 (PDQ39) ADL and Summary Index (SI), Short Form -12v2 Health Survey (SF12) Physical Summary (PS), and SF12 Mental Summary (MS). Variables reaching statistical threshold in univariate analysis were entered into a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model using time to symptomatic treatment as the dependent variable. More rapid worsening of UPDRS II (HR 1.15, 95% C.I. 1.08 – 1.22 for 1 scale unit change per 6 months), UPDRS III (HR 1.09; 95% C.I. 1.06 – 1.13 for 1 scale unit change per 6 months), and S&E (HR 1.29 95% C.I. 1.12 – 1.48 for 5 percentage point change per 6 months), was associated with earlier need for symptomatic therapy. Conclusions and Relevance In early PD, UPDRS II and III, and S&E can be used to measure disease progression, while the PDQ39 ADL, PDQ39 SI, TFC, SF12 PH, and SF12 MH are not sensitive to change. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov identifiers NCT00063193 and NCT00076492 PMID:24711047

The comprehensive summary of surgical versus non-surgical treatment for obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

PubMed

Cheng, Ji; Gao, Jinbo; Shuai, Xiaoming; Wang, Guobin; Tao, Kaixiong

2016-06-28

Bariatric surgery has emerged as a competitive strategy for obese patients. However, its comparative efficacy against non-surgical treatments remains ill-defined, especially among nonseverely obese crowds. Therefore, we implemented a systematic review and meta-analysis in order for an academic addition to current literatures. Literatures were retrieved from databases of PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE and Cochrane Library. Randomized trials comparing surgical with non-surgical therapies for obesity were included. A Revised Jadad's Scale and Risk of Bias Summary were employed for methodological assessment. Subgroups analysis, sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were respectively performed in order to find out the source of heterogeneity, detect the outcome stability and potential publication bias. 25 randomized trials were eligibly included, totally comprising of 1194 participants. Both groups displayed well comparability concerning baseline parameters (P > 0.05). The pooled results of primary endpoints (weight loss and diabetic remission) revealed a significant advantage among surgical patients rather than those receiving non-surgical treatments (P < 0.05). Furthermore, except for certain cardiovascular indicators, bariatric surgery was superior to conventional arms in terms of metabolic secondary parameters (P < 0.05). Additionally, the pooled outcomes were confirmed to be stable by sensitivity analysis. Although Egger's test (P < 0.01) and Begg's test (P<0.05) had reported the presence of publication bias among included studies, "Trim-and-Fill" method verified that the pooled outcomes remained stable. Bariatric surgery is a better therapeutic option for weight loss, irrespective of follow-up duration, surgical techniques and obesity levels.

Quality of life results from the phase 3 REVEL randomized clinical trial of ramucirumab-plus-docetaxel versus placebo-plus-docetaxel in advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer patients with progression after platinum-based chemotherapy.

PubMed

Pérol, Maurice; Ciuleanu, Tudor-Eliade; Arrieta, Oscar; Prabhash, Kumar; Syrigos, Konstantinos N; Goksel, Tuncay; Park, Keunchil; Kowalyszyn, Ruben Dario; Pikiel, Joanna; Lewanski, Conrad R; Thomas, Michael; Dakhil, Shaker; Kim, Joo-Hang; Karaseva, Nina; Yurasov, Sergey; Zimmermann, Annamaria; Lee, Pablo; Carter, Gebra Cuyun; Reck, Martin; Cappuzzo, Federico; Garon, Edward B

2016-03-01

REVEL demonstrated that ramucirumab+docetaxel (RAM+DTX) improved overall survival, progression-free survival, and objective response rate in patients with advanced/metastatic non-small cell lung cancer with progression after platinum-based chemotherapy. This analysis examined quality of life (QoL) as assessed by the Lung Cancer Symptom Scale (LCSS) and clinician-reported functional status. The LCSS includes 6 symptom and 3 global items measured on a 0-100-mm scale; higher scores represent greater symptom burden. LCSS and ECOG PS data were collected at baseline, every 3-week cycle, the summary visit, and at the 30-day follow-up. LCSS total score and Average Symptom Burden Index (ASBI) were calculated. The primary analysis compared time to deterioration (TtD) between treatment arms for all individual items and summary scores, defined as increase from baseline by ≥ 15 mm using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression. TtD to ECOG PS ≥ 2 was analyzed. There were 1253 patients randomized to receive RAM+DTX or placebo+docetaxel (PL+DTX). Across all assessments, LCSS compliance was approximately 75% and balanced across arms. The mean (SD) baseline LCSS total score was 27.3mm (17.08 mm) on RAM+DTX and 29.6mm (17.59 mm) on PL+DTX. At 30-day follow-up, mean (SD) LCSS total score was 32.0 (19.03) on RAM+DTX and 32.5 (19.87) on PL+DTX. The TtD for all LCSS scores was similar between treatment arms. Stratified HRs (95% CI) for LCSS total score and ASBI were HR=0.99 (0.81, 1.22), p=0.932 and HR=0.93 (0.75, 1.15), p=0.514 with approximately 70% of patients censored. TtD to PS ≥ 2 was similar between treatment arms (HR=1.03 [95% CI: 0.85, 1.26], p=0.743) with approximately two-thirds of the patients censored. In addition to improvement of clinical efficacy outcomes demonstrated in REVEL, these results suggest that adding ramucirumab to docetaxel did not impair patient QoL, symptoms, or functioning. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Summary of Fast Pyrolysis and Upgrading GHG Analyses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Snowden-Swan, Lesley J.; Male, Jonathan L.

2012-12-07

The Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 established new renewable fuel categories and eligibility requirements (EPA 2010). A significant aspect of the National Renewable Fuel Standard 2 (RFS2) program is the requirement that the life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a qualifying renewable fuel be less than the life cycle GHG emissions of the 2005 baseline average gasoline or diesel fuel that it replaces. Four levels of reduction are required for the four renewable fuel standards. Table 1 lists these life cycle performance improvement thresholds. Table 1. Life Cycle GHG Thresholds Specified in EISA Fuel Type Percentmore » Reduction from 2005 Baseline Renewable fuel 20% Advanced biofuel 50% Biomass-based diesel 50% Cellulosic biofuel 60% Notably, there is a specialized subset of advanced biofuels that are the cellulosic biofuels. The cellulosic biofuels are incentivized by the Cellulosic Biofuel Producer Tax Credit (26 USC 40) to stimulate market adoption of these fuels. EISA defines a cellulosic biofuel as follows (42 USC 7545(o)(1)(E)): The term “cellulosic biofuel” means renewable fuel derived from any cellulose, hemicellulose, or lignin that is derived from renewable biomass and that has lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions, as determined by the Administrator, that are at least 60 percent less than the baseline lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. As indicated, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sole responsibility for conducting the life cycle analysis (LCA) and making the final determination of whether a given fuel qualifies under these biofuel definitions. However, there appears to be a need within the LCA community to discuss and eventually reach consensus on discerning a 50–59 % GHG reduction from a ≥ 60% GHG reduction for policy, market, and technology development. The level of specificity and agreement will require additional development of capabilities and time for the sustainability and analysis community, as illustrated by the rich dialogue and convergence around the energy content and GHG reduction of cellulosic ethanol (an example of these discussions can be found in Wang 2011). GHG analyses of fast pyrolysis technology routes are being developed and will require significant work to reach the levels of development and maturity of cellulosic ethanol models. This summary provides some of the first fast pyrolysis analyses and clarifies some of the reasons for differing results in an effort to begin the convergence on assumptions, discussion of quality of models, and harmonization.« less

Annual Industrial Capabilities Report to Congress

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-02-01

65 5.1 Aircraft Sector Industrial Summary ................................................................. 65 5.2 Command...industry partners to encourage long-term contractor workforce improvements. Industry segment-level baseline assessments ( aircraft ; command, control...For instance, within aircraft major defense acquisition programs (MDAPs), research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) funding is steadily

Tactical radar technology study. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rosien, R.; Cardone, L.; Hammers, D.; Klein, A.; Nozawa, E.

1980-03-01

This report presents results of a study to identify new technology required to provide advanced multi-threat performance capabilities in future tactical surveillance radar designs. A baseline design with optional subsystem characteristics has been synthesized to provide both functional and operational survivability in a dynamic and hostile situation postulated for the post 1985 time frame. Comparisons have been made of available technology with that required by the new baseline design to identify new technology requirements. Recommendations are presented for critical new technology programs including estimates of technical risks, costs and required development time.

Supersonic Aftbody Closure Wind-Tunnel Testing, Data Analysis, and Computational Results

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Allen, Jerry; Martin, Grant; Kubiatko, Paul

1999-01-01

This paper reports on the model, test, and results from the Langley Supersonic Aftbody Closure wind tunnel test. This project is an experimental evaluation of the 1.5% Technology Concept Aircraft (TCA) aftbody closure model (Model 23) in the Langley Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel. The baseline TCA design is the result of a multidisciplinary, multipoint optimization process and was developed using linear design and analysis methods, supplemented with Euler and Navier-Stokes numerical methods. After a thorough design review, it was decided to use an upswept blade attached to the forebody as the mounting system. Structural concerns dictated that a wingtip support system would not be feasible. Only the aftbody part of the model is metric. The metric break was chosen to be at the fuselage station where prior aft-sting supported models had been truncated. Model 23 is thus a modified version of Model 20. The wing strongback, flap parts, and nacelles from Model 20 were used, whereas new aftbodies, a common forebody, and some new tails were fabricated. In summary, significant differences in longitudinal and direction stability and control characteristics between the ABF and ABB aftbody geometries were measured. Correcting the experimental data obtained for the TCA configuration with the flared aftbody to the representative of the baseline TCA closed aftbody will result in a significant reduction in longitudinal stability, a moderate reduction in stabilizer effectiveness and directional stability, and a moderate to significant reduction in rudder effectiveness. These reductions in the stability and control effectiveness levels of the baseline TCA closed aftbody are attributed to the reduction in carry-over area.

Body-Mass Index and Pancreatic Cancer Incidence: A Pooled Analysis of Nine Population-Based Cohort Studies With More Than 340,000 Japanese Subjects.

PubMed

Koyanagi, Yuriko N; Matsuo, Keitaro; Ito, Hidemi; Tamakoshi, Akiko; Sugawara, Yumi; Hidaka, Akihisa; Wada, Keiko; Oze, Isao; Kitamura, Yuri; Liu, Rong; Mizoue, Tetsuya; Sawada, Norie; Nagata, Chisato; Wakai, Kenji; Nakayama, Tomio; Sadakane, Atsuko; Tanaka, Keitaro; Inoue, Manami; Tsugane, Shoichiro; Sasazuki, Shizuka

2018-05-05

A high body mass index (BMI) has been proposed as an important risk factor for pancreatic cancer. However, this association of BMI with pancreatic cancer risk has not been confirmed in Asian populations. We evaluated the association between BMI (either at baseline or during early adulthood) and pancreatic cancer risk by conducting a pooled analysis of nine population-based prospective cohort studies in Japan with more than 340,000 subjects. Summary hazard ratios (HRs) were estimated by pooling study-specific HRs for unified BMI categories with a random-effects model. Among Japanese men, being obese at baseline was associated with a higher risk of pancreatic cancer incidence (≥30 kg/m 2 compared with 23 to <25 kg/m 2 , adjusted HR 1.71; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03-2.86). A J-shaped association between BMI during early adulthood and pancreatic cancer incidence was seen in men. In contrast, we observed no clear association among women, although there may be a positive linear association between BMI at baseline and the risk of pancreatic cancer (per 1 kg/m 2 , adjusted HR 1.02; 95% CI, 1.00-1.05). Pooling of data from cohort studies with a considerable number of Japanese subjects revealed a significant positive association between obesity and pancreatic cancer risk among men. This information indicates that strategies that effectively prevent obesity among men might lead to a reduced burden of pancreatic cancer, especially in Asian populations.

The Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP) River Basin Component Methods and Results

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

de Sherbinin, A. M.; Glennie, P.

2014-12-01

The Transboundary Waters Assessment Programme (TWAP) was initiated by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to create the first baseline assessment of all of the planet's transboundary water resources. The TWAP River Basin component consists of a baseline comparative assessment of 270 transboundary river basins, including all but the smallest basins, to enable the identification of priority issues and hotspots at risk from a variety of stressors. The assessment is indicator based and it is intended to provide a relative analysis of basins based on risks to societies and ecosystems. Models and observational data have been used to create 14 indicators covering environmental, human and agricultural water stress; nutrient and wastewater pollution; extinction risk; governance and institutions; economic dependence on water resources; societal wellbeing at sub-basin scales; and societal risks from climate extremes. The methodology is not limited to transboundary basins, but can be applied to all river basins. This presentation will provide a summary of the methods and results of the TWAP River Basin component. It will also briefly discuss preliminary results of the TWAP lakes and aquifer components.

Learning to rank-based gene summary extraction.

PubMed

Shang, Yue; Hao, Huihui; Wu, Jiajin; Lin, Hongfei

2014-01-01

In recent years, the biomedical literature has been growing rapidly. These articles provide a large amount of information about proteins, genes and their interactions. Reading such a huge amount of literature is a tedious task for researchers to gain knowledge about a gene. As a result, it is significant for biomedical researchers to have a quick understanding of the query concept by integrating its relevant resources. In the task of gene summary generation, we regard automatic summary as a ranking problem and apply the method of learning to rank to automatically solve this problem. This paper uses three features as a basis for sentence selection: gene ontology relevance, topic relevance and TextRank. From there, we obtain the feature weight vector using the learning to rank algorithm and predict the scores of candidate summary sentences and obtain top sentences to generate the summary. ROUGE (a toolkit for summarization of automatic evaluation) was used to evaluate the summarization result and the experimental results showed that our method outperforms the baseline techniques. According to the experimental result, the combination of three features can improve the performance of summary. The application of learning to rank can facilitate the further expansion of features for measuring the significance of sentences.

77 FR 31866 - Intent To Request Approval From OMB of One New Public Collection of Information: Baseline...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-05-30

... (BASE) Program for Public Transportation Systems AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS. ACTION: 60-day Notice. SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment... under contract with a public transportation agency. \\1\\ TSA, ``Transportation Sector-Specific Plan Mass...

Design data book phase A/B study for a pressure fed engine on a reusable space shuttle booster

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Preliminary engineering definition information is presented for a liquid pressure-fed reusable booster engine. The material is reported in three separate sections which include: (1) program and baseline data, (2) critical trade studies summary, and (3) methodology.

Space Construction Automated Fabrication Experiment Definition Study. (SCAFEDS), part 3. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

A range of tasks focused on a baseline system concept is discussed. A beam builder concept developed to produce a triangular beam is discussed. Beam elements used laminated graphite and glass composite strip material with external surface coatings are described.

Viking '79 Rover study. Volume 1: Summary report

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The results of a study to define a roving vehicle suitable for inclusion in a 1979 Viking mission to Mars are presented. The study focused exclusively on the 1979 mission incorporating a rover that would be stowed on and deployed from a modified Viking lander. The overall objective of the study was to define a baseline rover, the lander/rover interfaces, a mission operations concept, and a rover development program compatible with the 1979 launch opportunity. During the study, numerous options at the rover system and subsystem levels were examined and a baseline configuration was selected. Launch vehicle, orbiter, and lander performance capabilities were examined to ensure that the baseline rover could be transported to Mars using minimum-modified Viking '75 hardware and designs.

Soccer practice as an add-on treatment in the management of individuals with a diagnosis of schizophrenia

PubMed Central

Battaglia, Giuseppe; Alesi, Marianna; Inguglia, Michele; Roccella, Michele; Caramazza, Giovanni; Bellafiore, Marianna; Palma, Antonio

2013-01-01

Physical activity is an important aspect of good health for everyone; it is even more important for psychiatric patients who usually live an unhealthy lifestyle. In recent years, there has been growing focus on the use of soccer as a vehicle to improve the health of subjects with severe mental illness. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of soccer practice on the self-reported health quality of life (SRHQL) and sports performance (SP) in psychotic subjects. Eighteen male patients with diagnosis of schizophrenia were randomized into either a trained (TG) or a control group (CG). The TG was trained for 12 weeks using two soccer training sessions per week. The CG did not perform any regular sports activity during the experimental period. Anthropometric measurements, SRHQL, personal time records in a 30 meter sprint test and slalom test running with a ball were evaluated before and after the experimental period. SRHQL was assessed using Short Form-12 questionnaire measuring physical and mental component summary scores. After the training period, the TG showed a relevant decrease by 4.6% in bodyweight (BW) and body mass index compared to baseline. Conversely, the CG showed an increased BW and body mass index by 1.8% from baseline to posttest. Moreover, after 12 weeks we found that control patients increased their BW significantly when compared to trained patients (Δ = 5.4%; P < 0.05). After the training period, comparing the baseline TG’s Short Form-12-scores to posttest results, we found an improvement of 10.5% and 10.8% in physical component summary and mental component summary, respectively. In addition, performances on the 30 meter sprint test and slalom test running with a ball in the TG improved significantly (P < 0.01) from baseline to posttest when compared to CG. Soccer practice appears able to improve psychophysical health in individuals with diagnosis of schizophrenia. Indeed, our study demonstrated that programmed soccer physical activity could reduce antipsychotic medication-related weight gain and improve SRHQL and sports performance in psychotic subjects. PMID:23662058

Galactic cosmic ray gradients, field-aligned and latitudinal, among Voyagers 1/2 and IMP-8

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roelof, E. C.; Decker, R. B.; Krimigis, S. M.; Venkatesan, D.; Lazarus, A. J.

1982-01-01

The present investigation represents a summary of a comprehensive analysis of the same subject conducted by Roelof et al. (1981). It is pointed out that the tandem earth-Jupiter trajectories of the Voyager 1/2 spacecraft, combined with baseline measurements from the earth-orbiting IMP 7/8 spacecraft, provide the first opportunity for unambiguously separating latitude from radial or field-aligned effects in galactic cosmic ray gradients. Attention is given to the method of data analysis, and the separation of field-aligned and latitudinal gradients. It is found that latitudinal gradients approximately equal to or greater than 1 percent per deg in the cosmic ray intensity were a common feature of the interplanetary medium between 1 and 5 AU in 1977-78. Except in the most disturbed periods, cosmic ray intensities are well-ordered in field-aligned structures.

Selected Ground-Water Data of Yucca Mountain Region, Southern Nevada and Eastern California, January 2000-December 2002

USGS Publications Warehouse

Locke, Glenn L.; La Camera, Richard J.

2003-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in support of the U.S. Department of Energy, Yucca Mountain Project, collects, compiles, and summarizes hydrologic data in the Yucca Mountain region. The data are collected to allow assessments of ground-water resources during activities to determine the potential suitability or development of Yucca Mountain for storing high-level nuclear waste. Data on ground-water levels at 35 wells and a fissure (Devils Hole), ground-water discharge at 5 springs and a flowing well, and total reported ground-water withdrawals within Crater Flat, Jackass Flats, Mercury Valley, and the Amargosa Desert are tabulated from January 2000 through December 2002. Historical data on water levels, discharges, and withdrawals are graphically presented to indicate variations through time. A statistical summary of ground-water levels at seven wells in Jackass Flats is presented for 1992-2002 to indicate potential effects of ground-water withdrawals associated with U.S. Department of Energy activities near Yucca Mountain. The statistical summary includes the annual number of measurements, maximum, minimum, and median water-level altitudes, and average deviation of measured water-level altitudes compared to selected baseline periods. Baseline periods varied for 1985-93. At six of the seven wells in Jackass Flats, the median water levels for 2002 were slightly higher (0.3-2.4 feet) than for their respective baseline periods. At the remaining well, data for 2002 was not summarized statistically but median water-level altitude in 2001 was 0.7 foot higher than that in its baseline period.

Quantification of baseline pupillary response and task-evoked pupillary response during constant and incremental task load.

PubMed

Mosaly, Prithima R; Mazur, Lukasz M; Marks, Lawrence B

2017-10-01

The methods employed to quantify the baseline pupil size and task-evoked pupillary response (TEPR) may affect the overall study results. To test this hypothesis, the objective of this study was to assess variability in baseline pupil size and TEPR during two basic working memory tasks: constant load of 3-letters memorisation-recall (10 trials), and incremental load memorisation-recall (two trials of each load level), using two commonly used methods (1) change from trail/load specific baseline, (2) change from constant baseline. Results indicated that there was a significant shift in baseline between the trails for constant load, and between the load levels for incremental load. The TEPR was independent of shifts in baseline using method 1 only for constant load, and method 2 only for higher levels of incremental load condition. These important findings suggest that the assessment of both the baseline and methods to quantify TEPR are critical in ergonomics application, especially in studies with small number of trials per subject per condition. Practitioner Summary: Quantification of TEPR can be affected by shifts in baseline pupil size that are most likely affected by non-cognitive factors when other external factors are kept constant. Therefore, quantification methods employed to compute both baseline and TEPR are critical in understanding the information processing of humans in practical ergonomics settings.

Space Construction Experiment Definition Study (SCEDS), part 2. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

A baseline Space Construction Experiment (SCE) concept is defined. Five characteristics were incorporated: (1) large space system (LSS) element test, (2) shuttle mission payload of opportunity, (3) attachment to Orbiter with jettison capability, (4) Orbiter flight control capabilities, and (5) LSS construction and assembly operations.

SRS Geology/Hydrogeology Environmental Information Document

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Denham, M.E.

1999-08-31

The purpose of the Savannah River Site Geology and Hydrogeology Environmental Information Document (EID) is to provide geologic and hydrogeologic information to serve as a baseline to evaluate potential environmental impacts. This EID is based on a summary of knowledge accumulated from research conducted at the Savannah River Site (SRS) and surrounding areas.

Administrative Information Systems: The 1980 Profile. CAUSE Monograph Series.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Thomas, Charles R.

The first summaries of the CAUSE National Database, which was established in 1980, are presented. The database is updated annually to provide members with baseline reference information on the status of administrative information systems in colleges and universities. Information is based on responses from 350 CAUSE member campuses, which are…

Business Case Analysis for Replacing the Mazak 30Y Mill-Turn Machine in SM-39. Summary

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Booth, Steven Richard; Dinehart, Timothy Grant; Benson, Faith Ann

2015-03-19

Business case studies are being looked at to support procurement of new machines and capital equipment in the SM-39 and TA-03-0102 machine shops. The first effort conducted economic analysis of replacing the Mazak 30Y Mill-Turn Machine located in SM-39. To determine the value of switching machinery, a baseline scenario was compared with a future scenario where new machinery was purchased and installed. The conditions under the two scenarios were defined via interviews with subject matter experts in terms of one-time and periodic costs. The results of the analysis were compiled in a life-cycle cost/benefit table. The costs of procuring, installing,more » and maintaining a new machine were balanced against the costs avoided by replacing older machinery. Productivity savings were included as a measure to show the costs avoided by being able to produce parts at a quicker and more efficient pace.« less

Predominant Leg Pain Is Associated With Better Surgical Outcomes in Degenerative Spondylolisthesis and Spinal Stenosis: Results from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT)

PubMed Central

Pearson, Adam; Blood, Emily; Lurie, Jon; Abdu, William; Sengupta, Dilip; Frymoyer, John W.; Weinstein, James

2010-01-01

Study Design As-treated analysis of the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT). Objective To compare baseline characteristics and surgical and nonoperative outcomes in degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and spinal stenosis (SpS) patients stratified by predominant pain location (i.e. leg vs. back). Summary of Background Data Evidence suggests that degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and spinal stenosis (SpS) patients with predominant leg pain may have better surgical outcomes than patients with predominant low back pain (LBP). Methods The DS cohort included 591 patients (62% underwent surgery), and the SpS cohort included 615 patients (62% underwent surgery). Patients were classified as leg pain predominant, LBP predominant or having equal pain according to baseline pain scores. Baseline characteristics were compared between the three predominant pain location groups within each diagnostic category, and changes in surgical and nonoperative outcome scores were compared through two years. Longitudinal regression models including baseline covariates were used to control for confounders. Results Among DS patients at baseline, 34% had predominant leg pain, 26% had predominant LBP, and 40% had equal pain. Similarly, 32% of SpS patients had predominant leg pain, 26% had predominant LBP, and 42% had equal pain. DS and SpS patients with predominant leg pain had baseline scores indicative of less severe symptoms. Leg pain predominant DS and SpS patients treated surgically improved significantly more than LBP predominant patients on all primary outcome measures at one and two years. Surgical outcomes for the equal pain groups were intermediate to those of the predominant leg pain and LBP groups. The differences in nonoperative outcomes were less consistent. Conclusions Predominant leg pain patients improved significantly more with surgery than predominant LBP patients. However, predominant LBP patients still improved significantly more with surgery than with nonoperative treatment. PMID:21124260

Thoracic kyphosis and rate of incident vertebral fractures: the Fracture Intervention Trial

PubMed Central

Vittinghoff, E.; Kado, D. M.; Lane, N. E.; Ensrud, K. E.; Shipp, K.

2016-01-01

Summary Biomechanical analyses support the theory that thoracic spine hyperkyphosis may increase risk of new vertebral fractures. While greater kyphosis was associated with an increased rate of incident vertebral fractures, our analysis does not show an independent association of kyphosis on incident fracture, after adjustment for prevalent vertebral fracture. Excessive kyphosis may still be a clinical marker for prevalent vertebral fracture. Introduction Biomechanical analyses suggest hyperkyphosis may increase risk of incident vertebral fracture by increasing the load on vertebral bodies during daily activities. We propose to assess the association of kyphosis with incident radiographic vertebral fracture. Methods We used data from the Fracture Intervention Trial among 3038 women 55–81 years of age with low bone mineral density (BMD). Baseline kyphosis angle was measured using a Debrunner kyphometer. Vertebral fractures were assessed at baseline and follow-up from lateral radiographs of the thoracic and lumbar spine. We used Poisson models to estimate the independent association of kyphosis with incident fracture, controlling for age and femoral neck BMD. Results Mean baseline kyphosis was 48° (SD = 12) (range 7–83). At baseline, 962 (32 %) participants had a prevalent fracture. There were 221 incident fractures over a median of 4 years. At baseline, prevalent fracture was associated with 3.7° greater average kyphosis (95 % CI 2.8–4.6, p < 0.0005), adjusting for age and femoral neck BMD. Before adjusting for prevalent fracture, each 10° greater kyphosis was associated with 22 % increase (95 % CI 8–38 %, p = 0.001) in annualized rate of new radiographic vertebral fracture, adjusting for age and femoral neck BMD. After additional adjustment for prevalent fracture, estimated increased annualized rate was attenuated and no longer significant, 8 % per 10° kyphosis (95 % CI −4 to 22 %, p = 0.18). Conclusions While greater kyphosis increased the rate of incident vertebral fractures, our analysis does not show an independent association of kyphosis on incident fracture, after adjustment for prevalent vertebral fracture. Excessive kyphosis may still be a clinical marker for prevalent vertebral fracture. PMID:26782685

Serum VEGF-D concentration as a biomarker of lymphangioleiomyomatosis severity and treatment response: a prospective analysis of the Multicenter International Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Efficacy of Sirolimus (MILES) trial

PubMed Central

Young, Lisa R; Lee, Hye-Seung; Inoue, Yoshikazu; Moss, Joel; Singer, Lianne G; Strange, Charlie; Nakata, Koh; Barker, Alan F; Chapman, Jeffrey T; Brantly, Mark L; Stocks, James M; Brown, Kevin K; Lynch, Joseph P; Goldberg, Hilary J; Downey, Gregory P; Swigris, Jeffrey J; Taveira-DaSilva, Angelo M; Krischer, Jeffrey P; Trapnell, Bruce C; McCormack, Francis X

2013-01-01

Summary Background VEGF-D is a lymphangiogenic growth factor that has a key role in tumour metastasis. Serum VEGF-D concentrations are increased in most patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis, a rare neoplasm associated with mTOR-activating tuberous sclerosis gene mutations, lymphadenopathy, metastatic spread, and pulmonary cyst formation. We used data from the Multicenter International Lymphangioleiomyomatosis Efficacy of Sirolimus (MILES) trial to assess the usefulness of serum VEGF-D concentration as a marker of severity and therapeutic response to sirolimus in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Methods In the MILES trial, patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis who had forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) of 70% or less of predicted were randomly assigned (1:1) to 12 months masked treatment with sirolimus or placebo. Serum VEGF-D concentrations were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. We used a linear regression model to assess associations of baseline VEGF-D concentrations with markers of disease severity, and a linear mixed effects model to assess the associations of VEGF-D concentrations with between-group differences in clinical, physiological, and patient-reported outcomes. Findings We included 42 patients from the placebo group and 45 from the sirolimus group in our analysis. Baseline VEGF-D concentrations in individual patients varied from 0·34 ng/mL to 16·7 ng/mL. Baseline VEGF-D concentrations were higher in patients who needed supplemental oxygen than in those who did not need supplemental oxygen (1·7 ng/mL [IQR 0·99–3·36] vs 0·84 ng/mL [0·52–1·39]; p<0·0001) and in those who had a bronchodilator response than in those who did not (2·01 ng/mL [0·99–2·86] vs 1·00 ng/mL [0·61–2·15]; 0·0273). Median serum VEGF-D concentrations were similar at baseline in the sirolimus and placebo groups, and fell from baseline at 6 and 12 months in the sirolimus group but remained roughly stable in the placebo group. Each one-unit increase in baseline log(VEGF-D) was associated with a between-group difference in baseline-to-12-month FEV1 change of 134 mL (p=0·0007). In the sirolimus group, improvement in baseline-to-12-month FEV1 occurred in 15 of 23 (65%) VEGF-D responders (ie, those in whom baseline-to-12-month VEGF-D concentrations decreased by more than they did in any patients in the placebo group) and four of 15 (27%) VEGF-D non-responders (p=0·0448). Interpretation Serum VEGF-D is a biologically plausible and useful biomarker in lymphangioleiomyomatosis that correlates with disease severity and treatment response. Measurement of serum VEGF-D concentrations could inform the risk–benefit analysis of sirolimus therapy in patients with lymphangioleiomyomatosis and reduce the numbers of patients needed for clinical trials. PMID:24159565

A semantic graph-based approach to biomedical summarisation.

PubMed

Plaza, Laura; Díaz, Alberto; Gervás, Pablo

2011-09-01

Access to the vast body of research literature that is available in biomedicine and related fields may be improved by automatic summarisation. This paper presents a method for summarising biomedical scientific literature that takes into consideration the characteristics of the domain and the type of documents. To address the problem of identifying salient sentences in biomedical texts, concepts and relations derived from the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) are arranged to construct a semantic graph that represents the document. A degree-based clustering algorithm is then used to identify different themes or topics within the text. Different heuristics for sentence selection, intended to generate different types of summaries, are tested. A real document case is drawn up to illustrate how the method works. A large-scale evaluation is performed using the recall-oriented understudy for gisting-evaluation (ROUGE) metrics. The results are compared with those achieved by three well-known summarisers (two research prototypes and a commercial application) and two baselines. Our method significantly outperforms all summarisers and baselines. The best of our heuristics achieves an improvement in performance of almost 7.7 percentage units in the ROUGE-1 score over the LexRank summariser (0.7862 versus 0.7302). A qualitative analysis of the summaries also shows that our method succeeds in identifying sentences that cover the main topic of the document and also considers other secondary or "satellite" information that might be relevant to the user. The method proposed is proved to be an efficient approach to biomedical literature summarisation, which confirms that the use of concepts rather than terms can be very useful in automatic summarisation, especially when dealing with highly specialised domains. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Bilingual term alignment from comparable corpora in English discharge summary and Chinese discharge summary.

PubMed

Xu, Yan; Chen, Luoxin; Wei, Junsheng; Ananiadou, Sophia; Fan, Yubo; Qian, Yi; Chang, Eric I-Chao; Tsujii, Junichi

2015-05-09

Electronic medical record (EMR) systems have become widely used throughout the world to improve the quality of healthcare and the efficiency of hospital services. A bilingual medical lexicon of Chinese and English is needed to meet the demand for the multi-lingual and multi-national treatment. We make efforts to extract a bilingual lexicon from English and Chinese discharge summaries with a small seed lexicon. The lexical terms can be classified into two categories: single-word terms (SWTs) and multi-word terms (MWTs). For SWTs, we use a label propagation (LP; context-based) method to extract candidates of translation pairs. For MWTs, which are pervasive in the medical domain, we propose a term alignment method, which firstly obtains translation candidates for each component word of a Chinese MWT, and then generates their combinations, from which the system selects a set of plausible translation candidates. We compare our LP method with a baseline method based on simple context-similarity. The LP based method outperforms the baseline with the accuracies: 4.44% Acc1, 24.44% Acc10, and 62.22% Acc100, where AccN means the top N accuracy. The accuracy of the LP method drops to 5.41% Acc10 and 8.11% Acc20 for MWTs. Our experiments show that the method based on term alignment improves the performance for MWTs to 16.22% Acc10 and 27.03% Acc20. We constructed a framework for building an English-Chinese term dictionary from discharge summaries in the two languages. Our experiments have shown that the LP-based method augmented with the term alignment method will contribute to reduction of manual work required to compile a bilingual sydictionary of clinical terms.

Intensive lifestyle intervention improves physical function among obese adults with knee pain: findings from the Look AHEAD trial.

PubMed

Foy, Capri G; Lewis, Cora E; Hairston, Kristen G; Miller, Gary D; Lang, Wei; Jakicic, John M; Rejeski, W Jack; Ribisl, Paul M; Walkup, Michael P; Wagenknecht, Lynne E

2011-01-01

Lifestyle interventions have resulted in weight loss or improved physical fitness among individuals with obesity, which may lead to improved physical function. This prospective investigation involved participants in the Action for Health in Diabetes (Look AHEAD) trial who reported knee pain at baseline (n = 2,203). The purposes of this investigation were to determine whether an Intensive Lifestyle Intervention (ILI) condition resulted in improvement in self-reported physical function from baseline to 12 months vs. a Diabetes Support and Education (DSE) condition, and whether changes in weight or fitness mediated the effect of the ILI. Outcome measures included the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales, and WOMAC summary score. ILI participants exhibited greater adjusted mean weight loss (s.e.) vs. DSE participants (-9.02 kg (0.48) vs. -0.78 kg (0.49); P < 0.001)). ILI participants also demonstrated more favorable change in WOMAC summary scores vs. DSE participants (β (s.e.) = -1.81 (0.63); P = 0.004). Multiple regression mediation analyses revealed that weight loss was a mediator of the effect of the ILI intervention on change in WOMAC pain, function, and summary scores (P < 0.001). In separate analyses, increased fitness also mediated the effect of the ILI intervention upon WOMAC summary score (P < 0.001). The ILI condition resulted in significant improvement in physical function among overweight and obese adults with diabetes and knee pain. The ILI condition also resulted in significant weight loss and improved fitness, which are possible mechanisms through which the ILI condition improved physical function.

Policy implications of the GRI baseline projection of US energy supply and demand to 2010, 1993

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

1993-01-01

The paper summarizes the 1993 edition of the Gas Research Institute (GRI) Baseline Projection of U.S. Energy Supply and Demand and presents the implications of the projections that are important for GRI research and development planning and the gas industry. The survey of supply and demand considerations is followed by a breakdown of energy demand by type of fuel, by consumption sector, and by service application. Gas supply and prices are analyzed in terms of two scenarios: a constrained energy demand scenario, and an optimistic scenario. Tables and charts accompany the summary.

Characterization of abdominal pain during methylnaltrexone treatment of opioid-induced constipation in advanced illness: a post hoc analysis of two clinical trials.

PubMed

Slatkin, Neal E; Lynn, Richard; Su, Chinyu; Wang, Wenjin; Israel, Robert J

2011-11-01

Methylnaltrexone is a selective peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist that decreases the constipating effects of opioids without affecting centrally mediated analgesia. In two double-blind, placebo-controlled, Phase III studies of methylnaltrexone for opioid-induced constipation in patients with advanced illness, abdominal pain was the most common adverse event (AE) reported. This analysis sought to further characterize the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities-defined abdominal pain AEs experienced in these studies. A post hoc analysis of verbatim descriptions was used to further assess AEs characterized as abdominal pain in both trials. Descriptive summary statistics were used to assess severity of abdominal pain, effect of abdominal pain on global pain scores, and other characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of baseline characteristics with abdominal pain. Most verbatim descriptions of abdominal pain referred to "abdominal cramps" or "cramping." Abdominal pain AEs were mostly mild to moderate in severity and did not affect patients' global evaluation of pain. The incidence of abdominal pain AEs in methylnaltrexone-treated patients was greatest after the first dose and decreased with subsequent doses. No association between abdominal pain AEs and most baseline patient characteristics was noted. Abdominal pain AEs in methylnaltrexone-treated patients in clinical trials are usually described as "cramps" or "cramping," are mostly mild to moderate in severity, and decrease in incidence with subsequent dosing. Copyright © 2011 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Efficacy and safety of milnacipran 100 mg/day in patients with fibromyalgia: results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Arnold, Lesley M; Gendreau, R Michael; Palmer, Robert H; Gendreau, Judy F; Wang, Yong

2010-09-01

To assess the efficacy and safety of milnacipran at a dosage of 100 mg/day (50 mg twice daily) for monotherapy treatment of fibromyalgia. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed to assess 1,025 patients with fibromyalgia who were randomized to receive milnacipran 100 mg/day (n = 516) or placebo (n = 509). Patients underwent 4-6 weeks of flexible dose escalation followed by 12 weeks of stable-dose treatment. Two composite responder definitions were used as primary end points to classify the response to treatment. The 2-measure composite response required achievement of ≥30% improvement from baseline in the pain score and a rating of "very much improved" or "much improved" on the Patient's Global Impression of Change (PGIC) scale. The 3-measure composite response required satisfaction of these same 2 improvement criteria for pain and global status as well as improvement in physical function on the Short Form 36 (SF-36) physical component summary (PCS) score. After 12 weeks of stable-dose treatment, a significantly greater proportion of milnacipran-treated patients compared with placebo-treated patients showed clinically meaningful improvements, as evidenced by the proportion of patients meeting the 2-measure composite responder criteria (P < 0.001 in the baseline observation carried forward [BOCF] analysis) and 3-measure composite responder criteria (P < 0.001 in the BOCF). Milnacipran-treated patients also demonstrated significantly greater improvements from baseline on multiple secondary outcomes, including 24-hour and weekly recall pain score, PGIC score, SF-36 PCS and mental component summary scores, average pain severity score on the Brief Pain Inventory, Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire total score (all P < 0.001 versus placebo), and Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory total score (P = 0.036 versus placebo). Milnacipran was well tolerated by most patients, with nausea being the most commonly reported adverse event (placebo-adjusted rate of 15.8%). Milnacipran administered at a dosage of 100 mg/day improved pain, global status, fatigue, and physical and mental function in patients with fibromyalgia.

Relationship of health-related quality of life to treatment adherence and sustained response in chronic hepatitis C patients.

PubMed

Bernstein, David; Kleinman, Leah; Barker, Chris M; Revicki, Dennis A; Green, Jesse

2002-03-01

Interferon therapy may exacerbate health-related quality of life (HRQL) deficits associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) early in the course of therapy. Treatment with polyethylene glycol-modified interferon (peginterferon) alfa-2a (40 kd) provides improved sustained response over interferon alfa-2a, but its effect on HRQL is unknown. The objective of this study was to (1) evaluate the effect of sustained virologic response on HRQL in patients with HCV and (2) determine whether impairment of HRQL during treatment contributes to early treatment discontinuation. Data consisted of a pooled secondary analysis of patients (n = 1,441) across 3 international, multicenter, open-label, randomized studies that compared peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kd) with interferon alfa-2a. ANCOVA was used to examine the effect of sustained virologic response on HRQL. Repeated-measures mixed-models ANCOVA was used to compare Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and SF-36 scores during treatment by treatment group. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association between changes at baseline in on-treatment HRQL and early treatment discontinuation. Sustained virologic response was associated with marked improvements from baseline to end of follow-up in all subjects, including patients with cirrhosis. During treatment, patients receiving peginterferon alfa-2a (40 kd) had statistically significantly better scores on both the SF-36 and FSS. Baseline to 24-week changes in fatigue and SF-36 mental and physical summary scores significantly predicted treatment discontinuation. In conclusion, sustained virologic response is associated with improvements in quality of life in patients with or without advanced liver disease. This parameter may be an important consideration in maximizing treatment adherence.

Improving timeliness for acute asthma care for paediatric ED patients using a nurse driven intervention: an interrupted time series analysis.

PubMed

Brown, Kathleen; Iqbal, Sabah; Sun, Su-Lin; Fritzeen, Jennifer; Chamberlain, James; Mullan, Paul C

2016-01-01

Asthma is the most common chronic paediatric disease treated in the emergency department (ED). Rapid corticosteroid administration is associated with improved outcomes, but our busy ED setting has made it challenging to achieve this goal. Our primary aim was to decrease the time to corticosteroid administration in a large, academic paediatric ED. We conducted an interrupted time series analysis for moderate to severe asthma exacerbations of one to 18 year old patients. A multidisciplinary team designed the intervention of a bedside nurse initiated administration of oral dexamethasone, to replace the prior system of a physician initiated order for oral prednisone. Our baseline and intervention periods were 12 month intervals. Our primary process measure was the time to corticosteroid administration. Other process measures included ED length of stay, admission rate, and rate of emesis. The balance measures included rate of return visits to the ED or clinic within five days, as well as the proportion of discharged patients who were admitted within five days. No special cause variation occurred in the baseline period. The mean time to corticosteroid administration decreased significantly, from 98 minutes in the baseline period to 59 minutes in the intervention period (p < 0.01), and showed special cause variation improvement within two months after the intervention using statistical process control methodology. We sustained the improvement and demonstrated a stable process. The intervention period had a significantly lower admission rate (p<0.01) and emesis rate (p<0.01), with no unforeseen harm to patients found with any of our balance measures. In summary, the introduction of a nurse initiated, standardized protocol for corticosteroid therapy for asthma exacerbations in a paediatric ED was associated with decreased time to corticosteroid administration, admission rates, and post-corticosteroid emesis.

Association of the sense of coherence with physical and psychosocial health in the rehabilitation of osteoarthritis of the hip and knee: a prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Benz, Thomas; Angst, Felix; Lehmann, Susanne; Aeschlimann, André

2013-05-04

According to Antonovsky's salutogenic concept, a strong sense of coherence is associated with physical and psychological health. The goal of this study was to analyze the association of Antonovsky's sense of coherence with physical and psychosocial health components in patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis before and after in- and outpatient rehabilitation. Prospective cohort study with 335 patients, 136 (41%) with hip and 199 (59%) with knee osteoarthritis. The outcome was measured by Short Form-36 (SF-36), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Sense of Coherence (SOC-13). Baseline scores of the SF-36 and WOMAC scales and the observed effect sizes after rehabilitation were correlated with the baseline SOC-13. These correlations of the SF-36 scales were compared to the Factor Score Coefficients for the Mental Component Summary of SF-36, which quantify the factor load on the psychosocial dimension. Predictive impact of the baseline SOC-13 for the SF-36 and WOMAC scales (baseline scores and effect sizes) was then determined by multivariate linear regression controlled for possible confounders. At baseline, the SOC-13 correlated with the WOMAC scores between r = 0.18 (stiffness) and r = 0.25 (pain) and with the SF-36 scores between r = 0.10 (physical functioning) and r = 0.53 (mental health). The correlation of these SF-36 correlation coefficients to the Factor Score Coefficient of the SF-36 Mental Component Summary was r = 0.95. The correlations for the effect sizes (baseline → discharge) with the baseline SOC-13 global score were all negative and varied between r = 0.00 (physical functioning) and r = -0.19 (social functioning). In the multivariate linear regression model, the explained variance of the SF-36 scores by the baseline SOC-13 increased continuously from physical to psychosocial health dimensions (from 12.9% to 29.8%). This gradient was consistently observed for both the baseline scores and the effect sizes. The results of the WOMAC were consistent with the physical health scales of SF-36. The sense of coherence was associated with psychosocial health dimensions but hardly with physical health. The higher the load of a scale on the psychosocial dimension the higher was its correlation to the sense of coherence. This is in contrast to the idea of Antonovsky who predicted high associations with both mental and physical health.

Simulation-based power calculations for planning a two-stage individual participant data meta-analysis.

PubMed

Ensor, Joie; Burke, Danielle L; Snell, Kym I E; Hemming, Karla; Riley, Richard D

2018-05-18

Researchers and funders should consider the statistical power of planned Individual Participant Data (IPD) meta-analysis projects, as they are often time-consuming and costly. We propose simulation-based power calculations utilising a two-stage framework, and illustrate the approach for a planned IPD meta-analysis of randomised trials with continuous outcomes where the aim is to identify treatment-covariate interactions. The simulation approach has four steps: (i) specify an underlying (data generating) statistical model for trials in the IPD meta-analysis; (ii) use readily available information (e.g. from publications) and prior knowledge (e.g. number of studies promising IPD) to specify model parameter values (e.g. control group mean, intervention effect, treatment-covariate interaction); (iii) simulate an IPD meta-analysis dataset of a particular size from the model, and apply a two-stage IPD meta-analysis to obtain the summary estimate of interest (e.g. interaction effect) and its associated p-value; (iv) repeat the previous step (e.g. thousands of times), then estimate the power to detect a genuine effect by the proportion of summary estimates with a significant p-value. In a planned IPD meta-analysis of lifestyle interventions to reduce weight gain in pregnancy, 14 trials (1183 patients) promised their IPD to examine a treatment-BMI interaction (i.e. whether baseline BMI modifies intervention effect on weight gain). Using our simulation-based approach, a two-stage IPD meta-analysis has < 60% power to detect a reduction of 1 kg weight gain for a 10-unit increase in BMI. Additional IPD from ten other published trials (containing 1761 patients) would improve power to over 80%, but only if a fixed-effect meta-analysis was appropriate. Pre-specified adjustment for prognostic factors would increase power further. Incorrect dichotomisation of BMI would reduce power by over 20%, similar to immediately throwing away IPD from ten trials. Simulation-based power calculations could inform the planning and funding of IPD projects, and should be used routinely.

Intelligent transportation systems Professional Capacity Building Program : ITS training & education needs assessment baseline : a review and synthesis of thirteen prior studies, field interviews, and a summary assessment of ITS needs

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-12-01

Successful deployment, operation, and management of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) requires a new breed of transportation professionals, according to research, extensive outreach, and information gathered to date. The U.S. DOT has responded...

The Ecology of Urban Family Life. A Summary Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cochran, Moncrieff, Ed.; And Others

This report presents the results of research that gathered baseline data for a proposed evaluation of the Family Matters Project, an early intervention program that studied the utility of family and local resources as support systems in the care of preschoolers. Conducted in Syracuse, New York, the research collected demographic data, descriptions…

77 FR 43112 - Notice of Proposed Reinstatement of Terminated Oil and Gas Lease COC73875

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2012-07-23

... COC73875 from Baseline Minerals, Inc., for lands in Morgan County, Colorado. The petition was filed on time... Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice. SUMMARY: Under the provisions of the Mineral Leasing Act of 1920, as... FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Milada Krasilinec, BLM Land Law Examiner, Fluid Minerals Adjudication, at 303...

Kansas Department of Transportation's enterprise energy and carbon accounting and utility research phase 1B : embodied and operational energy and carbon in buildings and vehicles : technical summary.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2012-03-01

Many organizations have become concerned about the environmental impact of their facilities and operations. In order to lessen environmental impact, quantitative assessment of practice based on improvements from a baseline condition is needed. The Ka...

AUTOGENIC THERAPY IN TENSION HEADACHE

PubMed Central

Amruthraj, Brunda; Mishra, H.; Kumaraiah, V.

1987-01-01

SUMMARY Ten subjects diagnosed as Psychalgia were taken for study. A multiple baseline design was adapted and clients were subjected to 30 sessions of autogenic training. They were assessed using physiological (EMG and thermal change) and behavioural measures (Visual analogue scale and behavioural symptom checklist). Findings revealed autogenic therapy to be effective in reducing tension headache. PMID:21927245

Space station Simulation Computer System (SCS) study for NASA/MSFC. Volume 1: Overview and summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1989-01-01

NASA's Space Station Freedom Program (SSFP) planning efforts have identified a need for a payload training simulator system to serve as both a training facility and as a demonstrator to validate operational concepts. The envisioned Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) Payload Training Complex (PTC) required to meet this need will train the space station payload scientists, station scientists, and ground controllers to operate the wide variety of experiments that will be onboard the Space Station Freedom. The Simulation Computer System (SCS) is the computer hardware, software, and workstations that will support the Payload Training Complex at MSFC. The purpose of this SCS study is to investigate issues related to the SCS, alternative requirements, simulator approaches, and state-of-the-art technologies to develop candidate concepts and designs. This study was performed August 1988 to October 1989. Thus, the results are based on the SSFP August 1989 baseline, i.e., pre-Langley configuration/budget review (C/BR) baseline. Some terms, e.g., combined trainer, are being redefined. An overview of the study activities and a summary of study results are given here.

Cocaine Dependence Treatment Data: Methods for Measurement Error Problems With Predictors Derived From Stationary Stochastic Processes

PubMed Central

Guan, Yongtao; Li, Yehua; Sinha, Rajita

2011-01-01

In a cocaine dependence treatment study, we use linear and nonlinear regression models to model posttreatment cocaine craving scores and first cocaine relapse time. A subset of the covariates are summary statistics derived from baseline daily cocaine use trajectories, such as baseline cocaine use frequency and average daily use amount. These summary statistics are subject to estimation error and can therefore cause biased estimators for the regression coefficients. Unlike classical measurement error problems, the error we encounter here is heteroscedastic with an unknown distribution, and there are no replicates for the error-prone variables or instrumental variables. We propose two robust methods to correct for the bias: a computationally efficient method-of-moments-based method for linear regression models and a subsampling extrapolation method that is generally applicable to both linear and nonlinear regression models. Simulations and an application to the cocaine dependence treatment data are used to illustrate the efficacy of the proposed methods. Asymptotic theory and variance estimation for the proposed subsampling extrapolation method and some additional simulation results are described in the online supplementary material. PMID:21984854

Report of the DOE Review Committee on the baseline validation of the Superconducting Super Collider

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1993-08-01

The Secretary of Energy directed that an independent review of the current cost and schedule baseline for the SSC be conducted. The purpose of this independent review was to validate the current cost and schedule baseline and to ensure that the project status is accurate as currently reported. Through May 1993, approximately $1.5 billion of the baseline cost of $8.249 billion had been expended, with project completion forecasted on the baseline schedule as of September 1999. This report documents the findings of the SSC Baseline Validation Review Committee (the Committee). The report is organized into five parts. The first sectionmore » is the Executive Summary. This introduction is followed by a discussion of the project progress/status as determined by the Committee. The next section describes the Committee`s estimate of the cost at completion for the SSC project, followed by an assessment of the adequacy of the business management systems currently being used to manage the project. The final section presents the Committee`s conclusions and recommendations. The main body of the report is followed by the subcommittee reports and appendices.« less

Increase of EEG Spectral Theta Power Indicates Higher Risk of the Development of Severe Cognitive Decline in Parkinson’s Disease after 3 Years

PubMed Central

Cozac, Vitalii V.; Chaturvedi, Menorca; Hatz, Florian; Meyer, Antonia; Fuhr, Peter; Gschwandtner, Ute

2016-01-01

Objective: We investigated quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) and clinical parameters as potential risk factors of severe cognitive decline in Parkinson’s disease. Methods: We prospectively investigated 37 patients with Parkinson’s disease at baseline and follow-up (after 3 years). Patients had no severe cognitive impairment at baseline. We used a summary score of cognitive tests as the outcome at follow-up. At baseline we assessed motor, cognitive, and psychiatric factors; qEEG variables [global relative median power (GRMP) spectra] were obtained by a fully automated processing of high-resolution EEG (256-channels). We used linear regression models with calculation of the explained variance to evaluate the relation of baseline parameters with cognitive deterioration. Results: The following baseline parameters significantly predicted severe cognitive decline: GRMP theta (4–8 Hz), cognitive task performance in executive functions and working memory. Conclusions: Combination of neurocognitive tests and qEEG improves identification of patients with higher risk of cognitive decline in PD. PMID:27965571

Selected ground-water data for Yucca Mountain region, southern Nevada and eastern California, through December 1999

USGS Publications Warehouse

Locke, G.L.

2001-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in support of the U.S. Department of Energy, Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project, collects, compiles, and summarizes hydrologic data in the Yucca Mountain region. The data are collected to allow assessments of ground-water resources during studies to determine the potential suitability of Yucca Mountain for storing high-level nuclear waste. Data on ground-water levels at 34 wells and a fissure (Devils Hole), ground-water discharge at 5 springs and a flowing well, and total reported ground-water withdrawals within Crater Flat, Jackass Flats, Mercury Valley, and the Amargosa Desert are presented for calendar year 1999. Data collected prior to 1999 are graphically presented and data collected by other agencies (or as part of other Geological Survey programs) are included to further indicate variations of ground-water levels, discharges, and withdrawals through time. A statistical summary of ground-water levels at seven wells in Jackass Flats is presented to indicate potential effects of ground-water withdrawals associated with U.S. Department of Energy activities near Yucca Mountain. The statistical summary includes the number of measurements, the maximum, minimum, and median water-level altitudes, and the average deviation of measured water-level altitudes for selected baseline periods and for calendar years 1992-99. At two water-supply wells median water levels for calendar year 1999 were unchanged from their respective baseline periods. At a nearby observation well, the 1999 median water level was slightly lower (0.1 foot) than its baseline period. At the remaining four wells in Jackass Flats, median water levels for 1999 were slightly higher (0.2 foot to 1.6 feet) than for their respective baseline periods.

Semiparametric Time-to-Event Modeling in the Presence of a Latent Progression Event

PubMed Central

Rice, John D.; Tsodikov, Alex

2017-01-01

Summary In cancer research, interest frequently centers on factors influencing a latent event that must precede a terminal event. In practice it is often impossible to observe the latent event precisely, making inference about this process difficult. To address this problem, we propose a joint model for the unobserved time to the latent and terminal events, with the two events linked by the baseline hazard. Covariates enter the model parametrically as linear combinations that multiply, respectively, the hazard for the latent event and the hazard for the terminal event conditional on the latent one. We derive the partial likelihood estimators for this problem assuming the latent event is observed, and propose a profile likelihood–based method for estimation when the latent event is unobserved. The baseline hazard in this case is estimated nonparametrically using the EM algorithm, which allows for closed-form Breslow-type estimators at each iteration, bringing improved computational efficiency and stability compared with maximizing the marginal likelihood directly. We present simulation studies to illustrate the finite-sample properties of the method; its use in practice is demonstrated in the analysis of a prostate cancer data set. PMID:27556886

The Effect of Anthocyanins on Blood Pressure: A PRISMA-Compliant Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

PubMed

Zhu, Yongjian; Bo, Yacong; Wang, Xi; Lu, Wenjie; Wang, Xule; Han, Zhanying; Qiu, Chunguang

2016-04-01

The findings of clinical studies concerning the association between anthocyanins supplementation and blood pressure (BP) are inconsistent. In order to provide a more precise estimate of the overall effect of anthocyanins on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), we conducted a meta-analysis of clinical trials about anthocyanins supplementation and BP. PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (until October 2015) were searched to identify potential studies with information on anthocyanins extract supplementation and arterial BP. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as a summary statistic. Net changes in SBP and DBP between anthocyanins supplementation and placebo groups were calculated by subtracting the values at end of follow-up from those at baseline. Meta regression was used to explore the potential moderators of effect size. The publication bias was assessed using Begger's Funnel plots and Egger's tests; P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Finally, 6 clinical studies with 472 participants for the effect of anthocyanins consumption on BP were included in the present meta-analysis. There is no significant effect on either SBP (WMD: 1.15 mm Hg, 95% CI: -3.17 to 5.47, I2 = 56%) or DBP (WMD: 1.06 mm Hg, 95% CI: -0.71 to 2.83, I2 = 0%) following supplementation with anthocyanins. In summary, results from this meta-analysis do not favor any clinical efficacy of supplementation with anthocyanins in improving blood pressure. Further well-designed large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with long follow-up period are needed to verify the association of anthocyanins supplementation and blood pressure.

Two Phase Flow Modeling: Summary of Flow Regimes and Pressure Drop Correlations in Reduced and Partial Gravity

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Balasubramaniam, R.; Rame, E.; Kizito, J.; Kassemi, M.

2006-01-01

The purpose of this report is to provide a summary of state-of-the-art predictions for two-phase flows relevant to Advanced Life Support. We strive to pick out the most used and accepted models for pressure drop and flow regime predictions. The main focus is to identify gaps in predictive capabilities in partial gravity for Lunar and Martian applications. Following a summary of flow regimes and pressure drop correlations for terrestrial and zero gravity, we analyze the fully developed annular gas-liquid flow in a straight cylindrical tube. This flow is amenable to analytical closed form solutions for the flow field and heat transfer. These solutions, valid for partial gravity as well, may be used as baselines and guides to compare experimental measurements. The flow regimes likely to be encountered in the water recovery equipment currently under consideration for space applications are provided in an appendix.

Summary Report for the Technical Interchange Meeting on Development of Baseline Material Properties and Design Guidelines for In-Space Manufacturing Activities

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prater, T. J.; Bean, Q. A.; Werkheiser, N. J.; Johnston, M. M.; Ordonez, E. A.; Ledbetter, F. E.; Risdon, D. L.; Stockman, T. J.; Sandridge, S. K. R.; Nelson, G. M.

2016-01-01

NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) and the Agency as a whole are currently engaged in a number of in-space manufacturing (ISM) activities that have the potential to reduce launch costs, enhance crew safety, and provide the capabilities needed to undertake long-duration spaceflight. The recent 3D Printing in Zero-G experiment conducted on board the International Space Station (ISS) demonstrated that parts of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic can be manufactured in microgravity using fused deposition modeling (FDM). This project represents the beginning of the development of a capability that is critical to future NASA missions. Current and future ISM activities will require the development of baseline material properties to facilitate design, analysis, and certification of materials manufactured using in-space techniques. The purpose of this technical interchange meeting (TIM) was to bring together MSFC practitioners and experts in materials characterization and development of baseline material properties for emerging technologies to advise the ISM team as we progress toward the development of material design values, standards, and acceptance criteria for materials manufactured in space. The overall objective of the TIM was to leverage MSFC's shared experiences and collective knowledge in advanced manufacturing and materials development to construct a path forward for the establishment of baseline material properties, standards development, and certification activities related to ISM. Participants were asked to help identify research and development activities that will (1) accelerate acceptance and adoption of ISM techniques among the aerospace design community; (2) benefit future NASA programs, commercial technology developments, and national needs; and (3) provide opportunities and avenues for further collaboration.

Validation analysis of informant's ratings of cognitive function in African Americans and Nigerians

PubMed Central

Shen, Jianzhao; Gao, Sujuan; Unverzagt, Frederick W.; Ogunniyi, Adesola; Baiyewu, Olusegun; Gureje, Oye; Hendrie, Hugh C.; Hall, Kathleen S.

2011-01-01

SUMMARY Objectives To examine informant validity using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSI ‘D’) both cross-sectionally and longitudinally in two very different cultures and to explore the effects of informants and study participants’ characteristics on the validity of informants’ reports. Methods Elderly African Americans age 65 years and older residing in Indianapolis, USA and elderly Yoruba Nigerians age 65 years and older residing in Ibadan, Nigeria were assessed on cognitive functioning using the CSI ‘D’ at baseline (1992–1993) and five-year follow-up (1997–1998). At baseline, the informant validity in both samples was evaluated against participants’ cognitive tests using Pearson correlation and regular regression models. At follow-up, informants ratings on cognitive decline were assessed against participants’ cognitive decline scores from baseline to follow-up using biserial correlation and logistic regressions. Results At baseline, informants’ reports on cognitive functioning significantly correlated with cognitive scores in both samples (Indianapolis:r = –0.43, p < 0.001; Ibadan:r = –0.47, p < 0.001). The participant–informant relationships significantly affected the informants’ reports in the two samples with different patterns (p = 0.005 for Indianapolis and p < 0.001 for Ibadan) at a given level of cognitive functioning. African Americans spouses reported more cognitive problems, while siblings reported more problems for the Yoruba Nigerians. At follow-up, informants’ ratings on cognitive decline significantly correlated with the cognitive decline scores (Indianapolis r = 0.38, p < 0.001; Ibadan r = 0.32, p < 0.001). The characteristics of study participants and informants had little impact on the informants’ ratings on cognitive decline. Conclusions Informant reports are valid in assessing the cognitive functioning of study participants both cross-sectionally and longitudinally in two very different cultures, languages and environments. PMID:16802282

Rural watershed partnerships: lessons from West Virginia

Treesearch

Steve W. Selin; Alan Collins; Susan Hunter

1998-01-01

The goal of this study is to examine the efforts by one state government (West Virginia) to facilitate collaborative, watershed-based planning. This paper provides an overview of the state watershed planning process and includes a summary of a baseline study of rural watershed partnerships operating within West Virginia. Implication of the study for state policies and...

Maternal-Child Health Data from the NLSY: 1988 Tabulations and Summary Discussion.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mott, Frank L.; Quinlan, Stephen V.

This report uses data from the 1983 through 1988 rounds of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) to provide information about prenatal, infant, and child health. Objectives of the report are to present statistics which should be of value to maternal and child health policymakers, and to provide NLSY users with baseline information about…

Television and Educational Reform in El Salvador. Summary Report of the First Year of Research.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schramm, Wilbur; And Others

The impact of instructional television and educational reform in El Salvador was apparent in the 1969 school year. Large gains in learning were recorded for each of the three televised seventh-grade courses--science, mathematics and social studies. Baseline tests administered in four grades of school revealed that urban students developed…

The Intelligent Monitoring System: Generic Database Interface (GDI). User Manual. Revision

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-01-03

Summary of Lo=catos Nan* Decufptin Directory Location User Manual FrameMaker ’ source organized inlo, a book UBSW~ftbendb~doclim/user-manual named gdibk A...functions. LNSRCf1bgenrdb/srC I. Framemaker is a docment publishing tool fium Fame Technology Cororation Baseline: 21.1 3-1 anoAW ftnua ?bewd uw on 3.2

Cognitive Mediation of Rape's Mental Health Impact: Constructive Replication of a Cross-Sectional Model in Longitudinal Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koss, Mary P.; Figueredo, Aurelio Jose

2004-01-01

The constructive replication of a prespecified, cognitively mediated model of rape's impact on psychosocial health is reported using longitudinal data (see Koss, Figueredo, & Prince, 2002, for a summary of model development). Rape survivors (n= 59) were assessed four times, 3 to 24 months postrape. Structural equations modeling of baseline data…

Health Status Benefits of Transcatheter vs Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis at Intermediate Surgical Risk: Results From the PARTNER 2 Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Baron, Suzanne J; Arnold, Suzanne V; Wang, Kaijun; Magnuson, Elizabeth A; Chinnakondepali, Khaja; Makkar, Raj; Herrmann, Howard C; Kodali, Susheel; Thourani, Vinod H; Kapadia, Samir; Svensson, Lars; Brown, David L; Mack, Michael J; Smith, Craig R; Leon, Martin B; Cohen, David J

2017-08-01

In patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at intermediate surgical risk, treatment with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) results in similar 2-year survival. The effect of TAVR vs SAVR on health status in patients at intermediate surgical risk is unknown. To compare health-related quality of life among intermediate-risk patients with severe AS treated with either TAVR or SAVR. Between December 2011 and November 2013, 2032 intermediate-risk patients with severe AS were randomized to TAVR with the Sapien XT valve or SAVR in the Placement of Aortic Transcatheter Valve 2 Trial and were followed up for 2 years. Data analysis was conducted between March 1, 2016, to April 30, 2017. Health status was assessed at baseline, 1 month, 1 year, and 2 years using the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) (23 items covering physical function, social function, symptoms, self-efficacy and knowledge, and quality of life on a 0- to 100-point scale; higher scores indicate better quality of life), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (36 items covering 8 dimensions of health status as well as physical and mental summary scores; higher scores represent better health status), and EuroQOL-5D (assesses 5 dimensions of general health on a 3-level scale, with utility scores ranging from 0 [death] to 1 [ideal health]). Analysis of covariance was used to examine changes in health status over time, adjusting for baseline status. Of the 2032 randomized patients, baseline health status was available for 1833 individuals (950 TAVR, 883 SAVR) who formed the primary analytic cohort. A total of 1006 (54.9%) of the population were men; mean (SD) age was 81.4 (6.8) years. Over 2 years, both TAVR and SAVR were associated with significant improvements in both disease specific (16-22 points on the KCCQ-OS scale) and generic health status (3.9-5.1 points on the SF-36 physical summary scale). At 1 month, TAVR was associated with better health status than SAVR, but this difference was restricted to patients treated via transfemoral access (mean difference in the KCCQ overall summary [KCCQ-OS] score, 14.1 points; 95% CI, 11.7 to 16.4; P < .01) and was not seen in patients treated via transthoracic access (mean difference in KCCQ-OS, 3.5 points; 95% CI, -1.4 to 8.4; P < .01 for interaction). There were no significant differences between TAVR and SAVR in any health status measures at 1 or 2 years. Among intermediate-risk patients with severe AS, health status improved significantly with both TAVR and SAVR through 2 years of follow up. Early health status improvement was greater with TAVR, but only among patients treated via transfemoral access. Longer term follow-up is needed to assess the durability of quality-of-life improvement with TAVR vs SAVR in this population. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01314313.

Recruitment of high risk women for HIV prevention trials: baseline HIV prevalence and sexual behavior in the CAPRISA 004 tenofovir gel trial.

PubMed

Karim, Quarraisha Abdool; Kharsany, Ayesha Bm; Frohlich, Janet A; Baxter, Cheryl; Yende, Nonhlanhla; Mansoor, Leila E; Mlisana, Koleka P; Maarschalk, Silvia; Arulappan, Natasha; Grobler, Anneke; Sibeko, Sengeziwe; Omar, Zaheen; Gengiah, Tanuja N; Mlotshwa, Mukelisiwe; Samsunder, Natasha; Karim, Salim S Abdool

2011-03-07

Young women in sub-Saharan Africa bear a disproportionate burden of HIV infection compared to men but have limited options to reduce their HIV risk. Microbicides could fill an important HIV prevention gap for sexually active women who are unable to successfully negotiate mutual monogamy or condom use. This paper describes the baseline sample characteristics in the CAPRISA 004 trial which assessed the safety and effectiveness of the vaginal microbicide, 1% tenofovir gel for HIV prevention in South Africa. This analysis assessed the baseline demographic, clinical and sexual behavior data of women screened and enrolled into the trial. The characteristics were summarized using descriptive summary measures; expressed as means and percent for categorical variables. HIV prevalence at screening was 25.8% [95% Confidence Interval (CI):23.9-27.7). Of the 889 eligibly enrolled women who contributed follow-up data, rural participants recruited from a family planning (FP) clinic were younger, more likely to be living apart from their regular partner, reported lower coital frequency, had lower condom use (p < 0.001). In contrast, urban participants recruited from a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic reported higher numbers of lifetime sexual partners, new partners in the last 30 days and receiving money in exchange for sex (p < 0.001). The populations selected provide suitable diverse target groups for HIV prevention intervention studies. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT 00441298.

A Machine Learning-based Method for Question Type Classification in Biomedical Question Answering.

PubMed

Sarrouti, Mourad; Ouatik El Alaoui, Said

2017-05-18

Biomedical question type classification is one of the important components of an automatic biomedical question answering system. The performance of the latter depends directly on the performance of its biomedical question type classification system, which consists of assigning a category to each question in order to determine the appropriate answer extraction algorithm. This study aims to automatically classify biomedical questions into one of the four categories: (1) yes/no, (2) factoid, (3) list, and (4) summary. In this paper, we propose a biomedical question type classification method based on machine learning approaches to automatically assign a category to a biomedical question. First, we extract features from biomedical questions using the proposed handcrafted lexico-syntactic patterns. Then, we feed these features for machine-learning algorithms. Finally, the class label is predicted using the trained classifiers. Experimental evaluations performed on large standard annotated datasets of biomedical questions, provided by the BioASQ challenge, demonstrated that our method exhibits significant improved performance when compared to four baseline systems. The proposed method achieves a roughly 10-point increase over the best baseline in terms of accuracy. Moreover, the obtained results show that using handcrafted lexico-syntactic patterns as features' provider of support vector machine (SVM) lead to the highest accuracy of 89.40 %. The proposed method can automatically classify BioASQ questions into one of the four categories: yes/no, factoid, list, and summary. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that our method produced the best classification performance compared to four baseline systems.

Self Assembling Mars Transfer Vehicles: The Preferred Concept of the Space Transfer Concepts and Analysis for Explorations Missions Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Donahue, Benjamin

1994-01-01

Recently, one of the most comprehensive design studies of conceptual manned Mars vehicles, conducted since the Apollo era Mars mission studies of the 1960's, was completed. One of the tasks of the study involved the analysis of nuclear thermal propulsion spacecraft for Manned Mars exploration missions. This paper describes the specific effort aimed at vehicle configuration design. Over the course of the four year study, three configuration baselines were developed, each reflecting trade study cycle results of sequential phases of the study. Favorable attributes incorporated into the final concept, including a capability for on-orbit self-assembly and ease of launch vehicle packability, represent design solutions to configuration deficiencies plaguing nuclear propulsion Mars spacecraft design since the vehicle archetype originated in the 1950's. This paper contains a narrative summary of significant milestones in the effort, describes the evolution to the preferred configuration, and set forth the benefits derived from its utilization.

Cost-utility Analysis of Supported Self-management with Motiva-tional Interviewing for Patients with Psoriasis.

PubMed

Larsen, Marie H; Wahl, Astrid K; Krogstad, Anne-Lene; Aas, Eline

2016-06-15

There are few studies evaluating the cost-effectiveness of self-management interventions for patients with psoriasis. Motivational interviewing (MI) as a telephone follow-up after climate-heliotherapy was effective on several clinical parameters, but its cost-effectiveness is unknown. A cost-utility analysis was conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing MI with usual care. A total of 169 Norwegian patients were included. A within-trial analysis compared the costs and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Utilities were measured with the 15D instrument, supplemented with Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI). A time-integrated summary score defined the clinical effects. QALYs were adjusted for baseline differences. MI provided equivalent quality of life and utility (15D: -0.0022 QALYs (95% Cl -0.02, 0.01), p = 0.77, and DLQI: -0.62 QALYs (95%CI -0.65, 0.41), p = 0.24, at lower costs €-1103 (-2293, 87), p = 0.058, compared with treatment-as-usual. The MI intervention was thus cost-effective. This result was more evident when using the DLQI as outcome measure compared with 15D.

Job insecurity and risk of diabetes: a meta-analysis of individual participant data.

PubMed

Ferrie, Jane E; Virtanen, Marianna; Jokela, Markus; Madsen, Ida E H; Heikkilä, Katriina; Alfredsson, Lars; Batty, G David; Bjorner, Jakob B; Borritz, Marianne; Burr, Hermann; Dragano, Nico; Elovainio, Marko; Fransson, Eleonor I; Knutsson, Anders; Koskenvuo, Markku; Koskinen, Aki; Kouvonen, Anne; Kumari, Meena; Nielsen, Martin L; Nordin, Maria; Oksanen, Tuula; Pahkin, Krista; Pejtersen, Jan H; Pentti, Jaana; Salo, Paula; Shipley, Martin J; Suominen, Sakari B; Tabák, Adam; Theorell, Töres; Väänänen, Ari; Vahtera, Jussi; Westerholm, Peter J M; Westerlund, Hugo; Rugulies, Reiner; Nyberg, Solja T; Kivimäki, Mika

2016-12-06

Job insecurity has been associated with certain health outcomes. We examined the role of job insecurity as a risk factor for incident diabetes. We used individual participant data from 8 cohort studies identified in 2 open-access data archives and 11 cohort studies participating in the Individual-Participant-Data Meta-analysis in Working Populations Consortium. We calculated study-specific estimates of the association between job insecurity reported at baseline and incident diabetes over the follow-up period. We pooled the estimates in a meta-analysis to produce a summary risk estimate. The 19 studies involved 140 825 participants from Australia, Europe and the United States, with a mean follow-up of 9.4 years and 3954 incident cases of diabetes. In the preliminary analysis adjusted for age and sex, high job insecurity was associated with an increased risk of incident diabetes compared with low job insecurity (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.30). In the multivariable-adjusted analysis restricted to 15 studies with baseline data for all covariates (age, sex, socioeconomic status, obesity, physical activity, alcohol and smoking), the association was slightly attenuated (adjusted OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.01-1.24). Heterogeneity between the studies was low to moderate (age- and sex-adjusted model: I 2 = 24%, p = 0.2; multivariable-adjusted model: I 2 = 27%, p = 0.2). In the multivariable-adjusted analysis restricted to high-quality studies, in which the diabetes diagnosis was ascertained from electronic medical records or clinical examination, the association was similar to that in the main analysis (adjusted OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.04-1.35). Our findings suggest that self-reported job insecurity is associated with a modest increased risk of incident diabetes. Health care personnel should be aware of this association among workers reporting job insecurity. © 2016 Canadian Medical Association or its licensors.

Improving the accuracy of operation coding in surgical discharge summaries

PubMed Central

Martinou, Eirini; Shouls, Genevieve; Betambeau, Nadine

2014-01-01

Procedural coding in surgical discharge summaries is extremely important; as well as communicating to healthcare staff which procedures have been performed, it also provides information that is used by the hospital's coding department. The OPCS code (Office of Population, Censuses and Surveys Classification of Surgical Operations and Procedures) is used to generate the tariff that allows the hospital to be reimbursed for the procedure. We felt that the OPCS coding on discharge summaries was often incorrect within our breast and endocrine surgery department. A baseline measurement over two months demonstrated that 32% of operations had been incorrectly coded, resulting in an incorrect tariff being applied and an estimated loss to the Trust of £17,000. We developed a simple but specific OPCS coding table in collaboration with the clinical coding team and breast surgeons that summarised all operations performed within our department. This table was disseminated across the team, specifically to the junior doctors who most frequently complete the discharge summaries. Re-audit showed 100% of operations were accurately coded, demonstrating the effectiveness of the coding table. We suggest that specifically designed coding tables be introduced across each surgical department to ensure accurate OPCS codes are used to produce better quality surgical discharge summaries and to ensure correct reimbursement to the Trust. PMID:26734286

Forest Health Monitoring in the Interior West: A baseline summary of forest issues, 1996-1999

Treesearch

Paul Rogers; David Atkins; Michelle Frank; Douglas Parker

2001-01-01

Although forest health may be difficult to define and measure, a strong demand exists for assessment of forest conditions at various state, regional, and national scales. Forest Health Monitoring (FHM) is a national program designed to measure the status, changes, and trends of forest conditions annually. This report presents a broad view of forest health issues...

Envirenmental Baseline Survey, Manch Manor Housing Area, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-12-01

within the Manch Manor Housing Area three times within the last 5 years. 3.2.1.3 Surface Drainage. Nellis AFB is in the Colorado River Drainage Basin...PAVING CORNER DURANGO AND CHEYENNE SHWS TC736310.3s Page 3 of 7 ORPHAN SUMMARY Clly EDRIO Si!eName Site Address Zip Dalabase{s) Facility JD LAS VEGAS

Effect of Supplementation with Zinc and Other Micronutrients on Malaria in Tanzanian Children: A Randomised Trial

PubMed Central

Veenemans, Jacobien; Milligan, Paul; Prentice, Andrew M.; Schouten, Laura R. A.; Inja, Nienke; van der Heijden, Aafke C.; de Boer, Linsey C. C.; Jansen, Esther J. S.; Koopmans, Anna E.; Enthoven, Wendy T. M.; Kraaijenhagen, Rob J.; Demir, Ayse Y.; Uges, Donald R. A.; Mbugi, Erasto V.; Savelkoul, Huub F. J.; Verhoef, Hans

2011-01-01

Background It is uncertain to what extent oral supplementation with zinc can reduce episodes of malaria in endemic areas. Protection may depend on other nutrients. We measured the effect of supplementation with zinc and other nutrients on malaria rates. Methods and Findings In a 2×2 factorial trial, 612 rural Tanzanian children aged 6–60 months in an area with intense malaria transmission and with height-for-age z-score≤−1.5 SD were randomized to receive daily oral supplementation with either zinc alone (10 mg), multi-nutrients without zinc, multi-nutrients with zinc, or placebo. Intervention group was indicated by colour code, but neither participants, researchers, nor field staff knew who received what intervention. Those with Plasmodium infection at baseline were treated with artemether-lumefantrine. The primary outcome, an episode of malaria, was assessed among children reported sick at a primary care clinic, and pre-defined as current Plasmodium infection with an inflammatory response, shown by axillary temperature ≥37.5°C or whole blood C-reactive protein concentration ≥8 mg/L. Nutritional indicators were assessed at baseline and at 251 days (median; 95% reference range: 191–296 days). In the primary intention-to-treat analysis, we adjusted for pre-specified baseline factors, using Cox regression models that accounted for multiple episodes per child. 592 children completed the study. The primary analysis included 1,572 malaria episodes during 526 child-years of observation (median follow-up: 331 days). Malaria incidence in groups receiving zinc, multi-nutrients without zinc, multi-nutrients with zinc and placebo was 2.89/child-year, 2.95/child-year, 3.26/child-year, and 2.87/child-year, respectively. There was no evidence that multi-nutrients influenced the effect of zinc (or vice versa). Neither zinc nor multi-nutrients influenced malaria rates (marginal analysis; adjusted HR, 95% CI: 1.04, 0.93–1.18 and 1.10, 0.97–1.24 respectively). The prevalence of zinc deficiency (plasma zinc concentration <9.9 µmol/L) was high at baseline (67% overall; 60% in those without inflammation) and strongly reduced by zinc supplementation. Conclusions We found no evidence from this trial that zinc supplementation protected against malaria. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00623857 Please see later in the article for the Editors' Summary. PMID:22131908

A Summary of the Experimental Results for a Generic Tractor-Trailer in the Ames Research Center 7- by 10-Foot and 12-Foot Wind Tunnels

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Storms, Bruce L.; Satran, Dale R.; Heineck, James T.; Walker, Stephen M.

2006-01-01

Experimental measurements of a generic tractor-trailer were obtained in two wind tunnels at Ames Research Center. After a preliminary study at atmospheric conditions in the 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel, additional testing was conducted at Reynolds numbers corresponding to full-scale highway speeds in the 12-Foot Pressure Wind Tunnel. To facilitate computational modeling, the 1:8-scale geometry, designated the Generic Conventional Model, included a simplified underbody and omitted many small-scale details. The measurements included overall and component forces and moments, static and dynamic surface pressures, and three-component particle image velocimetry. This summary report highlights the effects of numerous drag reduction concepts and provides details of the model installation in both wind tunnels. To provide a basis for comparison, the wind-averaged drag coefficient was tabulated for all configurations tested. Relative to the baseline configuration representative of a modern class-8 tractor-trailer, the most effective concepts were the trailer base flaps and trailer belly box providing a drag-coefficient reduction of 0.0855 and 0.0494, respectively. Trailer side skirts were less effective yielding a drag reduction of 0.0260. The database of this experimental effort is publicly available for further analysis.

Effect of once-yearly zoledronic acid on the spine and hip as measured by quantitative computed tomography: results of the HORIZON Pivotal Fracture Trial

PubMed Central

Lang, T.; Boonen, S.; Cummings, S.; Delmas, P. D.; Cauley, J. A.; Horowitz, Z.; Kerzberg, E.; Bianchi, G.; Kendler, D.; Leung, P.; Man, Z.; Mesenbrink, P.; Eriksen, E. F.; Black, D. M.

2016-01-01

Summary Changes in bone mineral density and bone strength following treatment with zoledronic acid (ZOL) were measured by quantitative computed analysis (QCT) or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). ZOL treatment increased spine and hip BMD vs placebo, assessed by QCT and DXA. Changes in trabecular bone resulted in increased bone strength. Introduction To investigate bone mineral density (BMD) changes in trabecular and cortical bone, estimated by quantitative computed analysis (QCT) or dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and whether zoledronic acid 5 mg (ZOL) affects bone strength. Methods In 233 women from a randomized, controlled trial of once-yearly ZOL, lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, and trochanter were assessed by DXA and QCT (baseline, Month 36). Mean percentage changes from baseline and between-treatment differences (ZOL vs placebo, t-test) were evaluated. Results Mean between-treatment differences for lumbar spine BMD were significant by DXA (7.0%, p<0.01) and QCT (5.7%, p<0.0001). Between-treatment differences were significant for trabecular spine (p=0.0017) [non-parametric test], trabecular trochanter (10.7%, p<0.0001), total hip (10.8%, p<0.0001), and compressive strength indices at femoral neck (8.6%, p=0.0001), and trochanter (14.1%, p<0.0001). Conclusions Once-yearly ZOL increased hip and spine BMD vs placebo, assessed by QCT vs DXA. Changes in trabecular bone resulted in increased indices of compressive strength. PMID:19802508

Aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events: a summary of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

PubMed

Hayden, Michael; Pignone, Michael; Phillips, Christopher; Mulrow, Cynthia

2002-01-15

The use of aspirin to prevent cardiovascular disease events in patients without a history of cardiovascular disease is controversial. To examine the benefits and harms of aspirin chemoprevention. MEDLINE (1966 to May 2001). 1) Randomized trials at least 1 year in duration that examined aspirin chemoprevention in patients without previously known cardiovascular disease and 2) systematic reviews, recent trials, and observational studies that examined rates of hemorrhagic strokes and gastrointestinal bleeding secondary to aspirin use. One reviewer read and extracted data from each included article and constructed evidence tables. A second reviewer checked the accuracy of the data extraction. Discrepancies were resolved by consensus. Meta-analysis was performed, and the quantitative results of the review were then used to model the consequences of treating patients with different levels of baseline risk for coronary heart disease. Five trials examined the effect of aspirin on cardiovascular events in patients with no previous cardiovascular disease. For patients similar to those enrolled in the trials, aspirin reduces the risk for the combined end point of nonfatal myocardial infarction and fatal coronary heart disease (summary odds ratio, 0.72 [95% CI, 0.60 to 0.87]). Aspirin increased the risk for hemorrhagic strokes (summary odds ratio, 1.4 [CI, 0.9 to 2.0]) and major gastrointestinal bleeding (summary odds ratio, 1.7 [CI, 1.4 to 2.1]). All-cause mortality (summary odds ratio, 0.93 [CI, 0.84 to 1.02]) was not significantly affected. For 1000 patients with a 5% risk for coronary heart disease events over 5 years, aspirin would prevent 6 to 20 myocardial infarctions but would cause 0 to 2 hemorrhagic strokes and 2 to 4 major gastrointestinal bleeding events. For patients with a risk of 1% over 5 years, aspirin would prevent 1 to 4 myocardial infarctions but would cause 0 to 2 hemorrhagic strokes and 2 to 4 major gastrointestinal bleeding events. The net benefit of aspirin increases with increasing cardiovascular risk. In the decision to use aspirin chemoprevention, the patient's cardiovascular risk and relative utility for the different clinical outcomes prevented or caused by aspirin use must be considered.

Measuring health-related quality of life: psychometric evaluation of the Tunisian version of the SF-12 health survey.

PubMed

Younsi, Moheddine; Chakroun, Mohamed

2014-09-01

The 12-item short-form health survey (SF-12) was developed as a shorter alternative to the SF-36 for use in large-scale studies as an applicable instrument for measuring health-related quality of life. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Tunisian version of the SF-12. A stratified representative sample (N = 3,582) of the general Tunisian population aged 18 years and over was interviewed. SF-12 summary scores were derived using the standard US algorithm. Factor analysis was used to confirm the hypothesized component structure of the SF-12 items. Reliability was estimated using internal consistency, and construct validity was investigated with "known groups" validity testing and via convergent and divergent validity. SF-12 summary scores distinguished well, and in the expected manner, between groups of respondents on the basis of gender, age, education and socioeconomic status, thus providing evidence of construct validity. Mean scores in the total sample were 50.11 (SD 8.53) for the physical component summary (PCS) score and 47.96 (SD 9.82) for the mental component summary (MCS) score. The results showed satisfactory internal consistency and acceptable convergent validity for both summary scores. Cronbach's α coefficient for PCS-12 and MCS-12 was 0.73 and 0.72, respectively. Known groups comparison showed that the SF-12 discriminated well between groups of respondents on the basis of gender, age, education and socioeconomic status. In addition, no floor or ceiling effects at baseline were observed. The PCA confirmed the two-factor structure of the SF-12 items. Items belonging to the physical component correlated more strongly with the PCS-12 than those with the MCS-12. Similarly, items belonging to the mental component correlated more strongly with the MCS-12 than those with the PCS-12. The findings suggest that the SF-12 appears to be a valid and reliable measure that can be used for measuring of population health status. However, for optimal measurement, modifications to traditional scoring methods for the SF-12 should be considered.

San Francisco Bay Area Baseline Trash Loading Summary Results for all counties

EPA Pesticide Factsheets

The San Francisco Bay Area stormwater permit sets trash control guidelines for discharges through the storm drain system. The permit covers Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, and San Mateo counties and the cities of Vallejo, Fairfield, and Suisun City. By February 2012 the permittees must provide a baseline trash load estimate, a list of trash hotspots targeted for annual cleanup, and an implementation plan for best management practices to meet trash reduction milestones over the next decade. A trash reduction crediting program will be used to account for best management practice effectiveness. The permit establishes goals for trash reduction beginning in 2014 and reaching a zero level by 2022.

Improving communication of medication changes using a pharmacist-prepared discharge medication management summary.

PubMed

Ooi, Choon Ean; Rofe, Olivia; Vienet, Michelle; Elliott, Rohan A

2017-04-01

Background Discontinuity of care between hospital and primary care is often due to poor information transfer. Medication information in medical discharge summaries (DS) is often incomplete or incorrect. The effectiveness and feasibility of hospital pharmacists communicating medication information, including changes made in the hospital, is not clearly defined. Objective To explore the impact of a pharmacist-prepared Discharge Medication Management Summary (DMMS) on the accuracy of information about medication changes provided to patients' general practitioners (GPs). Setting Two medical wards at a major metropolitan hospital in Australia. Method An intervention was developed in which ward pharmacists communicated medication change information to GPs using the DMMS. Retrospective audits were conducted at baseline and after implementation of the DMMS to compare the accuracy of information provided by doctors and pharmacists. GPs' satisfaction with the DMMS was assessed through a faxed survey. Main outcome measure Accuracy of medication change information communicated to GPs; GP satisfaction and feasibility of a pharmacist-prepared DMMS. Results At baseline, 263/573 (45.9%) medication changes were documented by doctors in the DS. In the post-intervention audit, more medication changes were documented in the pharmacist-prepared DMMS compared to the doctor-prepared DS (72.8% vs. 31.5%; p < 0.001). Most GPs (73.3%) were satisfied with the information provided and wanted to receive the DMMS in the future. Completing the DMMS took pharmacists an average of 11.7 minutes. Conclusion The accuracy of medication information transferred upon discharge can be improved by expanding the role of hospital pharmacists to include documenting medication changes.

Quality of life in children with new-onset epilepsy

PubMed Central

Ferro, Mark A.; Camfield, Carol S.; Huang, Wenyi; Levin, Simon D.; Smith, Mary Lou; Wiebe, Samuel; Zou, Guangyong

2012-01-01

Objectives: To assess health-related quality of life (HRQL) over 2 years in children 4−12 years old with new-onset epilepsy and risk factors. Methods: Data are from a multicenter prospective cohort study, the Health-Related Quality of Life Study in Children with Epilepsy Study (HERQULES). Parents reported on children's HRQL and family factors and neurologists on clinical characteristics 4 times. Mean subscale and summary scores were computed for HRQL. Individual growth curve models identified trajectories of change in HRQL scores. Multiple regression identified baseline risk factors for HRQL 2 years later. Results: A total of 374 (82) questionnaires were returned postdiagnosis and 283 (62%) of eligible parents completed all 4. Growth rates for HRQL summary scores were most rapid during the first 6 months and then stabilized. About one-half experienced clinically meaningful improvements in HRQL, one-third maintained their same level, and one-fifth declined. Compared with the general population, at 2 years our sample scored significantly lower on one-third of CHQ subscales and the psychosocial summary. After controlling for baseline HRQL, cognitive problems, poor family functioning, and high family demands were risk factors for poor HRQL 2 years later. Conclusions: On average, HRQL was relatively good but with highly variable individual trajectories. At least one-half did not experience clinically meaningful improvements or declined over 2 years. Cognitive problems were the strongest risk factor for compromised HRQL 2 years after diagnosis and may be largely responsible for declines in the HRQL of children newly diagnosed with epilepsy. PMID:23019268

Predictors of pain and disability outcomes in one thousand, one hundred and eight patients who underwent lumbar discectomy surgery.

PubMed

Cook, Chad E; Arnold, Paul M; Passias, Peter G; Frempong-Boadu, Anthony K; Radcliff, Kristen; Isaacs, Robert

2015-11-01

A key component toward improving surgical outcomes is proper patient selection. Improved selection can occur through exploration of prognostic studies that identify variables which are associated with good or poorer outcomes with a specific intervention, such as lumbar discectomy. To date there are no guidelines identifying key prognostic variables that assist surgeons in proper patient selection for lumbar discectomy. The purpose of this study was to identify baseline characteristics that were related to poor or favourable outcomes for patients who undergo lumbar discectomy. In particular, we were interested in prognostic factors that were unique to those commonly reported in the musculoskeletal literature, regardless of intervention type. This retrospective study analysed data from 1,108 patients who underwent lumbar discectomy and had one year outcomes for pain and disability. All patient data was part of a multicentre, multi-national spine repository. Ten relatively commonly captured data variables were used as predictors for the study: (1) age, (2) body mass index, (3) gender, (4) previous back surgery history, (5) baseline disability, unique baseline scores for pain for both (6) low back and (7) leg pain, (8) baseline SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores, (9) baseline SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores, and (10) leg pain greater than back pain. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were run against one year outcome variables of pain and disability. For the multivariate analyses associated with the outcome of pain, older patients, those with higher baseline back pain, those with lesser reported disability and higher SF-12 MCS quality of life scores were associated with improved outcomes. For the multivariate analyses associated with the outcome of disability, presence of leg pain greater than back pain and no previous surgery suggested a better outcome. For this study, several predictive variables were either unique or conflicted with those advocated in general prognostic literature, suggesting they may have value for clinical decision making for lumbar discectomy surgery. In particular, leg pain greater than back pain and older age may yield promising value. Other significant findings such as quality of life scores and prior surgery may yield less value since these findings are similar to those that are considered to be prognostic regardless of intervention type.

The Effect of Anthocyanins on Blood Pressure

PubMed Central

Zhu, Yongjian; Bo, Yacong; Wang, Xi; Lu, Wenjie; Wang, Xule; Han, Zhanying; Qiu, Chunguang

2016-01-01

Abstract The findings of clinical studies concerning the association between anthocyanins supplementation and blood pressure (BP) are inconsistent. In order to provide a more precise estimate of the overall effect of anthocyanins on systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), we conducted a meta-analysis of clinical trials about anthocyanins supplementation and BP. PubMed, Web of Science, Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) (until October 2015) were searched to identify potential studies with information on anthocyanins extract supplementation and arterial BP. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used as a summary statistic. Net changes in SBP and DBP between anthocyanins supplementation and placebo groups were calculated by subtracting the values at end of follow-up from those at baseline. Meta regression was used to explore the potential moderators of effect size. The publication bias was assessed using Begger's Funnel plots and Egger's tests; P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Finally, 6 clinical studies with 472 participants for the effect of anthocyanins consumption on BP were included in the present meta-analysis. There is no significant effect on either SBP (WMD: 1.15 mm Hg, 95% CI: −3.17 to 5.47, I2 = 56%) or DBP (WMD: 1.06 mm Hg, 95% CI: −0.71 to 2.83, I2 = 0%) following supplementation with anthocyanins. In summary, results from this meta-analysis do not favor any clinical efficacy of supplementation with anthocyanins in improving blood pressure. Further well-designed large randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with long follow-up period are needed to verify the association of anthocyanins supplementation and blood pressure. PMID:27082604

Comorbidity indices for clinical trials: adaptation of two existing indices for use with the FREEDOM trial in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

PubMed

Silverman, S L; Wang, A; Cheng, L; Yang, Y; Libanati, C; Geller, M; Grauer, A; Nevitt, M; Revicki, D; Viswanathan, H N

2016-01-01

Two comorbidity indices were adapted for use in the FREEDOM trial and significantly correlated with the number of medications and impaired health status at baseline. The indices have applications for the analysis of clinical trial data and would allow for the appropriate adjustment of comorbidities when evaluating clinical trial outcomes. The purpose of this study is to adapt two published comorbidity indices for use with the FREEDOM clinical trial evaluating postmenopausal women with osteoporosis. FREEDOM enrolled women aged 60-90 years with a bone mineral density T-score <-2.5 at the lumbar spine or total hip and ≥-4.0 at both sites. Comorbidity indices were calculated using methods described by Sangha (Arthritis Rheum 49:156-163, 2003) and Wolfe (J Rheumatol 37:305-315, 2010) following modification. The adapted Sangha index included 12 conditions with a summary score of 0-12; the adapted Wolfe index included 7 conditions with a weighted summary score of 0-8. Higher scores indicated greater comorbidity. A panel of clinicians independently reviewed subjects' medical histories using a systematic process based on Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) preferred terms to map specified comorbid conditions. Spearman correlations between the adapted indices and baseline subject characteristics expected to be associated with comorbidities were examined. Of the 7808 subjects in this study, 74 % had ≥1 comorbidities based on the adapted Sangha or Wolfe comorbidity indices. The mean (SD) adapted Sangha and Wolfe comorbidity indices were 1.4 (1.2) and 1.4 (1.3), respectively. Both indices correlated positively with age, body mass index, and the number of medications (r = 0.54 to 0.55) at baseline and inversely correlated with health-related quality of life (r = -0.22 to -0.30) (all P < 0.0001). Further, when either the adapted Sangha or Wolfe index was included as a covariate for assessing mortality over 36 months in the FREEDOM population, the hazard ratio of the comorbidity index indicated that the mortality risk increased by 27 or 28 %, respectively, for each unit increase in the adapted index (both P < 0.0001). Our work suggests these comorbidity indices may be adapted for use with clinical trial data, thereby allowing for the appropriate adjustment and reporting of covariates in the evaluation of clinical trial outcomes in an osteoporotic population.

Assessment of quality of life and functional outcome in patients sustaining moderate and major trauma: a multicentre, prospective cohort study.

PubMed

Rainer, T H; Yeung, J H H; Cheung, S K C; Yuen, Y K Y; Poon, W S; Ho, H F; Kam, C W; Cattermole, G N; Chang, A; So, F L; Graham, C A

2014-05-01

Trauma care systems aim to reduce both death and disability, yet there is little data on post-trauma health status and functional outcome. To evaluate baseline, discharge, six month and 12 month post-trauma quality of life, functional outcome and predictors of quality of life in Hong Kong. Multicentre, prospective cohort study using data from the trauma registries of three regional trauma centres in Hong Kong. Trauma patients with an ISS≥9 and aged≥18 years were included. The main outcome measures were the physical component summary (PCS) score and mental component summary (MCS) scores of the Short-Form 36 (SF36) for health status, and the extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE) for functional outcome. Between 1 January 2010 and 31 September 2010, 400 patients (mean age 53.3 years; range 18-106; 69.5% male) were recruited to the study. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between responders (N=177) and surviving non-responders (N=163). However, there were significant differences between these groups and the group of patients who died (N=60). Only 16/400 (4%) cases reported a GOSE≥7. 62/400 (15.5%) responders reached the HK population norm for PCS. 125/400 (31%) responders reached the HK population norm for MCS. If non-responders had similar outcomes to responders, then the percentages for GOSE≥7 would rise from 4% to 8%, for PCS from 15.5% to 30%, and for MCS from 31% to 60%. Univariate analysis showed that 12-month poor quality of life was significantly associated with age>65 years (OR 4.77), male gender (OR 0.44), pre-injury health problems (OR 2.30), admission to ICU (OR 2.15), ISS score 26-40 (OR 3.72), baseline PCS (OR 0.89), one-month PCS (OR 0.89), one-month MCS (OR 0.97), 6-month PCS (OR 0.76) and 6-month MCS (OR 0.97). For patients sustaining moderate or major trauma in Hong Kong at 12 months after injury<1 in 10 patients had an excellent recovery, ≤3 in 10 reached a physical health status score≥Hong Kong norm, although as many as 6 in 10 patients had a mental health status score which is≥Hong Kong norm. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Nurse care coordination and technology effects on health status of frail older adults via enhanced self-management of medication: randomized clinical trial to test efficacy.

PubMed

Marek, Karen Dorman; Stetzer, Frank; Ryan, Polly A; Bub, Linda Denison; Adams, Scott J; Schlidt, Andrea; Lancaster, Rachelle; O'Brien, Anne-Marie

2013-01-01

Self-management of complex medication regimens for chronic illness is challenging for many older adults. The purpose of this study was to evaluate health status outcomes of frail older adults receiving a home-based support program that emphasized self-management of medications using both care coordination and technology. This study used a randomized controlled trial with three arms and longitudinal outcome measurement. Older adults having difficulty in self-managing medications (n = 414) were recruited at discharge from three Medicare-certified home healthcare agencies in a Midwestern urban area. All participants received baseline pharmacy screens. The control group received no further intervention. A team of advanced practice nurses and registered nurses coordinated care for 12 months to two intervention groups who also received either an MD.2 medication-dispensing machine or a medplanner. Health status outcomes (the Geriatric Depression Scale, Mini Mental Status Examination, Physical Performance Test, and SF-36 Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary) were measured at baseline and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. After covariate and baseline health status adjustment, time × group interactions for the MD.2 and medplanner groups on health status outcomes were not significant. Time × group interactions were significant for the medplanner and control group comparisons. Participants with care coordination had significantly better health status outcomes over time than those in the control group, but addition of the MD.2 machine to nurse care coordination did not result in better health status outcomes.

Environmental Management Performance Report June 2000

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

EDER, D.M.

2000-06-01

The purpose of this report is to provide the Department of Energy Richland Operations Office (DOE-RL) a monthly summary of the Project Hanford Management Contractor's (PHMC) Environmental Management (EM) performance by Fluor Hanford (FH) and its subcontractors. In addition to project-specific information, it includes some PHMC-level data not detailed elsewhere in the report. Section A, Executive Summary, provides an executive level summary of the cost, schedule, and technical performance described in this report. It summarizes performance for the period covered, highlights areas worthy of management attention, and provides a forward look to some of the upcoming key performance activities asmore » extracted from the PHMC baseline. The remaining sections provide detailed performance data relative to each individual Project (e.g., Waste Management, Spent Nuclear Fuels, etc.), in support of Section A of the report. Unless otherwise noted, the Safety, Conduct of Operations, and Cost/Schedule data contained herein is as of April 30, 2000. All other information is updated as of May 19, unless otherwise noted.« less

FigSum: automatically generating structured text summaries for figures in biomedical literature.

PubMed

Agarwal, Shashank; Yu, Hong

2009-11-14

Figures are frequently used in biomedical articles to support research findings; however, they are often difficult to comprehend based on their legends alone and information from the full-text articles is required to fully understand them. Previously, we found that the information associated with a single figure is distributed throughout the full-text article the figure appears in. Here, we develop and evaluate a figure summarization system - FigSum, which aggregates this scattered information to improve figure comprehension. For each figure in an article, FigSum generates a structured text summary comprising one sentence from each of the four rhetorical categories - Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion (IMRaD). The IMRaD category of sentences is predicted by an automated machine learning classifier. Our evaluation shows that FigSum captures 53% of the sentences in the gold standard summaries annotated by biomedical scientists and achieves an average ROUGE-1 score of 0.70, which is higher than a baseline system.

FigSum: Automatically Generating Structured Text Summaries for Figures in Biomedical Literature

PubMed Central

Agarwal, Shashank; Yu, Hong

2009-01-01

Figures are frequently used in biomedical articles to support research findings; however, they are often difficult to comprehend based on their legends alone and information from the full-text articles is required to fully understand them. Previously, we found that the information associated with a single figure is distributed throughout the full-text article the figure appears in. Here, we develop and evaluate a figure summarization system – FigSum, which aggregates this scattered information to improve figure comprehension. For each figure in an article, FigSum generates a structured text summary comprising one sentence from each of the four rhetorical categories – Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion (IMRaD). The IMRaD category of sentences is predicted by an automated machine learning classifier. Our evaluation shows that FigSum captures 53% of the sentences in the gold standard summaries annotated by biomedical scientists and achieves an average ROUGE-1 score of 0.70, which is higher than a baseline system. PMID:20351812

Effect of Geometric Parameters on the Performance of Second Throat Annular Steam Ejectors

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-07-01

Cell Pressure versus Rake Average Exit Pitot Pressure . . . . . . . . . . . 42 15. Baseline Wall Pressure Profiles...diffuser exit plane pitot pressure rake . 2.5.2 Alternate Configurations Six alternate ejector diffuser configurations were tested. A summary of...along the walls of the diffusers to help characterize the flow. The ejector diffuser exit pitot pressure was measured with a 6-probe pitot pressure rake

Establishing a nationwide baseline of historical burn-severity data to support monitoring of trends in wildfire effects and national fire policies

Treesearch

Brian Schwind; Brad Quayle; Jeffery C. Eidenshink

2010-01-01

There is a need to provide agency leaders, elected officials, and the general public with summary information regarding the effects of large wildfires. Recently, the Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC), which implements and coordinates National Fire Plan (NFP) and Federal Wildland Fire Management Policies adopted a strategy to monitor the effectiveness and effects...

Development summary of a sympathetic discharge CO2 laser for lidar use

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jaenisch, Holger M.; Johnson, R. Barry

1991-01-01

A commercial pulsed sympathetic discharge laser has been characterized and modified for use as a potential lidar. This report summarizes the initial findings and modifications made to the baseline system. The new laser performance is then checked with theory and operational results are presented. The laser has inherent mode instability and high chirp. Several solutions were tried and their results are presented.

CSTT Update: Fuel Quality Analyzer

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Brosha, Eric L.; Lujan, Roger W.; Mukundan, Rangachary

These are slides from a presentation. The following topics are covered: project background (scope and approach), developing the prototype (timeline), update on intellectual property, analyzer comparisons (improving humidification, stabilizing the baseline, applying clean-up strategy, impact of ionomer content and improving clean-up), proposed operating mode, considerations for testing in real-world conditions (Gen 1 analyzer electronics development, testing partner identified, field trial planning), summary, and future work.

Site support program plan for ICF Kaiser Hanford Company, Revision 1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1995-10-01

This document is the general administrative plan implemented by the Hanford Site contractor, ICF Kaiser Hanford Company. It describes the mission, administrative structure, projected staffing, to be provided by the contractor. The report breaks out the work responsibilities within the different units of the company, a baseline schedule for the different groups, and a cost summary for the different operating units.

Consumption of soft drinks and health-related quality of life in the adult population.

PubMed

Lana, A; Lopez-Garcia, E; Rodríguez-Artalejo, F

2015-11-01

Despite the accumulated evidence on the health risks associated with sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB), the industry has funded mass communication strategies promoting the idea that soft drinks, including SSB, may represent a source of well-being. This study assessed the association between consumption of soft drinks and health-related quality of life (HRQL), as a proxy of well-being, in the adult population of Spain. The cohort was established in 2008-2010 with 8417 individuals representative of the Spanish population aged 18-60 years. Habitual soft drink consumption was assessed with a validated diet history at baseline. HRQL was measured using the SF-12 questionnaire at baseline and in a subsample of 2132 study participants in 2012. The analyses were performed using linear regression and adjusted for the main confounders. In cross-sectional analyses at baseline, those who drank ⩾1 serving/day of SSB had a lower (worse) score on the physical composite summary (PCS) of the SF-12 (adjusted linear regression coefficient: -1.08; 95% confidence interval (CI): -1.60 to -0.54) than those who drank <1 serving/week. Results were similar among individuals younger than 35 years (-1.06; 95% CI: -1.79 to -0.32), those who were not dieting (-1.21; 95% CI: -1.80 to -0.62), those who did not lose >5 kg in the previous 4 years (-0.79; 95% CI: -1.87 to 0.29), and in those without morbidity (-1.18; 95% CI: -1.91 to -0.46). Neither SSBs nor artificially sweetened beverages (ASBs) showed an association with the mental composite summary (MCS) of the SF-12. In the prospective analyses, no association was observed between baseline consumption of SSBs or ASBs and the changes in the PCS and MCS score from 2008/2010 to 2012. No evidence was found that soft drink consumption has a beneficial effect on either the physical or mental dimensions of HRQL.

Abnormal cardiac autonomic regulation in mice lacking ASIC3.

PubMed

Cheng, Ching-Feng; Kuo, Terry B J; Chen, Wei-Nan; Lin, Chao-Chieh; Chen, Chih-Cheng

2014-01-01

Integration of sympathetic and parasympathetic outflow is essential in maintaining normal cardiac autonomic function. Recent studies demonstrate that acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) is a sensitive acid sensor for cardiac ischemia and prolonged mild acidification can open ASIC3 and evoke a sustained inward current that fires action potentials in cardiac sensory neurons. However, the physiological role of ASIC3 in cardiac autonomic regulation is not known. In this study, we elucidate the role of ASIC3 in cardiac autonomic function using Asic3(-/-) mice. Asic3(-/-) mice showed normal baseline heart rate and lower blood pressure as compared with their wild-type littermates. Heart rate variability analyses revealed imbalanced autonomic regulation, with decreased sympathetic function. Furthermore, Asic3(-/-) mice demonstrated a blunted response to isoproterenol-induced cardiac tachycardia and prolonged duration to recover to baseline heart rate. Moreover, quantitative RT-PCR analysis of gene expression in sensory ganglia and heart revealed that no gene compensation for muscarinic acetylcholines receptors and beta-adrenalin receptors were found in Asic3(-/-) mice. In summary, we unraveled an important role of ASIC3 in regulating cardiac autonomic function, whereby loss of ASIC3 alters the normal physiological response to ischemic stimuli, which reveals new implications for therapy in autonomic nervous system-related cardiovascular diseases.

GLoBES: General Long Baseline Experiment Simulator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Huber, Patrick; Kopp, Joachim; Lindner, Manfred; Rolinec, Mark; Winter, Walter

2007-09-01

GLoBES (General Long Baseline Experiment Simulator) is a flexible software package to simulate neutrino oscillation long baseline and reactor experiments. On the one hand, it contains a comprehensive abstract experiment definition language (AEDL), which allows to describe most classes of long baseline experiments at an abstract level. On the other hand, it provides a C-library to process the experiment information in order to obtain oscillation probabilities, rate vectors, and Δχ-values. Currently, GLoBES is available for GNU/Linux. Since the source code is included, the port to other operating systems is in principle possible. GLoBES is an open source code that has previously been described in Computer Physics Communications 167 (2005) 195 and in Ref. [7]). The source code and a comprehensive User Manual for GLoBES v3.0.8 is now available from the CPC Program Library as described in the Program Summary below. The home of GLobES is http://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/~globes/. Program summaryProgram title: GLoBES version 3.0.8 Catalogue identifier: ADZI_v1_0 Program summary URL:http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADZI_v1_0.html Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University, Belfast, N. Ireland Licensing provisions: Standard CPC licence, http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/licence/licence.html No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 145 295 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 1 811 892 Distribution format: tar.gz Programming language: C Computer: GLoBES builds and installs on 32bit and 64bit Linux systems Operating system: 32bit or 64bit Linux RAM: Typically a few MBs Classification: 11.1, 11.7, 11.10 External routines: GSL—The GNU Scientific Library, www.gnu.org/software/gsl/ Nature of problem: Neutrino oscillations are now established as the leading flavor transition mechanism for neutrinos. In a long history of many experiments, see, e.g., [1], two oscillation frequencies have been identified: The fast atmospheric and the slow solar oscillations, which are driven by the respective mass squared differences. In addition, there could be interference effects between these two oscillations, provided that the coupling given by the small mixing angle θ is large enough. Such interference effects include, for example, leptonic CP violation. In order to test the unknown oscillation parameters, i.e. the mixing angle θ, the leptonic CP phase, and the neutrino mass hierarchy, new long-baseline and reactor experiments are proposed. These experiments send an artificial neutrino beam to a detector, or detect the neutrinos produced by a nuclear fission reactor. However, the presence of multiple solutions which are intrinsic to neutrino oscillation probabilities [2-5] affect these measurements. Thus optimization strategies are required which maximally exploit complementarity between experiments. Therefore, a modern, complete experiment simulation and analysis tool does not only need to have a highly accurate beam and detector simulation, but also powerful means to analyze correlations and degeneracies, especially for the combination of several experiments. The GLoBES software package is such a tool [6,7]. Solution method: GLoBES is a flexible software tool to simulate and analyze neutrino oscillation long-baseline and reactor experiments using a complete three-flavor description. On the one hand, it contains a comprehensive abstract experiment definition language (AEDL), which makes it possible to describe most classes of long baseline and reactor experiments at an abstract level. On the other hand, it provides a C-library to process the experiment information in order to obtain oscillation probabilities, rate vectors, and Δχ-values. In addition, it provides a binary program to test experiment definitions very quickly, before they are used by the application software. Restrictions: Currently restricted to discrete sets of sources and detectors. For example, the simulation of an atmospheric neutrino flux is not supported. Unusual features: Clear separation between experiment description and the simulation software. Additional comments: To find information on the latest version of the software and user manual, please check the author's web site, http://www.mpi-hd.mpg.de/~globes Running time: The examples included in the distribution take only a few minutes to complete. More sophisticated problems can take up to several days. References [1] V. Barger, D. Marfatia, K. Whisnant, Int. J. Mod. Phys. E 12 (2003) 569, hep-ph/0308123, and references therein. [2] G.L. Fogli, E. Lisi, Phys. Rev. D 54 (1996) 3667, hep-ph/9604415. [3] J. Burguet-Castell, M.B. Gavela, J.J. Gomez-Cadenas, P. Hernandez, O. Mena, Nucl. Phys. B 608 (2001) 301, hep-ph/0103258. [4] H. Minakata, H. Nunokawa, JHEP 0110 (2001) 001, hep-ph/0108085. [5] V. Barger, D. Marfatia, K. Whisnant, Phys. Rev. D 65 (2002) 073023, hep-ph/0112119. [6] P. Huber, M. Lindner, W. Winter, Comput. Phys. Commun. 167 (2005) 195. [7] P. Huber, J. Kopp, M. Lindner, M. Rolinec, W. Winter, Comput. Phys. Commun. 177 (2007) 432.

Symptom structure and severity: a comparison of responses to the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) between patients with PTSD or schizophrenia.

PubMed

Stefanovics, Elina A; Krystal, John H; Rosenheck, Robert A

2014-05-01

To describe and compare the structure and relative severity of symptoms in clinical trial patients diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or schizophrenia using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), developed originally to evaluate symptoms of schizophrenia. This secondary data analysis used baseline PANSS symptom ratings (n=267) from a six-month multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial of adjunctive risperidone in patients with chronic military-related PTSD. First, using a split-half design, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to identify independent factors which were then compared to published factor structures for schizophrenia. Next, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was applied to the second half of the sample to compare the results of the EFA and published factor structures. Finally, T-tests were used to compare the severity of factor scores between the PTSD sample and the baseline PANSS ratings from the Clinical Antipsychotic Trial for Intervention Effectiveness (CATIE) schizophrenia sample (n=1460). EFA suggested five factors similar to those identified in a summary of 29 schizophrenia studies by Wallwork (Schizophrenia Research, 137:246-250). CFA showed that the five factor Wallwork model fit the data better than the EFA, although both had relatively high goodness of fit. T-tests showed that the PTSD sample had more severe symptoms on the Depressive factor, and the schizophrenia sample on the Positive, Negative, and Disorganized factors, with no significant difference on the Excited factor. Veterans with PTSD had similar symptom structure to patients with schizophrenia on the PANSS, but were less symptomatic on psychosis-related factors and more symptomatic on depression. Dimensional symptom factors can be virtually the same across diagnoses. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Laser Atmospheric Wind Sounder (LAWS) phase 1. Volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1990-01-01

This report summarizes and documents the results of the 12-month phase 1 work effort. The objective of phase 1 was to establish the conceptional definition of the laser atmospheric wind sounder (LAWS) sensor system, including accommodations analyses to ensure compatibility with the Space Station Freedom (SSF) and the Earth Observing System (EOS) Polar Orbiting Platform (POP). Various concepts were investigated with trade studies performed to select the configuration to be carried forward to the phase 2 Preliminary Design Definition. A summary of the LAWS system and subsystem trade studies that were performed leading to the baseline design configuration is presented in the appendix. The overall objective of the LAWS Project is to define, design, and implement an operational space based facility, LAWS, for accurate measurement of Earth wind profiles. Phase 1 addressed three major areas: (1) requirements definition; (2) instrument concepts and configurations; and (3) performance analysis. For the LAWS instrument concepts and configurations, the issues which press the technological state of the art are reliable detector lifetime and laser performance and lifetime. Lag angle compensation, pointing accuracy, satellite navigation, and telescope design are significant technical issues, but they are considered to be currently state of the art. The primary issues for performance analysis concern interaction with the atmosphere in terms of backscatter and attenuation, wind variance, and cloud blockage. The phase 1 tasks were formulated to address these significant technical issues and demonstrate the technical feasibility of the LAWS concept. Primary emphasis was placed on analysis/trade and identification of candidate concepts. Promising configurations were evaluated for performance, sensitivities, risks, and budgetary costs. Lockheed's baseline LAWS configuration is presented.

Evidence of major genes for plasma HDL, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels at baseline and in response to 20 weeks of endurance training: the HERITAGE Family Study.

PubMed

An, P; Borecki, I B; Rankinen, T; Després, J-P; Leon, A S; Skinner, J S; Wilmore, J H; Bouchard, C; Rao, D C

2005-01-01

This study assessed major gene effects for baseline HDL-C, LDL-C, TG, and their training responses (post-training minus baseline) in 527 individuals from 99 White families and 326 individuals from 113 Black families in the HERITAGE Family Study. The baseline phenotypes were adjusted for the effects of age and BMI, and the training response phenotypes were adjusted for the effects of age, BMI, and their respective baseline values, within each of the sex-by-generation-by-race groups, prior to genetic analyses. In Whites, we found that LDL-C at baseline and HDL-C training response were under influence of major recessive genes (accounting for 2--30 % of the variance) and multifactorial (polygenic and familial environmental) effects. Interactions of these major genes with sex, age, and BMI were tested, and found to be nonsignificant. In Blacks, we found that baseline HDL-C was influenced by a major dominant gene without a multifactorial component. This major gene effect accounted for 45 % of the variance, and exhibited no significant genotype-specific interactions with age, sex, and BMI. Evidence of major genes for the remaining phenotypes at baseline and in response to endurance training were not found in both races, though some were influenced by major effects that did not follow Mendelian expectations or were with ambiguous transmission from parents to offspring. In summary, major gene effects that influence baseline plasma HDL-C and LDL-C levels as well as changes in HDL-C levels in response to regular exercise were detected in the current study.

Health perceptions and clinical characteristics of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients: baseline data from an international clinical trial.

PubMed

Robinson, D; Zhao, N; Gathany, T; Kim, L-L; Cella, D; Revicki, D

2009-05-01

Baseline clinical and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data from a phase 2, multi-site, international, randomized, controlled trial were analyzed to: (1) characterize the health status of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), (2) explore cross-sectional relationships between HRQoL and clinical measures, and (3) evaluate differences in HRQoL scores for subsequent validation as minimally important differences (MID). www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT00207727. Baseline clinical and HRQoL data were selected and analyzed. HRQoL questionnaires included the Short Form-36 (SF-36), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), a Patient Assessment of multiple sclerosis (MS) Impact (PAMSI), and MS-specific symptom scales for Bladder and Bowel Control, Cognition, and Sexual Satisfaction. Standard summary statistics described the population while Pearson and Spearman correlations evaluated the baseline association between HRQoL and clinical measures. Cross-sectional estimates of MID in HRQoL scores were derived using several clinical anchors, the PAMSI, and two tests: Tukey multiple comparisons and adjacent mean difference. Patients (n = 249) had a mean age of 39.0 (Standard deviation, SD = 10.5), 70% were female, 63% resided in Europe, and 96% were Caucasian. Baseline median Expanded Disability Severity Scale (EDSS) was 2.5 (range = 0.0-6.5); median disease duration was 1.9 years (range = 0.1-33.6). The worst baseline mean (normalized) SF-36 scores were for General Health (39.9), Role Physical (40.4), Physical Functioning (41.0), and Vitality (42.7). The worst MS symptom mean scores were for Cognition (6.3) and FSS (4.4). Fatigue scores indicated substantial burden and were consistent with SF-36 Vitality results. Baseline HRQoL scores (SF-36, FSS, MS symptom scales) correlated most with EDSS, Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite (MSFC), age and disease duration. Lesion count and pre-baseline relapse rate had no meaningful association with HRQoL or other clinical measures. The MID for several HRQoL measures are proposed for confirmation in longitudinal patient datasets. Clinical and HRQoL assessments documented health impairments in physical functioning, fatigue, and cognition among these RRMS patients with relatively short disease duration. HRQoL data varied with clinical measures and contributed new information regarding disease burden. The association between clinical and HRQoL measures was limited to cross-sectional analysis and requires confirmation in longitudinal datasets. These findings reflect an ambulatory, early-stage RRMS population that was mostly European in location or descent. The PAMSI also requires further validation as a measure of patient health status.

User-oriented summary extraction for soccer video based on multimodal analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Liu, Huayong; Jiang, Shanshan; He, Tingting

2011-11-01

An advanced user-oriented summary extraction method for soccer video is proposed in this work. Firstly, an algorithm of user-oriented summary extraction for soccer video is introduced. A novel approach that integrates multimodal analysis, such as extraction and analysis of the stadium features, moving object features, audio features and text features is introduced. By these features the semantic of the soccer video and the highlight mode are obtained. Then we can find the highlight position and put them together by highlight degrees to obtain the video summary. The experimental results for sports video of world cup soccer games indicate that multimodal analysis is effective for soccer video browsing and retrieval.

Analysis of space systems for the space disposal of nuclear waste follow-on study. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1982-01-01

The impact on space systems of three alternative waste mixes was evaluated as part of an effort to investigate the disposal of certain high-level nuclear wastes in space as a complement to mined geologic repositories. A brief overview of the study background, objectives, scope, approach and guidelines, and limitations is presented. The effects of variations in waste mixes on space system concepts were studied in order to provide data for determining relative total system risk benefits resulting from space disposal of the alternative waste mixes. Overall objectives of the NASA-DOE sustaining-level study program are to investigate space disposal concepts which can provide information to support future nuclear waste terminal storage programmatic decisions and to maintain a low level of research activity in this area to provide a baseline for future development should a decision be made to increase the emphasis on this option.

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) Concept Definition Study. Volume 1: Executive Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G.

1978-01-01

The evolution of a total satellite power is described as well as major subsystem alternatives. Trade study results are given for satellite concepts, ground receiving antennas, satellite construction sites, and transportation. Point design definition, end-to-end analysis, and programmatics are covered. The GaAlAs photovoltaic concept is recommended as the current preliminary baseline satellite concept with silicon photovoltaic and Rankine cycle solar-thermal concepts as viable alternatives. Geosynchronous orbit is preferred for the construction of the satellite. A horizontal takeoff and landing air breathing rocket HLLV concept is preferred for earth-to-LEO transportation, with vertical takeoff options as viable alternatives. An argon electric orbit transfer vehicle is preferred for cargo transport from LEO and GEO orbit, and a chemical LH2/L02, two-stage orbit transfer vehicle is recommended for crew transport. A stripline rectenna array is the current preferred concept.

Final summary of the laboratory culture and toxicity testing of juvenile western pearlshell (Margaritifera falcata) native to the western United States: Expansion of freshwater mussel water and sediment toxicity testing methods

EPA Science Inventory

A Regional Applied Research Effort project with EPA Region 10, ORD and USGS was initiated as a result of a baseline ecological risk assessment (BERA) problem formulation for the Upper Columbia River (UCR) site in northwest Washington. The UCR site is a 165-mile stretch of the Col...

Micro Navigator (MICRON) Phase 2A. Volume 1. Technical Report

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-02-01

350 6-56. AMESGA Test Log Summary.................................. 351 xv ’I LIST OF TABLES (Cant) Tables Page 6-57. MESGA Calibration Table...of Module Slc xs Failure Rate Normalized to the Baseline Estimates 178 6.2.3.4 Packaging Alternative Studies Cost of ownership evaluations were...130 were step-heated and monitored. Significant outgas - sing of non-getterable gases was detected. These observations raised a serious question as to

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Integrated Sciene Instrument Module (ISIM) Cryo-Vac 3 (CV3) Thermal Vacuum Test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Packard, Ed

2016-01-01

This presentation describes the test objectives, test summary, test configuration and test performance of the James Webb Space Telescope Integrated Science Instrument Module CryoVac 3 Thermal Vacuum Test. Verify the ISIM System in its final configuration after environmental exposure and provide a post-environmental performance baseline, including critical ground calibrations needed for science data processing in flight.

Parametric study of two planar high power flexible solar array concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Garba, J. A.; Kudija, D. A.; Zeldin, B.; Costogue, E. N.

1978-01-01

The design parameters examined were: frequency, aspect ratio, packaging constraints, and array blanket flatness. Specific power-to-mass ratios for both solar arrays as a function of array frequency and array width were developed and plotted. Summaries of the baseline design data, developed equations, the computer program operation, plots of the parameters, and the process for using the information as a design manual are presented.

Solar Heating and Cooling of Buildings: Phase 0. Feasibility and Planning Study. Volume 1: Executive Summary. Document No. 74SD419. Final Report.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

General Electric Co., Philadelphia, PA. Space Div.

The purpose of this study was to establish the technical and economic feasibility of using solar energy for the heating and cooling of buildings and to provide baseline information for the widespread application of solar energy. The initial step in this program was a study of the technical, economic, societal, legal, and environmental factors…

Hawaiian Electric Advanced Inverter Test Plan - Result Summary

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hoke, Anderson; Nelson, Austin; Prabakar, Kumaraguru

This presentation is intended to share the results of lab testing of five PV inverters with the Hawaiian Electric Companies and other stakeholders and interested parties. The tests included baseline testing of advanced inverter grid support functions, as well as distribution circuit-level tests to examine the impact of the PV inverters on simulated distribution feeders using power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) techniques. hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL) techniques.

Revised Baseline Budget Projections for Fiscal Years 1999-2008

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-03-03

or for the conclusions that CBO reached. CONTENTS SUMMARY AND INTRODUCTION 1 MODELING THE ECONOMY 3 Production 6 Private Capital and Labor 7... modeling the economy and the federal budget in the long run and to estimating the effects of uncertainty about future population and productivity . MODELING ...conventions of the official national income and product accounts (NIPAs). Given the equations, the model needs two other factors to make a simulation

76 FR 43298 - Building Energy Standards Program: Preliminary Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-07-20

... Methodology II. Summary of the Comparative Analysis A. Qualitative Analysis 1. Discussion of Detailed Textual... used for this preliminary determination. II. Summary of the Comparative Analysis DOE carried out both a...

Validity of the FACT-H&N (v 4.0) among Malaysian oral cancer patients.

PubMed

Doss, J G; Thomson, W M; Drummond, B K; Raja Latifah, R J

2011-07-01

To assess the cross-sectional construct validity of the Malay-translated and cross-culturally adapted FACT-H&N (v 4.0) for discriminative use in a sample of Malaysian oral cancer patients. A cross-sectional study of adults newly diagnosed with oral cancer. HRQOL data were collected using the FACT-H&N (v 4.0), a global question and a supplementary set of eight questions ('MAQ') obtained earlier in pilot work. Of the 76 participants (61.8% female; 23.7% younger than 50), most (96.1%) had oral squamous cell carcinoma; two-thirds were in Stages III or IV. At baseline, patients' mean FACT summary (FACT-G, FACT-H&N, FACT-H&N TOI, and FHNSI) and subscale (pwb, swb, ewb, fwb, and hnsc) scores were towards the higher end of the range. Equal proportions (36.8%) rated their overall HRQOL as 'good' or 'average'; fewer than one-quarter rated it as 'poor', and only two as 'very good'. All six FACT summary and most subscales had moderate-to-good internal consistency. For all summary scales, those with 'very poor/poor' self-rated HRQOL differed significantly from the 'good/very good' group. All FACT summary scales correlated strongly (r>0.75). Summary scales showed convergent validity (r>0.90) but little discriminant validity. The discriminant validity of the FHNSI improved with the addition of the MAQ. The FACT-H&N summary scales and most subscales demonstrated acceptable cross-sectional construct validity, reliability and discriminative ability, and thus appear appropriate for further use among Malaysian oral cancer patients. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect size calculation in meta-analyses of psychotherapy outcome research.

PubMed

Hoyt, William T; Del Re, A C

2018-05-01

Meta-analysis of psychotherapy intervention research normally examines differences between treatment groups and some form of comparison group (e.g., wait list control; alternative treatment group). The effect of treatment is normally quantified as a standardized mean difference (SMD). We describe procedures for computing unbiased estimates of the population SMD from sample data (e.g., group Ms and SDs), and provide guidance about a number of complications that may arise related to effect size computation. These complications include (a) incomplete data in research reports; (b) use of baseline data in computing SMDs and estimating the population standard deviation (σ); (c) combining effect size data from studies using different research designs; and (d) appropriate techniques for analysis of data from studies providing multiple estimates of the effect of interest (i.e., dependent effect sizes). Clinical or Methodological Significance of this article: Meta-analysis is a set of techniques for producing valid summaries of existing research. The initial computational step for meta-analyses of research on intervention outcomes involves computing an effect size quantifying the change attributable to the intervention. We discuss common issues in the computation of effect sizes and provide recommended procedures to address them.

Predictors of physical and mental health in persons with morbid obesity attending a patient education course - a two-year follow-up study.

PubMed

Lerdal, Anners; Gay, Caryl L; Bonsaksen, Tore; Fagermoen, May Solveig

2017-05-15

People with morbid obesity (body mass index ≥40) may experience changes in their health after participating in a tailored patient education course. The aims of this study were to assess the changes in physical and mental health in persons with morbid obesity during the 2 years following an educational course and to explore possible socio-demographic, treatment, and personal predictors of physical and mental health outcomes. In this prospective longitudinal cohort study, self-report questionnaire data were collected from people with morbid obesity at the beginning of mandatory educational courses while on a waiting list for gastric surgery and at two-year follow-up. Of the 185 who attended the courses, 142 (77%) volunteered to participate in the study, and the 59 with complete data at the two-year follow-up were included in the analysis. Physical and mental health were measured with the physical and mental component summary scores from the Short Form 12v2. Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and self-efficacy by the General Self-Efficacy Scale. The participants reported better physical health at two-year follow-up than at baseline. Mental health did not change significantly over time. Receiving surgical treatment during the study period predicted better physical health at two-year follow-up, even after controlling for physical health at baseline. Mental health at baseline was the only significant baseline predictor of mental health at follow-up. However, increasing self-esteem and self-efficacy over the two-year study period independently predicted better mental health at follow up after controlling for mental health at baseline. Our study showed that people with morbid obesity on a waiting list for bariatric surgery improved their physical health during the 2 years after attending a tailored patient educational course. Improving self-esteem and self-efficacy may be important personal factors for maintaining mental health during this period. NCT01336725 . Registered 14 April 2011.

Oscillation Baselining and Analysis Tool

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

PNNL developed a new tool for oscillation analysis and baselining. This tool has been developed under a new DOE Grid Modernization Laboratory Consortium (GMLC) Project (GM0072 - “Suite of open-source applications and models for advanced synchrophasor analysis”) and it is based on the open platform for PMU analysis. The Oscillation Baselining and Analysis Tool (OBAT) performs the oscillation analysis and identifies modes of oscillations (frequency, damping, energy, and shape). The tool also does oscillation event baselining (fining correlation between oscillations characteristics and system operating conditions).

Creation of the Naturalistic Engagement in Secondary Tasks (NEST) distracted driving dataset.

PubMed

Owens, Justin M; Angell, Linda; Hankey, Jonathan M; Foley, James; Ebe, Kazutoshi

2015-09-01

Distracted driving has become a topic of critical importance to driving safety research over the past several decades. Naturalistic driving data offer a unique opportunity to study how drivers engage with secondary tasks in real-world driving; however, the complexities involved with identifying and coding relevant epochs of naturalistic data have limited its accessibility to the general research community. This project was developed to help address this problem by creating an accessible dataset of driver behavior and situational factors observed during distraction-related safety-critical events and baseline driving epochs, using the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) naturalistic dataset. The new NEST (Naturalistic Engagement in Secondary Tasks) dataset was created using crashes and near-crashes from the SHRP2 dataset that were identified as including secondary task engagement as a potential contributing factor. Data coding included frame-by-frame video analysis of secondary task and hands-on-wheel activity, as well as summary event information. In addition, information about each secondary task engagement within the trip prior to the crash/near-crash was coded at a higher level. Data were also coded for four baseline epochs and trips per safety-critical event. 1,180 events and baseline epochs were coded, and a dataset was constructed. The project team is currently working to determine the most useful way to allow broad public access to the dataset. We anticipate that the NEST dataset will be extraordinarily useful in allowing qualified researchers access to timely, real-world data concerning how drivers interact with secondary tasks during safety-critical events and baseline driving. The coded dataset developed for this project will allow future researchers to have access to detailed data on driver secondary task engagement in the real world. It will be useful for standalone research, as well as for integration with additional SHRP2 data to enable the conduct of more complex research. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and National Safety Council. All rights reserved.

Association of Accelerometry-Measured Physical Activity and Cardiovascular Events in Mobility-Limited Older Adults: The LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) Study.

PubMed

Cochrane, Shannon K; Chen, Shyh-Huei; Fitzgerald, Jodi D; Dodson, John A; Fielding, Roger A; King, Abby C; McDermott, Mary M; Manini, Todd M; Marsh, Anthony P; Newman, Anne B; Pahor, Marco; Tudor-Locke, Catrine; Ambrosius, Walter T; Buford, Thomas W

2017-12-02

Data are sparse regarding the value of physical activity (PA) surveillance among older adults-particularly among those with mobility limitations. The objective of this study was to examine longitudinal associations between objectively measured daily PA and the incidence of cardiovascular events among older adults in the LIFE (Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders) study. Cardiovascular events were adjudicated based on medical records review, and cardiovascular risk factors were controlled for in the analysis. Home-based activity data were collected by hip-worn accelerometers at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 months postrandomization to either a physical activity or health education intervention. LIFE study participants (n=1590; age 78.9±5.2 [SD] years; 67.2% women) at baseline had an 11% lower incidence of experiencing a subsequent cardiovascular event per 500 steps taken per day based on activity data (hazard ratio, 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.84-0.96; P =0.001). At baseline, every 30 minutes spent performing activities ≥500 counts per minute (hazard ratio, 0.75; confidence interval, 0.65-0.89 [ P =0.001]) were also associated with a lower incidence of cardiovascular events. Throughout follow-up (6, 12, and 24 months), both the number of steps per day (per 500 steps; hazard ratio, 0.90, confidence interval, 0.85-0.96 [ P =0.001]) and duration of activity ≥500 counts per minute (per 30 minutes; hazard ratio, 0.76; confidence interval, 0.63-0.90 [ P =0.002]) were significantly associated with lower cardiovascular event rates. Objective measurements of physical activity via accelerometry were associated with cardiovascular events among older adults with limited mobility (summary score >10 on the Short Physical Performance Battery) both using baseline and longitudinal data. URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01072500. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

Brainstem dose is associated with patient-reported acute fatigue in head and neck cancer radiation therapy.

PubMed

Ferris, Matthew J; Zhong, Jim; Switchenko, Jeffrey M; Higgins, Kristin A; Cassidy, Richard J; McDonald, Mark W; Eaton, Bree R; Patel, Kirtesh R; Steuer, Conor E; Baddour, H Michael; Miller, Andrew H; Bruner, Deborah W; Xiao, Canhua; Beitler, Jonathan J

2018-01-01

Radiation (RT) dose to the central nervous system (CNS) has been implicated as a contributor to treatment-related fatigue in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT). This study evaluates the association of RT dose to CNS structures with patient-reported (PRO) fatigue scores in a population of HNC patients. At pre-RT (baseline), 6th week of RT, and 1-month post-RT time points, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) scores were prospectively obtained from 124 patients undergoing definitive treatment for HNC. Medulla, pons, midbrain, total brainstem, cerebellum, posterior fossa, and pituitary dosimetry were evaluated using summary statistics and dose-volume histograms, and associations with MFI-20 scores were analyzed. Maximum dose (Dmax) to the brainstem and medulla was significantly associated with MFI-20 scores at 6th week of RT and 1-month post-RT time points, after controlling for baseline scores (p<0.05). Each 1Gy increase in medulla Dmax resulted in an increase in total MFI-20 score over baseline of 0.30 (p=0.026), and 0.25 (p=0.037), at the 6th week of RT and 1-month post-RT, respectively. Each 1Gy increase in brainstem Dmax resulted in an increase in total MFI-20 score over baseline of 0.30 (p=0.027), and 0.25 (p=0.037) at the 6th week of RT, 1-month post-RT, respectively. Statistically significant associations were not found between dosimetry for the other CNS structures and MFI-20 scores. In this analysis of PRO fatigue scores from a population of patients undergoing definitive RT for HNC, maximum dose to the brainstem and medulla was associated with a significantly increased risk of acute patient fatigue. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Glucocorticoids predict 10-year fragility fracture risk in a population-based ambulatory cohort of men and women: Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study (CaMos)

PubMed Central

Pallan, Shelley; Papaioannou, Alexandra; Mulgund, Manisha; Rios, Lorena; Ma, Jinhui; Thabane, Lehana; Davison, Kenneth S.; Josse, Robert G.; Kovacs, Christopher S.; Kreiger, Nancy; Olszynski, Wojciech P.; Prior, Jerilynn C.; Towheed, Tanveer; Adachi, Jonathan D.

2016-01-01

Summary We determined the prospective 10-year association among incident fragility fractures and four glucocorticoid (GC) treatment groups (Never GC, Prior GC, Baseline GC, and Ever GC). Results showed that GC treatment is associated with increased 10-year incident fracture risk in ambulatory men and women across Canada. Purpose Using the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study dataset, we determined the prospective 10-year association between incident fragility fractures and GC treatment. Methods We conducted a 10-year prospective observational cohort study at nine sites across Canada. A total of 9,263 ambulatory men and women 25 years of age and older were included in the analysis. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards analyses were conducted to determine the relationship among GC treatment groups in four levels that included Never GC, Prior GC, Baseline GC, and Ever GC (combined baseline and prior groups) and time to fracture. Results In each of the Never GC, Prior GC, Baseline GC, and Ever GC treatment groups, the number of participants were 8,832 (95.4 %), 303 (3.3 %), 128 (1.4 %), and 431 (4.7 %), respectively. Of the 9,263 individuals enrolled, incident fragility non-spine, hip, spine, and any fractures were experienced by a total of 896 (9.67 %), 157 (1.69 %), 130 (1.40 %), and 1,102 (11.90 %) over 10-years, respectively. For men and women combined, prior GC treatment was associated with a higher hazard ratio (HR) for time to incident non-vertebral (HR=1.5, 95 % confidence interval [CI]=1.1, 2.0), hip (HR=2.1, 95 % CI=1.1, 4.0), and any fracture (HR=1.4, 95 % CI=1.0, 1.8) compared with never GC treatment. Conclusions GC treatment is associated with increased 10-year incident fracture risk; this highlights the importance of considering therapy to prevent GC-induced fractures for patients who are using GC for various medical conditions. PMID:24577853

What Is Different About Worker’s Compensation Patients?

PubMed Central

Atlas, Steven J.; Tosteson, Tor D.; Hanscom, Brett; Blood, Emily A.; Pransky, Glenn S.; Abdu, William A.; Andersson, Gunnar B.; Weinstein, James N.

2010-01-01

Study Design Combined analysis of 2 prospective clinical studies. Objective To identify socioeconomic characteristics associated with workers’ compensation in patients with an intervertebral disc herniation (IDH) or spinal stenosis (SpS). Summary of Background Data Few studies have compared socioeconomic differences between those receiving or not receiving workers’ compensation with the same underlying clinical conditions. Methods Patients were identified from the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT) and the National Spine Network (NSN) practice-based outcomes study. Patients with IDH and SpS within NSN were identified satisfying SPORT eligibility criteria. Information on disability and work status at baseline evaluation was used to categorize patients into 3 groups: workers’ compensation, other disability compensation, or work-eligible controls. Enrollment rates of patients with disability in a clinical efficacy trial (SPORT) and practice-based network (NSN) were compared. Independent socioeconomic predictors of baseline workers’ compensation status were identified in multivariate logistic regression models controlling for clinical condition, study cohort, and initial treatment designation. Results Among 3759 eligible patients (1480 in SPORT and 2279 in NSN), 564 (15%) were receiving workers’ compensation, 317 (8%) were receiving other disability compensation, and 2878 (77%) were controls. Patients receiving workers’ compensation were less common in SPORT than NSN (9.2% vs. 18.8%, P < 0.001), but patients receiving other disability compensation were similarly represented (8.9% vs. 7.7%, P = 0.19). In univariate analyses, many socioeconomic characteristics significantly differed according to baseline workers’ compensation status. In multiple logistic regression analyses, gender, educational level, work characteristics, legal action, and expectations about ability to work without surgery were independently associated with receiving workers’ compensation. Conclusion Clinical trials involving conditions commonly seen in patients with workers’ compensation may need special efforts to ensure adequate representation. Socioeconomic characteristics markedly differed between patients receiving and not receiving workers’ compensation. Identifying the independent effects of workers’ compensation on outcomes will require controlling for these baseline characteristics and other clinical features associated with disability status. PMID:17700451

Retrospective Analysis of an Insulin-to-Liraglutide Switch in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

PubMed

Bruinstroop, Eveline; Meyer, Laura; Brouwer, Catherine B; van Rooijen, Diana E; van Dam, P Sytze

2018-05-19

Insulin and the GLP-1 receptor agonist liraglutide are both effective in reaching glycemic targets. The efficacy of an insulin-to-liraglutide switch in an obese population with concurrent use of sulfonylurea and metformin is unknown. We assessed the efficacy and determinants of success of an insulin-to-liraglutide switch in these patients. In a retrospective study we analyzed all patients that underwent an insulin-to-liraglutide switch during routine medical care (January 2009-February 2015). It was assessed if patients still continued liraglutide 12 months after the switch or discontinued because of poor glycemic control or side effects. Baseline characteristics were compared between the groups to establish determinants of success. A total of 104 patients made an insulin-to-liraglutide switch (43% male; mean age 57.2 ± 9.9 years; mean BMI 39.8 ± 5.4 kg/m 2 ). Sixty patients still continued liraglutide after 12 months (58%) whereas 37 patients discontinued treatment because of poor glycemic control within 12 months (36%) and seven patients discontinued liraglutide because of intolerable side effects (7%). Insulin dose and insulin frequency at baseline were significantly lower in patients that continued liraglutide. Patients reaching HbA1c ≤ 7% (53 mmol/mol) showed lower baseline HbA1c levels, shorter duration of diabetes, and shorter duration of insulin therapy. The majority of patients continued liraglutide after a switch from insulin therapy with on average no change in glycemic control and decrease of body weight. HbA1c levels at baseline, duration of insulin therapy, and duration of diabetes were predictive of reaching glycemic control on liraglutide alone. In current practice this also indicates which patients on insulin can reduce their insulin dose after adding a GLP-1 receptor agonist. Plain language summary available for this article.

Automatic Generation of Conditional Diagnostic Guidelines.

PubMed

Baldwin, Tyler; Guo, Yufan; Syeda-Mahmood, Tanveer

2016-01-01

The diagnostic workup for many diseases can be extraordinarily nuanced, and as such reference material text often contains extensive information regarding when it is appropriate to have a patient undergo a given procedure. In this work we employ a three task pipeline for the extraction of statements indicating the conditions under which a procedure should be performed, given a suspected diagnosis. First, we identify each instance in the text where a procedure is being recommended. Next we examine the context around these recommendations to extract conditional statements that dictate the conditions under which the recommendation holds. Finally, corefering recommendations across the document are linked to produce a full recommendation summary. Results indicate that each underlying task can be performed with above baseline performance, and the output can be used to produce concise recommendation summaries.

Summary report on transportation of nuclear fuel materials in Japan : transportation infrastructure, threats identified in open literature, and physical protection regulations.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cochran, John Russell; Ouchi, Yuichiro; Furaus, James Phillip

2008-03-01

This report summarizes the results of three detailed studies of the physical protection systems for the protection of nuclear materials transport in Japan, with an emphasis on the transportation of mixed oxide fuel materials1. The Japanese infrastructure for transporting nuclear fuel materials is addressed in the first section. The second section of this report presents a summary of baseline data from the open literature on the threats of sabotage and theft during the transport of nuclear fuel materials in Japan. The third section summarizes a review of current International Atomic Energy Agency, Japanese and United States guidelines and regulations concerningmore » the physical protection for the transportation of nuclear fuel materials.« less

Summary of Granulation Matrix Testing for the Plutonium Immobilization Program

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Herman, C.C.

2001-10-19

In FY00, a matrix for process development testing was created to identify those items related to the ceramic process that had not been fully developed or tested and to help identify variables that needed to be tested. This matrix, NMTP/IP-99-003, was jointly created between LLNL and SRTC and was issued to all affected individuals. The matrix was also used to gauge the progress of the development activities. As part of this matrix, several series of tests were identified for the granulation process. This summary provides the data and results from the granulation testing. The results of the granulation matrix testingmore » were used to identify the baseline process for testing in the PuCTF with cold surrogates in B241 at LLNL.« less

75 FR 54117 - Building Energy Standards Program: Preliminary Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-09-03

... Response to Comments on Previous Analysis C. Summary of the Comparative Analysis 1. Quantitative Analysis 2... preliminary quantitative analysis are specific building designs, in most cases with specific spaces defined... preliminary determination. C. Summary of the Comparative Analysis DOE carried out both a broad quantitative...

“Smooth” Semiparametric Regression Analysis for Arbitrarily Censored Time-to-Event Data

PubMed Central

Zhang, Min; Davidian, Marie

2008-01-01

Summary A general framework for regression analysis of time-to-event data subject to arbitrary patterns of censoring is proposed. The approach is relevant when the analyst is willing to assume that distributions governing model components that are ordinarily left unspecified in popular semiparametric regression models, such as the baseline hazard function in the proportional hazards model, have densities satisfying mild “smoothness” conditions. Densities are approximated by a truncated series expansion that, for fixed degree of truncation, results in a “parametric” representation, which makes likelihood-based inference coupled with adaptive choice of the degree of truncation, and hence flexibility of the model, computationally and conceptually straightforward with data subject to any pattern of censoring. The formulation allows popular models, such as the proportional hazards, proportional odds, and accelerated failure time models, to be placed in a common framework; provides a principled basis for choosing among them; and renders useful extensions of the models straightforward. The utility and performance of the methods are demonstrated via simulations and by application to data from time-to-event studies. PMID:17970813

Dealing with missing standard deviation and mean values in meta-analysis of continuous outcomes: a systematic review.

PubMed

Weir, Christopher J; Butcher, Isabella; Assi, Valentina; Lewis, Stephanie C; Murray, Gordon D; Langhorne, Peter; Brady, Marian C

2018-03-07

Rigorous, informative meta-analyses rely on availability of appropriate summary statistics or individual participant data. For continuous outcomes, especially those with naturally skewed distributions, summary information on the mean or variability often goes unreported. While full reporting of original trial data is the ideal, we sought to identify methods for handling unreported mean or variability summary statistics in meta-analysis. We undertook two systematic literature reviews to identify methodological approaches used to deal with missing mean or variability summary statistics. Five electronic databases were searched, in addition to the Cochrane Colloquium abstract books and the Cochrane Statistics Methods Group mailing list archive. We also conducted cited reference searching and emailed topic experts to identify recent methodological developments. Details recorded included the description of the method, the information required to implement the method, any underlying assumptions and whether the method could be readily applied in standard statistical software. We provided a summary description of the methods identified, illustrating selected methods in example meta-analysis scenarios. For missing standard deviations (SDs), following screening of 503 articles, fifteen methods were identified in addition to those reported in a previous review. These included Bayesian hierarchical modelling at the meta-analysis level; summary statistic level imputation based on observed SD values from other trials in the meta-analysis; a practical approximation based on the range; and algebraic estimation of the SD based on other summary statistics. Following screening of 1124 articles for methods estimating the mean, one approximate Bayesian computation approach and three papers based on alternative summary statistics were identified. Illustrative meta-analyses showed that when replacing a missing SD the approximation using the range minimised loss of precision and generally performed better than omitting trials. When estimating missing means, a formula using the median, lower quartile and upper quartile performed best in preserving the precision of the meta-analysis findings, although in some scenarios, omitting trials gave superior results. Methods based on summary statistics (minimum, maximum, lower quartile, upper quartile, median) reported in the literature facilitate more comprehensive inclusion of randomised controlled trials with missing mean or variability summary statistics within meta-analyses.

The HALT Polycystic Kidney Disease Trials – Analysis of baseline parameters

PubMed Central

Torres, Vicente E.; Chapman, Arlene B.; Perrone, Ronald D.; Bae, K. Ty; Abebe, Kaleab Z.; Bost, James E.; Miskulin, Dana C.; Steinman, Theodore I.; Braun, William; Winklhofer, Franz T.; Hogan, Marie C.; Oskoui, Frederic Rahbari; Kelleher, Cass; Masoumi, Amirali; Glockner, James; Halin, Neil J; Martin, Diego; Remer, Erick; Patel, Nayana.; Pedrosa, Ivan; Wetzel, Louis H.; Thompson, Paul A.; Miller, J. Philip; Meyers, Catherine M.; Schrier, Robert W.

2013-01-01

HALT-PKD consists of two randomized trials comparing treatment with an angiotensin converting inhibitor (ACEI)-angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) combination vs ACEI alone and standard vs low blood pressure target in Study A (eGFR >60 ml/min/1.73 m2) and ACEI-ARB vs ACEI alone in Study B (eGFR 25-60 ml/min/1.73 m2). It includes the largest cohort of systematically studied ADPKD patients (558 A and 486 B) to date. We used correlation and multiple regression cross-sectional analyses to ascertain associations of baseline parameters with total kidney (TKV) and liver (TLV) or liver cyst (LCV) volumes measured by MRI in Study A and with eGFR in both studies. Lower eGFR and higher natural log transformed urine albumin excretion are independently associated with larger natural log transformed TKV adjusted for height (HtTKV). Higher BSA is independently associated with higher ln(HtTKV) and lower eGFR. Men have larger HtTKV and smaller LCV than women. A weak correlation was found between ln(HtTKV) and ln(HtTLV) or ln(LCV) in women only. Women have higher urine aldosterone excretions and lower plasma potassium levels. In summary, this analysis 1) confirms a strong association between renal volume and functional parameters, 2) shows that gender and other factors differentially affect the development of polycystic disease in the kidney and liver, and 3) suggests an association between anthropomorphic measures reflecting preand/or post-natal growth and the severity of the disease. PMID:22205355

Clinical effect of naftopidil on the quality of life of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: a prospective study.

PubMed

Komiya, Akira; Suzuki, Hiroyoshi; Awa, Yusuke; Egoshi, Ken-ichi; Onishi, Tetsuro; Nakatsu, Hiroomi; Ohki, Takemasa; Mikami, Kazuo; Sato, Naohide; Araki, Kazuhiro; Ota, Sho; Naya, Yukio; Ichikawa, Tomohiko

2010-06-01

To investigate the benefit of alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist naftopidil on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH/LUTS). A total of 99 men with BPH/LUTS were prospectively recruited. The Short Form-8 (SF-8) was used for generic QOL assessment and each parameter was compared with the norm in these patients. Longitudinal changes were evaluated using the SF-8 and the International Prostatic Symptoms Score (I-PSS) at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks after naftopidil administration. The relationship between SF-8 and I-PSS was analyzed. Five of eight components in the SF-8 were significantly lower than the Japanese national norm at baseline. SF-8 score was improved by naftopidil at 4 and 8 weeks in general health (GH) and physical component summary (PCS) in the patients in their 70s. Mental health (MH) and mental component summary (MCS) were improved at 8 weeks in patients in their 60s. When analyzing the whole cohort, SF-8 GH, role emotional (RE) and MH had improved at 8 weeks, which was similar to the norm, and bodily pain (BP) results were better. Compared with the baseline, total I-PSS, storage/voiding symptoms and QOL index scores improved significantly under naftopidil. Each component of I-PSS (except for hesitancy) correlated with SF-8 sub-scales (except for BP) to some extent. BPH/LUTS impairs generic QOL, which is improved by naftopidil treatment. SF-8 can be a useful instrument to assess the efficacy of BPH/LUTS treatment because its simplicity to complete and analyze, and its meaningful relationship to I-PSS.

Associations of cumulative Pb exposure and longitudinal changes in Mini-Mental Status Exam scores, global cognition and domains of cognition: The VA Normative Aging Study.

PubMed

Farooqui, Zishaan; Bakulski, Kelly M; Power, Melinda C; Weisskopf, Marc G; Sparrow, David; Spiro, Avron; Vokonas, Pantel S; Nie, Linda H; Hu, Howard; Park, Sung Kyun

2017-01-01

Lead (Pb) exposure has been associated with poorer cognitive function cross-sectionally in aging adults, however the association between cumulative Pb exposure and longitudinal changes in cognition is little characterized. In a 1993-2007 subcohort of the VA Normative Aging Study (Mini-mental status exam (MMSE) n=741; global cognition summary score n=715), we used linear mixed effects models to test associations between cumulative Pb exposure (patella or tibia bone Pb) and repeated measures of cognition (MMSE, individual cognitive tests, and global cognition summary). Cox proportional hazard modeling assessed the risk of an MMSE score falling below 25. Among men 51-98 at baseline, higher patella Pb concentration (IQR: 21μg/g) was associated with -0.13 lower baseline MMSE (95% CI: -0.25, -0.004) and faster longitudinal MMSE decline (-0.016 units/year, 95% CI: -0.032, -0.0004) over 15 years. Each IQR increase in patella Pb was associated with increased risk of a MMSE score below 25 (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.49; p=0.07). There were no significant associations between Pb and global cognition (both baseline and longitudinal change). Patella Pb was associated with faster longitudinal decline in Word List Total Recall in the language domain (0.014 units/year, 95% CI: -0.026, -0.001) and Word List Delayed Recall in the memory domain (0.014 units/year, 95% CI: -0.027, -0.002). We found weaker associations with tibia Pb. Cumulative Pb exposure is associated with faster declines in MMSE and Word List Total and Delayed Recall tests. These findings support the hypothesis that Pb exposure accelerates cognitive aging. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Selected ground-water data for Yucca Mountain region, southern Nevada and eastern California, through December 1998

USGS Publications Warehouse

Locke, Glenn L.

2001-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in support of the U.S. Department of Energy, Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project, collects, compiles, and summarizes hydrologic data in the Yucca Mountain region. The data are collected to allow assessments of ground-water resources during studies to determine the potential suitability of Yucca Mountain for storing high-level nuclear waste. Data on ground-water levels at 34 wells and a fissure (Devils Hole), ground-water discharge at 5 springs and a flowing well, and total reported ground-water withdrawals within Crater Flat, Jackass Flats, Mercury Valley, and the Amargosa Desert are presented for calendar year 1998. Data collected prior to 1998 are graphically presented and data collected by other agencies (or as part of other Geolgical Survey programs) are included to further indicate variations of ground-water levels, discharges, and withdrawals through time. A statistical summary of ground-water levels at seven wells in Jackass Flats is presented to indicate potential effects of ground-water withdrawals associated with U.S. Department of Energy activities near Yucca Mountain. The statistical summary includes the number of measurements, the maximum, minimum, and median water-level altitudes, and the average deviation of measured water-level altitudes for selected baseline periods and for calendar years 1992-98. At two water-supply wells and a nearby observation well, median water levels for calendar year 1998 were slightly lower (0.2 to 0.3 foot) than for their respective baseline periods. At the remaining four wells in Jackass Flats, median water levels for 1998 were unchanged at two wells and slightly higher (0.4 and 1.4 foot) at two wells than those for their respective baseline periods.

Prospective longitudinal outcomes of quality of life after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy compared with retropubic radical prostatectomy.

PubMed

Hashine, Katsuyoshi; Kakuda, Toshio; Iuchi, Shunsuke; Hosokawa, Tadanori; Ninomiya, Iku

2018-01-05

There have been few reports on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) in Japanese patients. The aim of this study is to assess changes in HRQOL during 36 months after LRP compared with retropubic radical prostatectomy (RRP). The subjects were 105 consecutive patients treated with LRP between 2011 and 2012. HRQOL was evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Medical Outcome Study 8-Items Short Form Health Survey (SF-8), and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite (EPIC) at baseline and 1, 3, 6, 12 and 36 months after surgery. These results were compared with data for 107 consecutive patients treated with RRP between 2005 and 2007. The comparison between LRP and RRP was examined at every time point by Mann-Whitney U-test and chi-square test. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify independent factors related to the urinary domain in EPIC. The IPSS change was similar in both groups. The LRP group had a better SF-8 mental component summary score at baseline and a better SF-8 physical component summary score at 1 month after surgery. In EPIC, urinary function and bother were worse after LRP, but improved at 12 months and did not differ significantly from those after RRP; however, these factors then worsened again at 36 months after LRP. Urinary incontinence was also worse at 36 months after LRP, compared to RRP. In patients treated with nerve-sparing surgery, urinary function and urinary incontinence were similar and good at 12 and 36 months in both groups. Bowel function and bother, and sexual function and bother were similar in both groups and showed no changes from 12 to 36 months. Age and salvage radiotherapy were independent predictors of incontinence (daily use of two or more pads) in multivariate analysis. Surgical procedure was not an independent factor for incontinence, but incontinence defined as use of one pad or more was associated with the surgical procedure. Urinary function and bother at 36 months were worse after LRP than after RRP. Age, salvage radiotherapy and surgical procedure were associated with urinary incontinence after 36 months.

Change in economic difficulties and physical and mental functioning: Evidence from British and Finnish employee cohorts.

PubMed

Lallukka, Tea; Ferrie, Jane E; Rahkonen, Ossi; Shipley, Martin J; Pietiläinen, Olli; Kivimäki, Mika; Marmot, Michael G; Lahelma, Eero

2013-09-01

The main aims of this longitudinal study were to (i) examine associations between changes in economic difficulties and health functioning among middle-aged employees and (ii) assess whether the associations remained after considering conventional domains of socioeconomic position. The associations were tested in two European welfare state occupational cohorts to strengthen the evidence base and improve generalizability. Data came from two cohorts: the Finnish Helsinki Health Study (baseline 2000-2002, follow-up 2007, N = 6328) and the British Whitehall II Study (baseline 1997-1999, follow-up 2003-2004, N = 4350). Responses to the survey item "finding it hard to afford adequate food and clothes and pay bills" repeated at baseline and follow-up were used to examine persistent, increasing, and decreasing economic difficulties. Poor physical and mental health functioning were denoted as being in the lowest quartile of the Short Form 36 physical and mental component summary. Logistic regression analyses were adjusted for sex, age, childhood economic difficulties, household income at baseline and follow-up, employment status at follow-up, and baseline health functioning. We observed strong sex- and age-adjusted associations between increasing [odds ratio (OR) range 1.69-2.96] and persistent (OR range 2.54-3.21) economic difficulties and poorer physical and mental health functioning in both British and Finnish occupational cohorts. These associations remained after full adjustments. Those reporting decreasing difficulties over follow-up also had poorer functioning (OR range 1.30-1.61) compared to those who did not have difficulties at baseline, possibly reflecting residual effects of economic difficulties at baseline. Changes in economic difficulties are associated with poorer physical and mental health functioning independent of income, employment status, and baseline health functioning.

Older Age and Leg Pain Are Good Predictors of Pain and Disability Outcomes in 2710 Patients Who Receive Lumbar Fusion.

PubMed

Cook, Chad E; Frempong-Boadu, Anthony K; Radcliff, Kristen; Karikari, Isaac; Isaacs, Robert

2015-10-01

Identifying appropriate candidates for lumbar spine fusion is a challenging and controversial topic. The purpose of this study was to identify baseline characteristics related to poor/favorable outcomes at 1 year for a patient who received lumbar spine fusion. The aims of this study were to describe baseline characteristics of those who received lumbar surgery and to identify baseline characteristics from a spine repository that were related to poor and favorable pain and disability outcomes for patient who received lumbar fusion (with or without decompression), who were followed up for 1 full year and discriminate predictor variables that were either or in contrast to prognostic variables reported in the literature. This study analyzed data from 2710 patients who underwent lumbar spine fusion. All patient data was part of a multicenter, multi-national spine repository. Ten relatively commonly captured data variables were used as predictors for the study. Univariate/multivariate logistic regression analyses were run against outcome variables of pain/disability. Multiple univariate findings were associated with pain/disability outcomes at 1 year including age, previous surgical history, baseline disability, baseline pain, baseline quality of life scores, and leg pain greater than back pain. Notably significant multivariate findings for both pain and disability include older age, previous surgical history, and baseline mental summary scores, disability, and pain. Leg pain greater than back pain and older age may yield promising value when predicting positive outcomes. Other significant findings may yield less value since these findings are similar to those that are considered to be prognostic regardless of intervention type.

Department of Defense Base Structure Report (A Summary of DoD’s Real Property Inventory). Fiscal Year 2003 Baseline

DTIC Science & Technology

2003-01-01

Active Alpena County Regional Airport Alpena 49707 136 487,564 674 119.1 117 0 0 117989-354-6210Air Natl Guard Selfridge ANG Base Mt Clemens 48045...7,455,323 48 278,107 7,971 4,692 2,383.0 6,913 1,913 0 8,826Massachusetts Total: Michigan Alpena County Regional Airport Alpena 49707 136 487,564 674 119.1

Salary-Trend Studies of Faculty for the Years 1992-93 and 1995-96 in the Following Academic Disciplines/Major Fields: Accounting, Art, General...Geology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howe, Richard D.

This document provides comparative salary trend data for full-time faculty at 212 public and 337 private colleges and universities, based on two surveys, one for the baseline year 1992-93 and the other for the "trend" year 1995-96. For each of the 25 disciplines, a summary review provides a definition of the discipline; information on average…

Study of solid rocket motors for a space shuttle booster, volume 2

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Additional technical data have been prepared to supplement the data supplied in the SRM shuttle booster final report. These data cover performance characteristics utilizing motor efficiencies of 0.960 and 0.947 with nozzle divergence half angles of 15 deg and 20 deg, respectively; PBAN propellant characteristics; parametric data to extend baseline designs to varying states of SRM's; summary of SRM mass properties; and SRM exhaust plume profiles.

How fast pain, numbness, and paresthesia resolves after lumbar nerve root decompression: a retrospective study of patient's self-reported computerized pain drawing.

PubMed

Huang, Peng; Sengupta, Dilip K

2014-04-15

A single-center retrospective study. To compare the speed of recovery of different sensory symptoms, pain, numbness, and paresthesia, after lumbar nerve root decompression. Lumbar radiculopathy is characterized by different sensory symptoms like pain, numbness, and paresthesia, which may resolve at different rates after surgical decompression. Eighty-five cases with predominant lumbar radiculopathy treated surgically were reviewed. Oswestry Disability Index score, 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scores (Physical Component Summary and Mental Component Summary), and pain drawing at preoperative and at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 1-year follow-up were reviewed. Recovery rate between different sensory symptoms were compared in all patients, and between the short-term compression (<6 mo) and long-term compression groups. At baseline, 73 (85.8%) patients had pain, 63 (74.1%) had numbness, and 38 (44.7%) had paresthesia; 28 (32.9%) had all these 3 component of sensory symptoms. Mean pain score improved fastest (55.3% at 6 wk); further resolution until 1 year was slow and not significant compared with each previous visit. Both numbness and paresthesia scores showed a trend of faster recovery during the initial 6-week period (20.5% and 24%, respectively); paresthesia recovery reached a plateau at 3 months postoperatively, but numbness continued a slow recovery until 1-year follow-up. Both Oswestry Disability Index score and Physical Component Summary scores (54.02 ± 1.87 and 26.29 ± 0.93, respectively, at baseline) improved significantly compared with each previous visits at 6 weeks and 3 months postoperatively, but further improvement was insignificant. Mental Component Summary showed a similar trend but smaller improvement. The short-term compression group had faster recovery of pain than the long-term compression group. In lumbar radiculopathy patients after surgical decompression, pain recovers fastest, in the first 6 weeks postoperatively, followed by paresthesia recovery that plateaus at 3 months postoperatively. Numbness recovers at a slower pace but continues until 1 year. 4.

Computerized summary scoring: crowdsourcing-based latent semantic analysis.

PubMed

Li, Haiying; Cai, Zhiqiang; Graesser, Arthur C

2017-11-03

In this study we developed and evaluated a crowdsourcing-based latent semantic analysis (LSA) approach to computerized summary scoring (CSS). LSA is a frequently used mathematical component in CSS, where LSA similarity represents the extent to which the to-be-graded target summary is similar to a model summary or a set of exemplar summaries. Researchers have proposed different formulations of the model summary in previous studies, such as pregraded summaries, expert-generated summaries, or source texts. The former two methods, however, require substantial human time, effort, and costs in order to either grade or generate summaries. Using source texts does not require human effort, but it also does not predict human summary scores well. With human summary scores as the gold standard, in this study we evaluated the crowdsourcing LSA method by comparing it with seven other LSA methods that used sets of summaries from different sources (either experts or crowdsourced) of differing quality, along with source texts. Results showed that crowdsourcing LSA predicted human summary scores as well as expert-good and crowdsourcing-good summaries, and better than the other methods. A series of analyses with different numbers of crowdsourcing summaries demonstrated that the number (from 10 to 100) did not significantly affect performance. These findings imply that crowdsourcing LSA is a promising approach to CSS, because it saves human effort in generating the model summary while still yielding comparable performance. This approach to small-scale CSS provides a practical solution for instructors in courses, and also advances research on automated assessments in which student responses are expected to semantically converge on subject matter content.

A single-dose, crossover, placebo- and moxifloxacin-controlled study to assess the effects of neratinib (HKI-272) on cardiac repolarization in healthy adult subjects.

PubMed

Hug, Bruce; Abbas, Richat; Leister, Cathie; Burns, Jaime; Sonnichsen, Daryl

2010-08-01

Neratinib is an orally administered, small-molecule, irreversible pan-ErbB inhibitor in development for the treatment of ErbB2-positive breast cancer. This study assessed the effects of therapeutic and supratherapeutic neratinib concentrations on cardiac repolarization, in accordance with current regulatory guidance. This was a two-part study in healthy subjects. In part 1, subjects were randomized to receive placebo, 400 mg moxifloxacin, or 240 mg neratinib (therapeutic dose) following a high-fat meal. In part 2, after a washout period, subjects received placebo plus 400 mg ketoconazole or 240 mg neratinib plus ketoconazole (supratherapeutic dose). ANOVA was used to compare the baseline-adjusted QTc interval for neratinib with that of placebo (reference), and for neratinib plus ketoconazole with that of placebo plus ketoconazole (reference). Pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses and categorical summaries of interval data were done. Assay sensitivity was evaluated by the effect of moxifloxacin on QTc compared with placebo. Sixty healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. The upper bounds of the 90% confidence interval for baseline-adjusted QTcN (population-specific corrected QT) were 450 milliseconds or change from baseline >30 milliseconds. Moxifloxacin produced a significant increase in QTcN compared with placebo (P < 0.05). Therapeutic and supratherapeutic plasma concentrations of neratinib do not prolong the QTc interval in healthy subjects. (c) 2010 AACR.

Determination of trace elements in epiphytic lichens from Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor using INAA method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khairudin, Nurshafiq Ezam; Siong, Khoo Kok; Siong, Wee Boon

2014-02-01

Lichens have been used as effective biomonitors of atmospheric pollutants as they can take up nutrients and pollutants directly from the atmosphere. In this study, trace element contents in epiphytic lichens were determined using INAA method. Samples were collected from 7 sampling locations around Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. The elements detected were As (1.73+0.85 mg/kg), Ce (3.65+1.91 mg/kg), Co (0.29+0.12 mg/kg), Cr (5.92+3.54 mg/kg), Cs (0.92+0.25 mg/kg), Eu (0.03+0.02 mg/kg), Fe (1280+760 mg/kg), Hf (0.37+0.18 mg/kg), La (1.52+0.89 mg/kg), Rb (27.7+4.8 mg/kg), Sc (0.33+0.19 mg/kg), Sm (0.28+0.16 mg/kg), Th (1.21+0.62 mg/kg) and Zn (116+27 mg/kg). Comparisons were then made between the elemental concentrations obtained and the baseline data from literature. Results showed that most of the elements were within the concentration range of the baseline data. Enrichment factors (EF) of the trace element in lichens showed that most of the elements were within the range of the baseline data except for As which was found to be slightly enriched (EF: 13.2 - 28.5). Regression analysis indicated significant correlation (p<0.05) with Sc for most of the elements which signifies crustal input except for Cs and Rb. The poor correlations of Cs and Rb with Sc may be due to the mobility of these elements. In summary, trace element data obtained using INAA were very useful and demonstrated that lichens were suitable biomonitors for identifying potential trace element pollutants in ambient air around the sampling area.

The use of plaque score measurements to assess changes in atherosclerotic plaque burden induced by lipid-lowering therapy over time: the METEOR study.

PubMed

Peters, Sanne A E; Dogan, Soner; Meijer, Rudy; Palmer, Mike K; Grobbee, Diederick E; Crouse, John R; O'Leary, Daniel H; Evans, Gregory W; Raichlen, Joel S; Bots, Michiel L

2011-01-01

To evaluate whether plaque scoring measurements are able to track changes in atherosclerotic plaque burden over time and to study whether this is affected by lipid-lowering therapy. Data used were from METEOR (Measuring Effects on Intima-Media Thickness: an Evaluation Of Rosuvastatin), a randomized controlled trial of rosuvastatin 40 mg among 984 low-risk patients with modest carotid intima-media thickening (CIMT). In this analysis, duplicate ultrasound images from 12 carotid sites were collected at the baseline and end of the study from 495 European patients and were evaluated for plaque presence and severity. Plaques were scored from near and far walls of the 12 sites (0= none; 1= minimal; 2= moderate; 3= severe) and plaque scores (PS) were combined into two summary measures for each examination. The MeanMaxPS is the mean over the 12 carotid sites of the maximum score at each site and the MaxMaxPS reflects the most severe lesion at any site. Baseline MeanMaxPS and MaxMaxPS were 0.31 (SD: 0.20) and 1.15 (SD: 0.51), respectively. Changes in MeanMaxPS and MaxMaxPS significantly differed between rosuvastatin and placebo (mean difference: -0.03 [SE: 0.01; p =0.016] and -0.09 [SE: 0.04; p =0.027], respectively). In contrast to rosuvastatin, which demonstrated no change from the baseline, placebo showed significant progression in MeanMaxPS and MaxMaxPS (p =0.002; both). The plaque-scoring method proved capable of assessing the change in atherosclerotic plaque burden over time and proved useful to evaluate lipid-lowering in asymptomatic individuals with a low risk of cardiovascular disease and subclinical atherosclerosis.

Investigation of ecosystems impacts from geothermal development in Imperial Valley, California

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Shinn, J.H.; Ireland, R.R.; Kercher, J.R.

1979-07-13

A summary of three years of field ecological investigation in Imperial Valley Environmental Program is presented. The potential terrestrial habitat impacts of geothermal development are discussed for shorebirds and waterfowl habitat, the endangered clapper rail, powerline corridors, noise effects, animal trace element burdens, and the desert community. Aquatic habitats are discussed in terms of Salton Sea salinity, effects of geothermal brine discharges to the Salton Sea, trace element baselines, and potential toxicity of brine spills in freshwater. Studies of impacts on agriculture involved brine movement in soil, release of trace metals, trace element baselines in soil and plants, water requirementsmore » of crops, and H{sub 2}S effects on crop production in the presence of CO{sub 2} and ozone.« less

Evaluating Principal Surrogate Markers in Vaccine Trials in the Presence of Multiphase Sampling

PubMed Central

Huang, Ying

2017-01-01

Summary This paper focuses on the evaluation of vaccine-induced immune responses as principal surrogate markers for predicting a given vaccine’s effect on the clinical endpoint of interest. To address the problem of missing potential outcomes under the principal surrogate framework, we can utilize baseline predictors of the immune biomarker(s) or vaccinate uninfected placebo recipients at the end of the trial and measure their immune biomarkers. Examples of good baseline predictors are baseline immune responses when subjects enrolled in the trial have been previously exposed to the same antigen, as in our motivating application of the Zostavax Efficacy and Safety Trial (ZEST). However, laboratory assays of these baseline predictors are expensive and therefore their subsampling among participants is commonly performed. In this paper we develop a methodology for estimating principal surrogate values in the presence of baseline predictor subsampling. Under a multiphase sampling framework, we propose a semiparametric pseudo-score estimator based on conditional likelihood and also develop several alternative semiparametric pseudo-score or estimated likelihood estimators. We derive corresponding asymptotic theories and analytic variance formulas for these estimators. Through extensive numeric studies, we demonstrate good finite sample performance of these estimators and the efficiency advantage of the proposed pseudo-score estimator in various sampling schemes. We illustrate the application of our proposed estimators using data from an immune biomarker study nested within the ZEST trial. PMID:28653408

National Land Imaging Requirements (NLIR) Pilot Project summary report: summary of moderate resolution imaging user requirements

USGS Publications Warehouse

Vadnais, Carolyn; Stensaas, Gregory

2014-01-01

Under the National Land Imaging Requirements (NLIR) Project, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is developing a functional capability to obtain, characterize, manage, maintain and prioritize all Earth observing (EO) land remote sensing user requirements. The goal is a better understanding of community needs that can be supported with land remote sensing resources, and a means to match needs with appropriate solutions in an effective and efficient way. The NLIR Project is composed of two components. The first component is focused on the development of the Earth Observation Requirements Evaluation System (EORES) to capture, store and analyze user requirements, whereas, the second component is the mechanism and processes to elicit and document the user requirements that will populate the EORES. To develop the second component, the requirements elicitation methodology was exercised and refined through a pilot project conducted from June to September 2013. The pilot project focused specifically on applications and user requirements for moderate resolution imagery (5–120 meter resolution) as the test case for requirements development. The purpose of this summary report is to provide a high-level overview of the requirements elicitation process that was exercised through the pilot project and an early analysis of the moderate resolution imaging user requirements acquired to date to support ongoing USGS sustainable land imaging study needs. The pilot project engaged a limited set of Federal Government users from the operational and research communities and therefore the information captured represents only a subset of all land imaging user requirements. However, based on a comparison of results, trends, and analysis, the pilot captured a strong baseline of typical applications areas and user needs for moderate resolution imagery. Because these results are preliminary and represent only a sample of users and application areas, the information from this report should only be used to indicate general user needs for the applications covered. Users of the information are cautioned that use of specific numeric results may be inappropriate without additional research. Any information used or cited from this report should specifically be cited as preliminary findings.

Change in health-related quality of life amongst participants in a 4-month pedometer-based workplace health program.

PubMed

Harding, Jessica; Freak-Poli, Rosanne Laura Armida; Backholer, Kathryn; Peeters, Anna

2013-05-01

Regular physical activity (PA) is associated with a reduced risk for chronic health conditions and improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Efforts to increase PA have included workplace health promotion. Currently, little is known about the effect of these programs on overall HRQoL. To evaluate whether participation in a pedometer-based PA program in the workplace was associated with changes in HRQoL. 487 voluntary employees enrolled in a health program completed the SF-12 Health Survey at baseline and 4 months. Change in Physical and Mental component summary scores (PCS; MCS) was assessed with multivariable regression analysis, adjusting for covariates. Participation in the program was associated with an increase of 1.5 MCS units (95% CI: 0.76, -2.09). Greater improvements in MCS were observed in those reporting an increased level of PA during the program [1.9 (CI: 0.78, 2.92) versus 0.9 (CI: -0.12, 2.03)] and a lower baseline MCS score [6.3 (CI: 4.80, 7.62) versus -1.5 (CI: -2.21, -0.80)]. No change in PCS was observed. Participation in this workplace PA program was associated with improvements in the mental component of HRQoL. We recommend the use of a broad perspective of health be used in both the implementation and evaluation of workplace PA programs.

The complex association between the antioxidant defense system and clinical status in early psychosis

PubMed Central

García, Saínza; Alberich, Susana; Martínez-Cengotitabengoa, Mónica; Arango, Celso; Castro-Fornieles, Josefina; Parellada, Mara; Baeza, Inmaculada; Moreno, Carmen; Micó, Juan Antonio; Berrocoso, Esther; Graell, Montserrat; Otero, Soraya; Simal, Tatiana

2018-01-01

Oxidative stress is a pathophysiological mechanism potentially involved in psychiatric disorders. The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between total antioxidant status (TAS) and the functional status of patients with a first episode of psychosis at the onset of the disease. For this purpose, a sample of 70 patients aged between 9 and 17 years with a first episode of psychosis were followed up for a period of two years. Blood samples were drawn to measure TAS levels at three time points: at baseline, at one year, and at two years. Clinical symptoms and functioning were also assessed at the same time points using various scales. Linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between TAS and clinical status at each assessment, adjusting for potential confounding factors. The distribution of clinical variables was grouped in different percentiles to assess the dose-response in the relation between clinical variables and TAS. At baseline, patient's score on Children's Global Assessment Scale (CGAS) was directly and significantly associated with TAS with a monotonic increase in percentiles, and surprising this association was reversed after one and two years of follow-up with a monotonic decrease. In summary at the onset of the illness, TAS is positively related to clinical status, whereas as the illness progresses this correlation is reversed and becomes negative. This may be the result of an adaptive response. PMID:29698400

Assessing oral health-related quality of life in general dental practice in Scotland: validation of the OHIP-14.

PubMed

Fernandes, Marcelo José; Ruta, Danny Adolph; Ogden, Graham Richard; Pitts, Nigel Berry; Ogston, Simon Alexander

2006-02-01

To validate the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)-14 in a sample of patients attending general dental practice. Patients with pathology-free impacted wisdom teeth were recruited from six general dental practices in Tayside, Scotland, and followed for a year to assess the development of problems related to impaction. The OHIP-14 was completed at baseline and at 1-year follow-up, and analysed using three different scoring methods: a summary score, a weighted and standardized score and the total number of problems reported. Instrument reliability was measured by assessing internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Construct validity was assessed using a number of variables. Linear regression was then used to model the relationship between OHIP-14 and all significantly correlated variables. Responsiveness was measured using the standardized response mean (SRM). Adjusted R(2)s and SRMs were calculated for each of the three scoring methods. Estimates for the differences between adjusted R(2)s and the differences between SRMs were obtained with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 278 and 169 patients completed the questionnaire at baseline and follow-up, respectively. Reliability - Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranged from 0.30 to 0.75. Alpha coefficients for all 14 items were 0.88 and 0.87 for baseline and follow-up, respectively. Test-retest coefficients ranged from 0.72 to 0.78. Validity - OHIP-14 scores were significantly correlated with number of teeth, education, main activity, the use of mouthwash, frequency of seeing a dentist, the reason for the last dental appointment, smoking, alcohol intake, pain and symptoms. Adjusted R(2)s ranged from 0.123 to 0.202 and there were no statistically significant differences between those for the three different scoring methods. Responsiveness - The SRMs ranged from 0.37 to 0.56 and there was a statistically significant difference between the summary scores method and the total number of problems method for symptomatic patients. The OHIP-14 is a valid and reliable measure of oral health-related quality of life in general dental practice and is responsive to third molar clinical change. The summary score method demonstrated performance as good as, or better than, the other methods studied.

Preoperative mental health status may not be predictive of improvements in patient-reported outcomes following an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

PubMed

Mayo, Benjamin C; Massel, Dustin H; Bohl, Daniel D; Narain, Ankur S; Hijji, Fady Y; Long, William W; Modi, Krishna D; Basques, Bryce A; Yacob, Alem; Singh, Kern

2017-02-01

OBJECTIVE Prior studies have correlated preoperative depression and poor mental health status with inferior patient-reported outcomes following lumbar spinal procedures. However, literature regarding the effect of mental health on outcomes following cervical spinal surgery is limited. As such, the purpose of this study is to test for the association of preoperative SF-12 Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores with improvements in Neck Disability Index (NDI), SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS), and neck and arm pain following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). METHODS A prospectively maintained surgical database of patients who underwent a primary 1- or 2-level ACDF during 2014-2015 was reviewed. Patients were excluded if they did not have complete patient-reported outcome data for the preoperative or 6-week, 12-week, or 6-month postoperative visits. At baseline, preoperative SF-12 MCS score was assessed for association with preoperative NDI, neck visual analog scale (VAS) score, arm VAS score, and SF-12 PCS score. The preoperative MCS score was then tested for association with changes in NDI, neck VAS, arm VAS, and SF-12 PCS scores from the preoperative visit to postoperative visits. These tests were conducted using multivariate regression controlling for baseline characteristics as well as for the preoperative score for the patient-reported outcome being assessed. RESULTS A total of 52 patients were included in the analysis. At baseline, a higher preoperative MCS score was negatively associated with a lower preoperative NDI (coefficient: -0.74, p < 0.001) and preoperative arm VAS score (-0.06, p = 0.026), but not preoperative neck VAS score (-0.03, p = 0.325) or SF-12 PCS score (0.04, p = 0.664). Additionally, there was no association between preoperative MCS score and improvement in NDI, neck VAS, arm VAS, or SF-12 PCS score at any of the postoperative time points (6 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months, p > 0.05 for each). The percentage of patients achieving a minimum clinically important difference at 6 months did not differ between the bottom and top MCS score halves (p > 0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS The results of this study suggest that better preoperative mental health status is associated with lower perceived preoperative disability but is not associated with severity of preoperative neck or arm pain. In contrast to other studies, the present study was unable to demonstrate that preoperative mental health is predictive of improvement in patient-reported outcomes at any postoperative time point following an ACDF.

ICAM (Integrated Computer-Aided Manufacturing) Manufacturing Cost/Design Guide. Volume 7. Technology Transfer Summary.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-09-01

Application Cited Deere and Company e Assist in design of electronic systems for tractors, crawlers, graders, scrapers, etc. Defense Contract Audit Agency . Aid...in developing and enhancing operational audits . DoD, Cameron Station e Conduct affordability analyses; evalu- ate new start systems. DoD, Defense...document productivity gains. e Promotes better inLustry and customer re~latons by providing a common baseline or starting polut for cost vs. perfor- vanz

Definition of experiments and instruments for a communication/navigation research laboratory. Volume 4: Programmatics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

Details are provided for scheduling, cost estimates, and support research and technology requirements for a space shuttle supported manned research laboratory to conduct selected communication and navigation experiments. A summary of the candidate program and its time phasing is included, as well as photographs of the 1/20 scale model of the shuttle supported Early Comm/Nav Research Lab showing the baseline, in-bay arrangement and the out-of-bay configuration.

Salary-Trend Studies for the Years 1993-94 and 1996-97 in the Following 27 Academic Disciplines/Major Fields: Accounting, Administrative Assistant/Secretarial Science, General;...Geology.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howe, Richard D.

This document provides comparative salary trend data for full-time faculty at 307 public institutions and 490 private colleges and universities based on two surveys, one for the baseline year 1993-94 and the other for the trend year 1996-97. For each of the 27 disciplines, a summary includes a definition of the discipline; information on average…

Centrifugal shot blasting. Innovative technology summary report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1999-07-01

At the US Department of Energy (DOE) Fernald Environmental Management Project (FEMP), the Facilities Closure and Demolition Projects Integrated Remedial Design/Remedial Action (RD/RA) work plan calls for the removal of one inch (1 in) depth of concrete surface in areas where contamination with technetium-99 has been identified. This report describes a comparative demonstration between two concrete removal technologies: an innovative system using Centrifugal Shot Blasting (CSB) and a modified baseline technology called a rotary drum planer.

Salary-Trend Studies of Faculty for the Years 1993-94 and 1996-97 in the Following 26 Academic Disciplines/Major Fields: History, General;...Visual and Performing Arts.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Howe, Richard D.

This document provides comparative salary trend data for full-time faculty at 307 public institutions and 490 private colleges and universities based on two surveys, one for the baseline year 1993-94 and the other for the trend year 1996-97. For each of the 26 disciplines, a summary includes a definition of the discipline; information on average…

76 FR 64904 - Building Energy Standards Program: Final Determination Regarding Energy Efficiency Improvements...

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-10-19

... Determination 3. Public Comments Regarding the Preliminary Determination II. Summary of the Comparative Analysis... the Department to finalize this determination. II. Summary of the Comparative Analysis DOE carried out...

76 FR 4027 - Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2011-01-24

... with Executive Order 12866, NRCS conducted an economic analysis of the potential impacts associated with this program. A summary of the economic analysis can be found at the end of the regulatory... section 1244(g) of the 1985 Act. Economic Analysis--Executive Summary The FRPP is an important tool...

Analysis of Variance with Summary Statistics in Microsoft® Excel®

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Larson, David A.; Hsu, Ko-Cheng

2010-01-01

Students regularly are asked to solve Single Factor Analysis of Variance problems given only the sample summary statistics (number of observations per category, category means, and corresponding category standard deviations). Most undergraduate students today use Excel for data analysis of this type. However, Excel, like all other statistical…

Primary Results of the Patient-Centered Disease Management (PCDM) for Heart Failure Study: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

PubMed

Bekelman, David B; Plomondon, Mary E; Carey, Evan P; Sullivan, Mark D; Nelson, Karin M; Hattler, Brack; McBryde, Connor F; Lehmann, Kenneth G; Gianola, Katherine; Heidenreich, Paul A; Rumsfeld, John S

2015-05-01

Heart failure (HF) has a major effect on patients' health status, including their symptom burden, functional status, and health-related quality of life. To determine the effectiveness of a collaborative care patient-centered disease management (PCDM) intervention to improve the health status of patients with HF. The Patient-Centered Disease Management (PCDM) trial was a multisite randomized clinical trial comparing a collaborative care PCDM intervention with usual care in patients with HF. A population-based sample of 392 patients with an HF diagnosis from 4 Veterans Affairs centers who had a Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) overall summary score of less than 60 (heavy symptom burden and impaired functional status and quality of life) were enrolled between May 2009 and June 2011. The PCDM intervention included collaborative care by a multidisciplinary care team consisting of a nurse coordinator, cardiologist, psychiatrist, and primary care physician; home telemonitoring and patient self-management support; and screening and treatment for comorbid depression. The primary outcome was change in the KCCQ overall summary score at 1 year (a 5-point change is clinically significant). Mortality, hospitalization, and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire 9) were secondary outcomes. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between patients randomized to the PCDM intervention (n=187) vs usual care (n=197); baseline mean KCCQ overall summary scores were 37.9 vs 36.9 (P=.48). There was significant improvement in the KCCQ overall summary scores in both groups after 1 year (mean change, 13.5 points in each group), with no significant difference between groups (P=.97). The intervention was not associated with greater improvement in the KCCQ overall summary scores when the effect over time was estimated using 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month data (P=.74). Among secondary outcomes, there were significantly fewer deaths at 1 year in the intervention arm (8 of 187 [4.3%]) than in the usual care arm (19 of 197 [9.6%]) (P = .04). Among those who screened positive for depression, there was a greater improvement in the Patient Health Questionnaire 9 scores after 1 year in the intervention arm than in the usual care arm (2.1 points lower, P=.01). There was no significant difference in 1-year hospitalization rates between the intervention arm and the usual care arm (29.4% vs 29.9%, P=.87). This multisite randomized trial of a multifaceted HF PCDM intervention did not demonstrate improved patient health status compared with usual care. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00461513.

The impact of a school-based safe water and hygiene programme on knowledge and practices of students and their parents: Nyanza Province, western Kenya, 2006

PubMed Central

O'REILLY, C. E.; FREEMAN, M. C.; RAVANI, M.; MIGELE, J.; MWAKI, A.; AYALO, M.; OMBEKI, S.; HOEKSTRA, R. M.; QUICK, R.

2008-01-01

SUMMARY Safe drinking water and hygiene are essential to reducing Kenya's diarrhoeal disease burden. A school-based safe water and hygiene intervention in Kenya was evaluated to assess its impact on students' knowledge and parents' adoption of safe water and hygiene practices. We surveyed 390 students from nine schools and their parents at baseline and conducted a final evaluation of 363 students and their parents. From baseline to final evaluation, improvement was seen in students' knowledge of correct water treatment procedure (21–65%, P<0·01) and knowing when to wash their hands. At final evaluation, 14% of parents reported currently treating their water, compared with 6% at baseline (P<0·01). From 2004 to 2005, school absenteeism in the September–November term decreased in nine project schools by 35% and increased in nine neighbouring comparison schools by 5%. This novel programme shows promise for reducing school absenteeism and promoting water and hygiene interventions in the home. PMID:17306051

β-Amyloid accumulation in the human brain after one night of sleep deprivation.

PubMed

Shokri-Kojori, Ehsan; Wang, Gene-Jack; Wiers, Corinde E; Demiral, Sukru B; Guo, Min; Kim, Sung Won; Lindgren, Elsa; Ramirez, Veronica; Zehra, Amna; Freeman, Clara; Miller, Gregg; Manza, Peter; Srivastava, Tansha; De Santi, Susan; Tomasi, Dardo; Benveniste, Helene; Volkow, Nora D

2018-04-24

The effects of acute sleep deprivation on β-amyloid (Aβ) clearance in the human brain have not been documented. Here we used PET and 18 F-florbetaben to measure brain Aβ burden (ABB) in 20 healthy controls tested after a night of rested sleep (baseline) and after a night of sleep deprivation. We show that one night of sleep deprivation, relative to baseline, resulted in a significant increase in Aβ burden in the right hippocampus and thalamus. These increases were associated with mood worsening following sleep deprivation, but were not related to the genetic risk (APOE genotype) for Alzheimer's disease. Additionally, baseline ABB in a range of subcortical regions and the precuneus was inversely associated with reported night sleep hours. APOE genotyping was also linked to subcortical ABB, suggesting that different Alzheimer's disease risk factors might independently affect ABB in nearby brain regions. In summary, our findings show adverse effects of one-night sleep deprivation on brain ABB and expand on prior findings of higher Aβ accumulation with chronic less sleep. Copyright © 2018 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.

SRM Internal Flow Test and Computational Fluid Dynamic Analysis. Volume 1; Major Task Summaries

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Whitesides, R. Harold; Dill, Richard A.; Purinton, David C.

1995-01-01

During the four year period of performance for NASA contract, NASB-39095, ERC has performed a wide variety of tasks to support the design and continued development of new and existing solid rocket motors and the resolution of operational problems associated with existing solid rocket motor's at NASA MSFC. This report summarizes the support provided to NASA MSFC during the contractual period of performance. The report is divided into three main sections. The first section presents summaries for the major tasks performed. These tasks are grouped into three major categories: full scale motor analysis, subscale motor analysis and cold flow analysis. The second section includes summaries describing the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) tasks performed. The third section, the appendices of the report, presents detailed descriptions of the analysis efforts as well as published papers, memoranda and final reports associated with specific tasks. These appendices are referenced in the summaries. The subsection numbers for the three sections correspond to the same topics for direct cross referencing.

The 30/20 GHz mixed user architecture development study: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

The baseline 30/30 GHz satellite communication system, designed for cost-effective communications in the years 1990 to 2000, incorporates on-board satellite demodulation and routing of individual 64 kbps digital voice-grade circuits. This level of routing flexibility is necessary to provide efficient communications to the large number of direct-to-user terminals (DTU) projected. The circuit interfacing hardware is distributed among all the DTU and master control stations. The switching circuitry which provides full interconnectivity between 30 to 45 thousand circuits is in the satellite. The DTU terminal cost, perhaps the largest element in the system cost, represents the largest economic value element of the system because it avoids using terrestrial signal distribution and routing and the charges associated with these functions. Satellite baseline design and power requirements for the system are examined.

ECLS systems for a lunar base - A baseline and some alternate concepts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hypes, Warren D.; Hall, John B., Jr.

1988-01-01

A baseline ECLS system for a lunar base manned intermittently by four crewmembers and later permanently occupied by eight crewmembers has been designed. A summary of the physical characteristics for the intermittently manned and the continuously manned bases is given. Since Space Station inheritance is a key assumption in the mission models, the ECLS system components are distributed within Space Station modules and nodes. A 'core assembly' concept is then developed to meet the objectives of both phases of the ECLS system. A supplementary study is discussed which assessed tankage requirements, penalties incurred by adding subsystem redundancy and by pressurizing large surface structures, and difficulties imposed by intermittent occupancy. Alternate concepts using lunar-derived oxygen, the gravitational field as a design aid, and a city utility-type ECLS system are also discussed.

Light sterile neutrinos

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gariazzo, S.; Giunti, C.; Laveder, M.; Li, Y. F.; Zavanin, E. M.

2016-03-01

The theory and phenomenology of light sterile neutrinos at the eV mass scale is reviewed. The reactor, gallium and Liquid Scintillator Neutrino Detector anomalies are briefly described and interpreted as indications of the existence of short-baseline oscillations which require the existence of light sterile neutrinos. The global fits of short-baseline oscillation data in 3 + 1 and 3 + 2 schemes are discussed, together with the implications for β-decay and neutrinoless double-β decay. The cosmological effects of light sterile neutrinos are briefly reviewed and the implications of existing cosmological data are discussed. The review concludes with a summary of future perspectives. This review is dedicated to the memory of Hai-Wei Long, our dear friend and collaborator, who passed away on 29 May 2015. He was an exceptionally kind person and an enthusiastic physicist. We deeply miss him.

Space Station Mission Planning System (MPS) development study. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Klus, W. J.

1987-01-01

The basic objective of the Space Station (SS) Mission Planning System (MPS) Development Study was to define a baseline Space Station mission plan and the associated hardware and software requirements for the system. A detailed definition of the Spacelab (SL) payload mission planning process and SL Mission Integration Planning System (MIPS) software was derived. A baseline concept was developed for performing SS manned base payload mission planning, and it was consistent with current Space Station design/operations concepts and philosophies. The SS MPS software requirements were defined. Also, requirements for new software include candidate programs for the application of artificial intelligence techniques to capture and make more effective use of mission planning expertise. A SS MPS Software Development Plan was developed which phases efforts for the development software to implement the SS mission planning concept.

Impact of time of initiation of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate in hospitalized Asian patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: a post hoc analysis from the PREVAIL study

PubMed Central

Li, Huafang; Li, Yan; Feng, Yu; Zhuo, Jianmin; Turkoz, Ibrahim; Mathews, Maju; Tan, Wilson

2018-01-01

Purpose To evaluate the differences in efficacy and safety outcomes in acute exacerbating schizophrenia patients between 2 subgroups (≤1 week and >1 week), differing in time interval from hospitalization to time of initiation of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate. Patients and methods PREVAIL was a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, prospective Phase IV study in hospitalized Asian patients (either sex, aged 18–65 years) diagnosed with schizophrenia (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition). Change from baseline to week 13 in primary (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] total score), secondary endpoints (PANSS responder rate, PANSS subscale, PANSS Marder factor, Clinical Global Impression-Severity, and Personal and Social Performance scale scores, readiness for hospital discharge questionnaire) and safety were assessed in this post hoc analysis. Results Significant mean reduction from baseline to week 13 in the PANSS total score, 30% PANSS responder rates (P≤0.01), PANSS subscales (positive and general psychopathology; all P≤0.01), PANSS Marder factor (positive symptoms, uncontrolled hostility, and excitement and anxiety/depression; all P≤0.01), Personal and Social Performance scale scores (P≤0.05) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity categorical summary (P≤0.05) were significantly greater in the ≤1 week subgroup versus >1 week subgroup (P≤0.05). The readiness for hospital discharge questionnaire improved over time for the overall study population, but remained similar between subgroups at all-time points. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between the subgroups. Conclusion Early initiation of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia led to greater improvements in psychotic symptoms with comparable safety than treatment initiation following 1 week of hospitalization. PMID:29731633

Impact of time of initiation of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate in hospitalized Asian patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia: a post hoc analysis from the PREVAIL study.

PubMed

Li, Huafang; Li, Yan; Feng, Yu; Zhuo, Jianmin; Turkoz, Ibrahim; Mathews, Maju; Tan, Wilson

2018-01-01

To evaluate the differences in efficacy and safety outcomes in acute exacerbating schizophrenia patients between 2 subgroups (≤1 week and >1 week), differing in time interval from hospitalization to time of initiation of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate. PREVAIL was a multicenter, single-arm, open-label, prospective Phase IV study in hospitalized Asian patients (either sex, aged 18-65 years) diagnosed with schizophrenia ( Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders , Fourth Edition). Change from baseline to week 13 in primary (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale [PANSS] total score), secondary endpoints (PANSS responder rate, PANSS subscale, PANSS Marder factor, Clinical Global Impression-Severity, and Personal and Social Performance scale scores, readiness for hospital discharge questionnaire) and safety were assessed in this post hoc analysis. Significant mean reduction from baseline to week 13 in the PANSS total score, 30% PANSS responder rates ( P ≤0.01), PANSS subscales (positive and general psychopathology; all P ≤0.01), PANSS Marder factor (positive symptoms, uncontrolled hostility, and excitement and anxiety/depression; all P ≤0.01), Personal and Social Performance scale scores ( P ≤0.05) and Clinical Global Impression-Severity categorical summary ( P ≤0.05) were significantly greater in the ≤1 week subgroup versus >1 week subgroup ( P ≤0.05). The readiness for hospital discharge questionnaire improved over time for the overall study population, but remained similar between subgroups at all-time points. Treatment-emergent adverse events were similar between the subgroups. Early initiation of once-monthly paliperidone palmitate in hospitalized patients with acute exacerbation of schizophrenia led to greater improvements in psychotic symptoms with comparable safety than treatment initiation following 1 week of hospitalization.

Job strain as a risk factor for clinical depression: systematic review and meta-analysis with additional individual participant data.

PubMed

Madsen, I E H; Nyberg, S T; Magnusson Hanson, L L; Ferrie, J E; Ahola, K; Alfredsson, L; Batty, G D; Bjorner, J B; Borritz, M; Burr, H; Chastang, J-F; de Graaf, R; Dragano, N; Hamer, M; Jokela, M; Knutsson, A; Koskenvuo, M; Koskinen, A; Leineweber, C; Niedhammer, I; Nielsen, M L; Nordin, M; Oksanen, T; Pejtersen, J H; Pentti, J; Plaisier, I; Salo, P; Singh-Manoux, A; Suominen, S; Ten Have, M; Theorell, T; Toppinen-Tanner, S; Vahtera, J; Väänänen, A; Westerholm, P J M; Westerlund, H; Fransson, E I; Heikkilä, K; Virtanen, M; Rugulies, R; Kivimäki, M

2017-06-01

Adverse psychosocial working environments characterized by job strain (the combination of high demands and low control at work) are associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms among employees, but evidence on clinically diagnosed depression is scarce. We examined job strain as a risk factor for clinical depression. We identified published cohort studies from a systematic literature search in PubMed and PsycNET and obtained 14 cohort studies with unpublished individual-level data from the Individual-Participant-Data Meta-analysis in Working Populations (IPD-Work) Consortium. Summary estimates of the association were obtained using random-effects models. Individual-level data analyses were based on a pre-published study protocol. We included six published studies with a total of 27 461 individuals and 914 incident cases of clinical depression. From unpublished datasets we included 120 221 individuals and 982 first episodes of hospital-treated clinical depression. Job strain was associated with an increased risk of clinical depression in both published [relative risk (RR) = 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.47-2.13] and unpublished datasets (RR = 1.27, 95% CI 1.04-1.55). Further individual participant analyses showed a similar association across sociodemographic subgroups and after excluding individuals with baseline somatic disease. The association was unchanged when excluding individuals with baseline depressive symptoms (RR = 1.25, 95% CI 0.94-1.65), but attenuated on adjustment for a continuous depressive symptoms score (RR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.81-1.32). Job strain may precipitate clinical depression among employees. Future intervention studies should test whether job strain is a modifiable risk factor for depression.

Interferon-free therapy in hepatitis C virus (HCV) monoinfected and HCV/HIV coinfected patients: effect on cognitive function, fatigue, and mental health.

PubMed

Kleefeld, Felix; Heller, Sophie; Ingiliz, Patrick; Jessen, Heiko; Petersen, Anders; Kopp, Ute; Kraft, Antje; Hahn, Katrin

2018-05-21

The efficacy and safety of interferon-free therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection have been reported. Considering the accumulating evidence for a direct central nervous system infection by HCV, we aim to evaluate the effect of direct acting antivirals (DAA) therapy on cognitive function in HCV patients. We conducted a longitudinal analysis of the cognitive performance of 22 patients (8 HCV+, 14 HCV+/HIV+) who completed neuropsychological testing at baseline and at week 12 after DAA therapy. In 20 patients, we analyzed specific attention parameters derived from an experimental testing based on the Theory of Visual Attention (TVA). Depression, fatigue, and mental health were assessed as patient reported outcomes. At baseline, 54.5% of the patients met the criteria for cognitive impairment and 40% showed impairment in TVA parameters. Follow-up analysis revealed significant improvements in the domains of visual memory/learning, executive functions, verbal fluency, processing speed, and motor skills but not in verbal learning and attention/working memory. We did not observe significant improvement in visual attention measured by TVA. Fatigue and mental health significantly improved at follow-up. Our findings indicate that successful DAA treatment leads to cognitive improvements in several domains measured by standard neuropsychological testing. The absence of improvement in TVA parameters and of significant improvement in the domain of attention/working memory might reflect the persistence of specific cognitive deficits after HCV eradication. In summary, DAA treatment seems to have a positive effect on some cognitive domains and leads to an improvement in mental health and fatigue in HCV-infected patients.

A simple technique investigating baseline heterogeneity helped to eliminate potential bias in meta-analyses.

PubMed

Hicks, Amy; Fairhurst, Caroline; Torgerson, David J

2018-03-01

To perform a worked example of an approach that can be used to identify and remove potentially biased trials from meta-analyses via the analysis of baseline variables. True randomisation produces treatment groups that differ only by chance; therefore, a meta-analysis of a baseline measurement should produce no overall difference and zero heterogeneity. A meta-analysis from the British Medical Journal, known to contain significant heterogeneity and imbalance in baseline age, was chosen. Meta-analyses of baseline variables were performed and trials systematically removed, starting with those with the largest t-statistic, until the I 2 measure of heterogeneity became 0%, then the outcome meta-analysis repeated with only the remaining trials as a sensitivity check. We argue that heterogeneity in a meta-analysis of baseline variables should not exist, and therefore removing trials which contribute to heterogeneity from a meta-analysis will produce a more valid result. In our example none of the overall outcomes changed when studies contributing to heterogeneity were removed. We recommend routine use of this technique, using age and a second baseline variable predictive of outcome for the particular study chosen, to help eliminate potential bias in meta-analyses. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Telehealthcare for patients suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: effects on health-related quality of life: results from the Danish ‘TeleCare North’ cluster-randomised trial

PubMed Central

Lilholt, Pernille Heyckendorff; Witt Udsen, Flemming; Ehlers, Lars; Hejlesen, Ole K

2017-01-01

Objective To assess the effect of telehealthcare compared with usual practice in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Design A cluster-randomised trial with 26 municipal districts that were randomly assigned either to an intervention group whose members received telehealthcare in addition to usual practice or to a control group whose members received usual practice only (13 districts in each arm). Setting Twenty-six municipal districts in the North Denmark Region of Denmark. Participants Patients who fulfilled the Global Initiative for COPD guidelines and one of the following criteria: COPD Assessment Test score ≥10; or Medical Research Dyspnoea Council Scale ≥3; or Modified Medical Research Dyspnoea Council Scale ≥2; or ≥2 exacerbations during the past 12 months. Main outcome measures Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessed by the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores of the Short Form 36-Item Health Survey, Version 2. Data were collected at baseline and at 12 month follow-up and analysed according to the intention-to-treat principle with complete cases, n=574 (258 interventions; 316 controls) and imputed data, n=1225 (578 interventions, 647 controls) using multilevel modelling. Results In the intention-to-treat analysis (n=1225), the raw mean difference in PCS from baseline to 12 month follow-up was −2.6 (SD 12.4) in the telehealthcare group and −2.8 (SD 11.9) in the usual practice group. The raw mean difference in MCS scores in the same period was −4.7 (SD 16.5) and −5.3 (SD 15.5) for telehealthcare and usual practice, respectively. The adjusted mean difference in PCS and MCS between groups at 12 months was 0.1 (95% CI −1.4 to 1.7) and 0.4 (95% CI −1.7 to 2.4), respectively. Conclusions The overall sample and all subgroups demonstrated no statistically significant differences in HRQoL between telehealthcare and usual practice. Trial registration number NCT01984840; Results. PMID:28490555

Transportation Analysis and Simulation System Requirements

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1973-04-01

This document provides: : a. A brief summary of overall project (PPA OS223) accomplishments during FY 72. : b. A detailed summary of the following two major FY 72 activities: : 1. Analysis of TSC's computation resources and their utilization; : 2. Pr...

Space shuttle navigation analysis. Volume 2: Baseline system navigation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jones, H. L.; Luders, G.; Matchett, G. A.; Rains, R. G.

1980-01-01

Studies related to the baseline navigation system for the orbiter are presented. The baseline navigation system studies include a covariance analysis of the Inertial Measurement Unit calibration and alignment procedures, postflight IMU error recovery for the approach and landing phases, on-orbit calibration of IMU instrument biases, and a covariance analysis of entry and prelaunch navigation system performance.

Phase I of the Near Term Hybrid Passenger Vehicle Development Program. Final report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1980-10-01

The results of Phase I of the Near-Term Hybrid Vehicle Program are summarized. This phase of the program ws a study leading to the preliminary design of a 5-passenger hybrid vehicle utilizing two energy sources (electricity and gasoline/diesel fuel) to minimize petroleum usage on a fleet basis. This report presents the following: overall summary of the Phase I activity; summary of the individual tasks; summary of the hybrid vehicle design; summary of the alternative design options; summary of the computer simulations; summary of the economic analysis; summary of the maintenance and reliability considerations; summary of the design for crash safety;more » and bibliography.« less

Missing continuous outcomes under covariate dependent missingness in cluster randomised trials

PubMed Central

Diaz-Ordaz, Karla; Bartlett, Jonathan W

2016-01-01

Attrition is a common occurrence in cluster randomised trials which leads to missing outcome data. Two approaches for analysing such trials are cluster-level analysis and individual-level analysis. This paper compares the performance of unadjusted cluster-level analysis, baseline covariate adjusted cluster-level analysis and linear mixed model analysis, under baseline covariate dependent missingness in continuous outcomes, in terms of bias, average estimated standard error and coverage probability. The methods of complete records analysis and multiple imputation are used to handle the missing outcome data. We considered four scenarios, with the missingness mechanism and baseline covariate effect on outcome either the same or different between intervention groups. We show that both unadjusted cluster-level analysis and baseline covariate adjusted cluster-level analysis give unbiased estimates of the intervention effect only if both intervention groups have the same missingness mechanisms and there is no interaction between baseline covariate and intervention group. Linear mixed model and multiple imputation give unbiased estimates under all four considered scenarios, provided that an interaction of intervention and baseline covariate is included in the model when appropriate. Cluster mean imputation has been proposed as a valid approach for handling missing outcomes in cluster randomised trials. We show that cluster mean imputation only gives unbiased estimates when missingness mechanism is the same between the intervention groups and there is no interaction between baseline covariate and intervention group. Multiple imputation shows overcoverage for small number of clusters in each intervention group. PMID:27177885

Missing continuous outcomes under covariate dependent missingness in cluster randomised trials.

PubMed

Hossain, Anower; Diaz-Ordaz, Karla; Bartlett, Jonathan W

2017-06-01

Attrition is a common occurrence in cluster randomised trials which leads to missing outcome data. Two approaches for analysing such trials are cluster-level analysis and individual-level analysis. This paper compares the performance of unadjusted cluster-level analysis, baseline covariate adjusted cluster-level analysis and linear mixed model analysis, under baseline covariate dependent missingness in continuous outcomes, in terms of bias, average estimated standard error and coverage probability. The methods of complete records analysis and multiple imputation are used to handle the missing outcome data. We considered four scenarios, with the missingness mechanism and baseline covariate effect on outcome either the same or different between intervention groups. We show that both unadjusted cluster-level analysis and baseline covariate adjusted cluster-level analysis give unbiased estimates of the intervention effect only if both intervention groups have the same missingness mechanisms and there is no interaction between baseline covariate and intervention group. Linear mixed model and multiple imputation give unbiased estimates under all four considered scenarios, provided that an interaction of intervention and baseline covariate is included in the model when appropriate. Cluster mean imputation has been proposed as a valid approach for handling missing outcomes in cluster randomised trials. We show that cluster mean imputation only gives unbiased estimates when missingness mechanism is the same between the intervention groups and there is no interaction between baseline covariate and intervention group. Multiple imputation shows overcoverage for small number of clusters in each intervention group.

The Ninevah Mission: A design summary for an unmanned mission to Venus, volume 1

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1988-01-01

The design summary for an unmanned mission to the planet Venus, with code name Ninevah, is presented. The design includes a Hohmann transfer trajectory analysis, propulsion trade study, an overview of the communication and instrumentation systems, power requirements, probe and lander analysis, and a weight and cost analysis.

Analysis of surface EMG baseline for detection of hidden muscle activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Xu; Zhou, Ping

2014-02-01

Objective. This study explored the feasibility of detecting hidden muscle activity in surface electromyogram (EMG) baseline. Approach. Power spectral density (PSD) analysis and multi-scale entropy (MSE) analysis were used. Both analyses were applied to computer simulations of surface EMG baseline with the presence (representing activity data) or absence (representing reference data) of hidden muscle activity, as well as surface electrode array EMG baseline recordings of healthy control and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) subjects. Main results. Although the simulated reference data and the activity data yielded no distinguishable difference in the time domain, they demonstrated a significant difference in the frequency and signal complexity domains with the PSD and MSE analyses. For a comparison using pooled data, such a difference was also observed when the PSD and MSE analyses were applied to surface electrode array EMG baseline recordings of healthy control and ALS subjects, which demonstrated no distinguishable difference in the time domain. Compared with the PSD analysis, the MSE analysis appeared to be more sensitive for detecting the difference in surface EMG baselines between the two groups. Significance. The findings implied the presence of a hidden muscle activity in surface EMG baseline recordings from the ALS subjects. To promote the presented analysis as a useful diagnostic or investigatory tool, future studies are necessary to assess the pathophysiological nature or origins of the hidden muscle activity, as well as the baseline difference at the individual subject level.

Analysis of Surface EMG Baseline for Detection of Hidden Muscle Activity

PubMed Central

Zhang, Xu; Zhou, Ping

2014-01-01

Objective This study explored the feasibility of detecting hidden muscle activity in surface electromyogram (EMG) baseline. Approach Power spectral density (PSD) analysis and multi-scale entropy (MSE) analysis were used respectively. Both analyses were applied to computer simulations of surface EMG baseline with presence (representing activity data) or absence (representing reference data) of hidden muscle activity, as well as surface electrode array EMG baseline recordings of healthy control and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) subjects. Main results Although the simulated reference data and the activity data yielded no distinguishable difference in the time domain, they demonstrated a significant difference in the frequency and signal complexity domains with the PSD and MSE analyses. For a comparison using pooled data, such a difference was also observed when the PSD and MSE analyses were applied to surface electrode array EMG baseline recordings of healthy control and ALS subjects, which demonstrated no distinguishable difference in the time domain. Compared with the PSD analysis, the MSE analysis appeared to be more sensitive for detecting the difference in surface EMG baselines between the two groups. Significance The findings implied presence of hidden muscle activity in surface EMG baseline recordings from the ALS subjects. To promote the presented analysis as a useful diagnostic or investigatory tool, future studies are necessary to assess the pathophysiological nature or origins of the hidden muscle activity, as well as the baseline difference at the individual subject level. PMID:24445526

Analysis of transthoracic impedance during real cardiac arrest defibrillation attempts in older children and adolescents: are stacked-shocks appropriate?

PubMed

Niles, Dana E; Nishisaki, Akira; Sutton, Robert M; Brunner, Sara; Stavland, Mette; Mahadevaiah, Shruthi; Meaney, Peter A; Maltese, Matthew R; Berg, Robert A; Nadkarni, Vinay M

2010-11-01

In 2005, the AHA changed the treatment recommendation for shockable rhythms from 3 transthoracic stacked-shocks to a single shock followed by immediate chest compressions. The stacked-shock recommendation was based on low first-shock efficacy of monophasic waveforms and the theoretical decrease in transthoracic impedance (TTI) following each shock. The objective of this study was to characterize TTI following biphasic defibrillation attempts in children ≥ 8 yrs during cardiac arrest to assess whether a stacked-shock approach may be appropriate to improve defibrillation success. TTI (Ohms (Ω)) was collected via standard anterior-apical defibrillator electrode pads during consecutive in-hospital cardiac arrest biphasic defibrillation attempts in children ≥ 8 yrs. Analytic data points for TTI were: 0.1s pre-shock (baseline); post-shock at 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 s. TTI variables analyzed with descriptive summaries/paired t-test. p values < 0.05 considered statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Analysis yielded 13 evaluable shock events during 5 cardiac arrests (mean age 14.3 ± 5 yrs, weight 47.4 ± 7.3 kg) between September 2006 and May 2009. Compared to 0.1s pre-shock baseline values (56.8 ± 23.4 Ω), TTI was significantly lower immediately 0.1s post-shock (55.2 ± 22.2 Ω, p = 0.003). Post-shock mean difference from baseline was 1.6 Ω at 0.1s (p = 0.015), 1.4 Ω at 0.5s (p = 0.019) 1.4 Ω at 1.0 s (p = 0.023), 1.1 Ω at 1.5 s (p = 0.028), and 0.95 Ω at 2.0 s (p = 0.096). Time to recharge our clinical defibrillators to standard biphasic shock dose was 2.80 ± 0.05 s. During cardiac arrests in children ≥ 8 yrs, TTI decreased after biphasic shocks, but the limited magnitude and duration of TTI changes suggest that stacked-shocks would not improve defibrillation success. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Department of Defense Base Structure Report Fiscal Year 2009 Baseline (A Summary of DoD’s Real Property Inventory)

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-01-01

Reserve 0 0 Alpena County Regional Airport Alpena 99 475,568 0 0 695668 244.3 253 0 0AF Guard 0 0 CTC Fort Custer Trng Center Augusta 128 504,353 0 0...OTHER SITE(S) 1 960 512 7,010,811 2 8,540 8,2344,750 2,810.3 5,176 2,067 0Massachusetts Total: 13 102,568 Michigan Alpena County Regional Airport Alpena

Department of Defense Base Structure Report: Fiscal Year 2008 Baseline (A Summary of DoD’s Real Property Inventory)

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

Robert L Poxon USARC Southfield 6 93,477 0 0 2626 23.8 631 11 2Army Reserve 0 0 Alpena County Regional Airport Alpena 102 461,849 0 0 695668 250.7 121 0...0 8,1094,745 2,677.1 5,659 2,051 0Massachusetts Total: 12 101,608 Michigan Alpena County Regional Airport Alpena 102 461,849 0 0 695668 250.7 121 0

Study of a tracking and data acquisition system for the 1990's. Volume 1: User community characteristics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mccreary, T.

1981-01-01

Projected 1990's experiments; navigation requirements and potentials; communications requirements associated with space experiments; alternative forecast options; and operational impacts on experiments are covered. A baseline of plans for the TDAS User Community, including a set of generic experiments developed to supplement existing planning for the 1990's time frame is generated. It includes extensive summaries of collected data, and a bibliography. The data are representative of inputs obtained from NASA planning sources through September 1981.

AAFE large deployable antenna development program: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

The large deployable antenna development program sponsored by the Advanced Applications Flight Experiments of the Langley Research Center is summarized. Projected user requirements for large diameter deployable reflector antennas were reviewed. Trade-off studies for the selection of a design concept for 10-meter diameter reflectors were made. A hoop/column concept was selected as the baseline concept. Parametric data are presented for 15-meter, 30-meter, and 100-meter diameters. A 1.82-meter diameter engineering model which demonstrated the feasiblity of the concept is described.

Phase 1 Environmental Baseline Survey for the Acquisition of a Utility Easement by Clark County from Nellis Air Force Base, Clark County, Nevada

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-01-01

ERP) that is managed by the Restoration Program Manager (RPM) of the 99 CES/CEVR. Category 4 – Remedial action required and taken. Property where...are listed below and summaries of their interviews are presented in Appendix E. Mr. D.J. Haarklau, 99 CES/CEVC, Environmental POLs Program Manager ...Mr. Haarklau, who has been the POLs Program manager for 10 years, provided GSRC with information pertaining to reportable quantity spills that have

System design of the Pioneer Venus spacecraft. Volume 5: Probe vehicle studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Nolte, L. J.; Stephenson, D. S.

1973-01-01

A summary of the key issues and studies conducted for the Pioneer Venus spacecraft and the resulting probe designs are presented. The key deceleration module issues are aerodynamic configuration and heat shield material selection. The design and development of the pressure vessel module are explained. Thermal control and science integration of the pressure vessel module are explained. The deceleration module heat shield, parachute and separation/despin are reported. The Thor/Delta and Atlas/Centaur baseline descriptions are provided.

Quiet Clean Short-haul Experimental Engine (QCSEE) Under-The-Wing (UTW) engine composite nacelle test report. Volume 1: Summary, aerodynamic and mechanical performance

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

The performance test results of the final under-the-wing engine configuration are presented. One hundred and six hours of engine operation were completed, including mechanical and performance checkout, baseline acoustic testing with a bellmouth inlet, reverse thrust testing, acoustic technology tests, and limited controls testing. The engine includes a variable pitch fan having advanced composite fan blades and using a ball-spline pitch actuation system.

Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor Program Overview and Lessons Learned

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Graves, Stan R.; McCool, Alex (Technical Monitor)

2001-01-01

An overview of the Space Shuttle Reusable Solid Rocket Motor (RSRM) program is provided with a summary of lessons learned since the first test firing in 1977. Fifteen different lessons learned are discussed that fundamentally changed the motor's design, processing, and RSRM program risk management systems. The evolution of the rocket motor design is presented including the baseline or High Performance Solid Rocket Motor (HPM), the Filament Wound Case (FWC), the RSRM, and the proposed Five-Segment Booster (FSB).

The second iteration of the Systems Prioritization Method: A systems prioritization and decision-aiding tool for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant: Volume 2, Summary of technical input and model implementation

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Prindle, N.H.; Mendenhall, F.T.; Trauth, K.

1996-05-01

The Systems Prioritization Method (SPM) is a decision-aiding tool developed by Sandia National Laboratories (SNL). SPM provides an analytical basis for supporting programmatic decisions for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) to meet selected portions of the applicable US EPA long-term performance regulations. The first iteration of SPM (SPM-1), the prototype for SPM< was completed in 1994. It served as a benchmark and a test bed for developing the tools needed for the second iteration of SPM (SPM-2). SPM-2, completed in 1995, is intended for programmatic decision making. This is Volume II of the three-volume final report of the secondmore » iteration of the SPM. It describes the technical input and model implementation for SPM-2, and presents the SPM-2 technical baseline and the activities, activity outcomes, outcome probabilities, and the input parameters for SPM-2 analysis.« less

graphkernels: R and Python packages for graph comparison

PubMed Central

Ghisu, M Elisabetta; Llinares-López, Felipe; Borgwardt, Karsten

2018-01-01

Abstract Summary Measuring the similarity of graphs is a fundamental step in the analysis of graph-structured data, which is omnipresent in computational biology. Graph kernels have been proposed as a powerful and efficient approach to this problem of graph comparison. Here we provide graphkernels, the first R and Python graph kernel libraries including baseline kernels such as label histogram based kernels, classic graph kernels such as random walk based kernels, and the state-of-the-art Weisfeiler-Lehman graph kernel. The core of all graph kernels is implemented in C ++ for efficiency. Using the kernel matrices computed by the package, we can easily perform tasks such as classification, regression and clustering on graph-structured samples. Availability and implementation The R and Python packages including source code are available at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=graphkernels and https://pypi.python.org/pypi/graphkernels. Contact mahito@nii.ac.jp or elisabetta.ghisu@bsse.ethz.ch Supplementary information Supplementary data are available online at Bioinformatics. PMID:29028902

A Small Fission Power System with Stirling Power Conversion for NASA Science Missions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mason, Lee; Carmichael, Chad

2011-01-01

In early 2010, a joint National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and Department of Energy (DOE) study team developed a concept for a 1 kWe Fission Power System with a 15-year design life that could be available for a 2020 launch to support future NASA science missions. The baseline concept included a solid block uranium-molybdenum reactor core with embedded heat pipes and distributed thermoelectric converters directly coupled to aluminum radiator fins. A short follow-on study was conducted at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) to evaluate an alternative power conversion approach. The GRC study considered the use of free-piston Stirling power conversion as a substitution to the thermoelectric converters. The resulting concept enables a power increase to 3 kWe with the same reactor design and scalability to 10 kW without changing the reactor technology. This paper presents the configuration layout, system performance, mass summary, and heat transfer analysis resulting from the study.

Fort Irwin integrated resource assessment. Volume 3: Sitewide Energy Project identification for buildings and facilities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Keller, J.M.; Dittmer, A.L.; Elliott, D.B.

1995-02-01

The U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) has tasked the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), supported by the Pacific Northwest Laboratory, to identify, evaluate, and assist in acquiring all cost-effective energy projects at Fort Irwin. This is part of a model program that PNL is designing to support energy-use decisions in the federal sector. This report provides the results of the fossil fuel and electric energy resource opportunity (ERO) assessments performed by PNL at the FORSCOM Fort Irwin facility located near Barstow, California. It is a companion report to Volume 1, Executive Summary, and Volume 2,more » Baseline Detail. The results of the analyses of EROs are presented in 16 common energy end-use categories (e.g., boilers and furnaces, service hot water, and building lighting). A narrative description of each ERO is provided, along with a table detailing information on the installed cost, energy and dollar savings; impacts on operations and maintenance (O&M); and, when applicable, a discussion of energy supply and demand, energy security, and environmental issues. A description of the evaluation methodologies and technical and cost assumptions is also provided for each ERO. Summary tables present the cost-effectiveness of energy end-use equipment before and after the implementation of each ERO and present the results of the life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis indicating the net present valve (NPV) and savings-to-investment ratio (SIR) of each ERO.« less

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sullivan, G.P.; Keller, J.M.; Stucky, D.J.

The US Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) has tasked the US Department of Energy (DOE) Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP), supported by the Pacific Northwest Laboratory, to identify, evaluate, and assist in acquiring all cost-effective energy projects at Fort Stewart. This is part of a model program that PNL is designing to support energy-use decisions in the federal sector. This report provides the results of the fossil fuel and electric energy resource opportunity (ERO) assessments performed by PNL at the FORSCOM Fort Stewart facility located approximately 25 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia. It is a companion report to Volume 1, Executivemore » Summary, and Volume 2, Baseline Detail. The results of the analyses of EROs are presented in 11 common energy end-use categories (e.g., boilers and furnaces, service hot water, and building lighting). A narrative description of each ERO is provided, along with a table detailing information on the installed cost, energy and dollar savings; impacts on operations and maintenance (O&M); and, when applicable, a discussion of energy supply and demand, energy security, and environmental issues. A description of the evaluation methodologies and technical and cost assumptions is also provided for each ERO. Summary tables present the cost-effectiveness of energy end-use equipment before and after the implementation of each ERO. The tables also present the results of the life-cycle cost (LCC) analysis indicating the net present value (NPV) and savings to investment ratio (SIR) of each ERO.« less

Enhancing nurse and physician collaboration in clinical decision making through high-fidelity interdisciplinary simulation training.

PubMed

Maxson, Pamela M; Dozois, Eric J; Holubar, Stefan D; Wrobleski, Diane M; Dube, Joyce A Overman; Klipfel, Janee M; Arnold, Jacqueline J

2011-01-01

To determine whether interdisciplinary simulation team training can positively affect registered nurse and/or physician perceptions of collaboration in clinical decision making. Between March 1 and April 21, 2009, a convenience sample of volunteer nurses and physicians was recruited to undergo simulation training consisting of a team response to 3 clinical scenarios. Participants completed the Collaboration and Satisfaction About Care Decisions (CSACD) survey before training and at 2 weeks and 2 months after training. Differences in CSACD summary scores between the time points were assessed with paired t tests. Twenty-eight health care professionals (19 nurses, 9 physicians) underwent simulation training. Nurses were of similar age to physicians (27.3 vs 34.5 years; p = .82), were more likely to be women (95.0% vs 12.5%; p < .001), and were less likely to have undergone prior simulation training (0% vs 37.5%; p = .02). The pretest showed that physicians were more likely to perceive that open communication exists between nurses and physicians (p = .04) and that both medical and nursing concerns influence the decision-making process (p = .02). Pretest CSACD analysis revealed that most participants were dissatisfied with the decision-making process. The CSACD summary score showed significant improvement from baseline to 2 weeks (4.2 to 5.1; p < .002), a trend that persisted at 2 months (p < .002). Team training using high-fidelity simulation scenarios promoted collaboration between nurses and physicians and enhanced the patient care decision-making process.

The International Classification of Functioning as an explanatory model of health after distal radius fracture: A cohort study

PubMed Central

Harris, Jocelyn E; MacDermid, Joy C; Roth, James

2005-01-01

Background Distal radius fractures are common injuries that have an increasing impact on health across the lifespan. The purpose of this study was to identify health impacts in body structure/function, activity, and participation at baseline and follow-up, to determine whether they support the ICF model of health. Methods This is a prospective cohort study of 790 individuals who were assessed at 1 week, 3 months, and 1 year post injury. The Patient Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE), The Wrist Outcome Measure (WOM), and the Medical Outcome Survey Short-Form (SF-36) were used to measure impairment, activity, participation, and health. Multiple regression was used to develop explanatory models of health outcome. Results Regression analysis showed that the PRWE explained between 13% (one week) and 33% (three months) of the SF-36 Physical Component Summary Scores with pain, activities and participation subscales showing dominant effects at different stages of recovery. PRWE scores were less related to Mental Component Summary Scores, 10% (three months) and 8% (one year). Wrist impairment scores were less powerful predictors of health status than the PRWE. Conclusion The ICF is an informative model for examining distal radius fracture. Difficulty in the domains of activity and participation were able to explain a significant portion of physical health. Post-fracture rehabilitation and outcome assessments should extend beyond physical impairment to insure comprehensive treatment to individuals with distal radius fracture. PMID:16288664

Airborne incidents : an econometric analysis of severity, December 31, 2014 : technical summary

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2014-12-31

This is a technical summary of the Airborne Incidents: An Econometric Analysis of Severity main report. : Airborne loss of separation incidents occur when an aircraft breaches the defined separation limit (vertical and/or horizontal) with anoth...

Baseline tests for arc melter vitrification of INEL buried wastes. Volume II: Baseline test data appendices

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oden, L.L.; O`Conner, W.K.; Turner, P.C.

1993-11-19

This report presents field results and raw data from the Buried Waste Integrated Demonstration (BWID) Arc Melter Vitrification Project Phase 1 baseline test series conducted by the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL) in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM). The baseline test series was conducted using the electric arc melter facility at the USBM Albany Research Center in Albany, Oregon. Five different surrogate waste feed mixtures were tested that simulated thermally-oxidized, buried, TRU-contaminated, mixed wastes and soils present at the INEL. The USBM Arc Furnace Integrated Waste Processing Test Facility includes a continuous feed system, the arc meltingmore » furnace, an offgas control system, and utilities. The melter is a sealed, 3-phase alternating current (ac) furnace approximately 2 m high and 1.3 m wide. The furnace has a capacity of 1 metric ton of steel and can process as much as 1,500 lb/h of soil-type waste materials. The surrogate feed materials included five mixtures designed to simulate incinerated TRU-contaminated buried waste materials mixed with INEL soil. Process samples, melter system operations data and offgas composition data were obtained during the baseline tests to evaluate the melter performance and meet test objectives. Samples and data gathered during this program included (a) automatically and manually logged melter systems operations data, (b) process samples of slag, metal and fume solids, and (c) offgas composition, temperature, velocity, flowrate, moisture content, particulate loading and metals content. This report consists of 2 volumes: Volume I summarizes the baseline test operations. It includes an executive summary, system and facility description, review of the surrogate waste mixtures, and a description of the baseline test activities, measurements, and sample collection. Volume II contains the raw test data and sample analyses from samples collected during the baseline tests.« less

Improvements in health‐related quality of life over 3 years with liraglutide 3.0 mg compared with placebo in participants with overweight or obesity

PubMed Central

Gabriel Smolarz, B.; Meincke, H. H.; Fujioka, K.

2017-01-01

Summary Previously in the SCALE Obesity and Prediabetes trial, at 1 year, participants with obesity (or overweight with comorbidities) and prediabetes receiving liraglutide 3.0 mg experienced greater improvements in health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) than those receiving placebo. The current study extends these findings by examining 3‐year changes in HRQoL. HRQoL was assessed using the obesity‐specific Impact of Weight on Quality of Life‐Lite (IWQOL‐Lite) questionnaire, as well as the Short‐Form 36 v2 (SF‐36) health survey. At 3 years, mean change (±standard deviation) in IWQOL‐Lite total score from baseline for liraglutide (n = 1472) was 11.0 ± 14.2, vs. 8.1 ± 14.7 for placebo (n = 738) (estimated treatment difference [ETD] 3.4 [95% confidence interval (CI): 2.0, 4.7], P < 0.0001). Mean change in SF‐36 physical component summary (PCS) score from baseline for liraglutide was 3.1 ± 7.3, vs. 2.6 ± 7.6 for placebo (ETD 0.87 [95% CI: 0.17, 1.6], P = 0.0156). Mean change in SF‐36 mental component summary score did not significantly differ between groups. Both IWQOL‐Lite total score and PCS score demonstrated an association between greater HRQoL improvement with higher weight loss. Liraglutide 3.0 mg was also associated with improved health utility (Short‐Form‐6D and EuroQol‐5D, mapped from IWQOL‐Lite and/or SF‐36) vs. placebo. Liraglutide 3.0 mg, plus diet and exercise, is associated with long‐term improvements in HRQoL with obesity or overweight with comorbidity vs. placebo. PMID:29045079

Managing Noncommunicable Diseases in an African Community: Effects, Compliance, and Barriers to Participation in a 4-Week Exercise Intervention.

PubMed

Onagbiye, Sunday O; Moss, Sarah J; Cameron, Melainie

2016-04-01

To determine the compliance, barriers, and effects of participation in a 4-week exercise intervention aimed at reducing risk factors for noncommunicable diseases among community-dwelling adults from a low-resourced area of South Africa. An exercise program and associated pre-posttest were performed by 76 participants (men, n = 26 and women, n = 50) aged 35 to 65 years. Baseline and end tests included height, weight, hip and waist circumference, heart rate, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol, quality of life, and cardiorespiratory fitness measurements. The intervention consisted of 3 days/week combined aerobic and resistance exercise at an intensity of 70% heart rate reserved as determined at baseline. Compliance and barriers to participation were determined post-intervention by means of attendance registers and interviews. ANCOVA with adjustment for pretest was performed for all repeated variables. The Cronbach's alpha coefficients for exercise benefits were 0.81 and for barriers 0.84. Of the 26 men (40.8 ± 5.45 years) and 50 women (43.6 ± 7.8 years) recruited, 54 completed the intervention (71% compliance). The 4-week aerobic exercise intervention significantly reduced body mass, rate of perceived exertion, and mental components summary in men, and body mass, body mass index, VO2max, rate of perceived exertion, glucose, physical components summary, and mental components summary in women. Participants reported that the exercise milieu as a major barrier to exercise compliance while the interviews reported lack of time. A 1-month exercise intervention elucidated positive changes in risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in a low-resource community. A drop-out rate of 29% in this study is consistent with other exercise intervention trials. Exploration of the reported barriers may be useful for planning to increase compliance with future programs. © The Author(s) 2016.

Covariate Measurement Error Correction Methods in Mediation Analysis with Failure Time Data

PubMed Central

Zhao, Shanshan

2014-01-01

Summary Mediation analysis is important for understanding the mechanisms whereby one variable causes changes in another. Measurement error could obscure the ability of the potential mediator to explain such changes. This paper focuses on developing correction methods for measurement error in the mediator with failure time outcomes. We consider a broad definition of measurement error, including technical error and error associated with temporal variation. The underlying model with the ‘true’ mediator is assumed to be of the Cox proportional hazards model form. The induced hazard ratio for the observed mediator no longer has a simple form independent of the baseline hazard function, due to the conditioning event. We propose a mean-variance regression calibration approach and a follow-up time regression calibration approach, to approximate the partial likelihood for the induced hazard function. Both methods demonstrate value in assessing mediation effects in simulation studies. These methods are generalized to multiple biomarkers and to both case-cohort and nested case-control sampling design. We apply these correction methods to the Women's Health Initiative hormone therapy trials to understand the mediation effect of several serum sex hormone measures on the relationship between postmenopausal hormone therapy and breast cancer risk. PMID:25139469

Efficacy and safety of secukinumab in Asian patients with active ankylosing spondylitis: 52-week pooled results from two phase 3 studies.

PubMed

Wei, James C-C; Baeten, Dominique; Sieper, Joachim; Deodhar, Atul; Bhosekar, Vaishali; Martin, Ruvie; Porter, Brian

2017-05-01

To evaluate efficacy and safety of secukinumab in Asian patients with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS) via a pooled subgroup analysis from two phase 3 studies, MEASURE 1 (NCT01358175) and MEASURE 2 (NCT01649375). In MEASURE 1, patients were randomized to intravenous secukinumab 10 mg/kg or placebo at baseline, Weeks 2 and 4, followed by subcutaneous (s.c.) secukinumab 150 mg, 75 mg or placebo every 4 weeks (q4w) at Week 8. In MEASURE 2, patients were randomized to s.c. secukinumab 150 mg, 75 mg or placebo at baseline, Weeks 1, 2 and 3, and q4w starting at Week 4. Efficacy outcomes were SpondyloArthritis International Society (ASAS) 20/40, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), ASAS5/6, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Short Form-36 physical component summary, AS quality of life (QoL), ASAS partial remission, and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score - CRP at Weeks 16 and 52. Due to lack of efficacy, the secukinumab 75 mg dose in MEASURE 2 was excluded from this pooled Asian subgroup analysis. Safety analysis included patients who received ≥ 1 dose of study treatment. Of 517 patients enrolled into the MEASURE studies, 69 (13.3%) were Asians: 46 in pooled secukinumab and 23 in placebo. At Week 16, ASAS20/40 responses in Asian patients were 69.6%/43.5% with pooled secukinumab versus 26.1%/17.4% with placebo, which were comparable with rates reported in the overall study population. Secukinumab improved predefined efficacy endpoints at Week 16, with responses sustained through Week 52. Secukinumab was well tolerated in Asian patients, with a safety profile consistent with that reported in the overall study population. Secukinumab improved signs and symptoms, physical function, and disease-specific QoL in Asian patients with active AS. © 2017 Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Climate Engineering Research

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Belter, C. W.; Seidel, D. J.

2013-12-01

The past five years have seen a dramatic increase in the number of media and scientific publications on the topic of climate engineering, or geoengineering, and some scientists are increasingly calling for more research on climate engineering as a possible supplement to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. In this context, understanding the current state of climate engineering research can help inform policy discussions and guide future research directions. Bibliometric analysis - the quantitative analysis of publications - is particularly applicable to fields with large bodies of literature that are difficult to summarize by traditional review methods. The multidisciplinary nature of the published literature on climate engineering makes it an ideal candidate for bibliometric analysis. Publications on climate engineering are found to be relatively recent (more than half of all articles during 1988-2011 were published since 2008), include a higher than average percentage of non-research articles (30% compared with 8-15% in related scientific disciplines), and be predominately produced by countries located in the Northern Hemisphere and speaking English. The majority of this literature focuses on land-based methods of carbon sequestration, ocean iron fertilization, and solar radiation management and is produced with little collaboration among research groups. This study provides a summary of existing publications on climate engineering, a perspective on the scientific underpinnings of the global dialogue on climate engineering, and a baseline for quantitatively monitoring the development of climate engineering research in the future.

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Baseline Ohip-Edent Scores.

PubMed

Duale, J M J; Patel, Y A; Wu, J; Hyde, T P

2018-03-01

OHIP-EDENT is widely used in the literature to assess Oral-Health-Related-Quality-of-Life (OHRQoL) for edentulous patients. However the normal variance and mean of the baseline OHIP scores has not been reported. It would facilitate critical appraisal of studies if we had knowledge of the normal variation and mean of baseline OHIP-EDENT scores. An established figure for baseline OHIP-EDENT, obtained from a meta-analysis, would simplify comparisons of studies and quantify variations in initial OHRQoL of the trial participants. The aim of this study is to quantify a normal baseline value for pre-operative OHIP-EDENT scores by a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available literature. A systematic literature review was carried. 83 papers were identified that included OHIP-EDENT values. After screening and eligibility assessment, 7 papers were selected and included in the meta-analysis. A meta-analysis for the 7 papers by a random-effect model yielded a mean baseline OHIP-EDENT score of 28.63 with a 95% Confidence intervals from 21.93 to 35.34. A pre-operative baseline OHIP-EDENT has been established by meta-analysis of published papers. This will facilitate the comparison of the initial OHRQoL of one study population to that found elsewhere in the published literature. Copyright© 2018 Dennis Barber Ltd.

Associations of cumulative Pb exposure and longitudinal changes in Mini-Mental Status Exam scores, global cognition and domains of cognition: The VA Normative Aging Study

PubMed Central

Farooqui, Zishaan; Bakulski, Kelly M.; Power, Melinda C.; Weisskopf, Marc G.; Sparrow, David; Spiro, Avron; Vokonas, Pantel S.; Nie, Huiling; Hu, Howard; Park, Sung Kyun

2016-01-01

Background Lead (Pb) exposure has been associated with poorer cognitive function cross-sectionally in aging adults, however the association between cumulative Pb exposure and longitudinal changes in cognition is little characterized. Methods In a 1993–2007 subcohort of the VA Normative Aging Study (Mini-mental status exam (MMSE) n=741; global cognition summary score n=715), we used linear mixed effects models to test associations between cumulative Pb exposure (patella or tibia bone Pb) and repeated measures of cognition (MMSE, individual cognitive tests, and global cognition summary). Cox proportional hazard modeling assessed the risk of an MMSE score falling below 25. Results Among men 51–98 at baseline, higher patella Pb concentration (IQR: 21 µg/g) was associated with −0.13 lower baseline MMSE (95% CI: −0.25, −0.004) and faster longitudinal MMSE decline (−0.016 units/year, 95% CI: −0.032, −0.0004) over 15 years. Each IQR increase in patella Pb was associated with increased risk of a MMSE score below 25 (HR=1.21, 95% CI: 0.99, 1.49; p=0.07). There were no significant associations between Pb and global cognition (both baseline and longitudinal change). Patella Pb was associated with faster longitudinal decline in Word List Total Recall in the language domain (0.014 units/year, 95% CI: −0.026, −0.001) and Word List Delayed Recall in the memory domain (0.014 units/year, 95% CI: −0.027, −0.002). We found weaker associations with tibia Pb. Conclusions Cumulative Pb exposure is associated with faster declines in MMSE and Word List Total and Delayed Recall tests. These findings support the hypothesis that Pb exposure accelerates cognitive aging. PMID:27770710

Impact of a weight management program on health-related quality of life in overweight adults with type 2 diabetes.

PubMed

Williamson, Donald A; Rejeski, Jack; Lang, Wei; Van Dorsten, Brent; Fabricatore, Anthony N; Toledo, Katie

2009-01-26

Inconsistent findings have been reported regarding improved health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after weight loss. We tested the efficacy of a weight management program for improving HRQOL in overweight or obese adults diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes mellitus. We conducted a randomized multisite clinical trial at 16 outpatient research centers with 2 treatment arms and blinded measurements at baseline and the end of year 1. A total of 5145 participants (mean [SD] age, 58.7 [6.9] years; mean [SD] body mass index [calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared], 36.0 [5.9]; 59.5% women; 63.1% white) were randomized to an intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) or to diabetes support and education (DSE). Main outcome measures included the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey physical component summary (PCS) and mental health component summary (MCS) scores and Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) scores. Baseline mean (SD) scores were 47.9 (7.9) for PCS, 54.0 (8.1) for MCS, and 5.7 (5.0) for BDI-II. Improved HRQOL was demonstrated by the PCS and BDI-II scores (P < .001) in the ILI arm compared with the DSE arm. The largest effect was observed for the PCS score (difference, -2.91; 99% confidence interval, -3.44 to -2.37). The greatest HRQOL improvement occurred in participants with the lowest baseline HRQOL levels. Mean (SD) changes in weight (ILI, -8.77 [8.2] kg and DSE, -0.86 [5.0] kg), improved fitness, and improved physical symptoms mediated treatment effects associated with the BDI-II and PCS. Overweight adults diagnosed as having type 2 diabetes experienced significant improvement in HRQOL by enrolling in a weight management program that yielded significant weight loss, improved physical fitness, and reduced physical symptoms. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00017953.

Understanding the Disease Course and Therapeutic Benefit of Tafamidis Across Real-World Studies of Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloidosis with Polyneuropathy: A Proof of Concept for Integrative Data Analytic Approaches.

PubMed

Serrano, Daniel; Atzinger, Christopher B; Botteman, Marc F

2018-06-01

Hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis with polyneuropathy (hATTR-PN) is a rare, autosomal dominant amyloidosis characterized primarily by progressive ascending sensorimotor neuropathy often associated with  autonomic involvement. hATTR-PN is caused by a mutation in the TTR gene leading to protein misfolding and amyloid accumulation in peripheral nerves and vital organs. The latest global prevalence estimates point to 10,000 cases worldwide, with an upper end of about 40,000. Tafamidis has been approved in over 40 countries for delaying neurologic disease progression in early-stage hATTR-PN. Multiple observational studies have examined clinical outcomes in hATTR-PN patients treated with tafamidis in the routine clinical setting. Integrative data analysis (IDA) is a technique for optimally constructing synthetic treatment and control cohorts from multiple independent studies, which allows meta-analysis of patient-level data. Herein, we provide a proof of concept for the application of IDA to real-world and natural history hATTR-PN data. IDA permits increased understanding of outcomes in tafamidis-treated and untreated persons with hATTR-PN by optimally pooling all available information. Summary statistics corresponding to the Neuropathy Impairment Score-Lower Limb (NIS-LL) from five published studies were pooled, converted to change from baseline means and variances, and analyzed using IDA. IDA-based synthetic cohorts were generated by averaging across studies stratified on treatment versus control cohort. Trends in change from baseline in each study and the corresponding synthetic cohorts were plotted. Patient-level data were simulated from the synthetic cohort trends in a Monte Carlo simulation to highlight the ability to contrast synthetic cohort trends using the mixed model for repeated measures (MMRM). The average sample size among the five studies was 71 (37-128) patients. The average NIS-LL trends indicated that tafamidis-treated patients experienced slower progression in neuropathy compared to untreated patients. Synthetic cohort trends reflected the trends observed in the contributing studies, while simultaneously shrinking the width of corresponding confidence bands. Monte Carlo simulation results demonstrated precise recovery of the synthetic cohort and time-dependent simulated NIS-LL means by the MMRM. This proof of concept demonstrates the utility of IDA-based synthetic cohorts for increased precision in characterizing and testing hypotheses about treatment outcomes and prognosis in hATTR-PN. Pfizer. Plain language summary available for this article.

Baseline geochemistry of soil and bedrock Tshirege Member of the Bandelier Tuff at MDA-P

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Warren, R.G.; McDonald, E.V.; Ryti, R.T.

1997-08-01

This report provides baseline geochemistry for soils (including fill), and for bedrock within three specific areas that are planned for use in the remediation of Material Disposal Area P (MDA-P) at Technical Area 16 (TA-16). The baseline chemistry includes leachable element concentrations for both soils and bedrock and total element concentrations for all soil samples and for two selected bedrock samples. MDA-P operated from the early 1950s to 1984 as a landfill for rubble and debris generated by the burning of high explosives (HE) at the TA-16 Burning Ground, HE-contaminated equipment and material, barium nitrate sand, building materials, and trash.more » The aim of this report is to establish causes for recognizable chemical differences between the background and baseline data sets. In many cases, the authors conclude that recognizable differences represent natural enrichments. In other cases, differences are best attributed to analytical problems. But most importantly, the comparison of background and baseline geochemistry demonstrates significant contamination for several elements not only at the two remedial sites near the TA-16 Burning Ground, but also within the entire region of the background study. This contamination is highly localized very near to the surface in soil and fill, and probably also in bedrock; consequently, upper tolerance limits (UTLs) calculated as upper 95% confidence limits of the 95th percentile are of little value and thus are not provided. This report instead provides basic statistical summaries and graphical comparisons for background and baseline samples to guide strategies for remediation of the three sites to be used in the restoration of MDA-P.« less

Substance P is increased in patients with sickle cell disease and associated with haemolysis and hydroxycarbamide use

PubMed Central

Brandow, Amanda M.; Wandersee, Nancy J.; Dasgupta, Mahua; Hoffmann, Raymond G.; Hillery, Cheryl A.; Stucky, Cheryl L.; Panepinto, Julie A.

2016-01-01

Summary Sickle cell disease (SCD) pain transitions from acute to chronic for unknown reasons. Chronic elevation of the pain neurotransmitter substance P (SP) sensitizes pain nociceptors. We evaluated SP levels in controls and SCD patients during baseline and acute pain and investigated associations between SP and age, gender, pain history, haemolysis and hydroxycarbamide (also termed hydroxyurea) use. Plasma SP levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Independent samples t-test compared SP levels between: 1) SCD baseline and controls and 2) SCD baseline and acute pain. Multivariate linear regression determined associations between SP and age, gender, pain history and hydroxycarbamide use. Spearman correlation determined an association between SP and haemolysis. We enrolled 35 African American controls, 25 SCD baseline and 12 SCD pain patients. SCD patients were 7-19 years old. Mean±standard deviation SP level (pg/ml) in SCD baseline was higher than controls (32.4±11.6 vs. 22.9±7.6, P=0.0009). SP in SCD pain was higher than baseline (78.1±43.4 vs. 32.4±11.6, P=0.004). Haemolysis correlated with increased SP: Hb (r=−0.7, P=0.0002), reticulocyte count (r=0.61, P=0.0016), bilirubin (r=0.68, P=0.0216), LDH (r=0.62, P=0.0332), aspartate aminotransferase (r=0.68, P=0.003). Patients taking hydroxycarbamide had increased SP (β=29.2, P=0.007). SP could be a mediator of or marker for pain sensitization in SCD and a biomarker and/or target for novel pain treatment. PMID:27539682

Effects of a Gluten-Free Diet on Rate of Learning in Autistic Children in an Applied Behavioral Analysis Program: Summary Analysis.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pontino, Jamie Lyn; Schaal, Kelly; Chambliss, Catherine

This summary analysis discusses a series of studies that used both between-subjects and within-subjects analyses to examine the effects of a gluten-free diet on the academic achievement of children with autism. In the first study, the between-subjects analysis included data from eight children with autism (ages 5-7), with four on a gluten-free…

Controlling the joint local false discovery rate is more powerful than meta-analysis methods in joint analysis of summary statistics from multiple genome-wide association studies.

PubMed

Jiang, Wei; Yu, Weichuan

2017-02-15

In genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of common diseases/traits, we often analyze multiple GWASs with the same phenotype together to discover associated genetic variants with higher power. Since it is difficult to access data with detailed individual measurements, summary-statistics-based meta-analysis methods have become popular to jointly analyze datasets from multiple GWASs. In this paper, we propose a novel summary-statistics-based joint analysis method based on controlling the joint local false discovery rate (Jlfdr). We prove that our method is the most powerful summary-statistics-based joint analysis method when controlling the false discovery rate at a certain level. In particular, the Jlfdr-based method achieves higher power than commonly used meta-analysis methods when analyzing heterogeneous datasets from multiple GWASs. Simulation experiments demonstrate the superior power of our method over meta-analysis methods. Also, our method discovers more associations than meta-analysis methods from empirical datasets of four phenotypes. The R-package is available at: http://bioinformatics.ust.hk/Jlfdr.html . eeyu@ust.hk. Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online. © The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com

Grandparenting and psychosocial health among older Chileans: A longitudinal analysis

PubMed Central

Grundy, Emily M.; Albala, Cecilia; Allen, Elizabeth; Dangour, Alan D.; Elbourne, Diana; Uauy, Ricardo

2012-01-01

Objectives: To investigate factors associated with Chilean grandparents’ provision of help to grandchildren and associations between provision of such help and grandparents’ mental well-being two years later. Methods: Data are drawn from a representative sample of 2000 people aged 66–68 resident in low- or middle-income areas of Santiago who were surveyed in 2005 and re-interviewed two years later. Multivariable analyses were used to investigate factors associated with provision of help to grandchildren at baseline and associations between providing such help and life satisfaction, SF36-Mental Component Summary scores, and depression two years later. Results: 41% of grandparents lived with one or more grandchildren and over half provided four or more hours per week of help to grandchildren. Models controlling for baseline mental health, grandchild characteristics, marital and household characteristics, socio-economic status and functional health showed that grandfathers who provided four or more hours per week of help to grandchildren had better life satisfaction two years later and that those providing material help had higher SF36 MCS scores at follow-up. Grandmothers providing four or more hours of help a week had lower risks of depression. Conclusion: Older Chileans make important contributions to their families through the provision of help to grandchildren and these appear to have some benefits for their own psychosocial health. Gender differences in the pattern of associations may reflect differences in overall family responsibilities and merit further investigation. PMID:22690765

The consequences of sickness presenteeism on health and wellbeing over time: A systematic review.

PubMed

Skagen, Kristian; Collins, Alison M

2016-07-01

The association between sickness presenteeism, defined as going to work despite illness, and different health outcomes is increasingly being recognized as a significant and relevant area of research. However, the long term effects on future employee health are less well understood, and to date there has been no review of the empirical evidence. The aim of this systematic review was to present a summary of the sickness presenteeism evidence so far in relation to health and wellbeing over time. Eight databases were searched for longitudinal studies that investigated the consequences of workplace sickness presenteeism, had a baseline and at least one follow-up point, and included at least one specific measure of sickness presenteeism. Of the 453 papers identified, 12 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review. We adopted a thematic approach to the analysis because of the heterogeneous nature of the sickness presenteeism research. The majority of studies found that sickness presenteeism at baseline is a risk factor for future sickness absence and decreased self-rated health. However, our findings highlight that a consensus has not yet been reached in terms of physical and mental health. This is because the longitudinal studies included in this review adopt a wide variety of approaches including the definition of sickness presenteeism, recall periods, measures used and different statistical approaches which is problematic if this research area is to advance. Future research directions are discussed. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Environmental conditions in the Namskaket Marsh Area, Orleans, Massachusetts: A summary of studies by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1989–2011

USGS Publications Warehouse

Weiskel, Peter K.; Barbaro, Jeffrey R.; DeSimone, Leslie A.

2016-09-23

The tidal creek sampling stations established in the 1990s were resampled in 2003–4 and 2010–11 to evaluate potential effects of the treated wastewater plume on creek water quality. The annual medians of the 2011 biweekly nitrate and total dissolved nitrogen concentrations were determined for each station and compared to the annual medians of biweekly samples for the baseline years 1994, 1995, and 1996. At all stations, the 2011 median nitrate concentrations were within the range of medians for the 3 baseline years. A similar result was obtained for total dissolved nitrogen. We conclude that the 2011 creek samples, collected approximately 8 years after the shallow plume segment was first detected beneath the marsh, do not show evidence of elevated nitrate or total dissolved nitrogen concentrations attributable to discharge of either the shallow or deep segments of the treated wastewater plume.

Network meta-analysis of disconnected networks: How dangerous are random baseline treatment effects?

PubMed

Béliveau, Audrey; Goring, Sarah; Platt, Robert W; Gustafson, Paul

2017-12-01

In network meta-analysis, the use of fixed baseline treatment effects (a priori independent) in a contrast-based approach is regularly preferred to the use of random baseline treatment effects (a priori dependent). That is because, often, there is not a need to model baseline treatment effects, which carry the risk of model misspecification. However, in disconnected networks, fixed baseline treatment effects do not work (unless extra assumptions are made), as there is not enough information in the data to update the prior distribution on the contrasts between disconnected treatments. In this paper, we investigate to what extent the use of random baseline treatment effects is dangerous in disconnected networks. We take 2 publicly available datasets of connected networks and disconnect them in multiple ways. We then compare the results of treatment comparisons obtained from a Bayesian contrast-based analysis of each disconnected network using random normally distributed and exchangeable baseline treatment effects to those obtained from a Bayesian contrast-based analysis of their initial connected network using fixed baseline treatment effects. For the 2 datasets considered, we found that the use of random baseline treatment effects in disconnected networks was appropriate. Because those datasets were not cherry-picked, there should be other disconnected networks that would benefit from being analyzed using random baseline treatment effects. However, there is also a risk for the normality and exchangeability assumption to be inappropriate in other datasets even though we have not observed this situation in our case study. We provide code, so other datasets can be investigated. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Automatic Summary Assessment for Intelligent Tutoring Systems

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

He, Yulan; Hui, Siu Cheung; Quan, Tho Thanh

2009-01-01

Summary writing is an important part of many English Language Examinations. As grading students' summary writings is a very time-consuming task, computer-assisted assessment will help teachers carry out the grading more effectively. Several techniques such as latent semantic analysis (LSA), n-gram co-occurrence and BLEU have been proposed to…

Delirium as a Predictor of Physical and Cognitive Function in Individuals Aged 80 and Older After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation or Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement.

PubMed

Eide, Leslie S P; Ranhoff, Anette H; Fridlund, Bengt; Haaverstad, Rune; Hufthammer, Karl Ove; Kuiper, Karel K J; Nordrehaug, Jan E; Norekvål, Tone M

2016-06-01

To determine how development of delirium after surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) or transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) could predict activity of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADLs (IADL) disability, cognitive function, and self-reported health in individuals aged 80 and older. Prospective cohort study. Tertiary university hospital. Individuals aged 80 and older undergoing elective SAVR or TAVI (N = 136). Delirium was assessed for 5 days using the Confusion Assessment Method. The Barthel Index, Nottingham Extended ADL Scale, and SF-12 were used to determine ADL and IADL ability and self-reported health at baseline and 1- and 6-month follow-up. Cognition was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Participants had lower IADL scores 1 month after SAVR than at baseline (baseline 58, 1 month: delirium 42, no delirium 50, P ≤ .02), but scores had returned to baseline levels at 6 months. The Medical Outcomes Study 12-item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12) Physical Component Summary (PCS) score was higher at 6-month follow-up (48) than at baseline (39), especially in participants who did not develop delirium (P < .001). No differences in other outcomes were found. Regression models suggest that delirium may help predict IADL disability 1 month after baseline (P ≤ .07) but does not predict large differences in ADL disability, cognitive function, or SF-12-scores. Individuals who underwent TAVI and developed delirium had lower ADL (baseline 19, 1-month 16, P < .001) and IADL (baseline 49, 1-month 40, P = .003) scores at 1-month follow-up. SF-12 PCS score (baseline 30) increased from baseline to 1- (35, P = .04) and 6- (35, P = .02) month follow-up in individuals who underwent TAVI and did not develop delirium. Delirium after TAVI predicted greater ADL and IADL disability at 1-month but not at 6-month follow-up. Individuals who develop delirium after SAVR and TAVI have poorer short-term IADL function but do not seem to have long-term reductions in physical, mental, or self-reported health. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The American Geriatrics Society.

Impact of response shift on the assessment of treatment effects using the Oral Health Impact Profile.

PubMed

Reissmann, Daniel R; Remmler, Antje; John, Mike T; Schierz, Oliver; Hirsch, Christian

2012-12-01

The assessment of changes in oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) is challenging because individuals' concepts and internal standards of OHRQoL may change over time. The aim of this study was to detect response shifts in OHRQoL assessments made using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP). Oral health-related quality of life was assessed in a consecutive sample of 126 patients seeking prosthodontic care. Patients were asked to rate their OHRQoL before treatment started and 1 month after treatment was finished, using the German 49-item version of the OHIP. When rating their OHRQoL after treatment, patients were also asked to rate their pre-treatment OHRQoL without having access to their baseline data. The response shift was calculated as the difference in OHIP summary scores between the initial assessment and the retrospective baseline assessment. The OHIP mean scores decreased from 31.8 at the initial baseline assessment to 24.4 after treatment. The retrospective baseline assessment resulted in an OHIP mean score of 38.1, corresponding to a response shift of 6.3 OHIP points. The effect size (Cohen's d = 0.21) of the response shift was considered small. The response shift phenomenon and its magnitude have important implications for dental practice, where patients and dentists often assess perceived treatment effects retrospectively. © 2012 Eur J Oral Sci.

Calcium Absorption Response to Cholecalciferol Supplementation in Hemodialysis

PubMed Central

Zena, Mohsen; Lund, Richard; Heaney, Robert P.

2013-01-01

Summary Background and objectives Recent understanding of extrarenal production of calcitriol has led to the use of more vitamin D supplementation in CKD populations. This paper reports the effect of cholecalciferol supplementation on calcium absorption. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Paired calcium absorption tests were done before and after 12–13 weeks of 20,000 IU weekly cholecalciferol supplementation in 30 participants with stage 5 CKD on hemodialysis. The study was conducted from April to December of 2011. Calcium absorption was tested with a standardized meal containing 300 mg calcium carbonate intrinsically labeled with 45Ca; 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D were measured. Results 25-Hydroxyvitamin D rose from 14.2 ng/ml (11.5–18.5) at baseline to 49.3 ng/ml (42.3–58.1) at the end of the study (P<0.001). 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D rose from 15.1 (10.5–18.8) pg/ml at baseline to 20.5 (17.0–24.7) pg/ml at the end of the study (P<0.001). The median baseline calcium absorption was 12% (7%–17%) and 12% (7%–16%) at the end of study. Conclusions Patients with stage 5 CKD on hemodialysis had very low calcium absorption values at baseline, and cholecalciferol supplementation that raised 25(OH)D levels to 50 ng/ml had no effect on calcium absorption. PMID:23411428

Association between body mass index and response to a brief interdisciplinary treatment program in fibromyalgia.

PubMed

Kim, Chul-Hyun; Luedtke, Connie A; Vincent, Ann; Thompson, Jeffrey M; Oh, Terry H

2012-07-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between baseline body mass index (BMI) and treatment outcome after a brief interdisciplinary fibromyalgia treatment program. Subjects (n = 477) with fibromyalgia participated in the fibromyalgia treatment program. They completed the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Short Form-36 Health Status Questionnaire (SF-36) at baseline and 6 to 12 mos after the fibromyalgia treatment program. Posttreatment changes in FIQ and SF-36 scores were compared after stratifying participants into four BMI groups: nonobese, overweight, moderately obese, and severely obese. All BMI groups achieved significant improvement in the FIQ total score; the FIQ subscales feel good, pain, fatigue, and morning tiredness; and the SF-36 subscales pain index, vitality, social functioning, and mental health index. Posttreatment changes in mean scores for each subscale generally did not differ significantly across BMI groups after adjusting for age and baseline scores. However, the SF-36 subscale scores of physical functioning and role-emotional were significantly less improved in the severely obese compared with the nonobese. Baseline BMI did not affect response to the fibromyalgia treatment program, as measured by the FIQ total score or SF-36 physical and mental component summary scores. However, the severely obese group showed less improvement compared with the nonobese group in the SF-36 physical functioning and role-emotional subscales.

Environmental Baseline Survey Report for the Title Transfer of Parcel ED-9 at the East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge, Tennessee

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

SAIC

2010-05-01

This environmental baseline survey (EBS) report documents the baseline environmental conditions of the U. S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) Parcel ED-9 at the East Tennessee Technology Park (ETTP). Parcel ED-9 consists of about 13 acres that DOE proposes to transfer to Heritage Center, LLC (hereafter referred to as 'Heritage Center'), a subsidiary of the Community Reuse Organization of East Tennessee (CROET). The 13 acres include two tracts of land, referred to as ED-9A (7.06 acres) and ED-9B (5.02 acres), and a third tract consisting of about 900 linear feet of paved road and adjacent right-of-way, referred to as ED-9C (0.98more » acres). Transfer of the title to ED-9 will be by deed under a Covenant Deferral Request (CDR) pursuant to Section 120(h)(3)(C) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). This report provides a summary of information to support the transfer of this government-owned property at ETTP to a non-federal entity.« less

Measuring software development characteristics in the local environment. [considering project requirements for spacecraft control

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Basili, V. R.; Zelkowitz, M. V.

1978-01-01

In a brief evaluation of software-related considerations, it is found that suitable approaches for software development depend to a large degree on the characteristics of the particular project involved. An analysis is conducted of development problems in an environment in which ground support software is produced for spacecraft control. The amount of work involved is in the range from 6 to 10 man-years. Attention is given to a general project summary, a programmer/analyst survey, a component summary, a component status report, a resource summary, a change report, a computer program run analysis, aspects of data collection on a smaller scale, progress forecasting, problems of overhead, and error analysis.

Department of Defense Base Structure Report (A Summary of DoD’s Real Property Inventory) Fiscal Year 2007 Baseline

DTIC Science & Technology

2007-01-01

1,807Massachusetts Total: 10 188,871 Michigan 1Lt Robert L Poxon USARC Southfield 7 94,297 0 0 2626 24.1 309 8 2Army Reserve 0 0 Alpena Co Reg Apt Alpena 104 442,464...0Massachusetts Total: 1 1,384 Michigan Alpena Co Reg Apt Alpena 104 442,464 0 0 6740 210.6 123 4 0Air Natl Guard 0 0 K I Sawyer AFB Gwinn 978 2,947,831 0 0

Project Ranch Hand II. An Epidemiologic Investigation of Health Effects in Air Force Personnel Following Exposure to Herbicides. Mortality Update 1984.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-10

population since the last report. Table 3 in this report corresponds to Table 3 in the baseline report and contains summary counts and death rates by...officers appears to compare favorably with the comparisons. However, these diminished death rates appear to be found in the Ranch Hand officers born before...experienced the same or greater death rate than their comparisons. !4 - .o 11 Table 14 Death Rates by Group, Rank, Occupation and Year-Of-Birth Ranch Hand

Task 21 - Development of Systems Engineering Applications for Decontamination and Decommissioning Activities

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Erickson, T.A.

1998-11-01

The objectives of this task are to: Develop a model (paper) to estimate the cost and waste generation of cleanup within the Environmental Management (EM) complex; Identify technologies applicable to decontamination and decommissioning (D and D) operations within the EM complex; Develop a database of facility information as linked to project baseline summaries (PBSs). The above objectives are carried out through the following four subtasks: Subtask 1--D and D Model Development, Subtask 2--Technology List; Subtask 3--Facility Database, and Subtask 4--Incorporation into a User Model.

The Impact of Baseline Trend Control on Visual Analysis of Single-Case Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mercer, Sterett H.; Sterling, Heather E.

2012-01-01

The impact of baseline trend control on visual analyses of AB intervention graphs was examined with simulated data at various values of baseline trend, autocorrelation, and effect size. Participants included 202 undergraduate students with minimal training in visual analysis and 10 graduate students and faculty with more training and experience in…

The Effects of Attrition on Baseline Comparability in Randomized Experiments in Education: A Meta-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Valentine, Jeffrey C.; McHugh, Cathleen M.

2007-01-01

Using meta-analysis, randomized experiments in education that either clearly did or clearly did not experience student attrition were examined for the baseline comparability of groups. Results from 35 studies suggested that after attrition, the observed measures of baseline comparability of groups did not differ more than would be expected given…

Preliminary analysis of an integrated logistics system for OSSA payloads. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Palguta, T.; Bradley, W.; Stockton, T.

1988-01-01

The purpose is to describe the logistics study background and approach to providing estimates of of logistics support requirements for Office of Space Science and Applications' payloads in the Space Station era. A concise summary is given of the study results. Future logistics support analysis tasks are identified.

Functional Analysis in Public Schools: A Summary of 90 Functional Analyses

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mueller, Michael M.; Nkosi, Ajamu; Hine, Jeffrey F.

2011-01-01

Several review and epidemiological studies have been conducted over recent years to inform behavior analysts of functional analysis outcomes. None to date have closely examined demographic and clinical data for functional analyses conducted exclusively in public school settings. The current paper presents a data-based summary of 90 functional…

Final safety analysis report for the Ground Test Accelerator (GTA), Phase 2

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1994-10-01

This document is the second volume of a 3 volume safety analysis report on the Ground Test Accelerator (GTA). The GTA program at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is the major element of the national Neutral Particle Beam (NPB) program, which is supported by the Strategic Defense Initiative Office (SDIO). A principal goal of the national NPB program is to assess the feasibility of using hydrogen and deuterium neutral particle beams outside the Earth`s atmosphere. The main effort of the NPB program at Los Alamos concentrates on developing the GTA. The GTA is classified as a low-hazard facility, exceptmore » for the cryogenic-cooling system, which is classified as a moderate-hazard facility. This volume consists of failure modes and effects analysis; accident analysis; operational safety requirements; quality assurance program; ES&H management program; environmental, safety, and health systems critical to safety; summary of waste-management program; environmental monitoring program; facility expansion, decontamination, and decommissioning; summary of emergency response plan; summary plan for employee training; summary plan for operating procedures; glossary; and appendices A and B.« less

Glycaemic control and self-management behaviours in Type 2 diabetes: results from a 1-year longitudinal cohort study.

PubMed

Houle, J; Beaulieu, M-D; Chiasson, J-L; Lespérance, F; Côté, J; Strychar, I; Bherer, L; Meunier, S; Lambert, J

2015-09-01

To better understand the associations between changes in self-management behaviours and glycaemic control. We conducted a prospective observational study of 295 adult patients with Type 2 diabetes evaluated at baseline, 6 and 12 months. Four self-management behaviours were evaluated using the Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities instrument, which assesses healthy diet, physical activity, medication taking and self-monitoring of blood glucose. Using hierarchical linear regression models, we tested whether changes in self-management behaviours were associated with short-term (6-month) or long-term (12-month) changes in glycaemic control, after controlling for demographic and clinical characteristics. Improved diet was associated with a decrease in HbA1c level, both at 6 and 12 months. Improved medication taking was associated with short-term improvement in glycaemic control, while increased self-monitoring of blood glucose frequency was associated with a 12-month improvement in HbA1c . Completely stopping exercise after being physically active at baseline was associated with a rise in HbA1c level at 6-month follow-up. Interaction analysis indicated that a healthy diet benefitted all participant subgroups, but that medication taking was associated with glycaemic control only for participants living in poverty and more strongly for those with lower educational levels. Finally, a higher self-monitoring of blood glucose frequency was associated with better glycaemic control only in insulin-treated participants. Even after adjusting for potential confounders (including baseline HbA1c ), increased frequency of healthy diet, medication taking and self-monitoring of blood glucose were associated with improved HbA1c levels. These self-management behaviours should be regularly monitored to identify patients at risk of deterioration in glycaemic control. Barriers to optimum self-management should be removed, particularly among socio-economically disadvantaged populations. © 2015 The Authors. Diabetic Medicine © 2015 Diabetes UK.

Racial Variation in Treatment Preferences and Willingness to Randomize in the Spine Patient Outcomes Research Trial (SPORT)

PubMed Central

Arega, Addisalem; Birkmeyer, Nancy J. O.; Lurie, Jon D. N.; Tosteson, Tor; Gibson, Jennifer; Taylor, Brett; Weinstein, James N.

2009-01-01

Study Design Analysis of baseline data for patients enrolled in SPORT, a project conducting three randomized and three observational cohort studies of surgical and non-operative treatments for intervertebral disc herniation (IDH), spinal stenosis (SpS), and degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). Objective To explore racial variation in treatment preferences and willingness to be randomized. Summary of Background Data Increasing minority participation in research has been a priority at the NIH. Prior studies have documented lower rates of participation in research and preferences for invasive treatment among African Americans. Methods Patients enrolled in SPORT (March 2000-February 2005) that reported data on their race (n=2323) were classified as White (87%), Black (8%) or Other (5%). Treatment preferences (non-operative, unsure, surgical), and willingness to be randomized were compared among these groups while controlling for baseline differences using multivariate logistic regression. Results There were numerous significant differences in baseline characteristics among the racial groups. Following adjustment for these differences, Blacks remained less likely to prefer surgical treatment among both IDH (White: 55%, Black: 37%, Other: 55%, p=0.023) and SpS/DS (White: 46%, Black: 30%, Other: 43%, p=0.017) patients. Higher randomization rates among Black IDH patients (46% vs. 30%) were no longer significant following adjustment (OR=1.45, p=0.235). Treatment preference remained a strong independent predictor of randomization in multivariate analyses for both IDH (unsure OR = 3.88, p<0.001 and surgical OR=0.23, p<0.001) and SpS/DS (unsure OR = 6.93, p<0.001 and surgical OR= 0.45, p<0.001) patients. Conclusions Similar to prior studies, Black participants were less likely than Whites or Others to prefer surgical treatment; however, they were no less likely to agree to be randomized. Treatment preferences were strongly related to both race and willingness to be randomized. PMID:16946665

Site 765: Sedimentology

USGS Publications Warehouse

,

1990-01-01

Various techniques were used to decipher the sedimentation history of Site 765, including Markov chain analysis of facies transitions, XRD analysis of clay and other minerals, and multivariate analysis of smear-slide data, in addition to the standard descriptive procedures employed by the shipboard sedimentologist. This chapter presents brief summaries of methodology and major findings of these three techniques, a summary of the sedimentation history, and a discussion of trends in sedimentation through time.

Does vitamin D supplementation improve bone density in vitamin D-deficient children? Protocol for an individual patient data meta-analysis.

PubMed

Winzenberg, Tania; Lamberg-Allardt, Christel; El-Hajj Fuleihan, Ghada; Mølgaard, Christian; Zhu, Kun; Wu, Feitong; Riley, Richard D

2018-01-23

Our previous study-level (aggregate data) meta-analysis suggested that vitamin D supplements may be beneficial for bone density specifically in children with vitamin D deficiency. However, the misclassification of vitamin D status inherent in study-level data means that the results are not definitive and cannot provide an accurate assessment of the size of any effect. Therefore, we propose to undertake an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis to determine whether the effect of vitamin D supplementation on bone density in children differs according to baseline vitamin D status, and to specifically estimate the effect of vitamin D in children who are vitamin D deficient. This study has been designed to adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of IPD statement. We will include randomised placebo-controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation reporting bone density outcomes at least 6 months after the study commenced in children and adolescents (aged <20 years) without coexistent medical conditions or treatments causing osteoporosis. We will update the search of the original review to cover the period 2009-2017, using the same methods as the original review. Fully anonymised data on all randomised patients will be requested. Outcomes will be femoral neck, total hip, lumbar spine and proximal and distal forearm bone mineral density, and total body bone mineral content. A two-stage IPD meta-analysis will be used to examine the effect of baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) on treatment effect for each bone density outcome. Restricted maximum likelihood will be used to estimate the random-effects meta-analysis models, with 95% CI for summary effects. Heterogeneity will be assessed by I 2 and potential publication bias (small-study effects) and availability bias by funnel plots, Egger's test and Peter's test. Ethics approval will not be required as the data are to be used for the primary purpose for which they were collected and all original individual studies had ethics approval. Results of the IPD meta-analysis will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. CRD42017068772. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

Enhancing Nurse and Physician Collaboration in Clinical Decision Making Through High-fidelity Interdisciplinary Simulation Training

PubMed Central

Maxson, Pamela M.; Dozois, Eric J.; Holubar, Stefan D.; Wrobleski, Diane M.; Dube, Joyce A. Overman; Klipfel, Janee M.; Arnold, Jacqueline J.

2011-01-01

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether interdisciplinary simulation team training can positively affect registered nurse and/or physician perceptions of collaboration in clinical decision making. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Between March 1 and April 21, 2009, a convenience sample of volunteer nurses and physicians was recruited to undergo simulation training consisting of a team response to 3 clinical scenarios. Participants completed the Collaboration and Satisfaction About Care Decisions (CSACD) survey before training and at 2 weeks and 2 months after training. Differences in CSACD summary scores between the time points were assessed with paired t tests. RESULTS: Twenty-eight health care professionals (19 nurses, 9 physicians) underwent simulation training. Nurses were of similar age to physicians (27.3 vs 34.5 years; p=.82), were more likely to be women (95.0% vs 12.5%; p<.001), and were less likely to have undergone prior simulation training (0% vs 37.5%; p=.02). The pretest showed that physicians were more likely to perceive that open communication exists between nurses and physicians (p=.04) and that both medical and nursing concerns influence the decision-making process (p=.02). Pretest CSACD analysis revealed that most participants were dissatisfied with the decision-making process. The CSACD summary score showed significant improvement from baseline to 2 weeks (4.2 to 5.1; p<.002), a trend that persisted at 2 months (p<.002). CONCLUSION: Team training using high-fidelity simulation scenarios promoted collaboration between nurses and physicians and enhanced the patient care decision-making process. PMID:21193653

Pilot age and expertise predict flight simulator performance: a 3-year longitudinal study.

PubMed

Taylor, Joy L; Kennedy, Quinn; Noda, Art; Yesavage, Jerome A

2007-02-27

Expert knowledge may compensate for age-related declines in basic cognitive and sensory-motor abilities in some skill domains. We investigated the influence of age and aviation expertise (indexed by Federal Aviation Administration pilot ratings) on longitudinal flight simulator performance. Over a 3-year period, 118 general aviation pilots aged 40 to 69 years were tested annually, in which their flight performance was scored in terms of 1) executing air-traffic controller communications; 2) traffic avoidance; 3) scanning cockpit instruments; 4) executing an approach to landing; and 5) a flight summary score. More expert pilots had better flight summary scores at baseline and showed less decline over time. Secondary analyses revealed that expertise effects were most evident in the accuracy of executing aviation communications, the measure on which performance declined most sharply over time. Regarding age, even though older pilots initially performed worse than younger pilots, over time older pilots showed less decline in flight summary scores than younger pilots. Secondary analyses revealed that the oldest pilots did well over time because their traffic avoidance performance improved more vs younger pilots. These longitudinal findings support previous cross-sectional studies in aviation as well as non-aviation domains, which demonstrated the advantageous effect of prior experience and specialized expertise on older adults' skilled cognitive performances.

Pilot age and expertise predict flight simulator performance

PubMed Central

Kennedy, Quinn; Noda, Art; Yesavage, Jerome A.

2010-01-01

Background Expert knowledge may compensate for age-related declines in basic cognitive and sensory-motor abilities in some skill domains. We investigated the influence of age and aviation expertise (indexed by Federal Aviation Administration pilot ratings) on longitudinal flight simulator performance. Methods Over a 3-year period, 118 general aviation pilots aged 40 to 69 years were tested annually, in which their flight performance was scored in terms of 1) executing air-traffic controller communications; 2) traffic avoidance; 3) scanning cockpit instruments; 4) executing an approach to landing; and 5) a flight summary score. Results More expert pilots had better flight summary scores at baseline and showed less decline over time. Secondary analyses revealed that expertise effects were most evident in the accuracy of executing aviation communications, the measure on which performance declined most sharply over time. Regarding age, even though older pilots initially performed worse than younger pilots, over time older pilots showed less decline in flight summary scores than younger pilots. Secondary analyses revealed that the oldest pilots did well over time because their traffic avoidance performance improved more vs younger pilots. Conclusions These longitudinal findings support previous cross-sectional studies in aviation as well as non-aviation domains, which demonstrated the advantageous effect of prior experience and specialized expertise on older adults’ skilled cognitive performances. PMID:17325270

"AfterZone:" Outcomes for Youth Participating in Providence's Citywide After-School System. Executive Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kauh, Tina J.

2011-01-01

This executive summary highlights the main findings from our participation and outcomes analysis of the "AfterZone" initiative--a citywide system-building effort in Providence, Rhode Island, that aims to provide high-quality, accessible out-of-school-time services to middle school youth. The summary briefly defines the AfterZone's unique…

Automated LSA Assessment of Summaries in Distance Education: Some Variables to Be Considered

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jorge-Botana, Guillermo; Luzón, José M.; Gómez-Veiga, Isabel; Martín-Cordero, Jesús I.

2015-01-01

A latent semantic analysis-based automated summary assessment is described; this automated system is applied to a real learning from text task in a Distance Education context. We comment on the use of automated content, plagiarism, text coherence measures, and word weights average and their impact on predicting human judges summary scoring. A…

Bias, precision and statistical power of analysis of covariance in the analysis of randomized trials with baseline imbalance: a simulation study.

PubMed

Egbewale, Bolaji E; Lewis, Martyn; Sim, Julius

2014-04-09

Analysis of variance (ANOVA), change-score analysis (CSA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) respond differently to baseline imbalance in randomized controlled trials. However, no empirical studies appear to have quantified the differential bias and precision of estimates derived from these methods of analysis, and their relative statistical power, in relation to combinations of levels of key trial characteristics. This simulation study therefore examined the relative bias, precision and statistical power of these three analyses using simulated trial data. 126 hypothetical trial scenarios were evaluated (126,000 datasets), each with continuous data simulated by using a combination of levels of: treatment effect; pretest-posttest correlation; direction and magnitude of baseline imbalance. The bias, precision and power of each method of analysis were calculated for each scenario. Compared to the unbiased estimates produced by ANCOVA, both ANOVA and CSA are subject to bias, in relation to pretest-posttest correlation and the direction of baseline imbalance. Additionally, ANOVA and CSA are less precise than ANCOVA, especially when pretest-posttest correlation ≥ 0.3. When groups are balanced at baseline, ANCOVA is at least as powerful as the other analyses. Apparently greater power of ANOVA and CSA at certain imbalances is achieved in respect of a biased treatment effect. Across a range of correlations between pre- and post-treatment scores and at varying levels and direction of baseline imbalance, ANCOVA remains the optimum statistical method for the analysis of continuous outcomes in RCTs, in terms of bias, precision and statistical power.

Bias, precision and statistical power of analysis of covariance in the analysis of randomized trials with baseline imbalance: a simulation study

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Analysis of variance (ANOVA), change-score analysis (CSA) and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) respond differently to baseline imbalance in randomized controlled trials. However, no empirical studies appear to have quantified the differential bias and precision of estimates derived from these methods of analysis, and their relative statistical power, in relation to combinations of levels of key trial characteristics. This simulation study therefore examined the relative bias, precision and statistical power of these three analyses using simulated trial data. Methods 126 hypothetical trial scenarios were evaluated (126 000 datasets), each with continuous data simulated by using a combination of levels of: treatment effect; pretest-posttest correlation; direction and magnitude of baseline imbalance. The bias, precision and power of each method of analysis were calculated for each scenario. Results Compared to the unbiased estimates produced by ANCOVA, both ANOVA and CSA are subject to bias, in relation to pretest-posttest correlation and the direction of baseline imbalance. Additionally, ANOVA and CSA are less precise than ANCOVA, especially when pretest-posttest correlation ≥ 0.3. When groups are balanced at baseline, ANCOVA is at least as powerful as the other analyses. Apparently greater power of ANOVA and CSA at certain imbalances is achieved in respect of a biased treatment effect. Conclusions Across a range of correlations between pre- and post-treatment scores and at varying levels and direction of baseline imbalance, ANCOVA remains the optimum statistical method for the analysis of continuous outcomes in RCTs, in terms of bias, precision and statistical power. PMID:24712304

Change Analysis in Structural Laser Scanning Point Clouds: The Baseline Method

PubMed Central

Shen, Yueqian; Lindenbergh, Roderik; Wang, Jinhu

2016-01-01

A method is introduced for detecting changes from point clouds that avoids registration. For many applications, changes are detected between two scans of the same scene obtained at different times. Traditionally, these scans are aligned to a common coordinate system having the disadvantage that this registration step introduces additional errors. In addition, registration requires stable targets or features. To avoid these issues, we propose a change detection method based on so-called baselines. Baselines connect feature points within one scan. To analyze changes, baselines connecting corresponding points in two scans are compared. As feature points either targets or virtual points corresponding to some reconstructable feature in the scene are used. The new method is implemented on two scans sampling a masonry laboratory building before and after seismic testing, that resulted in damages in the order of several centimeters. The centres of the bricks of the laboratory building are automatically extracted to serve as virtual points. Baselines connecting virtual points and/or target points are extracted and compared with respect to a suitable structural coordinate system. Changes detected from the baseline analysis are compared to a traditional cloud to cloud change analysis demonstrating the potential of the new method for structural analysis. PMID:28029121

Change Analysis in Structural Laser Scanning Point Clouds: The Baseline Method.

PubMed

Shen, Yueqian; Lindenbergh, Roderik; Wang, Jinhu

2016-12-24

A method is introduced for detecting changes from point clouds that avoids registration. For many applications, changes are detected between two scans of the same scene obtained at different times. Traditionally, these scans are aligned to a common coordinate system having the disadvantage that this registration step introduces additional errors. In addition, registration requires stable targets or features. To avoid these issues, we propose a change detection method based on so-called baselines. Baselines connect feature points within one scan. To analyze changes, baselines connecting corresponding points in two scans are compared. As feature points either targets or virtual points corresponding to some reconstructable feature in the scene are used. The new method is implemented on two scans sampling a masonry laboratory building before and after seismic testing, that resulted in damages in the order of several centimeters. The centres of the bricks of the laboratory building are automatically extracted to serve as virtual points. Baselines connecting virtual points and/or target points are extracted and compared with respect to a suitable structural coordinate system. Changes detected from the baseline analysis are compared to a traditional cloud to cloud change analysis demonstrating the potential of the new method for structural analysis.

Baseline estimation in flame's spectra by using neural networks and robust statistics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garces, Hugo; Arias, Luis; Rojas, Alejandro

2014-09-01

This work presents a baseline estimation method in flame spectra based on artificial intelligence structure as a neural network, combining robust statistics with multivariate analysis to automatically discriminate measured wavelengths belonging to continuous feature for model adaptation, surpassing restriction of measuring target baseline for training. The main contributions of this paper are: to analyze a flame spectra database computing Jolliffe statistics from Principal Components Analysis detecting wavelengths not correlated with most of the measured data corresponding to baseline; to systematically determine the optimal number of neurons in hidden layers based on Akaike's Final Prediction Error; to estimate baseline in full wavelength range sampling measured spectra; and to train an artificial intelligence structure as a Neural Network which allows to generalize the relation between measured and baseline spectra. The main application of our research is to compute total radiation with baseline information, allowing to diagnose combustion process state for optimization in early stages.

Exploring Marine Corps Officer Quality: An Analysis of Promotion to Lieutenant Colonel

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-03-01

44 G. DESCRIPTIVE STATISTICS ................................................................44 1. Dependent...Variable Summary Statistics ...................................44 2. Performance...87 4. Further Research .........................................................................88 APPENDIX A. SUMMARY STATISTICS OF FITREP AND

Comparative Analysis of a Principal Component Analysis-Based and an Artificial Neural Network-Based Method for Baseline Removal.

PubMed

Carvajal, Roberto C; Arias, Luis E; Garces, Hugo O; Sbarbaro, Daniel G

2016-04-01

This work presents a non-parametric method based on a principal component analysis (PCA) and a parametric one based on artificial neural networks (ANN) to remove continuous baseline features from spectra. The non-parametric method estimates the baseline based on a set of sampled basis vectors obtained from PCA applied over a previously composed continuous spectra learning matrix. The parametric method, however, uses an ANN to filter out the baseline. Previous studies have demonstrated that this method is one of the most effective for baseline removal. The evaluation of both methods was carried out by using a synthetic database designed for benchmarking baseline removal algorithms, containing 100 synthetic composed spectra at different signal-to-baseline ratio (SBR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and baseline slopes. In addition to deomonstrating the utility of the proposed methods and to compare them in a real application, a spectral data set measured from a flame radiation process was used. Several performance metrics such as correlation coefficient, chi-square value, and goodness-of-fit coefficient were calculated to quantify and compare both algorithms. Results demonstrate that the PCA-based method outperforms the one based on ANN both in terms of performance and simplicity. © The Author(s) 2016.

Beyond total treatment effects in randomised controlled trials: Baseline measurement of intermediate outcomes needed to reduce confounding in mediation investigations.

PubMed

Landau, Sabine; Emsley, Richard; Dunn, Graham

2018-06-01

Random allocation avoids confounding bias when estimating the average treatment effect. For continuous outcomes measured at post-treatment as well as prior to randomisation (baseline), analyses based on (A) post-treatment outcome alone, (B) change scores over the treatment phase or (C) conditioning on baseline values (analysis of covariance) provide unbiased estimators of the average treatment effect. The decision to include baseline values of the clinical outcome in the analysis is based on precision arguments, with analysis of covariance known to be most precise. Investigators increasingly carry out explanatory analyses to decompose total treatment effects into components that are mediated by an intermediate continuous outcome and a non-mediated part. Traditional mediation analysis might be performed based on (A) post-treatment values of the intermediate and clinical outcomes alone, (B) respective change scores or (C) conditioning on baseline measures of both intermediate and clinical outcomes. Using causal diagrams and Monte Carlo simulation, we investigated the performance of the three competing mediation approaches. We considered a data generating model that included three possible confounding processes involving baseline variables: The first two processes modelled baseline measures of the clinical variable or the intermediate variable as common causes of post-treatment measures of these two variables. The third process allowed the two baseline variables themselves to be correlated due to past common causes. We compared the analysis models implied by the competing mediation approaches with this data generating model to hypothesise likely biases in estimators, and tested these in a simulation study. We applied the methods to a randomised trial of pragmatic rehabilitation in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, which examined the role of limiting activities as a mediator. Estimates of causal mediation effects derived by approach (A) will be biased if one of the three processes involving baseline measures of intermediate or clinical outcomes is operating. Necessary assumptions for the change score approach (B) to provide unbiased estimates under either process include the independence of baseline measures and change scores of the intermediate variable. Finally, estimates provided by the analysis of covariance approach (C) were found to be unbiased under all the three processes considered here. When applied to the example, there was evidence of mediation under all methods but the estimate of the indirect effect depended on the approach used with the proportion mediated varying from 57% to 86%. Trialists planning mediation analyses should measure baseline values of putative mediators as well as of continuous clinical outcomes. An analysis of covariance approach is recommended to avoid potential biases due to confounding processes involving baseline measures of intermediate or clinical outcomes, and not simply for increased precision.

STS-1 operational flight profile. Volume 6: Abort analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1980-01-01

The abort analysis for the cycle 3 Operational Flight Profile (OFP) for the Space Transportation System 1 Flight (STS-1) is defined, superseding the abort analysis previously presented. Included are the flight description, abort analysis summary, flight design groundrules and constraints, initialization information, general abort description and results, abort solid rocket booster and external tank separation and disposal results, abort monitoring displays and discussion on both ground and onboard trajectory monitoring, abort initialization load summary for the onboard computer, list of the key abort powered flight dispersion analysis.

Identification of the Properties of Gum Arabic Used as a Binder in 7.62-mm Ammunition Primers

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-06-01

Solution - LCC Testing (ATK Task 700) 51 Cartridge - Ballistic Testing (ATK Task 800) 51 ATK Elemental Analysis 52 Moisture Loss and Friability...Hummel sample 7 3 SDT summary for Quadra sample 8 4 Particle size analysis summary for gum arabic samples 9 5 SEM images of Colony gum arabic at 230x...strengths 21 16 Color analysis : Colony after 5.0 hrs 23 17 Color analysis : Hummel after 5.0 hrs 23 18 Color analysis : Brenntag after 5.0 hrs 23 19 Gel

Hierarchical models and bayesian analysis of bird survey information

Treesearch

John R. Sauer; William A. Link; J. Andrew Royle

2005-01-01

Summary of bird survey information is a critical component of conservation activities, but often our summaries rely on statistical methods that do not accommodate the limitations of the information. Prioritization of species requires ranking and analysis of species by magnitude of population trend, but often magnitude of trend is a misleading measure of actual decline...

Descriptions and Abstracts of Regular Education Inservice Projects (REGI).

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erwin, Barbara, Comp.; And Others

This description of the Regular Education Inservice (REGI) effort in fiscal year 1981 includes a summary analysis of data from the REGI projects and a state by state compilation of project abstracts. Following the summary analysis of the REGI effort, project abstracts are organized by state or territory. Within each state or territory section,…

ALS rocket engine combustion devices design and demonstration

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arreguin, Steve

1989-01-01

Work performed during Phase one is summarized and the significant technical and programmatic accomplishments occurring during this period are documented. Besides a summary of the results, methodologies, trade studies, design, fabrication, and hardware conditions; the following are included: the evolving Maintainability Plan, Reliability Program Plan, Failure Summary and Analysis Report, and the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis.

A Preliminary Analysis of the Outcomes of Students Assisted by VET FEE-HELP: Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), 2015

2015-01-01

This summary highlights the key findings from the report "A preliminary analysis of the outcomes of students assisted by VET FEE-HELP". VET FEE-HELP is an income-contingent loan scheme that assists eligible students undertaking certain vocational education training (VET) courses with an approved provider by paying for all or part of…

Multi-trait analysis of genome-wide association summary statistics using MTAG.

PubMed

Turley, Patrick; Walters, Raymond K; Maghzian, Omeed; Okbay, Aysu; Lee, James J; Fontana, Mark Alan; Nguyen-Viet, Tuan Anh; Wedow, Robbee; Zacher, Meghan; Furlotte, Nicholas A; Magnusson, Patrik; Oskarsson, Sven; Johannesson, Magnus; Visscher, Peter M; Laibson, David; Cesarini, David; Neale, Benjamin M; Benjamin, Daniel J

2018-02-01

We introduce multi-trait analysis of GWAS (MTAG), a method for joint analysis of summary statistics from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of different traits, possibly from overlapping samples. We apply MTAG to summary statistics for depressive symptoms (N eff  = 354,862), neuroticism (N = 168,105), and subjective well-being (N = 388,538). As compared to the 32, 9, and 13 genome-wide significant loci identified in the single-trait GWAS (most of which are themselves novel), MTAG increases the number of associated loci to 64, 37, and 49, respectively. Moreover, association statistics from MTAG yield more informative bioinformatics analyses and increase the variance explained by polygenic scores by approximately 25%, matching theoretical expectations.

Soy food intake and risk of lung cancer: evidence from the Shanghai Women's Health Study and a meta-analysis.

PubMed

Yang, Gong; Shu, Xiao Ou; Chow, Wong-Ho; Zhang, Xianglan; Li, Hong-Lan; Ji, Bu-Tian; Cai, Hui; Wu, Shenghui; Gao, Yu-Tang; Zheng, Wei

2012-11-15

The authors prospectively evaluated the association of soy food intake with lung cancer risk, overall and by tumor aggressiveness, and performed a meta-analysis of published data. Included in the analysis were 71,550 women recruited into the Shanghai Women's Health Study (Shanghai, China) in 1997-2000. Usual soy food intake was assessed at baseline and reassessed during follow-up through in-person interviews. During a mean follow-up period of 9.1 years, 370 incident lung cancer cases were identified; 340 patients were lifetime never smokers. After adjustment for potential confounders, soy food intake was inversely associated with subsequent risk of lung cancer (P(trend) = 0.004); the hazard ratio for the highest quintile of intake compared with the lowest was 0.63 (95% confidence interval: 0.44, 0.90). This inverse association appeared predominately among women with later age at menopause (P(interaction) = 0.01) and for aggressive lung cancer as defined by length of survival (<12 months vs. ≥12 months; P(heterogeneity) = 0.057). Meta-analysis of 7 studies conducted among nonsmokers found a summary relative risk of 0.59 (95% confidence interval: 0.49, 0.71) for the highest categories of soy or isoflavone intake versus the lowest. This study suggests that soy food consumption may reduce lung cancer risk in nonsmoking women, particularly for aggressive tumors, and its effect may be modified by endogenous estrogens.

Soy Food Intake and Risk of Lung Cancer: Evidence From the Shanghai Women's Health Study and a Meta-Analysis

PubMed Central

Yang, Gong; Shu, Xiao Ou; Chow, Wong-Ho; Zhang, Xianglan; Li, Hong-Lan; Ji, Bu-Tian; Cai, Hui; Wu, Shenghui; Gao, Yu-Tang; Zheng, Wei

2012-01-01

The authors prospectively evaluated the association of soy food intake with lung cancer risk, overall and by tumor aggressiveness, and performed a meta-analysis of published data. Included in the analysis were 71,550 women recruited into the Shanghai Women's Health Study (Shanghai, China) in 1997–2000. Usual soy food intake was assessed at baseline and reassessed during follow-up through in-person interviews. During a mean follow-up period of 9.1 years, 370 incident lung cancer cases were identified; 340 patients were lifetime never smokers. After adjustment for potential confounders, soy food intake was inversely associated with subsequent risk of lung cancer (Ptrend = 0.004); the hazard ratio for the highest quintile of intake compared with the lowest was 0.63 (95% confidence interval: 0.44, 0.90). This inverse association appeared predominately among women with later age at menopause (Pinteraction = 0.01) and for aggressive lung cancer as defined by length of survival (<12 months vs. ≥12 months; Pheterogeneity = 0.057). Meta-analysis of 7 studies conducted among nonsmokers found a summary relative risk of 0.59 (95% confidence interval: 0.49, 0.71) for the highest categories of soy or isoflavone intake versus the lowest. This study suggests that soy food consumption may reduce lung cancer risk in nonsmoking women, particularly for aggressive tumors, and its effect may be modified by endogenous estrogens. PMID:23097255

Correlation of Changes in Patient-Reported Quality of Life With Physician-Rated Global Impression of Change in Patients With Narcolepsy Participating in a Clinical Trial of Sodium Oxybate: A Post Hoc Analysis.

PubMed

Bogan, Richard K; Black, Jed; Swick, Todd; Mamelak, Mortimer; Kovacevic-Ristanovic, Ruzica; Villa, Kathleen F; Mori, Fannie; Montplaisir, Jacques

2017-12-01

Narcolepsy patients report lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL) than the general population, as measured by the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36). This analysis evaluated whether changes in SF-36 correlated with physician-rated Clinical Global Impression of Change (CGI-C). Data were from 209 of 228 narcolepsy patients participating in an 8-week clinical trial of sodium oxybate. Changes from baseline for SF-36 subscales (Physical Functioning, Role Physical, Bodily Pain, General Health, Vitality, Social Functioning, Role Emotional, and Mental Health) and the summary scores were evaluated for correlation with CGI-C overall and by treatment group. Correlations were calculated using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r). Correlations described an inverse relationship in scores, but a direct relationship in improvement; lower CGI-C scores (i.e., better) were associated with higher SF-36 subscale scores (i.e., improved HRQoL). Moderate and significant correlations were observed for Vitality (r = -0.464; P < 0.0001) and Role Physical (r = -0.310; P < 0.0001) subscales, but weak correlations were observed with other subscales including summary scores. Correlations were stronger at higher sodium oxybate doses for most SF-36 subscales. Some aspects of HRQoL, measured by the SF-36, may be associated with narcolepsy. In particular, Vitality (indicative of energy and tiredness) and Role Physical (impact of physical function on daily roles) moderately correlated with overall change in status observed by clinicians. However, lack of strong correlations between SF-36 and CGI-C indicates differences in patient and clinician perspectives of disease, and suggest a need for broader assessment of the impact of narcolepsy and its treatment on patients. Jazz Pharmaceuticals.

Baseline correction combined partial least squares algorithm and its application in on-line Fourier transform infrared quantitative analysis.

PubMed

Peng, Jiangtao; Peng, Silong; Xie, Qiong; Wei, Jiping

2011-04-01

In order to eliminate the lower order polynomial interferences, a new quantitative calibration algorithm "Baseline Correction Combined Partial Least Squares (BCC-PLS)", which combines baseline correction and conventional PLS, is proposed. By embedding baseline correction constraints into PLS weights selection, the proposed calibration algorithm overcomes the uncertainty in baseline correction and can meet the requirement of on-line attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) quantitative analysis. The effectiveness of the algorithm is evaluated by the analysis of glucose and marzipan ATR-FTIR spectra. BCC-PLS algorithm shows improved prediction performance over PLS. The root mean square error of cross-validation (RMSECV) on marzipan spectra for the prediction of the moisture is found to be 0.53%, w/w (range 7-19%). The sugar content is predicted with a RMSECV of 2.04%, w/w (range 33-68%). Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

GPS baseline configuration design based on robustness analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yetkin, M.; Berber, M.

2012-11-01

The robustness analysis results obtained from a Global Positioning System (GPS) network are dramatically influenced by the configurationof the observed baselines. The selection of optimal GPS baselines may allow for a cost effective survey campaign and a sufficiently robustnetwork. Furthermore, using the approach described in this paper, the required number of sessions, the baselines to be observed, and thesignificance levels for statistical testing and robustness analysis can be determined even before the GPS campaign starts. In this study, wepropose a robustness criterion for the optimal design of geodetic networks, and present a very simple and efficient algorithm based on thiscriterion for the selection of optimal GPS baselines. We also show the relationship between the number of sessions and the non-centralityparameter. Finally, a numerical example is given to verify the efficacy of the proposed approach.

Longitudinal analysis of physical activity, fluid intake, and graft function among kidney transplant recipients

PubMed Central

Gordon, Elisa J.; Prohaska, Thomas R.; Gallant, Mary P.; Sehgal, Ashwini R.; Strogatz, David; Yucel, Recai; Conti, David; Siminoff, Laura A.

2010-01-01

Summary Self-care is recommended to kidney transplant recipients as a vital component to maintain long-term graft function. However, little is known about the effects of physical activity, fluid intake, and smoking history on graft function. This longitudinal study examined the relationship between self-care practices on graft function among 88 new kidney transplant recipients in Chicago, IL and Albany, NY between 2005 and 2008. Participants were interviewed, completed surveys, and medical charts were abstracted. Physical activity, fluid intake, and smoking history at baseline were compared with changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (every 6 months up to 1 year) using bivariate and multivariate regression analysis, while controlling for sociodemographic and clinical transplant variables. Multivariate analyses revealed that greater physical activity was significantly (P < 0.05) associated with improvement in GFR at 6 months; while greater physical activity, absence of smoking history, and nonwhite ethnicity were significant (P < 0.05) predictors of improvement in GFR at 12 months. These results suggest that increasing physical activity levels in kidney recipients may be an effective behavioral measure to help ensure graft functioning. Our findings suggest the need for a randomized controlled trial of exercise, fluid intake, and smoking history on GFR beyond 12 months. PMID:19619168

A Tutorial on Multilevel Survival Analysis: Methods, Models and Applications

PubMed Central

Austin, Peter C.

2017-01-01

Summary Data that have a multilevel structure occur frequently across a range of disciplines, including epidemiology, health services research, public health, education and sociology. We describe three families of regression models for the analysis of multilevel survival data. First, Cox proportional hazards models with mixed effects incorporate cluster-specific random effects that modify the baseline hazard function. Second, piecewise exponential survival models partition the duration of follow-up into mutually exclusive intervals and fit a model that assumes that the hazard function is constant within each interval. This is equivalent to a Poisson regression model that incorporates the duration of exposure within each interval. By incorporating cluster-specific random effects, generalised linear mixed models can be used to analyse these data. Third, after partitioning the duration of follow-up into mutually exclusive intervals, one can use discrete time survival models that use a complementary log–log generalised linear model to model the occurrence of the outcome of interest within each interval. Random effects can be incorporated to account for within-cluster homogeneity in outcomes. We illustrate the application of these methods using data consisting of patients hospitalised with a heart attack. We illustrate the application of these methods using three statistical programming languages (R, SAS and Stata). PMID:29307954

Human factors considerations in designing for infection prevention and control in neonatal care - findings from a pre-design inquiry.

PubMed

Trudel, Chantal; Cobb, Sue; Momtahan, Kathryn; Brintnell, Janet; Mitchell, Ann

2018-01-01

Qualitative data collection methods drawn from the early stages of human-centred design frameworks combined with thematic analysis were used to develop an understanding of infection prevention practice within an existing neonatal intensive care unit. Findings were used to generate a framework of understanding which in turn helped inform a baseline approach for future research and design development. The study revealed that a lack of clarity between infection transmission zones and a lack of design attributes needed to uphold infection prevention measures may be undermining healthcare workers' understanding and application of good practice. The issue may be further complicated by well-intentioned behavioural attitudes to meeting work objectives; undue influences from spatial constraints; the influence of inadvertent and excessive touch-based interactions; physical and/or cognitive exertion to maintain transmission barriers; and the impact of expanding job design and increased workload to supplement for lack of effective barriers. Practitioner Summary: Despite high hand hygiene compliance within a neonatal intensive care unit, healthcare workers expressed concerns about the unit design and infection prevention practice. Early inquiry methods from human-centred design and thematic analysis helped develop a framework to understand how design can be used to aid infection prevention.

The association between interpersonal problems and treatment outcome in patients with eating disorders.

PubMed

Ung, Elise Meyn; Erichsen, Cecilie Birkmose; Poulsen, Stig; Lau, Marianne Engelbrecht; Simonsen, Sebastian; Davidsen, Annika Helgadóttir

2017-01-01

Interpersonal problems are thought to play an essential role in the development and maintenance of eating disorders. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a specific interpersonal profile could be identified in a group of patients diagnosed with Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder, or Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified, and to explore if specific types of interpersonal problems were systematically related to treatment outcome in this group of patients. The participants were 159 patients who received systemic/narrative outpatient group psychotherapy. Interpersonal problems were measured at baseline, and eating disorder symptoms were measured pre- and post treatment. Data were analysed with the Structural Summary Method, a particular method for the analysis of the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems, and hierarchical regression analysis was conducted. The patients demonstrated a generally Non-assertive and Friendly-submissive interpersonal style. No significant association between the overall level of interpersonal problems and treatment outcome was identified. However, the results showed a correlation between being cold and hostile and poor treatment outcome, while being domineering showed a trend approaching significance in predicting better treatment outcome. The results indicate that patients with eating disorders show a specific interpersonal profile, and suggest that particular types of interpersonal problems are associated with treatment outcome.

Alternative Methods of Base Level Demand Forecasting for Economic Order Quantity Items,

DTIC Science & Technology

1975-12-01

Note .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 AdaptivC Single Exponential Smooti-ing ........ 21 Choosing the Smoothiing Constant... methodology used in the study, an analysis of results, .And a detailed summary. Chapter I. Methodology , contains a description o the data, a...Chapter IV. Detailed Summary, presents a detailed summary of the findings, lists the limitations inherent in the 7’" research methodology , and

Multiple Phenotype Association Tests Using Summary Statistics in Genome-Wide Association Studies

PubMed Central

Liu, Zhonghua; Lin, Xihong

2017-01-01

Summary We study in this paper jointly testing the associations of a genetic variant with correlated multiple phenotypes using the summary statistics of individual phenotype analysis from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWASs). We estimated the between-phenotype correlation matrix using the summary statistics of individual phenotype GWAS analyses, and developed genetic association tests for multiple phenotypes by accounting for between-phenotype correlation without the need to access individual-level data. Since genetic variants often affect multiple phenotypes differently across the genome and the between-phenotype correlation can be arbitrary, we proposed robust and powerful multiple phenotype testing procedures by jointly testing a common mean and a variance component in linear mixed models for summary statistics. We computed the p-values of the proposed tests analytically. This computational advantage makes our methods practically appealing in large-scale GWASs. We performed simulation studies to show that the proposed tests maintained correct type I error rates, and to compare their powers in various settings with the existing methods. We applied the proposed tests to a GWAS Global Lipids Genetics Consortium summary statistics data set and identified additional genetic variants that were missed by the original single-trait analysis. PMID:28653391

Recoil Distance Method lifetime measurement of the 2 1 + state in 94Sr and implications for the structure of neutron rich Sr isotopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chester, Aaron; Starosta, Krzysztof; S1467 Experiment Collaboration

2017-09-01

A high precision lifetime measurement of the 21+ state in 94Sr was performed at TRIUMF's ISAC-II facility by coupling the Recoil Distance Method implemented via the TIGRESS Integrated Plunger with unsafe Coulomb excitation in inverse kinematics. Due to limited statistics imposed by the use of a radioactive 94Sr beam, a likelihood ratio χ2 method was derived and used to compare experimental data to Geant4-simulated lineshapes. The B (E 2 ;21+ ->01+) value extracted from the lifetime measurement of 7 .80-0.40 + 0.50 (stat .) +/- 0.07 (sys .) ps is approximately 25% larger than previously reported while the relative uncertainty has been reduced by a factor of approximately 8. A baseline deformation has been established for Sr isotopes with N <= 58 which is a necessary condition for the Quantum Phase Transition interpretation of the onset of deformation in this region. A summary of the experiment, description of the data analysis methods, and a comparison to existing theoretical models will be presented.

Life table analysis of the United States' Year 2000 mortality objectives.

PubMed

Rockett, I R; Pollard, J H

1995-06-01

The US Year 2000 mortality objectives are model standards cast as targeted changes in age-adjusted cause-specific death rates. This research centred on the projected impact of such changes on life expectancy and the mortality toll for each sex. A computer simulation was conducted using single decrement, multiple decrement and cause-elimination life table techniques, together with a decomposition procedure. Male and female life expectancy at birth was projected to increase by 1.71 and 1.51 years, respectively, between the designated 1987 baseline and 2000. The leading beneficiaries would be those aged 65 and older, followed by those aged 45-64, and infants. Declines in coronary heart disease, stroke and injury death rates would most influence the projected life expectancy changes, irrespective of sex. Approximately 782,000 male deaths and 730,000 female deaths would be averted under Year 2000 assumptions. Life expectancy would be a useful summary measure to incorporate into official evaluations of the Year 2000 mortality objectives. Targeting of excess male mortality in the US and other highly industrialized nations is recommended.

COMMIT in 7-SEAS/BASELInE: Operation of and Observations from a Novel, Mobile Laboratory for Measuring In-Situ Properties of Aerosols and Gases

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Pantina, Peter; Tsay, Si-Chee; Hsiao, Ta-Chih; Loftus, Adrian M.; Kuo, Ferret; Ou-Yang, Chang-Feng; Sayer, Andrew M.; Wang, Shen-Hsiang; Lin, Neng-Huei; Hsu, N. Christina;

Public sector scale-up of zinc and ORS improves coverage in selected districts in Bihar, India.

PubMed

Walker, Christa L Fischer; Taneja, Sunita; Lamberti, Laura M; Black, Robert E; Mazumder, Sarmila

2015-12-01

In Bihar, India, a new initiative to enhance diarrhea treatment with zinc and ORS in the public sector was rolled out in selected districts. We conducted an external evaluation to measure changes in diarrhea careseeking and treatment in intervention districts. We conducted baseline and endline household surveys among caregivers of children 2-59 months of age. We calculated summary statistics for household characteristics, knowledge, careseeking and treatments given to children with a diarrhea episode in the last 14 days and built logistic regression models to compare baseline and endline values. Caregivers named a public health center as an appropriate source of care for childhood diarrhea more often at endline (71.3%) compared to baseline (38.4%) but did not report increased careseeking to public sector providers for the current diarrhea episode. In logistic regression analyses, the odds of receiving zinc, with or without oral rehydration salts (ORS), increased at endline by more than 2.7 as compared to baseline. Children who were taken to the public sector for care were more likely to receive zinc (odds ratio, OR = 3.93) and zinc in addition to ORS (OR = 6.10) compared to children who were not taken to the public sector. Coverage of zinc and ORS can improve with public sector programs targeted at training and increasing product availability, but demand creation may be needed to increase public sector careseeking in areas where the private sector has historically provided much of the care.

Analysis of Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Samples: Integrated Summary Report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Britt, Phillip F

2015-03-01

Analysis of Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Samples: Integrated Summary Report. Summaries of conclusions, analytical processes, and analytical results. Analysis of samples taken from the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) near Carlsbad, New Mexico in support of the WIPP Technical Assessment Team (TAT) activities to determine to the extent feasible the mechanisms and chemical reactions that may have resulted in the breach of at least one waste drum and release of waste material in WIPP Panel 7 Room 7 on February 14, 2014. This report integrates and summarizes the results contained in three separate reports, described below, and draws conclusions basedmore » on those results. Chemical and Radiochemical Analyses of WIPP Samples R-15 C5 SWB and R16 C-4 Lip; PNNL-24003, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, December 2014 Analysis of Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP) Underground and MgO Samples by the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL); SRNL-STI-2014-00617; Savannah River National Laboratory, December 2014 Report for WIPP UG Sample #3, R15C5 (9/3/14); LLNL-TR-667015; Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, January 2015 This report is also contained in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant Technical Assessment Team Report; SRNL-RP-2015-01198; Savannah River National Laboratory, March 17, 2015, as Appendix C: Analysis Integrated Summary Report.« less

The effects of lesion baseline characteristics and different Sr:Ca ratios in plaque fluid-like solutions on caries lesion de- and remineralization.

PubMed

Lippert, Frank

2012-10-01

This study investigated the effects of lesion baseline characteristics and different strontium (Sr) to calcium (Ca) ratios in plaque fluid-like solutions (PF) on lesion de- and remineralization. Caries lesions were formed in enamel using three protocols: methylcellulose acid gel (MeC) and partially saturated lactic acid solutions containing carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) or not (SOLN). Lesions were exposed to PF with four distinct Sr:Ca molar ratios (0:1/3:1:3), but otherwise identical composition and total Sr+Ca molarity, for seven days. Lesions were characterized using transverse microradiography (TMR) at baseline and post-treatment. At baseline, MeC and CMC had similar integrated mineral loss values, whereas SOLN lesions were more demineralized. All lesions showed significant differences in their mineral distributions, with CMC and SOLN having lower R values (integrated mineral loss to lesion depth ratio) than MeC. Post-PF exposure, no interaction was found between lesion type and Sr:Ca ratio. Within lesion type, MeC demineralized, whereas CMC and SOLN exhibited some remineralization, with the differences between MeC and the other lesion types being of statistical significance. Within Sr:Ca ratio, the 1:3 ratio exhibited some remineralization whereas other groups tended to demineralize. Only the difference between groups SrCa1/3 and SrCa0 was of statistical significance. In summary, both lesion baseline characteristics and Sr:Ca ratio were shown to effect lesion de- and remineralization. Under the conditions of the study, high-R lesions are more prone to demineralize under PF-like conditions than low-R lesions. In addition, partial Sr substitution for Ca in PF was shown to enhance lesion remineralization. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Impact of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia on quality of life: a prospective pilot investigation.

PubMed

Fortner, Barry V; Schwartzberg, Lee; Tauer, Kurt; Houts, Arthur C; Hackett, James; Stolshek, Brad S

2005-07-01

In this exploratory, prospective study evaluated quality of life (QoL) changes in patients with diverse cancers during the first cycle of myelosuppressive chemotherapy. Of 80 patients enrolled, 71 were observed during one of five chemotherapy regimens: docetaxel; CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone); carboplatin-paclitaxel; carboplatin-docetaxel; and carboplatin-gemcitabine. Complete blood counts were taken weekly. QoL and symptom burden measures were administered at baseline and throughout the cycle, and included SF-36, Cancer Care Monitor (CCM), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale (PAIS). Using generalized estimating equations, we modeled the change in each measure from baseline to the end of each week using the following covariates: baseline QoL measure, baseline SF-36 Physical and Mental Health Summary scores, sex, age, cycle week, grade 4 neutropenia any time in the past 7 days (yes/no), and the interaction of the latter two covariates. Of the 71 patients observed, 33 developed grade 4 neutropenia during the first 2 weeks. Changes from baseline in SF-36 Bodily Pain, HADS Anxiety, and PAIS Social Environment scores were significantly less favorable (P<0.05) when patients experienced grade 4 neutropenia any time in the past 7 days compared to when they did not (grade 0-3). A similar, but non-significant, trend was also observed for 12 other QoL measures. QoL may be adversely affected up to 7 days after patients experience grade 4 (versus grade 0-3) neutropenia. Such findings need to be examined further in studies with adequate statistical power to test a priori hypotheses regarding specific QoL measures.

Text Messaging to Improve Disease Management in Patients With Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

PubMed

Bauer, Victoria; Goodman, Nancy; Lapin, Brittany; Cooley, Camille; Wang, Ed; Craig, Terri L; Glosner, Scott E; Juhn, Mark S; Cappelleri, Joseph C; Sadosky, Alesia B; Masi, Christopher

2018-06-01

Purpose The purpose of the study was to determine the impact of educational text messages on diabetes self-management activities and outcomes in patients with painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pDPN). Methods Patients with pDPN identified from a large integrated health system who agreed to participate were randomized to 6 months of usual care (UC) or UC plus twice-daily diabetes self-management text messages (UC+TxtM). Outcomes included the Pain Numerical Rating Scale, Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA), questions on diabetes health beliefs, and glycated hemoglobin (A1C). Changes from baseline were evaluated at 6 months and compared between groups. Results Demographic characteristics were balanced between groups (N = 62; 53% female, mean age = 63 years, 94% type 2 diabetes), as were baseline measures. After 6 months, pain decreased with UC+TxtM from 6.3 to 5.5 and with UC from 6.5 to 6.0, with no difference between groups. UC+TxtM but not UC was associated with significant improvements from baseline on all SDSCA subscales. On diabetes health beliefs, UC+TxtM patients reported significantly increased benefits and reduced barriers and susceptibility relative to UC at 6 months. A1C declined in both groups, but neither change was significant relative to baseline. Conclusions Patients with pDPN who receive twice-daily text messages regarding diabetes management reported reduced pain relative to baseline, although this change was not significant compared with usual care. In addition, text messaging was associated with increased self-management activities and improved diabetes health beliefs and total self-care. These results warrant further investigation.

General Health and Knee Function Outcomes from Seven Days to Twelve Weeks After Spinal Anesthesia and Multimodal Analgesia for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

PubMed Central

Williams, Brian A.; Dang, Qainyu; Bost, James E.; Irrgang, James J.; Orebaugh, Steven L.; Bottegal, Matthew T.; Kentor, Michael L.

2010-01-01

Background We previously reported that continuous perineural femoral analgesia reduces pain with movement during the first 2 days after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR, n=270), when compared with multimodal analgesia and placebo perineural femoral infusion. We now report the prospectively collected general health and knee function outcomes in the 7 days to 12 weeks after surgery in these same patients. Methods At 3 points during 12 weeks after ACLR surgery, patients completed the SF-36 General Health Survey, and the Knee Outcome Survey (KOS). Generalized Estimating Equations were implemented to evaluate the association between patient-reported survey outcomes and (i) preoperative baseline survey scores, (ii) time after surgery, and (iii) 3 nerve block treatment groups. Results Two-hundred-seventeen patients’ data were complete for analysis. In univariate and multiple regression Generalized Estimating Equations models, nerve block treatment group was not associated with SF-36 and KOS scores after surgery (all with P≥0.05). The models showed that the physical component summary of the SF-36 (P < 0.0001) and the KOS total score (P < 0.0001) increased (improved) over time after surgery and were also influenced by baseline scores. Conclusions After spinal anesthesia and multimodal analgesia for ACLR, the nerve block treatment group did not predict SF-36 or knee function outcomes from 7 days to 12 weeks after surgery. Further research is needed to determine whether these conclusions also apply to a nonstandardized anesthetic, or one that includes general anesthesia and/or high-dose opioid analgesia. PMID:19299803

Characteristics of Responders to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy: The Impact of Echocardiographic Left Ventricular Volume

PubMed Central

Park, Mi Young; Altman, Robert K.; Orencole, Mary; Kumar, Prabhat; Parks, Kimberly A.; Heist, Kevin E.; Singh, Jagmeet P.; Picard, Michael H.

2012-01-01

Summary Background One third of patients who receive cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) are classified as nonresponders. Characteristics of responders to CRT have been studied in multiple clinical trials. Hypothesis We aimed to examine characteristics of CRT responders in a routine clinical practice. Method One hundred and twenty five patients were examined retrospectively from a multidisciplinary CRT clinic program. Echocardiographic CRT response was defined as a decrease in left ventricular (LV) end systolic volume (ESV) of ≥ 15% and/or absolute increase of 5% in LV ejection fraction (EF) at 6 month visit. Results There were 81 responders and 44 nonresponders. By univariate analyses, female gender, nonischemic cardiomyopathy etiology, baseline QRS duration, the presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) and left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) index predicted CRT response. However, multivariate analysis demonstrated only QRS duration, LBBB and LVEDV index were independent predictors (QRS width: Odd ratio [OR] 1.027, 95% CI 1.004 – 1.050, p = 0.023; LBBB: OR 3.568, 95% CI 1.284 – 9.910, p=0.015; LV EDV index: OR 0.970, 95% CI 0.953 – 0.987, p= 0.001). While female gender and nonischemic etiology were associated with an improved CRT response on univariate analyses, after adjusting for LV volumes, they were not independent predictors. Conclusion QRS width, LBBB and LVEDV index are independent predictors for echocardiographic CRT response. Previously reported differences in CRT response for gender and cardiomyopathy etiology are associated with differences in baseline LV volumes in our clinical practice. PMID:22886700

Unequal Exposure or Unequal Vulnerability? Contributions of Neighborhood Conditions and Cardiovascular Risk Factors to Socioeconomic Inequality in Incident Cardiovascular Disease in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

PubMed

Hussein, Mustafa; Diez Roux, Ana V; Mujahid, Mahasin S; Hastert, Theresa A; Kershaw, Kiarri N; Bertoni, Alain G; Baylin, Ana

2017-11-23

Risk factors can drive socioeconomic inequalities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) through differential exposure and differential vulnerability. We show how econometric decomposition directly enables simultaneous, policy-oriented assessment of these two mechanisms. We specifically estimated contributions via these mechanisms of neighborhood environment and proximal risk factors to socioeconomic inequality in CVD incidence. We followed 5,608 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2000-2012) until the first CVD event (median follow-up 12.2 years). We used a summary measure of baseline socioeconomic position (SEP). Covariates included baseline demographics, neighborhood, psychosocial, behavioral, and biomedical risk factors. Using Poisson models, we decomposed the difference (inequality) in incidence rates between low- and high-SEP groups into contributions of 1) differences in covariate means (differential exposure), and 2) differences in CVD risk associated with covariates (differential vulnerability). Notwithstanding large uncertainty in neighborhood estimates, our analysis suggests that differential exposure to poorer neighborhood socioeconomic conditions, adverse social environment, diabetes, and hypertension accounts for most of inequality. Psychosocial and behavioral contributions were negligible. Further, neighborhood SEP, female gender, and White race were more strongly associated with CVD among low-SEP (vs. high-SEP) participants. These differentials in vulnerability also accounted for nontrivial portions of the inequality, and could have important implications for intervention. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Air Force Global Weather Central System Architecture Study. Final System/Subsystem Summary Report. Volume 2. Requirements Compilation and Analysis. Part 3. Characteristics Summaries and Network Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

DB DC DCT DDB DET DF DFS DML DMS DMSP DOD DS DSARC DT EDB EDS EG ESSA ETAC EWO Control and Reporting Post Cathode Ray Tube...National and Aviation Meteorological Facsimile Network NC - Network Control NCA - National Command Authority NCAR - National Center for Atmospheric

NHEXAS PHASE I REGION 5 STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE--COMPENDIUM OF METHOD SUMMARIES FOR COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF METALS AND VOCS IN BLOOD AND URINE (CDC-COMPENDIUM)

EPA Science Inventory

This compendium includes method summaries provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Environmental Health (CDC/NCEH) for collection and shipping of blood and urine samples for analysis of metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It provide...

NHEXAS PHASE I MARYLAND STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE--COMPENDIUM OF METHOD SUMMARIES FOR COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF METALS, PESTICIDE METABOLITES, AND VOCS IN BLOOD AND URINE (CDC-COMPENDIUM)

EPA Science Inventory

This compendium includes method summaries provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Environmental Health (CDC/NCEH) for the collection and shipping of blood and urine samples for analysis of metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It pro...

NHEXAS PHASE I ARIZONA STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE--COMPENDIUM OF METHOD SUMMARIES FOR COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF METALS, PESTICIDE METABOLITES, AND VOC IN BLOOD AND URINE (CDC-COMPENDIUM)

EPA Science Inventory

This compendium includes method summaries provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Environmental Health (CDC/NCEH) for the collection and shipping of blood and urine samples for analysis of metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). It pro...

Enabling Efficient Intelligence Analysis in Degraded Environments

DTIC Science & Technology

2013-06-01

Magnets Grid widget for multidimensional information exploration ; and a record browser of Visual Summary Cards widget for fast visual identification of...evolution analysis; a Magnets Grid widget for multi- dimensional information exploration ; and a record browser of Visual Summary Cards widget for fast...attention and inattentional blindness. It also explores and develops various techniques to represent information in a salient way and provide efficient

Operation of Reliability Analysis Center (FY88)

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-10-01

4.1 Current Projects 16 4.2 Completed Projects 22 6.0 FINANCIAL SUMMARY FY󈨜 23 7.0 INFORMATION FROM IAC USERS 24 7.1 User Feedback on IAC Services...22 6.0 FINANCIAL SUMMARY FY󈨜 Operating expenditures for carrying out the Reliability Analysis Center’s on-going operational functions and satisfying...Because the RAC does n~ot stand to benefit from either a favorable or unfavorable appraisal of any contractors design, an unbiased analysis can result

A Powerful Procedure for Pathway-Based Meta-analysis Using Summary Statistics Identifies 43 Pathways Associated with Type II Diabetes in European Populations.

PubMed

Zhang, Han; Wheeler, William; Hyland, Paula L; Yang, Yifan; Shi, Jianxin; Chatterjee, Nilanjan; Yu, Kai

2016-06-01

Meta-analysis of multiple genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has become an effective approach for detecting single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations with complex traits. However, it is difficult to integrate the readily accessible SNP-level summary statistics from a meta-analysis into more powerful multi-marker testing procedures, which generally require individual-level genetic data. We developed a general procedure called Summary based Adaptive Rank Truncated Product (sARTP) for conducting gene and pathway meta-analysis that uses only SNP-level summary statistics in combination with genotype correlation estimated from a panel of individual-level genetic data. We demonstrated the validity and power advantage of sARTP through empirical and simulated data. We conducted a comprehensive pathway-based meta-analysis with sARTP on type 2 diabetes (T2D) by integrating SNP-level summary statistics from two large studies consisting of 19,809 T2D cases and 111,181 controls with European ancestry. Among 4,713 candidate pathways from which genes in neighborhoods of 170 GWAS established T2D loci were excluded, we detected 43 T2D globally significant pathways (with Bonferroni corrected p-values < 0.05), which included the insulin signaling pathway and T2D pathway defined by KEGG, as well as the pathways defined according to specific gene expression patterns on pancreatic adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and bladder carcinoma. Using summary data from 8 eastern Asian T2D GWAS with 6,952 cases and 11,865 controls, we showed 7 out of the 43 pathways identified in European populations remained to be significant in eastern Asians at the false discovery rate of 0.1. We created an R package and a web-based tool for sARTP with the capability to analyze pathways with thousands of genes and tens of thousands of SNPs.

A Powerful Procedure for Pathway-Based Meta-analysis Using Summary Statistics Identifies 43 Pathways Associated with Type II Diabetes in European Populations

PubMed Central

Zhang, Han; Wheeler, William; Hyland, Paula L.; Yang, Yifan; Shi, Jianxin; Chatterjee, Nilanjan; Yu, Kai

2016-01-01

Meta-analysis of multiple genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has become an effective approach for detecting single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations with complex traits. However, it is difficult to integrate the readily accessible SNP-level summary statistics from a meta-analysis into more powerful multi-marker testing procedures, which generally require individual-level genetic data. We developed a general procedure called Summary based Adaptive Rank Truncated Product (sARTP) for conducting gene and pathway meta-analysis that uses only SNP-level summary statistics in combination with genotype correlation estimated from a panel of individual-level genetic data. We demonstrated the validity and power advantage of sARTP through empirical and simulated data. We conducted a comprehensive pathway-based meta-analysis with sARTP on type 2 diabetes (T2D) by integrating SNP-level summary statistics from two large studies consisting of 19,809 T2D cases and 111,181 controls with European ancestry. Among 4,713 candidate pathways from which genes in neighborhoods of 170 GWAS established T2D loci were excluded, we detected 43 T2D globally significant pathways (with Bonferroni corrected p-values < 0.05), which included the insulin signaling pathway and T2D pathway defined by KEGG, as well as the pathways defined according to specific gene expression patterns on pancreatic adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma, and bladder carcinoma. Using summary data from 8 eastern Asian T2D GWAS with 6,952 cases and 11,865 controls, we showed 7 out of the 43 pathways identified in European populations remained to be significant in eastern Asians at the false discovery rate of 0.1. We created an R package and a web-based tool for sARTP with the capability to analyze pathways with thousands of genes and tens of thousands of SNPs. PMID:27362418

Economic analysis of atmospheric mercury emission control for coal-fired power plants in China.

PubMed

Ancora, Maria Pia; Zhang, Lei; Wang, Shuxiao; Schreifels, Jeremy; Hao, Jiming

2015-07-01

Coal combustion and mercury pollution are closely linked, and this relationship is particularly relevant in China, the world's largest coal consumer. This paper begins with a summary of recent China-specific studies on mercury removal by air pollution control technologies and then provides an economic analysis of mercury abatement from these emission control technologies at coal-fired power plants in China. This includes a cost-effectiveness analysis at the enterprise and sector level in China using 2010 as a baseline and projecting out to 2020 and 2030. Of the control technologies evaluated, the most cost-effective is a fabric filter installed upstream of the wet flue gas desulfurization system (FF+WFGD). Halogen injection (HI) is also a cost-effective mercury-specific control strategy, although it has not yet reached commercial maturity. The sector-level analysis shows that 193 tons of mercury was removed in 2010 in China's coal-fired power sector, with annualized mercury emission control costs of 2.7 billion Chinese Yuan. Under a projected 2030 Emission Control (EC) scenario with stringent mercury limits compared to Business As Usual (BAU) scenario, the increase of selective catalytic reduction systems (SCR) and the use of HI could contribute to 39 tons of mercury removal at a cost of 3.8 billion CNY. The economic analysis presented in this paper offers insights on air pollution control technologies and practices for enhancing atmospheric mercury control that can aid decision-making in policy design and private-sector investments. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.

A simulations approach for meta-analysis of genetic association studies based on additive genetic model.

PubMed

John, Majnu; Lencz, Todd; Malhotra, Anil K; Correll, Christoph U; Zhang, Jian-Ping

2018-06-01

Meta-analysis of genetic association studies is being increasingly used to assess phenotypic differences between genotype groups. When the underlying genetic model is assumed to be dominant or recessive, assessing the phenotype differences based on summary statistics, reported for individual studies in a meta-analysis, is a valid strategy. However, when the genetic model is additive, a similar strategy based on summary statistics will lead to biased results. This fact about the additive model is one of the things that we establish in this paper, using simulations. The main goal of this paper is to present an alternate strategy for the additive model based on simulating data for the individual studies. We show that the alternate strategy is far superior to the strategy based on summary statistics.

Hazing DEOCS 4.1 Construct Validity Summary

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-08-01

Hazing DEOCS 4.1 Construct Validity Summary DEFENSE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE DIRECTORATE OF...the analysis. Tables 4 – 6 provide additional information regarding the descriptive statistics and reliability of the Hazing items. Table 7 provides

Effects of Student-Generated Diagrams versus Student-Generated Summaries on Conceptual Understanding of Causal and Dynamic Knowledge in Plate Tectonics.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gobert, Janice D.; Clement, John J.

1999-01-01

Grade five students' (n=58) conceptual understanding of plate tectonics was measured by analysis of student-generated summaries and diagrams, and by posttest assessment of both the spatial/static and causal/dynamic aspects of the domain. The diagram group outperformed the summary and text-only groups on the posttest measures. Discusses the effects…

Shape information from glucose curves: Functional data analysis compared with traditional summary measures

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Plasma glucose levels are important measures in medical care and research, and are often obtained from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) with repeated measurements over 2–3 hours. It is common practice to use simple summary measures of OGTT curves. However, different OGTT curves can yield similar summary measures, and information of physiological or clinical interest may be lost. Our mean aim was to extract information inherent in the shape of OGTT glucose curves, compare it with the information from simple summary measures, and explore the clinical usefulness of such information. Methods OGTTs with five glucose measurements over two hours were recorded for 974 healthy pregnant women in their first trimester. For each woman, the five measurements were transformed into smooth OGTT glucose curves by functional data analysis (FDA), a collection of statistical methods developed specifically to analyse curve data. The essential modes of temporal variation between OGTT glucose curves were extracted by functional principal component analysis. The resultant functional principal component (FPC) scores were compared with commonly used simple summary measures: fasting and two-hour (2-h) values, area under the curve (AUC) and simple shape index (2-h minus 90-min values, or 90-min minus 60-min values). Clinical usefulness of FDA was explored by regression analyses of glucose tolerance later in pregnancy. Results Over 99% of the variation between individually fitted curves was expressed in the first three FPCs, interpreted physiologically as “general level” (FPC1), “time to peak” (FPC2) and “oscillations” (FPC3). FPC1 scores correlated strongly with AUC (r=0.999), but less with the other simple summary measures (−0.42≤r≤0.79). FPC2 scores gave shape information not captured by simple summary measures (−0.12≤r≤0.40). FPC2 scores, but not FPC1 nor the simple summary measures, discriminated between women who did and did not develop gestational diabetes later in pregnancy. Conclusions FDA of OGTT glucose curves in early pregnancy extracted shape information that was not identified by commonly used simple summary measures. This information discriminated between women with and without gestational diabetes later in pregnancy. PMID:23327294

Shape information from glucose curves: functional data analysis compared with traditional summary measures.

PubMed

Frøslie, Kathrine Frey; Røislien, Jo; Qvigstad, Elisabeth; Godang, Kristin; Bollerslev, Jens; Voldner, Nanna; Henriksen, Tore; Veierød, Marit B

2013-01-17

Plasma glucose levels are important measures in medical care and research, and are often obtained from oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) with repeated measurements over 2-3  hours. It is common practice to use simple summary measures of OGTT curves. However, different OGTT curves can yield similar summary measures, and information of physiological or clinical interest may be lost. Our mean aim was to extract information inherent in the shape of OGTT glucose curves, compare it with the information from simple summary measures, and explore the clinical usefulness of such information. OGTTs with five glucose measurements over two hours were recorded for 974 healthy pregnant women in their first trimester. For each woman, the five measurements were transformed into smooth OGTT glucose curves by functional data analysis (FDA), a collection of statistical methods developed specifically to analyse curve data. The essential modes of temporal variation between OGTT glucose curves were extracted by functional principal component analysis. The resultant functional principal component (FPC) scores were compared with commonly used simple summary measures: fasting and two-hour (2-h) values, area under the curve (AUC) and simple shape index (2-h minus 90-min values, or 90-min minus 60-min values). Clinical usefulness of FDA was explored by regression analyses of glucose tolerance later in pregnancy. Over 99% of the variation between individually fitted curves was expressed in the first three FPCs, interpreted physiologically as "general level" (FPC1), "time to peak" (FPC2) and "oscillations" (FPC3). FPC1 scores correlated strongly with AUC (r=0.999), but less with the other simple summary measures (-0.42≤r≤0.79). FPC2 scores gave shape information not captured by simple summary measures (-0.12≤r≤0.40). FPC2 scores, but not FPC1 nor the simple summary measures, discriminated between women who did and did not develop gestational diabetes later in pregnancy. FDA of OGTT glucose curves in early pregnancy extracted shape information that was not identified by commonly used simple summary measures. This information discriminated between women with and without gestational diabetes later in pregnancy.

Interoperability Assets for Patient Summary Components: A Gap Analysis.

PubMed

Heitmann, Kai U; Cangioli, Giorgio; Melgara, Marcello; Chronaki, Catherine

2018-01-01

The International Patient Summary (IPS) standards aim to define the specifications for a minimal and non-exhaustive Patient Summary, which is specialty-agnostic and condition-independent, but still clinically relevant. Meanwhile, health systems are developing and implementing their own variation of a patient summary while, the eHealth Digital Services Infrastructure (eHDSI) initiative is deploying patient summary services across countries in the Europe. In the spirit of co-creation, flexible governance, and continuous alignment advocated by eStandards, the Trillum-II initiative promotes adoption of the patient summary by engaging standards organizations, and interoperability practitioners in a community of practice for digital health to share best practices, tools, data, specifications, and experiences. This paper compares operational aspects of patient summaries in 14 case studies in Europe, the United States, and across the world, focusing on how patient summary components are used in practice, to promote alignment and joint understanding that will improve quality of standards and lower costs of interoperability.

Evaluating Candidate Principal Surrogate Endpoints

PubMed Central

Gilbert, Peter B.; Hudgens, Michael G.

2009-01-01

Summary Frangakis and Rubin (2002, Biometrics 58, 21–29) proposed a new definition of a surrogate endpoint (a “principal” surrogate) based on causal effects. We introduce an estimand for evaluating a principal surrogate, the causal effect predictiveness (CEP) surface, which quantifies how well causal treatment effects on the biomarker predict causal treatment effects on the clinical endpoint. Although the CEP surface is not identifiable due to missing potential outcomes, it can be identified by incorporating a baseline covariate(s) that predicts the biomarker. Given case–cohort sampling of such a baseline predictor and the biomarker in a large blinded randomized clinical trial, we develop an estimated likelihood method for estimating the CEP surface. This estimation assesses the “surrogate value” of the biomarker for reliably predicting clinical treatment effects for the same or similar setting as the trial. A CEP surface plot provides a way to compare the surrogate value of multiple biomarkers. The approach is illustrated by the problem of assessing an immune response to a vaccine as a surrogate endpoint for infection. PMID:18363776

Impact of a community based fire prevention intervention on fire safety knowledge and behavior in elementary school children

PubMed Central

Hwang, V; Duchossois, G P; Garcia‐Espana, J F; Durbin, D R

2006-01-01

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of a community based fire prevention intervention directed only to parents on the fire safety knowledge and behavior in elementary school children. This was a prospective, quasi‐randomized controlled study in which third and fourth grade students from two elementary schools in an urban, poor, minority community completed knowledge/behavior surveys at baseline and following completion of the intervention. The intervention group received an in‐home visit from fire department personnel who installed free lithium smoke detectors and provided a fire escape plan. After accounting for a small difference in baseline summary scores of knowledge and behavior between the control and intervention groups, this study found a modest improvement in fire safety behavior among children whose families received a fire prevention intervention reflecting a change in household fire safety practices. However, there was no significant change in fire safety knowledge. PMID:17018679

Evaluation of the impact of writing exercises interventions on quality of life in patients with psoriasis undergoing systemic treatments.

PubMed

Tabolli, S; Naldi, L; Pagliarello, C; Sampogna, F; di Pietro, C; Spagnoli, A; Abeni, D

2012-12-01

Emotional writing is a short-term psychological intervention that has been successfully used in several controlled studies. The overall objective of the study was to test the efficacy of Pennebaker's emotional writing intervention in patients with psoriasis treated with systemic therapy. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in seven clinical centres in Italy, over a 2-year period. The main outcome measures were the psoriasis area and severity index and the Physician Global Assessment, as well as generic and dermatology-specific quality of life questionnaires. Such outcomes were measured at 4 weeks, and 6 and 12 months from baseline. The project recruitment time was 12 months, and the total follow-up time for each individual was also 12 months. In total, 202 patients were enrolled and assessed at baseline, 67 of whom completed all three follow-up visits. The writing exercise had little or no effect on patients with psoriasis who were undergoing systemic treatment. In the Generalized Estimating Equations models no statistically significant differences were observed in the Pennebaker intervention group vs. the control group. In subgroup analysis for health status, small effects in favour of patients assigned to the Pennebaker group were documented at the end of the study in women, in overweight individuals, in patients under treatment with biological drugs, and on the Physical Component Summary of the Short Form of the Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire. The Pennebaker and control groups had similar changes over time for practically all the outcome variables, and also when considering all observations and adjusting for all the variables of interest. The longitudinal analysis confirmed that the intervention had little or no effect on the variables of interest. The implementation of writing exercises requires a careful and ad hoc organization, including dedicated spaces for the writing itself. © 2012 The Authors. BJD © 2012 British Association of Dermatologists 2012.

Brain microbleeds, anticoagulation, and hemorrhage risk: Meta-analysis in stroke patients with AF.

PubMed

Charidimou, Andreas; Karayiannis, Christopher; Song, Tae-Jin; Orken, Dilek Necioglu; Thijs, Vincent; Lemmens, Robin; Kim, Jinkwon; Goh, Su Mei; Phan, Thanh G; Soufan, Cathy; Chandra, Ronil V; Slater, Lee-Anne; Haji, Shamir; Mok, Vincent; Horstmann, Solveig; Leung, Kam Tat; Kawamura, Yuichiro; Sato, Nobuyuki; Hasebe, Naoyuki; Saito, Tsukasa; Wong, Lawrence K S; Soo, Yannie; Veltkamp, Roland; Flemming, Kelly D; Imaizumi, Toshio; Srikanth, Velandai; Heo, Ji Hoe

2017-12-05

To assess the association between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and future spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) risk in ischemic stroke patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF) taking oral anticoagulants. This was a meta-analysis of cohort studies with >50 patients with recent ischemic stroke and documented AF, brain MRI at baseline, long-term oral anticoagulation treatment, and ≥6 months of follow-up. Authors provided summary-level data on stroke outcomes stratified by CMB status. We estimated pooled annualized ICH and ischemic stroke rates from Poisson regression. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) of ICH by CMB presence/absence, ≥5 CMBs, and CMB topography (strictly lobar, mixed, and strictly deep) using random-effects models. We established an international collaboration and pooled data from 8 centers including 1,552 patients. The crude CMB prevalence was 30% and 7% for ≥5 CMBs. Baseline CMB presence (vs no CMB) was associated with ICH during follow-up (OR 2.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-6.01, p = 0.017). Presence of ≥5 CMB was related to higher future ICH risk (OR 5.50, 95% CI 2.07-14.66, p = 0.001). The pooled annual ICH incidence increased from 0.30% (95% CI 0.04-0.55) among CMB-negative patients to 0.81% (95% CI 0.17-1.45) in CMB-positive patients ( p = 0.01) and 2.48% (95% CI 1.2-6.2) in patients with ≥5 CMBs ( p = 0.001). There was no association between CMBs and recurrent ischemic stroke. The presence of CMB on MRI and the dichotomized cutoff of ≥5 CMBs might identify subgroups of ischemic stroke patients with AF with high ICH risk and after further validation could help in risk stratification, in anticoagulation decisions, and in guiding randomized trials and ongoing large observational studies. © 2017 American Academy of Neurology.

Environmental and economic risks assessment under climate changes for three land uses scenarios analysis across Teshio watershed, northernmost of Japan.

PubMed

Fan, Min; Shibata, Hideaki; Chen, Li

2017-12-01

Land use and climate changes affect on the economy and environment with different patterns and magnitudes in the watershed. This study used risk analysis model stochastic efficiency with respect to a function (SERF) to evaluate economic and environmental risks caused by four climate change scenarios (baseline, small-, mid- and large changes) and three land uses (paddy dominated, paddy-farmland mixture and farmland dominated for agriculture) in Teshio watershed in northern Hokkaido, Japan. Under the baseline climate conditions, the lower ranking of economic income of crop yield and higher ranking of pollutant load from agricultural land were both predicted in paddy dominated for agriculture, suggesting that the paddy dominated system caused higher risks of economic and environmental variables compared to other two land uses. Increase of temperature and precipitation increased crop yields under all three climate changes which resulted in increase of the ranking of economic income, indicating that those climate changes could reduce economic risk. The increased temperature and precipitation also accelerated mineralization of organic nutrient and nutrient leaching to river course of Teshio which resulted in increase of the ranking of pollutant load, suggesting that those climate changes could lead to more environmental risk. The rankings of economic income in mid- and large changes of climate were lower than that in small change of climate under paddy-farmland mixture and farmland dominated systems due to decrease of crop yield, suggesting that climate change led to more economic risk. In summary, the results suggested that increase in temperature and precipitation caused higher risks of both economic and environmental perspectives, and the impacts was higher than those of land use changes in the studied watershed. Those findings would help producers and watershed managers to measure the tradeoffs between environmental protection and agricultural economic development for making decision under land use and climate changes. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Comparison of ambulatory blood pressure and clinic blood pressure in relation to cardiovascular diseases in diabetic patients.

PubMed

Shen, Jian; Li, Zhi-Ming; He, Li-Zhen; Deng, Ren-Sheng; Liu, Jing-Guang; Shen, Yuan-Sheng

2017-08-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic values of ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) and clinic blood pressure (CBP) in diabetic patients with hypertension. A total of 450 diabetic hypertensive patients without established cardiovascular diseases were enrolled and 416 patients who had finished 12months' follow-up were included in final analysis. Baseline data were collected and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to evaluate prognostic value of ABP and CBP. Compared to those without study endpoints (n = 370), those experienced study endpoints (n = 46) were more elderly and more likely to be male, and had longer hypertension duration (7.0 ± 3.0 years vs. 6.4 ± 2.1 years, P < .05). No significant between-group differences in CBP indices were observed. However, those with study endpoints had significantly higher 24-hour systolic BP (SBP) (134 ± 10 mmHg vs. 128 ± 7 mmHg), nighttime SBP (130 ± 7 mmHg vs. 120 ± 5 mmHg), night/day SBP ratio (0.97 ± 0.09 vs. 0.94 ± 0.08), higher proportion of non-dipping BP pattern (39.1% vs. 31.4%) and higher 24-hour SBP variability. After extensively adjusted for traditional risk factors, nondipping BP pattern and 24-hourSBP, only 24-hour SBP and nighttime SBP remained independently related with cardiovascular outcomes, with hazard ratios and associated 95% confidence interval as 1.53 (1.28-2.03) and 1.50 (1.26-1.89), respectively. Although no independent relationship between BP pattern and cardiovascular outcomes was observed. In summary, in diabetic hypertensive patients without established cardiovascular diseases, baseline 24-hour SBP and nighttime SBP are useful markers for predicting short-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Shared Socio-Economic Pathways of the Energy Sector – Quantifying the Narratives

DOE PAGES

Bauer, Nico; Calvin, Katherine; Emmerling, Johannes; ...

2016-08-23

Energy is crucial for supporting basic human needs, development and well-being. The future evolution of the scale and character of the energy system will be fundamentally shaped by socioeconomic conditions and drivers, available energy resources, technologies of energy supply and transformation, and end-use energy demand. However, because energy-related activities are significant sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other environmental and social externalities, energy system development will also be influenced by social acceptance and strategic policy choices. All of these uncertainties have important implications for many aspects of economic and environmental sustainability, and climate change in particular. In the Shared-Socioeconomicmore » Pathway (SSP) framework these uncertainties are structured into five narratives, arranged according to the challenges to climate change mitigation and adaptation. In this study we explore future energy sector developments across the five SSPs using Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), and we also provide summary output and analysis for selected scenarios of global emissions mitigation policies. The mitigation challenge strongly corresponds with global baseline energy sector growth over the 21st century, which varies between 40% and 230% depending on final energy consumer behavior, technological improvements, resource availability and policies. The future baseline CO 2-emission range is even larger, as the most energy-intensive SSP also incorporates a comparatively high share of carbon-intensive fossil fuels, and vice versa. Inter-regional disparities in the SSPs are consistent with the underlying socioeconomic assumptions; these differences are particularly strong in the SSPs with large adaptation challenges, which have little inter-regional convergence in long-term income and final energy demand levels. The scenarios presented do not include feedbacks of climate change on energy sector development. The energy sector SSPs with and without emissions mitigation policies are introduced and analyzed here in order to contribute to future research in climate sciences, mitigation analysis, and studies on impacts, adaptation and vulnerability.« less

Life sciences payload definition and integration study. Volume 1: Management summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The objectives of a study program to determine the life sciences payloads required for conducting biomedical experiments during space missions are presented. The objectives are defined as: (1) to identify the research functions which must be performed aboard life sciences spacecraft laboratories and the equipment needed to support these functions and (2) to develop layouts and preliminary conceptual designs of several potential baseline payloads for the accomplishment of life research in space. Payload configurations and subsystems are described and illustrated. Tables of data are included to identify the material requirements for the space missions.

An Overview of the StarLight Mission

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lay, Oliver; Blackwood, Gary; Dubovitsky, Serge; Duren, Riley

2004-01-01

An overview of the Starlight Mission is presented. Mission summary: June 2006 launch to heliocentric orbit; Nominal 6 month mission with option of additional 6 month extension; Validate autonomous formation flying system: range control to 10 cm bearing, control to 4 arcmin; Demonstrate formation flying optical interferometry.The original 3 spacecraft design did not fit the budget. 2 spacecraft concept demonstrates all key areas of formation flying interferometry. Collector flown on the surface of a virtual paraboloid, with combiner at the focus. It Gives a baseline of 125 m with a fixed delay of only 14 m.

Apollo Spacesuit Modifications for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) Spacesuit

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

McBarron, James W., II

2015-01-01

With over 50 years of experience with NASA spacesuit development and operations, as well as for early U.S. Air Force pressure suits, Jim McBarron shared his significant knowledge about modifications to the Apollo spacesuit for use in the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP). This included requirements and design changes implemented to establish the ASTP spacesuit design baseline. Additionally, he identified Apollo spacesuit contact details including quantity of spacesuits delivered to support the Apollo and Skylab Programs, and the ASTP. He concluded by identifying a summary of noteworthy lessons learned with recommendations for future spacesuit development.

General Environmental Verification Specification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Milne, J. Scott, Jr.; Kaufman, Daniel S.

2003-01-01

The NASA Goddard Space Flight Center s General Environmental Verification Specification (GEVS) for STS and ELV Payloads, Subsystems, and Components is currently being revised based on lessons learned from GSFC engineering and flight assurance. The GEVS has been used by Goddard flight projects for the past 17 years as a baseline from which to tailor their environmental test programs. A summary of the requirements and updates are presented along with the rationale behind the changes. The major test areas covered by the GEVS include mechanical, thermal, and EMC, as well as more general requirements for planning, tracking of the verification programs.

Summary appraisals of the Nation's ground-water resources; Missouri Basin region

USGS Publications Warehouse

Taylor, O. James

1978-01-01

Comprehensive water-management planning in the Missouri Basin Region will require periodic or continuing inventory of precipitation, streamflow, surface-water storage, and ground water. Water demands for irrigation, industrial, public supply, and rural use are increasing rapidly. Reliance on ground-water supplies is increasing even though in many areas the ground water is still mostly undeveloped. Optimal use of water supplies will require the establishment of realistic goals and carefully conceived water-management plans, each of which will necessarily be based on an adequate baseline of hydrologic data and knowledge of the highly variable hydrologic systems in the region.

Job burnout predicts decline of health-related quality of life among employees with cardiovascular disease: A one-year follow-up study in female nurses.

PubMed

Zhang, Min; Loerbroks, Adrian; Li, Jian

To examine whether job burnout is associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in employees with cardiovascular disease. In this longitudinal study, we included 305 female hospital nurses with cardiovascular disease. Job burnout was measured by the 6-item Copenhagen Burnout Inventory at baseline. We categorized study participants into low, intermediate and high levels of job burnout based on tertiles. HRQOL at baseline and at one-year follow-up was operationalized in terms of the physical and mental functioning summary scores of the short form 8-item health survey (SF-8), which is an abbreviated version of the widely used SF-36 with score ranges of 0-100. Linear regression was applied to examine longitudinal associations. After taking into account relevant socio-demographic, behavioral, and work-related covariates as well as HRQOL scores at baseline, we found that both physical functioning and mental functioning declined (by 2.53 points and 3.02 points respectively, p<0.05) in the high job burnout group compared with the low job burnout group. Dose-response relationships were also observed (p<0.05). Job burnout predicts decline of HRQOL one year later among employees with cardiovascular disease. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

What are the combined effects of negative emotions and illness cognitions on self-care in people with type 2 diabetes? A longitudinal structural equation model.

PubMed

Hudson, Joanna L; Bundy, Christine; Coventry, Peter; Dickens, Chris; Wood, Alex; Reeves, David

2016-07-01

To explore whether negative emotions mediate the effect of diabetes cognitions on diabetes self-care and conversely whether diabetes cognitions mediate the effect of negative emotions on diabetes self-care. Longitudinal observational study in adults with type 2 diabetes. Self-reported depression and anxiety (Diabetes Wellbeing Questionnaire), cognitions (Illness Perceptions Questionnaire-Revised; Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire), and diabetes self-care (Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities Scale) were completed at baseline and six months. Analyses used structural equation modelling. Baseline medication concerns were associated with elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety at follow-up, but emotions did not mediate medication concern's effect on diabetes self-care. Baseline depression and anxiety symptoms were associated with specific diabetes cognitions over time, but these cognition domains did not mediate emotion's effect on diabetes self-care. Personal control remained independent of emotions and was associated with diabetes self-care over time. Negative emotions did not act directly or alongside cognitions to influence diabetes self-care. The reciprocal relationship between diabetes cognitions and emotions suggests cognitive restructuring, in addition to other mood management intervention techniques would likely improve the emotional wellbeing of adults with type 2 diabetes. Likewise, personal control beliefs are likely important intervention targets for improving self-care.

Catheter ablation of asymptomatic longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation: impact on quality of life, exercise performance, arrhythmia perception, and arrhythmia-free survival.

PubMed

Mohanty, Sanghamitra; Santangeli, Pasquale; Mohanty, Prasant; Di Biase, Luigi; Holcomb, Shawna; Trivedi, Chintan; Bai, Rong; Burkhardt, David; Hongo, Richard; Hao, Steven; Beheiry, Salwa; Santoro, Francesco; Forleo, Giovanni; Gallinghouse, Joseph G; Horton, Rodney; Sanchez, Javier E; Bailey, Shane; Hranitzky, Patrick M; Zagrodzky, Jason; Natale, Andrea

2014-10-01

Impact of catheter ablation on exercise performance, quality of life (QoL) and symptom perception in asymptomatic longstanding persistent AF (LSP-AF) patients has not been reported yet. Sixty-one consecutive patients (mean age 62 ±13 years, 71% males) with asymptomatic LSP-AF undergoing first catheter ablation were enrolled. Extended pulmonary vein antrum isolation plus ablation of complex fractionated atrial electrograms and nonpulmonary vein triggers was performed in all. QoL survey was taken at baseline and 12-months postablation, using Short Form-36 (SF-36). Information on arrhythmia perception was obtained using a standard questionnaire and corroborating symptoms with documented evidence of arrhythmia. Exercise tests were performed on 38 patients at baseline and 5 months after procedure. Recurrence was assessed using event recorder, cardiology evaluation, electrocardiogram, and 7-day holter monitoring. After 20 ± 5 months follow-up, 36 (57%) patients remained recurrence-free off-AAD. Of the 25 patients experiencing recurrence, 21 (84%) were symptomatic. Compared to baseline, follow-up SF-36 scores improved significantly in many measures. For patients with successful ablation, physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) demonstrated substantial improvement ( 64.2 ± 22.3 to 70.1 ± 18.6 [P = 0.041]; PCS: 62.6 ± 18.4 to 70.0 ± 14.4 [P = 0.032]). Postablation exercise study in recurrence-free patients showed significant reduction in resting and peak heart rate (75 ± 11 vs. 90 ± 17 and 132 ± 20 vs. 154.5 ± 36, respectively, P < 0.001), increase in peak oxygen pulse (13.4 ± 3 vs. 18.9 ± 16 mL/beat, Δ5.5 ± 15, P = 0.001), peak VO2 /kg (19.7 ± 5 to 23.4 ± 13 mL/kg/min [Δ 3.7 ± 10, P = 0.043]), and corresponding MET (5.6 ± 1 to 6.7 ± 4 [Δ1.1 ± 3, P = 0.03]). No improvement was observed in patients with failed procedures. Successful ablation improves exercise performance and QoL in asymptomatic LSP-AF patients. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

U.S.-MEXICO BORDER PROGRAM ARIZONA BORDER STUDY--STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE--COMPENDIUM OF METHOD SUMMARIES FOR COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS OF METALS, PESTICIDE METABOLITES, AND VOC IN BLOOD AND URINE (CDC-COMPENDIUM)

EPA Science Inventory

This compendium includes method summaries provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Center for Environmental Health (CDC/NCEH) for the collection and shipping of blood and urine samples for analysis of metals and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The pr...

Meta-Analysis of the Relation of Baseline Right Ventricular Function to Response to Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy.

PubMed

Sharma, Abhishek; Bax, Jerome J; Vallakati, Ajay; Goel, Sunny; Lavie, Carl J; Kassotis, John; Mukherjee, Debabrata; Einstein, Andrew; Warrier, Nikhil; Lazar, Jason M

2016-04-15

Right ventricular (RV) dysfunction has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF). Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves left ventricular (LV) size and function in patients with markedly abnormal electrocardiogram QRS duration. However, relation of baseline RV function with response to CRT has not been well described. In this study, we aim to investigate the relation of baseline RV function with response to CRT as assessed by change in LV ejection fraction (EF). A systematic search of studies published from 1966 to May 31, 2015 was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane CENTRAL, and the Web of Science databases. Studies were included if they have reported (1) parameters of baseline RV function (tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion [TAPSE] or RVEF or RV basal strain or RV fractional area change [FAC]) and (2) LVEF before and after CRT. Random-effects metaregression was used to evaluate the effect of baseline RV function parameters and change in LVEF. Sixteen studies (n = 1,764) were selected for final analysis. Random-effects metaregression analysis showed no significant association between the magnitude of the difference in EF before and after CRT with baseline TAPSE (β = 0.005, p = 0.989); baseline RVEF (β = 0.270, p = 0.493); baseline RVFAC (β = -0.367, p = 0.06); baseline basal strain (β = -0.342, p = 0.462) after a mean follow-up period of 10.5 months. In conclusion, baseline RV function as assessed by TAPSE, FAC, basal strain, or RVEF does not determine response to CRT as assessed by change in LVEF. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Standard deviation analysis of the mastoid fossa temperature differential reading: a potential model for objective chiropractic assessment.

PubMed

Hart, John

2011-03-01

This study describes a model for statistically analyzing follow-up numeric-based chiropractic spinal assessments for an individual patient based on his or her own baseline. Ten mastoid fossa temperature differential readings (MFTD) obtained from a chiropractic patient were used in the study. The first eight readings served as baseline and were compared to post-adjustment readings. One of the two post-adjustment MFTD readings fell outside two standard deviations of the baseline mean and therefore theoretically represents improvement according to pattern analysis theory. This study showed how standard deviation analysis may be used to identify future outliers for an individual patient based on his or her own baseline data. Copyright © 2011 National University of Health Sciences. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

SGLT2 inhibitors and renal outcomes in type 2 diabetes with or without renal impairment: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Seidu, Samuel; Kunutsor, Setor K; Cos, Xavier; Gillani, Syed; Khunti, Kamlesh

2018-06-01

Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may have renal protective effects in people with impaired kidney function. We assessed the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in people with type 2 diabetes with or without renal impairment [defined as estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of ≥30 and <60ml/min/1.73m 2 and/or UACR>300 and ≤5000mg/g] by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis of available studies. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from MEDLINE, EMABASE, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and search of bibliographies to March 2017. No relevant observational study was identified. Summary measures were presented as mean differences and narrative synthesis performed for studies that could not be pooled. 42 articles which included 40 RCTs comprising 29,954 patients were included. In populations with renal impairment, SGLT2 inhibition compared with placebo was consistently associated with an initial decrease in eGFR followed by an increase and return to baseline levels. In pooled analysis of 17 studies in populations without renal impairment, there was no significant change in eGFR comparing SGLT2 inhibitors with placebo (mean difference, 0.51ml/min/1.73m 2 ; 95% CI: -0.69, 1.72; p=403). SGLT2 inhibition relative to placebo was associated with preservation in serum creatinine levels or initial increases followed by return to baseline levels in patients with renal impairment, but levels were preserved in patients without renal impairment. In populations with or without renal impairment, SGLT2 inhibitors (particularly canagliflozin and empagliflozin) compared with placebo were associated with decreased urine albumin, improved albuminiuria, slowed progression to macroalbuminuria, and reduced the risk of worsening renal impairment, the initiation of kidney transplant, and death from renal disease. Emerging data suggests that with SGLT2 inhibition, renal function seems to be preserved in people with diabetes with or without renal impairment. Furthermore, SGLT2 inhibition prevents further renal function deterioration and death from kidney disease in these patients. Copyright © 2018 Primary Care Diabetes Europe. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dimensionality and summary measures of the SF-36 v1.6: comparison of scale- and item-based approach across ECRHS II adults population.

PubMed

Grassi, Mario; Nucera, Andrea

2010-01-01

The objective of this study was twofold: 1) to confirm the hypothetical eight scales and two-component summaries of the questionnaire Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), and 2) to evaluate the performance of two alternative measures to the original physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS). We performed principal component analysis (PCA) based on 35 items, after optimal scaling via multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), and subsequently on eight scales, after standard summative scoring. Item-based summary measures were planned. Data from the European Community Respiratory Health Survey II follow-up of 8854 subjects from 25 centers were analyzed to cross-validate the original and the novel PCS and MCS. Overall, the scale- and item-based comparison indicated that the SF-36 scales and summaries meet the supposed dimensionality. However, vitality, social functioning, and general health items did not fit data optimally. The novel measures, derived a posteriori by unit-rule from an oblique (correlated) MCA/PCA solution, are simple item sums or weighted scale sums where the weights are the raw scale ranges. These item-based scores yielded consistent scale-summary results for outliers profiles, with an expected known-group differences validity. We were able to confirm the hypothesized dimensionality of eight scales and two summaries of the SF-36. The alternative scoring reaches at least the same required standards of the original scoring. In addition, it can reduce the item-scale inconsistencies without loss of predictive validity.

Health related quality of life assessment in acute coronary syndrome patients: the effectiveness of early phase I cardiac rehabilitation.

PubMed

Anchah, Lawrence; Hassali, Mohamed Azmi; Lim, Melissa Siaw Han; Ibrahim, Mohamed Izham Mohamed; Sim, Kui Hian; Ong, Tiong Kiam

2017-01-13

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is one of the most burdensome cardiovascular diseases in terms of the cost of interventions. The Cardiac Rehabilitation Programme (CRP) is well-established in improving clinical outcomes but the assessment of actual clinical improvement is challenging, especially when considering pharmaceutical care (PC) values in phase I CRP during admission and upon discharge from hospital and phase II outpatient interventions. This study explores the impact of pharmacists' interventions in the early stages of CRP on humanistic outcomes and follow-up at a referral hospital in Malaysia. We recruited 112 patients who were newly diagnosed with ACS and treated at the referral hospital, Sarawak General Hospital, Malaysia. In the intervention group (modified CRP), all medication was reviewed by the clinical pharmacists, focusing on drug indication; understanding of secondary prevention therapy and adherence to treatment strategy. We compared the "pre-post" quality of life (QoL) of three groups (intervention, conventional and control) at baseline, 6 months and 12 months post-discharge with Malaysian norms. QoL data was obtained using a validated version of Short-Form 36 Questionnaire (SF-36). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measure tests was used to compare the mean differences of scores over time. A pre-post quasi-experimental non-equivalent group comparison design was applied to 112 patients who were followed up for one year. At baseline, the physical and mental health summaries reported poor outcomes in all three groups. However, these improved gradually but significantly over time. After the 6-month follow-up, the physical component summary reported in the modified CRP (MCRP) participants was higher, with a mean difference of 8.02 (p = 0.015) but worse in the mental component summary, with a mean difference of -4.13. At the 12-month follow-up, the MCRP participants performed better in their physical component (PCS) than those in the CCRP and control groups, with a mean difference of 11.46 (p = 0.008), 10.96 (p = 0.002) and 6.41 (p = 0.006) respectively. Comparing the changes over time for minimal important differences (MICD), the MCRP group showed better social functioning than the CCRP and control groups with mean differences of 20.53 (p = 0.03), 14.47 and 8.8, respectively. In role emotional subscales all three groups showed significant improvement in MCID with mean differences of 30.96 (p = 0.048), 31.58 (p = 0.022) and 37.04 (p < 0.001) respectively. Our results showed that pharmaceutical care intervention significantly improved HRQoL. The study also highlights the importance of early rehabilitation in the hospital setting. The MCRP group consistently showed better QoL, was more highly motivated and benefitted most from the CRP. Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC) Ministry of Health Malaysia, November 2007, NMRR-08-246-1401.

Regional differences in baseline disease activity and remission rates following golimumab treatment for RA: results from the GO-MORE trial.

PubMed

Durez, Patrick; Pavelka, Karel; Lazaro, Maria Alicia; Garcia-Kutzbach, Abraham; Moots, Robert J; Amital, Howard; Govoni, Marinella; Vastesaeger, Nathan

2018-05-01

GO-MORE (NCT00975130) was a large open-label, multinational, multicenter, prospective phase 3 trial evaluating add-on therapy with golimumab in biologic-naïve patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The objective of this post hoc analysis was to examine regional differences in baseline disease activity and remission rates following golimumab treatment for RA. This was a planned, descriptive post hoc analysis of data from the GO-MORE trial. Baseline disease activity and remission were defined as moderate or severe based on EULAR criteria. This analysis included 3280 participants from the GO-MORE trial. All participants included in this analysis had high or moderate disease activity at baseline. At baseline, high disease activity was least common in Europe (71.0%), Canada (77.0%), and the Middle East (78.2%) and most common in Latin America (90.7%), South Africa (91.5%), and Asia (92.5%). Month 6 remission rates were highest in South Africa (29.1%), Europe (27.9%), and the Middle East (27.3%) and lowest in Canada (19.7%), Latin America (17.2%), and Asia (15.0%). Higher rates of remission in each geographical region generally corresponded with lower baseline disease activity. We suspect that access to care and implementation of the treat-to-target strategy were the most important determinants, but this apparent relationship needs to be confirmed in further studies that include a statistical analysis of prognostic indicators.

Lost ecosystem services as a measure of oil spill damages: a conceptual analysis of the importance of baselines.

PubMed

Kennedy, Chris J; Cheong, So-Min

2013-10-15

The assessment and quantification of damages resulting from marine oil spills is typically coordinated by NOAA, and has historically utilized Habitat Equivalency Analysis (HEA) to estimate damages. Resource economists and others have called for the damage assessment process to instead estimate injuries through the valuation of lost ecosystem services. Our conceptual analysis explores ecosystem service valuation from the perspective of "baselines," which are a fundamental component of both primary and compensatory restoration activities. In practice, baselines have been defined in ecological terms, with minimal consideration of the socioeconomic side of ecosystem service provision. We argue that, for the purposes of scaling compensatory restoration, it is more appropriate to characterize baselines in value terms, thereby integrating non-market valuation approaches from the onset of the damage assessment process. Benefits and challenges of this approach are discussed, along with guidelines for practitioners to identify circumstances in which socioeconomic variables are likely to be important for baseline characterization. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Living near nuclear power plants and thyroid cancer risk: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Kim, Jaeyoung; Bang, Yejin; Lee, Won Jin

2016-02-01

There has been public concern regarding the safety of residing near nuclear power plants, and the extent of risk for thyroid cancer among adults living near nuclear power plants has not been fully explored. In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies was conducted to investigate the association between living near nuclear power plants and the risk of thyroid cancer. A comprehensive literature search was performed on studies published up to March 2015 on the association between nuclear power plants and thyroid cancer risk. The summary standardized incidence ratio (SIR), standardized mortality ratio (SMR), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a random-effect model of meta-analysis. Sensitivity analyses were performed by study quality. Thirteen studies were included in the meta-analysis, covering 36 nuclear power stations in 10 countries. Overall, summary estimates showed no significant increased thyroid cancer incidence or mortality among residents living near nuclear power plants (summary SIR=0.98; 95% CI 0.87-1.11, summary SMR=0.80; 95% CI 0.62-1.04). The pooled estimates did not reveal different patterns of risk by gender, exposure definition, or reference population. However, sensitivity analysis by exposure definition showed that living less than 20 km from nuclear power plants was associated with a significant increase in the risk of thyroid cancer in well-designed studies (summary OR=1.75; 95% CI 1.17-2.64). Our study does not support an association between living near nuclear power plants and risk of thyroid cancer but does support a need for well-designed future studies. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

The ankle brachial index and change in lower extremity functioning over time: the Women's Health and Aging Study.

PubMed

McDermott, Mary McGrae; Ferrucci, Luigi; Simonsick, Eleanor M; Balfour, Jennifer; Fried, Linda; Ling, Shari; Gibson, Daniel; Guralnik, Jack M

2002-02-01

To define the association between baseline ankle brachial index (ABI) level and subsequent onset of severe disability. Prospective cohort study. Baltimore community. Eight hundred forty-seven disabled women aged 65 and older participating in the Women's Health and Aging Study. At baseline, participants underwent measurement of ABI and lower extremity functioning. Measures of lower extremity functioning included patient's report of their ability to walk one-quarter of a mile, number of city blocks walked last week, number of stair flights climbed last week, and performance-based measures including walking speed over 4 meters, five repeated chair stands, and a summary performance score. Functioning was remeasured every 6 months for 3 years. Definitions of severe disability were developed a priori, and participants who met these definitions at baseline were excluded from subsequent analyses. Participants with an ABI of less than 0.60 at baseline had significantly higher cumulative probabilities of developing severe disability than participants with a baseline ABI of 0.90 to 1.50 for walking-specific outcomes (ability to walk a quarter of a mile, number of city blocks walked last week, and walking velocity) but not for the remaining functional outcomes. In age-adjusted Cox proportional hazards analyses, hazard ratios for participants with a baseline ABI of less than 0.60 were 1.63 for becoming unable to walk a quarter of a mile (P = .044), 2.00 for developing severe disability in the number of blocks walked last week (P = .004), and 1.61 for developing severe disability in walking speed (P = .041), compared with participants with a baseline ABI of 0.90 to 1.50. Adjusting for age, race, baseline performance, and comorbidities, an ABI of less than 0.60 remained associated with becoming severely disabled in the number of blocks walked last week (hazard ratio = 1.97, P = .009) and nearly significantly associated with becoming unable to walk a quarter of a mile (hazard ratio = 1.54, P = .09). In fully adjusted random effects models, a baseline ABI of less than 0.60 was associated with significantly greater decline in walking speed per year (P = .019) and nearly significantly greater decline in number of blocks walked last week per year (P = .053) compared with a baseline ABI of 0.90 to 1.50. In community-dwelling disabled older women, a low ABI is associated with a greater incidence of severe disability in walking-specific but not other lower extremity functional outcomes, compared with persons with a normal ABI over 3 years.

Summary of Prometheus Radiation Shielding Nuclear Design Analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

J. Stephens

2006-01-13

This report transmits a summary of radiation shielding nuclear design studies performed to support the Prometheus project. Together, the enclosures and references associated with this document describe NRPCT (KAPL & Bettis) shielding nuclear design analyses done for the project.

Statistical summaries of selected Iowa streamflow data through September 2013.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2015-01-01

Statistical summaries of streamflow data collected at : 184 streamgages in Iowa are presented in this report. All : streamgages included for analysis have at least 10 years of : continuous record collected before or through September : 2013. This rep...

FHWA vehicle crash analysis conference proceedings : technical summary

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1997-04-01

This technical summary announces the publication of conference proceedings as a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) report (FHWA-RD-96-212) of the same title. The report represents a compilation of seven research papers presented at The FHWA Veh...

Solid Waste Program technical baseline description

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Carlson, A.B.

1994-07-01

The system engineering approach has been taken to describe the technical baseline under which the Solid Waste Program is currently operating. The document contains a mission analysis, function analysis, system definition, documentation requirements, facility and project bases, and uncertainties facing the program.

Health related quality of life in Middle Eastern children with beta-thalassemia.

PubMed

Caocci, Giovanni; Efficace, Fabio; Ciotti, Francesca; Roncarolo, Maria Grazia; Vacca, Adriana; Piras, Eugenia; Littera, Roberto; Markous, Raji Suleiman Dawood; Collins, Gary Stephen; Ciceri, Fabio; Mandelli, Franco; Marktel, Sarah; La Nasa, Giorgio

2012-06-22

Thalassemia is a common disorder worldwide with a predominant incidence in Mediterranean countries, North Africa, the Middle East, India, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. Whilst substantial progress has been made towards the improvement of Health related quality of life (HRQoL) in western countries, scarce evidence-based data exists on HRQol of thalassemia children and adolescents living in developing countries. We studied 60 thalassemia children from Middle Eastern countries with a median age of 10 years (range 5 to 17 years). HRQoL was assessed with the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) 4.0. The Questionnaire was completed at baseline by all patients and their parents. The agreement between child-self and parent-proxy HRQoL reports and the relationship between HRQoL profiles and socio-demographic and clinical factors were investigated. The scores of parents were generally lower than those of their children for Emotional Functioning (mean 75 vs 85; p = 0.002), Psychosocial Health Summary (mean 70.3 vs 79.1; p = 0.015) and the Total Summary Score (mean 74.3 vs 77.7 p = 0.047). HRQoL was not associated with ferritin levels, hepatomegaly or frequency of transfusions or iron chelation therapy. Multivariate analysis showed that a delayed start of iron chelation had a negative impact on total PedsQL scores of both children (p = 0.046) and their parents (p = 0.007). The PedsQL 4.0 is a useful tool for the measurement of HRQoL in pediatric thalassemia patients. This study shows that delayed start of iron chelation has a negative impact on children's HRQoL.

Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 and Risks of Cardiovascular and Noncardiovascular Diseases: A Meta-Analysis.

PubMed

Marthi, Amarnath; Donovan, Killian; Haynes, Richard; Wheeler, David C; Baigent, Colin; Rooney, Christopher M; Landray, Martin J; Moe, Sharon M; Yang, Jun; Holland, Lisa; di Giuseppe, Romina; Bouma-de Krijger, Annet; Mihaylova, Borislava; Herrington, William G

2018-05-15

Background Fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) has been hypothesized to play a role in the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with CKD. Methods We identified prospective studies reporting associations between FGF-23 concentration and risk of cardiovascular events. Maximally adjusted risk ratios (RRs) were extracted for each outcome and scaled to a comparison of the top versus bottom third of the baseline FGF-23 concentration, and the results aggregated. Results Depending on the assay used, median FGF-23 concentrations were 43-74 RU/ml and 38-47 pg/ml in 17 general population cohorts; 102-392 RU/ml in nine cohorts of patients with CKD not requiring dialysis; and 79-4212 RU/ml and 2526-5555 pg/ml in eight cohorts of patients on dialysis. Overall, comparing participants in the top and bottom FGF-23 concentration thirds, the summary RRs (95% confidence intervals [95% CIs]) were 1.33 (1.12 to 1.58) for myocardial infarction, 1.26 (1.13 to 1.41) for stroke, 1.48 (1.29 to 1.69) for heart failure, 1.42 (1.27 to 1.60) for cardiovascular mortality, and 1.70 (1.52 to 1.91) for all-cause mortality. The summary RR for noncardiovascular mortality, calculated indirectly, was 1.52 (95% CI, 1.28 to 1.79). When studies were ordered by average differences in FGF-23 concentration between the top and bottom thirds, there was no trend in RRs across the studies. Conclusions The similarly-sized associations between increased FGF-23 concentration and cardiovascular (atherosclerotic and nonatherosclerotic) and noncardiovascular outcomes, together with the absence of any exposure-response relationship, suggest that the relationship between FGF-23 and cardiovascular disease risk may be noncausal. Copyright © 2018 by the American Society of Nephrology.

Iron deficiency is a key determinant of health-related quality of life in patients with chronic heart failure regardless of anaemia status.

PubMed

Comín-Colet, Josep; Enjuanes, Cristina; González, Gina; Torrens, Ainhoa; Cladellas, Mercè; Meroño, Oona; Ribas, Nuria; Ruiz, Sonia; Gómez, Miquel; Verdú, José Maria; Bruguera, Jordi

2013-10-01

To evaluate the effect of iron deficiency (ID) and/or anaemia on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We undertook a post-hoc analysis of a cohort of CHF patients in a single-centre study evaluating cognitive function. At recruitment, patients provided baseline information and completed the Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) for HRQoL (higher scores reflect worse HRQoL). At the same time, blood samples were taken for serological evaluation. ID was defined as serum ferritin levels <100 ng/mL or serum ferritin <800 ng/mL with transferrin saturation <20%. Anaemia was defined as haemoglobin ≤12 g/dL. A total of 552 CHF patients were eligible for inclusion, with an average age of 72 years and 40% in NYHA class III or IV. The MLHFQ overall summary scores were 41.0 ± 24.7 among those with ID, vs. 34.4 ± 26.4 for non-ID patients (P = 0.003), indicating worse HRQoL. When adjusted for other factors associated with HRQoL, ID was significantly associated with worse MLHFQ overall summary (P = 0.008) and physical dimension scores (P = 0.002), whereas anaemia was not (both P > 0.05). Increased levels of soluble transferrin receptor were also associated with impaired HRQoL (P ≤ 0.001). Adjusting for haemoglobin and C-reactive protein, ID was more pronounced in patients with anaemia compared with those without (P < 0.001). In patients with CHF, ID but not anaemia was associated with reduced HRQoL, mostly due to physical factors.

Impact of atopic dermatitis on health-related quality of life and productivity in adults in the United States: An analysis using the National Health and Wellness Survey.

PubMed

Eckert, Laurent; Gupta, Shaloo; Amand, Caroline; Gadkari, Abhijit; Mahajan, Puneet; Gelfand, Joel M

2017-08-01

Given its public health impact, there is need for broad and representative data on the humanistic burden of atopic dermatitis (AD). To establish the humanistic burden of AD in US adults. Data were from the 2013 US National Health and Wellness Survey; AD self-reports were propensity-matched with non-AD controls and with psoriasis controls. Bivariate analyses were conducted on burden outcomes between the AD and control groups. Demographics and baseline characteristics were comparable between matched groups. Subjects with AD (n = 349) versus non-AD controls (n = 698) had significantly higher rates of anxiety, depression, and sleep disorders (29.8%, 31.2%, and 33.2% vs 16.1%, 17.3%, and 19.2%, respectively [all P < .001]); a lower Short Form-36 v2 mental component summary score (44.5 vs 48.0, respectively [P < .001]); a lower physical component summary score (47.6 vs 49.5, respectively [P = .004]), and lower health utilities (0.67 vs 0.72, respectively [P < .001]) in addition to a higher work absenteeism rate (9.9% vs 3.6%, respectively [P < .001]) and activity impairment rate (33.6% vs 25.2%, respectively [P < .001]). Subjects with AD and psoriasis controls (n = 260 each) showed similar impairment in health-related quality of life and productivity. Data were self-reported. AD is associated with a substantial humanistic burden that is similar in magnitude to that of psoriasis, which is also recognized for its debilitating symptoms, indicating the need for more effective treatments for AD. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Dermatology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Narrowing the Gap in Outcomes for Vulnerable Groups: Overview and Analysis of Available Datasets on Vulnerable Groups and the Five ECM Outcomes. Executive Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Morris, Marian

2007-01-01

This summary presents the main findings from a data mapping and analysis study commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA) from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) as part of a two-year development and research programme, Narrowing the Gap. This programme seeks to make a significant difference in "narrowing the…

Effects of Heterogeniety on Spatial Pattern Analysis of Wild Pistachio Trees in Zagros Woodlands, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Erfanifard, Y.; Rezayan, F.

2014-10-01

Vegetation heterogeneity biases second-order summary statistics, e.g., Ripley's K-function, applied for spatial pattern analysis in ecology. Second-order investigation based on Ripley's K-function and related statistics (i.e., L- and pair correlation function g) is widely used in ecology to develop hypothesis on underlying processes by characterizing spatial patterns of vegetation. The aim of this study was to demonstrate effects of underlying heterogeneity of wild pistachio (Pistacia atlantica Desf.) trees on the second-order summary statistics of point pattern analysis in a part of Zagros woodlands, Iran. The spatial distribution of 431 wild pistachio trees was accurately mapped in a 40 ha stand in the Wild Pistachio & Almond Research Site, Fars province, Iran. Three commonly used second-order summary statistics (i.e., K-, L-, and g-functions) were applied to analyse their spatial pattern. The two-sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov goodness-of-fit test showed that the observed pattern significantly followed an inhomogeneous Poisson process null model in the study region. The results also showed that heterogeneous pattern of wild pistachio trees biased the homogeneous form of K-, L-, and g-functions, demonstrating a stronger aggregation of the trees at the scales of 0-50 m than actually existed and an aggregation at scales of 150-200 m, while regularly distributed. Consequently, we showed that heterogeneity of point patterns may bias the results of homogeneous second-order summary statistics and we also suggested applying inhomogeneous summary statistics with related null models for spatial pattern analysis of heterogeneous vegetations.

Summary of Research 2003

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-01-01

Surface Tasks ................................................................................................... 250 Goali : Creep and Microstructural...SURFACE TASKS Morris Driels, Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering Sponsor: U.S. Army Materiel Systems Analysis Activity GOALI : CREEP AND...Professor Department of Mechanical Engineering Sponsor: National Science Foundation SUMMARY: This GOALI (Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison

Self-Reported Physical Quality of Life Before Thoracic Operations Is Associated With Long-Term Survival.

PubMed

Al-Ameri, Mamdoh; Bergman, Per; Franco-Cereceda, Anders; Sartipy, Ulrik

2017-02-01

The aim was to analyze the association between baseline self-reported health-related quality of life and long-term survival after thoracic operations. In a prospective population-based cohort study, we included patients scheduled for thoracic operations and obtained information about preoperative health-related quality of life using the validated quality-of-life instrument Short Form-36. Patients were categorized according to higher or lower physical and mental component scores, compared with an age- and sex-matched reference population. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality and was ascertained from Swedish national registers. We used Cox regression for estimation of hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the association between preoperative physical/mental quality of life and long-term survival while adjusting for differences in baseline characteristics, cancer stage, histopathologic process, and other factors. We included 249 patients between 2006 and 2008. During a median follow-up time of 8.0 years, 119 patients (48%) died. Having a physical component summary score less than reference was significantly associated with mortality (multivariable adjusted HR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.34 to 3.06, p = 0.001). A mental component summary score less than reference was not associated with mortality (adjusted HR 1.32, 95% CI: 0.84 to 3.06, p = 0.233). In patients who underwent thoracic operations, a self-reported physical quality of life lower than reference value was associated with significantly worse survival independent of histopathologic process, cancer stage, extent of operations, and other patient-related factors. The preoperative mental component of quality of life was not associated with long-term survival. Copyright © 2017 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Changes in self-reported health and quality of life in octogenarian patients one month after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

PubMed

Olsen, Siv Js; Fridlund, Bengt; Eide, Leslie Sp; Hufthammer, Karl O; Kuiper, Karel Kj; Nordrehaug, Jan E; Skaar, Elisabeth; Norekvål, Tone M

2017-01-01

In addition to favourable results regarding mortality and morbidity it is important to identify the impact transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has on patients' quality of life. The aims were: (i) to describe clinical characteristics, self-reported health and quality of life in octogenarians before TAVI intervention; (ii) to determine changes in self-reported health and quality of life one month after TAVI; and (iii) to establish the clinical importance of the findings. A prospective cohort study was conducted on consecutively enrolled octogenarians with severe aortic stenosis undergoing TAVI ( N = 65). Self-reported health and quality of life were recorded at baseline and one month later using two global questions from the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument Abbreviated (WHOQOL-BREF), the generic Short Form Health 12 and the disease-specific Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. One month after TAVI, WHOQOL-BREF showed that self-reported health improved moderately ( p < 0.001), while quality of life improved slightly, but not statistically significantly ( p = 0.06). There were changes in all Short Form Health 12 domains, except social functioning and role emotional. The estimated changes were 3.6 to 5.8 with large confidence intervals. The Physical Component Summary increased statistically significantly from baseline to 30 days (30.6-34.7; p = 0.02), but the Mental Component Summary did not (46.9-50.0; p = 0.13). Despite being an advanced treatment performed in a high risk population, TAVI in octogenarians improves short-term self-reported global health and generic physical health and quality of life. These patient-reported outcomes have importance, particularly in this age group.

Health-related quality of life among military HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy.

PubMed

Emuren, Leonard; Welles, Seth; Evans, Alison A; Polansky, Marcia; Okulicz, Jason F; Macalino, Grace; Agan, Brian K

2017-01-01

The aims of this study were: (i) to determine the factors associated with HRQOL at baseline in our cohort, and (ii) to evaluate if there are differences in baseline HRQOL measures by antiretroviral treatment. The Short Form 36 (SF-36) was administered between 2006 and 2010 among members of the United States HIV Natural History Study cohort (NHS), and participants who completed the SF-36 were included in the study. Physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were computed based on standard algorithms. Multivariate linear regression models were constructed for PCS and MCS to estimate the association between selected variables and HRQOL scores. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) was not independently associated with HRQOL scores. Factors associated with PCS were CD4+ count < 200 cells/mm3 (β = -5.84, 95% CI: -7.63, -4.06), mental comorbidity (β = -2.82, 95% CI: -3.79, -1.85), medical comorbidity (β = -2.51, 95% CI: -3.75, -1.27), AIDS diagnosis (β = -2.38, 95% CI: -3.79, -0.98). Others were gender, military rank, marital status, and age. Factors independently associated with MCS were CD4+ count < 200 cells/mm3 (β = -1.93, 95% CI: -3.85, -0.02), mental comorbidity (β = -6.25, 95% CI: -7.25, -5.25), age (β = 0.37, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.60), and being African American (β = 1.55, 95% CI: 0.63, 2.47). Among military active duty and beneficiaries with HIV, modifiable factors associated with HRQOL measures included advanced HIV disease, and mental or medical comorbidity. Addressing these factors may improve quality of life of HIV-infected individuals in the NHS cohort.

Conditional analysis of mixed Poisson processes with baseline counts: implications for trial design and analysis.

PubMed

Cook, Richard J; Wei, Wei

2003-07-01

The design of clinical trials is typically based on marginal comparisons of a primary response under two or more treatments. The considerable gains in efficiency afforded by models conditional on one or more baseline responses has been extensively studied for Gaussian models. The purpose of this article is to present methods for the design and analysis of clinical trials in which the response is a count or a point process, and a corresponding baseline count is available prior to randomization. The methods are based on a conditional negative binomial model for the response given the baseline count and can be used to examine the effect of introducing selection criteria on power and sample size requirements. We show that designs based on this approach are more efficient than those proposed by McMahon et al. (1994).

Pretreatment data is highly predictive of liver chemistry signals in clinical trials.

PubMed

Cai, Zhaohui; Bresell, Anders; Steinberg, Mark H; Silberg, Debra G; Furlong, Stephen T

2012-01-01

The goal of this retrospective analysis was to assess how well predictive models could determine which patients would develop liver chemistry signals during clinical trials based on their pretreatment (baseline) information. Based on data from 24 late-stage clinical trials, classification models were developed to predict liver chemistry outcomes using baseline information, which included demographics, medical history, concomitant medications, and baseline laboratory results. Predictive models using baseline data predicted which patients would develop liver signals during the trials with average validation accuracy around 80%. Baseline levels of individual liver chemistry tests were most important for predicting their own elevations during the trials. High bilirubin levels at baseline were not uncommon and were associated with a high risk of developing biochemical Hy's law cases. Baseline γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level appeared to have some predictive value, but did not increase predictability beyond using established liver chemistry tests. It is possible to predict which patients are at a higher risk of developing liver chemistry signals using pretreatment (baseline) data. Derived knowledge from such predictions may allow proactive and targeted risk management, and the type of analysis described here could help determine whether new biomarkers offer improved performance over established ones.

Radioisotope Power Systems Reference Book for Mission Designers and Planners

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lee, Young; Bairstow, Brian

2015-01-01

The RPS Program's Program Planning and Assessment (PPA) Office commissioned the Mission Analysis team to develop the Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Reference Book for Mission Planners and Designers to define a baseline of RPS technology capabilities with specific emphasis on performance parameters and technology readiness. The main objective of this book is to provide RPS technology information that could be utilized by future mission concept studies and concurrent engineering practices. A progress summary from the major branches of RPS technology research provides mission analysis teams with a vital tool for assessing the RPS trade space, and provides concurrent engineering centers with a consistent set of guidelines for RPS performance characteristics. This book will be iterated when substantial new information becomes available to ensure continued relevance, serving as one of the cornerstone products of the RPS PPA Office. This book updates the original 2011 internal document, using data from the relevant publicly released RPS technology references and consultations with RPS technologists. Each performance parameter and RPS product subsection has been reviewed and cleared by at least one subject matter representative. A virtual workshop was held to reach consensus on the scope and contents of the book, and the definitions and assumptions that should be used. The subject matter experts then reviewed and updated the appropriate sections of the book. The RPS Mission Analysis Team then performed further updates and crosschecked the book for consistency. Finally, a second virtual workshop was held to ensure all subject matter experts and stakeholders concurred on the contents.

An evaluation of water vapor radiometer data for calibration of the wet path delay in very long baseline interferometry experiments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuehn, C. E.; Himwich, W. E.; Clark, T. A.; Ma, C.

1991-01-01

The internal consistency of the baseline-length measurements derived from analysis of several independent VLBI experiments is an estimate of the measurement precision. The paper investigates whether the inclusion of water vapor radiometer (WVR) data as an absolute calibration of the propagation delay due to water vapor improves the precision of VLBI baseline-length measurements. The paper analyzes 28 International Radio Interferometric Surveying runs between June 1988 and January 1989; WVR measurements were made during each session. The addition of WVR data decreased the scatter of the length measurements of the baselines by 5-10 percent. The observed reduction in the scatter of the baseline lengths is less than what is expected from the behavior of the formal errors, which suggest that the baseline-length measurement precision should improve 10-20 percent if WVR data are included in the analysis. The discrepancy between the formal errors and the baseline-length results can be explained as the consequence of systematic errors in the dry-mapping function parameters, instrumental biases in the WVR and the barometer, or both.

Chronicity and remission of fatigue in patients with established HIV infection.

PubMed

Pence, Brian Wells; Barroso, Julie; Harmon, James L; Leserman, Jane; Salahuddin, Naima; Hammill, Bradley G

2009-04-01

Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating complaints of HIV-positive individuals, potentially leading to important functional limitations. We recruited 128 HIV-positive individuals (fatigued and nonfatigued) between March 2005 and May 2006; 66% were male, 66% were African American, 45% had greater than a high school education, 67% were unemployed, and ages ranged from 26-66 (median, 44). Every 3 months for 15 months, participants completed a 56-item self-report fatigue scale developed and validated by the authors. Participants were classified as fatigued or not fatigued at each assessment and received scores for fatigue intensity and impact of fatigue on functioning. We used linear mixed-effects models to assess longitudinal variation in fatigue scores and generalized estimating equations for binary outcomes to model predictors of fatigue remission among those fatigued at baseline. At baseline, 88% of the sample was fatigued. Fatigue measures were highly correlated across time points (rho 0.63-0.85 [intensity], 0.63-0.80 [functioning]) and showed no evidence of overall improvement, deterioration, or convergence over time. Predictors of lower fatigue scores included higher income, employment, longer time since HIV diagnosis, and antiretroviral therapy use. Those employed at baseline were likely to show improvements in fatigue while those unemployed were not. Of those fatigued at baseline, 11% experienced remission during follow-up; remission was associated with Caucasian race and employment. In summary, fatigue intensity and related functional limitations were persistent, stable, and unlikely to remit over 15 months of follow-up in this sample of patients with established HIV infection.

Predictors of six month change in the voice handicap index in a treatment seeking population

PubMed Central

Moore, Jaime; Greenberg, Caprice

2016-01-01

Objective To evaluate predictors of longitudinal change in patient-perceived voice impact as determined by the Voice Handicap Index (VHI). Study Design Prospective, survey study. Methods Patients consented to the UW Voice and Swallow Clinics Outcomes Database with voice, breathing and/or cough concerns with a baseline clinic visit from November 2012 to January 2014 were eligible for the study. VHI was sent to patients six months post-clinic visit to determine change in voice handicap from baseline. General health was screened using the SF-12v2 survey, using physical component (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores. Predictor variables included – treatment (medical and/or behavioral), dysphonia sub-diagnosis, GRBAS rating, age, sex, socioeconomic factors, smoking history, and comorbidity score. Results Two-hundred thirty-seven patients met study criteria and were followed longitudinally. Eighty-two patients returned six month surveys. VHI was significantly correlated with MCS scores. Patients with a higher grade in baseline GRBAS score were more likely to receive voice intervention (p = .04). Six-month improvement in VHI score was associated with both higher initial VHI score and higher education level in both univariate (p < .01, p = .04) and multivariate analyses (p < .01, p = .02). Voice treatment (medical and/or behavioral) was not a significant factor for improvement in VHI. Conclusions Our results suggest it is important to consider baseline self-perceived voice impact measures and education level in setting expectations for voice treatment. Future studies examining the relationship between treatment patterns and voice-related patient outcomes are warranted. PMID:26952321

Monitoring progress in population health: trends in premature death rates.

PubMed

Remington, Patrick L; Catlin, Bridget B; Kindig, David A

2013-12-26

Trends in population health outcomes can be monitored to evaluate the performance of population health systems at the national, state, and local levels. The objective of this study was to compare and contrast 4 measures for assessing progress in population health improvement by using age-adjusted premature death rates as a summary measure of the overall health outcomes in the United States and in all 50 states. To evaluate the performance of statewide population health systems during the past 20 years, we used 4 measures of age-adjusted premature (<75 years of age) death rates: current rates (2009), baseline trends (1990s), follow-up trends (2000s), and changes in trends from baseline to the follow-up periods (ie, "bending the curve"). Current premature death rates varied by approximately twofold, with the lowest rate in Minnesota (268 deaths per 100,000) and the highest rate in Mississippi (482 deaths per 100,000). Rates improved the most in New York during the baseline period (-3.05% per year) and in New Jersey during the follow-up period (-2.87% per year), whereas Oklahoma ranked last in trends during both periods (-0.30%/y, baseline; +0.18%/y, follow-up). Trends improved the most in Connecticut, bending the curve downward by -1.03%; trends worsened the most in New Mexico, bending the curve upward by 1.21%. Current premature death rates, recent trends, and changes in trends vary by state in the United States. Policy makers can use these measures to evaluate the long-term population health impact of broad health care, behavioral, social, and economic investments in population health.

Prospective prediction of major depressive disorder from cortisol awakening responses in adolescence

PubMed Central

Adam, Emma K.; Doane, Leah D.; Zinbarg, Richard E.; Mineka, Susan; Craske, Michelle G.; Griffith, James W.

2010-01-01

Levels of the stress-sensitive hormone cortisol increase dramatically in the first 30-40 minutes after waking, an effect known as the cortisol awakening response (CAR). There is considerable cross-sectional evidence that psychosocial stress is associated with an increased CAR, and the CAR has been found to be altered in the presence of stress-related diseases, including Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). To date, no prospective longitudinal studies have examined whether individual differences in the CAR serve as a premorbid risk factor for MDD. In a sample of 230 late adolescents, clinical diagnoses of MDD were predicted from the CAR as well as other indicators of basal cortisol functioning gathered one year earlier, including: waking cortisol levels, bedtime cortisol levels, the size of the CAR, average cortisol, and the slope of the diurnal cortisol rhythm across the waking day. Age and gender, health and health behaviors, baseline neuroticism, exposure to stressful life events and past episodes of mood and anxiety disorders were included as covariates, to help ensure effects are attributable to the CAR rather than related variables. A higher baseline CAR was associated with a significantly increased risk of developing MDD by follow-up, even when excluding individuals with baseline MDD. No other baseline cortisol measures were significant prospective predictors of MDD. In summary, the CAR is a significant prospective risk factor for the development of MDD in young adults, providing some support for the possibility that a heightened CAR may play a role in the etiology of Major Depressive Disorder. PMID:20079576

Glomerular and Tubular Damage Markers in Individuals with Progressive Albuminuria

PubMed Central

Nauta, Ferdau L.; Scheven, Lieneke; Meijer, Esther; van Oeveren, Wim; de Jong, Paul E.; Bakker, Stephan J.L.

2013-01-01

Summary Background and objectives Albuminuria is associated with risk for renal and cardiovascular disease. It is difficult to predict which persons will progress in albuminuria. This study investigated whether assessment of urinary markers associated with damage to different parts of the nephron may help identify individuals that will progress in albuminuria. Design, setting, participants, & measurements Individuals were selected from a prospective community-based cohort study with serial follow-up and defined as “progressors” if they belonged to the quintile of participants with the most rapid annual increase in albuminuria, and reached an albuminuria ≥150 mg/d during follow-up. Patients with known renal disease or macroalbuminuria at baseline were excluded. Each progressor was matched to two control participants, based on baseline albuminuria, age, and sex. Furthermore, damage markers were measured in a separate set of healthy individuals. Results After a median follow-up of 8.6 years, 183 of 8394 participants met the criteria for progressive albuminuria. Baseline clinical characteristics were comparable between progressors and matched controls (n=366). Both had higher baseline albuminuria than the overall population. Urinary excretion of the glomerular damage marker IgG was significantly higher in progressors, whereas urinary excretion of proximal tubular damage markers and inflammatory markers was lower in these individuals compared with controls. Healthy individuals (n=109) had the lowest values for all urinary damage markers measured. Conclusions These data suggest that albuminuria associated with markers of glomerular damage is more likely to progress, whereas albuminuria associated with markers of tubulointerstitial damage is more likely to remain stable. PMID:23539232

Building energy analysis tool

DOEpatents

Brackney, Larry; Parker, Andrew; Long, Nicholas; Metzger, Ian; Dean, Jesse; Lisell, Lars

2016-04-12

A building energy analysis system includes a building component library configured to store a plurality of building components, a modeling tool configured to access the building component library and create a building model of a building under analysis using building spatial data and using selected building components of the plurality of building components stored in the building component library, a building analysis engine configured to operate the building model and generate a baseline energy model of the building under analysis and further configured to apply one or more energy conservation measures to the baseline energy model in order to generate one or more corresponding optimized energy models, and a recommendation tool configured to assess the one or more optimized energy models against the baseline energy model and generate recommendations for substitute building components or modifications.

Field transportable beta spectrometer. Innovative technology summary report

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

NONE

1998-12-01

The objective of the Large-Scale Demonstration Project (LSDP) is to select and demonstrate potentially beneficial technologies at the Argonne National Laboratory-East (ANL) Chicago Pile-5 Test Reactor (CP-5). The purpose of the LSDP is to demonstrate that by using innovative and improved deactivation and decommissioning (D and D) technologies from various sources, significant benefits can be achieved when compared to baseline D and D technologies. One such capability being addressed by the D and D Focus Area is rapid characterization for facility contaminants. The technology was field demonstrated during the period January 7 through January 9, 1997, and offers several potentialmore » benefits, including faster turn-around time, cost reduction, and reduction in secondary waste. This report describes a PC controlled, field-transportable beta counter-spectrometer which uses solid scintillation coincident counting and low-noise photomultiplier tubes to count element-selective filters and other solid media. The dry scintillation counter used in combination with an element-selective technology eliminates the mess and disposal costs of liquid scintillation cocktails. Software in the instrument provides real-time spectral analysis. The instrument can detect and measure Tc-99, Sr-90, and other beta emitters reaching detection limits in the 20 pCi range (with shielding). Full analysis can be achieved in 30 minutes. The potential advantages of a field-portable beta counter-spectrometer include the savings gained from field generated results. The basis for decision-making is provided with a rapid turnaround analysis in the field. This technology would be competitive with the radiometric analysis done in fixed laboratories and the associated chain of custody operations.« less

Resolving Identification Issues of Saraca asoca from Its Adulterant and Commercial Samples Using Phytochemical Markers

PubMed Central

Hegde, Satisha; Hegde, Harsha Vasudev; Jalalpure, Sunil Satyappa; Peram, Malleswara Rao; Pai, Sandeep Ramachandra; Roy, Subarna

2017-01-01

Saraca asoca (Roxb.) De Wilde (Ashoka) is a highly valued endangered medicinal tree species from Western Ghats of India. Besides treating cardiac and circulatory problems, S. asoca provides immense relief in gynecological disorders. Higher price and demand, in contrast to the smaller population size of the plant, have motivated adulteration with other plants such as Polyalthia longifolia (Sonnerat) Thwaites. The fundamental concerns in quality control of S. asoca arise due to its part of medicinal value (Bark) and the chemical composition. Phytochemical fingerprinting with proper selection of analytical markers is a promising method in addressing quality control issues. In the present study, high-performance liquid chromatography of phenolic compounds (gallic acid, catechin, and epicatechin) coupled to multivariate analysis was used. Five samples each of S. asoca, P. longifolia from two localities alongside five commercial market samples showed evidence of adulteration. Subsequently, multivariate hierarchical cluster analysis and principal component analysis was established to discriminate the adulterants of S. asoca. The proposed method ascertains identification of S. asoca from its putative adulterant P. longifolia and commercial market samples. The data generated may also serve as baseline data to form a quality standard for pharmacopoeias. SUMMARY Simultaneous quantification of gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin from Saraca asoca by high-performance liquid chromatographyDetection of S. asoca from adulterant and commercial samplesUse of analytical method along with a statistical tool for addressing quality issues. Abbreviations used: HPLC: High Performance Liquid Chromatography; RP-HPLC: Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography; CAT: Catechin; EPI: Epicatechin; GA: Gallic acid; PCA: Principal Component Analysis. PMID:28808391

Meta-Analyses of Diagnostic Accuracy in Imaging Journals: Analysis of Pooling Techniques and Their Effect on Summary Estimates of Diagnostic Accuracy.

PubMed

McGrath, Trevor A; McInnes, Matthew D F; Korevaar, Daniël A; Bossuyt, Patrick M M

2016-10-01

Purpose To determine whether authors of systematic reviews of diagnostic accuracy studies published in imaging journals used recommended methods for meta-analysis, and to evaluate the effect of traditional methods on summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity. Materials and Methods Medline was searched for published systematic reviews that included meta-analysis of test accuracy data limited to imaging journals published from January 2005 to May 2015. Two reviewers independently extracted study data and classified methods for meta-analysis as traditional (univariate fixed- or random-effects pooling or summary receiver operating characteristic curve) or recommended (bivariate model or hierarchic summary receiver operating characteristic curve). Use of methods was analyzed for variation with time, geographical location, subspecialty, and journal. Results from reviews in which study authors used traditional univariate pooling methods were recalculated with a bivariate model. Results Three hundred reviews met the inclusion criteria, and in 118 (39%) of those, authors used recommended meta-analysis methods. No change in the method used was observed with time (r = 0.54, P = .09); however, there was geographic (χ(2) = 15.7, P = .001), subspecialty (χ(2) = 46.7, P < .001), and journal (χ(2) = 27.6, P < .001) heterogeneity. Fifty-one univariate random-effects meta-analyses were reanalyzed with the bivariate model; the average change in the summary estimate was -1.4% (P < .001) for sensitivity and -2.5% (P < .001) for specificity. The average change in width of the confidence interval was 7.7% (P < .001) for sensitivity and 9.9% (P ≤ .001) for specificity. Conclusion Recommended methods for meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy in imaging journals are used in a minority of reviews; this has not changed significantly with time. Traditional (univariate) methods allow overestimation of diagnostic accuracy and provide narrower confidence intervals than do recommended (bivariate) methods. (©) RSNA, 2016 Online supplemental material is available for this article.

The electrical heart axis and ST events in fetal monitoring: A post-hoc analysis following a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

PubMed

Vullings, Rik; Verdurmen, Kim M J; Hulsenboom, Alexandra D J; Scheffer, Stephanie; de Lau, Hinke; Kwee, Anneke; Wijn, Pieter F F; Amer-Wåhlin, Isis; van Laar, Judith O E H; Oei, S Guid

2017-01-01

Reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality is one of the major challenges in modern health care. Analysing the ST segment of the fetal electrocardiogram was thought to be the breakthrough in fetal monitoring during labour. However, its implementation in clinical practice yields many false alarms and ST monitoring is highly dependent on cardiotocogram assessment, limiting its value for the prediction of fetal distress during labour. This study aims to evaluate the relation between physiological variations in the orientation of the fetal electrical heart axis and the occurrence of ST events. A post-hoc analysis was performed following a multicentre randomised controlled trial, including 1097 patients from two participating centres. All women were monitored with ST analysis during labour. Cases of fetal metabolic acidosis, poor signal quality, missing blood gas analysis, and congenital heart disease were excluded. The orientation of the fetal electrical heart axis affects the height of the initial T/QRS baseline, and therefore the incidence of ST events. We grouped tracings with the same initial baseline T/QRS value. We depicted the number of ST events as a function of the initial baseline T/QRS value with a linear regression model. A significant increment of ST events was observed with increasing height of the initial T/QRS baseline, irrespective of the fetal condition; correlation coefficient 0.63, p<0.001. The most frequent T/QRS baseline is 0.12. The orientation of the fetal electrical heart axis and accordingly the height of the initial T/QRS baseline should be taken into account in fetal monitoring with ST analysis.

Allocation of Resources to Communication of Research Result Summaries.

PubMed

Richards, Julie E; Bane, Emmi; Fullerton, Stephanie M; Ludman, Evette J; Jarvik, Gail

2016-10-01

Researchers and policymakers recommend communicating summary research results to biobank participants when feasible. To date, however, there have been few explorations of participant preferences for dedicating resources to this activity. Fifteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants of a genetic medicine biobank. Participants were interviewed by phone about their motivation for participation, and opinions about the allocation of resources to communicating summary results. De-identified transcripts were used for a directed content analysis. Most biobank participation was altruistic. All participants were not only interested in receiving summary results but also expressed a clear preference for allocating limited funds to conducting additional genetic research. The results suggest that participants have a nuanced view about the allocation of biobank resources to returning summary results, and asking their opinion is a valuable exercise. Researchers may benefit from transparency about research goals and involving biobank participants in decisions about return of summary results.

A Summary Score for the Framingham Heart Study Neuropsychological Battery

PubMed Central

Downer, Brian; Fardo, David W.; Schmitt, Frederick A.

2015-01-01

Objective To calculate three summary scores of the Framingham Heart Study neuropsychological battery and determine which score best differentiates between subjects classified as having normal cognition, test-based impaired learning and memory, test-based multidomain impairment, and dementia. Method The final sample included 2,503 participants. Three summary scores were assessed: (a) composite score that provided equal weight to each subtest, (b) composite score that provided equal weight to each cognitive domain assessed by the neuropsychological battery, and (c) abbreviated score comprised of subtests for learning and memory. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine which summary score best differentiated between the four cognitive states. Results The summary score that provided equal weight to each subtest best differentiated between the four cognitive states. Discussion A summary score that provides equal weight to each subtest is an efficient way to utilize all of the cognitive data collected by a neuropsychological battery. PMID:25804903

A Summary Score for the Framingham Heart Study Neuropsychological Battery.

PubMed

Downer, Brian; Fardo, David W; Schmitt, Frederick A

2015-10-01

To calculate three summary scores of the Framingham Heart Study neuropsychological battery and determine which score best differentiates between subjects classified as having normal cognition, test-based impaired learning and memory, test-based multidomain impairment, and dementia. The final sample included 2,503 participants. Three summary scores were assessed: (a) composite score that provided equal weight to each subtest, (b) composite score that provided equal weight to each cognitive domain assessed by the neuropsychological battery, and (c) abbreviated score comprised of subtests for learning and memory. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to determine which summary score best differentiated between the four cognitive states. The summary score that provided equal weight to each subtest best differentiated between the four cognitive states. A summary score that provides equal weight to each subtest is an efficient way to utilize all of the cognitive data collected by a neuropsychological battery. © The Author(s) 2015.

Summary of PhysPAG Activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ritz, Steven M.

2012-01-01

The Physics of the Cosmos (PCOS) Program Analysis Group (PhysPAG) provides an important interface between the scientific community and NASA in matters related to PCOS objectives. An Executive Committee facilitates the work of several subgroups, including a Technology Science Analysis Group and an Inflation Probe Science Analysis Group. Work is also starting in areas of X-ray, gamma-ray, and gravitational wave astrophysics. The PAG reports to the Astrophysics Subcommittee of the NASA Advisory Council. A summary of PhysPAG activities will be given, along with time for questions and discussion.

GWAMA: software for genome-wide association meta-analysis.

PubMed

Mägi, Reedik; Morris, Andrew P

2010-05-28

Despite the recent success of genome-wide association studies in identifying novel loci contributing effects to complex human traits, such as type 2 diabetes and obesity, much of the genetic component of variation in these phenotypes remains unexplained. One way to improving power to detect further novel loci is through meta-analysis of studies from the same population, increasing the sample size over any individual study. Although statistical software analysis packages incorporate routines for meta-analysis, they are ill equipped to meet the challenges of the scale and complexity of data generated in genome-wide association studies. We have developed flexible, open-source software for the meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies. The software incorporates a variety of error trapping facilities, and provides a range of meta-analysis summary statistics. The software is distributed with scripts that allow simple formatting of files containing the results of each association study and generate graphical summaries of genome-wide meta-analysis results. The GWAMA (Genome-Wide Association Meta-Analysis) software has been developed to perform meta-analysis of summary statistics generated from genome-wide association studies of dichotomous phenotypes or quantitative traits. Software with source files, documentation and example data files are freely available online at http://www.well.ox.ac.uk/GWAMA.

The Factors Influencing Depression Endpoints Research (FINDER) study: final results of Italian patients with depression

PubMed Central

2010-01-01

Background Factors Influencing Depression Endpoints Research (FINDER) is a 6-month, prospective, observational study carried out in 12 European countries aimed at investigating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in outpatients receiving treatment for a first or new depressive episode. The Italian HRQoL data at 6 months is described in this report, and the factors associated with HRQoL changes were determined. Methods Data were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months of treatment. HRQoL was measured using components of the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36; mental component summary (MCS), physical component summary (PCS)) and the European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D; visual analogue scale (VAS) and health status index (HSI)). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was adopted to evaluate depressive symptoms, while somatic and painful physical symptoms were assessed by using the 28-item Somatic Symptom Inventory (SSI-28) and a VAS. Results Of the initial 513 patients, 472 completed the 3-month observation and 466 the 6-month observation. The SF-36 and EQ-5D mean (± SD) scores showed HRQoL improvements at 3 months and a further smaller improvement at 6 months, with the most positive effects for SF-36 MCS (baseline 22.0 ± 9.2, 3 months 34.6 ± 10.0; 6 months 39.3 ± 9.5) and EQ-5D HSI (baseline 0.4 ± 0.3; 3 months 0.7 ± 0.3; 6 months 0.7 ± 0.2). Depression and anxiety symptoms (HADS-D mean at baseline 13.3 ± 4.2; HADS-A mean at baseline 12.2 ± 3.9) consistently decreased during the first 3 months (8.7 ± 4.3; 7.5 ± 3.6) and showed a further positive change at 6 months (6.9 ± 4.3; 5.8 ± 3.4). Somatic and painful symptoms (SSI and VAS) significantly decreased, with the most positive changes in the SSI-28 somatic item (mean at baseline 2.4 ± 0.7; mean change at 3 months: -0.5; 95% CI -0.6 to -0.5; mean change at 6 months: -0.7; 95% CI -0.8 to -0.7); in 'interference of overall pain with daily activities' (mean at baseline 45.2 ± 30.7; mean change at 3 months -17.4; 95% CI -20.0 to -14.8; mean change at 6 months -24.4; 95% CI -27.3 to -21.6) and in 'having pain while awake' (mean at baseline 41.1 ± 29.0; mean change at 3 months -13.7; 95% CI -15.9 to -11.5; mean change at 6 months -20.2; 95% CI -22.8 to -17.5) domains. The results from linear regression analyses showed that the antidepressant switch within classes was consistently associated with a worsening in SF-36 MCS, EQ-5D VAS and HSI compared to non-switching treatment. Furthermore, between-group antidepressants (AD) switch was associated with a worse SF-36 MCS and EQ-5D HSI. MCS (P = 0.028), PCS (P = 0.036) and HSI (P = 0.002) were inversely related to the number of each previous additional depressive episode. PCS (P = 0.009) and HSI (P = 0.005) were also less improved in patients suffering from a chronic medical condition. Moreover, PCS (P = 0.044) and EQ-5D VAS (P < 0.0001) worsening was consistently associated with the presence of a psychiatric illness in the 24 months before baseline. For every additional point on the SSI-somatic score and on the overall pain VAS score at baseline, HSI score were on average 0.062 (P < 0.001) and 0.001 (P = 0.005) smaller, respectively. Conclusions After starting AD treatment, HRQoL improvements at 3 and 6 months were observed. However, several factors can negatively influence HRQoL, such as the presence of somatic and painful symptoms, the presence of any chronic medical condition or previous psychiatric illness. PMID:20670396

Long-term healthcare costs and functional outcomes associated with lack of remission in schizophrenia: a post-hoc analysis of a prospective observational study

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Little is known about the long-term outcomes for patients with schizophrenia who fail to achieve symptomatic remission. This post-hoc analysis of a 3-year study compared the costs of mental health services and functional outcomes between individuals with schizophrenia who met or did not meet cross-sectional symptom remission at study enrollment. Methods This post-hoc analysis used data from a large, 3-year prospective, non-interventional observational study of individuals treated for schizophrenia in the United States conducted between July 1997 and September 2003. At study enrollment, individuals were classified as non-remitted or remitted using the Schizophrenia Working Group Definition of symptom remission (8 core symptoms rated as mild or less). Mental health service use was measured using medical records. Costs were based on the sites’ medical information systems. Functional outcomes were measured with multiple patient-reported measures and the clinician-rated Quality of Life Scale (QLS). Symptoms were measured using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). Outcomes for non-remitted and remitted patients were compared over time using mixed effects models for repeated measures or generalized estimating equations after adjusting for multiple baseline characteristics. Results At enrollment, most of the 2,284 study participants (76.1%) did not meet remission criteria. Non-remitted patients had significantly higher PANSS total scores at baseline, a lower likelihood of being Caucasian, a higher likelihood of hospitalization in the previous year, and a greater likelihood of a substance use diagnosis (all p < 0.05). Total mental health costs were significantly higher for non-remitted patients over the 3-year study (p = 0.008). Non-remitted patients were significantly more likely to be victims of crime, exhibit violent behavior, require emergency services, and lack paid employment during the 3-year study (all p < 0.05). Non-remitted patients also had significantly lower scores on the QLS, SF-12 Mental Component Summary Score, and Global Assessment of Functioning during the 3-year study. Conclusions In this post-hoc analysis of a 3-year prospective observational study, the failure to achieve symptomatic remission at enrollment was associated with higher subsequent healthcare costs and worse functional outcomes. Further examination of outcomes for schizophrenia patients who fail to achieve remission at initial assessment by their subsequent clinical status is warranted. PMID:23216976

The Impact of UV-dose, Body Surface Area Exposed and Other Factors on Cutaneous Vitamin D Synthesis Measured as Serum 25(OH)D Concentration: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PubMed

Jager, Nadine; Schöpe, Jakob; Wagenpfeil, Stefan; Bocionek, Peter; Saternus, Roman; Vogt, Thomas; Reichrath, Jörg

2018-02-01

To optimize public health campaigns concerning UV exposure, it is important to characterize factors that influence UV-induced cutaneous vitamin D production. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the impact of different individual and environmental factors including exposed body surface area (BSA), UVB dose and vitamin D status, on serum 25(OH)D concentration. In accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses, and Meta-analysis of Observational studies in Epidemiology guidelines, a systematic literature search was conducted (MEDLINE; 01/1960-07/2016) investigating the impact of these factors on vitamin D status after artificial UV exposure as main outcome measure. Summary mean differences [and 95% confidence interval (CI)] were derived from random-effects meta-analysis to account for possible heterogeneity across studies. Meta-regression was conducted to account for impact of UVB dose, baseline 25(OH)D level and BSA. We identified 15 studies, with an estimated mean 25(OH)D rise per standard erythema dose (SED) of 0.19 nmol/l (95% CI 0.11-0.26 nmol/l). Results from meta-regression suggest a significant impact of UV dose and baseline 25(OH)D concentration on serum 25(OH)D level (p<0.01). Single UVB doses between 0.75 and 3 SED resulted in the highest rise of serum 25(OH)D per dose unit. BSA exposed had a smaller, non-proportional, not significant impact. Partial BSA exposure resulted in relatively higher rise compared to whole-body exposure (e.g. exposure of face and hands caused an 8-fold higher rise of serum 25(OH)D concentration/SED/1% BSA compared to whole-body exposure). Our findings support previous reports, estimating that the half-life of serum 25(OH)D varies depending on different factors. Our results indicate that partial BSA exposure (e.g. 10%) with moderate UV doses (e.g. 1 SED) is effective in generating or maintaining a healthy vitamin D status. However, due to limitations that include possible confounding factors such as skin type, which could not be considered, these findings should be interpreted with caution. Copyright© 2018, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.

Employee Attitudes of the Organizational Culture: Assessment of a TQM implementation Process

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-09-01

68 Analysis of Hypotheses..............70 Null Hypotheses Hola -Holi .............. 71 T-test...............................71 Summary of...Analyses for Hola -Holi 72 Null Hypotheses Ho2a-Ho2i .............. 73 One-way Analysis of Variance ......... 73 Summary of Analyses for Ho2a-Ho2i .... 77...supervisory and non- supervisory organizational members with regard to their attitudes about the organization’s quality culture. Hola . There will be no

Space tug economic analysis study. Volume 1: Executive summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An economic analysis of space tug operations is presented. The space tug is defined as any liquid propulsion stage under 100,000 pounds propellant loading that is flown from the space shuttle cargo bay. Two classes of vehicles are the orbit injection stages and reusable space tugs. The vehicle configurations, propellant combinations, and operating modes used for the study are reported. The summary contains data on the study approach, results, conclusions, and recommendations.

IOMEDEX Sound Velocity Analysis and Environmental Data Summary

DTIC Science & Technology

1974-08-01

WORK UNIT NUMBERS INaval OceaIoogra-~hic Office Coup 61,S0 - Lashi..qton, DC 20373 _____________________ I - CNTOLIN OFIE AM AD DDES...exact nature of the exercise can be found in the IOMEDEX LRAPP Operation Order (Maury Center for Ocean Science , 1971). Much of the analysis contained...in this report has appeared previously in the IOM[DEX Synopsis Report (Maury Center for Ocean Science , 1972a) and in the IGMEDEX Summary Report (Maury

Tiger Team Assessments seventeen through thirty-five: A summary and analysis

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Not Available

1992-12-01

On June 27, 1989, the Secretary of Energy, Admiral James D. Watkins, US Navy (Retired), announced a 10-Point Plan to strengthen environmental, safety, and health (ES H) programs and waste management activities at the US Department of Energy (DOE). The third initiative called for establishing an independent audit (the Tiger Teams) to assess DOE's major operating facilities and laboratories. As of November 1992, all 35 Tiger Team Assessments were completed and formally reported to the Secretary. In May 1991 a report providing an analysis and summary of the findings and root causes identified by the first 16 Tiger Team Assessmentsmore » was completed and submitted to the Secretary of Energy and to all DOE program managers. This document is intended to provide an easily used and easily understood summary and analysis of the information contained in Tiger Team Assessments numbers 17 through 35 to help DOE achieve ES H excellence.« less

What’s Driving Uncertainty? The Model or the Model Parameters (What’s Driving Uncertainty? The influences of model and model parameters in data analysis)

DOE PAGES

Anderson-Cook, Christine Michaela

2017-03-01

Here, one of the substantial improvements to the practice of data analysis in recent decades is the change from reporting just a point estimate for a parameter or characteristic, to now including a summary of uncertainty for that estimate. Understanding the precision of the estimate for the quantity of interest provides better understanding of what to expect and how well we are able to predict future behavior from the process. For example, when we report a sample average as an estimate of the population mean, it is good practice to also provide a confidence interval (or credible interval, if youmore » are doing a Bayesian analysis) to accompany that summary. This helps to calibrate what ranges of values are reasonable given the variability observed in the sample and the amount of data that were included in producing the summary.« less

Selected ground-water data for Yucca Mountain region, southern Nevada and eastern California, through December 1994

USGS Publications Warehouse

Westenburg, C.L.; La Camera, R. J.

1996-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey, in support of the U.S. Department of Energy, Yucca Mountain Site Characterization Project, collects, compiles, and summarizes hydrologic data in the Yucca Mountain region. The data are collected to allow assessments of ground-water resources during studies to determine the potential suitability of Yucca Mountain for storing high-level nuclear waste. Data on ground-water levels at 36 sites, ground-water discharge at 6 sites, and ground-water withdrawals within Crater Flat, Jackass Flats, Mercury Valley, and the Amargosa Desert are presented for calendar year 1994. Data collected prior to 1994 are graphically presented and data collected by other agencies (or as part of other programs) are included to further indicate variations of ground-water levels, discharges, and withdrawals through time. A statistical summary of ground-water levels at seven wells in Jackass Flats is presented. The statistical summary includes the number of measurements, the maximum, minimum, and median water-level altitudes, and the average deviation of measured water-level altitudes for selected baseline periods and for calendar years 1992-94.

High Energy Astronomy Observatory, Mission C, Phase A. Volume 2: Preliminary analyses and conceptual design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

An analysis and conceptual design of a baseline mission and spacecraft are presented. Aspects of the HEAO-C discussed include: baseline experiments with X-ray observations of space, analysis of mission requirements, observatory design, structural analysis, thermal control, attitude sensing and control system, communication and data handling, and space shuttle launch and retrieval of HEAO-C.

A Multiple-Sequence Variant of the Multiple-Baseline Design: A Strategy for Analysis of Sequence Effects and Treatment Comparison.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Noell, George H.; Gresham, Frank M.

2001-01-01

Describes design logic and potential uses of a variant of the multiple-baseline design. The multiple-baseline multiple-sequence (MBL-MS) consists of multiple-baseline designs that are interlaced with one another and include all possible sequences of treatments. The MBL-MS design appears to be primarily useful for comparison of treatments taking…

Sensor Technology Baseline Study for Enabling Condition Based Maintenance Plus in Army Ground Vehicles

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-03-01

for enabling condition based maintenance plus in Army ground vehicles. The sensor study was driven from Failure Mode Effects Analysis ( FMEA ...of Tables Table 1. Sensor technology baseline study based on engine FMEA report. ...................................5 Table 2. Sensor technology...baseline study based on transmission FMEA report. .........................8 Table 3. Sensor technology baseline study based on alternator FMEA report

Meta-epidemiologic study showed frequent time trends in summary estimates from meta-analyses of diagnostic accuracy studies.

PubMed

Cohen, Jérémie F; Korevaar, Daniël A; Wang, Junfeng; Leeflang, Mariska M; Bossuyt, Patrick M

2016-09-01

To evaluate changes over time in summary estimates from meta-analyses of diagnostic accuracy studies. We included 48 meta-analyses from 35 MEDLINE-indexed systematic reviews published between September 2011 and January 2012 (743 diagnostic accuracy studies; 344,015 participants). Within each meta-analysis, we ranked studies by publication date. We applied random-effects cumulative meta-analysis to follow how summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity evolved over time. Time trends were assessed by fitting a weighted linear regression model of the summary accuracy estimate against rank of publication. The median of the 48 slopes was -0.02 (-0.08 to 0.03) for sensitivity and -0.01 (-0.03 to 0.03) for specificity. Twelve of 96 (12.5%) time trends in sensitivity or specificity were statistically significant. We found a significant time trend in at least one accuracy measure for 11 of the 48 (23%) meta-analyses. Time trends in summary estimates are relatively frequent in meta-analyses of diagnostic accuracy studies. Results from early meta-analyses of diagnostic accuracy studies should be considered with caution. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Multiple phenotype association tests using summary statistics in genome-wide association studies.

PubMed

Liu, Zhonghua; Lin, Xihong

2018-03-01

We study in this article jointly testing the associations of a genetic variant with correlated multiple phenotypes using the summary statistics of individual phenotype analysis from Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWASs). We estimated the between-phenotype correlation matrix using the summary statistics of individual phenotype GWAS analyses, and developed genetic association tests for multiple phenotypes by accounting for between-phenotype correlation without the need to access individual-level data. Since genetic variants often affect multiple phenotypes differently across the genome and the between-phenotype correlation can be arbitrary, we proposed robust and powerful multiple phenotype testing procedures by jointly testing a common mean and a variance component in linear mixed models for summary statistics. We computed the p-values of the proposed tests analytically. This computational advantage makes our methods practically appealing in large-scale GWASs. We performed simulation studies to show that the proposed tests maintained correct type I error rates, and to compare their powers in various settings with the existing methods. We applied the proposed tests to a GWAS Global Lipids Genetics Consortium summary statistics data set and identified additional genetic variants that were missed by the original single-trait analysis. © 2017, The International Biometric Society.

MiDAS ENCORE: Randomized Controlled Study Design and Protocol.

PubMed

Benyamin, Ramsin M; Staats, Peter S

2015-01-01

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) are commonly used for treatment of symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). ESIs are generally administered after failure of conservative therapy. For LSS patients suffering from neurogenic claudication, the mild® procedure provides an alternative to ESIs via minimally invasive lumbar decompression. Both ESIs and mild offer interventional pain treatment options for LSS patients experiencing neurogenic claudication refractory to more conservative therapies. Prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled, clinical study. Twenty-six interventional pain management centers throughout the United States. To compare patient outcomes following treatment with either mild or ESIs in LSS patients with neurogenic claudication and having verified ligamentum flavum hypertrophy. Study participants include Medicare beneficiaries who meet study inclusion/exclusion criteria. Eligible patients will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to one of 2 treatment arms, mild (treatment group) or ESI (control group). Each study group will include approximately 150 patients who have experienced neurogenic claudication symptoms for ≥ 3 months duration who have failed to respond to physical therapy, home exercise programs, and oral analgesics. Those randomized to mild are prohibited from receiving lumbar ESIs during the study period, while those randomized to ESI may receive ESIs up to 4 times per year. Patient assessments will occur at baseline, 6 months, and one year. An additional assessment will be conducted for the mild patient group at 2 years. The primary efficacy outcome measure is the proportion of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) responders from baseline to one year follow-up in the treatment group (mild) versus the control group (ESI). ODI responders are defined as those patients achieving the validated Minimal Important Change (MIC) of ≥ 10 point improvement in ODI from baseline to follow-up as a clinically significant efficacy threshold. Secondary efficacy outcome measures include the proportion of Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) and Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) responders from baseline to follow-up using validated MIC thresholds. Improvement in ZCQ domains of ≥ 0.5 is considered significant, and a Patient Satisfaction score of at least 2.5 represents a satisfied patient. A reduction of ≥ 2 points in NPRS is considered significant pain relief. The primary safety outcome measure is the incidence of device- and/or procedure-related adverse events. Descriptive summaries will be presented by randomized group for all outcome measures at baseline and follow-up time points. Inferential statistical analysis will be conducted to determine significant differences related to functional improvement, pain relief, and safety outcomes. Primary study results will be presented based on one-year follow-up data, with an interim analysis report when 6-month follow-up data become available. Patients are not blinded due to significant differences in treatment protocols between study groups. Also, since neither study arm is focused on treatment of radicular pain, there may be a higher non-responder rate for both groups versus standard of care due to study restrictions on adjunctive pain therapies. This prospective, multi-center, randomized controlled study will provide Level I evidence of the safety and effectiveness of mild versus ESIs in managing neurogenic claudication symptoms in LSS patients.

An Analysis of the Evolution of Government Patent Policy in Research and Development Contracts.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-03-01

LAW AMENDMENTS OF 1980 ------- 94 G. SUMMARY 98 VI . CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 100 A. GENERAL --- 100 B. SUMMARY ----- 100 C. CONCLUSIONS 103 D...Note: Appendix D contains a complete text of the 1980 amendments, Public Law 96-517. Chapter VI provides a summary to the evolution of Government...to but a small percentage of Federal R & D contracts. 99 VI . CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS A. GENERAL This chapter is divided into three sections

Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA): Assessment of the backup flight system FMEA/CIL

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Prust, E. E.; Ewell, J. J., Jr.; Hinsdale, L. W.

1988-01-01

The results of the Independent Orbiter Assessment (IOA) of the Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Critical Items List (CIL) are presented. The IOA effort first completed an analysis of the Backup Flight System (BFS) hardware, generating draft failure modes and Potential Critical Items. To preserve independence, this analysis was accomplished without reliance upon the results contained within the NASA FMEA/CIL documentation. The IOA results were then compared to the proposed NASA Post 51-L FMEA/CIL baseline. A resolution of each discrepancy from the comparison is provided through additional analysis as required. This report documents the results of that comparison for the Orbiter BFS hardware. The IOA product for the BFS analysis consisted of 29 failure mode worksheets that resulted in 21 Potential Critical Items (PCI) being identified. This product was originally compared with the proposed NASA BFS baseline and subsequently compared with the applicable Data Processing System (DPS), Electrical Power Distribution and Control (EPD and C), and Displays and Controls NASA CIL items. The comparisons determined if there were any results which had been found by the IOA but were not in the NASA baseline. The original assessment determined there were numerous failure modes and potential critical items in the IOA analysis that were not contained in the NASA BFS baseline. Conversely, the NASA baseline contained three FMEAs (IMU, ADTA, and Air Data Probe) for CIL items that were not identified in the IOA product.

Immunoglobulin G for patients with necrotising soft tissue infection (INSTINCT): a randomised, blinded, placebo-controlled trial.

PubMed

Madsen, Martin B; Hjortrup, Peter B; Hansen, Marco B; Lange, Theis; Norrby-Teglund, Anna; Hyldegaard, Ole; Perner, Anders

2017-11-01

The aim of the INSTINCT trial was to assess the effect of intravenous polyspecific immunoglobulin G (IVIG) compared with placebo on self-reported physical function in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with necrotising soft tissue infection (NSTI). We randomised 100 patients with NSTI 1:1 to masked infusion of 25 g of IVIG (Privigen, CSL Behring) or an equal volume of 0.9% saline once daily for the first 3 days of ICU admission. The primary outcome was the physical component summary (PCS) score of the 36-item short form health survey (SF-36) 6 months after randomisation; patients who had died were given the lowest possible score (zero). Of the 100 patients randomised, 87 were included in the intention-to-treat analysis of the PCS score, 42 patients (84%) in the IVIG group and 45 patients (90%) in the placebo group. The two intervention groups had similar baseline characteristics with the exception of IVIG use before randomisation (1 dose was allowed) and rates of acute kidney injury. Median PCS scores were 36 (interquartile range 0-43) in the group assigned to IVIG and 31 (0-47) in the group assigned to placebo (mean adjusted difference 1 (95% confidence interval -7 to 10), p = 0.81). The result was supported by analyses adjusted for baseline prognostics, those in the per protocol populations, in the subgroups (site of NSTI) and those done post hoc adjusted for IVIG use before randomisation. In ICU patients with NSTI, we observed no apparent effects of adjuvant IVIG on self-reported physical functioning at 6 months. NCT02111161.

Phenome-driven disease genetics prediction toward drug discovery.

PubMed

Chen, Yang; Li, Li; Zhang, Guo-Qiang; Xu, Rong

2015-06-15

Discerning genetic contributions to diseases not only enhances our understanding of disease mechanisms, but also leads to translational opportunities for drug discovery. Recent computational approaches incorporate disease phenotypic similarities to improve the prediction power of disease gene discovery. However, most current studies used only one data source of human disease phenotype. We present an innovative and generic strategy for combining multiple different data sources of human disease phenotype and predicting disease-associated genes from integrated phenotypic and genomic data. To demonstrate our approach, we explored a new phenotype database from biomedical ontologies and constructed Disease Manifestation Network (DMN). We combined DMN with mimMiner, which was a widely used phenotype database in disease gene prediction studies. Our approach achieved significantly improved performance over a baseline method, which used only one phenotype data source. In the leave-one-out cross-validation and de novo gene prediction analysis, our approach achieved the area under the curves of 90.7% and 90.3%, which are significantly higher than 84.2% (P < e(-4)) and 81.3% (P < e(-12)) for the baseline approach. We further demonstrated that our predicted genes have the translational potential in drug discovery. We used Crohn's disease as an example and ranked the candidate drugs based on the rank of drug targets. Our gene prediction approach prioritized druggable genes that are likely to be associated with Crohn's disease pathogenesis, and our rank of candidate drugs successfully prioritized the Food and Drug Administration-approved drugs for Crohn's disease. We also found literature evidence to support a number of drugs among the top 200 candidates. In summary, we demonstrated that a novel strategy combining unique disease phenotype data with system approaches can lead to rapid drug discovery. nlp. edu/public/data/DMN © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press.

Effects of personality on self-rated health in a 1-year randomized controlled trial of chronic illness self-management

PubMed Central

Jerant, Anthony; Chapman, Benjamin; Duberstein, Paul; Franks, Peter

2010-01-01

Objective Personality factors moderate self-efficacy enhancing effects of some illness self-management interventions, but their influence on self-rated health is unclear This study examined whether high neuroticism and low conscientiousness, extraversion, and agreeableness (the distressed personality profile) moderated the effects of the homing in on health (HIOH) illness self-management intervention on mental and physical health status. Design Analysis of data from 384 subjects completing a randomized controlled trial of HIOH. Methods Regression analyses examined effects of NEO-five factor inventory scores on SF-36 mental component summary (MCS-36) and physical component summar (PCS-36) scores (baseline; 2, 4, and 6 weeks; 6 months; 1 year), adjusting for age gender, and study group. Results Baseline MCS-36 scores were worse in those with the distressed personality profile relative to others: high neuroticism (13.3 points worse, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 11.0, 15.7) and low conscientiousness (6.6 points worse, 95% CI = 4.1, 9.2), extraversion (10.1 points worse, 95% CI = 7.7, 12.5) and agreeableness (4.2 points worse, 95% CI = 1.6, 6.8). Intervention subjects had better MCS-36 scores at 4 and 6 weeks, and benefits were confined to participants with low conscientiousness (4 weeks – 3.7 points better, 95% CI = 0.2, 71; 6 weeks – 5.0 points better, 95% CI = 1.57, 8.4). There were no intervention or personality effects on PCS-36 scores. Conclusions Chronically ill self-management intervention recipients with the distressed personality profile had worse self-rated mental health, and conscientiousness moderated the short-term effects of the intervention on self-rated mental health. Measuring personality may help identify individuals more likely to benefit from self-management interventions. PMID:19594988

Genetic influences on bone loss in the San Antonio Family Osteoporosis Study

PubMed Central

Shaffer, John R.; Kammerer, Candace M.; Bruder, Jan M.; Cole, Shelley A.; Dyer, Thomas D.; Almasy, Laura; MacCluer, Jean W.; Blangero, John; Bauer, Richard L.; Mitchell, Braxton D.

2009-01-01

Summary The genetic contribution to age-related bone loss is not well understood. We estimated that genes accounted for 25–45% of variation in 5-year change in bone mineral density in men and women. An autosome-wide linkage scan yielded no significant evidence for chromosal regions implicated in bone loss. Introduction The contribution of genetics to acquisition of peak bone mass is well documented, but little is know about the influence of genes on subsequent bone loss with age. We therefore measured 5-year change in bone mineral density (BMD) in 300 Mexican Americans (>45 years of age) from the San Antonio Family Osteoporosis Study to identify genetic factors influencing bone loss. Methods Annualized change in BMD was calculated from measurements taken 5.5 years apart. Heritability (h2) of BMD change was estimated using variance components methods and autosome-wide linkage analysis was carried out using 460 microsatellite markers at a mean 7.6 cM interval density. Results Rate of BMD change was heritable at the forearm (h2=0.31, p=0.021), hip (h2 =0.44, p=0.017), spine (h2=0.42, p=0.005), but not whole body (h2=0.18, p=0.123). Covariates associated with rapid bone loss (advanced age, baseline BMD, female sex, low baseline weight, postmenopausal status, and interim weight loss) accounted for 10% to 28% of trait variation. No significant evidence of linkage was observed at any skeletal site. Conclusions This is one of the first studies to report significant heritability of BMD change for weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing bones in an unselected population and the first linkage scan for change in BMD. PMID:18414963

Long term use of analgesics and risk of osteoarthritis progressions and knee replacement: propensity score matched cohort analysis of data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

PubMed

Hafezi-Nejad, N; Guermazi, A; Roemer, F W; Eng, J; Zikria, B; Demehri, S

2016-04-01

To determine the association between the long-term use of analgesics and progression of osteoarthritis (OA) as evidenced by up to 3-years follow-up worsening of radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grade and incidence of knee replacement (KR). Using nearest neighbor matching of the propensity scores with caliper in the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) cohort, 173 index (Analgesic +) and 173 referent (Analgesic -) subjects were included. Analgesic + and - subjects had analgesics in all and none of their visits, respectively. Analgesic + and - subjects were balanced in their demographics, baseline, first, second and third year body mass index (BMI), Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) total score, Physical and Mental health summary scales (SF-12), Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) and Charleston Comorbidity Scale. Analgesic + and - subjects were also matched for baseline radiographic KL grade. Interval increase in the KL grade and incidence of KR were defined as the outcome. Included subjects had average 6.5 years of follow-up. By the third year, 44 subjects had an interval increase in the KL grade; 29 in Analgesic + and 15 among Analgesic - subjects (P = 0.024). By the eighth-year, 41 subjects had their first KR; 29 in Analgesic + and 12 among Analgesic - subjects (P = 0.005). Hazard Ratio (HR) of OA progression and KR for Analgesic + subjects was 1.91 (1.02-3.57) and 2.57 (1.31-5.04), respectively. Long-term use of analgesics may be associated with radiographic progression of knee OA and increased risk of future KR. Copyright © 2015 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Deletion analysis of Streptococcus pneumoniae late competence genes distinguishes virulence determinants that are dependent or independent of competence induction

PubMed Central

Zhu, Luchang; Lin, Jingjun; Kuang, Zhizhou; Vidal, Jorge E.; Lau, Gee W.

2015-01-01

Summary The competence regulon of Streptococcus pneumoniae (pneumococcus) is crucial for genetic transformation. During competence development, the alternative sigma factor ComX is activated, which in turn, initiates transcription of 80 “late” competence genes. Interestingly, only 16 late genes are essential for genetic transformation. We hypothesized that these late genes that are dispensable for competence are beneficial to pneumococcal fitness during infection. These late genes were systematically deleted, and the resulting mutants were examined for their fitness during mouse models of bacteremia and acute pneumonia. Among these, 14 late genes were important for fitness in mice. Significantly, deletion of some late genes attenuated pneumococcal fitness to the same level in both wild-type and ComX-null genetic backgrounds, suggesting that the constitutive baseline expression of these genes was important for bacterial fitness. In contrast, some mutants were attenuated only in the wild-type genetic background but not in the ComX-null background, suggesting that specific expression of these genes during competence state contributed to pneumococcal fitness. Increased virulence during competence state was partially caused by the induction of allolytic enzymes that enhanced pneumolysin release. These results distinguish the role of basal expression versus competence induction in virulence functions encoded by ComX-regulated late competence genes. Graphical abstract During genetic transformation of pneumococcus, the alternative sigma factor ComX regulates expression of 14 late competence genes important for virulence. The constitutive baseline expression of some of these genes is important for bacteremia and acute pneumonia infections. In contrast, elevated expression of DprA, CbpD, CibAB, and Cinbox are dependent on competence development, enhancing the release of pneumolysin. These results distinguish the role of basal expression versus competence induction in virulence determinants regulated by ComX. PMID:25846124

One night on-call: sleep deprivation affects cardiac autonomic control and inflammation in physicians.

PubMed

Tobaldini, Eleonora; Cogliati, Chiara; Fiorelli, Elisa M; Nunziata, Vanessa; Wu, Maddalena A; Prado, Marta; Bevilacqua, Maurizio; Trabattoni, Daria; Porta, Alberto; Montano, Nicola

2013-10-01

Sleep loss is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It is known that chronic sleep restriction affects autonomic cardiovascular control and inflammatory response. However, scanty data are available on the effects of acute sleep deprivation (ASD) due to night shifts on the cardiovascular system and its capability to respond to stressor stimuli. The aim of our study was to investigate whether a real life model of ASD, such as "one night on-call", might alter the autonomic dynamic response to orthostatic challenge and modify the immune response in young physicians. Fifteen healthy residents in Internal Medicine were studied before and after one night on-call at Rest and during a gravitational stimulus (head up-tilt test, HUT). Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure variability (BPV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) were analyzed during Rest and HUT before and after ASD. Plasmatic hormones (epinephrine, norepinephrine, cortisol, renin, aldosterone, ACTH) and tissue inflammatory cytokines were measured at baseline and after ASD. HRV analysis revealed a predominant sympathetic modulation and a parasympathetic withdrawal after ASD. During HUT, the sympathovagal balance shifted towards a sympathetic predominance before and after ASD. However, the magnitude of the autonomic response was lower after ASD. BPV and BRS remained unchanged before and after ASD as the hormone levels, while IFN-γ increased after ASD compared to baseline. In summary, one night of sleep deprivation, at least in this real-life model, seems to affect cardiovascular autonomic response and immune modulation, independently by the activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Copyright © 2013 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Distinct lithium-induced gene expression effects in lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients with bipolar disorder.

PubMed

Fries, Gabriel R; Colpo, Gabriela D; Monroy-Jaramillo, Nancy; Zhao, Junfei; Zhao, Zhongming; Arnold, Jodi G; Bowden, Charles L; Walss-Bass, Consuelo

2017-11-01

Lithium is the most commonly prescribed medication for the treatment of bipolar disorder (BD), yet the mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects are still unclear. We aimed to compare the effects of lithium treatment in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from BD patients and controls. LCLs were generated from sixty-two BD patients (based on DSM-IV) and seventeen healthy controls matched for age, sex, and ethnicity. Patients were recruited from outpatient clinics from February 2012 to October 2014. LCLs were treated with 1mM lithium for 7 days followed by microarray gene expression assay and validation by real-time quantitative PCR. Baseline differences between groups, as well as differences between vehicle- and lithium-treated cells within each group were analyzed. The biological significance of differentially expressed genes was examined by pathway enrichment analysis. No significant differences in baseline gene expression (adjusted p-value < 0.05) were detected between groups. Lithium treatment of LCLs from controls did not lead to any significant differences. However, lithium altered the expression of 236 genes in LCLs from patients; those genes were enriched for signaling pathways related to apoptosis. Among those genes, the alterations in the expression of PIK3CG, SERP1 and UPP1 were validated by real-time PCR. A significant correlation was also found between circadian functioning and CEBPG and FGF2 expression levels. In summary, our results suggest that lithium treatment induces expression changes in genes associated with the apoptosis pathway in BD LCLs. The more pronounced effects of lithium in patients compared to controls suggest a disease-specific effect of this drug. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. and ECNP. All rights reserved.

FGF-23 as a Predictor of Renal Outcome in Diabetic Nephropathy

PubMed Central

Zatz, Roberto; Graciolli, Fabiana G.; dos Reis, Luciene M.; Barros, Rui T.; Jorgetti, Vanda; Moysés, Rosa M.A.

2011-01-01

Summary Background and objectives Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) has emerged as a new factor in mineral metabolism in chronic kidney disease (CKD). An important regulator of phosphorus homeostasis, FGF-23 has been shown to independently predict CKD progression in nondiabetic renal disease. We analyzed the relation between FGF-23 and renal outcome in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Design, setting, participants, & measurements DN patients participating in a clinical trial (enalapril+placebo versus enalapril+losartan) had baseline data collected and were followed until June 2009 or until the primary outcome was reached. Four patients were lost to follow-up. The composite primary outcome was defined as death, doubling of serum creatinine, and/or dialysis need. Results At baseline, serum FGF-23 showed a significant association with serum creatinine, intact parathyroid hormone, proteinuria, urinary fractional excretion of phosphate, male sex, and race. Interestingly, FGF-23 was not related to calcium, phosphorus, 25OH-vitamin D, or 24-hour urinary phosphorus. Mean follow-up time was 30.7 ± 10 months. Cox regression showed that FGF-23 was an independent predictor of the primary outcome, even after adjustment for creatinine clearance and intact parathyroid hormone (10 pg/ml FGF-23 increase = hazard ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.16, P = 0.02). Finally, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly higher risk of the primary outcome in patients with FGF-23 values of >70 pg/ml. Conclusions FGF-23 is a significant independent predictor of renal outcome in patients with macroalbuminuric DN. Further studies should clarify whether this relation is causal and whether FGF-23 should be a new therapeutic target for CKD prevention. PMID:20966122

Desensitization and Incomplete Recovery of Hepatic Target Genes After Chronic Thyroid Hormone Treatment and Withdrawal in Male Adult Mice

PubMed Central

Ohba, Kenji; Singh, Brijesh Kumar; Sinha, Rohit Anthony; Lesmana, Ronny; Liao, Xiao-Hui; Ghosh, Sujoy; Refetoff, Samuel

2016-01-01

Clinical symptoms may vary and not necessarily reflect serum thyroid hormone (TH) levels during acute and chronic hyperthyroidism as well as recovery from hyperthyroidism. We thus examined changes in hepatic gene expression and serum TH/TSH levels in adult male mice treated either with a single T3 (20 μg per 100 g body weight) injection (acute T3) or daily injections for 14 days (chronic T3) followed by 10 days of withdrawal. Gene expression arrays from livers harvested at these time points showed that among positively-regulated target genes, 320 were stimulated acutely and 429 chronically by T3. Surprisingly, only 69 of 680 genes (10.1%) were induced during both periods, suggesting desensitization of the majority of acutely stimulated target genes. About 90% of positively regulated target genes returned to baseline expression levels after 10 days of withdrawal; however, 67 of 680 (9.9%) did not return to baseline despite normalization of serum TH/TSH levels. Similar findings also were observed for negatively regulated target genes. Chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis of representative positively regulated target genes suggested that acetylation of H3K9/K14 was associated with acute stimulation, whereas trimethylation of H3K4 was associated with chronic stimulation. In an in vivo model of chronic intrahepatic hyperthyroidism since birth, adult male monocarboxylate transporter-8 knockout mice also demonstrated desensitization of most acutely stimulated target genes that were examined. In summary, we have identified transcriptional desensitization and incomplete recovery of gene expression during chronic hyperthyroidism and recovery. Our findings may be a potential reason for discordance between clinical symptoms and serum TH levels observed in these conditions. PMID:26866609

Power Extension Package (PEP) system definition extension, orbital service module systems analysis study. Volume 10: PEP project plan

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1979-01-01

Contents: project plan summary; project and mission objectives; related studies and technology support activities; technical summary; management; procurement approach; project definition items and schedule; resources; management review; controlled items; and safety, reliability, and quality assurance.

Atmospheric aerosols: A literature summary of their physical characteristics and chemical composition

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Harris, F. S., Jr.

1976-01-01

This report contains a summary of 199 recent references on the characterization of atmospheric aerosols with respect to their composition, sources, size distribution, and time changes, and with particular reference to the chemical elements measured by modern techniques, especially activation analysis.

Wellness coaching and health-related quality of life: a case-control difference-in-differences analysis.

PubMed

Menon, Jyothi; Paulet, Mindy; Thomas, Joseph

2012-10-01

Association between wellness coaching and changes in health-related quality of life over 1 year and 2 years was assessed. Difference-in-differences analysis of covariance assessed association between coaching and change in 8-item short-form health survey (SF-8) summary scores. Ordered logistic models assessed coaching and change in SF-8 individual domain scores. This was a case-control study. Participants in at least one coaching program were more likely to have increases in social functioning after 1 year and less likely to have increases in role physical after 2 years. Participants in nutrition coaching had more positive change in mental component summary scores after 1 year. Participants in stress management had more negative change in mental component summary scores after 1 year and after 2 years and had more negative change in physical component summary scores after 2 years. Findings were mixed regarding association between coaching and change in health-related quality of life.

TOGA COARE Satellite data summaries available on the World Wide Web

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chen, S. S.; Houze, R. A., Jr.; Mapes, B. E.; Brodzick, S. R.; Yutler, S. E.

1995-01-01

Satellite data summary images and analysis plots from the Tropical Ocean Global Atmosphere Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment (TOGA COARE), which were initially prepared in the field at the Honiara Operations Center, are now available on the Internet via World Wide Web browsers such as Mosaic. These satellite data summaries consist of products derived from the Japanese Geosynchronous Meteorological Satellite IR data: a time-size series of the distribution of contiguous cold cloudiness areas, weekly percent high cloudiness (PHC) maps, and a five-month time-longitudinal diagram illustrating the zonal motion of large areas of cold cloudiness. The weekly PHC maps are overlaid with weekly mean 850-hPa wind calculated from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) global analysis field and can be viewed as an animation loop. These satellite summaries provide an overview of spatial and temporal variabilities of the cloud population and a large-scale context for studies concerning specific processes of various components of TOGA COARE.

An Analysis of Results of a High-Resolution World Ocean Circulation Model.

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-03-01

Level Experiments ............... 16 a. Baseline (Laplacian Mixing) Integration ........ 16 b. Isopycnal Mixing Integration ................... 18 3...One-Half Degree, Twenty Level Experiments .......... 18 a. Baseline (Three Year Interior Restoring) Integration...TWENTY LEVEL EXPERIMENTS .................... 21 1. Baseline (Laplacian Mixing) Integration ............. 21 2. Isopycnal Mixing Integration

A novel baseline correction method using convex optimization framework in laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy quantitative analysis

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yi, Cancan; Lv, Yong; Xiao, Han; Ke, Ke; Yu, Xun

2017-12-01

For laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) quantitative analysis technique, baseline correction is an essential part for the LIBS data preprocessing. As the widely existing cases, the phenomenon of baseline drift is generated by the fluctuation of laser energy, inhomogeneity of sample surfaces and the background noise, which has aroused the interest of many researchers. Most of the prevalent algorithms usually need to preset some key parameters, such as the suitable spline function and the fitting order, thus do not have adaptability. Based on the characteristics of LIBS, such as the sparsity of spectral peaks and the low-pass filtered feature of baseline, a novel baseline correction and spectral data denoising method is studied in this paper. The improved technology utilizes convex optimization scheme to form a non-parametric baseline correction model. Meanwhile, asymmetric punish function is conducted to enhance signal-noise ratio (SNR) of the LIBS signal and improve reconstruction precision. Furthermore, an efficient iterative algorithm is applied to the optimization process, so as to ensure the convergence of this algorithm. To validate the proposed method, the concentration analysis of Chromium (Cr),Manganese (Mn) and Nickel (Ni) contained in 23 certified high alloy steel samples is assessed by using quantitative models with Partial Least Squares (PLS) and Support Vector Machine (SVM). Because there is no prior knowledge of sample composition and mathematical hypothesis, compared with other methods, the method proposed in this paper has better accuracy in quantitative analysis, and fully reflects its adaptive ability.

The diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography for malignant cervical lymph nodes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Suh, Chong Hyun; Choi, Young Jun; Baek, Jung Hwan; Lee, Jeong Hyun

2017-01-01

To evaluate the diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography for malignant cervical lymph nodes. We searched the Ovid-MEDLINE and EMBASE databases for published studies regarding the use of shear wave elastography for diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes. The diagnostic performance of shear wave elastography was assessed using bivariate modelling and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic modelling. Meta-regression analysis and subgroup analysis according to acoustic radiation force impulse imaging (ARFI) and Supersonic shear imaging (SSI) were also performed. Eight eligible studies which included a total sample size of 481 patients with 647 cervical lymph nodes, were included. Shear wave elastography showed a summary sensitivity of 81 % (95 % CI: 72-88 %) and specificity of 85 % (95 % CI: 70-93 %). The results of meta-regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of malignant lymph nodes was a significant factor affecting study heterogeneity (p < .01). According to the subgroup analysis, the summary estimates of the sensitivity and specificity did not differ between ARFI and SSI (p = .93). Shear wave elastography is an acceptable imaging modality for diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes. We believe that both ARFI and SSI may have a complementary role for diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes. • Shear wave elastography is acceptable modality for diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes. • Shear wave elastography demonstrated summary sensitivity of 81 % and specificity of 85 %. • ARFI and SSI have complementary roles for diagnosing malignant cervical lymph nodes.

Increasing conclusiveness of clinical breath analysis by improved baseline correction of multi capillary column - ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) data.

PubMed

Szymańska, Ewa; Tinnevelt, Gerjen H; Brodrick, Emma; Williams, Mark; Davies, Antony N; van Manen, Henk-Jan; Buydens, Lutgarde M C

2016-08-05

Current challenges of clinical breath analysis include large data size and non-clinically relevant variations observed in exhaled breath measurements, which should be urgently addressed with competent scientific data tools. In this study, three different baseline correction methods are evaluated within a previously developed data size reduction strategy for multi capillary column - ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) datasets. Introduced for the first time in breath data analysis, the Top-hat method is presented as the optimum baseline correction method. A refined data size reduction strategy is employed in the analysis of a large breathomic dataset on a healthy and respiratory disease population. New insights into MCC-IMS spectra differences associated with respiratory diseases are provided, demonstrating the additional value of the refined data analysis strategy in clinical breath analysis. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Accounting for Heterogeneity in Relative Treatment Effects for Use in Cost-Effectiveness Models and Value-of-Information Analyses

PubMed Central

Soares, Marta O.; Palmer, Stephen; Ades, Anthony E.; Harrison, David; Shankar-Hari, Manu; Rowan, Kathy M.

2015-01-01

Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) models are routinely used to inform health care policy. Key model inputs include relative effectiveness of competing treatments, typically informed by meta-analysis. Heterogeneity is ubiquitous in meta-analysis, and random effects models are usually used when there is variability in effects across studies. In the absence of observed treatment effect modifiers, various summaries from the random effects distribution (random effects mean, predictive distribution, random effects distribution, or study-specific estimate [shrunken or independent of other studies]) can be used depending on the relationship between the setting for the decision (population characteristics, treatment definitions, and other contextual factors) and the included studies. If covariates have been measured that could potentially explain the heterogeneity, then these can be included in a meta-regression model. We describe how covariates can be included in a network meta-analysis model and how the output from such an analysis can be used in a CEA model. We outline a model selection procedure to help choose between competing models and stress the importance of clinical input. We illustrate the approach with a health technology assessment of intravenous immunoglobulin for the management of adult patients with severe sepsis in an intensive care setting, which exemplifies how risk of bias information can be incorporated into CEA models. We show that the results of the CEA and value-of-information analyses are sensitive to the model and highlight the importance of sensitivity analyses when conducting CEA in the presence of heterogeneity. The methods presented extend naturally to heterogeneity in other model inputs, such as baseline risk. PMID:25712447

Accounting for Heterogeneity in Relative Treatment Effects for Use in Cost-Effectiveness Models and Value-of-Information Analyses.

PubMed

Welton, Nicky J; Soares, Marta O; Palmer, Stephen; Ades, Anthony E; Harrison, David; Shankar-Hari, Manu; Rowan, Kathy M

2015-07-01

Cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) models are routinely used to inform health care policy. Key model inputs include relative effectiveness of competing treatments, typically informed by meta-analysis. Heterogeneity is ubiquitous in meta-analysis, and random effects models are usually used when there is variability in effects across studies. In the absence of observed treatment effect modifiers, various summaries from the random effects distribution (random effects mean, predictive distribution, random effects distribution, or study-specific estimate [shrunken or independent of other studies]) can be used depending on the relationship between the setting for the decision (population characteristics, treatment definitions, and other contextual factors) and the included studies. If covariates have been measured that could potentially explain the heterogeneity, then these can be included in a meta-regression model. We describe how covariates can be included in a network meta-analysis model and how the output from such an analysis can be used in a CEA model. We outline a model selection procedure to help choose between competing models and stress the importance of clinical input. We illustrate the approach with a health technology assessment of intravenous immunoglobulin for the management of adult patients with severe sepsis in an intensive care setting, which exemplifies how risk of bias information can be incorporated into CEA models. We show that the results of the CEA and value-of-information analyses are sensitive to the model and highlight the importance of sensitivity analyses when conducting CEA in the presence of heterogeneity. The methods presented extend naturally to heterogeneity in other model inputs, such as baseline risk. © The Author(s) 2015.

Methods for sample size determination in cluster randomized trials

PubMed Central

Rutterford, Clare; Copas, Andrew; Eldridge, Sandra

2015-01-01

Background: The use of cluster randomized trials (CRTs) is increasing, along with the variety in their design and analysis. The simplest approach for their sample size calculation is to calculate the sample size assuming individual randomization and inflate this by a design effect to account for randomization by cluster. The assumptions of a simple design effect may not always be met; alternative or more complicated approaches are required. Methods: We summarise a wide range of sample size methods available for cluster randomized trials. For those familiar with sample size calculations for individually randomized trials but with less experience in the clustered case, this manuscript provides formulae for a wide range of scenarios with associated explanation and recommendations. For those with more experience, comprehensive summaries are provided that allow quick identification of methods for a given design, outcome and analysis method. Results: We present first those methods applicable to the simplest two-arm, parallel group, completely randomized design followed by methods that incorporate deviations from this design such as: variability in cluster sizes; attrition; non-compliance; or the inclusion of baseline covariates or repeated measures. The paper concludes with methods for alternative designs. Conclusions: There is a large amount of methodology available for sample size calculations in CRTs. This paper gives the most comprehensive description of published methodology for sample size calculation and provides an important resource for those designing these trials. PMID:26174515

Lake sturgeon population characteristics in Rainy Lake, Minnesota and Ontario

USGS Publications Warehouse

Adams, W.E.; Kallemeyn, L.W.; Willis, D.W.

2006-01-01

Rainy Lake contains a native population of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens that has been largely unstudied. The aims of this study were to document the population characteristics of lake sturgeon in Rainy Lake and to relate environmental factors to year-class strength for this population. Gill-netting efforts throughout the study resulted in the capture of 322 lake sturgeon, including 50 recaptures. Lake sturgeon in Rainy Lake was relatively plump and fast growing compared with a 32-population summary. Population samples were dominated by lake sturgeon between 110 and 150 cm total length. Age–structure analysis of the samples indicated few younger (<10 years) lake sturgeon, but the smallest gill net mesh size used for sampling was 102 mm (bar measure) and would not retain small sturgeon. Few lake sturgeon older than age 50 years were captured, and maximum age of sampled fish was 59 years. Few correlations existed between lake sturgeon year-class indices and both annual and monthly climate variables, except that mean June air temperature was positively correlated with year-class strength. Analysis of Rainy Lake water elevation and resulting lake sturgeon year-class strength indices across years yielded consistent but weak negative correlations between late April and early June, when spawning of lake sturgeon occurs. The baseline data collected in this study should allow Rainy Lake biologists to establish more specific research questions in the future.

Theory-driven intervention improves calcium intake, osteoporosis knowledge, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling older Black adults.

PubMed

Babatunde, Oyinlola T; Himburg, Susan P; Newman, Frederick L; Campa, Adriana; Dixon, Zisca

2011-01-01

To assess the effectiveness of an osteoporosis education program to improve calcium intake, knowledge, and self-efficacy in community-dwelling older Black adults. Randomized repeated measures experimental design. Churches and community-based organizations. Men and women (n = 110) 50 years old and older from 3 south Florida counties. Participants randomly assigned to either of 2 groups: Group 1 (experimental group) or Group 2 (wait-list control group). Group 1 participated in 6 weekly education program sessions immediately following baseline assessment, and Group 2 started the program following Group 1's program completion. A tested curriculum was adapted to meet the needs of the target population. Dietary calcium intake, osteoporosis knowledge, health beliefs, and self-efficacy. Descriptive and summary statistics, repeated measures analysis of variance, and regression analysis. Of the total participants, 84.6% completed the study (mean age = 70.2 years). Overall, an educational program developed with a theoretical background was associated with improvement in calcium intake, knowledge, and self-efficacy, with no effect on most health belief subscales. Assigned group was the major predictor of change in calcium intake. A theory-driven approach is valuable in improving behavior to promote bone health in this population. Health professionals should consider using more theory-driven approaches in intervention studies. Copyright © 2011 Society for Nutrition Education and Behavior. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aggregate blood pressure responses to serial dietary sodium and potassium intervention: defining responses using independent component analysis.

PubMed

Chen, Gengsheng; de las Fuentes, Lisa; Gu, Chi C; He, Jiang; Gu, Dongfeng; Kelly, Tanika; Hixson, James; Jacquish, Cashell; Rao, D C; Rice, Treva K

2015-06-20

Hypertension is a complex trait that often co-occurs with other conditions such as obesity and is affected by genetic and environmental factors. Aggregate indices such as principal components among these variables and their responses to environmental interventions may represent novel information that is potentially useful for genetic studies. In this study of families participating in the Genetic Epidemiology Network of Salt Sensitivity (GenSalt) Study, blood pressure (BP) responses to dietary sodium interventions are explored. Independent component analysis (ICA) was applied to 20 variables indexing obesity and BP measured at baseline and during low sodium, high sodium and high sodium plus potassium dietary intervention periods. A "heat map" protocol that classifies subjects based on risk for hypertension is used to interpret the extracted components. ICA and heat map suggest four components best describe the data: (1) systolic hypertension, (2) general hypertension, (3) response to sodium intervention and (4) obesity. The largest heritabilities are for the systolic (64%) and general hypertension (56%) components. There is a pattern of higher heritability for the component response to intervention (40-42%) as compared to those for the traditional intervention responses computed as delta scores (24%-40%). In summary, the present study provides intermediate phenotypes that are heritable. Using these derived components may prove useful in gene discovery applications.

Training-related improvements in musculoskeletal health and balance: a 13-week pilot study of female cancer survivors.

PubMed

Almstedt, H C; Grote, S; Perez, S E; Shoepe, T C; Strand, S L; Tarleton, H P

2017-03-01

Cancer survivors often experience poor post-treatment musculoskeletal health. This study examined the feasibility of combined aerobic and resistant training (CART) for improving strength, skeletal health and balance. Cancer survivors (n = 24) were identified by convenience sampling in Los Angeles County with 11 survivors consenting to 13 weeks of CART. Pre- and post-intervention assessments of bone mineral density (BMD), strength, flexibility and biomarker analysis were performed. Paired t-test analysis suggested increases in lower and upper body strength. The average T-score for BMD at the femoral neck improved from -1.46 to -1.36 and whole body BMD improved from -1.65 to -1.55. From baseline to follow-up, participants also displayed decreases in sway velocity on the eyes open (7%) and eyes closed (27%) conditions. Improvement in lower body strength was associated with increases in lean body mass (LBM) (r = 0.721) and an inverse association was observed between sway velocity and LBM (r = 0.838). Age and time since last treatment were related with biomarkers of anabolic growth (IGF-1, IGFbp-3) and bone (DPD, BAP). In summary, observed physiological changes were consistent with functional improvements, suggesting that isometric and dynamic exercise prescription may reduce the risk for falls and fall-related fractures among survivors. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Hydrologic monitoring and analysis in the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem, Bangladesh

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wahid, Shahriar Md.; Babel, Mukand S.; Bhuiyan, Abdur Rahman

2007-01-01

SummaryThe unique habitat of the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem is dependent upon the hydrological regime. Therefore, a comprehensive study to understand the hydrologic behaviour and the changes that have taken place due to anthropogenic activities in and around the area is fundamental to the management of natural resources and environment. In the past, ad hoc and uncoordinated efforts were made due to the inherent inaccessibility and high cost of data collection. The present article documents the results of the hydrologic monitoring, modelling and analysis in the Sundarbans. The study results show that the annual maximum tidal range has increased by about 0.75 m in the eastern and central parts during the last two decades. About 60% area remains in higher salinity condition (>20 ppt) for at least 1.5 months in a year. Organic pollution in the waterways is within the Environmental Quality Standard (EQS) of Bangladesh with the average Dissolved Oxygen (DO) of 5.99 mg/L. Total Ammonia, Nitrate (NO 3-N) and Phosphate (PO 4-P) level are present in sufficient quantity for the aquatic life to survive and are within EQS limit. Lead and Chromium occasionally exceed EQS limit especially along the large barge routes in the western part. The data and information presented in the paper will serve as a baseline for future hydrological and environmental studies.

Identifying and analyzing methods for reducing the energy consumption of helicopters

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Davis, S. J.; Rosenstein, H. J.

1976-01-01

Reductions in helicopter energy consumption can be accomplished through the use of advanced technology in the areas of powerplant design, improved rotor efficiency, reduced parasite drag, and reduced structural empty weight. Baseline helicopters incorporating technology were designed for a short range (200 n mi) and a very short haul (100 n mi) mission scenario. Parametric analyses were then conducted to determine the impact of technology improvement. Many of the parameters varied are interrelated. A summary of such interactions is presented, and some additional sensitivity values were added so that energy reduction and DOC as affected by the major technological factors or operational modes are clearly defined.

International cooperative study of aircrew layover sleep Operational summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Graeber, R. Curtis; Dement, William C.; Nicholson, Anthony N.; Sasaki, Mitsuo; Wegmann, Hans M.

1986-01-01

The findings of this cooperative study of layover sleep have direct implications for flight operations. In the consensus view of the principal investigators, these can be divided into their relevance for eastward or westward flight. Eastward flight produced more sleep disruption than westward. Different sleep and scheduling strategies are recommended for each flight direction, and the importance of individual crewmember factors is discussed in relation to age and circadian type. Despite the limitations of this study with regard to trip simplicity and the baseline data, the results for each airline are highly consistent and should be applicable to a wide range of long-haul crewmembers and carriers.

Space Station thermal management system development status and plans

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rankin, J. G.

1985-01-01

The manned Space Station, as currently designed, contains a baseline thermal management system (TMS) which uses components and subsystems never before employed in manned spacecraft. The basis for the technology used in the TMS design is the result of a long-term TMS Technology Development Plan which was initiated in 1979. Rankin and Marshall (1983) have discussed the history and progress of that plan from its beginnings to early 1983. The present paper is concerned with the status of activities conducted at the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) under this plan since 1983, taking into account also a summary of activities planned for the next several years.

Data Summary Report for the Open Rotor Propulsion Rig Equipped With F31/A31 Rotor Blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stephens, David

2014-01-01

An extensive wind tunnel test campaign was undertaken to quantify the performance and acoustics of a counter-rotating open rotor system. The present document summarizes the portion of this test performed with the so-called Historical Baseline rotor blades, designated F31A31. It includes performance and acoustic data acquired at Mach numbers from take-off to cruise. It also includes the effect of propulsor angle of attack as well as an upstream pylon. This report is accompanied by an electronic data set including relevant acoustic and performance measurements for all of the F31A31 data.

Data Summary Report for the Open Rotor Propulsion Rig Equipped with F31/A31 Rotor Blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stephens, David B.

2014-01-01

An extensive wind tunnel test campaign was undertaken to quantify the performance and acoustics of a counter-rotating open rotor system. The present document summarizes the portion of this test performed with the so-called "Historical Baseline" rotor blades, designated F31/A31. It includes performance and acoustic data acquired at Mach numbers from take-off to cruise. It also includes the effect of propulsor angle of attack as well as an upstream pylon. This report is accompanied by an electronic data set including relevant acoustic and performance measurements for all of the F31/A31 data.

Department of Defense Base Structure Report (A Summary of DoD’s Real Property Inventory). Fiscal Year 2004 Baseline

DTIC Science & Technology

2004-01-01

William T. Fitzsimons USARC Aurora 80045 4 163,390 21 21 32.5303-360-0963Army Reserve Buckley AFB Aurora 80011 157 2,046,358 3,872 3,283 705.7 2,554 419 0...945406-841-3009Army Guard Sgt Ernest Veuve Hall/AMSA #74 Missoula 59801 5 65,353 16 16 13.2 189 6 0 195406-728-0414Army Reserve Malmstrom AFB Augusta...Defense Fuel Support Point Cincinnati 45237 7 3,979 67 66 37.8AF Active Wright Patterson AFB Fairborn 45433 694 15,342,399 8,145 7,631 4,091.9 7,563

Involving Communities in the Targeting of Cash Transfer Programs for Vulnerable Children: Opportunities and Challenges☆

PubMed Central

Robertson, Laura; Mushati, Phyllis; Skovdal, Morten; Eaton, Jeffrey W.; Makoni, Jeremiah C.; Crea, Tom; Mavise, Gideon; Dumba, Lovemore; Schumacher, Christina; Sherr, Lorraine; Nyamukapa, Constance; Gregson, Simon

2014-01-01

Summary We used baseline data, collected in July–September 2009, from a randomized controlled trial of a cash transfer program for vulnerable children in eastern Zimbabwe to investigate the effectiveness, coverage, and efficiency of census- and community-based targeting methods for reaching vulnerable children. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with beneficiaries and other stakeholders were used to explore community perspectives on targeting. Community members reported that their participation improved ownership and reduced conflict and jealousy. However, all the methods failed to target a large proportion of vulnerable children and there was poor agreement between the community- and census-based methods. PMID:24748713

A study of a space communication system for the control and monitoring of the electric distribution system. Volume 1: Summary

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vaisnys, A.

1980-01-01

It is technically feasible to design a satellite communication system to serve the United States electric utility industry's needs relative to load management, real-time operations management, remote meter reading, and to determine the costs of various elements of the system. A definition of distribution control and monitoring functions is given. Associated communications traffic is quantified. A baseline conceptual design in terms of operating capability and equipment is described, important factors to be considered in designing a system are examined, and preliminary cost data are provided. Factors associated with implementation are discussed and conclusions and recommendations are listed.

Separation of lipoproteins for quantitative analysis of 14C-labeled lipid soluble compounds

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Carbon-14 tracer studies using accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) have provided novel insights into nutrient metabolism and whole body metabolite flux. In addition to a baseline separation of analytes, a critical requirement specific to the AMS analysis was a stable carbon baseline within the anal...

Study of space shuttle orbiter system management computer function. Volume 1: Analysis, baseline design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1975-01-01

A system analysis of the shuttle orbiter baseline system management (SM) computer function is performed. This analysis results in an alternative SM design which is also described. The alternative design exhibits several improvements over the baseline, some of which are increased crew usability, improved flexibility, and improved growth potential. The analysis consists of two parts: an application assessment and an implementation assessment. The former is concerned with the SM user needs and design functional aspects. The latter is concerned with design flexibility, reliability, growth potential, and technical risk. The system analysis is supported by several topical investigations. These include: treatment of false alarms, treatment of off-line items, significant interface parameters, and a design evaluation checklist. An in-depth formulation of techniques, concepts, and guidelines for design of automated performance verification is discussed.

The extent of intestinal failure-associated liver disease in patients referred for intestinal rehabilitation is associated with increased mortality: an analysis of the pediatric intestinal failure consortium database.

PubMed

Javid, Patrick J; Oron, Assaf P; Duggan, Christopher; Squires, Robert H; Horslen, Simon P

2017-09-05

The advent of regional multidisciplinary intestinal rehabilitation programs has been associated with improved survival in pediatric intestinal failure. Yet, the optimal timing of referral for intestinal rehabilitation remains unknown. We hypothesized that the degree of intestinal failure-associated liver disease (IFALD) at initiation of intestinal rehabilitation would be associated with overall outcome. The multicenter, retrospective Pediatric Intestinal Failure Consortium (PIFCon) database was used to identify all subjects with baseline bilirubin data. Conjugated bilirubin (CBili) was used as a marker for IFALD, and we stratified baseline bilirubin values as CBili<2 mg/dL, CBili 2-4 mg/dL, and CBili>4 mg/dL. The association between baseline CBili and mortality was examined using Cox proportional hazards regression. Of 272 subjects in the database, 191 (70%) children had baseline bilirubin data collected. 38% and 28% of patients had CBili >4 mg/dL and CBili <2 mg/dL, respectively, at baseline. All-cause mortality was 23%. On univariate analysis, mortality was associated with CBili 2-4 mg/dL, CBili >4 mg/dL, prematurity, race, and small bowel atresia. On regression analysis controlling for age, prematurity, and diagnosis, the risk of mortality was increased by 3-fold for baseline CBili 2-4 mg/dL (HR 3.25 [1.07-9.92], p=0.04) and 4-fold for baseline CBili >4 mg/dL (HR 4.24 [1.51-11.92], p=0.006). On secondary analysis, CBili >4 mg/dL at baseline was associated with a lower chance of attaining enteral autonomy. In children with intestinal failure treated at intestinal rehabilitation programs, more advanced IFALD at referral is associated with increased mortality and decreased prospect of attaining enteral autonomy. Early referral of children with intestinal failure to intestinal rehabilitation programs should be strongly encouraged. Treatment Study, Level III. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Longitudinal relationships between whole body and central adiposity on weight-bearing bone geometry, density, and bone strength: a pQCT study in young girls

PubMed Central

Farr, Joshua N.; Laudermilk, Monica J.; Lee, Vinson R.; Blew, Robert M.; Stump, Craig; Houtkooper, Linda; Lohman, Timothy G.; Going, Scott B.

2015-01-01

Summary Longitudinal relationships between adiposity (total body and central) and bone development were assessed in young girls. Total body and android fat masses were positively associated with bone strength and density parameters of the femur and tibia. These results suggest adiposity may have site-specific stimulating effects on the developing bone. Introduction Childhood obesity may impair bone development, but the relationships between adiposity and bone remain unclear. Failure to account for fat pattern may explain the conflicting results. Purpose Longitudinal associations of total body fat mass (TBFM) and android fat mass (AFM) with 2-year changes in weight-bearing bone parameters were examined in 260 girls aged 8–13 years at baseline. Peripheral quantitative computed tomography was used to measure bone strength index (BSI, square milligrams per quartic millimeter), strength–strain index (SSI, cubic millimeters), and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD, milligrams per cubic centimeter) at distal metaphyseal and diaphyseal regions of the femur and tibia. TBFM and AFM were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results Baseline TBFM and AFM were positively associated with the change in femur BSI (r =0.20, r =0.17, respectively) and femur trabecular vBMD (r =0.19, r =0.19, respectively). Similarly, positive associations were found between TBFM and change in tibia BSI and SSI (r =0.16, r =0.15, respectively), and femur total and trabecular vBMD (r =0.12, r =0.14, respectively). Analysis of covariance showed that girls in the middle thirds of AFM had significantly lower femur trabecular vBMD and significantly higher tibia cortical vBMD than girls in the highest thirds of AFM. All results were significant at p <0.05. Conclusions Whereas baseline levels of TBFM and AFM are positive predictors of bone strength and density at the femur and tibia, higher levels of AFM above a certain level may impair cortical vBMD growth at weight-bearing sites. Future studies in obese children will be needed to test this possibility. NIH/NICHD #HD-050775. PMID:24113839

Green tea and liver cancer risk: A meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies in Asian populations.

PubMed

Huang, Ya-Qing; Lu, Xin; Min, Han; Wu, Qian-Qian; Shi, Xiao-Ting; Bian, Kang-Qi; Zou, Xiao-Ping

2016-01-01

The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate whether an association existed between green tea consumption and the risk for liver cancer in prospective cohort studies in Asian populations. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and the Chinese Bio-medicine Database published before April 2015. Study-specific risk estimates for the highest versus non- or lowest and increment of daily cup of green tea consumption levels were combined based on fixed- or random-effects models. STATA 11.0 (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA) software was used for statistical analysis. Nine prospective cohort articles involving 465,274 participants and 3694 cases of liver cancer from China, Japan, and Singapore were included. The summary relative risk (RR) indicated a significant association between the highest green tea consumption and reduced risk for liver cancer (summary RR, 0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-0.97). However, no statistically significant association was observed when analyzing daily consumption of one cup (summary RR, 0.97; 95% CI, 0.95-1.00). When stratified by sex, the protective effect of green tea consumption on risk for liver cancer was observed only in the group of women (summary RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.64-0.96), but not in men (summary RR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.79-1.00). The present analysis indicated the preventive effects of green tea intake on the risk for liver cancer in female Asian populations. However, additional studies are needed to make a convincing case for this association. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pretreatment data is highly predictive of liver chemistry signals in clinical trials

PubMed Central

Cai, Zhaohui; Bresell, Anders; Steinberg, Mark H; Silberg, Debra G; Furlong, Stephen T

2012-01-01

Purpose The goal of this retrospective analysis was to assess how well predictive models could determine which patients would develop liver chemistry signals during clinical trials based on their pretreatment (baseline) information. Patients and methods Based on data from 24 late-stage clinical trials, classification models were developed to predict liver chemistry outcomes using baseline information, which included demographics, medical history, concomitant medications, and baseline laboratory results. Results Predictive models using baseline data predicted which patients would develop liver signals during the trials with average validation accuracy around 80%. Baseline levels of individual liver chemistry tests were most important for predicting their own elevations during the trials. High bilirubin levels at baseline were not uncommon and were associated with a high risk of developing biochemical Hy’s law cases. Baseline γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT) level appeared to have some predictive value, but did not increase predictability beyond using established liver chemistry tests. Conclusion It is possible to predict which patients are at a higher risk of developing liver chemistry signals using pretreatment (baseline) data. Derived knowledge from such predictions may allow proactive and targeted risk management, and the type of analysis described here could help determine whether new biomarkers offer improved performance over established ones. PMID:23226004

Satellite Power Systems (SPS) concept definition study. Volume 6: SPS technology requirements and verification

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanley, G.

1978-01-01

Volume 6 of the SPS Concept Definition Study is presented and also incorporates results of NASA/MSFC in-house effort. This volume includes a supporting research and technology summary. Other volumes of the final report that provide additional detail are as follows: (1) Executive Summary; (2) SPS System Requirements; (3) SPS Concept Evolution; (4) SPS Point Design Definition; (5) Transportation and Operations Analysis; and Volume 7, SPS Program Plan and Economic Analysis.

NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity Generation

Science.gov Websites

Technologies | News | NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity Generation Technologies News Release: NREL Updates Baseline Cost and Performance Data for Electricity generation technology cost and performance data used to support and inform electric sector analysis in the

Hyperbaric oxygen for mild traumatic brain injury: Design and baseline summary.

PubMed

Weaver, Lindell K; Chhoeu, Austin; Lindblad, Anne S; Churchill, Susan; Wilson, Steffanie H

2016-01-01

The Brain Injury and Mechanisms of Action of Hyperbaric Oxygen for Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) (BIMA) study, sponsored by the Department of Defense, is a randomized double-blind, sham-controlled clinical trial that has a longer duration of follow-up and more comprehensive assessment battery compared to recent HBO₂ studies. BIMA randomized 71 participants from September 2012 to May 2014. Primary results are expected in 2017. Randomized military personnel received hyperbaric oxygen (HBO₂) at 1.5 atmospheres absolute (ATA) or sham chamber sessions at 1.2 ATA, air, for 60 minutes daily for 40 sessions. Outcomes include neuropsychological, neuroimaging, neurological, vestibular, autonomic function, electroencephalography, and visual systems evaluated at baseline, immediately following intervention at 13 weeks and six months with self-report symptom and quality of life questionnaires at 12 months, 24 months and 36 months. Characteristics include: median age 33 years (range 21-53); 99% male; 82% Caucasian; 49% diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder; 28% with most recent injury three months to one year prior to enrollment; 32% blast injuries; and 73% multiple injuries. This manuscript describes the study design, outcome assessment battery, and baseline characteristics. Independent of a therapeutic role of HBO₂, results of BIMA will aid understanding of mTBI. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01611194; https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01611194. Copyright© Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society.

What is the preferred number of consecutive night shifts? results from a crossover intervention study among police officers in Denmark.

PubMed

Nabe-Nielsen, Kirsten; Jensen, Marie Aarrebo; Hansen, Åse Marie; Kristiansen, Jesper; Garde, Anne Helene

2016-10-01

Among police officers in Denmark, we studied (i) how many consecutive night shifts participants preferred at baseline; (ii) preferences regarding three intervention conditions (two, four, and seven consecutive night shifts followed by the same number of days off/day shifts: '2 + 2', '4 + 4', '7 + 7') at follow-up; (iii) characteristics of participants preferring each of these intervention conditions. Questionnaire data from a crossover intervention study were used (baseline: n = 73; follow-up: n = 68). At baseline, 49% preferred four consecutive night shifts. At follow-up, 57% preferred '4 + 4', 26% preferred '2 + 2' and 26% preferred '7 + 7'. Participants, who preferred longer spells of night work experienced that night work was less demanding, found it easier to sleep at different times of the day, and were more frequently evening types compared with participants who preferred shorter spells of night work. The participants' preferences are likely to be influenced by their previous shift work experience. Practitioner Summary: We investigated police officers' preferences regarding the number of consecutive night shifts. The majority preferred four consecutive night shifts. Those who preferred the longer spells of night work found night work less demanding, found it easier to sleep at different times of the day, and were more frequently evening types.

Research Messages 2010

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), 2011

2011-01-01

Research messages 2010 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The summaries are clustered under five broad themes used by NCVER to organise its research and analysis: Industry and employers; Students and individuals; Teaching and learning: VET system; and VET in…