Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An hierarchical object based image analysis approach to extract impervious surfaces within the domestic garden

Creating detailed and easy to produce land cover maps of urban residential areas continue to be a challenge. In this research, we discuss and illustrate a methodology for VHR multispectral image segmentation and classification of impervious surfaces. On two levels we have firstly detected impervious and pervious land surfaces and secondly rooftops, pathways and gardens. By using a second image, we have tackled the problem of large shaded areas in the most recent multispectral Quickbird image, used as the main input. Our final map had an overall accuracy of 63,8% and a kappa value of 0,457. These accuracy values can be considered as good, yet may be improved by further fine-tuning the approach and post-processing.
Exploring barriers to teaching behavioural and social sciences in medical education

Context Tomorrow’s Doctors provides guidance about what is considered core knowledge for medical graduates. One core area of knowledge identified is the individual in society: graduates are required to understand the social and cultural environments in which medicine is practised in the UK. Yet, despite the presence of the behavioural and social sciences (B&SS) in medical curricula in the UK for the past 30 years, barriers to their implementation in medical education remain.
Review: Progresses in understanding N‐ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) mediated disassembly of SNARE complexes

N‐ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) is a key protein of intracellular membrane traffic. NSF is a highly conserved protein belonging to the ATPases associated with other activities (AAA+ proteins). AAA+ share common domains and all transduce ATP hydrolysis into major conformational movements that are used to carry out conformational work on client proteins. Together with its cofactor SNAP, NSF is specialized on disassembling highly stable SNARE complexes that form after each membrane fusion event. Although essential for all eukaryotic cells, however, the details of this reaction have long been enigmatic. Recently, major progress has been made in both elucidating the structure of NSF/SNARE complexes and in understanding the reaction mechanism. Advances in both cryo EM and single molecule measurements suggest that NSF, together with its cofactor SNAP, imposes a tight grip on the SNARE complex. After ATP hydrolysis and phosphate release, it then builds up mechanical tension that is ultimately used to rip apart the SNAREs in a single burst. Because the AAA domains are extremely well‐conserved, the molecular mechanism elucidated for NSF is presumably shared by many other AAA+ ATPases. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 518–531, 2016.
Process Evaluation of a Three-Year Community-Based Peer Education Intervention for HIV Prevention among Yemeni Young People

This community process evaluation highlights key enabling factors that facilitated the implementation of a community peer education program for youth HIV prevention in four poor and vulnerable areas of Aden, Yemen. It also explains the implementation process and provides a deeper understanding of the impact evaluation outcomes, which revealed improved HIV knowledge and risk perception and decreased stigma and risky behavior. This process evaluation was based on qualitative methodologies, where five focus group discussions and 15 in-depth interviews were conducted among 52 participants: community peer educators, community focal points, targeted young people, and local councils. The results revealed that contributing factors to implementing the peer education program had been community participation, mobilization of targeted communities, and capacity building of all those included in the intervention. Existing community-based organizations like the Social Service Centre played a key role in building trust with the targeted communities and linking HIV peer education intervention to other existing community services. This process evaluation could provide lessons learned for replicating similar youth peer education programs in conservative communities.
Juan Valverde de Hamusco's unauthorized reproduction of a brain dissection by Andreas Vesalius

Objective: The objective of the present work is to examine images of the brain dissection by Flemish-born anatomist Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564) as originally represented in the Fabrica (1543), and later copied without Vesalius' permission by Spanish anatomist Juan Valverde de Hamusco (c1525–c1587) in Historia de la composicion del cuerpo humano (1556). Methods: Illustrations of the brain dissection in the Fabrica were obtained in digital form, resized, and arranged in a comparable montage to that presented by Valverde. Computer manipulations were used to assess image correspondence. Results: The Valverde illustrations are approximately half the size and are mirror images of those in the Fabrica, but otherwise show the same dissection stages, and identical transverse brain levels and structures. The Valverde illustrations lack shadowing and show minor variations in perspective and fine details (e.g., branching pattern of the middle meningeal artery) from those in the Fabrica. Conclusion: Craftsmen under the direction of Valverde copied the woodcut prints in the Fabrica in close but approximate form by freehand engraving onto copper plates. Differences in the sizes of the images, and in perspective and fine detail, preclude direct tracing of images as the means of copying. Because engravings are in effect “flipped over” to make further prints, subsequent prints made from Valverde's copperplate engravings are mirror images of the prints in Vesalius' Fabrica.
Increased Interleukin-23/17 Axis and C-reactive Protein Are Associated With Severity of Acute Pancreatitis in Patients

Objective The interleukin (IL)-23/IL-17 axis plays an important role in various inflammatory conditions but its function in acute pancreatitis (AP) is not well understood. The present study investigated the relationship between serum levels of IL-23, IL-17, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in patients and the severity of AP. Methods Eighty-five patients with AP were categorized into mild group, moderately severe group, and severe group according to the revised Atlanta classification, 2012. Serum levels of IL-23 and IL-17 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in patients 48 hours after admission. The CRP levels of patients were also measured on admission and 48 hours after admission. Results The serum levels of CRP of patients on admission and 48 hours after admission and levels of IL-23 and IL-17 of patients 48 hours after admission increased alone with the severity of AP, respectively (P < 0.01). The serum levels of IL-23 and IL-17 in the patients were correlated with CRP levels (r2 = 0.234, r2 = 0.552, P < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions The serum levels of IL-17, IL-23, and CRP are correlated with the severity of AP and represent valuable prognostic factors in the assessment of disease severity of patients with AP.
Hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha is involved in the attenuation of experimentally induced rat glomerulonephritis.

BACKGROUND/AIM Among various kidney disease models, there are few rat glomerulonephritis (GN) models that develop in a short time, and with mainly glomerular lesions. Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha is a transcriptional factor that induces genes supporting cell survival, but the involvement of HIF-1alpha in attenuating the progression of GN remains to be elucidated. We developed a new model of rat GN by coadministration of angiotensin II (AII) with Habu snake venom (HV) and investigated whether HIF-1alpha is involved in renal protection. METHODS Male Wistar rats were unilaterally nephrectomized on day 1, and divided into 4 groups on day 0; N group (no treatment), HV group, A group (AII), and H+A group (HV and AII). To preinduce HIF-1alpha, cobalt chloride (CoCl2) was injected twice before injections of HV and AII in 11 rats. RESULTS GN was detected only in the H+A group; observed first on day 2 and aggravated thereafter. HIF-1alpha was expressed in the glomeruli and renal tubules in the A and H+A groups. In the H+A group, GN was remarkably reduced by CoCl2 pretreatment (44.9 to 12.2%, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Both HV and AII were critical for the development of GN, and HIF-1alpha remarkably attenuated the progression of GN.
Is multidisciplinary teamwork the key? A qualitative study of the development of respiratory services in the UK

Summary Objectives Using frameworks, such as the long-term conditions pyramid of healthcare, primary care organizations (PCOs) in England and Wales are exploring ways of developing services for people with long-term respiratory disease. We aimed to explore the current and planned respiratory services and the roles of people responsible for change. Setting A purposive sample of 30 PCOs in England and Wales. Design Semi-structured telephone interviews with the person responsible for driving the reconfiguration of respiratory services. Recorded interviews were transcribed and coded, and themes identified. The association of the composition of the team driving change with the breadth of services provided was explored using a matrix. Results All but two of the PCOs described clinical services developed to address the needs of people with respiratory conditions, usually with a focus on preventing admissions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Although the majority identified the need to develop a strategic approach to service development and to meet educational needs of primary care professionals, relatively few described clearly developed plans for addressing these issues. Involvement of clinicians from both primary and secondary care was associated with a broad multifaceted approach to service development. Teamwork was often challenging, but could prove rewarding for participants and could result in a fruitful alignment of objectives. The imminent merger of PCOs and overriding financial constraints resulted in a ‘fluid’ context which challenged successful implementation of plans. Conclusions While the majority of PCOs are developing clinical services for people with complex needs (principally in order to reduce admissions), relatively few are addressing the broader strategic issues and providing for local educational needs. The presence of multidisciplinary teams, which integrated primary and secondary care clinicians with PCO management, was associated with more comprehensive service provision addressing the needs of all respiratory patients. Future research needs to provide insight into the structures, processes and inter-professional relationships that facilitate development of clinical, educational and policy initiatives which aim to enhance local delivery of respiratory care.
Using Rats as a Research Model for the Study of Endometriosis

Abstract: Although there are disadvantages of extrapolating data across species, the rat model may be used to study events involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiologies of endometriosis or novel therapeutic approaches for this disorder that are not accessible in humans. Rat endometriotic tissues are similar to human lesions in vivo, and rat endometriotic tissues and cells perform in a similar manner as human endometriotic tissues and cells in organ explant culture and isolated cell culture. The rat model permits studies of mechanisms and regulators in a controlled manner free from confounding influences such as individual patient variation and environmental influences. The primary method used for induction of endometriosis in rats has been autotransplantation of uterine squares (implants) into the peritoneal cavity. Beyond mere growth of endometrium in ectopic locations, rats with endometriosis display similar symptoms, including a reduction in fertility and fecundity, and the endometriotic implants react similarly to therapeutics as those of humans with the disease. Similar alterations in gene expression and protein production have been observed in endometriotic tissues from rats and humans that may, in part, be causative agents involved in the pathogenesis or pathophysiologies of endometriosis.
Recent advances in recreation ecology and the implications of different relationships between recreation use and ecological impacts

Recreation ecology – the study of the environmental consequences of outdoor recreation/nature-based tourism activities and their effective management – is an emerging field of global importance. A primary research generalization in this field, the use–impact relationship, is commonly described as curvilinear, with proportionally more impact from initial recreation/tourism use. This finding has formed the basis of visitor management strategies in parks, wilderness, and protected areas in many parts of the world. In this paper, however, we argue that the current generalization may be an oversimplification derived from one ecological response: the response of vegetation cover in some plant communities to trampling. Use–response functions for other plant communities, wildlife, soils, and aquatic/marine systems, for example, can differ and require alternative management strategies for sustainable use. On the basis of the available literature, we propose several alternative response relationships.
No Evidence for DNA and Early Cytogenetic Damage in Bystander Cells after Heavy-Ion Microirradiation at Two Facilities

Abstract Fournier, C. , Barberet, P., Pouthier, T. , Ritter, S. , Fischer, B. , Voss, K. O. , Funayama, T. , Hamada, N. , Kobayashi, Y. and Taucher-Scholz, G. No Evidence for DNA and Early Cytogenetic Damage in Bystander Cells after Heavy-Ion Microirradiation at Two Facilities. Radiat. Res. 171, 530–540 (2009). The occurrence of bystander effects has challenged the evaluation of risk for heavy ions, mainly in the context of space exploration and the increasing application of carbon ions in radiotherapy. In the present study, we addressed whether heavy-ion-induced DNA and cytogenetic damage is detectable in bystander cells. The formation of γ-H2AX foci, sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei were used as markers of damage to DNA. Normal human fibroblasts were exposed to low fluences of carbon and uranium ions, and alternatively single cells were targeted with heavy ions using the GSI microbeam. We did not observe a significant increase in the bystander formation of γ-H2AX foci, sister chromatid exchanges or micronuclei. In addition, we performed for the first time parallel experiments at two microbeam facilities (GSI, JAEA) using the same cell line, culture conditions and irradiation protocols. No significant enhancement of the micronucleus frequencies in bystander cells was detected after targeted carbon-ion irradiation, confirming the results. Details regarding the history, culture conditions or support of the cells might be affecting the detection of bystander effects. On the other hand, the potential X-ray- and heavy-ion-induced bystander effects investigated herein clearly do not exceed the experimental error and thus are either lacking or are less pronounced than the effects reported in the literature for similar end points after α-particle and X-ray exposure.
Mean-field games and two-point boundary value problems

A large population of agents seeking to regulate their state to values characterized by a low density is considered. The problem is posed as a mean-field game, for which solutions depend on two partial differential equations, namely the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation and the Fokker-Plank-Kolmogorov equation. The case in which the distribution of agents is a sum of polynomials and the value function is quadratic is considered. It is shown that a set of ordinary differential equations, with two-point boundary value conditions, can be solved in place of the more complicated partial differential equations associated with the problem. The theory is illustrated by a numerical example.
CUX2, a potential regulator of NCAM expression: genomic characterization and analysis as a positional candidate susceptibility gene for bipolar disorder.

We have previously reported cosegregation of bipolar affective disorder and Darier disease, a dominant skin disorder with a neuropsychiatric component. The gene for Darier disease was mapped to chromosome 12q23-q24.1 and linkage studies have subsequently implicated this region as harboring a susceptibility gene for bipolar affective disorder. We have genomically characterized the human homologue of murine Cux-2, a neuronal-specific transcription factor potentially involved in the regulation of neural cell adhesion molecule expression that maps to this region. Also, in a panel of 15 unrelated bipolar patients from multiply affected families showing increased allele sharing at markers in the 12q23-q24.1 region, we performed mutational screening of the CUX2 coding sequence, and 5' untranslated region (5' UTR). Resulting sequence were analyzed in a large sample of bipolar patients (n = 218) and control subjects (n = 218). No evidence was found for the involvement of variants within the CUX2 coding, or 5' UTR sequence in producing susceptibility to bipolar disorder.
Vehicle effects on ocular drug bioavailability III: Shear-facilitated pilocarpine release from ointments.

Pilocarpine release from water-in-oil emulsion ointments was studied in vitro and in vivo, using albino rabbits. Pilocarpine release from the vehicle to the ocular fluids was dependent on shear, i.e.,blinking, and the dosing system emulsifying efficiency. A mechanical shearing component was vital for correlating corneal drug penetration and the in vitro pilocarpine release pattern. Simple diffusion studies with the vehicles did not predict drug in vivo release, but the ointment systems were all superior to an aqueous pilocarpine solution. Incorporation of a mechanical shearing component to mimic blinking gave good correlation of in vitro and in vivo results. Also, increasing the vehicle emulsifying efficiency by surfactant addition decreased shear-facilitated drug release and in vivo performance. Finally, increasing the internal aqueous phase volume fraction decreased in vivo performance and was linked to the influence of effective drug concentration in the vehicle.
Commercial renal transplantation: A risky venture? A single Canadian centre experience.

BACKGROUND Canada, akin to other developed nations, faces the growing challenges of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Even with expanded donor criteria for renal transplantation (the treatment of choice for ESRD), the supply of kidneys is outpaced by the escalating demand. Remuneration for kidney donation is proscribed in Canada. Without an option of living-related transplantation (biological or emotional donors), patients often struggle with long waiting lists for deceased donor transplantation. Accordingly, many patients are now opting for more expedient avenues to obtaining a renal transplant. Through commercial organ retrieval programs, from living and deceased donors, patients are travelling outside Canada to have the procedure performed. METHODS Between September 2001 and July 2007, 10 patients (7 males, 3 females) underwent commercial renal transplantation outside Canada. We describe the clinical outcomes of these patients managed postoperatively at our single Canadian transplant centre. RESULTS Six living unrelated and 4 deceased donor renal transplantations were performed on these 10 patients (mean age 49.5 years). All procedures were performed in developing countries and the postoperative complications were subsequently treated at our centre. The mean post-transplant serum creatinine was 142 μmol/L. The average follow-up time was 29.8 months (range: 3 to 73 months). One patient required a transplant nephrectomy secondary to fungemia and subsequently died. One patient had a failed transplant and has currently resumed hemodialysis. Acute rejection was seen in 5 patients with 3 of these patients requiring re-initiation of hemodialysis. Only 1 patient had an uncomplicated course after surgery. DISCUSSION Despite the kidney trade being a milieu of corruption and commercialization, and the high risk of unconventional complications, patients returning to Canada after commercial renal transplantation are the new reality. Patients are often arriving without any documentation; therefore, timely, goal-directed therapy for surgical and infectious complications is frequently delayed because of the time taken to establish an accurate diagnosis. Refuting the existence of commercial renal transplantation may not be a practical solution; more consistent communication and documentation with transplant teams may be more pragmatic. In the current climate, patients considering the option of overseas commercial renal transplantation should be advised of the potential increased risks.
Productive and Social Engagement Following Driving Cessation

Drawing on interdependence theory, this study examined the cross-spouse impact of driving cessation on productive (work, formal volunteering, and informal volunteering) and social engagement of older couples aged 65+ using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (1998–2010; N = 1,457 couples). Multilevel modeling results indicate that driving cessation reduced husbands’ productive and social engagement, and wives’ productive engagement. Spousal driving cessation reduced husbands’ likelihood of working or formal volunteering, and wives’ likelihood of working or informal volunteering. The more time since spousal driving cessation, the less likely husbands were to work and the less likely wives were to formally volunteer. Results suggest the need for greater recognition of the impact of driving cessation on couples, rather than just individuals, as well as the need for enhanced services or rehabilitation efforts to maintain driving even among couples with one remaining driver.
Single Region Linkage Analyses of Asthma: Description of Data Sets

Linkage (genotypic) data from the 5q31–33 candidate region for asthma were contributed to Genetic Analysis Workshop 12 by members of the International Consortium on Asthma Genetics (COAG). Data came from five independent studies sampled from five countries. Genotypic data for a total of 26 markers were available, although the number of markers typed in each data set varied. Phenotypic and genotypic data was available from a total of 569 families and 3,175 subjects. The phenotypic data available varied among the studies; however information regarding physician‐diagnosed asthma and total serum IgE levels was available in all five studies. This paper describes the ascertainment, data collection methods, phenotypic data, and genotypic data available for the single linkage region analyses undertaken for Genetic Analysis Workshop 12. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.