On-sky tests of the CuReD and HWR fast wavefront reconstruction algorithms with CANARY

CuReD (Cumulative Reconstructor with domain Decomposition) and HWR (Hierarchical Wavefront Reconstructor) are novel wavefront reconstruction algorithms for the Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor, used in the single-conjugate adaptive optics. For a high-order system they are much faster than the traditional matrix–vector-multiplication method. We have developed three methods for mapping the reconstructed phase into the deformable mirror actuator commands and have tested both reconstructors with the CANARY instrument. We find out that the CuReD reconstructor runs stably only if the feedback loop is operated as a leaky integrator, whereas HWR runs stably with the conventional integrator control. Using the CANARY telescope simulator we find that the Strehl ratio (SR) obtained with CuReD is slightly higher than that of the traditional least-squares estimator (LSE). We demonstrate that this is because the CuReD algorithm has a smoothing effect on the output wavefront. The SR of HWR is slightly lower than that of LSE. We have tested both reconstructors extensively on-sky. They perform well and CuReD achieves a similar SR as LSE. We compare the CANARY results with those from a computer simulation and find good agreement between the two

Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between psychotic and depressive symptoms in depressed adolescents

Adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) with psychotic features (delusions and/or hallucinations) have more severe symptoms and a worse prognosis. Subclinical psychotic symptoms are more common in adolescents than adults. However, the effects of psychotic symptoms on outcome of depressive symptoms have not been well studied in adolescents. Depressed adolescents aged 11–17 with and without psychotic symptoms were compared on depression severity scores at baseline and at 28- or 42-week follow-up in two large UK cohorts. Psychotic symptoms were weakly associated with more severe depression at baseline in both cohorts. At follow-up, baseline psychotic symptoms were only associated with depressive symptoms in one sample; in the other, the effect size was close to zero. This supports the DSM5 system of psychotic symptoms being a separate code to severity rather than the ICD10 system which only allows the diagnosis of psychotic depression with severe depression. There was no clear support for psychotic symptoms being a baseline marker of treatment response

Оценка заболеваний органов грудной клетки с помощью биопсии под контролем компьютерной томографии

Computed tomography (CT) guided percutaneous procedures like the fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and fine needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) are reliable techniques for diagnosing various thoracic diseases. These modalities are used for diagnosis in suspicious lung, pleural, mediastinal and vertebral and pulmonary lesions.The aim. We conducted a study in a Pulmonary Medicine Department of tertiary care hospital to study the efficacy and safety of CT guided FNCA/FNAB in thoracic diseases.Methods. A retrospective study was conducted at a tertiary care center with Information and Ethics committee permission within a total duration of two years. The study included patients presenting with following: 1) mediastinal mass lesions, 2) pulmonary solitary pulmonary nodules/masses, 3) pulmonary cavity, cyst and consolidation of undiagnosed etiology, 4) pleural mass, nodules, loculated collections, 5) extra-pulmonary and spinal tuberculosis suspects with pre/paravertebral abscess. Procedure details, radiological images and pathological and microbiological reports were retrieved from case record book of patients available in department.Results. Study population consisted of 108 patients. Neoplastic diseases were 85 (78.70%) and Non- neoplastic diseases 23 (21.29%). In neoplastic diseases 78.82% patients had lung Cancer of which 85.07% non small cell carcinoma and 14.92% small cell lung cancer. Out of non small cell lung cancer adenocarcinoma of lung was the commonest. The most common non neoplastic diseases was tuberculosis. CT guided biopsy procedure was performed without any complications in 61.11%. The most common complication was pneumothorax (27.77%). The yield of CT guided biopsy was 98.14%.Conclusion. Percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy is an effective, highly accurate, and safe method of obtaining tissue for the diagnosis of indeterminate pulmonary lesions especially in neoplastic diseases and tuberculosis.Чрескожные процедуры под контролем компьютерной томографии (КТ), такие как тонкоигольная аспирационная цитология (fine needle aspiration cytology – FNAC) и тонкоигольная аспирационная биопсия (fine needle aspiration biopsy – FNAB), являются надежными методами диагностики различных заболеваний органов грудной клетки. Эти методы используются для диагностики поражений легких, плевры, средостения, позвоночника и легких.Целью исследования, проведенного в отделении пульмонологии больницы третичного уровня, явилось определение эффективности и безопасности FNCA / FNAB под контролем КТ при заболеваниях органов грудной клетки.Материалы и методы. Ретроспективное исследование проводилось в течение 2 лет в центре третичной медицинской помощи с разрешения Комитета по информации и этике. В исследование были включены следующие пациенты: 1) с новообразованиями средостения; 2) с легочными солитарными узлами / новообразованиями; 3) с полостями, кистами и консолидацией в легких невыясненной этиологии; 4) с плевральными новообразованиями, узелками, осумкованными скоплениями; 5) с плевральными массами, узелками, осумкованными скоплениями, подозрением на внелегочный туберкулез и туберкулез позвоночника с пре-, паравертебральным абсцессом. Данные о проведенной процедуре, рентгеновские снимки, патологоанатомические и микробиологические отчеты были получены из историй болезни, имеющихся в отделении.Результаты. Выборку составили 108 пациентов. Опухолевые заболевания выявлены у 85 (78,70 %), неопухолевые – у 23 (21,29 %) пациентов. У 78,82 % пациентов с опухолевыми заболеваниями выявлен рак легкого, у 85,07 % из них – немелкоклеточный, у 14,92 % – мелкоклеточный рак легкого. У больных с немелкоклеточным раком легкого наиболее часто встречалась аденокарцинома легкого. Наиболее частым неопухолевым заболеванием являлся туберкулез. Биопсия под контролем КТ выполнена без каких-либо осложнений в 61,11 % случаев. Наиболее частым осложнением (27,77 %) был пневмоторакс. Биопсия под контролем КТ позволила установить диагноз в 98,14 % случаев.Заключение. Чрескожная биопсия легкого под контролем КТ является эффективным, высокоточным и безопасным методом получения ткани для диагностики неопределенных поражений легких, особенно при опухолевых заболеваниях и туберкулезе

First stellar photons for an integrated optics discrete beam combiner at the William Herschel Telescope

We present the first on-sky results of a four-telescope integrated optics discrete beam combiner (DBC) tested at the 4.2mWilliamHerschel Telescope. The device consists of a four-input pupil remapper followed by a DBC and a 23-output reformatter. The whole device was written monolithically in a single alumino-borosilicate substrate using ultrafast laser inscription. The device was operated at astronomical H-band (1.6 μm), and a deformable mirror along with a microlens array was used to inject stellar photons into the device. We report the measured visibility amplitudes and closure phases obtained on Vega and Altair that are retrieved using the calibrated transfer matrix of the device. While the coherence function can be reconstructed, the on-sky results show significant dispersion from the expected values. Based on the analysis of comparable simulations, we find that such dispersion is largely caused by the limited signal-to-noise ratio of our observations. This constitutes a first step toward an improved validation of theDBCas a possible beam combination scheme for long-baseline interferometry. © 2021 Optical Society of America

Health status of the advanced elderly in six european countries: results from a representative survey using EQ-5D and SF-12

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Due to demographic change, the advanced elderly represent the fastest growing population group in Europe. Health problems tend to be frequent and increasing with age within this cohort.</p> <p>Aims of the study</p> <p>To describe and compare health status of the elderly population in six European countries and to analyze the impact of socio-demographic variables on health.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD), representative non-institutionalized population samples completed the EQ-5D and Short Form-12 (SF-12) questionnaires as part of personal computer-based home interviews in 2001-2003. This study is based on a subsample of 1659 respondents aged ≥ 75 years from Belgium (n = 194), France (n = 168), Germany (n = 244), Italy (n = 317), the Netherlands (n = 164) and Spain (n = 572). Descriptive statistics, bivariate- (chi-square tests) and multivariate methods (linear regressions) were used to examine differences in population health.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>68.8% of respondents reported problems in one or more EQ-5D dimensions, most frequently pain/discomfort (55.2%), followed by mobility (50.0%), usual activities (36.6%), self-care (18.1%) and anxiety/depression (11.6%). The proportion of respondents reporting any problems increased significantly with age in bivariate analyses (age 75-79: 65.4%; age 80-84: 69.2%; age ≥ 85: 81.1%) and differed between countries, ranging from 58.7% in the Netherlands to 72.3% in Italy. The mean EQ VAS score was 61.9, decreasing with age (age 75-79: 64.1; age 80-84: 59.8; age ≥ 85: 56.7) and ranging from 60.0 in Italy to 72.9 in the Netherlands. SF-12 derived Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) scores varied little by age and country. Age and low educational level were associated with lower EQ VAS and PCS scores. After controlling for socio-demographic variables and reported EQ-5D health states, mean EQ VAS scores were significantly higher in the Netherlands and Belgium, and lower in Germany than the grand mean.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>More than two thirds of the advanced elderly report impairment of health status. Impairment increases rapidly with age but differs considerably between countries. In all countries, health status is significantly associated with socio-demographic variables.</p

Where’s WALY? : A proof of concept study of the ‘wellbeing adjusted life year’ using secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data

Background The Quality-Adjusted Life Year (QALY) is a measure that combines life extension and health improvement in a single score, reflecting preferences around different types of health gain. It can therefore be used to inform decision-making around allocation of health care resources to mutually exclusive options that would produce qualitatively different health benefits. A number of quality-of-life instruments can be used to calculate QALYs. The EQ-5D is one of the most commonly used, and is the preferred option for submissions to NICE (https://www.nice.org.uk/process/pmg9/). However, it has limitations that might make it unsuitable for use in areas such as public and mental health where interventions may aim to improve well-being. One alternative to the QALY is a Wellbeing-Adjusted Life Year. In this study we explore the need for a Wellbeing-Adjusted Life Year measure by examining the extent to which a measure of wellbeing (the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale) maps onto the EQ-5D-3L. Methods Secondary analyses were conducted on data from the Coventry Household Survey in which 7469 participants completed the EQ-5D-3L, Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and a measure of self-rated health. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlations, linear regression, and receiver operating characteristic curves. Results Approximately 75 % of participants scored the maximum on the EQ-5D-3L. Those with maximum EQ-5D-3L scores reported a wide range of levels of mental wellbeing. Both the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and the EQ-5D-3L were able to detect differences between those with higher and lower levels of self-reported health. Linear regression indicated that scores on the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale and the EQ-5D-3L were weakly, positively correlated (with R2 being 0.104 for the index and 0.141 for the visual analogue scale). Conclusion The Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale maps onto the EQ-5D-3L to only a limited extent. Levels of mental wellbeing varied greatly amongst participants who had the maximum score on the EQ-5D-3L. To evaluate the relative effectiveness of interventions that impact on mental wellbeing, a new measure – a Wellbeing Adjusted Life Year – is needed