Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
A comprehensive survey of vulnerability detection method towards Linux-based IoT devices

The IoT devices have introduced vulnerabilities and new attack vectors, making many devices a prime target for cybercriminals, while enriching people’s daily lives and industries. Vulnerability detection can effectively address this growing threat. However, due to variability of software and hardware, non-disclosure of source code and documentation, and limited resources of IoT devices, security analysis has never been an easy task. Although researchers have developed many new methods to overcome various challenges in the past decade, key challenges still hinder the practical application of firmware vulnerability mining. Therefore, this paper aims to systematically summarize existing work and analyze the challenges of this field and its solutions. Result: By summarizing the state-of-the-art approaches for static, dynamic, and hybrid analysis of IoT firmware and network service programs, we identify their advantages, disadvantages, and limitations. We found that network service programs are the main attack surface for 0-day vulnerability. Meanwhile, in the short term, static analysis and dynamic analysis are still mainstream techniques for vulnerability detection. Moreover, we point out that unique running workflow and environments are the biggest challenges for vulnerability detection. This survey serves as a reference for researchers and practitioners interested in IoT device security analysis and helps identify promising research directions for the future.
Language pedagogies and late-life language learning proficiency

Abstract Late-life language learning has gained considerable attention in recent years. Strikingly, additional language (AL) proficiency development is underinvestigated, despite it potentially being one of the main drivers for older adults to learn an AL. Our study investigates whether Dutch older adults learning English for three months significantly improve their AL skills, and if explicit or implicit language instruction is more beneficial. Sixteen learners participated in online weekly group lessons, five days of 60-min homework, and pre-post-retention tests. Half were randomly assigned to the mostly explicit condition and half to the mostly implicit condition. Data includes language proficiency measures and 201 dense-data spoken homework samples. Results show improvements in several areas for both conditions. For structural errors in homework, we found implicitly taught participants to make significantly more mistakes. Our exploratory data show that older adults significantly develop AL proficiency after a short language training, and, as we only found differences between conditions on one construct, that teaching pedagogies do not play a substantial role.
Comparative Study of Machine Learning Methods for Verbal Autopsy Text Classification

A Verbal Autopsy is the record of an interview about the circumstances of an uncertified death. In developing countries, if a death occurs away from health facilities, a field-worker interviews a relative of the deceased about the circumstances of the death; this Verbal Autopsy can be reviewed off-site. We report on a comparative study of the processes involved in Text Classification applied to classifying Cause of Death: feature value representation; machine learning classification algorithms; and feature reduction strategies in order to identify the suitable approaches applicable to the classification of Verbal Autopsy text. We demonstrate that normalised term frequency and the standard TFiDF achieve comparable performance across a number of classifiers. The results also show Support Vector Machine is superior to other classification algorithms employed in this research. Finally, we demonstrate the effectiveness of employing a ’locally -semi- supervised’ feature reduction strategy in order to increase performance accuracy.
Cell wall integrity modulates a PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR (PIF) – HOOKLESS1 (HLS1) signalling module controlling apical hook formation in Arabidopsis

Etiolated seedlings of dicots form an apical hook to protect the meristems during soil emergence. Hook formation is the result of differential growth on both sides of the hypocotyl apex and is tightly controlled by environmental cues and hormones, among which auxin and gibberellins (GAs) are the main contributors. Cell expansion is tightly regulated by the cell wall, but whether and how feedback from this structure contributes to hook development is still unclear. Here we show that etiolated seedlings of the Arabidopsis thaliana quasimodo2-1 (qua2) mutant, defective in pectin biosynthesis, display severe defects in apical hook formation and maintenance, accompanied by loss of asymmetric auxin maxima and differential cell expansion. Moreover, qua2 seedlings show reduced expression of HOOKLESS1 (HLS1) and PHYTOCHROME-INTERACTING FACTOR 4 and 5 (PIF4/5), positive regulators of hook formation, and accumulate reduced levels of the active gibberellin GA4. Treatment of wild-type seedlings with the cellulose inhibitor isoxaben (isx) also prevents hook development and represses HLS1 expression and PIF4 accumulation. Moreover, isx stabilizes the DELLA protein REPRESSOR OF ga1-3 (RGA), which inhibits HLS1 expression and hook formation. Exogenous GAs or HLS1 overexpression partially restore hook development in isx-treated seedlings. Notably, agar concentration in the medium restores, both in qua2 and isx-treated seedlings, hook development and WT-like levels of PIFs and HLS1. We propose that turgor-dependent signals link changes in cell wall integrity to the PIF4/5-HLS1 signalling module to repress differential cell elongation during hook formation. Significance statement Cell wall integrity modulates apical hook development through poorly understood mechanisms. We show here that, in Arabidopsis, repression of hook formation by either mutations in pectin biosynthesis or by isoxaben treatment is at least partially mediated by the downregulation of a gibberellin-controlled signalling module that comprises PIF4/5 and HLS1. Our results indicate that the signals derived from changes in the cell wall can modulate hormone-mediated pathways to control asymmetric growth during plant development.
A novel conceptual model of heart rate autonomic modulation based on a small-world modular structure and heterogeneous innervation of the sinoatrial node

The current theory of cardiac pacemaker rate modulation by the autonomic nervous system is based on the concept that a primary pacemaker cell or a group of cells in the center of the sinoatrial node (SAN) can change its AP firing rate within a broad range, driving respective myocardium contractions to commensurate body demands. Experimental data show, however, that pacemaker cells are extremely heterogeneous, with different areas of the SAN or cell clusters specializing to drive APs at specific rates. Thus, higher heart rates under stress are mainly driven by cell clusters in superior SAN, whereas low rates by cell clusters in inferior SAN, with basal state rates generated somewhere in the middle of the node. Cells within different clusters feature different intrinsic electrophysiological and Ca cycling properties, sympathetic and parasympathetic innervation, and vasculature, thereby supporting effective shift of the system to an optimal rate (under given conditions) accompanied by respective shifts in the leading pacemaker site. Thus, the popular single-cell-based pacemaker theory does not capture this complex emerging paradigm of pacemaker function of SAN tissue revealed by recent experimental studies. Here we propose a more realistic, conceptual model of heart rate autonomic modulation based on these studies. Our new model (the ‘gear model’) simulates the SAN as a brain-like structure featuring a small world of loosely connected clusters (functional modules) of tightly coupled cells, modeled as Maltsev-Lakatta coupled-clock system. One module (the higher chronotropic gear) generates higher AP rates in basal state and under β-adrenergic stimulation, but its activity is strongly suppressed by parasympathetic stimulation. The other module (the lower gear) generates lower rates and has low sensitivity to parasympathetic stimulation. Such modular, gear-like system reproduces the respective shifts of the leading pacemaker site observed experimentally and features a wide range of rate modulation and robust function whilst conserving energy. In perspective, future refinement and application of this new pacemaker tissue mechanism will provide better understanding of cardiac pacemaker function, its deterioration in aging and disease, and ultimately the creation of new therapies to treat sick sinus syndrome and other SAN function-related cardiac arrythmias.
Assessment of emissions and potential occupational exposure to carbon monoxide during biowaste composting

To date, only a few studies focused on the carbon monoxide (CO) production during waste composting; all targeted on CO inside piles. Here, the CO net emissions from compost piles and the assessment of worker’s occupational risk of exposure to CO at large-scale composting plants are shown for the first time. CO net emissions were measured at two plants processing green waste, sewage sludge, or undersize fraction of municipal solid waste. Effects of the location of piles (hermetised hall vs. open yard) and turning (before vs. after) were studied. Higher CO net emission rates were observed from piles located in a closed hall. The average CO flux before turning was 23.25 and 0.60 mg‧m−2‧h−1 for hermetised and open piles, respectively, while after – 69.38 and 5.11 mg‧m−2‧h−1. The maximum CO net emissions occurred after the compost was turned (1.7x to 13.7x higher than before turning). The top sections of hermetised piles had greater CO emissions compared to sides. Additionally, 5% of measurement points of hermetised piles switched to ‘CO sinks’. The 1-h concentration in hermetised composting hall can reach max. ∼50 mg CO·m−3 before turning, and >115 mg CO·m−3 after, exceeding the WHO thresholds for a 1-h and 15-min exposures, respectively.
Cell-free chromatin from dying cells trigger an immune response via the cGAS-STING pathway

Understanding what triggers an immune response is the central unresolved issue in immunology, although the association between immune response and cell death has long been recognized. Here, we show that cell-free chromatin particles that are released from dying cells, or those that circulate in blood, can readily enter healthy human lymphocytes to activate CD69 expression and the release of inflammatory cytokines. The latter can be abrogated by the STING protein inhibitor H151, indicating that cell-free chromatin particles activate an immune response via the cGAS-STING pathway. Cell-free chromatin particles released from dying cells may represent the missing link between cell death and immune response. One-Sentence Summary Cell-free chromatin particles released from dying cells could be the missing link between cell death and immune response.
Towards Obfuscation of Programmable Logic Controllers

Recently published scan data on Shodan shows how 105K Industrial Control Systems (ICSs) around the world are directly accessible from the Internet. In particular, highly sensitive components, such as Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), are potentially accessible to attackers who can implement several kinds of attacks. On the other hand, to accomplish non-trivial cyber-physical attacks the attacker must possess a sufficient degree of process comprehension on the physical processes within the target ICS. In this paper, we explore the feasibility of designing obfuscation strategies to prevent the attacker from comprehending the behavior of the physical process within an ICS by accessing PLC memory registers. We propose two generic obfuscation strategies for PLC memories, involving memory registers, PLC code, and simulated physical processes controlled by the obfuscated PLCs. We then measure the effectiveness of the proposed obfuscation strategies in terms of potency, resilience, and cost on a non-trivial case study.
Ionospheric storms at high and mid-latitudes monitored by ground and space based GPS techniques

Ground and space based GNSS techniques enable the capability to explore different temporal and spatial aspects of ionospheric perturbations. This knowledge is valuable for mitigating or at least forecasting ionospheric perturbation impact on the functionality of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). In this paper we discuss ionospheric perturbation features of several severe storms by combining ground and space based GPS measurements to get a more detailed view on the perturbation mechanism. Deduced is the temporal and horizontal structure of the high latitude ionosphere at both hemispheres based on 30 s sampled TEC data from the ground tracking network of the International GNSS Service (IGS) and other services. Whereas the ground based measurements show strong horizontal perturbation induced convection of plasma crossing the pole from day- to night-side, the spaceborne measurements on CHAMP indicate a severe vertical redistribution of the ionospheric plasma during the selected events. Of particular interest is a strong upward lift of ionospheric plasma near plasmapause boundaries. Presented are also average features of ionospheric storms as observed over the European region since more than 10 years.
Chapter 3 DECISION SUPPORT FOR PRACTICAL REASONING A Theoretical and Computational Perspective

Practical reasoning is reasoning about what is to be done. A decision on what to do may involve weighing the options open to an individual, taking into account dependencies on the actions of others, or complex collaborative decisionmaking. The role of argument in practical reasoning is explored in this chapter, both from a philosophical and computational perspective. In doing so, we discuss the use of computational systems in assisting people engaged in decision making, and, in particular, we investigate practical reasoning as joint deliberation between the human and decision support system. Such a system, it is argued, facilitates research into the use of argumentation techniques in computational models of practical reasoning, and the use of computational models to evaluate theories of practical reasoning.
On the Recruitment of Company Developers for Security Studies: Results from a Qualitative Interview Study

To address the issue of participant recruitment for security developer studies, researchers proposed using freelance on-line platforms or recruiting computer science (CS) students as proxies. However, recent studies showed that company developers performed better than freelancers or CS students in security developer studies. Additionally, studies on factors inﬂuencing usable security and privacy in companies make recruiting professionals indispensable. Therefore, we investigated inﬂuential factors on the motivation of software developers regularly employed in companies to participate in security studies. We conducted 30 semi-structured interviews on their perceptions of study factors concerning study de-sign, recruitment methods, and data collection. We found that the study duration, topic, monetary compensation, and trust are inﬂuential factors for participation in developer studies. However, participants were concerned about high effort and weak performance in security tasks. Based on our ﬁndings, we provide recruitment and study design recommendations for future security research with company developers.
Privacy Mental Models of Electronic Health Records: A German Case Study

Central digitization of health records bears the potential for better patient care, e.g., by having more accurate diagnoses or placing less burden on patients to inform doctors about their medical history. On the flip side, having electronic health records (EHRs) has privacy implications. Hence, the data management infrastructure needs to be designed and used with care. Otherwise, patients might reject the digitization of their records, or the data might be misused. Germany, in particular, is currently introducing centralized EHRs nationwide. We took this effort as a case study and captured the privacy mental models of EHRs. We present and discuss the findings of an interview study where we investigated expectations towards EHRs and perceptions of the German infrastructure. Most participants were positive but skeptical, yet expressed a variety of misconceptions, especially regarding data exchange with health insurance providers and read-write access to their EHRs. Based on our results, we make recommendations for digital infrastructure providers, such as developers, system designers, and healthcare providers.
This paper is included in the Proceedings of the Nineteenth Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security.

Smartphones have become an essential part of our modern society. Their popularity and ever-increasing relevance in our daily lives make these devices an integral part of our computing ecosystem. Yet, we know little about smartphone users and their security behaviors. In this paper, we report our development and testing of a new 14-item Smartphone Security Behavioral Scale (SSBS) which provides a measurement of users’ smartphone security behavior considering both technical and social strategies. For example, a technical strategy would be resetting the advertising ID while a social strategy would be downloading mobile applications only from an o ffi - cial source.The initial analysis of two-component behavioral model, based on technical versus social protection strategies, demonstrates high reliability and good fit for the social component of the behavioral scale. The technical component of the scale, which has theoretical significance, shows a marginal fit and could benefit from further improvement. This newly developed measure of smartphone security behavior is inspired by the theory of planned behavior and draws inspiration from a well-known scale of cybersecurity behavioral intention, the Security Behavior Intention Scale (SeBIS). The psychomet-rics of SSBS were established by surveying 1011 participants. We believe SSBS measures can enhance the understanding of human security behavior for both security researchers and HCI designers.
"Nobody's Happy": Design Insights from Privacy-Conscious Smart Home Power Users on Enhancing Data Transparency, Visibility, and Control

As smart home technologies continue to grow in popularity and diversity, they raise important questions regarding ways to increase awareness about data collection practices and empower users to better manage data flows. In this paper, we share insights from 32 privacy-conscious smart home power users—individuals who have invested significant time, money, and technological prowess in customizing their smart home setup to maximize utility and meet privacy and security needs. We explore the drawbacks and limitations power users experience when balancing privacy goals with interoperability, customizability, and usability considerations, and we detail their design ideas to enhance and extend data transparency, visibility, and control. We conclude by discussing the importance of designing smart home technologies that both address these considerations and empower a wide range of users to make more informed decisions about whether and how to implement smart technologies in their homes, as well as the wider need for greater regulation of technologies that collect significant user data.
Corn Yield Response to Water Availability

Drought-tolerant technologies have become popular in hybrids for low-yielding corn environments across central and western Kansas and are marketed for their ability to produce higher grain yields with less water. The objective of this study was to compare water use, yield, and water use efficiency (WUE) of two types of drought-tolerant (DT) corn hybrids and a high-yielding non-DT hybrid. Water use and yield of two DT and one non-DT, high-yielding hybrid were compared in both dryland and irrigated situations. The average yield for the irrigated corn was 217 bu/a, and the average was 127 bu/a in dryland, representing a yield increase of 90 bu/a. The irrigated corn received a total of 10 in. more water than the dryland corn over the course of the growing season, resulting in 9 bu for each additional inch of water use averaged across the three hybrids. The irrigated corn used a mean of 20.85 in. of water, and the dryland corn used a mean of 11.66 in. of water. The WUE was 10.71 bu/in. and 10.43 bu/in. for dryland and irrigated corn, respectively. Although hybrid yields differed in the irrigated environment, water use and WUE were similar for all hybrids in both dryland and irrigated environments. One DT hybrid exhibited more stable yields across dryland and irrigated environments compared with the other DT hybrid and the non-DT hybrid.
microRNA-146a inhibits G protein-coupled receptor-mediated activation of NF-kappaB by targeting CARD10 and COPS8 in gastric cancer

Background Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related death in the world. Inflammatory signals originating from gastric cancer cells are important for recruiting inflammatory cells and regulation of metastasis of gastric cancer. Several microRNAs (miRNA) have been shown to be involved in development and progression of gastric cancer. miRNA-146a (miR-146a) is a modulator of inflammatory signals, but little is known about its importance in gastric cancer. We therefore wanted to identify targets of miR-146a in gastric cancer and examine its biological roles. Results The expression of miR-146a was evaluated by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and found upregulated in the gastrin knockout mice, a mouse model of gastric cancer, and in 73% of investigated human gastric adenocarcinomas. Expression of miR-146a by gastric cancer cells was confirmed by in situ hybridization. Global analysis of changes in mRNA levels after miR-146a transfection identified two transcripts, caspase recruitment domain-containing protein 10 (CARD10) and COP9 signalosome complex subunit 8 (COPS8), as new miR-146a targets. qPCR, Western blotting and luciferase assays confirmed these transcripts as direct miR-146a targets. CARD10 and COPS8 were shown to be part of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathway of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) induces NF-kappaB activation via this pathway and overexpression of miR-146a inhibited LPA-induced NF-kappaB activation, reduced LPA-induced expression of tumor-promoting cytokines and growth factors and inhibited monocyte attraction. Conclusions miR-146a expression is up-regulated in a majority of gastric cancers where it targets CARD10 and COPS8, inhibiting GPCR-mediated activation of NF-kappaB, thus reducing expression of NF-kappaB-regulated tumor-promoting cytokines and growth factors. By targeting components of several NF-kappaB-activating pathways, miR-146a is a key component in the regulation of NF-kappaB activity.