Numerical Hermitian Yang-Mills Connections and Kahler Cone Substructure

We further develop the numerical algorithm for computing the gauge connection of slope-stable holomorphic vector bundles on Calabi-Yau manifolds. In particular, recent work on the generalized Donaldson algorithm is extended to bundles with Kahler cone substructure on manifolds with h^{1,1}>1. Since the computation depends only on a one-dimensional ray in the Kahler moduli space, it can probe slope-stability regardless of the size of h^{1,1}. Suitably normalized error measures are introduced to quantitatively compare results for different directions in Kahler moduli space. A significantly improved numerical integration procedure based on adaptive refinements is described and implemented. Finally, an efficient numerical check is proposed for determining whether or not a vector bundle is slope-stable without computing its full connection.Comment: 38 pages, 10 figure

VAMPIRE® fundus image analysis algorithms:Validation and diagnostic relevance in hypertensive cats

OBJECTIVES: To validate a retinal imaging software named VAMPIRE® (Vascular Assay and Measurement Platform for Images of the Retina) in feline patients and test the clinical utility in hypertensive cats. ANIMALS STUDIED: One hundred and five healthy cats were enrolled. They represented the normal dataset used in the validation (group 1). Forty-three hypertensive cats with no noticeable retinal abnormalities were enrolled for the clinical validity of the software (group 2). PROCEDURES: Eleven points (4 veins, 4 arteries, and 3 arterial bifurcations) were measured for each digital image. Repeatability and reproducibility of measurements were assessed using two independent operators. Data were statistically analyzed by the Mann-Whiney and Tukey box plot. Significance was considered when P < 0.05. RESULTS: Two hundred and ten retinal images were analyzed for a total of 2310 measurements. Total mean was 9.1 and 6.1 pixels for veins and arteries, respectively. First, second, and third arteriolar bifurcations angles were 73.6°, 76.9°, and 85.4°, respectively. A comparison between groups 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant reduction in arteriolar diameter (mean 3.3 pixels) and branch angle (55°, 47.8° and 59.9°) associated with increasing vein diameter (mean 24.15 pixels). CONCLUSIONS: Current image analysis techniques used in human medicine were investigated in terms of extending their use to veterinary medicine. The VAMPIRE® algorithm proved useful for an objective diagnosis of retinal vasculature changes secondary to systemic hypertension in cats, and could be an additional diagnostic test for feline systemic hypertension

ADvanced IMage Algebra (ADIMA): a novel method for depicting multiple sclerosis lesion heterogeneity, as demonstrated by quantitative MRI.

There are modest correlations between multiple sclerosis (MS) disability and white matter lesion (WML) volumes, as measured by T2-weighted (T2w) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (T2-WML). This may partly reflect pathological heterogeneity in WMLs, which is not apparent on T2w scans

A qualitative study of advanced nurse practitioners’ use of physical assessment skills in the community: shifting skills across professional boundaries

Aim To explore multiple perspectives on the use of physical assessment skills by Advanced Nurse Practitioners in the UK Background Physical assessment skills practices are embedded in advanced nursing practice roles in the UK. There is little evidence on how these skills are used by Advanced Nurse Practitioners' on the community. Design Case study Methodology and methods. A qualitative interpretative single-embedded case study of 22 participants from South of England. A framework method analysed interview data collected by the researcher between March and August 2013. Participants included nurses, doctors, nurse educators and managers Findings Physical assessment skills education at Universities are part of a policy shift to develop a flexible workforce in the UK. Shared physical assessment practices are less to do with role substitution and more about preparing practitioners with skills that are fit for purpose. Competence capability and performance with physical assessment skills are an expectation of advanced nursing practice. Conclusions These skills are used successfully by community Advanced Nurse Practitioners to deliver a wide range of services in response to changing patient need. The introduction of physical assessment skills education to undergraduate professional preparation would create a firm foundation to develop these skills in post-graduate education. Relevance to clinical practice. • Physical assessment education prepares nurses with the clinical competencies to carry out healthcare reforms in the UK • Shared sets of clinical assessment competencies between disciplines have better outcomes for patients • Levels of assessment competence can depend on the professional attributes of individual practitioners • Unsupportive learning cultures can hinder professional development of advanced nursing practic

Does cardiac rehabilitation meet minimum standards: an observational study using UK national audit?

Objective: To assess the extent by which programmes meet national minimum standards for the delivery of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) as part of the National Certification Programme for Cardiovascular Rehabilitation (NCP_CR). Methods: The analysis used UK National Audit of Cardiac Rehabilitation (NACR) data extracted and validated for the period 2013–2014 set against six NCP_CR measures deemed as important for the delivery of high-quality CR programmes. Each programme that achieved a single minimum standard was given a score of 1. The range of the scoring for meeting the minimum standards is between 1 and 6. The performance of CR programmes was categorised into three groups: high (score of 5–6), middle (scores of 3–4) and low (scores of 1–2). If a programme did not meet any of the six criteria, they were considered to have failed. Results: Data from 170 CR programmes revealed statistically significant differences among UK CR programmes. The principal findings were that, based on NCP_CR criteria, 30.6% were assessed as high performance with 45.9% as midlevel performance programmes, 18.2% were in the lower-level and 5.3% failed to meet any of the minimum criteria. Conclusions: This study shows that high levels of performance is achievable in the era of modern cardiology and that many CR programmes are close to meeting high performance standards. However, substantial variation, below the recommended minimum standards, exists throughout the UK. National certification should be seen as a positive step to ensure that patients, irrespective of where they live, are accessing quality services

How early can myocardial iron overload occur in Beta thalassemia major?

BACKGROUND: Myocardial siderosis is the most common cause of death in patients with beta thalassemia major(TM). This study aimed at investigating the occurrence, prevalence and severity of cardiac iron overload in a young Chinese population with beta TM. METHODS AND RESULTS: We analyzed T2* cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and serum ferritin (SF) in 201 beta TM patients. The median age was 9 years old. Patients received an average of 13 units of blood per year. The median SF level was 4536 ng/ml and 165 patients (82.1%) had SF>2500 ng/ml. Myocardial iron overload was detected in 68 patients (33.8%) and severe myocardial iron overload was detected in 26 patients (12.6%). Twenty-two patients ≤10 years old had myocardial iron overload, three of whom were only 6 years old. No myocardial iron overload was detected under the age of 6 years. Median LVEF was 64% (measured by CMR in 175 patients). Five of 6 patients with a LVEF<56% and 8 of 10 patients with cardiac disease had myocardial iron overload. CONCLUSIONS: The TM patients under follow-up at this regional centre in China patients are younger than other reported cohorts, more poorly-chelated, and have a high burden of iron overload. Myocardial siderosis occurred in patients younger than previously reported, and was strongly associated with impaired LVEF and cardiac disease. For such poorly-chelated TM patients, our data shows that the first assessment of cardiac T2* should be performed as early as 6 years old

Insights from echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and microcomputed tomography relative to the mid-myocardial left ventricular echogenic zone.

Background: The anatomical substrate for the mid-mural ventricular hyperechogenic zone remains uncertain, but it may represent no more than ultrasound reflected from cardiomyocytes orientated orthogonally to the ultrasonic beam. We sought to ascertain the relationship between the echogenic zone and the orientation of the cardiomyocytes. Methods: We used 3D echocardiography, diffusion tensor imaging, and microcomputed tomography to analyze the location and orientation of cardiomyocytes within the echogenic zone. Results: We demonstrated that visualization of the echogenic zone is dependent on the position of the transducer and is most clearly seen from the apical window. Diffusion tensor imaging and microcomputed tomography show that the echogenic zone seen from the apical window corresponds to the position of the circumferentially orientated cardiomyocytes. An oblique band seen in the parasternal view relates to cardiomyocytes orientated orthogonally to the ultrasonic beam. Conclusions: The mid-mural ventricular hyperechogenic zone represents reflected ultrasound from cardiomyocytes aligned orthogonal to the ultrasonic beam. The echogenic zone does not represent a space, a connective tissue sheet, a boundary between ascending and descending limbs of a hypothetical helical ventricular myocardial band, nor an abrupt change in cardiomyocyte orientation

Insights from echocardiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and microcomputed tomography relative to the mid-myocardial left ventricular echogenic zone.

BACKGROUND: The anatomical substrate for the mid-mural ventricular hyperechogenic zone remains uncertain, but it may represent no more than ultrasound reflected from cardiomyocytes orientated orthogonally to the ultrasonic beam. We sought to ascertain the relationship between the echogenic zone and the orientation of the cardiomyocytes. METHODS: We used 3D echocardiography, diffusion tensor imaging, and microcomputed tomography to analyze the location and orientation of cardiomyocytes within the echogenic zone. RESULTS: We demonstrated that visualization of the echogenic zone is dependent on the position of the transducer and is most clearly seen from the apical window. Diffusion tensor imaging and microcomputed tomography show that the echogenic zone seen from the apical window corresponds to the position of the circumferentially orientated cardiomyocytes. An oblique band seen in the parasternal view relates to cardiomyocytes orientated orthogonally to the ultrasonic beam. CONCLUSIONS: The mid-mural ventricular hyperechogenic zone represents reflected ultrasound from cardiomyocytes aligned orthogonal to the ultrasonic beam. The echogenic zone does not represent a space, a connective tissue sheet, a boundary between ascending and descending limbs of a hypothetical helical ventricular myocardial band, nor an abrupt change in cardiomyocyte orientation

The changing information environment for nanotechnology: online audiences and content

The shift toward online communication in all realms, from print newspapers to broadcast television, has implications for how the general public consumes information about nanotechnology. The goal of this study is threefold: to investigate who is using online sources for information and news about science and nanotechnology, to examine what the general public is searching for online with regards to nanotechnology, and to analyze what they find in online content of nanotechnology. Using survey data, we find those who report the Internet as their primary source of science and technology news are diverse in age, more knowledgeable about science and nanotechnology, highly educated, male, and more diverse racially than users of other media. In a comparison of demographic data on actual visits by online users to general news and science Web sites, science sites attracted more male, non-white users from the Western region of the United States than news sites did. News sites, on the other hand, attracted those with a slightly higher level of education. Our analysis of published estimates of keyword searches on nanotechnology reveals people are turning to the Internet to search for keyword searches related to the future, health, and applications of nanotechnology. A content analysis of online content reveals health content dominates overall. Comparisons of content in different types of sites—blogs, government, and general sites—are conducted