| 1. |
- Clark, Andrew G., et al.
(författare)
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Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny
- 2007
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 450:7167, s. 203-218
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Comparative analysis of multiple genomes in a phylogenetic framework dramatically improves the precision and sensitivity of evolutionary inference, producing more robust results than single-genome analyses can provide. The genomes of 12 Drosophila species, ten of which are presented here for the first time (sechellia, simulans, yakuba, erecta, ananassae, persimilis, willistoni, mojavensis, virilis and grimshawi), illustrate how rates and patterns of sequence divergence across taxa can illuminate evolutionary processes on a genomic scale. These genome sequences augment the formidable genetic tools that have made Drosophila melanogaster a pre-eminent model for animal genetics, and will further catalyse fundamental research on mechanisms of development, cell biology, genetics, disease, neurobiology, behaviour, physiology and evolution. Despite remarkable similarities among these Drosophila species, we identified many putatively non-neutral changes in protein-coding genes, non-coding RNA genes, and cis-regulatory regions. These may prove to underlie differences in the ecology and behaviour of these diverse species.
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| 2. |
- Welch, J., et al.
(författare)
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The Allen Telescope Array: The First Widefield, Panchromatic, Snapshot Radio Camera for Radio Astronomy and SETI
- 2009
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the IEEE. - 1558-2256 .- 0018-9219. ; 97:8, s. 1438-1447
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The first 42 elements of the Allen Telescope Array (ATA-42) are beginning to deliver data at the Hat Creek Radio Observatory in northern California. Scientists and engineers are actively exploiting all of the flexibility designed into this innovative instrument for simultaneously conducting surveys of the astrophysical sky and conducting searches for distant technological civilizations. This paper summarizes the design elements of the ATA, the cost savings made possible by the use of commercial off-the-shelf components, and the cost/performance tradeoffs that eventually enabled this first snapshot radio camera. The fundamental scientific program of this new telescope is varied and exciting; some of the first astronomical results will be discussed.
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| 3. |
- Arbyn, M, et al.
(författare)
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Methods for screening and diagnosis
- 2007
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Ingår i: 2nd edition of the EU Guidelines for cervical cancer screening. - 9789279076985 ; , s. 69-141
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 4. |
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| 6. |
- Bauer, D. C., et al.
(författare)
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Classification of osteoarthritis biomarkers: a proposed approach
- 2006
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 14:8, s. 723-727
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) biomarkers are needed by researchers and clinicians to assist in disease diagnosis and assessment of disease severity, risk of onset, and progression. As effective agents for CA are developed and tested in clinical studies, biomarkers; that reliably mirror or predict the progression or amelioration of CA will also be needed. Methods: The NIH-funded CA Biomarkers Network is a multidisciplinary group interested in the development and validation of CA biomarkers. This review summarizes our efforts to characterize and classify CA biomarkers. Results: We propose the "BIPED" biomarker classification (which stands for Burden of Disease, Investigative, Prognostic, Efficacy of Intervention and Diagnostic), and offer suggestions on optimal study design and analytic methods for use in CA investigations. Conclusion. The BIPED classification provides specific biomarker definitions with the goal of improving our ability to develop and analyze OA biomarkers, and to communicate these advances within a common framework. (C) 2006 OsteoArthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
- Coast, Joanna, et al.
(författare)
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Valuing the ICECAP capability index for older people.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Social Science and Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 0277-9536 .- 1873-5347. ; 67:5, s. 874-82
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper reports the first application of the capabilities approach to the development and valuation of an instrument for use in the economic evaluation of health and social care interventions. The ICECAP index of capability for older people focuses on quality of life rather than health or other influences on quality of life, and is intended to be used in decision making across health and social care in the UK. The measure draws on previous qualitative work in which five conceptual attributes were developed: attachment, security, role, enjoyment and control. This paper details the innovative use within health economics of further iterative qualitative work in the UK among 19 informants to refine lay terminology for each of the attributes and levels of attributes used in the eventual index. For the first time within quality of life measurement for economic evaluation, a best-worst scaling exercise has been used to estimate general population values (albeit for the population of those aged 65+ years) for the levels of attributes, with values anchored at one for full capability and zero for no capability. Death was assumed to be a state in which there is no capability. The values obtained indicate that attachment is the attribute with greatest impact but all attributes contribute to the total estimation of capability. Values that were estimated are feasible for use in practical applications of the index to measure the impact of health and social care interventions.
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| 8. |
- Davis, A M, et al.
(författare)
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The development of a short measure of physical function for hip OA HOOS-Physical Function Shortform (HOOS-PS): an OARSI/OMERACT initiative
- 2008
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 16:5, s. 551-559
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To derive a cross-culturally valid, short measure of physical function using function subscales (daily living and sports and recreation) of the Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS). Methods: Rasch analysis was conducted on data from individuals from multiple countries who had hip osteoarthritis (OA). Fit of the data to the Rasch model was evaluated by model chi(2) and item fit statistics (chi(2), size of residual, and F-test). Differential item functioning was evaluated by gender, age and country. Unidimensionality was evaluated by factor analysis of residuals. Individual data sets were analyzed and data pooled and re-analyzed for fit to the model. Regression modeling was conducted to derive a nomogram converting raw summed scores to Rasch derived interval scores. Results: Seven data sets were included (n = 2991), ages 19-96 years, male/female ratio was 1:1.23. The final model included five HOOS items. From the easiest to most difficult, the items (logit) were as follows: sitting (1.832), descending stairs (0.729), getting in/out of bath or shower (0.255), twisting/pivoting on loaded leg (-0.221) and running (-2.595). The separation index was 0.80. Conclusion: The daily activity and sports and recreational items of the HOOS were reduced to five items achieving a feasible, short measure of physical function with interval level properties. This tool has potential for use as the function component of an OA severity scoring system. Further testing of this measure is warranted.
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| 9. |
- Flynn, Terry N, et al.
(författare)
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Best--worst scaling : What it can do for health care research and how to do it.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Health Economics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0167-6296 .- 1879-1646. ; 26:1, s. 171-89
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Statements like "quality of care is more highly valued than waiting time" can neither be supported nor refuted by comparisons of utility parameters from a traditional discrete choice experiment (DCE). Best--worst scaling can overcome this problem because it asks respondents to perform a different choice task. However, whilst the nature of the best--worst task is generally understood, there are a number of issues relating to the design and analysis of a best--worst choice experiment that require further exposition. This paper illustrates how to aggregate and analyse such data and using a quality of life pilot study demonstrates how richer insights can be drawn by the use of best--worst tasks.
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| 10. |
- Flynn, Terry N, et al.
(författare)
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Estimating preferences for a dermatology consultation using Best-Worst Scaling : comparison of various methods of analysis.
- 2008
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Ingår i: BMC Medical Research Methodology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2288. ; 8, s. 76-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Additional insights into patient preferences can be gained by supplementing discrete choice experiments with best-worst choice tasks. However, there are no empirical studies illustrating the relative advantages of the various methods of analysis within a random utility framework.METHODS: Multinomial and weighted least squares regression models were estimated for a discrete choice experiment. The discrete choice experiment incorporated a best-worst study and was conducted in a UK NHS dermatology context. Waiting time, expertise of doctor, convenience of attending and perceived thoroughness of care were varied across 16 hypothetical appointments. Sample level preferences were estimated for all models and differences between patient subgroups were investigated using covariate-adjusted multinomial logistic regression.RESULTS: A high level of agreement was observed between results from the paired model (which is theoretically consistent with the 'maxdiff' choice model) and the marginal model (which is only an approximation to it). Adjusting for covariates showed that patients who felt particularly affected by their skin condition during the previous week displayed extreme preference for short/no waiting time and were less concerned about other aspects of the appointment. Higher levels of educational attainment were associated with larger differences in utility between the levels of all attributes, although the attributes per se had the same impact upon choices as those with lower levels of attainment. The study also demonstrated the high levels of agreement between summary analyses using weighted least squares and estimates from multinomial models.CONCLUSION: Robust policy-relevant information on preferences can be obtained from discrete choice experiments incorporating best-worst questions with relatively small sample sizes. The separation of the effects due to attribute impact from the position of levels on the latent utility scale is not possible using traditional discrete choice experiments. This separation is important because health policies to change the levels of attributes in health care may be very different from those aiming to change the attribute impact per se. The good approximation of summary analyses to the multinomial model is a useful finding, because weighted least squares choice totals give better insights into the choice model and promote greater familiarity with the preference data.
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