Echocardiography (echo) is a skilled technical procedure that depends on the experience of the operator. The aim of this paper is to reduce user variability in data acquisition by automatically computing a score of echo quality for operator feedback. To do this, a deep convolutional neural network model, trained on a large set of samples, was developed for scoring apical four-chamber (A4C) echo. In this paper, 6,916 end-systolic echo images were manually studied by an expert cardiologist and were assigned a score between 0 (not acceptable) and 5 (excellent). The images were divided into two independent training-validation and test sets. The network architecture and its parameters were based on the stochastic approach of the particle swarm optimization on the training-validation data. The mean absolute error between the scores from the ultimately trained model and the expert's manual scores was 0.71 ± 0.58. The reported error was comparable to the measured intra-rater reliability. The learned features of the network were visually interpretable and could be mapped to the anatomy of the heart in the A4C echo, giving confidence in the training result. The computation time for the proposed network architecture, running on a graphics processing unit, was less than 10 ms per frame, sufficient for real-time deployment. The proposed approach has the potential to facilitate the widespread use of echo at the point-of-care and enable early and timely diagnosis and treatment. Finally, the approach did not use any specific assumptions about the A4C echo, so it could be generalizable to other standard echo views.

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Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) Deformable Mirrors (DMs) enable precise wavefront control for optical systems. This technology can be used to meet the extreme wavefront control requirements for high contrast imaging of exoplanets with coronagraph instruments. MEMS DM technology is being demonstrated and developed in preparation for future exoplanet high contrast imaging space telescopes, including the Wide Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission which supported the development of a 2040 actuator MEMS DM. In this paper, we discuss ground testing results and several projects which demonstrate the operation of MEMS DMs in the space environment. The missions include the Planet Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Recoverable Experiment (PICTURE) sounding rocket (launched 2011), the Planet Imaging Coronagraphic Technology Using a Reconfigurable Experimental Base (PICTURE-B) sounding rocket (launched 2015), the Planetary Imaging Concept Testbed Using a Recoverable Experiment - Coronagraph (PICTURE-C) high altitude balloon (expected launch 2019), the High Contrast Imaging Balloon System (HiCIBaS) high altitude balloon (launched 2018), and the Deformable Mirror Demonstration Mission (DeMi) CubeSat mission (expected launch late 2019). We summarize results from the previously flown missions and objectives for the missions that are next on the pad. PICTURE had technical difficulties with the sounding rocket telemetry system. PICTURE-B demonstrated functionality at >100 km altitude after the payload experienced 12-g RMS (Vehicle Level 2) test and sounding rocket launch loads. The PICTURE-C balloon aims to demonstrate 10 - 7 contrast using a vector vortex coronagraph, image plane wavefront sensor, and a 952 actuator MEMS DM. The HiClBaS flight experienced a DM cabling issue, but the 37-segment hexagonal piston-tip-tilt DM is operational post-flight. The DeMi mission aims to demonstrate wavefront control to a precision of less than 100 nm RMS in space with a 140 actuator MEMS DM.

Byblis Salisb. is a small genus of carnivorous plants with adhesive traps in the Lamiales family Byblidaceae Domin. There are two perennial species (B. gigantea Lindl. and B. lamellata Conran & Lowrie) with restricted ranges in Western Australia, where they experience a Mediterranean climate. The critically endangered B gigantea is endemic to the Swan River drainage area, now entirely within the Perth metropolitan area, whilst B. lamellata is restricted to the coastal region North of Perth. The genus also contains six currently recognized annual species (B. aquatica Lowrie & Conran, B. filifolia Planch., B. guehoi Lowrie & Conran, B. liniflora Salisb., B. pilbarana Lowrie & Conran, and B. rorida Lowrie & Conran) which inhabit the tropical and semi-arid regions of Northern Australia. The genus also extends to the island of New Guinea (Lowrie 2013; McPherson 2010). All species are found in substrates which are very nutrient-poor (Lowrie 2013; McPherson 2010) and share habitats with representatives of other genera of carnivorous plants (particularly Drosera, but also Utricularia and Nepenthes). Although there are important morphological differences between the Byblis species, all share the same basic structure in that they produce stems from which radiate filiform leaves. Another feature common to all species is the ability to produce fast concentrated growth in response to seasonal rainfall. (Bourke, pers. comm.). It has been observed on many occasions that all Byblis species play host to Miridae bugs from the genus Setocoris (Bourke, pers. comm.). A mutualistic relationship has been proven to exist between another viscid plant genus Roridula and a different genus of the family Miridae, Pameridea (Anderson & Midgley 2003). A similar relationship is strongly suspected in Byblis (Lowrie 2013; Cross et al. 2018).