Micro-doppler-based in-home aided and unaided walking recognition with multiple radar and sonar systems

Published in IET Radar, Sonar and Navigation. Online first 21/06/2016.The potential for using micro-Doppler signatures as a basis for distinguishing between aided and unaided gaits is considered in this study for the purpose of characterising normal elderly gait and assessment of patient recovery. In particular, five different classes of mobility are considered: normal unaided walking, walking with a limp, walking using a cane or tripod, walking with a walker, and using a wheelchair. This presents a challenging classification problem as the differences in micro-Doppler for these activities can be quite slight. Within this context, the performance of four different radar and sonar systems – a 40 kHz sonar, a 5.8 GHz wireless pulsed Doppler radar mote, a 10 GHz X-band continuous wave (CW) radar, and a 24 GHz CW radar – is evaluated using a broad range of features. Performance improvements using feature selection is addressed as well as the impact on performance of sensor placement and potential occlusion due to household objects. Results show that nearly 80% correct classification can be achieved with 10 s observations from the 24 GHz CW radar, whereas 86% performance can be achieved with 5 s observations of sonar

The correlation of compulsive buying and binge eating behaviors in female undergraduate college students

The purpose of this study was to extend previous research by Faber et al. (1995) in which comorbidity (two or more disorders existing at the same time) was found between Binge Eating Disorder and compulsive buying behaviors in a clinical sample. Faber et al. explored whether a subset of impulse control disorders could be called compulsive consumption disorders. Participants in this study, 51 undergraduate, female students, aged 18-23, were obtained from the Introduction to Psychology subject pool at Rowan University. The subjects completed the Binge Eating Scale and Compulsive Buying Scale and a correlation was completed. The result was that a significant negative correlation was found between scores on the Binge Eating Scale and scores on the Compulsive Buying Scale. A higher score on the Binge Eating Scale indicated greater severity, whereas a lower score on the Compulsive Buying Scale indicated greater severity. The behaviors were not only likely to occur together, but also with the same level of severity. This finding further supports the possible link between compulsive consumption disorders. If such a subset exists, it may help to determine possible cause and treatment

NANoREG evaluation: Fish acute exposure to TiO2, ZnO and SiO2.

The Laboratory of Ecotoxicology and Biosafety from Embrapa Environment participated in nanomaterial ecotoxicity evaluation inside the NANOoREG approach. Toxicity test were performed with Brachydanio rerio (zebrafish), according to Nanoreg SOPFish, Acute Toxicity Test for NANoREG core nanomaterials, Version 1 (Souza, Freitas and Zucolotto, 2015). Fish were maintained in reconstituted water (pH 7±0.5, conductivity 600±50 mS/cm, 28oC ± 1oC), under a 14/10h light /dark cycle, they were not feed during the test. The Nanoreg material tested were ZnO (2883578/JRCNM01101a/99070), TiO2 (2883578/ JRCNM01001a/990407) and SiO2 (PRA02/7625, 7627, 7629, 7630). A nanomaterial stock suspension of 1 g/L in ultrapure water was sonicated during 15 min, 400 W/L, 20 kHz before preparing the test suspension. All materials were tested at a maximum concentration of 100 mg/L with and without NOM Suwanee River (10 mg/L). Fish were exposed in a proportion of 1.0 g fish/L during 96 hours in a static system with constant aeration. Animals wereevaluated concerning mortality and behavior abnormalities (loss of equilibrium, swimming behavior, respiratory function, etc.). There was no mortality or abnormal behavior. So, the estimated LC50 is greater than 100 mg/L to all nanomaterials tested. Results obtained by these SOP were useful to provide information for regulatory decisions

Influence of surface characteristics on graphene oxide toxicity for zebrafish embryo.

Despite nanotoxicological studies have been intensified in recent years, gaps remain in the methods used to assess the nanotechnology risks. These gaps are due to the complex nanomaterials behavior in the environment, especially in the presence of organic matter and depending on the nanomaterial characteristics. Studies indicate that humic acid present in the aquatic environment can increase the stability of nanomaterial dispersions and may change its toxicity to aquatic organisms. The adsorption of oxidative debris (carboxylated carbonaceous fragments - CCFs) has also been discussed as an important factor influencing GO properties and behavior. The surface characteristics of GO can influence its biotechnological application as well as its toxicological effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the presence of oxidative debris and humic acid in the toxicity of graphene oxide (GO) utilizing Fish Embryo Toxicity Test (FET test). GO (Sigma Aldrich) was refluxed with NaOH (0.01M, 1h, 90oC) and HCl (0.1M, 1h, 90oC) to produce GO without debris (GOwd). GO And GOwd were characterized through spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering and atomic force microscopy. Zebrafish embryos (Danio rerio) were exposed during 96 h to 100 mg.L-1 GO or GOwd, in presence or absence of humic acid (HA, 20 mg.L-1). A control group exposed to reconstituted water was also performed. At the end of the exposure period, the larvae were measured and frozen at -20oC for subsequent evaluation of acetylcholinesterase activity (AchE). We also performed an in vitro test to evaluate direct effect of the nanomaterial in zebrafish AchE activity. Homogenates of zebrafish larvae were incubated with GO and GOwd at 30 mg/L (20 min, 30oC) before AchE assay was performed. Both GO agglomerated and precipitated quickly in reconstituted water. The presence of HA in the medium stabilized the GO suspensions similarly to that occurred with GO in ultrapure water. There was no difference between groups related to the occurrence of embryo malformation or mortality. Larvae exposed to GO were shorter and showed lower AchE activity than control and group exposed to GOwd. The in vitro test showed that the nanomaterial did not inhibit AchE activity. The nanomaterial showed low toxicity to embryo, but the reduction in total length and AchE activity in the organisms can be due to indirect effects in zebrafish development. More experiments will be performed to understand those effects

Degradação Fotocatalítica De Pesticida Organofosforado De Efluente Agrícola Por Tio2 Imobilizado Sob Radiação Solar

This paper describes solar heterogeneous photocatalysis using immobilized TiO2 applied in the treatment of agricultural waste resulting from the application of commercial formulations of methyl parathion. The disappearance of the insecticide, as well as the formation of its metabolite, was monitored by high-performance liquid chromatographytandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), while mineralization efficiency was monitored by measurements of total organic carbon (TOC). Toxicity studies were performed using the microcrustacean Artemia salina. The TOC removal efficiency by photocatalytic process was 48.5%. After 45 minutes of treatment, the removal efficiency of methyl parathion was 90%, being completely mineralized at the end of treatment. The formation and removal of the metabolite methyl paraoxon was observed during the photocatalytic process. The photocatalytic treatment resulted in increased microcrustacean mobility, indicating a reduction of acute toxicity. © 2016, Institute for Environmental Research in Hydrographic Basins (IPABHi). All rights reserved.11477878

Evaluation of graphene oxide toxicity by fet test in the presence of humic acid.

Sustainable development of nanotechnology requires the deep evaluation of the safety of its products. Despite nanotoxicological studies have been intensified in recent years, gaps remain in the methods used to assess the nanotechnology risks. These gaps are due to the complex nanomaterials behavior in the environment, especially in the presence of organic matter and depending on the nanomaterial characteristics. Studies indicate that humic acid present in the aquatic environment can increase the stability of nanomaterial dispersions and may change its toxicity to aquatic organisms

Exposição aguda de peixes Piaractus mesopotamicus a nano-tio2 e radiação UV.

Resumo: As diversas propriedades da nanopartícula de dióxido de titânio (nano-TiOj) devem ser consideradas na avaliação da ua ecotoxicidade. Este estudo buscou avaliar o efeito da co-exposição de peixe ao nano- Ti02 e a radiação ultravioleta a níveis ambientais. Peixes foram expostos durante 96h a O, I, 10 ou 100 mgIL de nano-Ti'Oj, sob duas diferentes condições de iluminação. Ao final do período de exposição foram analisados os biomarcadores bioquímicos atividade específica de catalase, superóxido dismutase, glutationa S-transferase, fosfatase ácida, lipoperoxidação e carbonilação de proteínas no fígado do animais. Nas condições testadas, não foram observados efeitos tóxicos do nano-TrO, nos parâmetros avaliados

Exposição aguda de peixes Piaractus mesopotamicus a nano-tio2 e radiação UV.

Resumo: As diversas propriedades da nanopartícula de dióxido de titânio (nano-TiOj) devem ser consideradas na avaliação da ua ecotoxicidade. Este estudo buscou avaliar o efeito da co-exposição de peixe ao nano- Ti02 e a radiação ultravioleta a níveis ambientais. Peixes foram expostos durante 96h a O, I, 10 ou 100 mgIL de nano-Ti'Oj, sob duas diferentes condições de iluminação. Ao final do período de exposição foram analisados os biomarcadores bioquímicos atividade específica de catalase, superóxido dismutase, glutationa S-transferase, fosfatase ácida, lipoperoxidação e carbonilação de proteínas no fígado do animais. Nas condições testadas, não foram observados efeitos tóxicos do nano-TrO, nos parâmetros avaliados

Exposição subletal de Daphnia a anatase provoca alterações bioquímicas dependentes da condição de iluminação.

Resumo: As nanopartículas de dióxido de titânio (nano-Ti0 2) apresentam propriedades fotocatalíticas que devem ser consideradas na sua avaliação ecotoxicológica. Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a toxicidade do nano-Ti0 2 em Daphnia similis, sob diferentes condições de iluminação. D. similis foram expostas a O, 7, 75 e 750 mg/L de nano-Ti0 2 (anatase, 25 nm) sob luz visível ou luz visível e radiação ultravioleta (UV), durante 24h. Analisou-se a atividade de catalase (CAT), glutationa S-transferase (GST) e fosfata- se ácida (FA) nos organismos expostos. CAT apresentou redução na sua atividade nos grupos expostos a 750 mg/L. Em geral, a exposição a radiação UV elevou a atividade de GST. FA sofreu interação dos fatores, sendo a atividade de FA inibida sob radiação UV, em todas as concentrações testadas. Estes resultados contribuem para compreensão dos efeitos ecotoxicológicos do nano-Ti0 2 e indicam que a condição de iluminação influencia tais efeitos. Abstract: Nanoparticles oftitanium dioxide (nano-Ti0 2) exhibit photocatalytic properties that must be considered in its ecotoxicological assessment. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity ofnano-Ti0 2 in Daphnia similis under different illumination conditions. D. similis were exposed to O, 7, 75 and 750 mg/L of nano-Ti0 2 (anatase 25 nm) under visible light or visible and ultraviolet light (UV) for 24 hours. We analyzed the activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione S-transferase (GST) and acid phosphatase (AP) in exposed organisms. CAT showed a decrease in activity in the groups exposed to 750 mg/L. In general, exposure to UV radiation increased the GST activity. FA showed that there was an interaction offactors, and the activity of FA was inhibited under UV radiation, at ali tested concentrations. These findings contribute to understanding the ecotoxicological effects o f nano-TiO 2 and indicate that the illumination condition inftuences such effects

Avaliação da toxicidade aguda de Piraclostrobin, Epoxiconazol e sua mistura em Colossoma macropomum (Tambaqui).

Resumo: O presente trabalho avaliou o efeito toxicológico de formulações fungicidas à base de piraclostrobin e epoxiconazol, isoladamente e em formulação conjugada sobre Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) por 96 horas através da determinação da Concentração Letal Média (CL50-96h) de cada uma das formulações. Foram encontrados valores de CL50-96h equivalentes a 0,018 mg L-1 para o piraclostrobin, 2,28 mg L-1 para o epoxiconazol e 0,021 mg L-1 para sua formulação conjugada. Das três formulações utilizadas, o piraclostrobin isoladamente mostrou-se o mais tóxico para os organismos estudados e o uso conjugado das duas substâncias nas concentrações estudadas apresentou um fraco efeito sinérgico