A interação envolvendo artrópodes e plantas é uma das mais antigas e importantes interações ecológicas da natureza. As estratégias adotadas pelos artrópodes para reconhecer a sua planta hospedeira são bastante variáveis e pistas químicas desempenham um papel importante nessa relação. Opiliões (Arachnida, Opiliones) são altamente dependentes de quimiorrecepção para encontrar recursos e são particularmente dependentes de umidade. O opilião Jussara sp. possui uma clara preferencia por repousar em Psychotria suterella (Rubiacea), uma planta com uma arquitetura foliar complexa com folhas sobrepostas. Nada se sabe sobre como o opilião chega a ela ou quais as vantagens que ela proporciona ao opilião. Neste trabalho verificamos quais pistas são utilizadas pelo opilião para encontrar P. suterella e ainda quais os possíveis benefícios para o opilião nessa interação. Para verificação de como o opilião encontra a planta, partimos de duas hipóteses não excludentes: 1 - pistas de co-específicos são utilizadas; 2 - pistas químicas provenientes da planta são utilizadas. Para a primeira hipótese, montamos um experimento em campo com um grupo de plantas de P. suterella contendo químicos de Jussara sp. e um grupo sem químicos de Jussara sp. no caule principal e comparamos como os tratamentos afetaram o número de opiliões nas plantas de cada grupo. Para a hipótese da utilização de químicos da planta, realizamos dois experimentos visando verificar a preferência do opilião pelos voláteis de P. suterella. No primeiro utilizamos extratos de químicos voláteis de P. suterella e de mais dois controles em uma arena triangular com os 3 estímulos oferecidos simultâneamente. No segundo experimento utilizamos a própria planta P. suterella, pareada com uma planta controle ou um controle branco em um olfatômetro em Y. Para verificar os benefícios da associação também partimos de duas hipóteses não exludentes relacionadas a possíveis diferenças microclimáticas geradas por P. suterella em relação às demais plantas do local: 1- as folhas de P. suterella oferecem maior umidade do que outras plantas; 2 - as folhas de P. suterella fornecem um microambiente mais sombreado do que o de outras plantas. Para primeira hipótese, quantificamos o fluxo de transpiração foliar de P. suterella e mais 3 espécies de plantas do habitat do opilião. Já para segunda hipótese, quantificamos o bloqueio à passagem de luz através das folhas em P. suterella e das mesmas 3 espécies do teste anterior. Não obtivemos evidências claras de que os opiliões Jussara sp. utilizem químicos de co-específicos para selecionar P. suterella. Pistas químicas olfativas não parecem ser utilizadas de forma isolada para atrair Jussara sp., mas nossos resultados sugerem que talvez em combinação com outras plantas o odor possa ser utilizado. Em relação aos benefícios fornecidos por P. suterella, nós não encontramos evidências de que a transpiração foliar seja importante na interação. Contudo, o maior bloqueio de passagem de luz através da folha em comparação às demais espécies aliado a arquitetura foliar de P. suterella pode gerar microclimas benéficos para os opiliões que geralmente são altamente sensíveis a umidade / Interactions between arthropods and plants are among the oldest and important ecological interactions in nature. Strategies adopted by arthropods to recognize its host plant are very variable and volatiles often mediate the encounter between both parts. Harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) are arachnids highly dependent on chemicals to find resources and particularly dependent on high humidity. The harvestman Jussara sp. clearly prefers to rest on Psychotria suterella (Rubiacea), a plant with a complex architecture with overlapping leaves. We know nothing about how the harvestmen find the plant or the advantages that such plant offers to the harvestmen. In this paper we investigate the cues used to find P. suterella by these harvestmen and how the harvestman benefits from this interaction. To test how the harvestman finds the plant, we raised two non-excludent hypotheses: 1 - conspecific chemicals are used; 2 - plant chemicals are used. For the first hypothesis, we conducted a field experiment with a group of P. suterella with chemicals of Jussara sp. and another without chemicals of of Jussara sp. on the main stem and compared how that affected the number of harvestmen on them. To test the importance of plant chemicals, we conducted two experiments to test the use of volatiles of P. suterella. We first used volatile extracts of P. suterella and two other plants in a triangular arena with the three stimuli offered simultaneously. In the second experiment, we used actual individuals of P. suterella paired with either a control plant of a white control in a Y maze. To investigate how Jussara sp. benefits by choosing P. suterella, we raised two non-excludent hypotheses related to microclimatic conditions potentially offered by P. suterella in comparison to other plants of the area: 1 - The leaves of P. suterella offer higher humidity than those of other plants; 2 - The leaves of P. suterella provide a better shadow that that of other plants. For the first hypothesis, we quantified the transpiration rate of the leaves of four local species including P. suterella. For the second hypothesis, we quantified how much light passes through the leaves of these four species. We did not find clear evidences that Jussara sp. uses conspecific chemicals to select P. suterella. Plant volatiles do not seem to be used at least isolated to attract Jussara sp., but our results suggest that maybe in combination with other plants such volatiles may be used. As for the benefits provided by P. suterella, we did not find evidence that the transpiration rate is important. However, the leaves of P. suterella do provide better shadows in comparison with the other plants, which in combination with the complex architecture with overlapping leaves may provide better microclimatic conditions to these very humidity sensitive animals

名古屋大学博士学位論文 学位の種類 : 博士(医学)(課程) 学位授与年月日:平成22年9月28日 山崎雅弘氏の博士論文として提出された

A interação envolvendo artrópodes e plantas é uma das mais antigas e importantes interações ecológicas da natureza. As estratégias adotadas pelos artrópodes para reconhecer a sua planta hospedeira são bastante variáveis e pistas químicas desempenham um papel importante nessa relação. Opiliões (Arachnida, Opiliones) são altamente dependentes de quimiorrecepção para encontrar recursos e são particularmente dependentes de umidade. O opilião Jussara sp. possui uma clara preferencia por repousar em Psychotria suterella (Rubiacea), uma planta com uma arquitetura foliar complexa com folhas sobrepostas. Nada se sabe sobre como o opilião chega a ela ou quais as vantagens que ela proporciona ao opilião. Neste trabalho verificamos quais pistas são utilizadas pelo opilião para encontrar P. suterella e ainda quais os possíveis benefícios para o opilião nessa interação. Para verificação de como o opilião encontra a planta, partimos de duas hipóteses não excludentes: 1 - pistas de co-específicos são utilizadas; 2 - pistas químicas provenientes da planta são utilizadas. Para a primeira hipótese, montamos um experimento em campo com um grupo de plantas de P. suterella contendo químicos de Jussara sp. e um grupo sem químicos de Jussara sp. no caule principal e comparamos como os tratamentos afetaram o número de opiliões nas plantas de cada grupo. Para a hipótese da utilização de químicos da planta, realizamos dois experimentos visando verificar a preferência do opilião pelos voláteis de P. suterella. No primeiro utilizamos extratos de químicos voláteis de P. suterella e de mais dois controles em uma arena triangular com os 3 estímulos oferecidos simultâneamente. No segundo experimento utilizamos a própria planta P. suterella, pareada com uma planta controle ou um controle branco em um olfatômetro em Y. Para verificar os benefícios da associação também partimos de duas hipóteses não exludentes relacionadas a possíveis diferenças microclimáticas geradas por P. suterella em relação às demais plantas do local: 1- as folhas de P. suterella oferecem maior umidade do que outras plantas; 2 - as folhas de P. suterella fornecem um microambiente mais sombreado do que o de outras plantas. Para primeira hipótese, quantificamos o fluxo de transpiração foliar de P. suterella e mais 3 espécies de plantas do habitat do opilião. Já para segunda hipótese, quantificamos o bloqueio à passagem de luz através das folhas em P. suterella e das mesmas 3 espécies do teste anterior. Não obtivemos evidências claras de que os opiliões Jussara sp. utilizem químicos de co-específicos para selecionar P. suterella. Pistas químicas olfativas não parecem ser utilizadas de forma isolada para atrair Jussara sp., mas nossos resultados sugerem que talvez em combinação com outras plantas o odor possa ser utilizado. Em relação aos benefícios fornecidos por P. suterella, nós não encontramos evidências de que a transpiração foliar seja importante na interação. Contudo, o maior bloqueio de passagem de luz através da folha em comparação às demais espécies aliado a arquitetura foliar de P. suterella pode gerar microclimas benéficos para os opiliões que geralmente são altamente sensíveis a umidade / Interactions between arthropods and plants are among the oldest and important ecological interactions in nature. Strategies adopted by arthropods to recognize its host plant are very variable and volatiles often mediate the encounter between both parts. Harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) are arachnids highly dependent on chemicals to find resources and particularly dependent on high humidity. The harvestman Jussara sp. clearly prefers to rest on Psychotria suterella (Rubiacea), a plant with a complex architecture with overlapping leaves. We know nothing about how the harvestmen find the plant or the advantages that such plant offers to the harvestmen. In this paper we investigate the cues used to find P. suterella by these harvestmen and how the harvestman benefits from this interaction. To test how the harvestman finds the plant, we raised two non-excludent hypotheses: 1 - conspecific chemicals are used; 2 - plant chemicals are used. For the first hypothesis, we conducted a field experiment with a group of P. suterella with chemicals of Jussara sp. and another without chemicals of of Jussara sp. on the main stem and compared how that affected the number of harvestmen on them. To test the importance of plant chemicals, we conducted two experiments to test the use of volatiles of P. suterella. We first used volatile extracts of P. suterella and two other plants in a triangular arena with the three stimuli offered simultaneously. In the second experiment, we used actual individuals of P. suterella paired with either a control plant of a white control in a Y maze. To investigate how Jussara sp. benefits by choosing P. suterella, we raised two non-excludent hypotheses related to microclimatic conditions potentially offered by P. suterella in comparison to other plants of the area: 1 - The leaves of P. suterella offer higher humidity than those of other plants; 2 - The leaves of P. suterella provide a better shadow that that of other plants. For the first hypothesis, we quantified the transpiration rate of the leaves of four local species including P. suterella. For the second hypothesis, we quantified how much light passes through the leaves of these four species. We did not find clear evidences that Jussara sp. uses conspecific chemicals to select P. suterella. Plant volatiles do not seem to be used at least isolated to attract Jussara sp., but our results suggest that maybe in combination with other plants such volatiles may be used. As for the benefits provided by P. suterella, we did not find evidence that the transpiration rate is important. However, the leaves of P. suterella do provide better shadows in comparison with the other plants, which in combination with the complex architecture with overlapping leaves may provide better microclimatic conditions to these very humidity sensitive animals

The aim of the thesis was familiarity of segmentation methods for automatic segmentation of MR images, using multiparametrical display. The theoretical part focuses on the description of methods of segmentation techniques. In the practical part are implemented K-means and level-set method. The methods are tested on the images of the brain obtained by different sequences (T1, T1c, T2, FLAIR). Segmentation methods are implemented in the program MATLAB. Implemented segmentation accuracy is demonstrated on data which there are reports reference results. Evaluation methods is performed using different classifiers decision. The K-means method is tested different metrics and different combinations of the input image. Finally, both methods are compared with one another and visually evaluated against the reference image.

The ESSnuSB will produce a high intensity neutrino super beam based on the 3 ms long proton pulses at 14 Hz from the ESS linac. With the use of a conventional normal-conducting van der Meer horn, to collect pions from the neutrino target, these 3 ms pulses will have to be compressed to of the order of 1 microsecond in order to avoid overheating of the magnet current conductors. Since this pulse compression requires costly extensions to the accelerator complex a prototype design of an alternative normal-conducting hadron collector scheme that could be operated in DC mode has been studied. The magnet has been implemented in the simulation software FLUKA and extensive research has been made to analyse and maximise the flux of charged pions inside and downsteam of the magnet. Further simulations have been made to asses the flux of on-target neutrinos from the alternative collector scheme in comparison to the corresponding flux of a van der Meer horn. Simulation results from the comparison show that the alternative magnet greatly improved the neutrino flux of a bare source but not to the extent necessary to replace the magnetic horn. A conclusion is presented on the future possibilities of an optimized design that can improve the neutrino flux.

Radiomics integrates machine learning (ML) and radiology to extract and analyze quantitative features from medical imaging modalities such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), ultrasound (US) and digital radiographs (DX). By extracting pixel/voxel-level data, followed by standardization and feature selection, radiomics enables ML algorithms to assist in diagnosis and prognosis. While extensively researched in human medicine its application in veterinary medicine remains limited. Radiomics offers objective, data-driven insights, surpassing qualitative evaluations by revealing micromolecular disease features invisible to the human eye. Radiomics holds significant promise for diagnosing gliomas (GM), a challenging brain tumor where histopathology, the diagnostic gold standard, is seldom performed in veterinary medicine due to logistical and financial barriers, and it is also limited by inherent pathologist subjectivity and disagreement. Additionally, qualitative MRI demonstrates limited accuracy in identifying GM type and grade. By offering non-invasive and reproducible diagnostic and prognostic solutions, radiomics has the potential to overcome these challenges, enhancing brain tumor evaluation in both veterinary and human medicine. The primary goal of this study is to enhance the diagnosis and prognosis of GM by exploring both conventional and innovative non-invasive imaging techniques, with a focus on qualitative and quantitative MRI approaches. We hypothesize that quantitative and novel qualitative methods will surpass conventional expert qualitative assessments in accurately diagnosing GM type, grade, and progression. By doing so, we aim to improve the precision of GM imaging diagnoses, offering clinicians a more accessible and reliable tool to support their diagnostic and treatment decisions. Chapter 1 of this dissertation presents a comprehensive review of the challenges associated with diagnosing GM using MRI. It also introduces principles of radiomics, a novel and relatively underexplored field in veterinary medicine centered on quantitative imaging analysis for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. This includes an in-depth discussion of the radiomics workflow and associated ML methods. Chapter 2 demonstrates the use and efficacy of quantitative MRI for determination of GM size and therapeutic response assessments using both linear and volumetric techniques. Chapter 3 investigates the T2-weighted–FLAIR mismatch sign (T2FMM) in dogs, a well-established imaging biomarker of human low-grade astrocytomas, and demonstrates that the T2FMM is a highly specific biomarker for oligodendrogliomas —the first such imaging biomarker for GM to be discovered in veterinary research. Finally, Chapter 4 illustrates a structured radiomics pipeline for the standardized quantitative analysis of brain tumors on MRI and demonstrates that the use of radiomics ML models results in superior ability to diagnose canine GM subtypes and grades and discriminate GM from non-neoplastic intra-axial lesions when compared to expert rater opinions derived from qualitative MRI evaluations. / Doctor of Philosophy / Radiomics is a cutting-edge approach that combines advanced computer algorithms with medical imaging techniques like Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Computed tomography (CT), Positron emission tomography (PET), ultrasound, and X-rays to uncover patterns invisible to the human eye. By analyzing detailed image data and using artificial intelligence (AI), radiomics provides new ways to diagnose and predict diseases. While this field has been widely studied in human medicine, its use in veterinary medicine is just beginning to be explored. Radiomics could transform how we diagnose gliomas (GM), a type of brain tumor that is particularly hard to identify in medical imaging studies in animals due to cost, logistical issues, and shared features with other diseases. Additionally, conventional MRI techniques often fail to accurately determine GM type and aggressiveness. This research aims to enhance GM diagnosis by using advanced imaging methods, combining both traditional visual and innovative quantitative MRI techniques. We believe that objective, measurable approaches and novel qualitative imaging features will be more effective than relying solely on radiologist' conventional visual assessments. The goal is to develop a more accurate, accessible, and objective tool to assist veterinary clinicians in diagnosing and treating their patients. Chapter 1 reviews the challenges in diagnosing GM with conventional MRI and introduces radiomics as a promising solution, discussing how it integrates AI with quantitative imaging analysis. Chapter 2 demonstrates how tumor size can be effectively assessed to predict response to treatments using simple quantitative measurement methods. Chapter 3 explores the T2-weighted–FLAIR mismatch sign (T2FMM), a key imaging biologic marker in human brain tumors, and evaluates its application in dogs—a pioneering effort in veterinary science. Finally, Chapter 4 outlines a radiomics-based pipeline for analyzing brain tumors, focusing on identifying GM type and aggressiveness, distinguishing tumors from non-tumor conditions, and comparing the performance of AI against expert diagnoses. This work has the potential to revolutionize veterinary brain tumor diagnostics and advance care for both animals and humans.

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As common vulnerabilites and exposures are detected, they are also discussed in various social platforms. The problem is that only a few of the posts made about them, are getting enough attention. This leads to an unawareness of potential and critical threats against systems. It is therefore important to look for patterns that make certain vulnerabilites more or less discussed. To do so, a framework was made for collecting discussions around cybersecurity and more specific vulnerabilites/exposures called CVE from Reddit. In addition, some of the desired data was collected from Twitter. Thereafter, the sentiments of the collected posts were calculated to see patterns between popular subreddits and the attitude shown in them. This was done with three methods: Flair, TextBlob and Vader. The results showed for instance that general discussions about information security were considered to be more positive than discussions of common vulnerabilites and exposures. Another result showed that the spread of CVEs that have a partial impact, are higher in Reddit, and is increasing almost exponentially. CVSS scores showed that a CVE with a CVSS score of around 7 is more likely to appear. Many CVEs in Reddit was also discussed before and after they were disclosed. The implication of this work might be that more and more people might use Reddit to discuss specific types of CVEs in a suitable subreddit, as well as being aware of common vulnerabilites and exposures, in order to prevent future threats.