Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Dynamic code instrumentation to detect and recover from return address corruption

Return address corruption on the stack using buffer overflow attacks is one of the most common ways in which the security of a system can be compromised. This paper provides a way of detecting return address corruption on the stack using dynamic code instrumentation. The detection is done at run-time and it does not depend on the availability of source code of the vulnerable application. The approach we are presenting is not limited only to buffer overflows, rather it can handle any kind of return address corruption. Furthermore, cases in which recovery from stack corruption is possible and the mechanisms for recovery in such cases have also been discussed.
DEP and AFO Regulate Reproductive Habit in Rice

Sexual reproduction is essential for the life cycle of most angiosperms. However, pseudovivipary is an important reproductive strategy in some grasses. In this mode of reproduction, asexual propagules are produced in place of sexual reproductive structures. However, the molecular mechanism of pseudovivipary still remains a mystery. In this work, we found three naturally occurring mutants in rice, namely, phoenix (pho), degenerative palea (dep), and abnormal floral organs (afo). Genetic analysis of them indicated that the stable pseudovivipary mutant pho was a double mutant containing both a Mendelian mutation in DEP and a non-Mendelian mutation in AFO. Further map-based cloning and microarray analysis revealed that dep mutant was caused by a genetic alteration in OsMADS15 while afo was caused by an epigenetic mutation in OsMADS1. Thus, OsMADS1 and OsMADS15 are both required to ensure sexual reproduction in rice and mutations of them lead to the switch of reproductive habit from sexual to asexual in rice. For the first time, our results reveal two regulators for sexual and asexual reproduction modes in flowering plants. In addition, our findings also make it possible to manipulate the reproductive strategy of plants, at least in rice.
Debt, Where Is Thy Sting-Leverage and Corporate Performance

﻿This paper examines the relationship between the debt-equity ratio and performance for a large sample of Indian firms. Extant theory posits a positive relationship between leverage and economic performance and this relationship is found to be valid in western economies. Analysis of data for a very large and representative sample of Indian firms, however, reveals the relationship for these firms to be significantly negative. The structure of capital markets in India, where both short-term and long-term lending institutions are predominantly government- owned, is postulated to account for the finding of this relationship, and it is shown that corporate governance mechanisms which work in the west will not work in the Indian context unless the supply of loan capital is privatised.
The MDR Algorithm for Edge Detection on Change-Point Theory

Statistical method is one of the important methods on edge detection of computer vision. But the preview algorithms, which based on probability theory, are not practical. So the development of this research direction has been slow. In this paper, we provide a MDR (multi-directions-relation) algorithm for edge detection. Many methods reduce the noise before further detection. It might lose some useful information. We consider the method to detect the edge and reduce the noise synchronously, in order to keep more information in the image for detection. Afterwards, we discuss on the setting of the parameters carefully. One of the parameters impils the number of the edge points in one line. If you have some information about the edges beforehand, it will improve the accuracy through fixing it, otherwise, the algorithm adjust the value automatically. The experiments show that the algorithm is faithful to the source and is good at dealing the detail of images.
A basic study for improving the predictability of amber traffic lights: Comparing the brief and long interval rhythm prediction

Defective and faulty traffic lights are the major cause of traffic accidents. Insufficient prediction for the appearance of the amber light will lead to a rear-end collision if the lead driver take a severe brake. In order to make the amber light predictable, we provided an improvement tentative plan for the green traffic light, in which a rhythm flashing pattern was inserted in the latter presentation part of the green light. In this case, drivers can take advantage of temporal information given by the rhythm to predict the upcoming umber light. However the most appropriate duration and the frequency of the flashing part is still unclear. We used a rhythm prediction task to identify and compare the brief (500ms) and long (1700ms) interval prediction in fMRI. We observed left Insula and right middle frontal gyrus (MFG) showed significantly activated during brief interval prediction. Bilateral middle temporal gyrus (MTG), Superior frontal gyrus (SFG), and the right inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), caudate were more active in the long interval prediction. Overall, this research showed that reaction times for brief interval was shorter than long inter prediction, also suggested a distinct mechanisms recruited for the brief and long interval rhythm prediction.
Zur Frage des Nutzens von Verkehrsverbuenden: Eine empirische Analyse im Gebiet des MDV

In Deutschland ist der oeffentliche Personennahverkehr (OEPNV) massgeblich durch Verkehrsverbuende gepraegt. Qualitaetsmerkmale von Verkehrsverbuenden sind die Schaffung eines einheitlichen Verbundtarifes und die Konstruktion einheitlicher Fahrplaene, die fuer das System OEPNV einen Mehrwert schaffen koennen. Durch die Anwendung einer Kombination von Stated und Revealed Choice-Befragungstechniken im Gebiet des Mitteldeutschen Verkehrsverbundes wurden Informationen zu diesen Eigenschaften gesammelt und oekonometrisch weiterbearbeitet. Die Aufstellung und Schaetzung eines diskreten Wahlmodells hat die vermuteten positiven Effekte beider Eigenschaften bestaetigt. Des Weiteren zeigte sich ein differenziert sensitives Verhalten der Verkehrsteilnehmer hinsichtlich einer Verkuerzung oder Verlaengerung der Umsteigezeiten. Auch sind die Nutzer des MIV unelastischer gegenueber Aenderungen der Fahrkosten und der Fahrtzeit als die Nutzer der anderen Verkehrsmodi. Die Kalkulation der Aenderungen im Modal-Split, die auf die Bildung der Verkehrsverbuende zurueckzufuehren sind, liessen auf eine relatives Wachstum des OEPNV von circa 15 bis 20 % schliessen. ABSTRACT IN ENGLISH: Public transport in Germany is characterized by the existence of public transport associations, which coordinate public transport supply and tariffs, organize schedules and - in some cases - tender services. The main argument for this development is that regional public transport authorities can generate additional benefits for consumers due to standardized tariffs and lower waiting times. These effects are tested empirically. The authors estimate a multinominal logit model for the case of the Central German public transport association (MDV). The results show, that, compared to a situation without a transport association, the choice probability of public transport increases by a rate of between 15% and 20% due to the transport association’s attributes. (A)
Exogenous Glucose–Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Worsens Post prandial Hyperglycemia in T ype 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), unlike glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1, lacks glucose-lowering properties in patients with type 2 diabetes. We designed this study to elucidate the underlying pathophysiology. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Twenty-two insulin-naïve subjects with type 2 diabetes were given either synthetic human GIP (20 ng · kg−1 · min−1) or placebo (normal saline) over 180 min, starting with the first bite of a mixed meal (plus 1 g of acetaminophen) on two separate occasions. Frequent blood samples were obtained over 6 h to determine plasma GIP, GLP-1, glucose, insulin, glucagon, resistin, and acetaminophen levels. RESULTS Compared with placebo, GIP induced an early postprandial increase in insulin levels. Intriguingly, GIP also induced an early postprandial augmentation in glucagon, a significant elevation in late postprandial glucose, and a decrease in late postprandial GLP-1 levels. Resistin and acetaminophen levels were comparable in both interventions. By immunocytochemistry, GIP receptors were present on human and mouse α-cells. In αTC1 cell line, GIP induced an increase in intracellular cAMP and glucagon secretion. CONCLUSIONS GIP, given to achieve supraphysiological plasma levels, still had an early, short-lived insulinotropic effect in type 2 diabetes. However, with a concomitant increase in glucagon, the glucose-lowering effect was lost. GIP infusion further worsened hyperglycemia postprandially, most likely through its suppressive effect on GLP-1. These findings make it unlikely that GIP or GIP receptor agonists will be useful in treating the hyperglycemia of patients with type 2 diabetes.
Symptom Experiences and Quality of Life of Rural and Urban Older Adult Cancer Survivors

This study examined the symptom experience, health-related quality of life, and functional performance of elderly cancer survivors at 1 and 3 months after the completion of initial treatment. The study used a descriptive, comparative, repeated-measures design. A mixed-methods approach combined completion of survey instruments with qualitative interviews. Of the 52 participants, 22 resided in rural (n = 12) or semirural (n = 10) areas and 30 lived in urban settings. There were 23 women and 29 men ranging in age from 65 to 81 years (mean age, 71.53 years). Survivors experienced a significant number of symptoms (mean, 4.58), which were, on average, moderate in intensity and did not differ based on urban or rural residence. The Medical Outcomes Study SF-12 Physical Component Summary was less than the national norm for elderly individuals or those with a chronic disease. There was minimal improvement 3 months after treatment. Elderly survivors, regardless of whether they were rural or urban, experienced a significant number of unrelieved symptoms, including fatigue, pain, and difficulty sleeping. Eighty-eight percent had other chronic diseases. Comorbidities were associated with greater symptom intensity and less physical health status. Survivorship care for elderly adults should include a comprehensive geriatric assessment and tailored strategies for symptom management.
Effects of Non-verbal Communication on College English Classroom Teaching

Communication with others in human society is inevitable. Classroom teaching, in essence, is an activity of communication. Teachers and students convey messages by both verbal and non-verbal cues. Since the teacher is put at the dominating role, the non-verbal cues he uses in the classroom have an influence on the teaching effects. Therefore, this paper mainly discusses about the effects of non-verbal communication on college English classroom teaching based on the results of a questionnaire conducted, in the hope that teachers can gain some enlightenment from the analysis.
Economics 2450A: Public Economics Section 10: Education Policies and Simpler Theory of Capital Taxation

We study a static model with human capital investments based on Bovenberg and Jacobs (2005, 2011) and Stantcheva (2016). Suppose individuals are heterogeneous in ability ✓ distributed according to f (✓). Agents can invest in education paying a monetary cost M (e) such that M 0 (e) > 0 and M 00 (e) 0. Wages are a function of ability and human capital that we can write as w (✓, e). Denote with ⇢✓e the Hicksian coe cient of complementarity between ability and education defined as: ⇢✓e = w✓ew w✓we Consider two special cases for the wage function: (i) multiplicative w (✓, e) = ✓e implies ⇢✓e = 1; (ii) constant elasticity of substitution w (✓, e) = ⇥ ↵✓1 ⇢ + (1 ↵) e1 ⇢ ⇤ 1 1 ⇢ implies ⇢✓e = ⇢. The elasticity of the wage to ability is "w,✓ = @ log (w) /@ log (✓). Suppose utility is quasi-linear in consumption such that:
The new improvement of multi-threshold dynamic binarization for bill images

In identification of bill images, binarization quality has direct influence on identification ratio. This paper introduces an improvement of multi-threshold dynamic binarization for bill images. The improvement scheme is based on the research of existing binarization algorithms and the motivation to solve the problem of noise jamming in bill images. An application of the improved binarization scheme was implemented. The result shows that the scheme is effective and has a well anti-noise ability.
Preparation and In-vitro Evaluation of Rifampin-loaded Mesoporous Silica Nanoaggregates by an Experimental Design

The goal of this research is preparation, optimization and in-vitro evaluation of rifampin-loaded silica nanoparticles in order to use in the pulmonary drug delivery. Nanoparticles are exhaled because of their small size. Preparation of nanoaggregates in a micron-size scale and re-dispersion of them after deposition in the lung is an approach to overcome this problem. We used this approach in our research. Rifampin was selected as a model lipophilic molecule since it was a well-documented and much used anti tuberculosis drug. A half factorial design was used to identify significant parameters of the spray drying process. The results showed that feed concentration, feed pH and the interaction between feed flow rate and gas atomizer flow rate had statistically significant effects on the particle size of nanoaggregates. The Box-Behnken design was employed to optimize the spray drying process. Finally, a quadratic equation which explains the relation between independent variables and aerodynamic diameter of nanoaggregates was obtained. Rifampin-loaded silica nanoaggregates underwent different in-vitro tests including: SEM, Aerosol performance and drug release. The in-vitro drug release was investigated with buffer phosphate (pH=7.4). Regarding the drug release study, a triphasic pattern of release was observed. The rifampin-loaded silica nanoaggregates were capable of releasing 90% drug content after 24 h in combination patterns of release. The prepared rifampin-loaded nanoaggregates seem to have a potential to be used in a pulmonary drug delivery.
The Political Economy of Democratic Decentralization

Nearly all countries worldwide are now experimenting with decentralization. Their motivation are diverse. Many countries are decentralizing because they believe this can help stimulate economic growth or reduce rural poverty, goals central government interventions have failed to achieve. Some countries see it as a way to strengthen civil society and deepen democracy. Some perceive it as a way to off-load expensive responsibilities onto lower level governments. Thus, decentralization is seen as a solution to many different kinds of problems. This report examines the origins and implications decentralization from a political economy perspective, with a focus on its promise and limitations. It explores why countries have often chosen not to decentralize, even when evidence suggests that doing so would be in the interests of the government. It seeks to explain why since the early 1980s many countries have undertaken some form of decentralization. This report also evaluates the evidence to understand where decentralization has considerable promise and where it does not. It identifies conditions needed for decentralization to succeed. It identifies the ways in which decentralization can promote rural development. And it names the goals which decentralization will probably not help achieve.
Case definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME): a systematic review

Objective To identify case definitions for chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalomyelitis (CFS/ME), and explore how the validity of case definitions can be evaluated in the absence of a reference standard. Design Systematic review. Setting International. Participants A literature search, updated as of November 2013, led to the identification of 20 case definitions and inclusion of 38 validation studies. Primary and secondary outcome measure Validation studies were assessed for risk of bias and categorised according to three validation models: (1) independent application of several case definitions on the same population, (2) sequential application of different case definitions on patients diagnosed with CFS/ME with one set of diagnostic criteria or (3) comparison of prevalence estimates from different case definitions applied on different populations. Results A total of 38 studies contributed data of sufficient quality and consistency for evaluation of validity, with CDC-1994/Fukuda as the most frequently applied case definition. No study rigorously assessed the reproducibility or feasibility of case definitions. Validation studies were small with methodological weaknesses and inconsistent results. No empirical data indicated that any case definition specifically identified patients with a neuroimmunological condition. Conclusions Classification of patients according to severity and symptom patterns, aiming to predict prognosis or effectiveness of therapy, seems useful. Development of further case definitions of CFS/ME should be given a low priority. Consistency in research can be achieved by applying diagnostic criteria that have been subjected to systematic evaluation.
The cost of fisheries management

Theory: The costs of fisheries management - who should pay? , Ragnar Arnason, Rognvaldur Hannesson and William E. Schrank Fisheries management costs - some theoretical implications, Ragnar Arnason Financing fishery management - principles and economic implications, Peder Andersen and Jon G. Sutinen. Country Studies: Management and enforcement costs in Norway's fisheries, Rognvaldur Hannesson The cost of marine fishery management in Eastern Canada - Newfoundland, 1989/1990 to 1999/2000, William E. Schrank and Blanca Skoda Government expenditures on fisheries and fisheries management in Iceland, Ragnar Arnason A comparison of fisheries management costs in Iceland, Norway and Newfoundland, Ragnar Arnason, Rognvaldur Hannesson and William E. Schrank Fishery management costs and rent extraction - the case of Namibia, Vilhjalmur H. Wiium and Aina S. Uulenga Fisheries management costs in Thai marine fisheries, Rolf Willmann, Pongpat Boonchuwong and Somying Piumsombun Fisheries management costs - concepts and studies, Paul Wallis and Ola Flaaten. Cost Recovery: The effects of unilateral cost recovery in an international fishery, Sean Pascoe, Simon Mardle and Aaron Hatcher Cost recovery in fisheries management - the Australian experience, Anthony Cox Cost recovery in fisheries management - the New Zealand experience, Nick Wyatt. Conclusions: Fisheries management costs - findings and challenges for future research, Jon G. Sutinen and Peder Andersen.
FRETmatrix: a general methodology for the simulation and analysis of FRET in nucleic acids

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a technique commonly used to unravel the structure and conformational changes of biomolecules being vital for all living organisms. Typically, FRET is performed using dyes attached externally to nucleic acids through a linker that complicates quantitative interpretation of experiments because of dye diffusion and reorientation. Here, we report a versatile, general methodology for the simulation and analysis of FRET in nucleic acids, and demonstrate its particular power for modelling FRET between probes possessing limited diffusional and rotational freedom, such as our recently developed nucleobase analogue FRET pairs (base–base FRET). These probes are positioned inside the DNA/RNA structures as a replacement for one of the natural bases, thus, providing unique control of their position and orientation and the advantage of reporting from inside sites of interest. In demonstration studies, not requiring molecular dynamics modelling, we obtain previously inaccessible insight into the orientation and nanosecond dynamics of the bases inside double-stranded DNA, and we reconstruct high resolution 3D structures of kinked DNA. The reported methodology is accompanied by a freely available software package, FRETmatrix, for the design and analysis of FRET in nucleic acid containing systems.
Web Identity Translator: Behavioral Advertising and Identity Privacy with WIT

Online Behavioral Advertising (OBA) is an important revenue source for online publishers and content providers. However, the extensive user tracking required to enable OBA raises valid privacy concerns. Existing and proposed solutions either block all tracking, therefore breaking OBA entirely, or require significant changes on the current advertising infrastructure, making adoption hard. We propose Web Identity Translator (WIT), a new privacy service running as a proxy or middlebox. WIT stops the original tracking cookies from being set on the browser of users and instead substitutes them by private cookies it controls. Manipulating the mapping between tracking and private cookies WIT maintains permits transparent OBA to continue while simultaneously protecting the identity of users from attacks based on behavioral analysis of browsing patterns.
Optimal Precoding for Orthogonalized Spatial Multiplexing in MIMO Wireless Systems

This paper proposes a new precoding algorithm for orthogonalized spatial multiplexing (OSM) systems over flat-fading multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) channels. The OSM scheme was recently introduced for closed-loop MIMO systems which allows single symbol decodability for maximum likelihood detection. To further improve the performance in OSM systems, we propose a new precoding method. For identifying the parameters of a precoder, we introduce a partitioning approach on the minimum Euclidean distance between constellation points in the effective channel. Also, it is shown that two real value parameters and one bit are required for feedback information in 4-QAM systems. Simulation results demonstrate that our precoding algorithm allows us to significantly improve the system performance with small increase of feedback values. We also confirm through simulations that the performance of the proposed scheme is the same as the optimum closed-loop MIMO systems.
Synapsin I: an actin-bundling protein under phosphorylation control

Synapsin I is a neuronal phosphoprotein comprised of two closely related polypeptides with apparent molecular weights of 78,000 and 76,000. It is found in association with the small vesicles clustered at the presynaptic junction. Its precise role is unknown, although it probably participates in vesicle clustering and/or release. Synapsin I is known to associate with vesicle membranes, microtubules, and neurofilaments. We have examined the interaction of purified phosphorylated and unphosphorylated bovine and human synapsin I with tubulin and actin filaments, using cosedimentation, viscometric, electrophoretic, and morphologic assays. As purified from brain homogenates, synapsin I decreases the steady-state viscosity of solutions containing F-actin, enhances the sedimentation of actin, and bundles actin filaments. Phosphorylation by cAMP-dependent kinase has minimal effect on this interaction, while phosphorylation by brain extracts or by purified calcium- and calmodulin-dependent kinase II reduces its actin-bundling and -binding activity. Synapsin's microtubule-binding activity, conversely, is stimulated after phosphorylation by the brain extract. Two complementary peptide fragments of synapsin generated by 2-nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic cleavage and which map to opposite ends of the molecule participate in the bundling process, either by binding directly to actin or by binding to other synapsin I molecules. 2-Nitro-5-thiocyanobenzoic peptides arising from the central portion of the molecule demonstrate neither activity. In vivo, synapsin I may link small synaptic vesicles to the actin-based cortical cytoskeleton, and coordinate their availability for release in a Ca++-dependent fashion.