Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
SAFECode: A Platform for Developing Reliable Software in Unsafe Languages

Many computing systems today are written in weakly typed languages such as C and C++. These languages are known to be "unsafe" as they do not prevent or detect common memory errors like array bounds violations, pointer cast errors, etc. The presence of such undetected errors has two major implications. The first problem is that it makes systems written in these languages unreliable and vulnerable to security attacks. The second problem, which has never been solved for ordinary C, is that it prevents sound, sophisticated static analyses from being reliably applied to these programs. Despite these known problems, increasingly complex software continues to get written in these languages because of performance and backwards-compatibility considerations. This thesis presents a new compiler and a run-time system called SAFECode (Static Analysis For safe Execution of Code) that addresses these two problems. First, SAFECode guarantees memory safety for programs in unsafe languages with very low overhead. Second, SAFECode provides a platform for reliable static analyses by ensuring that an aggressive interprocedural pointer analysis, type information, and call graph are never invalidated at run-time clue to memory errors. Finally, SAFECode can detect some of the hard-to detect memory errors like dangling pointer errors with low overhead for some class of applications and can be used not only during development but also during deployment. SAFECode requires no source code changes, allows memory to be managed explicitly and does not use metadata on pointers or individual tag bits for memory (avoiding any external library compatibility issues). This thesis describes the main ideas, insights, and the approach that SAFECode system uses to achieve the goal of providing safety guarantees to software written in unsafe languages. This thesis also evaluates the SAFECode approach on several benchmarks and server applications and shows that the performance overhead is lower than any of the other existing approaches.
Implementation of image processing for detection of brain tumors

Processing of magnetic resonance images (MRI) is one among the parts of the image processing in medical field, which is the most emerging field from past few days. The tumor detection is often a preliminary phase. This paper describes the detection of the brain tumor by thresholding method. The proposed technique can be efficiently applied to detect and extract the brain tumor from MRI images obtained from patient's data base. It proves to be handy tool for the physicians working in this field.
The Tutte polynomial

This is a close approximation to the content of my lecture. After a brief survey of well known properties, I present some new interpretations relating to random graphs, lattice point enumeration, and chip firing games. I then examine complexity issues and concentrate in particular, on the existence of randomized approximation schemes. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg. , 15, 210–228, 1999
Commentary: Mediterranean diet and cognitive outcomes: epidemiological evidence suggestive, randomized trials needed.

Coronary heart disease, a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, is largely preventable. Unhealthful lifestyles, particularly bad dietary habits, contribute nearly 80% of population-attributable risk. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about alzheimer disease (aD) and related types of dementia—devastating diseases with incidence rates that are increasing exponentially due to increasing longevity. In spite of much epidemiological, clinical, and experimental research, there are still no effective strategies to prevent aD, delay its onset, or, least of all, cure the disease. as in many age-related conditions, oxidative stress leading to chronic inflammation plays a major role in age-related neurodegeneration, attendant cognitive decline, and progression to dementia. oxidative stress is counteracted by antioxidants, which are integral components of vegetable foods. For this reason, antioxidants and improved nutrition have long been considered potential strategies to delay cognitive decline and prevent progression to aD. as has been comprehensively reviewed, epidemiological data suggest a protective role on cognitive decline and dementia of n-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins, and antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins e and C, carotenoids, and flavonoids, a subtype of polyphenols. However, clinical trials of supplementation with these nutrients in either healthy or cognitively impaired older persons have generally failed to uncover a clear benefit. Where the “single nutrient” approach has failed, perhaps the “whole diet” might help. the current paradigm in nutritional epidemiology is to analyze diet patterns instead of isolated foods or nutrients because patterns can capture the cumulative effects of the overall diet. this approach has proven valuable in observational studies of age-related cognitive decline and aD. among dietary patterns, the mediterranean diet (meDiet) might be the healthiest. a recent meta-analysis of 18 prospective cohort studies showed that conformity to the meDiet confers consistent protection against cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and overall mortality. In randomized clinical trials, mediterranean-style diets have provided beneficial effects on cardiometabolic markers such as body weight, blood pressure, lipids, insulin resistance, and inflammation. the meDiet is identified as the traditional dietary pattern found in Crete, Greece, Italy, and Spain in the early 1960s. the diet is characterized by high intake of cereals, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and olive oil; moderate intake of fish and alcohol (mostly wine); and low intake of dairy products, red meat and meat products, and sweets. the meDiet fits the concept of a healthful eating pattern with overall nutrient adequacy. Given that the meDiet is plant-based and antioxidant-rich, there are fair grounds to believe that long-term adherence might protect against cognitive decline and aD. Indeed, although not without inconsistencies, there is accumulating evidence for the effectiveness of the meDiet in
Design techniques for gate-leakage reduction in CMOS circuits

Oxide tunneling current in MOS transistors is fast becoming a non-negligible component of power consumption, as gate oxides get thinner, and could become in the future the dominant leakage mechanism in sub-100 nm CMOS circuits. In this paper, we present an analysis of static CMOS circuits from a gate-leakage point of view. We first consider the dependence of the gate current on various conditions for a single transistor and identify 3 main regions in which a MOS transistor will operate between clock transitions. The amount of gate-current differs by several orders of magnitude from one region to another. Whether a transistor will leak significantly or not is determined by its position in relation to other transistors within a structure. By comparing logically equivalent but structurally different CMOS circuits, we find that the gate current exhibits a 'structure dependence'. Also, the total gate-leakage in a given structure varies significantly for different combinations of inputs, from which we derive "state-dependent gate-leakage tables" that can be used to estimate the total amount of gate-current for a large circuit. Finally, we suggest guidelines aimed at reducing the amount of oxide-leakage current based on the presented structure and state dependencies.
Crosstalk between cytosolic and plastidial pathways of isoprenoid biosynthesis in Arabidopsis thaliana

In plants, the formation of isopentenyl diphosphate and dimethylallyl diphosphate, the central intermediates in the biosynthesis of isoprenoids, is compartmentalized: the mevalonate (MVA) pathway, which is localized to the cytosol, is responsible for the synthesis of sterols, certain sesquiterpenes, and the side chain of ubiquinone; in contrast, the recently discovered MVA-independent pathway, which operates in plastids, is involved in providing the precursors for monoterpenes, certain sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, carotenoids, and the side chains of chlorophylls and plastoquinone. Specific inhibitors of the MVA pathway (lovastatin) and the MVA-independent pathway (fosmidomycin) were used to perturb biosynthetic flux in Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings. The interaction between both pathways was studied at the transcriptional level by using GeneChip (Affymetrix) microarrays and at the metabolite level by assaying chlorophylls, carotenoids, and sterols. Treatment of seedlings with lovastatin resulted in a transient decrease in sterol levels and a transient increase in carotenoid as well as chlorophyll levels. After the initial drop, sterol amounts in lovastatin-treated seedlings recovered to levels above controls. As a response to fosmidomycin treatment, a transient increase in sterol levels was observed, whereas chlorophyll and carotenoid amounts decreased dramatically when compared with controls. At 96 h after fosmidomycin addition, the levels of all metabolites assayed (sterols, chlorophylls, and carotenoids) were substantially lower than in controls. Interestingly, these inhibitor-mediated changes were not reflected in altered gene expression levels of the genes involved in sterol, chlorophyll, and carotenoid metabolism. The lack of correlation between gene expression patterns and the accumulation of isoprenoid metabolites indicates that posttranscriptional processes may play an important role in regulating flux through isoprenoid metabolic pathways.
A randomised, controlled, double-blind, cross-over pilot study assessing the effects of spironolactone, losartan and their combination on heart rate variability and QT dispersion in patients with chronic heart failure

Background and objective The blocking of aldosterone or angiotensin II receptors improves mortality in patients with chronic heart failure. We explored whether combining losartan and spironolactone would have any added benefit on the known surrogate of mortality by using heart rate variability (HRV) and QT dispersion as our endpoints. Methods We designed a three-phase, consecutive, randomised, controlled, double-blind, cross-over pilot study to assess the effects of losartan alone (50 mg/day), spironolactone (25 mg/day) with angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and, finally, losartan with spironolactone, on HRV and QT dispersion. We enrolled eight patients (aged 47 to 72 years, mean = 63.7 years), with New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II–III heart failure and ejection fraction (EF) < 35%, in the study at a university-affiliated hospital in Dundee, Scotland. Digital 24-hour Holter recordings were analysed for time-domain HRV and the 12-lead ECG was optically scanned and digitised for analysis of QT dispersion. Evaluations were done at baseline, and at six, 12 and 18 weeks from baseline. Results Losartan and spironolactone showed statistically significant, favourable effects on HRV, QT dispersion and mean heart rate (p < 0.05). Conclusion The data showed that in these patients with heart failure, the addition of spironolactone to an ACE inhibitor, or the use of losartan on its own, or the combination of losartan plus spironolactone induced a favourable sympathovagal balance. The drugs significantly improved HRV indices and QT dispersion further, and the combination appeared to be safe. However, no significant differences were seen between the effects of each of these regimes on HRV and QT dispersion.
Trophic feeding of the preterm infant

Trophic feeding is the practice of feeding minute volumes of enteral feeds in order to stimulate the development of the immature gastrointestinal tract of the preterm infant This paper reviews the randomized controlled studies that have examined the physiological and clinical responses to trophic feeding of the preterm infant. Trophic feeding alters gastrointestinal disaccharidase activity, hormone release, blood flow, motility and microbial flora. Clinical benefits appear to include improved milk tolerance, greater postnatal growth, reduced systemic sepsis and shorter hospital stay. There is currently no evidence of any adverse effects following trophic feeding.
Direct measurements of the coordination of lever arm swing and the catalytic cycle in myosin V

Significance Myosins interact with actin filaments and convert the chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis into mechanical work. The swinging lever arm hypothesis describes the molecular mechanism of actomyosin-based force generation that is essential for cell motility, muscle contraction, and cell division. In this model the light chain-binding region of myosin undergoes a major conformational change, which drives force generation. However, the temporal kinetics of structural changes in the lever arm in relation to the product release steps of the catalytic cycle are not well established. By using a FRET-based strategy, we demonstrate the lever arm swing occurs in two steps, a rapid step prior to phosphate release and a slower step prior to ADP release. Myosins use a conserved structural mechanism to convert the energy from ATP hydrolysis into a large swing of the force-generating lever arm. The precise timing of the lever arm movement with respect to the steps in the actomyosin ATPase cycle has not been determined. We have developed a FRET system in myosin V that uses three donor–acceptor pairs to examine the kinetics of lever arm swing during the recovery and power stroke phases of the ATPase cycle. During the recovery stroke the lever arm swing is tightly coupled to priming the active site for ATP hydrolysis. The lever arm swing during the power stroke occurs in two steps, a fast step that occurs before phosphate release and a slow step that occurs before ADP release. Time-resolved FRET demonstrates a 20-Å change in distance between the pre- and postpower stroke states and shows that the lever arm is more dynamic in the postpower stroke state. Our results suggest myosin binding to actin in the ADP.Pi complex triggers a rapid power stroke that gates the release of phosphate, whereas a second slower power stroke may be important for mediating strain sensitivity.
Vision guided control of multiple robots

A vision based system is presented for controlling multiple robot platforms in real time using imagery from a top view video camera. This article is a system paper that demonstrates the advantages of computer vision for robot control. A control loop using vision feedback allows creation of a robust working system while greatly reducing the complexity of the rest of the system. Planar marker pattern marker detection is an example of computer vision that is robust enough with today¿s technology for industry, and is employed for locating the robots with passive vision. Image processing in software obviates the need for complex systems for odometry, sonar, etc normally found in robotics. The control of two robotic platforms is achieved with the simplest possible hardware, with computer vision as the only feedback in the system. A system is shown and described where a user can choose desired locations for the robots, which are guided around obstacles to their destinations using ARToolkit marker patterns detected in imagery from a stationary digital video camera.
Security of Embedded Systems Applied in a Green-House Enviroment For Monitoring and Controlling Physical Parameters

— Embedded systems are extensively use in the field of pervasive computing. These systems are use to such an extent that embedded systems are now controlled and monitored from remote locations. Both intranet and internet now extensively used to control embedded systems used in most areas of our life. With the introduction of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) on the web, peer-to-peer communication between internet-enabled devices helped web services to make performance improvement. On the worse side, it created new attacks on the components used in the embedded systems. The paper discusses the details of security vulnerabilities of both stand-alone and web-enabled embedded systems used in greenhouse environment. To ensure the correctness of working of these devices monitored and controlled by different hardware and software components, security of the components is a major concern. Various vulnerabilities are introduced during entire development process of the greenhouse environment. The problem is to search the real threats, then define security policies and implement them during development process. The paper tries to find out possible security techniques to deal with the vulnerabilities. It shows to introduce security policies at various levels of life-cycle, be it before development or during development or after development.
Cyclopean Vision, Size Estimation, and Presence in Orthostereoscopic Images

Stereo scene capture and generation is an important facet of presence research in that stereoscopic images have been linked to naturalness as a component of reported presence. Three-dimensional images can be captured and presented in many ways, but it is rare that the most simple and natural method is used: full orthostereoscopic image capture and projection. This technique mimics as closely as possible the geometry of the human visual system and uses convergent axis stereography with the cameras separated by the human interocular distance. It simulates human viewing angles, magnification, and convergences so that the point of zero disparity in the captured scene is reproduced without disparity in the display. In a series of experiments, we have used this technique to investigate body image distortion in photographic images. Three psychophysical experiments compared size, weight, or shape estimations (perceived waist-hip ratio) in 2-D and 3-D images for the human form and real or virtual abstract shapes. In all cases, there was a relative slimming effect of binocular disparity. A well-known photographic distortion is the perspective flattening effect of telephoto lenses. A fourth psychophysical experiment using photographic portraits taken at different distances found a fattening effect with telephoto lenses and a slimming effect with wide-angle lenses. We conclude that, where possible, photographic inputs to the visual system should allow it to generate the cyclopean point of view by which we normally see the world. This is best achieved by viewing images made with full orthostereoscopic capture and display geometry. The technique can result in more-accurate estimations of object shape or size and control of ocular suppression. These are assets that have particular utility in the generation of realistic virtual environments.
(Deterministic) Hierarchical Identity-based Encryption from Learning with Rounding over Small Modulus

In this paper, we propose a hierarchical identity-based encryption (HIBE) scheme in the random oracle (RO) model based on the learning with rounding (LWR) problem over small modulus $q$. Compared with the previous HIBE schemes based on the learning with errors (LWE) problem, the ciphertext expansion ratio of our scheme can be decreased to 1/2. Then, we utilize the HIBE scheme to construct a deterministic hierarchical identity-based encryption (D-HIBE) scheme based on the LWR problem over small modulus. Finally, with the technique of binary tree encryption (BTE) we can construct HIBE and D-HIBE schemes in the standard model based on the LWR problem over small modulus.
Association Between Alcohol Use Among College Students and Alcohol Outlet Proximity and Densities.

BACKGROUND Alcohol consumption is common on college campuses and is associated with negative consequences. Factors associated with availability of alcohol are not completely understood. OBJECTIVE To describe how proximity and density of alcohol outlets are associated with any drinking and binge drinking in students at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. METHODS Participants were full-time students enrolled in the Young Adults Eating and Active for Health, a multisite, randomized intervention that assessed a variety of health behaviors. Geographic information systems were used to calculate proximity and enumerate alcohol outlet densities. Participants were categorized as "drinkers" or "nondrinkers" based on self-reported alcohol consumption. Binge drinking was categorized as "non-binge drinker," "frequent binge drinker," and "excessive binge drinker. " Analysis included regression, t tests, and chi-square tests. RESULTS. Among the 166 participants, 126 (76%) were drinkers. Among drinkers, 80 (63%) were either frequent or excessive binge drinkers. Drinkers lived closer to an alcohol outlet than non-drinkers (0.18 +/- 0.15 vs. 0.61 +/- 1.59 miles, respectively, P=0.005). Within a 1-mile walking radius, there were 47% more establishments for drinkers (153 +/- 47 compared to 104 +/- 55 outlets for nondrinkers, P<0.0001). At distances of 0.10-0.25 and 0.25-0.50 miles, twice as many outlets were available to drinkers (19 +/- 19 and 43 +/- 25, respectively) compared to nondrinkers (7 +/- 11 and 20 +/- 22, respectively), P<0.001. Proximity and density were hot associated with binge drinking frequency. CONCLUSION Drinkers lived closer to alcohol outlets and had significantly more outlets available at a distance of up to 1 mile. Municipal and college administrators could consider limiting alcohol license distributions in municipalities with high alcohol consumption.
Loss of Predominant Shank3 Isoforms Results in Hippocampus-Dependent Impairments in Behavior and Synaptic Transmission

The Shank3 gene encodes a scaffolding protein that anchors multiple elements of the postsynaptic density at the synapse. Previous attempts to delete the Shank3 gene have not resulted in a complete loss of the predominant naturally occurring Shank3 isoforms. We have now characterized a homozygous Shank3 mutation in mice that deletes exon 21, including the Homer binding domain. In the homozygous state, deletion of exon 21 results in loss of the major naturally occurring Shank3 protein bands detected by C-terminal and N-terminal antibodies, allowing us to more definitively examine the role of Shank3 in synaptic function and behavior. This loss of Shank3 leads to an increased localization of mGluR5 to both synaptosome and postsynaptic density-enriched fractions in the hippocampus. These mice exhibit a decrease in NMDA/AMPA excitatory postsynaptic current ratio in area CA1 of the hippocampus, reduced long-term potentiation in area CA1, and deficits in hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory. In addition, these mice also exhibit motor-coordination deficits, hypersensitivity to heat, novelty avoidance, altered locomotor response to novelty, and minimal social abnormalities. These data suggest that Shank3 isoforms are required for normal synaptic transmission/plasticity in the hippocampus, as well as hippocampus-dependent spatial learning and memory.