4,665 research outputs found
Transcatheter interatrial shunt device for the treatment of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (REDUCE LAP-HF I [Reduce Elevated Left Atrial Pressure in Patients With Heart Failure]): A phase 2, randomized, sham-controlled trial
Background -In non-randomized, open-label studies, a transcatheter interatrial shunt device (IASD, Corvia Medical) was associated with lower pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP), less symptoms, and greater quality of life and exercise capacity in patients with heart failure (HF) and mid-range or preserved ejection fraction (EF ℠40%). We conducted the first randomized, sham-controlled trial to evaluate the IASD in HF with EF ℠40%. Methods -REDUCE LAP-HF I was a phase 2, randomized, parallel-group, blinded multicenter trial in patients with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III or ambulatory class IV HF, EF ℠40%, exercise PCWP ℠25 mmHg, and PCWP-right atrial pressure gradient ℠5 mmHg. Participants were randomized (1:1) to the IASD vs. a sham procedure (femoral venous access with intracardiac echocardiography but no IASD placement). The participants and investigators assessing the participants during follow-up were blinded to treatment assignment. The primary effectiveness endpoint was exercise PCWP at 1 month. The primary safety endpoint was major adverse cardiac, cerebrovascular, and renal events (MACCRE) at 1 month. PCWP during exercise was compared between treatment groups using a mixed effects repeated measures model analysis of covariance that included data from all available stages of exercise. Results -A total of 94 patients were enrolled, of which n=44 met inclusion/exclusion criteria and were randomized to the IASD (n=22) and control (n=22) groups. Mean age was 70±9 years and 50% were female. At 1 month, the IASD resulted in a greater reduction in PCWP compared to sham-control (P=0.028 accounting for all stages of exercise). Peak PCWP decreased by 3.5±6.4 mmHg in the treatment group vs. 0.5±5.0 mmHg in the control group (P=0.14). There were no peri-procedural or 1-month MACCRE in the IASD group and 1 event (worsening renal function) in the control group (P=1.0). Conclusions -In patients with HF and EF ℠40%, IASD treatment reduces PCWP during exercise. Whether this mechanistic effect will translate into sustained improvements in symptoms and outcomes requires further evaluation. Clinical Trial Registration -URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02600234
Depressed mood predicts pulmonary rehabilitation completion among women, but not men
SummaryBackgroundAs many as 30% of patients who start pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) fail to complete it, and depressed mood has been associated with PR non-completion. Depression is more common in women than men with COPD and historically women with COPD have been under studied. However, no studies to date have investigated gender-specific predictors of PR completion.MethodsThe study included 111 patients with COPD who enrolled in a community based outpatient PR program in Providence, RI. Patients who attended 20 or more sessions were designated âcompletersâ. Depression was measured using the CES-D. Logistic regression models were evaluated to test depressed mood as a predictor of PR completion. Analyses controlled for demographic and health variables found to differ between completers and non-completers.ResultsPatients were 95% white and 49.5% women, and 74% had a GOLD stage â„3. Sixty-eight percent of patients were PR completers. A logistic regression model, showed that lower depressed mood independently predicted PR completion across all patients (adjusted OR = 0.92, p = .002). In gender-stratified analyses, lower depressed mood was an independent predictor of PR completion for women (adjusted OR = .91, p = .024) but not men (adjusted OR = .97, p = .45). Greater 6-min walk test distance was also an independent predictor of PR completion among women.ConclusionDepressed mood is an important predictor of completion of community based PR among women. Screening and brief treatment of depression should be considered in practice
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Quasar Lens Search. II. Statistical lens sample from the third data release
We report the first results of our systematic search for strongly lensed quasars using the spectroscopically confirmed quasars in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS). Among 46,420 quasars from the SDSS Data Release 3 (~4188 deg^2), we select a subsample of 22,683 quasars that are located at redshifts between 0.6 and 2.2 and are brighter than the Galactic extinction-corrected i-band magnitude of 19.1. We identify 220 lens candidates from the quasar subsample, for which we conduct extensive and systematic follow-up observations in optical and near-infrared wavebands, in order to construct a complete lensed quasar sample at image separations between 1" and 20" and flux ratios of faint to bright lensed images larger than 10^(â0.5). We construct a statistical sample of 11 lensed quasars. Ten of these are galaxy-scale lenses with small image separations (~ 1"-2") and one is a large separation (15") system which is produced by a massive cluster of galaxies, representing the first statistical sample of lensed quasars including both galaxy- and cluster-scale lenses. The Data Release 3 spectroscopic quasars contain an additional 11 lensed quasars outside the statistical sample
Adult Social Work and High Risk Domestic Violence Cases
Summary
This article focuses on adult social workâs response in England to high-risk domestic violence cases and the role of adult social workers in Multi-Agency Risk and Assessment Conferences. (MARACs). The research was undertaken between 2013-2014 and
focused on one city in England and involved the research team attending MARACs, Interviews with 20 adult social workers, 24 MARAC attendees, 14 adult service users at time T1 (including follow up interviews after six months, T2), focus groups with IDVAs and Womenâs Aid and an interview with a Womenâs Aid service user.
Findings
The findings suggest that although adult social workers accept the need to be involved in domestic violence cases they are uncertain of what their role is and are confused with the need to operate a parallel domestic violence and adult safeguarding approach, which is further, complicated by issues of mental capacity. MARACS are identified as overburdened, under-represented meetings staffed by committed managers. However, they are in danger of becoming managerial processes neglecting the service users they are meant to protect.
Applications
The article argues for a re-engagement of adult social workers with domestic violence that has increasingly become over identified with child protection. It also raises the issue whether MARACS remain fit for purpose and whether they still represent the best possible response to multi-agency coordination and practice in domestic violence
Measurement of Galaxy Cluster Sizes, Radial Profiles, and Luminosity Functions from SDSS Photometric Data
Imaging data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey is used to measure the
empirical size-richness relation for a large sample of galaxy clusters. Using
population subtraction methods, we determine the radius at which the cluster
galaxy number density is 200/Omega_m times the mean galaxy density, without
assuming a model for the radial distribution of galaxies in clusters. If these
galaxies are unbiased on Mpc scales, this galaxy-density-based R_200 reflects
the characteristic radii of clusters. We measure the scaling of this
characteristic radius with richness over an order of magnitude in cluster
richness, from rich clusters to poor groups. We use this information to examine
the radial profiles of galaxies in clusters as a function of cluster richness,
finding that the concentration of the galaxy distribution decreases with
richness and is systematically lower than the concentrations measured for dark
matter profiles in N-body simulations. Using these scaled radii, we investigate
the behavior of the cluster luminosity function, and find that it is well
matched by a Schechter function for galaxies brighter than M_r = -18 only after
the central galaxy has been removed. We find that the luminosity function
varies with richness and with distance from the cluster center, underscoring
the importance of using an aperture that scales with cluster mass to compare
physically equivalent regions of these different systems. We note that the
lowest richness systems in our catalog have properties consistent with those
expected of the earliest-forming halos; our cluster-finding algorithm, in
addition to reliably finding clusters, may be efficient at finding fossil
groups.Comment: 17 pages, 12 figures. Accepted for publication in Ap
Observations and Theoretical Implications of the Large Separation Lensed Quasar SDSS J1004+4112
We study the recently discovered gravitational lens SDSS J1004+4112, the
first quasar lensed by a cluster of galaxies. It consists of four images with a
maximum separation of 14.62''. The system has been confirmed as a lensed quasar
at z=1.734 on the basis of deep imaging and spectroscopic follow-up
observations. We present color-magnitude relations for galaxies near the lens
plus spectroscopy of three central cluster members, which unambiguously confirm
that a cluster at z=0.68 is responsible for the large image separation. We find
a wide range of lens models consistent with the data, but they suggest four
general conclusions: (1) the brightest cluster galaxy and the center of the
cluster potential well appear to be offset by several kpc; (2) the cluster mass
distribution must be elongated in the North--South direction, which is
consistent with the observed distribution of cluster galaxies; (3) the
inference of a large tidal shear (~0.2) suggests significant substructure in
the cluster; and (4) enormous uncertainty in the predicted time delays between
the images means that measuring the delays would greatly improve constraints on
the models. We also compute the probability of such large separation lensing in
the SDSS quasar sample, on the basis of the CDM model. The lack of large
separation lenses in previous surveys and the discovery of one in SDSS together
imply a mass fluctuation normalization \sigma_8=1.0^{+0.4}_{-0.2} (95% CL), if
cluster dark matter halos have an inner slope -1.5. Shallower profiles would
require higher values of \sigma_8. Although the statistical conclusion might be
somewhat dependent on the degree of the complexity of the lens potential, the
discovery is consistent with the predictions of the abundance of cluster-scale
halos in the CDM scenario. (Abridged)Comment: 21 pages, 24 figures, 5 tables, accepted for publication in Ap
The Sloan Digital Sky Survey Quasar Lens Search. III. Constraints on Dark Energy from the Third Data Release Quasar Lens Catalog
We present cosmological results from the statistics of lensed quasars in the
Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Quasar Lens Search. By taking proper account of
the selection function, we compute the expected number of quasars lensed by
early-type galaxies and their image separation distribution assuming a flat
universe, which is then compared with 7 lenses found in the SDSS Data Release 3
to derive constraints on dark energy under strictly controlled criteria. For a
cosmological constant model (w=-1) we obtain
\Omega_\Lambda=0.74^{+0.11}_{-0.15}(stat.)^{+0.13}_{-0.06}(syst.). Allowing w
to be a free parameter we find
\Omega_M=0.26^{+0.07}_{-0.06}(stat.)^{+0.03}_{-0.05}(syst.) and
w=-1.1\pm0.6(stat.)^{+0.3}_{-0.5}(syst.) when combined with the constraint from
the measurement of baryon acoustic oscillations in the SDSS luminous red galaxy
sample. Our results are in good agreement with earlier lensing constraints
obtained using radio lenses, and provide additional confirmation of the
presence of dark energy consistent with a cosmological constant, derived
independently of type Ia supernovae.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, accepted for publication in A
Implementing health research through academic and clinical partnerships : a realistic evaluation of the Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC)
Background: The English National Health Service has made a major investment in nine partnerships between
higher education institutions and local health services called Collaborations for Leadership in Applied Health
Research and Care (CLAHRC). They have been funded to increase capacity and capability to produce and
implement research through sustained interactions between academics and health services. CLAHRCs provide a
natural âtest bedâ for exploring questions about research implementation within a partnership model of delivery.
This protocol describes an externally funded evaluation that focuses on implementation mechanisms and
processes within three CLAHRCs. It seeks to uncover what works, for whom, how, and in what circumstances.
Design and methods: This study is a longitudinal three-phase, multi-method realistic evaluation, which
deliberately aims to explore the boundaries around knowledge use in context. The evaluation funder wishes to see
it conducted for the process of learning, not for judging performance. The study is underpinned by a conceptual
framework that combines the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services and Knowledge to
Action frameworks to reflect the complexities of implementation. Three participating CLARHCS will provide indepth
comparative case studies of research implementation using multiple data collection methods including
interviews, observation, documents, and publicly available data to test and refine hypotheses over four rounds of
data collection. We will test the wider applicability of emerging findings with a wider community using an
interpretative forum.
Discussion: The idea that collaboration between academics and services might lead to more applicable health
research that is actually used in practice is theoretically and intuitively appealing; however the evidence for it is
limited. Our evaluation is designed to capture the processes and impacts of collaborative approaches for
implementing research, and therefore should contribute to the evidence base about an increasingly popular (e.g.,
Mode two, integrated knowledge transfer, interactive research), but poorly understood approach to knowledge
translation. Additionally we hope to develop approaches for evaluating implementation processes and impacts
particularly with respect to integrated stakeholder involvement
Redoxâcontrolled preservation of organic matter during âOAE 3â within the Western Interior Seaway
During the Cretaceous, widespread black shale deposition occurred during a series of Oceanic Anoxic Events (OAEs). Multiple processes are known to control the deposition of marine black shales, including changes in primary productivity, organic matter preservation, and dilution. OAEs offer an opportunity to evaluate the relative roles of these forcing factors. The youngest of these eventsâthe Coniacian to Santonian OAE 3âresulted in a prolonged organic carbon burial event in shallow and restricted marine environments including the Western Interior Seaway. New highâresolution isotope, organic, and trace metal records from the latest Turonian to early Santonian Niobrara Formation are used to characterize the amount and composition of organic matter preserved, as well as the geochemical conditions under which it accumulated. Redox sensitive metals (Mo, Mn, and Re) indicate a gradual drawdown of oxygen leading into the abrupt onset of organic carbonârich (up to 8%) deposition. High Hydrogen Indices (HI) and organic carbon to total nitrogen ratios (C:N) demonstrate that the elemental composition of preserved marine organic matter is distinct under different redox conditions. Local changes in ÎŽ13C indicate that redoxâcontrolled early diagenesis can also significantly alter ÎŽ13Corg records. These results demonstrate that the development of anoxia is of primary importance in triggering the prolonged carbon burial in the Niobrara Formation. Sea level reconstructions, ÎŽ18O results, and Mo/total organic carbon ratios suggest that stratification and enhanced bottom water restriction caused the drawdown of bottom water oxygen. Increased nutrients from benthic regeneration and/or continental runoff may have sustained primary productivity.Key PointsBottom water redox changes triggered carbon burial within the WIS during OAE 3Anoxia developed due to O2 drawdown in a stratified water columnRedoxâcontrolled changes in OM preservation altered primary ÎŽ13Corg signalsPeer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112294/1/palo20210.pdfhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/112294/2/palo20210-sup-0001-SupportingInfo.pd
- âŠ