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This paper provides a comparative analysis of vector field methods for automatically generating urban fabric geometries and introduces the Rhino/Grasshopper plugin UrbanFab which implements these methods. Automated generation of urban design is a growing area of research addressing the complex challenge of building sustainable and economically viable cities. Within this research area vector fields are used to generate non-uniform urban fabric geometries. Similar to simulation of magnetic fields or moving fluids, vector field algorithms can be adapted to simulate urban sites, resolving complex site constraints and generating geometry used in the design of roads, land parcels or buildings. Vector field methods for urban fabric generation, however, are not well represented in computational tools serving urban designers, or in description of algorithms and evaluations in computational urban design literature. To address these challenges, this paper describes multiple urban vector field algorithms, with accompanying streamline visualization and evaluation methods. A comparative analysis of the results generated by these methods provides a means for designers to make informed decisions on which method is appropriate to their requirements and supports discussion of future work in urban fabric generation.

Previous Finance Matters columns in Nursing Administrative Quarterly have emphasized the importance of utilizing financial statements to build and promote a successful evidence-based business case. The latest column addressed return on investment substantiation to solidify the business case being presented. Given the current and future state of federal value-based payment models (where health care delivery providers will accept more downside risk for reimbursement), the cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses can be useful measurements. This column defines utilization of cost-benefit analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis when framing the cost, value, and benefit of an innovative health care intervention.

Rib fractures in adult horses are poorly documented. To describe the presenting signs, diagnosis, treatment and outcome of horses diagnosed with rib fracture. Retrospective case series. The clinical records and diagnostic images of all adult horses diagnosed with a rib fracture at three referral centres over a 15-year period were reviewed. Seventy-three horses met the inclusion criteria. Horses presented due to either resistance to ridden work and poor performance (n=41), lameness (n=21) or trauma (n=7). In four horses, the presenting complaint was not recorded. Clinical assessment and palpation localised the site of injury in 18/47 cases where recorded. Nuclear scintigraphic examination identified all fracture sites in which it was performed (59/59). In 10/24 horses, radiographic examination confirmed rib fracture. Ultrasonographic examination confirmed rib fracture in 58/59 horses (98%; 95% CI 92-100). Six horses underwent surgery due to ongoing clinical signs and non-healing fracture; all other horses were managed conservatively. Fifty-five horses were available for long-term follow up (>1year), of which 28 (51%; 95% CI 38-64) returned to their previous level of exercise. Twelve horses did not return to their previous level of exercise due to lameness unrelated to the rib fracture and seven horses were subjected to euthanasia, of which three were as a result of the rib fracture. Eight horses did not return to their previous level of exercise for other reasons. Incomplete data set due to retrospective case series. Although uncommon, rib fractures should be considered in cases of reduced performance or resistance during ridden exercise. Palpation may be unrewarding. Scintigraphy and ultrasonography are useful in identifying the fracture site. Rib fractures in horses carry a fair prognosis and can be managed conservatively in most cases.

Vaccination consultations account for a large proportion of the small animal veterinary caseload. The aim of this study was to determine the content of canine and feline booster vaccination consultations and gather opinions on strategies used to optimise these consultations. An online survey of UK veterinarians was conducted. Respondents were asked about the clinical examination performed and the topics discussed during vaccination consultations, as well as any strategies used to optimise these consultations. Finally, respondents were asked about the practicality and effectiveness of various potential strategies. A total of 662 responses were received. Most respondents always auscultated the chest during vaccination consultations (n=603/621, 97.1% canine consultations; n=587/610, 96.2% feline consultations). Microchipping was discussed more frequently during canine versus feline consultations (P<0.001). Over half of respondents (n=323/597; 54.1%) had tried strategies to optimise consultations, with supplementary reading material tried most frequently (n=203/597; 34.0%). There were a range of opinions around practicality and effectiveness of these strategies. The results from this novel study suggest that vaccination consultations vary in terms of the clinical examination performed, topics discussed and strategies used to optimise the consultation. This study has implications for practice by identifying potential ways to maximise the benefits of vaccination consultations.

Introduction: Blacks have a higher incidence of stroke compared with whites. Most stroke survivors in the United States are 65 years and older but few data are available on racial differences in recurrent stroke risk in this age group. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort of Medicare beneficiaries in the 5% sample from 1999-2013 to compare 1-year recurrent stroke risk in older black and white Americans following hospitalization for ischemic stroke. We studied beneficiaries with Medicare fee-for-service coverage for 182 days before the index stroke hospitalization with no claims for stroke-related events. Patients were divided into two age groups (66-74, 75 years and above) and stratified into 3 calendar periods (1999-2001, 2002-2006, 2007-2013) allowing for implementation of secondary stroke prevention trial findings (PROGRESS, 2001; SPARCL, 2006). Hazard ratios for recurrent ischemic stroke comparing blacks to whites were calculated with adjustment for demographics, risk factors, and the competing risk of death. Results: Of 128,789 ischemic stroke patients (mean age 80 years [SD 8], 11.1% black, 60.4% male), 7.8% of whites and 11.0% of blacks had a recurrent ischemic stroke overall (Table 1). For each time period, blacks had a higher risk of recurrent stroke compared with whites (Figure 1). This disparity increased over time among patients age 66-74 years (p=0.038) but no trend was present for those 75 years and above (p=0.301). Conclusion: The risk of stroke recurrence among older Americans hospitalized for ischemic stroke is higher for blacks than whites, regardless of age group.

Some biological uses of polyethylene glycol (PEG): The use of PEG as a membrane fusogen was first reported in 1976 with the creation of cell hybrids, formed by suspending two cell lines in a 50% w/w solution of PEG in water. More recently, direct application of PEG has been found to seal off small holes in axons after complete transections of cultured neurites in a procedure referred to as “PEG-sealing” (Spaeth et al., 2012). The term PEG-sealing is also used to describe intravenous injection of PEG or micelles/nano-particles associated with PEG (reviewed by Jin, 2014). The latter “PEG-sealing” in vivo procedures typically produce low concentrations of PEG in body fluids associated with modest increases in behavioral recovery many weeks post injury, presumably by neuroprotective effects that rescue damaged neurons from cell death, rather than by preventing or retarding Wallerian degeneration (Jin, 2014).

Introduction: Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a potent anti-inflammatory signaling lipid carried in the body by circulating HDL. HDL has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory activities through activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and subsequent production and release of nitric oxide (NO) by endothelial cells. Objective: The aim of this study is to use synthetic HDL particles to selectively deliver S1P to the site of arterial plaques in order to exert anti-inflammatory activity and modulate the progression of atherosclerosis. Methods/Results: Synthetic HDL (sHDL) particles were prepared using the ApoA1 mimetic peptide 22A (PVLDLFRELLNELLEALKQKLK), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and sphingomyelin. We also prepared sHDL containing either the hydrophobic dye, DiD, or S1P to assess the capability of sHDL to effectively reach atheroma site and induce nitric oxide (NO) release, respectively. The purity of all particles was determined to be &gt; 97% and average particle size was 9.6 ± 0.4 nm for all preparations. To measure sHDL accumulation in the plaque, ApoE -/- mice were intravenously injected with 0.2 mg/kg HDL-DiD. Whole aortas were excised and analysed by IVUS imaging system, revealing significant accumulation of sHDL-DiD in the atherosclerotic lesions. We then tested the ability of sHDL to deliver S1P in vitro and induce NO production by treating human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with 1 mg/mL of 22A-DPPC-sHDL containing 0, 0.05, 0.5, or 5 nmol/mL of S1P using free 22A peptide (1 mg/mL) and saline as controls, and analyzing media by ozone chemiluminescence. Blank sHDL particles increased NO production two-fold over controls (0.27 ± 0.02 μM for 22A-DPPC-sHDLDL, 0.13 ± 0.01 μM PBS and 0.14 ± 0.02 μM for 22A peptide), while HDL-S1P further increased NO release: 0.35 ± 0.03, 0.44 ± 0.01, and 0.59 ± 0.01 μM for HDL with 0.05, 0.5, and 5 nmol/mL S1P, respectively. Conclusions: Our studies show that HDL is capable of delivering hydrophobic cargo to atherosclerotic plaques, making HDL a promising platform to deliver S1P for modulation vascular inflammation and atherosclerosis. In vitro studies have revealed that HDL-S1P is able to increase NO production 2 to 4-fold over saline control setting the basis for future in vivo studies.

Since the initial scientific statement on Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) in the Elderly was published in 2002,1 several trends have continued that make an update highly appropriate. First, the graying of the US population and those of other industrialized countries has progressed unabated because more adults are surviving into their senior years. The number of Americans aged ≥75 years was estimated at 18.6 million in 2010, representing ≈6% of the population,2 and it is expected to double by 2050. The population aged ≥85 years is growing the most rapidly, with numbers expected to reach 19.5 million by 2040. In 2008, 67% of the 811 940 cardiovascular deaths in the United States occurred in people aged ≥75 years.3 In parallel to this increase in the older adult demographic, the number of Americans with CHD has increased to an estimated 16.3 million, more than half of whom are >65 years of age.3 Similarly, 7 million have had a stroke, the incidence of which approximately doubles with successive age decades after 45 to 54 years.3 Peripheral artery disease (PAD) affects 8 to 10 million Americans, the majority of whom are >65 years of age. Between 2015 and 2030, annual US costs related to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) are projected to increase from $84.8 billion to $202 billion.3 Moreover, given that ASCVD often undermines functional capacity and independence and increases reliance on long-term care, indirect expenses related to ASCVD are also expected to increase. Thus, the need for effective secondary prevention measures in the older adult population with known ASCVD has never been greater. Notably, the 2011 American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) updated guidelines for secondary prevention of CHD broadened …

Prescribed and supervised resistance training (RT) enhances muscular strength and endurance, functional capacity and independence, and quality of life while reducing disability in persons with and without cardiovascular disease. These benefits have made RT an accepted component of programs for health and fitness. The American Heart Association recommendations describing the rationale for participation in and considerations for prescribing RT were published in 2000. This update provides current information regarding the (1) health benefits of RT, (2) impact of RT on the cardiovascular system structure and function, (3) role of RT in modifying cardiovascular disease risk factors, (4) benefits in selected populations, (5) process of medical evaluation for participation in RT, and (6) prescriptive methods. The purpose of this update is to provide clinicians with recommendations to facilitate the use of this valuable modality.

Inhalt (u.a.): POHL, H.D.: Die Bedeutung des Slowenischen für die Toponymie der Tauernregion HOLZER, G.: Zur Frage der Nordgrenze des slowenischen Sprachgebiets im Mittelalter NEWEKLOWSKY, G.: Primož Trubar als Schöpfer einer Schriftsprache KATIČIĆ, R.: Zur Polemik von Primus Truber mit Paulus Skalich STRUTZ, J.: Regionalität – Interregionalität – Komparistik. Die slowenische Literatur im Rahmen des Klagenfurter komparatistischen Regionalschwerpunkts KÖSTLER, E.: Wem soll die Übersetzung nützen? Einige Beispiele zum Wirken utilitärer Konzepte in der Vermittlung slowenischer Literatur in den deutschsprachigen Raum