Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A Reputation System for Traffic Safety Event on Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks

Traffic safety applications on vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) have drawn a lot of attention in recent years with their promising functions on car accident reduction, real-time traffic information support, and enhancement of comfortable driving experience on roadways. However, an inaccurate traffic warning message will impact drivers' decisions, waste drivers' time and fuel in their vehicles, and even invoke serious car accidents. To enable eco-friendly driving VANET environments, that is, to save fuel and time in this context, we proposed an event-based reputation system to prevent the spread of false traffic warning messages. In this system, a dynamic reputation evaluation mechanism is introduced to determine whether an incoming traffic message is significant and trustworthy to the driver. The proposed system is characterized and evaluated through experimental simulations. The simulation results show that, with a proper reputation adaptation mechanism and appropriate threshold settings, our proposed system can effectively prevent false messages spread on various VANET environments.
Combating unpredictability in multicores through the multi-resource server

In this paper we present challenges that hinder the predictable integration and execution of real-time applications on multicore platforms. We investigate how shared resources, like CPU, memory-bus bandwidth, caches, and memory cause unpredictability and interference. We propose to adapt the traditional server-based scheduling approach on the multicore platforms with additional resource-reservations to control the shared access to such resources and present the multi-resource server as a solution such that the execution of real-time applications becomes predictable.
Bootstrapper: recognizing tabletop users by their shoes

In order to enable personalized functionality, such as to log tabletop activity by user, tabletop systems need to recognize users. DiamondTouch does so reliably, but requires users to stay in assigned seats and cannot recognize users across sessions. We propose a different approach based on distinguishing users' shoes. While users are interacting with the table, our system Bootstrapper observes their shoes using one or more depth cameras mounted to the edge of the table. It then identifies users by matching camera images with a database of known shoe images. When multiple users interact, Bootstrapper associates touches with shoes based on hand orientation. The approach can be implemented using consumer depth cameras because (1) shoes offer large distinct features such as color, (2) shoes naturally align themselves with the ground, giving the system a well-defined perspective and thus reduced ambiguity. We report two simple studies in which Bootstrapper recognized participants from a database of 18 users with 95.8% accuracy.
On Maximal Correlation, Hypercontractivity, and the Data Processing Inequality studied by Erkip and Cover

In this paper we provide a new geometric characterization of the Hirschfeld-Gebelein-R\'{e}nyi maximal correlation of a pair of random $(X,Y)$, as well as of the chordal slope of the nontrivial boundary of the hypercontractivity ribbon of $(X,Y)$ at infinity. The new characterizations lead to simple proofs for some of the known facts about these quantities. We also provide a counterexample to a data processing inequality claimed by Erkip and Cover, and find the correct tight constant for this kind of inequality.
pH-Dependent Transport of Pemetrexed by Breast Cancer Resistance Protein

Breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), an ATP-dependent efflux transporter, confers drug resistance to many chemotherapy agents. BCRP is overexpressed in tumors exposed to an acidic environment; therefore, it is important to establish the effect of low pH on BCRP transport activity. It has recently been reported that BCRP transports substrates more efficiently in an acidic microenvironment. In the study presented here, we examine the pH dependence of BCRP using methothrexate (MTX), pemetrexed (PMX), and estrone sulfate (ES) as model substrates. Our study revealed an increase of approximately 40-fold in the BCRP-mediated transport of PMX and MTX when the pH was decreased from 7.4 to 5.5. In contrast, only a 2-fold increase was observed for ES. These results indicate a mechanism of transport that is directly dependent on the effective ionization state of the substrates and BCRP. For ES, which retains a constant ionization state throughout the applied pH, the observed mild increase in activity is attributable to the overall changes in the effective ionization state and conformation of BCRP. For MTX and PMX, the marked increase in BCRP transport activity was likely due to the change in ionization state of MTX and PMX at lowered pH and their intermolecular interactions with BCRP. To further rationalize the molecular basis of the pH dependence, molecular modeling and docking studies were carried out using a homology model of BCRP, which has previously been closely examined in structural and site-directed mutagenesis studies (Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 299:C1100–C1109, 2010). On the basis of docking studies, all model compounds were found to associate with arginine 482 (Arg482) by direct salt-bridge interactions via their negatively charged carboxylate or sulfate groups. However, at lower pH, protonated MTX and PMX formed an additional salt-bridge interaction between their positively charged moieties and the nearby negatively charged aspartic acid 477 (Asp477) carboxylate side chain. The formation of this “salt-bridge triad” is expected to increase the overall electrostatic interactions between MTX and PMX with BCRP, which can form a rational basis for the pH dependence of the observed enhanced binding selectivity and transport activity. Removal of Arg482 in site-directed mutagenesis studies eliminated this pH dependence, which lends further support to our binding model. These results shed light on the importance of electrostatic interactions in transport activity and may have important implications in the design of ionizable chemotherapeutics intended for tumors in the acidic microenvironment.
Effect of Dietary n − 3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Macrosomic Offspring of Diabetic Rats

The aim of this work was to determine the effect of dietary n − 3 PUFA on oxidant/antioxidant status, in vitro very low and low density lipoprotein (VLDL-LDL), and VLDL-LDL-fatty acid composition in macrosomic pups of diabetic mothers. We hypothesized that n − 3 PUFA would improve oxidative stress in macrosomia. Diabetes was induced in female Wistar rats fed with the ISIO diet (control) or with the EPAX diet (enriched in n − 3 PUFAs), by streptozotocin. The macrosomic pups were killed at birth (day 0) and at adulthood (day 90). Lipid parameters and VLDL-LDL-fatty acid composition were investigated. The oxidant/antioxidant status was determined by measuring plasma oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), hydroperoxides, carbonyl proteins, and VLDL-LDL oxidation. Macrosomic rats of ISIO fed diabetic mothers showed an increase in plasma and VLDL-LDL-triglycerides and VLDL-LDL-cholesterol levels and altered VLDL-LDL-fatty acid composition. Plasma ORAC was low with high hydroperoxide and carbonyl protein levels. The in vitro oxidizability of VLDL-LDL was enhanced in these macrosomic rats. The EPAX diet corrected lipid parameters and improved oxidant/antioxidant status but increased VLDL-LDL susceptibility to oxidation. Macrosomia is associated with lipid abnormalities and oxidative stress. n − 3 PUFA exerts favorable effects on lipid metabolism and on the oxidant/antioxidant status of macrosomic rats. However, there are no evident effects on VLDL-LDL oxidation.
Discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase B (PtpB) Inhibitors from Natural Products

Protein tyrosine phosphatase B (PtpB) is one of the virulence factors secreted into the host cell by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. PtpB attenuates host immune defenses by interfering with signal transduction pathways in macrophages and, therefore, it is considered a promising target for the development of novel anti-tuberculosis drugs. Here we report the discovery of natural compound inhibitors of PtpB among an in house library of more than 800 natural substances by means of a multidisciplinary approach, mixing in silico screening with enzymatic and kinetics studies and MS assays. Six natural compounds proved to inhibit PtpB at low micromolar concentrations (< 30 µM) with Kuwanol E being the most potent with K i = 1.6 ± 0.1 µM. To the best of our knowledge, Kuwanol E is the most potent natural compound PtpB inhibitor reported so far, as well as it is the first non-peptidic PtpB inhibitor discovered from natural sources. Compounds herein identified may inspire the design of novel specific PtpB inhibitors.
A Study on Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms and its Applications to Economics and Finance

: - The use of evolutionary algorithms in diversified application domains has gained ever increasing popularity in the last few years producing a wide range of interesting applications ranging from engineering and computer science to ecology, sociology and medicine. From these diversified application areas of evolutionary algorithms, economics and finance constitutes a very promising field. The use of evolutionary algorithms for solving multi-objective optimization problem emerges as a potential field of research in recent years. This paper presents the use of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms (MOEAs) for solving problems in economics and finance. Different applications of MOEA are explained briefly and a specific simulation work has been done for one particular application i.e. investment portfolio optimization.
KISA AZİM (SEBAT) ÖLÇEĞİNİN TÜRKÇEYE UYARLANMASI: GEÇERLİK VE GÜVENİRLİK ÇALIŞMASI

Bu calismanin amaci Kisa Azim Olcegini Turkceye uyarlayarak olcegin psikometrik ozelliklerini incelemektir. Arastirmanin calisma grubunu Kutahya ve Agri illerinde universite egitimlerine devam eden 186 universite ogrencisi olusturmaktadir. Katilimcilarin 108’i kadin ve 78’i erkek olmakla birlikte yaslari 18 ile 27 arasinda degismekte olup yas ortalamalari 21.3’tur. Benzer olcek gecerliligi calismasinda Motivasyonel Kararlilik Olcegi kullanilmistir. Dilsel esdegerlik calismasinda Turkce ve Ingilizce formlar arasinda r=. 89 (p= .00) iliski bulunmustur. KMO orneklem uygunluk katsayisi . 83 ve Bartlett Sphericity testi sonucu χ2 = 503,877 (p<.001, sd=24) olarak saptanmistir. Dogrulayici faktor analizi sonucu 8 maddelik 2 boyutlu modelin uyum indeksi degerleri (χ2 /sd=2.06, p=.00011, RMSEA= .046, CFI=.95, GFI=.94, AGFI=.93, SRMR=.047) olup madde faktor yuklerinin . 42 ile . 77 arasinda siralandigi gorulmustur. Benzer olcek gecerligi calismasinda Motivasyonel Kararlilik Olcegi ve Kisa Azim Olcegi arasinda r=. 68 p<. 01 onem duzeyinle iliski bulunmustur. Cronbach alfa ic tutarlik guvenirlik katsayilari olcegi butunu icin . 83, ilginin tutarliligi alt boyutu icin . 80, gayrette israr alt boyutu icin . 71 olarak hesaplanmistir. Test tekrar test guvenirlik katsayisi . 69 olarak hesaplanmis olup duzeltilmis madde toplam korelasyon katsayilarinin . 33 ile . 65 arasinda siralandigi gorulmustur. Sonuc olarak Kisa Azim Olceginin bireylerde azim, kararlilik, israr ve sebatkâr olma duzeyini degerlendirebilecek gecerli ve guvenilir bir olcme araci oldugu soylenebilir.
Towards a Grounded Theory of Information Systems for the International Firm: Critical Variables and Causal Networks

International Information Systems, often of critical importance for the operations of the multinational enterprise, are poorly researches and there is a dearth of theoretical frameworks for analysing them. This paper summarises the evolution of an IIS as it follows its organisation’s global business development. Using a Case History method in the Grounded Theory tradition the paper derives a number of key variables and develops their relationship in an effort to establish some theoretical foundations for such systems. The findings support the notion that international information systems should follow the global business strategy of the multi-national enterprise they support. Failure of the IIS to adapt to the organisation’s strategy changes sets up a field of antagonistic forces, in which business resistance summarily defeated all attempts to install a standard global information system. The key variables from both the business and information technology domain interact in this force field in a cyclical manner. The notion of causal networks is used to depict the migration through these cycles
Increased Solubility, Dissolution and Physicochemical Studies of Curcumin- Polyvinylpyrrolidone K-30 Solid Dispersions

Solid dispersions (SD) of curcumin- polyvinylpyrrolidone in the ratio of 1:2, 1:4, 1:5, 1:6, and 1:8 were prepared in an attempt to increase the solubility and dissolution. Solubility, dissolution, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of solid dispersions, physical mixtures (PM) and curcumin were evaluated. Both solubility and dissolution of curcumin solid dispersions were significantly greater than those observed for physical mixtures and intact curcumin. The powder X-ray diffractograms indicated that the amorphous curcumin was obtained from all solid dispersions. It was found that the optimum weight ratio for curcumin:PVP K-30 is 1:6. The 1:6 solid dispersion still in the amorphous from after storage at ambient temperature for 2 years and the dissolution profile did not significantly different from freshly prepared.
Charm++ and MPI: Combining the Best of Both Worlds

Charm++ and MPI embody two distinct perspectives for writing parallel programs. While MPI provides a process-centric, user-driven model for developing parallel codes, Charm++ supports work-centric, system-driven parallel programming. One of them might be a better or more natural fit for individual modules that constitute a parallel application. In this paper, we present a framework that enables hybrid parallel programming with Charm++ and MPI, and allows programmers to develop different modules of a parallel application in these two languages while facilitating smooth interoperation. We describe the challenges in enabling interoperation between Charm++ and MPI, and present techniques for managing the control flow and resource sharing between the two. Finally, we demonstrate the benefits of interoperation between Charm++ and MPI through several case studies that use production applications and libraries, including CHARM/Chombo, EpiSimdemics, NAMD, FFTW, MPI-IO and ParMETIS.
Handling the knowledge acquired during the requirements engineering process: a case study

Performing the requirements engineering process for software-intensive systems, characterized by a high organizational impact, requires the analysts to handle a large amount of information, related to desires, needs, and constraints of a vast number of completely different stakeholders. The paper presents an organization modeling-based requirements engineering framework, where advanced requirements engineering techniques are combined with software quality modelling approaches to support the analysts in capturing, and formalising the knowledge embedded in the organisation, from which the sought system functionality and quality attributes may be derived. The collected knowledge will not only support the specific project but will represent an organizational assetto be exploited for future systems/organization evolution. As a case study, the paper reports on an on-going project concerned with the development and introduction, within the Italian Office of the Prime Minister, of a Electronic Record Management System, as a first step towards a paperless knowledge workplace.
Deep Self-Convolutional Activations Descriptor for Dense Cross-Modal Correspondence

We present a novel descriptor, called deep self-convolutional activations (DeSCA), designed for establishing dense correspondences between images taken under different imaging modalities, such as different spectral ranges or lighting conditions. Motivated by descriptors based on local self-similarity (LSS), we formulate a novel descriptor by leveraging LSS in a deep architecture, leading to better discriminative power and greater robustness to non-rigid image deformations than state-of-the-art cross-modality descriptors. The DeSCA first computes self-convolutions over a local support window for randomly sampled patches, and then builds self-convolution activations by performing an average pooling through a hierarchical formulation within a deep convolutional architecture. Finally, the feature responses on the self-convolution activations are encoded through a spatial pyramid pooling in a circular configuration. In contrast to existing convolutional neural networks (CNNs) based descriptors, the DeSCA is training-free (i.e., randomly sampled patches are utilized as the convolution kernels), is robust to cross-modal imaging, and can be densely computed in an efficient manner that significantly reduces computational redundancy. The state-of-the-art performance of DeSCA on challenging cases of cross-modal image pairs is demonstrated through extensive experiments.
Orthogonal Matching Pursuit With Thresholding and its Application in Compressive Sensing

Greed is good. However, the tighter you squeeze, the less you have. In this paper, a less greedy algorithm for sparse signal reconstruction in compressive sensing, named orthogonal matching pursuit with thresholding is studied. Using the global 2-coherence, which provides a “bridge” between the well known mutual coherence and the restricted isometry constant, the performance of orthogonal matching pursuit with thresholding is analyzed and more general results for sparse signal reconstruction are obtained. It is also shown that given the same assumption on the coherence index and the restricted isometry constant as required for orthogonal matching pursuit, the thresholding variation gives exactly the same reconstruction performance with significantly less complexity.
Mining the user clusters on Facebook fan pages based on topic and sentiment analysis

Social network websites such as Facebook, Tweeter, and Plurk have become a useful marketing toolkit. Many companies find that it can provide new opportunities on mining customers' opinions and get better understanding of the customers. The aim of the paper is to analyze the sentiment of users' opinions from corporation-run social networks, the Facebook Fan Pages. The goal is to find the topics and the associated sentiment of the topics in a given Fan Page run by a single corporation. Sentiment analysis in previous works was often based on a sentiment dictionary; we follow the traditional approach with the help of some additional rules to improve the performance. Combining the result of topic extraction and sentiment analysis, we try to find the most interested events in the given Fan Page. The results can be used in advanced marketing for the corporation and to satisfy more users.
A Linear Search Strategy using Bounds

Branch-and-bound and branch-and-cut use search trees to identify optimal solutions. In this paper, we introduce a linear search strategy which we refer to as cut-and-solve and prove optimality and completeness for this method. At each node in the search path, a relaxed problem and a sparse problem are solved and a constraint is added to the relaxed problem. The sparse problems provide incumbent solutions. When the constraining of the relaxed problem becomes tight enough, its solution value becomes no better than the incumbent solution value. At this point, the incumbent solution is declared to be optimal. This strategy is easily adapted to be an anytime algorithm as an incumbent solution is found at the root node and continuously updated during the search. Cut-and-solve enjoys two favorable properties. Its memory requirements are nominal and, since there is no branching, there are no "wrong" subtrees in which the search may get lost. For these reasons, it may be potentially useful as an alternative approach for problems that are difficult to solve using search tree methods. In this paper, we demonstrate the cut-and-solve strategy by implementing it for the Asymmetric Traveling Salesman Problem (ATSP). We compare this implementation with state-of-the-art ATSP solvers to validate the potential of this novel search strategy. Our code is available at (Climer & Zhang 2004).
A Typology Of Social Engineering Attacks - An Information Science Perspective

Hackers are increasingly exploiting the social movement on the Internet, which is responsible for domestication of the web and its associated technologies, by using novel methods of online social engineering. However, there is not enough support in the form of published research that can help us gain a holistic understanding of human vulnerabilities that are central to online social engineering attacks. This paper extends prior published classifications and presents a new typology of online social engineering methods that manifest during the various information seeking contexts that users engage while online. Concepts borrowed from the field of information science help us to build this typology that groups attack vectors with different human information seeking modes. The typology can be readily used as educational material to improve end user awareness about online social engineering. In addition, the typology can be used as a conceptual starting point for future empirical research on human vulnerabilities in different information seeking contexts which in turn can inform systems designers to design more effective solutions that can help mitigate the effects of such attacks.
Toward spam 2.0: An evaluation of Web 2.0 anti-spam methods

Spammers have proven very powerfully adaptable, if we thwart all current spam methods, they will find new loophole to use them. Blogs, comments, forums, opinions, online communities, wikis and tags are nowadays targets for their campaigns. This paper presents analysis of current anti-spam methods in Web 2.0 for spam detection and prevention against our proposed evaluation framework. The framework is a comprehensive framework to evaluate anti-spam methods from different perspectives. Our framework shows that the need for more robust methods which are prevention based, unsupervised and do not increase user and system interaction complexity is highly demanded.
Context awareness by analysing accelerometer data

In this paper we describe continuing work being carried out as part of the Bristol Wearable Computing Initiative. We are researching processing techniques for data from accelerometers which enable the wearable computer to determine the user's activity. Techniques already employed by others have been explored and we propose new methods for analysing the data delivered by these devices. We try to minimise the number of devices needed by using a single X-Y accelerometer device. Using our techniques we have adapted our GPS based Tourist Guide application to vary its multimedia presentation according to the user's activity as well as location.