Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical spectrum of human immunodeficiency virus disease in children in a west African city. Project RETRO-CI.

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence of HIV infection in children and to compare diagnostic syndromes and outcomes in HIV-positive and HIV-negative children. METHODS Consecutive children hospitalized in Abidjan's three university hospitals were examined, tested for HIV infection and followed to discharge. Admission or discharge diagnoses and outcome (survived or died) were compared in HIV-positive and HIV-negative children. RESULTS The prevalence of HIV infection in the 4480 children hospitalized for the first time was 8.2%; the highest age-specific rate (11.2%) was in children ages 15 to 23 months. Six clinical syndromes accounted for more than 80% of admissions in HIV-positive and -negative children (all ages combined): respiratory infection; malnutrition; malaria; anemia; diarrhea; and meningitis. The dominant syndromic diagnoses in HIV-positive children were respiratory infection (26.1%) and malnutrition (25.8%); in HIV-negative children they were malaria (30.4%) and respiratory infection (19.1%). The overall mortality rate in HIV-positive children was 20.8%, compared with 8.7% in HIV-negative children (relative risk, 2.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.9 to 3.1); the highest death rate (28.1%) was in children younger than 15 months. CONCLUSIONS Clinical syndromes associated with HIV infection in African children are difficult to recognize without access to HIV serology. Respiratory infection and malnutrition were the dominant clinical syndromes in HIV-positive children in Abidjan. Greater overlap exists between the clinical presentations of HIV-associated disease and other common health problems in African children than in adults.
Effects of Incorporating Chicken ' s Gizzards on quality characteristics and total bacterial count of beef sausages 1

Effects of Incorporating Chicken's Gizzards on quality characteristics and total bacterial count of beef sausages 1Maha . M.M, 2Hassan . E.H 1Department of Meat science and Technology, College of Animal Production Science and Technology, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Street 61, Khartoum, Sudan 2Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science and Technology, Street 61, Khartoum, Sudan
Planning Infrastructure in the Face of Complexity : Enhancing the Adaptive Capacity of Mega Projects

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Perylene as multidimensional standard for Anisotropy Resolved Multidimensional Emission Spectroscopy (ARMES)

ARMES provides valuable insights into multifluorophore systems like proteins [1]. Fluorescence anisotropy adds to the multidimensional fluorescence (MDF) measurements, information about fluorophore size, location, and mobility [2-4]. Using multivariate analysis (chemometrics), this extra dimension enables the differentiation of components with very similar emission properties, and provides new knowledge about fluorophore behaviour and location, particularly for intrinsic protein fluorescence [5]. Here we show how Perylene, a small highly symmetric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, can be used as multidimensional anisotropy standard for ARMES. In addition, we validate a robust Rayleigh scattering correction method which enables ARMES to retrieve very accurately the real anisotropy (r) values from Perylene solutions.
Long chain omega-3 fatty acid immunomodulation and the potential for adverse health outcomes

Recommendations to consume fish for cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention and its generally recognized as safe (GRAS) status have had the unanticipated consequence of encouraging longchain omega-3 (ω-3) fatty acid [(eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)] supplementation and fortification practices. While there is evidence supporting a protective role for EPA/DHA supplementation for reducing sudden cardiac events, the safety and efficacy of supplementation with LCω-3PUFA in the context of other disease outcomes is unclear. Recent studies of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections in animal models of infectious disease demonstrate that LCω-3PUFA intake dampens immunity and alters pathogen clearance and result in reduced survival. The same physiological properties of EPA/DHA that are responsible for the amelioration of inflammation associated with chronic cardiovascular pathology or autoimmune states, may impair pathogen clearance during acute infections by decreasing host resistance or interfere with tumor surveillance resulting in adverse health outcomes. Recent observations that high serum LCω-3PUFA levels are associated with higher risk of prostate cancer and atrial fibrillation have heightened the concern for adverse outcomes. Given the widespread use of supplements and fortification of common food items with LCω-3PUFA, this review focuses on the immunomodulatory effects of the dietary LCω-3PUFAs, EPA and DHA, the mechanistic basis for potential negative health outcomes, and calls for biomarker development and validation as rational first steps for setting recommended dietary intake levels.
The behavior of the estuarine dolphin ( Sotalia guianensis , van B ! en ! eden , 1864 ) according to fi shermen from different fi shing environments Maíra

Research on cetacean behavior is challenging because it happens mostly underwater. Fishermen, however, spend a good deal of their time in the water, and can bring new information about the behavior of aquatic species, especially if their knowledge can be extracted from sociocultural biases. We investigated how the habitat, distribution, seasonality, group size, and resting, reproductive and feeding behavior of the estuarine dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) perceived by small-scale fishermen is affected by their education, experience, fishing habitat, and the extent of dolphin watching tourism. We interviewed 116 fishermen in routine contact with populations of S. guianensis in NE Brazil regarding dolphin behavior and compared their responses to available literature. Most fishermen correctly reported the habitat, distribution, seasonality, and feeding behavior. Notably, education and experience, but not tourism, were related to a more detailed perception of behavior. Fishermen who used predominantly coastal waters or mixed environments had a more detailed knowledge of S. guianensis behavior than the ones fishing in estuarine lagoons. Moreover, the results provide new insights into the dolphin’s reproductive behavior and possible migration patterns. The results highlight the need to consider the effects of cultural biases on fishermen’s knowledge and that fishermen may provide information on cetaceans that could be used in management and conservation when scientific sources are missing or need to be complemented. © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Inexact Graph Matching by "Geodesic Hashing" for the Alignment of Pseudoknoted RNA Secondary Structures

Non-coding RNAs are transcripts that do not encode proteins play key roles in many biological processes. The alignment of their secondary structures has become a major tool in RNA functional annotation. Many of the non-coding RNAs contain pseudoknots as a structural motif, which proved to be functionally important. We present HARP, a heuristic algorithm for the pairwise alignment of non-restricted (arbitrary) classes of pseudoknotted RNA secondary structures. HARP applies “geodesic hashing” to perform inexact matching of specially defined reduced RNA secondary structure graphs. The method proved to be efficient both in time and memory and was successfully tested on a benchmark of available experimental structures with known function. A web server is available at http://bioinfo3d.cs. tau.ac. il/HARP/.
Easy method to predict solvent accessibility from multiple protein sequence alignments

An easy and uncomplicated method to predict the solvent accessibility state of a site in a multiple protein sequence alignment is described. The approach is based on amino acid exchange and compositional preference matrices for each of three accessibility states: buried, exposed, and intermediate. Calculations utilized a modified version of the 3D―ali databank, a collection of multiple sequence alignments anchored through protein tertiary structural superpositions. The technique achieves the same accuracy as much more complex methods and thus provides such advantages as computational affordability, facile updating, and easily understood residue substitution patterns useful to biochemists involved in protein engineering, design, and structural prediction. The program is available from the authors; and, due to its simplicity, the algorithm can be readily implemented on any system. For a given alignment site, a hand calculation can yield a comparative prediction. Proteins 32:190–199, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Effect of pulse frequency on tree characteristics in epoxy resin under low temperature

The superconducting magnet system is the key part of international thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER) device which has attracted much attention in many countries. Due to its excellent performance in many aspects, epoxy resin has been selected as the base material of superconducting magnet insulation. Considering the unique operating environment, epoxy resin faces the challenge of liquid helium temperature as well as pulse voltage. The influence of pulse frequency and polarity on the electrical tree characteristics in epoxy resin under low temperature is investigated in this paper. Samples made of epoxy resin were stressed with the different frequencies in the needle-plate geometry electrodes. The frequency of pulse voltage varied from 100 to 500 Hz with positive and negative polarities. The experimental temperature was set to -30, -90 and -196 °C. Accumulated damage and expansion coefficient (D/L) are employed to characterize the electrical tree. The experimental results indicate that low temperature, pulse frequency and polarity have an influence on treeing process. The typical tree structures in epoxy resin are obviously different with the variation of low temperature and pulse frequency. It is revealed that the low temperature is resistant to the growth of electrical tree and there are more small branches generating from the main branches with the decrease of temperature. However, when under the same low temperature, the tree initiation and propagation processes are accelerated by the higher pulse frequency. The density of the tree branches increases with the increase of pulse frequency. The accumulated damage presents a similar trend corresponding to branches density. Meanwhile, electrical tree tends to grow faster with the positive pulse than negative pulse under the low temperature. Moreover, the higher value of D/L at lower temperature implies that tree branches extend at a wide range direction.
Migration routes and wintering areas of Willow Warblers Phylloscopus trochilus ( L . ) ringed in Fennoscandia

Long distance (>400 km) ringing recoveries of Willow Warblers from Norway, Sweden and Finland were analysed. Southern Swedish and Norwegian birds migrate southwest to wintering areas around the Gulf ofGuinea in Africa, whereas northem Scandinavian and Finnish populations migrate south-southeast to wintering grounds in Cenral, East and South Africa. Juveniles leave the natal area before adults but, due to a slow beginning, the adults pass them by the end of August. Migration seems to be faster over continental Europe, with retardation at the Mediterranean. During spring migration at least birds of northem origin seem to take a more easterly track, flying east of the Mediterranean Sea. Migration direction for juveniles showed a greater dispersion around the mean than for adults.
Influence of thermal stimulation during the late phase of incubation on hatching results and post-hatch broiler performance under commercial conditions

Abstract Two experiments, which differed in breeder age, strain and season, were conducted to study the influence of low-intensity, short-duration thermal stimuli during the late phase of incubation on hatchability and performance. The first experiment conducted in April–June used eggs from Cobb × Ross broiler breeders at 35–41 weeks of age and the second experiment performed in February–April used eggs from Hubbard × Cobb broiler breeders at 49–53 weeks of age. Eggs in the test group had the same physical environment as eggs in the control group except that incubation temperature was increased by 1˚C for 2 h/d above the control group from 18 to 20 d of incubation (DI). The results demonstrated that thermal stimulation of 1˚C for 2 h/d above control incubation temperature during 18–21DI did not have any adverse effects on hatch and post-hatch performance of broilers. In both experiments, treatment did not significantly alter the secondary sex ratio in hatched chickens, but hatch residue showed that the proportion of unhatched male embryos was significantly lower in the test groups than in the control groups. In the first experiment, thermal stimulation improved feed conversion by 1.82% compared with the control.
A Comparison of Manager Reactions to Acquisitions by Local and Foreign Companies : Testing the Liability of Emergingness Effect

A major challenge of cross-border acquisitions is high post-acquisition turnover of key target firm talent which can negatively impact acquisition success. A prime motivation of emerging market multinational corporations (EMNCs) such as those from China and India to acquire target firms in developed markets is the desired acquisition of management and professional talent. This study examines whether EMNCs will experience higher levels of post-acquisition turnover than developed market multinationals due to negative reputational effects caused by their country of origin induced ‘liability of emergingness’. Major sociocultural factors that may affect target talent turnover intention will also be identified. Five hypotheses were tested on 252 German, French and American managers and professionals. Using policy capturing, subjects were presented 26 scenarios dealing with hypothetical acquisitions. Respondents indicated their post-acquisition turnover intentions based on randomly assorted cues combining the nationality of the acquiring firm (EMNC, local and U.S. or European), previous inter-firm relationship, previous acquisition experience, intended post-acquisition integration, and acquirer’s management experience. Using hierarchical linear regression testing, EMNCs were found to have significantly higher levels of post-acquisition turnover intention than equivalent local or developed market multinationals. Support was also found for the various hypotheses based on the sociocultural variables.
Screening of three wild edible fruits for their antioxidant potential.

The antioxidant properties of three wild edible fruits, viz. Mimusops elengi L.Sp. , (Sapotaceae), Cipadessa baccifera (Roth) Miq. (Meliaceae) , Bridelia scandens (Roxb.) willd. (Euphorbiaceae) were determined by using Â DPPH (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical-scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant property (FRAP), reducing power ability and chelating activity on ferrous ions . The solvent systems used were Acetone, ethanol, methanol and 100% distill water. The different levels of antioxidant activities were found in the solvent systems used.
Adolescent Cardiovascular Functional and Structural Outcomes of Growth Trajectories from Infancy: Prospective Community-Based Study.

BACKGROUND Adult BMI trajectories outperform single BMI measurements as predictors of cardiovascular mortality; however, it is unknown whether this also holds in childhood. We aimed to identify BMI trajectory categories from birth to adolescence, and examine their associations with adolescent cardiovascular function and structure. METHODS Adolescents from a community-based prospective birth cohort completed 11-16 BMI measurements between birth and adolescence. BMI trajectory categories were identified using latent class analysis. Associations between trajectories and cardiovascular outcomes (14 years) were assessed using adjusted linear regression models (n = 187). Cardiovascular outcomes included systolic/diastolic blood pressure, augmentation index, pulse wave velocity, carotid intima-media thickness, and retinal arteriole-to-venule ratio. Regression models were adjusted for child age, gender, height, socioeconomic status, and puberty status at outcome. RESULTS Three BMI trajectories emerged that diverged sharply by the age of 1 year. BMI increments were thereafter roughly parallel for those in the low normal (39%) and high normal (51%) groups, but steeper in the consistently overweight (10%) group, which was notable for lack of an obvious adiposity rebound. Cardiovascular function and structure were similar across the three trajectory groups. The only exception was augmentation index, which was 7.8% (95% CI: 2.6 to 13.0) higher in the consistently overweight individuals than the low normal individuals. CONCLUSIONS We found little evidence that those with consistently higher BMI from infancy experienced poorer cardiovascular function or structure by the age of 14 years. Nonetheless, childhood BMI trajectories track strongly, meaning resolution of risky BMI, while essential to decrease later cardiovascular risk, is unlikely without intervention.
Facial feature point detection using simplified gabor wavelets and confidence-based grouping

One of the first steps in most facial expression and facial analysis systems is the localization of prominent facial feature points. In this paper we present a novel approach for facial feature point detection using Simplified Gabor Wavelets (SGW). The classifier is built in cascades, where each stage of the cascade is a Gentle-AdaBoost trained classifier. In addition, we suggest a confidence based weighted grouping of multi-detected feature points to enhance accuracy. We have trained and tested our algorithm with a shuffled mix of four available labeled databases with more than 700 individuals. Our experimental results achieve approximately 82% detection rate in average, which is a considerable result, since the databases contain not only frontal faces.
Video-assisted thoracoscopy in trauma: Case report and review of literature

Video Assisted Thoracoscopy (VATS) like any other minimal access surgery has the obvious advantage of less surgical insult, enabling quicker recovery with its attendant reduced hospital costs and earlier return to work. The benefit of earlier return to work is much more important in developing countries. Unfortunately minimal access surgery is yet to gain popularity in trauma surgery, especially in the developing countries due to various reasons. We describe one case report where VATS was used successfully to remove an intrapleural foreign body.
Investigation of Exclusive Narghile Smokers: Deficiency and Incapacity Measured by Spirometry and 6-Minute Walk Test

BACKGROUND: Studies on the submaximal aerobic capacity of exclusive narghile smokers (ENS) seem necessary in view of effective prevention of cardiorespiratory diseases. The goal of the study was to assess, by 6-min walk test (6MWT) data, the submaximal aerobic capacity of ENS, to identify factors influencing their 6-min walk distance (6MWD), and to compare their data with those of a healthy non-smoker (HNS) group. METHODS: Seventy 20–60-y-old male ENS were included. Narghile use (narghile-years) and anthropometric, clinical, spirometric, and 6MWT data were collected. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify factors influencing 6MWD. Data of a subgroup of 40–60-y-old ENS (n = 25) were compared with those of an age-matched HNS group (n = 53). RESULTS: The median (first to third quartile) for age and narghile use were 32 (26–43) and 17 (8–32) narghile-years, respectively. The profile of ENS performing the 6MWT was as follows: at the end of the 6MWT, 34% and 9% had a low heart rate (< 60% of maximum predicted) and high dyspnea scores (> 5/10, visual analog scale), respectively; 3% had an oxyhemoglobin saturation decrease of > 5 points during the test; and 20% had an abnormal 6MWD (less than the lower limit of the normal range). The factors that significantly influenced the 6MWD, explaining 38% of its variability, are included in the following equation: 6MWD (m) = 742.63 − 5.20 × body mass index (kg/m2) + 25.23 × FEV1 (L) − 0.44 × narghile use (narghile-years). Compared with HNS, the subgroup of ENS had a significantly lower 6MWD (98 ± 7 vs 87 ± 9% predicted, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Narghile use may play a role in reducing submaximal aerobic capacity. The present study suggests that a program of pulmonary rehabilitation is an excellent axis to follow.
Effects of intensive sex steroid hormone therapy in advanced breast cancer.

Intensive therapy with estrogens and androgens is employed in the palliative treatment of advanced cancer of the breast. 1 Since observations of the systemic effects and complications of this therapy may provide a clue to the mode of action of the sex steroids in breast cancer, they may be important. Many effects of sex hormone therapy have been recorded, but additional manifestations not commonly recognized have become prominent and more frequently noted at the higher dosages usually employed in breast cancer. The purpose of this report is to record these reactions and their relative frequency with intensive and prolonged hormone therapy. The duration of treatment varied from a few days to several years. Deleterious reactions occurred early in some patients, necessitating discontinuance of therapy. Thus, effects that might have occurred at later intervals could not be recorded. Most of the patients, however, were treated for a minimum of one month,
Familiarity and Decomposability Modulate the Prosodic Realization of Figuratively vs . Literally Intended Idioms During Natural Speech Production

Idioms are fixed expressions whose figurative meanings are not usually derived from a literal interpretation of their component words. When people produce literally plausible idioms, such as kick the bucke , their literal and figurative productions can be acoustically distinguished by prosodic cues such as word duration and fundamental frequency. To the extent that speakers produce these cues reliably bears on whether idioms are mentally represented as holistic units or independent constituent words. In this study, we investigated whether linguistic attributes known to track the lexicalization of idioms (e.g., familiarity and decomposability), affect the prosodic realization of figuratively and literally intended idioms in natural speech. We recorded 14 native-English speakers while they naturally read aloud idioms in figurative or literal biasing contexts. The results showed that both familiarity and decomposability affected the prosodic realization of idioms intended figuratively versus those intended literally. This suggests that prosodic cues are differentially utilized in speech production for idioms that are more likely to be lexicalized (i.e., those that are highly familiar and semantically nondecomposable) versus idioms that are less likely to be lexicalized (i.e., those that are low familiarity and semantically decomposable). 9th International Seminar on Speech Production (ISSP) Montreal, Canada, June 20-23, 2011 377