In this work, a major effort has been made to establish an Internet accessible system for medical imaging simulation as a convenient service under the cloud computing environment. First, an Internet accessible, medical imaging education platform has been developed. It includes teaching and dynamic assessment tracking system for five commonly used imaging modalities. The system is integrated by the open source MySQL database software that manages updating materials and also tracks students’ learning engagements, which allow the reliability and appropriateness of the on-line teaching material and assessment methods to be optimized. The evaluation results have shown increased learning gains promisingly. Second, a prototype simulation service platform has been established. It is based on a job-oriented work flow to provide different kinds of service to users to perform medical imaging simulation. These simulations not only include the straightforward CT data reconstruction based on Radon transform, but also the sophisticated PET imaging simulation based on GATE as well. The QGATE’s client-server configuration can manage the GATE system to queue and monitor the submitted simulation scripts and return simulation results. The system is suitable for classroom training and easy to use for students or new users to the field of nuclear medicine imaging simulation. Finally, based on the developed simulation platform, a simulation study on PET imaging has been carried out. Event-based dynamic justification method has been tested based on the phantoms generated by NCAT associated with different breathing signals. The results show its potential capability of motion correction for PET data acquisition.

Cat ownership in Australia is declining compared to an increasing trend of cat ownership in the United Kingdom, United States and Europe. The decline in Australia may be linked to concerns over perceived impacts of cat predation and an associated dislike of cats. However, while there are numerous studies on feral cats and their impacts on declining native fauna, the impact of pet cats on suburban wildlife or fauna in remnant bushland is relatively unknown although there is a wide perception of risk. The primary aim of this thesis was to apply the precautionary principle to the question of the putative impact of pet cats on the abundance and diversity of small mammals in urban bushland adjacent to low-density suburbia in the City of Armadale, a municipality on the south-east fringe of Perth, Western Australia. At the time of writing, Western Australia is yet to introduce state legislation governing cat control although many local councils within the state have either implemented or are in the process of implementing cat regulations. The precautionary principle was deemed an ideal approach to this question, because it provides a rationale for deciding on possible actions where both the potential risk to environmental values and the uncertainty about possible impacts are high. In such cases the precautionary principle requires two broad lines of action: firstly, detailed consultation with stakeholders to determine their perceptions of risk and the actions they are prepared to take to reduce it and, secondly, research to reduce uncertainty. With regard to stakeholder consultation, local residents were surveyed in regard to their attitudes and current cat husbandry practices. A substantial proportion of respondents within this municipality believed cat regulations were necessary (75% of owners and 95% of non-owners). At least 70% of both owners and non-owners agreed with the propositions that cats not owned by licensed breeders should be desexed, local councils should restrict the maximum number of cats that can be owned on one property and that pet cats entering nature reserves are harmful to wildlife. Most (c.85%) cat owners agreed that they would license their cats if that became compulsory. Although fewer owners (c.60%) were prepared to keep their cats on their property at all times to protect wildlife, over 80% were willing to confine their cats at night if it was required. Owners seemed to be substantially motivated by the value of these measures in reducing injury to cats and facilitating the return of lost animals rather than concern over wildlife protection. Attempts to reduce uncertainty involved (i) assessing roaming patterns of pet cats to determine the sizes of appropriate buffer zones around nature reserves, and (ii) determining species diversity, species richness and abundance of small mammals in remnant bushland adjacent to sub-divisions with varying regulations governing cat husbandry. Radio tracking results to assess cat roaming patterns showed substantial variation in home range size between cats in high density suburbia (ranged between 0.01 ha – 0.64 ha) and those in low density suburbia (ranged from 0.07 ha – 2.86ha). Larger home range sizes of cats in the rural areas (up to 2.9 ha) suggest buffer zones of up to 500 metres around nature reserves are needed to exclude almost all roaming cats. The abundance and species richness of small mammals were investigated in four areas of remnant bushland. Two were adjacent to subdivisions where cat ownership was unrestricted, one next to a subdivision where cat ownership was prohibited and the remaining one next to a subdivision where compulsory night curfew and bells on pet cats were enforced. No definitive evidence of predatory impact by pet cats on the small mammals was found. Mammal species diversity was not significantly different between sites and species richness and absolute abundance were not higher in sites where cats were restricted. Vegetation comparisons showed significant differences in the structure and species composition of the vegetation between most sites and the mammal species richness and abundance appeared linked to ground cover density in the various sites. This factor, not cat restrictions, appeared to be the primary determinant of species richness, species diversity and absolute numbers of small mammals in these sites. This study in the City of Armadale has shown that the implementation of proposed cat legislation must have a “whole of ecosystem” approach, i.e. protecting identified remnant bushland containing biodiversity from threatening processes such as plant disease and inappropriate fire, especially arson, as well as possible predations from pet cats. Habitat restoration and protection may be more important conservation activities than regulation of cats. Regulation of cats can be done at differing levels of intensity and cost, bearing in mind that this community is receptive to regulation of some aspects of cat ownership. Community education on the values of cat confinement in regards to cat welfare might increase chances of compliance.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves [139]-155).

Thesis (MA (Research Psychology))--University of Pretoria, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

<p>Bakgrund: Genom tusentals år har människor och sällskapsdjur levt sida vid sida. Tidigare studier har fokuserat på de fysiska, psykiska och sociala effekterna djur har på människor.</p><p>Syfte: Syftet med denna litteratur studie är att undersöka vilken betydelse sällskapsdjur har i omvårdnaden av den äldre människan.</p><p>Metod: Till denna litteraturstudie samlades data in från databaserna</p><p>Cinahl och Swemed. I studien användes metodprocessens åtta steg enligt Polit och Beck (2004). Tre kategorier framkom ur analysen. Dessa tre kategorier var: sällskapsdjurs betydelse för den äldre människan, sällskapsdjur som terapi och problem som kan uppstå för den äldre människan som vill umgås med djur.</p><p>Resultat: Resultaten visar att sällskapsdjur har en viktig roll för många äldre människor. För äldre människor kan djur vara den viktigaste relationen och ibland den enda nära relationen de har. Djurterapi visar sig vara ett gott komplement till andra behandlingsmetoder för den äldre människan.</p><p>Konklusion: Äldre människor mår bra när de umgås med djur. Djur ger en trevlig atmosfär i sin omgivning.</p> / <p>Background: Through thousands of year people and domestic animal have been living side by side. Earlier studies have focused on the physiological, psychological and sociological effects pets have on humans.</p><p>Aim: The aim of this literature review was to examine which meaning pets have in the caring of the elderly people.</p><p>Method: For this literature review, data was collected from the databases</p><p>Cinahl and Swemed. In the studie a method processing in eight steps according to Polit and Beck (2004) was used. During analyse three main categories appeared. These three categories were, pets meaning of the elderly people, pets as therapy and problems which can appear when elderly people want to socialize with pets.</p><p>Result: The result showed that pets have an important role in the daily life of many elderly people. For the elderly people, pets can be the most important relation and sometimes the only close relation they have. Pet therapy indicates that it is a good complement to other treatment therapies for the elderly people.</p><p>Conclusion: Elderly people feel good when they socialize with pets. Pets bring a nice atmosphere in their environment.</p>

Submitted by Rebeka Godeiro (rebeka_carvalho@hotmail.com) on 2017-12-01T15:30:18Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DENILSON DA SILVA SANTOS - DISSERTAÇÃO PPCEMAT 2014.pdf: 2474671 bytes, checksum: e6b7578836f9267c2f04227449ea6331 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-12-01T15:30:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DENILSON DA SILVA SANTOS - DISSERTAÇÃO PPCEMAT 2014.pdf: 2474671 bytes, checksum: e6b7578836f9267c2f04227449ea6331 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-02-19 / CNPq / Neste estudo, foi avaliada a influência de um oligômero multifuncional de estireno-acrílico-epóxi (Joncryl - POLYAD PR 002), comercializado como extensor de cadeia para poliésteres, na compatibilização de misturas de poli(tereftalato de etileno) pós-consumo PET-PC/PEAD, obtidas a partir de PET pós-consumo (PET-PC) e poli(etileno de alta densidade) virgem (PEAD). Os efeitos do teor do extensor de cadeia e da sua combinação com o compatibilizante-polietileno modificado com anidrido maléico (PE-g-MA) nas interações das fases e nas características morfológicas das referidas misturas também foram investigados. Vários estudos sobre a compatibilização de misturas de PET/PEAD já foram reportados na literatura, contudo, pesquisas sobre o uso de extensores de cadeia a base de compostos epoxídos (Joncryl) para tal finalidade não foram reportadas até o momento, sendo este o primeiro trabalho que trata da compatibilização de misturas de PET pós-consumo-PET-PC/poli(etileno de alta densidade)-PEAD pelo uso de extensor de cadeia. As misturas PET-PC/PEAD foram processadas em um misturador interno acoplado ao reômetro de torque Haake Rheomix 3000QC da PolyLab QC operando com com rotores do tipo roller. Duas concentrações do extensor de cadeia (1,5 pcr e 3 pcr) e uma concentração do compatibilizante (10 pcr) foram avaliadas. As amostras obtidas foram caracterizadas por reometria de torque, onde a partir de medições de torque e temperatura obtidas pelo equipamento foi possível realizar uma avaliação das massas molares, e microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV). De acordo com os resultados, fica evidenciado que o uso do extensor de cadeia e da combinação compatibilizante-extensor resultou no aumento da massa molar da mistura e na compatibilização das misturas de PET-PC-PEAD. Contudo, o uso combinado de compatibilizante/extensor de cadeia mostrou-se mais efetivo na compatibilização do que o uso do extensor de cadeia utilizado isoladamente. A combinação compatibilizante/extensor de cadeia Joncryl poderá trazer benefícios para a reciclagem de misturas de PET pós-consumo e de PEAD – termoplásticos mais largamente encontrados nos lixões. / In this study, was evaluated the influence of a multifunctional styrene-acrylic-epoxy oligomer (Joncryl - POLYAD PR 002) marketed as a chain extender to polyester, in compatibility of blends of poly (ethylene terephthalate) PET/HDPE post market obtained from post-consumer PET (PC-PET) and virgin HDPE. The effects of chain extender content and its combination with the compatibilizer, polyethylene modified with maleic anhydride (PE-g-MA) in interactions of the phases and the morphology of these blends were also investigated. Several studies on the compatibilization of PET/HDPE blends have been reported in the literature, however, research on the use of the chain extenders based epoxy compounds (Joncryl) for this purpose has not been reported yet, which is the first study dealing with compatibilizing blends of post-consumer PET-PET-PC/poly (high density ethylene) - PEAD for the use of chain extender. The mixtures PET-PC/HDPE were processed in an internal mixer coupled to the torque rheometer Haake Rheomix 3000QC of PolyLab QC operating with roller type rotors. Two concentrations of the chain extender (1.5 pcr and 3 pcr) and a concentration of the compatibilizer (10 pcr) were evaluated. The samples obtained were characterized by torque rheometry and from torque and temperature measurements obtained by the equipment was possible to evaluate the molar masses. Samples were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). According to the results, it is evident that the use of chain extender and the compatibilizer/chain extender combination resulted in increased molecular mass, and was effective in compatibilizing blends of HDPE-PET-PC. However the combined use of compatibilizer/chain extender was more effective in the compatibilization in comparation with the use of chain extender alone. The use of compatibilizer/Joncryl chain extender can bring benefits for the recycling of post-consumer PET and HDPE thermoplastic blends - more widely found dumpsters.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) plays an essential role in the management of patients with cancer. It is used to detect and characterise malignancy as well as monitor response to therapy. PET is a quantitative imaging tool, producing images that quantify the uptake of a radiotracer that has been administered to the patient. The most common measure of uptake derived from the image is known as a Standardised Uptake Value (SUV). Data acquired on the scanner is processed to produce images that are reported by clinicians. This task is known as image reconstruction and uses computational algorithms to process the scan data. The last decade has seen substantial development of these algorithms, which have become commercially available: modelling of the scanner spatial resolution (resolution modelling) and time of flight (TOF). The Biograph mCT was the first scanner from Siemens Healthcare to feature these two algorithms and the scanner at Central Manchester University Hospitals was the first Biograph mCT to go live in the UK. This PhD project, sponsored by Siemens Healthcare, aims to evaluate the effect of these algorithms on SUV in routine oncology imaging through a combination of phantom and patient studies. Resolution modelling improved visualisation of small objects and resulted in significant increases of uptake measurements. This may pose a challenge to clinicians when interpreting established uptake metrics that are used as an indication of disease status. Resolution modelling reduced the variability of SUV. This improved precision is particularly beneficial when assessing SUV changes during therapy monitoring. TOF was shown to reduce image noise with a conservation of FDG uptake measurements, relative to non-TOF algorithms. As a result of this work, TOF has been used routinely since mid-2014 at the CMUH department. This has facilitated a reduction of patient and staff radiation dose and an increase of 100 scans performed each year in the department.

abstract: ABSTRACT The experience of grief and loss is a process that can be extremely distressing to anyone, regardless of age. This may be especially true for youth. This study was designed and conducted to determine the effects of a therapy dog as a therapeutic adjunct in Child Life interventions with adolescents experiencing grief and loss. Subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The intervention consisted of 3 sessions with a Certified Child Life Specialist (CCLS) to address grief. Group 1 (N=14) was the control group, meeting only with the CCLS. Group 2 (N=13) was the experimental group and met with the CCLS with a therapy dog present during the sessions. Participants completed a pre-test and post-test of the Children's Mood Questionnaire. At the end of each session, subjects completed a Therapeutic Engagement Questionnaire. The pet therapy group experienced a significant improvement in mood scores on the Children's Mood Questionnaire following the intervention. However, there were no significant differences between groups on the Therapeutic Engagement Questionnaire during any of the 3 sessions. The data collected from this study indicate that the addition of a therapy dog in grief interventions with adolescents may improve mood outcomes. / Dissertation/Thesis / M.S.W. Social Work 2011

Master of Science / Department of Grain Science and Industry / C.G. Aldrich / Novel ingredients have been a source of innovation and growth in the pet food market. Further, with rising trends in the humanization of pet food, there has been increased competition between the human food systems and pet food industry for high quality ingredients. Next-generation distillers dried grains (NG-DDG) are a sustainable alternative protein source that show a strong potential for use in companion animal diets. The objectives of this work were to determine the effect of NG-DDG on the extrusion of dry kibbles, the utilization of diets by dogs, the palatability of diets by dogs and cats, and to evaluate the amino acid profile and protein quality through a chick growth assay. Corn gluten meal (CGM) and soybean meal (SBM) were used as standards for comparison. Diets were extruded over 3 days in a complete block design. During extrusion, the NG-DDG kibbles had less radial expansion (P<0.05) compared to the CGM and SBM kibbles (2.62 vs. average 3.10 mm²/mm², respectively). The NG-DDG kibble also required a smaller (P<0.05) mass restriction-valve opening to increase die back-pressure. No other differences in extrusion parameters or kibble texture were observed. Twelve beagle dogs were arranged in a 3x3 replicated Latin Square and were each fed the 3 experimental diets to evaluate digestibility by use of titanium dioxide. Diet produced with CGM was more digestible (P<0.05) in terms of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fat, and gross energy. Additionally, dogs fed NG-DDG diets had larger (P<0.05) fecal mass than both CGM and SBM (55.65 vs 35.91 and 43.25 g/d, respectively), and a higher (P<0.05) fecal score than dogs fed the CGM diet (3.63 vs. 3.27). Diets were fed to both dogs and cats to assess palatability via a two-bowl test. Dogs had a preference (P<0.05) for CGM over SBM and NG-DDG, but cats showed a preference (P<0.05) for SBM and NG-DDG over CGM. To assess protein quality, one-day old chicks (CobbxCobb; n=120) were fed semi-purified diets containing test ingredients at a 10% crude protein inclusion level, as well as spray dried granulated egg (SDG) and a nitrogen-free basal diet (NEG) to serve as positive and negative controls, respectively. Chicks were arranged in a randomized block design with 6 chicks per pen, 1 pen per battery, and 4 pens per treatment. The protein efficiency ratio (PER) of each treatment was calculated as weight gain (g) per protein intake (g). All experimental treatments had a lower (P<0.05) PER value than the positive control. The PER for NG-DDG and CGM did not differ from each other and had the lowest value of all treatments (P<0.05; average 1.17). In summary, next-generation distillers dried grains can be used to make a similar kibble to CGM and SBM, are similar to SBM in terms of digestibility, and would be an acceptable source of protein in companion animal diets when paired with a supplemental protein source.

Submitted by Thalita Cristine Landeira Portela Faro (thalita.faro@fgv.br) on 2011-04-27T17:42:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 000306413.pdf: 6567782 bytes, checksum: b0342950e2edce96cabdcbf3bf415597 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Thalita Cristine Landeira Portela Faro(thalita.faro@fgv.br) on 2011-04-27T17:42:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 000306413.pdf: 6567782 bytes, checksum: b0342950e2edce96cabdcbf3bf415597 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2011-04-27T17:42:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 000306413.pdf: 6567782 bytes, checksum: b0342950e2edce96cabdcbf3bf415597 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2002-01-01 / The proposed study aims to provide general management and shareholders from mineral water and softdrink companies from the state of Rio de Janeiro, with knowledge about new business opportunities and also support them in the decision making of vertical or horizontal integration in the production supply chain of PET and plastic bottle operations in their plants. The data for the research was collected through bibliography and a questionnaire applied to 28 companies. The study contributes for competitiveness increase from the mineral water and softdrink industry, presenting results based on technological, economic, strategic, social and environmental aspects. The conclusions show that there are many improvement opportunities on the PET and plastic bottle supply chain at mineral water and softdrink industries from Rio de Janeiro state, within a sustainable development concept. / O objetivo do estudo aqui proposto é municiar os dirigentes e acionistas do segmento industrial de refrigerantes e águas minerais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, com conhecimentos que possam lhes oferecer novas oportunidades de negócios e auxiliá-los na decisão pela integração horizontal ou vertical na cadeia de suprimentos de embalagens PET e de outros materiais plásticos na área produtiva de suas fábricas. Para tanto, foi realizada uma pesquisa com coleta de dados por meio de bibliografia e questionário aplicado a 28 empresas. O estudo contribui para o aumento da competitividade do segmento, apresentando resultados baseados em aspectos tecnológicos, econômicos, estratégicos, sociais e de meio ambiente. As conclusões mostram que há oportunidades para melhorias na cadeia industrial de embalagens PET e de outros materiais plásticos no segmento de refrigerantes e águas minerais no Estado do Rio de Janeiro, dentro do conceito de desenvolvimento sustentável.