Yes / The arrival of artificially intelligent systems into the domain of medical imaging has focused attention and sparked much debate on the role and responsibilities of the radiologist. However, discussion about the impact of such technology on the radiographer role is lacking. This paper discusses the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the radiography profession by assessing current workflow and cross-mapping potential areas of AI automation such as procedure planning, image acquisition and processing. We also highlight the opportunities that AI brings including enhancing patient-facing care, increased cross-modality education and working, increased technological expertise and expansion of radiographer responsibility into AI-supported image reporting and auditing roles.

Production of large numbers of desirable human cell types in the laboratory is one of the major goals of stem cell research. Current experimental approaches have focused on the strategy of recapitulating the events of normal embryogenesis in culture, by treating cells - either tissue stem cells or pluripotent stem cells (iPS/ES cells) - with cocktails of growth factors, matrix proteins or pharmacological agents. This is challenging and often requires weeks or months of elaborate cell culture regimes. An alternative approach is the forced expression of master regulatory transcription factors; this can bypass developmental programs and drive conversion to the target cell type. Each of these strategies is inefficient and unreliable. Recently a new opportunity has arisen to exploit synthetic transcription factors (sTFs) to program and reprogram cell fate. To create such sTFs the CRISPR/Cas9 system is repurposed through tethering of catalytically dead Cas9 to various transcriptional regulatory effector domains (e.g. VP16, KRAB). In this thesis, we have explored sTFs as tools to reset transcriptional regulatory networks in neural stem cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. We tested transcriptional activation of key neural lineage target genes (e.g Olig2, Sox10 and Nkx6.2). We designed and validated a series of sTFs that could effectively activity these. We have found that activation of Sox10 by dCas9-VP160 in mouse neural stem cells can increase the amount of arising oligodendrocyte and oligodendrocyte precursors cells during the differentiation. The activity of sTFs strongly depends on cellular context: i.e. a specific sTF might work well in one cell type but not another. Importantly, these biological barriers are not easily overcome by increasing the strength of the sTF - either through levels or types of effector domains used. Our data inspecting single cells suggests that multiplex delivery of sTFs can indeed cooperate by both increasing the number of cells that activated the gene of interest and increasing the level of transcriptional activation in a given cell. To fully exploit these new technologies, we therefore developed a new construction pipeline that allows easy and efficient assembly of multiple sTFs. Using this approach, we were able to successfully activate three different target genes from a single expression plasmid (Olig2, Sox10 and Nkx6.2) in fibroblasts. These sTFs we able to force fibroblast transdifferentiation towards oligodendrocyte lineage. Future studies will explore further how to exploit these sTFs to augment or replace current reprograming strategies.

Fusarium head blight (FHB) is a serious disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum) and other small grains; disease severity is affected by temperature and rainfall. This research comprised three studies: an artificially warmed experiment during 2016-2017, a morphology study and an FHB resistance screening study in 2015-2016, using approximately 250 wheat cultivars and breeding lines from programs in the eastern US. The location was the University of Kentucky Spindletop Research Farm in Lexington, KY. Higher levels of Fusarium damaged kernels and the toxin deoxynivalenol (DON) were observed in the warmed treatment compared to the control, and plant development was accelerated. In the FHB resistance screen, significant (p < 0.05) genotype differences for all traits were observed. A GWAS identified 16 SNPs associated with resistance and susceptibility, ranging from -2.14 to 4.01%. Three DON-associated SNPs reduced toxin levels by 3.2, 2.1, and 1.5 ppm. In the morphology study, negative correlations were observed among morphological and disease traits. Small effect SNPs were identified for all morphological traits, which might be useful in genomic selection; traits like spike length, spikelet number and inclination could be used in phenotyping. Response to warming indicates that existing resistance sources may be less effective in a warming climate.

Objective: Over the past several decades, increase in SSB consumption has coincided with increasing rates of obesity. This study evaluated the association between SSB consumption and BMI. Methods: FFQ data from NHANES 2003-2004 was used to examine 100% orange juice, sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, soft drinks, and other beverage consumption frequency vs. mean BMI. ANOVA, relative risk, and linear regression analyses were done. Results: ANOVA found significant differences in mean BMI across consumption frequencies for orange juice (p=.001), sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (p<.001), and soft drinks (p<.001). Increased risk of being obese was associated with increasing consumption frequency for orange juice (RR=1.282), sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (RR=1.417), and soft drinks (RR=1.749). Multiple linear regression found significant positive associations between mean BMI and sugar-sweetened fruit drinks (b=.056, p=.004) and soft drinks (b=.134, p=.001). Conclusion: This study found that mean BMI was positively associated with certain beverage consumption frequency (sugar-sweetened fruit drinks, soft drinks consumed during summer, soft drinks consumed during rest of year), but not others (100% orange juice). Fewer significant results were found when confounding variables were controlled. Drinking soft drinks or sugar-sweetened fruit drinks increased the risk of obesity more than drinking natural fruit juices.

No description available.

<p>Evolutionary innovations, at the molecular level, represent the novel establishment of regulation networks among previously unconnected genes. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlies the development of such innovations is of central importance in evolutionary-developmental research (evo-devo). The sex comb of <em>Drosophila</em> is an excellent model to study the molecular basis of evolutionary innovations. Highline and Lowline are two artificial selected <em>D. melanogaster</em> lines differing in the number of sex comb bristles. It was expected that the “cross-regulation loop” between two transcription factors, <em>Doublesex</em> male isoform (DSX^M) and <em>Sexcombs reduced</em> (SCR), evolves rapidly and promotes the morphological evolution of sex combs. We used immunofluorescent technique (antibody staining) to compare the expression of DSX^M and SCR in the forelegs of three different lines (Highline, Wildtype and Lowline). We hypothesized that artificial selection will increase expression of DSX^Mand SCR in the Highline and reduce expression in the Lowline. The fluorescent pictures of antibody staining experiments indicate that the expression region of DSX^M in the Highline is significantly higher than the expression region in the Lowline, and the expression levels of SCR has minor difference among the three lines. DSX^M expression is altered by the artificial selection, but SCR expression is not. The influence of artificial selection appears to have been constrained by development. Our investigation provides an approach to test the validity of the models of cross-regulation s between SCR and DSX^M during development.</p> / Master of Science (MSc)

A system is presented that is capable of confining an ion beam or plasma within a region that is essentially free of applied fields. An Artificially Structured Boundary (ASB) produces a spatially periodic set of magnetic field cusps that provides charged particle confinement. Electrostatic plugging of the magnetic field cusps enhances confinement. An ASB that has a small spatial period, compared to the dimensions of a confined plasma, generates electro- magneto-static fields with a short range. An ASB-lined volume thus constructed creates an effectively field free region near its center. It is assumed that a non-neutral plasma confined within such a volume relaxes to a Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution. Space charge based confinement of a second species of charged particles is envisioned, where the second species is confined by the space charge of the first non-neutral plasma species. An electron plasma confined within an ASB-lined volume can potentially provide confinement of a positive ion beam or positive ion plasma. Experimental as well as computational results are presented in which a plasma or charged particle beam interact with the electro- magneto-static fields generated by an ASB. A theoretical model is analyzed and solved via self-consistent computational methods to determine the behavior and equilibrium conditions of a relaxed plasma. The equilibrium conditions of a relaxed two species plasma are also computed. In such a scenario, space charge based electrostatic confinement is predicted to occur where a second plasma species is confined by the space charge of the first plasma species. An experimental apparatus with cylindrical symmetry that has its interior surface lined with an ASB is presented. This system was developed by using a simulation of the electro- magneto-static fields present within the trap to guide mechanical design. The construction of the full experimental apparatus is discussed. Experimental results that show the characteristics of electron beam transmission through the experimental apparatus are presented. A description of the experimental hardware and software used for trapping a charged particle beam or plasma is also presented.

A rigidez a pequenas deformações e sua respectiva degradação são informações cruciais para se determinar parâmetros de projeto mais precisos. Apesar de sua importância, estas propriedades não são usualmente investigadas. Assim, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi de estudar a degradação da rigidez da areia de Osório artificialmente cimentada por meio de diferentes métodos de laboratório. A escolha por um material cimentado ocorreu baseada em apelos ambientais, econômicos e técnicos. O presente estudo também objetiva desenvolver e validar um sistema de Bender Elements (BE), que forneça resultados confiáveis na avaliação da degradação do solo. Pares de BE foram construídos para serem utilizados em testes de bancada e ensaios triaxiais. Além disso, um amplificador de sinal, assim como scripts foram desenvolvidos especialmente para a interpretação dos dados no domínio do tempo. O aumento da rigidez durante o processo de cura foi avaliado por meio da velocidade de onda cisalhante, medida pelos BE e por um equipamento de ondas ultrassônicas (UPV), sob condições de pressão atmosférica. Ensaios de degradação da rigidez, por sua vez, foram conduzidos em uma câmara triaxial especialmente modificada para a instalação dos BE Após sete dias de cura atmosférica, os corpos-de-prova foram cisalhados no equipamento triaxial modificado enquanto mudanças de rigidez eram obtidas por meio de testes de BE e instrumentação interna. Os resultados demonstraram que o sistema BE desenvolvido foi bem sucedido na avaliação da rigidez do solo estudado. A comparação entre os resultados do BE e UPV não foi conclusiva no que se refere à dependência do solo à frequência. A degradação do módulo obtida por ambas as metodologias apresentou uma adequada concordância para o corpo-deprova com menor quantidade de cimento. Módulos obtidos por BE foram pouco maiores que os obtidos por medidas internas. Ainda, a interpretação no domínio do tempo dos resultados de BE para corpos-de-prova cimentados, especialmente durante ensaios triaxiais, foi difícil de ser executada, reforçando a necessidade de se combinar diferentes métodos de interpretação quando BE forem utilizados. / Stiffness at small strains and its respective degradation are crucial information to determine more precise design parameters. Despite their importance, these properties are not usually investigated. Thus, the objective of the present work was to study the stiffness degradation of artificially cemented Osorio sand by means of different laboratory methods. The choice for a cemented material was based on environmental, economic, and technical appeals. The present study also aimed to develop and validate a Bender Elements (BE) system that can provide reliable results in the evaluation of soil degradation. BE pairs were built for bench and triaxial tests. In addition, a signal amplifier, as well as scripts were specially developed for the interpretation of data in the time domain. Increase in stiffness during the curing process was evaluated by shear wave velocity measured by BE and an ultrasonic pulse wave velocity (UPV) equipment under atmospheric pressure conditions. Stiffness degradation tests were conducted in a specially modified triaxial chamber for BE installation After seven days of atmospheric curing, specimens were sheared in the modified triaxial equipment, while stiffness changes were obtained by BE tests and internal instrumentation. The results showed that the developed BE system was capable of successfully evaluating the studied soil. The comparison between BE and UPV results was not conclusive regarding soil dependence on frequency. Shear module degradation obtained with the two methodologies presented an adequate agreement for the specimen with the smaller amount of cement. Shear moduli obtained with BE were slightly larger than those obtained with internal measurements. Also, BE results interpretation in the time domain for cemented specimens, especially in the triaxial tests, was difficult to perform, reinforcing the need to combine different interpretation methods when BE are used.

A adoção de técnicas de melhoramento de solos é prática cada vez mais recorrente em obras geotécnicas, contudo, os critérios de dosagem e parâmetros de previsão do comportamento desses solos parecem não acompanhar a evolução tecnológica das referidas técnicas. O parâmetro de estado para areias (ψ) não consegue representar o comportamento de areias artificialmente cimentadas, por levar em consideração apenas a influência do índice de vazios e do estado de tensões. Propõe-se, neste estudo, instituir o índice porosidade/teor volumétrico de cimento (η/Civ) como um parâmetro de estado para areias artificialmente cimentadas, por ser um critério racional que relaciona a porosidade da mistura compactada com o teor volumétrico de cimento adicionado. A partir da utilização desse parâmetro, é possível calibrar a quantidade de cimento e a energia de compactação utilizada, a fim de proporcionar uma mistura que atenda aos requisitos de projeto e que seja viável de executar em obra com os recursos materiais e financeiros disponíveis. O programa experimental compreendeu a realização de 17 ensaios triaxiais, drenados e não drenados, analisados em conjunto com resultados já obtidos em estudos anteriores. Análises do comportamento tensão-deformação, variação volumétrica-deformação axial, geração de poropressão, trajetórias de tensões drenadas e não drenadas, envoltórias de resistência, comportamento tensão-dilatância, da aplicação da teoria do estado crítico e uma breve análise estatística embasaram a comprovação de que o parâmetro η/Civ é adequado para previsão do comportamento de corpos de prova de areia artificialmente cimentados. / The adoption of soil improvement techniques is becoming more frequent in geotechnical works, however, the dosage criteria and the parameters used to predict the soil behavior do not seem to follow the technological evolution of these techniques. The state parameter for sands (ψ) cannot represent the behavior of artificially cemented sands because it considers only the influence of the void ratio and the stress state. It is proposed to establish the porosity/volumetric content of cement (η/Civ) as a state parameter for artificially cemented sands, since it is a rational criterion which relates the porosity of the compacted mixture to the volumetric content of cement added. By using this parameter, it is possible to calibrate the amount of cement and the compaction energy used in order to provide a mixture that meets the design requirements and that is feasible to perform on site construction with the material and financial resources available there. The experimental program included the realization of 17 triaxial testes, performed in the drained and undrained conditions, analyzed simultaneously with other results obtained from previous studies. Analysis of stress-strain behavior, volumetric variation-axial strain, pore pressure development, drained and non-drained stress paths, resistance envelope, stress-dilatation behavior, the application of the critical state theory, and a brief statistical analysis supported that the η/Civ parameter is suitable for predicting the behavior of artificially cemented sand specimens.

Darbo tikslas buvo ištirti ir palyginti Žeimenos lašišinių žuvų veislyne augintų (I grupė), pavasarį išleistų ir rudenį sugautų Šventosios ir Siesarties upėse (II gupė) ir laukinių, sugautų Žeimenos upėje (III grupė) lašišų jauniklių morfofiziologinę ir fiziologinę būklę, įvertinat morfologinius, morfofiziologinius, kepenų morfopatologinius ir biocheminius bei hematologinius rodiklius. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad lašišų mailiaus išleisto pavasarį ir rudenį sugautų jauniklių Siesarties upėje morfologiniai (Q, L), morfofiziologiniai rodikliai (įmitimo koeficientas, Q/L), kepenų morfopatologinė būklė (kepenų somatinis indeksas, spalva ir konsistencija, riebalų kiekis kepenyse) patikimai skyrėsi nuo veislyne augusių jauniklių ir buvo artimi natūraliai augusių jauniklių Žeimenos upėje rodikliams. Lyginant veislyne augintų lašišų jauniklių hematologinius rodiklius su laukinių lašišų jauniklių rodikliais, matyti ženklūs hematokrito ir leukocitų koncentracijos kraujyje skirtumai. Tačiau eritrocitų ir hemoglobino koncentracijos kraujyje rodo, kad veislyne augintų lašišų jauniklių organizme vyksta intensyvūs kraujodaros ir normalūs medžiagų apykaitos procesai. Remiantis tyrimų rezultatais bus tobulinamos lašišų jauniklių auginimo sąlygos veislyne, tuo pačiu gerės jų funkcinė būklė, imuninis atsparumas ligoms, didės jų galimybė greitai prisitaikyti prie besikeičiančių natūralių aplinkos sąlygų bei išgyventi gamtoje. / The aim of the present study was to investigate and compare salmon juveniles [reared in the Žeimena hatchery (I group), released in the spring and caught in autumn in the Siesartis River (II group), and wild salmon juveniles caught in the Žeimena River (III group)] morphophysiological and physiological state, and the evaluation of morphological, morphophysiological, liver morphopatological and biochemical, haematological parameters. The results of the study showed that salmon fry released in spring and juveniles caught in autumn in the Siesartis River morphological (Q, L), morphophysiological (condition factor, Q/L), liver morphopatological (liver somatic index, color and consistency, and the amount of fat in the liver) statistically differed from the juveniles reared in the Žeimena hatchery (I group), and was close to wild juveniles from the Žeimena River (III group). Comparing the haematological parameters of juveniles reared in the Žeimena hatchery (I group) with wild juveniles from the Žeimena River (III group) we saw the significant differences of hematocrit and leukocyte concentrations in blood. However, red cell and haemoglobin concentration in blood of salmon juveniles reared in hatchery indicates that in the organism is the intensity of blood and normal metabolic processes. Based on the results of our research salmon juveniles rearing conditions in the hatchery will be improved, as well as their functional status, immune resistance to diseases, and their ability... [to full text]