A Framework to Support Automated Classification and Labeling of Brain Electromagnetic Patterns

This paper describes a framework for automated classification and labeling of patterns in electroencephalographic (EEG) and magnetoencephalographic (MEG) data. We describe recent progress on four goals: 1) specification of rules and concepts that capture expert knowledge of event-related potentials (ERP) patterns in visual word recognition; 2) implementation of rules in an automated data processing and labeling stream; 3) data mining techniques that lead to refinement of rules; and 4) iterative steps towards system evaluation and optimization. This process combines top-down, or knowledge-driven, methods with bottom-up, or data-driven, methods. As illustrated here, these methods are complementary and can lead to development of tools for pattern classification and labeling that are robust and conceptually transparent to researchers. The present application focuses on patterns in averaged EEG (ERP) data. We also describe efforts to extend our methods to represent patterns in MEG data, as well as EM patterns in source (anatomical) space. The broader aim of this work is to design an ontology-based system to support cross-laboratory, cross-paradigm, and cross-modal integration of brain functional data. Tools developed for this project are implemented in MATLAB and are freely available on request

Medical Marijuana Laws and Teen Marijuana Use

While at least a dozen state legislatures are considering bills to allow the consumption of marijuana for medicinal purposes, the federal government has recently intensified its efforts to close medical marijuana dispensaries. Federal officials contend that the legalization of medical marijuana encourages teenagers to use marijuana and have targeted dispensaries operating within 1,000 feet of schools, parks and playgrounds. Using data from the national and state Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 and the Treatment Episode Data Set, we estimate the relationship between medical marijuana laws and marijuana use. Our results are not consistent with the hypothesis that legalization leads to increased use of marijuana by teenagers

Training of adult psychiatrists and child and adolescent psychiatrists in europe

Background: Profound clinical, conceptual and ideological differences between child and adult mental health service models contribute to transition-related discontinuity of care. Many of these may be related to psychiatry training. Methods: A systematic review on General Adult Psychiatry (GAP) and Child and Adult Psychiatry (CAP) training in Europe, with a particular focus on transition as a theme in GAP and CAP training. Results: Thirty-four full-papers, six abstracts and seven additional full text documents were identified. Important variations between countries were found across several domains including assessment of trainees, clinical and educational supervision, psychotherapy training and continuing medical education. Three models of training were identified: i) a generalist common training programme; ii) totally separate training programmes; iii) mixed types. Only two national training programs (UK and Ireland) were identified to have addressed transition as a topic, both involving CAP exclusively. Conclusion: Three models of training in GAP and CAP across Europe are identified, suggesting that the harmonization is not yet realised and a possible barrier to improving transitional care. Training in transition has only recently been considered. It is timely, topical and important to develop evidence-based training approaches on transitional care across Europe into both CAP and GAP training

Contact tracing is an imperfect tool for controlling COVID-19 transmission and relies on population adherence

Abstract: Emerging evidence suggests that contact tracing has had limited success in the UK in reducing the R number across the COVID-19 pandemic. We investigate potential pitfalls and areas for improvement by extending an existing branching process contact tracing model, adding diagnostic testing and refining parameter estimates. Our results demonstrate that reporting and adherence are the most important predictors of programme impact but tracing coverage and speed plus diagnostic sensitivity also play an important role. We conclude that well-implemented contact tracing could bring small but potentially important benefits to controlling and preventing outbreaks, providing up to a 15% reduction in R. We reaffirm that contact tracing is not currently appropriate as the sole control measure

K. Gwen Frank : Four Years

In this broadsheet, texts by Frank and Haakstad attest to the influence of the Prairies on the artist's etchings, painting and sketches. Biographical notes

The human connection: Oncologist characteristics that facilitate therapeutic bonding among Latino patients with advanced cancer

e18676 Background: Therapeutic alliances (TA) are bonds between patients and their oncologists characterized by mutual caring, trust, understanding, and respect. They lay the foundation for the provision of high-quality cancer care. We here relate oncologist characteristics to TA in Latino vs. non-Latino advanced cancer patients. Results will inform the development of an intervention to train oncologists in how to develop a strong TA with their Latino patients. Methods: The study population included non-Latino oncologists (n = 41) and their Latino (n = 67) and non-Latino white (n = 90) patients with advanced cancers who participated in Coping with Cancer III, a multi-site prospective cohort study designed to examine Latino/non-Latino disparities in advance care planning and end-of-life cancer care, conducted at U.S. medical centers from 2015-2019. Oncologist characteristics included age, sex, race, institution type, Spanish language proficiency and practice style behaviors (e.g., “familismo”— embracing dedication, commitment, and loyalty to family), addressing patients by their first name, and personal disclosure (e.g., “personalismo”), among others. The average score of 6 items from The Human Connection scale was used to assess the patients’ TA with their oncologists. Hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) was used to evaluate the effects of oncologist characteristics on TA in the full patient sample and stratified by patient ethnicity. Results: Of the 157 patients, 67 (42.7%) were Latino; most were female (n = 92, 58.6%) and < 65 years old (n = 95, 60.5%). Most oncologists were male (n = 24, 58.5%), non-Latino? white (n = 25, 61%), and ≥ 40 years (n = 25, 61%). There were no significant associations between patient age, sex, Medicaid recipient status, education level, marital status, and geographic region with TA. An adjusted HLM in the full sample showed that Latino ethnicity was associated with significantly lower TA (b = −0.16, p = 0.037). In an adjusted HLM for TA stratified by ethnicity, oncologist preference to address patients by their first names (b = 0.34, p = 0.001) and a “familismo” practice style (b = 0.46, p = 0.001) were positively associated with TA among Latino patients. In contrast, “familismo” had no impact on TA for the non-Latino white patients. Conclusions: In this study, Latino patients with advanced cancer had a worse therapeutic alliance with their oncologists compared to non-Latino patients. Cultural differences between Latino and non-Latino white patients may be leveraged in an intervention designed to improve the therapeutic bonding and patient-clinician relationship between oncologists and their Latino patients with advanced cancer, thus potentially mitigating cancer care disparities in this important, often underserved, patient population

Production and use of activated char for combined SO{sub 2}/NO{sub x} removal. [Quarterly] technical report, September 1--November 30, 1994

Carbon adsorbents have been shown to remove sulfur oxides from flue gas, and also serve as a catalyst for reduction of nitrogen oxides at temperatures between 80 and 150{degree}C. The overall objective of this project is to determine whether Illinois coal is a suitable feedstock for the production of activated char which could be used as a catalyst for combined SO{sub 2}/NO{sub x} removal, and to evaluate the potential application of the products in flue gas cleanup. During this quarter, further analyses of SO{sub 2} adsorption and TPD data revealed that SO{sub 2} adsorption was directly proportional to the number of unoccuppied (free) adsorption sites on the carbon surface. The SO{sub 2} capacity of a series of prepared IBC-102 chars and commercial activated carbons normalized with respect to the number of free sites varied by less than a factor of two, which indicated an excellent correlation. Based on these results, a mechanism for SO{sub 2} adsorption on carbon and conversion to H{sub 2}SO{sub 4} was proposed. To study NO{sub x} reduction by activated char, a packed bed flow through system was designed and constructed. A quadrupole mass spectrometer was installed to monitor the [NO] and [NO{sub 2}]; NO breakthrough curves were obtained for a commercial activated carbon at various [NO]