Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Practical Secure and Efficient Range Search

Due to their potential for near-infinite scalability, cloud computing platforms are rapidly becoming the defacto standard for large-scale, big data analytics. Still, serious concerns regarding the outsourcing and querying of private company and personal data remain a key roadblock in the adoption of such cloud platforms for numerous big-data applications. In this work, we extend cryptographic Searchable Symmetric Encryption (SSE) schemes to create the first adaptive Range Searchable Symmetric Encryption (RSSE) schemes that allow the execution of range queries in a practical, efficient, and secure manner. We propose a number of new RSSE schemes, that we analytically prove to be adaptively secure according to a novel, cryptographic security definition (RQ-CKA2), and also exhibit interesting security and performance trade-offs. We also tackle the challenge of updates in our RSSE schemes by proposing a general solution that does not introduce any additional leakage over the static case, other than the number of inserts/deletes. The practicality and scalability of our proposed schemes is demonstrated both theoretically and experimentally. More specifically, our techniques outperform state-of-the-art Privacy Preserving Range Querying approaches in terms of both security and efficiency and, at the same time, offer worst-case guarantees on possible leakages and also protect sensitive information regarding the order of encrypted values.
What roles or functions does consciousness fulfill in the making of moral decisions ?

What roles or functions does consciousness fulfill in the making of moral decisions? Will artificial agents capable of making appropriate decisions in morally charged situations require machine consciousness? Should the capacity to make moral decisions be considered an attribute essential for being designated a fully conscious agent? Research on the prospects for developing machines capable of making moral decisions and research on machine consciousness have developed as independent fields of inquiry. Yet there is significant overlap. Both fields are likely to progress through the instantiation of systems with artificial general intelligence (AGI). Certainly special classes of moral decision making will require attributes of consciousness such as being able to empathize with the pain and suffering of others. But in this article we will propose that consciousness also plays a functional role in making most if not all moral decisions. Work by the authors of this article with LIDA, a computational and conceptual model of human cognition, will help illustrate how consciousness can be understood to serve a very broad role in the making of all decisions including moral decisions.
Active Perception at the Architecture Level: A Preliminary Report

Robots rely on a set of beliefs, while looping in an actionperception cycle. These beliefs include results of the perception process which is composed of a chain of actions that use the agent’s sensors and computation power in order to receive, fuse, filter and process information about the environment, to acquire new beliefs, and revise existing ones. Current Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) systems, which provide the architectural framework for this process, implicitly assume that during run time the relevant beliefs over the world are made available. However, in realistic, physical environments this assumption often fails. Active perception processes are the solution for handling missing information during run time. However, in most of the cases they are used ad-hoc for specific tasks. This article deals with active perception in the architecture level. We present several algorithms that integrate active perception into the BDI interpreter loop. We show that different methods of implementation creates major differences in the running time of the algorithms. We advocate the DSAP algorithm that takes under consideration the limited available information in order to minimizes the amount of time the agent has to invest in execution of active perception processes.
On Efficient Retrieval of Top Similarity Vectors

Retrieval of relevant vectors produced by representation learning critically influences the efficiency in natural language processing (NLP) tasks. In this paper, we demonstrate an efficient method for searching vectors via a typical non-metric matching function: inner product. Our method, which constructs an approximate Inner Product Delaunay Graph (IPDG) for top-1 Maximum Inner Product Search (MIPS), transforms retrieving the most suitable latent vectors into a graph search problem with great benefits of efficiency. Experiments on data representations learned for different machine learning tasks verify the outperforming effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed IPDG.
Aerobic bacterial flora of the respiratory tract of healthy sheep slaughtered in Dessie municipal abattoir, northeastern Ethiopia

La flore bacterienne aerobique de la voie respiratoire a ete etudiee en utilisant des echantillons recueillis de la cavite nasale, les amygdales, la trachee et les poumons de 48 moutons sains abattus a l'abattoir municipal de Dessie, au Nord Est de l'Ethiopie. Sur un total de 192 echantillons (48 echantillons de chaque endroit anatomique indique ci-dessus) 160 soit 83% contenaient des bacteries. Le taux d'infection animal etait de 100%. Le taux d'infection des endroits anatomiques etaient 97.7%, 93.8%, 79.2%, et 62.5% respectivement pour la cavite nasale, les amygdales, la trachee et les poumons. Ceci montre une decroissance generale de l'infection au long des voies respiratoires de l'exterieur vers l'interieur. Eschericia coli (14.2%) etait l'espece dominante suivie par le Staphylococcus spp. (10,7%). Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis et Bacillus spp ont ete isoles dans 9.9% des cas, chacune. Citrobacter (2.6%) et Klebsiella (1.3%) etaient parmi les moins presents. La majorite des bacteries ont ete isolees de tous les quatre endroits anatomiques mentionnes ci-dessus. Seuls Eschericia coli, Enterobacter et Klebsiella spp etaient absents respectivement, des amygdales, des poumons et de la trachee. En general, il y avait une predominance de bacterie Gram positif (62.2%) sur le Gram negatif (37.8%) bien que les deux groupes montrent une variation marquee pendant la periode d'etude. L'importance de cette variation dans le role pathogenique des ces bacteries et sa relation aux extremes climatiques et aux mauvaises gestions des moyens de production sera un domaine de recherche dans le futur.
Quantum controlled-Z gate for weakly interacting qubits

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a scheme for the implementation of a maximally entangling quantum controlled-Z gate between two weakly interacting systems. We conditionally enhance the interqubit coupling by quantum interference. Both before and after the interqubit interaction, one of the qubits is coherently coupled to an auxiliary quantum system, and finally it is projected back onto qubit subspace. We experimentally verify the practical feasibility of this technique by using a linear optical setup with weak interferometric coupling between single-photon qubits. Our procedure is universally applicable to a wide range of physical platforms including hybrid systems such as atomic clouds or optomechanical oscillators coupled to light.
Preparation and Characterization of Nanoparticulate Drug Delivery System for Naproxen Sodium Using Various Desolvating Agents

Naproxen sodium is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent used for the treatment of autoimmune disorders to relieve pain and inflammation. In the present study, naproxen sodium nanoparticles were prepared by desolvation technique using various desolvating agents (butanol and combinations of acetonitrile and butanol), and two methods (continuous addition method and intermittent addition method) were adapted to decide the best desolvating agent. Obtained formulations were characterized and evaluated. The combination of acetonitrile and butanol as desolvating agent was giving good and promising results with good stability -40.7 mV and least mean particle diameter of 437.7 nm. From the results it was concluded that intermittent addition was the better method than continuous addition method for preparing naproxen sodium nanoparticles. The drug release was sustained till 12 h with 96.92% for nanoparticles prepared by intermittent addition method following zero order release with nonfickian diffusion mechanism.
Test-cost-sensitive Convolutional Neural Networks with Expert Branches

It has been proven that deeper convolutional neural networks (CNN) can result in better accuracy in many problems, but this accuracy comes with a high computational cost. Also, input instances have not the same difficulty. As a solution for accuracy vs. computational cost dilemma, we introduce a new test-cost-sensitive method for convolutional neural networks. This method trains a CNN with a set of auxiliary outputs and expert branches in some middle layers of the network. The expert branches decide to use a shallower part of the network or going deeper to the end, based on the difficulty of input instance. The expert branches learn to determine: is the current network prediction is wrong and if the given instance passed to deeper layers of the network it will generate right output; If not, then the expert branches stop the computation process. The experimental results on standard dataset CIFAR-10 show that the proposed method can train models with lower test-cost and competitive accuracy in comparison with basic models.
IS DEVELOPMENT AID A COMPLEMENT OR A SUBSTITUTE TO FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT?

Can foreign aid contribute to attracting private investment to developing countries? This paper applies an instrumental variable strategy developed by Galiani et al. (2014) to data from 35 countries that traversed the middle income country threshold between 1987-2013, attempting to capture the causal effect of aid on foreign direct investment. Based on evidence that achieving middle income country status (1) disqualifies a country from certain World Bank funds and (2) reduces the amount of aid given by other donors, crossing the income threshold is used as an instrument for aid inflows. The findings confirm the hypothesis that aid functions as a complement to FDI. Specifically, one per cent more aid will on average lead to 0.5 per cent more FDI three years later for the studied countries. This effect is found to run through the ability of aid to mitigate market failures that cause a shortage of investment in developing markets. Aid encourages FDI in countries less involved in international trade, and in times of political and economic risk. Taken together, the results suggest that aid can successfully catalyse new private investment, which in turn may contribute to sustained growth.
WST 50.2-20

Wastewater contaminated by PCBs obtained from three different sources was treated at both laboratory and pilot plant scale conditions by ultraviolet oxidation of organics at the presence of hydrogen peroxide after partial adsorption of impurities and PCBs on activated carbon and/or activated bentonite. The procedure was conducted both with and without a Fe(II) catalyst and considerable reduction of PCB concentration was achieved in both cases. In pilot plant scale experiments, activated carbon polishing step followed UV oxidation. The following three types of contaminated waste water were examined: a) aqueous extracts originated in the course of clean-up of contaminated soil by extraction with aqueous solvents. Concentrations of PCBs in extracts were between 1 μg/L to 3,000 μg/L; b) wastewater condensates originated in the process of thermal desorption of PCB from soils. Concentrations of PCBs in condensates were between 300 μg/L and 5,000 μg/L. c) underground water contaminated by PCBs extracted from the sites of old contamination. The content of PCBs was up to 50,000 ng/L. Biodegradation of PCBs with a mixture of indigenous soil bacteria (selected strains of Pseudomonas and Acitenotobacter) was also tested. It was carried out in a reactor with volume of 1.5 m3 by application of the bacteria in a slurry of bentonite with adsorbed PCBs.
Antioxidant and nutritional characteristics of garden cress (Lepidium sativum).

Garden cress (Lepidium sativum), a member of the Brassicaceae family, is an underutilised crop in Europe and Turkey. The dry matter content, crude protein, ascorbic acid, minerals (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, Fe, B, Cu, Na, Zn, Mn), the total phenolic content and the total antioxidant capacity of two garden cress cultivars, Izmir and Dadas, were studied. The results of mineral element analysis of both cultivars revealed that they had a high P, K, Ca, Mg and Na content. Both cultivars studied appeared to have exception- ally high levels of protein when compared with common vegetables. The mean ascorbic acid content of Dadas and Izmir cultivars were 54 and 74 mg 100 g -1 f.w. , respectively. The total phenolic content of the garden cress leaves varied from 0.573 (Dadas) to 0.774 (Izmir) mg GAE �� g -1 fw and from 6.332 (Dadas) to 7.401 (Izmir) mg GAE �� g -1 dw. An- tioxidant activities by 2-diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl (DPPH) free-radical-scavenging assays for EC50 were determined as 330.99 (Dadas) and 346.65 (Izmir) for fw, and 128.08 and 85.97 (Izmir) for dw, respectively. Based on the results of the experiment reported herein, they may serve as a potential dietary source of some mineral and natural phenolic antioxi- dants. Our results imply garden cress as potential source for alternative dietary supple- ments of minerals and natural phenolic antioxidants.
Template Synthesis and Magnetic Characterization of FeNi Nanotubes

Iron-nickel nanotubes consisting of 20% Ni and 80% Fe with an aspect ratio of about 100 were synthesized by electrochemical deposition in the pores of polyethylene terephthalate ion-track membranes. The main morphological parameters such as composition, wall thickness and structural characteristics were defined. Macroand micromagnetic parameters of FeNi nanotubes were determined.
Improved CT Image Reconstruction Through Partial Fourier Sampling

A novel CT imaging structure based on compressive sensing (CS) is proposed. The main goal is to mitigate the CT imaging time and thus x-ray radiation dosage without compromising the image quality. The utilized compressive sensing approach is based on radial Fourier sampling. Thanks to the intrinsic relation between captured radon samples in a CT imaging process and the radial Fourier samples, partial Fourier sampling could be implemented systematically. This systematic compressive sampling helps in better control of required conditions such as incoherence and sparsity to guarantee adequate image quality in comparison to previous CS based CT imaging structures. Simulation results prove the superior quality of the proposed approach (about 4% better PSNR), achieving the smallest CT scan time and the best image quality.
Low k1 logic design using gridded design rules

Dimensions for 32nm generation logic are expected to be ~45nm. Even with high NA scanners, the k1 factor is below 0.32. Gridded-design-rules (GDR) are a form of restricted design rules (RDR) and have a number of benefits from design through fabrication. The combination of rules and topologies can be verified during logic technology development, much as is done with memories. Topologies which have been preverified can be used to implement random logic functions with "hotspot" prevention that is virtually context-independent. Mask data preparation is simplified with less aggressive OPC, resulting in shorter fracturing, writing, and inspection times. In the wafer fab, photolithography, etch, and CMP are more controllable because of the grating-like patterns. Tela CanvasTM GDR layout was found to give smaller area cells than a conventional 2D layout style. Variability and context independence were also improved.
The impact of association agreements on trade flows and the trade balance: Evidence from the CEEC-4

In this paper we focus on the trade balance effects of free trade agreements between the EU-15 and the CEEC-4 countries using a dynamic panel data approach. Our theoretical framework is the gravity model, and the econometric method used to analyse the effect of the agreement variable is the system generalized method of moments (GMM). Our estimation results indicate a positive and significant impact of FTAs on trade flows. However, exports and imports are affected in different ways, leading to some disparity in trade flow performance between countries. Therefore, there is an asymmetric impact on the trade balance, the agreement variable resulting in a trade balance deficit in the CEEC4.
The Role Of Oxytocin In Modulating Neural Oscillations In Nulliparous Women

THE ROLE OF OXYTOCIN IN MODULATING NEURAL OSCILLATIONS IN NULLIPAROUS WOMEN. Xiaoyue Mona Guo, Helena J.V. Rutherford, Linda C. Mayes. Child Study Center, Yale University, School of Medicine, New Haven, CT. The hormone oxytocin (OT) has been implicated in social cognition and behavior as well as in modulating important affiliative relationships such as parenting; meanwhile, intranasal OT administration is gaining popularity as a means to modulate neural activity in brain regions during experimental tasks. However, the neural mechanisms underscoring the changes associated with OT administration have yet to be fully elucidated. Using electroencephalography (EEG), this thesis project aims to further our understanding of how OT affects brain activity and response to infant cues. In a doubleblind placebo controlled design, OT’s effect on resting-state neural oscillations and event-related potentials (ERPs) to face stimuli were examined in a cohort of nulliparous women of childbearing age. Specifically, we examined the effects of intranasal OT on delta, beta, and delta-beta coupling during the resting state, and the amplitudes of the ERP components N170, P300, and the Late Positive Potential (LPP) to infant and adult faces. Prior work has suggested that cross-frequency coupling may be a useful way to study cognitive processing, whereas the N170, P300 and LPP are all components involved in the processing of facial and emotional stimuli. We found that OT, relative to placebo, decreased delta-beta coupling across multiple brain regions; ERP data showed that OT administration led to an increased amplitude of the P300 component to infant faces compared with adult faces. Taken together, these findings demonstrate that OT administration may lead nulliparous women to allocate greater attentional resources to infant faces than adult faces via a neural mechanism captured by delta-beta coupling.
Ram pressure stripping of the hot gaseous haloes of galaxies using the k‒ϵ sub-grid turbulence model

We perform three-dimensional hydrodynamic simulations of the ram pressure stripping of the hot extended gaseous halo of a massive galaxy using the k - e sub-grid turbulence model at Mach numbers 0.9, 1.1 and 1.9. The k - e model is used to simulate high Reynolds number flows by increasing the transport coefficients in regions of high turbulence. We find that the initial, instantaneous stripping is the same whether or not the k - e model is implemented and is in agreement with the results of other studies. However the use of the k - e model leads to five times less gas remaining after stripping by a supersonic flow has proceeded for 10 Gyr, which is more consistent with what simple analytic calculations indicate. Hence the continual Kelvin-Helmholtz stripping plays a significant role in the ram pressure stripping of the haloes of massive galaxies. To properly account for this, simulations of galaxy clusters will require the use of sub-grid turbulence model.
Spatial and Temporal Shifts in Estuarine Nursery Habitats Used by Juvenile Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma)

Spatial and Temporal Shifts in Estuarine Nursery Habitats Used by Juvenile Southern Flounder (Paralichthys lethostigma). (August 2012) Nathaniel B. Furey, B.S., University of New England Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Jay R. Rooker Southern flounder (Parlichthys lethostigma) is a recreationally and commercially important flatfish species found in the Gulf of Mexico, and recent analyses indicate that the northern Gulf of Mexico population is in decline. For proper management, knowledge of habitats used throughout the juvenile stage is needed. The aim of the current study is to examine habitat use of young-of-year (YOY) southern flounder in the Galveston Bay complex using habitat distribution models and acoustic telemetry. A set of habitat distribution models examined how habitat use changes during the first year of life. In addition, southern flounder were tagged with acoustic telemetry transmitters and monitored with a novel receiver array that allows for measurements of fine-scale movements. These movements were compared to habitat maps to examine habitat selection. Habitat distribution models determined that habitat requirements for southern flounder change with ontogeny and season. Newly settled southern flounder were most influenced by physicochemical parameters and the presence of seagrass beds. YOY southern flounder, however, showed increased occurrence at freshwater inlets during summer and fall months, and occurrence decreased at tidal inlets during the fall.
'Why did you suggest voice messages but never use it anyway?!': Obstacles of promoting English language speaking in a mobile instant messaging community

In this globalised world, there is an increasing need for advanced English users with excellent speaking proficiency. However, due to various reasons such as the washback effect of the current language testing systems, English speaking is a crucial yet overlooked skill among the four language skills (listening, reading, writing, and speaking) in many language learning classrooms. With the blurring boundary between the physical and virtual worlds, technology-enhanced language learning beyond the traditional classroom is being encouraged in pedagogy but still underexplored in academic studies. To this end, the short paper explores some obstacles of Chinese EFL learners’ use of voice messaging in a mobile learning community. By analyzing data from student interviews and a teacher’s journal, results showed that our participants faced speaking anxiety, including the self-consciousness of their accents and embarrassment. From the ecological and ethnographic perspectives, the study made an attempt to uncover some of the hidden challenges that Chinese EFL learners faced in sending English voice messages. Implications and recommendations for textbook design, teacher training, assessment reform and student learning will be discussed at the end of this paper.
Reinventing Public Service Delivery: The Case of Public Information Systems Implementation in Malaysia (Informative paper)

In the effort towards promoting efficient and effective service delivery to its citizen,Malaysia has deployed seven public information systems projects. Three of these public information systems projects were implemented to address the government to citizen and government to government interactions while one project was deployed to fulfill the need for government to business interactions. Empirical studies from the users’ perspective showed that the implementation of PIS can be regarded as successful. However, as the implementation of the PIS projects is still continuing, further research is deemed to be very necessary to investigate its success. This paper is intended to discuss various public information systems projects that were undertaken by the Malaysian government as part of its e-government effort