Essentials of Project Management

The Essentials of Project Management is designed specifically for college students enrolled in a business program including business accounting, administration, supply chain and human resources. The text is organized into fourteen chapters covering the project management process and the role of the project manager in implementing such a process. The book includes business case studies and interactive exercises in each chapter. This educational resource is conveniently presented in a variety of AODA-compliant formats and written in a reader-friendly style. The book is designed to help students build understanding of the importance and applications of project management

Improving Hydrid PET/MRI Cardiovascular Imaging with Improved Hardware Design and Attenuation Correction Coefficient

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) report in 2019, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) cause 52% of all illness-related deaths globally and are considered to be the second most common cause of death in Canada. CVD is also estimated to cost the Canadian economy about $21.2 billion in direct and indirect costs. With these figures, it is vital to develop the most effective and accurate methods and tools to diagnose accurately CVD and their causes. One of the promising tools for accurate diagnostic and therapeutic of CVD is the integrated Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) PET/MRI technology, which has successfully been used in cardiovascular imaging. The PET/MRI system provides low exposure of radioactive and ionized radiation which is advantageous over the standard technology of integrated PET/computed tomography (CT) PET/CT system. However, since the integrated PET/MRI technology was first introduced in 2010 for clinical use, its hardware attenuation correction (AC) still presents a challenge, which is crucial to achieving accurate PET quantification in cardiac imaging. Additionally, for cardiovascular PET/MRI the system still requires a higher temporal and spatial resolution radio frequency (RF) phased array for faster imaging sessions of cardiac patient, without loss of MRI image quality, while minimizing photon attenuation. This thesis introduces a novel 32-channel RF phased array, prospectively-designed for simultaneous PET/MRI cardiovascular imaging. The phased array’s MR imaging quality parameters, including, geometry factor (g-factor), noise correlation coefficient (NCC) and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were measured using a phantom and three healthy volunteers and the results were compared against currently used arrays. Post-assessing the MR image quality, the array was evaluated for 511keV PET photon attenuation. The evaluation is carried out using a NEMA procedure and phantom, in which contrast recovery (CR), background variation (BV) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were measured and compared. Furthermore, the thesis presents a static radioactive source as a novel method for accurate attenuation correction (AC) of hardware (i.e. patient table) used during cardiovascular imaging. In summary, assessing both MRI and PET performances of the novel array, resulted in MRI SNR improvements of \u3e30% at different acceleration factors (R \u3e 2), compared to the standard array. In the meantime, the PET counts loss caused by the novel array was significantly lower (p=0.001) than those caused by the standard arrays. The novel AC method produced a hardware AC map with global counts loss of -0.7% in comparison to -4.3% as produced by the CT-based method. In conclusion, both the novel array and the hardware AC method presented here, enable the acquisition of high temporal (fast imaging session) and spatial (image quality) resolutions by the MRI system, together with accurately quantifying the PET standardized-uptake-value (SUV). The method and tools presented in this work have been evaluated for simultaneous PET/MRI cardiovascular imaging, and hence they can be effectively used to study CVD and their causes accurately in a shorter imaging time. Therefore, the improvements reported in this thesis contribute to better understand the CVD and potentially lowering the economic burden around them. The impact of these improvements is broad, since they may be applied to PET/MRI imaging of brain, prostate and other organs

Hyperpolarized 3He and 129Xe MR imaging in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

PURPOSE: To quantitatively compare hyperpolarized helium 3 (3He) and xenon 129 (129Xe) magnetic resonance (MR) images obtained within 5 minutes in healthy volunteers and patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to evaluate the correlations between 3He and 129Xe MR imaging measurements and those from spirometry and plethysmography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by an ethics board and compliant with HIPAA. Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Eight healthy volunteers and 10 patients with COPD underwent MR imaging, spirometry, and plethysmography. Ventilation defect percentages (VDPs) at 3He and 129Xe imaging were obtained by using semiautomated segmentation. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) were calculated from 3He (b=1.6 sec/cm2) and 129Xe (b=12 sec/cm2) diffusion-weighted images. VDPs at hyperpolarized 3He and 129Xe imaging were compared with a two-tailed Wilcoxon signed rank test and analysis of variance; Pearson correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the relationships among measurements. RESULTS: 129Xe VDP was significantly greater than 3He VDP for patients with COPD (P CONCLUSION: In patients with COPD, the VDP obtained with hyperpolarized 29Xe MR imaging was significantly greater than that with 3He MR imaging, suggesting incomplete or delayed filling of lung regions that may be related to the different properties of 129Xe gas and physiologic and/or anatomic abnormalities in COPD

Application of the Enzymatic Electrochemical Biosensors for Monitoring Non-Competitive Inhibition of Enzyme Activity by Heavy Metals

The inhibition effect of the selected heavy metals (Ag+, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+) on glucose oxidase (GOx) enzyme from Aspergillus niger (EC 1.1.3.4.) was studied using a new amperometric biosensor with an electrochemical transducer based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) covered with a thin layer of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) incorporated with ruthenium(IV) oxide as a redox mediator. Direct adsorption of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and subsequent covering with Nafion((R)) layer was used for immobilization of Gox. The analytical figures of merit of the developed glucose (Glc) biosensor are sufficient for determination of Glc in body fluids in clinical analysis. From all tested heavy metals, mercury(II) has the highest inhibition effect. However, it is necessary to remember that cadmium and silver ions also significantly inhibit the catalytic activity of Gox. Therefore, the development of Gox biosensors for selective indirect determination of each heavy metal still represents a challenge in the field of bioelectroanalysis. It can be concluded that amperometric biosensors, differing in the utilized enzyme, could find their application in the toxicity studies of various poisons

How light and occupational therapy intervention could fight some psychogeriatric symptoms

Purpose: Aggregated results of systematic reviews separately show how light used as a treatment and some occupational therapy interventions could have a positive impact on psychobehavioural disorders in older people. Since the beginning of June 2014 the Walloon Government has been financing a project which consists of a non-pharmacological approach that combines light and occupational therapy for a psychogeriatric population with specific symptoms: spatial and temporal disorientations, apathy, depression, agitation, anxiety, confusion and circadian disorder. The objective of this abstract is to expose the assumptions that the combination of two different light devices and one specific occupational therapy program could have an impact on the different symptoms of a psychogeriatric population. Methods: To build our hypothesis, two literature reviews have been achieved. The first one concerning the use of light as therapy gathered 30 studies while the other one about occupational therapy activities collected 35 articles. Results: Despite of a heterogeneity between studies dealing with light and occupational therapy, the combination of these two non-pharmacological interventions might fight the depressive syndrome, reduce the temporal disorientation thanks to a regularity in the period of activity, restore the circadian rhythm and so reduce some troubles that can be linked to them: sleep disorder, risk of fall, apathy, agitation, behavioural and cognitive troubles (attention, concentration). Moreover, one of the two light devices used which can modulate the light intensity according to the rooms might reduce the spatial disorientation if it’s employed as a landmark. Conclusions: Based on literature reviews and our experience into this field it’s seems that a non-pharmacological approach involving light and occupational therapy intervention could have a positive effect on symptoms of psychogeriatric population. In admitting that those effects are becoming true after experimentation and analyses, we can also expect an improvement of the quality of life

Hydrophobic mullite ceramic hollow fibre membrane (Hy-MHFM) for seawater desalination via direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD)

A low-cost hydrophobic mullite hollow fibre membrane (Hy-MHFM) fabricated via phase inversion/sintering technique followed by fluoroalkyl silane (FAS) grafting is presented in this study. The prepared CHFMs were characterized before and after the grafting step using different characterization techniques. The pore size of the CHFM surface was also determined using ImageJ software. The desalination performance of the grafted membrane was evaluated in direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) using synthetic seawater of varying salt concentrations for 2 h at various feedwater temperatures. The outcome of the evaluations showed declines in the permeate flux of the membrane at increasing feed concentration, as well as increased flux with increased feed temperature. The long-term stability of the membrane was achieved at time 20 h, feed temperature 60 °C, and permeate temperature 10 °C, the membrane achieved a salt rejection performance of about 99.99 % and a water flux value of 22.51 kg/ m2 h

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Drug Discovery for Schistosomiasis: Hit and Lead Compounds Identified in a Library of Known Drugs by Medium-Throughput Phenotypic Screening

The flatworm disease schistosomiasis infects over 200 million people with just one drug (praziquantel) available—a concern should drug resistance develop. Present drug discovery approaches for schistosomiasis are slow and not conducive to automation in a high-throughput format. Therefore, we designed a three-component screen workflow that positions the larval (schistosomulum) stage of S. mansoni at its apex followed by screens of adults in culture and, finally, efficacy tests in infected mice. Schistosomula are small enough and available in sufficient numbers to interface with automated liquid handling systems and prosecute thousands of compounds in short time frames. We inaugurated the workflow with a 2,160 compound library that includes known drugs in order to cost effectively ‘re-position’ drugs as new therapies for schistosomiasis and/or identify compounds that could be modified to that end. We identify a variety of ‘hit’ compounds (antibiotics, psychoactives, antiparasitics, etc.) that produce behavioral responses (phenotypes) in schistosomula and adults. Tests in infected mice of the most promising hits identified a number of ‘leads,’ one of which compares reasonably well with praziquantel in killing worms, decreasing egg production by the parasite, and ameliorating disease pathology. Efforts continue to more fully automate the workflow. All screen data are posted online as a drug discovery resource

Unveiling the therapeutic potential of exogenous β-hydroxybutyrate for chronic colitis in rats: novel insights on autophagy, apoptosis, and pyroptosis

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disease of the colorectal area that demonstrates a dramatically increasing incidence worldwide. This study provides novel insights into the capacity of the exogenous β-hydroxybutyrate and ketogenic diet (KD) consumption to alleviate dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced UC in rats. Remarkably, both interventions attenuated disease activity and colon weight-to-length ratio, and improved macro and microstructures of the damaged colon. Importantly, both β-hydroxybutyrate and KD curbed the DSS-induced aberrant NLRP3 inflammasome activation as observed in mRNA and protein expression analysis. Additionally, inhibition of the NLRP3/NGSDMD-mediated pyroptosis was detected in response to both regimens. In parallel, these modalities attenuated caspase-1 and its associated consequences of IL-1β and IL-18 overproduction. They also mitigated apoptosis as indicated by the inactivation of caspase-3. The anti-inflammatory effects of BHB and KD were confirmed by the reported decline in the levels of inflammatory markers including MPO, NFκB, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, these interventions exhibited antioxidative properties by reducing ROS production and improving antioxidative enzymes. Their effectiveness in mitigating UC was also evident in the renovation of normal intestinal epithelial barrier function, as shown by correcting the discrepancies in the levels of tight junction proteins ZO-1, OCLN, and CLDN5. Furthermore, their effects on the intestinal microbiota homeostasis were investigated. In terms of autophagy, exogenous β-hydroxybutyrate upregulated BECN-1 and downregulated p62, which may account for its superiority over KD in attenuating colonic damage. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence supporting the potential therapeutic use of β-hydroxybutyrate or β-hydroxybutyrate-boosting regimens in UC