Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
BotFinder: finding bots in network traffic without deep packet inspection

Bots are the root cause of many security problems on the Internet, as they send spam, steal information from infected machines, and perform distributed denial-of-service attacks. Many approaches to bot detection have been proposed, but they either rely on end-host installations, or, if they operate on network traffic, require deep packet inspection for signature matching. In this paper, we present BotFinder, a novel system that detects infected hosts in a network using only high-level properties of the bot's network traffic. BotFinder does not rely on content analysis. Instead, it uses machine learning to identify the key features of command-and-control communication, based on observing traffic that bots produce in a controlled environment. Using these features, BotFinder creates models that can be deployed at network egress points to identify infected hosts. We trained our system on a number of representative bot families, and we evaluated BotFinder on real-world traffic datasets -- most notably, the NetFlow information of a large ISP that contains more than 25 billion flows. Our results show that BotFinder is able to detect bots in network traffic without the need of deep packet inspection, while still achieving high detection rates with very few false positives.
What Has Influenced Computing Innovation?

Computing technology is nothing if not fast moving. Generations of products and their underlying electronics are introduced every 18 to 24 months. These developments are driven largely by competition and commercial reward, but many have their roots firmly in research funded by both the government and private sector. New products, processes, and services typically stem from the complex interaction of government, industry, and academia, but are there specific patterns in past successes? Over the years, a particular blend of government, industry, and academia has been the foundation of computing innovation. If the US is to sustain its past growth in computing, researchers, business leaders, and policy makers need to understand the elements of this synergy. One way to gain insight is to analyze past successes in significant areas. The Computer Science and Telecommunications Board (CSTB) produced a report that overviews the innovations since World War II in five critical areas of computing technology: relational databases, the Internet, theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence, and virtual reality. The studies demonstrate significant interaction among industry, universities, and government in developing and commercializing computing technology.
Treatment policies among Israeli specialists in paediatric dentistry.

AIM This was to evaluate some suggested diagnostic procedures, treatment policies and professional attitudes of specialists in paediatric dentistry, in light of the periodically published guidelines by The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, The European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry and The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry. METHODS Using a structured questionnaire, 67% of the Israeli specialists in paediatric dentistry, who agreed to participate in this study, were personally interviewed. RESULTS Only 7.5% of the participants reported that they carry out pulp capping of primary teeth in cases of pulp exposure. Over 50% reported restoring teeth after pulpotomy with preformed crowns. Most indicated sealing pit and fissures after considering depth and morphology of the fissures and correlation with the patient's risk to caries. Cleaning teeth after eruption of the first tooth was suggested by 75.5% of the participants. A striking majority (96%) claimed that they restored permanent anterior teeth with composite resins and most used these materials for occlusal restoration in both primary and permanent posterior teeth. Most specialists advocated the use of amalgam in proximal posterior restorations. The presence of a parent in the operatory/surgery was preferred by 85% of the dentists. CONCLUSIONS Israeli specialists in paediatric dentistry mostly comply with the mentioned guidelines. Further studies of this nature should also be encouraged in other countries to emphasize the importance of monitoring compliance with established and evidence based guidelines.
Chronic Prenatal Ethanol Exposure and Increased Concentration of Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters in Meconium of Term Fetal Guinea Pig

In humans, the occurrence of prenatal exposure to ethanol is difficult to validate objectively. Increased concentration of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEE) in the meconium of the newborn may be a biomarker of prenatal ethanol exposure. The validity of this proposed biomarker was tested in pregnant guinea pigs that received chronic oral administration of 4 g ethanol/kg maternal body weight/day (n=8), isocaloric-sucrose/pair-feeding (n=8) or water (n=2) throughout gestation. At gestational day 65 (term, gestational day 66 to 69), each dam and her offspring were euthanized, and meconium was collected from the term fetal large intestine. Eight individual FAEE (lauric, myristic, palmitic, palmitoleic, stearic, oleic, linolenic and arachidonic AEE) were measured by gas chromatography––flame ionization detection and confirmed by gas chromatography––mass spectrometry. The chronic maternal ethanol regimen decreased fetal body weight and brain weight. There was virtually no measurable FAEE in the meconium for the water group (n=3 fetuses). For meconium of the ethanol offspring (n=25 fetuses) compared with the sucrose offspring (n=23 fetuses), the total FAEE concentration was 8-fold higher; and lauric, palmitic, stearic and oleic AEE concentrations were at least 5-fold higher for the ethanol group. The data indicate that fetal meconium FAEE constitute a biomarker of prenatal ethanol exposure for a maternal ethanol regimen that restricts fetal development, with an inverse relationship between meconium total FAEE concentration and both body weight and brain weight.
A pattern for almost compositional functions

This paper introduces a pattern for almost compositional functions over recursive data types, and over families of mutually recursive data types. Here "almost compositional" means that for a number of the constructors in the type(s), the result of the function depends only on the constructor and the results of calling the function on the constructor's arguments. The pattern consists of a generic part constructed once for each data type or family of data types, and a task-specific part. The generic part contains the code for the predictable compositional cases, leaving the interesting work to the task-specific part. Examples of the pattern implemented in dependent type theory with inductive families, in Haskell with generalized algebraic data types and rank-2 polymorphism, and in Java using a variant of the Visitor design pattern are given. The relationship to the "Scrap Your Boilerplate" approach to generic programming, and to general tree types in dependent type theory are also investigated.
Optimal trajectory tracking under parametric uncertainty

The kinematic model of a wheeled mobile robot is considered to be not very accurate; this imprecision is due to several uncertain geometric parameters expressed in the form of scale factors. Naturally, these geometric uncertainties have an adverse influence on the output computed using this kinematic model. In this paper, the imprecise inverse kinematic model of a wheeled mobile robot is studied in discrete-time; an optimal controller is designed to enhance the tracking performance of a mobile robot. In the final part of this paper, the analytical solution of this problem is tested with computer simulations.
SRF theory based grid interconnected Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) system with improved power quality

This paper presents the concept of interconnection of Solar Photovoltaic (SPV) power generating system using Synchronous Reference Frame (SRF) theory based control in indirect current control mode of operation. This proposed theory improves the power factor and voltage at point of common coupling (PCC). Voltage at PCC is maintained through reactive power compensation. The whole power generating system consists of SPV system, dc-dc boost converter, maximum power point tracking (MPPT), voltage source converter (VSC), ripple filter, different types of loads, interfacing inductor and three phase grid. This system eliminates harmonic currents and load balancing is also possible using it. The grid-interconnected SPV system is tested for two modes i.e. unity power factor mode of operation and voltage regulation mode, with load balancing problems of linear loads.
SUITABLE ALLOYS FOR BRAZING TITANIUM HEAT EXCHANGERS.

The most widely used materials for the fabrication of heat exchangers have been copper and aluminum alloys. The reasons behind this choice have been sound in that such components, requiring an efficient transfer of heat from one fluid to another, should be made of materials with a high thermal conductivity. However, other factors greatly influence the choice of material; ease of fabrication as well as weight and performance of the component must also be carefully considered. This is particularly true when the heat exchanger is to be used with mobile equipment.
Anti-transferrin receptor-modified amphotericin B-loaded PLA–PEG nanoparticles cure Candidal meningitis and reduce drug toxicity

Fatal fungal infections in central nervous system (CNS) can occur through hematogenous spread or direct extension. At present, hydrophobic amphotericin B (AMB) is the most effective antifungal drug in clinical trials. However, AMB is hydrophobic and therefore penetrates poorly into the CNS, and therapeutic levels of AMB are hard to achieve. The transferrin receptor (TfR/CD71) located at the blood–brain barrier mediates transferrin transcytosis. In order to enhance the receptor-mediated delivery of AMB into CNS with therapeutic level, an anti-TfR antibody (OX26)-modified AMB-loaded PLA (poly[lactic acid])–PEG (polyethylene glycol)-based micellar drug delivery system was constructed. The prepared OX26-modified AMB-loaded nanoparticles (OX26-AMB-NPs) showed significant reduction of CNS fungal burden and an increase of mouse survival time. In conclusion, OX26-AMB-NPs represent a promising novel drug delivery system for intracerebral fungal infection.
The d-Xylose-Binding Protein, XylF, from Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus 39E: Cloning, Molecular Analysis, and Expression of the Structural Gene

ABSTRACT Immediately downstream from the Thermoanaerobacter ethanolicus xylAB operon, comprising genes that encoded-xylose isomerase and d-xylulose kinase, lies a 1,101-bp open reading frame that exhibits 61% amino acid sequence identity to the Escherichia colid-xylose binding periplasmic receptor, XylF, a component of the high-affinity binding-protein-dependent d-xylose transport. The 25-residue N-terminal fragment of the deduced T. ethanolicus XylF has typical features of bacterial leader peptides. The C-terminal portion of this leader sequence matches the cleavage consensus for lipoproteins and is followed by a 22-residue putative linker sequence rich in serine, threonine, and asparagine. The putative mature 341-amino-acid-residue XylF (calculated molecular mass of 37,069 Da) appears to be a lipoprotein attached to the cell membrane via a lipid anchor covalently linked to the N-terminal cysteine, as demonstrated by metabolic labelling of the recombinant XylF with [14C]palmitate. The induced E. coli avidly bound d-[14C]xylose, yielding additional evidence that T. ethanolicus XylF is thed-xylose-binding protein. On the basis of sequence comparison of XylFs to other monosaccharide-binding proteins, we propose that the sequence signature of binding proteins specific for hexoses and pentoses be refined as (KDQ)(LIVFAG)3IX3(DN)(SGP)X3(GS)X(LIVA)2X2A. Transcription of the monocistronic 1.3-kb xylF mRNA is inducible by xylose and unaffected by glucose. Primer extension analysis indicated that xylF transcription initiates from two +1 sites, both situated within the xylAB operon. Unlike in similar transport systems in other bacteria, the genes specifying the membrane components (e.g., ATP-binding protein and permease) of the high-affinity d-xylose uptake system are not located in the vicinity of xylF in T. ethanolicus. This is the first report of a gene encoding a xylose-binding protein in a gram-positive or thermophilic bacterium.
Baltic Salmon, Salmo salar, from Swedish River Lule Älv Is More Resistant to Furunculosis Compared to Rainbow Trout

Background Furunculosis, caused by Aeromonas salmonicida, continues to be a major health problem for the growing salmonid aquaculture. Despite effective vaccination programs regular outbreaks occur at the fish farms calling for repeated antibiotic treatment. We hypothesized that a difference in natural susceptibility to this disease might exist between Baltic salmon and the widely used rainbow trout. Study Design A cohabitation challenge model was applied to investigate the relative susceptibility to infection with A. salmonicida in rainbow trout and Baltic salmon. The course of infection was monitored daily over a 30-day period post challenge and the results were summarized in mortality curves. Results A. salmonicida was recovered from mortalities during the entire test period. At day 30 the survival was 6.2% and 34.0% for rainbow trout and Baltic salmon, respectively. Significant differences in susceptibility to A. salmonicida were demonstrated between the two salmonids and hazard ratio estimation between rainbow trout and Baltic salmon showed a 3.36 higher risk of dying from the infection in the former. Conclusion The finding that Baltic salmon carries a high level of natural resistance to furunculosis might raise new possibilities for salmonid aquaculture in terms of minimizing disease outbreaks and the use of antibiotics.
Mechanical characterization of parts fabricated using fused deposition modeling

Layered manufacturing is an evolution of rapid prototyping (RP) techniques where the part is built in layers. While most of the previous applications focused on building “prototypes”, recent developments in this field enabled some of the prototyping methods to achieve an agile fabrication technology to produce the final product directly. A shift from prototyping to manufacturing of the final product necessitates broadening of the material choice, improvement of the surface quality, dimensional stability, and achieving the necessary mechanical properties to meet the performance criteria. The current study is part of an ongoing project to adapt fused deposition modeling to fabrication of ceramic and multi‐functional components. This paper presents a methodology of the mechanical characterization of products fabricated using fused deposition modeling.
Combining multiple visual processing streams for locating and classifying objects in video

Automated, invariant object detection has proven itself to be a substantial challenge for the artificial intelligence research community. In computer vision, many different benchmarks have been established using whole-image classification based on datasets that are too small to eliminate statistical artifacts. As an alternative, we used a new dataset consisting of ~62GB (on the order of 40,000 2Mpixel frames) of compressed high-definition aerial video, which we employed for both object classification and localization. Our algorithms mimic the processing pathways in primate visual cortex, exploiting color/texture, shape/form and motion. We then combine the data using a clustering technique to produce a final output in the form of labeled bounding boxes around objects of interest in the video. Localization adds additional complexity not generally found in whole-image classification problems. Our results are evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively using a scoring metric that assessed the overlap between our detections and ground-truth.
Position statement—altitude training for improving team-sport players’ performance: current knowledge and unresolved issues

Despite the limited research on the effects of altitude (or hypoxic) training interventions on team-sport performance, players from all around the world engaged in these sports are now using altitude training more than ever before. In March 2013, an Altitude Training and Team Sports conference was held in Doha, Qatar, to establish a forum of research and practical insights into this rapidly growing field. A round-table meeting in which the panellists engaged in focused discussions concluded this conference. This has resulted in the present position statement, designed to highlight some key issues raised during the debates and to integrate the ideas into a shared conceptual framework. The present signposting document has been developed for use by support teams (coaches, performance scientists, physicians, strength and conditioning staff) and other professionals who have an interest in the practical application of altitude training for team sports. After more than four decades of research, there is still no consensus on the optimal strategies to elicit the best results from altitude training in a team-sport population. However, there are some recommended strategies discussed in this position statement to adopt for improving the acclimatisation process when training/competing at altitude and for potentially enhancing sea-level performance. It is our hope that this information will be intriguing, balanced and, more importantly, stimulating to the point that it promotes constructive discussion and serves as a guide for future research aimed at advancing the bourgeoning body of knowledge in the area of altitude training for team sports.
Support for deictic pointing in CVEs: still fragmented after all these years'

Pointing gestures -- particularly deictic references -- are ubiquitous in face-to-face communication. However, deictic pointing can be much more difficult in collaborative virtual environments (CVEs) than in everyday life -- early studies found that the 'fragmentation' caused by the environment greatly complicated object-based communication. In the fifteen years since these studies appeared, the technologies used in CVEs have improved substantially, and several techniques for improving pointing have been proposed or implemented. What these advances mean for the problems of fragmentation and deictic gesture, however, is not clear. To find out, we conducted a new observational study of deictic pointing in a CVE with several techniques that may reduce fragmentation: extra-wide and third-person views, precise control over an avatar's pointing arm, and visual enhancements such as object highlighting and laser pointing. Our study shows that although pointing has come a long way, problems of fragmentation still occur, and that visual and view enhancements can cause new problems for collaboration, even as they solve others. In addition, the visibility of a gesture's preparatory actions remained important to study participants, even when pointing was augmented. These results provide a richer understanding of the subtlety in avatar-based deictic communication, and of the ways that this critical communication mechanism can be better supported in CVEs.
Long-Term Effects of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention of the Totally Occluded Infarct-Related Artery in the Subacute Phase After Myocardial Infarction

Background— Despite observations suggesting a benefit for late opening of totally occluded infarct-related arteries after myocardial infarction, the Occluded Artery Trial (OAT) demonstrated no reduction in the composite of death, reinfarction, and class IV heart failure over a 2.9-year mean follow-up. Follow-up was extended to determine whether late trends would favor either treatment group. Methods and Results— OAT randomized 2201 stable patients with infarct-related artery total occlusion >24 hours (calendar days 3–28) after myocardial infarction. Patients with severe inducible ischemia, rest angina, class III-IV heart failure, and 3-vessel/left main disease were excluded. We conducted extended follow-up of enrolled patients for an additional 3 years for the primary end point and angina (6-year median survivor follow-up; longest, 9 years; 12 234 patient-years). Rates of the primary end point (hazard ratio, 1.06; 95% confidence interval, 0.88–1.28), fatal and nonfatal myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 1.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.89–1.75), death, and class IV heart failure were similar for the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and medical therapy alone groups. No interactions between baseline characteristics and treatment group on outcomes were observed. The vast majority of patients at each follow-up visit did not report angina. There was less angina in the PCI group through early in follow-up; by 3 years, the between group difference was consistently <4 patients per 100 treated and not significantly different, although there was a trend toward less angina in the PCI group at 3 and 5 years. The 7-year rate of PCI of the infarct-related artery during follow-up was 11.1% for the PCI group compared with 14.7% for the medical therapy alone group (hazard ratio, 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.61–1.01; P=0.06). Conclusions— Extended follow-up of the OAT cohort provides robust evidence for no reduction of long-term rates of clinical events after routine PCI in stable patients with a totally occluded infarct-related artery and without severe inducible ischemia in the subacute phase after myocardial infarction. Clinical Trial Registration— http://www.clinicaltrials. gov. Unique identifier: NCT00004562.
Identification of Endogenous Controls for Use in miRNA Quantification in Human Cancer Cell Lines.

BACKGROUND miRNAs play important roles in multiple biological processes, and deregulation has been linked to several human diseases, including cancer. Studying changes in miRNA expression in cancer development is commonly performed in vitro in human cancer cell lines using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), a method requiring the use of a robust reference gene that displays stable expression across all samples. MATERIALS AND METHODS Using the NormFinder software, a selection of commonly used endogeneous controls and miRNAs were tested in six human cancer cell lines to identify for the most suitable gene for use as a reference. RESULTS The frequently used endogenous control U6B small nuclear RNA (RNU6B) was found to be an unsuitable reference for normalization. The most suitable single endogeneous control identified was miR-25-3p, whereas the best combination of two endogeneous controls was miR-25-3p and miR-93-5p. CONCLUSION We identified a single and a pair of miRNAs suitable for use as endogenous controls when performing qPCR-based miRNA expression analyses in human cancer cell lines.
Hypertonicity suppresses ionophore‐induced product formation and translocation of 5‐lipoxygenase in human leukocytes

5‐Lipoxygenase (5‐LO) initiates the biosynthesis of proinflammatory leukotrienes from arachidonic acid (AA). Here, we demonstrate that hypertonicity suppresses ionophore‐induced 5‐LO product formation reversibly in isolated human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) and in Mono Mac 6 cells. Hypertonicity blocked the liberation of AA and abrogated translocation of 5‐LO to the nuclear membrane. Accordingly, in the presence of exogenous AA, 5‐LO product formation was less affected. The effects of hypertonicity were a result of cell shrinkage and not cytosolic hyperosmolarity. Hypertonicity did not inhibit the rapid increase in intracellular Ca2+ induced by ionophores but prevented the ionophore‐induced activation of p38 MAPK‐regulated MAPKAP kinases, which can phosphorylate and activate 5‐LO (and cPLA2). In summary, we show that hypertonicity blocks agonist‐induced release of AA, 5‐LO product formation, and translocation and in parallel, prevents activation of p38 MAPK and downstream 5‐LO kinases in leukocytes.