Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Low Cost Big Data Solutions: The Case of Apache Spark on Beowulf Clusters

With distributed computing platforms deployed on affordable hardware, Big Data technologies have democratised the processing of huge volumes of structured and semi-structured data. Still, the costs of installing and operating even relatively small cluster of commodity servers or the cost of hiring cloud resources could prove inaccessible for many companies and institutions. This paper builds two predictive models for estimating the main drivers of the data processing performance for one of the most popular Big Data system (Apache Spark) deployed on gradually increased number of nodes of a Beowulf cluster. Data processing performance was estimated by randomly generated SparkSQL queries on TPC-H database schema, with variable number of joins (including self-joins), predicates, groups, aggregate functions and subqueries included in FROM clause. Using two machine learning techniques, random forest and extreme gradient boosting, predictive models tried to estimate the query duration on predictors related to cluster setup and query structure and also to assess the importance of predictors for the outcome variability. Results were positive and encouraging for extending the cluster number of nodes and the database scale.
Non-thermal plasma: An advanced technology for food industry

In this era of green technology, plasma technology is one of the novel techniques intended towards many industries including food industry as a principal application due to less utilization of energy, solvents, and water with minimum impact on food quality. The foremost purpose behind the utilization of nonthermal plasma processing (cold plasma) lies in the retention of freshness of food products along with furtherance of sensory properties as well as functional and nutritional composition. In addition, this technique assists in shelf life extension and carries out desirable modifications in the structure of food and packaging material. This technology has been proven to be advantageous over other technologies since all these processes are carried out at low temperature, hence is highly suitable for heat-sensitive materials. The present review summarizes the mechanism of this plasma technology along with its benefits to the industry, for example improvements in cooking quality, enhancements in enzyme activity, modification of starches, and microbial inactivation. Also, the effects of plasma treatment on characteristics of various food products have been elaborated in this review.
Relationship between pregnancy and coronavirus: what we know

Abstract The identification in China in December 2019 of a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) immediately rekindled the spotlight on a problem also addressed in the past during the epidemics of SARS in 2002–2003 and MERS in 2012: the implications of a possible infection during pregnancy, both for pregnant women and for fetuses and infants. Pregnancy is characterized by some changes involving both the immune system and the pulmonary physiology, exposing the pregnant woman to a greater susceptibility to viral infections and more serious complications. The objective of this review is therefore to analyze the relationship between pregnancy and known coronaviruses, with particular reference to SARS-CoV-2.
The relationship between readiness for treatment of substance use and self-efficacy based on life skills

Abstract Substance use is a social harm. Promoting substance users readiness for treatment of substance use with a non-medical approach is important besides the medical approach. The current study aimed to determine the relationship between readiness for treatment of substance use and self-efficacy based on life skills. In this descriptive-analytical study, a number of 118 substance users in Hamadan city (Iran) were participated. The data collection tools were Stages of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale (SOCRATES) and Drug Avoidance Self-Efficacy Scale (DASES). Analytical and descriptive tests were used for data analysis, at 95% significant level, using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 16. The results of this study showed that the readiness for treatment of substance use had a significant relationship with the self-efficacy includes assertiveness and communication (Df:1; Pvalue<0.05). Self-efficacy based on life skills can be used to promote substance users readiness for treatment of substance use in educational interventions.
An Elasticity Description Language for Task-parallel Cloud Applications

: In recent years, the cloud has become an attractive execution environment for parallel applications, which introduces novel opportunities for versatile optimizations. Particularly promising in this context is the elasticity characteristic of cloud environments. While elasticity is well established for client-server applications, it is a fundamentally new concept for parallel applications. However, existing elasticity mechanisms for client-server applications can be applied to parallel applications only to a limited extent. Efﬁcient exploitation of elasticity for parallel applications requires novel mechanisms that take into account the particular runtime characteristics and resource requirements of this application type. To tackle this issue, we propose an elasticity description language . This language facilitates users to deﬁne elasticity policies, which specify the elasticity behavior at both cloud infrastructure level and application level. Elasticity at the application level is supported by an adequate programming and execution model, as well as abstractions that comply with the dynamic availability of resources. We present the underlying concepts and mechanisms, as well as the architecture and a prototypical implementation. Furthermore, we illustrate the capabilities of our approach through real-world scenarios.
Test Oracle using Semantic Analysis from Natural Language Requirements

: Automation of natural language based applications is a challenging task due to its semantics. This challenge is also confronted in the software testing ﬁeld. In this paper, we provide a systematic literature review related to the semantic analysis of natural language requirements in the software testing ﬁeld. The literature review assisted us in the identiﬁcation of the substantial research gap related to the semantics-based natural language test oracle. To the best of our knowledge, we have not found any technique in which the semantics of test oracle from natural language requirements can be solved using Word Sense Disambiguation techniques. We have discussed our proposed approach to generate semantics-based test oracle from natural language requirements. Our proposed approach can be applied to any domain.
Hematologic parameters are not predictors of upgrading or treatment in a racially diverse prospective study of men with prostate cancer on active surveillance

Abstract Introduction Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratios (PLR) are useful clinical biomarkers for prognosis in several malignancies. Their predictive value has been less clearly demonstrated with prostate cancer (PCa), particularly, their utility within active surveillance (AS) protocols. We aim to evaluate NLR and PLR in AS patients. Methods We identified 98 patients who met inclusion criteria in our cohort of 274 men diagnosed with PCa on AS. Patients were then categorized into high and low NLR and PLR groups. Results The 2.5 and 5-year Gleason upgrading free probability for our high NLR cohort was 73.9%(CI 56.3% to 97.0%) and 46.2%(CI 22.4% to 95.1%) compared to 76.3%(CI 65.7% to 88.7%) and 61.7%(CI 47.7% to 80.0%) in the low NLR cohort(p = .73). The 2.5 and 5-year Gleason upgrading free probability for our High PLR cohort was 73.5%(CI 57.3% to 94.2%) and 60.1(CI 41.4% to 87.4%) compared to 76.8%(CI 65.8% to 89.65) and 58.1%(CI 42.2% to 80.1%) in our low PLR group(p = .41). A multivariant analysis demonstrated these groups were not significant predictors of upgrading or treatment. Conclusion Despite their usefulness in many types of malignancy, NLR and PLR were not predictors of upgrading or treatment in men on AS for localized PCa in our cohort.
Machine Learning based Malware Traffic Detection on IoT Devices using Summarized Packet Data

As the number of IoT (Internet of Things) devices increases, the countermeasures against cyberattacks caused by IoT devices become more important. Although mechanisms to prevent malware infection to IoT devices are important, such prevention becomes hard due to sophisticated infection steps and lack of computational resource for security software in IoT devices. Therefore, detecting malware infection of devices is also important to suppress malware spread. As the types of IoT devices and malwares are increasing, advanced anomaly detection technology like machine learning is required to find malware infected devices. Because IoT devices cannot analyze own behavior by using machine learning due to limited computing resources, such analysis should be executed at gateway devices to the Internet. This paper proposes an architecture for detecting malware traffic using summarized statistical data of packets instead of whole packet information. As this proposal only uses information of amount of traffic and destination addresses for each IoT device, it can reduce the storage space taken up by data and can analyze number of IoT devices with low computational resources. We performed the malware traffic detection on proposed architecture by using machine learning algorithms of Isolation Forest and K-means clustering, and show that high accuracy can be achieved with the summarized statistical data. In the evaluation, we collected the statistical data from 26 IoT devices (9 categories), and obtained the result that the data size required for analysis is reduced over 90% with keeping high accuracy.
Hibernacula and summer den sites of pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) in the New Jersey pine barrens

We examined eight summer dens (used only in summer) and seven hibernacula (occupied both in winter and summer) of the snake Pituophis melanoleucus in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, comparing above ground characteristics of hibernacula and summer dens with characteristics at nearby random points. Temperatures at the soil surface and at 10 cm depth were significantly warmer, and there was less leaf cover around the random points compared to the entrances of the hibernacula and summer dens. Hiber- nacula had significantly more vegetation cover within 5 m, more leaf cover over the burrow entrance, and were closer to trees than were summer dens. Most hibernacula and summer dens were beside old fallen logs (73%), the entrance tunnels following decaying roots into the soil. Excavation of the hibernacula and summer dens indicated that most hibernacula appeared to be dug by the snakes and had an average of eight side chambers and 642 cm of tunnels, compared to less than one side chamber and 122 cm of tunnels for summer dens. Except for hatchlings, most snakes in hibernacula were located in individual chambers off the main tunnel; all snakes were at depths of 50-111 cm (X = 79 cm). Pine snakes may select optimum
Evidence-Based Review of Anti-Biofilm Agents for Wound Care.

Significance Biofilms in vivo are small densely packed aggregations of microbes that are highly resistant to host immune responses and treatment. Biofilms attach to each other and to nearby surfaces. They are difficult to study and identify in a clinical setting as their quantification necessitates the use of advanced microscopy techniques such as confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM). Nonetheless it is likely that biofilms contribute to the pathophysiology of chronic skin wounds. Reducing, removing or preventing biofilms is thus a logical approach to help clinicians heal chronic wounds. Recent Advances Wound care products have demonstrated varying degrees of efficacy in destroying biofilms in in vitro and pre-clinical models as well as in some clinical studies. Critical Issues Controlled studies exploring the beneficial role of biofilm eradication and its relationship to healing in patients with chronic wounds are limited. This review aims to discuss the mode of action and clinical significance of currently available anti-biofilm products including surfactants, dressings and others, with a focus on levels of evidence for efficacy in disrupting biofilms and ability to improve wound healing outcomes. Future Directions Few available products have good evidence to support anti-biofilm activity and wound healing benefits. Novel therapeutic strategies are on the horizon. More high-quality clinical studies are needed. The development of non-invasive techniques to quantify biofilms will facilitate increased ease of research about biofilms in wounds and how to combat them.
Factors Influencing Movement Patterns of Keel‐Billed Toucans in a Fragmented Tropical Landscape in Southern Mexico

Abstract: Various factors influence animal movements in fragmented landscapes, and determining these factors is key to understanding ecological processes at a landscape scale. My goals were (1) to determine what factors influence movements of Keel‐billed Toucans ( Ramphastos sulfuratus ) in a fragmented landscape in southern Mexico and (2) to use this information to predict how movement patterns might change if the landscape was altered. I developed a cost‐distance geographic information system model that adjusts Euclidean distances by a cost of moving through a certain habitat type. Cost was based on habitat preferences exhibited by toucans. I then used this model to predict how movements might be affected by removal of isolated trees and living fences from the pasture matrix and by removal of forest remnants. Toucans moved more frequently between remnants separated by a low cost‐distance value. There was a cost‐distance threshold beyond which movements between remnants were rare. Below this threshold, fruit abundance influenced toucan movements but remnant area was not influential in that toucans did not preferentially move to large patches. Remnants close to various other remnants were more frequently visited by toucans, indicating that landscape connectivity influences toucan movements. Toucans incurred a 10–30% cost increase when moving in computer‐simulated landscapes, indicating that changes in forest cover or configuration of habitats may negatively affect toucan populations, assuming that increased cost has a fitness consequence. Cost‐distance modeling has been relatively unexplored and may be a valuable tool for determining how the configuration of a landscape impedes or facilitates animal movements.
2D-Cross Correlation Spectroscopy Coupled with Molecular Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Analysis of Molecular Structure Modification of Camel Milk and Cow Milk Mixtures during Coagulation

Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy (SFS) coupled with two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) was employed to monitor, at the molecular level, the coagulation of five mixture ratios of camel’s milk (CaM) and cow’s milk (CM) (100% CaM, 75% CaM:25% CM, 50% CaM:50% CM, 25% CaM:75% CM and 100% CM). The dissimilarities among the different formulations are highlighted on the synchronous 2DCOS-SFS. In addition, according to the cross-peak symbols in synchronous and asynchronous spectra, the rate of response modification in riboflavin, protein and vitamin A matched with common coagulation phenomena usually reported during chymosin coagulation (hydrolysis of κ-casein, destabilization of casein micelles and aggregation). This study demonstrated that 2DCOS-SFS is a successful strategy to discriminate milk mixtures and to monitor molecular structure modifications during coagulation process.
Improved flower advertisement, pollinator rewards and seed yield by enhanced UV-B radiation in the Mediterranean annual Malcolmia maritima.

• The effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on reproductive and pollination success were investigated in the Mediterranean annual Malcolmia maritima. • Plants were exposed in the field to ambient or ambient plus supplemental UV-B radiation (biologically equivalent to a 15% ozone depletion over Patras, Greece, 38°14' N, 21°44' E) up to leaf senescence and fruit maturation. • UV-B radiation had no effect on stem and fruit biomass, anthesis time and duration and flower number. However, flower diameter, nectary volume and nectar amount per flower (but not nectar concentration) were significantly increased by supplemental UV-B radiation. In addition UV-B treated plants showed higher reproductive success (i.e. lower abortion rates and higher fruit to flower ratio) and a trend to higher pollination success (i.e. increased number of seeds per fruit). As a result, the seed yield was increased. Seed mass, seed germination and early seedling growth were not affected by UV-B treatment of mother plants. • It is suggested that the UV-B induced changes in flower attributes might have affected pollinators' behaviour in a way that improved the fitness of M. maritima.
The personal social network of psychiatric service users

Background: For psychiatric service users, the personal social network offers resources such as behavioural guidance, social support, and coherence of care delivery. So far, most research on the subject has assessed the availability of these resources using size and composition measures. However, the availability of network resources also depends on the cohesion of the relationships between network members, a topic that is rarely addressed in the literature. Aims: In this article, we aim to describe the cohesion of psychiatric service users’ networks. Method: We carried out a personal network survey and collected data on the social networks of 380 service users recruited in outpatient and inpatient services in Belgium. We used an ego-network mapping technique. The data were analysed using several structural metrics describing size, composition, and cohesion. We carried out analysis of variance (ANOVA) in relation to residential status, level of education, psychiatric history, and psychosocial functioning and analysed three cohesion indicators (density, fragmentation, and centralisation) with regression analyses. Results: Personal social networks were small and not very cohesive. Most were composed of a dense subgroup as well as several isolated network members. The analyses revealed that highly educated psychiatric service users had more fragmented networks, while users living in independent accommodation had less dense networks. Density and fragmentation were not associated with the severity of psychosocial functioning, whereas centralisation was. Conclusions: The low level of cohesion may indicate that service users aim to access multiple and diverse social resources and that better-off service users are more successful at doing so. On the whole, however, these personal social networks were fragile, because they contained a high number of isolated network members. Finally, it could be beneficial for professionals to pay special attention to the central persons within the networks of psychiatric service users.
Recent advances in stent-assisted coiling of cerebral aneurysms

ABSTRACT Introduction Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) of intracranial aneurysms paved the way for endovascular coiling of wide-neck and bifurcation aneurysms, improving rates of aneurysm obliteration and recurrence. In this review, we provide a comprehensive review of the most recent advances related to stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysm. Areas covered The authors have made an attempt to cover the inception, applications, and limitations of SAC of intracranial aneurysms. Special focus is given to 1) the current and recently introduced SAC techniques, 2) most recent advances in device technology, and 3) outcome data for the discussed techniques and devices. The authors also discuss the potential future direction of SAC. Expert opinion technical refinements in the field of SAC should continue to focus on device development and addressing the limitations of SAC, namely aneurysm recurrence and need of antiplatelet agents. Although the recurrence rate of SAC has not been shown to be inferior to flow diverters, the use of intrasaccular and intravascular flow diverters are likely to expand in the future at the expense of SAC.
Persistent organic pollutants and mercury in the Himalaya

Persistent organic pollutants and mercury are important contaminants due to their persistence in the environment and potential toxic effects on ecosystems and humans. Concerns related to these contaminants are particularly pertinent in Asia where the use of pesticides and mercury emissions have been increasing dramatically due to changing agricultural practices and rapidly expanding industrialization. Based on studies in European and North American mountain regions, evidence is increasing that alpine regions function as regional convergence zones for selected organic pollutants due to an effect called orographic cold trapping. It is hypothesized that such an effect may be particularly pronounced in the Himalaya because of dramatic elevational temperature and precipitation gradients relative to contaminant source regions in its immediate vicinity, and because of the regional monsoon system that has been shown to deliver particles and inorganic air pollutants to higher altitudes. A review of studies of persistent organic pollutants and mercury in the Himalayan ecosystem reveals that measurements of these contaminants are sparse and rarely adhere to strict quality control procedures, making it difficult to judge whether relatively high concentrations reported for these materials are indeed an indication of efficient transfer of toxic contaminants to Himalayan ecosystems. Knowledge gaps are identified and suggestions are made for research that would allow for the testing of the hypothesis that the Himalaya is an important cold trap for semi-volatile organic contaminants and mercury.
Observations on the Subgenus Argas (Ixodoidea, Argasidae, Argas) 2. A. Cooleyi, New Species, from Western North American Birds

Argasid parasites of cliff swallows, Petrochelidon pyrrhonota subspp. , and of a few other birds in western North America, have previously been referred to as Argas reflexus (Fabricius, 1794). Comparison of American population samples with others of the true A. r. reflexus from Europe indicates that these represent separate species. Adults and immature stages from western North America are described, and the name A. cooleyi sp. nov. is proposed for them. While morphological differences between European and American specimens are found in nymphal and adult stages, the most outstanding criteria occur in larvae of these species. Cliff swallows appear to be the principal hosts of A. cooleyi wherever this tick occurs in western North America (Montana, Washington, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Texas, and California).