Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Adaptation to a Low Carbohydrate/High Fat Diet and Pre-Exercise Feeding on Exercise Endurance, Metabolism, and Cardiovascular Dynamics in Swine

Abstract : Field combat personnel may be required to sustain moderate intensity work loads for extended periods, while having to eat-on-the-run. The use of a low carbohydrate (7% of calories)/high fat (74% of calories) diet (LCD) has been suggested as a means of improving endurance during moderate intensity exercise. Little is known about the interactions between preexercise eating and its effects on mechanisms of cardiovascular and metabolic control. A series of experiments were performed to establish a basis for manipulation of the metabolic system to improve exercise performance. Preexercise feeding resulted in reduced skeletal and cardiac muscle blood flows at identical exercise intensities in spite of an increased cardiac output needed for the digestive process. The finding of reduced myocardial blood flow, accompanying the increased blood flow demands for the digestive process during exercise has implications related to the occurrence of postprandial angina in man. The interactions between adaptation to a LCD and preexercise eating have potential application to enhancing performance of combat personnel. The interrelationships among these and other variables are briefly discusses.
MTA-KDD'19: A Dataset for Malware Traffic Detection

In the present paper we describe a new, updated and reﬁned dataset speciﬁcally tailored to train and evaluate machine learning based malware traﬃc analysis algorithms. To generate it, we started from the largest databases of network traﬃc captures available online, deriving a dataset with a set of widely-applicable features and then cleaning and preprocessing it to remove noise, handle missing data and keep its size as small as possible. The resulting dataset is not biased by any speciﬁc application (although speciﬁcally addressed to machine learning algorithms), and the entire process can run automatically to keep it updated.
Auto-scaling Policies to Adapt the Application Deployment in Kubernetes

The ever increasing diﬀusion of computing devices enables a new generation of containerized applications that operate in a distributed cloud environment. Moreover, the dynamism of working conditions calls for an elastic application deployment, which can adapt to changing workloads. Despite this, most of the existing orchestration tools, such as Kubernetes, include best-eﬀort threshold-based scaling policies whose tuning could be cumbersome and application dependent. In this paper, we compare the default threshold-based scaling policy of Kubernetes against our model-based reinforcement learning policy. Our solution learns a suitable scaling policy from the experience so to meet Quality of Service requirements expressed in terms of average response time. Using prototype-based experiments, we show the beneﬁts and ﬂexibility of our reinforcement learning policy with respect to the default Kubernetes scaling solution.
A Symbol-level Melody Completion Based on a Convolutional Neural Network with Generative Adversarial Learning

In this paper, we deal with melody completion, a technique which smoothly completes partially-masked melodies. Melody completion can be used to help people compose or arrange pieces of music in several ways, such as editing existing melodies or connecting two other melodies. In recent years, various methods have been proposed for realizing high-quality completion via neural networks. Therefore, in this research, we examine a method of melody completion based on an image completion network. We represent melodies as images and train a completion network to complete those images. The completion network consists of convolution layers and is trained in the framework of generative adversarial networks. We also consider chord progression from musical pieces as conditions. From the experimental result, it was confirmed that the network could generate original melody as a completion result and the quality of the generated melody was not significantly worse than the result of a simple example-based melody completion method.
Hardware Security, Vulnerabilities, and Attacks: A Comprehensive Taxonomy

Information Systems, increasingly present in a world that goes towards complete dig-italisation, can be seen as complex systems at the base of which is the hardware. When dealing with the security of these systems to stop possible intrusions and malicious uses, the analysis must necessarily include the possible vulnerabilities that can be found at the hardware level, since their exploitation can make all defences implemented at web or software level ineﬀective. In this paper, we propose a meaningful and comprehensive taxonomy for the vulnerabilities aﬀecting the hardware and the attacks that exploit them to compromise the system, also giving a deﬁnition of Hardware Security, in order to clarify a concept often confused with other domains, even in the literature.
S-AVE: Semantic Active Vision Exploration and Mapping of Indoor Environments for Mobile Robots

Semantic mapping is fundamental to enable cognition and high-level planning in robotics. It is a difﬁcult task due to generalization to different scenarios and sensory data types. Hence, most techniques do not obtain a rich and accurate semantic map of the environment and of the objects therein. To tackle this issue we present a novel approach that exploits active vision and drives environment exploration aiming at improving the quality of the semantic map.
Impact of grazing intensities on reproduction patterns of elm trees (Ulmus pumila) in degraded sandy lands in China

The effect of grazing on patterns of reproduction in trees has been little reported. We explored the effects of grazing intensities on reproductive growth, allocation patterns, and duration in elm trees (Ulmus pumila L.) at the Horqin Sandy Land, a degraded area in northern China. Current-year shoots were selected from branches and harvested from individual elm trees subjected to one of four grazing intensities (heavy, moderate, light, and no grazing). Shoots, flower buds, flowers, seeds, leaf buds, and leaves were collected, dried, and weighed. Results showed that the biomass in heavy, moderate and light grazing treatments is significantly higher than in no grazing treatment (P < 0.05). The reproductive allocation of U. pumila in heavy grazing treatment was significantly higher from that in the no grazing treatment (P < 0.05). Additionally, we found that reproduction of U. pumila ended later in grazed plots, suggesting the duration of reproduction is extended with grazing disturbance. Our findings suggest that U. pumila may prolong it s duration of reproduction and alter its reproductive biomass in response to grazing. It is not clear whether these effects are related to damage to U. pumila trees by grazers or whether they are due to grazers affecting soil properties or plant competitors around U. pumila trees.
Laboratory toxicity of insecticide residues to Orius insidiosus and Geocoris punctipes.

Adults obtained from laboratory cultures of the insidious flower bug, Orius insidiosus (Say), and big-eyed bug, Geocoris punctipes (Say) were exposed to ten insecticides, including three newer insecticides with novel modes of action, using a residual insecticide bioassay. There was considerable variation in response among both species tested to the insecticides. Spinosad was less toxic than other insecticides tested on both species.
Cypripedium subtropicum (Orchidaceae) employs aphid colony mimicry to attract hoverfly (Syrphidae) pollinators.

In Orchidaceae, pollination is mostly animal-mediated, and one-third of species have evolved a deceptive pollination mechanism without rewards. Cypripedium is a representative lineage of non-rewarding orchids restricted to temperate regions. Cypripedium subtropicum flowers are pollinated by hoverflies and have hairy tufts that visually resemble an aphid colony covered with honey dew. We recorded the behaviour of hoverflies on the flowers, determined the breeding system of the species and the structure of hairy tufts, and investigated the roles of hairy tufts and floral volatiles in this specialized pollination by using pollination experiments, scanning electron microscopy, bioassays and chemical analyses. The white hairy tufts covering the sidelobes of labellum provide edible rewards and serve as crucial visual lures for hoverflies. The flowers emit primarily (E)-β-farnesene and a smaller amount of β-pinene that were found to attract hoverflies. Our results suggest that C. subtropicum uses both visual mimicry of an aphid-colonized labellum with a reward and chemical mimicry of aphid alarm pheromones to attract hoverflies for pollination. This is the first example that a rewarding mimicry system in plants is described, where the models are animals with their secretions and the reward is similar in nutrients as the reward of the model mimicked.
Corticolimbic brain anomalies are associated with cognitive subtypes in psychosis: A longitudinal study

Abstract Background. Earlier studies examining structural brain abnormalities associated with cognitively derived subgroups were mainly cross-sectional in design and had mixed findings. Thus, we obtained cross-sectional and longitudinal data to characterize the extent and trajectory of brain structure abnormalities underlying distinct cognitive subtypes (“preserved,” “deteriorated,” and “compromised”) seen in psychotic spectrum disorders. Methods. Data from 364 subjects (225 patients with psychotic conditions and 139 healthy controls) were first used to determine the relationship of cognitive subtypes with cross-sectional measures of subcortical volume and cortical thickness. To probe neurodevelopmental abnormalities, brain structure laterality was examined. To examine whether neuroprogressive abnormalities persist, longitudinal brain structural changes over 5 years were examined within a subset of 101 subjects. Subsequent discriminant analysis using the identified brain measures was performed on an independent subject group. Results. Cross-sectional comparisons showed that cortical thinning and limbic volume reductions were most widespread in “deteriorated” cognitive subtype. Laterality comparisons showed more rightward amygdala lateralization in “compromised” than “preserved” subtype. Longitudinal comparisons revealed progressive hippocampal shrinkage in “deteriorated” compared with healthy controls and “preserved” subtype, which correlated with worse negative symptoms, cognitive and psychosocial functioning. Post-hoc discrimination analysis on an independent group of 52 subjects using the identified brain structures found an overall accuracy of 71% for classification of cognitive subtypes. Conclusion. These findings point toward distinct extent and trajectory of corticolimbic abnormalities associated with cognitive subtypes in psychosis, which can allow further understanding of the biological course of cognitive functioning over illness course and with treatment.
Reaction targets of antioxidants in azo-initiator or lipid hydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation

Abstract Lipid peroxidation (LPO) is reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of several oxidative diseases, and several therapeutic approaches using antioxidants have been proposed. LPO is thought to progress via a complicated series of multistep reactions suggesting that the activity of each antioxidant may be different, and depends on the reacting molecules. Hence, in this study, we evaluated the inhibitory mechanisms of several antioxidants toward arachidonic acid (AA) peroxidation induced by the azo initiator 2,2’-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) or a lipid hydroperoxide, hydroperoxyoctadecadienoic acid (HpODE)/hemin. Edaravone, ferrostatin-1, TEMPO and trolox effectively inhibited the production of malondialdehyde (MDA) and several oxidised AAs generated in the AAPH-induced LPO because of their scavenging ability toward lipid peroxyl radicals. In contrast, ebselen and ferrostatin-1 showed strong antioxidative activity in the HpODE/hemin-induced peroxidation. Under this condition, ebselen and ferrostatin-1 were thought to reduce HpODE and its derived alkoxyl radicals to the corresponding lipid alcohols. In conclusion, we found that each antioxidant had different antioxidative activities that prevented the progression of LPO. We expect that these findings will contribute to the design of novel therapeutic strategies using an appropriate antioxidant targeted to each step of the development of oxidative stress diseases.
Delignification and Ionic Liquid Treatment of Wood toward Multifunctional High-Performance Structural Materials

Wood-based multifunctional materials with excellent mechanical performance are increasingly considered for sustainable advanced applications due to their unique hierarchical structure and inherent reinforcing cellulose phase orientation. Nonetheless, a wider multipurpose utilization of wood materials is so far hampered because of constraints arising from scalable functionalization, efficient processing, facile shaping as well asnatural heterogeneity and durability. This study introduces a multifunctional all-wood material fabrication method relying on delignification, ionic liquid (IL) treatment, and pressure-assisted consolidation of wood. Structure-retaining controlled delignification of wood was performed to enable direct access to the hierarchical cellulose assembly, while preserving the highly aligned and thus beneficial wood structural directionality. As a following step, the obtained biobased scaffold with an increased porosity was infiltrated with an IL and heat-activated to partially dissolve and soften the cellulose fiber surface. Samples washed with water to remove IL exhibited pronounced isotropic flexibility, which upon combined compression and lateral shear allowed the fabrication of various 3D shapes with adjustable fiber architecture. The obtained very compact and totally additive-free all-wood materials were extensively characterized, revealing superior mechanical performance, and gained multifunctionality compared to native wood.
Rapid diffusion-weighted MRI for the investigation of recurrent temporal bone cholesteatoma

Background Suspected cholesteatoma recurrence is commonly investigated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the temporal bone. Non-echo planar diffusion-weighted imaging (non-EP DWI) has become the sequence of choice. Purpose To assess the agreement between an MRI protocol incorporating both non-EP DWI and contrast-enhanced sequences, and a shortened protocol without contrast-enhanced sequences in the assessment of suspected cholesteatoma recurrence. Materials and methods One hundred consecutive MRIs, consisting of T2-weighted, non-EP DWI and pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted sequences, were reviewed by two radiologists at a tertiary referral centre. Agreement between the two protocols was assessment by means of a weighted Cohen kappa coefficient. Results We found a near perfect agreement between the two protocols (kappa coefficient with linear weighting 0.98; 95% confidence interval 0.95–1.00). There were two cases in which the two protocols were discordant. In both cases, the lesion measured <3 mm and images were degraded by artefact at the bone–air interface. The shortened protocol without post-contrast sequences yielded a 32% reduction in acquisition time. Conclusion When non-EP DWI is available, contrast-enhanced sequences can be omitted in the vast majority of cases without compromising diagnostic accuracy. Contrast-enhanced sequences may provide additional value in equivocal cases with small (<3 mm) lesions or in cases where images are degraded by artefact.
Cognition in Successful Aging: Systematic Review and Future Directions

ABSTRACT Objectives: To characterize the inclusion of cognition in definitions of successful aging (SA) according to empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Methods: A systematic review across ISI Web of Knowledge. Results: Of the 74 included studies, there were 65 studies (87.8%) analyzing cognition as one component of multicomponent SA model (cognitive component studies), and 9 studies (12.2%) focusing solely on successful cognitive aging (SCA studies). Most of the studies operationalized cognition in SA by defining SA group and analyzing single SA indicators. A minority of the studies calculated the SA index. Finally, emergent techniques to operationalize SA as a latent variable and emergent field of cognition in SA in pathology were identified. Conclusions: The results highlight that cognition is being included in SA using different levels of complexity. Even though research investigating SA in pathology is emerging, there is currently a lack of utilization of the concept in pathological and at-risk populations. Clinical implications: The current research of cognition in SA provides several valid options to evaluate if a person is aging successfully. The emerging research indicates that people from at-risk and pathological populations can age successfully.
Association of sedentary and physical activity time with maximal fat oxidation during exercise in sedentary adults

The present work examines the relationships of objectively measured sedentary time and physical activity (PA) with maximal fat oxidation during exercise (MFO) and the intensity of exercise that elicits MFO (Fatmax), in young and middle‐aged men and women. A total of 121 young sedentary adults (81 women, age 22.1 ± 2.1 years, body mass index 25.2 ± 4.9 kg/m2) and 70 middle‐aged sedentary adults (36 women, age 53.4 ± 4.9 years, body mass index 26.8 ± 3.8 kg/m2) participated in this cross‐sectional study. PA was objectively assessed using a wrist‐worn accelerometer for 7 consecutive days. Wrist accelerations were classified into sedentary time and PA of different intensity (light, moderate, vigorous, moderate‐vigorous), taking into account age‐specific cut‐offs. MFO and Fatmax were determined for all subjects by indirect calorimetry, using a walking graded exercise test. No association was found between any of the sedentary time‐related variables and MFO (all P ≥ .05). However, several sedentary time‐related variables were related to FATmax in young men and women (all P ≤ .04). A positive relationship was also detected between PA and MFO in young and middle‐aged women (P ≤ .05), although this became non‐significant after adjustment for cardiorespiratory fitness (P > .05). The present results suggest that, depending on the characteristics of the study cohort, sedentary time, and PA time may be related to MFO and FATmax during exercise. Future longitudinal and intervention studies are warranted to better understand the role of sedentary time and PA in metabolic flexibility during exercise.
Perceptions of Facilitators and Barriers to Measuring and Improving Quality in Palliative Care Programs

Objective: To examine perceptions of facilitators and barriers to quality measurement and improvement in palliative care programs and differences by professional and leadership roles. Methods: We surveyed team members in diverse US and Canadian palliative care programs using a validated survey addressing teamwork and communication and constructs for educational support and training, leadership, infrastructure, and prioritization for quality measurement and improvement. We defined key facilitators as constructs rated ≥4 (agree) and key barriers as those ≤3 (disagree) on 1 to 5 scales. We conducted multivariable linear regressions for associations between key facilitators and barriers and (1) professional and (2) leadership roles, controlling for key program and respondent factors and clustering by program. Results: We surveyed 103 respondents in 11 programs; 45.6% were physicians and 50% had leadership roles. Key facilitators across sites included teamwork, communication, the implementation climate (or environment), and program focus on quality improvement. Key barriers included educational support and incentives, particularly for quality measurement, and quality improvement infrastructure such as strategies, systems, and skilled staff. In multivariable analyses, perceptions did not differ by leadership role, but physicians and nurse practitioners/nurses/physician assistants rated most constructs statistically significantly more negatively than other team members, especially for quality improvement (6 of the 7 key constructs). Conclusions: Although participants rated quality improvement focus and environment highly, key barriers included lack of infrastructure, especially for quality measurement. Building on these facilitators and measuring and addressing these barriers might help programs enhance palliative care quality initiatives’ acceptability, particularly for physicians and nurses.
Comparison of load-velocity relationships in two bench press variations: weight stack machine vs Smith machine

ABSTRACT Performing the bench-press (BP) exercise in a weight stack machine (WSM) is a common practice. However, no previous studies have analysed the load-velocity relationship in this BP variant. The purpose of this study was 1) to investigate the load-velocity relationship during BP exercise using a WSM; and 2) to compare the load-velocity relationship in this exercise in two conditions: WSM vs. Smith machine (SM). Twenty-six young men performed a BP progressive loading test to determine their one-repetition maximum and load-velocity relationship using a WSM. Additionally, 19 participants performed two progressive loading tests (WSM and SM). A high relationship was found between the relative load (%1RM) and mean propulsive velocity (MPV) (R2 = 0.97; SEE = 0.07 m/s) in the WSM. Moreover, significant differences were observed (p <.05) in the MPV values attained in every %1RM in WSM and SM from 30 to 75% 1RM. The close relationship between the MPV values and the %1RM in BP exercise using a WSM enables coaches to use the MPV to accurately monitor their athletes on a daily basis. The differences observed between WSM and SM in the %1RM and their respective MPVs indicate that different equations must be used for each exercise mode.
Sucrose starvation induces the degradation of proteins in trans-Golgi network and secretory vesicle cluster in tobacco BY-2 cells

ABSTRACT Endomembrane transport system begins at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), continues to the Golgi apparatus and subsequent compartment called trans-Golgi network (TGN). We found that SUT2, a tobacco sucrose-transporter ortholog and was localized in the TGN, decreased significantly under a sucrose-starvation condition. The tobacco SNARE protein SYP41, localized in the TGN and secretory vesicle cluster (SVC), also decreased under the starvation. Similarly, the SCAMP2-RFP fusion protein, which is localized in TGN, SVC, and plasma membrane (PM), was distributed solely in the PM under the starvation. Under the same starvation condition, protein secretion was not arrested but pectin deposition to cell wall was suppressed. These data indicated that the protein composition in TGN and existence of the SVC are regulated by sugar availability. Furthermore, our findings as well as the involvement of SVC in pectin secretion suggested that synthesis and transport of pectin are regulated by the level of extracellular sugars. Abbreviations ER: endoplasmic reticulum; GI-TGN: Golgi-released independent TGN; GFP: green fluorescent protein; mRFP: monomeric red fluorescent protein; P4H1.1: prolyl 4-hydroxylase 1.1; PM: plasma membrane; SCAMP2: secretory carrier membrane protein 2; SUT2: sucrose transporter 2; SVC: secretory vesicle cluster; SYP41: syntaxin of plant 41; TGN: trans-Golgi network; YFP: yellow fluorescent protein GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT Modulation of the turnover of endomembrane proteins and of the transport of macromolecules upon sucrose starvation in tobacco BY-2 cells