Cell viability and noninvasive in vivo MRI tracking of 3D cell encapsulating self-assembled microcontainers.

Several molecular therapies require the implantation of cells that secrete biotherapeutic molecules and imaging the location and microenvironment of the cellular implant to ascertain its function. We demonstrate noninvasive in vivo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of self-assembled microcontainers that are capable of cell encapsulation. Negative contrast was obtained to discern the microcontainer with MRI; positive contrast was obtained in the complete absence of background signal. MRI on a clinical scanner highlights the translational nature of this research. The microcontainers were loaded with cells that were dispersed in an extracellular matrix, and implanted both subcutaneously and in human tumor xenografts in SCID mice. MRI was performed on the implants, and microcontainers retrieved postimplantation showed cell viability both within and proximal to the implant. The microcontainers are characterized by their small size, three dimensionality, controlled porosity, ease of parallel fabrication, chemical and mechanical stability, and noninvasive traceability in vivo.

Modelos de simulación informática para el análisis de la evacuación de personas en situación de emergencia

Necesidad de aplicación de MSI para evacuación de personas en situación de incendio. Método para el análisis de la evacuación de personas en edificios de pública concurrencia. Aplicación práctica del método.

Comparação de modelos matemáticos não-lineares empregados na análise de desempenho de sistemas de irrigação

Modelos matemáticos não-lineares utilizados na análise de desempenho de sistemas de irrigação foram comparados visando a indicar o que se ajusta melhor aos dados observados em perfis de distribuição da água aplicada na irrigação. Foram considerados quatro modelos de probabilidade (Normal, Log-normal, Gama e Beta) e dois modelos potenciais (modelos Silva e Karmeli), aplicados a 91 casos de avaliação de desempenho da irrigação. A comparação entre as curvas de freqüência acumulada da soma de quadrados dos erros, obtida do ajuste de cada modelo aos dados, revelou que o modelo Silva é estatisticamente o melhor entre os modelos testados.

Direct comparison of 3D spiral vs. Cartesian gradient-echo coronary magnetic resonance angiography.

While 3D thin-slab coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) has traditionally been performed using a Cartesian acquisition scheme, spiral k-space data acquisition offers several potential advantages. However, these strategies have not been directly compared in the same subjects using similar methodologies. Thus, in the present study a comparison was made between 3D coronary MRA using Cartesian segmented k-space gradient-echo and spiral k-space data acquisition schemes. In both approaches the same spatial resolution was used and data were acquired during free breathing using navigator gating and prospective slice tracking. Magnetization preparation (T(2) preparation and fat suppression) was applied to increase the contrast. For spiral imaging two different examinations were performed, using one or two spiral interleaves, during each R-R interval. Spiral acquisitions were found to be superior to the Cartesian scheme with respect to the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise-ratio (CNR) (both P < 0.001) and image quality. The single spiral per R-R interval acquisition had the same total scan duration as the Cartesian acquisition, but the single spiral had the best image quality and a 2.6-fold increase in SNR. The double-interleaf spiral approach showed a 50% reduction in scanning time, a 1.8-fold increase in SNR, and similar image quality when compared to the standard Cartesian approach. Spiral 3D coronary MRA appears to be preferable to the Cartesian scheme. The increase in SNR may be "traded" for either shorter scanning times using multiple consecutive spiral interleaves, or for enhanced spatial resolution.

Formación del anillo de crecimiento y clima: un ejemplo de modelos para Pinus uncinata Ram. y Pinus sylvestris L. en los Pirineos Centrales

En este trabajo, describimos el desarrollo y la estructura del anillo de crecimiento de Pinus uncinata Ram. y de Pinus sylvestris L. en un gradiente altitudinal en los Pirineos centralese

El otro cuerpo de la identidad: análisis de modelos culturales de los trastornos del cuerpo femenino

Justificación: El presente estudio se centra en la construcción de la identidad corporal en la anorexia nerviosa, desde una perspectiva social y cultural y tiene en cuenta las aportaciones de diferentes autores desde la perspectiva feminista de la salud y desde la antropología, dado que ambos planteamientos adoptan una visión mas amplia de los trastornos mentales y proponen comprenderlos en el contexto del malestar en la cultura. Objetivo: Analizar y comparar las variables que configuran los modelos culturales en nuestra sociedad sobre la identidad femenina, construida sobre todo a partir de la corporalidad y a través de la experiencia de mujeres diagnosticadas de anorexia. Metodología: Investigación cualitativa. Las técnicas básicas utilizadas han sido las entrevistas en profundidad y la observación participante. Resultados: Tras el análisis de las entrevistas se evidenciaron diferentes categorías que se han agrupado en tres grandes apartados la percepción de la identidad, la percepción social del cuerpo y la aceptabilidad del propio cuerpo. Conclusión: Podríamos decir que los modelos de identidad femenina que plantea la sociedad respecto a la imagen ideal y a los medios para conseguirlo producen un conflicto del que resulta difícil escapar tanto a las mujeres catalogadas de normales, como aquellas diagnosticadas de anorexia nerviosa

El otro cuerpo de la identidad: análisis de modelos culturales de los trastornos del cuerpo femenino

Justificación: El presente estudio se centra en la construcción de la identidad corporal en la anorexia nerviosa, desde una perspectiva social y cultural y tiene en cuenta las aportaciones de diferentes autores desde la perspectiva feminista de la salud y desde la antropología, dado que ambos planteamientos adoptan una visión mas amplia de los trastornos mentales y proponen comprenderlos en el contexto del malestar en la cultura. Objetivo: Analizar y comparar las variables que configuran los modelos culturales en nuestra sociedad sobre la identidad femenina, construida sobre todo a partir de la corporalidad y a través de la experiencia de mujeres diagnosticadas de anorexia. Metodología: Investigación cualitativa. Las técnicas básicas utilizadas han sido las entrevistas en profundidad y la observación participante. Resultados: Tras el análisis de las entrevistas se evidenciaron diferentes categorías que se han agrupado en tres grandes apartados la percepción de la identidad, la percepción social del cuerpo y la aceptabilidad del propio cuerpo. Conclusión: Podríamos decir que los modelos de identidad femenina que plantea la sociedad respecto a la imagen ideal y a los medios para conseguirlo producen un conflicto del que resulta difícil escapar tanto a las mujeres catalogadas de normales, como aquellas diagnosticadas de anorexia nerviosa

3D noise power spectrum applied on clinical mdct scanners: effects of reconstruction algorithms and reconstruction filters

The noise power spectrum (NPS) is the reference metric for understanding the noise content in computed tomography (CT) images. To evaluate the noise properties of clinical multidetector (MDCT) scanners, local 2D and 3D NPSs were computed for different acquisition reconstruction parameters.A 64- and a 128-MDCT scanners were employed. Measurements were performed on a water phantom in axial and helical acquisition modes. CT dose index was identical for both installations. Influence of parameters such as the pitch, the reconstruction filter (soft, standard and bone) and the reconstruction algorithm (filtered-back projection (FBP), adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction (ASIR)) were investigated. Images were also reconstructed in the coronal plane using a reformat process. Then 2D and 3D NPS methods were computed.In axial acquisition mode, the 2D axial NPS showed an important magnitude variation as a function of the z-direction when measured at the phantom center. In helical mode, a directional dependency with lobular shape was observed while the magnitude of the NPS was kept constant. Important effects of the reconstruction filter, pitch and reconstruction algorithm were observed on 3D NPS results for both MDCTs. With ASIR, a reduction of the NPS magnitude and a shift of the NPS peak to the low frequency range were visible. 2D coronal NPS obtained from the reformat images was impacted by the interpolation when compared to 2D coronal NPS obtained from 3D measurements.The noise properties of volume measured in last generation MDCTs was studied using local 3D NPS metric. However, impact of the non-stationarity noise effect may need further investigations.

Seleção de variáveis em modelos matemáticos dos parâmetros de cultivo do camarão marinho Litopenaeus vannamei

O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar as variáveis de manejo do camarão marinho Litopenaeus vannamei que mais influenciaram nas variáveis-respostas ao cultivo (produção, produtividade, peso final e taxa de sobrevivência), em modelos matemáticos. O banco de dados foi composto por 83 cultivos, realizados no período de 2003 a 2005, obtidos de uma fazenda comercial localizada no litoral sul de Pernambuco. Para estimar os parâmetros dos modelos, utilizou-se a técnica dos mínimos quadrados. A seleção das variáveis foi realizada com o processo "backward elimination" associado ao método de transformação de Box e Cox. A adequação das equações e os pressupostos de normalidade e homocedasticidade, para os erros, foram analisadas com base na análise de variância e análise de resíduo. É possível relacionar essas variáveis e estabelecer predições com as equações.

Shoulder pathology: estimating dominant upper-limb activity using 3D kinematic sensors.

Introduction. Quantification of daily upper-limb activity is a key determinant in evaluation of shoulder surgery. For a number of shoulder diseases, problem in performing daily activities have been expressed in terms of upper-limb usage and non-usage. Many instruments measure upper-limb movement but do not focus on the differentiations between the use of left or right shoulder. Several methods have been used to measure it using only accelerometers, pressure sensors or video-based analysis. However, there is no standard or widely used objective measure for upper-limb movement. We report here on an objective method to measure the movement of upper-limb and we examined the use of 3D accelerometers and 3D gyroscopes for that purpose. Methods. We studied 8 subjects with unilateral pathological shoulder (8 rotator cuff disease: 53 years old ± 8) and compared them to 18 control subjects (10 right handed, 8 left handed: 32 years old ± 8, younger than the patient group to be almost sure they don_t have any unrecognized shoulder pathology). The Simple Shoulder Test (SST) and Disabilities of the Arm and Shoulder Score (DASH) questionnaires were completed by each subject. Two modules with 3 miniature capacitive gyroscopes and 3 miniature accelerometers were fixed by a patch on the dorsal side of the distal humerus, and one module with 3 gyroscopes and 3 accelerometers were fixed on the thorax. The subject wore the system during one day (8 hours), at home or wherever he/she went. We used a technique based on the 3D acceleration and the 3D angular velocities from the modules attached on the humerus. Results. As expected, we observed that for the stand and sit postures the right side is more used than the left side for a healthy right-handed person(idem on the left side for a healthy left-handed person). Subjects used their dominant upper-limb 18% more than the non-dominant upper-limb. The measurements on patients in daily life have shown that the patient has used more his non affected and non dominant side during daily activity if the dominant side = affected shoulder. If the dominant side affected shoulder, the difference can be showed only during walking period. Discussion-Conclusion. The technique developed and used allowed the quantification of the difference between dominant and non dominant side, affected and unaffected upper-limb activity. These results were encouraging for future evaluation of patients with shoulder injuries, before and after surgery. The feasibility and patient acceptability of the method using body fixed sensors for ambulatory evaluation of upper limbs kinematics was shown.

Aparecimento de folhas em mudas de eucalipto estimado por dois modelos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar e comparar os modelos do Filocrono e de Wang e Engel para estimativa do aparecimento de folhas em mudas de Eucalyptus grandis e E. saligna. Foram instalados dois experimentos em Santa Maria em 2005 e 2006, um, em campo, com nove épocas de semeadura, e o outro, em casa, de vegetação com duas épocas de semeadura. Os modelos usados foram o do Filocrono, que assume uma relação linear entre taxa de aparecimento de folhas e temperatura, e o de Wang e Engel, que assume uma relação não-linear entre taxa de aparecimento de folhas e temperatura. As quatro primeiras épocas de semeadura em campo foram usadas para estimar os coeficientes dos modelos utilizados. As épocas de semeadura restantes do experimento em campo e as duas épocas de semeadura, em casa de vegetação, foram utilizadas como dados independentes para avaliar os modelos. O modelo de Wang e Engel proporcionou estimativa mais precisa do número de folhas, com valor da raiz do quadrado médio do erro de 2,7 e 3,7 folhas, comparado com o modelo do Filocrono com 7,1 e 10 folhas para E. grandis e E. saligna, respectivamente.

Estimating traveltimes and groundwater flow patterns using 3D time-lapse crosshole ERT imaging of electrical resistivity fluctuations induced by infiltrating river water

The infiltration of river water into aquifers is of high relevance to drinking-water production and is a key driver of biogeochemical processes in the hyporheic and riparian zone, but the distribution and quantification of the infiltrating water are difficult to determine using conventional hydrological methods (e.g., borehole logging and tracer tests). By time-lapse inverting crosshole ERT (electrical resistivity tomography) monitoring data, we imaged groundwater flow patterns driven by river water infiltrating a perialpine gravel aquifer in northeastern Switzerland. This was possible because the electrical resistivity of the infiltrating water changed during rainfall-runoff events. Our time-lapse resistivity models indicated rather complex flow patterns as a result of spatially heterogeneous bank filtration and aquifer heterogeneity. The upper part of the aquifer was most affected by the river infiltrate, and the highest groundwater velocities and possible preferential flow occurred at shallow to intermediate depths. Time series of the reconstructed resistivity models matched groundwater electrical resistivity data recorded on borehole loggers in the upper and middle parts of the aquifer, whereas the resistivity models displayed smaller variations and delayed responses with respect to the logging data. in the lower part. This study demonstrated that crosshole ERT monitoring of natural electrical resistivity variations of river infiltrate could be used to image and quantify 3D bank filtration and aquifer dynamics at a high spatial resolution.

Cinética de fósforo com modelos matemáticos em ovinos adultos

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, por meio de modelos matemáticos, o metabolismo de fósforo (P) em ovinos adultos suplementados com teores crescentes de farinha de ossos calcinados com 0, 1, 2 e 3 g de P por animal por dia. Esses valores representaram diferentes tratamentos, adicionados à dieta basal com 225 g de concentrado e feno ad libitum. Foram utilizados 16 ovinos, Suffolk, com peso vivo de 38,2±4,35 kg e idade média de 18 meses, mantidos em gaiolas individuais. Após 21 dias, 7,4 MBq do radiofósforo (32P) foram injetados em cada ovino, e foram coletados sangue, fezes e urina por oito dias, a fim de determinar o fluxo de P entre três compartimentos: trato gastrintestinal, compartimento central (sangue) e tecidos (moles e ósseo). Houve relação linear positiva entre o P consumido e o P absorvido, excretado nas fezes, urina e retenção. A perda endógena fecal de P foi exponencial com o aumento de P da dieta. A elevação do teor de P da dieta interfere nas trocas do mineral para o trato gastrintestinal e urinário, o que indica que 0,82 g de P por dia são suficientes para mantença dessa categoria animal.

Comparação bayesiana de modelos de previsão de diferenças esperadas nas progênies no melhoramento genético de gado Nelore

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar uma análise bayesiana de modelos auto-regressivos de ordem p, AR(p), para dados em painel referentes às diferenças esperadas nas progênies (DEP) de touros da raça Nelore publicados de 2000 a 2006. Neste trabalho, adotou-se o modelo AR(2), indicado pela análise prévia da função de autocorrelação parcial. As comparações entre as prioris, realizadas por meio do Fator de Bayes e do Pseudo-Fator de Bayes, indicaram superioridade da priori independente t-Student multivariada - Gama inversa em relação à priori hierárquica Normal multivariada - Gama inversa e a priori de Jeffreys. Os resultados indicam a importância de se dividir os animais em grupos homogêneos de acordo com a acurácia. Constatou-se também que, em média, a eficiência de previsão dos valores de DEP para um ano futuro foi próxima de 80%.

Implementation Manual — 3D Engineered Models for Highway Construction: The Iowa Experience; RB33-014, 2015

3D engineered modeling is a relatively new and developing technology that can provide numerous benefits to owners, engineers, contractors, and the general public. This manual is for highway agencies that are considering or are in the process of switching from 2D plan sets to 3D engineered models in their highway construction projects. It will discuss some of the benefits, applications, limitations, and implementation considerations for 3D engineered models used for survey, design, and construction. Note that is not intended to cover all eventualities in all states regarding the deployment of 3D engineered models for highway construction. Rather, it describes how one state—Iowa—uses 3D engineered models for construction of highway projects, from planning and surveying through design and construction.