Stacked pin Devices for Imaging Applications

In this paper we present results on the optimization of device architectures for colour and imaging applications, using a device with a TCO/pinpi'n/TCO configuration. The effect of the applied voltage on the color selectivity is discussed. Results show that the spectral response curves demonstrate rather good separation between the red, green and blue basic colors. Combining the information obtained under positive and negative applied bias a colour image is acquired without colour filters or pixel architecture. A low level image processing algorithm is used for the colour image reconstruction.

Caracteriza����o da amostra portuguesa da ��rea da sa��de na Web of Science

Introdu����o: A produ����o e o uso da literatura cient��fica s��o analisados, quantificados e interpretados pela bibliometria, ci��ncia utilizada para estudos m��tricos da informa����o publicada e que estuda as quest��es relacionadas com a comunica����o cient��fica e a atividade cient��fica. Objetivo: O estudo apresentado �� uma an��lise bibliom��trica da produ����o cient��fica portuguesa da ��rea da sa��de indexada na Web of Science. M��todos: Analisa-se a produ����o referente ao per��odo entre 1992 e final de 2011. A an��lise da produ����o cient��fica centrou-se nas seguintes vari��veis: categorias de classifica����o da Web of Science, tipologia de documentos indexados, t��tulos de revistas, distribui����o por anos de publica����o, afilia����o institucional, idiomas, pa��ses de origem dos autores com quem foram estabelecidas rela����es de parceria cient��fica e quem facultou os financiamentos �� investiga����o cient��fica. Resultados: Foram contabilizados 34.208 trabalhos. Destes, o artigo �� a forma mais utilizada pelos autores portugueses para a divulga����o dos resultados de investiga����o (58,5%). A d��cada mais recente �� contemplada com 75,4% dos registos. A maioria da produ����o com visibilidade internacional �� oriunda de universidades e de centros de investiga����o hospitalar; institutos, laborat��rios da ind��stria farmac��utica e universidades estrangeiras t��m valores residuais. A colabora����o com outros investigadores internacionais destaca-se no caso da Europa (73,2%). O financiamento da investiga����o cient��fica �� suportado basicamente pela Funda����o para a Ci��ncia e Tecnologia (59,5%), seguida da Comiss��o Europeia (17,8%). O ingl��s �� o idioma mais usado para a divulga����o dos resultados de investiga����o nacional na ��rea da sa��de (97,8%). Conclus��es: O uso de bases de dados ou de plataformas cient��ficas para estudos bibliom��tricos �� um processo moroso e dif��cil. O total de trabalhos em an��lise foi sempre o mesmo mas, em algumas vari��veis, os valores n��o coincidem, quer porque alguns dos registos foram classificados em mais do que uma categoria tem��tica, quer pelos trabalhos multidisciplinares oriundos das mesmas institui����es, quer pelos trabalhos de colabora����o internacional. Tamb��m no presente estudo os artigos s��o o ve��culo privilegiado para a divulga����o dos resultados cient��ficos. Apontamento final: deve encorajar-se a utiliza����o de outras plataformas cient��ficas e de outras bases de dados para uma mais completa recupera����o da produ����o cient��fica nacional na ��rea da sa��de. Introduction: The production and the use of the scientific literature are analyzed, quantified and interpreted by bibliometry. Bibliometry is the science used in published information metric studies and studies the questions of scientific communication and the scientific production. Aim of the study: This study presents a bibliometric analysis of the indexed Web of Science Portuguese scientific production in the health field. Methods: We analyzed the production from 1992 to the end of 2011. This analysis focused in several variables: general categories areas of Web of Science, indexed document types, source titles, publication years, group/corporate authors, languages, identification of the countries with scientific partnerships and identification of the funding agencies for scientific research. Results: We found 34.208 works. From this, the article is the most common channel for disseminating the research results (58.5%). The most recent decade has 75.4% of the total of records. Most of the production with international visibility becomes from universities and hospital research centers; institutes, pharmaceutical labs or foreign universities have residual values. Collaborating with other international researchers is very common, particularly with Europe (73.2%). In general, the Funda����o para a Ci��ncia e Tecnologia supports the scientific research (59.5%), followed by the European Commission (17.8%). The language commonly used for disseminating the research results in health is the English (97.8%). Conclusions: Using databases or scientific platforms for bibliometric studies is a hard and difficult process. The total of works analyzed was always the same but, with some variables, the numbers does not coincide: a) some of the registries were classified in several categories; b) some of the multidisciplinary works were from the same institution; c) the large number of international partnership. In this study, articles are the privileged way for disseminating the scientific results. A last thought: the use of other scientific platforms and databases should be encouraged for a more complete retrieval of the national research production in health.

Caracteriza����o da amostra portuguesa da ��rea da sa��de na Web of Science

Introdu����o: A produ����o e o uso da literatura cient��fica s��o analisados, quantificados e interpretados pela bibliometria, ci��ncia utilizada para estudos m��tricos da informa����o publicada e que estuda as quest��es relacionadas com a comunica����o cient��fica e a atividade cient��fica. Objetivo: O estudo apresentado �� uma an��lise bibliom��trica da produ����o cient��fica portuguesa da ��rea da sa��de indexada na Web of Science. M��todos: Analisa-se a produ����o referente ao per��odo entre 1992 e final de 2011. A an��lise da produ����o cient��fica centrou-se nas seguintes vari��veis: categorias de classifica����o da Web of Science, tipologia de documentos indexados, t��tulos de revistas, distribui����o por anos de publica����o, afilia����o institucional, idiomas, pa��ses de origem dos autores com quem foram estabelecidas rela����es de parceria cient��fica e quem facultou os financiamentos �� investiga����o cient��fica. Resultados: Foram contabilizados 34.208 trabalhos. Destes, o artigo �� a forma mais utilizada pelos autores portugueses para a divulga����o dos resultados de investiga����o (58,5%). A d��cada mais recente �� contemplada com 75,4% dos registos. A maioria da produ����o com visibilidade internacional �� oriunda de universidades e de centros de investiga����o hospitalar; institutos, laborat��rios da ind��stria farmac��utica e universidades estrangeiras t��m valores residuais. A colabora����o com outros investigadores internacionais destaca-se no caso da Europa (73,2%). O financiamento da investiga����o cient��fica �� suportado basicamente pela Funda����o para a Ci��ncia e Tecnologia (59,5%), seguida da Comiss��o Europeia (17,8%). O ingl��s �� o idioma mais usado para a divulga����o dos resultados de investiga����o nacional na ��rea da sa��de (97,8%). Conclus��es: O uso de bases de dados ou de plataformas cient��ficas para estudos bibliom��tricos �� um processo moroso e dif��cil. O total de trabalhos em an��lise foi sempre o mesmo mas, em algumas vari��veis, os valores n��o coincidem, quer porque alguns dos registos foram classificados em mais do que uma categoria tem��tica, quer pelos trabalhos multidisciplinares oriundos das mesmas institui����es, quer pelos trabalhos de colabora����o internacional. Tamb��m no presente estudo os artigos s��o o ve��culo privilegiado para a divulga����o dos resultados cient��ficos. Apontamento final: deve encorajar-se a utiliza����o de outras plataformas cient��ficas e de outras bases de dados para uma mais completa recupera����o da produ����o cient��fica nacional na ��rea da sa��de. Introduction: The production and the use of the scientific literature are analyzed, quantified and interpreted by bibliometry. Bibliometry is the science used in published information metric studies and studies the questions of scientific communication and the scientific production. Aim of the study: This study presents a bibliometric analysis of the indexed Web of Science Portuguese scientific production in the health field. Methods: We analyzed the production from 1992 to the end of 2011. This analysis focused in several variables: general categories areas of Web of Science, indexed document types, source titles, publication years, group/corporate authors, languages, identification of the countries with scientific partnerships and identification of the funding agencies for scientific research. Results: We found 34.208 works. From this, the article is the most common channel for disseminating the research results (58.5%). The most recent decade has 75.4% of the total of records. Most of the production with international visibility becomes from universities and hospital research centers; institutes, pharmaceutical labs or foreign universities have residual values. Collaborating with other international researchers is very common, particularly with Europe (73.2%). In general, the Funda����o para a Ci��ncia e Tecnologia supports the scientific research (59.5%), followed by the European Commission (17.8%). The language commonly used for disseminating the research results in health is the English (97.8%). Conclusions: Using databases or scientific platforms for bibliometric studies is a hard and difficult process. The total of works analyzed was always the same but, with some variables, the numbers does not coincide: a) some of the registries were classified in several categories; b) some of the multidisciplinary works were from the same institution; c) the large number of international partnership. In this study, articles are the privileged way for disseminating the scientific results. A last thought: the use of other scientific platforms and databases should be encouraged for a more complete retrieval of the national research production in health.

Evaluation of the respiratory motion effect in small animal PET images with GATE Monte Carlo simulations

The rapid growth in genetics and molecular biology combined with the development of techniques for genetically engineering small animals has led to increased interest in in vivo small animal imaging. Small animal imaging has been applied frequently to the imaging of small animals (mice and rats), which are ubiquitous in modeling human diseases and testing treatments. The use of PET in small animals allows the use of subjects as their own control, reducing the interanimal variability. This allows performing longitudinal studies on the same animal and improves the accuracy of biological models. However, small animal PET still suffers from several limitations. The amounts of radiotracers needed, limited scanner sensitivity, image resolution and image quantification issues, all could clearly benefit from additional research. Because nuclear medicine imaging deals with radioactive decay, the emission of radiation energy through photons and particles alongside with the detection of these quanta and particles in different materials make Monte Carlo method an important simulation tool in both nuclear medicine research and clinical practice. In order to optimize the quantitative use of PET in clinical practice, data- and image-processing methods are also a field of intense interest and development. The evaluation of such methods often relies on the use of simulated data and images since these offer control of the ground truth. Monte Carlo simulations are widely used for PET simulation since they take into account all the random processes involved in PET imaging, from the emission of the positron to the detection of the photons by the detectors. Simulation techniques have become an importance and indispensable complement to a wide range of problems that could not be addressed by experimental or analytical approaches.

A checkpointing-enabled and resource-aware Java Virtual Machine for efficient and robust e-Science applications in grid environments

Object-oriented programming languages presently are the dominant paradigm of application development (e. g., Java,. NET). Lately, increasingly more Java applications have long (or very long) execution times and manipulate large amounts of data/information, gaining relevance in fields related with e-Science (with Grid and Cloud computing). Significant examples include Chemistry, Computational Biology and Bio-informatics, with many available Java-based APIs (e. g., Neobio). Often, when the execution of such an application is terminated abruptly because of a failure (regardless of the cause being a hardware of software fault, lack of available resources, etc.), all of its work already performed is simply lost, and when the application is later re-initiated, it has to restart all its work from scratch, wasting resources and time, while also being prone to another failure and may delay its completion with no deadline guarantees. Our proposed solution to address these issues is through incorporating mechanisms for checkpointing and migration in a JVM. These make applications more robust and flexible by being able to move to other nodes, without any intervention from the programmer. This article provides a solution to Java applications with long execution times, by extending a JVM (Jikes research virtual machine) with such mechanisms. Copyright (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Digital imaging systems for plain radiography

Advances in digital technology led to the development of digital x-ray detectors that are currently in wide use for projection radiography, including Computed Radiography (CR) and Digital Radiography (DR). Digital Imaging Systems for Plain Radiography addresses the current technological methods available to medical imaging professionals to ensure the optimization of the radiological process concerning image quality and reduction of patient exposure. Based on extensive research by the authors and reference to the current literature, the book addresses how exposure parameters influence the diagnostic quality in digital systems, what the current acceptable radiation doses are for useful diagnostic images, and at what level the dose could be reduced to maintain an accurate diagnosis. The book is a valuable resource for both students learning the field and for imaging professionals to apply to their own practice while performing radiological examinations with digital systems.

Claustrophobia and adherence in magnetic resonance imaging procedure

Claustrophobia causes a huge discomfort to those who need to perform Magnetic Resonance examinations mainly due to the physical design of most equipment. This study aimed to maximize the success rate of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) clinical studies in claustrophobic patients by the identification of facilitative strategies.

Imaging for radiofrequency ablation

Many solid tumors have a poor response to systemic chemotherapy, local radiotherapy or surgical recession. They are responsible for premature morbidity and decreased patient survival. The radiofrequency ablation is an emerging technique, and is now becoming more widespread throughout the world because it is minimally invasive, image guided, which offers the possibility of an effective and less costly approach. The procedure can be performed percutaneously, guided by several imaging modalities as Ultrasound, Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance. This article pretends to demonstrate the state-of-the-art of this technique focusing in the technical aspects and application of radiofrequency ablation.

Physiologic effect of caffeine on susceptibility-weighted imaging

Susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is a relatively new contrast in MR imaging. Previous studies have found an effect of caffeine in the contrast generated by SWI images. The present study investigates the effect of caffeine on contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in SWI.

Comment on R. Woodroffe et al. Perspective in Ecology "To Fence or Not to Fence" (4 April 2014, Science, 344: 46-48)

Fences must be used with care in biodiversity conservation to avoid unintended consequences.

Perspectives and progress of ecology and conservation science in the Azores: the possible contribution of Artificial Intelligence

EPIA 2013 - XVI Portuguese Conference on Artificial Intelligence Angra do Hero��smo, Azores, Portugal, 9 ��� 12 September.

Molecular imaging agents for detection of ��-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer���s disease

The formation of amyloid structures is a neuropathological feature that characterizes several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer��s and Parkinson��s disease. Up to now, the definitive diagnosis of these diseases can only be accomplished by immunostaining of post mortem brain tissues with dyes such Thioflavin T and congo red. Aiming at early in vivo diagnosis of Alzheimer��s disease (AD), several amyloid-avid radioprobes have been developed for b-amyloid imaging by positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The aim of this paper is to present a perspective of the available amyloid imaging agents, special those that have been selected for clinical trials and are at the different stages of the US Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) approval.

Synthesis of meeting and recommendations from the Net-Biome round table discussion on "motivated" science on biodiversity management and use in support of overseas sutainable development

Net-Biome Final Meeting (Paris, 15 & 16 February, 2012).

Monte Carlo simulation of the basic features of the GE Millennium MG single photon emission computed tomography gamma camera

Objective - To describe and validate the simulation of the basic features of GE Millennium MG gamma camera using the GATE Monte Carlo platform. Material and methods - Crystal size and thickness, parallel-hole collimation and a realistic energy acquisition window were simulated in the GATE platform. GATE results were compared to experimental data in the following imaging conditions: a point source of 99mTc at different positions during static imaging and tomographic acquisitions using two different energy windows. The accuracy between the events expected and detected by simulation was obtained with the Mann���Whitney���Wilcoxon test. Comparisons were made regarding the measurement of sensitivity and spatial resolution, static and tomographic. Simulated and experimental spatial resolutions for tomographic data were compared with the Kruskal���Wallis test to assess simulation accuracy for this parameter. Results - There was good agreement between simulated and experimental data. The number of decays expected when compared with the number of decays registered, showed small deviation (���0.007%). The sensitivity comparisons between static acquisitions for different distances from source to collimator (1, 5, 10, 20, 30cm) with energy windows of 126���154 keV and 130���158 keV showed differences of 4.4%, 5.5%, 4.2%, 5.5%, 4.5% and 5.4%, 6.3%, 6.3%, 5.8%, 5.3%, respectively. For the tomographic acquisitions, the mean differences were 7.5% and 9.8% for the energy window 126���154 keV and 130���158 keV. Comparison of simulated and experimental spatial resolutions for tomographic data showed no statistically significant differences with 95% confidence interval. Conclusions - Adequate simulation of the system basic features using GATE Monte Carlo simulation platform was achieved and validated.

Analysing the usefulness of motion correction software in myocardial perfusion imaging

Introduction Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI) is a very important tool in the assessment of Coronary Artery Disease ( CAD ) patient s and worldwide data demonstrate an increasingly wider use and clinical acceptance. Nevertheless, it is a complex process and it is quite vulnerable concerning the amount and type of possible artefacts, some of them affecting seriously the overall quality and the clinical utility of the obtained data. One of the most in convenient artefacts , but relatively frequent ( 20% of the cases ) , is relate d with patient motion during image acquisition . Mostly, in those situations, specific data is evaluated and a decisi on is made between A) accept the results as they are , consider ing that t he ���noise��� so introduced does not affect too seriously the final clinical information, or B) to repeat the acquisition process . Another possib ility could be to use the ��� Motion Correcti on Software��� provided within the software package included in any actual gamma camera. The aim of this study is to compare the quality of the final images , obtained after the application of motion correction software and after the repetition of image acqui sition. Material and Methods Thirty cases of MPI affected by Motion Artefacts and repeated , were used. A group of three, independent (blinded for the differences of origin) expert Nuclear Medicine Clinicians had been invited to evaluate the 30 sets of thre e images - one set for each patient - being ( A) original image , motion uncorrected , (B) original image, motion corrected, and (C) second acquisition image, without motion . The results so obtained were statistically analysed . Results and Conclusion Results obtained demonstrate that the use of the Motion Correction Software is useful essentiall y if the amplitude of movement is not too important (with this specific quantification found hard to define precisely , due to discrepancies between clinicians and other factors , namely between one to another brand); when that is not the case and the amplitude of movement is too important , the n the percentage of agreement between clinicians is much higher and the repetition of the examination is unanimously considered ind ispensable.