The response of an optical spatial filter system to photographic edges.

Thesis (M.A.)--Boston UniversityThe purpose of this thesis is the empirical determination of the response of an optical spatial filter system to photographic detail edges. Spatial filtering in an optical system refers to a process in which the performance of the system is modified in terms of object size and shape. In its essentials the optical system tested is well known, with spatial filtering experiments having been performed as early as 1906. A renewed interest in recent years has been the result of the application of communication theory to optics. Reference is made to recent publications concerning the analytical treatment of coherent imagery in general and spatial filtering in particular as well as to more recent experimental studies. Theoretical considerations and analytical treatment are included in this thesis to an extent sufficient for the scope of the investigation. [TRUNCATED] The thesis is concluded with the recommendation that further work with the filter system be undertaken from the point of view of producing an optimum filter for a certain practical application. Also the recommendation is made that the system be used for harmonic analysis as a research tool or a classroom demonstration device

Role of bone-anabolic agents in the treatment of breast cancer bone metastases

Skeletal metastases are an incurable complication afflicting the majority of patients who die from advanced breast cancer. They are most often osteolytic, characterized by net bone destruction and suppressed new bone formation. Life expectancy from first diagnosis of breast cancer bone metastases is several years, during which time skeletal-related events - including pain, fracture, hypercalcemia, and spinal cord compression - significantly degrade quality of life. The bone marrow niche can also confer hormonal and chemo-resistance. Most treatments for skeletal metastases target bone-destroying osteoclasts and are palliative. Recent results from the Breast cancer trials of Oral Everolimus-2 trial suggest that agents such as the mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitor everolimus may have efficacy against breast cancer bone metastases in part via stimulating osteoblasts as well as by inhibiting tumor growth. Selective estrogen receptor modulators similarly inhibit growth of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancers while having positive effects on the skeleton. This review discusses the future role of bone-anabolic agents for the specific treatment of osteolytic breast cancer metastases. Agents with both anti-tumor and bone-anabolic actions have been tested in the setting of multiple myeloma, a hematological malignancy that causes severe osteolytic bone loss and suppression of osteoblastic new bone formation. Stimulation of osteoblast activity inhibits multiple myeloma growth - a strategy that might decrease breast cancer burden in osteolytic bone metastases. Proteasome inhibitors (bortezomib and carfilzomib) inhibit the growth of myeloma directly and are anabolic for bone. Drugs with limited anti-tumor activity but which are anabolic for bone include intermittent parathyroid hormone and antibodies that neutralize the WNT inhibitors DKK1 and sclerostin, as well as the activin A blocker sotatercept and the osteoporosis drug strontium ranelate. Transforming growth factor-beta inhibitors have little tumor antiproliferative activity but block breast cancer production of osteolytic factors and are also anabolic for bone. Some of these treatments are already in clinical trials. This review provides an overview of agents with bone-anabolic properties, which may have utility in the treatment of breast cancer metastatic to the skeleton

Estimating Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in Rice Paddies as Influenced by Climate Change under Scenario A2 and B2 of an i-EPIC model of Thailand

Carbon sequestration in soils constitutes an important option that can be used to reduce CO2 emissions to the atmosphere and reduce environmental impacts. Soil organic carbon (SOC) is both a source of carbon release and a sink for carbon sequestration. Our objectives in this study were to validate the interactive Environmental Policy Impact Calculator (i-EPIC) model version 0509, as well as to estimate SOC sequestration under climate change scenarios A2 and B2 SRES emission scenarios in Thailand. The SOC estimated by i-EPIC was compared with data from the Office of Soil Resources Survey and Research, Land Development Department. The results indicated that performance testing of i-EPIC is able to estimate SOC. Validation of SOC proved to be satisfactory with a resulting root mean square error (RMSE %) value of 34.60. The SOC content showed a decreasing trend under B2 and A2 climate scenarios (average 0.87% and 0.85%, respectively) compared to the reference from 2007 (average 0.92%). Stepwise regression analysis also revealed that carbon from residue decomposition, biomass pool carbon, and the total change of the carbon pool were directly correlated with the SOC (R2= 0.99, p< 0.01). Furthermore, the change from rain supplied water to irrigation also resulted in an increase of carbon inputs but a decrease in the SOC sequestered during the 2007-2017 period. Regression analyses indicated that soil carbon sequestration responds linearly to carbon input. Significant changes in carbon input as well as decreases in SOC levels were observed as temperature and precipitation increased. Based on the testing and analysis, we concluded that i-EPIC is capable of reliably simulating effects of climate change on SOC sequestration. Based on the results, this knowledge and information can increase effectiveness in the promotion of integrated rice management for rice production in Thailand

Effective isolation of GALT cells : Insights into the intestine immune response of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to different bacterin vaccine preparations

Acknowledgements: Ahmed Attaya’s PhD project was funded by the Newton Fund, the British Council, and the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF), Hurghada, Egypt.Peer reviewedPostprin

Analisis Penerapan Program Keselamatan Dan Kesehatan Kerja (K3) Untuk Menekan Angka Kecelakaan Kerja Pada Usaha Kecil: Studi Kasus Pada CV. Lestari Albasia Mandiri Di Kabupaten Semarang

Kecelakaan dan penyakit kerja bisa menyebabkan banyak kerugian, terutama pada industri barecore hal ini terjadi karena adanya pengaruh dari proses produksi yang menggunakan mesin – mesin yang berbahaya serta adanya limbah dari proses produksi berupa serbu kayu. Penelitian ini memiliki tujuan untuk mendapatkan informasi mengenai penerapan Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (K3) apa saja yang dilakukan oleh CV Lestari Albasia Mandiri dan apakah kegiatan tersebut sudah sesuai dengan prinsip-prinsip Sistem Manajemen Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (K3) yang ada. Menggunakan penelitian dengan pendekatan kualitatif, hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa perusahaan CV Lestari Albasia Mandiri sudah menerapkan beberapa kegiatan Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (K3) yang sesuai dengan prinsip Sistem Manajemen Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (K3) namun, masih ada prinsip-prinsip Sistem Manajemen Keselamatan dan Kesehatan Kerja (SMK3) yang belum dilakukan oleh perusahaan.Accidents and diseases in workplace could cause a lot of losses, especially in the barecore industry it happened because of production process using a dangerous machinery and the waste from the sawdust. This study aims to obtain information about the application of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) what is done by CV Lestari Albasia Mandiri and whether the activity is in accordance with the principles of the existing Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSAS). Using research with a qualitative approach, the results of the study show that the company CV Lestari Albasia Mandiri has implemented several Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) activities in accordance with the principles of the Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSAS), however, there are still principles of the Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSAS) that has not been done by the company

Hubungan Tingkat Kecemasan Dental dengan Sikap Ibu tentang Pentingnya Perawatan Restorasi Gigi Anak Usia Prasekolah (Kajian pada Wilayah Eks Kota Administratif Purwokerto)

Kecemasan dental ibu adalah perasaan cemas yang dirasakan ibu sebelum kunjungan atau perawatan giginya. Pengalaman negatif dapat menimbulkan kecemasan dental sehingga ibu tidak memanfaatkan pelayanan perawatan gigi bagi anaknya yang dianggap sebagai representasi dari sikap ibu. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui hubungan tingkat kecemasan dental dengan sikap ibu tentang pentingnya perawatan restorasi gigi anak usia prasekolah di wilayah eks Kota Administratif Purwokerto. Metode penelitian ini adalah observasional analitik dengan pendekatan cross sectional study. Teknik pengambilan sampel adalah proportional random sampling dengan mempertimbangkan kriteria inklusi dan eksklusi. Jumlah sampel adalah 95 responden yang merupakan ibu dari murid TK di wilayah eks Kota Administratif Purwokerto. Instrumen penelitian adalah kuesioner Index of Dental Anxiety and Fear 4 Components (IDAF-4C) dan kuesioner sikap yang berbentuk Google form. Analisis data dilakukan secara univariat dan bivariat menggunakan chi square. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat hubungan antara tingkat kecemasan dental dengan sikap ibu tentang pentingnya perawatan restorasi gigi anak usia prasekolah dengan p = 0,000 (p<0,05). Simpulan penelitian adalah terdapat hubungan antara tingkat kecemasan dental dengan sikap ibu tentang pentingnya perawatan restorasi gigi anak usia prasekolah di wilayah eks Kota Administratif Purwokerto

XRK3F2 inhibits p62 signaling and augments myeloma killing by proteasome inhibitors

Background: Despite advancements in therapy, multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable blood cancer. Our mission is to maximize the efficacy of a primary treatment for myeloma, proteasome inhibitors (PIs) which cause intracellular waste buildup, leading to ER stress and cell death. p62(sequestosome-1) provides an alternate pathway when the proteasome is inhibited, by breaking down cytotoxic material via autophagy. Upregulation of p62 is associated with PI resistance. We identified a small molecule, XRK3F2, that binds to the ZZ domain of p62 and inhibits its autophagic function. We hypothesized that XRK3F2 would improve MM killing when combined with PIs. Methods Used: We tested XRK3F2 and PI combinations in vitro, in ex vivo co-cultures, and in a human MM xenograft model. We tested XRK3F2 plus bortezomib in vitro and in ex vivo myeloma: bone cocultures and analyzed effects on tumor burden in a prior mouse xenograft experiment. Results: XRK3F2 induced cell death in various human MM cell lines, with a IC50s of 3-6 M. When combined with carfilzomib, the most potent approved PI, at physiologically relevant doses, there was strong synergy (Combinatorial index of 0.4 to 0.6, by Chou-Talalay analysis). The combination of the two agents significantly increased tumor killing in a tumor: bone co-culture model, where the microenvironment of the tumor provides MM survival signals and potential drug resistance. Enhanced tumor killing was further confirmed in a plasmacytoma model of the human MM cell line RPMI-8226 in NSG mice. We also identified soluble BCMA (B-cell maturation antigen, sBCMA) as a sensitive biomarker for tumor burden, which allowed for serial tumor measurements in all tested models. Conclusion and Potential Impact: Combining the p62-ZZ domain inhibitor XRK3F2 with PIs shows great promise in improving the killing of MM. Work is ongoing to validate the combination in xenograft models, where tumor cells colonize bones, and in immunocompetent models. Further mechanistic studies using primary MM cells from patients are also ongoing. sBCMA is a cheap, specific, and sensitive tool for serial tumor measurement and should be further validated for preclinical and clinical usage

Peer learning on a shoe string: success of a distributive model for peer learning in a community radiology practice.

PURPOSE:To describe our 3-year experience operating a peer learning program with minimal resources, calculate the cost of the program, and compare participants' attitudes toward peer learning to the historical peer review system. MATERIALS AND METHODS:The peer learning conference is held monthly for 1&nbsp;h via a web-based video conferencing platform. Case identification, curation, and conference presentation are performed by individual radiologists. Using national estimates for unit costs of radiologist time and other inputs, we calculated the marginal cost of the peer learning program to the medical group. After 21&nbsp;months of holding the conference, we conducted an anonymous survey to assess the impact of the conference and how it may be improved. RESULTS:A peer learning conference was established for a 24- person community-based practice, which is part of a large multi-disciplinary medical group. Cases discussed included diagnostic errors, technologist errors, good calls, and challenging cases. Total annual cost of the program is $3288. Survey respondents had overall positive views of the conference and strongly preferred peer learning to the existing peer review system in place, with 80% of respondents rating peer learning more favorably than peer review on education value, supportive environment, and punitive process, and 70% more positively on culture of blaming. CONCLUSION:We established a peer learning program with minimal resources. Radiologists in the group strongly prefer the peer learning conference over the existing peer review program in place. A peer learning program can be successfully started and sustained with limited resources