https://www.commed.vcu.edu/Chronic_Disease/2012/cochranrvwrschbias.pdf

The Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials

Many problems in the experimental estimation of parameters for models can be solved through use of the likelihood ratio test. Applications of the likelihood ratio, with particular attention to photon counting experiments, are discussed. The procedures presented solve a greater range of problems than those currently in use, yet are no more difficult to apply. The procedures are proved analytically, and examples from current problems in astronomy are discussed.

Parameter estimation in astronomy through application of the likelihood ratio. [satellite data analysis techniques

This study aimed to review the literature describing and quantifying time lags in the health research translation process. Papers were included in the review if they quantified time lags in the development of health interventions. The study identified 23 papers. Few were comparable as different studies use different measures, of different things, at different time points. We concluded that the current state of knowledge of time lags is of limited use to those responsible for R&D and knowledge transfer who face difficulties in knowing what they should or can do to reduce time lags. This effectively ‘blindfolds’ investment decisions and risks wasting effort. The study concludes that understanding lags first requires agreeing models, definitions and measures, which can be applied in practice. A second task would be to develop a process by which to gather these data.

The Answer Is 17 Years, What Is the Question

/pdf/about-the-national-institute-for-health-and-care-excellence-4zmiguft2a.pdf

About the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence - NICE.

For some time now councils with social services responsibilities (CSSRs) have been required to conduct surveys of user’s experience of social services. These have taken place nationally in three-yearly cycles. In 2002/03 the survey was for older people, in 2003/04 it was for younger adults with physical and sensory impairments, and in 2004/05 it was for children. 2005/06 marked the beginning of the second wave of the cycle. The mandate for conducting surveys of user’s experiences and satisfaction with services was first given in the white paper Modern Local Government: in Touch with the People (Department for the Environment, Trade and the Regions, 1998). In 2002 the Office of National Statistics (ONS) and SPRU developed a set of questionnaires for this purpose (Qureshi and Rowlands, 2004). Subsequent national surveys have drawn on this work to identify a set of compulsory questions for each round. User experience surveys (UESs) are regarded as an important part of the overall performance framework for social care and, providing councils with information about how they might improve services locally. Local authorities are required to submit their results to government bodies so that the relative performance of the CSSRs can be judged. This report is composed of five sections. The aims and objectives of the report are outlined in the second section and the method used to gather the data is outlined in section 3. In section 4 we report on the findings from the fieldwork and draw some conclusions and recommendations for the national survey in section 5. The topic guides for the focus groups and interviews are included in the appendices along with a brief discussion of the findings from the focus groups and a copy of the final extended questionnaire.

Younger Adults' Understanding of Questions for a Service User Experience Survey. Funded/commissioned by: The Health and Social Care Information Centre

For patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis, joint replacement is a widely used and successful operation to help improve quality-of-life when non-operative measures have failed. For a significant proportion of patients there is a choice between a partial or total knee replacement. Decision aids can help people weigh up the need for and benefits of treatment against possible risks and side-effects. This study explored patients’ experiences of deciding to undergo knee replacement surgery to identify information priorities, to inform a knee replacement decision aid. Four focus groups were held with 31 patients who were candidates for both partial and total knee replacement surgery. Two focus groups included patients with no prior knee replacement surgery (pre-surgery); two with patients with one knee already replaced and who were candidates for a second surgery on their other knee (post-surgery). Data were analysed using Framework Analysis. Participants described a process of arriving at ‘readiness for surgery’ a turning point where the need for treatment outweighed their concerns. Referral and personal factors influenced their decision-making and expectations of surgery in the hope to return to a former self. Those with previous knee surgery offered insights into whether their expectations were met. ‘Information for decisions’ details the practicality and the optimal timing for the delivery of a knee replacement decision aid. In particular, participants would have valued hearing about the experiences of other patients and seeing detailed pictures of both surgical options. Information priorities were identified to include in a decision aid for knee replacement surgery. Patients’ experiences of surgical decision-making have much in common with the Necessity-Concerns Framework. Whilst originally developed to understand drug treatment decisions and adherence, it provides a useful lens to understand decision-making about surgery. The use of a decision aid could enhance decision-making on knee replacement surgery. Ultimately, patients’ understanding of the risks and benefits of both surgical options could be improved and in turn, help informed decision-making. The knee replacement decision aid is perceived as a useful tool to be associated with other detailed information resources as recommended.

/pdf/partial-or-total-knee-replacement-identifying-patients-4ybvy6n5d0.pdf

Partial or total knee replacement? Identifying patients’ information needs on knee replacement surgery: a qualitative study to inform a decision aid

A stacked patch configuration is used to electromagnetically couple a GaAs MMIC chip to a patch antenna integrated in the lid of the MMIC package. The lid is formed using a liquid crystal polymer substrate. Presented is the first implementation that covers the E-band frequency range from 71-86 GHz for long-range wireless communications. Antenna gain is greater than 8 dBi using a short horn with straight sidewalls.

71-86 GHz antenna-MMIC interface using stacked patch configuration

The performance of an L-band 19-element multibeam feed for the five-hundred-metre aperture spherical radio telescope is verified here. Radiation patterns have been measured in an anechoic chamber in the radiating near field of the array and compared with simulated radiation patterns from HFSS for the same conditions. Very good agreement is observed between the measurements and simulations.

Performance validation of the 19-element multibeam feed for the five-hundred-metre aperture spherical radio telescope

We are developing a multi-gigabit wireless test bed for demonstrating new technologies that are suitable for commercial broadband applications of the future. We are targeting the emerging millimetre-wave bands above 57 GHz and the data rates up to 10 Gbps or more. The test bed is used to test different network applications and signal processing algorithms as well as new RF module and antenna prototypes.

Multi-gigabit wireless test bed at millimetre waves (invited paper)

This systematic review deliberately included studies with diverse methodologies in order to establish the general applicability of a constraint-effects-mitigation involvement loyalty model, a status which has only been indirectly accorded to it within the literature to date. Studies conducted between 1987 and the present covering 27 papers in several different settings consistently demonstrated that leisure involvement can necessitate negotiation strategies to allow individuals to form loyalty to people, leisure activities and places, whilst still facing a myriad of constraints at any given time.

Stephanie Smith

Papers

Partial or total knee replacement? Identifying patients’ information needs on knee replacement surgery: a qualitative study to inform a decision aid

71-86 GHz antenna-MMIC interface using stacked patch configuration

Performance validation of the 19-element multibeam feed for the five-hundred-metre aperture spherical radio telescope

Multi-gigabit wireless test bed at millimetre waves (invited paper)

The Constraint-Effects-Mitigation Involvement Loyalty Model: An Integrative Review