Search

In the centenary year of the British Cardiovascular Society (BCS), this review article outlines the influence of UK cardiologists and surgeons on the field of heart valve disease, many of whom can rightly claim ‘world firsts’ in the field. From the description of endocarditis as we know it today at the turn of the 20th century, to the first mitral valvotomy, heart valve replacement and invention of the Ross procedure. These advances have transformed the outlook of patients with symptomatic valve disease from palliation and certain death to curative treatment and near normal life expectancy. Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) was adopted early in the UK, and thanks to the comprehensive national database, the UK TAVI registry is one of the world’s largest, contributing real-world patient data to inform clinical practice. The more recent concepts of ‘Heart Valve Centres of Excellence’ and specialist valve clinics have been developed by the BCS-affiliated British Heart Valve Society which continues to drive improved standards for patients with heart valve disease. The next 100 years will no doubt be equally thrilling in terms of innovation for heart valve disease, with artificial intelligence, transcatheter therapies and cutting-edge technology continuing to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.

Past lattice simulations tentatively suggested that the spectrum of observable particles in BSM theories is qualitatively different than perturbatively expected. The discrepancy can be traced back to nontrivial field-theoretical effects arising from the requirement of gauge invariance. A perturbative but gauge-invariant approach working directly with bound states (as proposed by Fr\"ohlich, Morchio and Strocchi) could provide a solution, by allowing composite-state effects to be treated within a perturbative framework. We consider a toy GUT-like theory -- SU(3) Yang-Mills coupled to a scalar `Higgs' in the fundamental representation -- and expand on previous work by providing the most comprehensive spectroscopy to date, including all channels up to spin 2. Our results strongly support the general conclusion that the elementary spectrum is not an adequate proxy for the low-energy spectrum of a GUT, and also suggest a possible analytical approach to BSM model-building via the Fr\"ohlich-Morchio-Strocchi approach.

In the holographic approach to cosmology, cosmological observables are described in terms of correlators of a three-dimensional boundary quantum field theory. As a concrete model, we study the $3D$ massless $SU(N)$ scalar matrix field theory with a $\phi^4$ interaction. On the lattice, the energy-momentum tensor (EMT) in this theory can mix with the operator $\phi^2$. We utilize the Wilson Flow to renormalize the EMT on the lattice, and present numerical results for the mixing coefficient for $N = 2$. Obtaining the renormalized EMT will allow us to make predictions for the CMB power spectra in the regime where the dual QFT is non-perturbative., Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, presented at the 38th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory - LATTICE2021 - 26-30 July, 2021, Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This is the first report of a disseminated protozoal infection in a wild feathertail glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) from south-eastern Australia. The glider was found dead in poor body condition. Histologically, large numbers of zoites were seen predominantly in macrophages in the liver, spleen and lung, with protozoal cysts present in the liver. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses inferred that the protozoan parasite belongs to the family Sarcocystidae and is closely related to previously identified apicomplexans found in yellow-bellied gliders (Petaurus australis) in Australia and southern mouse opossums (Thylamys elegans) in Chile., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • A novel apicomplexan parasite caused a disseminated fatal disease in a wild feathertail glider. • The apicomplexan parasite is a member of the family Sarcocystidae. • It is most closely related to parasites previously identified in yellow-bellied gliders in Australia and southern mouseopossums in Chile.

The established processes for ensuring safe outpatient surveillance of patients with known heart valve disease (HVD), echocardiography for patients referred with new murmurs and timely delivery of surgical or transcatheter treatment for patients with severe disease have all been significantly impacted by the novel coronavirus pandemic. This has created a large backlog of work and upstaging of disease with consequent increases in risk and cost of treatment and potential for worse long-term outcomes. As countries emerge from lockdown but with COVID-19 endemic in society, precautions remain that restrict ‘normal’ practice. In this article, we propose a methodology for restructuring services for patients with HVD and provide recommendations pertaining to frequency of follow-up and use of echocardiography at present. It will be almost impossible to practice exactly as we did prior to the pandemic; thus, it is essential to prioritise patients with the greatest clinical need, such as those with symptomatic severe HVD. Local procedural waiting times will need to be considered, in addition to usual clinical characteristics in determining whether patients requiring intervention would be better suited having surgical or transcatheter treatment. We present guidance on the identification of stable patients with HVD that could have follow-up deferred safely and suggest certain patients that could be discharged from follow-up if waiting lists are triaged with appropriate clinical input. Finally, we propose that novel models of working enforced by the pandemic—such as increased use of virtual clinics—should be further developed and evaluated.

In a class of holographic models for cosmology, the dual theory is given by a massless super-renormalisable QFT in 3 dimensions. In order to obtain cosmological observables, correlators of this QFT may be obtained via lattice field theory. Previous work has focused on scalar $\phi^4$ matrix theories in the adjoint representation of SU(N). In this work we present preliminary results in the critical behaviour and phase structure of the theory with an SU(N) scalar field coupled to gauge fields by utilising the Heatbath-Overrelaxation (HBOR) algorithm in lattice field theory.

This article presents a case study exploring the interrelationship between talk and learning in collaborative computer-based music production. Framed by Neil Mercer and Karen Littleton’s Sociocultural perspective on collaborative learning, research on talk and ‘thinking together’ for learning, this study observed two undergraduate composers as they co-produced a contemporary dance film soundtrack across one academic term. The composers recorded their collaboration, providing data for a systematic moment-by-moment micro-analysis focusing on the audio-visual aspects of this project over twelve weeks. Sociocultural discourse analysis methods were used to explore how social, cultural and concrete situations shaped the students’ developing common knowledge. Interaction analysis has been used to code turn functions and display talk characteristics and patterns. This research found that collaborative computer music production is a ‘cumulative conversation’, comprised of many ‘thinking spaces’ that foster ‘post-dialogic’ activity’ and ‘connection building’. In this case the students developed new ‘tools for progressive discourse’ providing them access to the remote and private ‘thinking spaces’ that are characteristic of longer-term co-creating. This research argues for the development of new pedagogies that focus on understanding how talk shapes collaborative learning within music technology.

For three consecutive years, the Age-Friendly Design Committee (AFDC) of the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) used AGHE's annual meeting as a platform to conduct community-based service-learning workshops focusing on age-friendly design. These workshops assembled local stakeholders, conference attendees from multiple disciplines, and landscape and architectural designers to discuss age-friendly design issues and solutions for local environments. Each workshop provided hands-on design experience and the opportunity for AGHE participants to contribute to conference host communities by using their gerontological expertise to translate knowledge into practice. Local stakeholders learned the value of gerontological input when considering design issues. We describe the process of incorporating service-learning into the conference experience through age-friendly design workshops and how these bring together students, faculty, and design professionals from different backgrounds and disciplines to address local age-friendly design issues.

The Leadbeater's possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri) is a critically endangered marsupial in south-eastern Australia. Among other conservation efforts, free-ranging animals in the two remaining geographically separate populations (highland and lowland) have been extensively studied; however, little is known about their health and mortality. Although some wild populations are frequently monitored, cadavers are rarely recovered for post mortem examination. In June 2019, a recently deceased, wild, adult male lowland Leadbeater's possum was collected from a nest box and a comprehensive post mortem examination was conducted. Microfilariae of a filarioid nematode were observed in testes, liver, lung and skin samples in tissue impression smears and upon histopathological examination. No gross or histological changes were seen associated with the parasites, except for a focal area of tissue damage in the skin, suggesting that the possum is a natural host. Using a PCR-coupled sequencing method the filarioid was identified as a species of Breinlia. Species of Breinlia occur in other Australian marsupials and rodents., Graphical abstract Image 1, Highlights • A post mortem examination of a wild endangered Leadbeater's possum was performed. • Microfilariae were observed in testes, liver, lung and skin. • The filarioid nematode was identified as Breinlia sp. Using molecular techniques. • The possum appears to be the natural host of this parasite.

A nonperturbative determination of the energy-momentum tensor is essential for understanding the physics of strongly coupled systems. The ability of the Wilson flow to eliminate divergent contact terms makes it a practical method for renormalizing the energy-momentum tensor on the lattice. In this paper, we utilize the Wilson flow to define a procedure to renormalize the energy-momentum tensor for a three-dimensional massless scalar field in the adjoint of $SU(N)$ with a $\varphi^4$ interaction on the lattice. In this theory the energy-momentum tensor can mix with $\varphi^2$ and we present numerical results for the mixing coefficient for the $N=2$ theory., Comment: 29 pages, 9 figures

The requirement of manifest gauge invariance leads to a conflict between perturbative and non-perturbative predictions for the low-energy spectra of grand-unified theories. These conflicts already emerge in simplified prototype models of SU(3) gauge theories with Higgs fields in different representations. We expand earlier lattice investigations on this subject and provide further support for the predicted deviations. These can be understood in terms of the Froehlich-Morchio-Strocchi mechanism., Comment: 15 pages, 4 figures, combined Proceedings for "The 38th International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory, LATTICE2021"

Introduction: Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to assess maximal oxygen uptake (peak VO2) and oxygen uptake at the anaerobic threshold (AT) is of value in pre-operative risk stratification for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair: an AT of 11ml.min.kg has been reported to correlate with healthcare utilisation and post-operative outcomes. Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive technique associated with lower cardio-respiratory stress than open repair but the role of CPET is not yet established. We investigated the predictive value of CPET in EVAR outcomes. Method: Patient demographics, length of admission (LOA) and critical care requirements of all EVAR subjects who underwent preoperative CPET between July 2014 and September 2017 were compared using CPET data. Correlations between data sets were made using Spearman9s rank order correlation and the Mann Whitney U test. Results: 77 patients were included. Peak VO2, AT and Eq.CO2 did not predict LOA (r=-0.0997; p=0.3957, r=0.1409; p=0.3947; r=0.05575; p=0.6347, respectively) and classification of AT threshold to 11ml.min.kg did not influence the relationship with LOA (3 vs 2 days, p=0.1775). AT was no different in patients requiring post-operative critical care admission (12.3 vs 11.7ml.min.kg; p=0.08092, respectively). Conclusion: Our data suggest that AT does not predict LOA or critical care requirement following EVAR. The conventionally used AT threshold may be misleading as a marker of preoperative fitness by potentially excluding patients who are fit for EVAR. Furthermore our study may question the clinical usefulness of CPET in EVAR preoperative risk stratification.

Columbid herpesvirus-1 (CoHV-1) is widespread in feral pigeons in North America and Europe. We used a PCR assay to detect CoHV-1 DNA in oral and cloacal tissues and oral swabs from naturally infected pigeons. Fifty-three feral pigeons from five flocks in Australia (n=3 from south-central Victoria and n=2 from Sydney) were examined for CoHV-1 DNA. We detected CoHV-1 DNA in oral mucosa and cloacal mucosa, with higher concentrations in the oral mucosa. The sensitivity of testing oral swabs was the same as testing the tissue, indicating that testing of oral swabs from live birds is an effective means of screening flocks for CoHV-1 infection. Infection was found in all five of the flocks examined and the prevalence of infection ranged from 70% to100%. Most positive birds could be detected with a single-amplification PCR, but a nested amplification was required to detect others. Oral swabs from Australian native doves and pigeons (n=18) and the introduced Collared Dove (Streptopelia chinensis; n=2) were also tested by the nested PCR and all were negative for CoHV-1 DNA. We describe a fatal infection of CoHV-1 in a wild Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua) that was observed feeding on feral pigeons. This is the first known case of CoHV-1 causing death in a wild bird of prey in Australia. Our data suggest that CoHV-1 is widespread in feral pigeon flocks in Australia but we did not find it in native doves and pigeons. Spillover into native avian predator species may be occurring.

Wildebeest-associated malignant catarrhal fever (WA-MCF), a fatal disease of cattle caused by alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1), is one of the most important seasonal diseases of cattle in wildebeest endemic areas, with annual incidence reaching 10%. Here we report efficacy of over 80% for a vaccine based on the attenuated AlHV-1 C500 strain, in preventing fatal WA-MCF in cattle exposed to natural wildebeest challenge. The study was conducted at Kapiti Plains Ranch Ltd, south-east of Nairobi, Kenya. In 2016, 146 cattle were selected for a randomised placebo-controlled trial. Cattle were stratified according to breed and age and randomly assigned to groups given vaccine or culture medium mixed with Emulsigen®. Cattle received prime and boost inoculations one month apart and few adverse reactions (n = 4) were observed. Indirect ELISA demonstrated that all cattle in the vaccine group developed a serological response to AlHV-1. The study herd was grazed with wildebeest from one month after booster vaccination. Three cattle, two that received vaccine and one control, succumbed to conditions unrelated to WA-MCF before the study ended. Twenty-five cattle succumbed to WA-MCF; four of the remaining 71 cattle in the vaccine group (5.6%) and 21 of the remaining 72 control cattle (29.2%; χ2 = 13.6, df = 1, p

IntroductionThe social media activity of some healthcare students has created doubt about their ability to uphold and defend the ethical principles of healthcare in their online behaviours. A lot of research has been conducted on the online behaviours of medical and allied health professional students, however, less has been undertaken on dental students.AimsThe aim was to determine whether students were aware of the guidelines set by the General Dental Council (GDC) regarding social media and whether they believed they were being professional in their online activities.Methods and materialsEighty-eight dental students (46 from year 2; 42 from year 4) at one UK dental school completed a questionnaire study examining their attitude towards and perceptions of e-professionalism.ResultsThe results show that most students were heavy users of social media with an awareness of social media guidelines set out by the GDC. However, student responses to various e-professionalism scenarios reveals disagreement on whether posts referring to alcohol and work colleagues were deemed unprofessional.ConclusionStudent perceptions of and attitudes towards e-professionalism is complicated and contradictory. More research will need to be undertaken to explore how we can inculcate e-professional values and behaviours in dental professionalism teaching.

Music education is supported by an increasing range of digital technologies that afford a remarkable divergence of opportunities for learning within the classroom. Musical creativities are not, however, limited to classroom situations; all musicians are engaged in work that traverses multiple social and physical settings. Guided by sociocultural theory of human action, this paper presents a case-study analysis of two computer-based composers creating one soundtrack together. Analysing how collaborative work was undertaken in all of the naturally occurring settings, this paper shows how the students' interrelationships with technology constituted their understandings, creative output and their ecology of practice. The research contributes new knowledge about how digitally resourced creating is shaped by remote, remembered, hypothetical and imagined digital technologies. It also shows how technology-mediated co-creating is a complex interactional accomplishment, implicating the value of long-term multisetti...

Employing recent research results covering fake news content shaping the COVID-19 pandemic fear, and building our argument by drawing on data collected from Gallup, GlobalWebIndex, Knight Foundation, Ofcom, Pew Research Center, Public Knowledge, Statista, and University of Canberra, we performed analyses and made estimates regarding the relationship between virus anxiety, emotional contagion, and responsible media reporting Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the collected data

The Association for Gerontology in Higher Education (AGHE) fosters the commitment of higher education to the field of aging through education, research, and public service. As part of AGHE’s last three annual conferences from 2016–2018 – in Long Beach, CA, Miami, FL, and Atlanta, GA – the Age-friendly Design Committee (AFDC) coordinated design charrette workshops with local partners (e.g., universities, public agencies) that led to design recommendations for advancing each conference host community’s age friendliness. We will highlight the evolution of partnerships with local universities, conference attendees, and community stakeholders. Local university partners included California State University Long Beach (CSULB), Florida International University (FIU), and Georgia Gwinnett College (GGC). In Long Beach, 2016, the AFDC worked with a CSULB gerontology faculty member, student, and operator of a residential care facility for older adults, recommending improvements for the home’s social and physical environments. In Miami, 2017, the AFDC worked with an FIU landscape architecture class utilizing PhotoVoice methods to incorporate older adult perspectives into the design of the Underline, an urban linear park under construction. In Atlanta, 2018, the AFDC offered a pre-conference workshop focused on age-friendly design concepts, curricula, and community-based research and service approaches. The AFDC worked with GGC faculty and sociology students to assess age-friendly features and barriers of Atlanta’s BeltLine, a network of parks, trails, and community service access points. These charrettes enabled AGHE conference members to collaborate with local community stakeholders to move toward more age-friendly environments.

The genetic basis of plumage color variation has already been determined for many model species; however, the genetic mechanisms responsible for intraspecific color variation in the majority of wild-bird species are yet to be uncovered. The Australian magpie (Cracticus tibicen) is a large black and white passerine which is widely distributed across the Australian continent. The proportion of melanized back plumage varies between regionally delineated subspecies; where back-color forms overlap, intermediate color phenotypes are produced. This study examined the majority (861 bp) of the coding region of the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), a candidate gene for plumage color differentiation in 98 magpies from across the Australian continent, to determine if the gene is associated with magpie back-color variation and explore phylogeographic signal within the gene. Neutrality and selection tests (Tajima's D, Fu's F (S), MKT) indicate the gene is unlikely to be currently under selection pressure and, together with other lines of evidence, suggest a past demographic expansion event within the species congruent with the results of previous mitochondrial phylogeographic work on this species. None of the 15 synonymous and four nonsynonymous substitutions within MC1R were found to be associated with plumage variation. Our results suggest that genes or regulatory elements other than MC1R may determine back-color variation in C. tibicen.

This chapter explores how an extra-curricular approach to enabling interdisciplinary collaboration at The University of Huddersfield has helped music technology undergraduates to become enterprising. It explains the format of a collaboration hub (referred to as CollabHub), and following a brief overview of the key concepts that informed this initiative it provides examples that begin to illustrate how we can recognise risk taking, creativity and enterprise in this assessment-free setting. The CollabHub presents a continually evolving context for collaborative play, which is starting to build a community of apprenticeship. It is framed by research that has what David Hargreaves described as a social agenda for examining collaborative creativity in music. Looking ahead, this work considers how we may begin recognising and rewarding enterprise in this kind of extra-curricular context. Considering these themes and the broader implications for creative practice within and beyond a HMEI, it raises implications questions that may guide new research on extra-curricular collaborative play and enterprise development in HMEIs.

n/a