Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CMR and serology to diagnose COVID-19 infection with primary cardiac involvement

A 51-year-old man presented with fever, arthromyalgia, dyspnoea, and atypical chest pain, but no coughing or anosmia/ageusia. Troponin I was 2900 ng/mL, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was 900 pg/mL, C-reactive protein was 270 mg/L, and fibrinogen was >10 g/L. ECG showed non-specific T wave changes (Panel A). Echocardiography was unremarkable. Acute myocarditis was suspected. Two COVID19 PCR tests on nasopharyngeal swabs were performed within 48 h, along with a chest CT (Panel B), all being negative for the diagnosis of COVID19. Serological tests showed ancient parvovirus B19 and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection. Other tests were negative (HBV, HCV, HIV, CMV, Coxsackie, HSV1, HSV2, VZV, VRS, and influenza virus). CMR was performed 8 days after the onset of symptoms, showing subepicardial oedema on the lateral/inferior left ventricular (LV) wall (Panel C), with late gadolinium enhancement (Panel D), consistent with acute myocarditis. Cine imaging showed preserved LVEF and volumes, no wall motion abnormalities, but a 5 mm thrombus was present at the LV apex (Panel E). The unusual finding of a clot despite preserved LVEF and the profound biological signs of inflammation were interpreted as uncommon, and a COVID-19 serological test was thus performed (BIOSYNEX COVID-19). Results were positive for SARS-COV-2 immunization on IgG and IgM. The patient was treated with tocilizumab. This report indicates that (i) myocardial involvement can be the primary manifestation of COVID-19 infection; (ii) CMR may arouse the suspicion of the diagnosis by detecting unusual thrombosis within cardiac chambers; and (iii) serological tests are of the utmost importance to obtain diagnostic confirmation in the absence of pulmonary involvement, as PCR and chest CT may be negative.
Review article: The spatial dimension in the assessment of urban socio-economic vulnerability related to geohazards

Abstract. Society and economy are only two of the dimensions of vulnerability. This paper aims to elucidate the state of the art of data sources, spatial variables, indicators, methods, indexes and tools for the spatial assessment of socio-economic vulnerability (SEV) related to geohazards. This review was first conducted in December 2018 and re-run in March 2020 for the period between 2010 and 2020. The gross number of articles reviewed was 27, from which we identified 18 relevant references using a revised search query and six relevant references identified using the initial query, giving a total sample of 24 references. The most common source of data remains population censuses. The most recurrent spatial variable used for the assessment of SEV is households without basic services, while critical facilities are the most frequent spatial category. Traditional methods have been combined with more innovative and complex methods to select and weight spatial indicators and develop indices. The Social Vulnerability Index (SoVI®) remains the benchmark for the assessment of SEV and a reference for its spatial assessment. Geographic information systems (GIS) is the most common tool for conducting a spatial assessment of SEV regarding geohazards. For future spatial assessments of SEV regarding geohazards, we recommend considering 3-D spatial indexes at the microscale at the urban level and involving the community in the assessments.
Short-term reproducibility of ambulatory blood pressure measurements: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 35 observational studies

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text Objective: A systematic review on the reproducibility of ambulatory blood pressure measurements (ABPM) has not yet been conducted. This meta-analysis compared 24-h/daytime/night-time SBP and DBP mean values and SBP/DBP nocturnal dipping status from ABPMs in participants with or without hypertension. Methods: Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CINAHL Complete databases were searched for articles published before 3 May 2019. Eligible studies reporting a 24-h ABPM repeated at least once within 1 month were included. The mean daytime/night-time/24-h BP values, percentage of nocturnal dipping, and proportion of nondippers were compared between the first and second day of measurements, and the proportion of participants with inconsistent dipping status were estimated using a random effect model. Results: Population-based analysis found a 0–1.1 mmHg difference between the first and second ABPM for 24-h/daytime/night-time SBP and DBP and 0–0.5% for percentage of SBP/DBP nocturnal dipping. The proportion of non-dippers was not different between the first and second ABPM. Intra-individual analysis found that the 95% limit of agreements (LOA) for SBP/DBP were wide and the 95% LOA for daytime SBP, common reference to diagnose hypertension, ranged −16.7 to 18.4 mmHg. Similarly, 32% of participants had inconsistent nocturnal dipping status. Conclusion: ABPM had excellent reproducibility at the population level, favouring its application for research purposes; but reproducibility of intra-individual BP values and dipping status from a 24-h ABPM was limited. The available evidence was limited by the lack of high-quality studies and lack of studies in non-Western populations.
Brucellar reproductive system injury: A retrospective study of 22 cases and review of the literature

Objective We aimed to describe the clinical characteristics and prognosis of 22 patients with Brucella-induced reproductive system injury. Methods We assessed 22 patients with reproductive system injury between 2010 and 2018 at The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Results The disease is predominant in men. Male patients had orchitis, erectile dysfunction, prostatitis, and urethral stricture, while female patients had vaginitis and cervicitis. Some patients had laboratory abnormalities and liver injury. Patients received combination therapy of rifampicin and doxycycline. Doxycycline combined with levofloxacin or moxifloxacin was administered to patients with rifampicin intolerance. All patients had received antibiotic therapy for at least 6 weeks. One patient was lost to follow-up, one patient relapsed because of osteoarthropathy, and one patient had dysuria resulting from chronic prostatitis. The clinical symptoms resolved in the other patients, and the overall patient prognosis was good. Conclusion Clinicians should pay attention to brucellosis-induced reproductive system damage. The two-drug regimen of rifampicin+doxycycline is recommended for these patients. Doxycycline combined with levofloxacin or moxifloxacin should be used in patients with brucellosis-induced reproductive system damage who have rifampicin intolerance. The treatment course should be at least 6 weeks.
Digesta viscosity, nutrient digestibility and organ weights in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fed diets supplemented with different levels of a soluble non-starch polysaccharide

The objective of the present study was to investigate if dietary soluble non-starch polysaccharides (NSP) increase digesta viscosity, reduce nutrient digestibility and increase organ weights in African catfish. The fish (mean weight 80 g) were fed diets supplemented with the soluble NSP guar gum at three levels, 0 g kg1 (GG0), 40 g kg1 (GG4) and 80 g kg1 (GG8). Guar gum inclusion significantly increased digesta viscosity in the proximal (GG0: 1.7 centipoise or cP; GG4: 84.9 cP; GG8: 98.3 cP) and distal (GG0: 1.9 cP; GG4: 109.8 cP; GG8: 66.4 cP) intestine. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) were significantly lower for the GG8 diet than the GG0 diet (dry matter: 52% versus 69%; protein: 77% versus 90%; ash: 41% versus 54%; energy: 60% versus 77%). The ADC of dry matter and energy were significantly lower for the GG4 diet than the GG0 diet. The relative growth rate of metabolic weight (14.5? 15.4 g kg0.8 day1) and feed conversion ratio (0.8) did not differ between diets. Fish fed the GG8 diet had a significantly higher somatic stomach index than GG0 fish (0.71% versus 0.65% body weight). The intestinal somatic index tended to increase with increasing guar gum supplementation (GG0: 1.08%; GG4: 1.23%; GG8: 1.59%). In conclusion, high digesta viscosities in the guar gum fed fish may explain the observed reduced nutrient digestibilities and increases in digestive organ weights
Polymorphisms in the 5-HTTLPR Gene Mediate Storage Capacity of Visual Working Memory

■ Working memory (WM) is a limited capacity system that permeates nearly all levels of cognition, ranging from perceptual awareness to intelligence. Through behavioral, electrophysiologi-cal, and neuroimaging work, substantial gains have been made in understanding this capacity-limited system. In the current work, we examined genetic contributions to the storage capacity of WM. Multiple studies have demonstrated a link between the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and cognition, where better performance is observed in individuals possessing a copy of the short (s) variant of the poly-morphism compared with individuals homozygous for the long (l) variant. We predicted the same profile in WM performance, such that estimated capacities of l/l carriers should be smaller than s/s and s/l carriers. To measure WM capacity, we implemented a change detection task, which requires observers to actively maintain the color and spatial location of briefly presented squares over a short retention interval. In line with our prediction, we observed similar WM performance between s/s and s/l groups, and these individuals performed better than the l/l group. We then discuss the distribution of the serotonin transporter system and parallels between WM and attention to provide insight into how variation in the 5-HTT polymor-phism could lead to individual differences in the storage capacity of WM. ■
Cow factors affecting the risk of clinical mastitis

†and W.J. Meaney Teagasc, Moorepark Dairy Production Research Centre, Fermoy, Co. Cork The objective of the present study was to identify cow risk factors associated with development of clinical mastitis (CM) in subsequent stages of lactation. A total of 3,309 lactations from spring-calving Holstein-Friesian cows were included in the analysis; parity number ranged from one to three, inclusive. A generalised estimating equations approach with a logit link function was used to account for the binary nature of the data and the unequal number of repeated records per cow. The dependent variable was the probability of developing CM in the subsequent stage of lactation. Independent variables included in the model were chosen using stepwise selection; herd, year of birth, month of calving, parity, period of lactation and previous CM history significantly affected the probability of CM. Two-way interactions between parity and period of lactation and between parity and incidence of CM in the previous lactation were also included in the model. A greater probability of developing CM is expected in cows that experienced CM in the previous lactation and/or previously within the same lactation. The probability of CM occurring in cows that experienced at least one case of CM in the previous lactation was 0.92 to 3.75 times that of a cow that experienced no CM in the previous lactation. It is possible to predict the probability of an animal developing CM in the subsequent stage of lactation when information is available on the parity and month of calving of the animal and its previous history of CM.
Distribuição de raízes de laranja "Pêra" sob sequeiro e irrigação por microaspersão em solo arenoso

O trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a distribuicao de raizes de laranja "Pera" sob condicoes nao-irrigadas e irrigadas por microaspersao em solo arenoso de tabuleiro costeiro. As raizes foram extraidas em trincheiras, a partir do tronco, nas direcoes longitudinal e ortogonal a fileira de plantas, pelo metodo do monolito. Uma vez separadas, foram digitalizadas com uso de computador e scanner, para obter, com o uso do software Rootedge, os comprimentos e diâmetros dos segmentos de raizes de todas as amostras, que foram mapeados nos perfis amostrados. O sistema radicular sob irrigacao por microaspersao apresentou maior expansao, tanto em profundidade como em distância radial do tronco, do que o sistema radicular sob condicoes nao-irrigadas. Houve maior porcentagem de raizes finas nos perfis de solo sob microaspersao, em relacao a condicao nao-irrigada, indicando a possibilidade de maior atividade do sistema radicular nesse sistema de irrigacao. As posicoes mais adequadas para instalacao de sensores de agua do solo para a cultura da laranja sob microaspersao estao entre 0 e 2,5 m de distância radial a partir do tronco, em profundidades entre 0 e 1,0 m.
Potency of botanical extracts on management of pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.).

Experiments were conducted to study the efficacy of botanical extract and chemical insecticide on the germination of pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis) infested seeds of black gram (Phaseolus mungo), gram (Cicer arietinum), and mung bean (Vigna radiata). Neem extract (10%) and garlic extract (10%) were used as botanical extract where as 1% sevin 85 SP was used as chemical insecticide. From the foregoing analysis here in, it was observed that neem extract treated pulse seeds were germinated into highest number of normal seedlings in comparison with garlic extract and sevin 85 SP treated seeds when one day and ten days infested seeds were taken under consideration. But there was no significant difference in producing normal seedlings among neem extract, garlic extract and sevin 85 SP in case of thirty days infested pulse seeds due to the fact that adult insect emerged and leaved the pulse seeds at this time. The germination of normal seedlings varied from pulse species to number of days of seed infestation. * Corresponding Author: Md. Ashrafuzzaman  azamanbt@gmail.com
Economic and Environmental Implications of Trawl Fishing: An Analysis in Munambam Fishing Harbour on the South West Coast of India

Kerala state in the Southwest coast of India is an important maritime state and mechanized trawlers are the principal fishing units in the state. Since 2007, high speed engines were introduced in the trawl fishing sector which yielded higher hauling speed compared to the indigenous engines. Munambam fishing harbour is one of the biggest fishing harbours in Kerala where more than 90% of the mechanized trawlers operate with high speed engines. The high-speed trawlers were criticized for their environmental impacts to marine resources in terms of overexploitation and high fuel consumption. The fuel consumption of fishing units has economic, social and environmental implications with regard to sustainable fish harvests and livelihood security of fishermen. The objective of the study was to assess the economic and environmental implications of high speed trawl fishing units in Munambam fishing harbour on the South west coast of India. The data were collected from 90 boat operators from Munambam fishing harbour during the 2017-2018 fishing season. The samples were drawn randomly from the boat owners or boat operators. The results of the multiple regression analysis used to assess the factors affecting fish catches by high speed trawlers indicated that skipper’s experience and fuel consumption had positive and significant influence on fish catch and 1% increase in quantity of fuel used led to an increase of 0.363% in gross income. The carbon dioxide emissions from the trawlers were also estimated to assess the environmental implications.
Social interaction in urban transformation areas and the characteristics of urban outdoor spaces: a case study from Turkey.

This study defends that solution to environmental and even social problems faced around the house which is the basic habitat has relations with space design. Therefore, spatial characteristics supporting social togetherness, cohesion and communication especially among different social groups living together in urban transformation areas have been analyzed. The research question of the article has been set as "How must the landscape characteristics be to support social interaction of the individuals around the house? ". In this study, the importance of landscape design as a tool to lead individuals to outside spaces, socializing and being together has been tried to be stressed and space design tools that can be used to provide social interaction and the feeling of being a community especially in transformation places which are problematic have been examined. Cukurambar District which has gone through a very fast transformation period has been chosen as a research area. Existence of some places which have not transformed has given chance to examine the spatial behaviors of individuals from different physical and social conditions. In order to concretize the study and to get quantitative data, a questionnaire which examines the relationships among individuals, places and neighborhoods has been conducted in the transformation area and the results are evaluated. It is the aim of this study to be a guide for the spaces which will be transformed and new residents in creating social interaction places.
The evolution of locomotor morphology in Rhoptropus (Squamata: Gekkonidae): Functional and phylogenetic considerations

BAUER, A. M. , A. P. RUSSELL and G. L. POWELL. 1996. The evolution of locomotor morphology in the genus Rhoptropus (Squamata: Gekkonidae). Afr. 1. Herpetol. 45(1): 8–30. Reduced major axis regressions of limb skeletal element length against occiput-vent length (OVL) indicate that there are significant differences in the scaling relationships among the five Namibian species of the genus Rhoptropus. R. afer differs from all other taxa in y-intercept and size of ordinate variable at smallest common OVL for almost all regressions. The proportional differences in limb morphology for this species are most notable for the metapodial elements and proximal phalanges. Distal phalanges do not show this pattern, perhaps reflecting functional constraint imposed by the hyperextensive scansorial system of the toes. Rhoptropus afer also typically has one fewer presacral vertebra than its congeners. There is no evidence that these features of R. afer are shared by its sister taxon, R. bradfieldi. It therefore seems likely .
Ensemble Deep Learning Model for Multicenter Classification of Thyroid Nodules on Ultrasound Images

Background Thyroid nodules are extremely common and typically diagnosed with ultrasound whether benign or malignant. Imaging diagnosis assisted by Artificial Intelligence has attracted much attention in recent years. The aim of our study was to build an ensemble deep learning classification model to accurately differentiate benign and malignant thyroid nodules. Material/Methods Based on current advanced methods of image segmentation and classification algorithms, we proposed an ensemble deep learning classification model for thyroid nodules (EDLC-TN) after precise localization. We compared diagnostic performance with four other state-of-the-art deep learning algorithms and three ultrasound radiologists according to ACR TI-RADS criteria. Finally, we demonstrated the general applicability of EDLC-TN for diagnosing thyroid cancer using ultrasound images from multi medical centers. Results The method proposed in this paper has been trained and tested on a thyroid ultrasound image dataset containing 26 541 images and the accuracy of this method could reach 98.51%. EDLC-TN demonstrated the highest value for area under the curve, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy among five state-of-the-art algorithms. Combining EDLC-TN with models and radiologists could improve diagnostic accuracy. EDLC-TN achieved excellent diagnostic performance when applied to ultrasound images from another independent hospital. Conclusions Based on ensemble deep learning, the proposed approach in this paper is superior to other similar existing methods of thyroid classification, as well as ultrasound radiologists. Moreover, our network represents a generalized platform that potentially can be applied to medical images from multiple medical centers.
The function of buttress roots: a comparative study of the anchorage systems of buttressed (Aglaia and Nephelium ramboutan species) and non-buttressed (Mallotus wrayi) tropical trees

The anchorage mechanics of mature buttressed trees of Aglaia and Nephelium, and of non-buttressed Mallotus wrayi have been investigated by combining a study of the morphology of their root systems with a series of anchorage tests. Both types possessed tap roots, but only buttressed trees possessed sinker roots, which branched from the ends of the buttresses. The anchorage strength of the buttressed trees was almost double (10.6 kNm) that of the unbuttressed ones (4.9 kNm), and the maximum moment was generated at lower angles. In buttressed trees, the leeward buttresses were pushed into the soil before bending and eventually breaking towards their tip, whilst the windward buttresses pulled out of the soil or delaminated if they possessed sinker roots. The tap root rotated in the soil to windward. In contrast, during failure of unbuttressed trees the tap root both moved and bent towards the leeward, the windward roots were pulled out of the soil, and the leeward laterals simply buckled. Strains along buttresses were much higher than along the laterals of unbuttressed trees. These results suggest that buttresses act in both tension and compression and make a much larger contribution to anchorage than the thin laterals of non-buttressed trees. The relative contribution of the buttresses was determined by carrying out a further series of anchorage tests in which both buttressed and unbuttressed trees were pulled over after all their laterals had been cut away. These trees were therefore only anchored by their taproot. Failure of both types was similar to intact unbuttressed trees, and they had similar anchorage strengths to each other, 4 kNm, around 80% of the value for intact non-buttressed trees, but only 40% of the strength of intact buttressed trees. Buttresses therefore contribute around 60% of the anchorage of buttressed trees, producing around six times more anchorage than the thin laterals of unbuttressed trees.
Health behaviour changes during COVID-19 and the potential consequences: A mini-review

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about profound changes to social behaviour. While calls to identify mental health effects that may stem from these changes should be heeded, there is also a need to examine potential changes with respect to health behaviours. Media reports have signalled dramatic shifts in sleep, substance use, physical activity and diet, which may have subsequent downstream mental health consequences. We briefly discuss the interplay between health behaviours and mental health, and the possible changes in these areas resulting from anti-pandemic measures. We also highlight a call for greater research efforts to address the short and long-term consequences of changes to health behaviours.
Schistosomiasis Morbidity and Management of Cases in Africa

textabstractSchistosomiasis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections and an important public health problem in many developing countries. The main early symptom if Schistosoma haematobium infection is hematuria, and S. mansoni infection causes bloody diarrhea. Current estimates of the number of individuals with symptoms and the burden of disease due to schistosoma infection lack detail and precision and are considered to be too low. Therefore we aimed at determining more accurate estimates using data from published field studies. We developed a method to associate prevalence of schistosoma infection with prevalence of morbidity in a population. In the second part of this thesis we explored the quality of schistosomiasis case management and determined the probability that patients with symptoms from S. haematobium or S. mansoni infection that report at the health system receive adequate treatment. The pre-requisits for schistosomiasis case management turned out to be less favourable in Ghana than in Mali and Senegal.