Experimental Carbonation Study for a Durability Assessment of Novel Cementitious Materials.

Durability predictions of concrete structures are derived from experience-based requirements and descriptive exposure classes. To support durability predictions, a numerical model related to the carbonation resistance of concrete was developed. The model couples the rate of carbonation with the drying rate.

Psychometric evaluation of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function and Pain Interference Computer Adaptive Test for subacromial impingement syndrome.

Background: The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) was previously validated for rotator cuff disease and shoulder instability. This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the PROMIS Physical Function (PF) CAT, PROMIS Pain Interference (PI) CAT, and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) Shoulder Function Score for subacromial impingement syndrome.

Methods: PROMIS PF CAT, PI CAT, and ASES (Pain, Function, Total) were collected on all visits for 2 surgeons between January 2016 and August 2016.

Evaluating the Prediction of Breast Cancer Survival Using Lymph Node Ratio.

Purpose: Previous oncological studies showed that lymph node ratio (LNR) (ratio of number of lymph nodes that tested positive for metastasis to the total number of lymph nodes examined) is a negative indicator of cancer survival. The American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging system incorporates tumor size, lymph node involvement, and metastasis in a comprehensive model of cancer progression, but LNR alone has been shown to outperform the AJCC system in prognostic and survival predictions for various types of cancer. The effectiveness of LNR has not been evaluated in breast cancer staging.

Orofacial strength, dysarthria, and dysphagia in congenital myotonic dystrophy.

Introduction: Herein we present an exploratory study of orofacial function in children with congenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM) vs. healthy controls.

Methods: We evaluated 41 children with CDM and 29 healthy controls for speech and swallow function and for lingual and labial strength.

Psychometrics of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function instrument administered by computerized adaptive testing and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand in the orthopedic elbow patient population.

Background: This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) instrument administered through computerized adaptive testing (CAT) compared with the traditional full-length Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH).

Methods: The PROMIS PF CAT and the DASH were administered to 1759 patients seeking care for elbow conditions. This study used Rasch partial credit modeling to analyze the instruments with item fit, internal reliability, response category thresholds, dimensionality, local independence, gender differential item functioning, and floor and ceiling effects.

The Relationship of PROMIS Pain Interference and Physical Function Scales.

Objectives: To examine the relationship between the Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Pain Interference (PI) and PROMIS Physical Function (PF) scales in patients with spinal pain at a university spine center.

Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected patient-reported outcome data at a university spine clinic. Pearson correlation was done to examine the relationship of the PROMIS PF and PROMIS PI scores.

Evaluating instrument responsiveness in joint function: The HOOS JR, the KOOS JR, and the PROMIS PF CAT.

Unlabelled: 12345Responsiveness is the ability to detect change over time and is an important aspect of measures used to detect treatment effects. The purpose of this study was to assess the responsiveness of the HOOS JR, the KOOS JR, and the PROMIS Physical Function (PF) computerized adaptive test (CAT) in a joint reconstruction practice. 983 patients were evaluated for joint conditions between 2014 and 2017 in an orthopaedic clinic and completed the three instruments at baseline and 3 and/or 6-month follow-up visits.

Dietary and Supplemental Vitamin C and D on Symptom Severity and Physical Function in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Vitamins C and D have been associated with decreasing pain and increasing function but these associations are not definitive. This cross-sectional study explores what relationships supplemental and dietary intake of vitamins C and D have on pain severity and physical function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, we performed regression analyses to examine relationships between vitamins C and D, pain, and function.

The responsiveness of the PROMIS instruments and the qDASH in an upper extremity population.

Background: This study evaluated the responsiveness of several PROMIS patient-reported outcome measures in patients with hand and upper extremity disorders and provided comparisons with the qDASH instrument.

Methods: The PROMIS Upper Extremity computer adaptive test (UE CAT) v1.2, the PROMIS Physical Function (PF) CAT v1.

Honest Labor Bears a Lovely Face: Will Late-Life Unemployment Impact Health and Satisfaction in Retirement?

Objective: Unemployment among older adults during recessionary cycles has been tied to early retirement decisions and negative health outcomes. This study explored episodes of unemployment experienced between age 50 and retirement as predictors of retirement age and health outcomes.

Methods: A total of 1540 participants from the U.