Assessing tropical cyclone impacts using object-based moderate spatial resolution image analysis: a case study in Bangladesh

The environmental and societal impacts of tropical cyclones could be reduced using a range of management initiatives. Remote sensing can be a cost effective, accurate, and potential tool for mapping the multiple impacts caused by tropical cyclones using high-to-moderate spatial resolution (5–30 m) satellite imagery to provide data on the following essential parameters – evacuation, relief, and management of natural resources. This study developed and evaluated an approach for assessing the impacts of tropical cyclones through object-based image analysis and moderate spatial resolution imagery. Pre- and post-cyclone maps of artificial and natural features are required for assessing the overall impacts in the landscape that could be acquired by mapping specific land cover types. We used the object-based approach to map land-cover types in pre- and post-cyclone Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) 5 image data and the post-classification comparison technique to identify changes in the particular features in the landscape. Cyclone Sidr (2007) was used to test the applicability of this approach in Sarankhola Upazila in Bangladesh. The object-based approach provided accurate results for classifying features from pre- and post-cyclone satellite images with an overall accuracy of 95.43% and 93.27%, respectively. Mapped changes identified the extent, type, and form of cyclone induced impacts. Our results indicate that 63.15% of the study area was significantly affected by cyclone Sidr. The majority of mapped damage was found in vegetation, cropped lands, settlements, and infrastructure. The damage results were verified through the high spatial resolution satellite imagery, reports and pictures that were taken after the cyclone. The methods developed may be used in future to assess the multiple impacts caused by tropical cyclones in Bangladesh and other similar environments for the purposes of tropical cyclone disaster management.     

The use of angiostatic steroids to inhibit cartilage destruction in an in vivo model of granuloma-mediated cartilage degradation

Angiogenesis is an important component of the development of chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. It is known that clinically used anti-rheumatic drugs exert, in part, effects on the angiogenic response. Little work, however, has investigated the potential of experimental angiostatic therapies in chronic inflammatory disease models. The effect of one such angiostatic treatment, cortisone combined with heparin, was tested in an in vivo model of granuloma-mediated cartilage degradation. Angiostatic treatment significantly retarded the growth of granulomatous tissue, mononuclear cell influx into the granuloma, and the degradation of juxtaposed cartilage. This correlated with a decrease in the vascularity of the granulomatous tissue. Modulation of this component of pathogenesis of "angiogenesis-dependent disease" may be useful as a new therapeutic approach.     

Grafting of enzymes on collagen films using Woodward''s reagent "K" and a water-soluble carbodiimide derivative

Two new methods of activation were developed to graft enzymes on collegen films. They involved chemical modifications of surface groups of collagen either by Woodward's reagent "K" or by EDC, a water-soluble derivative of carbodiimide. EDC was a better coupling agent and a detailed study was conducted with this agent. It could be used either in a global method of activation and coupling, or in a two-step procedure of activation of collagen, followed by spontaneous coupling of enzyme. All enzymes tested were successfully bound: malate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, urease, creatine kinase, hexokinase. The influence on the yield of grafted enzyme, of pretreatment of films, time and temperature of EDC activation, concentration of EDC and enzyme, protecting agents was studied. Stability of enzyme activity on storage was greatly increased after grafting. A co-grafted dual system creatine kinase/heoxkinase, was achieved which exhibited a good efficiency. A striking renaturing process at 0-4degreesC after thermal denaturation, was observed with hexokinase.     

Kinetics of the Benzylation of Potato Starch

The formation of benzyl ethers of potato starch by etherification with benzyl chloride is base catalyzed and is therefore carried out at high pH. In a suspension of starch granules the rate of starch ether formation is found not to be linearly related to the concentration of hydroxyl ions in the water phase of the suspension. At the same pH widely different rates of reaction can be observed, to be due to the tendency of the starch granules to “absorb” hydroxyl ions when electrolytes are added to the suspension. The rate of formation of the benzyl ether of starch is found to be linearly related to the amount of hydroxyl ions “absorbed” by the starch. The rate of the side reaction leading to benzyl alcohol turned out to be higher in the presence of starch than in water of the same pH.     

Modulation of biochemical activity of hepatocytes in culture by matrix substratum

If critical care nurses and advanced practice nurses could identify patients with an increased risk of an unsuccessful outcome from cardiac arrest resuscitation in the hospital, such patients could be monitored with a heightened vigilance. This is the first nursing study to examine pre-existing variables and outcome of cardiac arrest resuscitation in hospitalized patients. The investigators found that heart rate and respiratory rate increased significantly 8 hours before the cardiac arrest in patients with an unsuccessful outcome of resuscitation.     

Initial processing of human proenkephalin in bovine chromaffin cells

The opioid peptide precursor preproenkephalin (PPE) contains seven enkephalin sequences and is synthesized by epinephrine-producing adrenal chromaffin cells and various peripheral and central neurons. After removal of its signal peptide, PPE undergoes processing at dibasic amino acid sites to yield its final opioid products-Met-enkephalin, Leu-enkephalin, and various larger, enkephalin-containing peptides. Processing of PPE was examined in bovine chromaffin cells using a plasmid containing the human PPE (hPPE) cDNA under the control of the cytomegalovirus immediate early enhancer/promoter. Following transfection of this hPPE-containing plasmid into bovine chromaffin cells, several proenkephalin-immunoreactive bands were observed on western blots with monoclonal antibodies that recognize human, but not bovine, proenkephalin sequences. The pattern of hPPE-derived peptides observed was similar to that of bovine PPE processing products. A series of recombinant plasmids containing mutations in the hPPE sequence at putative processing sites was then constructed. Conversion of Lys-Lys and Lys-Arg sequences to Lys-Gln and of Arg-Arg to Arg-Gln altered initial hPPE processing at only three of the putative processing sites. When hPPE cDNA containing mutations at all of these initially processed sites was expressed, one or more alternative processing sites were revealed. These data suggest the importance of structural features in addition to the dibasic sequences that limit the processing of proenkephalin.