DIGITAL IMAGE PROCESSING FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE MEASURES OF WOODY SHRUBS

For multi-stemmed shrubs, especially those with fine foliage, obtaining measures of leaf area or density of foliage and twigs within the crown may be both difficult and time-consuming. However, this measure may be an indication of the ornamental quality of a species. A method of photographic analysis was developed to perform repeated measures within the crown of woody shrubs. Slides of 5 species of arid land woody shrubs were analyzed by use of a Visual Image Processor system. This digital imaging technique may be applied where comparative measures over time for individual plants is useful. Comparisons were made of slides taken in the fall of 1989 and the spring and fall of 1990. The use Of slides limited handling or removal of any portion of the plants. Initial care in slide production and continuity of photographic techniques permits consistent results between measurement dates. This computerized method al lows comparative analysis of the growth and “fullness” of plant crowns.

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Is change over time in psychotic symptoms related to social functioning?

International Journal of Social Psychiatry ◽

10.1177/00207640211039248 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 002076402110392

Author(s):

Sascha Kwakernaak ◽

Wiepke Cahn ◽

Richard Janssen ◽

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Social Functioning ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Medication Use ◽

Psychotic Symptoms ◽

Positive Symptoms ◽

Needs For Care ◽

Over Time

Objective: In psychosis, treatment often focuses on symptom reduction whereas social functioning is also essential. In this study, we investigate positive psychotic symptoms and medication use in relation to social functioning over a 3-year time-period in 531 patients diagnosed with psychosis. Furthermore, relations of positive symptoms with needs for care and quality of life were also investigated. Method: Using repeated measures analysis, changes were measured over time. Hereafter, mixed model analyses were performed to determine the associations of social functioning, needs for care, and quality of life with psychotic symptoms and patient characteristics. Finally, we assessed differences in symptoms and medication dose between those with an increase and those with a decrease in social functioning. Results: Patients significantly improved in social functioning, while psychotic symptoms increased. Improvement in social functioning was associated with younger age, higher IQ, and lower social functioning at T1, but not with positive symptoms. Also, improvement in social functioning was found to be related to a decrease in the dose of clozapine. Improvement in social functioning occurs despite worsening of positive symptoms. Conclusions: The findings suggest the need to further explore the relation between symptomatology, social functioning, and medication use. In the treatment of psychotic disorders, one should reconsider the strong focus on reducing psychotic symptoms. The current focus needs to shift much more toward improving functional outcome, especially when the patient expresses a desire for change in this respect.

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Applications of Visible and near-Infrared Hyperspectral Imaging for Non-Destructive Detection of the Agricultural Products

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.317-319.909 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 317-319 ◽

pp. 909-914

Author(s):

Ying Lan Jiang ◽

Ruo Yu Zhang ◽

Jie Yu ◽

Wan Chao Hu ◽

Zhang Tao Yin

Keyword(s):

Hyperspectral Imaging ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Imaging System ◽

Imaging Technique ◽

Agricultural Products ◽

Quality Inspection ◽

Hyperspectral Reflectance ◽

Imaging And Spectroscopy ◽

Non Destructive

Agricultural products quality which included intrinsic attribute and extrinsic characteristic, closely related to the health of consumer and the exported cost. Now, imaging (machine vision) and spectrum are two main nondestructive inspection technologies to be applied. Hyperspectral imaging, a new emerging technology developed for detecting quality of the food and agricultural products in recent years, combined techniques of conventional imaging and spectroscopy to obtain both spatial and spectral information from an objective simultaneously. This paper compared the advantage and disadvantage of imaging, spectrum and hyperspectral imaging technique, and provided a description to basic principle, feature of hyperspectral imaging system and calibration of hyperspectral reflectance images. In addition, the recent advances for the application of hyperspectral imaging to agricultural products quality inspection were reviewed in other countries and China.

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Immunological and Quality-of-Life Profiles in Women with Breast Cancer: Complementary versus Conventional Care

Complementary Medicine Research ◽

10.1159/000490049 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 (6) ◽

pp. 391-397

Author(s):

Elisabeth Hamrin ◽

Jan Ernerudh ◽

Anders Rosén

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

T Cells ◽

Cd8 T Cells ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Group Versus ◽

Physical Symptoms ◽

Conventional Care ◽

Over Time

Background: Previous studies showed that women with breast cancer treated in anthroposophic clinic versus conventional care had increased quality of life (QoL) parameters, fighting spirit, and anxiety coping. We have now analyzed immune and QoL factors in these 2 groups for possible differences during the first 6 months after admission, prompted by anthroposophic studies, including mistletoe extracts, showing beneficial immune system effects. Patients and Methods: Fourteen immunological variables, including leukocyte count, lymphocyte count, activated T cells (CD4+ and CD8+), NK cells, B cells, IL1β, IL6, IL10, and oxytocin, were longitudinally analyzed in both groups (n = 2 × 26). A panel of QoL parameters were analyzed using 3 different instruments. Statistical evaluation included that each patient was its own control. Results: Cytotoxic CD8+ T cell frequency (percent of lymphocytes analyzed by flow-cytometry) significantly decreased over time in the anthroposophic group versus the conventional group (repeated measures ANOVA, p = 0.05). No major differences were observed in other immunological parameters, whereas QoL variables, anxiety decreased and physical symptoms increased/improved significantly in the anthroposophic group (p = 0.04 and p = 0.05, respectively). Conclusion: Overall, women with breast cancer in anthroposophic or conventional therapy did not differ in their immune profiles over time, with exception of decreased cytotoxic T cells in the anthroposophic group. Improvement in physical symptoms along with less anxiety in this group may have influenced the brain-immune axis resulting in lower frequency of CD8+ T cells, a feature associated with less aggressive cancer stages. To evaluate whether this observation is associated with good or bad prognosis, further detailed analyses of memory and naïve CD8+ T cells at tumor site and in blood circulation are essential.

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A prospective comparison of the FACT-e and EORTC-QLQC30 and OG25 questionnaires for evaluating changes in health-related quality of life in patients with esophageal cancer.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2013.31.4_suppl.130 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 31 (4_suppl) ◽

pp. 130-130

Author(s):

Gail Darling

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Esophageal Cancer ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Disease Free Survival ◽

Well Being ◽

Symptom Improvement ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

European Organization ◽

Over Time

130 Background: The FACT-E (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy– Esophageal) and the EORTC QLQ-C30 (European Organization for Research on Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire) and its cancer-specific module (OG25) are two validated instruments used to assess quality-of-life (QOL) in patients with esophageal cancer. This study investigates the differences between these two instruments. Methods: This is a prospective study of 22 consecutive patients treated with chemoradiation followed by surgery. Questionnaires were self-administered at each of the following: baseline (prior to treatment), 6-8 weeks and 12-14 weeks following start of chemoradiation, and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 18 months following esophagectomy. Mixed model regression was applied to model the repeated measures of the two questionnaires to compare slopes. Results: Of the 22 patients, 20 proceeded to surgery. Overall survival and disease-free survival at 18 months were 59% and 55% respectively. Comparison of the QOL domains over time showed good correlation for physical and functional well-being, with an apparent variation in the magnitude of the changes over time for the latter. The questionnaires were discordant with respect to social and total well-being. Social well-being showed a return to baseline by 1 month post-op using the FACT, but never recovered to baseline for the EORTC. FACT Total well-being recovered to baseline by 9 months, while the EORTC only approached baseline values by 18 months. The disease-specific modules showed post-operative symptom improvement with the FACT and a deterioration with the EORTC. There was also discordance in emotional well being. Conclusions: Domain comparisons of the EORTC and FACT questionnaires showed differing results. Discordance was seen for emotional, social and overall QOL, as well as symptomatology. The EORTC total and physical well-being domains showed a similar pattern of change over time. These findings might result from the overall tendency of the EORTC to emphasize physical aspects of QOL. Thus these two instruments appear to measure different aspects of QOL, which may affect their clinical utility.

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Температурная зависимость потерь в механическом резонаторе, изготовленном методом прямого сращивания кремниевых пластин

Физика и техника полупроводников ◽

10.21883/ftp.2020.01.48778.9245 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (1) ◽

pp. 74

Author(s):

Л.Г. Прохоров ◽

А.В. Светаев ◽

Б.С. Лунин ◽

Н.Р. Запотылько ◽

А.А. Катков ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thermal Expansion ◽

Tuning Fork ◽

Coefficient Of Thermal Expansion ◽

Mechanical Resonator ◽

Zero Crossing ◽

Temperature Dependences ◽

Non Destructive ◽

Over Time ◽

Bonding Technique

Cooling of devices made of monocrystalline silicon to a temperature of 123 K, at which the coefficient of thermal expansion of silicon exhibits a zero crossing, improves their stability and reduces noise. In the temperature range (100 - 295 K), the temperature dependences of the losses (damping) in a tuning fork mechanical resonator made of silicon strips and connected by direct bonding technique were investigated. This allows non-destructive monitoring of the quality of the bonding, as well as to identify the peculiarities of behavior and changes that occur at the bonding interface over time.

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Evaluation of cognitive function and quality of life in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant dose dense chemotherapy.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.15_suppl.e19519 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. e19519-e19519

Author(s):

Michael B. Dabrow ◽

Christine E. Szarka ◽

Joanne Moore ◽

Michael R Chernick

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Adjuvant Chemotherapy ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Early Stage ◽

Well Being ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Dose Dense ◽

Over Time

e19519 Background: Breast cancer therapy related neurocognitive dysfunction, such as memory impairment and “chemo-brain”, has been reported by many women during and after receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Studies evaluating this effect have had mixed results regarding its validity. No study has evaluated a specific regimen and none have examined dose dense therapy. We have serially evaluated the cognitive and quality of life changes in patients receiving dose dense adjuvant adriamycin/cyclophosphamide followed by pactitaxel (DD AT-P) chemotherapy. Methods: Patients with early stage breast cancer (Stages I, II) who were treated at a single community hospital cancer center and were given dose dense AC-P adjuvant chemotherapy were asked to participate in this trial. 45 patients were enrolled and 43 were eligible for evaluation with the following instruments: FACT-F, FAS test, MMSE, MNA and BDI. Tests were administered at the start of chemotherapy, at the completion of chemotherapy, at 6 months and 12 months after completing chemotherapy. The tests were administered by oncology nurses. Scores were evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance testing whether or not the change from baseline test scores had a trend over time. Results: 43 patients were evaluated. Age range was 34-72 years with a median age of 52. 34 patients completed 4 evaluations, 6 completed 3 evaluations, 3 completed 2 evaluations. The only measures demonstrating significant trends were the FAS test (p=0.022) and the Functional Well-Being (p=0.002) and Physical Well-Being (p<0.0001) portions of the FACT-F. The changes over time for these measures all indicated improved performance over baseline at the completion of the trial. The remainder of the tests showed no significant change over time. Conclusions: Dose dense adjuvant chemotherapy with AC-P for breast cancer does not result in decreased cognitive or quality of life measures over time. Patients can be reassured that this specific program of therapy will not lead to long term decreases in mental function and quality of life.

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Longitudinal analysis of quality of life outcomes in children during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from the Children’s Oncology Group (COG) AALL0932.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2017.35.15_suppl.10522 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 35 (15_suppl) ◽

pp. 10522-10522

Author(s):

Daniel Zheng ◽

Xiaomin Lu ◽

Wilhelmenia L. Ross ◽

Anne L. Angiolillo ◽

Reuven Schore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Family Functioning ◽

Repeated Measures ◽

Emotional Functioning ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Average Risk ◽

Emotional Impairment ◽

Over Time

10522 Background: 5-year event-free survival for average-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (AR-ALL) in children is ~95%. However, therapy involves multi-agent chemotherapy, frequent hospital visits (duration of therapy is 26 months for girls and 38 months for boys) and painful procedures that can adversely affect quality of life (QOL). Methods: AR-ALL patients enrolled on COG AALL0932 were offered participation if ≥4 years old at diagnosis with an English-speaking parent. At ~2, 8, 17, 26, and 38 (boys only) months after diagnosis, parents completed the PedsQL4.0 and the Family Assessment Device instruments for QOL (assessing physical and emotional functioning) and family functioning, respectively. The proportions of individuals scoring in the impaired range (i.e. 2 SD below population mean) were calculated at each timepoint. Patterns of impairment over time and potential predictors were examined. Results: 594 participants with AR-ALL (48% female, 68% white) were diagnosed at a median age of 5.6 (IQR: 4.6–7.1) years. At 2 months, a significant percentage of participants had impaired scores compared to population norms for physical (36.5 vs. 2.3; 95% CI 32.3-40.8) and emotional functioning (26.2 vs. 2.3; 95% CI 22.5-30.2). Although scores improved over time, elevations persisted at 26 months for physical (11.9 vs. 2.3; 95% CI 8.4-16.1) and emotional (9.8 vs. 2.3; 95% CI 2.0-6.7) functioning. In repeated measures analysis with multivariate modeling, emotional impairment at 2 months (OR 3.7; 95% CI 1.5-7.7) and abnormal family functioning (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1-2.1) significantly predicted emotional impairment. QOL outcomes were similar for girls at 26 months and boys at 38 months. Conclusions: Many children with AR-ALL experience severe impairment in both physical and emotional functioning that begins early in treatment and persists. Family functioning is a modifiable risk factor that may be targeted for early screening and intervention.

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Psychological and Cognitive Aspects of Borderline Intellectual Functioning

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040/a000293 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (3) ◽

pp. 159-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Bastianina Contena ◽

Stefano Taddei

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Intellectual Functioning ◽

Clinical Impact ◽

Review Of The Literature ◽

Borderline Intellectual Functioning ◽

General Quality ◽

Meta Analyses ◽

Over Time

Abstract. Borderline Intellectual Functioning (BIF) refers to a global IQ ranging from 71 to 84, and it represents a condition of clinical attention for its association with other disorders and its influence on the outcomes of treatments and, in general, quality of life and adaptation. Furthermore, its definition has changed over time causing a relevant clinical impact. For this reason, a systematic review of the literature on this topic can promote an understanding of what has been studied, and can differentiate what is currently attributable to BIF from that which cannot be associated with this kind of intellectual functioning. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) criteria, we have conducted a review of the literature about BIF. The results suggest that this condition is still associated with mental retardation, and only a few studies have focused specifically on this condition.

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