Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Towards Proving Application Isolation for Cryptocurrency Hardware Wallets

Modern personal computers (PCs) often contain numerous security vulnerabilities due to bugs in their complex operating systems, which have millions of lines of code [1]. In other words, the size of the Trusted Computing Base (TCB), or the code assumed to be implemented correctly, is relatively large, and as a result, writing a bug-free operating system on the scale of Linux or Windows is nearly impossible. However, many applications that might run on the PC including cryptocurrency or banking software require strong guarantees to ensure secure transactions. The security guarantees provided by PCs are insufficient for these security sensitive operations. Hardware wallets, small devices with an independent operating system, provide the capabilities to isolate these sensitive operations and complete them securely. Hardware wallets have a screen and buttons used to authorize and sign transactions and connect to the PC through a USB port. This allows for the application to be split into two parts where the majority of the application still runs on the PC, but the secure transaction approval step occurs on the hardware wallet. Figure 1 illustrates this process. The private keys used to sign the transactions are stored solely on the hardware wallet, completely isolating them from the PC. Because hardware wallets only need to perform a small subset of the operations that a PC would, they use a significantly smaller operating system. With a smaller codebase and TCB, there would be less room for attacks and fewer bugs. Rather than trusting the PC, the user only needs to trust that the hardware wallet works as intended. For example, a compromised PC would be unable to steal Bitcoin from a hardware wallet as it would be unable to access the confidential information stored solely on the hardware wallet. If the PC tried to perform a malicious action, the hardware wallet would receive the transaction and then display the exact transaction it received on the screen. This way if the compromised PC requested a malicious transaction, for example, the user could decline said transaction. There is no other method of signing the transaction other than using the private keys, which reside solely on the hardware wallet.
Calcium signaling in apoptotic mammalian cells

The calcium ion (Ca ), as an important second messenger, is known to be involved in many cellular functions. The present study is ai med at investigating the roles of Ca 2+ signaling in regulating apoptosis of mammalian cell s. We tried to answer the following questions: (1) Is the mitochondrial Ca 2+ signal involved in the early stage to drive the progression of apoptosis? (2) What are the characte ristics and transportation mechanisms of the mitochondrial Ca 2+ signal in apoptosis? (3) What are the mechanisms by which the Bcl-2 family proteins such as Bcl-2 an d Bax regulate the Ca 2+ mobilization from endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to cytosol and mito ch ndria during apoptosis? (4) Are there any other regulators such as Bcl-2 family pro teins binding partners affecting the Ca signals? Using single living cell Ca 2+ imaging techniques, we found that mitochondrial Ca signal plays a positive role in the early stage of UVor TNFαinduced apoptosis in HeLa cells. The transient mito chondrial Ca spikes are synchronous with the cytosolic Ca 2+ changes. Our results suggested that the Ca 2+ release from ER plays an important role on regulating the a poptotic process since the cytosolic Ca elevation during ATP treatment and TNF α-induced apoptosis are highly correlated. We then investigated the mechanisms by which Bcl-2 family proteins affect the IP 3 dependent Ca 2+ mobilization. We found that pro-apoptotic protein Bax can counteract with anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 to facilitate the ER Ca 2+ release by interacting with IP 3 receptor. Our results suggested that Bax could sens itize the IP3 receptor, while Bcl-2 could inhibit IP3 receptor during apoptosis. Finally, we examined th e effect of other Bcl2 family proteins and their binding partners on Ca 2+ signaling. Our results indicated that the Bcl-2 family proteins may regulate the apoptoti c process through modulating the Ca mobilization from ER to cytosol and mitochondria.
Spatial and temporal genetic variation among size classes of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) provides information on oceanic dispersal and population dynamics

Migratory marine species present challenges for conservation because of complex threats within their pelagic dispersal zones, including coastal foraging areas and extensive migration pathways, or at breeding grounds. To better understand the connectivity between green turtle rookeries and foraging populations, we sequenced the mtDNA control region of 987 turtles from 6 major foraging grounds on a ~2300 km longitudinal transect off eastern Australia, and used mixed stock analysis (MSA) to estimate their natal origins. We investigated variation in natal origins within different size classes and over spatial and temporal scales and compared this to approximately 30 yr of mark-recapture data. For adult turtles, we found that the northern Great Barrier Reef (nGBR) genetic stock dominated in the northern feeding grounds while the southern Great Barrier Reef (sGBR) and Coral Sea stocks dominated in the south, with a changeover of dominating stock occurring between 14° and 20°S. However, at the 3 most northern feeding grounds, we found an unexpected decrease (17-30%) in the proportion of nGBR turtles among small immature turtles relative to large immatures and adults. Four possible hypotheses were explored, with the 2 most plausible being that (1) small immature turtles from the sGBR and other rookeries first settle in nGBR feeding grounds, but later shift to other feeding grounds as they mature, or (2) a reduced hatching success for decades from the main nGBR rookery at Raine Island has resulted in reduced recruitment into the nGBR feeding ground from this stock. These results may indicate an alarming reduction in hatching success at the largest known green turtle rookery in the world.
Antimicrobial activity and resistance to heavy metals and antibiotics of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from sediment and soil samples collected from two Antarctic islands1

In this study, 24 Antarctic bacteria, isolated from sediment and soil samples from Deception and Galindez Islands, were characterized for their antimicrobial activity and response to 13 antibiotics and seven heavy metals. Multiple antibiotic resistance was observed for 67% of sediment isolates and 92% of soil isolates, suggesting medium anthropogenic impact in these Antarctic regions. The results revealed a varying response of the Antarctic bacteria to the tested heavy metals. All isolates showed multiple metal resistance towards two to six heavy metals, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 1.0 mM to 23.2 mM. The majority of the strains in both groups were resistant to lead, nickel, copper and zinc. Plasmids were detected in 21% of isolates. A consortium of highly metal-resistant bacteria could be developed with potential application for biological treatment of wastewaters. Strains that are highly sensitive to cadmium would be promising for developing biosensors to detect this highly toxic heavy metal in environmental samples. All Antarctic bacteria were found to inhibit the growth of one to all eight of the tested indicator bacteria, and 87% inhibited the growth of one to all four of the yeast indicator cultures. Promising psychrotolerant strains were detected as a valuable source of new antimicrobial compounds.
Efficacy of Metreleptin Treatment in Familial Partial Lipodystrophy Due to PPARG vs LMNA Pathogenic Variants.

CONTEXT Familial partial lipodystrophy (FPLD) is most commonly caused by pathogenic variants in LMNA and PPARG. Leptin replacement with metreleptin has largely been studied in the LMNA group. OBJECTIVE To understand the efficacy of metreleptin in PPARG vs LMNA pathogenic variants and investigate predictors of metreleptin responsiveness. DESIGN Subgroup analysis of a prospective open-label study of metreleptin in lipodystrophy. SETTING National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland. PARTICIPANTS Patients with LMNA (n = 22) or PPARG pathogenic variants (n = 7), leptin <12 ng/mL, and diabetes, insulin resistance, or high triglycerides. INTERVENTION Metreleptin (0.08 to 0.16 mg/kg) for 12 months. OUTCOME Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), lipids, and medication use at baseline and after 12 months. RESULTS Baseline characteristics were comparable in patients with PPARG and LMNA: HbA1c, 9.2 ± 2.3 vs 7.8 ± 2.1%; median [25th, 75th percentile] triglycerides, 1377 [278, 5577] vs 332 [198, 562] mg/dL; leptin, 6.3 ± 3.8 vs 5.5 ± 2.5 ng/mL (P > 0.05). After 12 months of metreleptin, HbA1c declined to 7.7 ± 2.4 in PPARG and 7.3 ± 1.7% in LMNA; insulin requirement decreased from 3.8 [2.7, 4.3] to 2.1 [1.6, 3.0] U/kg/d in PPARG and from 1.7 [1.3, 4.4] to 1.2 [1.0, 2.3] U/kg/d in LMNA (P < 0.05). Triglycerides decreased to 293 [148, 406] mg/dL in LMNA (P < 0.05), but changes were not significant in PPARG: 680 [296, 783] mg/dL at 12 months (P = 0.2). Both groups were more likely to experience clinically relevant triglyceride (≥30%) or HbA1c (≥1%) reduction with metreleptin if they had baseline triglycerides ≥500 mg/dL or HbA1c >8%. CONCLUSION Metreleptin resulted in similar metabolic improvements in patients with LMNA and PPARG pathogenic variants. Our findings support the efficacy of metreleptin in patients with the two most common genetic causes of FPLD.
Identification and fine mapping of lemma-distortion1, a single recessive gene playing an essential role in the development of lemma in rice

SUMMARY Floral organ development influences plant reproduction and crop yield. The mechanism of floral organ specification is generally conserved in angiosperms as demonstrated by the ‘ABC’ model. However, mechanisms underlying the development of floral organs in specific groups of species such as grasses remain unclear. In the genus Oryza (rice), a spikelet consists of a fertile floret sub-tended by a lemma, a palea, two sterile lemmas and rudimentary glumes. To understand how the lemma is formed, a curve-shaped lemma-distortion1 (ld1) mutant was identified. Genetic analysis confirmed that the ld1 mutant phenotype was due to a single recessive gene mutation. Using a large F 2 population, the LD1 gene was mapped between markers Indel-7-15 and Indel-7-18, which encompassed a region of 15·6 kilo base pairs (kbp). According to rice genome annotations, two putative genes, LOC_Os07g32510 and LOC_Os07g32520, were located in this candidate region. However, DNA sequencing results indicated only 1 base pair (bp) substitution (T⇨C) was found in LOC_Os07g32510 between the wild-type and the ld1 mutant. Thus LOC_Os07g32510, encoding a DNA binding with one zinc finger (DoF) containing protein, was the candidate gene for LD1. Further analysis showed that mutation of the amino acid cysteine (C) to arginine (R) was likely to lead to zinc finger protein deactivation. Phylogenetic and conservation analysis of the gene from different species revealed that cysteine was critical to LD1 function. As a new gene controlling lemma development, the study of LD1 could provide insights into rice floral organ formation mechanisms.
A highly diverse siliceous sponge fauna (Porifera: Hexactinellida, Demospongiae) from the Eocene of north-eastern Italy: systematics and palaeoecology

A siliceous sponge fauna, consisting of more than 900 specimens, is described from an early Lutetian tuffite horizon in the Chiampo Valley, Lessini Mountains, north-eastern Italy. Thirty-two taxa (15 Hexactinellida, 17 Demospongiae) are determined and illustrated, belonging to 24 genera, two of which are new (Rigonia gen. nov. and Coronispongia gen. nov.). Among these, 10 new species are proposed: Stauractinella eocenica sp. nov., Rigonia plicata gen. et sp. nov., Hexactinella clampensis sp. nov., Camerospongia visentinae sp. nov., C. tuberculata sp. nov., Toulminia italica sp. nov., Coronispongia confossa gen. et sp. nov., Cavispongia scarpai sp. nov., Corallistes multiosculata sp. nov. and Bolidium bertii sp. nov. Of the genera identified at Chiampo, 14 range back to the Cretaceous, three to the Jurassic and one to the Triassic, while six are still extant. The studied fauna shows affinities with sponges from the Eocene of Spain and the Cretaceous of Germany. The sponge fossils are uncompressed and bodily preserved, but the original siliceous skeleton is dissolved and substituted by calcite. Delicate attachments can be nevertheless documented: some sponges attached to a hard substrate by encrustation, while others were anchored on soft sediments by root-like structures. The presence of different modes of attachment suggests heterogeneous substrate conditions. Small, possibly young, sponges are recorded too. The sponge fauna is essentially autochthonous and lived in the middle-outer part of a carbonate ramp, where it formed clusters. This study extends the geographical and stratigraphical range of many sponge taxa, including Camerospongia, Toulminia, Ozotrachelus and Bolidium, previously documented only from the Cretaceous. The Recent calcified demosponge genus Astrosclera is reported here in the Cenozoic for the first time, having been reported previously in the Triassic only. Additionally, this study documents the second worldwide occurrence of the Recent sphinctozoan genus Vaceletia in the Palaeogene, formerly recorded exclusively in Australia. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:B3466955-8E20-429A-89BE-42BAEB4002E8
Histopathological Alterations on Antarctic Fish Notothenia Coriiceps and Notothenia Rossii as Biomarkers of Aquatic Contamination

e Antarctic continent is considered one of the most well preserved areas of the planet; however, human occupation of this environment, for research purposes, generates impacts on the ecosystem, especially near scienti c stations. Studies on structural alterations, mainly of the liver and gills of sh are an important source of information of environmental toxicity. is work intended to evaluate histopathologically, the livers and gills of the Antarctic sh species Notothenia coriiceps and Notothenia rossii captured in Admiralty Bay, where the Comandante Ferraz Brasilian Antarctica Station is located. Histological and ultrastructure techniques were employed. e only liver diseases found were necroses and hyperplasia, aneurysm and branchial detachment were the diseases found on the gills. e occurrence of alterations, both in the liver and gills, was low and punctual, although with higher incidence in the N. coriiceps than N. rossii. It can be concluded that the low alteration occurrence rate, does not a ect the functionality of the analyzed organs, as it presents no lethality to the species.
The development of a novel 3D migration assay to study the effects of cell signalling and microenvironment on the migratory behaviour of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is one of the mostly commonly diagnosed cancers for both men and women in the UK, with a poor survival rate compared to other Western countries and other commonly diagnosed cancer types. Part of the reason for poor prognosis for patients is the diagnosis of the disease at an advanced stage of progression, which has been shown to have a severe impact on patient survival rates. Due to this, the signalling events surrounding the adoption of an invasive phenotype may provide the opportunity to develop therapies to limit the spread of tumours from their original site and improve patient prognosis. It has previously been highlighted that the culture of cells in standard two-dimensional (2D) induces alterations to gene expression via the imposition of a microenvironment which does not reflect the microenvironment experienced by cancer cells in vivo. This limits the accuracy of data obtained using 2D migration assays and can help to account for the failure of some anti-migratory compounds to be effective in in vivo or clinical screening, after showing promise in conventional cell culture tests. This project has aimed to develop a novel three-dimensional (3D) migration assay based on Alvetex® technology, which provides a more biologically relevant microenvironment in vitro, to investigate the role of cell signalling and microenvironment in determining the migratory behaviour of colorectal cancer cells. Through extensive optimisation, the 3D culture of two colorectal cancer cell lines, SW480 and SW620, was established to allow for the assessment of cell migration via histological processing, in addition to the assessment of other behavioural traits via the use of commercial biochemical assays. Modulation of both the Wnt and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF)-I signalling pathways via small molecule inhibitors and exogenous protein application has highlighted compounds which alter the migratory behaviour of the colorectal cancer cell lines, results which were not reflected in counterpart 2D scratch wound assays. This underlines the need to use culturing techniques which better reflect the biological system in question, as the anti-migratory applications of these compounds have the potential to be missed if subjected to 2D screening only. The biological relevance of the model developed here was also increased by altering the culture microenvironment by the addition of extracellular matrix (ECM) coatings or co-culture, demonstrating that this model can be adapted to recreate a variety of microenvironments depending on the aims of the research undertaken. Together, the data presented in this thesis demonstrates the suitability of this novel culture system to assess the migratory behaviour of colorectal cancer cells in vitro, with the possibility of the adaption of this system to assess the behaviour of other cancer types.
Efficient Synergistic De Novo Co-Assembly Of Bacterial Genomes From Single Cells Using Colored De Bruijn Graph

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Nucleotide sequencing and an improved diagnostic for screening okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) genotypes for resistance to a newly described begomovirus in India

ABSTRACT Ten okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) plants showing distinct yellow vein mosaic disease (YVMD) symptoms were collected from different fields in Karnataka State, India. The genomic DNA of the isolated viruses was amplified, cloned, and sequenced. Sequence analysis revealed that the DNA-A-like sequences of all ten isolates were identical. Sequence analysis of a representative virus isolate (OYSK2) with other begomovirus sequences available in GenBank showed ≥90% sequence identity with Bhendi yellow vein Maharashtra virus (BYVMaV; EU482411) and ≤89% homology with full-length Bhendi yellow vein mosaic virus (BYVMV) infecting okra on the Indian subcontinent. These results suggested that a new strain of BYVMaV was present in all ten samples collected from the field. A source of resistance to BYVMaV and naturally present virus isolates causing YVMD was identified by screening okra genotypes under artificial and natural inoculation conditions, respectively. None of the genotypes tested showed complete immunity to BYVMaV. However, the okra genotypes ‘Tulasi’ and ‘Trisha’ were only moderately susceptible under glasshouse and field conditions. The new begomovirus strain could be detected by dot-blot hybridisation using a non-radioactive DNA probe in the virus samples collected from both symptomless and symptomatic okra plants.
e‐Inhalers

When did you last wonder if a patient with asthma is actually regularly taking their preventer inhaler? Inadequate adherence is one of the major causes of poor asthma control, but it is difficult to discuss with patients when the stock reply is “of course I take all my medications everyday”. Jochmann et al have recently published data from preventer inhalers with an electronic monitoring device (“e-inhaler”) in 93 children and adolescents. Over 3 months, the median (range) recorded adherence was 74% (21%-99%); they all knew they were being monitored. What was interesting were the subgroups: (i) good adherence and improved control (perhaps previous poor adherence); (ii) good adherence but poor control (true severe therapy-resistant asthma); (iii) poor adherence with good control (perhaps overtreated); and (iv) poor adherence with poor control (perhaps poor control due to poor adherence). Armed with such information, informed management plans can be developed for individual patients and the difficult subject of poor adherence can be discussed with patients with hard data. High level of specific IgE to antigens from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria is seen with respiratory and cutaneous allergy. We know that Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are abundant in the microbiome of house dust mite (HDM), so is there a link? Dzoro et al have recently published data examining whether HDM is carriers of bacterial antigens in 179 atopic dermatitis patients. Specific IgE to S. aureus and E. coli was more common in individuals who were sensitized to HDM than individuals who were not sensitized. So HDM exposure might drive the sensitization to microbial antigens, important as such sensitization is associated with severe manifestations of atopy. In this month’s issue of the Journal, Chan et al examine how filaggrin mutations might increase the risk of sensitization to aeroallergens and the development of allergic asthma. Filaggrin mutations are known to be related to the development of eczema in early life. Using our 1989 Isle of Wight Birth Cohort with follow-up to 18 years of age, a pathway analysis was used to understand the relationship between filaggrin loss of function mutations, eczema, sensitization to aeroallergens and allergic asthma. All the significant pathways leading to asthma passed through eczema in the first 2 years of life. This contrasted with rhinitis where there was a significant direct association with loss of function mutations. So different pathophysiologies? Might local loss of function mutations have a local effect in the nose? Continuing on the theme of asthma, where does the risk of developing the disease start? Lodge et al in this issue of the Journal examine whether smoking during pregnancy by grandmothers is a risk for asthma in grandchildren using prospectively collected data from national Swedish registries. Children aged 1-6 years had a dose-dependent, increased asthma risk if their grandmothers had smoked during pregnancy; interestingly, maternal smoking did not modify this relationship. The authors suggest that the effect may be mediated by epigenetics.