1,235 research outputs found
Beauty for the Present: Mill, Arnold, Ruskin and Aesthetic Education
No full textThe present thesis examines the idea of aesthetic education of three eminent Victorians: John Stuart Mill, Matthew Arnold and John Ruskin. By focusing on the essence of what they meant with ‘the cultivation of the beautiful’ and, more importantly, the way their ideas of beauty informed their criticism of society, my study aims to contribute to our understanding of the idea of aesthetic education in the Victorian context and, further, to participate in a recent debate about the nature of beauty and aesthetic education.
Chapter One focuses on John Stuart Mill’s concept of ‘feeling’ in a series of essays. I will demonstrate how Mill’s idea of ‘aesthetic education’ was an ‘education of feelings,’ and moreover, how this idea was integrated into his literary criticism, his later critique of democratisation, his description of an ideal liberal society and even his own style of writing. Chapter Two contains a comparative study of Matthew Arnold and Friedrich Schiller. Through a rereading of Arnold, I will argue that his idea of aesthetic education is essentially Schillerian and that their resemblance consists primarily in their stress on the importance of aesthetic unity for modern life, which was becoming increasingly fragmentary and multitudinous. Chapter Three examines John Ruskin’s idea of aesthetic education and concentrates particularly on the cultivation of perception. Perception, as I shall show, was pivotal in Ruskin’s idea of aesthetic education. Just as what happened in Mill and Arnold, the emphasis on the education of seeing continued from his early writings well into his art and social criticisms. It not only differentiated him from his fellow art critics; the conviction that people should perceive with a pure heart also enabled him to link observation of artistic details with moral criticism of contemporary society and, thereby, to turn the cultivation of the beautiful into a moral-aesthetic experience
Rashkova, T. The Robson cubics for matrix algebras with involution (Acta Univ. Apulensis Math. Inform.).
No full textLet R be the free associative algebra over a field K on
generators and let be the free
associative -algebra in one further indeterminate Consider
the set of polynomials in which are satisfied by
the matrix Such polynomials are
called laws over of the matrix Robson in [Robson, J.
C. Polynomials satisfied by matrices. J. Algebra 55 (1978), no.
2, 509--520; MR523471 (80j:15012)] proved that such laws are a
``consequence" of a finite set of laws and for he exhibited
generators called Robson cubics.
Here the author considers the special case when is a
symmetric or skew-symmetric matrix under the transpose
or symplectic involution and gives an explicit form of the Robson
cubics. Some other results are also given in case $n=3.
Steering Through Turbulence: The Shadow Federal Budget for 2008
No full textNear-term turbulence should not distract Ottawa budget-makers from critical long-term tasks. This 2008 shadow federal budget will move Canada a key step forward by providing improved incentives and rewards for Canadians' work and saving, and a more congenial environment for investment and innovation.fiscal policy, Canadian government budget
Spectral transmittance of solar radiation by screens and nets used in horticulture and agriculture
No full text<p>We present a dataset of measurement of the spectral transmittance of 197 horticultural nets and screens from five companies. These materials span a range of uses from shading and reducing the heat load on plants to blocking pests such as birds and insects. Routinely, these materials are used in greenhouses and polytunnels to reduce the sunlight received by plants, however their spectral transmittance is not routinely measured. The spectral irradiance that plants receive can affect plant growth and photomorphogenesis, hence this information is of value when selecting the most appropriate material for a given purpose. The spectral transmittance of the materials was measured outdoors close to solar noon using an array spectrometer calibrated for the range 290-900 nm and compared directly with the ambient solar spectral irradiance. The measured spectrum encompasses those regions perceived by plants through known photoreceptors and used by plants in photosynthesis: ultraviolet (UV); photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and near infra red (far red – FR).</p>
<p>The solar spectral photon irradiance (μmol m<sup>-2</sup> s<sup>-1</sup>) transmitted by screens and nets from several manufacturers was measured with an array spectroradiometer. Our measurements and analyses are focused on the differences in spectral irradiance, created when employing these screens and nets, in order to address the lack of detailed studies of these light environments, rather than the physiochemical properties of materials or their cost-effectiveness. The measurements of spectral irradiance under climate screens, and shade and insect nets, were made on clear days in sunny conditions close to solar noon (between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m local time) at NC State University campus (35.78°N, -78.67°W) in late July and early August 2017, and in Viikki Field Plots at the University of Helsinki (60.22°N, 25.01°E, 55 m asl) in July and August 2018. The methods for measurements at North Carolina State University follow the protocol described below and published in <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0199628">Kotilainen et al., (2018)</a>, where a comprehensive assessment of the results of this subset of screens/nets and their meaning is also given.</p>
<p>The measurements were performed in an open field with no surrounding structures or buildings within 20 m. Repeated measurements of each different sample were made in a randomised order, thus ensuring comparability among measurements. Measurements were made on a tripod 0.7 m above the ground and the sample was secured to a wooden plate 3 cm above the diffusor. A test, comparing four larger (1 x 1 m) samples against those of the standard dimensions that we used, found that the area of screen/net measured did not affect the results at this distance between the screen/net and diffusor. Thus, there was no evidence that unfiltered diffuse or scattered radiation interfered with measurements despite the relatively small dimensions of the sample.</p>
<p>Measurements under each screen/net sample in 2017 (Svensson 13 x 19 cm, Mallas Textiles 8 x 10 cm) were made twice to account for any possible effect of sample placement over the cosine diffuser and change in the sun angle during a set of measurements. Given that no significant differences were evidence, the 2018 screen/net samples (Criado y Lopez 8 x 12 cm, Howitec 15 x 25 cm, Huachang yarns 25 x 30 cm, and Jiangsu Huachang Yarns and Fabrics 8 x 12 cm) were only measurement once. A recording of spectral irradiance without the screen/net of filtered sunlight was made directly before and after each filter measurement (called “Open”).</p>
<p>The spectrometer used had been calibrated for measurements of UV and visible solar radiation (Maya2000 Pro Ocean Optics, Dunedin, FL, USA; D7-H-SMA cosine diffuser, Bentham Instruments Ltd, Reading, UK - see <a href="https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4496">Hartikainen et al., 2018</a> for details of the measurement protocol). Briefly, each measurement of irradiance transmitted beneath a screen or net was followed by sequence of measurements in the dark and with a polycarbonate filter attenuating all UV radiation. These controls accounted for the dark noise and stray light in the UV waveband. Both a correction for the shape of the slit function and for stray light were included in the post-processing of the spectra (<a href="http://uv4plants.org/methods/how-to-check-an-array-spectrometer/">Aphalo et al., 2016</a>). Bracketing was performed by taking a measurement of the UV region and splicing this together this the entire spectrum. All measurements were processed using the Photobiology packages in R.</p>
<p>Measurements of solar spectral irradiance in the wavelength range from 290 nm to 900 nm were processed in R, using the <em>photobiology</em> packages developed for spectral analysis (<a href="https://doi.org/10.19232/uv4pb.2015.1.14">Aphalo, 2015</a>). We present spectral photon irradiance (μmol m<sup>-2</sup> s<sup>-1</sup>) and spectral energy irradiance (W m<sup>-2</sup>). Plants absorbs photons producing a chemical change (Grotthus Law) thus photon irradiance is more easily applicable understanding to biological processes in plants. The spectral transmittance of the screens/nets are the most useful data presented. Essentially the patterns of spectral attenuation will be consistent, irrespective of whether spectra are expressed as photon or energy irradiance.</p>
<p>Utilizing predefined functions available in the <em>photobiology</em> packages, we calculated the integrals and photon ratios of these integrals as follows: UVB:PAR 280–315 nm/400-700 nm, UVA:PAR 315–400 nm/400-700 nm, blue:green (B:G) 420–490 nm/500-570 nm, blue:red (B:R) 420–490 nm/620-680 nm. Red and far-red for the calculation of R:FR ratio are 655–665 nm and 725–735 nm, respectively. UVB radiation and UVA radiation are defined according to ISO, blue, green and red according to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1104/pp.110.160820">Sellaro et al. (2010)</a>, and R:FR according to <a href="https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.pp.33.060182.002405">Smith(1982)</a>.</p>
<p>The same definitions of the UV-waveband are maintained for both spectral integrals and their ratios throughout, i.e. according to ISO, (<a href="http://doi:%2010.21273/HORTTECH03648-16">Both et al., 2017</a>). This is because the UVB and UVA wavebands of solar radiation follow distinct daily patterns of variation; UVB irradiance is highest during the four hours around solar noon, whereas the UVA region of solar radiation remains a similar proportion of total irradiance throughout the day. These differences also imply that UVA and UVB radiation follow different diurnal and seasonal patterns of variation (<a href="https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-1097.2007.00216.x">Seckmeyer et al., 2007</a>).</p>
<p><strong>Data Files Available</strong></p>
<p><strong>DataBaseScreensNets.zip</strong></p>
<p>Graphs (.jpg files) of actual measured (1) spectral energy irradiance, (2) spectral photon irradiance, and (3) proportion transmittance of solar radiation, for each screen and net. (1) Energy Irradiance figures (suffix _EI.) and (2) Photon Irradiance figures (suffix _PI.) are plot of the measured values of irradiance under the filter (screen/net) and corresponding measurements without the screen or net (“open” measurement) for comparison (290-898 nm wavelength range). The proportion transmittance under each screen or net is calculated from comparison of the open and measured spectrum (suffix _Trans). The low-wavelength tail end of the spectrum is trimmed (<310 nm) in each plots since % transmittance are inflated by low signal to noise ratio in the UV-B region where irradiance values are very low.</p>
<p>The database screens and net are identified by the name of the company “_” name of the screen/net for all 197 materials.</p>
<p>These figures can be reproduced from the file “ScreensNets_irrad_trans.txt” using the R code “Plotting_DataBaseScreensNets.r”</p>
<p><strong>ImagesScreensNets.zip</strong></p>
<p>Image files (.jpg files) from photos and scans of each of the measured screens and nets. One image from each of the 197 filter materials (screens/nets) measured is stored in folders arranged according to the company for each filter type. The companies are: Criado y Lopez; HowiTech; Huanchang yarns; Jiangsu Huachang Yarns & Fabrics; Mallas_Textiles and Svensson.</p>
<p><strong>ScreensNets_irrad_trans.txt</strong></p>
<p>This is the main database file containing the measurements of spectral irradiance beneath each filter material (screen/net) from 290 nm – 898 nm and corresponding open reading, and calculated spectral transmittance.</p>
<p>Data are in columns as follows: (A) Company – the Company name; (B) FilterName – the filter name as given by the company; (C) Serial - a serial number, effectively equivalent to the order in which the materials were measured; (D) wavelength – at intervals recorded by the array spectrometer running for each spectrum from 290.02 nm to 897.73 nm; (D) FilterEI - energy irradiance of transmitted solar radiation measured 3 cm beneath the filter material (screen/net) at each wavelength of the spectrum; (E) FilterPI – photon irradiance equivalent to the energy irradiance; (F) OpenEI – energy irradiance of solar radiation at the same location without the filter material (screen/net) (G) OpenPI – photon irradiance equivalent to the energy irradiance; (H) FilterFactor – the proportion of radiation transmitted by the filter material (screen/net) at each wavelength measured, a value between 0.0 and 1.0 (values out of range at low wavelengths in the UV-B region are replaced with 0.0 or 0.1).</p>
<p>Processed spectra are given: processing of raw spectra was done with <em>Photobiology</em> packages in R. Full spectra were recorded with an integration time set manually to give maximum counts of just less than 60 000 at the wavelength corresponding to peak spectral irradiance. Bracketing was performed by recording a second spectrum (long spectrum) with ten-times longer integration time than this, to achieve greater accuracy of measurement in the UV region (< 400 nm). These two spectra were spliced together. Each filter measurement was accompanied by a dark measurement (to estimate dark noise) and a measurement under a polycarbonate filter (PC) to correct for stray light. In 2018, these two readings were performed immediately after the filter material (screen/net) was measured; both within 10 s total of the filter material measurement for both the full spectrum, and long spectrum.</p>
<p><strong>ScreensNets_irrad_trans.xlsx</strong></p>
<p>This Excel file contains the same information in columns as the file ScreensNets_irrad_trans.txt but with a second worksheet showing the trimming calculations for out-of-range readings at low UV-B wavelength and with an addition final column, the irradiance spectrum open29_irrad (described below).</p>
<p><strong>Open29_irrad.txt</strong></p>
<p>In order to obtain standardised BSWF files to comparison with each other, the calculated proportion spectral transmittance results for each filter material (screen/net) were applied to a “standard” solar-noon open-spectrum from Helsinki recorded on a date close to midsummer (Open29_irrad.txt). This spectrum was measured as described above.</p>
<p>This spectrum was measured at Viikki Fields, Helsinki on Wed June 27<sup>th</sup> 2018 at 13:15:33 EEST (Integration Time, 110000 μsec; bracketting x10) in a completely open area.</p>
<p>To apply the transmittance data to their own locations, database users should substitute the spectrum from their own location for Open29_irrad.txt to obtain spectral irradiance data for the effects of the filter materials (screens/net) at their site using the R code Calculating_Spectral_Integrals.r</p>
<p><strong>ScreensNets_spectral_integrals.txt</strong></p>
<p>The file gives a matrix of spectral integrals and ratios calculated with the <em>Photobiology</em> packages in R for each of the spectra presented in ScreensNets_irrad_trans.txt. Column headings are the filter material ID, made up from the “Company name” “_” “filter name”. The first column contains row names identifying spectral integrals and ratios calculated – first as energy irradiance then as photon irradiance and finally as photon ratios. Calculations are made using the BSWF (<strong>Spectral_Integrals_Function.r</strong>) as follows: PAR_e; UVB_e; UVA_e; UVb350_e; UVa350_e; Blue_e; Green_e; Red_e; Far_red_e; GEN_G_e; GEN_T_e; PG_e; DNA_N_e; CIE_e; FLAV_e; Infra_red_e; PAR_q; UVB_q; UVA_q; UVb350_q; UVa350_q; Blue_q; Green_q; Red_q; Far_red_q; GEN_G_q; GEN_T_q; PG_q; DNA_N_q; CIE_q; FLAV_q; Infra_red_q; UVB_UVA; UVB_PAR; UVA_PAR; R_FR_Sellaro; R_FR_Smith10; R_FR_Smith20; B_G; B_R; PhyEqi.</p>
<p><strong>ScreensNets_spectral_integrals.xlsx</strong></p>
<p>This files contains the same data as ScreensNets_spectral_integrals.txt and shows on individual worksheets, processing of original, smoothed (in Photobiology package to improve the signal to noise in the UV-B tail of the spectr), and corrected (with values of transmittance greater than 1.0 or less than 0.0 replaced in the UV-B tail) data; and comparisons of the Original vs. Corrected, and Original vs. Smoothed data. The same BSWF calculations for the example open spectrum open29_irrad (used for standardisation) are given on their own worksheet, as is the corresponding “FilterFactor” (proportion spectral transmittance) for each spectral integral and spectral photon ratio. The final worksheet “Type” lists the filters and their expected function (i.e. shade, pest net, hale net, ground cover etc.).</p>
<p>This “FilterFactor” information could be of practical use in situations where the spectral irradiance is unavailable for a given location, and comparisons among filters need to be made from only partial data (e.g. PAR PPDF). These FilterFactors can be applied to the PAR PPDF for instance to calculate the daily light integral through the day for horticultural proposes. Please note that differences in the shape of the solar spectrum at different locations will cause (small) deviations in the transmitted PAR PPFD calculated from the spectral integral compared with the more precise calculation from the spectral irradiance. Although for the purposes of comparison between filters these are likely to be of minor importance. </p>
<p><strong>Plotting_DataBaseScreensNets.r</strong></p>
<p>This file gives the R code for plotting the graphs in DataBaseScreensNets.zip from the source file ScreensNets_irrad_trans.txt. Make sure that the required packages are loaded. The code was run in R version 3.4.3.</p>
<p><strong>Calculating_Spectral_Integrals.r</strong></p>
<p>The file gives the R code to calculate spectral integrals and to include an open measurement for standardisation (Open29_irrad) from the source file ScreensNets_irrad_trans.txt (as described above). The spectra in ScreensNets_irrad_trans.txt are converted to source.spct for use in the Photobiology packages.</p>
<p><strong>Spectral_Integrals_Function.r</strong></p>
<p>The file is a function requiring the Photobiology packages in R to run. It is needed to calculate the spectral integrals described above and can be amended to obtain whichever spectral integrals and photon ratios from the Photobiology packages are desired.</p>Funded by the Academy of Finland (Suomen Akademia) Decision Numbers #304653 and #304519
Version 1.1.1 update from version 1.1.0 involves renaming of files to make their content more easily identifiable and understood, and upload of R code to make graphs and spectral integrals
Six Pillars of Social Policy: The State of Pensions and Health Care in Canada
No full textWilliam B.P. Robson, a co-author with David Slater of a series of papers on pension issues, has written an ambitious survey of the state of Canadian economic policy in the areas of pensions and health care. He argues that it is appropriate to tackle both issues in the same paper because they are both major spending programs strongly related to the life cycle of Canadians, and face challenges arising from the aging of the population. Robson notes that the pension debate uses the metaphor of three pillars to describe a comprehensive pension system: a safety net to guard against destitution in old age; a mandatory employment-related system to provide basic replacement income; and a voluntary system supported by provisions that reduce the double-taxation of saving. The main elements of public policy related to pensions in Canada cover these pillars. He recognizes that all three of the pillars cannot be directly applied to health care, but he argues that the three-pillar metaphor is still a fruitful perspective because it facilitates constructive responses to the pressures confronting Canada’s health system and illuminates interactions between the pension and health systems. Hence his title “six pillars of social policy”. Based on his examination of Canada’s pension and health-care systems, Robson makes a number of recommendations. First, he advocates more prefunding in both the pension and health areas to cover the future cost of the aging baby-boom cohort. Second, he recommends a gradual increase in the normal age of eligibility for pension benefits. Third, he recommends the creation of a second pillar, a mandatory contribution scheme in the health area as a way to avoid the development of a means-tested system that would exacerbate the disincentives to work and save. Fourth, he puts forward the idea of a new type of saving vehicle that provides tax-relief on distributions rather than on contributions so that Canadians can avoid the high marginal effective tax rates associated with means-tested programs.Health, Health Care, Health-care, Healthcare, Canada, Pensions, CPP, Retirement, Mandatory Contribution, Aging, Ageing
Towards a contextual approach to the place–homeless survival nexus: An exploratory case study of Los Angeles County
No full textThe characteristics of the immediate locale greatly affect the ability of homeless people to adapt to life on
the street and in shelters, with different types of places nurturing different circumstances for survival.
Current conceptualizations of the place–survival nexus are too narrow, relying on small-scale, intensive
studies of particular places that are known to sustain homeless survival while ignoring more suburban
and exurban locales, as well as failing to set these places of survival within the larger socio-economic
spaces of the metropolitan area. Further, the literature is heavily qualitative, lacking any kind of ‘‘big picture” quantitative assessment of the nexus. In response, we contribute to the place–survival nexus literature by developing a typology of space for homeless survival and then use interview data to examine the variation in survival strategies across three types of urban space in Los Angeles County. Our results speak to how our innovative and exploratory approach enabled a broader, more extensive and variegated understanding of place–survival among homeless people than previous studie
Accurate and precise 3D T1 mapping of the human liver at 3T using widely available magnetic resonance imaging methods
No full textBetter diagnostic and treatment methods are needed to counteract the steep increase
of liver diseases. A promising non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis of liver diseases
is the longitudinal relaxation time (T1) of liver tissue, measured through quantitative
magnetic resonance imaging. T1 correlates with liver fibrosis and inflammation. However,
non-contrast T1 mapping is currently restricted to a single slice cross sectioning the liver
and uses specialist cardiac imaging sequences that are often unavailable. As such, the
main questions addressed in this thesis were: Is it possible to map T1 across the whole
liver using only widely available pulse sequences? If so, can one obtain an unbiased
estimate of liver T1 with sufficient precision for the diagnosis of liver diseases?
To answer these questions, a set of T1-weighted sequences capable of achieving whole
liver coverage was adopted. The large covariance between T1 and the transmitted
magnetic field (B1+) highlighted the need for an accurate B1+ map. Slice profile
effects and several off-resonance based B1+ confounders were identified and corrected.
Uncorrected, the median B1+ error in a phantom was -5.2%, producing a median T1
error of 10.5%. After applying all corrections, the median T1 error decreased to -0.3%
with an interquartile range of [-2.5 2.1]%.
A theoretical framework was developed to calculate the T1 variance, including the
noise propagated from the B1+ map into the T1 map. This framework was validated
in vivo and used to find the optimal flip angles that resulted in the highest precision
across a range of T1s and B1+ factors observed in the liver at 3 T.
Using scanner-agnostic sequences together with corrections for the confounding factors,
a variable flip angle 3D T1 mapping method was developed requiring 7 breath-holds. A
study across 10 healthy volunteers at 3 T validated the method’s accuracy, scan/rescan
repeatability and precision. The 3D T1 maps yielded mean T1 values that, on average, were
5% lower than alternative single-slice T1 maps, with a repeatability coefficient of 49 ms
and a median T1 standard deviation of 31 ms, showing potential to diagnose liver fibrosis
Quantitative imaging through the production chain: from idea to application
No full textGreen Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository ‘You share, we take care!’ – Taverne project https://www.openaccess.nl/en/you-share-we-take-care Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.ImPhys/Computational ImagingImPhys/Weingärtner grou
English spelling in the seventeenth century : a study of the nature of standardisation as seen through the MS and printed versions of the Duke of Newcastle's 'A New Method ...'.
No full textIn 2 vols.Available from British Library Document Supply Centre-DSC:DX201006 / BLDSC - British Library Document Supply CentreSIGLEGBUnited Kingdo
T1-mapping as a novel technique for myocardial tissue characterisation using cardiovascular magnetic resonance – from method development to clinical validation and application
No full textCardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is superior to other cardiac imaging modalities in its ability to perform multiparametric myocardial tissue characterisation. Commonly applied techniques include T2-weighted (T2W) imaging for detecting oedema and late gadolinium contrast enhancement imaging for detecting fibrosis, allowing characterisation of most cardiac conditions encountered in the clinical setting. While these techniques have proven useful, conventional MR images acquired by these techniques are displayed on an arbitrary scale and only semi-quantitative with some inherent deficiencies. Quantitative techniques, such as T1-mapping, allow direct quantification of tissue properties and may circumvent many of the issues of conventional MR imaging, with potential to offer more insight into diseased myocardium. Although T1-mapping has been well-established for brain T1-mapping, cardiac T1-mapping has been slow to mature due to technical and practical challenges. The aim of this thesis was to develop a novel method for cardiac T1-mapping that is robust and clinically applicable so that cardiac T1-mapping can transition from a research tool into clinical practice. Further, cardiac T1-mapping using this new technique was validated in normal and disease states, including its ability to detect regional and global myocardial oedema and acute myocarditis. This work developed a novel MR sequence for cardiac T1-mapping, named Shortened Modified Look-Locker Inversion Recovery (ShMOLLI). The conventional method (MOLLI) required 17 heart-beats (a 17 second breath-hold for a patient with a heart rate of 60 bpm) for the acquisition of one slice of T1-map. This is difficult to achieve for patients, especially those who are acutely ill and if whole heart coverage (~8 slices) were desired. One of the goals in the design of ShMOLLI was to bring the breath-hold time down to below 10 seconds so that patients may tolerate the protocol. The design of ShMOLLI was successful in breaching the 10-second breath-hold time without compromising the accuracy of T1 measurements compared to the conventional method; further, unlike MOLLI, ShMOLLI did not exhibit increasing error with increasing T1 or heart rates, making it advantageous in measuring long T1 values and at fast heart rates. These features of ShMOLLI make it a very attractive method ready for clinical application. The ShMOLLI method was then further applied to disease states, starting with models of acute myocardial oedema. ShMOLLI T1-mapping was performed in patients with acute stress-induced cardiomyopathy (model of global oedema) and in patients with regional oedema without infarction, and compared to T2W imaging. T1-mapping demonstrated an excellent diagnostic performance compared to the T2W methods in detecting acute myocardial oedema, whether it was global or regional. ShMOLLI T1-mapping was well-tolerated by acute cardiac patients and showed promise in its application to other conditions in which oedema would be a major component in the pathophysiology. ShMOLLI T1-mapping was next applied to patients presenting with acute myocarditis, in which oedema and inflammation are major components. Compared to the conventional MR methods of T2W and LGE imaging, T1-mapping again showed superior diagnostic performance to T2W imaging and equivalent performance to LGE imaging in detecting acute myocarditis. Further, T1-mapping was able to detect a larger extent of injury compared to both of these methods, and provided topographic information such as the non-ischemic patterns of injury similar to that seen on LGE imaging, but without the need for exogenous contrast agents. In conclusion, this thesis reports the development of a novel method for cardiac T1-mapping, its validation and clinical application to detect myocardial oedema and characterise acute myocarditis without the need for exogenous contrast agents. ShMOLLI T1-mapping holds promise in quantitative tissue characterisation in a wide range of myocardial diseases
- …
