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Lung transplant patients present important variability in immunosuppressant blood concentrations during the first months after transplantation. Pharmacogenetics could explain part of this interindividual variability. We evaluated SNPs in genes that have previously shown correlations in other kinds of solid organ transplantation, namely ABCB1 and CYP3A5 genes with tacrolimus (Tac) and ABCC2, UGT1A9 and SLCO1B1 genes with mycophenolic acid (MPA), during the first six months after lung transplantation (51 patients). The genotype was correlated to the trough blood drug concentrations corrected for dose and body weight (C0/Dc). The ABCB1 variant in rs1045642 was associated with significantly higher Tac concentration, at six months post-transplantation (CT vs. CC). In the MPA analysis, CT patients in ABCC2 rs3740066 presented significantly lower blood concentrations than CC or TT, three months after transplantation. Other tendencies, confirming previously expected results, were found associated with the rest of studied SNPs. An interesting trend was recorded for the incidence of acute rejection according to NOD2/CARD15 rs2066844 (CT: 27.9%; CC: 12.5%). Relevant SNPs related to Tac and MPA in other solid organ transplants also seem to be related to the efficacy and safety of treatment in the complex setting of lung transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel straightforward method for aryl azides having functional groups based on generation and reactions of aryllithiums bearing a triazene group from polybromoarenes using flow microreactor systems was achieved. The present approach will serve as a powerful method in organolithium chemistry and open a new possibility in the synthesis of polyfunctional organic azides., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

This paper deals with the classification of the coasts of two Greek islands (Salamina and Elafonissos), according to the sensitivity to long-term sea-level rise by applying the Coastal Sensitivity Index (CSI). Salamina lies in the Saronic Gulf about 2 km off-coast from Piraeus (the port of Athens). The island has an area of 93.5 km2 while the total length of the coastline is 131.3 km. Elafonissos has an area of 19 km2 (coastline length: 30.4 km) and lies west of cape Maleas in the Lakonic Gulf (South-east Peloponnese). CSI calculation involves the physical variables of geomorphology, coastal slope, relative sea-level rise rate, shoreline change rate, mean tidal range and mean wave height, in a quantifiable manner. Every section of the coastline is assigned a risk ranking based on each variable, and the CSI is calculated as the square root of the product of the ranked variables divided by the total number of variables. CSI maps which were produced for the studied islands showed that Elafonissos is more susceptible to a future sea-level rise since an extensive length of its coast (16.7 km, corresponding to 54.5% of the entire coastline) is characterized as highly and very highly sensitive primarily due to the low topography and the presence of extensive sandy beaches. On the other hand only 2 km of Salaminas' shoreline, corresponding to 1.5% of the entire coast of the island, is of high sensitivity. Areas of high and very high CSI values host socio-economically important land uses (urban areas and recreational activities). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) collected from different sampling sites in Lake Wuliangsuhai (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China) was investigated using UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The three indices, SUVA280 and two spectral slopes (S275-295 and S350-400), were used to detect the change in the aromatic structure of DOM. DOM aromaticity was lower at sites W1 and W3, where industrial wastewater and domestic sewage, and agricultural drainage, contributed respectively. The humification index also indicated a low humification degree at sites W1 and W3, and high humification degree in other sites with relatively better water quality. Fluorescence regional integration (FRI) analysis has been used to quantitatively analyse fluorescence excitation-emission matrix spectra. The results showed that external contaminants can influence the distribution of Pi,n values from the FRI analysis. Serious pollution area obtained a relatively high Pp value. A significant negative correlation between Ph/ Pp and f450/500 indicated the terrestrial or autochthonous sources of DOM. Therefore, the spectroscopic techniques combined with regional integration analysis can be used as a useful tool for investigating and assessing the lake ecological environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an emerging modality for interventional radiology, giving clinicians another tool for minimally invasive image-guided interventional procedures. Difficulties associated with endovascular catheter navigation using MRI guidance led to the development of a magnetically steerable catheter. The focus of this study was to mechanically characterize deflections of two different prototypes of the magnetically steerable catheter in vitro to better understand their efficacy. Methods: A mathematical model for deflection of the magnetically steerable catheter is formulated based on the principle that at equilibrium the mechanical and magnetic torques are equal to each other. Furthermore, two different image based methods for empirically measuring the catheter deflection angle are presented. The first, referred to as the absolute tip method, measures the angle of the line that is tangential to the catheter tip. The second, referred to the base to tip method, is an approximation that is used when it is not possible to measure the angle of the tangent line. Optical images of the catheter deflection are analyzed using the absolute tip method to quantitatively validate the predicted deflections from the mathematical model. Optical images of the catheter deflection are also analyzed using the base to tip method to quantitatively determine the differences between the absolute tip and base to tip methods. Finally, the optical images are compared to MR images using the base to tip method to determine the accuracy of measuring the catheter deflection using MR. Results: The optical catheter deflection angles measured for both catheter prototypes using the absolute tip method fit very well to the mathematical model ( R2 = 0.91 and 0.86 for each prototype, respectively). It was found that the angles measured using the base to tip method were consistently smaller than those measured using the absolute tip method. The deflection angles measured using optical data did not demonstrate a significant difference from the angles measured using MR image data when compared using the base to tip method. Conclusions: This study validates the theoretical description of the magnetically steerable catheter, while also giving insight into different methods and modalities for measuring the deflection angles of the prototype catheters. These results can be used to mechanically model future iterations of the design. Quantifying the difference between the different methods for measuring catheter deflection will be important when making deflection measurements in future studies. Finally, MR images can be used to reliably measure deflection angles since there is no significant difference between the MR and optical measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human developments along the coastal zone have been increasing greatly during the past decades, and many of those developments are now threatened by coastal erosion. Sea cliff sensitivity to such process can be assessed in different ways, e.g. by coastal morphology, elevation, lithologies, etc. Important parameters controlling rock quality, and hence cliff stability, are its lithology and the presence and characteristics of discontinuities. In this article, a methodological approach is proposed for determining cliff characteristics and the probability of collapse, according to the Bieniawski Method, widely used in geotechnical and applied geologic studies, and for assessing the role of cliff verticality and the presence/absence of protective structures. The vulnerability of human structures depends on their distance from the cliff top, which can be expressed according to their location within the Imminent Collapse Zone and the 10-, 20-, and 30-year, predicted coastline positions obtained from aerial photographs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digha coastal region in the northeastern part of the Bay of Bengal is potentially vulnerable to erosional hazard. The present study assessed the coastal erosion vulnerability along this 65 km long coastal stretch located between Rasulpur (Midnapur) and Subarnarekha (Balasore) estuarine complex, which had been subjected to anthropogenic intervention. Multi-resolution Landsat satellite imagery were used for shoreline change study from 1972 to 2010. During this period, accretion was recorded updrift of artificial structures, viz, seawall, groin, pylons and jetties; while, extensive erosion was recorded in downdrift areas of these structures. Assessment was subsequently divided into four categories ranging from 'high erosion' to 'accretion'. Data from several sources were compiled to map landuse and human activities in the coastal zone. This map was divided into four categories, ranging from 'very high capital' to 'no capital' landuse. Population density map of the surrounding coastal villages was generated using census data, and divided into four categories ranging from 'high density area' to 'very low density area'. Subsequently, coastal erosion vulnerability was assessed by combining coastal retreat with landuse type and population density in this study area using simple vector algebraic technique. Zones of vulnerability of different magnitude (viz., very high, high, moderate, and low) have been identified. Furthermore, calculation of 'imminent collapse zone (ICZ)' shows that maximum values are around artificial structures and anthropogenic activities. The coastal erosion vulnerability map prepared from this study can be used for proper planning and management of this coastal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents abstracts on translational science topic which include assessment of the knowledge, attitude and behavior of Georgia clinicians regarding best practices for disclosing HIV positive and providing HIV/AIDS care to sexual and needle-sharing partners, investigation of the validity of the Autism Mental Status Exam (AMSE) in a community-based population of children at risk of autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and assessment of hepatic de novo lipogenesis (DNL) in youth.

An author index for the periodical "Clinical & Translational Science," Volume 2, Issue 2 is presented.

In this paper, X-band COSMO-SkyMed© synthetic aperture radar (SAR) wind field data are first used to force coastal wind wave modeling for both sea wave numerical simulation and coastal vulnerability assessment purposes. The SAR-based wind field retrieval is accomplished by resolving the SAR-based wind speed and wind direction retrieval problems independently. The sea surface wind speed is retrieved through the azimuth cut-off procedure, and the sea surface wind direction is determined by the multiresolution analysis of the discrete wavelet transform. The wind wave modeling is based on the third-generation Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) model, which is used for sea wave state estimation in coastal and inland regions. The coastal vulnerability assessment is provided by means of a key parameter, known as impact index, which evaluates the coastal risk due to the inundation of the inshore land. Experiments consist of SWAN numerical simulations run with respect to some relevant wave storms recorded in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea on 2010, with applications in coastal vulnerability assessment along the Sele coastal plain. Experimental results show the benefits of blended wind field products, provided by European Centre for Medium Weather Forecast (ECMWF) model winds and SAR-based wind field estimations, for both wind wave modeling and coastal vulnerability assessment purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eustatic sea-level rise due to global warming is predicted to reach approximately 18 - 59 cm by the year 2100, which necessitates the identification and protection of sensitive sections of coastline. In this study, the classification of the southern coast of the Gulf of Corinth according to the sensitivity to the anticipated future sealevel rise is attempted by applying the Coastal Sensitivity Index (CSI), with variable ranges specifically modified for the coastal environment of Greece, utilizing GIS technology. The studied coastline has a length of 148 km and is oriented along the WNW-ESE direction. CSI calculation involves the relation of the following physical variables, associated with the sensitivity to long-term sea-level rise, in a quantifiable manner: geomorphology, coastal slope, relative sea-level rise rate, shoreline erosion or accretion rate, mean tidal range and mean wave height. For each variable, a relative risk value is assigned according to the potential magnitude of its contribution to physical changes on the coast as the sea-level rises. Every section of the coastline is assigned a risk ranking based on each variable, and the CSI is calculated as the square root of the product of the ranked variables divided by the total number of variables. Subsequently, a CSI map is produced for the studied coastline. This map showed that an extensive length of the coast (57.0 km, corresponding to 38.7% of the entire coastline) is characterized as highly and very highly sensitive primarily due to the low topography, the presence of erosionsusceptible geological formations and landforms and fast relative sea-level rise rates. Areas of high and very high CSI values host socio-economically important land uses and activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, X-band COSMO-SkyMed© Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data are first experimented as wind field forcing of coastal wind-wave oceanographic modeling for both sea-wave numerical simulation and coastal vulnerability assessment purposes. The SAR data set consists of 60 X-band VV-polarized Level 1B Detected Ground Multilook (DGM) ScanSAR Huge Region COSMO-SkyMed© SAR measurements, collected in the test area of the Southern Tyrrhenian Coastal basin during the winter season of 2010. On one hand, the wind-wave oceanographic modeling is based on the thirdgeneration Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) model, which is used for sea wave state estimation in coastal and island regions. On the other hand, the coastal vulnerability assessment model is based on the use of a key parameter known as impact index, which consistently provides the coastal risk evaluation due to the inundation of the inshore land. Experiments consist of numerical wave simulations of the SWAN model accomplished with respect to some relevant wave storms recorded in the test area during the winter season of 2010. The wind forcing is provided by X-band COSMO-SkyMed© SAR-based wind field estimations which are properly blended with both buoys wave data and ECMWF model winds to retrieve meaningful wave parameters (e.g. significant wave height, wave directions and periods) as physical descriptors of tidal events. The output of numerical wave simulations are used to perform the coastal vulnerability assessment in the considered test area along the coastal plain of river Sele. The assessment is accomplished in terms of wave run-up height, storm beach retreat and both short- and long-term erosion shoreline evolution. Experimental results accomplished with X-band COSMO-SkyMed© SAR-based wind field forcing are successfully compared with the ones gathered by using both buoys wave field data and ECMWF model winds, only. They demonstrate that both wind-wave interaction modeling and coastal vulnerability assessment can take full benefits of blended wind field products composed by X-band COSMO-SkyMed© SAR wind field estimations and model data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sea level rise, changes in storms and wave climate as a consequence of global climate change are expected to increase the size and magnitude of flooded and eroding coastal areas, thus having profound impacts on coastal communities and ecosystems. River deltas, beaches, estuaries and lagoons are considered particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change, which should be studied at the regional/local scale. This paper presents a regional vulnerability assessment (RVA) methodology developed to analyse site-specific spatial information on coastal vulnerability to the envisaged effects of global climate change, and assist coastal communities in operational coastal management and conservation. The main aim of the RVA is to identify key vulnerable receptors (i.e. natural and human ecosystems) in the considered region and localize vulnerable hot spot areas, which could be considered as homogeneous geographic sites for the definition of adaptation strategies. The application of the RVA methodology is based on a heterogeneous subset of bio-geophysical and socio-economic vulnerability indicators (e.g. coastal topography, geomorphology, presence and distribution of vegetation cover, location of artificial protection), which are a measure of the potential harm from a range of climate-related impacts (e.g. sea level rise inundation, storm surge flooding, coastal erosion). Based on a system of numerical weights and scores, the RVA provides relative vulnerability maps that allow to prioritize more vulnerable areas and targets of different climate-related impacts in the examined region and to support the identification of suitable areas for human settlements, infrastructures and economic activities, providing a basis for coastal zoning and land use planning. The implementation, performance and results of the methodology for the coastal area of the North Adriatic Sea (Italy) are fully described in the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coastal zone is a complex environment in which a variety of forcing factors interact causing shoreline evolution. Coastal managers seek to predict coastal evolution and to identify regions vulnerable to erosion. Here, a Bayesian network is developed to identify the primary factors influencing decadal-scale shoreline evolution of European coasts and to reproduce the observed evolution trends. Sensitivity tests demonstrate the robustness of the model, showing higher predictive capabilities for stable coasts than for eroding coasts. Finally, the study highlights the need to update and expand large-scale coastal data sets, particularly by including local scale processes and anthropogenic impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acoustic correlates of pitch variation were examined in 40 participants who received analogy instructions or explicit instructions that required them to modulate their intonation during speech production. First, using focus group methodology, professional speech-language pathologists were asked to identify analogies that best described minimum pitch variation (monotone), moderate pitch variation (normal intonation), and maximum pitch variation (exaggerated intonation) in speech. The focus group established that an appropriate pitch variation metaphor may be related to imagery of 'waves at sea', with minimum pitch variation represented by a flat calm sea, moderate pitch variation represented by a moderate sea, and maximum pitch variation represented by a choppy sea. Forty adult participants without speech impairments were asked to read aloud a standard paragraph using their habitual pitch variation (control condition). They were then allocated randomly to an analogy or an explicit instruction group and were asked to read aloud different paragraphs with minimum, moderate, or maximum pitch variations. Results revealed that acoustic correlates of pitch variation (standard deviation of fundamental frequency, SDF0) were not different for the control condition, or moderate and maximum pitch variation conditions in the two groups. However, the analogy instruction was significantly more effective than the explicit instruction for inducing minimum pitch variation. Analysis of participants in each group who showed higher than normal pitch variation in the control condition (>.5 SD above the group SDF0) revealed that the analogy instruction was more effective than the explicit instruction in the minimum variation condition. It was concluded that analogy instructions may be a useful tool in speech rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present methods for the detection of sites of architectural distortion in prior mammograms of interval-cancer cases. We hypothesize that screening mammograms obtained prior to the detection of cancer could contain subtle signs of early stages of breast cancer, in particular, architectural distortion. The methods are based upon Gabor filters, phase portrait analysis, a novel method for the analysis of the angular spread of power, fractal analysis, Laws' texture energy measures derived from geometrically transformed regions of interest (ROIs), and Haralick's texture features. With Gabor filters and phase portrait analysis, 4224 ROIs were automatically obtained from 106 prior mammograms of 56 interval-cancer cases, including 301 true-positive ROIs related to architectural distortion, and from 52 mammograms of 13 normal cases. For each ROI, the fractal dimension, the entropy of the angular spread of power, 10 Laws' measures, and Haralick's 14 features were computed. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves obtained using the features selected by stepwise logistic regression and the leave-one-ROI-out method are 0.76 with the Bayesian classifier, 0.75 with Fisher linear discriminant analysis, and 0.78 with a single-layer feed-forward neural network. Free-response receiver operating characteristics indicated sensitivities of 0.80 and 0.90 at 5.8 and 8.1 false positives per image, respectively, with the Bayesian classifier and the leave-one-image-out method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of regional fluxes obtained with a small aircraft over heterogeneous terrain in the south-west of France, during the large scale field experiment CERES'07. We use a method combining variable flight-path segmentation with basic airborne footprint analysis. The segmentation is based on topography, land use and soil type, using a.o. satellite imagery and digital maps. The segments are delineated using an average footprint length, based on all flights, and segment lengths, which are variable in space but not in time. The method results in segment averaged carbon and energy fluxes, which are shown to be representative of regional fluxes. Our analysis is focussed on carbon dioxide, heat and evaporative fluxes around solar noon. We will show that spatial and seasonal variations in the fluxes can be linked to the underlying landscape. In addition, a comparison between the airborne data and ground flux data is made to support our results. However, due to the incompleteness of ground data for some predominant vegetation types (even in such a data dense context), upscaling of ground data to regional fluxes was not possible. Without the comparison, we are still able to demonstrate that aircraft can provide direct and meaningful estimates of regional fluxes of energy and carbon dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Papillary lesions of breast represent a range of lesions. Intraductal papilloma and its association with nipple discharge are well known. However, multiple papillomatosis has quite distinct characteristics and decision making can be somewhat challenging. We report a case of multiple papillomatosis in association with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). Patient opted for ipsilateral mastectomy and prophylactic mastectomy of contralateral breast. Her decision of having prophylactic mastectomy was vindicated by presence of incidental DCIS in the contralateral breast. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of multiple papillomatosis with DCIS of breast, along with incidental synchronous papillomatosis of contralateral breast with DCIS. The case illustrates few distinct features of multiple papillomatosis of breast and exemplifies how a patient's choice is so paramount in decision making process. Patients should be fully informed of the treatment options of the condition, and their wishes should be fully taken into account while making the final decision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an analysis of regional fluxes obtained with a small aircraft over heterogeneous terrain in the South West of France, during the large scale field experiment CERES'07. We use a method combining variable flight-path segmentation with basic airborne footprint analysis. The segmentation is based on topography, land use and soil type, using a.o. satellite imagery and digital maps. The segments are delineated using an average footprint length, based on all flights, and segment lengths, which are variable in space but not in time. The method results in segment averaged carbon and energy fluxes, which are shown to be representative of regional fluxes. Our analysis is focussed on the carbon dioxide, heat and evaporative fluxes around solar noon. We will show that spatial and seasonal variations in the fluxes can be linked to the underlying landscape. In addition, a comparison between the airborne data and ground flux data is made to support our results. However, due to the incompleteness of ground data for some predominant vegetation types (even in such a data dense context), upscaling of ground data to regional fluxes was not possible. Without the comparison, we are still able to demonstrate that aircraft can provide direct and meaningful estimates of regional fluxes of energy and carbon dioxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Point clusters occur in both spatial and non-spatial data. In the former context they may represent segmented particle data, in the latter context they may represent clusters in scatterplots. In order to visualize such point clusters, enclosing surfaces lead to much better comprehension than pure point renderings. We propose a flexible system for the generation of enclosing surfaces for 3D point clusters. We developed a GPU-based 3D discrete Voronoi diagram computation that supports all surface extractions. Our system provides three different types of enclosing surfaces. By generating a discrete distance field to the point cluster and extracting an isosurface from the field, an enclosing surface with any distance to the point cluster can be generated. As a second type of enclosing surfaces, a hull of the point cluster is extracted. The generation of the hull uses a projection of the discrete Voronoi diagram of the point cluster to an isosurface to generate a polygonal surface. Generated hulls of non-convex clusters are also non-convex. The third type of enclosing surfaces can be created by computing a distance field to the hull and extracting an isosurface from the distance field. This method exhibits reduced bumpiness and can extract surfaces arbitrarily close to the point cluster without losing connectedness. We apply our methods to the visualization of multidimensional spatial and non-spatial data. Multidimensional clusters are extracted and projected into a 3D visual space, where the point clusters are visualized. The respective clusters can also be visualized in object space when dealing with multidimensional particle data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some gene polymorphisms have been previously associated individually with tacrolimus efficacy and toxicity, but no long-term study to determine the role of pharmacogene variants in the clinical evolution of liver-transplanted patients has been addressed so far. In the present work, we analyzed the relation between highly-evidenced genetic polymorphisms located in relevant pharmacogenes and the risk of suffering premature death and other comorbidities such as cancer, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, graft rejection, infections and nephrotoxicities in a cohort of 87 patients (8 were excluded due to early loss of follow-up) transplanted at Hospital La Fe in Valencia (Spain) during a 12-year follow-up. Employing a logistic regression model with false discovery rate penalization and Kaplan–Meier analyses, we observed significant association between survival rates and metabolizer genes. In this sense, our results show an association between MTHFR gene variants in donor rs1801133 (HR: 7.90; p-value: 0.032) and recipient rs1801131 (HR: 7.34; p-value: 0.036) and the group of patients who died during the follow-up period, supporting the interest of confirming these results with larger patient cohorts. In addition, donor polymorphisms in UGT1A9 metabolizer gene rs6714486 (OR: 0.13; p-value: 0.032) were associated with a lower risk of suffering from de novo cancer. Genetic variants in CYP2B6 metabolizer gene rs2279343 demonstrated an association with a risk of infection. Other variants in different locations of SLCO1A2, ABCC2 and ABCB1 transporter genes were associated with a lower risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus, chronic and acute nephrotoxicities and arterial hypertension. Results suggest that pharmacogenetics-derived information may be an important support for personalized drug prescription, clinical follow-up and the evolution of liver-transplanted patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the prevalence of scoliosis in children with Prader-Willi syndrome. A study is conducted to determine the effects of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), lean body mass (LBM) and genotype. It is cited that there were two types of scoliosis that has been identified, namely the long C-curve type scoliosis (LCS), and the idiopathic scoliosis (IS). Results show a 37.5 percent of prevalence of scoliosis in children, in which younger children have LCS and more hypotonic than those with IS.

To perform a pilot study investigating whether the sensitivity and specificity of kinetic parameters can be improved by considering mass and nonmass breast lesions separately. The contrast media uptake and washout kinetics in benign and malignant breast lesions were analyzed using an empirical mathematical model (EMM), and model parameters were compared in lesions with mass-like and nonmass-like enhancement characteristics. 34 benign and 78 malignant breast lesions were selected for review. Dynamic MR protocol: 1 pre and 5 postcontrast images acquired in the coronal plane using a 3D T1-weighted SPGR with 68 s timing resolution. An experienced radiologist classified the type of enhancement as mass, nonmass, or focus, according to the BI-RADS® lexicon. The kinetic curve obtained from a radiologist-drawn region within the lesion was analyzed quantitatively using a three parameter EMM. Several kinetic parameters were then derived from the EMM parameters: the initial slope (Slopeini), curvature at the peak (κpeak), time to peak (Tpeak), initial area under the curve at 30 s (iAUC30), and the signal enhancement ratio (SER). The BI-RADS classification of the lesions yielded: 70 mass lesions, 38 nonmass, 4 focus. For mass lesions, the contrast uptake rate (α), contrast washout rate (β), iAUC30, SER, Slopeini, Tpeak and κpeak differed substantially between benign and malignant lesions, and after correcting for multiple tests of significance SER and Tpeak demonstrated significance (p<0.007). For nonmass lesions, we did not find statistically significant differences in any of the parameters for benign vs. malignant lesions (p>0.5). Kinetic parameters could distinguish benign and malignant mass lesions effectively, but were not quite as useful in discriminating benign from malignant nonmass lesions. If the results of this pilot study are validated in a larger trial, we expect that to maximize diagnostic utility, it will be better to classify lesion morphology as mass or nonmass-like enhancement prior to kinetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneous capturing of ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) images allows fusion of information obtained from both modalities. We propose an MR-compatible US system where MR images are acquired in a known orientation with respect to the US imaging plane and concurrent real-time imaging can be achieved. Compatibility of the two imaging devices is a major issue in the physical setup. Tests were performed to quantify the radio frequency (RF) noise introduced in MR and US images, with the US system used in conjunction with MRI scanner of different field strengths (0.5 T and 3 T). Furthermore, simultaneous imaging was performed on a dual modality breast phantom in the 0.5 T open bore and 3 T close bore MRI systems to aid needle-guided breast biopsy. Fiducial based passive tracking and electromagnetic based active tracking were used in 3 T and 0.5 T, respectively, to establish the location and orientation of the US probe inside the magnet bore. Our results indicate that simultaneous US and MR imaging are feasible with properly-designed shielding, resulting in negligible broadband noise and minimal periodic RF noise in both modalities. US can be used for real time display of the needle trajectory, while MRI can be used to confirm needle placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical imaging used to be primarily within the domain of radiology, but with the advent of virtual pathology slides and telemedicine, imaging technology is expanding in the healthcare enterprise. As new imaging technologies are developed, they must be evaluated to assess the impact and benefit on patient care. The authors review the hierarchical model of the efficacy of diagnostic imaging systems by Fryback and Thornbury [Med. Decis. Making11, 88–94 (1991)] as a guiding principle for system evaluation. Evaluation of medical imaging systems encompasses everything from the hardware and software used to acquire, store, and transmit images to the presentation of images to the interpreting clinician. Evaluation of medical imaging systems can take many forms, from the purely technical (e.g., patient dose measurement) to the increasingly complex (e.g., determining whether a new imaging method saves lives and benefits society). Evaluation methodologies cover a broad range, from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) techniques that measure diagnostic accuracy to timing studies that measure image-interpretation workflow efficiency. The authors review briefly the history of the development of evaluation methodologies and review ROC methodology as well as other types of evaluation methods. They discuss unique challenges in system evaluation that face the imaging community today and opportunities for future advances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the forces that influence creativity in the video games industry. We adopt a qualitative approach to guide the development of grounded theory across multiple levels of analysis, including the industry (consisting of multiple actors), organizational, and individual creator levels. Our study shows that business and production interests currently drive the rationalization of video game production. There is a maturing trend, with product designs becoming well established as genres, and consumers and publishers desiring incrementally innovative games. This leads publishers to focus on acquiring intellectual property, and publishers and studios alike to make incrementally innovative sequels. The increasing complexity of products leads to further rationalization in their development. However, the need to satisfy consumers' continually evolving tastes and game developers' inclinations to be creative also creates tensions with these rational forces. Different actors balance these tensions differently. Studios may seek to balance these by shifting between more and less innovative products, by creating original intellectual property to increase their bargaining power with publishers, and by iterating and repositioning products during development to adapt them to the market. Publishers may enhance their portfolio by hiring highly creative designers into their stable. New products are created through combinative creativity, that is, the recombination of existing ideas from different sources into new products. The connection of combinative mechanisms with the balancing behavior at the firm level provides a means for understanding the evolution of innovative products and, therefore, industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to identify and quantify those stretches in the Buenos Aires province that present different degrees of risk in view of the rise of the mean sea level and to determine its nature. The study focused on the Buenos Aires province coast because its variant geomorphology represents the different morphologies along the whole of the Argentinean coastline. The aim of this article is to study the response of two of the coastal vulnerability equations to the environmental diversity and to determine which one is more suitable to be applied to the rest of the country. On verifying the equations, CVI6 was found to be more appropriate for the analysis of coasts with different morphologies. Depending on the physical characteristics of each area, the consequences would include flooding and the loss of low lands in areas such as the Samborombón Bay, Bahía Blanca Estuary, and Anegada Bay, and the eroding of the beaches between Punta Rasa and Bahía Blanca. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formulations and evaluation of ROADWAY-2, a near-highway pollutant dispersion model, are described. This model incorporates vehicle wake parameterizations derived from canopy flow theory and wind tunnel measurements. The atmospheric velocity and turbulence fields are adjusted to account for velocity-deficit and turbulence production in vehicle wakes. A turbulent kinetic energy closure model of the atmospheric boundary layer is used to derive the mean velocity, temperature, and turbulence profiles from input meteorological data. ROADWAY-2 has been evaluated using SF6 tracer data from General Motors Sulfate Dispersion Experiment. The model evaluation results are presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quetiapine is an atypical antipsychotic widely used for the treatment of schizophrenia and the depressive episodes of bipolar disorder. The aim of this work was to investigate the effect of variants in relevant pharmacogenes in the pharmacokinetics of quetiapine and to exploratorily evaluate adverse drug reaction (ADR) incidence based on genetic polymorphism. Specifically, 49 healthy volunteers enrolled in two bioequivalence clinical trials were included in this study. In addition, 80 variants in 19 relevant pharmacogenes were genotyped, including cytochrome P450 (CYP) genes, catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), other enzymes (e.g., UGT1A1 or UGT1A4), and transporters (e.g., SLCO1B1, ABCB1, or ABCG2). The COMT rs13306278 T allele was significantly related to quetiapine-increased exposure. We demonstrated the existence of quetiapine derivatives with a catechol-like structure (7,8-dihydroxi-quetiapine and 7,8-dihydroxi-N-desalkyl-quetiapine), which would be COMT metabolites and would explain quetiapine accumulation through CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 negative feedback. Moreover, CYP3A5 and CYP2B6 phenotypes were related to quetiapine exposure variability, which confirms (for CYP3A5) and suggests (for CYP2B6) that these enzymes play an important role in quetiapine's metabolism. Finally, the ABCG2 rs2231142 T allele was related to quetiapine accumulation. Further studies are required to confirm the clinical relevance of our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal erosion is considered a major worldwide challenge. The vulnerability assessment of coastal areas, in relation to climate change, is a key topic of worldwide increasing interest. The integration of methodologies supported by Remote Sensing, Geographical Information Systems (GIS) and in situ monitoring has allowed a viable identification of vulnerable areas to erosion. In the present study, a model was proposed to the assessment of the estuarine system of Cananéia-Iguape (Brazil), by applying the evaluation and prediction of vulnerability models for the conservation and preservation of mangroves. Approximately 1221 Km2 were classified, with 16% of the total presenting high and very high vulnerability to erosion. Other relevant aspects, were the identification and georeferencing sites that showed strong evidence of erosion and, thus, having a huge influence on the final vulnerability scores. The obtained results led to the development of a multidisciplinary approach through the application of a prediction and description model that resulted from the adaptation of the study system from a set of implemented models for coastal regions, in order to contribute to the erosion vulnerability assessment in the mangroves ecosystems (and associated localities, municipalities and communities). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kidney transplant recipients with tacrolimus-based immunosuppressive therapy are often treated with proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) to prevent gastric ulcer complications. Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, is a novel PPI possessing different metabolic pathways from conventional PPIs (e.g., omeprazole, lansoprazole and rabeprazole). However, no data are available on the change in blood concentration of tacrolimus after switching rabeprazole, a conventional PPI, to vonoprazan coadministration in the initial period of post-transplantation. This is a retrospective study of 18 kidney transplant recipients. The blood concentration and the concentration to dose (C/D) ratio of tacrolimus were compared before and after switching from rabeprazole to vonoprazan. Impacts of CYP2C19 and CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms on the drug–drug interaction were also examined. The median (range) trough concentration of tacrolimus was significantly increased from 5.2 (3.6–7.4) to 8.1 (6.1–11.7) ng/mL (p < 0.0005) after switching from rabeprazole to vonoprazan. The C/D ratio of tacrolimus was also significantly increased from 38.1 (16.5–138.1) to 48.9 (26.2–207.2) (p < 0.0005). The percent changes of tacrolimus concentrations and C/D were 65.8% and 41.8%, respectively. CYP2C19 and CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms did not affect the change in concentration and C/D ratio of tacrolimus. The present study indicates that vonoprazan coadministration increases the tacrolimus concentration regardless of CYP2C19 or CYP3A5 genetic polymorphisms. Thus, frequent monitoring of blood tacrolimus concentration is required when vonoprazan is introduced as an intensive gastric acid blocker in the early phase of post-transplantation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing number of evidence-based indications for pharmacogenetic (PGx) testing. We aimed to evaluate clinical relevance of a 16-gene panel test for PGx-guided pharmacotherapy. In an observational cohort study, we included subjects tested with a PGx panel for variants of ABCB1, COMT, CYP1A2, CYP2B6, CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, CYP4F2, DPYD, OPRM1, POR, SLCO1B1, TPMT and VKORC1. PGx-guided pharmacotherapy management was supported by the PGx expert system SONOGEN XP. The primary study outcome was PGx-based changes and recommendations regarding current and potential future medication. PGx-testing was triggered by specific drug–gene pairs in 102 subjects, and by screening in 33. Based on PharmGKB expert guidelines we identified at least one "actionable" variant in all 135 (100%) tested patients. Drugs that triggered PGx-testing were clopidogrel in 60, tamoxifen in 15, polypsychopharmacotherapy in 9, opioids in 7, and other in 11 patients. Among those, PGx variants resulted in clinical recommendations to change PGx-triggering drugs in 33 (32.4%), and other current pharmacotherapy in 23 (22.5%). Additional costs of panel vs. single gene tests are moderate, and the efficiency of PGx panel testing challenges traditional cost-benefit calculations for single drug–gene pairs. However, PGx-guided pharmacotherapy requires specialized expert consultations with interdisciplinary collaborations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on geographical climatology in explaining Earth vegetation, climate, and soil-forming patterns. Recognition of climate system spheres by nonlinear feedback processes; Prediction of extreme weather and climate anomalies; Application of mathematics in meteorology and atmospheric sciences; Technological advances in climate-data acquisition.

Alterations in tumor cell surface properties are thought to be important in the survival and metastasis of malignant cells. selection procedures have been used to enrich melanoma and fibroblastic tumor cell populations of variant cells which possess greater potential for arrest, survival and growth at specific secondary sites. Determining the surface properties of these metastatic variants should aid in the development of effective controls over malignant cancer spread. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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The article presents information on the development of tumor metastasis. The author informs that malignant cells possess the properties of invasion into surrounding normal tissues and dissemination to form secondary tumors (metastases) at near and distant host sites. The development of tumor metastasis can be divided into several discrete steps including extension of invasion of cells from the primary tumor into surrounding host tissues, penetration of tumor cells into body cavities, lymphatics and blood vessels. The author comments that the spread of tumors through blood-borne metastasis is usually the final pathogenic phase of fatal neoplastic disease.