User experiences using FLAME: A Case study modelling conflict in large enterprise system implementations.

The complexity of systems now under consideration (be they biological, physical, chemical, social, etc), together with the technicalities of experimentation in the real-world and the non-linear nature of system dynamics, means that computational modelling is indispensible in the pursuit of furthering our understanding of complex systems. Agent-based modelling and simulation is rapidly increasing in its popularity, in part due to the increased appreciation of the paradigm by the non-computer science community, but also due to the increase in the usability, sophistication and number of modelling frameworks that use the approach. The Flexible Large-scale Agent-based Modelling Environment (FLAME) is a relatively recent addition to the list. FLAME was designed and developed from the outset to deal with massive simulations, and to ensure that the simulation code is portable across different scales of computing and across different operating systems. In this study, we report our experiences when using FLAME to model the development and propagation of conflict within large multi-partner enterprise system implementations, which acts as an example of a complex dynamical social system. We believe FLAME is an excellent choice for experienced modellers, who will be able to fully harness the capabilities that it has to offer, and also be competent in diagnosing and solving any limitations that are encountered. Conversely, because FLAME requires considerable development of instrumentation tools, along with development of statistical analysis scripts, we believe that it is not suitable for the novice modeller, who may be better suited to using a graphical user interface driven framework until their experience with modelling and competence in programming increases.

Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis and cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa: Clinicopathologic comparison with blinded histologic assessment.

BACKGROUND: Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA), or macular lymphocytic arteritis, is defined by a primary lymphocytic vasculitis. However, the nosology of LTA has been controversial, with speculation that it may represent an indolent non-nodule-forming variant of cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa (cPAN). OBJECTIVE: This study compares the clinicopathologic features of patients with LTA or cPAN to assess if these conditions should be considered distinct entities. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study of all LTA and cPAN cases at a single tertiary center using prospectively collected clinical data and blinded histologic assessment. RESULTS: The study included 17 patients with LTA and 13 patients with cPAN. Clinically, cases of LTA were distinguished by a more widespread pattern of livedo racemosa, which was noninfiltrated and asymptomatic. In contrast, cPAN was associated with localized starburst livedo, purpura, and episodic features including nodules, pain, and large inflammatory ulcers. When patients were separated according to the presence (>5%) or paucity (≤5%) of neutrophils on blinded histology review, they had distinct clinical features and differences in disease course. LIMITATIONS: This was a single-center study. CONCLUSION: Our data support the classification of LTA and cPAN as separate entities rather than a spectrum of the same disorder and highlight the importance of clinicopathologic correlation in distinguishing these conditions.

Sutural loading in bone- versus dental-borne rapid palatal expansion: An ex vivo study.

OBJECTIVES: To measure and compare the success rate and strains generated during bone- (BRPE) and dental-borne rapid palatal expansion (DRPE) at the alveolar bone, zygomaticomaxillary (ZMS) and internasal (INS) sutures. Additionally, the magnitude and the pattern of midpalatal suture (MPS) separation in the 2 groups was assessed. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: The study was performed ex vivo using 28 pig heads. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Heads were dissected, and the MPS, ZMS, INS and the alveolar bone were exposed. A differential-variable-reluctance-transducer (DVRT) was installed across the MPS, and single-element strain gauges were installed at the remaining sites. Expanders were placed and activated at one turn per minute for 30 turns. Strains at the alveolar bone and the sutures and the separation of the MPS were measured. RESULTS: Successful expansion of the MPS was achieved in 69% of the BRPE subjects compared to 27% in the DRPE group. The average separation of the MPS was higher (230 ± 109 µm per turn vs. 79 ± 61 µm) and the MPS opening happened at an earlier stage of expansion in the BRPE. Higher strains at the ZMS were seen in the BRPE group, while higher strain at the alveolar bone was found in the DRPE group. CONCLUSIONS: The BRPE group demonstrated more successful and effective expansion of the MPS. Higher strain was found at the alveolar bone in the DRPE. A tendency for higher strain at the ZMS was noticed in the BRPE.

A Retrospective Mixed Longitudinal Study of Tooth Formation in Children With Clefts.

OBJECTIVE: To test for systematic age changes in cleft children based on dental age. DESIGN: Retrospective case-control longitudinal study. SETTING: One orthodontic solo practice. PATIENTS: Nonsyndromic, complete cleft lip and palateCLP cases, either unilateral or bilateral (102 children; 370 radiographs), between 4 and 16 years of age. INTERVENTIONS: Children were treated with a team approach, but only orthodontic radiographs were studied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The principal outcome measure was dental age of the cleft cases compared to a sex-specific sample of phenotypically normal children (1107 children), from the same geographical region. Multiple panoramic radiographs taken during the course of orthodontic treatment were examined to track patterns of dental age as children matured. Analysis used linear mixed models primarily testing for sex, cleft type (unilateral, bilateral), and hypodontia differences. Initial expectation was that cleft children would exhibit delayed dental ages from postnatal stressors and would become more deviant with maturity. RESULTS: In childhood (4-6 years), both sexes were significantly delayed (P < .001), but dental age normalized around 8 to 10 years. Boys experienced faster maturation thereafter than girls (P < .001). Only trivial differences occurred between unilateral CLP and bilateral CLP samples.Hypodontia further depressed maturation rates (P < .001). Dental age improved in a decidedly curvilinear fashion (P < .001), with greater change at earlier ages. CONCLUSIONS: This report agrees with other contemporary studies, showing childhood catch-up. Older studies observed that clefting caused significant delays that worsened with growth. This potential "seachange" suggests better recovery and quicker normalization of children with clefts, perhaps due to improved management.

Deformation of the zygomaticomaxillary and nasofrontal sutures during bone-anchored maxillary protraction and reverse-pull headgear treatments: An ex-vivo study.

INTRODUCTION: Bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) is an emerging treatment that involves applying a protraction load to the maxillary bone. Although it is believed that such an approach results in better sutural separation, this has not been investigated. This study aimed to assess and compare the deformation of 1 circumaxillary suture (zygomaticomaxillary suture [ZMS]) and 1 facial suture (nasofrontal suture [NFS]) during BAMP and reverse-pull headgear (RPHG) treatment. METHODS: The study was performed ex vivo on 15 pig heads. Miniplates were placed in the maxillary bone and the body of the mandible. A molar tube was bonded to the maxillary first molars. Six single-element strain gauges and 3 differential variable reluctance transducers were installed across the ZMS and NFS bilaterally. Each head underwent BAMP and RPHG unilaterally and bilaterally. RESULTS: In unilateral experiments, both BAMP and RPHG resulted in tension on the ipsilateral ZMS and NFS and compression on the contralateral side, with higher magnitude in the BAMP group. In bilateral experiments, both modalities resulted in tension at the ZMS, with higher magnitude in the BAMP group. Deformation of the NFS was different between the 2 groups: tension in majority of the BAMP and compression in most of the RPHG heads. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a higher magnitude of sutural separation in BAMP than in RPHG. The pattern of sutural deformation is consistent with a forward displacement of the midface in BAMP compared with an upward and backward rotation in the RPHG. Rotation of the maxilla was also present in some of the subjects who underwent BAMP.

Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis complicated by systemic involvement.

Lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA) is a recently described entity defined by primary lymphocytic vasculitis; it typically has a chronic indolent course. We describe a patient who presented with clinical and histological findings consistent with LTA and later developed bilateral focal testicular infarcts as well as an acute median nerve neuropathy.

Three cases of lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis presenting with an annular eruption.

We describe three patients who presented with a striking erythematous non-blanching annular eruption and features of lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis (LTA), with a prominent lymphocytic vasculitis involving deep dermal vessels. Lymphocytic inflammation was also evident in the superficial vessels and one patient had small superficial ulcers over the ankle area resembling livedoid vasculopathy (LV). Multiple biopsies demonstrated a persistent absence of neutrophils in the infiltrate consistent with a lymphocytic process. In addition to highlighting the annular morphology as a novel presentation of LTA, these cases suggest a possible relationship between LV and LTA and support the notion that they are distinct from neutrophilic vasculitides such as cutaneous polyarteritis nodosa.

Class II correction: Extraction or nonextraction?

The patient with a Class II malocclusion, proclination, or moderate crowding of the mandibular anterior teeth, and a moderate-to-low mandibular plane angle is a treatment-planning challenge. The records of 3 patients are presented. For 2 of them, extraction treatment was used to resolve the Class II malocclusion problem. Each of these patients was treated with the removal of maxillary first premolars and mandibular second premolars. The third patient was treated with Class II elastics without extractions. The clinician must weigh the pros and cons of each approach and decide which approach will give the patient the best long-term benefit.

VEGF-D promotes pulmonary oedema in hyperoxic acute lung injury.

Leakage of fluid from blood vessels, leading to oedema, is a key feature of many diseases including hyperoxic acute lung injury (HALI), which can occur when patients are ventilated with high concentrations of oxygen (hyperoxia). The molecular mechanisms driving vascular leak and oedema in HALI are poorly understood. VEGF-D is a protein that promotes blood vessel leak and oedema when overexpressed in tissues, but the role of endogenous VEGF-D in pathological oedema was unknown. To address these issues, we exposed Vegfd-deficient mice to hyperoxia. The resulting pulmonary oedema in Vegfd-deficient mice was substantially reduced compared to wild-type, as was the protein content of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, consistent with reduced vascular leak. Vegf-d and its receptor Vegfr-3 were more highly expressed in lungs of hyperoxic, versus normoxic, wild-type mice, indicating that components of the Vegf-d signalling pathway are up-regulated in hyperoxia. Importantly, VEGF-D and its receptors were co-localized on blood vessels in clinical samples of human lungs exposed to hyperoxia; hence, VEGF-D may act directly on blood vessels to promote fluid leak. Our studies show that Vegf-d promotes oedema in response to hyperoxia in mice and support the hypothesis that VEGF-D signalling promotes vascular leak in human HALI. © 2016 The Authors. The Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.

Measurements of Submicron Particle Adsorption and Particle Film Elasticity at Oil-Water Interfaces.

The influence of particle adsorption on liquid/liquid interfacial tension is not well understood, and much previous research has suggested conflicting behaviors. In this paper we investigate the surface activity and adsorption kinetics of charge stabilized and pH-responsive polymer stabilized colloids at oil/water interfaces using two tensiometry techniques: (i) pendant drop and (ii) microtensiometer. We found, using both techniques, that charge stabilized particles had little or no influence on the (dynamic) interfacial tension, although dense silica particles affected the "apparent" measured tension in the pendent drop, due to gravity driven elongation of the droplet profile. Nevertheless, this apparent change additionally allowed the study of adsorption kinetics, which was related qualitatively between particle systems by estimated diffusion coefficients. Significant and real interfacial tension responses were measured using ∼53 nm core-shell latex particles with a pH-responsive polymer stabilizer of poly(methyl methacrylate)-b-poly(2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (pMMA-b-pDMAEMA) diblock copolymer. At pH 2, where the polymer is strongly charged, behavior was similar to that of the bare charge-stabilized particles, showing little change in the interfacial tension. At pH 10, where the polymer is discharged and poorly soluble in water, a significant decrease in the measured interfacial tension commensurate with strong adsorption at the oil-water interface was seen, which was similar in magnitude to the surface activity of the free polymer. These results were both confirmed through droplet profile and microtensiometry experiments. Dilational elasticity measurements were also performed by oscillation of the droplet; again, changes in interfacial tension with droplet oscillation were only seen with the responsive particles at pH 10. Frequency sweeps were performed to ascertain the dilational elasticity modulus, with measured values being significantly higher than previously reported for nanoparticle and surfactant systems, and similar in magnitude to protein stabilized droplets.

Rosen's (M,R) system as an X-machine.

Robert Rosen's (M,R) system is an abstract biological network architecture that is allegedly both irreducible to sub-models of its component states and non-computable on a Turing machine. (M,R) stands as an obstacle to both reductionist and mechanistic presentations of systems biology, principally due to its self-referential structure. If (M,R) has the properties claimed for it, computational systems biology will not be possible, or at best will be a science of approximate simulations rather than accurate models. Several attempts have been made, at both empirical and theoretical levels, to disprove this assertion by instantiating (M,R) in software architectures. So far, these efforts have been inconclusive. In this paper, we attempt to demonstrate why - by showing how both finite state machine and stream X-machine formal architectures fail to capture the self-referential requirements of (M,R). We then show that a solution may be found in communicating X-machines, which remove self-reference using parallel computation, and then synthesise such machine architectures with object-orientation to create a formal basis for future software instantiations of (M,R) systems.

Respiratory epithelial cysts of the orbit.

To describe post-traumatic and congenital respiratory epithelial cysts in the orbit, which are rare lesions with only 5 and 13 published cases, respectively. We reviewed all cases of respiratory epithelial cysts diagnosed at three institutions (two tertiary referral hospitals, one private clinic) between 1995 and 2015. We describe 10 cases of post-traumatic respiratory epithelial cyst (age range 23 - 82), presenting a mean of 17.4 years after their original trauma; and 3 congenital cases (age range 17-34). All but one case underwent surgical excision of the cyst and its lining, along with any surgical implant within the cyst. Two were recurrent after incomplete excision. Three presented with acute infection within the cyst. Respiratory epithelial orbital cysts are probably commoner than the paucity of published reports would suggest. Post-traumatic cysts often present many years after trauma, and may become secondarily infected. Complete surgical removal is recommended to prevent future recurrence.

Safety and efficacy of explanting or replacing suprachoroidal electrode arrays in a feline model.

BACKGROUND: A key requirement for retinal prostheses is the ability for safe removal or replacement. We examined whether suprachoroidal electrode arrays can be removed or replaced after implantation. METHODS: Suprachoroidal electrode arrays were unilaterally implanted into 13 adult felines. After 1 month, arrays were surgically explanted (n = 6), replaced (n = 5) or undisturbed (n = 2). The retina was assessed periodically using fundus photography and optical coherence tomography. Three months after the initial implantation, the function of replaced or undisturbed arrays was assessed by measuring the responses of the visual cortex to retinal electrical stimulation. The histopathology of tissues surrounding the implant was examined. RESULTS: Array explantation or replacement was successful in all cases. Fundus photography showed localized disruption to the tapetum lucidum near the implant's tip in seven subjects following implantation. Although optical coherence tomography showed localized retinal changes, there were no widespread statistically significant differences in the thickness of the retinal layers or choroid. The distance between the electrodes and retina increased after device replacement but returned to control values within eight weeks (P < 0.03). Staphylomas developed near the scleral wound in five animals after device explantation. Device replacement did not alter the cortical evoked potential threshold. Histopathology showed localized outer nuclear layer thinning, tapetal disruption and pseudo-rosette formation, but the overall retinal morphology was preserved. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to remove or replace conformable medical grade silicone electrode arrays implanted suprachoroidally. The scleral wound requires careful closure to minimize the risk of staphylomas.

Polymerase chain reaction detection of avipox and avian papillomavirus in naturally infected wild birds: comparisons of blood, swab and tissue samples.

Avian poxvirus (avipox) is widely reported from avian species, causing cutaneous or mucosal lesions. Mortality rates of up to 100% are recorded in some hosts. Three major avipox clades are recognized. Several diagnostic techniques have been reported, with molecular techniques used only recently. Avipox has been reported from 278 different avian species, but only 111 of these involved sequence and/or strain identification. Collecting samples from wild birds is challenging as only few wild bird individuals or species may be symptomatic. Also, sampling regimes are tightly regulated and the most efficient sampling method, whole bird collection, is ethically challenging. In this study, three alternative sampling techniques (blood, cutaneous swabs and tissue biopsies) from symptomatic wild birds were examined. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect avipoxvirus and avian papillomavirus (which also induces cutaneous lesions in birds). Four out of 14 tissue samples were positive but all 29 blood samples and 22 swab samples were negative for papillomavirus. All 29 blood samples were negative but 6/22 swabs and 9/14 tissue samples were avipox-positive. The difference between the numbers of positives generated from tissue samples and from swabs was not significant. The difference in the avipox-positive specimens in paired swab (4/6) and tissue samples (6/6) was also not significant. These results therefore do not show the superiority of swab or tissue samples over each other. However, both swab (6/22) and tissue (8/9) samples yielded significantly more avipox-positive cases than blood samples, which are therefore not recommended for sampling these viruses.

West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in Wild Birds and Equines in Madrid Province, Spain.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a re-emerging flavivirus, primarily circulating among avian hosts and mosquito vectors, causing periodic outbreaks in humans and horses, often leading to neuroinvasive disease and mortality. Spain has reported several outbreaks, most notably in 2020 with seventy-seven human cases and eight fatalities. WNV has been serologically detected in horses in the Community of Madrid, but to our knowledge, it has never been reported from wild birds in this region. To estimate the seroprevalence of WNV in wild birds and horses in the Community of Madrid, 159 wild birds at a wildlife rescue center and 25 privately owned equines were sampled. Serum from thirteen birds (8.2%) and one equine (4.0%) tested positive with a WNV competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) designed for WNV antibody detection but sensitive to cross-reacting antibodies to other flaviviruses. Virus-neutralization test (VNT) confirmed WNV antibodies in four bird samples (2.5%), and antibodies to undetermined flavivirus in four additional samples. One equine sample (4.0%) tested positive for WNV by VNT, although this horse previously resided in a WN-endemic area. ELISA-positive birds included both migratory and resident species, juveniles and adults. Two seropositive juvenile birds suggest local flavivirus transmission within the Community of Madrid, while WNV seropositive adult birds may have been infected outside Madrid. The potential circulation of flaviviruses, including WNV, in birds in the Madrid Community raises concerns, although further surveillance of mosquitoes, wild birds, and horses in Madrid is necessary to establish the extent of transmission and the principal species involved.

Chronic electrical stimulation with a peripheral suprachoroidal retinal implant: a preclinical safety study of neuroprotective stimulation.

Purpose: Extraocular electrical stimulation is known to provide neuroprotection for retinal cells in retinal and optic nerve diseases. Currently, the treatment approach requires patients to set up extraocular electrodes and stimulate potentially weekly due to the lack of an implantable stimulation device. Hence, a minimally-invasive implant was developed to provide chronic electrical stimulation to the retina, potentially improving patient compliance for long-term use. The aim of the present study was to determine the surgical and stimulation safety of this novel device designed for neuroprotective stimulation. Methods: Eight normally sighted adult feline subjects were monocularly implanted in the suprachoroidal space in the peripheral retina for 9-39 weeks. Charge balanced, biphasic, current pulses (100 µA, 500 µs pulse width and 50 pulses/s) were delivered continuously to platinum electrodes for 3-34 weeks. Electrode impedances were measured hourly. Retinal structure and function were assessed at 1-, 2-, 4-, 6- and 8-month using electroretinography, optical coherence tomography and fundus photography. Retina and fibrotic thickness were measured from histological sections. Randomized, blinded histopathological assessments of stimulated and non-stimulated retina were performed. Results: All subjects tolerated the surgical and stimulation procedure with no evidence of discomfort or unexpected adverse outcomes. The device position was stable after a post-surgery settling period. Median electrode impedance remained within a consistent range (5-10 kΩ) over time. There was no change in retinal thickness or function relative to baseline and fellow eyes. Fibrotic capsule thickness was equivalent between stimulated and non-stimulated tissue and helps to hold the device in place. There was no scarring, insertion trauma, necrosis, retinal damage or fibroblastic response in any retinal samples from implanted eyes, whilst 19% had a minimal histiocytic response, 19% had minimal to mild acute inflammation and 28% had minimal to mild chronic inflammation. Conclusion: Chronic suprathreshold electrical stimulation of the retina using a minimally invasive device evoked a mild tissue response and no adverse clinical findings. Peripheral suprachoroidal electrical stimulation with an implanted device could potentially be an alternative approach to transcorneal electrical stimulation for delivering neuroprotective stimulation.

In silico investigation into dendritic cell regulation of CD8Treg mediated killing of Th1 cells in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

BACKGROUND: Experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis has been used extensively as an animal model of T cell mediated autoimmunity. A down-regulatory pathway through which encephalitogenic CD4Th1 cells are killed by CD8 regulatory T cells (Treg) has recently been proposed. With the CD8Treg cells being primed by dendritic cells, regulation of recovery may be occuring around these antigen presenting cells. CD4Treg cells provide critical help within this process, by licensing dendritic cells to prime CD8Treg cells, however the spatial and temporal aspects of this help in the CTL response is currently unclear. RESULTS: We have previously developed a simulator of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (ARTIMMUS). We use ARTIMMUS to perform novel in silico experimentation regarding the priming of CD8Treg cells by dendritic cells, and the resulting CD8Treg mediated killing of encephalitogenic CD4Th1 cells. Simulations using dendritic cells that present antigenic peptides in a mutually exclusive manner (either MBP or TCR-derived, but not both) suggest that there is no significant reliance on dendritic cells that can prime both encephalitogenic CD4Th1 and Treg cells. Further, in silico experimentation suggests that dynamics of CD8Treg priming are significantly influenced through their spatial competition with CD4Treg cells and through the timing of Qa-1 expression by dendritic cells. CONCLUSION: There is no requirement for the encephalitogenic CD4Th1 cells and cytotoxic CD8Treg cells to be primed by the same dendritic cells. We conjecture that no significant portion of CD4Th1 regulation by Qa-1 restricted CD8Treg cells occurs around individual dendritic cells, and as such, that CD8Treg mediated killing of CD4Th1 cells occurring around dendritic cells is not critical for recovery from the murine autoimmune disease. Furthermore, the timing of the CD4Treg licensing of dendritic cells and the spatial competition between CD4Treg and CD8Treg cells around the dendritic cell is critical for the size of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response, because dendritic cells have a limited lifespan. If treatments can be found to either speed up the licensing process, or increase the spatial competitiveness of CD8Treg cells, the magnitude of the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response can be increased.

Neuropathy in a patient with lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis.

A 35-year-old Lebanese woman presented with a 3-year history of persistent, localized livedo racemosa over her feet, distal legs and forearms that was associated with the development of lower limb sensorimotor neuropathy. Investigations revealed the patient was heterozygous for prothrombin gene mutation and was also found to have a T-cell receptor gamma chain gene rearrangement. Histological examination revealed a mid-lower dermal medium vessel lymphocytic vasculitis with prominent fibrinoid ring within its wall. These findings are consistent with a recently described condition known as lymphocytic thrombophilic arteritis. This has so far been considered to be a benign clinical condition not associated with extra cutaneous manifestations. The novel findings in the present case are the associated sensorimotor neuropathy and the characteristic fibrin ring appears to be intramural rather intraluminal in location. The findings of a T cell gene rearrangement and a prothrombin gene mutation suggest that both immunological and thrombophilic factors might contribute to the development of this condition.

Emerging and Novel Viruses in Passerine Birds.

There is growing interest in emerging viruses that can cause serious or lethal disease in humans and animals. The proliferation of cloacal virome studies, mainly focused on poultry and other domestic birds, reveals a wide variety of viruses, although their pathogenic significance is currently uncertain. Analysis of viruses detected in wild birds is complex and often biased towards waterfowl because of the obvious interest in avian influenza or other zoonotic viruses. Less is known about the viruses present in the order Passeriformes, which comprises approximately 60% of extant bird species. This review aims to compile the most significant contributions on the DNA/RNA viruses affecting passerines, from traditional and metagenomic studies. It highlights that most passerine species have never been sampled. Especially the RNA viruses from Flaviviridae, Orthomyxoviridae and Togaviridae are considered emerging because of increased incidence or avian mortality/morbidity, spread to new geographical areas or hosts and their zoonotic risk. Arguably poxvirus, and perhaps other virus groups, could also be considered "emerging viruses". However, many of these viruses have only recently been described in passerines using metagenomics and their role in the ecosystem is unknown. Finally, it is noteworthy that only one third of the viruses affecting passerines have been officially recognized.

Critical role of chemical potential to assure effective encapsulation.

HYPOTHESIS: In emulsification-polymerisation avoiding monomer escape from emulsion droplets is the key to successful encapsulation. So far, it is believed that (1) a hydrophobe needs to be included and (2) free-micelles of surfactant need to be depleted. However, these criteria do not always work. The paper explores the critical role of the chemical potential difference between the inside and outside of the emulsion droplet for successful encapsulation. EXPERIMENTS: Crossflow membrane emulsification was used to produce uniform droplets of 1-2 µm of solutions of 3-iodoprop-2-yn-1-yl butylcarbamate (a biocide), castor oil (hydrophobe) in methyl 2-methylprop-2-enoate (monomer) into aqueous solutions with a large amount of free-micelles of surfactant. The encapsulation was followed by polymerisation. The size distribution of microcapsule from different formula were examined. FINDINGS: The biocide encapsulation depends on castor oil content: >12% (full); 6-12% (either full or partial); <6% (minor). Results show a critical molar fraction ratio of the monomer in the droplet to water in the aqueous phase that provides a definitive criterion to assure size retention and full encapsulation. This critical value corresponds to an energy barrier of 116 J/mol to prevent the monomer escaping. This finding is proposed to be used as an advanced rule to guide precision formulation for desired microencapsulation.