Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Epidural Spinal Cord Stimulation for Spinal Cord Injury in Humans: A Systematic Review

(1) Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) represents a major health challenge, often leading to significant and permanent sensorimotor and autonomic dysfunctions. This study reviews the evolving role of epidural spinal cord stimulation (eSCS) in treating chronic SCI, focusing on its efficacy and safety. The objective was to analyze how eSCS contributes to the recovery of neurological functions in SCI patients. (2) Methods: We utilized the PRISMA guidelines and performed a comprehensive search across MEDLINE/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases up until September 2023. We identified studies relevant to eSCS in SCI and extracted assessments of locomotor, cardiovascular, pulmonary, and genitourinary functions. (3) Results: A total of 64 studies encompassing 306 patients were identified. Studies investigated various stimulation devices, parameters, and rehabilitation methods. Results indicated significant improvements in motor function: 44% of patients achieved assisted or independent stepping or standing; 87% showed enhanced muscle activity; 65% experienced faster walking speeds; and 80% improved in overground walking. Additionally, eSCS led to better autonomic function, evidenced by improvements in bladder and sexual functions, airway pressures, and bowel movements. Notable adverse effects included device migration, infections, and post-implant autonomic dysreflexia, although these were infrequent. (4) Conclusion: Epidural spinal cord stimulation is emerging as an effective and generally safe treatment for chronic SCI, particularly when combined with intensive physical rehabilitation. Future research on standardized stimulation parameters and well-defined therapy regimens will optimize benefits for specific patient populations.
Sex-Dependent Differences in the Ischemia/Reperfusion-Induced Expression of AMPA Receptors

Following ischemia/reperfusion, AMPA receptors (AMPARs) mediate pathologic delayed neuronal death through sustained expression of calcium-permeable AMPARs, leading to excitotoxicity. Preventing the surface removal of GluA2-containing AMPARs may yield new therapeutic targets for the treatment of ischemia/reperfusion. This study utilized acute organotypic hippocampal slices from aged male and female Sprague Dawley rats and subjected them to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) to examine the mechanisms underlying the internalization and degradation of GluA2-containing AMPARs. We determined the effect of OGD/R on AMPAR subunits at the protein and mRNA transcript levels utilizing Western blot and RT-qPCR, respectively. Hippocampal slices from male and female rats responded to OGD/R in a paradoxical manner with respect to AMPARs. GluA1 and GluA2 AMPAR subunits were degraded following OGD/R in male rats but were increased in female rats. There was a rapid decrease in GRIA1 (GluA1) and GRIA2 (GluA2) mRNA levels in the male hippocampus following ischemic insult, but this was not observed in females. These data indicate a sex-dependent difference in how AMPARs in the hippocampus respond to ischemic insult, and may help explain, in part, why premenopausal women have a lower incidence/severity of ischemic stroke compared with men of the same age.
FLORISTIC CHANGE IN NEW ENGLAND AND NEW YORK: REGIONAL PATTERNS OF PLANT SPECIES LOSS AND DECLINE

ABSTRACT. The wealth of historical botanical surveys in New England and New York allows ecologists to study changes in plant communities over time across well documented sites. Studies of floristic change in towns, counties, and preserves over the past 150 years reveal regional patterns of species loss and increasing proportions of nonnative species. These changes are often linked to land use change, deer herbivory, development pressures, and climate change. Here, we review patterns of change throughout the region and explore in-depth floristic change at a northern site: Mount Desert Island (MDI), Maine, which holds the largest section of Acadia National Park. We find floras across the region have lost, on average, one-quarter of their native species—ranging from a loss of 3.5% of species from the Finger Lakes Region in New York to a loss of 53.1% of species on Staten Island, New York. No variable that we examine (e.g., size of area, size of flora, conservation status, and data sources) explains differences in losses across all sites. Contemporary floras have higher percentages of nonnative species than historic floras: the percent of nonnatives in floras have increased by 1.5% to 19.7% across the region. We also explore a data set of 412 conspecifics found both on MDI and 324 km away in Concord, Massachusetts, and compare species-level changes in abundance over the past century to test whether changes in one location might be predictive of changes in the other. We find that at a community level, changes in abundance in Concord were predictive of changes on MDI—local floras throughout the region have lost roughly 25% of their original species over the last 50 to 150 years—but changes in abundance for particular species in Concord were not predictive of how the same species changed in abundance on MDI. In New England, analyses of changes in nearby floras may help land managers and scientists understand community-level changes likely taking place, but we find that documenting and understanding changes in particular species requires targeted local study. Finally, we highlight the importance of context: understanding the survey effort, expertise, and goals of earlier botanists allows contemporary ecologists to make the most of the available historical ecological data.
Responses of spring phenology in a fruit tree species (Pyrus sp. cv. Pingguoli) to the changes in surface air temperature in Northeast China

We analysed records of spring phenological events (budding and flowering) of pear (Pyrus sp.) cultivar ‘Pingguoli’ at six sites in the Yanbian District of Jilin Province, northeast China across 58 years from 1953. The aims of this study were to test if the phenological timing in spring has changed due to the long‐term change in surface air temperature and to see if the relationship between the phenological timing and the surface air temperature shows nonlinearity as suggested by a past study. We fitted a linear model of phenological timing as the sum of the effects of long‐term temperature trends and year‐to‐year temperature fluctuations. The results showed that the acceleration of spring phenology can be attributed to the corresponding trends of increasing mean air temperature in spring. The relationship between air temperature and phenological timing was linear for budding, but it was nonlinear for flowering with a lower temperature sensitivity at higher air temperature.
A Mobile App for Detecting Potato Crop Diseases

Artificial intelligence techniques are now widely used in various agricultural applications, including the detection of devastating diseases such as late blight (Phytophthora infestans) and early blight (Alternaria solani) affecting potato (Solanum tuberorsum L.) crops. In this paper, we present a mobile application for detecting potato crop diseases based on deep neural networks. The images were taken from the PlantVillage dataset with a batch of 1000 images for each of the three identified classes (healthy, early blight-diseased, late blight-diseased). An exploratory analysis of the architectures used for early and late blight diagnosis in potatoes was performed, achieving an accuracy of 98.7%, with MobileNetv2. Based on the results obtained, an offline mobile application was developed, supported on devices with Android 4.1 or later, also featuring an information section on the 27 diseases affecting potato crops and a gallery of symptoms. For future work, segmentation techniques will be used to highlight the damaged region in the potato leaf by evaluating its extent and possibly identifying different types of diseases affecting the same plant.
A longitudinal study of the Educational Advancement Alliance, Inc. afterschool and summer enrichment programs

Karen E. Nicholas A LONGITUDINAL STUDY OF THE EDUCATIONAL ADVANCEMENT ALLIANCE, INC. AFTERSCHOOL AND SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS 2008/2009 Dr. Burton R. Sisco Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration By all accounts there is a crisis in the American educational system. From government officials at all levels to educators, both practitioners and researchers, the question of how to reconnect with America's youth is debated on a daily basis. Solutions to the problems are suggested, debated, and sometimes tested. One of the topics that is often deliberated is the impact of supplemental educational programs. In an effort to address issues of academic skill deficiencies and college preparedness, the Educational Advancement Alliance (EAA) was founded in 1990. The intent of this study was to quantitatively evaluate the impact of the Educational Advancement Alliance (EAA) AfterSchool Enrichment (ASEP) and Intensive Summer Science Programs (ISSP), on selected student performance. The study examined the impact of the ASEP independently or in combination with participation in the ISSP on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores of program participants over a three-year period, 2006, 2007, and 2008. Data analysis suggest that attendance at the AfterSchool Enrichment Program (ASEP) coupled with participation in the 4-week Intensive Summer Science Program (ISSP) improved scores on the Scholastic Aptitude Test. The findings further suggest that the longer students participate in both programs, the higher the score.
Sustainability of Maize-Based Cropping Systems in Northern Ghana

This study was carried out in Northern Ghana with the objective of assessing the sustainability1 of five maize-based cropping systems in the area. The cropping systems are maize-cowpea rotation, maize-cowpea relay intercropping, maize-cowpea mixed intercropping, sole maize continuously cropped and maize-sorghum-groundnuts mixed intercropping. The study also sought to establish any variability in the cropping systems of Northern Ghana, strategies adopted by farmers to increase crop yield as well as the cost-effectiveness of the strategies adopted. To achieve the objectives above information on existing cropping systems was obtained through a structured questionnaire interview with 60 farmers selected from 6 villages (Kpongu and Sing in the Upper West region, Wiaga and Dullugu in the Upper East region and Woribogu and Cheshegu in the Northern region). Data on crop yields and quantities of inputs were obtained from records of the Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (SARI) while prices of inputs and crop products were obtained from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Policy Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Department's statistics. Existing cropping systems were compared to those found in the literature to establish the variability of cropping systems in the study area. Strategies adopted by farmers to increase crop yield were also established from the structured interviews. Partial budget anaysis was used to assess the cost-effectiveness of strategies adopted by farmers to increase crop yields while Total Factor Productivity (TFP) indices were calculated to assess the long run sustainability of the cropping systems under consideration. Results of the study indicate that cropping systems in Northern Ghana van' across locations. The results also reveal that strategies adopted by farmers to increase crop yields are cost-effective in the short run. However, in the long run three out of the five cropping systems under study are not sustainable when natural resource flows (the level of soil nitrogen) are considered. Without considering natural resource flows, none of the systems was found to be sustainable. In order to achieve sustainable crop production, bullock traction should be used for land preparation to reduce labour requirements. There should be appropriate intercropping of cereals and legumes as well as rotation of cereals with legumes. Extension education should be improved mainly through radio broadcast in local languages. Through radio broadcast farmers that cannot be reached during farm or home visits can benefit from extension education. University of Ghana http://ugspace.ug. edu.gh
Trap Analysis: an automated approach for deriving column height predictions in fault-bounded traps

Column height predictions are often displayed as attributes on fault-plane profiles. However, fault-plane profiles are difficult to interpret when derived from multiple faults that bound a trap. An automated approach, termed Trap Analysis, permits the rapid analysis of column height predictions using the deterministic fault-seal analysis method. For column height predictions to be meaningful, all faults that contribute to the sealing of hydrocarbons within a trap must be analysed as one coherent structural element. Hydrocarbon column height data at key reservoir juxtapositions on all faults that bound a trap are simultaneously interrogated to derive the unique location of the weakest point on the fault seal, termed Fault Leak Point (FLP). The FLP is trap-critical if it supports a column with a contact that is shallower than the trap's structural spill point. The Trap Analysis approach enables sensitivity studies to be routinely undertaken. The predicted weakest point on a fault seal, and hence, the column height supported at that point, can depend on the calibration used to transform shale gouge ratio (SGR) to threshold capillary pressure, and on the density contrast between the buoyant and water phases.
Biological variation in South American populations using dental non-metric traits: Assessment of isolation by time and distance

ii DEDICATION.iv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.vi VITA.viii LIST OF TABLES.xii LIST OF FIGURES.xiv CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.1 1.1 Objectives.6 1.2 Organization of the dissertation.7 CHAPTER 2: HISTORY OF SOUTH AMERICA, DENTAL MORPHOLOGY, AND BIODISTANCE.8 2.1 Traditional perspective of diversity in South America.9 2.1.1 Linguistic diversity.10 2.1.2 Cultural diversity.12 2.1. 3 Morphological diversity.17 2.1. 4 Genetic diversity.20 2.2 Recent morphological and genetic views about South American diversity.24 2.2.1 Temporal and geographical diversity in South American cranial morphology.25 2.2.2 Dental patterning of South American population samples.29 2.2.3 Molecular-genetic studies east and west of the Andes.32 2.3 Dental crown morphology: genetics, inheritance, and heritability . 37 2.4 Biodistance, population history and structure.42 2.5 Biodistance analysis and non-metric traits.44 2.6 Quantitative traits and population genetics . 48 2.7 Hypotheses . 53
Tuning the antimicrobial activity of microbial glycolipid biosurfactants through chemical modification

Sophorolipids, glycolipid biosurfactants derived from microorganisms such as Starmerella bombicola, possess distinctive surface-active and bioactive properties, holding potential applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and bioremediation. However, the limited structural variability in wild-type sophorolipids restricts their properties and applications. To address this, metabolic engineering efforts have allowed to create a portfolio of molecules. In this study, we went one step further by chemically modifying microbially produced sophorosides, produced by an engineered S. bombicola. Twenty-four new sophoroside derivatives were synthesized, including sophoroside amines with varying alkyl chain lengths (ethyl to octadecyl) on the nitrogen atom and their corresponding quaternary ammonium salts. Additionally, six different microbially produced glycolipid biosurfactants were hydrogenated to achieve fully saturated lipid tails. These derivatives, along with microbially produced glycolipids and three benchmark biosurfactants (di-rhamnolipids, alkyl polyglucosides, cocamidopropyl betaine), were assessed for antimicrobial activity against bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and yeast (Candida albicans). Results indicated that microbially produced glycolipids, such as bola sophorosides, acidic sophorolipids and acidic glucolipids exhibit selective antimicrobial activity against the test organisms. Conversely, lactonic sophorolipids, sophoroside amines and quaternary ammonium salts display a broad antimicrobial activity. N-octyl, N-dodecyl and N-octadecyl derivatives exhibit the lowest minimal inhibitory concentrations, ranging from 0.014 to 20.0 mg mL−1. This study demonstrates the potential synergy of thoughtful biotechnology and targeted chemistry to precisely tailor glycolipid biosurfactants to meet specific requirements across applications.
The Role of Imaging in Cervical Cancer Staging: ESGO/ESTRO/ESP Guidelines (Update 2023)

Simple Summary Constant technological development of modern imaging has led to substantial improvement in management and decision-making in the diagnostic and prognostic process of many different neoplasms. This also applies to cervical cancer. The main evidence, providing the base of recently updated ESGO-ESTRO-ESP recommendations (2023) on the management and treatment of cervical cancer, has been evaluated and reviewed in this paper. Ultrasound has been suggested as a valid alternative to MRI in primary diagnostic workup of cervical cancer if performed by an expert sonographer. Additionally, CT or PET/CT exhibits a substantial role in assessing the extrapelvic spread of the disease in locally advanced cases or when suspicious lymph nodes are detected. The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive review of the role of different imaging techniques in staging settings, displaying a focused interest in the use of ultrasound. Abstract Following the European Society of Gynaecological Oncology (ESGO), the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO), and the European Society of Pathology (ESP) joint guidelines (2018) for the management of patients with cervical cancer, treatment decisions should be guided by modern imaging techniques. After five years (2023), an update of the ESGO-ESTRO-ESP recommendations was performed, further confirming this statement. Transvaginal/transrectal ultrasound (TRS/TVS) or pelvic magnetic resonance (MRI) enables tumor delineation and precise assessment of its local extent, including the evaluation of the depth of infiltration in the bladder- or rectal wall. Additionally, both techniques have very high specificity to confirm the presence of metastatic pelvic lymph nodes but fail to exclude them due to insufficient sensitivity to detect small-volume metastases, as in any other currently available imaging modality. In early-stage disease (T1a to T2a1, except T1b3) with negative lymph nodes on TVS/TRS or MRI, surgicopathological staging should be performed. In all other situations, contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) or 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography combined with CT (PET-CT) is recommended to assess extrapelvic spread. This paper aims to review the evidence supporting the implementation of diagnostic imaging with a focus on ultrasound at primary diagnostic workup of cervical cancer.
Current understanding of hydrological processes on common urban surfaces

Understanding the rainfall-runoff behaviour of urban land surfaces is an important scientific and practical issue as storm water management policies increasingly aim to manage flood risk at local scales within urban areas, whilst controlling the quality and quantity of runoff that reaches receiving water bodies. By reviewing field measurements reported within the literature on runoff, infiltration, evaporation and storage on common urban surfaces, this study describes a complex hydrological behaviour with greater rates of infiltration than often assumed, contradicting a commonly adopted, but simplified classification of the hydrological properties of urban surfaces. This shows that the term impervious surface, or impermeable surface, referring to all constructed surfaces (e.g. roads, roofs, footpaths, etc.) is inaccurate and potentially misleading. The hydrological character of urban surfaces is not stable through time, with both short (seasonal) and long term (decadal) changes in hydrological behaviour, as surfaces respond to variations in seasonal characteristics and degradation in surface condition. At present these changing factors are not widely incorporated into hydrological modelling or urban surface water management planning, with static values describing runoff and assumptions of imperviousness often used. Developing a greater understanding of the linkages between urban surfaces and hydrological behaviour will improve the representation of diverse urban landscapes within hydrological models.
The Practical Forecasting Aspects of the thermohydrogravidynamic theory of the Global Seismotectonic Activity of the Earth concerning to the Japanese Earthquakes Near the Tokyo Region

The article presents the development of the cosmic geophysics (representing the deterministic thermohydrogravidynamic theory intended for earthquakes prediction) by founding the fundamental global seismotectonic and volcanic periodicities based on the author’s generalized differential formulation of the first law of thermodynamics taking into account the energy gravitational influences on the Earth of the Sun (owing to the gravitational interaction of the Sun with the Jupiter and Saturn), the Moon, the Mercury, the Venus, the Mars and the Jupiter. The author presents the evidence that the dates (1605 AD, 1703 AD, 1855 AD, 1923 AD and 2011 AD) of previous strong Japanese earthquakes (near the Tokyo region) may be satisfactory decomposed (relative to the initial date 818 AD of the previous strong earthquake near the Tokyo region) into a linear sums (with different coefficients having the possible values 1 or 0 and the small residual terms) of the established fundamental global seismotectonic and volcanic periodicities.
Exploring Interleukin Levels in Type 1 Diabetes and Periodontitis: A Review with a Focus on Childhood

Diabetes can trigger an increase in cytokine levels leading to the production of C-reactive protein and fibrinogen. These molecules promote subclinical inflammation, causing the expression of adhesive molecules and endothelial dysfunction. Despite the lack of a comprehensive panel for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for interleukins associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), understanding the inflammatory role of SNPs is crucial because periodontitis, the sixth complication of diabetes, is influenced via these genetic variations. This review focuses on the interleukin levels in T1DM patients with and without periodontitis, with a particular focus on childhood and on SNPs when reported. A search of PubMed and Scopus identified 21 relevant studies from the past five years. Several ILs were analyzed, emphasizing that T1DM still needs to be thoroughly explored regarding an IL polymorphisms panel; however, the last five years have led to the increased independence of this condition, causing autonomous inflammatory effects, which require further investigation. The periodontitis and T1DM association in children and adolescents represents a severe gap in the literature that should be filled; this scarce presence of studies serves as motivation for further clinical research.