Introduction: Tuberculosis is a major health problem in developing countries including Sudan. Screening for TB cases through Household contacts (HHCs) investigation is an appropriate strategy to interrupt transmission...Introduction: Tuberculosis is a major health problem in developing countries including Sudan. Screening for TB cases through Household contacts (HHCs) investigation is an appropriate strategy to interrupt transmission of TB. Objectives: To determine the prevalence tuberculosis infection and risk factors for tuberculosis infection among household contacts in Wadimadani locality, Central State, Sudan, between November 2015 and April 2016. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study conducted. During study period, to confirm TB diagnosis, all suspect contacts were tested through sputum samples, tuberculin skin test or chest X-ray. Structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and environmental factors. Results: One hundred forty six patients of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were included in the study, 657 household contacts were identified and screened. Forty three new TB cases were detected from household contacts, yielding a prevalence of 6.5% (95% confidence interval = 0.05, 0.09) of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Two factors were significantly associated with LTBI among HHCs: duration of contact with a TB patient ≤ 4 months (P = 0.03) and the educational status (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Screening of HHCs of index case of TB will contribute in early detection and treatment of new cases, and considered as a forward step towards eliminating TB.展开更多
Assessment of past-climate simulations of regional climate models(RCMs)is important for understanding the reliability of RCMs when used to project future regional climate.Here,we assess the performance and discuss pos...Assessment of past-climate simulations of regional climate models(RCMs)is important for understanding the reliability of RCMs when used to project future regional climate.Here,we assess the performance and discuss possible causes of biases in a WRF-based RCM with a grid spacing of 50 km,named WRFG,from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program(NARCCAP)in simulating wet season precipitation over the Central United States for a period when observational data are available.The RCM reproduces key features of the precipitation distribution characteristics during late spring to early summer,although it tends to underestimate the magnitude of precipitation.This dry bias is partially due to the model’s lack of skill in simulating nocturnal precipitation related to the lack of eastward propagating convective systems in the simulation.Inaccuracy in reproducing large-scale circulation and environmental conditions is another contributing factor.The too weak simulated pressure gradient between the Rocky Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico results in weaker southerly winds in between,leading to a reduction of warm moist air transport from the Gulf to the Central Great Plains.The simulated low-level horizontal convergence fields are less favorable for upward motion than in the NARR and hence,for the development of moist convection as well.Therefore,a careful examination of an RCM’s deficiencies and the identification of the source of errors are important when using the RCM to project precipitation changes in future climate scenarios.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the functional networks underlying the brain-activity changes of patients with high myopia using the voxel-wise degree centrality（DC） method.METHODS： In total, 38 patients with high myopia（HM...AIM： To investigate the functional networks underlying the brain-activity changes of patients with high myopia using the voxel-wise degree centrality（DC） method.METHODS： In total, 38 patients with high myopia（HM）（17 males and 21 females）, whose binocular refractive diopter were-6.00 to-7.00 D, and 38 healthy controls（17 males and 21 females）, closely matched in age, sex, and education levels, participated in the study. Spontaneous brain activities were evaluated using the voxel-wise DC method. The receiver operating characteristic curve was measured to distinguish patients with HM from healthy controls. Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between the observed mean DC values of the different brain areas and the behavioral performance.RESULTS： Compared with healthy controls, HM patients had significantly decreased DC values in the right inferior frontal gyrus/insula, right middle frontal gyrus, and right supramarginal/inferior parietal lobule（P〈0.05）. In contrast, HM patients had significantly increased DC values in the right cerebellum posterior lobe, left precentral gyrus/postcentral gyrus, and right middle cingulate gyrus（P〈0.05）. However, no relationship was found between the observed mean DC values of the different brain areas and the behavioral performance（P〉0.05）.CONCLUSION： HM is associated with abnormalities in many brain regions, which may indicate the neural mechanisms of HM. The altered DC values may be used as a useful biomarker for the brain activity changes in HM patients.展开更多
It is significant to research the voltage stability of the wind power centralized system (WPCS) for the effective development of the large scale clustering wind energy resources. A steady state voltage stability analy...It is significant to research the voltage stability of the wind power centralized system (WPCS) for the effective development of the large scale clustering wind energy resources. A steady state voltage stability analysis of the WPCS by employing the PV curve and model analysis is proposed to reveal the voltage stability influence from different aspects. The PV curve is utilized to trace and indicate the voltage collapse point of the WPCS when the small disturbance of wind power is increased gradually. Then the steady state voltage instability modes of the WPCS are analyzed by calculating the bus participation factors of the minimum eigenvalue model at the collapse point. The simulation results of an actual WPCS in North China show that the static state voltage instability mode of the WPCS is closely related to the operating features and control strategies of different reactive power sources. In addition, the implementation of the doubly-fed induction generator wind turbine generator voltage control is beneficial to improve the WPCS voltage stability.展开更多
●AIM:To use the voxel-wise degree centrality(DC)method to explore the underlying functional network brain-activity in patients with ophthalmectomy.●METHODS:A total of 32 ophthalmic surgery patients(10 women and 22 m...●AIM:To use the voxel-wise degree centrality(DC)method to explore the underlying functional network brain-activity in patients with ophthalmectomy.●METHODS:A total of 32 ophthalmic surgery patients(10 women and 22 men),and 32 healthy subjects(10 women and 22 men)highly matched in gender,age,and the same operation method.Everyone experienced a restingstate functional magnetic resonance imaging scan.The spontaneous brain activity could be assessed by DC.Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between the average DC signal values and behavior performance in different regions.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)cur ve analysis was utilized to differentiate between ophthalmectomy patients and healthy controls(HCs).●RESULTS:Compared with HCs,ophthalmectomy patients had greatly reduced DC values in left lingual gyrus,bilateral lingual lobe,left cingulate gyrus,and increased DC values of left cerebellum posterior lobe,left middle frontal gyrus1,right supramarginal gyrus,left middle frontal gyrus2,right middle frontal gyrus.However,we did not find that there was a correlation between the average DC values from various brain regions and clinical manifestations.●CONCLUSION:Dysfunction may be caused by ophthalmectomy in lots of cerebral areas,which may show the potential pathological mechanism of ophthalmectomy and it is beneficial to clinical diagnosis.展开更多
Background: The local population in developing countries is at higher risk of contracting hepatitis B (HBV) due to some of the factors they practice which promote its establishment and distribution within their commun...Background: The local population in developing countries is at higher risk of contracting hepatitis B (HBV) due to some of the factors they practice which promote its establishment and distribution within their communities and may constitute a burden for them. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with the hepatitis B virus in populations of the Algamosi region, Gezira State, central Sudan. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 492 people, populations of the Algamosi region, Gezira state in central Sudan. A questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic factors, transmission, and prevention of hepatitis B infections. As well, blood samples were taken from each participant, and serum was used for rapid tests for HBsAg. Positive samples were then tested by the ELISA method for confirmation. Data were obtained using SPSS version 21 and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B was 16.10% and was higher in men than in women (05.7 - 1.00). People aged 31 to 45 had the highest prevalence of 27 (20,600%) for HBV infection. There was a significant association between HBV and age groups (X<sup>2</sup> = 7.816 and P value = 0.05). This study also found that there was a significant association between viral hepatitis and knowledge about transmission and prevention (P value Conclusion: Although most people who live in developing countries are at high risk for transmission of hepatitis B, this indicates the need to implement the screening policy and integrate it with other health services and create awareness such as proper treatment and surveillance for hepatitis infection in all nations.展开更多
文摘Introduction: Tuberculosis is a major health problem in developing countries including Sudan. Screening for TB cases through Household contacts (HHCs) investigation is an appropriate strategy to interrupt transmission of TB. Objectives: To determine the prevalence tuberculosis infection and risk factors for tuberculosis infection among household contacts in Wadimadani locality, Central State, Sudan, between November 2015 and April 2016. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study conducted. During study period, to confirm TB diagnosis, all suspect contacts were tested through sputum samples, tuberculin skin test or chest X-ray. Structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and environmental factors. Results: One hundred forty six patients of smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis were included in the study, 657 household contacts were identified and screened. Forty three new TB cases were detected from household contacts, yielding a prevalence of 6.5% (95% confidence interval = 0.05, 0.09) of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Two factors were significantly associated with LTBI among HHCs: duration of contact with a TB patient ≤ 4 months (P = 0.03) and the educational status (P = 0.02). Conclusion: Screening of HHCs of index case of TB will contribute in early detection and treatment of new cases, and considered as a forward step towards eliminating TB.
文摘Assessment of past-climate simulations of regional climate models(RCMs)is important for understanding the reliability of RCMs when used to project future regional climate.Here,we assess the performance and discuss possible causes of biases in a WRF-based RCM with a grid spacing of 50 km,named WRFG,from the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program(NARCCAP)in simulating wet season precipitation over the Central United States for a period when observational data are available.The RCM reproduces key features of the precipitation distribution characteristics during late spring to early summer,although it tends to underestimate the magnitude of precipitation.This dry bias is partially due to the model’s lack of skill in simulating nocturnal precipitation related to the lack of eastward propagating convective systems in the simulation.Inaccuracy in reproducing large-scale circulation and environmental conditions is another contributing factor.The too weak simulated pressure gradient between the Rocky Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico results in weaker southerly winds in between,leading to a reduction of warm moist air transport from the Gulf to the Central Great Plains.The simulated low-level horizontal convergence fields are less favorable for upward motion than in the NARR and hence,for the development of moist convection as well.Therefore,a careful examination of an RCM’s deficiencies and the identification of the source of errors are important when using the RCM to project precipitation changes in future climate scenarios.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.81760179 No.81360151)+2 种基金Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (No.20171BAB205046)Jiangxi Province Education Department Key Foundation (No. GJJ160033)Health Development Planning Commission Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province (No.20185118)
文摘AIM： To investigate the functional networks underlying the brain-activity changes of patients with high myopia using the voxel-wise degree centrality（DC） method.METHODS： In total, 38 patients with high myopia（HM）（17 males and 21 females）, whose binocular refractive diopter were-6.00 to-7.00 D, and 38 healthy controls（17 males and 21 females）, closely matched in age, sex, and education levels, participated in the study. Spontaneous brain activities were evaluated using the voxel-wise DC method. The receiver operating characteristic curve was measured to distinguish patients with HM from healthy controls. Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between the observed mean DC values of the different brain areas and the behavioral performance.RESULTS： Compared with healthy controls, HM patients had significantly decreased DC values in the right inferior frontal gyrus/insula, right middle frontal gyrus, and right supramarginal/inferior parietal lobule（P〈0.05）. In contrast, HM patients had significantly increased DC values in the right cerebellum posterior lobe, left precentral gyrus/postcentral gyrus, and right middle cingulate gyrus（P〈0.05）. However, no relationship was found between the observed mean DC values of the different brain areas and the behavioral performance（P〉0.05）.CONCLUSION： HM is associated with abnormalities in many brain regions, which may indicate the neural mechanisms of HM. The altered DC values may be used as a useful biomarker for the brain activity changes in HM patients.
文摘It is significant to research the voltage stability of the wind power centralized system (WPCS) for the effective development of the large scale clustering wind energy resources. A steady state voltage stability analysis of the WPCS by employing the PV curve and model analysis is proposed to reveal the voltage stability influence from different aspects. The PV curve is utilized to trace and indicate the voltage collapse point of the WPCS when the small disturbance of wind power is increased gradually. Then the steady state voltage instability modes of the WPCS are analyzed by calculating the bus participation factors of the minimum eigenvalue model at the collapse point. The simulation results of an actual WPCS in North China show that the static state voltage instability mode of the WPCS is closely related to the operating features and control strategies of different reactive power sources. In addition, the implementation of the doubly-fed induction generator wind turbine generator voltage control is beneficial to improve the WPCS voltage stability.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81660158,No.81400372,No.81460092).
文摘●AIM:To use the voxel-wise degree centrality(DC)method to explore the underlying functional network brain-activity in patients with ophthalmectomy.●METHODS:A total of 32 ophthalmic surgery patients(10 women and 22 men),and 32 healthy subjects(10 women and 22 men)highly matched in gender,age,and the same operation method.Everyone experienced a restingstate functional magnetic resonance imaging scan.The spontaneous brain activity could be assessed by DC.Correlation analysis was used to explore the relationships between the average DC signal values and behavior performance in different regions.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)cur ve analysis was utilized to differentiate between ophthalmectomy patients and healthy controls(HCs).●RESULTS:Compared with HCs,ophthalmectomy patients had greatly reduced DC values in left lingual gyrus,bilateral lingual lobe,left cingulate gyrus,and increased DC values of left cerebellum posterior lobe,left middle frontal gyrus1,right supramarginal gyrus,left middle frontal gyrus2,right middle frontal gyrus.However,we did not find that there was a correlation between the average DC values from various brain regions and clinical manifestations.●CONCLUSION:Dysfunction may be caused by ophthalmectomy in lots of cerebral areas,which may show the potential pathological mechanism of ophthalmectomy and it is beneficial to clinical diagnosis.
文摘Background: The local population in developing countries is at higher risk of contracting hepatitis B (HBV) due to some of the factors they practice which promote its establishment and distribution within their communities and may constitute a burden for them. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with the hepatitis B virus in populations of the Algamosi region, Gezira State, central Sudan. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 492 people, populations of the Algamosi region, Gezira state in central Sudan. A questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic factors, transmission, and prevention of hepatitis B infections. As well, blood samples were taken from each participant, and serum was used for rapid tests for HBsAg. Positive samples were then tested by the ELISA method for confirmation. Data were obtained using SPSS version 21 and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of hepatitis B was 16.10% and was higher in men than in women (05.7 - 1.00). People aged 31 to 45 had the highest prevalence of 27 (20,600%) for HBV infection. There was a significant association between HBV and age groups (X<sup>2</sup> = 7.816 and P value = 0.05). This study also found that there was a significant association between viral hepatitis and knowledge about transmission and prevention (P value Conclusion: Although most people who live in developing countries are at high risk for transmission of hepatitis B, this indicates the need to implement the screening policy and integrate it with other health services and create awareness such as proper treatment and surveillance for hepatitis infection in all nations.
