Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An information theoretic framework for web inference detection

Document redaction is widely used to protect sensitive information in published documents. In a basic redaction system, sensitive and identifying terms are removed from the document. Web-based inference is an attack on redaction systems whereby the redacted document is linked with other publicly available documents to infer the removed parts. Web-based inference also provides an approach for detecting unwanted inferences and so constructing secure redaction systems. Previous works on web-based inference used general keyword extraction methods for document representation. We propose a systematic approach, based on information theoretic concepts and measures, to rank the words in a document for purpose of inference detection. We extend our results to the case of multiple sensitive words and propose a metric that takes into account possible relationship of the sensitive words and results in an effective and efficient inference detection system. Using a number of experiments we show that our approach, when used for document redaction, substantially reduce the number of inferences that are left in a document. We describe our approach, present the experiment results, and outline future work.
UNIT PRICING AND UNBALANCED BIDS

Unit price contracts were meant to provide a simple and equitable way to pay contractors. However, to offset the uncertainties inherent in construction, contractors unbalance bid items. Engineers and owners unfairly view the practice with a jaundiced eye. If the contractor's viewpoint were better understood, we could work toward a new approach to contract documents, reduce the incentive to unbalance bids and benefit all, including the public.
High Dynamic Range Imaging and its Application in Building Research

Abstract This article describes the theory and application of high dynamic range imaging (HDRI). HDRI is a recent technology allowing the capture of images with a much extended dynamic range whose values represent real-world luminance rather than just arbitrary pixel values. This article lays out the steps necessary to create HDR images, and highlights recent developments in the technology and its applications for building research.
Detection of Salmonella species in chicken carcasses using genus specific primer belong to invA gene in Sohag city, Egypt

Aim: This study aimed to detect Salmonella species found as contaminants in chicken carcass (thigh, breast, wings, liver, and gizzard). Materials and Methods: A total of 75 chicken samples including thigh, breast, wings, liver, and gizzard (15 of each) were collected from different markets in Sohag city for detection of Salmonella species by culture methods, biochemical tests, serology, and polymerase chain reaction. Results: The overall incidence of Salmonella contamination of 75 examined samples was found to be 6.6% with the higher percentage of Salmonella being isolated from liver samples (13.3%) followed by thigh, wings, gizzard (6.6%) while breast show negative result. Conclusion: Results in this study indicate that contamination of chicken carcass with Salmonella needs strict hygienic measures to prevent their transmission to human.
Testing independence of random vectors by inverse regressions

We propose a new test of independence of random vectors. We rst show that the null hypothesis implies the nullity of the trace of an operator involving inverse regressions covariance operators. Then, using an approach based on slicing, we dene a test statistic for which an asymptotic distribution under null hypothesis is derived. Simulations that permit to evaluate the performance of the proposed test with comparisons with existing methods are given. R
Lossless Image Digital Watermarking based on Integer Wavelet and Histogram Adjustment

A novel distortionless image data hiding method named lossless image digital watermarking based on integer wavelet and histogram adjustment is proposed. This image data hiding method can invert the stego-image into the original image without any distortion after the hidden data are extracted. The image histogram adjustment is used to prevent grayscales from possible overflowing. This method hides data into a selected bit-plane of the integer wavelet transform coefficients in the high frequency subbands. It can embed much more data compared with the existing distiortionless data hiding techniques under imperceptibility requirement. Experimental results have demonstrated the validity of the algorithm.
CNN3 Regulates Trophoblast Invasion and Is Upregulated by Hypoxia in BeWo Cells

CNN3 is an ubiquitously expressed F-actin binding protein, shown to regulate trophoblast fusion and hence seems to play a role in the placentation process. In this study we demonstrate that CNN3 levels are upregulated under low oxygen conditions in the trophoblast cell line BeWo. Since hypoxia is discussed to be a pro-migratory stimulus for placental cells, we examined if CNN3 is involved in trophoblast invasion. Indeed, when performing a matrigel invasion assay we were able to show that CNN3 promotes BeWo cell invasion. Moreover, CNN3 activates the MAPKs ERK1/2 and p38 in trophoblast cells and interestingly, both kinases are involved in BeWo invasion. However, when we repeated the experiments under hypoxic conditions, CNN3 did neither promote cell invasion nor MAPK activation. These results indicate that CNN3 promotes invasive processes by the stimulation of ERK1/2 and/or p38 under normoxic conditions in BeWo cells, but seems to have different functions at low oxygen levels. We further speculated that CNN3 expression might be altered in human placentas derived from pregnancies complicated by IUGR and preeclampsia, since these placental disorders have been described to go along with impaired trophoblast invasion. Our studies show that, at least in our set of placenta samples, CNN3 expression is neither deregulated in IUGR nor in preeclampsia. In summary, we identified CNN3 as a new pro-invasive protein in trophoblast cells that is induced under low oxygen conditions.
Distributed Trust Node Selection for Secure Group Communication in MANET

The objective of the work is to improve the mechanism for selecting trust nodes which will participate in the key generation process for secured group communication in a distributed environment like MANET. The selection is proposed in two stages, the first phase adopts clustering technique to identify trust worthy nodes across the network and the second phase makes use of the backtracking approach in N queen's problem to narrow down the list of trustworthy nodes and to ensure that the nodes are distributed across the entire network. This distribution of nodes aids in effective distributed key generation through secret key sharing protocol. The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is analyzed w.r. t scalability and efficiency and compared with a Gittin's index based distributed node selection for secure communication. Simulation results obtained using NS2 simulator reveal the effectiveness of the proposed work as stated.
Quasi-coherent delay-locked loops for fading channels

The most widely used delay estimators in DS-CDMA receivers are based on the delay-locked loops (DLL). In a coherent RAKE receiver the complex channel coefficient estimate can be used to attain the phase coherency in DLL and the effect of data modulation can be removed via decision feedback. The resulting algorithms are called quasi-coherent delay-locked loops (QCDLL). The performance of four variations for QCDLLs based on lead-lag phase-locked loops has been analyzed by computer simulations. All the loops performed satisfactorily in a fading channel, but the quasi-coherent sample-correlate-choose-largest (QCSCCL) loop had 5-6 dB better performance than the other schemes.
Meta-cognitive neural network method for classification of diabetic retinal images

An eye disease which is assorted in person with diabetes that is occurred by change in blood vessels of the retina is called Diabetic Retinopathy. Retinopathy can occur with all types of diabetes and can cause vision loss if it's not treated on time. Detection of exudate by ophthalmologist normally takes time and energy. In this paper, classification and detection of exudate in color retinal image using automated technique have been proposed. This method reduces work of ophthalmologist. A series of steps or actions need to be taken for exudate detection. Firstly in pre-processing step, green channel extraction is used and optic disk is eliminated to prevent optic disk from interfacing with exudates detection. Robust Spatial Kernel FCM (RSKFCM) segmentation method is used for optic disk elimination which gives good result compared to other FCM based method. The significant features are extracted from the segmented images and are used for classification purpose. Meta-cognitive neural network method is used as classifier. The experiments were conducted on standard diabetic retinal image dataset. Experimental results shows that the proposed method gives promising results.
Quality Assurance for a Program of Comprehensive Care for Older Persons

Quality assurance (QA) for comprehensive programs like the Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) requires a special strategy. The assessment phase should be capable of looking across the usual subdivisions of care to recognize the contributions of various disciplines, and to focus on the effects of that care on the patient. Measures should thus include both problem-specific and patient-focused elements. The tracer technique which follows the care of specific problems provides an opportunity to look at both the process and outcomes of care. An outcomes focus which looks at patient functioning as well as condition-specific parameters can include specific sentinel events whose presence suggests untoward developments. Quality assurance implies more than assessment. It represents a commitment to act responsibly on the information obtained to improve the care rendered. It includes a strategy for proactive involvement where caregivers are prompted to consider pertinent information in a timely fashion, and a retrospective remedial approach where the data are analyzed and presented in a format that can be readily understood, and which suggests next steps to improve care.
Performance Analysis of IEEE 802.16e Wimax Physical Layer

WiMAX (worldwide inter-operability for microwave access) is an emerging technology for global broadband wireless system offering high speed access to mobile and broadband services. It is based on IEEE 802.16e standard. This standard only deals with MAC and PHY layer specification of network architecture. Considerable research has been done on performance analysis of PHY layer model of WiMAX system over AWGN channel model. This paper attempts performance analysis of IEEE 802.16e PHY layer model over AWGN as well as SUI channel models as SUI channel models are more realistic models based on empirical results. Different modulation schemes, coding rates, and different values of cyclic prefix are considered for comparison using BER (Bit error rate) ratio and SNR (Signal to Noise ratio) as performance parameters.
Identification of systems failures in successful paediatric cardiac surgery

Patient safety will benefit from an approach to human error that examines systemic causes, rather than blames individuals. This study describes a direct observation methodology, based on a threat and error model, prospectively to identify types and sources of systems failures in paediatric cardiac surgery. Of substantive interest were the range, frequency and types of failures that could be identified and whether minor failures could accumulate to form more serious events, as has been the case in other industries. Check lists, notes and video recordings were employed to observe 24 successful operations. A total of 366 failures were recorded. Coordination and communication problems, equipment problems, a relaxed safety culture, patient-related problems and perfusion-related problems were most frequent, with a smaller number of skill, knowledge and decision-making failures. Longer and more risky operations were likely to generate a greater number of minor failures than shorter and lower risk operations, and in seven higher-risk cases frequently occurring minor failures accumulated to threaten the safety of the patient. Non-technical errors were more prevalent than technical errors and task threats were the most prevalent systemic source of error. Adverse events in surgery are likely to be associated with a number of recurring and prospectively identifiable errors. These may be co-incident and cumulative human errors predisposed by threats embedded in the system, rather than due to individual incompetence or negligence. Prospectively identifying and reducing these recurrent failures would lead to improved surgical standards and enhanced patient safety.
Serotonergic Neurotoxic Metabolites of Ecstasy Identified in Rat Brain

The selective serotonergic neurotoxicity of 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) depends on their systemic metabolism. We have recently shown that inhibition of brain endothelial cell γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT) potentiates the neurotoxicity of both MDMA and MDA, indicating that metabolites that are substrates for this enzyme contribute to the neurotoxicity. Consistent with this view, glutathione (GSH) and N-acetylcysteine conjugates of α-methyl dopamine (α-MeDA) are selective neurotoxicants. However, neurotoxic metabolites of MDMA or MDA have yet to be identified in brain. Using in vivo microdialysis coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy and a high-performance liquid chromatography-coulometric electrode array system, we now show that GSH and N-acetylcysteine conjugates of N-methyl-α-MeDA are present in the striatum of rats administered MDMA by subcutaneous injection. Moreover, inhibition of γ-GT with acivicin increases the concentration of GSH and N-acetylcysteine conjugates of N-methyl-α-MeDA in brain dialysate, and there is a direct correlation between the concentrations of metabolites in dialysate and the extent of neurotoxicity, measured by decreases in serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindole acetic (5-HIAA) levels. Importantly, the effects of acivicin are independent of MDMA-induced hyperthermia, since acivicin-mediated potentiation of MDMA neurotoxicity occurs in the context of acivicin-mediated decreases in body temperature. Finally, we have synthesized 5-(N-acetylcystein-S-yl)-N-methyl-α-MeDA and established that it is a relatively potent serotonergic neurotoxicant. Together, the data support the contention that MDMA-mediated serotonergic neurotoxicity is mediated by the systemic formation of GSH and N-acetylcysteine conjugates of N-methyl-α-MeDA (and α-MeDA). The mechanisms by which such metabolites access the brain and produce selective serotonergic neurotoxicity remain to be determined.
iCosmo: an interactive cosmology package

Aims. The interactive software package iCosmo, designed to perform cosmological calculations is described. Methods. iCosmo is a software package to perfom interactive cosmological calculations for the low-redshift universe. Computing distance measures, the matter power spectrum, and the growth factor is supported for any values of the cosmological parameters. It also computes derived observed quantities for several cosmological probes such as cosmic shear, baryon acoustic oscillations, and type Ia supernovae. The associated errors for these observable quantities can be derived for customised surveys, or for pre-set values corresponding to current or planned instruments. The code also allows for calculation of cosmological forecasts with Fisher matrices, which can be manipulated to combine different surveys and cosmological probes. The code is written in the IDL language and thus benefits from the convenient interactive features and scientific libraries available in this language. iCosmo can also be used as an engine to perform cosmological calculations in batch mode, and forms a convenient adaptive platform for the development of further cosmological modules. With its extensive documentation, it may also serve as a useful resource for teaching and for newcomers to the field of cosmology. Results. The iCosmo package is described with a number of examples and command sequences. The code is freely available with documentation at http://www.icosmo. org, along with an interactive web interface and is part of the Initiative for Cosmology ,a common archive for cosmological resources.
An Improved Control Method for a DFIG in a Wind Turbine under an Unbalanced Grid Voltage Condition

This paper presents a control method, which reduces the pulsating torque and DC voltage problems of a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind turbine system. To reduce the torque and power ripple, a current control scheme consisting of a proportional integral (PI) controller is presented in a positive synchronously rotating reference frame, which is capable of providing precise current control for a rotor-side converter with separated positive and negative components. The power theory can reduce the oscillation of the DC-link voltage in the grid-side converter. In this paper, the generator model is examined, and simulation results are obtained with a 3 kW DFIG-based wind turbine system to verify the proposed control strategy.
Tumour Cell Labelling by Magnetic Nanoparticles with Determination of Intracellular Iron Content and Spatial Distribution of the Intracellular Iron

Magnetically labelled cells are used for in vivo cell tracking by MRI, used for the clinical translation of cell-base therapies. Studies involving magnetic labelled cells may include separation of labelled cells, targeted delivery and controlled release of drugs, contrast enhanced MRI and magnetic hyperthermia for the in situ ablation of tumours. Dextran-coated super-paramagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) ferumoxides are used clinically as an MR contrast agents primarily for hepatic imaging. The material is also widely used for in vitro cell labelling, as are other SPIO-based particles. Our results on the uptake by human cancer cell lines of ferumoxides indicate that electroporation in the presence of protamine sulphate (PS) results in rapid high uptake of SPIO nanoparticles (SPIONs) by parenchymal tumour cells without significant impairment of cell viability. Quantitative determination of cellular iron uptake performed by colorimetric assay is in agreement with data from the literature. These results on intracellular iron content together with the intracellular distribution of SPIONs by magnetic force microscopy (MFM) following in vitro uptake by parenchymal tumour cells confirm the potential of this technique for clinical tumour cell detection and destruction.
Small changes in lung function in runners with marathon‐induced interstitial lung edema

The purpose of this study was to assess lung function in runners with marathon‐induced lung edema. Thirty‐six (24 males) healthy subjects, 34 (SD 9) years old, body mass index 23.7 (2.6) kg/m2 had posterior/anterior (PA) radiographs taken 1 day before and 21 (6) minutes post marathon finish. Pulmonary function was performed 1–3 weeks before and 73 (27) minutes post finish. The PA radiographs were viewed together, as a set, and evaluated by two experienced readers separately who were blinded as to time the images were obtained. Radiographs were scored for edema based on four different radiological characteristics such that the summed scores for any runner could range from 0 (no edema) to a maximum of 8 (severe interstitial edema). Overall, the mean edema score increased significantly from 0.2 to 1.0 units (P < 0.01), and from 0.0 to 2.9 units post exercise in the six subjects that were edema positive (P = 0.03). Despite a 2% decrease in forced vital capacity (FVC, P = 0.024) and a 12% decrease in alveolar‐membrane diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DmCO, P = 0.01), there was no relation between the change in the edema score and the change in DmCO or FVC. In conclusion, (1) mild pulmonary edema occurs in at least 17% of subjects and that changes in pulmonary function cannot predict the occurrence or severity of edema, (2) lung edema is of minimal physiological significance as marathon performance is unaffected, exercise‐induced arterial hypoxemia is unlikely, and postexercise pulmonary function changes are mild.
Change-point cloud DDoS detection using packet inter-arrival time

Notwithstanding the increased popularity of cloud computing, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) remains a threat to its adoption. In this paper, we propose the use of a change-point monitoring algorithm to detect DDoS flooding attacks against cloud services by examining the packet inter-arrival time (IAT). This method leverages on the fact that most DDoS attacks are automated and exhibit similar patterns. These patterns, when closely examined, can be distinguished from normal traffic patterns, and can therefore be tracked using a cumulative sum (CUSUM) algorithm. The proposed solution was validated by conducting a trace-driven simulation and empirical evaluation. The results demonstrated the efficiency and accuracy of this proposed solution.
The Relationship of Online Customer Value, Satisfaction, and Loyalty: An Empirical Study

In this study, we propose a three-component customer value model for ecommerce. This model draws upon the literature in marketing, consumer study, and information systems. It decomposes customer value into process value, outcome value, and shopping enjoyment. This three-component model is parsimonious and comprehensive. The results from this study show that outcome value and process value contribute significantly to customer satisfaction. Evidences also suggest that customer satisfaction affects loyalty. Enjoyment, however, has no significant positive impact on customer satisfaction. Explanations are presented in discussions and implications.
L'impact des spams boursiers sur les volumes : Application de la méthodologie des études d’événement

This paper is dedicated to study the impact of the stock spams through the analysis of the variations of volumes. We use the methodology of the event studies on a sample of hundred ten firms of penny stock (firms with small size in the American market). Data cover the period of May 2002 to December 2007. The results show a meaningful and positive variations of the volumes essentially observed the first day of the event and to one least degree the following days. The stock spams resuscitated the activity on the market of penny stock.