"This study characterizes the image quality parameters of a clinical full-field digital mammography system at various x-ray spectral conditions. The energy of the incident x-ray beam, the spectral characteristics, and breast thickness impact the physical performance such as the detective quantum efficiency of the system, thereby affecting the overall performance. The modulation transfer function, noise power spectrum were measured without the anti-scatter grid, and the detective quantum efficiency was calculated for different incident x-ray conditions. Detective quantum efficiency was also calculated with the anti-scatter grid placed above the detector to study its impact. Results indicate a substantial drop in the detective quantum efficiency with the anti-scatter grid under certain conditions. It was also determined that detective quantum efficiency decreases as x-ray beam hardening is increased. A spatial frequency-dependent cascaded liner systems model was developed to predict the detective quantum efficiency of the system for different target-filter combinations. This theoretical model is based upon a serial cascade approach in which the system is conceptually divided into a number of discrete stages. Each stage represents a physical process having intrinsic signal and noise transfer properties. A match between the predicted data and the experimental detective quantum efficiency data confirmed the validity of the model. Contrast-detail performance, a widely used quality control tool to assess clinical imaging systems, for the clinical full-field digital mammography was studied using a commercially available CDMAM phantom to learn the effects of Joint Photographic Experts Group 2000 (JPEG2000) compression technique on detectability. A 4-alternative forced choice experiment was conducted. The images were compressed at three different compression ratios (10:1, 20:1 and 30:1). From the contrast-detail curves generated from the observer data at 50% and 75% threshold levels, it was concluded that uncompressed images exhibit lower (better) contrast-detail characteristics than compressed images but a certain limit to compression, without substantial loss of visual quality, can be used."

Neste trabalho relata-se pela primeira vez a determinação de adenosina por um biossensor baseado em tirosinase. O biossensor foi desenvolvido mediante a modificação de um eletrodo de carbono impresso (SPE) com nanopartículas de ouro (AuNPs), tirosinase (Tyr) e Nafion, denominado biossensor Nafion/Tyr/AuNPs/SPE. As AuNPs sintetizadas possuem diâmetro médio de 15,0 ± 1,1 nm e sua função é melhorar a via de condução de elétrons entre a enzima e o eletrodo. Utilizou-se o aprisionamento com filme Nafion® para evitar a lixiviação enzimática da superfície do eletrodo. A tirosinase imobilizada apresentou boa atividade frente ao substrato catecol. Verificou-se que a adenosina atua como um inibidor do tipo não-competitivo. O biossensor é estável durante pelo menos 45 dias. Além disso, foi realizada a eletro-oxidação da adenosina para sua determinação. O biossensor apresenta sensibilidade superior em comparação com SPE, AuNPs/SPE e Nafion/AuNPs/SPE. As curvas de calibração revelaram duas faixas lineares para as concentrações de adenosina, de 1,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 até 5,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 e entre 6,0 × 10-5 mol L-1 e 1,2 × 10-4 mol L -1. O limite de detecção (3 × (desvio padrão + média dos brancos)/coeficiente angular da curva) foi de 7,0 × 10-7 mol L-1. / In this work we report for the first time the determination of adenosine by a biosensor based on tyrosinase. The biosensor was developed by modifying a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPE) with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), tyrosinase (Tyr) and Nafion, denoted as Nafion/Tyr/AuNPs/SPE biosensor. The synthesized AuNPs have a mean diameter of 15.0 ± 1.1 nm and their function is to improve the electron conduction pathway between the enzyme and the electrode. The entrapment with Nafion® film was selected to prevent the enzyme lixiviation from the electrode surface. Immobilized tyrosinase showed good activity with the catechol substrate. It was found that adenosine acts as a non-competitive type inhibitor. The biosensor is stable for at least 45 days. In addition, the electro-oxidation of adenosine was performed for its determination. The biosensor has superior sensitivity compared to SPE, AuNPs/SPE and Nafion/AuNPs/SPE. Calibration curves revealed two linear ranges for adenosine concentrations of 1,010-5 mol L-1 up to 5,010-5 mol L-1 and from 6,010-5 mol L-1 to 1,210-4 mol L-1. The detection limit (3 × (standard deviation + mean of blanks)/slope of the curve) was 7,010-7 mol L-1.

Le développement réactionnel est problème multidimensionnel complexe qui, dans un scénario représentatif, implique l’unique convergence de plusieurs paramètres à une réactivité désirée. Le choix incorrect d’un seul paramètre réactionnel tel que le pré-catalyseur, le ligand mais aussi le solvant ou encore l’acide/base peut complètement supprimer la réactivité du système. De ce fait, ce processus requiert souvent de nombreuses expérimentations pour obtenir un premier résultat probant. Pour éviter de tester toutes les combinaisons en parallèle, des approches créatives de criblage ont été développées ces dernières années mais le nombre important de reactions nécessaires à l’exploration de juste trois ou quatre paramètres est toujours un challenge pour les chimistes qui n’ont pas accès au criblage à haut debit. Afin de répondre à cette problèmatique, une stratégie combinatoire réaction-économique pour l’identification d’un lead hit dans une reaction spécifique est proposée. Des mélanges complexes de pré-catalyseurs et de ligands, choisis au préalable, sont testés avec un ou deux autres paramètres de reaction supplémentaires pour identifier de bonnes conditions de réaction dans un nombre minimum de manipulations. La déconvolution iterative permet ensuite d’identifier le catalyseur, généré in situ, le plus actif dans les conditions réactionnelles. L’application de cette approche est décrite sur une réaction de Friedel-Crafts, une arylation ortho-C–H sélective de composés benzamides, une alkylation C3 d’indole et en catalyse asymétrique sur une réaction d’hétéro Diels-Alder. / Reaction development is a complex multidimensional problem that, in a representative scenario, requires often the unique convergence of multiple parameters for a desired reactivity. The incorrect choice of a single parameter, such as the pre-catalyst, the ligand, the solvent or the acid/base, can completely eliminate the reactivity of the system. Thus, the process often requires extensive manipulations to obtain a lead hit. To avoid this time consuming process, many creative screening approaches have been developed but the large number of reactions necessary to explore the intersection of just three or four parameters is still a challenge for chemists who do not have access to high throughput experimentation. A reaction-economic combinatorial strategy is described for lead hit identification in catalyst discovery directed towards a specific transformation. Complex mixtures of rationally chosen pre-catalysts and ligands are screened against various reaction parameters to identify lead conditions in a small number of reactions. Iterative deconvolution of the resulting hits identifies which components contribute to the lead in situ generated catalyst. The application of this screening approach is described in the dehydrative Friedel-Crafts reaction, in the ortho-C–H arylation of benzamides, in the C3-indole alkylation and in the asymmetric hetero Diels-Alder cycloaddition.

This bachelor degree work investigates fashion as a non-verbal form of communication by the use of prints. Prints in fashion design today are categorized as placed prints or all-over prints. This work explores new dimensions in the use of a placed print by allowing it to interact with garment and body. It strives to take the prints within fashion one step further then just been pure surface decorations. With the main inspiration in T-shirt print design, the aim is to investigate the relation between halftoned, placed prints and garment by trying to achieve a depth within the expression. The main focus in the process is to find and define the depth within the printed textile and then to be able to apply it on garments on the body. Through research in material transparency in combination with screen printing, the work strives for a 3D moiré effect while moving. The work is to be seen as a suggestion of principles for interaction between prints, garments and body and to open up for a more complex way of working with prints within fashion. The combination between the striking 3D prints and the sharp black and white halftones creates a dynamic line-up. The collection provides the viewer with recognisable graphic pictures and elements as well as more abstract prints through layering.In this work it is found a possible technique to allow a message in a print to be communicated stronger. Through layering the printed textiles a new dimension were added to the expression in the motives and garments when interacting with the body. The continuation of this could be to try this effect with different motives and messages to be told. An interesting point of view would be to start with the viewer or receiver rather then the designers personal development in the project. It could possibly be as simple as creating a traditional T-shirt print with the message to communicate. Another alternative could be to carry out the communication of the motive in a whole garment and in how different garment types meet each other. / Program: Modedesignutbildningen

Nas exposições, galerias de arte, espaço urbano, observamos atualmente a presença de numerosas obras de imagens em movimento projetadas. Estas obras se utilizam em sua construção do dispositivo cinema: projeção, tela, espaço escuro, filmes, mas produzem alterações na forma padrão dominante de apresentação associada a esse dispositivo: espectador sentado, duração imposta de observação de aproximadamente 1 a 2 horas, sala escura, projeção única e frontal sobre uma única tela, apresentada em uma sala com a arquitetura semelhante à do teatro italiano. A presente pesquisa destina-se a estudar a migração de imagens e do dispositivo cinema, para os espaços de arte e as alterações que estão sendo feitas com esse dispositivo. Essas alterações embora mais intensas atualmente, não são inéditas. Observaremos as modificações realizadas nesse dispositivo e focaremos na tela, através do estudo desse elemento. Para isso, faremos um breve histórico dela, análises e descrições de várias obras, que façam uso da tela de forma diferenciada do padrão, alterando sua quantidade, disposição no espaço, formato e materialidade. / Exhibitions, art galleries, urban space, today observed the presence of numerous works of projected images in motion. These works are used in its construction of cinema device: projection screen, dark space, movies, but produce changes in the dominant standard form of presentation associated with this device: spectator sitting, imposed duration of observation of approximately 1 to 2 hours, dark room , and single front projection on a single screen, displayed in a room similar to the Italian theater architecture. This research intended to study the migration of images and movie device for art spaces and the changes that are being made with this device. These changes although more intense now, are not unprecedented. Observe the changes made to the device, and will focus on the screen, through the study of this element. For this, we will make a brief history of it, analyzes and descriptions of various works, making use of the screen differently from the standard by changing its quantity, disposition space, form and materiality.

Second-screen viewing - the use of smartphones, tables and laptops while watching television program - has increased dramatically in the last few years, which multi-screen usage could be considered as a new opportunity for marketing communication. This study will investigate the social media (as second screen) communication effects of TV drama series focussing on the effectiveness of characters' fashion content in leading to consumers' impulsive buying. Narrative transportation theory, use and gratification theory, flow theory, social comparison theory and para-social theory are developed and adopted in an S-O-R framework in this study. A quantitative research approach will be used to conduct online survey focusing China second screen marketing phenomenon. Results of the study provide a guide to understand the newly emerging second screen process with theoretical and managerial perspectives.

The budding yeast S. cerevisiae is widely used as a model organism to study biological processes that are conserved among eukaryotes. Di fferent genomic approaches have been applied successfully to interrogate the mode of action of small molecules and their combinations. In this thesis, these technologies were applied to di fferent sets of chemical compounds in the context of two collaborative projects. In addition to insight into the mode of action of these molecules, novel approaches for analysis of chemical-genetic pro files to integrate GO annotation, genetic interactions and protein complex data have been developed. The fi rst project was motivated by a pressing need to design novel therapeutic strategies to combat infections caused by opportunistic fungal pathogens. Systematic screens of 1180 FDA approved drugs identifi ed 148 small molecules that exhibit synergy in combination with uconcazole, a widely used anti-fungal drug (Wright lab, McMaster University, Canada). Genome-wide chemical-genetic profiles for 6 of these drugs revealed two di fferent modes of action of synergy. Five of the compounds a ffected membrane integrity; these chemical-genetic interactions were supported by microscopy analysis and sorbitol rescue assays. The sixth compound targets a distinct membrane-associated pathway, sphingolipid biosynthesis. These results not only give insight into the mechanism of the synergistic interactions, they also provide starting points for the prediction of synergistic anti-fungal combinations with potential clinical applications. The second project characterised compounds that aff ected melanocytes in a chemical screen in zebra fish (Patton lab, Edinburgh). Chemical-genetic screens in S.cerevisiae enabled us to show that melanocyte pigmentation reducing compounds do so by interfering with copper metabolism. Further, we found that defects in intracellular AP1 and AP3 trafficking pathways cause sensitivity to low copper conditions. Surprisingly, we observed that the widely-used MAP-kinase inhibitor U0126 a ffects copper metabolism. A nitrofuran compound was found to speci fically promote melanocyte cell death in zebrafi sh. This enabled us to study off -target eff ects of these compounds that are used to treat trypanosome infections. Nifurtimox is a nitrofuran prodrug that is activated by pathogen-specifi c nitroreductases. Using yeast and zebra fish we were able to show that nitrofurans are also bioactivated by host-specifi c aldehyde dehydrogenases suggesting that a combination therapy with an aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitor might reduce side e ffects associated with nifurtimox.

No description available.

Many studies measuring the occurrence of pharmaceuticals, understanding their environmental fate and the risk they pose to surface water resources have been published. However, very little is known about the relevant transformation products which result from the wide range of biotic and abiotic degradation processes that these compounds undergo in sewers, storage tanks, during engineered treatment and in the environment. Thus, the present study primarily investigated the degradation of the steroid progesterone (P4) in natural systems (rivers), with a focus on the identification and characterisation of transformation products. Initial work focussed on assessing the removal of selected compounds (Diclofenac, Fluoxetine, Propranolol and P4) from reed beds, with identification of transformation products in a field site being attempted. However, it was determined that concentrations of parent compounds and products would be too low to work with in the field, and a laboratory study was designed which focussed on P4. Focus on P4 was based on literature evidence of its rapid biodegradability relative to the other model compounds and its usage patterns globally. River water sampling for the laboratory-based degradation study was carried out at 1 km downstream of four south east England sewage works (Blackbirds, Chesham, High Wycombe and Maple Lodge) effluent discharge points. Suspected P4 transformation products were initially identified from predictions by the EAWAG Biocatalysis Biodegradation Database (EAWAG BBD) and from a literature review. At a later stage of the present work, a replacement model for EAWAG BBD (enviPath) which became available, was used to predict P4 degradation and results were compared. Samples were analysed using low resolution and accurate-mass time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Three degradation studies were conducted. Sampling for all studies was carried out at the same time in the year to minimize temporal variability in conditions and allow for effective comparison of results. Androgenic and progesterone yeast screens were carried out to assess the biological activity of transformation products.

A presente dissertação se dedica a mapear a organização do trabalho na atual cadeia produtiva do audiovisual na cidade de São Paulo, por meio da análise das atuais formas de produção do cinema e do atual modelo de financiamento do setor, com o objetivo de evidenciar seus principais elos e suas principais vulnerabilidades. Um setor identificado como vulnerável, porém, pouco evidenciado, está localizado no início da cadeia produtiva o desenvolvimento de projetos. Essa etapa, que inicia todo o processo do filme, está muito centrada na figura de um profissional o roteirista. Portanto, esta pesquisa está centrada na identificação da vulnerabilidade desse profissional, em suas relações de trabalho e seus níveis de relacionamento, em sua influência nos outros setores da cadeia produtiva, como também, na atual condição de trabalho que lhe é ofertada. Foram identificadas três questões centrais para justificar a atual vulnerabilidade da profissão de roteirista, que se desmembram em outros apontamentos, são elas: a disputa de autoria entre diretor e escritor no final dos anos 60 (cinema e literatura), as relações flexíveis impostas pelo novo modelo de trabalho apoiado na lógica da intermitência e fragmentação e por último, a falta de organização do profissional de roteiro enquanto categoria. / This thesis aims at drawing a map of the current state of the audiovisual industry productive chain in the city of São Paulo. I shall analyse the current forms of film production and the sector\'s funding model, seeking to outline its most relevant nodes and its main vulnerabilities. One particular aspect that has been identified as vulnerable, while rarely identified, is located at the beginning of the productive chain: project development. This stage, which upstarts the whole film process, is very centered on one sole professional: the writer. Therefore, this research is oriented at the identification of vulnerabilities pertaining to this professional in particular, in their work relations and levels of relationship, in their influence on other sectors of the production chain, as well as in the current working conditions offered to them. Three main questions have been identified, which explain the current vulnerability of the writer profession. These questions are developed into other remarks. The three questions are namely: the dispute surrounding authorship, between director and writer, at the end of the 1960s (cinema and literature); the flexible relations imposed by the new working model supported by the logic of precariousness and fragmentation; and the lack of professional organizations among writers as a social category.