Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Privacy-Enhancing and Robust Backdoor Defense for Federated Learning on Heterogeneous Data

Federated learning (FL) allows multiple clients to train deep learning models collaboratively while protecting sensitive local datasets. However, FL has been highly susceptible to security for federated backdoor attacks (FBA) through injecting triggers and privacy for potential data leakage from uploaded models in practical application scenarios. FBA defense strategies consider specific and limited attacker models, and a sufficient amount of noise injected can only mitigate rather than eliminate the attack. To address these deficiencies, we introduce a Robust Federated Backdoor Defense Scheme (RFBDS) and Privacy-preserving RFBDS (PrivRFBDS) to ensure the elimination of adversarial backdoors. Our RFBDS to overcome FBA consists of amplified magnitude sparsification, adaptive OPTICS clustering, and adaptive clipping. The experimental evaluation of RFBDS is conducted on three benchmark datasets and an extensive comparison is made with state-of-the-art studies. The results demonstrate the promising defense performance from RFBDS, moderately improved by 31.75% ~ 73.75% in clustering defense methods, and 0.03% ~ 56.90% for Non-IID to the utmost extent for the average FBA success rate over MNIST, FMNIST, and CIFAR10. Besides, our privacy-preserving shuffling in PrivRFBDS maintains is $7.83e^{-5}\,\,\sim \,\,0.42\times $ that of state-of-the-art works.
Green Extraction of Antioxidant Fractions from Humulus lupulus Varieties and Microparticle Production via Spray-Drying

The formulation of polymeric microparticles to encapsulate bioactive compounds from two hop varieties (Nugget and Perle) using sequential green extraction processes was performed. The technologies used were ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and pressurized hot water (PHW) extraction. Liquid phases were analyzed for total phenolic content (~2%), antioxidant activity (IC50, DPPH: 3.68 (Nugget); 4.46 (Perle) g/L, TEAC (~4–5%), FRAP (~2–3%), and reducing power (~4%)), protein content (~1%), oligosaccharide content (~45%), and for structural features. The fractions obtained from UAE were selected to continue with the drying process, achieving the maximum yield at 120 °C (Perle) and 130 °C (Nugget) (~77%). Based on these results, the formulation of polymeric microparticles using mannitol as the carrier was performed with these fractions. The production yield (~65%), particle size distribution (Perle: 250–750 µm and Nugget: ~100 µm), and rheological features (30–70 mPa s at 0.1 s−1) were the parameters evaluated. The UAE extracts from hop samples processed using a sustainable aqueous treatment allowed the formulation of microparticles with a suitable yield, and morphological and viscosity properties adequate for potential food and non-food applications.
Examining the influence of foreign language anxiety on organizational strategies and foreign language proficiency in Chinese secondary EFL learners

Academic anxiety is one of the prominent emotions in learning English as a foreign language (EFL), and its impact on foreign language proficiency (FLP) has been extensively documented. However, the mediating effect of cognitive strategies between foreign language anxiety (FLA) and FLP has rarely been explored. In a sample of 524 Chinese secondary school students, the present study investigated the linkage between FLA, organizational strategies, and FLP. Structural equation modelling (SEM) and mediation analysis were conducted, and three findings were identified. First, FLA was negatively correlated with the use of organizational strategies. Second, the negative correlation between FLA and FLP was identified. Third, organizational strategies fully mediated the association between FLA and FLP after controlling for gender and age. Exploring the mediating mechanism between FLA and FLP might help EFL educators take intervention measures to alleviate the negative impact of FLA on foreign language learning. Limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
A Generative Adversarial Network to Synthesize 3D Magnetohydrodynamic Distortions for Electrocardiogram Analyses Applied to Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Recently, deep learning (DL) models have been increasingly adopted for automatic analyses of medical data, including electrocardiograms (ECGs). Large, available ECG datasets, generally of high quality, often lack specific distortions, which could be helpful for enhancing DL-based algorithms. Synthetic ECG datasets could overcome this limitation. A generative adversarial network (GAN) was used to synthesize realistic 3D magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) distortion templates, as observed during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and then added to available ECG recordings to produce an augmented dataset. Similarity metrics, as well as the accuracy of a DL-based R-peak detector trained with and without data augmentation, were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the synthesized data. Three-dimensional MHD distortions produced by the proposed GAN were similar to the measured ones used as input. The precision of a DL-based R-peak detector, tested on actual unseen data, was significantly enhanced by data augmentation; its recall was higher when trained with augmented data. Using synthesized MHD-distorted ECGs significantly improves the accuracy of a DL-based R-peak detector, with a good generalization capacity. This provides a simple and effective alternative to collecting new patient data. DL-based algorithms for ECG analyses can suffer from bias or gaps in training datasets. Using a GAN to synthesize new data, as well as metrics to evaluate its performance, can overcome the scarcity issue of data availability.
Phylogenetic Analysis and Emerging Drug Resistance against Different Nucleoside Analogues in Hepatitis B Virus Positive Patients

Several nucleotide analogues have been approved for use in treating hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Long-term exposure to therapy leads to the emergence of mutations within the HBV DNA polymerase gene, resulting in drug resistance, a major factor contributing to therapy failure. Chronic HBV patients from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Pakistan, who had completed 6 months of therapy participated in this study. Samples were collected from 60 patients. In this study, the entire reverse transcriptase domain of the HBV polymerase gene was amplified using nested polymerase chain reaction and sequenced. Drug-resistant mutations were detected in nine (22.5%) patients. All of these patients had lamivudine-resistant mutations (rtM204V + L180M), while seven individuals (17.5%) had both lamivudine- plus entecavir-resistant mutations (L180M + M204V + S202G). N236T, a mutation that gives rise to tenofovir and adefovir resistance, was observed in two (5%) patients. T184A, a partial drug-resistant mutation to entecavir, was found in five (12.5%) patients. Furthermore, other genotypic variants (100%) and vaccine escape mutations (5%) were additionally observed. Moreover, pN459Y (35%), pN131D (20%), pL231S (20%), pP130Q (17.5%), pS189Q (12.5%), pP161S (5%), pH160P (2.5%), pT322S (2.5%), and pA223S (2.5%) mutations in the polymerase gene, as well as sA166V (17.5%), sQ181K (12.5%), sV184R (7.5%), sA17E (5%), sP153S/K (5%), sW156C (5%), sC76Y (2.5%), and S132F (2.5%) mutations in the small surface gene, were identified for the first time in this study. Phylogenetic analysis showed that genotype D was predominant amongst the HBV carriers. Subtype D1 was found in most patients, while two patients were subtype D9. These novel findings may contribute to the body of knowledge and have clinical significance for treating and curing HBV infections in Pakistan.
A CNN and GRU Based Composite Classification Method for Motor Imagery EEG Signals

Improving the classification accuracy rate of motor imagery (MI) tasks, which is the crucial challenges in designing brain-computer interface (BCI) systems. A compound model of convolutional neural networks (CNN) serially connected gated recurrent unit (GRU) is proposed in this paper, which can simultaneously extract spatial-temporal information of EEG signals to enhance the accuracy in MI binary classification tasks. This method is applied to the motor imagery datasets of 16 subjects from Inner Mongolia University of Technology (IMUT). Experimental results showed that the model of CNN+GRU has a significantly higher classification accuracy than the model of CSP+SVM. More abundant fusion features extracted by CNN+GRU model, and the accuracy rate of MI features classification has been significantly improved.
Observation of experts, attitudes through multi-criteria decision-making

The aim of this paper is to obtain optimum fuzzy soft constants through multi-criteria decision-making approaches. TOPSIS and VIKOR are utilized for this purpose and results are compared with those obtained through Bonferroni mean. The hesitant fuzzy soft set is taken as initial data in decision-making methods. Hesitant fuzzy Bonferroni means and distance measures for TOPSIS and VIKOR are calculated in the structure of hesitant fuzzy set and hesitant fuzzy soft set. OFSCs are chosen from the constants which rank the alternatives in the decision-making process. By using the system of linear differential equations based on OFSCs, the future approach of people with respect to their decisions is analyzed and is observed through phase portrait and a line graph of that system of differential equations. To explain the proposed idea, explanative examples for two techniques are also given. These examples illustrate that if two persons select the two different alternatives, they do not favor each other after that decision. Cite this article as: Mahmood A, Abbas M, Murtaza G. Observation of experts, attitudes through multi-criteria decision-making. Sigma J Eng Nat Sci 2023;41(5):926−937.
Cognitive Processes and the Movement of Combat Rifle Teams in Urban Terrain

Four combat training scenarios were executed to investigate cognitive factors that influence squad movement and tactical performance in urban terrain. Participants varied in levels of training and experience in urban warfare. Two fire teams and a squad leader (nine men) played Blue Force (BLUFOR) against an Opposition Force (OPFOR) of varying size. BLUFOR's mission was to enter the city then clear and secure a building of OPFOR and retrieve a POW or piece of equipment. Data collection involved after-action interviews with team leaders, overhead videos, questionnaires, and group discussions. Walking interviews were used to reconstruct leader awareness of cues, perceptions, decisions and actions during the exercise. Results are discussed and interpreted in terms of Situation Awareness, Activity Theory and Recognition Primed Decision model frameworks. Implications for computer simulation modeling of individual soldier and small unit performance are addressed as well as the potential impact of new advanced technologies.
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES: A NEW NRS-FIA ANALYTICAL SCIENCE INITIATIVE

Forest ecosystem services (ES) are linked to sustaining human well-being. Recognizing an inappropriate economic valuation of ecosystem properties and processes, many ecologists, economists, and political scientists have pushed for an increasing awareness and appreciation of ES. Many definitions of ES include both direct and indirect benefits humans derive from ecosystem properties or processes. The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) typology classifies ES into four categories: provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services; this framework enables linkages between Northern Research Station Forest Inventory and Analysis (NRS-FIA) research activities and specific services within MA categories. A subset of those ES for which additional information is needed will be addressed in a proposed NRS-FIA ES science team.
Source process of the 1911 M8.0 Chon-Kemin earthquake: investigation results by analogue seismic records

Several destructive earthquakes have occurred in Tien-Shan region at the beginning of 20th century. However, the detailed seismological characteristics, especially source parameters of those earthquakes are still poorly investigated. The Chon-Kemin earthquake is the strongest instrumentally recorded earthquake in the Tien-Shan region. This earthquake has produced an approximately 200 km long system of surface ruptures along Kemin-Chilik fault zone and killed about similar to 400 people. Several studies presented the different information on the earthquake epicentre location and magnitude, and two different focal mechanisms were also published. The reason for the limited knowledge of the source parameters for the Chon-Kemin earthquake is the complexity of old analogue records processing, digitization and analysis. In this study the data from 23 seismic stations worldwide were collected and digitized. The earthquake epicentre was relocated to 42.996NA degrees and 77.367EA degrees, the hypocentre depth is estimated between 10 and 20 km. The magnitude was recalculated to m(B) 8.05, M-s 7.94 and M-w 8.02. The focal mechanism, determined from amplitude ratios comparison of the observed and synthetic seismograms, was: str = 264A degrees, dip = 52A degrees, rake = 98A degrees. The apparent source time duration was between similar to 45 and similar to 70 s, the maximum slip occurred 25 s after the beginning of the rupture. Two subevents were clearly detected from the waveforms with the scalar moment ratio between them of about 1/3, the third subevent was also detected with less certainty. Taking into account surface rupture information, the fault geometry model with three patches was proposed. Based on scaling relations we conclude that the total rupture length was between similar to 260 and 300 km and a maximum rupture width could reach similar to 70 km.
Effectiveness and Safety of an Outpatient Program for Percutaneous Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion

Background: Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) is a safe and effective alternative to oral anticoagulation for thromboprophylaxis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Technological development in devices and imaging techniques, as well as accumulated experience, have increased procedural success rates and decreased complications. Same-day discharge protocols have been proposed in the field of structural heart disease, but this approach has not been studied in detail for the LAAO procedure. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the safety and efficacy of an outpatient program for LAAO when compared to the conventional treatment approach. Methods: We present a retrospective, non-randomized single-center study of 262 consecutive patients undergoing LAAO. Patients were divided into two groups, the first (n = 131) followed a conventional protocol (CP), and the second (n = 131) an outpatient protocol (OP). The primary composite endpoint comprised MACCE (death, stroke, and bleeding), cardiac tamponade, vascular complication, or attendance in the emergency department after hospital discharge at 30 days. Results: The overall success rate was 99.6%, with a periprocedural complication rate of 2.29%. With regards to the CP versus OP group, there were no differences between incidences of the primary composite endpoint (6.1% PC vs. 3.0% PA, p = 0.24), or after an analysis, with propensity score matching. No differences were observed in the individual endpoints. There was a decrease in hospital length of stay in the same-day discharge group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: A same-day discharge LAAO program is safe, effective, and feasible when compared to the conventional strategy. Moreover, it reduces hospital length of stay, which might have clinical and economic benefits.
Petrographic study of evaporite deformation near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant (WIPP)

The Delaware Basin of southeastern New Mexico contains about 1000 m of layered evaporites. Areas in the northern Delaware Basin, bordering the Capitan reef, have anomalous seismic reflection characteristics, such as loss in reflector continuity. Core from holes within this zone exhibits complex mesoscopic folds and extension structures. On a larger scale, anticlines and synclines are indicated by structure contours based on boreholes. The deformation is probably gravity-driven. Such a process is initiated by basin tilting during either a Mesozoic or Cenozoic period of uplift. Small-scale structures suggest that deformation was episodic with an early, syndepositional stage of isoclinal folding. Later, open-to-tight asymmetric folding is more penetrative and exhibits a sense of asymmetry opposite to that of the earlier isoclinal folding. The younger folds are associated with development of zonal crenulation cleavage and microboundinage of more competent carbonate layers. At the same time, halite beds developed dimensional fabrics and convolute folds in anhydrite stringers. Late-stage, near-vertical fractures formed in competent anhydrite layers. Microscopic textures exhibit rotated anhydrite porphyroblasts, stress shadow growth, and microboundinage. Except during late-stage deformation, anhydrite and halite recrystallized synkinematically. Drastic strength reduction in anhydrites through dynamic recrystallization occurs experimentally near 200/sup 0/C. However, evaporites of the WIPPmore » site never experienced temperatures > 40/sup 0/C. Microscopic fabrics and P, T history of the evaporites suggest that pressure solution was the active mechanism during deformation of evaporites at the WIPP site. « less
Confiança em Robôs Socialmente Assistivos: Um Catálogo de Requisitos Não-Funcionais

Resumo: Contexto: A confiança (trust) é um aspecto muito importante para a interação com robôs socialmente assistivos (SARs). Confiança em Engenharia de Requisitos é considerada um requisito não-funcional requisito a ser satisfeito, e as fases de elicitação e especificação dos requisitos de confiança contribuem diretamente para a qualidade dos SARs. Na literatura, há uma escassez de trabalhos que abordam a Confiança no contexto de SARs. Objetivo: Propor um catálogo de Requisitos Não-Funcionais de Confiança para Robôs Socialmente Assistivos - NFR4TRUST, voltado para robôs do tipo humanoide. Método: Condução de uma revisão da literatura abrangendo o contexto da confiança na interação humano-robô e automação. Organização de uma taxonomia de confiança para SARs que serve como base para a criação do Catálogo. Validação do catálogo através da definição de requisitos de confiança de um robô que auxilia na reabilitação de membros superiores e realização de entrevistas com especialistas nas áreas de NFR Framework, interação humano-robô, confiança, engenharia de requisitos e fisioterapia. Resultados: O catálogo foi considerado pelos especialistas e engenheiros de requisitos consultados como um artefato valioso e que apresenta uma boa cobertura inicial em relação aos requisitos não-funcionais de confiança no domínio de SARs humanoides. Conclusão: O NFR4TRUST foi considerado um artefato útil para apoiar as etapas de elicitação e especificação em projetos de robôs socialmente assistivos do tipo humanoide, permitindo a identificação de possíveis problemas sobre a perspectiva de confiança.
Modelling the suitability for ice core drilling of mountain glaciers and development of new spectroscopy systems for cold room laboratory and environmental monitoring.

Mountain glaciers and non-polar ice cores are very detailed sources of paleo-proxy data essential to achieve a complete overview of climate change. The increase in glaciers melting leads to a loss of information stored in the ice, and affects the possibility to predict the evolution of climate. In this context, it is important to define a set of guidelines and create dedicated maps to identify potentially suitable areas for future ice core drilling. In this study, the Suitability for Ice Core Drilling (SICD) was defined as the likelihood of drilling a glacier to retrieve an ice core with preserved stratigraphic information that allows the reconstruction of historical climate conditions. Environmental variables related to SICD were selected on the basis of previously drilled sites, according to available scientific literature and on the basis of glaciologists’ opinion. Two different spatial multi-criteria analysis—one knowledge-driven and one data-driven method—were optimised and key variables (slope, local relief, temperature and direct solar radiation) were combined to map the potential drilling sites in the European Alps and in the Asian High Mountain glaciers. The performance of the models were evaluated and first indications of potential drilling sites were reviewed. Results will serve as an indication for potential future drilling sites in non-polar mountain glacier.
Finite-Time Feedback Stabilization of Linear Descriptor Systems

The control design problem for finite-time stabilization of linear descriptor systems is considered. The scheme of control parameters selection is presented by a linear matrix inequalities. Obtained stabilizability conditions are more reliable (linear matrix inequalities are not fragile) than the existing results. The settling time estimate is obtained. The theoretical results are supported by numerical simulations.
A FOOD HABITS STUDY ON HAINAN ELD'S DEER IN HAINAN ISLAND,CHINA

Eleven months data on food habits of the Hainan eld's deer (Cervus eldi hainan-us) were collected from the Hainan Datian National Nature Reserve, in which the last group of this deer is distributed in China, A fence was constructed and one square kilometer area was closed before this study was conducted. It provided a good study area for this research. Thirty nine paired plots were sampled with 100 meters interval along four transect lines about 1000 meters (long each) to survey the availability of browse species and grazing species. Two hundred and ninty six feeding sites were examined and data about usage for each species and occuring species in all feeding sites were recored. The deer fed on 74 species of plants during study period among them 31 species were shrubs and 43 were herbs. X2 test revealed that the deer strongly selected feeding habitat. They preferred to feed in the tropical grasslands and rain forests. The deer grazed more than browsed. Ferbs, new shoots of grasses made most components of their year round diet. An evaluation on the food preference and important values of 26 herb species and 20 browse species on which deer fed more often or preferred were given in this paper. Suggestion on the management of deer's habitat within the Nature Reserve have been made, too.
Usefulness and Clinical Impact of Whole-Body MRI in Detecting Autoimmune Neuromuscular Disorders

Autoimmune neuromuscular diseases are a group of heterogenous pathologies secondary to the activation of the immune system that damage the structures of the peripheric nerve, the neuromuscular junction, or the skeleton muscle. The diagnosis of autoimmune neuromuscular disorders comprises a combination of data from clinical, laboratory, electromyography, imaging exam, and biopsy. Particularly, the whole-body MRI examination in the last two decades has been of great use in the assessment of neuromuscular disorders. MRI provides information about the structures involved and the status of activity of the disease. It can also be used as a biomarker, detect the pattern of specific muscle involvement, and is a useful tool for targeting the optimal muscle site for biopsy. In this work, we summarized the most used technical protocol of whole-body MRI and the role of this imaging technique in autoimmune neuromuscular disorders.