Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Resolving Malware-Loading Problem by Leveraging Shellcode Detection Heuristics

- Dynamic malware analysis platform is developed to extract malicious behavior from malware without the knowledge of its internal structure. Based on the analysis results, security experts can derive a signature for future detection. However, a malware program may not be invoked unless certain conditions are met. Therefore, the basic requirement for dynamic malware analysis is able to determine the conditions to activate a malware program. For execution, malware is just like any other software that may require additional supplementary information, such as parameters, arguments, and entry point. Therefore, loading malware with appropriate conditions to activate its malicious behavior can be a challenge. This paper resolves the malware-loading problem by leveraging shellcode detection heuristics based on remote exploit traffic. A formal model is proposed to model the malware loading problem. To cope with the problem, a new scheme is proposed, implemented and evaluated using malware samples collected from the wild. As the evaluation showed, the scheme is highly effective. 15% of the malware samples concealed their activities initially when loaded. After the proposed scheme is applied, 97% of the malware samples demonstrated activities.
Primena DMAIC pristupa u poboljšanju procesa nabavke u kompaniji za servisiranje delova aviona

The goal and purpose of the research is to analyze the possibility of applying the DMAIC approach in solving problems related to the quality of the procurement process and to show the importance of the process approach through improving the process itself by finding an adequate solution. aircraft, which specifically refers to the procurement process and the unavailability of materials. Furthermore, the methodological approach applied in the research (methodological approach) is the DMAIC method, which defines the structure of the problem, monitors and measures the performance of the business process, analyzes and discovers the main cause of the problem, and finds a solution for improving the process and manages that solution. The results achieved are the results of improving the procurement process by applying the DMAIC approach. As for the limitations, they are related to the industry. Considering the complexity and difficulty of the aviation industry, some data are not fully presented.
Synchronization on a limit cycle of multi-agent systems governed by discrete-time switched aﬀine dynamics

: This paper addresses the problem of synchronizing a group of interacting discrete-time switched a ﬃ ne systems with centralized control laws. A ﬁrst time-dependent control law is obtained directly, and then, two other state-dependent control laws are proposed to improve performance. The di ﬀ erent methods are based on recent literature on switched a ﬃ ne systems and are evaluated on an academical example with a multi-agent system.
Distributional learning and overnight consolidation of a difficult non-native tone contrast

Previous research has demonstrated the success of distributional training for the acquisition of both segmental and suprasegmental categories, but no study has tested the distributional learning effect of a difficult tone contrast after overnight consolidation. The perception of Mandarin level tone (T1) – falling tone (T4) contrast has been shown to be especially difficult for native (L1) Cantonese speakers. The present study addresses whether this tonal contrast is successfully learned with distributional training, and whether this training effect is enhanced after overnight consolidation. 62 L1-Cantonese speakers were divided into two groups, where they were exposed to two different frequency distributions of the T1-T4 continuum (bimodal vs unimodal). Results showed slightly better post-training performance by the bimodal group, and this difference is enhanced after overnight sleep. This shows that the effect of overnight consolidation extends to statistical learning of lexical tones.
Anaiyticai Evahnation of the 2D-DCT using pa:raUeling processing

One of the current research areas in the field of computer science is distributed computing systems. In distributed systems, software is partitioned into modules and executed using a number of processors concurrently. A major difficulty in using distributed and paralleling computing systems has been ease of use. There is not a clear methodology for programmers for using these systems effectively. This work seeks to assess the viability ofusing analytic performance analysis to assist in the evaluation of candidate algorithms through its application to a case study. This will help us to estímate the total execution time and the optimal number of processors
Susanto et al., Effective and efficient approach in IoT Botnet detection

The Internet of Things (IoT) enables the interaction of physical systems connected to the internet network, resulting in the generation of extensive data traffic with high dimensions. While IoT applications offer benefits and convenience to users, network security remains uncertain. One example is vulnerability to cyber-attacks, such as botnets targeting consumers' IoT devices. In the realm of network security analysis, dealing with high-dimensional data poses distinct challenges for researchers. These challenges include the curse of dimensionality, which can complicate feature definitions; predominantly unordered datasets; combinations of clusters; and exponential data growth. In this study, we applied feature reduction using the Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) method to minimize features on the IoT network to detect botnet. The reduction process is carried out on the N-BaIoT dataset which has 115 features reduced to 2 features. Performing feature reduction with detection systems has become more effective and efficient. Experimental result showed that the application of LDA combined with machine learning on the classification Decision Tree method was able to detect with accuracy that reached 100% in 98.58s with only two features. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license
BENT VS. STRAIGHT MODELS OF THE HUMAN VOCAL TRACT BASED ON MEASUREMENTS BY CHIBA AND KAJIYAMA

Chiba and Kajiyama measured three-dimensional configurations of the human vocal tract during the production of five Japanese vowels and published the resultant data in “The Vowel: Its Nature and Structure. ” The data were estimated by palatograms as well as X-ray images and were naturally bent. They also derived cross-sectional area functions for the areas perpendicular to the midline along the length of the vocal tract. The overall area functions were simplified by interpolating them in a piecewise-linear fashion. In this study, we first compared replicated physical models of the original bent configurations with approximated straight models based on the same area functions. We then created bent models with further simplifications and exhibited them at a museum. These models have pedagogical usefulness because they are simply shaped but also bent, which makes it easy to imagine where they are located in the head.
In Situ Synthesis of Bare Silver Nanoparticles on Paper for Copper (II) Ion Detection

This study synthesized bare silver nanoparticles on paper and evaluated its response to copper (Cu (II)) ions to assess its potential as a colorimetric sensing platform. The nanoparticles were synthesized in situ on paper using silver nitrate and sodium borohydride as a precursor and reducing agent, respectively. No stabilizer or functionalizing agent was added. A two-factor three-level full factorial design with varying concentrations of reagents was employed in the synthesis process. The resulting sensor was successfully characterized using diffuse reflectance spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with elemental dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The sensor was exposed to varying Cu (II) concentrations ranging from 1 to 30 mM and the developed color changes were analyzed using computer imaging software. The color changes were quantified using mean gray values from the imaging software. Based on the results, as the concentration of Cu (II) ions increased, the final mean gray value of the paper increased as well. The papers were observed to marginally lighten in color potentially due to the decrease in silver atoms or its interaction with copper. The relationship between Cu (II) concentration and the ratio of final and initial mean gray value was determined and although a weak linear relation existed from 1 to 30 mM, a positive slope supported the increase in mean gray value within the range tested. A change in the elemental composition of the paper sensor confirms lightening after its exposure to Cu (II) ions. The sensor also displayed a selective response towards the Cu (II) among other metals tested.
of α-Tocopherol on chilled quality parameters of Tharparkar bull semen extended in Lecithin and Tris based egg yolk extender

: This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of α-Tocopherol (Vit E) on chillled semen quality para-menters of Tharparkar bull. For the purpose of the present study, 52 ejaculates were collected from four bulls initially semen samples were evaluated for progressive motility, morphology and viability (Eosin-Nigrosin staining technique) and membrane integrity (Hypo-osmotic Swelling test). Samples having ≥70% of all above mentioned parameters were pooled and extended into a Lecithin based extender and Tris based egg yolk extender supplemented with α-tocopherol (Vit E) 0.02 mM and cooled at 4 o C for 2 hours. The semen samples were subsequently assessed for progressive motility, morphology, viability and membrane integrity. Spermatozoa supplemented with α-tocopherol in Lecithin based extender showed improved parameters, compared to spermatozoa supplemented with α-tocopherol in Tris-based extender in terms of progressive motility (79.09±0.87 vs 74.69±0.94%), morphology (86.13±0.79 vs 82.81±1.00%), viability (82.13±1.20 vs 77.63±1.26%) and membrane integrity (81.40±0.77 vs 77.31±1.01%). In conclusion the addition of α-tocopherol improved the chilled quality parameters of Tharparkar bull semen extended in a Lecithin based extender as compared to Tris based egg yolk extender.
: COMPARATIVE

Abstact. This paper is a thorough analysis of foreign experience in assessing collateral for bank loans. Focusing on examples from the US, Germany and the UK, the study reveals different approaches and strategies adopted in these countries. The article examines the key principles and methods of valuation, their advantages and disadvantages, as well as current challenges and prospects in the field of collateral valuation.
TEMPORAL DETERMINANTS OF PHRASING IN COORDINATED STRUCTURES IN GREEK

This study examines the temporal characteristics of utterances, phrases, words and segments in coordinated structures with different phrasings in Greek. Eight speakers (4F, 4M) produced utterances with proper names (henceforth N) coordinated by [ce] ‘and’ in three phrasing conditions [N+N+N], N+[N+N], and [N+N]+N, in normal and fast speech rates. Ns were disyllabic or trisyllabic with penultimate or antepenultimate stress. Results show that phrasing and speech rate influenced different measures. Preboundary lengthening affected the phrase-final word, with largest lengthening on the phrase-final syllable, but extending up to the stressed syllable and affecting segments to different degrees. Utterance, phrase, word, and segment durations were shorter in fast than in normal rate. Overall, results on the effect of phrasing on duration support previous literature on Greek and other languages showing lengthening that extends beyond the final syllable. Novel findings on temporal patterns are reported by the combined effect of phrasing and speech rate.
Acoustic convergence to an unfamiliar language and an unfamiliar accent in shadowed speech

The present study investigated the propensity of native speakers of English (two groups of 15 participants each) to spontaneously imitate a model who spoke a different language (Russian) or an accented version of their own language (Russian-accented English). The study consisted of four phases: baseline, exposure, shadowing, and post-test. The change in the voice onset time (VOT) of word-initial voiceless stops from the baseline to shadowing to post-test was assessed across the two groups. The results showed that participants in the Russian condition significantly shortened the VOT of their voiceless stops during the shadowing phase, indicating convergence towards the native speaker model. The values, however, returned to baseline levels in the post-test, indicating that imitation of the phonetic properties of Russian speech did not extend to participants’ native English. Participants in the accented English condition did not converge towards the shorter VOT of the model during shadowing or post-test phases.
Intelligibility of spontaneous casual speech in background noise across the lifespan

This study investigated speech-in-noise intelligibility of child, young, middle aged and older adult talkers (N=48; 24 Female). The aim was to investigate whether age and sex differences in intelligibility remain when masking noise is individually tailored to talker characteristics. A total of 83 native English listeners took part in an online listening study. The listeners heard short sentences extracted from spontaneous diapix conversations; these were mixed with speech-shaped noise that was tailored to each talker's long-term average spectrum. The number of correct keywords was calculated. There were no significant differences between talker groups based on sex or age apart from the middle-aged male talkers who were less intelligible than other talker groups. These results suggest that some of the previous findings with regards to intelligibility differences between different talker groups (female vs male; younger vs older adults) may be driven by the masking potential of background noise.
“YOUTUBE SPACE”—A PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF VOWEL SPACES AND CHARISMA PERCEPTION ON YOUTUBE

This study investigates correlations between vowel space size (measured as the mean formant ranges of the first two formants F1 and F2) and listener ratings of charisma and charisma-adjacent features ( authentic , enthusiastic , likeable , and persuasive ). The re-sults show that for stimuli from a perception exper-iment, speakers with larger F1 ranges are perceived as more charismatic, but at the same time less authentic. The opposite is the case for a full 50-minute data set: For this data set, speakers with a smaller F1 range were perceived as more charismatic. The results differ from previous research suggesting that charisma on YouTube and other genres like business speeches may work differently.
Music and Emotion: The Intervallic Fallacy of the Major-Minor Dichotomy

This project aims to expose a widespread inaccuracy in the work of academic researchers regarding how music affects human emotion. A centuries-old musical phenomenon known as the “major-minor dichotomy” refers to the fact that major-key music tends to sound happy while minor-key music tends to sound sad. The dichotomy also applies to major and minor chords, as they form the foundation of the major and minor keys. Unfortunately, researchers typically misunderstand the dichotomy as also applying to the major-third and minor-third intervals that comprise these chords. This mistake impedes the efficacy of studies aimed at determining how music can benefit society, from improving cognition and memory to treating disorders such as depression and anxiety. To test my hypothesis that the dichotomy is inapplicable to intervals, I created a survey in which 180 adult participants listened to six audio samples and reported emotional responses on a Likert scale (from “Definitely Sad” to “Definitely Happy”). The samples, presented in a non-logical order to avoid leading participants, featured each interval alone and within a major and minor chordal context. The participants reported a remarkably high neutral response, and the vast majority of the happy or sad responses lacked confidence. Furthermore, the two intervals alone yielded nearly identical, neutral results while the samples of the intervals presented within a major or minor chordal context yielded responses that reflect the happy-sad duality of those chords. The results support my hypothesis that the major-minor dichotomy on the intervallic level is a fallacy.
Mosquito and human characteristics influence natural Anopheline biting behavior and Plasmodium falciparum transmission

The human infectious reservoir of Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites is governed by the efficiency of parasite transmission during vector human contact as well as mosquito biting preferences. Understanding mosquito biting bias in a natural setting can help inform precise targeting of interventions to efficiently interrupt transmission. In a 15-month longitudinal cohort study in a high transmission setting in western Kenya, we investigated human and mosquito factors associated with differential mosquito biting by matching human DNA in single- and multi-source Anopheles bloodmeals to the individuals they bit. We employed risk factor analyses and econometric models of probabilistic choice to assess mosquito biting behavior with respect to both human-to-mosquito transmission and mosquito-to-human transmission. We observed that P. falciparum-infected school-age boys accounted for 50% of bites potentially leading to onward transmission to mosquitoes and had an entomological inoculation rate 6.4x higher than any other group, that infectious mosquitoes were 2.8x more likely to bite cohort members harboring P. falciparum parasites compared to noninfectious mosquitoes, and that this preference to feed on infected people was enhanced by the presence of higher sporozoite loads in the mosquito head. Taken together, these results suggest that school-age boys disproportionately contribute to the P. falciparum transmission cycle and that P. falciparum sporozoites modify mosquito biting preferences to favor feeding on infected people.
Metagenomic analysis of colonic tissue and stool microbiome in patients with colorectal cancer in a South Asian population

Objective: The gut microbiome is thought to play an important role in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, as the gut microbiome varies widely based on diet, we sought to investigate the gut microbiome changes in patients with CRC in a South Asian population. Design: The gut microbiome was assessed by 16s metagenomic sequencing targeting the V4 hypervariable region of the bacterial 16S rRNA in stool samples (n=112) and colonic tissue (n=36) in 112 individuals. Of these had CRC (n=24), premalignant lesions (n=10), healthy individuals (n=50) and in those with diabetes (n=28). Results: Overall, the relative abundances of genus Fusobacterium (p < 0.001), Acinetobacter (p < 0.001), Escherichia-Shigella (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in gut tissue, while Romboutsia (p < 0.01) and Prevotella (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in stool samples. Bacteroides and Fusobacterium, were the most abundant genera found in stool samples in patients with CRC. Patients with pre-malignant lesions had significantly high abundances of Christensenellaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Mollicutes and Ruminococcaceae (p < 0.001) compared to patients with CRC, and healthy individuals. Romboutsia was significantly more abundant (p< 0.01) in stool samples in healthy individuals compared to those with CRC and diabetes. Conclusion: Despite marked differences in the Sri Lankan diet compared to the typical Western diet, Bacteroides and Fusobacterium species were the most abundant in those with CRC, with Prevotella species, being most abundant in many individuals. We believe these results pave the way for possible dietary interventions for prevention of CRC in the South Asian population.
Historical buildings in South Africa

This book extensively covers, in both text and full-colour historical photographs and illustrations, approximately 300 of South Africa's most important buildings: national monuments as well as undeclared buildings. The buildings range from the 17th-century castle, Cape Town, to the pre-World War II, Art Deco Voortrekker Monument. The styles and fashions is the architecture are closely bound to the history of South African people. The following locations are mentioned: Cape Peninsula, South Western Cape, Southern Cape and Cape interior,Eastern Cape, Orange free state, Natal Wit- Watersrand and Pretoria, Transvaal Country. A glossary of terms, a bibliography and an index complete the book.
Nurses’ Documentation Practice and Associated Factors in Eight Public Hospitals, Amhara Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Nursing care documentation, which is the record of nursing care that is planned for and delivered to individual patients, can enhance patient outcomes while advancing the nursing profession. However, its practice and associated factors among Ethiopian nurses are not well investigated. Objective To assess the level of nursing care documentation practice and associated factors among nurses working at public hospitals in Ethiopia. Methods An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from May 1 to 30, 2022. A total of 378 nurses and corresponding charts were randomly selected with a multistage sampling technique. Self-administered structured questionnaires and structured checklists were used to collect data about independent variables and nurses’ documentation practice, respectively. Epi Data 4.6 was used for data entry and SPSS version 25 for analysis. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis have been employed. The STROBE checklist was used to report the study. Results In this study, 372 nurses participated, and 30.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 26%–35%) of them had good nursing care documentation practice. Adequate knowledge about nursing care documentation(adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.16, 95% CI: [2.36–7.33]), favorable attitude toward nursing care documentation (AOR = 3.43, 95% CI: [1.85–6.36]), adequacy of documenting sheets (AOR = 2.02, 95% CI: [1.14–3.59]), adequacy of time (AOR = 3.85, 95% CI: [2.11–7.05]), nurse-to-patient ratio (AOR = 2.78, 95% CI: [1.13–6.84]), and caring patients who had no stress, anxiety, pain, and distress (AOR = 3.56, 95% CI: [1.69–7.52]) were significantly associated with proper nursing care documentation practices. Conclusion Nursing documentation practice was poor in this study compared to the health sector transformation in quality standards due to the identified factors. Improving nurses’ knowledge and attitude toward nursing care documentation and increasing access to documentation materials can contribute to improving documentation practice.