Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Backdoor detection systems for embedded devices

A system is said to contain a backdoor when it intentionally includes a means to trigger the execution of functionality that serves to subvert its expected security. Unfortunately, such constructs are pervasive in software and systems today, particularly in the firmware of commodity embedded systems and “Internet of Things” devices. The work presented in this thesis concerns itself with the problem of detecting backdoor-like constructs, specifically those present in embedded device firmware, which, as we show, presents additional challenges in devising detection methodologies. The term “backdoor”, while used throughout the academic literature, by industry, and in the media, lacks a rigorous definition, which exacerbates the challenges in their detection. To this end, we present such a definition, as well as a framework, which serves as a basis for their discovery, devising new detection techniques and evaluating the current state-of-the-art. Further, we present two backdoor detection methodologies, as well as corresponding tools which implement those approaches. Both of these methods serve to automate many of the currently manual aspects of backdoor identification and discovery. And, in both cases, we demonstrate that our approaches are capable of analysing device firmware at scale and can be used to discover previously undocumented real-world backdoors.
The fear of Alzheimer’s disease: mediating effects of anxiety on subjective memory complaints

Abstract Objectives: To determine if the fear of developing Alzheimer’s disease (FDAD) construct, in combination with similar psychoemotional factors, could help elucidate the nature of older adults’ subjective memory complaints (SMCs) and subsequent objective memory performance. Methods: One hundred ninety-three healthy older adults (aged 65–93) were administered clinician and self-report measures of depression, worry, anxiety, illness attitudes, and memory, and each rated their concern with developing AD. Results: Self-reported FDAD was not associated with objective memory performance (p > .05). FDAD, trait anxiety, general anxiety, and general and illness-related worry were independently associated with subjective memory report (ps < .05). The relationship between FDAD and subjective memory report was mediated by measures of general trait and state anxiety, but not general worry or illness-specific worry. Conclusions: FDAD was not associated with objective memory functioning, suggesting AD concerns were not reflective of memory pathology. The mediating effect of anxiety on the relationship between FDAD and subjective memory report suggests that assessment of anxiety, beyond AD fear, may help identify older adults at risk for developing negative perceptions of memory and related distress.
Fiat-Shamir From Simpler Assumptions

We present two new protocols: • A succinct publicly verifiable non-interactive argument system for log-space uniform NC computations, under the assumption that any one of a broad class of fully homomorphic encryption (FHE) schemes has almost optimal security against polynomial-time adversaries. The class includes all FHE schemes in the literature that are based on the learning with errors (LWE) problem. • A non-interactive zero-knowledge argument system for NP in the common random string model, assuming almost optimal hardness of search-LWE against polynomial-time adversaries. Both results are obtained by applying the Fiat-Shamir transform with explicit, efficiently computable functions (specifically, correlation intractable functions) to certain classes of interactive proofs. We improve over prior work by reducing the security of these protocols to qualitatively weaker computational hardness assumptions. Along the way, we also show that the Fiat-Shamir transform can be soundly applied (in the plain model) to a richer class of protocols than was previously known. ∗Boston University and Tel Aviv University. Member of CPIIS. Supported by NSF awards 1413920 & 1801564, ISF award 1523/14. canetti@bu.edu. †Visa Research. Email: chenyilei.ra@gmail.com. Research conducted while the author was at Boston University supported by the NSF MACS project and NSF grant CNS-1422965. ‡Princeton University. Email: justin.holmgren@princeton.edu. Research conducted in part while the author was at MIT, supported in part by the NSF MACS project. §MIT. Email: alexjl@mit.edu. Research supported in part by an NDSEG fellowship. Research supported in part by NSF Grants CNS-1350619 and CNS-1414119, and by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Army Research Office under contracts W911NF-15-C-0226 and W911NF-15-C-0236. ¶Weizmann Institute of Science. Email: rothblum@alum.mit.edu. ‖Technion. Email: rothblum@cs.technion. ac.il. Parts of this research were conducted while the author was at MIT. This research was supported in part by the Israeli Science Foundation (Grant No. 1262/18).
[Influence of tribochemical silica coating on shear bond strength of a dental zirconia ceramic to resin cements].

PURPOSE To evaluate the effect of tribochemical silica coating for zirconia bonding. METHODS Sixty cut and fully sintered Lava frame zirconia blocks were randomly divided into 6 groups and subjected to 3 different surface treatments and 2 kinds of resin cement.The surface treatments were airborne-particle abrasion/silane, airborne-particle abrasion/CoJet Sand (tribochemical silica coating) /silane and no treatment(control), resin cements were RelyX Unicem and Panavia F2.0. Half of the specimens in each group were randomly chosen and stored in 37℃ distilled water for 24h, the others were thermocycled (5℃ and 55℃) for 5000 cycles. All specimens were subjected to shear bond strength(SBS) testing. SBS values were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and t test, and multiple pairwise comparisons were then completed with post hoc Tukey test. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS23.0 software package for Windows. RESULTS Airborne-particle abrasion/CoJet sand/silane group resulted in a significantly higher SBS than those in other groups (P<0.001). After thermocycling, the bond strengths in the airborne-particle abrasion/CoJet Sand/silane groups bonded with RelyX Unicem showed no significantly decrease while marked drop appeared in all other groups. CONCLUSIONS Combination of tribochemical silica coating with silane coupling can effectively enforce the bond strengths of zirconia (Y-TZP). Attention should be paid to the interaction between surface treatments and resin cements.
Variable radiological lung nodule evaluation leads to divergent management recommendations

Radiological evaluation of incidentally detected lung nodules on computed tomography (CT) influences management. We assessed international radiological variation in 1) pulmonary nodule characterisation; 2) hypothetical guideline-derived management; and 3) radiologists' management recommendations. 107 radiologists from 25 countries evaluated 69 CT-detected nodules, recording: 1) first-choice composition (solid, part-solid or ground-glass, with percentage confidence); 2) morphological features; 3) dimensions; 4) recommended management; and 5) decision-influencing factors. We modelled hypothetical management decisions on the 2005 and updated 2017 Fleischner Society, and both liberal and parsimonious interpretations of the British Thoracic Society 2015 guidelines. Overall agreement for first-choice nodule composition was good (Fleiss' κ=0.65), but poorest for part-solid nodules (weighted κ 0.62, interquartile range 0.50–0.71). Morphological variables, including spiculation (κ=0.35), showed poor-to-moderate agreement (κ=0.23–0.53). Variation in diameter was greatest at key thresholds (5 mm and 6 mm). Agreement for radiologists' recommendations was poor (κ=0.30); 21% disagreed with the majority. Although agreement within the four guideline-modelled management strategies was good (κ=0.63–0.73), 5–10% of radiologists would disagree with majority decisions if they applied guidelines strictly. Agreement was lowest for part-solid nodules, while significant measurement variation exists at important size thresholds. These variations resulted in generally good agreement for guideline-modelled management, but poor agreement for radiologists' actual recommendations. Radiological variations in pulmonary nodule evaluation translate into good overall agreement for guideline-modelled management, but poor agreement for radiologists' actual recommendations: 21% of radiologists can disagree with majority decisions http://ow.ly/bPOu30mcRYA
Automated Indentation Mapping of Vocal Fold Structure and Cover Properties Across Species

Various animal models have been employed to investigate vocal fold (VF) and phonatory function. However, biomechanical testing techniques to characterize vocal fold structural properties vary and have not compared critical properties across species. We adapted a nondestructive, automated indentation mapping technique to simultaneously quantify VF structural properties (VF cover layer and intact VF) in commonly used species based on the hypothesis that VF biomechanical properties are largely preserved across species.
Risk assessment due to various terrestrial radionuclides concentrations scenarios

Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the morbidity excess cancer risk (ECR) due to internal and external exposure to three category levels of natural radionuclides in soil like 238U, 232Th and 40K. Although the exposure rate in soil is low but effect this radiation over time can lead to cancer risk and this risk can be calculated. Materials and methods: Natural activity concentration levels of 40K, 238U and 232Th in soil were selected from last reports in three concentration categories including: low, medium and high levels. The excess cancer risks of three concentration levels were calculated by means of RESidual-RADioactivity (RESRAD) code. Results and conclusions: The calculated average morbidity ECR from 40K, 238U and 232Th in three concentration categories levels in soil were 1.40 × 10−4, 8.56 × 10−4 and 1.35 × 10−3, respectively. This calculation shows that the excess cancer risk value is the highest value in 100 years’ time in all categories. Overall ECR from 40K radionuclide was maximal and the highest exposure pathways was through plant pathway; however, these pathway changes over 60 years to the drinking water pathway. The results of this study may be useful to risk assessment and for decision making for public health protection against high-level radiation.
Logic transformation for low power synthesis

In this paper we present a new approach to the problem of local logic transformation for reduction of power dissipation in logic circuits. Based on the finite-state input transition (FIT) power dissipation model, we introduce a cost function which accounts for the effects of input capacitance, input slew rate, internal parasitic capacitance of logic gates, interconnect capacitance, as well as switching power. Our approach provides an efficient way of estimating estimating the global effect of local logic transformations in logic circuits. In our approach, the FIT model for the transitive fanout cells of a locally transformed subcircuit can be reused to measure the global power dissipation by varying the input probabilities of the transitive fanout cells. Local logic transformation is carried our based on compatible sets of permissible functions (CSPF). Experimental results show that local logic transformation based on CSPF using our cost function can reduce power consumption by about 36% on average without increase in the worst-case circuit delay.
Stability and consistency of a finite difference scheme for compressible viscous isentropic flow in multi-dimension

Abstract Motivated by the work of Karper [29], we propose a numerical scheme to compressible Navier-Stokes system in spatial multi-dimension based on finite differences. The backward Euler method is applied for the time discretization, while a staggered grid, with continuity and momentum equations on different grids, is used in space. The existence of a solution to the implicit nonlinear scheme, strictly positivity of the numerical density, stability and consistency of the method for the whole range of physically relevant adiabatic exponents are proved. The theoretical part is complemented by computational results that are performed in two spatial dimensions.
Knowledge management strategies, intellectual capital, and innovation performance: a comparison between high- and low-tech firms

Purpose This study aims to analyse the complementary role of structural and relational capital (as the outcomes of codification and personalisation knowledge management strategies) in renewal capital and innovation in high- and low-tech companies. Design/methodology/approach The primary data, which were collected through a structured questionnaire from 180 Spanish companies, are analysed using structural equation modelling based on partial least squares. Findings Overall, the study offers three fundamental findings. First, it demonstrates the outstanding role of renewal capital as an intellectual capital (IC) component; second, it provides a conceptual analysis of the connection between knowledge management strategies and IC; and third, it highlights the necessity of considering the technological level of the firm as a contingency variable affecting the IC–innovation relationship. Research limitations/implications The study has three apparent limitations: The sample of firms is restricted to Spanish companies, data concerning the main study variables were collected from only one person at each firm, and not all of the possible components of IC were included in the research model. Practical implications Business practitioners can find useful guidelines for making efficient use of knowledge resources when boosting innovation performance, depending on the technological level of their firms. Originality/value Although many studies have tried to disentangle the IC–innovation connection, this study is unique, as it considers knowledge management strategies, a novel combination of IC components and the level of technological sophistication in the same analysis.
Efficacy and safety of thermal ablation of lung malignancies: A Network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of radiofrequency ablation (RFA), cryoablation, and microwave ablation (MWA) for patients with lung malignancies. METHODS: We performed a network meta-analysis to identify both direct and indirect evidence from relevant trials by searching PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to December 31, 2017, for the treatment of malignant lung tumors with the use of RFA, MWA, or cryoablation. We extracted the relevant information from the published studies with a predefined data sheet and assessed the risk of bias with the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The primary outcomes were efficacy (local progression rate and overall survival rate) and safety (major complications rate). We did a random-effects network meta-analysis within a Bayesian framework as well as assessed the quality of evidence contributing to each network estimate using GRADE framework. RESULTS: We collected 34 studies eligible which included 1840 participants and 2520 lung malignancies (1318 primary lung cancer and 1202 pulmonary metastatic tumors). The quality of evidence was rated as very low in most comparisons. From the point of local progression rate, RFA and MWA were significantly more effective than cryoablation with odds ratio (OR) of 0.04 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.004, 0.38; P = 0.005) and 0.02 (95% CI: 0.002, 0.24; P = 0.001), respectively. No significant difference was found between MWA and RFA with an OR of 0.63 (95% CI: 0.04, 10.39; P = 0.745). Regarding the major complications, RFA, MWA, and cryoablation showed the comparable safety (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: RFA and MWA offer an advantage over cryoablation for patients with malignant lung tumors.
[Expression of miR-146a in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients and its influence on gingival crevicular inflammation and MMP-8/TIMP-1 levels].

PURPOSE To study the expression of miR-146a in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients and its influence on gingival crevicular inflammation and MMP-8/TIMP-1 levels. METHODS Sixty-eight patients with chronic periodontitis treated in our hospital during March 2015 to January 2017 were chosen as the experimental group, while 50 healthy volunteers for physical examination were chosen as the control group. The level of miR-146a in saliva and inflammatory factors, MMP-8/TIMP-1 in gingival crevicular fluid were detected. Pearson test was used to assess the correlation between expression of miR-146a in saliva and the severity of disease with SPSS24.0 software package. RESULTS The expression of miR-146a in saliva in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05). The level of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and IL- 35, TNF-α), the indexes of periodontal clinical symptoms (PD, AL, PLI, BI) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05); and MMP-8 and TIMP-1 in gingival crevicular fluid in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05). Pearson test found that the expression of miR-146a in saliva of patients with chronic periodontitis was positively correlated with the degree of gingival inflammation, the severity of periodontal symptoms and the level of MMP-8/TIMP-1. CONCLUSIONS The expression of miR-146a in saliva of chronic periodontitis patients is abnormally high, and the specific expression is consistent with the degree of gingival inflammation and periodontal injury.
Host anemone size as a determinant of social group size and structure in the orange clownfish (Amphiprion percula)

The size and structure of social groups of animals can be governed by a range of ecological factors and behavioral interactions. In small, highly site-attached coral reef fishes, group size is often constrained by the size of the habitat patch they are restricted to. However, group size may also be influenced by changes in abundance along important environmental gradients, such as depth or distance offshore. In addition, the body size and sex structure within social groups can be determined by the size of the habitat patch and the dominance relationships among group members. Here we examined the roles of ecological factors and behavioral interactions in governing group size and structure in the orange clownfish, Amphiprion percula, on inshore reefs in Kimbe Bay, Papua New Guinea. We quantified relationships between ecological variables (anemone size, depth, and distance from shore) and social group variables (group size, and total body length of the three largest individuals (ranks 1, 2, and 3)). Anemone size explained the greatest amount of variation in group variables, with strong, positive relationships between anemone surface area and group size, and total length of individuals ranked 1, 2, and 3. Group structure was also weakly correlated with increasing depth and distance from shore, most likely through the indirect effects of these environmental gradients on anemone size. Variation in group size and the lengths of ranks 2 and 3 were all closely related to the length of rank 1. Path analysis indicated that anemone size has a strong direct effect on the length of rank 1. In turn, the length of rank 1 directly affects the size of the subordinate individuals and indirectly affects the group size through its influence on subordinates. Hence, anemone size directly and indirectly controls social group size and structure in this space-limited fish species. It is also likely that anemonefish have feedback effects on anemone size, although this could not be differentiated in the path analysis.
Association between Helicobacter pylori gastritis and dental diseases: A cross‐sectional, hospital‐based study in Eastern Saudi Arabia

BACKGROUND There is inconsistent evidence about the association between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and dental diseases with possible effect of environmental factors. The aims of the study were to assess (1) the association between gastric and oral H. pylori colonization and (2) the association between oral colonization of H. pylori and dental diseases. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted in King Fahad University hospital in Khobar, Eastern Saudi Arabia in 2017. Patients admitted to the Endoscopy Unit were recruited and clinically examined for plaque, decayed teeth (D), filled teeth (F), missing teeth (M), periodontal pocket depth (PPD), attachment loss (AL), and gingival bleeding in addition to assessing their age, gender, education, tooth brushing, flossing, and tobacco use with a questionnaire. Pooled dental plaque samples were collected and analyzed using nested polymerase chain reaction PCR to detect oral H. pylori. Gastroscopy was used to extract biopsies to assess gastritis and the presence of gastric H. pylori using Giemsa stain. Regression analysis was used to assess differences between patients with and without gastritis, oral H. pylori and gastric H. pylori in the percentage of sites with gingival bleeding, PPD, CAL, D, M, and F with adjustment for confounders. RESULTS One hundred twenty patients were included. Most of them brushed daily (82.6%) and had university education (45.7%). Of these, 34.2% had gastric H. pylori and 5% had oral H. pylori. No significant association was observed between the percentage of sites with gingival bleeding, mean PPD, AL, F, and either gastritis, the presence of oral or gastric H. pylori. Patients with gastritis had significantly higher number of D and M than patients without gastritis (P = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS In this study, the presence of gastric and oral H. pylori in patients with good oral hygiene and moderate socioeconomic status is not significantly associated with periodontal diseases. Patients with gastritis tend to have a higher number of decayed and missing teeth.