Motion-compensated noninvasive periodontal health monitoring using handheld and motor-based photoacoustic-ultrasound imaging systems

Simultaneous visualization of the teeth and periodontium is of significant clinical interest for image-based monitoring of periodontal health. We recently reported the application of a dual-modality photoacoustic-ultrasound (PA-US) imaging system for resolving periodontal anatomy and periodontal pocket depths in humans. This work utilized a linear array transducer attached to a stepper motor to generate 3D images via maximum intensity projection. This prior work also used a medical head immobilizer to reduce artifacts during volume rendering caused by motion from the subject (e.g., breathing, minor head movements). However, this solution does not completely eliminate motion artifacts while also complicating the imaging procedure and causing patient discomfort. To address this issue, we report the implementation of an image registration technique to correctly align B-mode PA-US images and generate artifact-free 2D cross-sections. Application of the deshaking technique to PA phantoms revealed 80% similarity to the ground truth when shaking was intentionally applied during stepper motor scans. Images from handheld sweeps could also be deshaken using an LED PA-US scanner. In ex vivo porcine mandibles, pigmentation of the enamel was well-estimated within 0.1 mm error. The pocket depth measured in a healthy human subject was also in good agreement with our prior study. This report demonstrates that a modality-independent registration technique can be applied to clinically relevant PA-US scans of the periodontium to reduce operator burden of skill and subject discomfort while showing pot

A multidisciplinary consensus on the morphological and functional responses to immunotherapy treatment

The implementation of immunotherapy has radically changed the treatment of oncological patients. Currently, immunotherapy is indicated in the treatment of patients with head and neck tumors, melanoma, lung cancer, bladder tumors, colon cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, Merkel cell carcinoma, liver cancer, leukemia and lymphomas. However, its efficacy is restricted to a limited number of cases. The challenge is, therefore, to identify which subset of patients would benefit from immunotherapy. To this end, the establishment of immunotherapy response criteria and predictive and prognostic biomarkers is of paramount interest. In this report, a group of experts of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM), the Spanish Society of Medical Radiology (SERAM), and Spanish Society of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging (SEMNIM) provide an up-to-date review and a consensus guide on these issues

Evaluation of the Hospital Wastewater Activated Sludge Extended Aeration System in the Removal of Estrogenic Compounds (Case Study: Khuzestan Hospitals)

Background and Objective: Estrogen is a steroid hormone that is in the water and cause risks for aquatic organisms, especially fish is. Estrogenic hormones naturally (caused by endocrine) or artificial (due to hormonal contraceptives such as birth control pills) to sewage and hospital to find. This study aimed to determine the amount of estrogen in the sewage and Golestan and Abuzar hospital in Ahvaz were studied. Material and Methods: Sampling was done by tracking estrogen in the aquatic environment. 56 samples 4 months in different parts of the Golestan and Abuzar hospital wastewater treatment plant in Ahvaz were taken. Sample a little electro luminescence (ECL) were analyzed by laboratory Iranian city of Ahvaz. In this study, different forms of estrogen (estrone, 17-beta-estradiol, estriol, 17-alpha-ethinyl estradiol) has been studied as estrogen. Results: Mean hormone found in raw wastewater to the Golestan hospital wastewater treatment plant effluent from the treatment plant hormone 69.08 ng/l and 7.28 ng/l mean. Mean testosterone in Ahvaz Abuzar hospital treatment input 70.61 ng/l and 18.94 ng/l is refinery output. According to the results of high impact biological treatment is the removal of estrogenic compounds. Conclusion: Secondary treatment of sewage is effective in reducing hormones that can do this at this stage of the biological treatment effect

Evaluation the Quality of Bottled Waters Consumption in Iran in 2015

Background and Objectives: Population growth and limited access to fresh water and need to use bottled water for drinking, chemical and biological quality of the water exacerbates the need for review. The aim of this study was to evaluate chemical and microbial quality in multi-brand bottled water was consumed in the country. &nbsp; Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in stages, the first brand of bottled water available 6 recognized and sampling was conducted.&nbsp; The chemical and bacteriological quality of water parameters include cL-, nitrate,Mg+2, Ca+2, hardness, Na+,No2-, pH , TDS, EC, F-, total coliforms and fecal coliforms in the samples were tested. The average value of each property, with standard and were compared with the amounts listed on the label. Data analysis using the software SPSS, descriptive statistics and analysis of variance (p <0.05) were performed. Results:The results showed that the number of total coliform and fecal coliform bacteria group does not exist in any of the samples and MPN /100cc, respectively. The average concentration of chemical parameters such as pH, TDS, calcium, nitrate and nitrite in all bottled waters, were on the standard ranges.&nbsp;As well as in a number of instances, significant differences between the measured values ​​with the values ​​printed on the label of bottled water there. Conclusion: According to the results obtained, chemical and biological quality of bottled water is examined in terms of acceptable drinking water standards

Investigation Of Efficiency Of Polyferric Sulfate(PFS) Coagulant Compared To Poly Aluminium Choloride (PAC) in Ahvaz Water Treatment

Background: Coagulation process has a important place in water treatment. Currently, poly aluminum chloride is used in Kian-abad water treatment plant. The purpose of this study is to compare and investigate the efficiency of coagulants of poly ferric sulfate(PFS) against poly aluminum chloride (PAL) in removing turbidity and coliform bacteria in Ahwaz water treatment plant. Methods: This study, was performed in lab scale and using of jartest apparatus in Ahwaz water treatment. Experiments was conducted in 35NTU turbidity in Ahwaz water treatment plant. The studied parameters included concentrations of coagulants, pH, turbidity, total coliform, fecal coliform and heterotrophic bacteria. Results: The most optimal efficiency conditions of poly aluminum chloride were pH=8, rapid mixing of 120rpm and optimal dose of 5ppm which was 93.14% in pH=8 and 93.80% for optimal dose of 5ppm. The most optimal condition for poly ferric sulfate included pH=8, rapid mixing of 120 rpm and optimal dose of 8ppm. In optimal condition of performance for poly aluminum chloride, efficiency of removing total coliform, fecal coliform and heterotrophic bacteria were 90.12, 83.70, 84.08% respectively. In optimal condition of poly ferric sulfate in dose of 8ppm efficiency removing total coliform, fecal coliform, and heterotrophic bacteria were 90.48, 84.83, and 84.69. Conclusion: Finally, there was small difference between both PFS and PAC group about turbidity removal efficiency that was not significant statistically

Brown adipose tissue does not seem to mediate metabolic adaptation to overfeeding in men

Objective: Brown adipose tissue (BAT) generates heat in response to cold, and low BAT activity has been linked to obesity. However, recent studies were inconclusive as to whether BAT is involved in diet-induced thermogenesis and mitigates weight gain from prolonged overeating. Therefore, this study investigated whether BAT activity is related to metabolic adaptation arising from 8 weeks of overfeeding in humans. Methods: Fourteen men (aged 24 ± 3 years, BMI 24.5 ± 1.6 kg/m2) were overfed by 40% for 8 weeks. Before and after, energy expenditure and metabolic adaptation were measured by whole-room respiratory calorimetry. A marker of BAT activity was measured using infrared imaging of the supraclavicular BAT depot. Results: At the end of 8 weeks of overfeeding, metabolic adaptation—defined as the percent increase in sleeping energy expenditure beyond that expected from weight gain—rose from −0.9 ± 3.9% to 4.7 ± 5.6% (P = 0.001). However, BAT thermal activity was unchanged (P = 0.81). Moreover, BAT thermal activity did not correlate with the degree of metabolic adaptation (P = 0.32) or with the change in body weight (P = 0.51). Conclusions: BAT thermal activity does not change in response to overfeeding, nor does it correlate with adaptive thermogenesis. Our data suggest that BAT does not mediate metabolic adaptation to overeating in humans

Valorisation of nuts biowaste: Prospects in sustainable bio(nano)catalysts and environmental applications

The nutrient resources make up a significant portion of wastes from all around the world. According to several recent studies, nuts and their residues are regarded as valuable natural resources for a nutrition and the other applications. The presence of waste nut residues in nature may lead to the environmental problems. The use of this waste for various applications is a very important issue. Nuts contain precious chemicals, which may be advantageous for preparing (nano)materials for the catalytic purposes. Different parts of nuts such as shell, kernel, extracts, etc. have valuable components, which can be used directly to make a variety of heterogeneous catalysts or as stabilising and reducing agents for nanoparticles. For example, the shell of some nuts is rich in lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose, which can be used as an effective and environmentally friendly supports for the heterogeneous catalysts. The design and application of safer and cheaper catalytic systems for different applications including organic synthesis, hydrogen evolution reactions, oxidation reactions, hydrolysis, degradation of pollutants, etc., are an extreme necessity in which nuts and their wastes can play a significant part due to their excellent chemical properties. Cheaper catalysts comprise of natural compounds such as biopolymers, aluminosilicates, kernel shells, zeolites, diatomites, agricultural wastes (such as bagasse pith, rice husk, smaise cob, coconut shell), nut wastes, etc. These compounds are of natural origin and therefore do not harm the environment. Since they are considered a type of waste, they are also cheap and economical. This review for the first time summarises the preparation of (nano)materials from nuts as an environmentally benign resources and their catalytic applications and highlights the industrial benefits and potential applications of these economically sustainable green resources to convert waste to wealth. The recent developments in the synthesis and applications of bio(nano)catalysts in catalytic and environmental areas have been discussed. In this review, the application of nuts as an efficient supports and green reducing agents for the synthesis of nanomaterials has been discussed. Due to the beneficial compounds, which they contain, activated carbon can be extracted from them and used to make heterogeneous catalysts. These bio(nano)catalysts are applied for organic synthesis, hydrogen evaluation reaction (HER), oxidation reactions and hydrolysis for an environmental applications in reduction and degradation of nitro compounds and organic dyes. © 2022 Elsevier Lt

Essays on the relations between European police forces and their stakeholders

In a dynamic world where societies and crimes are growing more complex, we see that police organisations increasingly reach out to stakeholders, and vice versa. In this thesis we try to learn more about stakeholder management in police organisations. On the one hand, we do this to attempt to close some gaps in the literature on stakeholder management in the policing sector. On the other hand, an elaborate study is desired from the practical perspective. As police forces and many individual officers cope with external parties on a daily basis, it is highly relevant to ask if they are doing it right, and if they could do it in ways that are more satisfactory for the stakeholders. Satisfying stakeholders is crucial for police and other public organisations alike, because their operations thrive on the legitimacy they receive from the citizenry. We approached the topic from several angles, looking both at strategic and operational stakeholder management. In our first study, we focus broadly on stakeholder management strategies that are employed towards different types of police stakeholders in Europe. In the second and third study we investigate the success factors of collaborations between the police and other public organisations in the Netherlands. Finally, in the fourth study, we provide a cautionary note concerning the potential biases in stakeholder perceptions of European police organisations