Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
FeCo: Boosting Intrusion Detection Capability in IoT Networks via Contrastive Learning

Over the last decade, Internet of Things (IoT) has permeated our daily life with a broad range of applications. However, a lack of sufficient security features in IoT devices renders IoT ecosystems vulnerable to various network intrusion attacks, potentially causing severe damage. Previous works have explored using machine learning to build anomaly detection models for defending against such attacks. In this paper, we propose FeCo, a federated-contrastive-learning framework that coordinates in-network IoT devices to jointly learn intrusion detection models. FeCo utilizes federated learning to alleviate users’ privacy concerns as participating devices only submit their model parameters rather than local data. Compared to previous works, we develop a novel representation learning method based on contrastive learning that is able to learn a more accurate model for the benign class. FeCo significantly improves the intrusion detection accuracy compared to previous works. Besides, we implement a two-step feature selection scheme to avoid overfitting and reduce computation time. Through extensive experiments on the NSL-KDD dataset, we demonstrate that FeCo achieves as high as 8% accuracy improvement compared to the state-of-the-art and is robust to non-IID data. Evaluations on convergence, computation overhead, and scalability further confirm the suitability of FeCo for IoT intrusion detection.
Citizens and Peace Mediations in Divided Societies: Identifying Zones of Agreement through a Conjoint Survey Experiment

How can areas of potential agreement be identified and endorsed by citizens in protracted conflicts? In an effort to answer this question, the article introduces a conjoint experiment across the ethnically and territorially split communities of Cyprus and tests a range of hypotheses about the structure of public opinion with respect to a future settlement. We test hypotheses on security and credible commitments, the legacy of past negotiations, as well as transitional justice mechanisms following United Nations plans to mediate the conflict between Greek and Turkish Cypriots. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we demonstrate that a zone of possible agreement (ZOPA) exists from a public opinion perspective. We specifically explore power-sharing in the context of security, provisions for the internally displaced, federal courts, and territorial readjustments and highlight their relative importance for public opinion interventions across conflict-ridden societies.
INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF PGPR ON YIELD AND SOME YIELD COMPONENTS IN WINTER WHEAT

The growth of plants promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) that live actively in plant roots and rhizosphere and support plant growth has gained widespread importance in agriculture. This study was carried out to obtain and identify PGPR isolates from wheat soil and determine their ability and capacity on plant growth and yield. So, PGPR isolates were obtained from soil, and they were identified as Bacillus sp. (B. simplex and B. pumilus) by biochemical tests and MALDI-TOF MS. After the wheat seeds (Flamura-85) were treated PGPR, the field experiment was conducted with inoculated and non-inoculated seeds at the area of the Field Crops Department, Tekirdag Namık Kemal University in 2016-2018. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design with three replicates for each treatment. In the experiment, some parameters such as plant height (PH), spike length (SL), number of grain per spike (NGPS), grain weight per spike (GWPS), and grain yield (GY) were evaluated and compared between treatments. The study has shown that PGPR treatments support plant growth and significantly increase yield between 9.6% and 29.29%. Especially, W3 and W4 strains (B. simplex) were showed a significant effect on grain yield. According to the results, we can mention that using PGPR promotes wheat growth and lead to increasing yield in the wheat. The use of PGPR can give promising results for sustainable and eco-friendly agricultural practices.
Quantitative Analysis of Mitral Valve Morphology in Mitral Valve Prolapse With Real-Time 3-Dimensional Echocardiography: Importance of Annular Saddle Shape in the Pathogenesis of Mitral Regurgitation

Background— Few data exist on the relation of the 3-dimensional morphology of mitral valve and degree of mitral regurgitation (MR) in mitral valve prolapse. Methods and Results— Real-time 3-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography of the mitral valve was acquired in 112 subjects, including 36 patients with mitral valve prolapse and significant MR (≥3+; MR+ group), 32 patients with mitral valve prolapse but no or mild MR (⩽2+; MR− group), 12 patients with significant MR resulting from nonprolapse pathologies (nonprolapse group), and 32 control subjects. The 3-dimensional geometry of mitral valve apparatus was measured with dedicated quantification software. Compared with the normal and MR− groups, the MR+ group had more dilated mitral annulus (P<0.0001), a reduced annular height to commissural width ratio (AHCWR) (P<0.0001) indicating flattening of annular saddle shape, redundant leaflet surfaces (P<0.0001), greater leaflet billow volume (P<0.0001) and billow height (P<0.0001), longer lengths from papillary muscles to coaptation (P<0.0001), and more frequent chordal rupture (P<0.0001). Prevalence of chordal rupture increased progressively with annulus flattening (7% versus 24% versus 42% for AHCWR >20%, 15%–20%, and <15%, respectively; P=0.004). Leaflet billow volume increased exponentially with decreasing AHCWR in patients without chordal rupture (r2=0.66, P<0.0001). MR severity correlated strongly with leaflet billow volume (r2=0.74, P<0.0001) and inversely with AHCWR (r2=0.44, P<0.0001). In contrast, annulus dilatation but not flattening occurred in nonprolapse MR patients. An AHCWR <15% (odds ratio=7.1; P=0.0004) was strongly associated with significant MR in mitral valve prolapse. Conclusion— Flattening of the annular saddle shape is associated with progressive leaflet billowing and increased frequencies of chordal rupture and may be important in the pathogenesis of MR in mitral valve prolapse.
Arginine Catabolism and Polyamine Biosynthesis Pathway Disparities Within Francisella tularensis Subpopulations

Francisella tularensis is a highly infectious zoonotic pathogen with as few as 10 organisms causing tularemia, a disease that is fatal if untreated. Although F. tularensis subspecies tularensis (type A) and subspecies holarctica (type B) share over 99.5% average nucleotide identity, notable differences exist in genomic organization and pathogenicity. The type A clade has been further divided into subtypes A.I and A.II, with A.I strains being recognized as some of the most virulent bacterial pathogens known. In this study, we report on major disparities that exist between the F. tularensis subpopulations in arginine catabolism and subsequent polyamine biosynthesis. The genes involved in these pathways include the speHEA and aguAB operons, along with metK. In the hypervirulent F. tularensis A.I clade, such as the A.I prototype strain SCHU S4, these genes were found to be intact and highly transcribed. In contrast, both subtype A.II and type B strains have a truncated speA gene, while the type B clade also has a disrupted aguA and truncated aguB. Ablation of the chromosomal speE gene that encodes a spermidine synthase reduced subtype A.I SCHU S4 growth rate, whereas the growth rate of type B LVS was enhanced. These results demonstrate that spermine synthase SpeE promotes faster replication in the F. tularensis A.I clade, whereas type B strains do not rely on this enzyme for in vitro fitness. Our ongoing studies on amino acid and polyamine flux within hypervirulent A.I strains should provide a better understanding of the factors that contribute to F. tularensis pathogenicity.
Polar cap electron DEnsities from de-1 plasma wave observations. Progress report

Electric field spectrum measurements from the Plasma Wave Instrument on the Dynamics Explorer-1 spacecraft are used to study the local electron density at high altitudes in the northern polar cap region. The electron density is determined from the upper cutoff of whistler mode radiation at the electron plasma frequency. This technique typically gives the electron density with; an accuracy better than 12%.
Factors Affecting Compliance of Personal Taxpayers (Case Study at the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Tax Office of West Java 1)

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors that influence the compliance of individual taxpayers at the Regional Office of the Directorate General of Taxation of West Java 1. There are four independent variables tested, namely the tax awareness factor, the fiscal attitude factor, the rational attitude factor and the tax law factor. While the dependent variable is personal taxpayer compliance. The sample method used is a purposive sample with a sample of 100 individual taxpayers for employees and non-employees. This study uses a multiple linear regression model with the help of SPSS v.21. This research method is quantitative, namely conducting primary data searches with the object of research of individual taxpayers who are registered in the Regional Office of DJP Jabar 1. tax, while tax officers and rational attitudes do not have a significant effect.
Persistent positive anomalies in geopotential heights promote wildfires in western North America

During summer, persistent positive anomalies (PPAs) of mid-tropospheric geopotential heights in North America are often associated with extreme weather, including heatwaves. We evaluate the link between prolonged summertime PPAs in 500-hPa geopotential heights and wildfire activity across western North America and examine temporal trends in PPA characteristics. On average, 17% of May–September days experience PPA events over the study domain. Large fires (burned area > 500ha) were seven times as likely to start during a PPA, with approximately 40% of these fires ignitions coincident with PPA events. A positive correlation exists between the fraction of May–September PPA days and burned area for most of the study domain. Additionally, the presence of a PPA exerts greater influence on fire ignition and burned area in higher latitudes than lower latitudes of western North America. We find a statistically significant expansion in the spatial extent of PPA events during 1979–2020. The observed expansion of the PPAs is likely due to thermodynamic changes in mid-latitude synoptic patterns. These findings may improve our understanding of the connections between PPA events and wildfires in western North America, enhance the short-term predictability of wildfire events, and have important implications for increased fire risk in a warming climate.
Cytokine Receptor-Like Factor 3 (CRLF3) Contributes to Early Zebrafish Hematopoiesis

Cytokine receptor-like factor 3 (CRLF3) is an ancient protein conserved across metazoans that contains an archetypal cytokine receptor homology domain (CHD). This domain is found in cytokine receptors present in bilateria, including higher vertebrates, that play key roles in a variety of developmental and homeostatic processes, particularly relating to blood and immune cells. However, understanding of CRLF3 itself remains very limited. This study aimed to investigate this evolutionarily significant protein by studying its embryonic expression and function in early development, particularly of blood and immune cells, using zebrafish as a model. Expression of crlf3 was identified in mesoderm-derived tissues in early zebrafish embryos, including the somitic mesoderm and both anterior and posterior lateral plate mesoderm. Later expression was observed in the thymus, brain, retina and exocrine pancreas. Zebrafish crlf3 mutants generated by genome editing technology exhibited a significant reduction in primitive hematopoiesis and early definitive hematopoiesis, with decreased early progenitors impacting on multiple lineages. No other obvious phenotypes were observed in the crlf3 mutants.
An Assessment of the Effect of COVID-19 on Credit Risk Management in Banking Industry: A Case of Selected Commercial Banks in Lusaka, Zambia

The Corona-virus disease (covid-19) affected most of the industries in the world including the banking industry. The study sought to assess the effect of Covid- 19 on credit management by Commercial Banks. Six commercial banks were sampled out of the total 19 banks operating in Zambia. The study collected primary data using an online-administered questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and factor analysis. The study found that there an increase in the non performing loans at the beginning of the pandemic. However, the restructuring of these loan by the banks helped to reduce the number of non performing loans. Commercial banks should have a strategy in place to engage with borrowers as soon as they show signs of distress, and any issues should be adequately addressed. Good strategies can only be developed if banks are able to differentiate between viable, non-viable, and viable but distressed debtors at a granular level, grouping borrowers with similar characteristics and resolving them in a comparable way.
Anonymous online community, brand engagement and word-of-mouth in the higher education context

This study examines the influences of Online Interaction Propensity in university confessions pages, Attitude toward participating in university confessions pages, and Higher Education involvement on the engagement of students with their university. The relational outcomes comprising student’s word-of-mouth activity and praise are also investigated. The quantitative online and offline surveys was conducted on 509 participants targeting university students and graduates who follow or interact with posts on universities’ confession pages. The collected data was then processed and employed SEM path analysis to empirically examine the proposed conceptual model. The results determine that both online interaction propensity and higher education involvement have significant impacts to the engagement of student to their university while the attitude of student toward participating in university confessions pages has no impact to this engagement. In addition, the influence of students’ engagement on their word-of-mouth is proved. The study shows a deep understanding on the drivers relating to the confession pages’ participation of students’ engagement with their university, and other way to generate positive student - university relationship outcomes. The results suggest universities should not overlook the impact of student's participation in university confession pages, then adopt feasible and practical approaches in managing their relationship with students to stimulate their word-of-mouth. The research provides the insights that have not been studied previously in the Vietnam higher education context. Although it is practically observed that student’s engagement is impacted by their participation in university confession pages, there is lack of intensive work on this issue.
Ultrasonic Characteristics Improve Prediction of Central Lymph Node Metastasis in cN0 Unifocal Papillary Thyroid Cancer

Background Prediction of central lymph node metastasis (CLNM) is vital for clinical decision-making processes in clinically N0 (cN0) unifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but the sensitivity of preoperative detection of CLNM is limited. The aim of the present study was to determine whether there are ultrasonic (US) characteristics associated with CLNM. Methods In total, 1657 PTC patients (514 men and 1143 women) were enrolled in the present study between January 2018 and May 2021. The patients met the following inclusion criteria based on preoperative detection: suspected nodule confirmed as PTC by biopsy; the nodule was unifocal and less than 4 cm in diameter; no prior neck radiation exposure; no extrathyroidal extension; and no CLNM or distant metastases on imaging. All the enrolled patients underwent total thyroidectomy with prophylactic central lymph node dissection (CLND). A postoperative pathological diagnosis was made. Results CLNM was found in 58.4% of male patients and 36.9% of female patients. In univariate analysis, size, adjacent anterior capsule, distance to the lower pole and color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) were considered risk factors for the male and female groups (p < 0.05). In multivariate analyses, size, adjacent anterior capsule, distance to the lower pole and CDFI were independent risk factors for male patients. For females, the independent risk factors included size, adjacent anterior capsule, distance to the lower pole and CDFI. Conclusion In the present cohort, US imaging characteristics, including size, adjacent anterior capsule, distance to the lower pole and CDFI, were identified to be potentially beneficial in preoperative clinical decision-making processes for cN0 unifocal PTC patients.
Comparison of ultrasound-guided residual gastric volume measurement between diabetic and non-diabetic patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia

ABSTRACT Background and Aims: The presence of gastric content increases the risk of aspiration during general anesthesia. Diabetic patients have delayed gastric emptying; however, despite adequate fasting because of diabetic gastroparesis these patients have a high risk of aspiration. This study aimed to compare ultrasound-guided measurement of residual gastric volume between diabetic and non-diabetic patients scheduled for elective surgery under general anesthesia. Methods: This prospective observational study included 80 patients divided into two groups of 40 diabetic patients with a minimum of 8 years history of diabetes and 40 nondiabetic patients aged >18 years, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ physical status I–II kept with similar fasting intervals. Before induction of general anesthesia, gastric ultrasound was performed using standard gastric scanning protocol to measure craniocaudal (CC) and anteroposterior (AP) diameters followed by calculation of antral cross-sectional area (CSA) and gastric volume in semi-sitting (SS) and right lateral decubitus (RLD) position using curved array probe. The gastric antrum volume (GV) was classified as Grade 0, 1, or 2, and risk stratification for aspiration was done. The nasogastric tube was inserted after induction of anesthesia to aspirate and compare the gastric content. Results: In the semi-sitting position, the mean CC and AP diameters were 16.38 ± 3.31 mm and 10.1 ± 2.53 mm in the non-diabetic group and 25.19 ± 4.08 mm and 15.8 ± 3.51 mm in the diabetic group, respectively. In RLD, CC was 1.91 ± 0.38 cm and AP was 1.19 ± 0.34 cm in the non-diabetic group as compared to the CC of 2.78 ± 0.4 cm and AP of 1.81 ± 0.39 cm in the diabetic group. The calculated CSA of 318.23 ± 97.14 mm2 and 4 ± 1.1 cm2 in diabetic were significantly higher than 133.12 ± 58.56 mm2 and 1.83 ± 0.83 cm2 of non-diabetic, in SS (p < 0.0001) and RLD (p < 0.0001) positions, respectively. The GV of 15.48 ± 11.18 ml in the diabetic group was significantly higher than (-) 9.77 ± 18.56 ml in the non-diabetic group (p < 0.0001). Despite the differences in CSA and GV between diabetic and non-diabetic groups, both groups showed a low gastric residual volume (<1.5 ml/kg). The gastric tube aspirate in the non-diabetic and diabetic groups was 0.3 ± 0.78 ml and 1.24 ± 1.46 ml, respectively, and was statistically significant (p = 0.0006). Conclusion: Patients with long-standing diabetes showed higher gastric residual and antral CSA when compared with non-diabetic patients. The clinical significance of these findings needs further evidence for the formulation of specific guidelines for diabetic patients.
Identifying Distinct Risk Thresholds of Glycated Hemoglobin and Systolic Blood Pressure for Rapid Albuminuria Progression in Type 2 Diabetes From NHANES (1999–2018)

Background It is widely recognized that glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) are two key risk factors for albuminuria and renal function impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to identify the specific numerical relationship of albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) with HbA1c and SBP among a large population of adults with T2DM. Method A total of 8,626 patients with T2DM were included in the data analysis from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) (1999-2018). The multiple linear regressions were used to examine the associations of ACR with HbA1c and SBP. Generalized additive models with smooth functions were performed to identify the non-linear relations between variables and interactions were also tested. Results Significantly threshold effects were observed between ACR and HbA1c or SBP after multivariable adjustment, with the risk threshold values HbA1c = 6.4% and SBP = 127 mmHg, respectively. Once above thresholds were exceeded, the lnACR increased dramatically with higher levels of HbA1c (β = 0.23, 95 CI%:0.14, 0.32, P < 0.001) and SBP (β = 0.03, 95 CI%:0.03, 0.04, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis showed high protein diet was related to higher ACR. In addition, a higher risk of ACR progression was observed in central obesity participants with HbA1C ≥ 6.4% or hyperuricemia participants with SBP ≥ 127 mmHg among patients withT2DM. Conclusion We identified thresholds of HbA1c and SBP to stratify patients with T2DM through rapid albuminuria progression. These might provide a clinical reference value for preventing and controlling diabetes kidney disease.
Pathogenesis of West Nile Virus Lineage 2 in Domestic Geese after Experimental Infection

West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging infectious pathogen circulating between mosquitoes and birds but also infecting mammals. WNV has become autochthonous in Germany, causing striking mortality rates in avifauna and occasional diseases in humans and horses. We therefore wanted to assess the possible role of free-ranging poultry in the WNV transmission cycle and infected 15 goslings with WNV lineage 2 (German isolate). The geese were monitored daily and sampled regularly to determine viremia, viral shedding, and antibody development by molecular and serological methods. Geese were euthanized at various time points post-infection (pi). All infected geese developed variable degrees of viremia from day 1 to day 10 (maximum) and actively shed virus from days 2 to 7 post-infection. Depending on the time of death, the WN viral genome was detected in all examined tissue samples in at least one individual by RT-qPCR and viable virus was even re-isolated, except for in the liver. Pathomorphological lesions as well as immunohistochemically detectable viral antigens were found mainly in the brain. Furthermore, all of the geese seroconverted 6 days pi at the latest. In conclusion, geese are presumably not functioning as important amplifying hosts but are suitable sentinel animals for WNV surveillance.
How to Prevent Stress in the Workplace by Emotional Regulation? The Relationship Between Compulsory Citizen Behavior, Job Engagement, and Job Performance

Based on cognitive dissonance theory, this study aims to test good soldier syndrome regarding the relationship among compulsory citizenship behavior, job engagement, emotion regulation, and job performance so as to promote sustainable Human Resource Management (HRM). The sample, which applied the purposive sampling method, comprised 89 supervisors and 304 subordinates who work from 4-star and 5-star hotels in Taiwan. The results showed that the relevantly negative effect of employees’ performance is caused by compulsory citizenship behavior, that job engagement mediates the relationship between compulsory citizenship behavior and job performance, and that the indirect effect between compulsory citizenship behavior and job performance via job engagement is moderated by emotion regulation. Based on the findings of this study, this paper provides managerial implications, limitations of the current study, and future research suggestions.