Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
THE CEREBRAL CIRCULATION: I. OBSERVATION AND MEASUREMENT OF PIAL VESSELS

The purpose of this paper is to describe a new technic for observing and measuring the changing diameters of the blood vessels of the piaarachnoid, together with fluctuations in intracranial and intravascular pressures. Of the many ways devised in the past for studying the factors which operate to control the blood supply of the brain, two general procedures have been found most useful. First, the recording of pressures within the skull and within arteries and veins in divers situations and under varying experimental conditions, and second, the direct observation of blood vessels on the surface of the brain through an opening in the skull. Each method has its advantages and its limitations. Up to the present time, the method of measurement and comparison of pressures has yielded more important data than that of direct observation. The technic of the latter, however, has never been perfected, nor have its possibilities been
The effect of large-scale interannual variations in the Gulf of Guinea

The Gulf of Guinea is an important region of tropical Atlantic variability, and embedded within it are the Atlantic Ni~no and the seasonal tropical instability waves. Although, the dynamics of this region are accepted to modulate the monsoon system by the scientific community, it is still debated what controls temperatures and the exact coupling mechanism with the atmosphere. Here, I present the results of temperature advection, variability of the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC) in relation to atmospheric forcing, influence of Gulf of Guinea sea surface temperature (SST) to rainfall variability over West Africa and the Sahel, spatio-temporal variability of nonseasonal ocean-atmosphere processes and the coupling of winds and SST. The central aim is to understand how anomalous currents advect temperatures, and how anomalous oceanic temperatures respond to the atmosphere to cause coupled variability. In order to understand the enigmatic influence of temperature advection by tropical instability waves (TIW), I examined the influence of anomalous currents and temperatures associated with the waves. Results show that TIWs advect temperatures zonally and warm the Gulf of Guinea during the boreal summer, and at the central equatorial Atlantic, they advect temperatures to the north. The EUC, represented by salinity maximum is investigated from four regions to cover the northern, central and southern branches of the current. West of the Gulf of Guinea, anomalous northward currents associated with TIWs destabilise the vertical positioning of the EUC core during the boreal summer. In the Gulf of Guinea, where bathymetry, river discharge and winds vary seasonally, vertical fluctuations are apparent every three months and the shallowing of the EUC affects the upper layer temperatures. The Gulf of Guinea SST correlates well with variability of rainfall over West Africa and the Sahel, where cold (warm) temperatures in 2005 (2007) explained the causes of drought (flooding) that occurred in those years respectively. Strongest intraseasonal SST variability is observed at the Guinea Dome and the Gulf of Guinea region and both occur due to seasonally varying northeasterlies and southeasterlies. However, north of 18N, zonal tropospheric winds associated with Madden-Julian Oscillation appear to alter the changes on surface winds. This connection between surface and atmospheric winds explains the inability of the winds to covary interannually with SST at the TIWs frontal zones. Investigations presented in this thesis increase our understanding of tropical Atlantic variability and results therein are useful as background conditions for coupled ocean-atmosphere models.
Biological Atlas of the Arctic Seas 2000: Plankton of the Barents and Kara Seas

Both the Barents Sea and the Kara Sea have been the focus of historical studies performed by many generations of Russian researchers. Because Russia has sent expeditions to this area since the 19th century, a large amount of physical, hydrochemical, and hydrobiological data have been collected from this region. These data are useful for the study of a broad range of fundamental problems in oceanography, particularly since the Barents Sea is the final element in the Atlantic Ocean water transformation through the Gulf Stream system. For better understanding of the nature of the processes in this region of the Arctic basin and their prediction, the Gulf Stream system from the Florida Peninsula to the Novaya Zemlya archipelago should be considered as a whole. These reasons outline the long-term objectives in cooperation between the Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, Russian Federation (MMBI) and the World Data Center for Oceanography, Silver Spring (WDC) for generating an oceanographic database and its utilization for ocean studies.
Tendência da mortalidade relacionada à doença de Chagas, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil, 1985 a 2006: estudo usando causas múltiplas de morte

OBJETIVO: Estudar a tendencia da mortalidade relacionada a doenca de Chagas informada em qualquer linha ou parte do atestado medico da declaracao de obito. METODOS: Os dados provieram dos bancos de causas multiplas de morte da Fundacao Sistema Estadual de Analise de Dados de Sao Paulo (SEADE) entre 1985 e 2006. As causas de morte foram caracterizadas como basicas, associadas (nao-basicas) e total de suas mencoes. RESULTADOS: No periodo de 22 anos, ocorreram 40 002 obitos relacionados a doenca de Chagas, dos quais 34 917 (87,29%) como causa basica e 5 085 (12,71%) como causa associada. Foi observado um declinio de 56,07% do coeficiente de mortalidade pela causa basica e estabilidade pela causa associada. O numero de obitos foi 44,5% maior entre os homens em relacao as mulheres. O fato de 83,5% dos obitos terem ocorrido a partir dos 45 anos de idade revela um efeito de coorte. As principais causas associadas da doenca de Chagas como causa basica foram as complicacoes diretas do comprometimento cardiaco, como transtornos da conducao, arritmias e insuficiencia cardiaca. Para a doenca de Chagas como causa associada, foram identificadas como causas basicas as doencas isquemicas do coracao, as doencas cerebrovasculares e as neoplasias. CONCLUSOES: Para o total de suas mencoes, verificou-se uma queda do coeficiente de mortalidade de 51,34%, ao passo que a queda no numero de obitos foi de apenas 5,91%, tendo sido menor entre as mulheres, com um deslocamento das mortes para as idades mais avancadas. A metodologia das causas multiplas de morte contribuiu para ampliar o conhecimento da historia natural da doenca de Chagas.
Estimating the Basic Reproduction Number for the Second Wave of Covid-19 Pandemic in Nigeria

It is no news that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected many persons in different ways. As the number of reported cases rises across the globe, efforts are geared towards production and administration of effective vaccines for the disease. However, many developing countries are faced with the dilemma of how to slow the spread and flatten the curves of the disease as the available vaccines are not enough. Interestingly, the dynamics of the disease can be analyzed to get useful insights to enhance the making of suitable preventive policies that will slow the spread, ultimately flatten the curves of the disease and also help in managing any future occurrence. In this work, the aim is to analyze the dynamics, and estimate the basic reproduction number of the second wave of the pandemic in Nigeria using a Susceptible-Infected-Recovered-Deceased (SIRD) compartmental-based model. The dynamics of the disease is described by a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equations. The model takes into consideration the current control policies in place-social distancing, mask usage, personal hygiene and quarantine. Available data provided by Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and Wolfram Data Repository were used for the computations. The Quasi-Newton algorithm was implemented in fitting the proposed model to the available data and a sensitivity analysis was presented. Major parameters—effective contact rate, average recovery time, average mortality rate, and overall effectiveness of the control policies-influencing the dynamics of the disease, and the basic reproduction numbers were estimated. The turning points of the disease during the second wave were also obtained. The proposed model gave estimated values for the parameters influencing the spread of the disease. Also, the measure of the overall effectiveness of the current control policies gave insight into how effective the measures are.
Efficacy and Safety of Novel Non-steroidal Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Finerenone in the Management of Diabetic Kidney Disease: A Meta-analysis

Background: Data are scant on use of finerenone in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). We undertook this meta-analysis to address this knowledge gap. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving diabetes patients receiving finerenone compared to controls. The primary outcome was changes in urine albumin-creatinine ratio (UACR). Secondary outcomes were time to kidney failure (decline in GFR by >40% from baseline over 4 weeks), time to end-stage kidney disease, hospitalization for any cause, death and adverse events reported. Results: From initially screened 79 articles, data from 7 RCTs involving 13,783 patients were analyzed (3 in active control group [ACG] defined as having eplerenone/spironolactone as active comparator; 4 in passive control group [PCG] defined as having placebo as controls). Patients receiving finerenone had greater percentage lowering of UACR from baseline as compared to PCG [MD23.82% (95%CI: –24.87 to –22.77); P < 0.01; I2 = 96%] at 90 days, after 2 years [MD 37.9% (95%CI: –38.09 to –37.71); P < 0.01] and 4 years [MD 25.20%(95%CI: –25.63 to –24.77);P < 0.01] of treatment. Patients receiving finerenone has lower chance of >40% decline in GFR (OR 0.83 [95%CI: 0.75 to 0.92];P < 0.01; I2 = 0%). Patients receiving finerenone had lower occurrence of cardiovascular death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke or hospitalization for heart failure, as compared to placebo/eplerenone (OR0.86 [95%CI: 0.78 to 0.95]; P = 0.003; I2 = 0%). TAEs was similar (RR0.97 [95%CI: 0.88–1.07]; P = 0.56; I2 = 0%), but SAEs significantly lower (RR0.91 [95%CI: 0.84 to 0.97]; P < 0.01; I2 = 0%) in finerenone-group compared to controls. Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides reassuring data on beneficial impact of finerenone in reducing UACR and GFR decline as compared to placebo. We still lack head-to-head comparison of renal outcomes of finerenone vs eplerenone/spironolactone in DKD.
Phenotypic and Molecular Characteristics of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates from Bulgarian Intensive Care Unit Patients

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is designated as an urgent public health threat, both due to its remarkable multidrug resistance and propensity for clonal spread. This study aimed to explore the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance in CRAB isolates (n = 73) from intensive care unit (ICU) patients in two university hospitals in Bulgaria (2018–2019). The methodology included antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and phylogenomic analysis. The resistance rates were as follows: imipenem, 100%; meropenem, 100%; amikacin, 98.6%; gentamicin, 89%; tobramycin, 86.3%; levofloxacin, 100%; trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, 75.3%; tigecycline, 86.3%; colistin, 0%; and ampicillin–sulbactam, 13.7%. All isolates harbored blaOXA-51-like genes. The frequencies of distribution of other antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) were: blaOXA-23-like, 98.6%; blaOXA-24/40-like, 2.7%; armA, 86.3%; and sul1, 75.3%. The WGS of selected extensively drug-resistant A. baumannii (XDR-AB) isolates (n = 3) revealed the presence of OXA-23 and OXA-66 carbapenem-hydrolyzing class D β-lactamases in all isolates, and OXA-72 carbapenemase in one of them. Various insertion sequencies, such as ISAba24, ISAba31, ISAba125, ISVsa3, IS17, and IS6100, were also detected, providing increased ability for horizontal transfer of ARGs. The isolates belonged to the widespread high-risk sequence types ST2 (n = 2) and ST636 (n = 1) (Pasteur scheme). Our results show the presence of XDR-AB isolates, carrying a variety of ARGs, in Bulgarian ICU settings, which highlights the crucial need for nationwide surveillance, especially in the conditions of extensive antibiotic usage during COVID-19.
Evaluation of the Impact of Horizontal Grid Spacing in Terra Incognita on Coupled Mesoscale–Microscale Simulations Using the WRF Framework

Coupled mesoscale–microscale simulations are required to provide time-varying weather-dependent inflow and forcing for large-eddy simulations under general flow conditions. Such coupling necessarily spans a wide range of spatial scales (i.e., ~10 m to ~10 km). Herein, we use simulations that involve multiple nested domains with horizontal grid spacings in the terra incognita (i.e., km) that may affect simulated conditions in both the outer and inner domains. We examine the impact on simulated wind speed and turbulence associated with forcing provided by a terrain with grid spacing in the terra incognita. We perform a suite of simulations that use combinations of varying horizontal grid spacings and turbulence parameterization/modeling using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model using a combination of planetary boundary layer (PBL) and large-eddy simulation subgrid-scale (LES-SGS) models. The results are analyzed in terms of spectral energy, turbulence kinetic energy, and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) energy. The results show that the output from the microscale domain depends on the type of turbulence model (e.g., PBL or LES-SGS model) used for a given horizontal grid spacing but is independent of the horizontal grid spacing and turbulence modeling of the parent domain. Simulation using a single domain produced less POD energy in the first few modes compared to a coupled simulation (one-way nesting) for similar horizontal grid spacing, which highlights that coupled simulations are required to accurately pass the mesoscale features into the microscale domain.
Multidimensional isotropic and anisotropic investigation of the Tajo Basin subsurface - A novel anisotropic inversion approach for subsurface cases with oblique geoelectric strike directions

The Tajo Basin and Betic Cordillera are the areas investigated by the first phase of the PICASSO (Program to Investigate the Convective Alboran Sea System Overturn) project in south-central Spain. The magnetotelluric (MT) component of PICASSO Phase I provides information about the electric conductivity distribution in previously unprobed subsurface regions, as well as enhancing results of prior geological and geophysical investigations, thereby enabling the devise of a petrological subsurface model and a comprehensive understanding about the tectonic setting. During analysis of the MT data, oblique geoelectric strike directions were determined for the Tajo Basin subsurface, which causes severe artefacts in models from commonly applied isotropic two-dimensional (2D) inversion, or requires computationally expensive three-dimensional (3D) inversion. A novel approach is developed in this thesis, which utilises electric anisotropy in one-dimensional (1D) and 2D inversions to image oblique 2D subsurface structures. Computational expense of this approach is considerably lower and its performance is successfully tested in a synthetic model study and subsequently employed to derive a model of the Tajo Basin subsurface. In addition to the novel anisotropic approach, isotropic 2D and 3D inversions are used to obtain enhanced insight into Iberian subsurface geology. The most striking features of the model are (i) a distinct vertical interface in the centre of the Tajo Basin that is associated with the “Alpine Spain” – “Variscan Spain” boundary; (ii) a midto lower crustal anomaly that is related to remnants of asthenospheric intrusion in connection with Pliocene volcanic events in the Calatrava Volcanic Province; (iii) a low resistivity – low velocity feature in the Tajo Basin lithospheric-mantle, related to the extensive reservoir responsible for volcanic events throughout Europe and Morocco. For the latter two, effects of hydrous phases are inferred that may originate from dehydration processes at the subducting slab beneath Alboran Domain and Betics Cordillera.
A Randomized , Placebo-Controlled , Clinical Trial of High-Dose Supplementation With Vitamins C and E , Beta Carotene , and Zinc for Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Vision Loss AREDS Report

Design: The Age-Related Eye Disease Study, an 11center double-masked clinical trial, enrolled participants in an AMD trial if they had extensive small drusen, intermediate drusen, large drusen, noncentral geographic atrophy, or pigment abnormalities in 1 or both eyes, or advanced AMD or vision loss due to AMD in 1 eye. At least 1 eye had best-corrected visual acuity of 20/32 or better. Participants were randomly assigned to receive daily oral tablets containing: (1) antioxidants (vitamin C, 500 mg; vitamin E, 400 IU; and beta carotene, 15 mg); (2) zinc, 80 mg, as zinc oxide and copper, 2 mg, as cupric oxide; (3) antioxidants plus zinc; or (4) placebo.
A deep seismic crustal transect from the NE Iberian Peninsula

The crustal structure of the transition from the NE Iberian Peninsula to the western Mediterranean is characterized by large-scale variations related to its successive compressional and extensional Cenozoic tectonics. The Spanish ESCI (Spanish acronym for seismic studies of the Iberian crust) Program recorded 450 km of deep vertical reflection profiles on land and at sea, to complete a first crustal transect from the Pyrenees to the South Balearic basin. Highly energetic, north dipping reflections imaged by combining the Etude Continentale et Oceanique par Reflexion et Refraction Sismique (ECORS) and ESCI land profiles mark a crustal thickening toward the Pyrenees. The reflective band becomes horizontal beneath the Catalan coastal ranges, and the Moho is found at 11s. No evidence of crustal thinning affecting the Iberian mainland is observed. The transition to the Mediterranean basin is constrained by complementary onshore-offshore recordings. Forward modeling combined with multichannel processing of the wide-angle data set shows that a strong thinning of the continental crust by a factor of 2 over a distance of 50 km affects both the Catalan and Balearic flanks of the Valencia trough. This thinning affects mainly the deep crust, characterized by low velocities of 6.4–6.5 km/s, suggesting a removal of part of the lower crust during the rifting processes. Velocities of 7.8–7.9 km/s are interpreted in the uppermost mantle with no evidence of underplating. The Moho appears as a marked discontinuity throughout the transect. The NW part of the Balearic promontory is characterized by a thick and reflective crust from 12 to 30 km depth. An intensely fracturated evaporitic sequence is seen for 100 km along the south Balearic basin. The seismic images of the continent-ocean transition are disturbed by these prominent sediments. However, the deep reflectivity suggests a crustal thinning (Moho at 6–7 s) to be related to the Middle Miocene-present extensional tectonics.
Modeling the circulation of carbon in the world's terrestrial ecosystems

A mathematical model for the circulation of carbon in the world terrestrial ecosystems is proposed. A five-compartment representation is developed which corresponds to the functional components studied by field ecologists. Rate coefficients for this linear dynamic model are calculated from estimates of the 1970 standing crops and compartment exchanges of carbon. The model is analyzed in terms of response to a unit impulse, thereby displaying a transient time distribution. The response to a hypothetical pulse input through gross primary production is also simulated, illustrating the efficiency of the terrestrial carbon system in transferring carbon into longer storage components. Finally, the concept of CO/sub 2/ fertilization is examined by allowing gross primary production to increase in response to higher atmospheric concentrations. Although the standing crop of carbon in photosynthesizing compartments is induced to grow from a hypothetical preindustrial level to a specified 1970 level, the accompanying increase in other compartments is not as large as obtained in earlier model formulations which incorporate an input from the atmosphere directly to compartments containing carbon in woody material or soil.
Definition of spatial patterns of bark beetle Ips typographus (L.) outbreak spreading in Tatra Mountains (Central Europe), using GIS

The spread of bark beetle outbreaks in the Tatra Mountains was explored by using both terrestrial and remote sensing techniques. Both approaches have proven to be useful for studying spatial patterns of bark beetle population dynamics. The terrestrial methods were applied on existing forestry databases. Vegetation change analysis (image differentiation), digital elevation model, and stand characteristics have been integrated in the remote sensing part of the study. Results have revealed that the spatial pattern of bark beetle spread depends on the phase of the outbreak and on the insolation (amount of incoming solar radiation) of stands on mountain slopes and, specifically on the bark beetle spots themselves.
Tripolitania in Transition: Late Roman to Islamic Settlement : With a Catalogue of Sites

List of Figures. List of Plates. Acknowledgements. INTRODUCTION. CHAPTER 1. THE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. 1.1. Introduction. 1.2. Geology and sedimentation. 1.3. Climate. 1.4. The Topography. 1.4.1. The coast and the Gefara plain. 1.4.2. The Tripolitanian gebel. 1.4.3. The pre-desert, including the Hamada el Hamra. 1.5. Agricultural Produce. 1.6. Mineral Resources. CHAPTER 2. A HISTORICAL OUTLINE OF ANCIENT AND MEDIEVAL TRIPOLITANIA. 2.1. Introduction. 2.1.1. The historical sources for the late Roman and Byzantine period. 2.1.2. The historical sources for the Islamic period. 2.2. The Tribes of Tripolitania. 2.2.1. Pre-Roman period tribes. 2.2.2. Tribes of the late empire and the Islamic period. 2.3. The Roman Period. 2.3.1. The administration of Roman Tripolitania. 2.3.2. Roman and native. 2.4. The Vandal Century. 2.5. The Byzantine 'Reconquest'. 2.5.1. The garrison structure of Byzantine Africa. 2.6. The Arab/Islamic Period. 2.6. 1. Islam versus Kharijism and lbadism. 2.6. 2. The 11th century taghriba: its causes and consequences. 2.6. 3. Administration and government in the Arab/lslamic period. 2.7. A Brief Outline of Tripolitania from 1050 to 1911. CHAPTER 3. HUMANS IN THE TRIPOLITANIAN ENVIRONMENT. 3.1. Introduction. 3.2. The Modus Vivendi of a Tribal Society. 3.2.1. The settled population. 3.2.2. Semi-nomadism. 3.2.3. Nomadism and the introduction of the camel. 3.3. Religious Beliefs in Tripolitanian Society. 3.4. The Economy. 3.4.1. Land management. 3.4.2. Trade. 3.4.3. Local markets. 3.4. 4. The caravan routes. CHAPTER 4. THE ELEMENTS OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL RECORD. 4.1. Building Materials and Architectural Decoration. 4.2. Housing. 4.2.1. Open farms. 4.2.2. Gsur. 4.2.3. Village architecture. 4.2.4. Temporary shelters. 4.2.5. Cemeteries and burial practices. 4.2.6. Christian religious architecture. 4.2.7. Islamic religious architecture. 4.3. Irrigation Practices. CHAPTER 5. SETTLEMENT LOCATION. 5.1. Settlement Location in North Africa. 5.2. Settlement Location in Tripolitania. 5.2.1. The coast. 5.2.2. The Gebel. 5.2.3. The pre-desert. 5.3. Settlement Continuity. 5.3.1. Reoccupation of late Roman sites in the Middle Ages. 5.4. Problems with the Evidence. 5.5. Criteria for Site Subdivision in the Catalogue. 5.5.1. Discussion. CHAPTER 6. CONCLUSIONS. CATALOGUE OF SITES. Short Guide to Site Dating. Introduction to the Catalogue. Notes. Catalogue. BIBLIOGRAPHY.