Yucatan minipigs have become increasingly common animal models in neuroscience where recent studies, investigating blast-induced traumatic brain injury, stroke, and glioblastoma, aim to uncover brain injury mechanisms [1-3]. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has the potential to validate and optimize unknown parameters in controlled populations. The key to group-level MRI analysis within a species is to align (or register) subject scans to the same volumetric space using a brain template. However, large animal brain templates are lacking, which limits the use of MRI as an effective research tool to study group effects. The objective of this study was to create an MRI-based Yucatan minipig brain template allowing for uniform group-level analysis of this animal model in a standard volumetric space to characterize brain mechanisms. To do this, 5-7 month old, male Yucatan minipigs were scanned using a 3 Tesla whole-body scanner (Siemens AG, Erlangen) in accordance with IACUC. T1-weighted anatomical volumes (resolution = 1×1×1 mm3; TR = 2300 ms; TE= 2.89 ms; TI = 900 ms; FOV = 256 mm2 ; FA = 8 deg) were collected with a three-dimensional magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo (MPRAGE) pulse sequence [4]. The volumes were preprocessed, co-registered, and averaged using both linear and non-linear registration algorithms in AFNI [5] to create four templates (n=58): linear brain, non-linear brain, linear head, and non-linear head. To validate the templates, tissue probability maps (TPMs) and variance maps were created, and landmark variation was measured. TPMs computed in FSL [6] and AFNI show enhanced tissue probability and contrast in the non-linear template. Additionally, variance maps showed a more uniform spatial variance in the non-linear template compared to the linear. Registration variation within the brain template was within 1.5 mm and displayed improved landmark variation in the non-linear brain template. External evaluation subjects (n=12), not included in the template, were registered to the four templates to assess functionality. The results indicate that the developed templates provide acceptable registration accuracy to enable population comparisons. With these templates, researchers will be able to use MRI as a tool to further neurological discovery and collaborate in a uniform space. / M.S. / Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is commonly used in neuroscience as a non-invasive diagnostic tool with the potential to reveal unknown brain injury mechanisms. MRI is particularly useful in large animal models to validate and optimize unknown parameters in controlled populations. The key to group-level MRI analysis within a species is to align (or register) subject scans to the same volumetric space using a brain template. However, large animal brain templates are lacking, which limits the use of MRI as an effective research tool to study group effects. The objective of this study was to create an MRI-based Yucatan minipig brain template allowing for uniform group-level analysis of this animal model in a standard volumetric space to better characterize brain mechanisms. The neuroanatomy of the Yucatan minipig, which is characterized by an increased brain size and gyrencephalic intricacies similar to humans, has made it an increasingly common animal model in neuroscience. Linear and non-linear registration methods were performed in Analysis of Functional NeuroImages (AFNI) software to create both brain and head templates for 5-7 month old, male Yucatan minipigs (n=58). This study was validated looking at template variance, tissue probability maps (TPMs) of segmented grey matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid, and landmark variation. The results indicate that the developed templates provide acceptable registration accuracy to enable population comparisons. With these templates, researchers will be able to use MRI as a tool to further neurological discovery and collaborate in a uniform space.

In this thesis we will further develop the algorithm of homologous prediction of tertiary RNA structure. The algorithm was originally created and implemented in my bachelor thesis. We will focus on further automatization of algorithm implementation and we are going to make it easier to use. The user will be able to predict tertiary structure of RNA based only on target structure sequence. The algorithm will be also extended to use multiple template structures for prediction and it will be able to firstly predict the secondary structure of the target molecule. Both of these modifications should lead to more precise prediction by restricting the search space and reducing the size of unconserved regions of the predicted structure.

A template is a key tool that we use to study knotted periodic orbits in the three-dimensional flow. The simplest type of template is the Lorenz template. In [5], Birman and Williams studied knotted periodic orbits with the aid of the Lorenz template. They discovered remarkable properties of Lorenz knots and links. No half twists exist in the Lorenz template. The new template is referred to be a Lorenz-like template when we add half twists. We looked at the template L(1,-1) in this paper, which has a positive half twist on the left-side and a negative half twist on the right. We look for the different types of knots and links that the template contains. Afterward, it was discovered that some knot types in L(1,-1) are fibered. Additionally, we look into the linking number of links in L(1,-1), as well as L(m; n) for m > 0 and n < 0. We have also explored the subtemplate of L(1,-1).

Object localization refers to the detection, matching and segmentation of objects in images. The localization model presented in this paper relies on deformable templates to match objects based on shape alone. The shape structure is captured by a prototype template consisting of hand-drawn edges and contours representing the object to be localized. A multistage, multiresolution algorithm is utilized to reduce the computational intensity of the search. The first stage reduces the physical search space dimensions using correlation to determine the regions of interest where a match it likely to occur. The second stage finds approximate matches between the template and target image at progressively finer resolutions, by attracting the template to salient image features using Edge Potential Fields. The third stage entails the use of evolutionary optimization to determine control point placement for a Local Weighted Mean warp, which deforms the template to fit the object boundaries. Results are presented for a number of applications, showing the successful localization of various objects. The algorithm’s invariance to rotation, scale, translation and moderate shape variation of the target objects is clearly illustrated.

Η εισαγωγή των νέων Τεχνολογιών της Πληροφορίας και των Επικοινωνιών (ΤΠΕ) στην εκπαίδευση άλλαξε σημαντικά τη μορφή και τη λειτουργία της. Με την υιοθέτηση των νέων τεχνολογιών αναπτύχθηκε και αναπτύσσεται ακόμα η ηλεκτρονική μάθηση (e-learning) και η εκπαίδευση απέκτησε μια νέα διάσταση και νέες δυνατότητες. Τα τριτοβάθμια ιδρύματα που έχουν κεντρικό ρόλο στην παροχή τυπικής εκπαίδευσης δεν μπορούσαν να μείνουν αμέτοχα στο υπό διαμόρφωση περιβάλλον και ξεκίνησαν να σχεδιάζουν και να διαθέτουν προγράμματα εκπαίδευσης από απόσταση, στα οποία κεντρικό ρόλο έχει το εκπαιδευτικό περιεχόμενο σε οποιαδήποτε μορφή. Σημαντική εκπαιδευτική υπηρεσία, λοιπόν, αποτελεί η παροχή πρόσβασης στο εκπαιδευτικό περιεχόμενο σε εκπαιδευτές και εκπαιδευόμενους. Η απαίτηση αυτή είναι ιδιαίτερα έντονη σε συστήματα Ανοικτής και εξ Αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευσης, όπου το περιεχόμενο αποτελεί τη σημαντικότερη πηγή γνώσεων. Η παρούσα εργασία αποβλέπει στη βελτίωση των παρεχόμενων υπηρεσιών εκπαίδευσης μέσα στο υπό διαμόρφωση νέο περιβάλλον, προωθώντας την υποβοήθηση της καταγραφής, αναζήτησης και ανάκτησης εκπαιδευτικού περιεχομένου με τη χρήση μετα-δεδομένων (meta-data). Το εκπαιδευτικό περιεχόμενο είναι οργανωμένο σε αντικείμενα μάθησης (learning objects) για τα οποία προτείνεται η δημιουργία μετα-δεδομένων με τη χρήση ενός ειδικού εργαλείου. Βασική μέριμνα της εργασίας είναι η παρουσίαση των χαρακτηριστικών των μετα-δεδομένων καθώς και των προτύπων που ακολουθούνται ώστε τα αντικείμενα μάθησης να είναι εκμεταλλεύσιμα και επαναχρησιμοποιήσιμα από εκπαιδευτές και εκπαιδευόμενους. Βασική συλλογή προτύπων που θα χρησιμοποιηθεί για την μελέτη είναι το SCORM version 2004 (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) ενώ θα γίνει αναφορά και στις προηγούμενες εκδόσεις. Ακολουθούν συγκρίσεις με τις υπόλοιπες συλλογές προτύπων και μετα-δεδομένων που αναφέρονται στην ανοικτή και εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση. Θα ακολουθήσουν αναφορές σε διάφορα λογισμικά καθώς και πλατφόρμες, Εμπορικές ή Ανοιχτού Κώδικα, που χρησιμοποιούνται για την εξ αποστάσεως εκπαίδευση. Η εργασία ολοκληρώνεται με την συγκριτική αξιολόγηση του οπτικού εργαλείου (ilearn2) που υλοποιήθηκε καθώς και με τα συμπεράσματα που προκύπτουν από την εφαρμογή της συλλογής προτύπων SCORM 2004. / The import of new Technologies of Information and Communications (ICT) in the education changed considerably the form and her operation. With the adoption of new technologies were still developed and are developed the electronic learning (e-learning) and the education acquired a new dimension and new possibilities. The third degree institutions that have central role in the benefit of formal education could not to remain uninvolved under configuration environment and they began they draw and they allocate programs of education from distance, in which central role it has the educational content in whatever form. Important educational service, therefore, constitutes the benefit of access in the educational content in instructors and educated. This requirement is particularly intense in systems Open and remotely Education, where the content constitute the more important source of knowledge. The present work aims at the improvement of provided services of education in t o under configuration new environment, promoting the assistance of recording, search and recuperation of educational content with the use of metadata (meta-data). The educational content are organised in objects of learning (learning objects) for which are proposed the creation of metadata with the use of special tool. Basic concern of work is the presentation of characteristics of metadata as well as models that are followed in order that the objects of learning are exploitable and reemployable from instructors and educated. Basic collection of models that will be used for the study is SCORM version 2004 (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) while becomes report and in the previous publications. They follow comparisons with the remainder collections of models and metadata that are reported in the open and remotely educations. They will follow reports in various softwares as well as platforms, Commercial or Open Code, that is used for the remotely education. The work is completed with the comparative evaluation of optical tool (ilearn2) that was materialised as well as with the conclusions that result from the application of collection of models SCORM 2004.

A highly self-ordered hexagonal array of cylindrical pores has been fabricated by anodizing a thin film of Al on substrate and subsequent growth of GaN and InGaN in these nanoholes has been performed. This AAO template-based synthesis method provides a low cost process to fabricate GaN-based nanomaterials fabrication. / Singapore-MIT Alliance (SMA)

No description available.

Competition in the global economic scenario has led to the use of simulation in many areas such as manufacturing, health systems, military systems and transportation. With the importance of simulation in supporting decision making and operations, model building has been recognised as one of the crucial steps in simulation studies. However, model building is not as easy as it may seem. It can be time-consuming and expensive, and requires special training, skills and experience. This research, therefore, aims to investigate a new method to rapidly build a simulation model based on the classification of problems in assembly lines using a cladistics technique and template approach. Three objectives were established in order to achieve the aim and a four-stage research programme was developed according to these objectives. The first stage starts by developing a thorough understanding of and collecting typical problems in assembly lines. The next stage formulates the classification of problems and the main deliverable is a cladogram, a tree structure that can be used to represent the evolution of problems and their characteristics. The third stage focuses on the development of a proof-of-concept prototype based on an established classification and template approach. The prototype helps users to develop a model by providing the physical elements and specific elements required for the performance measures analysis. The prototype is then tested and validated in the final stage. The results show that the prototype developed can help to rapidly build a simulation model and reduce model development time.

The use of a chemical template to control the spatial arrangement of reactants revolutionized the synthesis of mechanically interlocked molecules. The recently developed ‘active metal template’ strategy, in which transition metal ions act as both the template to guide interlocking and as the catalyst for the covalent bond forming reaction that captures the interlocked structure, has several advantages in comparison with traditional ‘passive template’ approaches. In contrast with passive template approaches the active template strategy is more efficient, completing the assembly of the interlocked structure in one step instead of two and in some cases requiring only a substoichiometric amount of metal template. In addition, fewer permanent recognition sites are required and in certain cases the active template reaction can shed light on mechanistic details of related metalcatalyzed processes and act as a conduit for reaction discovery. This Thesis will discuss the expansion of this new methodology in two main directions: firstly, exploration of new active metal template reactions, specifically the application of a novel Ni catalyzed sp3–sp3 C–C bond forming reaction, and secondly, the application of previously developed active template reactions to the synthesis of agrochemical-based [2]rotaxanes and other architectures, macrobicyclic [3]rotaxanes, [2]catenanes and a trefoil knot.

This thesis presents a modular palladium(II) template-directed synthetic strategy towards mechanically interlocked polymacrocyclic architectures, such as a Borromean link and linear [n]-catenanes. Central to the synthetic strategy is the use of the Huisgen-Meldal-Sharpless Cu(I)-catalysed 1,3-cycloaddition of azides to terminal alkynes (CuAAC) as a ring-closure procedure between complementary pairs of building blocks. The amalgamation of the palladium(II) [3+1]-template and CuAAC reaction is without methodological precedent and represents both an efficient and versatile procedure for the construction of interlocked architectures. Thematically, this thesis consists of three parts arranged in chronological order. Beginning with the synthesis towards a Borromean link, where the first successful palladium(II) template-directed double CuAAC ring-closure is documented. This is followed by the application of the “double-click” strategy to form a [3]catenane - the first such structure generated using metal ions other than Cu(I). Finally, the development of a modular CuAAC building block library is described, which was used to construct a [2]catenane and [3]catenane as well as later developments towards higher oligocatenanes.