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In the categorical approach to the foundations of quantum theory, one begins with a symmetric monoidal category, the objects of which represent physical systems, and the morphisms of which represent physical processes. Usually, this category is taken to be at least compact closed, and more often, dagger compact, enforcing a certain self-duality, whereby preparation processes (roughly, states) are interconvertible with processes of registration (roughly, measurement outcomes). This is in contrast to the more concrete 'operational' approach, in which the states and measurement outcomes associated with a physical system are represented in terms of what we here call a convex operational model: a certain dual pair of ordered linear spaces-generally, not isomorphic to one another. On the other hand, state spaces for which there is such an isomorphism, which we term weakly self-dual, play an important role in reconstructions of various quantum-information theoretic protocols, including teleportation and ensemble steering. In this paper, we characterize compact closure of symmetric monoidal categories of convex operational models in two ways: as a statement about the existence of teleportation protocols, and as the principle that every process allowed by that theory can be realized as an instance of a remote evaluation protocol-hence, as a form of classical probabilistic conditioning. In a large class of cases, which includes both the classical and quantum cases, the relevant compact closed categories are degenerate, in the weak sense that every object is its own dual. We characterize the dagger-compactness of such a category (with respect to the natural adjoint) in terms of the existence, for each system, of a symmetric bipartite state, the associated conditioning map of which is an isomorphism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Networks of investigators have begun sharing best practices, tools and methods for analysis of associations between genetic variation and common diseases. A Network of Investigator Networks has been set up to drive the process, sponsored by the Human Genome Epidemiology Network. A workshop is planned to develop consensus guidelines for reporting results of genetic association studies. Published literature databases will be integrated, and unpublished data, including 'negative' studies, will be captured by online journals and through investigator networks. Systematic reviews will be expanded to include more meta-analyses of individual-level data and prospective meta-analyses. Field synopses will offer regularly updated overviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of the Review: A number of novel models of care utilizing allied healthcare professionals, including nurses and pharmacists, have emerged as an alternate to rheumatologist specialist care to achieve disease outcomes in patients with inflammatory arthritis. We conducted a review of the literature for studies from the past 5 years that reported on measures of patient satisfaction and/or any health economic outcome in a model of care where the care providers had substantial, but not completely independent, responsibility.Recent Findings: Previous reviews have summarized the available evidence for collaborative models of care led by nurses (only), which demonstrate that patients with inflammatory arthritis achieve similar disease outcomes and feel well supported with their person-centered care.Summary: Patients are generally highly satisfied with the care provided in collaborative care models, in line with if not greater than that provided by rheumatologists. However, we identified substantial variability in direct costs and/or overall intervention costs and measures of health-related quality of life across the various countries and healthcare systems. Overall, nursing-led interventions likely cost more than do physician-led models of care in the short-term but may lead to greater quality of life, as demonstrated with a disease-specific measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]