Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Evaluation to Classify Ransomware Variants based on Correlations between APIs

: Research into ransomware subspecies classification is ongoing in many organizations, but it is proving difficult to extract feature quantities from specimens and the accuracy achieved thus far remains unsatisfactory. In this paper, we propose a method to classify subspecies that using the correlation coefficient between API groups calculated by Application Programming Interfaces (API) frequencies as the Support Vector Machines’ (SVM) feature quantities. The motivation for using the correlation coefficient between API groups as the feature quantity is that different ransomware families have different behavior patterns that can be reflected by the correlation between API groups. Based on the results of an evaluation experiment, we found that the accuracy of the proposed method was 98%, proving that the subspecies were classified correctly. Otherwise, it is determined that the contribution of each API for classifying ransomware families is different via analysis of the contribution of API.
Topological Visualization Method for Understanding the Landscape of Value Functions and Structure of the State Space in Reinforcement Learning

: Reinforcement learning is a learning framework applied in various ﬁelds in which agents autonomously acquire control rules. Using this method, the designer constructs a state space and reward function and sets various parameters to obtain ideal performance. The actual performance of the agent depends on the design. Accordingly, a poor design causes poor performance. In that case, the designer needs to examine the cause of the poor performance; to do so, it is important for the designer to understand the current agent control rules. In the case where the state space is less than or equal to two dimensions, visualizing the landscape of the value function and the structure of the state space is the most powerful method to understand these rules. However, in other cases, there is no method for such a visualization. In this paper, we propose a method to visualize the landscape of the value function and the structure of the state space even when the state space has a high number of dimensions. Concretely, we employ topological data analysis for the visualization. We conﬁrm the effectiveness of the proposed method via several numerical experiments.
A Formal Approach for the Analysis of the XRP Ledger Consensus Protocol

: Distributed ledger technology is envisioned as one of the cornerstones of promising solutions for building the next generation of critical applications. However, there is still quite a bit of confusion and hype around the real security guarantees this technology offers. This is especially due to the fact that for the vast majority of existing blockchain-based consensus protocols it is really hard to ﬁnd sufﬁciently detailed documentation that fully captures their behavior. A number of recent papers have formalized the behavior of Bitcoin-like protocols in order to rigorously study the security and privacy properties of their underlying structure, but surprisingly very little work has been devoted to the formalization of distributed ledger systems using BFT-like approaches. In this work, we focus on XRP Ledger , better known as Ripple , and take the ﬁrst steps towards the complete formalization of its consensus protocol. To this end, we have investigated all the existing documentation and analyzed its source code. We present a formal description of its consensus protocol for every step. Furthermore, we provide an accurate view of its security guarantees in terms of safety and liveness and show how to increase the desired tolerance by changing the value of speciﬁc protocol parameters.
Balancing Selfishness and Efficiency in Mobile Ad-hoc Networks: An Agent-based Simulation

: We study wireless ad-hoc networks from an agent-based perspective. In our model agents with different strategies such as being selﬁsh, tit-for-tat or battery-based compete and cooperate. If only different levels of selﬁshness are allowed then being selﬁsh is clearly the dominant strategy. However, introduction of more advanced strategies allows to some extent to combat selﬁshness. In particular we present a battery-based approach and a hybrid of battery-based and tit-for-tat approaches. The ﬁndings give hope that the introduction of widely available ad-hoc networks might at some point be possible. Even when users are given full control of their devices, effective strategies allow for the networks overall to be effective and feasible.
Why are patients still in hospital after fast-track, unilateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Background and purpose — Previous studies have investigated risk factors related to prolonged length of stay following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), but little is known about specific factors resulting in continued hospitalization within the 1st postoperative days after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). We investigated what specific factors prevent patients from being discharged on the day of surgery (DOS) and the first postoperative day (POD-1) following primary UKA in a fast-track setting. Patients and methods — We prospectively collected data on 100 consecutive and unselected medial UKA patients operated from December 2017 to May 2019. All patients were operated in a standardized fast-track setup with functional discharge criteria continuously evaluated from DOS and until discharge. Results — Median length of stay for the entire cohort was 1 day. 22% and 78% of all patients were discharged on DOS and POD-1, respectively. Lack of mobilization and pain separately delayed discharge in respectively 78% and 24% of patients on DOS. The main reasons for lack of mobilization were motor blockade (37%) and logistical factors (26%). For patients placed 1st or 2nd on the operating list, we estimate that the same-day discharge rate would increase to 55% and 40% respectively, assuming that pain and mobilization were successfully managed. Interpretation — One-fifth of unselected UKA patients operated in a standardized fast-track setup were discharged on DOS. Pain and lack of mobilization were the major reasons for continued hospitalization within the initial postoperative 24–48 hours. Strategies aimed at decreasing length of stay after UKA should strive to improve analgesia and postoperative mobilization.
Further Optimization and Validation of the Classical Drude Polarizable Protein Force Field.

The CHARMM Drude-2013 polarizable force field (FF) was developed to include the explicit treatment of induced electronic polarizability, resulting in a more accurate description of the electrostatic interactions in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. While the Drude-2013 protein FF has shown success in improving the folding properties of α-helical peptides and to reproduce experimental observables in simulations up to 1 μs, some limitations were noted regarding the stability of β-sheet structures in simulations longer than 100 ns as well as larger deviations from crystal structures in simulations of a number of proteins compared to the additive CHARMM36 protein FF. The origin of the instability has been identified and appears to be primarily due to overestimated atomic polarizabilities and induced dipole-dipole interactions on the Cβ, Cγ and Cδ side chain atoms. To resolve this and other issues, a number of aspects of the model were re-visited, resulting in Drude-2019 protein FF. Backbone parameters were optimized targeting the conformational properties of the (Ala)5 peptide in solution along with gas phase properties of the alanine dipeptide. Dipeptides that contain N-acetylated and N'-methylamidated termini, excluding Gly, Pro and Ala, were used as models to optimize the atomic polarizabilities and Thole screening factors on selected Cβ, Cγ and Cδ carbons by targeting quantum mechanical (QM) dipole moments and molecular polarizabilities. In addition, to obtain better conformational properties, side chain χ1 and χ2 dihedral parameters were optimized targeting QM data for the respective side chain dipeptide conformations as well as PDB survey data based on the χ1, χ2 sampling from Hamiltonian replica-exchange MD simulations of (Ala)4-X-(Ala)4 in solution, where X is the amino acid of interest. Further improvements include optimizing nonbonded interactions between charged residues to reproduce QM interactions energies of the charged-protein model compounds and experimental osmotic pressures. Validation of the optimized Drude protein FF includes MD simulations of a collection of peptides and proteins including β-sheet structures, as well as transmembrane ion channels. Results showed that the updated Drude-2019 protein FF yields smaller overall RMS differences of proteins as compared to the additive CHARMM36m and Drude-2013 FFs as well as similar or improved agreement with experimental NMR properties, allowing for long timescale simulation studies of proteins and more complex biomolecular systems in conjunction with the remainder of the Drude polarizable FF.
Salivary Factors that Maintain the Normal Oral Commensal Microflora

The oral microbiome is one of the most stable ecosystems in the body and yet the reasons for this are still unclear. As well as being stable, it is also highly diverse which can be ascribed to the variety of niches available in the mouth. Previous studies have focused on the microflora in disease—either caries or periodontitis—and only recently have they considered factors that maintain the normal microflora. This has led to the perception that the microflora proliferate in nutrient-rich periods during oral processing of foods and drinks and starves in between times. In this review, evidence is presented which shows that the normal flora are maintained on a diet of salivary factors including urea, lactate, and salivary protein degradation. These factors are actively secreted by salivary glands which suggests these factors are important in maintaining normal commensals in the mouth. In addition, the immobilization of SIgA in the mucosal pellicle indicates a mechanism to retain certain bacteria that does not rely on the bacterial-centric mechanisms such as adhesins. By examining the salivary metabolome, it is clear that protein degradation is a key nutrient and the availability of free amino acids increases resistance to environmental stresses.
Caractérisation, dynamique et facteurs de contrôle des communautés bactériennes de biofilms de rivière

La structure de communautes bacteriennes de biofilms epilithiques a ete caracterisee par typage moleculaire d'une partie du gene codant pour la molecule d'ARNr 16S. Dans ces agregats phototrophes domines par des algues eucaryotes et des cyanobacteries, 51% des taxons que nous avons detectes etaient affilies au groupe des plastes et cyanobacteries, membres des Bacteria, et donc reveles par les amorces “universelles” utilisees. La methode de typage utilisee, la PCR-DGGE (Polymerase Chain Reaction – Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis), n'est donc elle-meme pas en cause et s'est averee un bon outil pour comparer la diversite obtenue sur des assemblages naturels de differents sites (diversite β. Sur l'ensemble des biofilms analyses, les communautes apparaissent relativement diversifiees (indices de Simpson : 0,039 – 0,094 et de Shannon : 3,50 – 4,78) mais moins riches (23 OTUs – Operational Taxonomic Unit – en moyenne) que les communautes bacteriennes du plancton ou du sol. Avec moins de 10% de taxons retrouves dans 50% des cas traites, la composition de ces communautes apparait fortement conditionnee par la repartition inter sites. Ainsi sur un troncon de riviere (la Garonne, France), une forte differenciation de la composition bacterienne benthique (moins de 50 % de similarite) est observee entre des zones situees en amont et en aval d'importants rejets urbains (Toulouse). En excluant les OTUs associees aux plastes et cyanobacteries, 11 des 63 taxons detectes ne sont retrouves que dans des communautes prelevees en amont de rejets anthropiques, 13 en aval. L'evolution temporelle de communautes d'assemblages naturels a ete suivie durant 7 mois consecutifs dans des conditions prolongees de faibles debits. Sur cette periode, deux pics de biomasse epilithique sont detectes (autour de 25 g. M-2). Sous l'influence de facteurs saisonniers (temperature, lumiere), la composition des communautes bacteriennes differe significativement d'un pic a l'autre (moins de 30 % de similarite). Lors de la phase de colonisation proprement dite, l'evolution du nombre de taxons detectes et l'apparition de nouveaux taxons indiquent, en accord avec un modele etabli sur d'autres types de biofilms, une succession des communautes bacteriennes. Certains taxons presentent des occurrences particulieres au cours de la succession et ont des traits biologiques qui s'apparentent a des strategies demographiques de type pionnier (Spirosoma) ou competiteur (Nitrospira ou Dechloromonas). L'ensemble suggere que les communautes bacteriennes de ces biofilms phototrophes repondent a une combinaison de changements allogenes et autogenes.
Optical Fiber Temperature Sensors and Their Biomedical Applications

The use of sensors in the real world is on the rise, providing information on medical diagnostics for healthcare and improving quality of life. Optical fiber sensors, as a result of their unique properties (small dimensions, capability of multiplexing, chemical inertness, and immunity to electromagnetic fields) have found wide applications, ranging from structural health monitoring to biomedical and point-of-care instrumentation. Furthermore, these sensors usually have good linearity, rapid response for real-time monitoring, and high sensitivity to external perturbations. Optical fiber sensors, thus, present several features that make them extremely attractive for a wide variety of applications, especially biomedical applications. This paper reviews achievements in the area of temperature optical fiber sensors, different configurations of the sensors reported over the last five years, and application of this technology in biomedical applications.
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs as Anticancer Agents

Inflammation is strictly associated with cancer and plays a key role in tumor development and progression. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that inflammation can predispose to tumors, therefore targeting inflammation and the molecules involved in the inflammatory process could represent a good strategy for cancer prevention and therapy. In the past, several clinical studies have demonstrated that many anti-inflammatory agents, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are able to interfere with the tumor microenvironment by reducing cell migration and increasing apoptosis and chemo-sensitivity. This review focuses on the link between inflammation and cancer by describing the anti-inflammatory agents used in cancer therapy, and their mechanisms of action, emphasizing the use of novel anti-inflammatory agents with significant anticancer activity.
Registration of B110, B111, B113, and B114 inbred lines of maize

Inbreds B110 (Reg. no. PL-297, PI 607381), B111 (Reg. no. PL-298, PI 607382), B113 (Reg. no. PL-299, PI 607383), and B114 (Reg. no. PL-300, PI 607384) are yellow dent maize (Zea mays L.) lines developed cooperatively by the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station and USDA-ARS. The lines were released 15 May 1998 because of their potential value as sources of germplasm in pedigree-selection breeding programs. Disciplines Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Plant Breeding and Genetics
The Chymase Mouse Mast Cell Protease-4 Regulates Intestinal Cytokine Expression in Mature Adult Mice Infected with Giardia intestinalis

Mast cells have been shown to affect the control of infections with the protozoan parasite Giardia intestinalis. Recently, we demonstrated that Giardia excretory-secretory proteins inhibited the activity of the connective tissue mast cell-specific protease chymase. To study the potential role of the chymase mouse mast cell protease (mMCP)-4 during infections with Giardia, mMCP-4+/+ and mMCP-4−/− littermate mice were gavage-infected with G. intestinalis trophozoites of the human assemblage B isolate GS. No significant changes in weight gain was observed in infected young (≈10 weeks old) mMCP-4−/− and mMCP-4+/+ littermate mice. In contrast, infections of mature adult mice (>18 weeks old) caused significant weight loss as compared to uninfected control mice. We detected a more rapid weight loss in mMCP-4−/− mice as compared to littermate mMCP-4+/+ mice. Submucosal mast cell and granulocyte counts in jejunum increased in the infected adult mMCP-4−/− and mMCP-4+/+ mice. This increase was correlated with an augmented intestinal trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like activity, but the myeloperoxidase activity was constant. Infected mice showed a significantly lower intestinal neutrophil elastase (NE) activity, and in vitro, soluble Giardia proteins inhibited human recombinant NE. Serum levels of IL-6 were significantly increased eight and 13 days post infection (dpi), while intestinal IL-6 levels showed a trend to significant increase 8 dpi. Strikingly, the lack of mMCP-4 resulted in significantly less intestinal transcriptional upregulation of IL-6, TNF-α, IL-25, CXCL2, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10 in the Giardia-infected mature adult mice, suggesting that chymase may play a regulatory role in intestinal cytokine responses.
The Role of Agonistic Behavior in Regulation of Density in Uinta Ground Squirrels (Citellus armatus)

The Role of Agonistic Behavior in Regulation of Density In Uinta Ground Squirrels (Citellus armatus) by Richard J. Burns I Master of Science Utah State University I 1968 Major Professor: Dr. A. W. Stokes Department: Wildlife Biology Agonistic behavior of ground squirrels was studied for two years in north-eastern Utah at an elevation of 6 / 300 feet. The main objective was to determine what role agonistic behavior had in regulating density in a population. All individuals in an unconfined population were trapped I marked I and observed from towers. Detailed data on behavior and density were recorded. Though'loss from a variety of factors occurred throughout the year I agonistic behavior had an important role in regulating the population at least twice during the year. In spring some squirrels I usually yearling -------_ . _-------_. ---. __ . _----------! ale_s and late emerging year1in~ ~~mal_~~1 we~e unable to establishJ~rritories. Breeding density was thus-limited. In summer an overproduction of young was greatly reduced through aggression in, and movement of , young squirrels. This appeared to be the more important to the population in terms of numbers lost. Agonistic behavior wa s influenced by density I visibility I movement I vi and intrusion of nonresidents on areas; by age I sex I and aggressiveness of squirrels; and by time of day and season--all probably warrant consideration in any study of agonistic behavior. (57 pages)
Prepregnancy dietary patterns and risk of preterm birth and low birth weight: findings from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health.

BACKGROUND Findings from previous studies on associations between prepregnancy dietary patterns and preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) are limited and inconsistent. OBJECTIVES To examine the association between prepregnancy dietary patterns and the risk of preterm birth and LBW. METHODS This study included 3422 and 3508 singleton live births from the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (ALSWH) for the analyses of preterm birth and LBW, respectively. We included women who were nulliparous and nonpregnant at baseline surveys. We used factor analyses and the Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI-2015) score to derive maternal dietary patterns. Four dietary patterns were identified with factor analyses: meats and high-fats; prudent diets; sugar, refined grains, and processed foods; and traditional vegetables. Preterm birth and LBW were assessed using maternal reports from ALSWH data between 2003 and 2015. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used. RESULTS Greater adherence to the traditional vegetables pattern before pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of preterm birth and spontaneous preterm birth after adjustments for lifestyle factors and pregnancy complications, highest compared with lowest tertile (adjusted OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.53, 0.99) and (RR ratio = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.39, 1.00), respectively. However, these associations were attenuated by the prepregnancy BMI. No significant associations were observed between prepregnancy dietary patterns and LBW. CONCLUSION This study suggests that better adherence to the traditional vegetables pattern before pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of preterm birth, particularly spontaneous preterm birth among nulliparous women. This finding warrants further examination.
A Constructive Way to Think about Different Hydrothermal Environments for the Origins of Life

The question of where life originated has been contentious for a very long time. Scientists have invoked many environments to address this question. Often, we find ourselves beholden to a location, especially if we think life originated once and then evolved into the myriad forms we now know today. In this brief commentary, we wish to lay out the following understanding: hydrothermal environments are energetically robust locations for the origins and early evolution of life as we know it. Two environments typify hydrothermal conditions, hydrothermal fields on dry land and submarine hydrothermal vents. If life originated only once, then we must choose between these two environments; however, there is no reason to assume life emerged only once. We conclude with the idea that rather than having an “either or” mind set about the origin of life a “yes and” mind set might be a better paradigm with which to problem solve within this field. Finally, we shall discuss further research with regards to both environments.
Invasive plant species, the enemy of biodiversity.

Once with the appearance of the human kind in the history of our planet, he constantly tried to shape the environment in which he placed his activities. Being an excellent hunter and a fruit gatherer, later a farmer, he influenced the ecosystem bounds and divided the ecosystems and habitats. These interventions, on purpose or accidental, created some ecological niches on which invasive plant species didn't hesitate to conquer. Once with the demographic explosion, human desire to reach the end of the Earth facilitated the transport of different plant and animal species, implementing them on the new explored areas, those becoming invasive species. These "exchanges" of plants and animals conducted to the environment degradation and draw major consequences by the extinction of numerous local species of plants and animals.