Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
CPbot: The Construction of Mobile Botnet Using GCM

In order to detect hacker attacks and take early countermeasures, this paper introduced a novel mobile botnet called CPbot which uses Google Cloud Messaging (GCM) to spread Trojan on Android devices. First, we presented the network model of this GCM based mobile botnet as well as its command and control (C&C) mechanism. Secondly, we illustrated the different roles that this botnet can play. Finally, we setup a simulation model to discuss the topology of this mobile botnet. The MATLAB simulation result shows that CPbot is robust against single point of failures and has good resiliency to shutdown attempts, its command dissemination is highly efficient and the bot App has very low battery consumption. This analysis indicates that mobile botnet is a leading threat to mobile network security; therefore we must deploy defense strategies against this botnet.
Deep radiomic precision CT imaging for prognostic biomarkers for interstitial lung diseases

We developed a novel survival analysis model for images, called pix2surv, based on a conditional generative adversarial network (cGAN). The performance of the model was evaluated in the prediction of the overall survival of patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) based on the radiomic 4D-curvature of lung CT images. The architecture of the pix2surv model is based on that of a pix2pix cGAN, in which a generator is configured to generate an estimated survival time image from an input radiomic image of a patient, and a discriminator attempts to differentiate the “fake pair” of the input radiomic image and a generated survival-time image from a “true pair” of the input radiomic image and the observed survival-time image of the patient. For evaluation, we retrospectively identified 71 RA-ILD patients with lung CT images and pulmonary function tests. The 4D-curvature images computed from the CT images were subjected to the pix2surv model for evaluation of their predictive performance with that of an established clinical prognostic biomarker known as the GAP index. Also, principal-curvature images and average principal curvatures were individually subjected, in place of the 4D-curvature images, to the pix2surv model for performance comparison. The evaluation was performed by use of bootstrapping with concordance index (C-index) and relative absolute error (RAE) as metrics of prediction performance. Preliminary result showed that the use of 4D-curvature images yielded C-index and RAE values that statistically significantly outperformed the use of the clinical biomarker as well as the other radiomic images and features, indicating the effectiveness of 4D-curvature images with pix2surv as a prognostic imaging biomarker for the survival of patients with RA-ILD.
Modelo de alinhamento estratégico de produção – MAP: contribuição teórica para a área de estratégia de produção

The motivating factor behind the current work comes from previous studies on approaches to strategic production and from the development process of strategic production. The study was also driven by assessments of the competitive development of strategic production in a specific productive unit, such as the strategic power of its function of production, which goes beyond understanding the link between the competitive priorities and the decision production area. Thus, the strategic alignment of production (SAP) model was proposed, which explores this assessment of development using four levels of inter-related analysis: level 1 – the competitive positions in the company and manufacturing; level 2 – the competitive position and the strategic paradigm of manufacturing management; level 3 – the strategic paradigm of both the manufacture gesture and the production strategy; and level 4 – competitive priorities and the value network operation. The proposed model is an important theoretical tool for the orientation, assessment and analysis of the importance of strategic production within companies.
Optimal Thermal Unit Commitment Integrated with Renewable Energy Sources Using Advanced Particle Swarm Optimization

This paper presents a methodology for solving generation planning problem for thermal units integrated with wind and solar energy systems. The renewable energy sources are included in this model due to their low electricity cost and positive effect on environment. The generation planning problem also known by unit commitment problem is solved by a genetic algorithm operated improved binary particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. Unlike trivial PSO, this algorithm runs the refinement process through the solutions within multiple populations. Some genetic algorithm operators such as crossover, elitism, and mutation are stochastically applied within the higher potential solutions to generate new solutions for next population. The PSO includes a new variable for updating velocity in accordance with population best along with conventional particle best and global best. The algorithm performs effectively in various sized thermal power system with equivalent solar and wind energy system and is able to produce high quality (minimized production cost) solutions. The solution model is also beneficial for reconstructed deregulated power system. The simulation results show the effectiveness of this algorithm by comparing the outcome with several established methods. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Development of discontinuous fibre preforming processes

Discontinuous fibre composites are under increasing investigation for structural and semi-structural components as they are easily automated, making it possible to remove costly hand labour based steps typically associated with advanced fibre reinforced composites. Directed fibre preforming (DFP) is one possible process which has several advantages when compared with competing techniques. Low material and process costs coupled with short cycle times means the process is suited to medium volume production (typically <10,000 ppa). Predicting mechanical performance remains a major obstacle to industrial adoption however, due to the stochastic nature of fibre distribution. This is of particular importance for structural applications where minimum property requirements and a greater certainty of performance must be achieved. This thesis employs a stochastic macroscale modelling approach to predict fibre locations during the reinforcement deposition stage. This is achieved through process characterisation studying the effects of key microstructural and process-specific parameters on fibre distribution and orientation. The proposed DFP simulation software can generate realistic fibre networks for complex three-dimensional component geometries providing feedback on preform quality. This information is used to optimise the preform structure via process input parameters such as robot trajectory and material properties with validation tests conducted to assess model accuracy. An interface between the simulation software and commercial finite element code facilitates mechanical property analysis for full-scale components using realistic load cases. The complete software package is intended to streamline the route to manufacture for DFP processes from a conceptual design stage.
STATCOM-STATic synchronous COMpensator: theory, modeling, and applications

This paper describes the theory and the modeling technique of a flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) device, namely, the static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) using the EMTP simulation package. The STATCOM, a solid-state voltage source inverter coupled with a transformer, is tied to a transmission line. A STATCOM injects an almost sinusoidal current, of variable magnitude, at the point of connection. This injected current is almost in quadrature with the line voltage, thereby emulating an inductive or a capacitive reactance at the point of connection with the transmission line. The functionality of the STATCOM model is verified by regulating the reactive current flow through it. This is useful for regulating the line voltage.
Design and implementation of an open circuit voltage prediction mechanism for lithium-ion battery systems

This paper describes an open circuit voltage (OCV) prediction technique for lithium cells. The work contains an investigation to examine the charge and mixed state relaxation voltage curves, to analyse the potential for the OCV prediction technique in a practical system. The underlying principal of the technique described in this paper employs a simple equation paired with a polynomial to predict the equilibrated cell voltage after a small rest period. The polynomial coefficients are devised by the use of curve fitting and system identification techniques. The practical work detailed in this paper was conducted at the Centre for Automotive and Power System Engineering (CAPSE) battery laboratories at the University of South Wales. The results indicate that the proposed OCV prediction technique is highly effective and may be implemented with a simple battery management system.
TNFa is Involved in the Development of Disuse Muscle Atrophy Through the Acid Sphingomyelinase/ Ceramide Up-Regulation and Pro-Oxidant Signaling

Background: There is paucity of data indicating the role of cytokines including TNFa in the development of disuse muscle atrophy, despite the growing interest to this problem emerging in the recent years. The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that TNFa/ TNFR1 may be involved in the development of disuse muscle atrophy caused by unloading through aSMase/ ceramide/ ROS mechanism. Methods: The experiments were performed on male Wistar rats (180 – 230g) subjected to 4 or 14 days of hindlimb suspension (HS) and treated with clomipramine (HS+Clom) or vehicle. The following parameters were studied: TNFR1, aSMase, nSMase and Nox2 proteins and ceramide in detergent-resistant membrane (DRM) fraction isolated from soleus muscle homogenates, pro-oxidant/anti-oxidant and pro-apoptotic/anti-apoptotic activities, immune fluorescence intensity and distribution of ceramide, Nox2, Nox4 and caveolin-3 on longitudinal and transverse muscle sections. The relative muscle mass, cross-sectional area (CSA) and Feret’s diameter (FD) of muscle fibers were used to confirm muscle atrophy. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA followed by the Bonferroni post hoc test, or Cruskall-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Disuse caused an increase in membrane TNFR1, aSMase, ceramide abundance in DRM, up-regulation of pro-oxidant and pro-apoptotic capacities (increased Nox2, Nox4, TBA-active products, Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, elevated activity of caspase-3/7 and -6). The most of alterations were maximal on the 4 th day of unloading. The inhibitor of aSMase clomipramine attenuated ceramide accumulation, decreased pro-oxidant and pro-apoptotic activities and diminished muscle atrophy induced by unloading. It has been shown that in suspended for 14 days rats the loss in relative muscle mass, CSA and FD averaged -35%, -65% and -49%, respectively, whereas in clomipramine treated rats it was -25%, -45% and -25%, in comparison with the control values. Clomipramine also mitigated the inhibition of the mTORC1/p70S6 kinase inhibition caused by 14-day HS. Conclusions: The obtained results indicate the involvement of aSMase/ ceramide pathway in the development of disuse muscle atrophy. This effect may be triggered by TNFR1 and realized through enhanced prooxidant NADPH oxidase activity and pro-apoptotic signaling.
A Computer-aided Multi-scale Modeling and Direct Fabrication of Bone Structure

A multi-scale voxel modeling approach was presented to model the bone structure both in macroscopic and microscopic level. Based on the digital image, the overall macroscopic geometry of the vertebrate was acquired by traditional reverse engineering technology and the microscopic random trabecular network was described by two-point correlation function and the function was then used to reconstruct the bone microstructure. It was shown that the reconstructed model is statistically equivalent to the original structure in the microscopic level and the design intension can be integrated in the developed model. A direct-fabrication process planning was also developed based on the voxel model. The advantage is that there is no need for slicing process in this process which is a costly and essential process for traditional rapid prototype technology.
Barcode-based Low-cost Portable Training Attendance Management System Development

An important factor in education is ensuring reliable quality of education. There are a variety of ways based on criteria to ensure the quality of education. To ensure quality management, attendance is important which is highly reliable rating at the account education of Ministry of Employment and Labor and sevice training of Health Care. In contrast, the service training of health care professionals was consisting of formal attendance management, quality of education has been raised as a problem. Recently developed USN-based attendance management system is effective. But if education is proceed at a large number of small scale in the area of education, cost, portability, systeme management, the reliability of the Trainee’s attendance remained as problems to solve. To address these needs, this paper quoted low-cost attendance management system which was desighned and implemented by barcode and PC camera. As a result the actual maintenance training system showed a 98% satisfaction in terms of administrator and 95% satisfaction in terms of Trainee.
Chitin, Chitinases and Chitin Derivatives in Biopharmaceutical, Agricultural and Environmental Perspective

Chitin is a major structural polysaccharide after cellulose and exists as the most abundant polymer in nature. Chitin is a nitrogen-containing homopolymer of β-(1,4) linked N-Acetylglucosamine. It is a key cell wall component of fungi, also found in a wide range of organisms, including viruses, plants, animals, insect exoskeletons, and crustacean shells. This review focused on the recent developments of applications of chitin, chitinases, and chitin derivatives in biomedicinal, agricultural and environmental perspectives for sustainable development. Chitinases are hydrolytic enzymes responsible for the degradation of chitin and are used in biocontrol against various fungal pathogens and insects to reduce the uses of synthetic fungicides and insecticides. These can serve as sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives to pesticides. Chitinases producing microorganisms are a potential alternative to these chemicals which are present in the soil as a part of the ecosystem. Chitin derivatives and chitinases have significant pharmacological values and are effective as an anti-inflammatory drug, ulcerative colitis, anticancer and gastrointestinal disorders. The significant medical roles of chitinases have also been observed to amplifying the functioning of antifungal drugs during the treatment of fungal diseases. These enzymes can be used for strengthened the human immune system and also employed antifungal creams and lotions as rightly expected. Chitin derivatives have a number of applications in the making of artificial medical articles, including contact lenses, artificial skin, and surgical stitches. These derivatives have been extensively used in making artificial medical products because of its non-toxic, non-allergic, biocompatible, and biodegradable properties. Chitin and its derivatives used for environmental applications comprise bioremediation of organic and inorganic contaminants from soil and water along with biological conversions of chitinous waste to the single-cell proteins, bioethanol, and biofertilizers as well.
A fuzzy sets model for construction dispute evaluation

Unresolved construction dispute can be detrimental to project success. A systematic method to evaluate the seriousness of construction dispute of a construction project will assist management to take appropriate corrective actions. Evaluation of construction disputes requires an analysis on both the likelihood of occurrence and its impact, which are normally expressed by practitioners in linguistic terms. The application of classical discrete analysis will not be able to accommodate the fuzzy nature of this information. To determine how fuzzy sets theory can be applied to construction disputes evaluation (CDE), a fuzzy CDE model has been developed based on the knowledge extracted from practitioners in Hong Kong. The fuzzy CDE system consists of four components: dispute identification, dispute analysis; dispute evaluation; and dispute control. This paper describes the framework and operation of the fuzzy CDE system developed. The results indicate that CDE can be modelled by the fuzzy sets theory.
EVALUATION OF THE TOXICOLOGICAL SAFETY OF A FREEZE- DRIED PROBIOTIC PREPARATION

A combination consisting of selected probiotic strains lactobacilli and bifidobacteria from the National Bank for Industrial Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (NBIMCC), Bulgaria was developed. During their joint cultivation the strains demonstrated their ability to multiplicate, accumulating high concentrations of viable cells. The toxicogenity of the symbiotic combination was examined by testing the freeze-dryed substance, containing lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, on biological objects (white mice). Each experimental animal was injected intraperitoneally with 5.10 8 CFU viable cells daily in the duration of 10 days. After the experimental period a post-mortem examination was conducted to analyze the safety of the substance of probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which is the basis for the preparation of probiotic combinations. The absence of toxicogenity of the freeze-dried substance of probiotic lactobacilli and bifidobacteria is proven by the lack of any pathological changes in the health status, damages to the parenchymal organs, the peritoneum or the omentum that would otherwise indicate toxicity.
Space and military radiation effects in silicon-on-insulator devices

Advantages in transient ionizing and single-event upset (SEU) radiation hardness of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology spurred much of its early development. Both of these advantages are a direct result of the reduced charge collection volume inherent to SOI technology. The fact that SOI transistor structures do not include parasitic n-p-n-p paths makes them immune to latchup. Even though considerable improvement in transient and single-event radiation hardness can be obtained by using SOI technology, there are some attributes of SOI devices and circuits that tend to limit their overall hardness. These attributes include the bipolar effect that can ultimately reduce the hardness of SOI ICs to SEU and transient ionizing radiation, and charge buildup in buried and sidewall oxides that can degrade the total-dose hardness of SOI devices. Nevertheless, high-performance SOI circuits can be fabricated that are hardened to both space and nuclear radiation environments, and radiation-hardened systems remain an active market for SOI devices. The effects of radiation on SOI MOS devices are reviewed.
Comparison of the Shear Resistance in the Sliding Joint between Asphalt Belts and Modern PVC Foils

This paper deals with sliding joint in the foundation structure. Application of sliding joint into foundation structure is an effective method to reduce effect of horizontal deformation of foundations. These can arise from effect of undermining or from shrinkage or creep of concrete. A different material can be used to create sliding joint but some are advantageous and some are not. It is often used an asphalt belt or newly different modern foils are used too. Different types of asphalt belts are tested at Faculty of Civil Engineering at different loads and at different temperatures. Some foils are tested too. The effect of ambient temperature is monitored to better description of temperature dependency of asphalt belts. Long-term goal of this research is to simplify process of design buildings with sliding joint and to help designer with right choice of the most advantageous material.
ANSWERS: A Model for Watershed Planning

ABSTRACT IN recent years, a greatly increased emphasis has been placed on improving and maintaining the quality of our national water resources. Agencies and individuals from the various levels of government, industry and private life are seeking information concerning the ef-fects that land use, management, and conservation prac-tices or structures might have on the quality and quantity of water from both agricultural and non-agricultural watersheds. ANSWERS (Areal Nonpoint Source Watershed En-vironment Response Simulation) was developed in an ef-fort to supply the desired information described above for primarily agricultural watersheds. The overall struc-ture consists of a hydrologic model, a sediment detachment/transport model and several routing com-ponents necessary to describe the movement of water in overland, subsurface and channel flow phases. ANSWERS, unlike many large-scale watershed model structures, uses distributed (rather than lumped) parameters and is event (rather than long-term) oriented. These operational features generally yield a better understanding of the hydrologic and water quality interactions involved in a watershed by allowing the user to physically describe those processes both spatially and temporally. The purpose of this report is to present the operational concepts, the basic mathematical model used in ANSWERS, general data needs and user considerations. In addition, the potential utility of ANSWERS as a plan-ning tool is demonstrated by simulating several manage-ment alternatives for a primarily agricultural watershed in northeastern Indiana subjected to several different precipitation events.
Eén gezin, één plan, één regisseur: de gemeente aan zet

In the coming years, a major decentralization operation in the social sector will make the Dutch municipalities fully responsible for support, assistance and home care. The starting point for decentralization is the ‘one family, one plan, one coordinator’-approach. Under municipal reign, professionals will have to coordinate their actions in order to provide more customized services and to enhance citizens’ involvement. In this contribution we discuss two pilots, of the municipalities of Enschede and Leeuwarden, which have experimented with the new approach. We describe the background, institutional structure and results and conclude that there is evidence that the new approach has worked. We end with a reflection on the present challenges that municipalities are confronted with, when applying the approach under the current conditions of new responsibilities and severe budget cuts.
Electromagnetic compatibility issues in industrial equipment

The aspects covered by the EMC regulations, in particular European Directive 89/336/EEC, are numerous and often complex. In this article, the authors have tried to summarize the standards recalled by the Directive for industrial and residential equipment and to emphasize some relevant measurement and design problems. The picture is surely vague and incomplete, but one point should be evident: EMC is a real problem and finding solutions which are technically suitable and economically competitive is today's challenge for design engineers.