Derivation and assessment of risk prediction models using case-cohort data

Background Case-cohort studies are increasingly used to quantify the association of novel factors with disease risk. Conventional measures of predictive ability need modification for this design. We show how Harrell’s C-index, Royston’s D, and the category-based and continuous versions of the net reclassification index (NRI) can be adapted. Methods We simulated full cohort and case-cohort data, with sampling fractions ranging from 1% to 90%, using covariates from a cohort study of coronary heart disease, and two incidence rates. We then compared the accuracy and precision of the proposed risk prediction metrics. Results The C-index and D must be weighted in order to obtain unbiased results. The NRI does not need modification, provided that the relevant non-subcohort cases are excluded from the calculation. The empirical standard errors across simulations were consistent with analytical standard errors for the C-index and D but not for the NRI. Good relative efficiency of the prediction metrics was observed in our examples, provided the sampling fraction was above 40% for the C-index, 60% for D, or 30% for the NRI. Stata code is made available. Conclusions Case-cohort designs can be used to provide unbiased estimates of the C-index, D measure and NRI

Antisymmetry and channel coupling contributions to the absorption for p + alpha/d + 3He

To understand recently established empirical p + alpha potentials, RGM calculations followed by inversion are made to study contributions of the d + 3He reaction channels and deuteron distortion effects to the p + alpha potential. An equivalent study of the d + 3He potential is also presented. The contributions of exchange non-locality to the absorption are simulated by including an phenomenological imaginary potential in the RGM. These effects alone strongly influence the shape of the imaginary potentials for both p + alpha and d + 3He. The potentials local-equivalent to the fully antisymmetrised-coupled channels calculations have a significant parity-dependence in both real and imaginary components, which for p + alpha is qualitatively similar to that found empirically. The effects on the potentials of the further inclusion of deuteron distortion are also presented. The inclusion of a spin-orbit term in the RGM, adds additional terms to the phase-equivalent potential, most notably the comparatively large imaginary spin-orbit term found empirically.Comment: 17 pages, Latex, 8 postscript figs, submitted to Nucl. Phys.

Deuteron -- α\alpha interaction by inversion of RGM S-matrix: determination of spin-orbit potential for spin-1 projectile

The iterative-perturbative (IP) procedure for S-matrix to potential inversion is applied to spin-one projectiles for the restricted case of vector spin-orbit interaction only. In order to evaluate this extension of IP inversion we have inverted the multi-channel RGM $S_{lj}$ of Kanada et al for deuterons scattering from $^4$He with deuteron distortion and then compared the central components with those derived from RGM with spin set to zero. Attention is given to the question of how well the resulting potentials are established. Reliable spin-1 inversion is demonstrated. Results relating to inversion, to deuteron-nucleus interactions and to RGM are presented and suggest the range of nuclear interaction information which the procedure makes possible. Unusual non-locality and parity dependence effects are found; these are of possible relevance to generic properties of nuclear potentials.Comment: 15 pages LaTeX plus 6 postscript figure

Information Presentation

The goal of the Information Presentation Directed Research Project (DRP) is to address design questions related to the presentation of information to the crew. The major areas of work, or subtasks, within this DRP are: 1) Displays, 2) Controls, 3) Electronic Procedures and Fault Management, and 4) Human Performance Modeling. This DRP is a collaborative effort between researchers at Johnson Space Center and Ames Research Center

Search for Possible Variation of the Fine Structure Constant

Determination of the fine structure constant alpha and search for its possible variation are considered. We focus on a role of the fine structure constant in modern physics and discuss precision tests of quantum electrodynamics. Different methods of a search for possible variations of fundamental constants are compared and those related to optical measurements are considered in detail.Comment: An invited talk at HYPER symposium (Paris, 2002

Effective Electromagnetic Lagrangian at Finite Temperature and Density in the Electroweak Model

Using the exact propagators in a constant magnetic field, the effective electromagnetic Lagrangian at finite temperature and density is calculated to all orders in the field strength B within the framework of the complete electroweak model, in the weak coupling limit. The partition function and free energy are obtained explicitly and the finite temperature effective coupling is derived in closed form. Some implications of this result, potentially interesting to astrophysics and cosmology, are discussed.Comment: 14 pages, Revtex

Genetic relationships within and among Iberian fescues (Festuca L.) based on PCR-amplified markers

The genus Festuca comprises approximately 450 species and is widely distributed around the world. The Iberian Penninsula, with more than 100 taxa colonizing very diverse habitats, is one of its main centers of diversification. This study was conducted to assess molecular genetic variation and genetic relatedness among 91 populations of 31 taxa of Iberian fescues, based on several molecular markers (random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphisms, and trnL sequences). The analyses showed the paraphyletic origin of the broad-leaved (subgenus Festuca, sections Scariosae and Subbulbosae, and subgenus Schedonorus) and the fine-leaved fescues (subgenus Festuca, sections Aulaxyper, Eskia, and Festuca). Schedonorus showed a weak relationship with Lolium rigidum and appeared to be the most recent of the broad-leaved clade. Section Eskia was the most ancient and Festuca the most recent of the fine-leaved clade. Festuca and Aulaxyper were the most related sections, in concordance with their taxonomic affinities. All taxa grouped into their sections, except F. ampla and F. capillifolia (section Festuca), which appeared to be more closely related to Aulaxyper and to a new independent section, respectively. Most populations clustered at the species level, but some subspecies and varieties mixed their populations. This study demonstrated the value in combining different molecular markers to uncover hidden genetic relationships between populations of Festuca

Measurement of the tensor analyzing power T20 in the dd->^3Hen and dd->^3Hp at intermediate energies and at zero degree

The data on the tensor analyzing power T20 in the dd->^3Hen and dd-> ^3Hp reactions at 140, 200 and 270 MeV of the deuteron kinetic energy and at zero degree obtained at RIKEN Accelerator Research Facility are presented. The observed positive sign of T20 clearly demonstrates the sensitivity to the D/S wave ratios in the ^3He and ^3H in the energy domain of the measurements. The T20 data for the ^3He-n and ^3H-p channels are in agreement within experimental accuracy.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figures, submitted in Phys.Lett.