bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pelvic floor muscle training in women with stress urinary incontinence causes hypertrophy of the urethral sphincters and reduces bladder neck mobility during coughing
Authors: McLean Linda , Varette Kevin , Gentilcore‐Saulnier Evelyne , Harvey Marie‐Andree , Baker Kevin , Sauerbrei Eric
Published: July 2013

Aims

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a 12‐week pelvic floor muscle (PFM) training program on urethral morphology and mobility in women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Methods

Forty women with SUI were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the treatment group received 12 weekly physiotherapy sessions during which they learned how to properly contract their pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) and a home exercise program was prescribed, reviewed, and progressed; the control group received no treatment. Before and after the 12‐week study period, ultrasound imaging was used to evaluate bladder neck position and mobility during coughing and Valsalva maneuver in supine and in standing, as well as urethral morphology. Secondary outcome measures included a 3‐day bladder diary, 30‐min pad test, the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ‐7) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI‐6).

Results

The women in the treatment group demonstrated reduced bladder neck mobility during coughing and increased cross‐sectional area of their urethra after as compared to before the training. These changes were not evident in the control group. No differences in the resting position of the bladder neck or in bladder neck excursion during Valsalva maneuver were noted in either group. Concomitantly the women in the treatment group demonstrated significant improvements in the 3‐day bladder diary and IIQ‐7 after the PFM training and improved significantly more than the control group.

Conclusion

Physiotherapist‐supervised PFM training reduces bladder neck motion during coughing, and results in hypertrophy of the urethral sphincter in women who present with SUI. Neurourol. Urodynam. 32:1096–1102, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Feasibility of Implementing a Comprehensive Warfarin Pharmacogenetics Service
Authors: Nutescu Edith A. , Drozda Katarzyna , Bress Adam P. , Galanter William L. , Stevenson James , Stamos Thomas D. , Desai Ankit A. , Duarte Julio D. , Gordeuk Victor , Peace David , Kadkol ShriHari S. , Dodge Carol , Saraf Santosh , Garofalo John , Krishnan Jerry A. , Garcia Joe G. N. , Cavallari Larisa H.
Published: July 2013

Study Objective

To determine the procedural feasibility of a pharmacist‐led interdisciplinary service for providing genotype‐guided warfarin dosing for hospitalized patients newly starting warfarin.

Design

Prospective observational study.

Setting

A 438‐bed tertiary care hospital affiliated with a large academic institution.

Patients

Eighty patients who started warfarin therapy and were managed by a newly implemented pharmacogenetics service.

Intervention

All patients received routine warfarin genotyping and clinical pharmacogenetics consultation.

Measurements and Main Results

The primary outcomes were percentage of genotype‐guided dose recommendations available prior to the second warfarin dose and adherence of the medical staff to doses recommended by the pharmacogenetics service. Of 436 genotype orders placed during the first 6 months of the service, 190 (44%) were deemed appropriate. For the 80 patients on the service who consented to data collection, 76% of the genotypes were available prior to the second warfarin dose. The median (range) time from genotype order to genotype result was 26 hours (7–80 hrs), and the time to genotype‐guided dose recommendation was 30 hours (7–80 hrs). A total of 73% of warfarin doses ordered by the medical staff were within 0.5 mg of the daily dose recommended by the pharmacogenetics consult service.

Conclusion

Providing routine genotype‐guided warfarin dosing supported by a pharmacogenetics consult service is feasible from a procedural standpoint, with most genotypes available prior to the second warfarin dose and good adherence to genotype‐guided dose recommendations by the medical staff.
Polymer entanglement loss in extensional flow: Evidence from electrospun short nanofibers
Authors: Greenfeld Israel , Zussman Eyal
Published: July 2013

High strain rate extensional flow of a semidilute polymer solution can result in fragmentation caused by polymer entanglement loss, evidenced by appearance of short nanofibers during electrospinning. The typically desired outcome of electrospinning is long continuous fibers or beads, but, under certain material and process conditions, short nanofibers can be obtained, a morphology that has scarcely been studied. Here we study the conditions that lead to the creation of short nanofibers, and find a distinct parametric space in which they are likely to appear, requiring a combination of low entanglement of the polymer chains and high strain rate of the electrospinning jet. Measurements of the length and diameter of short nanofibers, electrospun from PMMA dissolved in a blend of CHCl3and DMF, confirm the theoretical prediction that the fragmentation of the jet into short fibers is brought about by elastic stretching and loss of entanglement of the polymer network. The ability to tune nanofiber length, diameter and nanostructure, by modifying variables such as the molar mass, concentration, solvent quality, electric field intensity, and flow rate, can be exploited for improving their mechanical and thermodynamic properties, leading to novel applications in engineering and life sciences. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys.2013,51, 1377–1391
Lifestyle Migration to the North: Dutch Families and the Decision to Move to Rural Sweden
Authors: Eimermann Marco
Published: July 2013

Lifestyle migration is part of an ongoing quest for a better way of life. More or less affluent migrants moving to a destination with a perceived better climate are studied in the context of social rather than economic motivations. This paper focuses on Dutch families and their decision to move to the rural municipality of Hällefors in the Bergslagen area, Sweden. Such a Nordic destination, actively attracting migrants, has not previously been investigated in the context of lifestyle migration. The purpose of the paper is to examine what factors contribute to the decision to move. The research questions are the following: what are the socio‐demographic characteristics of the migrating families? What meanings do the migrants attach to their work environments and places of residence prior to moving? What motivations and expectations have shaped the decision to move? These questions are addressed through an interview study. Results show that the adult family members were mainly born in the late 1950s or in the 1960s. The children were born in the 1990s and early 21st century. According to most respondents, effects of overpopulation and rapid urbanisation, both felt on the work floor and in the living environment, became a serious trigger to leave the Netherlands. Differences between the families consider the character of occupations (within or outside the creative industries) and the length of the decision process. In contrast to some other lifestyle migrant populations, families in this study considered returning as part of their ongoing quest. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A comparison of test statistics for the recovery of rapid growth‐based enumeration tests
Authors: van den Heuvel Edwin R. , IJzerman‐Boon Pieta C.
Published: July 2013

This paper considers five test statistics for comparing the recovery of a rapid growth‐based enumeration test with respect to the compendial microbiological method using a specific nonserial dilution experiment. The finite sample distributions of these test statistics are unknown, because they are functions of correlated count data. A simulation study is conducted to investigate the type I and type II error rates. For a balanced experimental design, the likelihood ratio test and the main effects analysis of variance (ANOVA) test for microbiological methods demonstrated nominal values for the type I error rate and provided the highest power compared with a test on weighted averages and two other ANOVA tests. The likelihood ratio test is preferred because it can also be used for unbalanced designs. It is demonstrated that an increase in power can only be achieved by an increase in the spiked number of organisms used in the experiment. The power is surprisingly not affected by the number of dilutions or the number of test samples. A real case study is provided to illustrate the theory. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Adaptive iterative learning control for coordination of second‐order multi‐agent systems
Authors: Li Jinsha , Li Junmin
Published: July 2013

In this paper, an efficient framework is proposed to the consensus and formation control of distributed multi‐agent systems with second‐order dynamics and unknown time‐varying parameters, by means of an adaptive iterative learning control approach. Under the assumption that the acceleration of the leader is unknown to any follower agents, a new adaptive auxiliary control and the distributed adaptive iterative learning protocols are designed. Then, all follower agents track the leader uniformly on [0,T] for consensus problem and keep the desired distance from the leader and achieve velocity consensus uniformly on [0,T] for the formation problem, respectively. The distributed multi‐agent coordinations performance is analyzed based on the Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, simulation examples are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed protocols in this paper.Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Super‐Resolution Nonlinear Photothermal Microscopy
Authors: Nedosekin Dmitry A. , Galanzha Ekaterina I. , Dervishi Enkeleda , Biris Alexandru S. , Zharov Vladimir P.
Published: July 2013

Super‐resolution fluorescence microscopy enables imaging of fluorescent structures beyond the diffraction limit. However, this technique cannot be applied to weakly fluorescent cellular components or labels. As an alternative, photothermal microscopy based on nonradiative transformation of absorbed energy into heat has demonstrated imaging of nonfluorescent structures including single molecules and ~1‐nm gold nanoparticles. However, previously photothermal imaging has been performed with a diffraction‐limited resolution only. Herein, super‐resolution, far‐field photothermal microscopy based on nonlinear signal dependence on the laser energy is introduced. Among various nonlinear phenomena, including absorption saturation, multiphoton absorption, and signal temperature dependence, signal amplification by laser‐induced nanobubbles around overheated nano‐objects is explored. A Gaussian laser beam profile is used to demonstrate the image spatial sharpening for calibrated 260‐nm metal strips, resolving of a plasmonic nanoassembly, visualization of 10‐nm gold nanoparticles in graphene, and hemoglobin nanoclusters in live erythrocytes with resolution down to 50 nm. These nonlinear phenomena can be used for 3D imaging with improved lateral and axial resolution in most photothermal methods, including photoacoustic microscopy.
Signal Processing of Virtual‐Neutral to Ground Voltage for Power Control in Electric Arc Furnaces
Authors: Martell Fernando , Krüger Klaus , Llamas Armando , Micheloud Osvaldo
Published: July 2013

This research work proposes to detect arc conditions of electric arc furnaces (EAFs) based upon digital signal processing of the line to ground three‐phase voltage measurements at the secondary side of the furnace transformer. It uses the voltage difference between a virtual‐neutral point of the symmetrical power source and the furnace shell ground voltage. For harmonic analysis this voltage is processed using Fourier transform. The obtained information is found to be useful to detect arc operational conditions like arc stability, arc balance, and arc slag coverage. With the here in proposed arc indicators, the power control of the EAF can be performed using the concept of a dynamic power profile to set the operational transformer tap and current set points of the EAF control systems.
Factors that contribute to Japanese university students' evaluations of the attractiveness of characters
Authors: Nosu Kiyoshi , Tanaka Mai
Published: July 2013

This paper describes quantitative evaluations of existing characters by Japanese university students and a statistical analysis with the aim of identifying factors that contribute to the attractiveness of the characters. Both male and female students indicated that they like characters that are flawed in some way and are not merely cute. However, male and female students also showed different preferences. Male students prefer interesting characters with an appearance that contradicts their personality/behavior, whereas female students prefer relaxed and doodling characters with a body shape that comforts them. © 2013 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A Glance on Pentacarbonylrhenate(‐I) [Re(CO)5]– and on the (umgepolte) Pentacarbonylrhenium(+I) Cation [Re(CO)5]+ [as Re(CO)5FBF3] and their Reactions
Authors: Beck Wolfgang
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Attention is given to reactions of the strongly nucleophilic [Re(CO)5]– and of the electrophilic Re(CO)5+ with the weakly bonded BF4– anion.
Associations between thyroid hormones and serum metabolite profiles in an euthyroid population
Authors: Jourdan Carolin , Linseisen Jakob , Meisinger Christa , Petersen Ann-Kristin , Gieger Christian , Rawal Rajesh , Illig Thomas , Heier Margit , Peters Annette , Wallaschofski Henri , Nauck Matthias , Kastenmüller Gabi , Suhre Karsten , Prehn Cornelia , Adamski Jerzy , Koenig Wolfgang , Roden Michael , Wichmann H-Erich , Völzke Henry
Published: July 2013

The aim was to characterise associations between circulating thyroid hormones—free thyroxine (FT4) and thyrotropin (TSH)—and the metabolite profiles in serum samples from participants of the German population-based KORA F4 study. Analyses were based on the metabolite profile of 1463 euthyroid subjects. In serum samples, obtained after overnight fasting (≥8), 151 different metabolites were quantified in a targeted approach including amino acids, acylcarnitines (ACs), and phosphatidylcholines (PCs). Associations between metabolites and thyroid hormone concentrations were analysed using adjusted linear regression models. To draw conclusions on thyroid hormone related pathways, intra-class metabolite ratios were additionally explored. We discovered 154 significant associations (Bonferroni p < 1.75 × 10−04) between FT4 and various metabolites and metabolite ratios belonging to AC and PC groups. Significant associations with TSH were lacking. High FT4 levels were associated with increased concentrations of many ACs and various sums of ACs of different chain length, and the ratio of C2 by C0. The inverse associations observed between FT4 and many serum PCs reflected the general decrease in PC concentrations. Similar results were found in subgroup analyses, e.g., in weight-stable subjects or in obese subjects. Further, results were independent of different parameters for liver or kidney function, or inflammation, which supports the notion of an independent FT4 effect. In fasting euthyroid adults, higher serum FT4 levels are associated with increased serum AC concentrations and an increased ratio of C2 by C0 which is indicative of an overall enhanced fatty acyl mitochondrial transport and β-oxidation of fatty acids.
The effects of nifekalant hydrochloride on the spatial dispersion of repolarization after direct current defibrillation in patients with oral amiodarone and β‐blocker therapy
Authors: Maeda Keiko , Takagi Masahiko , Tatsumi Hiroaki , Nakagawa Eiichiro , Yoshiyama Minoru
Published: July 2013

Background

Although nifekalant hydrochloride (NIF) has been demonstrated to suppress ventricular tachyarrhythmias, especially electrical storms, the mechanism by which it does so is still unclear. We examined the effects of NIF on the spatial dispersion of repolarization (SDR) after implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) shock.

Methods and Results

In 35 patients with oral amiodarone and β‐blocker therapy, and an ICD, we recorded the 87‐lead electrocardiogram during sinus rhythm (CONTROL‐1 group) under general anesthesia, and just after the termination of induced ventricular fibrillation (VF) by ICD shock, with or without NIF administration. In all recordings, the corrected QT interval (QTc) was measured in each lead. The dispersion of QTc (QTc‐D; maximum QTc minus minimum QTc) was also measured. Compared with that in the CONTROL‐1 group, the QTc‐D exhibited significant deterioration after ICD shock (61±14 and 90±19 ms1/2, respectively; p<0.05). However, after the termination of induced VF by ICD shock with NIF administration, the QTc‐D did not differ significantly from that in the CONTROL‐1 group (63±20 and 61±14 ms1/2, respectively).

Conclusions

NIF suppressed the deterioration of the SDR after ICD shock. This might be one of the mechanisms by which NIF suppresses recurrence of ventricular tachyarrhythmia just after ICD shock in patients with oral amiodarone and β‐blocker therapy.
Hydralazine inhibits ventricular tachyarrhythmias in an acquired long QT rabbit model
Authors: Tsutsui Kenta , Yamagishi Satoshi , Kunishima Tomoyuki , Hayami Noriyuki , Murakawa Yuji
Published: July 2013

Background

Some cardioactive vasodilating agents inhibit ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) associated with acquired long QT syndrome (LQT). We tested whether a vasodilator without direct cardiac effect can eliminate abnormal repolarization‐related VT.

Methods

The effect of hydralazine on the occurrence of VT was assessed in a methoxamine‐sensitized rabbit model of acquired LQT. To verify that VTs in this animal model are triggered by early afterdepolarization (EAD), monophasic action potential (MAP) on the left ventricular surface was recorded in open‐chest rabbits.

Results

In control rabbits, combined administration of methoxamine and nifekalant frequently induced VTs (16/20, 80%). In contrast, VT occurred only in 2 out of 14 rabbits treated with hydralazine (14.3%, P<0.0001 vs. control). After the treatment, blood pressure was lower in the hydralazine group than in the control group (systolic pressure, 146±19 vs. 165±16 mmHg, P<0.0001; diastolic pressure, 54±10 vs. 101±11 mmHg, P<0.0001). EAD‐like hump was less frequently detected in hydralazine‐treated rabbits (2/10) than in saline‐treated rabbits (9/10, P<0.005). Presence of a hump was significantly related to the appearance of VTs (P<0.05).

Conclusion

Hydralazine inhibited VT in a rabbit LQT model. Vasodilation may have a therapeutic effect on abnormal repolarization‐related VT.
The continuing relevance of Germany’s engine for CEE and the EU
Authors: Handl Vladimir , Paterson William E.
Published: July 2013

The article looks first into the nature of the relations between Germany and the CEE countries a decade since the accession of the CEE countries to the EU. The relations are characterized as normalised and intensive with diverse levels of closeness and cooperation reflecting of the conceptual and ideological compatibility/differences.

Next, the article focuses on the German attitude to the euro zone crisis. Germany has become a hegemon in the rescue effort aimed at stabilisation and economic invigoration of the euro zone. However, German hegemony has developed by default, not by design: her leading position is linked with considerable political and financial costs. Germany moved central stage and took the position of a reluctant hegemon. However, German role is contested internationally (it has not the support of the French government in key areas) as well as internally (particularly by the Federal Constitutional Court and the Bundesbank).

The article argues that the new situation makes the German–CEE relations increasingly relevant for both sides. The German leadership of the EU increasing split along the north–south divide requires backing by the Northern group countries to which the CEE in general belongs. Given a number of reasons the CEE countries implement three distinctive strategies of co-operation with Germany in European politics. Also military co-operation, which remained rather limited so far, may receive new impulses, given the financial austerity.
New objective findings after whiplash injuries: High blood flow in painful cervical soft tissue: An ultrasound pilot study
Authors: Kalawy Hatem , Stålnacke Britt-Marie , Fahlström Martin , Öhberg Lars , Linetsky Felix , Alfredson Håkan
Published: July 2013

Background

The presence of high blood flow in the structurally abnormal and painful regions of tendinosis, but not in the normal pain-free tendons, was recently confirmed by colour Doppler (CD) ultrasound (US). Biopsies from the regions with high blood flow demonstrated the presence of sympathetic and sensitive nerve fibres juxtapositioned to neovessels. Grey-scale US and CD are reliable methods used to evaluate structural homogeneity, thickness, and blood flow in the peripheral tendons. The aim of this study was to utilize CD to qualitatively evaluate for the presence of abnormal high blood flow in paravertebral tissues after whiplash injuries in patients with chronic neck pain.

Methods

Twenty patients with chronic neck pain after whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) and 20 pain-free control subjects were included in the study. The same experienced radiologist performed all grey-scale US and CD examinations.

Results

More regions with high blood flow were observed in the patient group than in the control group. At all levels, the high blood flow pattern was detected at the enthesis of the spinous processes and bilaterally juxtapositioned to the facet joints.

Conclusion

All regions identified by the patients as painful and tender corresponded to the positive high blood flow found during the CD examination.

Implications

These findings document increased blood-flow/neovascularisation at insertions of neck muscles which may indicate that there are pathological neovascularisation with accomanying pain-and sympathetic nerves, similar to what has been found in Achilles-tendinosis. These findings promise that similar treatments that now is successful with Achilles tendinosis, may be effective in the WAD-painful muscle insertions of the neck.
Dates, Diet, and Dismemberment: Evidence from the Coldrum Megalithic Monument, Kent
Authors: Wysocki Michael , Griffiths Seren , Hedges Robert , Bayliss Alex , Higham Tom , Fernandez-Jalvo Yolanda , Whittle Alasdair
Published: July 2013

We present radiocarbon dates, stable isotope data, and osteological analysis of the remains of a minimum of 17 individuals deposited in the western part of the burial chamber at Coldrum, Kent. This is one of the Medway group of megalithic monuments – sites with shared architectural motifs and no very close parallels elsewhere in Britain – whose location has been seen as important in terms of the origins of Neolithic material culture and practices in Britain. The osteological analysis identified the largest assemblage of cut-marked human bone yet reported from a British early Neolithic chambered tomb; these modifications were probably undertaken as part of burial practices. The stable isotope dataset shows very enrichedδ15N values, the causes of which are not entirely clear, but could include consumption of freshwater fish resources. Bayesian statistical modelling of the radiocarbon dates demonstrates that Coldrum is an early example of a British Neolithic burial monument, though the tomb was perhaps not part of the earliest Neolithic evidence in the Greater Thames Estuary. The site was probably initiated after the first appearance of other early Neolithic regional phenomena including an inhumation burial, early Neolithic pottery and a characteristic early Neolithic post-and-slot structure, and perhaps of Neolithic flint extraction in the Sussex mines. Coldrum is the only site in the Medway monument group to have samples which have been radiocarbon dated, and is important both for regional studies of the early Neolithic and wider narratives of the processes, timing, and tempo of Neolithisation across Britain
Perils or Promise of Ethnic Integration? Evidence from a Hard Case in Burundi
Authors: SAMII CYRUS
Published: July 2013

A central question in the study of political development is how conflict between ethnic groups might be transcended. Findings from social psychology suggest that ethnically integrating institutions such as militaries or representative bodies may remove prejudices and exclusionary behavior that perpetuate interethnic animosity. Political scientists have tended to be skeptical, arguing that such processes may actually intensify or “freeze” conflicting ethnic identities. I use evidence from a hard case—military reform in the aftermath of a brutal, ethnically charged civil war in Burundi—to study this issue. At the macro level, the Burundian military undertook extensive quota-based integration that nonetheless resulted in a cohesive institution. A micro-level natural experiment, which produces quasirandom exposure to ethnic integration through the military retirement age, shows that exposure to ethnic integration decreases prejudicial behavior and is benign with respect to ethnic salience. Together, these results suggest promise in ethnic integration.
Decision tools for managing biological invasions: existing biases and future needs
Authors: Dana Elías D. , Jeschke Jonathan M. , García-de-Lomas Juan
Published: July 2013

The increasing number of invasive species and their effects on wildlife conservation, together with a lack of public resources, make it necessary to prioritize management actions. In practice, management decisions are often reached on the basis of subjective reasoning rather than scientific evidence. To develop a more evidence-based and efficient management of biological invasions, decision tools (e.g. multi-criteria frameworks) that help managers prioritize actions most efficiently are key. In this paper we review to what degree such decision tools are currently available. We used a literature search to identify relevant studies. Our analysis indicates that available studies are largely biased towards risk analysis and that only a few authors have proposed cost-benefit or multi-criteria frameworks for decision making. Until now, these frameworks have only been applied at limited regional scales but they could be applied more widely. Our review also shows critical biases in the geographical focus, habitats, and taxonomic groups of available studies. Most studies have focused on Europe, North America or Australia; other continents have largely been ignored. The majority of studies have focused on terrestrial plants; other habitats and taxonomic groups have been poorly covered. Most studies have focused on a single invasive species but practical management tools should consider a wide variety of invaders. We conclude with suggestions for developing improved decision tools.
Antimalarial drug discovery – the path towards eradication
Authors: BURROWS JEREMY N , BURLOT EMILIE , CAMPO BRICE , CHERBUIN STEPHANIE , JEANNERET SARAH , LEROY DIDIER , SPANGENBERG THOMAS , WATERSON DAVID , WELLS TIMOTHY NC , WILLIS PAUL
Published: July 2013

Malaria is a disease that still affects a significant proportion of the global human population. Whilst advances have been made in lowering the numbers of cases and deaths, it is clear that a strategy based solely on disease control year on year, without reducing transmission and ultimately eradicating the parasite, is unsustainable. This article highlights the current mainstay treatments alongside a selection of emerging new clinical molecules from the portfolio of Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) and our partners. In each case, the key highlights from each research phase are described to demonstrate how these new potential medicines were discovered. Given the increased focus of the community on eradicating the disease, the strategy for next generation combination medicines that will provide such potential is explained.
ASSESSING THE IMPACTS OF CITIZEN DELIBERATIONS ON THE HEALTH TECHNOLOGY PROCESS
Authors: Abelson Julia , Bombard Yvonne , Gauvin François-Pierre , Simeonov Dorina , Boesveld Sarah
Published: July 2013

Objectives:We assessed the impacts of a Citizens’ Reference Panel on the deliberations of a provincial health technology advisory committee and its secretariat, which produce, recommendations for the use of health technologies in Ontario, Canada.

Methods:A fourteen-member citizens’ reference panel was convened five times between February 2009 and May 2010 to participate in informed, facilitated discussions to inform the assessment of individual technologies and provincial health technology assessment processes more generally. Qualitative data collection methods were used to document observed and perceived impacts of the citizens’ panel on the health technology assessment (HTA) process.

Results:Panel impacts were observed for all technologies reviewed, at two different stages in the HTA process, and represented macro- (raising awareness) and micro-level (informing recommendations) impacts. These impacts were shaped by periodic opportunities for direct and brokered exchange between the Panel and the expert advisory committee to clarify roles, foster accountability, and build trust. Our findings offer new insights about one of the main considerations in the design of deliberative participatory structures—how to maintain the independence of a citizens’ panel while ensuring that their input is considered at key junctures in the HTA process.

Conclusions:Citizens’ panels can exert various impacts on the HTA process. Ensuring these types of structures include opportunities for direct exchange between citizens and experts, to clarify roles, promote accountability, and build trust will facilitate their impacts in a variety of settings.
QUANTITATIVE PATIENT PREFERENCE EVIDENCE FOR HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT: A CASE STUDY
Authors: Brooker Ann-Sylvia , Carcone Steven , Witteman William , Krahn Murray
Published: July 2013

Objectives: We conducted a systematic review of quantitative research regarding patients’ preferences, perspectives and values for ventilation among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Our objective was to explore the feasibility and desirability of incorporating patient preferences within the health technology assessment (HTA) process by working through a case study.

Methods: Medical and economic databases were searched for studies published in English from 1990 through March 4, 2011. Studies were selected based on title and abstract. Due to the heterogeneity of the studies, data were analyzed using a narrative synthesis approach.

Results: Among 1833 identified citations, twelve studies met our inclusion criteria. Ten of these studies pertained to COPD patient preferences for ventilation. Results indicate that a significant proportion of COPD patients are willing to forgo ventilation, particularly when it is expressed as “indefinite life support” (60–78 percent) rather than as temporary modality. Results indicate that patient preferences for mechanical or noninvasive ventilation cannot be predicted by covariates (e.g., age, quality of life) or by others who are frequently called upon to make decisions are their behalf.

Conclusions: We found that it is indeed feasible to conduct a systematic review of quantitative preference-related evidence for an HTA topic. However, the process of conducting this preference-related case study also revealed several challenges because there is a high degree of variation in taxonomy, instrumentation, and study design. Therefore, we do not recommend it as a routine part of the HTA process, but we suggest that it is a promising area to pursue for preference-sensitive technological decisions.
USE OF IMPLICIT AND EXPLICIT BAYESIAN METHODS IN HEALTH TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Authors: Cooper Nicola J. , Spiegelhalter David , Bujkiewicz Sylwia , Dequen Pascale , Sutton Alex J.
Published: July 2013

Objectives:The aim of this study was to examine the use of implicit and explicit Bayesian methods in health technology assessments and to identify whether this has changed over time.

Methods:A review of all health technology assessment (HTA) reports of secondary research published by the UK National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) between 1997 and 2011. Data were extracted on the use and implementation of Bayesian methods, whether defined as such by the original authors (i.e., explicit) or not (i.e., implicit).

Results: A total of 155 of 375 (41 percent) NIHR HTA reports, identified as relevant to this review, contained a Bayesian analysis. Of these, 128 (83 percent) contained an implicit Bayesian analysis, 3 (2 percent) an explicit Bayesian analysis and 24 (15 percent) both implicit and explicit Bayesian analyses. Of the twenty-seven reports that explicitly used Bayes theorem, only six included prior information in the form of (informative) prior distributions. Over time, the percentage of HTA reports that used Bayesian (implicit and/or explicit) methods increased from 0 percent in 1997 to nearly 80 percent in 2011.

Conclusions: This review has shown that there has been an increase in the use of Bayesian methods in HTA, which is likely to be a result of the increase in freely available resources to implement the approach. Areas where Bayesian methods have the potential to advance healthcare evaluations in the future are considered in the discussion.
Analytic obstructions to isochronicity in codimension 1*
Authors: Arriagada-Silva Waldo
Published: July 2013

In this paper we study the analytical obstructions preventing the germ of a generic analytic family of elliptic ordinary differential equations from being isochronous. The formal obstructions are purely arithmetical and can be set in terms of commutators. The analytical obstructions arise out of the non-convergence of the normalizing coordinates in the Poincaré–Dulac normalization process. The temporal part of the invariant is the obstruction to isochronicity in a particular context.
On spacelike surfaces in four-dimensional Lorentz–Minkowski spacetime through a light cone
Authors: Palomo Francisco J. , Romero Alfonso
Published: July 2013

On any spacelike surface in a light cone of four-dimensional Lorentz–Minkowski space, a distinguished smooth function is considered. We show how both extrinsic and intrinsic geometry of such a surface are codified by this function. The existence of a local maximum is assumed to decide when the spacelike surface must be totally umbilical, deriving a Liebmann-type result. Two remarkable families of examples of spacelike surfaces in a light cone are explicitly constructed. Finally, several results that involve the first eigenvalue of the Laplace operator of a compact spacelike surface in a light cone are obtained.
Global solutions to norm-preserving non-local flows of porous media type
Authors: Ma Li , Cheng Liang
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we study the global existence of positive solutions to the norm-preserving non-local heat flow of the porous-media type equations

on the compact Riemannian manifold (M, g) with the Cauchy data u0 > 0 on M, where r ≥ 1, p > 1 and λ(t) is chosen to make the L2-norm of the solution u (or a power of u) constant. We show that the limit is an eigenfunction for the Laplacian operator. We use some tricky estimates through the Sobolev imbedding theorem and the Moser iteration method.
A uniqueness result for a singular nonlinear eigenvalue problem
Authors: Castro Alfonso , Ko Eunkyung , Shivaji R.
Published: July 2013

We consider the positive solutions to singular boundary-value problems of the form

where λ > 0, β ∈ (0,1) and Ω is a bounded domain in ℝN, N ≥ 1, with smooth boundary ∂Ω. Here, we assume that f: [0, ∞) → (0, ∞) is a C1 non-decreasing function and f(s)/sβ is decreasing for s large. We establish the uniqueness of the positive solution when λ is large.
Enhancing and inhibiting star formation: high-resolution simulation studies of the impact of cold accretion, mergers and feedback on individual massive galaxies
Authors: Powell Leila C. , Bournaud Frederic , Chapon Damien , Devriendt Julien , Gaibler Volker , Khochfar Sadegh , Slyz Adrianne , Teyssier Romain
Published: July 2013

The quest for a better understanding of the evolution of massive galaxies can be broadly summarised with 2 questions: how did they build up their large (stellar) masses and what eventually quenched their star formation (SF)? To tackle these questions, we use high-resolution ramses simulations (Teyssier 2002) to study several aspects of the detailed interplay between accretion (mergers and cold flows), SF and feedback in individual galaxies. We examine SF in major mergers; a process crucial to stellar mass assembly. We explore whether the merger-induced, clustered SF is as important a mechanism in average mergers, as it is in extreme systems like the Antennae. We find that interaction-induced turbulence drives up the velocity dispersion, and that there is a correlated rise in SFR in all our simulated mergers as the density pdf evolves to have an excess of very dense gas. Next, we introduce a new study into whether mechanical jet feedback can impact upon the ability of hot gas haloes to provide a supply of fuel for SF during mergers and in their remnants. Finally, we briefly review our recent study, in which we examine the effect of supernova (SN) feedback on galaxies accreting via the previously overlooked cold-mode, by resimulating a stream-fed galaxy at z ~ 9. A far-reaching galactic wind results yet it cannot suppress the cold, filamentary accretion or eject significant mass in order to reduce the SFR, suggesting that SN feedback may not be as effective as is often assumed.
The First Billion Years simulation project. Galactic outflows and metal enrichment
Authors: Vecchia Claudio Dalla , Khochfar Sadegh , Schaye Joop
Published: July 2013

The First Billion Years is one of the largest and most comprehensive cosmological, hydrodynamical simulation of the early Universe to date. It studies the formation of the first proto-galaxies down to redshift 6, and provides the path of the evolution from proto-galaxies to the observed galaxy population at redshift 4. It also provides predictions for future observations.
Gas Accretion and Mergers in Massive Galaxies at z ~ 2
Authors: Conselice C. J. , Ownsworth Jamie , Mortlock Alice , Bluck Asa F. L. ,   the GNS team
Published: July 2013

Galaxy assembly is an unsolved problem, with ΛCDM theoretical models unable to easily account for among other things, the abundances of massive galaxies, and the observed merger history. We show here how the problem of galaxy formation can be addressed in an empirical way without recourse to models. We discuss how galaxy assembly occurs at 1.5 < z < 3 examining the role of major and minor mergers, and gas accretion from the intergalactic medium in forming massive galaxies with log M* > 11 found within the GOODS NICMOS Survey (GNS). We find that major mergers, minor mergers and gas accretion are roughly equally important in the galaxy formation process during this epoch, with 64% of the mass assembled through merging and 36% through accreted gas which is later converted to stars, while 58% of all new star formation during this epoch arises from gas accretion. We also discuss how the total gas accretion rate is measured as Ṁ = 90±40 M⊙ yr−1 at this epoch, a value close to those found in some hydrodynamical simulations.
The progenitors of the first red sequence galaxies at z ~ 2
Authors: Barro G. , Faber S. , Perez-Gonzalez P. , Koo D. , Williams C. , Kocevski D. , Trump J. , Mozena M. ,   CANDELS collaboration
Published: July 2013

Nearby galaxies come in two flavors: red quiescent galaxies (QGs) with old stellar populations, and blue young star-forming galaxies (SFGs). This color bimodality seems to be already in place at z = 2 − 3, presenting also strong correlations with size and morphology. Surprisingly, massive QGs at higher redshifts are ~5 times smaller than local, equal mass analogs. In contrast, most of the massive SFGs at these redshifts are still relatively large disks. The strong bimodality in both SFR and sizes indicates that some SFGs must experience strong structural transformations accompanied by a rapid truncation of the star-formation to match the observed properties of QGs. Using high-resolution HST/WFC3 F160W imaging from the CANDELS survey in GOODS-S and UDS, along with multi-wavelength ancillary data, we analyze stellar masses, SFRs and sizes of a sample of massive (M* > 1010M⊙) galaxies at z = 1.4 − 3.0 to identify a population of compact SFGs with similar structural properties as compact QGs at z~2. We also find that the number density of QGs increases rapidly since z = 3. Among these, the number of compact QGs builds up first, and only at z < 1.8 we do start finding a sizable number of extended QGs. This suggests that the bulk of these galaxies are assembled at late times by both continuous migration (quenching) of non-compact SFGs and size growth of cQGs. As a result of this growth, the population of cQGs disappears by z~1. Simultaneously, we identify a population of compact SFGs (cSFGs) whose number density decreases steadily with time since z = 3.0, being almost completely absent at z < 1.4. The number of cSFGs makes up less than 20% of all massive SFGs, but they present similar number densities as cQGs down to z~2, suggesting an evolutionary link between the two populations.
Starburst and old population in z=3.8 radio galaxies with Pégase.3
Authors: Rocca-Volmerange Brigitte , Drouart Guillaume
Published: July 2013

Distant radio galaxies, hosted by massive ellipticals, follow the galaxy evolution process on an extremely large (0 ≥ z ≥7) time-scale ≥ 1012Gyrs, up to primeval galaxies. The new evolutionary code Pégase.3 predicts on similar time-scales, the coupled stellar and dust emissions of various galaxy types: starbursts and Hubble sequence types. All z=0 templates are fitted on local observations at ages ≃13 Gyrs (except irregulars at 9 Gyrs). The multi-λ spectral energy distributions (SEDs) of two z=3.8 radiogalaxies, including the most recent Herschel data from the HeRGÉ consortium, are interpreted in the observer's frame by Rocca-Volmerange et al. (2012) with Pégase.3. The apparent SEDs are fitted at best with the sum of a young starburst and an older early-type population, an AGN simple model is taken into account. These results favor massive gas-rich mergers at work in evolved galaxies at z≃4. Massive starbursts would be at the origin of galaxy evolution initiated at the earliest epochs (zfor≥10). The possible relation with super massive black holes is still debated.
Hα Equivalent Widths from the 3D-HST survey: evolution with redshift and dependence on stellar mass
Authors: Fumagalli Mattia , Patel Shannon G. , Franx Marijn , Brammer Gabriel , Dokkum Pieter van , da Cunha Elisabete , Kriek Mariska , Lundgren Britt , Momcheva Ivelina , Rix Hans-Walter , Schmidt Kasper B. , Skelton Rosalind E. , Whitaker Katherine E. , Labbe Ivo , Nelson Erica
Published: July 2013

We investigate the evolution of the Hα equivalent width, EW(Hα), with redshift and its dependence on stellar mass, using the first data from the 3D-HST survey, a large spectroscopic Treasury program with the HST-WFC3. Combining our Hα measurements of 854 galaxies at 0.8<z<1.5 with those of ground based surveys at lower and higher redshift, we can consistently determine the evolution of the EW(Hα) distribution from z=0 to z=2.2. We find that at all masses the characteristic EW(Hα) is decreasing towards the present epoch, and that at each redshift the EW(Hα) is lower for high-mass galaxies. We find EW(Hα) ~ (1+z)1.8 with little mass dependence. Qualitatively, this measurement is a model-independent confirmation of the evolution of star forming galaxies with redshift. A quantitative conversion of EW(Hα) to sSFR (specific star-formation rate) is model dependent, because of differential reddening corrections between the continuum and the Balmer lines. The observed EW(Hα) can be reproduced with the characteristic evolutionary history for galaxies, whose star formation rises with cosmic time to z ~ 2.5 and then decreases to z = 0. This implies that EW(Hα) rises to 400 Å at z = 8. The sSFR evolves faster than EW(Hα), as the mass-to-light ratio also evolves with redshift. We find that the sSFR evolves as (1+z)3.2, nearly independent of mass, consistent with previous reddening insensitive estimates. We confirm previous results that the observed slope of the sSFR-z relation is steeper than the one predicted by models, but models and observations agree in finding little mass dependence.
The evolving structure of massive quiescent galaxies
Authors: Damjanov Ivana ,   the GDDS team
Published: July 2013

The evolution of size and shape of massive quiescent galaxies over cosmic history has been challenging to explain within standard models of galaxy assembly. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the size growth of these systems, including major mergers, expansion, and late accretion via a series of minor mergers. The central mass density is shown to be an excellent tool for discriminating between different evolutionary scenarios. We present here the analysis performed on a spectroscopic sample of ~500 quiescent systems with stellar masses M*>1010 M⊙ spanning the redshift range 0.2<z<2.7 for which we calculate stellar mass densities within central 1 kpc and show that this quantity evolves linearly with redshift. Our results do not change when only systems at constant number density are considered in order to account for the mass growth during mergers and to relate progenitors to their descendants. Discrepancy between our findings and other recent studies performed on an order of magnitude smaller samples emphasizes the need for larger homogeneous spectroscopic samples to be used in such analysis.
Evolution of the distribution of stellar mass and light since redshift of unity
Authors: Li Cheng
Published: July 2013

We use data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the DEEP2 survey to characterize the distribution of stellar mass and light of galaxies in the low-redshift and z = 1 Universe. We investigate the clustering bias of stellar mass and light by comparing these to projected autocorrelations of dark matter estimated from the Millennium Simulations (MS). All of the autocorrelation and bias functions show systematic trends with spatial scale and waveband, which are impressively similar at the two redshifts. This shows that the well-established environmental dependence of stellar populations in the local Universe is already in place at z = 1. The recent MS-based galaxy formation simulation of Guo et al. (2011) reproduces the scale-dependent clustering of luminosity to an accuracy better than 30% in all bands and at both redshifts, but substantially overpredicts mass autocorrelations at separations below ~ 2 Mpc. Further comparison of the shapes of our stellar mass bias functions with those predicted by the model suggests that both the SDSS and DEEP2 data prefer a fluctuation amplitude of σ8 ~ 0.8 rather than the σ8 = 0.9 assumed by the MS.