Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Poking Holes in Information Hiding

ASLR is no longer a strong defense in itself, but it still serves as a foundation for sophisticated defenses that use randomization for pseudo-isolation. Crucially, these defenses hide sensitive information (such as shadow stacks and safe regions) at a random position in a very large address space. Previous attacks on randomization-based information hiding rely on complicated side channels and/or probing of the mapped memory regions. Assuming no weaknesses exist in the implementation of hidden regions, the attacks typically lead to many crashes or other visible side-effects. For this reason, many researchers still consider the pseudo-isolation offered by ASLR sufficiently strong in practice. We introduce powerful new primitives to show that this faith in ASLR-based information hiding is misplaced, and that attackers can break ASLR and find hidden regions on 32 bit and 64 bit Linux systems quickly with very few malicious inputs. Rather than building on memory accesses that probe the allocated memory areas, we determine the sizes of the unallocated holes in the address space by repeatedly allocating large chunks of memory. Given the sizes, an attacker can infer the location of the hidden region with few or no side-effects. We show that allocation oracles are pervasive and evaluate our primitives on real-world server applications.
Repairing Flocks in Peer-to-Peer Networks

In this paper we consider the problem of reliable and robust data storage in peer-to-peer networks. The approach we follow builds a multi-agents system in which documents are split using a (m,n)-erasure code. Each generated fragment is embedded into an autonomous and mobile agent. This mobility gives them, for example, the ability to choose the network area where they want to be hosted. But this motion may have heavy consequences on the system robustness if the initial fragmentation parameters of a document are inappropriate. As a consequence, we focus on the problem of finding the suitable m and n values to apply to a document given the underlying peer-to-peer network properties.
A tale of two MOOCs: How student motivation and participation predict learning outcomes in different MOOCs

Recent scholarly discussions about massive open online courses (MOOCs) highlight pedagogical and practical issues that separate MOOCs from other learning settings, especially how theories of learning translate to MOOC students’ motivation, participation, and performance. What is missing from these discussions is the purpose of the MOOC. We report a comparative study of two MOOCs that differ in educational purpose, but are similar in design. Our sample consisted of 983 students in a professional development MOOC, and 648 students in a MOOC focused on general interest. We first report differences between the two MOOCs, in terms of student demographics, achievement motivation, and participation. For each MOOC, we ran a two-stage regression analysis to determine the extent to which motivation variables (stage 1) and participation variables (stage 2) predicted performance. Patterns in demographic background and motivation differed in ways that were consistent with the MOOCs' purposes. Motivation and participation predicted performance, but this relationship differed between the two MOOCs and reflected the patterns of participation. Professional development motivation contributed to final grade in the professional development MOOC, but not the general interest MOOC. The findings have implications for how MOOC designers think about their target audience, and for students who aim for high final grades.
Toward the Integration of Meditation into Higher Education: A Review of Research Evidence

Context There is growing interest in the integration of meditation in higher education. Purpose Here, we review evidence bearing on the utility of meditation to facilitate the achievement of traditional educational goals and to enhance education of the “whole person. ” Research Design We examine how meditation practices may help foster important cognitive skills of attention and information processing, as well build stress resilience and adaptive interpersonal capacities through a review of the published research literature. Conclusions/Recommendations We offer directions for future research, highlighting the importance of theory-based investigations, increased methodological rigor, expansion of the scope of education-related outcomes studied, and the study of best practices for teaching meditation in educational settings.
Childhood Obesity: Immune Response and Nutritional Approaches

Childhood obesity is characterized by a low-grade inflammation status depending on the multicellular release of cytokines, adipokines, and reactive oxygen species. In particular, the imbalance between anti-inflammatory T regulatory cells and inflammatory T helper 17 cells seems to sustain such a phlogistic condition. Alterations of gut microbiota since childhood also contribute to the maintenance of inflammation. Therefore, besides preventive measures and caloric restrictions, dietary intake of natural products endowed with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities may represent a valid interventional approach for preventing and/or attenuating the pathological consequences of obesity. In this regard, the use of prebiotics, probiotics, polyphenols, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, and melatonin in human clinical trials will be described.
Relationship of Pupils’ Spatial Perception and Ability with Their Performance in Geography

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between pupils’ spatial perception and abilities and their performance in geography. The sample was 600 6th-grade pupils from various areas of Greece selected by the cluster sampling method. The study results showed that: a) the vast majority of pupils showed low spatial ability; b) there was a deficit of geographical knowledge (according to the curriculum), with satisfactory performance only in plan views and orientation; c) the pupils who showed higher performance in geography course assessment test and in geographical abilities test have better spatial perception; d) the school type (pilot school using new technologies, and traditional school) did not seem to cause any difference to the pupils spatial perception; e) Pupils’ gender was not found to cause significant difference to spatial perception, or to their performance; f) parents’ education was found to correlate with the pupils’ performance in geography.
Magnetic resonance diagnostic markers in clinically sporadic prion disease: a combined brain magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy study

The intra vitam diagnosis of prion disease is challenging and a definite diagnosis still requires neuropathological examination in non-familial cases. Magnetic resonance imaging has gained increasing importance in the diagnosis of prion disease. The aim of this study was to compare the usefulness of different magnetic resonance imaging sequences and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the differential diagnosis of patients with rapidly progressive neurological signs compatible with the clinical diagnosis of sporadic prion disease. Twenty-nine consecutive patients with an initial diagnosis of possible or probable sporadic prion disease, on the basis of clinical and electroencephalography features, were recruited. The magnetic resonance protocol included axial fluid-attenuated inversion recovery-T2- and diffusion-weighted images, and proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the thalamus, striatum, cerebellum and occipital cortex. Based on the clinical follow-up, genetic studies and neuropathology, the final diagnosis was of prion disease in 14 patients out of 29. The percentage of correctly diagnosed cases was 86% for diffusion-weighted imaging (hyperintensity in the striatum/cerebral cortex), 86% for thalamic N-acetyl-aspartate to creatine ratio (cutoff ≤1.21), 90% for thalamic N-acetyl-aspartate to myo-inositol (mI) ratio (cutoff ≤1.05) and 86% for cerebral spinal fluid 14-3-3 protein. All the prion disease patients had N-acetyl-aspartate to creatine ratios ≤1.21 (100% sensitivity and 100% negative predictive value) and all the non-prion patients had N-acetyl-aspartate to myo-inositol ratios >1.05 (100% specificity and 100% positive predictive value). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that the combination of thalamic N-acetyl-aspartate to creatine ratio and diffusion-weighted imaging correctly classified 93% of the patients. The combination of thalamic proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (10 min acquisition duration) and brain diffusion-weighted imaging (2 min acquisition duration) may increase the diagnostic accuracy of the magnetic resonance scan. Both sequences should be routinely included in the clinical work-up of patients with suspected prion disease.
Argentine validation of the Purpose in Life Test / Validación argentina del Test de Propósito en la Vida

Abstract Despite the fact that the Purpose in Life Test developed by James Crumbaugh and Leonard Maholick in the 1960s is considered to be one of the most commonly used measures in positive psychology, there are no validations of it into the Argentine context. This paper aims to assess the psychometric properties of PIL in a sample of 336 university students residing in Buenos Aires. The results suggest that PIL has adequate psychometric properties for the Argentine context. The confirmatory factor analysis presents a good fit of the data as proposed by the authors. These results favour the assessment of psychological well-being in this local context. Future studies should use different samples in order to provide more robust support to the construct.
Involvement of spinal α2‐adrenoceptors in prolonged modulation of hind limb withdrawal reflexes following acute noxious stimulation in the anaesthetized rabbit

The role of spinal α2‐adrenoceptors in mediating long‐lasting modulation of hind limb withdrawal reflexes following acute noxious chemical stimulation of distant heterotopic and local homotopic locations has been investigated in pentobarbitone‐anaesthetized rabbits. Reflexes evoked in the ankle extensor muscle medial gastrocnemius (MG) by electrical stimulation of the ipsilateral heel, and reflexes elicited in the ankle flexor tibialis anterior and the knee flexor semitendinosus by stimulation at the base of the ipsilateral toes, could be inhibited for over 1 h after mustard oil (20%) was applied to either the snout or into the contralateral MG. The heel–MG response was also inhibited after applying mustard oil across the plantar metatarsophalangeal joints of the ipsilateral foot, whereas this homotopic stimulus facilitated both flexor responses. Mustard oil also caused a significant pressor effect when applied to any of the three test sites. The selective α2‐adrenoceptor antagonist, RX 821002 (100–300 μg, intrathecally), had no effect on reflexes per se, but did cause a decrease in mean arterial blood pressure. In the presence of the α2‐blocker, inhibitory and facilitatory effects of mustard oil on reflexes were completely abolished. These data imply that long‐lasting inhibition of spinal reflexes following acute noxious stimulation of distant locations involves activation of supraspinal noradrenergic pathways, the effects of which are dependent on an intact α2‐adrenoceptor system at the spinal level. These pathways and receptors also appear to be involved in facilitation (sensitization) as well as inhibition of reflexes following a noxious stimulus applied to the same limb.
Integrin-linked kinase expression increases with prostate tumor grade.

PURPOSE Integrin-linked kinase (ILK) overexpression can suppress anoikis, promote anchorage-independent cell cycle progression, and induce tumorigenesis and invasion. Inhibition of ILK in prostatic adenocarcinoma (CaP) cells elicits cell cycle arrest and induces apoptosis. Furthermore, ILK expression increases with androgen-independent progression of human CaP cell lines, suggesting that increased ILK expression may be associated with CaP progression. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN To assess whether ILK expression may be related to CaP development and/or progression, we have evaluated ILK expression by immunohistochemistry in 100 human prostate tissues. RESULTS We show that ILK expression increases significantly with CaP progression. ILK immunostaining is specifically increased in high-grade, primary human CaP relative to adjacent benign prostatic hyperplasia (P < 0.001), benign prostatic hyperplasia from patients without cancer (P < 0.002), and low-grade CaP (P = 0.003). ILK overexpression is specifically associated with the increased proliferative index (P = 0.001) that typifies CaP progression. Strikingly, intense uniform ILK immunostaining was inversely related to 5-year patient survival (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS ILK expression increases dramatically with CaP progression. ILK expression is also specifically related to the disproportionately increased proliferative index that contributes to the net gain of CaP cells during progression. Finally, enhanced ILK expression is inversely related to 5-year patient survival. These data therefore implicate increased ILK expression in prostate tumor progression.
A study of the core of the Shapley Concentration — IV. Distribution of intercluster galaxies and supercluster properties

We present the results of a redshift survey of intercluster galaxies in the central region of the Shapley Concentration supercluster, aimed at determining the distribution of galaxies in between obvious overdensities. Our sample is formed by 442 new redshifts, mainly in the bJ magnitude range 17–18.8. Adding the data from our redshift surveys on the A3558 and A3528 complexes, which are close to the geometrical centre of this supercluster, we obtain a total sample of ∼2000 radial velocities. The average velocity of the observed intercluster galaxies in the Shapley Concentration appears to be a function of their (α, δ) position, and it can be fitted by a plane in the three-dimensional space (α, δ, v): the distribution of the galaxy distances around the best-fitting plane is described by a Gaussian with dispersion 3.8 h−1 Mpc. Using the 1440 galaxies of our total sample in the magnitude range 17–18.8, we reconstruct the density profile in the central part of the Shapley Concentration; moreover, we detect another significant overdensity at ∼30 000 km s−1 (dubbed S300). We estimate the total overdensity of galaxies, and the mass and dynamical state of these structures, and discuss the effect of considering a bias between the galaxy distribution and the underlying matter. The estimated total overdensity of galaxies of these two structures is on a scale of 10.1 h−1 Mpc for the Shapley Concentration, and on a scale of 24.8 h−1 Mpc for S300. If light traces the mass distribution, the corresponding masses are 1.4×1016Ωo h−1 M⊙ and 5.1×1016Ωo h−1 M⊙ for the Shapley Concentration and S300, respectively. A dynamical analysis suggests that, if light traces mass and Ωo=1, the Shapley Concentration has already reached its turnaround radius and has started to collapse: the final collapse will happen in ∼3×109 h−1 yr. We find an indication that the value of the bias between clusters and galaxies in the Shapley Concentration is higher that that reported in literature, confirming the impression that this supercluster is very rich in clusters. Finally, from the comparison with some theoretical scenarios, we find that the existence of the Shapley Concentration is more consistent with the predictions of the models with a matter density parameter <1, such as open CDM and ΛCDM.
Durable consumption and asset management with transactions and information costs ∗

This paper provides a contribution to the recent growing literature on rational inattention. We start by testing the implications of recent rational inattention models of asset management, liquidity holdings and savings using two novel datasets. Some predictions of these models are at odds with the data, which motivates us to introduce a new model that shifts the focus from non-durable to durable consumption, and features both information and adjustment costs. The focus on non-durable consumption, which departs from the previous literature, is key to improve the fit of the model. The investor’s behavior in our setup combines elements of what the literature refers to as state-dependent and time-dependent adjustments. The model allows us to quantify the information and transactions costs that are consistent with observed patterns of information review and asset trades. A calibration of the model shows that very small information costs are sufficient to reproduce the (relatively high) frequency of observation that is found in the data. We test a novel prediction of the model on the relationship between assets trades and durable-goods trades and find it aligned with the data. We thank Pierpaolo Benigno, Tullio Jappelli, Igor Livshits, Bob Lucas, Luigi Paciello, Stavros Panageas, Nicola Pavoni, Rob Shimer, Gianluca Violante, and seminar participants at the Banque de France, the University of Chicago, EIEF and the Vienna Macro Conference 2009 for comments. We thank the Banque de France for financial support.
The network centrality of influential bankers: A new capital structure determinant

This paper studies the impact of the presence of bankers in the board of a corporation on its capital structure. We assume that the presence of bankers reduces information asymmetry problems, facilitating information transmission between corporations and nancial institutions. Using a large database on Board of Directors, we construct the directorss social network and measure the relative inuence (centrality) of bankers on the information transmission mechanism. Our results indicate the presence of bankers in the board increases the leverage ratio in US. This e¤ect is magni ed by the inuence of the banker, i.e. the more connected a banker is, the higher the leverage ratio of the rm in which he or she sits. We also show that he e¤ect of bankers social inuence on the leverage ratio increases with rms opacity, which is consistent with our interpretation of the role of bankers on the information transmission mechanism. Corresponding author. Email: joaomergulhao@fe.unl. pt. We would like to thank Marcelo Fernandes, Pedro Portugal, Marcelo Medeiros, José Correia Guedes and Martin Koppensteiner for useful comments. João Amaro de Matos e João Mergulhão would like to thank Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia for nancial support. João Mergulhão would like to thank QMUL for hosting the author while this work was being written.
Derivational morphology in the German mental lexicon: A dual mechanism account

The Dual Mechanism Model posits two different cognitive mechanisms for morphologically complex word forms: decomposition of regulars into stems and exponents, and full-form storage for irregulars. Most of the research in this framework has focused on contrasts between productive and non-productive inflection. In this paper, we extend the model to derivational morphology. Our studies indicate that productive derivation shows affinities with both productive and non-productive inflection. We argue that these results support the linguistic distinction between derivation and inflection, particularly as it is represented in realization-based models of morphology.
Cerebral cortex involvement in Machado−Joseph disease

Machado−Joseph disease (MJD/SCA3) is the most frequent spinocerebellar ataxia, characterized by brainstem, basal ganglia and cerebellar damage. Few magnetic resonance imaging based studies have investigated damage in the cerebral cortex. The objective was to determine whether patients with MJD/SCA3 have cerebral cortex atrophy, to identify regions more susceptible to damage and to look for the clinical and neuropsychological correlates of such lesions.
Non-Linear Domain Adaptation with Boosting

A common assumption in machine vision is that the training and test samples are drawn from the same distribution. However, there are many problems when this assumption is grossly violated, as in bio-medical applications where different acquisitions can generate drastic variations in the appearance of the data due to changing experimental conditions. This problem is accentuated with 3D data, for which annotation is very time-consuming, limiting the amount of data that can be labeled in new acquisitions for training. In this paper we present a multitask learning algorithm for domain adaptation based on boosting. Unlike previous approaches that learn task-specific decision boundaries, our method learns a single decision boundary in a shared feature space, common to all tasks. We use the boosting-trick to learn a non-linear mapping of the observations in each task, with no need for specific a-priori knowledge of its global analytical form. This yields a more parameter-free domain adaptation approach that successfully leverages learning on new tasks where labeled data is scarce. We evaluate our approach on two challenging bio-medical datasets and achieve a significant improvement over the state of the art.
Modelling Motivation and Action Control in Cognitive Systems

The traditional way to define – and model – cognition, from the mid-fifties onward, has been to focus on deliberation, i.e., on those inferential processes that operate on well-defined symbolic mental representations in order to get a task accomplished that would require intelligence for human beings to solve. Consequently, AI programs, as well as computer models of psychological processes, were largely confined to a world of symbols. Only a few projects attempted to overcome these limitations and take a step towards more realistic interaction, such as Winograd’s famous SHRDLU (Winograd, 1972). Still, the seminal work accomplished in GPS (Newell & Simon, 1963) and STRIPS (Fikes & Nilsson, 1971) continues to be the anchor point for most of AI and cognitive science alike. Recent years, however, have brought a veritable paradigm shift: interaction with the ‘real’ environment – physical, or human users, or other ‘agents’ – has been brought to the fore; and ‘situatedness’ (Suchman, 1987) and the ability for communication and co-operation (as in distributed AI) have become important criteria. The basic nature of biological cognitive systems, including humans, has been recognised (and redefined) as autonomous and situated. Cognitive systems, in short, are understood as agents existing in the real world (Strube, 1996). The recent paradigm shift has important consequences for cognitive modelling. The most important aspect for AI is that in the real world, unforeseeable things happen all the time. Therefore, instead of pre-programming solutions to every possible conflict into large programs committed to one single top goal, AI programmers now have to think about programming policies for negotiating goal conflicts, or impasses in action control, and about implementing facilities for learning from experience. In the words of Pattie Maes (1991a, p. 51):