Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Threat-Based Configuration Architecture for Security Gateways

The paper proposed a software architecture for security gateways which allows the product designers or service providers to systematically configure the security software components. Current architecture leads to tremendous administration overhead and increases the chance of misconfiguration vulnerability. We proposed a novel software architecture to aid the product designers to avoid the misconfiguration vulnerability and the end-users to ease the administration overhead. The software architecture makes use the threats for the gateways and the occurance relation between the threats to configure the security software components on the gateways. With the software architecture, the end-users can focus on determining the desired security features rather than the software configuration. Moreover, the architecture allows the product designers or security service to incrementally revise the software configuration when new threats appear
Evaluation and comparison of FEM and BEM for extraction of homogeneous substrates

In the design and fabrication of micro-electronic circuits, it is necessary to simulate and predict many kinds of effects, such as substrate crosstalk, interconnect delays and others. In order to simulate and predict properly these effects, accurate and efficient substrate modeling methods are required. Substrate resistance extraction involves finding a resistance network between ports correctly describing the behaviour of the substrate. In this report we consider the problem of resistance extraction of a substrate with a homogeneous doping profile. We solve the problem by means of two discretization methods, namely the finite element method (FEM) and the boundary element method (BEM) and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each of these methods. We particularly addresses the problem of achieving grid-independent results and characterize the cases in which one technique is better than the other.
da Vinci's Encephalogram: In search of significant brain signals

Title of Document: DA VINCI’S ENCEPHALOGRAM: IN SEARCH OF SIGNIFICANT BRAIN SIGNALS NAYEF AHMAR Master of Science 2005 Directed By: Professor Jonathan Z. Simon Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Magnetoencephalography is a noninvasive tool that measures the magnetic activity of the brain. Its high temporal resolution makes it useful for studying auditory and speech models. However, it suffers from poor signal to noise ratio caused by corruption from non-stationary external noise, biological artifacts, and non-auditory neural noise in the brain. We remove external noise from neural channels using a frequency domain block least mean square adaptive filter with the help of three reference sensors that measure environmental noise alone. Significance tests that build on F-statistics present ample evidence of the benefit of such de-noising by increasing the number of significant channels and reducing the variability of false positives. Finally, the least significant and noisiest channel is filtered and used to denoise neural signals while minimizing interference with the auditory signal. We propose a method for finding such reference channels and assess performance through receiver operating characteristics and statistical significance. DA VINCI’S ENCEPHALOGRAM: IN SEARCH OF SIGNIFICANT BRAIN SIGNALS
THE ENHANCEMENT OF BACTERIAL PHAGOCYTOSIS BY SERUM THE ROLE OF COMPLEMENT COMPONENTS AND TWO COFACTORS

When Metchnikoff defined the process of phagocytosis in 1884 (1, 2), he conceded to serum the minor role of an dement that merely modified the phagocyte. However, in 1903 Wright and Douglas clearly established that phagocytosis of pathogenic bacteria could not occur without serum; that this effect was achieved by modification of the microorganism rather than the phagocyte; and that immunity developed in the serum, not the leukocyte (3, 4). Whether this serum effect was accomplished by specific antibody alone or by antibody acting in conjunction with a nonspecific, heat-labile serum activity, namely complement, was not dear until the experiments of Ward and Enders in 1933. They demonstrated that ingestion of pneumococci could occur slowly in the presence of heated immune serum; however, the addition of small amounts of fresh, nonimmune serum markedly enhanced the rote of ingestion (5). The heat-labile factor or factors necessary for optimal phagocytosis of bacteria have not been precisely identified. On the basis of their own and other available experimental data, Boyden et al. found it impossible to define the role of thermolabile factors as opsonins and pointed out the need for a means of accurately measuring phagocytosis of bacteria (6). The present report describes a spectrophotometric method of measuring bacterial phagocytosis and its application to demonstrate that the first four components of human complement and two serum cofactors are necessary for the optimal phagocytosis of pneumococci by human leukocytes.
Design and Implementation of Facebook Crawler Based on Interaction Simulation

The extensive use of Online Social Networks (OSNs) has attracted such wide attention of academia that OSNs have become a hot topic. Based on the interaction simulation, we have designed and implemented a Facebook crawler, which can obtain the complete friend list of a Facebook user and overcome the drawback in [7] that the crawler can get at most 400 friends. We make an analysis and visualization of the crawled dataset, and find that 36.5% of Facebook users have changed the default privacy setting, compared to 26.6% and 16% in [7, 20] respectively, implying that the awareness of privacy protection of Facebook users has been greatly improved.
Honeycomb-Like Mosaic at the Border of Layers 1 and 2 in the Cerebral Cortex

In this report, we present evidence of a small-scale modularity (<100 μm) at the border of layers 1 and 2 in neocortical areas. The modularity is best seen in tangential sections, with double-labeling immunohistochemistry to reveal overlapping or complementary relationships of different markers. The pattern is overall like a reticulum or mosaic but is described as a “honeycomb,” in which the walls and hollows are composed of distinct afferent and dendritic systems. We demonstrate the main components of the honeycomb in rat visual cortex. These are as follows: (1) zinc-enriched, corticocortical terminations in the walls, and in the hollows, thalamocortical terminations (labeled by antibody against vesicular glutamate transporter 2 and by cytochrome oxidase); (2) parvalbumin-dense neuropil in the walls that partly colocalizes with elevated levels of glutamate receptors 2/3, NMDAR receptor 1, and calbindin; and (3) dendritic subpopulations preferentially situated within the walls (dendrites of layer 2 neurons) or hollows (dendrites of deeper neurons in layers 3 and 5). Because the micromodularity is restricted to layers 2 and 1b, without extending into layer 3, this may be another indication of a laminar-specific substructure at different spatial scales within cortical columns. The suggestion is that corticocortical and thalamocortical terminations constitute parallel circuits at the level of layer 2, where they are segregated in association with distinct dendritic systems. Results from parvalbumin staining show that the honeycomb mosaic is not limited to rat visual cortex but can be recognized at the layer 1–2 border in other areas and species.
Adaptation by Reinforcement Learning in Cooperative Autonomous Robots

We demonstrate the complexities in designing and evaluating Alife learning systems using physical robots interacting in complex, dynamic environment. We use the examples of two diierent implemented multi{ robot learning systems and their learning data on diierent tasks to illustrate the issues. We describe the diiculties with traditional \objective" methods of evaluation which fail to take into account the complexities of the system and illustrate them on each of the robot learning experiments. We then summarize the evaluation methods we used to evaluate and describe the system behavior without an a priori experimenter bias.
Opposing Actions of Endothelin-1 on Glutamatergic Transmission onto Vasopressin and Oxytocin Neurons in the Supraoptic Nucleus

Endothelin (ET-1) given centrally has many reported actions on hormonal and autonomic outputs from the CNS. However, it is unclear whether these effects are due to local ischemia via its vasoconstrictor properties or to a direct neuromodulatory action. ET-1 stimulates the release of oxytocin (OT) and vasopressin (VP) from supraoptic magnocellular (MNCs) neurons in vivo; therefore, we asked whether ET-1 modulates the excitatory inputs onto MNCs that are critical in sculpting the activity of these neurons. To investigate whether ET-1 modulates excitatory synaptic transmission, we obtained whole-cell recordings and analyzed quantal glutamate release onto MNCs in the supraoptic nucleus (SON). Neurons identified as VP-containing neurosecretory cells displayed a decrease in quantal frequency in response to ET-1 (10–100 pm). This decrease was mediated by ETA receptor activation and production of a retrograde messenger that targets presynaptic cannabinoid-1 receptors. In contrast, neurons identified as OT-containing MNCs displayed a transient increase in quantal glutamate release in response to ET-1 application via ETB receptor activation. Application of TTX to block action potential-dependent glutamate release inhibited the excitatory action of ET-1 in OT neurons. There were no changes in quantal amplitude in either MNC type, suggesting that the effects of ET-1 were via presynaptic mechanisms. A gliotransmitter does not appear to be involved as ET-1 failed to elevate astrocytic calcium in the SON. Our results demonstrate that ET-1 differentially modulates glutamate release onto VP- versus OT-containing MNCs, thus implicating it in the selective regulation of neuroendocrine output from the SON.
Variation-aware core-level redundancy scheme for reliable DSP computation in multi-core systems

Technology scaling, which has enabled high density core integration, also has a detrimental effect on the chip multiprocessor (CMP) reliability due to increasing susceptibility to soft errors. Existing circuit-level and architecture-level fault tolerance techniques often pose large area overheads, and thus more area-efficient solutions are needed. This paper presents a variation-aware system-level design that utilizes the inherent core-redundancy in multi-core DSP systems to form N-Modular Redundant (NMR) sub-systems for error detection and recovery. When soft error rate (SER) variation in the system is present, conventional core-level redundancy system would become ineffective if thread-to-core allocation is not carefully devised. In the proposed scheme, we first analyze the optimal degree of redundancy using mathematical models for a system affected by process variations. Then, a variation-aware thread-to-core mapping algorithm is proposed to optimize system reliability under core resources constraint. The proposed scheme is validated by running the Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT) in a multi-core simulator. The experimental results show that the proposed scheme can achieve an improvement of 2x-3x the reliability metric compared to traditional core-level redundancy methods.
Immunomodulatory Effect of H. Pylori CagA Genotype and Gastric Hormones On Gastric Versus Inflammatory Cells Fas Gene Expression in Iraqi Patients with Gastroduodenal Disorders

AIM: To evaluate the Immunomodulatory effects of CagA expression; pepsinogen I, II & gastrin-17 on PMNs and lymphocytes Fas expression in inflammatory and gastric cells; demographic distribution of Fas molecule in gastric tissue and inflammatory cells. METHODS: Gastroduodenal biopsies were taken from 80 patients for histopathology and H. pylori diagnosis. Serum samples were used for evaluation of pepsinogen I (PGI); (PGII); gastrin-17 (G-17). RESULTS: Significant difference (p < 0.001) in lymphocytes & PMNs Fas expression; epithelial & lamina propria Fas localization among H. pylori associated gastric disorders. No correlation between grade of lymphocytes & PMNs Fas expression in gastric epithelia; lamina propria and types of gastric disorder. Significant difference (p < 0.001) in total gastric Fas expression, epithelial Fas; lamina propria and gastric gland Fas expression according to CagA, PGI; PGII; PGI/PGII; Gastrin-17. Total gastric Fas expression has significant correlation with CagA, PGII levels. Gastric epithelial and gastric lamina propria Fas expression have significant correlation with CagA, PGI; PGII levels. Significant difference (p < 0.001) was found in lymphocytes & PMNs Fas expression; epithelial & lamina propria localization of lymphocytes & PMNs Fas expression according to CagA, PGI; PGII; PGI/PGII; Gastrin-17. Lymphocytes Fas expression have correlation with PGI, PGII, PGI/PGII. PMNs Fas expression have correlation with PGI, PGII. CONCLUSION: Fas gene expression and localization on gastric and inflammatory cells affected directly by H. pylori CagA and indirectly by gastric hormones. This contributes to progression of various gastric disorders according to severity of CagA induced gastric pathology and gastric hormones disturbance throughout the course of infection and disease.
Successful Erasmus Experience: Analysing Perceptions before, during and after Erasmus

This study explored the expectations, perceptions and experiences of students involved in Erasmus programs. The objective was to achieve a better understanding of students’ cultural and intercultural needs in order to underpin the development of teaching materials in Intercultural Education Resources for Erasmus Students and their Teachers (IEREST). To this end a questionnaire was distributed among students in the three stages of their experience: before, during and after participating in an Erasmus programme. 3557 students from universities located in Italy, United Kingdom, Finland, Slovenia, and Belgium took part in this study. Findings from the open-ended question and the closed questions were compared and contrasted to determine the essential factors that learners believed important in making an Erasmus experience successful. Results showed that becoming more independent, gaining another perspective on the way things are at home, and interacting with people from different origins were important factors for the learners. Findings also showed significant differences across gender and fields of study.
Head posture detection using skin and hair information

This paper addresses a novel head posture detection algorithm to recognize human-computer interactions. A pattern training based image segmentation algorithm is used to detect the skin and hair of students. A simple and efficient human presence detection and gaze direction estimation method is then proposed based on the segmentation results. Finally, the proposed algorithm is tested on ten different students for seven different head postures each. The experimental results show that 92% of head posture images are accurately identified.
Hierarchical classification and the integration of self-structure in late adolescence.

A number of empirical studies have demonstrated that one's self-concept is multi-dimensional in nature, varies according to social context, and shows increased differentiation throughout adolescence. There has been relatively less work, however, examining the integration of multi-dimensional social selves. Rosenberg and Gara's (1985) model of the multidimensional self (a model that utilizes a statistical procedure called "hierarchical classification" or HICLAS) was employed to investigate the integration of social selves during late adolescence. First- and fourth-year college students (n=128) completed a computer program designed to collect data required to construct HICLAS "self-structures". The findings indicated that the social selves of fourth-year college students were more related conceptually and were more differentiated than the social selves of first-year students. The differences between first- and fourth-year students suggested that hierarchical classification procedures could be used to address developmental hypotheses.
The role of executive functioning on the intention-behaviour relationship of health behaviours: a temporal self-regulatory perspective

Abstract Objective The current study employed the Temporal Self-Regulation theory (TST) to determine if self-regulatory capacity and prepotent behaviour moderate the relationship between intention and health behaviours (i.e., physical activity, and healthy eating) in college students. Design 220 students were surveyed across two time points to assess past/intended behaviour (Time 1) and follow-up behaviour (Time 2). Main Outcome Measures To address limitations in previous research, self-regulatory capacity was assessed using an ecologically valid rating scale (Barkley Deficits in Executive Functioning Scale). Multi-item assessment measures were utilised for physical activity (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) and healthy eating (All-Day Screener) behaviours. Results A link between intention and follow-up behaviour was established and executive functioning (EF) and past behaviours were positively associated with follow-up behaviour. EF had no unique moderation effects on health behaviours, but combinations of Low, Moderate, and High levels of past behaviour and EF demonstrated moderation for physical activity and healthy eating. Conclusion This study demonstrated the utility of the TST in predicting health behaviour and emphasised the mutual necessity of EF and past behaviour in understanding the intention-behaviour relationship. Findings can be used to formulate studies and interventions that reduce barriers to health behaviours, therefore, lessening the need for high self-regulatory abilities.
Hyperbolic Polynomials , Interlacers , and Sums of Squares

It is clear Ce(f) is invariant under scaling by R>0 and open. Further, this cone is convex. Its closure is basic semialgebraic with all faces exposed, but we shall not elaborate on these points. The first examples of hyperbolic polynomials are familiar from optimization. Example 12.2. Let f = ∏n i=1 xi ∈ R[x1, . , xn]n and e = (1, . . . , 1). Then f is hyperbolic with respect to e and the hyperbolicity cone Ce(f) is the positive orthant R>0. Example 12.3. Let X = (xij) be an m ×m symmetric matrix of n = ( m+1 2 ) indeterminantes. Let f = det(X) ∈ R[xij ]m and e = I be the identity matrix. Then f is hyperbolic with respect to e and the hyperbolicity cone Ce(f) is the set of positive definite m×m matrices. To prove this, note that here f(te− a) = det(tI −A) is the characteristic polynomial of the real symmetric matrix A, so has all real roots, namely the eigenvalues of A.
miRNA Profiling Reveals Dysregulation of RET and RET-Regulating Pathways in Hirschsprung's Disease

Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR), the most common congenital malformation of the gut, is regulated by multiple signal transduction pathways. Several components of these pathways are important targets for microRNAs (miRNAs). Multiple miRNAs have been associated with the pathophysiology of HSCR, and serum miRNAs profiles of HSCR patients have been reported, but miRNA expression in HSCR colon tissue is almost completely unexplored. Using microarray technology, we screened colon tissue to detect miRNAs whose expression profiles were altered in HSCR and identify targets of differentially expressed miRNAs. Following filtering of low-intensity signals, data normalization, and volcano plot filtering, we identified 168 differentially expressed miRNAs (104 up-regulated and 64 down-regulated). Fifty of these mRNAs represent major targets of dysegulated miRNAs and may thus important roles in the pathophysiology of HSCR. Pathway analysis revealed that 7 of the miRNA targets encode proteins involved in regulation of cell proliferation and migration via RET and related signaling pathways (MAPK and PI3K/AKT). Our results identify miRNAs that play key roles in the pathophysiology of the complex multi-factorial disease HSCR.
A new image registration method for infrared images and visible images

A new image registration method for infrared images and visible images is proposed in this paper. This method is a modified version of SIFT algorithm. Salient points of infrared images and visible images are extracted along edges of images. Each salient point is assigned a dominant direction which is the peak of orientation histogram of local image around it and a feature vector which is formed from the orientation histograms of sub-region around it. After salient points matching, RANSAC algorithm is used to eliminate wrong corresponding pairs. Experimental results show that this method has a good registration result for infrared images and visible images.
Pseudonymised communication in delay tolerant networks

Privacy, Anonymity, pseudonymity are the debatable terms which on one angle restrict the rights but on other angle open doors for malicious activity.This paper proposes design for a pseudonymised communication which is optimal solution for the privacy issues, where the real identity is hidden from the outside world by using blind signature in a different way of group communication.The protocol is deployed and analysed in extreme environment of Delay Tolerant Networks (DTN), which is overlay on the top of traditional Internet which provides end to end connectivity and characterized with long delay and disruption. A telemedicine application of rural area network is explored to provide source anonymity.The protocol is finally analysed using Dolev Yao model with two different cases and it preserves the original identity of the node.
Highly anisotropic temperature balance equation and its asymptotic-preserving resolution

This paper deals with the numerical study of a nonlinear, strongly anisotropic heat equation. The use of standard schemes in this situation leads to poor results, due to the high anisotropy. An Asymptotic-Preserving method is introduced in this paper, which is second-order accurate in both, temporal and spacial variables. The discretization in time is done using an L-stable Runge-Kutta scheme. The convergence of the method is shown to be independent of the anisotropy parameter $0 < \eps <1$, and this for fixed coarse Cartesian grids and for variable anisotropy directions. The context of this work are magnetically confined fusion plasmas.
Computing Posterior Probabilities of Ancestor Relations in Bayesian Networks

In this paper we develop a dynamic programming algorithm to compute the exact posterior probabilities of ancestor relations in Bayesian networks. Previous dynamic programming (DP) algorithm by (Parviainen and Koivisto, 2011) evaluates all possible ancestor relations in time O(n3) and space O(3). However, their algorithm assumes an order-modular prior over DAGs that does not respect Markov equivalence. The resulting posteriors would bias towards DAGs consistent with more linear orders. To adhere to uniform prior, we develop a new DP algorithm that computes the exact posteriors of all possible ancestor relations in time O(n5n−1) and space O(3).
From Teacher Education to Practicing Teacher: What Does Culturally Relevant Praxis Look Like?

Despite reports of already practicing K-12 teachers’ attempts to teach for critical social justice in their classrooms, there is little connection between teacher education programs and/or the impact of teacher practice in the classroom. This article presents data collected over 3 years from one teacher enrolled in an urban-multicultural teacher education program who transitioned into her first years of teaching. Findings revealed that the teacher implemented culturally relevant education through (a) a caring community, (b) holding high expectations, (c) cultural competence, and (d) sociopolitical awareness as a teacher. Barriers the teacher faced as well as lessons for teacher educators are shared.