Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Work-in-progress: a fast online sequential learning accelerator for IoT network intrusion detection

Deployment of IoT devices for smart buildings and homes will offer a high level of comfortability with increased energy efficiency; but can also introduce potential cyber-attacks such as network intrusions via linked IoT devices. Due to the low-power and low-latency requirement to secure IoT network, traditional software based security system is not applicable. Instead, an embedded hardware-accelerator based data analytics is more preferred for network intrusion detection. In this paper, we propose an online sequential machine learning hardware accelerator to perform realtime network intrusion detection. A single hidden layer feedforward neural network based learning algorithm is developed with a least-squares solver realized on hardware. Experimental results on a single FPGA achieve a bandwidth of 409.6 Gbps with fast yet low-power network intrusion detection based on a number of benchmarks.
Understanding of and attitude to xenotransplantation among Italian university students: impact of a 3‐yr university course

Canova D, De Bona M, Rumiati R, Masier A, Ermani M, Naccarato R, Cozzi E, Ancona E, Burra P. Understanding of and attitude to xenotransplantation among Italian university students: impact of a 3‐yr university course. Xenotransplantation 2006; 13: 264–271. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2006
The Influence of Neighbor Relatedness on Multilevel Selection in the Great Lakes Sea Rocket

Natural selection can operate at the individual and group level in natural populations. This study investigates the ecological factors that determine the relative importance of individual versus group selection. In particular, it determines how the relatedness of interacting neighbors influences multilevel natural selection in a population of the Great Lakes sea rocket. Focal plants were grown in groups of siblings, groups of plants that were themselves siblings but unrelated to the focal plants, and groups of plants with mixed genotypes. Significant group selection on plant size was observed only when the neighbors were siblings but not when they were unrelated. In sibling groups, individuals with heavier stems had higher fitness, and individuals growing with heavier but shorter neighbors also had higher fitness. Thus, individual and group selection on stem weight operated in the same direction. The detection of group selection in sibling groups can be attributed in part to an increased opportunity for group selection in these groups since sibling groups differed more from one another than the other group types. In addition, the quality of the selective environment in sibling groups may have differed from that for the other group types. Group selection was therefore more prevalent in the most genetically structured sample, in which responses to group selection are also most likely to occur.
Should glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) be used to detect people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and impaired glucose regulation?

There is a need to simplify screening tests for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) so patients can be identified earlier and more efficiently. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) has been recommended by some international organisations as a diagnostic tool for detecting T2DM and impaired glucose regulation (IGR, also termed prediabetes and includes impaired fasting glucose and/or impaired glucose tolerance). The HbA1c cut-point of ≥6.5% (48 mmol/mol) has been selected as diagnostic for T2DM, while the cut-points for IGR are debated by the different international organisations: an International Expert Committee has suggested using HbA1c 6.0–6.4% (42–46 mmol/mol); however, the American Diabetes Association has recommended using HbA1c 5.7–6.4% (39–46 mmol/mol). Some countries will adopt a new method of reporting HbA1c values in millimoles per mole (mmol/mol). Use of HbA1c has some logistical advantages over using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). As patients do not need to fast, appointments do not need to be limited to the morning. The HbA1c result reflects longer term glycaemia and is less affected by recent physical/emotional stress. However, there is some debate as to whether HbA1c should replace fasting plasma glucose or the OGTT. As the two tests detect different people, some individuals with diabetes detected on OGTT will no longer be classified as having T2DM using HbA1c ≥6.5% criteria. Furthermore, some medical conditions can result in HbA1c assay measurements not reflecting glycaemic control over the last 2–3 months; these include haematological disorders, renal failure, and chronic excess alcohol consumption.
Lipids in maternal diet influence yolk hormone levels and post‐hatch neophobia in the domestic chick

We assessed whether the ratio of dietary n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) during egg formation engenders transgenerational maternal effects in domestic chicks. We analyzed yolk lipid and hormone concentrations, and HPA-axis activity in hens fed a control diet (high n-6/n-3 ratio) or a diet enriched in n-3 PUFAs (low n-6/n-3 ratio) for 6 consecutive weeks. Their chicks were tested for neophobia during the first week of life. We found higher corticosterone metabolites in droppings of hens fed the diet enriched in n-3 and significantly higher concentrations of yolk progesterone, androstenedione, and estradiol in their eggs compared to controls. Chicks of hens fed the n-3 enriched diet showed a lower body mass at hatch than controls and expressed higher neophobia when exposed to a novel object. These results add support to the hypothesis that the nutritional state of female birds produces variation in yolk hormone levels and engender maternal effects.
Quantification of Videostrobolaryngoscopic Findings‐Measurements of the Normal Glottal Cycle

Videostrobolaryngoscopic (VSL) images of vocal fold behavior in 32 male and 33 female normal speakers were analyzed by computer. Image analysis software enhanced the glottal image, allowing extraction of the glottal area. Frame‐by‐frame analysis produced 20 glottal area values for each glottal cycle. The glottal area waveform (GAW) plots these values. From the GAW, features such as peak glottal area, duration of opening and closing, and rates of vocal fold opening and closing were measured. Acoustic measures of sound pressure level(SPL) and fundamental frequency were used to compare changes in GAW with changes in loudness and pitch.
The Demand for Residential Electricity in Nigeria

This paper examines the residential demand for electricity in Nigeria as a function of real gross domestic product per capita, price of electricity, and price of a substitute between 1970 to 2007. The bounds testing approach used to cointegration within an autoregressive distributed framework, suggested by Pesaran et al. (2001). In the long run, we found that income and the price of substitute emerges as the main determinant of electricity demand in Nigeria, while electricity price is insignificant. The relationship among the variables is stable and significant.
Creatine intake attenuates corticosteroid-induced impairment of voluntary running in hamsters.

Myopathy is a well-known side effect of corticosteroid therapy. Creatine monohydrate (Cr) supplementation has been shown to increase fat-free mass and muscular function. This study aimed to investigate if Cr administration could offset the deleterious functional effects of high doses of steroids. Fifty-six male Syrian golden hamsters were randomized among 4 groups: GI (n = 10), subcutaneous (s.c.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) saline; GII (n = 10), s.c. saline and i.p. Cr (600 mg.kg(-1). d(-1)); GIII (n = 18), s.c. dexamethasone (7.5 mg.kg(-1). d(-1)) and i.p. saline; and GIV (n = 18), s.c. dexamethasone and i.p. Cr. Daily voluntary running was measured using activity wheels for 18 d. At the end of the study, statistically significant differences in running were observed between all groups, except for GI versus GII (GI, 8878 +/- 2737 m; GII, 9145 +/- 2000 m; GIII, 4289 +/- 2623 m; GIV, 6339 +/- 2345 m). Dexamethasone led to a significant decrease in cross-sectional area of type II fibers of the medial gastrocnemius. The cross-sectional area of type I fibers was significantly larger in GIV than in GIII. In conclusion, Cr administration attenuated the impairment of daily spontaneous running of hamsters receiving a high dose of corticosteroids. Additional research is needed to clarify the clinical implications of this finding.
MECHANISMS UNDERLYING BIOCHANIN A‐INDUCED RELAXATION OF THE AORTA DIFFER BETWEEN NORMOTENSIVE AND HYPERTENSIVE RATS

1 The aim of the present study was to investigate the mechanism underlying biochanin A‐induced relaxation of the aorta in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). 2 The tension in isolated ring preparations of thoracic aortas from normotensive (Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats) and SHR at 5 and 10 weeks of age was measured isometrically. 3 Biochanin A (10‐7 to 10‐4 mol/L) induced a concentration‐dependent relaxation in aortic rings from both strains at the age of 5 and 10 weeks and the relaxation was greater in rings from 10‐week‐old SHR compared with age‐matched WKY rats. The vasorelaxation induced by biochanin A was significantly reduced by denudation of the endothelium in aortic rings from SHR, but not WKY rats. Treatment with either indomethacin, a cyclo‐oxygenase inhibitor, or Nw‐nitro‐l‐arginine methyl ester, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, had little effect on the relaxation induced by biochanin A in aortic rings from either strain. Glibenclamide, a selective inhibitor of ATP‐sensitive potassium channels, significantly attenuated the relaxation induced by biochanin A in aortic rings from both strains, although the extent of reduction was greater in WKY rats than SHR. Conversely, treatment with 4‐aminopyridine, a selective inhibitor of voltage‐dependent potassium channels, or tetraethylammonium, an inhibitor of calcium‐activated potassium channels, significantly reduced the vasorelaxation induced by biochanin A in rings from SHR but not WKY rats. 4 The greater vasorelaxation produced by biochanin A in aortic rings from 10‐week‐old SHR is endothelium dependent. Different mechanisms underlie the relaxant effects of biochanin A in aorta from SHR and WKY rats. The mechanisms of biochanin A‐induced vasorelaxation in thoracic aortas from both normotensive and hypertensive rats involve ATP‐sensitive potassium channels and, in addition, in rings from the hypertensive strain at 10 weeks of age, an endothelium‐derived activation of smooth muscle cell potassium channels contributes to the vasorelaxation observed.
Airsacculitis in broilers from Mycoplasma synoviae: effect on air-sac lesions of vaccinating with infectious bronchitis and Newcastle virus.

SUMMARY Broilers vaccinated against infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease developed airsacculitis following aerosol exposure to broth cultures of Mycoplasma synoviae. Incidence and severity of lesions was maximum 3 weeks postexposure, but few lesions were grossly visible 6 weeks postexposure. In another trial, aerosol exposure of unvaccinated birds or bronchitis vaccination 5 days after mycoplasma exposure resulted in a low incidence of airsacculitis with mild lesions. Vaccination 5 days prior to mycoplasma exposure led to increased severity of airsacculitis, while vaccination and mycoplasma exposure on the same day resulted in the highest incidence and severity of lesions. Aerosol exposure to M. synoviae in broilers vaccinated simultaneously against both infectious bronchitis and Newcastle disease led to depressed growth and less efficient feed conversion.
Elliptical Black-Litterman Portfolio Optimization

We extend the Black-Litterman framework beyond normality to general elliptical distributions of investor's views and asset returns and portfolio risk measured by CVaR. Unlike existing solutions, cf. Xiao and Valdez [Quant. Finan. 2015, 15:3, 509-519], the choice of distributions, with the first and second moment constant, has a significant effect on optimal portfolio weights in a way that cannot be achieved by appropriate reparametrisation of the classical Black-Litterman methodology. The posterior distribution, in general, is not in a parametric form and, therefore, we design efficient numerical algorithms for approximating it in order to compute optimal portfolio weights. Of independent interest are our results on equivalence of a variety of portfolio optimization problems for elliptical distributions with linear constraints in the sense that they select portfolios from the same efficient frontier. We further prove a mutual fund theorem in this broad framework.
Degrees of freedom for separated and non-separated half-duplex cellular MIMO two-way relay channels

We study a cellular setting in which an introduced multiple-antenna relay station (RS) can possibly assist the bidirectional communication between a multiple-antenna base station (BS) and a set of single-antenna mobile stations (MSs). Through a proposed six-phase communication protocol with arbitrary number of antennas and MSs, we characterize the maximum number of degrees of freedom (DoF) that can be attained when the BS-MSs direct link is active or down. When the direct link is available, we show that the introduction of a multiple-antenna RS cannot increase the maximum DoF regardless of the number of antennas it is equipped with. In the absence of a BS-MSs direct link, the maximum DoF can be limited by the number of RS antennas since all ongoing communication takes place through the RS. It is also shown that the characterized maximum DoF is achieved via recently proposed network-coding based two-way relaying techniques. Finally, we conclude that a widely used two-phase multiple access/broadcast (MABC) two-way relaying protocol can be DoF-limiting in some cases due to its inherent inability to exploit the possibly available BS-MSs direct-link.
Prognostic Value of the Kiel Classification of Malignant Non-hodgkin's Lymphomas

The aim of the present research was to evaluate the prognostic value of the Kiel classification of malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. For this purpose a series of 100 consecutive, previously untreated adults with advanced malignant non-Hodgkin's lymphomas was analyzed. The median age of the patients was 54 years; 61 patients were males. Although the number of the various groups considered was limited, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was found in the median survival of patients with lymphomas of low-grade malignancy (lymphocytic, lymphoplasmacytoid, centrocytic, centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma) and lymphomas of high-grade malignancy (centroblastic, lymphoblastic, immunoblastic lymphoma). A difference in survival (p < 0.001) was also observed among the patients with lymphocytic lymphoma and those with centroblastic-centrocytic lymphoma, whereas no significant difference in survival was found between the histological subtypes of high-grade malignant lymphomas. Our observations support the opinion that the Kiel classification is useful in clinical practice to distinguish the histological types with a better prognosis from those with a worse one; in addition this classification appears to be of conceptual value.
Cigarette Smoking, Stages of Change, and Major Depression in the Canadian Population

Objective: To describe the 12-month prevalence of major depression in relation to smoking status, nicotine dependence levels, commitment to quit, attempts to quit, and maintenance of smoking cessation in the Canadian general population. Method: Data from Public Use Microdata File of the Canadian Community Health Survey: Health and Well-Being were used. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview—Short Form (CIDI-SF) for major depression was used to assess depressive disorder status. The survey also included a smoking module. There were 49 249 respondents assessed by the CIDI-SF, of whom 10 236 were administered the smoking module. Analyses used appropriate measures to deal with survey design effects. Result: The prevalence of major depression was highest in current smokers, followed by ever smokers, former smokers, and was lowest in the never smokers. This pattern persisted after stratification for age and sex. For quitting, the prevalence of major depression was highest among people who tried to quit, followed by those who considered quitting, those who quit in the past year, and lowest among those who maintained their smoking cessation status for longer than 1 year. The prevalence of depression among those with a high nicotine dependence level, as assessed by the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire, was about twice that of people with a low nicotine dependence level. Conclusion: The strikingly high prevalence of major depression among current smokers who are young, trying to quit, and with high nicotine dependence levels in the general population indicates that further longitudinal exploration of this topic is urgently needed.
Multiple conductance states of single Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels in rabbit pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells

Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels contribute to agonist‐evoked contraction and spontaneous activity in some smooth muscle preparations. Patch pipette techniques were used to study the properties of single Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels in freshly dispersed rabbit pulmonary artery myocytes. In the cell‐attached recording mode, two conductance states of 3.5 and 1.8 pS were recorded either spontaneously or in response to increasing [Ca2+]i. With inside‐out patches, the 3.5 pS channel current predominated at 50 nm[Ca2+]i, but at 500 nm[Ca2+]i most channels opened to the 1.8 pS level and an additional 1.2 pS channel conductance was resolved. At 1 µm[Ca2+]i all of the Cl− channels opened either to the 1.8 pS or 1.2 pS level. In 0 [Ca2+]i, no channel activity was observed at −100 mV to +100 mV, but with 10–250 nm[Ca2+]i the total single channel open probability (NPo) increased with depolarisation. This voltage dependence was not seen at higher values of [Ca2+]i. The plot of NPovs. [Ca2+]i yielded Ca2+ affinity constants of 8 and 250 nm and Hill slopes of 1.3 and 2.3 at +100 and −100 mV, respectively. The distribution of open times was fitted by two exponentials of about 5 and 30 ms, which were neither voltage nor Ca2+ dependent. Replacement of external Cl− by I− shifted the reversal potential by about −30 mV and lengthened the longer of the two mean open times without significant effects on other kinetic parameters. Based on these data, a model for the activation of Ca2+‐activated Cl− channels is proposed.
Age and disease related changes in intestinal bacterial populations assessed by cell culture, 16S rRNA abundance, and community cellular fatty acid profiles

BACKGROUND The normal intestinal microflora plays an important role in host metabolism and provides a natural defence mechanism against invading pathogens. Although the microbiota in adults has been extensively studied, little is known of the changes that occur in the microflora with aging. These may have important consequences in elderly people, many of whom are receiving antibiotic therapy and who are most susceptible to intestinal dysbiosis. AIMS To characterise the major groups of faecal bacteria in subjects of different ages using a combination of cultural, molecular, and chemotaxonomic approaches. METHODS Comparative microbiological studies were made on four different subject groups: children (16 months to seven years, n=10), adults (21–34 years, n=7), healthy elderly subjects (67–88 years, n=5), and geriatric patients (68–73 years, n=4) diagnosed with Clostridium difficile diarrhoea. Selected faecal bacteria were investigated using viable counting procedures, 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) abundance measurements, and the occurrence of specific signature fatty acids in whole community fatty acid methyl ester profiles. RESULTS The principal microbiological difference between adults and children was the occurrence of higher numbers of enterobacteria in the latter group, as determined by viable counts (p<0.05) and 16S rRNA (p<0.01) measurements. Moreover, a greater proportion of children's faecal rRNA was hybridised by the three probes (bifidobacteria, enterobacteria, bacteroides-porphyromonas-prevotella) used in the study, indicating a less developed gut microbiota. Species diversity was also markedly lower in the Clostridium difficileassociated diarrhoea group, which was characterised by high numbers of facultative anaerobes and low levels of bifidobacteria and bacteroides. Although it was a considerably less sensitive diagnostic tool, cellular fatty acid analysis correlated with viable bacterial counts and 16S rRNA measurements in a number of bacteria, including bacteroides. CONCLUSIONS Polyphasic analysis of faecal bacteria showed that significant structural changes occur in the microbiota with aging, and this was especially evident with respect to putatively protective bifidobacteria. Reductions in these organisms in the large bowel may be related to increased disease risk in elderly people.
Inhibitory effects of transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β) on certain functions of intraepithelial lymphocytes

Human intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL), CD8+ lymphocytes located between epithelial cells, are likely to be influenced by the immunosuppressive cytokine, TGF‐β, secreted by epithelial cells. This study evaluates the effects of TGF‐β on IEL functions. IEL were derived from proximal jejunum of patients undergoing gastric bypass operations for morbid obesity. Proliferation was determined by 3H‐thymidine incorporation; IL‐2 production, by ELISA; expression of IL‐2 receptor, CD2, HML1, CD16, and CD56, by immunofluorescence; binding, by adherence of radiolabelled cells; and cytotoxicity by 51Cr‐release assay. TGF‐β (≥ 1 ng/ml) inhibited the mitosis of IEL to mitogens, IL‐7, and stimuli of the CD2 and CD3 pathways. The blocking effect did not target the activation events of IL‐2 production and receptor generation. Rather, it reduced cell division after activation when added 24 h after initiating the culture. Antibody neutralization of naturally occurring TGF‐β increased IEL proliferation to IL‐2, but not to the other stimuli. Of the multiple surface markers tested, only CD2 and HML1 expression increased with TGF‐β and decreased with antibody to TGF‐β, although the cytokine and the neutralizing antibody had no effects on IEL binding to colon cancer. TGF‐β reduced the number of CD56+ IEL and the lymphokine‐activated killing when co‐cultured with IL‐7 but not with IL‐2 or IL‐15. TGF‐β inhibits certain IEL functions: the reduction in cell division rather than activation and a decline in IL‐7‐mediated lysis of colon cancer due to a lowering of the number of natural killer cells.
A parallel intra prediction architecture for H.264 video decoding

In this paper, an efficient hardware architecture for real-time implementation of intra prediction algorithm used in H.264 video coding standard is adopted. The hardware design is based on a novel organization of the intra prediction equations. Compared with conventional architecture, intra predict efficiency is enhanced. The Verilog RTL is verified to work at 103 MHz in a Xilinx II FPGA1.