Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Estimation of chlorophyll-a concentration in case II waters using MODIS and MERIS data—successes and challenges

We present and discuss here the results of our work using MODIS (moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer) and MERIS (medium resolution imaging spectrometer) satellite data to estimate the concentration of chlorophyll- a (chl-a) in reservoirs of the Dnieper River and the Sea of Azov, which are typical case II waters, i.e., turbid and productive. Our objective was to test the potential of satellite remote sensing as a tool for near-real-time monitoring of chl- a distribution in these water bodies. We tested the performance of a recently developed three-band model, and its special case, a two-band model, which use the reflectance at red and near-infrared wavelengths for the retrieval of chl- a concentration. The higher spatial resolution and the availability of a spectral band at around 708 nm with the MERIS data offered great promise for these models. We compared results from several different atmospheric correction procedures available for MODIS and MERIS data. No one particular procedure was consistently and systematically better than the rest. Nevertheless, even in the absence of a perfect atmospheric correction procedure, both the three-band and the two-band models showed promising results when compared with in situ chl- a measurements. The challenges and limitations involved in satellite remote monitoring of the chl- a distribution in turbid productive waters are discussed.
Enteric viruses in the aquatic environment

Water quality, and therefore human health, may be signi®cantly affected by the presence of pathogenic enteric microorganisms derived from sewage discharged to surface waters. Knowledge of the role of water in the ecology and transmission of these agents in the environment varies; the part played by enteric viruses is less well understood than that of many bacteria and protozoa, mainly due to the dif®culties associated with detecting the agents in the aquatic environment. Outbreaks of enteric virus disease have been linked to water at various times and to different causes. Pipeline failures account for most incidents, such as those at Bramham, UK, in 1980 when 3000 individuals were affected (Short 1988). Waterborne disease outbreaks with other origins have been reported from many countries; consumption of contaminated ice, borehole or well pollution (Lawson et al. 1991; Beller et al. 1997; De Serres et al. 1999), and contamination of a municipal supply with sewage (Kaplan et al. 1982) are typical documented causes. Viruses in the water supply may also cause disease by foodborne transmission through individuals involved with food preparation becoming contaminated (Brugha et al. 1999). The list of potentially pathogenic microorganisms transmitted by water increases every year (AAM Report 1996). Waterborne disease may be transmitted by consumption of polluted drinking water, by immersion in recreational water or by contact through skin or inhalation. The health effects caused by microorganisms have been reviewed extensively; Galbraith (1987) and Stanwell-Smith (1994) documented drinking water outbreaks in the UK and Hunter (1997), Dadswell
Fluoride intake and prevalence of dental fluorosis: trends in fluoride intake with special attention to infants.

BACKGROUND Although the predominant beneficial effect of fluoride occurs locally in the mouth, the adverse effect, dental fluorosis, occurs by the systemic route. The caries attack rate in industrialized countries, including the United States and Canada, has decreased dramatically over the past 40 years. However, the prevalence of dental fluorosis in the United States has increased during the last 30 years both in communities with fluoridated water and in communities with nonfluoridated water. Dental fluorosis is closely associated with fluoride intake during the period of tooth development. METHODS We reviewed the major changes in infant feeding practices that have occurred since 1930 and the changes in fluoride intakes by infants and young children associated with changes in feeding practices. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS Based on this review, we conclude that fluoride intakes of infants and children have shown a rather steady increase since 1930, are likely to continue to increase, and will be associated with further increase in the prevalence of enamel fluorosis unless intervention measures are instituted. RECOMMENDATIONS We believe the most important measures that should be undertaken are (1) use, when feasible, of water low in fluoride for dilution of infant formulas; (2) adult supervision of toothbrushing by children younger than 5 years of age; and (3) changes in recommendations for administration of fluoride supplements so that such supplements are not given to infants and more stringent criteria are applied for administration to children.
Peripheral neuropathy from taxol and cisplatin combination chemotherapy: Clinical and electrophysiological studies

Taxol is a novel antineoplastic agent that has demonstrated impressive clinical activity in breast, ovarian, lung, and head and neck cancers. This broad antitumor activity of taxol in cisplatin‐sensitive tumors suggests that the combination of taxol and cisplatin may become one of the most commonly used taxol‐based chemotherapeutic regimen in the treatment of solid tumors. Both taxol and cisplatin, however, are neurotoxic. To study the neurotoxic effects of these two agents when used in combination, we prospectively evaluated neurological function at baseline, during, and following treatment, in 21 cancer patients treated with taxol (135–350 mg/m2), cisplatin (75–100 mg/m2), and granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor (5μ/kg). Twenty of the 21 patients (95%) developed a sensory–motor neuropathy 1 to 21 weeks after the initiation of therapy, that was progressive with each additional course of chemotherapy. The neuropathy was symmetrical, length dependent, axonal in nature by physiological studies, and more pronounced in those patients who received higher doses of taxol. The neuropathy appeared earlier and at lower taxol doses in those patients with preexisting neuropathies. We conclude that sensory–motor neuropathy is a frequent dose‐dependent toxicity of combined cisplatin and taxol use. Peripheral neuropathy is likely to become the major dose‐limiting toxicity of taxol–cisplatin combination chemotherapy when higher doses of these agents are administered with granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor.
The Microinflammatory State of Uremia

In a rarely cited communication, Degoulet et al. [1] analyzed the predictors of death in a prospective French study of hemodialysis patients. As shown in table 1, they obtained the paradoxical result that the higher the serum cholesterol concentration, the better patient survival. He correctly concluded that this does not mean that a high cholesterol concentration per se was beneficial. Rather he proposed that the effect of the serum cholesterol concentration was confounded by other factors, particularly malnutrition. This hypothesis is supported by the observation that an inverse relation was noted between body mass index (BMI) and survival. Following this communication, a number of studies, using various methodologies, confirmed a relation between indices of malnutrition and survival. Such indices comprise body mass index, anthropometric measurements, assessment of dietary intake, protein catabolic rate, but also more easily measurable markers of reputed visceral protein deficiency, such as low concentrations of plasma albumin, IGF-1, transferrin and others. In a recent study from the Karolinska Institute [2] most of these plasma indicators were correlated with malnutrition-related items, such as global nutritional assessment, body weight, skin-fold thickness, midarm muscle circumference, handgrip strength, plasma-free amino acids, etc. One has to raise the issue, however, whether these indices are specific for pure malnutrition. And, furthermore, which causal link exists between malnutrition and cardiovascular death. It is simple to envisage that malnutrition may be disadvantageous in the defence against infections and other insults, but most dialysis patients do not succumb to infections, but to cardiovascular events. So the enigma remains how malnutrition is related to increased cardiac, particularly increased coronary, risk. Certainly cardiac death is not a major health issue in underdeveloped countries, where malnutrition is rampant. Furthermore, in nonrenal patients Folsom et al. [3] found no relation between serum albumin and cardiovascular disease, suggesting that low albumin per se does not directly contribute to cardiovascular mortality. Could it be that these indices, including low plasma albumin, are nonspecific and that the link between these markers, in the past interpreted as evidence of malnutrition, and cardiac death is more indirect?
Integration of Protein Kinases mTOR and Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase 5 in Regulating Nucleocytoplasmic Localization of NFATc4

ABSTRACT The target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling regulates the nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of transcription factors in yeast. Whether the mammalian counterpart of TOR (mTOR) also regulates nucleocytoplasmic shuttling is not known. Using a phospho-specific monoclonal antibody, we demonstrate that mTOR phosphorylates Ser168,170 of endogenous NFATc4, which are conserved gate-keeping Ser residues that control NFAT subcellular distribution. The mTOR acts as a basal kinase during the resting state to maintain NFATc4 in the cytosol. Inactivation and nuclear export of NFATc4 are mediated by rephosphorylation of Ser168,170, which can be a nuclear event. Kinetic analyses demonstrate that rephosphorylation of Ser168,170 of endogenous NFATc4 is mediated by mTOR and, surprisingly, by extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 (ERK5) mitogen-activated protein kinase as well. Ablation of ERK5 in the Erk5−/− cells ascertains defects in NFATc4 rephosphorylation and nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. In addition, phosphorylation of NFATc4 by ERK5 primes subsequent phosphorylation mediated by CK1α. These results demonstrate that distinct protein kinases are integrated to phosphorylate the gate-keeping residues Ser168,170 of NFATc4, to regulate subcellular distribution. These data also expand the repertoire of physiological substrates of mTOR and ERK5.
A TINY BARBET-LIKE BIRD FROM THE LOWER OLIGOCENE OF GERMANY: THE SMALLEST SPECIES AND EARLIEST SUBSTANTIAL FOSSIL RECORD OF THE PICI (WOODPECKERS AND ALLIES)

Abstract Rupelramphastoides knopfi, a new genus and species of the Pici (barbets, woodpeckers, and allies), is described from Frauenweiler, a Lower Oligocene (30–34 mya) fossil site in Germany. The disarticulated skeleton of the new species constitutes the first associated remains of a fossil member of the Pici and is the smallest known species and earliest substantial fossil record of this taxon. Despite an overall resemblance to modern Ramphastidae, R. knopfi appears to be distinguished from crown group Pici by several plesiomorphic characteristics. It is classified “family incertae sedis,” pending discovery of additional, better-preserved specimens. The fossil record and geographic occurrence of the basal lineages within the crown group are in concordance with an Old World origin of the Pici. The reasons that led to extinction of tiny Pici in Europe remain uncertain, but food competition with passeriform birds during periods of limited food availability may have played a major role. Ein winziger bartvogelähnlicher Vogel aus dem Unter-Oligozän Deutschlands: die kleinste Art und der älteste substantielle Fossilnachweis der Pici (Spechte und Verwandte)
Stromatolites and MISS—Differences Between Relatives

Benthic microorganisms form highly organized communities called “biofilms. ” A biofilm consists of the individual cells plus their extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). In marine and non-marine environments, benthic microbial communities interact with the physical sediment dynamics and other factors in the environment in order to survive. This interaction can produce distinctive sedimentary structures called microbialites. Binding, biostabilization, baffling, and trapping of sediment particles by microorganisms result in the formation of microbially induced sedimentary structures (MISS); however, if carbonate precipitation occurs in EPS, and these processes happen in a repetitive manner, a multilayered build-up can form—stromatolites. Stromatolites and MISS are first found in the early Archean, recording highly evolved microbial activity early in Earth’s history. Whereas the stromatolites show enormous morphologic and taxonomic variation, MISS seem not to have changed in morphology since their first appearance. MISS might be the older relative, but due to the lack of well-preserved sedimentary rocks older than 3.5 billion years, the origin of both stromatolites and MISS remains uncertain.
Comprehensive allelotyping of well‐differentiated human hepatocellular carcinoma with semiquantitative determination of chromosomal gain or loss

Allelic imbalance (AI), which represents certain chromosomal gains or losses, has been described in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the impact of AI on the early stage of hepatocarcinogenesis has not been fully clarified. Moreover, no previous allelotype studies have identified the difference in chromosomal gain and loss that results in AI. To resolve these problems, we examined 18 well‐differentiated HCCs with comprehensive allelotyping by using 400 microsatellite markers with semiquantitative assessment of chromosomal gain or loss. To detect allelic gain effectively, the cutoff value of the allelic imbalance index was set at 0.70. Each allele showing imbalance was subjected to multiplex PCR with use of a retained allele as an internal control to determine whether the imbalance was the result of chromosomal gain or loss. High frequencies of chromosomal gains were detected at 1q (D1S196‐D1S2785, 56%), 5q (D5S647‐D5S2027, 44%), 6p (6pter‐D6S309, 33%), 7 (7pter‐D7S657, 22%), and 8q (D8S514‐qter, 44%), whereas chromosomal losses were frequently observed at 1p (1pter‐D1S234, 22%), 8p (8pter‐D8S549, 44%), and 17p (17pter‐D17S921, 28%). The extent of overall chromosomal aberration was closely related to the maximum tumor diameter (P = 0.002) and the presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (P = 0.03). Recurrent chromosomal losses at 1p and 8p and gains at 1q and 8q, even in HCCs with a minimal extent of aberrant chromosomes, indicate that these alterations were critical in the early stage of hepatocarcinogenesis. On the other hand, deletions of 13q and 16q were infrequent and were seen only in the most aberrant cases, which suggested that these were late events. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Meaning and Action in Employed Mothers' Health Work

The purpose of this critical feminist study was to examine employed mothers' meanings of family and personal health as they frame the context of daily experience in caring for their families' and their own health. Twenty mothers employed in support staff positions with a large institution in Western Canada participated in repeat interviews over 2 years. Women considered individual family members and the family group as they emphasized everyday function and satisfaction, and the presence or absence of various attributes of health as a multifaceted and dynamic experience. Women's health work included keeping track, constructing routines, facing challenges, setting priorities, being there for each other, finding joy and fulfillment, and fostering personal development. A preliminary typology of four orientations to family health work is suggested. Common themes between women's and family health and congruence between women's health meanings and actions provide guidance to nurses in family health promotion practice.
Yeast polypeptide chain release factors eRF1 and eRF3 are involved in cytoskeleton organization and cell cycle regulation.

Termination of translation in eukaryotes is controlled by two interacting polypeptide chain release factors, eRF1 and eRF3. eRF1 recognizes nonsense codons UAA, UAG, and UGA, while eRF3 stimulates polypeptide release from the ribosome in a GTP- and eRF1-dependent manner. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, eRF1 and eRF3 are encoded by the SUP45 and SUP35 genes, respectively. Here we show that in yeast shortage of any one of the release factors was accompanied by a reduction in the levels of the other release factor and resulted in a substantial increase of nonsense codon readthrough. Besides, repression of the genes encoding these factors caused different effects on cell morphology. Repression of the SUP35 gene caused accumulation of cells of increased size with large buds. This was accompanied by the disappearance of actin cytoskeletal structures, impairment of the mitotic spindle structure, and defects in nuclei division and segregation in mitosis. The evolutionary conserved C-terminal domain of eRF3 similar to the elongation factor EF-1alpha was responsible for these effects. Repression of the SUP45 gene caused accumulation of unbudded cells with 2C and higher DNA content, indicating that DNA replication is uncoupled from budding. The data obtained suggest that eRF1 and eRF3 play additional, nontranslational roles in the yeast cell.
A cautionary note on measuring the pupil premium attainment gap in England.

This exploratory paper uses figures from the National Pupil Database for England to assess the known characteristics of three categories of pupils – those never eligible for free school meals, those who have been eligible but are not now, and those eligible now. It shows that these groups display a clear gradient in terms of special education needs, English as an additional language, and formal qualifications at age 16. The group currently eligible for free schools meals is geographically stratified, faces on average more educational challenges, and gains worse results than the group that had once been eligible but is not now. This shows that we cannot expect the same results from schools with more permanently poor pupils as from schools with many pupils on the threshold of poverty or who move in and out of poverty during their school careers. These findings could be crucial for the rules on how the pupil premium is allocated to schools, and to current policies based on assessing the pupil premium gap in schools, including the work of OFSTED, RAISE, the National pupil premium Champion, and various school awards. Many of the calculations underlying such policies will be unintentionally misleading, and unfair to certain regions and individual pupils.
INFORMAL INVESTORS AND THE INFORMAL VENTURE CAPITAL MARKET IN IRELAND

While it is widely recognised that informal investors play a vital role in the development of new businesses, extent research on the nature of informal investment activity has focussed on large economies. There is little research about informal investment in small economies, including Ireland. This paper uses data from the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor to outline the extent and nature of informal venture capital activity in Ireland and to provide an estimate of the size of the informal venture capital market in Ireland. Results suggest that Family, Friends and Colleagues provided at least €195 million to new businesses in 2011, and Business Angels invested €80 million. We find that for every €1 of formal venture capital funding, there is approximately €5 of informal capital funds. We conclude by highlighting implications for policy and practice.
A compensated radiolucent electrode array for combined EIT and mammography

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a non-invasive technique used to image the electrical conductivity and permittivity within a body from measurements taken on the body's surface, could be used as an indicator for breast cancer. Because of the low spatial resolution of EIT, combining it with other modalities may enhance its utility. X-ray mammography, the standard screening technique for breast cancer, is the first choice for that other modality. Here, we describe a radiolucent electrode array that can be attached to the compression plates of a mammography unit enabling EIT and mammography data to be taken simultaneously and in register. The radiolucent electrode array is made by depositing thin layers of metal on a plastic substrate. The structure of the array is presented along with data showing its x-ray absorbance and electrical properties. The data show that the electrode array has satisfactory radiolucency and sufficiently low resistance.
Simulation study for global neighborhood algorithm based optimal automatic voltage regulator (AVR) system

Automatic Voltage Regulator (AVR) is an important local system for synchronous generators used for electric power generation, to keep constant rated voltage value and control reactive power supplied to or received from the power system. For this purpose, providing the optimality of AVR system must be handled as a more important issue in terms of power quality and system security and reliability as well. In this paper, the heuristic optimization methods like Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) Algorithm and Global Neighborhood Algorithm (GNA) are used comparatively so as to tune PID controller parameters of AVR system. The AVR loop is modeled from its transfer function. The optimization performances of the chosen algorithms are compared with each other by using transient response analysis.
Glutamate uptake into astrocytes stimulates aerobic glycolysis: a mechanism coupling neuronal activity to glucose utilization.

Glutamate, released at a majority of excitatory synapses in the central nervous system, depolarizes neurons by acting at specific receptors. Its action is terminated by removal from the synaptic cleft mostly via Na(+)-dependent uptake systems located on both neurons and astrocytes. Here we report that glutamate, in addition to its receptor-mediated actions on neuronal excitability, stimulates glycolysis--i.e., glucose utilization and lactate production--in astrocytes. This metabolic action is mediated by activation of a Na(+)-dependent uptake system and not by interaction with receptors. The mechanism involves the Na+/K(+)-ATPase, which is activated by an increase in the intracellular concentration of Na+ cotransported with glutamate by the electrogenic uptake system. Thus, when glutamate is released from active synapses and taken up by astrocytes, the newly identified signaling pathway described here would provide a simple and direct mechanism to tightly couple neuronal activity to glucose utilization. In addition, glutamate-stimulated glycolysis is consistent with data obtained from functional brain imaging studies indicating local nonoxidative glucose utilization during physiological activation.