Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Pipelined Hardware Implementation of COPA, ELmD, and COLM

Authenticated encryption algorithms offer privacy, authentication, and data integrity, as well. In recent years, they have received special attention after the call for submissions of Competition for Authenticated Encryption: Security, Applicability, and Robustness (CAESAR) was published. The CAESAR goal is to generate a portfolio with recommendations of authenticated encryption algorithms for three different scenarios: Lightweight, high speed, and defense in deep. ELmD and COPA are two on-line authenticated encryption algorithms submitted to CAESAR; because of their similarities, they were merged as COLM during the third-round of CAESAR. COLM is a finalist in the use case 3 defense in depth. ELmD, COPA, and COLM are based on the ECB-mix-ECB structure, which is highly parallelizable and pipelineable. In this paper, we present optimized single-chip implementations of ELmD, COPA, and COLM using pipelining. For ELmD, we present implementations for eight combinations of its parameters set: For intermediate tags, fixed, variable tag length, and 10 and 6 AES rounds. COLM implementation is for variable tag length without intermediate tags. In the case of COPA, it does not have parameters set. The implementation results with a Xilinx Virtex 6 FPGA show that ELmD is the best option concerning area and speed for single-chip implementation. The area of COPA and COLM are 1.65 and 1.69 times ELmD's respectively. Regarding throughput, the range of our implementations goes from 33.34 Gbits/s for COLM to more than 35 Gbits/s for several versions of ELmD.
Interrogating the Mechanistic Basis for Cytokine-Mediated Glucocorticoid Resistance in Lymphoid-Driven Diseases

Author(s): Meyer, Lauren Kimberly | Advisor(s): Hermiston, Michelle; Shannon, Kevin | Abstract: Glucocorticoids (GCs) are potently immunosuppressive due to their pro-apoptotic effects on lymphoid cells, leading to their utility in a wide range of clinical contexts including autoimmune diseases, hyperinflammatory conditions, and lymphoid malignancies. In addition, GCs are endogenously produced hormones that mediate a wide range of physiologic functions that are essential for life. As a result, cells of the immune system face constant exposure to GCs and therefore require intrinsic mechanisms by which to resist their pro-apoptotic effects under certain developmental and environmental conditions. The retention of these resistance mechanisms in lymphoid-driven diseases thereby poses a challenge to the clinical use of GCs in these contexts. Common -chain cytokines, through activation of the JAK/STAT signal transduction pathway, play essential roles in the differentiation, survival, and function of lymphoid cells. Here, we assess the interplay between GC activity and cytokine-mediated pro-survival signaling in two lymphoid-driven diseases, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, and demonstrate that cytokines are potent mediators of GC resistance. Mechanistically, we show that activation of STAT5 downstream of cytokine receptor signaling is necessary for cytokine-induced GC resistance. STAT5 functions as a transcription factor to upregulate expression of anti-apoptotic mediators, thereby reducing the apoptotic potential and promoting the survival of lymphoid cells. Through both genetic and pharmacologic approaches, we demonstrate that targeted inhibition of cytokine receptor signaling effectively restores GC sensitivity, and we establish the feasibility of this therapeutic approach in two in vivo models of disease.
Hepatitis C: Epidemiologi, Etiologi, dan Patogenitas

Hepatitis merupakan penyakit peradangan pada organ hati yang disebabkan oleh berbagai faktor, salah satunya adalah infeksi virus. Virus Hepatitis C (VHC) merupakan salah satu virus dengan genom RNA yang dapat menyebabkan infeksi pada sel-sel hati (hepatosit) yang dapat menular melalui darah. VHC memiliki berbagai genotipe yang tersebar di berbagai belahan bumi yang telah teridentifikasi dan terklasifikasi. VHC tersusun atas berbagai protein yang merupakan hasil ekspresi RNA VHC. Protein tersebut terdiri atas protein struktural maupun non-struktural yang memiliki fungsi masing-masing, khususnya pada saat menginfeksi sel inang. Protein-protein VHC tersebut dapat menginisiasi sistem pertahanan tubuh sehingga timbul respon imum tubuh terhadap VHC. Genom VHC dapat mengalami mutasi sehingga mempu menghindari respon imun inangnya. Kegagalan respon imun tubuh untuk mengeliminasi VHC menyebabkan kerusakan pada sel-sel hati hingga berpotensi mengalami sirosis bahkan kanker. Ko-ifeksi VHC dengan infeksi mikroorganisme lainnya atau bahan-bahan lainnya yang dapat menurunkan fungsi normal organ hati dapat memperparah perjalanan penyakit hati. Variasi genetik dan kecepatan VHC untuk bermutasi menyebabkan sulitnya memperoleh vaksin yang tepat untuk virus tersebut, sehingga berpotensi menjadi penyakit yang bersifat silent epidemic.
Individualized Anatomical Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a common injury particularly among young active individuals. ACL injury leads to increased knee laxity and abnormal knee biomechanics that may prevent return to sports and predispose to early onset degenerative changes in the joint. Therefore, optimizing ACL injury treatment is of great interest to the sports medicine field. ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is considered the treatment of choice for most patients, especially in those involved in cutting and pivoting activities, often allowing them to return sports. ACLR has been based traditionally on standardized techniques that neglected the individual anatomy of the patient. Individualized anatomical ACLR is considered a new concept that is based on tailoring the ACL surgery to the individual patient. It uses preoperative measurements on plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging as well as intraoperative measurement of the patients’ native ACL and knee anatomy to precisely determine the variations in the size of femoral and tibial insertion site and size and morphology of the intercondylar notch. The ultimate goal of individualized anatomical ACL reconstruction is to restore the ACL to its native dimensions, collagen orientation, and insertion site to replicate the individual anatomy as closely as possible. In this concept, the choice to perform a single- or double-bundle reconstruction or augmentation depends on aforementioned variations in the anatomy of the ACL and the knee joint.
Antibody detection against Akabane (AKA) and Bluetongue (BT) viruses in Algerian dromedary camels

In this study, blood samples collected from dromedary camels in the Algerian provinces of Laghouat and Ghardaia, which were kept in the same pastures and in the same herds with sheep and goats, were examined to detect antibodies to the Bluetongue (BT) and Akabane (AKA) viruses using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and serum neutralization tests, respectively. Overall, 16 (14.4%) and 2 (1.8%) of 111 tested camel serum samples were seropositive for the BT virus (BTV) and the AKA virus (AKAV), respectively. The present study determined that BTV infection was prevalent in camels in Algeria, and antibodies to the AKAV were also detected for the first time in Algerian camels.
Patterened Injuries- A Forensic Tool

Forensic dentistry is one of the most emerging specialties in dentistry. There are various measures which are source of information for the forensic dentists. These includes dental pulp, saliva, bite marks, rugoscopy, lip prints etc. The current article deals with the patterned injuries as a forensic tool. It describes its classification, history, examination, collection of the records and its significance.
Assessment of procalcitonin as a diagnostic marker of infection in pediatrics with cancer complicated by fever and neutropenia

Background: Febrile neutropenia is still one of the most important complications of treatment in cancer patients. These patients become prone to infection and consequently higher mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the accuracy of serum procalcitonin (PCT) level in the detection of infection in pediatric cancer patients complicated with febrile neutropenia. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all pediatric patients affected by cancer and febrile neutropenia following chemotherapy (n=107) were investigated from August 2014 to August 2015. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum levels of PCT, as well as blood and urine culture, were evaluated in all patients. Results: The mean age of the patients was 78 ± 55 months (3 214 months), and in terms of gender, 53 patients (49.5%) were male. Overall, 25 patients (23.4%) and 13 patients (12%) showed positive blood and urine culture, respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was illustrated to determine how much PCT can couldpredict infection. (AUC =0.74, 95% CI: 0.61-0.87, P<0.001). Considering the cut-off of serum PCT levels as 0.70ng/mL, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive valueof PCT were 0.76, 0.744, 0.475, and 0.91, respectively. In addition, PCT showed significant correlations with CRP (rs=0.415, P<0.001) and ESR (rs =0.262, P=0.009). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, serum PCT levels can be used as a diagnostic test with acceptable sensitivity and specificity and high negative predictive value, but the low positive predictive value in the evaluation of infections in patients affected by cancer and complicated with fever and neutropenia.
Implementation of National Technological Absorptive Capacity framework to Motivate High Technology Application in Bac Kan Agricultural Production

The application of high technology in agricultural production plays an important role in agricultural development, promoting economic growth, minimizing natural resources depletion, reducing environmental pollution, creating high quality and competitive products that meet the market demand. However, this implementation faces certain difficulties. This article will analyze the national technology absorption capacity and the struggles of its execution in Bac Kạn province, and at the same time, proposes criteria for applying the national technology absorptive capacity framework in Bac Kạn.
Multi-dimensional Resource Optimal Allocation Method for Service Function Chain Deployment

Aiming at the problem of multi-dimensional resource service function chain deployment in a resource-limited network, a resource allocation method based on optimal weighted graph matching is proposed. The node and link resources are embodied as weights of the weighted graph, and the eigenvector decomposition of the adjacency matrix is used to get graph matching method. The simulation results show that the algorithm optimizes the bandwidth required for the deployment of the service function chain, optimizes the balance of node load and link bandwidth, supports more service requests, and has low algorithm complexity.
The Presence of Renal IgG Deposits in Necrotizing Crescentic Glomerulonephritis Associated with ANCA Is Not Related to Worse Renal Clinical Outcomes

Introduction: Classical pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis (CGN) associated with antineutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ANCA) is characterized by the absence of renal immunoglobulin (Ig) deposits. However, IgG deposits can sometimes be present. We wanted to assess whether necrotizing CGN with IgG deposits is associated with a more severe presentation and outcome than necrotizing CGN without IgG deposits. Methods: Between November 2008 and August 2013, we retrospectively identified 158 patients from four centers who had necrotizing CGN due to primary ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis. Glomerular IgG deposits were found in 18 (11%) patients (group 1). For each patient in group 1, we selected 2 patients with classical pauci-immune necrotizing CGN with the nearest date of diagnosis in the same center (group 2, n = 36). We assessed clinical, biological, and pathological characteristics in both groups. Results: Baseline characteristics were similar in both groups, and most patients had ANCA-associated vasculitis with antibodies to myeloperoxidase (74%). Deposits displayed moderate to strong staining in 9 patients. As compared with group 2, group 1 exhibited a higher frequency of interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy lesions (p = 0.024) and lower frequency of acute tubular necrosis (p = 0.046). Nevertheless, after a mean follow-up of 30 and 26 months for group 1 and group 2, respectively, IgG deposits did not affect the renal prognosis or probability of relapse. Finally, the groups did not differ in renal or patient survival. Conclusions: IgG deposits, detected in 11% of patients with ANCA-associated necrotizing CGN, did not affect renal or patient outcomes.
Base station assisted relay selection in device-to-device communications

The performance of cooperative cellular networks can be enhanced by using social information of users in the network. This paper presents a social-aware midpoint relay selection scheme that increases average throughput of D2D communication between users in the network leveraging social trust among nodes while selecting a relay node. The selection of a relay node is such that it has strong social link with the source and also located near to the midpoint of the distance between the source and the destination. Calculation of average throughput via simulation shows that our proposed scheme outperforms existing hybrid relay selection scheme by Pan and Wang by upto 14%. In addition, our proposed introduction of probe limit and wise selection of social threshold value can further enhance the throughput when social trust among nodes are high.
Phylogenetic diversity and activity screening of cultivable Actinobacteria isolated from marine sponges and associated environments from the western coast of India

Phylogenetic diversity of cultivable actinobacteria isolated from sponges (Haliclona spp.) and associated environments of intertidal zones, along the northern parts of west coast of India, were studied using 16S rRNA gene sequences. A subset of actinobacteria were screened for three activities, namely predatory behavior, antibacterial activity and enzyme inhibition. We recovered 237 isolates of actinobacteria belonging to 19 families and 28 genera, which could be attributed to 95 putative species using maximum likelihood partition and 100 putative species using Bayesian partition in Poisson Tree Processes. Although the trends in the discovery of actinobacterial genera isolated from sponges was consistent with previous studies from different study areas, we provide first report of nine actinobacterial species from sponges. We observed widespread non-obligate epibiotic predatory behavior in eight actinobacterial genera and we provide first report of predatory activity in Brevibacterium, Glutamicibacter, Micromonospora, Nocardiopsis, Rhodococcus and Rothia. Sponge associated actinobacteria showed significantly more predatory behavior than environmental isolates. While antibacterial activity by actinobacterial isolates mainly affected Gram-positive target bacteria with little to no effect on Gram-negative bacteria, predation targeted both Gram-positive and Gram-negative prey with equal propensity. Actinobacterial isolates from both sponge and associated environment produced inhibitors of serine proteases and angiotensin converting enzyme. Predatory behavior was strongly associated with inhibition of trypsin and chymotrypsin. Our study suggests that sponge and associated environment of western coast of India are rich in actinobacterial diversity with widespread predatory activity, antibacterial activity and production of enzyme inhibitors. Understanding diversity and associations among various actinobacterial activities, with each other and the source of isolation, can provide new insights in marine microbial ecology and provide opportunities to isolate novel therapeutic agents.
Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer in northeastern Iran

Background: There are no data on familial aggregation of colorectal cancer (CRC) in northeastern Iran. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of early-onset CRC and patients suspected for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) based on the clinical criteria in this area. Materials and Methods: Documents were collected from two hospitals in Mashhad regarding 326 inpatients during 2013-2015. Demographics, clinical, and tumor-related features were recorded. Interviews were done to identify cancer in the family up to second-degree relatives. Results: 326 patients with CRC (48.5% male) were evaluated. The mean age at diagnosis was 55.44±14.85 years, with 91 patients (27.9%) below 45 years old. Eleven (3.4%) patients fulfilled the Amsterdam II criteria and 136 (41.7%) patients met at least one criterion of the revised Bethesda guideline. There was no difference between early- and late-onset CRC regarding the frequency of CRC in 1 st degree relatives or tumor site ( p =0.73, p =0.64). However, CRC in second-degree relatives and cases suspected for HNPCC were more common in early-onset of the disease ( p =0.022, p =0.024). The patients who fulfilled the Amsterdam II criteria had lower mean age and higher frequency of proximal cancer ( p =0.03, p =0.048). Conclusion: As CRC is common in the young population and CRC clustering and patients suspected for HNPCC are also frequently encountered, measures should be taken to CRC screening policy and genetic studies in this area.
Identification of Salt Deposits on Seismic Images Using Deep Learning Method for Semantic Segmentation

Several areas of Earth that are rich in oil and natural gas also have huge deposits of salt below the surface. Because of this connection, knowing precise locations of large salt deposits is extremely important to companies involved in oil and gas exploration. To locate salt bodies, professional seismic imaging is needed. These images are analyzed by human experts which leads to very subjective and highly variable renderings. To motivate automation and increase the accuracy of this process, TGS-NOPEC Geophysical Company (TGS) has sponsored a Kaggle competition that was held in the second half of 2018. The competition was very popular, gathering 3221 individuals and teams. Data for the competition included a training set of 4000 seismic image patches and corresponding segmentation masks. The test set contained 18,000 seismic image patches used for evaluation (all images are 101 × 101 pixels). Depth information of the sample location was also provided for every seismic image patch. The method presented in this paper is based on the author’s participation and it relies on training a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) for semantic segmentation. The architecture of the proposed network is inspired by the U-Net model in combination with ResNet and DenseNet architectures. To better comprehend the properties of the proposed architecture, a series of experiments were conducted applying standardized approaches using the same training framework. The results showed that the proposed architecture is comparable and, in most cases, better than these segmentation models.
Measuring the Performance Impact of Using the Microsoft HoloLens 1 to Provide Guided Assembly Work Instructions

The human performance benefits of four types of guided assembly instructions, including the Microsoft HoloLens 1, were analyzed in the context of a realistic assembly task. Several studies have confirmed the benefits of using augmented reality (AR) work instructions over traditional digital or paper instructions, but few have compared the effects of different AR hardware, including head-mounted displays, for complex assembly tasks. Participants completed a mock wing assembly task using the Microsoft HoloLens 1, and completion time, error count, and net promoter score (NPS) were recorded. These data were compared to data from previous research which employed desktop model-based instructions (MBIs), tablet MBI, and tablet AR instructions for the same task. The use of HoloLens AR instructions led to time saving of 16% over the tablet AR instructions. HoloLens users also had lower error rates than non-AR users. Despite the performance benefits of the HoloLens AR instructions, this condition had a lower NPS than the tablet AR group. The qualitative data showed that some users thought the HoloLens device was uncomfortable and that the tracking was not always exact. Although the users favored the tablet AR condition, the HoloLens condition had significantly faster assembly times. The authors recommend using the HoloLens for complex guided assembly instructions with minor changes, such as allowing the user to toggle the AR instructions on and off at will. The results of this paper can help manufacturing stakeholders understand the benefits of different AR technologies for manual assembly tasks.
Taste Aversion Learning Based on Swimming and Lithium Chloride Injection in Rats: Implications From Cross‐familiarization Tests and Stimulus Selectivity
 1

: In rats, swimming causes avoidance of the taste solution consumed immediately before the swimming. Several lines of research have shown that this taste avoidance re ﬂ ects Pavlovian conditioned aversion based on correlations between the taste and swimming-induced nausea. The present research compared swimming-based taste aversion learning (TAL) with conventional TAL based on nausea-inducing lithium chloride (LiCl). By exploiting cross-familiarization techniques, Experiments 1A and 1B suggested that different physiological states are induced by swimming and LiCl. This claim was supported by Experiment 2, which reports stimulus selectivity in saccharin and sucrose aversions based on swimming and LiCl. rather
Research on the Default Risk Evaluation of Borrowers from Online Peer-to-Peer Lending Based on Survival Analysis

This paper evaluates borrowers’ default risk from online peer-to-peer lending and discuss related influencing factors. Based on the theoretical method of survival analysis, adopting semi-parametric estimation method, and using the loan data of Lending Club, Cox proportional hazards model is developed to research empirically. The findings are shown as follows: (1) Term of loan, credit rating, annual income and line recycling rate are protective factors, and with the increase of these variables, the possibility of loan default is reduced. (2) Rate of loan, debt-to-income ratio and number of bad public records are risk factors, and as these variables increase, the possibility of loan default is increased.