Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Radiometric calibration framework for ultra-high-resolution UAV-derived orthomosaics for large-scale mapping of invasive alien plants in semi-arid woodlands: Harrisia pomanensis as a case study

ABSTRACT Orthomosaics derived from consumer grade digital cameras on board unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly being used for biodiversity monitoring and remote sensing of the environment. To have lasting quantitative value, remotely sensed imagery should be calibrated to physical units of reflectance. Radiometric calibration improves the quality of raw imagery for consistent quantitative analysis and comparison across different calibrated imagery. Moreover, calibrating remotely sensed imagery to units of reflectance improves its usefulness for deriving quantitative biochemical and biophysical metrics. Notwithstanding the existing radiometric calibration procedures for correcting single images, studies on radiometric calibration of UAV-derived orthomosaics remain scarce. In particular, this study presents a cost- and time-efficient radiometric calibration framework for designing calibration targets, checking scene illumination uniformity, converting orthomosaic digital numbers to units of reflectance, and accuracy assessment using in situ mean reflectance measurements (i.e. the average reflectance in a particular waveband). The empirical line method was adopted for the development of radiometric calibration prediction equations using mean reflectance values measured in only one spot within a 97 ha orthomosaic for three wavebands, i.e. red, green and blue of the Sony NEX-7 camera. A scene illumination uniformity check experiment was conducted to establish whether 10 randomly distributed regions within the orthomosaic experienced similar atmospheric and illumination conditions. This methodological framework was tested in a relatively flat terrain semi-arid woodland that is invaded by Harrisia pomanensis (the Midnight Lady). The scene illumination uniformity check results showed that at a 95% confidence interval, the prediction equations developed using mean reflectance values measured from only one spot within the scene can be used to calibrate the entire 97 ha RGB orthomosaic. Furthermore, the radiometric calibration accuracy assessment results showed a correlation coefficient r value of 0.977 (p < 0.01) between measured and estimated reflectance values with an overall root mean square error of 0.063. These findings suggest that given the entire scene being mapped is experiencing similar atmospheric and illumination conditions, then prediction equations developed using mean reflectance values measured in only one spot within the scene can be used to calibrate the entire orthomosaic in semi-arid woodlands. The proposed methodological framework can potentially be tested and adapted for use in large-scale crop mapping and monitoring in precision agriculture, land-use/land-cover classification as well as plant species delimitation, particularly for mapping widespread invasive alien plants such as H. pomanensis.
Explicit control of subgeometric ergodicity

This paper discusses explicit quantitative bounds on the convergence rates of Markov chains on general state spaces, under so-called drift and minorization conditions. The focus of this paper is on practical conditions that lead to subgeometric rates. Such explicit bounds are particularly relevant in applications where a family of Markov transition probabilities {Pθ : θ ∈ Θ} is considered and for which it is required to establish uniform-in-θ ergodicity. Examples of applications include stochastic versions of the popular EM algorithm (Expectation-Maximization) or adaptive Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms (see [1] (resp. [14]) where quantitative bounds for geometric ergodicity (resp. geometric and subgeometric ergodicity) are used to establish the validity of the algorithms).
Anaemia, iron studies and erythropoietin in patients of chronic renal failure.

OBJECTIVE The use of erythropoietin (EPO) for the amelioration of anemia has dramatically changed the quality of life of the patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). The efficacy of a low dose EPO therapy was assessed in the prospective 6 week trial. METHODS Assessment of hematological parameters and iron stores was done in 40 patients of CRF: Group A--20 patients of CRF receiving 40 U/kg EPO biweekly for 6 weeks and Group B--20 patients of CRF not receiving EPO. The parameters were studied at the start and at 2, 4 and 6 weeks of the study. RESULTS A statistically significant rise in mean haemoglobin levels (7.27 +/- 1.26 g/dl to 8.60 +/- 1.66 g/dl); mean packed cell volume (21.4 +/- 4.04% to 25.4 +/- 6.54%) and mean reticulocyte count (1.28 +/- 0.4% to 2.14 +/- 0.86%) was observed on EPO therapy. Patients on EPO developed a significant decline in serum iron, serum ferritin levels, bone marrow iron stores; and a hypochromic-microcytic picture on the peripheral blood film suggestive of iron deficiency. Iron deficiency at the start, chronic infections like tuberculosis and inadequate haemodialysis were identified as causes of hyporesponsiveness to EPO therapy. Low dose EPO therapy was not associated with any major adverse effects. CONCLUSIONS Low dose EPO (40 U/kg, biweekly) therapy is safe and effective in the management of anaemia of CRF.
OspA vaccination of mice with established Borrelia burgdorferi infection alters disease but not infection

C3H mice were actively immunized with outer surface protein A (OspA) at different intervals after infection with Borrelia burgdorferi to determine the effect of postexposure vaccination on the course of murine Lyme borreliosis. Mice were vaccinated with an OspA-glutathione transferase fusion protein or glutathione transferase (control) in complete Freund's adjuvant; vaccination was followed by two weekly booster injections in incomplete adjuvant. Two weeks after the final booster injection, organs were cultured for B. burgdorferi (blood, spleen, skin, and bladder) and examined for histopathology (joints and hearts). When vaccination was commenced in the early stages (5 to 14 days) of infection, active immunization with OspA partially cleared spirochetes from the bloodstream but did not eliminate them from other tissues or alter the course of joint or heart disease. Commencement of vaccination at 60 days after infection (at which time joint or heart disease is resolving), however, reduced both the number of mice and individual joints with arthritis, a result suggesting an acceleration of the resolution phase of the disease. Postexposure immunization with OspA may partially alter the course of murine Lyme arthritis but does not eliminate infection.
The co-distribution of Arctic cod and its seabird predators across the marginal ice zone in Baffin Bay

Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida) is the dominant pelagic fish in Arctic seas and a staple food of many arctic predators including several seabird species. Marginal ice zones are known as important feeding locations for seabirds. The hypothesis that thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia), northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) and black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) congregate in areas of high Arctic cod food resource and low ice concentration was tested at different spatial scales. Arctic cod biomass was estimated by hydroacoustics as a resource proxy, and seabirds were counted and sampled for stomach analysis along eight longitudinal transects across the marginal ice zone in southern Baffin Bay in June–July 2016. With increasing length, the epipelagic age-0 Arctic cod migrated from open waters to ice-covered areas. Subsequently, age-1 and age-2 Arctic cod tended to concentrate in a subsurface layer (40–100 m) within the epipelagic layer. Arctic cod 5.7–16.1 cm long (late age-0 to age-5) were the main fish prey of the three seabird species, which preferentially captured age-1 cod (6–11.5 cm). At large spatial scale (western versus eastern Baffin Bay), thick-billed murre, northern fulmar and their Arctic cod resource proxy were generally more abundant on the western ice-covered side of Baffin Bay. No clear spatial match was found, however, when comparing seabird abundances and their food-resource proxy in different ice concentrations across the marginal ice zone or at small scale (5 km). At medium scale (12.5 km), only murre density was influenced positively by its Arctic cod resource. A lack of schooling behavior and a successful strategy to avoid predation by hiding under the ice could explain the absence of any strong spatial match between Arctic cod and its seabird predators at these different scales.
Morphological reconstruction of the neoepiglottis after hyo‐sub‐glosso‐epiglottectomy (anteriorly extended supraglottic laryngectomy)

INTRODUCTION Primary closure (PC) has been used as the standard surgical technique for defects after supraglottic laryngectomy (SL). In the head and neck cancer surgery textbooks and literature, this relatively simple method has also been recommended for the closure of surgical defects after hyo-sub-glosso-epiglottectomy (HSE) or anteriorly extended supraglottic laryngectomy, in which the base of the tongue is removed with supraglottic structures during SL. However, this closing method ignores the original three-dimensional morphology of the supraglottic space that plays a critical functional role in phonation, respiration, and swallowing. Consequently, even after simple SL, patients who undergo PC suffer from frequent postoperative complications, including unclear voice, insufficient airway, and aspiration pneumonia, which often require placement of permanent tracheal stoma, gastric tube, and gastrostomy. These unfavorable outcomes become more prominent in patients with HSE due to the reduced volume of the base of the tongue. In particular, the enhanced risks of acute and persistent postoperative aspiration pneumonia occasionally require the sacrifice of the preserved larynx to save the life of the patient. In addition, this reconstruction method imposes excessive tension between sutured tissues, causing frequent postoperative leakage, infection, and fistula formation, especially in cases of salvage surgery. To overcome these critical problems, we reconstructed the supraglottic space after HSE with a rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAMC) flap in a series of three patients including one salvage case. The purpose of this method was to create a sufficient convex shape that hangs over the remaining larynx expecting that it might function as a neoepiglottis. This method worked well, and all three patients demonstrated quite satisfactory functional results compared to the PC method. Surgical techniques of this novel reconstruction method are described herein.
Spillover adherence effects of fixed-dose combination HIV therapy

The impact of fixed-dose combination (FDC) products on adherence to other, non-fixed regimen components has not been examined. We compared adherence to a third antiretroviral (ART) component among patients receiving a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) backbone consisting of the FDC Epzicom®, GlaxoSmithKline Inc, Research Triangle Park, NC (abacavir sulfate 600 mg + lamivudine 300 mg; FDC group) versus NRTI combinations taken as two separate pills (NRTI Combo group) using data from a national sample of 30 health plans covering approximately 38 million lives from 1997 to 2005. Adherence was measured as the medication possession ratio (MPR). Multivariate logistic regression compared treatment groups based on the likelihood of achieving ≥95% adherence, with sensitivity analyses using alternative thresholds. MPR was assessed as a continuous variable using multivariate linear regression. Covariates included age, gender, insurance payer type, year of study drug initiation, presence of mental health and substance abuse disorders, and third agent class. The study sample consisted of 650 FDC and 1947 NRTI Combo patients. Unadjusted mean adherence to the third agent was higher in the FDC group than the NRTI Combo group (0.92 vs 0.85; P < 0.0001). In regression analyses, FDC patients were 48% and 39% more likely to achieve 95% and 90% third agent adherence, respectively (P ≤ 0.03). None of the other MPR specifications achieved comparable results. Among managed care patients, use of an FDC appears to substantially improve adherence to a third regimen component and thus the likelihood of achieving the accepted standard for adherence to HIV therapy of 95%.
Mitigating risk of emissions in energy planning and the operational implications

There is increasing imperative to reduce emissions from global energy systems to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. Much of the work on how countries can meet their emissions reduction targets assumes perfect knowledge of the emissions from energy technologies. This dissertation first implements a model that takes into account emissions uncertainties and evaluates the impacts that uncertainty has on the long term system build out. It is found that an early build out of wind energy reduces the risk of exceeding emissions targets. Given the requirement of high penetrations of wind energy for reducing emissions risk, the second part of this dissertation evaluates the impact that high penetrations of wind energy have on system operations, and the value that storage and dispatchable loads can provide. Finally, this dissertation evaluates the impact that synchronous generation constraints have on system operation, and the optimal operation of storage. All three models are applied to the Alberta, Canada electricity system as a case study.
Evaluation of the Pressure Ulcer Prevention Clinical Decision Report for Bedside Nurses in Acute Care Hospitals

Summary Background: Hospital stays for patients with pressure ulcers (PU) increased nearly 80% from 1992 to 2006. Most PU’s developed during an admission, often despite preventive efforts from clinical staff. Data from Electronic medical records (EMR’s) were used to prepare daily patient risk factor and PU information for nurses to help prevent PU development and exacerbations. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine whether: 1) dissemination of an automated daily report with patient risk and current status of pressure ulcers (“PU Daily”) helps prevent the development of pressure ulcers, and 2) using the PU Daily information impacts the severity of pressure ulcers that develop in an acute care setting. Methods: A pre-post study with four control units was designed to determine the impact of the PU Daily in intensive care units (ICU) in a large medical center. The control units included ICU’s using the same EMR and similar complexity of cases with a high risk of developing a PU. The pre-post study took place over a six month period (March – August 2009). Results: A total of 6,735 cases were included in the study. The intervention unit showed a significant decrease (p = 0.004) in PU’s at post-evaluation; none of the four comparison units showed a decrease at the p<0.05 level. The intervention led to a significant reduction in the total number of PU’s documented (p <0.000) and the number of Stage II PU’s (p = 0.046). Conclusion: The intervention with the PU Daily showed a significant decrease in the total PU’s and severity of PU’s and allowed for implementation of interventions that help prevent the development of PU’s. As EMR’s become more widely available, this intervention showed a reduction in PU’s. Future studies should further develop this intervention and include multiple institutions and patient populations.
A randomized, controlled trial of the effectiveness of nebulized therapy with epinephrine compared with albuterol and saline in infants hospitalized for acute viral bronchiolitis.

OBJECTIVE In previously well infants hospitalized with acute viral bronchiolitis, the effectiveness of repeated nebulized therapy with epinephrine (EPI) was compared with treatment with albuterol (ALB) or saline placebo (PLAC). STUDY DESIGN In this randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, controlled trial, infants received study nebulizations every 1 to 6 hours and were assessed twice daily by the research team. The primary outcome was length of hospital stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included the time from admission until the infant had normal hydration, oxygenation, and minimal respiratory distress. RESULTS A total of 149 infants were randomized; 50 were allocated to receive racemic EPI, 51 were given ALB, and 48 received PLAC. Baseline characteristics and pre-enrollment symptoms, signs, and therapy were similar between groups. There were no group differences in the primary outcome measure, mean LOS (hours)(+/- SD): EPI = 59.8 (62), ALB = 61.4 (54), and PLAC = 63.3 (47); P =. 95 by intent-to-treat analysis. Group differences were not statistically significant in any of the secondary outcomes. CONCLUSIONS There were no group differences in the effectiveness of therapy for infants hospitalized with bronchiolitis. Based on these results, we do not recommend routine use of either nebulized EPI or ALB in this patient group.
Pressure Transient Techniques for Continuous Monitoring of CO2 Storage/EOR

vii Chapter 1: Background . 1 1.1 Leakage from CO2 Geological Storage.1 1.2 Study Objectives . 2 1.3 Thesis Outline and Chapter (Paper) Linkage . 3 Chapter 2: Interpretation of Above-Zone Pressure Influence Time to Characterize CO2 Leakage . 5 2.
Brain gene regulation by territorial singing behavior in freely ranging songbirds

TO investigate the ecological relevance of brain gene regulation associated with singing behavior in songbirds, we challenged freely ranging song sparrows with conspecific song playbacks within their breeding territories. Males responded by approaching the speaker, searching for an intruder and actively singing. In situ hybridization of brain sections revealed significantly higher expression of the transcriptional regulator ZENK in challenged birds than in unstimulated controls in several auditory structures and song control nuclei. We conclude that singing behavior in the context of territorial defense is associated with gene regulation in brain centers that control song perception and production, and that behaviorally regulated gene expression can be used to investigate brain areas involved in the natural behaviors of freely ranging animals.
The Internal Generation of the Atlantic Ocean Interdecadal Variability

Numerical simulations of a realistic ocean general circulation model forced by prescribed surface fluxes are used to study the origin and structure of intrinsic interdecadal variability of the ocean circulation. When eddy-induced turbulent diffusivities are low enough, spontaneous oscillations of the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) with periods O(20) yr and amplitude O(1) Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1) emerge. The transition from the steady to the oscillatory regime is shown to be consistent with a supercritical Hopf bifurcation of the horizontal Peclet number. Adding atmospheric thermal damping is shown to have a very limited influence on the domain of existence of intrinsic variability. The spatial structure of the mode consists of a dipole of sea surface temperature (SST)/sea surface height (SSH) anomalies centered at about 50°N with stronger variance in the western part of the subpolar gyre, in agreement with the observed Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) signature in this region. Specific features include a westward propagation of temperature anomalies from the source region located on the western flank of the North Atlantic Current (NAC) and a one-quarter phase lag between surface and subsurface (800 m) temperature anomalies. Local linear stability calculations including viscous and diffusive effects confirm that the North Atlantic Current is baroclinically unstable on scales of O(1000) km with growth rates of O(1) yr−1. Both the spatial structure of the mode and the period agree in magnitude with in situ measurements in the North Atlantic, suggesting that this intrinsic ocean mode participates in the observed Atlantic bidecadal climate variability.
Evaluation of Traditional Cooking Methods on Eating Meat Characteristics and Chemical composition

This study was conducted to evaluate the traditional meat cooking methods, beef topside cuts were used in the experiment and divided into four groups, and four different cooking methods were done. A-roosting, B-frying, C-boiling, and D- Babiker (1981) methods as a control method which is used as one of cooking loss % methods in meat. Sample prepared from cooked meat for meat chemical analysis. Protein, moisture, fat, and ash content % were determined. Cooking loss (%) and cooking time were determined and there were significantly different (p<0.05), and no difference in cooking loss (%). The sensory attributes for cooked meat were assessed by panelists and conducted color, flavor, tenderness and juiciness with significantly different (p<0.05) in flavor were panelists prefer the frying cooked meat.
TERBUTALINE SUBCUTANEOUSLY INJECTED FOR THE TREATMENT OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA IN CHILDREN

For treating bronchial asthma in children and also in adults, adrenergic drugs have long held a central position. In animal experimental studies, /Jj-stimulating sympathomimetic amines —for instance, terbutallne*—have proved their relative selectivity to the bronchial muscle (7), Terbutaline given subcutaneously to asthmatic patients, adults (1, 2) and also children (5) has had a good bronchodilating effect. As only few studies of the broncholytic effect of terbutaline in children have been published (5, 6) and as the study by Hansing & Kjellman with subcutaneous injections only comprises 10 children, we thought it desirable to study the effect in a larger number of patients. We studied the bronchodilating effect and the possible cardiovascular effects of subcutaneous injections of terbutaline in children with pronounced clinical signs of acute bronchoconstriction.
House Dust Mite Allergy in Korea: The Most Important Inhalant Allergen in Current and Future

The house-dust mite (HDM), commonly found in human dwellings, is an important source of inhalant and contact allergens. In this report, the importance of HDM allergy in Korea and the characteristics of allergens from dust mite are reviewed with an emphasis on investigations performed in Korea. In Korea, Dermatophagoides farinae is the dominant species of HDM, followed by D. pteronyssinus. Tyrophagus putrescentiae is also found in Korea, but its role in respiratory allergic disease in Korea is controversial. The relatively low densities of mite populations and concentrations of mite major allergens in dust samples from Korean homes, compared to westernized countries, are thought to reflect not only different climatic conditions, but also cultural differences, such as the use of 'ondol' under-floor heating systems in Korean houses. HDM are found in more than 90% of Korean houses, and the level of exposure to HDM is clinically significant. About 40%-60% of Korean patients suffering from respiratory allergies, and more than 40% of patients suffering from atopic dermatitis, are sensitized to HDM. Mite allergens can be summarized according to their inherent auto-adjuvant activities and/or their binding affinities to the adjuvant-like substances: proteolytic enzymes, lipid binding proteins, chitin binding proteins, and allergens not associated with adjuvant-like activity. In general, allergens with a strong adjuvant-like activity or adjuvant-binding activity elicit potent IgE reactivity. In Korea, Der f 2 is the most potent allergen, followed by Der f 1. Immune responses are modulated by the properties of the allergen itself and by the adjuvant-like substances that are concomitantly administered with the antigens. Characterization of allergenic molecules and elucidation of mechanisms by which adjuvant-like molecules modulate allergic reactions, not only in Korea but also worldwide, will provide valuable information on allergic diseases, and are necessary for the development of diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies.