Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Linear cryptanalysis of substitution-permutation networks

The subject of this thesis is linear cryptanalysis of substitution-permutation networks (SPNs). We focus on the rigorous form of linear cryptanalysis, which requires the concept of linear hulls. First, we consider SPNs in which the s-boxes are selected independently and uniformly from the set of all bijective n x n s-boxes. We derive an expression for the expected linear probability values of such an SPN, and give evidence that this expression converges to the corresponding value for the true random cipher. This adds quantitative support to the claim that the SPN structure is a good approximation to the true random cipher. We conjecture that this convergence holds for a large class of SPNs. In addition, we derive a lower bound on the probability that an SPN with randomly selected s-boxes is practically secure against linear cryptanalysis after a given number of rounds. For common block sizes, experimental evidence indicates that this probability rapidly approaches 1 with an increasing number of rounds. We then consider SPNs with fixed s-boxes. We present two new algorithms for upper bounding the maximum average linear hull probability for SPNs. These algorithms, named KMT1 and KMT2, are the first completely general algorithms for this purpose—they can be applied to any SPN, and they compute an upper bound that is a function of the number of encryption rounds being evaluated. In contrast, other approaches to this problem either require that the SPN linear transformation have a specific structure, or compute a single value independent of the number of rounds. By applying KMT1 and KMT2 to the AES, we establish the provable security of the AES against linear cryptanalysis. As a straightforward application of our work with linear hulls, we analyze the Q cipher, an SPN submitted to the European Commission's NESSIE cryptographic competition. By using linear characteristics, not linear hulls, the designer of Q evaluates the cipher to be secure against linear cryptanalysis. However, we prove that Q can be broken using linear cryptanalysis based on linear hulls. To our knowledge, this is the first use of linear hulls to break a proposed cipher.
Amalgamating Vehicular Networks With Vehicular Clouds, AI, and Big Data for Next-Generation ITS Services

Advances in the connected vehicle and cloud computing technologies, Big data, and artificial intelligence techniques have opened new research opportunities. We can integrate them to work out the issues originating from transportation complexities and offer improved services. In this work, we present a seamless multi-module multi-layer vehicular cloud computing system developed using resources of parked vehicles, cloud computing facilities, and vehicular networking technologies. It can offer transportation-specific AI and Big data-empowered services to on-road vehicles. As use cases, we present two innovative and improved services, vehicular Big data mining and vehicular route optimization. A physical testbed is formed to show the feasibility of this work. Results analysis shows that the systems perform better than the standalone systems and servers under different scenarios. Relevant fundamental challenges and future outlooks are also highlighted in this work.
Exploration on Similarity Theory for System Simulation

The main contents of this paper are described as following: The similarity relation between original and simulation system, The description of similarity relation and calculating rules, similarity style, similarity methods, Simulaton modeling and its verification, The longitudinal channel of motion system analyzed by similarity theory, The analyzing,synthesizing and analytic solution for nonlinear,Variable parameter systems.
REGULARITY OF SOLUTIONS AND PARAMETER ESTIMATION FOR SPDE'S WITH SPACE-TIME WHITE NOISE

In this work we discuss two problems related to stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs): analytical properties of solutions and parameter estimation for SPDE’s. We address the problem of existence, uniqueness and regularity of solutions of some parabolic SPDE’s driven by space-time white noise, either additive or multiplicative. The novelty in our study is the special form of the noise term which depends on areal parameter . We establish existence and uniqueness of weak solution in the scale of Sobolev spaces. Regularity properties of the solution are stated in terms of the real parameter involved in the noise term and spectral properties of the elliptic operator which generates the scale of Sobolev spaces. We study the parameter estimation problem for some parabolic SPDEs with multiplicative stochastic part. Maximum Likelihood Estimators of the parameter, based on finite-dimensional approximation of the solution are found. Consistency, both in time and space variables, and asymptotic normality of these estimators are established. All theoretical results are followed by numerical simulations.
APTITUD DEL TERRITORIO DE APURÍMAC PARA EL CULTIVO DE PAPA

La expansión de un cultivo resaltante demanda la evaluación de la aptitud del territorio. Dada la importancia del cultivo de papa en Apurímac, se seleccionaron seis criterios (temperatura media, precipitación anual, elevación, pendiente del terreno, cobertura y uso del suelo, y pH del suelo) para evaluar la aptitud agroecológica del territorio; para lo cual, se establecieron los umbrales de aptitud de los criterios, y se generaron sus respectivos mapas. También, basado en consulta a expertos y el Proceso de Jerarquía Analítica, se sopesó la importancia de los criterios. Luego, se generó el mapa de aptitud del territorio para el cultivo de papa mediante superposición ponderada de los mapas de criterios. La temperatura fue el criterio más importante para el cultivo de papa, mientras que, la pendiente del terreno fue el menos importante. En Apurímac, el 2,4 % (505.18 km2) del territorio presentó aptitud ‘Altamente adecuada’ para el cultivo de papa. A nivel de provincias, Chincheros (303.40 km2), Andahuaylas (81.75 km2) y Aymares (72.80 km2) presentan las mayores superficies con aptitud ‘Altamente adecuada’. El estudio brindará apoyo para la toma de decisiones en torno a la expansión agrícola de papa y el ordenamiento territorial en Apurímac.
The Moore-Penrose inverse of A-XY~*

Let A be a C*-algebra.For any Hilbert A-modules K and H,let L(K,H)denote the set of the adjointable operators from K to H.Let A be an inverse element of L(H,H),and X,Y be two elements of L(K,H) such that X,Y and A-XY* have closed ranges.Let X1=A-1X,Y1=(A-1)*Y, QX1=IH-X1X+1 and QY1=IH-Y1Y+1,where IH is the identity operator on H,and X+1,Y+1 are the Moore-Penrose inverses of X1 and Y1respectively.In this note,we prove that the Moore-Penrose inverse(A-XY*)+ equals QX1A-1QY1 if and only if Y*1XY*1=Y*1 and XY*1X=X.
Efficient automatic construction of atom-economical QM regions with point-charge variation analysis.

The setup of QM/MM calculations is not trivial since many decisions have to be made by the simulation scientist to achieve reasonable and consistent results. The main challenge to be tackled is the construction of the QM region to make sure to take into account all important parts of the adjacent environment and exclude less important ones. In our previous work [F. Brandt and Ch. R. Jacob, Systematic QM Region Construction in QM/MM Calculations Based on Uncertainty Quantification, J. Chem. Theory Comput. , 2022, 18, 2584-2596. ], we introduced the point charge variation analysis (PCVA) as a simple and reliable tool to systematically construct QM regions based on the sensitivity of the reaction energy with respect to variations of the MM point charges. Here, we assess several simplified variants of this PCVA approach for the example of catechol O-methyltransferase and apply PCVA for another system, the triosephosphate isomerase. Furthermore, we extend its scope by applying it to a DNA system. Our results indicate that PCVA offers an efficient and versatile approach of the automatic construction of atom-economical QM regions, but also identify possible pitfalls and limitations.
Antimicrobial Resistance of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Nono, a Naturally Fermented Milk Product

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the biggest threats to public health. The food chain has been recognised as a vehicle for transmitting AMR bacteria. However, information about resistant strains isolated from African traditional fermented foods remains limited. Nono is a traditional, naturally fermented milk product consumed by many pastoral communities across West Africa. The main aim of this study was to investigate and determine the AMR patterns of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) involved in the traditional fermentation of milk for Nono production, and the presence of transferable AMR determinants. Methods: One hundred (100) LAB isolates from Nono identified in a previous study as Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus infantarius, Lentilactobacillus senioris, Leuconostoc pseudomesenteriodes, and Enterococcus thailandicus were investigated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for 18 antimicrobials using the micro-broth dilution method. In addition, LAB isolates were screened for 28 antimicrobial resistance genes using PCR. The ability of LAB isolates to transfer tetracycline and streptomycin resistance genes to Enterococcus faecalis was also investigated. Results: The experiments revealed variable antimicrobial susceptibility according to the LAB isolate and the antimicrobial tested. The tetracycline resistance genes tet(S) and tet(M) were detected in isolates Ent. thailandicus 52 and S. infantarius 10. Additionally, aad(E) encoding resistance to streptomycin was detected in Ent. thailandicus 52. The conjugation experiments suggested that the tet(S) and aad(E) genes were transferable in vitro from isolate Ent. thailandicus 52 to Ent. faecalis JH2-2. Significance and Impact: Traditional fermented foods play a significant role in the diet of millions of people in Africa, yet their contribution to the burden of AMR is largely unknown. This study highlights that LAB involved in traditionally fermented foods could be potential reservoirs of AMR. It also underscores the relevant safety issues of Ent. thailandicus 52 and S. infantarius 10 for use as starter cultures as they carry transferable AMR genes. Starter cultures are an essential aspect of improving the safety and quality attributes of African fermented foods. However, AMR monitoring is an important safety aspect in the selection of starter cultures for improving traditional fermentation technologies.
Two Distinct Molecular Types of Phytochrome A in Plants: Evidence of Existence and Implications for Functioning

Phytochrome (phy) system in plants comprising a small number of phytochromes with phyA and phyB as major ones is responsible for acquiring light information in the red—far-red region of the solar spectrum. It provides optimal strategy for plant development under changing light conditions throughout all its life cycle beginning from seed germination and seedling establishment to fruiting and plant senescence. The phyA was shown to participate in the regulation of this cycle which is especially evident at its early stages. It mediates three modes of reactions—the very low and low fluence responses (VLFR and LFR) and the high irradiance responses (HIR). The phyA is the sole light receptor in the far-red spectral region responsible for plant’s survival under a dense plant canopy where light is enriched with the far-red component. Its appearance is believed to be one of the main factors of plants′ successful evolution. So far, it is widely accepted that one molecular phyA species is responsible for its complex functional manifestations. In this review, the evidence of the existence of two distinct phyA types—major, light-labile and soluble phyA′ and minor, relatively light-stable and amphiphilic phyA″—is presented as what may account for the diverse modes of phyA action.
A Hybrid Procedure for the Sequential Estimation of Surface Heat Flux From Measurements of Surface Temperature

The sequential estimation of surface heat flux from discrete and noisy data of surface temperature is an ill-posed problem. From Duhamel's theorem and Fourier's law and using a stabilization technique based on the sequential application of the ordinary least squares (SOLS), we obtain a relatively simple but effective method. As the SOLS method uses a least squares fit over r-future and r-past temperatures, this method can be compared with the well-known function specification method (FSM). FSM is a more general method, but the numerical validations considered in this study reveal that the SOLS method gives better results. It is also shown that SOLS cannot be guided by the residual principle and consequently cannot be used in a practical scope. The ultimate goal of this study is to obtain a reliable estimation of heat flux history in an on-line industrial process where the tuneable parameter should be a time-variable r-value and it must be automatically updated from the experimental data. This requires that (i) the corresponding SOLS algorithm must be rewritten in recursive form, (ii) the classical definition of the residual principle is rewritten in recursive form, and (iii) the estimates are obtained from a hybrid procedure based on SOLS and FSM.
Review: Phytochemical composition, medicinal uses and other utilization of Nypa fruticans

Abstract. Nugroho GD, Wiraatmaja MF, Pramadaningtyas PS, Febriyanti S, Liza N, Naim DM, Ulumuddin YI, Setyawan AD. 2020. Review: Phytochemical composition, medicinal uses and other utilization of Nypa fruticans. Bonorowo Wetlands 10: 51-65. Nypa fruticans Wurmb or “nipa/nipah” is a palm plant in mangrove ecosystems along tropical and subtropical river estuaries affected by tides. Nipa has a high abundance in the mangrove forest ecosystem. Therefore, knowledge and utilization of this nipa plant need to be sought and examined more deeply to optimize its utilization. This review aims to find out the phytochemical composition, medicinal uses, and other utilization of nipa plants. The main phytochemical composition of nipa is polyphenols, phenolics, alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins. However, other chemical compounds such as ethyl acetate, chloroform, hexane, triterpenoids, phenol hydroquinone, diterpenes, and steroids are still available. The many chemical compounds in nipa can be used as raw materials in a product, especially in modern medicines. Based on people's beliefs in several tropical countries that nipa has the potential of herbal medicine to treat fever, gout, kidney stones, energy booster, aid digestion, as a cure for certain chronic diseases and metabolic syndromes such as diabetes and hypertension, treat asthma, leprosy, tuberculosis, sick throat, liver disease, snakebite, as a pain reliever, and also be used as a sedative and able to expel excess wind in the body. Then in the pharmacological aspect, nipa has antioxidant, antidiabetic, antimicrobial (antifungal and antibacterial), anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antihyperglycemic and analgesic activities. In addition to other benefits outside of drugs, nipa is used as a roof for houses, cattle pens, huts in the garden, broomsticks, handicrafts, fishing gear, food and drink sources, and sources of renewable fuel.
Coupling an Advanced Land Surface–Hydrology Model with the Penn State–NCAR MM5 Modeling System. Part II: Preliminary Model Validation

Abstract A number of short-term numerical experiments conducted by the Penn State–NCAR fifth-generation Mesoscale Model (MM5) coupled with an advanced land surface model, alongside the simulations coupled with a simple slab model, are verified with observations. For clear sky day cases, the MM5 model gives reasonable estimates of radiation forcing at the surface with solar radiation being slightly overestimated probably due to the lack of aerosol treatment in the current MM5 radiation scheme. The improvements in the calculation of surface latent and sensible heat fluxes with the new land surface model (LSM) are very apparent, and more importantly, the new LSM captures the correct Bowen ratio. Evaporation obtained from the simple slab model is significantly lower than observations. Having time-varying soil moisture is important for capturing even short-term evolution of evaporation. Due to the more reasonable diurnal cycle of surface heat fluxes in the MM5–LSM, its near-surface temperature and humidity are.
A Scaffolded Module to Improve Scientific Literacy by Engaging Students with Primary Literature Using the Instructor’s Research Experience

To improve students’ scientific literacy, I designed a learning module that built upon my personal research experience and interest to actively engage students in reading primary literature. Here, I describe the scaffolded procedure in six steps, each linked to a learning outcome and assessment using Bloom’s taxonomy as a framework of increasing from lower-order to higher-order cognition: (i) storytelling and discussion, i.e., remember; (ii) guided reading, i.e., understand; (iii) group reading, i.e., apply; (iv) shared reading, i.e., analyze; (v) self-selected reading, i.e., evaluate; and (vi) research proposal, i.e., create. ABSTRACT To improve students’ scientific literacy, I designed a learning module that built upon my personal research experience and interest to actively engage students in reading primary literature. Here, I describe the scaffolded procedure in six steps, each linked to a learning outcome and assessment using Bloom’s taxonomy as a framework of increasing from lower-order to higher-order cognition: (i) storytelling and discussion, i.e., remember; (ii) guided reading, i.e., understand; (iii) group reading, i.e., apply; (iv) shared reading, i.e., analyze; (v) self-selected reading, i.e., evaluate; and (vi) research proposal, i.e., create. By using my personal science story as introduction and foundation, students were able to connect to the content and consider the importance of the process of science. By providing a scaffolded introduction and guided support, students were able to read primary literature with less frustration and with greater confidence. I assessed these activities to determine if they increased student engagement and student confidence in reading peer-reviewed scientific papers. Students completed a survey rating their confidence reading scientific papers on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 4 (extremely). Reported confidence increased following the activities (mean of 1.9 before to 3.2 after) and activities were rated as helpful (mean of 3.1). These activities can be applied to most fields of research, allowing faculty at nonresearch institutions the opportunity to incorporate their research into teaching while achieving successful general education outcomes.
Long-Range Atmospheric Predictability Using Space–Time Principal Components

Abstract The long-term predictability of 70-kPa geopotential heights is examined by a series of hindcast experiments over a validation period of 40 years using empirical models. Only the North Atlantic sector is considered. Significant skill is found up to lead times of one to two months for forecasts of time averages and of weather regime occurrence frequencies. The empirical schemes produce forecasts of the conditional probability of occurrence of a predictand within its natural terciles. These probabilistic forecasts are compared for two sets of predictors. The (spatial) principal components of the Atlantic large-scale flow (S-PCs) and its space–time principal components (ST-PCs) obtained from multichannel singular spectrum analysis (MSSA). These latter predictors achieve a good compromise between explained variance and predictability. In particular, the skill of a one-step model, where predictand's conditional probabilities are obtained directly from an analog method, is compared with a two-step model.
CRISPR Technologies in Chinese Hamster Ovary Cell Line Engineering

The Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line is a well-established platform for the production of biopharmaceuticals due to its ability to express complex therapeutic proteins with human-like glycopatterns in high amounts. The advent of CRISPR technology has opened up new avenues for the engineering of CHO cell lines for improved protein production and enhanced product quality. This review summarizes recent advances in the application of CRISPR technology for CHO cell line engineering with a particular focus on glycosylation modulation, productivity enhancement, tackling adventitious agents, elimination of problematic host cell proteins, development of antibiotic-free selection systems, site-specific transgene integration, and CRISPR-mediated gene activation and repression. The review highlights the potential of CRISPR technology in CHO cell line genome editing and epigenetic engineering for the more efficient and cost-effective development of biopharmaceuticals while ensuring the safety and quality of the final product.
Evaluation of reflective groundcovers for pest and fruit quality management in commercial pear orchards

Reflective groundcovers can improve crop yield and quality and deter pests by increasing light penetration into plant canopies. In pear (Pyrus communis L.) orchards, this could increase profitability and reduce reliance on insecticides to manage pear psylla (Cacopsylla pyricola [Foerster]). Two types of reflective groundcovers, metallized polyethylene film (metallized film) and white geotextile fabric (reflective fabric), are known to increase pear yield and quality, and metallized film was recently reported to suppress pear psylla. Here, we tested reflective fabric for pear psylla suppression at a research orchard in 2019, then we partnered with five pear orchard managers to test metallized film and reflective fabric for pear psylla suppression at five conventional commercial orchards in 2020 and one organic commercial orchard in 2021. There was evidence of pear psylla suppression by both metallized film and reflective fabric, but effects varied among reflective materials, pear psylla life stages, season and year of study. Reflective groundcovers did not affect fruit size, weight, sunburn or pest mite abundance, and they were compatible with pear psylla biocontrol. Low perceived benefit relative to cost was a barrier to continued trialling and adoption. Whereas orchardists in our study used reflective groundcovers in addition to normal pesticide regimes, previous research studies suggest that reflective groundcovers can profitably replace some insecticides. Future studies are needed to test the outcomes of replacing pesticides with reflective groundcovers in commercial orchards and understand under what circumstances they improve pear quality and yield.
Maximum Likelihood Inference from Sample Survey Data

Summary In this paper we present a general theory for maximum likelihood inference based on sample survey data. Our purpose is to identify and emphasise the recurring basic concepts that arise in the application of likelihood methods, including the estimation of precision, to survey data. We discuss the problems generated by the effects of sample design, selection and response processes. We also discuss the problem of failures of the model assumptions and the role of sample inclusion probabilities in achieving robustness. We present two illustrative examples, one of which illustrates the use of non-Gaussian models.