On Semi-Classical States of Quantum Gravity and Noncommutative Geometry

We construct normalizable, semi-classical states for the previously proposed model of quantum gravity which is formulated as a spectral triple over holonomy loops. The semi-classical limit of the spectral triple gives the Dirac Hamiltonian in 3+1 dimensions. Also, time-independent lapse and shift fields emerge from the semi-classical states. Our analysis shows that the model might contain fermionic matter degrees of freedom. The semi-classical analysis presented in this paper does away with most of the ambiguities found in the initial semi-finite spectral triple construction. The cubic lattices play the role of a coordinate system and a divergent sequence of free parameters found in the Dirac type operator is identified as a certain inverse infinitesimal volume element.Comment: 31 pages, 10 figure

The Banff 2022 Kidney Meeting Work Plan:Data-driven refinement of the Banff Classification for renal allografts

The XVIth Banff Meeting for Allograft Pathology was held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, from September 19 to 23, 2022, as a joint meeting with the Canadian Society of Transplantation. In addition to a key focus on the impact of microvascular inflammation and biopsy-based transcript analysis on the Banff Classification, further sessions were devoted to other aspects of kidney transplant pathology, in particular T cell–mediated rejection, activity and chronicity indices, digital pathology, xenotransplantation, clinical trials, and surrogate endpoints. Although the output of these sessions has not led to any changes in the classification, the key role of Banff Working Groups in phrasing unanswered questions, and coordinating and disseminating results of investigations addressing these unanswered questions was emphasized. This paper summarizes the key Banff Meeting 2022 sessions not covered in the Banff Kidney Meeting 2022 Report paper and also provides an update on other Banff Working Group activities relevant to kidney allografts.</p

The Banff 2022 Kidney Meeting Work Plan:Data-driven refinement of the Banff Classification for renal allografts

The XVIth Banff Meeting for Allograft Pathology was held in Banff, Alberta, Canada, from September 19 to 23, 2022, as a joint meeting with the Canadian Society of Transplantation. In addition to a key focus on the impact of microvascular inflammation and biopsy-based transcript analysis on the Banff Classification, further sessions were devoted to other aspects of kidney transplant pathology, in particular T cell–mediated rejection, activity and chronicity indices, digital pathology, xenotransplantation, clinical trials, and surrogate endpoints. Although the output of these sessions has not led to any changes in the classification, the key role of Banff Working Groups in phrasing unanswered questions, and coordinating and disseminating results of investigations addressing these unanswered questions was emphasized. This paper summarizes the key Banff Meeting 2022 sessions not covered in the Banff Kidney Meeting 2022 Report paper and also provides an update on other Banff Working Group activities relevant to kidney allografts.</p

A guide to advanced MRI processing for clinical glioma research

Background To date, multiple advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) methods beyond conventional qualitative structural imaging for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment follow-up of glioma have demonstrated their utility for clinical studies. However, these methods often rely on complex off-scanner processing to yield the most information and to extract quantitative biomarkers, limiting their practical use for studies, as well as their clinical translation. While community-driven software solutions exist for these advanced MRI methods, many aspiring clinical researchers face challenges in acquiring the necessary knowledge to effectively apply these tools. This guide, an initiative of the Glioma MR imaging 2.0 network (GliMR), aims to provide an overview of existing solutions, communities, and repositories with the ultimate goal of enabling standardization, open science, and reproducible quantitative imaging studies of gliomas. Yet, most of the reviewed tools and approaches to image data analyses may also be used in the context of studies on diseases other than glioma. Content This guide summarizes the state-of-the-art processing software solutions and the repositories/communities for the following advanced MRI methods: DSC; DCE; ASL; diffusion MRI; relaxometry; MRF; MRS; CEST; SWI; QSM; MRE; and task-based and resting-state fMRI. For each of those, after a short introduction about the method and output parameters, the required and recommended image processing steps and quality control measures are described, and we point to further literature for more details. In addition, an overview of openly available software tools that provide these functionalities for MRI processing and exemplify workflows is given. Wherever possible, the readers are guided toward existing inventories, repositories, and communities, which offer not only a collection of these tools, but also more in-depth guidance. Each part concludes with an appraisal of the estimated required expertise and future development needs. Conclusion This guide provides an extensive overview of the currently available processing tools that can help aspiring clinical researchers to obtain high-quality reproducible imaging data from advanced MRI scans of gliomas. While GliMR n is focused on glioma research, this guide will also be helpful for other clinical neuroimaging topics as general processing steps may not be specific to glioma only