Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Hospital-based tuberculosis control activities in five cities of Latin America

ABSTRACT Objective. To generate actionable insights for improving TB control in urban areas by describing the tuberculosis (TB) control activities of hospitals in five cities in Latin America. Methods. A descriptive study of hospital-based TB control activities was conducted in 2013–2015 using a cross-sectional survey designed by the Pan American Health Organization and administered in Guatemala City, Guatemala; Guarulhos, Brazil; Bogotá, Colombia; Lima, Peru; and Asunción, Paraguay. Data were analyzed using Chi-squared, Fisher exact tests, and the Mantel–Haenszel test for Risk Ratios, as necessary (P < 0.05). Results. While variation among cities existed, most hospitals (91.3%) conducted acid-fast bacilli smears for TB diagnosis and had a quality control process (94.0%), followed national TB guidelines (95%), and reported TB cases to the respective health authorities (96%). Additionally, TB treatment was offered free of charge almost universally (97.1%). However, only 74.2% of hospitals were supervised by the national or local TB programs; 52.8% followed up on the outcome of referrals; and 39.1% offered full ambulatory TB treatment, with 68.7% using Directly-Observed Therapy. Conclusion. The study underscored strengths and weaknesses in specific areas for TB control activities in hospitals and highlighted the importance and complexity of coordinating efforts among private and public hospitals and the various stakeholders. Local TB programs and health authorities should use these results to enhance the quality of TB-related actions in hospitals in similar settings.
Probing dark energy using convergence power spectrum and bi-spectrum

Weak lensing convergence statistics is a powerful tool to probe dark energy. Dark energy plays an important role to the structure formation and the effects can be detected through the convergence power spectrum, bi-spectrum etc. One of the most promising and simplest dark energy model is the ΛCDM . However, it is worth investigating different dark energy models with evolving equation of state of the dark energy. In this work, detectability of different dark energy models from ΛCDM model has been explored through convergence power spectrum and bi-spectrum.
Metric regularity under approximations

The main goal of this paper is to show that metric regularity and strong metric regularity of a set-valued mapping imply convergence of inexact iterative methods for solving the generalized equation associated with this mapping. For that purpose we first focus on the question exactly how these properties are preserved under changes of the mapping and the reference point. As applications, we consider discrete approximations in optimal control.
The biology of Canadian weeds. 134. Bromus inermis Leyss

Smooth brome (Bromus inermis Leyss.), a native of central Eurasia, was introduced to Canada as a forage and hay crop around 1888. Early reports of plants escaped from cultivation appear in 1903, however, based on the number of collections prior to 1920, smooth brome spread more rapidly in western Canada. Smooth brome is common along roadsides, forest margins, clearings, shorelines and disturbed areas, but its most detrimental impact is on the diversity of prairies and native grasslands. In Riding Mountain National Park, MB, plant diversity of fescue prairies recently invaded by smooth brome decreased by 70%. Vegetative proliferation through underground rhizomes is key to the invasiveness of smooth brome, but long-range dispersal of seeds is facilitated by animals, wind and the transport of hay. Smooth brome is effectively controlled using selective applications of glyphosate and well-timed clipping. However, restoration of infested areas depends on the composition of native seed banks. Smooth brome remain.
Three-dimensional surface displacement of the 2008 May 12 Sichuan earthquake (China) derived from Synthetic Aperture Radar: evidence for rupture on a blind thrust

SUMMARY The Sichuan earthquake, Mw 7.9, struck the Longmen Shan (LMS) range front, China, on 2008 May 12, affecting an area of moderate historical seismicity where little active shortening has been previously reported. Recent studies based on space geodesy have succeeded in retrieving the far field surface displacements caused by the earthquake, but the near field (±25 km from the faults) coseismic surface displacement is still poorly constrained. Thus, shallow fault geometry and shallow coseismic slip are still poorly resolved. Here, for the first time for this earthquake, we combine C and L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar offsets data from ascending and descending tracks to invert for the 3-D surface displacement in the near coseismic field of the Sichuan earthquake. Our data, coupled with a simple elastic dislocation model, provide new results strongly suggesting the presence of a blind thrust striking along the range front and being active at depth during the earthquake. The presence of a rupture on a blind thrust brings new evidence for an out-of-sequence thrusting event and new elements for interpreting the tectonic strain partitioning in the LMS, which has important implications both for seismic hazard assessment and long-term evolution of the mountain belt.
Margin Trading: Hedonic Returns and Real Losses

Margin trading is popular with retail investors around the world. This is a puzzle, since, as we show, it has a negative expected return. Our explanation is that whilst lowering mean returns, the collateral requirement imposed by margin calls induces positive skew in the distribution of returns. Investments in assets with symmetric returns now offer limited losses and a small chance of a large gain, like lottery tickets and other gambles. Results from a unique dataset of retail futures traders show that actual losses are substantial. Traders’ behaviour is demonstrated to be best understood as motivated by hedonic returns.
The case of the disappearing CN-strong AGB stars in Galactic Globular Clusters - preliminary results

A previously reported literature search suggested that the AGB stars in Galactic globular clusters may be showing different distributions of CN-strong and CN-weak stars as compared to their RGB stars. In most cases the second giant branches of GCs appeared to be deficient in stars with strong CN bands. However the sample sizes of AGB stars at that time were too small to give a definitive picture. Thus an observing campaign targeting GC AGB stars was proposed. We now have medium resolution spectral observations of about 250 GC AGB stars across 9 globular clusters, obtained with the 2dF/AAOmega instrument on the Anglo-Australian Telescope. In this paper we report some preliminary results regarding the distributions of CN-strong and CN-weak stars on the two giant branches of a selection of globular clusters. We find that some GCs show a total lack of CN-strong stars on the AGB, whilst some show a reduction in CN-strong stars as compared to the RGB. Standard stellar evolution does not predict this change in surface abundance between the two giant branches. We discuss some possible causes of this unexpected phenomenon.
Physico-chemical characterisation of sea buckthorn extracts for cosmetic use

Abstract The purpose of the paper is to present original results concerning characterization of different sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) extracts and some original dermato-cosmetic products containing these extracts. Aqueous distillate from fruits and leafy branches, aqueous extract from seeds, fresh fruit juice and frozen fruit juice after 2 years of storage, ethanolic extracts of buds have been analyzed for the following parameters: total and organic acidity, oxidability, calcium and magnezium, pH, conductivity, oxidation-reduction potential (ORP). The investigated sea buckthorn extracts have important contribution in care and treatment of skin diseases; during many years of experience in this field great benefits have been observed. Taking into account also the results of previous studies of other researchers we consider that the ORP measurement of cosmetic mixtures could provide objective, cheap and reliable information about antioxidant activity of complex samples.
Morpho-anatomical characters of Zehneria capillacea (Schumach) C. Jeffrey and Zehneria scabra (L.F.) Sond Cucurbitaceae

Comparative studies on macro-morphology, foliar epidermis, stem and petiole anatomy of two indigenous wild cucurbits (Zehneria capillacea and Zehneria scabra) in Nigeria were carried out in order to improve the delimitation of the species based on these parameters. The morphological features of significance observed include variations in leaf and stem pubescence density, leaf shape, fruit shape and color, flower color, seed shape and coat texture. Similarities were observed in their growth habit, shape of foliar epidermal cells, stomatal features and stem anatomy. The two species evaluated have a creeping growth habit, uniseriate eglandular trichomes, anomocytic and tetracytic stomata, pentagonal shaped stem with 8 bicollateral vascular bundles. Glandular 4-celled head trichome and isotricytic stoma were only found in Z. capillacea. The leaves of both species are amphistomatic having adaxial and abaxial stomatal densities of 2.47±0.058 and 13.68±0.021 for Z. capillacea and 3.24±0.125 and 19.72±0.199 for Z. scabra. However, the observed petiolar vascular bundle was 5 in Z. capillacea and 7 in Z. scabra. This distinct number in the petiole provides additional distinguishing information for maintaining them as different species. Key words: Anatomy, bicollateral vascular bundles, stomata, trichome
A Systematic Review of Interventions for Workers with Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: Using an Ecological Model

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to review the research trends and to identify developmental direction of studies on community interventions according to the ecological model for workers with cardiovascular diseases (CVD) risk factors. Methods: Electronic databases including PsycINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library and the reference lists of articles were searched. All articles were assessed in relation to inclusion and exclusion criteria, resulting in 29 researches being reviewed. Each review was critically appraised by two authors using a guideline of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses). Results: Nowadays, interventions in organizational level, integrated and web-based interventions are increasing to prevent CVD risk factors for workers. Even though the importance of psychosocial aspects to prevent CVD, the only 2 studies included psychosocial factors in the outcome variables. Also, 14% among 29 researches were based on theories. Conclusion: Psychosocial factors such as job stress, depression, and emotional labor could be CVD risk factors. Therefore, interventions including psychosocial aspects are needed to prevent workers` CVD risks more effectively. Theory-based interventions are needed to support interventions` effects and to develop the nursing science.
Biodiversity and dynamics of macro-invertbrate populations in wheat-weeds agro-ecosystem of Punjab (Pakistan).

This study documented diversity and dynamics of foliage macro-invertebrates sampled from edges and centers of wheatweeds agro-ecosystem of district Faisalabad (30° 31.5 N and 73° 74 E; 184.41 m l). A total of 4,228 foliage of macro invertebrates belonging to phylum Arthropoda (92.41%) and Mollusca (7.59%) were recorded. Diptera (27.65%), Hemiptera (27.58%), Coleoptera (18.21%) and Hymenoptera (7.36%) were dominant while Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Lepidoptera and Araneae collectively formed (11.62%) arthropods. Mollusca constituted only of pulmonate gastropods (7.59%). The overall diversity was (H′ = 3.36), that varied seasonally at statistically significantly level. Maximum diversity was recorded in autumn (H′ = 3.57), that was followed by spring (H′ = 3.23) and winter (H′ = 3.09). In contrary to the general findings, Diversity of macro -invertebrate populations in the center (H ˈ= 3.363) was significantly higher than the edges (Hˈ= 3.299) of the fields (p = <0.001). Moreover the richness (S= 58), diversity (H´= 3.23) and evenness (E= 0.79) was recorded higher on wheatcompared to the richness (S= 61), diversity (H´= 3.16) and evenness (E = 0.77) on weeds in wheat-weeds agro-ecosystem.
LOWER LIMITS ON THE ANISOTROPY OF THE EXTRAGALACTIC GAMMA-RAY BACKGROUND IMPLIED BY THE 2FGL AND 1FHL CATALOGS

In principle, the angular anisotropy in the extragalactic gamma-ray background (EGRB) places severe constraints upon putative populations of unresolved gamma-ray point sources. Existing estimates of the EGRB anisotropy have been constructed by excising known point sources, e.g., taken from the First or Two Year Fermi-LAT Source Catalog (1FGL or 2FGL, respectively) and statistically analyzing the residual gamma-ray sky maps. We perform an independent check of the EGRB anisotropy limits by comparing the values obtained from the 1FGL-masked sky maps to the signal implied by sources that lie below the 1FGL detection threshold in the more sensitive 2FGL and 1FHL (First Fermi-LAT catalog of >10 GeV sources). As such, our analysis provides an internal consistency check of implications for source counts and spectral index distributions of gamma-ray bright active galactic nuclei obtained from Fermi-LAT data. Based on this, we find evidence for substantially larger anisotropies than those previously reported at energies above 5 GeV, where BL Lac objects are likely to provide the bulk of their contribution to the EGRB. This uncertainty in the EGRB anisotropy cautions against using it as an independent constraint for the high-redshift gamma-ray universe. Moreover, this would suggest that contrary to previous claims, smooth extensions of the resolved point-source population may be able to simultaneously explain both the isotropic and anisotropic components of the EGRB.
Nitrogen Requirements of First‐Year Corn following Alfalfa Were Not Altered by Fall‐Applied Manure

Although farmers in the midwestern United States often apply livestock manure when terminating alfalfa (L.), there are no published reports on direct effects of fall manure application on alfalfa N credits to first-year corn (L.). Therefore, eight on-farm experiments were conducted in Minnesota to test whether manure applied during alfalfa termination in fall affects the rate of fertilizer N needed for the subsequent corn crop. Manure application rates were determined by cooperating growers and N fertilizer rates were 0, 45, 90 or 179 kg N ha at planting and 45 kg N ha as a sidedress. At five locations, neither manure nor fertilizer N increased grain or silage yield. At three remaining locations, N fertilizer was needed to economically optimize grain (98 kg N ha at two locations) or silage yield (113 kg N ha at three locations), but manure did not alter the response to fertilizer N. The presidedress soil nitrate test (PSNT) predicted the need for N fertilizer to optimize grain yield 63% of the time and the basal stalk nitrate test (BSNT) identified the need for N fertilizer 75% of the time. When results of this study were combined with data from the literature, the PSNT was accurate only 55% of the time and the BSNT could not separate responsive and nonresponsive sites. These results confirm that first-year corn following alfalfa often does not require supplemental N for maximum grain yield, and that more accurate methods are needed to predict fertilizer N response.
Morbidity pattern among geriatric population in urban field practice area of district of Maharashtra: a cross sectional study

Background: There is a rapid expansion of geriatric age group due to increased longevity & so the morbidities among them, Morbidity pattern in geriatric age group need to be studied extensively for formulating effective strategies to improve their health status. The objectives of the study were to assess some specified morbidities among geriatric population and to study association of socio-demographic factors with morbidities among geriatric population. Methods: A Community based cross sectional study was conducted in the urban slums, field practice area of Community Medicine attached to a tertiary care hospital. Study period was Jan 2013-Dec 2014 . Persons aged ≥60 years residing in the urban slums were included. Total 600 elderly persons were studied. A pre-designed, pre-tested semi structured questionnaire was used to collect information. Data was entered in Microsoft excel and analysed by using frequency, proportion, chi-square test with SPSS 16. Results: Out of 600 subjects, majority 65.3% had hearing impairment, followed by anemia 62.2% HTN, 46.2%, joint pain 42.3%, dental problems 41.0%, cataract 38.7%, chronic bronchitis 31.8%, APD 27.3%, DM 11%, skin diseases 7.5%, piles 7.2%, BPH 3.7% and TB 1.0%. Various socio-demographic variables were found to be significantly associated with morbidities. Majority 486 (81%) had multiple morbidity, 89 (14.8%) had single and only 25 (4.2%) were not suffering from any type of morbidity. Conclusions: The study presented higher rate of Morbidity among elderly and its interesting association with various socio-demographic variables which may have important implications in planning for various health care delivery services for elderly.
Understanding the Evolution of the U.S. Wage Distribution: A Theoretical Analysis

In this paper we present an analytically tractable overlapping generations model of human capital accumulation, and study its implications for the evolution of the U.S. wage distribution from 1970 to 2000. The key feature of the model, and the only source of heterogeneity, is that individuals differ in their ability to accumulate human capital. Therefore, wage inequality results only from differences in human capital accumulation. We examine the response of this model to skill-biased technical change (SBTC) theoretically. We show that in response to SBTC, the model generates behavior consistent with several features of the U.S. data including (i) a rise in overall wage inequality both in the short run and long run, (ii) an initial fall in the education premium followed by a strong recovery, leading to a higher premium in the long run, (iii) the fact that most of this fall and rise takes place among younger workers, (iv) a rise in within-group inequality, (v) stagnation in median wage growth (and a slowdown in aggregate labor productivity), and (vi) a rise in consumption inequality that is much smaller than the rise in wage inequality. These results suggest that the heterogeneity in the ability to accumulate human capital is an important feature for understanding the effects of SBTC, and interpreting the transformation that the U.S. economy has gone through since the 1970's.
WATER IN CRISIS: PATHS TO SUSTAINABLE WATER USE

A wide range of ecological and human crises result from inadequate access to, and the inappropriate management of, freshwater resources. These include destruction of aquatic ecosystems and extinction of species, millions of deaths from water-related illnesses, and a growing risk of regional and international conflicts over scarce, shared water supplies. As human populations continue to grow, these problems are likely to become more frequent and serious. New approaches to long-term water planning and management that incorporate principles of sustainability and equity are required and are now being explored by national and international water experts and organizations. Seven “sustainability criteria” are discussed here, as part of an effort to reshape long-term water planning and management. Among these principles are guaranteed access to a basic amount of water necessary to maintain human health and to sustain ecosystems, basic protections for the renewability of water resources, and institutional recommen.
DEVELOPMENT OF A SCALE TO MEASURE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY ANXIETY LEVEL OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

University students’ achievements in organic chemistry depend on cognitive variables. In addition, non-cognitive variables such as anxiety levels also have an impact on students’ organic chemistry achievements. The aim of this study was to develop a measurement tool assessing the anxiety levels of university students in organic chemistry lessons. In this study, the Organic Chemistry Anxiety Scale (O-CAS) consisting of 24 items was developed, its validity and reliability was analysed. All the items are positively worded to indicate increased anxiety. Factor analytic evidence from a sample (n=340) of university organic chemistry students indicated that the O-CAS measured three constructs. Additional analysis with a second sample (n=297) showed that scores on these anxiety constructs were internally consistent, with Cronbach’s alphas ranging from 0.87 to 0.92 and were 0.95 for the overall scale. Further, the result of analysis of the third sample (n=195) indicated that there was a statistically significant relationship between organic chemistry anxiety and organic chemistry achievement of students. According to these results, the O-CAS can be used as a valid and reliable instrument in chemistry education. Key words: anxiety, chemistry education, organic chemistry, reliability, and validity.
A low-mass protostar’s disk-envelope interface: disk-shadowing evidence from ALMA DCO+observations of VLA1623

Context. Historically, due to instrumental limitations and a lack of disk detections, the structure of the transition from the envelope to the rotationally supported disk has been poorly studied. This is now possible with ALMA through observations of CO isotopologues and tracers of freezeout. Class 0 sources are ideal for such studies given their almost intact envelope and young disk. Aims. The structure of the disk-envelope interface of the prototypical Class 0 source, VLA1623A, which has a confirmed Keplerian disk, is constrained through modeling and analysis of ALMA observations of DCO + (3-2) and C 18 O (2-1) rotational lines. Methods. The physical structure of VLA1623 is obtained from the large-scale SED and dust continuum radiative transfer modeling. An analytic model using a simple network coupled with radial density and temperature profiles is used as input for a 2D line radiative transfer calculation for comparison with the ALMA Cycle 0 12-m array and Cycle 2 ACA observations of VLA1623. Results. The DCO + emission shows a clumpy structure bordering VLA1623A’s Keplerian disk. This suggests a cold ring-like structure at the disk-envelope interface. The radial position of the observed DCO + peak is reproduced in our model only if the region’s temperature is between 11 K and 16 K, lower than expected from models constrained by continuum data and source SED. Altering the density profile has little e ect on the DCO + peak position, but increased density is needed to reproduce the observed C 18 O tracing the disk. Conclusions. The observed DCO + (3-2) emission around VLA1623A is the product of shadowing of the envelope by the disk observed in C 18 O. Disk-shadowing causes a drop in the gas temperature outside of the disk on >200 AU scales, encouraging the production of deuterated molecules. This indicates that the physical structure of the disk-envelope interface di ers from the rest of the envelope, highlighting the drastic impact that the disk has on the envelope and temperature structure. The results presented here show that DCO +