Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Physiological aspects of sun and shade leaves of Lithraea molleoides (Vell.) Engl. (Anacardiaceae)

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar de forma comparativa alguns parâmetros fisiologicos de folhas de sol e de sombra de um especime de L. molleoides. Esta especie e conhecida popularmente como aroeira-branca. As folhas da porcao superior periferica, denominadas folhas de sol, apresentaram igual taxa fotossintetica, menores teores de clorofilas (a, b e totais), mesma razao clorofila a/ clorofila b, menor taxa transpiratoria, mesma condutância estomatica e concentracao intercelular de CO2 em relacao as folhas da porcao inferior interna, denominadas folhas de sombra. A concentracao de nutrientes, excetuando Ca e Mg, foi igual em folhas de sol e de sombra. As respostas dos parâmetros fisiologicos avaliados indicam que as folhas de sombra, apesar de receberem menor intensidade luminosa, tem possibilidade de crescer e se desenvolver com a mesma capacidade das folhas de sol.
Non-starch polysaccharides from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) meal and palm-kernel (Elaeis guineensis) meal - Investigation of the structure of major polysaccharides.

For the identification and characterisation of major non-starch polysaccharides from sunflower (Helianthus annuus L) meal and palm-kernel (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) meal, extracts obtained by sequential alkaline extraction and delignification of the corresponding cell wall materials were subfractionated by graded ethanol precipitation and size-exclusion and adsorption chromatography. Determination of the sugar and glycosidic linkage composition of extracts and subfractions and intact cell wall materials allowed the identification and quantification of a variety of polysaccharides. In sunflower meal, cellulose (42% of total non-starch polysaccharides), pectic polysaccharides (24%), (4-O-methyl)-glucuronoxylans with 8-11% uronic acid substitution (24%), (gluco)mannans (5%) and fucoxyloglucans (4.5%) were encountered. Major polysaccharides in palm-kernel meal were linear mannans with very low galactose substitution (78% of total non-starch polysaccharides), followed by cellulose (12%) and small amounts of (4-O-methyl)-glucuronoxylans and arabinoxylans (3% each).
Image-Based Localization of User-Interfaces

Image localization corresponds to translating the text present in the images from one language to other language. The aim of the project is to develop a methodology to translate the text in image captions from English to Hindi by taking context of the images into account. A lot of work has been done in this field [22], but our aim was to explore if the accuracy can be further improved by consideration of the additional information imparted by the images apart from the text. We have explored Deep Learning using neural networks for this project. In particular, Recurrent Neural Networks (RNN) have been used which are ideal for sequence translations and would meet the needs of this project which involves text sequences. This technique of image localization would be beneficial in a lot of fields. For example, in order to make the text data accessible to everyone, text data should be translated in multiple languages spoken by people across the world. This will help in the growth at the rural areas and countries where English is not spoken by giving them access to data in their local languages. This could also benefit tourists who would then be able to understand the sign boards and posters in a foreign country. With accurate data translation, the old manuscripts can also be translated to English upon which further research can be carried out.
Enhancing Critical Infrastructure Security Using Bluetooth Low Energy Traffic Sniffers

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a wireless communications protocol used in Critical Infrastructure (CI) applications. Based on recent research trends, it is likely that the next generation of wireless sensor networks, a CI application that the Department of Defense (DoD) regularly employs in surveillance and reconnaissance missions, will include BLE as an inter-sensor communications protocol. Thus, future U.S. military missions may be directly impacted by the security of BLE. One natural way to help protect BLE sensors is to use BLE traffic sniffers to detect attacks. The primary limitation with current sniffers is that they can only capture one connection at a time, making them impractical for applications employing multiple BLE devices. This work aims to overcome that limitation to help secure the types of BLE sensor networks employed by the DoD. First, this work identifies vulnerabilities and enumerates attack vectors against a BLE wireless industrial sensor, presenting a list of security “best practices” that vendors and end-users can follow and demonstrating how users can employ BLE sniffers to detect attacks. The work then introduces BLE-Multi, an enhancement to an open-source BLE sniffer that can simultaneously and reliably capture multiple connections. Finally, the work presents and executes a methodology to evaluate BLE sniffers. Under the evaluation conditions applied, BLE-Multi achieves simultaneous capture of multiple active connections, paving the way for automated defensive tools that can be used by the DoD and security community. The contributions within are published in one journal article and one conference paper and were presented at three conferences focused on wireless security and CI protection.
Cache-Aided Interference Management in Wireless Cellular Networks

We consider the problem of interference management in wireless cellular networks with caches at both base stations and receivers, and we characterize the degrees of freedom (DoFs) per cell to within an additive gap of (1/3) and a multiplicative gap of 2 for all system parameters, under one-shot linear schemes. Our result indicates that the one-shot linear DoF per cell scales linearly with the total amount of cache available in the cell, i.e., the sum of the caches at the central base station and all the receivers within the cell, resembling a similar phenomenon previously observed for the case of fully connected wireless networks. To establish the result, we propose a decentralized and randomized cache placement and a delivery scheme, which, on one hand, utilizes the overlap of contents at the base station caches to zero-force part of their outgoing interference and, on the other hand, uses the receiver cache contents to create coded multicasting opportunities, so that the receivers can eliminate the remaining interference due to undesired packets. We also provide a converse argument, which shows that our achievable one-shot linear DoF per cell is within a constant additive gap of (1/3) and a multiplicative gap of 2 of its optimum.
Observations on the colony activity of the Asian hornet Vespa velutina Lepeletier 1836 (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Vespinae) in France

Abstract Observations were made in the south-west region of France on the activity and behaviour of Vespa velutina workers from a nest reared in captivity as well as from free-living colonies. Seasonal nest development, daily extranidal activity, daily time budget allocated to nest construction and carbohydrates, water, pulp or prey collection were determined from the captive colony. In the meantime, nestmate and non-nestmate interactions were assessed. The percentages of pulp pellets and prey collections brought back by foragers were also determined from the free-living colonies and showed a noticeable preference of the hornet for honey bees. These preliminary data allow further investigations on the biology and behaviour of this Asian invasive species in the view to better assess its impact on biodiversity in France.
Randomized Last-Level Caches Are Still Vulnerable to Cache Side-Channel Attacks! But We Can Fix It

Cache randomization has recently been revived as a promising defense against conflict-based cache side-channel attacks. As two of the latest implementations, CEASER-S and ScatterCache both claim to thwart conflict-based cache side-channel attacks using randomized skewed caches. Unfortunately, our experiments show that an attacker can easily find a usable eviction set within the chosen remap period of CEASER-S and increasing the number of partitions without dynamic remapping, such as ScatterCache, cannot eliminate the threat. By quantitatively analyzing the access patterns left by various attacks in the LLC, we have newly discovered several problems with the hypotheses and implementations of randomized caches, which are also overlooked by the research on conflict-based cache side-channel attacks.However, cache randomization is not a false hope and it is an effective defense that should be widely adopted in future processors. The newly discovered problems are corresponding to flaws associated with the existing implementation of cache randomization and are fixable. Several new defense ideas are proposed in this paper. Our experiments show that all the newly discovered problems are fixed within the current performance budget. We also argue that randomized set-associative caches can be sufficiently strengthened and possess a better chance to be actually adopted in commercial processors than their skewed counterparts because they introduce less overhaul to the existing cache structure.
Altered Constitutive Expression of Fatty Acid-metabolizing Enzymes in Mice Lacking the Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor α (PPARα)*

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) is a member of the steroid/nuclear receptor superfamily and mediates the biological and toxicological effects of peroxisome proliferators. To determine the physiological role of PPARα in fatty acid metabolism, levels of peroxisomal and mitochondrial fatty acid metabolizing enzymes were determined in the PPARα null mouse. Constitutive liver β-oxidation of the long chain fatty acid, palmitic acid, was lower in the PPARα null mice as compared with wild type mice, indicating defective mitochondrial fatty acid catabolism. In contrast, constitutive oxidation of the very long chain fatty acid, lignoceric acid, was not different between wild type and PPARα null mice, suggesting that constitutive expression of enzymes involved in peroxisomal β-oxidation is independent of PPARα. Indeed, the PPARα null mice had normal levels of the peroxisomal acyl-CoA oxidase, bifunctional protein (hydratase + 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase), and thiolase but lower constitutive expression of the D-type bifunctional protein (hydratase + 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase). Several mitochondrial fatty acid metabolizing enzymes including very long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, long chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, short chain-specific 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, and long chain acyl-CoA synthetase are also expressed at lower levels in the untreated PPARα null mice, whereas other fatty acid metabolizing enzymes were not different between the untreated null mice and wild type mice. A lower constitutive expression of mRNAs encoding these enzymes was also found, suggesting that the effect was due to altered gene expression. In wild type mice, both peroxisomal and mitochondrial enzymes were induced by the peroxisome proliferator Wy-14,643; induction was not observed in the PPARα null animals. These data indicate that PPARα modulates constitutive expression of genes encoding several mitochondrial fatty acid-catabolizing enzymes in addition to mediating inducible mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation, thus establishing a role for the receptor in fatty acid homeostasis.
Identification of Bacterial Species in White Stork Chicks in Poland Using PCR Method and Sequencing of Bacterial 16SrRNA

The aim of this study was to identify the most common bacteria that may be found in the blood or on the feathers of white stork (Ciconia ciconia) chicks and predict their pathogenic potential for birds and humans. A variety of microorganisms, which include Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus vitulinus, and Pseudomonas sp. were found. Based on breeding population densities and reproductive success over the past 25 years, we found no apparent effects of bacterial infections on the white stork population in Poland.
Évaluation de l’incidence des douleurs chroniques et des séquelles fonctionnelles respiratoires à 3 et 12 mois d’un traumatisme thoracique : étude prospective monocentrique

Introduction : l'objectif principal de cette etude prospective etait d'evaluer l'incidence de la douleur chronique et de la limitation fonctionnelle respiratoire a long terme dans une cohorte monocentrique de patients souffrant de traumatismes thoraciques severes. Methodes : sur une periode de 10 mois, tous les patients ayant subi un traumatisme thoracique fermes et admis dans l'unite de soins intensifs (USI) ont ete inclus pour participer a un suivi de 3 mois et de 12 mois. Les variables suivantes ont ete evaluees de maniere prospective: persistance de douleurs thoraciques chroniques necessitant une utilisation reguliere d’analgesiques, de douleurs neuropathiques, d’un handicap respiratoire, d’un etat de sante physique et mental. Une analyse univariee et multivariee a ete menee pour evaluer les variables associees a la douleur thoracique chronique, a la douleur thoracique neuropathique et a la limitation fonctionnelle respiratoire. Resultats : au cours de la periode d'etude, 65 patients ont ete inclus dans l'etude. Des douleurs thoraciques chroniques et une la limitation fonctionnelle respiratoire ont ete rapportees respectivement chez 62% et 57% des patients a 3 mois apres une blessure. Des douleurs neuropathiques ont ete rapportees chez 22% des patients, associees a une alteration de la qualite de vie. Une modification du traitement analgesique (p = 0,05) et une consultation specialisee pour la douleur chronique (p = 0,02) ont ete associees a une amelioration des douleurs thoraciques a 12 mois apres le traumatisme. Le score de severite du traumatisme thoracique (p = 0,002) et le score de douleur a la sortie de l'unite de soins intensifs (0,006) etaient significativement associes a la survenue d'une douleur neuropathique. Conclusion : selon l'etude actuelle, la douleur chronique et la limitation fonctionnelle respiratoire a long terme sont tres frequentes apres un traumatisme ferme severe. Un suivi specifique peut detecter des complications a long terme et fournir une prise en charge specialisee afin d'ameliorer les resultats a long terme et la qualite de vie.
Impact of Node Density on the QoS Parameters of Routing Protocols in Opportunistic Networks for Smart Spaces

The need and importance of Smart Spaces have been potentially realized by the researchers due to its applicability in the current lifestyle. Opportunistic network, a successor of mobile ad hoc networks and a budding technology of network, is a best-suited technology for implementing Smart Spaces due to its wide range of applications in real-life scenarios ranging from building smart cities to interplanetary communication. There are numerous routing protocols which are available in opportunistic network, each having their pros and cons; however, no research till the time of listing has been done which can quantitatively demonstrate the maximum performance of these protocols and standardize the comparison of opportunistic routing protocols which has been a major cause of ambiguous performance evaluation studies. The work here presents a categorical view of the opportunistic routing protocol family and thereby compares and contrasts the various simulators suited for their simulation. Thereafter, the most popular protocols (selecting at least one protocol from each category) are compared based on node density on as many as 8 standard performance metrics using ONE simulator to observe their scalability, realism, and comparability. The work concludes by presenting the merits and demerits of each of the protocols discussed as well as specifying the best routing protocol among all the available protocols for Smart Spaces with maximum output. It is believed that the results achieved by the implemented methodology will help future researchers to choose appropriate routing protocol to delve into their research under different scenarios.
Reversion of malignant phenotype of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells by saikosaponin D in vitro

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Saikosaponin D (SSD) on the malignant phenotype of HepG2 cells and its potential mechanism in order to provide evidence for prevention and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with SSD. HepG2 cells in the logarithmic phase were randomly divided into two groups: SSD group and control group. Cells in the SSD group were treated with 10 mg/L SSD for 48 h and those in the control group were untreated. Cell inhibition rate was measured by methlthiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, cell morphology detected by Giemsa staining followed by observation under a contrast phase microscope, the contents of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and albumin (ALB) in the supernatant measured by chemiluminescence and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Cell migration was determined by transwel chamber assay and flow cytometry done to measure the cell cycle. Reverse transcriptase- Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were performed to measure the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression of p27, respectively. The growth of HepG2 cells was significantly inhibited after SSD treatment for 48 h (P<0.05). Cells in the SSD group had normal differentiation, became small and round and had small, round nucleus and reduced nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio. When compared with control group, the ALB level was significantly increased (P<0.05) and AFP level markedly reduced (P<0.05). In addition, the number of migrating cells in the SSD group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.01). The SSD treated cells had dramatically higher proportion of cells in G1 phase (P<0.05) and markedly lower proportion of cells in S phase (P<0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expressions of p27 in the SSD treated HepG2 cells were higher than in those without SSD treatment. SSD can reverse the malignant phenotype of HepG2 cells, which may be associated with up-regulation of p27 expression, arrest of cell cycle in G1 phase and promoted differentiation of HepG2 cells. Key words: Saikosaponins D, HepG2, malignant phenotype, p27.
Attenuation of pressor response to laryngoscopy and intubation: Dexmedetomidine Vs. fentanyl premedication

Introduction: The pressor response during laryngoscopy and intubation is part of a huge spectrum of stress response, results from the increase in sympathetic and sympatho-adrenal activity. The present study was planned to observe the attenuation of pressor response during laryngoscopy and intubation with dexmedetomidine and fentanyl; also to compare the effectiveness between these two drugs. Materials and Methods: In this study we include 128 patients, of ASA grade III, aged 1865yrs, of either gender, scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. Groups: Group D – Dexmedetomidine (0.6μg/kg) and Group F – Fentanyl (2μg/kg), these drugs diluted with NS to make 10 ml, given I.V. slow over 10 min. Vital parameters (HR, SBP, DBP and MBP) were recorded as baseline, then at 10 minutes after pre-medication and then at 1,2,3,5,7 and 10 minutes after endotracheal intubation. Results: There was significant increase in heart rate, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure during laryngoscopy and intubation in group F as compared to group D (p<0.001). Dexmedetomidine produces more significant attenuation of systolic blood pressure during laryngoscopy and intubation as compared to Fentanyl. Conclusion: Dexmedetomidine (0.6mcg/kg) is superior to fentanyl (2mcg/kg) in the attenuation of the pressor response and that the ideal time for its administration should be about 10 minutes before a laryngoscopy and intubation.
Finding in-store help: The role of recommendation agents on shoppers’ mobile devices

Product information-seeking and evaluation of alternatives are two important consumer processing stages between the initial recognition of product need and final purchase (Engel, Blackwell, & Miniard, 1993). In both of these stages, consumers may spend significant time on various media seeking out a wide range of product information to aid in decision-making. When consumers are at stores, there are many different physical information channels available, including packaging, in-store signage, and sales representatives, to provide product information that will aid them in making purchasing decisions. In-store mobile media use adds a rich layer of product information for consumers by providing access to two kinds of RAs: 1) mobile sites and apps; and 2) family and friends. Mobile media allow users to bring their network with them anywhere, fulfilling their everyday information-seeking and socialization needs (Ling, 2004, 2012). This, of course, includes shopping experiences. Shoppers now utilize their mobile media to seek information from other people, from embedded information at the location, from mobile web websites, and from apps while they are at stores (Spaid & Flint, 2014). Karaatli, Ma, and Suntornpithug (2010) found that consumers believe mobile media improve their overall shopping experience and, specifically, their ability to make smart purchase decisions. Kowatsch and Maass (2010) found that positive perceptions of the usefulness of mobile RAs in in-store shopping predicts stronger intentions to shop at the stores that permit consumers to use RAs to access product information, and stronger intention to purchase products. Lee and Benbasat (2010) find mobile RA reduces users’ perception of effort and increases their accuracy of decisions at stores. While previous research has investigated how consumers access mobile sites and apps to make in-store shopping decisions, there has been little research on how they access friends and family while in-store to help them make wise shopping decisions. Thus, this paper investigates two instore recommendation agents: 1) mobile sites and apps; and 2) mobile communication with family and friends. Following the theory of planned behavior (Fishbein and Azjen, 2010) as a guide, we conducted a series of in-depth interviews to identify direct measures of attitudes,
Arctic cheilostome bryozoan species of the genus Escharoides

This investigation focuses on the diversity and identity of species of Escharoides found north of the Arctic Circle. Study of type and other material from this region using SEM shows that only two Arctic species can be recognized, Escharoides bidenkapi (Kluge) and E. jacksoni (Waters). The first of these is characterized by the distolateral orientation of the avicularia located beside the orifice, and by the suboral shelf on the distal border of the autozooidal orifice which is crenulated. Escharoides jacksoni differs in having slightly larger avicularia that are directed laterally, and a smooth suboral shelf.