http://hdl.handle.net/2117/3387 Wed, 22 May 2013 02:06:18 GMT 2013-05-22T02:06:18Z webmaster.bupc@upc.edu Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Servei de Biblioteques i Documentació no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18138 Title: On the design of a survey to measure effective communication in building Authors: Serrat Piè, Carles; Rodriguez, Sonia; Forcada Matheu, Núria Abstract: Although effective communication is identified as a key indicator of project performan ce, communication aspects on contractors’ evaluation are not yet included. This paper aims to review the most relevant contributions on the specific literature in order to design a survey to test for the parameters that affect effective communication among Construction Agents (CA), i.e. PM’s, builder, designer and other professionals participants, during the construction process of the project. The survey will be based on the experience and perceptions of the corresponding professionals in Spain. The availa bility of these par ameters is crucial and it represents basic information for developing procedures and tools for the evaluation and selection management of CAs. Thu, 07 Mar 2013 14:44:23 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/18138 2013-03-07T14:44:23Z Serrat Piè, Carles; Rodriguez, Sonia; Forcada Matheu, Núria no Although effective communication is identified as a key indicator of project performan ce, communication aspects on contractors’ evaluation are not yet included. This paper aims to review the most relevant contributions on the specific literature in order to design a survey to test for the parameters that affect effective communication among Construction Agents (CA), i.e. PM’s, builder, designer and other professionals participants, during the construction process of the project. The survey will be based on the experience and perceptions of the corresponding professionals in Spain. The availa bility of these par ameters is crucial and it represents basic information for developing procedures and tools for the evaluation and selection management of CAs. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17616 Title: BioStatNet: an interdisciplinary biostatistics network Authors: Bayarri García, María Jesús; Cadarso Suárez, Carmen; Durbán Reguera, María Luz; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; López Fidalgo, Jesús; Martín Andrés, Antonio; Nuñez Antón, Vicente; Puig Casado, Pere Abstract: Biostatistics has become a major scientific component of biomedical research with a strong interdisciplinary basis. This endeavour is essentially interdisciplinary, therefore, training of future biostatisticians must focus its efforts on the development of successful mechanisms of communication and cooperation between researchers from different disciplines. The Biostatistics National Network, BioStatNet, has been created aiming to link together Spanish and foreign researchers in Biostatistics with an integrative and open attitude. It also intends to serve as a platform for the adequate training of biostatisticians as a means towards achieving effective interdisciplinarity. Fri, 08 Feb 2013 17:55:01 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17616 2013-02-08T17:55:01Z Bayarri García, María Jesús; Cadarso Suárez, Carmen; Durbán Reguera, María Luz; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; López Fidalgo, Jesús; Martín Andrés, Antonio; Nuñez Antón, Vicente; Puig Casado, Pere no 92B15, 62P10, 92B05, 97M60, 68U07, 68U20 Biostatistics has become a major scientific component of biomedical research with a strong interdisciplinary basis. This endeavour is essentially interdisciplinary, therefore, training of future biostatisticians must focus its efforts on the development of successful mechanisms of communication and cooperation between researchers from different disciplines. The Biostatistics National Network, BioStatNet, has been created aiming to link together Spanish and foreign researchers in Biostatistics with an integrative and open attitude. It also intends to serve as a platform for the adequate training of biostatisticians as a means towards achieving effective interdisciplinarity. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17270 Title: Flexible geoadditive survival analysis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma in Peru Authors: Flores, Claudio; Rodríguez-Girondo, Mar; Cadarso Suárez, Carmen; Kneib, Thomas; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; Casanova, Lluis Abstract: Knowledge of prognostic factors is an important task for the clinical management of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). In this work, we study the variables affecting survival of NHL in Peru by means of geoadditive Cox-type structured hazard regression models while accounting for potential spatial correlations in the survival times. We identified eight covariates with significant effect for overall survival. Some of them are widely known such as age, performance status, clinical stage and lactic dehydrogenase, but we also identified hemoglobin, leukocytes and lymphocytes as covariates with a significant effect on the overall survival of patients with NHL. Besides, the effect of continuous covariates is clearly nonlinear and hence impossible to detect with the classical Cox method. Although the spatial component does not show a significant effect, the results show a trend of low risk in certain areas. Fri, 11 Jan 2013 08:27:53 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17270 2013-01-11T08:27:53Z Flores, Claudio; Rodríguez-Girondo, Mar; Cadarso Suárez, Carmen; Kneib, Thomas; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; Casanova, Lluis no Knowledge of prognostic factors is an important task for the clinical management of Non Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL). In this work, we study the variables affecting survival of NHL in Peru by means of geoadditive Cox-type structured hazard regression models while accounting for potential spatial correlations in the survival times. We identified eight covariates with significant effect for overall survival. Some of them are widely known such as age, performance status, clinical stage and lactic dehydrogenase, but we also identified hemoglobin, leukocytes and lymphocytes as covariates with a significant effect on the overall survival of patients with NHL. Besides, the effect of continuous covariates is clearly nonlinear and hence impossible to detect with the classical Cox method. Although the spatial component does not show a significant effect, the results show a trend of low risk in certain areas. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17142 Title: Statistical considerations when using a composite endpoint for comparing treatment groups Authors: Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; Lagakos, Stephen W. Abstract: When comparing two treatment groups in a time-to-event analysis, it is common to use a composite event consisting of two or more distinct outcomes. The goal of this paper is to develop a statistical methodology to derive efficiency guidelines for deciding whether to expand a study primary endpoint from E1 (for example, non-fatal myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death) to the composite of E1 and E2 (for example, non-fatal myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death or revascularisation). We investigate this problem by considering the asymptotic relative efficiency of a log-rank test for comparing treatment groups with respect to a primary relevant endpoint E1 versus the composite primary endpoint, say E , of E1 and E2, where E2 is some additional endpoint Tue, 18 Dec 2012 10:53:34 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17142 2012-12-18T10:53:34Z Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; Lagakos, Stephen W. no When comparing two treatment groups in a time-to-event analysis, it is common to use a composite event consisting of two or more distinct outcomes. The goal of this paper is to develop a statistical methodology to derive efficiency guidelines for deciding whether to expand a study primary endpoint from E1 (for example, non-fatal myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death) to the composite of E1 and E2 (for example, non-fatal myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death or revascularisation). We investigate this problem by considering the asymptotic relative efficiency of a log-rank test for comparing treatment groups with respect to a primary relevant endpoint E1 versus the composite primary endpoint, say E , of E1 and E2, where E2 is some additional endpoint http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17091 Title: Clinical Pharmacology of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, "Ecstasy''): the influence of gender and genetics (CYP2D6, COMT, 5-HTT) Authors: Pardo-Lozano, Ricardo; Farré, Magí; Yubero-Lahoz, Samanta; O’Mathúna, Brian; Torrens, M.; Mustata, Cristina; Pérez-Mañá, Clara; Langohr, Klaus; Cuyàs, Elisabet; Carbó, Marcel·lí; de la Torre, Rafael Abstract: The synthetic psychostimulant MDMA (63,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy) acts as an indirect serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine agonist and as a mechanism-based inhibitor of the cytochrome P-450 2D6 (CYP2D6). It has been suggested that women are more sensitive to MDMA effects than men but no clinical experimental studies have satisfactorily evaluated the factors contributing to such observations. There are no studies evaluating the influence of genetic polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics (CYP2D6; catechol-O-methyltransferase, COMT) and pharmacological effects of MDMA (serotonin transporter, 5-HTT; COMT). This clinical study was designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and physiological and subjective effects of MDMA considering gender and the genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6, COMT, and 5-HTT. A total of 27 (12 women) healthy, recreational users of ecstasy were included (all extensive metabolizers for CYP2D6). A single oral weight-adjusted dose of MDMA was administered (1.4 mg/kg, range 75–100 mg) which was similar to recreational doses. None of the women were taking oral contraceptives and the experimental session was performed during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Principal findings show that subjects reached similar MDMA plasma concentrations, and experienced similar positive effects, irrespective of gender or CYP2D6 (not taking into consideration poor or ultra-rapid metabolizers) or COMT genotypes. However, HMMA plasma concentrations were linked to CYP2D6 genotype (higher with two functional alleles). Female subjects displayed more intense physiological (heart rate, and oral temperature) and negative effects (dizziness, sedation, depression, and psychotic symptoms). Genotypes of COMT val158met or 5-HTTLPR with high functionality (val/val or l/*) determined greater cardiovascular effects, and with low functionality (met/* or s/s) negative subjective effects (dizziness, anxiety, sedation). In conclusion, the contribution of MDMA pharmacokinetics following 1.4 mg/kg MDMA to the gender differences observed in drug effects appears to be negligible or even null. In contrast, 5-HTTLPR and COMT val158met genotypes play a major role. Tue, 11 Dec 2012 08:38:47 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/17091 2012-12-11T08:38:47Z Pardo-Lozano, Ricardo; Farré, Magí; Yubero-Lahoz, Samanta; O’Mathúna, Brian; Torrens, M.; Mustata, Cristina; Pérez-Mañá, Clara; Langohr, Klaus; Cuyàs, Elisabet; Carbó, Marcel·lí; de la Torre, Rafael no The synthetic psychostimulant MDMA (63,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, ecstasy) acts as an indirect serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine agonist and as a mechanism-based inhibitor of the cytochrome P-450 2D6 (CYP2D6). It has been suggested that women are more sensitive to MDMA effects than men but no clinical experimental studies have satisfactorily evaluated the factors contributing to such observations. There are no studies evaluating the influence of genetic polymorphism on the pharmacokinetics (CYP2D6; catechol-O-methyltransferase, COMT) and pharmacological effects of MDMA (serotonin transporter, 5-HTT; COMT). This clinical study was designed to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and physiological and subjective effects of MDMA considering gender and the genetic polymorphisms of CYP2D6, COMT, and 5-HTT. A total of 27 (12 women) healthy, recreational users of ecstasy were included (all extensive metabolizers for CYP2D6). A single oral weight-adjusted dose of MDMA was administered (1.4 mg/kg, range 75–100 mg) which was similar to recreational doses. None of the women were taking oral contraceptives and the experimental session was performed during the early follicular phase of their menstrual cycle. Principal findings show that subjects reached similar MDMA plasma concentrations, and experienced similar positive effects, irrespective of gender or CYP2D6 (not taking into consideration poor or ultra-rapid metabolizers) or COMT genotypes. However, HMMA plasma concentrations were linked to CYP2D6 genotype (higher with two functional alleles). Female subjects displayed more intense physiological (heart rate, and oral temperature) and negative effects (dizziness, sedation, depression, and psychotic symptoms). Genotypes of COMT val158met or 5-HTTLPR with high functionality (val/val or l/*) determined greater cardiovascular effects, and with low functionality (met/* or s/s) negative subjective effects (dizziness, anxiety, sedation). In conclusion, the contribution of MDMA pharmacokinetics following 1.4 mg/kg MDMA to the gender differences observed in drug effects appears to be negligible or even null. In contrast, 5-HTTLPR and COMT val158met genotypes play a major role. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16155 Title: Survival analysis methodology for service live prediction and building maintenance Authors: Serrat Piè, Carles; Gibert Armengol, Vicente Abstract: This paper deals with, on one hand, the introduction of survival analysis techniques for being used in building maintenance and, on the other hand, the application of this methodology for analyzing a large building stock in order to obtain information for maintenance strategies and/or prevention policies. In particular, in this contribution the description of the time to the event when the event of interest is some damage (or some level of degradation or extent) on the building façade is the main goal to reach. For the time being, building follow-up is based on inspections. However, data coming from building inspections are always not completed, but censored, due to the fact that, at each inspection time, the event of interest is already happened, or not yet. In order to solve this problematic, the existing methodology for fields like medicine, biology, industrial engineering or event history analysis is adapted, and routines in S-PLUS for a numerical and graphical systematic analysis are implemented. Estimates for non-parametric durability and hazard functions are derived. The possibilities of the proposed methodology will be illustrated with its application to the building façades in Hospitalet de Llobregat, the second most important city in population in Catalonia (Spain), where more than 14.000 buildings have been inspected. The analysis of the results allows technicians to detect different zones and levels of intervention to be applied in the city. Thu, 28 Jun 2012 10:30:23 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16155 2012-06-28T10:30:23Z Serrat Piè, Carles; Gibert Armengol, Vicente no This paper deals with, on one hand, the introduction of survival analysis techniques for being used in building maintenance and, on the other hand, the application of this methodology for analyzing a large building stock in order to obtain information for maintenance strategies and/or prevention policies. In particular, in this contribution the description of the time to the event when the event of interest is some damage (or some level of degradation or extent) on the building façade is the main goal to reach. For the time being, building follow-up is based on inspections. However, data coming from building inspections are always not completed, but censored, due to the fact that, at each inspection time, the event of interest is already happened, or not yet. In order to solve this problematic, the existing methodology for fields like medicine, biology, industrial engineering or event history analysis is adapted, and routines in S-PLUS for a numerical and graphical systematic analysis are implemented. Estimates for non-parametric durability and hazard functions are derived. The possibilities of the proposed methodology will be illustrated with its application to the building façades in Hospitalet de Llobregat, the second most important city in population in Catalonia (Spain), where more than 14.000 buildings have been inspected. The analysis of the results allows technicians to detect different zones and levels of intervention to be applied in the city. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16131 Title: Research Letter: is neuroticism a risk factor for postpartum depression? Authors: Mayoral, F; Martín-Santos, Rocío; Gelabert, Estel; Subirà, S.; Gutierrez-Zotes, A; Langohr, Klaus; Jover, M.; Torrens, Marta; Guillamat, R; Vilella, E.; de Frutos, R.; Roca, M.; Guitart, M.; Navinés, Ricard; Gornemann, I.; Costas, J.; Gratacos, Mònica; Iborra, J.L.; Canellas, F; Valdés, M.; García Esteve, L.; Sanjuan, S. Abstract: Although the relationship between personality and depressive illness is complex (Shea, 2005), there is empirical evidence that some personality features such as neuroticism, harm avoidance, introversion, dependency, self-criticism or perfectionism are related to depressive illness risk (Gunderson et al. 1999). Moreover, personality traits, especially neuroticism, may explain the increased prevalence of depression among females (Goodwin & Gotlib, 2004). Few studies have explored neuroticism, extraversion and psychoticism as risk factors for depression after an event as stressful as childbirth. Pitt (1968) was the first author to report high scores on neuroticism and low scores on extraversion among postpartum depressed women. Similar results were found in a comparison of mothers with and without postpartum depressive symptoms (Dudley et al. 2001; Podolska et al. 2010). A case-control study comparing women with recurrent major depression with and without a history of postpartum depression found no personality trait differences between them; however, those with a history of postpartum depression showed higher neuroticism and psychoticism and lower extraversion than controls. These results suggested that these traits did not confer a specific risk for the postnatal onset episodes (Jones et al. 2010). Prospective studies have also studied the link between personality and postpartum depression; however, these data are not conclusive due to methodological limitations, such as sample size (Kumar & Robson, 1984; Watson et al. 1984; Areias et al. 1991; Boyce et al. 1991; Matthey et al. 2000), selection bias (Kumar & Robson, 1984; Areias et al. 1991; Boyce et al. 1991; Matthey et al. 2000), or depression assessment (self-report measures versus clinical diagnosis: Boyce et al. 1991; Matthey et al. 2000; Dudley et al. 2001; Saisto et al. 2001; Van Bussel et al. 2009) or because the authors did not take into account confounding factors such as stressful life events or social support (Watson et al. 1984; Kumar & Robson, 1984; Boyce et al. 1991; Matthey et al. 2000; Saisto et al. 2001; Verkerk et al. 2005; Van Bussel et al. 2009). (See Supplementary material, Table S1.)The aim of this paper was to extend the previous knowledge of the role of neuroticism, extroversion and psychoticism as risk factors for postpartum depression (depression symptomatology and clinical diagnosis) considering psychosocial variables in a large cohort of women from the general population. Mon, 25 Jun 2012 06:49:32 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/16131 2012-06-25T06:49:32Z Mayoral, F; Martín-Santos, Rocío; Gelabert, Estel; Subirà, S.; Gutierrez-Zotes, A; Langohr, Klaus; Jover, M.; Torrens, Marta; Guillamat, R; Vilella, E.; de Frutos, R.; Roca, M.; Guitart, M.; Navinés, Ricard; Gornemann, I.; Costas, J.; Gratacos, Mònica; Iborra, J.L.; Canellas, F; Valdés, M.; García Esteve, L.; Sanjuan, S. no Although the relationship between personality and depressive illness is complex (Shea, 2005), there is empirical evidence that some personality features such as neuroticism, harm avoidance, introversion, dependency, self-criticism or perfectionism are related to depressive illness risk (Gunderson et al. 1999). Moreover, personality traits, especially neuroticism, may explain the increased prevalence of depression among females (Goodwin & Gotlib, 2004). Few studies have explored neuroticism, extraversion and psychoticism as risk factors for depression after an event as stressful as childbirth. Pitt (1968) was the first author to report high scores on neuroticism and low scores on extraversion among postpartum depressed women. Similar results were found in a comparison of mothers with and without postpartum depressive symptoms (Dudley et al. 2001; Podolska et al. 2010). A case-control study comparing women with recurrent major depression with and without a history of postpartum depression found no personality trait differences between them; however, those with a history of postpartum depression showed higher neuroticism and psychoticism and lower extraversion than controls. These results suggested that these traits did not confer a specific risk for the postnatal onset episodes (Jones et al. 2010). Prospective studies have also studied the link between personality and postpartum depression; however, these data are not conclusive due to methodological limitations, such as sample size (Kumar & Robson, 1984; Watson et al. 1984; Areias et al. 1991; Boyce et al. 1991; Matthey et al. 2000), selection bias (Kumar & Robson, 1984; Areias et al. 1991; Boyce et al. 1991; Matthey et al. 2000), or depression assessment (self-report measures versus clinical diagnosis: Boyce et al. 1991; Matthey et al. 2000; Dudley et al. 2001; Saisto et al. 2001; Van Bussel et al. 2009) or because the authors did not take into account confounding factors such as stressful life events or social support (Watson et al. 1984; Kumar & Robson, 1984; Boyce et al. 1991; Matthey et al. 2000; Saisto et al. 2001; Verkerk et al. 2005; Van Bussel et al. 2009). (See Supplementary material, Table S1.)The aim of this paper was to extend the previous knowledge of the role of neuroticism, extroversion and psychoticism as risk factors for postpartum depression (depression symptomatology and clinical diagnosis) considering psychosocial variables in a large cohort of women from the general population. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15733 Title: Factors associated with discharge against medical advice from an alcohol and drug inpatient detoxifcation unit in Barcelona between 1993 and 2006 Authors: Gilchrist, Gail; Langohr, Klaus; Fonseca, Francina; Muga, Robert; Torrens, Marta Abstract: Records from 1,228 consecutively admitted patients (74.5% male) to an inpatient detoxification unit in Barcelona between 1993 and 2006 were examined to determine factors associated with discharge against medical advice (AMA). 21.5% of admissions were discharged AMA. In multiple logistic regression and compared with patients who were medically discharged, those discharged AMA were younger, more likely to be dependent on heroin, other opiates, cocaine or psychostimulants, or to be experiencing reduction or elimination methadone maintenance therapy [reference category: alcohol]. The provision of assistance to clinicians in identifying the patients who are most at risk of leaving inpatient detoxification AMA will enhance their ability to motivate such patients to stay in treatment. Tue, 17 Apr 2012 10:55:46 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15733 2012-04-17T10:55:46Z Gilchrist, Gail; Langohr, Klaus; Fonseca, Francina; Muga, Robert; Torrens, Marta no Records from 1,228 consecutively admitted patients (74.5% male) to an inpatient detoxification unit in Barcelona between 1993 and 2006 were examined to determine factors associated with discharge against medical advice (AMA). 21.5% of admissions were discharged AMA. In multiple logistic regression and compared with patients who were medically discharged, those discharged AMA were younger, more likely to be dependent on heroin, other opiates, cocaine or psychostimulants, or to be experiencing reduction or elimination methadone maintenance therapy [reference category: alcohol]. The provision of assistance to clinicians in identifying the patients who are most at risk of leaving inpatient detoxification AMA will enhance their ability to motivate such patients to stay in treatment. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15176 Title: Joint modelling of two sequential times to event with longitudinal information Authors: Huertas, Jaime-Abel; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; Serrat Piè, Carles Abstract: In survival analysis, the lifetimes may be observed in some speci¯ed order, where the time to event Tk, cannot be observed until T1; :::; Tk¡1 have been observed. The present work proposes a joint model of two sequential times to events together with longitudinal information, extending the joint model of Wolfsohn and Tsiatis (1997) for one time to event and one longitudinal variable. We apply the model to the clinical trial called TIBET, in which an intermit- tent therapeutic strategy has been assigned to each patient. Of special clinical interest is the lifetime that a patient needs before restarting treatment given the progression of biological markers recorded during the followup period. Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:52:01 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/15176 2012-02-15T18:52:01Z Huertas, Jaime-Abel; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; Serrat Piè, Carles no In survival analysis, the lifetimes may be observed in some speci¯ed order, where the time to event Tk, cannot be observed until T1; :::; Tk¡1 have been observed. The present work proposes a joint model of two sequential times to events together with longitudinal information, extending the joint model of Wolfsohn and Tsiatis (1997) for one time to event and one longitudinal variable. We apply the model to the clinical trial called TIBET, in which an intermit- tent therapeutic strategy has been assigned to each patient. Of special clinical interest is the lifetime that a patient needs before restarting treatment given the progression of biological markers recorded during the followup period. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/14410 Title: Definition of the viral targets of protective HIV-1-specific T cell responses Authors: Pérez-Alvarez, Susana; Mothe, Beatriz; Llano, Anuska; Ibarrondo, Javier; Daniels, Marcus; Miranda, Cristina; Zamarreño, Jennifer; Bach, Vanessa; Zuniga, Rosario; Brander, C.; Sanchez, Jorge; Brumme, Chanson J.; Sánchez-Merino, Victor; Yang, Otto O.; Hildebrand, William H.; Szinger, James J.; Farfan, Marilu; Rolland, Morgane; Martínez-Picado, Javier; Puertas, Maria C.; Berger, Chistoph T.; Brumme, Zabrina L.; Korber, Bette T.; Gatell, Jose M.; Clotet, Bonaventura; Goulder, Philip J.; Walker, Bruce D.; Mullins, James I.; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; Heckerman, David; Allen, Todd M. Abstract: Background: The efficacy of the CTL component of a future HIV-1 vaccine will depend on the induction of responses with the most potent antiviral activity and broad HLA class I restriction. However, current HIV vaccine designs are largely based on viral sequence alignments only, not incorporating experimental data on T cell function and specificity. Methods: Here, 950 untreated HIV-1 clade B or -C infected individuals were tested for responses to sets of 410 overlapping peptides (OLP) spanning the entire HIV-1 proteome. For each OLP, a “protective ratio” (PR) was calculated as the ratio of median viral loads (VL) between OLP nonresponders and responders. Results: For both clades, there was a negative relationship between the PR and the entropy of the OLP sequence. There was also a significant additive effect of multiple responses to beneficial OLP. Responses to beneficial OLP were of significantly higher functional avidity than responses to non-beneficial OLP. They also had superior in-vitro antiviral activities and, importantly, were at least as predictive of individuals’ viral loads than their HLA class I genotypes. Conclusions: The data thus identify immunogen sequence candidates for HIV and provide an approach for T cell immunogen design applicable to other viral infections. Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:29:01 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/14410 2012-01-04T17:29:01Z Pérez-Alvarez, Susana; Mothe, Beatriz; Llano, Anuska; Ibarrondo, Javier; Daniels, Marcus; Miranda, Cristina; Zamarreño, Jennifer; Bach, Vanessa; Zuniga, Rosario; Brander, C.; Sanchez, Jorge; Brumme, Chanson J.; Sánchez-Merino, Victor; Yang, Otto O.; Hildebrand, William H.; Szinger, James J.; Farfan, Marilu; Rolland, Morgane; Martínez-Picado, Javier; Puertas, Maria C.; Berger, Chistoph T.; Brumme, Zabrina L.; Korber, Bette T.; Gatell, Jose M.; Clotet, Bonaventura; Goulder, Philip J.; Walker, Bruce D.; Mullins, James I.; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe; Heckerman, David; Allen, Todd M. no epitope, entropy, immune correlate., HIV specific CTL, clade B, clade C, HLA, vaccine immunogen design, functional avidity Background: The efficacy of the CTL component of a future HIV-1 vaccine will depend on the induction of responses with the most potent antiviral activity and broad HLA class I restriction. However, current HIV vaccine designs are largely based on viral sequence alignments only, not incorporating experimental data on T cell function and specificity. Methods: Here, 950 untreated HIV-1 clade B or -C infected individuals were tested for responses to sets of 410 overlapping peptides (OLP) spanning the entire HIV-1 proteome. For each OLP, a “protective ratio” (PR) was calculated as the ratio of median viral loads (VL) between OLP nonresponders and responders. Results: For both clades, there was a negative relationship between the PR and the entropy of the OLP sequence. There was also a significant additive effect of multiple responses to beneficial OLP. Responses to beneficial OLP were of significantly higher functional avidity than responses to non-beneficial OLP. They also had superior in-vitro antiviral activities and, importantly, were at least as predictive of individuals’ viral loads than their HLA class I genotypes. Conclusions: The data thus identify immunogen sequence candidates for HIV and provide an approach for T cell immunogen design applicable to other viral infections. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13675 Title: Volcanic hazard assessment for the Canary Islands (Spain) using extreme value theory Authors: Sobradelo, R.; Martí, J.; Mendoza-Rosas, A.T.; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:20:26 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13675 2011-10-27T07:20:26Z Sobradelo, R.; Martí, J.; Mendoza-Rosas, A.T.; Gómez Melis, Guadalupe no http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13124 Title: Preventing ventricular dysfunction in pacemaker patients without advanced heart failure: rationale and design of the PREVENT-HF study Authors: de Teresa, Eduardo; Navarro-López, Francisco; Navarro, Xavier; Stockburger, Martin; Gómez-Doblas, Juan José; Lamas, Gervasio; Alzueta, Javier; Fernández-Lozano, Ignacio; Cobo Valeri, Erik; Wiegand, Uwe; Fernández de la Concha, Joaquín Abstract: Aims Previous experimental and clinical studies have consistently suggested that right ventricular (RV) apical pacing has important adverse effects. Ventricular pacing (VP), however, is required, and cannot be reduced in many patients with atrioventricular (AV) block. The PREVENT-HF study was an international randomized trial that explored differences in left ventricular (LV) remodelling during RV apical vs. biventricular (BIV) pacing in patients with AV block. Methods and Results Patients with an expected VP prevalence ≥80% were assigned to RV apical or BIV pacing. The primary endpoint was the change in LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) >12 months. Secondary endpoints were LV end-systolic volume (ESV), LV ejection fraction (EF), mitral regurgitation (MR), and a combination of heart failure (HF) events and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Overall, 108 patients were randomized (RV: 58; BIV: 50). Intention to treat and on-treatment analyses revealed no significant differences in any of the outcomes. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) difference for treatment according to randomization (in mL): LVEDV −3.92 (−18.71 to 10.85), P= 0.6; LVESV −1.38 (−12.07 to 9.31), P= 0.80; LVEF 2.47 (−3.00 to 7.94), P= 0.37. Analysis of covariance difference for the on-treatment analysis: LVEDV −4.90 (−20.02 to 10.22, PP= 0.52; LVESV −6.45 (−17.28 to 4.38), P= 0.24, LVEF 2.18 (−3.37 to 7.73), P= 0.44. Furthermore, secondary endpoints did not differ significantly. Conclusion This study did not demonstrate significant LV volume differences >12 months between RV apical and BIV pacing for AV block. Thus, BIV pacing cannot be recommended as a routine treatment for AV block in these patients. However, the results encourage and inform the design of subsequent larger trials with higher power for detecting small volume changes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00170326. Fri, 26 Aug 2011 07:53:35 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13124 2011-08-26T07:53:35Z de Teresa, Eduardo; Navarro-López, Francisco; Navarro, Xavier; Stockburger, Martin; Gómez-Doblas, Juan José; Lamas, Gervasio; Alzueta, Javier; Fernández-Lozano, Ignacio; Cobo Valeri, Erik; Wiegand, Uwe; Fernández de la Concha, Joaquín no Aims Previous experimental and clinical studies have consistently suggested that right ventricular (RV) apical pacing has important adverse effects. Ventricular pacing (VP), however, is required, and cannot be reduced in many patients with atrioventricular (AV) block. The PREVENT-HF study was an international randomized trial that explored differences in left ventricular (LV) remodelling during RV apical vs. biventricular (BIV) pacing in patients with AV block. Methods and Results Patients with an expected VP prevalence ≥80% were assigned to RV apical or BIV pacing. The primary endpoint was the change in LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) >12 months. Secondary endpoints were LV end-systolic volume (ESV), LV ejection fraction (EF), mitral regurgitation (MR), and a combination of heart failure (HF) events and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Overall, 108 patients were randomized (RV: 58; BIV: 50). Intention to treat and on-treatment analyses revealed no significant differences in any of the outcomes. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) difference for treatment according to randomization (in mL): LVEDV −3.92 (−18.71 to 10.85), P= 0.6; LVESV −1.38 (−12.07 to 9.31), P= 0.80; LVEF 2.47 (−3.00 to 7.94), P= 0.37. Analysis of covariance difference for the on-treatment analysis: LVEDV −4.90 (−20.02 to 10.22, PP= 0.52; LVESV −6.45 (−17.28 to 4.38), P= 0.24, LVEF 2.18 (−3.37 to 7.73), P= 0.44. Furthermore, secondary endpoints did not differ significantly. Conclusion This study did not demonstrate significant LV volume differences >12 months between RV apical and BIV pacing for AV block. Thus, BIV pacing cannot be recommended as a routine treatment for AV block in these patients. However, the results encourage and inform the design of subsequent larger trials with higher power for detecting small volume changes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00170326. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13116 Title: Cooperative cache analysis for distributed search engines Authors: Domínguez Sal, David; Pérez Casany, Marta; Larriba Pey, Josep Abstract: In this paper, we study the performance of a distributed search engine from a data caching point of view using statistical tools on a varied set of configurations. We study two strategies to achieve better performance: cacheaware load balancing that issues the queries to nodes that store the computation in cache; and cooperative caching (CC) that stores and transfers the available computed contents from one node in the network to others. Since cache-aware decisions depend on information about the recent history, we also analyse how the ageing of this information impacts the system performance. Our results show that the combination of both strategies yield better throughput than individually implementing cooperative cache or cache-aware load balancing strategies because of a synergic improvement of the hit rate. Furthermore, the analysis concludes that the data structures to monitor the system need only moderate precision to achieve optimal throughput. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:59:55 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13116 2011-08-25T10:59:55Z Domínguez Sal, David; Pérez Casany, Marta; Larriba Pey, Josep no In this paper, we study the performance of a distributed search engine from a data caching point of view using statistical tools on a varied set of configurations. We study two strategies to achieve better performance: cacheaware load balancing that issues the queries to nodes that store the computation in cache; and cooperative caching (CC) that stores and transfers the available computed contents from one node in the network to others. Since cache-aware decisions depend on information about the recent history, we also analyse how the ageing of this information impacts the system performance. Our results show that the combination of both strategies yield better throughput than individually implementing cooperative cache or cache-aware load balancing strategies because of a synergic improvement of the hit rate. Furthermore, the analysis concludes that the data structures to monitor the system need only moderate precision to achieve optimal throughput. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13112 Title: Incidence of infectious diseases and survival among the Roma population: a longitudinal cohort study Authors: Casals, Martí; Pila, Pilar; Langohr, Klaus; Millet, Juan-Pablo; Caylà, J Abstract: Background: Roma ethnicity is greatly affected by tuberculosis (TB), AIDS, injecting drugs use (IDU) and imprisonment. Methods: We assessed the incidence of several health problems by means of a retrospective cohort study performed in Camp de la Bota, Barcelona (Spain). The 380 individuals included in the 1985 TB outbreak investigation were followed-up until 31 December 2008. One hundred ninety-two subjects (50.5%) were men and 188 (49.5%) women. Information sources included questionnaires taken at the time of this outbreak, a population census and other registries from Barcelona and Catalonia. Cox proportional hazards mixed models were employed in the multivariate survival analysis. Results: By the end of the follow-up, the survival rate was 79.4%; 50 persons (13.1%) had deceased and 28 (7.3%) had emigrated. The incidence of AIDS was 104 cases per 100 000 person-years of follow-up (pyf), IDU was 240 cases pyf, imprisonment was 642 cases pyf and that of TB was 91 cases pyf. Male survival was lower [hazard ratio (HR) 4.22], when the effect of family was taken into account, than when it was not taken into account (HR 3.67). Conclusions: High incidences of AIDS, TB, IDU, imprisonment and poor survival rates have been observed among Roma. Family was found to be an important factor influencing the survival rates: when not considered, the risk of death among men was underestimated. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 10:26:33 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13112 2011-08-25T10:26:33Z Casals, Martí; Pila, Pilar; Langohr, Klaus; Millet, Juan-Pablo; Caylà, J no Background: Roma ethnicity is greatly affected by tuberculosis (TB), AIDS, injecting drugs use (IDU) and imprisonment. Methods: We assessed the incidence of several health problems by means of a retrospective cohort study performed in Camp de la Bota, Barcelona (Spain). The 380 individuals included in the 1985 TB outbreak investigation were followed-up until 31 December 2008. One hundred ninety-two subjects (50.5%) were men and 188 (49.5%) women. Information sources included questionnaires taken at the time of this outbreak, a population census and other registries from Barcelona and Catalonia. Cox proportional hazards mixed models were employed in the multivariate survival analysis. Results: By the end of the follow-up, the survival rate was 79.4%; 50 persons (13.1%) had deceased and 28 (7.3%) had emigrated. The incidence of AIDS was 104 cases per 100 000 person-years of follow-up (pyf), IDU was 240 cases pyf, imprisonment was 642 cases pyf and that of TB was 91 cases pyf. Male survival was lower [hazard ratio (HR) 4.22], when the effect of family was taken into account, than when it was not taken into account (HR 3.67). Conclusions: High incidences of AIDS, TB, IDU, imprisonment and poor survival rates have been observed among Roma. Family was found to be an important factor influencing the survival rates: when not considered, the risk of death among men was underestimated. http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13107 Title: Preventing ventricular dysfuction in pacemaker patients without advanced heart failure: results from a multicentre international randomized trial (PREVENT-HF) Authors: de Teresa, Eduardo; Navarro-López, Francisco; Navarro, Xavier; Stockburger, Martin; Gómez-Doblas, Juan José; Lamas, Gervasio; Alzueta, Javier; Fernández-Lozano, Ignacio; Cobo Valeri, Erik; Wiegand, Uwe; Fernández de la Concha, Joaquín Abstract: Aims Previous experimental and clinical studies have consistently suggested that right ventricular (RV) apical pacing has important adverse effects. Ventricular pacing (VP), however, is required, and cannot be reduced in many patients with atrioventricular (AV) block. The PREVENT-HF study was an international randomized trial that explored differences in left ventricular (LV) remodelling during RV apical vs. biventricular (BIV) pacing in patients with AV block. Methods and Results Patients with an expected VP prevalence ≥80% were assigned to RV apical or BIV pacing. The primary endpoint was the change in LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) >12 months. Secondary endpoints were LV end-systolic volume (ESV), LV ejection fraction (EF), mitral regurgitation (MR), and a combination of heart failure (HF) events and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Overall, 108 patients were randomized (RV: 58; BIV: 50). Intention to treat and on-treatment analyses revealed no significant differences in any of the outcomes. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) difference for treatment according to randomization (in mL): LVEDV −3.92 (−18.71 to 10.85), P= 0.6; LVESV −1.38 (−12.07 to 9.31), P= 0.80; LVEF 2.47 (−3.00 to 7.94), P= 0.37. Analysis of covariance difference for the on-treatment analysis: LVEDV −4.90 (−20.02 to 10.22, PP= 0.52; LVESV −6.45 (−17.28 to 4.38), P= 0.24, LVEF 2.18 (−3.37 to 7.73), P= 0.44. Furthermore, secondary endpoints did not differ significantly. Conclusion This study did not demonstrate significant LV volume differences >12 months between RV apical and BIV pacing for AV block. Thus, BIV pacing cannot be recommended as a routine treatment for AV block in these patients. However, the results encourage and inform the design of subsequent larger trials with higher power for detecting small volume changes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00170326. Thu, 25 Aug 2011 07:56:32 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/2117/13107 2011-08-25T07:56:32Z de Teresa, Eduardo; Navarro-López, Francisco; Navarro, Xavier; Stockburger, Martin; Gómez-Doblas, Juan José; Lamas, Gervasio; Alzueta, Javier; Fernández-Lozano, Ignacio; Cobo Valeri, Erik; Wiegand, Uwe; Fernández de la Concha, Joaquín no Aims Previous experimental and clinical studies have consistently suggested that right ventricular (RV) apical pacing has important adverse effects. Ventricular pacing (VP), however, is required, and cannot be reduced in many patients with atrioventricular (AV) block. The PREVENT-HF study was an international randomized trial that explored differences in left ventricular (LV) remodelling during RV apical vs. biventricular (BIV) pacing in patients with AV block. Methods and Results Patients with an expected VP prevalence ≥80% were assigned to RV apical or BIV pacing. The primary endpoint was the change in LV end-diastolic volume (EDV) >12 months. Secondary endpoints were LV end-systolic volume (ESV), LV ejection fraction (EF), mitral regurgitation (MR), and a combination of heart failure (HF) events and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Overall, 108 patients were randomized (RV: 58; BIV: 50). Intention to treat and on-treatment analyses revealed no significant differences in any of the outcomes. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) difference for treatment according to randomization (in mL): LVEDV −3.92 (−18.71 to 10.85), P= 0.6; LVESV −1.38 (−12.07 to 9.31), P= 0.80; LVEF 2.47 (−3.00 to 7.94), P= 0.37. Analysis of covariance difference for the on-treatment analysis: LVEDV −4.90 (−20.02 to 10.22, PP= 0.52; LVESV −6.45 (−17.28 to 4.38), P= 0.24, LVEF 2.18 (−3.37 to 7.73), P= 0.44. Furthermore, secondary endpoints did not differ significantly. Conclusion This study did not demonstrate significant LV volume differences >12 months between RV apical and BIV pacing for AV block. Thus, BIV pacing cannot be recommended as a routine treatment for AV block in these patients. However, the results encourage and inform the design of subsequent larger trials with higher power for detecting small volume changes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00170326.