Assessment of pixel-oriented k-NN machine learning algorithm performance for the interannual remote sensing monitoring of eelgrass beds at the mouth of the Romaine.

Eelgrass cover extent is among the most reliable indicators for measuring changes in coastal ecosystems. Eelgrass has colonized the mouth of the Romaine River and has become a part of environmental monitoring there since 2013. The presence of eelgrass in this area is an essential factor for the early detection of changes in the Romaine coastal ecosystem. This will act as a trigger for an appropriate environmental response to preserve ecosystem health. In this paper, a cost- and time-efficient workflow for such spatial monitoring is proposed using a pixel-oriented k-NN algorithm. It can then be applied to multiple modellers to efficiently map the eelgrass cover. Training data were collected to define key variables for segmentation and k-NN classification, providing greater edge detection for the presence of eelgrass. The study highlights that remote sensing and training data must be acquired under similar conditions, replicating methodologies for collecting data on the ground. Similar approaches must be used for the zonal statistic requirements of the monitoring area. This will allow a more accurate and reliable assessment of eelgrass beds over time. An overall accuracy of over 90% was achieved for eelgrass detection for each year of monitoring.

Increased overnight growth hormone concentrations in diabetic compared with normal adolescents.

To determine the extent to which spontaneous plasma GH concentrations are abnormal in adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus we performed 12-h overnight plasma GH profiles in 21 diabetic adolescents (11 males and 10 females; aged 9.8-16.5 yr; median, 13.6 yr) and 34 healthy adolescent controls (17 males and 17 females; aged 9.1-20.9 yr; median, 13.1 yr). Data were analyzed using the pulse detection program Pulsar and time series analysis, and are presented with respect to age and puberty stage. Mean and maximum GH concentrations, sum of the peak amplitudes, and mean calculated baseline concentrations in the normal children were higher during puberty; highest levels were seen in girls at puberty stages 2-3, and in boys at stages 4-5. A similar pattern was observed in the diabetic adolescents, but all measures of pulse height and mean calculated baseline concentrations were significantly greater than those in the normal subjects (multivariate analysis, P less than 0.001). Pulse frequency did not change during puberty in the normal or diabetic subjects, and the dominant pulse periodicity in both groups was about 180 min. We conclude that the predominant change in GH release during puberty is in pulse amplitude, and that this is increased in diabetes, whereas pulse frequency remains constant in both normal and diabetic adolescents.

In vitro action of combinations of antimicrobial agents with EDTA-tromethamine on Proteus vulgaris of a canine origin.

Combinations of EDTA-tromethamine and 7 antimicrobial agents (chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, oxytetracycline, penicillin, polymyxin-B, streptomycin, or a combination of sulfamethazine, sulfapyridine, and sulfathiazole) were tested for synergistic activities against Proteus vulgaris of canine origin. Three in vitro tests were used, including minimal inhibitory concentrations of the drugs, a 2-dimensional microtiter checkerboard technique, and bacterial inhibition studies. A synergistic inhibitory action was observed with combinations of EDTA-tromethamine plus penicillin, oxytetracycline, nalidixic acid, chloramphenicol, polymyxin-B, or sulfamethazine-sulfapyridine-sulfathiazole by at least one test system. A synergistic effect was not recorded with combinations of EDTA-tromethamine and streptomycin. Poor correlation between data from the 3 test systems was noticed, despite the fact that each monitors bacteriostatic end points.

In vitro effect of combinations of antimicrobial agents and EDTA-tromethamine on certain gram-positive bacteria.

Combinations of EDTA-tromethamine and 7 antimicrobial agents (chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, oxytetracycline, penicillin, polymyxin-B, streptomycin, and a triple sulfonamide preparation) were tested for synergistic activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Corynebacterium renal, Listeria monocytogenes, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, and a beta-hemolytic streptococci. Two in vitro tests were used--minimal inhibitory concentrations of the drugs and a 2-dimensional Microtiter checkerboard technique. A slight synergistic action was seen when L monocytogenes was exposed to combinations of penicillin-EDTA or streptomycin-EDTA.

In vitro action of combinations of antimicrobial agents and EDTA-tromethamine on Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Combinations of EDTA-tromethamine and 7 antimicrobial agents (chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, oxytetracycline, penicillin, polymyxin-B, streptomycin, and triple sulfa) were tested for synergistic activities against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Three in vitro tests were used, including minimal inhibitory concentrations of the drugs, a 2-dimensional Microtiter checkerboard technique, and bacterial inhibition studies. A synergistic inhibitory action was observed with combinations of EDTA-tromethamine plus penicillin and EDTA-tromethamine plus oxytetracycline. When chloramphenicol, streptomycin, nalidixic acid, polymyxin-B, or triple sulfa was mixed with EDTA-tromethamine, synergistic action did not occur.

Viricidal effects of Lactobacillus and yeast fermentation.

The survival of selected viruses in Lactobacillus- and yeast-fermented edible waste material was studied to determine the feasibility of using this material as a livestock feed ingredient. Five viruses, including Newcastle disease virus, infectious canine hepatitis virus, a porcine picornavirus, frog virus 3, and bovine virus diarrhea, were inoculated into a mixture of ground food waste (collected from a school lunch program) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. Mixtures were incubated at 20, 30, and 40 degrees C for 216 h. In a second trial, four viruses, including Newcastle disease virus, infectious canine hepatitis virus, frog virus 3, and a porcine picornavirus, were inoculated into similar edible waste material containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Mixtures were incubated at 20 and 30 degrees C for 216 h. Samples were obtained daily for quantitative (trial 1) and qualitative (trial 2) virus isolation. Temperature, pH, and redox potential were monitored. Controlled pH and temperature studies were also done and compared with the inactivation rates in the fermentation processes. In trial 1 (Lactobacillus fermentation), infectious canine hepatitis virus survived the entire test period in the fermentation process but was inactivated below pH 4.5 in the controlled studies. Newcastle disease virus was inactivated by day 8 in the fermentation process and appeared to be primarily heat sensitive and secondarily pH sensitive in the controlled studies. The porcine picornavirus survived the fermentation process for 8 days at 20 degrees C but was inactivated more rapidly at 30 and 40 degrees C. The controlled studies verified these findings. Frog virus 3 was inactivated by day 3 in the fermentation process and appeared to be sensitive to low pH in the controlled studies. Bovine virus diarrhea was rapidly inactivated in the fermentation process (less than 2 h) and was pH and temperature sensitive. In trial 2 (yeast fermentation), infectious hepatitis virus survived the entire test period in the fermentation process. Newcastle disease virus was inactivated by day 7 at 20 degrees C and day 6 at 30 degrees C. The porcine picornavirus was inactivated by day 7 at 30 degrees C but survived the entire test period at 20 degrees C. Frog virus 3 was inactivated by day 3 at 20 degrees C and day 2 at 30 degrees C.

In vitro action of combinations of antimicrobial agents and EDTA-tromethamine on Escherichia coli.

Combinations of EDTA-tromethamine and 7 antimicrobial agents [chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, oxytetracycline, penicillin, polymyxin B, streptomycin, and triple sulfa (sulfamethazine, sulfapyridine, and sulfathiazole]) were tested for synergistic activities against Escherichia coli. Three in vitro tests were used including minimal inhibitory concentrations of the drugs, a 2-dimensional microtiter checkerboard technique, and bacterial inhibition studies. A strong synergistic inhibitory action was observed with combinations of EDTA-tromethamine plus penicillin and EDTA-tromethamine plus oxytetracycline. Combinations of EDTA-tromethamine plus chloramphenicol also had a synergistic action, but to a lesser extent than that with penicillin and oxytetracycline. When streptomycin or nalidixic acid was mixed with EDTA-tromethamine, a slight synergistic action was noticed. There was no synergistic effect recorded with combinations of EDTA-tromethamine and triple sulfa. Combinations of EDTA-tromethamine and polymyxin B had an antagonistic effect.

Benefit of elective intensive care admission after certain operations.

To determine if patients who have undergone uneventful vascular surgery (VS), nonvascular intracranial surgery (ICS), or anterior cervical laminectomies (ACL) have enough serious postoperative problems to justify routine overnight observation in an intensive care unit (ICU), we recorded every problem and associated therapy administered to 263 such patients within 36 h of ICU admission. The severity of each treated problem was graded from 1 (safe to delay treatment for at least 2 h) to 4 (life-threatening, immediate treatment required). Defining patient benefit from the ICU as treatment for one grade 4 problem or more than one grade 3 problem, 44% of VS patients (N = 177), 14% of ICS patients (N = 73), and none of the ACL patients (N = 13) benefited. We conclude that these percentages justify an overnight ICU stay for all VS patients, especially as the occurrence of serious problems was unpredictable and most serious problems were still being treated 4 h postoperatively. Furthermore, routine ICU admission of all patients in the groups studied would reduce patient costs if only 13 of the 88 patients who benefited were prevented from becoming critically ill.

Antibacterial action of combinations of oxytetracycline, dimethyl sulfoxide, and EDTA-tromethamine on Proteus, Salmonella, and Aeromonas.

Antibacterial effects against Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhimurium, and Aeromonas hydrophila were obtained with subminimal inhibitory concentrations of oxytetracycline and EDTA-tromethamine. Antibacterial effects were not observed with subminimal inhibitory concentrations of dimethyl sulfoxide plus oxytetracycline or with dimethyl sulfoxide plus EDTA-tromethamine. Using a 2-dimensional Microtiter checkerboard technique, inhibitory activities of the various combinations of solutions were studied, and isobolograms were plotted. A synergistic effect was seen with combinations of oxytetracycline and EDTA-tromethamine. The greatest synergistic effect was observed when the mixture was caused to react with P mirabilis. These findings were confirmed by kinetic studies of microbial death, using one-fourth minimal inhibitory concentrations of these preparations.

Inhibitory effects of combinations of oxytetracycline, dimethyl sulfoxide, and EDTA-tromethamine on Escherichia coli.

Antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli was obtained with subminimal inhibitory concentrations of oxytetracycline (OTC) and EDTA-tromethamine. Inhibitory effects were not observed using combinations of dimethyl sulfoxide and OTC or dimethyl sulfoxide and EDTA-tromethamine. Neither EDTA-tromethamine nor OTC used alone was capable of the same degree of inhibition. Using a 2-dimensional Microtiter checkerboard technique, the inhibitory activity of these combinations was studied and isobolograms were plotted. A synergistic effect was seen with combinations of OTC and EDTA-tromethamine. Kinetic studies of microbial death, using subminimal inhibitory concentrations of these agents, confirmed these findings.

Survival of viruses in fermented edible waste material.

The survival of selected viruses in fermented edible waste material was studied to determine the feasibility of using this material as a livestock feed ingredient. Seven viruses, including pseudorabies, Newcastle disease, infectious canine hepatitis, avian infectious bronchitis, measles, vesicular stomatitis, and a porcine picornavirus were inoculated into a mixture of ground food waste (collected from a school lung program) containing Lactobacillus acidophilus. Mixtures were incubated at 5 C, 10 C, 20 C, and 30 C for 96 hours. Temperature, pH, and redox potential were monitored. Samples for virus isolation were obtained daily. Newcastle disease virus and infectious canine hepatitis virus survived the entire test period. The porcine picornavirus was inactivated at 30 C after 74 hours, but survived for the entire test period at the other temperatures. Pseudorabies virus was inactivated at 20 C and 30 C within 24 hours, but survived for 48 hours at 10 C and 96 hours at 5 C. Avian infectious bronchitis virus was inactivated at 20 C and 30 C within 24 hours, but survived 72 hours at 5 C and 10 C. Measles and vesicular stomatitis viruses were rapidly inactivated at all 4 temperatures.

Research in music therapy: a survey of music therapists' attitudes and knowledge.

To examine attitudes toward and knowledge of research in music therapy, a three-part survey was administered to 150 randomly selected music therapists, with complete surveys returned by 66 respondents. The survey consisted of a cover page gathering background information, a series of 20 statements assessing attitudes toward music therapy research, and 25 true-false questions examining subjects' knowledge of research terminology and methodology. Analysis of survey responses indicated a generally positive attitude toward research, but dissatisfaction with the current status of research in the field. No relationship was found between research attitudes and research knowledge, and no significant effects on research knowledge were discerned for education, present position, or research background. Results of this study are discussed in terms of implications and issues to be addressed by academicians, clinicians, and researchers in music therapy.

A comparison of continuous and discrete foreign gas VA/Q distributions.

Estimates of ventilation-perfusion ratio (VA/Q) distributions from foreign gas infusions have utilized a discrete lung model that constrains all alveoli to have 1 of 50 specified VA/Q. In contrast, distribution estimates based on a continuous model allow alveoli to have any VA/Q and can be derived directly from foreign gas data or by transforming distributions derived using the discrete model. We have compared analytically and empirically the properties of distributions based on these two models. Unlike the discrete model, the shape of distributions obtained from the continuous model are insensitive to changes in the VA/Q used in their calculation. Perfusion distributions found from the discrete model using VA/Q values evenly spaced on a logarithmic scale resemble ventilation distributions derived from the continuous model. In contrast, by use of VA/Q evenly spaced on a linear scale, perfusion distributions derived from either model have a similar shape. We concluded that physiological inferences derived from distribution shapes may vary according to the model employed. However, those based upon cumulative perfusion or distribution moments are invariant.

Apparent drug resistance to the organophosphate dimethyl (2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl) phosphonate by monogenetic trematodes.

Gyrodactylus elegans on goldfish, (Carassius auratus) from a commercial farm were resistant to recommended dosages of dimethyl (2,2,2-trichloro-1-hydroxyethyl) phosphonate. Controlled experiments suggest that a dosage 100 times the commonly recommended minimal dosage (.25 mg/l) was required to remove trematodes. A hypothesis is proposed to account for the development of drug resistant trematodes based on the life cycle of the parasites and continual drug exposure.