An artificial neural network stratifies the risks of reintervention and mortality after endovascular aneurysm repair:a retrospective observational study

Background Lifelong surveillance after endovascular repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is considered mandatory to detect potentially life-threatening endograft complications. A minority of patients require reintervention but cannot be predictively identified by existing methods. This study aimed to improve the prediction of endograft complications and mortality, through the application of machine-learning techniques. Methods Patients undergoing EVAR at 2 centres were studied from 2004-2010. Pre-operative aneurysm morphology was quantified and endograft complications were recorded up to 5 years following surgery. An artificial neural networks (ANN) approach was used to predict whether patients would be at low- or high-risk of endograft complications (aortic/limb) or mortality. Centre 1 data were used for training and centre 2 data for validation. ANN performance was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis to compare the incidence of aortic complications, limb complications, and mortality; in patients predicted to be low-risk, versus those predicted to be high-risk. Results 761 patients aged 75 +/- 7 years underwent EVAR. Mean follow-up was 36+/- 20 months. An ANN was created from morphological features including angulation/length/areas/diameters/ volume/tortuosity of the aneurysm neck/sac/iliac segments. ANN models predicted endograft complications and mortality with excellent discrimination between a low-risk and high-risk group. In external validation, the 5-year rates of freedom from aortic complications, limb complications and mortality were 95.9% vs 67.9%; 99.3% vs 92.0%; and 87.9% vs 79.3% respectively (p0.001) Conclusion This study presents ANN models that stratify the 5-year risk of endograft complications or mortality using routinely available pre-operative data.

Research on Behavioral Integrity: A Promising Construct for Positive Organizational Scholarship

Behavioral integrity (BI) is the perception that another person, group, or entity lives by his word—delivers on promises and enacts the same values he espouses. This construct is more basic than trust or justice, and is typically measured as the perceived pattern of alignment between words and deeds. Empirical studies have shown it to have powerful positive consequences for the attitudes and performance of followers, managers, and organizations, and also that BI moderates the impact of other leader behaviors on these outcomes. Only a few studies have examined antecedents, and fewer still have examined moderated antecedents. Although initial terrain has been sketched out by early studies, there is much yet to learn about the workings of this high-potential construct.

Robert Edward’s Commonplace Book: the context and function of a seventeenth-century Scottish music manuscript (GB-En MS.9450), with an edition of the musical content

This study concerns the manuscript music book of Robert Edward (c. 1614–c. 1697), minister, author and musician. The manuscript, formerly part of the library at Panmure House, is now held in the National Library of Scotland and is commonly referred to as ‘Robert Edward’s Commonplace Book’ (GB-En MS.9450). The present study is in two parts and begins with an exploration of the physical book, including the structure, compilation, hands and ownership before a second chapter explores the biography of the eponymous owner, contextualising GB-En MS.9450 locally and nationally. The third chapter concerns the function of the manuscript which, it is argued, is closely related to pedagogy. The final three chapters discuss the content of the manuscript, taking in turn the vocal music, instrumental music and the selection of Italian three-part villanelle. The implications for dating and use arising from the first part of this

Dr. Edward (Ted) Elliot Eulogy

Kathy and Susie, members of the faculty, and staff of the School of Natural Resource Sciences, ladies and gentlemen. There are some things in this world that, try as we may, just cannot be adequately accomplished. One of those things, for me at least, is to express adequately what I feel about the passing of Dr. Edward (Ted) Elliot. Ted came to this University of Nebraska a few months before I arrived, and it was my distinct honor to count him among my friends at this great University. Ted was a man of exceptional scientific standing and wisdom, and his loss leaves a void in all of our lives that will not be readily filled.

C. H. Chalmers.- Bacteriología de la leche. (Bacteria in relation to the milk supply). 271 pp., 3ª ed., 1945, reimpresa en 1949. Editado por Edward Arnol & Co., Londres

Fil: H. G. C..

The family Caseidae / [by] Everett C. Olson -- [Edited by Edward G. Nash, Patricia M. Williams]

v.17:no.3(1967)

The life of General Sir Edward Bruce Hamley, K.C B., K.C.M.G. ;

Mode of access: Internet.

Copies of the settlements made by Edward Colston, esq., for the maintenance of his almshouse on St. Michael's-Hill, &c., and of his hospital, for the maintenance and education of poor boys, on St. Augustine's-Back, Bristol.

Mode of access: Internet.