Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Collecting Evidence from Large-Scale Heterogeneous Virtual Computing Infrastructures Using Website Capture

Collecting evidence using Website Capture tools and techniques enables law enforcement agencies and independent investigators to investigate crimes that are committed over the Internet or through the use of the World Wide Web, even when the suspect is hiding behind large scale heterogeneous virtual computing infrastructures. These crimes range from theft and fraud to the more extreme crimes of paedophilia, terrorist propaganda and corporate warfare. The paper offers a critique on how Website Capture is applied and the methods required for successful and valid capture and analysis of live digital evidence. We explore the different types of tools required to conduct Website Capture, why they are required and the procedure to successfully conduct Website Capture.
Churn prediction in new users of Yahoo! answers

One of the important targets of community-based question answering (CQA) services, such as Yahoo! Answers, Quora and Baidu Zhidao, is to maintain and even increase the number of active answerers, that is the users who provide answers to open questions. The reasoning is that they are the engine behind satisfied askers, which is the overall goal behind CQA. Yet, this task is not an easy one. Indeed, our empirical observation shows that many users provide just one or two answers and then leave. In this work we try to detect answerers that are about to quit, a task known as churn prediction, but unlike prior work, we focus on new users. To address the task of churn prediction in new users, we extract a variety of features to model the behavior of \YA{} users over the first week of their activity, including personal information, rate of activity, and social interaction with other users. Several classifiers trained on the data show that there is a statistically significant signal for discriminating between users who are likely to churn and those who are not. A detailed feature analysis shows that the two most important signals are the total number of answers given by the user, closely related to the motivation of the user, and attributes related to the amount of recognition given to the user, measured in counts of best answers, thumbs up and positive responses by the asker.
Robust private information retrieval on coded data

We consider the problem of designing PIR scheme on coded data when certain nodes are unresponsive. We provide the construction of ν-robust PIR schemes that can tolerate up to ν unresponsive nodes. These schemes are adaptive and universally optimal in the sense of achieving (asymptotically) optimal download cost for any number of unresponsive nodes up to ν.
Tussle in cyberspace: defining tomorrow's Internet

The architecture of the Internet is based on a number of principles, including the self-describing datagram packet, the end-to-end arguments, diversity in technology and global addressing. As the Internet has moved from a research curiosity to a recognized component of mainstream society, new requirements have emerged that suggest new design principles, and perhaps suggest that we revisit some old ones. This paper explores one important reality that surrounds the Internet today: different stakeholders that are part of the Internet milieu have interests that may be adverse to each other, and these parties each vie to favor their particular interests. We call this process "the tussle". Our position is that accommodating this tussle is crucial to the evolution of the network's technical architecture. We discuss some examples of tussle, and offer some technical design principles that take it into account.
QoS-based Discovery and Ranking of Web Services

Discovering Web services using keyword-based search techniques offered by existing UDDI APIs (i.e. Inquiry API) may not yield results that are tailored to clients' needs. When discovering Web services, clients look for those that meet their requirements, primarily the overall functionality and quality of service (QoS). Standards such as UDDI, WSDL, and SOAP have the potential of providing QoS-aware discovery, however, there are technical challenges associated with existing standards such as the client's ability to control and manage discovery of Web services across accessible service registries. This paper proposes a solution to this problem and introduces the Web service relevancy function (WsRF) used for measuring the relevancy ranking of a particular Web service based on client's preferences, and QoS metrics. We present experimental validation, results, and analysis of the presented ideas.
Exploring real-time student models based on natural-language tutoring sessions

Natural language tutoring systems generate significant data during their tutoring sessions, which is often not used to inform real-time, persistent student models. The current research explores the feasibility of mapping concept-focused tutoring sessions to knowledge components, by breaking sessions down into features that are integrated into a session score. Three classes of tutoring conversation features were studied: semantic match of student contributions to domain content, tutor support (e.g., hints and prompts), and student verbosity (i.e., word counts). Analysis of the relative importance of these features and the ability of these features to predict later task performance on similar topics was conducted. Reinforcing prior work, semantic match scores were a key predictor for later test performance. Tutor help features (hints, prompts) were also useful secondary predictors. Unlike some related work, verbosity was a key predictor even after accounting for the semantic match.
Safe joint mechanism based on nonlinear stiffness for safe human-robot collision

In recent years, collision safety has been one of the most important issues for service robots. To ensure collision safety assurance, a passive compliance method is preferred to an active one because it can provide faster and more reliable responses to dynamic collision. Since both positioning accuracy and collision safety are equally important, a robot arm should have very low stiffness when subjected to a collision force greater than the one causing human injury, but maintain very high stiffness otherwise. In order to realize these ideal features, a novel safe joint mechanism (SJM) composed of linear springs and a modified slider-crank mechanism is proposed in this paper. The SJM has the advantages of variable stiffness which can be achieved only by passive mechanical elements. Various experiments on static and dynamic collisions show the high stiffness of the SJM against an external force of less than the critical impact force, but an abrupt drop in the stiffness when the external force exceeds this critical force, which guarantees positioning accuracy and collision safety. Furthermore, the critical impact force can be set to any value depending on the application and the environment.
Structural Matching in Computer Vision Using Probabilistic Relaxation

In this paper, we develop the theory of probabilistic relaxation for matching features extracted from 2D images, derive as limiting cases the various heuristic formulae used by researchers in matching problems, and state the conditions under which they apply, We successfully apply our theory to the problem of matching and recognizing aerial road network images based on road network models and to the problem of edge matching in a stereo pair. For this purpose, each line network is represented by an attributed relational graph where each node is a straight line segment characterized by certain attributes and related with every other node via a set of binary relations. >
An Effective Algorithm for and Phase Transitions of the Directed Hamiltonian Cycle Problem

The Hamiltonian cycle problem (HCP) is an important combinatorial problem with applications in many areas. It is among the first problems used for studying intrinsic properties, including phase transitions, of combinatorial problems. While thorough theoretical and experimental analyses have been made on the HCP in undirected graphs, a limited amount of work has been done for the HCP in directed graphs (DHCP). The main contribution of this work is an effective algorithm for the DHCP. Our algorithm explores and exploits the close relationship between the DHCP and the Assignment Problem (AP) and utilizes a technique based on Boolean satisfiability (SAT). By combining effective algorithms for the AP and SAT, our algorithm significantly outperforms previous exact DHCP algorithms, including an algorithm based on the award-winning Concorde TSP algorithm. The second result of the current study is an experimental analysis of phase transitions of the DHCP, verifying and refining a known phase transition of the DHCP.
Chronic bronchitis, COPD, and lung function in farmers: the role of biological agents.

BACKGROUND Farmers have an increased risk of respiratory morbidity and mortality. The causal agents have not been fully established. METHODS In a cross-sectional study of 4,735 Norwegian farmers, we assessed respiratory symptoms and lung function. Atopy was assessed in a subsample (n = 1,213). Personal exposures to dust, fungal spores, actinomycete spores, endotoxins, bacteria, storage mites, (1-->3)-ss-D-glucans, fungal antigens, organic dust, inorganic dust, silica, ammonia, and hydrogen sulfide were measured for 127 randomly selected farms. RESULTS Compared to crop farmers, livestock farmers were more likely to have chronic bronchitis (odds ratio [OR], 1.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 2.6) and COPD (OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.7). FEV(1) (-41 mL; 95% CI, -75 to -7) was significantly reduced, but FVC (-15 mL; 95% CI, -54 to 24) was not. Exposure to most agents were predictors of respiratory morbidity, except FVC. Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and inorganic dust were most strongly associated in multiple regression models adjusted for coexposures, but the effects of specific biological agents could not be assessed in multiple regression models because they were too highly correlated. Farmers with atopy had a significantly lower FEV(1) (OR, -87 mL; 95% CI, -170 to -7), but atopy was not directly associated with chronic bronchitis, COPD, and FVC. However, the effects of farming and specific exposures on COPD were substantially greater in farmers with atopy. CONCLUSIONS Livestock farmers have an increased risk of chronic bronchitis, COPD, and reduced FEV(1). Ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, inorganic dust, and organic dust may be causally involved, but a role for specific biological agents cannot be excluded. Farmers with atopy appear more susceptible to develop farming-related COPD.
RGB-D geometric features extraction and edge-based scene-SIRFS

In this paper, we propose a geometric features extraction approach for RGB-D image and its application in intrinsic scene properties recovery. Our approach extracts geometric features, and make use of both 3D shape information from depth map and edge information from RGB image. Geometric features are categorized as occlusion edges and fold edges. The proposed method can not only extract the edge information from the RGB-D image accurately and efficiently, but also classify the edge information effectively. Moreover, our algorithm is close to the real time processing. Besides, we present an application of these geometric features as edge-based intrinsic scene properties recovery. Experimental results demonstrate that our proposed of geometric features extraction and edge-based intrinsic scene properties recovery outperforms Scene-SIRSF algorithms.
SVM-based discriminative accumulation scheme for place recognition

Integrating information coming from different sensors is a fundamental capability for autonomous robots. For complex tasks like topological localization, it would be desirable to use multiple cues, possibly from different modalities, so to achieve robust performance. This paper proposes a new method for integrating multiple cues. For each cue we train a large margin classifier which outputs a set of scores indicating the confidence of the decision. These scores are then used as input to a support vector machine, that learns how to weight each cue, for each class, optimally during training. We call this algorithm SVM-based discriminative accumulation scheme (SVM-DAS). We applied our method to the topological localization task, using vision and laser-based cues. Experimental results clearly show the value of our approach.
Effect of Hypovitaminosis D on Postoperative Pain Outcomes and Short-Term Health-Related Quality of Life After Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract Vitamin D may have an important role in pain perception. Inadequate vitamin D levels are associated with suboptimal recovery after surgery. However, the effects of hypovitaminosis D on postoperative pain-related outcomes and its impact on health-related quality of life after surgery are not well understood. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of hypovitaminosis D on postoperative pain-related outcomes and health-related quality of life at 3 months after knee arthroplasty. This was a longitudinal cohort study of 191 consecutive Hong Kong Chinese patients who were given patient-controlled morphine analgesia for up to 72 hours after 214 knee arthroplasties. Serum total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentration was assessed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The primary outcomes were postoperative pain intensity at rest scores (0–72 h), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index (pain, stiffness and function), and moderate-to-severe persistent pain (transformed WOMAC pain score of 0–75 at 3 months after knee arthroplasty; 0, extreme pain; 100, no pain). Group differences were analyzed using generalized estimating equation models and a logistic regression model. The prevalence of preoperative hypovitaminosis D (25-OHD <50 nmol/L) was 44% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 37%–51%). There were transient higher pain intensity scores in the moderate-to-severe hypovitaminosis D (25-OHD <30 nmol/L) group compared with the sufficient vitamin D group. Vitamin D status had no effect on total WOMAC index (P = 0.22). The incidence of moderate-to-severe persistent pain was 9% (95% CI: 6%–14%). Hypovitaminosis D increased the risk of moderate-to-severe persistent pain (adjusted odds ratio 2.64, 95% CI: 1.03–6.77). Preoperative hypovitaminosis D had subtle effects on pain intensity scores in the early postoperative period and is a risk factor for moderate-to-severe persistent pain after knee arthroplasty. Hypovitaminosis D was not associated with worse health-related quality of life at 3 months after knee arthroplasty.
Computer-aided design and finite-element modelling of biomaterial scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Scaffold biomaterials for tissue engineering can be produced in many different ways depending on the applications and the materials used. Most research into new biomaterials is based on an experimental trial-and-error approach that limits the possibility of making many variations to a single material and studying its interaction with its surroundings. Instead, computer simulation applied to tissue engineering can offer a more exhaustive approach to test and screen out biomaterials. In this paper, a review of the current approach in biomaterials designed through computer-aided design (CAD) and through finite-element modelling is given. First we review the approach used in tissue engineering in the development of scaffolds and the interactions existing between biomaterials, cells and mechanical stimuli. Then, scaffold fabrication through CAD is presented and characterization of existing scaffolds through computed images is reviewed. Several case studies of finite-element studies in tissue engineering show the usefulness of computer simulations in determining the mechanical environment of cells when seeded into a scaffold and the proper design of the geometry and stiffness of the scaffold. This creates a need for more advanced studies that include aspects of mechanobiology in tissue engineering in order to be able to predict over time the growth and differentiation of tissues within scaffolds. Finally, current perspectives indicate that more efforts need to be put into the development of such advanced studies, with the removal of technical limitations such as computer power and the inclusion of more accurate biological and genetic processes into the developed algorithms.
Carbohydrates in Cyberspace

Many research areas, particularly those focused on structural aspects of biomolecules, have “moved into cyberspace” in the last 20–30 years. This move has become even more prominent in the last 5–10 years, amplified by the increased space accessibility (from mobile devices to the Cloud) and by ever more sophisticated and powerful resources available for high-performance computing. The field of structural glycobiology has greatly benefitted from such progress and has taken advantage of the computational tools and resources developed specifically for the structural analysis of carbohydrates. In this short opinion piece, we do not intend to provide a comprehensive coverage of all such resources. We will briefly survey four websites [GLYCAM, UniCarb KnowledgeBase (UniCarbKB), Glycosciences.de, and Glyco3D], offering tools for structural glycobiology, and will provide some examples of studies where such tools have been successfully used for research relevant to understanding of carbohydrate recognition by proteins involved in immunity and infection. For a more comprehensive listing of computational resources for structural glycobiology, readers should consult Ref. (1–4).
Statistical evidence on the effect of production changes on induced seismicity

Abstract Depletion of the Groningen gas field has induced earthquakes, although the north of the Netherlands is a tectonically inactive region. Increased seismic activity raised public concern which led the government to initiate a number of studies with the aim of understanding the cause(s) of the earthquakes. If the relationship between production and seismicity were understood then production could be optimized in such a way that the risk of induced seismicity would be minimal. The main question remains how production is correlated with induced seismicity. The Minister of Economic Affairs of the Netherlands decided to reduce production starting from 17 January 2014, specifically in the centre of the gas field as it has the highest rates of seismicity, the largest-magnitude events and the highest compaction values of the field. A reduction in production could possibly lead to a reduced rate of compaction. Additionally a reduction of production rate could lead to a reduced stress rate increase on the existing faults and consequently fewer seismic events per year. One might envisage a ‘bonus effect’ in the events reduction in the sense that the total number of events will be less, with the same total production smeared out over a longer period. This is as yet unclear. In this paper we apply different statistical methods to look for evidence supporting or disproving a decrease in the number of seismic events due to production reduction.
Past and future directions in x‐ray computed tomography (CT)

We give a short account of the history of CT from motion tomography in the early 1930's to sprial CT. We discuss the physical and the mathematical background. Finally we give an outlook on possible future developments of CT and related techniques. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Imaging Syst Technol 12, 175–187, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ima.10021
Tackling the Bus Turnaround Overhead in Real-Time SDRAM Controllers

Synchronous dynamic random access memories (SDRAMs) are widely employed in multi- and many-core platforms due to their high-density and low-cost. Nevertheless, their benefits come at the price of a complex two-stage access protocol, which reflects their bank-based structure and an internal level of explicitly managed caching. In scenarios in which requestors demand real-time guarantees, these features pose a predictability challenge and, in order to tackle it, several SDRAM controllers have been proposed. In this context, recent research shows that a combination of bank privatization and open-row policy (exploiting the caching over the boundary of a single request) represents an effective way to tackle the problem. However, such approach uncovered a new challenge: the data bus turnaround overhead. In SDRAMs, a single data bus is shared by read and write operations. Alternating read and write operations is, consequently, highly undesirable, as the data bus must remain idle during a turnaround. Therefore, in this article, we propose a SDRAM controller that reorders read and write commands, which minimizes data bus turnarounds. Moreover, we compare our approach analytically and experimentally with existing real-time SDRAM controllers both from the worst-case latency and power consumption perspectives.
Core-java: an expression-oriented java

A common practice for rapid prototyping of an object-oriented program analysis is to define a lightweight fragment of Java, that is sufficiently small to facilitate a rigorous analysis of key properties. Such a lightweight fragment lacks important Java features, thus the experimental evaluation on real-world code is not easy. The solution is either to extend the prototype to the whole Java or to rewrite the real-world code in the lightweight language. We propose an intermediate solution through Core-Java, an expression-oriented core calculus of Java and a comprehensive set of translation rules from Java to Core-Java. The translation can be guided by the specific requirements of each program analysis. We have built an implementation of our framework and have used it for two different analyses on Java programs.
Newly Discovered Viral E3 Ligase pK3 Induces Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Degradation of Class I Major Histocompatibility Proteins and Their Membrane-bound Chaperones*

Background: Viral E3 ubiquitin ligases use distinct mechanisms to degrade proteins required for antigen presentation. Results: Novel viral ligase, pK3, binds to MHCI proteins and induces degradation of MHCI and associated ER chaperones. Conclusion: pK3 uses a novel mechanism to recognize substrates and block antigen presentation. Significance: Demonstrates the importance of transmembrane interactions in E3:substrate interaction and ER quality control. Viral immune invasion proteins are highly effective probes for studying physiological pathways. We report here the characterization of a new viral ubiquitin ligase pK3 expressed by rodent herpesvirus Peru (RHVP) that establishes acute and latent infection in laboratory mice. Our findings show that pK3 binds directly and specifically to class I major histocompatibility proteins (MHCI) in a transmembrane-dependent manner. This binding results in the rapid degradation of the pK3/MHCI complex by a mechanism dependent upon catalytically active pK3. Subsequently, the rapid degradation of pK3/MHCI secondarily causes the slow degradation of membrane bound components of the MHCI peptide loading complex, tapasin, and transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP). Interestingly, this secondary event occurs by cellular endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation. Cumulatively, our findings show pK3 uses a unique mechanism of substrate detection and degradation compared with other viral or cellular E3 ligases. More importantly, our findings reveal that in the absence of nascent MHCI proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum, the transmembrane proteins TAP and tapasin that facilitate peptide binding to MHCI proteins are degraded by cellular quality control mechanisms.