Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Unboxing security analytics : towards effective data driven security operations

Security Operations Centers (SOCs) play a central role in protecting organizations from diverse threats targeting their primary business processes. It is their mission to detect, analyze, respond to, report on and prevent security incidents. Despite substantial investments in preventive and detective security controls, adversaries still manage to remain undetected for prolonged periods of time which can result in a security breach. SOCs face hard times when protecting their constituencies due to diverse causes. This thesis addresses these difficulties by introducing a holistic approach to security operations: Data Driven Security Operations. We first performed an investigation of the challenges SOCs face these days based on gray literature. We categorized the resulting challenges into four main categories: an increasingly complex IT environment, limited business alignment, ever - evolving adversaries and corresponding attacks, and finally, inadequate resources with respect to people and technology. A description of each of these categories and its associated elements are part of the problem analysis and formalization. We address the challenges by presenting a holistic approach to security operations: the conceptual model for Data Driven Security Operations. The model consists of the following six facets: Situational Awareness, Threat Intelligence, Detection Methods, Response & Investigation, SOC Staff and SOC Infrastructure. All six facets revolve around data and together they show how people, processes and technology are all crucial elements to perform security operations driven by data and analysis thereof. We also created an instantiation of the conceptual model for Data Driven Security Operations. SOCs can use it to assess their current status with respect to the six facets. Performing the assessment increases the tangibility of the model, lays the foundation for discussing the effectiveness of the SOC and provides recommendations for improvement. Both the model and the instantiation were evaluated with five professionals. Although the interviewees indicated that they liked the instantiation, several improvement points were identified. The conceptual model itself was received positively.
Enhanced hybrid asymmetrically clipped orthogonal frequency division multiplexing for optical wireless communications

Abstract. This paper presents an enhanced hybrid asymmetrically clipped optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (EHACO-OFDM) scheme, which benefits from the simultaneous transmission of ACO-OFDM, pulse-amplitude-modulated discrete multitone modulation, and direct-current-biased optical orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DCO-OFDM). Since the entire available bandwidth is utilized for data modulation, this scheme can achieve higher spectral efficiency than HACO-OFDM and ACO-OFDM. Moreover, as a smaller DC bias is introduced in our scheme, it is more power efficient than asymmetrically clipped DC-biased optical OFDM (ADO-OFDM) and DCO-OFDM. A modified receiver is also designed for this system, taking advantage of an iterative algorithm and a pairwise averaging. It has been shown by simulation that our three-path simultaneous transmission scheme can surpass the existing mixed OFDM-based schemes at high data rates. In addition, compared with the noniterative receiver, the modified receiver exhibits significant gains.
Olfactory identification disorders due to Alzheimer’s disease: A new test from France to Quebec

Olfactory identification disorder is regarded as an early marker of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and of similar diagnostic significance of biological or cognitive markers. Premature damage of the entorhinal olfactory cortex, the hippocampus and the orbitofrontal cortex characterize AD and suggest a specific impairment of olfactory identification. The use of psychophysical olfactory identification tests in clinical diagnostic practice is therefore strongly recommended, but not required. As these widespread tests are rarely used, an innovative test, adapted to this target group has been developed. It has been used and validated in a routine care protocol at different Memory Centers in France and in Quebec, Canada. A total of 157 participants were recruited: including 63 Alzheimer’s patients and 94 healthy controls. The test was composed of 14 odorants diluted into 4 different concentrations. A computer interface generated randomization of 6 odors per participant and the automatic calculation of identification scores, of perceptual thresholds and of composite scores. All participants underwent a Mini Mental Scale Examination within the previous three months or on the same day of the olfactory test. The Alzheimer’s patients had a score between 20 and 30 and healthy controls participants had a score above 28 without any loss of points on recalled items. The results show that our olfactory identification test is able to significantly differentiate Alzheimer’s patients from healthy controls (p < 0.001), and to distinguish the French population tested from the Quebec population (p < 0.001). This study highlights an olfactory identification disorder as a target for early diagnosis of AD. Its cultural qualities make it a potential candidate for differentiated calibration between France and Quebec.
Serum exosomal microRNA-144-3p: a promising biomarker for monitoring Crohn's disease

Abstract Background Crohn’s disease (CD) has a tendency for recurrence and requires adequate monitoring and personalized treatment. Since endoscopy is considerably invasive, serum biomarkers are required as alternatives for CD monitoring. Toward this, exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) may serve as promising candidates. In this study, we aimed to assess the role of serum exosomal microRNA-144-3p (miR-144-3p) as a biomarker for CD monitoring. Methods We prospectively recruited 154 patients without a history of surgery (Cohort 1) and 75 patients who were to undergo intestinal resection (Cohort 2). Serum samples were collected from Cohort 1 before colonoscopy and from Cohort 2 before surgery and during post-operative colonoscopic examination. The serum levels of exosomal miR-144-3p were measured using quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Correlations between relative exosomal miR-144-3p levels, disease activity, and disease behavior were analysed. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) was used to assess the predictive value of exosomal miR-144-3p regarding mucosal activity and post-operative recurrence. Results A 3.33-fold increase in serum exosomal miR-144-3p levels was recorded in patients with CD compared with those in healthy controls (P < 0.001). The exosomal miR-144-3p levels were positively correlated with the simple endoscopic score of CD (ρ = 0.547, P < 0.001) as well as the Rutgeerts score (ρ = 0.478, P < 0.001). Elevated exosomal miR-144-3p levels were correlated with the penetrating disease with high specificity (100% [95% confidence interval, 95.1%–100%]). The accuracy of exosomal miR-144-3p for identifying post-operative recurrence was higher than that of C-reactive protein (CRP) (AUC, 0.775 vs 0.639; P < 0.001). Conclusions Serum exosomal miR-144-3p is a reliable biomarker of mucosal inflammation and penetrating CD. It may identify endoscopic CD recurrence after intestinal resection with higher accuracy than CRP testing.
Impact of correcting misinformation on social disruption

People are obtaining more and more information from social media and other online sources, but the spread of misinformation can lead to social disruption. In particular, social networking services (SNSs) can easily spread information of uncertain authenticity and factuality. Although many studies have proposed methods that addressed how to suppress the spread of misinformation on SNSs, few works have examined the impact on society of diffusing both misinformation and its corrective information. This study models the effects of effort to reduce misinformation and the diffusion of corrective information on social disruption, and it clarifies these effects. With the aim of reducing the impact on social disruption, we show that not only misinformation but also corrective information can cause social disruption, and we clarify how to control the spread of the latter to limit its impact. We analyzed the misinformation about a toilet-paper shortage and its correction as well as the social disruption this event caused in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. First, (1) we analyzed the extent to which misinformation and its corrections spread on SNS, and then (2) we created a model to estimate the impact of misinformation and its corrections on the world. Finally, (3) We used our model to analyze the change in this impact when the diffusion of the misinformation and its corrections changed. Based on our analysis results in (1), the corrective information spread much more widely than the misinformation. From the model developed in (2), the corrective information caused excessive purchasing behavior. The analysis results in (3) show that the amount of corrective information required to minimize the societal impact depends on the amount of misinformation diffusion. Most previous studies concentrated on the impact of corrective information on attitudes toward misinformation. On the other hand, the most significant contribution of this study is that it focuses on the impact of corrective information on society and clarifies the appropriate amount of it.
Phylogeny-based identification of Mycoplasma genitalium in a Nigerian population of apparently healthy sexually active female students

Introduction Mycoplasma genitalium is an emerging sexually transmitted pathogen. Sexually transmitted infection (STI) is still a burden for Nigerian women because it is asymptomatic. The lack of detection of M. genitalium in apparently healthy sexually active females in Nigeria is due to non-application of high throughput molecular approach. We conducted a study to identify M. genitalium in apparently healthy Nigerian female students using a phylogenetic approach. Methods one hundred endocervical swab specimens were collected from a student population of sexually active females aged 15 - 39 years. The 16SrRNA gene V1-V3 region of M. genitalium were amplified directly from the specimens before sequencing. Maximum Likelihood (ML) phylogenetic analysis was carried out to determine genetic relatedness. Results the prevalence of M. genitalium infection was 1% among students. The majority (59%) of them were between 20 - 24 years, with a mean age of 26.2 ± 2.66 years. High number of sexual partners, previous STI and irregular condom use were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the prevalence of M. genitalium infection. There was extensive lack of knowledge (0%) about M. genitalium infection among the students. Phylogenetic analysis revealed three clades with different relatedness. Our study highlighted that 16SrRNA gene was a detector of M. genitalium, but it shared no phylogenetic relationship with other examined species from around the world. Conclusion despite a low prevalence of M. genitalium infection among the understudied group, its cause was not established; consequently, prevention and control measures should be based on health education in the general population in order to limit the spread of this pathogen. To our knowledge, this is the first study to identify M. genitalium among the general population of Nigeria using a phylogenetic approach.
Brushless doubly-fed induction machines for wind turbines: developments and research challenges

The brushless doubly-fed induction machine (DFIM) provides an interesting alternative to the commonly applied conventional DFIM in modern multi-megawatt (MW) wind turbines. This study presents a literature survey on the brushless DFIM. The evolution of the cascaded induction machine into the modern brushless DFIM is discussed, as well as several theories explaining this machines complex operating principles. Nowadays, brushless DFIM research is mainly focused on the development of a commercially competitive brushless DFIM-based drive for multi-MW wind turbine applications. An overview of the latest developments in the fields of brushless DFIM modelling, design, and control is provided. Based on this, a qualitative comparison is presented of the brushless DFIM and other well-established generator systems for wind turbines and the challenges for future research are explored.
A interação e apropriação tecnológica de pessoas com deficiência através de ferramenta multimídia acessível

Against a broad context of increased technological development, profuse forms of information dissemination and access by means of multimedia resources and multiple languages, it can be observed that people with special needs are still excluded from processes of digital data production and reception. Considering the potential of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) to provide an alternative of transposing social limitations, this study introduces a tool labeled Oficina Multimidia, which aims at promoting the social interaction and manifestation of ideas by such individuals in processes of authorship and team work involving aural, imagetic and verbal signs. A qualitative investigation was conducted among participants with distinct needs (visually impaired individuals, physically handicapped and individuals with Down syndrome) to evaluate the extent to which the software implementation, following recommendations regarding the accessibility and availability of multimedia resources for PSNs, facilitates processes of technological appropriation and interaction among the research participants. Tests carried out with the software users validated part of the strategies adopted and pointed out to the need of considering improvements for future projects involving similar multimedia access tools. Complementarily, tests were conducted to evaluate the compatibility of Oficina Multimidia with a tablet prototype and its available assistive technologies. The potential of infoinclusive environments to extend the socio-digital participation of individuals with disabilities can be observed in the assignments produced by the group of participants validating the project.
Definitions and Performance Measures

ATR is often used as an umbrella term for the entire field of military image exploitation. ATR Working Group (ATRWG) workshops cover a wide range of topics including image quality measurement, geo-registration, target tracking, similarity measures, and progress in various military programs. In a narrower sense, ATR refers to the automatic (unaided) processing of sensor data to locate and classify targets. ATR can refer to a set of algorithms, as well as software and hardware to implement the algorithms. As a hardwareoriented description, ATR stands for automatic target recognition system or automatic target recognizer. ATR can also refer to an operating mode of a sensor or system such as a radar.
Sustained patient use and improved outcomes with digital transformation of a COPD service: RECEIVER trial and DYNAMIC-SCOT COVID-19 scale-up response.

Introduction LenusCOPD has been co-designed to enable digital transformation of COPD services for proactive preventative care. Patient-facing progressive web application, clinician dashboard and support website integrate patient-reported outcomes (PROs), self-management resources, structured clinical summary, wearable and home NIV data with asynchronous patient-clinician messaging. We commenced the implementation-effectiveness observational cohort RECEIVER trial in September 2019, with the primary endpoint of sustained patient usage and secondary endpoints including admissions, mortality, exacerbations, service workload and quality of life. We paused recruitment in March 2021 and provided LenusCOPD as routine care in the 'DYNAMIC-SCOT' COVID-19 response service scale-up. Methods 83 RECEIVER trial participants and 142 DYNAMIC-SCOT participants had completed minimum 1 year follow-up when we censored data on 31st August 2021. We established a control cohort with 5 patients matched per RECEIVER participant from de-identified contemporary routine clinical data. Results Sustained patient app utilisation was noted in both cohorts. Median time to admission or death was 43 days in control, 338 days in RECEIVER and 400 days in DYNAMIC-SCOT participants who had had a respiratory-related admission in the preceding year. The 12-month risk of admission or death was 74% in control patients, 53% in RECEIVER and 47% in the DYNAMIC-SCOT sub-cohort participants. There was a median of 2.5 COPD exacerbations per patient per year with stable quality of life across follow up and a manageable workload for clinical users. Conclusions A high proportion of people continued to use the co-designed LenusCOPD application during extended follow-up. Outcome data supports scale-up of this digital service transformation.
Impact of Connected Vehicles and Autonomous Vehicles on Future Transportation

Emerging vehicle technologies foreshadow a world in which sensors and software will replace humans in the driver’s seat. Connected and autonomous vehicle technologies are no longer a question of “if” but rather of “how” implementation will impact future transportation. This paper explores the safety and operational impacts of connected and autonomous vehicles on future transportation. Safety impacts include enhanced awareness of surroundings, driving assistance, crash avoidance, and reduced human error. Operational impacts include reduced traffic congestion, improved mobility, optimized freight flow and traffic control, etc. The paper also describes the potential challenges and concerns related to system imperfection, cyber security, insurance, mixed traffic flow, and consumer perception. Furthermore, the paper discusses how these advances of technologies will impact the infrastructure of transportation systems and the transportation engineers and professionals that operate and manage them. It offers great insights into the impact of connected and autonomous vehicles on future transportation.
Glby, Encoded by MAB_3167c, Is Required for In Vivo Growth of Mycobacteroides abscessus and Exhibits Mild β-Lactamase Activity

Mycobacteroides abscessus can cause chronic pulmonary infections requiring administration of multiple antibiotics, still resulting in a low cure rate. The incidence of M. abscessus disease is increasing in the United States and the developed regions of the world. We show for the first time that a protein, Glby, affects growth of this bacterium. Using a mouse model of lung M. abscessus disease, we demonstrate that Glby is required for this bacterium to cause disease. ABSTRACT Mycobacteroides abscessus (Mab; also known as Mycobacterium abscessus) is an emerging opportunistic pathogen. Patients with structural lung conditions such as bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are at high risk of developing pulmonary Mab disease. This disease is often chronic as the current treatment regimens are sub-efficacious. Here, we characterize the phenotype of a Mab strain lacking the MAB_3167c locus, which encodes a protein hereafter referred to as Glby. We demonstrate that the loss of Glby impairs normal planktonic growth in liquid broth, results in longer average cell length, and a melding of surfaces between cells. Glby also exhibits a mild β-lactamase activity. We also present evidence that amino acid substitutions that potentially alter Glby function are not favored. Lastly, we demonstrate that, in a mouse model of pulmonary Mab infection, the mutant lacking Glby was unable to proliferate, gradually cleared, and was undetectable after 3 weeks. These data suggest that an agent that inhibits Glby in vivo may be an efficacious treatment against Mab disease. IMPORTANCE Mycobacteroides abscessus can cause chronic pulmonary infections requiring administration of multiple antibiotics, still resulting in a low cure rate. The incidence of M. abscessus disease is increasing in the United States and the developed regions of the world. We show for the first time that a protein, Glby, affects growth of this bacterium. Using a mouse model of lung M. abscessus disease, we demonstrate that Glby is required for this bacterium to cause disease.
Mentalizing in Adolescents With and Without Prominent Borderline Features: Validation of the Reflective Functioning Questionnaire for Youths (RFQY) and an Investigation of the Factor Structure of Hypo- and Hypermentalizing

Abstract The Reflective Functioning Questionnaire for Youths (RFQY) is a self-report measure of reflective functioning (RF) also referred to as mentalizing. Lower levels of RF are characteristic of a wide range of mental disorders and are especially relevant in the assessment of personality pathology. The goal of the current study is to examine the psychometric properties of a Danish translation of the RFQY and to corroborate previous research on the measure’s ability to differentiate between adolescents with and without borderline personality disorder (BPD) features. 889 adolescents were administered the RFQY and divided into three subsamples: a community sample (n = 644), a clinical non-personality disorder sample (n = 64), and a BPD sample (n = 181). Construct validity was examined through bivariate correlations between RFQY and a dimensional assessment of borderline personality features. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) supported the utility of the RFQY to discriminate between adolescents with and without BPD features. Moreover, a two-factor structure based on previous research of the adult version of the RFQ was examined. A series of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses yielded a two-factor structure corroborating previous research. Implications for prevention, assessment, and treatment are discussed along with methodological limitations and suggestions for future research.
Forty-Five Years of Research and Progress in Breast Cancer: Progress for Some, Disparities for Most

Impressive gains in breast cancer research and treatment have been made over the past 45 years in high-income countries. Many women are now cured with a simple lumpectomy, minimal lymph node surgery, and targeted or endocrine therapy. However, this progress is in stark contrast to what exists in lowand middle-income countries (LMICs) where women have a higher burden of breast cancer mortality and significantly poorer quality of life after breast cancer treatment. Although the death rate from breast cancer has dropped by 40% between 1989 and 2015 across the United States, breast cancer mortality has been steadily rising since 1999. Wide global variation in breast cancer mortality again highlights that not all countries have achieved the same success. In fact, most of the advances since the 1970s in the United States, such as screening mammography, radiotherapy, antihuman epidermal growth factor receptor 2 therapy, bone-directed therapy, and other targeted therapies, are still not available for most women with breast cancer (Table 1, Fig 1). Breast reconstruction surgery, chemoprevention, and genomics are similarly inaccessible. When mastectomy is the only option, there are many fears and misconceptions and little incentive for women to seek earlier medical care. Since much of the improvement in mortality is now being credited to systemic therapies, it may be time to rethink the conventional wisdom where breast cancer treatment equals mastectomy or lumpectomy plus radiation.