Application of 99mTc-DTPA Radiotracer in Persian Cat’s Renal Scintigraphy

Purpose: To evaluate the suitability of 99mTc-DTPA as a radiotracer in Persian cat's renal scintigraphy.Methods: twelve adult healthy Persian cats were selected. For scintigraphy, the animals were anesthetized and 99mTC-DTPA was injected via the femoral vein as a bolus at a dose of 1.5 mCi. Immediately after intravenous injection of radiotracer, scintigraphic operation was conducted on the renal organ. dministration of the radioisotope and accumulation of radioisotope in the tissues was monitored by specific imaging  theemanatingResults: Distinct scintigraphic scans were obtained using 99mTC-DTPA. Visual comparison of the scans indicates that there was no significant difference in the accumulation of radiotracer. In dynamic scans, symmetric and concurrent distribution of 99mTc-DTPA in the kidney was observed.Conclusion: The results show that the radiopharmaceutical 99mTc-DTPA is suitable for use in Persian cat's renal scintigraphy, and this makes it potentially useful in research and clinical practice.Keywords: Kidney, Persian cat, Radiotracer, Scintigraphy, Technetium-99m diethylene triamine pentacaetic acid (99mTc-DTPA

CES-530 - ROS based Multi-sensor Navigation System for a Commercial Wheelchair

This report describes an intelligent electric powered wheelchair developed in University of Essex, under the financial support from two EU Research Projects SYSIASS and COALAS. The development of this wheelchair covers a wide range of research activities from multi-modal Human-Machine Interfacing to autonomous navigation. This user manual provides an overview and guidelines to use the wheelchair with autonomous navigation functions. It includes three sections: overview of Hardware parts, overview to Software and a Tutorial that helps the user step-by-step to activate and run the wheelchair without the need of supervision

A hybrid constructive algorithm incorporating teaching-learning based optimization for neural network training

In neural networks, simultaneous determination of the optimum structure and weights is a challenge. This paper proposes a combination of teaching-learning based optimization (TLBO) algorithm and a constructive algorithm (CA) to cope with the challenge. In literature, TLBO is used to choose proper weights, while CA is adopted to construct different structures in order to select the proper one. In this study, the basic TLBO algorithm along with an improved version of this algorithm for network weights selection are utilized. Meanwhile, as a constructive algorithm, a novel modification to multiple operations, using statistical tests (MOST), is applied and tested to choose the proper structure. The proposed combinatorial algorithms are applied to ten classification problems and two-time-series prediction problems, as the benchmark. The results are evaluated based on training and testing error, network complexity and mean-square error. The experimental results illustrate that the proposed hybrid method of the modified MOST constructive algorithm and the improved TLBO (MCO-ITLBO) algorithm outperform the others; moreover, they have been proven by Wilcoxon statistical tests as well. The proposed method demonstrates less average error with less complexity in the network structure

A long-term Human-Robot Proxemic study

“This material is presented to ensure timely dissemination of scholarly and technical work. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by authors or by other copyright holders. All persons copying this information are expected to adhere to the terms and constraints invoked by each author's copyright. In most cases, these works may not be reposted without the explicit permission of the copyright holder." “Copyright IEEE. Personal use of this material is permitted. However, permission to reprint/republish this material for advertising or promotional purposes or for creating new collective works for resale or redistribution to servers or lists, or to reuse any copyrighted component of this work in other works must be obtained from the IEEE.”A long-term Human-Robot Proxemic (HRP) study was performed using a newly developed Autonomous Proxemic System (APS) for a robot to measure and control the approach distances to the human participants. The main findings were that most HRP adaptation occurred in the first two interaction sessions, and for the remaining four weeks, approach distance preferences remained relatively steady, apart from some short periods of increased distances for some participants. There were indications that these were associated with episodes where the robot malfunctioned, so this raises the possibility of users trust in the robot affecting HRP distance. The study also found that approach distances for humans approaching the robot and the robot approaching the human were comparable, though there were indications that humans preferred to approach the robot more closely than they allowed the robot to approach them in a physically restricted area. Two participants left the study prematurely, stating they were bored with the repetitive experimental procedures. This highlights issues related to the often incompatible demands of keeping experimental controlled conditions vs. having realistic, engaging and varied HRI trial scenarios

Desvendando os efeitos genotóxicos de pesticidas : ensaios in vitro e ex vivo como ferramentas de avaliação

As acções antropogénicas são uma das principais fontes de contaminantes aquáticos presentes no meio ambiente, muitas vezes comprometendo o ecossistema e, consequentemente, os organismos presentes. Os efeitos destes compostos na biota e nos seres humanos devem ser avaliados, adoptando metodologias de confiança. Os métodos comumente usados, como as abordagens in vivo, apresentam várias desvantagens. Além disso, a implementação da política dos 3R (Redução, Refinamento e Substituição) foi considerada uma prioridade, reforçando a necessidade de encontrar métodos alternativos. Tendo isto em conta, este trabalho teve como objectivos (i) validar a abordagem ex vivo, como uma alternativa na pesquisa animal, (ii) avaliar o potencial genotóxico de três pesticidas químicos, um insecticida (dimetoato), um fungicida (imazalil) e um herbicida (penoxsulam), e do bioinsecticida Turex® nas células de brânquias de lagostim (Procambarus clarkii), usando a abordagem ex vivo, e também (iii) determinar a citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade, in vitro, do Turex®, na linha celular HepG2. A viabilidade celular das células de brânquias e da linha celular HepG2 foi avaliada às 2, 4 e 8 horas e às 24 e 48 horas, respectivamente. A integridade do ADN foi avaliada usando o ensaio do cometa com a incubação usando enzimas de reparação específicas do DNA, nomeadamente a formamidopirimidina DNAglicosilase (FPG) e a endonuclease III (EndoIII), para avaliar a oxidação de purinas e pirimidinas, respectivamente. Relativamente à abordagem ex vivo, as células de brânquias de lagostim demonstraram ser adequadas apenas durante 2 horas, quando a viabilidade e a integridade do ADN foram consideradas em conjunto. Tendo em conta esta informação, as células das brânquias foram expostas durante 2 horas a concentrações ambientalmente realistas de inseticida dimetoato (20 μg L-1), do fungicida imazalil (160 μg L-1), e do herbicida penoxsulam (23 μg L-1). Adicionalmente, e relativamente à exposição ao bioinsecticida Turex®, duas abordagens distintas foram consideradas: (1) uma exposição ex vivo de células de brânquias do lagostim durante 2 horas a cinco concentrações (25, 50, 100, 200 e 400 μg L-1), onde a genotoxicidade foi avaliada usando o ensaio do cometa, e (2) uma exposição in vitro da linha celular HepG2 a outras cinco concentrações (250, 500, 1000, 1500 e 2000 μg L-1), durante 24 e 48 horas, onde a citotoxicidade e a genotoxicidade foram avaliadas, usando o teste MTT e o ensaio do cometa, respectivamente. O dimetoato, o imazalil e o penoxsulam demostraram ser genotóxicos para as células de brânquias de lagostim, apesar de não induzirem dano oxidativo no ADN. Por outro lado, o Turex® não foi capaz de exercer efeitos genotóxicos nas células de brânquias de lagostim, apesar de apresentar genotoxicidade na linha celular HepG2 (apesar de ser apenas sem activação do insecticida e após 48 h). Além disso, este biopesticida demonstrou ser citotóxico (principalmente quando activado e após 48 h) para a linha celular testada. Em conclusão, a abordagem ex vivo demostrou ser adequada, juntamente com o ensaio do cometa, para exposições de 2 horas, quando aplicada a células de brânquias de lagostim. Deste modo, e considerando esta abordagem, a genotoxicidade dos pesticidas dimetoato, imazalil e penoxsulam foi comprovada. Este estudo demonstrou ainda os possíveis efeitos perigosos do Turex® para a linha celular humana (HepG2), direccionando a atenção para a alegada segurança de biopesticidas baseados em Bacillus thuringiensis. Consequentemente, é de todo o interesse que estes grupos de biopesticidas sejam investigados mais profundamente, de forma a determinar os possíveis efeitos em sistemas biológicos. No geral, os resultados obtidos apresentam-se como uma contribuição relevante para o aprimoramento das estratégias de triagem dos efeitos perniciosos de contaminantes, no sentido de as tornar mais rápidas e eficazes. Este trabalho pretende ainda contribuir para a (re)formulação de procedimentos regulatórios, tanto na aplicação de pesticidas como também para o controlo dos possíveis efeitos negativos dos mesmos, de forma a proteger a saúde ambiental e pública.Anthropogenic actions are one of the main sources of waterborne contaminants in the environment, often compromising the ecosystem and, consequently, inhabiting organisms. Real effects of these compounds to biota and humans must be assessed, adopting reliable approaches. Commonly used methods, such as in vivo approaches, come with several disadvantages. Moreover, the implementation of the 3R’s politic (Reduction, Refinement and Replacement) has been considered as a priority, reinforcing the need of finding alternative methods. Bearing this in mind, this study intended (i) to validate the ex vivo technique, as an alternative in animal research, (ii) to assess the genotoxicity of three chemically-based pesticides, an insecticide (dimethoate), a fungicide (imazalil) and a herbicide (penoxsulam) and the bioinsecticide Turex® to gill cells of Procambarus clarkii, using an ex vivo approach, and also (iii) to disclose the cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, in vitro, of Turex® to the cell line HepG2. Cell viability of crayfish gills and HepG2 cell line was evaluated for 2, 4 and 8 hours and 24 and 48 hours, respectively. DNA integrity was evaluated using the comet assay, improved with DNA lesion-specific repair enzymes, namely formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (FPG) and endonuclease III (EndoIII), to assess purines and pyrimidines oxidation, respectively. Concerning the ex vivo approach, crayfish gill cells only showed to be suitable considering exposures of 2 hours, when the viability and the DNA integrity were jointly considered. Accordingly, gill cells were exposed for 2 hours, to environmentally realistic concentrations of the insecticide dimethoate (20 ìg L- 1), the fungicide imazalil (160 ìg L-1), and the herbicide penoxsulam (23 ìg L-1). Additionally, and concerning the exposure to the bioinsecticide Turex®, two distinct approaches were considered: (1) an ex vivo exposure of crayfish gill cells for 2 hours to five concentrations (25, 50, 100, 200 and 400 ìg L-1), where its genotoxicity was evaluated using the comet assay, and (2) an in vitro exposure of the HepG2 cell line to other five concentrations (250, 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 ìg L-1) for 24 and 48 hours, after which cytotoxicity and genotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT and the comet assays, respectively. Dimethoate, imazalil and penoxsulam demonstrated to be genotoxic to crayfish gill cells, despite not inducing oxidative DNA damage. On the other hand, Turex® was not able to exert genotoxic effects in crayfish gill cells, despite presenting genotoxicity to the HepG2 cell line (despite only without activation and after 48 h). Moreover, this biopesticide showed to be cytotoxic (mainly with activation and after 48 h) to the tested cell line. In conclusion, the ex vivo approach, when applied to crayfish gill cells, showed its suitability for exposures of 2 hours, when the comet assay was used. Thus, and considering this approach, the genotoxicity of the pesticides dimethoate, imazalil and penoxsulam was proved. This study also demonstrated the possible dangerous effects of Turex® to a human cell line (HepG2), pointing attention to the alleged safety of a Bacillus thuringiensis-based biopesticide. Consequently, this type of biopesticides should be further investigated to determine their possible negative effects on biological systems. Overall, the obtained results might be assumed as a relevant contribution towards the improvement of strategies for a rapid and effective screening of the pernicious effects of contaminants. This study also intended to contribute to (re)formulate regulatory procedures, both for the application of pesticides, as well as for the control of the possible negative effects, protecting the environmental and public health.Mestrado em Biologia Aplicad

ROS Based Multi-sensor Navigation of Intelligent Wheelchair

Our society is moving towards an ageing society and the number of population with physical impairments and disabilities will increase dramatically. It is necessary to provide mobility support to these people so that they can live independently at home and integrated into the society. This paper presents a ROS (Robot Operating System) based multi-sensor navigation for an intelligent wheelchair that can help the elderly and disabled people. ROS provides an easy to use framework for rapid system development at a reduced cost. Some experimental results are given in the paper to demonstrate the feasibility and performance of the developed system

Radiologic Manifestations of Patients with Smear Positive Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Zabol

Abstract: Background & Aims: Tuberculosis is one of the most important causes of mortality in the world and if it is not treated, 50 – 65% of patients would die in five years. Chest X-ray has an important role in the diagnosis of TB and early diagnosis and treatment prevent tuberculosis transmission. In this study we evaluated radiologic manifestations of patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis in Zabol. Method: In this cross – sectional study, 325 patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis from March 2004 to March 2005 were evaluated. Radiologic findings were recorded in a questionnaire and analyzed. Results: From 325 patients with smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis, 116(35.7%) were male and 209(64.3%) were female.The most frequent involved site was left upper lobe [175(53.8%)] followed by right upper lobe [134(41.2%)]. The most frequent radiologic finding was bronchopneumonia with 242 cases (74.4%). Patchy consolidation in 99 patients (30.4%), cavitary lesion in 68 ones (20.9%) and pleural effusion in 35 patients (10.7%) were observed. In 8 cases (2.4%) CXRs were normal. After six months treatment and according to CXRs, 90 patients (27.7%) recovered completely, 169 cases (52%) had slight recovery and 66 patients (20.3%) did not have any changes. Conclusion: Pulmonary upper lobes were the most frequent involved sites. Since pulmonary TB has different radiologic manifestations and chest X-ray has an important role in the early diagnosis and preventing transmission, careful attention to radiologic manifestations especially in upper lobes and considering TB as one of the differential diagnosis are highly recommended. Keywords: Pulmonary Tuberculosis, Sputum, Radiography, Thoraci

The elements of issuing a non-payment check through the court

Among the legislative measures in the law amending the issuance of checks in 1997, is the creation of a new method, in addition to guaranteeing previous performances, to receive the amount of returned checks; However, the holder of the check applies for enforcement by presenting a certificate of non-payment to the competent court, and the court, without substantive consideration and merely fulfilling some apparent conditions, this document, like other final court rulings previously Has been judged and judged and at least two stages have been considered, issues an executive order. Although the necessity of creating this special solution, in addition to guaranteeing other performances, is questionable, but benefiting from this new privilege, has several drawbacks such as: inaccurate determination of executive authority, ambiguity in the concept of "holder", lack of compliance certificate The signature by the bank is the possibility of bringing the executor against without substantive proceedings, the impossibility of claiming compensation for delay in payment even if a legal condition is included in the check and a summary such as the "check amount deficit" clause, which is exceptional and may not be interpreted. Extensive has caused ambiguities in the adoption of this new strategy. In this article, in addition to the legal analysis of the mentioned article and the review of the elements of executive issuance, an attempt has been made to give a clear answer to the various ambiguities

Stability, dissolution, and cytotoxicity of NaYF4-upconversion nanoparticles with different coatings

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique photophysical properties. Their utilization in biomedical applications depends on the understanding of their transformations under physiological conditions and their potential toxicity. In this study, NaYF4:Yb,Er UCNPs, widely used for luminescence and photophysical studies, were modified with a set of four different coordinatively bound surface ligands, i.e., citrate, alendronate (AA), ethylendiamine tetra(methylene phosphonate) (EDTMP), and poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) (PMAO), as well as silica coatings with two different thicknesses. Subsequently, the aging-induced release of fluoride ions in water and cell culture media and their cytotoxic profile to human keratinocytes were assessed in parallel to the cytotoxic evaluation of the ligands, sodium fluoride and the lanthanide ions. The cytotoxicity studies of UCNPs with different surface modifications demonstrated the good biocompatibility of EDTMP-UCNPs and PMAO-UCNPs, which is in line with the low amount of fluoride ions released from these samples. An efficient prevention of UCNP dissolution and release of cytotoxic ions, as well as low cytotoxicity was also observed for UCNPs with a sufficiently thick silica shell. Overall, our results provide new insights into the understanding of the contribution of surface chemistry to the stability, dissolution behavior, and cytotoxicity of UCNPs. Altogether, the results obtained are highly important for future applications of UCNPs in the life sciences and bioimaging studies

Social Roles and Baseline Proxemic Preferences for a Domestic Service Robot

© The Author(s) 2014. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited. The work described in this paper was conducted within the EU Integrated Projects LIREC (LIving with Robots and intEractive Companions, funded by the European Commission under contract numbers FP7 215554, and partly funded by the ACCOMPANY project, a part of the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007–2013) under grant agreement n287624The goal of our research is to develop socially acceptable behavior for domestic robots in a setting where a user and the robot are sharing the same physical space and interact with each other in close proximity. Specifically, our research focuses on approach distances and directions in the context of a robot handing over an object to a userPeer reviewe