Columbus Eagles FC is ready to go for its sixth season! The club announced Monday that it will play a 3-match home preseason to start the 2019 outdoor schedule. All matches are included in Eagles season memberships, which are on sale now and start at $40. CEFC's full WPSL schedule is set to be released in early February.
Columbus kicks off the preseason at Ohio Dominican University on Sunday, March 31 at 3 p.m. The match marks the fourth straight preseason that the Eagles play the Panthers. Columbus won the 2018 fixture at ODU, 2-1. Columbus is the designated home team for the match.
The Eagles return to their home field at Otterbein University on Sunday, April 7 at 3 p.m. to host Ohio University. The Bobcats are the first Division I school the Eagles have played in club history.
Columbus finishes its 3-match home stand against Otterbein University on Sunday, April 14 at 5 p.m. The match marks the first time the Eagles and Cardinals have played since 2016.
Gates for each match will open an hour before the scheduled kick off time for each match. Single-match tickets are on sale now and are $10 online and at the gate on matchday. Broadcast details for each match will be released in the coming weeks.
The Eagles will release their full 2019 schedule in early February after the WPSL's winter meetings take place. Representatives from the club will travel to Las Vegas for the AGMs on Jan. 26.
Eagles season memberships for 2019 are on sale now! A full-season membership starts at $40 and you can bring your entire immediate family to every Columbus home event in 2019 for just $100. Reserve your tickets now for our sixth season and what is shaping up to be our best season yet.


text:
Home Rheumatology Artificial Intelligence in Rheumatic Diseases: Can It Solve the Treatment…
Artificial Intelligence in Rheumatic Diseases: Can It Solve the Treatment Management Puzzle?
15 July 2021 | Download as | PDF
This symposium took place on 4th June 2021, as part of the European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) 2021 virtual congress
Chairpeople:
Ernest Choy1
Ignacio Medrano,1 Ernest Choy,2 Laure Gossec3
1. Cardiff University School of Medicine, Wales, UK
2. Savana, Madrid, Spain
3. Sorbonne Université and Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France
Choy has received research grants, served as member of advisory boards, and participated in speaker bureaus for AbbVie, Amgen, Bio-Cancer, Biocon, Biogen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Celgene, Chugai Pharma, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Novimmune, Novartis, ObsEva, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, R-Pharm, Sanofi, SynAct Pharma, and UCB. Medrano, CMO and Founder at Savana, has no conflicts of interest to declare. Gossec has received research grants from Amgen, Galapagos, Lilly, Pfizer, Sandoz, and Sanofi; consulting fees from AbbVie, Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Biogen, Celgene, Galapagos, Gilead, Janssen, Lilly, Novartis, Pfizer, Samsung Bioepis, Sanofi-Aventis, and UCB; and honoraria from Amgen for this symposium.
Writing assistance was provided by Eve Blumson, Ascend, a division of Spirit Medical Communications Group Limited, Manchester, UK.
The symposium and the publication of this article were funded by Amgen. This article was written by a medical writer and based only on the speaker presentations; the views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Amgen or the speakers. The speakers did not review this article.
EMJ Rheumatol. 2021;8[1]:28-35.
Each article is made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial 4.0 License.
Artificial intelligence (AI) describes the use of technology to mimic the cognitive functions of a human being, such as intelligent behaviour and critical thinking. AI-based technologies are already being used across healthcare settings for applications such as image analysis and diagnosis; nevertheless, the full potential of AI to guide disease management in rheumatology has yet to be realised.
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with a heterogeneous clinical presentation and pathogenesis. Early intervention with disease-modifying therapies can alter the course of the disease, preventing irreversible joint damage and improving long-term outcomes. However, barriers to early diagnosis of rheumatic diseases mean that many patients receive delayed treatment, leading to sub-optimal long-term outcomes. Patients at high risk of disease progression are particularly suitable for early intervention, although accurately identifying these patients can be challenging. AI approaches to aid in early diagnosis and prediction of disease progression are emerging in rheumatic diseases, but these have yet to enter clinical practice.
Prediction of response to treatments such as anti-TNFs is another area where AI could play an important role in the future. Many patients with rheumatic diseases have a sub-optimal response or loss of response to certain therapies, and methods to predict response are lacking. AI approaches for predicting treatment response are under investigation in rheumatology, and many potential biological predictors of response to anti-TNFs have been identified. However, these studies are still at an exploratory stage, and the results will need validation before they can be implemented in clinical practice.
AI approaches have the potential to transform the treatment of rheumatic diseases, from advancing early diagnosis to facilitating a more individualised treatment approach, with the overall aim of improving patient outcomes.
Receive our free quarterly newsletters and your choice of journal publication alerts, straight to your inbox.
This symposium was developed to consider the future role that AI might play in the management of rheumatic diseases. First, Ignacio Medrano considered the current use of AI in healthcare and its possible future applications. Ernest Choy subsequently discussed the potential role of AI in facilitating early intervention in rheumatic diseases. Finally, Laure Gossec outlined opportunities to use AI in the prediction of treatment response and considered the ethical and practical implications of using AI to analyse 'Big Data'.
Artificial Intelligence: The Future of Medicine?
AI is a term used to describe the use of computers and other technology to simulate intelligent behaviour and critical thinking that mimic the cognitive functions of a human being.1 Research into the application of AI techniques in medicine has been ongoing for several decades; in 2016, most AI investment went into research in the healthcare sector.1 The potential applications of AI in medicine are vast and, ultimately, are likely to have significant impact on patient care and clinical decision-making in rheumatology.2
There are potential applications for AI-based technologies in almost every aspect of modern life. One well-known example of AI is the programme Google Translate (Google, Mountain View, California, USA), which can automatically translate text to and from a multitude of languages. Google Translate uses an algorithm based on machine learning, an AI technique, which is programmed to learn from a set of solved problems. This approach removes the need for any understanding of grammar or syntax and allows the algorithm to infer the rules of any language and apply them to solve unseen problems.
AI-based technologies are emerging within healthcare settings, but more research is needed before the full potential of AI is realised across a wide range of clinical applications. Automated analysis of medical imaging is one area where AI may have particular value because manual analysis of these images is resource intensive and can be subject to inter-observer variability.3 In 2016, a deep-learning algorithm was developed that detected diabetic retinopathy and macular oedema in retinal fundus images with a high degree of specificity and sensitivity.4 Based on these findings, in 2018 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) permitted marketing of the first AI-based medical device that could be used in a primary care physician's office to detect cases of diabetic retinopathy.5 AI techniques also have the ability to extract unexpected patterns and associations from medical images. For example, a deep-learning algorithm has been developed that can predict cardiovascular risk factors (such as age, sex, and systolic blood pressure) from retinal fundus images.6 Previously, it had not been considered that these factors could be identified from retinal images.6 This demonstrates the power of AI techniques to go beyond human interpretation to see associations between multiple variables that the human brain cannot detect.
Other applications of AI in medicine have been investigated, including the use of laboratory data, medical records, and molecular biology outputs to aid in diagnosis, treatment selection, and prediction of prognosis. For example, a model based on demographic and laboratory data was developed to predict treatment non-response in patients with Crohn's disease.7 AI systems have also been used to assist selection of an appropriate antibiotic prescription.8 Numerous AI-based technologies have been approved by the FDA across fields including oncology, cardiology, and emergency medicine.9
The use of AI in rheumatology is not as advanced as in other therapy areas; more research is needed into the development and implementation of AI techniques to aid with diagnosis and management of rheumatic diseases. However, some promising research has been undertaken in arthritis; in particular, a study that aimed to detect early osteoarthritis by examining pre-symptomatic cartilage texture maps from MRI using an automated pattern-learning system.10 Future applications of AI in rheumatology could include examining associations between genotype and phenotype, as well as using AI to extract and analyse clinical data from electronic health records (EHR). EHRs contain large amounts of real-world patient data in both a structured form (information such as International Classification of Disease [ICD] codes), as well as in a free-text arrangement (e.g., the narrative from the healthcare provider notes).11 It can be challenging to identify or classify patients with certain conditions using structured information alone because their use can vary substantially across healthcare systems. This is a particular issue when trying to identify patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) from EHRs because the evolving disease concept means there has historically been a lack of specific ICD codes. To overcome this issue, a technique called natural language processing was used in one study to extract key disease concepts from free-text data in EHRs.11 These data were then combined with structured ICD code data to develop algorithms designed to identify patients with a high probability of having axSpA. When identifying patients with axSpA, the algorithms that incorporated free-text data outperformed the algorithms that used ICD codes alone.11 Algorithms incorporating data derived from natural language processing expand the amount of EHR data that can be analysed and offer exciting opportunities for clinical research in the future.
AI in healthcare is a rapidly evolving field, but it is important to proceed cautiously and responsibly. In a recent proof-of-concept study, a deep-learning algorithm was used to detect patients with atrial fibrillation based on facial video images.12 The researchers used the approach to identify patients with atrial fibrillation with a high degree of accuracy and could facilitate high-throughput screening in settings such as hospital waiting rooms.12 However, the non-contact nature of this type of examination raises important questions and concerns about patient consent, privacy, and confidentiality.13 As technology advances, regulation will be required to ensure that tools are used appropriately and ethically.
Can Artificial Intelligence Find the Missing Pieces Needed to Facilitate Early Intervention?
RA is a chronic inflammatory disease mainly affecting the joints but is heterogeneous in terms of clinical presentation and disease pathogenesis.14 Patients with RA have variable clinical courses characterised by continuously active disease or periods of relapse and remission.15 In RA, a 'window of opportunity' is thought to exist between the onset of inflammation and the start of radiographic damage. Early intervention with disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) during this 'window of opportunity' aims to alter the disease course before irreversible joint damage occurs, improving long-term outcomes.15
Early diagnosis and early intervention with effective therapies remain challenges in rheumatology. A study in patients who were newly presenting with RA or unclassified inflammatory arthritis showed delays occurring at several points in the care pathway. The median time between symptom onset and seeing a rheumatologist was 27.2 weeks, with only 20% of patients being seen within 3 months of symptom onset.16
Diagnostic Delay in Rheumatology
A number of potential barriers to early diagnosis in RA have been identified, including a broad differential diagnosis, heterogeneous presentation at early stages of disease, differences in symptom onset, and the fact that no single laboratory test is specifically characteristic of RA.16,17 Delayed diagnosis is not just a problem in RA. For patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis, an average delay of ≥8 years between symptom onset and disease diagnosis has been reported.18 Earlier diagnosis of rheumatic diseases is needed to ensure patients begin treatment before irreversible structural damage occurs.
AI approaches to improve diagnosis are being investigated in rheumatology (Figure 1). In one study, machine learning was used to develop an algorithm to identify patients with RA from EHRs.19 Eight diagnosis or medication codes within the EHRs were found to be associated with a diagnosis of RA and were used to build the final model. The resulting algorithm had an accuracy of 92.3% for identifying patients with RA, comparable with expert clinical knowledge-based methods.19 In a separate study, an artificial neural network model was constructed that could classify patients as having RA, osteoarthritis, or being non-arthritic, based on differentially expressed serum cytokines. The resulting model was able to accurately diagnose 100% of test patients correctly.20
Figure 1: Artificial intelligence techniques studied in diagnosis and early intervention in rheumatic diseases.
AI: artificial intelligence; cJADAS: clinical Juvenile Arthritis Disease Activity Score; EHRs: electronic health records.
European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) treatment guidelines for RA recommend that in patients with an inadequate response to first-line conventional synthetic DMARDs and poor prognostic factors, a biologic DMARD or a JAK inhibitor should be added to the initial treatment strategy.21 However, EULAR treatment recommendations are not always followed in clinical practice; a real-world study of 2,536 patients in Europe revealed that 55.4% of patients eligible to receive biologic DMARDs were not receiving them.22
AI approaches have been investigated to help identify patients with rheumatic diseases at high risk of progression who are particularly suitable for early intervention (Figure 1).
In patients with axSpA, machine-learning models were used to classify patients into three distinct groups based on clinical characteristics.23 Radiographic progression was assessed over 2 years and was found to differ significantly between the three groups. As joint damage is irreversible, a model that can accurately identify patients at high risk of radiographic progression who would benefit from early aggressive treatment would be of great benefit in rheumatology.
Similarly, AI has been used to identify factors predictive of which patients with AS may require early use of anti-TNFs.24 An artificial neural network model combined demographic and laboratory data from 595 patients with AS who were grouped according to early anti-TNF use or not. In the test data set, the model was able to predict which patients would require anti-TNF treatment within 6 months of diagnosis more accurately than conventional statistical methods. The model also identified the acute phase reactants C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate as important prognostic factors of early anti-TNF use.
RA is known to be heterogenous in nature from the time of diagnosis, and the molecular and cellular signatures associated with disease progression and therapeutic response are beginning to be understood.25,26 Identification of factors that predispose a patient to a rapidly progressive disease course could inform AI models to identify patients who require early intervention.
Predicting Response to Treatment: Is Artificial Intelligence the Next Piece of the Puzzle?
AI approaches are evolving in rheumatology (Figure 2). Research has progressed from initial exploratory proof-of-concept studies, through to the development of time-saving AI-based tools, such as algorithms capable of automated image analysis. Researchers are starting to investigate algorithms to help guide clinical decisions, but we have still not reached the overall goal of AI, which is to help facilitate a fully personalised treatment approach to improve patient outcomes.
Figure 2: The evolution of artificial intelligence in rheumatology.
AI: artificial intelligence.
As many patients have a primary non-response, partial response, or secondary loss of response to certain treatments,27-29 the identification of factors predictive of treatment response could help ensure patients receive the most suitable therapy to improve outcomes and avoid disease flares. AI approaches for predicting response to treatment are under investigation in patients with RA, including prediction of anti-TNF response based on integration of clinical and genetic markers, identifying anti-TNF non-responders using a biomarker panel, and predicting anti-TNF response using multiomics.30-32
Biomarkers for Prediction of Response
Many biomarkers already play a role in the diagnosis and management of RA,33-35 and while a plethora of biomarkers that may predict response to anti-TNFs are currently being investigated, most are yet to be validated.
In an exploratory study in patients with RA, the ability of an AI algorithm based on a panel of biomarkers to identify anti-TNF non-responders was assessed. Machine learning was employed to generate a predictive algorithm to identify patients treated with anti-TNFs who would not achieve clinical response.31 The algorithm was based on the top 25 features identified from a panel of gene-expression biomarkers, single-nucleotide polymorphism, and clinical data. Features were assessed in two patient cohorts prior to treatment with an anti-TNF, and clinical response was recorded. The algorithm was subsequently tested on a validation cohort and demonstrated good predictive power for identifying patients who did not respond to anti-TNF, with a positive predictive value of 89.7% and a specificity of 86.8%.31
Electronic Health Data for Prediction of Response
In addition to the use of biomarkers, electronic health data from wearable devices also have the potential to predict response to treatment in patients with rheumatic diseases. Traditional electronic-health platforms that collect patient-reported outcomes, such as online questionnaires, place a burden on patients because they are required to actively enter information on a regular basis. Patient engagement with these platforms is known to reduce over time, especially if patients do not receive feedback on the data they enter.36 Passive data collection, such as activity or sleep data collected using a wearable activity monitor, may be a less burdensome and more reliable way to collect data on patient wellbeing. In the ActConnect study, the potential association between physical activity assessed passively using an activity tracker and disease activity was evaluated in patients with RA or axSpA. Persistent flares in RA or axSpA were found to be associated with a lower daily step count (p=0.03).37
Using machine-learning techniques to analyse patient data collected from wearable devices may allow for remote monitoring of disease activity, with a high degree of accuracy and minimal burden to the patient. A pilot study of 155 patients used machine learning to assess the association between patient-reported flares and steps per minute measured using an activity tracker over a period of 3 months. A total of 224,952 hours of physical activity assessments were analysed during the study and the model accurately predicted disease flare with a sensitivity of 95.7% and specificity of 96.7%.38 Out of 4,030 weekly flare assessments, 880 patient-reported flares were predicted by machine learning, compared with only 40 patient-reported flares that were not predicted by machine learning.38 In the future, the use of AI to monitor disease activity may offer the potential for treatment optimisation before disease flare occurs.
These studies demonstrate the promising impact of AI in rheumatology; however, more research is needed to realise the ultimate aim of using AI to offer a fully personalised treatment approach to improve patient outcomes.
Ethical Considerations for the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Big Data
In 2020, EULAR provided guidance on the collection, analysis, and use of extremely large datasets (known as Big Data) that may be analysed using AI in rheumatology (Figure 3).2 EULAR recognises that Big Data provides unprecedented opportunities to transform rheumatological research and practice, with the principal aim of improving patient outcomes. However, there are multiple challenges associated with the use of Big Data in rheumatology, including issues related to privacy, confidentiality, identity, and transparency.39
Figure 3: EULAR points to consider for the use of Big Data in rheumatology.2
AI: artificial intelligence; EULAR: European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology; RMD: rheumatic and musculoskeletal disease.
During collection and storage of Big Data, ethics, heterogeneity of data, and data access need to be considered. EULAR has recommended that General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) are adhered to in the European Union (EU), data are standardised, and that open data platforms are used to combat data heterogeneity and subsequent access.39 During analysis and interpretation of Big Data, EULAR has recommended multi-disciplinary learning and collaboration to ensure that methods are compared and validated while expertise and experience grow within the field of rheumatology.2
The potential applications of AI in healthcare are vast. In rheumatology, AI has the potential to facilitate earlier diagnosis and treatment and predict individual patient response to specific therapies. This move towards precision medicine could revolutionise patient outcomes, with patients receiving individualised treatment early in the disease course, thus minimising or even preventing irreversible inflammatory damage.
Despite this huge potential, AI is in its infancy in rheumatology. Preliminary data suggest that clinical, radiographic, and biologic measures may allow rheumatologists to stratify patients according to risk of disease progression. Similarly, many potential biomarkers predictive of treatment response have been identified, but they are yet to be validated. Further studies are required to refine and validate AI approaches before they can be used to guide the management of rheumatic diseases in the clinic.
In the future, it is likely that AI will help to facilitate an individualised treatment approach in rheumatology to allow optimal disease management and patient outcomes.
Amisha et al. Overview of artificial intelligence in medicine. J Family Med Prim Care. 2019;8(7):2328-31. Gossec L et al. EULAR points to consider for the use of big data in rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79(1):69-76. Liu X et al. A comparison of deep learning performance against health-care professionals in detecting diseases from medical imaging: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Digit Health. 2019;1(6):e271-97. Gulshan V et al. Development and validation of a deep learning algorithm for detection of diabetic retinopathy in retinal fundus photographs. JAMA. 2016;316(22):2402-10. US Food and Drug Administration. FDA permits marketing of artificial intelligence-based device to detect certain diabetes-related eye problems. 2018. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-permits-marketing-artificial-intelligence-based-device-detect-certain-diabetes-related-eye. Last accessed: 14 June 2021. Poplin R et al. Prediction of cardiovascular risk factors from retinal fundus photographs via deep learning. Nat Biomed Eng. 2018;2(3):158-64. Waljee AK et al. Development and validation of machine learning models in prediction of remission in patients with moderate to severe Crohn disease. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2(5):e193721. Didelot X, Pouwels KB. Machine-learning-assisted selection of antibiotic prescription. Nat Med. 2019;25(7):1033-4. Benjamens S et al. The state of artificial intelligence-based FDA-approved medical devices and algorithms: an online database. NPJ Digit Med. 2020;3:118. Kundu S et al. Enabling early detection of osteoarthritis from presymptomatic cartilage texture maps via transport-based learning. PNAS. 2020;117(40):24709-19. Zhao SS et al. Incorporating natural language processing to improve classification of axial spondyloarthritis using electronic health records. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2020;59(5):1059-65. Yan BP et al. High-throughput, contact-free detection of atrial fibrillation from video with deep learning. JAMA cardiology. 2020;5(1):105-7. Turakhia MP. Diagnosing with a camera from a distance-proceed cautiously and responsibly. JAMA Cardiol. 2020;5(1):107. Smolen JS et al. Rheumatoid arthritis. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2018;4:18001. Smolen JS et al. The need for prognosticators in rheumatoid arthritis. Biological and clinical markers: where are we now? Arthritis Res Ther. 2008;10(3):208. Stack RJ et al. Delays between the onset of symptoms and first rheumatology consultation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis in the UK: an observational study. BMJ Open. 2019;9(3):e024361. Taylor PC. Update on the diagnosis and management of early rheumatoid arthritis. Clin Med (Lond). 2020;20(6):561-4. Choy E et al. Biologic treatment in psoriatic arthritis and axial spondylopathy reduces sicknotes issued by GPs, despite delays in diagnosis: a real-life study in Wales. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79(9):1152-5. Zhou SM et al. Defining disease phenotypes in primary care electronic health records by a machine learning approach: a case study in identifying rheumatoid arthritis. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0154515. Heard BJ et al. A computational method to differentiate normal individuals, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients using serum biomarkers. J R Soc Interface. 2014;11(97):20140428. Smolen JS et al. EULAR recommendations for the management of rheumatoid arthritis with synthetic and biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs: 2019 update. Ann Rheum Dis. 2020;79(6):685-99. Taylor PC et al. Factors influencing the use of biologic therapy and adoption of treat-to-target recommendations in current European rheumatology practice. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2018;12:2007-14. Joo YB et al. Novel classification of axial spondyloarthritis to predict radiographic progression using machine learning. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2021;39(3):508-18. Lee S et al. Machine learning to predict early TNF inhibitor users in patients with ankylosing spondylitis. Sci Rep. 2020;10(1):20299. Humby F et al. Synovial cellular and molecular signatures stratify clinical response to csDMARD therapy and predict radiographic progression in early rheumatoid arthritis patients. Ann Rheum Dis. 2019;78(6):761-72. Lewis MJ et al. Molecular portraits of early rheumatoid arthritis identify clinical and treatment response phenotypes. Cell Rep. 2019;28(9):2455-70.e5. Furst DE et al. Open-label, pilot protocol of patients with rheumatoid arthritis who switch to infliximab after an incomplete response to etanercept: the opposite study. Ann Rheum Dis. 2007;66(7):893-9. Tak PP. A personalized medicine approach to biologic treatment of rheumatoid arthritis: a preliminary treatment algorithm. Rheumatology (Oxford). 2012;51(4):600-9. Wijbrandts CA, Tak PP. Prediction of response to targeted treatment in rheumatoid arthritis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2017;92(7):1129-43. Guan Y et al. Machine learning to predict anti-tumor necrosis factor drug responses of rheumatoid arthritis patients by integrating clinical and genetic markers. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2019;71(12):1987-96. Mellors T et al. Clinical validation of a blood-based predictive test for stratification of response to tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapies in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Netw Syst Med. 2020;3.1:91-104. Tao W et al. Multiomics and machine learning accurately predict clinical response to adalimumab and etanercept therapy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Rheumatol. 2021;73(2):212-22. Combe B et al. 2016 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of early arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis. 2017;76(6):948-59. Gavrila BI et al. Biomarkers in rheumatoid arthritis, what is new? J Med Life. 2016;9(2):144-8. Wysocki T et al. Current understanding of an emerging role of HLA-DRB1 gene in rheumatoid arthritis-from research to clinical practice. Cells. 2020;9(5):1127. Gossec L et al. An e-health interactive self-assessment website (Sanoia) in rheumatoid arthritis. A 12-month randomized controlled trial in 320 patients. Joint Bone Spine. 2018;85(6):709-14. Jacquemin C et al. Flares assessed weekly in patients with rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis and relationship with physical activity measured using a connected activity tracker: a 3-month study. RMD Open. 2017;3(1):e000434. Gossec L et al. Detection of flares by decrease in physical activity, collected using wearable activity trackers in rheumatoid arthritis or axial spondyloarthritis: an application of machine learning analyses in rheumatology. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2019;71(10):1336-43. Kedra J, Gossec L. Big data and artificial intelligence: will they change our practice? Joint Bone Spine. 2020;87(2):107-9.
Related To This Subject
The Safety of Medications During Pregnancy and Lactation in Patients with Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
The majority of inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) affect females more frequently and many have peaks in their childbearing age…
The Association Between Hypermobility Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome and Other Rheumatologic Diseases
Research has shown hypermobility Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS) to be associated with some complicated rheumatologic disease. In this…
Which Biologic Therapies to Treat Active Rheumatoid Arthritis and When?
Featured journals
EMJ Rheumatology 8 [Supplement 5] 2021

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This brand new chalet, built in november 2013, is ideally located nearby the bottom of La Princesse slopes. It offers stunning views of the massif of le jaillet and the aravis mountain chain.
The chalet is traditional and has modern facilities. Furniture is made of high quality and has been studied to enjoy the views to the maximum with a large number of bay windows and terraces. It is perfect for a familiy stay nearby the slopes.


text:
The Starting Lineup
Full Station Schedule
The Erik Ainge Show
SportsTalk
Tennessee Sports Night
Brent Hubbs Hour
Saturday SportsTalk
The Lead Lap
More Seasonal Shows
All Shows On Demand
SEC Media Days Podcasts
The Starting Lineup Podcasts
Erik Ainge Show Podcasts
Sports 180 Podcasts
SportsTalk Podcasts
TN Sports Night Podcasts
Vols Interviews & More
The Gentlemen's Hour Podcast
Jimmy Hyams
Vince Ferrara
Josh Ward
Joel Silverberg
Brian Rice
All Stories Feed
SEC Football Media Days 2019
Tennessee Football '19 Schedule
Videos (Vols & Staff)
Volmanac
Rocky Top Traditions
2019 SEC Football Schedules
Knoxville Ice Bears
Tennessee Smokies
SEC Videos
Video: Sports News
CBS Sports Radio
Past Recent Contests
Local News – NewsTalk 98.7
Country Music – 107.7 WIVK
Category Archives: Predators News
Blog: Preds Staffers Serve with Soles4Souls in Colombia
After departing the airport, we arrived at our quaint home in the city center. The group was blown away at the scenic sight surrounding our accommodations after opening the double red doors that led…… MORE
Preds Official Podcast: A Lesson on RFAs and the Arbitration Process
Listen Via iTunes…… MORE
Photos: Best of Roman Josi in 2018-19
Duchene Loves Nashville, But Knows He's Here to Help Preds Win
"There's definitely no shortage of talent throughout the entire lineup," Duchene said Tuesday in Nashville. "There's definitely no bad options of guys to play with here. The talent is amazing. You…… MORE
Duchene Arrives Home to Nashville
It was one thing for the All-Star centerman to ink a seven-year, $56 million deal with the Predators, but to arrive in Tennessee and slip on a Gold jersey for the first time for a photo opportunity…… MORE
Broadcaster Blog: Remembering Greg Johnson
Of that group, Vokoun, Walker and Johnson would still be there for the team's sixth season – and first trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Johnson was the center of the team's first line, working with…… MORE
Photos: Matt Duchene Arrives in Nashville
Predators Statement on the Passing of Former Captain Greg Johnson
Predators Statement on the Passing of Former Captain Greg Johnson… MORE
Preds Official Podcast: Welcome, Matt Duchene
Carr Ecstatic to Join Preds, Ready to Prove Himself with New Opportunity
You may not have heard Carr's name before, but if he has anything to do with it, you'll get used to it in the months to come. You'll notice the contract is one-way, meaning the Predators believe he's…… MORE
Bridgestone Arena Ranks Sixth in U.S. Ticket Sales in Pollstar Report
Pollstar's Top-10 U.S. Venues (Show & Concert Ticket Sales): Serving as the home for numerous national and international events, Bridgestone Arena has the distinction of being one of the busiest…… MORE
Meetings with Poile, Laviolette Convinced Duchene Preds Were Right Fit
That's where a late-June meeting came in – at both Bridgestone Arena and around town – and Duchene's hopes were confirmed. Indeed, he wanted to be a Nashville Predator, and the potential on the ice…… MORE
Duchene Says Nashville is Perfect Spot for Him, Family
Well, in the 20-plus year history of the Predators franchise, there has perhaps never been a player better suited to call Nashville home. Duchene loves the twang of the tunes. He loves the Southern…… MORE
Preds Sign Forward Matt Duchene to Seven-Year Contract
Video: Top goals for Matt Duchene during 2018-19 season Originally drafted in the first round (third overall) of the 2009 NHL Draft by the Avalanche, Duchene's 547 career points (232g-315a) are the…… MORE
Instant Analysis: Preds Bring Matt Duchene to Music City
Prime…… MORE
Preds Sign Forward Daniel Carr to One-Year Contract
Preds Sign Forward Daniel Carr to One-Year Contract… MORE
Preds Prospects Impress as Development Camp Concludes
Walther and Tomasino each had a pair of scores to lead Team Blue to a victory to cap off the week, while Afanasyev's tally, a silky-smooth effort, showed why the Preds were thrilled to snag him in…… MORE
Preds Official Podcast: NHL Free Agency Preview
Nashville Natives Moulton, Schultheis Soaking Up Preds Development Camp
"It's been really cool," Schultheis said of the experience. "I grew up watching the Preds, and it's really cool to get behind the scenes, see how the players are treated and how the organization…… MORE
Preds Prospects Serve Nashville Community During Development Camp
Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at…… MORE
Scuderi, Bordeleau Tasked with Helping Preds Prospects Realize NHL Dreams
"[Around the time I retired from playing at age 37], I was trying to teach my son how to play, so I kind of developed a good coaching ability toward my son and some of his friends and teammates,"…… MORE
With Top-Four Defensive Role Possible, Dante Fabbro Staying Focused
Then P.K. Subban was dealt to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday morning. Preds General Manager David Poile said the move was completed in order for the Predators to have the cap space to improve…… MORE
Predators Announce 2019-20 NHL Schedule; Home Opener Oct. 3 vs. Wild
December is headlined by a Dec. 7 matchup against New Jersey in what will be former Preds defenseman P.K. Subban's first game back in Nashville following the June 22 trade that sent him to the Devils.… MORE
Preds 2019-20 Schedule: Five Must-See Games
Click here to see the schedule in a list or calendar view (may take a few minutes to populate) and click here to sync the schedule to your mobile device or computer (if you've already synced through…… MORE
Fresh Prospects, Familiar Faces Ready to Learn, Grow at Development Camp
The annual camp is a key element in the – for lack of a better term – development of the next wave of Preds, and whether you're a veteran of the summertime affair or it's your first time on the ice…… MORE
My Story: How Nashville Thrives Because of Bridgestone Arena
If you think back 25 years ago, we did not have an appropriate venue for a city our size to host concerts. Once the arena opened in 1996, it brought talent to Nashville-the lead acts and everybody…… MORE
My Story: How the Preds and Bridgestone Arena Transformed Nashville
We thought the arena certainly ought to have locker rooms, it ought to be big enough that if we ever had the chance for a major league team, we would be ready. But I never saw it as a "build it and…… MORE
Poile Makes Business Decision for Preds, Trades Subban to Devils
Poile would have preferred to keep Subban on his roster, but the game is also a business, and someone has to keep the books balanced. So, as the Nashville general manager sat down to face the media…… MORE
Preds Pleased with Selections at Draft, Add Eight Prospects to Roster
Thanks in part to a trade Saturday morning that sent P.K. Subban to New Jersey, the Preds began the day of drafting in the second round by selecting winger Egor Afanasyev with the 45th overall pick….… MORE
Predators Select Eight at 2019 NHL Draft in Vancouver
Making a first-round selection for the first time since 2017, the Predators drafted center Philip Tomasino from the OHL's Niagara IceDogs with the 24th overall pick. The 17-year-old tallied 72 points…… MORE
Predators Select Philip Tomasino with 24th Overall Pick in 2019 NHL Draft
Internationally, the Mississauga, Ont., native represented Canada at the 2019 IIHF World U-18 Championship in April, where he recorded five points (1g-4a) in six games. He also competed on Team…… MORE
Predators Add Scuderi, Bordeleau, Rook to Hockey Operations Staff
"It's an exciting step for our organization to add a forward, defense and goaltending coach on the development side," Nichol said. "Our prospects will get more coverage and more information on their…… MORE
Predators Acquire Goaltender Connor Ingram from Tampa Bay
Ingram, 22 (3/31/97), spent his 2018-19 season with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch and ECHL's Orlando Solar Bears, appearing in 35 total games. He closed out the campaign with Orlando, where he helped…… MORE
Predators to Play Six-Game 2019 Preseason Schedule
The 2019 Nashville Predators Rookie Camp is scheduled to open Thursday, Sept. 5 in Nashville. The group will take part in the NHL Prospects Showcase, which will be hosted by the Preds, from Sept….… MORE
Predators Hire Dan Lambert as Assistant Coach
He also brings NHL coaching experience to the Predators bench, having served one season as an assistant coach for the Buffalo Sabres in 2015-16. Following his time in Buffalo he spent the 2016-17…… MORE
Predators Sign Jarred Tinordi to Two-Year, Two-Way Contract
Originally drafted in the first round (22nd overall) of the 2010 NHL Draft by the Montreal Canadiens, Tinordi has appeared in 53 NHL games since making his debut on March 16, 2013, posting six points…… MORE
Bridgestone Arena Recognized by Academy of Country Music
Prior to the 2013 implementation of individual awards for large, medium and small capacity venues, Bridgestone Arena also was nominated for and won ACM Venue of the Year in 2011. With that,…… MORE
Bridgestone Arena, Metro Nashville Reveal Proposal for New 30-Year Lease
The most crucial element of the new lease is that it relieves the Metro Davidson County General Fund from all obligations of supporting Bridgestone Arena and the Predators. Under the new agreement,…… MORE
Predators Sign Mathieu Olivier to Two-Year, Entry-Level Contract
Never drafted, Olivier spent five seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League from 2013-18, tallying 130 points (59g-71a) and 390 penalty minutes in 300 career games with Moncton, Shawinigan and…… MORE
Predators Assign Niclas Westerholm to Milwaukee
Predators Assign Niclas Westerholm to Milwaukee… MORE
Silverberg: Predators win, but need to get better fast
Nashville tied its second round series against Winnipeg, but still needs to improve as the Predators hit the road.… MORE
Video: #SECMD19 review after all 14 teams speak
Who was happiest to be here? Best trio of players? Most confident? How'd UT do?
Jimmy's blog: Pruitt says UT O-line `absolutely" will be improved
aponzurick
Starting 2 true freshmen could be blessing and curse
Jimmy's blog: Three SEC legends highlight history of SEC football
Spurrier, Manning, Walker tell stories of SEC days
Jimmy's blog: TSSAA needs to change all-star rule
Farragut pitcher falls victim to illogical rule
Why Ty Chandler Will Be Important for Tennessee in 2019
Why Chandler is so important for the Vols this fall
Ultimate Tailgate Camper
Listen to WNML for your chance to win the Ultimate Tailgate Camper brought to you by Buddy Gregg RV, Hound Dogs, & Graphic Creations!
MoonPie 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing
Join us at the MoonPie General Store in Pigeon Forge on Saturday, July 20th to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing?
7th Annual Big Kahuna Wings Festival
Tickets for the 7th Annual Big Kahuna Wing Festival on sale now!
Tom Hatcher Charity Golf Tournament
The 6th Annual Tom Hatcher Charity Golf Tournament, benefiting Alzheimer's Tennessee, takes place July 19th. 2019 at Lambert Acres Golf Course in Maryville, Tennessee!
Knoxville Youth Athletics Summer Track and Field Program
Knoxville Youth Athletics Summer Track and Field Program Four weeks of Fun, Fitness, and Finish Lines — open to girls and boys ages 5-18 interested in track and field, running, and athletics. The Youth Athletics Program exposes kids to the fundamentals of track and field with an emphasis on fun and fitness.
Sports Radio WNML Poll Question
Which drafted Vol will have the most success in the NBA?
FCC Public File (WNML-FM)
FCC Public File (WNML-AM)


text:
cropped image upload extension for Yii2
======================

[![Latest Stable Version](https://poser.pugx.org/karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload/v/stable.svg)](https://packagist.org/packages/karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload) [![Total Downloads](https://poser.pugx.org/karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload/downloads.svg)](https://packagist.org/packages/karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload) [![Latest Unstable Version](https://poser.pugx.org/karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload/v/unstable.svg)](https://packagist.org/packages/karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload) [![License](https://poser.pugx.org/karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload/license.svg)](https://packagist.org/packages/karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload)

This extension automatically uploads image and make crop.

Installation
------------

The preferred way to install this extension is through [composer](http://getcomposer.org/download/).

Either run

```
php composer.phar require --prefer-dist karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload "*"
```

or add

```json
"karpoff/yii2-crop-image-upload": "*"
```

to the `require` section of your `composer.json` file.

Usage
-----

### Upload image and create crop

Attach the behavior in your model:

```php
use karpoff\icrop\CropImageUploadBehavior;

class Document extends ActiveRecord
{
    /**
     * @inheritdoc
     */
    public function rules()
    {
        return [
            ['photo', 'file', 'extensions' => 'jpeg, gif, png', 'on' => ['insert', 'update']],
        ];
    }

    /**
     * @inheritdoc
     */
    function behaviors()
    {
        return [
            [
                'class' => CropImageUploadBehavior::className(),
                'attribute' => 'photo',
                'scenarios' => ['insert', 'update'],
                'path' => '@webroot/upload/docs',
                'url' => '@web/upload/docs',
				'ratio' => 1,
				'crop_field' => 'photo_crop',
				'cropped_field' => 'photo_cropped',
            ],
        ];
    }
}
```

Example view file:

```php
<?php use karpoff\icrop\CropImageUpload; ?>

<?php $form = ActiveForm::begin(['options' => ['enctype' => 'multipart/form-data']]); ?>
    <?= $form->field($model, 'photo')->widget(CropImageUpload::className()) ?>
    <div class="form-group">
        <?= Html::submitButton('Submit', ['class' => 'btn btn-primary']) ?>
    </div>
<?php ActiveForm::end(); ?>
```

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Seattle Storm to face Minnesota Lynx in first round of WNBA playoffs
Sami Whitcomb #33 of the Seattle Storm takes the ball down the court as Alexis Jones #1 of the Los Angeles Sparks follows during a game at Staples Center on August 04, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
By: KIRO 7 News Staff and The Associated Press
The defending champions Seattle Storm (18-16) are hosting the Minnesota Lynx (18-16) in the first round of the WNBA playoffs on Wednesday night in Everett.
The first round of the playoffs is a single elimination match.
Seattle has played this season without reigning MVP Breanna Stewart, who has been out with a ruptured Achilles' tendon. The Storm have also been missing Sue Bird for the entire year after she had knee surgery in May.
Seattle has found other players to step up in the absence of the two stars. Natasha Howard has had an incredible season, playing well at both ends of the court.
The team was also missing its coach, Dan Hughes, at the start of the season as he battled cancer.
Tip-off is at 7 p.m. at the Angel of the Winds Arena.
Driver changing tire along I-405 killed in hit-and-run
Deputies seize 25,000 marijuana plants in Eastern Washington
King County detectives investigate homicide after man's body found in river
Green Day, Weezer, Fall Out Boy playing stadium show in Seattle


If, everyday tasks such as opening files or a program seem to take noticeably longer time for your PC to process, leaving you staring at your idle screen waiting to act Gepubliceerd op 11 nov. 2014Download link - http://errortools.com/download/totals...Further Information and Manual Repair - http://errortools.com/windows/quick-g...How to Fix Error IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUALIRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error is a type of blue screen of death (BSoD) error. Any advice? How To Fix Driver Power State Failure – 0x0000009f?
Copy to editor or Cancel Home Features Download Support▼ FAQ Help Help for Driver Easy 5.0 Knowledge Base Buy Now Blog Contact Us Company▼ About Us Press Kits Affiliate Magazine Covermount How To Fix "BAD POOL CALLER" - 0x000000C2 BSOD? Resolving an antivirus software problem: Disable the program and confirm that this resolves the error. They're actually not that scary and fixing them often only requires you to follow a few simple steps.
Select Uninstall.4. Windows will prompt you to confirm the uninstallation. SoftwareBSOD Blue Screen How To Fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL - 0x0000000A ? the minidump shows memory corruption in afd.sys. On Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.
By Madhur Tj - February 5, 2015 40775 0 Share on Facebook Tweet on Twitter tweet IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL – Fixing Solutions IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, Stop: 0x0000000A, stop 0A or 0x0000000A whatever you call it's a Doing so fixes bugs and alleviates problems caused by obsolete and buggy driver software. beside USB mouse and keyboard. If you've recently installed some new software in your computer then, just uninstall it.
Boa sorte! Laden... Access these options and disable the memory caching feature.Method 5 As mentioned above this error message can also result due to the intrusion of malicious software like malware, viruses and spyware.To people often don't look at threads that are marked as solved.
The System Restore Window will open. 3. Related Posts How To Fix Windows 8.1 driver_irql_not_less_or_equal Error → How To Fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL in Windows 8.1 (Part 2) → How To Fix IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL in Windows 8.1 (Part 1) → Recommended This is the short version of what is happening when you see a irql_not_less_or_equal error. Possibly this problem is caused by another driver that cannot be identified at this time.
The simple solution what you can try is to remove all external USB devices connected to your desktop's or laptop's and restart your PC and after that try to use your computer as The other option is to try updating your drivers once you are in safe mode. http://www.reviversoft.com/ Mark Beare What AntiVirus software are you using? I do not use the latest GPU driver because it BSoD's even more with different error codes.
Following steps are to uninstall the driver.1. In order for this to work, you would need to have created a restore point prior to the install of the software. To resolve this error then all you have to do is replace the piece of faulty hardware.Nonetheless if no faulty hardware is detected, this means the error is related to memory. We'll try to cover all basis and troubleshoot each cause individually, so you can apply the fix which best suits your needs.
A Run dialog will appear.2. Type devmgmt.msc in the run box and click OK button. You can change this preference below. So, you'll need to find it by yourself who is making this problem. Thanks.
There are numbers of other error code like Stop: D1 which can show you which drivers file is creating the problem but in this stop: 0A your windows doesn't know about Step 1: Start your computer in Safe Mode Windows 8.1 offers users the possibility to start their computer in the so-called "Safe Boot" configuration, which is the old Safe Mode we Gather Information Examine the name of the driver if that was listed on the blue screen. Select the time that the faulty driver was installed. Click on Next.
Reply to art-77 m 0 l alexzafish 8 September 2016 21:14:31 johnbl said:note: you could also turn off the nvidia streaming software until you get a updated ethernet driver installed. As we've gotten used to by now, there are many causes and just as many solutions for these kinds of Windows errors. Step 3 : Click "Repair All" to fix all issues. Depending on the error message you get, the steps you need to take are different.
Administrators can then view the contents of the most recent minidump file to find the problematic application or device driver, and can uninstall the program from the computer.


Fruits and vegetables belonging to the blue and purple family deliver more than just color to your plate; they are recognized as a powerful source of antioxidants. Antioxidants are responsible for counteracting harmful compounds known as free radicals in the body. The pigments that color these foods also play a crucial role in helping to protect your body's systems.
Phytochemicals such as resveratrol, lutein, vitamin C, fiber, anthocyanins, ellagic acid and quercetin are some of the vital elements that make blue and purple fruits and vegetables so important to a healthy, balanced diet. These fruits and veggies carry other health benefits including lowering the risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's and certain cancer risks, supporting healthy again, eye health and immune response as well as aiding in the absorption of calcium and other minerals.
The eggplant, one of the most popular purple vegetables, has been referred to as brain food due to the presence of nasunin. Nasunin is a phytonutrient and antioxidant found in the skin of eggplant that helps protect brain cell membranes from free radicals and limits new blood cell growth, reducing the risk of cancer. The B vitamins found in eggplants support the nervous system and the activity between the body's nerves and muscles. Incorporating eggplant into your diet is extremely beneficial - try substituting the meat in your lasagna with eggplant; you'll be amazed at how good is tastes with the added super health boost!


Gucci fuchsia wool and silk blend blazer. Black silk lapels and trims, lightly padded shoulders, front flap pockets, button-embellished cuffs at bracelet sleeves, back vent, internal pockets, fully lined. Button fastenings through front. 51% wool, 49% silk; trim: 100% silk; lining: 71% acetate, 29% silk. Dry clean. Length shoulder to hem: 28 inches/ 71cm. Midweight. Semi-fitted style. This style runs true to size. Model is 5'10"/ 177cm and wears a size UK8/ IT40.


text:
Home Health A Death From Cancer, and a Search for Answers
A Death From Cancer, and a Search for Answers
Frederick native calls attention to Fort Detrick contamination
By Matthew Hay Brown and Timothy B. Wheeler, The Baltimore Sun
October 08, 2011|FREDERICK — — Randy White had just buried a daughter, dead at 30 with a brain tumor. Now his other daughter had been diagnosed with growths in her abdomen.
When doctors told White in 2009 that their conditions were likely caused by something in their environment, the Frederick native thought of Fort Detrick. His children had grown up near the Army base.
Detrick was home to the nation's biological weapons program from the 1940s through the 1960s. It remains a key center for medical research.
"Anybody that lives in Frederick knows all the rumors," White says. "It's kind of like, 'Fort Detrick, they created anthrax, we knew that, smallpox …' It just clicked for me."
For decades, Frederick residents had speculated about the possible effects of the experiments at the base on the health of the surrounding community. But it took a grieving father with scientists, lawyers and money — White says he has spent more than $1 million so far — to drag questions about contamination and cancer out into the open.
White hired epidemiologists and toxicologists to monitor the air, soil and water around Detrick. He asked neighbors about their health histories and paid for lab tests to measure the toxins in their blood. He shared his findings with government officials.
The county and state health departments are now studying the cancer rate within a two-mile radius of the base. The Army has released details of Agent Orange testing. And local, state and federal officials are meeting regularly with the community to discuss their progress.
"Without him standing there shaking his hands and dancing around, it would not have gotten this much attention," says Jennifer Peppe Hahn, a survivor of Hodgkin's lymphoma, growths on her pancreas and thyroid, and breast cancer.
"When Randy came forward about his daughter's death," she says, "somebody had enough money and enough passion at that point that nobody could ignore it."
White, a former evangelical pastor and a businessman who first contacted officials last year, is demanding information about activities at Fort Detrick past and present, an apology to the people he believes were sickened, and a congressional hearing "so this never, ever happens again in the United States of America."
He also has filed a mass tort lawsuit. He has been joined by more than 100 fellow plaintiffs.
"I didn't want to fight, but the fight kind of came to me," says White, 53. "I had lost my daughter, and then my other daughter was so sick. Our whole motive behind this thing was just to bring resolve and full disclosure."
The Army says it has no indication that Fort Detrick is currently contaminating its surroundings, and it is responding to the community's concerns.
State health officials, who are studying the incidence of cancer in the area during the last two decades, say they have found no evidence of a cluster.
But White says the state's cancer registry is incomplete and out of date. He says his own scientists have found continuing contamination.
"Everything I say is backed up by scientific fact," he says. "It's not something we just dream up. … We just want the truth."
Fort Detrick is a 1,200-acre campus in northern Frederick that today is home to a variety of military and civilian organizations involved in medical research and development, including a National Cancer Institute facility. For years, it was known primarily for its work on biological warfare agents, including anthrax and smallpox.
Scientists developed and tested biological agents there from World War II until 1969, when President Richard Nixon banned research into offensive biological warfare. Since then, researchers have focused on defending against biological attack.
They used Area B, a 399-acre tract on the western side of the base, as a proving ground to test methods of delivering biological agents. The area also was used as a dump for castoff laboratory equipment and materials.
Anthrax was buried in Area B, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, though the Army says it wasn't the type that can make people sick. Army records also indicate the spraying and disposal of a small quantity of herbicides or weed-killers, including the active ingredients of Agent Orange, the defoliant that was sprayed extensively by the military in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.
But the most widespread chemical threats found around Fort Detrick have been more commonplace: trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE), both solvents used for degreasing metal and in dry cleaning. Both chemical are known carcinogens.
The chemicals showed up in groundwater on the base, and in 1992 state officials found unsafe levels of TCE in the drinking water of four homes just outside Area B. The Army connected three of the homes to public water; the fourth house was torn down, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment.
Previous articleThe Lie Industry
Next articleAtlantic Quakes Could Trigger Mega-Tsunami
Why your healthcare practice needs great SEO
5 great tips for unwinding your brain
Where Do You Start Looking for Pot Seeds?


The office of U.S. Representative Ed Royce (R-Fullerton) will host an informational Military Academy Night session this month for young men and women from California's 39th Congressional District interested in attending one of our nation's military academies.
Each year, Rep. Royce has the privilege of nominating local high school students of the highest caliber for admission to the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, United States Air Force Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, and United States Merchant Marine Academy. The appointment process is rigorous, highly selective, and based on a candidate's academic achievement, athletic ability, extracurricular activities, and community service.
This event is free to attend and open to the public. No RSVP is required.


text:
Woody & Wilcox
"Alexa, Play Alt 101.7"
"Hey Google, Play Alt 101.7"
Deontay Wilder Confirms Title Defense Against Luis Ortiz on November 4
Ben George Published: September 13, 2017
News broke this week that WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder would return to the ring in November to defend his title once again.
Yahoo! Sports and The Tuscaloosa News reported that Wilder would face an undefeated opponent for his second fight of 2017. On Wednesday, the boxer confirmed the news during an appearance on The Steve Shannon Morning Show on 95.3 the Bear.
"Me and Luis Ortiz is going to happen," Wilder told host Steve Shannon.
"It's been out there, it's getting out there. We're about to really drop the bomb and announce it and stuff. But, you know, that's basically what it is. November 4th, we're going to be at the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn fighting Luis Ortiz, 'King Kong.' We're looking forward to it.
"He's labeled the most feared, most avoided heavyweight in the division. I beg to differ. That's why I pulled this card."
Ortiz, 38, hasn't lost in 29 professional fights and 23 of his victories have come by way of knockout. He's earned the nickname 'The Real King Kong' for his power as a southpaw.
"Everybody gets so excited about the Cuban style and his aggressive style in the ring, which you've got to give him credit for. But there's only one 'one hitter quitter' and that's what we used to call it in the division and that's me."
This will be Wilder's first bout since defeating Gerald Washington in Birmingham in February, but he's already looking ahead to a potential opportunity to unify the heavyweight belts.
"Once we do that, then next year we're going to unify the division with the Joshua guy."
You can hear the entire interview from The Steve Shannon Morning Show in the video above.
Filed Under: Deontay Wilder
More From Alt 101.7
Wilder-Helenius Underwhelms On PPV
Deontay Wilder Returning to the Ring this Fall
The Bronze Bomber Appears Ready For Return to Ring in October
Deontay Wilder's Most Devastating Knockouts
Deontay Wilder Named Grand Marshal For Juneteenth Parade
Tuscaloosa Unveils Statue of Champion Boxer Deontay Wilder
Tyson Fury Too Much for Deontay Wilder In Championship Rematch
Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder Rescheduled For October 9
Sources: Tyson Fury – Deontay Wilder 3 Likely Postponed
2023 Alt 101.7, Townsquare Media, Inc. All rights reserved.


Flights from almost all the major cities of India land at the Raipur airport, from where you can take a taxi which will reach kanha in around 4 1/2 to 5 hrs.
The nearest railway junction from kanha is Gondia from where it takes around 3 hrs drive till the resort.
We are located in the tribal heartland of Madhya Pradesh. Central India journey winds through charming rural villages, and spectacular forest as one approaches KANHA TIGER RESERVE.
The quickest entrance is to fly to Nagpur or Raipur, followed by 4-5 hrs drive. Both these cities are connected to most major towns, though Nagpur can be easier option with more regular flights.
The closest railway station is Gondia junction followed by 3 hrs drive. Other nearby railway connections are Jabalpur-5 hrs, Bilaspur- 6 hrs. All stations are well connected with major cities.
Car journey times between local popular destination and our next resort are Bandhavgarh tiger reserve – 6-7 hrs, and kawardha palace 2 ½ hrs.
Directions: Please read carefully before you begin the Journey. (A printout will be handy) From Raipur City , our resort is approximately 192 Kms.
Villages and Towns enroute: Raipur –Simga – Kawardha –Chilpi –Soupkhar –Gadhi – Mukki gate –Bamhni village – MUKKI.
Road Conditions: The road is excellent from Raipur all the way to the resort, but for the last 15 kilometers. The last 15 Kms are bad, with potholes, but motorable. (Please ensure that your spare wheel is in good condition and so are your tools to change a tyre in case of a flat).
Ideal time to leave: Try and leave Raipur before 6.00 AM in the morning so that you can beat the city traffic.
Travel Time: Approximately between 4 & 5 hours including a 30 minute stop for breakfast enroute.
BSNL network connections will be within range just before reaching at Mukki. Whereas the reliance network works at the resort.
Nature walks: Caps, sport shoes and boots, rucksacks/sling packs, binoculars, water flasks.
Monsoon (June – Aug): Warm clothing, windcheaters, raincoats, jackets.
Winter (Nov – Jan): Warm clothing, windcheaters, jackets.
Summer (Feb – May): Caps, cool comfortable fabrics.
Note: Every room will offer basic toiletries, a candle, a torch and mosquito repellent.
While Mukki offers basic first-aid, you are requested to carry any special medication you may require, as the nearest pharmacy is 12 km away.


The popular use of geographical information system (GIS) technology in landslide assessment ensures good, accurate and fast results with less cost and manages mass movements and identifies safe areas for the development of new settlements. In the literature, different methods have been applied in landslide susceptibility assessment using various models. In these studies, the methods are either expert knowledge-based or data-driven approaches. These two approaches produce different outcomes based on their specific characteristics. Thus, the simultaneous use of a set of methods using fusion techniques at the decision-level improves the results. This study aims to investigate and identify a landslide zonation model by combining different methods in GIS and integrate the results (incorporated in the decision level) to achieve optimum accuracy. In this study, landslide hazard mapping was performed using knowledge-based models such as simple additive weighting (SAW) and fuzzy gamma operator and data-driven models namely radial basis function link network (RBFLN) and probabilistic neural network (PNN). Evaluation results indicate that data-driven methods have better performance than knowledge-based methods based on expert opinion. The SAW method also has a better result than other knowledge-based methods, such as fuzzy gamma. The assessment results of the randomly selected landslide control points indicate that PNN, SAW, RBFLN and fuzzy gamma have accuracies of 82.3, 69.62, 65.39 and 61.26% in landslide zoning, respectively. Meanwhile, weighted mean, maximum, median and minimum were used to incorporate the results in decision-level fusion; results show improved accuracies of 70.53, 83.5, 67.39 and 60.27% for each criterion, respectively.
The manuscript is the final outcome of a close teamwork: individual contributions are not distinguishable. All the authors read and approved the manuscript.


Riverdale fans came so close to getting an answer to the mystery that has been plaguing us all season, but at the last second, the show revealed that there is still another Black Hood on the loose whose identity we still don't know. Heading into the big season finale, a lot of fans are resurrecting the popular fan theory that Tall Boy is the Black Hood, which had fallen to the wayside once it started to become very clear that [SPOILER ALERT] Hal Cooper was the man behind the mask. Is it possible that this new Black Hood could be the formidable Southside Serpent after all? Let's break it all down.
Tall Boy was actually one of the very first main suspects as to who the Black Hood might be right after the Season 1 finale aired. Back at the very start of Season 2, all that we had to go on was the physical attributes of the Black Hood: he seemed to be a stocky, middle-aged man with piercing green eyes. That narrowed down the suspects to only a handful of characters, including Hal Cooper, Sheriff Keller, and of course, Tall Boy.
While the Tall Boy theory persisted for some time, it started to fall apart once it was revealed that the Black Hood had a special connection to Betty. How would Tall Boy know that Betty grew up reading a specific Nancy Drew book, and why would he be going on about how she and him were exactly the same? It started to become very obvious that Hal Cooper was the Black Hood, and the penultimate episode of Season 2 revealed that Hal was indeed the Black Hood all along, having been brainwashed from a young age to kill anyone he deemed a sinner.
But, after we thought we finally put that Black Hood mystery to rest, Hal dropped the bombshell that he actually was not the Black Hood who shot up Fred Andrews and Hermione Lodge's mayoral debate at the town hall, and as Hal is admitting all this at the Cooper house, we see a second Black Hood attempt to shoot Fred at the Andrews house. With this revelation that another Black Hood is out there, the Tall Boy theory came back into full swing.
Physicality. We've already been over this one, but it's worth repeating that Tall Boy is one of the only known characters matching the Black Hood's physical description. The Black Hood is also shown wearing a leather jacket on top of a flannel shirt very often, which is Tall Boy's signature outfit.
A Disgruntled Serpent. Tall Boy has not exactly been a team player throughout Season 2. He was the main voice of opposition against Jughead when he first joined the Southside Serpents, and then it was revealed that he worked for Hiram to chop the head off of the town's General Pickens statue in order to stir up animosity between the Serpents and the North Side.
The Hiram Connection. Aside from the Black Hood, Hiram Lodge has been the shady big bad of the whole season. Tall Boy was angry enough to work for Hiram before, so maybe he is doing it again.
The Target. The new Black Hood seems intent on killing Fred Andrews. The only two attacks we know that he has been behind are at Fred's mayoral debate and then at Fred's house. We know that Hiram definitely wants Fred out of the picture so that his wife can become mayor, and that he is prone to hiring hitmen to do the dirty work for him. It could all add up to Hiram hiring Tall Boy for another job.
Hopefully, we will learn the truth about the second Black Hood when the Riverdale Season 2 finale airs on the CW on Wednesday, May 16.


We are delighted to announce that we have partnered with celebrated milliner Edwina Ibbotson to launch a bespoke style guide inspired by the summer social season. With a shared passion for bespoke artistry, we have created a series of hand painted jewellery illustrations in response to her own couture hats that are designed to be worn at some of the season's most distinguished events.
The most prestigious race meeting in the sporting calendar with a strict dress code, Royal Ascot is an event synonymous with supreme elegance and style.
Edwina's whimsical yet elegant floral top hat creates the perfect balance of formality and frivolity – ideally suited to Ascot. Trimmed with hand made silk roses, delicately twisted and curved onto ostrich quills, we paired this piece with a unique open necklace concept featuring stunning multi-cut yellow and pink sapphires with diamonds. The structural asymmetric neckpiece has a subtle vine-inspired design to complement the floral theme of the top hat.
One of the most distinguished black tie occasions of the summer, a day at Glyndebourne offers ladies a chance to revel in glamour and opulence.
Emanating vintage glamour, Edwina has designed a silk satin turban fashioned into a sculptural crest complete with silk bow and tails at the back. The pale pink hue softens the grandiose shape of the piece and is perfectly complemented by our dramatic art deco inspired drop earrings. The concept features briolette cut morganite and diamonds set in white and rose gold, the mix of metals and peachy tones of the gemstones emphasise the pinks of the magnificent headpiece.
Edwina's simple and chic pillbox is a timeless and classic headpiece ideal for any wedding day celebration. Worn towards the back of the head it is designed with a chequered two-tone tip, slick side band and rouleau pleated trim in two shades of blue. We paired this understated but stylish hat with a vintage-inspired pearl necklace design, adorned with alluring aquamarines to complement the tones of the pillbox and diamonds in decorative floral settings to create a soft and feminine finish.
The bespoke headpieces by Edwina Ibbotson and the accompanying bespoke jewellery designs are available for commission.
For more information on Edwina Ibbotson please visit www.edwinaibbotson.co.uk.


text:
AFLAC Officer And Wife Make Gift To Spur Asia Studies at CSU
Columbus, Ga. - Building on the successful sister-city program between Columbus and Kiryu, Japan, Columbus State University will expand its Asian studies efforts with a $100,000 gift from a senior AFLAC executive and his wife.
The donation comes from Minoru Nakai, who has been with AFLAC since 1977, and his wife Masako Nakai, who essentially started the Columbus-Kiryu program in 1987 by organizing the first group of Columbus students to visit Kiryu city for two-week home stays. The couple made the gift to the CSU Capital Campaign, An Investment in People, this month to establish an endowed fund for Asian Studies at CSU.
For more than 10 years CSU has offered Japanese language courses, hosted the English Language Institute for students from Kiryu and organized citizen groups traveling to Kiryu. After two years of research and planning, Columbus State also now offers an interdisciplinary Asian Studies Minor. These activities are part of the university's commitment to providing international exposure and education to its students and its community. More specifically, the Asian efforts are based on the strength of community ties with Asia and the rich cultural heritage and vital economic and political role of Asian countries.
The Minoru and Masako Nakai Fund for Asian Studies will support the English Language Institute; annual scholarships for students seeking to study abroad in Asia (Columbus State University recently signed a student exchange agreement with Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka); and help expand Asian studies at CSU by possibly bringing Asian scholars and lecturers to Columbus and sponsoring Asian cultural events, for example.
'Our economy, our technology and our culture today are no longer confined by borders and we believe there is a real need to provide all our students with some exposure to the international community,' said Academic Affairs Vice President Martha Saunders. 'The Minoru and Masako Nakai Fund for Asian Studies will certainly aid in that mission and bring about a better connection with a vitally important part of the world.'
Minoru Nakai is senior advisor of AFLAC International, Inc, and senior advisor and director of AFLAC Insurance Services Co., Ltd., AFLAC Payment Services Co., Ltd., and aflac.direct.com. Masako 'Mako' Nakai has always been active in her community. In 1999, the Japan-America Society of Georgia presented her with the Mike Mansfield Award, presented annually to an outstanding Georgian and Japanese who has continuously worked to promote better understanding between the peoples of Japan and the United States. Established in 1985, the award is named in honor of former U.S. senator and ambassador to Japan, Mike Mansfield. In Columbus,she was on the Schwob School of Music steering committee and involved with so many local efforts, the city of Columbus presented her with a Resolution of Appreciation for her many contributions.
'We have seen first hand the impact that CSU has on this community and its students,' said Minoru/Mako Nakai. 'We are delighted to be able to make this gift to bring about a stronger connection between two communities -with love.'
CSU's 'Investment in People' capital campaign seeks to raise $80 million to establish a learning environment more advanced than at any institution of similar size. CSU has logged more than $70 million - $60 million in gifts and pledges that will be received over the next five years and $10 million in deferred gifts, such as wills.
Contact: Rex Whiddon, (706) 568-5185; E-mail: whiddon_rex@ColumbusState.edu


text:
Main Feed Posts
Contributor Feed
Post of the Week
Member Feed
Recommended Feed
The Ricochet Podcast
The Superfeed
AEI Banter Podcast
Acton Line
Acton Unwind
The American Idea
Andrew Klavan Show
The Ayaan Hirsi Ali Podcast
Bespoke Parenting Hour
Bill Bennett Show
The Byron York Show
COSM Technology Summit
Covering Trump
China Uncovered
Close Consideration
Commentary Magazine Podcast
Cryptonite with Rich Goldberg
The Dave Carter Show
Daily Signal Podcast
The Delingpod
Dissed
Erick Erickson Show
Federalist Radio Hour
The Federalist Society's Teleforum
GLoP Culture
The Glenn Show
Gray Matters
Half Percent Podcast
Heritage Explains
HubWonk
In the Tank
James Lileks' The Ramble
Jobmakers
King of Stuff
The Last Optimist
The Legendarium Podcast
The Libertarian
Madison's Notes
Martini Shot
Matters of Policy and Politics
Mock and Daisy
Music for a While
The Pacific Century
Parsing Immigration Policy
Political Economy with James Pethokoukis
Post Corona
Problematic Women
Q & A, Hosted by Jay Nordlinger
The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour
The Ralston College Podcast
Reagan Foundation
Reaganism
Report Card with Nat Malkus
Reasonable Disagreements
Right Idea Podcast
Students Over Systems
SCOTUS 101
Sara Carter Podcast
She Thinks
Take Back Our Schools
Three Martini Lunch
What the Hell Is Going On
What's Bugging Me
Young Americans
Join Ricochet Login
Dismiss this notice Χ
Conservative Conversation + Podcasts
Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Join Ricochet for Free Listen to Our Free Podcasts
Fearless at the Fed
Troy Senik
Regardless of what you think of Austrian economics (your author is sympathetic, if not a full-fledged convert), you have to give credit for chutzpah to Robert Wenzel, editor and publisher of the site Economic Policy Journal and a sharp critic of the Federal Reserve. Last week, Wenzel, at the bank's invitation, delivered a speech at the New York Fed … where he savaged the central bank's policies and called for the institution to be abolished.
That may be wise. It may be foolish. But this is undoubtedly one of the most audacious codas ever delivered in a policy speech:
The noose is tightening on your organization. Vast amounts of money printing are now required to keep your manipulated economy afloat. It will ultimately result in huge price inflation, or, if you stop printing, another massive economic crash will occur. There is no other way out.
Again, thank you for inviting me. You have prepared food, so I will not be rude — I will stay and eat.
Let's have one good meal here. Let's make it a feast. Then I ask you, I plead with you, I beg you all, walk out of here with me, never to come back. It's the moral and ethical thing to do. Nothing good goes on in this place. Let's lock the doors and leave the building to the spiders, moths, and four-legged rats.
Like this post? Want to comment? Join Ricochet's community of conservatives and be part of the conversation. Join Ricochet for Free.
Become a member to join the conversation. Or sign in if you're already a member.
@Guruforhire
9:43 AM EDT ⋅ May 1, 2012
We need a floating currency, there is no going back. Going back would be like telling doctors to not wash their hands and use whiskey and bite sticks.
All that said we need sound monetary policy, and we cant keep monetizing our reckless government.
@JonathanHorn
Troy, I just wish the transcript included a few brackets with the audience's reaction [applause/laughter/stunned silence]. It must have been an interesting lunch.
@CaptAubrey
You've gotta love an economist who uses simple declaritive statements like that. I'm very sympathetic to Austrian economics although I really became interested in the subject when I read Milton Friedman in '81 but I'm also sympathetic to the Fed for what they did in the crisis…not since then but I think they saved us from a worse fate at that moment. I have enough respect for the hawks, Fisher, Lacker et al. that I don't believe they'd be as sanguine if the situation were that dire. I feel sure we'll have inflation but I think it will slow and insidious.
@iWe
I agree with Guru. But then again I think liquidity is most important, and that means that some inflation is a good thing.
@GreatGhostofGodel
Guruforhire: We need a floating currency, there is no going back. Going back would be like telling doctors to not wash their hands and use whiskey and bite sticks.
Um, no. Going back would be like telling doctors to wash their hands and quit using whiskey and biting sticks.
Troy Senik, Ed.: Regardless of what you think of Austrian economics (your author is sympathetic, if not a full-fledged convert)…
Let me help you with that.
Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles
An Austrian Perspective on the History of Economic Thought
The Failure of the New Economics
Quite honestly, I fail to see how any thoughtful person can be anything but an Austrian.
10:09 AM EDT ⋅ May 1, 2012
iWc: I agree with Guru. But then again I think liquidity is most important, and that means that some inflation is a good thing.
You guys are kidding, right? Read this, then please explain to me how the Fed dumping $4T (that's T, as in trillion) into the economy over the last 3.5 years is not out-and-out currency debasement (prima facie illegal, according to the Constitution), let alone is not "adequate liquidity," when in fact the issue is not only not a "liquidity crisis" in the first place, but in fact is a credit crisis due to excess debt, keeping in mind that our currency is nothing but debt? You're insisting that the best way to fight a fire is to pour gasoline on it.
Then, when you're done with that, perhaps you can explain why it's not working.
Paul Snively
You guys are kidding, right? Read this, then please explain to me how the Fed dumping $4T (that'sT, as in trillion) into the economy over the last 3.5 years is not out-and-out currency debasement (prima facie illegal, according to the Constitution), let alone is not "adequate liquidity," when in fact the issue is not only not a "liquidity crisis" in the first place, but in fact is acredit crisis due toexcess debt, keeping in mind that our currency is nothingbut debt? You're insisting that the best way to fight a fire is to pour gasoline on it.
Young girls cut their wrists all the time, but nobody except a lunatic will tell you that the development of knives was wildly inappropriate.
A floating currency is something wherein there are wise policies and unwise policies. I can recognize the need for a floating currency, without saying current policy is wise.
Guruforhire Young girls cut their wrists all the time, but nobody except a lunatic will tell you that the development of knives was wildly inappropriate.
I'll grant you the nice Keynesian turn of phrase, but I'm still waiting for an answer to my question.
I'll grant you the nice Keynesian turn of phrase, but I'm still waiting for an answer to my question. · 1 minute ago
I stipulated that current policy was unwise in my first post. Current policy has not a single thing to do with the necessity of a floating currency. Or the failure of commodity currencies in general before their fetishisation.
@DocJay
The biggest scam in history and only catastrophe will undo it.
@FeliciaB
Troy Senik, Ed.: Let's lock the doors and leave the building to the spiders, moths, and four-legged rats.
· 45 minutes ago
As opposed to the two-legged kind.
@GeorgeSavage
FeliciaB
As opposed to the two-legged kind. · 9 minutes ago
Felicia,you beat me to noting the most glaring insult of all: "leave the building to the . . . four-legged rats." Ouch.
Guruforhire I stipulated that current policy was unwise in my first post.
OK. What would you propose instead?
Current policy has not a single thing to do with the necessity of a floating currency.
I'm sure I'll bump up against a CoC limitation here, but: you cannot possibly be serious. The whole argument for a fiat currency is precisely its "elasticity," i.e. the ability of the central bank to inflate it at will. Current policy is all about "injecting liquidity," "quantitative easing," or whatever the Doublespeak-du-jour to avoid saying "inflation" is. At least Paul Krugman has the cojones to actually say "inflation!" No fiat currency, no ability to inflate at will. No ability to inflate at will, no current policy.
Or the failure of commodity currencies in general before their fetishisation.
This is indeed the excuse the central bankers make, and have always made, to justify making things worse while getting rich themselves. Paper Money Collapse is one useful antidote to this pernicious, virulent meme. "Money, Bank Credit, and Economic Cycles," linked above, goes into considerably more detail.
The idea that the money supply should not reflect the monetary needs of the economy is patently absurd.
Again you are making the dubious statement that the potentiality of unwise policy makes all policy illegitimate.
I dont think the fed should have been playing political games trying to monetize the fiscal irresponsibility of the government, primarily to keep the interest rates low on government debt on the open market.
There are many good and sound criticisms of current policy, but focusing on arguing that the self-evident baby in the bathwater doesnt exist or should have been aborted anyway, does not advance the arguement for getting rid of the bathwater.
@FricosisGuy
The Fed's approach is time-tested and traditional. In this case, their diagnosis was/is too much black bile; they therefore flooded the economy with money as a purgative. I'm confident Dr. Bernanke will apply the cups and leeches in time to balance the Choler!
Guruforhire: The idea that the money supply should not reflect the monetary needs of the economy is patently absurd.
I'm still waiting for an actual argument, as opposed to assertion.
I'm saying that this unwise policy inevitably follows from the unwise policies of having a fiat currency, a central bank, and fractional-reserve banking. I've provided several links to extended arguments supporting this assertion. I would be delighted if you were to respond to them.
On the basis of what economic theory would you have expected them to do anything else, and what would that something else have been?
…focusing on arguing that the self-evident baby in the bathwater…
Assumes facts not in evidence. In particular, "self-evident" is a phrase with no place in economics. Arguments, please.
Hi Guru… Your statement below gets to a core argument of the Austrian critique, the knowledge problem. Let's grant that one should vary the money supply…let's even grant that the Fed doesn't want to manipulate it for political purposes.
How does one know "the monetary needs of the economy" to allow for money supply planning? Per the argument I linked to — yes, I know it's Wikipedia — Austrians would say that one can't.
@DanHanson
Even Hayek struggled with monetary policy. Friedman was a monetarist. The problem for Austrians is that the money supply can and does shrink and grow with the velocity of money, and therefore is at risk of accelerating downturns. Friedman gave a very strong argument that the depression was made worse because of the overly tight monetary policy of the fed back in the day.
On the other hand, Monetarists have a problem in that it is very difficult to figure out how to manage the money supply while providing stability. The best idea is to set up hard rules that tie the supply of money to certain indicators, but it's hard to know what those should be and what their values are.
Monetarists have a further problem that once you put the kind of power the fed represents into the hands of individuals, it's very hard for them to resist the temptation to tinker. Even Alan Greenspan, who was a fairly hardcore free-marketer before joining the Fed, came to believe that he was smart enough to use monetary policy to manipulate the economy rather than to just maintain stability.
This isn't a simple problem.
@Natalie
Casey Taylor
Troy Senik, Ed.: …you have to give credit for chutzpah to Robert Wenzel, editor and publisher of the site Economic Policy Journal and a sharp critic of the Federal Reserve.
The man positively clangs when he walks. · 8 hours ago
So he sounds like a junk truck?
@Gretchen
Douglas: Please, tell me there's an MP3 of this somewhere. The transcript isn't enough. I want to hear the Oooos and Ahhhs of the audience. · 5 hours ago
Probably more like the stunned and stony silence.
Dan Hanson: The Fed should maintain a money supply that increases with GDP growth and population growth, and is tied to some basket of commodity prices such that a nice, low-but-positive inflation rate is maintained. It's just very hard to do. · 18 hours ago
I would agree with this as long as the basket of commodities are not they themselves considered money.
I put this in the catagory of potentially wise policies.
Fricosis Guy: Hi Guru… Your statement below gets to a core argument of the Austrian critique, the knowledge problem. Let's grant that one should vary the money supply…let's even grant that the Fed doesn't want to manipulate it for political purposes.
How does one know "the monetary needs of the economy" to allow for money supply planning? Per the argument I linked to — yes, I know it's Wikipedia — Austrians would say that one can't. · 18 hours ago
All things are subject to this problem. Paralysis by analysis is worse than no attempt to achieve good policy. OK, lets consider your thought experiment, and also remove the toxicity of conspiracy theories:
Let us say that there is a council of people who are studied and wise. How wrong are they likely to be, and how destructive is that variance from the perfect likely to be?
We are in a pickle now, because the fed had to paper over the failure of the keynesians in regards to federal spending. The fed is no crap paying interest to keep banks from putting the money in circulation, so that they can also monetize our government spending.
Dan Hanson: On the other hand, Monetarists have a problem in that it is very difficult to figure out how to manage the money supply while providing stability. The best idea is to set up hard rules that tie the supply of money to certain indicators, but it's hard to know what those should be and what their values are.
Yes it is a problem in all systems governed by people, whereby the realization that tinkering at the edges can have some positive and negative consequences, but at some point the tinkering at the edges supplants the original purpose of policy as its existential purpose. Consider how much time we discuss fairness and incentives instead of raising revenues in our tax discussions.
@CaseyTaylor
The man positively clangs when he walks.
So he sounds like a junk truck? · 8 hours ago
Those things they hang off trailer hitches were modeled after Robert Wenzel. I hear groupies used to do something similar to Jimi Hendrix.
12:08 PM EDT ⋅ May 2, 2012
I think the Austrians are essentially right that during periods of high growth, a fixed money supply causes the price of money to go up in the form of interest rates, which is a very important signal to the economy. High interest rates cause money to move away from long-term and low value investments and towards short term and high value investments. In short, the money goes where it is supposed to go under those conditions.
When the economy slows down, demand sags for short term investment (inventory building, factory expansion, etc). This causes capital to be freed up for long-term investments.
Problems arise when the fed tries to fix interest rates instead of maintaining stable money. The interest rate signal is destroyed and you get malinvestment of capital, making the economy less efficient. But that's not necessarily an argument against monetary policy – it's an argument of a specific kind of monetary policy.
The Fed should maintain a money supply that increases with GDP growth and population growth, and is tied to some basket of commodity prices such that a nice, low-but-positive inflation rate is maintained. It's just very hard to do.
Fair points… IMO, the Austrian School's insights have the most practical power as critiques or cautionary tales, especially given our persistent delusion that we can manage the economy. Of course, a good Austrian would say we're the ones causing the business cycle!
Dan Hanson: Even Hayek struggled with monetary policy. Friedman was a monetarist. The problem for Austrians is that the money supply can and does shrink and grow with the velocity of money, and therefore is at risk of accelerating downturns.
@Douglas
Please, tell me there's an MP3 of this somewhere. The transcript isn't enough. I want to hear the Oooos and Ahhhs of the audience.
Those things they hang off trailer hitches were modeled after Robert Wenzel. I hear groupies used to something similar to Jimi Hendrix. · 5 hours ago
I am raising my lighter ablaze in solidarity…
Ricochet Audio Network
All Ricochet Podcasts
Subscribe in Stitcher
Subscribe in Google Play
Direct RSS Feed
Copyright 2023 Silent Cal Productions, LLC.
R> 4.10.5
Lost your password? Please enter your email address or username. You will receive an email with a link to set a new password.


The Daily Courier/Joanna Dodder Sandy Lynch, Curator of Anthropology for the Sharlot Hall Museum in Prescott, holds a piece of high-quality contemporary Zuni pottery. Zuni potters are common victims of fraudulent art, she said.
Originally Published: July 12, 2007 9:58 p.m.


text:
Keke Wyatt Announces New Album, Her First In Six Years
Black Model Claims Donald Trump's Modeling Agency Treated Her Like A 'Slave'
By Desire Thompson
Desire Thompson
Plus Icon desire_renee
More Stories by Desire
Tory Lanez's Quarantine Radio Will Be Televised
Vocalist Ceybil Jefferies, Also Known As Sweet Sable, Has Died From Coronavirus
Naomi Campbell Condemns COVID-19 Testing On Africans During Diddy's Dance-A-Thon
March 10, 2016 11:32pm
LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 23: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks at a caucus night watch party at the Treasure Island Hotel & Casino on February 23, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The New York businessman won his third state victory in a row in the "first in the West" caucuses. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) Getty Images
Donald Trump's primary wins have been overshadowed by a troubling lawsuit from a model who was allegedly treated like a slave during her employment with his modeling imprint.
Charlamagne Tha God Compares Donald Trump Bumper Stickers To That Of The Confederate Flag
According to ABC News, Alexia Palmer, 21, is suing Trump Model Management for $225,000 for racketeering, breach of contract, mail fraud, and violating wage laws for immigrants after she signed to the agency at 17 and was promised an annual income of $75,000.
Instead, Palmer found herself making $4,985 over three years and was charged an extra $4,000 administrative fee on top of a 20 percent deduction for management fees. The model was discovered at a talent show by a local agency in Jamaica. Palmer and her lawyer, Naresh Gehi claim Trump's company violated immigration laws by issuing her the popular H-1B work visa and didn't deliver the high wage she was promised.
Because of her work visa, she couldn't be employed anywhere else if she wanted to stay in the states. "That's what slavery people do," Palmer told ABC News Thursday (Mar. 10) "You work and don't get no money. I was very excited because all the girls in Jamaica wanted to be signed with an agency [in New York]," she said. "When I went there, they were telling me… I'm going to sign with an agency and my life is going to change."
Trump's camp however, has blamed the lack of pay to Palmer as the struggle of the fashion industry, claiming she wasn't a popular model. "Anything she's saying about being treated as a slave is completely untrue," Trump's attorney, Alan Garten, said. "The greater demand for the model, the better that model does. In the case of the individual you're talking about, there wasn't — unfortunately — a lot of demand for the model."
Michael Wildes, the attorney who issued H-1B visas for a number of Trump's models, says the promise of $75,000 was "aspirational."
"Our position is the application was proper when filed," Wildes said. "They anticipated an employer-employee relationships. Circumstances changed, and now they're going to duke it out."
Palmer also claims the agency forced her to pay for her own walking lessons and a $200 dermatology appointment.
Currently, Gehi is waiting for more Trump models to come forward in hopes of a collective class-action suit. Founded in 1999, the agency brings in $1 million to $5 million in annual earnings. The presidential candidate met his third wife, Melina in 2000 after she was employed by the company.
Protestor Gets Sucker-Punched By Donald Trump Supporter During North Carolina Rally