Design of a virtual data shelf to effectively explore a large database of 3D medical surface models in VR.

PURPOSE: Medical researchers deal with a large amount of patient data to improve future treatment decisions and come up with new hypotheses. To facilitate working with a large database containing many patients and parameters, we propose a virtual data shelf, displaying the 3D anatomical surface models in an immersive VR environment. METHODS: Thereby, different functionalities such as sorting, filtering and finding similar cases are included. To provide an appropriate layout and arrangement of 3D models that optimally supports working with the database, three layouts (flat, curved and spherical) and two distances are evaluated. A broad audience study with 61 participants was conducted to compare the different layouts based on their ease of interaction, to get an overview and to explore single cases. Medical experts additionally evaluated medical use cases. RESULTS: The study revealed that the flat layout with small distance is significantly faster in providing an overview. Applying the virtual data shelf to the medical use case intracranial aneurysms, qualitative expert feedback with two neuroradiologists and two neurosurgeons was gathered. Most of the surgeons preferred the curved and spherical layouts. CONCLUSION: Our tool combines benefits of two data management metaphors, resulting in an efficient way to work with a large database of 3D models in VR. The evaluation gives insight into benefits of layouts as well as possible use cases in medical research.

Microwave Realization of the Gaussian Symplectic Ensemble.

Following an idea by Joyner et al. [Europhys. Lett. 107, 50004 (2014)], a microwave graph with an antiunitary symmetry T obeying T^{2}=-1 is realized. The Kramers doublets expected for such systems are clearly identified and can be lifted by a perturbation which breaks the antiunitary symmetry. The observed spectral level spacings distribution of the Kramers doublets is in agreement with the predictions from the Gaussian symplectic ensemble expected for chaotic systems with such a symmetry.

Regular modes in a mixed-dynamics-based optical fiber.

A multimode optical fiber with a truncated transverse cross section acts as a powerful versatile support to investigate the wave features of complex ray dynamics. In this paper, we concentrate on the case of a geometry inducing mixed dynamics. We highlight that regular modes associated with stable periodic orbits present an enhanced spatial intensity localization. We report the statistics of the inverse participation ratio whose features are analogous to those of Anderson localized modes. Our study is supported by both numerical and experimental results on the spatial localization and spectral regularity of the regular modes.

Differences in biofilm formation and antimicrobial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from airways of mechanically ventilated patients and cystic fibrosis patients.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms exhibit increased antimicrobial resistance compared with planktonic isolates and are implicated in the pathogenesis of both acute and chronic lung infections. Whilst antibiotic choices for both infections are based on planktonic antibiotic susceptibility results, differences in biofilm-forming ability between the two diseases have not previously been explored. The aim of this study was to compare differences in biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance of P. aeruginosa isolated from intubated patients and from patients with chronic pulmonary disease associated with cystic fibrosis (CF). The temporal evolution of antibiotic resistance in clonal P. aeruginosa strains isolated from CF patients during periods of chronic infection and acute pulmonary exacerbation was also evaluated. Biofilm formation and biofilm antibiotic susceptibilities were determined using a modified microtitre plate assay and were compared with antibiotic susceptibility results obtained using traditional planktonic culture. Clonality was confirmed using random amplified polymorphic DNA polymerase chain reaction (RAPD-PCR) analysis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from intubated patients produced substantially more biofilms compared with CF isolates. There was considerable heterogeneity in biofilm-forming ability amongst the CF isolates and this was unrelated to pulmonary status. Biofilm antibiotic resistance developed rapidly amongst clonal CF isolates over time, whilst traditional antibiotic resistance determined using planktonic cultures remained stable. There was a significant positive correlation between imipenem/cilastatin and ceftazidime resistance and biofilm-forming ability. The variability in biofilm-forming ability in P. aeruginosa and the rapid evolution of biofilm resistance may require consideration when choosing antibiotic therapy for newly intubated patients and CF patients.