| 1. |
- Schulze, Steve, et al.
(author)
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The Palomar Transient Factory Core-collapse Supernova Host-galaxy Sample. I. Host-galaxy Distribution Functions and Environment Dependence of Core-collapse Supernovae
- 2021
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In: Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0067-0049 .- 1538-4365. ; 255:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Several thousand core-collapse supernovae (CCSNe) of different flavors have been discovered so far. However, identifying their progenitors has remained an outstanding open question in astrophysics. Studies of SN host galaxies have proven to be powerful in providing constraints on the progenitor populations. In this paper, we present all CCSNe detected between 2009 and 2017 by the Palomar Transient Factory. This sample includes 888 SNe of 12 distinct classes out to redshift z approximate to 1. We present the photometric properties of their host galaxies from the far-ultraviolet to the mid-infrared and model the host-galaxy spectral energy distributions to derive physical properties. The galaxy mass function of Type Ic, Ib, IIb, II, and IIn SNe ranges from 10(5) to 10(11.5) M (circle dot), probing the entire mass range of star-forming galaxies down to the least-massive star-forming galaxies known. Moreover, the galaxy mass distributions are consistent with models of star-formation-weighted mass functions. Regular CCSNe are hence direct tracers of star formation. Small but notable differences exist between some of the SN classes. Type Ib/c SNe prefer galaxies with slightly higher masses (i.e., higher metallicities) and star formation rates than Type IIb and II SNe. These differences are less pronounced than previously thought. H-poor superluminous supernovae (SLSNe) and SNe Ic-BL are scarce in galaxies above 10(10) M (circle dot). Their progenitors require environments with metallicities of < 0.4 and < 1 solar, respectively. In addition, the hosts of H-poor SLSNe are dominated by a younger stellar population than all other classes of CCSNe. Our findings corroborate the notion that low metallicity and young age play an important role in the formation of SLSN progenitors.
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| 2. |
- Pickwell, K., et al.
(author)
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Minor amputation does not negatively affect health-related quality of life as compared with conservative treatment in patients with a diabetic foot ulcer : An observational study
- 2017
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In: Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews. - : Wiley. - 1520-7552. ; 33:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is poor in patients with persistent diabetic foot ulcers and poor HRQoL predicts worse outcomes in these patients. Amputation is often considered a treatment failure, which is why conservative treatment is generally preferred over amputation. However, it is unclear whether minor amputation negatively affects HRQoL compared with conservative treatment in patients with diabetic foot ulcers. Methods: In the cohort of the multicenter, prospective, observational Eurodiale study, we determined difference in change of HRQoL measured by EQ-5D between patients with a diabetic foot ulcers that healed after conservative treatment (n = 676) and after minor amputation (n = 145). Propensity score was used to adjust for known confounders, attempting to overcome lack of randomization. Results: Baseline HRQoL was not significantly different between patients treated conservatively and undergoing minor amputation. In addition, there was no difference in the change of HRQoL between these groups. In patients who healed 6 to 12 months after the first visit, HRQoL on the anxiety/depression subscale even appeared to improve more in those who underwent minor amputation. Conclusions: Minor amputation was not associated with a negative impact on HRQoL in patients with a diabetic foot ulcers. It may therefore not be considered treatment failure in terms of HRQoL but rather a viable treatment option. A randomized controlled trial is warranted to further examine the influence of minor amputations on health-related quality of life.
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| 3. |
- Siersma, V., et al.
(author)
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Importance of factors determining the low health-related quality of life in people presenting with a diabetic foot ulcer: the Eurodialestudy
- 2013
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In: Diabetic Medicine. - : Wiley. - 1464-5491 .- 0742-3071. ; 30:11, s. 1382-1387
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimTo identify the factors responsible for the low health-related quality of life associated with foot ulcers and the relative importance of these factors. MethodsA total of 1232 patients with a new foot ulcer, who presented at one of the 14 centres in 10 European countries participating in the Eurodiale study, were included in this cross-sectional study. Patient and ulcer characteristics were obtained as well as results from the Euro-Qol-5D questionnaire, a health-related quality of life instrument with five domains (mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression). To analyse the relative importance of comorbidities and ulcer- and patient-related factors for health-related quality of life, linear regression models were used to calculate the relative contributions of each factor to the fit (R-2) of the model. ResultsPatients reported poor overall health-related quality of life, with problems primarily in the mobility and pain/discomfort domains. Among the comorbidities, the inability to stand or walk without help was the most important determinant of decreased health-related quality of life in all five domains. Among ulcer-related factors, ulcer size, limb-threatening ischaemia and elevated C-reactive protein concentration also had high importance in all domains. The clinical diagnosis of infection, peripheral arterial disease and polyneuropathy were only important in the pain/discomfort domain. ConclusionsThe factors that determine health-related quality of life are diverse and to an extent not disease-specific. To improve health-related quality of life, treatment should not only be focused on ulcer healing but a multifactorial approach by a specialized multidisciplinary team is also important. What's new? The inability to stand or walk without help is the most important determinant of poor health-related quality of life. Other factors with high importance are ulcer size, elevated C-reactive protein concentration and limb-threatening ischaemia. To improve health-related quality of life, treatment should not only be focused on ulcer healing but a multifactorial approach by a specialized multidisciplinary team is also important.
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| 4. |
- Busby, CJ, et al.
(author)
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The missing half of the subduction factory : shipboard results from the Izu rear arc, IODP expedition 350
- 2017
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In: International Geology Review. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0020-6814 .- 1938-2839. ; 59:13, s. 1677-1708
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- IODP Expedition 350 was the first to be drilled in the rear part of the Izu-Bonin, although severalsites had been drilled in the arc axis to fore-arc region; the scientific objective was to understand theevolution of the Izu rear arc, by drilling a deep-water volcaniclastic section with a long temporalrecord (Site U1437). The Izu rear arc is dominated by a series of basaltic to dacitic seamount chainsup to ~100-km long roughly perpendicular to the arc front. Dredge samples from these aregeochemically distinct from arc front rocks, and drilling was undertaken to understand this arcasymmetry. Site U1437 lies in an ~20-km-wide basin between two rear arc seamount chains, ~90-kmwest of the arc front, and was drilled to 1804 m below the sea floor (mbsf) with excellent recovery.We expected to drill a volcaniclastic apron, but the section is much more mud-rich than expected(~60%), and the remaining fraction of the section is much finer-grained than predicted from itsposition within the Izu arc, composed half of ashes/tuffs, and half of lapilli tuffs of fine grain size(clasts <3 cm). Volcanic blocks (>6.4 cm) are only sparsely scattered through the lowermost 25% ofthe section, and only one igneous unit was encountered, a rhyolite peperite intrusion at~1390 mbsf. The lowest biostratigaphic datum is at 867 mbsf (~6.5 Ma), the lowest palaeomagneticdatum is at ~1300 mbsf (~9 Ma), and the rhyolite peperite at ~1390 mbsf has yielded a U–Pb zirconconcordia intercept age of (13.6 + 1.6/−1.7) Ma. Both arc front and rear arc sources contributed tothe fine-grained (distal) tephras of the upper 1320 m, but the coarse-grained (proximal) volcani-clastics in the lowest 25% of the section are geochemically similar to the arc front, suggesting arcasymmetry is not recorded in rocks older than ~13 Ma.
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| 5. |
- Kinsman, John, et al.
(author)
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Development of a set of community-informed Ebola messages for Sierra Leone
- 2017
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In: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1935-2727 .- 1935-2735. ; 11:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The West African Ebola epidemic of 2013-2016 was by far the largest outbreak of the disease on record. Sierra Leone suffered nearly half of the 28,646 reported cases. This paper presents a set of culturally contextualized Ebola messages that are based on the findings of qualitative interviews and focus group discussions conducted in 'hotspot' areas of rural Bombali District and urban Freetown in Sierra Leone, between January and March 2015. An iterative approach was taken in the message development process, whereby (i) data from formative research was subjected to thematic analysis to identify areas of community concern about Ebola and the national response; (ii) draft messages to address these concerns were produced; (iii) the messages were field tested; (iv) the messages were refined; and (v) a final set of messages on 14 topics was disseminated to relevant national and international stakeholders. Each message included details of its rationale, audience, dissemination channels, messengers, and associated operational issues that need to be taken into account. While developing the 14 messages, a set of recommendations emerged that could be adopted in future public health emergencies. These included the importance of embedding systematic, iterative qualitative research fully into the message development process; communication of the subsequent messages through a two-way dialogue with communities, using trusted messengers, and not only through a one-way, top-down communication process; provision of good, parallel operational services; and engagement with senior policy makers and managers as well as people in key operational positions to ensure national ownership of the messages, and to maximize the chance of their being utilised. The methodological approach that we used to develop our messages along with our suggested recommendations constitute a set of tools that could be incorporated into international and national public health emergency preparedness and response plans.
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