Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Immunization Scheme for Ransomware

In recent years, as the popularity of anonymous currencies such as Bitcoin has made the tracking of ransomware attackers more difficult, the amount of ransomware attacks against personal computers and enterprise production servers is increasing rapidly. The ransomware has a wide range of influence and spreads all over the world. It is affecting many industries including internet, education, medical care, traditional industry, etc. This paper uses the idea of virus immunity to design an immunization solution for ransomware viruses to solve the problems of traditional ransomware defense methods (such as anti-virus software, firewalls, etc.), which cannot meet the requirements of rapid detection and immediate prevention of new outbreaks attacks. Our scheme includes two parts: server and client. The server provides an immune configuration file and configuration file management functions, including a configuration file module, a cryptography algorithm module, and a display module. The client obtains the immunization configuration file from server in real time, and performs the corresponding operations according to the configuration file to make the computer have an immune function for a specific ransomware, including an update module, a configuration file module, a cryptography algorithm module, a control module, and a log module. This scheme controls mutexes, services, files and registries respectively, to destroy the triggering conditions of the virus and finally achieve the purpose of immunizing a computer from a specific ransomware.
Transcriptional analysis of lung epithelial cells using WGCNA revealed the role of IRF9 and IFI6 genes in SARS-CoV-2 pathogenicity

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is an ongoing global health emergence, but the pathogenesis remains unclear. Here, we applied weighted gene co-expression network analysis to comprehensively characterize transcriptional changes in bronchial epithelium cells (NHBE and A549 cells) during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our analysis identified a network highly correlated to COVID-19 pathogenicity based on MX1, IFIT1, ISG15, IFI6, DDX60, IRF9, PARP9, PGLYRP4, IL36G, SAA2 and IL-8 hub genes. The results also indicated a unique transcriptional signatures of infected cells including IFI6 and IRF9 as novel gene candidates and suggested their prospective mechanism in COVID-19 pathogenesis. The result of hub genes enrichment showed that the most correlation topic in biological process and KEGG were type I interferon signaling pathway, IL-17 signaling pathway, cytokine mediated signaling pathway, and defense response to virus categories which all play significant roles in restricting viral infection. Also according to the drug-target network, we recognized 54 FDA-approved drug candidates for other indications could potentially use for the treatment of COVID-19 patients through regulation of six hub genes of the co-expression network. Our findings also showed that the 19 experimentally validated miRNAs regulated the co-expression network through 5 hub genes (SLC19A3, FAM13A, PLA2G16, and HRASLS5). In conclusion, these hub genes had potential roles in the translational medicine and might become promising therapeutic targets further in vitro and in vivo experimental studies are needed to evaluate the role of above mentioned genes in COVID-19.
Carbon markets and the production of climate change: Appropriating, commodifying and capitalising nature

This thesis evaluates the efficacy of carbon markets by assessing the impacts of the EU ETS and its links with the Kyoto Protocol’s flexibility mechanisms, the CDM and JI, on the socio-ecological, economic and political dimensions of climate change. The analysis of the relationship between the causes of climate change and the pollution movements, financial practices and policy debates that constitute these markets is developed by progressively introducing Marxist conceptions of the appropriation, commodification and capitalisation of nature, which organises the thesis in to three parts. The first part develops a critical understanding of the social relations, institutions and actors that produce climate change by appropriating carbon in capitalist economies. Mapping the organisation of capital and carbon to create a database of companies in the EU ETS reveals a concentration and centralisation of emissions among a relatively small number of publicly and privately owned corporations and large-scale power and manufacturing plants. The second part considers the processes that equalise differentiated relationships between installations and emissions, and offset projects and emissions reductions, in commodity form. Case studies of carbon allowance and credit networks associated with energy utilities RWE and E.ON illustrate the potential for the largest polluters to exploit unevenness in the production of climate change by trading transformative for marginal climate actions. The final part examines dynamics of accumulation and contestation in carbon markets in terms of the extent to which the capitalisation of carbon can support the expanded reproduction of capitalism. The crisis of the carbon market accumulation strategy and consolidation of the EU ETS in contestation over its reform are explained as outcomes of the contradictions faced by states in managing marketised environmental policy. Overall, the thesis argues that the EU ETS and its links with the Kyoto mechanisms have worked to entrench the production of climate change, necessitating a more efficacious and democratic approach to climate policy that directly targets the biggest corporate and state polluters.
Data fidelity and resource management for data-rich sensor networks

This dissertation presents architectural solutions aiding the design and deployment of scientific sensor networks. Wireless sensor networks composed of tens or hundreds of low-power, resource-constrained devices, can aid scientific exploration by providing high-fidelity data at scales difficult to achieve with traditional instrumentation. Doing so requires sensor networks provide high-fidelity data for scientific study; identify the data most valuable to the application and devote system resources to capturing it; and respond to ongoing fluctuations in distributed energy availability. Our thesis is that by managing distributed resource usage, we can improve the data quality provided by sensor networks to scientific applications. We make three core contributions. First, working with volcano seismologists, we have designed and evaluated the first sensor network enabling the study of erupting volcanos. Through three field studies we validate that it can produce data suitable for scientific analysis. We found verifying the timing accuracy of our data both difficult and important and were able to develop a new post-hoc time-rectification technique that can recover accurate timestamps even in the face of timing protocol failures. Second, we developed Lance, a general-purpose architecture targetting high data-rate sensor networks. Lance manages data-collection in order to direct energy and bandwidth resources toward the most interesting signals. Valuable data is identified using a two-tiered architecture leveraging the increased visibility of a network controller while limiting the overhead of centralized control. Lance has been used to support the volcano-monitoring application as well as the Mercury project, which enables monitoring of patients with neuromuscular disorders. We show that Lance's resource allocation heuristic achieves near-optimal efficiency, within 5% of an offline optimal solution in most cases. Finally, we present IDEA (Integrated Distributed Energy Awareness), a sensor network service allowing application components to tune their behavior in response to changing energy availability. This allows the network to adjust energy load as availability changes, particularly important when energy-harvesting capabilities are being used. We have used IDEA to build energy-aware routing and MAC protocols and measured the performance improvement they provide over non-aware solutions. By better distributing energy consumption, IDEA extends the network's lifetime by up to 27%.
A sampling approach for storm events with focus on micropollutants at combined sewer overflows Une approche de l'échantillonnage aux déversoirs d'orage pour l'estimation des rejets de micropolluants

The effluent of waste water treatment plants (WWTPs) as well as combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and stormwater discharges from urban areas and highways represent entry path for micropollutants in surface water bodies. Representative sampling of storm events constitutes the first step to estimate emitted micropollutant loads. The obtained information from load estimations and main path detection can be used to develop suitable mitigation measures to reduce the discharge of these substances. This paper introduces a sampling strategy for auto-samplers to generate representative event mean concentrations (EMC) of CSO discharges under high flow dynamics during storm events. Rainfall nowcasting data is combined with high resolution online data of 44 historical storm events at a CSO in an urban catchment in the city of Graz to define a rainfall-runoff relation for short-time prediction of upcoming storm events. A developed event classification is used to select predicted dynamic sampler settings for five storm events in 2012. The effects of a required sampling volume for chemical lab analytics and a flow limit depending on the selected setting are discussed. It is shown that using dynamic sampler settings increases the probability to generate representative composite samples compared to the usage of a static sampler setting.
Promoting Positive Ethnolinguistic Identity in the Heritage Language Classroom through Dialect Awareness

Promoting Positive Ethnolinguistic Identity in the Heritage Language Classroom through Dialect Awareness. (August 2011) Helen Lisa Gardner Flores, B.A., The Evergreen State College; M.A., Texas A&M International University Chair of Committee: Dr. Richard Curry This study examined dialect awareness as an instructional practice when used to teach Spanish Heritage Language (HL) learners at a university located on the U.S.Mexico border. The author employed bidialectalism as a theoretical perspective, recognizing the important role that U.S. Border Spanish plays in constructing ethnolinguistic identity. A mixed-methods research framework was used that included a pre-post survey instrument, focus group interviews, and classroom observations to examine HL student confidence toward learning a prestige language variety and attitudes toward speaking U.S. Border Spanish. Discourse analysis was employed to examine the discursive practices of the DA classroom. Quantitative survey results showed that students developed a number of significant attitudinal changes after taking a course infused with dialect awareness. Triangulated qualitative findings confirmed that student attitudes had changed after one semester. The author proposed an agenda for future application of dialect awareness in Spanish Heritage Language classrooms.
A Mixed-methods Evaluation of a Person-centered Family Planning Intervention for Community Health Workers in India on Family Planning Outcomes

Background: Person-centered quality for family planning has been gaining increased attention, yet few interventions have focused on this,or measured associations between PCFP and family planning outcomes (uptake, continuation, etc.). In India, the first point of contact for family planning is often the community health care worker, in this case, Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). Methods: In this study, we evaluate a training on person-centered family planning as an add-on to a training on family planning provision for urban ASHAs in Varanasi, India in 2019 using mixed methods. We first validate a scale to measure person-centered family planningin a community health worker population, and find it to be valid. Higher person-centered family planningscores are associated with family planning uptake. Results: Comparing women who saw intervention compared to control ASHAs, we find that the intervention had no impact on overall person-centered family planningscores. Women in the intervention arm were more likely to report that their ASHA had a strong preference about what method they choose, suggesting that the training increased provider pressure. However, qualitative interviews with ASHAs suggest that they value person-centered care for their interactions and absorbed the messages from the intervention.Conclusions: More research is needed on how to intervene to change behaviors related to person-centered family planning.This study received IRB approval from the University of California, San Francisco (IRB # 15-25950) and was retrospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04206527) on 20 December 2019.https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04206527? term=NCT04206527&draw=2&rank=1
Continuous-time Model Identification and Analysis Using Measurement Data with High Voltage Pulse Excitation

For establishing a continuous time model and improving dynamic performance of a high voltage electrostatic potential measurement system,a direct identification method for continuous model was introduced by using the measurement input and output data of the system,and its recursive estimation was proposed based on the RLS(recursive least squares)and RIV(recursive instrumental variable). The system was calibrated in time domain,and its 3-order TF(transfer function)model was estimated with the direct identification method.Some typical dynamic performance indices were given according to the TF model,and two kinds of compensation filters were constructed according to the pole-zero cancellation method and direct design method,respectively.The results indicate that,the precision of the continuous TF model can satisfy the demand,and its order is lower than the model identified by discrete method.After dynamic compensation,the response time of the device is shortened to and fewer than original 1%,and its dynamic performance is improved obviously,which greatly expand the applicable scope of the device.
MONITORING ANALYSIS OF SURROUNDING ROCK DISPLACEMENT OF COMPLEX STRUCTURE TUNNEL

Wucun tunnel is a two-way and six-lane tunnel with complex structure in Xiamen City,which is composed of double-arch tunnel,small-distance tunnel,initially supported multi-arch tunnel and split tunnel. Vault settlement and convergence of surrounding rock are the main in-situ monitoring work,and the monitoring results are comprehensively analyzed combined with the measures and procedures of tunnel excavation. Research results show that vault settlement in main tunnel is less than half of that in guide hole in three-hole method construction area;and it is shown that the double-arch structure is applicable to the tunnel with higher settlement control requirement. Vault settlement derived from CRD1 can exceed half of the total value settlement during the excavation period. If the measuring point is embedded after excavation of core soil,the lost settlement will be approximately 37.5% of the total. Surrounding rock can be reinforced by full-face curtain grouting,which achieves better control in vault settlement than in convergence of surrounding rock. Under the influence of dead weight and larger cross-section of pipe roof chamber,larger vault settlement appears in pipe roof area. The removal of temporary support has less impact on the displacement of surrounding rock. Construction factors such as excavation mainly lead to larger convergence deformation as well as grouting;the latter produces a greater impact. Excavation in right tunnel has a certain impact on secondary lining in left tunnel.
Effect of soil management practices on iron deficiency tolerance of aerobic rice

Aerobically grown rice cannot easily acquire iron from soil although it is abundant in it due to the low solubility of the oxidized ferric form in aerobic environment. A more efficient solution to this problem, thus, lies in the identification and use of iron efficient rice genotypes that can efficiently utilize soil iron. Eight genetically diverse rice varieties viz., ADT 38, ADT 39, Pusa 33, MAS 26, MAS 946-1, Basmati 370, IR 64 and IR 36 were raised on iron sufficient (100μM) and iron deficient (1μM) Hoagland‟s nutrient solution culture to ascertain the variation in iron deficiency tolerance measured on the basis of various physiological parameters viz. shoot and root mass, plant mass, shoot and root Fe content, leaf chlorophyll, iron deficiency recovery index and release of phytosiderophore (PS). Rice variety, Pusa 33 produced highest plant mass under both the iron sufficient (Fe + ) and iron deficient (Fe - ) nutrient solution while rice variety, ADT 39 was the most susceptible to iron deficiency. Higher shoot Fe (384 μg per plant shoot), iron deficiency recovery index (37.7%), tolerance index (0.86) and highest phytosiderophore (1.03 μmol Fe plant -1 h -4 ) release was observed in Pusa 33 while least values for all the above attributes were measured for ADT 39. The present study clearly showed that Pusa 33 has a distinct advantage under iron deficiency condition and that the higher release of phytosiderophores in this genotype could be exploited for improving the plant iron nutrition particularly under aerobic condition.
Investigating the Plights of Nigerians in Diaspora: A Case Study of Nigerians Studying in Malaysian Universities

In view of researchers’ personal experiences and report on numerous problems of Nigerians in diaspora, this study investigates the plights of Nigerians in diaspora with specific focus on Nigerians studying in Malaysian universities. In order to select participants for the study stratified, purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to select 10 Nigerian students from three Malaysian universities, namely Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), Universiti Malaya (UM) and Insaniah University College. Instrument used to collect data from the participants include interview and observation. Specifically, observation method was used to complement the interviews findings. Our findings revealed that Nigerians are faced with numerous challenges, which include apathetic attitude of Nigerian embassy in Malaysia, lack of part-time job opportunities, high exchange rate and visa issue. Also, our findings suggest solutions to the problems of Nigerians in Malaysia. They include quick response to students’ challenges by the Nigerian embassy, availability of part-time job opportunities for Nigerians and other international students and issuance of 2 years visa. The study recommends that Nigerian embassy in Malaysia should have a comprehensive list of Nigerians schooling in various Malaysian institutions with a view to enable them to have an accurate data of their citizens. By doing so, the embassy will be able to use the data to attend to students’ requests at all times.
Occupational health in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVE To collect the available evidence related to occupational health in the face of the introduction of the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus pandemic. METHODS Scoping review developed from the Arksey and O'Malley framework. The search was performed in the databases PubMed, Academic Search Complete, Science Direct, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Documents on COVID-19 and its relationship with occupational health published in English, Portuguese and Spanish were included. The review, selection and characterization of the studies was carried out by five reviewers. RESULTS The search and selection identified 43 documents published between December 2019 and April 2020. The topics covered include occupational exposure, protection measures, psychosocial affectations of workers, particularly health, as well as conditions of work organization that can influence contagion. CONCLUSIONS Health workers are the most exposed workforce. Accompaniment, coaching and training in relation to patient care and the use of personal protection equipment are essential to reduce contagion among health personnel. In other work activities, social distancing is the standard measure for the mitigation of transmission, as well as the continuous disinfection of workplaces.
Expression of Serum GRP78 and CHOP in Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress Pathways of Chinese Type 2 Diabetic Kidney Disease Patients

Background: The kidney has a rich endoplasmic reticulum system. A close relationship exists between endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and diabetic kidney disease (DKD). The current study aimed to investigate serum glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) as well as CCAAT/enhancer binding protein homologous protein (CHOP) concentrations in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) Chinese patients, especially those with microalbuminuria. Methods: We evaluated the relationships between serum GRP78 or CHOP levels and DKD. We recruited 67 patients with T2DM and 63 control subjects. We determined serum GRP78 and CHOP concentrations by ELISA, collected anthropometric data, and measured biochemical parameters in a clinical laboratory. Results: Compared with control groups, Chinese T2DM patients showed decreased serum levels of GRP78 [0.21 (0.16–0.24) vs. 0.16 (0.16–0.19) ng/mL, p < 0.01] and CHOP [3.8 (3.0–5.5) vs. 5.5 (3.7–7.9) ng/mL, p < 0.01]. Reduction in GRP78 and CHOP serum levels was more pronounced in patients with more severe categories of microalbuminuria. Amounts of serum GRP78 correlated directly with serum fasting c-peptide, cystatin-c (cys-c), creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and uric acid, and inversely with glomerular filtration rates. Serum CHOP level was positively correlated with age, Cr, BUN, cys-c, urinary microalbumin/creatinine (UmALB/Cr), and eGFR. Serum GRP78 was predicted independently by Cr, BUN, serum uric acid, eGFR, and cys-c, while CHOP depended on age, Cr, BUN, serum uric acid, eGFR, UmALB/Cr, and cys-c. After controlling for confounding factors, GRP78 and CHOP expression was significantly associated with DKD (binary logistic regression, p < 0.01). Conclusions: T2DM patients showed increased serum GRP78 and CHOP concentrations. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) areas under the curve for predicting DKD based on GRP78 and CHOP were 0.686 [95% CI: 0.558–0.813] and 0.670[0.524–0.816], respectively.
Cellular photodynamic toxicity of hematoporphyrin in various nanocarrier systems

In this study, we investigated the cellular uptake of Hematoporphyrin (Hp) encapsulated in nanocarriers by human lung adeno- carcinoma A549 cells and the photodynamic toxic effects on those cells. The nanocarriers included liposomes, micelles, and nanoparti- cles. The Hp was encapsulated in liposomes through a film hydration and extrusion method. Hp was encapsulated in micelles through a film hydration method. The Hp loaded nanoparticles were prepared using an emulsification-diffusion process. The Hp in nanocarriers was characterized by laser light scattering to determine particle size and zeta potential of the surface charge. The cellular uptake of nano- carriers was measured by fluorescence spectrometry. The photodynamic toxicity of various Hp nanocarriers was evaluated in human lung epithelial carcinoma A549 cells using a light-emitting diode (LED) device at a wavelength of 630±5 nm. The averaged size of all nano- carriers was between 112 and 135 nm. The surface charge observed for all formulations, particularly the micelles showed lower negative valued than those of other systems. Cellular uptake and photocytotoxicity of the four Hp preparations in serum free medium were in the following order: micelle-Hp > nanoparticle-Hp > liposome-Hp > free Hp. In the presence of serum protein, the photodynamic toxicity of all formulations significantly decreased.