Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Southern Pine Seed Sources

The selection of an appropriate seed source is critical for successful southern pine plantations. Guidelines for selection of seed sources are presented for loblolly ( Pinus taeda L.), slash ( P. elliottii Engelm.), longleaf ( P. palustris Mill.), Virginia ( P. virginiana Mill.), shortleaf ( P. echinata Mill.), and sand [ P. clausa (Chapm. ex Engelm.) Vasey ex Sarg. ] pines. Seed movement guidelines in this handbook are based on climatic similarities between the seed source origin and the planting site. Because yearly average minimum temperature is the most important climatic variable related to growth and survival, it has been used to define the rules of seed movement. This variable, which defines plant hardiness zones, has been used for many years by horticulturists to guide the transfer of plant materials. East-west movement to areas of similar climate is permissible, with the exception of loblolly pine. related to growth and survival, it has been used to define the rules of seed movement. This variable, which defines plant hardiness zones, has been used for many years by horticulturists to guide the transfer of plant materials. East-west movement to areas of similar climate is permissible, with the exception of loblolly pine.
Strategic spatial planning – a case study from the GreaterSouth East of England

The aim of this thesis is to investigate, through the method of a case-study at two levels (development site and sub-region), the historical development of and current mechanisms used to deliver strategic spatial planning (large scale housing development). The theoretical underpinnings of strategic spatial planning are examined, including some key planning paradigms such as the ‘green belt’, ‘city regions’ and ‘spatial planning’. The key dichotomy of current policy – the ‘desire to devolve’ through localism and the counteracting ‘centralising tendency’ as expressed through urban containment policy is then discussed. The substantive element of the research is an examination of these policies in practice, through a case-study at two levels. The first level of the case study is a site-level forensic examination of the West of Stevenage development, first put forward in the early 1990s but which is currently in abeyance without a single home having been built. The second level of the case study is a sub-regional study of the issues facing those with tasked with implementing strategic spatial planning across three very different local authorities – Stevenage, Luton and North Hertfordshire. This element of the research has been carried out largely through the medium of qualitative interviews with senior planning professionals, senior local politicians and a senior executive at a Local Enterprise Partnership. One significant piece of quantitative research is also presented in the research: a highly accurate, Great Britain wide survey of land use based on up to date Ordnance Survey data. The research concludes by offering five suggestions to improve strategic spatial planning in a growth area like the wider South East of England (four practical, policy-related steps and one theoretical reconceptualising of the discipline).
Effectivity of Virtual Reality to Improve Balance, Motor Function, Activities of Daily Living, and Upper Limb Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common motor disorder in childhood. CP limits movement, which can interfere with children’s daily activities. As a technology that provides intensive mass practice to children, virtual reality (VR) can create an interactive and motivating environment. With the intensity set by the therapist and feedback that can be used to produce individualized therapy, VR has great potential to improve CP patients’ quality of life, especially in a safe, enjoyable, and playful environment. Purpose This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to determine the effectiveness of VR for children with CP. Methods We conducted a comprehensive literature search based on the PRISMA guidelines through PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Wiley, and ProQuest to assess the efficacy of VR in managing children with CP up to 15 September 2022. Risk assessment of bias was performed using Cochrane RoB 2. Results Nineteen randomized controlled trials with 467 and 427 patients with CP were included in the intervention and control groups in qualitative and quantitative analyses. Participants consisted of cerebral palsy with hemiplegia (n=7), diplegia (n=2), a combination of both (n=4), and undefined (n=13). From all studies conducted, VR showed significant results where VR could improve balance (MD: 2.71[1.95, 3.48]; p < 0.00001), motor function (MD: 3.73 [1.67, 5.79]; p = 0.0004), and activity daily living (MD: 10.05 [2.89, 17.22]. However, VR showed not effective in improving upper limb function. Conclusion With its advantages and excellent effectiveness, VR may improve functional mobility and the quality of life of children with CP.
TEE-PA: TEE Is a Cornerstone for Remote Provenance Auditing on Edge Devices With Semi-TCB

AI&IoT edge devices run complex applications and are under the threat of stealthy attacks that are not easily detected by traditional security systems. Provenance auditing is a promising technique for determining the ramification of an attack from event logs. However, the original provenance auditing was designed for personal computers and is unsuitable for edge devices. Therefore, introducing provenance auditing on edge devices raises the following three problems. (1) Current edge devices have relatively powerful CPUs but are not enough for provenance auditing. (2) Most provenance auditing tools are developed as normal applications, and the log data is exposed to an untrusted area. (3) Most edge devices are used outdoors without an administrator and must be managed by secure M2M (Machine to Machine). To solve these problems, we propose TEE-PA to securely collect system call logs on an edge device using TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) and send them to a remote provenance auditing on a powerful server. The system call logs are directly transferred from the kernel to the TEE and are not exposed to administrators as well as attackers. Although the kernel runs in an untrusted world and has a semantic gap from the TEE, TEE-PA offers a semi-TCB (Trusted Computing Base) that measures the kernel integrity check mechanism from the TEE at boot time and partially trusts the kernel. Operational correctness is periodically confirmed by unpredictable heartbeat messages sent from the remote provenance auditing server. If the correctness is not confirmed in the logs on the server, heartbeat message is not sent, triggering an autonomous recovery with a system reset of the watchdog timer protected by the TEE. We implemented a prototype of TEE-PA on the Arm TrustZone of Raspberry Pi3 with SPADE and LKRG (Linux Kernel Runtime Guard) as remote provenance auditing and kernel integrity check. We demonstrate that TEE-PA can determine the ramifications of stealthy attacks (fileless malware and shell command attacks) with acceptable performance. The performance evaluation estimates that TEE-PA is 19 times faster than on-board provenance auditing.
Arvicolinae (Rodentia) du Pliocène terminal et du quaternaire ancien de France et d'Espagne.

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Dietary Adherence Is Associated with Perceived Stress, Anhedonia, and Food Insecurity Independent of Adiposity

We examined whether perceived stress, anhedonia, and food insecurity were associated with dietary adherence during a 6-week intervention. Sixty participants (23 m; 53 ± 14 y) completed psychosocial measures and were provided with full meals. Individuals with obesity were randomized to a weight-maintaining energy needs (WMENs) (n = 18; BMI 33 ± 4) or a 35% calorie-reduced diet (n = 19; BMI 38 ± 9); normal-weight individuals (n = 23; BMI 23 ± 2) were assigned to a WMENs diet. Adherence scores were determined via weekly assessments and daily ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) of real-time behavior in a natural environment. Perceived stress and anhedonia were associated with % body fat (all r-values > 0.25, all p-values < 0.05), but food insecurity and adherence were not. Higher perceived stress (r = −0.31, p = 0.02), anhedonia (r = −0.34, p = 0.01), and food insecurity (r = −0.27, p = 0.04) were associated with lower adherence scores, even after adjusting for age, sex, and % body fat. In all adjusted models, % body fat was not associated with adherence. Higher measures of stress, anhedonia, and food insecurity predicted lower adherence independently of body fat, indicating that psychosocial factors are important targets for successful adherence to dietary interventions, regardless of body size.
Efficacy of cranial electrotherapy stimulation in patients with burning mouth syndrome: a randomized, controlled, double-blind pilot study

Background The Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic pain syndrome characterized by a burning sensation in the oral mucous membranes. The etiology and pathophysiology of BMS is largely unexplained. To date, there is no evidence-based treatment strategy for BMS. Cranial electrical stimulation (CES) represents a non-invasive treatment option with a low side effect profile that is approved for the treatment of pain, depression, anxiety disorder and insomnia. It has shown efficacy in studies for chronic pain such as fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effectiveness of CES in combination with local transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) as an adjunct therapy in patients with BMS compared to sham stimulation. Methods This randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled pilot study enrolled 22 patients, aged 18 years and over, with the diagnosis of BMS meeting the ICHD-3 criteria from August 2020 to June 2021. The study duration was 4 weeks (28 days) per participant. After randomization, the active group participants (n = 11) received a 100 μA CES treatment for 60 min a day whereas the devices in the Sham group did not emit electricity. Simple linear regression was used to determine whether the interventions promoted significant differences in pain intensity. Results The linear regression showed that the period of stimulation significantly predicted decrease in the intensity of pain in the active group [β = −0.036; t(26) = −7.219; p < 0.001] as in the sham group [β = −0.026; t(26) = −2.56; p < 0.017]. With the applied cutoff of 30% pain reduction within the stimulation period, both the active and sham groups had 36% responders (n = 4) (Fisher’s exact test, p = 1.00). In both groups (active stimulation and sham group), a significant decrease in the intensity of pain, somatic symptoms and an improvement in sleep quality over the study period was observed. Subjects reported no adverse events during the study. Conclusion Although CES is an easily applicable and safe therapeutic option for chronic facial pain, active stimulation was not superior to sham stimulation. Among other reasons, this could be due to the short double-blinded treatment period, duration of the daily stimulation session or the small sample size.
Application of Advanced Molecular Methods to Study Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis

Early-onset sepsis (EOS) is a global health issue, considered one of the primary causes of neonatal mortality. Diagnosis of EOS is challenging because its clinical signs are nonspecific, and blood culture, which is the current gold-standard diagnostic tool, has low sensitivity. Commonly used biomarkers for sepsis diagnosis, including C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin-6, lack specificity for infection. Due to the disadvantages of blood culture and other common biomarkers, ongoing efforts are directed towards identifying innovative molecular approaches to diagnose neonates at risk of sepsis. This review aims to gather knowledge and recent research on these emerging molecular methods. PCR-based techniques and unrestricted techniques based on 16S rRNA sequencing and 16S–23S rRNA gene interspace region sequencing offer several advantages. Despite their potential, these approaches are not able to replace blood cultures due to several limitations; however, they may prove valuable as complementary tests in neonatal sepsis diagnosis. Several microRNAs have been evaluated and have been proposed as diagnostic biomarkers in EOS. T2 magnetic resonance and bioinformatic analysis have proposed potential biomarkers of neonatal sepsis, though further studies are essential to validate these findings.
Use of crop water stress index for monitoring water stress in some sinanthropic plant species.

The water stress indicator (crop water stress index, CWSI) is a measure of the transpiration rate of a plant, influenced by the leaf and air temperature difference from the plant’s vicinity and the air pressure deficit of the water vapors from the atmosphere. The experiments were realized in July-August 2008 and 2009 for six species in the cities Pitesti, Mioveni and Maracineni: Cichorium intybus L. , Conyza canadensis (L.) Cronq. , Erigeron annuus L. (Pers.), Lactuca serriola Torn. , Polygonum aviculare L. and Echinochloa crus-galli (L.) Beauv. For those species we calculated the CWSI to estimate the water stress on the selected plants in the urban environment conditions. The analyzed species were exposed to a less accentuated water stress while vegetating in the soil and to a more intense one they were grown in the asphalt cracks. Cichorium intybus had the smallest CWSI value (0.26) while Lactuca serriola the highest one (0.44).
A Review of Reliability in Gate-All-Around Nanosheet Devices

The gate-all-around (GAA) nanosheet (NS) field-effect-transistor (FET) is poised to replace FinFET in the 3 nm CMOS technology node and beyond, marking the second seminal shift in device architecture across the extensive 60-plus-year history of MOSFET. The introduction of a new device structure, coupled with aggressive pitch scaling, can give rise to reliability challenges. In this article, we present a review of the key reliability mechanisms in GAA NS FET, including bias temperature instability (BTI), hot carrier injection (HCI), gate oxide (Gox) time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB), and middle-of-line (MOL) TDDB. We aim to not only underscore the unique reliability attributes inherent to NS architecture but also provide a holistic view of the status and prospects of NS reliability, taking into account the challenges posed by future scaling.
Poisoning by Nerium oleander L. in Franconia Geese

Simple Summary This research investigates the poisoning of domestic geese by oleander plants, commonly used as ornamentals. Oleander is toxic and can be fatal to various animals, including geese. The study focuses on a case in which four geese were accidentally poisoned after ingesting oleander clippings. The affected geese exhibited sudden and severe symptoms, leading to death within 15–90 min. Necropsy and histopathology revealed damage to the heart and kidneys, while oleandrin, a toxic compound in oleander, was detected in the heart, kidney, brain liver, and muscles. The findings highlight the acute toxicity of oleander in geese and emphasize the need for awareness in goose-rearing practices to prevent exposure to potentially lethal plants. This information can guide measures to protect domestic birds and may have broader implications for animal husbandry practices, contributing to the well-being of domestic fowl and other susceptible animals. Abstract This study describes the acute poisoning of four 3-month-old Franconia geese (Anser anser) by oleander plants (Nerium oleander). After the accidental ingestion of oleander clippings, the geese exhibited a rapid onset of severe symptoms, leading to mortality within 15–90 min. Necropsy revealed cardiac and renal lesions. Specifically, interstitial edema, red blood cell infiltration, and myofibril loss were observed in the cardiac muscle, and tubular epithelial degeneration, interstitial edema, and hemorrhages were evident in the kidneys. Oleandrin, a glycoside with cardiac effects, was detected in the liver, kidneys, heart, brain, and muscles. The clinical implications underscore the urgency of veterinary intervention upon oleander ingestion, and the specific findings contribute valuable insights into the pathological effects of acute oleander poisoning in geese, aiding veterinarians in prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Outcome of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures following diagnosis in the epilepsy monitoring unit

Objective To study the outcome of patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) after their diagnosis in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU). Methods Patients diagnosed in our EMU with definite PNES between January 2009 and May 2023 were contacted by phone, and those who agreed to participate were asked a set of predetermined questions. Comparative analyses were carried out on several variables before and after diagnosis: number of participants with daily PNES, number of visits to the emergency department, number of participants who consulted their general practitioner or a neurologist outside of a scheduled follow-up, number of participants who took antiseizure medications (ASMs) or psychotropic drugs, and employment status. Results Out of the 103 patients with a definite diagnosis of PNES, 61 patients (79% female) accepted to participate in our study. The median age at PNES onset was 35 years, and the median delay to diagnosis was 3 years. Almost two-thirds (62%) were receiving ASMs and 40% psychotropic drugs. The mean stay at the EMU was 5 days. PNES diagnosis was explained to almost all patients (97%) by the end of their EMU stay and was well-accepted by most (89%). When contacted, 46% of participants no longer had PNES; 32% mentioned that their PNES had ceased immediately upon communication of the diagnosis. The median follow-up duration was 51 months. Fewer patients had daily seizures after the diagnosis (18 vs. 38%; p < 0.0455). Similarly, the median number of emergency department visits was significantly lower (0 vs. 2; p < 0.001). Only 17 patients consulted their general practitioner (vs. 40, p < 0.001) and 20 a neurologist (vs. 55, p < 0.001) after a PNES attack outside of a scheduled follow-up. The use of ASMs was also significantly reduced from 70 to 33% (p < 0.01), with only one still taking an ASM for its antiseizure properties. Significantly more participants were working at last follow-up than at PNES diagnosis (49 vs. 25%; p < 0.001). Conclusion Our study revealed a relatively favorable long-term outcome of definite PNES diagnosed in the EMU that translated in significant reductions in PNES frequency, health care utilization and ASM use, as well as a significant increase in employment rate.
Aging with a Liver Graft: Analysis of Very Long-Term Survivors after Liver Transplantation

Background: In Italy, data on long-term survivors after liver transplantation are lacking. Materials and Methods: We conducted a hybrid design study on a cohort of 359 adult recipients who received transplants between 1996 and 2002 to identify predictors of survival and the prevalence of co-morbidities among long-term survivors. Results: The actuarial (95% CI) patient survival was 96% (94.6–98.3%), 69% (64.2–73.6%), 55% (49.8–59.9%), 42.8% (37.6–47.8%), and 34% (29.2–38.9%) at 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years, respectively. The leading causes of death were hepatitis C virus recurrence (24.6%), extrahepatic malignancies (16.9%), infection (14.4%), and hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence (14.4%). The factors associated with the survival probability were younger donor and recipient ages (p = 0.001 and 0.004, respectively), female recipient sex (p < 0.001), absence of HCV (p < 0.01), absence of HCC (p = 0.001), and absence of diabetes mellitus at one year (p < 0.01). At the latest follow-up, the leading comorbidities were hypertension (53.6%), obesity (18.7%), diabetes mellitus (17.1%), hyperlipidemia (14.7%), chronic kidney dysfunction (14.7%), and extrahepatic malignancies (13.8%), with 73.9% of patients having more than one complication. Conclusions: Aging with a liver graft is associated with an increased risk of complications and requires ongoing care to reduce the long-term attrition rate resulting from chronic immunosuppression.
Keeping social distance in a classroom while interacting via a telepresence robot: a pilot study

Introduction The use of various telecommunication tools has grown significantly. However, many of these tools (e.g., computer-based teleconferencing) are problematic in relaying non-verbal human communication. Telepresence robots (TPRs) are seen as telecommunication tools that can support non-verbal communication. Methods In this paper, we examine the usability of TPRs, and communication distance related behavioral realism in communication situations between physically present persons and a TPR-mediated person. Twenty-four participants, who played out 36 communication situations with TPRs, were observed and interviewed. Results The results indicate that TPR-mediated people, especially women, choose shorter than normal communication distances. The type of the robot did not influence the choice of communication distance. The participants perceived the use of TPRs positively as a feasible telecommunication method. Discussion When introducing TPRs, situations with greater intrapersonal distances require more practice compared to scenarios where a physically present person communicates with a telepresent individual in the audience. In the latter situation, the robot-mediated person could be perceived as “behaviorally realistic” much faster than in vice versa communication situations.
Reflectarray Antenna for Simultaneous Near-Field Fronthaul and Far-Field Backhaul Links in Next 5G FR2 Femtocells

This work presents a reflectarray-based base station antenna to integrate both backhaul (BH) and fronthaul (FH). The reflectarray operates at 28 GHz in dual linear polarization, using one polarization for the BH and another for the FH. The BH is a pencil beam of maximum gain pointing in a certain direction, while the FH defines the coverage for a femtocell. The FH is used to generate the coverage within the near field radiated by the base station. The synthesis of the FH is carried out by means of a near-field phase-only synthesis (NF-POS), while the BH is analytic. Both phase-shift distributions are physically implemented using a unit cell based on a double-layer topology of coplanar dipoles. The reflectarray is manufactured and evaluated in a spherical range (far field) and a planar range (near field). The measurements agree with the simulations, showing that a single antenna based on a reflectarray can be used to implement the dual link FH and BH.