Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
An Empirical Evaluation of an Unpacking Method Implemented with Dynamic Binary Instrumentation

Many malicious programs we encounter these days are armed with their own custom encoding methods (i.e., they are packed) to deter static binary analysis. Thus, the initial step to deal with unknown (possibly malicious) binary samples obtained from malware collecting systems ordinarily involves the unpacking step. In this paper, we focus on empirical experimental evaluations on a generic unpacking method built on a dynamic binary instrumentation (DBI)framework to figure out the applicability of the DBI-based approach. First, we present yet another method of generic binary unpacking extending a conventional unpacking heuristic. Our architecture includes managing shadow states to measure code exposure according to a simple byte state model. Among available platforms, we built an unpacking implementation on PIN DBI framework. Second, we describe evaluation experiments, conducted on wild malware collections, to discuss workability as well as limitations of our tool. Without the prior knowledge of 6029 samples in the collections, we have identified at around 64% of those were analyzable with our DBI-based generic unpacking tool which is configured to operate in fully automatic batch processing. Purging corrupted and unworkable samples in native systems, it was 72%.
cDNA sequence of salmon melanin-concentrating hormone exhibits similarities with 7SL RNA.

FIGURE LEGEND AND COMMENTS: Partial alignment of salmon melaninconcentrating hormone (MCH) cDNA and human 7SL DNA sequences: Upper line = salmon MCH cDNA sequence (SAL MCH) (Nahon et. al. in preparation); lower line = human 7SL DNA sequence (HUM 7SL) (1). Computer search for homology between salmon MCH cDNA sequence and human (or rat) DNA sequences demonstrate 52% nucleotide identities between the central domain from nucleotide +256 to +399, of the salmon MCH RNA and the human (and rat) 7SLRNA sequence (1). There is even a 76% nucleotide identity between sequence corresponding to the common region of oligonucleotides, SMCH-1, SMCH-5 and SMCH-8 overlapping the MCH peptide sequence (2), and the human (and rat) 7SL RNA (Boxed in Fig.). lt is noteworthy that these sequence identities were observed mostly in the coding region of the MCH mRNA. Although similarities between MCH mRNA and 7SL RNA might reflect only common ancestry with no current functional significance, we are exploring the possibility that MCH mRNA might play an analogous role to that of 7SL RNA (3) in targeting the MCH precursor to the endoplasmic reticulum.
How to create a successful career in reliability engineering

How does one become a reliability engineer? How does one create a career based on reliability engineering? In my experience I have seen several paths and have observed a number of key traits that make for a successful career. This paper examines the traits of successful reliability professionals from different industries. The combination of those profiles and my experience with coaching dozens as they built their careers has provided a unique insight into the key traits that separate a rewarding from unfulfilling career in reliability engineering. This paper explores the seven key traits - talented, professional, networked, positive, valuable, studiousness, and mentoring ability - that lead to a successful career. At the end of a career of work, it may be satisfactory to look back at a record of accomplishment, of milestones, and of friends. We are information workers. When we work in a professional way that conveys our talents in reliability engineering with our peers, the entire organization benefits. We can look back and view camaraderie with colleagues from many fields and across many industries. With a bit or common sense, honest work, and consistent drive we can build a career from our very first encounter with reliability engineering.
HeartBeat demonstrator: tactile support for keeping a target heart rate

Physical activity should be performed within certain intensity limits. In this paper, we present a demonstrator which encodes different heart rate zones with continuous vibrotactile feedback. The demonstrator uses a tactile design created in a participatory design study and has shown to raise the awareness of the heart rate in a user study.
The storage and data processing in wireless sensor networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs), small measurement devices connected by means of wireless communications, have been a topic of intensive research over the past decade. Deployments of WSNs have potential to shed light on a number of scientific, industrial, and societal problems such as climate change and precision agriculture. In general, they hold a great promise to enable new commercial and scientific applications and products. The richness of the collected sensor data opens a wide range of opportunities to develop new technologies and applications. One of the key design questions is how to distribute and query efficiently sensor data in the WSN. This problem has received a lot of attention. One of the challenges is to guarantee robust data storage in WSNs and eventually collecting data from temporary storage locations to the backend databases. There is a number of simple query based protocols or various data distribution mechanisms that are proposed to handle WSNs. However, the emerging extremely large-scaleWSNs require us to face the scalability problem. The amount of the data and the geographical distribution of sensors are potentially so large that new protocols and mechanisms are required for both sensor data processing and transfer. In the first part of this thesis we address the problem of the in-network management of sensor data. We show how content-based routing can be used to realize robust sensor data storage and to enable efficient queryingmechanisms inWSNs. We refine the scope on studying the use of the well-known Bloom filters strategy for representing content items with indexes. Despite their advantage in forming compact routing tables, Bloom filter-based routing protocols suffer from problems of probabilistic data localization. Therefore, we propose a set of novel alternative strategies based on the use of orthogonal codes to lower the probability of false-addressing or alternatively to minimize the length of addresses. We evaluate the respective performance of different schemes both analytically and using extensive simulations, and provide analyses and guidance for choosing among different methods and strategies. In the second part of this thesis we deal with the scalability problem and consider very large-scale WSNs up to planetary scale sensor networks based on cellular networks infrastructure. We provide careful estimates on the traffic volumes of sensor readings in a number of scenarios explored in the literature. The results show that machine-to-machine communications and WSNs have a potential to dominate over other forms of mobile and wireless network traffic. Based on these forecasts, we study the possible solutions for storing and
New and Repurposed Drugs for Pediatric Multidrug‐Resistant Tuberculosis. Practice‐based Recommendations

&NA; It is estimated that 33,000 children develop multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis (MDR‐TB) each year. In spite of these numbers, children and adolescents have limited access to the new and repurposed MDR‐TB drugs. There is also little clinical guidance for the use of these drugs and for the shorter MDR‐TB regimen in the pediatric population. This is despite the fact that these drugs and regimens are associated with improved interim outcomes and acceptable safety profiles in adults. This review fills a gap in the pediatric MDR‐TB literature by providing practice‐based recommendations for the use of the new (delamanid and bedaquiline) and repurposed (linezolid and clofazimine) MDR‐TB drugs and the new shorter MDR‐TB regimen in children and adolescents.
Blue light special in a red light district

Consider the fact that darkness continuously shrouds more than two thirds of the earth, since light does not penetrate much below watery depths of 1000 metres, and only does so in the cleanest and clearest of tropical seas. Consider further that the sun’s rays illuminate any earthly surface during only half the day, and one can understand the evolutionary selection for animals to make their own light. Many do just that. At depths of a few hundred metres or more, sunlight is restricted to a narrow spectral range of between 460 nm and 490 nm. Not surprisingly, bioluminescence emitted by almost all animals at this depth and deeper, even to abyssal depths, has a similar spectral range, with a peak at approximately 475 nm. Evolutionarily, it is the exception that proves most interesting. The stomiid fish as represented by Malacosteus niger , the deep sea dragon fish, on this month’s cover, have two different forms of bioluminescence. The usual bluish range of emission is produced by a retro-orbital light organ, but in addition to this organ there is an infraorbital organ located beneath the eye, as seen …
A systematic review on the meaning of the concept ‘AIDS Orphan’: confusion over definitions and implications for care

Abstract Global publications on the international AIDS epidemic report on the existence of an ever-increasing number of orphans and vulnerable children. It has been suggested that by the end of this decade there will be in excess of 25 million AIDS orphans globally, an issue which will require understanding and organisation of long-term medical, psychological and social support. This study provides a systematic review to examine the use, overuse and misuse of the term orphan and explores the benefits and limitations of this approach. It then summarises the knowledge on orphans to date. Using a search strategy of published studies and recent conference abstracts, 383 papers were identified where the concept of AIDS and Orphan was raised. The papers were systematically coded and reviewed to understand when and how a child is labelled an orphan, and to summarise the effect of orphanhood on outcome measures, most notably psychologically and physically. All controlled studies published prior to 2006 were reviewed. A consistent picture of negative effects of parental death (however defined) on a wide range of physical, socioeconomic and psychological outcomes were recorded. Seventeen studies met criteria for in-depth review (empirical, fully published, control group). The majority of studies are cross-sectional (two are longitudinal) and employ a very wide array of measures – both standardised and study specific. This detailed analysis shows a mixed picture on outcome. Although most studies report some negative effects, there are often no differences and some evidence of protective effects from quality of subsequent care and economic assistance. The lack of consistent measures and the blurring of definitions are stumbling blocks in this area.
Spatial filtering in the training process of a brain computer interface

The spatial filtering of electroencephalogram data is crucial when analyzing brain activity. Spatial filters increase the signal-to-noise ratio, thus allowing better classification of the analyzed mental states. This study shows the evolution in the selection of the most appropriate spatial filter when subjects are training to control a brain-computer interface. Different filters - the common average reference and the estimation of the surface Laplacian both using finite different methods and spherical splines - have been adapted and evaluated for a particular configuration of electrodes, using only eight positions: F/sub 3/, C/sub 3/, P/sub 3/, C/sub z/, P/sub z/, F/sub 4/, C/sub 4/, and P/sub 4/.
Wavelength-switchable fiber ring laser using chirped Moiré fiber grating combined with Sagnac loop interferometer

A simple, cost-effective and switchable five-wavelength fiber ring laser based on a chirped moire fiber grating (CMFG) and a wavelength- tunable Sagnac loop interferometer (FSI) filter is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. To serve as wavelength selective element, the CMFG possesses excellent comb-like filtering characteristics, and its fabrication method is easy and flexible. The usage of the FSI filter helps remove the high-cost optical circulator and improve the output performance of optical signal-to-noise ratio. Streszczenie. Zaproponowano i przedstawiono eksperymentalnie prosty, tani światlowodowy laser zyroskopwy z przelączanymi piecioma dlugościami fali. Zastosowano siatke dyfrakcyjną z efektem mory ze skomprymowanego wlokna (CMFG) oraz, w petli strojenia, filtr z interferometrem z petlą Signac'a (FSI). Wykorzystana jako element selektywny, ustalający dlugośc fali, siatka CMFG zapewnia doskonalą, grzebieniową charakterystyke filtru, ponadto metoda jej wytwarzania jest latwa i elastyczna. Wykorzystanie filtru FSI pomaga obnizyc koszt ukladu i zapewnia na wyjściu dobry stosunek sygnal/szum. Światlowodowy laser zyroskopowy z przelączaną dlugością fali wykorzystujący siatke dyfrakcyjną z efektem mory ze skomprymowanego wlokna w polączeniu z interferometrem z petlą Signac'a.
A novel reconfigurable filtering antenna for wireless applications

This paper deals with a novel compact reconfigurable filtering antenna with switchable band-passes for wireless applications. The proposed antenna possesses better band selectivity and higher suppression in stop-bands. This antenna has small size of 16 χ 16 mm2 by taking the advantage of newly proposed coupled line resonators. Regarding to achieve reconfigurability, two p-i-n diodes are utilized across the L-shape slots on the ground plane. In order to verify the simulation results, the proposed antenna was fabricated and tested. The measured return-loss exhibits when diode 1 and diode 2 are respectively off the proposed antenna covers 5.15-5.85 GHz and when diode 1 is off and diode 2 is on it covers 3.3-3.8 GHz, WiMAX. Moreover, when diode 1 is on and diode 2 is off the antenna provides the narrowband of 5.15-5.35 GHz, WLAN. Finally a very narrowband of 2.4-2.48 GHz, Bluetooth is achieved by biasing diode 1 and diode 2 on, respectively. It should be noted that, the measured and simulated return loss parameters are below -12 dB within the desired pass-bands. Additionally, the gain associated with antenna in four states versus frequency are measured. Based on the experimental results, the gains of the reconfigurable filtering antenna have high band edge gain selectivity and flat pass-band.
Periodic Appearance of Frontal Midline Theta Activity during Performance of a Sensory‐Motor Task

The present experiment was designed to demonstrate the presence of a constant rhythm or periodicity in the appearance of Fmθ using the Mirror Drawing Test (MDT), a task with a changing degree of difficulty. Thirty male university students were recorded on the EEGs during performance of the MDT for 5 min. Fmθ appeared most frequently in the block requiring the longest time for passage, or the most difficult block. The present study further revealed that Fmθ tended to appear mainly from four points at about 40, 90, 190 and 270 sec after beginning the MDT. From these results, the appearance of Fmθ was shown to be more distinctly related to the concentration of attention. In the process of concentration and attention distraction, the presence of a rhythm with a periodicity of approximately 45 sec was suggested.
Planning and Performance Challenges in Power Line Communications Networks for Smart Grids

The Smart Grid represents a revolution especially at distribution and customer levels, bringing monitoring and control capabilities, traditionally available up to the primary substations, down to the secondary substations, and beyond. Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communications networks are key to enable managing the huge number of sensors and actuators distributed all over the low voltage and medium voltage networks. Such M2M communications networks must meet demanding requirements from the technical perspective (e.g., low latency, high availability), since eventually the stability of the grid may rely on them, and from the economic perspective (e.g., low deployment and operational costs), due to the huge volume of devices to be monitored and controlled. Thus, Power Line Communications (PLC) technologies are winning momentum in these scenarios because they represent a great trade-off between both perspectives. However, electrical networks also represent a harsh communications medium, mainly because they are not designed for data communications, but for power transmission. Consequently, although much research has been carried out on this topic recently, PLC networks still present technological problems and challenges. This paper highlights some of the most relevant challenges in this area and presents a set of cutting-edge software tools which are being developed to overcome them, facilitating the planning, deployment, and operation of this kind of networks.
Differential distribution of retinoic acid synthesis in the chicken embryo as determined by immunolocalization of the retinoic acid synthetic enzyme, RALDH-2.

Retinaldehyde dehydrogenase type 2 (RALDH-2) is a major retinoic acid generating enzyme in the early embryo. Here we report the immunolocalization of this enzyme (RALDH-2-IR) in stage 6-29 chicken embryos; we also show that tissues that exhibit strong RALDH-2-IR in the embryo contain RALDH-2 and synthesize retinoic acid. RALDH-2-IR indicates dynamic and discrete patterns of retinoic acid synthesis in the embryo, particularly within the somitic mesoderm, lateral mesoderm, kidney, heart, and spinal motor neurons. Prior to somitogenesis, RALDH-2-IR is present in the paraxial mesoderm with a rostral boundary at the level of the presumptive first somite; as the somites form, they exhibit strong RALDH-2-IR. Cervical presomitic mesoderm exhibits RALDH-2-IR but thoracic presomitic mesoderm does not. Neural crest cells do not express detectable levels of RALDH-2, but migrating crest cells are associated with RALDH-2 expressing mesoderm. The developing limb mesoderm expresses little RALDH-2-IR; however, RALDH-2-IR is strongly expressed in tissues adjacent to the limb. The most lateral, earliest-projecting motor neurons at all levels of the spinal cord exhibit RALDH-2-IR. Subsequently, many additional motor neurons in the brachial and lumbar cord regions express RALDH-2-IR. Motor neuronal expression of RALDH-2-IR is present in the growing axons as they extend to the periphery, indicating a potential role of retinoic acid in nerve influences on peripheral differentiation. With the exception of a transient expression in the facial/vestibulocochlear nucleus, cranial motor neurons do not express detectable levels of RALDH-2-IR.
Hypertext and Hypermedia

Hypertext is a term borrowed from science fiction. It refers to heavily cross indexed written material organized so that the reader can move easily from one category or subcategory to another. An encyclopedia is perhaps the most widely used example of hypertext. Microcomputer hypertext authoring software allows convenient creation of hypertext materials. Hypertext viewing software permits hypertext to be read on the monitor and in some instances printed or saved to disk. The term hypermedia expands on the hypertext idea by adding pictures and sound to text. Hypermedia software became popular when the program HyperCard was bundled with Macintosh computers. Except for a Windows program called ToolBook, HyperCard 2.0 has more features than IBM and IBM compatible hypermedia programs, and with the same exception, those features shared by HyperCard 2.0 and IBM and IBM compatible programs are usually more powerfully rendered in the Macintosh program. There is little point in comparing HyperCard with the IBM programs discussed here. A Macintosh user has no reason to move to an IBM machine for hypermedia applications. An IBM user has available adequate hypermedia choices. Since most IBM users select their machines to perform specific tasks, there is little reason for a switch from IBM to Macintosh just because of hypermedia applications.
Polygyny and symmetric concurrency: comparing long-duration sexually transmitted infection prevalence using simulated sexual networks

Objective To compare the effects of polygyny (only men can form concurrent partnerships) and gender-symmetric concurrency (both genders can form concurrent partnerships) on prevalence of long-duration sexually transmitted infections (STIs) using a dynamic stochastic network model. Methods We modelled two pairs of scenarios: polygyny and gender symmetry at higher and lower levels of network concurrency (measured by the average number of concurrent partnerships per partnership). The same level of sexual activity was modelled in all scenarios (measured by mean per capita partnership incidence and per capita number of sex acts). Partnership duration and network concurrency were constant within each of the polygyny/symmetry pairs. Infections that mimicked characteristics of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV2) and HIV were introduced onto the networks separately. The mean prevalence 100 years after introduction for the HSV2-like infection and 30 years after introduction for the HIV-like infection were calculated over 1000 model iterations. Results Prevalence of both simulated STIs was significantly lower in the polygyny scenarios than in the symmetry scenarios. At lower concurrency, polygyny resulted in a relative reduction in HSV2-like infection prevalence of 19% (95% CI 15 to 23) compared to gender symmetry. At higher concurrency polygyny led to a relative reduction of 20% (16 to 23). The relative reduction in prevalence of the HIV-like infection after 30 years was 14% (10 to 17) at lower concurrency and 8% (5 to 11) at higher concurrency. Conclusions Polygyny can result in lower STI prevalence compared to populations where both genders practise concurrency. Further work is required to explore whether this reduction is observed when modelling more realistic populations and infection characteristics.
Reliability of Endocervical Curettage in the Diagnosis of High-grade Cervical Neoplasia and Cervical Cancer in Selected Patients.

AIM To analyze the reliability of endocervical curettage (ECC) in the diagnosis of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer, and to identify risk factors associated with diagnostic underestimation. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective study was carried-out involving 445 patients who underwent ECC for: endocervical lesion incompletely visible on colposcopy or inaccessible to biopsy; atypical glandular cells on smear, or discrepancy between colposcopic impression and cytological abnormalities. RESULTS Comparison between ECC and final diagnosis showed a perfect match in 362 patients (81.3%). For 189 patients with pre-cancerous or cancerous endocervical lesions, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 87.3%, 96.9%, 95.4% and 91.9%, respectively. No clinical, cytological or colposcopic characteristics were associated with significantly increased risk of diagnostic underestimation with ECC. CONCLUSION ECC is a very reliable tool for reducing the number of unnecessary treatments, without increasing the risk of allowing some lesions to evolve into cancer.