Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Advanced Cryptographic Techniques for Secured Cloud Computing

The past decade of computing has witnessed a number of new computational models and the most prominent among them is Cloud Computing. Cloud Computing is a paradigm shift that helps a user with internet based computing services that can be accessed from anywhere on any platform. But despite of its advantages, it is yet to gain total trust from users, the primary reason being its security issues. Though some standard organizations have developed a number of security compliance guidelines that need to be followed to ensure security and quality of services in the cloud, security assurance in real terms remains to be undercover. This paper discusses about the two most promising cryptographic techniques, that are, if implemented correctly can effectively mitigate the security threats and can help in an increased uses of cloud computing.
Evaluating brand value on the web

The value of a brand name is an important factor that consumers often take into consideration when making their purchasing decisions. However, it is difficult for users to evaluate correctly the value of a brand name, especially when they encounter it for the first time. In reality, sometimes a brand's description or its use is purposely manipulated so as to give an impression of high value. In another way, a non-existing brand name may be used to attract consumers. We call such names "glorified terms. " In this paper, we propose a method for evaluating a brand's value from texts on the Web. To this end, we first acquire candidates of attributes useful for evaluating whether a term is a brand name or a glorified term. The candidates are evaluated according to the idea whereby explanations about a real brand name often contain attributes describing its quality. We implemented a prototype system especially for agricultural and livestock products. The system judges whether a given one is a glorified term or a well-known brand name from several viewpoints. We conducted preliminary experiments and we achieved 74% - 85% accuracy rate.
Mission Report – " Modelling Unification Workshop "

This document describes a general proposal for combining all relevant effects of the directional mobile radio channel. Effects included are pathloss, shadowing, small-scale fading due to interference, joint delay and azimuth spreading. The latter accounts for the clustering nature of the channel when observed with wideband and/or directionally resolving systems. Results given in this paper indicate preliminary settings derived from physical considerations and measurement results from literature. This proposal summarizes the outcome of the “Modelling Unification Workshop”, held from 15-17 March in Vienna, Austria with support of the action COST259. Martin Steinbauer, Henrik Asplund, Iris de Coster, Dirk Hampicke, Ralf Heddergott, Nadja Lohse, Andreas Molisch (all: COST259 SWG 2.1)
Removal of EOG Artifacts from EEG Recordings Using Stationary Subspace Analysis

An effective approach is proposed in this paper to remove ocular artifacts from the raw EEG recording. The proposed approach first conducts the blind source separation on the raw EEG recording by the stationary subspace analysis (SSA) algorithm. Unlike the classic blind source separation algorithms, SSA is explicitly tailored to the understanding of distribution changes, where both the mean and the covariance matrix are taken into account. In addition, neither independency nor uncorrelation is required among the sources by SSA. Thereby, it can concentrate artifacts in fewer components than the representative blind source separation methods. Next, the components that are determined to be related to the ocular artifacts are projected back to be subtracted from EEG signals, producing the clean EEG data eventually. The experimental results on both the artificially contaminated EEG data and real EEG data have demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed method, in particular for the cases where limited number of electrodes are used for the recording, as well as when the artifact contaminated signal is highly nonstationary and the underlying sources cannot be assumed to be independent or uncorrelated.
Proceedings of the Workshop on Natural Language Processing in the 5 th Information Systems Research Working Days (JISIC 2014)

Since, at the moment there is not a gold-standard annotated corpus for this objective, it is necessary to build one, to allow generation and testing of automatic systems for classifying the purpose or function of a citation referenced in an article. The development of this kind of corpus is subject to two conditions: the first one is to present a clear and unambiguous classification scheme. The second one is to secure an initial manual process of labeling to reach a sufficient inter-coder agreement among annotators to validate the annotation scheme and to be able to reproduce it even with coders who do not know in depth the topic of the analyzed articles. This paper proposes and validates a methodology for corpus annotation for citation classification in scientific literature that facilitate annotation and produces substantial inter-annotator agreement.
Towards a Research Agenda on the Emergence of (Informal) Constitutional Culture into (Formal) Constitutional Order

In 1900, David Hilbert addressed the second International Congress of Mathematicians in Paris on the future of mathematics. His speech became famous; in it he listed 23 unsolved problems in mathematics from whose solutions much progress could be expected. I am aware that I am no Hilbert. , but the problems are crucial, even if some are only generally circumscribed. Other economists may define different problems. No complete listing could ever be made. Each problem solved usually suggests new ones which could not have been stated without a given problem first being solved.
Computer simulations of iron in magnesium silicate perovskite

We use atomistic computer simulation techniques to investigate the site partitioning of iron in (Mg,Fe)SiO3 perovskites. Our calculations predict that the most energetically favourable reaction for iron substitution will be a direct exchange of Fe2+ for Mg2+. Substitution of Fe into the octahedral site and Si into the 8–12 fold coordinated site, as proposed by Jackson et al. [1987], is predicted to be extremely unlikely.
Optimal Employment Contracts with Hidden Search

In this paper I explore optimal employment contract design in a random search framework, where workers search on and off the job for employment opportunities similar to that of Lentz (2010) and Bagger and Lentz (2013). The worker determines the frequency by which employment opportunities arrive through a costly choice of search intensity, which is unobserved by the firm and cannot be directly contracted upon. Firms differ in productivity by which they employ workers. Firms compete over workers in terms of utility promises in a fashion otherwise similar to that of Postel-Vinay and Robin (2002). As in Burdett and Coles (2003) and Burdett and Coles (2010), optimal tenure conditional contracts are shown to be back loaded to discourage the worker from generating outside competitive pressure. The analysis establishes existence, uniqueness and provides characterization of the core mechanism. The paper applies the framework to the analysis of firm provided general human capital training. It is shown that more productive firms provide more training and pay higher wages.
Characterization of Scattered X-Ray Photons in Dental Cone-Beam Computed Tomography

Purpose Scatter is a very important artifact causing factor in dental cone-beam CT (CBCT), which has a major influence on the detectability of details within images. This work aimed to improve the image quality of dental CBCT through scatter correction. Methods Scatter was estimated in the projection domain from the low frequency component of the difference between the raw CBCT projection and the projection obtained by extrapolating the model fitted to the raw projections acquired with 2 different sizes of axial field-of-view (FOV). The function for curve fitting was optimized by using Monte Carlo simulation. To validate the proposed method, an anthropomorphic phantom and a water-filled cylindrical phantom with rod inserts simulating different tissue materials were scanned using 120 kVp, 5 mA and 9-second scanning time covering an axial FOV of 4 cm and 13 cm. The detectability of the CT image was evaluated by calculating the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Results Beam hardening and cupping artifacts were observed in CBCT images without scatter correction, especially in those acquired with 13 cm FOV. These artifacts were reduced in CBCT images corrected by the proposed method, demonstrating its efficacy on scatter correction. After scatter correction, the image quality of CBCT was improved in terms of target detectability which was quantified as the CNR for rod inserts in the cylindrical phantom. Conclusions Hopefully the calculations performed in this work can provide a route to reach a high level of diagnostic image quality for CBCT imaging used in oral and maxillofacial structures whilst ensuring patient dose as low as reasonably achievable, which may ultimately make CBCT scan a reliable and safe tool in clinical practice.
Apparent diffusion coefficients in spinal cord transplants and surrounding white matter correlate with degree of axonal dieback after injury in rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Abnormal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in injured spinal cord white matter and fibroblast transplants have been shown to correspond with qualitative histologic findings of axonal loss or regeneration. We proposed that ADC values would correlate with quantitative axonal tracing in the transected rubrospinal tract (RST). METHODS Eleven rats received right-sided lateral funiculus lesions at C3-4 (disrupting the RST) and transplantation of fibroblasts that were unmodified or modified to secrete brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Behavioral tests measured hindlimb function at 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 weeks after injury. At 12 weeks after injury, the antegrade axon tracer biotinylated dextran amine was stereotactically injected into the red nucleus to label the injured RST axons. Animals were sacrificed 2 weeks later. Diffusion-weighted MR imaging of the excised, fixed spinal cord specimens was then performed at 9.4 T. RESULTS In white matter surrounding transplants, ADC values transverse to axons were elevated and ADC values longitudinal to axons were decreased. These ADC values were more abnormal closer to the transplant, and this correlated with decreases in numbers of labeled RST axons. ADC values in BDNF-expressing fibroblast transplants were significantly lower than those in unmodified fibroblast transplants, and these lower values correlated with decreased axonal dieback. Behaviorally, all animals showed partial recovery, but animals with BDNF-expressing fibroblast transplants had slightly improved hindlimb function compared to those with unmodified fibroblast transplants. CONCLUSION ADC values may be able to evaluate graft function after spinal cord injury by demonstrating the degree of axonal dieback and preservation.
The Biomechanical Effect of Loading Speed on Metal-on-UHMWPE Contact Mechanics

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a material commonly used in total hip and knee joint replacements. Numerous studies have assessed the effect of its viscoelastic properties on phenomena such as creep, stress relaxation, and tensile stress. However, these investigations either use the complex 3D geometries of total hip and knee replacements or UHMWPE test objects on their own. No studies have directly measured the effect of vertical load application speed on the contact mechanics of a metal sphere indenting UHMWPE. To this end, a metal ball was used to apply vertical force to a series of UHMWPE flat plate specimens over a wide range of loading speeds, namely, 1, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, and 120 mm/min. Pressure sensitive Fujifilm was placed at the interface to measure contact area. Experimental results showed that maximum contact force ranged from 3596 to 4520 N and was logarithmically related (R2=0.96) to loading speed. Average contact area ranged from 76.5 to 79.9 mm2 and was linearly related (R2=0.56) to loading speed. Average contact stress ranged from 45.1 to 58.2 MPa and was logarithmically related (R2=0.95) to loading speed. All UHMWPE specimens displayed a circular area of permanent surface damage, which did not disappear with time. This study has practical implications for understanding the contact mechanics of hip and knee replacements for a variety of activities of daily living.
Composing Unit Tests

If we were to apply the testing techniques of object-oriented systems prescribed by the XUnit framework to a car factory, the result would be an inefficient process: A tire would be created, quality assured and then thrown away, only to be recreated later to test the functionality of the whole car. XUnit makes it difficult to reuse intermediate results of low level unit tests. As a consequence a higher level unit test is forced to recreate test scenarios which were already created by lower level unit tests. This duplicated testing effort is time-consuming both for setting up new scenarios and for running the tests. To address this problem we suggest a semi-automatic approach to compose tests. First we describe how we can detect candidates of composable test cases by partially ordering their sets of covered method signatures, then we present techniques to refactor unit tests accordingly.
Infrastructure Security Modelling for Utility Computing

In this paper we consider how logic-based object modelling techniques may be used to help Utility Providers and their customers obtain insight concerning the security characteristics of utility infrastructure and networked systems. We briefly describe two modelling tool prototypes that were built and the underlying technology they used. Starting from an asset- management view of utility computing infrastructure, we realised that the more interesting questions lie not entirely with the infrastructure itself, but in the way that it is used and deplo yed within organisations as part of a service-oriented delivery framework. As a result, it is clearly necessary to represent the business process structure and correlate this with the underlying utility infrastructure and the people that interact with these services and systems.
HYDAMTIQ, a selective PARP‐1 inhibitor, improves bleomycin‐induced lung fibrosis by dampening the TGF‐β/SMAD signalling pathway

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a severe disease characterized by excessive myofibroblast proliferation, extracellular matrix and fibrils deposition, remodelling of lung parenchyma and pulmonary insufficiency. Drugs able to reduce disease progression are available, but therapeutic results are unsatisfactory; new and safe treatments are urgently needed. Poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerases‐1 (PARP‐1) is an abundant nuclear enzyme involved in key biological processes: DNA repair, gene expression control, and cell survival or death. In liver and heart, PARP‐1 activity facilitates oxidative damage, collagen deposition and fibrosis development. In this study, we investigated the effects of HYDAMTIQ, a potent PARP‐1 inhibitor, in a murine model of lung fibrosis. We evaluated the role of PARP on transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) expression and TGF‐β/SMAD signalling pathway in lungs. Mice were intratracheally injected with bleomycin and then treated with either vehicle or different doses of HYDAMTIQ for 21 days. Airway resistance to inflation and lung static compliance, markers of lung stiffness, were assayed. Histochemical and biochemical parameters to evaluate TGF‐β/SMAD signalling pathway with alpha‐smooth muscle actin (αSMA) deposition and the levels of a number of inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor‐α, interleukin‐1β, iNOS and COX‐2) were performed. Bleomycin administration increased lung stiffness. It also increased lung PARP activity, TGF‐β levels, pSMAD3 expression, αSMA deposition and content of inflammatory markers. HYDAMTIQ attenuated all the above‐mentioned physiological, biochemical and histopathological markers. Our findings support the proposal that PARP inhibitors could have a therapeutic potential in reducing the progression of signs and symptoms of the disease by decreasing TGF‐β expression and the TGF‐β/SMAD transduction pathway.
The effects of partial extraction of TnC upon the tension-pCa relationship in rabbit skinned skeletal muscle fibers

The activation of contraction in vertebrate skeletal muscle involves the binding of Ca2+ to low-affinity binding sites on the troponin C (TnC) subunit of the regulatory protein troponin. The present study is an investigation of possible cooperative interactions between adjacent functional groups, composed of seven actin monomers, one tropomyosin, and one troponin, along the same thin filament. Single skinned fibers were obtained from rabbit psoas muscles and were then placed in an experimental chamber containing relaxing solution maintained at 15 degrees C. Isometric tension was measured in solutions containing maximally and submaximally activating levels of free Ca2+ (a) in control fiber segments, (b) in the same segments after partial extraction of TnC, and finally (c) after recombination of TnC into the segments. The extraction was done at 11-13 degrees C in 20 mM Tris, 5 mM EDTA, pH 7.85 or 8.3, a procedure derived from that of Cox et al. (1981. Biochem. J. 195:205). Extraction of TnC was quantitated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the control and experimental samples. Partial extraction of TnC resulted in reductions in tension during maximal Ca activation and in a shift of the relative tension-pCa (i.e., -log[Ca2+]) relationship to lower pCa's. The readdition of TnC to the extracted fiber segments resulted in a recovery of tension to near-control levels and in the return of the tension-pCa relation to its original position. On the basis of these findings, we conclude that the sensitivity to Ca2+ of a functional group within the thin filament may vary depending upon the state of activation of immediately adjacent groups.
Extracting Features Using Computational Cerebellar Model for Emotion Classification

Several feature extraction techniques have been employed to extract features from EEG signals for classifying emotions. Such techniques are not constructed based on the understanding of EEG and brain functions, neither inspired by the understanding of emotional dynamics. Hence, the features are difficult to be interpreted and yield low classification performance. In this study, a new feature extraction technique using Cerebellar Model Articulation Controller (CMAC) is proposed. The features are extracted from the weights of data-driven self-organizing feature map that are adjusted during training to optimize the error obtained from the desired output and the calculated output. Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) classifier is then employed to perform classification on fear, happiness, sadness and calm emotions. Experimental results show that the average accuracy of classifying emotions from EEG signals captured on 12 children aged between 4 to 6 years old ranging from 84.18% to 89.29%. In addition, classification performance for features derived from other techniques such as Power Spectrum Density (PSD), Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and Mel-Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC) are also presented as a standard benchmark for comparison purpose. It is observed that the proposed approach is able to yield accuracy of 33.77% to 55% as compared to the respective comparison features. The experimental results indicated that the proposed approach has potential for comparative emotion recognition accuracy when coupled with MLP.
Task-oriented Dialogue Agent Architecture

AbstrAct: This paper focuses our agent-based approach to dialogue management equipped with a deliberation mechanism further extensible with additional features. The aim of this study has been to create a manager which can exhibit complex behaviour from two points of view – the development and runtime ones. To support the first case, the domain developer needs to provide a set of plans which tell the agent how to cope with particular tasks. Then during the runtime, the agent processes these plans to manage the dialogu e in accordance with an optimization criterion specified. This paper summarizes our effort and gives an overview about our architecture.
Forespore membrane assembly in yeast: coordinating SPBs and membrane trafficking

In the yeasts Schizosaccharomyces pombe and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, sporulation involves de novo synthesis of forespore membrane (FSM) within the cytoplasm of mother cells. The FSM ultimately becomes the plasma membrane of the developing ascospores. Several protein components of the FSM have been identified. Visualization of these proteins has demonstrated the dynamic nature of the genesis and development of the FSM. It begins to develop at the differentiated outer plaque of the spindle pole bodies (SPBs) and extends outwards, encapsulating each of the haploid nuclei produced by meiosis. Several coiled-coil proteins are specifically recruited to the SPBs and play indispensable roles in FSM assembly. Temporal and spatial coordination of meiotic nuclear divisions and membrane assembly is of special importance. Comparison of the processes of FSM assembly in these yeasts shows that the basic mechanism has been conserved, even though the individual proteins involved are often different. Understanding these dynamic aspects of yeast sporulation will help to elucidate a general mechanism for the cellularization of cytoplasm containing multiple nuclei.
Creating an Environment: Developing Venture Capital in India

Creating an Environment: Developing Venture Capital in India BRIE Working Paper 143 June 6, 2002 Rafiq Dossani Senior Research Scholar Asia/Pacific Research Center Stanford University dossani@stanford.edu and Martin Kenney Professor Department of Human and Community Development University of California, Davis Davis, California 95616 mfkenney@ucdavis.edu Senior Project Director Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy University of California, Berkeley Rafiq Dossani is grateful to participants at the SEBI workshop on venture capital held in Mumbai, India, in August 1999 and to participants at Fairfield University’ South Asia Conference held in November s 1999 for their comments on an earlier version of this paper. Martin Kenney would like to thank Frank Mayadas of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation for supporting his portion of this research. The authors thank Kyonghee Kim for valuable comments. Generous support for production of the BRIE Working Papers Series was provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.