Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Threat Modeling for Machine Learning-Based Network Intrusion Detection Systems

Network Intrusion Detection Systems (NIDS) monitor networking environments for suspicious events that could compromise the availability, integrity, or confidentiality of the network’s resources. To ensure NIDSs play their vital roles, it is necessary to identify how they can be attacked by adopting a viewpoint similar to the adversary to identify vulnerabilities and defenses hiatus. Accordingly, effective countermeasures can be designed to thwart any potential attacks. Machine learning (ML) approaches have been adopted widely for network anomaly detection. However, it has been found that ML models are vulnerable to adversarial attacks. In such attacks, subtle perturbations are inserted to the original inputs at inference time in order to evade the classifier detection or at training time to degrade its performance. Yet, modeling adversarial attacks and the associated threats of employing the machine learning approaches for NIDSs was not addressed. One of the growing challenges is to avoid ML-based systems’ diversity and ensure their security and trust. In this paper, we conduct threat modeling for ML-based NIDS using STRIDE and Attack Tree approaches to identify the potential threats on different levels. We model the threats that can be potentially realized by exploiting vulnerabilities in ML algorithms through a simplified structural attack tree. To provide holistic threat modeling, we apply the STRIDE method to systems’ data flow to uncover further technical threats. Our models revealed a noticing of 46 possible threats to consider. These presented models can help to understand the different ways that a ML-based NIDS can be attacked; hence, hardening measures can be developed to prevent these potential attacks from achieving their goals.
The impact of product descriptions on customers’ trust in sellers and purchase intention

A key issue is how to help buyers and sellers build a trusting relationship with each other on e-commerce platforms. In this regard, researchers have been interested in addressing the information asymmetry between buyers and sellers. This study focuses on figure products often sold at higher than original prices and whether the signals hidden in sellers’ presentations of such products can alleviate this information asymmetry. To this end, we use text analysis and logic models to discover new signals that can reduce information asymmetry, and the effect of the signals varies with price. Such findings may have managerial implications for platform owners, helping them to maintain better buyer-seller relationships and increase trust in the platform.
Autophagy as a Therapeutic Target for Chronic Kidney Disease and the Roles of TGF-β1 in Autophagy and Kidney Fibrosis

Autophagy is a lysosomal protein degradation system that eliminates cytoplasmic components such as protein aggregates, damaged organelles, and even invading pathogens. Autophagy is an evolutionarily conserved homoeostatic strategy for cell survival in stressful conditions and has been linked to a variety of biological processes and disorders. It is vital for the homeostasis and survival of renal cells such as podocytes and tubular epithelial cells, as well as immune cells in the healthy kidney. Autophagy activation protects renal cells under stressed conditions, whereas autophagy deficiency increases the vulnerability of the kidney to injury, resulting in several aberrant processes that ultimately lead to renal failure. Renal fibrosis is a condition that, if chronic, will progress to end-stage kidney disease, which at this point is incurable. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is linked to significant alterations in cell signaling such as the activation of the pleiotropic cytokine transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). While the expression of TGF-β1 can promote fibrogenesis, it can also activate autophagy, which suppresses renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Autophagy has a complex variety of impacts depending on the context, cell types, and pathological circumstances, and can be profibrotic or antifibrotic. Induction of autophagy in tubular cells, particularly in the proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) protects cells against stresses such as proteinuria-induced apoptosis and ischemia-induced acute kidney injury (AKI), whereas the loss of autophagy in renal cells scores a significant increase in sensitivity to several renal diseases. In this review, we discuss new findings that emphasize the various functions of TGF-β1 in producing not just renal fibrosis but also the beneficial TGF-β1 signaling mechanisms in autophagy.
Lasting Bonds: Understanding Wearer-Clothing Relationships through Interpersonal Love-Theory

Abstract To tackle the high rates of textile waste in the fashion industry through design, it is imperative to understand what makes people keep and wear their clothes for longer. In this paper, we present an analysis of a survey which prompted female participants to write about one of their oldest garments still in use. Following Chapman’s notion that waste is symptomatic of failed relationships, we looked into theory on interpersonal love relationships—in particular, Gottman and Gottman’s Sound Relationship House Theory—to explore if interpersonal relationship traits can be identified in satisfactory long wearer-clothing relationships. Our study shows that principles of happy, lasting interpersonal relationships can be found in wearer-clothing relationships. Moreover, the study shows how friendship principles contribute to wearers’ willingness to overcome conflict in their relationship with clothes, as well as to the creation of meaning. Our findings suggest that designing for emotional attachment should focus on supporting the friendship system, which is foundational for emotional attachment to develop. We illustrate our findings with empirical data and discuss them with relevant literature, while also providing examples on how design can contribute to strengthening the friendship system of wearer-clothing relationships, beyond designed attributes in clothes.
Asymptotic matching of plasma and sheath in an active low pressure discharge

The method of matched asymptotic expansions is applied to the fluid model of the low-pressure positive column. The expansion of the eigenvalue in the plasma balance equation is obtained to second order in plane and in cylindrical geometry, and uniformly valid expressions for charged particle densities and fluid velocity in two separate regions are indicated. The free-fall model is also examined and the scales of the transition layer and sheath layer found. Comparison is made with the results of direct numerical integration of the equations involved for both models.
Impacts of Organic Ice Condensation on the Optical Properties of Haze on Pluto

The flyby of the New Horizons spacecraft in 2015 July revealed an unexpected cold atmosphere of Pluto and confirmed the existence of its atmospheric haze. The observed and simulated vertical profiles of chemical species and microphysical processes suggest that the haze particles in Pluto’s middle and lower atmosphere may contain organic ice condensation. Such organic ice components can potentially affect Pluto’s haze chemistry and optical properties, as well as its energy budget. This study investigates the influence of the ice components on the scattering properties of Pluto’s haze by comparing New Horizons observations and simulated particle scattering properties. Comprehensive tests are performed for various haze particle parameters, including their size, chemical component, ice content, and morphology. Scattering properties of these ice-bearing haze particles are calculated by a discrete dipole approximation method and compared to multispectral observations obtained by four New Horizons instruments in spectral regions ranging from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared. The results indicate that the inclusion of the organic ice component leads to higher ratios of backscattering in the visible to extinction in the ultraviolet and provides better agreement with observations compared to monodispersed homogeneous aggregates. But it alone is not sufficient to explain the observed forward scattering values in the visible and near-infrared. Therefore, other scattering sources and/or mechanisms are still required to explain the full set of scattering observations. Further observations, as well as laboratory measurements and numerical tests, are anticipated to improve our understanding of the morphology and ice content of Pluto’s haze.
Spatiotemporal transmission of SARS-CoV-2 lineages during 2020-2021 in Pernambuco - Brazil

In recent years, the SARS-CoV-2 viruses emerged and spread around the world, leaving a large death toll and long-lasting impact on survivors. As of January 2023, Brazil is still among the countries with the highest number of registered deaths. This continental-size and pluralistic country experienced a heterogenous implementation of non-pharmacological and pharmacological interventions which, associated with large socioeconomic differences between the country regions, has led to distinct virus spread dynamics across the country. Here we investigate the spatiotemporal dispersion of emerging SARS-CoV-2 lineages and its dynamics in distinct epidemiological scenarios in the first two years of the pandemics in the Pernambuco state (Northeast Brazil). We generated a total of 1389 new SARS-CoV-2 genomes from June 2020 to August 2021 covering all major regions of the state. This sampling captured the arrival, communitary transmission and the circulation of the B1.1, B.1. 1.28 and B.1. 1.33 lineages in the first eight months of the pandemics, the emergence of the former variant of interest P.2 and the emergence and fast replacement of all previous variants by the more transmissible variant of concern P.1 (Gamma) lineage. Based on the incidence and lineage spread pattern we observed that there was an East-to-West to inner state pattern of transmission which is in agreement with the transmission of more populous metropolitan areas to medium and small size country-side cities in the state. Such transmission patterns may be partially explained by the main routes of traffic across municipalities in the state. Nevertheless, inter-state traffic was also another important source of lineage introduction and spread into the state. Our results highlight that the fine grained intrastate analysis of lineages and incidence spread can provide actionable insights for planning future non-pharmacological intervention for air-borne transmissible human pathogens.
An LMI Approach to State Feedback H∞ Control for Switched Singular Linear Systems

In this paper, the problems of state feedback control for a class of switched singular linear systems are investigated. By constructing a novel switched Lyapunov functional and convex combinations techniques, a sufficient condition established in terms of strict linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) is presented such that the system is asymptotically stable and satisfies performance. An explicit expression for the state feedback stabilization sub-controller and switching rule are designed. The merits of the proposed criteria lie in their less conservativeness and relative simplicity, in which the closed-loop system satisfies performance at each point in whole state-space through switching, although each sub-system doesn’t satisfy the performance and even is not asymptotically stable. A numerical example is provided to illustrate the validity of the proposed methods.
Bioinformatics and system biology approach to identify the influences of COVID-19 on metabolic unhealthy obese patients

Objective: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has posed a significant challenge to health of individual. Increasing evidence shows that patients with metabolic unhealthy obesity (MUO) and COVID19 have severer complications and higher mortality rate. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the association between MUO and COVID19 are poorly understood. We sought to implement transcriptomic analysis using bioinformatics and systems biology analysis approaches. Methods: Here, two datasets (GSE196822 and GSE152991) were employed to extract differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to identify common hub genes, shared pathways and candidate drugs and construct a gene disease network. Results: Based on the identified 65 common DEGs, the results revealed hub genes and essential modules. Moreover, common associations between MUO and COVID-19 were found. Transcription factors (TFs) and genes interaction, protein and drug interactions, and DEGs and miRNAs coregulatory network were identified. Furthermore, the gene-disease association were obtained and constructed. Conclusions: The shared pathogenic pathways are noted worth paying attention to. Several genes are highlighted as critical targets for developing treatments for and investigating the complications of COVID19 and MUO. Additionally, multiple genes are identified as promising biomarkers. We think this result of the study may help in selecting and inventing future treatments that can combat COVID-19 and MUO.
Drag on vertical sill of forced jump

As a basis for designing a forced-hydraulic-jump-type stilling basin, the pressure magnitude on the upstream and downstream faces of a continuous-vertical sill has been investigated experimentally, and the nature of the pressure distribution on the faces of the sill has been discussed. Furthermore, an experimental formula for the drag force acting on the sill has been proposed considering the characteristics of the flow condition over the sill.
Contactless, autonomous robotic alignment of optical coherence tomography for in vivo evaluation of diseased retinas

During the COVID-19 pandemic, an emphasis was placed on contactless, physical distancing and improved telehealth; contrariwise, standard-of-care ophthalmic imaging of patients required present, trained personnel. Here, we introduce contactless, autonomous robotic alignment of optical coherence tomography (RAOCT) for in vivo imaging of retinal disease and compare measured retinal thickness and diagnostic readability to technician operated clinical OCT. In a powered study, we found no statistically significant difference in retinal thickness in both healthy and diseased retinas (p > 0.7) or across a variety of demographics (gender, race, and age) between RAOCT and clinical OCT. In a secondary study, a retina specialist labeled a given volume as normal/abnormal. Compared to the clinical diagnostic label, sensitivity/specificity for RAOCT were equal or improved over clinical OCT. Contactless, autonomous RAOCT, that improves upon current clinical OCT, could play a role in both ophthalmic care and non-ophthalmic settings that would benefit from improved eye care.
Conditions for random and periodic hole formations during surface ablation of silicon with ultrashort pulsed lasers

The formation of randomly distributed or periodic holes with a depth of several μm can be observed during the ablation of silicon with ultrafast lasers. In order to investigate the conditions for these hole formations, Si wafers with a thickness of 525 μm were ablated using a 380-fs laser at a wavelength of 520 nm. The surface was scanned parallel and perpendicular to the polarization of the laser beam with different fluences and numbers of scans. The ablated surfaces were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Their roughness was measured using confocal microscopy. At a fluences of 1.4 J/cm2, laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) orientate parallel to the polarization and periodic holes appear in the furrows independently of the polarization. At 4.3 J/cm2, LIPPS can be suppressed and the hole formation is reduced, if the polarization is perpendicular to the scan direction. The surface roughness reduces by a factor of 2. At 14.1 J/cm2, the formation of LIPPS is suppressed independently of the polarization, but the surface roughness increases again due to the increasing amount and size of melt ejections. The analysis of the surface suggests that random stacking of melt ejections creates bumps and holes. The depth of the holes increases with the number of scans. In this way, first random and then—with increasing number of scans—periodic holes appear. This effect can be enhanced by creating LIPPS.
Associations of Plastic Bottle Exposure with Infant Fecal Microbiota, Short-Chain Fatty Acids, and Growth

Background Plastic exposures have been shown to impact the microbiome, metabolism and growth of animals. However, no human studies have examined how plastic exposures are associated with fecal microbiota, microbial metabolites, or growth. Here we examine the association of plastic bottle feeding with infant fecal microbiota, microbial short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolites, and anthropometry in the first year of life. Methods 462 infants from the prospective Nurture Birth Cohort were included to examine frequency of plastic bottle feeding (every feeding vs. less than every feeding) at 3 months with anthropometric outcomes (skinfolds, length-for-age, and weight-for-length) at 1 year. A subset of 64 and 67 infants were included in analyses examining the fecal microbiota and fecal SCFAs, respectively. Microbial taxa were measured by 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V4 region and SCFA concentrations were quantified using gas chromatography at 3 and 12 months of age. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, less frequent plastic bottle use was associated with lower fecal microbiota alpha Shannon diversity at 3 months (mean difference for plastic bottle used less than every feeding vs. every feeding = −0.53, 95% CI: −0.90, −0.17, p < 0.01) and lower propionic acid concentration at 3 months (mean log + 1 difference for plastic bottle used every feeding vs. less than every feeding = −0.53, 95% CI: −1.00, −0.06, p = 0.03). Furthermore, compared to infants who used plastic bottle at every feeding, infants who were plastic bottle-fed less frequently (1 −3 times/day) at 3 months had significantly lower length-for-age z-scores at 12 months (mean difference= −0.40, 95% CI: −0.72, −0.07, p = 0.016). Conclusion Plastic bottle exposure may impact early infant gut microbiota and microbial SCFAs, which may in turn affect growth.
Novel noncanonical splice site variant causes mild CHD7‐related disorder with variable intrafamilial expressivity

The clinical diagnosis criteria for CHARGE syndrome have been revised several times in the last 25 years. Variable expressivity and reduced penetrance are known, particularly in mild and familial cases. Therefore, it has been proposed to include the detection of a pathogenic CHD7 variant as a major diagnostic criterion. However, intronic variants not located at the canonical splice site are still underrepresented in mutation databases, often because functional analysis is not performed in the diagnostic setting. Here, we report a two‐generation family that did not meet the criteria for CHARGE syndrome, until the molecular findings were taken into account. By exome sequencing, we detected an intronic variant in a male individual, who presented with unilateral external ear malformation, bilateral semicircular canal aplasia, polydactyly, vertebral body fusion and a heart defect. The variant was inherited by his mother, who also had bilateral semicircular canal aplasia additionally to unilateral sensorineural hearing impairment, unilateral mandibular palpebral synkinesia, orofacial cleft, and dysphagia. Using RNA studies, we were able to demonstrate that aberrant splicing occurs at an upstream cryptic splice acceptor site, resulting in a frameshift and premature stop of translation. Our data show causality of the noncanonical intronic CHD7 variant and end the diagnostic odyssey of this unsolved phenotype of the family.
Multicenter, retrospective, cohort study shows platelet counts predict hepatocellular carcinoma development in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Impacts of platelet counts at the time of liver biopsy on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of platelet counts in patients with biopsy‐confirmed NAFLD using data from a multicenter study.
Factors associated with frequent or daily use of prescription opioids among adults with chronic pain in the United States

Objectives We aimed to estimate utilization rates of prescription opioids among adults with chronic pain in the United States (US) and identify factors associated with the frequent or daily use of prescription opioids. Methods This was a case–control analysis of the 2019 National Health Interview Survey of adults. Results Over 50.2 million adults in the US reported chronic pain in the past 3 months, but only 10.5% of this group said they used prescription opioids frequently or daily to manage their pain. Adults with chronic pain were significantly more likely to use opioids if they had incomes below the federal poverty level (15.7%), relied on public health insurance (14.8%), had been hospitalized in the past year (17.8%), or rated their health as fair or poor (18.4%). The highest rates of opioid use were reported among adults with severe (24.4%) or moderate disability (18.9%). Conclusions Approximately 5.3 million adults use prescription opioids frequently or daily to manage chronic pain. These individuals should receive regular clinical assistance to manage their pain, including medication management and, when appropriate, referral to evidence-based treatment programs for opioid use disorder.
Malassezia restricta promotes alcohol-induced liver injury

Chronic alcohol consumption is associated with intestinal fungal dysbiosis, yet we understand little about how alterations of intestinal fungi (mycobiota) contribute to the pathogenesis of alcohol-associated liver disease. By reanalyzing internal transcribed spacer 2 amplicon sequencing of fecal samples from a cohort of 66 patients with alcohol use disorder for presence (as opposed to relative abundance) of fungal species, we observed that the presence of Malassezia restricta was associated with increased markers of liver injury. M. restricta exacerbates ethanol-induced liver injury both in acute binge and chronic ethanol-feeding models in mice. Using bone marrow chimeric mice, we found that the disease exacerbating effect by M. restricta was mediated by C-type lectin domain family 4, member N on bone marrow-derived cells. M. restricta induces inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in Kupffer cells through C-type lectin domain family 4, member N signaling. Targeting fungal pathobionts might be a therapeutic strategy for alcohol-associated liver disease.
Reproducible optical fiber tips for photon scanning tunneling microscopy with very small (<5/spl deg/) cone angle

Sharp optical fiber tips for photon scanning tunneling microscopes (PSTMs) have been fabricated by employing a new alternative technique for etching multimode optical fibers. The tip diameter is less than 30 mm, while the cone full-angle can be as sharp as 3/spl deg/. To the knowledge of the authors, such tips are the sharpest reported up to now. Measurements, with 19 tips, of the evanescent wave decay distance produced by frustrated reflection of light on a same sample, show good reproducibility. Furthermore, the PSTM images, taken with the new tips, are very sharp and fit with images of the same sample obtained with an atomic force microscope (AFM).