Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Measuring and Analyzing Search-Redirection Attacks in the Illicit Online Prescription Drug Trade

We investigate the manipulation of web search results to promote the unauthorized sale of prescription drugs. We focus on search-redirection attacks, where miscreants compromise high-ranking websites and dynamically redirect traffic to different pharmacies based upon the particular search terms issued by the consumer. We constructed a representative list of 218 drug-related queries and automatically gathered the search results on a daily basis over nine months in 2010-2011. We find that about one third of all search results are one of over 7 000 infected hosts triggered to redirect to a few hundred pharmacy websites. Legitimate pharmacies and health resources have been largely crowded out by search-redirection attacks and blog spam. Infections persist longest on websites with high PageRank and from . edu domains. 96% of infected domains are connected through traffic redirection chains, and network analysis reveals that a few concentrated communities link many otherwise disparate pharmacies together. We calculate that the conversion rate of web searches into sales lies between 0.3% and 3%, and that more illegal drugs sales are facilitated by search-redirection attacks than by email spam. Finally, we observe that concentration in both the source infections and redirectors presents an opportunity for defenders to disrupt online pharmacy sales.
Spatiotemporal Regulation of the Ubiquitinated Cargo-binding Activity of Rabex-5 in the Endocytic Pathway*

Background: The regulatory mechanism underlying the interaction of the Rabex-5 MIU domain with ubiquitinated cargos remains unclear. Results: Rabex-5 guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) mutants affected interactions of ubiquitinated cargos. Conclusion: GDP/GTP exchange in the GEF domain controls the MIU domain interactions with the ubiquitinated cargos. Significance: Rabex-5 GEF activity acts as an intramolecular switch for spatiotemporal trafficking of the ubiquitinated cargos. Ubiquitin (Ub)-dependent endocytosis of membrane proteins requires precise molecular recognition of ubiquitinated cargo by Ub-binding proteins (UBPs). Many UBPs are often themselves monoubiquitinated, a mechanism referred to as coupled monoubiquitination, which prevents them from binding in trans to the ubiquitinated cargo. However, the spatiotemporal regulatory mechanism underlying the interaction of UBPs with the ubiquitinated cargo, via their Ub-binding domains (UBDs) remains unclear. Previously, we reported the interaction of Rabex-5, a UBP and guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rab5, with ubiquitinated neural cell adhesion molecule L1, via its motif interacting with Ub (MIU) domain. This interaction is critical for the internalization and sorting of the ubiquitinated L1 into endosomal/lysosomal compartments. The present study demonstrated that the interaction of Rabex-5 with Rab5 depends specifically on interaction of the MIU domain with the ubiquitinated L1 to drive its internalization. Notably, impaired GEF mutants and the Rabex-5E213A mutant increased the flexibility of the hinge region in the HB-VPS9 tandem domain, which significantly affected their interactions with the ubiquitinated L1. In addition, GEF mutants increased the catalytic efficiency, which resulted in a reduced interaction with the ubiquitinated L1. Furthermore, the coupled monoubiquitination status of Rabex-5 was found to be significantly associated with interaction of Rabex-5 and the ubiquitinated L1. Collectively, our study reveals a novel mechanism, wherein the GEF activity of Rabex-5 acts as an intramolecular switch orchestrating ubiquitinated cargo-binding activity and coupled monoubiquitination to permit the spatiotemporal dynamic exchange of the ubiquitinated cargos.
J un 2 00 3 replica equivalence in the edwards-anderson model

After introducing and discussing the link-overlap between spin configurations we show that the Edwards-Anderson model has a replicaequivalent quenched equilibrium state, a precondition for ultrametricity introduced by Parisi in the description of the mean-field spin-glass phase. Our method is based on the control of fluctuations through the property of stochastic stability and works for all the finite-dimensional spin-glass models.
Effect of Lipopolysaccharide on Global Gene Expression in the Immature Rat Brain

To improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms whereby lipopolysaccharide (LPS) affects the immature brain, global gene expression following LPS exposure was investigated in neonatal rats. Brains (n = 5/time point) were sampled 2, 6, and 72 h after LPS and compared with age-matched controls. The mRNA from each brain was analyzed separately on Affymextrix GeneChip Rat Expression Set 230. The number of genes regulated after LPS were 847 at 2 h, 1564 at 6 h, and 1546 genes at 72 h. Gene ontology analysis demonstrated that, at both 2 and 6 h after LPS, genes associated with protein metabolism, response to external stimuli and stress (immune and inflammatory response, chemotaxis) and cell death were overrepresented. At 72 h, the most strongly regulated genes belonged to secretion of neurotransmitters, transport, synaptic transmission, cell migration, and neurogenesis. Several pathways associated with cell death/survival were identified (caspase-tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α]-, p53-, and Akt/phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3 K)–dependent mechanisms). Caspase-3 activity increased and phosphorylation of Akt decreased 8 h after peripheral LPS exposure. These results show a complex cerebral response to peripheral LPS exposure. In addition to the inflammatory response, a significant number of cell death-associated genes were identified, which may contribute to increased vulnerability of the immature brain to hypoxia-ischemia (HI) following LPS exposure.
ThreadScan: Automatic and Scalable Memory Reclamation

The concurrent memory reclamation problem is that of devising a way for a deallocating thread to verify that no other concurrent threads hold references to a memory block being deallocated. To date, in the absence of automatic garbage collection, there is no satisfactory solution to this problem. Existing tracking methods like hazard pointers, reference counters, or epoch-based techniques like RCU, are either prohibitively expensive or require significant programming expertise, to the extent that implementing them efficiently can be worthy of a publication. None of the existing techniques are automatic or even semi-automated. In this paper, we take a new approach to concurrent memory reclamation: instead of manually tracking access to memory locations as done in techniques like hazard pointers, or restricting shared accesses to specific epoch boundaries as in RCU, our algorithm, called ThreadScan, leverages operating system signaling to automatically detect which memory locations are being accessed by concurrent threads. Initial empirical evidence shows that ThreadScan scales surprisingly well and requires negligible programming effort beyond the standard use of Malloc and Free.
Split capacitor DAC mismatch calibration in successive approximation ADC

A split capacitor DAC calibration method is proposed that a bridge capacitor larger than conventional design allows a tunable capacitor to compensate for mismatch. To guarantee proper calibration, a comparator with digital timing control offset cancellation is proposed. An 8-bit successive approximation ADC with 4b+4b split capacitor DAC calibration has been implemented in 65nm CMOS, achieving 0.3LSB DNL and INL with 180fF input capacitance.
Bounded-Regret Sequential Learning using Prediction Markets ⇤ ( Extended Abstract )

We demonstrate a relationship between prediction markets and online learning algorithms by using a prediction market metaphor to develop a new class of algorithms for learning exponential families with expert advice. The specific problem we consider is that of prediction when data is distributed according to a particular member of an exponential family. In such a case, cost function based prediction markets provide a convenient analytical tool for evaluating performance. Prediction markets also provide a natural technique for learning in an environment where expert advice is not available simultaneously but sequentially; and experts are either honest and informative, or dishonest and adversarial. As in traditional models, we combine advice using weights on experts. However, to exploit these particular features, we use a form of Kelly gambling to relate the weight of an expert to her budget. We give a formal description of this new model along with relevant definitions and show an equivalence between learning maximum likelihood estimates of the natural parameters of an exponential family and combining advice in prediction markets. We provide an abstract architecture for learning in this model that uses this equivalence to simulate a prediction market to update budgets of experts based on their individual loss. We apply this technique to construct a concrete algorithm that achieves bounded-regret.
A data preprocessing strategy for metabolomics to reduce the mask effect in data analysis

Highlights Developed a data preprocessing strategy to cope with missing values and mask effects in data analysis from high variation of abundant metabolites. A new method- ‘x-VAST’ was developed to amend the measurement deviation enlargement. Applying the above strategy, several low abundant masked differential metabolites were rescued. Metabolomics is a booming research field. Its success highly relies on the discovery of differential metabolites by comparing different data sets (for example, patients vs. controls). One of the challenges is that differences of the low abundant metabolites between groups are often masked by the high variation of abundant metabolites. In order to solve this challenge, a novel data preprocessing strategy consisting of three steps was proposed in this study. In step 1, a ‘modified 80%’ rule was used to reduce effect of missing values; in step 2, unit-variance and Pareto scaling methods were used to reduce the mask effect from the abundant metabolites. In step 3, in order to fix the adverse effect of scaling, stability information of the variables deduced from intensity information and the class information, was used to assign suitable weights to the variables. When applying to an LC/MS based metabolomics dataset from chronic hepatitis B patients study and two simulated datasets, the mask effect was found to be partially eliminated and several new low abundant differential metabolites were rescued.
 Mixture of Distributions as a Lifetime Distribution of a Technical Object 53 Scientific Problems of Machines Operation and Maintenance 2 (162) 2010

The lifetime distribution is very important in reliability studies. The shape of lifetime distribution can vary considerably; therefore, it frequently cannot to approximated by simple distribution functions. This article is connected with the problem of finding of lifetime distribution with a unimodal failure rate function. For this purpose, the mixture of two distributions has been considered. We show that a unimodal failure rate function can be obtained as a failure rate function of the mixture of an exponential and Rayleigh distributions. The numerical examples are also provided to illustrate the practical impact of this approach.
ISO 9000: An Empirical Study

ISO 9000 is a set of standards used by organisations globally to establish and implement a QMS. The generic nature of ISO 9000 (in the context of the clause requirements of the standards) allows organisations of any size and nature of business to set up their QMS in a similar fashion. In other words, the process of setting up the QMS does not differ drastically from one organisation to another. This is because organisations, whether in Asia, Middle East, Europe, America or any other parts of the world per se, follow and comply with the exact same set of ISO 9000 standards that is universally common. On this note, it is argued that this research conducted in any country to study the maintenance of ISO 9000, will not be radically different from those carried out elsewhere because organisations worldwide go through the same process of obtaining ISO 9000 certification and they are required to allocate organisational resources to support the maintenance of QMS during the post-certification phase. The country selected for the study was Bangladesh with a population of 200 million people. The study has identified the Operations managers as the targeted respondents as they are deemed as the QMS practitioners who play the role as the key custodian of the ISO 9000 within their respective organisation. With this view, the assumption drawn was that these individuals probably have the broadest overall view
Identification of an N-Terminal Region of Sigma 54 Required for Enhancer Responsiveness

ABSTRACT Sigma 54 associates with bacterial core RNA polymerase and converts it into an enhancer-responsive enzyme. Deletion of the N-terminal 40 amino acids is known to result in loss of the ability to respond to enhancer binding proteins. In this work PCR mutagenesis and genetic screens were used to identify a small patch, from amino acids 33 to 37, that is required for proper response to activator in vivo. Site-directed single point mutants within this segment were constructed and studied. Two of these were defective in responding to the enhancer binding protein in vitro. The mutants could still direct the polymerase to bind to DNA and initiate transient melting. However, they failed in directing activator-dependent formation of a heparin-stable open complex. Thus, amino acid region 33 to 37 includes critical activation response determinants. This region overlaps the larger leucine patch negative-control region, suggesting that anti-inhibition and positive activation are closely coupled events.
Comprehensive follow-up care and life-threatening illnesses among high-risk infants: A randomized controlled trial.

CONTEXT Inner-city high-risk infants often receive limited and fragmented care, a problem that may increase serious illness. OBJECTIVE To assess whether access to comprehensive care in a follow-up clinic is cost-effective in reducing life-threatening illnesses among high-risk, inner-city infants. DESIGN Randomized controlled trial. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS A total of 887 very-low-birth-weight infants born in a Texas county hospital between January 1988 and March 1996 and followed up in a children's hospital clinic. One hundred four infants who became ineligible or died after randomization but before nursery discharge were excluded from the analysis. INTERVENTIONS Infants were randomly assigned to receive routine follow-up care (well-baby care and care for chronic illnesses; n = 441) or comprehensive care (which included the components of routine care plus care for acute illnesses, with 24-hour access to a primary caregiver; n = 446). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Life-threatening illnesses (ie, causing death or hospital admission for pediatric intensive care) occurring between nursery discharge and age 1 year, assessed by blinded evaluators from inpatient charts and state Medicaid and vital statistics records; and hospital costs (estimated from department-specific cost-to-charge ratios). RESULTS Comprehensive care resulted in a mean of 3.1 more clinic visits and 6.7 more telephone conversations with clinic staff (P<.001 for both). One-year outcomes were unknown for fewer comprehensive-care infants than routine-care infants (9 vs 28; P =.001). Identified deaths were similar (11 in comprehensive care vs 13 in routine care; P =.68). The comprehensive-care group had 48% fewer life-threatening illnesses (33 vs 63; P<.001), 57% fewer intensive care admissions (23 vs 53; P =.003), and 42% fewer intensive care days (254 vs 440; P =.003). Comprehensive care did not increase the mean estimated cost per infant for all care ($6265 with comprehensive care and $9913 with routine care). CONCLUSION Comprehensive follow-up care by experienced caregivers can be highly effective in reducing life-threatening illness without increasing costs among high-risk inner-city infants. JAMA. 2000;284:2070-2076.
Calreticulin associates with non‐HLA‐A,‐B class I proteins in the human choriocarcinoma cell lines JEG‐3 and BeWo

Human placental trophoblast expresses an unusual repertoire of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I products that appears to reflect the unique role of this epithelium in mediating feto–maternal relations during pregnancy. Trophoblast is devoid of human leucocyte antigen (HLA) ‐A,‐B antigens but can express one or more non‐HLA‐A,‐B class I proteins. The human choriocarcinoma cell lines JEG‐3, BeWo and JAR are widely used as models to study trophoblast. During attempts to isolate non‐HLA‐A,‐B class I from JEG‐3 and BeWo by immunoaffinity chromatography using a monoclonal antibody to β2‐microglobulin we observed a 55 000 MW protein co‐purifying with class I. N‐terminal amino acid sequencing and immunoblotting using a specific antiserum identified this product as calreticulin, a molecule recently shown to be involved in the assembly of classical class I in human B‐lymphoblastoid cells. In our hands JEG‐3 and BeWo were found to express 45 000 MW non‐HLA‐A,‐B class I proteins while the 40 000 MW HLA‐G product was identified only in JEG‐3. Our data suggest that calreticulin associates with non‐HLA‐A,‐B class I heterodimers and with free 45 000 MW non‐HLA‐A,‐B class I H chains in JEG‐3. JAR was found to be devoid of detectable class I H chains but contained β2‐microglobulin and calreticulin. However, calreticulin‐β2‐microglobulin complexes were not detected in JAR. Calreticulin and class I were apparently co‐localized within the endoplasmic reticulum of JEG‐3 cells whereas only class I was expressed at the cell surface. These studies demonstrate that calreticulin is associated with non‐HLA‐A,‐B class I products in human choriocarcinoma cells.
CHILDREN'S INTUITION OF PROBABALISTIC CONCEPTS EMERGING FROM FAIR PLAY

The goal of this study was to examine students’ mathematical ideas that are used or developed when they are engaged in playing games, together with their beliefs about fairness. The study was conducted in a classroom of 16 eighth grade students in an urban school. During the four days of instruction, the students were engaged in a series of investigations designed to provide a context for a number of important mathematical ideas relative to the particular concepts. Working in pairs, the students began each activity by constructing personal representations and making conjectures about the tasks. The study revealed that students have a wide spectrum of intuitions and ideas about fairness involving chance, probability of equally likely elementary events (and expectation), and sample space. Some of their ideas appeared to be very deeply embedded in their minds which posed a challenge for us (teacher-researchers) in creating a discourse among the students that would prolong the discussion and development of the new ideas.
Design of a tactile display to support materials perception in virtual environments

Materials properties simulation by means of haptic devices is one of the most significant issues in the design of new humancomputer interfaces to support virtual prototypes interaction in numerous product design activities. Notwithstanding the several research attempts, a very natural perception of materials has not been achieved yet. We present a novel tactile display. It combines both mechanical and electrotactile approaches to simulate natural tactile sensations. In order to enhance experience acoustic and visual cues are integrated. A signal generation method allows correlating materials properties and simulating signals according to the characteristics of fingertip mechanoreceptors. The final scope is making users perceive the object's surface roughness, slickness and texture coarseness. Research results are the developed simulation method and the detailed design of the whole tactile display. The preliminary prototype is under construction.
Gendered Sexuality in Young Adulthood

Current work on hooking up—or casual sexual activity on college campuses—takes an individualistic, “battle of the sexes” approach and underestimates the importance of college as a classed location. The authors employ an interactional, intersectional approach using longitudinal ethnographic and interview data on a group of college women’s sexual and romantic careers. They find that heterosexual college women contend with public gender beliefs about women’s sexuality that reinforce male dominance across both hookups and committed relationships. The four-year university, however, also reflects a privileged path to adulthood. The authors show that it is characterized by a classed self-development imperative that discourages relationships but makes hooking up appealing. Experiences of this structural conflict vary. More privileged women struggle to meet gender and class guidelines for sexual behavior, placing them in double binds. Less privileged women find the class beliefs of the university foreign and hostile to their sexual and romantic logics.
Nonparametric adaptive importance sampling for rare event simulation

Simulating rare events in telecommunication networks such as estimation for cell loss probability in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks requires a major simulation effort due to the slight chance of buffer overflow. Importance sampling (IS) is applied to accelerate the occurrence of rare events. Importance sampling depends on a biasing scheme to make the estimator from IS unbiased. Adaptive importance sampling (AIS) employs an estimated sampling distribution of IS to the system of interest during the course of simulation. In this study, we propose a nonparametric adaptive importance sampling (NAIS) technique, a non-parametrically modified version of AIS, and estimate the probability of rare event occurrence in an M/M/1 queueing model. Compared with classical Monte Carlo simulation and AIS, the computational efficiency and variance reductions gained via NAIS are reasonable. A possible extension of NAIS with regards to random number generation is also discussed.
Combinatorial Optimization Solutions for the Maximum Quartet Consistency Problem

Phylogenetic analysis is a widely used technique, for example in biology and biomedical sciences. The construction of phylogenies can be computationally hard. A commonly used solution for construction of phylogenies is to start from a set of biological species and relations among those species. This work addresses the case where the relations among species are specified as quartet topologies. Moreover, the problem to be solved consists of computing a phylogeny that satisfies the maximum number of quartet topologies. This is referred to as the Maximum Quartet Consistency (MQC) problem, and represents an NP-hard optimization problem. MQC has been solved both heuristically and exactly. Exact solutions for MQC include those based on Constraint Programming, Answer Set Programming, Pseudo-Boolean Optimization (PBO), and Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT). This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the use of PBO and SMT for solving MQC, and builds on recent work in this area. Moreover, the paper provides new insights on how to use SMT for solving optimization problems, by focusing on the concrete case of MQC. The solutions based on PBO and SMT were experimentally compared with other exact solutions. The results show that for instances with small percentage of quartet errors, the models based on SMT can be competitive, whereas for instances with higher number of quartet errors the PBO models are more efficient.