Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidemiology and Surgical Outcome of Traumatic Sub Axial Cervical Spine Injuries in a Tertiary Care Hospital of KPK, Pakistan

Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize the epidemiologic characteristics, a pattern of traumatic subaxial cervical spine injuries, and their surgical outcomes in a tertiary care hospital in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Neurosurgery at Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar. The records of 40 patients between the ages of 15 and 60 who had cervical spine injuries were evaluated to characterize the injuries and surgical outcomes. We employed the anterior route for surgery regularly and the posterior method only when the reduction failed or substantial instability. We used a tricortical bone graft or titanium cages with autologous bone and secured them through titanium plates to achieve fusion. Results: 80% of patients presented with sub axial cervical injury. Regarding the etiology of injury, 37.5 % had motor vehicle accidents, 28.12% had a history of height falls, and the remaining had sustained injuries due to other causes. The majority of the patients, 68.75% (n = 22), had isolated subluxation injury.87. 5% (n = 28) underwent surgical intervention; surgical outcomes such as pain relief were measured using the VAS, which was 6.09 ± 1.42 preoperatively while 4.5 ± 1.29 postoperatively with a difference of means of 1.59. There was a significant improvement in neurological functions as measured through the ASIA impairment scale. Conclusion: Most cervical spine injuries occurred in young male patients, motor vehicle accidents were the most prevalent cause, and isolated subluxation was the most frequent injury pattern.
Development and Evaluation of a Pioneer School-Based Gifted Education Program (Project GIFT) for Primary and Secondary Students in Hong Kong

In this study, we used a quasi-experimental research design with pretest and post-test data collected from an experimental group and a control group to investigate changes in students after participating in a school-based gifted education program (Project GIFT) in Hong Kong. There were 3207 successfully matched students (3rd to 9th graders) joining the Level 1 program (for all students) alone or both the Level 1 program and Level 2 program (for gifted students). Participants of the experimental and control groups completed validated measures on creativity, multiple intelligences, gifted characteristics, self-efficacy, psychological well-being, and satisfaction with life before and after participating in the program(s). One-way ANCOVA results revealed that students in the experimental groups showed positive changes after joining the program(s), with a greater impact for students joining both Level 1 and Level 2 programs. Students participating in both Level 1 and Level 2 programs displayed significant improvement in creativity, academic performance, logical–mathematical intelligence, intrapersonal intelligence, self-efficacy, autonomy, environmental mastery, and personal growth compared to the control counterparts. This study illustrates the benefits of the Level 1 and Level 2 programs in promoting the holistic development of the program participants.
Toxicity Assessment and Control of Early Blight and Stem Rot of Solanum tuberosum L. by Mancozeb-Loaded Chitosan–Gum Acacia Nanocomposites

Biopolymers such as chitosan and gum acacia are used for nanotechnological applications due to their biosafety and ecofriendly nature. The commercial fungicide mancozeb (M) was loaded into chitosan–gum acacia (CSGA) polymers to form nanocomposite (NC) CSGA-M (mancozeb-loaded) measuring 363.6 nm via the ionic gelation and polyelectrolyte complexation method. The physico-chemical study of nano CSGA-M was accomplished using dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Nano CSGA-M-1.0 (containing 1.0 mg/mL mancozeb) at 1.5 ppm demonstrated a maximum inhibition (83.8 ± 0.7%) against Alternaria solani, while Sclerotinia sclerotiorum exhibited a 100% inhibition at 1.0 and 1.5 ppm through the mycelium inhibition method. Commercial mancozeb showed an inhibition of 84.6 ± 0% and 100%, respectively, for both fungi. In pot house conditions, NCs were found to exhibit good antimicrobial activity. Disease control efficiency (DCE, in %) in pathogen-treated plants for CSGA-M-1.0 was 64.6 ± 5.0 and 60.2 ± 1.4% against early blight and stem rot diseases, respectively. NCs showed lower cytotoxicity than commercial mancozeb at the given concentration. In conclusion, both in vitro and in vivo antifungal efficacy for nano CSGA-M was found to be quite comparable but less toxic than mancozeb to Vero cell lines; thus, in the future, this formulation may be used for sustainable agriculture.
A comparison of data mining algorithms for improving NIR models of cane quality measures

NEAR INFRARED (NIR) analysis systems are used to estimate cane quality measures such as brix and pol in juice and apparent purity. Within the Australian sugarcane industry, partial least squares regression (PLSR) has been used to build NIR models of cane quality measures in the lab, on-line and in the field. PLSR relies on the linear relationship between sample constituents and electromagnetic absorption at NIR wavelengths. In practice, this linear relationship can often break down resulting in relationships that are more complex. Recently, machine learning techniques have become popular for their skill with complex data and ability to produce robust calibrations. The objective of this paper was to compare PLSR with the machine learning technique support vector regression (SVR). The two techniques were used to estimate three cane quality parameters; brix in juice, pol in juice and (apparent) purity. Results from the PLSR models were consistent with previous industry studies and justified the use of PLSR as a baseline against which to compare approaches that are more sophisticated. The SVR models slightly reduced prediction error compared with PLSR models for brix and pol in juice, but slightly increased prediction error for purity. The marginal improvement in model skill using SVR was not considered sufficient to recommend SVR over PLSR, given the relative ease of use and interpretability of PLSR. However, this study showed that certain samples were difficult to model with either approach. Future research should consider machine learning algorithms as well as techniques to identify difficult to model samples. This will allow researchers to seek greater improvement in our ability to utilise NIR modelling techniques.
Histological Changes of Cervix in Ovariectomized Indigenous Rabbits

Histological changes which occurred in the cervix of the ovariectomized rabbits without hormone and with hormones injection were investigated. A total of 45 female rabbits were divided into three groups, the first group was used as a control, while, the second and third groups were used for experiments. In control group the tunica mucosa thrown into branched folds which lined with simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium, and a lamina propria was well vascular dense irregular collagenous connective tissue and a tunica muscularis displayed double layers of smooth muscle fibers. In ovariectomized group without hormones injection, the tunica mucosa showed delicate mucosal folds which lined with low simple cuboidal epithelium and the tunica muscularis was very thin layer, and a significant decreased in the height and thickness of mucosal folds, thickness of lamina propria and tunica muscularis. In ovariectomized groups with hormones injection, the cervix was very thick walled organ and their mucosal folds were the tallest, pyramidal shaped and their epithelium turned into simple columnar epithelium. The thickness of tunica muscularis was increased due to their two layers those intermingled with much of collagen bundles. Statistically, a significant (P<0.05) increased in the values of all parameters. The present study concluded that that cervix in doe has a narrower lumen with huge collagenous connective tissue content that increased in response to steroid hormones, in addition to hyperplasia and hypertrophy, consequently for keeping intrauterine during the preimplantation stage and pregnancy.
Mental Disorder Symptoms and the Relationship with Resilience among Paramedics in a Single Canadian Site

There is growing recognition in research and policy of a mental health crisis among Canada’s paramedics; however, despite this, epidemiological surveillance of the problem is in its infancy. Just weeks before the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, we surveyed paramedics from a single, large, urban paramedic service in Ontario, Canada to assess for symptom clusters consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder and to identify potential risk factors for each. In total, we received 589 completed surveys (97% completion rate) and found that 11% screened positive for PTSD, 15% screened positive for major depressive disorder, and 15% screened positive for generalized anxiety disorder, with one in four active-duty paramedics screening positive for any of the three as recently as February 2020. In adjusted analyses, the risk of a positive screen varied as a function of employment classification, gender, self-reported resilience, and previous experience as a member of the service’s peer support team. Our findings support the position that paramedics screen positive for mental disorders at high rates—a problem likely to have worsened since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. We echo the calls of researchers and policymakers for urgent action to support paramedic mental health in Canada.
Modelling, analysis and optimisation of energy systems on offshore platforms

Nowadays, the offshore production of oil and gas requires on-site processing, which includes operations such as separation, compression and purification. The offshore system undergoes variations of the petroleum production rates over the field life – it is therefore operated far from its nominal operating conditions, which results in poorer performance. The present thesis addresses the question of how offshore platforms should be modelled, analysed and optimised from an energy system perspective. The research challenges can be classified into three main areas: (i) the simulation and assessment of oil and gas facilities, (ii) the means to reduce their performance losses, and (iii) the systematic design of future plants. This work builds upon a combination of modelling tools, performance evaluation methods and multi-objective optimisation routines to reproduce the behaviour of five offshore platforms, quantify the potentials for energy savings, and design more efficient conversion units. The findings show that the differences in the field and operating conditions directly impact the energy demand and performance profiles of these facilities. Most inefficiencies are associated with the combustion, pressure-change and cooling operations, but these processes are ranked differently depending on the plant layout and on the field production stage. The most promising improvements consist of introducing a multi-level production manifold, avoiding anti-surge gas recirculation, installing a waste heat recovery cycle, and implementing a CO2-capture unit. The benefits of such measures vary widely across offshore platforms, pinpointing that no generic improvement can be proposed, and that caution should be exercised when giving recommendations to the stakeholders. Finally, the several studies stress the importance of developing site-scale solutions, which account for the synergies between the processing and utility plants, to enhance the overall platform performance and intensify the petroleum production.
Qualitative Evaluation of User Acceptance Readiness to the Implementation of the Health Center Management Information System (SIMPUS) at the South Tangerang City Health Center

The success of implementing an Information System (IS) depends on how the system is run by its users. User readiness plays an essential role in ensuring the successful implementation of new technology or system. To improve the quality of health services, the South Tangerang City Health Center has implemented the Health Center Management Information System (SIMPUS), but it is not following its objectives. The implementation of SIMPUS further hampers the smooth running of health services and the performance of the Puskesmas. This study aims to understand the level of user acceptance of SIMPUS implementation and explore the factors that influence it. The study used the Technology Readiness Acceptance Model (TRAM) and qualitative methods to explore data that could not be obtained from quantitative research by collecting interview data and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The results show that the Technology Readiness Index factor influences the dimensions of the Technology Acceptance Model. Perceived usefulness significantly affects the intention to use SIMPUS to encourage acceptance of SIMPUS implementation. In contrast, insecurity does not affect perceived usefulness in SIMPUS use because users have not optimally used SIMPUS
Health Supervision for Children and Adolescents With Down Syndrome.

This clinical report is designed to assist the pediatrician in caring for the child, adolescent, and family in whom a diagnosis of Down syndrome has been confirmed by chromosome analysis or suspected by prenatal screening. Although a pediatrician ’ s initial contact with the child is usually during infancy, occasionally the pregnant woman who has been given a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome will be referred for review of the condition and genetic counseling; this report offers guidance for this situation, as well. Age-specific guidance for the clinician is provided in Supplemental Fig 1.
0.5 V Differential Difference Transconductance Amplifier and Its Application in Voltage-Mode Universal Filter

This paper presents an innovative CMOS structure for Differential Difference Transconductance Amplifiers (DDTA). While the circuit operates under extremely low voltage supply 0.5 V, the circuit’s performance is improved thanks to using the multiple-input MOS transistor (MI-MOST), the bulk-driven, self-cascode and partial positive feedback (PPF) techniques. As a result, the DDTA structure is less complex, with high gain of 93 dB, wide input voltage range nearly rail-to-rail, and wide transconductance tunability. As an example of application, a second-order voltage-mode universal filter using three DDTAs and two 6 pF integrated capacitors is presented. The filter is designed such that no matching conditions are required for the input and passive components, and the input signals need not be inverted. The natural frequency and the quality factor can be set orthogonally while the natural frequency can be electronically controlled. The circuit was designed and simulated in Cadence environment using $0.18 \mu \text{m}$ TSMC technology. The simulation results including intensive Monte-Carlo (MC) and process, temperature, voltage (PVT) analysis confirm the stability and the robustness of the design to process, mismatch variation and PVT corners.
Intersatellite Laser Link Planning for Reliable Topology Design in Optical Satellite Networks: A Networking Perspective

The development of reusable rockets makes it possible to launch a massive number of low earth orbit satellites for Internet access. These satellites are expected to be connected by inter-satellite links (ISLs) to provide global Internet service to end-users on the surface of the earth. From the infrastructure’s perspective, the ISLs can be implemented with lasers, forming the optical satellite networks. The design of terrestrial optical networks is usually traffic-driven, meaning more links/bandwidth are deployed to the traffic-intensive areas. But, the orbiting nature of satellites determines that laser ISLs are also moving at high velocities, making the presence of corresponding bandwidth loosed coupled with a specific area. As a result, the traffic-driven network design methodology will be inapplicable to the optical satellite networks. In this work, we model the optical satellite networks and define the laser ISL planning problem, Accordingly, we propose an ISL removal algorithm to remove parts of the ISLs from the grid-mesh topology to improve the average bandwidth utilization ratio (i.e., bandwidth efficiency) while maintaining networks’ reliability and availability. We conduct a simulation study based on the Starlink constellation to evaluate the grid-mesh topology and to investigate the proposed algorithm’s impact on the network performance. Results show that the bandwidth resource in the grid-mesh topology can hardly be used efficiently and removing certain ISLs properly can improve the bandwidth efficiency of optical satellite networks significantly. We also gain another interesting insight that maintaining too many ISLs will not improve, but degrade the network availability.
High Levels of PD-L1+ and Hyal2+ Myeloid-derived Suppressor Cells in Renal Cell Carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients frequently have increased number of immunosuppressive myeloid cells in circulation. High number of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in the blood are associated with immune suppression as well as with cancer-related inflammation which drives the mobilization of myeloid cells to tumor tissue. Here, we show that peripheral blood from a previously untreated RCC patient has increased the number of monocytic CD33+CD11b+ MDSCs, which also co-expressed PD-L1 and membrane-bound enzyme hyaluronidase 2 (Hyal2). PD-L1 expression is associated with immune suppression, whereas expression of Hyal2 is associated with inflammation, because Hyal2+ myeloid cells can degrade the extracellular hyaluronan (HA), leading to the accumulation of pro-inflammatory HA fragments with low molecular weight. These findings implicate the potential involvement of monocytic MDSCs in both tumor-associated immune suppression and cancer-related inflammation. Analysis of organotypic tumor-tissue slice cultures prepared from cancer tissue of the same patient revealed the significant presence of PD-L1+ HLA-DR+ macrophage-like or dendritic cell-like antigen-presenting cells in tumor stroma. Interestingly, stroma-associated PD-L1+ cells frequently have intracellular hyaluronan. Collectively, data presented in this study suggest that the interplay between tumor-recruited myeloid cells and stromal HA may contribute to the inflammation and immune tolerance in kidney cancer.
Distributive behavior, cooperation and gender differences: evidence from Dictator experiments

The aim of this work was to investigate if men and women differed significantly in the distribution of endowments in a dictatorial game context, after the accomplishment of a cooperative task, when interacting directly one with another (Study 1), and when interaction is intermediated by the researcher (Study 2). The experimental task consisted of putting together a puzzle, and then distribute vouchers tickets in the model of a Dictatorial Game. One hundred twenty undergraduates (80 in Study 1 and 40 in Study 2) were organized into three types of pairs: men only, women only, or mixed. The distribution and expectation of receiving vouchers were not influenced by gender and, in general, participants tended to equality in all experimental conditions. Results suggest that participants appraise their partners’ work and try to compensate them, thus contributing to egalitarianism and pro-sociability, even in a context of a Dictator Game.
Comparing Iconicity Trade-Offs in Cena and Libras during a Sign Language Production Task

Although classifier constructions generally aim for highly iconic depictions, like any other part of language they may be constrained by phonology. We compare utterances containing motion events between signers of Cena, an emerging rural sign language in Brazil, and Libras, the national sign language of Brazil, to investigate whether a difference in time-depth—a relevant factor in phonological reorganisation—influences trade-offs involving iconicity. First, we find that contrary to what may be expected, given that emerging sign languages exhibit great variation and favour highly iconic prototypes, Cena signers exhibit neither greater variation nor the use of more complex handshapes in classifier constructions. We also report a divergence from findings on Nicaraguan Sign Language (NSL) in how signers encode movement in a young language, showing that Cena signers tend to encode manner and path simultaneously, unlike NSL signers of comparable cohorts. Cena signers therefore pattern more like non-signing gesturers and signers of urban sign languages, including the Libras signers in our study. The study contributes an addition to the as-yet limited investigations into classifiers in emerging sign languages, demonstrating how different aspects of linguistic organisation, including phonology, can interact with classifier form.
A target Capture Probe Set Useful for Deep- and Shallow-Level Phylogenetic Studies in Cactaceae

The molecular phylogenies of Cactaceae have enabled us to better understand their systematics, biogeography, and diversification ages. However, most of the phylogenetic relationships within Cactaceae major groups remain unclear, largely due to the lack of an appropriate set of molecular markers to resolve its contentious relationships. Here, we explored the genome and transcriptome assemblies available for Cactaceae and identified putative orthologous regions shared among lineages of the subfamily Cactoideae. Then we developed a probe set, named Cactaceae591, targeting both coding and noncoding nuclear regions for representatives from the subfamilies Pereskioideae, Opuntioideae, and Cactoideae. We also sampled inter- and intraspecific variation to evaluate the potential of this panel to be used in phylogeographic studies. We retrieved on average of 547 orthologous regions per sample. Targeting noncoding nuclear regions showed to be crucial to resolving inter- and intraspecific relationships. Cactaceae591 covers 13 orthologous genes shared with the Angiosperms353 kit and two plastid regions largely used in Cactaceae studies, enabling the phylogenies generated by our panel to be integrated with angiosperm and Cactaceae phylogenies, using these sequences. We highlighted the importance of using coalescent-based species tree approaches on the Cactaceae591 dataset to infer accurate phylogenetic trees in the presence of extensive incomplete lineage sorting in this family.