Valuation and modeling of EQ-5D-5L health states using a hybrid approach

Background: The EQ-5D instrument is the most widely used preference-based health-related quality of life questionnaire in cost-effectiveness analysis of health care technologies. Recently, a version called EQ-5D-5L with 5 levels on each dimension was developed. This manuscript explores the performance of a hybrid approach for the modeling of EQ-5D-5L valuation data. Methods: Two elicitation techniques, the composite time trade-off, and discrete choice experiments, were applied to a sample of the Spanish population (n=1000) using a computer-based questionnaire. The sampling process consisted of 2 stages: stratified sampling of geographic area, followed by systematic sampling in each area. A hybrid regression model combining composite time trade-off and discrete choice data was used to estimate the potential value sets using main effects as starting point. The comparison between the models was performed using the criteria of logical consistency, goodness of fit, and parsimony. Results: Twenty-seven participants from the 1000 were removed following the exclusion criteria. The best-fitted model included 2 significant interaction terms but resulted in marginal improvements in model fit compared to the main effects model. We therefore selected the model results with main effects as a potential value set for this methodological study, based on the parsimony criteria. The results showed that the main effects hybrid model was consistent, with a range of utility values between 1 and -0.224. Conclusion: This paper shows the feasibility of using a hybrid approach to estimate a value set for EQ-5D-5L valuation data.</p

Regeneracionismo, regionalismo y ciencia en la Málaga de comienzos de siglo : la revista "Andalucía Científica (1903-1904)

El presente trabajo pretente ser una aportación al estudio del periodismo científico como objeto de investigación, con independencia del indiscutible valor como fuente multivalente de conocimiento de la historia contemporã.- nea. En el caso que nos ocupa este interés se ve incrementado por la importancia que supone la recuperación de la revista Andalucía Científica (/Valaga, 1903-1904), de efímera existencia aunque plena de significados. Ilustrativa del movimiento de «renovación nacional» que sacudió, desde diversas posiciones ideológicas, los cimientos de la sociedad espaiiola tras la crisis de 1898, resulta, acaso, mas atrayente aún, porque en ese momento se iniciaba la temprana cristalización de una conciencia regional, ciertamente elitista, que debe situarse hacia los albores del nuevo siglo y que estuvo promovida por ciertos sectores intelectuales preocupados por la ausencia de desarrollo económico y cultural de la región

Broad-host range expression vectors containing manipulated meta-cleavage pathway regulatory elements of the TOL plasmid

AbstractThe construction of pERD20 and pERD21, two broad-host range expression vectors, is described. The vectors contain the Pm promoter of the meta-cleavage pathway operon of the TOL plasmid pWWO; this promoter is present within a polylinker which provides a number of downstream cloning sites close to the transcription initiation site. Transcription from the Pm promoter in these vectors is controlled not by the natural positive regulator of Pm, the Xy1S protein, but by an Xy1S mutant analogue, Xy1S2tr6, which ??hibits an altered effector specificity and can mediate a 3–8-fold higher level of transcription than can Xy1S in a wide range of temperatures. Controlled expression of cloned genes can be achieved in a broad spectrum of Gram negative bacteria grown at a wide range of temperatures

Iron Uptake Analysis in a Set of Clinical Isolates of Pseudomonas putida

Pseudomonas putida strains are frequent inhabitants of soil and aquatic niches and they are occasionally isolated from hospital environments. As the available iron sources in human tissues, edaphic, and aquatic niches are different, we have analyzed iron-uptake related genes in different P. putida strains that were isolated from all these environments. We found that these isolates can be grouped into different clades according to the genetics of siderophore biosynthesis and recycling. The pyoverdine locus of the six P. putida clinical isolates that have so far been completely sequenced, are not closely related; three strains (P. putida HB13667, HB3267, and NBRC14164T) are grouped in Clade I and the other three in Clade II, suggesting possible different origins and evolution. In one clinical strain, P. putida HB4184, the production of siderophores is induced under high osmolarity conditions. The pyoverdine locus in this strain is closely related to that of strain P. putida HB001 which was isolated from sandy shore soil of the Yellow Sea in Korean marine sand, suggesting their possible origin, and evolution. The acquisition of two unique TonB-dependent transporters for xenosiderophore acquisition, similar to those existing in the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa PAO, is an interesting adaptation trait of the clinical strain P. putida H8234 that may confer adaptive advantages under low iron availability conditions.Work in our laboratories was supported by ERANET Pathogenomics program through the ADHERS project (Ref: BIO2008-04419-E) and Fondos FEDER from the European Union through project BIO2010-17227 of the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitivity. The work in Abengoa Research was funded by H2020 grant Empowerputida number 65703.Peer reviewedPeer Reviewe

Genomic analysis reveals the major driving forces of bacterial life in the rhizosphere

A global analysis of Pseudomonas putida gene expression performed during the interaction with maize roots revealed how a bacterial population adjusts its genetic program to the specific conditions of this lifestyle

An instrumental puzzle: the modular integration of AOLI

The Adaptive Optics Lucky Imager, AOLI, is an instrument developed to deliver the highest spatial resolution ever obtained in the visible, 20 mas, from ground-based telescopes. In AOLI a new philosophy of instrumental prototyping has been applied, based on the modularization of the subsystems. This modular concept offers maximum flexibility regarding the instrument, telescope or the addition of future developments.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figures, Proc. SPIE 9908, Ground-based and Airborne Instrumentation for Astronomy VI, 99082Z (August 9, 2016

Submarine Active Faults and MorphoTectonics Around the Iberian Margins: Seismic and Tsunamis Hazards

The aim of this work is to make a synthesis at regional scale focused on the geophysical characterization of submarine faults around the Iberian margin to identify active structures and analyze their development in the framework of the present plate organization. Most of these submarine faults show seabed morphological expressions mapped with high-resolution swath bathymetry data, high-resolution parametric sub-bottom profiles and multichannel seismic profiles. Present active tectonics, deformation, seismicity, and tsunami-affected coastal areas is mainly focused on south Iberia at the Eurasian and Nubia plate boundary. Submarine active faults in these areas are represented by long strike-slip fault systems and arcuate fold-thrust systems. Their development takes place in response to present NW-SE convergence between the Eurasian and Nubia plates. We propose a strain partitioning model of the plate boundary into simple and pure shear zones to explain the distribution and mechanisms of active submarine faults along the Gulf of Cádiz, Gibraltar Arc and Alborán Sea in response to the present-day shear stress orientation. Nevertheless, deformation is also focused in the NW Iberian margin. Thus, along the Galician and Portuguese margin, several submarine faults mapped as thrust fault systems with high-seismic activity along the Iberian ocean-continent transition reflect the re-activation of former structures. We suggest that submarine active faults in the NW and W Iberia are also the response to the eastwards transfer of short-offset transform faults of the Mid Atlantic Ridge into the oceanic Iberian along a weakness as the former plate boundary between the oceanic Iberia and Eurasia domains. The distribution and activity of submarine faults mapped in this work from geophysical and bathymetric data are in good agreement with geodetic data and focal mechanisms.Versión del edito

The AGN Luminosity Fraction in Merging Galaxies

Galaxy mergers are key events in galaxy evolution, often causing massive starbursts and fueling active galactic nuclei (AGN). In these highly dynamic systems, it is not yet precisely known how much starbursts and AGN respectively contribute to the total luminosity, at what interaction stages they occur, and how long they persist. Here we estimate the fraction of the bolometric infrared (IR) luminosity that can be attributed to AGN by measuring and modeling the full ultraviolet to far-infrared spectral energy distributions (SEDs) in up to 33 broad bands for 24 merging galaxies with the Code for Investigating Galaxy Emission. In addition to a sample of 12 confirmed AGN in late-stage mergers, found in the $Infrared$ $Array$ $Satellite$ Revised Bright Galaxy Sample or Faint Source Catalog, our sample includes a comparison sample of 12 galaxy mergers from the $Spitzer$ Interacting Galaxies Survey, mostly early-stage. We perform identical SED modeling of simulated mergers to validate our methods, and we supplement the SED data with mid-IR spectra of diagnostic lines obtained with $Spitzer$ InfraRed Spectrograph. The estimated AGN contributions to the IR luminosities vary from system to system from 0% up to 91% but are significantly greater in the later-stage, more luminous mergers, consistent with what is known about galaxy evolution and AGN triggering.Comment: 26 pages, 10 figure

Changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in field hockey players during the 2006 World Cup

The aim of this study is to determine the changes in heart rate variability (HRV) in field hockey players during the course of a world championship. The Spanish national team took part in the study by making daily records of the R-R interval (Omegawave System) on the days when matches took place. The baseline heart rate (HR) and several parameters of HRV were measured. The evolution of the average values of the HR and the various parameters of HRV during the 7 matches was compared using a MANOVA, the contrasts regarding the last match being analysed. The HR increases progressively during the seven matches, with an especially significant increase in the last match (F(18.6) = 3.27; p=.024). RMSSD and pNN50 parameters progressively decrease throughout the tournament, with an especially significant decrease for pNN50 (F(18.6) = 2.96; p=.034). Regarding the parameters of the frequency spectrum, LF and LF/HF show an increase throughout the 7 matches (for LF, F(18.6) = 2.72; p=.046), and HF presented lower values. HRV decreases progressively and the values of the parameters related to parasympathetic system activity (RMSSD and HF) reduce, which are indicative of good psychic-physical adaptability to the workload. At the same time, the value of the parameters related to sympathetic system activity (LF and LF/HF) increases, suggesting an increase in fatigue, tiredness and poor adaptability in general. Consequently, the analysis of HRV may be a good marker for monitoring the psychic-physical state, cardiovascular adaptability during exercise and a possible state of physical overload in athletes participating in competitions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version