Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Themis: Data Driven Approach to Botnet Detection

The detection of hosts infected with botnet malware in a timely manner is an important task, since botnets are responsible for many recent security incidents. We propose Themis, an approach based on inferring the structure of time varying IPto-IP communication with the Stochastic Block Model (SBM). Themis use the inferred structure to detect and quantify abnormal behavior of individual hosts. The novelty of our approach is the use of probabilistic inference directly on host interactions to model normality. The challenges of our approach are adapting the inference process to obtain a usable output in a dynamic system, and to specify abnormal behavior with respect to the inferred structure. Themis is able to distinguish between infected and benign hosts with accuracy larger 95 % and compares favorably against state of the art botnet detection mechanisms [1].
PLC, Finding a place in the international market : a case on industry analysis and internationalization process

The metallic structures surface treatment and maintenance industry is a support industry for larger revenue-builders’ sectors, such as the oil and gas and hydroelectric industries. Nowadays, this industry, facing a globalized world and growing demand from its supporting industries, faces challenges that are testing its current growth and internationalization strategy. PLC is one company operating in that industry and struggling with the new paradigm of imposed subsidiary based growth – as demanded by some local governments – versus the ongoing project based growth into foreign markets. It is Mr. Santos job to recommend and prepare for the PLC board of directors their future internationalization strategy knowing that a radical change in current strategy may be unwelcomed and that the projects prospects in the Peruvian and Colombian markets are very appealing to PLC board despite lacking capacity to embrace them as it is. At the same time, disregarding managerial problems in the Brazilian and Angolan markets – which represent a big part of PLC revenues – may be fatal to PLC future success.
Successful Affiliate Marketing for Merchants

From the Book: Foreword By, James L. Marciano The affiliate marketing space has matured quite a bit since 1994, when' the Olim brothers began their first affiliate program at CDnow. The 'buyweb" program revolutionized advertising and marketing on.the Internet by shifting the "burden of response" from advertisers to content producers. 1996 saw the birth of affiliate solution providers - the software needed to track sales by Webmasters - with the introduction of LinkShare and Be Free. That same year, Amazon launched their affiliate ("associates") program, which became a prototype for others in the pay-for-performance industry to follow. I'd consider myself one of the early adopters of affiliate marketing, and I didn't join my first affiliate program until mid-1997, when I was looking for incremental revenue for TheSquare. com, an executive recruiting firm that serves as the "talent agent" for a network of more than 50,000 alumni and students from the Ivy League and other top schools. As I scoured industry publications and search engines for details on affiliate programs, the information wasn't always easy to find. What was needed was a search engine for affiliate programs, with ratings and details. I launched Refer-it.com in late 1997. Other affiliate directories quickly followed, including AssociatePrograms.com, CashPile.com, and ReveNews.com. In early 1999, I held the first Affiliate Solutions conference in NYC, where over 200 e-commerce managers, software companies, and Webmasters gathered to share best practices in the emerging affiliate industry. By mid-1999, affiliate marketing emerged as the most cost effective way for marketing managers to acquire new customers. And by 2000, over three thousand companies and a 'million Webmasters had jumped on the affiliate bandwagon. As companies got focused on profitability, affiliate programs began to play a central role in their overall marketing strategy. Pay-for-performance marketing was no longer a cocktail party catchphrase, but a gateway on the "path to profitability. " As with any marketing program, affiliate programs don't run on autopilot. The successful merchants in affiliate marketing not only launch a program with best-in-class member agreements, commissions, and tracking software, but also manage and support their best performing affiliates for optimal results. Shawn Collins and Frank Fiore have done a tremendous job of packaging the industry's best practices so that you too can succeed in affiliate marketing.
An efficient iris texture analysis based on HAAR wavelet 2D Log Gabor and monogenic filter

Human iris is a perfect part of the body for biometric identification. In fact, iris patterns are unique and stable that is why two people never occur to have the same iris texture even if they are twins. In this paper, we tried to improve the Rai's algorithm feature extraction method. On the one hand, we selected this algorithm thanks to its simplicity as compared to other algorithms that use complex techniques of segmentation such as snake. On the other hand, it has impressive results for some databases like CASIA V1.0 and CASIA V3.0. To enhance Rai's algorithm, we suggested using the HAAR wavelet, and the combined 2D Log Gabor filter along with the monogenic filter for feature extraction. Thus, our approach achieved a trade-off between the richness of the HAAR and Gabor features and the distinctiveness of the monogenic features. Daubechies wavelet and the Histogram of Oriented Gradient (HOG) were also tested. The experimental results on the CASIA iris database V3.0 show that the proposed method, using the HAAR wavelet, the combined monogenic filter and 2D Log Gabor filter yields a recognition rate of 94.45 %.
he neural oscillations of conflict adaptation in the human rontal region

Incongruency between print color and the semantic meaning of a word in a classical Stroop task activates the human conflict monitoring system and triggers a behavioral conflict. Conflict adaptation has been suggested to mediate the cortical processing of neural oscillations in such a conflict situation. However, the basic mechanisms that underlie the influence of conflict adaptation on the changes of neural oscillations are not clear. In the present study, electroencephalography (EEG) data were recorded from sixteen healthy human participants while they were performing a color-word Stroop task within a novel look-to-do transition design that included two response modalities. In the ‘look’ condition, participants were informed to look at the color of presented words but no responses were required; in the ‘do’ condition, they were informed to make arranged responses to the color of presented words. Behaviorally, a reliable conflict adaptation was observed. Time–frequency analysis revealed that (1) in the ‘look’ controop task dition, theta-band activity in the leftand right-frontal regions reflected a conflict-related process at a response inhibition level; and (2) in the ‘do’ condition, both theta-band activity in the left-frontal region and alpha-band activity in the left-, right-, and centro-frontal regions reflected a process of conflict control, which triggered neural and behavioral adaptation. Taken together, these results suggest that there are frontal mechanisms involving neural oscillations that can mediate response inhibition processes and control behavioral conflict.
Challenges for the translation of T cell costimulatory blockade therapies to the clinic

The essential requirement of accessory or costimulatory signals for effective T cell activation was proposed more than 30 years ago and is now firmly established [1]. Efficient costimulation is now understood to be achieved through the interaction of a number of ligand-receptor pairs found on antigen-presenting cells and T cells. In the absence of such signalling, a state of T cell unresponsiveness or anergy can result, rendering the T cells unable to further respond to their specific antigen [2]. Over the last few years, the complexity of these costimulatory interactions and the number of molecules that can act as efficient T cell costimulators has become apparent [3,4]. A wealth of data from experimental models of alloand autoimmune diseases has demonstrated that blockade of some of these molecular interactions can efficiently abrogate antigen-specific immune responsiveness; in some cases, permanently [5,6]. This raised the hope of targeting these pathways as a form of therapy for numerous human diseases and in transplantation, thereby potentially avoiding the complications of lifelong immunosuppressive drugs. This review will discuss what has been achieved and learned so far, and what the prospects are for clinical therapy using T cell costimulatory pathway manipulation.
Elements of Successful Social Enterprise : Unitis Handicraft Cooperative in Ljusdal Sweden

The purpose of this study is to provide profound elements of successful social enterprise that are reliable and valid and can serve as guidelines for those who want to examine how a SE is performing.This work is based on a single case study of social enterprise to analyze the fundamentals of successful social enterprises. It tests the feasibility of previous theories, model and characteristics that are used in evaluating nonprofits organizations. We use interviews, direct observation and questionnaires. There were five elements of successful social enterprise that were re-created in the study, namely; social wealth, networking efficient opportunities, innovation and adaptation towards financial independence, independence from volunteers and generation of economic wealth. Social benefits should be considered the most important aspect while economic wealth should not be taken for granted although it ought not to consider being the primary concern.
Community-based study of the incidence of gastrointestinal diseases in The Netherlands

SUMMARY The incidence of gastrointestinal diseases was studied in a community-based study in four regions of The Netherlands. Two grades of severity were distinguished − 1: diarrhoea or vomiting and at least 2 additional symptoms within the period of 1 week, and 2: diarrhoea or vomiting and at least 2 additional symptoms occurring on the same day lasting at least 2 days within the period of 1 week. The incidence of gastrointestinal episodes was calculated to be 630 for grade 1 and 180 for grade 2 disease per 1000 person-years, after correction for age and sex. The incidence was higher for women than for men (relative risk 1·25) and lower for those in the 19–64-year-old age group when compared to those younger or older (relative risk 0·75 and 0·40. respectively). Independent of the degree of severity of the symptoms, about 20% of the patients had consulted a general practitioner, about half in person and half by telephone. It is concluded that community studies are essential to assess the real incidence of gastrointestinal diseases in the population.
Analysis of acoustic properties of the nasal tract using 3-D FEM

In order to examine the acoustic effects of the complicated morphological construction of the nasal tract, we have analyzed acoustic models constructed according to measurements by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A prototype model was made to be as similar as possible with the actual nasal tract, which is asymmetrical in the left and right passages and has complicated cross-sectional shapes. Sound pressure, particle velocity and sound intensity in the model were calculated by the finite element method (FEM). Several modifications were applied to the shape of the prototype model in order to learn what acoustical effects are produced by the following modifications: (1) models having an elliptic shape, (2) models with and without a pair of maxillary sinuses, (3) a left-right symmetry model in which one passage is modified to be identical with the other passage, and (4) models having narrowed or blocked passages. The results show that the poles and zeros are produced and shifted by a mutual branching effect caused by the left-right asymmetry of the nasal passages and an additional side-branch effect of the sinus cavities. Those effects are also produced by complicated cross-sectional shapes of the nasal tract in the 3 kHz region. The reduced cross-section in the narrowed-passage models causes a shift of the pole and zero frequency and weakens the mutual side-branch effect of the left and right passages when either of them are excessively narrowed.
Trade policy mix under the WTO : protection of TRIPS and R&D subsidies

This paper provides a theoretical framework to explain why governments seek restrictions on IPR protection and allow R&D subsidies through multilateral trade agreements such as the TRIPS Agreement and the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures. After 7 years of discussion, the Uruguay Round extends GATTs trade-liberalizing philosophy to worldwide use of subsidies as a secondary means to intervene in international trade. Through the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures the WTO tries to preserve one of basic principles of GATTs philosophy : Fair Competition. The principle of Fair Competition is of particular importance in understanding the WTO. To harness GATTs trade liberalizing philosophy, the WTO as a successor of GATT takes this principle as objectives that are pursued through the enforcement and implementation of other principles, for instance the nondiscrimination and reciprocity. As an example of the fair competition principle, the WTO prohibited any type of export subsidies through the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, but allowed R&D subsidies. The allowance of R&D subsidies by the WTO is a puzzle because it is well known that R&D subsidization forms the prisoners dilemma when governments are active to set R&D policy. In order to find any reasonable logic to explain this puzzle, we focus on the interaction between strategic trade policy tools : R&D subsidization and IPR protection. Indeed, at an international level IPR protection has been a major focus of negotiations along with R&D subsidies. The WTO also requires member countries to strongly enforce patent protection through the TRIPS Agreement. In our analysis, it turns out that it is globally optimal to perfectly disseminate knowledge without IPR protection and to subsidize inventive firms by solving a problem that the weak IPR protection damages firms incentive to invest in R&D activities. However, current trade agreements do not match with our global optimum. We show that exporting countries may benefit at the expense of importers from a trade agreement to demand stronger enforcement on IPR protection because exporting countries experience the prisoners dilemma problem when both countries free ride on the rival firms R&D outcome. Therefore we conclude that it is possible to understand the TRIPS Agreement as an inefficient victory of the interests of northern exporting countries over those of southern importing countries.
Cardiac Output Effects of 03 and No2 Exposure in Healthy Older Adults

Eight healthy adults (56-85 yrs) were exposed in an environmental chamber to filtered air (FA), 0.60 ppm NO2, 0.45 ppm 03, and 0.60 ppm NO2 + 0.45 ppm 03 to investigate the effects of NO2 and 03 exposure on cardiac output. The subjects were exposed to each condition for two hours, while they exercised and rested in alternating 20-min periods. Minute ventilation averaged 26-29 l/min among the four exposures. Cardiac output was measured by the noninvasive impedance cardiography method, and was recorded prior to each exposure with the subject at rest, and during the last five minutes of each exercise period. There were no differences in cardiac output at preexposure among the four exposures. The exercise-induced increase in cardiac output with NO2/O 3 exposure was significantly smaller (P < 0.05) than with the FA or 03 alone exposures. Reaction products of inhaled NO 2 are known to cross the lung membranes, probably as a nitrate or nitrite. N02 and 03 are also known to react together to form nitrate and nitrite. We hypothesize that a nitrate or nitrite reaction product of inhaled 03 and NO2 crosses the lung membrane into the general circulation, where it functions as a vasodilator, thereby reducing cardiac output.
The International Lender of Last Resort; How Large is Large Enought?

This paper considers how an international lender of last resort (LOLR) can prevent self-fulfilling banking and currency crises in emerging economies. We compare two different arrangements: one in which the international LOLR injects liquidity into international financial markets, and one in which its resources are used to back domestic banking safety nets. Both arrangements would require important changes in the global financial architecture: the first one would require a global central bank issuing an international currency, while the second one would have to be operated by an "international banking fund" closely involved in the supervision of domestic banking systems.
Pilot study of neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX in unresectable locally advanced (LA) pancreatic carcinoma (PC).

324 Background: 5-flourouracil, leucovorin, irinotecan and oxaliplatin (FOLFIRINOX) is superior to gemcitabine in patients (pts) with advanced PC who have a good performance status (Conroy et al, ACCORD 11 trial, ASCO 2010). After the initial data on FOLFIRINOX were presented at ASCO 2007, we began using it off-protocol as neoadjuvant therapy for LAPC. We report our experience herein. METHODS In this retrospective series, we included pts with unresectable LAPC who received neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX. The doses were identical to the ACCORD 11 trial, with G-CSF prophylaxis from cycle 1. The primary endpoint was R0 resection rate. Secondary endpoints were overall survival (OS), safety and tolerability. RESULTS Between 5/2008 and 9/2010, we treated 12 pts with LAPC with neoadjuvant FOLFIRINOX. All pts met consensus criteria for unresectability after multidisciplinary review. The median age was 57.5 years and 9/12 were men. All had ECOG PS of 0 or 1. Two pts received gemcitabine prior to FOLFIRINOX and 10 were treatment-naive. Two pts are still on therapy and 10 completed a median of 6 cycles (range 3-17) and were evaluable; 6 were felt to have converted to resectability by imaging and were taken for surgery. Four had R0 resections (40% of evaluable, 33% of all patients), 1 had R1 resection, and 1 had unresectable disease at laparotomy. To date, 2 pts have died and 10 remain alive with a Kaplan-Meier estimated median OS of 20.7 months (95% CI 18.8-22.6). All 4 pts with R0 resections are alive and disease- free. Grade 3/4 chemotherapy-related toxicities were neutropenia (17%), neutropenic fever (8%) and fatigue (17%). Common grade 1/2 toxicities were neutropenia (42%), anemia (92%), thrombocytopenia (50%), fatigue (92%), nausea (58%), diarrhea (42%) and neuropathy (33%). Two of the 6 surgical pts had significant postoperative complications - 1 with C. Difficile colitis, gastroparesis and a subhepatic collection and another with an infected pancreatic bed collection requiring percutaneous drainage 3 times. CONCLUSIONS FOLFIRINOX is feasible as neoadjuvant therapy in patients with unresectable LAPC, with manageable toxicities. In this small series, the R0 resection rate was at least 33%. A prospective trial is warranted. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
Robust aperiodic-disturbance rejection in an uncertain modified repetitive-control system

Abstract This paper concerns the problem of designing an EID-based robust output-feedback modified repetitive-control system (ROFMRCS) that provides satisfactory aperiodic-disturbance rejection performance for a class of plants with time-varying structured uncertainties. An equivalent-input-disturbance (EID) estimator is added to the ROFMRCS that estimates the influences of all types of disturbances and compensates them. A continuous-discrete two-dimensional model is built to describe the EID-based ROFMRCS that accurately presents the features of repetitive control, thereby enabling the control and learning actions to be preferentially adjusted. A robust stability condition for the closed-loop system is given in terms of a linear matrix inequality. It yields the parameters of the repetitive controller, the output-feedback controller, and the EID-estimator. Finally, a numerical example demonstrates the validity of the method.
Conformational transitions and fibrillation mechanism of human calcitonin as studied by high‐resolution solid‐state 13C NMR

Conformational transitions of human calcitonin (hCT) during fibril formation in the acidic and neutral conditions were investigated by high‐resolution solid‐state 13C NMR spectroscopy. In aqueous acetic acid solution (pH 3.3), a local α‐helical form is present around Gly10, whereas a random coil form is dominant as viewed from Phe22, Ala26, and Ala31 in the monomer form on the basis of the 13C chemical shifts. On the other hand, a local β‐sheet form as viewed from Gly10 and Phe22, and both β‐sheet and random coil as viewed from Ala26 and Ala31 were detected in the fibril at pH 3.3. The results indicate that conformational transitions from α‐helix to β‐sheet, and from random coil to β‐sheet forms occurred in the central and C‐terminus regions, respectively, during the fibril formation. The increased 13C resonance intensities of fibrils after a certain delay time suggests that the fibrillation can be explained by a two‐step reaction mechanism in which the first step is a homogeneous association to form a nucleus, and the second step is an autocatalytic heterogeneous fibrillation. In contrast to the fibril at pH 3.3, the fibril at pH 7.5 formed a local β‐sheet conformation at the central region and exhibited a random coil at the C‐terminus region. Not only a hydrophobic interaction among the amphiphilic α‐helices, but also an electrostatic interaction between charged side chains can play an important role for the fibril formation at pH 7.5 and 3.3 acting as electrostatically favorable and unfavorable interactions, respectively. These results suggest that hCT fibrils are formed by stacking antiparallel β‐sheets at pH 7.5 and a mixture of antiparallel and parallel β‐sheets at pH 3.3.
Positive and Negative Regulation of Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Promoter Activity by AMLI-Related Transcription Factor , PEBP 2

The granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) gene promoter contains a consensus sequence for the polyomavirus enhancer binding-protein 2 (PEBPZ) transcription factor, which consists of a and /3 subunits. There are at least two genes, aA and aB, encoding the a subunit. aBis the mouse homologue of human AMLI gene detected at the breakpoints of t(8;21) and t(3;21) myeloid leukemias. We examined a A l (an aA-gene product) and a61 and aB2 (two abencoded isomers) for their effects on the GM-CSF promoter. PEBP2aAl. aB1, and aB2 proteins bound the PEBP2 site within the mouse GM-CSF promoter. PEBP2aA1 and aB1 enhanced the expression of the GM-CSF promoterdriven reporter plasmid in unstimulated and 12-Otetradecanoylphorbol 13 acetate / phytohemagglutinin -stimulated