Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Are these Ads Safe: Detecting Hidden Attacks through the Mobile App-Web Interfaces

—Mobile users are increasingly becoming targets of malware infections and scams. Some platforms, such as Android, are more open than others and are therefore easier to exploit than other platforms. In order to curb such attacks it is important to know how these attacks originate. We take a previously unexplored step in this direction and look for the answer at the interface between mobile apps and the Web. Numerous in-app advertisements work at this interface: when the user taps on an advertisement, she is led to a web page which may further redirect until the user reaches the ﬁnal destination. Similarly, applications also embed web links that again lead to the outside Web. Even though the original application may not be malicious, the Web destinations that the user visits could play an important role in propagating attacks. In order to study such attacks we develop a systematic methodology consisting of three components related to triggering web links and advertisements, detecting malware and scam campaigns, and determining the provenance of such campaigns reaching the user. We have realized this methodology through various techniques and contributions and have developed a robust, integrated system capable of running continuously without human intervention. We deployed this system for a two-month period and analyzed over 600,000 applications in the United States and in China while triggering a total of about 1.5 million links in applications to the Web. We gain a general understanding of attacks through the app-web interface as well as make several interesting ﬁndings, including a rogue antivirus scam, free iPad and iPhone scams, and advertisements propagating SMS trojans disguised as fake movie players. In broader terms, our system enables locating attacks and identifying the parties (such as
Disability and employment – overview and highlights

ABSTRACT Due to the expected decline in the working-age population, especially in European countries, people with disabilities are now more often recognized as a valuable resource in the workforce and research into disability and employment is more important than ever. This paper outlines the state of affairs of research on disability and employment. We thereby focus on one particular group of people with disabilities, that is to say people with mental disabilities. We define disability according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) of the World Health Organization, by that recognizing that disability results from the interaction of person and environment. Key issues, including the complexity of defining disability, the legal situation in Europe and North America concerning disability at work, and barriers and enablers to employment, are discussed. For each of the topics we show important findings in the existing literature and indicate where more in-depth research is needed. We finalize with a concrete research agenda on disability and employment and provide recommendations for practice.
Towards a global IoT: Resource re-utilization in WSNs

The Internet of Things (IoT) is envisioned as a paradigm shift, with a plethora of applications, on the premise of well-established enabling technologies; prominently Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and RFIDs. The former has evolved to improve energy efficiency and resilient operation, yet true scalability has only been recently probed and quite sparsely advanced. Moreover, the traditional approach, whereby most WSN platforms are tailored for a single-application, imposes significant rigidity in re-utilizing platforms for new applications, and limitations on re-using previously deployed ones. In remedy, we present a novel paradigm in WSNs to efficiently utilize network resources, and extend it to a platform for multiple applications to cross-utilize resources over multiple WSNs. We present the approach in three phases; the first calibers resources in the network and their usability. Then applications are represented as finite sets of functional requirements. Finally, we present an optimization approach to find an optimal mapping between applications and resources. This paradigm presents a leap in scalability, not only in a WSN but across multiple ones, dynamically accommodating varying resources being introduced and removed; in addition to utilizing transient resources in their vicinity. To this end, we present an architecture to efficiently adopt WSNs in IoT with changing demands and scale. Our approach is further explained and demonstrated via a detailed use case depicting the premise of IoT applications.
Does an Adolescent’s Accuracy of Recall Improve with a Second 24-h Dietary Recall?

The multiple-pass 24-h dietary recall is used in most national dietary surveys. Our purpose was to assess if adolescents’ accuracy of recall improved when a 5-step multiple-pass 24-h recall was repeated. Participants (n = 24), were Chinese-American youths aged between 11 and 15 years and lived in a supervised environment as part of a metabolic feeding study. The 24-h recalls were conducted on two occasions during the first five days of the study. The four steps (quick list; forgotten foods; time and eating occasion; detailed description of the food/beverage) of the 24-h recall were assessed for matches by category. Differences were observed in the matching for the time and occasion step (p < 0.01), detailed description (p < 0.05) and portion size matching (p < 0.05). Omission rates were higher for the second recall (p < 0.05 quick list; p < 0.01 forgotten foods). The adolescents over-estimated energy intake on the first (11.3% ± 22.5%; p < 0.05) and second recall (10.1% ± 20.8%) compared with the known food and beverage items. These results suggest that the adolescents’ accuracy to recall food items declined with a second 24-h recall when repeated over two non-consecutive days.
Reducing GBA2 Activity Ameliorates Neuropathology in Niemann-Pick Type C Mice

The enzyme glucocerebrosidase (GBA) hydrolyses glucosylceramide (GlcCer) in lysosomes. Markedly reduced GBA activity is associated with severe manifestations of Gaucher disease including neurological involvement. Mutations in the GBA gene have recently also been identified as major genetic risk factor for Parkinsonism. Disturbed metabolism of GlcCer may therefore play a role in neuropathology. Besides lysosomal GBA, cells also contain a non-lysosomal glucosylceramidase (GBA2). Given that the two β-glucosidases share substrates, we speculated that over-activity of GBA2 during severe GBA impairment might influence neuropathology. This hypothesis was studied in Niemann-Pick type C (Npc1 -/-) mice showing secondary deficiency in GBA in various tissues. Here we report that GBA2 activity is indeed increased in the brain of Npc1 -/- mice. We found that GBA2 is particularly abundant in Purkinje cells (PCs), one of the most affected neuronal populations in NPC disease. Inhibiting GBA2 in Npc1 -/- mice with a brain-permeable low nanomolar inhibitor significantly improved motor coordination and extended lifespan in the absence of correction in cholesterol and ganglioside abnormalities. This trend was recapitulated, although not to full extent, by introducing a genetic loss of GBA2 in Npc1 -/- mice. Our findings point to GBA2 activity as therapeutic target in NPC.
Gluon condensation at finite temperature via AdS/CFT

We consider gluon condensation (GC) at finite temperature using AdS/CFT. We first show that in the presence of regular horizon, the GC is forbidden in high temperature. Then we consider gravity back-reaction to dilaton coupling and show that the back-reaction develops an singularity, and non-vanishing value of gluon condensation is allowed. We also study thermodynamic quantities and the trace anomaly in the presence of the GC. We discuss how to define a temperature in the presence of the singularity which forbids Hawking temperature. Finally we describe the thermodynamics of the gluon condensation including the effect of the Hawking-Page transition.
Haem-iron plays a key role in the regulation of the Ess/type VII secretion system of Staphylococcus aureus RN6390

The Staphylococcus aureus Type VII protein secretion system (T7SS) plays important roles in virulence and intra-species competition. Here we show that the T7SS in strain RN6390 is activated by supplementing the growth medium with hemoglobin, and its cofactor hemin (heme B). Transcript analysis and secretion assays suggest that activation by hemin occurs at a transcriptional and a post-translational level. Loss of T7 secretion activity by deletion of essC results in upregulation of genes required for iron acquisition. Taken together these findings suggest that the T7SS plays a role in iron homeostasis in at least some S. aureus strains.
Indirect field oriented control of induction motors is robustly globally stable

For induction motors indirect field oriented control is a simple and highly reliable scheme which has become an industry standard. We have previously shown that, in speed regulation tasks with constant load torque and current fed machines, indirect field oriented control is globally asymptotically stable provided the motor rotor resistance is exactly known. It is well known that this parameter is subject to significant changes during the machine operation, hence the question of the robustness of this stability result remained to be established. In this paper we provide some answers to this question. First, we give necessary and sufficient conditions for uniqueness of the equilibrium point of the (nonlinear) closed loop, which interestingly enough allow for a 200% error in the rotor resistance estimate. Then, we give conditions on the motor and controller parameters, and the speed and rotor flux norm reference values that insure either global boundedness of all solutions, or (global or local) asymptotic stability or instability of the equilibrium. The analysis is carried out using classical Lyapunov stability theory and some basic input-output theory.
PENGGUNAAN MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN ONLINE – OFFLINE DAN KOMUNIKASI INTERPERSONAL TERHADAP HASIL BELAJAR BAHASA INGGRIS

"> Abstrak: Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui: (1) perbedaan hasil belajar Bahasa Inggris antara siswa yang dibelajarkan dengan menggunakan media pembelajaran online dan offline, (2) perbedaan hasil belajar siswa yang memiliki komunikasi interpersonal terbuka dan tertutup, (3) interaksi antara penggunaan media pembelajaran dan komunikasi interpersonal dalam mempengaruhi hasil belajar Bahasa Inggris siswa. Metode penelitian eksperimen quasi dan melalui persyaratan, hipotesis penelitian diuji dengan menggunakan ANAVA 2 jalur pada taraf signifikansi α = 0,05 yang sebelumnya dilakukan uji persyaratan normalitas dengan Lilifors dan uji homogenitas varians dengan uji Barlett dan uji Fisher. Hasil pengujian hipotesis diperoleh: (1) hasil belajar Bahasa Inggris siswa yang dibelajarkan dengan menggunakan media pembelajaran online lebih tinggi dibandingkan media pembelajaran offline, hal ini ditunjukan oleh F hitung = 6.596 > F tabel = 3.94, (2) hasil belajar Bahasa Inggris siswa yang memiliki komunikasi interpersonal terbuka lebih tinggi dibandingkan interpersonal tertutup hal ini ditunjukkan oleh F hitung = 11.18 > F tabel = 3,94, dan (3) terdapat interaksi antara penggunaan media pembelajaran dengan komunikasi interpersonal dalam mempengaruhi hasil belajar Bahasa Inggris yaitu F hitung = 68.38 > F tabel =3,94. Kata Kunci: media pembelajaran online – offline, komunikasi interpersonal, bahasa inggris
Can group-based reassuring information alter low back pain behavior? A cluster-randomized controlled trial

Background Low back pain (LBP) is common in the population and multifactorial in nature, often involving negative consequences. Reassuring information to improve coping is recommended for reducing the negative consequences of LBP. Adding a simple non-threatening explanation for the pain (temporary muscular dysfunction) has been successful at altering beliefs and behavior when delivered with other intervention elements. This study investigates the isolated effect of this specific information on future occupational behavior outcomes when delivered to the workforce. Design A cluster-randomized controlled trial. Methods Publically employed workers (n = 505) from 11 Danish municipality centers were randomized at center-level (cluster) to either intervention (two 1-hour group-based talks at the workplace) or control. The talks provided reassuring information together with a simple non-threatening explanation for LBP—the ‘functional-disturbance’-model. Data collections took place monthly over a 1-year period using text message tracking (SMS). Primary outcomes were self-reported days of cutting down usual activities and work participation. Secondary outcomes were self-reported back beliefs, work ability, number of healthcare visits, bothersomeness, restricted activity, use of pain medication, and sadness/depression. Results There was no between-group difference in the development of LBP during follow-up. Cumulative logistic regression analyses showed no between-group difference on days of cutting down activities, but increased odds for more days of work participation in the intervention group (OR = 1.83 95% CI: 1.08–3.12). Furthermore, the intervention group was more likely to report: higher work ability, reduced visits to healthcare professionals, lower bothersomeness, lower levels of sadness/depression, and positive back beliefs. Conclusion Reassuring information involving a simple non-threatening explanation for LBP significantly increased the odds for days of work participation and higher work ability among workers who went on to experience LBP during the 12-month follow-up. Our results confirm the potential for public-health education for LBP, and add to the discussion of simple versus multidisciplinary interventions.
Does plasticity enhance or dampen phenotypic parallelism? A test with three lake–stream stickleback pairs

Parallel (and convergent) phenotypic variation is most often studied in the wild, where it is difficult to disentangle genetic vs. environmentally induced effects. As a result, the potential contributions of phenotypic plasticity to parallelism (and nonparallelism) are rarely evaluated in a formal sense. Phenotypic parallelism could be enhanced by plasticity that causes stronger parallelism across populations in the wild than would be expected from genetic differences alone. Phenotypic parallelism could be dampened if site‐specific plasticity induced differences between otherwise genetically parallel populations. We used a common‐garden study of three independent lake–stream stickleback population pairs to evaluate the extent to which adaptive divergence has a genetic or plastic basis, and to investigate the enhancing vs. dampening effects of plasticity on phenotypic parallelism. We found that lake–stream differences in most traits had a genetic basis, but that several traits also showed contributions from plasticity. Moreover, plasticity was much more prevalent in one watershed than in the other two. In most cases, plasticity enhanced phenotypic parallelism, whereas in a few cases, plasticity had a dampening effect. Genetic and plastic contributions to divergence seem to play a complimentary, likely adaptive, role in phenotypic parallelism of lake–stream stickleback. These findings highlight the value of formally comparing wild‐caught and laboratory‐reared individuals in the study of phenotypic parallelism.
Motivating Whistleblowers

Law-breaking activities within an organization benefiting the firm at the expense of the general public are widespread but difficult to uncover, making whistleblowing by employees desirable. We employ a novel laboratory experiment to investigate if and how monetary incentives and expectations of social approval or disapproval, and their interactions, affect the decision to blow the whistle. Experimental results show that: i) financial rewards significantly increase the likelihood of whistleblowing and do not substantially crowd out non-monetary motivations activated by expectations of social judgment; and ii) the possibility of social judgment decreases (increases) whistleblowing when the public is unaware (aware) of the negative externalities generated by fraud, suggesting that whistleblowers are at least partly motivated by a desire for social approval. Our findings suggest that whistleblowers on corporate fraud should be financially rewarded and should be shielded from public/media scrutiny when the social cost of the illegal activity is not visible or salient to the public. We also find evidence of an interesting relationship between political orientation and social judgment: while left-leaning subjects react to the possibility of receiving social approval or disapproval as expected, right-leaning people are unaffected by it.
The influence of team mental models and team planning on team performance

The Influence of Team Mental Models and Team Planning on Team Performance. (August 2006) Pedro Ignacio Leiva Neuenschwander, B.A., Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile; M.S., Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Stephanie C. Payne Since Cannon-Bowers, Salas, and Converse (1993) introduced the concept of mental models (MMs) to team performance research, theory and research have supported the idea that common cognitions among team members facilitate team performance. One of the processes that contributes to MM similarity is team planning. In this study, the influence of two planning approaches on MM similarity and team performance are compared for teams that have engaged in different teamwork and taskwork experiences. The purpose of the present study was threefold. First, I investigated the influence of team members’ experience on their pre-planning teamwork and taskwork MM similarity. Second, I assessed the influence of pre-planning teamwork and taskwork MM similarity and two planning approaches on post-planning MM similarity. Third, I examined the influence of post-planning teamwork and taskwork MM similarity on team performance. I tested these relationships with 172 three-person ad hoc teams performing a problem-solving execution task in a lab setting. I employed a 2 (type of planning: casebased versus generative) x 3 (type of experience: teamwork, taskwork, combined teamwork and taskwork) fully crossed randomized between-subjects factorial design.
Cluster Detection with the PYRAMID Algorithm

As databases continue to grow in size, efficient and effective clustering algorithms play a paramount role in data mining applications. Practical clustering faces several challenges including: identifying clusters of arbitrary shapes, sensitivity to the order of input, dynamic determination of the number of clusters, outlier handling, processing speed of massive data sets, handling higher dimensions, and dependence on user-supplied parameters. Many studies have addressed one or more of these challenges. PYRAMID, or parallel hybrid clustering using genetic programming and multi-objective fitness with density, is an algorithm that we introduced in a previous research, which addresses some of the above challenges. While leaving significant challenges for future work, such as handling higher dimensions, PYRAMID employs a combination of data parallelism, a form of genetic programming, and a multi-objective density-based fitness function in the context of clustering. This study adds to our previous research by exploring the detection capability of PYRAMID against a challenging dataset and evaluating its independence on user supplied parameters
Using Hardware Performance Monitors to Understand the Behavior of Java Applications

Modern Java programs, such as middleware and application servers, include many complex software components. Improving the performance of these Java applications requires a better understanding of the interactions between the application, virtual machine, operating system, and architecture. Hardware performance monitors, which are available on most modern processors, provide facilities to obtain detailed performance measurements of long-running applications in real time. However, interpreting the data collected using hardware performance monitors is difficult because of the low-level nature of the data. We have developed a system, consisting of two components, to alleviate the difficulty of interpreting results obtained using hardware performance monitors. The first component is an enhanced VM that generates traces of hardware performance monitor values while executing Java programs. This enhanced VM generates a separate trace for each Java thread and CPU combination and thus provides accurate results in a multithreaded and multiprocessor environment. The second component is a tool that allows users to interactively explore the traces using a graphical interface. We implemented our tools in the context of Jikes RVM, an open source Java VM, and evaluated it on a POWER4 multiprocessor. We demonstrate that our system is effective in uncovering as yet unknown performance characteristics and is a first step in exploring the reasons behind observed behavior of a Java program.
Inhibition of testicular embryonal carcinoma cell tumorigenicity by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ- and retinoic acid receptor-dependent mechanisms

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) has important physiological functions in control of cell growth, lipid and glucose homeostasis, differentiation and inflammation. To investigate the role of PPARβ/δ in cancer, stable human testicular embryonal carcinoma cell lines were developed that constitutively express PPARβ/δ. Expression of PPARβ/δ caused enhanced activation of the receptor, and this significantly decreased proliferation, migration, invasion, anchorage-independent growth, and also reduced tumor mass and volume of ectopic xenografts derived from NT2/D1 cells compared to controls. The changes observed in xenografts were associated with decreased PPARβ/δ-dependent expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and octamer-binding transcription factor-3/4, suggesting suppressed tumor proliferation and induction of differentiation. Inhibition of migration and invasion was mediated by PPARβ/δ competing with formation of the retinoic acid receptor (RAR)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) complex, resulting in attenuation of RARα-dependent matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression and activity. These results demonstrate that PPARβ/δ mediates attenuation of human testicular embryonal carcinoma cell progression through a novel RAR-dependent mechanism and suggest that activation of PPARβ/δ inhibits RAR/RXR dimerization and represents a new therapeutic strategy.
The convergence rate of Newton-Raphson consensus optimization for quadratic cost functions

We consider the convergence rates of two convex optimization strategies in the context of multi agent systems, namely the Newton-Raphson consensus optimization and a distributed Gradient-Descent opportunely derived from the first. To allow analytical derivations, the convergence analyses are performed under the simplificative assumption of quadratic local cost functions. In this framework we derive sufficient conditions which guarantee the convergence of the algorithms. From these conditions we then obtain closed form expressions that can be used to tune the parameters for maximizing the rate of convergence. Despite these formulae have been derived under quadratic local cost functions assumptions, they can be used as rules-of-thumb for tuning the parameters of the algorithms in general situations.