Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
PoliCert: Secure and Flexible TLS Certificate Management

The recently proposed concept of publicly verifiable logs is a promising approach for mitigating security issues and threats of the current Public-Key Infrastructure (PKI). Although much progress has been made towards a more secure infrastructure, the currently proposed approaches still suffer from security vulnerabilities, inefficiency, or incremental deployment challenges. In this paper we propose PoliCert, a comprehensive log-based and domain-oriented architecture that enhances the security of PKI by offering: a) stronger authentication of a domain's public keys, b) comprehensive and clean mechanisms for certificate management, and c) an incentivised incremental deployment plan. Surprisingly, our approach has proved fruitful in addressing other seemingly unrelated problems such as TLS-related error handling and client/server misconfiguration.
Combining data and computation transformations for fine-grain reconfigurable architectures

This paper presents a project that aims to develop techniques for optimal code generation for High Performance Computing using reconfigurable hardware. Some problems faced are related to memory access, since the latency for data reading and writing became a bottleneck for HPC applications. The project is a branch of a system for hardware acceleration in HPC applications currently being developed at University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. This system intends to facilitate the development of HPC architectures for efficiently exploit of parallelism.
Health Information Technology and Telemedicine in the 21 st Century – a Survey

Information technology has penetrated almost every industry, improving resource utilization, lowering operational costs and increasing overall customer satisfaction, however the healthcare industry has not embraced information technology as willingly. As a result, despite having built a global reputation for providing the most innovative care to treat patients, the cost of healthcare has been steadily rising in the United States while the quality of care provided has been declining. This paper discusses the key problems with the United States healthcare system and how information technology adoption can manage these problems. An additional benefit to wide spread adoption of information technology within healthcare is the digital sharing of electronic patient records, used to gather patient health information into a coherent record, regardless of where the patient-physician encounter originated.
A soluble string theory of hadrons

We consider Penrose limits of the Klebanov-Strassler and Maldacena-N¶~ nez holographic duals toN = 1 supersymmetric Yang-Mills. By focusing in on the IR region we obtain exactly solvable string theory models. These represent the nonrelativistic motion and low-lying excitations of heavy hadrons with mass proportional to a large global charge. We argue that these hadrons, both physically and mathematically, take the form of heavy nonrelativistic strings; we term them \annulons. " A simple toy model of a string boosted along a compact circle allows us considerable insight into their properties. We also calculate the Wilson loop carrying large global charge and show the efiect of conflnement is quadratic, not linear, in the string tension.
Expanding the Scope of Strategic Communication: Towards a Holistic Understanding of Organizational Complexity

ABSTRACT The purpose of this article is to contribute to the discussion concerning the present position and future directions of strategic communication by looking into the past and offering some proposals and a vision of how to develop and advance the field further. Research in strategic communication has mostly focused on communication professionals working in communication departments or agencies as primary agents of communication. However, this reflects a limited comprehension of organizations. The article addresses the need to focus not only on communicators, but also on managers and coworkers as key actors when trying to understand and theorize the practice of strategic communication.
Mini Review Article

A new player in the " synaptopathy " of Alzheimer's disease – Arc/Arg 3.1 Alzheimer's disease (AD) is increasingly referred to as a " synaptopathy. " This moniker reflects the loss or damage of synapses that occurs as the disease progresses, which in turn produces functional degeneration of specific neuronal circuits and consequent aberrant activity in neural networks. Accumulating evidence supports the functional importance of the early-expression activity-regulated cytoskeletal (Arc) gene in regulating memory consolidation. Interestingly, AD patients express anomalously high levels of Arc protein. Arc physically associates with presenilin1, a pivotal protease for the generation of Amy-loid β (Aβ) peptides. Arc expression itself is disrupted in the vicinity of Aβ oligomers and plaques. Such alterations result in the interruption of neuronal network integration in vivo. It is not clear what the impacts of these alterations are on the functional neurophysiology of transgenic mouse models of AD-associated amyloidopathy. Our group and others have described alterations to neuronal excitability and thus intrinsic firing within these transgenic mice models. This brief review will emphasize the rising role of Arc and its involvement in neurophysiological alterations of current AD models.
Cycles of Technology , Natural Resources and Economic Growth

Both technological and natural resource possibilities seem to evolve in cycles. The ‘Resource Opportunity Model’ in this paper introduces the technological opportunity thinking into natural resource modeling. The natural resource industries choice between incremental, complementary, innovations and drastic, breakthrough, innovations will give rise to long-run cycles in the so called familiar resource stock, which is the amount of natural resources determined by the prevailing paradigm. Incremental innovations will increase the exhaustion of the stock and drastic innovations will create a new paradigm and thereby a new stock of familiar resources. Drastic innovations are endogenously affected by the knowledge level and induced either by scarcity of technological opportunities or by scarcity of resources. Generally, an increased level of innovation ability increases the knowledge stock and the level of income but does not affect the sustainability of the resource stock, even thus the intensity of the resource cycles increases. However, a too low level might lead the sector to technological stagnation, and resource exhaustion in the long run, and a too high level might lead the sector to extraction stagnation, and resource exhaustion in the short run.
Convergence results for the particle PHD filter

Bayesian single-target tracking techniques can be extended to a multiple-target environment by viewing the multiple-target state as a random finite set, but evaluating the multiple-target posterior distribution is currently computationally intractable for real-time applications. A practical alternative to the optimal Bayes multitarget filter is the probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter, which propagates the first-order moment of the multitarget posterior instead of the posterior distribution itself. It has been shown that the PHD is the best-fit approximation of the multitarget posterior in an information-theoretic sense. The method avoids the need for explicit data association, as the target states are viewed as a single global target state, and the identities of the targets are not part of the tracking framework. Sequential Monte Carlo approximations of the PHD using particle filter techniques have been implemented, showing the potential of this technique for real-time tracking applications. This paper presents mathematical proofs of convergence for the particle filtering algorithm and gives bounds for the mean-square error
How to minimize the energy consumption in mobile ad-hoc networks

In this work we are interested in the problem of energy management in Mobile Ad-hoc Network (MANET). The solving and optimization of MANET allow assisting the users to efficiently use their devices in order to minimize the batteries power consumption. In this framework, we propose a modelling of the MANET in form of a Constraint Optimization Problem called COMANET. Then, in the objective to minimize the consumption of batteries power, we present an approach based on an adaptation of the Dijkstra’s algorithm to the MANET problem called MANED. Finally, we expose some experimental results showing utility of this approach.
Serum Proteomic Changes after Randomized Prolonged Erythropoietin Treatment and/or Endurance Training: Detection of Novel Biomarkers

Introduction Despite implementation of the biological passport to detect erythropoietin abuse, a need for additional biomarkers remains. We used a proteomic approach to identify novel serum biomarkers of prolonged erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA) exposure (Darbepoietin-α) and/or aerobic training. Trial Design Thirty-six healthy young males were randomly assigned to the following groups: Sedentary-placebo (n = 9), Sedentary-ESA (n = 9), Training-placebo (n = 10), or Training-ESA (n = 8). They were treated with placebo/Darbepoietin-α subcutaneously once/week for 10 weeks followed by a 3-week washout period. Training consisted of supervised biking 3/week for 13 weeks at the highest possible intensity. Serum was collected at baseline, week 3 (high dose Darbepoietin-α), week 10 (reduced dose Darbepoietin-α), and after a 3-week washout period. Methods Serum proteins were separated according to charge and molecular mass (2D-gel electrophoresis). The identity of proteins from spots exhibiting altered intensity was determined by mass spectrometry. Results Six protein spots changed in response to Darbepoietin-α treatment. Comparing all 4 experimental groups, two protein spots (serotransferrin and haptoglobin/haptoglobin related protein) showed a significant response to Darbepoietin-α treatment. The haptoglobin/haptoglobin related protein spot showed a significantly lower intensity in all subjects in the training-ESA group during the treatment period and increased during the washout period. Conclusion An isoform of haptoglobin/haptoglobin related protein could be a new anti-doping marker and merits further research. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01320449
Actigraphy validation with insomnia.

STUDY OBJECTIVE Actigraphy, a method of inferring sleep from the presence or absence of wrist movement, has been well validated against polysomnography in trials with people without insomnia. However, the small amount of literature on validation with insomniacs has revealed an actigraphy bias toward overscoring sleep. The current validation trial with insomniacs used the largest number of subjects to date in such research and attracted participants with diverse demographic characteristics. DESIGN People with insomnia slept 1 night in the laboratory while simultaneously being monitored by polysomnography, actigraphy (high-sensitivity algorithm of the Mini Mitter AW64 Actiwatch), and morning sleep diary. SETTING Sleep disorders center. PARTICIPANTS Participants were 57 volunteers from the community, 26 men and 31 women, ranging in age from 21 to 87 years. All participants satisfied conservative criteria for insomnia. The sample included subjects with primary insomnia, subjects with comorbid insomnia, and hypnotic users with current insomnia complaints. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Actigraphy was successfully validated on 4 measures of sleep pattern--number of awakenings, wake time after sleep onset, total sleep time, and sleep efficiency percentage--based on nonsignificant mean differences and significant correlation between actigraphy and polysomnography. Sleep-onset latency with actigraphy was not significantly different from polysomnography but was weakly correlated with polysomnography. Hypnotic use contributed to actigraphic overscoring of sleep. CONCLUSIONS Actigraphy proved to be a satisfactory objective measure of sleep on 4 of 5 sleep parameters, but these results are specific to this particular instrument using this particular algorithm and should not be construed as a blanket endorsement of actigraphy for measuring insomnia.
Preferences of Iranian average risk population for colorectal cancer screening tests.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper is to explore the preferences of the average risk Iranian population for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH A standard stated-preferences method with discrete choice models was used to identify the preferences. Data about socio-demographic status, health status and preferences for CRC screening tests were collected by a structured questionnaire that was completed by 500 people aged 50-75 years. Mixed logit model was used to analyze the preferences. FINDINGS The regression model showed that the test process, pain, place, frequency, preparation, sensitivity, complication risk, mortality rate and cost were the final attributes; that had a statistically significant correlation with the preferences of the people in choosing CRC screening tests. The socio-demographic and health status of participants had no significant correlation with the individuals' preferences. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS This study provides insight into how different characteristics of a CRC screening test might influence the preferences of individuals about that test. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This was the first study of this type in Iran to elicit the preferences of the average risk population for CRC screening tests using a discrete choice model.
Three‐dimensional post‐glacial expansion and diversification of an exploited oceanic fish

Vertical divergence in marine organisms is being increasingly documented, yet much remains to be carried out to understand the role of depth in the context of phylogeographic reconstruction and the identification of management units. An ideal study system to address this issue is the beaked redfish, Sebastes mentella – one of four species of ‘redfish’ occurring in the North Atlantic – which is known for a widely distributed ‘shallow‐pelagic’ oceanic type inhabiting waters between 250 and 550 m, and a more localized ‘deep‐pelagic’ population dwelling between 550 and 800 m, in the oceanic habitat of the Irminger Sea. Here, we investigate the extent of population structure in relation to both depth and geographic spread of oceanic beaked redfish throughout most of its distribution range. By sequencing the mitochondrial control region of 261 redfish collected over a decadal interval, and combining 160 rhodopsin coding nuclear sequences and previously genotyped microsatellite data, we map the existence of two strongly divergent evolutionary lineages with significantly different distribution patterns and historical demography, and whose genetic variance is mostly explained by depth. Combined genetic data, analysed via independent approaches, are consistent with a Late Pleistocene lineage split, where segregation by depth probably resulted from the interplay of climatic and oceanographic processes with life history and behavioural traits. The ongoing process of diversification in North Atlantic S. mentella may serve as an ‘hourglass’ to understand speciation and adaptive radiation in Sebastes and in other marine taxa distributed across a depth gradient.
ROSAT PSPC observations of 36 high‐luminosity clusters of galaxies: constraints on the gas fraction

ABSTRA C T We present a detailed and homogeneous analysis of the ROSAT PSPC surface brightness profiles of 36 clusters of galaxies with high X-ray luminosity (LX * 10 45 erg s ˇ1 ) and redshifts between 0.05 and 0.44. Using recent ASCA estimates of the temperature of the gas for most of the clusters in the sample, we apply both the deprojection technique and model fitting to the surface brightness profiles to constrain the gas and dark matter distributions under the assumption that the gas is both isothermal and hydrostatic. Applying robust estimators, we find that the gas fraction within r500 of the clusters in our sample has a distribution centred on fgasOr500 Ua 0:168 h ˇ1:5 50 . The gas fraction ranges from 0.101 to 0.245 at the 95 per cent confidence level. The values of fgas show highly significant variations between individual clusters, which may be explained if the dark matter has a significant baryonic component. Within a cluster, the average radial dependence of the gas mass fraction increases outward as r s , with s , 0:20. Combining these results with those of primordial nucleosynthesis calculations and the current estimate of H0, the above central location implies Q0;m & 0:56 at the 95 per cent confidence level. This upper limit decreases to 0.34 if we take the highest significant estimates for fgas. A significant decrease in cluster gas fraction with redshift from the local value, fgas;0, of 0.21, found assuming Q0;m a 1, is also reduced if Q0;m is low.
Using low frequency noise method to characterize an AlGaAs/GaAs high electron mobility heterostructure

The low frequency noise (LFN) method was used to characterize a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in a double AlGaAs/GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction from room temperature to cryogenic one. Measurements on noise presented by the power spectral density (PSD) of drain voltage are analyzed as a function for different applied voltages and temperatures in the frequency range from 1 Hz to 100 kHz. PSD can be considered as a sum of different contributions (thermal noise, generation- recombination noise and 1/f noise). The experimental results of the thermal noise versus device length of the sample permitted us to estimate the contribution of the contact noise and the results showed the good quality of contacts. The generation recombination noise is studied and traps responsible for capture and emission of carriers are identified by their activation energy and capture cross-section.
Fuzzy adaptive output feedback control strategy for standalone wind energy conversion systems

An essential control objective of wind energy conversion systems (WECSs) is to maximize the conversion of wind energy into electrical energy. This control objective is difficult to achieve using linear control techniques because the WECSs are time-varying and highly nonlinear. In this paper, we propose a nonlinear fuzzy adaptive output feedback control strategy to achieve the optimum wind power extraction of the WECSs. The control strategy is based on the input-output feedback linearization and fuzzy approximation of controller synthesized to take care of the nonlinear, time-varying plant parameter changes. Numerical simulation results verify the superiority of the proposed control strategy in comparison with the nonlinear feedback linearization strategy.
Stealing Bandwidth via Link-targeted Interference Attacks

We expose an adversarial attack scheme that aims to steal bandwidth for the benefit of a particular set of flows through lunching a distributed interference attack streams on competing flows. The extent to which the interference attack streams were successful in reducing or denying bandwidth from competing flows determines the amount of bandwidth stolen. Given such a goal, our exposed scheme stands in sharp contrast to sustained high-rate Denial-of-Service (DoS) attacks targeted directly at a specific resource or a set of flows. We demonstrate two schemes for the construction of an interference attack stream that would evade detection, and thus challenging counter-DoS techniques. Our results show the vulnerability of the current Internet to those new forms of attacks that could be easily mounted with a few number of zombie clients. We validate our findings through simple analysis, simulations and real Internet experiments.
Enhancing the security of dynamic CSC with visual secret sharing technique

People have transferred their business model from traditional commerce to e-commerce in recent decades. Both shopping and payment can be completed through the Internet and bring convenience to consumers and business opportunities to industry. These trade techniques are mostly set up based on the SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). SSL provides the security for transaction information and is easy to set up, which makes it is widely accepted by individuals. Although attackers cannot obtain the real content even when the transferred information is intercepted, still there is risk for online trade. For example, it is impossible to prevent credit card information from being stolen by virtual merchant. Therefore, we propose a new mechanism to solve such security problem. We make use of the disposable dynamic security code (DSC) to replace traditional card security code (CSC) for credit cards. So even attackers get the DSC for that round of transaction, they cannot use it for the next time. Besides, we apply visual secret sharing techniques to transfer the DSC, so that interceptors cannot retrieve the real DSC even for one round of trade. This way, we can improve security for credit card transaction and the reliability of online business for individuals. The experiments results validate the applicability and efficiency of the proposed mechanism.
Study of hybrid wind-hydro power plants operation and performance in the autonomous electricity system of Crete Island

This work analyses the configuration and operation principles of hybrid wind-hydro power plants with pumped storage integrated into autonomous electric grid systems, in order to support high wind energy penetration. The plant consists of wind generation units, combined with a pumped-hydro storage system. It operates on a daily basis, storing the surplus wind production by pumping water in an elevated reservoir, and re-feeding this energy to the electric grid during high load demand periods through its hydroturbines. The new concept for the operation strategy of such plants is the provision of both guaranteed power and guaranteed energy to the grid, combining high wind energy integration and improved operation of the conventional generation system. A computer algorithm is developed to simulate in detail the hybrid plant operation during a reference year and it is applied to the case of Crete Island in Greece, where the penetration limit of the great wind potential available has almost reached. Two different configurations for the pumped storage system are investigated, using reversible pump-turbine machines or separate pumping station and double penstock. The possibility of installing very large hybrid plant power is investigated, as also the effect of some main design parameters on the plant energy results, like the reservoir capacity and the wind farm power. The results showed that a hybrid plant with the new operation strategy is able to effectively substitute a significant portion of both installed power and electricity production of the conventional fossil-fuel plants in the island. Key-Words: Hybrid wind-hydro power plant; Pumped storage; autonomous electricity grid.
Adult Cortical Plasticity Studied with Chronically Implanted Electrode Arrays

The functional architecture of adult cerebral cortex retains a capacity for experience-dependent change. This is seen after focal binocular lesions as rapid changes in receptive field (RF) of the lesion projection zone (LPZ) in the primary visual cortex (V1). To study the dynamics of the circuitry underlying these changes longitudinally, we implanted microelectrode arrays in macaque (Macaca mulatta) V1, eliminating the possibility of sampling bias, which was a concern in previous studies. With this method, we observed a rapid initial recovery in the LPZ and, during the following weeks, 63–89% of the sites in the LPZ showed recovery of visual responses with significant position tuning. The RFs shifted ∼3° away from the scotoma. In the absence of a lesion, visual stimulation surrounding an artificial scotoma did not elicit visual responses, suggesting that the postlesion RF shifts resulted from cortical reorganization. Interestingly, although both spikes and LFPs gave consistent prelesion position tuning, only spikes reflected the postlesion remapping.