On the Period Distribution of Close-In Extrasolar Giant Planets

Transit (TR) surveys for extrasolar planets have recently uncovered a population of ``very hot Jupiters,'' planets with orbital periods of P< 3 d. At first sight this may seem surprising, given that radial velocity (RV) surveys have found a dearth of such planets, despite the fact that their sensitivity increases with decreasing P. We examine the confrontation between RV and TR survey results, paying particular attention to selection biases that favor short-period planets in transit surveys. We demonstrate that, when such biases and small-number statistics are properly taken into account, the period distribution of planets found by RV and TR surveys are consistent at better than the 1-sigma level. This consistency holds for a large range of reasonable assumptions. In other words, there are not enough planets detected to robustly conclude that the RV and TR short-period planet results are inconsistent. Assuming a logarithmic distribution of periods, we find that the relative frequency of very hot Jupiters (VHJ: P=1-3 d) to hot Jupiters (HJ: P=3-9 d) is 10-20%. Given an absolute frequency of HJ of ~1%, this implies that approximately one star in ~500-1000 has a VHJ. We also note that VHJ and HJ appear to be distinct in terms of their upper mass limit. We discuss the implications of our results for planetary migration theories, as well as present and future TR and RV surveys.Comment: 11 pages, 4 figures, 2 tables. Minor changes. Accepted to ApJ, to appear in the April 20, 2005 issue (v623

Evaluating the impact of an environmental education programme; an empirical study in Mexico.

This study draws on information from 11 in-depth interviews, two focus groups and 72 written questionnaires to evaluate an extra-curricular environmental education programme on forestry designed for preparatory school students from a small rural community in Mexico. Specifically, the study assessed the impact of the programme on the ecological knowledge of 72 students. Qualitative feedback suggests that students learnt about forestry, acquired greater awareness of the importance of conservation for the local environment and enjoyed the participatory teaching methods used in the programme. Quantitative results show a positive and significant association between the number of times a student participated in the programme and the student&rsquo;s ecological knowledge. Students who participated in the programme once had a 16.3% higher knowledge on ecological concepts and knew, on average, 1.5 more local forest plants than students who never attended it (p&lt;.001). Findings suggest that the inclusion of participatory environmental education programmes in preparatory schools would improve the acquisition of ecological knowledge. Further research could consider the consistency of the findings by replicating participatory methods presented here and by using an experimental research design.<br /

Characterising those with incident polymyalgia rheumatica in primary care: results from the PMR Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to characterise the sociodemographic, general health and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR)-specific features of participants in a large inception cohort of patients with PMR diagnosed in UK primary care. METHODS: Patients (n = 739) with a new diagnosis of PMR were referred into the study and mailed a questionnaire detailing their general health and sociodemographic characteristics in addition to the symptoms of and treatment for PMR. Characteristics of responders and non-responders were compared and descriptive statistics were used to characterise the health of the cohort. RESULTS: A total of 654 individuals responded to the questionnaire (adjusted response 90.1 %). Responders and non-responders were similar in age, gender and deprivation (based on postcode). The mean (standard deviation) age of the recruited cohort was 72.4 (9.3) years; 62.2 % were female. The sample reported high levels of pain and stiffness (8 out of 10 on numerical rating scales) and reported stiffness that lasted throughout the day. High levels of functional impairment, fatigue, insomnia and polypharmacy were also reported. Overall, women reported worse general and PMR-specific health than did men. CONCLUSIONS: This first primary care cohort of patients with incident PMR is similar in demographic terms to cohorts recruited in secondary care. However, the extent of symptoms, particularly reported stiffness, is higher than has been described previously. Given the majority of patients with PMR are exclusively managed in primary care, this cohort provides important information on the course of PMR in the community that will help clinicians managing this painful and disabling condition

Negotiating agency and belonging during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic: an interview study among older adults in England, UK.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to explore the agency of older adults and their strategies to restructure ways of being and belonging in a rapidly and radically changed social environment during the UK's first COVID-19 lockdown in Spring 2020. DESIGN: Qualitative study consisting of semi-structured interviews. Findings were derived from a thematic analysis of interview transcripts. We also established a patient and public involvement and engagement group who advised on study design, interview topic guide and interpretation of findings. SETTING: Interviews were conducted online with older adults in the UK through their platform of choice in Spring 2020 in England, UK. PARTICIPANTS: We conducted 28 interviews (16 women, 12 men) with older adults over the age of 70 years. Our participants were mostly white, middle class adults. RESULTS: From the data, we constructed three strategies that older adults used to employ agency and create spaces of belonging in their social networks despite lockdown restrictions. First, participants created a sense of belonging by being 'good' members of society who were knowledgeable about COVID-19. Second, older adults created new ways to socially engage with the wider community. Finally, older adults actively restructured social networks to preserve a sense of belonging. CONCLUSIONS: Older adults are actively and creatively carving a space of belonging during the societal upheaval in response to the COVID-19 lockdown and public health restrictions. Rather than internalising potential exclusionary messages based on their age, older adults instead used their agency to reimagine and transform spheres of belonging

Discussing prognosis with older people with musculoskeletal pain: a cross-sectional study in general practice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prognosis has been described as an important but neglected branch of clinical science. While patients' views have been sought in the context of life-threatening illness, similar research is lacking for patients presenting with common, non-life-threatening musculoskeletal complaints. The aim of this study was to gauge whether and why older patients with musculoskeletal pain think prognostic information is important, and how often they felt prognosis was discussed in the general practice consultation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A cross-sectional survey of consecutive patients aged 50 years of over presenting with non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain to 5 Central Cheshire general practices. The frequency of responses to the prognostic questions were described and the association with sociodemographic, presenting pain complaint, and psychosocial variables explored using logistic regression.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>502 participants (77%) responded to the postal questionnaire. 165 (33%) participants reported discussing prognosis in the consultation with their GP. Discussions about prognosis were more often reported by male patients (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.09, 2.71) and those for whom this was their first consultation (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.16, 2.80). 402 (82%) participants thought that prognostic information was important. This was highest among those currently in paid employment (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.33, 6.57). The reasons patients gave for believing prognostic information was important included 'knowing for the sake of knowing' and planning future activity. Reasons for not believing prognostic information to be important included the belief that progression of pain was inevitable and that nothing could be done to help.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Prognostic information is thought to be important amongst older people with musculoskeletal pain yet discussions occur infrequently in primary care. Barriers to effective prognostic communication and the exact information needs of patients are still unknown and warrant further research.</p

Symptom complexes in patients with seropositive arthralgia and in patients newly diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis: a qualitative exploration of symptom development

Objective: The aim of this study was to explore symptoms and symptom development during the earliest phases of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in patients with seropositive arthralgia and patients newly diagnosed with RA

Patients' views on the causes of their polymyalgia rheumatica: a content analysis of data from the PMR Cohort Study

OBJECTIVE: To explore primary care polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) patient beliefs about the causes of their PMR. DESIGN: Qualitative content analysis was conducted on patients' written responses to the question of what they thought had caused their PMR. All data were coded and emergent categories of causal beliefs identified. SETTING: Community patients receiving primary care at general practitioner (GP) practices across England. PARTICIPANTS: Participants were recruited from a primary care PMR inception cohort (n=654). Between June 2012 and June 2014 GPs referred 739 people with a new PMR diagnosis in the past 3 years into the study. Patients were mailed a baseline self-completion questionnaire, which included the question, 'What do you think caused your PMR?'. Responses to this question form the data set for the present study. RESULTS: 296 (45%) patients gave a possible cause for their PMR, while 276 (42%) respondents wrote 'no idea'. Common attributions include ageing (45, 18%), medication (18, 5%) and personal stress (53, 14%). 24 respondents (6%) thought their PMR was as a result of another medical condition. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to examine causation beliefs in PMR, identifying a number of possible causes such as ageing, stress and as a complication of other medical problems. Understanding these patient beliefs may impact on treatment adherence and patient outcome

Keele Aches and Pains Study Protocol: validity, acceptability and feasibility of the Keele STarT MSK Tool for subgrouping musculoskeletal patients in primary care

Musculoskeletal conditions represent a considerable burden worldwide, and are predominantly managed in primary care. Evidence suggests that many musculoskeletal conditions share similar prognostic factors. Systematically assessing patient’s prognosis, and matching treatments based on prognostic subgroups (stratified care), has been shown to be clinically and cost effective. This study (Keele Aches and Pains Study: KAPS) aims to refine and examine the validity of a brief questionnaire (Keele STarT MSK Tool), designed to enable risk-stratification of primary care patients with the five most common musculoskeletal pain presentations. We will also describe the subgroups of patients, and explore the acceptability and feasibility of using the tool, and how the tool is best implemented in clinical practice. The study design is mixed methods: a prospective, quantitative observational cohort study with a linked qualitative focus group and interview study. Patients who have consulted their General Practitioner or Healthcare Practitioner (GP/HCP) about a relevant musculoskeletal condition will be recruited from General practice. Participating patients will complete a baseline questionnaire (shortly after consultation), plus questionnaires 2 and 6 months later. A sub-sample of patients, along with participating GPs and HCPs, will be invited to take part in qualitative focus groups and interviews. The Keele STarT MSK Tool will be refined based on face, discriminant, construct and predictive validity at baseline and 2 months, and validated using data from 6 month follow-up. Patient and clinician perspectives about using the tool will be explored. This study will provide a validated prognostic tool (the Keele STarT MSK Tool) with established cut-points to stratify patients with the five most common musculoskeletal presentations into low, medium and high risk subgroups. The qualitative analysis of patient and healthcare perspectives will inform how to embed the tool into clinical practice using established general practice IT systems and clinician support packages

Interaction of blood lead and delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase genotype on markers of heme synthesis and sperm production in lead smelter workers.

The gene that encodes gamma-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) has a polymorphism that may modify lead toxicokinetics and ultimately influence individual susceptibility to lead poisoning. To evaluate the effect of the ALAD polymorphism on lead-mediated outcomes, a cross-sectional study of male employees from a lead-zinc smelter compared associations between blood lead concentration and markers of heme synthesis and semen quality with respect to ALAD genotype. Male employees were recruited via postal questionnaire to donate blood and urine for analysis of blood lead, zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), urinary coproporphyrin (CPU), and ALAD genotype, and semen samples for semen analysis. Of the 134 workers who had ALAD genotypes completed, 114 (85%) were ALAD1-1 (ALAD1) and 20 (15%) were ALAD1-2 (ALAD2). The mean blood lead concentrations for ALAD1 and ALAD2 were 23.1 and 28.4 microg/dl (p = 0.08), respectively. ZPP/heme ratios were higher in ALAD1 workers (68.6 vs. 57.8 micromol/ml; p = 0.14), and the slope of the blood lead ZPP linear relationship was greater for ALAD1 (2.83 vs. 1.50, p = 0.06). No linear relationship between CPU and blood lead concentration was observed for either ALAD1 or ALAD2. The associations of blood lead concentration with ZPP, CPU, sperm count, and sperm concentration were more evident in workers with the ALAD1 genotype and blood lead concentrations >/= 40 microg/dl. The ALAD genetic polymorphism appears to modify the association between blood lead concentration and ZPP. However, consistent modification of effects were not found for CPU, sperm count, or sperm concentration