881 research outputs found
A synthesis of sand seas throughout the world
There are no author-identified significant results in this report
Correcting bias in self-rated quality of life: an application of anchoring vignettes and ordinal regression models to better understand QoL differences across commuting modes.
PURPOSE: Likert scales are frequently used in public health research, but are subject to scale perception bias. This study sought to explore scale perception bias in quality-of-life (QoL) self-assessment and assess its relationships with commuting mode in the Sydney Travel and Health Study. METHODS: Multilevel ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the association between two global QoL items about overall QoL and health satisfaction, with usual travel mode to work or study. Anchoring vignettes were applied using parametric and simpler nonparametric methods to detect and adjust for differences in reporting behaviour across age, sex, education, and income groups. RESULTS: The anchoring vignettes exposed differences in scale responses across demographic groups. After adjusting for these biases, public transport users (OR = 0.37, 95 % CI 0.21-0.65), walkers (OR = 0.44, 95 % CI 0.24-0.82), and motor vehicle users (OR = 0.47, 95 % CI 0.25-0.86) were all found to have lower odds of reporting high QoL compared with bicycle commuters. Similarly, the odds of reporting high health satisfaction were found to be proportionally lower amongst all competing travel modes: motor vehicle users (OR = 0.31, 95 % CI 0.18-0.56), public transport users (OR = 0.34, 95 % CI 0.20-0.57), and walkers (OR = 0.35, 95 % CI 0.20-0.64) when compared with cyclists. Fewer differences were observed in the unadjusted models. CONCLUSION: Application of the vignettes by the two approaches removed scaling biases, thereby improving the accuracy of the analyses of the associations between travel mode and quality of life. The adjusted results revealed higher quality of life in bicycle commuters compared with all other travel mode users
Isopropanol at 60% and at 70% are effective against 'isopropanol-tolerant' Enterococcus faecium.
The bactericidal activity of isopropanol was determined against Enterococcus faecium ATCC 6057, ST 796 (isopropanol-tolerant strain) and Enterococcus hirae ATCC 10541 (EN 13727). Isopropanol at 60% and 70% were effective (≥5.38 log10-reduction) in 15 s against all strains but 23% isopropanol was not (<0.99 log10-reduction in ≤15 min). Isopropanol at 70% was tested against E. faecium in the four-field test. Eight millilitres was not effective enough in 1 min (<5 log10-reduction), whilst 16 mL was effective (≥5.85 log10-reduction). Healthcare workers can be reassured that 60% and 70% isopropanol with an appropriate volume are effective against E. faecium
Modelling of long term nitrogen retention in surface waters
In order to derive measures to reduce nutrient loadings into waters in
Saxony, we calculated nitrogen inputs with the model STOFFBILANZ on the
regional scale. Thereby we have to compare our modelling results to measured
loadings at the river basin outlets, considering long term nutrient retention
in surface waters. The most important mechanism of nitrogen retention is the
denitrification in the contact zone of water and sediment, being controlled
by hydraulic and micro-biological processes. Retention capacity is derived on
the basis of the nutrient spiralling concept, using water residence time
(hydraulic aspect) and time-specific N-uptake by microorganisms (biological
aspect). Short time related processes of mobilization and immobilization are
neglected, because they are of minor importance for the derivation of
measures on the regional scale
Structured benefit-risk assessment: a review of key publications and initiatives on frameworks and methodologies.
Introduction The conduct of structured benefit-risk assessment (BRA) of pharmaceutical products is a key area of interest for regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. However, the acceptance of a standardized approach and implementation are slow. Statisticians play major roles in these organizations, and have a great opportunity to be involved and drive the shaping of future BRA. Method We performed a literature search of recent reviews and initiatives assessing BRA methodologies, and grouped them to assist those new to BRA in learning, understanding, and choosing methodologies. We summarized the key points and discussed the impact of this emerging field on various stakeholders, particularly statisticians in the pharmaceutical industry. Results We provide introductory, essential, special interest, and further information and initiatives materials that direct readers to the most relevant materials, which were published between 2000 and 2013. Based on recommendations in these materials we supply a toolkit of advocated BRA methodologies. Discussion Despite initiatives promoting these methodologies, there are still barriers, one of which being the lack of a consensus on the most appropriate methodologies among stakeholders. However, this opens up opportunities, for statisticians in the pharmaceutical industry especially, to champion appropriate BRA methodology use throughout the pharmaceutical product lifecycle. Conclusions This article may serve as a starting point for discussions and to reach a mutual consensus for methodology selection in a particular situation. Regulators and pharmaceutical industry should continue to collaborate to develop and take forward BRA methodologies, and by clear communication develop a mutual understanding of the key issues. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Electromagnetic Simulation and Design of a Novel Waveguide RF Wien Filter for Electric Dipole Moment Measurements of Protons and Deuterons
The conventional Wien filter is a device with orthogonal static magnetic and
electric fields, often used for velocity separation of charged particles. Here
we describe the electromagnetic design calculations for a novel waveguide RF
Wien filter that will be employed to solely manipulate the spins of protons or
deuterons at frequencies of about 0.1 to 2 MHz at the COoler SYnchrotron COSY
at J\"ulich. The device will be used in a future experiment that aims at
measuring the proton and deuteron electric dipole moments, which are expected
to be very small. Their determination, however, would have a huge impact on our
understanding of the universe.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figures, 4 table
Effects of new dock-less bicycle-sharing programs on cycling: A retrospective study in Shanghai
© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2019. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. Objectives To examine (1) the effect of new dock-less bicycle-sharing programmes on change in travel mode and (2) the correlates of change in travel mode. Design A retrospective natural experimental study. Setting 12 neighbourhoods in Shanghai. Participants 1265 respondents were recruited for a retrospective study in May 2017. Main outcome measures Prevalence of cycling before and after launch of dock-less bicycle-sharing programme. Results The proportion of participants cycling for transport increased from 33.3% prior to the launch of the bicycle-sharing programmes to 48.3% 1 year after the launch (p<0.001). Being in the age group of 30-49 years (OR 2.28; 95% CI 1.30 to 4.00), living within the inner ring of the city (OR 2.27; 95% CI 1.22 to 4.26), having dedicated bicycle lanes (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.12 to 1.68) and perceiving riding shared bicycles as fashionable (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.76) were positively associated with adopting cycling for transport. Access to a public transportation stop/station (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.67 to 0.99) was inversely correlated with adopting cycling for transport. Conclusions Dock-less bicycle sharing may promote bicycle use in a metropolitan setting. Findings from this study also highlight the importance of cycling-friendly built environments and cultural norms as facilitators of adopting cycling
Contribution of Dental Amalgam to Urinary Mercury Excretion in Children: Woods et al. Respond
Kaon pair production in proton-nucleus collisions at 2.83 GeV kinetic energy
The production of non-phi K+K- pairs by protons of 2.83 GeV kinetic energy on
C, Cu, Ag, and Au targets has been investigated using the COSY-ANKE magnetic
spectrometer. The K- momentum dependence of the differential cross section has
been measured at small angles over the 0.2--0.9 GeV/c range. The comparison of
the data with detailed model calculations indicates an attractive K- -nucleus
potential of about -60 MeV at normal nuclear matter density at a mean momentum
of 0.5 GeV/c. However, this approach has difficulty in reproducing the
smallness of the observed cross sections at low K- momenta.Comment: 7 pages, 5 figures, 1 tabl
New determination of the mass of the eta meson at COSY-ANKE
A value for the mass of the eta meson has been determined at the COSY-ANKE
facility through the measurement of a set of deuteron laboratory beam momenta
and associated 3He center-of-mass momenta in the d+p -> 3He+X reaction. The eta
was then identified by the missing-mass peak and the production threshold
determined. The individual beam momenta were fixed with a relative precision of
3 x 10^-5 for values around 3 GeV/c by using a polarized deuteron beam and
inducing an artificial depolarizing spin resonance, which occurs at a
well-defined frequency. The final-state momenta in the two-body d+p -> 3He+eta
reaction were investigated in detail by studying the size of the 3He momentum
ellipse with the forward detection system of the ANKE spectrometer. Final
alignment of the spectrometer for this high precision experiment was achieved
through a comprehensive study of the 3He final-state momenta as a function of
the center-of-mass angles, taking advantage of the full geometrical acceptance.
The value obtained for the mass, m(eta)=(547.873 +- 0.005(stat) +- 0.027(syst))
MeV/c^2, is consistent and competitive with other recent measurements, in which
the meson was detected through its decay products.Comment: 11 pages, 11 figures, 3 tables, published versio
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