Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Clinical spectrum of childhood tuberculosis and outcome at Mohammed Alamin Hamid Pediatric Hospital, Omdurman, Sudan

The World Health Organization report in 2018 estimated 234,000 deaths due to tuberculosis (TB) in children less than 15 years; 40,000 of them occurring in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected children. These deaths represent 15% of all TB deaths. This study aimed to determine the clinical spectrum and outcome of childhood TB at Mohamed Alamin Hamid Pediatric Hospital TB management unit. Retrospective observational hospitalbased study was conducted during January 2017-December 2018, in children aged 0-18 years who were diagnosed with TB. A total of 174 patients were enrolled in this study. The majority of patients’ ages ranged from 5 to 17 years (111, 63.8%). Most of the patients were males (92, 52.9%) and (142, 81.6%) resided in Khartoum State. Lung opacity and hailer parenchymal shadows were the common presenting features (83, 47.7%) in chest X-ray. Sputum for acid fast bacilli was positive in only 20 (11.5%) patients. Testing for HIV was negative in 41 (23.6%) patients and was not done in 133 (76.4%). A total of 107 (61.5%) children were diagnosed as having pulmonary TB; extra pulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) was 67 (38.5%). Tuberculous lymphadenitis was the commonest type of EPTB and was diagnosed in 38 (56.7%) patients. The majority 94 (87.9%) completed their treatment and 13 (12.1%) with smear positive results were cured. Defaulters were 20 (11.5%), and 6 patients (3.4%) were retreated after default, 11 (6.3%) were transferred out, and 14 (8%) are still on treatment. Thirteen patients (7.5%) died, and the outcome of three patients was not documented.
Evaluation of Aa And Av Coefficients in Iran for Limited Displacement Design Method of Retaining Walls

The walls are permitted to displace to a specific amount in the seismic designing of the retaining walls using the limited displacement methods. As a result, the dynamic pressure of the earthquake on the retaining walls decreases compared to the case in which the wall is not allowed to move. The purpose of this paper is calculating the coefficients of the Richards and Elms equations in seismic designing of retaining walls, so that they can be applied in seismic provisions of Iran. Since this method requires determining the A a and A v coefficients, the records with the magnitude of higher than 5.5 were selected among the three-component records of the accelerograph network of the country. The baseline correction and filtering of all accelerograms have been conducted using SeismoSignal V.3. 2.0 software. From a total of 426 records, a set of 142 records were selected with a distance to the epicenter less than 60 km and peak ground acceleration of more than 0.05 g (50 cm/sec2). Since the results could be used in Iranian code, the macrozonation of A a and A v has been done throughout the country. Depending on the location of the accelerograph, the related records have been normalized according to the acceleration coefficients of the zone plan. Finally, a zoning map of A a and A v is proposed. Using this map and determining the permitted displacement, the designers can achieve the horizontal seismic coefficients for designing of retaining walls.
Pedogenic Transformation of Fractured Granitic Bedrock, Southern California

Joint fractures in granitic bedrock are known to influence patterns of weathering and landform evolution, but their influence on pedogenic processes has not been thoroughly studied. This research was designed to elucidate dominant pedogenic processes and the role of joint fractures in the transformation of a soil-weathered bedrock profile in the San Jacinto Mountains of southern California. The granitic bedrock is sufficiently weathered to meet paralithic materials criteria, but is not so intensively weathered to be considered saprolite. A lateral sequence of five morphologic zones exists within each weathered bedrock horizon: the matrix, matrix rind, fracture rind, fracture coating, and fracture fill. Distributions of pedogenic clay and citrate-bicarbonate-dithionite extractable Fe (Fe d ), and micromorphologic observations of mineral grain alteration indicate that the effects of chemical weathering increase upward in the profile and laterally towards joint fractures. Illuvial clay was detected throughout the profile, but is most abundant in the shallowest weathered bedrock horizons and in morphologic zones near fracture margins. Shrink-swell activity of clay deposited in planar voids, microcracks, and root channels is responsible for mineral grain fragmentation and localized disruption of rock-controlled fabric. Stresses generated by swelling clay are also responsible for fabric reorganization and development of incipient subsoil structure in the shallowest weathered bedrock horizon. Illuviation and shrink-swell processes play critical roles in the pedogenic transformation of this granitic bedrock.
Direct observation of cloud forcing by ground‐based thermal imaging

Instantaneous surface Cloud Radiative Forcing (CRF) in the 7.5–13 μm region is observed for the first time, using a thermal infrared camera. The sampling of clear sky and cloudy radiances from images of broken cloud fields allows cloud cover, CRF and effective cloud emission to be directly calculated, all within a consistent field of view. Analysis of 1300 images taken over more than two months in Central England shows that surface CRF is a nonlinear function of cloud cover, with daytime forcings larger and less linear than those at night. This nonlinearity is caused both by the increase in cloud optical thickness and the more frequent occurrence of low altitude (warm) cloud as the cloud cover increases. Even for nearly complete cloud cover, effective cloud emission remains significantly less than that of widely assumed homogeneous, optically thick cloud. Possible clear sky sampling errors associated with traditional methods of measuring CRF are also investigated.
Laser therapy for venous leg ulcers.

OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of low level laser therapy in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. SEARCH STRATEGY Searches of 19 databases, hand searching of journals and conference proceedings from 1948 onwards, and examination of bibliographies. SELECTION CRITERIA Randomised controlled trials comparing low level laser therapy with: sham laser; no laser; non-coherent light. There was no restriction on date or language. The main outcome measure used was complete healing of the ulcers. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS Data extraction was done by one reviewer and checked by a second. Meta analysis was used to combine the results of trials where the interventions and outcome measures were sufficiently similar. MAIN RESULTS There were 4 eligible trials. Two RCTs compared laser therapy with sham, 1 with ultraviolet therapy and 1 with non-coherent, unpolarised red light. Neither of the two RCTs comparing laser with sham found a significant difference in healing rates; there was no significant of laser evident when the trials were pooled. A three-arm study compared: - laser therapy alone - laser therapy plus infrared light - non-coherent, unpolarised red light. Significantly more ulcers completely healed in the group receiving a combination of laser and infrared light compared with non-coherent, unpolarised red light. A fourth trial compared laser and ultraviolet light and found no difference. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS We have found no evidence of any benefit associated with low level laser therapy on venous leg ulcer healing. One small study suggests that a combination of laser and infrared light may promote the healing of venous ulcers, however more research is needed.
Serviço de Atendimento Móvel de Urgência: perfil dos atendimentos por causas externas

OBJETIVO: Descrever os atendimentos por causas externas realizados pelo servico de atendimento pre-hospitalar prestado pelo Servico de Atendimento Movel de Urgencia (SAMU). METODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, descritivo, observacional, de abordagem quantitativa, tendo como fonte dados Fichas de Regulacao do SAMU de Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais, preenchidas no periodo de 1° de janeiro de 2016 a 31 de dezembro de 2016. RESULTADOS: Foram analisadas 2.930 fichas; destas 964 (32,9%) eram referentes a ocorrencias por causas externas. Os agravos mais frequentes foram, em ordem decrescente: acidentes de trânsito, queda da propria altura, queda de altura, agressoes e outros. Eram homens 64,5% e a idade media foi de 38,4 anos (zero a 99 anos de idade). A maioria dos agravos se deu durante 12h01 e 18h, e, em 94,8% dos atendimentos, foi enviada uma Unidade de Suporte Basico. Dentre as vitimas, 85,58% foram entregues ao hospital. A letalidade foi de 1,35%. CONCLUSAO: Governador Valadares recebe diariamente elevada demanda de atendimentos pre-hospitalares por causas externas de diversos pontos da cidade, traduzindo a necessidade de alternativas especializadas e eficazes para os atendimentos. Cabe a atuacao do servico disponibilizar um atendimento precoce, de forma a reduzir o tempo de atendimento, o que resulta em melhor prognostico dos agravos.
Acumulación y descomposición de la hojarasca en un pastizal de Panicum maximum y en un sistema silvopastoril asociado con Leucaena leucocephala

With the objective of determining the accumulation and decomposition of litter and the relationship of these processes with some biotic and abiotic factors present in a pasure of guinea grass, Panicum maximum cv. Likoni, and in a silvopastoral system of Panicum maximum and leucaena, Leucaena leucocephala cv. Cunningham, were carried out at the Experimental Station “Indio Hatuey”, Matanzas, Cuba. The results showed that the pasture of P. maximum accumulated 2.66 t DM/ha/yr, while the silvopastoral system produced 12.49 t DM/ha/yr, where L. leucocephala contributed with 75.6% of the total litter. Each pasture showed a different decomposition pattern of the litter. Among the species present, the rate varied in the following order: leucaena higher than guinea grass in the silvopastoral system, and the later higher than pasture of guinea grass. The highest values of density and biomass of individuals, the predominance of oligochaeta, as well as the best indexes of diversity, richness, and uniformity in the silvopastoral system indicated that the presence of leucaena in the grassland allowed enhancing the biological activity of the soil and guaranteeing the stability of the system.
Middle Oligocene extension in the Mediterranean Calabro‐Peloritan belt (southern Italy): Insights from the Aspromonte nappes pile

The Calabro‐Peloritan belt constitutes the eastward termination of the southern segment of the Alpine Mediterranean belt. This orogenic system was built up during the convergence between the Eurasian and the African plates, roughly north‐south directed since the Upper Cretaceous. It was subsequently fragmented during the opening of the western Mediterranean basins since Oligocene times. The curved shape of the Calabro‐Peloritan belt was acquired during the opening of the Tyrrhenian basin since the Tortonian. The origin, kinematics, and significance of the Calabro‐Peloritan tectonic pile are still debated. Our data in the Aspromonte Massif of southern Calabria reveal an Alpine history marked by two main superimposed kinematic regimes. A first phase corresponds to the piling up of basement nappes with a top‐to‐the‐SE vergence, i.e., in a direction orthogonal to the belt trend and toward the Adriatic foreland. This external vergence is similar to what is observed in both northeastern Sicily and northern Calabria. In Sicily, the age of nappe piling is Alpine, as evidenced by pinched slices of Mesozoic sediments. In the Aspromonte Massif, thrusting age is less constrained. Our data suggest remnants of late Hercynian structuration before the Alpine stacking. A second phase corresponds to the thinning of the continental crust, dated at around 30 Ma by both geochronological and stratigraphical data. This extension is mainly localized on two low‐angle detachment contacts, with top‐to‐the‐NE displacement. The lower one corresponds to the reworking of the former main nappe contact. The upper one is a large detachment fault cutting across the pile from upper sedimentary levels down to metamorphic basement. Extension of similar Alpine age and similar internal vergence has been already recognized in other parts of the Calabro‐Peloritan Arc, i.e., in the basement nappes of northeastern Sicily and in the ophiolitic units of northern Calabria. Coming back to the original geometry and position of the Calabro‐Peloritan belt, before its bending and the opening of the Liguro‐Provençal and Tyrrhenian basins, we evidence a homogeneous Oligocene NE‐SW extension all along the Calabro‐Peloritan segment of the Alpine Mediterranean belt. This tectonometamorphic history is best explained within the framework of the continuous Tertiary westward dipping subduction of the Tethyan oceanic domain below the European active margin and the progressive southeastward retreat of the Apennine trench since Oligocene times.
Microstructural evolution of fine-grained layers through the firn column at Summit, Greenland

Abstract We present a microstructural characterization of fine-grained layers from the top 90 m of firn from Summit, Greenland, performed using a combination of scanning electron microscopy techniques including secondary electron imaging, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscattered patterns, and X-ray microcomputed tomography. The impurities in the firn, both soluble impurities and dust particles, were found largely in the grain interiors. Both c- and a-axis pole figures do not show strong evidence of a preferred orientation of the grains even at the bottom of the firn column. The firn structure became increasingly anisotropic with vertical alignment in the top 3 m, probably due to vapor transport associated with dry-snow metamorphism. The anisotropy decreases below this level until at ∼50 m the average firn structure is close to isotropic. In the near surface, the level of anisotropy is weaker than at Hercules Dome, Antarctica, confirming that differences in accumulation rates and temperatures leave enduring evidence in the structure of the firn. The fraction of closed-off pores is relatively low until ∼65 m; below that it rises through the end of our sampling at 90 m. Our microstructure measurements on the microscale are consistent with in situ firn-air sampling measurements on a decimeter scale, both indicating the existence of the lock-in zone starting near 69 m depth, and pore close-off at 81 m at this site.
Bacterial behavior in human blood reveals complement evaders with persister-like features

Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) are a major health concern and can cause up to 40% mortality. Pseudomonas aeruginosa BSI is often of nosocomial origin and is associated with a particularly poor prognosis. The mechanism of bacterial persistence in blood is still largely unknown. Here, we analyzed the behavior of a cohort of clinical and laboratory Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in human blood. In this specific environment, complement was the main defensive mechanism, acting either by direct bacterial lysis or by opsonophagocytosis, which required recognition by immune cells. We found highly variable survival rates for different strains in blood, whatever their origin, serotype, or the nature of their secreted toxins and despite their detection by immune cells. We identified and characterized a complement-tolerant subpopulation of bacterial cells that we named “evaders”. Evaders represented 0.1-0.001% of the initial bacterial load and displayed transient tolerance. Although evaders shared some features with bacterial persisters, which tolerate antibiotic treatment, they appear to have evolved distinct strategies to escape complement. We detected the evaders for five other major human pathogens: Acinetobacter baumannii, Burkholderia multivorans, enteroaggregative Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Yersinia enterocolitica. Thus, the evaders could allow the pathogen to persist within the bloodstream, and may be the cause of fatal bacteremia or dissemination, notably in the absence of effective antibiotic treatments. Author summary for “Complement evaders” Blood infections by antibiotic resistant bacteria, notably Pseudomonas aeruginosa, are major concerns in hospital settings. The complex interplay between P. aeruginosa and the innate immune system in the context of human blood is still poorly understood. By studying the behavior of various P. aeruginosa strains in human whole blood and plasma, we showed that bacterial strains display different rate of tolerance to the complement system. Despite the complement microbicide activity, most bacteria withstand elimination through phenotypic heterogeneity creating a tiny (<0.1%) subpopulation of transiently tolerant evaders. While genetically identical to the rest of the complement-sensitive population, evaders allow the bacteria to persist in plasma. This phenotypic heterogeneity thus prevents total elimination of the pathogen from the circulation, and represent a new strategy to disseminate within the organism.
Charting a Course for Genetic Discovery in Neurological Diseases

Whole-genome association analyses have begun to yield confirmed findings for genetic risk variants for complex disease. As the first reports of its application to neurological disease are described, we review this progress, explain the principles of the analysis, and discuss what the future is likely to be in this exciting area. Arch Neurol. 2008;65(3):319-321 The human genome draft sequence released in 2001 1,2 was a consensus sequence based on the stitching together of DNAsequencesfromclonesderivedfrom many individuals; at best, this corresponded to an imperfect sketch of the human sequence and certainly represented no one person. The immediate utility of the human draft DNA sequence was that it provided a map to allow scientists to localize genes that were mutated in mendelian disease. It did not directly help us to understandthemoresubtledifferencesbetweenus,includingpredispositionstothe many common diseases that afflict humans. These common diseases, which include most cases of neurological disease such as most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson disease, Alzheimer disease,stroke,braintumors,manyothercan
Age of the Fort Polk, Louisiana, Miocene Terrestrial Vertebrate Sites

ABSTRACT Correlation via fossil vertebrates from exposures of the Castor Creek Member of the Fleming Formation within Fort Polk supports an early late Barstovian Land Mammal age for the sites and relies mainly on the presence of the rodent Copemys, a gomphothere (Proboscidea), and the artiodactyl Prosynthetoceras francisi. Copemys marks the beginning of the Barstovian, which has previously been reported to range from 16.8 to 11.5 Ma, and the first appearances of proboscidea coming as immigrants to North America are reported to fall between 16.2 Ma and 14.8 Ma. Prosynthetoceras francisi is currently the best animal for comparison of stage-of-evolution in a Gulf Coast lineage. It is similar to animals from the Barstovian Cold Spring Local Fauna of the Texas coastal plain, larger than those from the earlier Burkeville Local Fauna, previously reported as possibly 14.5-13 Ma in age. The Fort Polk sites are older than 11.5 and probably younger than 13 Ma. Invertebrate fossils of the Potamides matsoni zone, previously reported in the Castor Creek Member in Louisiana and associated with the Burkeville local fauna in Texas, have not been recovered from Fort Polk. Carbon isotope study confirms that carbonate nodules associated with the Fort Polk faunas are older than the worldwide 7.0-7.4 Ma positive shift. A single pollen sample from a level slightly below the most prolific vertebrate site, suggests an age for its level no older than approximately 10-12 Ma.
Prevalence of oral and perioral manifestations in HIV positive adults at Tikur Anbessa Teaching Hospital Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND Oral lesions are often characteristic in HIV patients and in the majority of cases can be diagnosed by their clinical features alone. To date there is no study addressing the prevalence of oral and perioral lesions in HIV patients in Ethiopia. OBJECTIVES To assess prevalence of oral and perioral manifestations, the clinical symptoms of oral disease, and to assess the association of oral and perioral lesions to the socio- demographic status and CD4 count of ART naive HIV patients. METHODS A cross-sectional study on 384 consecutive HIV patients before initiation of ARV treatment was conducted. Oral and perioral lesions were diagnosed according to the EC-clearinghouse's classification and diagnostic criteria for oral lesions in HIV infection and WHO collaborating centre on oral manifestations of HIV, 1992. RESULTS One hundred and twenty six (32.8%) of the study subjects were males and 258 (67.2%) were females and mean age was 35.4 +/- 9.94 years (range of 14-84 years). Overall prevalence of oral lesions was 64.3%, and perioral lesions was 15.4%. Nearly half (44%) had dental caries. Pseudomembraneous candidiasis (20.1%), linear gingival erythema (11.7%), and erythematous candidiasis (9.1%) were the three most common HIV associated oral lesions. Angular cheilitis (8%) and molluscum contagiosum (4%) were the two most common perioral conditions. The most common oral symptoms reported were dry mouth (34.4%), difficulty eating (27.9%), and oral pain (27.3%). Oral symptoms and a CD4 count < 200 mm(-3) were significantly (X2 = 22.4, P = 0.0001) associated with presence of oral and perioral lesions. Age above 40 years (31%) was significantly associated with oral lesions (P = 0.016), but not with perioral lesions (P = 0.26). CONCLUSION Oral and perioral lesions were common in HIV positive adults at Tikur Anbessa Specialized hospital and represent a treatable morbidity associated with this disease. Thus, a comprehensive oral examination is important in the clinical evaluation, management, and follow up of patients with HIV.
Lithospheric velocity model across the Southern Central Iberian Zone (Variscan Iberian Massif): The ALCUDIA wide‐angle seismic reflection transect

A P wave seismic velocity model has been obtained for the Central Iberian Zone, the largest continental fragment of the Iberian Variscan Belt. The spatially dense, high‐resolution, wide‐angle seismic reflection experiment, ALCUDIA‐WA, was acquired in 2012 across central Iberia, aiming to constrain the lithospheric structure and resolve the physical properties of the crust and upper mantle. The seismic transect, ~310 km long, crossed the Central Iberian Zone from its suture with the Ossa‐Morena Zone to the southern limit of the Central System mountain range. The energy generated by five shots was recorded by ~900 seismic stations. High‐amplitude phases were identified in every shot gather for the upper crust (Pg and PiP) and Moho (PmP and Pn). In the upper crust, the P wave velocities increase beneath the Cenozoic Tajo Basin. The base of the upper crust varies from ~13 km to ~20 km between the southernmost Central Iberian Zone and the Tajo Basin. Lower crustal velocities are more homogeneous. From SW‐NE, the traveltime of PmP arrivals varies from ~10.5 s to ~11.8 s, indicating lateral variations in the P wave velocity and the crustal thickness, reflecting an increase toward the north related with alpine tectonics and the isostatic response of the crust to the orogenic load. The results suggest that the high velocities of the upper crust near the Central System might correspond to igneous rocks and/or high‐grade metamorphic rocks. The contrasting lithologies and the increase in the Moho depth to the north evidence differences in the Variscan evolution.