Problems of university‐based scientists associated with clinical trials

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/116952/1/cpt1979255part2662.pd

DESIGN AND MANAGEMENT OF LARGE MULTICENTER CLINICAL TRIALS

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/73282/1/j.1749-6632.1978.tb25600.x.pd

The determination of sample size in treatment-control comparisons for chronic disease studies in which drop-out or non-adherence is a problem

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/33344/1/0000741.pd

Circulatory reactions of normotensive and hypertensive subjects and of the children of normal and hypertensive parents,

Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32434/1/0000516.pd

Panoramic optical and near-infrared SETI instrument: prototype design and testing

The Pulsed All-sky Near-infrared Optical Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intelligence (PANOSETI) is an instrument program that aims to search for fast transient signals (nano-second to seconds) of artificial or astrophysical origin. The PANOSETI instrument objective is to sample the entire observable sky during all observable time at optical and near-infrared wavelengths over 300 - 1650 nm$^1$. The PANOSETI instrument is designed with a number of modular telescope units using Fresnel lenses ($\sim$0.5m) arranged on two geodesic domes in order to maximize sky coverage$^2$. We present the prototype design and tests of these modular Fresnel telescope units. This consists of the design of mechanical components such as the lens mounting and module frame. One of the most important goals of the modules is to maintain the characteristics of the Fresnel lens under a variety of operating conditions. We discuss how we account for a range of operating temperatures, humidity, and module orientations in our design in order to minimize undesirable changes to our focal length or angular resolution.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, 1 tabl

A sampling study of blood pressure levels in White and Negro residents of Nassau, Bahamas

Results of a study of blood pressure levels in Negro and white residents of Nassau, Bahamas, have been presented. Persons for study were selected by means of probability sample design. The purpose of the study was to describe as accurately as possible the differing patterns of blood pressure with regard to race, age, and sex. The site was selected because of the opportunity to study the two races in a somewhat different environment and perhaps mode of life than previously reported by others. Also, the water supply of the area is known to be high in salt.The following facts were disclosed: 1. 1. A definite racial difference is seen. The pattern of progression of blood pressure with age is almost linear in the Negro. The white race, however, shows a flattening or "plateau" effect from the time adult ages are reached until middle life, when mean blood pressure again tends to rise. This is seen in the means of both systolic and diastolic pressure, but most noticeably in regard to the systolic.2. 2. Sex differences are shown. Women of both races have lower mean systolic pressures during the reproductive years than men of their race. Negro men have slightly but consistently higher mean diastolic pressures than women almost throughout life.3. 3. Comparison with population studies elsewhere leads to the conclusion that Bahamian Negroes resemble Negroes elsewhere in the Western Hemisphere and Bahamian white persons resemble white people in other geographic locations in regard to blood pressure. A particularly provocative comparison is that of Bahamian Negroes with Negroes in St. Kitts (Leeward Islands),8 since blood pressure patterns appear similar, despite high salt intake in the Bahamas and low salt intake in St. Kitts.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/32390/1/0000465.pd

Search for Nanosecond Near-infrared Transients around 1280 Celestial Objects

Stars and planetary system

Long-term Optical Variability of Radio-Selected Quasars from the FIRST Survey

We have obtained single-epoch optical photometry for 201 quasars, taken from the FIRST Bright Quasar Survey, which span a wide range in radio loudness. Comparison with the magnitudes of these objects on the POSS-I plates provides by far the largest sample of long-term variability amplitudes for radio-selected quasars yet produced. We find the quasars to be more variable in the blue than in the red band, consistent with work on optically selected samples. The previously noted trend of decreasing variability with increasing optical luminosity applies only to radio-quiet objects. Furthermore, we do not confirm a rise in variability amplitude with redshift, nor do we see any dependence on radio flux or luminosity. The variability over a radio-optical flux ratio range spanning a factor of 60,000 from radio-quiet to extreme radio-loud objects is largely constant, although there is a suggestion of greater variability in the extreme radio-loud objects. We demonstrate the importance of Malmquist bias in variability studies, and develop a procedure to correct for the bias in order to reveal the underlying variability properties of the sample.Comment: 16 pages, 8 figures To be published in 2001 April 1 Astronomical Journa

The Cost of Autism Spectrum Disorders

Objective: A diagnosis of an autism spectrum disorders is usually associated with substantial lifetime costs to an individual, their family and the community. However, there remains an elusive factor in any cost-benefit analysis of ASD diagnosis, namely the cost of not obtaining a diagnosis. Given the infeasibility of estimating the costs of a population that, by its nature, is inaccessible, the current study compares expenses between families whose children received a formal ASD diagnosis immediately upon suspecting developmental atypicality and seeking advice, with families that experienced a delay between first suspicion and formal diagnosis. Design: A register based questionnaire study covering all families with a child with ASD in Western Australia. Participants: Families with one or more children diagnosed with an ASD, totalling 521 children diagnosed with an ASD; 317 records were able to be included in the final analysis.Results: The median family cost of ASD was estimated to be AUD $34,900 per annum with almost 90$29,200) due to loss of income from employment. For each additional symptom reported, approximately $1,400 cost for the family per annum was added. While there was little direct influence on costs associated with a delay in the diagnosis, the delay was associated with a modest increase in the number of ASD symptoms, indirectly impacting the cost of ASD. Conclusions: A delay in diagnosis was associated with an indirect increased financial burden to families. Early and appropriate access to early intervention is known to improve a child's long-term outcomes and reduce lifetime costs to the individual, family and society. Consequently, a per symptom dollar value may assist in allocation of individualised funding amounts for interventions rather than a nominal amount allocated to all children below a certain age, regardless of symptom presentation, as is the case in Western Australia