Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Selected Machine Learning Algorithms for Sub-Pixel Imperviousness Change Assessment

The paper presents the comparison of nine machine learning algorithms for sub-pixel impervious surface area change assessment. Predictive models were tuned and trained using the caret package in R environment. Their performance was analyzed based on both cross-validation results and results obtained for validation dataset. A paired t-test was used to determine if the differences between model accuracies are statistically significant. In case of imperviousness mapping for individual time points the regression trees based models outperformed other ones both for cross-validation on calibration dataset and for validation dataset. The Cubist algorithm seems to be the best performed one. The best assessment method for ISA change cannot be unambiguously pointed out. Random Forest gave the lowest RMS errors, random kNN was the best one according to MAE measure and support vector machines with radial basis kernel gave the highest mean value of the R2.
Different signaling pathway between sphingosine‐1‐phosphate and lysophosphatidic acid in Xenopus oocytes: Functional coupling of the sphingosine‐1‐phosphate receptor to PLC‐xβ in Xenopus oocytes

In Xenopus oocytes, both sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) activate Ca2+‐dependent oscillatory Cl− currents by acting through membrane‐bound receptors. External application of 50 μM S1P elicited a long‐lasting oscillatory current that continued over 30 min from the beginning of oscillation, with 300 nA (n = 11) as a usual maximum peak of current, whereas 1‐μM LPA treatment showed only transiently oscillating but more vigorous current responses, with 2,800 nA (n = 18) as a maximum peak amplitude. Both phospholipid‐induced Ca2+‐dependent Cl− currents were observed in the absence of extracellular Ca2+, were blocked by intracellular injection of the Ca2+ chelator, EGTA, and could not be elicited by treatment with thapsigargin, an inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ ATPase. Intracellular Ca2+ release appeared to be from inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate (IP3)‐sensitive Ca2+ store, because Cl− currents were blocked by heparin injection. Pretreatment with the aminosteroid, U‐73122, an inhibitor of G protein‐mediated phospholipase C (PLC) activation, to oocytes inhibited the current responses evoked both by S1P and LPA. However, when they were injected with 10 ng of antisense oligonucleotide (AS‐ODN) against Xenopus phospholipase C (PLC‐xβ), oocytes could not respond to S1P application, whereas they responded normally to LPA, indicating that the S1P signaling pathway goes through PLC‐xβ, whereas LPA signaling goes through another unknown PLC. To determine the types of G proteins involved, we introduced AS‐ODNs against four types of G‐protein α subunits that were identified in Xenopus laevis; Gqα, G11α, G0α, and Gi1α. Among AS‐ODNs against the Gαs tested, AS‐Gqα and AS‐Gi1α to S1P and AS‐Gqα and AS‐G11α to LPA specifically reduced current responses, respectively, to about 20–30% of controls. These results demonstrate that LPA and S1P, although they have similar structural features, release intracellular Ca2+ from the IP3‐sensitive pool, use different components in their signal transduction pathways in Xenopus oocytes. J. Cell. Physiol. 176:412–423, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Action of Sodium Deoxycholate on Subcutaneous Human Tissue: Local and Systemic Effects

BACKGROUND Phosphatidylcholine injections have been used as a nonsurgical alternative to the surgical removal of undesired fat. Studies in cell culture suggest that sodium deoxycholate (SD) has a detergent action in fat reduction. OBJECTIVE The objective was to study SD in subcutaneous human tissue. METHODS AND MATERIALS Thirty volunteers underwent four sessions of subcutaneous abdominal injections of diluted 2.5 or 1% SD stock solutions or placebo. Clinical, hematologic, and ultrasonographic evaluations were performed for 3 months and histology at 3 and 6 months. RESULTS Both concentrations of SD induced an inflammatory response at the injection site, with dose-dependent adipocyte lysis. Patients reported mild, localized heat, erythema, swelling, and intense pain. Microscopic evaluation revealed necrosis of adipose tissue with adipocyte lysis, fat dissolution, acute lymphomononuclear inflammatory reaction, and intense phagocytosis of fat cells by macrophages. Fibrosis was observed only at the 6-month biopsy. Nodules at the injection sites, compatible with areas of inflammation, were detected by ultrasonography 2 weeks after the first injection. Placebo injections induced no histologic changes. CONCLUSIONS SD induces an inflammatory reaction in subcutaneous human fat and dose-dependent adipocyte lysis with acute pain and fibrosis. No systemic effects were detected. Further studies will establish the best dose–result ratio, frequency of application, and long-term safety.
Disc gel electrophoresis of caseins treated with proteolytic and glycolytic enzymes.

Abstract Calcium caseinate and purified α s -, β-, and κ-caseins were treated with lysozyme, β-glucosidase, rennin, and trypsin. β-glucosidase caused calcium caseinate and κ-casein to precipitate, as did lysozyme. Rennin clotted calcium caseinate and κ-casein while trypsin treatment resulted a clear solution in the case of calcium caseinate, clotted κ-casein, and significantly reduced turbidity of β-casein solution. Sodium dodecyl sulfate disc gel electrophoresis revealed changes in κ-casein after rennin treatment, changes in α s - and β-casein after β-glucosidase treatment, but no significant change in any case as a result of lysozyme treatment.
Improving the quality of nursing documentation on an acute medicine unit.

BACKGROUND An action research project was undertaken to explore issues underpinning poor quality documentation and how improvement in assessment can be achieved and sustained. AIM To improve nursing documentation, as well as the quality of nursing assessments and evaluation in an acute medicine unit using anaction research approach. METHOD Nurses from an acute medicine unit helped develop a new process for assessment documentation. Five pieces of documentation were radically changed and three new pieces developed. During testing, four cycles of action research w ere completed; as a result, focused interventions were made to the documentation and assessment process to promote improvement in the areas that demonstrated poor completion or compliance. The new documentation was evaluated for degree of completion and compliance with the new process. RESULTS DOCUMENTATION: the quality of entries recorded, and compliance improved. Documentation was also more up to date. Staff commitment helped unravel issues underpinning poor completion/compliance to the original documentation and assessment process. CONCLUSION Care planning must be taught in pre-registration training as a fundamental principle of care. Understanding issues pertinent to a busy area and designing a process that makes completion of documentation easier means changes can be sustained long after the active stages of action research have been completed.
Efficient Procedure for Purification of Obligate Intracellular Wolbachia pipientis and Representative Amplification of Its Genome by Multiple-Displacement Amplification

ABSTRACT Bacteria belonging to the genus Wolbachia are obligatorymicroendocytobionts that infect a variety of arthropods and a majority of filarial nematode species, where they induce reproductive alterations or establish a mutualistic symbiosis. Although two whole genome sequences of Wolbachia pipientis, for strain wMel from Drosophila melanogaster and strain wBm from Brugia malayi, have been fully completed and six other genome sequencing projects are ongoing (http://www.genomesonline.org/index.cgi? want=Prokaryotic+Ongoin ), genetic analyses of these bacteria are still scarce, mainly due to the inability to cultivate them outside of eukaryotic cells. Usually, a large amount of host tissue (a thousand individuals, or about 10 g) is required in order to purify Wolbachia and extract its DNA, which is often recovered in small amounts and contaminated by host cell DNA, thus hindering genomic studies. In this report, we describe an efficient and reliable procedure to representatively amplify the Wolbachia genome by multiple-displacement amplification from limited infected host tissue (0.2 g or 2 × 107 cells). We obtained sufficient amounts (8 to 10 μg) of DNA of suitable quality for genomic studies, and we demonstrated that the amplified DNA contained all of the Wolbachia loci targeted. In addition, our data indicated that the genome of strain wRi, an obligatory endosymbiont of Drosophila simulans, shares a similar overall architecture with its relative strain wMel.
5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)1A receptors and the tail-flick response. I. 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin HBr-induced spontaneous tail-flicks in the rat as an in vivo model of 5-HT1A receptor-mediated activity.

This study pharmacologically characterizes a novel behavioral response as a potential in vivo model of serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor-mediated activity. In rats restrained in horizontal cylinders, the selective 5-HT1A agonist, 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin HBr (8-OH-DPAT), dose-dependently (0.04-10.0 mg/kg s.c.) elicited spontaneous tail-flicks (STFs). This action was mimicked by other ligands possessing high affinity and high efficacy at 5-HT1A sites: RU 24969 [(5-methoxy-3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl)-1H-indole], lisuride, (+)-lysergic acid diethylamide and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine hydrogen oxalate. The response could not be elicited by CGS 12066B [7-trifluormethyl-4-(4-methyl-l-piperazonyl)-pyrrolol- [1-2-a] quinoxaline dimaleate], mCPP 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-piperazine-2-HCl, TFMPPm-trifluromethylphenylpiperazine HCl, MK 212 [6-chloro-2-(l-piperzinyl)pyrazine], quipazine and DOI (+-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl-2-aminopropane HCl, which act in vivo as agonists at 5-HT1B, 5-HT1C and/or 5-HT2 receptors, or by the 5-HT3 agonist, 2-methyl-5-HT. p-chloroamphetamine, which releases endogenous 5-HT, also evoked STFs; in contrast, d-amphetamine, a preferential releaser of catecholamines, was inactive, as were agonists and antagonists at alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, beta-2, dopamine D1 and D2 sites. 8-OH-DPAT-elicited STFs were blocked by the 5-HT1/2 antagonist, methiothepin, but not by the 5-HT1C/5-HT2 antagonists, mianserin, ritanserin and ICI 169,369 [2-(2-dimethylaminoetheylthio)-3-phenylquinoline] nor by the 5-HT3 antagonists, GR 38032F [(1,2,3,9-tetrahydro-9-methyl-3-[(2-methyl-1H-imidazol-l-yl)methyl]-4H- carbazol-4-one HCl], ICS 205,930 [(3 alpha-tropanyl)-1H-indol-3-carboxylic acid ester] and MDL 72222 [(1 alpha H, 3 alpha, 5 alpha H)-tripan-3-yl-3,5- dichlorobenzoate]. beta-Blockers with 5-HT1A affinity i.e., (-)-alprenolol, (+/-)-isamoltane and, stereoselectivity, (-)-but not (+)-pindolol, blocked the action of 8-OH-DPAT. Spiperone and spiroxatrine, D2 antagonists with high 5-HT1A affinity, also inhibited 8-OH-DPAT-induced STFs. Selective beta-blockers and D2 antagonists with low 5-HT1A affinity were inactive. 5-HT1A partial agonists, the pyrimidinylpiperazines, buspirone, gepirone and ipsapirone, the halogenated phenylpiperazine, LY 165,163 [1-(2-(4-aminophenyl) ethyl-4-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-piperazine], and the benzodioxane, MDL 72832 [8-(4-(1,4-benzodioxan-2-yl-methylamino)-butyl-8-azaspiro-(4 ,5)-decane- 7,9-dione] did not elicit STFs and antagonized the effect of 8-OH-DPAT. (ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Active and passive screening for tuberculosis in Vaud Canton, Switzerland.

AIM This retrospective study compared the bacteriological and clinical presentation of tuberculosis and the outcome of treatment in immigrants notified for TB after active screening by chest X-ray at the border with other patients detected by passive screening. DESIGN Retrospective study of all patients notified for TB in Vaud Canton in 2001 and 2002. RESULTS In Vaud Canton 78% of the 179 patients notified for TB were foreign-born. Among 71 asylum seekers actively screened at the border, 49.3% [CI 37.4-61.2] were symptom-free vs 17.6% [CI 10.3-24.9] among 108 passively screened patients. In the passively screened group, the proportion of asymptomatic patients was 15.4% for Swiss patients, 8.6% for foreign workers, and 29.4% for other foreigners. The average duration of symptoms before diagnosis among patients with complaints was 2 months in actively screened foreign-born, compared to 2.5 months in passively screened patients (no significant difference by Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test). The proportion of pulmonary TB cases with positive smear or culture was 63.4% in actively screened patients vs 70.4% in passively detected cases. Among actively screened patients with bacteriological confirmation, 42.2% [CI 27.2-57.2] were asymptomatic compared to 13% [CI 5.31-20.7] for passively screened patients. Considering only smear positive patients, the proportion of symptom-free patients was 22.2% [CI 9.6-34.8] in 45 actively screened cases vs 11.7% [4.4-19.0] for 77 passive screening. Cure and treatment completion rate for new cases reached 88% for foreign workers, 83% for asylum seekers, 85% for Swiss patients, and 78% for other foreigners. CONCLUSIONS Actively screened patients were more frequently asymptomatic than passively detected cases, even when considering only patients with bacteriological confirmation. The active screening by chest X-ray of an immigrant population with a high prevalence of tuberculosis allows the early detection and treatment of tuberculosis. This may contribute to the protection of the resident population from infection. The outcome of treatment for tuberculosis was satisfactory in all population groups.
Effect of transcription of yeast chromatin on DNA topology in vivo.

Coding regions of transcribed and non‐transcribed genes typically differ in chromatin structure. However, it is not known what kind of alterations in nucleosome or chromatin structure these differences reflect. To determine whether changes in nucleosome topology accompany transcription, we introduced into yeast a multicopy plasmid bearing the gene coding for the heat shock protein HSP26. The plasmid‐borne gene is assembled into chromatin, and is induced by heat shock in the same manner as the endogenous HSP26 gene. A small change in linking number in the HSP26 plasmid accompanies heat shock. This change is consistent with that previously reported for thermal untwisting of DNA in yeast chromatin, and is equivalent in magnitude to that observed in control plasmids which lack heat‐shock response elements. These data indicate that no stable alteration in nucleosome topology accompanies transcription of the heat shock gene. Moreover, the kinetics of the observed changes in linking number indicate that topoisomerase relaxes the thermally induced torsional stress in 1‐5 min. We conclude that if alterations in nucleosome topology accompany polymerase passage, recovery must take place within this time period.
A 3-D Millimeter-Wave Filtering Antenna With High Selectivity and Low Cross-Polarization

A three-dimensional (3-D) filtering antenna with features of high selectivity and low cross-polarization is proposed and experimentally verified in this communication. Thanks to the vertically 3-D integration, the high selectivity at either frequency sides of the filtering antenna is achieved by a novel cross-coupling scheme between in-band and out-of-band modes in a single cavity located in the lower substrate, while the low cross-polarization in the far-held is realized due to the symmetric feed and radiators on a cavity-backed dual-slot antenna at the upper substrate. In our design, the cavity-backed dual-slot antenna performs not only a radiator but also the last resonator of the bandpass filter (BPF). A prototype is demonstrated at Ka-band with a center frequency of 31.495 GHz and fractional bandwidth of 1.56%. Two radiation nulls [transmission zeros (TZs)] at either frequency band edges can be observed and a cross-polarization level lower than -30 dB is obtained.
Germanium pMOSFETs with Schottky-barrier germanide S/D, high-/spl kappa/ gate dielectric and metal gate

Schottky-barrier source/drain (S/D) germanium p-channel MOSFETs are demonstrated for the first time with HfAlO gate dielectric, HfN-TaN metal gate and self-aligned NiGe S/D. The drain drivability is improved over the silicon counterpart with PtSi S/D by as much as /spl sim/5 times due to the lower hole Schottky barrier of the NiGe-Ge contact than that of PtSi-Si contact as well as the higher mobility of Ge channel than that of Si.
A survey of nursing students' knowledge of cancer pain control

The World Health Organization estimates that ∼3.5 million people suffer daily from cancer pain. Recently, a Midwestern state was named by the World Health Organization to lead worldwide efforts in controlling the pain experienced by cancer patients. As part of this effort, the Nursing Education Committee conducted a statewide study of first year and final year nursing students from 19 nursing programs. The purpose of this study was to determine nursing students' perceptions and knowledge about cancer pain control. After the deans and directors of the nursing programs were contacted to obtain their agreement to participate, questionnaires composed of 26 items were mailed to each nursing school and distributed to students. Nine hundred thirty-eight questionnaires were returned to the researchers, realizing a 40% return rate. Data analysis reflects poor knowledge about the prevalence of cancer pain and its management. Using the student's t-test, significant differences between the scores of first year and last year students were found with last year students achieving higher mean scores. It was concluded that more information about how to manage cancer pain needs to be provided in nursing curricula. It is recommended that faculty members frequently update their knowledge and skills about cancer pain management
Ranking of power system contingencies based on a risk quantification criterion

Contingency analysis is an integral part of modern energy management system. Traditionally, contingencies are analyzed to check a predefined, deterministic set of limit violations. Contingencies are then ranked according to the severity of the violations. However, this approach treats all contingency events equally likely; as far as the probability of occurrence is concerned. This paper describes a ranking approach that accounts for both the severity and likelihood of the underlying system contingencies. A risk-based contingency ranking (RCR) metric is developed which incorporates limit violations associated with bus voltages and transmission line thermal limits along with their failure rates. The proposed approach is applied to the IEEE 14 bus system and IEEE RTS 24 bus system. A comparison is carried out between the traditional contingency ranking based on severity only and the proposed approach using the RCR metric. The merits and limitations of each approach are further discussed in light of the current operating practices of power systems which include a growing number of uncertainties.
Renal Effects of Adrenomedullin in the Rat

Abstract We investigated the effects of a constant infusion of adrenomedullin (ADM) on renal hemodynamics and fluid electrolyte excretion in the rat. Following baseline measurements, eight rats received an intravenous infusion of 5 μg of rat ADM (167 ng/min) for 30 min at 10 μl/min. Eight additional rats received 0.9% saline at 10 μl/min instead of ADM. Renal function was measured during this period and for two consecutive 20-min periods following termination of the ADM or vehicle infusion. Mean arterial pressure decreased from a baseline of 113±3 to 102±1 mm Hg at 25 min of ADM infusion and returned towards control after the ADM infusion was terminated. This modest hypotensive effect was associated with an increase in heart rate from 366±10 to 384±9 bpm, which continued to remain elevated after the ADM infusion was stopped. Urinary sodium excretion increased from 348±57 to 813±172 nEq/min during ADM infusion and continued to increase to 1141±347 nEq/min after the infusion of ADM was terminated. Urinary potassium excretion increased from 1.94±0.22 to 2.75±0.24 μl/min during ADM infusion. Urine flow tended to increase (P = 0.08) from 7.0±0.5 to 8.1±0.6 μl/min during ADM infusion and continued to increase to 9.7±1.5 μl/min after the infusion was stopped. Renal plasma flow increased from 3.22±0.22 to 3.82±0.20 ml/min/g kidney wt during ADM infusion and continued to increase to 4.14±0.22 ml/min/g kidney wt after the ADM infusion was stopped. Glomerular filtration rate averaged 1.11±0.07 ml/min/g kidney wt during baseline and did not significantly change during or after ADM infusion. These results indicate that a constant infusion of adrenomedullin, at a dose that results in a minimal hypotensive effect increases renal plasma flow and urinary sodium excretion in the rat.
Phenotypic and genotypic characterizations of rhizobia isolated from root nodules of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) grown in Moroccan soils

The phenotypic and genotypic characterization of sixty‐two rhizobial isolates obtained from nodules of Arachis hypogaea in north‐western Morocco was performed. Their physiological and biochemical properties revealed a great deal of diversity among them. Isolates were classified into two major groups based on the numerical analysis of their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics. Isolates in the first group were alkali‐ and salt‐sensitive, slow or extra‐slow growers; they did not use disaccharides as carbon source and varied in the use of amino acids. ARDRA analysis of the 16S rDNA region grouped them together with reference strains belonging to the genus Bradyrhizobium. In the second group, isolates were fast growers, acid‐sensitive, and alkali‐ and salt‐tolerant; they used both mono and disaccharides as carbon sources, and methionine was the only amino acid they could metabolize as a nitrogen source. ARDRA analysis grouped them with fast‐growing reference strains. Both groups exhibited a range of variability in tolerance to heavy metals. The Intergenic Spacer (IGS)‐PCR fingerprinting analysis confirmed a high genotypic diversity at the strain level. This characterization provides a basis for the selection of peanut‐nodulating rhizobia which may have applications in formulating appropriate inocula for improving peanut crop yield on Moroccan soils, including saline and acidic marginal areas. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)