Testing a signal-processing image analysis technology in hospital on suspicious pigmented naevi referred for biopsy.

Four versions of the novel Moletest on-device signal-processing analysis software, delivered on a single-application iPadPro11, were evaluated in pigmented skin lesions of patients sent for biopsy comparing its results with the lesion histology. The primary objective was to demonstrate that the nomela test provided at least 95 ± 2% sensitivity for not-melanoma. Proprietary software recognised the lesion perimeter, rejecting images with uncertain border, and performed analysis using non-scalar metrics of the image within the perimeter.

Multiscale computational modeling of aortic valve calcification.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a common cardiovascular disease that affects millions of people worldwide. The disease is characterized by the formation of calcium nodules on the aortic valve leaflets, which can lead to stenosis and heart failure if left untreated. The pathogenesis of CAVD is still not well understood, but involves several signaling pathways, including the transforming growth factor beta (TGF ) pathway.

Glycosaminoglycans affect endothelial to mesenchymal transformation, proliferation, and calcification in a 3D model of aortic valve disease.

Calcific nodules form in the fibrosa layer of the aortic valve in calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD). Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which are normally found in the valve spongiosa, are located local to calcific nodules. Previous work suggests that GAGs induce endothelial to mesenchymal transformation (EndMT), a phenomenon described by endothelial cells' loss of the endothelial markers, gaining of migratory properties, and expression of mesenchymal markers such as alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).

Chondroitin Sulfate Promotes Interstitial Cell Activation and Calcification in an In Vitro Model of the Aortic Valve.

Purpose: Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD), has been characterized as a cascade of cellular changes leading to leaflet thickening and valvular calcification. In diseased aortic valves, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) normally found in the valve spongiosa migrate to the collagen I-rich fibrosa layer near calcified nodules. Current treatments for CAVD are limited to valve replacement or drugs tailored to other cardiovascular diseases.

Numerical Simulation of Evaporation of Ethanol-Water Mixture Droplets on Isothermal and Heated Substrates.

In many printing technologies involving multicomponent liquids, the deposition and printing quality depend on the small-scale transport processes present. For liquids with dispersed particles, the internal flow within the droplet and the evaporation process control the structure of the deposition pattern on the substrate. In many situations, the velocity field inside microdroplets is often subject to either thermal or solutal Marangoni convection.

The generic nomenclature of the emeralds, Trochilini (Apodiformes: Trochilidae): two replacement generic names required.

Many genus-level changes to the classification of Trochilini were enacted in Stiles et al. (2017b). We have since found that two further genera therein emended each require replacement names.

The nomenclature of Lophorina (Aves: Paradisaeidae), with remarks on the type and type locality of L. superba.

Based on molecular and morphological analyses, Irestedt et al. (2017) propose various taxonomic revisions for the genera Lophorina and Ptiloris (Paradisaeidae). Concerning Lophorina, which they recommend treating as three species rather than one, they hypothesize that the no longer extant type specimen of L.

Genetic analysis suggests extensive gene flow within and between catchments in a common and ecologically significant dryland river shrub species; (Polygonaceae).

Aim: The conservation of plant species biodiversity has been identified as a crucial factor for the resilience of dryland ecosystems in the face of climate change and desertification. (lignum) is a keystone species that facilitates biodiversity in the floodplains and wetlands of Australia's dryland river systems. This paper explores spatial genetic structure of lignum and investigates factors influencing dispersal and gene flow within and among river catchments of the northern Murray-Darling Basin.

Accuracy of commercial electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) temperature control technology.

Objectives: For electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), also commonly called e-cigarettes, coil temperature is a factor in the potential production of toxic chemical constituents. However, data are lacking regarding the temperatures that are achieved in the latest generation of these devices. Fourth-generation ENDS are capable of producing heating coil temperatures well above e-liquid boiling points, and allow the user to monitor and set the heating coil temperature during a puff.

The role of shear stress and altered tissue properties on endothelial to mesenchymal transformation and tumor-endothelial cell interaction.

Tumor development is influenced by stromal cells in aspects including invasion, growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Activated fibroblasts are one group of stromal cells involved in cancer metastasis, and one source of activated fibroblasts is endothelial to mesenchymal transformation (EndMT). EndMT begins when the endothelial cells delaminate from the cell monolayer, lose cell-cell contacts, lose endothelial markers such as vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin), gain mesenchymal markers like alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and acquire mesenchymal cell-like properties.

Endothelial to mesenchymal transformation is induced by altered extracellular matrix in aortic valve endothelial cells.

Alterations in shear stress, mechanical deformation, extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and exposure to inflammatory conditions are known to cause endothelial to mesenchymal transformation (EndMT). This change in endothelial phenotype has only recently been linked to adult pathologies such as cancer progression, organ fibrosis, and calcific aortic valve disease; and its function in adult physiology, especially in response to tissue mechanics, has not been rigorously investigated. EndMT is a response to mechanical and biochemical signals that results in the remodeling of underlying tissues.

Viscous damping and spring force calculation of regularly perforated MEMS microstructures in the Stokes' approximation.

There are a number of applications for microstructure devices consisting of a regular pattern of perforations, and many of these utilize fluid damping. For the analysis of viscous damping and for calculating the spring force in some cases, it is possible to take advantage of the regular hole pattern by assuming periodicity. Here a model is developed to determine these quantities based on the solution of the Stokes' equations for the air flow.

Diviner Lunar Radiometer observations of cold traps in the Moon's south polar region.

Diviner Lunar Radiometer Experiment surface-temperature maps reveal the existence of widespread surface and near-surface cryogenic regions that extend beyond the boundaries of persistent shadow. The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) struck one of the coldest of these regions, where subsurface temperatures are estimated to be 38 kelvin. Large areas of the lunar polar regions are currently cold enough to cold-trap water ice as well as a range of both more volatile and less volatile species.

Reactive wetting in metal-metal systems.

Wetting and spreading in high temperature reactive metal-metal systems is of significant importance in many joining processes. An overview of reactive wetting is presented outlining the principal differences between inert and reactive wetting. New experimental evidence is presented that identifies an early time regime in reactive wetting in which spreading occurs without macroscopic morphological change of the solid-liquid interface.

Simulating complex tumor dynamics from avascular to vascular growth using a general level-set method.

A comprehensive continuum model of solid tumor evolution and development is investigated in detail numerically, both under the assumption of spherical symmetry and for arbitrary two-dimensional growth. The level set approach is used to obtain solutions for a recently developed multi-cell transport model formulated as a moving boundary problem for the evolution of the tumor. The model represents both the avascular and the vascular phase of growth, and is able to simulate when the transition occurs; progressive formation of a necrotic core and a rim structure in the tumor during the avascular phase are also captured.

Trends in rural healthcare delivery in the United States, 1990-1999.

This article describes the results of a literature search of pertinent professional literature written on issues important to rural healthcare delivery in the United States. The purpose of the literature review was to provide journal articles to practicing rural healthcare leaders who, because of time and economic constraints, claimed they were unable to research their own relevant journal articles. The authoring team is composed of individuals who work as full-time faculty members at institutions that offer courses in health administration.

Financial standards for HMOs.

In today's health care environment, it is important to assess the liquidity and profitability performance of HMOs. This study focuses on three liquidity ratios and three profitability ratios derived from national databases of between 740 and 776 HMOs from 1996 to 1999. Most of the HMOs appear to be using more debt and are less liquid now than they were in 1995.