Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Supporting Virtualisation Management through an Object Mapping Declarative Language Framework

Due to the inevitably vast scale of virtualised cloud computing systems, management of the numerous physical and virtual components that make up their underlying infrastructure may become unwieldy. Many software packages that have historically been installed on desktops / workstations for years are slowly but surely being ported to cloud computing. The virtualisation management problems that are apparent today are only set to worsen as cloud computing systems become ever more pervasive. Backing cloud computing systems are equally elaborate database systems, many platforms of which have made extensive use of distributed computing and virtualisation for years. The more recent emergence of virtualised big data systems with similarly vast scale problems has escalated the urgent requirement for creative management of the numerous physical and virtual components. The thesis will initially synopsise previous investigatory research concerning these emerging problems and studies the current disposition of virtualisation management including the associated concepts, strategies and technologies. The thesis then continues, to describe the structure and operation of an object mapping declarative language to support the management of these numerous physical and virtual components. The ultimate aim is to develop a Virtualisation Management System (VMS), a software framework that is fully extensible in nature and which combines the rich capability of an imperative assembly with the concise simplicity of a declarative language. It is through this declarative language that human interaction and decision making may be richly yet concisely specified before being converted through object mapping to the comparable imperative assembly for execution. It is also through parsing this declarative language that autonomic algorithms may be able to integrate with and operate the VMS through a suitably defined plug-in based mechanism. The thesis will ultimately demonstrate via scenarios both basic and complex that the VMS is able to specify, observe, regulate and adapt its virtualisation management domain to the changing disposition of the numerous physical and virtual components that constitute cloud computing and big data systems.
Conditioned pain modulation as biomarker of chronic pain: a systematic review of its concurrent validity.

Conditioned pain modulation (CPM) is a promising psychophysical biomarker of central pain mechanisms since it significantly discriminates patients with chronic pain from healthy controls. Nevertheless, it is unclear to what extent CPM assessed experimentally is correlated with clinical manifestations of pain. To assess the concurrent validity of CPM, we performed a systematic review of the literature reporting correlations between CPM responses and pain intensity, disability, duration, and area, in patients with different chronic pain conditions. We included 32 studies that altogether encompassed data from 1958 patients and provided 62 correlations. The majority of the results (69%) reported non-significant correlations between CPM efficiency and clinical manifestations of pain, while the remaining results showed a correlation between CPM reduction and worse clinical symptoms of pain. The modality of stimulation, the type of pain, and the stimulation site appear to be critical variables that influenced the pattern of results. Given that most of the studies were conducted with highly heterogeneous methodologies and unclear risk of bias, the findings highlight the need of future studies using standardized measures of clinical and experimental pain before considering CPM as a valid biomarker of pain. We discuss some guidelines to overcome the constraints in this promising line of research.
Anatomically based simulation of hepatic perfusion in the human liver

Liver structures of a healthy subject are digitised and segmented from computed tomography (CT) images, and hepatic perfusion is modelled in the hepatic artery and portal vein of the healthy subject with structured tree‐based outflow boundary conditions. This self‐similar structured tree is widely used in the literature, eg, blood flow simulation in larger systemic arteries and cerebral circulation, and is used in this study to model the effect of the smaller hepatic arteries and arterioles, as well as the smaller hepatic portal veins and portal venules. Physiologically reasonable results are obtained. Since the structured tree terminates at the size of the microvasculature system in liver lobules, the structured tree boundary condition will enable the proposed organ‐level model of hepatic arterial flow to be easily connected to tissue‐level models of liver lobules. Blood flow in the hepatic vein is also modelled in this subject with three‐element Windkessel model as outflow boundary conditions. The benefit of integrating the perfusion in all hepatic vascular vessels is that it helps us analyse some complicated clinical phenomenon more efficiently, eg, one possible application is to obtain the portal pressure gradient (PPG) to help examine the reliability of hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) as an indirect measure of portal pressure. Moreover, since four to six generations of hepatic vessels, which are sufficient for liver classification analysis, were employed in the model, this study is setting the computational foundation of a potentially handy surgical tool.
Assessing Changes in Sodium Content of Selected Popular Commercially Processed and Restaurant Foods: Results from the USDA: CDC Sentinel Foods Surveillance Program

This report provides an update from the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Sentinel Foods Surveillance Program, exploring changes in sodium and related nutrients (energy, potassium, total and saturated fat, and total sugar) in popular, sodium-contributing, commercially processed and restaurant foods with added sodium. In 2010–2013, we obtained 3432 samples nationwide and chemically analyzed 1654 composites plus label information for 125 foods, to determine baseline laboratory and label sodium concentrations, respectively. In 2014–2017, we re-sampled and chemically analyzed 43 of the Sentinel Foods (1181 samples), tested for significant changes of at least ±10% (p < 0.05), in addition to tracking changes in labels for 108 Sentinel Foods. Our results show that the label sodium levels of a majority of the Sentinel Foods had not changed since baseline (~1/3rd of the products reported changes, with twice as many reductions as increases). Laboratory analyses of the 43 Sentinel Foods show that eight foods had significant changes (p < 0.05); sodium content continues to be high and variable, and there was no consistent pattern of changes in related nutrients. Comparisons of changes in labels and laboratory sodium shows consistency for 60% of the products, i.e., similar changes (or no changes) in laboratory and label sodium content. The data from this monitoring program may help public health officials to develop strategies to reduce and monitor sodium trends in the food supply.
Association between Interictal Epileptiform Discharges and Autistic Spectrum Disorder

It has been reported that bioelectric alterations in an electroencephalogram (EEG) may play an etiological role in neurodevelopmental disorders. The clinical impact of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in association with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is unknown. The Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R) is one of the gold standards for the diagnosis of autistic spectrum disorder. Some studies have indicated high comorbidity of IED and ASD, while other studies have not supported an association between the central symptoms of autism and IED. This review examines the high comorbidity and clinical impact of IED; patients with epilepsy are excluded from the scope of this review. ASD can be disabling and is diagnosed at an average age of 5 years old, at which point the greatest neurological development has occurred. If an association between IED and ASD is identified, a clinical tool that entails an innocuous procedure could enable diagnosis in the first years of life. However, in the absence of reports that prove an association between IED and ASD, patients should not be subjected to expensive treatments, such as the administration of anticonvulsant therapies.
IRF7 Is Involved in Both STING and MAVS Mediating IFN-β Signaling in IRF3-Lacking Chickens

Key Points More evidence is provided for the rationale behind the name of chicken IRF7. Chicken IRF7 participates in both MAVS- and STING-mediated IFN-β regulation. Chicken STING mediates the activation of IRF7 through a conserved SLQxSyS motif. IFN regulatory factor (IRF) 3 has been identified as the most critical regulator of both RNA and DNA virus–induced IFN production in mammals. However, ambiguity exists in research on chicken IRFs; in particular IRF3 seems to be missing in chickens, making IFN regulation in chickens unclear. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the potential IFN-related IRFs in chickens and showed that IRF7 is the most critical IFN-β regulator in chickens. With a chicken IRF7 (chIRF7) knockout DF-1 cell line, we conducted a series of experiments to demonstrate that chIRF7 is involved in both chicken STING (chSTING)- and chicken MAVS (chMAVS)-mediated IFN-β regulation in response to DNA and RNA viral infections, respectively. We further examined the mechanisms of chIRF7 activation by chSTING. We found that chicken TBK1 (chTBK1) is indispensable for chIRF7 activation by chSTING as well as that chSTING interacts with both chIRF7 and chTBK1 to function as a scaffold in chIRF7 activation by chTBK1. More interestingly, we discovered that chSTING mediates the activation of chIRF7 through a conserved SLQxSyS motif. In short, we confirmed that although IRF3 is missing in chickens, they employ IRF7 to reconstitute corresponding IFN signaling to respond to both DNA and RNA viral infections. Additionally, we uncovered a mechanism of chIRF7 activation by chSTING. The results will enrich and deepen our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms of the chicken IFN system.
Early Colorectal Cancers Provide New Evidence for a Lynch Syndrome-to-CMMRD Phenotypic Continuum

Lynch syndrome (LS) is the most common hereditary colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome, caused by heterozygous mutations in the mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Biallelic mutations in these genes lead however, to constitutive mismatch repair deficiency (CMMRD). In this study, we follow the diagnostic journey of a 12-year old patient with CRC, with a clinical phenotype overlapping CMMRD. We perform molecular and functional assays to discard a CMMRD diagnosis then identify by exome sequencing and validation in a cohort of 134 LS patients, a candidate variant in the MLH1 UTR region in homozygosis. We propose that this variant, together with other candidates, could be responsible for age-of-onset modulation. Our data support the idea that low-risk modifier alleles may influence early development of cancer in LS leading to a LS-to-CMMRD phenotypic continuum. Therefore, it is essential that larger efforts are directed to the identification and study of these genetic modifiers, in order to provide optimal cancer prevention strategies to these patients.
Axial anatomy of the leaf midrib provides new insights into the hydraulic architecture and cavitation patterns of Acer pseudoplatanus leaves

Abstract The structure of leaf veins is typically described by a hierarchical scheme (e.g. midrib, 1st order, 2nd order), which is used to predict variation in conduit diameter from one order to another whilst overlooking possible variation within the same order. We examined whether xylem conduit diameter changes within the same vein order, with resulting consequences for resistance to embolism. We measured the hydraulic diameter (Dh), and number of vessels (VN) along the midrib and petioles of leaves of Acer pseudoplatanus, and estimated the leaf area supplied (Aleaf-sup) at different points of the midrib and how variation in anatomical traits affected embolism resistance. We found that Dh scales with distance from the midrib tip (path length, L) with a power of 0.42, and that VN scales with Aleaf-sup with a power of 0.66. Total conductive area scales isometrically with Aleaf-sup. Embolism events along the midrib occurred first in the basipetal part and then at the leaf tip where vessels are narrower. The distance from the midrib tip is a good predictor of the variation in vessel diameter along the 1st order veins in A. pseudoplatanus leaves and this anatomical pattern seems to have an effect on hydraulic integrity since wider vessels at the leaf base embolize first.
PUB4, a CERK1-interacting ubiquitin ligase, positively regulates MAMP-triggered immunity in Arabidopsis.

LysM receptor-like kinase CERK1 is a co-receptor essential for plant immune responses against carbohydrate microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). Concerning the immediate downstream signaling components of CERK1, receptor-like cytoplasmic kinases such as PBL27 and other RLCK VII members have been reported to regulate immune responses positively. We here report that a novel CERK1-interacting E3 ubiquitin ligase, PUB4, is also involved in the regulation of MAMP-triggered immune responses. Knockout of PUB4 resulted in the alteration of chitin-induced defense responses, indicating that PUB4 positively regulates ROS generation and callose deposition but negatively regulates MAPK activation and defense gene expression. On the other hand, detailed analyses of a double knockout mutant of pub4 and sid2, a mutant of salicylic acid (SA) synthesis pathway, showed that the contradictory phenotype of the pub4 mutant was actually caused by abnormal accumulation of SA in this mutant and that PUB4 is a positive regulator of immune responses. The present and recent findings on the role of PUB4 indicate that PUB4 is a unique E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the regulation of both plant immunity and growth/development.
Pathobiology of ischiocavernosus and bulbospongiosus muscles in long-term diabetic male rats and its implication on erectile dysfunction

Abstract Objective To analyze pathobiology of ischiocavernosus (IC) and bulbospongiosus (BS) muscles in long-term diabetic male rats and its implication on erectile dysfunction (ED). Methods Male rats were grouped into control and diabetic rats (received single injection of 60 mg/kg bw. of streptozotocin [STZ]). At 120th day, the animals were subjected to various analyses like serum hormone, penile reflex, electromyography of IC and BS muscles, after euthanasia IC and BS muscles were processed for morphological, histology, histometric analysis, immunostaining and immunoblotting synaptophysin, nNOS and NADPH diaphorase histochemistry. Results Significant reduction in serum hormone level, penile reflex, reduced action potential or activity in both these muscles and wide range of histological alterations were observed in STZ rats. Muscles showed significant reduction in the diameter, volume and numerical density of the fiber in both muscles of STZ rats. Synaptophysin, nNOS and NADPH diaphorase were significantly reduced in diabetic animal IC and BS. Conclusion Severe neuromuscular circuitry alteration in IC and BS. Study concludes that degenerative changes in IC and BS may play a major role in ED in diabetic condition. Indicating diabetic-induced postsynaptic neuronal degeneration along with impaired motor action of the muscle and severe muscle degeneration affecting ED.
Ozone technology to reduce zearalenone contamination in whole maize flour: degradation kinetics and impact on quality.

BACKGROUND Maize is one of the most important cereals worldwide used for different purposes and industries. This cereal is prone to contamination with mycotoxins, such as zearalenone (ZEN) produced mainly by Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum and F. equiseti. Toxin production under high moist conditions (aw > 0.95) is optimized with temperature alternations between low (12-14°C) and high (25-28°C). Even adopting good production practices, mycotoxins can be found in several stages of the production chain. For this reason, an alternative to reducing this contamination is ozonation. This study evaluated the reduction of ZEN in naturally contaminated WMF treated with 51.5 mg L-1 of ozone for up to 60 min. Pasting properties, peroxide value and fatty acid composition were also evaluated. RESULTS Zearalenone degradation in ozonated WMF was described by a fractional first order kinetic, with a maximum reduction of 62.3% and kinetic parameter of 0.201 min-1 in the evaluated conditions. The ozonation process in WMF showed: a decrease in the apparent viscosity; a decrease in the proportion of linoleic, oleic and α-linolenic fatty acids; an increase in the proportion of palmitic acid and an increase in the peroxide value. CONCLUSION Ozonation was effective in reducing ZEN contamination in WMF. However, it also modified the pasting properties, fatty acid profile and peroxide value, therefore affecting the functional and technological aspects of WMF. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Perceived Controlling Behaviors of Physical Education Teachers and Objectively Measured Leisure-Time Physical Activity in Adolescents

The facilitative role of perceived autonomy support from physical education (PE) teachers on adolescents’ leisure-time physical activity (PA) has been supported. This study aimed to examine the mechanism by which perceived controlling behaviors from PE teachers relate to adolescents’ objectively measured leisure-time PA. In a three-wave prospective study, a total of 159 students (64 boys) aged 11 to 19 years old (Mage = 14.94 years; SD = 2.11) completed measures of perceived controlling behavior, frustration of the basic psychological needs, and motivational regulations in PE. One week later, motivational regulations towards leisure-time moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were assessed. Five weeks later, MVPA was measured using accelerometers (ActiGraph GT3X) during seven consecutive days. Structural equation modeling analysis indicated that perceived controlling behavior predicted students’ frustration of basic psychological needs in PE. The competence need frustration in PE had a negative direct effect on objectively measured MVPA. A significant indirect effect supported the mediating role of competence frustration in PE in the relation between perceived controlling behavior from PE teachers and MVPA in adolescents. Findings suggest that future interventions striving to promote adolescents’ PA engagement in their leisure-time should focus on decreasing controlling behaviors from teachers in PE that may manipulate the teacher–student relation.
Application of Neural Networks in Probabilistic Forecasting of Earthquakes in the Southern California Region

During the last few decades, many statistical physicists have devoted re-search efforts to the study of the problem of earthquakes. The purpose of this work is to apply methods of Statistical Physics and network systems based on “neurons” in the study of seismological events. Data from the Advanced National Seismic System (ANSS) of Southern California were used to verify the relationship between time differences between consecutive seismic events with magnitudes greater than 3.0, 3.5, 4.0 and 4.5 through the modeling of neural networks. The problem we are analyzing is time differences between seismological events and how these data can be adopted as a time series with non linear characteristic. We are therefore using the multilayer perceptron neural network system with a backpropagation learning algorithm, because its characteristics allow for the analysis of non-linear data in order to obtain statistical results regarding the probabilistic forecast of tremor occurrence.
Adaptive Learning Function for Unlearned Facial Expression Patterns Using Fuzzy-ART

Research on facial expression recognition for establishing intelligent human-machine interfaces has been actively conducted. In recognizing human facial expressions, it is essential to learn new patterns of facial expression that appear with the lapse of time. In this paper, we propose a facial expression recognition model incorporating adaptive resonance theory in a counter propagation network, and evaluate the additional learning function of the model when targeting three types of facial expressions. In addition, we propose a brightness value correction processing method for reducing inﬂuence of diﬀerence in illuminance, and evaluate its usefulness.
Transcriptional networks in acute myeloid leukemia

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a complex disease characterized by a diverse range of recurrent molecular aberrations that occur in many different combinations. Components of transcriptional networks are a common target of these aberrations, leading to network‐wide changes and deployment of novel or developmentally inappropriate transcriptional programs. Genome‐wide techniques are beginning to reveal the full complexity of normal hematopoietic stem cell transcriptional networks and the extent to which they are deregulated in AML, and new understandings of the mechanisms by which AML cells maintain self‐renewal and block differentiation are starting to emerge. The hope is that increased understanding of the network architecture in AML will lead to identification of key oncogenic dependencies that are downstream of multiple network aberrations, and that this knowledge will be translated into new therapies that target these dependencies. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of network perturbation in AML with a focus on major mechanisms of transcription factor dysregulation, including mutation, translocation, and transcriptional dysregulation, and discuss how these perturbations propagate across transcriptional networks. We will also review emerging mechanisms of network disruption, and briefly discuss how increased knowledge of network disruption is already being used to develop new therapies.
Measuring and conceptualizing PTSD following childbirth: Validation of the City Birth Trauma Scale.

OBJECTIVE City Birth Trauma Scale is a recently developed scale specifically designed for evaluation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following childbirth based on the DSM-5 criteria (Ayers, Wright, & Thornton, 2018). Previous studies showed a two-factor structure of PTSD symptoms in postpartum women; however, more complex models were not tested. This study aimed to validate the Croatian version of the City Birth Trauma Scale and determine the latent factor structure of postpartum PTSD. METHOD In a cross-sectional study, 603 women completed online questionnaires comprising the City Birth Trauma Scale, Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the anxiety subscale from the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21). RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the bifactor model of birth-related symptoms and general symptoms had an excellent fit to the data. Both subscales and the total scale showed high internal consistency (α = .92). Convergent and divergent validity testing showed high validity, especially for birth-related symptoms. Discriminant validity was confirmed with primiparous women and women who gave birth by instrumental vaginal delivery and emergency caesarean section having significantly higher scores on birth-related symptoms, but not on general symptoms, suggesting high discriminant validity of the birth-related symptoms subscale. CONCLUSIONS The City Birth Trauma Scale is a reliable and valid measure. Both total scale score and subscale scores can be calculated. It is highly recommended for use in postpartum population. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).