Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Prevention of Code-Injection Attacks by Encrypting System Call Arguments

Buffer overflow attacks are still a serious threat to the security of software systems. One of the most important classes of buffer overflow attacks is code-injection attacks, in which malicious code is injected into a memory area of vulnerable software and eventually executed. In this paper, we propose a simple and effective method for preventing code-injection attacks. The basic idea is to adopt a security-enhanced convention of system call invocations in which system call IDs and arguments are “encrypted” before being passed to the kernel and then “decrypted” at the beginning of in-kernel procedures. This is achieved with a modified standard library and a kernel module. In environments where the method is applied, injected code is likely to fail in executing system calls because their IDs and arguments are likely to be decrypted into meaningless values. We implemented the method on a Linux/IA-32 machine and measured the performance of real applications including GCC, LATEX, wget, and Apache. Experimental results showed that the incurred performance overhead ranged from 0.1% to 15.0%.
Fostering independence through care? A study of the preparedness and deployment of Special Needs Assistants when supporting pupils’ behavioural care needs and independence development in mainstream primary schools in Ireland

The educational landscape in Ireland for persons with special educational needs (SEN) has changed significantly over the past two decades. This research project sought to explore the preparedness and deployment of Special Needs Assistants (SNA) in supporting pupils with behavioural care needs in mainstream primary schools in Ireland. In particular, the research aimed to obtain a detailed and integrated account of the preparedness and deployment of SNAs when supporting target pupils’ behavioural care needs and developing target pupils’ independence. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to data collection. The study’s research design was modelled on that employed in Strand 2 Wave 1 of the internationally renowned ‘Deployment and Impact of Support Staff’ project (Blatchford et al., 2008), as conducted in the United Kingdom. This study comprised a large scale SNA survey (n = 814), in addition to systematic classroom observations and case studies conducted across 20 mainstream class contexts. Throughout the study, focus was placed on the preparedness of SNAs to engage in their pupil care role including their training, continuing professional development, knowledge and understanding of pupils’ needs, and school-based planning. The deployment of SNAs to support pupils’ behavioural care needs and independence development was explored through minute-by-minute systematic classroom observations and in-depth case studies, with additional comparative observational data collected on average-attaining comparison pupils. Focus was placed on contextual classroom information, pupil interactions with the class teacher, SNA and peers, level of pupil independence and support patterns employed by SNAs with the target pupils. Data was analysed using a combination of both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Findings highlighted an array of strengths and limitations of the current SNA scheme in Ireland in supporting pupils with behavioural care needs, particularly in terms of SNA training, school-based preparation and use of evidence-based strategies to support pupils’ behavioural care needs and development of pupils’ independence. In addition, findings revealed the disparate classroom experiences of pupils with behavioural care needs in receipt of SNA support when compared with their average-attaining peers. Results are discussed in light of the current status of the SNA scheme in Ireland, with a focus on implications for research, theory, policy and practice. This research serves to extend the limited data-set on SNAs in mainstream schools in Ireland and addresses the dearth of national and international research on the role of paraprofessionals in educational contexts, particularly in relation to positive behaviour support and supporting pupils’ development of independence.
Performance analysis of Montgomery multiplier for public key cryptosystem

Modular multiplication finds the major role in RSA Cryptography and Elliptical Curve Cryptography. Timing analysis measures the delay along the various timing paths and verifies the performance and operation of the design. We have implemented a 256-bit Modular multiplier using Montgomery Reduction Algorithm in VHDL. The output of the Montgomery multiplier is Z=X*Y R-1 mod M. Both RSA key generation component and data encryption component are too big to fit into a single Altera Cyclone II Device on Field Programmable platform, so that we are unable to test them in real hardware. However, each sub-component was simulated in Model-Sim SE 6.0 and Altera Quartus II 8.0 and proved functionally correct.
Assessing the quality of abstract data types written in Ada

A method is presented for assessing the quality of ADTs (abstract data types) in terms of cohesion and coupling. It is argued that an ADT that contains and exports only one domain and exports only operations that pertain to that domain has the best cohesive properties, and that ADTs that make neither explicit nor implicit assumptions about other ADTs in the system have the best coupling properties. Formal definitions are presented for each of the cohesion and coupling characteristics discussed. Their application to Ada packages is also investigated, and it is shown how a tool can be developed to assess the quality of an Ada package that represents an ADT. <<ETX>>
Latino Immigrant Life and Literacy Needs in a Cultural and Social Context.

A study was undertaken to develop a profile of Latino immigrant adults in a California community. Questions guiding the research included: how recently arrived Mexicans and their families integrate themselves into a new community and society; whether or not they do integrate themselves; and how they cope with literacy demands of everyday life. The subjects were 10 parents of elementary school children interviewed in group meetings, and a subset of three families interviewed in Spanish at home. Results suggest that parents and families face numerous challenges in adapting to everyday life in their new communities, linked to but separate from English language learning needs. Parents' literacy needs would not be met well by learning English within the context of an English-as-a-Second-Language program. Enhancement of Spanish literacy is an additional need. Parent concerns include the need to interpret the new culture for themselves and for parenting purposes, suggesting a broader interpretation of literacy. Contains 24 references. (MSE) (Adjunct ERIC Clearinghouse on Literacy Education) *********************************************************************** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************
The Information Cost of Loop Shaping Over Gaussian Channels

In this paper, we extend the results of our previous work on feedback stabilization and feedback communication to include the presence of an external input acting as an output disturbance on the feedback system. Rather than on the communication system, we focus on the control system. We show that the directed information still characterizes the information rate flowing through the channel, and that it is constant for a given open loop degree of instability and the channel model. This indicates that, in our case, loop shaping does not affect the rate through the channel but only the transmission power if the degree of instability is kept constant. For the memoryless AWGN channel we characterize the required transmission power in a closed form which relates a function of the required transmission power to the sum two rates: one given by the directed information, the other lost due to the non flat frequency shaping of the sensitivity and expressed in terms of relative entropy. This result provides a new interpretation to the H infin sensitivity minimization problem which is based on information theoretic concepts
Exploiting statistical and relational information on the web and in social media

The popularity of Web 2.0, characterized by a proliferation of social media sites, and Web 3.0, with more richly semantically annotated objects and relationships, brings to light a variety of important prediction, ranking, and extraction tasks. The input to these tasks is often best seen as a (noisy) multi-relational graph, such as the click graph, defined by user interactions with Web sites; and the social graph, defined by friendships and affiliations on social media sites. This tutorial will provide an overview of statistical relational learning and inference techniques, motivating and illustrating them using web and social media applications. We will start by briefly surveying some of the sources of statistical and relational information on the web and in social media and will then dedicate most of the tutorial time to an introduction to representations and techniques for learning and reasoning with multi-relational information, viewing them through the lens of web and social media domains. We will end with a discussion of current trends and related fields, such as privacy in social networks.
Estimation of pathological tremor by using adaptive shifting BMFLC base d on RLS algorithm

Pathological tremor is an involuntary, rhythmic oscillatory movement and impacts individual living activities. Tremor amplitude and frequency as significant features are important for tremor suppression by biomechanical loading. In this context, an adaptive shifting bandlimited multiple Fourier linear combiner (ASBMFLC) based on recursive least square (RLS) is proposed to estimate the modulated signals with shifting frequency band and zero-phase lag. This method includes digital filter, modified Weighted-Frequency Fourier Linear Combiner (WFLC), modulation of frequency band and Bandlimited Multiple Fourier Linear Combiner (BMFLC). In WFLC, RLS algorithm instead of least mean square (LMS) is employed to decrease the transit period and accelerate the estimation of dominant frequency. Based on the simulation signals, WFLC, BMFLC and ASBMFLC with RLS algorithm are evaluated, respectively. The results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm can adapt to unknown dominant frequency without prior information. Using the proposed algorithm, the voluntary motion/drift is also successfully separated from the tremor portion.
Auto-detect of machine vision and its application in assembling inspection

Aimed at the inspection of non-defect work-piece, the paper proposed a sort of image processing method to make scathe-less detect for work-piece by industrial CT. Based on the auto-detect of image edge by image segment algorithm extracted geometry size of CT image, firstly non-defect work-piece was chose out to implement accurate location of CT image for the same work-piece section by phase correlation method, then the location of possible template image in the waited detect image could be judged by modified Hausdorff distance. In this paper, it took the recognition inspection of precision assembly of metal parts as an example that judged the location information in the original image by means of template image. The judged results viewed that the correct recognition rate was 100 for part assembly being right and whether leak assembly. The instance inspection results show that it is high in precision and repetitiveness.
Web mining based OALF model for context-aware mobile advertising system

Much of the human activity defines information context and it can be effectively used for a matching process of context-aware mobile advertising systems. Although prior context-aware mobile advertising systems employed personalized and context sensitive approaches, they have mostly used simply aggregated user-side context information from sensors and have relied on previously prepared inference rules when performing match-making. There exist limitations in identifying more diverse variations that can happen in the real world due to the lack of considerations on daily human lives. As a novel solution, in this paper, we address a Natural Language Processing (NLP) combined web mining approach. Especially, we propose an Object-Activity-Location-Feedback (OALF) model which describes what objects are used for a specific activity in a specific location. Most of all, time-variant feedback valences were employed to estimate users' responses to the advertisement triggering entities (objects, activities, locations, and their combinations) in terms of long-term and short-term basis. The model can be realized with a set of web mining procedures including web crawling, data refinement, and sentiment analysis. In addition, we describe how the OALF model can be applied into context-aware mobile advertising and discuss its business model design issues.
The Thermodynamic potentials of Kerr - AdS black holes and their CFT duals

String or M-theory in the background of Kerr-AdS black holes is thought to be dual to the large N limit of certain conformal field theories on a rotating sphere at finite temperature. The five dimensional black hole is associated to = 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory on a rotating three-sphere and the four dimensional one to the superconformal field theory of coinciding M2 branes on a rotating two-sphere. The thermodynamic potentials can be expanded in inverse powers of the radius of the sphere. We compute the leading and subleading terms of this expansion in the field theory at one loop and compare them to the corresponding supergravity expressions. The ratios between these terms at weak and strong coupling turn out not to depend on the rotation parameters in the case of = 4 SYM. For the field theory living on one M2 brane we find a subleading logarithmic term. No such term arises from the supergravity calculation.
Investigation of DNA Sequence in the Basal Core Promoter, Precore, and Core Regions of Hepatitis B Virus from Tunisia Shows a Shift in Genotype Prevalence

Background In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of the most common mutations occurring in Enhancer II (EnhII), Basal Core Promoter (BCP), Precore (PC), and Core (C) regions of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genome. Objectives We also investigated the correlation between HBV variants, their genotypes, and patients’ HBe antigen (HBeAg: soluble shape of the capsid antigen) status. Patients and Methods We retrieved viral DNA from 40 serum samples of Tunisian patients positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and HBV DNA, amplified the above mentioned regions using specific primers, and sequenced the corresponding PCR (polymerase chain reaction) products. For further analysis purpose, the patients were divided into two groups: Group1 including 34 HBeAg-negative patients and Group2 with 6 HBeAg-positive patients. Results Twenty-one patients (52.5%) showed PC G1896A mutation and 11 (27.5%) carried A1762T/G1764A double mutations. These mutations were more frequent in HBeAg-negative patients than that in HBeAg-positive ones. Indeed, 58.8% of patients bearing G1896A mutation were HBeAg-negative while 16.7% were positive. In patients bearing T1762/A1764 double mutation, 29.4% were positive and 16.7% were negative. In addition, the A1896 mutation was restricted to HBV isolates that had wild-type T1858, while C1858 was rather linked to the occurrence of T1762/A1764 mutation. Interestingly, this study revealed a high frequency of genotype E. This frequency was important as compared to that of genotype D known to be predominant in the country as delineated in previous studies. Conclusions Previous results supported and showed that HBV strains present in Tunisia belonging to genotype D and, to a lesser extent, to genotype E, were prone to mutations in BCP/ PC regions. This observation was more obvious in HBV isolates from asymptomatic chronic carriers (AsC). The high mutational rates observed in our study might result from a mechanism of viral escape that plays an important role in the loss of HBeAg.
Discounting and the role of the relation between causes

This research investigates how the relation between two causes (i.e. whether they co-occur or not) affects the likelihood to discount one of them. In two experiments, two causes were either systematically paired together (positive relation), were paired with many other causes (independent relation), or were never paired together (negative relation). The results indicate that discounting of one of the causes (target cause) depends on the relation with the other cause (alternative cause) and the order in which the alternative cause was presented and produced the outcome alone. If information on the independent outcome of the alternative cause came prior to the joint outcome of the alternative and target cause (forward order), then discounting of the target cause occurred regardless of the relation between the two causes. If, however, information on the independent outcome of the alternative cause came after the joint outcome of the alternative and target cause (backward order), then discounting of the target cause occurred mainly when there was a positive or negative relation between the causes, but not when there was an independent relation. The degree of backward discounting given a positive or negative relation was largely identical. These results are consistent with the retrospective revaluation hypothesis of Dickinson and Burke (1996) and shed new light on the role of the relation between causes on discounting. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two Methods of Gesture Recognition

In this paper I will review two recent approaches to gesture recognition. First, I will describe the Condensation algorithm [2] and its extensions to gesture recognition [3] [1]. Then, I will describe a method that uses multi-scale motion segmentation to monitor motion over time and a Time Delayed Neural Network to match this motion to gestures [4]. My focus will be on how these algorithms use models of motion over time to classify gestures. Finally, I’ll summarize a few of the comparative advantages of each algorithm.
A Wideband and Scalable Model of Spiral Inductors Using Space-Mapping Neural Network

A wideband and scalable model of RF CMOS spiral inductors by virtue of a novel space-mapping neural network (SMNN) is presented. A new modified 2-pi equivalent circuit is used for constructing the SMNN model. This new modeling approach also exploits merits of space-mapping technology. This SMNN model has much enhanced learning and generalization capabilities. In comparison with the conventional neural network and the original 2-pi model, this new SMNN model can map the input-output relationships with fewer hidden neurons and have higher reliability for generalization. As a consequence, this SMNN model can run as fast as an approximate equivalent circuit, yet preserve the accuracy of detailed electromagnetic simulations. Experiments are included to demonstrate merits and efficiency of this new approach.
Dynamic sequences of states in ensembles of motor cortical neurons

A Hidden Markov Model analysis was performed on simultanously recorded spike trains in the motor cortex of a monkey during a delayed center-out task. Preliminary results revealed that the ensemble activity of simultaneously recorded neurons presents a robust sequence of states related to the behavioral task. Most of the time the ensemble is in a single state that dominates upon the others. Transitions are abrupt and manifest a concomitant change in the firing rate of the neurons. The pattern of states is stable across all trials within the same experimental condition.
THE SITE OF ACTION OF FUROSEMIDE AND OTHER SULFONAMIDE DIURETICS IN THE DOG.

The discovery of the countercurrent multiplier system as the mechanism responsible for the concentration and dilution of the urine has provided a framework for the identification of the site of action of diuretic drugs. Agents that act at a single anatomic site in the nephron can be expected to alter the pattern of urine flow in a predictable way. A drug that acts solely in the proximal convoluted tubule, by causing the delivery of increased amounts of filtrate to the loop of Henle and the distal convolution, would augment the clearance of solute-free water (CH2o) during water diuresis and the reabsorption of solute-free water (TCHO) during water restriction. In contrast, drugs that inhibit sodium reabsorption in Henle's loop would impair both CHSo and TCHO. Finally, drugs that act only in the distal tubule would reduce CHSo but not TcH2o (1). It is possible, however, that a diuretic drug might inhibit sodium reabsorption at multiple sites. Under such circumstances, localization of the areas of the nephron where the drug acts is far more difficult, since the effects of action in one segment might alter or obscure the effects on another. A new sulfonamide diuretic, furosemide, 4-chloro-N-(2-furylmethyl)-5-sulfonylanthranilic acid (2), offers several advantages in the study of localization of action: a) it is extremely potent, and therefore produces large effects; and b) its duration of action is brief, thereby facilitating multiple studies during a single experiment. A study * of furosemide was, therefore, undertaken to ex plore its effects on water excretion during hy-dration and hydropenia, and on potassium excre-tion during potassium loading. In addition, the diuretic effect of furosemide was compared to three other sulfonamide diuretics: chlorothiazide, chlor-thalidone, and benzhydroflumethiazide. The conventional sulfonamide diuretics resulted in the excretion of about 10% of filtered sodium and inhibited CQ2o without decreasing TCH2O. In contrast, as much as 38% of filtered sodium was excreted during furosemide diuresis, and both CH20 and TCHSo were inhibited. None of the diu-retics had an inhibitory effect on potassium secretion. The effects of the conventional sulfonamide diuretics can be explained by a single site of action distal to the loop of Henle. In contrast, furose-mide clearly has a potent effect in the ascending limb of Henle's loop and probably in the proximal convoluted tubule as well. Methods A total of 50 experiments was performed on 40 dogs. All dogs were fasted overnight before each study. Mild pentothal anesthesia was induced …