250 research outputs found
Experience with multiple control groups in a large population-based case–control study on genetic and environmental risk factors
We discuss the analytic and practical considerations in a large case–control study that had two control groups; the first control group consisting of partners of patients and the second obtained by random digit dialling (RDD). As an example of the evaluation of a general lifestyle factor, we present body mass index (BMI). Both control groups had lower BMIs than the patients. The distribution in the partner controls was closer to that of the patients, likely due to similar lifestyles. A statistical approach was used to pool the results of both analyses, wherein partners were analyzed with a matched analysis, while RDDs were analyzed without matching. Even with a matched analysis, the odds ratio with partner controls remained closer to unity than with RDD controls, which is probably due to unmeasured confounders in the comparison with the random controls as well as intermediary factors. However, when studying injuries as a risk factor, the odds ratio remained higher with partner control subjects than with RRD control subjects, even after taking the matching into account. Finally we used factor V Leiden as an example of a genetic risk factor. The frequencies of factor V Leiden were identical in both control groups, indicating that for the analyses of this genetic risk factor the two control groups could be combined in a single unmatched analysis. In conclusion, the effect measures with the two control groups were in the same direction, and of the same order of magnitude. Moreover, it was not always the same control group that produced the higher or lower estimates, and a matched analysis did not remedy the differences. Our experience with the intricacies of dealing with two control groups may be useful to others when thinking about an optimal research design or the best statistical approach
Characterization of a Be(p,xn) neutron source for fission yields measurements
We report on measurements performed at The Svedberg Laboratory (TSL) to
characterize a proton-neutron converter for independent fission yield studies
at the IGISOL-JYFLTRAP facility (Jyv\"askyl\"a, Finland). A 30 MeV proton beam
impinged on a 5 mm water-cooled Beryllium target. Two independent experimental
techniques have been used to measure the neutron spectrum: a Time of Flight
(TOF) system used to estimate the high-energy contribution, and a Bonner Sphere
Spectrometer able to provide precise results from thermal energies up to 20
MeV. An overlap between the energy regions covered by the two systems will
permit a cross-check of the results from the different techniques. In this
paper, the measurement and analysis techniques will be presented together with
some preliminary results.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, also submitted as proceedings of the
International Conference on Nuclear Data for Science and Technology 201
Electron stimulated hydroxylation of a metal supported silicate film
Water adsorption on a double-layer silicate film was studied by using infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy, thermal desorption spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy. Under vacuum conditions, small amounts of silanols (Si–OH) could only be formed upon deposition of an ice-like (amorphous solid water, ASW) film and subsequent heating to room temperature. Silanol coverage is considerably enhanced by low-energy electron irradiation of an ASW pre-covered silicate film. The degree of hydroxylation can be tuned by the irradiation parameters (beam energy, exposure) and the ASW film thickness. The results are consistent with a generally accepted picture that hydroxylation occurs through hydrolysis of siloxane (Si–O–Si) bonds in the silica network. Calculations using density functional theory show that this may happen on Si–O–Si bonds, which are either parallel (i.e., in the topmost silicate layer) or vertical to the film surface (i.e., connecting two silicate layers). In the latter case, the mechanism may additionally involve the reaction with a metal support underneath. The observed vibrational spectra are dominated by terminal silanol groups (ν(OD) band at 2763 cm−1) formed by hydrolysis of vertical Si–O–Si linkages. Film dehydroxylation fully occurs only upon heating to very high temperatures (∼1200 K) and is accompanied by substantial film restructuring, and even film dewetting upon cycling hydroxylation/dehydroxylation treatment
Study of the reaction pbar p -> phi phi from 1.1 to 2.0 GeV/c
A study has been performed of the reaction pbar p -> 4K using in-flight
antiprotons from 1.1 to 2.0 GeV/c incident momentum interacting with a hydrogen
jet target. The reaction is dominated by the production of a pair of phi
mesons. The pbar p -> phi phi cross section rises sharply above threshold and
then falls continuously as a function of increasing antiproton momentum. The
overall magnitude of the cross section exceeds expectations from a simple
application of the OZI rule by two orders of magnitude. In a fine scan around
the xi/f_J(2230) resonance, no structure is observed. A limit is set for the
double branching ratio B(xi -> pbar p) * B(xi -> phi phi) < 6e-5 for a spin 2
resonance of M = 2.235 GeV and Width = 15 MeV.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figures, 2 tables, Latex. To be published in Phys. Rev.
Experimental determination of the complete spin structure for anti-proton + proton -> anti-\Lambda + \Lambda at anti-proton beam momentum of 1.637 GeV/c
The reaction anti-proton + proton -> anti-\Lambda + \Lambda -> anti-proton +
\pi^+ + proton + \pi^- has been measured with high statistics at anti-proton
beam momentum of 1.637 GeV/c. The use of a transversely-polarized frozen-spin
target combined with the self-analyzing property of \Lambda/anti-\Lambda decay
allows access to unprecedented information on the spin structure of the
interaction. The most general spin-scattering matrix can be written in terms of
eleven real parameters for each bin of scattering angle, each of these
parameters is determined with reasonable precision. From these results all
conceivable spin-correlations are determined with inherent self-consistency.
Good agreement is found with the few previously existing measurements of spin
observables in anti-proton + proton -> anti-\Lambda + \Lambda near this energy.
Existing theoretical models do not give good predictions for those
spin-observables that had not been previously measured.Comment: To be published in Phys. Rev. C. Tables of results (i.e. Ref. 24) are
available at http://www-meg.phys.cmu.edu/~bquinn/ps185_pub/results.tab 24
pages, 16 figure
Synergistic Effects of Hypofibrinolysis and Genetic and Acquired Risk Factors on the Risk of a First Venous Thrombosis
Frits Rosendaal and colleagues show that the combination of hypofibrinolysis with oral contraceptive use, immobilization, or factor V Leiden results in a risk of venous thrombosis that exceeds the sum of the individual risks
Nucleon-induced reactions at intermediate energies: New data at 96 MeV and theoretical status
Double-differential cross sections for light charged particle production (up
to A=4) were measured in 96 MeV neutron-induced reactions, at TSL laboratory
cyclotron in Uppsala (Sweden). Measurements for three targets, Fe, Pb, and U,
were performed using two independent devices, SCANDAL and MEDLEY. The data were
recorded with low energy thresholds and for a wide angular range (20-160
degrees). The normalization procedure used to extract the cross sections is
based on the np elastic scattering reaction that we measured and for which we
present experimental results. A good control of the systematic uncertainties
affecting the results is achieved. Calculations using the exciton model are
reported. Two different theoretical approches proposed to improve its
predictive power regarding the complex particle emission are tested. The
capabilities of each approach is illustrated by comparison with the 96 MeV data
that we measured, and with other experimental results available in the
literature.Comment: 21 pages, 28 figure
Measurement of Spin Transfer Observables in Antiproton-Proton -> Antilambda-Lambda at 1.637 GeV/c
Spin transfer observables for the strangeness-production reaction
Antiproton-Proton -> Antilambda-Lambda have been measured by the PS185
collaboration using a transversely-polarized frozen-spin target with an
antiproton beam momentum of 1.637 GeV/c at the Low Energy Antiproton Ring at
CERN. This measurement investigates observables for which current models of the
reaction near threshold make significantly differing predictions. Those models
are in good agreement with existing measurements performed with unpolarized
particles in the initial state. Theoretical attention has focused on the fact
that these models produce conflicting predictions for the spin-transfer
observables D_{nn} and K_{nn}, which are measurable only with polarized target
or beam. Results presented here for D_{nn} and K_{nn} are found to be in
disagreement with predictions from existing models. These results also
underscore the importance of singlet-state production at backward angles, while
current models predict complete or near-complete triplet-state dominance.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
The value of health
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A major problem in cost-effectiveness studies is where to draw the line between interventions which are cost-effective and those who are not. Lacking a notion about the value of a QALY, all ultimate values to the cost-effectiveness ratio are essentially arbitrary.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>This paper presents a simple empirical model to estimate the compensating income variation of diseases and health problems. The model is estimated using data for the Netherlands.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The compensating income variation is between €20,000 and €90,000. This is higher than most of the ultimate values used by policy-makers to decide whether an intervention is cost-effective. Our figures are roughly similar to those found in studies about the value of a statistical life year.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Estimates on the compensating income variation of diseases and health problems may provide useful information on the maximum acceptable cost-effectiveness ratio of medical interventions than those currently used by policy makers.</p
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