Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards hepatitis C virus elimination: Egyptian experience, achievements and limitations

Worldwide, more than one million people die each year from hepatitis C virus (HCV) related diseases, and over 300 million people are chronically infected with hepatitis B or C. Egypt used to be on the top of the countries with heavy HCV burden. Some countries are making advances in elimination of HCV, yet multiple factors preventing progress; remain for the majority. These factors include lack of global funding sources for treatment, late diagnosis, poor data, and inadequate screening. Treatment of HCV in Egypt has become one of the top national priorities since 2007. Egypt started a national treatment program intending to provide cure for Egyptian HCV-infected patients. Mass HCV treatment program had started using Pegylated interferon and ribavirin between 2007 and 2014. Yet, with the development of highly-effective direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for HCV, elimination of viral hepatitis has become a real possibility. The Egyptian National Committee for the Control of Viral Hepatitis did its best to provide Egyptian HCV patients with DAAs. Egypt adopted a strategy that represents a model of care that could help other countries with high HCV prevalence rate in their battle against HCV. This review covers the effects of HCV management in Egyptian real life settings and the outcome of different treatment protocols. Also, it deals with the current and future strategies for HCV prevention and screening as well as the challenges facing HCV elimination and the prospect of future eradication of HCV.
Initial Diagnosis of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders in Children Increases a Chance for Resolution of Symptoms

Purpose The aim of this study was to describe functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) presented in a tertiary medical center, characteristics of patients and results of the diagnostic work-up together with an outcome during the follow up. Methods This was a retrospective, single center, observational study including all patients who were diagnosed with FGID based on Rome III criteria from January to December 2015 in tertiary medical center. Results Overall 294 children were included (mean age, 8.9 years [range, 1–18 years]; 165 females). Majority had functional constipation (35.4%), followed by functional abdominal pain (30.6%), irritable bowel syndrome (17.0%), functional dyspepsia (12.6%), functional nausea (3.4%) and abdominal migraine (1.0%). Regression model found that only significant factor associated with improvement of symptoms is the establishment of the functional diagnosis at the first visit (hazard ratio, 2.163; 95% confidence inverval, 1.029–4.544). There was no association between improvement of symptoms and presence of alarm signs/symptoms (weight loss, nocturnal symptoms and severe vomiting) at diagnosis. Furthermore, in pain symptoms (functional abdominal pain, irritable bowel syndrome, dyspepsia) no treatment positively correlated with pain improvement. Conclusion Regardless of the initial diagnosis of FGID, positive diagnosis at the first visit increases a chance for resolution of symptoms.
Predation enforcement options: an evaluation in a Cournot framework

The paper characterises the building blocks of a framework to enforce anti-predation rules and subsequently evaluates selected enforcement options in a Cournot-type duopoly predation model. Differentiating between a no rule approach, an ex ante approach and two ex post approaches, it is shown that an ex post approach typically maximises overall welfare. However, an ex ante approach can be the preferred option in cases where the entrant has a large cost advantage over the incumbent.
QUANTITATIVE LUNG NODULE ANALYSIS SYSTEM (NAS) FROM CHEST CT

A modular nodule analysis system (NAS) for early lung nodules detection and classification is presented. Elastic active appearance models (AAM) are used to create realistic templates for nodule detection by template matching. A novel approach is presented to automatically annotate nodules in the design of the AAM templates. On sample nodules from ELCAP and LIDC studies, the AAM nodule templates provided 95% sensitivity of detection vs 80% for geometric templates, at 95% specificity rate. The paper presents an SVM classifier in a two-tier cascade framework for nodule classification. The classification results using Gabor features showed overall better results for identifying non-nodules, malignant and benign nodules with total average Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristics (AUC-ROC) curves of 0.99 and average f1-score of 0.975. Results lay the foundation for a fully model based nodule analysis system for early detection of lung cancer at Stage 1a.
BIODEGRADABLE COATING FROM AGATHIS ALBA

The adhesive property of copal makes it as a potential coating onto aluminum foil to replace polyethylene. This research aimed to develop copal-based coating. The coating was prepared by extracting the copal in ethyl acetate and dipping the aluminium foil in ethyl acetate soluble extract of copal. The characterization of coating included its thickness, weight, thermal and chemical resistance, and biodegradation. The results showed that the coating thickness and weight increased as the copal concentration and dipping frequency increased. Thermal resistance test showed that the coating melted after being heated at 110°C for 30 min. Copal-based coating was resistant to acidic solution (pH 4.0), water, and coconut oil, but was deteriorated in detergent 1% (w/v) and basic solution (pH 10.0). Biodegradability test using Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed weight reduction of 76.82% in 30 days.
Gravitational oscillations of a liquid column in a pipe

We report gravity oscillations of a liquid column partially immersed in a bath of liquid. We stress some peculiarities of this system, namely (i) the fact that the mass of this oscillator constantly changes with time; (ii) the singular character of the beginning of the rise, for which the mass of the oscillator is zero; (iii) the sources of dissipation in this system, which is found to be dominated at low viscosity by the entrance (or exit) effects, leading to a long-range damping of the oscillations. We conclude with some qualitative descriptions of a second-order phenomenon, which is the eruption of a jet at the beginning of the rise.
Harpocrates: Giving Out Your Secrets and Keeping Them Too

Content Distribution Networks (CDNs) offer websites and web services the ability to host content on servers that are near the edge of the network, close to users. Benefits of this arrangement include low latency, scalability, and resistance to Denial of Service attacks. Traditionally, CDNs have hosted primarily static content, but increasingly, there is an interest in pushing active computation to the edge as well. This active computation, which is similar in style to the "server-less" computing becoming popular in clouds, offers a wealth of new opportunities for web services to be-come faster and more scalable. With this opportunity, however, comes a much greater exposure to security threats. One is leakage of secret materials (such as keys, identities, etc.) that are accessed by these functions. Another is the possibility that sensitive calculations are not executed faithfully in the CDN; e.g. a modified version of the customer's code is run. In this paper, we present the design of Harpocrates, a framework that allows active code to be pushed from an origin webserver out to workers at the edge of a CDN. Harpocrates makes use of Intel's SGX technology to keep data private, and presents an environment similar to the JavaScript WebWorker API to simplify the process of code that can run on either origin servers or the CDN. We use Harpocrates to design a number of interesting services, including a service that generates and checks secure cookies within the CDN, and a framework that protects against denial-of-service attacks in a way that is customized to a specific website. We show that the framework performs well enough to be deployable in practice.
Effect of pH on solubility of white Mineral Trioxide Aggregate and Biodentine: An in vitro study

Background. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of acidic, neutral and alkaline environments on the solubility of white mineral trioxide aggregate (WMTA) and Biodentine (BD). Methods. Thirty-nine ring molds were randomly divided into three groups of A, B, and C (n = 12) with pH values of 7.4, 4.4 and 10.4, respectively, and an empty mold was used as a control. Each group was further divided into two subgroups (1 and 2) according to the material studied. The samples in groups A, B and C were transferred into synthetic tissue fluid buffered at pH values of 7.4, 4.4 and 10.4, respectively, and kept in an incubator at 37°C with 100% humidity. Daily solubility at 1-, 2-, 5-, 14-, 21-, and 30-day intervals and cumulative solubility up to 5-, 14-, and 30-day intervals were calculated. Statistical analysis was carried out with independent-samples t-test, two-way ANOVA and post hoc Tukey tests using SPSS 18. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results. Both WMTA and BD exhibited the highest solubility in acidic pH with 5.4235±0.1834 and 10.7516±0.0639 mean cumulative solubility values at 30-day interval, respectively. At all exposure times, BD was significantly more soluble than WMTA (P<0.001). Conclusion. Acidic periapical environment jeopardized the solubility of both WMTA and BD, affecting their sealing characteristics in clinical applications like perforation repair procedures and blunderbuss canals.
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA ) associated with arthritis in broiler farms in Ismailia province , Egypt and its zoonotic potential significance

To the best of our knowledge Staphylococcosis caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) impacts on chicken broilers. Its public health hazards have not been illustrated in Egypt. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the incidence, antibiotic resistance profile and zoonotic implications of S. aureus (MRSA) related arthritis in some broiler farms. Samples from birds with clinical findings of depression and inability to stand, arthritis with swelling and local worming at hock and stifle joints and necropsy showed whitish to yellowish exudates at affected joints were collected from 20 broiler farms at finishing ages (>30 days) located at Ismailia governorate, Egypt. Swabs from joint exudates were tested for S. aureus on the basis of cultural and biochemical properties and confirmed by PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene. Results showed that, 13/20 (65%) farms, 110/200 (55%) arthritic birds, 7/60 (11.7%) apparently health and 7/20 (35%) litter samples were positive for S. aureus. Coagulase positive strains were isolated from 11 (65%), 93(46.5%),5(8.3%) and 6 (30%) compared to 2 (15%), 17(8.5%),2 (3.4%) and 1(0.5%) coagulase negative Staphylococcus strains from the different types of examined samples respectively. The in vitro antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that 58.2% of the isolates were completely resistant, 35.3% were moderately sensitive and 6.5% were highly sensitive to 17 different antibiotic discs. Complete antibiotic resistance to methacillin and cloxacillin, oxytetracycline and Sulbactin-Ampicillin were observed in all isolates. A high sensitivity of the isolates were detected to enrofloxacin (60%) followed by cefotaxime and amoxicillinclaveulinic (20%), and ciprofloxacin (10%). Results of Comparative antibiotic resistance profile of one coagulase positive and one coagulase negative strains to 19 antibiotic were 13/19 and 10/19 respectively and revealed that the two isolates were multi-drug 310 Youssef and dalia Hamed resistant strains. Both isolates were resistant to 9 antibiotics. In farm workers, 14 (31.1%) of 45 were S. aureus carriers. All human isolates were multi-drug resistant MRSA strains and none of the workers had skin affection. In conclusion, MRSA infections were prevalent among broilers at the finishing ages; it was a potential cause of economic losses by arthritis and posing a health hazard of zoonotic transmission to human contacts and consumers.
Characterization of Nanostructured Ceramic and Cermet Coatings Deposited by Plasma Spraying

Industry has a growing need of advanced coatings for a variety of applications (aerospace, special machinery, medicine, etc.). Nanostructured coatings have the potential of providing novel materials with enhanced properties. This paper describes the results of recent research on wear-resistant nanostructured coatings. Cermet (WC–Co) and ceramic (Al2O3–TiO2) coatings were obtained by atmospheric plasma spraying. Coating microstructure and phase composition were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy-dispersion microanalysis, and X-ray diffraction techniques. Vickers microhardness (HV) of the coatings was also measured. The microstructure and properties of the developed nanostructured coating were compared with those of their conventional counterparts. The influence of the substrate on both microstructure end properties was investigated, as the coatings were deposited on two different steels. In the WC–Co coatings, significant decomposition of the WC particles occurred during spraying, which is prejudicial to wear resistance. Nanostructured Al2O3–TiO2 coatings exhibited a bimodal microstructure that retained the initial nanostructure of the powder. The presence of these areas leads to better tribological properties.
A Microstructural Dry Snow Metamorphism Model Applicable to Equitemperature and Temperature Gradient Environments

Dry snow metamorphism has traditionally been classified by the thermal gradient encountered in the snowpack. Snow experiencing a predominantly equi-temperature environment develops different microstructure than snow that is subjected to a temperature gradient. As such, previous research has evaluated snow metamorphism based upon select thermal gradient dependent processes, when in reality, there is a continuum of physical processes simultaneously contributing to metamorphism. In previous research, a discrete temperature gradient transition between the two thermal environments has been used to activate separate morphological analyses. The cUrrent research focuses on a unifying approach to dry snow metamorphism that is applicable to generalized thermal environments. The movement ofheat and mass is not prescribed, but is allowed to develop naturally through modeling of physical processes. Equi-temperature, transition to kinetic growth, and kinetic growth are considered with this model. Density, grain size, bond size, and temperature dependencies are each examined in an equitemperature metamorphism environment. The same physical model is then used to defme a smooth transition between equi-temperature and temperature gradient environments. Microstructural and environmental parameters that influence the transition to kinetic growth are examined. The correlation with established trends and experiments in each environment is excellent. The microstructural model is a new tool capable of evaluating metamorphism for a broad range ofmicrostructural parameters and thermal environments.
hypertension in the young , an indirect cause for upper gastrointestinal bleeding-a case report

Renal hypertension is one of the most frequent grounds for secondary hypertension, accounting for 5% of all hypertensive patients. The aetiology lies mainly in renal artery stenosis, with fibromuscular dysplasia and atherosclerosis as the leading causes. In the case of renal hypertension, fibromuscular dysplasia accounts for most of the cases in young women, while atherosclerosis is more frequent among middle-aged men. Discovering the real cause of secondary hypertension can sometimes be a challenge. A 35-year old man, with metabolic syndrome arrives at the emergency department with acute upper intestinal tract bleed and severe anaemia, due to non-steroidal inflammatory drug abuse for persistent headache. The cause of the headache is revealed when the blood pressure is measured and the systolic value amounts to 230 mmHg. Further investigation establishes the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and target organ damage in the form of microalbuminuria and left ventricular hypertrophy. The second line of diagnostic procedures is directed toward the causes of secondary hypertension. The computerized tomographic angiography reveals a severe single proximal stenosis of the right renal artery, which suggests an atherosclerotic aetiology. The patient remains on medical therapy with controlled blood pressure values. The resolution of the case is ongoing, as there is no immediate indication for interventional therapy. This case not only presents a very rare cause of renal hypertension in the young, due to atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis, but also a very uncommon first symptom in the form of upper gastrointestinal bleed.
Facebook versus Twitter: Cross-Platform Differences in Self-Disclosure and Trait Prediction

This study compares self-disclosure on Facebook and Twitter through the lens of demographic and psychological traits. Predictive evaluation reveals that language models trained on Facebook posts are more accurate at predicting age, gender, stress, and empathy than those trained on Twitter posts. Qualitative analyses of the underlying linguistic and demographic differences reveal that users are significantly more likely to disclose information about their family, personal concerns, and emotions and provide a more ‘honest’ self-representation on Facebook. On the other hand, the same users significantly preferred to disclose their needs, drives, and ambitions on Twitter. The higher predictive performance of Facebook is also partly due to the greater volume of language on Facebook than Twitter – Facebook and Twitter are equally good at predicting user traits when the same-sized language samples are used to train language models. We explore the implications of these differences in cross-platform user trait prediction.
Seismically active wedge structure beneath the Coalinga anticline, San Joaquin basin, California

[1] We define the subsurface geometry, kinematics, and seismotectonics of the Coalinga anticline in the San Joaquin basin, central California. Using seismic reflection data and quantitative fault-related folding techniques, we present a model of the Coalinga anticline that demonstrates that the structure is composed of a stack of imbricated structural wedges, related to two major fault ramps at depth, the deepest of which ruptured during the 1983 Coalinga (Mw = 6.5) earthquake. Because of the lack of basinward deformation and the observed fold shapes, these ramps are interpreted to sole to a common upper detachment, which acts as a back thrust, forming a structural wedge. This back-thrust system generates the surface expression of the Coalinga anticline and extends to the surface as the Waltham Canyon fault and a series of related east dipping thrusts. This structural analysis helps reconcile the longstanding conflict between the southwest dipping preferred nodal plane of the 1983 main shock and the western vergence of the surface anticline. Furthermore, the seismic reflection data and our model suggest that two potentially seismogenic ramps and a major back thrust underlie the fold, rather than the single fault which has been inferred in previous studies. Using a relocated earthquake catalog, we document the three-dimensional distribution of earthquakes over a 22 year period relative to both the main fault which ruptured in the 1983 event and within the structural wedge. This analysis indicates that the majority of moment release following the 1983 event occurred within the wedge itself, compatible with a model of wedge emplacement.
Projections From Octopus Cells of the Posteroventral Cochlear Nucleus to the Ventral Nucleus of the Lateral Lemniscus in Cat and Human

Projections of octopus cells, which are located within the posteroventral cochlear nucleus, to globular cells within the contralateral ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus were studied in cat by means of anterograde filling of axons, by immunostaining cells, axons and nerve endings for calretinin, and by single unit electrophysiological record­ ings within the lateral lemniscus. Injections of biocytin into cut axons of the intermediate acoustic stria resulted in labeling of octopus cells ipsilateral to the injection and of large, complex nerve terminals (endbulbs) within the ventral division of the contralateral ven­ tral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus. Immunostaining for calretinin showed that octopus cells, their axons and endbulbs within the lateral lemniscus were positive. Single unit recordings within the portion of the lemniscal nucleus that contains endbulbs showed the characteristic electrical signature of cells that receive endbulbs (prepotentials) was asso­ ciated with cells whose activity in response to acoustic stimulation indicated that their inputs were from octopus cells. Immunostaining of human tissue indicated that octopus cells, their axons and complex endings within the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus were positive for calretinin, which suggests that the projection of octopus cells found in cat is also present in human. Counts of globular cells, the probable recipients of end­ bulbs, in the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus in human tissue indicated that these cells comprise 38% of the nucleus, as contrasted with 4% in cat. The results suggest that functions subserved by globular cells in this nucleus may play a dominant role in pro­ cessing acoustic stimuli in the human, whereas cells specialized for processing high fre­ quency sounds are more dominant in cat.
Biodiesel: A Review

Energy is considered as one of the most important factors for economic and industrial growth. With the increased use and depleting problem of fossil fuels there is a huge demand for an alternative and better source of energy. This demand promoted the emergence of biofuels among which biodiesel is considered to be the most accepted and best alternative for the depleting energy resources. Many methods like transesterification, BIOX process, super critical process etc., have been employed to produce biodiesel more efficiently from variety of sources like edible oils, non edible oils and algal oil etc. Biodiesel is environment friendly, non toxic, biodegradable, renewable as well as a neat biofuel and hence plays a significant role in meeting the energy demands.
Behaviour of colonial common kestels (Falcon tinunculus) during the post-fledging dependece period in southwestern Spain

ABST•1⁄2T. --Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) chicks from a small breeding colony in southwestern Spain fledged an average of 31 d after hatching and remained at the colony, depending on their parents for food, an average of 16 more days. Fledglings perched close to and socialized with their siblings and unrelated fledglings. Fledglings started to use hovering flights a mean of 9.7 d after fledging. Social play, in the form of chases among fledglings, manipulative play with objects, and the capture of insects by the fledglings were observed before fledglings became independent.