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Objective To identify patient demographic and clinical characteristics associated with osteoarthritis (OA) treatment use. Methods This was a secondary data analysis of three clinical trials among patients with hip or knee OA conducted in 1) Duke Primary Care practices, 2) the Durham Veterans Affairs Health Care System (DVAHCS), and 3) the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (UNC). At baseline, participants reported socio-demographic characteristics, OA-related pain and function, and OA treatment use including oral analgesia, topical creams, joint injections and physical therapy. Separate, multivariable logistic models (adjusted for clustering of clinics and providers for Duke and VA cohorts) were used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95% CI) for the associations between participant characteristics and each type of OA treatment. Results Oral analgesic use was reported by 70-82% of participants across the three cohorts. Physical therapy, knee injections, and topical creams were used by 39%-52%, 55-60%, and 25-39% of participants, respectively. In multivariable models, worse pain, stiffness, and function, per 5-unit increase, were associated with greater odds of using any oral analgesic for the Duke (OR=1.18 (1.08, 1.28)) and UNC (OR=1.14 (1.05, 1.24)) cohorts but not for the VA cohort (OR=1.04 (0.95, 1.14)). For all three cohorts, Non-Whites had higher odds of use of topical creams compared to Whites. Conclusion Results suggest potential under-utilization of therapies other than oral analgesia. Patient characteristics may affect OA treatment use, and understanding the relationship between these factors and OA treatment preferences may improve adherence to OA treatment guidelines. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Mental illness and obesity are highly prevalent in patients with coronary disease and are frequently comorbid. While mental illness is an established risk factor for major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs), prior studies suggest improved outcomes in people with obesity. It is unknown if obesity and mental illness interact to affect cardiac outcomes or if they independently influence MACCE. We identified 55 091 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) between 2009 and 2014, using the Veterans Affairs (VA) Clinical Assessment Reporting and Tracking (CART) program. Cox methods were used to assess the risk of MACCE by weight status and psychiatric diagnosis, and assessed for interaction. Compared to normal weight status, higher weight was associated with reduced MACCE events after PCI (mean follow-up of 2 years) for both stable angina and acute coronary syndromes (ACSs; reduction of >13% in stable angina, >17% in ACS; P

International audience; Carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios (delta C-13 and delta N-15) were determined in the zooxanthellae, host tissue, and whole symbiotic association of the symbiotic temperate coral Cladocora caespitosa, as well as in the different components of the coral's potential food sources (plankton, particulate organic matter in seawater and in the sediment). Data were collected both in winter and summer at three different locations, to assess the extent of auto- and heterotrophy in this species and get a better understanding of the functioning of temperate symbioses. There was a marked seasonal difference in the signature of the zooxanthellae and host tissue, highlighting two clear feeding patterns. In summer, delta C-13 signatures of the coral host and the zooxanthellae were similar (-17 parts per thousand) and very different from the signature of the food sources (from -21 parts per thousand to -25 parts per thousand), suggesting that corals were relying on autotrophy for the acquisition of carbon. delta N-15 values also suggested that nitrogen was not acquired through feeding. Conversely, in winter, the delta C-13 signature of the host decreased by ca. -23 parts per thousand to -28 parts per thousand, and was more comparable to the signature of the external food sources (between -24 parts per thousand and -25 parts per thousand), suggesting a substantial reliance of C. caespitosa on external food sources during this season. There was also a 3 parts per thousand enrichment between the delta N-15 signatures of the food (4-5 parts per thousand) and the signature of the symbiotic association (7-8 parts per thousand), suggesting that nitrogen was also acquired through feeding. Overall, these results give evidence that C. caespitosa and temperate corals in general derive a large fraction of their energy from heterotrophic feeding in winter.

The photo-oxidative degradation of a densely cross-linked epoxide/ diamine network based on tetraglycidyl-4,4 ' diaminodiphenylmethane (TGDDM) and 4 , 4 ' diaminodiphenyl sulphone (DDS) has been investigated by FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic-mechanical analysis (DMA) and compressive mechanical tests. The FTIR measurements allowed us to monitor the degradation process of the different groups present in the TGDDM/DDS network and to obtain reliable kinetic data. On this basis the most likely photo-degradation mechanisms were proposed. Dynamic-mechanical measurements and mechanical compressive tests were used to gain an insight in the effect of the photo-oxidative degradation on the relaxation processes of the epoxy network and on the mechanical performances.

Polyimide/silica hybrids were produced by a sol-gel process and were examined in terms of their morphology, dynamic-mechanical properties and mechanical performances. Two types of morphology were obtained by tailoring the composition of the precursor solution mixture, i.e. phase- separated or co-continuous systems. These morphologies were found to exhibit considerably different properties. In particular, co-continuous nanocomposite systems were found much more effective in suppressing molecular relaxation processes than micron sized particulate hybrids. The latter systems, on the other hand, exhibited enhanced ductility and fracture toughness.

Objective: Increased BMI is a well-recognized risk factor for radiographic knee osteoarthritis (rKOA); however, the contributions of the components of body composition, body fat distribution, and height to this association are not clear. Research Methods and Procedures: We examined 779 women ≥45 years of age from the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project. Body composition was assessed using DXA, and rKOA was defined as Kellgren-Lawrence grade ≥2. Logistic regression models examined the association between rKOA and the fourth compared with the first quartiles of anthropometric, body composition, and fat distribution measures adjusting for age, ethnicity, and prior knee injury. Results: The adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence interval of BMI and weight were 5.27 (3.05, 9.13) and 5.28 (3.05, 9.16), respectively. In separate models, higher odds of rKOA were also found for fat mass [4.54 (2.68, 7.69)], percent fat mass [3.84 (2.26, 6.54)], lean mass [3.94 (2.22, 6.97)], and waist circumference [4.15 (2.45, 7.02)]. Waist-to-hip ratio was not associated with rKOA [1.45 (0.86, 2.43)], and percent lean mass was associated with lower odds [0.20 (0.11, 0.35)]. Taller women had higher odds of rKOA after adjustment for BMI [1.77 (1.05, 3.00)]. Discussion: This study confirms that BMI and weight are strongly associated with rKOA in women and suggests that precise measurements of body composition and measures of fat distribution may offer no advantage over the more simple measures of BMI or weight in assessment of risk of rKOA.

We measured the O 1s and Ti 2p X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) spectra of a series of ternary Ti oxides. The spectra of Al 2 TiO 5 are compared to those of TiO 2 and the physical mixture TiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 . The spectra reflect important differences in the electronic structure caused by changes in the chemical bonding. It is also shown that XAS can be used to distinguish a true compound like Al 2 TiO 5 from a stoichiometric mixture like TiO 2 -Al 2 O 3 . The differences in the spectra of NiTiO 3 , SrTiO 3 , BaTiO 3 and PbTiO 3 are discussed in terms of the different chemical environment and the local coordination.

A maleimido-terminated butadiene–acrylonitrile copolymer was employed as an impact modifier for a commercial thermosetting bismaleimide resin. FTIR spectroscopy was used to monitor in real time the kinetics of the curing process in this blend system at different temperatures. The toughening agent was found to produce strong effects on the kinetics and mechanism of the curing process. The fracture toughness parameters Kc and Gc showed a substantial enhancement as the rubber content in the blend was increased. Only a modest reduction of the elastic modulus and of the compressive yield stress was brought about by incorporation of the impact modifier. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polm Sci 65:979–990, 1997

A 4,4′-bis(maleimido)diphenylmethane resin was modified by adding a thermoplastic poly(ether imide) commercially available as Ultem 1000. A second system investigated was formed by a Kerimid resin and a maleimido-terminated butadiene-acrylonitrile copolymer (ITBN). For this system the kinetics of the curing process of the blend matrix with and without the rubber modifier was investigated at different temperatures by FTIR spectroscopy. A marked increase of the toughness parameters Kc and Gc was found for both the investigated systems. However, morphological analysis showed a complete phase separation and a complex morphology for the thermoplastic modified resin, while a homogeneous, single-phase system was obtained after rubber modification by ITBN. Ein 4,4′-Bis(maleimido)diphenylmethan-Harz wurde durch Addition von thermoplastischem Poly(etherimid) (PEI) Ultem 1000 modifiziert. Ein zweites System bestand aus einem Bismaleimid-Harz vom Typ Kerimid FE 70026 und einem Butadien-Acrylnitril-Copolymeren mit Maleinimid-Endgruppen (ITBN) als Modifizierungsmittel. Die kinetischen Parameter des Aushartungsvorganges der Blendmatrix mit bzw. ohne Modifizierungsmittel wurden bei unterschiedlichen Temperaturen mit FTIR-Spektroskopie untersucht. Ein merklicher Anstieg der die Hartung beschreibenden Parameter Kc und Gc wurde bei beiden Systemen beobachtet. Morphologische Analysen des thermoplastisch modifizierten Harzes zeigten eine vollstandige Phasenseparation und eine komplexe Morphologie, wahrend im Falle der Modifizierung mit ITBN ein homogenes, einphasiges System erhalten wurde.

An amino-terminated butadiene–acrylonitrile copolymer was chemically modified into a maleim-ido-terminated rubber and was used as a toughening agent for an unsaturated polyester resin. The reactive rubber was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The mechanical and fracture properties of the blends containing the unmodified and the modified rubbers were investigated. Furthermore, a morphological analysis was carried out by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. A substantial enhancement of toughness was found when the modified rubber was used in place of the plain copolymer. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The yielding and the fracture behaviour of an intercrosslinked polymer network obtained by the simultaneous curing of an unsaturated polyester (UP) and a thermosetting bismaleimide resin (BMI) was investigated in a wide range of temperatures and testing rates. The yield stress σ y and the Young's modulus E increase by increasing the testing rate and decreasing temperature. Moreover, under the same testing conditions, σ y and E increased as the BMI content in the blend was enhanced. On the other hand, it was found that the fracture parameter K c was not affected by the presence of BMI. The yielding process was analyzed using the theories both of Argon and Bowden and the molecular parameters derived there were related to the molecular structure of the network developed upon curing.

A polyisobutene rubber was modified by grafting succinic anhydride onto its end groups and has been used as a toughening agent for an unsaturated polyester resin. Both the functionalization and the successive reaction between the modified rubber and the polyester was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The yield behavior of the cured resins was studied by compression measurements, while the fracture properties were determined at low and high strain rate. A morphological analysis of the investigated blends has been carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A considerable enhancement of tougheness has been achieved when the modified rubber was used in place of the plain polyisobutene. The effect was found to depend on the grafting degree of the rubber and on the time period during which the two-component mixture was allowed to react prior to the curing process. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

A highly cross-linked thermosetting epoxy resin was modified by a reactive blending process carried out in the presence of bisphenol A polycarbonate (PC). Prior to the curing process the PC component was dissolved at high temperature in the uncured epoxy matrix. FTIR investigation of this reactive mixture demonstrated the occurrence of physical and chemical interactions among the blend components. Isothermal kinetic measurements performed by FTIR spectroscopy showed that the presence of PC does not affect the overall curing mechanism but decreases both the initial reaction rate and the final conversion of reactants. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

The modification of an unsaturated polyester resin by incorporating a second co-reactive monomer as a thermosetting bismaleimide is described The bismaleimide was readily dissolved in the uncured polyester matrix up to a concentration of about 20% wt. FTIR isothermal measurements indicated that the kinetics and the mechanism of the curing process were strongly affected by the presence of the bismaleimide. The resulting inter-crosslinked network showed a gradual enhancement of the elastic modulus in a wide range of temperatures by increasing the bimaleimide amount in the system. This enhancement was obtained without altering the intrinsic toughness of the matrix.

The chemical differences between passivated and oxidized layers on 17.5 at.% FeCr and 5 at.% FeTi alloys are analysed by means of soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The relative absorption strengths were used to obtain a quantitative estimation of the composition of the layers. In FeCr, the passivated layer shows a relative Cr enrichment of 34 at.% with respect to the oxidized surface. In addition, Cr 2 O 3 has been identified as the main oxide formed in the passivated layer of FeCr. By contrast, in FeTi, the results are consistent with the formation of a ternary oxide

Two series of experiments on well-characterized systems were performed to examine the probing depth of soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) measured in total-electron-yield (TEY) mode. First we measured the Ni 2p3/2 absorption spectra of Ni(100) covered with Tb as a function of the overlayer thickness. Secondly we recorded the O 1s absorption spectra of Ta2O5 films produced by controlled anodic oxidatio of Ta foils as a function of the oxide thickness. The mean probing depth (MPD) was found to be much shorter than previously assumed (for O 1s, only 1.9 nm). The relative importance of those cascade mechanisms that lead to the electron current measured in TEY is discussed.

We studied the electronic structure of the Ca 1− x Sr x RuO 3 series using O 1s X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). The XAS spectra were analyzed in terms of the O 2p unoccupied electronic states calculated using the LMTO method. The spectra reflect, through the covalent mixing, the different unoccupied electronic states in the conduction band. The first peak in the XAS spectra, just above the threshold, corresponds to O 2p character mixed in the Ru t 2g band. This feature is directly related to the Ru t 2g DOS at the Fermi level and does not change much across the series. The features related to the Ru e g and Ca 3d (Sr 4d) bands at higher energies present larger changes across the series. In particular, the Ca 3d band appears at lower energies and exhibits a larger mixing with the O 2p states than the Sr 4d band. This effect might be related to the differences in the magnetic properties of the end members CaRuO 3 and SrRuO 3 .