Temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE) is a common type of focal epilepsy characterized by seizure foci within the temporal lobes.While surgical resection of the foci is an established and effective approach for controlling seiz...Temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE) is a common type of focal epilepsy characterized by seizure foci within the temporal lobes.While surgical resection of the foci is an established and effective approach for controlling seizures,both temporal lobes cannot be removed,due to their prominent roles in learning and memory.Additionally,seizures induce changes to the temporal lobes that contribute to hyperexcitability,including mossy fiber sprouting,astrogliosis.展开更多
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming organizational dynamics, and revolutionizing corporate leadership practices. This research paper delves into the question of how AI influences corporate leadership, examini...Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming organizational dynamics, and revolutionizing corporate leadership practices. This research paper delves into the question of how AI influences corporate leadership, examining both its advantages and disadvantages. Positive impacts of AI are evident in communication, feedback systems, tracking mechanisms, and decision-making processes within organizations. AI-powered communication tools, as exemplified by Slack, facilitate seamless collaboration, transcending geographical barriers. Feedback systems, like Adobe’s Performance Management System, employ AI algorithms to provide personalized development opportunities, enhancing employee growth. AI-based tracking systems optimize resource allocation, as exemplified by studies like “AI-Based Tracking Systems: Enhancing Efficiency and Accountability.” Additionally, AI-powered decision support, demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcases the capability to navigate complex challenges and maintain resilience. However, AI adoption poses challenges in human resources, potentially leading to job displacement and necessitating upskilling efforts. Managing AI errors becomes crucial, as illustrated by instances like Amazon’s biased recruiting tool. Data privacy concerns also arise, emphasizing the need for robust security measures. The proposed solution suggests leveraging Local Machine Learning Models (LLMs) to address data privacy issues. Approaches such as federated learning, on-device learning, differential privacy, and homomorphic encryption offer promising strategies. By exploring the evolving dynamics of AI and leadership, this research advocates for responsible AI adoption and proposes LLMs as a potential solution, fostering a balanced integration of AI benefits while mitigating associated risks in corporate settings.展开更多
Substituted imidazoles are of interest because of their useful biological activities. While several methods have been developed for the synthesis of such compounds, some of the reported methods utilize corrosive or to...Substituted imidazoles are of interest because of their useful biological activities. While several methods have been developed for the synthesis of such compounds, some of the reported methods utilize corrosive or toxic catalysts. We report a bismuth (III) triflate catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles. Bismuth (III) compounds are attractive from a green chemistry perspective because they are remarkably non-toxic and non-corrosive. Multicomponent syntheses save time and generate less waste.展开更多
Substituted imidazoles are of interest because of their useful biological activities. While several methods have been developed for the synthesis of such compounds, some of the reported methods utilize corrosive or to...Substituted imidazoles are of interest because of their useful biological activities. While several methods have been developed for the synthesis of such compounds, some of the reported methods utilize corrosive or toxic catalysts. We report a bismuth (III) triflate catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles. Bismuth (III) compounds are attractive from a green chemistry perspective because they are remarkably non-toxic and non-corrosive. Multicomponent syntheses save time and generate less waste.展开更多
The structure of the cerebellar cortex is remarkably similar across vertebrate phylogeny. It is well developed in basaljawed fishes, such as sharks and rays with many of the same cell types and organizational features...The structure of the cerebellar cortex is remarkably similar across vertebrate phylogeny. It is well developed in basaljawed fishes, such as sharks and rays with many of the same cell types and organizational features found in other vertebrategroups, including mammals. In particular, the lattice-like organization of cerebellar cortex (with a molecular layer of parallel fibres,interneurons, spiny Purkinje cell dendrites, and climbing fires) is a common defining characteristic. In addition to the cerebellarcortex, fishes and aquatic amphibians have a variety of cerebellum-like structures in the dorso-lateral wall of the hindbrain.These structures are adjacent to, and in part, contiguous with, the cerebellum. They derive their cerebellum-like name from thepresence of a molecular layer of parallel fibers and inhibitory interneurons, which has striking organizational similarities to themolecular layer of the cerebellar cortex. However, these structures also have characteristics which differ from the cerebellum. Forexample, cerebellum-like structures do not have climbing fibres, and they are clearly sensory. They receive direct afferent inputfrom peripheral sensory receptors and relay their outputs to midbrain sensory areas. As a consequence of this close sensory association,and the ability to characterise their signal processing in a behaviourally relevant context, good progress has been made indetermining the fundamental processing algorithm in cerebellar-like structures. In particular, we have come to understand thecontribution to signal processing made by the molecular layer, which provides an adaptive filter to cancel self-generated noise inelectrosensory and lateral line systems. Given the fundamental similarities of the molecular layer across these structures, coupledwith evidence that cerebellum-like structures may have been the evolutionary antecedent of the cerebellum, we address the question:do both share the same functional algorithm? [Current Zoology 56 (3): 277-284, 2010].展开更多
We present a constructive generalization of Abel-Gontscharoff's series expansion to higher dimensions. A constructive application to a problem of multivariate interpolation is also investigated. In addition, two algo...We present a constructive generalization of Abel-Gontscharoff's series expansion to higher dimensions. A constructive application to a problem of multivariate interpolation is also investigated. In addition, two algorithms for constructing the basis functions of the interpolants are given.展开更多
The available data have shown that acid-leached clays had sites for adsorption of impurities in oils. Data obtained on residual impurities in cotton and sunflower-seed oils bleached with the same clay materials produc...The available data have shown that acid-leached clays had sites for adsorption of impurities in oils. Data obtained on residual impurities in cotton and sunflower-seed oils bleached with the same clay materials produced linear Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The increase in constant, k with increase in both temperature of thermal activation and concentration of acid used to leach the clay, suggests that bleaching efficiency increased. The value of n decreased with increase in temperature of activation and concentration of acid used to leach the clay suggesting that bleaching capacity increased. The mineral compositions of the clays influenced their surface, structural and bleaching properties.展开更多
The results on the elemental and mineralogical compositions of clays from Central Uganda differed from those from the volcanic sediments of the Mt. Elgon in Eastern Uganda. Utilisation of the two types of clays should...The results on the elemental and mineralogical compositions of clays from Central Uganda differed from those from the volcanic sediments of the Mt. Elgon in Eastern Uganda. Utilisation of the two types of clays should be strict after understanding their structural differences. Whereas elemental, mineralogical, DTA, IR, XRD and pH data on selected clays from Kumi, Nakawa, Seeta, Kajansi, Kawuku, Lwanda, Chodah and Umatengah indicated that they were kaolinites. Similar data on clays from Mutufu, Budadiri, Chelel and Siron indicated that they were largely smectites. The IR data accumulated on Kawuku, Kajansi, Lwada, Seeta, Chodah, Umatengah, Kumi and Nakawa clays revealed they were largely kaolinites yet that on Mutufu, Chelel, Budadiri and Siron clays indicated they were smectite-rich.展开更多
We built climate envelope models under contemporary and future climates to explore potential range shifts of the invasive Red Shiner-Cyprinella lutrensis. Our objective was to estimate aquatic habitat vulnerability to...We built climate envelope models under contemporary and future climates to explore potential range shifts of the invasive Red Shiner-Cyprinella lutrensis. Our objective was to estimate aquatic habitat vulnerability to Red Shiner invasion in North America under future climatic change. We used presence records from within the species’ native and invaded distributions, a suite of bioclimatic predictor variables from three climate models (CCCma, CSIRO, and HadCM3), and maximum entropy modeling to generate potential distribution maps for the year 2080. Our model predicted major range expansion by Red Shiner under both low and high carbon emissions scenarios. The models exceeded average area under the receiver operator characteristic curve values of 0.92, indicating good overall model performance. The model predictions fell largely outside of areas of climatic extrapolation (i.e. regions predicted into environments different from training the region) indicating good model performance. The results from this study highlight the large potential range expansion across North America of Red Shiner under future warmer climates.展开更多
The Gartnerkofel borehole is one of the most thoroughly studied and described Permo-Triassic sections in the world. Detailed bulk organic carbon isotope studies show a negative base shift from-24% to-28% in the Latest...The Gartnerkofel borehole is one of the most thoroughly studied and described Permo-Triassic sections in the world. Detailed bulk organic carbon isotope studies show a negative base shift from-24% to-28% in the Latest Permian which latter value persists into the Earliest Triassic after which it decreases slightly to-26%. Two strongly negative peaks of [-38% in the Latest Permian and a lesser peak of-31% in the Early Triassic are too negative to be due to a greater proportion of more negative organic matter and must be due to very negative methane effects. The overall change to more negative values across the Bulla/Tesero boundary fits the relative rise in sea level for this transition based on the facies changes. A positive shift in organic carbon isotope values at the Late Permian Event Horizon may be due to an increase in land-derived organic detritus at this level—a feature shown by allTethyan Permo-Triassic boundary sections though these other sections do not have the same values. Carbonate carbon isotope trends are similar in all sections dropping by2–3 units across the Permo-Triassic boundary. Gartnerkofel carbonate oxygen values are surprisingly, considering the ubiquitous dolomitization, compatible with values elsewhere and indicate reasonable tropical temperatures of 60 °C in the Latest Permian sabkhas to 20–40 °C in the overlying marine transition beds. Increased landderived input at the Late Permian Event Horizon may be due to offshore transport by tsunamis whose deposits have been recognized in India at this level.展开更多
We examined the genetic diversity on a microgeographic scale of <em>Rhinichthys atratulus</em> (Eastern Blacknose Dace) in Allyn Brook, a small tributary in the upper Coginchaug River drainage in Connectic...We examined the genetic diversity on a microgeographic scale of <em>Rhinichthys atratulus</em> (Eastern Blacknose Dace) in Allyn Brook, a small tributary in the upper Coginchaug River drainage in Connecticut. By looking at gene flow on a microgeographic scale among populations that had no physical barriers to migration, we tested the null hypothesis that the populations should be homogeneous. We resolved seven polymorphic microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial gene, <em>nd</em>2, in three adjacent populations (<0.5 km) in Allyn Brook and compared these populations to the two closest populations (>5 km) in the Coginchaug River. A dam from the 1920’s in lower Allyn Brook has isolated Allyn-Brook populations from Coginchaug-River populations. Allyn Brook was selected because there are only three riffle habitats in the brook and, therefore, there can be no immigration from upstream populations. Each population has private (<em>i.e</em>., unique) alleles and haplotypes, and there are significant genetic differences between all sites. The Allyn Brook populations are almost as different from one another as they are from the distant populations in the Coginchaug River from which they have been isolated for more than 80 years. These results point to <em>in situ</em> evolution and little migration or gene flow among populations on a microgeographic scale. This raises interesting questions for conservation of genetic diversity of stream fishes.展开更多
An efficient method for the conjugate addition of indoles to a variety of chalcones using BiBr3 in ethanol (190 proof) is reported. Products are isolated by a simple procedure that avoids an aqueous work up and extens...An efficient method for the conjugate addition of indoles to a variety of chalcones using BiBr3 in ethanol (190 proof) is reported. Products are isolated by a simple procedure that avoids an aqueous work up and extensive chromatography, thus minimizing waste. Bismuth (III) compounds are especially attractive from a green chemistry perspective because they are remarkably nontoxic, non-corrosive and relatively inexpensive.展开更多
Three new chiral monoanionic [ON] ancillary phenolate ligands with varying pendant arms have been synthesized in moderate to high yields (50% - 85%) via Mannich-type condensation reaction of chiral substituted phenol,...Three new chiral monoanionic [ON] ancillary phenolate ligands with varying pendant arms have been synthesized in moderate to high yields (50% - 85%) via Mannich-type condensation reaction of chiral substituted phenol, formaldehyde and (+)-bis-[(R)-1-phenylethyl]amine. These new organic compounds were fully characterized via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 13C) and elemental analysis. The newly synthesized ligands are suitable candidates for metal-catalyzed ring-opening of lactones and asymmetric catalysis.展开更多
The Langmuir isotherms of 1-aminobutane in isohexane slurries showed increase in clay acidity with increase in concentration of mineral acid used to leach the clay as well as the temperature at which the clay was ther...The Langmuir isotherms of 1-aminobutane in isohexane slurries showed increase in clay acidity with increase in concentration of mineral acid used to leach the clay as well as the temperature at which the clay was thermally activated prior to experimentation involving adsorption of 1-aminobutane. The values of acidity for Central Uganda were low ranging from 0.07 mol/g to 0.32 mol/g yet those for clays from Eastern Uganda were high ranging from 0.1 mol/g to 1.85 mol/g. Based on acidity, pH, elemental and mineral compositions, the clays from Central Uganda were found to be kaolinites or halloysites, yet Eastern Uganda clays were resolved to contain nontronite and kaolinite.展开更多
In the era of “test and treat”, when AIDS-defining events have been drastically reduced, chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains an important cause of non-AIDS ...In the era of “test and treat”, when AIDS-defining events have been drastically reduced, chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains an important cause of non-AIDS morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Compared to the general population, HIV-infected patients are about 10-times at risk of hepatitis B virus infection. Additionally, several antiretroviral regimens are hepatotoxic. Therefore, effective monitoring and management of ART and HBV co-infection are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic and eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. This was a hospital-based, matched (age and sex) case-control study. HIV patients (case patients) on ART for at least six months and “healthy” controls aged 18 years and older were enrolled. Blood samples were collected for immuno-hematologic indices and transaminases measurements. Data were presented as counts, percentages, median (IQR) and means (SD), and a p-value 1.5) and mild (0.6 - 1.5) liver fibrosis based on the APRI score was 0.5% and 8%, respectively. Significant fibrosis (>3.25) was 0.9%, while 18.4% had inconclusive fibrosis (1.45 - 3.25) based on the FIB-4 score. HIV/HBV co-infected patients had a higher occurrence of liver fibrosis (APRI: 0.5% vs FIB-4: 0.9%). Co-infections with HBV increase the risk of liver-related morbidity in HIV patients. Therefore, screening for serological markers of chronic HBV infection and hepatic transaminase levels in HIV patients remains crucial in the continuum of care.展开更多
文摘Temporal lobe epilepsy(TLE) is a common type of focal epilepsy characterized by seizure foci within the temporal lobes.While surgical resection of the foci is an established and effective approach for controlling seizures,both temporal lobes cannot be removed,due to their prominent roles in learning and memory.Additionally,seizures induce changes to the temporal lobes that contribute to hyperexcitability,including mossy fiber sprouting,astrogliosis.
文摘Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming organizational dynamics, and revolutionizing corporate leadership practices. This research paper delves into the question of how AI influences corporate leadership, examining both its advantages and disadvantages. Positive impacts of AI are evident in communication, feedback systems, tracking mechanisms, and decision-making processes within organizations. AI-powered communication tools, as exemplified by Slack, facilitate seamless collaboration, transcending geographical barriers. Feedback systems, like Adobe’s Performance Management System, employ AI algorithms to provide personalized development opportunities, enhancing employee growth. AI-based tracking systems optimize resource allocation, as exemplified by studies like “AI-Based Tracking Systems: Enhancing Efficiency and Accountability.” Additionally, AI-powered decision support, demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, showcases the capability to navigate complex challenges and maintain resilience. However, AI adoption poses challenges in human resources, potentially leading to job displacement and necessitating upskilling efforts. Managing AI errors becomes crucial, as illustrated by instances like Amazon’s biased recruiting tool. Data privacy concerns also arise, emphasizing the need for robust security measures. The proposed solution suggests leveraging Local Machine Learning Models (LLMs) to address data privacy issues. Approaches such as federated learning, on-device learning, differential privacy, and homomorphic encryption offer promising strategies. By exploring the evolving dynamics of AI and leadership, this research advocates for responsible AI adoption and proposes LLMs as a potential solution, fostering a balanced integration of AI benefits while mitigating associated risks in corporate settings.
文摘Substituted imidazoles are of interest because of their useful biological activities. While several methods have been developed for the synthesis of such compounds, some of the reported methods utilize corrosive or toxic catalysts. We report a bismuth (III) triflate catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles. Bismuth (III) compounds are attractive from a green chemistry perspective because they are remarkably non-toxic and non-corrosive. Multicomponent syntheses save time and generate less waste.
文摘Substituted imidazoles are of interest because of their useful biological activities. While several methods have been developed for the synthesis of such compounds, some of the reported methods utilize corrosive or toxic catalysts. We report a bismuth (III) triflate catalyzed multicomponent synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles. Bismuth (III) compounds are attractive from a green chemistry perspective because they are remarkably non-toxic and non-corrosive. Multicomponent syntheses save time and generate less waste.
文摘The structure of the cerebellar cortex is remarkably similar across vertebrate phylogeny. It is well developed in basaljawed fishes, such as sharks and rays with many of the same cell types and organizational features found in other vertebrategroups, including mammals. In particular, the lattice-like organization of cerebellar cortex (with a molecular layer of parallel fibres,interneurons, spiny Purkinje cell dendrites, and climbing fires) is a common defining characteristic. In addition to the cerebellarcortex, fishes and aquatic amphibians have a variety of cerebellum-like structures in the dorso-lateral wall of the hindbrain.These structures are adjacent to, and in part, contiguous with, the cerebellum. They derive their cerebellum-like name from thepresence of a molecular layer of parallel fibers and inhibitory interneurons, which has striking organizational similarities to themolecular layer of the cerebellar cortex. However, these structures also have characteristics which differ from the cerebellum. Forexample, cerebellum-like structures do not have climbing fibres, and they are clearly sensory. They receive direct afferent inputfrom peripheral sensory receptors and relay their outputs to midbrain sensory areas. As a consequence of this close sensory association,and the ability to characterise their signal processing in a behaviourally relevant context, good progress has been made indetermining the fundamental processing algorithm in cerebellar-like structures. In particular, we have come to understand thecontribution to signal processing made by the molecular layer, which provides an adaptive filter to cancel self-generated noise inelectrosensory and lateral line systems. Given the fundamental similarities of the molecular layer across these structures, coupledwith evidence that cerebellum-like structures may have been the evolutionary antecedent of the cerebellum, we address the question:do both share the same functional algorithm? [Current Zoology 56 (3): 277-284, 2010].
基金This paper is a talk on the held in Nanjing, P. R. China, July, 2004.
文摘We present a constructive generalization of Abel-Gontscharoff's series expansion to higher dimensions. A constructive application to a problem of multivariate interpolation is also investigated. In addition, two algorithms for constructing the basis functions of the interpolants are given.
文摘The available data have shown that acid-leached clays had sites for adsorption of impurities in oils. Data obtained on residual impurities in cotton and sunflower-seed oils bleached with the same clay materials produced linear Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The increase in constant, k with increase in both temperature of thermal activation and concentration of acid used to leach the clay, suggests that bleaching efficiency increased. The value of n decreased with increase in temperature of activation and concentration of acid used to leach the clay suggesting that bleaching capacity increased. The mineral compositions of the clays influenced their surface, structural and bleaching properties.
文摘The results on the elemental and mineralogical compositions of clays from Central Uganda differed from those from the volcanic sediments of the Mt. Elgon in Eastern Uganda. Utilisation of the two types of clays should be strict after understanding their structural differences. Whereas elemental, mineralogical, DTA, IR, XRD and pH data on selected clays from Kumi, Nakawa, Seeta, Kajansi, Kawuku, Lwanda, Chodah and Umatengah indicated that they were kaolinites. Similar data on clays from Mutufu, Budadiri, Chelel and Siron indicated that they were largely smectites. The IR data accumulated on Kawuku, Kajansi, Lwada, Seeta, Chodah, Umatengah, Kumi and Nakawa clays revealed they were largely kaolinites yet that on Mutufu, Chelel, Budadiri and Siron clays indicated they were smectite-rich.
文摘We built climate envelope models under contemporary and future climates to explore potential range shifts of the invasive Red Shiner-Cyprinella lutrensis. Our objective was to estimate aquatic habitat vulnerability to Red Shiner invasion in North America under future climatic change. We used presence records from within the species’ native and invaded distributions, a suite of bioclimatic predictor variables from three climate models (CCCma, CSIRO, and HadCM3), and maximum entropy modeling to generate potential distribution maps for the year 2080. Our model predicted major range expansion by Red Shiner under both low and high carbon emissions scenarios. The models exceeded average area under the receiver operator characteristic curve values of 0.92, indicating good overall model performance. The model predictions fell largely outside of areas of climatic extrapolation (i.e. regions predicted into environments different from training the region) indicating good model performance. The results from this study highlight the large potential range expansion across North America of Red Shiner under future warmer climates.
文摘The Gartnerkofel borehole is one of the most thoroughly studied and described Permo-Triassic sections in the world. Detailed bulk organic carbon isotope studies show a negative base shift from-24% to-28% in the Latest Permian which latter value persists into the Earliest Triassic after which it decreases slightly to-26%. Two strongly negative peaks of [-38% in the Latest Permian and a lesser peak of-31% in the Early Triassic are too negative to be due to a greater proportion of more negative organic matter and must be due to very negative methane effects. The overall change to more negative values across the Bulla/Tesero boundary fits the relative rise in sea level for this transition based on the facies changes. A positive shift in organic carbon isotope values at the Late Permian Event Horizon may be due to an increase in land-derived organic detritus at this level—a feature shown by allTethyan Permo-Triassic boundary sections though these other sections do not have the same values. Carbonate carbon isotope trends are similar in all sections dropping by2–3 units across the Permo-Triassic boundary. Gartnerkofel carbonate oxygen values are surprisingly, considering the ubiquitous dolomitization, compatible with values elsewhere and indicate reasonable tropical temperatures of 60 °C in the Latest Permian sabkhas to 20–40 °C in the overlying marine transition beds. Increased landderived input at the Late Permian Event Horizon may be due to offshore transport by tsunamis whose deposits have been recognized in India at this level.
文摘We examined the genetic diversity on a microgeographic scale of <em>Rhinichthys atratulus</em> (Eastern Blacknose Dace) in Allyn Brook, a small tributary in the upper Coginchaug River drainage in Connecticut. By looking at gene flow on a microgeographic scale among populations that had no physical barriers to migration, we tested the null hypothesis that the populations should be homogeneous. We resolved seven polymorphic microsatellite loci and one mitochondrial gene, <em>nd</em>2, in three adjacent populations (<0.5 km) in Allyn Brook and compared these populations to the two closest populations (>5 km) in the Coginchaug River. A dam from the 1920’s in lower Allyn Brook has isolated Allyn-Brook populations from Coginchaug-River populations. Allyn Brook was selected because there are only three riffle habitats in the brook and, therefore, there can be no immigration from upstream populations. Each population has private (<em>i.e</em>., unique) alleles and haplotypes, and there are significant genetic differences between all sites. The Allyn Brook populations are almost as different from one another as they are from the distant populations in the Coginchaug River from which they have been isolated for more than 80 years. These results point to <em>in situ</em> evolution and little migration or gene flow among populations on a microgeographic scale. This raises interesting questions for conservation of genetic diversity of stream fishes.
文摘An efficient method for the conjugate addition of indoles to a variety of chalcones using BiBr3 in ethanol (190 proof) is reported. Products are isolated by a simple procedure that avoids an aqueous work up and extensive chromatography, thus minimizing waste. Bismuth (III) compounds are especially attractive from a green chemistry perspective because they are remarkably nontoxic, non-corrosive and relatively inexpensive.
文摘Three new chiral monoanionic [ON] ancillary phenolate ligands with varying pendant arms have been synthesized in moderate to high yields (50% - 85%) via Mannich-type condensation reaction of chiral substituted phenol, formaldehyde and (+)-bis-[(R)-1-phenylethyl]amine. These new organic compounds were fully characterized via nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H and 13C) and elemental analysis. The newly synthesized ligands are suitable candidates for metal-catalyzed ring-opening of lactones and asymmetric catalysis.
文摘The Langmuir isotherms of 1-aminobutane in isohexane slurries showed increase in clay acidity with increase in concentration of mineral acid used to leach the clay as well as the temperature at which the clay was thermally activated prior to experimentation involving adsorption of 1-aminobutane. The values of acidity for Central Uganda were low ranging from 0.07 mol/g to 0.32 mol/g yet those for clays from Eastern Uganda were high ranging from 0.1 mol/g to 1.85 mol/g. Based on acidity, pH, elemental and mineral compositions, the clays from Central Uganda were found to be kaolinites or halloysites, yet Eastern Uganda clays were resolved to contain nontronite and kaolinite.
文摘In the era of “test and treat”, when AIDS-defining events have been drastically reduced, chronic liver disease associated with viral hepatitis and antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains an important cause of non-AIDS morbidity and mortality among HIV-infected patients. Compared to the general population, HIV-infected patients are about 10-times at risk of hepatitis B virus infection. Additionally, several antiretroviral regimens are hepatotoxic. Therefore, effective monitoring and management of ART and HBV co-infection are essential to ending the AIDS epidemic and eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. This was a hospital-based, matched (age and sex) case-control study. HIV patients (case patients) on ART for at least six months and “healthy” controls aged 18 years and older were enrolled. Blood samples were collected for immuno-hematologic indices and transaminases measurements. Data were presented as counts, percentages, median (IQR) and means (SD), and a p-value 1.5) and mild (0.6 - 1.5) liver fibrosis based on the APRI score was 0.5% and 8%, respectively. Significant fibrosis (>3.25) was 0.9%, while 18.4% had inconclusive fibrosis (1.45 - 3.25) based on the FIB-4 score. HIV/HBV co-infected patients had a higher occurrence of liver fibrosis (APRI: 0.5% vs FIB-4: 0.9%). Co-infections with HBV increase the risk of liver-related morbidity in HIV patients. Therefore, screening for serological markers of chronic HBV infection and hepatic transaminase levels in HIV patients remains crucial in the continuum of care.