Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Surgically Returning to Randomized lib(c)

To strengthen systems against code injection attacks, the write or execute only policy (W + X) and address space layout randomization (ASLR) are typically used in combination. The former separates data and code, while the latter randomizes the layout of a process. In this paper we present a new attack to bypass W + X and ASLR. The state-of-the-art attack against this combination of protections is based on brute-force, while ours is based on the leakage of sensitive information about the memory layout of the process. Using our attack an attacker can exploit the majority of programs vulnerable to stack-based buffer overflows surgically, i.e., in a single attempt. We have estimated that our attack is feasible on 95.6% and 61.8% executables (of medium size) for Intel x86 and x86-64 architectures, respectively. We also analyze the effectiveness of other existing protections at preventing our attack. We conclude that position independent executables (PIE) are essential to complement ASLR and to prevent our attack. However, PIE requires recompilation, it is often not adopted even when supported, and it is not available on all ASLR-capable operating systems. To overcome these limitations, we propose a new protection that is as effective as PIE, does not require recompilation, and introduces only a minimal overhead.
The Matthew Effect as an Unjust Competitive Advantage: Implications for Competition Near Status Boundaries

Merton often envisioned status growth as a process of stepping across a boundary between one status grade and another more elite status grade. Such boundaries include the border between graduate school and a top academic department that young researchers try to traverse, or the frontier between scientists outside the French Academy and scientists inside the French Academy. As it is now common to measure status continuously using network data, the behavioral ramifications of status boundaries have been understudied in recent research. In this essay, we focus on competitive behaviors that emerge near a status boundary because of the desirability—as well as the “double injustice”—of the Matthew Effect. Offering insights for future research, we discuss how these competitive behaviors are likely to delay, or even derail, status growth for those who are near a status boundary.
Classifying Arabic web pages toolkit

Our research deals with classification of Arabic web pages. This field is challenging because limited research has been done in this field so far, and currently available tools do not support Arabic language. The fact remains that Arabic has various complex and discrete characteristics as compared to those of other languages: highly inflectional and derivational, the writing direction, the change of characters shapes based on their location, the absence of capitalization, etc. We have developed an environment that consist of two parts: The learning phase which facilitates the essential preprocessing tasks for Arabic web pages using several methods and tools. The second part classifies a web page by applying the best parameters setups.
Mindful Attention Activities to Support Shared Book Reading

Penny has gathered her preschoolers for story time. She sings a song (to the tune of “Mary Had a Little Lamb”) to help in the transition. “Now it’s time to read a book, read a book, read a book. Now it’s time to read a book. Let’s all look and listen. ” To get READY for today’s story, Penny offers two mindful attention practices. “Before we start reading, let’s practice listening. Remember, listening is paying attention with our ______. ” The children all enthusiastically respond, “ears. ” “And why do we need to practice listening? ” She reinforces answers about enjoying and understanding the story and then instructs them, “Close your eyes and listen to the bell. When you don’t hear it anymore, raise your hand but keep your eyes closed. Ready, set . ” Penny rings the bell and waits until all hands are up and then instructs the children to open their eyes. “I 720445 YECXXX10.1177/1096250617720445Young Exceptional ChildrenMindful Attention Activities / Lederer research-article2017
THE QUALITY OF SINGLE-CASE RESEARCH FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDERS IN JAPAN AND TAIWAN: AN INVESTIGATION OF INTER-RATER RELIABILITY AND TREATMENT FIDELITY

近年來國內外皆倡導選擇有實證研究支持其介入成效的策略或方案，目前國外已有數篇文獻聚焦於探討自閉症研究品質，然而這些文獻所分析的研究主要發表於英語系期刊中，故結論無法推論至發表於非英語系期刊的研究品質。 為了瞭解非英語系期刊中 自閉症研究的品質，本研究採系統性文獻回顧，分析日本與臺灣主要之特殊教育學術研究導向期刊，以探討其刊登之所有自閉症單一個案研究的評分者間信度與實驗處理忠實度之現況與趨勢。 本研究依（1）從日本與臺灣共七份主要特殊教育研究期刊中，搜尋文獻；（2）依預先設定的文獻選取與排除準則，進行研究評估；（3）針對文獻中描述之評分者間信度與實驗處理忠實度，進行資料編碼與分析等三步驟，最後進行194 篇符合選取準則之文獻評析。 本研究結果如下：在評分者間信度方面，日本於過去數十年間符合單一個案研究評分者間信度標準的研究數量，整體而言呈現增加的趨勢，臺灣文獻則未呈現同樣的趨勢；在實驗處理忠實度方面，日本尚未有單一個案研究描述研究的實驗處理忠實度，而臺灣則已有數篇研究符合國際間檢視實驗處理忠實度資料的標準。 就整體研究品質而論，日本與臺灣的自閉症單一個案研究已逐漸符合評分者信度間的標準，然而對於實驗處理忠實度的敘述仍處於初步發展階段。 為了提升自閉症介入方案的研究品質，本研究建議在亞洲地區的相關學術研究論文應依建議的指標與標準說明各研究之評分者間信度與實驗處理忠實度。
slc7a6os Gene Plays a Critical Role in Defined Areas of the Developing CNS in Zebrafish

The aim of this study is to shed light on the functional role of slc7a6os, a gene highly conserved in vertebrates. The Danio rerio slc7a6os gene encodes a protein of 326 amino acids with 46% identity to human SLC7A6OS and 14% to Saccharomyces cerevisiae polypeptide Iwr1. Yeast Iwr1 specifically binds RNA pol II, interacts with the basal transcription machinery and regulates the transcription of specific genes. In this study we investigated for the first time the biological role of SLC7A6OS in vertebrates. Zebrafish slc7a6os is a maternal gene that is expressed throughout development, with a prevalent localization in the developing central nervous system (CNS). The gene is also expressed, although at different levels, in various tissues of the adult fish. To determine the functional role of slc7a6os during zebrafish development, we knocked-down the gene by injecting a splice-blocking morpholino. At 24 hpf morphants show morphological defects in the CNS, particularly the interface between hindbrain and midbrain is not well-defined. At 28 hpf the morpholino injected embryos present an altered somite morphology and appear partially or completely immotile. At this stage the midbrain, hindbrain and cerebellum are compromised and not well defined compared with control embryos. The observed alterations persist at later developmental stages. Consistently, the expression pattern of two markers specifically expressed in the developing CNS, pax2a and neurod, is significantly altered in morphants. The co-injection of embryos with synthetic slc7a6os mRNA, rescues the morphant phenotype and restores the wild type expression pattern of pax2a and neurod. Our data suggest that slc7a6os might play a critical role in defined areas of the developing CNS in vertebrates, probably by regulating the expression of key genes.
Soluble Epoxide Hydrolase Activity Determines the Severity of Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Kidney

Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) in endothelial cells determines the plasma concentrations of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), which may act as vasoactive agents to control vascular tone. We hypothesized that the regulation of sEH activity may have a therapeutic value in preventing acute kidney injury by controlling the concentration of EETs. In this study, we therefore induced ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in C57BL/6 mice and controlled sEH activity by intraperitoneal administration of the sEH inhibitor 12-(3-adamantan-1-ylureido)-dodecanoic acid (AUDA). The deterioration of kidney function induced by IRI was partially moderated and prevented by AUDA treatment. In addition, AUDA treatment significantly attenuated tubular necrosis induced by IRI. Ischemic injury induced the down-regulation of sEH, and AUDA administration had no effect on the expression pattern of sEH induced by IRI. In vivo sEH activity was assessed by measuring the substrate epoxyoctadecenoic acid (EpOME) and its metabolite dihydroxyoctadec-12-enoic acid (DHOME). Ischemic injury had no effects on the plasma concentrations of EpOME and DHOME, but inhibition of sEH by AUDA significantly increased plasma EpOME and the EpOME/DHOME ratio. The protective effect of the sEH inhibitor was achieved by suppression of proinflammatory cytokines and up-regulation of regulatory cytokines. AUDA treatment prevented the intrarenal infiltration of inflammatory cells, but promoted endothelial cell migration and neovascularization. The results of this study suggest that treatment with sEH inhibitors can reduce acute kidney injury.
Influence of psychiatric comorbidity on surgical mortality.

OBJECTIVE To examine the potential effect of 5 existing psychiatric comorbidities on postsurgical mortality. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING Intensive care units of all Veterans Health Administration hospitals designated as providing acute care. PATIENTS We studied 35 539 surgical patients admitted to intensive care units from October 1, 2003, through September 30, 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Psychiatric comorbidity (depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, bipolar disease, and schizophrenia) was identified using outpatient encounters in the 12 months preceding the index admission. End points included in-hospital and 30-day mortality. Generalized estimating equations accounted for hospital clustering and adjusted mortality for demographics, type of surgery, medical comorbidity, and disease severity. RESULTS We identified 8922 patients (25.1%) with an existing psychiatric comorbidity on admission. Unadjusted 30-day mortality rates were similar among patients with and without psychiatric comorbidity (3.8% vs 4.0%, P = .56). After adjustment, 30-day mortality was higher for patients with psychiatric comorbidity (odds ratio, 1.21; 95% confidence interval, 1.07-1.37; P = .003). In individual analyses, patients with depression and anxiety had higher odds of 30-day mortality (P = .01 and P = .02, respectively) but the odds were similar for the other conditions. CONCLUSION Existing psychiatric comorbidity was associated with a modest increased risk of death among postsurgical patients. Estimates of the increased risk across the individual conditions were highest for anxiety and depression. The higher mortality may reflect higher unmeasured severity or unique management issues in patients with psychiatric comorbidity.
Finding minimum-quotient cuts in planar graphs

Given a graph G = (V, E) where each vertex v {element_of} V is assigned a weight w(v) and each edge e {element_of} E is assigned a cost c(e), the quotient of a cut partitioning the vertices of V into sets S and {bar S} is c(S, {bar S})/min{l_brace}w(S), w(S){r_brace}, where c(S, {bar S}) is the sum of the costs of the edges crossing the cut and w(S) and w({bar S}) are the sum of the weights of the vertices in S and {bar S}, respectively. The problem of finding a cut whose quotient is minimum for a graph has in recent years attracted considerable attention, due in large part to the work of Rao and Leighton and Rao. They have shown that an algorithm (exact or approximation) for the minimum-quotient-cut problem can be used to obtain an approximation algorithm for the more famous minimumb-balanced-cut problem, which requires finding a cut (S,{bar S}) minimizing c(S,{bar S}) subject to the constraint bW {le} w(S) {le} (1 {minus} b)W, where W is the total vertex weight and b is some fixed balance in the range 0 < b {le} {1/2}. Unfortunately, the minimum-quotient-cut problem is strongly NP-hard for general graphs, and themore » best polynomial-time approximation algorithm known for the general problem guarantees only a cut whose quotient is at mostO(lg n) times optimal, where n is the size of the graph. However, for planar graphs, the minimum-quotient-cut problem appears more tractable, as Rao has developed several efficient approximation algorithms for the planar version of the problem capable of finding a cut whose quotient is at most some constant times optimal. In this paper, we improve Rao`s algorithms, both in terms of accuracy and speed. As our first result, we present two pseudopolynomial-time exact algorithms for the planar minimum-quotient-cut problem. As Rao`s most accurate approximation algorithm for the problem -- also a pseudopolynomial-time algorithm -- guarantees only a 1.5-times-optimal cut, our algorithms represent a significant advance. « less
Isometric maximal voluntary force evaluated using an isometric mid-thigh pull differentiates English Premier League youth soccer players from a maturity-matched control group

ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to record normative isometric maximum voluntary force (MVF) data at baseline and after an 8-week training period using the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) for English Premier League academy players and a maturation-matched control group. Methods: In total, 155 English Premier League academy players across under 9 to under 21 age groups and 93, maturation-, weight- and height-matched control participants performed an IMTP. In total, 142 and 62 of the elite and control cohorts respectively were retested 8 weeks later following a period of integrated soccer training or physical education lessons. Allometrically scaled (peak force divided by body mass0.66) MVF was recorded. MVF was analysed in three maturity groups based on years from/to age of predicted peak height velocity (PHV): pre-PHV, mid-PHV, and post-PHV in elite and control groups. Results: A small difference was seen in isometric MVF in elite (115.42 ± 21.96 N) compared to control (109.36 ± 29.90 N) at baseline (P = 0.004) though no difference was seen between or within groups after 8 weeks (P > 0.167). Conclusion: Differences in baseline MVF suggest that strength is likely important to elite youth soccer performance though training undertaken by this elite group may be insufficient to elicit adaptation in isometric strength.
Thoracic fluid detection and monitoring system using metamaterial loaded Yagi-antenna array

The possibility of building a full clinical-system for thoracic fluid detection inside the human torso is explored. Different considerations in building such a system with emphasis on the antenna and platform design is investigated. Various design elements such as type and number of antennas and their required characteristics to build the antenna array is studied. A detailed review on the present systems and their capabilities is conducted. It is shown that due to their ease of fabrication, unidirectional radiation and wide operating bandwidths, planar antennas such as tapered slot and quasi Yagi-antennas are among the most desirable structures for medical-diagnostic and monitoring applications. However, the conventional configurations of those antennas have limited practicality due to their large size. To address this limitation, a mu-negative metamaterial unit-cell loaded Yagi-antenna is shown to be an effective alternative. This antenna is used to build a semi-elliptical array that encloses the circumference of the thorax to scan the torso area. A multi-static scanning approach is devised to acquire scattered signals. The obtained results reveal that the proposed configuration has the potential to detect small amounts of fluid inside the torso and more importantly define its exact location.
Both Free Indole-3-Acetic Acid and Photosynthetic Performance are Important Players in the Response of Medicago truncatula to Urea and Ammonium Nutrition Under Axenic Conditions

We aimed to identify the early stress response and plant performance of Medicago truncatula growing in axenic medium with ammonium or urea as the sole source of nitrogen, with respect to nitrate-based nutrition. Biomass measurements, auxin content analyses, root system architecture (RSA) response analyses, and physiological parameters were determined. Both ammonium and ureic nutrition severely affected the RSA, resulting in changes in the main elongation rate, lateral root development, and insert position from the root base. The auxin content decreased in both urea- and ammonium-treated roots; however, only the ammonium-treated plants were affected at the shoot level. The analysis of chlorophyll a fluorescence transients showed that ammonium affected photosystem II, but urea did not impair photosynthetic activity. Superoxide dismutase isoenzymes in the plastids were moderately affected by urea and ammonium in the roots. Overall, our results showed that low N doses from different sources had no remarkable effects on M. truncatula, with the exception of the differential phenotypic root response. High doses of both ammonium and urea caused great changes in plant length, auxin contents and physiological measurements. Interesting correlations were found between the shoot auxin pool and both plant length and the “performance index” parameter, which is obtained from measurements of the kinetics of chlorophyll a fluorescence. Taken together, these data demonstrate that both the indole-3-acetic acid pool and performance index are important components of the response of M. truncatula under ammonium or urea as the sole N source.
Regulation of the expression of photorespiratory genes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The regulation of the photorespiratory pathway in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii Dangeard during a shift from high- to low-CO2 conditions was investigated. To this end, a set of C. reinhardtii cDNA sequences for known photorespiratory enzymes was assembled using the Chlamydomonas expressed sequence tag database and primary sequencing data. Expression data indicates that there is a rapid and coordinated induction of photorespiratory and CCM gene expression during a time course switch from high-CO2 conditions (5% (v/v)) to low-CO2 conditions (0.038% (v/v)). While the expression of photorespiratory and CCM genes are coordinated during the initial change in CO2 level, the response of these two sets of genes to the CO2 level is not identical. Unlike the sustained high levels of CCM mRNAs seen under low CO2 conditions, photorespiratory mRNAs show a transient increase in abundance in time course experiments. In addition, the expression of these photorespiratory genes is reduced in cia5, a C. reinhardtii strain that l.
Research on long memory of realized volatility measurements in China Stock Market

By using the Detrended Fluctuation Analysis method, we study the long memory of the realized volatility and realized bi-power variation constructed from high-frequency intra-day return series of the Shenzhen stock index and its 14 component stocks in China Stock Market. We find that the realized volatility and realized bi-power variation exhibit significant long memory from one-minute to sixty-minute sampling interval. Moreover, with sampling interval increases, long memory of the realized volatility and realized bi-power variation weaken gradually.
BOLD Signal in Both Ipsilateral and Contralateral Retinotopic Cortex Modulates with Perceptual Fading

Under conditions of visual fixation, perceptual fading occurs when a stationary object, though present in the world and continually casting light upon the retina, vanishes from visual consciousness. The neural correlates of the consciousness of such an object will presumably modulate in activity with the onset and cessation of perceptual fading. Method In order to localize the neural correlates of perceptual fading, a green disk that had been individually set to be equiluminant with the orange background, was presented in one of the four visual quadrants; Subjects indicated with a button press whether or not the disk was subjectively visible as it perceptually faded in and out. Results Blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) signal in V1 and ventral retinotopic areas V2v and V3v decreases when the disk subjectively disappears, and increases when it subjectively reappears. This effect occurs in early visual areas both ipsilaterally and contralaterally to the fading figure. That is, it occurs regardless of whether the fading stimulus is presented inside or outside of the corresponding portion of visual field. In addition, we find that the microsaccade rate rises before and after perceptual transitions from not seeing to seeing the disk, and decreases before perceptual transitions from seeing to not seeing the disk. These BOLD signal changes could be driven by a global process that operates across contralateral and ipsilateral visual cortex or by a confounding factor, such as microsaccade rate.
Current insights into LMNA cardiomyopathies: Existing models and missing LINCs

ABSTRACT The nuclear lamina is a critical structural domain for the maintenance of genomic stability and whole-cell mechanics. Mutations in the LMNA gene, which encodes nuclear A-type lamins lead to the disruption of these key cellular functions, resulting in a number of devastating diseases known as laminopathies. Cardiomyopathy is a common laminopathy and is highly penetrant with poor prognosis. To date, cell mechanical instability and dysregulation of gene expression have been proposed as the main mechanisms driving cardiac dysfunction, and indeed discoveries in these areas have provided some promising leads in terms of therapeutics. However, important questions remain unanswered regarding the role of lamin A dysfunction in the heart, including a potential role for the toxicity of lamin A precursors in LMNA cardiomyopathy, which has yet to be rigorously investigated.
Neuroadaptive Combined Lateral and Longitudinal Control of Highway Vehicles Using RBF Networks

A neural network (NN) adaptive model-based combined lateral and longitudinal vehicle control algorithm for highway applications is presented in this paper. The controller is synthesized using a proportional plus derivative control coupled with an online adaptive neural module that acts as a dynamic compensator to counteract inherent model discrepancies, strong nonlinearities, and coupling effects. The closed-loop stability issues of this combined control scheme are analyzed using a Lyapunov-based method. The neurocontrol approach can guarantee the uniform ultimate bounds of the tracking errors and bounds of NN weights. A complex nonlinear three-degree-of-freedom dynamic model of a passenger wagon is developed to simulate the vehicle motion and for controller design. The controller is tested and verified via computer simulations in the presence of parametric uncertainties and severe driving conditions