Frequency-domain solvers are used extensively for modeling arbitrary metal-based terahertz structures. Four well-known commercially available electromagnetic (EM) modeling software packages include ...HFSS™, CST Microwave Studio®, EMPro, and RSoft. However, there are a number of operational issues that relate to how they can be used to obtain more meaningful and accurate results. Even experienced users of these and similar software packages may not fully appreciate some of the subtle ambiguities in defining boundaries and material parameters for use in THz applications. To this end, a detailed comparative study has been undertaken, in consultation with all four vendors. First, in order to avoid introducing ambiguities, frequency dispersion in materials has to be clearly defined from first principles; in both intrinsic and effective forms. Different frequency dispersion models are then introduced for `metal-like' materials. To act as benchmark structures, conventional air-filled metal-pipe rectangular waveguides, associated cavity resonators and a spoof surface plasmon waveguide have been simulated, using a raft of different approaches; with a view to illustrating quantifiable weaknesses in commercial software packages for simulating arbitrary metal-based THz structures. This paper highlights intuitive and logical approaches that give incorrect results and, where possible, makes recommendations for the most appropriate solutions that have hitherto not been given in Technical Notes.
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a heart muscle disease of unknown etiology that causes arrhythmias, heart failure, and sudden death. Diagnosis can be difficult, and this ...hampers investigation of its molecular basis. Forms of ARVC in which gene penetrance and disease expression are greater should facilitate genetic study. We undertook a clinical and genetic investigation of Naxos disease, originally described by Protonotarios in 1986. This disease constitutes the triad of ARVC, diffuse nonepidermolytic palmoplantar keratoderma, and woolly hair.
We evaluated the population of Naxos, Greece, to identify probands, which was followed by family screening. Twenty-one affected persons from 9 families of 150 persons were identified. Linkage analysis was performed with microsatellite markers. The disease locus mapped to 17q21. A peak 2-point LOD score of 3.62 at theta=0.0 was found with a marker within intron 4 of the keratin 9 gene, a member of the type I (acidic) keratin family. A preserved homozygous disease haplotype was identified. Haplotype analysis delimited the disease interval.
Hair and skin abnormalities were found to be reliable markers of subsequent heart disease. This suggests the presence of a single mutant gene with novel cardiac, skin, and hair function or two or more tightly linked disease genes. Recessive inheritance of Naxos disease and a founder effect were demonstrated. Identification of a fully informative genetic marker linked to the disease and uncommon in the background population may be of use as a test to identify disease gene carriers.
The two initial stages of spinodal decomposition of a symmetric binary Lennard-Jones fluid have been simulated by molecular dynamics simulations, using a hydrodynamics-conserving thermostat. By ...analyzing the growth of the average domain size R(t) with time, a satisfactory agreement is found with the R(t) proportional t1/3 Lifshitz-Slyozov growth law for the early diffusion-driven stage of domain formation in a quenched homogeneous mixture. In the subsequent stage of viscous-dominated growth, the mean domain size appears to follow the linear growth law predicted by Siggia.
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION
Can a core outcome set to standardize outcome selection, collection and reporting across future infertility research be developed?
SUMMARY ANSWER
A minimum data set, known as ...a core outcome set, has been developed for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews evaluating potential treatments for infertility.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
Complex issues, including a failure to consider the perspectives of people with fertility problems when selecting outcomes, variations in outcome definitions and the selective reporting of outcomes on the basis of statistical analysis, make the results of infertility research difficult to interpret.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A three-round Delphi survey (372 participants from 41 countries) and consensus development workshop (30 participants from 27 countries).
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Healthcare professionals, researchers and people with fertility problems were brought together in an open and transparent process using formal consensus science methods.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
The core outcome set consists of: viable intrauterine pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound (accounting for singleton, twin and higher multiple pregnancy); pregnancy loss (accounting for ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth and termination of pregnancy); live birth; gestational age at delivery; birthweight; neonatal mortality; and major congenital anomaly. Time to pregnancy leading to live birth should be reported when applicable.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
We used consensus development methods which have inherent limitations, including the representativeness of the participant sample, Delphi survey attrition and an arbitrary consensus threshold.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
Embedding the core outcome set within RCTs and systematic reviews should ensure the comprehensive selection, collection and reporting of core outcomes. Research funding bodies, the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) statement, and over 80 specialty journals, including the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group, Fertility and Sterility and Human Reproduction, have committed to implementing this core outcome set.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
This research was funded by the Catalyst Fund, Royal Society of New Zealand, Auckland Medical Research Fund and Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust. The funder had no role in the design and conduct of the study, the collection, management, analysis or interpretation of data, or manuscript preparation. B.W.J.M. is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Practitioner Fellowship (GNT1082548). S.B. was supported by University of Auckland Foundation Seelye Travelling Fellowship. S.B. reports being the Editor-in-Chief of Human Reproduction Open and an editor of the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility group. J.L.H.E. reports being the Editor Emeritus of Human Reproduction. J.M.L.K. reports research sponsorship from Ferring and Theramex. R.S.L. reports consultancy fees from Abbvie, Bayer, Ferring, Fractyl, Insud Pharma and Kindex and research sponsorship from Guerbet and Hass Avocado Board. B.W.J.M. reports consultancy fees from Guerbet, iGenomix, Merck, Merck KGaA and ObsEva. C.N. reports being the Co Editor-in-Chief of Fertility and Sterility and Section Editor of the Journal of Urology, research sponsorship from Ferring, and retains a financial interest in NexHand. A.S. reports consultancy fees from Guerbet. E.H.Y.N. reports research sponsorship from Merck. N.L.V. reports consultancy and conference fees from Ferring, Merck and Merck Sharp and Dohme. The remaining authors declare no competing interests in relation to the work presented. All authors have completed the disclosure form.
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER
Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Initiative: 1023.
In many species, males use auditory signals to attract females and females select males based on their dominance status. Here we show that information on dominance status in male black-capped ...chickadees,
Poecile atricapillus, a small, temperate, North American songbird, can be extracted from individual songs. We found that the relative amplitude of the two notes in the ‘fee bee’ song of this species was more consistent in dominant males. Furthermore, females responded differently to presentations of single song exemplars from males of different dominance status, with females vocalizing more and performing more motor behaviours during the presentation of dominant songs. Our study suggests that non-pitch-based cues within single vocalizations can both reliably indicate relative rank and be discriminated by females.
Can a core outcome set to standardize outcome selection, collection, and reporting across future infertility research be developed?
A minimum data set, known as a core outcome set, has been developed ...for randomized controlled trials (RCT) and systematic reviews evaluating potential treatments for infertility.
Complex issues, including a failure to consider the perspectives of people with fertility problems when selecting outcomes, variations in outcome definitions, and the selective reporting of outcomes on the basis of statistical analysis, make the results of infertility research difficult to interpret.
A three-round Delphi survey (372 participants from 41 countries) and consensus development workshop (30 participants from 27 countries).
Healthcare professionals, researchers, and people with fertility problems were brought together in an open and transparent process using formal consensus science methods.
The core outcome set consists of: viable intrauterine pregnancy confirmed by ultrasound (accounting for singleton, twin, and higher multiple pregnancy); pregnancy loss (accounting for ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, stillbirth, and termination of pregnancy); live birth; gestational age at delivery; birthweight; neonatal mortality; and major congenital anomaly. Time to pregnancy leading to live birth should be reported when applicable.
We used consensus development methods which have inherent limitations, including the representativeness of the participant sample, Delphi survey attrition, and an arbitrary consensus threshold.
Embedding the core outcome set within RCTs and systematic reviews should ensure the comprehensive selection, collection, and reporting of core outcomes. Research funding bodies, the Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) statement, and over 80 specialty journals, including the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility Group, Ferility and Sterility, and Human Reproduction, have committed to implementing this core outcome set.
This research was funded by the Catalyst Fund, Royal Society of New Zealand, Auckland Medical Research Fund, and Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust. Siladitya Bhattacharya reports being the Editor-in-Chief of Human Reproduction Open and an editor of the Cochrane Gynaecology and Fertility group. Hans Evers reports being the Editor Emeritus of Human Reproduction. José Knijnenburg reports research sponsorship from Ferring and Theramex. Richard Legro reports consultancy fees from Abbvie, Bayer, Ferring, Fractyl, Insud Pharma and Kindex and research sponsorship from Guerbet and Hass Avocado Board. Ben Mol reports consultancy fees from Guerbet, iGenomix, Merck, Merck KGaA and ObsEva. Craig Niederberger reports being the Co Editor-in-Chief of Fertility and Sterility and Section Editor of the Journal of Urology, research sponsorship from Ferring, and retains a financial interest in NexHand. Annika Strandell reports consultancy fees from Guerbet. Ernest Ng reports research sponsorship from Merck. Lan Vuong reports consultancy and conference fees from Ferring, Merck and Merck Sharp and Dohme. The remaining authors declare no competing interests in relation to the work presented. All authors have completed the disclosure form.
Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials Initiative: 1023.
Desarrollar un conjunto de resultados básicos para futura investigación sobre infertilidad: un estudio de desarrollo de consenso internacional.
¿Se puede establecer y desarrollar un conjunto de resultados básicos para estandarizar la selección, recopilación y presentación de informes de resultados en futuras investigaciones sobre infertilidad?
se ha desarrollado un conjunto mínimo de datos, conocido como conjunto de resultados básicos, para ensayos controlados aleatorios (ECA) y revisiones sistemáticas que evalúan posibles tratamientos para la infertilidad.
los problemas son complejos, incluido el hecho de no tener en cuenta las perspectivas de las personas con problemas de fertilidad al seleccionar los resultados, las variaciones en las definiciones de los resultados y el informe selectivo de los resultados sobre la base del análisis estadístico, lo que hacen que los resultados de la investigación sobre infertilidad sean difíciles de interpretar.
una encuesta Delphi de tres rondas (372 participantes de 41 países) y un taller de desarrollo de consenso (30 participantes de 27 países).
se contó con profesionales de la salud, investigadores y personas con problemas de fertilidad en un proceso abierto y transparente utilizando métodos científicos formales de consenso.
el conjunto de los resultados básicos consiste en: embarazo intrauterino viable confirmado por ecografía (contando los embarazos únicos, gemelares y múltiples superiores); pérdida del embarazo (que incluya el embarazo ectópico, el aborto espontáneo, la muerte fetal, y la interrupción del embarazo); recién nacido vivo; edad gestacional en el momento del parto; peso al nacer; mortalidad neonatal; y anomalía congénita mayor. Cuando corresponda, se debe informar el tiempo transcurrido hasta el embarazo que conduce a un nacimiento vivo.
utilizamos métodos de desarrollo de consenso que tienen limitaciones inherentes, incluida la representatividad de la muestra de participantes, deserción de la encuesta Delphi y un umbral de consenso arbitrario.
la integración del conjunto de resultados centrales en los ECA y las revisiones sistemáticas debe garantizar la selección, recopilación e informe de resultados básicos. Los Organismos de financiación de la investigación, El Protocolo Estándar: recomendaciones for Interventional Trials (SPIRIT) y más de 80 revistas especializadas, incluido el Grupo Cochrane de Ginecología y Fertilidad, Fertility & Sterility, y Human Reproduction, se han comprometido a implementar este conjunto de resultados básicos.
Esta investigación fue financiada por Catalyst Fund, Royal Society of New Zealand, Auckland Medical Research Fund y Maurice and Phyllis Paykel Trust. Siladitya Bhattacharya informa que es el editor en jefe de Human Reproduction Open y editor del grupo Cochrane de Ginecología y Fertilidad. Hans Evers informa ser el editor emérito de Human Reproduction. Jose Knijnenburg informa del patrocinio de investigación de Ferring y Theramex. Richard Legro informa de honorarios en consultoría de Abbvie, Bayer, Ferring, Fractyl, Insud Pharma y Kindex y patrocinio de investigación de Guerbet y Hass Avocado Tablero. Ben Mol informa los honorarios de consultoría de Guerbet, iGenomix, Merck, Merck KGaA y ObsEva. Craig Niederberger informa que es el Coeditor en Jefe de Fertility & Sterility y editor de sección del Journal of Urology, patrocinio de investigación de Ferring, y conserva un interés financiero en NexHand. Annika Strandell informa de los honorarios de consultoría de Guerbet. Ernest Ng informa del patrocinio en investigación de Merck. Lan Vuong informa los honorarios de consultoría y conferencias de Ferring, Merck y Merck Sharp and Dohme. Los autores restantes declaran no tener intereses contrapuestos en relación con el trabajo presentado. Todos los autores han completado el formulario de divulgación.
Medidas de resultado básicas en la Iniciativa de ensayos de eficacia: 1023
The relaxation processes of height undulations and density fluctuations in a membrane have been studied by molecular dynamics simulations of a coarse grained amphiphilic bilayer model. We observe a ...double exponential decay in their time correlations, with relaxation rates in good quantitative agreement with the theory by Seifert and Langer Europhys. Lett. 23, 71 (1993). Intermonolayer friction due to slippage between the two monolayers is shown to be the dominant dissipative mechanism at the high wave numbers, q>10 mum(-1), typically encountered in computer simulations. We briefly discuss the ramifications of the slow undulatory relaxation process for the calculation of bending rigidities from the static undulation structure factors. The relaxation rates are sensitive to the surface tension, and at high elongations an oscillatory contribution is observed in the time correlation of the undulations.
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