Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Graph-based Method for Session-based Recommendations

We present a graph-based approach for the data management tasks and the efficient operation of a system for session-based next-item recommendations. The proposed method can collect data continuously and incrementally from an ecommerce web site, thus seemingly prepare the necessary data infrastructure for the recommendation algorithm to operate without any excessive training phase. Our work aims at developing a recommender method that represents a balance between data processing and management efficiency requirements and the effectiveness of the recommendations produced. We use the Neo4j graph database to implement a prototype of such a system. Furthermore, we use an industry dataset corresponding to a typical e-commerce session-based scenario, and we report on experiments using our graph-based approach and other state-of-the-art machine learning and deep learning methods.
Automatic Reverse Engineering of Script Engine Binaries for Building Script API Tracers

Script languages are designed to be easy-to-use and require low learning costs. These features provide attackers options to choose a script language for developing their malicious scripts. This diversity of choice in the attacker side unexpectedly imposes a significant cost on the preparation for analysis tools in the defense side. That is, we have to prepare for multiple script languages to analyze malicious scripts written in them. We call this unbalanced cost for script languages asymmetry problem. To solve this problem, we propose a method for automatically detecting the hook and tap points in a script engine binary that is essential for building a script Application Programming Interface (API) tracer. Our method allows us to reduce the cost of reverse engineering of a script engine binary, which is the largest portion of the development of a script API tracer, and build a script API tracer for a script language with minimum manual intervention. This advantage results in solving the asymmetry problem. The experimental results showed that our method generated the script API tracers for the three script languages popular among attackers (Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), Microsoft Visual Basic Scripting Edition (VBScript), and PowerShell). The results also demonstrated that these script API tracers successfully analyzed real-world malicious scripts.
Leak detection in the pipeline network of an oil refinery - A pattern classification paradigm

Leak detection and localization based on acoustic leak noise has been the subject of extensive research and a number of methods have been proposed for this purpose. It is a conceptually simple, non intrusive and easy to deploy approach for monitoring the condition of the pipeline network installation and it is suitable for either on demand or for continues time operation even in harsh environment. In this paper, leak detection is treating as a classification task. Spectral domain features are considered as they offer insight into the frequency characteristics of the signals of interest, and the k nearest neighbor classifier is employed for classification. The performance of the proposed scheme is evaluated using real measurements from oil refinery pipeline systems.
Attracting new users or business as usual? A case study of converting academic subscription-based journals to open access

Abstract This paper studies a selection of 11 Norwegian journals in the humanities and social sciences and their conversion from subscription to open access, a move heavily incentivized by governmental mandates and open access policies. By investigating the journals’ visiting logs in the period 2014–2019, the study finds that a conversion to open access induces higher visiting numbers; all journals in the study had a significant increase, which can be attributed to the conversion. Converting a journal had no spillover in terms of increased visits to previously published articles still behind the paywall in the same journals. Visits from previously subscribing Norwegian higher education institutions did not account for the increase in visits, indicating that the increase must be accounted for by visitors from other sectors. The results could be relevant for policymakers concerning the effects of strict policies targeting economically vulnerable national journals, and could further inform journal owners and editors on the effects of converting to open access.
The interaction of a particle and a polymer brush coating a permeable surface

Abstract Coating of filtration membranes with a polymer brush holds great promise for efficiently preventing the deposition of fouling particles. The polymer chains are compressed by incoming particles, carried with the permeation flow towards the membrane, and consequently exert a repulsive force that acts to keep the particles away from the membrane surface. Here, we theoretically investigate the effect of a polymer brush coating on the permeation-induced hydrodynamic force, $F_{h}$, pulling a particle towards the membrane, and its balance with the steric repulsion exerted by the compressing brush, resisting the particle's approach. Lubrication theory yields an ordinary differential equation for the pressure, from which $F_{h}$ is calculated numerically. Further, an asymptotic analysis is performed for the limiting cases of a dilute or dense brush, providing analytic expressions that demonstrate how brush properties affect $F_{h}$. Finally, the equilibrium position of a particle is evaluated by considering a balance between the opposing forces. The results provide an upper boundary for the brush properties, beyond which the brush is barely compressed under conditions typical of membrane filtration processes. Further increasing the brush density or thickness only decreases the total system permeance, resulting in increased energy consumption. The results shed light on the mechanisms by which a polymer brush affects the forces acting on a foulant particle, providing quantitative measures for assessing the potential efficacy of brush coatings.
Interaction of second-mode disturbances with an incipiently separated compression-corner flow

Abstract An experimental campaign was conducted to examine the impact of an abrupt change in surface geometry on hypersonic boundary-layer instability waves. The primary test configuration consisted of a $5^{\circ }$ half-angle, nominally sharp cone with a $15^{\circ }$ half-angle flare attachment. Tests were conducted at Mach 6 with the unit Reynolds number varying from $3.0\times 10^6$ to $4.9\times 10^6\ \textrm {m}^{-1}$. The $10^{\circ }$ compression was sufficient to create a small separation region at the cone–flare junction at these conditions. Ultra-high-speed schlieren (822 kHz) revealed the propagation of second-mode disturbances with frequencies between 200 and 300 kHz within the upstream boundary layer; when these reached the separation region, radiation of disturbance energy along the separation shock was observed. Tests conducted at low unit Reynolds numbers demonstrated inhibited instability growth (compared to the straight-cone case) through the separation region and the development of low-frequency (${\sim }75\ \textrm {kHz}$) instabilities within the separated shear layer. At higher Reynolds numbers, however, the corner interaction was found to cause rapid breakdown near reattachment, leading to earlier transition than for a straight cone. Analysis of the schlieren images using spectral proper orthogonal decomposition provided a global picture of the structure and development of the second-mode and shear-generated instabilities.
Solvent distribution in non-ionic surfactant monolayers

The distribution of solvent in the adsorbed monolayers of the non-ionic surfactants monododecyl hexaethylene glycol, C12E6, and monododecyl octaethylene glycol, C12E8, at the air–water interface has been determined from specular neutron reflectivity measurements. The data is analysed by the method of partial structure factors, and the solvent distribution is described by a new approach that improves previous estimates based on a tanh profile. An improved description and quantification of hydration in surface adsorbed layers is required for the further development of the thermodynamic treatment of surfactant mixing at interfaces. It is a term currently neglected in theories based on the pseudo phase approximation. However, the comparison of some recent neutron reflectivity results and surface tension data for mixed surfactants suggests that its contribution may be important.
Characteristic Energy Losses of Electrons Scattered from Incandescent Solids

The electron emission produced when solid conductors are bombarded with electrons of controlled speed has formed the subject of a great number of investigations. It is now generally recognized that this emission consists of three different parts: (1) Primary electrons, truly reflected without loss of energy; (2) electrons scattered back with reduced energy; and (3) secondary electrons proper, with very low velocities, which would seem to be produced from the atoms of the target by the same collision processes that give rise to the second group. In recent years considerable attention has been paid to the reflected electrons, the angular distribution of which reveals their wave character, if the target is a definitely orientated crystal of the substance in question. Some time ago I made some measurements on the velocity spectrum of the emission produced by electron bombardment, using a magnetic deflection apparatus of fairly high resolving power. The principal object of this investigation was to look for evidence of groups of electrons with character­istic velocities related to the soft X-ray levels of the substance. From certain theoretical considerations such electrons might be expected to be present in the emission. Targets of lithium, beryllium, boron, carbon and aluminium were tried, but in no case was there any evidence of electrons of the kind in question. These results are discussed in the paper mentioned. The distribu­tion curves obtained for different targets and bombarding voltages ranging from 40 to 900 volts were all similar in shape. The reflected electrons pro­duced a sharp and narrow peak, separated from the rest of the curve by a very deep minimum. The curve then rapidly rose to a maximum, corresponding to scattered electrons which had lost an energy equivalent to 25 volts in the collision. In addition to these, some experiments were made with targets of platinum and carbon, which could be kept at incandescence also when readings were taken. It was found that new maxima appear at high temperature, nearer to the reflected peak, and that the 25 volt maximum becomes very faint but reappears after some time on cooling. These changes were repeated several times. It was concluded that the 25 volt maximum was produced by an adsorbed layer formed on the cold target in the high vacuum, whilst the new maxima with hot targets should probably be regarded as characteristic of the target substance itself. Somewhat similar effects have been observed by Brown and Whiddington using a photographic method.
Analytical solution for unsteady flow behind ionizing shock wave in a rotational axisymmetric non-ideal gas with azimuthal or axial magnetic field

Abstract The approximate analytical solution for the propagation of gas ionizing cylindrical blast (shock) wave in a rotational axisymmetric non-ideal gas with azimuthal or axial magnetic field is investigated. The axial and azimuthal components of fluid velocity are taken into consideration and these flow variables, magnetic field in the ambient medium are assumed to be varying according to the power laws with distance from the axis of symmetry. The shock is supposed to be strong one for the ratio C0Vs2${\left(\frac{{C}_{0}}{{V}_{s}}\right)}^{2}$ to be a negligible small quantity, where C0is the sound velocity in undisturbed fluid and VS is the shock velocity. In the undisturbed medium the density is assumed to be constant to obtain the similarity solution. The flow variables in power series of C0Vs2${\left(\frac{{C}_{0}}{{V}_{s}}\right)}^{2}$ are expanded to obtain the approximate analytical solutions. The first order and second order approximations to the solutions are discussed with the help of power series expansion. For the first order approximation the analytical solutions are derived. In the flow-field region behind the blast wave the distribution of the flow variables in the case of first order approximation is shown in graphs. It is observed that in the flow field region the quantity J0 increases with an increase in the value of gas non-idealness parameter or Alfven-Mach number or rotational parameter. Hence, the non-idealness of the gas and the presence of rotation or magnetic field have decaying effect on shock wave.
Cryochemical synthesis and properties of silver nanoparticle dispersions stabilised by poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate)

A cryochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles stabilised by poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (poly-DMAEMA) has been performed; it has been found using optical spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and electron microscopy that silver sols prepared with these nanoparticles in water, acetone and toluene are sterically stabilised by macromolecular poly-DMAEMA layers formed at the surface of nanoparticles, and the thickness of these layers depends on the nature of the solvent.
REFLECTIONS ON THE LIFESPAN MODEL FOR ERI DEVELOPMENT

A critique of the ERI Lifespan model is offered. The ERI Lifespan Model appears to place undue weight on factors inherited rather than socialized. It also appears to lean toward a political frame of refence favoring a cultural-nationalist orientation. The Model does not explain how a significant percentage of youth categorized as ER at birth, nevertheless, achieve an identity centered on something other than race or ethnicity, as adults. Overall, the model appears to theorize ERI in a manner than can be considered prescriptive and largely set at birth. The critique suggests that most ERI households raise youth with strong personality traits and a positive attitude toward life. Such positivity means that positive people will eventually make positive social identity choices and this positivity does not require choosing an ERI orientation. That the majority of ERI youth select a social identity centered by one’s ERI community is explained by contextual factors rather than inherited predispositions.
Interpreting Sequence Variation in PDAC-Predisposing Genes Using a Multi-Tier Annotation Approach Performed at the Gene, Patient, and Cohort Level

We investigated germline variation in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) predisposition genes in 535 patients, using a custom-built panel and a new complementary bioinformatic approach. Our panel assessed genes belonging to DNA repair, cell cycle checkpoints, migration, and preneoplastic pancreatic conditions. Our bioinformatics approach integrated annotations of variants by using data derived from both germline and somatic references. This integrated approach with expanded evidence enabled us to consider patterns even among private mutations, supporting a functional role for certain alleles, which we believe enhances individualized medicine beyond classic gene-centric approaches. Concurrent evaluation of three levels of evidence, at the gene, sample, and cohort level, has not been previously done. Overall, we identified in PDAC patient germline samples, 12% with mutations previously observed in pancreatic cancers, 23% with mutations previously discovered by sequencing other human tumors, and 46% with mutations with germline associations to cancer. Non-polymorphic protein-coding pathogenic variants were found in 18.4% of patient samples. Moreover, among patients with metastatic PDAC, 16% carried at least one pathogenic variant, and this subgroup was found to have an improved overall survival (22.0 months versus 9.8; p=0.008) despite a higher pre-treatment CA19-9 level (p=0.02). Genetic alterations in DNA damage repair genes were associated with longer overall survival among patients who underwent resection surgery (92 months vs. 46; p=0.06). ATM alterations were associated with more frequent metastatic stage (p = 0.04) while patients with BRCA1 or BRCA2 alterations had improved overall survival (79 months vs. 39; p=0.05). We found that mutations in genes associated with chronic pancreatitis were more common in non-white patients (p<0.001) and associated with longer overall survival (52 months vs. 26; p=0.004), indicating the need for greater study of the relationship among these factors. More than 90% of patients were found to have variants of uncertain significance, which is higher than previously reported. Furthermore, we generated 3D models for selected mutant proteins, which suggested distinct mechanisms underlying their dysfunction, likely caused by genetic alterations. Notably, this type of information is not predictable from sequence alone, underscoring the value of structural bioinformatics to improve genomic interpretation. In conclusion, the variation in PDAC predisposition genes appears to be more extensive than anticipated. This information adds to the growing body of literature on the genomic landscape of PDAC and brings us closer to a more widespread use of precision medicine for this challenging disease.
C3AR1 mRNA as a Potential Therapeutic Target Associates With Clinical Outcomes and Tumor Microenvironment in Osteosarcoma

Objective: Targeting cancer-specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs) may offer novel insights into therapeutic strategies in osteosarcoma. This study aimed to discover possible osteosarcoma-specific mRNA and probe its biological functions. Methods: Based on mRNA-seq data from the TARGET database, stromal and immune scores were estimated for each osteosarcoma sample via the ESTIMATE algorithm. Stromal and immune mRNAs were obtained via integration of differentially expressed mRNAs between high and low stromal / immune score groups. Among hub and prognostic mRNAs, C3AR1 mRNA was focused and its prognostic value was assessed. The associations between C3AR1 mRNA and immune cells were analyzed via the CIBERSORT algorithm. Its expression was verified in osteosarcoma tissues and cells by RT-qPCR and western blot. The functions of C3AR1 were investigated by a series of experiments. Results: Low stromal and immune scores were both indicative of unfavorable outcomes for osteosarcoma patients. Eighty-eight up-regulated and seven down-regulated stromal and immune mRNAs were identified. Among 30 hub mRNAs, low expression of C3AR1 mRNA indicated worse outcomes than its high expression. There was a lower mRNA expression of C3AR1 in metastatic than non-metastatic osteosarcoma. C3AR1 mRNA was closely correlated to various immune cells such as macrophages. C3AR1 was verified to be down-regulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cells. Its overexpression suppressed proliferation, migration and invasion and induced apoptosis in osteosarcoma cells. Conclusion: C3AR1 mRNA could be a promising therapeutic target for osteosarcoma, linked with prognosis and tumor microenvironment.
Neutronic Calculations for Certain Americium Mixed Fuels and Clads in a Boiling Water Reactor

In this study, a Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) design was made using the Monte Carlo (MCNPX) method. The reactor core in the designed BWR system was divided into an 8 × 8 square lattice with a constant pitch of 30.48 cm. In this study, americium (Am), which is found in the minor actinidine (MA) of spent nuclear fuel known as nuclear waste from existing reactors, was used as fuel with the addition of oxygen and fluorine. In this study, AmO2 and AmF3 fuels at the rate of 0.02–0.1% were used as Americium Mixed Fuels, and Zircaloy-2 (Zr-2), SiC, and VC were used as clad. Neutronic calculations for certain Americium Mixed Fuels and clads were compared in the designed BWR system. In the BWR system designed in the study; keff, neutron flux, fission energy, heating, and depleted Am were calculated. The three-dimensional (3-D) modeling of the designed BWR system was performed by using MCNPX-2.7. 0 Monte Carlo method and the ENDF/B-VII.0 nuclear data library.
The Mechanisms Leading to Distinct Responses to PD-1/PD-L1 Blockades in Colorectal Cancers With Different MSI Statuses

Current clinical studies showed distinct therapeutic outcomes, in which CRC patients with mismatch repair-deficient (dMMR)/microsatellite instability high (MSI-H) seem to be relatively more “sensitive” in response to anti-programmed death-1 receptor (PD-1)/programmed death-1 receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) therapy than those with mismatch repair-proficient (pMMR)/microsatellite instability-low (MSI-L). The mechanisms by which the same PD-1/PD-L1 blockades lead to two distinct therapeutic responses in CRC patients with different MSI statuses remain poorly understood and become a topic of great interest in both basic research and clinical practice. In this review of the potential mechanisms for the distinct response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockades between dMMR/MSI-H CRCs and pMMR/MSI-L CRCs, relevant references were electronically searched and collected from databases PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google scholar. Sixty-eight articles with full text and 10 articles by reference-cross search were included for final analysis after eligibility selection according to the guidelines of PRISMA. Analysis revealed that multiple factors e.g. tumor mutation burden, immune cell densities and types in the tumor microenvironment, expression levels of PD-1/PD-L1 and cytokines are potential determinants of such distinct response to PD-1/PD-L1 blockades in CRC patients with different MSI statuses which might help clinicians to select candidates for anti-PD-1/PD-L1 therapy and improve therapeutic response in patients with CRC.
Human Cytomegalovirus miR-US33as-5p Targets IFNAR1 to Achieve Immune Evasion During Both Lytic and Latent Infection

As the first line of antiviral defense, type I interferon (IFN) binds IFN receptor 1 (IFNAR1) and IFNAR2 to activate the Jak-STAT signal transduction pathway, producing IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) to control viral infection. The mechanisms by which human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) counteracts the IFN pathway are only partially defined. We show that miR-US33as-5p encoded by HCMV is expressed in both lytic and latent infection. By analysis with RNA hybrid and screening with luciferase reporter assays, we identified IFNAR1 as a target of hcmv-miR-US33as-5p, which was further verified by examining the expression of two IFNAR1 mutants and the binding of IFNAR1 to miR-US33as-5p/miR-US33as-5p-M1/miR-US33as-5p-M2. We found that after the transfection of miR-US33as-5p mimics into different cell lines, the phosphorylation of downstream proteins and ISG expression were downregulated. Immunofluorescence showed that the miR-US33as-5p mimics also inhibited STAT1 translocation into the nucleus. Furthermore, we constructed HCMV with mutant miR-US33as-5p and determined that the mutation did not affect HCMV replication. We found that MRC-5/human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) cells infected with ΔmiRNA HCMV exhibited higher IFNAR1 and ISG expression and a reduced viral load in the presence of exogenous IFN than cells infected with WT HCMV did, confirming that the knockout of miR-US33as-5p impaired viral resistance to IFN. Finally, we tested the effect of ΔmiRNA HCMV on THP-1 and d-THP-1 cells, common in vitro models of latent infection and reactivation, respectively. Again, we found that cells infected with ΔmiRNA HCMV showed a reduced viral load in the presence of IFN than the control cells did, confirming that miR-US33as-5p also affects IFN resistance during both latency and reactivation. These results indicate a new microRNA (miRNA)-based immune evasion mechanism employed by HCMV to achieve lifelong infection.