Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Adding Robustness to Support Vector Machines Against Adversarial Reverse Engineering

Many classification algorithms have been successfully deployed in security-sensitive applications including spam filters and intrusion detection systems. Under such adversarial environments, adversaries can generate exploratory attacks against the defender such as evasion and reverse engineering. In this paper, we discuss why reverse engineering attacks can be carried out quite efficiently against fixed classifiers, and investigate the use of randomization as a suitable strategy for mitigating their risk. In particular, we derive a semidefinite programming (SDP) formulation for learning a distribution of classifiers subject to the constraint that any single classifier picked at random from such distribution provides reliable predictions with a high probability. We analyze the tradeoff between variance of the distribution and its predictive accuracy, and establish that one can almost always incorporate randomization with large variance without incurring a loss in accuracy. In other words, the conventional approach of using a fixed classifier in adversarial environments is generally Pareto suboptimal. Finally, we validate such conclusions on both synthetic and real-world classification problems.
A 28 nm Configurable Memory (TCAM/BCAM/SRAM) Using Push-Rule 6T Bit Cell Enabling Logic-in-Memory

Conventional content addressable memory (BCAM and TCAM) uses specialized 10T/16T bit cells that are significantly larger than 6T SRAM cells. A new BCAM/TCAM is proposed that can operate with standard push-rule 6T SRAM cells, reducing array area by 2-5× and allowing reconfiguration of the SRAM as a CAM. In this way, chip area and overall capacitance can be reduced, leading to higher energy efficiency for search operations. In addition, the configurable memory can perform bit-wise logical operations: “AND” and “NOR” on two or more words stored within the array. Thus, the configurable memory with CAM and logical function capability can be used to off-load specific computational operations to the memory, improving system performance and efficiency. Using a 6T 28 nm FDSOI SRAM bit cell, the 64×64 (4 kb) BCAM achieves 370 MHz at 1 V and consumes 0.6 fJ/search/bit. A logical operation between two 64 bit words achieves 787 MHz at 1 V.
Immigrant Concentration at School and Natives’ Achievement: Does Length of Stay in the Host Country Matter?

Using a rich dataset of primary school students in the Netherlands, this paper investigates the effects of immigrant concentration in the classroom on the academic achievement of natives. It exploits rare information on age-at-migration to estimate separate spillover effects by duration of stay of immigrant classmates in the Netherlands. To identify treatment effects, it uses attractive features of the Dutch primary school system and cohort-by-cohort deviations in immigrant concentration within schools. While we find that immigrant children who recently arrived generate negative effects on natives' performance, we report no impact of immigrants who have been in the country for a longer period. The negative effect of the concentration of recent migrants in the classroom is stronger for natives with low parental education. The importance of taking into account heterogeneity in the duration of stay of immigrant peers could explain the mixed findings reported by previous work.
Effect of recruitment maneuver on arterial oxygenation in patients undergoing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy with intraoperative 15 cmH2O positive end expiratory pressure

Background This randomized, controlled study was designed to compare the effects of recruitment maneuvers (RMs) with a 15 cmH2O positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) on the systemic oxygenation and lung compliance of patients with healthy lungs following robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP). Methods Sixty patients undergoing a RALP with an intraoperative 15 cmH2O PEEP were randomly allocated to an RM or a Control group. The patients in the RM group received a single RM through the application of a continuous positive airway pressure of 40 cmH2O for 40 s 15 min after being placed in the Trendelenburg position. The arterial oxygen tension (PaO2, primary endpoint) and the pulmonary dynamic and static compliances (secondary endpoints) were measured 10 min after the anesthetic induction (T1), 10 min after establishment of the pneumoperitoneum (T2), 10 min after establishment of the Trendelenburg position (T3), 10 min after the RM (T4), 60 min after the RM (T5), and 10 min after deflation of the pneumoperitoneum in the supine position (T6). Results The intergroup comparisons of the PaO2 showed significantly higher values in the RM group than in the Control group at T4 and T5 (193 ± 35 mmHg vs. 219 ± 33 mmHg, P = 0.015, 188 ± 41 mmHg vs. 214 ± 42 mmHg, P = 0.005, respectively). However, the PaO2 at T6 was similar in the two groups (211 ± 39 mmHg vs. 224 ± 41 mmHg, P = 0.442). Moreover, there were no statistical differences between the groups in the dynamic and static compliances of the lungs at any time point. Conclusions The arterial oxygenation of the patients with a healthy lung function who had undergone a RALP with intraoperative 15 cmH2O PEEP was improved by a single RM. However, this benefit did not last long, and it did not lead to an amelioration of the lung mechanics.
Unicellular Cyanobacterium Symbiotic with a Single-Celled Eukaryotic Alga

Fixing on a Marine Partnership Nitrogen fixation by microorganisms determines the productivity of the biosphere. Although plants photosynthesize by virtue of the ancient incorporation of cyanobacteria to form chloroplasts, no equivalent endosymbiotic event has occurred for nitrogen fixation. Nevertheless, in terrestrial environments, nitrogen-fixing symbioses between bacteria and plants, for example, are common. Thompson et al. (p. 1546) noticed that the ubiquitous marine cyanobacterium UCYN-A has an unusually streamlined genome lacking components of the photosynthetic machinery and central carbon metabolism—all suggestive of being an obligate symbiont. By using gentle filtration methods for raw seawater, a tiny eukaryote partner for UCYN-A of less than 3-µm in diameter was discovered. The bacterium sits on the cell wall of this calcifying picoeukaryote, donating fixed nitrogen and receiving fixed carbon in return. A nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium that lacks photosynthesis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle possesses a tiny phytoplankton symbiont. Symbioses between nitrogen (N)2–fixing prokaryotes and photosynthetic eukaryotes are important for nitrogen acquisition in N-limited environments. Recently, a widely distributed planktonic uncultured nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterium (UCYN-A) was found to have unprecedented genome reduction, including the lack of oxygen-evolving photosystem II and the tricarboxylic acid cycle, which suggested partnership in a symbiosis. We showed that UCYN-A has a symbiotic association with a unicellular prymnesiophyte, closely related to calcifying taxa present in the fossil record. The partnership is mutualistic, because the prymnesiophyte receives fixed N in exchange for transferring fixed carbon to UCYN-A. This unusual partnership between a cyanobacterium and a unicellular alga is a model for symbiosis and is analogous to plastid and organismal evolution, and if calcifying, may have important implications for past and present oceanic N2 fixation.
Predictive Power Control for PV Plants With Energy Storage

This work presents a model predictive control (MPC) approach to manage in real-time the energy generated by a grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) power plant with energy storage (ES), optimizing its economic revenue. This MPC approach stands out because, when a long enough prediction horizon is used, the saturation of the ES system (ESS) can be advanced by means of a prediction model of the PV panels production. Therefore, the PV+ES power plant can modify its production so as to manage the power deviations with regard to that committed in the daily and intraday electricity markets, with the objective of reducing economic penalties. The initial power commitment is supposed in this work to be given by a higher level energy management operator. By a proper definition of its objective function, the predictive control allows us to economically optimize the PV+ES power plant performance. This control strategy is tested in simulations with actual data measured for different days with varying meteorological conditions. Results provide a good reference on the economic benefits which can be obtained thanks to the MPC introduction.
Position estimation system with UWB, IMU and a distance sensor for quad-rotors

In order to estimate the position of a quad-rotor in GPS-denied environment such as under bridges, we developed a position estimation system using ultra-wide band (UWB), inertial measurement unit (IMU), and distance sensor for the quad-rotor. The accuracy of UWB is tens of centimeters and the UWB is several times better than traditional positioning systems based on WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS signals. In addition, a distance sensor is mounted to the quad-rotor to improve the estimation accuracy of the altitude. This paper presents experimented results using the quad-rotor equipped with the developed system in order to evaluate the estimation accuracy. The experimental results show that an altitude accuracy of 0.03 m can be achieved.
Identifying Long-range Dependent Network Traffic through Autocorrelation Functions

For over a decade researchers have been reporting the impact of self-similar long-range dependent network traffic. Long-range dependence (LRD) is of great significance in traffic engineering problems such as measurement, queuing strategy, buffer sizing and admission and congestion control. In this research, in order to determine the existence of LRD, we apply three different robust versions of the autocorrelation function (ACF), namely weighted ACF (WACF), trimmed ACF (TACF) and variance-ratio of differences and sums, known as the D/S variance estimator (DACF), in conjunction with the sample ACF (which is moment based). Here we define the moment based ACF as MACF. In telecommunications, LRD traffic defines that a similar pattern of traffic persists for a longer span of time. Through ACF, it is possible to detect how long the traffic lasts. The aim of this research is to investigate the performance of ACF in identifying the existence of LRD traffic.
G1n3p is capable of binding to UAS(NTR) elements and activating transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

When readily used nitrogen sources are available, the expression of genes encoding proteins needed to transport and metabolize poorly used nitrogen sources is repressed to low levels; this physiological response has been designated nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR). The cis-acting upstream activation sequence (UAS) element UAS(NTR) mediates Gln3p-dependent, NCR-sensitive transcription and consists of two separated dodecanucleotides, each containing the core sequence GATAA. Gln3p, produced in Escherichia coli and hence free of all other yeast proteins, specifically binds to wild-type UAS(NTR) sequences and DNA fragments derived from a variety of NCR-sensitive promoters (GDH2, CAR11 DAL3, PUT1, UGA4, and GLN1). A LexA-Gln3 fusion protein supported transcriptional activation when bound to one or more LexAp binding sites upstream of a minimal CYC1-derived promoter devoid of UAS elements. LexAp-Gln3p activation of transcription was largely independent of the nitrogen source used for growth. These data argue that Gln3p is capable of direct UAS(NTR) binding and participates in transcriptional activation of NCR-sensitive genes.
Characterization of the GNAQ promoter and association of increased Gq expression with cardiac hypertrophy in humans.

AIMS Transgenic mice with cardiac overexpression of Gq develop cardiac hypertrophy, apoptosis, and heart failure. Similar mechanisms may contribute to human left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). However, mechanisms regulating transcription of the human GNAQ gene encoding the Gq protein are unknown and single-nucleotide polymorphisms have not been reported. METHODS AND RESULTS We delineated essential elements for transcription in the human GNAQ promoter using reporter assays and showed promoter induction by serum and angiotensin II. Sequencing of the whole promoter revealed a common (minor allele frequency 0.48) dinucleotide polymorphism at position -694/-695, resulting in an exchange of two adjacent nucleotides (TT > GC). The GC allele had increased transcription factor binding and was associated with enhanced transcriptional activation by serum or angiotensin II, resulting in enhanced Gq expression and intracellular signalling. Genotyping a population-based survey (n = 1204) revealed a higher prevalence of LVH in individuals with the GC/GC genotype [odds ratio (OR) 4.07; 95% CI 1.63-10.16; P = 0.003], this effect being more pronounced in women (OR 5.52; P = 0.005). CONCLUSION A novel polymorphism in the Gq promoter region is associated with enhanced promoter activity, Gq expression, intracellular signal transduction, and increased prevalence of LVH, particularly in women.
A novel complex of membrane proteins required for formation of a spherical nucleus

Two membrane proteins were identified through their genetic interaction with the nucleoporin Nup84p and shown to participate in nuclear envelope morphogenesis in yeast. One component is a known sporulation factor Spo7p, and the other, Nem1p, a novel protein whose C‐terminal domain is conserved during eukaryotic evolution. Spo7p and Nem1p localize to the nuclear/ER membrane and behave biochemically as integral membrane proteins. Nem1p binds to Spo7p via its conserved C‐terminal domain. Although cells without Spo7p or Nem1p are viable, they exhibit a drastically altered nuclear morphology with long, pore‐containing double nuclear membrane extensions. These protrusions emanate from a core nucleus which contains the DNA, and penetrate deeply into the cytoplasm. Interestingly, not only Spo7− and Nem1−, but also several nucleoporin mutants are defective in sporulation. Thus, Spo7p and Nem1p, which exhibit a strong genetic link to nucleoporins of the Nup84p complex, fulfil an essential role in formation of a spherical nucleus and meiotic division.
Report on project GR / N 22014 / 01 Semantic approaches to control of interference in higher-order imperative languages

It is my opinion that, from a research point of view, this project has been successful, and good value for money! Although only two articles have been published to date as a result of work carried out on this project, one more is in press and a further four are currently in preparation; these will be described below. In addition to the research outcomes, the project provided support for a young researcher, Dr Laird, who has established a strong reputation in the international research community and become extremely active and productive. Dr Laird is currently employed at Sussex on another research project. Another person who was involved with the work supported by this project is Mr Wall, who is about to complete what I believe will be an excellent DPhil thesis based on the work he and I carried out under this project. Our work has been presented at several international conferences, including ICALP 2000 in Geneva, CSL 2002 in Birmingham, CTCS 2002 in Ottawa, Canada, two MFPS meetings, and a summer school on game semantics held in Ottawa in 2003. The main points of difficulty with this project concerned the deployment of manpower and are described in the Project Plan Review.
Authentication of digital video evidence

In response to a requirement from the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Technical Support Working Group tasked The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (JHU/APL) to develop a technique tha will ensure the authenticity, or integrity, of digital video (DV). Verifiable integrity is needed if DV evidence is to withstand a challenge to its admissibility in court on the grounds that it can be easily edited. Specifically, the verification technique must detect additions, deletions, or modifications to DV and satisfy the two-part criteria pertaining to scientific evidence as articulated in Daubert et al. v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc., 43 F3d (9th Circuit, 1995). JHU/APL has developed a prototype digital video authenticator (DVA) that generates digital signatures based on public key cryptography at the frame level of the DV. Signature generation and recording is accomplished at the same time as DV is recorded by the camcorder. Throughput supports the consumer-grade camcorder data rate of 25 Mbps. The DVA software is implemented on a commercial laptop computer, which is connected to a commercial digital camcorder via the IEEE-1394 serial interface. A security token provides agent identification and the interface to the public key infrastructure (PKI) that is needed for management of the public keys central to DV integrity verification.
FPR2/ALX receptor expression and internalization are critical for lipoxin A4 and annexin‐derived peptide‐stimulated phagocytosis

Lipoxins (LXs) are endogenously produced eicosanoids with well‐described anti‐inflammatory and proresolution activities, stimulating nonphlogistic phagocytosis of apoptotic cells by macrophages. LXA4 and the glucocorticoid‐derived annexin A1 peptide (Ac2–26) bind to a common G‐proteincoupled receptor, termed FPR2/ALX. However, direct evidence of the involvement of FPR2/ALX in the anti‐inflammatory and proresolution activity of LXA4 is still to be investigated. Here we describe FPR2/ALX trafficking in response to LXA4 and Ac2–26 stimulation. We have transfected cells with HA‐tagged FPR2/ALX and studied receptor trafficking in unstimulated, LXA4 (1–10 nM)‐ and Ac2–26 (30 µM)‐treated cells using multiple approaches that include immunofluorescent confocal microscopy, immunogold labeling of cryosections, and ELISA and investigated receptor trafficking in agonist‐stimulated phagocytosis. We conclude that PKC‐dependent internalization of FPR2/ALX is required for phagocytosis. Using bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) from mice in which the FPR2/ALX ortholog Fpr2 had been deleted, we observed the nonredundant function for this receptor in LXA4 and Ac2–26 stimulated phagocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils. LXA4 stimulated phagocytosis 1.7‐fold above basal (P< 0.001) by BMDMs from wild‐type mice, whereas no effect was found on BMDMs from Fpr2‐/‐ mice. Similarly, Ac2–26 stimulates phagocytosis by BMDMs from wild‐type mice 1.5‐fold above basal (P<0.05). However, Ac2–26 failed to stimulate phagocytosis by BMDMs isolated from Fpr2‐/‐ mice relative to vehicle. These data reveal novel and complex mechanisms of the FPR2/ALX receptor trafficking and functionality in the resolution of inflammation. —Maderna, P., Cottell, D. C. , Toivonen, T. , Dufton, N. , Dalli, J., Perretti, M. , Godson, C. FPR2/ALX receptor expression and internalization are critical for lipoxin A4 and annexinderived peptide‐stimulated phagocytosis. FASEB J. 24, 4240–4249 (2010). www.fasebj. org
Why Are Young Infants Tested for Herpes Simplex Virus?

Background: The polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based test to detect herpes simplex virus (HSV) genome in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) has become the test of choice for diagnosing this infection. The utility of this test in young infants undergoing sepsis evaluations is unknown. Objectives: We sought to identify the factors that prompted physicians to include HSV PCR in their evaluation of young infants undergoing lumbar puncture. In addition, the impact of ordering this test on patient management was assessed. Methods: This case-control study included infants 0 to 60 days who were evaluated by lumbar puncture at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children over a 5-year period. Case patients had CSF HSV PCR ordered as part of their evaluation and control patients did not. Results: Eighty-eight case patients and 83 control patients were identified. The median patient age was 12 days and most patients (55%) were male. Both groups were similar in demographics. Herpes simplex virus infection was diagnosed by PCR in 3.4% of cases. The occurrence of a seizure (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 8.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7-41.0), the performance of CSF enteroviral PCR testing (adjusted OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.4-15.8), and the decision to obtain hepatic transaminases (adjusted OR, 5.6; 95% CI, 2.7-11.8) were associated with the decision to perform CSF HSV PCR testing. Use of health care resources associated with PCR testing was considerable. Discussion: The occurrence of a seizure, the performance of CSF enteroviral PCR testing, and the decision to obtain hepatic transaminases were independently associated with the decision to perform CSF HSV PCR testing. Features traditionally associated with neonatal HSV infection, such as elevated numbers of CSF white blood cells or red blood cells, did not appear to influence the decision to perform CSF HSV PCR testing. The yield of testing in this population was low. Clinicians should weigh the benefits of early diagnosis in a few patients against the consequences of excessive testing in this population.
Human Telomeres Are Hypersensitive to UV-Induced DNA Damage and Refractory to Repair

Telomeric repeats preserve genome integrity by stabilizing chromosomes, a function that appears to be important for both cancer and aging. In view of this critical role in genomic integrity, the telomere's own integrity should be of paramount importance to the cell. Ultraviolet light (UV), the preeminent risk factor in skin cancer development, induces mainly cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) which are both mutagenic and lethal. The human telomeric repeat unit (5′TTAGGG/CCCTAA3′) is nearly optimal for acquiring UV-induced CPD, which form at dipyrimidine sites. We developed a ChIP–based technique, immunoprecipitation of DNA damage (IPoD), to simultaneously study DNA damage and repair in the telomere and in the coding regions of p53, 28S rDNA, and mitochondrial DNA. We find that human telomeres in vivo are 7-fold hypersensitive to UV-induced DNA damage. In double-stranded oligonucleotides, this hypersensitivity is a property of both telomeric and non-telomeric repeats; in a series of telomeric repeat oligonucleotides, a phase change conferring UV-sensitivity occurs above 4 repeats. Furthermore, CPD removal in the telomere is almost absent, matching the rate in mitochondria known to lack nucleotide excision repair. Cells containing persistent high levels of telomeric CPDs nevertheless proliferate, and chronic UV irradiation of cells does not accelerate telomere shortening. Telomeres are therefore unique in at least three respects: their biophysical UV sensitivity, their prevention of excision repair, and their tolerance of unrepaired lesions. Utilizing a lesion-tolerance strategy rather than repair would prevent double-strand breaks at closely-opposed excision repair sites on opposite strands of a damage-hypersensitive repeat.