A study’s got to know its limitations

Background: All research has room for improvement, but authors do not always clearly acknowledge the limitations of their work. In this brief report, we sought to identify the prevalence of limitations statements in the medRxiv COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2 dataset. Methods: We combined automated methods with manual review to analyse manuscripts for the presence, or absence, either of a defined limitations section in the text, or as part of the general discussion. Results: We identified a structured limitations statement in 28% of the manuscripts, and overall 52% contained at least one mention of a study limitation. Over one-third of manuscripts contained none of the terms that might typically be associated with reporting of limitations. Overall our method performed with precision of 0.97 and recall of 0.91. Conclusion: The presence or absence of limitations statements can be identified with reasonable confidence using automated tools. We suggest that it might be beneficial to require a defined, structured statement about study limitations, either as part of the submission process, or clearly delineated within the manuscript

Regulatory justifications: regulating European medicines to maximise market potential

The justification for regulating is generally considered to rely on benefitting interested groups. Whereas the traditional view is that regulators act as impartial arbiters balancing competing public and private interests, modern accounts consider regulation to be dominated by single interests, such as those of industry. This article challenges these theories by arguing that regulators are substantively (not just procedurally) motivated to justify their actions according to the goals set for them by the bodies that empower them. In consequence, regulators understand their goals as market-based objectives, prompting them to focus on maximising market potential. This is demonstrated in the context of regulating medicines in Europe, through the European Patent Organisation, the CJEU, and the European Medicines Agency. The analysis identifies that regulating to achieve market benefits is a better predictor of regulatory behaviour, but this behaviour frustrates goal-achievement (relating to effective and affordable medicines) and only incidentally enables benefits to accrue to specific groups

Reviews

Authoring‐Systems Software for Computer‐Based Training, edited by William D. Wilheim, Educational Technology Publications, Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey, USA, ISBN: 0–87778–274–1, 1994

Meson distribution amplitudes - applications to weak radiative B decays and B transition form factors

This thesis examines the applications and determinations of meson light-cone distribution amplitudes. The investigation of such processes, in the context of $B$ physics, provides one with a rich and extensive way of determining the Standard Model parameters of the CKM matrix, which are essential in describing CP violation, and searching for tell-tale signs of new physics beyond the Standard Model. We investigate the twist-2 and twist-3 distribution amplitudes of light vector mesons and fully examine $\rm SU(3)_F$-breaking effects and include leading G-parity violating terms. Numerical values of the leading non-perturbative hadronic parameters are determined from QCD sum rules. The distribution amplitude results find direct application in the radiative $B$ decays to light vector mesons $B \to V \gamma$. We examine the phenomenologically most important observables in this decay mode using the formalism of QCD factorisation. We also include long-distance photon emission and soft quark loop effects, which formally lie outside the QCD factorisation formalism. The analysis encompasses all the modes $B_{u,d} \to \rho, \omega, K^*$ and $B_{s} \to \phi, \bar{K}^*$. We also calculate the B \to \etapb transition form factor using QCD sum rules on the light-cone. We include the singlet contribution originating from the $\rm U(1)_A$ anomaly and bring the calculation consistently within the $\eta$-\etap mixing framework.Comment: 160 pages, 52 figures. A version with high resolution figures can be found at http://www.ippp.dur.ac.uk/Research/Theses/jones.pd

INTRODUCING FOODS PRODUCED USING BIOTECHNOLOGY: THE CASE OF BOVINE SOMATOTROPIN

A mailed questionnaire was used to assess consumer concerns and potential consumption response attributable to the introduction of bovine somatotropin (bST). Responses from 605 households in Virginia are described and analyzed. Logit models were estimated to identify which issues shape consumersÂ’ decisions to alter milk purchases contingent on the introduction of bST and to determine whether socioeconomic characteristics explain consumersÂ’ attitudes toward these issues. Estimates based on survey responses point toward sizable reductions in fluid milk purchases if bST is introduced. Large retail price reductions are predicted to be insufficient to offset these estimated decreases. Consumer education and marketing strategies are discussed.Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,