Hyperspectral remote sensing of aboveground biomass on a river meander bend using multivariate adaptive regression splines and stochastic gradient boosting

Research on aboveground biomass (AGB) retrieval via remote sensing in floodplain forests, in particular, is urgently needed for improved understanding of carbon cycling in such areas. AGB estimation is particularly challenging in floodplain forests, which are characterized by high spatial variability in AGB resulting from biogeomorphodynamic processes. In this study, we perform remote AGB retrieval for a deciduous riparian forest on a river meander bend based on hyperspectral/high-dimensional Hyperion bands and other input variables. We compare multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS)-, stochastic gradient boosting (SGB)- and Cubist-based AGB estimates. Results show that MARS- and SGB-derived estimates are significantly more accurate than Cubist-based AGB. The most accurate MARS and SGB estimates have a coefficient of determination, R², of 0.97 and 0.95, respectively, whereas the Cubist estimate with the lowest error has an R² of 0.85. MARS and SGB AGB are not significantly different, however. These modelling approaches are applicable across scales and environments.     

Dietary migraine: recent progress in the red (and white) wine story

The concept of dietary migraine as a clinical entity remains controversial. We review here such objective evidence that has been put forward for its existence. Red wine, in particular, is commonly alleged to initiate attacks in susceptible individuals. We discuss how some of its recently described pharmacological properties might trigger off the sequence of events leading to migrainous headache.     

Spatial-temporal dynamic monitoring of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) based on remote sensing data

The largest natural distribution of Mongolian pine (Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica) in China is in Hulunber, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. The Mongolian pine growing on sandy land has been very important for building green ecological shelters in northern China, and its spatial distribution and dynamic variation were the basis for optimizing the layout. The distribution of Mongolian pine from 1985 to 2015 was obtained in the study area. The results showed that the non-growing season is more conducive to classifying Mongolian pine in the study area. Mongolian pine was mainly distributed in a long north-south-oriented strip, and the distribution area increased from 704.84 km² in 1985 to 1309.74 km² in 2015. Large spatial variations in Mongolian pine occurred in Ewenki Autonomous Banner and Xin Barag Left Banner, but the characteristics of the change differed among different time periods. The area mainly increased from 1985 to 1995 and from 2005 to 2015 but decreased from 1995 to 2005. The spatial pattern of Mongolian pine changed significantly between 1985 and the other years, the overall fragmentation of the population decreased and human activity gradually increased.     

Characteristics of white cell-reduced red cells stored in tri-(2- ethylhexyl)trimellitate plastic

BACKGROUND: Standard blood storage containers contain extractable plasticizers that accumulate in blood during storage and are an unintended transfusion product. However, extractable plasticizers have a protective effect on the red cell membrane and improve red cell storage variables. Prestorage white cell reduction also improves selected red cell storage variables. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The study evaluated whether the beneficial effect of prestorage white cell reduction would offset the negative effect of the absence of extractable plasticizer in red cells stored in AS-3 for 42 days at 4 degrees C. Filtered red cells stored in polyvinylchloride containers with the nonextracting plasticizer, tri-(2-ethylhexyl)trimellitate (TEHTM), were compared to unfiltered red cells stored in polyvinylchloride containers with the extractable plasticizer di-(2- ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP). RESULTS: Poststorage supernatant potassium and red cell osmotic fragility were significantly higher in white cell- reduced TEHTM units than in unfiltered DEHP units. The mean 24-hour recovery of the filtered TEHTM red cells was significantly lower than that of the unfiltered DEHP red cells (69.1 +/− 7.4% vs. 77.1 +/− 5.1%, p < 0.05, n = 8). CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that white cell reduction before 42-day storage in TEHTM containers with currently approved preservatives does not yield an acceptable red cell component.     

Induction of platelet white blood cell (WBC) aggregate formation by platelets and WBCs in red blood cell units

BACKGROUND: Transfusion of red blood cell (RBC) preparations is independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients with acute cardiovascular disease. This study was designed to define mechanisms potentially contributing. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The presence of platelets (PLTs), activated PLTs (PLTs expressing P-selectin), PLT-monocyte aggregates (PMAs), and PLT-neutrophil aggregates (PNAs) was determined in vitro with the use of flow cytometry in whole blood from healthy volunteers, in RBCs, and in whole blood after adding aliquots of RBCs. Both prestorage leukoreduced and nonleukoreduced RBCs were analyzed. Nonleukoreduced RBCs were subfractionated with the use of centrifugation and filtration to obtain a RBC-free and a cell-free fraction. Formation of PMAs and PNAs was determined in whole blood after the addition of aliquots of these subfractions. RESULTS: Nonleukoreduced RBCs contained 50 +/- 18 percent of the PLTs found in whole blood from healthy volunteers, and 43 +/- 16 percent of the PLTs were activated. Leukoreduced RBCs contained few PLTs (0.2 +/- 0.1% of volunteer blood). The majority (>60%) of white blood cells (WBCs) in nonleukoreduced RBCs were associated with PLTs. The formation of PMAs and PNAs in whole blood was increased approximately fivefold after addition of nonleukoreduced-RBCs (p < 0.0001) and by less than twofold with leukoreduced RBCs (p = 0.01). Addition of the essentially cell-free fraction of nonleukoreduced RBCs did not increase the formation of PNA or PMA in whole blood significantly. CONCLUSION: RBC preparations, particularly nonleukoreduced RBCs, contain activated PLTs and PLT-WBC aggregates and induce formation of PLT-WBC aggregates. This may be one mechanism contributing to adverse outcomes linked to transfusions in patients with cardiovascular disease.     

The effect of whole-blood storage time on the number of white cells and platelets in whole blood and in white cell-reduced red cells

BACKGROUND: Whole blood (WB) can be stored for some time before it is processed into components. After introduction of universal white cell (WBC) reduction, it was observed that longer WB storage was associated with more residual WBCs in the WBC-reduced red cells (RBCs). Also, weak propidium iodide (PI)-positive events were observed in the flow cytometric WBC counting method, presumably WBC fragments. The effect of storage time on the composition of WB and subsequently prepared WBC-reduced RBCs was studied. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: WB was collected in bottom-and-top collection systems with inline filters, obtained from Baxter, Fresenius, or MacoPharma. Units were stored at room temperature and separated into components in 4-hour intervals between 4 and 24 hours after collection. RBCs were WBC-reduced by inline filtration (approx. 50/group). RESULTS: Platelet (PLT) counts were lower in WB stored for 4 to 8 hours compared to 20 to 24 hours (mean +/- SD): 79 +/- 31 versus 102 +/- 30 for Baxter (p < 0.01); 91 +/- 31 versus 101 +/- 35 for Fresenius (not significant); and 73 +/- 47 versus 97 +/- 31 (all x 10(9) per unit) for MacoPharma (p < 0.01), respectively. The median residual WBC counts in WBC-reduced RBCs for WB stored for 4 to 8 and 20 to 24 hours were 0.03 versus 0.17 for Baxter (p < 0.001), 0.00 versus 0.06 for Fresenius (p < 0.001), and 0.13 versus 0.26 (all x 10(6) per unit) for MacoPharma (not significant), respectively. All WBC-reduced RBCs contained fewer than 5 x 10(6) WBCs per unit. A longer storage time of WB was associated with more weak PI-positive events, irrespective of the filter. CONCLUSION: Longer storage of WB before processing results in counting higher numbers of PLTs in WB, higher numbers of WBCs in WBC-reduced RBCs, and more weak PI-positive events.     

Storage duration and white blood cell content of red blood cell (RBC) products increases adhesion of stored RBCs to endothelium under flow conditions

BACKGROUND: Adherence of red blood cells (RBCs) to vascular endothelium impairs blood flow and decreases oxygen delivery. Although RBCs may be stored for up to 42 days before transfusion under current blood banking guidelines, little is known of how changes to RBCs during storage may affect their adherence properties. The influence of RBC product storage time and white blood cell (WBC) burden on the adherence of RBCs for transfusion to vascular endothelium under conditions of continuous flow was investigated in this study. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: RBC samples were collected from nonleukoreduced (S-RBC), buffy coat-poor (BCP-RBC), and leukofiltered (LF-RBC) products at fixed time points during storage. Samples were perfused, at controlled shear stress and temperature, across a confluent endothelial cell (EC) monolayer with a parallel-flow chamber mounted to an inverted microscope. RBC-EC interactions were recorded with a digital camera attached to the microscope. RESULTS: The number of RBCs adhering to the EC layer increased significantly with storage time in all RBC products; however, WBC reduction delayed this increase. LF-RBCs were also significantly less adherent than S-RBC or BCP-RBC products on Day 1 of storage (p < 0.05). The strength of RBC attachment to vascular endothelium was significantly stronger in S-RBC products compared to BCP-RBC and LF-RBC products. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that product storage time and WBC burden increase the number and strength of adhesion of RBCs to vascular endothelium. These results may lead to greater understanding of the interaction of transfused RBCs with recipient endothelium and the biologic consequences of this adherence.     

Enhancement of efficiency and CCT uniformity for red phosphor thin films,red LEDs and laminated white LEDs based on near-ultraviolet LEDs using MgO nanoparticles

Red phosphor thin films (PTFs) with different MgO nanoparticle concentrations for near-ultraviolet (NUV) LEDs were prepared based on their strong scattering effect; red LEDs and laminated white LEDs were packaged further. SEM and XRD showed that CaAlSiN₃:Eu²⁺ (CASN) and MgO nanoparticles were uniformly distributed in silicone resin and their crystal structure remained unchanged. The phosphor conversion efficiency (PCE) had a maximum value of 83.15% when the MgO nanoparticle concentration was 15 wt%. An increase of concentration can improve the spatial distribution uniformity of photonics for 410 nm, 627 nm and 660 nm. Fluorescence lifetime showed that the value is positively correlated with concentration change. The packaged red LED luminous flux reaches a maximum of 20.337 lm at a concentration of 15 wt%. The laminated white LED showed that the MgO nanoparticle concentration can be used to adjust the correlated color temperature (CCT) from 4322 K to 1987 K. Under similar CCT, the red phosphor concentration is only 1.83 wt%, the dosage is reduced by 56.12%, and the corresponding luminous efficiency of radiation (LER) and luminous efficiency (LE) are 296.03 lm W⁻¹ and 73.72 lm W⁻¹ respectively. The increase was 11.42%, the decrease was 10.14%, the color rendering index (CRI) increased from 90.6 to 91.8, and CCT uniformity increased from 82.04% to 89.27% with an increase of 8.81%. Research shows that MgO nanoparticles have potential application value in the preparation of high-quality white LEDs.

Red phosphor thin films (PTFs) with different MgO nanoparticle concentrations for near-ultraviolet (NUV) LEDs were prepared based on their strong scattering effect; red LEDs and laminated white LEDs were packaged further.     

Photodynamic sterilization of red cells and its effect on contaminating white cells: viability and mechanism of cell death

BACKGROUND: Phthalocyanines are useful sensitizers for photodynamic sterilization of red cell concentrates. Various lipid-enveloped viruses can be inactivated with only limited red cell damage. Because white cells are involved in the immunomodulatory effects of blood transfusions, the study of the effect of photodynamic treatment on these cells is imperative. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: White cell-enriched red cell suspensions were photodynamically treated with either the hydrophobic Pc4 (HOSiPcOSi-(CH3)2(CH2)3N(CH3)2) or water-soluble aluminum phthalocyanine tetrasulfonate (AIPCS4) under virucidal conditions. Viability of white cell subpopulations on Days 0, 1, and 4 after treatment was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorting by flow cytometric analysis of propidium iodide uptake. Apoptosis induction was studied by DNA ladder formation and staining for an early marker of apoptosis (annexin V). RESULTS: Treatment with Pc4 causes a significant decrease in cell viability of all white cells, as shown by prodidium iodide uptake. Monocytes and granulocytes are the most sensitive, and lymphocytes are relatively more resistant. Some of the cells die by apoptosis, which is induced within 30 minutes after treatment. Treatment with AIPCS4 damages only monocytes; other cell populations are not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Physicochemical properties of the photosensitizers partly determine their effect on white cells. Differences in intracellular localization are likely to be responsible for the effects observed.     

红细胞和白细胞计数参考方法的实验初探

目的应用红细胞(RBC)和白细胞(WBC)计数参考方法,建立规范的检测平台,为开展血细胞计数正确度验证试验提供技术保障。方法按照国际血液学标准化委员会和中华人民共和国卫生行业标准(WS/T245-2005)RBC和WBC计数参考方法要求,在Z2颗粒计数仪上分别使用S-CAL全血校准品、5C细胞质控品、浓度质控品、弱固定处理的新鲜全血标本和新鲜全血标本进行RBC、WBC等批内批间精密度、重合计数校正、稳定性和仪器间可比性等实验。结果 RBC、WBC和浓度质控品批内精密度CV1%,批间精密度符合美国临床实验室标准化委员会(CLSI)H26-A2文件的要求;Z2颗粒计数仪校正RBC和WBC的重合计数偏倚1%;弱固定处理的新鲜全血标本RBC、WBC大多可稳定5 d以上;BECKMAN-COULTER ACT diffⅡ血液分析仪、BECKMANCOULTER LH-750血液分析仪、SYSMEX K-4500血液分析仪和SYSMEX XE-2100血液分析仪测定RBC、WBC与Z2颗粒计数仪的偏倚分别为≤±2%和≤±4%。结论用Z2颗粒计数仪进行RBC和WBC计数的精密度、准确度、重合计数校正和弱固定处理的新鲜全血标本的稳定性均符合要求,与其他厂商的常规血液分析仪检测结果间具有可比性,为进一步开展血细胞计数正确度验证试验提供了技术保障。     

2014年上海地区红、白细胞计数结果一致性的初步调查

目的了解上海地区各级各类医疗机构临床实验室红细胞(RBC)计数和白细胞(WBC)计数结果的一致性,为制定适宜的正确度验证计划提供指导。方法将2个批号弱固定处理新鲜全血样本按要求发放至全市710家临床实验室,并要求在3 d内完成检测,每批号样本重复检测5次,在收到所有上传结果后进行统计分析。结果使用12个品牌57个型号血液分析仪(包括WBC三分类和五分类仪器)的693家临床实验室回报了RBC、WBC结果;所有仪器2个批号RBC计数结果总变异系数(CV)分别为2.06%和1.99%,WBC计数结果总CV分别为4.72%和4.84%;不同仪器组2个批号RBC计数结果的CV为0.76%~3.18%,WBC计数结果的CV为1.73%~6.32%,其均值均在各自总均值的95%可信区间内。结论上海地区临床实验室RBC、WBC结果具有较好一致性;弱固定处理新鲜全血样本可替代新鲜全血用于正确度验证计划。     

Diverse effects of Glut 4 ablation on glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis in red and white skeletal muscle.

The ability of muscles from Glut 4-null mice to take up and metabolize glucose has been studied in the isolated white EDL and red soleus muscles. In EDL muscles from male or female Glut 4-null mice, basal deoxyglucose uptake was lower than in control muscles and was not stimulated by insulin. In parallel, glycogen synthesis and content were decreased. Soleus muscles from male Glut 4-null mice took up twice more deoxyglucose in the absence of insulin than control muscles, but did not respond to insulin. In females, soleus deoxyglucose uptake measured in the absence of hormone was similar in Glut 4-null mice and in control mice. This uptake was stimulated twofold in Glut 4-null mice and threefold in control mice. Basal glycogen synthesis was increased by 4- and 2.2-fold in male and female null mice, respectively, compared to controls, and insulin had no or small (20% stimulation over basal) effect. These results indicate that while EDL muscles behaved as expected, soleus muscles were able to take up a large amount of glucose in the absence (males) or the presence of insulin (females). Whether this is due to a change in Glut 1 intrinsic activity or targeting and/or to the appearance of another glucose transporter remains to be determined.     

人工红细胞及微囊包被血红蛋白的制备与鉴定

目的　确定有效制备及鉴定微囊包被血红蛋白和纳米级人工红细胞的方法。方法　首先通过低渗法制备高纯度、高浓度的血红蛋白 ,然后根据界面缩聚法的原理 ,利用匀速微囊制备喷头 ,将含有卵磷脂、聚乳酸的有机相 (丙酮、乙醇 )直接滴入含有 2 ,3 DPG和酶及抗氧化剂的血红蛋白水相中 ,通过高速搅拌使囊心物 (2 ,3 DPG与血红蛋白单体、二聚体构建的不稳定的四聚体 )的周围形成单个球状膜壳型微囊。结果　低渗法制备的血红蛋白浓度为 1 4 .1 g/dl,纯度为 97.7%。微囊包被血红蛋白其微囊呈圆球状 ,表面光滑均匀 ,微囊直径 0 .2 5 4 μm(电子显微镜下估算值 )。人工红细胞透射电镜 :单个包囊颗粒呈圆球状 ,有的表面光滑 ,有的表面稍有凹凸 ,平均粒径为2 1 0nm ,最小粒径为 1 90nm ;扫描电镜显示 :颗粒内部电子密度较高、不均匀 ,呈纤维状和细颗粒状交错分布 ,是为血红蛋白 ,颗粒边缘有一窄带 ,电子密度低于中央为膜层 ,平均粒径为 2 37nm。人工红细胞的包埋率为 2 7.7% ,泄漏率在 4℃生理盐水中 30d仅释放 6 .9%。结论　界面缩聚法可制备纳米级人工红细胞 ,且具有携带和释放氧气及二氧化碳的生物活性     

力竭运动及慢性心理应激对白细胞数量及构成成分的影响

目的:通过测定慢性心理应激和力竭运动后大鼠血清中血尿素氮的含量及全血细胞的数量,揭示运动及心理应激对免疫功能的影响。方法:实验于2004-09/10在江西师范大学体育学院实验室完成。健康雄性SD大鼠32只,随机分为4组:对照组,心理应激组,力竭运动组,力竭运动加心理应激组,每组8只。心理应激方法为开灯-电击10s-电击后3s关灯。间隔10s后重复1次,共3次,以上为1个轮次的应激刺激,每天3个轮次,在10min内完成,心理应激时间为2周。力竭运动方法以35m/min的速度,跑台坡度为15°运动至力竭。各训练组动物安排在最后一次训练后24h与对照组大鼠同步处死,测定大鼠血清中血尿素氮含量及全血细胞的数量。结果:进入结果分析为30只,力竭运动加心理应激组有2只大鼠在力竭运动后死亡。①力竭运动组血尿素氮明显升高,与对照组比较,差异有显著性[(10.08±1.44),(7.18±1.51)mmol/L,F=2.90,P=0.047];心理应激组和力竭运动加心理应激组也有升高的趋势,但差异没有显著性(F=2.55,P=0.09)。②与对照组比较,力竭运动组白细胞数略高,力竭运动加心理应激组单核细胞百分比、中性粒细胞数、中性粒细胞百分比有升高趋势,差异没有显著性(P>0.05)。结论:力竭运动使血尿素氮升高,力竭运动及心理应激使血清中白细胞数略高,单核细胞百分比、中性粒细胞数、中性粒细胞百分比有升高趋势,说明运动及心理应激条件下,机体调动了非特异性免疫的防御机制。     

Effect of red wine consumption on lipoprotein (a) and other risk factors for atherosclerosis

Epidemiological studies have pointed to the role of alcohol,and red wine in particular, in reducing the incidence of coronaryheart disease. This study attempted to distinguish, in vivo,the effects of components specific to red wine and those ofalcohol on lipoproteins, antioxidant status and membrane fluidity.Volunteers (n=20) were given 200 ml of red wine per day for10 days. Following a 6-week washout, this was repeated withwhite wine. Changes within treatment groups were analysed bypaired t tests and repeated measures analysis of variance wasused to distinguish effects of red wine components and alcohol.LDL was prepared by ultracentrifugation and all other assayswere by conventional laboratory techniques. No effect with eithertreatment was detected on total cholesterol, triglycerides,HDL or measures of antioxidant status, including the susceptibilityof LDL to oxidation. Red wine reduced LDL cholesterol (p<0.01),and both treatments reduced LDL apo B (p<0.01) and increasedLDL chohapo B ratio (p<0.01), implying an increase in LDLsize. Potential anti-atherogenic changes specific to red winewere reduction in lipoprotein (a) (p< 0.001) and increasedmembrane fluidity (p<0.01). These results are not in keepingwith the proposed role of red wine components in free-radicalprotection, but the reduction in lipoprotein (a) merits furtherinvestigation.     

Studies on the chironomid midges (Diptera, Chironomidae) of the Nansei Islands, southern Japan

The Nansei Islands are located in the subtropical zone of the western Pacific Ocean between Kyushu and Taiwan, and are composed of the two main island groups, the Amami and the Ryukyu Archipelagoes. This area has been known for the presence of a number of indigenous animal species. Prior to the present studies, collections of the chironomids mainly in the urban areas of the three main islands of the Ryukyus were carried out by Sasa and Hasegawa, and a total of 42 species, including 25 new species, were recorded. Additional collections of the chironomids mainly in the mountainous areas of this region were carried out by the present author during 1988 and 1989, and a total of 26 species (including 12 new species) were recorded from Amami Island, and a total of 27 species (including 10 new species) were recorded from the Ryukyu Islands. Eight species among them, including 3 new species, were common to the two archipelagos.     

Bright red emission with high color purity from Eu(iii) complexes with π-conjugated polycyclic aromatic ligands and their sensing applications

Eu(iii) complexes emit red light with a high color purity and have consequently attracted attention for development toward display and physical sensing applications. The characteristic pure color emission originates from the intra-4f–4f transition, and the brightness strongly depends on the electronic and steric structures of organic ligands. A large π-conjugated ligand design with a large absorption coefficient has been actively studied for achieving bright emission. The π-conjugated Eu(iii) luminophores also provide oxygen and temperature sensing properties by controlling their excited state dynamics based on π-electron systems. A comprehensive understanding of the design strategy of large π-conjugated ligands is crucial for the further development of luminescent Eu(iii) complexes. In this review, we summarize the research progress on π-conjugated Eu(iii) luminophores exhibiting bright emission and their physical sensing applications.

In this review, we summarize the research progress on π-conjugated Eu(iii) luminophores exhibiting bright emission and their physical sensing applications.     

Electrochemical oxidation of As(iii) on Pd immobilized Pt surface: kinetics and sensing performance

Pd nanoparticles were electrochemically immobilized on a Pt surface in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) molecules to study the electrokinetics of arsenite oxidation reactions and the corresponding sensing activities. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that on the Pt surface, Pd atoms exist as adatoms and the contents of Pd(0) and Pd(ii) were 75.72 and 24.28 at%, respectively, and the particle sizes were in the range of 61–145 nm. The experimental results revealed that the catalytic efficiency as well as the charge transfer resistance (at the redox potential of the Fe(ii)/Fe(iii) couple) increased in the order of Pt < Pt–Pd < Pt–Pd_sds. A Pt–Pd_sds electrode exhibited an open circuit potential (OCP) of 0.65 V in acidic conditions; however, when 50.0 mM NaAsO₂ was present, the OCP value shifted to 0.42 V. It has been projected that the As(iii) oxidation proceeds using a sequential pathway: As(iii) → As(iv) → As(v). After optimization of the square wave voltammetric data, the limits of detection of As(iii) were obtained as 1.3 μg L⁻¹ and 0.2 μg L⁻¹ when the surface modification of the Pt surface was executed with Pd particles in the absence and presence of the SDS surfactant, respectively. Finally, real samples were analyzed with excellent recovery performance.

Amplification of true surface area can be improved when Pd particles are deposited on a substrate in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant. In acidic medium, As(iii) undergoes a two-step oxidation process.