Making the assumption that all ants move independently of one another, this behaviour can be mathematically modelled as a random process based on the binomial distribution. Developing the model on this basis allows an exponential distribution to be exposed that underlies the time-intervals between ants leaving the nesting area. Such a distribution is present, irrespective of whether the ant population in the nesting area remains constant or steadily depletes, and suggests that ant-ant interactions do not play any significant role in determining
ant activity under the experimental conditions GSK3326595 in vivo adopted.
The mathematical framework presented plays the role of a null model that will have a wide range of applications for detecting other
determinants of activity-level (not addressed in this study) including environmental and social factors such as food availability, temperature, humidity, presence of pheromone trails, along with intraspecific and interspecific interactions outside the nest and, indeed, more generally. The null model should have applications to a range of organisms.
Lastly, we discuss our data in relation to a recent study of ants leaving their nest (Richardson et al., 2010) in which Ro 61-8048 the null model was rejected in favour of record dynamics, where ant-ant interactions were conjectured to play a role. (c) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Introduction: Although many sentinel lymph node (SLN) imaging agents labeled with Tc-99m have been developed, no positron-emitting agent has been specifically designed for SLN imaging. Furthermore, the development of the beta probe and the requirement for better image resolution have
increased the need for a positron-emitting SLN imaging agent. Here, we describe the development of a novel positron-emitting SLN imaging agent labeled with Ga-68.
Methods: A mannosylated human serum albumin (MSA) was synthesized by conjugating alpha-n-mannopyranosylphenyl isothiocyanate to human serum albumin in sodium carbonate buffer (pH 9.5), and then 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid was conjugated synthesize check details NOTA-MSA. Numbers of mannose and NOTA units conjugated in NOTA-MSA were determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. NOTA-MSA was labeled with Ga-68 at room temperature. The stability of Ga-68-NOTA-MSA was checked in labeling medium at room temperature and in human serum at 37 degrees C. Biodistribution in normal ICR mice was investigated after tail vein injection, and micro-positron emission tomography (PET) images were obtained after injecting Ga-68-NOTA-MSA into a tail vein or a footpad.
Results: The numbers of conjugated alpha-D-mannopyranosylphenyl isothiocyanate and 2-(p-isothiocyanatobenzyl)-1,4,7-triazacyclononane-1,4,7-triacetic acid units in NOTA-M SA were 10.6 and 6.